`Yes。\'
Therewasareallypuzzledpause。
`Ican\'tsay，\'saidGerald。`Ithasn\'tbeen，sofar。\'
`Whathasyourlifebeen，sofar？\'
`Oh——findingoutthingsformyself——andgettingexperiences——andmakingthingsgo。\'
Birkinknittedhisbrowslikesharplymouldedsteel。
`Ifind，\'hesaid，`thatoneneedssomeonereallypuresingleactivity——Ishouldcallloveasinglepureactivity。ButIdon\'treallyloveanybody——notnow。\'
`Haveyoueverreallylovedanybody？\'askedGerald。
`Yesandno，\'repliedBirkin。
`Notfinally？\'saidGerald。
`Finally——finally——no，\'saidBirkin。
`NorI，\'saidGerald。
`Anddoyouwantto？\'saidBirkin。
Geraldlookedwithalong，twinkling，almostsardoniclookintotheeyesoftheotherman。
`Idon\'tknow，\'hesaid。
`Ido——Iwanttolove，\'saidBirkin。
`Youdo？\'
`Yes。Iwantthefinalityoflove。\'
`Thefinalityoflove，\'repeatedGerald。Andhewaitedforamoment。
`Justonewoman？\'headded。Theeveninglight，floodingyellowalongthefields，litupBirkin\'sfacewithatense，abstractsteadfastness。
Geraldstillcouldnotmakeitout。
`Yes，onewoman，\'saidBirkin。
ButtoGeralditsoundedasifhewereinsistentratherthanconfident。
`Idon\'tbelieveawoman，andnothingbutawoman，willevermakemylife，\'saidGerald。
`Notthecentreandcoreofit——thelovebetweenyouandawoman？\'
askedBirkin。
Gerald\'seyesnarrowedwithaqueerdangeroussmileashewatchedtheotherman。
`Ineverquitefeelitthatway，\'hesaid。
`Youdon\'t？Thenwhereindoeslifecentre，foryou？\'
`Idon\'tknow——that\'swhatIwantsomebodytotellme。AsfarasI
canmakeout，itdoesn\'tcentreatall。Itisartificiallyheldtogetherbythesocialmechanism。\'
Birkinponderedasifhewouldcracksomething。
`Iknow，\'hesaid，`itjustdoesn\'tcentre。Theoldidealsaredeadasnails——nothingthere。Itseemstomethereremainsonlythisperfectunionwithawoman——sortofultimatemarriage——andthereisn\'tanythingelse。\'
`Andyoumeanifthereisn\'tthewoman，there\'snothing？\'saidGerald。
`Prettywellthat——seeingthere\'snoGod。\'
`Thenwe\'rehardputtoit，\'saidGerald。Andheturnedtolookoutofthewindowattheflying，goldenlandscape。
Birkincouldnothelpseeinghowbeautifulandsoldierlyhisfacewas，withacertaincouragetobeindifferent。
`Youthinkitsheavyoddsagainstus？\'saidBirkin。
`Ifwe\'vegottomakeourlifeupoutofawoman，onewoman，womanonly，yes，Ido，\'saidGerald。`Idon\'tbelieveIshallevermakeupmylife，atthatrate。\'
Birkinwatchedhimalmostangrily。
`Youareabornunbeliever，\'hesaid。
`IonlyfeelwhatIfeel，\'saidGerald。AndhelookedagainatBirkinalmostsardonically，withhisblue，manly，sharp—lightedeyes。Birkin\'seyeswereatthemomentfullofanger。Butswiftlytheybecametroubled，doubtful，thenfullofawarm，richaffectionatenessandlaughter。
`Ittroublesmeverymuch，Gerald，\'hesaid，wrinklinghisbrows。
`Icanseeitdoes，\'saidGerald，uncoveringhismouthinamanly，quick，soldierlylaugh。
Geraldwasheldunconsciouslybytheotherman。Hewantedtobenearhim，hewantedtobewithinhissphereofinfluence。TherewassomethingverycongenialtohiminBirkin。Butyet，beyondthis，hedidnottakemuchnotice。Hefeltthathe，himself，Gerald，hadharderandmoredurabletruthsthananytheothermanknew。Hefelthimselfolder，moreknowing。
