d gradually he came back
to her； another man。 She was soft and winning and caressing。 She
was his servant； his adoring slave。 And she restored the whole
shell of him。 She restored the whole form and figure of him。 But
the core was gone。 His pride was bolstered up； his blood ran
once more in pride。 But there was no core to him： as a distinct
male he had no core。 His triumphant； flaming； overweening heart
of the intrinsic male would never beat again。 He would be
subject now； reciprocal； never the indomitable thing with a core
of overweening； unabateable fire。 She had abated that fire； she
had broken him。
But she caressed him。 She would not have him remember what
had been。 She would not remember herself。
〃Kiss me； Anton； kiss me；〃 she pleaded。
He kissed her； but she knew he could not touch her。 His arms
were round her； but they had not got her。 She could feel his
mouth upon her； but she was not at all pelled by it。
〃Kiss me；〃 she whispered； in acute distress； 〃kiss me。〃
And he kissed her as she bade him； but his heart was hollow。
She took his kisses； outwardly。 But her soul was empty and
finished。
Looking away； she saw the delicate glint of oats dangling
from the side of the stack； in the moonlight； something proud
and royal； and quite impersonal。 She had been proud with them；
where they were； she had been also。 B