`What'sthematter？'hesaidagain，whenshewasquieter。Butsheonlypressedherfacefurtherintohisshoulder，inpain，likeachildthatcannottell。
　　`Whatisit，then？'heasked。Suddenlyshebrokeaway，wipedhereyes，regainedhercomposure，andwentandsatinachair。
　　`Fatherhitme，'sheannounced，sittingbunchedup，ratherlikearuffledbird，hereyesverybright。
　　`Whatfor？'hesaid。
　　Shelookedaway，andwouldnotanswer。Therewasapitifulrednessabouthersensitivenostrils，andherquiveringlips。
　　`Why？'herepeated，inhisstrange，soft，penetratingvoice。
　　Shelookedroundathim，ratherdefiantly。
　　`BecauseIsaidIwasgoingtobemarriedtomorrow，andhebulliedme。'
　　`Whydidhebullyyou？'
　　Hermouthdroppedagain，sherememberedthesceneoncemore，thetearscameup。
　　`BecauseIsaidhedidn'tcare——andhedoesn't，it'sonlyhisdomineeringnessthat'shurt——'shesaid，hermouthpulledawrybyherweeping，allthetimeshespoke，sothathealmostsmiled，itseemedsochildish。Yetitwasnotchildish，itwasamortalconflict，adeepwound。
　　`Itisn'tquitetrue，'hesaid。`Andevenso，youshouldn'tsayit。'
　　`Itistrue——itistrue，'shewept，`andIwon'tbebulliedbyhispretendingit'slove——whenitisn't——hedoesn'tcare，howcanhe——no，hecan't——'
　　Hesatinsilence。Shemovedhimbeyondhimself。
　　`Thenyoushouldn'trousehim，ifhecan't，'repliedBirkinquietly。
　　`AndIhavelovedhim，Ihave，'shewept。`I'velovedhimalways，andhe'salwaysdonethistome，hehas——'
　　`It'sbeenaloveofopposition，then，'hesaid。`Nevermind——itwillbeallright。It'snothingdesperate。'
　　`Yes，'shewept，`itis，itis。'
　　`Why？'
　　`Ishallneverseehimagain——'
　　`Notimmediately。Don'tcry，youhadtobreakwithhim，ithadtobe——don'tcry。'
　　Hewentovertoherandkissedherfine，fragilehair，touchingherwetcheeksgently。
　　`Don'tcry，'herepeated，`don'tcryanymore。'
　　Heheldherheadcloseagainsthim，verycloseandquiet。
　　Atlastshewasstill。Thenshelookedup，hereyeswideandfrightened。
　　`don'tyouwantme？'sheasked。
　　`Wantyou？'Hisdarkened，steadyeyespuzzledheranddidnotgiveherplay。
　　`DoyouwishIhadn'tcome？'sheasked，anxiousnowagainforfearshemightbeoutofplace。
　　`No，'hesaid。`Iwishtherehadn'tbeentheviolence——somuchugliness——butperhapsitwasinevitable。'
　　Shewatchedhiminsilence。Heseemeddeadened。
　　`ButwhereshallIstay？'sheasked，feelinghumiliated。
　　Hethoughtforamoment。
　　`Here，withme，'hesaid。`We'remarriedasmuchtodayasweshallbetomorrow。'
　　`But——'
　　`I'lltellMrsVarley，'hesaid。`Nevermindnow。'
　　Hesatlookingather。Shecouldfeelhisdarkenedsteadyeyeslookingatherallthetime。Itmadeheralittlebitfrightened。Shepushedherhairoffherforeheadnervously。
　　`DoIlookugly？'shesaid。
　　Andsheblewhernoseagain。
　　Asmallsmilecameroundhiseyes。
　　`No，'hesaid，`fortunately。'
