Geraldwasonthepointofknocking—inHalliday'sface;whenhewasfilledwithsuddendisgustandindifference，andhewentaway，leavingHallidayinafoolishstateofgloatingtriumph，thePussumhardandestablished，andMaximstandingclear。Birkinwasabsent，hehadgoneoutoftownagain。
　　GeraldwaspiquedbecausehehadleftwithoutgivingthePussummoney。
　　Itwastrue，shedidnotcarewhetherhegavehermoneyornot，andheknewit。Butshewouldhavebeengladoftenpounds，andhewouldhavebeenverygladtogivethemtoher。Nowhefeltinafalseposition。
　　Hewentawaychewinghislipstogetattheendsofhisshortclippedmoustache。
　　HeknewthePussumwasmerelygladtoberidofhim。ShehadgotherHallidaywhomshewanted。Shewantedhimcompletelyinherpower。Thenshewouldmarryhim。Shewantedtomarryhim。ShehadsetherwillonmarryingHalliday。
　　SheneverwantedtohearofGeraldagain;unless，perhaps，shewereindifficulty;becauseafterall，Geraldwaswhatshecalledaman，andtheseothers，Halliday，Libidnikov，Birkin，thewholeBohemianset，theywereonlyhalfmen。Butitwashalfmenshecoulddealwith。Shefeltsureofherselfwiththem。Therealmen，likeGerald，putherinherplacetoomuch。
　　Still，sherespectedGerald，shereallyrespectedhim。Shehadmanagedtogethisaddress，sothatshecouldappealtohimintimeofdistress。
　　Sheknewhewantedtogivehermoney。Shewouldperhapswritetohimonthatinevitablerainyday。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter8CHAPTERVIIIBreadalbyBREADALBYwasaGeorgianhousewithCorinthianpillars，standingamongthesofter，greenerhillsofDerbyshire，notfarfromCromford。Infront，itlookedoveralawn，overafewtrees，downtoastringoffish—pondsinthehollowofthesilentpark。Atthebackweretrees，amongwhichweretobefoundthestables，andthebigkitchengarden，behindwhichwasawood。
　　Itwasaveryquietplace，somemilesfromthehigh—road，backfromtheDerwentValley，outsidetheshowscenery。Silentandforsaken，thegoldenstuccoshowedbetweenthetrees，thehouse—frontlookeddownthepark，unchangedandunchanging。
　　Oflate，however，Hermionehadlivedagooddealatthehouse。ShehadturnedawayfromLondon，awayfromOxford，towardsthesilenceofthecountry。
　　Herfatherwasmostlyabsent，abroad，shewaseitheraloneinthehouse，withhervisitors，ofwhomtherewerealwaysseveral，orshehadwithherherbrother，abachelor，andaLiberalmemberofParliament。HealwayscamedownwhentheHousewasnotsitting，seemedalwaystobepresentinBreadalby，althoughhewasmostconscientiousinhisattendancetoduty。
　　ThesummerwasjustcominginwhenUrsulaandGudrunwenttostaythesecondtimewithHermione。Comingalonginthecar，aftertheyhadenteredthepark，theylookedacrossthedip，wherethefish—pondslayinsilence，atthepillaredfrontofthehouse，sunnyandsmalllikeanEnglishdrawingoftheoldschool，onthebrowofthegreenhill，againstthetrees。Thereweresmallfiguresonthegreenlawn，womeninlavenderandyellowmovingtotheshadeoftheenormous，beautifullybalancedcedartree。
　　`Isn'titcomplete！'saidGudrun。`Itisasfinalasanoldaquatint。'
　　Shespokewithsomeresentmentinhervoice，asifshewerecaptivatedunwillingly，asifshemustadmireagainstherwill。
　　`Doyouloveit？'askedUrsula。
　　`Idon'tloveit，butinitsway，Ithinkitisquitecomplete。'
　　Themotor—carrandownthehillandupagaininonebreath，andtheywerecurvingtothesidedoor。Aparlour—maidappeared，andthenHermione，comingforwardwithherpalefacelifted，andherhandsoutstretched，advancingstraighttothenew—comers，hervoicesinging:
