第15章

\'Oh，no，no!Iwon\'thavethat。\'KnightendeavouredtogivehisreplyalaughingtoneinElfride\'sears，andanearnestnessinStephen\'s:inbothwhicheffortshesignallyfailed，andproducedaforcedspeechpleasanttoneither。\'Well，letusgointotheopenairagain；MissSwancourt，youareparticularlysilent。Youmustn\'tmindSmith。Ihaveknownhimforyears，asIhavetoldyou。\'

\'Yes，youhave，\'shesaid。

\'Tothinkshehasnevermentionedherknowledgeofme!\'Smithmurmured，andthoughtwithsomeremorsehowmuchherconductresembledhisownonhisfirstarrivalatherhouseasastrangertotheplace。

Theyascendedtothedaylight，KnighttakingnofurthernoticeofElfride\'smanner，which，asusual，heattributedtothenaturalshynessofayoungwomanatbeingdiscoveredwalkingwithhimontermswhichleftnotmuchdoubtoftheirmeaning。Elfridesteppedalittleinadvance，andpassedthroughthechurchyard。

\'Youarechangedveryconsiderably，Smith，\'saidKnight，\'andI

supposeitisnomorethanwastobeexpected。However，don\'timaginethatIshallfeelanythelessinterestinyouandyourfortuneswheneveryoucaretoconfidethemtome。IhavenotforgottentheattachmentyouspokeofasyourreasonforgoingawaytoIndia。ALondonyounglady，wasitnot？Ihopeallisprosperous？\'

\'No:thematchisbrokenoff。\'

Itbeingalwaysdifficulttoknowwhethertoexpresssorroworgladnessundersuchcircumstances——alldependinguponthecharacterofthematch——Knighttookshelterinthesafewords:\'I

trustitwasforthebest。\'

\'Ihopeitwas。ButIbegthatyouwillnotpressmefurther:no，youhavenotpressedme——Idon\'tmeanthat——butIwouldrathernotspeakuponthesubject。\'

Stephen\'swordswerehurried。

Knightsaidnomore，andtheyfollowedinthefootstepsofElfride，whostillkeptsomepacesinadvance，andhadnotheardKnight\'sunconsciousallusiontoher。Stephenbadehimadieuatthechurchyard-gatewithoutgoingoutside，andwatchedwhilstheandhissweetheartmountedtheirhorses。

\'Goodheavens，Elfride，\'Knightexclaimed，\'howpaleyouare!I

supposeIoughtnottohavetakenyouintothatvault。Whatisthematter？\'

\'Nothing，\'saidElfridefaintly。\'Ishallbemyselfinamoment。

Allwassostrangeandunexpecteddownthere，thatitmademeunwell。\'

\'Ithoughtyousaidverylittle。ShallIgetsomewater？\'

\'No，no。\'

\'Doyouthinkitissafeforyoutomount？\'

\'Quite——indeeditis，\'shesaid，withalookofappeal。

\'Nowthen——upshegoes!\'whisperedKnight，andliftedhertenderlyintothesaddle。

Heroldloverstilllookedonattheperformanceasheleantoverthegateadozenyardsoff。Onceinthesaddle，andhavingafirmgripofthereins，sheturnedherheadasifbyaresistlessfascination，andforthefirsttimesincethatmemorablepartingonthemooroutsideSt。Launce\'safterthepassionateattemptatmarriagewithhim，Elfridelookedinthefaceoftheyoungmanshefirsthadloved。Hewastheyouthwhohadcalledherhisinseparablewifemanyatime，andwhomshehadevenaddressedasherhusband。Theireyesmet。Measurementoflifeshouldbeproportionedrathertotheintensityoftheexperiencethantoitsactuallength。Theirglance，butamomentchronologically，wasaseasonintheirhistory。ToElfridetheintenseagonyofreproachinStephen\'seyewasanailpiercingherheartwithadeadlinessnowordscandescribe。Withaspasmodiceffortshewithdrewhereyes，urgedonthehorse，andinthechaosofperturbedmemorieswasobliviousofanypresencebesideher。Thedeedofdeceptionwascomplete。

Gainingaknollonwhichtheparktransformeditselfintowoodandcopse，Knightcamestillclosertoherside，andsaid，\'Areyoubetternow，dearest？\'

\'Ohyes。\'Shepressedahandtohereyes，asiftoblotouttheimageofStephen。Avividscarletspotnowshonewithpreternaturalbrightnessinthecentreofeachcheek，leavingtheremainderofherfacelily-whiteasbefore。

\'Elfride，\'saidKnight，ratherinhisoldtoneofmentor，\'youknowIdon\'tforamomentchideyou，butistherenotagreatdealofunwomanlyweaknessinyourallowingyourselftobesooverwhelmedbythesightofwhat，afterall，isnonovelty？Everywomanworthyofthenameshould，Ithink，beabletolookupondeathwithsomethinglikecomposure。Surelyyouthinksotoo？\'

\'Yes；Iownit。\'

Hisobtusenesstothecauseofherindisposition，byevidencinghisentirefreedomfromthesuspicionofanythingbehindthescenes，showedhowincapableKnightwasofdeceptionhimself，ratherthananyinherentdulnessinhimregardinghumannature。

