Chapter 21 Chapter 21 The Temptation of the Spirit: The Flesh Pursues

Hurstwood had been waiting for several minutes when Carrie arrived. His blood was boiling, his emotions were boiling, and he was impatient to see the woman who had so impressed him the night before. "You're here at last," he said, stifling his excitement, and he felt light, strong, and exhilarating. The excitement itself was a tragedy. "Yes," said Carrie. They walked on together as if they were going somewhere. Hurstwood walked beside her, intoxicated by her radiant beauty. As beautiful as music. "Are you satisfied?" he asked, thinking of her outstanding performance the night before.

"And you?" Seeing her smiling face, he held her hand even tighter. "Excellent." Carrie smiled happily. "It was the best performance I've seen in a long time," he added. Like last night, he savored her loveliness. The savor incorporated the emotions their tryst aroused. Carrie, immersed in the atmosphere the man had created, became lively and cheerful. In every word he said she felt his admiration for her. "The flowers you sent me are so lovely," she said after a moment's pause, "they are all beautiful." "I'm glad you like it," he replied simply.

All this time he had been thinking that he was putting off the fulfillment of his desires in this way. He was anxious to direct the conversation to his feelings. Now the time was ripe, and his Carrie was walking beside him. He wanted to be straight. She tried to persuade Carrie to leave Drouet, but did not know how to put it, and was still thinking about how to speak. "You were all right when you came home last night," he said sullenly, his tone suddenly becoming self-pitying. "Yes," said Carrie easily. He stared at her for a while, then slowed down and stared at her.

She felt a flood of emotion rushing towards her. "Have you thought about me?" he asked. This caused great embarrassment to Carrie, for she realized that a floodgate of affection had opened, but she did not know how to respond. "I don't know," she replied. His teeth were on his lips, and it took a while for him to let go. He stopped by the side of the road, kicked the grass on the ground with his toes, and then he searched her face for a long time with tender, pleading eyes. "Won't you leave him?" he asked enthusiastically. "I don't know," answered Carrie. Her thoughts were still confused and wandering, not knowing what to do.

In fact, she was caught between a rock and a rock. Here was a man she liked very much. He had such an influence on her that she could mistake her for him. His keen eyes, his gentle manners and his exquisite The clothes still made her dizzy. She felt that the man before her was very kind, sympathetic, and very enamored with her, and this affection was gratifying. She could not resist his temperament and his bright eyes. Feel the same as him. But she still had disturbing worries. What did he know about her? What did Drouet tell him? Was she someone else's wife in his eyes, or something else? Would he marry her? His words softened her, and her eyes shone tenderly. But as he spoke, she wondered whether Drouet had told him that they were not married. Drouet's words always It's unbelievable.

But she was not worried about Hurstwood's love. Whatever he knew, there was nothing forced or bitter in his love for her. He was evidently sincere, his love was real and passionate, and his words were convincing. She What to do? She went on thinking, answering vaguely, afflicted with affection, and generally hesitating, lost in a boundless sea of ​​conjectures. "Why don't you leave him?" he said softly. "I'll take care of everything for you." "Oh, no," said Carrie. "No what?" he asked. "What do you mean?" There was a look of confusion and pain on her face. Why, she thought, brought up such an embarrassing subject. This sad life of being dependent on a man outside of marriage cut her heart like a knife.

He himself was aware that the subject was uncomfortable. He tried to measure the effect of the words, but could not. He went on tentatively, feeling refreshed and clear-headed with her, focused on his own fulfillment. the plan of. "Won't you come?" he repeated, with more reverent affection. "You know I can't live without you...you know...it can't go on like this... ..Yes or no?" "I know," said Carrie. "I won't beg you. I won't argue with you, if I can bear it. Look at me, Carrie. Put yourself in my place. You don't want to part with me, do you?"

She shook her head, as if lost in thought. "Then why not settle the matter once and for all?" "I don't know," said Carrie. "I don't know! Oh, Carrie, why do you say that? Don't torture me. Be serious." "I'm serious," said Carrie softly. "Dearest, if you were serious, you wouldn't say such things. You wouldn't if you knew how much I love you. Think about last night." He spoke with indescribable serenity. His face and body were motionless, save for his eyes, which blazed with a subtle, ecstatic fire. In these glances he concentrated his nature. all the passion in it.

Carrie made no answer. "How could you do this to me, baby?" he asked. After a while, he said, "You love me, don't you?" His affections came upon her like a storm, and she was completely conquered. For a moment all doubts vanished. "Yes," she answered, in a tone so frank and gentle. "Then you'll come to me, won't you? Come tonight, will you?" Carrie shook her head in spite of her distress. "I can't wait any longer," urged Hurstwood; "if to-night is too hasty, come on Saturday." "When shall we be married?" she asked hesitantly. In the embarrassment of the situation, she forgot that she had expected him to think of her as Mrs. Drouet.

The manager was taken aback, struck by the question, which was tougher than hers. But although these thoughts flashed through his mind like telegrams, no emotion showed on his face. "As soon as you like," he answered calmly, not wanting to allow this unfortunate question to interfere with his present gaiety. "How's Saturday?" asked Carrie. He nodded. "Well, if you will marry me then," she said, "I'll go away." The manager looked at his lovely lover, so beautiful, so charming, and so hard to get, and he made a ridiculous determination. His lust had reached the point where he could no longer be controlled by reason. Facing such a beauty, he already cared No little obstacle of this sort. No matter how difficult it may be, he will not back down. He does not intend to answer the hard truth that is set before him. He promises anything, everything. Let fate Solve these problems. He will try his best to get into the paradise of love, no matter what the result awaits him. God, he must be happy, even if it requires him to lie, even if it requires him to ignore the truth.

Carrie looked at him tenderly, and wanted to rest her head on his shoulder: everything looked so gratifying. "Okay," she said, "I'll try to get it ready when the time comes." Hurstwood looked at her pretty face, and there was a hint of wonder and worry in it. He thought he had never seen anything more lovely. "We'll meet again tomorrow," he said cheerfully, "and then we'll discuss the details." He went on walking with her. Such a pleasing result excited him indescribably. Although he said a word occasionally, he made her feel his infinite happiness and his infinite affection for her. Half an hour Finally, he realizes it's time for him to end their tryst: the world is too harsh to accommodate. "See you to-morrow," he said at parting. His cheerfulness made his boldness all the more dashing. "Good," said Carrie, and went away with a cheerful lightness. The meeting aroused such passion that she thought she was in love. Thinking of her handsome lover, she gave a sigh of contentment. Yes, she would be ready on Saturday. She was going away, and they would happy.