第12章

Herfatherdidnotreply，andElfridelefttheroom。

Shebegantolookoutforthepostmanagain。ThreemorningslaterhebroughtaninlandletterfromStephen。Itcontainedverylittlematter，havingbeenwritteninhaste；butthemeaningwasbulkyenough。Stephensaidthat，havingexecutedacommissioninLiverpool，heshouldarriveathisfather\'shouse，EastEndelstow，atfiveorsixo\'clockthatsameevening；thathewouldafterduskwalkontothenextvillage，andmeether，ifshewould，inthechurchporch，asintheoldtime。Heproposedthisplanbecausehethoughtitunadvisabletocallformallyatherhousesolateintheevening；yethecouldnotsleepwithouthavingseenher。Theminuteswouldseemhourstillheclaspedherinhisarms。

Elfridewasstillsteadfastinheropinionthathonourcompelledhertomeethim。Probablytheverylongingtoavoidhimlentadditionalweighttotheconviction；forshewasmarkedlyoneofthosewhosighfortheunattainable——towhom，superlatively，ahopeispleasingbecausenotapossession。Andsheknewitsowellthatherintellectwasinclinedtoexaggeratethisdefectinherself。

Soduringthedayshelookedherdutysteadfastlyintheface；

readWordsworth\'sastringentyetdepressingodetothatDeity；

committedherselftoherguidance；andstillfelttheweightofchancedesires。

Butshebegantotakeamelancholypleasureincontemplatingthesacrificeofherselftothemanwhomamaidenlysenseofproprietycompelledhertoregardasheronlypossiblehusband。Shewouldmeethim，anddoallthatlayinherpowertomarryhim。Toguardagainstarelapse，anotewasatoncedespatchedtohisfather\'scottageforStephenonhisarrival，fixinganhourfortheinterview。

ChapterXXI

\'Onthycoldgreystones，Osea!\'

StephenhadsaidthatheshouldcomebywayofBristol，andthencebyasteamertoCastleBoterel，inordertoavoidthelongjourneyoverthehillsfromSt。Launce\'s。HedidnotknowoftheextensionoftherailwaytoCamelton。

DuringtheafternoonathoughtoccurredtoElfride，thatfromanycliffalongtheshoreitwouldbepossibletoseethesteamersomehoursbeforeitsarrival。

Shehadaccumulatedreligiousforceenoughtodoanactofsupererogation。Theactwasthis——togotosomepointoflandandwatchfortheshipthatbroughtherfuturehusbandhome。

Itwasacloudyafternoon。Elfridewasoftendivertedfromapurposebyadullsky；andthoughsheusedtopersuadeherselfthattheweatherwasasfineaspossibleontheothersideoftheclouds，shecouldnotbringaboutanypracticalresultfromthisfancy。Now，hermoodwassuchthatthehumidskyharmonizedwithit。

Havingascendedandpassedoverahillbehindthehouse，Elfridecametoasmallstream。Sheuseditasaguidetothecoast。Itwassmallerthanthatinherownvalley，andflowedaltogetheratahigherlevel。Busheslinedtheslopesofitsshallowtrough；

butatthebottom，wherethewaterran，wasasoftgreencarpet，inastriptwoorthreeyardswide。

Inwinter，thewaterflowedoverthegrass；insummer，asnow，ittrickledalongachannelinthemidst。

Elfridehadasensationofeyesregardingherfromsomewhere。Sheturned，andtherewasMr。Knight。Hehaddroppedintothevalleyfromthesideofthehill。Shefeltathrillofpleasure，andrebelliouslyallowedittoexist。

\'Whatutterlonelinesstofindyouin!\'

\'Iamgoingtotheshorebytrackingthestream。Ibelieveitemptiesitselfnotfaroff，inasilverthreadofwater，overacascadeofgreatheight。\'

\'Whydoyouloadyourselfwiththatheavytelescope？\'

\'Tolookovertheseawithit，\'shesaidfaintly。

\'I\'llcarryitforyoutoyourjourney\'send。\'Andhetooktheglassfromherunresistinghands。\'Itcannotbehalfamilefurther。See，thereisthewater。\'Hepointedtoashortfragmentoflevelmuddy-graycolour，cuttingagainstthesky。

Elfridehadalreadyscannedthesmallsurfaceofoceanvisible，andhadseennoship。

Theywalkedalongincompany，sometimeswiththebrookbetweenthem——foritwasnowiderthanaman\'sstride——sometimesclosetogether。Thegreencarpetgrewswampy，andtheykepthigherup。

Oneofthetworidgesbetweenwhichtheywalkeddwindledlowerandbecameinsignificant。Thatontherighthandrosewiththeiradvance，andterminatedinaclearlydefinededgeagainstthelight，asifitwereabruptlysawnoff。Alittlefurther，andthebedoftherivuletendedinthesamefashion。

Theyhadcometoabankbreast-high，andoveritthevalleywasnolongertobeseen。Itwaswithdrawncleanlyandcompletely。Initsplacewasskyandboundlessatmosphere；andperpendicularlydownbeneaththem——smallandfaroff——laythecorrugatedsurfaceoftheAtlantic。

