第7章

ThreehoursandahalfofstraininguphillsandjoggingdownbroughtthemtoSt。Launce\'s，themarkettownandrailwaystationnearesttoEndelstow，andtheplacefromwhichStephenSmithhadjourneyedoverthedownsonthe，tohim，memorablewintereveningatthebeginningofthesameyear。Thecarrier\'svanwassotimedastomeetastartingup-train，whichStephenentered。Twoorthreehours\'railwaytravelthroughverticalcuttingsinmetamorphicrock，throughoakcopsesrichandgreen，stretchingoverslopesanddowndelightfulvalleys，glens，andravines，sparklingwithwaterlikemany-rilledIda，andheplungedamidthehundredandfiftythousandpeoplecomposingthetownofPlymouth。

Therebeingsometimeuponhishandshelefthisluggageatthecloak-room，andwentonfootalongBedfordStreettothenearestchurch。HereStephenwanderedamongthemultifarioustombstonesandlookedinatthechancelwindow，dreamingofsomethingthatwaslikelytohappenbythealtarthereinthecourseofthecomingmonth。HeturnedawayandascendedtheHoe，viewedthemagnificentstretchofseaandmassivepromontoriesofland，butwithoutparticularlydiscerningonefeatureofthevariedperspective。Hestillsawthatinnerprospect——theeventhehopedforinyonderchurch。ThewideSound，theBreakwater，thelight-

houseonfar-offEddystone，thedarksteamvessels，brigs，barques，andschooners，eitherfloatingstilly，orglidingwithtiniestmotion，wereasthedream，then；thedreamed-ofeventwasasthereality。

SoonStephenwentdownfromtheHoe，andreturnedtotherailwaystation。Hetookhisticket，andenteredtheLondontrain。

ThatdaywasanirksometimeatEndelstowvicarage。NeitherfathernordaughteralludedtothedepartureofStephen。Mr。

Swancourt\'smannertowardsherpartookofthecompunctiouskindnessthatarisesfromamisgivingastothejusticeofsomepreviousact。

Eitherfromlackofthecapacitytograspthewholecoupd\'oeil，orfromanaturalendowmentforcertainkindsofstoicism，womenarecoolerthanmenincriticalsituationsofthepassiveform。

Probably，inElfride\'scaseatleast，itwasblindnesstothegreatercontingenciesofthefutureshewaspreparingforherself，whichenabledhertoaskherfatherinaquietvoiceifhecouldgiveheraholidaysoon，toridetoSt。Launce\'sandgoontoPlymouth。

Now，shehadonlyoncebeforegonealonetoPlymouth，andthatwasinconsequenceofsomeunavoidabledifficulty。Beingacountrygirl，andagood，nottosayawild，horsewoman，ithadbeenherdelighttocanter，withouttheghostofanattendant，overthefourteenorsixteenmilesofhardroadinterveningbetweentheirhomeandthestationatSt。Launce\'s，putupthehorse，andgoontheremainderofthedistancebytrain，returninginthesamemannerintheevening。Itwasthenresolvedthat，thoughshehadsuccessfullyaccomplishedthisjourneyonce，itwasnottoberepeatedwithoutsomeattendance。

ButElfridemustnotbeconfoundedwithordinaryyoungfeminineequestrians。Thecircumstancesofherlonelyandnarrowlifemadeitimperativethatintrottingabouttheneighbourhoodshemusttrotaloneorelsenotatall。Usagesoonrenderedthisperfectlynaturaltoherself。Herfather，whohadhadotherexperiences，didnotmuchliketheideaofaSwancourt，whosepedigreecouldbeasdistinctlytracedasathreadinaskeinofsilk，scamperingoverthehillslikeafarmer\'sdaughter，eventhoughhecouldhabituallyneglecther。Butwhatwithhisnotbeingabletoaffordheraregularattendant，andhisinveteratehabitoflettinganythingbetosavehimselftrouble，thecircumstancegrewcustomary。Andsotherearoseachronicnotioninthevillagers\'

mindsthatallladiesrodewithoutanattendant，likeMissSwancourt，exceptafewwhoweresometimesvisitingatLordLuxellian\'s。

\'Idon\'tlikeyourgoingtoPlymouthalone，particularlygoingtoSt。Launce\'sonhorseback。Whynotdrive，andtaketheman？\'

\'Itisnotnicetobesooverlooked。\'Worm\'scompanywouldnotseriouslyhaveinterferedwithherplans，butitwasherhumourtogowithouthim。

\'Whendoyouwanttogo？\'saidherfather。

Sheonlyanswered，\'Soon。\'

\'Iwillconsider，\'hesaid。

Onlyafewdayselapsedbeforesheaskedagain。AletterhadreachedherfromStephen。Ithadbeentimedtocomeonthatdaybyspecialarrangementbetweenthem。InithenamedtheearliestmorningonwhichhecouldmeetheratPlymouth。HerfatherhadbeenonajourneytoStratleigh，andreturnedinunusualbuoyancyofspirit。Itwasagoodopportunity；andsincethedismissalofStephenherfatherhadbeengenerallyinamoodtomakesmallconcessions，thathemightsteerclearoflargeonesconnectedwiththatoutcastloverofhers。

