`Youmustaskforchampagne，\'camethewhispering，gentlemanlyvoiceoftheother。
Geraldsuddenlyrealisedthatthiswasahinttohim。
`Shallwehavechampagne？\'heasked，laughing。
`Yesplease，dwy，\'shelispedchildishly。
Geraldwatchedhereatingtheoysters。Shewasdelicateandfinickinginhereating，herfingerswerefineandseemedverysensitiveinthetips，sosheputherfoodapartwithfine，smallmotions，sheatecarefully，delicately。Itpleasedhimverymuchtoseeher，anditirritatedBirkin。
Theywerealldrinkingchampagne。Maxim，theprimyoungRussianwiththesmooth，warm—colouredfaceandblack，oiledhairwastheonlyonewhoseemedtobeperfectlycalmandsober。Birkinwaswhiteandabstract，unnatural，Geraldwassmilingwithaconstantbright，amused，coldlightinhiseyes，leaningalittleprotectivelytowardsthePussum，whowasveryhandsome，andsoft，unfoldedlikesomeredlotusindreadfulfloweringnakedness，vaingloriousnow，flushedwithwineandwiththeexcitementofmen。Hallidaylookedfoolish。Oneglassofwinewasenoughtomakehimdrunkandgiggling。
Yettherewasalwaysapleasant，warmnaiveteabouthim，thatmadehimattractive。
`I\'mnotafwaidofanythingexceptblack—beetles，\'saidthePussum，lookingupsuddenlyandstaringwithherblackeyes，onwhichthereseemedanunseeingfilmofflame，fullyuponGerald。Helaugheddangerously，fromtheblood。Herchildishspeechcaressedhisnerves，andherburning，filmedeyes，turnednowfulluponhim，obliviousofallherantecedents，gavehimasortoflicence。
`I\'mnot，\'sheprotested。`I\'mnotafraidofotherthings。Butblack—beetles——ugh！\'sheshudderedconvulsively，asiftheverythoughtweretoomuchtobear。
`Doyoumean，\'saidGerald，withthepunctiliousnessofamanwhohasbeendrinking，`thatyouareafraidofthesightofablack—beetle，oryouareafraidofablack—beetlebitingyou，ordoingyousomeharm？\'
`Dotheybite？\'criedthegirl。
`Howperfectlyloathsome！\'exclaimedHalliday。
`Idon\'tknow，\'repliedGerald，lookingroundthetable。`Doblack—beetlesbite？Butthatisn\'tthepoint。Areyouafraidoftheirbiting，orisitametaphysicalantipathy？\'
Thegirlwaslookingfulluponhimallthetimewithinchoateeyes。
`Oh，Ithinkthey\'rebeastly，they\'rehorrid，\'shecried。`IfIseeone，itgivesmethecreepsallover。Ifoneweretocrawlonme，I\'msureIshoulddie——I\'msureIshould。\'
`Ihopenot，\'whisperedtheyoungRussian。
`I\'msureIshould，Maxim，\'sheasseverated。
`Thenonewon\'tcrawlonyou，\'saidGerald，smilingandknowing。Insomestrangewayheunderstoodher。
`It\'smetaphysical，asGeraldsays，\'Birkinstated。
Therewasalittlepauseofuneasiness。
`Andareyouafraidofnothingelse，Pussum？\'askedtheyoungRussian，inhisquick，hushed，elegantmanner。
`Notweally，\'shesaid。`Iamafwaidofsomethings，butnotweallythesame。I\'mnotafwaidofblood。\'
`Notafwaidofblood！\'exclaimedayoungmanwithathick，pale，jeeringface，whohadjustcometothetableandwasdrinkingwhisky。
ThePussumturnedonhimasulkylookofdislike，lowandugly。
`Aren\'tyoureallyafraidofblud？\'theotherpersisted，asneeralloverhisface。
`No，I\'mnot，\'sheretorted。
`Why，haveyoueverseenblood，exceptinadentist\'sspittoon？\'jeeredtheyoungman。
`Iwasn\'tspeakingtoyou，\'sherepliedrathersuperbly。
`Youcananswerme，can\'tyou？\'hesaid。
Forreply，shesuddenlyjabbedaknifeacrosshisthick，palehand。
Hestartedupwithavulgarcurse。