Thesmallstreamherefounditsdeath。Runningovertheprecipiceitwasdispersedinspraybeforeitwashalf-waydown，andfallinglikerainuponprojectingledges，mademinutegrassymeadowsofthem。Atthebottomthewater-dropssoakedawayamidthedebrisofthecliff。Thiswastheingloriousendoftheriver。

\'Whatareyoulookingfor？saidKnight，followingthedirectionofhereyes。

Shewasgazinghardatablackobject——nearertotheshorethantothehorizon——fromthesummitofwhichcameanebuloushaze，stretchinglikegauzeoverthesea。

\'ThePuffin，alittlesummersteamboat——fromBristoltoCastleBoterel，\'shesaid。\'Ithinkthatisit——look。Willyougivemetheglass？\'

Knightpulledopentheold-fashionedbutpowerfultelescope，andhandedittoElfride，whohadlookedonwithheavyeyes。

\'Ican\'tkeepitupnow，\'shesaid。

\'Restitonmyshoulder。\'

\'Itistoohigh。\'

\'Undermyarm。\'

\'Toolow。Youmaylookinstead，\'shemurmuredweakly。

Knightraisedtheglasstohiseye，andswepttheseatillthePuffinentereditsfield。

\'Yes，itisthePuffin——atinycraft。Icanseeherfigure-headdistinctly——abirdwithabeakasbigasitshead。\'

\'Canyouseethedeck？\'

"Waitaminute；yes，prettyclearly。AndIcanseetheblackformsofthepassengersagainstitswhitesurface。Oneofthemhastakensomethingfromanother——aglass，Ithink——yes，itis——

andheislevellingitinthisdirection。Dependuponitweareconspicuousobjectsagainsttheskytothem。Now，itseemstorainuponthem，andtheyputonovercoatsandopenumbrellas。

Theyvanishandgobelow——allbutthatonewhohasborrowedtheglass。Heisaslimyoungfellow，andstillwatchesus。\'

Elfridegrewpale，andshiftedherlittlefeetuneasily。

Knightloweredtheglass。

\'Ithinkwehadbetterreturn，\'hesaid。\'Thatcloudwhichisrainingonthemmaysoonreachus。Why，youlookill。Howisthat？\'

\'Somethingintheairaffectsmyface。\'

\'Thosefaircheeksareveryfastidious，Ifear，\'returnedKnighttenderly。\'Thisairwouldmakethoserosythatwereneversobefore，onewouldthink——eh，Nature\'sspoiltchild？\'

Elfride\'scolourreturnedagain。

\'Thereismoretoseebehindus，afterall，\'saidKnight。

SheturnedherbackupontheboatandStephenSmith，andsaw，toweringstillhigherthanthemselves，theverticalfaceofthehillontheright，whichdidnotprojectseawardsofarasthebedofthevalley，butformedthebackofasmallcove，andsowasvisiblelikeaconcavewall，bendingroundfromtheirpositiontowardstheleft。

Thecompositionofthehugehillwasrevealedtoitsbackboneandmarrowhereatitsrentextremity。Itconsistedofavaststratificationofblackish-grayslate，unvariedinitswholeheightbyasinglechangeofshade。

Itiswithcliffsandmountainsaswithpersons；theyhavewhatiscalledapresence，whichisnotnecessarilyproportionatetotheiractualbulk。Alittlecliffwillimpressyoupowerfully；agreatonenotatall。Itdepends，aswithman，uponthecountenanceofthecliff。

\'Icannotbeartolookatthatcliff，\'saidElfride。\'Ithasahorridpersonality，andmakesmeshudder。Wewillgo。\'

\'Canyouclimb？\'saidKnight。\'Ifso，wewillascendbythatpathoverthegrimoldfellow\'sbrow。\'

\'Tryme，\'saidElfridedisdainfully。\'Ihaveascendedsteeperslopesthanthat。\'

Fromwheretheyhadbeenloitering，agrassypathwoundalonginsideabank，placedasasafeguardforunwarypedestrians，tothetopoftheprecipice，andoveritalongthehillinaninlanddirection。

\'Takemyarm，MissSwancourt，\'saidKnight。

\'Icangetonbetterwithoutit，thankyou。\'

Whentheywereonequarterofthewayup，Elfridestoppedtotakebreath。Knightstretchedouthishand。

Shetookit，andtheyascendedtheremainingslopetogether。

Reachingtheverytop，theysatdowntorestbymutualconsent。

\'Heavens，whatanaltitude!\'saidKnightbetweenhispants，andlookingfaroverthesea。Thecascadeatthebottomoftheslopeappearedamerespaninheightfromwheretheywerenow。

Elfridewaslookingtotheleft。Thesteamboatwasinfullviewagain，andbyreasonofthevastsurfaceofseatheirhigherpositionuncovereditseemedalmostclosetotheshore。

\'Overthatedge，\'saidKnight，\'wherenothingbutvacancyappears，isamovingcompactmass。Thewindstrikesthefaceoftherock，runsupit，riseslikeafountaintoaheightfaraboveourheads，curlsoverusinanarch，anddispersesbehindus。Infact，aninvertedcascadeisthere——asperfectastheNiagaraFalls——butrisinginsteadoffalling，andairinsteadofwater。Nowlookhere。\'

