`Wouldyoupreferself-importantanimalities？’
　　`Perhaps!Butonemightpossiblygetsomethingthatwasn’tself-important。’
　　`Well，IlikeProust’ssubtletyandhiswell-bredanarchy。’
　　`Itmakesyouverydead，really。’
　　`Therespeaksmyevangelicallittlewife。’
　　Theywereatitagain，atitagain!Butshecouldn’thelpfightinghim。
　　Heseemedtosittherelikeaskeleton，sendingoutaskeleton’scoldgrizzlywillagainsther。Almostshecouldfeeltheskeletonclutchingherandpressinghertoitscageofribs。Hetoowasreallyupinarms：andshewasalittleafraidofhim。
　　Shewentupstairsassoonaspossible，andwenttobedquiteearly。
　　Butathalfpastnineshegotup，andwentoutsidetolisten。Therewasnosound。Sheslippedonadressing-gownandwentdownstairs。CliffordandMrsBoltonwereplayingcards，gambling。Theywouldprobablygoonuntilmidnight。
　　Conniereturnedtoherroom，threwherpyjamasonthetossedbed，putonathintennis-dressandoverthatawoollenday-dress，putonrubbertennis-shoes，andthenalightcoat。Andshewasready。Ifshemetanybody，shewasjustgoingoutforafewminutes。Andinthemorning，whenshecameinagain，shewouldjusthavebeenforalittlewalkinthedew，asshefairlyoftendidbeforebreakfast。Fortherest，theonlydangerwasthatsomeoneshouldgointoherroomduringthenight。Butthatwasmostunlikely：notonechanceinahundred。
　　Bettshadnotlockedup。Hefastenedupthehouseatteno’clock，andunfasteneditagainatseveninthemorning。Sheslippedoutsilentlyandunseen。Therewasahalf-moonshining，enoughtomakealittlelightintheworld，notenoughtoshowherupinherdark-greycoat。Shewalkedquicklyacrossthepark，notreallyinthethrilloftheassignation，butwithacertainangerandrebellionburninginherheart。Itwasnottherightsortofhearttotaketoalove-meeting。Butà；laguerrecommeà；laguerre!
　　Chapter14
　　Whenshegotnearthepark-gate，sheheardtheclickofthelatch。
　　Hewasthere，then，inthedarknessofthewood，andhadseenher!
　　`Youaregoodandearly，’hesaidoutofthedark。`Waseverythingallright？’
　　`Perfectlyeasy。’
　　Heshutthegatequietlyafterher，andmadeaspotoflightonthedarkground，showingthepallidflowersstillstandingthereopeninthenight。Theywentonapart，insilence。
　　`Areyousureyoudidn’thurtyourselfthismorningwiththatchair？’
　　sheasked。
　　`No，no!’
　　`Whenyouhadthatpneumonia，whatdiditdotoyou？’
　　`Ohnothing!itleftmyheartnotsostrongandthelungsnotsoelastic。
　　Butitalwaysdoesthat。’
　　`Andyououghtnottomakeviolentphysicalefforts？’
　　`Notoften。’
　　Sheploddedoninanangrysilence。
　　`DidyouhateClifford？’shesaidatlast。
　　`Hatehim，no!I’vemettoomanylikehimtoupsetmyselfhatinghim。
　　IknowbeforehandIdon’tcareforhissort，andIletitgoatthat。’
　　`Whatishissort？’
　　`Nay，youknowbetterthanIdo。Thesortofyoungishgentlemanabitlikealady，andnoballs。’
　　`Whatballs？’
　　`Balls!Aman’sballs!’
