Thetwowomenlookedateachother。UrsularesentedHermione\'slong，grave，downward—lookingface。Therewassomethingofthestupidityandtheunenlightenedself—esteemofahorseinit。`She\'sgotahorse—face，\'
Ursulasaidtoherself，`sherunsbetweenblinkers。\'ItdidseemasifHermione，likethemoon，hadonlyonesidetoherpenny。Therewasnoobverse。
Shestaredoutallthetimeonthenarrow，buttoher，completeworldoftheextantconsciousness。Inthedarkness，shedidnotexist。Likethemoon，onehalfofherwaslosttolife。Herselfwasallinherhead，shedidnotknowwhatitwasspontaneouslytorunormove，likeafishinthewater，oraweaselonthegrass。Shemustalwaysknow。
ButUrsulaonlysufferedfromHermione\'sone—sidedness。SheonlyfeltHermione\'scoolevidence，whichseemedtoputherdownasnothing。Hermione，whobroodedandbroodedtillshewasexhaustedwiththeacheofhereffortatconsciousness，spentandasheninherbody，whogainedsoslowlyandwithsucheffortherfinalandbarrenconclusionsofknowledge，wasapt，inthepresenceofotherwomen，whomshethoughtsimplyfemale，toweartheconclusionsofherbitterassurancelikejewelswhichconferredonheranunquestionabledistinction，establishedherinahigherorderoflife。Shewasapt，mentally，tocondescendtowomensuchasUrsula，whomsheregardedaspurelyemotional。PoorHermione，itwasheronepossession，thisachingcertaintyofhers，itwasheronlyjustification。Shemustbeconfidenthere，forGodknows，shefeltrejectedanddeficientenoughelsewhere。Inthelifeofthought，ofthespirit，shewasoneoftheelect。
Andshewantedtobeuniversal。Buttherewasadevastatingcynicismatthebottomofher。Shedidnotbelieveinherownuniversals——theyweresham。Shedidnotbelieveintheinnerlife——itwasatrick，notareality。
Shedidnotbelieveinthespiritualworld——itwasanaffectation。Inthelastresort，shebelievedinMammon，theflesh，andthedevil——theseatleastwerenotsham。Shewasapriestesswithoutbelief，withoutconviction，suckledinacreedoutworn，andcondemnedtothereiterationofmysteriesthatwerenotdivinetoher。Yettherewasnoescape。Shewasaleafuponadyingtree。Whathelpwastherethen，buttofightstillfortheold，witheredtruths，todiefortheold，outwornbelief，tobeasacredandinviolatepriestessofdesecratedmysteries？Theoldgreattruthsbadbeentrue。Andshewasaleafoftheoldgreattreeofknowledgethatwaswitheringnow。Totheoldandlasttruththenshemustbefaithfuleventhoughcynicismandmockerytookplaceatthebottomofhersoul。
`Iamsogladtoseeyou，\'shesaidtoUrsula，inherslowvoice，thatwaslikeanincantation。`YouandRuperthavebecomequitefriends？\'
`Ohyes，\'saidUrsula。`Heisalwayssomewhereinthebackground。\'
Hermionepausedbeforesheanswered。Shesawperfectlywelltheotherwoman\'svaunt:itseemedtrulyvulgar。
`Ishe？\'shesaidslowly，andwithperfectequanimity。`Anddoyouthinkyouwillmarry？\'
Thequestionwassocalmandmild，sosimpleandbareanddispassionatethatUrsulawassomewhattakenaback，ratherattracted。Itpleasedheralmostlikeawickedness。TherewassomedelightfulnakedironyinHermione。
`Well，\'repliedUrsula，`Hewantsto，awfully，butI\'mnotsosure。\'
Hermionewatchedherwithslowcalmeyes。Shenotedthisnewexpressionofvaunting。HowsheenviedUrsulaacertainunconsciouspositivity！evenhervulgarity！
