Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IX
Theroses,thelilies,thecarnations,thehyacinths,thepoppies,theviolets,themignonette,allthesehadvanished,thelittlevalleywaswithoutcolour;whereonceithadexhaledthemostdeliciousperfume,itwasnowodourless.Undertheblindinglightofthedayitstretchedtoitshillsides,bare,brown,unlovely.Theromanceoftheplacehadvanished,butwithithadvanishedtheVision.
Itwasnolongerafigmentofhisimagination,acreatureofdreamsthatadvancedtomeetVanamee.ItwasReality—itwasAngeleintheflesh,vital,sane,material,whoatlastissuedforthfromtheentranceofthelittlevalley.Romancehadvanished,butbetterthanromancewashere.Notamanifestation,notadream,butherveryself.Thenightwasgone,butthesunhadrisen;theflowershaddisappeared,butstrong,vigorous,noble,thewheathadcome.
Inthewheathewaitedforher.Hesawhercoming.Shewassimplydressed.Nofancifulwreathoftube-roseswasaboutherheadnow,nostrangegarmentofredandgoldenvelopedhernow.Itwasnolongeranephemeralillusionofthenight,evanescent,mystic,butasimplecountrygirlcomingtomeetherlover.Thevisionofthenighthadbeenbeautiful,butwhatwasitcomparedtothis?RealitywasbetterthanRomance.Thesimplehonestyofaloving,trustingheartwasbetterthanalegendofflowers,anhallucinationofthemoonlight.Shecamenearer.Bathedinsunlight,hesawherfacetoface,sawherhairhangingintwostraightplaitsoneithersideofherface,sawtheenchantingfulnessofherlips,thestrange,balancingmovementofherheaduponherslenderneck.
