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。