第19章

Shelookeddownandsighed；andtheypassedoutofthecrumblingoldplace，andslowlycrossedtothechurchyardentrance。Knightwasnothimself，andhecouldnotpretendtobe。Shehadnottoldall。

Hesupportedherlightlyoverthestile，andwaspracticallyasattentiveasalovercouldbe。Buttherehadpassedawayaglory，andthedreamwasnotasithadbeenofyore。PerhapsKnightwasnotshapedbyNatureforamarryingman。Perhapshislifelongconstrainttowardswomen，whichhehadattributedtoaccident，wasnotchanceafterall，butthenaturalresultofinstinctiveactssominuteastobeundiscernibleevenbyhimself。Orwhethertheroughdispellingofanybrightillusion，howeverimaginative，depreciatestherealandunexaggeratedbrightnesswhichappertainstoitsbasis，onecannotsay。CertainitwasthatKnight\'sdisappointmentatfindinghimselfsecondorthirdinthefield，atElfride\'smomentaryequivoque，andatherreluctancetobecandid，broughthimtothevergeofcynicism。

ChapterXXXIII

\'OdaughterofBabylon，wastedwithmisery。\'

AhabitofKnight\'s，whennotimmediatelyoccupiedwithElfride——

towalkbyhimselfforhalfanhourorsobetweendinnerandbedtime——hadbecomefamiliartohisfriendsatEndelstow，Elfrideherselfamongthem。Whenhehadhelpedheroverthestile，shesaidgently，\'Ifyouwishtotakeyourusualturnonthehill，Harry，Icanrundowntothehousealone。\'

\'Thankyou，Elfie；thenIthinkIwill。\'

Herformdiminishedtoblacknessinthemoonlight，andKnight，afterremaininguponthechurchyardstileafewminuteslonger，turnedbackagaintowardsthebuilding。Hisusualcoursewasnowtolightacigarorpipe，andindulgeinaquietmeditation。Butto-nighthismindwastootensetobethinkitselfofsuchasolace。Hemerelywalkedroundtothesiteofthefallentower，andsathimselfdownuponsomeofthelargestoneswhichhadcomposedituntilthisday，whenthechainofcircumstanceoriginatedbyStephenSmith，whileintheemployofMr。Hewby，theLondonmanofart，hadbroughtaboutitsoverthrow。

PonderingonthepossibleepisodesofElfride\'spastlife，andonhowhehadsupposedhertohavehadnopastjustifyingthename，hesatandregardedthewhitetombofyoungJethway，nowcloseinfrontofhim。Thesea，thoughcomparativelyplacid，couldasusualbeheardfromthispointalongthewholedistancebetweenpromontoriestotherightandleft，flounderingandentanglingitselfamongtheinsulatedstacksofrockwhichdottedthewater\'sedge——themiserableskeletonsoftorturedoldcliffsthatwouldnotevenyetsuccumbtothewearandtearofthetides。

Asachangefromthoughtsnotofaverycheerfulkind，Knightattemptedexertion。Hestoodup，andpreparedtoascendtothesummitoftheruinousheapofstones，fromwhichamoreextendedoutlookwasobtainablethanfromtheground。Hestretchedouthisarmtoseizetheprojectingarrisofalargerblockthanordinary，andsohelphimselfup，whenhishandlightedplumpuponasubstancedifferinginthegreatestpossibledegreefromwhathehadexpectedtoseize——hardstone。Itwasstringyandentangled，andtraileduponthestone。Thedeepshadowfromtheaislewallpreventedhisseeinganythingheredistinctly，andhebeganguessingasanecessity。\'Itisatressyspeciesofmossorlichen，\'hesaidtohimself。

Butitlaylooselyoverthestone。

\'Itisatuftofgrass，\'hesaid。

Butitlackedtheroughnessandhumidityofthefinestgrass。

\'Itisamason\'swhitewash-brush。\'

Suchbrushes，heremembered，weremorebristly；andhowevermuchusedinrepairingastructure，wouldnotberequiredinpullingonedown。

Hesaid，\'Itmustbeathreadysilkfringe。\'

Hefeltfurtherin。Itwassomewhatwarm。Knightinstantlyfeltsomewhatcold。

Tofindthecoldnessofinanimatematterwhereyouexpectwarmthisstartlingenough；butacoldertemperaturethanthatofthebodybeingrathertherulethantheexceptionincommonsubstances，ithardlyconveyssuchashocktothesystemasfindingwarmthwhereutterfrigidityisanticipated。

\'Godonlyknowswhatitis，\'hesaid。

Hefeltfurther，andinthecourseofaminuteputhishanduponahumanhead。Theheadwaswarm，butmotionless。Thethreadymasswasthehairofthehead——longandstraggling，showingthattheheadwasawoman\'s。

