第11章

"IamintendingtocrosstoCorkfromBristol，"returnedKnight；

"andthenIgoontoDublin。"

"Returnthisway，andstayalittlelongerwithus，"saidthevicar。"Aweekisnothing。Wehavehardlybeenabletorealizeyourpresenceyet。Irememberastorywhich——"

Thevicarsuddenlystopped。HehadforgottenitwasSunday，andwouldprobablyhavegoneoninhisweek-daymodeofthoughthadnotaturninthebreezeblowntheskirtofhiscollegegownwithintherangeofhisvision，andsoremindedhim。Heatoncedivertedthecurrentofhisnarrativewiththedexteritytheoccasiondemanded。

"ThestoryoftheLevitewhojourneyedtoBethlehem-judah，fromwhichItookmytexttheSundaybeforelast，isquitetothepoint，"hecontinued，withthepronunciationofamanwho，farfromhavingintendedtotellaweek-daystoryamomentearlier，hadthoughtofnothingbutSabbathmattersforseveralweeks。

"Whatdidhegainafterallbyhisrestlessness？HadheremainedinthecityoftheJebusites，andnotbeensoanxiousforGibeah，noneofhistroubleswouldhavearisen。"

"Buthehadwastedfivedaysalready，"saidKnight，closinghiseyestothevicar"scommendablediversion。"Hisfaultlayinbeginningthetarryingsystemoriginally。"

"True，true；myillustrationfails。"

"Butnotthehospitalitywhichpromptedthestory。"

"Soyouaretocomejustthesame，"urgedMrs。Swancourt，forshehadseenanalmostimperceptiblefallofcountenanceinherstepdaughteratKnight"sannouncement。

Knighthalfpromisedtocallonhisreturnjourney；buttheuncertaintywithwhichhespokewasquiteenoughtofillElfridewitharegretfulinterestinallhedidduringthefewremaininghours。Thecuratehavingalreadyofficiatedtwicethatdayinthetwochurches，Mr。Swancourthadundertakenthewholeoftheeveningservice，andKnightreadthelessonsforhim。Thesunstreamedacrossfromthedilapidatedwestwindow，andlightedalltheassembledworshipperswithagoldenglow，Knightashereadbeingilluminatedbythesamemellowlustre。Elfrideattheorganregardedhimwithathrobbingsadnessofmoodwhichwasfedbyasenseofbeingfarremovedfromhissphere。Ashewentdeliberatelythroughthechapterappointed——aportionofthehistoryofElijah——andascendedthatmagnificentclimaxofthewind，theearthquake，thefire，andthestillsmallvoice，hisdeeptonesechoedpastwithsuchapparentdisregardofherexistence，thathispresenceinspiredherwithaforlornsenseofunapproachableness，whichhisabsencewouldhardlyhavebeenabletocause。

Atthesametime，turningherfaceforamomenttocatchthegloryofthedyingsunasitfellonhisform，hereyeswerearrestedbytheshapeandaspectofawomaninthewestgallery。ItwasthebleakbarrencountenanceofthewidowJethway，whomElfridehadnotseenmuchofsincethemorningofherreturnwithStephenSmith。Possessingthesmallestofcompetencies，thisunhappywomanappearedtospendherlifeinjourneyingsbetweenEndelstowChurchyardandthatofavillagenearSouthampton，whereherfatherandmotherwerelaid。

Shehadnotattendedtheservicehereforaconsiderabletime，andshenowseemedtohaveareasonforherchoiceofseat。Fromthegallerywindowthetombofhersonwasplainlyvisible——standingasthenearestobjectinaprospectwhichwasclosedoutwardlybythechangelesshorizonofthesea。

Thestreamingrays，too，floodedherface，nowbenttowardsElfridewithahardandbitterexpressionthatthesolemnityoftheplaceraisedtoatragicdignityitdidnotintrinsicallypossess。Thegirlresumedhernormalattitudewithanaddeddisquiet。

Elfride"semotionwascumulative，andafterawhilewouldassertitselfonasudden。Aslighttouchwasenoughtosetitfree——apoem，asunset，acunninglycontrivedchordofmusic，avagueimagining，beingtheusualaccidentsofitsexhibition。ThelongingforKnight"srespect，whichwasleadinguptoanincipientyearningforhislove，madethepresentconjunctureasufficientone。Whilstkneelingdownprevioustoleaving，whenthesunnystreakshadgoneupwardtotheroof，andthelowerpartofthechurchwasinsoftshadow，shecouldnothelpthinkingofColeridge"smorbidpoem"TheThreeGraves，"andshudderingasshewonderedifMrs。Jethwaywerecursingher，sheweptasifherheartwouldbreak。

Theycameoutofchurchjustasthesunwentdown，leavingthelandscapelikeaplatformfromwhichaneloquentspeakerhasretired，andnothingremainsfortheaudiencetodobuttoriseandgohome。Mr。andMrs。Swancourtwentoffinthecarriage，KnightandElfridepreferringtowalk，astheskilfuloldmatchmakerhadimagined。Theydescendedthehilltogether。

"Ilikedyourreading，Mr。Knight，"Elfridepresentlyfoundherselfsaying。"Youreadbetterthanpapa。"

"Iwillpraiseanybodythatwillpraiseme。Youplayedexcellently，MissSwancourt，andverycorrectly。"

"Correctly——yes。"

"Itmustbeagreatpleasuretoyoutotakeanactivepartintheservice。"

"Iwanttobeabletoplaywithmorefeeling。ButIhavenotagoodselectionofmusic，sacredorsecular。IwishIhadanicelittlemusic-library——wellchosen，andthattheonlynewpiecessentmewerethoseofgenuinemerit。"

"Iamgladtohearsuchawishfromyou。Itisextraordinaryhowmanywomenhavenohonestloveofmusicasanendandnotasameans，evenleavingoutthosewhohavenothinginthem。Theymostlylikeitforitsaccessories。IhavenevermetawomanwholovesmusicasdotenoradozenmenIknow。"

"Howwouldyoudrawthelinebetweenwomenwithsomethingandwomenwithnothinginthem？"