This，clearlyperceivedbyElfride，addedpoignancytoherself-

reproach，andsheidolizedhimthemorebecauseoftheirdifference。EventherecentsightofStephen\'sfaceandthesoundofhisvoice，whichforamomenthadstirredachordortwoofancientkindness，wereunabletokeepdowntheadorationre-

existentnowthathewasagainoutofview。

ShehadrepliedtoKnight\'squestionhastily，andimmediatelywentontospeakofindifferentsubjects。Aftertheyhadreachedhomeshewasapartfromhimtilldinner-time。Whendinnerwasover，andtheywerewatchingtheduskinthedrawing-room，Knightsteppedoutupontheterrace。Elfridewentafterhimverydecisively，onthespurofavirtuousintention。

\'Mr。Knight，Iwanttotellyousomething，\'shesaid，withquietfirmness。

\'Andwhatisitabout？\'gailyreturnedherlover。\'Happiness，I

hope。Donotletanythingkeepyousosadasyouseemtohavebeento-day。\'

\'IcannotmentionthematteruntilItellyouthewholesubstanceofit，\'shesaid。\'AndthatIwilldoto-morrow。Ihavebeenremindedofitto-day。ItisaboutsomethingIoncedid，anddon\'tthinkIoughttohavedone。\'

This，itmustbesaid，wasratheramildwayofreferringtoafranticpassionandflight，which，muchorlittleinitself，onlyaccidenthadsavedfrombeingascandalinthepubliceye。

Knightthoughtthemattersometrifle，andsaidpleasantly:

\'ThenIamnottohearthedreadfulconfessionnow？\'

\'No，notnow。Ididnotmeanto-night，\'Elfrideresponded，withaslightdeclineinthefirmnessofhervoice。\'Itisnotlightasyouthinkit——ittroublesmeagreatdeal。\'Fearingnowtheeffectofherownearnestness，sheaddedforcedly，\'Though，perhaps，youmaythinkitlightafterall。\'

\'Butyouhavenotsaidwhenitistobe？\'

\'To-morrowmorning。Nameatime，willyou，andbindmetoit？I

wantyoutofixanhour，becauseIamweak，andmayotherwisetrytogetoutofit。\'Sheaddedalittleartificiallaugh，whichshowedhowtimorousherresolutionwasstill。

\'Well，sayafterbreakfast——ateleveno\'clock。\'

\'Yes，eleveno\'clock。Ipromiseyou。Bindmestrictlytomyword。\'

ChapterXXVIII

\'Ilullafancy，trouble-tost。\'

MissSwancourt，itiseleveno\'clock。\'

Shewaslookingoutofherdressing-roomwindowonthefirstfloor，andKnightwasregardingherfromtheterracebalustrade，uponwhichhehadbeenidlysittingforsometime——dividingtheglancesofhiseyebetweenthepagesofabookinhishand，thebrillianthuesofthegeraniumsandcalceolarias，andtheopenwindowabove-mentioned。

\'Yes，itis，Iknow。Iamcoming。\'

Hedrewcloser，andunderthewindow。

\'Howareyouthismorning，Elfride？Youlooknobetterforyourlongnight\'srest。\'

Sheappearedatthedoorshortlyafter，tookhisofferedarm，andtogethertheywalkedslowlydownthegravelpathleadingtotheriverandawayunderthetrees。

Herresolution，sustainedduringthelastfifteenhours，hadbeentotellthewholetruth，andnowthemomenthadcome。

Stepbysteptheyadvanced，andstillshedidnotspeak。Theywerenearlyattheendofthewalk，whenKnightbrokethesilence。

\'Well，whatistheconfession，Elfride？\'

Shepausedamoment，drewalongbreath；andthisiswhatshesaid:

\'Itoldyouoneday——orratherIgaveyoutounderstand——whatwasnottrue。IfancyyouthoughtmetomeanIwasnineteenmynextbirthday，butitwasmylastIwasnineteen。\'

Themomenthadbeentoomuchforher。Nowthatthecrisishadcome，noqualmsofconscience，noloveofhonesty，noyearningtomakeaconfidenceandobtainforgivenesswithakiss，couldstringElfrideuptotheventure。Herdreadlestheshouldbeunforgivingwasheightenedbythethoughtofyesterday\'sartifice，whichmightpossiblyadddisgusttohisdisappointment。Thecertaintyofonemoreday\'saffection，whichshegainedbysilence，outvaluedthehopeofaperpetuitycombinedwiththeriskofall。

Thetrepidationcausedbythesethoughtsonwhatshehadintendedtosayshooksonaturallythewordsshedidsay，thatKnightneverforamomentsuspectedthemtobealastmoment\'ssubstitution。

Hesmiledandpressedherhandwarmly。

\'MydearElfie——yes，youarenow——noprotestation——whatawinninglittlewomanyouare，tobesoabsurdlyscrupulousaboutamereiota!Really，Ineveroncehavethoughtwhetheryournineteenthyearwasthelastorthepresent。And，byGeorge，wellImaynot；

foritwouldneverdoforastaidfogeyadozenyearsoldertostanduponsuchatrifleasthat。\'

\'Don\'tpraiseme——don\'tpraiseme!ThoughIprizeitfromyourlips，Idon\'tdeserveitnow。\'

