Thenswiftly，inaflamethatdrencheddownherbodylikefluidlightningandgaveheraperfect，unutterableconsummation，unutterablesatisfaction，shebroughtdowntheballofjewelstonewithallherforce，crashonhishead。Butherfingerswereinthewayanddeadenedtheblow。Nevertheless，downwenthisheadonthetableonwhichhisbooklay，thestoneslidasideandoverhisear，itwasoneconvulsionofpureblissforher，litupbythecrushedpainofherfingers。Butitwasnotsomehowcomplete。Sheliftedherarmhightoaimoncemore，straightdownontheheadthatlaydazedonthetable。Shemustsmashit，itmustbesmashedbeforeherecstasywasconsummated，fulfilledforever。Athousandlives，athousanddeathsmatterednothingnow，onlythefulfilmentofthisperfectecstasy。
Shewasnotswift，shecouldonlymoveslowly。Astrongspiritinhimwokehimandmadehimlifthisfaceandtwisttolookather。Herarmwasraised，thehandclaspingtheballoflapislazuli。Itwasherlefthand，herealisedagainwithhorrorthatshewasleft—handed。Hurriedly，withaburrowingmotion，hecoveredhisheadunderthethickvolumeofThucydides，andtheblowcamedown，almostbreakinghisneck，andshatteringhisheart。
Hewasshattered，buthewasnotafraid。Twistingroundtofaceherhepushedthetableoverandgotawayfromher。Hewaslikeaflaskthatissmashedtoatoms，heseemedtohimselfthathewasallfragments，smashedtobits。Yethismovementswereperfectlycoherentandclear，hissoulwasentireandunsurprised。
`Noyoudon\'t，Hermione，\'hesaidinalowvoice。`Idon\'tletyou。\'
Hesawherstandingtallandlividandattentive，thestoneclenchedtenseinherhand。
`Standawayandletmego，\'hesaid，drawingneartoher。
Asifpressedbackbysomehand，shestoodaway，watchinghimallthetimewithoutchanging，likeaneutralisedangelconfrontinghim。
`Itisnotgood，\'hesaid，whenhehadgonepasther。`Itisn\'tIwhowilldie。Youhear？\'
Hekepthisfacetoherashewentout，lestsheshouldstrikeagain。
Whilehewasonhisguard，shedarednotmove。Andhewasonhisguard，shewaspowerless。Sohehadgone，andleftherstanding。
Sheremainedperfectlyrigid，standingasshewasforalongtime。Thenshestaggeredtothecouchandlaydown，andwentheavilytosleep。Whensheawoke，sherememberedwhatshehaddone，butitseemedtoher，shehadonlyhithim，asanywomanmightdo，becausehetorturedher。Shewasperfectlyright。Sheknewthat，spiritually，shewasright。Inherowninfalliblepurity，shehaddonewhatmustbedone。Shewasright，shewaspure。Adrugged，almostsinisterreligiousexpressionbecamepermanentonherface。
Birkin，barelyconscious，andyetperfectlydirectinhismotion，wentoutofthehouseandstraightacrossthepark，totheopencountry，tothehills。Thebrilliantdayhadbecomeovercast，spotsofrainwerefalling。
Hewanderedontoawildvalley—side，wherewerethicketsofhazel，manyflowers，tuftsofheather，andlittleclumpsofyoungfirtrees，buddingwithsoftpaws。Itwasratherweteverywhere，therewasastreamrunningdownatthebottomofthevalley，whichwasgloomy，orseemedgloomy。Hewasawarethathecouldnotregainhisconsciousness，thathewasmovinginasortofdarkness。
Yethewantedsomething。Hewashappyinthewethillside，thatwasovergrownandobscurewithbushesandflowers。Hewantedtotouchthemall，tosaturatehimselfwiththetouchofthemall。Hetookoffhisclothes，andsatdownnakedamongtheprimroses，movinghisfeetsoftlyamongtheprimroses，hislegs，hisknees，hisarmsrightuptothearm—pits，lyingdownandlettingthemtouchhisbelly，hisbreasts。Itwassuchafine，cool，subtletouchalloverhim，heseemedtosaturatehimselfwiththeircontact。