Itwasthequick—changingwarmthandvenalityandbrilliantwarmutterancehelovedinhisfriend。Itwastherichplayofwordsandquickinterchangeoffeelingsheenjoyed。Therealcontentofthewordsheneverreallyconsidered:
hehimselfknewbetter。
Birkinknewthis。HeknewthatGeraldwantedtobefondofhimwithouttakinghimseriously。Andthismadehimgohardandcold。Asthetrainranon，hesatlookingattheland，andGeraldfellaway，becameasnothingtohim。
Birkinlookedattheland，attheevening，andwasthinking:`Well，ifmankindisdestroyed，ifourraceisdestroyedlikeSodom，andthereisthisbeautifuleveningwiththeluminouslandandtrees，Iamsatisfied。
Thatwhichinformsitallisthere，andcanneverbelost。Afterall，whatismankindbutjustoneexpressionoftheincomprehensible。Andifmankindpassesaway，itwillonlymeanthatthisparticularexpressioniscompletedanddone。Thatwhichisexpressed，andthatwhichistobeexpressed，cannotbediminished。Thereitis，intheshiningevening。Letmankindpassaway——timeitdid。Thecreativeutteranceswillnotcease，theywillonlybethere。Humanitydoesn\'tembodytheutteranceoftheincomprehensibleanymore。Humanityisadeadletter。Therewillbeanewembodiment，inanewway。Lethumanitydisappearasquickaspossible。\'
Geraldinterruptedhimbyasking，`WhereareyoustayinginLondon？\'
Birkinlookedup。
`WithamaninSoho。Ipaypartoftherentofaflat，andstoptherewhenIlike。\'
`Goodidea——haveaplacemoreorlessyourown，\'saidGerald。
`Yes。ButIdon\'tcareforitmuch。I\'mtiredofthepeopleIamboundtofindthere。\'
`Whatkindofpeople？\'
`Art——music——LondonBohemia——themostpettifoggingcalculatingBohemiathateverreckoneditspennies。Butthereareafewdecentpeople，decentinsomerespects。Theyarereallyverythoroughrejectersoftheworld——perhapstheyliveonlyinthegestureofrejectionandnegation——butnegativelysomething，atanyrate。\'
`Whatarethey？——painters，musicians？\'
`Painters，musicians，writers——hangers—on，models，advancedyoungpeople，anybodywhoisopenlyatoutswiththeconventions，andbelongstonowhereparticularly。TheyareoftenyoungfellowsdownfromtheUniversity，andgirlswhoarelivingtheirownlives，astheysay。\'
`Allloose？\'saidGerald。
Birkincouldseehiscuriosityroused。
`Inoneway。Mostbound，inanother。Foralltheirshockingness，allononenote。\'
HelookedatGerald，andsawhowhisblueeyeswerelitupwithalittleflameofcuriousdesire。Hesawtoohowgood—lookinghewas。Geraldwasattractive，hisbloodseemedfluidandelectric。Hisblueeyesburnedwithakeen，yetcoldlight，therewasacertainbeauty，abeautifulpassivityinallhisbody，hismoulding。
`Wemightseesomethingofeachother——IaminLondonfortwoorthreedays，\'saidGerald。
`Yes，\'saidBirkin，`Idon\'twanttogotothetheatre，orthemusichall——you\'dbettercomeroundtotheflat，andseewhatyoucanmakeofHallidayandhiscrowd。\'
`Thanks——Ishouldliketo，\'laughedGerald。`Whatareyoudoingtonight？\'
`IpromisedtomeetHallidayatthePompadour。It\'sabadplace，butthereisnowhereelse。\'
`Whereisit？\'askedGerald。
`PiccadillyCircus。\'
`Ohyes——well，shallIcomeroundthere？\'
`Byallmeans，itmightamuseyou。\'
