`WouldyouliketogototheReunionsaaltobeintroducedtotheotherladiesandgentlemen？'heasked，bendingforwardandsmiling，showinghislarge，strongteeth。Hisblueeyeswentquicklyfromonetotheother——
　　hewasnotquitesureofhisgroundwiththeseEnglishpeople。HewasunhappytoobecausehespokenoEnglishandhewasnotsurewhethertotryhisFrench。
　　`ShallwegototheReunionsaal，andbeintroducedtotheotherpeople？'
　　repeatedGerald，laughing。
　　Therewasamoment'shesitation。
　　`Isupposewe'dbetter——betterbreaktheice，'saidBirkin。
　　Thewomenrose，ratherflushed。AndtheWirt'sblack，beetle—like，broad—shoulderedfigurewentonignominiouslyinfront，towardsthenoise。Heopenedthedoorandusheredthefourstrangersintotheplay—room。
　　Instantlyasilencefell，aslightembarrassmentcameoverthecompany。
　　Thenewcomershadasenseofmanyblondfaceslookingtheirway。Then，thehostwasbowingtoashort，energetic—lookingmanwithlargemoustaches，andsayinginalowvoice:
　　`HerrProfessor，darfichvorstellen——'
　　TheHerrProfessorwaspromptandenergetic。HebowedlowtotheEnglishpeople，smiling，andbegantobeacomradeatonce。
　　`NehmendieHerrschaftenteilanunsererUnterhaltung？'hesaid，withavigoroussuavity，hisvoicecurlingupinthequestion。
　　ThefourEnglishpeoplesmiled，loungingwithanattentiveuneasinessinthemiddleoftheroom。Gerald，whowasspokesman，saidthattheywouldwillinglytakepartintheentertainment。GudrunandUrsula，laughing，excited，felttheeyesofallthemenuponthem，andtheyliftedtheirheadsandlookednowhere，andfeltroyal。
　　TheProfessorannouncedthenamesofthosepresent，sansceremonie。Therewasabowingtothewrongpeopleandtotherightpeople。Everybodywasthere，exceptthemanandwife。Thetwotall，clear—skinned，athleticdaughtersoftheprofessor，withtheirplain—cut，darkblueblousesandlodenskirts，theirratherlong，strongnecks，theirclearblueeyesandcarefullybandedhair，andtheirblushes，bowedandstoodback;thethreestudentsbowedverylow，inthehumblehopeofmakinganimpressionofextremegood—breeding;thentherewasathin，dark—skinnedmanwithfulleyes，anoddcreature，likeachild，andlikeatroll，quick，detached;
　　hebowedslightly;hiscompanion，alargefairyoungman，stylishlydressed，blushedtotheeyesandbowedverylow。
　　Itwasover。
　　`HerrLoerkewasgivingusarecitationintheColognedialect，'saidtheProfessor。
　　`Hemustforgiveusforinterruptinghim，'saidGerald，`weshouldlikeverymuchtohearit。'
　　Therewasinstantlyabowingandanofferingofseats。GudrunandUrsula，GeraldandBirkinsatinthedeepsofasagainstthewall。Theroomwasofnakedoiledpanelling，liketherestofthehouse。Ithadapiano，sofasandchairs，andacoupleoftableswithbooksandmagazines。Initscompleteabsenceofdecoration，saveforthebig，bluestove，itwascosyandpleasant。
　　HerrLoerkewasthelittlemanwiththeboyishfigure，andtheround，full，sensitive—lookinghead，andthequick，fulleyes，likeamouse's。
　　Heglancedswiftlyfromonetotheotherofthestrangers，andheldhimselfaloof。
　　`Pleasegoonwiththerecitation，'saidtheProfessor，suavely，withhisslightauthority。Loerke，whowassittinghunchedonthepianostool，blinkedanddidnotanswer。
　　`Itwouldbeagreatpleasure，'saidUrsula，whohadbeengettingthesentenceready，inGerman，forsomeminutes。