　　Sheponderedthis。
　　`Butisitaquestionofthat？’shesaid，alittleannoyed。
　　`Yousayaman’sgotnobrain，whenhe’safool：andnoheart，whenhe’smean；andnostomachwhenhe’safunker。Andwhenhe’sgotnoneofthatspunkywildbitofamaninhim，yousayhe’sgotnoballs。Whenhe’sasortoftame。’
　　Sheponderedthis。
　　`AndisCliffordtame？’sheasked。
　　`Tame，andnastywithit：likemostsuchfellows，whenyoucomeupagainst’em。’
　　`Anddoyouthinkyou’renottame？’
　　`Maybenotquite!’
　　Atlengthshesawinthedistanceayellowlight。
　　Shestoodstill。
　　`Thereisalight!’shesaid。
　　`Ialwaysleavealightinthehouse，’hesaid。
　　Shewentonagainathisside，butnottouchinghim，wonderingwhyshewasgoingwithhimatall。
　　Heunlocked，andtheywentin，heboltingthedoorbehindthem。Asifitwereaprison，shethought!Thekettlewassingingbytheredfire，therewerecupsonthetable。
　　Shesatinthewoodenarm-chairbythefire。Itwaswarmafterthechilloutside。
　　`I’lltakeoffmyshoes，theyarewet，’shesaid。
　　Shesatwithherstockingedfeetonthebrightsteelfender。Hewenttothepantry，bringingfood：breadandbutterandpressedtongue。Shewaswarm：shetookoffhercoat。Hehungitonthedoor。
　　`Shallyouhavecocoaorteaorcoffeetodrink？’heasked。
　　`Idon’tthinkIwantanything，’shesaid，lookingatthetable。`Butyoueat。’
　　`Nay，Idon’tcareaboutit。I’lljustfeedthedog。’
　　Hetrampedwithaquietinevitabilityoverthebrickfloor，puttingfoodforthedoginabrownbowl。Thespaniellookedupathimanxiously。
　　`Ay，thisisthysupper，thanednalookasifthawouldnagetit!’hesaid。
　　Hesetthebowlonthestairfootmat，andsathimselfonachairbythewall，totakeoffhisleggingsandboots。Thedoginsteadofeating，cametohimagain，andsatlookingupathim，troubled。
　　Heslowlyunbuckledhisleggings。Thedogedgedalittlenearer。
　　`What’samisswi’theethen？Artupsetbecausethere’ssomebodyelsehere？Tha’rtafemale，thaart!Goan’eatthysupper。’
　　Heputhishandonherhead，andthebitchleanedherheadsidewaysagainsthim。Heslowly，softlypulledthelongsilkyear。
　　`There!’hesaid。`There!Goan’eatthysupper!Go!’
　　Hetiltedhischairtowardsthepotonthemat，andthedogmeeklywent，andfelltoeating。
　　`Doyoulikedogs？’Connieaskedhim。
　　`No，notreally。They’retootameandclinging。’
　　Hehadtakenoffhisleggingsandwasunlacinghisheavyboots。Conniehadturnedfromthefire。Howbarethelittleroomwas!Yetoverhisheadonthewallhungahideousenlargedphotographofayoungmarriedcouple，apparentlyhimandabold-facedyoungwoman，nodoubthiswife。
　　`Isthatyou？’Connieaskedhim。
　　Hetwistedandlookedattheenlargementabovehishead。
　　`Ay!Takenjustaforewewasmarried，whenIwastwenty-one。’Helookedatitimpassively。
　　`Doyoulikeit？’Connieaskedhim。
　　`Likeit？No!Ineverlikedthething。Butshefixeditalluptohaveitdone，like。’
　　Hereturnedtopullingoffhisboots。
　　`Ifyoudon’tlikeit，whydoyoukeepithangingthere？Perhapsyourwifewouldliketohaveit，’shesaid。
　　Helookedupatherwithasuddengrin。
　　`Shecartedoffiverythingaswasworthtakingfromth’’ouse，’hesaid。
　　`Butsheleftthat!’
