Hermioneseemedtobebearingdownonher，awfulandinchoate，makingsomeappeal。TheywerelookingatsomeIndiansilkshirts，gorgeousandsensualinthemselves，theirshape，theiralmostcorruptgorgeousness。AndHermionecamenear，andherbosomwrithed，andUrsulawasforamomentblankwithpanic。AndforamomentHermione\'shaggardeyessawthefearonthefaceoftheother，therewasagainasortofcrash，acrashingdown。AndUrsulapickedupashirtofrichredandbluesilk，madeforayoungprincessoffourteen，andwascryingmechanically:
`Isn\'titwonderful——whowoulddaretoputthosetwostrongcolourstogether——\'
ThenHermione\'smaidenteredsilentlyandUrsula，overcomewithdread，escaped，carriedawaybypowerfulimpulse。
Birkinwentstraighttobed。Hewasfeelinghappy，andsleepy。Sincehehaddancedhewashappy。ButGeraldwouldtalktohim。Gerald，ineveningdress，satonBirkin\'sbedwhentheotherlaydown，andmusttalk。
`WhoarethosetwoBrangwens？\'Geraldasked。
`TheyliveinBeldover。\'
`InBeldover！Whoaretheythen？\'
`TeachersintheGrammarSchool。\'
Therewasapause。
`Theyare！\'exclaimedGeraldatlength。`IthoughtIhadseenthembefore。\'
`Itdisappointsyou？\'saidBirkin。
`Disappointsme！No——buthowisitHermionehasthemhere？\'
`SheknewGudruninLondon——that\'stheyoungerone，theonewiththedarkerhair——she\'sanartist——doessculptureandmodelling。\'
`She\'snotateacherintheGrammarSchool，then——onlytheother？\'
`Both——Gudrunartmistress，Ursulaaclassmistress。\'
`Andwhat\'sthefather？\'
`Handicraftinstructorintheschools。\'
`Really！\'
`Class—barriersarebreakingdown！\'
Geraldwasalwaysuneasyundertheslightlyjeeringtoneoftheother。
`Thattheirfatherishandicraftinstructorinaschool！Whatdoesitmattertome？\'
Birkinlaughed。Geraldlookedathisface，asitlaytherelaughingandbitterandindifferentonthepillow，andhecouldnotgoaway。
`Idon\'tsupposeyouwillseeverymuchmoreofGudrun，atleast。Sheisarestlessbird，she\'llbegoneinaweekortwo，\'saidBirkin。
`Wherewillshego？\'
`London，Paris，Rome——heavenknows。IalwaysexpecthertosheerofftoDamascusorSanFrancisco;she\'sabirdofparadise。Godknowswhatshe\'sgottodowithBeldover。Itgoesbycontraries，likedreams。\'
Geraldponderedforafewmoments。
`Howdoyouknowhersowell？\'heasked。
`IknewherinLondon，\'hereplied，`intheAlgernonStrangeset。She\'llknowaboutPussumandLibidnikovandtherest——evenifshedoesn\'tknowthempersonally。Shewasneverquitethatset——moreconventional，inaway。I\'veknownherfortwoyears，Isuppose。\'
`Andshemakesmoney，apartfromherteaching？\'askedGerald。
`Some——irregularly。Shecansellhermodels。Shehasacertainreclame。\'
`Howmuchfor？\'
`Aguinea，tenguineas。\'
`Andaretheygood？Whatarethey？\'
`Ithinksometimestheyaremarvellouslygood。Thatishers，thosetwowagtailsinHermione\'sboudoir——you\'veseenthem——theyarecarvedinwoodandpainted。\'
`Ithoughtitwassavagecarvingagain。\'
`No，hers。That\'swhattheyare——animalsandbirds，sometimesoddsmallpeopleineverydaydress，reallyratherwonderfulwhentheycomeoff。Theyhaveasortoffunninessthatisquiteunconsciousandsubtle。\'
`Shemightbeawell—knownartistoneday？\'musedGerald。
`Shemight。ButIthinkshewon\'t。Shedropsherartifanythingelsecatchesher。Hercontrarinesspreventshertakingitseriously——shemustneverbetooserious，shefeelsshemightgiveherselfaway。Andshewon\'tgiveherselfaway——she\'salwaysonthedefensive。That\'swhatIcan\'tstandabouthertype。Bytheway，howdidthingsgooffwithPussumafterIleftyou？Ihaven\'theardanything。\'