\'NextThursdayweekIamgoingfromhomeinadifferentdirection，\'saidherfather。\'Infact，Ishallleavehomethenightbefore。Youmightchoosethesameday，fortheywishtotakeupthecarpets，orsomesuchthing，Ithink。AsIsaid，I

don\'tlikeyoutobeseeninatownonhorsebackalone；butgoifyouwill。\'

Thursdayweek。HerfatherhadnamedtheverydaythatStephenalsohadnamedthatmorningastheearliestonwhichitwouldbeofanyusetomeether；thatwas，aboutfifteendaysfromthedayonwhichhehadleftEndelstow。Fifteendays——thatfragmentofdurationwhichhasacquiredsuchaninterestingindividualityfromitsconnectionwiththeEnglishmarriagelaw。

Sheinvoluntarilylookedatherfathersostrangely，thatonbecomingconsciousofthelookshepaledwithembarrassment。Herfather，too，lookedconfused。Whatwashethinkingof？

ThereseemedtobeaspecialfacilityofferedherbyapowerexternaltoherselfinthecircumstancethatMr。Swancourthadproposedtoleavehomethenightprevioustoherwished-forday。

Herfatherseldomtooklongjourneys；seldomsleptfromhomeexceptperhapsonthenightfollowingaremoteVisitation。Well，shewouldnotinquiretoocuriouslyintothereasonoftheopportunity，nordidhe，aswouldhavebeennatural，proceedtoexplainitofhisownaccord。Inmattersoffacttherehadhithertobeennoreservebetweenthem，thoughtheywerenotusuallyconfidentialinitsfullsense。ButthedivergenceoftheiremotionsonStephen\'saccounthadproducedanestrangementwhichjustatpresentwenteventotheextentofreticenceonthemostordinaryhouseholdtopics。

Elfridewasalmostunconsciouslyrelieved，persuadingherselfthatherfather\'sreserveonhisbusinessjustifiedherinsecrecyasregardedherown——asecrecywhichwasnecessarilyaforegonedecisionwithher。Soanxiousisayoungconsciencetodiscoverapalliative，thattheexpostfactonatureofareasonisofnoaccountinexcludingit。

Theinterveningfortnightwasspentbyhermostlyinwalkingbyherselfamongtheshrubsandtrees，indulgingsometimesinsanguineanticipations；more，farmorefrequently，inmisgivings。

Allherflowersseemeddullofhue；herpetsseemedtolookwistfullyintohereyes，asiftheynolongerstoodinthesamefriendlyrelationtoherasformerly。Sheworemelancholyjewellery，gazedatsunsets，andtalkedtooldmenandwomen。Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadhadaninnerandprivateworldapartfromthevisibleoneabouther。Shewishedthatherfather，insteadofneglectingherevenmorethanusual，wouldmakesomeadvance——justoneword；shewouldthentellall，andriskStephen\'sdispleasure。Thusbroughtroundtotheyouthagain，shesawhiminherfancy，standing，touchingher，hiseyesfullofsadaffection，hopelesslyrenouncinghisattemptbecauseshehadrenouncedhers；andshecouldnotrecede。

OntheWednesdayshewastoreceiveanotherletter。Shehadresolvedtoletherfatherseethearrivalofthisone，betheconsequenceswhattheymight:thedreadoflosingherloverbythisdeedofhonestypreventedheractingupontheresolve。Fiveminutesbeforethepostman\'sexpectedarrivalsheslippedout，anddownthelanetomeethim。Shemethimimmediatelyuponturningasharpangle，whichhidherfromviewinthedirectionofthevicarage。Themansmilinglyhandedonemissive，andwasgoingontohandanother，acircularfromsometradesman。

\'No，\'shesaid；\'takethatontothehouse。\'

\'Why，miss，youaredoingwhatyourfatherhasdoneforthelastfortnight。\'

Shedidnotcomprehend。

\'Why，cometothiscorner，andtakealetterofmeeverymorning，allwritinthesamehandwriting，andlettinganyothersforhimgoontothehouse。\'Andonthepostmanwent。

Nosoonerhadheturnedthecornerbehindherbackthansheheardherfathermeetandaddresstheman。Shehadsavedherletterbytwominutes。Herfatheraudiblywentthroughpreciselythesameperformanceasshehadjustbeenguiltyofherself。

Thisstealthyconductofhiswas，tosaytheleast，peculiar。

Givenanimpulsiveinconsequentgirl，neglectedastoherinnerlifebyheronlyparent，andthefollowingforcesalivewithinher；todeterminearesultant:

Firstloveacteduponbyadeadlyfearofseparationfromitsobject:inexperience，guidingonwardafranticwishtopreventtheabove-namedissue:misgivingsastopropriety，metbyhopeofultimateexoneration:indignationatparentalinconsistencyinfirstencouraging，thenforbidding:achillingsenseofdisobedience，overpoweredbyaconscientiousinabilitytobrookabreakingofplightedfaithwithamanwho，inessentials，hadremainedunalteredfromthebeginning:ablessedhopethatoppositionwouldturnanerroneousjudgement:abrightfaiththatthingswouldmendthereby，andwindupwell。

