Geraldwasherescapefromtheheavysloughofthepale，underworld，automaticcolliers。Hestartedoutofthemud。Hewasmaster。Shesawhisback，themovementofhiswhiteloins。Butnotthat——itwasthewhitenessheseemedtoencloseashebentforwards，rowing。Heseemedtostooptosomething。Hisglistening，whitishhairseemedliketheelectricityofthesky。
　　`There'sGudrun，'cameHermione'svoicefloatingdistinctoverthewater。
　　`Wewillgoandspeaktoher。Doyoumind？'
　　Geraldlookedroundandsawthegirlstandingbythewater'sedge，lookingathim。Hepulledtheboattowardsher，magnetically，withoutthinkingofher。Inhisworld，hisconsciousworld，shewasstillnobody。HeknewthatHermionehadacuriouspleasureintreadingdownallthesocialdifferences，atleastapparently，andheleftittoher。
　　`Howdoyoudo，Gudrun？'sangHermione，usingtheChristiannameinthefashionablemanner。`Whatareyoudoing？'
　　`Howdoyoudo，Hermione？Iwassketching。'
　　`Wereyou？'Theboatdriftednearer，tillthekeelgroundonthebank。
　　`Maywesee？Ishouldliketosomuch。'
　　ItwasnouseresistingHermione'sdeliberateintention。
　　`Well——'saidGudrunreluctantly，forshealwayshatedtohaveherunfinishedworkexposed——`there'snothingintheleastinteresting。'
　　`Isn'tthere？Butletmesee，willyou？'
　　Gudrunreachedoutthesketch—book，Geraldstretchedfromtheboattotakeit。Andashedidso，herememberedGudrun'slastwordstohim，andherfacelifteduptohimashesatontheswervinghorse。Anintensificationofpridewentoverhisnerves，becausehefelt，insomewayshewascompelledbyhim。Theexchangeoffeelingbetweenthemwasstrongandapartfromtheirconsciousness。
　　Andasifinaspell，Gudrunwasawareofhisbody，stretchingandsurginglikethemarsh—fire，stretchingtowardsher，hishandcomingstraightforwardlikeastem。Hervoluptuous，acuteapprehensionofhimmadethebloodfaintinherveins，hermindwentdimandunconscious。Andherockedonthewaterperfectly，liketherockingofphosphorescence。Helookedroundattheboat。Itwasdriftingoffalittle。Heliftedtheoartobringitback。
　　Andtheexquisitepleasureofslowlyarrestingtheboat，intheheavy—softwater，wascompleteasaswoon。
　　`That'swhatyouhavedone，'saidHermione，lookingsearchinglyattheplantsontheshore，andcomparingwithGudrun'sdrawing。GudrunlookedroundinthedirectionofHermione'slong，pointingfinger。`Thatisit，isn'tit？'repeatedHermione，needingconfirmation。
　　`Yes，'saidGudrunautomatically，takingnorealheed。
　　`Letmelook，'saidGerald，reachingforwardforthebook。ButHermioneignoredhim，hemustnotpresume，beforeshehadfinished。Buthe，hiswillasunthwartedandasunflinchingashers，stretchedforwardtillhetouchedthebook。Alittleshock，astormofrevulsionagainsthim，shookHermioneunconsciously。Shereleasedthebookwhenhehadnotproperlygotit，andittumbledagainstthesideoftheboatandbouncedintothewater。
　　`There！'sangHermione，withastrangeringofmalevolentvictory。`I'msosorry，soawfullysorry。Can'tyougetit，Gerald？'
　　ThislastwassaidinanoteofanxioussneeringthatmadeGerald'sveinstinglewithfinehateforher。Heleanedfaroutoftheboat，reachingdownintothewater。Hecouldfeelhispositionwasridiculous，hisloinsexposedbehindhim。
　　`Itisofnoimportance，'camethestrong，clangingvoiceofGudrun。
　　Sheseemedtotouchhim。Buthereachedfurther，theboatswayedviolently。
　　Hermione，however，remainedunperturbed。Hegraspedthebook，underthewater，andbroughtitup，dripping。
　　`I'msodreadfullysorry——dreadfullysorry，'repeatedHermione。`I'mafraiditwasallmyfault。'
