SuddenlyElfridebecameconsciousofwhatshewasdoing，andwaspainfullyconfused。
\'Whatwereyousointentuponinme？\'heinquired。
\'AsfarasIwasthinkingofyouatall，Iwasthinkinghowcleveryouare，\'shesaid，withawantofpremeditationthatwasstartlinginitshonestyandsimplicity。
Feelingrestlessnowthatshehadsounwittinglyspoken，shearoseandsteppedtothewindow，havingheardthevoicesofherfatherandMrs。Swancourtcomingupbelowtheterrace。\'Heretheyare，\'
shesaid，goingout。Knightwalkedoutuponthelawnbehindher。
Shestoodupontheedgeoftheterrace，closetothestonebalustrade，andlookedtowardsthesun，hangingoveragladejustnowfairasTempe\'svale，upwhichherfatherwaswalking。
Knightcouldnothelplookingather。Thesunwaswithintendegreesofthehorizon，anditswarmlightfloodedherfaceandheightenedthebrightrosecolourofhercheekstoavermilionred，theirmoderatepinkhuebeingonlyseeninitsnaturaltonewherethecheekcurvedroundintoshadow。Theendsofherhanginghairsoftlydraggedthemselvesbackwardsandforwardsuponhershoulderaseachfaintbreezethrustagainstorrelinquishedit。
Fringesandribbonsofherdress，movedbythesamebreeze，lickedliketonguesuponthepartsaroundthem，andflutteringforwardfromshadyfoldscaughtlikewisetheirshareofthelustrousorangeglow。
Mr。SwancourtshoutedoutawelcometoKnightfromadistanceofaboutthirtyyards，andafterafewpreliminarywordsproceededtoaconversationofdeepearnestnessonKnight\'sfineoldfamilyname，andtheoriesastolineageandintermarriageconnectedtherewith。Knight\'sportmanteauhavinginthemeantimearrived，theysoonretiredtopreparefordinner，whichhadbeenpostponedtwohourslaterthantheusualtimeofthatmeal。
AnarrivalwasaneventinthelifeofElfride，nowthattheywereagaininthecountry，andthatofKnightnecessarilyanengrossingone。AndthateveningshewenttobedforthefirsttimewithoutthinkingofStephenatall。
ChapterXVIII
\'Heheardhermusicalpants。\'
TheoldtowerofWestEndelstowChurchhadreachedthelastweeksofitsexistence。ItwastobereplacedbyanewonefromthedesignsofMr。Hewby，thearchitectwhohadsentdownStephen。
Planksandpoleshadarrivedinthechurchyard，ironbarshadbeenthrustintothevenerablecrackextendingdownthebelfrywalltothefoundation，thebellshadbeentakendown，theowlshadforsakenthishomeoftheirforefathers，andsixiconoclastsinwhitefustian，towhomacrackededificewasaspeciesofMumboJumbo，hadtakenlodgingsinthevillageprevioustobeginningtheactualremovalofthestones。
ThiswasthedayafterKnight\'sarrival。Toenjoyforthelasttimetheprospectseawardfromthesummit，thevicar，Mrs。
Swancourt，Knight，andElfride，allascendedthewindingturret——
Mr。Swancourtsteppingforwardwithmanyloudbreaths，hiswifestrugglingalongsilently，butsufferingnonetheless。Theyhadhardlyreachedthetopwhenalargeluridcloud，palpablyareservoirofrain，thunder，andlightning，wasseentobeadvancingoverheadfromthenorth。
Thetwocautiouselderssuggestedanimmediatereturn，andproceededtoputitinpracticeasregardedthemselves。
\'Dearme，IwishIhadnotcomeup，\'exclaimedMrs。Swancourt。
\'Weshallbeslowerthanyoutwoingoingdown，\'thevicarsaidoverhisshoulder，\'andso，don\'tyoustarttillwearenearlyatthebottom，oryouwillrunoverusandbreakourneckssomewhereinthedarknessoftheturret。\'
