Page 186 - lady-chatterlys-lover
P. 186
there was nothing between them, when he never really
spoke to her, and in spite of herself she resented the dialect.
His ‘tha mun come’ seemed not addressed to her, but some
common woman. She recognized the foxglove leaves of the
riding and knew, more or less, where they were.
’It’s quarter past seven,’ he said, ‘you’ll do it.’ He had
changed his voice, seemed to feel her distance. As they
turned the last bend in the riding towards the hazel wall
and the gate, he blew out the light. ‘We’ll see from here,’ be
said, taking her gently by the arm.
But it was difficult, the earth under their feet was a mys-
tery, but he felt his way by tread: he was used to it. At the
gate he gave her his electric torch. ‘It’s a bit lighter in the
park,’ he said; ‘but take it for fear you get off th’ path.’
It was true, there seemed a ghost-glimmer of greyness
in the open space of the park. He suddenly drew her to him
and whipped his hand under her dress again, feeling her
warm body with his wet, chill hand.
’I could die for the touch of a woman like thee,’ he said in
his throat. ‘If tha’ would stop another minute.’
She felt the sudden force of his wanting her again.
’No, I must run,’ she said, a little wildly.
’Ay,’ he replied, suddenly changed, letting her go.
She turned away, and on the instant she turned back to
him saying: ‘Kiss me.’
He bent over her indistinguishable and kissed her on the
left eye. She held her mouth and he softly kissed it, but at
once drew away. He hated mouth kisses.
’I’ll come tomorrow,’ she said, drawing away; ‘if I can,’
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