　　`Hereyouare——I'msogladtoseeyou——'shekissedGudrun——`sogladtoseeyou——'shekissedUrsulaandremainedwithherarmroundher。
　　`Areyouverytired？'
　　`Notatalltired，'saidUrsula。
　　`Areyoutired，Gudrun？'
　　`Notatall，thanks，'saidGudrun。
　　`No——'drawledHermione。Andshestoodandlookedatthem。Thetwogirlswereembarrassedbecauseshewouldnotmoveintothehouse，butmusthaveherlittlesceneofwelcomethereonthepath。Theservantswaited。
　　`Comein，'saidHermioneatlast，havingfullytakeninthepairofthem。Gudrunwasthemorebeautifulandattractive，shehaddecidedagain，Ursulawasmorephysical，morewomanly。SheadmiredGudrun'sdressmore。
　　Itwasofgreenpoplin，withaloosecoataboveit，ofbroad，dark—greenanddark—brownstripes。Thehatwasofapale，greenishstraw，thecolourofnewhay，andithadaplaitedribbonofblackandorange，thestockingsweredarkgreen，theshoesblack。Itwasagoodget—up，atoncefashionableandindividual。Ursula，indarkblue，wasmoreordinary，thoughshealsolookedwell。
　　Hermioneherselfworeadressofprune—colouredsilk，withcoralbeadsandcoralcolouredstockings。Butherdresswasbothshabbyandsoiled，evenratherdirty。
　　`Youwouldliketoseeyourroomsnow，wouldn'tyou！Yes。Wewillgoupnow，shallwe？'
　　Ursulawasgladwhenshecouldbeleftaloneinherroom。Hermionelingeredsolong，madesuchastressonone。Shestoodsoneartoone，pressingherselfnearuponone，inawaythatwasmostembarrassingandoppressive。
　　Sheseemedtohinderone'sworkings。
　　Lunchwasservedonthelawn，underthegreattree，whosethick，blackishboughscamedownclosetothegrass。TherewerepresentayoungItalianwoman，slightandfashionable，ayoung，athletic—lookingMissBradley，alearned，dryBaronetoffifty，whowasalwaysmakingwitticismsandlaughingatthemheartilyinaharsh，horse—laugh，therewasRupertBirkin，andthenawomansecretary，aFrauleinMarz，youngandslimandpretty。
　　Thefoodwasverygood，thatwasonething。Gudrun，criticalofeverything，gaveitherfullapproval。Ursulalovedthesituation，thewhitetablebythecedartree，thescentofnewsunshine，thelittlevisionoftheleafypark，withfar—offdeerfeedingpeacefully。Thereseemedamagiccircledrawnabouttheplace，shuttingoutthepresent，enclosingthedelightful，preciouspast，treesanddeerandsilence，likeadream。
　　Butinspiritshewasunhappy。Thetalkwentonlikearattleofsmallartillery，alwaysslightlysententious，withasententiousnessthatwasonlyemphasisedbythecontinualcracklingofawitticism，thecontinualspatterofverbaljest，designedtogiveatoneofflippancytoastreamofconversationthatwasallcriticalandgeneral，acanalofconversationratherthanastream。
　　Theattitudewasmentalandverywearying。Onlytheelderlysociologist，whosementalfibrewassotoughastobeinsentient，seemedtobethoroughlyhappy。Birkinwasdowninthemouth。Hermioneappeared，withamazingpersistence，towishtoridiculehimandmakehimlookignominiousintheeyesofeverybody。
　　Anditwassurprisinghowsheseemedtosucceed，howhelplessheseemedagainsther。Helookedcompletelyinsignificant。UrsulaandGudrun，bothveryunused，weremostlysilent，listeningtotheslow，rhapsodicsing—songofHermione，ortheverbalsalliesofSirJoshua，ortheprattleofFraulein，ortheresponsesoftheothertwowomen。
　　Luncheonwasover，coffeewasbroughtoutonthegrass，thepartyleftthetableandsataboutinloungechairs，intheshadeorinthesunshineastheywished。Frauleindepartedintothehouse，Hermionetookupherembroidery，thelittleContessatookabook，MissBradleywasweavingabasketoutoffinegrass，andtheretheyallwereonthelawnintheearlysummerafternoon，workingleisurelyandspatteringwithhalf—intellectual，deliberatetalk。