Probablytheresultwould，afterall，havebeennil，hadnotthefollowingfewremarksbeenmadeonedayatbreakfast。

Herfatherwasinhisoldheartyspirits。Hesmiledtohimselfatstoriestoobadtotell，andcalledElfridealittlescampforsurreptitiouslypreservingsomeblindkittensthatoughttohavebeendrowned。Afterthisexpression，shesaidtohimsuddenly:

IfMr。Smithhadbeenalreadyinthefamily，youwouldnothavebeenmadewretchedbydiscoveringhehadpoorrelations？\'

\'Doyoumeaninthefamilybymarriage？\'herepliedinattentively，andcontinuingtopeelhisegg。

Theaccumulatingscarlettoldthatwashermeaning，asmuchastheaffirmativereply。

\'Ishouldhaveputupwithit，nodoubt，\'Mr。Swancourtobserved。

\'Sothatyouwouldnothavebeendrivenintohopelessmelancholy，buthavemadethebestofhim？\'

Elfride\'serraticmindhadfromheryouthupwardsbeenconstantlyinthehabitofperplexingherfatherbyhypotheticalquestions，basedonabsurdconditions。Thepresentseemedtobecastsopreciselyinthemouldofpreviousonesthat，notbeinggiventosynthesesofcircumstances，heanswereditwithcustomarycomplacency。

\'Ifhewerealliedtousirretrievably，ofcourseI，oranysensibleman，shouldacceptconditionsthatcouldnotbealtered；

certainlynotbehopelesslymelancholyaboutit。Idon\'tbelieveanythingintheworldwouldmakemehopelesslymelancholy。Anddon\'tletanythingmakeyouso，either。\'

\'Iwon\'t，papa，\'shecried，withaserenebrightnessthatpleasedhim。

CertainlyMr。Swancourtmusthavebeenfarfromthinkingthatthebrightnesscamefromanexhilaratingintentiontoholdbacknolongerfromthemadactionshehadplanned。

IntheeveninghedroveawaytowardsStratleigh，quitealone。Itwasanunusualcourseforhim。AtthedoorElfridehadbeenagainalmostimpelledbyherfeelingstopouroutall。

\'WhyareyougoingtoStratleigh，papa？\'shesaid，andlookedathimlongingly。

\'Iwilltellyouto-morrowwhenIcomeback，\'hesaidcheerily；

\'notbeforethen，Elfride。Thouwiltnotutterwhatthoudostnotknow，andsofarwillItrustthee，gentleElfride。\'

Shewasrepressedandhurt。

\'IwilltellyoumyerrandtoPlymouth，too，whenIcomeback，\'

shemurmured。

Hewentaway。Hisjocularitymadeherintentionseemthelighter，ashisindifferencemadehermoreresolvedtodoassheliked。

ItwasafamiliarSeptembersunset，dark-bluefragmentsofclouduponanorange-yellowsky。Thesesunsetsusedtotempthertowalktowardsthem，asanybeautifulthingtemptsanearapproach。

Shewentthroughthefieldtotheprivethedge，clamberedintothemiddleofit，andreclineduponthethickboughs。Afterlookingwestwardforaconsiderabletime，sheblamedherselffornotlookingeastwardtowhereStephenwas，andturnedround。

Ultimatelyhereyesfellupontheground。

Apeculiaritywasobservablebeneathher。Agreenfieldspreaditselfoneachsideofthehedge，onebelongingtotheglebe，theotherbeingapartofthelandattachedtothemanor-houseadjoining。Onthevicaragesideshesawalittlefootpath，thedistinctiveandaltogetherexceptionalfeatureofwhichconsistedinitsbeingonlyabouttenyardslong；itterminatedabruptlyateachend。

Afootpath，suddenlybeginningandsuddenlyending，comingfromnowhereandleadingnowhere，shehadneverseenbefore。

Yes，shehad，onsecondthoughts。Shehadseenexactlysuchapathtroddeninthefrontofbarracksbythesentry。

Andthisrecollectionexplainedtheoriginofthepathhere。Herfatherhadtroddenitbypacingupanddown，asshehadonceseenhimdoing。

Sittingonthehedgeasshesatnow，hereyescommandedaviewofbothsidesofit。Andafewminuteslater，Elfridelookedovertothemanorside。

Herewasanothersentrypath。Itwaslikethefirstinlength，anditbeganandendedexactlyoppositethebeginningandendingofitsneighbour，butitwasthinner，andlessdistinct。

Tworeasonsexistedforthedifference。Thisonemighthavebeentroddenbyasimilarweightoftreadtotheother，exercisedalessnumberoftimes；oritmighthavebeenwalkedjustasfrequently，butbylighterfeet。