Knightinhisperplexitystoodstillforamoment，andcollectedhisthoughts。Thevicar\'saccountofthefallofthetowerwasthattheworkmenhadbeenunderminingitalltheday，andhadleftintheeveningintendingtogivethefinishingstrokethenextmorning。Halfanhouraftertheyhadgonetheunderminedanglecamedown。Thewomanwhowashalfburied，asitseemed，musthavebeenbeneathitatthemomentofthefall。

Knightleaptupandbeganendeavouringtoremovetherubbishwithhishands。Theheapoverlyingthebodywasforthemostpartfineanddusty，butinimmensequantity。Itwouldbeasavingoftimetorunforassistance。Hecrossedtothechurchyardwall，andhasteneddownthehill。

Alittlewaydownanintersectingroadpassedoverasmallridge，whichnowshowedupdarklyagainstthemoon，andthisroadhereformedakindofnotchinthesky-line。AtthemomentthatKnightarrivedatthecrossinghebeheldamanonthiseminence，comingtowardshim。Knightturnedasideandmetthestranger。

\'Therehasbeenanaccidentatthechurch，\'saidKnight，withoutpreface。\'Thetowerhasfallenonsomebody，whohasbeenlyingthereeversince。Willyoucomeandhelp？\'

\'ThatIwill，\'saidtheman。

\'Itisawoman，\'saidKnight，astheyhurriedback，\'andIthinkwetwoareenoughtoextricateher。Doyouknowofashovel？\'

\'Thegrave-diggingshovelsareaboutsomewhere。Theyusedtostayinthetower。\'

\'Andtheremustbesomebelongingtotheworkmen。\'

Theysearchedabout，andinanangleoftheporchfoundthreecarefullystowedaway。GoingroundtothewestendKnightsignifiedthespotofthetragedy。

\'Weoughttohavebroughtalantern，\'heexclaimed。\'Butwemaybeabletodowithout。\'Hesettoworkremovingthesuperincumbentmass。

Theotherman，wholookedonsomewhathelplesslyatfirst，nowfollowedtheexampleofKnight\'sactivity，andremovedthelargerstoneswhichweremingledwiththerubbish。Butwithalltheireffortsitwasquitetenminutesbeforethebodyoftheunfortunatecreaturecouldbeextricated。Theyliftedherascarefullyastheycould，breathlesslycarriedhertoFelixJethway\'stomb，whichwasonlyafewstepswestward，andlaidherthereon。

\'Isshedeadindeed？\'saidthestranger。

\'Sheappearstobe，\'saidKnight。\'Whichisthenearesthouse？

Thevicarage，Isuppose。\'

\'Yes；butsinceweshallhavetocallasurgeonfromCastleBoterel，Ithinkitwouldbebettertocarryherinthatdirection，insteadofawayfromthetown。\'

\'Andisitnotmuchfurthertothefirsthousewecometogoingthatway，thantothevicarageortoTheCrags？\'

\'Notmuch，\'thestrangerreplied。

\'Supposewetakeherthere，then。AndIthinkthebestwaytodoitwouldbethus，ifyoudon\'tmindjoininghandswithme。\'

\'Notintheleast；Iamgladtoassist。\'

Makingakindofcradle，byclaspingtheirhandscrosswiseundertheinanimatewoman，theyliftedher，andwalkedonsidebysidedownapathindicatedbythestranger，whoappearedtoknowthelocalitywell。

\'Ihadbeensittinginthechurchfornearlyanhour，\'Knightresumed，whentheywereoutofthechurchyard。\'AfterwardsI

walkedroundtothesiteofthefallentower，andsofoundher。

ItispainfultothinkIunconsciouslywastedsomuchtimeintheverypresenceofaperishing，flyingsoul。\'

\'Thetowerfellatdusk，diditnot？quitetwohoursago，I

think？\'

\'Yes。Shemusthavebeentherealone。Whatcouldhavebeenherobjectinvisitingthechurchyardthen？

\'Itisdifficulttosay。\'Thestrangerlookedinquiringlyintotherecliningfaceofthemotionlessformtheybore。\'Wouldyouturnherroundforamoment，sothatthelightshinesonherface？\'hesaid。

Theyturnedherfacetothemoon，andthemanlookedcloserintoherfeatures。\'Why，Iknowher!\'heexclaimed。

\'Whoisshe？\'

\'Mrs。Jethway。Andthecottagewearetakinghertoisherown。

Sheisawidow；andIwasspeakingtoheronlythisafternoon。I

wasatCastleBoterelpost-office，andshecametheretopostaletter。Poorsoul!Letushurryon。\'

\'Holdmywristalittletighter。Wasnotthattombwelaidheronthetombofheronlyson？\'

\'Yes，itwas。Yes，Iseeitnow。Shewastheretovisitthetomb。Sincethedeathofthatsonshehasbeenadesolate，despondingwoman，alwaysbewailinghim。Shewasafarmer\'swife，verywelleducated——agovernessoriginally，Ibelieve。\'

