Ursuladidnotagree——peoplewerestillanadventuretoher——but——perhapsnotasmuchasshetriedtopersuadeherself。Perhapstherewassomethingmechanical，now，inherinterest。Perhapsalsoherinterestwasdestructive，heranalysingwasarealtearingtopieces。Therewasanunder—spaceinherwhereshedidnotcareforpeopleandtheiridiosyncracies，eventodestroythem。Sheseemedtotouchforamomentthisundersilenceinherself，shebecamestill，andsheturnedforamomentpurelytoBirkin。
`Won\'titbelovelytogohomeinthedark？\'shesaid。`Wemighthavetearatherlate——shallwe？——andhavehightea？Wouldn\'tthatberathernice？\'
`IpromisedtobeatShortlandsfordinner，\'hesaid。
`But——itdoesn\'tmatter——youcangotomorrow——\'
`Hermioneisthere，\'hesaid，inratheranuneasyvoice。`Sheisgoingawayintwodays。IsupposeIoughttosaygood—byetoher。Ishallneverseeheragain。\'
Ursuladrewaway，closedinaviolentsilence。Heknittedhisbrows，andhiseyesbegantosparkleagaininanger。
`Youdon\'tmind，doyou？\'heaskedirritably。
`No，Idon\'tcare。WhyshouldI？WhyshouldImind？\'Hertonewasjeeringandoffensive。
`That\'swhatIaskmyself，\'hesaid;`whyshouldyoumind！Butyouseemto。\'Hisbrowsweretensewithviolentirritation。
`IassureyouIdon\'t，Idon\'tmindintheleast。Gowhereyoubelong——it\'swhatIwantyoutodo。\'
`Ahyoufool！\'hecried，`withyour\"gowhereyoubelong。\"It\'sfinishedbetweenHermioneandme。Shemeansmuchmoretoyou，ifitcomestothat，thanshedoestome。Foryoucanonlyrevoltinpurereactionfromher——andtobeheroppositeistobehercounterpart。\'
`Ah，opposite！\'criedUrsula。`Iknowyourdodges。Iamnottakeninbyyourword—twisting。YoubelongtoHermioneandherdeadshow。Well，ifyoudo，youdo。Idon\'tblameyou。Butthenyou\'venothingtodowithme。
Inhisinflamed，overwroughtexasperation，hestoppedthecar，andtheysatthere，inthemiddleofthecountrylane，tohaveitout。Itwasacrisisofwarbetweenthem，sotheydidnotseetheridiculousnessoftheirsituation。
`Ifyouweren\'tafool，ifonlyyouweren\'tafool，\'hecriedinbitterdespair，`you\'dseethatonecouldbedecent，evenwhenonehasbeenwrong。
IwaswrongtogoonallthoseyearswithHermione——itwasadeathlyprocess。Butafterall，onecanhavealittlehumandecency。Butno，youwouldtearmysouloutwithyourjealousyattheverymentionofHermione\'sname。\'
`Ijealous！I——jealous！Youaremistakenifyouthinkthat。I\'mnotjealousintheleastofHermione，sheisnothingtome，notthat！\'AndUrsulasnappedherfingers。`No，it\'syouwhoarealiar。
It\'syouwhomustreturn，likeadogtohisvomit。ItiswhatHermionestandsforthatIhate。Ihateit。Itislies，itisfalse，itisdeath。Butyouwantit，youcan\'thelpit，youcan\'thelpyourself。Youbelongtothatold，deathlywayofliving——thengobacktoit。Butdon\'tcometome，forI\'venothingtodowithit。\'
Andinthestressofherviolentemotion，shegotdownfromthecarandwenttothehedgerow，pickingunconsciouslysomeflesh—pinkspindleberries，someofwhichwereburst，showingtheirorangeseeds。
`Ah，youareafool，\'hecried，bitterly，withsomecontempt。
`Yes，Iam。Iamafool。AndthankGodforit。I\'mtoobigafooltoswallowyourcleverness。Godbepraised。Yougotoyourwomen——
gotothem——theyareyoursort——you\'vealwayshadastringofthemtrailingafteryou——andyoualwayswill。Gotoyourspiritualbrides——butdon\'tcometomeaswell，becauseI\'mnothavingany，thankyou。