Knightthrewastoneoverthebank，aimingitasiftogoonwardoverthecliff。Reachingtheverge，ittoweredintotheairlikeabird，turnedback，andalightedonthegroundbehindthem。Theythemselveswereinadeadcalm。

\'AboatcrossesNiagaraimmediatelyatthefootofthefalls，wherethewaterisquitestill，thefallenmasscurvingunderit。

Weareinpreciselythesamepositionwithregardtoouratmosphericcataracthere。Ifyourunbackfromtheclifffiftyyards，youwillbeinabriskwind。NowIdaresayoverthebankisalittlebackwardcurrent。\'

Knightroseandleantoverthebank。Nosoonerwashisheadaboveitthanhishatappearedtobesuckedfromhishead——slippingoverhisforeheadinaseawarddirection。

\'That\'sthebackwardeddy，asItoldyou，\'hecried，andvanishedoverthelittlebankafterhishat。

Elfridewaitedoneminute；hedidnotreturn。Shewaitedanother，andtherewasnosignofhim。

Afewdropsofrainfell，thenasuddenshower。

Shearose，andlookedoverthebank。Ontheothersideweretwoorthreeyardsoflevelground——thenashortsteeppreparatoryslope——thenthevergeoftheprecipice。

OntheslopewasKnight，hishatonhishead。Hewasonhishandsandknees，tryingtoclimbbacktothelevelground。Therainhadwettedtheshalysurfaceoftheincline。Aslightsuperficialwettingofthesoilhereaboutmadeitfarmoreslipperytostandonthanthesamesoilthoroughlydrenched。Theinnersubstancewasstillhard，andwaslubricatedbythemoistenedfilm。

\'Ifindadifficultyingettingback，\'saidKnight。

Elfride\'sheartfelllikelead。

\'Butyoucangetback？\'shewildlyinquired。

Knightstrovewithallhismightfortwoorthreeminutes，andthedropsofperspirationbegantobeadhisbrow。

\'No，Iamunabletodoit，\'heanswered。

Elfride，byawrenchofthought，forcedawayfromhermindthesensationthatKnightwasinbodilydanger。Butattempttohelphimshemust。Sheventureduponthetreacherousincline，proppedherselfwiththeclosedtelescope，andgavehimherhandbeforehesawhermovements。

\'OElfride!whydidyou？\'saidhe。\'Iamafraidyouhaveonlyendangeredyourself。\'

Andasiftoprovehisstatement，inmakinganendeavourbyherassistancetheybothslippedlower，andthenhewasagainstayed。

Hisfootwasproppedbyabracketofquartzrock，balancedonthevergeoftheprecipice。Fixedbythis，hesteadiedher，herheadbeingaboutafootbelowthebeginningoftheslope。Elfridehaddroppedtheglass；itrolledtotheedgeandvanishedoveritintoanethersky。

\'Holdtightlytome，\'hesaid。

Sheflungherarmsroundhisneckwithsuchafirmgraspthatwhilstheremaineditwasimpossibleforhertofall。

\'Don\'tbeflurried，\'Knightcontinued。\'Solongaswestayabovethisblockweareperfectlysafe。WaitamomentwhilstIconsiderwhatwehadbetterdo。\'

Heturnedhiseyestothedizzydepthsbeneaththem，andsurveyedthepositionofaffairs。

Twoglancestoldhimatalewithghastlydistinctness。Itwasthat，unlesstheyperformedtheirfeatofgettinguptheslopewiththeprecisionofmachines，theywereovertheedgeandwhirlinginmid-air。

Forthispurposeitwasnecessarythatheshouldrecoverthebreathandstrengthwhichhispreviouseffortshadcosthim。Sohestillwaited，andlookedinthefaceoftheenemy。

Thecrestofthisterriblenaturalfacadepassedamongtheneighbouringinhabitantsasbeingsevenhundredfeetabovethewateritoverhung。Ithadbeenprovedbyactualmeasurementtobenotafootlessthansixhundredandfifty。

Thatistosay，itisnearlythreetimestheheightofFlamborough，halfashighagainastheSouthForeland，ahundredfeethigherthanBeachyHead——theloftiestpromontoryontheeastorsouthsideofthisisland——twicetheheightofSt。Aldhelm\'s，thriceashighastheLizard，andjustdoubletheheightofSt。

Bee\'s。Onesea-bordpointonthewesterncoastisknowntosurpassitinaltitude，butonlybyafewfeet。ThisisGreatOrme\'sHead，inCaernarvonshire。

Anditmustberememberedthatthecliffexhibitsanintensifyingfeaturewhichsomeofthosearewithout——sheerperpendicularityfromthehalf-tidelevel。

Yetthisremarkablerampartformsnoheadland:itratherwallsinaninlet——thepromontoryoneachsidebeingmuchlower。Thus，farfrombeingsalient，itshorizontalsectionisconcave。Thesea，rollingdirectfromtheshoresofNorthAmerica，hasinfacteatenachasmintothemiddleofahill，andthegiant，embayedandunobtrusive，standsintherearofpigmysupporters。Notleastsingularly，neitherhill，chasm，norprecipicehasaname。OnthisaccountIwillcalltheprecipicetheCliffwithoutaName。*