Knight\'sheartwasmovedtosympathy。HisownfortunesseemedinsomestrangewaytobeinterwovenwiththoseofthisJethwayfamily，throughtheinfluenceofElfrideoverhimselfandtheunfortunatesonofthathouse。Hemadenoreply，andtheystillwalkedon。

\'Shebeginstofeelheavy，\'saidthestranger，breakingthesilence。

\'Yes，shedoes，\'saidKnight；andafteranotherpauseadded，\'I

thinkIhavemetyoubefore，thoughwhereIcannotrecollect。MayIaskwhoyouare？\'

\'Ohyes。IamLordLuxellian。Whoareyou？\'

\'IamavisitoratTheCrags——Mr。Knight。\'

\'Ihaveheardofyou，Mr。Knight。\'

\'AndIofyou，LordLuxellian。Iamgladtomeetyou。\'

\'Imaysaythesame。Iamfamiliarwithyournameinprint。\'

\'AndIwithyours。Isthisthehouse？\'

\'Yes。\'

Thedoorwaslocked。Knight，reflectingamoment，searchedthepocketofthelifelesswoman，andfoundthereinalargekeywhich，onbeingappliedtothedoor，openediteasily。Thefirewasout，butthemoonlightenteredthequarriedwindow，andmadepatternsuponthefloor。Theraysenabledthemtoseethattheroomintowhichtheyhadenteredwasprettywellfurnished，itbeingthesameroomthatElfridehadvisitedalonetwoorthreeeveningsearlier。Theydepositedtheirstillburdenonanold-fashionedcouchwhichstoodagainstthewall，andKnightsearchedaboutforalamporcandle。Hefoundacandleonashelf，lightedit，andplaceditonthetable。

BothKnightandLordLuxellianexaminedthepalecountenanceattentively，andbothwerenearlyconvincedthattherewasnohope。Nomarksofviolencewerevisibleinthecasualexaminationtheymade。

\'IthinkthatasIknowwhereDoctorGransonlives，\'saidLordLuxellian，\'Ihadbetterrunforhimwhilstyoustayhere。\'

Knightagreedtothis。LordLuxellianthenwentoff，andhishurryingfootstepsdiedaway。Knightcontinuedbendingoverthebody，andafewminuteslongerofcarefulscrutinyperfectlysatisfiedhimthatthewomanwasfarbeyondthereachofthelancetandthedrug。Herextremitieswerealreadybeginningtogetstiffandcold。Knightcoveredherface，andsatdown。

Theminuteswentby。Theessayistremainedmusingonalltheoccurrencesofthenight。Hiseyesweredirecteduponthetable，andhehadseenforsometimethatwriting-materialswerespreaduponit。Henownoticedthesemoreparticularly:therewereaninkstand，pen，blotting-book，andnote-paper。Severalsheetsofpaperwerethrustasidefromtherest，uponwhichlettershadbeenbegunandrelinquished，asiftheirformhadnotbeensatisfactorytothewriter。Astickofblacksealing-waxandsealweretheretoo，asiftheordinaryfasteninghadnotbeenconsideredsufficientlysecure。Theabandonedsheetsofpaperlyingastheydidopenuponthetable，madeitpossible，ashesat，toreadthefewwordswrittenoneach。Oneranthus:

\'SIR，——Asawomanwhowasonceblestwithadearsonofherown，I

imploreyoutoacceptawarning——\'

Another:

\'SIR，——Ifyouwilldeigntoreceivewarningfromastrangerbeforeitistoolatetoalteryourcourse，listento——\'

Thethird:

\'SIR，——WiththisletterIenclosetoyouanotherwhich，unaidedbyanyexplanationfromme，tellsastartlingtale。Iwish，however，toaddafewwordstomakeyourdelusionyetmorecleartoyou——

\'

Itwasplainthat，aftertheserenouncedbeginnings，afourthletterhadbeenwrittenanddespatched，whichhadbeendeemedaproperone。Uponthetableweretwodropsofsealing-wax，thestickfromwhichtheyweretakenhavingbeenlaiddownoverhangingtheedgeofthetable；theendofitdrooped，showingthatthewaxwasplacedtherewhilstwarm。Therewasthechairinwhichthewriterhadsat，theimpressionoftheletter\'saddressupontheblotting-paper，andthepoorwidowwhohadcausedtheseresultslyingdeadhardby。KnighthadseenenoughtoleadhimtotheconclusionthatMrs。Jethway，havingmatterofgreatimportancetocommunicatetosomefriendoracquaintance，hadwrittenhimaverycarefulletter，andgoneherselftopostit；thatshehadnotreturnedtothehousefromthattimeofleavingittillLordLuxellianandhimselfhadbroughtherbackdead。