AccordinglyElfrideandKnightwaitedontheleadstillthestaircaseshouldbeclear。Knightwasnotinatalkativemoodthatmorning。Elfridewasratherwilful，byreasonofhisinattention，whichsheprivatelysetdowntohisthinkinghernotworthtalkingto。WhilstKnightstoodwatchingtheriseofthecloud，shesaunteredtotheothersideofthetower，andthererememberedagiddyfeatshehadperformedtheyearbefore。Itwastowalkroundupontheparapetofthetower——whichwasquitewithoutbattlementorpinnacle，andpresentedasmoothflatsurfaceabouttwofeetwide，formingapathwayonallthefoursides。Withoutreflectingintheleastuponwhatshewasdoingshenowsteppedupontheparapetintheoldway，andbeganwalkingalong。
\'Wearedown，cousinHenry，\'criedMrs。Swancourtuptheturret。
\'Followuswhenyoulike。\'
KnightturnedandsawElfridebeginningherelevatedpromenade。
Hisfaceflushedwithmingledconcernandangeratherrashness。
\'Icertainlygaveyoucreditformorecommonsense，\'hesaid。
Shereddenedalittleandwalkedon。
\'MissSwancourt，Iinsistuponyourcomingdown，\'heexclaimed。
\'Iwillinaminute。Iamsafeenough。Ihavedoneitoften。\'
Atthatmoment，byreasonofaslightperturbationhiswordshadcausedinher，Elfride\'sfootcaughtitselfinalittletuftofgrassgrowinginajointofthestone-work，andshealmostlostherbalance。Knightsprangforwardwithafaceofhorror。BywhatseemedthespecialinterpositionofaconsiderateProvidenceshetotteredtotheinneredgeoftheparapetinsteadoftotheouter，andreeledoverupontheleadrooftwoorthreefeetbelowthewall。
Knightseizedherasinavice，andhesaid，panting，\'ThateverI
shouldhavemetawomanfoolenoughtodoathingofthatkind!
GoodGod，yououghttobeashamedofyourself!\'
ThecloseproximityoftheShadowofDeathhadmadehersickandpaleasacorpsebeforehespoke。Alreadyloweredtothatstate，hiswordscompletelyover-poweredher，andsheswoonedawayasheheldher。
Elfride\'seyeswerenotclosedformorethanfortyseconds。Sheopenedthem，andrememberedthepositioninstantly。Hisfacehadaltereditsexpressionfromsternangertopity。Buthissevereremarkshadratherfrightenedher，andshestruggledtobefree。
\'Ifyoucanstand，ofcourseyoumay，\'hesaid，andloosenedhisarms。\'Ihardlyknowwhethermosttolaughatyourfreakortochideyouforitsfolly。\'
Sheimmediatelysankuponthelead-work。Knightliftedheragain。
\'Areyouhurt？\'hesaid。
Shemurmuredanincoherentexpression，andtriedtosmile；saying，withafitfulaversionofherface，\'Iamonlyfrightened。Putmedown，doputmedown!\'
\'Butyoucan\'twalk，\'saidKnight。
\'Youdon\'tknowthat；howcanyou？Iamonlyfrightened，Itellyou，\'sheansweredpetulantly，andraisedherhandtoherforehead。Knightthensawthatshewasbleedingfromaseverecutinherwrist，apparentlywhereithaddescendeduponasalientcornerofthelead-work。Elfride，too，seemedtoperceiveandfeelthisnowforthefirsttime，andforaminutenearlylostconsciousnessagain。Knightrapidlyboundhishandkerchiefroundtheplace，andtoaddtothecomplication，thethundercloudhehadbeenwatchingbegantoshedsomeheavydropsofrain。Knightlookedupandsawthevicarstridingtowardsthehouse，andMrs。
Swancourtwaddlingbesidehimlikeahard-drivenduck。
\'Asyouaresofaint，itwillbemuchbettertoletmecarryyoudown，\'saidKnight；\'oratanyrateinsideoutoftherain。\'Butherobjectiontobeliftedmadeitimpossibleforhimtosupportherformorethanfivesteps。
