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           Whatwouldhesaytoher?Wouldheregretit?Hadshebeenapleasuretohimworthwhathehadabandoned?Somanyyearshehadfoughtit,madeherfightitwithhim;shecouldhardlymakeherselfbelievehehadlaindownhisarmsatlast,buttherehadbeenthingshehadsaidinthenightandinthemidstofhispainwhichblottedouthislongdenialofher.

           Shewassupremelyhappy,happierthanshecouldremembereverbeing.Fromthemomenthehadpulledherbackfromthedoorithadbeenabodypoem,athingofarmsandhandsandskinandutterpleasure.Iwasmadeforhim,andonlyforhim…That’swhyIfeltsolittlewithLuke!Borneoutbeyondthelimitsofenduranceonherbody’stide,allshecouldthinkwasthattogivehimeverythingshecouldwasmorenecessarytoherthanlifeitself.Hemustneverregretit,never.Oh,hispain!Therehadbeenmomentswhensheseemedactuallytofeelitasifithadbeenherown.Whichonlycontributedtoherhappiness;therewassomejusticeinhispain.

           Hewasawake.Shelookeddownintohiseyesandsawthesameloveintheirbluenesswhichhadwarmedher,givenherpurposesincechildhood;andwithitagreat,shadowedfatigue.Notawearinessofthebody,butawearinessofthesoul.

           Hewasthinkingthatinallhislifehehadneverwokeninthesamebedasanotherperson;itwasinawaymoreintimatethanthesexualactprecedingit,adeliberateindicationofemotionalties,acleavingtoher.