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第56部分（第2页）

having　scaffolding　and　rubbish　heaped　about；　dust　cloths　over

the　altar。

〃Let　us　sit　down　a　minute；〃　she　said。

They　sat　unnoticed　in　the　back　pew；　in　the　gloom；　and　she

watched　the　dirty；　disorderly　work　of　bricklayers　and

plasterers。　Workmen　in　heavy　boots　walking　grinding　down　the

aisles；　calling　out　in　a　vulgar　accent：

〃Hi；　mate；　has　them　corner　mouldins　e？〃

There　were　shouts　of　coarse　answer　from　the　roof　of　the

church。　The　place　echoed　desolate。

Skrebensky　sat　close　to　her。　Everything　seemed　wonderful；　if

dreadful　to　her；　the　world　tumbling　into　ruins；　and　she　and　he

clambering　unhurt；　lawless　over　the　face　of　it　all。　He　sat　close

to　her；　touching　her；　and　she　was　aware　of　his　influence　upon

her。　But　she　was　glad。　It　excited　her　to　feel　the　press　of　him

upon　her；　as　if　his　being　were　urging　her　to　something。

As　they　drove　home；　he　sat　near　to　her。　And　when　he　swayed　to

the　cart；　he　swayed　in　a　voluptuous；　lingering　way；　against　her；

lingering　as　he　swung　away　to　recover　balance。　Without　speaking；

he　took　her　hand　across；　under　the　wrap；　and　with　his　unseeing

face　lifted　to　the　road；　his　soul　intent；　he　began　with　his　one

hand　to　unfasten　the　buttons　of　her　glove；　to　push　back　her

glove　from　her　hand；　carefully　laying　bare　her　hand。　And　the

close…working；　instinctive　subtlety　of　his　fingers　upon　her　hand

sent　the　young　girl　mad　with　voluptuous　delight。　His　hand　was　so

wonderful；　intent　as　a　living　creature　skilfully　pushing　and

manipulating　in　the　dark　underworld；　removing　her　glove　and

laying　bare　her　palm；　her　fingers。　Then　his　hand　closed　over

hers；　so　firm；　so　close；　as　if　the　flesh　knitted　to　one　thing

his　hand　and　hers。　Meanwhile　his　face　watched　the　road　and　the

ears　of　the　horse；　he　drove　with　steady　attention　through　the

villages；　and　she　sat　beside　him；　rapt；　glowing；　blinded　with　a

new　light。　Neither　of　them　spoke。　In　outward　attention　they　were

entirely　separate。　But　between　them　was　the　pact　of　his　flesh

with　hers；　in　the　hand…clasp。

Then；　in　a　strange　voice；　affecting　nonchalance　and

superficiality　he　said　to　her：