`Youmustaskforchampagne，'camethewhispering，gentlemanlyvoiceoftheother。
　　Geraldsuddenlyrealisedthatthiswasahinttohim。
　　`Shallwehavechampagne？'heasked，laughing。
　　`Yesplease，dwy，'shelispedchildishly。
　　Geraldwatchedhereatingtheoysters。Shewasdelicateandfinickinginhereating，herfingerswerefineandseemedverysensitiveinthetips，sosheputherfoodapartwithfine，smallmotions，sheatecarefully，delicately。Itpleasedhimverymuchtoseeher，anditirritatedBirkin。
　　Theywerealldrinkingchampagne。Maxim，theprimyoungRussianwiththesmooth，warm—colouredfaceandblack，oiledhairwastheonlyonewhoseemedtobeperfectlycalmandsober。Birkinwaswhiteandabstract，unnatural，Geraldwassmilingwithaconstantbright，amused，coldlightinhiseyes，leaningalittleprotectivelytowardsthePussum，whowasveryhandsome，andsoft，unfoldedlikesomeredlotusindreadfulfloweringnakedness，vaingloriousnow，flushedwithwineandwiththeexcitementofmen。Hallidaylookedfoolish。Oneglassofwinewasenoughtomakehimdrunkandgiggling。
　　Yettherewasalwaysapleasant，warmnaiveteabouthim，thatmadehimattractive。
　　`I'mnotafwaidofanythingexceptblack—beetles，'saidthePussum，lookingupsuddenlyandstaringwithherblackeyes，onwhichthereseemedanunseeingfilmofflame，fullyuponGerald。Helaugheddangerously，fromtheblood。Herchildishspeechcaressedhisnerves，andherburning，filmedeyes，turnednowfulluponhim，obliviousofallherantecedents，gavehimasortoflicence。
　　`I'mnot，'sheprotested。`I'mnotafraidofotherthings。Butblack—beetles——ugh！'sheshudderedconvulsively，asiftheverythoughtweretoomuchtobear。
　　`Doyoumean，'saidGerald，withthepunctiliousnessofamanwhohasbeendrinking，`thatyouareafraidofthesightofablack—beetle，oryouareafraidofablack—beetlebitingyou，ordoingyousomeharm？'
　　`Dotheybite？'criedthegirl。
　　`Howperfectlyloathsome！'exclaimedHalliday。
　　`Idon'tknow，'repliedGerald，lookingroundthetable。`Doblack—beetlesbite？Butthatisn'tthepoint。Areyouafraidoftheirbiting，orisitametaphysicalantipathy？'
　　Thegirlwaslookingfulluponhimallthetimewithinchoateeyes。
　　`Oh，Ithinkthey'rebeastly，they'rehorrid，'shecried。`IfIseeone，itgivesmethecreepsallover。Ifoneweretocrawlonme，I'msureIshoulddie——I'msureIshould。'
　　`Ihopenot，'whisperedtheyoungRussian。
　　`I'msureIshould，Maxim，'sheasseverated。
　　`Thenonewon'tcrawlonyou，'saidGerald，smilingandknowing。Insomestrangewayheunderstoodher。
　　`It'smetaphysical，asGeraldsays，'Birkinstated。
　　Therewasalittlepauseofuneasiness。
　　`Andareyouafraidofnothingelse，Pussum？'askedtheyoungRussian，inhisquick，hushed，elegantmanner。
　　`Notweally，'shesaid。`Iamafwaidofsomethings，butnotweallythesame。I'mnotafwaidofblood。'
　　`Notafwaidofblood！'exclaimedayoungmanwithathick，pale，jeeringface，whohadjustcometothetableandwasdrinkingwhisky。
　　ThePussumturnedonhimasulkylookofdislike，lowandugly。
　　`Aren'tyoureallyafraidofblud？'theotherpersisted，asneeralloverhisface。
　　`No，I'mnot，'sheretorted。
　　`Why，haveyoueverseenblood，exceptinadentist'sspittoon？'jeeredtheyoungman。
　　`Iwasn'tspeakingtoyou，'sherepliedrathersuperbly。
　　`Youcananswerme，can'tyou？'hesaid。
　　Forreply，shesuddenlyjabbedaknifeacrosshisthick，palehand。
　　Hestartedupwithavulgarcurse。
　　`Show'swhatyouare，'saidthePussumincontempt。
