Page 301 - sons-and-lovers

constellations. They had gazed at him in their strange, sur-
charged hours of feeling, until they seemed themselves to
live in every one of his stars. This evening Paul had been
moody and perverse. Orion had seemed just an ordinary
constellation to him. He had fought against his glamour
and fascination. Miriam was watching her lover’s mood
carefully. But he said nothing that gave him away, till the
moment came to part, when he stood frowning gloomily at
the gathered clouds, behind which the great constellation
must be striding still.
There was to be a little party at his house the next day, at
which she was to attend.
‘I shan’t come and meet you,’ he said.
‘Oh, very well; it’s not very nice out,’ she replied slowly.
‘It’s not that—only they don’t like me to. They say I care
more for you than for them. And you understand, don’t
you? You know it’s only friendship.’
Miriam was astonished and hurt for him. It had cost him
an effort. She left him, wanting to spare him any further hu-
miliation. A fine rain blew in her face as she walked along
the road. She was hurt deep down; and she despised him
for being blown about by any wind of authority. And in her
heart of hearts, unconsciously, she felt that he was trying
to get away from her. This she would never have acknowl-
edged. She pitied him.
At this time Paul became an important factor in Jordan’s
warehouse. Mr. Pappleworth left to set up a business of his
own, and Paul remained with Mr. Jordan as Spiral overseer.
His wages were to be raised to thirty shillings at the year-

00 Sons and Lovers