　　`It'sofnoimportance——really，Iassureyou——itdoesn'tmatterintheleast，'saidGudrunloudly，withemphasis，herfaceflushedscarlet。
　　Andsheheldoutherhandimpatientlyforthewetbook，tohavedonewiththescene。Geraldgaveittoher。Hewasnotquitehimself。
　　`I'msodreadfullysorry，'repeatedHermione，tillbothGeraldandGudrunwereexasperated。`Istherenothingthatcanbedone？'
　　`Inwhatway？'askedGudrun，withcoolirony。
　　`Can'twesavethedrawings？'
　　Therewasamoment'spause，whereinGudrunmadeevidentallherrefutationofHermione'spersistence。
　　`Iassureyou，'saidGudrun，withcuttingdistinctness，`thedrawingsarequiteasgoodasevertheywere，formypurpose。Iwantthemonlyforreference。'
　　`Butcan'tIgiveyouanewbook？Iwishyou'dletmedothat。Ifeelsotrulysorry。Ifeelitwasallmyfault。'
　　`AsfarasIsaw，'saidGudrun，`itwasn'tyourfaultatall。Iftherewasanyfault，itwasMrCrich's。Butthewholethingisentirelytrivial，anditreallyisridiculoustotakeanynoticeofit。'
　　GeraldwatchedGudrunclosely，whilstsherepulsedHermione。Therewasabodyofcoldpowerinher。Hewatchedherwithaninsightthatamountedtoclairvoyance。Hesawheradangerous，hostilespirit，thatcouldstandundiminishedandunabated。Itwassofinished，andofsuchperfectgesture，moreover。
　　`I'mawfullygladifitdoesn'tmatter，'hesaid;`ifthere'snorealharmdone。'
　　Shelookedbackathim，withherfineblueeyes，andsignalledfullintohisspirit，asshesaid，hervoiceringingwithintimacyalmostcaressivenowitwasaddressedtohim:
　　`Ofcourse，itdoesn'tmatterintheleast。'
　　Thebondwasestablishedbetweenthem，inthatlook，inhertone。Inhertone，shemadetheunderstandingclear——theywereofthesamekind，heandshe，asortofdiabolicfreemasonrysubsistedbetweenthem。Henceforward，sheknew，shehadherpoweroverhim。Wherevertheymet，theywouldbesecretlyassociated。Andhewouldbehelplessintheassociationwithher。
　　Hersoulexulted。
　　`Good—bye！I'msogladyouforgiveme。Gooood—bye！'
　　Hermionesangherfarewell，andwavedherhand。Geraldautomaticallytooktheoarandpushedoff。Buthewaslookingallthetime，withaglimmering，subtly—smilingadmirationinhiseyes，atGudrun，whostoodontheshoalshakingthewetbookinherhand。Sheturnedawayandignoredtherecedingboat。ButGeraldlookedbackasherowed，beholdingher，forgettingwhathewasdoing。
　　`Aren'twegoingtoomuchtotheleft？'sangHermione，asshesatignoredunderhercolouredparasol。
　　Geraldlookedroundwithoutreplying，theoarsbalancedandglancinginthesun。
　　`Ithinkit'sallright，'hesaidgood—humouredly，beginningtorowagainwithoutthinkingofwhathewasdoing。AndHermionedislikedhimextremelyforhisgood—humouredobliviousness，shewasnullified，shecouldnotregainascendancy。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter11CHAPTERXIAnIslandMEANWHILEUrsulahadwanderedonfromWilleyWateralongthecourseofthebrightlittlestream。Theafternoonwasfulloflarks'singing。Onthebrighthill—sideswasasubduedsmoulderofgorse。
　　Afewforget—me—notsfloweredbythewater。Therewasarousednessandaglancingeverywhere。
　　Shestrayedabsorbedlyon，overthebrooks。Shewantedtogotothemill—pondabove。Thebigmill—housewasdeserted，saveforalabourerandhiswifewholivedinthekitchen。Soshepassedthroughtheemptyfarm—yardandthroughthewildernessofagarden，andmountedthebankbythesluice。
　　Whenshegottothetop，toseetheold，velvetysurfaceofthepondbeforeher，shenoticedamanonthebank，tinkeringwithapunt。ItwasBirkinsawingandhammeringaway。
