第36部分(第7/7 頁)

om　lowering　myself　to　match　Shekure’s　wrath　with　a　response　of

similar hue； as I often had reacted viciously to other women in similar

situations； and 2。 that I discovered Shekure’s particular awareness of my

travels；　proof　that　she’d　thought　of　me　much　more　than　I’d　assumed。

Seeing　how　downcast　I’d　bee　at　being　unable　to　carry　out　my　desires；

she’d　already　begun　to　pity　me。

“If　you　truly　loved　me；　passionately　and　obsessively；”　she　said　as　if　trying　to

excuse　herself；　“you’d　try　to　control　yourself　like　a　gentleman。　You　wouldn’t

try　to　offend　the　honor　of　the　woman　toward　whom　you　entertained　serious

intentions。　You’re　not　the　only　man　who’s　making　motions　to　marry　me。　Did

anyone　see　you　on　your　way　here？”

“Nay。”

As　if　she　heard　someone　walking　in　the　dark　and　snow…covered　garden；　she

turned her sweet face； which for twelve years I hadn’t been able to recall；

toward the door and gave me the pleasure of seeing her profile。 When we

heard　a　momentary　clattering；　we　both　waited　in　silence；　but　nobody　entered。

I　recalled　how　even　when　she　was　only