“It was the truth, vivid and monstrous, that all the while he had waited the wait was itself his portion.”

“All his life he had wished and waited, and there had been no change, except for the worse.”

“She was the beautiful, lethal, insinuating spider he had waited for all his life.”

“She put her hand in his, and he clasped it firmly, knowing he had been waiting for her all his life.”

“Something was happening whileyou waited. The most essential thing was happening. And even if he himself was doingnothing, it was happening through him nevertheless. He had done his best. He hademployed all his artistic skill. He had made not one single mistake. His performance hadbeen unique. It would be crowned with success.... He need only wait a few more hours. Itfilled him with profound satisfaction, this waiting. He had never felt so fine in all his life,so peaceful, so steady, so whole and at one with himself”

“She was the beautiful, lethal,insinuating spider he had waited for all his life. She was the final knife in his heart. He opened his heart with gladness.”