第7章

ThreehoursandahalfofstraininguphillsandjoggingdownbroughtthemtoSt。Launce"s，themarkettownandrailwaystationnearesttoEndelstow，andtheplacefromwhichStephenSmithhadjourneyedoverthedownsonthe，tohim，memorablewintereveningatthebeginningofthesameyear。Thecarrier"svanwassotimedastomeetastartingup-train，whichStephenentered。Twoorthreehours"railwaytravelthroughverticalcuttingsinmetamorphicrock，throughoakcopsesrichandgreen，stretchingoverslopesanddowndelightfulvalleys，glens，andravines，sparklingwithwaterlikemany-rilledIda，andheplungedamidthehundredandfiftythousandpeoplecomposingthetownofPlymouth。

Therebeingsometimeuponhishandshelefthisluggageatthecloak-room，andwentonfootalongBedfordStreettothenearestchurch。HereStephenwanderedamongthemultifarioustombstonesandlookedinatthechancelwindow，dreamingofsomethingthatwaslikelytohappenbythealtarthereinthecourseofthecomingmonth。HeturnedawayandascendedtheHoe，viewedthemagnificentstretchofseaandmassivepromontoriesofland，butwithoutparticularlydiscerningonefeatureofthevariedperspective。Hestillsawthatinnerprospect——theeventhehopedforinyonderchurch。ThewideSound，theBreakwater，thelight-

houseonfar-offEddystone，thedarksteamvessels，brigs，barques，andschooners，eitherfloatingstilly，orglidingwithtiniestmotion，wereasthedream，then；thedreamed-ofeventwasasthereality。

SoonStephenwentdownfromtheHoe，andreturnedtotherailwaystation。Hetookhisticket，andenteredtheLondontrain。

ThatdaywasanirksometimeatEndelstowvicarage。NeitherfathernordaughteralludedtothedepartureofStephen。Mr。

Swancourt"smannertowardsherpartookofthecompunctiouskindnessthatarisesfromamisgivingastothejusticeofsomepreviousact。

Eitherfromlackofthecapacitytograspthewholecoupd"oeil，orfromanaturalendowmentforcertainkindsofstoicism，womenarecoolerthanmenincriticalsituationsofthepassiveform。

Probably，inElfride"scaseatleast，itwasblindnesstothegreatercontingenciesofthefutureshewaspreparingforherself，whichenabledhertoaskherfatherinaquietvoiceifhecouldgiveheraholidaysoon，toridetoSt。Launce"sandgoontoPlymouth。

Now，shehadonlyoncebeforegonealonetoPlymouth，andthatwasinconsequenceofsomeunavoidabledifficulty。Beingacountrygirl，andagood，nottosayawild，horsewoman，ithadbeenherdelighttocanter，withouttheghostofanattendant，overthefourteenorsixteenmilesofhardroadinterveningbetweentheirhomeandthestationatSt。Launce"s，putupthehorse，andgoontheremainderofthedistancebytrain，returninginthesamemannerintheevening。Itwasthenresolvedthat，thoughshehadsuccessfullyaccomplishedthisjourneyonce，itwasnottoberepeatedwithoutsomeattendance。

ButElfridemustnotbeconfoundedwithordinaryyoungfeminineequestrians。Thecircumstancesofherlonelyandnarrowlifemadeitimperativethatintrottingabouttheneighbourhoodshemusttrotaloneorelsenotatall。Usagesoonrenderedthisperfectlynaturaltoherself。Herfather，whohadhadotherexperiences，didnotmuchliketheideaofaSwancourt，whosepedigreecouldbeasdistinctlytracedasathreadinaskeinofsilk，scamperingoverthehillslikeafarmer"sdaughter，eventhoughhecouldhabituallyneglecther。Butwhatwithhisnotbeingabletoaffordheraregularattendant，andhisinveteratehabitoflettinganythingbetosavehimselftrouble，thecircumstancegrewcustomary。Andsotherearoseachronicnotioninthevillagers"

mindsthatallladiesrodewithoutanattendant，likeMissSwancourt，exceptafewwhoweresometimesvisitingatLordLuxellian"s。

"Idon"tlikeyourgoingtoPlymouthalone，particularlygoingtoSt。Launce"sonhorseback。Whynotdrive，andtaketheman？"

"Itisnotnicetobesooverlooked。"Worm"scompanywouldnotseriouslyhaveinterferedwithherplans，butitwasherhumourtogowithouthim。

"Whendoyouwanttogo？"saidherfather。

Sheonlyanswered，"Soon。"

"Iwillconsider，"hesaid。

Onlyafewdayselapsedbeforesheaskedagain。AletterhadreachedherfromStephen。Ithadbeentimedtocomeonthatdaybyspecialarrangementbetweenthem。InithenamedtheearliestmorningonwhichhecouldmeetheratPlymouth。HerfatherhadbeenonajourneytoStratleigh，andreturnedinunusualbuoyancyofspirit。Itwasagoodopportunity；andsincethedismissalofStephenherfatherhadbeengenerallyinamoodtomakesmallconcessions，thathemightsteerclearoflargeonesconnectedwiththatoutcastloverofhers。

