第14章

`St。PeterandSt-St。MaryMagdalen。’

`Well-nowcomedowntotea，andgoandfinishthatorgan-text，ifthere’slightenoughafterwards。’

TheselittleobstaclestotheindulgenceofwhathadbeenthemerestpassingfancycreatedinSueagreatzestforunpackingherobjectsandlookingatthem；andatbedtime，whenshewassureofbeingundisturbed，sheunrobedthedivinitiesincomfort。Placingthepairoffiguresonthechestofdrawers，acandleoneachsideofthem，shewithdrewtothebed，flungherselfdownthereon，andbeganreadingabookshehadtakenfromherbox，whichMissFontoverknewnothingof。ItwasavolumeofGibbon，andshereadthechapterdealingwiththereignofJuliantheApostate。

Occasionallyshelookedupatthestatuettes，whichappearedstrangeandoutofplace，therehappeningtobeaCalvaryprinthangingbetweenthem，and，asifthescenesuggestedtheaction，sheatlengthjumpedupandwithdrewanotherbookfromherbox-avolumeofverse-andturnedtothefamiliarpoem-Thouhastconquered，OpaleGalilean：

Theworldhasgrowngreyfromthybreath！whichshereadtotheend。Presentlysheputoutthecandles，undressed，andfinallyextinguishedherownlight。

Shewasofanagewhichusuallysleepssoundly，yetto-nightshekeptwakingup，andeverytimesheopenedhereyestherewasenoughdiffusedlightfromthestreettoshowherthewhiteplasterfigures，standingonthechestofdrawersinoddcontrasttotheirenvironmentoftextandmartyr，andtheGothic-framedCrucifix-picturethatwasonlydiscerniblenowasaLatincross，thefigurethereonbeingobscuredbytheshades。

Ononeoftheseoccasionsthechurchclocksstrucksomesmallhour。Itfellupontheearsofanotherpersonwhosatbendingoverhisbooksatanotverydistantspotinthesamecity。BeingSaturdaynightthemorrowwasoneonwhichJudehadnotsethisalarm-clocktocallhimathisusuallyearlytime，andhencehehadstayedup，aswashiscustom，twoorthreehourslaterthanhecouldaffordtodoonanyotherdayoftheweek。JustthenhewasearnestlyreadingfromhisGriesbach’stext。

AttheverytimethatSuewastossingandstaringatherfigures，thepolicemanandbelatedcitizenspassingalongunderhiswindowmighthaveheard，iftheyhadstoodstill，strangesyllablesmumbledwithfervourwithin-wordsthathadforJudeanindescribableenchantment：inexplicablesoundssomethinglikethese：-

`Allheminheistheoshopater，exhoutapanta，kaihemeiseisauton：’

Tillthesoundsrolledwithreverentloudness，asabookwasheardtoclose：-

`KaiheisKuriosIesousChristos，dihoutapantakaihemeisdiautou！’

JudetheObscureChapter15II-ivHewasahandymanathistrade，anall-roundman，asartizansincountry-townsareapttobe。InLondonthemanwhocarvesthebossorknobofleafagedeclinestocutthefragmentofmouldingwhichmergesinthatleafage，asifitwereadegradationtodothesecondhalfofonewhole。WhentherewasnotmuchGothicmouldingforJudetorun，ormuchwindow-traceryonthebankers，hewouldgooutletteringmonumentsortombstones，andtakeapleasureinthechangeofhandiwork。

Thenexttimethathesawherwaswhenhewasonaladderexecutingajobofthissortinsideoneofthechurches。Therewasashortmorningservice，andwhentheparsonenteredJudecamedownfromhisladder，andsatwiththehalf-dozenpeopleformingthecongregation，tilltheprayershouldbeended，andhecouldresumehistapping。HedidnotobservetilltheservicewashalfoverthatoneofthewomenwasSue，whohadperforceaccompaniedtheelderlyMissFontoverthither。

Judesatwatchingherprettyshoulders，hereasy，curiouslynonchalantrisingsandsittings，andherperfunctorygenuflexions，andthoughtwhatahelpsuchanAnglicanwouldhavebeentohiminhappiercircumstances。

Itwasnotsomuchhisanxietytogetonwithhisworkthatmadehimgouptoitimmediatelytheworshipersbegantotaketheirleave：itwasthathedarednot，inthisholyspot，confrontthewomanwhowasbeginningtoinfluencehiminsuchanindescribablemanner。ThosethreeenormousreasonswhyhemustnotattemptintimateacquaintancewithSueBridehead，nowthathisinterestinherhadshownitselftobeunmistakablyofasexualkind，loomedasstubbornlyasever。Butitwasalsoobviousthatmancouldnotlivebyworkalone；thattheparticularmanJude，atanyrate，wantedsomethingtolove。Somemenwouldhaverushedincontinentlytoher，snatchedthepleasureofeasyfriendshipwhichshecouldhardlyrefuse，andhavelefttheresttochance。NotsoJude-atfirst。

