`Idoubtyoucan’t，’herepliedeasily。
　　Theytrampedinridiculousfiledownthelaneagain，insilence。Anowlstillhooted。Heknewheoughttoshootit。
　　Thecarstooduntouched，alittledewy。Hildagotinandstartedtheengine。Theothertwowaited。
　　`AllImean，’shesaidfromherentrenchment，`isthatIdoubtifyou’llfindit’sbeenworthit，eitherofyou!’
　　`Oneman’smeatisanotherman’spoison，’hesaid，outofthedarkness。
　　`Butit’smeatan’drinktome。
　　Thelightsflaredout。
　　`Don’tmakemewaitinthemorning，’
　　`No，Iwon’t。Goodnight!’
　　Thecarroseslowlyontothehighroad，thenslidswiftlyaway，leavingthenightsilent。
　　Connietimidlytookhisarm，andtheywentdownthelane。Hedidnotspeak。Atlengthshedrewhimtoastandstill。
　　`Kissme!’shemurmured。
　　`Nay，waitabit!Letmesimmerdown，’hesaid。
　　Thatamusedher。Shestillkeptholdofhisarm，andtheywentquicklydownthelane，insilence。Shewassogladtobewithhim，justnow。Sheshivered，knowingthatHildamighthavesnatchedheraway。Hewasinscrutablysilent。
　　Whentheywereinthecottageagain，shealmostjumpedwithpleasure，thatsheshouldbefreeofhersister。
　　`ButyouwerehorridtoHilda，’shesaidtohim。
　　`Sheshouldha’beenslappedintime。’
　　`Butwhy？andshe’ssonice。’
　　Hedidn’tanswer，wentrounddoingtheeveningchores，withaquiet，inevitablesortofmotion。Hewasoutwardlyangry，butnotwithher。SoConniefelt。Andhisangergavehimapeculiarhandsomeness，aninwardnessandglistenthatthrilledherandmadeherlimbsgomolten。
　　Stillhetooknonoticeofher。
　　Tillhesatdownandbegantounlacehisboots。Thenhelookedupatherfromunderhisbrows，onwhichtheangerstillsatfirm。
　　`Shan’tyougoup？’hesaid。`There’sacandle!’
　　Hejerkedhisheadswiftlytoindicatethecandleburningonthetable。
　　Shetookitobediently，andhewatchedthefullcurveofherhipsasshewentupthefirststairs。
　　Itwasanightofsensualpassion，inwhichshewasalittlestartledandalmostunwilling：yetpiercedagainwithpiercingthrillsofsensuality，different，sharper，moreterriblethanthethrillsoftenderness，but，atthemoment，moredesirable。Thoughalittlefrightened，shelethimhavehisway，andthereckless，shamelesssensualityshookhertoherfoundations，strippedhertotheverylast，andmadeadifferentwomanofher。Itwasnotreallylove。Itwasnotvoluptuousness。Itwassensualitysharpandsearingasfire，burningthesoultotinder。
　　Burningouttheshames，thedeepest，oldestshames，inthemostsecretplaces。Itcostheranefforttolethimhavehiswayandhiswillofher。
　　Shehadtobeapassive，consentingthing，likeaslave，aphysicalslave。
　　Yetthepassionlickedroundher，consuming，andwhenthesensualflameofitpressedthroughherbowelsandbreast，shereallythoughtshewasdying：yetapoignant，marvellousdeath。
　　ShehadoftenwonderedwhatAbé；lardmeant，whenhesaidthatintheiryearofloveheandHé；loï；sehadpassedthroughallthestagesandrefinementsofpassion。Thesamething，athousandyearsago：tenthousandyearsago!ThesameontheGreekvases，everywhere!Therefinementsofpassion，theextravagancesofsensuality!Andnecessary，forevernecessary，toburnoutfalseshamesandsmeltouttheheaviestoreofthebodyintopurity。Withthefireofsheersensuality。
　　Intheshortsummernightshelearntsomuch。Shewouldhavethoughtawomanwouldhavediedofshame。Insteadofwhich，theshamedied。Shame，whichisfear：thedeepOrganicshame，theold，oldphysicalfearwhichcrouchesinthebodilyrootsofus，andcanonlybechasedawaybythesensualfire，atlastitwasrousedupandroutedbythephallichuntoftheman，andshecametotheveryheartofthejungleofherself。Shefelt，now，shehadcometotherealbed-rockofhernature，andwasessentiallyshameless。Shewashersensualself，nakedandunashamed。Shefeltatriumph，almostavainglory。So!Thatwashowitwas!Thatwaslife!Thatwashowoneselfreallywas!Therewasnothinglefttodisguiseorbeashamedof。
　　Shesharedherultimatenakednesswithaman，anotherbeing。
　　Andwhatarecklessdevilthemanwas!reallylikeadevil!Onehadtobestrongtobearhim。Butittooksomegettingat，thecoreofthephysicaljungle，thelastanddeepestrecessoforganicshame。Thephallosalonecouldexploreit。Andhowhehadpressedinonher!