"Well，"saidKnight，reflectingamoment，"Imeanbynothinginthemthosewhodon"tcareaboutanythingsolid。Thisisaninstance:Iknewamanwhohadayoungfriendinwhomhewasmuchinterested；infact，theyweregoingtobemarried。Shewasseeminglypoetical，andheofferedherachoiceoftwoeditionsoftheBritishpoets，whichshepretendedtowantbadly。Hesaid，"Whichofthemwouldyoulikebestformetosend？"Shesaid，"A

pairoftheprettiestearringsinBondStreet，ifyoudon"tmind，wouldbenicerthaneither。”NowIcallheragirlwithnotmuchinherbutvanity；andsodoyou，Idaresay。"

"Ohyes，"repliedElfridewithaneffort。

Happeningtocatchaglimpseofherfaceasshewasspeaking，andnoticingthatherattemptatheartinesswasamiserablefailure，heappearedtohavemisgivings。

"You，MissSwancourt，wouldnot，undersuchcircumstances，havepreferredthenicknacks？"

"No，Idon"tthinkIshould，indeed，"shestammered。

"I"llputittoyou，"saidtheinflexibleKnight。"Whichwillyouhaveofthesetwothingsofaboutequalvalue——thewell-chosenlittlelibraryofthebestmusicyouspokeof——boundinmorocco，walnutcase，lockandkey——orapairoftheveryprettiestearringsinBondStreetwindows？"

"Ofcoursethemusic，"Elfriderepliedwithforcedearnestness。

"Youarequitecertain？"hesaidemphatically。

"Quite，"shefaltered；"ifIcouldforcertainbuytheearringsafterwards。"

Knight，somewhatblamably，keenlyenjoyedsparringwiththepalpitatingmobilecreature，whoseexcitablenaturemadeanysuchthingaspeciesofcruelty。

Helookedatherratheroddly，andsaid，"Fie!"

"Forgiveme，"shesaid，laughingalittle，alittlefrightened，andblushingverydeeply。

"Ah，MissElfie，whydidn"tyousayatfirst，asanyfirmwomanwouldhavesaid，Iamasbadasshe，andshallchoosethesame？"

"Idon"tknow，"saidElfridewofully，andwithadistressfulsmile。

"Ithoughtyouwereexceptionallymusical？"

"SoIam，Ithink。Butthetestissosevere——quitepainful。"

"Idon"tunderstand。"

"Musicdoesn"tdoanyrealgood，orrather——"

"ThatISathingtosay，MissSwancourt!Why，what——"

"Youdon"tunderstand!youdon"tunderstand!"

"Why，whatconceivableuseisthereinjimcrackjewellery？"

"No，no，no，no!"shecriedpetulantly；"Ididn"tmeanwhatyouthink。Ilikethemusicbest，onlyIlike——"

"Earringsbetter——ownit!"hesaidinateasingtone。"Well，I

thinkIshouldhavehadthemoralcouragetoownitatonce，withoutpretendingtoanelevationIcouldnotreach。"

LiketheFrenchsoldiery，Elfridewasnotbravewhenonthedefensive。Soitwasalmostwithtearsinhereyesthatsheanswereddesperately:

"Mymeaningis，thatIlikeearringsbestjustnow，becauseIlostoneofmyprettiestpairlastyear，andpapasaidhewouldnotbuyanymore，orallowmetomyself，becauseIwascareless；andnowI

wishIhadsomelikethem——that"swhatmymeaningis——indeeditis，Mr。Knight。"

"IamafraidIhavebeenveryharshandrude，"saidKnight，withalookofregretatseeinghowdisturbedshewas。"Butseriously，ifwomenonlyknewhowtheyruintheirgoodlooksbysuchappurtenances，Iamsuretheywouldneverwantthem。"

"Theywerelovely，andbecamemeso!"

"Notiftheywereliketheordinaryhideousthingswomenstufftheirearswithnowadays——likethegovernorofasteam-engine，orapairofscales，orgoldgibbetsandchains，andartists"

palettes，andcompensationpendulums，andHeavenknowswhatbesides。"

"No；theywerenotoneofthosethings。Sopretty——likethis，"

shesaidwitheageranimation。Andshedrewwiththepointofherparasolanenlargedviewofoneofthelamenteddarlings，toascalethatwouldhavesuitedagiantesshalf-a-milehigh。

"Yes，verypretty——very，"saidKnightdryly。"Howdidyoucometolosesuchapreciouspairofarticles？"

"Ionlylostone——nobodyeverlosesbothatthesametime。"

Shemadethisremarkwithembarrassment，andanervousmovementofthefingers。SeeingthatthelossoccurredwhilstStephenSmithwasattemptingtokissherforthefirsttimeonthecliff，herconfusionwashardlytobewonderedat。Thequestionhadbeenawkward，andreceivednodirectanswer。

Knightseemednottonoticehermanner。

"Oh，nobodyeverlosesboth——Isee。Andcertainlythefactthatitwasacaseoflosstakesawayallodourofvanityfromyourchoice。"

"AsIneverknowwhetheryouareinearnest，Idon"tnow，"shesaid，lookingupinquiringlyatthehairyfaceoftheoracle。Andcominggallantlytoherownrescue，"IfIreallyseemvain，itisthatIamonlyvaininmyways——notinmyheart。Theworstwomenarethosevainintheirhearts，andnotintheirways。"

"Anadroitdistinction。Well，theyarecertainlythemoreobjectionableofthetwo，"saidKnight。

"Isvanityamortaloravenialsin？Youknowwhatlifeis:tellme。"

"Iamveryfarfromknowingwhatlifeis。Ajustconceptionoflifeistoolargeathingtograspduringtheshortintervalofpassingthroughit。"

"Willthefactofawomanbeingfondofjewellerybelikelytomakeherlife，initshighersense，afailure？"

"Nobody"slifeisaltogetherafailure。"

"Well，youknowwhatImean，eventhoughmywordsarebadlyselectedandcommonplace，"shesaidimpatiently。"BecauseIuttercommonplacewords，youmustnotsupposeIthinkonlycommonplacethoughts。MypoorstockofwordsarelikealimitednumberofroughmouldsIhavetocastallmymaterialsin，goodandbad；andthenoveltyordelicacyofthesubstanceisoftenlostinthecoarsetritenessoftheform。"