\'Thisisfolly，greatfolly，\'heexclaimed，settingherdown。
\'Indeed!\'shemurmured，withtearsinhereyes。\'IsayIwillnotbecarried，andyousaythisisfolly!\'
\'Soitis。\'
\'No，itisn\'t!\'
\'Itisfolly，Ithink。Atanyrate，theoriginofitallis。\'
\'Idon\'tagreetoit。Andyouneedn\'tgetsoangrywithme；Iamnotworthit。\'
\'Indeedyouare。Youareworththeenmityofprinces，aswassaidofsuchanother。Now，then，willyouclaspyourhandsbehindmyneck，thatImaycarryyoudownwithouthurtingyou？\'
\'No，no。\'
\'Youhadbetter，orIshallforeclose。\'
\'What\'sthat!\'
\'Depriveyouofyourchance。\'
Elfridegavealittletoss。
\'Now，don\'twrithesowhenIattempttocarryyou。\'
\'Ican\'thelpit。\'
\'Thensubmitquietly。\'
\'Idon\'tcare。Idon\'tcare，\'shemurmuredinlanguidtonesandwithclosedeyes。
Hetookherintohisarms，enteredtheturret，andwithslowandcautiousstepsdescendedroundandround。Then，withthegentlenessofanursingmother，heattendedtothecutonherarm。
Duringhisprogressthroughtheoperationsofwipingitandbindingitupanew，herfacechangeditsaspectfrompainedindifferencetosomethinglikebashfulinterest，interspersedwithsmalltremorsandshuddersofatriflingkind。
Inthecentreofeachpalecheekasmallredspotthesizeofawaferhadnowmadeitsappearance，andcontinuedtogrowlarger。
Elfridemomentarilyexpectedarecurrencetothelectureonherfoolishness，butKnightsaidnomorethanthis——
\'PromisemeNEVERtowalkonthatparapetagain。\'
\'Itwillbepulleddownsoon:soIdo。\'Inafewminutesshecontinuedinalowertone，andseriously，\'Youarefamiliarofcourse，aseverybodyis，withthosestrangesensationswesometimeshave，thatourlifeforthemomentexistsinduplicate。\'
\'Thatwehavelivedthroughthatmomentbefore？\'
\'Orshallagain。Well，Ifeltonthetowerthatsomethingsimilartothatsceneisagaintobecommontousboth。\'
\'Godforbid!\'saidKnight。\'Promisemethatyouwillneveragainwalkonanysuchplaceonanyconsideration。\'
\'Ido。\'
\'Thatsuchathinghasnotbeenbefore，weknow。Thatitshallnotbeagain，youvow。Thereforethinknomoreofsuchafoolishfancy。\'
Therehadfallenagreatdealofrain，butunaccompaniedbylightning。Afewminuteslonger，andthestormhadceased。
\'Now，takemyarm，please。\'
\'Ohno，itisnotnecessary。\'Thisrelapseintowilfulnesswasbecausehehadagainconnectedtheepithetfoolishwithher。
\'Nonsense:itisquitenecessary；itwillrainagaindirectly，andyouarenothalfrecovered。\'AndwithoutmoreadoKnighttookherhand，drewitunderhisarm，andheldittheresofirmlythatshecouldnothaveremoveditwithoutastruggle。Feelinglikeacoltinahalterforthefirsttime，atthusbeingledalong，yetafraidtobeangry，itwastohergreatreliefthatshesawthecarriagecomingroundthecornertofetchthem。
Herfallupontheroofwasnecessarilyexplainedtosomeextentupontheirenteringthehouse；butbothforboretomentionawordofwhatshehadbeendoingtocausesuchanaccident。DuringtheremainderoftheafternoonElfridewasinvisible；butatdinner-
timesheappearedasbrightasever。
Inthedrawing-room，afterhavingbeenexclusivelyengagedwithMr。andMrs。Swancourtthroughtheinterveninghour，KnightagainfoundhimselfthrownwithElfride。Shehadbeenlookingoverachessprobleminoneoftheillustratedperiodicals。
\'Youlikechess，MissSwancourt？\'
