Shelookedathim，ashestoodneartheothersideofthebed。Hiscapwaspulledlowoverhisbrow，hisblackovercoatwasbuttonedcloseuptohischin。Hisfacewasstrangeandluminous。Hewasinevitableasasupernaturalbeing。Whenshehadseenhim，sheknew。Sheknewtherewassomethingfatalinthesituation，andshemustacceptit。Yetshemustchallengehim。
`Howdidyoucomeup？\'sheasked。
`Iwalkedupthestairs——thedoorwasopen。\'
Shelookedathim。
`Ihaven\'tclosedthisdoor，either，\'hesaid。Shewalkedswiftlyacrosstheroom，andclosedherdoor，softly，andlockedit。Thenshecameback。
Shewaswonderful，withstartledeyesandflushedcheeks，andherplaitofhairrathershortandthickdownherback，andherlong，finewhitenight—dressfallingtoherfeet。
Shesawthathisbootswereallclayey，evenhistrouserswereplasteredwithclay。Andshewonderedifhehadmadefootprintsallthewayup。Hewasaverystrangefigure，standinginherbedroom，nearthetossedbed。
`Whyhaveyoucome？\'sheasked，almostquerulous。
`Iwantedto，\'hereplied。
Andthisshecouldseefromhisface。Itwasfate。
`Youaresomuddy，\'shesaid，indistaste，butgently。
Helookeddownathisfeet。
`Iwaswalkinginthedark，\'hereplied。Buthefeltvividlyelated。
Therewasapause。Hestoodononesideofthetumbledbed，sheontheother。Hedidnoteventakehiscapfromhisbrows。
`Andwhatdoyouwantofme，\'shechallenged。
Helookedaside，anddidnotanswer。Savefortheextremebeautyandmysticattractivenessofthisdistinct，strangeface，shewouldhavesenthimaway。Buthisfacewastoowonderfulandundiscoveredtoher。Itfascinatedherwiththefascinationofpurebeauty，castaspellonher，likenostalgia，anache。
`Whatdoyouwantofme？\'sherepeatedinanestrangedvoice。
Hepulledoffhiscap，inamovementofdream—liberation，andwentacrosstoher。Buthecouldnottouchher，becauseshestoodbarefootinhernight—dress，andhewasmuddyanddamp。Hereyes，wideandlargeandwondering，watchedhim，andaskedhimtheultimatequestion。
`Icame——becauseImust，\'hesaid。`Whydoyouask？\'
Shelookedathimindoubtandwonder。
`Imustask，\'shesaid。
Heshookhisheadslightly。
`Thereisnoanswer，\'hereplied，withstrangevacancy。
Therewasabouthimacurious，andalmostgodlikeairofsimplicityandnativedirectness。Heremindedherofanapparition，theyoungHermes。
`Butwhydidyoucometome？\'shepersisted。
`Because——ithastobeso。Ifthereweren\'tyouintheworld，thenIshouldn\'tbeintheworld，either。\'
Shestoodlookingathim，withlarge，wide，wondering，strickeneyes。
Hiseyeswerelookingsteadilyintohersallthetime，andheseemedfixedinanoddsupernaturalsteadfastness。Shesighed。Shewaslostnow。Shehadnochoice。
`Won\'tyoutakeoffyourboots，\'shesaid。`Theymustbewet。\'
Hedroppedhiscaponachair，unbuttonedhisovercoat，liftinguphischintounfastenthethroatbuttons。Hisshort，keenhairwasruffled。
Hewassobeautifullyblond，likewheat。Hepulledoffhisovercoat。
Quicklyhepulledoffhisjacket，pulledloosehisblacktie，andwasunfasteninghisstuds，whichwereheadedeachwithapearl。Shelistened，watching，hopingnoonewouldhearthestarchedlinencrackle。Itseemedtosnaplikepistolshots。
Hehadcomeforvindication。Shelethimholdherinhisarms，clasphercloseagainsthim。Hefoundinheraninfiniterelief。Intoherhepouredallhispent—updarknessandcorrosivedeath，andhewaswholeagain。
Itwaswonderful，marvellous，itwasamiracle。Thiswastheeverrecurrentmiracleofhislife，attheknowledgeofwhichhewaslostinanecstasyofreliefandwonder。Andshe，subject，receivedhimasavesselfilledwithhisbitterpotionofdeath。Shehadnopoweratthiscrisistoresist。