"NextThursdayweekIamgoingfromhomeinadifferentdirection，"saidherfather。"Infact，Ishallleavehomethenightbefore。Youmightchoosethesameday，fortheywishtotakeupthecarpets，orsomesuchthing，Ithink。AsIsaid，I

don"tlikeyoutobeseeninatownonhorsebackalone；butgoifyouwill。"

Thursdayweek。HerfatherhadnamedtheverydaythatStephenalsohadnamedthatmorningastheearliestonwhichitwouldbeofanyusetomeether；thatwas，aboutfifteendaysfromthedayonwhichhehadleftEndelstow。Fifteendays——thatfragmentofdurationwhichhasacquiredsuchaninterestingindividualityfromitsconnectionwiththeEnglishmarriagelaw。

Sheinvoluntarilylookedatherfathersostrangely，thatonbecomingconsciousofthelookshepaledwithembarrassment。Herfather，too，lookedconfused。Whatwashethinkingof？

ThereseemedtobeaspecialfacilityofferedherbyapowerexternaltoherselfinthecircumstancethatMr。Swancourthadproposedtoleavehomethenightprevioustoherwished-forday。

Herfatherseldomtooklongjourneys；seldomsleptfromhomeexceptperhapsonthenightfollowingaremoteVisitation。Well，shewouldnotinquiretoocuriouslyintothereasonoftheopportunity，nordidhe，aswouldhavebeennatural，proceedtoexplainitofhisownaccord。Inmattersoffacttherehadhithertobeennoreservebetweenthem，thoughtheywerenotusuallyconfidentialinitsfullsense。ButthedivergenceoftheiremotionsonStephen"saccounthadproducedanestrangementwhichjustatpresentwenteventotheextentofreticenceonthemostordinaryhouseholdtopics。

Elfridewasalmostunconsciouslyrelieved，persuadingherselfthatherfather"sreserveonhisbusinessjustifiedherinsecrecyasregardedherown——asecrecywhichwasnecessarilyaforegonedecisionwithher。Soanxiousisayoungconsciencetodiscoverapalliative，thattheexpostfactonatureofareasonisofnoaccountinexcludingit。

Theinterveningfortnightwasspentbyhermostlyinwalkingbyherselfamongtheshrubsandtrees，indulgingsometimesinsanguineanticipations；more，farmorefrequently，inmisgivings。

Allherflowersseemeddullofhue；herpetsseemedtolookwistfullyintohereyes，asiftheynolongerstoodinthesamefriendlyrelationtoherasformerly。Sheworemelancholyjewellery，gazedatsunsets，andtalkedtooldmenandwomen。Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadhadaninnerandprivateworldapartfromthevisibleoneabouther。Shewishedthatherfather，insteadofneglectingherevenmorethanusual，wouldmakesomeadvance——justoneword；shewouldthentellall，andriskStephen"sdispleasure。Thusbroughtroundtotheyouthagain，shesawhiminherfancy，standing，touchingher，hiseyesfullofsadaffection，hopelesslyrenouncinghisattemptbecauseshehadrenouncedhers；andshecouldnotrecede。

OntheWednesdayshewastoreceiveanotherletter。Shehadresolvedtoletherfatherseethearrivalofthisone，betheconsequenceswhattheymight:thedreadoflosingherloverbythisdeedofhonestypreventedheractingupontheresolve。Fiveminutesbeforethepostman"sexpectedarrivalsheslippedout，anddownthelanetomeethim。Shemethimimmediatelyuponturningasharpangle，whichhidherfromviewinthedirectionofthevicarage。Themansmilinglyhandedonemissive，andwasgoingontohandanother，acircularfromsometradesman。

"No，"shesaid；"takethatontothehouse。"

"Why，miss，youaredoingwhatyourfatherhasdoneforthelastfortnight。"

Shedidnotcomprehend。

"Why，cometothiscorner，andtakealetterofmeeverymorning，allwritinthesamehandwriting，andlettinganyothersforhimgoontothehouse。"Andonthepostmanwent。

Nosoonerhadheturnedthecornerbehindherbackthansheheardherfathermeetandaddresstheman。Shehadsavedherletterbytwominutes。Herfatheraudiblywentthroughpreciselythesameperformanceasshehadjustbeenguiltyofherself。

Thisstealthyconductofhiswas，tosaytheleast，peculiar。

Givenanimpulsiveinconsequentgirl，neglectedastoherinnerlifebyheronlyparent，andthefollowingforcesalivewithinher；todeterminearesultant:

Firstloveacteduponbyadeadlyfearofseparationfromitsobject:inexperience，guidingonwardafranticwishtopreventtheabove-namedissue:misgivingsastopropriety，metbyhopeofultimateexoneration:indignationatparentalinconsistencyinfirstencouraging，thenforbidding:achillingsenseofdisobedience，overpoweredbyaconscientiousinabilitytobrookabreakingofplightedfaithwithamanwho，inessentials，hadremainedunalteredfromthebeginning:ablessedhopethatoppositionwouldturnanerroneousjudgement:abrightfaiththatthingswouldmendthereby，andwindupwell。

Probablytheresultwould，afterall，havebeennil，hadnotthefollowingfewremarksbeenmadeonedayatbreakfast。

Herfatherwasinhisoldheartyspirits。Hesmiledtohimselfatstoriestoobadtotell，andcalledElfridealittlescampforsurreptitiouslypreservingsomeblindkittensthatoughttohavebeendrowned。Afterthisexpression，shesaidtohimsuddenly:

IfMr。Smithhadbeenalreadyinthefamily，youwouldnothavebeenmadewretchedbydiscoveringhehadpoorrelations？"

"Doyoumeaninthefamilybymarriage？"herepliedinattentively，andcontinuingtopeelhisegg。

Theaccumulatingscarlettoldthatwashermeaning，asmuchastheaffirmativereply。

"Ishouldhaveputupwithit，nodoubt，"Mr。Swancourtobserved。

"Sothatyouwouldnothavebeendrivenintohopelessmelancholy，buthavemadethebestofhim？"

Elfride"serraticmindhadfromheryouthupwardsbeenconstantlyinthehabitofperplexingherfatherbyhypotheticalquestions，basedonabsurdconditions。Thepresentseemedtobecastsopreciselyinthemouldofpreviousonesthat，notbeinggiventosynthesesofcircumstances，heanswereditwithcustomarycomplacency。

"Ifhewerealliedtousirretrievably，ofcourseI，oranysensibleman，shouldacceptconditionsthatcouldnotbealtered；

certainlynotbehopelesslymelancholyaboutit。Idon"tbelieveanythingintheworldwouldmakemehopelesslymelancholy。Anddon"tletanythingmakeyouso，either。"

"Iwon"t，papa，"shecried，withaserenebrightnessthatpleasedhim。

CertainlyMr。Swancourtmusthavebeenfarfromthinkingthatthebrightnesscamefromanexhilaratingintentiontoholdbacknolongerfromthemadactionshehadplanned。

IntheeveninghedroveawaytowardsStratleigh，quitealone。Itwasanunusualcourseforhim。AtthedoorElfridehadbeenagainalmostimpelledbyherfeelingstopouroutall。

"WhyareyougoingtoStratleigh，papa？"shesaid，andlookedathimlongingly。

"Iwilltellyouto-morrowwhenIcomeback，"hesaidcheerily；

"notbeforethen，Elfride。Thouwiltnotutterwhatthoudostnotknow，andsofarwillItrustthee，gentleElfride。"

Shewasrepressedandhurt。

"IwilltellyoumyerrandtoPlymouth，too，whenIcomeback，"

shemurmured。

Hewentaway。Hisjocularitymadeherintentionseemthelighter，ashisindifferencemadehermoreresolvedtodoassheliked。

ItwasafamiliarSeptembersunset，dark-bluefragmentsofclouduponanorange-yellowsky。Thesesunsetsusedtotempthertowalktowardsthem，asanybeautifulthingtemptsanearapproach。

Shewentthroughthefieldtotheprivethedge，clamberedintothemiddleofit，andreclineduponthethickboughs。Afterlookingwestwardforaconsiderabletime，sheblamedherselffornotlookingeastwardtowhereStephenwas，andturnedround。

Ultimatelyhereyesfellupontheground。

Apeculiaritywasobservablebeneathher。Agreenfieldspreaditselfoneachsideofthehedge，onebelongingtotheglebe，theotherbeingapartofthelandattachedtothemanor-houseadjoining。Onthevicaragesideshesawalittlefootpath，thedistinctiveandaltogetherexceptionalfeatureofwhichconsistedinitsbeingonlyabouttenyardslong；itterminatedabruptlyateachend。

Afootpath，suddenlybeginningandsuddenlyending，comingfromnowhereandleadingnowhere，shehadneverseenbefore。

Yes，shehad，onsecondthoughts。Shehadseenexactlysuchapathtroddeninthefrontofbarracksbythesentry。

Andthisrecollectionexplainedtheoriginofthepathhere。Herfatherhadtroddenitbypacingupanddown，asshehadonceseenhimdoing。

Sittingonthehedgeasshesatnow，hereyescommandedaviewofbothsidesofit。Andafewminuteslater，Elfridelookedovertothemanorside。

Herewasanothersentrypath。Itwaslikethefirstinlength，anditbeganandendedexactlyoppositethebeginningandendingofitsneighbour，butitwasthinner，andlessdistinct。

Tworeasonsexistedforthedifference。Thisonemighthavebeentroddenbyasimilarweightoftreadtotheother，exercisedalessnumberoftimes；oritmighthavebeenwalkedjustasfrequently，butbylighterfeet。