`Whyaren\'tyousure？\'sheasked，inhereasysingsong。Shewasperfectlyatherease，perhapsevenratherhappyinthisconversation。`Youdon\'treallylovehim？\'
Ursulaflushedalittleatthemildimpertinenceofthisquestion。Andyetshecouldnotdefinitelytakeoffence。Hermioneseemedsocalmlyandsanelycandid。Afterall，itwasrathergreattobeabletobesosane。
`Hesaysitisn\'tlovehewants，\'shereplied。
`Whatisitthen？\'Hermionewasslowandlevel。
`Hewantsmereallytoaccepthiminmarriage。\'
Hermionewassilentforsometime，watchingUrsulawithslow，pensiveeyes。
`Doeshe？\'shesaidatlength，withoutexpression。Then，rousing，`Andwhatisityoudon\'twant？Youdon\'twantmarriage？\'
`No——Idon\'t——notreally。Idon\'twanttogivethesortofsubmissionheinsistson。Hewantsmetogivemyselfup——andIsimplydon\'tfeelthatIcandoit。\'
Againtherewasalongpause，beforeHermionereplied:
`Notifyoudon\'twantto。\'Thenagaintherewassilence。Hermioneshudderedwithastrangedesire。Ah，ifonlyhehadaskedhertosubservehim，tobehisslave！Sheshudderedwithdesire。
`YouseeIcan\'t——\'
`Butexactlyinwhatdoes——\'
Theyhadbothbegunatonce，theybothstopped。Then，Hermione，assumingpriorityofspeech，resumedasifwearily:
`Towhatdoeshewantyoutosubmit？\'
`Hesayshewantsmetoaccepthimnon—emotionally，andfinally——I
reallydon\'tknowwhathemeans。Hesayshewantsthedemonpartofhimselftobemated——physically——notthehumanbeing。Youseehesaysonethingoneday，andanotherthenext——andhealwayscontradictshimself——\'
`Andalwaysthinksabouthimself，andhisowndissatisfaction，\'saidHermioneslowly。
`Yes，\'criedUrsula。`Asiftherewereno—onebuthimselfconcerned。
Thatmakesitsoimpossible。\'
Butimmediatelyshebegantoretract。
`HeinsistsonmyacceptingGodknowswhatinhim，\'sheresumed。
`Hewantsmetoaccepthimas——asanabsolute——Butitseemstomehedoesn\'twanttogiveanything。Hedoesn\'twantrealwarmintimacy——hewon\'thaveit——herejectsit。Hewon\'tletmethink，really，andhewon\'tletmefeel——hehatesfeelings。\'
Therewasalongpause，bitterforHermione。Ah，ifonlyhewouldhavemadethisdemandofher？Herhedroveintothought，droveinexorablyintoknowledge——andthenexecratedherforit。
`Hewantsmetosinkmyself，\'Ursularesumed，`nottohaveanybeingofmyown——\'
`Thenwhydoesn\'themarryanodalisk？\'saidHermioneinhermildsing—song，`ifitisthathewants。\'Herlongfacelookedsardonicandamused。
`Yes，\'saidUrsulavaguely。Afterall，thetiresomethingwas，hedidnotwantanodalisk，hedidnotwantaslave。Hermionewouldhavebeenhisslave——therewasinherahorribledesiretoprostrateherselfbeforeaman——amanwhoworshippedher，however，andadmittedherasthesupremething。Hedidnotwantanodalisk。Hewantedawomantotakesomethingfromhim，togiveherselfupsomuchthatshecouldtakethelastrealitiesofhim，thelastfacts，thelastphysicalfacts，physicalandunbearable。
Andifshedid，wouldheacknowledgeher？Wouldhebeabletoacknowledgeherthrougheverything，orwouldheuseherjustashisinstrument，useherforhisownprivatesatisfaction，notadmittingher？Thatwaswhattheothermenhaddone。Theyhadwantedtheirownshow，andtheywouldnotadmither，theyturnedallshewasintonothingness。JustasHermionenowbetrayedherselfasawoman。Hermionewaslikeaman，shebelievedonlyinmen\'sthings。Shebetrayedthewomaninherself。AndBirkin，wouldheacknowledge，orwouldhedenyher？