Theterriblefrictionalviolenceofdeathfilledher，andshereceiveditinanecstasyofsubjection，inthroesofacute，violentsensation。
Ashedrewnearertoher，heplungeddeeperintoherenvelopingsoftwarmth，awonderfulcreativeheatthatpenetratedhisveinsandgavehimlifeagain。Hefelthimselfdissolvingandsinkingtorestinthebathofherlivingstrength。Itseemedasifherheartinherbreastwereasecondunconquerablesun，intotheglowandcreativestrengthofwhichheplungedfurtherandfurther。Allhisveins，thatweremurderedandlacerated，healedsoftlyaslifecamepulsingin，stealinginvisiblyintohimasifitweretheall—powerfuleffluenceofthesun。Hisblood，whichseemedtohavebeendrawnbackintodeath，cameebbingonthereturn，surely，beautifully，powerfully。
Hefelthislimbsgrowingfullerandflexiblewithlife，hisbodygainedanunknownstrength。Hewasamanagain，strongandrounded。Andhewasachild，sosoothedandrestoredandfullofgratitude。
Andshe，shewasthegreatbathoflife，heworshippedher。Motherandsubstanceofalllifeshewas。Andhe，childandman，receivedofherandwasmadewhole。Hispurebodywasalmostkilled。Butthemiraculous，softeffluenceofherbreastsuffusedoverhim，overhisseared，damagedbrain，likeahealinglymph，likeasoft，soothingflowoflifeitself，perfectasifhewerebathedinthewombagain。
Hisbrainwashurt，seared，thetissuewasasifdestroyed。Hehadnotknownhowhurthewas，howhistissue，theverytissueofhisbrainwasdamagedbythecorrosivefloodofdeath。Now，asthehealinglymphofhereffluenceflowedthroughhim，heknewhowdestroyedhewas，likeaplantwhosetissueisburstfrominwardsbyafrost。
Heburiedhissmall，hardheadbetweenherbreasts，andpressedherbreastsagainsthimwithhishands。Andshewithquiveringhandspressedhisheadagainsther，ashelaysuffusedout，andshelayfullyconscious。
Thelovelycreativewarmthfloodedthroughhimlikeasleepoffecunditywithinthewomb。Ah，ifonlyshewouldgranthimtheflowofthislivingeffluence，hewouldberestored，hewouldbecompleteagain。Hewasafraidshewoulddenyhimbeforeitwasfinished。Likeachildatthebreast，hecleavedintenselytoher，andshecouldnotputhimaway。Andhisseared，ruinedmembranerelaxed，softened，thatwhichwassearedandstiffandblastedyieldedagain，becamesoftandflexible，palpitatingwithnewlife。
Hewasinfinitelygrateful，astoGod，orasaninfantisatitsmother\'sbreast。Hewasgladandgratefullikeadelirium，ashefelthisownwholenesscomeoverhimagain，ashefeltthefull，unutterablesleepcomingoverhim，thesleepofcompleteexhaustionandrestoration。
ButGudrunlaywideawake，destroyedintoperfectconsciousness。Shelaymotionless，withwideeyesstaringmotionlessintothedarkness，whilsthewassunkawayinsleep，hisarmsroundher。
Sheseemedtobehearingwavesbreakonahiddenshore，long，slow，gloomywaves，breakingwiththerhythmoffate，somonotonouslythatitseemedeternal。Thisendlessbreakingofslow，sullenwavesoffateheldherlifeapossession，whilstshelaywithdark，wideeyeslookingintothedarkness。Shecouldseesofar，asfaraseternity——yetshesawnothing。
Shewassuspendedinperfectconsciousness——andofwhatwassheconscious？
Thismoodofextremity，whenshelaystaringintoeternity，utterlysuspended，andconsciousofeverything，tothelastlimits，passedandleftheruneasy。Shehadlainsolongmotionless。Shemoved，shebecameself—conscious。Shewantedtolookathim，toseehim。