　　`Curseyou，'saidtheyoungman，standingbythetableandlookingdownatherwithacridmalevolence。
　　`Stopthat，'saidGerald，inquick，instinctivecommand。
　　Theyoungmanstoodlookingdownatherwithsardoniccontempt，acowed，self—consciouslookonhisthick，paleface。Thebloodbegantoflowfromhishand。
　　`Oh，howhorrible，takeitaway！'squealedHalliday，turninggreenandavertinghisface。
　　`D'youfeelill？'askedthesardonicyoungman，insomeconcern。`Doyoufeelill，Julius？Garn，it'snothing，man，don'tgiveherthepleasureoflettingherthinkshe'sperformedafeat——don'tgiveherthesatisfaction，man——it'sjustwhatshewants。'
　　`Oh！'squealedHalliday。
　　`He'sgoingtocat，Maxim，'saidthePussumwarningly。ThesuaveyoungRussianroseandtookHallidaybythearm，leadinghimaway。Birkin，whiteanddiminished，lookedonasifheweredispleased。Thewounded，sardonicyoungmanmovedaway，ignoringhisbleedinghandinthemostconspicuousfashion。
　　`He'sanawfulcoward，really，'saidthePussumtoGerald。`He'sgotsuchaninfluenceoverJulius。'
　　`Whoishe？'askedGerald。
　　`He'saJew，really。Ican'tbearhim。'
　　`Well，he'squiteunimportant。Butwhat'swrongwithHalliday？'
　　`Julius'sthemostawfulcowardyou'veeverseen，'shecried。`HealwaysfaintsifIliftaknife——he'stewwifiedofme。'
　　`H'm！'saidGerald。
　　`They'reallafwaidofme，'shesaid。`OnlytheJewthinkshe'sgoingtoshowhiscourage。Buthe'sthebiggestcowardofthemall，really，becausehe'safwaidwhatpeoplewillthinkabouthim——andJuliusdoesn'tcareaboutthat。'
　　`They'vealotofvalourbetweenthem，'saidGeraldgood—humouredly。
　　ThePussumlookedathimwithaslow，slowsmile。Shewasveryhandsome，flushed，andconfidentindreadfulknowledge。TwolittlepointsoflightglintedonGerald'seyes。
　　`WhydotheycallyouPussum，becauseyou'relikeacat？'heaskedher。
　　`Iexpectso，'shesaid。
　　Thesmilegrewmoreintenseonhisface。
　　`Youare，rather;orayoung，femalepanther。'
　　`OhGod，Gerald！'saidBirkin，insomedisgust。
　　TheybothlookeduneasilyatBirkin。
　　`You'resilenttonight，Wupert，'shesaidtohim，withaslightinsolence，beingsafewiththeotherman。
　　Hallidaywascomingback，lookingforlornandsick。
　　`Pussum，'hesaid，`Iwishyouwouldn'tdothesethings——Oh！'Hesankinhischairwithagroan。
　　`You'dbettergohome，'shesaidtohim。
　　`Iwillgohome，'hesaid。`Butwon'tyouallcomealong。Won'tyoucomeroundtotheflat？'hesaidtoGerald。`Ishouldbesogladifyouwould。Do——that'llbesplendid。Isay？'Helookedroundforawaiter。
　　`Getmeataxi。'Thenhegroanedagain。`OhIdofeel——perfectlyghastly！
　　Pussum，youseewhatyoudotome。'
　　`Thenwhyareyousuchanidiot？'shesaidwithsullencalm。
　　`ButI'mnotanidiot！Oh，howawful！Docome，everybody，itwillbesosplendid。Pussum，youarecoming。What？Ohbutyoumustcome，yes，youmust。What？Oh，mydeargirl，don'tmakeafussnow，Ifeelperfectly——Oh，it'ssoghastly——Ho！——er！Oh！'
　　`Youknowyoucan'tdrink，'shesaidtohim，coldly。
　　`Itellyouitisn'tdrink——it'syourdisgustingbehaviour，Pussum，it'snothingelse。Oh，howawful！Libidnikov，doletusgo。'
　　`He'sonlydrunkoneglass——onlyoneglass，'cametherapid，hushedvoiceoftheyoungRussian。
　　Theyallmovedofftothedoor。ThegirlkeptneartoGerald，andseemedtobeatoneinhermotionwithhim。Hewasawareofthis，andfilledwithdemon—satisfactionthathismotionheldgoodfortwo。Heheldherinthehollowofhiswill，andshewassoft，secret，invisibleinherstirringthere。