　　Andhow，infear，shehadhatedit。Buthowshehadreallywantedit!
　　Sheknewnow。Atthebottomofhersoul，fundamentally，shehadneededthisphallichuntingOut，shehadsecretlywantedit，andshehadbelievedthatshewouldnevergetit。Nowsuddenlythereitwas，andamanwassharingherlastandfinalnakedness，shewasshameless。
　　Whatliarspoetsandeverybodywere!Theymadeonethinkonewantedsentiment。Whenwhatonesupremelywantedwasthispiercing，consuming，ratherawfulsensuality。Tofindamanwhodareddoit，withoutshameorsinorfinalmisgiving!Ifhehadbeenashamedafterwards，andmadeonefeelashamed，howawful!Whatapitymostmenaresodoggy，abitshameful，likeClifford!LikeMichaeliseven!Bothsensuallyabitdoggyandhumiliating。
　　Thesupremepleasureofthemind!Andwhatisthattoawoman？Whatisit，really，tothemaneither!Hebecomesmerelymessyanddoggy，eveninhismind。Itneedssheersensualityeventopurifyandquickenthemind。
　　Sheerfierysensuality，notmessiness。
　　Ah，God，howrareathingamanis!Theyarealldogsthattrotandsniffandcopulate。Tohavefoundamanwhowasnotafraidandnotashamed!
　　Shelookedathimnow，sleepingsolikeawildanimalasleep，gone，goneintheremotenessofit。Shenestleddown，nottobeawayfromhim。
　　Tillhisrousingwakedhercompletely。Hewassittingupinbed，lookingdownather。Shesawherownnakednessinhiseyes，immediateknowledgeofher。Andthefluid，maleknowledgeofherselfseemedtoflowtoherfromhiseyesandwraphervoluptuously。Oh，howvoluptuousandlovelyitwastohavelimbsandbodyhalf-asleep，heavyandsuffusedwithpassion。
　　`Isittimetowakeup？’shesaid。
　　`Halfpastsix。’
　　Shehadtobeatthelane-endateight。Always，always，alwaysthiscompulsiononone!
　　`Imightmakethebreakfastandbringituphere；shouldI？’hesaid。
　　`Ohyes!’
　　Flossiewhimperedgentlybelow。Hegotupandthrewoffhispyjamas，andrubbedhimselfwithatowel。Whenthehumanbeingisfullofcourageandfulloflife，howbeautifulitis!Soshethought，asshewatchedhiminsilence。
　　`Drawthecurtain，willyou？’
　　Thesunwasshiningalreadyonthetendergreenleavesofmorning，andthewoodstoodbluey-fresh，inthenearness。Shesatupinbed，lookingdreamilyoutthroughthedormerwindow，hernakedarmspushinghernakedbreaststogether。Hewasdressinghimself。Shewashalf-dreamingoflife，alifetogetherwithhim：justalife。
　　Hewasgoing，fleeingfromherdangerous，crouchingnakedness。
　　`HaveIlostmynightiealtogether？’shesaid。
　　Hepushedhishanddowninthebed，andpulledoutthebitofflimsysilk。
　　`IknowedIfeltsilkatmyankles，’hesaid。
　　Butthenight-dresswasslitalmostintwo。
　　`Nevermind!’shesaid。`Itbelongshere，really。I’llleaveit。’
　　`Ay，leaveit，Icanputitbetweenmylegsatnight，forcompany。There’snonamenormarkonit，isthere？’
　　Sheslippedonthetornthing，andsatdreamilylookingoutofthewindow。
　　ThewindowwasOpen，theairofmorningdriftedin，andthesoundofbirds。
　　Birdsflewcontinuouslypast。ThenshesawFlossieroamingout。Itwasmorning。
　　Downstairssheheardhimmakingthefire，pumpingwater，goingoutatthebackdoor。Byandbycamethesmellofbacon，andatlengthhecameupstairswithahugeblacktraythatwouldonlyjustgothroughthedoor。
　　Hesetthetrayonthebed，andpouredoutthetea。Conniesquattedinhertornnightdress，andfellonherfoodhungrily。Hesatontheonechair，withhisplateonhisknees。
　　`Howgooditis!’shesaid。`Hownicetohavebreakfasttogether。’
　　Heateinsilence，hismindonthetimethatwasquicklypassing。Thatmadeherremember。
　　`Oh，howIwishIcouldstayherewithyou，andWragbywereamillionmilesaway!It’sWragbyI’mgoingawayfromreally。Youknowthat，don’tyou？’
　　`Ay!’