Butshedarednotmakealight，becausesheknewhewouldwake，andshedidnotwanttobreakhisperfectsleep，thatsheknewhehadgotofher。
Shedisengagedherself，softly，androseupalittletolookathim。
Therewasafaintlight，itseemedtoher，intheroom。Shecouldjustdistinguishhisfeatures，asheslepttheperfectsleep。Inthisdarkness，sheseemedtoseehimsodistinctly。Buthewasfaroff，inanotherworld。
Ah，shecouldshriekwithtorment，hewassofaroff，andperfected，inanotherworld。Sheseemedtolookathimasatapebblefarawayundercleardarkwater。Andherewasshe，leftwithalltheanguishofconsciousness，whilsthewassunkdeepintotheotherelementofmindless，remote，livingshadow—gleam。Hewasbeautiful，far—off，andperfected。Theywouldneverbetogether。Ah，thisawful，inhumandistancewhichwouldalwaysbeinterposedbetweenherandtheotherbeing！
Therewasnothingtodobuttoliestillandendure。Shefeltanoverwhelmingtendernessforhim，andadark，under—stirringofjealoushatred，thatheshouldliesoperfectandimmune，inanother—world，whilstshewastormentedwithviolentwakefulness，castoutintheouterdarkness。
Shelayinintenseandvividconsciousness，anexhaustingsuperconsciousness。
Thechurchclockstruckthehours，itseemedtoher，inquicksuccession。
Sheheardthemdistinctlyinthetensionofhervividconsciousness。Andhesleptasiftimewereonemoment，unchangingandunmoving。
Shewasexhausted，wearied。Yetshemustcontinueinthisstateofviolentactivesuperconsciousness。Shewasconsciousofeverything——herchildhood，hergirlhood，alltheforgottenincidents，alltheunrealisedinfluencesandallthehappeningsshehadnotunderstood，pertainingtoherself，toherfamily，toherfriends，herlovers，heracquaintances，everybody。Itwasasifshedrewaglitteringropeofknowledgeoutoftheseaofdarkness，drewanddrewanddrewitoutofthefathomlessdepthsofthepast，andstillitdidnotcometoanend，therewasnoendtoit，shemusthaulandhaulattheropeofglitteringconsciousness，pullitoutphosphorescentfromtheendlessdepthsoftheunconsciousness，tillshewasweary，aching，exhausted，andfittobreak，andyetshehadnotdone。
Ah，ifonlyshemightwakehim！Sheturneduneasily。Whencouldsherousehimandsendhimaway？Whencouldshedisturbhim？Andsherelapsedintoheractivityofautomaticconsciousness，thatwouldneverend。
Butthetimewasdrawingnearwhenshecouldwakehim。Itwaslikearelease。Theclockhadstruckfour，outsideinthenight。ThankGodthenighthadpassedalmostaway。Atfivehemustgo，andshewouldbereleased。
Thenshecouldrelaxandfillherownplace。Nowshewasdrivenupagainsthisperfectsleepingmotionlikeaknifewhite—hotonagrindstone。Therewassomethingmonstrousabouthim，abouthisjuxtapositionagainsther。
Thelasthourwasthelongest。Andyet，atlastitpassed。Herheartleaptwithrelief——yes，therewastheslow，strongstrokeofthechurchclock——atlast，afterthisnightofeternity。Shewaitedtocatcheachslow，fatalreverberation。`Three——four——five！\'There，itwasfinished。
Aweightrolledoffher。
Sheraisedherself，leanedoverhimtenderly，andkissedhim。Shewassadtowakehim。Afterafewmoments，shekissedhimagain。Buthedidnotstir。Thedarling，hewassodeepinsleep！Whatashametotakehimoutofit。Shelethimliealittlelonger。Buthemustgo——hemustreallygo。
Withfullover—tendernessshetookhisfacebetweenherhands，andkissedhiseyes。Theeyesopened，heremainedmotionless，lookingather。Herheartstoodstill。Tohideherfacefromhisdreadfulopenedeyes，inthedarkness，shebentdownandkissedhim，whispering:
`Youmustgo，mylove。\'
Butshewassickwithterror，sick。
Heputhisarmsroundher。Herheartsank。
`Butyoumustgo，mylove。It\'slate。\'
`Whattimeisit？\'hesaid。
Strange，hisman\'svoice。Shequivered。Itwasanintolerableoppressiontoher。
`Pastfiveo\'clock，\'shesaid。
Butheonlyclosedhisarmsroundheragain。Herheartcriedwithinherintorture。Shedisengagedherselffirmly。
`Youreallymustgo，\'shesaid。
`Notforaminute，\'hesaid。
Shelaystill，nestlingagainsthim，butunyielding。
`Notforaminute，\'herepeated，claspinghercloser。
`Yes，\'shesaid，unyielding，`I\'mafraidifyoustayanylonger。\'
Therewasacertaincoldnessinhervoicethatmadehimreleaseher，andshebrokeaway，roseandlitthecandle。Thatthenwastheend。
Hegotup。Hewaswarmandfulloflifeanddesire。Yethefeltalittlebitashamed，humiliated，puttingonhisclothesbeforeher，inthecandle—light。
Forhefeltrevealed，exposedtoher，atatimewhenshewasinsomewayagainsthim。Itwasallverydifficulttounderstand。Hedressedhimselfquickly，withoutcollarortie。Stillhefeltfullandcomplete，perfected。
Shethoughtithumiliatingtoseeamandressing:theridiculousshirt，theridiculoustrousersandbraces。Butagainanideasavedher。
`Itislikeaworkmangettinguptogotowork，\'thoughtGudrun。`AndIamlikeaworkman\'swife。\'Butanachelikenauseawasuponher:anauseaofhim。
Hepushedhiscollarandtieintohisovercoatpocket。Thenhesatdownandpulledonhisboots。Theyweresodden，aswerehissocksandtrouser—bottoms。
Buthehimselfwasquickandwarm。
`Perhapsyououghttohaveputyourbootsondownstairs，\'shesaid。
Atonce，withoutanswering，hepulledthemoffagain，andstoodholdingtheminhishand。Shehadthrustherfeetintoslippers，andflungalooseroberoundher。Shewasready。Shelookedathimashestoodwaiting，hisblackcoatbuttonedtothechin，hiscappulleddown，hisbootsinhishand。Andthepassionatealmosthatefulfascinationrevivedinherforamoment。Itwasnotexhausted。Hisfacewassowarm—looking，wide—eyedandfullofnewness，soperfect。Shefeltold，old。Shewenttohimheavily，tobekissed。Hekissedherquickly。Shewishedhiswarm，expressionlessbeautydidnotsofatallyputaspellonher，compelherandsubjugateher。Itwasaburdenuponher，thatsheresented，butcouldnotescape。
Yetwhenshelookedathisstraightman\'sbrows，andathisrathersmall，well—shapednose，andathisblue，indifferenteyes，sheknewherpassionforhimwasnotyetsatisfied，perhapsnevercouldbesatisfied。Onlynowshewasweary，withanachelikenausea。Shewantedhimgone。
Theywentdownstairsquickly。Itseemedtheymadeaprodigiousnoise。
Hefollowedheras，wrappedinhervividgreenwrap，sheprecededhimwiththelight。Shesufferedbadlywithfear，lestherpeopleshouldberoused。
Hehardlycared。Hedidnotcarenowwhoknew。Andshehatedthisinhim。
Onemustbecautious。Onemustpreserveoneself。
Sheledthewaytothekitchen。Itwasneatandtidy，asthewomanhadleftit。Helookedupattheclock——twentyminutespastfiveThenhesatdownonachairtoputonhisboots。Shewaited，watchinghiseverymovement。Shewantedittobeover，itwasagreatnervousstrainonher。
Hestoodup——sheunboltedthebackdoor，andlookedout。Acold，rawnight，notyetdawn，withapieceofamooninthevaguesky。Shewasgladsheneednotgoout。
`Good—byethen，\'hemurmured。
`I\'llcometothegate，\'shesaid。