　　Suddenlytherewasthesoundofthebrakesandtheshuttingoffofamotor—car。
　　`There'sSalsie！'sangHermione，inherslow，amusingsing—song。Andlayingdownherwork，sheroseslowly，andslowlypassedoverthelawn，roundthebushes，outofsight。
　　`Whoisit？'askedGudrun。
　　`MrRoddice——MissRoddice'sbrother——atleast，Isupposeit'she，'
　　saidSirJoshua。
　　`Salsie，yes，itisherbrother，'saidthelittleContessa，liftingherheadforamomentfromherbook，andspeakingasiftogiveinformation，inherslightlydeepened，gutturalEnglish。
　　Theyallwaited。AndthenroundthebushescamethetallformofAlexanderRoddice，stridingromanticallylikeaMeredithherowhoremembersDisraeli。
　　Hewascordialwitheverybody，hewasatonceahost，withaneasy，offhandhospitalitythathehadlearnedforHermione'sfriends。HehadjustcomedownfromLondon，fromtheHouse。AtoncetheatmosphereoftheHouseofCommonsmadeitselffeltoverthelawn:theHomeSecretaryhadsaidsuchandsuchathing，andhe，Roddice，ontheotherhand，thoughtsuchandsuchathing，andhadsaidso—and—sotothePM。
　　NowHermionecameroundthebusheswithGeraldCrich。HehadcomealongwithAlexander。Geraldwaspresentedtoeverybody，waskeptbyHermioneforafewmomentsinfullview，thenhewasledaway，stillbyHermione。
　　Hewasevidentlyherguestofthemoment。
　　TherehadbeenasplitintheCabinet;theministerforEducationhadresignedowingtoadversecriticism。Thisstartedaconversationoneducation。
　　`Ofcourse，'saidHermione，liftingherfacelikearhapsodist，`therecanbenoreason，noexcuseforeducation，exceptthejoyandbeautyofknowledgeinitself。'Sheseemedtorumbleandruminatewithsubterraneanthoughtsforaminute，thensheproceeded:`Vocationaleducationisn'teducation，itisthecloseofeducation。'
　　Gerald，onthebrinkofdiscussion，sniffedtheairwithdelightandpreparedforaction。
　　`Notnecessarily，'hesaid。`Butisn'teducationreallylikegymnastics，isn'ttheendofeducationtheproductionofawell—trained，vigorous，energeticmind？'
　　`Justasathleticsproduceahealthybody，readyforanything，'criedMissBradley，inheartyaccord。
　　Gudrunlookedatherinsilentloathing。
　　`Well——'rumbledHermione，`Idon'tknow。Tomethepleasureofknowingissogreat，sowonderful——nothinghasmeantsomuchtomeinalllife，ascertainknowledge——no，Iamsure——nothing。'
　　`Whatknowledge，forexample，Hermione？'askedAlexander。
　　Hermioneliftedherfaceandrumbled——
　　`M——m——m——Idon'tknow……Butonethingwasthestars，whenIreallyunderstoodsomethingaboutthestars。Onefeelssouplifted，sounbounded……'
　　Birkinlookedatherinawhitefury。
　　`Whatdoyouwanttofeelunboundedfor？'hesaidsarcastically。`Youdon'twanttobeunbounded。'
　　Hermionerecoiledinoffence。
　　`Yes，butonedoeshavethatlimitlessfeeling，'saidGerald。`It'slikegettingontopofthemountainandseeingthePacific。'
　　`SilentuponapeakinDariayn，'murmuredtheItalian，liftingherfaceforamomentfromherbook。
　　`NotnecessarilyinDariayn，'saidGerald，whileUrsulabegantolaugh。
　　Hermionewaitedforthedusttosettle，andthenshesaid，untouched:
　　`Yes，itisthegreatestthinginlife——toknow。Itisreallytobehappy，tobefree。'
　　`Knowledgeis，ofcourse，liberty，'saidMattheson。
　　`Incompressedtabloids，'saidBirkin，lookingatthedry，stifflittlebodyoftheBaronet。ImmediatelyGudrunsawthefamoussociologistasaflatbottle，containingtabloidsofcompressedliberty。Thatpleasedher。