*SeePrefaceWhatgaveanaddedterrortoitsheightwasitsblackness。Anduponthisdarkfacethebeatingoftenthousandwestwindshadformedakindofbloom，whichhadavisualeffectnotunlikethatofaHambro\'grape。Moreoveritseemedtofloatoffintotheatmosphere，andinspireterrorthroughthelungs。

\'Thispieceofquartz，supportingmyfeet，isontheverynoseofthecliff，\'saidKnight，breakingthesilenceafterhisrigidstoicalmeditation。\'Nowwhatyouaretodoisthis。Clamberupmybodytillyourfeetareonmyshoulders:whenyouarethereyouwill，Ithink，beabletoclimbontolevelground。\'

\'Whatwillyoudo？\'

\'Waitwhilstyourunforassistance。\'

\'Ioughttohavedonethatinthefirstplace，oughtInot？\'

\'Iwasintheactofslipping，andshouldhavereachednostand-

pointwithoutyourweight，inallprobability。Butdon\'tletustalk。Bebrave，Elfride，andclimb。\'

Shepreparedtoascend，saying，\'ThisisthemomentIanticipatedwhenonthetower。Ithoughtitwouldcome!\'

\'Thisisnotatimeforsuperstition，\'saidKnight。\'Dismissallthat。\'

\'Iwill，\'shesaidhumbly。

\'Nowputyourfootintomyhand:nexttheother。That\'sgood——

welldone。Holdtomyshoulder。\'

Sheplacedherfeetuponthestirruphemadeofhishand，andwashighenoughtogetaviewofthenaturalsurfaceofthehilloverthebank。

\'Canyounowclimbontolevelground？\'

\'Iamafraidnot。Iwilltry。\'

\'Whatcanyousee？\'

\'Theslopingcommon。\'

\'Whatuponit？\'

\'Purpleheatherandsomegrass。\'

\'Nothingmore——nomanorhumanbeingofanykind？\'

\'Nobody。\'

\'Nowtrytogethigherinthisway。Youseethattuftofsea-pinkaboveyou。Getthatwellintoyourhand，butdon\'ttrusttoitentirely。Thenstepuponmyshoulder，andIthinkyouwillreachthetop。\'

Withtremblinglimbsshedidexactlyashetoldher。Thepreternaturalquietandsolemnityofhismanneroverspreaduponherself，andgaveheracouragenotherown。Shemadeaspringfromthetopofhisshoulder，andwasup。

Thensheturnedtolookathim。

Byanillfate，theforcedownwardsofherbound，addedtohisownweight，hadbeentoomuchfortheblockofquartzuponwhichhisfeetdepended。Itwas，indeed，originallyanigneousprotrusionintotheenormousmassesofblackstrata，whichhadsincebeenwornawayfromthesidesofthealienfragmentbycenturiesoffrostandrain，andnowleftitwithoutmuchsupport。

Itmoved。Knightseizedatuftofsea-pinkwitheachhand。

Thequartzrockwhichhadbeenhissalvationwasworsethanuselessnow。Itrolledover，outofsight，andawayintothesamenetherskythathadengulfedthetelescope。

Oneofthetuftsbywhichheheldcameoutattheroot，andKnightbegantofollowthequartz。Itwasaterriblemoment。Elfrideutteredalowwildwailofagony，bowedherhead，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。

Betweentheturf-coveredslopeandthegiganticperpendicularrockintervenedaweather-wornseriesofjaggededges，formingafaceyetsteeperthantheformerslope。Asheslowlyslidinchbyinchuponthese，Knightmadealastdesperatedashatthelowesttuftofvegetation——thelastoutlyingknotofstarvedherbageeretherockappearedinallitsbareness。Itarrestedhisfurtherdescent。Knightwasnowliterallysuspendedbyhisarms；buttheinclineofthebrowbeingwhatengineerswouldcallaboutaquarterinone，itwassufficienttorelievehisarmsofaportionofhisweight，butwasveryfarfromofferinganadequatelyflatfacetosupporthim。

Inspiteofthisdreadfultensionofbodyandmind，Knightfoundtimeforamomentofthankfulness。Elfridewassafe。

Shelayonhersideabovehim——herfingersclasped。Seeinghimagainsteady，shejumpeduponherfeet。

\'Now，ifIcanonlysaveyoubyrunningforhelp!\'shecried。

\'Oh，Iwouldhavediedinstead!Whydidyoutrysohardtodeliverme？\'Andsheturnedawaywildlytorunforassistance。

\'Elfride，howlongwillittakeyoutoruntoEndelstowandback？\'

\'Three-quartersofanhour。\'

\'Thatwon\'tdo；myhandswillnotholdouttenminutes。Andistherenobodynearer？\'

\'No；unlessachancepassermayhappentobe。\'

\'Hewouldhavenothingwithhimthatcouldsaveme。Isthereapoleorstickofanykindonthecommon？\'

Shegazedaround。Thecommonwasbareofeverythingbutheatherandgrass。

Aminute——perhapsmoretime——waspassedinmutethoughtbyboth。

Onasuddentheblankandhelplessagonyleftherface。Shevanishedoverthebankfromhissight。

Knightfelthimselfinthepresenceofapersonalizedlonliness。

ChapterXXII

\'Awoman\'sway。\'