　　Then，suddenly，thesmall，unrespondingmanswungaside，towardshispreviousaudienceandbrokeforth，exactlyashehadbrokenoff;inacontrolled，mockingvoice，givinganimitationofaquarrelbetweenanoldColognewomanandarailwayguard。
　　Hisbodywasslightandunformed，likeaboy's，buthisvoicewasmature，sardonic，itsmovementhadtheflexibilityofessentialenergy，andofamockingpenetratingunderstanding。Gudruncouldnotunderstandawordofhismonologue，butshewasspell—bound，watchinghim。Hemustbeanartist，nobodyelsecouldhavesuchfineadjustmentandsingleness。TheGermansweredoubledupwithlaughter，hearinghisstrangedrollwords，hisdrollphrasesofdialect。Andinthemidstoftheirparoxysms，theyglancedwithdeferenceatthefourEnglishstrangers，theelect。GudrunandUrsulawereforcedtolaugh。Theroomrangwithshoutsoflaughter。
　　TheblueeyesoftheProfessor'sdaughterswereswimmingoverwithlaughter—tears，theirclearcheekswereflushedcrimsonwithmirth，theirfatherbrokeoutinthemostastonishingpealsofhilarity，thestudentsbowedtheirheadsontheirkneesinexcessofjoy。Ursulalookedroundamazed，thelaughterwasbubblingoutofherinvoluntarily。ShelookedatGudrun。Gudrunlookedather，andthetwosistersburstoutlaughing，carriedaway。Loerkeglancedatthemswiftly，withhisfulleyes。Birkinwassniggeringinvoluntarily。
　　GeraldCrichsaterect，withaglisteninglookofamusementonhisface。
　　Andthelaughtercrashedoutagain，inwildparoxysms，theProfessor'sdaughterswerereducedtoshakinghelplessness，theveinsoftheProfessor'sneckwereswollen，hisfacewaspurple，hewasstrangledinultimate，silentspasmsoflaughter。Thestudentswereshoutinghalf—articulatedwordsthattailedoffinhelplessexplosions。Thensuddenlytherapidpatteroftheartistceased，therewerelittlewhoopsofsubsidingmirth，UrsulaandGudrunwerewipingtheireyes，andtheProfessorwascryingloudly。
　　`Daswarausgezeichnet，daswarfamos——'
　　`Wirklichfamos，'echoedhisexhausteddaughters，faintly。
　　`Andwecouldn'tunderstandit，'criedUrsula。
　　`Ohleider，leider！'criedtheProfessor。
　　`Youcouldn'tunderstandit？'criedtheStudents，letlooseatlastinspeechwiththenewcomers。`Ja，dasistwirklichschade，dasistschade，gnadigeFrau。WissenSie——'
　　Themixturewasmade，thenewcomerswerestirredintotheparty，likenewingredients，thewholeroomwasalive。Geraldwasinhiselement，hetalkedfreelyandexcitedly，hisfaceglistenedwithastrangeamusement。
　　PerhapsevenBirkin，intheend，wouldbreakforth。Hewasshyandwithheld，thoughfullofattention。
　　Ursulawasprevailedupontosing`AnnieLowrie，'astheProfessorcalledit。Therewasahushofextremedeference。Shehadneverbeensoflatteredinherlife。Gudrunaccompaniedheronthepiano，playingfrommemory。
　　Ursulahadabeautifulringingvoice，butusuallynoconfidence，shespoiledeverything。Thiseveningshefeltconceitedanduntrammelled。Birkinwaswellinthebackground，sheshonealmostinreaction，theGermansmadeherfeelfineandinfallible，shewasliberatedintooverweeningself—confidence。
　　Shefeltlikeabirdflyingintheair，ashervoicesoaredout，enjoyingherselfextremelyinthebalanceandflightofthesong，likethemotionofabird'swingsthatisupinthewind，slidingandplayingontheair，sheplayedwithsentimentality，supportedbyrapturousattention。Shewasveryhappy，singingthatsongbyherself，fullofaconceitofemotionandpower，workinguponallthosepeople，anduponherself，exertingherselfwithgratification，givingimmeasurablegratificationtotheGermans。