`Show\'swhatyouare，\'saidthePussumincontempt。
`Curseyou，\'saidtheyoungman，standingbythetableandlookingdownatherwithacridmalevolence。
`Stopthat，\'saidGerald，inquick，instinctivecommand。
Theyoungmanstoodlookingdownatherwithsardoniccontempt，acowed，self—consciouslookonhisthick，paleface。Thebloodbegantoflowfromhishand。
`Oh，howhorrible，takeitaway！\'squealedHalliday，turninggreenandavertinghisface。
`D\'youfeelill？\'askedthesardonicyoungman，insomeconcern。`Doyoufeelill，Julius？Garn，it\'snothing，man，don\'tgiveherthepleasureoflettingherthinkshe\'sperformedafeat——don\'tgiveherthesatisfaction，man——it\'sjustwhatshewants。\'
`Oh！\'squealedHalliday。
`He\'sgoingtocat，Maxim，\'saidthePussumwarningly。ThesuaveyoungRussianroseandtookHallidaybythearm，leadinghimaway。Birkin，whiteanddiminished，lookedonasifheweredispleased。Thewounded，sardonicyoungmanmovedaway，ignoringhisbleedinghandinthemostconspicuousfashion。
`He\'sanawfulcoward，really，\'saidthePussumtoGerald。`He\'sgotsuchaninfluenceoverJulius。\'
`Whoishe？\'askedGerald。
`He\'saJew，really。Ican\'tbearhim。\'
`Well，he\'squiteunimportant。Butwhat\'swrongwithHalliday？\'
`Julius\'sthemostawfulcowardyou\'veeverseen，\'shecried。`HealwaysfaintsifIliftaknife——he\'stewwifiedofme。\'
`H\'m！\'saidGerald。
`They\'reallafwaidofme，\'shesaid。`OnlytheJewthinkshe\'sgoingtoshowhiscourage。Buthe\'sthebiggestcowardofthemall，really，becausehe\'safwaidwhatpeoplewillthinkabouthim——andJuliusdoesn\'tcareaboutthat。\'
`They\'vealotofvalourbetweenthem，\'saidGeraldgood—humouredly。
ThePussumlookedathimwithaslow，slowsmile。Shewasveryhandsome，flushed，andconfidentindreadfulknowledge。TwolittlepointsoflightglintedonGerald\'seyes。
`WhydotheycallyouPussum，becauseyou\'relikeacat？\'heaskedher。
`Iexpectso，\'shesaid。
Thesmilegrewmoreintenseonhisface。
`Youare，rather;orayoung，femalepanther。\'
`OhGod，Gerald！\'saidBirkin，insomedisgust。
TheybothlookeduneasilyatBirkin。
`You\'resilenttonight，Wupert，\'shesaidtohim，withaslightinsolence，beingsafewiththeotherman。
Hallidaywascomingback，lookingforlornandsick。
`Pussum，\'hesaid，`Iwishyouwouldn\'tdothesethings——Oh！\'Hesankinhischairwithagroan。
`You\'dbettergohome，\'shesaidtohim。
`Iwillgohome，\'hesaid。`Butwon\'tyouallcomealong。Won\'tyoucomeroundtotheflat？\'hesaidtoGerald。`Ishouldbesogladifyouwould。Do——that\'llbesplendid。Isay？\'Helookedroundforawaiter。
`Getmeataxi。\'Thenhegroanedagain。`OhIdofeel——perfectlyghastly！
Pussum，youseewhatyoudotome。\'
`Thenwhyareyousuchanidiot？\'shesaidwithsullencalm。
`ButI\'mnotanidiot！Oh，howawful！Docome，everybody，itwillbesosplendid。Pussum，youarecoming。What？Ohbutyoumustcome，yes，youmust。What？Oh，mydeargirl，don\'tmakeafussnow，Ifeelperfectly——Oh，it\'ssoghastly——Ho！——er！Oh！\'
`Youknowyoucan\'tdrink，\'shesaidtohim，coldly。
`Itellyouitisn\'tdrink——it\'syourdisgustingbehaviour，Pussum，it\'snothingelse。Oh，howawful！Libidnikov，doletusgo。\'
`He\'sonlydrunkoneglass——onlyoneglass，\'cametherapid，hushedvoiceoftheyoungRussian。
Theyallmovedofftothedoor。ThegirlkeptneartoGerald，andseemedtobeatoneinhermotionwithhim。Hewasawareofthis，andfilledwithdemon—satisfactionthathismotionheldgoodfortwo。Heheldherinthehollowofhiswill，andshewassoft，secret，invisibleinherstirringthere。
