Thenswiftly，inaflamethatdrencheddownherbodylikefluidlightningandgaveheraperfect，unutterableconsummation，unutterablesatisfaction，shebroughtdowntheballofjewelstonewithallherforce，crashonhishead。Butherfingerswereinthewayanddeadenedtheblow。Nevertheless，downwenthisheadonthetableonwhichhisbooklay，thestoneslidasideandoverhisear，itwasoneconvulsionofpureblissforher，litupbythecrushedpainofherfingers。Butitwasnotsomehowcomplete。Sheliftedherarmhightoaimoncemore，straightdownontheheadthatlaydazedonthetable。Shemustsmashit，itmustbesmashedbeforeherecstasywasconsummated，fulfilledforever。Athousandlives，athousanddeathsmatterednothingnow，onlythefulfilmentofthisperfectecstasy。
　　Shewasnotswift，shecouldonlymoveslowly。Astrongspiritinhimwokehimandmadehimlifthisfaceandtwisttolookather。Herarmwasraised，thehandclaspingtheballoflapislazuli。Itwasherlefthand，herealisedagainwithhorrorthatshewasleft—handed。Hurriedly，withaburrowingmotion，hecoveredhisheadunderthethickvolumeofThucydides，andtheblowcamedown，almostbreakinghisneck，andshatteringhisheart。
　　Hewasshattered，buthewasnotafraid。Twistingroundtofaceherhepushedthetableoverandgotawayfromher。Hewaslikeaflaskthatissmashedtoatoms，heseemedtohimselfthathewasallfragments，smashedtobits。Yethismovementswereperfectlycoherentandclear，hissoulwasentireandunsurprised。
　　`Noyoudon't，Hermione，'hesaidinalowvoice。`Idon'tletyou。'
　　Hesawherstandingtallandlividandattentive，thestoneclenchedtenseinherhand。
　　`Standawayandletmego，'hesaid，drawingneartoher。
　　Asifpressedbackbysomehand，shestoodaway，watchinghimallthetimewithoutchanging，likeaneutralisedangelconfrontinghim。
　　`Itisnotgood，'hesaid，whenhehadgonepasther。`Itisn'tIwhowilldie。Youhear？'
　　Hekepthisfacetoherashewentout，lestsheshouldstrikeagain。
　　Whilehewasonhisguard，shedarednotmove。Andhewasonhisguard，shewaspowerless。Sohehadgone，andleftherstanding。
　　Sheremainedperfectlyrigid，standingasshewasforalongtime。Thenshestaggeredtothecouchandlaydown，andwentheavilytosleep。Whensheawoke，sherememberedwhatshehaddone，butitseemedtoher，shehadonlyhithim，asanywomanmightdo，becausehetorturedher。Shewasperfectlyright。Sheknewthat，spiritually，shewasright。Inherowninfalliblepurity，shehaddonewhatmustbedone。Shewasright，shewaspure。Adrugged，almostsinisterreligiousexpressionbecamepermanentonherface。
　　Birkin，barelyconscious，andyetperfectlydirectinhismotion，wentoutofthehouseandstraightacrossthepark，totheopencountry，tothehills。Thebrilliantdayhadbecomeovercast，spotsofrainwerefalling。
　　Hewanderedontoawildvalley—side，wherewerethicketsofhazel，manyflowers，tuftsofheather，andlittleclumpsofyoungfirtrees，buddingwithsoftpaws。Itwasratherweteverywhere，therewasastreamrunningdownatthebottomofthevalley，whichwasgloomy，orseemedgloomy。Hewasawarethathecouldnotregainhisconsciousness，thathewasmovinginasortofdarkness。
　　Yethewantedsomething。Hewashappyinthewethillside，thatwasovergrownandobscurewithbushesandflowers。Hewantedtotouchthemall，tosaturatehimselfwiththetouchofthemall。Hetookoffhisclothes，andsatdownnakedamongtheprimroses，movinghisfeetsoftlyamongtheprimroses，hislegs，hisknees，hisarmsrightuptothearm—pits，lyingdownandlettingthemtouchhisbelly，hisbreasts。Itwassuchafine，cool，subtletouchalloverhim，heseemedtosaturatehimselfwiththeircontact。
