Onthestrengthofheranger，HildawarmedtowardClifford。
　　Afterall，hehadamind。Andifhehadnosex，functionally，allthebetter：somuchthelesstoquarrelabout!Hildawantednomoreofthatsexbusiness，wheremenbecamenasty，selfishlittlehorrors。Conniereallyhadlesstoputupwiththanmanywomenifshedidbutknowit。
　　AndClifforddecidedthatHilda，afterall，wasadecidedlyintelligentwoman，andwouldmakeamanafirst-ratehelpmate，ifheweregoinginforpoliticsforexample。Yes，shehadnoneofConnie’ssilliness，Conniewasmoreachild：youhadtomakeexcusesforher，becauseshewasnotaltogetherdependable。
　　Therewasanearlycupofteainthehall，wheredoorswereopentoletinthesun。Everybodyseemedtobepantingalittle。
　　`Good-bye，Conniegirl!Comebacktomesafely。’
　　`Good-bye，Clifford!Yes，Ishan’tbelong。’Conniewasalmosttender。
　　`Good-bye，Hilda!Youwillkeepaneyeonher，won’tyou？’
　　`I’llevenkeeptwo!’saidHilda。`Sheshan’tgoveryfarastray。’
　　`It’sapromise!’
　　`Good-bye，MrsBolton!Iknowyou’lllookafterSirCliffordnobly。’
　　`I’lldowhatIcan，yourLadyship。’
　　`Andwritetomeifthereisanynews，andtellmeaboutSirClifford，howheis。’
　　`Verygood，yourLadyship，Iwill。Andhaveagoodtime，andcomebackandcheerusup。’
　　Everybodywaved。ThecarwentoffConnielookedbackandsawClifford，sittingatthetopofthestepsinhishouse-chair。Afterall，hewasherhusband：Wragbywasherhome：circumstancehaddoneit。
　　MrsChambersheldthegateandwishedherladyshipahappyholiday。
　　Thecarslippedoutofthedarkspinneythatmaskedthepark，ontothehighroadwherethecolliersweretrailinghome。HildaturnedtotheCrosshillRoad，thatwasnotamainroad，butrantoMansfield。Connieputongoggles。
　　Theyranbesidetherailway，whichwasinacuttingbelowthem。Thentheycrossedthecuttingonabridge。
　　`That’sthelanetothecottage!’saidConnie。
　　Hildaglancedatitimpatiently。
　　`It’safrightfulpitywecan’tgostraightoff!’shesaid。WecouldhavebeeninPallMallbynineo’clock。’
　　`I’msorryforyoursake，’saidConnie，frombehindhergoggles。
　　TheyweresoonatMansfield，thatonce-romantic，nowutterlydishearteningcollierytown。Hildastoppedatthehotelnamedinthemotor-carbook，andtookaroom。Thewholethingwasutterlyuninteresting，andshewasalmosttooangrytotalk。However，Conniehadtotellhersomethingoftheman’shistory。
　　`He!He!Whatnamedoyoucallhimby？Youonlysayhe，’
　　saidHilda。
　　`I’venevercalledhimbyanyname：norheme：whichiscurious，whenyoucometothinkofit。UnlesswesayLadyJaneandJohnThomas。ButhisnameisOliverMellors。’
　　`AndhowwouldyouliketobeMrsOliverMellors，insteadofLadyChatterley？’
　　`I’dloveit。’
　　TherewasnothingtobedonewithConnie。Andanyhow，ifthemanhadbeenalieutenantinthearmyinIndiaforfourorfiveyears，hemustbemoreorlesspresentable。Apparentlyhehadcharacter。Hildabegantorelentalittle。
　　`Butyou’llbethroughwithhiminawhile，’shesaid，`andthenyou’llbeashamedofhavingbeenconnectedwithhim。Onecan’tmixupwiththeworkingpeople。’
　　`Butyouaresuchasocialist!you’realwaysonthesideoftheworkingclasses。’
　　`Imaybeontheirsideinapoliticalcrisis，butbeingontheirsidemakesmeknowhowimpossibleitistomixone’slifewiththeirs。Notoutofsnobbery，butjustbecausethewholerhythmisdifferent。’
　　Hildahadlivedamongtherealpoliticalintellectuals，soshewasdisastrouslyunanswerable。
　　Thenondescripteveninginthehoteldraggedout，andatlasttheyhadanondescriptdinner。ThenConnieslippedafewthingsintoalittlesilkbag，andcombedherhaironcemore。
　　`Afterall，Hilda，’shesaid，`lovecanbewonderful：whenyoufeelyoulive，andareintheverymiddleofcreation。’Itwasalmostlikebraggingonherpart。
　　`Isupposeeverymosquitofeelsthesame，’saidHilda。`Doyouthinkitdoes？Howniceforit!’