　　SirJoshuawaslabelledandplacedforeverinhermind。
　　`Whatdoesthatmean，Rupert？'sangHermione，inacalmsnub。
　　`Youcanonlyhaveknowledge，strictly，'hereplied，`ofthingsconcluded，inthepast。It'slikebottlingthelibertyoflastsummerinthebottledgooseberries。'
　　`Canonehaveknowledgeonlyofthepast？'askedtheBaronet，pointedly。`Couldwecallourknowledgeofthelawsofgravitationforinstance，knowledgeofthepast？'
　　`Yes，'saidBirkin。
　　`Thereisamostbeautifulthinginmybook，'suddenlypipedthelittleItalianwoman。`Itsaysthemancametothedoorandthrewhiseyesdownthestreet。'
　　Therewasagenerallaughinthecompany。MissBradleywentandlookedovertheshoulderoftheContessa。
　　`See！'saidtheContessa。
　　`Bazarovcametothedoorandthrewhiseyeshurriedlydownthestreet，'
　　sheread。
　　Againtherewasaloudlaugh，themoststartlingofwhichwastheBaronet's，whichrattledoutlikeaclatteroffallingstones。
　　`Whatisthebook？'askedAlexander，promptly。
　　`FathersandSons，byTurgenev，'saidthelittleforeigner，pronouncingeverysyllabledistinctly。Shelookedatthecover，toverifyherself。
　　`AnoldAmericanedition，'saidBirkin。
　　`Ha！——ofcourse——translatedfromtheFrench，'saidAlexander，withafinedeclamatoryvoice。`Bazarovouvralaporteetjetalesyeuxdanslarue。'
　　Helookedbrightlyroundthecompany。
　　`Iwonderwhatthe"hurriedly"was，'saidUrsula。
　　Theyallbegantoguess。
　　Andthen，totheamazementofeverybody，themaidcamehurryingwithalargetea—tray。Theafternoonhadpassedsoswiftly。
　　Aftertea，theywereallgatheredforawalk。
　　`Wouldyouliketocomeforawalk？'saidHermionetoeachofthem，onebyone。Andtheyallsaidyes，feelingsomehowlikeprisonersmarshalledforexercise。Birkinonlyrefused。
　　`Willyoucomeforawalk，Rupert？'
　　`No，Hermione。'
　　`Butareyousure？'
　　`Quitesure。'Therewasasecond'shesitation。
　　`Andwhynot？'sangHermione'squestion。Itmadeherbloodrunsharp，tobethwartedinevensotriflingamatter。Sheintendedthemalltowalkwithherinthepark。
　　`BecauseIdon'tliketroopingoffinagang，'hesaid。
　　Hervoicerumbledinherthroatforamoment。Thenshesaid，withacuriousstraycalm:
　　`Thenwe'llleavealittleboybehind，ifhe'ssulky。'
　　Andshelookedreallygay，whilesheinsultedhim。Butitmerelymadehimstiff。
　　Shetrailedofftotherestofthecompany，onlyturningtowaveherhandkerchieftohim，andtochucklewithlaughter，singingout:
　　`Good—bye，good—bye，littleboy。'
　　`Good—bye，impudenthag，'hesaidtohimself。
　　Theyallwentthroughthepark。Hermionewantedtoshowthemthewilddaffodilsonalittleslope。`Thisway，thisway，'sangherleisurelyvoiceatintervals。Andtheyhadalltocomethisway。Thedaffodilswerepretty，butwhocouldseethem？Ursulawasstiffalloverwithresentmentbythistime，resentmentofthewholeatmosphere。Gudrun，mockingandobjective，watchedandregisteredeverything。
　　Theylookedattheshydeer，andHermionetalkedtothestag，asifhetoowereaboyshewantedtowheedleandfondle。Hewasmale，soshemustexertsomekindofpoweroverhim。Theytrailedhomebythefish—ponds，andHermionetoldthemaboutthequarreloftwomaleswans，whohadstrivenfortheloveoftheonelady。Shechuckledandlaughedasshetoldhowtheoustedloverhadsatwithhisheadburiedunderhiswing，onthegravel。
　　Whentheyarrivedbackatthehouse，Hermionestoodonthelawnandsangout，inastrange，small，highvoicethatcarriedveryfar:
　　`Rupert！Rupert！'Thefirstsyllablewashighandslow，theseconddroppeddown。`Roo—o—opert。'
　　Buttherewasnoanswer。Amaidappeared。