　　Andhewentacrosstoher，andgatheredherlikeabelonginginhisarms。Shewassotenderlybeautiful，hecouldnotbeartoseeher，hecouldonlybeartohideheragainsthimself。Now;washedallcleanbyhertears，shewasnewandfraillikeaflowerjustunfolded，aflowersonew，sotender，somadeperfectbyinnerlight，thathecouldnotbeartolookather，hemusthideheragainsthimself，coverhiseyesagainsther。Shehadtheperfectcandourofcreation，somethingtranslucentandsimple，likearadiant，shiningflowerthatmomentunfoldedinprimalblessedness。
　　Shewassonew，sowonder—clear，soundimmed。Andhewassoold，sosteepedinheavymemories。Hersoulwasnew，undefinedandglimmeringwiththeunseen。Andhissoulwasdarkandgloomy，ithadonlyonegrainoflivinghope，likeagrainofmustardseed。Butthisonelivinggraininhimmatchedtheperfectyouthinher。
　　`Iloveyou，'hewhisperedashekissedher，andtrembledwithpurehope，likeamanwhoisbornagaintoawonderful，livelyhopefarexceedingtheboundsofdeath。
　　Shecouldnotknowhowmuchitmeanttohim，howmuchhemeantbythefewwords。Almostchildish，shewantedproof，andstatement，evenover—statement，foreverythingseemedstilluncertain，unfixedtoher。
　　Butthepassionofgratitudewithwhichhereceivedherintohissoul，theextreme，unthinkablegladnessofknowinghimselflivingandfittounitewithher，he，whowassonearlydead，whowassoneartobeinggonewiththerestofhisracedowntheslopeofmechanicaldeath，couldneverbeunderstoodbyher。Heworshippedherasageworshipsyouth，hegloriedinher，because，inhisonegrainoffaith，hewasyoungasshe，hewasherpropermate。Thismarriagewithherwashisresurrectionandhislife。
　　Allthisshecouldnotknow。Shewantedtobemademuchof，tobeadored。
　　Therewereinfinitedistancesofsilencebetweenthem。Howcouldhetellheroftheimmanenceofherbeauty，thatwasnotform，orweight，orcolour，butsomethinglikeastrange，goldenlight！Howcouldheknowhimselfwhatherbeautylayin，forhim。Hesaid`Yournoseisbeautiful，yourchinisadorable。'Butitsoundedlikelies，andshewasdisappointed，hurt。
　　Evenwhenhesaid，whisperingwithtruth，`Iloveyou，Iloveyou，'itwasnottherealtruth。Itwassomethingbeyondlove，suchagladnessofhavingsurpassedoneself，ofhavingtranscendedtheoldexistence。Howcouldhesay"I"whenhewassomethingnewandunknown，nothimselfatall？ThisI，thisoldformulaoftheage，wasadeadletter。
　　Inthenew，superfinebliss，apeacesupersedingknowledge，therewasnoIandyou，therewasonlythethird，unrealisedwonder，thewonderofexistingnotasoneself，butinaconsummationofmybeingandofherbeinginanewone，anew，paradisalunitregainedfromtheduality。NorcanIsay`Iloveyou，'whenIhaveceasedtobe，andyouhaveceasedtobe:
　　wearebothcaughtupandtranscendedintoanewonenesswhereeverythingissilent，becausethereisnothingtoanswer，allisperfectandatone。
　　Speechtravelsbetweentheseparateparts。ButintheperfectOnethereisperfectsilenceofbliss。
　　Theyweremarriedbylawonthenextday，andshedidashebadeher，shewrotetoherfatherandmother。Hermotherreplied，notherfather。
　　Shedidnotgobacktoschool。ShestayedwithBirkininhisrooms，orattheMill，movingwithhimashemoved。Butshedidnotseeanybody，saveGudrunandGerald。Shewasallstrangeandwonderingasyet，butrelievedasbydawn。