　　Theeveningwaswonderfullyclearandlong-lingering，eveninthesmalltown。Itwouldbehalf-lightallnight。Withafacelikeamask，fromresentment，Hildastartedhercaragain，andthetwospedbackontheirtraces，takingtheotherroad，throughBolsover。
　　Connieworehergogglesanddisguisingcap，andshesatinsilence。
　　BecauseofHilda’sOpposition，shewasfiercelyonthesidleoftheman，shewouldstandbyhimthroughthickandthin。
　　Theyhadtheirhead-lightson，bythetimetheypassedCrosshill，andthesmalllit-uptrainthatchuffedpastinthecuttingmadeitseemlikerealnight。Hildahadcalculatedtheturnintothelaneatthebridge-end。
　　Shesloweduprathersuddenlyandswervedofftheroad，thelightsglaringwhiteintothegrassy，overgrownlane。Connielookedout。Shesawashadowyfigure，andsheopenedthedoor。
　　`Hereweare!’shesaidsoftly。
　　ButHildahadswitchedoffthelights，andwasabsorbedbacking，makingtheturn。
　　`Nothingonthebridge？’sheaskedshortly。`You’reallright，’saidthemall’svoice。Shebackedontothebridge，reversed，letthecarrunforwardsafewyardsalongtheroad，thenbackedintothelane，underawych-elmtree，crushingthegrassandbracken。Thenallthelightswentout。Conniesteppeddown。Themanstoodunderthetrees。
　　`Didyouwaitlong？’Connieasked。
　　`Notsovery，’hereplied。
　　TheybothwaitedforHildatogetout。ButHildashutthedoorofthecarandsattight。
　　`ThisismysisterHilda。Won’tyoucomeandspeaktoher？Hilda!ThisisMrMellors。’
　　Thekeeperliftedhishat，butwentnonearer。
　　`Dowalkdowntothecottagewithus，Hilda，’Conniepleaded。`It’snotfar。’
　　`Whataboutthecar？’
　　`Peopledoleavethemonthelanes。Youhavethekey。’
　　Hildawassilent，deliberating。Thenshelookedbackwardsdownthelane。
　　`CanIbackroundthebush？’shesaid。
　　`Ohyes!’saidthekeeper。
　　Shebackedslowlyroundthecurve，outofsightoftheroad，lockedthecar，andgotdown。Itwasnight，butluminousdark。Thehedgesrosehighandwild，bytheunusedlane，andverydarkseeming。Therewasafreshsweetscentontheair。Thekeeperwentahead，thencameConnie，thenHilda，andinsilence。Helitupthedifficultplaceswithaflash-lighttorch，andtheywentonagain，whileanowlsoftlyhootedovertheoaks，andFlossiepaddedsilentlyaround。Nobodycouldspeak。Therewasnothingtosay。
　　AtlengthConniesawtheyellowlightofthehouse，andherheartbeatfast。Shewasalittlefrightened。Theytrailedon，stillinIndianfile。
　　Heunlockedthedoorandprecededthemintothewarmbutbarelittleroom。Thefireburnedlowandredinthegrate。Thetablewassetwithtwoplatesandtwoglassesonaproperwhitetable-clothforOnce。Hildashookherhairandlookedroundthebare，cheerlessroom。Thenshesummonedhercourageandlookedattheman。
　　Hewasmoderatelytall，andthin，andshethoughthimgood-looking。
　　Hekeptaquietdistanceofhisown，andseemedabsolutelyunwillingtospeak。
　　`Dositdown，Hilda，’saidConnie。