You\'renotsatisfied，areyou？Yourspiritualbridescan\'tgiveyouwhatyouwant，theyaren\'tcommonandfleshyenoughforyou，aren\'tthey？Soyoucometome，andkeeptheminthebackground！Youwillmarrymefordailyuse。Butyou\'llkeepyourselfwellprovidedwithspiritualbridesinthebackground。Iknowyourdirtylittlegame。\'Suddenlyaflameranoverher，andshestampedherfootmadlyontheroad，andhewinced，afraidthatshewouldstrikehim。`AndI，I\'mnotspiritualenough，I\'mnotasspiritualasthatHermione——！\'Herbrowsknitted，hereyesblazedlikeatiger\'s。`Thengotoher，that\'sallIsay，gotoher，go。
Ha，shespiritual——spiritual，she！Adirtymaterialistassheis。Shespiritual？Whatdoesshecarefor，whatisherspirituality？
Whatisit？\'Herfuryseemedtoblazeoutandburnhisface。Heshrankalittle。`Itellyouit\'sdirt，dirt，andnothingbutdirt。Andit\'sdirtyouwant，youcraveforit。Spiritual！Isthatspiritual，herbullying，herconceit，hersordidmaterialism？She\'safishwife，afishwife，sheissuchamaterialist。Andallsosordid。Whatdoessheworkoutto，intheend，withallhersocialpassion，asyoucallit。Socialpassion——whatsocialpassionhasshe？——showitme！——whereisit？
Shewantspetty，immediatepower，shewantstheillusionthatsheisagreatwoman，thatisall。Inhersoulshe\'sadevilishunbeliever，commonasdirt。That\'swhatsheisatthebottom。Andalltherestispretence——butyouloveit。Youlovetheshamspirituality，it\'syourfood。Andwhy？Becauseofthedirtunderneath。DoyouthinkIdon\'tknowthefoulnessofyoursexlife——andher\'s？——Ido。Andit\'sthatfoulnessyouwant，youliar。Thenhaveit，haveit。You\'resuchaliar。\'
Sheturnedaway，spasmodicallytearingthetwigsofspindleberryfromthehedge，andfasteningthem，withvibratingfingers，inthebosomofhercoat。
Hestoodwatchinginsilence。Awonderfultendernessburnedinhim，atthesightofherquivering，sosensitivefingers:andatthesametimehewasfullofrageandcallousness。
`Thisisadegradingexhibition，\'hesaidcoolly。
`Yes，degradingindeed，\'shesaid。`Butmoretomethantoyou。\'
`Sinceyouchoosetodegradeyourself，\'hesaid。Againtheflashcameoverherface，theyellowlightsconcentratedinhereyes。
`You！\'shecried。`You！Youtruth—lover！Youpurity—monger！Itstinks，yourtruthandyourpurity。Itstinksoftheoffalyoufeedon，youscavengerdog，youeaterofcorpses。Youarefoul，foulandyoumustknowit。Yourpurity，yourcandour，yourgoodness——yes，thankyou，we\'vehadsome。Whatyouareisafoul，deathlything，obscene，that\'swhatyouare，obsceneandperverse。You，andlove！Youmaywellsay，youdon\'twantlove。No，youwantyourself，anddirt，anddeath——that\'swhatyouwant。Youaresoperverse，sodeath—eating。Andthen——\'
`There\'sabicyclecoming，\'hesaid，writhingunderherlouddenunciation。
Sheglanceddowntheroad。
`Idon\'tcare，\'shecried。
Neverthelessshewassilent。Thecyclist，havingheardthevoicesraisedinaltercation，glancedcuriouslyattheman，andthewoman，andatthestandingmotor—carashepassed。
`——Afternoon，\'hesaid，cheerfully。
`Good—afternoon，\'repliedBirkincoldly。
Theyweresilentasthemanpassedintothedistance。
AclearerlookhadcomeoverBirkin\'sface。Heknewshewasinthemainright。Heknewhewasperverse，sospiritualontheonehand，andinsomestrangeway，degraded，ontheother。Butwassheherselfanybetter？Wasanybodyanybetter？
`Itmayallbetrue，liesandstinkandall，\'hesaid。`ButHermione\'sspiritualintimacyisnorottenerthanyouremotional—jealousintimacy。
Onecanpreservethedecencies，eventoone\'senemies:forone\'sownsake。
Hermioneismyenemy——toherlastbreath！That\'swhyImustbowheroffthefield。\'
`You！Youandyourenemiesandyourbows！Aprettypictureyoumakeofyourself。Butittakesnobodyinbutyourself。Ijealous！I！WhatIsay，\'hervoicesprangintoflame，`Isaybecauseitistrue，doyousee，becauseyouareyou，afoulandfalseliar，awhitedsepulchre。That\'swhyIsayit。Andyouhearit。\'
