She betrayed the woman in herself. And Birkin, would he acknowledge, or would he deny her?

‘Yes,’ said Hermione, as each woman came out of her own separate reverie. ‘It would be a mistake — I think it would be a mistake — ’

‘To marry him?’ asked Ursula.

‘Yes,’ said Hermione slowly — ’I think you need a man — soldierly, strong-willed — ’ Hermione held out her hand and clenched it with rhapsodic intensity. ‘You should have a man like the old heroes — you need to stand behind him as he goes into battle, you need to SEE his strength, and to HEAR his shout — . You need a man physically strong, and virile in his will, NOT a sensitive man — .