"Verywell；I"llbelievethatingeniousrepresentation。Astothesubjectinhand——liveswhicharefailures——youneednottroubleyourself。Anybody"slifemaybejustasromanticandstrangeandinterestingifheorshefailsasifheorshesucceed。Allthedifferenceis，thatthelastchapteriswantinginthestory。Ifamanofpowertriestodoagreatdeed，andjustfallsshortofitbyanaccidentnothisfault，uptothattimehishistoryhadasmuchinitasthatofagreatmanwhohasdonehisgreatdeed。

Itiswhimsicaloftheworldtoholdthatparticularsofhowaladwenttoschoolandsoonshouldbeasaninterestingromanceorasnothingtothem，preciselyinproportiontohisafterrenown。"

Theywerewalkingbetweenthesunsetandthemoonrise。Withthedroppingofthesunanearlyfullmoonhadbeguntoraiseitself。

Theirshadows，ascastbythewesternglare，showedsignsofbecomingobliteratedintheinterestofarivalpairintheoppositedirectionwhichthemoonwasbringingtodistinctness。

"Iconsidermylifetosomeextentafailure，"saidKnightagainafterapause，duringwhichhehadnoticedtheantagonisticshadows。

"You!How？"

"Idon"tpreciselyknow。ButinsomewayIhavemissedthemark。"

"Really？Tohavedoneitisnotmuchtobesadabout，buttofeelthatyouhavedoneitmustbeacauseofsorrow。AmIright？"

"Partly，thoughnotquite。Forasensationofbeingprofoundlyexperiencedservesasasortofconsolationtopeoplewhoareconsciousofhavingtakenwrongturnings。Contradictoryasitseems，thereisnothingtruerthanthatpeoplewhohavealwaysgonerightdon"tknowhalfasmuchaboutthenatureandwaysofgoingrightasthosedowhohavegonewrong。However，itisnotdesirableformetochillyoursummer-timebygoingintothis。"

"YouhavenottoldmeevennowifIamreallyvain。"

"IfIsayYes，Ishalloffendyou；ifIsayNo，you"llthinkI

don"tmeanit，"hereplied，lookingcuriouslyintoherface。

"Ah，well，"shereplied，withalittlebreathofdistress，""Thatwhichisexceedingdeep，whowillfinditout？"IsupposeImusttakeyouasIdotheBible——findoutandunderstandallIcan；andonthestrengthofthat，swallowtherestinalump，bysimplefaith。Thinkmevain，ifyouwill。Worldlygreatnessrequiressomuchlittlenesstogrowupin，thataninfirmitymoreorlessisnotamatterforregret。"

"Asregardswomen，Ican"tsay，"answeredKnightcarelessly；"butitiswithoutdoubtamisfortuneforamanwhohasalivingtoget，tobebornofatrulynoblenature。Ahighsoulwillbringamantotheworkhouse；soyoumayberightinstickingupforvanity。"

"No，no，Idon"tdothat，"shesaidregretfully。

Mr。Knight，whenyouaregone，willyousendmesomethingyouhavewritten？IthinkIshouldliketoseewhetheryouwriteasyouhavelatelyspoken，orinyourbettermood。Whichisyourtrueself——thecynicyouhavebeenthisevening，orthenicephilosopheryouwereuptoto-night？"

"Ah，which？YouknowaswellasI。"

Theirconversationdetainedthemonthelawnandintheporticotillthestarsblinkedout。Elfrideflungbackherhead，andsaididly——

"There"sabrightstarexactlyoverme。"

"Eachbrightstarisoverheadsomewhere。"

"Isit？Ohyes，ofcourse。Whereisthatone？"andshepointedwithherfinger。

"ThatispoisedlikeawhitehawkoveroneoftheCapeVerdeIslands。"

"Andthat？"

"LookingdownuponthesourceoftheNile。"

"Andthatlonelyquiet-lookingone？"

"HewatchestheNorthPole，andhasnolessthanthewholeequatorforhishorizon。Andthatidleonelowdownupontheground，thatwehavealmostrolledawayfrom，isinIndia——overtheheadofayoungfriendofmine，whoverypossiblylooksatthestarinourzenith，asithangslowuponhishorizon，andthinksofitasmarkingwherehistruelovedwells。"

ElfrideglancedatKnightwithmisgiving。Didhemeanher？Shecouldnotseehisfeatures；buthisattitudeseemedtoshowunconsciousness。

"ThestarisoverMYhead，"shesaidwithhesitation。

"Oranybodyelse"sinEngland。"

"Ohyes，Isee:"shebreathedherrelief。

"Hisparents，Ibelieve，arenativesofthiscounty。Idon"tknowthem，thoughIhavebeenincorrespondencewithhimformanyyearstilllately。Fortunatelyorunfortunatelyforhimhefellinlove，andthenwenttoBombay。SincethattimeIhaveheardverylittleofhim。"

Knightwentnofurtherinhisvolunteeredstatement，andthoughElfrideatonemomentwasinclinedtoprofitbythelessonsinhonestyhehadjustbeengivingher，thefleshwasweak，andtheintentiondispersedintosilence。ThereseemedareproachinKnight"sblindwords，andyetshewasnotabletoclearlydefineanydisloyaltythatshehadbeenguiltyof。

ChapterXX

"Adistantdearnessinthehill。"

KnightturnedhisbackupontheparishofEndelstow，andcrossedovertoCork。

Onedayofabsencesuperimposeditselfonanother，andproportionatelyweightedhisheart。HepushedontotheLakesofKillarney，rambledamidtheirluxuriantwoods，surveyedtheinfinitevarietyofisland，hill，anddaletheretobefound，listenedtothemarvellousechoesofthatromanticspot；butaltogethermissedthegloryandthedreamheformerlyfoundinsuchfavouredregions。

WhilstinthecompanyofElfride，hergirlishpresencehadnotperceptiblyaffectedhimtoanydepth。Hehadnotbeenconsciousthatherentryintohisspherehadaddedanythingtohimself；butnowthatshewastakenawayhewasveryconsciousofagreatdealbeingabstracted。Thesuperfluityhadbecomeanecessity，andKnightwasinlove。