　　`Do!’hesaid。`CanImakeyouteaoranything，orwillyoudrinkaglassofbeer？It’smoderatelycool。’
　　`Beer!’saidConnie。
　　`Beerforme，please!’saidHilda，withamocksortofshyness。Helookedatherandblinked。
　　Hetookabluejugandtrampedtothescullery。Whenhecamebackwiththebeer，hisfacehadchangedagain。
　　Conniesatdownbythedoor，andHildasatinhisseat，withthebacktothewall，againstthewindowcorner。
　　`Thatishischair，’saidConniesoftly。’AndHildaroseasifithadburnther。
　　`Sityerstill，sityerstill!Ta’eonycheerasyo’namindto，noneofusisth’bigbear，’hesaid，withcompleteequanimity。
　　AndhebroughtHildaaglass，andpouredherbeerfirstfromthebluejug。
　　`Asforcigarettes，’hesaid，`I’vegotnone，but’appenyou’vegotyourown。Idunnasmoke，mysen。Shally’eatsummat？’HeturneddirecttoConnie。`Shallt’eatasmiteo’summat，ifIbringitthee？Thacanusuallydowi’abite。’Hespokethevernacularwithacuriouscalmassurance，asifhewerethelandlordoftheInn。
　　`Whatisthere？’askedConnie，flushing。
　　`Boiledham，cheese，pickledwa’nuts，ifyerlike——Nowtmuch。’
　　`Yes，’saidConnie。`Won’tyou，Hilda？’
　　Hildalookedupathim。
　　`WhydoyouspeakYorkshire？’shesaidsoftly。
　　`That!That’snonYorkshire，that’sDerby。’
　　Helookedbackatherwiththatfaint，distantgrin。
　　`Derby，then!WhydoyouspeakDerby？YouspokenaturalEnglishatfirst。’
　　`DidAhthough？An’cannaAhchangeifAh’mamindto’t？Nay，nay，letmetalkDerbyifitsuitsme。Ifyo’nnowtagainstit。’
　　`Itsoundsalittleaffected，’saidHilda。
　　`Ay，’appenso!An’upi’Tevershallyo’dsoundaffected。’Helookedagainather，withaqueercalculatingdistance，alonghischeek-bone：
　　asiftosay：Yi，an’whoareyou？
　　Hetrampedawaytothepantryforthefood。
　　Thesisterssatinsilence。Hebroughtanotherplate，andknifeandfork。Thehesaid：
　　`An’ifit’sthesametoyou，Is’llta’emycoatofflikeIallersdo。’
　　Andhetookoffhiscoat，andhungitonthepeg，thensatdowntotableinhisshirt-sleeves：ashirtofthin，cream-colouredflannel。
　　`’Elpyerselves!’hesaid。`’Elpyerselves!Dunnawaitf’raxin’!’Hecutthebread，thensatmotionless。Hildafelt，asConnieonceusedto，hispowerofsilenceanddistance。Shesawhissmallish，sensitive，loosehandonthetable。Hewasnosimpleworkingman，nothe：hewasacting!
　　acting!
　　`Still!’shesaid，asshetookalittlecheese。`ItwouldbemorenaturalifyouspoketousinnormalEnglish，notinvernacular。’
　　Helookedather，feelingherdevilofawill。
　　`Wouldit？’hesaidinthenormalEnglish。`Wouldit？Wouldanythingthatwassaidbetweenyouandmebequitenatural，unlessyousaidyouwishedmetohellbeforeyoursistereversawmeagain：andunlessIsaidsomethingalmostasunpleasantbackagain？Wouldanythingelsebenatural？’
　　`Ohyes!’saidHilda。`Justgoodmannerswouldbequitenatural。’
　　`Secondnature，sotospeak!’hesaid：thenhebegantolaugh。`Nay，’
　　hesaid。`I’mwearyo’manners。Letmebe!’