`Oh，ratherdisgusting。Hallidayturnedobjectionable，andIonlyjustsavedmyselffromjumpinginhisstomach，inarealold—fashionedrow。\'
Birkinwassilent。
`Ofcourse，\'hesaid，`Juliusissomewhatinsane。Ontheonehandhe\'shadreligiousmania，andontheother，heisfascinatedbyobscenity。Eitherheisapureservant，washingthefeetofChrist，orelseheismakingobscenedrawingsofJesus——actionandreaction——andbetweenthetwo，nothing。Heisreallyinsane。Hewantsapurelily，anothergirl，withababyface，ontheonehand，andontheother，hemusthavethePussum，justtodefilehimselfwithher。\'
`That\'swhatIcan\'tmakeout，\'saidGerald。`Doesheloveher，thePussum，ordoesn\'the？\'
`Heneitherdoesnordoesn\'t。Sheistheharlot，theactualharlotofadulterytohim。Andhe\'sgotacravingtothrowhimselfintothefilthofher。Thenhegetsupandcallsonthenameofthelilyofpurity，thebaby—facedgirl，andsoenjoyshimselfallround。It\'stheoldstory——
actionandreaction，andnothingbetween。\'
`Idon\'tknow，\'saidGerald，afterapause，`thathedoesinsultthePussumsoverymuch。Shestrikesmeasbeingratherfoul。\'
`ButIthoughtyoulikedher，\'exclaimedBirkin。`Ialwaysfeltfondofher。Ineverhadanythingtodowithher，personally，that\'strue。\'
`Ilikedherallright，foracoupleofdays，\'saidGerald。`Butaweekofherwouldhaveturnedmeover。There\'sacertainsmellabouttheskinofthosewomen，thatintheendissickeningbeyondwords——evenifyoulikeitatfirst。\'
`Iknow，\'saidBirkin。Thenheadded，ratherfretfully，`Butgotobed，Gerald。Godknowswhattimeitis。\'
Geraldlookedathiswatch，andatlengthroseoffthebed，andwenttohisroom。Buthereturnedinafewminutes，inhisshirt。
`Onething，\'hesaid，seatinghimselfonthebedagain。`Wefinishedupratherstormily，andIneverhadtimetogiveheranything。\'
`Money？\'saidBirkin。`She\'llgetwhatshewantsfromHallidayorfromoneofheracquaintances。\'
`Butthen，\'saidGerald，`I\'drathergiveherherduesandsettletheaccount。\'
`Shedoesn\'tcare。\'
`No，perhapsnot。Butonefeelstheaccountisleftopen，andonewouldratheritwereclosed。\'
`Wouldyou？\'saidBirkin。HewaslookingatthewhitelegsofGerald，asthelattersatonthesideofthebedinhisshirt。Theywerewhite—skinned，full，muscularlegs，handsomeanddecided。YettheymovedBirkinwithasortofpathos，tenderness，asiftheywerechildish。
`IthinkI\'dratherclosetheaccount，\'saidGerald，repeatinghimselfvaguely。
`Itdoesn\'tmatteronewayoranother，\'saidBirkin。
`Youalwayssayitdoesn\'tmatter，\'saidGerald，alittlepuzzled，lookingdownatthefaceoftheothermanaffectionately。
`Neitherdoesit，\'saidBirkin。
`Butshewasadecentsort，really——\'
`RenderuntoCaesarinathethingsthatareCaesarina\'s，\'saidBirkin，turningaside。ItseemedtohimGeraldwastalkingforthesakeoftalking。
`Goaway，itweariesme——it\'stoolateatnight，\'hesaid。
`Iwishyou\'dtellmesomethingthatdidmatter，\'saidGerald，lookingdownallthetimeatthefaceoftheotherman，waitingforsomething。
ButBirkinturnedhisfaceaside。
`Allrightthen，gotosleep，\'saidGerald，andhelaidhishandaffectionatelyontheotherman\'sshoulder，andwentaway。
InthemorningwhenGeraldawokeandheardBirkinmove，hecalledout:
`IstillthinkIoughttogivethePussumtenpounds。\'
`OhGod！\'saidBirkin，`don\'tbesomatter—of—fact。Closetheaccountinyourownsoul，ifyoulike。Itisthereyoucan\'tcloseit。\'
`HowdoyouknowIcan\'t？\'
`Knowingyou。\'
Geraldmeditatedforsomemoments。
`Itseemstometherightthingtodo，youknow，withthePussums，istopaythem。\'
`Andtherightthingformistresses:keepthem。Andtherightthingforwives:liveunderthesameroofwiththem。Integervitaescelerisquepurus——\'saidBirkin。