`Andbegrateful，\'headded，withasatiricalgrimace。
`Yes，\'shecried，`andifyouhaveasparkofdecencyinyou，begrateful。\'
`Nothavingasparkofdecency，however——\'heretorted。
`No，\'shecried，`youhaven\'taspark。Andsoyoucangoyourway，andI\'llgomine。It\'snogood，nottheslightest。Soyoucanleavemenow，Idon\'twanttogoanyfurtherwithyou——leaveme——\'
`Youdon\'tevenknowwhereyouare，\'hesaid。
`Oh，don\'tbother，IassureyouIshallbeallright。I\'vegottenshillingsinmypurse，andthatwilltakemebackfromanywhereyouhavebroughtmeto。\'Shehesitated。Theringswerestillonherfingers，twoonherlittlefinger，oneonherringfinger。Stillshehesitated。
`Verygood，\'hesaid。`Theonlyhopelessthingisafool。\'
`Youarequiteright，\'shesaid。
Stillshehesitated。Thenanugly，malevolentlookcameoverherface，shepulledtheringsfromherfingers，andtossedthemathim。Onetouchedhisface，theothershithiscoat，andtheyscatteredintothemud。
`Andtakeyourrings，\'shesaid，`andgoandbuyyourselfafemaleelsewhere——thereareplentytobehad，whowillbequitegladtoshareyourspiritualmess，——ortohaveyourphysicalmess，andleaveyourspiritualmesstoHermione。\'
Withwhichshewalkedaway，desultorily，uptheroad。Hestoodmotionless，watchinghersullen，ratheruglywalk。Shewassullenlypickingandpullingatthetwigsofthehedgeasshepassed。Shegrewsmaller，sheseemedtopassoutofhissight。Adarknesscameoverhismind。Onlyasmall，mechanicalspeckofconsciousnesshoverednearhim。
Hefelttiredandweak。Yetalsohewasrelieved。Hegaveuphisoldposition。Hewentandsatonthebank。NodoubtUrsulawasright。Itwastrue，really，whatshesaid。Heknewthathisspiritualitywasconcomitantofaprocessofdepravity，asortofpleasureinself—destruction。Therereallywasacertainstimulantinself—destruction，forhim——especiallywhenitwastranslatedspiritually。Butthenheknewit——heknewit，andhaddone。AndwasnotUrsula\'swayofemotionalintimacy，emotionalandphysical，wasitnotjustasdangerousasHermione\'sabstractspiritualintimacy？Fusion，fusion，thishorriblefusionoftwobeings，whicheverywomanandmostmeninsistedon，wasitnotnauseousandhorribleanyhow，whetheritwasafusionofthespiritoroftheemotionalbody？HermionesawherselfastheperfectIdea，towhichallmenmustcome:AndUrsulawastheperfectWomb，thebathofbirth，towhichallmenmustcome！Andbothwerehorrible。Whycouldtheynotremainindividuals，limitedbytheirownlimits？Whythisdreadfulall—comprehensiveness，thishatefultyranny？
Whynotleavetheotherbeing，free，whytrytoabsorb，ormelt，ormerge？
Onemightabandononeselfutterlytothemoments，butnottoanyotherbeing。
Hecouldnotbeartoseetheringslyinginthepalemudoftheroad。
Hepickedthemup，andwipedthemunconsciouslyonhishands。Theywerethelittletokensoftherealityofbeauty，therealityofhappinessinwarmcreation。Buthehadmadehishandsalldirtyandgritty。
Therewasadarknessoverhismind。Theterribleknotofconsciousnessthathadpersistedtherelikeanobsessionwasbroken，gone，hislifewasdissolvedindarknessoverhislimbsandhisbody。Buttherewasapointofanxietyinhisheartnow。Hewantedhertocomeback。Hebreathedlightlyandregularlylikeaninfant，thatbreathesinnocently，beyondthetouchofresponsibility。
Shewascomingback。Hesawherdriftingdesultorilyunderthehighhedge，advancingtowardshimslowly。Hedidnotmove，hedidnotlookagain。
Hewasasifasleep，atpeace，slumberingandutterlyrelaxed。
Shecameupandstoodbeforehim，hangingherhead。