　　Shestoodattheheadofthesluice，lookingathim。Hewasunawareofanybody'spresence。Helookedverybusy，likeawildanimal，activeandintent。Shefeltsheoughttogoaway，hewouldnotwanther。Heseemedtobesomuchoccupied。Butshedidnotwanttogoaway。Thereforeshemovedalongthebanktillhewouldlookup。
　　Whichhesoondid。Themomenthesawher，hedroppedhistoolsandcameforward，saying:
　　`Howdoyoudo？I'mmakingthepuntwater—tight。Tellmeifyouthinkitisright。'
　　Shewentalongwithhim。
　　`Youareyourfather'sdaughter，soyoucantellmeifitwilldo，'
　　hesaid。
　　Shebenttolookatthepatchedpunt。
　　`IamsureIammyfather'sdaughter，'shesaid，fearfulofhavingtojudge。`ButIdon'tknowanythingaboutcarpentry。Itlooksright，don'tyouthink？'
　　`Yes，Ithink。Ihopeitwon'tletmetothebottom，that'sall。Thoughevenso，itisn'tagreatmatter，Ishouldcomeupagain。Helpmetogetitintothewater，willyou？'
　　Withcombinedeffortstheyturnedovertheheavypuntandsetitafloat。
　　`Now，'hesaid，`I'lltryitandyoucanwatchwhathappens。Thenifitcarries，I'lltakeyouovertotheisland。'
　　`Do，'shecried，watchinganxiously。
　　Thepondwaslarge，andhadthatperfectstillnessandthedarklustreofverydeepwater。Thereweretwosmallislandsovergrownwithbushesandafewtrees，towardsthemiddle。Birkinpushedhimselfoff，andveeredclumsilyinthepond。Luckilythepuntdriftedsothathecouldcatchholdofawillowbough，andpullittotheisland。
　　`Ratherovergrown，'hesaid，lookingintotheinterior，`butverynice。
　　I'llcomeandfetchyou。Theboatleaksalittle。'
　　Inamomenthewaswithheragain，andshesteppedintothewetpunt。
　　`It'llfloatusallright，'hesaid，andmanoeuvredagaintotheisland。
　　Theylandedunderawillowtree。Sheshrankfromthelittlejungleofrankplantsbeforeher，evil—smellingfigwortandhemlock。Butheexploredintoit。
　　`Ishallmowthisdown，'hesaid，`andthenitwillberomantic——likePauletVirginie。'
　　`Yes，onecouldhavelovelyWatteaupicnicshere，'criedUrsulawithenthusiasm。
　　Hisfacedarkened。
　　`Idon'twantWatteaupicnicshere，'hesaid。
　　`OnlyyourVirginie，'shelaughed。
　　`Virginieenough，'hesmiledwryly。`No，Idon'twanthereither。'
　　Ursulalookedathimclosely。ShehadnotseenhimsinceBreadalby。
　　Hewasverythinandhollow，withaghastlylookinhisface。
　　`Youhavebeenill;haven'tyou？'sheasked，ratherrepulsed。
　　`Yes，'herepliedcoldly。
　　Theyhadsatdownunderthewillowtree，andwerelookingatthepond，fromtheirretreatontheisland。
　　`Hasitmadeyoufrightened？'sheasked。
　　`Whatof？'heasked，turninghiseyestolookather。Somethinginhim，inhumanandunmitigated，disturbedher，andshookheroutofherordinaryself。
　　`Itisfrighteningtobeveryill，isn'tit？'shesaid。
　　`Itisn'tpleasant，'hesaid。`Whetheroneisreallyafraidofdeath，ornot，Ihaveneverdecided。Inonemood，notabit，inanother，verymuch。'
　　`Butdoesn'titmakeyoufeelashamed？Ithinkitmakesonesoashamed，tobeill——illnessissoterriblyhumiliating，don'tyouthink？'
　　Heconsideredforsomeminutes。
　　`May—be，'hesaid。`Thoughoneknowsallthetimeone'slifeisn'treallyright，atthesource。That'sthehumiliation。Idon'tseethattheillnesscountssomuch，afterthat。Oneisillbecauseonedoesn'tliveproperly——can't。It'sthefailuretolivethatmakesoneill，andhumiliatesone。'
　　`Butdoyoufailtolive？'sheasked，almostjeering。
　　`Whyyes——Idon'tmakemuchofasuccessofmydays。Oneseemsalwaystobebumpingone'snoseagainsttheblankwallahead。'
　　Ursulalaughed。Shewasfrightened，andwhenshewasfrightenedshealwayslaughedandpretendedtobejaunty。