\'Yes。Itismyfavouritescientificgame；indeed，excludeseveryother。Doyouplay？\'
\'Ihaveplayed；thoughnotlately。\'
\'Challengehim，Elfride，\'saidthevicarheartily。\'Sheplaysverywellforalady，Mr。Knight。\'
\'Shallweplay？\'askedElfridetentatively。
\'Oh，certainly。Ishallbedelighted。\'
Thegamebegan。Mr。SwancourthadforgottenasimilarperformancewithStephenSmiththeyearbefore。Elfridehadnot；butshehadbeguntotakeforhermaximtheundoubtedtruththatthenecessityofcontinuingfaithfultoStephen，withoutsuspicion，dictatedaficklebehaviouralmostasimperativelyasficklenessitself；afact，however，whichwouldgiveastartlingadvantagetothelatterqualityshoulditeverappear。
Knight，byoneofthoseinexcusableoversightswhichwillsometimesafflictthebestofplayers，placedhisrookinthearmsofoneofherpawns。Itwasherfirstadvantage。Shelookedtriumphant——evenruthless。
\'ByGeorge!whatwasIthinkingof？\'saidKnightquietly；andthendismissedallconcernathisaccident。
\'Clublawswe\'llhave，won\'twe，Mr。Knight？\'saidElfridesuasively。
\'Ohyes，certainly，\'saidMr。Knight，athought，however，justoccurringtohismind，thathehadtwoorthreetimesallowedhertoreplaceamanonherreligiouslyassuringhimthatsuchamovewasanabsoluteblunder。
Sheimmediatelytookuptheunfortunaterookandthecontestproceeded，Elfridehavingnowratherthebetterofthegame。Thenhewontheexchange，regainedhisposition，andbegantopressherhard。Elfridegrewflurried，andplacedherqueenonhisremainingrook\'sfile。
\'There——howstupid!Uponmyword，Ididnotseeyourrook。Ofcoursenobodybutafoolwouldhaveputaqueenthereknowingly!\'
Shespokeexcitedly，halfexpectingherantagonisttogiveherbackthemove。
\'Nobody，ofcourse，\'saidKnightserenely，andstretchedouthishandtowardshisroyalvictim。
\'Itisnotverypleasanttohaveittakenadvantageof，then，\'shesaidwithsomevexation。
\'Clublaws，Ithinkyousaid？\'returnedKnightblandly，andmercilesslyappropriatingthequeen。
Shewasonthebrinkofpouting，butwasashamedtoshowit；tearsalmoststoodinhereyes。Shehadbeentryingsohard——soveryhard——thinkingandthinkingtillherbrainwasinawhirl；anditseemedsoheartlessofhimtotreatherso，afterall。
\'Ithinkitis——\'shebegan。
\'What？\'——
\'UnkindtotakeadvantageofapuremistakeImakeinthatway。\'
\'Ilostmyrookbyevenapurermistake，\'saidtheenemyinaninexorabletone，withoutliftinghiseyes。
\'Yes，but——\'However，ashislogicwasabsolutelyunanswerable，shemerelyregisteredaprotest。\'Icannotendurethosecold-
bloodedwaysofclubsandprofessionalplayers，likeStauntonandMorphy。Justasifitreallymatteredwhetheryouhaveraisedyourfingersfromamanorno!\'
Knightsmiledaspitilesslyasbefore，andtheywentoninsilence。
\'Checkmate，\'saidKnight。
\'Anothergame，\'saidElfrideperemptorily，andlookingverywarm。
\'Withallmyheart，\'saidKnight。
\'Checkmate，\'saidKnightagainattheendoffortyminutes。
\'Anothergame，\'shereturnedresolutely。
\'I\'llgiveyoutheoddsofabishop，\'Knightsaidtoherkindly。
\'No，thankyou，\'Elfriderepliedinatoneintendedforcourteousindifference；but，asafact，verycavalierindeed。
\'Checkmate，\'saidheropponentwithouttheleastemotion。
Oh，thedifferencebetweenElfride\'sconditionofmindnow，andwhenshepurposelymadeblundersthatStephenSmithmightwin!
