第10章

SuddenlyElfridebecameconsciousofwhatshewasdoing，andwaspainfullyconfused。

\'Whatwereyousointentuponinme？\'heinquired。

\'AsfarasIwasthinkingofyouatall，Iwasthinkinghowcleveryouare，\'shesaid，withawantofpremeditationthatwasstartlinginitshonestyandsimplicity。

Feelingrestlessnowthatshehadsounwittinglyspoken，shearoseandsteppedtothewindow，havingheardthevoicesofherfatherandMrs。Swancourtcomingupbelowtheterrace。\'Heretheyare，\'

shesaid，goingout。Knightwalkedoutuponthelawnbehindher。

Shestoodupontheedgeoftheterrace，closetothestonebalustrade，andlookedtowardsthesun，hangingoveragladejustnowfairasTempe\'svale，upwhichherfatherwaswalking。

Knightcouldnothelplookingather。Thesunwaswithintendegreesofthehorizon，anditswarmlightfloodedherfaceandheightenedthebrightrosecolourofhercheekstoavermilionred，theirmoderatepinkhuebeingonlyseeninitsnaturaltonewherethecheekcurvedroundintoshadow。Theendsofherhanginghairsoftlydraggedthemselvesbackwardsandforwardsuponhershoulderaseachfaintbreezethrustagainstorrelinquishedit。

Fringesandribbonsofherdress，movedbythesamebreeze，lickedliketonguesuponthepartsaroundthem，andflutteringforwardfromshadyfoldscaughtlikewisetheirshareofthelustrousorangeglow。

Mr。SwancourtshoutedoutawelcometoKnightfromadistanceofaboutthirtyyards，andafterafewpreliminarywordsproceededtoaconversationofdeepearnestnessonKnight\'sfineoldfamilyname，andtheoriesastolineageandintermarriageconnectedtherewith。Knight\'sportmanteauhavinginthemeantimearrived，theysoonretiredtopreparefordinner，whichhadbeenpostponedtwohourslaterthantheusualtimeofthatmeal。

AnarrivalwasaneventinthelifeofElfride，nowthattheywereagaininthecountry，andthatofKnightnecessarilyanengrossingone。AndthateveningshewenttobedforthefirsttimewithoutthinkingofStephenatall。

ChapterXVIII

\'Heheardhermusicalpants。\'

TheoldtowerofWestEndelstowChurchhadreachedthelastweeksofitsexistence。ItwastobereplacedbyanewonefromthedesignsofMr。Hewby，thearchitectwhohadsentdownStephen。

Planksandpoleshadarrivedinthechurchyard，ironbarshadbeenthrustintothevenerablecrackextendingdownthebelfrywalltothefoundation，thebellshadbeentakendown，theowlshadforsakenthishomeoftheirforefathers，andsixiconoclastsinwhitefustian，towhomacrackededificewasaspeciesofMumboJumbo，hadtakenlodgingsinthevillageprevioustobeginningtheactualremovalofthestones。

ThiswasthedayafterKnight\'sarrival。Toenjoyforthelasttimetheprospectseawardfromthesummit，thevicar，Mrs。

Swancourt，Knight，andElfride，allascendedthewindingturret——

Mr。Swancourtsteppingforwardwithmanyloudbreaths，hiswifestrugglingalongsilently，butsufferingnonetheless。Theyhadhardlyreachedthetopwhenalargeluridcloud，palpablyareservoirofrain，thunder，andlightning，wasseentobeadvancingoverheadfromthenorth。

Thetwocautiouselderssuggestedanimmediatereturn，andproceededtoputitinpracticeasregardedthemselves。

\'Dearme，IwishIhadnotcomeup，\'exclaimedMrs。Swancourt。

\'Weshallbeslowerthanyoutwoingoingdown，\'thevicarsaidoverhisshoulder，\'andso，don\'tyoustarttillwearenearlyatthebottom，oryouwillrunoverusandbreakourneckssomewhereinthedarknessoftheturret。\'

AccordinglyElfrideandKnightwaitedontheleadstillthestaircaseshouldbeclear。Knightwasnotinatalkativemoodthatmorning。Elfridewasratherwilful，byreasonofhisinattention，whichsheprivatelysetdowntohisthinkinghernotworthtalkingto。WhilstKnightstoodwatchingtheriseofthecloud，shesaunteredtotheothersideofthetower，andthererememberedagiddyfeatshehadperformedtheyearbefore。Itwastowalkroundupontheparapetofthetower——whichwasquitewithoutbattlementorpinnacle，andpresentedasmoothflatsurfaceabouttwofeetwide，formingapathwayonallthefoursides。Withoutreflectingintheleastuponwhatshewasdoingshenowsteppedupontheparapetintheoldway，andbeganwalkingalong。

\'Wearedown，cousinHenry，\'criedMrs。Swancourtuptheturret。

\'Followuswhenyoulike。\'

KnightturnedandsawElfridebeginningherelevatedpromenade。

Hisfaceflushedwithmingledconcernandangeratherrashness。

\'Icertainlygaveyoucreditformorecommonsense，\'hesaid。

Shereddenedalittleandwalkedon。

\'MissSwancourt，Iinsistuponyourcomingdown，\'heexclaimed。

\'Iwillinaminute。Iamsafeenough。Ihavedoneitoften。\'