Andagainshehurriedoninfront，towarnhimofthesteps。Andatthegate，oncemoreshestoodonthestepwhilsthestoodbelowher。
`Good—bye，\'shewhispered。
Hekissedherdutifully，andturnedaway。
Shesufferedtormentshearinghisfirmtreadgoingsodistinctlydowntheroad。Ah，theinsensitivenessofthatfirmtread！
Sheclosedthegate，andcreptquicklyandnoiselesslybacktobed。
Whenshewasinherroom，andthedoorclosed，andallsafe，shebreathedfreely，andagreatweightfelloffher。Shenestleddowninbed，inthegroovehisbodyhadmade，inthewarmthhehadleft。Andexcited，worn—out，yetstillsatisfied，shefellsoonintoadeep，heavysleep。
Geraldwalkedquicklythroughtherawdarknessofthecomingdawn。Hemetnobody。Hismindwasbeautifullystillandthoughtless，likeastillpool，andhisbodyfullandwarmandrich。HewentquicklyalongtowardsShortlands，inagratefulself—sufficiency。
WomenInLove:Chapter25CHAPTERXXVMarriageorNotTHEBRANGWENfamilywasgoingtomovefromBeldover。Itwasnecessarynowforthefathertobeintown。
Birkinhadtakenoutamarriagelicence，yetUrsuladeferredfromdaytoday。Shewouldnotfixanydefinitetime——shestillwavered。Hermonth\'snoticetoleavetheGrammarSchoolwasinitsthirdweek。Christmaswasnotfaroff。
GeraldwaitedfortheUrsula—Birkinmarriage。Itwassomethingcrucialtohim。
`Shallwemakeitadouble—barrelledaffair？\'hesaidtoBirkinoneday。
`Whoforthesecondshot？\'askedBirkin。
`Gudrunandme，\'saidGerald，theventuresometwinkleinhiseyes。
Birkinlookedathimsteadily，asifsomewhattakenaback。
`Serious——orjoking？\'heasked。
`Oh，serious。ShallI？ShallGudrunandIrushinalongwithyou？\'
`Dobyallmeans，\'saidBirkin。`Ididn\'tknowyou\'dgotthatlength。\'
`Whatlength？\'saidGerald，lookingattheotherman，andlaughing。
`Ohyes，we\'vegoneallthelengths。\'
`Thereremainstoputitonabroadsocialbasis，andtoachieveahighmoralpurpose，\'saidBirkin。
`Somethinglikethat:thelengthandbreadthandheightofit，\'repliedGerald，smiling。
`Ohwell，\'saidBirkin，\'it\'saveryadmirablesteptotake，Ishouldsay。\'
Geraldlookedathimclosely。
`Whyaren\'tyouenthusiastic？\'heasked。`Ithoughtyouweresuchdeadnutsonmarriage。\'
Birkinliftedhisshoulders。
`Onemightaswellbedeadnutsonnoses。Thereareallsortsofnoses，snubandotherwise——\'
Geraldlaughed。
`Andallsortsofmarriage，alsosnubandotherwise？\'hesaid。
`That\'sit。\'
`AndyouthinkifImarry，itwillbesnub？\'askedGeraldquizzically，hisheadalittleononeside。
Birkinlaughedquickly。
`HowdoIknowwhatitwillbe！\'hesaid。`Don\'tlambastemewithmyownparallels——\'
Geraldponderedawhile。
`ButIshouldliketoknowyouropinion，exactly，\'hesaid。
`Onyourmarriage？——ormarrying？Whyshouldyouwantmyopinion？I\'vegotnoopinions。I\'mnotinterestedinlegalmarriage，onewayoranother。
It\'samerequestionofconvenience。\'
StillGeraldwatchedhimclosely。
`Morethanthat，Ithink，\'hesaidseriously。`Howeveryoumaybeboredbytheethicsofmarriage，yetreallytomarry，inone\'sownpersonalcase，issomethingcritical，final——\'
`Youmeanthereissomethingfinalingoingtotheregistrarwithawoman？\'
`Ifyou\'recomingbackwithher，Ido，\'saidGerald。`Itisinsomewayirrevocable。\'
`Yes，Iagree，\'saidBirkin。
`Nomatterhowoneregardslegalmarriage，yettoenterintothemarriedstate，inone\'sownpersonalinstance，isfinal——\'
`Ibelieveitis，\'saidBirkin，`somewhere。\'
`Thequestionremainsthen，shouldonedoit，\'saidGerald。
Birkinwatchedhimnarrowly，withamusedeyes。