Theunutterablemelancholyofthewholescene，ashewaitedon，silentandalone，didnotaltogetherclashwiththemoodofKnight，eventhoughhewastheaffiancedofafairandwinninggirl，andthoughsolatelyhehadbeeninhercompany。Whilstsittingontheremainsofthedemolishedtowerhehaddefinedanewsensation；thatthelengthenedcourseofinactionhehadlatelybeenindulginginonElfride\'saccountmightprobablynotbegoodforhimasamanwhohadworktodo。Itcouldquicklybeputanendtobyhasteningonhismarriagewithher。

Knight，inhisownopinion，wasonewhohadmissedhismarkbyexcessiveaiming。Havingnow，toagreatextent，givenupidealambitions，hewishedearnestlytodirecthispowersintoamorepracticalchannel，andthuscorrecttheintrospectivetendencieswhichhadneverbroughthimselfmuchhappiness，ordonehisfellow-creaturesanygreatgood。Tomakeastartinthisnewdirectionbymarriage，which，sinceknowingElfride，hadbeensoentrancinganidea，waslessexquisiteto-night。Thatthecurtailmentofhisillusionregardingherhadsomethingtodowiththereaction，andwiththereturnofhisoldsentimentsonwastingtime，ismorethanprobable。ThoughKnight\'shearthadsogreatlymasteredhim，themasterywasnotsocompleteastobeeasilymaintainedinthefaceofamoderateintellectualrevival。

Hisreveriewasbrokenbythesoundofwheels，andahorse\'stramp。Thedooropenedtoadmitthesurgeon，LordLuxellian，andaMr。Coole，coronerforthedivision(whohadbeenattendingatCastleBoterelthatveryday，andwashavinganafter-dinnerchatwiththedoctorwhenLordLuxellianarrived)；nextcametwofemalenursesandsomeidlers。

Mr。Granson，afteracursoryexamination，pronouncedthewomandeadfromsuffocation，inducedbyintensepressureontherespiratoryorgans；andarrangementsweremadethattheinquiryshouldtakeplaceonthefollowingmorning，beforethereturnofthecoronertoSt。Launce\'s。

Shortlyafterwardsthehouseofthewidowwasdesertedbyallitslivingoccupants，andsheabodeindeath，asshehadinherlifeduringthepasttwoyears，entirelyalone。

ChapterXXXIV

\'Yea，happyshallhebethatrewardeththeeasthouhastservedus。\'

Sixteenhourshadpassed。Knightwasenteringtheladies\'boudoiratTheCrags，uponhisreturnfromattendingtheinquesttouchingthedeathofMrs。Jethway。Elfridewasnotintheapartment。

Mrs。Swancourtmadeafewinquiriesconcerningtheverdictandcollateralcircumstances。Thenshesaid——

\'Thepostmancamethismorningtheminuteafteryouleftthehouse。Therewasonlyoneletterforyou，andIhaveithere。\'

Shetookaletterfromthelidofherworkbox，andhandedittohim。Knighttookthemissiveabstractedly，butstruckbyitsappearancemurmuredafewwordsandlefttheroom。

Theletterwasfastenedwithablackseal，andthehandwritinginwhichitwasaddressedhadlainunderhiseyes，longandprominently，onlytheeveningbefore。

Knightwasgreatlyagitated，andlookedaboutforaspotwherehemightbesecurefrominterruption。Itwastheseasonofheavydews，whichlayontheherbageinshadyplacesallthedaylong；

nevertheless，heenteredasmallpatchofneglectedgrass-platenclosedbytheshrubbery，andthereperusedtheletter，whichhehadopenedonhiswaythither。

Thehandwriting，theseal，thepaper，theintroductorywords，allhadtoldontheinstantthattheletterhadcometohimfromthehandsofthewidowJethway，nowdeadandcold。Hehadinstantlyunderstoodthattheunfinishednoteswhichcaughthiseyeyesternightwereintendedfornobodybuthimself。HehadrememberedsomeofthewordsofElfrideinhersleeponthesteamer，thatsomebodywasnottotellhimofsomething，oritwouldbeherruin——acircumstancehithertodeemedsotrivialandmeaninglessthathehadwell-nighforgottenit。Allthesethingsinfusedintohimanemotionintenseinpowerandsupremelydistressinginquality。Thepaperinhishandquiveredasheread:

\'THEVALLEY，ENDELSTOW。

\'SIR，——Awomanwhohasnotmuchintheworldtolosebyanycensurethisactmaybringuponher，wishestogiveyousomehintsconcerningaladyyoulove。Ifyouwilldeigntoacceptawarningbeforeitistoolate，youwillnoticewhatyourcorrespondenthastosay。