Buttheyweretoosoft。Hewentthroughthelonggrasstoaclumpofyoungfir—trees，thatwerenohigherthanaman。Thesoftsharpboughsbeatuponhim，ashemovedinkeenpangsagainstthem，threwlittlecoldshowersofdropsonhisbelly，andbeathisloinswiththeirclustersofsoft—sharpneedles。Therewasathistlewhichprickedhimvividly，butnottoomuch，becauseallhismovementsweretoodiscriminateandsoft。
Toliedownandrollinthesticky，coolyounghyacinths，tolieonone\'sbellyandcoverone\'sbackwithhandfulsoffinewetgrass，softasabreath，softandmoredelicateandmorebeautifulthanthetouchofanywoman;
andthentostingone\'sthighagainstthelivingdarkbristlesofthefir—boughs;
andthentofeelthelightwhipofthehazelonone\'sshoulders，stinging，andthentoclaspthesilverybirch—trunkagainstone\'sbreast，itssmoothness，itshardness，itsvitalknotsandridges——thiswasgood，thiswasallverygood，verysatisfying。Nothingelsewoulddo，nothingelsewouldsatisfy，exceptthiscoolnessandsubtletyofvegetationtravellingintoone\'sblood。
Howfortunatehewas，thattherewasthislovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，waitingforhim，ashewaitedforit;howfulfilledhewas，howhappy！
Ashedriedhimselfalittlewithhishandkerchief，hethoughtaboutHermioneandtheblow。Hecouldfeelapainonthesideofhishead。Butafterall，whatdiditmatter？WhatdidHermionematter，whatdidpeoplematteraltogether？Therewasthisperfectcoolloneliness，solovelyandfreshandunexplored。Really，whatamistakehehadmade，thinkinghewantedpeople，thinkinghewantedawoman。Hedidnotwantawoman——notintheleast。Theleavesandtheprimrosesandthetrees，theywerereallylovelyandcoolanddesirable，theyreallycameintothebloodandwereaddedontohim。Hewasenrichenednowimmeasurably，andsoglad。
ItwasquiterightofHermionetowanttokillhim。Whathadhetodowithher？Whyshouldhepretendtohaveanythingtodowithhumanbeingsatall？Herewashisworld，hewantednobodyandnothingbutthelovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，andhimself，hisownlivingself。
Itwasnecessarytogobackintotheworld。Thatwastrue。Butthatdidnotmatter，sooneknewwhereonebelonged。Heknewnowwherehebelonged。
Thiswashisplace，hismarriageplace。Theworldwasextraneous。
Heclimbedoutofthevalley，wonderingifheweremad。Butifso，hepreferredhisownmadness，totheregularsanity。Herejoicedinhisownmadness，hewasfree。Hedidnotwantthatoldsanityoftheworld，whichwasbecomesorepulsive。Herejoicedinthenew—foundworldofhismadness。
Itwassofreshanddelicateandsosatisfying。
Asforthecertaingriefhefeltatthesametime，inhissoul，thatwasonlytheremainsofanoldethic，thatbadeahumanbeingadheretohumanity。Buthewaswearyoftheoldethic，ofthehumanbeing，andofhumanity。Helovednowthesoft，delicatevegetation，thatwassocoolandperfect。Hewouldoverlooktheoldgrief，hewouldputawaytheoldethic，hewouldbefreeinhisnewstate。
Hewasawareofthepaininhisheadbecomingmoreandmoredifficulteveryminute。Hewaswalkingnowalongtheroadtotheneareststation。
Itwasrainingandhehadnohat。Butthenplentyofcrankswentoutnowadayswithouthats，intherain。
Hewonderedagainhowmuchofhisheavinessofheart，acertaindepression，wasduetofear，fearlestanybodyshouldhaveseenhimnakedlyingagainstthevegetation。Whatadreadhehadofmankind，ofotherpeople！Itamountedalmosttohorror，toasortofdreamterror——hishorrorofbeingobservedbysomeotherpeople。Ifhewereonanisland，likeAlexanderSelkirk，withonlythecreaturesandthetrees，hewouldbefreeandglad，therewouldbenoneofthisheaviness，thismisgiving。Hecouldlovethevegetationandbequitehappyandunquestioned，byhimself。