Itwasbedtime。Hermindasdistractedasifitwouldthrobitselfoutofherhead，shewentofftoherchamber，fullofmortificationatbeingbeatentimeaftertimewhensheherselfwastheaggressor。Havingfortwoorthreeyearsenjoyedthereputationthroughouttheglobeofherfather\'sbrain——whichalmostconstitutedherentireworld——ofbeinganexcellentplayer，thisfiascowasintolerable；forunfortunatelythepersonmostdoggedinthebeliefinafalsereputationisalwaysthatone，thepossessor，whohasthebestmeansofknowingthatitisnottrue。
Inbednosleepcametosootheher；thatgentlethingbeingtheverymiddle-of-summerfriendinthisrespectofflyingawayatthemeresttroublouscloud。Afterlyingawaketilltwoo\'clockanideaseemedtostrikeher。Shesoftlyarose，gotalight，andfetchedaChessPraxisfromthelibrary。Returningandsittingupinbed，shediligentlystudiedthevolumetilltheclockstruckfive，andhereyelidsfeltthickandheavy。Shethenextinguishedthelightandlaydownagain。
\'Youlookpale，Elfride，\'saidMrs。Swancourtthenextmorningatbreakfast。\'Isn\'tshe，cousinHarry？\'
Ayounggirlwhoisscarcelyillatallcanhardlyhelpbecomingsowhenregardedassuchbyalleyesturninguponheratthetableinobediencetosomeremark。EverybodylookedatElfride。Shecertainlywaspale。
\'AmIpale？\'shesaidwithafaintsmile。\'Ididnotsleepmuch。
Icouldnotgetridofarmiesofbishopsandknights，tryhowI
would。\'
\'Chessisabadthingjustbeforebedtime；especiallyforexcitablepeoplelikeyourself，dear。Don\'teverplaylateagain。\'
\'I\'llplayearlyinstead。CousinKnight，\'shesaidinimitationofMrs。Swancourt，\'willyouobligemeinsomething？\'
\'Eventohalfmykingdom。\'
\'Well，itistoplayonegamemore。\'
\'When？\'
\'Now，instantly；themomentwehavebreakfasted。\'
\'Nonsense，Elfride，\'saidherfather。\'Makingyourselfaslavetothegamelikethat。\'
\'ButIwantto，papa!Honestly，Iamrestlessathavingbeensoignominiouslyovercome。AndMr。Knightdoesn\'tmind。Sowhatharmcantherebe？\'
\'Letusplay，byallmeans，ifyouwishit，\'saidKnight。
So，whenbreakfastwasover，thecombatantswithdrewtothequietofthelibrary，andthedoorwasclosed。Elfrideseemedtohaveanideathatherconductwasratherill-regulatedandstartlinglyfreefromconventionalrestraint。Andworse，shefancieduponKnight\'sfaceaslightlyamusedlookatherproceedings。
\'Youthinkmefoolish，Isuppose，\'shesaidrecklessly；\'butI
wanttodomyverybestjustonce，andseewhetherIcanovercomeyou。\'
\'Certainly:nothingmorenatural。ThoughIamafraiditisnottheplanadoptedbywomenoftheworldafteradefeat。\'
\'Why，pray？\'
\'Becausetheyknowthatasgoodasovercomingisskillineffacingrecollectionofbeingovercome，andturntheirattentiontothatentirely。\'
\'Iamwrongagain，ofcourse。\'
\'Perhapsyourwrongismorepleasingthantheirright。\'
\'Idon\'tquiteknowwhetheryoumeanthat，orwhetheryouarelaughingatme，\'shesaid，lookingdoubtinglyathim，yetincliningtoacceptthemoreflatteringinterpretation。\'IamalmostsureyouthinkitvanityinmetothinkIamamatchforyou。Well，ifyoudo，Isaythatvanityisnocrimeinsuchacase。\'
\'Well，perhapsnot。Thoughitishardlyavirtue。\'
\'Ohyes，inbattle!Nelson\'sbraverylayinhisvanity。\'
\'Indeed!Thensodidhisdeath。\'
Ohno，no!ForitiswritteninthebookoftheprophetShakespeare——
\"Fearandbeslain？noworsecancometofight；
Andfightanddie，isdeathdestroyingdeath!\"