`Yes，\'saidHermione，aseachwomancameoutofherownseparatereverie。
`Itwouldbeamistake——Ithinkitwouldbeamistake——\'
`Tomarryhim？\'askedUrsula。
`Yes，\'saidHermioneslowly——`Ithinkyouneedaman——soldierly，strong—willed——\'Hermioneheldoutherhandandclencheditwithrhapsodicintensity。`Youshouldhaveamanliketheoldheroes——youneedtostandbehindhimashegoesintobattle，youneedtoseehisstrength，andtohearhisshout——。Youneedamanphysicallystrong，andvirileinhiswill，notasensitiveman——。\'Therewasabreak，asifthepythonesshadutteredtheoracle，andnowthewomanwenton，inarhapsody—weariedvoice:`Andyousee，Rupertisn\'tthis，heisn\'t。
Heisfrailinhealthandbody，heneedsgreat，greatcare。Thenheissochangeableandunsureofhimself——itrequiresthegreatestpatienceandunderstandingtohelphim。AndIdon\'tthinkyouarepatient。Youwouldhavetobepreparedtosuffer——dreadfully。Ican\'ttellyouhowmuchsufferingitwouldtaketomakehimhappy。Helivesanintenselyspirituallife，attimes——too，toowonderful。Andthencomethereactions。
Ican\'tspeakofwhatIhavebeenthroughwithhim。Wehavebeentogethersolong，Ireallydoknowhim，Idoknowwhatheis。AndIfeelImustsayit;Ifeelitwouldbeperfectlydisastrousforyoutomarryhim——foryouevenmorethanforhim。\'Hermionelapsedintobitterreverie。`Heissouncertain，sounstable——hewearies，andthenreacts。
Icouldn\'ttellyouwhathisre—actionsare。Icouldn\'ttellyoutheagonyofthem。Thatwhichheaffirmsandlovesoneday——alittlelatterheturnsonitinafuryofdestruction。Heisneverconstant，alwaysthisawful，dreadfulreaction。Alwaysthequickchangefromgoodtobad，badtogood。Andnothingissodevastating，nothing——\'
`Yes，\'saidUrsulahumbly，`youmusthavesuffered。\'
AnunearthlylightcameonHermione\'sface。Sheclenchedherhandlikeoneinspired。
`Andonemustbewillingtosuffer——willingtosufferforhimhourly，daily——ifyouaregoingtohelphim，ifheistokeeptruetoanythingatall——\'
`AndIdon\'twanttosufferhourlyanddaily，\'saidUrsula。`I
don\'t，Ishouldbeashamed。Ithinkitisdegradingnottobehappy。\'
Hermionestoppedandlookedatheralongtime。
`Doyou？\'shesaidatlast。AndthisutteranceseemedtoheramarkofUrsula\'sfardistancefromherself。FortoHermionesufferingwasthegreatestreality，comewhatmight。Yetshetoohadacreedofhappiness。
`Yes，\'shesaid。`Oneshouldbehappy——\'Butitwasamatterofwill。
`Yes，\'saidHermione，listlesslynow，`Icanonlyfeelthatitwouldbedisastrous，disastrous——atleast，tomarryinahurry。Can\'tyoubetogetherwithoutmarriage？Can\'tyougoawayandlivesomewherewithoutmarriage？Idofeelthatmarriagewouldbefatal，forbothofyou。Ithinkforyouevenmorethanforhim——andIthinkofhishealth——\'
`Ofcourse，\'saidUrsula，`Idon\'tcareaboutmarriage——itisn\'treallyimportanttome——it\'shewhowantsit。\'
`Itishisideaforthemoment，\'saidHermione，withthatwearyfinality，andasortofsijeunessesavaitinfallibility。
Therewasapause。ThenUrsulabrokeintofalteringchallenge。
`YouthinkI\'mmerelyaphysicalwoman，don\'tyou？\'