　　Theycrowdedfiveofthemintothetaxi—cab。Hallidaylurchedinfirst，anddroppedintohisseatagainsttheotherwindow。ThenthePussumtookherplace，andGeraldsatnexttoher。TheyheardtheyoungRussiangivingorderstothedriver，thentheywereallseatedinthedark，crowdedclosetogether，Hallidaygroaningandleaningoutofthewindow。Theyfelttheswift，muffledmotionofthecar。
　　ThePussumsatneartoGerald，andsheseemedtobecomesoft，subtlytoinfuseherselfintohisbones，asifshewerepassingintohiminablack，electricflow。Herbeingsuffusedintohisveinslikeamagneticdarkness，andconcentratedatthebaseofhisspinelikeafearfulsourceofpower。Meanwhilehervoicesoundedoutreedyandnonchalant，asshetalkedindifferentlywithBirkinandwithMaxim。BetweenherandGeraldwasthissilenceandthisblack，electriccomprehensioninthedarkness。
　　Thenshefoundhishand，andgraspeditinherownfirm，smallclasp。Itwassoutterlydark，andyetsuchanakedstatement，thatrapidvibrationsranthroughhisbloodandoverhisbrain，hewasnolongerresponsible。
　　Stillhervoicerangonlikeabell，tingedwithatoneofmockery。Andassheswungherhead，herfinemaneofhairjustswepthisface，andallhisnerveswereonfire，aswithasubtlefrictionofelectricity。Butthegreatcentreofhisforceheldsteady，amagnificentpridetohim，atthebaseofhisspine。
　　Theyarrivedatalargeblockofbuildings，wentupinalift，andpresentlyadoorwasbeingopenedforthembyaHindu。Geraldlookedinsurprise，wonderingifhewereagentleman，oneoftheHindusdownfromOxford，perhaps。
　　Butno，hewastheman—servant。
　　`Maketea，Hasan，'saidHalliday。
　　`Thereisaroomforme？'saidBirkin。
　　Tobothofwhichquestionsthemangrinned，andmurmured。
　　HemadeGeralduncertain，because，beingtallandslenderandreticent，helookedlikeagentleman。
　　`Whoisyourservant？'heaskedofHalliday。`Helooksaswell。'
　　`Ohyes——that'sbecausehe'sdressedinanotherman'sclothes。He'sanythingbutaswell，really。Wefoundhimintheroad，starving。SoI
　　tookhimhere，andanothermangavehimclothes。He'sanythingbutwhatheseemstobe——hisonlyadvantageisthathecan'tspeakEnglishandcan'tunderstandit，sohe'sperfectlysafe。'
　　`He'sverydirty，'saidtheyoungRussianswiftlyandsilently。
　　Directly，themanappearedinthedoorway。
　　`Whatisit？'saidHalliday。
　　TheHindugrinned，andmurmuredshyly:
　　`Wanttospeaktomaster。'
　　Geraldwatchedcuriously。Thefellowinthedoorwaywasgoodlookingandclean—limbed，hisbearingwascalm，helookedelegant，aristocratic。
　　Yethewashalfasavage，grinningfoolishly。Hallidaywentoutintothecorridortospeakwithhim。
　　`What？'theyheardhisvoice。`What？Whatdoyousay？Tellmeagain。
　　What？Wantmoney？Wantmoremoney？Butwhatdoyouwantmoneyfor？'
　　TherewastheconfusedsoundoftheHindu'stalking，thenHallidayappearedintheroom，smilingalsofoolishly，andsaying:
　　`Hesayshewantsmoneytobuyunderclothing。Cananybodylendmeashilling？Ohthanks，ashillingwilldotobuyalltheunderclotheshewants。'HetookthemoneyfromGeraldandwentoutintothepassageagain，wheretheyheardhimsaying，`Youcan'twantmoremoney，youhadthreeandsixyesterday。Youmustn'taskforanymore。Bringtheteainquickly。'