ProbablyagentlemanfromScotland-yard，hadhebeenpassingatthetime，mighthaveconsideredthelatteralternativeasthemoreprobable。Elfridethoughtotherwise，sofarasshethoughtatall。ButherowngreatTo-Morrowwasnowimminent；allthoughtsinspiredbycasualsightsoftheeyewereonlyallowedtoexercisethemselvesininferiorcornersofherbrain，previouslytobeingbanishedaltogether。

Elfridewasatlengthcompelledtoreasonpracticallyuponherundertaking。Allherdefiniteperceptionsthereon，whentheemotionaccompanyingthemwasabstracted，amountedtonomorethanthese:

"Sayanhourandthree-quarterstoridetoSt。Launce"s。

"SayhalfanhourattheFalcontochangemydress。

"SaytwohourswaitingforsometrainandgettingtoPlymouth。

"Sayanhourtosparebeforetwelveo"clock。

"TotaltimefromleavingEndelstowtilltwelveo"clock，fivehours。

"ThereforeIshallhavetostartatseven。"

Nosurpriseorsenseofunwontednessenteredthemindsoftheservantsatherearlyride。Themonotonyoflifeweassociatewithpeopleofsmallincomesindistrictsoutofthesoundoftherailwaywhistle，hasoneexception，whichputsintoshadetheexperienceofdwellersaboutthegreatcentresofpopulation——thatis，intravelling。Everyjourneythereismoreorlessanadventure；adventuroushoursarenecessarilychosenforthemostcommonplaceouting。MissElfridehadtoleaveearly——thatwasall。

Elfrideneverwentoutonhorsebackbutshebroughthomesomething——somethingfound，orsomethingbought。Ifshetrottedtotownorvillage，herburdenwasbooks。Iftohills，woods，ortheseashore，itwaswonderfulmosses，abnormaltwigs，ahandkerchiefofwetshellsorseaweed。

Once，inmuddyweather，whenPansywaswalkingwithherdownthestreetofCastleBoterel，onafair-day，apacketinfrontofherandapacketunderherarm，anaccidentbefellthepackets，andtheyslippeddown。Ononesideofher，threevolumesoffictionlaykissingthemud；ontheothernumerousskeinsofpolychromaticwoolslayabsorbingit。Unpleasantwomensmiledthroughwindowsatthemishap，themenalllookedround，andaboy，whowasmindingaginger-breadstallwhilsttheownerhadgonetogetdrunk，laughedloudly。Theblueeyesturnedtosapphires，andthecheekscrimsonedwithvexation。

Afterthatmisadventureshesetherwitstowork，andwasingeniousenoughtoinventanarrangementofsmallstrapsaboutthesaddle，bywhichagreatdealcouldbesafelycarriedthereon，inasmallcompass。Hereshenowspreadoutandfastenedaplaindarkwalking-dressandafewothertriflesofapparel。Wormopenedthegateforher，andshevanishedaway。

Oneofthebrightestmorningsoflatesummershoneuponher。Theheatherwasatitspurplest，thefurzeatitsyellowest，thegrasshopperschirpedloudenoughforbirds，thesnakeshissedlikelittleengines，andElfrideatfirstfeltlively。SittingateaseuponPansy，inherorthodoxriding-habitandnondescripthat，shelookedwhatshefelt。Butthemercuryofthosedayshadatrickoffallingunexpectedly。First，onlyforoneminuteintenhadsheasenseofdepression。Thenalargecloud，thathadbeenhanginginthenorthlikeablackfleece，cameandplaceditselfbetweenherandthesun。Ithelpedonwhatwasalreadyinevitable，andshesankintoauniformityofsadness。

Sheturnedinthesaddleandlookedback。Theywerenowonanopentable-land，whosealtitudestillgaveheraviewoftheseabyEndelstow。Shelookedlonginglyatthatspot。

DuringthislittlerevulsionoffeelingPansyhadbeenstilladvancing，andElfridefeltitwouldbeabsurdtoturnherlittlemare"sheadtheotherway。"Still，"shethought，"ifIhadamammaathomeIWOULDgoback!"

Andmakingoneofthosestealthymovementsbywhichwomenlettheirheartsjugglewiththeirbrains，shedidputthehorse"sheadabout，asifunconsciously，andwentatahand-galloptowardshomeformorethanamile。Bythistime，fromtheinveteratehabitofvaluingwhatwehaverenounceddirectlythealternativeischosen，thethoughtofherforsakenStephenrecalledher，andsheturnedabout，andcanteredontoSt。Launce"sagain。

Thismiserablestrifeofthoughtnowbegantorageinallitswildness。Overwroughtandtrembling，shedroppedthereinuponPansy"sshoulders，andvowedshewouldbeledwhitherthehorsewouldtakeher。