　　GeraldsattalkingtoheroneafternooninthewarmstudydownattheMill。Ruperthadnotyetcomehome。
　　`Youarehappy？'Geraldaskedher，withasmile。
　　`Veryhappy！'shecried，shrinkingalittleinherbrightness。
　　`Yes，onecanseeit。'
　　`Canone？'criedUrsulainsurprise。
　　Helookedupatherwithacommunicativesmile。
　　`Ohyes，plainly。'
　　Shewaspleased。Shemeditatedamoment。
　　`AndcanyouseethatRupertishappyaswell？'
　　Heloweredhiseyelids，andlookedaside。
　　`Ohyes，'hesaid。
　　`Really！'
　　`Ohyes。'
　　Hewasveryquiet，asifitweresomethingnottobetalkedaboutbyhim。Heseemedsad。
　　Shewasverysensitivetosuggestion。Sheaskedthequestionhewantedhertoask。
　　`Whydon'tyoubehappyaswell？'shesaid。`Youcouldbejustthesame。'
　　Hepausedamoment。
　　`WithGudrun？'heasked。
　　`Yes！'shecried，hereyesglowing。Buttherewasastrangetension，anemphasis，asiftheywereassertingtheirwishes，againstthetruth。
　　`YouthinkGudrunwouldhaveme，andweshouldbehappy？'hesaid。
　　`Yes，I'msure！'shecried。
　　Hereyeswereroundwithdelight。Yetunderneathshewasconstrained，sheknewherowninsistence。
　　`Oh，I'msoglad，'sheadded。
　　Hesmiled。
　　`Whatmakesyouglad？'hesaid。
　　`Forhersake，'shereplied。`I'msureyou'd——you'retherightmanforher。'
　　`Youare？'hesaid。`Anddoyouthinkshewouldagreewithyou？'
　　`Ohyes！'sheexclaimedhastily。Then，uponreconsideration，veryuneasy:
　　`ThoughGudrunisn'tsoverysimple，isshe？Onedoesn'tknowherinfiveminutes，doesone？She'snotlikemeinthat。'Shelaughedathimwithherstrange，open，dazzledface。
　　`Youthinkshe'snotmuchlikeyou？'Geraldasked。
　　Sheknittedherbrows。
　　`Oh，inmanywayssheis。ButIneverknowwhatshewilldowhenanythingnewcomes。'
　　`Youdon't？'saidGerald。Hewassilentforsomemoments。Thenhemovedtentatively。`Iwasgoingtoaskher，inanycase，togoawaywithmeatChristmas，'hesaid，inaverysmall，cautiousvoice。
　　`Goawaywithyou？Foratime，youmean？'
　　`Aslongasshelikes，'hesaid，withadeprecatingmovement。
　　Theywerebothsilentforsomeminutes。
　　`Ofcourse，'saidUrsulaatlast，`shemightjustbewillingtorushintomarriage。Youcansee。'
　　`Yes，'smiledGerald。`Icansee。Butincaseshewon't——doyouthinkshewouldgoabroadwithmeforafewdays——orforafortnight？'
　　`Ohyes，'saidUrsula。`I'daskher。'
　　`Doyouthinkwemightallgotogether？'
　　`Allofus？'AgainUrsula'sfacelightedup。`Itwouldberatherfun，don'tyouthink？'
　　`Greatfun，'hesaid。
　　`Andthenyoucouldsee，'saidUrsula。
　　`What？'
　　`Howthingswent。Ithinkitisbesttotakethehoneymoonbeforethewedding——don'tyou？'
　　Shewaspleasedwiththismot。Helaughed。
　　`Incertaincases，'hesaid。`I'dratheritweresoinmyowncase。'
　　`Wouldyou！'exclaimedUrsula。Thendoubtingly，`Yes，perhapsyou'reright。Oneshouldpleaseoneself。'
　　Birkincameinalittlelater，andUrsulatoldhimwhathadbeensaid。
　　`Gudrun！'exclaimedBirkin。`She'sabornmistress，justasGeraldisabornlover——amantentitre。Ifassomebodysaysallwomenareeitherwivesormistresses，thenGudrunisamistress。'