Atthatmoment，byreasonofaslightperturbationhiswordshadcausedinher，Elfride\'sfootcaughtitselfinalittletuftofgrassgrowinginajointofthestone-work，andshealmostlostherbalance。Knightsprangforwardwithafaceofhorror。BywhatseemedthespecialinterpositionofaconsiderateProvidenceshetotteredtotheinneredgeoftheparapetinsteadoftotheouter，andreeledoverupontheleadrooftwoorthreefeetbelowthewall。

Knightseizedherasinavice，andhesaid，panting，\'ThateverI

shouldhavemetawomanfoolenoughtodoathingofthatkind!

GoodGod，yououghttobeashamedofyourself!\'

ThecloseproximityoftheShadowofDeathhadmadehersickandpaleasacorpsebeforehespoke。Alreadyloweredtothatstate，hiswordscompletelyover-poweredher，andsheswoonedawayasheheldher。

Elfride\'seyeswerenotclosedformorethanfortyseconds。Sheopenedthem，andrememberedthepositioninstantly。Hisfacehadaltereditsexpressionfromsternangertopity。Buthissevereremarkshadratherfrightenedher，andshestruggledtobefree。

\'Ifyoucanstand，ofcourseyoumay，\'hesaid，andloosenedhisarms。\'Ihardlyknowwhethermosttolaughatyourfreakortochideyouforitsfolly。\'

Sheimmediatelysankuponthelead-work。Knightliftedheragain。

\'Areyouhurt？\'hesaid。

Shemurmuredanincoherentexpression，andtriedtosmile；saying，withafitfulaversionofherface，\'Iamonlyfrightened。Putmedown，doputmedown!\'

\'Butyoucan\'twalk，\'saidKnight。

\'Youdon\'tknowthat；howcanyou？Iamonlyfrightened，Itellyou，\'sheansweredpetulantly，andraisedherhandtoherforehead。Knightthensawthatshewasbleedingfromaseverecutinherwrist，apparentlywhereithaddescendeduponasalientcornerofthelead-work。Elfride，too，seemedtoperceiveandfeelthisnowforthefirsttime，andforaminutenearlylostconsciousnessagain。Knightrapidlyboundhishandkerchiefroundtheplace，andtoaddtothecomplication，thethundercloudhehadbeenwatchingbegantoshedsomeheavydropsofrain。Knightlookedupandsawthevicarstridingtowardsthehouse，andMrs。

Swancourtwaddlingbesidehimlikeahard-drivenduck。

\'Asyouaresofaint，itwillbemuchbettertoletmecarryyoudown，\'saidKnight；\'oratanyrateinsideoutoftherain。\'Butherobjectiontobeliftedmadeitimpossibleforhimtosupportherformorethanfivesteps。

\'Thisisfolly，greatfolly，\'heexclaimed，settingherdown。

\'Indeed!\'shemurmured，withtearsinhereyes。\'IsayIwillnotbecarried，andyousaythisisfolly!\'

\'Soitis。\'

\'No，itisn\'t!\'

\'Itisfolly，Ithink。Atanyrate，theoriginofitallis。\'

\'Idon\'tagreetoit。Andyouneedn\'tgetsoangrywithme；Iamnotworthit。\'

\'Indeedyouare。Youareworththeenmityofprinces，aswassaidofsuchanother。Now，then，willyouclaspyourhandsbehindmyneck，thatImaycarryyoudownwithouthurtingyou？\'

\'No，no。\'

\'Youhadbetter，orIshallforeclose。\'

\'What\'sthat!\'

\'Depriveyouofyourchance。\'

Elfridegavealittletoss。

\'Now，don\'twrithesowhenIattempttocarryyou。\'

\'Ican\'thelpit。\'

\'Thensubmitquietly。\'

\'Idon\'tcare。Idon\'tcare，\'shemurmuredinlanguidtonesandwithclosedeyes。

Hetookherintohisarms，enteredtheturret，andwithslowandcautiousstepsdescendedroundandround。Then，withthegentlenessofanursingmother，heattendedtothecutonherarm。

Duringhisprogressthroughtheoperationsofwipingitandbindingitupanew，herfacechangeditsaspectfrompainedindifferencetosomethinglikebashfulinterest，interspersedwithsmalltremorsandshuddersofatriflingkind。

Inthecentreofeachpalecheekasmallredspotthesizeofawaferhadnowmadeitsappearance，andcontinuedtogrowlarger。

Elfridemomentarilyexpectedarecurrencetothelectureonherfoolishness，butKnightsaidnomorethanthis——

\'PromisemeNEVERtowalkonthatparapetagain。\'

\'Itwillbepulleddownsoon:soIdo。\'Inafewminutesshecontinuedinalowertone，andseriously，\'Youarefamiliarofcourse，aseverybodyis，withthosestrangesensationswesometimeshave，thatourlifeforthemomentexistsinduplicate。\'

\'Thatwehavelivedthroughthatmomentbefore？\'