Anddowntheysat，andthecontestbegan，Elfridehavingthefirstmove。Thegameprogressed。Elfride\'sheartbeatsoviolentlythatshecouldnotsitstill。Herdreadwaslestheshouldhearit。Andhediddiscoveritatlast——someflowersuponthetablebeingsetthrobbingbyitspulsations。
\'Ithinkwehadbettergiveover，\'saidKnight，lookingathergently。\'Itistoomuchforyou，Iknow。Letuswritedowntheposition，andfinishanothertime。\'
\'No，pleasenot，\'sheimplored。\'IshouldnotrestifIdidnotknowtheresultatonce。Itisyourmove。\'
Tenminutespassed。
Shestartedupsuddenly。\'Iknowwhatyouaredoing？\'shecried，anangrycolouruponhercheeks，andhereyesindignant。\'Youwerethinkingoflettingmewintopleaseme!\'
\'Idon\'tmindowningthatIwas，\'Knightrespondedphlegmatically，andappearingallthemoresobycontrastwithherownturmoil。
\'Butyoumustnot!Iwon\'thaveit。\'
\'Verywell。\'
\'No，thatwillnotdo；Iinsistthatyoupromisenottodoanysuchabsurdthing。Itisinsultingme!\'
\'Verywell，madam。Iwon\'tdoanysuchabsurdthing。Youshallnotwin。\'
\'Thatistobeproved!\'shereturnedproudly；andtheplaywenton。
Nothingisnowheardbutthetickingofaquaintoldtimepieceonthesummitofabookcase。Tenminutespass；hecapturesherknight；shetakeshisknight，andlooksaveryRhadamanthus。
Moreminutestickaway；shetakeshispawnandhastheadvantage，showinghersenseofitratherprominently。
Fiveminutesmore:hetakesherbishop:shebringsthingsevenbytakinghisknight。
Threeminutes:shelooksbold，andtakeshisqueen:helooksplacid，andtakeshers。
Eightortenminutespass:hetakesapawn；sheuttersalittlepooh!butnottheghostofapawncanshetakeinretaliation。
Tenminutespass:hetakesanotherpawnandsays，\'Check!\'Sheflushes，extricatesherselfbycapturinghisbishop，andlookstriumphant。Heimmediatelytakesherbishop:shelookssurprised。
Fiveminuteslonger:shemakesadashandtakeshisonlyremainingbishop；herepliesbytakingheronlyremainingknight。
Twominutes:hegivescheck；hermindisnowinapainfulstateoftension，andsheshadesherfacewithherhand。
Yetafewminutesmore:hetakesherrookandchecksagain。Sheliterallytremblesnowlestanartfulsurpriseshehasinstoreforhimshallbeanticipatedbytheartfulsurpriseheevidentlyhasinstoreforher。
Fiveminutes:\'Checkmateintwomoves!\'exclaimsElfride。
\'Ifyoucan，\'saysKnight。
\'Oh，Ihavemiscalculated；thatiscruel!\'
\'Checkmate，\'saysKnight；andthevictoryiswon。
Elfridearoseandturnedawaywithoutlettinghimseeherface。
Onceinthehallsheranupstairsandintoherroom，andflungherselfdownuponherbed，weepingbitterly。
\'WhereisElfride？\'saidherfatheratluncheon。
Knightlistenedanxiouslyfortheanswer。Hehadbeenhopingtoseeheragainbeforethistime。
\'Sheisn\'twell，sir，\'wasthereply。
Mrs。Swancourtroseandlefttheroom，goingupstairstoElfride\'sapartment。
AtthedoorwasUnity，whooccupiedinthenewestablishmentapositionbetweenyounglady\'smaidandmiddle-housemaid。
\'Sheissoundasleep，ma\'am，\'Unitywhispered。
Mrs。Swancourtopenedthedoor。Elfridewaslyingfull-dressedonthebed，herfacehotandred，herarmsthrownabroad。Atintervalsofaminuteshetossedrestlesslyfromsidetoside，andindistinctlymoanedwordsusedinthegameofchess。
Mrs。Swancourthadaturnfordoctoring，andfeltherpulse。Itwastwanginglikeaharp-string，attherateofnearlyahundredandfiftyaminute。Softlymovingthesleepinggirltoalittlelesscrampedposition，shewentdownstairsagain。