`Noindeed，\'saidHermione。`No，indeed！ButIthinkyouarevitalandyoung——itisn\'taquestionofyears，orevenofexperience——itisalmostaquestionofrace。Rupertisrace—old，hecomesofanoldrace——andyouseemtomesoyoung，youcomeofayoung，inexperiencedrace。\'
`DoI！\'saidUrsula。`ButIthinkheisawfullyyoung，ononeside。\'
`Yes，perhapschildishinmanyrespects。Nevertheless——\'
Theybothlapsedintosilence。Ursulawasfilledwithdeepresentmentandatouchofhopelessness。`Itisn\'ttrue，\'shesaidtoherself，silentlyaddressingheradversary。`Itisn\'ttrue。Anditisyouwhowantaphysicallystrong，bullyingman，notI。Itisyouwhowantanunsensitiveman，notI。Youdon\'tknowanythingaboutRupert，notreally，inspiteoftheyearsyouhavehadwithhim。Youdon\'tgivehimawoman\'slove，yougivehimanideallove，andthatiswhyhereactsawayfromyou。
Youdon\'tknow。Youonlyknowthedeadthings。Anykitchenmaidwouldknowsomethingabouthim，youdon\'tknow。Whatdoyouthinkyourknowledgeisbutdeadunderstanding，thatdoesn\'tmeanathing。Youaresofalse，anduntrue，howcouldyouknowanything？Whatisthegoodofyourtalkingaboutlove——youuntruespectreofawoman！Howcanyouknowanything，whenyoudon\'tbelieve？Youdon\'tbelieveinyourselfandyourownwomanhood，sowhatgoodisyourconceited，shallowcleverness——！\'
Thetwowomensatoninantagonisticsilence。Hermionefeltinjured，thatallhergoodintention，allheroffering，onlylefttheotherwomaninvulgarantagonism。Butthen，Ursulacouldnotunderstand，neverwouldunderstand，couldneverbemorethantheusualjealousandunreasonablefemale，withagooddealofpowerfulfemaleemotion，femaleattraction，andafairamountoffemaleunderstanding，butnomind。Hermionehaddecidedlongagothatwheretherewasnomind，itwasuselesstoappealforreason——onehadmerelytoignoretheignorant。AndRupert——hehadnowreactedtowardsthestronglyfemale，healthy，selfishwoman——itwashisreactionforthetimebeing——therewasnohelpingitall。Itwasallafoolishbackwardandforward，aviolentoscillationthatwouldatlengthbetooviolentforhiscoherency，andhewouldsmashandbedead。Therewasnosavinghim。Thisviolentanddirectionlessreactionbetweenanimalismandspiritualtruthwouldgooninhimtillhetorehimselfintwobetweentheoppositedirections，anddisappearedmeaninglesslyoutoflife。Itwasnogood——hetoowaswithoutunity，withoutmind，intheultimatestagesofliving;notquitemanenoughtomakeadestinyforawoman。
TheysatontillBirkincameinandfoundthemtogether。Hefeltatoncetheantagonismintheatmosphere，somethingradicalandinsuperable，andhebithislip。Butheaffectedabluffmanner。
`Hello，Hermione，areyoubackagain？Howdoyoufeel？\'
`Oh，better。Andhowareyou——youdon\'tlookwell——\'
`Oh！——IbelieveGudrunandWinnieCricharecomingintotea。Atleasttheysaidtheywere。Weshallbeatea—party。Whattraindidyoucomeby，Ursula？\'
Itwasratherannoyingtoseehimtryingtoplacatebothwomenatonce。
Bothwomenwatchedhim，Hermionewithdeepresentmentandpityforhim，Ursulaveryimpatient。Hewasnervousandapparentlyinquitegoodspirits，chatteringtheconventionalcommonplaces。Ursulawasamazedandindignantatthewayhemadesmall—talk;hewasadeptasanyfatinChristendom。
Shebecamequitestiff，shewouldnotanswer。Itallseemedtohersofalseandsobelittling。AndstillGudrundidnotappear。
`IthinkIshallgotoFlorenceforthewinter，\'saidHermioneatlength。