　　`Andallmeneitherloversorhusbands，'criedUrsula。`Butwhynotboth？'
　　`Theoneexcludestheother，'helaughed。
　　`ThenIwantalover，'criedUrsula。
　　`Noyoudon't，'hesaid。
　　`ButIdo，'shewailed。
　　Hekissedher，andlaughed。
　　ItwastwodaysafterthisthatUrsulawastogotofetchherthingsfromthehouseinBeldover。Theremovalhadtakenplace，thefamilyhadgone。GudrunhadroomsinWilleyGreen。
　　Ursulahadnotseenherparentssincehermarriage。Sheweptovertherupture，yetwhatwasthegoodofmakingitup！Goodornotgood，shecouldnotgotothem。SoherthingshadbeenleftbehindandsheandGudrunweretowalkoverforthem，intheafternoon。
　　Itwasawintryafternoon，withredinthesky，whentheyarrivedatthehouse。Thewindowsweredarkandblank，alreadytheplacewasfrightening。
　　Astark，voidentrance—hallstruckachilltotheheartsofthegirls。
　　`Idon'tbelieveIdarehavecomeinalone，'saidUrsula。`Itfrightensme。'
　　`Ursula！'criedGudrun。`Isn'titamazing！Canyoubelieveyoulivedinthisplaceandneverfeltit？HowIlivedhereadaywithoutdyingofterror，Icannotconceive！'
　　Theylookedinthebigdining—room。Itwasagood—sizedroom，butnowacellwouldhavebeenlovelier。Thelargebaywindowswerenaked，thefloorwasstripped，andaborderofdarkpolishwentroundthetractofpaleboarding。
　　Inthefadedwallpaperweredarkpatcheswherefurniturehadstood，wherepictureshadhung。Thesenseofwalls，dry，thin，flimsy—seemingwalls，andaflimsyflooring，palewithitsartificialblackedges，wasneutralisingtothemind。Everythingwasnulltothesenses，therewasenclosurewithoutsubstance，forthewallsweredryandpapery。Whereweretheystanding，onearth，orsuspendedinsomecardboardbox？Inthehearthwasburntpaper，andscrapsofhalf—burntpaper。
　　`Imaginethatwepassedourdayshere！'saidUrsula。
　　`Iknow，'criedGudrun。`Itistooappalling。Whatmustwebelike，ifwearethecontentsofthis！'
　　`Vile！'saidUrsula。`Itreallyis。'
　　Andsherecognisedhalf—burntcoversof`Vogue'——half—burntrepresentationsofwomeningowns——lyingunderthegrate。
　　Theywenttothedrawing—room。Anotherpieceofshut—inair;withoutweightorsubstance，onlyasenseofintolerablepaperyimprisonmentinnothingness。Thekitchendidlookmoresubstantial，becauseofthered—tiledfloorandthestove，butitwascoldandhorrid。
　　Thetwogirlstrampedhollowlyupthebarestairs。Everysoundreechoedundertheirhearts。Theytrampeddownthebarecorridor。AgainstthewallofUrsula'sbedroomwereherthings——atrunk，awork—basket，somebooks，loosecoats，ahat—box，standingdesolateintheuniversalemptinessofthedusk。
　　`Acheerfulsight，aren'tthey？'saidUrsula，lookingdownatherforsakenpossessions。
　　`Verycheerful，'saidGudrun。
　　Thetwogirlssetto，carryingeverythingdowntothefrontdoor。Againandagaintheymadethehollow，re—echoingtransit。Thewholeplaceseemedtoresoundaboutthemwithanoiseofhollow，emptyfutility。Inthedistancetheempty，invisibleroomssentforthavibrationalmostofobscenity。
　　Theyalmostfledwiththelastarticles，intotheout—of—door。