`There\'snoneedtobenastyaboutit，\'saidGerald。
`Itboresme。I\'mnotinterestedinyourpeccadilloes。\'
`AndIdon\'tcarewhetheryouareornot——Iam。\'
Themorningwasagainsunny。Themaidhadbeeninandbroughtthewater，andhaddrawnthecurtains。Birkin，sittingupinbed，lookedlazilyandpleasantlyoutonthepark，thatwassogreenanddeserted，romantic，belongingtothepast。Hewasthinkinghowlovely，howsure，howformed，howfinalallthethingsofthepastwere——thelovelyaccomplishedpast——thishouse，sostillandgolden，theparkslumberingitscenturiesofpeace。
Andthen，whatasnareandadelusion，thisbeautyofstaticthings——
whatahorrible，deadprisonBreadalbyreallywas，whatanintolerableconfinement，thepeace！Yetitwasbetterthanthesordidscramblingconflictofthepresent。Ifonlyonemightcreatethefutureafterone\'sownheart——foralittlepuretruth，alittleunflinchingapplicationofsimpletruthtolife，theheartcriedoutceaselessly。
`Ican\'tseewhatyouwillleavemeatall，tobeinterestedin，\'cameGerald\'svoicefromthelowerroom。`NeitherthePussums，northemines，noranythingelse。\'
`Youbeinterestedinwhatyoucan，Gerald。OnlyI\'mnotinterestedmyself，\'saidBirkin。
`WhatamItodoatall，then？\'cameGerald\'svoice。
`Whatyoulike。WhatamItodomyself？\'
InthesilenceBirkincouldfeelGeraldmusingthisfact。
`I\'mblestifIknow，\'camethegood—humouredanswer。
`Yousee，\'saidBirkin，`partofyouwantsthePussum，andnothingbutthePussum，partofyouwantsthemines，thebusiness，andnothingbutthebusiness——andthereyouare——allinbits——\'
`Andpartofmewantssomethingelse，\'saidGerald，inaqueer，quiet，realvoice。
`What？\'saidBirkin，rathersurprised。
`That\'swhatIhopedyoucouldtellme，\'saidGerald。
Therewasasilenceforsometime。
`Ican\'ttellyou——Ican\'tfindmyownway，letaloneyours。Youmightmarry，\'Birkinreplied。
`Who——thePussum？\'askedGerald。
`Perhaps，\'saidBirkin。Andheroseandwenttothewindow。
`Thatisyourpanacea，\'saidGerald。`Butyouhaven\'teventrieditonyourselfyet，andyouaresickenough。\'
`Iam，\'saidBirkin。`Still，Ishallcomeright。\'
`Throughmarriage？\'
`Yes，\'Birkinansweredobstinately。
`Andno，\'addedGerald。`No，no，no，myboy。\'
Therewasasilencebetweenthem，andastrangetensionofhostility。
Theyalwayskeptagap，adistancebetweenthem，theywantedalwaystobefreeeachoftheother。Yettherewasacuriousheart—strainingtowardseachother。
`Salvatorfemininus，\'saidGerald，satirically。
`Whynot？\'saidBirkin。
`Noreasonatall，\'saidGerald，`ifitreallyworks。Butwhomwillyoumarry？\'
`Awoman，\'saidBirkin。
`Good，\'saidGerald。
BirkinandGeraldwerethelasttocomedowntobreakfast。Hermionelikedeverybodytobeearly。Shesufferedwhenshefeltherdaywasdiminished，shefeltshehadmissedherlife。Sheseemedtogripthehoursbythethroat，toforceherlifefromthem。Shewasratherpaleandghastly，asifleftbehind，inthemorning。Yetshehadherpower，herwillwasstrangelypervasive。
Withtheentranceofthetwoyoungmenasuddentensionwasfelt。
Sheliftedherface，andsaid，inheramusedsing—song:
`Goodmorning！Didyousleepwell？I\'msoglad。\'
Andsheturnedaway，ignoringthem。Birkin，whoknewherwell，sawthatsheintendedtodiscounthisexistence。
`Willyoutakewhatyouwantfromthesideboard？\'saidAlexander，inavoiceslightlysuggestingdisapprobation。`Ihopethethingsaren\'tcold。
Ohno！Doyoumindputtingouttheflameunderthechafingdish，Rupert？
Thankyou。\'
EvenAlexanderwasratherauthoritativewhereHermionewascool。Hetookhistonefromher，inevitably。Birkinsatdownandlookedatthetable。