　　Attheend，theGermanswerealltouchedwithadmiring，deliciousmelancholy，theypraisedherinsoft，reverentvoices，theycouldnotsaytoomuch。
　　`Wieschon，wieruhrend！Ach，dieSchottischenLieder，siehabensovielStimmung！AberdiegnadigeFrauhateinewunderbareStimme;
　　diegnadigeFrauistwirklicheineKunstlerin，aberwirklich！'
　　Shewasdilatedandbrilliant，likeaflowerinthemorningsun。ShefeltBirkinlookingather，asifhewerejealousofher，andherbreaststhrilled，herveinswereallgolden。Shewasashappyasthesunthathasjustopenedaboveclouds。Andeverybodyseemedsoadmiringandradiant，itwasperfect。
　　Afterdinnershewantedtogooutforaminute，tolookattheworld。
　　Thecompanytriedtodissuadeher——itwassoterriblycold。Butjusttolook，shesaid。
　　Theyallfourwrappedupwarmly，andfoundthemselvesinavague，unsubstantialoutdoorsofdimsnowandghostsofanupper—world，thatmadestrangeshadowsbeforethestars。Itwasindeedcold，bruisingly，frighteningly，unnaturallycold。Ursulacouldnotbelievetheairinhernostrils。Itseemedconscious，malevolent，purposiveinitsintensemurderouscoldness。
　　Yetitwaswonderful，anintoxication，asilenceofdim，unrealisedsnow，oftheinvisibleinterveningbetweenherandthevisible，betweenherandtheflashingstars。ShecouldseeOrionslopingup。Howwonderfulhewas，wonderfulenoughtomakeonecryaloud。
　　Andallaroundwasthiscradleofsnow，andtherewasfirmsnowunderfoot，thatstruckwithheavycoldthroughherboot—soles。Itwasnight，andsilence。
　　Sheimaginedshecouldhearthestars。Sheimagineddistinctlyshecouldhearthecelestial，musicalmotionofthestars，quitenearathand。Sheseemedlikeabirdflyingamongsttheirharmoniousmotion。
　　AndsheclungclosetoBirkin。Suddenlysherealisedshedidnotknowwhathewasthinking。Shedidnotknowwherehewasranging。
　　`Mylove！'shesaid，stoppingtolookathim。
　　Hisfacewaspale，hiseyesdark，therewasafaintsparkofstarlightonthem。Andhesawherfacesoftandupturnedtohim，verynear。Hekissedhersoftly。
　　`Whatthen？'heasked。
　　`Doyouloveme？'sheasked。
　　`Toomuch，'heansweredquietly。
　　Sheclungalittlecloser。
　　`Nottoomuch，'shepleaded。
　　`Fartoomuch，'hesaid，almostsadly。
　　`Anddoesitmakeyousad，thatIameverythingtoyou？'sheasked，wistful。Heheldherclosetohim，kissingher，andsaying，scarcelyaudible:
　　`No，butIfeellikeabeggar——Ifeelpoor。'
　　Shewassilent，lookingatthestarsnow。Thenshekissedhim。
　　`Don'tbeabeggar，'shepleaded，wistfully。`Itisn'tignominiousthatyouloveme。'
　　`Itisignominioustofeelpoor，isn'tit？'hereplied。
　　`Why？Whyshoulditbe？'sheasked。Heonlystoodstill，intheterriblycoldairthatmovedinvisiblyoverthemountaintops，foldingherroundwithhisarms。
　　`Icouldn'tbearthiscold，eternalplacewithoutyou，'hesaid。`I
　　couldn'tbearit，itwouldkillthequickofmylife。'
　　Shekissedhimagain，suddenly。
　　`Doyouhateit？'sheasked，puzzled，wondering。
　　`IfIcouldn'tcomeneartoyou，ifyouweren'there，Ishouldhateit。Icouldn'tbearit，'heanswered。
　　`Butthepeoplearenice，'shesaid。
　　`Imeanthestillness，thecold，thefrozeneternality，'hesaid。
　　Shewondered。Thenherspiritcamehometohim，nestlingunconsciousinhim。
　　`Yes，itisgoodwearewarmandtogether，'shesaid。