　　Geraldlookedroundtheroom。ItwasanordinaryLondonsitting—roominaflat，evidentlytakenfurnished，rathercommonandugly。Buttherewereseveralnegrostatues，wood—carvingsfromWestAfrica，strangeanddisturbing，thecarvednegroeslookedalmostlikethefoetusofahumanbeing。Onewasawomansittingnakedinastrangeposture，andlookingtortured，herabdomenstuckout。TheyoungRussianexplainedthatshewassittinginchild—birth，clutchingtheendsofthebandthathungfromherneck，oneineachhand，sothatshecouldbeardown，andhelplabour。Thestrange，transfixed，rudimentaryfaceofthewomanagainremindedGeraldofafoetus，itwasalsoratherwonderful，conveyingthesuggestionoftheextremeofphysicalsensation，beyondthelimitsofmentalconsciousness。
　　`Aren'ttheyratherobscene？'heasked，disapproving。
　　`Idon'tknow，'murmuredtheotherrapidly。`Ihaveneverdefinedtheobscene。Ithinktheyareverygood。'
　　Geraldturnedaway。Therewereoneortwonewpicturesintheroom，intheFuturistmanner;therewasalargepiano。Andthese，withsomeordinaryLondonlodging—housefurnitureofthebettersort，completedthewhole。
　　ThePussumhadtakenoffherhatandcoat，andwasseatedonthesofa。
　　Shewasevidentlyquiteathomeinthehouse，butuncertain，suspended。
　　Shedidnotquiteknowherposition。HerallianceforthetimebeingwaswithGerald，andshedidnotknowhowfarthiswasadmittedbyanyofthemen。Shewasconsideringhowsheshouldcarryoffthesituation。Shewasdeterminedtohaveherexperience。Now，atthiseleventhhour，shewasnottobebaulked。Herfacewasflushedaswithbattle，hereyewasbroodingbutinevitable。
　　ThemancameinwithteaandabottleofKummel。Hesetthetrayonalittletablebeforethecouch。
　　`Pussum，'saidHalliday，`pouroutthetea。'
　　Shedidnotmove。
　　`Won'tyoudoit？'Hallidayrepeated，inastateofnervousapprehension。
　　`I'venotcomebackhereasitwasbefore，'shesaid。`Ionlycamebecausetheotherswantedmeto，notforyoursake。'
　　`MydearPussum，youknowyouareyourownmistress。Idon'twantyoutodoanythingbutusetheflatforyourownconvenience——youknowit，I'vetoldyousomanytimes。'
　　Shedidnotreply，butsilently，reservedlyreachedforthetea—pot。
　　Theyallsatroundanddranktea。Geraldcouldfeeltheelectricconnectionbetweenhimandhersostrongly，asshesattherequietandwithheld，thatanothersetofconditionsaltogetherhadcometopass。Hersilenceandherimmutabilityperplexedhim。Howwashegoingtocometoher？
　　Andyethefeltitquiteinevitable。Hetrustedcompletelytothecurrentthatheldthem。Hisperplexitywasonlysuperficial，newconditionsreigned，theoldweresurpassed;hereonedidasonewaspossessedtodo，nomatterwhatitwas。
　　Birkinrose。Itwasnearlyoneo'clock。
　　`I'mgoingtobed，'hesaid。`Gerald，I'llringyouupinthemorningatyourplaceoryouringmeuphere。'
　　`Right，'saidGerald，andBirkinwentout。
　　Whenhewaswellgone，Hallidaysaidinastimulatedvoice，toGerald:
　　`Isay，won'tyoustayhere——ohdo！'
　　`Youcan'tputeverybodyup，'saidGerald。
　　`OhbutIcan，perfectly——therearethreemorebedsbesidesmine——
　　dostay，won'tyou。Everythingisquiteready——thereisalwayssomebodyhere——Ialwaysputpeopleup——Ilovehavingthehousecrowded。'
　　`Butthereareonlytworooms，'saidthePussum，inacold，hostilevoice，`nowRupert'shere。'
　　`Iknowthereareonlytworooms，'saidHalliday，inhisodd，highwayofspeaking。`Butwhatdoesthatmatter？'
　　Hewassmilingratherfoolishly，andhespokeeagerly，withaninsinuatingdetermination。
　　`JuliusandIwillshareoneroom，'saidtheRussianinhisdiscreet，precisevoice。HallidayandhewerefriendssinceEton。