Hewassousedtothishouse，tothisroom，tothisatmosphere，throughyearsofintimacy，andnowhefeltincompleteoppositiontoitall，ithadnothingtodowithhim。HowwellheknewHermione，asshesatthere，erectandsilentandsomewhatbemused，andyetsopotent，sopowerful！
Heknewherstatically，sofinally，thatitwasalmostlikeamadness。
Itwasdifficulttobelieveonewasnotmad，thatonewasnotafigureinthehallofkingsinsomeEgyptiantomb，wherethedeadallsatimmemorialandtremendous。HowutterlyheknewJoshuaMattheson，whowastalkinginhisharsh，yetrathermincingvoice，endlessly，endlessly，alwayswithastrongmentalityworking，alwaysinteresting，andyetalwaysknown，everythinghesaidknownbeforehand，howevernovelitwas，andclever。Alexandertheup—to—datehost，sobloodlesslyfree—and—easy，Frauleinsoprettilychiminginjustassheshould，thelittleItalianCountesstakingnoticeofeverybody，onlyplayingherlittlegame，objectiveandcold，likeaweaselwatchingeverything，andextractingherownamusement，nevergivingherselfintheslightest;thenMissBradley，heavyandrathersubservient，treatedwithcool，almostamusedcontemptbyHermione，andthereforeslightedbyeverybody——howknownitallwas，likeagamewiththefiguressetout，thesamefigures，theQueenofchess，theknights，thepawns，thesamenowastheywerehundredsofyearsago，thesamefiguresmovingroundinoneoftheinnumerablepermutationsthatmakeupthegame。Butthegameisknown，itsgoingonislikeamadness，itissoexhausted。
TherewasGerald，anamusedlookonhisface;thegamepleasedhim。
TherewasGudrun，watchingwithsteady，large，hostileeyes;thegamefascinatedher，andsheloathedit。TherewasUrsula，withaslightlystartledlookonherface，asifshewerehurt，andthepainwerejustoutsideherconsciousness。
SuddenlyBirkingotupandwentout。
`That\'senough，\'hesaidtohimselfinvoluntarily。
Hermioneknewhismotion，thoughnotinherconsciousness。Sheliftedherheavyeyesandsawhimlapsesuddenlyaway，onasudden，unknowntide，andthewavesbrokeoverher。Onlyherindomitablewillremainedstaticandmechanical，shesatatthetablemakinghermusing，strayremarks。
Butthedarknesshadcoveredher，shewaslikeashipthathasgonedown。
Itwasfinishedforhertoo，shewaswreckedinthedarkness。Yettheunfailingmechanismofherwillworkedon，shehadthatactivity。
`Shallwebathethismorning？\'shesaid，suddenlylookingatthemall。
`Splendid，\'saidJoshua。`Itisaperfectmorning。\'
`Oh，itisbeautiful，\'saidFraulein。
`Yes，letusbathe，\'saidtheItalianwoman。
`Wehavenobathingsuits，\'saidGerald。
`Havemine，\'saidAlexander。`Imustgotochurchandreadthelessons。
Theyexpectme。\'
`AreyouaChristian？\'askedtheItalianCountess，withsuddeninterest。
`No，\'saidAlexander。`I\'mnot。ButIbelieveinkeepinguptheoldinstitutions。\'
`Theyaresobeautiful，\'saidFrauleindaintily。
`Oh，theyare，\'criedMissBradley。
Theyalltrailedoutontothelawn。Itwasasunny，softmorninginearlysummer，whenliferanintheworldsubtly，likeareminiscence。Thechurchbellswereringingalittlewayoff，notacloudwasinthesky，theswanswerelikeliliesonthewaterbelow，thepeacockswalkedwithlong，prancingstepsacrosstheshadowandintothesunshineofthegrass。
Onewantedtoswoonintotheby—goneperfectionofitall。
`Good—bye，\'calledAlexander，wavinghisglovescheerily，andhedisappearedbehindthebushes，onhiswaytochurch。
`Now，\'saidHermione，`shallweallbathe？\'
`Iwon\'t，\'saidUrsula。
`Youdon\'twantto？\'saidHermione，lookingatherslowly。
`No。Idon\'twantto，\'saidUrsula。
`NorI，\'saidGudrun。
`Whataboutmysuit？\'askedGerald。
`Idon\'tknow，\'laughedHermione，withanodd，amusedintonation。`Willahandkerchiefdo——alargehandkerchief？\'