　　Andtheyturnedhomeagain。Theysawthegoldenlightsofthehotelglowingoutinthenightofsnow—silence，smallinthehollow，likeaclusterofyellowberries。Itseemedlikeabunchofsun—sparks，tinyandorangeinthemidstofthesnow—darkness。Behind，wasahighshadowofapeak，blottingoutthestars，likeaghost。
　　Theydrewneartotheirhome。Theysawamancomefromthedarkbuilding，withalightedlanternwhichswunggolden，andmadethathisdarkfeetwalkedinahaloofsnow。Hewasasmall，darkfigureinthedarkenedsnow。
　　Heunlatchedthedoorofanouthouse。Asmellofcows，hot，animal，almostlikebeef，cameoutontheheavilycoldair。Therewasaglimpseoftwocattleintheirdarkstalls，thenthedoorwasshutagain，andnotachinkoflightshowed。IthadremindedUrsulaagainofhome，oftheMarsh，ofherchildhood，andofthejourneytoBrussels，and，strangely，ofAntonSkrebensky。
　　Oh，God，couldonebearit，thispastwhichwasgonedowntheabyss？
　　Couldshebear，thatiteverhadbeen！Shelookedroundthissilent，upperworldofsnowandstarsandpowerfulcold。Therewasanotherworld，likeviewsonamagiclantern;TheMarsh，Cossethay，Ilkeston，litupwithacommon，unreallight。TherewasashadowyunrealUrsula，awholeshadow—playofanunreallife。Itwasasunreal，andcircumscribed，asamagic—lanternshow。Shewishedtheslidescouldallbebroken。Shewisheditcouldbegoneforever，likealantern—slidewhichwasbroken。Shewantedtohavenopast。Shewantedtohavecomedownfromtheslopesofheaventothisplace，withBirkin，nottohavetoiledoutofthemurkofherchildhoodandherupbringing，slowly，allsoiled。Shefeltthatmemorywasadirtytrickplayeduponher。Whatwasthisdecree，thatsheshould`remember'！
　　Whynotabathofpureoblivion，anewbirth，withoutanyrecollectionsorblemishofapastlife。ShewaswithBirkin，shehadjustcomeintolife，hereinthehighsnow，againstthestars。Whathadshetodowithparentsandantecedents？Sheknewherselfnewandunbegotten，shehadnofather，nomother，noanteriorconnections，shewasherself，pureandsilvery，shebelongedonlytotheonenesswithBirkin，aonenessthatstruckdeepernotes，soundingintotheheartoftheuniverse，theheartofreality，whereshehadneverexistedbefore。
　　EvenGudrunwasaseparateunit，separate，separate，havingnothingtodowiththisself，thisUrsula，inhernewworldofreality。Thatoldshadow—world，theactualityofthepast——ah，letitgo！Sherosefreeonthewingsofhernewcondition。
　　GudrunandGeraldhadnotcomein。Theyhadwalkedupthevalleystraightinfrontofthehouse，notlikeUrsulaandBirkin，ontothelittlehillattheright。Gudrunwasdrivenbyastrangedesire。Shewantedtoplungeonandon，tillshecametotheendofthevalleyofsnow。Thenshewantedtoclimbthewallofwhitefinality，climbover，intothepeaksthatspranguplikesharppetalsintheheartofthefrozen，mysteriousnaveloftheworld。Shefeltthatthere，overthestrangeblind，terriblewallofrockysnow，thereinthenavelofthemysticworld，amongthefinalclusterofpeaks，there，intheinfoldednavelofitall，washerconsummation。Ifshecouldbutcomethere，alone，andpassintotheinfoldednavelofeternalsnowandofuprising，immortalpeaksofsnowandrock，shewouldbeaonenesswithall，shewouldbeherselftheeternal，infinitesilence，thesleeping，timeless，frozencentreoftheAll。
　　Theywentbacktothehouse，totheReunionsaal。Shewascurioustoseewhatwasgoingon。Thementheremadeheralert，rousedhercuriosity。
　　Itwasanewtasteoflifeforher，theyweresoprostratebeforeher，yetsofulloflife。
