Page 618 - women-in-love

and deftly turned some of her things, disclosing the box,
which was exquisitely painted.
‘That is it, see,’ she said, taking it from under his eyes.
And he was baffled now. He was left to fasten up the bag,
whilst she swiftly did up her hair for the night, and sat down
to unfasten her shoes. She would not turn her back to him
any more.
He was baffled, frustrated, but unconscious. She had
the whip hand over him now. She knew he had not realised
her terrible panic. Her heart was beating heavily still. Fool,
fool that she was, to get into such a state! How she thanked
God for Gerald’s obtuse blindness. Thank God he could see
nothing.
She sat slowly unlacing her shoes, and he too commenced
to undress. Thank God that crisis was over. She felt almost
fond of him now, almost in love with him.
‘Ah, Gerald,’ she laughed, caressively, teasingly, ‘Ah,
what a fine game you played with the Professor’s daughter—
didn’t you now?’
‘What game?’ he asked, looking round.
‘ISN’T she in love with you—oh DEAR, isn’t she in
love with you!’ said Gudrun, in her gayest, most attractive
mood.
‘I shouldn’t think so,’ he said.
‘Shouldn’t think so!’ she teased. ‘Why the poor girl is ly-
ing at this moment overwhelmed, dying with love for you.
She thinks you’re WONDERFUL—oh marvellous, beyond
what man has ever been. REALLY, isn’t it funny?’
‘Why funny, what is funny?’ he asked.

618 Women in Love