ButKnight，beinginanexceptionallygenialmood，merelysawthisdistressfulexclamationasmodesty。\'Well，\'headded，afteraminute，\'Ilikeyouallthebetter，youknow，forsuchmoralprecision，althoughIcalleditabsurd。\'Hewentonwithtenderearnestness:\'For，Elfride，thereisonethingIdolovetoseeinawoman——thatis，asoultruthfulandclearasheaven\'slight。I

couldputupwithanythingifIhadthat——forgivenothingifIhaditnot。Elfride，youhavesuchasoul，ifeverwomanhad；andhavingit，retainit，anddon\'teverlistentothefashionabletheoriesofthedayaboutawoman\'sprivilegesandnaturalrighttopractisewiles。Dependuponit，mydeargirl，thatanoblewomanmustbeashonestasanobleman。Ispeciallymeanbyhonesty，fairnessnotonlyinmattersofbusinessandsocialdetail，butinallthedelicatedealingsoflove，towhichthelicencegiventoyoursexparticularlyrefers。\'

Elfridelookedtroublouslyatthetrees。

\'Nowletusgoontotheriver，Elfie。\'

\'IwouldifIhadahaton，\'shesaidwithasortofsuppressedwoe。

\'Iwillgetitforyou，\'saidKnight，verywillingtopurchasehercompanionshipatsocheapaprice。\'Yousitdownthereaminute。\'

Andheturnedandwalkedrapidlybacktothehouseforthearticleinquestion。

Elfridesatdownupononeoftherusticbencheswhichadornedthisportionofthegrounds，andremainedwithhereyesuponthegrass。

Shewasinducedtoliftthembyhearingthebrushoflightandirregularfootstepshardby。Passingalongthepathwhichintersectedtheoneshewasinandtraversedtheoutershrubberies，Elfridebeheldthefarmer\'swidow，Mrs。Jethway。

BeforeshenoticedElfride，shepausedtolookatthehouse，portionsofwhichwerevisiblethroughthebushes。Elfride，shrinkingback，hopedtheunpleasantwomanmightgoonwithoutseeingher。ButMrs。Jethway，silentlyapostrophizingthehouse，withactionswhichseemeddictatedbyahalf-overturnedreason，haddiscernedthegirl，andimmediatelycameupandstoodinfrontofher。

\'Ah，MissSwancourt!Whydidyoudisturbme？Mustn\'tItrespasshere？\'

\'Youmaywalkhereifyoulike，Mrs。Jethway。Idonotdisturbyou。\'

\'Youdisturbmymind，andmymindismywholelife；formyboyistherestill，andheisgonefrommybody。\'

\'Yes，pooryoungman。Iwassorrywhenhedied。\'

\'Doyouknowwhathediedof？\'

\'Consumption。\'

\'Ohno，no!\'saidthewidow。\'Thatword"consumption"coversagooddeal。Hediedbecauseyouwerehisownwell-agreedsweetheart，andthenprovedfalse——anditkilledhim。Yes，MissSwancourt，\'shesaidinanexcitedwhisper，\'youkilledmyson!\'

\'Howcanyoubesowickedandfoolish!\'repliedElfride，risingindignantly。Butindignationwasnotnaturaltoher，andhavingbeensowornandharrowedbylateevents，shelostanypowersofdefencethatmoodmighthavelenther。\'Icouldnothelphislovingme，Mrs。Jethway!\'

\'That\'sjustwhatyoucouldhavehelped。Youknowhowitbegan，MissElfride。Yes:yousaidyoulikedthenameofFelixbetterthananyothernameintheparish，andyouknewitwashisname，andthatthoseyousaidittowouldreportittohim。\'

\'Iknewitwashisname——ofcourseIdid；butIamsure，Mrs。

Jethway，Ididnotintendanybodytotellhim。\'

\'Butyouknewtheywould。\'

\'No，Ididn\'t。\'

\'Andthen，afterthat，whenyouwereridingonRevels-daybyourhouse，andtheladsweregatheredthere，andyouwantedtodismount，whenJimDrakeandGeorgeUpwayandthreeorfourmoreranforwardtoholdyourpony，andFelixstoodbacktimid，whydidyoubeckontohim，andsayyouwouldratherheheldit？\'

\'OMrs。Jethway，youdothinksomistakenly!Ilikedhimbest——

that\'swhyIwantedhimtodoit。Hewasgentleandnice——I

alwaysthoughthimso——andIlikedhim。\'

\'Thenwhydidyoulethimkissyou？\'

\'Itisafalsehood；oh，itis，itis!\'saidElfride，weepingwithdesperation。\'Hecamebehindme，andattemptedtokissme；andthatwaswhyItoldhimnevertoletmeseehimagain。\'

\'Butyoudidnottellyourfatheroranybody，asyouwouldhaveifyouhadlookeduponitthenastheinsultyounowpretenditwas。\'

\'Hebeggedmenottotell，andfoolishlyenoughIdidnot。AndI

wishIhadnow。Ilittleexpectedtobescourgedwithmyownkindness。Prayleaveme，Mrs。Jethway。\'Thegirlonlyexpostulatednow。

\'Well，youharshlydismissedhim，andhedied。Andbeforehisbodywascold，youtookanothertoyourheart。Thenascarelesslysenthimabouthisbusiness，andtookathird。Andifyouconsiderthatnothing，MissSwancourt，\'shecontinued，drawingcloser；\'itledontowhatwasveryseriousindeed。Haveyouforgottenthewould-berunawaymarriage？ThejourneytoLondon，andthereturnthenextdaywithoutbeingmarried，andthatthere\'senoughdisgraceinthattoruinawoman\'sgoodnamefarlesslightthanyours？Youmayhave:Ihavenot。Ficklenesstowardsaloverisbad，butficklenessafterplayingthewifeiswantonness。\'