　　Thepartywasboisterous;theyweredancingalltogether，dancingtheSchuhplatteln，theTyrolesedanceoftheclappinghandsandtossingthepartnerintheairatthecrisis。TheGermanswereallproficient——theywerefromMunichchiefly。Geraldalsowasquitepassable。Therewerethreezitherstwangingawayinacorner。Itwasasceneofgreatanimationandconfusion。TheProfessorwasinitiatingUrsulaintothedance，stamping，clapping，andswingingherhigh，withamazingforceandzest。WhenthecrisiscameevenBirkinwasbehavingmanfullywithoneoftheProfessor'sfresh，strongdaughters，whowasexceedinglyhappy。Everybodywasdancing，therewasthemostboisterousturmoil。
　　Gudrunlookedonwithdelight。Thesolidwoodenfloorresoundedtotheknockingheelsofthemen，theairquiveredwiththeclappinghandsandthezithermusic，therewasagoldendustaboutthehanginglamps。
　　Suddenlythedancefinished，Loerkeandthestudentsrushedouttobringindrinks。Therewasanexcitedclamourofvoices，aclinkingofmug—lids，agreatcryingof`Prosit——Prosit！'Loerkewaseverywhereatonce，likeagnome，suggestingdrinksforthewomen，makinganobscure，slightlyriskyjokewiththemen，confusingandmystifyingthewaiter。
　　HewantedverymuchtodancewithGudrun。Fromthefirstmomenthehadseenher，hewantedtomakeaconnectionwithher。Instinctivelyshefeltthis，andshewaitedforhimtocomeup。Butakindofsulkinesskepthimawayfromher，soshethoughthedislikedher。
　　`Willyouschuhplatteln，gnadigeFrau？'saidthelarge，fairyouth，Loerke'scompanion。Hewastoosoft，toohumbleforGudrun'staste。Butshewantedtodance，andthefairyouth，whowascalledLeitner，washandsomeenoughinhisuneasy，slightlyabjectfashion，ahumilitythatcoveredacertainfear。Sheacceptedhimasapartner。
　　Thezitherssoundedoutagain，thedancebegan。Geraldledthem，laughing，withoneoftheProfessor'sdaughters。Ursuladancedwithoneofthestudents，BirkinwiththeotherdaughteroftheProfessor，theProfessorwithFrauKramer，andtherestofthemendancedtogether，withquiteasmuchzestasiftheyhadhadwomenpartners。
　　BecauseGudrunhaddancedwiththewell—built，softyouth，hiscompanion，Loerke，wasmorepettishandexasperatedthanever，andwouldnotevennoticeherexistenceintheroom。Thispiquedher，butshemadeuptoherselfbydancingwiththeProfessor，whowasstrongasamature，well—seasonedbull，andasfullofcoarseenergy。Shecouldnotbearhim，critically，andyetsheenjoyedbeingrushedthroughthedance，andtossedupintotheair，onhiscoarse，powerfulimpetus。TheProfessorenjoyedittoo，heeyedherwithstrange，largeblueeyes，fullofgalvanicfire。Shehatedhimfortheseasoned，semi—paternalanimalismwithwhichheregardedher，butsheadmiredhisweightofstrength。
　　Theroomwaschargedwithexcitementandstrong，animalemotion。LoerkewaskeptawayfromGudrun，towhomhewantedtospeak，asbyahedgeofthorns，andhefeltasardonicruthlesshatredforthisyounglove—companion，Leitner，whowashispennilessdependent。Hemockedtheyouth，withanacidridicule，thatmadeLeitnerredinthefaceandimpotentwithresentment。
　　Gerald，whohadnowgotthedanceperfectly，wasdancingagainwiththeyoungeroftheProfessor'sdaughters，whowasalmostdyingofvirginexcitement，becauseshethoughtGeraldsohandsome，sosuperb。Hehadherinhispower，asifshewereapalpitatingbird，afluttering，flushing，bewilderedcreature。Anditmadehimsmile，assheshrankconvulsivelybetweenhishands，violently，whenhemustthrowherintotheair。Attheend，shewassoovercomewithprostrateloveforhim，thatshecouldscarcelyspeaksensiblyatall。