HehadbettersendanotetoHermione:shemighttroubleabouthim，andhedidnotwanttheonusofthis。Soatthestation，hewrotesaying:
Iwillgoontotown——Idon\'twanttocomebacktoBreadalbyforthepresent。Butitisquiteallright——Idon\'twantyoutomindhavingbiffedme，intheleast。Telltheothersitisjustoneofmymoods。Youwerequiteright，tobiffme——becauseIknowyouwantedto。Sothere\'stheendofit。
Inthetrain，however，hefeltill。Everymotionwasinsufferablepain，andhewassick。Hedraggedhimselffromthestationintoacab，feelinghiswaystepbystep，likeablindman，andhelduponlybyadimwill。
Foraweekortwohewasill，buthedidnotletHermioneknow，andshethoughthewassulking;therewasacompleteestrangementbetweenthem。
Shebecamerapt，abstractedinherconvictionofexclusiverighteousness。
Shelivedinandbyherownself—esteem，convictionofherownrightnessofspirit。
WomenInLove:Chapter9CHAPTERIXCoal—dustGOINGHOMEfromschoolintheafternoon，theBrangwengirlsdescendedthehillbetweenthepicturesquecottagesofWilleyGreentilltheycametotherailwaycrossing。Theretheyfoundthegateshut，becausethecollierytrainwasrumblingnearer。Theycouldhearthesmalllocomotivepantinghoarselyasitadvancedwithcautionbetweentheembankments。
Theone—leggedmaninthelittlesignal—hutbytheroadstaredoutfromhissecurity，likeacrabfromasnail—shell。
Whilstthetwogirlswaited，GeraldCrichtrotteduponaredArabmare。
Herodewellandsoftly，pleasedwiththedelicatequiveringofthecreaturebetweenhisknees。Andhewasverypicturesque，atleastinGudrun\'seyes，sittingsoftandcloseontheslenderredmare，whoselongtailflowedontheair。Hesalutedthetwogirls，anddrewupatthecrossingtowaitforthegate，lookingdowntherailwayfortheapproachingtrain。Inspiteofherironicsmileathispicturesqueness，Gudrunlikedtolookathim。
Hewaswell—setandeasy，hisfacewithitswarmtanshoweduphiswhitish，coarsemoustache，andhisblueeyeswerefullofsharplightashewatchedthedistance。
Thelocomotivechuffedslowlybetweenthebanks，hidden。Themaredidnotlikeit。Shebegantowinceaway，asifhurtbytheunknownnoise。
ButGeraldpulledherbackandheldherheadtothegate。Thesharpblastsofthechuffingenginebrokewithmoreandmoreforceonher。Therepeatedsharpblowsofunknown，terrifyingnoisestruckthroughhertillshewasrockingwithterror。Sherecoiledlikeaspringletgo。Butaglistening，half—smilinglookcameintoGerald\'sface。Hebroughtherbackagain，inevitably。
Thenoisewasreleased，thelittlelocomotivewithherclankingsteelconnecting—rodemergedonthehighroad，clankingsharply。Themarereboundedlikeadropofwaterfromhotiron。UrsulaandGudrunpressedbackintothehedge，infear。ButGeraldwasheavyonthemare，andforcedherback。
Itseemedasifhesankintohermagnetically，andcouldthrustherbackagainstherself。
`Thefool！\'criedUrsulaloudly。`Whydoesn\'therideawaytillit\'sgoneby？\'
Gudrunwaslookingathimwithblack—dilated，spellboundeyes。Buthesatglisteningandobstinate，forcingthewheelingmare，whichspunandswervedlikeawind，andyetcouldnotgetoutofthegraspofhiswill，norescapefromthemadclamourofterrorthatresoundedthroughher，asthetrucksthumpedslowly，heavily，horrifying，oneaftertheother，onepursuingtheother，overtherailsofthecrossing。