\'Youaredeceived。Cansuchawomanasthisbeworthy？

\'Onewhoencouragedanhonestyouthtoloveher，thenslightedhim，sothathedied。

\'Onewhonexttookamanofnobirthasalover，whowasforbiddenthehousebyherfather。

\'Onewhosecretlyleftherhometobemarriedtothatman，methim，andwentwithhimtoLondon。

\'Onewho，forsomereasonorother，returnedagainunmarried。

\'Onewho，inherafter-correspondencewithhim，wentsofarastoaddresshimasherhusband。

\'Onewhowrotetheenclosedlettertoaskme，whobetterthananybodyelseknowsthestory，tokeepthescandalasecret。

\'Ihopesoontobebeyondthereachofeitherblameorpraise。

ButbeforeremovingmeGodhasputitinmypowertoavengethedeathofmyson。

\'GERTRUDEJETHWAY。\'

TheletterenclosedwasthenoteinpencilthatElfridehadwritteninMrs。Jethway\'scottage:

\'DEARMRS。JETHWAY，——Ihavebeentovisityou。Iwantedmuchtoseeyou，butIcannotwaitanylonger。Icametobegyounottoexecutethethreatsyouhaverepeatedtome。Donot，Ibeseechyou，Mrs。Jethway，letanyoneknowIranawayfromhome!Itwouldruinmewithhim，andbreakmyheart。Iwilldoanythingforyou，ifyouwillbekindtome。Inthenameofourcommonwomanhood，donot，Iimploreyou，makeascandalofme——Yours，\'E。SWANCOURT。

Knightturnedhisheadwearilytowardsthehouse。Thegroundroserapidlyonnearingtheshrubberyinwhichhestood，raisingitalmosttoalevelwiththefirstfloorofTheCrags。Elfride\'sdressing-roomlayinthesalientangleinthisdirection，anditwaslightedbytwowindowsinsuchapositionthat，fromKnight\'sstanding-place，hissightpassedthroughbothwindows，andrakedtheroom。Elfridewasthere；shewaspausingbetweenthetwowindows，lookingatherfigureinthecheval-glass。Sheregardedherselflongandattentivelyinfront；turned，flungbackherhead，andobservedthereflectionoverhershoulder。

Nobodycanpredicateastoherobjectorfancy；shemayhavedonethedeedintheveryabstractionofdeepsadness。Shemayhavebeenmoaningfromthebottomofherheart，\'HowunhappyamI!\'ButtheimpressionproducedonKnightwasnotagoodone。Hedroppedhiseyesmoodily。Thedeadwoman\'sletterhadavirtueintheaccidentofitsjuncturefarbeyondanyitintrinsicallyexhibited。Circumstancelenttoevilwordsaringofpitilessjusticeechoingfromthegrave。Knightcouldnotenduretheirpossession。Hetoretheletterintofragments。

Heheardabrushingamongthebushesbehind，andturninghisheadhesawElfridefollowinghim。Thefairgirllookedinhisfacewithawistfulsmileofhope，tooforcedlyhopefultodisplacethefirmlyestablisheddreadbeneathit。Hisseverewordsofthepreviousnightstillsatheavyuponher。

\'Isawyoufrommywindow，Harry，\'shesaidtimidly。

\'Thedewwillmakeyourfeetwet，\'heobserved，asonedeaf。

\'Idon\'tmindit。\'

\'Thereisdangeringettingwetfeet。\'

\'Yes……Harry，whatisthematter？\'

\'Oh，nothing。ShallIresumetheseriousconversationIhadwithyoulastnight？No，perhapsnot；perhapsIhadbetternot。\'

\'Oh，Icannottell!Howwretcheditallis!Ah，Iwishyouwereyourowndearselfagain，andhadkissedmewhenIcameup!Whydidn\'tyouaskmeforone？whydon\'tyounow？\'

\'Toofreeinmannerbyhalf，\'heheardmurmurthevoicewithinhim。

\'Itwasthathatefulconversationlastnight，\'shewenton。\'Oh，thosewords!Lastnightwasablacknightforme。\'

\'Kiss!——Ihatethatword!Don\'ttalkofkissing，forGod\'ssake!I

shouldthinkyoumightwithadvantagehaveshowntactenoughtokeepbackthatword"kiss，"consideringthoseyouhaveaccepted。\'

Shebecameverypale，andarigidanddesolatecharacterytookpossessionofherface。Thatfacewassodelicateandtenderinappearancenow，thatonecouldfancythepressureofafingeruponitwouldcausealividspot。

Knightwalkedon，andElfridewithhim，silentandunopposing。Heopenedagate，andtheyenteredapathacrossastubble-field。

\'PerhapsIintrudeuponyou？\'shesaidasheclosedthegate。

\'ShallIgoaway？\'

\'No。Listentome，Elfride。\'Knight\'svoicewaslowandunequal。

\'Ihavebeenhonestwithyou:willyoubesowithme？Ifany——

strange——connectionhasexistedbetweenyourselfandapredecessorofmine，tellitnow。ItisbetterthatIknowitnow，eventhoughtheknowledgeshouldpartus，thanthatIshoulddiscoveritintimetocome。Andsuspicionshavebeenawakenedinme。I

thinkIwillnotsayhow，becauseIdespisethemeans。A

discoveryofanymysteryofyourpastwouldembitterourlives。\'