StephenfellinlovewithElfridebylookingather:Knightbyceasingtodoso。Whenorhowthespiritenteredintohimheknewnot:certainhewasthatwhenonthepointofleavingEndelstowhehadfeltnoneofthatexquisitenicetyofpoignantsadnessnaturaltosuchseverances，seeinghowdelightfulasubjectofcontemplationElfridehadbeeneversince。Hadhebeguntoloveherwhenshemethiseyeafterhermishaponthetower？Hehadsimplythoughtherweak。Hadhegrowntoloveherwhilststandingonthelawnbrightenedalloverbytheeveningsun？Hehadthoughthercomplexiongood:nomore。Wasitherconversationthathadsowntheseed？Hehadthoughtherwordsingenious，andverycreditabletoayoungwoman，butnotnoteworthy。Hadthechess-

playinganythingtodowithit？Certainlynot:hehadthoughtheratthattimearatherconceitedchild。

Knight"sexperiencewasacompletedisproofoftheassumptionthatlovealwayscomesbyglancesoftheeyeandsympathetictouchesofthefingers:that，likeflame，itmakesitselfpalpableatthemomentofgeneration。Nottilltheywereparted，andshehadbecomesublimatedinhismemory，couldhebesaidtohaveevenattentivelyregardedher。

Thus，havingpassivelygatheredupimagesofherwhichhisminddidnotactupontillthecauseofthemwasnolongerbeforehim，heappearedtohimselftohavefalleninlovewithhersoul，whichhadtemporarilyassumeditsdisembodimenttoaccompanyhimonhisway。

Shebegantorulehimsoimperiouslynowthat，accustomedtoanalysis，healmosttrembledatthepossibleresultoftheintroductionofthisnewforceamongthenicelyadjustedonesofhisordinarylife。Hebecamerestless:thenheforgotallcollateralsubjectsinthepleasureofthinkingabouther。

YetitmustbesaidthatKnightlovedphilosophicallyratherthanwithromance。

Hethoughtofhermannertowardshim。Simplicityvergesoncoquetry。Wassheflirting？hesaidtohimself。Noforcibletranslationoffavourintosuspicionwasabletoupholdsuchatheory。Theperformancehadbeentoowelldonetobeanythingbutreal。Ithadthedefectswithoutwhichnothingisgenuine。Noactressoftwentyyears"standing，nobald-neckedladywhoseearliestseason"out"waslostinthediscreetmistofevasivetalk，couldhaveplayedbeforehimthepartofingenuousgirlasElfridelivedit。Shehadthelittleartfulwayswhichpartlymakeupingenuousness。

Therearebachelorsbynatureandbachelorsbycircumstance:

spinsterstheredoubtlessarealsoofbothkinds，thoughsomethinkonlythoseofthelatter。However，Knighthadbeenlookeduponasabachelorbynature。Whatwashecomingto？Itwasveryoddtohimselftolookathistheoriesonthesubjectoflove，andreadingthemnowbythefulllightofanewexperience，toseehowmuchmorehissentencesmeantthanhehadfeltthemtomeanwhentheywerewritten。Peopleoftendiscovertherealforceofatriteoldmaximonlywhenitisthrustuponthembyachanceadventure；butKnighthadneverbeforeknownthecaseofamanwholearntthefullcompassofhisownepigramsbysuchmeans。

Hewasintenselysatisfiedwithoneaspectoftheaffair。Inbredinhimwasaninvincibleobjectiontobeanybutthefirstcomerinawoman"sheart。Hehaddiscoveredwithinhimselftheconditionthatifeverhedidmakeuphismindtomarry，itmustbeonthecertaintythatnocroppingoutofinconvenientoldletters，nobowandblushtoamysteriousstrangercasuallymet，shouldbeapossiblesourceofdiscomposure。Knight"ssentimentswereonlytheordinaryonesofamanofhisagewholovesgenuinely，perhapsexaggeratedalittlebyhispursuits。Whenmenfirstloveaslads，itiswiththeverycentreoftheirhearts，nothingelsebeingconcernedintheoperation。Withaddedyears，moreofthefacultiesattemptapartnershipinthepassion，tillatKnight"sagetheunderstandingisfaintohaveahandinit。

Itmayaswellbeleftout。Amaninlovesettinguphisbrainsasagaugeofhispositionisasonedeterminingaship"slongitudefromalightatthemast-head。

KnightarguedfromElfride"sunwontednessofmanner，whichwasmatteroffact，toanunwontednessinlove，whichwasmatterofinferenceonly。Increduleslespluscredules。"Elfride，"hesaid，"hadhardlylookeduponamantillshesawme。"

Hehadneverforgottenhisseveritytoherbecauseshepreferredornamenttoedification，andhadsinceexcusedherahundredtimesbythinkinghownaturaltowomankindwasaloveofadornment，andhownecessarybecameamildinfusionofpersonalvanitytocompletethedelicateandfascinatingdyeofthefemininemind。

Soattheendoftheweek"sabsence，whichhadbroughthimasfarasDublin，heresolvedtocurtailhistour，returntoEndelstow，andcommithimselfbymakingarealityofthehypotheticalofferofthatSundayevening。

Notwithstandingthathehadconcoctedagreatdealofpapertheoryonsocialamenitiesandmodernmannersgenerally，thespecialounceofpracticewaswanting，andnowforhislifeKnightcouldnotrecollectwhetheritwasconsideredcorrecttogiveayoungladypersonalornamentsbeforearegularengagementtomarryhadbeeninitiated。ButthedaybeforeleavingDublinhelookedaroundanxiouslyforahigh-classjewelleryestablishment，inwhichhepurchasedwhatheconsideredwouldsuitherbest。