\'Orshallagain。Well，Ifeltonthetowerthatsomethingsimilartothatsceneisagaintobecommontousboth。\'

\'Godforbid!\'saidKnight。\'Promisemethatyouwillneveragainwalkonanysuchplaceonanyconsideration。\'

\'Ido。\'

\'Thatsuchathinghasnotbeenbefore，weknow。Thatitshallnotbeagain，youvow。Thereforethinknomoreofsuchafoolishfancy。\'

Therehadfallenagreatdealofrain，butunaccompaniedbylightning。Afewminuteslonger，andthestormhadceased。

\'Now，takemyarm，please。\'

\'Ohno，itisnotnecessary。\'Thisrelapseintowilfulnesswasbecausehehadagainconnectedtheepithetfoolishwithher。

\'Nonsense:itisquitenecessary；itwillrainagaindirectly，andyouarenothalfrecovered。\'AndwithoutmoreadoKnighttookherhand，drewitunderhisarm，andheldittheresofirmlythatshecouldnothaveremoveditwithoutastruggle。Feelinglikeacoltinahalterforthefirsttime，atthusbeingledalong，yetafraidtobeangry，itwastohergreatreliefthatshesawthecarriagecomingroundthecornertofetchthem。

Herfallupontheroofwasnecessarilyexplainedtosomeextentupontheirenteringthehouse；butbothforboretomentionawordofwhatshehadbeendoingtocausesuchanaccident。DuringtheremainderoftheafternoonElfridewasinvisible；butatdinner-

timesheappearedasbrightasever。

Inthedrawing-room，afterhavingbeenexclusivelyengagedwithMr。andMrs。Swancourtthroughtheinterveninghour，KnightagainfoundhimselfthrownwithElfride。Shehadbeenlookingoverachessprobleminoneoftheillustratedperiodicals。

\'Youlikechess，MissSwancourt？\'

\'Yes。Itismyfavouritescientificgame；indeed，excludeseveryother。Doyouplay？\'

\'Ihaveplayed；thoughnotlately。\'

\'Challengehim，Elfride，\'saidthevicarheartily。\'Sheplaysverywellforalady，Mr。Knight。\'

\'Shallweplay？\'askedElfridetentatively。

\'Oh，certainly。Ishallbedelighted。\'

Thegamebegan。Mr。SwancourthadforgottenasimilarperformancewithStephenSmiththeyearbefore。Elfridehadnot；butshehadbeguntotakeforhermaximtheundoubtedtruththatthenecessityofcontinuingfaithfultoStephen，withoutsuspicion，dictatedaficklebehaviouralmostasimperativelyasficklenessitself；afact，however，whichwouldgiveastartlingadvantagetothelatterqualityshoulditeverappear。

Knight，byoneofthoseinexcusableoversightswhichwillsometimesafflictthebestofplayers，placedhisrookinthearmsofoneofherpawns。Itwasherfirstadvantage。Shelookedtriumphant——evenruthless。

\'ByGeorge!whatwasIthinkingof？\'saidKnightquietly；andthendismissedallconcernathisaccident。

\'Clublawswe\'llhave，won\'twe，Mr。Knight？\'saidElfridesuasively。

\'Ohyes，certainly，\'saidMr。Knight，athought，however，justoccurringtohismind，thathehadtwoorthreetimesallowedhertoreplaceamanonherreligiouslyassuringhimthatsuchamovewasanabsoluteblunder。

Sheimmediatelytookuptheunfortunaterookandthecontestproceeded，Elfridehavingnowratherthebetterofthegame。Thenhewontheexchange，regainedhisposition，andbegantopressherhard。Elfridegrewflurried，andplacedherqueenonhisremainingrook\'sfile。

\'There——howstupid!Uponmyword，Ididnotseeyourrook。Ofcoursenobodybutafoolwouldhaveputaqueenthereknowingly!\'

Shespokeexcitedly，halfexpectingherantagonisttogiveherbackthemove。

\'Nobody，ofcourse，\'saidKnightserenely，andstretchedouthishandtowardshisroyalvictim。

\'Itisnotverypleasanttohaveittakenadvantageof，then，\'shesaidwithsomevexation。

\'Clublaws，Ithinkyousaid？\'returnedKnightblandly，andmercilesslyappropriatingthequeen。

Shewasonthebrinkofpouting，butwasashamedtoshowit；tearsalmoststoodinhereyes。Shehadbeentryingsohard——soveryhard——thinkingandthinkingtillherbrainwasinawhirl；anditseemedsoheartlessofhimtotreatherso，afterall。

\'Ithinkitis——\'shebegan。

\'What？\'——

\'UnkindtotakeadvantageofapuremistakeImakeinthatway。\'

\'Ilostmyrookbyevenapurermistake，\'saidtheenemyinaninexorabletone，withoutliftinghiseyes。

\'Yes，but——\'However，ashislogicwasabsolutelyunanswerable，shemerelyregisteredaprotest。\'Icannotendurethosecold-

bloodedwaysofclubsandprofessionalplayers，likeStauntonandMorphy。Justasifitreallymatteredwhetheryouhaveraisedyourfingersfromamanorno!\'