`Thatwilldo，\'saidGerald。
`Comealongthen，\'sangHermione。
ThefirsttorunacrossthelawnwasthelittleItalian，smallandlikeacat，herwhitelegstwinklingasshewent，duckingslightlyherhead，thatwastiedinagoldsilkkerchief。Shetrippedthroughthegateanddownthegrass，andstood，likeatinyfigureofivoryandbronze，atthewater\'sedge，havingdroppedoffhertowelling，watchingtheswans，whichcameupinsurprise。ThenoutranMissBradley，likealarge，softpluminherdark—bluesuit。ThenGeraldcame，ascarletsilkkerchiefroundhisloins，histowelsoverhisarms。Heseemedtoflaunthimselfalittleinthesun，lingeringandlaughing，strollingeasily，lookingwhitebutnaturalinhisnakedness。ThencameSirJoshua，inanovercoat，andlastlyHermione，stridingwithstiffgracefromoutofagreatmantleofpurplesilk，herheadtiedupinpurpleandgold。Handsomewasherstiff，longbody，herstraight—steppingwhitelegs，therewasastaticmagnificenceaboutherassheletthecloakfloatlooselyawayfromherstriding。Shecrossedthelawnlikesomestrangememory，andpassedslowlyandstatelilytowardsthewater。
Therewerethreeponds，interracesdescendingthevalley，largeandsmoothandbeautiful，lyinginthesun。Thewaterranoveralittlestonewall，oversmallrocks，splashingdownfromonepondtothelevelbelow。
Theswanshadgoneoutontotheoppositebank，thereedssmelledsweet，afaintbreezetouchedtheskin。
Geraldhaddivedin，afterSirJoshua，andhadswumtotheendofthepond。Thereheclimbedoutandsatonthewall。Therewasadive，andthelittleCountesswasswimminglikearat，tojoinhim。Theybothsatinthesun，laughingandcrossingtheirarmsontheirbreasts。SirJoshuaswamuptothem，andstoodnearthem，uptohisarm—pitsinthewater。
ThenHermioneandMissBradleyswamover，andtheysatinarowontheembankment。
`Aren\'ttheyterrifying？Aren\'ttheyreallyterrifying？\'saidGudrun。
`Don\'ttheylooksaurian？Theyarejustlikegreatlizards。DidyoueverseeanythinglikeSirJoshua？Butreally，Ursula，hebelongstotheprimevalworld，whengreatlizardscrawledabout。\'
GudrunlookedindismayonSirJoshua，whostooduptothebreastinthewater，hislong，greyishhairwasheddownintohiseyes，hisnecksetintothick，crudeshoulders。HewastalkingtoMissBradley，who，seatedonthebankabove，plumpandbigandwet，lookedasifshemightrollandslitherinthewateralmostlikeoneoftheslitheringsealionsintheZoo。
Ursulawatchedinsilence。Geraldwaslaughinghappily，betweenHermioneandtheItalian。HeremindedherofDionysos，becausehishairwasreallyyellow，hisfiguresofullandlaughing。Hermione，inherlarge，stiff，sinistergrace，leanednearhim，frightening，asifshewerenotresponsibleforwhatshemightdo。Heknewacertaindangerinher，aconvulsivemadness。
Butheonlylaughedthemore，turningoftentothelittleCountess，whowasflashingupherfaceathim。
Theyalldroppedintothewater，andwereswimmingtogetherlikeashoalofseals。Hermionewaspowerfulandunconsciousinthewater，largeandslowandpowerful。Palestrawasquickandsilentasawaterrat，Geraldwaveredandflickered，awhitenaturalshadow。Then，oneaftertheother，theywadedout，andwentuptothehouse。
ButGeraldlingeredamomenttospeaktoGudrun。
`Youdon\'tlikethewater？\'hesaid。
Shelookedathimwithalong，slowinscrutablelook，ashestoodbeforehernegligently，thewaterstandinginbeadsalloverhisskin。
`Ilikeitverymuch，\'shereplied。
Hepaused，expectingsomesortofexplanation。
`Andyouswim？\'
`Yes，Iswim。\'
Stillhewouldnotaskherwhyshewouldnotgointhen。Hecouldfeelsomethingironicinher。Hewalkedaway，piquedforthefirsttime。