　　`Andyoupromisewewilllivetogetherandhavealifetogether，youandme!Youpromiseme，don’tyou？’
　　`Ay!Whenwecan。’
　　`Yes!Andwewill!wewill，won’twe？’sheleanedover，makingtheteaspill，catchinghiswrist。
　　`Ay!’hesaid，tidyingupthetea。
　　`Wecan’tpossiblynotlivetogethernow，canwe？’shesaidappealingly。
　　Helookedupatherwithhisflickeringgrin。
　　`No!’hesaid。`Onlyyou’vegottostartintwenty-fiveminutes。’
　　`HaveI？’shecried。Suddenlyheheldupawarningfinger，androsetohisfeet。
　　Flossiehadgivenashortbark，thenthreeloudsharpyapsofwarning。
　　Silent，heputhisplateonthetrayandwentdownstairs。Constanceheardhimgodownthegardenpath。Abicyclebelltinkledoutsidethere。
　　`Morning，MrMellors!Registeredletter!’
　　`Ohay!Gotapencil？’
　　`Herey’are!’
　　Therewasapause。
　　`Canada!’saidthestranger’svoice。
　　`Ay!That’samateo’mineoutthereinBritishColumbia。Dunnowhathe’sgottoregister。’
　　`’Appensenty’afortune，like。’
　　`Morelikewantssummat。’
　　Pause。
　　`Well!Lovelydayagain!’
　　`Ay!’
　　`Morning!’
　　`Morning!’
　　Afteratimehecameupstairsagain，lookingalittleangry。
　　`Postman，’hesaid。
　　`Veryearly!’shereplied。
　　`Ruralround；he’smostlyherebyseven，whenhedoescome。
　　`Didyourmatesendyouafortune？’
　　`No!OnlysomephotographsandpapersaboutaplaceoutthereinBritishColumbia。’
　　`Wouldyougothere？’
　　`Ithoughtperhapswemight。’
　　`Ohyes!Ibelieveit’slovely!’Buthewasputoutbythepostman’scoming。
　　`Themdamnbikes，they’reonyouaforeyouknowwhereyouare。Ihopehetwiggednothing。’
　　`Afterall，whatcouldhetwig!’
　　`Youmustgetupnow，andgetready。I’mjustgoin’terlookroundoutside。’
　　Shesawhimgoreconnoitringintothelane，withdogandgun。Shewentdownstairsandwashed，andwasreadybythetimehecameback，withthefewthingsinthelittlesilkbag。
　　Helockedup，andtheysetoff，butthroughthewood，notdownthelane。
　　Hewasbeingwary。
　　`Don’tyouthinkonelivesfortimeslikelastnight？’shesaidtohim。
　　`Ay!Butthere’stheresto’timestothinkon，’hereplied，rathershort。
　　Theyploddedondowntheovergrownpath，heinfront，insilence。
　　`Andwewilllivetogetherandmakealifetogether，won’twe？’
　　shepleaded。
　　`Ay!’hereplied，stridingonwithoutlookinground。`Whent’timecomes!
　　Justnowyou’reofftoVeniceorsomewhere。’
　　Shefollowedhimdumbly，withsinkingheart。Oh，nowshewaswaetogo!
　　Atlasthestopped。
　　`I’lljuststrikeacrosshere，’hesaid，pointingtotheright。
　　Butsheflungherarmsroundhisneck，andclungtohim。
　　`Butyou’llkeepthetendernessforme，won’tyou？’shewhispered。`I
　　lovedlastnight。Butyou’llkeepthetendernessforme，won’tyou？’
　　Hekissedherandheldhercloseforamoment。Thenhesighed，andkissedheragain。
　　`Imustgoan’lookifth’car’sthere。’
　　Hestrodeoverthelowbramblesandbracken，leavingatrailthroughthefern。Foraminuteortwohewasgone。Thenhecamestridingback。
　　`Car’snotthereyet，’hesaid。`Butthere’sthebaker’scartont’
　　road。’
　　Heseemedanxiousandtroubled。
　　`Hark!’
　　Theyheardacarsoftlyhootasitcamenearer。Itsloweduponthebridge。
　　Sheplungedwithuttermournfulnessinhistrackthroughthefern，andcametoahugehollyhedge。Hewasjustbehindher。
　　`Here!Gothroughthere!’hesaid，pointingtoagap。`Ishan’tcomeout。
　　Shelookedathimindespair。Buthekissedherandmadehergo。Shecreptinsheermiserythroughthehollyandthroughthewoodenfence，stumbleddownthelittleditchandupintothelane，whereHildawasjustgettingoutofthecarinvexation。
　　`Whyyou’rethere!’saidHilda。`Where’she？’
　　`He’snotcoming。’
　　Connie’sfacewasrunningwithtearsasshegotintothecarwithherlittlebag。Hildasnatchedupthemotoringhelmetwiththedisfiguringgoggles。
　　`Putiton!’shesaid。AndConniepulledonthedisguise，thenthelongmotoringcoat，andshesatdown，agogglinginhuman，unrecognizablecreature。
　　Hildastartedthecarwithabusinesslikemotion。Theyheavedoutofthelane，andwereawaydowntheroad。Conniehadlookedround，buttherewasnosightofhim。Away!Away!Shesatinbittertears。Thepartinghadcomesosuddenly，sounexpectedly。Itwaslikedeath。
　　`Thankgoodnessyou’llbeawayfromhimforsometime!’saidHilda，turningtoavoidCrosshillvillage。