\'Oh，it\'sawickedcruellie!Donotsayit；oh，donot!\'

\'Doesyournewmanknowofit？Ithinknot，orhewouldbenomanofyours!Asmuchofthestoryaswasknowniscreepingabouttheneighbourhoodevennow；butIknowmorethananyofthem，andwhyshouldIrespectyourlove？\'

\'Idefyyou!\'criedElfridetempestuously。\'Doandsayallyoucantoruinme；try；putyourtongueatwork；Iinviteit!Idefyyouasaslanderouswoman!Look，therehecomes。\'AndhervoicetrembledgreatlyasshesawthroughtheleavesthebelovedformofKnightcomingfromthedoorwithherhatinhishand。\'Tellhimatonce；Icanbearit。\'

\'Notnow，\'saidthewoman，anddisappeareddownthepath。

TheexcitementofherlatterwordshadrestoredcolourtoElfride\'scheeks；andhastilywipinghereyes，shewalkedfartheron，sothatbythetimeherloverhadovertakenherthetracesofemotionhadnearlydisappearedfromherface。Knightputthehatuponherhead，tookherhand，anddrewitwithinhisarm。

ItwasthelastdaybutoneprevioustotheirdepartureforSt。

Leonards；andKnightseemedtohaveapurposeinbeingmuchinhercompanythatday。Theyrambledalongthevalley。Theseasonwasthatperiodintheautumnwhenthefoliagealoneofanordinaryplantationisrichenoughinhuestoexhaustthechromaticcombinationsofanartist\'spalette。Mostlustrousofallarethebeeches，graduatingfrombrightrustyredattheextremityoftheboughstoabrightyellowattheirinnerparts；youngoaksarestillofaneutralgreen；Scotchfirsandholliesarenearlyblue；

whilstoccasionaldottingsofothervarietiesgivemaroonsandpurplesofeverytinge。

Theriver——suchasitwas——herepursueditscourseamidflagstonesaslevelasapavement，butdividedbycrevicesofirregularwidth。Withthesummerdroughtthetorrenthadnarrowedtillitwasnowbutathreadofcrystalclearness，meanderingalongacentralchannelintherockybedofthewintercurrent。Knightscrambledthroughthebusheswhichatthispointnearlycoveredthebrookfromsight，andleaptdownuponthedryportionoftheriverbottom。

\'Elfride，Ineversawsuchasight!\'heexclaimed。\'Thehazelsoverhangtheriver\'scourseinaperfectarch，andthefloorisbeautifullypaved。Theplaceremindsoneofthepassagesofacloister。Letmehelpyoudown。\'

Heassistedherthroughthemarginalunderwoodanddowntothestones。Theywalkedontogethertoatinycascadeaboutafootwideandhigh，andsatdownbesideitontheflagsthatforninemonthsintheyearweresubmergedbeneathagushingbourne。Fromtheirfeettrickledtheattenuatedthreadofwaterwhichaloneremainedtotelltheintentandreasonofthisleaf-coveredaisle，andjourneyedoninazigzaglinetilllostintheshade。

Knight，leaningonhiselbow，aftercontemplatingallthis，lookedcriticallyatElfride。

\'Doesnotsuchaluxuriantheadofhairexhaustitselfandgetthinastheyearsgoonfromeighteentoeight-and-twenty？\'heaskedatlength。

\'Ohno!\'shesaidquickly，withavisibledisinclinationtoharboursuchathought，whichcameuponherwithanunpleasantnesswhoseforceitwouldbedifficultformentounderstand。Sheaddedafterwards，withsmoulderinguneasiness，\'Doyoureallythinkthatagreatabundanceofhairismorelikelytogetthinthanamoderatequantity？\'

\'Yes，Ireallydo。Ibelieve——amalmostsure，infact——thatifstatisticscouldbeobtainedonthesubject，youwouldfindthepersonswiththinhairwerethosewhohadasuperabundanceoriginally，andthatthosewhostartwithamoderatequantityretainitwithoutmuchloss。\'

Elfride\'stroublessatuponherfaceaswellasinherheart。

Perhapstoawomanitisalmostasdreadfultothinkoflosingherbeautyasoflosingherreputation。Atanyrate，shelookedquiteasgloomyasshehadlookedatanyminutethatday。

\'Youshouldn\'tbesotroubledaboutamerepersonaladornment，\'

saidKnight，withsomeoftheseverityoftonethathadbeencustomarybeforeshehadbeguiledhimintosoftness。

\'Ithinkitisawoman\'sdutytobeasbeautifulasshecan。IfI

wereascholar，IwouldgiveyouchapterandverseforitfromoneofyourownLatinauthors。Iknowthereissuchapassage，forpapahasalludedtoit。\'

"\'Munditiae，etornatus，etcultus，"&c——isthatit？ApassageinLivywhichisnodefenceatall。\'

\'No，itisnotthat。\'

\'Nevermind，then；forIhaveareasonfornottakingupmyoldcudgelsagainstyou，Elfie。Canyouguesswhatthereasonis？\'

\'No；butIamgladtohearit，\'shesaidthankfully。\'Foritisdreadfulwhenyoutalkso。Forwhateverdreadfulnametheweaknessmaydeserve，ImustcandidlyownthatIamterrifiedtothinkmyhairmayevergetthin。\'

\'Ofcourse；asensiblewomanwouldratherloseherwitsthanherbeauty。\'

\'Idon\'tcareifyoudosaysatireandjudgemecruelly。Iknowmyhairisbeautiful；everybodysaysso。\'