Theeveningwasfalling。TheyhadpassedBedford。Birkinwatchedthecountry，andwasfilledwithasortofhopelessness。Healwaysfeltthis，onapproachingLondon。
Hisdislikeofmankind，ofthemassofmankind，amountedalmosttoanillness。
`\"WherethequietcolouredendofeveningsmilesMilesandmiles——\"\'
hewasmurmuringtohimself，likeamancondemnedtodeath。Gerald，whowasverysubtlyalert，waryinallhissenses，leanedforwardandaskedsmilingly:
`Whatwereyousaying？\'Birkinglancedathim，laughed，andrepeated:
`\"Wherethequietcolouredendofeveningsmiles，Milesandmiles，OverpastureswherethesomethingsomethingsheepHalfasleep——\"\'
Geraldalsolookednowatthecountry。AndBirkin，who，forsomereasonwasnowtiredanddispirited，saidtohim:
`IalwaysfeeldoomedwhenthetrainisrunningintoLondon。Ifeelsuchadespair，sohopeless，asifitweretheendoftheworld。\'
`Really！\'saidGerald。`Anddoestheendoftheworldfrightenyou？\'
Birkinliftedhisshouldersinaslowshrug。
`Idon\'tknow，\'hesaid。`Itdoeswhileithangsimminentanddoesn\'tfall。Butpeoplegivemeabadfeeling——verybad。\'
TherewasarousedgladsmileinGerald\'seyes。
`Dothey？\'hesaid。Andhewatchedtheothermancritically。
InafewminutesthetrainwasrunningthroughthedisgraceofoutspreadLondon。Everybodyinthecarriagewasonthealert，waitingtoescape。
Atlasttheywereunderthehugearchofthestation，inthetremendousshadowofthetown。Birkinshuthimselftogether——hewasinnow。
Thetwomenwenttogetherinataxi—cab。
`Don\'tyoufeellikeoneofthedamned？\'askedBirkin，astheysatinalittle，swiftly—runningenclosure，andwatchedthehideousgreatstreet。
`No，\'laughedGerald。
`Itisrealdeath，\'saidBirkin。
WomenInLove:Chapter6CHAPTERVICremedeMentheTHEYMETagaininthecafeseveralhourslater。
Geraldwentthroughthepushdoorsintothelarge，loftyroomwherethefacesandheadsofthedrinkersshoweddimlythroughthehazeofsmoke，reflectedmoredimly，andrepeatedadinfinituminthegreatmirrorsonthewalls，sothatoneseemedtoenteravague，dimworldofshadowydrinkershummingwithinanatmosphereofbluetobaccosmoke。Therewas，however，theredplushoftheseatstogivesubstancewithinthebubbleofpleasure。
Geraldmovedinhisslow，observant，glistening—attentivemotiondownbetweenthetablesandthepeoplewhoseshadowyfaceslookedupashepassed。
Heseemedtobeenteringinsomestrangeelement，passingintoanilluminatednewregion，amongahostoflicentioussouls。Hewaspleased，andentertained。
Helookedoverallthedim，evanescent，strangelyilluminatedfacesthatbentacrossthetables。ThenhesawBirkinriseandsignaltohim。
AtBirkin\'stablewasagirlwithdark，soft，fluffyhaircutshortintheartistfashion，hanginglevelandfullalmostliketheEgyptianprincess\'s。Shewassmallanddelicatelymade，withwarmcolouringandlarge，darkhostileeyes。Therewasadelicacy，almostabeautyinallherform，andatthesametimeacertainattractivegrossnessofspirit，thatmadealittlesparkleapinstantlyalightinGerald\'seyes。
Birkin，wholookedmuted，unreal，hispresenceleftout，introducedherasMissDarrington。Shegaveherhandwithasudden，unwillingmovement，lookingallthewhileatGeraldwithadark，exposedstare。Aglowcameoverhimashesatdown。