Thelocomotive，asifwantingtoseewhatcouldbedone，putonthebrakes，andbackcamethetrucksreboundingontheironbuffers，strikinglikehorriblecymbals，clashingnearerandnearerinfrightfulstridentconcussions。Themareopenedhermouthandroseslowly，asiflifteduponawindofterror。Thensuddenlyherforefeetstruckout，assheconvulsedherselfutterlyawayfromthehorror。Backshewent，andthetwogirlsclungtoeachother，feelingshemustfallbackwardsontopofhim。Butheleanedforward，hisfaceshiningwithfixedamusement，andatlasthebroughtherdown，sankherdown，andwasbearingherbacktothemark。
Butasstrongasthepressureofhiscompulsionwastherepulsionofherutterterror，throwingherbackawayfromtherailway，sothatshespunroundandround，ontwolegs，asifshewereinthecentreofsomewhirlwind。
ItmadeGudrunfaintwithpoignantdizziness，whichseemedtopenetratetoherheart。
`No——！No——！Lethergo！Lethergo，youfool，youfool——！\'criedUrsulaatthetopofhervoice，completelyoutsideherself。AndGudrunhatedherbitterlyforbeingoutsideherself。ItwasunendurablethatUrsula\'svoicewassopowerfulandnaked。
AsharpenedlookcameonGerald\'sface。Hebithimselfdownonthemarelikeakeenedgebitinghome，andforcedherround。Sheroaredasshebreathed，hernostrilsweretwowide，hotholes，hermouthwasapart，hereyesfrenzied。Itwasarepulsivesight。Butheheldonherunrelaxed，withanalmostmechanicalrelentlessness，keenasaswordpressingintoher。Bothmanandhorseweresweatingwithviolence。Yetheseemedcalmasarayofcoldsunshine。
Meanwhiletheeternaltruckswererumblingon，veryslowly，treadingoneaftertheother，oneaftertheother，likeadisgustingdreamthathasnoend。Theconnectingchainsweregrindingandsqueakingasthetensionvaried，themarepawedandstruckawaymechanicallynow，herterrorfulfilledinher，fornowthemanencompassedher;herpawswereblindandpatheticasshebeattheair，themanclosedroundher，andbroughtherdown，almostasifshewerepartofhisownphysique。
`Andshe\'sbleeding！She\'sbleeding！\'criedUrsula，franticwithoppositionandhatredofGerald。Shealoneunderstoodhimperfectly，inpureopposition。
Gudrunlookedandsawthetricklesofbloodonthesidesofthemare，andsheturnedwhite。Andthenontheverywoundthebrightspurscamedown，pressingrelentlessly。TheworldreeledandpassedintonothingnessforGudrun，shecouldnotknowanymore。
Whensherecovered，hersoulwascalmandcold，withoutfeeling。Thetruckswerestillrumblingby，andthemanandthemarewerestillfighting。
Butsheherselfwascoldandseparate，shehadnomorefeelingforthem。
Shewasquitehardandcoldandindifferent。
Theycouldseethetopofthehoodedguard\'s—vanapproaching，thesoundofthetruckswasdiminishing，therewashopeofrelieffromtheintolerablenoise。Theheavypantingofthehalf—stunnedmaresoundedautomatically，themanseemedtoberelaxingconfidently，hiswillbrightandunstained。
Theguard\'s—vancameup，andpassedslowly，theguardstaringoutinhistransitiononthespectacleintheroad。And，throughthemanintheclosedwagon，Gudruncouldseethewholescenespectacularly，isolatedandmomentary，likeavisionisolatedineternity。
Lovely，gratefulsilenceseemedtotrailbehindtherecedingtrain。
Howsweetthesilenceis！Ursulalookedwithhatredonthebuffersofthediminishingwagon。Thegatekeeperstoodreadyatthedoorofhishut，toproceedtoopenthegate。ButGudrunsprangsuddenlyforward，infrontofthestrugglinghorse，threwoffthelatchandflungthegatesasunder，throwingone—halftothekeeper，andrunningwiththeotherhalf，forwards。
Geraldsuddenlyletgothehorseandleapedforwards，almostontoGudrun。
Shewasnotafraid。Ashejerkedasidethemare\'shead，Gudruncried，inastrange，highvoice，likeagull，orlikeawitchscreamingoutfromthesideoftheroad:
`Ishouldthinkyou\'reproud。\'