　　`WhereisMrBirkin，Alice？'askedthemildstrayingvoiceofHermione。
　　Butunderthestrayingvoice，whatapersistent，almostinsanewill！
　　`Ithinkhe'sinhisroom，madam。'
　　`Ishe？'
　　Hermionewentslowlyupthestairs，alongthecorridor，singingoutinherhigh，smallcall:
　　`Ru—oo—pert！Ru—oopert！'
　　Shecametohisdoor，andtapped，stillcrying:`Roo—pert。'
　　`Yes，'soundedhisvoiceatlast。
　　`Whatareyoudoing？'
　　Thequestionwasmildandcurious。
　　Therewasnoanswer。Thenheopenedthedoor。
　　`We'vecomeback，'saidHermione。`Thedaffodilsaresobeautiful。'
　　`Yes，'hesaid，`I'veseenthem。'
　　Shelookedathimwithherlong，slow，impassivelook，alonghercheeks。
　　`Haveyou？'sheechoed。Andsheremainedlookingathim。Shewasstimulatedaboveallthingsbythisconflictwithhim，whenhewaslikeasulkyboy，helpless，andshehadhimsafeatBreadalby。Butunderneathsheknewthesplitwascoming，andherhatredofhimwassubconsciousandintense。
　　`Whatwereyoudoing？'shereiterated，inhermild，indifferenttone。
　　Hedidnotanswer，andshemadeherway，almostunconsciouslyintohisroom。HehadtakenaChinesedrawingofgeesefromtheboudoir，andwascopyingit，withmuchskillandvividness。
　　`Youarecopyingthedrawing，'shesaid，standingnearthetable，andlookingdownathiswork。`Yes。Howbeautifullyyoudoit！Youlikeitverymuch，don'tyou？'
　　`It'samarvellousdrawing，'hesaid。
　　`Isit？I'msogladyoulikeit，becauseI'vealwaysbeenfondofit。
　　TheChineseAmbassadorgaveitme。'
　　`Iknow，'hesaid。
　　`Butwhydoyoucopyit？'sheasked，casualandsing—song。`Whynotdosomethingoriginal？'
　　`Iwanttoknowit，'hereplied。`OnegetsmoreofChina，copyingthispicture，thanreadingallthebooks。'
　　`Andwhatdoyouget？'
　　Shewasatonceroused，shelaidasitwereviolenthandsonhim，toextracthissecretsfromhim。Shemustknow。Itwasadreadfultyranny，anobsessioninher，toknowallheknew。Forsometimehewassilent，hatingtoanswerher。Then，compelled，hebegan:
　　`Iknowwhatcentrestheylivefrom——whattheyperceiveandfeel——
　　thehot，stingingcentralityofagooseinthefluxofcoldwaterandmud——thecuriousbitterstingingheatofagoose'sblood，enteringtheirownbloodlikeaninoculationofcorruptivefire——fireofthecold—burningmud——thelotusmystery。'
　　Hermionelookedathimalonghernarrow，pallidcheeks。Hereyeswerestrangeanddrugged，heavyundertheirheavy，droopinglids。Herthinbosomshruggedconvulsively。Hestaredbackather，devilishandunchanging。
　　Withanotherstrange，sickconvulsion，sheturnedaway，asifsheweresick，couldfeeldissolutionsetting—ininherbody。Forwithhermindshewasunabletoattendtohiswords，hecaughther，asitwere，beneathallherdefences，anddestroyedherwithsomeinsidiousoccultpotency。
　　`Yes，'shesaid，asifshedidnotknowwhatsheweresaying。`Yes，'
　　andsheswallowed，andtriedtoregainhermind。Butshecouldnot，shewaswitless，decentralised。Useallherwillasshemight，shecouldnotrecover。Shesufferedtheghastlinessofdissolution，brokenandgoneinahorriblecorruption。Andhestoodandlookedatherunmoved。Shestrayedout，pallidandpreyed—uponlikeaghost，likeoneattackedbythetomb—influenceswhichdogus。Andshewasgonelikeacorpse，thathasnopresence，noconnection。Heremainedhardandvindictive。
　　Hermionecamedowntodinnerstrangeandsepulchral，hereyesheavyandfullofsepulchraldarkness，strength。Shehadputonadressofstiffoldgreenishbrocade，thatfittedtightandmadeherlooktallandratherterrible，ghastly。Inthegaylightofthedrawing—roomshewasuncannyandoppressive。Butseatedinthehalf—lightofthediningroom，sittingstifflybeforetheshadedcandlesonthetable，sheseemedapower，apresence。