\'Sheisasleepnow，\'saidMrs。Swancourt。\'Shedoesnotseemverywell。CousinKnight，whatwereyouthinkingof？hertenderbrainwon\'tbearcudgellinglikeyourgreathead。Youshouldhavestrictlyforbiddenhertoplayagain。\'
Intruth，theessayist\'sexperienceofthenatureofyoungwomenwasfarlessextensivethanhisabstractknowledgeofthemledhimselfandotherstobelieve。Hecouldpackthemintosentenceslikeaworkman，butpracticallywasnowhere。
\'Iamindeedsorry，\'saidKnight，feelingevenmorethanheexpressed。\'Butsurely，theyoungladyknowsbestwhatisgoodforher!\'
\'Blessyou，that\'sjustwhatshedoesn\'tknow。Sheneverthinksofsuchthings，doesshe，Christopher？HerfatherandIhavetocommandherandkeepherinorder，asyouwouldachild。ShewillsaythingsworthyofaFrenchepigrammatist，andactlikearobininagreenhouse。ButIthinkwewillsendforDr。Granson——therecanbenoharm。\'
AmanwasstraightwaydespatchedonhorsebacktoCastleBoterel，andthegentlemanknownasDr。Gransoncameinthecourseoftheafternoon。Hepronouncedhernervoussystemtobeinadecidedstateofdisorder；forwardedsomesoothingdraught，andgaveordersthatonnoaccountwhateverwasshetoplaychessagain。
ThenextmorningKnight，muchvexedwithhimself，waitedwithacuriouslycompoundedfeelingforherentrytobreakfast。Thewomenservantscameintoprayersatirregularintervals，andaseachentered，hecouldnot，tosavehislife，avoidturninghisheadwiththehopethatshemightbeElfride。Mr。Swancourtbeganreadingwithoutwaitingforher。Thensomebodyglidedinnoiselessly；Knightsoftlyglancedup:itwasonlythelittlekitchen-maid。Knightthoughtreadingprayersabore。
Hewentoutalone，andforalmostthefirsttimefailedtorecognizethatholdingconversewithNature\'scharmswasnotsolitude。Onnearingthehouseagainheperceivedhisyoungfriendcrossingaslopebyapathwhichranintotheonehewasfollowingintheangleofthefield。Heretheymet。Elfridewasatonceexultantandabashed:comingintohispresencehaduponhertheeffectofenteringacathedral。
Knighthadhisnote-bookinhishand，andhad，infact，beenintheveryactofwritingthereinwhentheycameinviewofeachother。Heleftoffinthemidstofasentence，andproceededtoinquirewarmlyconcerningherstateofhealth。Shesaidshewasperfectlywell，andindeedhadneverlookedbetter。Herhealthwasasinconsequentasheractions。Herlipswerered，WITHOUT
thepolishthatcherrieshave，andtheirrednessmarginedwiththewhiteskininaclearlydefinedline，whichhadnothingofjaggedconfusioninit。Altogethershestoodasthelastpersonintheworldtobeknockedoverbyagameofchess，becausetooephemeral-lookingtoplayone。
\'Areyoutakingnotes？\'sheinquiredwithanalacrityplainlyarisinglessfrominterestinthesubjectthanfromawishtodiverthisthoughtsfromherself。
\'Yes；Iwasmakinganentry。AndwithyourpermissionIwillcompleteit。\'Knightthenstoodstillandwrote。Elfrideremainedbesidehimamoment，andafterwardswalkedon。
\'Ishouldliketoseeallthesecretsthatareinthatbook，\'shegailyflungbacktohimoverhershoulder。
\'Idon\'tthinkyouwouldfindmuchtointerestyou。\'
\'IknowIshould。\'
\'ThenofcourseIhavenomoretosay。\'
\'ButIwouldaskthisquestionfirst。Isitabookofmerefactsconcerningjourneysandexpenditure，andsoon，orabookofthoughts？\'
\'Well，totellthetruth，itisnotexactlyeither。Itconsistsforthemostpartofjottingsforarticlesandessays，disjointedanddisconnected，ofnopossibleinteresttoanybodybutmyself。\'