　　`Yourpoornose！'shesaid，lookingatthatfeatureofhisface。
　　`Nowonderit'sugly，'hereplied。
　　Shewassilentforsomeminutes，strugglingwithherownself—deception。
　　Itwasaninstinctinher，todeceiveherself。
　　`ButI'mhappy——Ithinklifeisawfullyjolly，'shesaid。
　　`Good，'heanswered，withacertaincoldindifference。
　　Shereachedforabitofpaperwhichhadwrappedasmallpieceofchocolateshehadfoundinherpocket，andbeganmakingaboat。Hewatchedherwithoutheedingher。Therewassomethingstrangelypatheticandtenderinhermoving，unconsciousfinger—tips，thatwereagitatedandhurt，really。
　　`Idoenjoythings——don'tyou？'sheasked。
　　`Ohyes！ButitinfuriatesmethatIcan'tgetright，atthereallygrowingpartofme。Ifeelalltangledandmessedup，andIcan'tgetstraightanyhow。Idon'tknowwhatreallytodo。Onemustdosomethingsomewhere。'
　　`Whyshouldyoualwaysbedoing？'sheretorted。`Itissoplebeian。
　　Ithinkitismuchbettertobereallypatrician，andtodonothingbutjustbeoneself，likeawalkingflower。'
　　`Iquiteagree，'hesaid，`ifonehasburstintoblossom。ButIcan'tgetmyflowertoblossomanyhow。Eitheritisblightedinthebud，orhasgotthesmother—fly，oritisn'tnourished。Curseit，itisn'tevenabud。
　　Itisacontravenedknot。'
　　Againshelaughed。Hewassoveryfretfulandexasperated。Butshewasanxiousandpuzzled。Howwasonetogetout，anyhow。Theremustbeawayoutsomewhere。
　　Therewasasilence，whereinshewantedtocry。Shereachedforanotherbitofchocolatepaper，andbegantofoldanotherboat。
　　`Andwhyisit，'sheaskedatlength，`thatthereisnoflowering，nodignityofhumanlifenow？'
　　`Thewholeideaisdead。Humanityitselfisdry—rotten，really。Therearemyriadsofhumanbeingshangingonthebush——andtheylookveryniceandrosy，yourhealthyyoungmenandwomen。ButtheyareapplesofSodom，asamatteroffact，DeadSeaFruit，gall—apples。Itisn'ttruethattheyhaveanysignificance——theirinsidesarefullofbitter，corruptash。'
　　`Buttherearegoodpeople，'protestedUrsula。
　　`Goodenoughforthelifeoftoday。Butmankindisadeadtree，coveredwithfinebrilliantgallsofpeople。'
　　Ursulacouldnothelpstiffeningherselfagainstthis，itwastoopicturesqueandfinal。Butneithercouldshehelpmakinghimgoon。
　　`Andifitisso，whyisit？'sheasked，hostile。Theywererousingeachothertoafinepassionofopposition。
　　`Why，whyarepeopleallballsofbitterdust？Becausetheywon'tfalloffthetreewhenthey'reripe。Theyhangontotheiroldpositionswhenthepositionisover—past，tilltheybecomeinfestedwithlittlewormsanddry—rot。'
　　Therewasalongpause。Hisvoicehadbecomehotandverysarcastic。
　　Ursulawastroubledandbewildered，theywerebothobliviousofeverythingbuttheirownimmersion。
　　`Butevenifeverybodyiswrong——whereareyouright？'shecried，`whereareyouanybetter？'
　　`I？——I'mnotright，'hecriedback。`AtleastmyonlyrightnessliesinthefactthatIknowit。IdetestwhatIam，outwardly。Iloathemyselfasahumanbeing。Humanityisahugeaggregatelie，andahugelieislessthanasmalltruth。Humanityisless，farlessthantheindividual，becausetheindividualmaysometimesbecapableoftruth，andhumanityisatreeoflies。Andtheysaythatloveisthegreatestthing;theypersistinsayingthis，thefoulliars，andjustlookatwhattheydo！Lookatallthemillionsofpeoplewhorepeateveryminutethatloveisthegreatest，andcharityisthegreatest——andseewhattheyaredoingallthetime。Bytheirworksyeshallknowthem，fordirtyliarsandcowards，whodaren'tstandbytheirownactions，muchlessbytheirownwords。'