Butasthedays，andstillmoreparticularlythelonelyevenings，draggedalong，hefoundhimself，tohismoralconsternation，tobethinkingmoreofherinsteadofthinkinglessofher，andexperiencingafearfulblissindoingwhatwaserratic，informal，andunexpected。Surroundedbyherinfluenceallday，walkingpastthespotsshefrequented，hewasalwaysthinkingofher，andwasobligedtoowntohimselfthathisconsciencewaslikelytobetheloserinthisbattle。

Tobesureshewasalmostanidealitytohimstill。Perhapstoknowherwouldbetocurehimselfofthisunexpectedandunauthorizedpassion。

Avoicewhisperedthat，thoughhedesiredtoknowher，hedidnotdesiretobecured。

Therewasnottheleastdoubtthatfromhisownorthodoxpointofviewthesituationwasgrowingimmoral。ForSuetobethelovedoneofamanwhowaslicensedbythelawsofhiscountrytoloveArabellaandnoneotheruntohislife’send，wasaprettybadsecondbeginningwhenthemanwasbentonsuchacourseasJudepurposed。Thisconvictionwassorealwithhimthatonedaywhen，aswasfrequent，hewasatworkinaneighbouringvillagechurchalone，hefeltittobehisdutytoprayagainsthisweakness。Butmuchashewishedtobeanexemplarinthesethingshecouldnotgeton。Itwasquiteimpossible，hefound，toasktobedeliveredfromtemptationwhenyourheart’sdesirewastobetempteduntoseventytimesseven。Soheexcusedhimself。`Afterall，’hesaid，`itisnotaltogetheranerotolepsythatisthematterwithme，asatthatfirsttime。Icanseethatsheisexceptionallybright；anditispartlyawishforintellectualsympathy，andacravingforloving-kindnessinmysolitude。’Thushewentonadoringher，fearingtorealizethatitwashumanperversity。ForwhateverSue’svirtues，talents，orecclesiasticalsaturation，itwascertainthatthoseitemswerenotatallthecauseofhisaffectionforher。

Onanafternoonatthistimeayounggirlenteredthestone-mason’syardwithsomehesitation，and，liftingherskirtstoavoiddragglingtheminthewhitedust，crossedtowardstheoffice。

`That’sanicegirl，’saidoneofthemenknownasUncleJoe。

`Whoisshe？’askedanother。

`Idon’tknow-I’veseenherabouthereandthere。Why，yes，she’sthedaughterofthatcleverchapBrideheadwhodidallthewroughtironworkatSt。Silas’tenyearsago，andwentawaytoLondonafterwards。

Idon’tknowwhathe’sdoingnow-notmuchIfancy-asshe’scomebackhere。’

MeanwhiletheyoungwomanhadknockedattheofficedoorandaskedifMr。JudeFawleywasatworkintheyard。ItsohappenedthatJudehadgoneoutsomewhereorotherthatafternoon，whichinformationshereceivedwithalookofdisappointment，andwentawayimmediately。WhenJudereturnedtheytoldhim，anddescribedher，whereuponheexclaimed，`Why-that’smycousinSue！’

Helookedalongthestreetafterher，butshewasoutofsight。

Hehadnolongeranythoughtofaconscientiousavoidanceofher，andresolvedtocalluponherthatveryevening。Andwhenhereachedhislodginghefoundanotefromher-afirstnote-oneofthosedocumentswhich，simpleandcommonplaceinthemselves，areseenretrospectivelytohavebeenpregnantwithimpassionedconsequences。Theveryunconsciousnessofaloomingdramawhichisshowninsuchinnocentfirstepistlesfromwomentomen，orviceversa，makesthem，whensuchadramafollows，andtheyarereadoverbythepurpleorluridlightofit，allthemoreimpressive，solemn，andincases，terrible。

Sue’swasofthemostartlessandnaturalkind。SheaddressedhimasherdearcousinJude；saidshehadonlyjustlearntbythemerestaccidentthathewaslivinginChristminster，andreproachedhimwithnotlettingherknow。Theymighthavehadsuchnicetimestogether，shesaid，forshewasthrownmuchuponherself，andhadhardlyanycongenialfriend。

Butnowtherewaseveryprobabilityofhersoongoingaway，sothatthechanceofcompanionshipwouldbelostperhapsforever。

AcoldsweatoverspreadJudeatthenewsthatshewasgoingaway。

Thatwasacontingencyhehadneverthoughtof，anditspurredhimtowriteallthemorequicklytoher。Hewouldmeetherthatveryevening，hesaid，onehourfromthetimeofwriting，atthecrossinthepavementwhichmarkedthespotoftheMartyrdoms。