Theycrowdedfiveofthemintothetaxi—cab。Hallidaylurchedinfirst，anddroppedintohisseatagainsttheotherwindow。ThenthePussumtookherplace，andGeraldsatnexttoher。TheyheardtheyoungRussiangivingorderstothedriver，thentheywereallseatedinthedark，crowdedclosetogether，Hallidaygroaningandleaningoutofthewindow。Theyfelttheswift，muffledmotionofthecar。
ThePussumsatneartoGerald，andsheseemedtobecomesoft，subtlytoinfuseherselfintohisbones，asifshewerepassingintohiminablack，electricflow。Herbeingsuffusedintohisveinslikeamagneticdarkness，andconcentratedatthebaseofhisspinelikeafearfulsourceofpower。Meanwhilehervoicesoundedoutreedyandnonchalant，asshetalkedindifferentlywithBirkinandwithMaxim。BetweenherandGeraldwasthissilenceandthisblack，electriccomprehensioninthedarkness。
Thenshefoundhishand，andgraspeditinherownfirm，smallclasp。Itwassoutterlydark，andyetsuchanakedstatement，thatrapidvibrationsranthroughhisbloodandoverhisbrain，hewasnolongerresponsible。
Stillhervoicerangonlikeabell，tingedwithatoneofmockery。Andassheswungherhead，herfinemaneofhairjustswepthisface，andallhisnerveswereonfire，aswithasubtlefrictionofelectricity。Butthegreatcentreofhisforceheldsteady，amagnificentpridetohim，atthebaseofhisspine。
Theyarrivedatalargeblockofbuildings，wentupinalift，andpresentlyadoorwasbeingopenedforthembyaHindu。Geraldlookedinsurprise，wonderingifhewereagentleman，oneoftheHindusdownfromOxford，perhaps。
Butno，hewastheman—servant。
`Maketea，Hasan，\'saidHalliday。
`Thereisaroomforme？\'saidBirkin。
Tobothofwhichquestionsthemangrinned，andmurmured。
HemadeGeralduncertain，because，beingtallandslenderandreticent，helookedlikeagentleman。
`Whoisyourservant？\'heaskedofHalliday。`Helooksaswell。\'
`Ohyes——that\'sbecausehe\'sdressedinanotherman\'sclothes。He\'sanythingbutaswell，really。Wefoundhimintheroad，starving。SoI
tookhimhere，andanothermangavehimclothes。He\'sanythingbutwhatheseemstobe——hisonlyadvantageisthathecan\'tspeakEnglishandcan\'tunderstandit，sohe\'sperfectlysafe。\'
`He\'sverydirty，\'saidtheyoungRussianswiftlyandsilently。
Directly，themanappearedinthedoorway。
`Whatisit？\'saidHalliday。
TheHindugrinned，andmurmuredshyly:
`Wanttospeaktomaster。\'
Geraldwatchedcuriously。Thefellowinthedoorwaywasgoodlookingandclean—limbed，hisbearingwascalm，helookedelegant，aristocratic。
Yethewashalfasavage，grinningfoolishly。Hallidaywentoutintothecorridortospeakwithhim。
`What？\'theyheardhisvoice。`What？Whatdoyousay？Tellmeagain。
What？Wantmoney？Wantmoremoney？Butwhatdoyouwantmoneyfor？\'
TherewastheconfusedsoundoftheHindu\'stalking，thenHallidayappearedintheroom，smilingalsofoolishly，andsaying:
`Hesayshewantsmoneytobuyunderclothing。Cananybodylendmeashilling？Ohthanks，ashillingwilldotobuyalltheunderclotheshewants。\'HetookthemoneyfromGeraldandwentoutintothepassageagain，wheretheyheardhimsaying，`Youcan\'twantmoremoney，youhadthreeandsixyesterday。Youmustn\'taskforanymore。Bringtheteainquickly。\'