　　`But，'saidUrsulasadly，`thatdoesn'talterthefactthatloveisthegreatest，doesit？Whattheydodoesn'talterthetruthofwhattheysay，doesit？'
　　`Completely，becauseifwhattheysayweretrue，thentheycouldn'thelpfulfillingit。Buttheymaintainalie，andsotheyrunamokatlast。
　　It'salietosaythatloveisthegreatest。Youmightaswellsaythathateisthegreatest，sincetheoppositeofeverythingbalances。Whatpeoplewantishate——hateandnothingbuthate。Andinthenameofrighteousnessandlove，theygetit。Theydistilthemselveswithnitroglycerine，allthelotofthem，outofverylove。It'stheliethatkills。Ifwewanthate，letushaveit——death，murder，torture，violentdestruction——
　　letushaveit:butnotinthenameoflove。ButIabhorhumanity，Iwishitwassweptaway。Itcouldgo，andtherewouldbenoabsoluteloss，ifeveryhumanbeingperishedtomorrow。Therealitywouldbeuntouched。
　　Nay，itwouldbebetter。Therealtreeoflifewouldthenberidofthemostghastly，heavycropofDeadSeaFruit，theintolerableburdenofmyriadsimulacraofpeople，aninfiniteweightofmortallies。'
　　`Soyou'dlikeeverybodyintheworlddestroyed？'saidUrsula。
　　`Ishouldindeed。'
　　`Andtheworldemptyofpeople？'
　　`Yestruly。Youyourself，don'tyoufinditabeautifulcleanthought，aworldemptyofpeople，justuninterruptedgrass，andaharesittingup？'
　　ThepleasantsincerityofhisvoicemadeUrsulapausetoconsiderherownproposition。Andreallyitwasattractive:aclean，lovely，humanlessworld。Itwasthereallydesirable。Herhearthesitated，andexulted。Butstill，shewasdissatisfiedwithhim。
　　`But，'sheobjected，`you'dbedeadyourself，sowhatgoodwoulditdoyou？'
　　`Iwoulddielikeashot，toknowthattheearthwouldreallybecleanedofallthepeople。Itisthemostbeautifulandfreeingthought。Thentherewouldneverbeanotherfoulhumanitycreated，forauniversaldefilement。'
　　`No，'saidUrsula，`therewouldbenothing。'
　　`What！Nothing？Justbecausehumanitywaswipedout？Youflatteryourself。
　　There'dbeeverything。'
　　`Buthow，iftherewerenopeople？'
　　`Doyouthinkthatcreationdependsonman！Itmerelydoesn't。
　　Therearethetreesandthegrassandbirds。Imuchprefertothinkofthelarkrisingupinthemorninguponahuman—lessworld。Manisamistake，hemustgo。Thereisthegrass，andharesandadders，andtheunseenhosts，actualangelsthatgoaboutfreelywhenadirtyhumanitydoesn'tinterruptthem——andgoodpure—tissueddemons:verynice。'
　　ItpleasedUrsula，whathesaid，pleasedherverymuch，asaphantasy。
　　Ofcourseitwasonlyapleasantfancy。Sheherselfknewtoowelltheactualityofhumanity，itshideousactuality。Sheknewitcouldnotdisappearsocleanlyandconveniently。Ithadalongwaytogoyet，alongandhideousway。Hersubtle，feminine，demoniacalsoulknewitwell。
　　`Ifonlymanwassweptoffthefaceoftheearth，creationwouldgoonsomarvellously，withanewstart，non—human。Manisoneofthemistakesofcreation——liketheichthyosauri。Ifonlyheweregoneagain，thinkwhatlovelythingswouldcomeoutoftheliberateddays;——thingsstraightoutofthefire。'
　　`Butmanwillneverbegone，'shesaid，withinsidious，diabolicalknowledgeofthehorrorsofpersistence。`Theworldwillgowithhim。'
　　`Ahno，'heanswered，`notso。Ibelieveintheproudangelsandthedemonsthatareourfore—runners。Theywilldestroyus，becausewearenotproudenough。Theichthyosauriwerenotproud:theycrawledandflounderedaswedo。Andbesides，lookatelder—flowersandbluebells——theyareasignthatpurecreationtakesplace——eventhebutterfly。Buthumanitynevergetsbeyondthecaterpillarstage——itrotsinthechrysalis，itneverwillhavewings。Itisanti—creation，likemonkeysandbaboons。'
