Page 614 - women-in-love

Gudrun, who had been watching Gerald in the Reunion-
saal, suddenly thought:
‘He should have all the women he can—it is his nature. It
is absurd to call him monogamous—he is naturally promis-
cuous. That is his nature.’
The thought came to her involuntarily. It shocked her
somewhat. It was as if she had seen some new MENE!
MENE! upon the wall. Yet it was merely true. A voice
seemed to have spoken it to her so clearly, that for the mo-
ment she believed in inspiration.
‘It is really true,’ she said to herself again.
She knew quite well she had believed it all along. She
knew it implicitly. But she must keep it dark—almost from
herself. She must keep it completely secret. It was knowledge
for her alone, and scarcely even to be admitted to herself.
The deep resolve formed in her, to combat him. One of
them must triumph over the other. Which should it be? Her
soul steeled itself with strength. Almost she laughed within
herself, at her confidence. It woke a certain keen, half con-
temptuous pity, tenderness for him: she was so ruthless.
Everybody retired early. The Professor and Loerke went
into a small lounge to drink. They both watched Gudrun go
along the landing by the railing upstairs.
‘Ein schones Frauenzimmer,’ said the Professor.
‘Ja!’ asserted Loerke, shortly.
Gerald walked with his queer, long wolf-steps across the
bedroom to the window, stooped and looked out, then rose
again, and turned to Gudrun, his eyes sharp with an ab-
stract smile. He seemed very tall to her, she saw the glisten

614 Women in Love