　　Butitwascold。TheywerewaitingforBirkin，whowascomingwiththecar。Theywentindoorsagain，andupstairstotheirparents'frontbedroom，whosewindowslookeddownontheroad，andacrossthecountryattheblack—barredsunset，blackandredbarred，withoutlight。
　　Theysatdowninthewindow—seat，towait。Bothgirlswerelookingovertheroom。Itwasvoid，withameaninglessnessthatwasalmostdreadful。
　　`Really，'saidUrsula，`thisroomcouldn'tbesacred，couldit？'
　　Gudrunlookedoveritwithsloweyes。
　　`Impossible，'shereplied。
　　`WhenIthinkoftheirlives——father'sandmother's，theirlove，andtheirmarriage，andallofuschildren，andourbringing—up——wouldyouhavesuchalife，Prune？'
　　`Iwouldn't，Ursula。'
　　`Itallseemssonothing——theirtwolives——there'snomeaninginit。Really，iftheyhadnotmet，andnotmarried，andnotlivedtogether——itwouldn'thavemattered，wouldit？'
　　`Ofcourse——youcan'ttell，'saidGudrun。
　　`No。ButifIthoughtmylifewasgoingtobelikeit——Prune，'shecaughtGudrun'sarm，`Ishouldrun。'
　　Gudrunwassilentforafewmoments。
　　`Asamatteroffact，onecannotcontemplatetheordinarylife——onecannotcontemplateit，'repliedGudrun。`Withyou，Ursula，itisquitedifferent。Youwillbeoutofitall，withBirkin。He'saspecialcase。
　　Butwiththeordinaryman，whohashislifefixedinoneplace，marriageisjustimpossible。Theremaybe，andthereare，thousandsofwomenwhowantit，andcouldconceiveofnothingelse。Buttheverythoughtofitsendsmemad。Onemustbefree，aboveall，onemustbefree。
　　Onemayforfeiteverythingelse，butonemustbefree——onemustnotbecome7，PinchbeckStreet——orSomersetDrive——orShortlands。Nomanwillbesufficienttomakethatgood——noman！Tomarry，onemusthaveafreelance，ornothing，acomrade—in—arms，aGlckstritter。Amanwithapositioninthesocialworld——well，itisjustimpossible，impossible！'
　　`Whatalovelyword——aGlckstritter！'saidUrsula。`Somuchnicerthanasoldieroffortune。'
　　`Yes，isn'tit？'saidGudrun。`I'dtilttheworldwithaGlcksritter。
　　Butahome，anestablishment！Ursula，whatwoulditmean？——think！'
　　`Iknow，'saidUrsula。`We'vehadonehome——that'senoughforme。'
　　`Quiteenough，'saidGudrun。
　　`Thelittlegreyhomeinthewest，'quotedUrsulaironically。
　　`Doesn'titsoundgrey，too，'saidGudrungrimly。
　　Theywereinterruptedbythesoundofthecar。TherewasBirkin。Ursulawassurprisedthatshefeltsolitup，thatshebecamesuddenlysofreefromtheproblemsofgreyhomesinthewest。
　　Theyheardhisheelsclickonthehallpavementbelow。
　　`Hello！'hecalled，hisvoiceechoingalivethroughthehouse。Ursulasmiledtoherself。Hewasfrightenedoftheplacetoo。
　　`Hello！Hereweare，'shecalleddownstairs。Andtheyheardhimquicklyrunningup。
　　`Thisisaghostlysituation，'hesaid。
　　`Thesehousesdon'thaveghosts——they'veneverhadanypersonality，andonlyaplacewithpersonalitycanhaveaghost，'saidGudrun。
　　`Isupposeso。Areyoubothweepingoverthepast？'
　　`Weare，'saidGudrun，grimly。
　　Ursulalaughed。
　　`Notweepingthatit'sgone，butweepingthatiteverwas，'shesaid。
　　`Oh，'hereplied，relieved。