Pansyslackenedherpacetoawalk，andwalkedonwithheragitatedburdenforthreeorfourminutes。Attheexpirationofthistimetheyhadcometoalittleby-wayontheright，leadingdownaslopetoapoolofwater。Theponystopped，lookedtowardsthepool，andthenadvancedandstoopedtodrink。

ElfridelookedatherwatchanddiscoveredthatifsheweregoingtoreachSt。Launce"searlyenoughtochangeherdressattheFalcon，andgetachanceofsomeearlytraintoPlymouth——therewereonlytwoavailable——itwasnecessarytoproceedatonce。

Shewasimpatient。ItseemedasifPansywouldneverstopdrinking；andthereposeofthepool，theidlemotionsoftheinsectsandfliesuponit，theplacidwavingoftheflags，theleaf-skeletons，likeGenoesefiligree，placidlysleepingatthebottom，bytheircontrastwithherownturmoilmadeherimpatiencegreater。

Pansydidturnatlast，andwentuptheslopeagaintothehigh-

road。Theponycameuponit，andstoodcross-wise，lookingupanddown。Elfride"sheartthrobbederratically，andshethought，"Horses，iflefttothemselves，makeforwheretheyarebestfed。

Pansywillgohome。"

PansyturnedandwalkedontowardsSt。Launce"sPansyathome，duringsummer，hadlittlebutgrasstoliveon。

AfteraruntoSt。Launce"sshealwayshadafeedofcorntosupportheronthereturnjourney。Therefore，beingnowmorethanhalfway，shepreferredSt。Launce"s。

ButElfridedidnotrememberthisnow。Allshecaredtorecognizewasadreamyfancythatto-day"srashactionwasnotherown。Shewasdisabledbyhermoods，anditseemedindispensabletoadheretotheprogramme。Sostrangelyinvolvedaremotivesthat，morethanbyherpromisetoStephen，moreeventhanbyherlove，shewasforcedonbyasenseofthenecessityofkeepingfaithwithherself，aspromisedintheinanevowoftenminutesago。

Shehesitatednolonger。Pansywent，likethesteedofAdonis，asifshetoldthesteps。PresentlythequaintgablesandjumbledroofsofSt。Launce"swerespreadbeneathher，andgoingdownthehillsheenteredthecourtyardoftheFalcon。Mrs。Buckle，thelandlady，cametothedoortomeether。

TheSwancourtswerewellknownhere。Thetransitionfromequestriantotheordinaryguiseofrailwaytravellershadbeenmorethanonceperformedbyfatheranddaughterinthisestablishment。

InlessthanaquarterofanhourElfrideemergedfromthedoorinherwalkingdress，andwenttotherailway。ShehadnottoldMrs。

Buckleanythingastoherintentions，andwassupposedtohavegoneoutshopping。

Anhourandfortyminuteslater，andshewasinStephen"sarmsatthePlymouthstation。Notupontheplatform——inthesecretretreatofadesertedwaiting-room。

Stephen"sfacebodedill。Hewaspaleanddespondent。

Whatisthematter？"sheasked。

"Wecannotbemarriedhereto-day，myElfie!Ioughttohaveknownitandstayedhere。InmyignoranceIdidnot。Ihavethelicence，butitcanonlybeusedinmyparishinLondon。Ionlycamedownlastnight，asyouknow。"

"Whatshallwedo？"shesaidblankly。

"There"sonlyonethingwecando，darling。"

"What"sthat？"

"GoontoLondonbyatrainjuststarting，andbemarriedthereto-morrow。"

"Passengersforthe11。5up-traintaketheirseats!"saidaguard"svoiceontheplatform。

"Willyougo，Elfride？"

"Iwill。"

Inthreeminutesthetrainhadmovedoff，bearingawaywithitStephenandElfride。

ChapterXII

"Adieu!shecries，andwavedherlilyhand。"

Thefewtatteredcloudsofthemorningenlargedandunited，thesunwithdrewbehindthemtoemergenomorethatday，andtheeveningdrewtoacloseindriftsofrain。Thewater-dropsbeatlikeduckshotagainstthewindowoftherailway-carriagecontainingStephenandElfride。

ThejourneyfromPlymouthtoPaddington，byeventhemostheadlongexpress，allowsquiteenoughleisureforpassionofanysorttocool。Elfride"sexcitementhadpassedoff，andshesatinakindofstuporduringthelatterhalfofthejourney。Shewasarousedbytheclangingofthemazeofrailsoverwhichtheytracedtheirwayattheentrancetothestation。

IsthisLondon？"shesaid。

"Yes，darling，"saidStepheninatoneofassurancehewasfarfromfeeling。Tohim，nolessthantoher，therealitysogreatlydifferedfromtheprefiguring。

Shepeeredoutaswellasthewindow，beadedwithdrops，wouldallowher，andsawonlythelamps，whichhadjustbeenlit，blinkinginthewetatmosphere，androwsofhideouszincchimney-

pipesindimreliefagainstthesky。Shewritheduneasily，aswhenathoughtisswellinginthemindwhichmustcausemuchpainatitsdeliveranceinwords。Elfridehadknownnomoreaboutthestingsofevilreportthanthenativewild-fowlknewoftheeffectsofCrusoe"sfirstshot。Nowshesawalittlefurther，andalittlefurtherstill。

Thetrainstopped。Stephenrelinquishedthesofthandhehadheldalltheday，andproceededtoassistherontotheplatform。

Thisactofalightinguponstrangegroundseemedallthatwaswantedtocompletearesolutionwithinher。

Shelookedatherbetrothedwithdespairingeyes。

"OStephen，"sheexclaimed，"Iamsomiserable!Imustgohomeagain——Imust——Imust!Forgivemywretchedvacillation。Idon"tlikeithere——normyself——noryou!"