\'Why，mydearMissSwancourt，\'hetenderlyreplied，\'Ihavenotsaidanythingagainstit。Butyouknowwhatissaidabouthandsomebeingandhandsomedoing。\'

\'PoorMissHandsome-doescutsbutasorryfigurebesideMissHandsome-isineveryman\'seyes，yourownnotexcepted，Mr。

Knight，thoughitpleasesyoutothrowoffso，\'saidElfridesaucily。Andloweringhervoice:\'Yououghtnottohavetakensomuchtroubletosavemefromfallingoverthecliff，foryoudon\'tthinkminealifeworthmuchtroubleevidently。\'

\'Perhapsyouthinkminewasnotworthyours。\'

\'Itwasworthanybody\'s!\'

Herhandwasplashinginthelittlewaterfall，andhereyeswerebentthesameway。

\'Youtalkaboutmyseveritywithyou，Elfride。Youareunkindtome，youknow。\'

\'How？\'sheasked，lookingupfromheridleoccupation。

\'Aftermytakingtroubletogetjewellerytopleaseyou，youwouldn\'tacceptit。\'

\'PerhapsIwouldnow；perhapsIwantto。\'

\'Do!\'saidKnight。

Andthepacketwaswithdrawnfromhispocketandpresentedthethirdtime。Elfridetookitwithdelight。Theobstaclewasrentintwain，andthesignificantgiftwashers。

\'I\'lltakeouttheseuglyonesatonce，\'sheexclaimed，\'andI\'llwearyours——shallI？\'

\'Ishouldbegratified。\'

Now，thoughitmayseemunlikely，consideringhowfarthetwohadgoneinconverse，KnighthadneveryetventuredtokissElfride。

FarslowerwashethanStephenSmithinmatterslikethat。TheutmostadvancehehadmadeinsuchdemonstrationshadbeentothedegreewitnessedbyStepheninthesummer-house。SoElfride\'scheekbeingstillforbiddenfruittohim，hesaidimpulsively。

\'Elfie，Ishouldliketotouchthatseductiveearofyours。Thosearemygifts；soletmedressyouinthem。\'

Shehesitatedwithastimulatinghesitation。

\'Letmeputjustoneinitsplace，then？\'

Herfacegrewmuchwarmer。

\'Idon\'tthinkitwouldbequitetheusualorpropercourse，\'shesaid，suddenlyturningandresumingheroperationofplashingintheminiaturecataract。

Thestillnessofthingswasdisturbedbyabirdcomingtothestreamlettodrink。Afterwatchinghimdiphisbill，sprinklehimself，andflyintoatree，Knightreplied，withthecourteousbrusquenessshesomuchlikedtohear——

\'Elfride，nowyoumayaswellbefair。Youwouldmindmydoingitbutlittle，Ithink；sogivemeleave，do。\'

\'Iwillbefair，then，\'shesaidconfidingly，andlookinghimfullintheface。Itwasaparticularpleasuretohertobeabletodoalittlehonestywithoutfear。\'Ishouldnotmindyourdoingso——

Ishouldlikesuchanattention。Mythoughtwas，woulditberighttoletyou？\'

\'ThenIwill!\'herejoined，withthatsingularearnestnessaboutasmallmatter——intheeyesofaladies\'manbutamomentarypegforflirtationorjest——whichisonlyfoundindeepnatureswhohavebeenwhollyunusedtotoyingwithwomankind，andwhich，fromitsunwontedness，isinitselfatributethemostpreciousthatcanberendered，andhomagethemostexquisitetobereceived。

\'Andyoushall，\'shewhispered，withoutreserve，andnolongermistressoftheceremonies。AndthenElfrideinclinedherselftowardshim，thrustbackherhair，andpoisedherheadsideways。

Indoingthisherarmandshouldernecessarilyrestedagainsthisbreast。

Atthetouch，thesensationofbothseemedtobeconcentratedatthepointofcontact。AllthetimehewasperformingthedelicatemanoeuvreKnighttrembledlikeayoungsurgeoninhisfirstoperation。

\'Nowtheother，\'saidKnightinawhisper。

\'No，no。\'

\'Whynot？\'

\'Idon\'tknowexactly。\'

\'Youmustknow。\'

\'Yourtouchagitatesmeso。Letusgohome。\'

\'Don\'tsaythat，Elfride。Whatisit，afterall？Amerenothing。

Nowturnround，dearest。\'

Shewaspowerlesstodisobey，andturnedforthwith；andthen，withoutanydefinedintentionineither\'smind，hisfaceandhersdrewclosertogether；andhesupportedherthere，andkissedher。

Knightwasatoncethemostardentandthecoolestmanalive。

Whenhisemotionsslumberedheappearedalmostphlegmatic；whentheyweremovedhewasnolessthanpassionate。Andnow，withouthavingquiteintendedanearlymarriage，heputthequestionplainly。Itcamewithalltheardourwhichwastheaccumulationoflongyearsbehindanaturalreserve。

\'Elfride，whenshallwebemarried？\'

Thewordsweresweettoher；buttherewasabitterinthesweet。

Thesenewly-overtactsofhis，whichhadculminatedinthisplainquestion，comingontheverydayofMrs。Jethway\'sblastingreproaches，painteddistinctlyherficklenessasanenormity。