Knightwaitedwithaslowmannerofcalmness。Hiseyesweresadandimperative。Theywentfartheralongthepath。

\'WillyouforgivemeifItellyouall？\'sheexclaimedentreatingly。

\'Ican\'tpromise；somuchdependsuponwhatyouhavetotell。\'

Elfridecouldnotendurethesilencewhichfollowed。

\'Areyounotgoingtoloveme？\'sheburstout。\'Harry，Harry，loveme，andspeakasusual!Do；Ibeseechyou，Harry!\'

\'Areyougoingtoactfairlybyme？\'saidKnight，withrisinganger；\'orareyounot？WhathaveIdonetoyouthatIshouldbeputofflikethis？Becaughtlikeabirdinaspringe；everythingintendedtobehiddenfromme!Whyisit，Elfride？That\'swhatI

askyou。\'

Intheiragitationtheyhadleftthepath，andwerewanderingamongthewetandobstructivestubble，withoutknowingorheedingit。

\'WhathaveIdone？\'shefaltered。

\'What？Howcanyouaskwhat，whenyouknowsowell？YouKNOWthatIhavedesignedlybeenkeptinignoranceofsomethingattachingtoyou，which，hadIknownofit，mighthavealteredallmyconduct；

andyetyousay，what？\'

Shedroopedvisibly，andmadenoanswer。

\'NotthatIbelieveinmaliciousletter-writersandwhisperers；

notI。Idon\'tknowwhetherIdoordon\'t:uponmysoul，Ican\'ttell。Iknowthis:areligionwasbuildingitselfuponyouinmyheart。Ilookedintoyoureyes，andthoughtIsawtheretruthandinnocenceaspureandperfectaseverembodiedbyGodinthefleshofwoman。Perfecttruthistoomuchtoexpect，butordinarytruthIWILLHAVEornothingatall。Justsay，then；isthematteryoukeepbackofthegravestimportance，orisitnot？\'

\'Idon\'tunderstandallyourmeaning。IfIhavehiddenanythingfromyou，ithasbeenbecauseIlovedyouso，andIfeared——

feared——toloseyou。\'

\'Sinceyouarenotgiventoconfidence，Iwanttoaskyousomeplainquestions。HaveIyourpermission？\'

\'Yes，\'shesaid，andtherecameoverherfaceawearyresignation。

\'Saytheharshestwordsyoucan；Iwillbearthem!\'

\'Thereisascandalintheairconcerningyou，Elfride；andI

cannotevencombatitwithoutknowingdefinitelywhatitis。Itmaynotrefertoyouentirely，orevenatall。\'Knighttrifledintheverybitternessofhisfeeling。\'InthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，Pariseau，aballet-master，wasbeheadedbymistakeforParisot，acaptainoftheKing\'sGuard。Iwishtherewasanother"E。Swancourt"intheneighbourhood。Lookatthis。\'

HehandedherthelettershehadwrittenandleftonthetableatMrs。Jethway\'s。Shelookedoveritvacantly。

\'Itisnotsomuchasitseems!\'shepleaded。\'Itseemswickedlydeceptivetolookatnow，butithadamuchmorenaturaloriginthanyouthink。Mysolewishwasnottoendangerourlove。O

Harry!thatwasallmyidea。Itwasnotmuchharm。\'

\'Yes，yes；butindependentlyofthepoormiserablecreature\'sremarks，itseemstoimply——somethingwrong。\'

\'Whatremarks？\'

\'Thoseshewroteme——nowtorntopieces。Elfride，DIDyourunawaywithamanyouloved？——thatwasthedamnablestatement。Hassuchanaccusationlifeinit——really，truly，Elfride？\'

\'Yes，\'shewhispered。

Knight\'scountenancesank。\'Tobemarriedtohim？\'camehuskilyfromhislips。

\'Yes。Oh，forgiveme!Ihadneverseenyou，Harry。\'

\'ToLondon？\'

\'Yes；butI——\'

\'Answermyquestions；saynothingelse，ElfrideDidyoueverdeliberatelytrytomarryhiminsecret？\'

\'No；notdeliberately。\'

\'Butdidyoudoit？\'

Afeebleredpassedoverherface。

\'Yes，\'shesaid。

\'Andafterthat——didyou——writetohimasyourhusband；anddidheaddressyouashiswife？\'

\'Listen，listen!Itwas——\'

\'Doanswerme；onlyanswerme!\'

\'Then，yes，wedid。\'Herlipsshook；butitwaswithsomelittledignitythatshecontinued:\'Iwouldgladlyhavetoldyou；forI

knewandknowIhaddonewrong。ButIdarednot；Ilovedyoutoowell。Oh，sowell!Youhavebeeneverythingintheworldtome——

andyouarenow。Willyounotforgiveme？\'