Itwaswithamostawkwardandunwontedfeelingthatafterenteringandclosingthedoorofhisroomhesatdown，openedthemoroccocase，andheldupeachofthefragilebitsofgold-workbeforehiseyes。Manythingshadbecomeoldtothesolitarymanofletters，butthesewerenew，andhehandledlikeachildanoutcomeofcivilizationwhichhadneverbeforebeentouchedbyhisfingers。Asuddenfastidiousdecisionthatthepatternchosenwouldnotsuitherafterallcausedhimtoriseinaflurryandteardownthestreettochangethemforothers。Afteragreatdealoftroubleinreselecting，duringwhichhismindbecamesobewilderedthatthecriticalfacultyonobjectsofartseemedtohavevacatedhispersonaltogether，Knightcarriedoffanotherpairofear-rings。Theseremainedinhispossessiontilltheafternoon，when，aftercontemplatingthemfiftytimeswithagrowingmisgivingthatthelastchoicewasworsethanthefirst，hefeltthatnosleepwouldvisithispillowtillhehadimproveduponhispreviouspurchasesyetagain。Inaperfectheatofvexationwithhimselfforsuchtergiversation，hewentanewtotheshop-door，wasabsolutelyashamedtoenterandgivefurthertrouble，wenttoanothershop，boughtapairatanenormouslyincreasedprice，becausetheyseemedtheverything，askedthegoldsmithsiftheywouldtaketheotherpairinexchange，wastoldthattheycouldnotexchangearticlesboughtofanothermaker，paiddownthemoney，andwentoffwiththetwopairsinhispossession，wonderingwhatonearthtodowiththesuperfluouspair。Healmostwishedhecouldlosethem，orthatsomebodywouldstealthem，andwasburdenedwithaninterposingsensethat，asacapableman，withtrueideasofeconomy，hemustnecessarilysellthemsomewhere，whichhedidatlastforameresong。Mingledwithablankfeelingofawholedaybeinglosttohiminrunningaboutthecityonthisnewandextraordinaryclassoferrand，andofseveralpoundsbeinglostthroughhisbungling，wasaslightsenseofsatisfactionthathehademergedforeverfromhisantediluvianignoranceonthesubjectofladies"jewellery，aswellassecuredatrulyartisticproductionatlast。Duringtheremainderofthatdayhescannedtheornamentsofeveryladyhemetwiththeprofoundlyexperiencedeyeofanappraiser。

NextmorningKnightwasagaincrossingSt。George"sChannel——notreturningtoLondonbytheHolyheadrouteashehadoriginallyintended，buttowardsBristol——availinghimselfofMr。andMrs。

Swancourt"sinvitationtorevisitthemonhishomewardjourney。

WeflitforwardtoElfride。

Woman"srulingpassion——tofascinateandinfluencethosemorepowerfulthanshe——thoughoperantinElfride，wasdecidedlypurposeless。ShehadwantedherfriendKnight"sgoodopinionfromthefirst:howmuchmorethanthatelementaryingredientoffriendshipshenowdesired，herfearswouldhardlyallowhertothink。Inoriginallywishingtopleasethehighestclassofmanshehadeverintimatelyknown，therewasnodisloyaltytoStephenSmith。Shecouldnot——andfewwomencan——realizethepossiblevastnessofanissuewhichhasonlyaninsignificantbegetting。

HerlettersfromStephenwerenecessarilyfew，andhersenseoffidelityclungtothelastshehadreceivedasawreckedmarinerclingstoflotsam。TheyounggirlpersuadedherselfthatshewasgladStephenhadsucharighttoherhandashehadacquired(inhereyes)bytheelopement。Shebeguiledherselfbysaying，"PerhapsifIhadnotsocommittedmyselfImightfallinlovewithMr。Knight。"

AllthismadetheweekofKnight"sabsenceverygloomyanddistastefultoher。SheretainedStepheninherprayers，andhisoldletterswerere-read——asamedicineinreality，thoughshedeceivedherselfintothebeliefthatitwasasapleasure。

Theselettershadgrownmoreandmorehopeful。Hetoldherthathefinishedhisworkeverydaywithapleasantconsciousnessofhavingremovedonemorestonefromthebarrierwhichdividedthem。

Thenhedrewimagesofwhatafinefiguretheytwowouldcutsomeday。Peoplewouldturntheirheadsandsay，"Whataprizehehaswon!"Shewasnottobesadaboutthatwildrunawayattemptoftheirs(Elfridehadrepeatedlysaidthatitgrievedher)。

Whateveranyotherpersonwhoknewofitmightthink，heknewwellenoughthemodestyofhernature。TheonlyreproachwasagentleonefornothavingwrittenquitesodevotedlyduringhervisittoLondon。Herletterhadseemedtohavealivelinessderivedfromotherthoughtsthanthoughtsofhim。

Knight"sintentionofanearlyreturntoEndelstowhavingoriginallybeenfaint，hispromisetodosohadbeenfainter。Hewasamanwhokepthiswordswelltotherearofhispossibleactions。Thevicarwasrathersurprisedtoseehimagainsosoon:

Mrs。Swancourtwasnot。Knightfound，onmeetingthemall，afterhisarrivalhadbeenannounced，thattheyhadformedanintentiontogotoSt。Leonardsforafewdaysattheendofthemonth。

NosatisfactoryconjunctureoffereditselfonthisfirsteveningofhisreturnforpresentingElfridewithwhathehadbeenatsuchpainstoprocure。Hewasfastidiousinhisreadingofopportunitiesforsuchanintendedact。Thenextmorningchancingtobreakfineafteraweekofcloudyweather，itwasproposedanddecidedthattheyshouldalldrivetoBarwithStrand，alocallionwhichneitherMrs。SwancourtnorKnighthadseen。Knightscentedromanticoccasionsfromafar，andforesawthatsuchaonemightbeexpectedbeforethecomingnight。

Thejourneywasalongaroadbyneutralgreenhills，uponwhichhedgerowslaytrailinglikeropesonaquay。Gapsintheseuplandsrevealedthebluesea，fleckedwithafewdashesofwhiteandasolitarywhitesail，thewholebrimminguptoakeenhorizonwhichlaylikealineruledfromhillsidetohillside。Thentheyrolleddownapass，thechocolate-tonedrocksformingawallonbothsides，fromoneofwhichfellaheavyjaggedshadeoverhalftheroadway。Aspoutoffreshwaterburstfromanoccasionalcrevice，andpatteringdownuponbroadgreenleaves，ranalongasarivuletatthebottom。Unkemptlocksofheatheroverhungthebrowofeachsteep，whenceatdiverspointsabrambleswungforthintomid-air，snatchingattheirhead-dresseslikeaclaw。