　　`It'sverysimple，'saidGerald，risingandpressingbackhisarms，stretchinghimself。Thenhewentagaintolookatoneofthepictures。
　　Everyoneofhislimbswasturgidwithelectricforce，andhisbackwastenselikeatiger's，withslumberingfire。Hewasveryproud。
　　ThePussumrose。ShegaveablacklookatHalliday，blackanddeadly，whichbroughttheratherfoolishlypleasedsmiletothatyoungman'sface。
　　Thenshewentoutoftheroom，withacoldgood—nighttothemallgenerally。
　　Therewasabriefinterval，theyheardadoorclose，thenMaximsaid，inhisrefinedvoice:
　　`That'sallright。'
　　HelookedsignificantlyatGerald，andsaidagain，withasilentnod:
　　`That'sallright——you'reallright。'
　　Geraldlookedatthesmooth，ruddy，comelyface，andatthestrange，significanteyes，anditseemedasifthevoiceoftheyoungRussian，sosmallandperfect，soundedinthebloodratherthanintheair。
　　`I'mallrightthen，'saidGerald。
　　`Yes！Yes！You'reallright，'saidtheRussian。
　　Hallidaycontinuedtosmile，andtosaynothing。
　　SuddenlythePussumappearedagaininthedoor，hersmall，childishfacelookingsullenandvindictive。
　　`Iknowyouwanttocatchmeout，'camehercold，ratherresonantvoice。
　　`ButIdon'tcare，Idon'tcarehowmuchyoucatchmeout。'
　　Sheturnedandwasgoneagain。Shehadbeenwearingaloosedressing—gownofpurplesilk，tiedroundherwaist。Shelookedsosmallandchildishandvulnerable，almostpitiful。AndyettheblacklooksofhereyesmadeGeraldfeeldrownedinsomepotentdarknessthatalmostfrightenedhim。
　　Themenlitanothercigaretteandtalkedcasually。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter7CHAPTERVIIFetishINTHEMORNINGGeraldwokelate。Hehadsleptheavily。
　　Pussumwasstillasleep，sleepingchildishlyandpathetically。Therewassomethingsmallandcurledupanddefencelessabouther，thatrousedanunsatisfiedflameofpassionintheyoungman'sblood，adevouringavidpity。Helookedatheragain。Butitwouldbetoocrueltowakeher。Hesubduedhimself，andwentaway。
　　Hearingvoicescomingfromthesitting—room，HallidaytalkingtoLibidnikov，hewenttothedoorandglancedin。Hehadonasilkwrapofabeautifulbluishcolour，withanamethysthem。
　　Tohissurprisehesawthetwoyoungmenbythefire，starknaked。Hallidaylookedup，ratherpleased。
　　`Good—morning，'hesaid。`Oh——didyouwanttowels？'Andstarknakedhewentoutintothehall，stridingastrange，whitefigurebetweentheunlivingfurniture。Hecamebackwiththetowels，andtookhisformerposition，crouchingseatedbeforethefireonthefender。
　　`Don'tyoulovetofeelthefireonyourskin？'hesaid。
　　`Itisratherpleasant，'saidGerald。
　　`Howperfectlysplendiditmustbetobeinaclimatewhereonecoulddowithoutclothingaltogether，'saidHalliday。
　　`Yes，'saidGerald，`ifthereweren'tsomanythingsthatstingandbite。'
　　`That'sadisadvantage，'murmuredMaxim。
　　Geraldlookedathim，andwithaslightrevulsionsawthehumananimal，goldenskinnedandbare，somehowhumiliating。Hallidaywasdifferent。Hehadaratherheavy，slack，brokenbeauty，whiteandfirm。HewaslikeaChristinaPieta。Theanimalwasnotthereatall，onlytheheavy，brokenbeauty。AndGeraldrealisedhowHalliday'seyeswerebeautifultoo，soblueandwarmandconfused，brokenalsointheirexpression。Thefireglowfellonhisheavy，ratherbowedshoulders，hesatslacklycrouchedonthefender，hisfacewasuplifted，weak，perhapsslightlydisintegrate，andyetwithamovingbeautyofitsown。