Itisamelancholythought，thatmenwhoatfirstwillnotallowtheverdictofperfectiontheypronounceupontheirsweetheartsorwivestobedisturbedbyGod\'sowntestimonytothecontrary，will，oncesuspectingtheirpurity，morallyhangthemuponevidencetheywouldbeashamedtoadmitinjudgingadog。

Thereluctancetotell，whicharosefromElfride\'ssimplicityinthinkingherselfsomuchmoreculpablethanshereallywas，hadbeendoingfatalworkinKnight\'smind。Themanofmanyideas，nowthathisfirstdreamofimpossiblethingswasover，vibratedtoofarinthecontrarydirection；andhereverymovementoffeature——everytremor——everyconfusedword——wastakenassomuchproofofherunworthiness。

\'Elfride，wemustbidgood-byetocompliment，\'saidKnight:\'wemustdowithoutpolitenessnow。Lookinmyface，andasyoubelieveinGodabove，tellmetrulyonethingmore。Wereyouawayalonewithhim？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Didyoureturnhomethesamedayonwhichyouleftit？\'

\'No。\'

Thewordfelllikeabolt，andtheverylandandskyseemedtosuffer。Knightturnedaside。MeantimeElfride\'scountenanceworealookindicatingutterdespairofbeingabletoexplainmatterssothattheywouldseemnomorethantheyreallywere，——adespairwhichnotonlyrelinquishesthehopeofdirectexplanation，butwearilygivesupallcollateralchancesofextenuation。

ThescenewasengravedforyearsontheretinaofKnight\'seye:

thedeadandbrownstubble，theweedsamongit，thedistantbeltofbeechesshuttingouttheviewofthehouse，theleavesofwhichwerenowredandsicktodeath。

\'Youmustforgetme，\'hesaid。\'Weshallnotmarry，Elfride。\'

Howmuchanguishpassedintohersoulatthosewordsfromhimwastoldbythelookofsupremetortureshewore。

\'Whatmeaninghaveyou，Harry？Youonlysayso，doyou？\'

Shelookeddoubtinglyupathim，andtriedtolaugh，asiftheunrealityofhiswordsmustbeunquestionable。

\'Youarenotinearnest，Iknow——Ihopeyouarenot？SurelyI

belongtoyou，andyouaregoingtokeepmeforyours？\'

\'Elfride，Ihavebeenspeakingtooroughlytoyou；IhavesaidwhatIoughtonlytohavethought。Ilikeyou；andletmegiveyouawordofadvice。Marryyourmanassoonasyoucan。Howeverwearyofeachotheryoumayfeel，youbelongtoeachother，andI

amnotgoingtostepbetweenyou。DoyouthinkIwould——doyouthinkIcouldforamoment？Ifyoucannotmarryhimnow，andanothermakesyouhiswife，donotrevealthissecrettohimaftermarriage，ifyoudonotbefore。Honestywouldbedamnationthen。\'

Bewilderedbyhisexpressions，sheexclaimed——

\'No，no；IwillnotbeawifeunlessIamyours；andImustbeyours!\'

\'Ifwehadmarried——\'

\'Butyoudon\'tMEAN——that——that——youwillgoawayandleaveme，andnotbeanythingmoretome——oh，youdon\'t!\'

Convulsivesobstookallnerveoutofherutterance。Shecheckedthem，andcontinuedtolookinhisfacefortherayofhopethatwasnottobefoundthere。

\'Iamgoingindoors，\'saidKnight。\'Youwillnotfollowme，Elfride；Iwishyounotto。\'

\'Ohno；indeed，Iwillnot。\'

\'AndthenIamgoingtoCastleBoterel。Good-bye。\'

Hespokethefarewellasifitwerebutfortheday——lightly，ashehadspokensuchtemporaryfarewellsmanytimesbefore——andsheseemedtounderstanditassuch。Knighthadnotthepowertotellherplainlythathewasgoingforever；hehardlyknewforcertainthathewas:whetherheshouldrushbackagainuponthecurrentofanirresistibleemotion，orwhetherhecouldsufficientlyconquerhimself，andherinhim，toestablishthatpartingasasupremefarewell，andpresenthimselftotheworldagainasnowoman\'s。

Tenminuteslaterhehadleftthehouse，leavingdirectionsthatifhedidnotreturnintheeveninghisluggagewastobesenttohischambersinLondon，whenceheintendedtowritetoMr。

Swancourtastothereasonsofhissuddendeparture。Hedescendedthevalley，andcouldnotforbearturninghishead。Hesawthestubble-field，andaslightgirlishfigureinthemidstofit——upagainstthesky。Elfride，docileasever，hadhardlymovedastep，forhehadsaid，Remain。Helookedandsawheragain——hesawherforweeksandmonths。Hewithdrewhiseyesfromthescene，swepthishandacrossthem，asiftobrushawaythesight，breathedalowgroan，andwenton。

