Page 383 - women-in-love

‘Where?’ cried Ursula.
Again her sister’s voice was muffled.
Brangwen opened the door, and called, in his strong,
brazen voice:
‘Ursula.’
She appeared in a moment, wearing her hat.
‘Oh how do you do!’ she cried, seeing Birkin, and all daz-
zled as if taken by surprise. He wondered at her, knowing
she was aware of his presence. She had her queer, radiant,
breathless manner, as if confused by the actual world, un-
real to it, having a complete bright world of her self alone.
‘Have I interrupted a conversation?’ she asked.
‘No, only a complete silence,’ said Birkin.
‘Oh,’ said Ursula, vaguely, absent. Their presence was not
vital to her, she was withheld, she did not take them in. It
was a subtle insult that never failed to exasperate her fa-
ther.
‘Mr Birkin came to speak to YOU, not to me,’ said her
father.
‘Oh, did he!’ she exclaimed vaguely, as if it did not con-
cern her. Then, recollecting herself, she turned to him rather
radiantly, but still quite superficially, and said: ‘Was it any-
thing special?’
‘I hope so,’ he said, ironically.
‘—To propose to you, according to all accounts,’ said her
father.
‘Oh,’ said Ursula.
‘Oh,’ mocked her father, imitating her. ‘Have you noth-
ing more to say?’

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