“No one ought to kneel to anyone,” she lied in pity, and moved out restlessly into the room. We are real. As others have been real. There is a sacred bond between us now, ratified by all human experience. But oh the cost and the demand. It was as if she were carrying in her hands something that could be kept safe only by a life-long silence. Everything she did and said in future must hide the sacred trust. It gave a freedom; but not of speech or thought. It left the careless dreaming self behind. Only in ceaseless occupation could it hold its way. Its only confidant would be God. Holding to it, everything in life, even difficulties, would be transparent. But seen from the outside, by the world, an awful mysteriously persistent commonplace. It was not fair that men did not know the whole of this secret place and its compact. Why was God in league only with women? CHAPTER XII It’s not altogether personal..... Until it is understood and admitted, there is a darkness everywhere. The life of every man in existence, who does not understand and admit it, is perfectly senseless. Until they know they are all living in vain. “What on earth did you mean?” she said as soon as the omnibus had started. He turned a startled musing face. He had _forgotten_. “What have I said?” “Kindly think.” “Really I am at a loss.” “When that woman collided with me, crossing the road.” “Ah, ah, I remember. Well?” “You pronounced an opinion.” “It is not my opinion. It is a matter of ascertained fact.” “Facts are invented by people who start with their conclusions arranged beforehand.” “Perhaps so.” “Ah well; that is an admission.” “The conclusion is amply verified.” “Where?” “I speak only of women in the mass. There are of course exceptions.” “Go on, go on.” “I see you are annoyed. Let us leave this matter.” “Kindly go on.” “There is nothing more to say.” He _laughed_. He was not even being aware that it was a matter of life and death. He could go on serenely living in an idea, that turned life into a nightmare. “Oh if it amuses you.” He was silent. The moments went beating on. She turned from him and sat averted. She would go now onward and onward till she could get away over the edge of the world. There was nothing else to do. There were no thoughts or words in which her conviction could take shape. Even looking for them was a degradation. Besides, argument, if she could steady herself to face the pain of it, would not, whatever he might say, even dislodge his satisfied unconcern. He was uneasy; but only about herself, and would accept reassurance from her, without a single backward glance. But what did their personal fate matter beside a question so all-embracing? What future could they have in unacknowledged disagreement over central truth? And if it were acknowledged, what peace?