Page 114 - women-in-love

The summer was just coming in when Ursula and
Gudrun went to stay the second time with Hermione. Com-
ing along in the car, after they had entered the park, they
looked across the dip, where the fish-ponds lay in silence,
at the pillared front of the house, sunny and small like an
English drawing of the old school, on the brow of the green
hill, against the trees. There were small figures on the green
lawn, women in lavender and yellow moving to the shade of
the enormous, beautifully balanced cedar tree.
‘Isn’t it complete!’ said Gudrun. ‘It is as final as an old
aquatint.’ She spoke with some resentment in her voice, as
if she were captivated unwillingly, as if she must admire
against her will.
‘Do you love it?’ asked Ursula.
‘I don’t LOVE it, but in its way, I think it is quite com-
plete.’
The motor-car ran down the hill and up again in one
breath, and they were curving to the side door. A parlour-
maid appeared, and then Hermione, coming forward with
her pale face lifted, and her hands outstretched, advancing
straight to the new-comers, her voice singing:
‘Here you are—I’m so glad to see you—‘ she kissed
Gudrun—‘so glad to see you—‘ she kissed Ursula and re-
mained with her arm round her. ‘Are you very tired?’
‘Not at all tired,’ said Ursula.
‘Are you tired, Gudrun?’
‘Not at all, thanks,’ said Gudrun.
‘No—‘ drawled Hermione. And she stood and looked at
them. The two girls were embarrassed because she would

114 Women in Love