`SeewhataflowerIfoundyou，\'shesaid，wistfullyholdingapieceofpurple—redbell—heatherunderhisface。Hesawtheclumpofcolouredbells，andthetree—like，tinybranch:alsoherhands，withtheirover—fine，over—sensitiveskin。
`Pretty！\'hesaid，lookingupatherwithasmile，takingtheflower。
Everythinghadbecomesimpleagain，quitesimple，thecomplexitygoneintonowhere。Buthebadlywantedtocry:exceptthathewaswearyandboredbyemotion。
Thenahotpassionoftendernessforherfilledhisheart。Hestoodupandlookedintoherface。Itwasnewandoh，sodelicateinitsluminouswonderandfear。Heputhisarmsroundher，andshehidherfaceonhisshoulder。
Itwaspeace，justsimplepeace，ashestoodfoldingherquietlythereontheopenlane。Itwaspeaceatlast。Theold，detestableworldoftensionhadpassedawayatlast，hissoulwasstrongandatease。
Shelookedupathim。Thewonderfulyellowlightinhereyesnowwassoftandyielded，theywereatpeacewitheachother。Hekissedher，softly，many，manytimes。Alaughcameintohereyes。
`DidIabuseyou？\'sheasked。
Hesmiledtoo，andtookherhand，thatwassosoftandgiven。
`Nevermind，\'shesaid，`itisallforthegood。\'Hekissedheragain，softly，manytimes。
`Isn\'tit？\'shesaid。
`Certainly，\'hereplied。`Wait！Ishallhavemyownback。\'
Shelaughedsuddenly，withawildcatchinhervoice，andflungherarmsaroundhim。
`Youaremine，mylove，aren\'tyou？\'shecriedstraininghimclose。
`Yes，\'hesaid，softly。
Hisvoicewassosoftandfinal，shewentverystill，asifunderafatewhichhadtakenher。Yes，sheacquiesced——butitwasaccomplishedwithoutheracquiescence。Hewaskissingherquietly，repeatedly，withasoft，stillhappinessthatalmostmadeherheartstopbeating。
`Mylove！\'shecried，liftingherfaceandlookingwithfrightened，gentlewonderofbliss。Wasitallreal？Buthiseyeswerebeautifulandsoftandimmunefromstressorexcitement，beautifulandsmilinglightlytoher，smilingwithher。Shehidherfaceonhisshoulder，hidingbeforehim，becausehecouldseehersocompletely。Sheknewhelovedher，andshewasafraid，shewasinastrangeelement，anewheavenroundabouther。Shewishedhewerepassionate，becauseinpassionshewasathome。
Butthiswassostillandfrail，asspaceismorefrighteningthanforce。
Again，quickly，sheliftedherhead。
`Doyouloveme？\'shesaid，quickly，impulsively。
`Yes，\'hereplied，notheedinghermotion，onlyherstillness。
Sheknewitwastrue。Shebrokeaway。
`Soyouought，\'shesaid，turningroundtolookattheroad。`Didyoufindtherings？\'
`Yes。\'
`Wherearethey？\'
`Inmypocket。\'
Sheputherhandintohispocketandtookthemout。
Shewasrestless。
`Shallwego？\'shesaid。
`Yes，\'heanswered。Andtheymountedtothecaroncemore，andleftbehindthemthismemorablebattle—field。
Theydriftedthroughthewild，lateafternoon，inabeautifulmotionthatwassmilingandtranscendent。Hismindwassweetlyatease，thelifeflowedthroughhimasfromsomenewfountain，hewasasifbornoutofthecrampofawomb。
`Areyouhappy？\'sheaskedhim，inherstrange，delightedway。
`Yes，\'hesaid。
`SoamI，\'shecriedinsuddenecstacy，puttingherarmroundhimandclutchinghimviolentlyagainsther，ashesteeredthemotor—car。
`Don\'tdrivemuchmore，\'shesaid。`Idon\'twantyoutobealwaysdoingsomething。\'
`No，\'hesaid。`We\'llfinishthislittletrip，andthenwe\'llbefree。\'
`Wewill，mylove，wewill，\'shecriedindelight，kissinghimasheturnedtoher。
Hedroveoninastrangenewwakefulness，thetensionofhisconsciousnessbroken。Heseemedtobeconsciousallover，allhisbodyawakewithasimple，glimmeringawareness，asifhehadjustcomeawake，likeathingthatisborn，likeabirdwhenitcomesoutofanegg，intoanewuniverse。