`Whywouldn\'tyoubathe？\'heaskedheragain，later，whenhewasoncemoretheproperly—dressedyoungEnglishman。
Shehesitatedamomentbeforeanswering，opposinghispersistence。
`BecauseIdidn\'tlikethecrowd，\'shereplied。
Helaughed，herphraseseemedtore—echoinhisconsciousness。Theflavourofherslangwaspiquanttohim。Whetherhewouldornot，shesignifiedtherealworldtohim。Hewantedtocomeuptoherstandards，fulfilherexpectations。Heknewthathercriterionwastheonlyonethatmattered。
Theotherswerealloutsiders，instinctively，whatevertheymightbesocially。
AndGeraldcouldnothelpit，hewasboundtostrivetocomeuptohercriterion，fulfilherideaofamanandahuman—being。
Afterlunch，whenalltheothershadwithdrawn，HermioneandGeraldandBirkinlingered，finishingtheirtalk。Therehadbeensomediscussion，onthewholequiteintellectualandartificial，aboutanewstate，anewworldofman。Supposingthisoldsocialstatewerebrokenanddestroyed，then，outofthechaos，whatthen？
Thegreatsocialidea，saidSirJoshua，wasthesocialequalityofman。No，saidGerald，theideawas，thateverymanwasfitforhisownlittlebitofatask——lethimdothat，andthenpleasehimself。Theunifyingprinciplewastheworkinhand。Onlywork，thebusinessofproduction，heldmentogether。Itwasmechanical，butthensocietywasamechanism。
Apartfromworktheywereisolated，freetodoastheyliked。
`Oh！\'criedGudrun。`Thenweshan\'thavenamesanymore——weshallbeliketheGermans，nothingbutHerrObermeisterandHerrUntermeister。
Icanimagineit——\"IamMrsColliery—ManagerCrich——IamMrsMember—of—ParliamentRoddice。IamMissArt—TeacherBrangwen。\"Veryprettythat。\'
`Thingswouldworkverymuchbetter，MissArt—TeacherBrangwen，\'saidGerald。
`Whatthings，MrColliery—ManagerCrich？Therelationbetweenyouandme，parexemple？\'
`Yes，forexample，\'criedtheItalian。`Thatwhichisbetweenmenandwomen——！\'
`Thatisnon—social，\'saidBirkin，sarcastically。
`Exactly，\'saidGerald。`Betweenmeandawoman，thesocialquestiondoesnotenter。Itismyownaffair。\'
`Aten—poundnoteonit，\'saidBirkin。
`Youdon\'tadmitthatawomanisasocialbeing？\'askedUrsulaofGerald。
`Sheisboth，\'saidGerald。`Sheisasocialbeing，asfarassocietyisconcerned。Butforherownprivateself，sheisafreeagent，itisherownaffair，whatshedoes。\'
`Butwon\'titberatherdifficulttoarrangethetwohalves？\'askedUrsula。
`Ohno，\'repliedGerald。`Theyarrangethemselvesnaturally——weseeitnow，everywhere。\'
`Don\'tyoulaughsopleasantlytillyou\'reoutofthewood，\'saidBirkin。
Geraldknittedhisbrowsinmomentaryirritation。
`WasIlaughing？\'hesaid。
`If，\'saidHermioneatlast，`wecouldonlyrealise，thatinthespiritweareallone，allequalinthespirit，allbrothersthere——therestwouldn\'tmatter，therewouldbenomoreofthiscarpingandenvyandthisstruggleforpower，whichdestroys，onlydestroys。\'
Thisspeechwasreceivedinsilence，andalmostimmediatelythepartyrosefromthetable。Butwhentheothershadgone，Birkinturnedroundinbitterdeclamation，saying:
`Itisjusttheopposite，justthecontrary，Hermione。Wearealldifferentandunequalinspirit——itisonlythesocialdifferencesthatarebasedonaccidentalmaterialconditions。Weareallabstractlyormathematicallyequal，ifyoulike。Everymanhashungerandthirst，twoeyes，onenoseandtwolegs。We\'reallthesameinpointofnumber。Butspiritually，thereispuredifferenceandneitherequalitynorinequalitycounts。Itisuponthesetwobitsofknowledgethatyoumustfoundastate。Yourdemocracyisanabsolutelie——yourbrotherhoodofmanisapurefalsity，ifyouapplyitfurtherthanthemathematicalabstraction。Wealldrankmilkfirst，wealleatbreadandmeat，weallwanttorideinmotor—cars——thereinliesthebeginningandtheendofthebrotherhoodofman。Butnoequality。