ProbablyagentlemanfromScotland-yard，hadhebeenpassingatthetime，mighthaveconsideredthelatteralternativeasthemoreprobable。Elfridethoughtotherwise，sofarasshethoughtatall。ButherowngreatTo-Morrowwasnowimminent；allthoughtsinspiredbycasualsightsoftheeyewereonlyallowedtoexercisethemselvesininferiorcornersofherbrain，previouslytobeingbanishedaltogether。

Elfridewasatlengthcompelledtoreasonpracticallyuponherundertaking。Allherdefiniteperceptionsthereon，whentheemotionaccompanyingthemwasabstracted，amountedtonomorethanthese:

\'Sayanhourandthree-quarterstoridetoSt。Launce\'s。

\'SayhalfanhourattheFalcontochangemydress。

\'SaytwohourswaitingforsometrainandgettingtoPlymouth。

\'Sayanhourtosparebeforetwelveo\'clock。

\'TotaltimefromleavingEndelstowtilltwelveo\'clock，fivehours。

\'ThereforeIshallhavetostartatseven。\'

Nosurpriseorsenseofunwontednessenteredthemindsoftheservantsatherearlyride。Themonotonyoflifeweassociatewithpeopleofsmallincomesindistrictsoutofthesoundoftherailwaywhistle，hasoneexception，whichputsintoshadetheexperienceofdwellersaboutthegreatcentresofpopulation——thatis，intravelling。Everyjourneythereismoreorlessanadventure；adventuroushoursarenecessarilychosenforthemostcommonplaceouting。MissElfridehadtoleaveearly——thatwasall。

Elfrideneverwentoutonhorsebackbutshebroughthomesomething——somethingfound，orsomethingbought。Ifshetrottedtotownorvillage，herburdenwasbooks。Iftohills，woods，ortheseashore，itwaswonderfulmosses，abnormaltwigs，ahandkerchiefofwetshellsorseaweed。

Once，inmuddyweather，whenPansywaswalkingwithherdownthestreetofCastleBoterel，onafair-day，apacketinfrontofherandapacketunderherarm，anaccidentbefellthepackets，andtheyslippeddown。Ononesideofher，threevolumesoffictionlaykissingthemud；ontheothernumerousskeinsofpolychromaticwoolslayabsorbingit。Unpleasantwomensmiledthroughwindowsatthemishap，themenalllookedround，andaboy，whowasmindingaginger-breadstallwhilsttheownerhadgonetogetdrunk，laughedloudly。Theblueeyesturnedtosapphires，andthecheekscrimsonedwithvexation。

Afterthatmisadventureshesetherwitstowork，andwasingeniousenoughtoinventanarrangementofsmallstrapsaboutthesaddle，bywhichagreatdealcouldbesafelycarriedthereon，inasmallcompass。Hereshenowspreadoutandfastenedaplaindarkwalking-dressandafewothertriflesofapparel。Wormopenedthegateforher，andshevanishedaway。

Oneofthebrightestmorningsoflatesummershoneuponher。Theheatherwasatitspurplest，thefurzeatitsyellowest，thegrasshopperschirpedloudenoughforbirds，thesnakeshissedlikelittleengines，andElfrideatfirstfeltlively。SittingateaseuponPansy，inherorthodoxriding-habitandnondescripthat，shelookedwhatshefelt。Butthemercuryofthosedayshadatrickoffallingunexpectedly。First，onlyforoneminuteintenhadsheasenseofdepression。Thenalargecloud，thathadbeenhanginginthenorthlikeablackfleece，cameandplaceditselfbetweenherandthesun。Ithelpedonwhatwasalreadyinevitable，andshesankintoauniformityofsadness。

Sheturnedinthesaddleandlookedback。Theywerenowonanopentable-land，whosealtitudestillgaveheraviewoftheseabyEndelstow。Shelookedlonginglyatthatspot。

DuringthislittlerevulsionoffeelingPansyhadbeenstilladvancing，andElfridefeltitwouldbeabsurdtoturnherlittlemare\'sheadtheotherway。\'Still，\'shethought，\'ifIhadamammaathomeIWOULDgoback!\'

Andmakingoneofthosestealthymovementsbywhichwomenlettheirheartsjugglewiththeirbrains，shedidputthehorse\'sheadabout，asifunconsciously，andwentatahand-galloptowardshomeformorethanamile。Bythistime，fromtheinveteratehabitofvaluingwhatwehaverenounceddirectlythealternativeischosen，thethoughtofherforsakenStephenrecalledher，andsheturnedabout，andcanteredontoSt。Launce\'sagain。

Thismiserablestrifeofthoughtnowbegantorageinallitswildness。Overwroughtandtrembling，shedroppedthereinuponPansy\'sshoulders，andvowedshewouldbeledwhitherthehorsewouldtakeher。

Pansyslackenedherpacetoawalk，andwalkedonwithheragitatedburdenforthreeorfourminutes。Attheexpirationofthistimetheyhadcometoalittleby-wayontheright，leadingdownaslopetoapoolofwater。Theponystopped，lookedtowardsthepool，andthenadvancedandstoopedtodrink。