　　Buttheyweretoosoft。Hewentthroughthelonggrasstoaclumpofyoungfir—trees，thatwerenohigherthanaman。Thesoftsharpboughsbeatuponhim，ashemovedinkeenpangsagainstthem，threwlittlecoldshowersofdropsonhisbelly，andbeathisloinswiththeirclustersofsoft—sharpneedles。Therewasathistlewhichprickedhimvividly，butnottoomuch，becauseallhismovementsweretoodiscriminateandsoft。
　　Toliedownandrollinthesticky，coolyounghyacinths，tolieonone'sbellyandcoverone'sbackwithhandfulsoffinewetgrass，softasabreath，softandmoredelicateandmorebeautifulthanthetouchofanywoman;
　　andthentostingone'sthighagainstthelivingdarkbristlesofthefir—boughs;
　　andthentofeelthelightwhipofthehazelonone'sshoulders，stinging，andthentoclaspthesilverybirch—trunkagainstone'sbreast，itssmoothness，itshardness，itsvitalknotsandridges——thiswasgood，thiswasallverygood，verysatisfying。Nothingelsewoulddo，nothingelsewouldsatisfy，exceptthiscoolnessandsubtletyofvegetationtravellingintoone'sblood。
　　Howfortunatehewas，thattherewasthislovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，waitingforhim，ashewaitedforit;howfulfilledhewas，howhappy！
　　Ashedriedhimselfalittlewithhishandkerchief，hethoughtaboutHermioneandtheblow。Hecouldfeelapainonthesideofhishead。Butafterall，whatdiditmatter？WhatdidHermionematter，whatdidpeoplematteraltogether？Therewasthisperfectcoolloneliness，solovelyandfreshandunexplored。Really，whatamistakehehadmade，thinkinghewantedpeople，thinkinghewantedawoman。Hedidnotwantawoman——notintheleast。Theleavesandtheprimrosesandthetrees，theywerereallylovelyandcoolanddesirable，theyreallycameintothebloodandwereaddedontohim。Hewasenrichenednowimmeasurably，andsoglad。
　　ItwasquiterightofHermionetowanttokillhim。Whathadhetodowithher？Whyshouldhepretendtohaveanythingtodowithhumanbeingsatall？Herewashisworld，hewantednobodyandnothingbutthelovely，subtle，responsivevegetation，andhimself，hisownlivingself。
　　Itwasnecessarytogobackintotheworld。Thatwastrue。Butthatdidnotmatter，sooneknewwhereonebelonged。Heknewnowwherehebelonged。
　　Thiswashisplace，hismarriageplace。Theworldwasextraneous。
　　Heclimbedoutofthevalley，wonderingifheweremad。Butifso，hepreferredhisownmadness，totheregularsanity。Herejoicedinhisownmadness，hewasfree。Hedidnotwantthatoldsanityoftheworld，whichwasbecomesorepulsive。Herejoicedinthenew—foundworldofhismadness。
　　Itwassofreshanddelicateandsosatisfying。
　　Asforthecertaingriefhefeltatthesametime，inhissoul，thatwasonlytheremainsofanoldethic，thatbadeahumanbeingadheretohumanity。Buthewaswearyoftheoldethic，ofthehumanbeing，andofhumanity。Helovednowthesoft，delicatevegetation，thatwassocoolandperfect。Hewouldoverlooktheoldgrief，hewouldputawaytheoldethic，hewouldbefreeinhisnewstate。
　　Hewasawareofthepaininhisheadbecomingmoreandmoredifficulteveryminute。Hewaswalkingnowalongtheroadtotheneareststation。
　　Itwasrainingandhehadnohat。Butthenplentyofcrankswentoutnowadayswithouthats，intherain。
　　Hewonderedagainhowmuchofhisheavinessofheart，acertaindepression，wasduetofear，fearlestanybodyshouldhaveseenhimnakedlyingagainstthevegetation。Whatadreadhehadofmankind，ofotherpeople！Itamountedalmosttohorror，toasortofdreamterror——hishorrorofbeingobservedbysomeotherpeople。Ifhewereonanisland，likeAlexanderSelkirk，withonlythecreaturesandthetrees，hewouldbefreeandglad，therewouldbenoneofthisheaviness，thismisgiving。Hecouldlovethevegetationandbequitehappyandunquestioned，byhimself。