　　`Ofcourse，'saidMaxim，`you'vebeeninhotcountrieswherethepeoplegoaboutnaked。'
　　`Ohreally！'exclaimedHalliday。`Where？'
　　`SouthAmerica——Amazon，'saidGerald。
　　`Ohbuthowperfectlysplendid！It'soneofthethingsIwantmosttodo——tolivefromdaytodaywithouteverputtingonanysortofclothingwhatever。IfIcoulddothat，IshouldfeelIhadlived。'
　　`Butwhy？'saidGerald。`Ican'tseethatitmakessomuchdifference。'
　　`Oh，Ithinkitwouldbeperfectlysplendid。I'msurelifewouldbeentirelyanotherthing——entirelydifferent，andperfectlywonderful。'
　　`Butwhy？'askedGerald。`Whyshouldit？'
　　`Oh——onewouldfeelthingsinsteadofmerelylookingatthem。
　　Ishouldfeeltheairmoveagainstme，andfeelthethingsItouched，insteadofhavingonlytolookatthem。I'msurelifeisallwrongbecauseithasbecomemuchtoovisual——wecanneitherhearnorfeelnorunderstand，wecanonlysee。I'msurethatisentirelywrong。'
　　`Yes，thatistrue，thatistrue，'saidtheRussian。
　　Geraldglancedathim，andsawhim，hissuave，goldencolouredbodywiththeblackhairgrowingfineandfreely，liketendrils，andhislimbslikesmoothplant—stems。Hewassohealthyandwell—made，whydidhemakeoneashamed，whydidonefeelrepelled？WhyshouldGeraldevendislikeit，whydiditseemtohimtodetractfromhisowndignity。Wasthatallahumanbeingamountedto？Souninspired！thoughtGerald。
　　Birkinsuddenlyappearedinthedoorway，inwhitepyjamasandwethair，andatoweloverhisarm。Hewasaloofandwhite，andsomehowevanescent。
　　`There'sthebath—roomnow，ifyouwantit，'hesaidgenerally，andwasgoingawayagain，whenGeraldcalled:
　　`Isay，Rupert！'
　　`What？'Thesinglewhitefigureappearedagain，apresenceintheroom。
　　`Whatdoyouthinkofthatfigurethere？Iwanttoknow，'Geraldasked。
　　Birkin，whiteandstrangelyghostly，wentovertothecarvedfigureofthenegrowomaninlabour。Hernude，protuberantbodycrouchedinastrange，clutchingposture，herhandsgrippingtheendsoftheband，aboveherbreast。
　　`Itisart，'saidBirkin。
　　`Verybeautiful，it'sverybeautiful，'saidtheRussian。
　　Theyalldrewneartolook。Geraldlookedatthegroupofmen，theRussiangoldenandlikeawater—plant，Hallidaytallandheavily，brokenlybeautiful，Birkinverywhiteandindefinite，nottobeassigned，ashelookedcloselyatthecarvenwoman。Strangelyelated，Geraldalsoliftedhiseyestothefaceofthewoodenfigure。Andhisheartcontracted。
　　Hesawvividlywithhisspiritthegrey，forward—stretchingfaceofthenegrowoman，Africanandtense，abstractedinutterphysicalstress。
　　Itwasaterribleface，void，peaked，abstractedalmostintomeaninglessnessbytheweightofsensationbeneath。HesawthePussuminit。Asinadream，heknewher。
　　`Whyisitart？'Geraldasked，shocked，resentful。
　　`Itconveysacompletetruth，'saidBirkin。`Itcontainsthewholetruthofthatstate，whateveryoufeelaboutit。'
　　`Butyoucan'tcallithighart，'saidGerald。
　　`High！Therearecenturiesandhundredsofcenturiesofdevelopmentinastraightline，behindthatcarving;itisanawfulpitchofculture，ofadefinitesort。'
　　`Whatculture？'Geraldasked，inopposition。HehatedthesheerAfricanthing。
　　`Purecultureinsensation，cultureinthephysicalconsciousness，reallyultimatephysicalconsciousness，mindless，utterlysensual。Itissosensualastobefinal，supreme。'
　　ButGeraldresentedit。Hewantedtokeepcertainillusions，certainideaslikeclothing。