　　`Thenwhydoyoukeepit？forsentimentalreasons？’
　　`Nay，Iniverlookatit。Ihardlyknoweditwortheer。It’sbintheersin’wecometothisplace。’
　　`Whydon’tyouburnit？’shesaid。
　　Hetwistedroundagainandlookedattheenlargedphotograph。Itwasframedinabrown-and-giltframe，hideous。Itshowedaclean-shaven，alert，veryyoung-lookingmaninaratherhighcollar，andasomewhatplump，boldyoungwomanwithhairfluffedoutandcrimped，andwearingadarksatinblouse。
　　`Itwouldn’tbeabadidea，wouldit？’hesaid。
　　Hehadpulledoffhisboots，andputonapairofslippers。Hestooduponthechair，andlifteddownthephotograph。Itleftabigpaleplaceonthegreenishwall-paper。
　　`Nousedustingitnow，’hesaid，settingthethingagainstthewall。
　　Hewenttothescullery，andreturnedwithhammerandpincers。Sittingwherehehadsatbefore，hestartedtotearofftheback-paperfromthebigframe，andtopulloutthesprigsthatheldthebackboardinposition，workingwiththeimmediatequietabsorptionthatwascharacteristicofhim。
　　Hesoonhadthenailsout：thenhepulledoutthebackboards，thentheenlargementitself，initssolidwhitemount。Helookedatthephotographwithamusement。
　　`ShowsmeforwhatIwas，ayoungcurate，andherforwhatshewas，abully，’hesaid。`Theprigandthebully!’
　　`Letmelook!’saidConnie。
　　Hedidlookindeedveryclean-shavenandverycleanaltogether，oneofthecleanyoungmenoftwentyyearsago。Buteveninthephotographhiseyeswerealertanddauntless。Andthewomanwasnotaltogetherabully，thoughherjowlwasheavy。Therewasatouchofappealinher。
　　`Onenevershouldkeepthesethings，’saidConnie。`Thatoneshouldn’t!
　　Oneshouldneverhavethemmade!’
　　Hebrokethecardboardphotographandmountoverhisknee，andwhenitwassmallenough，putitonthefire。
　　`It’llspoilthefirethough，’hesaid。
　　Theglassandthebackboardhecarefullytookupstairs。
　　Theframeheknockedasunderwithafewblowsofthehammer，makingthestuccofly。Thenhetookthepiecesintothescullery。
　　`We’llburnthattomorrow，’hesaid。`There’stoomuchplaster-mouldingonit。’
　　Havingclearedaway，hesatdown。
　　`Didyouloveyourwife？’sheaskedhim。
　　`Love？’hesaid。`DidyouloveSirClifford？’
　　Butshewasnotgoingtobeputoff。
　　`Butyoucaredforher？’sheinsisted。
　　`Cared？’Hegrinned。
　　`Perhapsyoucareforhernow，’shesaid。
　　`Me!’Hiseyeswidened。`Ahno，Ican’tthinkofher，’hesaidquietly。
　　`Why？’
　　Butheshookhishead。
　　`Thenwhydon’tyougetadivorce？She’llcomebacktoyouoneday，’
　　saidConnie。
　　Helookedupathersharply。
　　`Shewouldn’tcomewithinamileofme。ShehatesmealotworsethanIhateher。’
　　`You’llseeshe’llcomebacktoyou。’
　　`Thatsheneverwill。That’sdone!Itwouldmakemesicktoseeher。’
　　`Youwillseeher。Andyou’renotevenlegallyseparated，areyou？’
　　`No。’
　　`Ahwell，thenshe’llcomeback，andyou’llhavetotakeherin。’
　　HegazedatConniefixedly。Thenhegavethequeertossofhishead。
　　`Youmightberight。Iwasafoolevertocomebackhere。ButIfeltstrandedandhadtogosomewhere。Aman’sapoorbitofawastrelblownabout。Butyou’reright。I’llgetadivorceandgetclear。Ihatethosethingslikedeath，officialsandcourtsandjudges。ButI’vegottogetthroughwithit。I’llgetadivorce。’
