"
She was gazing at me, not saying a word. I went on: "I'd never have
thought it possible for anyone to be in your position and be real
and straight and human, but I realise that you have managed to work
that miracle. So I want to love you and help you, in every way I
know how. But you must understand, I can't ask for your confidence,
as I could for any other woman's. There is too much vulgar curiosity
about the rich and great, and I can't pretend to be unaware of that
hatefulness; I can't help shrinking from it. So all I can say is--if
you need me, if you ever need a real friend, why, here I am; you may
be sure I understand, and won't tell your secrets to anyone else."
With a little mist of tears in her eyes, Sylvia put out her hand and
touched mine. And so we went into a chamber alone together, and shut
the cold and suspicious world outside.
20. We knew each other well enough now to discuss the topic which
has been the favourite of women since we sat in the doorways of
caves and pounded wild grain in stone mortars--the question of our
lords, who had gone hunting, and who might be pleased to beat us on
their return. I learned all that Sylvia had been taught on the
subject of the male animal; I opened that amazing unwritten volume
of woman traditions, the maxims of Lady Dee Lysle.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84