　　Hesatdownforamoment。Therewassomethinginhispresence，Ursulathought，lambentandalive。Itmadeeventheimpertinentstructureofthisnullhousedisappear。
　　`Gudrunsaysshecouldnotbeartobemarriedandputintoahouse，'
　　saidUrsulameaningful——theyknewthisreferredtoGerald。
　　Hewassilentforsomemoments。
　　`Well，'hesaid，`ifyouknowbeforehandyoucouldn'tstandit，you'resafe。'
　　`Quite！'saidGudrun。
　　`Whydoeseverywomanthinkheraiminlifeistohaveahubbyandalittlegreyhomeinthewest？Whyisthisthegoaloflife？Whyshoulditbe？'saidUrsula。
　　`Ilfautavoirlerespectdesesbtises，'saidBirkin。
　　`Butyouneedn'thavetherespectforthebetisebeforeyou'vecommittedit，'laughedUrsula。
　　`Ahthen，desbetisesdupapa？'
　　`Etdelamaman，'addedGudrunsatirically。
　　`Etdesvoisins，'saidUrsula。
　　Theyalllaughed，androse。Itwasgettingdark。Theycarriedthethingstothecar。Gudrunlockedthedooroftheemptyhouse。Birkinhadlightedthelampsoftheautomobile。Itallseemedveryhappy，asiftheyweresettingout。
　　`DoyoumindstoppingatCoulsons。Ihavetoleavethekeythere，'saidGudrun。
　　`Right，'saidBirkin，andtheymovedoff。
　　Theystoppedinthemainstreet。Theshopswerejustlighted，thelastminerswerepassinghomealongthecauseways，half—visibleshadowsintheirgreypit—dirt，movingthroughtheblueair。Buttheirfeetrangharshlyinmanifoldsound，alongthepavement。
　　HowpleasedGudrunwastocomeoutoftheshop，andenterthecar，andbeborneswiftlyawayintothedownhillofpalpabledusk，withUrsulaandBirkin！Whatanadventurelifeseemedatthismoment！Howdeeply，howsuddenlysheenviedUrsula！Lifeforherwassoquick，andanopendoor——sorecklessasifnotonlythisworld，buttheworldthatwasgoneandtheworldtocomewerenothingtoher。Ah，ifshecouldbejustlikethat，itwouldbeperfect。
　　Foralways，exceptinhermomentsofexcitement，shefeltawantwithinherself。Shewasunsure。Shehadfeltthatnow，atlast，inGerald'sstrongandviolentlove，shewaslivingfullyandfinally。ButwhenshecomparedherselfwithUrsula，alreadyhersoulwasjealous，unsatisfied。Shewasnotsatisfied——shewasnevertobesatisfied。
　　Whatwassheshortofnow？Itwasmarriage——itwasthewonderfulstabilityofmarriage。Shedidwantit，lethersaywhatshemight。Shehadbeenlying。Theoldideaofmarriagewasrightevennow——marriageandthehome。Yethermouthgavealittlegrimaceatthewords。ShethoughtofGeraldandShortlands——marriageandthehome！Ahwell，letitrest！Hemeantagreatdealtoher——but——！Perhapsitwasnotinhertomarry。
　　Shewasoneoflife'soutcasts，oneofthedriftinglivesthathavenoroot。No，noitcouldnotbeso。Shesuddenlyconjureduparosyroom，withherselfinabeautifulgown，andahandsomemanineveningdresswhoheldherinhisarmsinthefirelight，andkissedher。Thispicturesheentitled`Home。'ItwouldhavedonefortheRoyalAcademy。
　　`Comewithustotea——do，'saidUrsula，astheyrannearertothecottageofWilleyGreen。
　　`Thanksawfully——butImustgoin——'saidGudrun。ShewantedverymuchtogoonwithUrsulaandBirkin。
　　Thatseemedlikelifeindeedtoher。Yetacertainperversitywouldnotlether。