ElfridelookedatherwatchanddiscoveredthatifsheweregoingtoreachSt。Launce\'searlyenoughtochangeherdressattheFalcon，andgetachanceofsomeearlytraintoPlymouth——therewereonlytwoavailable——itwasnecessarytoproceedatonce。

Shewasimpatient。ItseemedasifPansywouldneverstopdrinking；andthereposeofthepool，theidlemotionsoftheinsectsandfliesuponit，theplacidwavingoftheflags，theleaf-skeletons，likeGenoesefiligree，placidlysleepingatthebottom，bytheircontrastwithherownturmoilmadeherimpatiencegreater。

Pansydidturnatlast，andwentuptheslopeagaintothehigh-

road。Theponycameuponit，andstoodcross-wise，lookingupanddown。Elfride\'sheartthrobbederratically，andshethought，\'Horses，iflefttothemselves，makeforwheretheyarebestfed。

Pansywillgohome。\'

PansyturnedandwalkedontowardsSt。Launce\'sPansyathome，duringsummer，hadlittlebutgrasstoliveon。

AfteraruntoSt。Launce\'sshealwayshadafeedofcorntosupportheronthereturnjourney。Therefore，beingnowmorethanhalfway，shepreferredSt。Launce\'s。

ButElfridedidnotrememberthisnow。Allshecaredtorecognizewasadreamyfancythatto-day\'srashactionwasnotherown。Shewasdisabledbyhermoods，anditseemedindispensabletoadheretotheprogramme。Sostrangelyinvolvedaremotivesthat，morethanbyherpromisetoStephen，moreeventhanbyherlove，shewasforcedonbyasenseofthenecessityofkeepingfaithwithherself，aspromisedintheinanevowoftenminutesago。

Shehesitatednolonger。Pansywent，likethesteedofAdonis，asifshetoldthesteps。PresentlythequaintgablesandjumbledroofsofSt。Launce\'swerespreadbeneathher，andgoingdownthehillsheenteredthecourtyardoftheFalcon。Mrs。Buckle，thelandlady，cametothedoortomeether。

TheSwancourtswerewellknownhere。Thetransitionfromequestriantotheordinaryguiseofrailwaytravellershadbeenmorethanonceperformedbyfatheranddaughterinthisestablishment。

InlessthanaquarterofanhourElfrideemergedfromthedoorinherwalkingdress，andwenttotherailway。ShehadnottoldMrs。

Buckleanythingastoherintentions，andwassupposedtohavegoneoutshopping。

Anhourandfortyminuteslater，andshewasinStephen\'sarmsatthePlymouthstation。Notupontheplatform——inthesecretretreatofadesertedwaiting-room。

Stephen\'sfacebodedill。Hewaspaleanddespondent。

Whatisthematter？\'sheasked。

\'Wecannotbemarriedhereto-day，myElfie!Ioughttohaveknownitandstayedhere。InmyignoranceIdidnot。Ihavethelicence，butitcanonlybeusedinmyparishinLondon。Ionlycamedownlastnight，asyouknow。\'

\'Whatshallwedo？\'shesaidblankly。

\'There\'sonlyonethingwecando，darling。\'

\'What\'sthat？\'

\'GoontoLondonbyatrainjuststarting，andbemarriedthereto-morrow。\'

\'Passengersforthe11。5up-traintaketheirseats!\'saidaguard\'svoiceontheplatform。

\'Willyougo，Elfride？\'

\'Iwill。\'

Inthreeminutesthetrainhadmovedoff，bearingawaywithitStephenandElfride。

ChapterXII

\'Adieu!shecries，andwavedherlilyhand。\'

Thefewtatteredcloudsofthemorningenlargedandunited，thesunwithdrewbehindthemtoemergenomorethatday，andtheeveningdrewtoacloseindriftsofrain。Thewater-dropsbeatlikeduckshotagainstthewindowoftherailway-carriagecontainingStephenandElfride。

ThejourneyfromPlymouthtoPaddington，byeventhemostheadlongexpress，allowsquiteenoughleisureforpassionofanysorttocool。Elfride\'sexcitementhadpassedoff，andshesatinakindofstuporduringthelatterhalfofthejourney。Shewasarousedbytheclangingofthemazeofrailsoverwhichtheytracedtheirwayattheentrancetothestation。

IsthisLondon？\'shesaid。

\'Yes，darling，\'saidStepheninatoneofassurancehewasfarfromfeeling。Tohim，nolessthantoher，therealitysogreatlydifferedfromtheprefiguring。

Shepeeredoutaswellasthewindow，beadedwithdrops，wouldallowher，andsawonlythelamps，whichhadjustbeenlit，blinkinginthewetatmosphere，androwsofhideouszincchimney-

pipesindimreliefagainstthesky。Shewritheduneasily，aswhenathoughtisswellinginthemindwhichmustcausemuchpainatitsdeliveranceinwords。Elfridehadknownnomoreaboutthestingsofevilreportthanthenativewild-fowlknewoftheeffectsofCrusoe\'sfirstshot。Nowshesawalittlefurther，andalittlefurtherstill。