`YouarelikeLordBacon，Gerald，\'hesaid。`Youargueitlikealawyer——orlikeHamlet\'sto—be—or—not—to—be。IfIwereyouIwouldnotmarry:butaskGudrun，notme。You\'renotmarryingme，areyou？\'
Geralddidnotheedthelatterpartofthisspeech。
`Yes，\'hesaid，`onemustconsideritcoldly。Itissomethingcritical。
Onecomestothepointwhereonemusttakeastepinonedirectionoranother。
Andmarriageisonedirection——\'
`Andwhatistheother？\'askedBirkinquickly。
Geraldlookedupathimwithhot，strangely—consciouseyes，thattheothermancouldnotunderstand。
`Ican\'tsay，\'hereplied。`IfIknewthat——\'Hemoveduneasilyonhisfeet，anddidnotfinish。
`Youmeanifyouknewthealternative？\'askedBirkin。`Andsinceyoudon\'tknowit，marriageisapisaller。\'
GeraldlookedupatBirkinwiththesamehot，constrainedeyes。
`Onedoeshavethefeelingthatmarriageisapisaller，\'headmitted。
`Thendon\'tdoit，\'saidBirkin。`Itellyou，\'hewenton，`thesameasI\'vesaidbefore，marriageintheoldsenseseemstomerepulsive。Egoismeadeuxisnothingtoit。It\'sasortoftacithuntingincouples:theworldallincouples，eachcoupleinitsownlittlehouse，watchingitsownlittleinterests，andstewinginitsownlittleprivacy——it\'sthemostrepulsivethingonearth。\'
`Iquiteagree，\'saidGerald。`There\'ssomethinginferioraboutit。
ButasIsay，what\'sthealternative。\'
`Oneshouldavoidthishomeinstinct。It\'snotaninstinct，it\'sahabitofcowardliness。Oneshouldneverhaveahome。\'
`Iagreereally，\'saidGerald。`Butthere\'snoalternative。\'
`We\'vegottofindone。Idobelieveinapermanentunionbetweenamanandawoman。Choppingaboutismerelyanexhaustiveprocess。Butapermanentrelationbetweenamanandawomanisn\'tthelastword——itcertainlyisn\'t。\'
`Quite，\'saidGerald。
`Infact，\'saidBirkin，`becausetherelationbetweenmanandwomanismadethesupremeandexclusiverelationship，that\'swhereallthetightnessandmeannessandinsufficiencycomesin。\'
`Yes，Ibelieveyou，\'saidGerald。
`You\'vegottotakedownthelove—and—marriageidealfromitspedestal。
Wewantsomethingbroader。Ibelieveintheadditionalperfectrelationshipbetweenmanandman——additionaltomarriage。\'
`Icanneverseehowtheycanbethesame，\'saidGerald。
`Notthesame——butequallyimportant，equallycreative，equallysacred，ifyoulike。\'
`Iknow，\'saidGerald，`youbelievesomethinglikethat。OnlyIcan\'tfeelit，yousee。\'HeputhishandonBirkin\'sarm，withasortofdeprecatingaffection。Andhesmiledasiftriumphantly。
Hewasreadytobedoomed。Marriagewaslikeadoomtohim。Hewaswillingtocondemnhimselfinmarriage，tobecomelikeaconvictcondemnedtotheminesoftheunderworld，livingnolifeinthesun，buthavingadreadfulsubterraneanactivity。Hewaswillingtoacceptthis。Andmarriagewasthesealofhiscondemnation。Hewaswillingtobesealedthusintheunderworld，likeasouldamnedbutlivingforeverindamnation。Buthewouldnotmakeanypurerelationshipwithanyothersoul。Hecouldnot。MarriagewasnotthecommittingofhimselfintoarelationshipwithGudrun。Itwasacommittingofhimselfinacceptanceoftheestablishedworld，hewouldaccepttheestablishedorder，inwhichhedidnotlivinglybelieve，andthenhewouldretreattotheunderworldforhislife。Thishewoulddo。
TheotherwaywastoacceptRupert\'sofferofalliance，toenterintothebondofpuretrustandlovewiththeotherman，andthensubsequentlywiththewoman。Ifhepledgedhimselfwiththemanhewouldlaterbeabletopledgehimselfwiththewoman:notmerelyinlegalmarriage，butinabsolute，mysticmarriage。