Thewaiterappeared。Geraldglancedattheglassesoftheothertwo。
Birkinwasdrinkingsomethinggreen，MissDarringtonhadasmallliqueurglassthatwasemptysaveforatinydrop。
`Won\'tyouhavesomemore——？\'
`Brandy，\'shesaid，sippingherlastdropandputtingdowntheglass。
Thewaiterdisappeared。
`No，\'shesaidtoBirkin。`Hedoesn\'tknowI\'mback。He\'llbeterrifiedwhenheseesmehere。\'
Shespokeherr\'slikew\'s，lispingwithaslightlybabyishpronunciationwhichwasatonceaffectedandtruetohercharacter。Hervoicewasdullandtoneless。
`Whereishethen？\'askedBirkin。
`He\'sdoingaprivateshowatLadySnellgrove\'s，\'saidthegirl。`Warensistheretoo。\'
Therewasapause。
`Well，then，\'saidBirkin，inadispassionateprotectivemanner，`whatdoyouintendtodo？\'
Thegirlpausedsullenly。Shehatedthequestion。
`Idon\'tintendtodoanything，\'shereplied。`Ishalllookforsomesittingstomorrow。\'
`Whoshallyougoto？\'askedBirkin。
`IshallgotoBentley\'sfirst。ButIbelievehe\'sangwywithmeforrunningaway。\'
`ThatisfromtheMadonna？\'
`Yes。Andthenifhedoesn\'twantme，IknowIcangetworkwithCarmarthen。\'
`Carmarthen？\'
`LordCarmarthen——hedoesphotographs。\'
`Chiffonandshoulders——\'
`Yes。Buthe\'sawfullydecent。\'Therewasapause。
`AndwhatareyougoingtodoaboutJulius？\'heasked。
`Nothing，\'shesaid。`Ishalljustignorehim。\'
`You\'vedonewithhimaltogether？\'Butsheturnedasideherfacesullenly，anddidnotanswerthequestion。
Anotheryoungmancamehurryinguptothetable。
`HalloBirkin！HalloPussum，whendidyoucomeback？\'hesaideagerly。
`Today。\'
`DoesHallidayknow？\'
`Idon\'tknow。Idon\'tcareeither。\'
`Ha—ha！Thewindstillsitsinthatquarter，doesit？DoyoumindifIcomeovertothistable？\'
`I\'mtalkingtoWupert，doyoumind？\'shereplied，coollyandyetappealingly，likeachild。
`Openconfession——goodforthesoul，eh？\'saidtheyoungman。`Well，solong。\'
AndgivingasharplookatBirkinandatGerald，theyoungmanmovedoff，withaswingofhiscoatskirts。
AllthistimeGeraldhadbeencompletelyignored。Andyethefeltthatthegirlwasphysicallyawareofhisproximity。Hewaited，listened，andtriedtopiecetogethertheconversation。
`Areyoustayingattheflat？\'thegirlasked，ofBirkin。
`Forthreedays，\'repliedBirkin。`Andyou？\'
`Idon\'tknowyet。IcanalwaysgotoBertha\'s。\'Therewasasilence。
SuddenlythegirlturnedtoGerald，andsaid，inaratherformal，politevoice，withthedistantmannerofawomanwhoacceptsherpositionasasocialinferior，yetassumesintimatecamaraderiewiththemalesheaddresses:
`DoyouknowLondonwell？\'
`Icanhardlysay，\'helaughed。`I\'vebeenupagoodmanytimes，butIwasneverinthisplacebefore。\'
`You\'renotanartist，then？\'shesaid，inatonethatplacedhimanoutsider。
`No，\'hereplied。
`He\'sasoldier，andanexplorer，andaNapoleonofindustry，\'saidBirkin，givingGeraldhiscredentialsforBohemia。
`Areyouasoldier？\'askedthegirl，withacoldyetlivelycuriosity。
`No，Iresignedmycommission，\'saidGerald，`someyearsago。\'
`Hewasinthelastwar，\'saidBirkin。
`Wereyoureally？\'saidthegirl。
`AndthenheexploredtheAmazon，\'saidBirkin，`andnowheisrulingovercoal—mines。\'
