Любовник леди Чаттерлей

           Shecouldn’textricateherselfallinfiveminutes.Shedidn’tevenwantto.

           HildaarrivedingoodtimeonThursdaymorning,inanimbletwo-seatercar,withhersuit-casestrappedfirmlybehind.Shelookedasdemureandmaidenlyasever,butshehadthesamewillofherown.Shehadtheveryhellofawillofherown,asherhusbandhadfoundout.Butthehusbandwasnowdivorcingher.

           Yes,sheevenmadeiteasyforhimtodothat,thoughshehadnolover.Forthetimebeing,shewas’off’men.Shewasverywellcontenttobequiteherownmistress:andmistressofhertwochildren,whomshewasgoingtobringup’properly’,whateverthatmaymean.

           Conniewasonlyallowedasuit-case,also.Butshehadsentonatrunktoherfather,whowasgoingbytrain.NousetakingacartoVenice.AndItalymuchtoohottomotorin,inJuly.Hewasgoingcomfortablybytrain.HehadjustcomedownfromScotland.

           So,likeademurearcadianfield-marshal,Hildaarrangedthematerialpartofthejourney.SheandConniesatintheupstairsroom,chatting.

           ’ButHilda!’saidConnie,alittlefrightened.’Iwanttostaynearheretonight.Nothere:nearhere!’

           Hildafixedhersisterwithgrey,inscrutableeyes.Sheseemedsocalm:andshewassooftenfurious.

           ’Where,nearhere?’sheaskedsoftly.

           ’Well,youknowIlovesomebody,don’tyou?’

           ’Igatheredtherewassomething.’

           ’Wellhelivesnearhere,andIwanttospendthislastnightwithhim.Imust!I’vepromised.’

           Conniebecameinsistent.

           HildabentherMinerva-likeheadinsilence.Thenshelookedup.