　　HehadbettersendanotetoHermione:shemighttroubleabouthim，andhedidnotwanttheonusofthis。Soatthestation，hewrotesaying:
　　Iwillgoontotown——Idon'twanttocomebacktoBreadalbyforthepresent。Butitisquiteallright——Idon'twantyoutomindhavingbiffedme，intheleast。Telltheothersitisjustoneofmymoods。Youwerequiteright，tobiffme——becauseIknowyouwantedto。Sothere'stheendofit。
　　Inthetrain，however，hefeltill。Everymotionwasinsufferablepain，andhewassick。Hedraggedhimselffromthestationintoacab，feelinghiswaystepbystep，likeablindman，andhelduponlybyadimwill。
　　Foraweekortwohewasill，buthedidnotletHermioneknow，andshethoughthewassulking;therewasacompleteestrangementbetweenthem。
　　Shebecamerapt，abstractedinherconvictionofexclusiverighteousness。
　　Shelivedinandbyherownself—esteem，convictionofherownrightnessofspirit。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter9CHAPTERIXCoal—dustGOINGHOMEfromschoolintheafternoon，theBrangwengirlsdescendedthehillbetweenthepicturesquecottagesofWilleyGreentilltheycametotherailwaycrossing。Theretheyfoundthegateshut，becausethecollierytrainwasrumblingnearer。Theycouldhearthesmalllocomotivepantinghoarselyasitadvancedwithcautionbetweentheembankments。
　　Theone—leggedmaninthelittlesignal—hutbytheroadstaredoutfromhissecurity，likeacrabfromasnail—shell。
　　Whilstthetwogirlswaited，GeraldCrichtrotteduponaredArabmare。
　　Herodewellandsoftly，pleasedwiththedelicatequiveringofthecreaturebetweenhisknees。Andhewasverypicturesque，atleastinGudrun'seyes，sittingsoftandcloseontheslenderredmare，whoselongtailflowedontheair。Hesalutedthetwogirls，anddrewupatthecrossingtowaitforthegate，lookingdowntherailwayfortheapproachingtrain。Inspiteofherironicsmileathispicturesqueness，Gudrunlikedtolookathim。
　　Hewaswell—setandeasy，hisfacewithitswarmtanshoweduphiswhitish，coarsemoustache，andhisblueeyeswerefullofsharplightashewatchedthedistance。
　　Thelocomotivechuffedslowlybetweenthebanks，hidden。Themaredidnotlikeit。Shebegantowinceaway，asifhurtbytheunknownnoise。
　　ButGeraldpulledherbackandheldherheadtothegate。Thesharpblastsofthechuffingenginebrokewithmoreandmoreforceonher。Therepeatedsharpblowsofunknown，terrifyingnoisestruckthroughhertillshewasrockingwithterror。Sherecoiledlikeaspringletgo。Butaglistening，half—smilinglookcameintoGerald'sface。Hebroughtherbackagain，inevitably。
　　Thenoisewasreleased，thelittlelocomotivewithherclankingsteelconnecting—rodemergedonthehighroad，clankingsharply。Themarereboundedlikeadropofwaterfromhotiron。UrsulaandGudrunpressedbackintothehedge，infear。ButGeraldwasheavyonthemare，andforcedherback。
　　Itseemedasifhesankintohermagnetically，andcouldthrustherbackagainstherself。
　　`Thefool！'criedUrsulaloudly。`Whydoesn'therideawaytillit'sgoneby？'
　　Gudrunwaslookingathimwithblack—dilated，spellboundeyes。Buthesatglisteningandobstinate，forcingthewheelingmare，whichspunandswervedlikeawind，andyetcouldnotgetoutofthegraspofhiswill，norescapefromthemadclamourofterrorthatresoundedthroughher，asthetrucksthumpedslowly，heavily，horrifying，oneaftertheother，onepursuingtheother，overtherailsofthecrossing。
