Портрет художника в юности

           Ashestoodsilentinthemiddleoftheroomshecameovertohimandembracedhimgailyandgravely.Herroundarmsheldhimfirmlytoherandhe,seeingherfaceliftedtohiminseriouscalmandfeelingthewarmcalmriseandfallofherbreast,allbutburstintohystericalweeping.Tearsofjoyandreliefshoneinhisdelightedeyesandhislipspartedthoughtheywouldnotspeak.

           Shepassedhertinklinghandthroughhishair,callinghimalittlerascal.

           —Givemeakiss,shesaid.

           Hislipswouldnotbendtokissher.Hewantedtobeheldfirmlyinherarms,tobecaressedslowly,slowly,slowly.Inherarmshefeltthathehadsuddenlybecomestrongandfearlessandsureofhimself.Buthislipswouldnotbendtokissher.

           Withasuddenmovementshebowedhisheadandjoinedherlipstohisandhereadthemeaningofhermovementsinherfrankupliftedeyes.Itwastoomuchforhim.Heclosedhiseyes,surrenderinghimselftoher,bodyandmind,consciousofnothingintheworldbutthedarkpressureofhersoftlypartinglips.Theypresseduponhisbrainasuponhislipsasthoughtheywerethevehicleofavaguespeech;andbetweenthemhefeltanunknownandtimidpressure,darkerthantheswoonofsin,softerthansoundorodour.