Thewordsweredistinctandformed。Theman，twistingasideonhisdancinghorse，lookedatherinsomesurprise，somewonderinginterest。Thenthemare\'shoofshaddancedthreetimesonthedrum—likesleepersofthecrossing，andmanandhorsewereboundingspringily，unequallyuptheroad。
Thetwogirlswatchedthemgo。Thegate—keeperhobbledthuddingoverthelogsofthecrossing，withhiswoodenleg。Hehadfastenedthegate。
Thenhealsoturned，andcalledtothegirls:
`Amasterfulyoungjockey，that;\'llhavehisownroad，ifeveranybodywould。\'
`Yes，\'criedUrsula，inherhot，overbearingvoice。`Whycouldn\'thetakethehorseaway，tillthetruckshadgoneby？He\'safool，andabully。
Doeshethinkit\'smanly，totortureahorse？It\'salivingthing，whyshouldhebullyitandtortureit？\'
Therewasapause，thenthegate—keepershookhishead，andreplied:
`Yes，it\'sasnicealittlemareasyoucouldseteyeson——beautifullittlething，beautiful。Nowyoucouldn\'tseehisfathertreatanyanimallikethat——notyou。They\'reasdifferentastheywellycanbe，GeraldCrichandhisfather——twodifferentmen，differentmade。\'
Thentherewasapause。
`Butwhydoeshedoit？\'criedUrsula，`whydoeshe？Doeshethinkhe\'sgrand，whenhe\'sbulliedasensitivecreature，tentimesassensitiveashimself？\'
Againtherewasacautiouspause。Thenagainthemanshookhishead，asifhewouldsaynothing，butwouldthinkthemore。
`Iexpecthe\'sgottotrainthemaretostandtoanything，\'hereplied。
`Apure—bredHarab——notthesortofbreedasisusedtoroundhere——
differentsortfromoursortaltogether。TheysayashegotherfromConstantinople。\'
`Hewould！\'saidUrsula。`He\'dbetterhavelefthertotheTurks，I\'msuretheywouldhavehadmoredecencytowardsher。\'
Themanwentintodrinkhiscanoftea，thegirlswentondownthelane，thatwasdeepinsoftblackdust。Gudrunwasasifnumbedinhermindbythesenseofindomitablesoftweightoftheman，bearingdownintothelivingbodyofthehorse:thestrong，indomitablethighsoftheblondmanclenchingthepalpitatingbodyofthemareintopurecontrol;asortofsoftwhitemagneticdominationfromtheloinsandthighsandcalves，enclosingandencompassingthemareheavilyintounutterablesubordination，softblood—subordination，terrible。
Ontheleft，asthegirlswalkedsilently，thecoal—minelifteditsgreatmoundsanditspatternedhead—stocks，theblackrailwaywiththetrucksatrestlookedlikeaharbourjustbelow，alargebayofrailroadwithanchoredwagons。
Nearthesecondlevel—crossing，thatwentovermanybrightrails，wasafarmbelongingtothecollieries，andagreatroundglobeofiron，adisusedboiler，hugeandrustyandperfectlyround，stoodsilentlyinapaddockbytheroad。Thehenswerepeckingroundit，somechickenswerebalancedonthedrinkingtrough，wagtailsflewawayinamongtrucks，fromthewater。
Ontheothersideofthewidecrossing，bytheroad—side，wasaheapofpale—greystonesformendingtheroads，andacartstanding，andamiddle—agedmanwithwhiskersroundhisfacewasleaningonhisshovel，talkingtoayoungmaningaiters，whostoodbythehorse\'shead。Bothmenwerefacingthecrossing。
Theysawthetwogirlsappear，small，brilliantfiguresintheneardistance，inthestronglightofthelateafternoon。Bothworelight，gaysummerdresses，Ursulahadanorange—colouredknittedcoat，Gudrunapaleyellow，Ursulaworecanaryyellowstockings，Gudrunbrightrose，thefiguresofthetwowomenseemedtoglitterinprogressoverthewidebayoftherailwaycrossing，whiteandorangeandyellowandroseglitteringinmotionacrossahotworldsiltedwithcoal—dust。
Thetwomenstoodquitestillintheheat，watching。Theelderwasashort，hard—facedenergeticmanofmiddleage，theyoungeralaboureroftwenty—threeorso。Theystoodinsilencewatchingtheadvanceofthesisters。