　　Shelistenedandattendedwithadruggedattention。
　　Thepartywasgayandextravagantinappearance，everybodyhadputoneveningdressexceptBirkinandJoshuaMattheson。ThelittleItalianContessaworeadressoftissue，oforangeandgoldandblackvelvetinsoftwidestripes，Gudrunwasemeraldgreenwithstrangenet—work，Ursulawasinyellowwithdullsilverveiling，MissBradleywasofgrey，crimsonandjet，FrauleinMarzworepaleblue。ItgaveHermioneasuddenconvulsivesensationofpleasure，toseetheserichcoloursunderthecandle—light。
　　Shewasawareofthetalkgoingon，ceaselessly，Joshua'svoicedominating;
　　oftheceaselesspitter—patterofwomen'slightlaughterandresponses;
　　ofthebrilliantcoloursandthewhitetableandtheshadowaboveandbelow;
　　andsheseemedinaswoonofgratification，convulsedwithpleasureandyetsick，likearevenant。Shetookverylittlepartintheconversation，yetshehearditall，itwasallhers。
　　Theyallwenttogetherintothedrawing—room，asiftheywereonefamily，easily，withoutanyattentiontoceremony。Frauleinhandedthecoffee，everybodysmokedcigarettes，orelselongwardenpipesofwhiteclay，ofwhichasheafwasprovided。
　　`Willyousmoke？——cigarettesorpipe？'askedFrauleinprettily。Therewasacircleofpeople，SirJoshuawithhiseighteenth—centuryappearance，Geraldtheamused，handsomeyoungEnglishman，Alexandertallandthehandsomepolitician，democraticandlucid，HermionestrangelikealongCassandra，andthewomenluridwithcolour，alldutifullysmokingtheirlongwhitepipes，andsittinginahalf—mooninthecomfortable，soft—lighteddrawing—room，roundthelogsthatflickeredonthemarblehearth。
　　Thetalkwasveryoftenpoliticalorsociological，andinteresting，curiouslyanarchistic。Therewasanaccumulationofpowerfulforceintheroom，powerfulanddestructive。Everythingseemedtobethrownintothemeltingpot，anditseemedtoUrsulatheywereallwitches，helpingthepottobubble。Therewasanelationandasatisfactioninitall，butitwascruellyexhaustingforthenew—comers，thisruthlessmentalpressure，thispowerful，consuming，destructivementalitythatemanatedfromJoshuaandHermioneandBirkinanddominatedtherest。
　　Butasickness，afearfulnauseagatheredpossessionofHermione。Therewasalullinthetalk，asitwasarrestedbyherunconsciousbutall—powerfulwill。
　　`Salsie，won'tyouplaysomething？'saidHermione，breakingoffcompletely。
　　`Won'tsomebodydance？Gudrun，youwilldance，won'tyou？Iwishyouwould。
　　Anchetu，Palestra，ballerai？——si，perpiacere。Youtoo，Ursula。'
　　Hermioneroseandslowlypulledthegold—embroideredbandthathungbythemantel，clingingtoitforamoment，thenreleasingitsuddenly。
　　Likeapriestessshelooked，unconscious，sunkinaheavyhalf—trance。
　　Aservantcame，andsoonreappearedwitharmfulsofsilkrobesandshawlsandscarves，mostlyoriental，thingsthatHermione，withherloveforbeautifulextravagantdress，hadcollectedgradually。
　　`Thethreewomenwilldancetogether，'shesaid。
　　`Whatshallitbe？'askedAlexander，risingbriskly。
　　`VerginiDelleRocchette，'saidtheContessaatonce。
　　`Theyaresolanguid，'saidUrsula。
　　`ThethreewitchesfromMacbeth，'suggestedFrauleinusefully。ItwasfinallydecidedtodoNaomiandRuthandOrpah。UrsulawasNaomi，GudrunwasRuth，theContessawasOrpah。Theideawastomakealittleballet，inthestyleoftheRussianBalletofPavlovaandNijinsky。