Theydroppeddownalonghillinthedusk，andsuddenlyUrsularecognisedonherrighthand，belowinthehollow，theformofSouthwellMinster。
`Arewehere！\'shecriedwithpleasure。
Therigid，sombre，uglycathedralwassettlingunderthegloomofthecomingnight，astheyenteredthenarrowtown，thegoldenlightsshowedlikeslabsofrevelation，intheshop—windows。
`Fathercameherewithmother，\'shesaid，`whentheyfirstkneweachother。Helovesit——helovestheMinster。Doyou？\'
`Yes。Itlookslikequartzcrystalsstickingupoutofthedarkhollow。
We\'llhaveourhighteaattheSaracen\'sHead。\'
Astheydescended，theyheardtheMinsterbellsplayingahymn，whenthehourhadstrucksix。GlorytotheemyGodthisnightForalltheblessingsofthelight——So，toUrsula\'sear，thetunefellout，dropbydrop，fromtheunseenskyontotheduskytown。Itwaslikedim，bygonecenturiessounding。Itwasallsofaroff。Shestoodintheoldyardoftheinn，smellingofstrawandstablesandpetrol。Above，shecouldseethefirststars。Whatwasitall？
Thiswasnoactualworld，itwasthedream—worldofone\'schildhood——
agreatcircumscribedreminiscence。Theworldhadbecomeunreal。Sheherselfwasastrange，transcendentreality。
Theysattogetherinalittleparlourbythefire。
`Isittrue？\'shesaid，wondering。
`What？\'
`Everything——iseverythingtrue？\'
`Thebestistrue，\'hesaid，grimacingather。
`Isit？\'shereplied，laughing，butunassured。
Shelookedathim。Heseemedstillsoseparate。Neweyeswereopenedinhersoul。Shesawastrangecreaturefromanotherworld，inhim。Itwasasifshewereenchanted，andeverythingweremetamorphosed。SherecalledagaintheoldmagicoftheBookofGenesis，wherethesonsofGodsawthedaughtersofmen，thattheywerefair。Andhewasoneofthese，oneofthesestrangecreaturesfromthebeyond，lookingdownather，andseeingshewasfair。
Hestoodonthehearth—ruglookingather，atherfacethatwasupturnedexactlylikeaflower，afresh，luminousflower，glintingfaintlygoldenwiththedewofthefirstlight。Andhewassmilingfaintlyasiftherewerenospeechintheworld，savethesilentdelightofflowersineachother。Smilinglytheydelightedineachother\'spresence，purepresence，nottobethoughtof，evenknown。Buthiseyeshadafaintlyironicalcontraction。
Andshewasdrawntohimstrangely，asinaspell。Kneelingonthehearth—rugbeforehim，sheputherarmsroundhisloins，andputherfaceagainsthisthigh。Riches！Riches！Shewasoverwhelmedwithasenseofaheavenfulofriches。
`Weloveeachother，\'shesaidindelight。
`Morethanthat，\'heanswered，lookingdownatherwithhisglimmering，easyface。
Unconsciously，withhersensitivefingertips，shewastracingthebackofhisthighs，followingsomemysteriouslife—flowthere。Shehaddiscoveredsomething，somethingmorethanwonderful，morewonderfulthanlifeitself。
Itwasthestrangemysteryofhislife—motion，there，atthebackofthethighs，downtheflanks。Itwasastrangerealityofhisbeing，theverystuffofbeing，thereinthestraightdownflowofthethighs。ItwashereshediscoveredhimoneofthesonsofGodsuchaswereinthebeginningoftheworld，notaman，somethingother，somethingmore。
Thiswasreleaseatlast。Shehadhadlovers，shehadknownpassion。
Butthiswasneitherlovenorpassion。ItwasthedaughtersofmencomingbacktothesonsofGod，thestrangeinhumansonsofGodwhoareinthebeginning。
Herfacewasnowonedazzleofreleased，goldenlight，asshelookedupathim，andlaidherhandsfullonhisthighs，behind，ashestoodbeforeher。Helookeddownatherwitharichbrightbrowlikeadiademabovehiseyes。Shewasbeautifulasanewmarvellousfloweropenedathisknees，aparadisalflowershewas，beyondwomanhood，suchaflowerofluminousness。