Theywatchedwhilstthegirlsdrewnear，andwhilsttheypassed，andwhilsttheyrecededdownthedustyroad，thathaddwellingsononeside，anddustyyoungcornontheother。
Thentheelderman，withthewhiskersroundhisface，saidinaprurientmannertotheyoungman:
`Whatpricethat，eh？She\'lldo，won\'tshe？\'
`Which？\'askedtheyoungman，eagerly，withlaugh。
`Herwiththeredstockings。Whatd\'yousay？I\'dgivemyweek\'swagesforfiveminutes;what！——justforfiveminutes。\'
Againtheyoungmanlaughed。
`Yourmissis\'udhavesummattosaytoyou，\'hereplied。
Gudrunhadturnedroundandlookedatthetwomen。Theyweretohersinistercreatures，standingwatchingafterher，bytheheapofpalegreyslag。Sheloathedthemanwithwhiskersroundhisface。
`You\'refirstclass，youare，\'themansaidtoher，andtothedistance。
`Doyouthinkitwouldbeworthaweek\'swages？\'saidtheyoungerman，musing。
`DoI？I\'dput\'embloody—welldownthissecond——\'
TheyoungermanlookedafterGudrunandUrsulaobjectively，asifhewishedtocalculatewhattheremightbe，thatwasworthhisweek\'swages。
Heshookhisheadwithfatalmisgiving。
`No，\'hesaid。`It\'snotworththattome。\'
`Isn\'t？\'saidtheoldman。`ByGod，ifitisn\'ttome！\'
Andhewentonshovellinghisstones。
Thegirlsdescendedbetweenthehouseswithslateroofsandblackishbrickwalls。Theheavygoldglamourofapproachingsunsetlayoverallthecollierydistrict，andtheuglinessoverlaidwithbeautywaslikeanarcotictothesenses。Ontheroadssiltedwithblackdust，therichlightfellmorewarmly，moreheavily，overalltheamorphoussqualorakindofmagicwascast，fromtheglowingcloseofday。
`Ithasafoulkindofbeauty，thisplace，\'saidGudrun，evidentlysufferingfromfascination。`Can\'tyoufeelinsomeway，athick，hotattractioninit？Ican。Anditquitestupifiesme。\'
Theywerepassingbetweenblocksofminers\'dwellings。Inthebackyardsofseveraldwellings，aminercouldbeseenwashinghimselfintheopenonthishotevening，nakeddowntotheloins，hisgreattrousersofmoleskinslippingalmostaway。Minersalreadycleanedweresittingontheirheels，withtheirbacksnearthewalls，talkingandsilentinpurephysicalwell—being，tired，andtakingphysicalrest。Theirvoicessoundedoutwithstrongintonation，andthebroaddialectwascuriouslycaressingtotheblood。ItseemedtoenvelopGudruninalabourer\'scaress，therewasinthewholeatmospherearesonanceofphysicalmen，aglamorousthicknessoflabourandmaleness，surchargedintheair。Butitwasuniversalinthedistrict，andthereforeunnoticedbytheinhabitants。
ToGudrun，however，itwaspotentandhalf—repulsive。ShecouldnevertellwhyBeldoverwassoutterlydifferentfromLondonandthesouth，whyone\'swholefeelingsweredifferent，whyoneseemedtoliveinanothersphere。Nowsherealisedthatthiswastheworldofpowerful，underworldmenwhospentmostoftheirtimeinthedarkness。Intheirvoicesshecouldhearthevoluptuousresonanceofdarkness，thestrong，dangerousunderworld，mindless，inhuman。Theysoundedalsolikestrangemachines，heavy，oiled。
Thevoluptuousnesswaslikethatofmachinery，coldandiron。
Itwasthesameeveryeveningwhenshecamehome，sheseemedtomovethroughawaveofdisruptiveforce，thatwasgivenofffromthepresenceofthousandsofvigorous，underworld，half—automatisedcolliers，andwhichwenttothebrainandtheheart，awakingafataldesire，andafatalcallousness。
Therecameoverheranostalgiafortheplace。Shehatedit，sheknewhowutterlycutoffitwas，howhideousandhowsickeninglymindless。SometimesshebeatherwingslikeanewDaphne，turningnotintoatreebutamachine。