　　BirkinwasdancingwithUrsula。Therewereoddlittlefiresplayinginhiseyes，heseemedtohaveturnedintosomethingwickedandflickering，mocking，suggestive，quiteimpossible。Ursulawasfrightenedofhim，andfascinated。Clear，beforehereyes，asinavision，shecouldseethesardonic，licentiousmockeryofhiseyes，hemovedtowardsherwithsubtle，animal，indifferentapproach。Thestrangenessofhishands，whichcamequickandcunning，inevitablytothevitalplacebeneathherbreasts，and，liftingwithmocking，suggestiveimpulse，carriedherthroughtheairasifwithoutstrength，throughblackmagic，madeherswoonwithfear。Foramomentsherevolted，itwashorrible。Shewouldbreakthespell。Butbeforetheresolutionhadformedshehadsubmittedagain，yieldedtoherfear。Heknewallthetimewhathewasdoing，shecouldseeitinhissmiling，concentratedeyes。
　　Itwashisresponsibility，shewouldleaveittohim。
　　Whentheywerealoneinthedarkness，shefeltthestrange，licentiousnessofhimhoveringuponher。Shewastroubledandrepelled。Whyshouldheturnlikethis？
　　`Whatisit？'sheaskedindread。
　　Buthisfaceonlyglistenedonher，unknown，horrible。Andyetshewasfascinated。Herimpulsewastorepelhimviolently，breakfromthisspellofmockingbrutishness。Butshewastoofascinated，shewantedtosubmit，shewantedtoknow。Whatwouldhedotoher？
　　Hewassoattractive，andsorepulsiveatone。Thesardonicsuggestivitythatflickeredoverhisfaceandlookedfromhisnarrowedeyes，madeherwanttohide，tohideherselfawayfromhimandwatchhimfromsomewhereunseen。
　　`Whyareyoulikethis？'shedemandedagain，rousingagainsthimwithsuddenforceandanimosity。
　　Theflickeringfiresinhiseyesconcentratedashelookedintohereyes。Thenthelidsdroopedwithafaintmotionofsatiriccontempt。Thentheyroseagaintothesameremorselesssuggestivity。Andshegaveway，hemightdoashewould。Hislicentiousnesswasrepulsivelyattractive。
　　Buthewasself—responsible，shewouldseewhatitwas。
　　Theymightdoastheyliked——thissherealisedasshewenttosleep。
　　Howcouldanythingthatgaveonesatisfactionbeexcluded？Whatwasdegrading？
　　Whocared？Degradingthingswerereal，withadifferentreality。Andhewassounabashedandunrestrained。Wasn'titratherhorrible，amanwhocouldbesosoulfulandspiritual，nowtobeso——shebalkedatherownthoughtsandmemories:thensheadded——sobestial？Sobestial，theytwo！
　　——sodegraded！Shewinced。Butafterall，whynot？Sheexultedaswell。
　　Whynotbebestial，andgothewholeroundofexperience？Sheexultedinit。Shewasbestial。Howgooditwastobereallyshameful！Therewouldbenoshamefulthingshehadnotexperienced。Yetshewasunabashed，shewasherself。Whynot？Shewasfree，whenshekneweverything，andnodarkshamefulthingsweredeniedher。
　　Gudrun，whohadbeenwatchingGeraldintheReunionsaal，suddenlythought:
　　`Heshouldhaveallthewomenhecan——itishisnature。Itisabsurdtocallhimmonogamous——heisnaturallypromiscuous。Thatishisnature。'
　　Thethoughtcametoherinvoluntarily。Itshockedhersomewhat。ItwasasifshehadseensomenewMene！Mene！uponthewall。Yetitwasmerelytrue。Avoiceseemedtohavespokenittohersoclearly，thatforthemomentshebelievedininspiration。
　　`Itisreallytrue，'shesaidtoherselfagain。