　　Hildawasfranklybaffledandfuriouslyannoyed。Afterall，hemightshowthatherealizedhewasbeinghonoured。Insteadofwhich，withhisplay-actingandlordlyairs，heseemedtothinkitwashewhowasconferringthehonour。Justimpudence!PoormisguidedConnie，intheman’sclutches!
　　Thethreeateinsilence。Hildalookedtoseewhathistable-mannerswerelike。Shecouldnothelprealizingthathewasinstinctivelymuchmoredelicateandwell-bredthanherself。ShehadacertainScottishclumsiness。
　　Andmoreover，hehadallthequietself-containedassuranceoftheEnglish，nolooseedges。Itwouldbeverydifficulttogetthebetterofhim。
　　Butneitherwouldhegetthebetterofher。
　　`Anddoyoureallythink，’shesaid，alittlemorehumanly，`it’sworththerisk。’
　　`Iswhatworthwhatrisk？’
　　`Thisescapadewithmysister。’
　　Heflickeredhisirritatinggrin。
　　`Yo’maunax’er!’ThenhelookedatConnie。
　　`Thacomeso’thineownaccord，lass，doesn’tter？It’snonmeasforcesthee？’
　　ConnielookedatHilda。
　　`Iwishyouwouldn’tcavil，Hilda。’
　　`NaturallyIdon’twantto。Butsomeonehastothinkaboutthings。You’vegottohavesomesortofcontinuityinyourlife。Youcan’tjustgomakingamess。’
　　Therewasamoment’spause。
　　`Eh，continuity!’hesaid。`An’whatbythat？Whatcontinuityaveyergoti’yourlife？Ithoughtyouwasgettin’divorced。Whatcontinuity’sthat？Continuityo’yerownstubbornness。Icanseethatmuch。An’whatgood’sitgoin’todoyer？You’llbesicko’yercontinuityaforeyerafatsightolder。Astubbornwomananerownself-will：ay，theymakeafastcontinuity，theydo。Thankheaven，itisn’tmeas`asgotth’’andlin’
　　ofyer!’
　　`Whatrighthaveyoutospeaklikethattome？’saidHilda。
　　`Right!Whatrightha’yo’terstartharnessin’otherfolksi’yourcontinuity？Leavefolkstotheirowncontinuities。’
　　`Mydearman，doyouthinkIamconcernedwithyou？’saidHildasoftly。
　　`Ay，’hesaid。`Yo’are。Forit’saforce-put。Yo’moreorlessmysister-in-law。’
　　`Stillfarfromit，Iassureyou。
　　`Nota’thatfar，Iassureyou。I’vegotmyownsorto’continuity，backyourlife!Goodasyours，anyday。An’ifyoursistertherecomestermeforabito’cuntan’tenderness，sheknowswhatshe’safter。She’sbeeninmybedafore：whichyou’aven’t，thanktheLord，withyourcontinuity。’
　　Therewasadeadpause，beforeheadded：`——Eh，Idon’twearmebreechesarse-forrards。An’ifIgetawindfall，Ithankmystars。Amangetsalotofenjoymentouto’thatlasstheer，whichismorethananybodygetsouto’th’likeso’you。Whichisapity，foryoumightappena’binagoodapple，’steadofahandsomecrab。Womenlikeyouneedspropergraftin’。’
　　Hewaslookingatherwithanodd，flickeringsmile，faintlysensualandappreciative。
　　`Andmenlikeyou，’shesaid，`oughttobesegregated：justifyingtheirownvulgarityandselfishlust。’
　　`Ay，ma’am!It’samercythere’safewmenleftlikeme。Butyoudeservewhatyouget：tobeleftseverelyalone。’
　　Hildahadrisenandgonetothedoor。Heroseandtookhiscoatfromthepeg。
　　`Icanfindmywayquitewellalone，’shesaid。