Lovinghiminsecrethadnotseemedsuchthorough-goinginconstancyasthesameloverecognizedandacteduponinthefaceofthreats。Herdistractionwasinterpretedbyhimathersideastheoutwardsignsofanunwontedexperience。

\'Idon\'tpressyouforananswernow，darling，\'hesaid，seeingshewasnotlikelytogivealucidreply。\'Takeyourtime。\'

Knightwasashonourableamanaswaseverlovedanddeludedbywoman。Itmaybesaidthathisblindnessinloveprovedthepoint，forshrewdnessinloveusuallygoeswithmeannessingeneral。Oncethepassionhadmasteredhim，theintellecthadgonefornaught。Knight，asalover，wasmoresingle-mindedandfarsimplerthanhisfriendStephen，whoinothercapacitieswasshallowbesidehim。

Withoutsayingmoreonthesubjectoftheirmarriage，Knightheldheratarm\'slength，asifshehadbeenalargebouquet，andlookedatherwithcriticalaffection。

\'Doesyourprettygiftbecomeme？\'sheinquired，withtearsofexcitementonthefringesofhereyes。

\'Undoubtedly，perfectly!\'saidherlover，adoptingalightertonetoputheratherease。\'Ah，youshouldseethem；youlookshinierthanever。FancythatIhavebeenabletoimproveyou!\'

\'AmIreallysonice？Iamgladforyoursake。IwishIcouldseemyself。\'

\'Youcan\'t。Youmustwaittillwegethome。\'

\'Ishallneverbeable，\'shesaid，laughing。\'Look:here\'saway。\'

\'Sothereis。Welldone，woman\'swit!\'

\'Holdmesteady!\'

\'Ohyes。\'

\'Anddon\'tletmefall，willyou？\'

\'Bynomeans。\'

Belowtheirseatthethreadofwaterpausedtospreadoutintoasmoothsmallpool。Knightsupportedherwhilstshekneltdownandleantoverit。

\'Icanseemyself。Really，tryasreligiouslyasIwill，Icannothelpadmiringmyappearanceinthem。\'

\'Doubtless。Howcanyoubesofondoffinery？Ibelieveyouarecorruptingmeintoatasteforit。IusedtohateeverysuchthingbeforeIknewyou。\'

\'Ilikeornaments，becauseIwantpeopletoadmirewhatyoupossess，andenvyyou，andsay，"IwishIwashe。”\'

\'IsupposeIoughtnottoobjectafterthat。Andhowmuchlongerareyougoingtolookinthereatyourself？\'

\'Untilyouaretiredofholdingme？Oh，Iwanttoaskyousomething。\'Andsheturnedround。\'Nowtelltruly，won\'tyou？

Whatcolourofhairdoyoulikebestnow？\'

Knightdidnotansweratthemoment。

\'Saylight，do!\'shewhisperedcoaxingly。\'Don\'tsaydark，asyoudidthattime。\'

\'Light-brown，then。Exactlythecolourofmysweetheart\'s。\'

\'Really？\'saidElfride，enjoyingastruthwhatsheknewtobeflattery。

\'Yes。\'

\'Andblueeyes，too，nothazel？Sayyes，sayyes!\'

\'Onerecantationisenoughforto-day。\'

\'No，no。\'

\'Verywell，blueeyes。\'AndKnightlaughed，anddrewhercloseandkissedherthesecondtime，whichoperationsheperformedwiththecarefulnessofafruiterertouchingabunchofgrapessoasnottodisturbtheirbloom。

Elfrideobjectedtoasecond，andflungawayherface，themovementcausingaslightdisarrangementofhatandhair。Hardlythinkingwhatshesaidinthetrepidationofthemoment，sheexclaimed，clappingherhandtoherear——

\'Ah，wemustbecareful!Ilosttheotherearringdoinglikethis。\'

Nosoonerdidsherealisethesignificantwordsthanatroubledlookpassedacrossherface，andsheshutherlipsasiftokeepthemback。

\'Doinglikewhat？\'saidKnight，perplexed。

\'Oh，sittingdownoutofdoors，\'sherepliedhastily。

ChapterXXIX

\'Care，thoucanker。\'

ItisaneveningatthebeginningofOctober，andthemellowestofautumnsunsetsirradiatesLondon，eventoitsuttermosteasternend。BetweentheeyeandtheflamingWest，columnsofsmokestandupinthestillairliketalltrees。Everythingintheshadeisrichandmistyblue。

Mr。andMrs。SwancourtandElfridearelookingattheselustrousandluridcontrastsfromthewindowofalargehotelnearLondonBridge。ThevisittotheirfriendsatSt。Leonardsisover，andtheyarestayingadayortwointhemetropolisontheirwayhome。

KnightspentthesameintervaloftimeincrossingovertoBrittanybywayofJerseyandSt。Malo。HethenpassedthroughNormandy，andreturnedtoLondonalso，hisarrivaltherehavingbeentwodayslaterthanthatofElfrideandherparents。

SotheeveningofthisOctoberdaysawthemallmeetingattheabove-mentionedhotel，wheretheyhadpreviouslyengagedapartments。DuringtheafternoonKnighthadbeentohislodgingsatRichmondtomakealittlechangeinthenatureofhisbaggage；

andoncomingupagaintherewasneverusheredbyablandwaiterintoacomfortableroomahappiermanthanKnightwhenshowntowhereElfrideandherstep-motherweresittingafterafatiguingdayofshopping。