Knightsmiledaspitilesslyasbefore，andtheywentoninsilence。

\'Checkmate，\'saidKnight。

\'Anothergame，\'saidElfrideperemptorily，andlookingverywarm。

\'Withallmyheart，\'saidKnight。

\'Checkmate，\'saidKnightagainattheendoffortyminutes。

\'Anothergame，\'shereturnedresolutely。

\'I\'llgiveyoutheoddsofabishop，\'Knightsaidtoherkindly。

\'No，thankyou，\'Elfriderepliedinatoneintendedforcourteousindifference；but，asafact，verycavalierindeed。

\'Checkmate，\'saidheropponentwithouttheleastemotion。

Oh，thedifferencebetweenElfride\'sconditionofmindnow，andwhenshepurposelymadeblundersthatStephenSmithmightwin!

Itwasbedtime。Hermindasdistractedasifitwouldthrobitselfoutofherhead，shewentofftoherchamber，fullofmortificationatbeingbeatentimeaftertimewhensheherselfwastheaggressor。Havingfortwoorthreeyearsenjoyedthereputationthroughouttheglobeofherfather\'sbrain——whichalmostconstitutedherentireworld——ofbeinganexcellentplayer，thisfiascowasintolerable；forunfortunatelythepersonmostdoggedinthebeliefinafalsereputationisalwaysthatone，thepossessor，whohasthebestmeansofknowingthatitisnottrue。

Inbednosleepcametosootheher；thatgentlethingbeingtheverymiddle-of-summerfriendinthisrespectofflyingawayatthemeresttroublouscloud。Afterlyingawaketilltwoo\'clockanideaseemedtostrikeher。Shesoftlyarose，gotalight，andfetchedaChessPraxisfromthelibrary。Returningandsittingupinbed，shediligentlystudiedthevolumetilltheclockstruckfive，andhereyelidsfeltthickandheavy。Shethenextinguishedthelightandlaydownagain。

\'Youlookpale，Elfride，\'saidMrs。Swancourtthenextmorningatbreakfast。\'Isn\'tshe，cousinHarry？\'

Ayounggirlwhoisscarcelyillatallcanhardlyhelpbecomingsowhenregardedassuchbyalleyesturninguponheratthetableinobediencetosomeremark。EverybodylookedatElfride。Shecertainlywaspale。

\'AmIpale？\'shesaidwithafaintsmile。\'Ididnotsleepmuch。

Icouldnotgetridofarmiesofbishopsandknights，tryhowI

would。\'

\'Chessisabadthingjustbeforebedtime；especiallyforexcitablepeoplelikeyourself，dear。Don\'teverplaylateagain。\'

\'I\'llplayearlyinstead。CousinKnight，\'shesaidinimitationofMrs。Swancourt，\'willyouobligemeinsomething？\'

\'Eventohalfmykingdom。\'

\'Well，itistoplayonegamemore。\'

\'When？\'

\'Now，instantly；themomentwehavebreakfasted。\'

\'Nonsense，Elfride，\'saidherfather。\'Makingyourselfaslavetothegamelikethat。\'

\'ButIwantto，papa!Honestly，Iamrestlessathavingbeensoignominiouslyovercome。AndMr。Knightdoesn\'tmind。Sowhatharmcantherebe？\'

\'Letusplay，byallmeans，ifyouwishit，\'saidKnight。

So，whenbreakfastwasover，thecombatantswithdrewtothequietofthelibrary，andthedoorwasclosed。Elfrideseemedtohaveanideathatherconductwasratherill-regulatedandstartlinglyfreefromconventionalrestraint。Andworse，shefancieduponKnight\'sfaceaslightlyamusedlookatherproceedings。

\'Youthinkmefoolish，Isuppose，\'shesaidrecklessly；\'butI

wanttodomyverybestjustonce，andseewhetherIcanovercomeyou。\'

\'Certainly:nothingmorenatural。ThoughIamafraiditisnottheplanadoptedbywomenoftheworldafteradefeat。\'

\'Why，pray？\'

\'Becausetheyknowthatasgoodasovercomingisskillineffacingrecollectionofbeingovercome，andturntheirattentiontothatentirely。\'

\'Iamwrongagain，ofcourse。\'

\'Perhapsyourwrongismorepleasingthantheirright。\'

\'Idon\'tquiteknowwhetheryoumeanthat，orwhetheryouarelaughingatme，\'shesaid，lookingdoubtinglyathim，yetincliningtoacceptthemoreflatteringinterpretation。\'IamalmostsureyouthinkitvanityinmetothinkIamamatchforyou。Well，ifyoudo，Isaythatvanityisnocrimeinsuchacase。\'

\'Well，perhapsnot。Thoughitishardlyavirtue。\'

\'Ohyes，inbattle!Nelson\'sbraverylayinhisvanity。\'

\'Indeed!Thensodidhisdeath。\'

Ohno，no!ForitiswritteninthebookoftheprophetShakespeare——

"Fearandbeslain？noworsecancometofight；

Andfightanddie，isdeathdestroyingdeath!"