Haggardcliffs，ofeveryuglyaltitude，areascommonassea-fowlalongthelineofcoastbetweenExmoorandLand\'sEnd；butthisoutflankedandencompassedspecimenwastheugliestofthemall。

Theirsummitsarenotsafeplacesforscientificexperimentontheprinciplesofair-currents，asKnighthadnowfound，tohisdismay。

Hestillclutchedthefaceoftheescarpment——notwiththefrenziedholdofdespair，butwithadoggeddeterminationtomakethemostofhiseveryjotofendurance，andsogivethelongestpossiblescopetoElfride\'sintentions，whatevertheymightbe。

Hereclinedhandinhandwiththeworldinitsinfancy。Notablade，notaninsect，whichspokeofthepresent，wasbetweenhimandthepast。Theinveterateantagonismoftheseblackprecipicestoallstrugglersforlifeisinnowaymoreforciblysuggestedthanbythepaucityoftuftsofgrass，lichens，orconfervaeontheiroutermostledges。

KnightponderedonthemeaningofElfride\'shastydisappearance，butcouldnotavoidaninstinctiveconclusionthatthereexistedbutadoubtfulhopeforhim。Asfarashecouldjudge，hissolechanceofdeliverancelayinthepossibilityofaropeorpolebeingbrought；andthispossibilitywasremoteindeed。Thesoiluponthesehighdownswasleftsountendedthattheywereunenclosedformiles，exceptbyacasualbankordrywall，andwererarelyvisitedbutforthepurposeofcollectingorcountingtheflockwhichfoundascantymeansofsubsistencethereon。

Atfirst，whendeathappearedimprobable，becauseithadnevervisitedhimbefore，Knightcouldthinkofnofuture，norofanythingconnectedwithhispast。HecouldonlylooksternlyatNature\'streacherousattempttoputanendtohim，andstrivetothwarther。

Fromthefactthatthecliffformedtheinnerfaceofthesegmentofahugecylinder，havingtheskyforatopandtheseaforabottom，whichenclosedthecovetotheextentofmorethanasemicircle，hecouldseetheverticalfacecurvingroundoneachsideofhim。Helookedfardownthefacade，andrealizedmorethoroughlyhowitthreatenedhim。Grimnesswasineveryfeature，andtoitsverybowelstheinimicalshapewasdesolation。

Byoneofthosefamiliarconjunctionsofthingswherewiththeinanimateworldbaitsthemindofmanwhenhepausesinmomentsofsuspense，oppositeKnight\'seyeswasanimbeddedfossil，standingforthinlowrelieffromtherock。Itwasacreaturewitheyes。

Theeyes，deadandturnedtostone，wereevennowregardinghim。

ItwasoneoftheearlycrustaceanscalledTrilobites。Separatedbymillionsofyearsintheirlives，Knightandthisunderlingseemedtohavemetintheirdeath。Itwasthesingleinstancewithinreachofhisvisionofanythingthathadeverbeenaliveandhadhadabodytosave，ashehimselfhadnow。

Thecreaturerepresentedbutalowtypeofanimalexistence，forneverintheirvernalyearshadtheplainsindicatedbythosenumberlessslatylayersbeentraversedbyanintelligenceworthyofthename。Zoophytes，mollusca，shell-fish，werethehighestdevelopmentsofthoseancientdates。Theimmenselapsesoftimeeachformationrepresentedhadknownnothingofthedignityofman。Theyweregrandtimes，buttheyweremeantimestoo，andmeanweretheirrelics。Hewastobewiththesmallinhisdeath。

Knightwasageologist；andsuchisthesupremacyofhabitoveroccasion，asapioneerofthethoughtsofmen，thatatthisdreadfuljuncturehismindfoundtimetotakein，byamomentarysweep，thevariedscenesthathadhadtheirdaybetweenthiscreature\'sepochandhisown。Thereisnoplacelikeacleftlandscapeforbringinghomesuchimaginingsasthese。

Timecloseduplikeafanbeforehim。Hesawhimselfatoneextremityoftheyears，facetofacewiththebeginningandalltheintermediatecenturiessimultaneously。Fiercemen，clothedinthehidesofbeasts，andcarrying，fordefenceandattack，hugeclubsandpointedspears，rosefromtherock，likethephantomsbeforethedoomedMacbeth。Theylivedinhollows，woods，andmudhuts——perhapsincavesoftheneighbouringrocks。Behindthemstoodanearlierband。Nomanwasthere。Hugeelephantineforms，themastodon，thehippopotamus，thetapir，antelopesofmonstroussize，themegatherium，andthemyledon——all，forthemoment，injuxtaposition。Furtherback，andoverlappedbythese，wereperchedhuge-billedbirdsandswinishcreaturesaslargeashorses。Stillmoreshadowywerethesinistercrocodilianoutlines——alligatorsandotheruncouthshapes，culminatinginthecolossallizard，theiguanodon。Foldedbehindweredragonformsandcloudsofflyingreptiles:stillunderneathwerefishybeingsoflowerdevelopment；andsoon，tillthelifetimescenesofthefossilconfrontinghimwereapresentandmodernconditionofthings。TheseimagespassedbeforeKnight\'sinnereyeinlessthanhalfaminute，andhewasagainconsideringtheactualpresent。Washetodie？ThementalpictureofElfrideintheworld，withouthimselftocherishher，smotehisheartlikeawhip。Hehadhopedfordeliverance，butwhatcouldagirldo？Hedarednotmoveaninch。WasDeathreallystretchingouthishand？

