She admired and
despised her sister so much, both! Then, suddenly she averted her face,
saying coldly, uglily:
'Well, I've got no further than love, yet.'
Over Ursula's mind flashed the thought: 'Because you never HAVE loved,
you can't get beyond it.'
Gudrun rose, came over to Ursula and put her arm round her neck.
'Go and find your new world, dear,' she said, her voice clanging with
false benignity. 'After all, the happiest voyage is the quest of
Rupert's Blessed Isles.'
Her arm rested round Ursula's neck, her fingers on Ursula's cheek for a
few moments. Ursula was supremely uncomfortable meanwhile. There was an
insult in Gudrun's protective patronage that was really too hurting.
Feeling her sister's resistance, Gudrun drew awkwardly away, turned
over the pillow, and disclosed the stockings again.
'Ha--ha!' she laughed, rather hollowly. 'How we do talk indeed--new
worlds and old--!'
And they passed to the familiar worldly subjects.
Gerald and Birkin had walked on ahead, waiting for the sledge to
overtake them, conveying the departing guests.
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