　　Sheknewquitewellshehadbelieveditallalong。Sheknewitimplicitly。
　　Butshemustkeepitdark——almostfromherself。Shemustkeepitcompletelysecret。Itwasknowledgeforheralone，andscarcelyeventobeadmittedtoherself。
　　Thedeepresolveformedinher，tocombathim。Oneofthemmusttriumphovertheother。Whichshoulditbe？Hersoulsteeleditselfwithstrength。
　　Almostshelaughedwithinherself，atherconfidence。Itwokeacertainkeen，halfcontemptuouspity，tendernessforhim:shewassoruthless。
　　Everybodyretiredearly。TheProfessorandLoerkewentintoasmallloungetodrink。TheybothwatchedGudrungoalongthelandingbytherailingupstairs。
　　`EinschonesFrauenzimmer，'saidtheProfessor。
　　`Ja！'assertedLoerke，shortly。
　　Geraldwalkedwithhisqueer，longwolf—stepsacrossthebedroomtothewindow，stoopedandlookedout，thenroseagain，andturnedtoGudrun，hiseyessharpwithanabstractsmile。Heseemedverytalltoher，shesawtheglistenofhiswhitisheyebrows，thatmetbetweenhisbrows。
　　`Howdoyoulikeit？'hesaid。
　　Heseemedtobelaughinginsidehimself，quiteunconsciously。Shelookedathim。Hewasaphenomenontoher，notahumanbeing:asortofcreature，greedy。
　　`Ilikeitverymuch，'shereplied。
　　`Whodoyoulikebestdownstairs？'heasked，standingtallandglisteningaboveher，withhisglisteningstiffhairerect。
　　`WhodoIlikebest？'sherepeated，wantingtoanswerhisquestion，andfindingitdifficulttocollectherself。`WhyIdon'tknow，Idon'tknowenoughaboutthemyet，tobeabletosay。Whodoyoulikebest？'
　　`Oh，Idon'tcare——Idon'tlikeordislikeanyofthem。Itdoesn'tmatteraboutme。Iwantedtoknowaboutyou。'
　　`Butwhy？'sheasked，goingratherpale。Theabstract，unconscioussmileinhiseyeswasintensified。
　　`Iwantedtoknow，'hesaid。
　　Sheturnedaside，breakingthespell。Insomestrangeway，shefelthewasgettingpoweroverher。
　　`Well，Ican'ttellyoualready，'shesaid。
　　Shewenttothemirrortotakeoutthehairpinsfromherhair。Shestoodbeforethemirroreverynightforsomeminutes，brushingherfinedarkhair。Itwaspartoftheinevitableritualofherlife。
　　Hefollowedher，andstoodbehindher。Shewasbusywithbenthead，takingoutthepinsandshakingherwarmhairloose。Whenshelookedup，shesawhimintheglassstandingbehindher，watchingunconsciously，notconsciouslyseeingher，andyetwatching，withfinepupilledeyesthatseemedtosmile，andwhichwerenotreallysmiling。
　　Shestarted。Ittookallhercourageforhertocontinuebrushingherhair，asusual，forhertopretendshewasatherease。Shewasfar，farfrombeingathereasewithhim。Shebeatherbrainswildlyforsomethingtosaytohim。
　　`Whatareyourplansfortomorrow？'sheaskednonchalantly，whilstherheartwasbeatingsofuriously，hereyesweresobrightwithstrangenervousness，shefelthecouldnotbutobserve。Butsheknewalsothathewascompletelyblind，blindasawolflookingather。Itwasastrangebattlebetweenherordinaryconsciousnessandhisuncanny，black—artconsciousness。
　　`Idon'tknow，'hereplied，`whatwouldyouliketodo？'
　　Hespokeemptily，hismindwassunkaway。
　　`Oh，'shesaid，witheasyprotestation，`I'mreadyforanything——anythingwillbefineforme，I'msure。'
　　Andtoherselfshewassaying:`God，whyamIsonervous——whyareyousonervous，youfool。IfheseesitI'mdoneforforever——youknowyou'redoneforforever，ifheseestheabsurdstateyou'rein。'