Theprevioussensation，thatitwasimprobablehewoulddie，wasfainternow。

However，Knightstillclungtothecliff。

Tothosemusingweather-beatenWest-countryfolkwhopassthegreaterpartoftheirdaysandnightsoutofdoors，Natureseemstohavemoodsinotherthanapoeticalsense:predilectionsforcertaindeedsatcertaintimes，withoutanyapparentlawtogovernorseasontoaccountforthem。Sheisreadasapersonwithacurioustemper；asonewhodoesnotscatterkindnessesandcrueltiesalternately，impartially，andinorder，butheartlessseveritiesoroverwhelminggenerositiesinlawlesscaprice。Man\'scaseisalwaysthatoftheprodigal\'sfavouriteorthemiser\'spensioner。Inherunfriendlymomentsthereseemsafelinefuninhertricks，begottenbyaforetasteofherpleasureinswallowingthevictim。

SuchawayofthinkinghadbeenabsurdtoKnight，buthebegantoadoptitnow。Hewasfirstspittedontoarock。Newtorturesfollowed。Therainincreased，andpersecutedhimwithanexceptionalpersistencywhichhewasmovedtobelieveoweditscausetothefactthathewasinsuchawretchedstatealready。

Anentirelyneworderofthingscouldbeobservedinthisintroductionofrainuponthescene。Itrainedupwardsinsteadofdown。Thestrongascendingaircarriedtherain-dropswithitinitsraceuptheescarpment，comingtohimwithsuchvelocitythattheystuckintohisfleshlikecoldneedles。Eachdropwasvirtuallyashaft，anditpiercedhimtohisskin。Thewater-

shaftsseemedtolifthimontheirpoints:nodownwardraineverhadsuchatorturingeffect。Inabriefspacehewasdrenched，exceptintwoplaces。Thesewereonthetopofhisshouldersandonthecrownofhishat。

Thewind，thoughnotintenseinothersituationswasstronghere。

Ittuggedathiscoatandliftedit。Wearemostlyaccustomedtolookuponalloppositionwhichisnotanimate，asthatofthestolid，inexorablehandofindifference，whichwearsoutthepatiencemorethanthestrength。Here，atanyrate，hostilitydidnotassumethatslowandsickeningform。Itwasacosmicagency，active，lashing，eagerforconquest:determination；notaninsensatestandingintheway。

Knighthadover-estimatedthestrengthofhishands。Theyweregettingweakalready。\'Shewillnevercomeagain；shehasbeengonetenminutes，\'hesaidtohimself。

Thismistakearosefromtheunusualcompressionofhisexperiencesjustnow:shehadreallybeengonebutthree。

\'Asmanymoreminuteswillbemyend，\'hethought。

Nextcameanotherinstanceoftheincapacityofthemindtomakecomparisonsatsuchtimes。

\'Thisisasummerafternoon，\'hesaid，\'andtherecanneverhavebeensuchaheavyandcoldrainonasummerdayinmylifebefore。\'

Hewasagainmistaken。Therainwasquiteordinaryinquantity；

theairintemperature。Itwas，asisusual，themenacingattitudeinwhichtheyapproachedhimthatmagnifiedtheirpowers。

Heagainlookedstraightdownwards，thewindandthewater-dashesliftinghismoustache，scuddinguphischeeks，underhiseyelids，andintohiseyes。Thisiswhathesawdownthere:thesurfaceofthesea——visuallyjustpasthistoes，andunderhisfeet；actuallyone-eighthofamile，ormorethantwohundredyards，belowthem。

Wecolouraccordingtoourmoodstheobjectswesurvey。Theseawouldhavebeenadeepneutralblue，hadhappierauspicesattendedthegazeritwasnownootherwisethandistinctlyblacktohisvision。Thatnarrowwhiteborderwasfoam，heknewwell；butitsboisteroustossesweresodistantastoappearapulsationonly，anditsplashingwasbarelyaudible。Awhitebordertoablacksea——hisfuneralpallanditsedging。

Theworldwastosomeextentturnedupsidedownforhim。Raindescendedfrombelow。Beneathhisfeetwasaerialspaceandtheunknown；abovehimwasthefirm，familiarground，anduponitallthathelovedbest。

Pitilessnaturehadthentwovoices，andtwoonly。Thenearerwasthevoiceofthewindinhisearsrisingandfallingasitmauledandthrusthimhardorsoftly。Thesecondanddistantonewasthemoanofthatunplummettedoceanbelowandafar——rubbingitsrestlessflankagainsttheCliffwithoutaName。

Knightperseveringlyheldfast。HadheanyfaithinElfride？

Perhaps。Loveisfaith，andfaith，likeagatheredflower，willrootlesslyliveon。

Nobodywouldhaveexpectedthesuntoshineonsuchaneveningasthis。Yetitappeared，lowdownuponthesea。Notwithitsnaturalgoldenfringe，sweepingthefurthestendsofthelandscape，notwiththestrangeglareofwhitenesswhichitsometimesputsonasanalternativetocolour，butasasplotchofvermilionreduponaleadenground——aredfacelookingonwithadrunkenleer。