ThegirllookedatGeraldwithsteady，calmcuriosity。Helaughed，hearinghimselfdescribed。Hefeltproudtoo，fullofmalestrength。Hisblue，keeneyeswerelitupwithlaughter，hisruddyface，withitssharpfairhair，wasfullofsatisfaction，andglowingwithlife。Hepiquedher。
`Howlongareyoustaying？\'sheaskedhim。
`Adayortwo，\'hereplied。`Butthereisnoparticularhurry。\'
Stillshestaredintohisfacewiththatslow，fullgazewhichwassocuriousandsoexcitingtohim。Hewasacutelyanddelightfullyconsciousofhimself，ofhisownattractiveness。Hefeltfullofstrength，abletogiveoffasortofelectricpower。Andhewasawareofherdark，hot—lookingeyesuponhim。Shehadbeautifuleyes，dark，fully—opened，hot，nakedintheirlookingathim。Andonthemthereseemedtofloatafilmofdisintegration，asortofmiseryandsullenness，likeoilonwater。Sheworenohatintheheatedcafe，herloose，simplejumperwasstrungonastringroundherneck。Butitwasmadeofrichpeach—colouredcrepe—de—chine，thathungheavilyandsoftlyfromheryoungthroatandherslenderwrists。Herappearancewassimpleandcomplete，reallybeautiful，becauseofherregularityandform，hersoftdarkhairfallingfullandleveloneithersideofherhead，herstraight，small，softenedfeatures，Egyptianintheslightfulnessoftheircurves，herslenderneckandthesimple，rich—colouredsmockhangingonherslendershoulders。Shewasverystill，almostnull，inhermanner，apartandwatchful。
SheappealedtoGeraldstrongly。Hefeltanawful，enjoyablepoweroverher，aninstinctivecherishingveryneartocruelty。Forshewasavictim。
Hefeltthatshewasinhispower，andhewasgenerous。Theelectricitywasturgidandvoluptuouslyrich，inhislimbs。Hewouldbeabletodestroyherutterlyinthestrengthofhisdischarge。Butshewaswaitinginherseparation，given。
Theytalkedbanalitiesforsometime。SuddenlyBirkinsaid:
`There\'sJulius！\'andhehalfrosetohisfeet，motioningtothenewcomer。
Thegirl，withacurious，almostevilmotion，lookedroundoverhershoulderwithoutmovingherbody。Geraldwatchedherdark，softhairswingoverherears。Hefeltherwatchingintenselythemanwhowasapproaching，sohelookedtoo。Hesawapale，full—builtyoungmanwithratherlong，solidfairhairhangingfromunderhisblackhat，movingcumbrouslydowntheroom，hisfacelitupwithasmileatoncenaiveandwarm，andvapid。HeapproachedtowardsBirkin，withahasteofwelcome。
Itwasnottillhewasquiteclosethatheperceivedthegirl。Herecoiled，wentpale，andsaid，inahighsquealingvoice:
`Pussum，whatareyoudoinghere？\'
Thecafelookeduplikeanimalswhentheyhearacry。Hallidayhungmotionless，analmostimbecilesmileflickeringpalelyonhisface。Thegirlonlystaredathimwithablacklookinwhichflaredanunfathomablehellofknowledge，andacertainimpotence。Shewaslimitedbyhim。
`Whyhaveyoucomeback？\'repeatedHalliday，inthesamehigh，hystericalvoice。`Itoldyounottocomeback。\'
Thegirldidnotanswer，onlystaredinthesameviscous，heavyfashion，straightathim，ashestoodrecoiled，asifforsafety，againstthenexttable。
`Youknowyouwantedhertocomeback——comeandsitdown，\'saidBirkintohim。
`NoIdidn\'twanthertocomeback，andItoldhernottocomeback。
Whathaveyoucomefor，Pussum？\'
`Fornothingfromyou，\'shesaidinaheavyvoiceofresentment。
