The Rainbow

Very close, marvelling and exceedingly joyful in their

discoveries, his hands pressed upon her, so subtly, so

seekingly, so finely and desirously searching her out, that she

too was almost swooning in the absolute of sensual knowledge. In

utter sensual delight she clenched her knees, her thighs, her

loins together! It was an added beauty to him.

But he was patiently working for her relaxation, patiently,

his whole being fixed in the smile of latent gratification, his

whole body electric with a subtle, powerful, reducing force upon

her. So he came at length to kiss her, and she was almost

betrayed by his insidious kiss. Her open mouth was too helpless

and unguarded. He knew this, and his first kiss was very gentle,

and soft, and assuring, so assuring. So that her soft,

defenseless mouth became assured, even bold, seeking upon his

mouth. And he answered her gradually, gradually, his soft kiss

sinking in softly, softly, but ever more heavily, more heavily

yet, till it was too heavy for her to meet, and she began to

sink under it. She was sinking, sinking, his smile of latent

gratification was becoming more tense, he was sure of her. He

let the whole force of his will sink upon her to sweep her away.

But it was too great a shock for her. With a sudden horrible

movement she ruptured the state that contained them both.

"Don't--don't!"

It was a rather horrible cry that seemed to come out of her,

not to belong to her. It was some strange agony of terror crying

out the words. There was something vibrating and beside herself

in the noise. His nerves ripped like silk.

"What's the matter?" he said, as if calmly. "What's the

matter?"

She came back to him, but trembling, reservedly this

time.

Her cry had given him gratification. But he knew he had been

too sudden for her. He was now careful. For a while he merely

sheltered her. Also there had broken a flaw into his perfect

will. He wanted to persist, to begin again, to lead up to the

point where he had let himself go on her, and then manage more

carefully, successfully. So far she had won. And the battle was

not over yet. But another voice woke in him and prompted him to

let her go--let her go in contempt.

He sheltered her, and soothed her, and caressed her, and

kissed her, and again began to come nearer, nearer. He gathered

himself together. Even if he did not take her, he would make her

relax, he would fuse away her resistance. So softly, softly,

with infinite caressiveness he kissed her, and the whole of his

being seemed to fondle her. Till, at the verge, swooning at the

breaking point, there came from her a beaten, inarticulate,

moaning cry: "Don't--oh, don't!"