　　`Youlikethewrongthings，Rupert，'hesaid，`thingsagainstyourself。'
　　`Oh，Iknow，thisisn'teverything，'Birkinreplied，movingaway。
　　WhenGeraldwentbacktohisroomfromthebath，healsocarriedhisclothes。Hewassoconventionalathome，thatwhenhewasreallyaway，andontheloose，asnow，heenjoyednothingsomuchasfulloutrageousness。
　　Sohestrodewithhisbluesilkwrapoverhisarmandfeltdefiant。
　　ThePussumlayinherbed，motionless，herround，darkeyeslikeblack，unhappypools。Hecouldonlyseetheblack，bottomlesspoolsofhereyes。
　　Perhapsshesuffered。Thesensationofherinchoatesufferingrousedtheoldsharpflameinhim，amordantpity，apassionalmostofcruelty。
　　`Youareawakenow，'hesaidtoher。
　　`Whattimeisit？'camehermutedvoice。
　　Sheseemedtoflowback，almostlikeliquid，fromhisapproach，tosinkhelplesslyawayfromhim。Herinchoatelookofaviolatedslave，whosefulfilmentliesinherfurtherandfurtherviolation，madehisnervesquiverwithacutelydesirablesensation。Afterall，hiswastheonlywill，shewasthepassivesubstanceofhiswill。Hetingledwiththesubtle，bitingsensation。Andthenheknew，hemustgoawayfromher，theremustbepureseparationbetweenthem。
　　Itwasaquietandordinarybreakfast，thefourmenalllookingverycleanandbathed。GeraldandtheRussianwerebothcorrectandcommeilfautinappearanceandmanner，Birkinwasgauntandsick，andlookedafailureinhisattempttobeaproperlydressedman，likeGeraldandMaxim。Hallidayworetweedsandagreenflannelshirt，andaragofatie，whichwasjustrightforhim。TheHindubroughtinagreatdealofsofttoast，andlookedexactlythesameashehadlookedthenightbefore，staticallythesame。
　　AttheendofthebreakfastthePussumappeared，inapurplesilkwrapwithashimmeringsash。Shehadrecoveredherselfsomewhat，butwasmuteandlifelessstill。Itwasatormenttoherwhenanybodyspoketoher。
　　Herfacewaslikeasmall，finemask，sinistertoo，maskedwithunwillingsuffering。Itwasalmostmidday。Geraldroseandwentawaytohisbusiness，gladtogetout。Buthehadnotfinished。Hewascomingbackagainatevening，theywerealldiningtogether，andhehadbookedseatsfortheparty，exceptingBirkin，atamusic—hall。
　　Atnighttheycamebacktotheflatverylateagain，againflushedwithdrink。Againtheman—servant——whoinvariablydisappearedbetweenthehoursoftenandtwelveatnight——cameinsilentlyandinscrutablywithtea，bendinginaslow，strange，leopard—likefashiontoputthetraysoftlyonthetable。Hisfacewasimmutable，aristocratic—looking，tingedslightlywithgreyundertheskin;hewasyoungandgood—looking。ButBirkinfeltaslightsickness，lookingathim，andfeelingtheslightgreynessasanashoracorruption，inthearistocraticinscrutabilityofexpressionanauseating，bestialstupidity。
　　Againtheytalkedcordiallyandrousedlytogether。Butalreadyacertainfriabilitywascomingovertheparty，Birkinwasmadwithirritation，HallidaywasturninginaninsanehatredagainstGerald，thePussumwasbecominghardandcold，likeaflintknife，andHallidaywaslayinghimselfouttoher。Andherintention，ultimately，wastocaptureHalliday，tohavecompletepoweroverhim。
　　Inthemorningtheyallstalkedandloungedaboutagain。ButGeraldcouldfeelastrangehostilitytohimself，intheair。Itrousedhisobstinacy，andhestoodupagainstit。Hehungonfortwomoredays。TheresultwasanastyandinsanescenewithHallidayonthefourthevening。HallidayturnedwithabsurdanimosityuponGerald，inthecafe。Therewasarow。