　　Ursulawatchedhimashetalked。Thereseemedacertainimpatientfuryinhim，allthewhile，andatthesametimeagreatamusementineverything，andafinaltolerance。Anditwasthistoleranceshemistrusted，notthefury。Shesawthat，allthewhile，inspiteofhimself，hewouldhavetobetryingtosavetheworld。Andthisknowledge，whilstitcomfortedherheartsomewherewithalittleself—satisfaction，stability，yetfilledherwithacertainsharpcontemptandhateofhim。Shewantedhimtoherself，shehatedtheSalvatorMunditouch。Itwassomethingdiffuseandgeneralisedabouthim，whichshecouldnotstand。Hewouldbehaveinthesameway，saythesamethings，givehimselfascompletelytoanybodywhocamealong，anybodyandeverybodywholikedtoappealtohim。Itwasdespicable，averyinsidiousformofprostitution。
　　`But，'shesaid，`youbelieveinindividuallove，evenifyoudon'tbelieveinlovinghumanity——？'
　　`Idon'tbelieveinloveatall——thatis，anymorethanIbelieveinhate，oringrief。Loveisoneoftheemotionslikealltheothers——
　　andsoitisallrightwhilstyoufeelitButIcan'tseehowitbecomesanabsolute。Itisjustpartofhumanrelationships，nomore。Anditisonlypartofanyhumanrelationship。Andwhyoneshouldberequiredalwaystofeelit，anymorethanonealwaysfeelssorrowordistantjoy，Icannotconceive。Loveisn'tadesideratum——itisanemotionyoufeeloryoudon'tfeel，accordingtocircumstance。'
　　`Thenwhydoyoucareaboutpeopleatall？'sheasked，`ifyoudon'tbelieveinlove？Whydoyoubotherabouthumanity？'
　　`WhydoI？BecauseIcan'tgetawayfromit。'
　　`Becauseyouloveit，'shepersisted。
　　Itirritatedhim。
　　`IfIdoloveit，'hesaid，`itismydisease。'
　　`Butitisadiseaseyoudon'twanttobecuredof，'shesaid，withsomecoldsneering。
　　Hewassilentnow，feelingshewantedtoinsulthim。
　　`Andifyoudon'tbelieveinlove，whatdoyoubelievein？'sheaskedmocking。`Simplyintheendoftheworld，andgrass？'
　　Hewasbeginningtofeelafool。
　　`Ibelieveintheunseenhosts，'hesaid。
　　`Andnothingelse？Youbelieveinnothingvisible，exceptgrassandbirds？Yourworldisapoorshow。'
　　`Perhapsitis，'hesaid，coolandsuperiornowhewasoffended，assumingacertaininsufferablealoofsuperiority，andwithdrawingintohisdistance。
　　Ursuladislikedhim。Butalsoshefeltshehadlostsomething。Shelookedathimashesatcrouchedonthebank。TherewasacertainpriggishSunday—schoolstiffnessoverhim，priggishanddetestable。Andyet，atthesametime，themouldingofhimwassoquickandattractive，itgavesuchagreatsenseoffreedom:themouldingofhisbrows，hischin，hiswholephysique，somethingsoalive，somewhere，inspiteofthelookofsickness。
　　Anditwasthisdualityinfeelingwhichhecreatedinher，thatmadeafinehateofhimquickeninherbowels。Therewashiswonderful，desirablelife—rapidity，therarequalityofanutterlydesirableman:andtherewasatthesametimethisridiculous，meaneffacementintoaSalvatorMundiandaSunday—schoolteacher，aprigofthestiffesttype。
　　Helookedupather。Hesawherfacestrangelyenkindled，asifsuffusedfromwithinbyapowerfulsweetfire。Hissoulwasarrestedinwonder。
　　Shewasenkindledinherownlivingfire。Arrestedinwonderandinpure，perfectattraction，hemovedtowardsher。Shesatlikeastrangequeen，almostsupernaturalinherglowingsmilingrichness。
　　`Thepointaboutlove，'hesaid，hisconsciousnessquicklyadjustingitself，`isthatwehatethewordbecausewehavevulgarisedit。Itoughttobeprescribed，tabooedfromutterance，formanyyears，tillwegetanew，betteridea。'