Whenhehaddespatchedthenotebyaboyheregrettedthatinhishurryheshouldhavesuggestedtohertomeethimoutofdoors，whenhemighthavesaidhewouldcalluponher。Itwas，infact，thecountrycustomtomeetthus，andnothingelsehadoccurredtohim。Arabellahadbeenmetinthesameway，unfortunately，anditmightnotseemrespectabletoadeargirllikeSue。However，itcouldnotbehelpednow，andhemovedtowardsthepointafewminutesbeforethehour，undertheglimmerofthenewlylightedlamps。

Thebroadstreetwassilent，andalmostdeserted，althoughitwasnotlate。Hesawafigureontheotherside，whichturnedouttobehers，andtheybothconvergedtowardsthecrossmarkatthesamemoment。

Beforeeitherhadreacheditshecalledouttohim：

`Iamnotgoingtomeetyoujustthere，forthefirsttimeinmylife！Comefurtheron。’

Thevoice，thoughpositiveandsilvery，hadbeentremulous。Theywalkedoninparallellines，and，waitingherpleasure，Judewatchedtillsheshowedsignsofclosingin，whenhedidlikewise，theplacebeingwherethecarriers’cartsstoodinthedaytime，thoughtherewasnoneonthespotthen。

`IamsorrythatIaskedyoutomeetme，anddidn’tcall，’beganJudewiththebashfulnessofalover。`ButIthoughtitwouldsavetimeifweweregoingtowalk。’

`Oh-Idon’tmindthat，’shesaidwiththefreedomofafriend。

`Ihavereallynoplacetoaskanybodyinto。WhatImeantwasthattheplaceyouchosewassohorrid-IsupposeIoughtnottosayhorrid-I

meangloomyandinauspiciousinitsassociations……Butisn’titfunnytobeginlikethis，whenIdon’tknowyouyet？’Shelookedhimupanddowncuriously，thoughJudedidnotlookmuchather。

`YouseemtoknowmemorethanIknowyou，’sheadded。

`Yes-Ihaveseenyounowandthen。’

`AndyouknewwhoIwas，anddidn’tspeak？AndnowIamgoingaway！’

`Yes。That’sunfortunate。Ihavehardlyanyotherfriend。Ihave，indeed，oneveryoldfriendheresomewhere，butIdon’tquiteliketocallonhimjustyet。Iwonderifyouknowanythingofhim-Mr。Phillotson？

AparsonsomewhereaboutthecountyIthinkheis。’

`No-IonlyknowofoneMr。Phillotson。Helivesalittlewayoutinthecountry，atLumsdon。He’savillageschoolmaster。’

`Ah！Iwonderifhe’sthesame。Surelyitisimpossible！Onlyaschoolmasterstill！DoyouknowhisChristianname-isitRichard？’

`Yes-itis；I’vedirectedbookstohim，thoughI’veneverseenhim。’

`Thenhecouldn’tdoit！’

Jude’scountenancefell，forhowcouldhesucceedinanenterprisewhereinthegreatPhillotsonhadfailed？HewouldhavehadadayofdespairifthenewshadnotarrivedduringhissweetSue’spresence，butevenatthismomenthehadvisionsofhowPhillotson’sfailureinthegranduniversityschemewoulddepresshimwhenshehadgone。

`Aswearegoingtotakeawalk，supposewegoandcalluponhim？’

saidJudesuddenly。`Itisnotlate。’

Sheagreed，andtheywentalongupahill，andthroughsomeprettilywoodedcountry。Presentlytheembattledtowerandsquareturretofthechurchroseintothesky，andthentheschool-house。TheyinquiredofapersoninthestreetifMr。Phillotsonwaslikelytobeathome，andwereinformedthathewasalwaysathome。Aknockbroughthimtotheschool-housedoor，withacandleinhishandandalookofinquiryonhisface，whichhadgrownthinandcarewornsinceJudelastseteyesonhim。

ThatafteralltheseyearsthemeetingwithMr。Phillotsonshouldbeofthishomelycomplexiondestroyedatonestrokethehalowhichhadsurroundedtheschool-master’sfigureinJude’simaginationeversincetheirparting。ItcreatedinhimatthesametimeasympathywithPhillotsonasanobviouslymuchchastenedanddisappointedman。Judetoldhimhisname，andsaidhehadcometoseehimasanoldfriendwhohadbeenkindtohiminhisyouthfuldays。

`Idon’trememberyouintheleast，’saidtheschool-masterthoughtfully。

`Youwereoneofmypupils，yousay？Yes，nodoubt；buttheynumbersomanythousandsbythistimeofmylife，andhavenaturallychangedsomuch，thatIrememberveryfewexceptthequiterecentones。’

`ItwasoutatMarygreen，’saidJude，wishinghehadnotcome。

`Yes。Iwasthereashorttime。Andisthisanoldpupil，too？’

`No-that’smycousin……Iwrotetoyouforsomegrammars，ifyourecollect，andyousentthem？’