Stephenlookedbewildered，anddidnotspeak。

"Willyouallowmetogohome？"sheimplored。"Iwon"ttroubleyoutogowithme。Iwillnotbeanyweightuponyou；onlysayyouwillagreetomyreturning；thatyouwillnothatemeforit，Stephen!ItisbetterthatIshouldreturnagain；indeeditis，Stephen。"

"Butwecan"treturnnow，"hesaidinadeprecatorytone。

"Imust!Iwill!"

"How？Whendoyouwanttogo？"

"Now。Canwegoatonce？"

Theladlookedhopelesslyalongtheplatform。

"Ifyoumustgo，andthinkitwrongtoremain，dearest，"saidhesadly，"youshall。Youshalldowhateveryoulike，myElfride。

Butwouldyouinrealityrathergonowthanstaytillto-morrow，andgoasmywife？"

"Yes，yes——much——anythingtogonow。Imust；Imust!"shecried。

"Weoughttohavedoneoneoftwothings，"heansweredgloomily。

"Nevertohavestarted，ornottohavereturnedwithoutbeingmarried。Idon"tliketosayit，Elfride——indeedIdon"t；butyoumustbetoldthis，thatgoingbackunmarriedmaycompromiseyourgoodnameintheeyesofpeoplewhomayhearofit。"

"Theywillnot；andImustgo。"

"OElfride!Iamtoblameforbringingyouaway。"

"Notatall。Iamtheelder。"

"Byamonth；andwhat"sthat？Butnevermindthatnow。"Helookedaround。"IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？"heinquiredofaguard。Theguardpassedonanddidnotspeak。

"IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？"saidElfridetoanother。

"Yes，miss；the8。10——leavesintenminutes。Youhavecometothewrongplatform；itistheotherside。ChangeatBristolintothenightmail。Downthatstaircase，andundertheline。"

Theyrandownthestaircase——Elfridefirst——tothebooking-office，andintoacarriagewithanofficialstandingbesidethedoor。

"Showyourtickets，please。"Theyarelockedin——menabouttheplatformacceleratetheirvelocitiestilltheyflyupanddownlikeshuttlesinaloom——awhistle——thewavingofaflag——ahumancry——asteamgroan——andawaytheygotoPlymouthagain，justcatchingthesewordsastheyglideoff:

"Thosetwoyoungstershadanearrunforit，andnomistake!"

Elfridefoundherbreath。

"Andhaveyoucometoo，Stephen？Whydidyou？"

"IshallnotleaveyoutillIseeyousafeatSt。Launce"s。DonotthinkworseofmethanIam，Elfride。"

Andthentheyrattledalongthroughthenight，backagainbythewaytheyhadcome。Theweathercleared，andthestarsshoneinuponthem。Theirtwoorthreefellow-passengerssatformostofthetimewithclosedeyes。Stephensometimesslept；Elfridealonewaswakefulandpalpitatinghourafterhour。

Thedaybegantobreak，andrevealedthattheywerebythesea。

Redrocksoverhungthem，and，recedingintodistance，grewlividinthebluegreyatmosphere。Thesunrose，andsentpenetratingshaftsoflightinupontheirwearyfaces。Anotherhour，andtheworldbegantobebusy。Theywaitedyetalittle，andthetrainslackeneditsspeedinviewoftheplatformatSt。Launce"s。

Sheshivered，andmusedsadly。

"Ididnotseealltheconsequences，"shesaid。"Appearancesarewofullyagainstme。Ifanybodyfindsmeout，Iam，Isuppose，disgraced。"

"Thenappearanceswillspeakfalsely；andhowcanthatmatter，eveniftheydo？Ishallbeyourhusbandsoonerorlater，forcertain，andsoproveyourpurity。"

"Stephen，onceinLondonIoughttohavemarriedyou，"shesaidfirmly。"Itwasmyonlysafedefence。IseemorethingsnowthanIdidyesterday。Myonlyremainingchanceisnottobediscovered；andthatwemustfightformostdesperately。"

Theysteppedout。Elfridepulledathickveiloverherface。

Awomanwithredandscalyeyelidsandglisteningeyeswassittingonabenchjustinsidetheoffice-door。ShefixedhereyesuponElfridewithanexpressionwhoseforceitwasimpossibletodoubt，butthemeaningofwhichwasnotclear；thenuponthecarriagetheyhadleft。Sheseemedtoreadasinisterstoryinthescene。

Elfrideshrankback，andturnedtheotherway。

"Whoisthatwoman？"saidStephen。"Shelookedhardatyou。"

"Mrs。Jethway——awidow，andmotherofthatyoungmanwhosetombwesatontheothernight。Stephen，sheismyenemy。WouldthatGodhadhadmercyenoughuponmetohavehiddenthisfromHER!"