　　Andshesawhisjawset。Inwardlysheexulted。`IthinkIwillhaveacupofteanow，’shesaid。Herosetomakeit。Buthisfacewasset。
　　Astheysatattablesheaskedhim：
　　`Whydidyoumarryher？Shewascommonerthanyourself。MrsBoltontoldmeabouther。Shecouldneverunderstandwhyyoumarriedher。’
　　Helookedatherfixedly。
　　`I’lltellyou，’hesaid。`ThefirstgirlIhad，IbeganwithwhenI
　　wassixteen。Shewasaschool-master’sdaughteroveratOllerton，pretty，beautifulreally。IwassupposedtobeacleversortofyoungfellowfromSheffieldGrammarSchool，withabitofFrenchandGerman，verymuchupaloft。Shewastheromanticsortthathatedcommonness。Sheeggedmeontopoetryandreading：inaway，shemadeamanofme。IreadandIthoughtlikeahouseonfire，forher。AndIwasaclerkinButterleyoffices，thin，white-facedfellowfumingwithallthethingsIread。AndabouteverythingItalkedtoher：buteverything。WetalkedourselvesintoPersepolisandTimbuctoo。Wewerethemostliterary-culturedcoupleintencounties。I
　　heldforthwithrapturetoher，positivelywithrapture。Isimplywentupinsmoke。Andsheadoredme。Theserpentinthegrasswassex。Shesomehowdidn’thaveany；atleast，notwhereit’ssupposedtobe。Igotthinnerandcrazier。ThenIsaidwe’dgottobelovers。Italkedherintoit，asusual。Sosheletme。Iwasexcited，andsheneverwantedit。Shejustdidn’twantit。Sheadoredme，shelovedmetotalktoherandkissher：
　　inthatwayshehadapassionforme。Buttheother，shejustdidn’twant。
　　Andtherearelotsofwomenlikeher。AnditwasjusttheotherthatI
　　didwant。Sotherewesplit。Iwascruel，andlefther。ThenItookonwithanothergirl，ateacher，whohadmadeascandalbycarryingonwithamarriedmananddrivinghimnearlyoutofhismind。Shewasasoft，white-skinned，softsortofawoman，olderthanme，andplayedthefiddle。Andshewasademon。Shelovedeverythingaboutlove，exceptthesex。Clinging，caressing，creepingintoyouineveryway：butifyouforcedhertothesexitself，shejustgroundherteethandsentouthate。Iforcedhertoit，andshecouldsimplynumbmewithhatebecauseofit。SoIwasbalkedagain。I
　　loathedallthat。Iwantedawomanwhowantedme，andwantedit。
　　`ThencameBerthaCoutts。They’dlivednextdoortouswhenIwasalittlelad，soIknew’emallright。Andtheywerecommon。Well，BerthawentawaytosomeplaceorotherinBirmingham；shesaid，asalady’scompanion；
　　everybodyelsesaid，asawaitressorsomethinginahotel。AnyhowjustwhenIwasmorethanfedupwiththatothergirl，whenIwastwenty-one，backcomesBertha，withairsandgracesandsmartclothesandasortofbloomonher：asortofsensualbloomthatyou’dseesometimesonawoman，oronatrolly。Well，Iwasinastateofmurder。IchuckedupmyjobatButterleybecauseIthoughtIwasaweed，clerkingthere：andIgotonasoverheadblacksmithatTevershall：shoeinghorsesmostly。Ithadbeenmydad’sjob，andI’dalwaysbeenwithhim。ItwasajobIliked：handlinghorses：anditcamenaturaltome。SoIstoppedtalking“fine“，astheycallit，talkingproperEnglish，andwentbacktotalkingbroad。Istillreadbooks，athome：butIblacksmithedandhadapony-trapofmyown，andwasMyLordDuckfoot。Mydadleftmethreehundredpoundswhenhedied。