Page 671 - women-in-love

eyes. She withdrew on to her old ground. But still he would
not gather himself together, against her.
Loerke was waiting for her now. The little artist, isolated
in his own complete envelope, felt that here at last was a
woman from whom he could get something. He was uneasy
all the while, waiting to talk with her, subtly contriving to
be near her. Her presence filled him with keenness and ex-
citement, he gravitated cunningly towards her, as if she had
some unseen force of attraction.
He was not in the least doubtful of himself, as regards
Gerald. Gerald was one of the outsiders. Loerke only hat-
ed him for being rich and proud and of fine appearance.
All these things, however, riches, pride of social standing,
handsome physique, were externals. When it came to the
relation with a woman such as Gudrun, he, Loerke, had an
approach and a power that Gerald never dreamed of.
How should Gerald hope to satisfy a woman of Gudrun’s
calibre? Did he think that pride or masterful will or physi-
cal strength would help him? Loerke knew a secret beyond
these things. The greatest power is the one that is subtle and
adjusts itself, not one which blindly attacks. And he, Loerke,
had understanding where Gerald was a calf. He, Loerke,
could penetrate into depths far out of Gerald’s knowledge.
Gerald was left behind like a postulant in the ante-room of
this temple of mysteries, this woman. But he Loerke, could
he not penetrate into the inner darkness, find the spirit of
the woman in its inner recess, and wrestle with it there, the
central serpent that is coiled at the core of life.
What was it, after all, that a woman wanted? Was it mere

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