　　Thelocomotive，asifwantingtoseewhatcouldbedone，putonthebrakes，andbackcamethetrucksreboundingontheironbuffers，strikinglikehorriblecymbals，clashingnearerandnearerinfrightfulstridentconcussions。Themareopenedhermouthandroseslowly，asiflifteduponawindofterror。Thensuddenlyherforefeetstruckout，assheconvulsedherselfutterlyawayfromthehorror。Backshewent，andthetwogirlsclungtoeachother，feelingshemustfallbackwardsontopofhim。Butheleanedforward，hisfaceshiningwithfixedamusement，andatlasthebroughtherdown，sankherdown，andwasbearingherbacktothemark。
　　Butasstrongasthepressureofhiscompulsionwastherepulsionofherutterterror，throwingherbackawayfromtherailway，sothatshespunroundandround，ontwolegs，asifshewereinthecentreofsomewhirlwind。
　　ItmadeGudrunfaintwithpoignantdizziness，whichseemedtopenetratetoherheart。
　　`No——！No——！Lethergo！Lethergo，youfool，youfool——！'criedUrsulaatthetopofhervoice，completelyoutsideherself。AndGudrunhatedherbitterlyforbeingoutsideherself。ItwasunendurablethatUrsula'svoicewassopowerfulandnaked。
　　AsharpenedlookcameonGerald'sface。Hebithimselfdownonthemarelikeakeenedgebitinghome，andforcedherround。Sheroaredasshebreathed，hernostrilsweretwowide，hotholes，hermouthwasapart，hereyesfrenzied。Itwasarepulsivesight。Butheheldonherunrelaxed，withanalmostmechanicalrelentlessness，keenasaswordpressingintoher。Bothmanandhorseweresweatingwithviolence。Yetheseemedcalmasarayofcoldsunshine。
　　Meanwhiletheeternaltruckswererumblingon，veryslowly，treadingoneaftertheother，oneaftertheother，likeadisgustingdreamthathasnoend。Theconnectingchainsweregrindingandsqueakingasthetensionvaried，themarepawedandstruckawaymechanicallynow，herterrorfulfilledinher，fornowthemanencompassedher;herpawswereblindandpatheticasshebeattheair，themanclosedroundher，andbroughtherdown，almostasifshewerepartofhisownphysique。
　　`Andshe'sbleeding！She'sbleeding！'criedUrsula，franticwithoppositionandhatredofGerald。Shealoneunderstoodhimperfectly，inpureopposition。
　　Gudrunlookedandsawthetricklesofbloodonthesidesofthemare，andsheturnedwhite。Andthenontheverywoundthebrightspurscamedown，pressingrelentlessly。TheworldreeledandpassedintonothingnessforGudrun，shecouldnotknowanymore。
　　Whensherecovered，hersoulwascalmandcold，withoutfeeling。Thetruckswerestillrumblingby，andthemanandthemarewerestillfighting。
　　Butsheherselfwascoldandseparate，shehadnomorefeelingforthem。
　　Shewasquitehardandcoldandindifferent。
　　Theycouldseethetopofthehoodedguard's—vanapproaching，thesoundofthetruckswasdiminishing，therewashopeofrelieffromtheintolerablenoise。Theheavypantingofthehalf—stunnedmaresoundedautomatically，themanseemedtoberelaxingconfidently，hiswillbrightandunstained。
　　Theguard's—vancameup，andpassedslowly，theguardstaringoutinhistransitiononthespectacleintheroad。And，throughthemanintheclosedwagon，Gudruncouldseethewholescenespectacularly，isolatedandmomentary，likeavisionisolatedineternity。
　　Lovely，gratefulsilenceseemedtotrailbehindtherecedingtrain。
　　Howsweetthesilenceis！Ursulalookedwithhatredonthebuffersofthediminishingwagon。Thegatekeeperstoodreadyatthedoorofhishut，toproceedtoopenthegate。ButGudrunsprangsuddenlyforward，infrontofthestrugglinghorse，threwoffthelatchandflungthegatesasunder，throwingone—halftothekeeper，andrunningwiththeotherhalf，forwards。
　　Geraldsuddenlyletgothehorseandleapedforwards，almostontoGudrun。
　　Shewasnotafraid。Ashejerkedasidethemare'shead，Gudruncried，inastrange，highvoice，likeagull，orlikeawitchscreamingoutfromthesideoftheroad:
　　`Ishouldthinkyou'reproud。'
