Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Forthislove’ssaketheyhadcomeintotheworld,andtheminglingoftheirliveswastobethePerfectLife,theintended,ordainedunionofthesoulofmanwiththesoulofwoman,indissoluble,harmoniousasmusic,beautifulbeyondallthought,aforetasteofHeaven,ahostageofimmortality.

           No,he,Vanamee,couldnever,neverforget,neverwastheedgeofhisgrieftoloseitssharpness,neverwouldthelapseoftimebluntthetoothofhispain.Oncemore,ashesatthere,lookingoffacrosstheranches,hiseyesfixedontheancientcampanileoftheMissionchurch,theanguishthatwouldnotdieleapedathisthroat,tearingathisheart,shakinghimandrendinghimwithaviolenceasfierceandasprofoundasifitallhadbeenbutyesterday.Theachereturnedtohisheartaphysicalkeenpain;hishandsgrippedtighttogether,twisting,interlocked,hiseyesfilledwithtears,hiswholebodyshakenandrivenfromheadtoheel.

           Hehadlosther.Godhadnotmeantit,afterall.Thewholematterhadbeenamistake.Thatvast,wonderfullovethathadcomeuponthemhadbeenonlytheflimsiestmockery.AbruptlyVanameerose.Heknewthenightthatwasbeforehim.Atintervalsthroughoutthecourseofhisprolongedwanderings,inthedesert,onthemesa,deepinthecanon,lostandforgottenontheflanksofunnamedmountains,aloneunderthestarsandunderthemoon’swhiteeye,thesehourscametohim,hisgriefrecoilinguponhimliketherecoilofavastandterribleengine.