Mostmenwhohavebrainsknowit，andfewaresofoolishastodisguisethisfactfromthemselvesorothers，eventhoughanostentatiousdisplaymaybecalledself-conceit。Knight，withoutshowingitmuch，knewthathisintellectwasabovetheaverage。

Andhethought——hecouldnothelpthinking——thathisdeathwouldbeadeliberatelosstoearthofgoodmaterial；thatsuchanexperimentinkillingmighthavebeenpractiseduponsomelessdevelopedlife。

Afancysomepeoplehold，wheninabittermood，isthatinexorablecircumstanceonlytriestopreventwhatintelligenceattempts。Renounceadesireforalong-contestedposition，andgoonanothertack，andafterawhiletheprizeisthrownatyou，seeminglyindisappointmentthatnomoretantalizingispossible。

Knightgaveupthoughtsoflifeutterlyandentirely，andturnedtocontemplatetheDarkValleyandtheunknownfuturebeyond。

Intotheshadowydepthsofthesespeculationswewillnotfollowhim。Letitsufficetostatewhatensued。

Atthatmomentoftakingnomorethoughtforthislife，somethingdisturbedtheoutlineofthebankabovehim。Aspotappeared。ItwastheheadofElfride。

Knightimmediatelypreparedtowelcomelifeagain。

Theexpressionofafaceconsignedtoutterloneliness，whenafriendfirstlooksinuponit，ismovingintheextreme。Inrowingseawardtoalight-shiporsea-girtlighthouse，where，withoutanyimmediateterrorofdeath，theinmatesexperiencethegloomofmonotonousseclusion，thegratefuleloquenceoftheircountenancesatthegreeting，expressiveofthankfulnessforthevisit，isenoughtostirtheemotionsofthemostcarelessobserver。

Knight\'supwardlookatElfridewasofanaturewith，butfartranscending，suchaninstanceasthis。Thelinesofhisfacehaddeepenedtofurrows，andeveryoneofthemthankedhervisibly。

Hislipsmovedtotheword\'Elfride，\'thoughtheemotionevolvednosound。Hiseyespassedalldescriptionintheircombinationofthewholediapasonofeloquence，fromlover\'sdeeplovetofellow-

man\'sgratitudeforatokenofremembrancefromoneofhiskind。

Elfridehadcomeback。Whatshehadcometodohedidnotknow。

Shecouldonlylookonathisdeath，perhaps。Still，shehadcomeback，andnotdesertedhimutterly，anditwasmuch。

ItwasanoveltyintheextremetoseeHenryKnight，towhomElfridewasbutachild，whohadswayedherasatreeswaysabird\'snest，whomasteredherandmadeherweepmostbitterlyatherowninsignificance，thusthankfulforasightofherface。

Shelookeddownuponhim，herfaceglisteningwithrainandtears。

Hesmiledfaintly。

\'Howcalmheis!\'shethought。\'Howgreatandnobleheistobesocalm!\'Shewouldhavediedtentimesforhimthen。

Theglidingformofthesteamboatcaughthereye:sheheededitnolonger。

\'Howmuchlongercanyouwait？\'camefromherpalelipsandalongthewindtohisposition。

\'Fourminutes，\'saidKnightinaweakervoicethanherown。

\'Butwithagoodhopeofbeingsaved？\'

\'Sevenoreight。\'

Henownoticedthatinherarmssheboreabundleofwhitelinen，andthatherformwassingularlyattenuated。SopreternaturallythinandflexiblewasElfrideatthismoment，thatsheappearedtobendunderthelightblowsoftherain-shafts，astheystruckintohersidesandbosom，andsplinteredintosprayonherface。Thereisnothinglikeathoroughdrenchingforreducingtheprotuberancesofclothes，butElfride\'sseemedtoclingtoherlikeaglove。

Withoutheedingtheattackofthecloudsfurtherthanbyraisingherhandandwipingawaythespirtsofrainwhentheywentmoreparticularlyintohereyes，shesatdownandhurriedlybeganrendingthelinenintostrips。Thesesheknottedendtoend，andafterwardstwistedthemlikethestrandsofacord。Inashortspaceoftimeshehadformedaperfectropebythismeans，sixorsevenyardslong。

\'CanyouwaitwhileIbindit？\'shesaid，anxiouslyextendinghergazedowntohim。

\'Yes，ifnotverylong。Hopehasgivenmeawonderfulinstalmentofstrength。\'

Elfridedroppedhereyesagain，toretheremainingmaterialintonarrowtape-likeligaments，knottedeachtoeachasbefore，butonasmallerscale，andwoundthelengthystringshehadthusformedroundandroundthelinenrope，which，withoutthisbinding，hadatendencytospreadabroad。

\'Now，\'saidKnight，who，watchingtheproceedingsintently，hadbythistimenotonlygraspedherscheme，butreasonedfurtheron，\'I

canholdthreeminuteslongeryet。Anddoyouusethetimeintestingthestrengthoftheknots，onebyone。\'