Yetsomethingwastightandunfreeinhim。Hedidnotlikethiscrouching，thisradiance——notaltogether。
Itwasallachieved，forher。ShehadfoundoneofthesonsofGodfromtheBeginning，andhehadfoundoneofthefirstmostluminousdaughtersofmen。
Shetracedwithherhandsthelineofhisloinsandthighs，attheback，andalivingfireranthroughher，fromhim，darkly。Itwasadarkfloodofelectricpassionshereleasedfromhim，drewintoherself。Shehadestablishedarichnewcircuit，anewcurrentofpassionalelectricenergy，betweenthetwoofthem，releasedfromthedarkestpolesofthebodyandestablishedinperfectcircuit。Itwasadarkfireofelectricitythatrushedfromhimtoher，andfloodedthembothwithrichpeace，satisfaction。
`Mylove，\'shecried，liftingherfacetohim，hereyes，hermouthopenintransport。
`Mylove，\'heanswered，bendingandkissingher，alwayskissingher。
Sheclosedherhandsoverthefull，roundedbodyofhisloins，ashestoopedoverher，sheseemedtotouchthequickofthemysteryofdarknessthatwasbodilyhim。Sheseemedtofaintbeneath，andheseemedtofaint，stoopingoverher。Itwasaperfectpassingawayforbothofthem，andatthesametimethemostintolerableaccessionintobeing，themarvellousfullnessofimmediategratification，overwhelming，out—floodingfromthesourceofthedeepestlife—force，thedarkest，deepest，strangestlife—sourceofthehumanbody，atthebackandbaseoftheloins。
Afteralapseofstillness，aftertheriversofstrangedarkfluidrichnesshadpassedoverher，flooding，carryingawayhermindandfloodingdownherspineanddownherknees，pastherfeet，astrangeflood，sweepingawayeverythingandleavingheranessentialnewbeing，shewasleftquitefree，shewasfreeincompleteease，hercompleteself。Sosherose，stillyandblithe，smilingathim。Hestoodbeforeher，glimmering，soawfullyreal，thatherheartalmoststoppedbeating。Hestoodthereinhisstrange，wholebody，thathaditsmarvellousfountains，likethebodiesofthesonsofGodwhowereinthebeginning。Therewerestrangefountainsofhisbody，moremysteriousandpotentthananyshehadimaginedorknown，moresatisfying，ah，finally，mystically—physicallysatisfying。Shehadthoughttherewasnosourcedeeperthanthephallicsource。Andnow，behold，fromthesmittenrockoftheman\'sbody，fromthestrangemarvellousflanksandthighs，deeper，furtherinmysterythanthephallicsource，camethefloodsofineffabledarknessandineffableriches。
Theywereglad，andtheycouldforgetperfectly。Theylaughed，andwenttothemealprovided。Therewasavenisonpasty，ofallthings，alargebroad—facedcutham，eggsandcressesandredbeet—root，andmedlarsandapple—tart，andtea。
`Whatgoodthings！\'shecriedwithpleasure。`Hownobleitlooks！
——shallIpouroutthetea？——\'
Shewasusuallynervousanduncertainatperformingthesepublicduties，suchasgivingtea。Buttodaysheforgot，shewasatherease，entirelyforgettingtohavemisgivings。Thetea—potpouredbeautifullyfromaproudslenderspout。Hereyeswerewarmwithsmilesasshegavehimhistea。
Shehadlearnedatlasttobestillandperfect。
`Everythingisours，\'shesaidtohim。
`Everything，\'heanswered。
Shegaveaqueerlittlecrowingsoundoftriumph。
`I\'msoglad！\'shecried，withunspeakablerelief。
`SoamI，\'hesaid。`ButI\'mthinkingwe\'dbettergetoutofourresponsibilitiesasquickaswecan。\'
`Whatresponsibilities？\'sheasked，wondering。
`Wemustdropourjobs，likeashot。\'
Anewunderstandingdawnedintoherface。
`Ofcourse，\'shesaid，`there\'sthat。\'
`Wemustgetout，\'hesaid。`There\'snothingforitbuttogetout，quick。\'
Shelookedathimdoubtfullyacrossthetable。
`Butwhere？\'shesaid。
