The Awakening

did not lead the way, however, he directed the way; and he himself loitered behind with the lovers, who had betrayed a disposition to li

he did not join them. It was unlike him not to. Of late he had sometimes held away from her for an entire day, redoubling his devotion upon the next and the next, as though to make up for hours tha

distance. There were strange, rare odors abroad-a tangle of the sea smell and of weeds and damp, new-plowed earth, mingled with the heavy perfume of a field of white blossoms somewhere near. But th

ow, and swelled lazily in broad billows that melted into one another and did not break

en. Robert had pursued a system of lessons almost daily; and he was nearly at the point of discouragement in realizing the futility of his e

powers, and walks for the first time alone, boldly and with over-confidence. She could have shouted for j

iven her to control the working of her body and her soul. She grew daring and reckless,

plause, and admiration. Each one congratulated himself tha

it was nothing. Think of the time I have lost splashing about like a baby!" She would not join the g

ast expanse of water, meeting and melting with the moonlit sky, conveyed to her excited f

ce that is, what would have been a great distance for an experienced swimmer. But to her unaccustomed vision the str

ime appalled and enfeebled her senses. But by an effort she r

her flash of terror, except to say to her husband,

ar, my dear; I was watc

he others had left the water. She started to walk away alone. They all called to her and shouted to her. She

us," said Madame Lebrun, who was amusing herself immensely and fe

nted Mr. Pontellier;

of the distance on her way home b

aid?" she asked him, wit

w you were

Why didn't you stay ou

thought

ht of

What differenc

," she uttered,

ow yo

rehend half of them. Don't mind what I'm saying; I am just thinking aloud. I wonder if I shall ever be stirred again as Mademoiselle Reisz's playing moved me to-night. I wonder if an

t, "Didn't you know this was

y-eighth o

the spirit seeks some one mortal worthy to hold him company, worthy of being exalted for a few hours into realms of the semi-celestials. His search has always hitherto been fruitless, and he has sunk back, disheartened,

hat he had penetrated her mood and understood. He said nothing except to offer her his arm, for, by her own admission, she was exhausted. She had been walking alone with her arms hanging limp, letting her white skirts

k which swung from the post before

re and wait for Mr. P

out here. G

get you a

said, feeling about, for

the children have be

eath of relief. She was not a supercilious or an over-dainty woman. She was not much given to reclining in the hammock, and when sh

t, seating himself on the outer edge of one of the steps and t

Will you get my white shawl which I lef

you c

shall be

know what time it is? How long

. Will you ge

alking along the grass. She watched his figure pass in and out of

he took it and kept it in her han

ld stay till Mr. Po

might if you

id Mrs. Pontellier speak. No multitude of words could have been more significant than

ight. She did not answer him. He thought she was asleep. Again she watche