She betrayed the
woman in herself. And Birkin, would he acknowledge, or would he deny
her?
'Yes,' said Hermione, as each woman came out of her own separate
reverie. 'It would be a mistake--I think it would be a mistake--'
'To marry him?' asked Ursula.
'Yes,' said Hermione slowly--'I think you need a man--soldierly,
strong-willed--' Hermione held out her hand and clenched it with
rhapsodic intensity. 'You should have a man like the old heroes--you
need to stand behind him as he goes into battle, you need to SEE his
strength, and to HEAR his shout--. You need a man physically strong,
and virile in his will, NOT a sensitive man--.' There was a break, as
if the pythoness had uttered the oracle, and now the woman went on, in
a rhapsody-wearied voice: 'And you see, Rupert isn't this, he isn't. He
is frail in health and body, he needs great, great care. Then he is so
changeable and unsure of himself--it requires the greatest patience and
understanding to help him. And I don't think you are patient.
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