Anddowntheysat，andthecontestbegan，Elfridehavingthefirstmove。Thegameprogressed。Elfride\'sheartbeatsoviolentlythatshecouldnotsitstill。Herdreadwaslestheshouldhearit。Andhediddiscoveritatlast——someflowersuponthetablebeingsetthrobbingbyitspulsations。

\'Ithinkwehadbettergiveover，\'saidKnight，lookingathergently。\'Itistoomuchforyou，Iknow。Letuswritedowntheposition，andfinishanothertime。\'

\'No，pleasenot，\'sheimplored。\'IshouldnotrestifIdidnotknowtheresultatonce。Itisyourmove。\'

Tenminutespassed。

Shestartedupsuddenly。\'Iknowwhatyouaredoing？\'shecried，anangrycolouruponhercheeks，andhereyesindignant。\'Youwerethinkingoflettingmewintopleaseme!\'

\'Idon\'tmindowningthatIwas，\'Knightrespondedphlegmatically，andappearingallthemoresobycontrastwithherownturmoil。

\'Butyoumustnot!Iwon\'thaveit。\'

\'Verywell。\'

\'No，thatwillnotdo；Iinsistthatyoupromisenottodoanysuchabsurdthing。Itisinsultingme!\'

\'Verywell，madam。Iwon\'tdoanysuchabsurdthing。Youshallnotwin。\'

\'Thatistobeproved!\'shereturnedproudly；andtheplaywenton。

Nothingisnowheardbutthetickingofaquaintoldtimepieceonthesummitofabookcase。Tenminutespass；hecapturesherknight；shetakeshisknight，andlooksaveryRhadamanthus。

Moreminutestickaway；shetakeshispawnandhastheadvantage，showinghersenseofitratherprominently。

Fiveminutesmore:hetakesherbishop:shebringsthingsevenbytakinghisknight。

Threeminutes:shelooksbold，andtakeshisqueen:helooksplacid，andtakeshers。

Eightortenminutespass:hetakesapawn；sheuttersalittlepooh!butnottheghostofapawncanshetakeinretaliation。

Tenminutespass:hetakesanotherpawnandsays，\'Check!\'Sheflushes，extricatesherselfbycapturinghisbishop，andlookstriumphant。Heimmediatelytakesherbishop:shelookssurprised。

Fiveminuteslonger:shemakesadashandtakeshisonlyremainingbishop；herepliesbytakingheronlyremainingknight。

Twominutes:hegivescheck；hermindisnowinapainfulstateoftension，andsheshadesherfacewithherhand。

Yetafewminutesmore:hetakesherrookandchecksagain。Sheliterallytremblesnowlestanartfulsurpriseshehasinstoreforhimshallbeanticipatedbytheartfulsurpriseheevidentlyhasinstoreforher。

Fiveminutes:\'Checkmateintwomoves!\'exclaimsElfride。

\'Ifyoucan，\'saysKnight。

\'Oh，Ihavemiscalculated；thatiscruel!\'

\'Checkmate，\'saysKnight；andthevictoryiswon。

Elfridearoseandturnedawaywithoutlettinghimseeherface。

Onceinthehallsheranupstairsandintoherroom，andflungherselfdownuponherbed，weepingbitterly。

\'WhereisElfride？\'saidherfatheratluncheon。

Knightlistenedanxiouslyfortheanswer。Hehadbeenhopingtoseeheragainbeforethistime。

\'Sheisn\'twell，sir，\'wasthereply。

Mrs。Swancourtroseandlefttheroom，goingupstairstoElfride\'sapartment。

AtthedoorwasUnity，whooccupiedinthenewestablishmentapositionbetweenyounglady\'smaidandmiddle-housemaid。

\'Sheissoundasleep，ma\'am，\'Unitywhispered。

Mrs。Swancourtopenedthedoor。Elfridewaslyingfull-dressedonthebed，herfacehotandred，herarmsthrownabroad。Atintervalsofaminuteshetossedrestlesslyfromsidetoside，andindistinctlymoanedwordsusedinthegameofchess。

Mrs。Swancourthadaturnfordoctoring，andfeltherpulse。Itwastwanginglikeaharp-string，attherateofnearlyahundredandfiftyaminute。Softlymovingthesleepinggirltoalittlelesscrampedposition，shewentdownstairsagain。

\'Sheisasleepnow，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。\'Shedoesnotseemverywell。CousinKnight，whatwereyouthinkingof？hertenderbrainwon\'tbearcudgellinglikeyourgreathead。Youshouldhavestrictlyforbiddenhertoplayagain。\'

Intruth，theessayist\'sexperienceofthenatureofyoungwomenwasfarlessextensivethanhisabstractknowledgeofthemledhimselfandotherstobelieve。Hecouldpackthemintosentenceslikeaworkman，butpracticallywasnowhere。

\'Iamindeedsorry，\'saidKnight，feelingevenmorethanheexpressed。\'Butsurely，theyoungladyknowsbestwhatisgoodforher!\'

\'Blessyou，that\'sjustwhatshedoesn\'tknow。Sheneverthinksofsuchthings，doesshe，Christopher？HerfatherandIhavetocommandherandkeepherinorder，asyouwouldachild。ShewillsaythingsworthyofaFrenchepigrammatist，andactlikearobininagreenhouse。ButIthinkwewillsendforDr。Granson——therecanbenoharm。\'