Geraldlookedroundtheroom。ItwasanordinaryLondonsitting—roominaflat，evidentlytakenfurnished，rathercommonandugly。Buttherewereseveralnegrostatues，wood—carvingsfromWestAfrica，strangeanddisturbing，thecarvednegroeslookedalmostlikethefoetusofahumanbeing。Onewasawomansittingnakedinastrangeposture，andlookingtortured，herabdomenstuckout。TheyoungRussianexplainedthatshewassittinginchild—birth，clutchingtheendsofthebandthathungfromherneck，oneineachhand，sothatshecouldbeardown，andhelplabour。Thestrange，transfixed，rudimentaryfaceofthewomanagainremindedGeraldofafoetus，itwasalsoratherwonderful，conveyingthesuggestionoftheextremeofphysicalsensation，beyondthelimitsofmentalconsciousness。
`Aren\'ttheyratherobscene？\'heasked，disapproving。
`Idon\'tknow，\'murmuredtheotherrapidly。`Ihaveneverdefinedtheobscene。Ithinktheyareverygood。\'
Geraldturnedaway。Therewereoneortwonewpicturesintheroom，intheFuturistmanner;therewasalargepiano。Andthese，withsomeordinaryLondonlodging—housefurnitureofthebettersort，completedthewhole。
ThePussumhadtakenoffherhatandcoat，andwasseatedonthesofa。
Shewasevidentlyquiteathomeinthehouse，butuncertain，suspended。
Shedidnotquiteknowherposition。HerallianceforthetimebeingwaswithGerald，andshedidnotknowhowfarthiswasadmittedbyanyofthemen。Shewasconsideringhowsheshouldcarryoffthesituation。Shewasdeterminedtohaveherexperience。Now，atthiseleventhhour，shewasnottobebaulked。Herfacewasflushedaswithbattle，hereyewasbroodingbutinevitable。
ThemancameinwithteaandabottleofKummel。Hesetthetrayonalittletablebeforethecouch。
`Pussum，\'saidHalliday，`pouroutthetea。\'
Shedidnotmove。
`Won\'tyoudoit？\'Hallidayrepeated，inastateofnervousapprehension。
`I\'venotcomebackhereasitwasbefore，\'shesaid。`Ionlycamebecausetheotherswantedmeto，notforyoursake。\'
`MydearPussum，youknowyouareyourownmistress。Idon\'twantyoutodoanythingbutusetheflatforyourownconvenience——youknowit，I\'vetoldyousomanytimes。\'
Shedidnotreply，butsilently，reservedlyreachedforthetea—pot。
Theyallsatroundanddranktea。Geraldcouldfeeltheelectricconnectionbetweenhimandhersostrongly，asshesattherequietandwithheld，thatanothersetofconditionsaltogetherhadcometopass。Hersilenceandherimmutabilityperplexedhim。Howwashegoingtocometoher？
Andyethefeltitquiteinevitable。Hetrustedcompletelytothecurrentthatheldthem。Hisperplexitywasonlysuperficial，newconditionsreigned，theoldweresurpassed;hereonedidasonewaspossessedtodo，nomatterwhatitwas。
Birkinrose。Itwasnearlyoneo\'clock。
`I\'mgoingtobed，\'hesaid。`Gerald，I\'llringyouupinthemorningatyourplaceoryouringmeuphere。\'
`Right，\'saidGerald，andBirkinwentout。
Whenhewaswellgone，Hallidaysaidinastimulatedvoice，toGerald:
`Isay，won\'tyoustayhere——ohdo！\'
`Youcan\'tputeverybodyup，\'saidGerald。
`OhbutIcan，perfectly——therearethreemorebedsbesidesmine——
dostay，won\'tyou。Everythingisquiteready——thereisalwayssomebodyhere——Ialwaysputpeopleup——Ilovehavingthehousecrowded。\'
`Butthereareonlytworooms，\'saidthePussum，inacold，hostilevoice，`nowRupert\'shere。\'
`Iknowthereareonlytworooms，\'saidHalliday，inhisodd，highwayofspeaking。`Butwhatdoesthatmatter？\'
Hewassmilingratherfoolishly，andhespokeeagerly，withaninsinuatingdetermination。
`JuliusandIwillshareoneroom，\'saidtheRussianinhisdiscreet，precisevoice。HallidayandhewerefriendssinceEton。