Sheatonceobeyed，testedeachsinglybyputtingherfootontheropebetweeneachknot，andpullingwithherhands。Oneoftheknotsslipped。

\'Oh，think!Itwouldhavebrokenbutforyourforethought，\'

Elfrideexclaimedapprehensively。

Sheretiedthetwoends。Theropewasnowfirmineverypart。

\'Whenyouhaveletitdown，\'saidKnight，alreadyresuminghispositionofrulingpower，\'gobackfromtheedgeoftheslope，andoverthebankasfarastheropewillallowyou。Thenleandown，andholdtheendwithbothhands。\'

Hehadfirstthoughtofasaferplanforhisowndeliverance，butitinvolvedthedisadvantageofpossiblyendangeringherlife。

\'Ihavetieditroundmywaist，\'shecried，\'andIwillleandirectlyuponthebank，holdingwithmyhandsaswell。\'

Itwasthearrangementhehadthoughtof，butwouldnotsuggest。

\'IwillraiseanddropitthreetimeswhenIambehindthebank，\'

shecontinued，\'tosignifythatIamready。Takecare，oh，takethegreatestcare，Ibegyou!\'

Shedroppedtheropeoverhim，tolearnhowmuchofitslengthitwouldbenecessarytoexpendonthatsideofthebank，wentback，anddisappearedasshehaddonebefore。

TheropewastrailingbyKnight\'sshoulders。Inafewmomentsittwitchedthreetimes。

Hewaitedyetasecondortwo，thenlaidhold。

Theinclineofthisupperportionoftheprecipice，tothelengthonlyofafewfeet，uselesstoaclimberempty-handed，wasinvaluablenow。Notmorethanhalfhisweightdependedentirelyonthelinenrope。Halfadozenextensionsofthearms，alternatingwithhalfadozenseizuresoftheropewithhisfeet，broughthimuptothelevelofthesoil。

Hewassaved，andbyElfride。

Heextendedhiscrampedlimbslikeanawakenedsleeper，andsprangoverthebank。

Atsightofhimsheleapttoherfeetwithalmostashriekofjoy。

Knight\'seyesmethers，andwithsupremeeloquencetheglanceofeachtoldalong-concealedtaleofemotioninthatshorthalf-

moment。Movedbyanimpulseneithercouldresist，theyrantogetherandintoeachother\'sarms。

Atthemomentofembracing，Elfride\'seyesinvoluntarilyflashedtowardsthePuffinsteamboat。Ithaddoubledthepoint，andwasnolongertobeseen。

Anoverwhelmingrushofexultationathavingdeliveredthemanshereveredfromoneofthemostterribleformsofdeath，shookthegentlegirltothecentreofhersoul。ItmergedinadefianceofdutytoStephen，andatotalrecklessnessastoplightedfaith。

Everynerveofherwillwasnowinentiresubjectiontoherfeeling——volitionasaguidingpowerhadforsakenher。Toremainpassive，assheremainednow，encircledbyhisarms，wasasufficientlycompleteresult——agloriouscrowntoalltheyearsofherlife。Perhapshewasonlygrateful，anddidnotloveher。Nomatter:itwasinfinitelymoretobeeventheslaveofthegreaterthanthequeenoftheless。Somesuchsensationasthis，thoughitwasnotrecognizedasafinishedthought，racedalongtheimpressionablesoulofElfride。

Regardingtheirattitude，itwasimpossiblefortwopersonstogonearertoakissthanwentKnightandElfrideduringthoseminutesofimpulsiveembraceinthepeltingrain。Yettheydidnotkiss。

Knight\'speculiarityofnaturewassuchthatitwouldnotallowhimtotakeadvantageoftheunguardedandpassionateavowalshehadtacitlymade。

Elfriderecoveredherself，andgentlystruggledtobefree。

Hereluctantlyrelinquishedher，andthensurveyedherfromcrowntotoe。Sheseemedassmallasaninfant。Heperceivedwhenceshehadobtainedtherope。

\'Elfride，myElfride!\'heexclaimedingratifiedamazement。

\'Imustleaveyounow，\'shesaid，herfacedoublingitsred，withanexpressionbetweengladnessandshame\'Youfollowme，butatsomedistance。\'

\'Therainandwindpierceyouthrough；thechillwillkillyou。

Godblessyouforsuchdevotion!Takemycoatandputiton。\'

\'No；Ishallgetwarmrunning。\'

Elfridehadabsolutelynothingbetweenherandtheweatherbutherexteriorrobeor\'costume。\'Thedoorhadbeenmadeuponawoman\'swit，andithadfounditswayout。Behindthebank，whilstKnightreclineduponthedizzyslopewaitingfordeath，shehadtakenoffherwholeclothing，andreplacedonlyherouterbodiceandskirt。

Everythreadoftheremainderlayuponthegroundintheformofawoollenandcottonrope。

\'Iamusedtobeingwetthrough，\'sheadded。\'IhavebeendrenchedonPansydozensoftimes。Good-byetillwemeet，clothedandinourrightminds，bythefiresideathome!\'

Shethenranofffromhimthroughthepeltingrainlikeahare；ormorelikeapheasantwhen，scamperingawaywithaloweredtail，ithasamindtofly，butdoesnot。Elfridewassoonoutofsight。