`Willyou？\'heanswered。`Butitissocoldthere。\'
`Yes，butIshallstaywithPalestra。Itisquitecomfortable。\'
`WhattakesyoutoFlorence？\'
`Idon\'tknow，\'saidHermioneslowly。Thenshelookedathimwithherslow，heavygaze。`Barnesisstartinghisschoolofaesthetics，andOlandeseisgoingtogiveasetofdiscoursesontheItaliannationalpolicy——\'
`Bothrubbish，\'hesaid。
`No，Idon\'tthinkso，\'saidHermione。
`Whichdoyouadmire，then？\'
`Iadmireboth。Barnesisapioneer。AndthenIaminterestedinItaly，inhercomingtonationalconsciousness。\'
`Iwishshe\'dcometosomethingdifferentfromnationalconsciousness，then，\'saidBirkin;`especiallyasitonlymeansasortofcommercial—industrialconsciousness。IhateItalyandhernationalrant。AndIthinkBarnesisanamateur。\'
Hermionewassilentforsomemoments，inastateofhostility。Butyet，shehadgotBirkinbackagainintoherworld！Howsubtleherinfluencewas，sheseemedtostarthisirritableattentionintoherdirectionexclusively，inoneminute。Hewashercreature。
`No，\'shesaid，`youarewrong。\'Thenasortoftensioncameoverher，sheraisedherfacelikethepythonessinspiredwithoracles，andwenton，inrhapsodicmanner:`IlSandromiscrivechehaaccoltoilpiugrandeentusiasmo，tuttiigiovani，efanciulleeragazzi，sonotutti——\'ShewentoninItalian，asif，inthinkingoftheItaliansshethoughtintheirlanguage。
Helistenedwithashadeofdistastetoherrhapsody，thenhesaid:
`Forallthat，Idon\'tlikeit。Theirnationalismisjustindustrialism——thatandashallowjealousyIdetestsomuch。\'
`Ithinkyouarewrong——Ithinkyouarewrong——\'saidHermione。`Itseemstomepurelyspontaneousandbeautiful，themodernItalian\'spassion，foritisapassion，forItaly，L\'Italia——\'
`DoyouknowItalywell？\'UrsulaaskedofHermione。Hermionehatedtobebrokeninuponinthismanner。Yetsheansweredmildly:
`Yes，prettywell。Ispentseveralyearsofmygirlhoodthere，withmymother。MymotherdiedinFlorence。\'
`Oh。\'
Therewasapause，painfultoUrsulaandtoBirkin。Hermionehoweverseemedabstractedandcalm。Birkinwaswhite，hiseyesglowedasifhewereinafever，hewasfartooover—wrought。HowUrsulasufferedinthistenseatmosphereofstrainedwills！Herheadseemedboundroundbyironbands。
Birkinrangthebellfortea。TheycouldnotwaitforGudrunanylonger。
Whenthedoorwasopened，thecatwalkedin。
`Micio！Micio！\'calledHermione，inherslow，deliberatesing—song。
Theyoungcatturnedtolookather，then，withhisslowandstatelywalkheadvancedtoherside。
`Vieni——vieniqua，\'Hermionewassaying，inherstrangecaressive，protectivevoice，asifshewerealwaystheelder，themothersuperior。
`VienidireBuon\'Giornoallazia。Miricorde，miricordebene——nonhevero，piccolo？Everochemiricordi？Evero？\'Andslowlysherubbedhishead，slowlyandwithironicindifference。
`DoesheunderstandItalian？\'saidUrsula，whoknewnothingofthelanguage。
`Yes，\'saidHermioneatlength。`HismotherwasItalian。Shewasborninmywaste—paperbasketinFlorence，onthemorningofRupert\'sbirthday。
Shewashisbirthdaypresent。\'