`It\'sverysimple，\'saidGerald，risingandpressingbackhisarms，stretchinghimself。Thenhewentagaintolookatoneofthepictures。
Everyoneofhislimbswasturgidwithelectricforce，andhisbackwastenselikeatiger\'s，withslumberingfire。Hewasveryproud。
ThePussumrose。ShegaveablacklookatHalliday，blackanddeadly，whichbroughttheratherfoolishlypleasedsmiletothatyoungman\'sface。
Thenshewentoutoftheroom，withacoldgood—nighttothemallgenerally。
Therewasabriefinterval，theyheardadoorclose，thenMaximsaid，inhisrefinedvoice:
`That\'sallright。\'
HelookedsignificantlyatGerald，andsaidagain，withasilentnod:
`That\'sallright——you\'reallright。\'
Geraldlookedatthesmooth，ruddy，comelyface，andatthestrange，significanteyes，anditseemedasifthevoiceoftheyoungRussian，sosmallandperfect，soundedinthebloodratherthanintheair。
`I\'mallrightthen，\'saidGerald。
`Yes！Yes！You\'reallright，\'saidtheRussian。
Hallidaycontinuedtosmile，andtosaynothing。
SuddenlythePussumappearedagaininthedoor，hersmall，childishfacelookingsullenandvindictive。
`Iknowyouwanttocatchmeout，\'camehercold，ratherresonantvoice。
`ButIdon\'tcare，Idon\'tcarehowmuchyoucatchmeout。\'
Sheturnedandwasgoneagain。Shehadbeenwearingaloosedressing—gownofpurplesilk，tiedroundherwaist。Shelookedsosmallandchildishandvulnerable，almostpitiful。AndyettheblacklooksofhereyesmadeGeraldfeeldrownedinsomepotentdarknessthatalmostfrightenedhim。
Themenlitanothercigaretteandtalkedcasually。
WomenInLove:Chapter7CHAPTERVIIFetishINTHEMORNINGGeraldwokelate。Hehadsleptheavily。
Pussumwasstillasleep，sleepingchildishlyandpathetically。Therewassomethingsmallandcurledupanddefencelessabouther，thatrousedanunsatisfiedflameofpassionintheyoungman\'sblood，adevouringavidpity。Helookedatheragain。Butitwouldbetoocrueltowakeher。Hesubduedhimself，andwentaway。
Hearingvoicescomingfromthesitting—room，HallidaytalkingtoLibidnikov，hewenttothedoorandglancedin。Hehadonasilkwrapofabeautifulbluishcolour，withanamethysthem。
Tohissurprisehesawthetwoyoungmenbythefire，starknaked。Hallidaylookedup，ratherpleased。
`Good—morning，\'hesaid。`Oh——didyouwanttowels？\'Andstarknakedhewentoutintothehall，stridingastrange，whitefigurebetweentheunlivingfurniture。Hecamebackwiththetowels，andtookhisformerposition，crouchingseatedbeforethefireonthefender。
`Don\'tyoulovetofeelthefireonyourskin？\'hesaid。
`Itisratherpleasant，\'saidGerald。
`Howperfectlysplendiditmustbetobeinaclimatewhereonecoulddowithoutclothingaltogether，\'saidHalliday。
`Yes，\'saidGerald，`ifthereweren\'tsomanythingsthatstingandbite。\'
`That\'sadisadvantage，\'murmuredMaxim。
Geraldlookedathim，andwithaslightrevulsionsawthehumananimal，goldenskinnedandbare，somehowhumiliating。Hallidaywasdifferent。Hehadaratherheavy，slack，brokenbeauty，whiteandfirm。HewaslikeaChristinaPieta。Theanimalwasnotthereatall，onlytheheavy，brokenbeauty。AndGeraldrealisedhowHalliday\'seyeswerebeautifultoo，soblueandwarmandconfused，brokenalsointheirexpression。Thefireglowfellonhisheavy，ratherbowedshoulders，hesatslacklycrouchedonthefender，hisfacewasuplifted，weak，perhapsslightlydisintegrate，andyetwithamovingbeautyofitsown。