Andyet，shewasovercomebythenostalgia。Shestruggledtogetmoreandmoreintoaccordwiththeatmosphereoftheplace，shecravedtogethersatisfactionofit。
Shefeltherselfdrawnoutateveningintothemainstreetofthetown，thatwasuncreatedandugly，andyetsurchargedwiththissamepotentatmosphereofintense，darkcallousness。Therewerealwaysminersabout。Theymovedwiththeirstrange，distorteddignity，acertainbeauty，andunnaturalstillnessintheirbearing，alookofabstractionandhalfresignationintheirpale，oftengauntfaces。Theybelongedtoanotherworld，theyhadastrangeglamour，theirvoiceswerefullofanintolerabledeepresonance，likeamachine\'sburring，amusicmoremaddeningthanthesiren\'slongago。
Shefoundherself，withtherestofthecommonwomen，drawnoutonFridayeveningstothelittlemarket。Fridaywaspay—dayforthecolliers，andFridaynightwasmarketnight。Everywomanwasabroad，everymanwasout，shoppingwithhiswife，orgatheringwithhispals。Thepavementsweredarkformilesaroundwithpeoplecomingin，thelittlemarket—placeonthecrownofthehill，andthemainstreetofBeldoverwereblackwiththickly—crowdedmenandwomen。
Itwasdark，themarket—placewashotwithkeroseneflares，whichthrewaruddylightonthegravefacesofthepurchasingwives，andonthepaleabstractfacesofthemen。Theairwasfullofthesoundofcriersandofpeopletalking，thickstreamsofpeoplemovedonthepavementstowardsthesolidcrowdofthemarket。Theshopswereblazingandpackedwithwomen，inthestreetsweremen，mostlymen，minersofallages。Moneywasspentwithalmostlavishfreedom。
Thecartsthatcamecouldnotpassthrough。Theyhadtowait，thedrivercallingandshouting，tillthedensecrowdwouldmakeway。Everywhere，youngfellowsfromtheoutlyingdistrictsweremakingconversationwiththegirls，standingintheroadandatthecorners。Thedoorsofthepublic—houseswereopenandfulloflight，menpassedinandoutinacontinualstream，everywheremenwerecallingouttooneanother，orcrossingtomeetoneanother，orstandinginlittlegangsandcircles，discussing，endlesslydiscussing。Thesenseoftalk，buzzing，jarring，half—secret，theendlessminingandpoliticalwrangling，vibratedintheairlikediscordantmachinery。
AnditwastheirvoiceswhichaffectedGudrunalmosttoswooning。Theyarousedastrange，nostalgicacheofdesire，somethingalmostdemoniacal，nevertobefulfilled。
Likeanyothercommongirlofthedistrict，Gudrunstrolledupanddown，upanddownthelengthofthebrillianttwo—hundredpacesofthepavementnearestthemarket—place。Sheknewitwasavulgarthingtodo;herfatherandmothercouldnotbearit;butthenostalgiacameoverher，shemustbeamongthepeople。Sometimesshesatamongtheloutsinthecinema:rakish—looking，unattractiveloutstheywere。Yetshemustbeamongthem。
And，likeanyothercommonlass，shefoundher`boy。\'Itwasanelectrician，oneoftheelectriciansintroducedaccordingtoGerald\'snewscheme。Hewasanearnest，cleverman，ascientistwithapassionforsociology。Helivedaloneinacottage，inlodgings，inWilleyGreen。Hewasagentleman，andsufficientlywell—to—do。Hislandladyspreadthereportsabouthim;
hewouldhavealargewoodentubinhisbedroom，andeverytimehecameinfromwork，hewouldhavepailsandpailsofwaterbroughtup，tobathein，thenheputoncleanshirtandunder—clothingeveryday，andcleansilksocks;fastidiousandexactinghewasintheserespects，butineveryotherway，mostordinaryandunassuming。