Teawasbroughtin。Birkinpouredoutforthem。ItwasstrangehowinviolablewastheintimacywhichexistedbetweenhimandHermione。Ursulafeltthatshewasanoutsider。Theverytea—cupsandtheoldsilverwasabondbetweenHermioneandBirkin。Itseemedtobelongtoanold，pastworldwhichtheyhadinhabitedtogether，andinwhichUrsulawasaforeigner。Shewasalmostaparvenueintheiroldculturedmilieu。Herconventionwasnottheirconvention，theirstandardswerenotherstandards。Buttheirswereestablished，theyhadthesanctionandthegraceofage。Heandshetogether，HermioneandBirkin，werepeopleofthesameoldtradition，thesamewithereddeadeningculture。Andshe，Ursula，wasanintruder。Sotheyalwaysmadeherfeel。
Hermionepouredalittlecreamintoasaucer。ThesimplewaysheassumedherrightsinBirkin\'sroommaddenedanddiscouragedUrsula。Therewasafatalityaboutit，asifitwereboundtobe。Hermioneliftedthecatandputthecreambeforehim。Heplantedhistwopawsontheedgeofthetableandbenthisgraciousyoungheadtodrink。
`Siccurochecapisceitaliano，\'sangHermione，`nonl\'avradimenticato，lalinguadellaMamma。\'
Sheliftedthecat\'sheadwithherlong，slow，whitefingers，notlettinghimdrink，holdinghiminherpower。Itwasalwaysthesame，thisjoyinpowershemanifested，peculiarlyinpoweroveranymalebeing。Heblinkedforbearingly，withamale，boredexpression，lickinghiswhiskers。Hermionelaughedinhershort，gruntingfashion。
`Ecco，ilbravoragazzo，comeesuperbo，questo！\'
Shemadeavividpicture，socalmandstrangewiththecat。Shehadatruestaticimpressiveness，shewasasocialartistinsomeways。
Thecatrefusedtolookather，indifferentlyavoidedherfingers，andbegantodrinkagain，hisnosedowntothecream，perfectlybalanced，ashelappedwithhisoddlittleclick。
`It\'sbadforhim，teachinghimtoeatattable，\'saidBirkin。
`Yes，\'saidHermione，easilyassenting。
Then，lookingdownatthecat，sheresumedherold，mocking，humoroussing—song。
`Tiimparanofarebruttecose，bruttecose——\'
SheliftedtheMino\'swhitechinonherforefinger，slowly。Theyoungcatlookedroundwithasupremelyforbearingair，avoidedseeinganything，withdrewhischin，andbegantowashhisfacewithhispaw。Hermionegruntedherlaughter，pleased。
`Belgiovanotto——\'shesaid。
Thecatreachedforwardagainandputhisfinewhitepawontheedgeofthesaucer。Hermionelifteditdownwithdelicateslowness。Thisdeliberate，delicatecarefulnessofmovementremindedUrsulaofGudrun。
`No！Nonepermessodimettereilzampinoneltondinetto。Nonpiacealbabbo。Unsignorgattocosiselvatico——！\'
Andshekeptherfingeronthesoftlyplantedpawofthecat，andhervoicehadthesamewhimsical，humorousnoteofbullying。
Ursulahadhernoseoutofjoint。Shewantedtogoawaynow。Itallseemednogood。Hermionewasestablishedforever，sheherselfwasephemeralandhadnotyetevenarrived。
`Iwillgonow，\'shesaidsuddenly。
Birkinlookedatheralmostinfear——hesodreadedheranger。`Butthereisnoneedforsuchhurry，\'hesaid。
`Yes，\'sheanswered。`Iwillgo。\'AndturningtoHermione，beforetherewastimetosayanymore，sheheldoutherhandandsaid`Good—bye。\'
`Good—bye——\'sangHermione，detainingtheband。`Mustyoureallygonow？\'
`Yes，IthinkI\'llgo，\'saidUrsula，herfaceset，andavertedfromHermione\'seyes。
`Youthinkyouwill——\'
ButUrsulahadgotherhandfree。SheturnedtoBirkinwithaquick，almostjeering:`Good—bye，\'andshewasopeningthedoorbeforehehadtimetodoitforher。
Whenshegotoutsidethehousesherandowntheroadinfuryandagitation。