AmanwasstraightwaydespatchedonhorsebacktoCastleBoterel，andthegentlemanknownasDr。Gransoncameinthecourseoftheafternoon。Hepronouncedhernervoussystemtobeinadecidedstateofdisorder；forwardedsomesoothingdraught，andgaveordersthatonnoaccountwhateverwasshetoplaychessagain。

ThenextmorningKnight，muchvexedwithhimself，waitedwithacuriouslycompoundedfeelingforherentrytobreakfast。Thewomenservantscameintoprayersatirregularintervals，andaseachentered，hecouldnot，tosavehislife，avoidturninghisheadwiththehopethatshemightbeElfride。Mr。Swancourtbeganreadingwithoutwaitingforher。Thensomebodyglidedinnoiselessly；Knightsoftlyglancedup:itwasonlythelittlekitchen-maid。Knightthoughtreadingprayersabore。

Hewentoutalone，andforalmostthefirsttimefailedtorecognizethatholdingconversewithNature\'scharmswasnotsolitude。Onnearingthehouseagainheperceivedhisyoungfriendcrossingaslopebyapathwhichranintotheonehewasfollowingintheangleofthefield。Heretheymet。Elfridewasatonceexultantandabashed:comingintohispresencehaduponhertheeffectofenteringacathedral。

Knighthadhisnote-bookinhishand，andhad，infact，beenintheveryactofwritingthereinwhentheycameinviewofeachother。Heleftoffinthemidstofasentence，andproceededtoinquirewarmlyconcerningherstateofhealth。Shesaidshewasperfectlywell，andindeedhadneverlookedbetter。Herhealthwasasinconsequentasheractions。Herlipswerered，WITHOUT

thepolishthatcherrieshave，andtheirrednessmarginedwiththewhiteskininaclearlydefinedline，whichhadnothingofjaggedconfusioninit。Altogethershestoodasthelastpersonintheworldtobeknockedoverbyagameofchess，becausetooephemeral-lookingtoplayone。

\'Areyoutakingnotes？\'sheinquiredwithanalacrityplainlyarisinglessfrominterestinthesubjectthanfromawishtodiverthisthoughtsfromherself。

\'Yes；Iwasmakinganentry。AndwithyourpermissionIwillcompleteit。\'Knightthenstoodstillandwrote。Elfrideremainedbesidehimamoment，andafterwardswalkedon。

\'Ishouldliketoseeallthesecretsthatareinthatbook，\'shegailyflungbacktohimoverhershoulder。

\'Idon\'tthinkyouwouldfindmuchtointerestyou。\'

\'IknowIshould。\'

\'ThenofcourseIhavenomoretosay。\'

\'ButIwouldaskthisquestionfirst。Isitabookofmerefactsconcerningjourneysandexpenditure，andsoon，orabookofthoughts？\'

\'Well，totellthetruth，itisnotexactlyeither。Itconsistsforthemostpartofjottingsforarticlesandessays，disjointedanddisconnected，ofnopossibleinteresttoanybodybutmyself。\'

\'Itcontains，Isuppose，yourdevelopedthoughtsinembryo？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Iftheyareinterestingwhenenlargedtothesizeofanarticle，whatmusttheybeintheirconcentratedform？Purerectifiedspirit，aboveproof；beforeitisloweredtobefitforhumanconsumption:"wordsthatburn"indeed。\'

\'Ratherlikeaballoonbeforeitisinflated:flabby，shapeless，dead。Youcouldhardlyreadthem。\'

\'MayItry？\'shesaidcoaxingly。\'Iwrotemypoorromanceinthatway——Imeaninbits，outofdoors——andIshouldliketoseewhetheryourwayofenteringthingsisthesameasmine。\'

\'Really，that\'sratheranawkwardrequest。IsupposeIcanhardlyrefusenowyouhaveaskedsodirectly；but——\'

\'Youthinkmeill-manneredinasking。Butdoesnotthisjustifyme——yourwritinginmypresence，Mr。Knight？IfIhadlighteduponyourbookbychance，itwouldhavebeendifferent；butyoustandbeforeme，andsay，"Excuseme，"withoutcaringwhetherIdoornot，andwriteon，andthentellmetheyarenotprivatefactsbutpublicideas。\'

\'Verywell，MissSwancourt。Ifyoureallymustsee，theconsequencesbeuponyourownhead。Remember，myadvicetoyouistoleavemybookalone。\'

\'ButwiththatcautionIhaveyourpermission？\'

\'Yes。\'

Shehesitatedamoment，lookedathishandcontainingthebook，thenlaughed，andsaying，\'Imustseeit，\'withdrewitfromhisfingers。

Knightrambledontowardsthehouse，leavingherstandinginthepathturningovertheleaves。Bythetimehehadreachedthewicket-gatehesawthatshehadmoved，andwaitedtillshecameup。