Gudrunknewallthesethings。TheBrangwen\'shousewasonetowhichthegossipcamenaturallyandinevitably。PalmerwasinthefirstplaceafriendofUrsula\'s。Butinhispale，elegant，seriousfacethereshowedthesamenostalgiathatGudrunfelt。HetoomustwalkupanddownthestreetonFridayevening。SohewalkedwithGudrun，andafriendshipwasstruckupbetweenthem。ButhewasnotinlovewithGudrun;hereallywantedUrsula，butforsomestrangereason，nothingcouldhappenbetweenherandhim。HelikedtohaveGudrunabout，asafellow—mind——butthatwasall。
Andshehadnorealfeelingforhim。Hewasascientist，hehadtohaveawomantobackhim。Buthewasreallyimpersonal，hehadthefinenessofanelegantpieceofmachinery。Hewastoocold，toodestructivetocarereallyforwomen，toogreatanegoist。Hewaspolarisedbythemen。Individuallyhedetestedanddespisedthem。Inthemasstheyfascinatedhim，asmachineryfascinatedhim。Theywereanewsortofmachinerytohim——butincalculable，incalculable。
SoGudrunstrolledthestreetswithPalmer，orwenttothecinemawithhim。Andhislong，pale，ratherelegantfaceflickeredashemadehissarcasticremarks。Theretheywere，thetwoofthem:twoelegantsinonesense:intheothersense，twounits，absolutelyadheringtothepeople，teemingwiththedistortedcolliers。Thesamesecretseemedtobeworkinginthesoulsofallalike，Gudrun，Palmer，therakishyoungbloods，thegaunt，middle—agedmen。Allhadasecretsenseofpower，andofinexpressibledestructiveness，andoffatalhalf—heartedness，asortofrottennessinthewill。
SometimesGudrunwouldstartaside，seeitall，seehowshewassinkingin。Andthenshewasfilledwithafuryofcontemptandanger。Shefeltshewassinkingintoonemasswiththerest——allsocloseandintermingledandbreathless。Itwashorrible。Shestifled。Shepreparedforflight，feverishlysheflewtoherwork。Butsoonsheletgo。Shestartedoffintothecountry——thedarkish，glamorouscountry。Thespellwasbeginningtoworkagain。
WomenInLove:Chapter10CHAPTERXSketch—bookONEMORNINGthesistersweresketchingbythesideofWilleyWater，attheremoteendofthelake。Gudrunhadwadedouttoagravellyshoal，andwasseatedlikeaBuddhist，staringfixedlyatthewater—plantsthatrosesucculentfromthemudofthelowshores。Whatshecouldseewasmud，soft，oozy，waterymud，andfromitsfesteringchill，water—plantsroseup，thickandcoolandfleshy，verystraightandturgid，thrustingouttheirleavesatrightangles，andhavingdarkluridcolours，darkgreenandblotchesofblack—purpleandbronze。Butshecouldfeeltheirturgidfleshystructureasinasensuousvision，sheknewhowtheyroseoutofthemud，sheknewhowtheythrustoutfromthemselves，howtheystoodstiffandsucculentagainsttheair。
Ursulawaswatchingthebutterflies，ofwhichthereweredozensnearthewater，littleblueonessuddenlysnappingoutofnothingnessintoajewel—life，alargeblack—and—redonestandinguponaflowerandbreathingwithhissoftwings，intoxicatingly，breathingpure，etherealsunshine;
twowhiteoneswrestlinginthelowair;therewasahaloroundthem;ah，whentheycametumblingnearertheywereorangetips，anditwastheorangethathadmadethehalo。Ursularoseanddriftedaway，unconsciouslikethebutterflies。
Gudrun，absorbedinastuporofapprehensionofsurgingwater—plants，satcrouchedontheshoal，drawing，notlookingupforalongtime，andthenstaringunconsciously，absorbedlyattherigid，naked，succulentstems。
Herfeetwerebare，herhatlayonthebankopposite。
Shestartedoutofhertrance，hearingtheknockingofoars。Shelookedround。TherewasaboatwithagaudyJapaneseparasol，andamaninwhite，rowing。ThewomanwasHermione，andthemanwasGerald。Sheknewitinstantly。
Andinstantlysheperishedinthekeenfrissonofanticipation，anelectricvibrationinherveins，intense，muchmoreintensethanthatwhichwasalwayshumminglowintheatmosphereofBeldover。