Itwasstrange，theunreasoningrageandviolenceHermionerousedinher，byherverypresence。Ursulaknewshegaveherselfawaytotheotherwoman，sheknewshelookedill—bred，uncouth，exaggerated。Butshedidnotcare。
Sheonlyranuptheroad，lestsheshouldgobackandjeerinthefacesofthetwoshehadleftbehind。Fortheyoutragedher。
WomenInLove:Chapter23CHAPTERXXIIIExcurseNEXTDAYBirkinsoughtUrsulaout。Ithappenedtobethehalf—dayattheGrammarSchool。Heappearedtowardstheendofthemorning，andaskedher，wouldshedrivewithhimintheafternoon。
Sheconsented。Butherfacewasclosedandunresponding，andhisheartsank。
Theafternoonwasfineanddim。Hewasdrivingthemotor—car，andshesatbesidehim。Butstillherfacewasclosedagainsthim，unresponding。
Whenshebecamelikethis，likeawallagainsthim，hisheartcontracted。
Hislifenowseemedsoreduced，thathehardlycaredanymore。AtmomentsitseemedtohimhedidnotcareastrawwhetherUrsulaorHermioneoranybodyelseexistedordidnotexist。Whybother！Whystriveforacoherent，satisfiedlife？Whynotdriftoninaseriesofaccidents——likeapicaresquenovel？Whynot？Whybotherabouthumanrelationships？Whytakethemseriously——maleorfemale？Whyformanyseriousconnectionsatall？Whynotbecasual，driftingalong，takingallforwhatitwasworth？
Andyet，still，hewasdamnedanddoomedtotheoldeffortatseriousliving。
`Look，\'hesaid，`whatIbought。\'Thecarwasrunningalongabroadwhiteroad，betweenautumntrees。
Hegaveheralittlebitofscrewed—uppaper。Shetookitandopenedit。
`Howlovely，\'shecried。
Sheexaminedthegift。
`Howperfectlylovely！\'shecriedagain。`Butwhydoyougivethemme？\'
Sheputthequestionoffensively。
Hisfaceflickeredwithboredirritation。Heshruggedhisshouldersslightly。
`Iwantedto，\'hesaid，coolly。
`Butwhy？Whyshouldyou？\'
`AmIcalledontofindreasons？\'heasked。
Therewasasilence，whilstsheexaminedtheringsthathadbeenscrewedupinthepaper。
`Ithinktheyarebeautiful，\'shesaid，`especiallythis。Thisiswonderful——\'
Itwasaroundopal，redandfiery，setinacircleoftinyrubies。
`Youlikethatbest？\'hesaid。
`IthinkIdo。\'
`Ilikethesapphire，\'hesaid。
`This？\'
Itwasarose—shaped，beautifulsapphire，withsmallbrilliants。
`Yes，\'shesaid，`itislovely。\'Shehelditinthelight。`Yes，perhapsitisthebest——\'
`Theblue——\'hesaid。
`Yes，wonderful——\'
Hesuddenlyswungthecaroutofthewayofafarm—cart。Ittiltedonthebank。Hewasacarelessdriver，yetveryquick。ButUrsulawasfrightened。
Therewasalwaysthatsomethingregardlessinhimwhichterrifiedher。
Shesuddenlyfelthemightkillher，bymakingsomedreadfulaccidentwiththemotor—car。Foramomentshewasstonywithfear。
`Isn\'titratherdangerous，thewayyoudrive？\'sheaskedhim。
`No，itisn\'tdangerous，\'hesaid。Andthen，afterapause:`Don\'tyouliketheyellowringatall？\'
Itwasasquarishtopazsetinaframeofsteel，orsomeothersimilarmineral，finelywrought。
`Yes，\'shesaid，`Idolikeit。Butwhydidyoubuytheserings？\'
`Iwantedthem。Theyaresecond—hand。\'
`Youboughtthemforyourself？\'
`No。Ringslookwrongonmyhands。\'
`Whydidyoubuythemthen？\'
`Iboughtthemtogivetoyou。\'
`Butwhy？SurelyyououghttogivethemtoHermione！Youbelongtoher。\'
Hedidnotanswer。Sheremainedwiththejewelsshutinherhand。Shewantedtotrythemonherfingers，butsomethinginherwouldnotlether。