`Idon\'tknow，\'hesaid。`We\'lljustwanderaboutforabit。\'
Againshelookedathimquizzically。
`IshouldbeperfectlyhappyattheMill，\'shesaid。
`It\'sveryneartheoldthing，\'hesaid。`Letuswanderabit。\'
Hisvoicecouldbesosoftandhappy—go—lucky，itwentthroughherveinslikeanexhilaration。Neverthelessshedreamedofavalley，andwildgardens，andpeace。Shehadadesiretooforsplendour——anaristocraticextravagantsplendour。Wanderingseemedtoherlikerestlessness，dissatisfaction。
`Wherewillyouwanderto？\'sheasked。
`Idon\'tknow。IfeelasifIwouldjustmeetyouandwe\'dsetoff——
justtowardsthedistance。\'
`Butwherecanonego？\'sheaskedanxiously。`Afterall，thereisonlytheworld，andnoneofitisverydistant。\'
`Still，\'hesaid，`Ishouldliketogowithyou——nowhere。Itwouldberatherwanderingjusttonowhere。That\'stheplacetogetto——nowhere。
Onewantstowanderawayfromtheworld\'ssomewheres，intoourownnowhere。\'
Stillshemeditated。
`Yousee，mylove，\'shesaid，`I\'msoafraidthatwhileweareonlypeople，we\'vegottotaketheworldthat\'sgiven——becausethereisn\'tanyother。\'
`Yesthereis，\'hesaid。`There\'ssomewherewherewecanbefree——
somewherewhereoneneedn\'twearmuchclothes——noneeven——whereonemeetsafewpeoplewhohavegonethroughenough，andcantakethingsforgranted——whereyoubeyourself，withoutbothering。Thereissomewhere——thereareoneortwopeople——\'
`Butwhere——？\'shesighed。
`Somewhere——anywhere。Let\'swanderoff。That\'sthethingtodo——
let\'swanderoff。\'
`Yes——\'shesaid，thrilledatthethoughtoftravel。Buttoheritwasonlytravel。
`Tobefree，\'hesaid。`Tobefree，inafreeplace，withafewotherpeople！\'
`Yes，\'shesaidwistfully。Those`fewotherpeople\'depressedher。
`Itisn\'treallyalocality，though，\'hesaid。`It\'saperfectedrelationbetweenyouandme，andothers——theperfectrelation——sothatwearefreetogether。\'
`Itis，mylove，isn\'tit，\'shesaid。`It\'syouandme。It\'syouandme，isn\'tit？\'Shestretchedoutherarmstohim。Hewentacrossandstoopedtokissherface。Herarmsclosedroundhimagain，herhandsspreaduponhisshoulders，movingslowlythere，movingslowlyonhisback，downhisbackslowly，withastrangerecurrent，rhythmicmotion，yetmovingslowlydown，pressingmysteriouslyoverhisloins，overhisflanks。Thesenseoftheawfulnessofrichesthatcouldneverbeimpairedfloodedhermindlikeaswoon，adeathinmostmarvellouspossession，mystic—sure。Shepossessedhimsoutterlyandintolerably，thatsheherselflapsedout。Andyetshewasonlysittingstillinthechair，withherhandspresseduponhim，andlost。
Againhesoftlykissedher。
`Weshallnevergoapartagain，\'hemurmuredquietly。Andshedidnotspeak，butonlypressedherhandsfirmerdownuponthesourceofdarknessinhim。
Theydecided，whentheywokeagainfromthepureswoon，towritetheirresignationsfromtheworldofworkthereandthen。Shewantedthis。
Herangthebell，andorderednote—paperwithoutaprintedaddress。
Thewaiterclearedthetable。
`Nowthen，\'hesaid，`yoursfirst。Putyourhomeaddress，andthedate——then\"DirectorofEducation，TownHall——Sir——\"Nowthen！——Idon\'tknowhowonereallystands——Isupposeonecouldgetoutofitinlessthanmonth——Anyhow\"Sir——IbegtoresignmypostasclassmistressintheWilleyGreenGrammarSchool。Ishouldbeverygratefulifyouwouldliberatemeassoonaspossible，withoutwaitingfortheexpirationofthemonth\'snotice。\"That\'lldo。Haveyougotit？Letmelook。\"UrsulaBrangwen。\"Good！NowI\'llwritemine。Ioughttogivethemthreemonths，butIcanpleadhealth。Icanarrangeitallright。\'
Hesatandwroteouthisformalresignation。