`ButI，myself，whoammyself，whathaveItodowithequalitywithanyothermanorwoman？Inthespirit，Iamasseparateasonestarisfromanother，asdifferentinqualityandquantity。Establishastateonthat。Onemanisn\'tanybetterthananother，notbecausetheyareequal，butbecausetheyareintrinsicallyother，thatthereisnotermofcomparison。Theminuteyoubegintocompare，onemanisseentobefarbetterthananother，alltheinequalityyoucanimagineistherebynature。Iwanteverymantohavehisshareintheworld\'sgoods，sothatIamridofhisimportunity，sothatIcantellhim:\"Nowyou\'vegotwhatyouwant——you\'vegotyourfairshareoftheworld\'sgear。Now，youone—mouthedfool，mindyourselfanddon\'tobstructme。\'
Hermionewaslookingathimwithleeringeyes，alonghercheeks。Hecouldfeelviolentwavesofhatredandloathingofallhesaid，comingoutofher。Itwasdynamichatredandloathing，comingstrongandblackoutoftheunconsciousness。Sheheardhiswordsinherunconsciousself，consciouslyshewasasifdeafened，shepaidnoheedtothem。
`Itsoundslikemegalomania，Rupert，\'saidGerald，genially。
Hermionegaveaqueer，gruntingsound。Birkinstoodback。
`Yes，letit，\'hesaidsuddenly，thewholetonegoneoutofhisvoice，thathadbeensoinsistent，bearingeverybodydown。Andhewentaway。
Buthefelt，later，alittlecompunction。Hehadbeenviolent，cruelwithpoorHermione。Hewantedtorecompenseher，tomakeitup。Hehadhurther，hehadbeenvindictive。Hewantedtobeongoodtermswithheragain。
Hewentintoherboudoir，aremoteandverycushionyplace。Shewassittingathertablewritingletters。Sheliftedherfaceabstractedlywhenheentered，watchedhimgotothesofa，andsitdown。Thenshelookeddownatherpaperagain。
Hetookupalargevolumewhichhehadbeenreadingbefore，andbecameminutelyattentivetohisauthor。HisbackwastowardsHermione。Shecouldnotgoonwithherwriting。Herwholemindwasachaos，darknessbreakinginuponit，andherselfstrugglingtogaincontrolwithherwill，asaswimmerstruggleswiththeswirlingwater。Butinspiteofhereffortsshewasbornedown，darknessseemedtobreakoverher，shefeltasifherheartwasbursting。Theterribletensiongrewstrongerandstronger，itwasmostfearfulagony，likebeingwalledup。
Andthensherealisedthathispresencewasthewall，hispresencewasdestroyingher。Unlessshecouldbreakout，shemustdiemostfearfully，walledupinhorror。Andhewasthewall。Shemustbreakdownthewall——shemustbreakhimdownbeforeher，theawfulobstructionofhimwhoobstructedherlifetothelast。Itmustbedone，orshemustperishmosthorribly。
Terriblyshocksranoverherbody，likeshocksofelectricity，asifmanyvoltsofelectricitysuddenlystruckherdown。Shewasawareofhimsittingsilentlythere，anunthinkableevilobstruction。Onlythisblottedouthermind，pressedoutherverybreathing，hissilent，stoopingback，thebackofhishead。
Aterriblevoluptuousthrillrandownherarms——shewasgoingtoknowhervoluptuousconsummation。Herarmsquiveredandwerestrong，immeasurablyandirresistiblystrong。Whatdelight，whatdelightinstrength，whatdeliriumofpleasure！Shewasgoingtohaveherconsummationofvoluptuousecstasyatlast。Itwascoming！Inutmostterrorandagony，sheknewitwasuponhernow，inextremityofbliss。Herhandclosedonablue，beautifulballoflapislazulithatstoodonherdeskforapaper—weight。Sherolleditroundinherhandassherosesilently。Herheartwasapureflameinherbreast，shewaspurelyunconsciousinecstasy。Shemovedtowardshimandstoodbehindhimforamomentinecstasy。He，closedwithinthespell，remainedmotionlessandunconscious。
