forces against all the world. Birkin looked on with some mistrust and wonder.

When they had bathed and changed, Gerald came in. He looked shining like the sun on frost.

‘Go with Gerald and smoke,’ said Ursula to Birkin. ‘Gudrun and I want to talk.’

Then the sisters sat in Gudrun’s bedroom, and talked clothes, and experiences. Gudrun told Ursula the experience of the Birkin letter in the cafe. Ursula was shocked and frightened.

‘Where is the letter?’ she asked.

‘I kept it,’ said Gudrun.

‘You’ll give it me, won’t you?’ she said.