Thetrainstopped。Stephenrelinquishedthesofthandhehadheldalltheday，andproceededtoassistherontotheplatform。

Thisactofalightinguponstrangegroundseemedallthatwaswantedtocompletearesolutionwithinher。

Shelookedatherbetrothedwithdespairingeyes。

\'OStephen，\'sheexclaimed，\'Iamsomiserable!Imustgohomeagain——Imust——Imust!Forgivemywretchedvacillation。Idon\'tlikeithere——normyself——noryou!\'

Stephenlookedbewildered，anddidnotspeak。

\'Willyouallowmetogohome？\'sheimplored。\'Iwon\'ttroubleyoutogowithme。Iwillnotbeanyweightuponyou；onlysayyouwillagreetomyreturning；thatyouwillnothatemeforit，Stephen!ItisbetterthatIshouldreturnagain；indeeditis，Stephen。\'

\'Butwecan\'treturnnow，\'hesaidinadeprecatorytone。

\'Imust!Iwill!\'

\'How？Whendoyouwanttogo？\'

\'Now。Canwegoatonce？\'

Theladlookedhopelesslyalongtheplatform。

\'Ifyoumustgo，andthinkitwrongtoremain，dearest，\'saidhesadly，\'youshall。Youshalldowhateveryoulike，myElfride。

Butwouldyouinrealityrathergonowthanstaytillto-morrow，andgoasmywife？\'

\'Yes，yes——much——anythingtogonow。Imust；Imust!\'shecried。

\'Weoughttohavedoneoneoftwothings，\'heansweredgloomily。

\'Nevertohavestarted，ornottohavereturnedwithoutbeingmarried。Idon\'tliketosayit，Elfride——indeedIdon\'t；butyoumustbetoldthis，thatgoingbackunmarriedmaycompromiseyourgoodnameintheeyesofpeoplewhomayhearofit。\'

\'Theywillnot；andImustgo。\'

\'OElfride!Iamtoblameforbringingyouaway。\'

\'Notatall。Iamtheelder。\'

\'Byamonth；andwhat\'sthat？Butnevermindthatnow。\'Helookedaround。\'IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？\'heinquiredofaguard。Theguardpassedonanddidnotspeak。

\'IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？\'saidElfridetoanother。

\'Yes，miss；the8。10——leavesintenminutes。Youhavecometothewrongplatform；itistheotherside。ChangeatBristolintothenightmail。Downthatstaircase，andundertheline。\'

Theyrandownthestaircase——Elfridefirst——tothebooking-office，andintoacarriagewithanofficialstandingbesidethedoor。

\'Showyourtickets，please。\'Theyarelockedin——menabouttheplatformacceleratetheirvelocitiestilltheyflyupanddownlikeshuttlesinaloom——awhistle——thewavingofaflag——ahumancry——asteamgroan——andawaytheygotoPlymouthagain，justcatchingthesewordsastheyglideoff:

\'Thosetwoyoungstershadanearrunforit，andnomistake!\'

Elfridefoundherbreath。

\'Andhaveyoucometoo，Stephen？Whydidyou？\'

\'IshallnotleaveyoutillIseeyousafeatSt。Launce\'s。DonotthinkworseofmethanIam，Elfride。\'

Andthentheyrattledalongthroughthenight，backagainbythewaytheyhadcome。Theweathercleared，andthestarsshoneinuponthem。Theirtwoorthreefellow-passengerssatformostofthetimewithclosedeyes。Stephensometimesslept；Elfridealonewaswakefulandpalpitatinghourafterhour。

Thedaybegantobreak，andrevealedthattheywerebythesea。

Redrocksoverhungthem，and，recedingintodistance，grewlividinthebluegreyatmosphere。Thesunrose，andsentpenetratingshaftsoflightinupontheirwearyfaces。Anotherhour，andtheworldbegantobebusy。Theywaitedyetalittle，andthetrainslackeneditsspeedinviewoftheplatformatSt。Launce\'s。

Sheshivered，andmusedsadly。

\'Ididnotseealltheconsequences，\'shesaid。\'Appearancesarewofullyagainstme。Ifanybodyfindsmeout，Iam，Isuppose，disgraced。\'

\'Thenappearanceswillspeakfalsely；andhowcanthatmatter，eveniftheydo？Ishallbeyourhusbandsoonerorlater，forcertain，andsoproveyourpurity。\'

\'Stephen，onceinLondonIoughttohavemarriedyou，\'shesaidfirmly。\'Itwasmyonlysafedefence。IseemorethingsnowthanIdidyesterday。Myonlyremainingchanceisnottobediscovered；andthatwemustfightformostdesperately。\'

Theysteppedout。Elfridepulledathickveiloverherface。

Awomanwithredandscalyeyelidsandglisteningeyeswassittingonabenchjustinsidetheoffice-door。ShefixedhereyesuponElfridewithanexpressionwhoseforceitwasimpossibletodoubt，butthemeaningofwhichwasnotclear；thenuponthecarriagetheyhadleft。Sheseemedtoreadasinisterstoryinthescene。