Elfridelookednonethebetterforherchange:Knightwasasbrownasanut。Theyweresoonengagedbythemselvesinacorneroftheroom。Nowthatthepreciouswordsofpromisehadbeenspoken，theyounggirlhadnoideaofkeepingupherpricebythesystemofreservewhichothermoreaccomplishedmaidensuse。Herloverwaswithheragain，anditwasenough:shemadeherheartovertohimentirely。

Dinnerwassoondespatched。Andwhenapreliminaryroundofconversationconcerningtheirdoingssincethelastpartinghadbeenconcluded，theyrevertedtothesubjectofto-morrow\'sjourneyhome。

\'ThatenervatingridethroughthemyrtleclimateofSouthDevon——

howIdreaditto-morrow!\'Mrs。Swancourtwassaying。\'Ihadhopedtheweatherwouldhavebeencoolerbythistime。\'

\'Didyouevergobywater？\'saidKnight。

\'Never——bynever，Imeannotsincethetimeofrailways。\'

\'Thenifyoucanaffordanadditionalday，Iproposethatwedoit，\'saidKnight。\'TheChannelislikealakejustnow。WeshouldreachPlymouthinaboutfortyhours，Ithink，andtheboatsstartfromjustbelowthebridgehere\'(pointingoverhisshouldereastward)。

\'Hear，hear!\'saidthevicar。

\'It\'sanidea，certainly，\'saidhiswife。

\'Ofcoursethesecoastersarerathertubby，\'saidKnight。\'Butyouwouldn\'tmindthat？\'

\'No:wewouldn\'tmind。\'

\'Andthesaloonisaplacelikethefishmarketofaninth-ratecountrytown，butthatwouldn\'tmatter？\'

\'Ohdear，no。Ifwehadonlythoughtofitsoonenough，wemighthavehadtheuseofLordLuxellian\'syacht。Butnevermind，we\'llgo。WeshallescapetheworryingrattlethroughthewholelengthofLondonto-morrowmorning——nottomentiontheriskofbeingkilledbyexcursiontrains，whichisnotalittleoneatthistimeoftheyear，ifthepapersaretrue。\'

Elfride，too，thoughtthearrangementdelightful；andaccordingly，teno\'clockthefollowingmorningsawtwocabscrawlingroundbytheMint，andbetweenthepreternaturallyhighwallsofNightingaleLanetowardstheriverside。

Thefirstvehiclewasoccupiedbythetravellersinperson，andthesecondbroughtuptheluggage，underthesupervisionofMrs。

Snewson，Mrs。Swancourt\'smaid——andforthelastfortnightElfride\'salso；foralthoughtheyoungerladyhadneverbeenaccustomedtoanysuchattendantatrobingtimes，herstepmotherforcedherintoasemblanceoffamiliaritywithonewhentheywereawayfromhome。

Presentlywaggons，bales，andsmellsofalldescriptionsincreasedtosuchanextentthattheadvanceofthecabswasattheslowestpossiblerate。Atintervalsitwasnecessarytohaltentirely，thattheheavyvehiclesunloadinginfrontmightbemovedaside，afeatwhichwasnotaccomplishedwithoutadealofswearingandnoise。Thevicarputhisheadoutofthewindow。

\'Surelytheremustbesomemistakeintheway，\'hesaidwithgreatconcern，drawinginhisheadagain。\'There\'snotarespectableconveyancetobeseenhereexceptours。I\'veheardthattherearestrangedensinthispartofLondon，intowhichpeoplehavebeenentrappedandmurdered——surelythereisnoconspiracyonthepartofthecabman？\'

\'Ohno，no。Itisallright，\'saidMr。Knight，whowasasplacidasdewyevebythesideofElfride。

\'ButwhatIarguefrom，\'saidthevicar，withagreateremphasisofuneasiness，\'areplainappearances。Thiscan\'tbethehighwayfromLondontoPlymouthbywater，becauseitisnowayatalltoanyplace。Weshallmissoursteamerandourtraintoo——that\'swhatIthink。\'

\'Dependuponitweareright。Infact，hereweare。\'

\'Trimmer\'sWharf，\'saidthecabman，openingthedoor。

Nosoonerhadtheyalightedthantheyperceivedatusslegoingonbetweenthehindmostcabmanandacrowdoflightporterswhohadchargedhimincolumn，toobtainpossessionofthebagsandboxes，Mrs。Snewson\'shandsbeingseenstretchedtowardsheaveninthemidstofthemelee。Knightadvancedgallantly，andafterahardstrugglereducedthecrowdtotwo，uponwhoseshouldersandtrucksthegoodsvanishedawayinthedirectionofthewater\'sedgewithstartlingrapidity。

Thenmoreofthesametribe，whohadrunonahead，wereheardshoutingtoboatmen，threeofwhompulledalongside，andtwobeingvanquished，theluggagewenttumblingintotheremainingone。

\'Neversawsuchadreadfulsceneinmylife——never!\'saidMr。

Swancourt，flounderingintotheboat。\'WorsethanFamineandSworduponone。Ithoughtsuchcustomswereconfinedtocontinentalports。Aren\'tyouastonished，Elfride？\'

\'Ohno，\'saidElfride，appearingamidthedingyscenelikearainbowinamurkysky。\'Itisapleasantnovelty，Ithink。\'

\'Whereinthewideoceanisoursteamer？\'thevicarinquired。\'I

canseenothingbutoldhulks，forthelifeofme。\'

\'Justbehindthatone，\'saidKnight；\'weshallsoonberoundunderher。\'