Elfridehadclosedthenote-book，andwascarryingitdisdainfullybythecornerbetweenherfingerandthumb；herfaceworeanettledlook。Shesilentlyextendedthevolumetowardshim，raisinghereyesnohigherthanherhandwaslifted。

\'Takeit，\'saidElfridequickly。\'Idon\'twanttoreadit。\'

\'Couldyouunderstandit？\'saidKnight。

\'AsfarasIlooked。ButIdidn\'tcaretoreadmuch。\'

\'Why，MissSwancourt？\'

\'OnlybecauseIdidn\'twishto——that\'sall。\'

\'Iwarnedyouthatyoumightnot。\'

\'Yes，butIneversupposedyouwouldhaveputmethere。\'

\'Yournameisnotmentionedoncewithinthefourcorners。\'

\'Notmyname——Iknowthat。\'

\'Noryourdescription，noranythingbywhichanybodywouldrecognizeyou。\'

\'Exceptmyself。Forwhatisthis？\'sheexclaimed，takingitfromhimandopeningapage。\'August7。That\'sthedaybeforeyesterday。ButIwon\'treadit，\'Elfridesaid，closingthebookagainwithprettyhauteur。\'WhyshouldI？Ihadnobusinesstoasktoseeyourhook，anditservesmeright。\'

Knighthardlyrecollectedwhathehadwritten，andturnedoverthebooktosee。Hecametothis:

\'Aug。7。Girlgetsintoherteens，andherself-consciousnessisborn。Afteracertainintervalpassedininfantinehelplessnessitbeginstoact。Simple，young，andinexperiencedatfirst。

Personsofobservationcantelltoanicetyhowoldthisconsciousnessisbytheskillithasacquiredintheartnecessarytoitssuccess——theartofhidingitself。Generallybeginscareerbyactionswhicharepopularlytermedshowing-off。Methodadopteddependsineachcaseuponthedisposition，rank，residence，oftheyoungladyattemptingit。Town-bredgirlwilluttersomemoralparadoxonfastmen，orlove。Countrymissadoptsthemorematerialmediaoftakingaghastlyfence，whistling，ormakingyourbloodruncoldbyappearingtoriskherneck。(MEM。OnEndelstowTower。)

\'Aninnocentvanityisofcoursetheoriginofthesedisplays。

"Lookatme，"saytheseyouthfulbeginnersinwomanlyartifice，withoutreflectingwhetherornotitbetotheiradvantagetoshowsoverymuchofthemselves。(AmplifyandcorrectforpaperonArtlessArts。)\'

\'Yes，Iremembernow，\'saidKnight。\'Thenoteswerecertainlysuggestedbyyourmanoeuvreonthechurchtower。Butyoumustnotthinktoomuchofsuchrandomobservations，\'hecontinuedencouragingly，ashenoticedherinjuredlooks。\'Amerefancypassingthroughmyheadassumesafactitiousimportancetoyou，becauseithasbeenmadepermanentbybeingwrittendown。Allmankindthinkthoughtsasbadasthoseofpeopletheymostloveonearth，butsuchthoughtsnevergettingembodiedonpaper，itbecomesassumedthattheyneverexisted。Idaresaythatyouyourselfhavethoughtsomedisagreeablethingorotherofme，whichwouldseemjustasbadasthisifwritten。Ichallengeyou，now，totellme。\'

\'TheworstthingIhavethoughtofyou？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Imustnot。\'

\'Ohyes。\'

\'Ithoughtyouwereratherround-shouldered。\'

Knightlookedslightlyredder。

\'Andthattherewasalittlebaldspotonthetopofyourhead。\'

\'Heh-heh!Twoineradicabledefects，\'saidKnight，therebeingafaintghastlinessdiscernibleinhislaugh。\'Theyaremuchworseinalady\'seyethanbeingthoughtself-conscious，Isuppose。\'

\'Ah，that\'sveryfine，\'shesaid，tooinexperiencedtoperceiveherhit，andhencenotquitedisposedtoforgivehisnotes。\'YoualludedtomeinthatentryasifIweresuchachild，too。

Everybodydoesthat。Icannotunderstandit。Iamquiteawoman，youknow。HowolddoyouthinkIam？\'

\'Howold？Why，seventeen，Ishouldsay。Allgirlsareseventeen。\'

\'Youarewrong。Iamnearlynineteen。Whichclassofwomendoyoulikebest，thosewhoseemyounger，orthosewhoseemolderthantheyare？\'

\'Off-handIshouldbeinclinedtosaythosewhoseemolder。\'

SoitwasnotElfride\'sclass。

\'Butitiswellknown，\'shesaideagerly，andtherewassomethingtouchingintheartlessanxietytobethoughtmuchofwhichsherevealedbyherwords，\'thatthesloweranatureistodevelop，thericherthenature。Youthsandgirlswhoaremenandwomenbeforetheycomeofagearenobodiesbythetimethatbackwardpeoplehaveshowntheirfullcompass。\'

\'Yes，\'saidKnightthoughtfully。\'Thereisreallysomethinginthatremark。ButattheriskofoffenceImustremindyouthatyoutheretakeitforgrantedthatthewomanbehindhertimeatagivenagehasnotreachedtheendofhertether。Herbackwardnessmaybenotbecausesheisslowtodevelop，butbecauseshesoonexhaustedhercapacityfordeveloping。\'