Theymountedthelastcrest，andthebaywhichwastobetheendoftheirpilgrimageburstuponthem。Theoceanbluenessdeepeneditscolourasitstretchedtothefootofthecrags，whereitterminatedinafringeofwhite——silentatthisdistance，thoughmovingandheavinglikeacounterpaneuponarestlesssleeper。

Theshadowedhollowsofthepurpleandbrownrockswouldhavebeencalledbluehadnotthattintbeensoentirelyappropriatedbythewaterbesidethem。

Thecarriagewasputupatalittlecottagewithashedattached，andanostlerandthecoachmancarriedthehamperofprovisionsdowntotheshore。

Knightfoundhisopportunity。"Ididnotforgetyourwish，"hebegan，whentheywereapartfromtheirfriends。

Elfridelookedasifshedidnotunderstand。

"AndIhavebroughtyouthese，"hecontinued，awkwardlypullingoutthecase，andopeningitwhileholdingittowardsher。

"OMr。Knight!"saidElfrideconfusedly，andturningtoalivelyred；"Ididn"tknowyouhadanyintentionormeaninginwhatyousaid。Ithoughtitameresupposition。Idon"twantthem。"

Athoughtwhichhadflashedintohermindgavethereplyagreaterdecisivenessthanitmightotherwisehavepossessed。To-morrowwasthedayforStephen"sletter。

"Butwillyounotacceptthem？"Knightreturned，feelinglesshermasterthanheretofore。

"Iwouldrathernot。Theyarebeautiful——morebeautifulthananyIhaveeverseen，"sheansweredearnestly，lookinghalf-wishfullyatthetemptation，asEvemayhavelookedattheapple。"ButI

don"twanttohavethem，ifyouwillkindlyforgiveme，Mr。

Knight。"

"Nokindnessatall，"saidMr。Knight，broughttoafullstopatthisunexpectedturnofevents。

Asilencefollowed。Knightheldtheopencase，lookingratherwofullyattheglitteringformshehadforsakenhisorbittoprocure；turningitaboutandholdingitupasif，feelinghisgifttobeslightedbyher，hewereendeavouringtoadmireitverymuchhimself。

"Shutthemup，anddon"tletmeseethemanylonger——do!"shesaidlaughingly，andwithaquaintmixtureofreluctanceandentreaty。

"Why，Elfie？"

"NotElfietoyou，Mr。Knight。Oh，becauseIshallwantthem。

There，Iamsilly，Iknow，tosaythat!ButIhaveareasonfornottakingthem——now。"Shekeptinthelastwordforamoment，intendingtoimplythatherrefusalwasfinite，butsomehowthewordslippedout，andundidalltherest。

"Youwilltakethemsomeday？"

"Idon"twantto。"

"Whydon"tyouwantto，ElfrideSwancourt？"

"BecauseIdon"t。Idon"tliketotakethem。"

"Ihavereadafactofdistressingsignificanceinthat，"saidKnight。"Sinceyoulikethem，yourdisliketohavingthemmustbetowardsme？"

"No，itisn"t。"

"What，then？Doyoulikeme？"

Elfridedeepenedintint，andlookedintothedistancewithfeaturesshapedtoanexpressionofthenicestcriticismasregardedheranswer。

"Ilikeyouprettywell，"sheatlengthmurmuredmildly。

"Notverymuch？"

"Youaresosharpwithme，andsayhardthings，andsohowcanI？"

sherepliedevasively。

"Youthinkmeafogey，Isuppose？"

"No，Idon"t——ImeanIdo——Idon"tknowwhatIthinkyou，Imean。

Letusgotopapa，"respondedElfride，withsomewhatofaflurrieddelivery。

"Well，I"lltellyoumyobjectingettingthepresent，"saidKnight，withacomposureintendedtoremovefromhermindanypossibleimpressionofhisbeingwhathewas——herlover。"YouseeitwastheveryleastIcoulddoincommoncivility。"

Elfridefeltratherblankatthislucidstatement。

Knightcontinued，puttingawaythecase:"Ifeltasanybodynaturallywouldhave，youknow，thatmywordsonyourchoicetheotherdaywereinvidiousandunfair，andthoughtanapologyshouldtakeapracticalshape。"

"Ohyes。"

Elfridewassorry——shecouldnottellwhy——thathegavesuchalegitimatereason。Itwasadisappointmentthathehadallthetimeacoolmotive，whichmightbestatedtoanybodywithoutraisingasmile。Hadsheknowntheywereofferedinthatspirit，shewouldcertainlyhaveacceptedtheseductivegift。Andthetantalizingfeaturewasthatperhapshesuspectedhertoimaginethemofferedasalover"stoken，whichwasmortifyingenoughiftheywerenot。

Mrs。Swancourtcamenowtowheretheyweresitting，toselectaflatboulderforspreadingtheirtable-clothupon，and，amidthediscussiononthatsubject，thematterpendingbetweenKnightandElfridewasshelvedforawhile。Hereadherrefusalsocertainlyasthebashfulnessofagirlinanovelposition，that，uponthewhole，hecouldtoleratesuchabeginning。CouldKnighthavebeentoldthatitwasasenseoffidelitystrugglingagainstnewlove，whilstnolessassuringastohisultimatevictory，itmighthaveentirelyabstractedthewishtosecureit。

Atthesametimeaslightconstraintofmannerwasvisiblebetweenthemfortheremainderoftheafternoon。Thetideturned，andtheywereobligedtoascendtohigherground。Thedayglidedontoitsendwiththeusualquietdreamypassivityofsuchoccasions——wheneverydeeddoneandthingthoughtisinendeavouringtoavoiddoingandthinkingmore。Lookingidlyoverthevergeofacrag，theybeheldtheirstonedining-tablegraduallybeingsplasheduponandtheircrumbsandfragmentsallwashedawaybytheincomingsea。Thevicardrewamorallessonfromthescene；Knightrepliedinthesamesatisfiedstrain。Andthenthewavesrolledinfuriously——theneutralgreen-and-bluetonguesofwatersliduptheslopes，andweremetamorphosedintofoambyacarelessblow，fallingbackwhiteandfaint，andleavingtrailingfollowersbehind。