　　`Docome——yes，itwouldbesonice，'pleadedUrsula。
　　`I'mawfullysorry——Ishouldloveto——butIcan't——really——'
　　Shedescendedfromthecarintremblinghaste。
　　`Can'tyoureally！'cameUrsula'sregretfulvoice。
　　`No，reallyIcan't，'respondedGudrun'spathetic，chagrinedwordsoutofthedusk。
　　`Allright，areyou？'calledBirkin。
　　`Quite！'saidGudrun。`Good—night！'
　　`Good—night，'theycalled。
　　`Comewheneveryoulike，weshallbeglad，'calledBirkin。
　　`Thankyouverymuch，'calledGudrun，inthestrange，twangingvoiceoflonelychagrinthatwasverypuzzlingtohim。Sheturnedawaytohercottagegate，andtheydroveon。Butimmediatelyshestoodtowatchthem，asthecarranvagueintothedistance。Andasshewentupthepathtoherstrangehouse，herheartwasfullofincomprehensiblebitterness。
　　Inherparlourwasalong—caseclock，andinsertedintoitsdialwasaruddy，round，slant—eyed，joyous—paintedface，thatwaggedoverwiththemostridiculousoglewhentheclockticked，andbackagainwiththesameabsurdglad—eyeatthenexttick。Allthetimetheabsurdsmooth，brown—ruddyfacegaveheranobtrusive`glad—eye。'Shestoodforminutes，watchingit，tillasortofmaddeneddisgustovercameher，andshelaughedatherselfhollowly。Andstillitrocked，andgavehertheglad—eyefromoneside，thenfromtheother，fromoneside，thenfromtheother。Ah，howunhappyshewas！Inthemidstofhermostactivehappiness，ah，howunhappyshewas！Sheglancedatthetable。Gooseberryjam，andthesamehome—madecakewithtoomuchsodainit！Still，gooseberryjamwasgood，andonesorarelygotit。
　　AlltheeveningshewantedtogototheMill。Butshecoldlyrefusedtoallowherself。Shewentthenextafternooninstead。ShewashappytofindUrsulaalone。Itwasalovely，intimatesecludedatmosphere。Theytalkedendlesslyanddelightedly。`Aren'tyoufearfullyhappyhere？'
　　saidGudruntohersisterglancingatherownbrighteyesinthemirror。
　　Shealwaysenvied，almostwithresentment，thestrangepositivefullnessthatsubsistedintheatmospherearoundUrsulaandBirkin。
　　Howreallybeautifullythisroomisdone，'shesaidaloud。`Thishardplaitedmatting——whatalovelycolouritis，thecolourofcoollight！'
　　Anditseemedtoherperfect。
　　`Ursula，'shesaidatlength，inavoiceofquestionanddetachment，`didyouknowthatGeraldCrichhadsuggestedourgoingawayalltogetheratChristmas？'
　　`Yes，he'sspokentoRupert。'
　　AdeepflushdyedGudrun'scheek。Shewassilentamoment，asiftakenaback，andnotknowingwhattosay。
　　`Butdon'tyouthing，'shesaidatlast，`itisamazinglycool！'
　　Ursulalaughed。
　　`Ilikehimforit，'shesaid。
　　Gudrunwassilent。Itwasevidentthat，whilstshewasalmostmortifiedbyGerald'stakingthelibertyofmakingsuchasuggestiontoBirkin，yettheideaitselfattractedherstrongly。
　　`There'sratherlovelysimplicityaboutGerald，Ithink，'saidUrsula，`sodefiant，somehow！Oh，Ithinkhe'sverylovable。'
　　Gudrundidnotreplyforsomemoments。Shehadstilltogetoverthefeelingofinsultatthelibertytakenwithherfreedom。
　　`WhatdidRupertsay——doyouknow？'sheasked。