Elfridelookeddisappointed。Bythistimetheywereindoors。

Mrs。Swancourt，towhommatch-makingbyanyhonestmeanswasmeatanddrink，hadnowalittleschemeofthatnatureconcerningthispair。Themorning-room，inwhichtheybothexpectedtofindher，wasempty；theoldladyhaving，fortheabovereason，vacateditbytheseconddoorastheyenteredbythefirst。

Knightwenttothechimney-piece，andcarelesslysurveyedtwoportraitsonivory。

\'Thoughthesepinkladieshadveryrudimentaryfeatures，judgingbywhatIseehere，\'heobserved，\'theyhadunquestionablybeautifulheadsofhair。\'

\'Yes；andthatiseverything，\'saidElfride，possiblyconsciousofherown，possiblynot。

\'Noteverything；thoughagreatdeal，certainly。\'

\'Whichcolourdoyoulikebest？\'sheventuredtoask。

\'Moredependsonitsabundancethanonitscolour。\'

\'Abundancesbeingequal，mayIinquireyourfavouritecolour？\'

\'Dark。\'

\'Imeanforwomen，\'shesaid，withtheminutestfallofcountenance，andahopethatshehadbeenmisunderstood。

\'SodoI，\'Knightreplied。

ItwasimpossibleforanymannottoknowthecolourofElfride\'shair。Inwomenwhowearitplainlysuchafeaturemaybeoverlookedbymennotgiventoocularintentness。Butherswasalwaysintheway。Yousawherhairasfarasyoucouldseehersex，andknewthatitwasthepalestbrown。SheknewinstantlythatKnight，beingperfectlyawareofthis，hadanindependentstandardofadmirationinthematter。

Elfridewasthoroughlyvexed。Shecouldnotbutbestruckwiththehonestyofhisopinions，andtheworstofitwas，thatthemoretheywentagainsther，themoresherespectedthem。Andnow，likearecklessgambler，shehazardedherlastandbesttreasure。

Hereyes:theywereherallnow。

\'Whatcolouredeyesdoyoulikebest，Mr。Knight？\'shesaidslowly。

\'Honestly，orasacompliment？\'

\'Ofcoursehonestly；Idon\'twantanybody\'scompliment!\'

AndyetElfrideknewotherwise:thatacomplimentorwordofapprovalfromthatmanthenwouldhavebeenlikeawelltoafamishedArab。

\'Ipreferhazel，\'hesaidserenely。

Shehadplayedandlostagain。

ChapterXIX

\'Lovewasinthenextdegree。\'

Knighthadnoneofthoselightfamiliaritiesofspeechwhich，byjudicioustouchesofepigrammaticflattery，obliterateawoman\'srecollectionofthespeaker\'sabstractopinions。Sonomorewassaidbyeitheronthesubjectofhair，eyes，ordevelopment。

Elfride\'smindhadbeenimpregnatedwithsentimentsofherownsmallnesstoanuncomfortabledegreeofdistinctness，andherdiscomfortwasvisibleinherface。Thewholetendencyoftheconversationlatterlyhadbeentoquietlybutsurelydisparageher；andshewasfaintotakeStephenintofavourinself-defence。

Hewouldnothavebeensounloving，shesaid，astoadmireanidiosyncrasyandfeaturesdifferentfromherown。True，Stephenhaddeclaredhelovedher:Mr。Knighthadneverdoneanythingofthesort。Somehowthisdidnotmendmatters，andthesensationofhersmallnessinKnight\'seyesstillremained。Hadthepositionbeenreversed——hadStephenlovedherinspiteofadifferingtaste，andhadKnightbeenindifferentinspiteofherresemblancetohisideal，itwouldhaveengenderedfarhappierthoughts。Asmattersstood，Stephen\'sadmirationmighthaveitsrootinablindnesstheresultofpassion。Perhapsanykeenman\'sjudgmentwascondemnatoryofher。

DuringtheremainderofSaturdaytheyweremoreorlessthrownwiththeirseniors，andnoconversationarosewhichwasexclusivelytheirown。WhenElfridewasinbedthatnightherthoughtsrecurredtothesamesubject。Atonemomentsheinsistedthatitwasill-naturedofhimtospeaksodecisivelyashehaddone；thenext，thatitwassterlinghonesty。

\'Ah，whatapoornobodyIam!\'shesaid，sighing。\'Peoplelikehim，whogoaboutthegreatworld，don\'tcareintheleastwhatI

amlikeeitherinmoodorfeature。\'

Perhapsamanwhohasgotthoroughlyintoawoman\'smindinthismanner，ishalfwaytoherheart；thedistancebetweenthosetwostationsisproverbiallyshort。

\'Andareyoureallygoingawaythisweek？\'saidMrs。SwancourttoKnightonthefollowingevening，whichwasSunday。

Theywereallleisurelyclimbingthehilltothechurch，wherealastservicewasnowtobeheldattheratherexceptionaltimeofeveninginsteadofintheafternoon，previoustothedemolitionoftheruinousportions。