`Thenwhyhaveyoucomebackatall？\'criedHalliday，hisvoicerisingtoakindofsqueal。
`Shecomesasshelikes，\'saidBirkin。`Areyougoingtositdown，orareyounot？\'
`No，Iwon\'tsitdownwithPussum，\'criedHalliday。
`Iwon\'thurtyou，youneedn\'tbeafraid，\'shesaidtohim，verycurtly，andyetwithasortofprotectivenesstowardshim，inhervoice。
Hallidaycameandsatatthetable，puttinghishandonhisheart，andcrying:
`Oh，it\'sgivenmesuchaturn！Pussum，Iwishyouwouldn\'tdothesethings。Whydidyoucomeback？\'
`Notforanythingfromyou，\'sherepeated。
`You\'vesaidthatbefore，\'hecriedinahighvoice。
Sheturnedcompletelyawayfromhim，toGeraldCrich，whoseeyeswereshiningwithasubtleamusement。
`Wereyouevervewymuchafwaidofthesavages？\'sheaskedinhercalm，dullchildishvoice。
`No——neververymuchafraid。Onthewholethey\'reharmless——they\'renotbornyet，youcan\'tfeelreallyafraidofthem。Youknowyoucanmanagethem。\'
`Doyouweally？Aren\'ttheyveryfierce？\'
`Notvery。Therearen\'tmanyfiercethings，asamatteroffact。Therearen\'tmanythings，neitherpeoplenoranimals，thathaveitinthemtobereallydangerous。\'
`Exceptinherds，\'interruptedBirkin。
`Aren\'ttherereally？\'shesaid。`Oh，Ithoughtsavageswereallsodangerous，they\'dhaveyourlifebeforeyoucouldlookround。\'
`Didyou？\'helaughed。`Theyareover—rated，savages。They\'retoomuchlikeotherpeople，notexciting，afterthefirstacquaintance。\'
`Oh，it\'snotsoverywonderfullybravethen，tobeanexplorer？\'
`No。It\'smoreaquestionofhardshipsthanofterrors。\'
`Oh！Andweren\'tyoueverafraid？\'
`Inmylife？Idon\'tknow。Yes，I\'mafraidofsomethings——ofbeingshutup，lockedupanywhere——orbeingfastened。I\'mafraidofbeingboundhandandfoot。\'
Shelookedathimsteadilywithherdarkeyes，thatrestedonhimandrousedhimsodeeply，thatitlefthisupperselfquitecalm。Itwasratherdelicious，tofeelherdrawinghisself—revelationsfromhim，asfromtheveryinnermostdarkmarrowofhisbody。Shewantedtoknow。Andherdarkeyesseemedtobelookingthroughintohisnakedorganism。Hefelt，shewascompelledtohim，shewasfatedtocomeintocontactwithhim，musthavetheseeinghimandknowinghim。Andthisrousedacuriousexultance。
Alsohefelt，shemustrelinquishherselfintohishands，andbesubjecttohim。Shewassoprofane，slave—like，watchinghim，absorbedbyhim。
Itwasnotthatshewasinterestedinwhathesaid;shewasabsorbedbyhisself—revelation，byhim，shewantedthesecretofhim，theexperienceofhismalebeing。
Gerald\'sfacewaslitupwithanuncannysmile，fulloflightandrousedness，yetunconscious。Hesatwithhisarmsonthetable，hissunbrowned，rathersinisterhands，thatwereanimalandyetveryshapelyandattractive，pushedforwardtowardsher。Andtheyfascinatedher。Andsheknew，shewatchedherownfascination。
Othermenhadcometothetable，totalkwithBirkinandHalliday。Geraldsaidinalowvoice，apart，toPussum:
`Wherehaveyoucomebackfrom？\'
`Fromthecountry，\'repliedPussum，inaverylow，yetfullyresonantvoice。Herfaceclosedhard。ContinuallysheglancedatHalliday，andthenablackflarecameoverhereyes。Theheavy，fairyoungmanignoredhercompletely;hewasreallyafraidofher。ForsomemomentsshewouldbeunawareofGerald。Hehadnotconqueredheryet。