"Donottalksohopelessly，"heremonstrated。"Idon"tthinksherecognizedus。"

"Ipraythatshedidnot。"

Heputonamorevigorousmood。

"Now，wewillgoandgetsomebreakfast。"

"No，no!"shebegged。"Icannoteat。IMUSTgetbacktoEndelstow。"

ElfridewasasifshehadgrownyearsolderthanStephennow。

"ButyouhavehadnothingsincelastnightbutthatcupofteaatBristol。"

"Ican"teat，Stephen。"

"Wineandbiscuit？"

"No。"

"Nortea，norcoffee？"

"No。"

"Aglassofwater？"

"No。Iwantsomethingthatmakespeoplestrongandenergeticforthepresent，thatborrowsthestrengthofto-morrowforuseto-

day——leavingto-morrowwithoutanyatallforthatmatter；oreventhatwouldtakealllifeawayto-morrow，solongasitenabledmetogethomeagainnow。Brandy，that"swhatIwant。Thatwoman"seyeshaveeatenmyheartaway!"

"Youarewild；andyougrieveme，darling。Mustitbebrandy？"

"Yes，ifyouplease。"

"Howmuch？"

"Idon"tknow。Ihaveneverdrunkmorethanateaspoonfulatonce。AllIknowisthatIwantit。Don"tgetitattheFalcon。"

Heleftherinthefields，andwenttothenearestinninthatdirection。Presentlyhereturnedwithasmallflasknearlyfull，andsomeslicesofbread-and-butter，thinaswafers，inapaper-

bag。Elfridetookasiportwo。

"Itgoesintomyeyes，"shesaidwearily。"Ican"ttakeanymore。

Yes，Iwill；Iwillclosemyeyes。Ah，itgoestothembyaninsideroute。Idon"twantit；throwitaway。"

However，shecouldeat，anddideat。HerchiefattentionwasconcentrateduponhowtogetthehorsefromtheFalconstableswithoutsuspicion。Stephenwasnotallowedtoaccompanyherintothetown。Sheactednowuponconclusionsreachedwithoutanyaidfromhim:hispoweroverherseemedtohavedeparted。

"Youhadbetternotbeseenwithme，evenherewhereIamsolittleknown。Wehavebegunstealthilyasthieves，andwemustendstealthilyasthieves，atallhazards。Untilpapahasbeentoldbymemyself，adiscoverywouldbeterrible。"

Walkingandgloomilytalkingthustheywaitedtillnearlynineo"clock，atwhichtimeElfridethoughtshemightcallattheFalconwithoutcreatingmuchsurprise。Behindtherailway-stationwastheriver，spannedbyanoldTudorbridge，whencetheroaddivergedintwodirections，oneskirtingthesuburbsofthetown，andwindingroundagainintothehigh-roadtoEndelstow。BesidethisroadStephensat，andawaitedherreturnfromtheFalcon。

Hesatasonesittingforaportrait，motionless，watchingthechequeredlightsandshadesonthetree-trunks，thechildrenplayingoppositetheschoolprevioustoenteringforthemorninglesson，thereapersinafieldafaroff。Thecertaintyofpossessionhadnotcome，andtherewasnothingtomitigatetheyouth"sgloom，thatincreasedwiththethoughtofthepartingnowsonear。

Atlengthshecametrottingroundtohim，inappearancemuchasontheromanticmorningoftheirvisittothecliff，butshornoftheradiancewhichglistenedaboutherthen。However，hercomparativeimmunityfromfurtherriskandtroublehadconsiderablycomposedher。Elfride"scapacityforbeingwoundedwasonlysurpassedbyhercapacityforhealing，whichrightlyorwronglyisbysomeconsideredanindexoftransientnessoffeelingingeneral。

"Elfride，whatdidtheysayattheFalcon？"

"Nothing。Nobodyseemedcuriousaboutme。TheyknewIwenttoPlymouth，andIhavestayedthereanightnowandthenwithMissBicknell。Irathercalculateduponthat。"

Andnowpartingaroselikeadeathtothesechildren，foritwasimperativethatsheshouldstartatonce。Stephenwalkedbesideherfornearlyamile。Duringthewalkhesaidsadly:

"Elfride，four-and-twentyhourshavepassed，andthethingisnotdone。"

"Butyouhaveinsuredthatitshallbedone。"

"HowhaveI？"