ChapterXXXV

\'Andwiltthouleavemethus？——saynay——saynay!\'

ThesceneshiftstoKnight\'schambersinBede\'sInn。ItwaslateintheeveningofthedayfollowinghisdeparturefromEndelstow。

AdrizzlingraindescendeduponLondon，formingahumidanddrearyhaloovereverywell-lightedstreet。Therainhadnotyetbeenprevalentlongenoughtogivetorapidvehiclesthatclearanddistinctrattlewhichfollowsthethoroughwashingofthestonesbyadrenchingrain，butwasjustsufficienttomakefootwayandroadwayslippery，adhesive，andcloggingtobothfeetandwheels。

Knightwasstandingbythefire，lookingintoitsexpiringembers，previouslytoemergingfromhisdoorforadrearyjourneyhometoRichmond。Hishatwason，andthegasturnedoff。Theblindofthewindowoverlookingthealleywasnotdrawndown；andwiththelightfrombeneath，whichshoneovertheceilingoftheroom，came，inplaceoftheusualbabble，onlythereducedclatterandquickspeechwhichweretheresultofnecessityratherthanchoice。

Whilsthethusstood，waitingfortheexpirationofthefewminutesthatwerewantingtothetimeforhiscatchingthetrain，alighttappinguponthedoormingledwiththeothersoundsthatreachedhisears。Itwassofaintatfirstthattheouternoiseswerealmostsufficienttodrownit。FindingitrepeatedKnightcrossedthelobby，crowdedwithbooksandrubbish，andopenedthedoor。

Awoman，closelymuffledup，butvisiblyoffragilebuild，wasstandingonthelandingunderthegaslight。Shesprangforward，flungherarmsroundKnight\'sneck，andutteredalowcry——

\'OHarry，Harry，youarekillingme!Icouldnothelpcoming。

Don\'tsendmeaway——don\'t!ForgiveyourElfrideforcoming——Iloveyouso!\'

Knight\'sagitationandastonishmentmasteredhimforafewmoments。

\'Elfride!\'hecried，\'whatdoesthismean？Whathaveyoudone？\'

\'Donothurtmeandpunishme——Oh，donot!Icouldn\'thelpcoming；

itwaskillingme。Lastnight，whenyoudidnotcomeback，I

couldnotbearit——Icouldnot!Onlyletmebewithyou，andseeyourface，Harry；Idon\'taskformore。\'

Hereyelidswerehot，heavy，andthickwithexcessiveweeping，andthedelicaterose-redofhercheekswasdisfiguredandinflamedbytheconstantchafingofthehandkerchiefinwipinghermanytears。

\'Whoiswithyou？Haveyoucomealone？\'hehurriedlyinquired。

\'Yes。Whenyoudidnotcomelastnight，Isatuphopingyouwouldcome——andthenightwasallagony——andIwaitedonandon，andyoudidnotcome!Thenwhenitwasmorning，andyourlettersaidyouweregone，Icouldnotendureit；andIranawayfromthemtoSt。

Launce\'s，andcamebythetrain。AndIhavebeenalldaytravellingtoyou，andyouwon\'tmakemegoawayagain，willyou，Harry，becauseIshallalwaysloveyoutillIdie？\'

\'Yetitiswrongforyoutostay。OElfride!whathaveyoucommittedyourselfto？Itisruintoyourgoodnametoruntomelikethis!Hasnotyourfirstexperiencebeensufficienttokeepyoufromthesethings？\'

\'Myname!Harry，Ishallsoondie，andwhatgoodwillmynamebetomethen？Oh，couldIbutbethemanandyouthewoman，Iwouldnotleaveyouforsuchalittlefaultasmine!Donotthinkitwassovileathinginmetorunawaywithhim。Ah，howIwishyoucouldhaverunawaywithtwentywomenbeforeyouknewme，thatI

mightshowyouIwouldthinkitnofault，butbegladtogetyouafterthemall，sothatIhadyou!Ifyouonlyknewmethroughandthrough，howtrueIam，Harry。CannotIbeyours？Sayyoulovemejustthesame，anddon\'tletmebeseparatedfromyouagain，willyou？Icannotbearit——allthelonghoursanddaysandnightsgoingon，andyounotthere，butawaybecauseyouhateme!\'

\'Nothateyou，Elfride，\'hesaidgently，andsupportedherwithhisarm。\'Butyoucannotstayherenow——justatpresent，Imean。\'

\'IsupposeImustnot——IwishImight。Iamafraidthatif——youlosesightofme——somethingdarkwillhappen，andweshallnotmeetagain。Harry，ifIamnotgoodenoughtobeyourwife，I

wishIcouldbeyourservantandlivewithyou，andnotbesentawaynevertoseeyouagain。Idon\'tmindwhatitisexceptthat!\'