Elfrideshrankback，andturnedtheotherway。

\'Whoisthatwoman？\'saidStephen。\'Shelookedhardatyou。\'

\'Mrs。Jethway——awidow，andmotherofthatyoungmanwhosetombwesatontheothernight。Stephen，sheismyenemy。WouldthatGodhadhadmercyenoughuponmetohavehiddenthisfromHER!\'

\'Donottalksohopelessly，\'heremonstrated。\'Idon\'tthinksherecognizedus。\'

\'Ipraythatshedidnot。\'

Heputonamorevigorousmood。

\'Now，wewillgoandgetsomebreakfast。\'

\'No，no!\'shebegged。\'Icannoteat。IMUSTgetbacktoEndelstow。\'

ElfridewasasifshehadgrownyearsolderthanStephennow。

\'ButyouhavehadnothingsincelastnightbutthatcupofteaatBristol。\'

\'Ican\'teat，Stephen。\'

\'Wineandbiscuit？\'

\'No。\'

\'Nortea，norcoffee？\'

\'No。\'

\'Aglassofwater？\'

\'No。Iwantsomethingthatmakespeoplestrongandenergeticforthepresent，thatborrowsthestrengthofto-morrowforuseto-

day——leavingto-morrowwithoutanyatallforthatmatter；oreventhatwouldtakealllifeawayto-morrow，solongasitenabledmetogethomeagainnow。Brandy，that\'swhatIwant。Thatwoman\'seyeshaveeatenmyheartaway!\'

\'Youarewild；andyougrieveme，darling。Mustitbebrandy？\'

\'Yes，ifyouplease。\'

\'Howmuch？\'

\'Idon\'tknow。Ihaveneverdrunkmorethanateaspoonfulatonce。AllIknowisthatIwantit。Don\'tgetitattheFalcon。\'

Heleftherinthefields，andwenttothenearestinninthatdirection。Presentlyhereturnedwithasmallflasknearlyfull，andsomeslicesofbread-and-butter，thinaswafers，inapaper-

bag。Elfridetookasiportwo。

\'Itgoesintomyeyes，\'shesaidwearily。\'Ican\'ttakeanymore。

Yes，Iwill；Iwillclosemyeyes。Ah，itgoestothembyaninsideroute。Idon\'twantit；throwitaway。\'

However，shecouldeat，anddideat。HerchiefattentionwasconcentrateduponhowtogetthehorsefromtheFalconstableswithoutsuspicion。Stephenwasnotallowedtoaccompanyherintothetown。Sheactednowuponconclusionsreachedwithoutanyaidfromhim:hispoweroverherseemedtohavedeparted。

\'Youhadbetternotbeseenwithme，evenherewhereIamsolittleknown。Wehavebegunstealthilyasthieves，andwemustendstealthilyasthieves，atallhazards。Untilpapahasbeentoldbymemyself，adiscoverywouldbeterrible。\'

Walkingandgloomilytalkingthustheywaitedtillnearlynineo\'clock，atwhichtimeElfridethoughtshemightcallattheFalconwithoutcreatingmuchsurprise。Behindtherailway-stationwastheriver，spannedbyanoldTudorbridge，whencetheroaddivergedintwodirections，oneskirtingthesuburbsofthetown，andwindingroundagainintothehigh-roadtoEndelstow。BesidethisroadStephensat，andawaitedherreturnfromtheFalcon。

Hesatasonesittingforaportrait，motionless，watchingthechequeredlightsandshadesonthetree-trunks，thechildrenplayingoppositetheschoolprevioustoenteringforthemorninglesson，thereapersinafieldafaroff。Thecertaintyofpossessionhadnotcome，andtherewasnothingtomitigatetheyouth\'sgloom，thatincreasedwiththethoughtofthepartingnowsonear。

Atlengthshecametrottingroundtohim，inappearancemuchasontheromanticmorningoftheirvisittothecliff，butshornoftheradiancewhichglistenedaboutherthen。However，hercomparativeimmunityfromfurtherriskandtroublehadconsiderablycomposedher。Elfride\'scapacityforbeingwoundedwasonlysurpassedbyhercapacityforhealing，whichrightlyorwronglyisbysomeconsideredanindexoftransientnessoffeelingingeneral。

\'Elfride，whatdidtheysayattheFalcon？\'

\'Nothing。Nobodyseemedcuriousaboutme。TheyknewIwenttoPlymouth，andIhavestayedthereanightnowandthenwithMissBicknell。Irathercalculateduponthat。\'

Andnowpartingaroselikeadeathtothesechildren，foritwasimperativethatsheshouldstartatonce。Stephenwalkedbesideherfornearlyamile。Duringthewalkhesaidsadly:

\'Elfride，four-and-twentyhourshavepassed，andthethingisnotdone。\'

\'Butyouhaveinsuredthatitshallbedone。\'

\'HowhaveI？\'