　　TheContessawasreadyfirst，Alexanderwenttothepiano，aspacewascleared。Orpah，inbeautifulorientalclothes，beganslowlytodancethedeathofherhusband。ThenRuthcame，andtheywepttogether，andlamented，thenNaomicametocomfortthem。Itwasalldoneindumbshow，thewomendancedtheiremotioningestureandmotion。Thelittledramawentonforaquarterofanhour。
　　UrsulawasbeautifulasNaomi。Allhermenweredead，itremainedtoheronlytostandaloneinindomitableassertion，demandingnothing。Ruth，woman—loving，lovedher。Orpah，avivid，sensational，subtlewidow，wouldgobacktotheformerlife，arepetition。Theinterplaybetweenthewomenwasrealandratherfrightening。ItwasstrangetoseehowGudrunclungwithheavy，desperatepassiontoUrsula，yetsmiledwithsubtlemalevolenceagainsther，howUrsulaacceptedsilently，unabletoprovideanymoreeitherforherselforfortheother，butdangerousandindomitable，refutinghergrief。
　　Hermionelovedtowatch。ShecouldseetheContessa'srapid，stoat—likesensationalism，Gudrun'sultimatebuttreacherouscleavingtothewomaninhersister，Ursula'sdangeroushelplessness，asifshewerehelplesslyweighted，andunreleased。
　　`Thatwasverybeautiful，'everybodycriedwithoneaccord。ButHermionewrithedinhersoul，knowingwhatshecouldnotknow。Shecriedoutformoredancing，anditwasherwillthatsettheContessaandBirkinmovingmockinglyinMalbrouk。
　　GeraldwasexcitedbythedesperatecleavingofGudruntoNaomi。Theessenceofthatfemale，subterraneanrecklessnessandmockerypenetratedhisblood。HecouldnotforgetGudrun'slifted，offered，cleaving，reckless，yetwithalmockingweight。AndBirkin，watchinglikeahermitcrabfromitshole，hadseenthebrilliantfrustrationandhelplessnessofUrsula。
　　Shewasrich，fullofdangerouspower。Shewaslikeastrangeunconsciousbudofpowerfulwomanhood。Hewasunconsciouslydrawntoher。Shewashisfuture。
　　AlexanderplayedsomeHungarianmusic，andtheyalldanced，seizedbythespirit。Geraldwasmarvellouslyexhilaratedatfindinghimselfinmotion，movingtowardsGudrun，dancingwithfeetthatcouldnotyetescapefromthewaltzandthetwo—step，butfeelinghisforcestiralonghislimbsandhisbody，outofcaptivity。Hedidnotknowyethowtodancetheirconvulsive，rag—timesortofdancing，butheknewhowtobegin。Birkin，whenhecouldgetfreefromtheweightofthepeoplepresent，whomhedisliked，dancedrapidlyandwitharealgaiety。AndhowHermionehatedhimforthisirresponsiblegaiety。
　　`NowIsee，'criedtheContessaexcitedly，watchinghispurelygaymotion，whichhehadalltohimself。`MrBirkin，heisachanger。'
　　Hermionelookedatherslowly，andshuddered，knowingthatonlyaforeignercouldhaveseenandhavesaidthis。
　　`Cosavuol'dire，Palestra？'sheasked，sing—song。
　　`Look，'saidtheContessa，inItalian。`Heisnotaman，heisachameleon，acreatureofchange。'
　　`Heisnotaman，heistreacherous，notoneofus，'saiditselfoverinHermione'sconsciousness。Andhersoulwrithedintheblacksubjugationtohim，becauseofhispowertoescape，toexist，otherthanshedid，becausehewasnotconsistent，notaman，lessthanaman。Shehatedhiminadespairthatshatteredherandbrokeherdown，sothatshesufferedsheerdissolutionlikeacorpse，andwasunconsciousofeverythingsavethehorriblesicknessofdissolutionthatwastakingplacewithinher，bodyandsoul。
　　Thehousebeingfull，Geraldwasgiventhesmallerroom，reallythedressing—room，communicatingwithBirkin'sbedroom。Whentheyalltooktheircandlesandmountedthestairs，wherethelampswereburningsubduedly，HermionecapturedUrsulaandbroughtherintoherownbedroom，totalktoher。AsortofconstraintcameoverUrsulainthebig，strangebedroom。