Andmoreover，shewasafraidherhandsweretoolarge，sheshrankfromthemortificationofafailuretoputthemonanybutherlittlefinger。
Theytravelledinsilencethroughtheemptylanes。
Drivinginamotor—carexcitedher，sheforgothispresenceeven。
`Wherearewe？\'sheaskedsuddenly。
`NotfarfromWorksop。\'
`Andwherearewegoing？\'
`Anywhere。\'
Itwastheanswersheliked。
Sheopenedherhandtolookattherings。Theygavehersuchpleasure，astheylay，thethreecircles，withtheirknottedjewels，entangledinherpalm。Shewouldhavetotrythemon。Shedidsosecretly，unwillingtolethimsee，sothatheshouldnotknowherfingerwastoolargeforthem。Buthesawnevertheless。Healwayssaw，ifshewantedhimnotto。
Itwasanotherofhishateful，watchfulcharacteristics。
Onlytheopal，withitsthinwireloop，wouldgoonherringfinger。
Andshewassuperstitious。No，therewasill—portentenough，shewouldnotacceptthisringfromhiminpledge。
`Look，\'shesaid，puttingforwardherhand，thatwashalf—closedandshrinking。`Theothersdon\'tfitme。\'
Helookedatthered—glinting，softstone，onherover—sensitiveskin。
`Yes，\'hesaid。
`Butopalsareunlucky，aren\'tthey？\'shesaidwistfully。
`No。Ipreferunluckythings。Luckisvulgar。Whowantswhatluckwouldbring？Idon\'t。\'
`Butwhy？\'shelaughed。
And，consumedwithadesiretoseehowtheotherringswouldlookonherhand，sheputthemonherlittlefinger。
`Theycanbemadealittlebigger，\'hesaid。
`Yes，\'shereplied，doubtfully。Andshesighed。Sheknewthat，inacceptingtherings，shewasacceptingapledge。Yetfateseemedmorethanherself。
Shelookedagainatthejewels。Theywereverybeautifultohereyes——notasornament，orwealth，butastinyfragmentsofloveliness。
`I\'mgladyouboughtthem，\'shesaid，puttingherhand，halfunwillingly，gentlyonhisarm。
Hesmiled，slightly。Hewantedhertocometohim。Buthewasangryatthebottomofhissoul，andindifferent。Heknewshehadapassionforhim，really。Butitwasnotfinallyinteresting。Thereweredepthsofpassionwhenonebecameimpersonalandindifferent，unemotional。WhereasUrsulawasstillattheemotionalpersonallevel——alwayssoabominablypersonal。
Hehadtakenherashehadneverbeentakenhimself。Hehadtakenherattherootsofherdarknessandshame——likeademon，laughingoverthefountainofmysticcorruptionwhichwasoneofthesourcesofherbeing，laughing，shrugging，accepting，acceptingfinally。Asforher，whenwouldshesomuchgobeyondherselfastoaccepthimatthequickofdeath？
Shenowbecamequitehappy。Themotor—carranon，theafternoonwassoftanddim。Shetalkedwithlivelyinterest，analysingpeopleandtheirmotives——Gudrun，Gerald。Heansweredvaguely。Hewasnotverymuchinterestedanymoreinpersonalitiesandinpeople——peoplewerealldifferent，buttheywereallenclosednowadaysinadefinitelimitation，hesaid;therewereonlyabouttwogreatideas，twogreatstreamsofactivityremaining，withvariousformsofreactiontherefrom。Thereactionswereallvariedinvariouspeople，buttheyfollowedafewgreatlaws，andintrinsicallytherewasnodifference。Theyactedandreactedinvoluntarilyaccordingtoafewgreatlaws，andoncethelaws，thegreatprinciples，wereknown，peoplewerenolongermysticallyinteresting。Theywereallessentiallyalike，thedifferenceswereonlyvariationsonatheme。Noneofthemtranscendedthegiventerms。