　　Thewordsweredistinctandformed。Theman，twistingasideonhisdancinghorse，lookedatherinsomesurprise，somewonderinginterest。Thenthemare'shoofshaddancedthreetimesonthedrum—likesleepersofthecrossing，andmanandhorsewereboundingspringily，unequallyuptheroad。
　　Thetwogirlswatchedthemgo。Thegate—keeperhobbledthuddingoverthelogsofthecrossing，withhiswoodenleg。Hehadfastenedthegate。
　　Thenhealsoturned，andcalledtothegirls:
　　`Amasterfulyoungjockey，that;'llhavehisownroad，ifeveranybodywould。'
　　`Yes，'criedUrsula，inherhot，overbearingvoice。`Whycouldn'thetakethehorseaway，tillthetruckshadgoneby？He'safool，andabully。
　　Doeshethinkit'smanly，totortureahorse？It'salivingthing，whyshouldhebullyitandtortureit？'
　　Therewasapause，thenthegate—keepershookhishead，andreplied:
　　`Yes，it'sasnicealittlemareasyoucouldseteyeson——beautifullittlething，beautiful。Nowyoucouldn'tseehisfathertreatanyanimallikethat——notyou。They'reasdifferentastheywellycanbe，GeraldCrichandhisfather——twodifferentmen，differentmade。'
　　Thentherewasapause。
　　`Butwhydoeshedoit？'criedUrsula，`whydoeshe？Doeshethinkhe'sgrand，whenhe'sbulliedasensitivecreature，tentimesassensitiveashimself？'
　　Againtherewasacautiouspause。Thenagainthemanshookhishead，asifhewouldsaynothing，butwouldthinkthemore。
　　`Iexpecthe'sgottotrainthemaretostandtoanything，'hereplied。
　　`Apure—bredHarab——notthesortofbreedasisusedtoroundhere——
　　differentsortfromoursortaltogether。TheysayashegotherfromConstantinople。'
　　`Hewould！'saidUrsula。`He'dbetterhavelefthertotheTurks，I'msuretheywouldhavehadmoredecencytowardsher。'
　　Themanwentintodrinkhiscanoftea，thegirlswentondownthelane，thatwasdeepinsoftblackdust。Gudrunwasasifnumbedinhermindbythesenseofindomitablesoftweightoftheman，bearingdownintothelivingbodyofthehorse:thestrong，indomitablethighsoftheblondmanclenchingthepalpitatingbodyofthemareintopurecontrol;asortofsoftwhitemagneticdominationfromtheloinsandthighsandcalves，enclosingandencompassingthemareheavilyintounutterablesubordination，softblood—subordination，terrible。
　　Ontheleft，asthegirlswalkedsilently，thecoal—minelifteditsgreatmoundsanditspatternedhead—stocks，theblackrailwaywiththetrucksatrestlookedlikeaharbourjustbelow，alargebayofrailroadwithanchoredwagons。
　　Nearthesecondlevel—crossing，thatwentovermanybrightrails，wasafarmbelongingtothecollieries，andagreatroundglobeofiron，adisusedboiler，hugeandrustyandperfectlyround，stoodsilentlyinapaddockbytheroad。Thehenswerepeckingroundit，somechickenswerebalancedonthedrinkingtrough，wagtailsflewawayinamongtrucks，fromthewater。
　　Ontheothersideofthewidecrossing，bytheroad—side，wasaheapofpale—greystonesformendingtheroads，andacartstanding，andamiddle—agedmanwithwhiskersroundhisfacewasleaningonhisshovel，talkingtoayoungmaningaiters，whostoodbythehorse'shead。Bothmenwerefacingthecrossing。
　　Theysawthetwogirlsappear，small，brilliantfiguresintheneardistance，inthestronglightofthelateafternoon。Bothworelight，gaysummerdresses，Ursulahadanorange—colouredknittedcoat，Gudrunapaleyellow，Ursulaworecanaryyellowstockings，Gudrunbrightrose，thefiguresofthetwowomenseemedtoglitterinprogressoverthewidebayoftherailwaycrossing，whiteandorangeandyellowandroseglitteringinmotionacrossahotworldsiltedwithcoal—dust。
　　Thetwomenstoodquitestillintheheat，watching。Theelderwasashort，hard—facedenergeticmanofmiddleage，theyoungeralaboureroftwenty—threeorso。Theystoodinsilencewatchingtheadvanceofthesisters。