`AndwhathasHallidaytodowithit？\'heasked，hisvoicestillmuted。
Shewouldnotanswerforsomeseconds。Thenshesaid，unwillingly:
`Hemademegoandlivewithhim，andnowhewantstothrowmeover。
Andyethewon\'tletmegotoanybodyelse。Hewantsmetolivehiddeninthecountry。AndthenhesaysIpersecutehim，thathecan\'tgetridofme。\'
`Doesn\'tknowhisownmind，\'saidGerald。
`Hehasn\'tanymind，sohecan\'tknowit，\'shesaid。`Hewaitsforwhatsomebodytellshimtodo。Heneverdoesanythinghewantstodohimself——becausehedoesn\'tknowwhathewants。He\'saperfectbaby。\'
GeraldlookedatHallidayforsomemoments，watchingthesoft，ratherdegeneratefaceoftheyoungman。Itsverysoftnesswasanattraction;
itwasasoft，warm，corruptnature，intowhichonemightplungewithgratification。
`Buthehasnoholdoveryou，hashe？\'Geraldasked。
`Youseehemademegoandlivewithhim，whenIdidn\'twantto，\'shereplied。`Hecameandcriedtome，tears，youneversawsomany，sayinghecouldn\'tbearitunlessIwentbacktohim。Andhewouldn\'tgoaway，hewouldhavestayedforever。Hemademegoback。Theneverytimehebehavesinthisfashion。AndnowI\'mgoingtohaveababy，hewantstogivemeahundredpoundsandsendmeintothecountry，sothathewouldneverseemenorhearofmeagain。ButI\'mnotgoingtodoit，after——
\'
AqueerlookcameoverGerald\'sface。
`Areyougoingtohaveachild？\'heaskedincredulous。Itseemed，tolookather，impossible，shewassoyoungandsofarinspiritfromanychild—bearing。
Shelookedfullintohisface，andherdark，inchoateeyeshadnowafurtivelook，andalookofaknowledgeofevil，darkandindomitable。
Aflameransecretlytohisheart。
`Yes，\'shesaid。`Isn\'titbeastly？\'
`Don\'tyouwantit？\'heasked。
`Idon\'t，\'sherepliedemphatically。
`But——\'hesaid，`howlonghaveyouknown？\'
`Tenweeks，\'shesaid。
Allthetimeshekeptherdark，inchoateeyesfulluponhim。Heremainedsilent，thinking。Then，switchingoffandbecomingcold，heasked，inavoicefullofconsideratekindness:
`Isthereanythingwecaneathere？Isthereanythingyouwouldlike？\'
`Yes，\'shesaid，`Ishouldadoresomeoysters。\'
`Allright，\'hesaid。`We\'llhaveoysters。\'Andhebeckonedtothewaiter。
Hallidaytooknonotice，untilthelittleplatewassetbeforeher。
Thensuddenlyhecried:
`Pussum，youcan\'teatoysterswhenyou\'redrinkingbrandy。\'
`Whathasitgotodowithyou？\'sheasked。
`Nothing，nothing，\'hecried。`Butyoucan\'teatoysterswhenyou\'redrinkingbrandy。\'
`I\'mnotdrinkingbrandy，\'shereplied，andshesprinkledthelastdropsofherliqueuroverhisface。Hegaveanoddsqueal。Shesatlookingathim，asifindifferent。
`Pussum，whydoyoudothat？\'hecriedinpanic。HegaveGeraldtheimpressionthathewasterrifiedofher，andthathelovedhisterror。
Heseemedtorelishhisownhorrorandhatredofher，turnitoverandextracteveryflavourfromit，inrealpanic。Geraldthoughthimastrangefool，andyetpiquant。
`ButPussum，\'saidanotherman，inaverysmall，quickEtonvoice，`youpromisednottohurthim。\'
`Ihaven\'thurthim，\'sheanswered。
`Whatwillyoudrink？\'theyoungmanasked。Hewasdark，andsmooth—skinned，andfullofastealthyvigour。
`Idon\'tlikeporter，Maxim，\'shereplied。