`Ofcourse，\'saidMaxim，`you\'vebeeninhotcountrieswherethepeoplegoaboutnaked。\'
`Ohreally！\'exclaimedHalliday。`Where？\'
`SouthAmerica——Amazon，\'saidGerald。
`Ohbuthowperfectlysplendid！It\'soneofthethingsIwantmosttodo——tolivefromdaytodaywithouteverputtingonanysortofclothingwhatever。IfIcoulddothat，IshouldfeelIhadlived。\'
`Butwhy？\'saidGerald。`Ican\'tseethatitmakessomuchdifference。\'
`Oh，Ithinkitwouldbeperfectlysplendid。I\'msurelifewouldbeentirelyanotherthing——entirelydifferent，andperfectlywonderful。\'
`Butwhy？\'askedGerald。`Whyshouldit？\'
`Oh——onewouldfeelthingsinsteadofmerelylookingatthem。
Ishouldfeeltheairmoveagainstme，andfeelthethingsItouched，insteadofhavingonlytolookatthem。I\'msurelifeisallwrongbecauseithasbecomemuchtoovisual——wecanneitherhearnorfeelnorunderstand，wecanonlysee。I\'msurethatisentirelywrong。\'
`Yes，thatistrue，thatistrue，\'saidtheRussian。
Geraldglancedathim，andsawhim，hissuave，goldencolouredbodywiththeblackhairgrowingfineandfreely，liketendrils，andhislimbslikesmoothplant—stems。Hewassohealthyandwell—made，whydidhemakeoneashamed，whydidonefeelrepelled？WhyshouldGeraldevendislikeit，whydiditseemtohimtodetractfromhisowndignity。Wasthatallahumanbeingamountedto？Souninspired！thoughtGerald。
Birkinsuddenlyappearedinthedoorway，inwhitepyjamasandwethair，andatoweloverhisarm。Hewasaloofandwhite，andsomehowevanescent。
`There\'sthebath—roomnow，ifyouwantit，\'hesaidgenerally，andwasgoingawayagain，whenGeraldcalled:
`Isay，Rupert！\'
`What？\'Thesinglewhitefigureappearedagain，apresenceintheroom。
`Whatdoyouthinkofthatfigurethere？Iwanttoknow，\'Geraldasked。
Birkin，whiteandstrangelyghostly，wentovertothecarvedfigureofthenegrowomaninlabour。Hernude，protuberantbodycrouchedinastrange，clutchingposture，herhandsgrippingtheendsoftheband，aboveherbreast。
`Itisart，\'saidBirkin。
`Verybeautiful，it\'sverybeautiful，\'saidtheRussian。
Theyalldrewneartolook。Geraldlookedatthegroupofmen，theRussiangoldenandlikeawater—plant，Hallidaytallandheavily，brokenlybeautiful，Birkinverywhiteandindefinite，nottobeassigned，ashelookedcloselyatthecarvenwoman。Strangelyelated，Geraldalsoliftedhiseyestothefaceofthewoodenfigure。Andhisheartcontracted。
Hesawvividlywithhisspiritthegrey，forward—stretchingfaceofthenegrowoman，Africanandtense，abstractedinutterphysicalstress。
Itwasaterribleface，void，peaked，abstractedalmostintomeaninglessnessbytheweightofsensationbeneath。HesawthePussuminit。Asinadream，heknewher。
`Whyisitart？\'Geraldasked，shocked，resentful。
`Itconveysacompletetruth，\'saidBirkin。`Itcontainsthewholetruthofthatstate，whateveryoufeelaboutit。\'
`Butyoucan\'tcallithighart，\'saidGerald。
`High！Therearecenturiesandhundredsofcenturiesofdevelopmentinastraightline，behindthatcarving;itisanawfulpitchofculture，ofadefinitesort。\'
`Whatculture？\'Geraldasked，inopposition。HehatedthesheerAfricanthing。
`Purecultureinsensation，cultureinthephysicalconsciousness，reallyultimatephysicalconsciousness，mindless，utterlysensual。Itissosensualastobefinal，supreme。\'
ButGeraldresentedit。Hewantedtokeepcertainillusions，certainideaslikeclothing。