　　Therewasabeamofunderstandingbetweenthem。
　　`Butitalwaysmeansthesamething，'shesaid。
　　`AhGod，no，letitnotmeanthatanymore，'hecried。`Lettheoldmeaningsgo。'
　　`Butstillitislove，'shepersisted。Astrange，wickedyellowlightshoneathiminhereyes。
　　Hehesitated，baffled，withdrawing。
　　`No，'hesaid，`itisn't。Spokenlikethat，neverintheworld。You'venobusinesstouttertheword。'
　　`Imustleaveittoyou，totakeitoutoftheArkoftheCovenantattherightmoment，'shemocked。
　　Againtheylookedateachother。Shesuddenlysprangup，turnedherbacktohim，andwalkedaway。Hetooroseslowlyandwenttothewater'sedge，where，crouching，hebegantoamusehimselfunconsciously。Pickingadaisyhedroppeditonthepond，sothatthestemwasakeel，theflowerfloatedlikealittlewaterlily，staringwithitsopenfaceuptothesky。Itturnedslowlyround，inaslow，slowDervishdance，asitveeredaway。
　　Hewatchedit，thendroppedanotherdaisyintothewater，andafterthatanother，andsatwatchingthemwithbright，absolvedeyes，crouchingnearonthebank。Ursulaturnedtolook。Astrangefeelingpossessedher，asifsomethingweretakingplace。Butitwasallintangible。Andsomesortofcontrolwasbeingputonher。Shecouldnotknow。Shecouldonlywatchthebrilliantlittlediscsofthedaisiesveeringslowlyintravelonthedark，lustrouswater。Thelittleflotillawasdriftingintothelight，acompanyofwhitespecksinthedistance。
　　`Doletusgototheshore，tofollowthem，'shesaid，afraidofbeinganylongerimprisonedontheisland。Andtheypushedoffinthepunt。
　　Shewasgladtobeonthefreelandagain。Shewentalongthebanktowardsthesluice。Thedaisieswerescatteredbroadcastonthepond，tinyradiantthings，likeanexaltation，pointsofexaltationhereandthere。Whydidtheymovehersostronglyandmystically？
　　`Look，'hesaid，`yourboatofpurplepaperisescortingthem，andtheyareaconvoyofrafts。'
　　Someofthedaisiescameslowlytowardsher，hesitating，makingashybrightlittlecotilliononthedarkclearwater。Theirgaybrightcandourmovedhersomuchastheycamenear，thatshewasalmostintears。
　　`Whyaretheysolovely，'shecried。`WhydoIthinkthemsolovely？'
　　`Theyareniceflowers，'hesaid，heremotionaltonesputtingaconstraintonhim。
　　`Youknowthatadaisyisacompanyofflorets，aconcourse，becomeindividual。Don'tthebotanistsputithighestinthelineofdevelopment？
　　Ibelievetheydo。'
　　`Thecompositae，yes，Ithinkso，'saidUrsula，whowasneververysureofanything。Thingssheknewperfectlywell，atonemoment，seemedtobecomedoubtfulthenext。
　　`Explainitso，then，'hesaid。`Thedaisyisaperfectlittledemocracy，soit'sthehighestofflowers，henceitscharm。'
　　`No，'shecried，`no——never。Itisn'tdemocratic。'
　　`No，'headmitted。`It'sthegoldenmoboftheproletariat，surroundedbyashowywhitefenceoftheidlerich。'
　　`Howhateful——yourhatefulsocialorders！'shecried。
　　`Quite！It'sadaisy——we'llleaveitalone。'
　　`Do。Letitbeadarkhorseforonce，'shesaid:`ifanythingcanbeadarkhorsetoyou，'sheaddedsatirically。
　　Theystoodaside，forgetful。Asifalittlestunned，theybothweremotionless，barelyconscious。Thelittleconflictintowhichtheyhadfallenhadtorntheirconsciousnessandleftthemliketwoimpersonalforces，thereincontact。
　　Hebecameawareofthelapse。Hewantedtosaysomething，togetontoanewmoreordinaryfooting。
　　`Youknow，'hesaid，`thatIamhavingroomshereatthemill？Don'tyouthinkwecanhavesomegoodtimes？'
　　`Ohareyou？'shesaid，ignoringallhisimplicationofadmittedintimacy。