　　Theywatchedwhilstthegirlsdrewnear，andwhilsttheypassed，andwhilsttheyrecededdownthedustyroad，thathaddwellingsononeside，anddustyyoungcornontheother。
　　Thentheelderman，withthewhiskersroundhisface，saidinaprurientmannertotheyoungman:
　　`Whatpricethat，eh？She'lldo，won'tshe？'
　　`Which？'askedtheyoungman，eagerly，withlaugh。
　　`Herwiththeredstockings。Whatd'yousay？I'dgivemyweek'swagesforfiveminutes;what！——justforfiveminutes。'
　　Againtheyoungmanlaughed。
　　`Yourmissis'udhavesummattosaytoyou，'hereplied。
　　Gudrunhadturnedroundandlookedatthetwomen。Theyweretohersinistercreatures，standingwatchingafterher，bytheheapofpalegreyslag。Sheloathedthemanwithwhiskersroundhisface。
　　`You'refirstclass，youare，'themansaidtoher，andtothedistance。
　　`Doyouthinkitwouldbeworthaweek'swages？'saidtheyoungerman，musing。
　　`DoI？I'dput'embloody—welldownthissecond——'
　　TheyoungermanlookedafterGudrunandUrsulaobjectively，asifhewishedtocalculatewhattheremightbe，thatwasworthhisweek'swages。
　　Heshookhisheadwithfatalmisgiving。
　　`No，'hesaid。`It'snotworththattome。'
　　`Isn't？'saidtheoldman。`ByGod，ifitisn'ttome！'
　　Andhewentonshovellinghisstones。
　　Thegirlsdescendedbetweenthehouseswithslateroofsandblackishbrickwalls。Theheavygoldglamourofapproachingsunsetlayoverallthecollierydistrict，andtheuglinessoverlaidwithbeautywaslikeanarcotictothesenses。Ontheroadssiltedwithblackdust，therichlightfellmorewarmly，moreheavily，overalltheamorphoussqualorakindofmagicwascast，fromtheglowingcloseofday。
　　`Ithasafoulkindofbeauty，thisplace，'saidGudrun，evidentlysufferingfromfascination。`Can'tyoufeelinsomeway，athick，hotattractioninit？Ican。Anditquitestupifiesme。'
　　Theywerepassingbetweenblocksofminers'dwellings。Inthebackyardsofseveraldwellings，aminercouldbeseenwashinghimselfintheopenonthishotevening，nakeddowntotheloins，hisgreattrousersofmoleskinslippingalmostaway。Minersalreadycleanedweresittingontheirheels，withtheirbacksnearthewalls，talkingandsilentinpurephysicalwell—being，tired，andtakingphysicalrest。Theirvoicessoundedoutwithstrongintonation，andthebroaddialectwascuriouslycaressingtotheblood。ItseemedtoenvelopGudruninalabourer'scaress，therewasinthewholeatmospherearesonanceofphysicalmen，aglamorousthicknessoflabourandmaleness，surchargedintheair。Butitwasuniversalinthedistrict，andthereforeunnoticedbytheinhabitants。
　　ToGudrun，however，itwaspotentandhalf—repulsive。ShecouldnevertellwhyBeldoverwassoutterlydifferentfromLondonandthesouth，whyone'swholefeelingsweredifferent，whyoneseemedtoliveinanothersphere。Nowsherealisedthatthiswastheworldofpowerful，underworldmenwhospentmostoftheirtimeinthedarkness。Intheirvoicesshecouldhearthevoluptuousresonanceofdarkness，thestrong，dangerousunderworld，mindless，inhuman。Theysoundedalsolikestrangemachines，heavy，oiled。
　　Thevoluptuousnesswaslikethatofmachinery，coldandiron。
　　Itwasthesameeveryeveningwhenshecamehome，sheseemedtomovethroughawaveofdisruptiveforce，thatwasgivenofffromthepresenceofthousandsofvigorous，underworld，half—automatisedcolliers，andwhichwenttothebrainandtheheart，awakingafataldesire，andafatalcallousness。
　　Therecameoverheranostalgiafortheplace。Shehatedit，sheknewhowutterlycutoffitwas，howhideousandhowsickeninglymindless。SometimesshebeatherwingslikeanewDaphne，turningnotintoatreebutamachine。