`Youlikethewrongthings，Rupert，\'hesaid，`thingsagainstyourself。\'
`Oh，Iknow，thisisn\'teverything，\'Birkinreplied，movingaway。
WhenGeraldwentbacktohisroomfromthebath，healsocarriedhisclothes。Hewassoconventionalathome，thatwhenhewasreallyaway，andontheloose，asnow，heenjoyednothingsomuchasfulloutrageousness。
Sohestrodewithhisbluesilkwrapoverhisarmandfeltdefiant。
ThePussumlayinherbed，motionless，herround，darkeyeslikeblack，unhappypools。Hecouldonlyseetheblack，bottomlesspoolsofhereyes。
Perhapsshesuffered。Thesensationofherinchoatesufferingrousedtheoldsharpflameinhim，amordantpity，apassionalmostofcruelty。
`Youareawakenow，\'hesaidtoher。
`Whattimeisit？\'camehermutedvoice。
Sheseemedtoflowback，almostlikeliquid，fromhisapproach，tosinkhelplesslyawayfromhim。Herinchoatelookofaviolatedslave，whosefulfilmentliesinherfurtherandfurtherviolation，madehisnervesquiverwithacutelydesirablesensation。Afterall，hiswastheonlywill，shewasthepassivesubstanceofhiswill。Hetingledwiththesubtle，bitingsensation。Andthenheknew，hemustgoawayfromher，theremustbepureseparationbetweenthem。
Itwasaquietandordinarybreakfast，thefourmenalllookingverycleanandbathed。GeraldandtheRussianwerebothcorrectandcommeilfautinappearanceandmanner，Birkinwasgauntandsick，andlookedafailureinhisattempttobeaproperlydressedman，likeGeraldandMaxim。Hallidayworetweedsandagreenflannelshirt，andaragofatie，whichwasjustrightforhim。TheHindubroughtinagreatdealofsofttoast，andlookedexactlythesameashehadlookedthenightbefore，staticallythesame。
AttheendofthebreakfastthePussumappeared，inapurplesilkwrapwithashimmeringsash。Shehadrecoveredherselfsomewhat，butwasmuteandlifelessstill。Itwasatormenttoherwhenanybodyspoketoher。
Herfacewaslikeasmall，finemask，sinistertoo，maskedwithunwillingsuffering。Itwasalmostmidday。Geraldroseandwentawaytohisbusiness，gladtogetout。Buthehadnotfinished。Hewascomingbackagainatevening，theywerealldiningtogether，andhehadbookedseatsfortheparty，exceptingBirkin，atamusic—hall。
Atnighttheycamebacktotheflatverylateagain，againflushedwithdrink。Againtheman—servant——whoinvariablydisappearedbetweenthehoursoftenandtwelveatnight——cameinsilentlyandinscrutablywithtea，bendinginaslow，strange，leopard—likefashiontoputthetraysoftlyonthetable。Hisfacewasimmutable，aristocratic—looking，tingedslightlywithgreyundertheskin;hewasyoungandgood—looking。ButBirkinfeltaslightsickness，lookingathim，andfeelingtheslightgreynessasanashoracorruption，inthearistocraticinscrutabilityofexpressionanauseating，bestialstupidity。
Againtheytalkedcordiallyandrousedlytogether。Butalreadyacertainfriabilitywascomingovertheparty，Birkinwasmadwithirritation，HallidaywasturninginaninsanehatredagainstGerald，thePussumwasbecominghardandcold，likeaflintknife，andHallidaywaslayinghimselfouttoher。Andherintention，ultimately，wastocaptureHalliday，tohavecompletepoweroverhim。
Inthemorningtheyallstalkedandloungedaboutagain。ButGeraldcouldfeelastrangehostilitytohimself，intheair。Itrousedhisobstinacy，andhestoodupagainstit。Hehungonfortwomoredays。TheresultwasanastyandinsanescenewithHallidayonthefourthevening。HallidayturnedwithabsurdanimosityuponGerald，inthecafe。Therewasarow。