Thepassingofaheavyshowerwasthenextscene——drivingthemtoshelterinashallowcave——afterwhichthehorseswereputin，andtheystartedtoreturnhomeward。Bythetimetheyreachedthehigherlevelstheskyhadagaincleared，andthesunsetraysglanceddirectlyuponthewetuphillroadtheyhadclimbed。Therutsformedbytheircarriage-wheelsontheascent——apairofLiliputiancanals——wereasshiningbarsofgold，taperingtonothinginthedistance。Uponthisalsotheyturnedtheirbacks，andnightspreadoverthesea。

Theeveningwaschilly，andtherewasnomoon。KnightsatclosetoElfride，and，whenthedarknessrenderedthepositionofapersonamatterofuncertainty，particularlyclose。Elfrideedgedaway。

"Ihopeyouallowmemyplaceungrudgingly？"hewhispered。

"Ohyes；"tistheleastIcandoincommoncivility，"shesaid，accentingthewordssothathemightrecognizethemashisownreturned。

Bothofthemfeltdelicatelybalancedbetweentwopossibilities。

Thustheyreachedhome。

ToKnightthismildexperiencewasdelightful。Itwastohimagentleinnocenttime——atimewhich，thoughtheremaynotbemuchinit，seldomrepeatsitselfinaman"slife，andhasapeculiardearnesswhenglancedatretrospectively。Heisnotinconvenientlydeepinlove，andislulledbyapeacefulsenseofbeingabletoenjoythemosttrivialthingwithachildlikeenjoyment。Themovementofawave，thecolourofastone，anything，wasenoughforKnight"sdrowsythoughtsofthatdaytoprecipitatethemselvesupon。Eventhesermonizingplatitudesthevicarhaddeliveredhimselfof——chieflybecausesomethingseemedtobeprofessionallyrequiredofhiminthepresenceofamanofKnight"sproclivities——wereswallowedwhole。ThepresenceofElfrideledhimnotmerelytotoleratethatkindoftalkfromthenecessitiesofordinarycourtesy；buthelistenedtoit——tookintheideaswithanenjoyablemake-believethattheywereproperandnecessary，andindulgedinaconservativefeelingthatthefaceofthingswascomplete。

EnteringherroomthateveningElfridefoundapacketforherselfonthedressing-table。Howitcamethereshedidnotknow。Shetremblinglyundidthefoldsofwhitepaperthatcoveredit。Yes；

itwasthetreasureofamoroccocase，containingthosetreasuresofornamentshehadrefusedinthedaytime。

Elfridedressedherselfinthemforamoment，lookedatherselfintheglass，blushedred，andputthemaway。Theyfilledherdreamsallthatnight。Neverhadsheseenanythingsolovely，andneverwasitmoreclearthatasanhonestwomanshewasindutyboundtorefusethem。Whyitwasnotequallycleartoherthatdutyrequiredmorevigorousco-ordinateconductaswell，letthosewhodissecthersay。

Thenextmorningglaredinlikeaspectreuponher。ItwasStephen"sletter-day，andshewasboundtomeetthepostman——tostealthilydoadeedshehadneverliked，tosecureanendshenowhadceasedtodesire。

Butshewent。

Thereweretwoletters。

OnewasfromthebankatSt。Launce"s，inwhichshehadasmallprivatedeposit——probablysomethingaboutinterest。Sheputthatinherpocketforamoment，andgoingindoorsandupstairstobesaferfromobservation，tremblinglyopenedStephen"s。

Whatwasthishesaidtoher？

ShewastogototheSt。Launce"sBankandtakeasumofmoneywhichtheyhadreceivedprivateadvicestopayher。

Thesumwastwohundredpounds。

Therewasnocheck，order，oranythingofthenatureofguarantee。

Infacttheinformationamountedtothis:themoneywasnowintheSt。Launce"sBank，standinginhername。

Sheinstantlyopenedtheotherletter。Itcontainedadeposit-

notefromthebankforthesumoftwohundredpoundswhichhadthatdaybeenaddedtoheraccount。Stephen"sinformation，then，wascorrect，andthetransfermade。

"Ihavesavedthisinoneyear，"Stephen"sletterwentontosay，"andwhatsoproperaswellaspleasantformetodoastohanditovertoyoutokeepforyouruse？Ihaveplentyformyself，independentlyofthis。Shouldyounotbedisposedtoletitlieidleinthebank，getyourfathertoinvestitinyournameongoodsecurity。Itisalittlepresenttoyoufromyourmorethanbetrothed。Hewill，Ithink，Elfride，feelnowthatmypretensionstoyourhandareanythingbutthedreamofasillyboynotworthrationalconsideration。"

Withanaturaldelicacy，Elfride，inmentioningherfather"smarriage，hadrefrainedfromallallusiontothepecuniaryresourcesofthelady。

Leavingthismatter-of-factsubject，hewenton，somewhatafterhisboyishmanner:

"Doyouremember，darling，thatfirstmorningofmyarrivalatyourhouse，whenyourfatherreadatprayersthemiracleofhealingthesickofthepalsy——whereheistoldtotakeuphisbedandwalk？Ido，andIcannowsowellrealizetheforceofthatpassage。ThesmallestpieceofmatisthebedoftheOriental，andyesterdayIsawanativeperformtheveryaction，whichremindedmetomentionit。ButyouarebetterreadthanI，andperhapsyouknewallthislongago……OnedayIboughtsomesmallnativeidolstosendhometoyouascuriosities，butafterwardsfindingtheyhadbeencastinEngland，madetolookold，andshippedover，Ithrewthemawayindisgust。

"Speakingofthisremindsmethatweareobligedtoimportallourhouse-buildingironworkfromEngland。Neverwassuchforesightrequiredtobeexercisedinbuildinghousesashere。Beforewebegin，wehavetoordereverycolumn，lock，hinge，andscrewthatwillberequired。Wecannotgointothenextstreet，asinLondon，andgetthemcastataminute"snotice。Mr。L。sayssomebodywillhavetogotoEnglandverysoonandsuperintendtheselectionofalargeorderofthiskind。IonlywishImaybetheman。"