　　Andyet，shewasovercomebythenostalgia。Shestruggledtogetmoreandmoreintoaccordwiththeatmosphereoftheplace，shecravedtogethersatisfactionofit。
　　Shefeltherselfdrawnoutateveningintothemainstreetofthetown，thatwasuncreatedandugly，andyetsurchargedwiththissamepotentatmosphereofintense，darkcallousness。Therewerealwaysminersabout。Theymovedwiththeirstrange，distorteddignity，acertainbeauty，andunnaturalstillnessintheirbearing，alookofabstractionandhalfresignationintheirpale，oftengauntfaces。Theybelongedtoanotherworld，theyhadastrangeglamour，theirvoiceswerefullofanintolerabledeepresonance，likeamachine'sburring，amusicmoremaddeningthanthesiren'slongago。
　　Shefoundherself，withtherestofthecommonwomen，drawnoutonFridayeveningstothelittlemarket。Fridaywaspay—dayforthecolliers，andFridaynightwasmarketnight。Everywomanwasabroad，everymanwasout，shoppingwithhiswife，orgatheringwithhispals。Thepavementsweredarkformilesaroundwithpeoplecomingin，thelittlemarket—placeonthecrownofthehill，andthemainstreetofBeldoverwereblackwiththickly—crowdedmenandwomen。
　　Itwasdark，themarket—placewashotwithkeroseneflares，whichthrewaruddylightonthegravefacesofthepurchasingwives，andonthepaleabstractfacesofthemen。Theairwasfullofthesoundofcriersandofpeopletalking，thickstreamsofpeoplemovedonthepavementstowardsthesolidcrowdofthemarket。Theshopswereblazingandpackedwithwomen，inthestreetsweremen，mostlymen，minersofallages。Moneywasspentwithalmostlavishfreedom。
　　Thecartsthatcamecouldnotpassthrough。Theyhadtowait，thedrivercallingandshouting，tillthedensecrowdwouldmakeway。Everywhere，youngfellowsfromtheoutlyingdistrictsweremakingconversationwiththegirls，standingintheroadandatthecorners。Thedoorsofthepublic—houseswereopenandfulloflight，menpassedinandoutinacontinualstream，everywheremenwerecallingouttooneanother，orcrossingtomeetoneanother，orstandinginlittlegangsandcircles，discussing，endlesslydiscussing。Thesenseoftalk，buzzing，jarring，half—secret，theendlessminingandpoliticalwrangling，vibratedintheairlikediscordantmachinery。
　　AnditwastheirvoiceswhichaffectedGudrunalmosttoswooning。Theyarousedastrange，nostalgicacheofdesire，somethingalmostdemoniacal，nevertobefulfilled。
　　Likeanyothercommongirlofthedistrict，Gudrunstrolledupanddown，upanddownthelengthofthebrillianttwo—hundredpacesofthepavementnearestthemarket—place。Sheknewitwasavulgarthingtodo;herfatherandmothercouldnotbearit;butthenostalgiacameoverher，shemustbeamongthepeople。Sometimesshesatamongtheloutsinthecinema:rakish—looking，unattractiveloutstheywere。Yetshemustbeamongthem。
　　And，likeanyothercommonlass，shefoundher`boy。'Itwasanelectrician，oneoftheelectriciansintroducedaccordingtoGerald'snewscheme。Hewasanearnest，cleverman，ascientistwithapassionforsociology。Helivedaloneinacottage，inlodgings，inWilleyGreen。Hewasagentleman，andsufficientlywell—to—do。Hislandladyspreadthereportsabouthim;
　　hewouldhavealargewoodentubinhisbedroom，andeverytimehecameinfromwork，hewouldhavepailsandpailsofwaterbroughtup，tobathein，thenheputoncleanshirtandunder—clothingeveryday，andcleansilksocks;fastidiousandexactinghewasintheserespects，butineveryotherway，mostordinaryandunassuming。