Yethecouldnotaccepttheoffer。Therewasanumbnessuponhim，anumbnesseitherofunborn，absentvolition，orofatrophy。Perhapsitwastheabsenceofvolition。ForhewasstrangelyelatedatRupert\'soffer。
Yethewasstillmoregladtorejectit，nottobecommitted。
WomenInLove:Chapter26CHAPTERXXVIAChairTHEREWASajumblemarketeveryMondayafternoonintheoldmarket—placeintown。UrsulaandBirkinstrayeddownthereoneafternoon。Theyhadbeentalkingoffurniture，andtheywantedtoseeiftherewasanyfragmenttheywouldliketobuy，amidtheheapsofrubbishcollectedonthecobble—stones。
Theoldmarket—squarewasnotverylarge，amerebarepatchofgranitesetts，usuallywithafewfruit—stallsunderawall。Itwasinapoorquarterofthetown。Meagrehousesstooddownoneside，therewasahosieryfactory，agreatblankwithmyriadoblongwindows，attheend，astreetoflittleshopswithflagstonepavementdowntheotherside，and，foracrowningmonument，thepublicbaths，ofnewredbrick，withaclock—tower。Thepeoplewhomovedaboutseemedstumpyandsordid，theairseemedtosmellratherdirty，therewasasenseofmanymeanstreetsramifyingoffintowarrensofmeanness。Nowandagainagreatchocolate—and—yellowtramcargroundroundadifficultbendunderthehosieryfactory。
Ursulawassuperficiallythrilledwhenshefoundherselfoutamongthecommonpeople，inthejumbledplacepiledwitholdbedding，heapsofoldiron，shabbycrockeryinpalelots，muffledlotsofunthinkableclothing。
SheandBirkinwentunwillinglydownthenarrowaislebetweentherustywares。Hewaslookingatthegoods，sheatthepeople。
Sheexcitedlywatchedayoungwoman，whowasgoingtohaveababy，andwhowasturningoveramattressandmakingayoungman，down—at—heelanddejected，feelitalso。Sosecretiveandactiveandanxioustheyoungwomanseemed，soreluctant，slinking，theyoungman。Hewasgoingtomarryherbecauseshewashavingachild。
Whentheyhadfeltthemattress，theyoungwomanaskedtheoldmanseatedonastoolamonghiswares，howmuchitwas。Hetoldher，andsheturnedtotheyoungman。Thelatterwasashamed，andselfconscious。Heturnedhisfaceaway，thoughhelefthisbodystandingthere，andmutteredaside。
Andagainthewomananxiouslyandactivelyfingeredthemattressandaddedupinhermindandbargainedwiththeold，uncleanman。Allthewhile，theyoungmanstoodby，shamefacedanddown—at—heel，submitting。
`Look，\'saidBirkin，`thereisaprettychair。\'
`Charming！\'criedUrsula。`Oh，charming。\'
Itwasanarm—chairofsimplewood，probablybirch，butofsuchfinedelicacyofgrace，standingthereonthesordidstones，italmostbroughttearstotheeyes。Itwassquareinshape，ofthepurest，slenderlines，andfourshortlinesofwoodintheback，thatremindedUrsulaofharpstrings。
`Itwasonce，\'saidBirkin，`gilded——andithadacaneseat。Somebodyhasnailedthiswoodenseatin。Look，hereisatrifleoftheredthatunderlaythegilt。Therestisallblack，exceptwherethewoodiswornpureandglossy。Itisthefineunityofthelinesthatissoattractive。
Look，howtheyrunandmeetandcounteract。Butofcoursethewoodenseatiswrong——itdestroystheperfectlightnessandunityintensionthecanegave。Ilikeitthough——\'
`Ahyes，\'saidUrsula，`sodoI。\'
`Howmuchisit？\'Birkinaskedtheman。
`Tenshillings。\'
`Andyouwillsendit——？\'
Itwasbought。
`Sobeautiful，sopure！\'Birkinsaid。`Italmostbreaksmyheart。\'Theywalkedalongbetweentheheapsofrubbish。`Mybelovedcountry——ithadsomethingtoexpressevenwhenitmadethatchair。\'