Therebeforeherlaythedeposit-receiptforthetwohundredpounds，andbesideittheelegantpresentofKnight。Elfridegrewcold——thenhercheeksfeltheatedbybeatingblood。Ifbydestroyingthepieceofpaperthewholetransactioncouldhavebeenwithdrawnfromherexperience，shewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedthemoneyitrepresented。Shedidnotknowwhattodoineithercase。Shealmostfearedtoletthetwoarticleslieinjuxtaposition:soantagonisticweretheintereststheyrepresentedthatamiraculousrepulsionofonebytheotherwasalmosttobeexpected。

Thatdayshewasseenlittleof。Bytheeveningshehadcometoaresolution，andacteduponit。Thepacketwassealedup——withatearofregretassheclosedthecaseupontheprettyformsitcontained——directed，andplaceduponthewriting-tableinKnight"sroom。AndaletterwaswrittentoStephen，statingthatasyetshehardlyunderstoodherpositionwithregardtothemoneysent；

butdeclaringthatshewasreadytofulfilherpromisetomarryhim。Afterthisletterhadbeenwrittenshedelayedpostingit——

althoughneverceasingtofeelstrenuouslythatthedeedmustbedone。

Severaldayspassed。TherewasanotherIndianletterforElfride。

Comingunexpectedly，herfathersawit，butmadenoremark——why，shecouldnottell。Thenewsthistimewasabsolutelyoverwhelming。Stephen，ashehadwished，hadbeenactuallychosenasthemostfittingtoexecutetheiron-workcommissionhehadalludedtoasimpending。Thisdutycompletedhewouldhavethreemonths"leave。Hislettercontinuedthatheshouldfollowitinaweek，andshouldtaketheopportunitytoplainlyaskherfathertopermittheengagement。Thencameapageexpressiveofhisdelightandhersatthereunion；andfinally，theinformationthathewouldwritetotheshippingagents，askingthemtotelegraphandtellherwhentheshipbringinghimhomeshouldbeinsight——

knowinghowacceptablesuchinformationwouldbe。

Elfridelivedandmovednowasinadream。Knighthadatfirstbecomealmostangryatherpersistentrefusalofhisoffering——andnolesswiththemannerthanthefactofit。Buthesawthatshebegantolookwornandill——andhisvexationlessenedtosimpleperplexity。

Heceasednowtoremaininthehouseforlonghourstogetherasbefore，butmadeitamerecentreforantiquarianandgeologicalexcursionsintheneighbourhood。Throwuphiscardsandgoawayhefainwouldhavedone，butcouldnot。And，thus，availinghimselfoftheprivilegesofarelative，hewentinandoutthepremisesasfancyledhim——butstilllingeredon。

"Idon"twishtostayhereanotherdayifmypresenceisdistasteful，"hesaidoneafternoon。"AtfirstyouusedtoimplythatIwasseverewithyou；andwhenIamkindyoutreatmeunfairly。"

"No，no。Don"tsayso。"

Theoriginoftheiracquaintanceshiphadbeensuchastorendertheirmannertowardseachotherpeculiaranduncommon。Itwasofakindtocausethemtospeakouttheirmindsonanyfeelingsofobjectionanddifference:tobereticentongentlermatters。

"Ihaveagoodmindtogoawayandnevertroubleyouagain，"

continuedKnight。

Shesaidnothing，buttheeloquentexpressionofhereyesandwanfacewasenoughtoreproachhimforharshness。

"Doyoulikemetobehere，then？"inquiredKnightgently。

"Yes，"shesaid。Fidelitytotheoldloveandtruthtothenewwererangedonoppositesides，andtruthvirtuelesslyprevailed。

"ThenI"llstayalittlelonger，"saidKnight。

"Don"tbevexedifIkeepbymyselfagooddeal，willyou？Perhapssomethingmayhappen，andImaytellyousomething。"

"Merecoyness，"saidKnighttohimself；andwentawaywithalighterheart。Thetrickofreadingtrulytheenigmaticalforcesatworkinwomenatgiventimes，whichwithsomemenisanunerringinstinct，ispeculiartomindslessdirectandhonestthanKnight"s。

Thenextevening，aboutfiveo"clock，beforeKnighthadreturnedfromapilgrimagealongtheshore，amanwalkeduptothehouse。

HewasamessengerfromCamelton，atownafewmilesoff，towhichplacetherailwayhadbeenadvancedduringthesummer。

"AtelegramforMissSwancourt，andthreeandsixpencetopayforthespecialmessenger。"MissSwancourtsentoutthemoney，signedthepaper，andopenedherletterwithatremblinghand。Sheread:

"Johnson，Liverpool，toMissSwancourt，Endelstow，nearCastleBoterel。

"AmaryllistelegraphedoffHolyhead，fouro"clock。ExpectwilldockandlandpassengersatCanning"sBasinteno"clockto-morrowmorning。"

Herfathercalledherintothestudy。

"Elfride，whosentyouthatmessage？"heaskedsuspiciously。

"Johnson。"

"WhoisJohnson，forHeaven"ssake？"

"Idon"tknow。"

"Thedeuceyoudon"t!Whoistoknow，then？"

"Ihaveneverheardofhimtillnow。"

"That"sasingularstory，isn"tit。"

"Idon"tknow。"

"Come，come，miss!Whatwasthetelegram？"

"Doyoureallywishtoknow，papa？"

"Well，Ido。"

"Remember，Iamafull-grownwomannow。"

"Well，whatthen？"

"Beingawoman，andnotachild，Imay，Ithink，haveasecretortwo。"

"Youwill，itseems。"

"Womenhave，asarule。"

"Butdon"tkeepthem。Sospeakout。"

"Ifyouwillnotpressmenow，Igivemywordtotellyouthemeaningofallthisbeforetheweekispast。"

"Onyourhonour？"

"Onmyhonour。"

"Verywell。Ihavehadacertainsuspicion，youknow；andIshallbegladtofinditfalse。Idon"tlikeyourmannerlately。"

"Attheendoftheweek，Isaid，papa。"