"OStephen，youaskhow!DoyouthinkIcouldmarryanothermanonearthafterhavinggonethusfarwithyou？HaveInotshownbeyondpossibilityofdoubtthatIcanbenobodyelse"s？HaveInotirretrievablycommittedmyself？——pridehasstoodfornothinginthefaceofmygreatlove。Youmisunderstoodmyturningback，andIcannotexplainit。Itwaswrongtogowithyouatall；andthoughitwouldhavebeenworsetogofurther，itwouldhavebeenbetterpolicy，perhaps。Beassuredofthis，thatwheneveryouhaveahomeforme——howeverpoorandhumble——andcomeandclaimme，Iamready。"Sheaddedbitterly，"Whenmyfatherknowsofthisday"swork，hemaybeonlytoogladtoletmego。"

"Perhapshemay，then，insistuponourmarriageatonce!"Stephenanswered，seeingarayofhopeintheveryfocusofherremorse。

"Ihopehemay，evenifwehadstilltoparttillIamreadyforyou，asweintended。"

Elfridedidnotreply。

"Youdon"tseemthesamewoman，Elfie，thatyouwereyesterday。"

"NoramI。Butgood-bye。Gobacknow。"Andshereinedthehorseforparting。"OStephen，"shecried，"Ifeelsoweak!Idon"tknowhowtomeethim。Cannotyou，afterall，comebackwithme？"

"ShallIcome？"

Elfridepausedtothink。

"No；itwillnotdo。Itismyutterfoolishnessthatmakesmesaysuchwords。Buthewillsendforyou。"

"Saytohim，"continuedStephen，"thatwedidthisintheabsolutedespairofourminds。Tellhimwedon"twishhimtofavourus——

onlytodealjustlywithus。Ifhesays，marrynow，somuchthebetter。Ifnot，saythatallmaybeputrightbyhispromisetoallowmetohaveyouwhenIamgoodenoughforyou——whichmaybesoon。SayIhavenothingtoofferhiminexchangeforhistreasure——themoresorryI；butallthelove，andallthelife，andallthelabourofanhonestmanshallbeyours。Astowhenthishadbetterbetold，Ileaveyoutojudge。"

Hiswordsmadehercheerfulenoughtotoywithherposition。

"Andifillreportshouldcome，Stephen，"shesaidsmiling，"why，theorange-treemustsaveme，asitsavedvirginsinSt。George"stimefromthepoisonousbreathofthedragon。There，forgivemeforforwardness:Iamgoing。"

Thentheboyandgirlbeguiledthemselveswithwordsofhalf-

partingonly。

"Ownwifie，Godblessyoutillwemeetagain!"

"Tillwemeetagain，good-bye!"

Andtheponywenton，andshespoketohimnomore。Hesawherfigurediminishandherblueveilgrowgray——sawitwiththeagonizingsensationsofaslowdeath。

Afterthuspartingfromamanthanwhomshehadknownnonegreaterasyet，Elfrideroderapidlyonwards，atearbeingoccasionallyshakenfromhereyesintotheroad。Whatyesterdayhadseemedsodesirable，sopromising，eventrifling，hadnowacquiredthecomplexionofatragedy。

ShesawtherocksandseaintheneighbourhoodofEndelstow，andheavedasighofreliefWhenshepassedafieldbehindthevicaragesheheardthevoicesofUnityandWilliamWorm。Theywerehangingacarpetuponaline。Unitywasutteringasentencethatconcludedwith"whenMissElfridecomes。"

"Whend"yeexpecther？"

"Nottilleveningnow。She"ssafeenoughatMissBicknell"s，blessye。"

Elfridewentroundtothedoor。Shedidnotknockorring；andseeingnobodytotakethehorse，Elfrideledherroundtotheyard，slippedoffthebridleandsaddle，drovehertowardsthepaddock，andturnedherin。ThenElfridecreptindoors，andlookedintoalltheground-floorrooms。Herfatherwasnotthere。

Onthemantelpieceofthedrawing-roomstoodaletteraddressedtoherinhishandwriting。Shetookitandreaditasshewentupstairstochangeherhabit。

STRATLEIGH，Thursday。

"DEARELFRIDE，——OnsecondthoughtsIwillnotreturnto-day，butonlycomeasfarasWadcombe。Ishallbeathomebyto-morrowafternoon，andbringafriendwithme——Yours，inhaste，C。S。"

Aftermakingaquicktoiletshefeltmorerevived，thoughstillsufferingfromaheadache。OngoingoutofthedoorshemetUnityatthetopofthestair。

"OMissElfride!Isaidtomyself"tishersperrit!Wedidn"tdreamo"younotcominghomelastnight。Youdidn"tsayanythingaboutstaying。"

"Iintendedtocomehomethesameevening，butalteredmyplan。I

wishedIhadn"tafterwards。Papawillbeangry，Isuppose？"

"Betternottellhim，miss，"saidUnity。

"Idofearto，"shemurmured。"Unity，wouldyoujustbegintellinghimwhenhecomeshome？"