Page:The woman, the man, and the monster (IA womanmanmonster00dawe).pdf/347

 “You are not frightened, Irene?”

“What should I be frightened of?’

“What indeed! One could never accuse you of wanting pluck. Whatever your failings, a lack of courage is not one of them. You will admit that among the many who have admired your superb qualities, no one has been a greater admirer than I. Even now, though you treat me with such infinite disdain, my admiration has become such an obsession that I am will- ing to extend the hand of friendship. I admit these things are exceedingly difficult to ex- plain; there are certain human actions, as there are certain casts of thought, which defy all rational explanation. To be frank with you, I don’t think I ever understood you till now. It always seemed to me as though a veil had been dropped between us, which at times seemed almost to hide you, but through which I was occasionally permitted to see your eyes burning. Occasionally, too, I have been per- mitted to lift a corner of that veil, but nothing more than a corner. Now of a sudden the whole thing is swept aside and I see you as you are. There is not a shred of gossamer be- tween your soul and me. And yet I am not

833