　　Gudrunknewallthesethings。TheBrangwen'shousewasonetowhichthegossipcamenaturallyandinevitably。PalmerwasinthefirstplaceafriendofUrsula's。Butinhispale，elegant，seriousfacethereshowedthesamenostalgiathatGudrunfelt。HetoomustwalkupanddownthestreetonFridayevening。SohewalkedwithGudrun，andafriendshipwasstruckupbetweenthem。ButhewasnotinlovewithGudrun;hereallywantedUrsula，butforsomestrangereason，nothingcouldhappenbetweenherandhim。HelikedtohaveGudrunabout，asafellow—mind——butthatwasall。
　　Andshehadnorealfeelingforhim。Hewasascientist，hehadtohaveawomantobackhim。Buthewasreallyimpersonal，hehadthefinenessofanelegantpieceofmachinery。Hewastoocold，toodestructivetocarereallyforwomen，toogreatanegoist。Hewaspolarisedbythemen。Individuallyhedetestedanddespisedthem。Inthemasstheyfascinatedhim，asmachineryfascinatedhim。Theywereanewsortofmachinerytohim——butincalculable，incalculable。
　　SoGudrunstrolledthestreetswithPalmer，orwenttothecinemawithhim。Andhislong，pale，ratherelegantfaceflickeredashemadehissarcasticremarks。Theretheywere，thetwoofthem:twoelegantsinonesense:intheothersense，twounits，absolutelyadheringtothepeople，teemingwiththedistortedcolliers。Thesamesecretseemedtobeworkinginthesoulsofallalike，Gudrun，Palmer，therakishyoungbloods，thegaunt，middle—agedmen。Allhadasecretsenseofpower，andofinexpressibledestructiveness，andoffatalhalf—heartedness，asortofrottennessinthewill。
　　SometimesGudrunwouldstartaside，seeitall，seehowshewassinkingin。Andthenshewasfilledwithafuryofcontemptandanger。Shefeltshewassinkingintoonemasswiththerest——allsocloseandintermingledandbreathless。Itwashorrible。Shestifled。Shepreparedforflight，feverishlysheflewtoherwork。Butsoonsheletgo。Shestartedoffintothecountry——thedarkish，glamorouscountry。Thespellwasbeginningtoworkagain。
　　WomenInLove:Chapter10CHAPTERXSketch—bookONEMORNINGthesistersweresketchingbythesideofWilleyWater，attheremoteendofthelake。Gudrunhadwadedouttoagravellyshoal，andwasseatedlikeaBuddhist，staringfixedlyatthewater—plantsthatrosesucculentfromthemudofthelowshores。Whatshecouldseewasmud，soft，oozy，waterymud，andfromitsfesteringchill，water—plantsroseup，thickandcoolandfleshy，verystraightandturgid，thrustingouttheirleavesatrightangles，andhavingdarkluridcolours，darkgreenandblotchesofblack—purpleandbronze。Butshecouldfeeltheirturgidfleshystructureasinasensuousvision，sheknewhowtheyroseoutofthemud，sheknewhowtheythrustoutfromthemselves，howtheystoodstiffandsucculentagainsttheair。
　　Ursulawaswatchingthebutterflies，ofwhichthereweredozensnearthewater，littleblueonessuddenlysnappingoutofnothingnessintoajewel—life，alargeblack—and—redonestandinguponaflowerandbreathingwithhissoftwings，intoxicatingly，breathingpure，etherealsunshine;
　　twowhiteoneswrestlinginthelowair;therewasahaloroundthem;ah，whentheycametumblingnearertheywereorangetips，anditwastheorangethathadmadethehalo。Ursularoseanddriftedaway，unconsciouslikethebutterflies。
　　Gudrun，absorbedinastuporofapprehensionofsurgingwater—plants，satcrouchedontheshoal，drawing，notlookingupforalongtime，andthenstaringunconsciously，absorbedlyattherigid，naked，succulentstems。
　　Herfeetwerebare，herhatlayonthebankopposite。
　　Shestartedoutofhertrance，hearingtheknockingofoars。Shelookedround。TherewasaboatwithagaudyJapaneseparasol，andamaninwhite，rowing。ThewomanwasHermione，andthemanwasGerald。Sheknewitinstantly。
　　Andinstantlysheperishedinthekeenfrissonofanticipation，anelectricvibrationinherveins，intense，muchmoreintensethanthatwhichwasalwayshumminglowintheatmosphereofBeldover。