\'OStephen，youaskhow!DoyouthinkIcouldmarryanothermanonearthafterhavinggonethusfarwithyou？HaveInotshownbeyondpossibilityofdoubtthatIcanbenobodyelse\'s？HaveInotirretrievablycommittedmyself？——pridehasstoodfornothinginthefaceofmygreatlove。Youmisunderstoodmyturningback，andIcannotexplainit。Itwaswrongtogowithyouatall；andthoughitwouldhavebeenworsetogofurther，itwouldhavebeenbetterpolicy，perhaps。Beassuredofthis，thatwheneveryouhaveahomeforme——howeverpoorandhumble——andcomeandclaimme，Iamready。\'Sheaddedbitterly，\'Whenmyfatherknowsofthisday\'swork，hemaybeonlytoogladtoletmego。\'

\'Perhapshemay，then，insistuponourmarriageatonce!\'Stephenanswered，seeingarayofhopeintheveryfocusofherremorse。

\'Ihopehemay，evenifwehadstilltoparttillIamreadyforyou，asweintended。\'

Elfridedidnotreply。

\'Youdon\'tseemthesamewoman，Elfie，thatyouwereyesterday。\'

\'NoramI。Butgood-bye。Gobacknow。\'Andshereinedthehorseforparting。\'OStephen，\'shecried，\'Ifeelsoweak!Idon\'tknowhowtomeethim。Cannotyou，afterall，comebackwithme？\'

\'ShallIcome？\'

Elfridepausedtothink。

\'No；itwillnotdo。Itismyutterfoolishnessthatmakesmesaysuchwords。Buthewillsendforyou。\'

\'Saytohim，\'continuedStephen，\'thatwedidthisintheabsolutedespairofourminds。Tellhimwedon\'twishhimtofavourus——

onlytodealjustlywithus。Ifhesays，marrynow，somuchthebetter。Ifnot，saythatallmaybeputrightbyhispromisetoallowmetohaveyouwhenIamgoodenoughforyou——whichmaybesoon。SayIhavenothingtoofferhiminexchangeforhistreasure——themoresorryI；butallthelove，andallthelife，andallthelabourofanhonestmanshallbeyours。Astowhenthishadbetterbetold，Ileaveyoutojudge。\'

Hiswordsmadehercheerfulenoughtotoywithherposition。

\'Andifillreportshouldcome，Stephen，\'shesaidsmiling，\'why，theorange-treemustsaveme，asitsavedvirginsinSt。George\'stimefromthepoisonousbreathofthedragon。There，forgivemeforforwardness:Iamgoing。\'

Thentheboyandgirlbeguiledthemselveswithwordsofhalf-

partingonly。

\'Ownwifie，Godblessyoutillwemeetagain!\'

\'Tillwemeetagain，good-bye!\'

Andtheponywenton，andshespoketohimnomore。Hesawherfigurediminishandherblueveilgrowgray——sawitwiththeagonizingsensationsofaslowdeath。

Afterthuspartingfromamanthanwhomshehadknownnonegreaterasyet，Elfrideroderapidlyonwards，atearbeingoccasionallyshakenfromhereyesintotheroad。Whatyesterdayhadseemedsodesirable，sopromising，eventrifling，hadnowacquiredthecomplexionofatragedy。

ShesawtherocksandseaintheneighbourhoodofEndelstow，andheavedasighofreliefWhenshepassedafieldbehindthevicaragesheheardthevoicesofUnityandWilliamWorm。Theywerehangingacarpetuponaline。Unitywasutteringasentencethatconcludedwith\'whenMissElfridecomes。\'

\'Whend\'yeexpecther？\'

\'Nottilleveningnow。She\'ssafeenoughatMissBicknell\'s，blessye。\'

Elfridewentroundtothedoor。Shedidnotknockorring；andseeingnobodytotakethehorse，Elfrideledherroundtotheyard，slippedoffthebridleandsaddle，drovehertowardsthepaddock，andturnedherin。ThenElfridecreptindoors，andlookedintoalltheground-floorrooms。Herfatherwasnotthere。

Onthemantelpieceofthedrawing-roomstoodaletteraddressedtoherinhishandwriting。Shetookitandreaditasshewentupstairstochangeherhabit。

STRATLEIGH，Thursday。

\'DEARELFRIDE，——OnsecondthoughtsIwillnotreturnto-day，butonlycomeasfarasWadcombe。Ishallbeathomebyto-morrowafternoon，andbringafriendwithme——Yours，inhaste，C。S。\'

Aftermakingaquicktoiletshefeltmorerevived，thoughstillsufferingfromaheadache。OngoingoutofthedoorshemetUnityatthetopofthestair。

\'OMissElfride!Isaidtomyself\'tishersperrit!Wedidn\'tdreamo\'younotcominghomelastnight。Youdidn\'tsayanythingaboutstaying。\'

\'Iintendedtocomehomethesameevening，butalteredmyplan。I

wishedIhadn\'tafterwards。Papawillbeangry，Isuppose？\'

\'Betternottellhim，miss，\'saidUnity。

\'Idofearto，\'shemurmured。\'Unity，wouldyoujustbegintellinghimwhenhecomeshome？\'