　　Andshesmiledtoherselfasifitwereallchild'splay。Meanwhileherheartwasplunging，shewasalmostfainting。Shecouldseehim，inthemirror，ashestoodtherebehindher，tallandover—arching——blondandterriblyfrightening。Sheglancedathisreflectionwithfurtiveeyes，willingtogiveanythingtosavehimfromknowingshecouldseehim。Hedidnotknowshecouldseehisreflection。Hewaslookingunconsciously，glisteninglydownatherhead，fromwhichthehairfellloose，asshebrusheditwithwild，nervoushand。Sheheldherheadasideandbrushedandbrushedherhairmadly。Forherlife，shecouldnotturnroundandfacehim。Forherlife，shecouldnot。Andtheknowledgemadeheralmostsinktothegroundinafaint，helpless，spent。Shewasawareofhisfrightening，impendingfigurestandingclosebehindher，shewasawareofhishard，strong，unyieldingchest，closeuponherback。Andshefeltshecouldnotbearitanymore，inafewminutesshewouldfalldownathisfeet，grovellingathisfeet，andlettinghimdestroyher。
　　Thethoughtprickedupallhersharpintelligenceandpresenceofmind。
　　Shedarednotturnroundtohim——andtherehestoodmotionless，unbroken。
　　Summoningallherstrength，shesaid，inafull，resonant，nonchalantvoice，thatwasforcedoutwithallherremainingself—control:
　　`Oh，wouldyoumindlookinginthatbagbehindthereandgivingmemy——'
　　Hereherpowerfellinert。`Mywhat——mywhat——？'shescreamedinsilencetoherself。
　　Buthehadstartedround，surprisedandstartledthatsheshouldaskhimtolookinherbag，whichshealwayskeptsoveryprivatetoherself。
　　Sheturnednow，herfacewhite，herdarkeyesblazingwithuncanny，overwroughtexcitement。Shesawhimstoopingtothebag，undoingthelooselybuckledstrap，unattentive。
　　`Yourwhat？'heasked。
　　`Oh，alittleenamelbox——yellow——withadesignofacormorantpluckingherbreast——'
　　Shewenttowardshim，stoopingherbeautiful，barearm，anddeftlyturnedsomeofherthings，disclosingthebox，whichwasexquisitelypainted。
　　`Thatisit，see，'shesaid，takingitfromunderhiseyes。
　　Andhewasbafflednow。Hewaslefttofastenupthebag，whilstsheswiftlydidupherhairforthenight，andsatdowntounfastenhershoes。
　　Shewouldnotturnherbacktohimanymore。
　　Hewasbaffled，frustrated，butunconscious。Shehadthewhiphandoverhimnow。Sheknewhehadnotrealisedherterriblepanic。Herheartwasbeatingheavilystill。Fool，foolthatshewas，togetintosuchastate！
　　HowshethankedGodforGerald'sobtuseblindness。ThankGodhecouldseenothing。
　　Shesatslowlyunlacinghershoes，andhetoocommencedtoundress。
　　ThankGodthatcrisiswasover。Shefeltalmostfondofhimnow，almostinlovewithhim。
　　`Ah，Gerald，'shelaughed，caressively，teasingly，`Ah，whatafinegameyouplayedwiththeProfessor'sdaughter——didn'tyounow？'
　　`Whatgame？'heasked，lookinground。
　　`Isn'tsheinlovewithyou——ohdear，isn'tsheinlovewithyou！'saidGudrun，inhergayest，mostattractivemood。
　　`Ishouldn'tthinkso，'hesaid。
　　`Shouldn'tthinkso！'sheteased。`Whythepoorgirlislyingatthismomentoverwhelmed，dyingwithloveforyou。Shethinksyou'rewonderful——ohmarvellous，beyondwhatmanhaseverbeen。Really，isn'titfunny？'
　　`Whyfunny，whatisfunny？'heasked。
　　`Whytoseeyouworkingitonher，'shesaid，withahalfreproachthatconfusedthemaleconceitinhim。`ReallyGerald，thepoorgirl——！'
　　`Ididnothingtoher，'hesaid。
　　`Oh，itwastooshameful，thewayyousimplysweptheroffherfeet。'
　　`ThatwasSchuhplatteln，'hereplied，withabrightgrin。
　　`Ha——ha——ha！'laughedGudrun。