Theobjectoftheirsearchwassoonafterdisclosedtoview——agreatlumberingformofinkyblackness，whichlookedasifithadneverknownthetouchofapaint-brushforfiftyyears。Itwaslyingbesidejustsuchanother，andthewayonboardwasdownanarrowlaneofwaterbetweenthetwo，aboutayardandahalfwideatoneend，andgraduallyconvergingtoapoint。Atthemomentoftheirentryintothisnarrowpassage，abrilliantlypaintedrivalpaddleddowntheriverlikeatrottingsteed，creatingsuchaseriesofwavesandsplashesthattheirfrailwherrywastossedlikeateacup，andthevicarandhiswifeslantedthiswayandthat，incliningtheirheadsintocontactwithaPunch-and-Judyairandcountenance，thewaveletsstrikingthesidesofthetwohulls，andflappingbackintotheirlaps。

\'Dreadful!horrible!\'Mr。Swancourtmurmuredprivately；andsaidaloud，Ithoughtwewalkedonboard。Idon\'tthinkreallyI

shouldhavecome，ifIhadknownthistroublewasattachedtoit。\'

\'Iftheymustsplash，Iwishtheywouldsplashuswithcleanwater，\'saidtheoldlady，wipingherdresswithherhandkerchief。

\'Ihopeitisperfectlysafe，\'continuedthevicar。

\'Opapa!youarenotverybrave，\'criedElfridemerrily。

\'Braveryisonlyobtusenesstotheperceptionofcontingencies，\'

Mr。Swancourtseverelyanswered。

Mrs。Swancourtlaughed，andElfridelaughed，andKnightlaughed，inthemidstofwhichpleasantnessamanshoutedtothemfromsomepositionbetweentheirheadsandthesky，andtheyfoundtheywereclosetotheJuliet，intowhichtheyquiveringlyascended。

Ithavingbeenfoundthatthelownessofthetidewouldpreventtheirgettingoffforanhour，theSwancourts，havingnothingelsetodo，allowedtheireyestoidleuponmeninbluejerseysperformingmysteriousmendingoperationswithtar-twine；theyturnedtolookatthedashesofluridsunlight，likeburnishedcopperstarsafloatontheripples，whichdancedintoandtantalizedtheirvision；orlistenedtotheloudmusicofasteam-

craneatworkcloseby；ortosighingsoundsfromthefunnelsofpassingsteamers，gettingdeadastheygrewmoredistant；ortoshoutsfromthedecksofdifferentcraftintheirvicinity，allofthemassumingtheformof\'Ah-he-hay!\'

Half-pastten:notyetoff。Mr。Swancourtbreathedabreathofweariness，andlookedathisfellow-travellersingeneral。Theirfaceswerecertainlynotworthlookingat。Theexpression\'Waiting\'waswrittenuponthemsoabsolutelythatnothingmorecouldbediscernedthere。AllanimationwassuspendedtillProvidenceshouldraisethewaterandletthemgo。

\'Ihavebeenthinking，\'saidKnight，\'thatwehavecomeamongsttherarestclassofpeopleinthekingdom。Ofallhumancharacteristics，alowopinionofthevalueofhisowntimebyanindividualmustbeamongthestrangesttofind。Hereweseenumbersofthatpatientandhappyspecies。Rovers，asdistinctfromtravellers。\'

\'Buttheyarepleasure-seekers，towhomtimeisofnoimportance。\'

\'Ohno。Thepleasure-seekerswemeetonthegrandroutesaremoreanxiousthancommercialtravellerstorushon。Andaddedtothelossoftimeingettingtotheirjourney\'send，theseexceptionalpeopletaketheirchanceofsea-sicknessbycomingthisway。\'

\'Canitbe？\'inquiredthevicarwithapprehension。\'Surelynot，Mr。Knight，justhereinourEnglishChannel——closeatourdoors，asImaysay。\'

\'Entrancepassagesareverydraughtyplaces，andtheChannelisliketherest。Itruinsthetemperofsailors。IthasbeencalculatedbyphilosophersthatmoredamnsgouptoheavenfromtheChannel，inthecourseofayear，thanfromallthefiveoceansputtogether。\'

Theyreallystartnow，andthedeadlooksofallthethrongcometolifeimmediately。Themanwhohasbeenfranticallyhaulinginaropethatbadefairtohavenoendceaseshislabours，andtheyglidedowntheserpentinebendsoftheThames。

AnythinganywherewasamineofinteresttoElfride，andsowasthis。

\'Itiswellenoughnow，\'saidMrs。Swancourt，aftertheyhadpassedtheNore，\'butIcan\'tsayIhavecaredformyvoyagehitherto。\'Forbeingnowintheopenseaaslightbreezehadsprungup，whichcheeredheraswellashertwoyoungercompanions。Butunfortunatelyithadareverseeffectuponthevicar，who，afterturningasortofapricotjamcolour，interspersedwithdashesofraspberry，pleadedindisposition，andvanishedfromtheirsight。

Theafternoonworeon。Mrs。Swancourtkindlysatapartbyherselfreading，andthebetrothedpairwerelefttothemselves。ElfrideclungtrustinglytoKnight\'sarm，andproudwasshetowalkwithhimupanddownthedeck，ortogoforward，andleaningwithhimagainsttheforecastlerails，watchthesettingsungraduallywithdrawingitselfovertheirsternintoahugebankoflividcloudwithgoldenedgesthatrosetomeetit。