\'Itcontains，Isuppose，yourdevelopedthoughtsinembryo？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Iftheyareinterestingwhenenlargedtothesizeofanarticle，whatmusttheybeintheirconcentratedform？Purerectifiedspirit，aboveproof；beforeitisloweredtobefitforhumanconsumption:\"wordsthatburn\"indeed。\'
\'Ratherlikeaballoonbeforeitisinflated:flabby，shapeless，dead。Youcouldhardlyreadthem。\'
\'MayItry？\'shesaidcoaxingly。\'Iwrotemypoorromanceinthatway——Imeaninbits，outofdoors——andIshouldliketoseewhetheryourwayofenteringthingsisthesameasmine。\'
\'Really，that\'sratheranawkwardrequest。IsupposeIcanhardlyrefusenowyouhaveaskedsodirectly；but——\'
\'Youthinkmeill-manneredinasking。Butdoesnotthisjustifyme——yourwritinginmypresence，Mr。Knight？IfIhadlighteduponyourbookbychance，itwouldhavebeendifferent；butyoustandbeforeme，andsay，\"Excuseme，\"withoutcaringwhetherIdoornot，andwriteon，andthentellmetheyarenotprivatefactsbutpublicideas。\'
\'Verywell，MissSwancourt。Ifyoureallymustsee，theconsequencesbeuponyourownhead。Remember，myadvicetoyouistoleavemybookalone。\'
\'ButwiththatcautionIhaveyourpermission？\'
\'Yes。\'
Shehesitatedamoment，lookedathishandcontainingthebook，thenlaughed，andsaying，\'Imustseeit，\'withdrewitfromhisfingers。
Knightrambledontowardsthehouse，leavingherstandinginthepathturningovertheleaves。Bythetimehehadreachedthewicket-gatehesawthatshehadmoved，andwaitedtillshecameup。
Elfridehadclosedthenote-book，andwascarryingitdisdainfullybythecornerbetweenherfingerandthumb；herfaceworeanettledlook。Shesilentlyextendedthevolumetowardshim，raisinghereyesnohigherthanherhandwaslifted。
\'Takeit，\'saidElfridequickly。\'Idon\'twanttoreadit。\'
\'Couldyouunderstandit？\'saidKnight。
\'AsfarasIlooked。ButIdidn\'tcaretoreadmuch。\'
\'Why，MissSwancourt？\'
\'OnlybecauseIdidn\'twishto——that\'sall。\'
\'Iwarnedyouthatyoumightnot。\'
\'Yes，butIneversupposedyouwouldhaveputmethere。\'
\'Yournameisnotmentionedoncewithinthefourcorners。\'
\'Notmyname——Iknowthat。\'
\'Noryourdescription，noranythingbywhichanybodywouldrecognizeyou。\'
\'Exceptmyself。Forwhatisthis？\'sheexclaimed，takingitfromhimandopeningapage。\'August7。That\'sthedaybeforeyesterday。ButIwon\'treadit，\'Elfridesaid，closingthebookagainwithprettyhauteur。\'WhyshouldI？Ihadnobusinesstoasktoseeyourhook，anditservesmeright。\'
Knighthardlyrecollectedwhathehadwritten，andturnedoverthebooktosee。Hecametothis:
\'Aug。7。Girlgetsintoherteens，andherself-consciousnessisborn。Afteracertainintervalpassedininfantinehelplessnessitbeginstoact。Simple，young，andinexperiencedatfirst。
Personsofobservationcantelltoanicetyhowoldthisconsciousnessisbytheskillithasacquiredintheartnecessarytoitssuccess——theartofhidingitself。Generallybeginscareerbyactionswhicharepopularlytermedshowing-off。Methodadopteddependsineachcaseuponthedisposition，rank，residence，oftheyoungladyattemptingit。Town-bredgirlwilluttersomemoralparadoxonfastmen，orlove。Countrymissadoptsthemorematerialmediaoftakingaghastlyfence，whistling，ormakingyourbloodruncoldbyappearingtoriskherneck。MEM。OnEndelstowTower。
\'Aninnocentvanityisofcoursetheoriginofthesedisplays。
\"Lookatme，\"saytheseyouthfulbeginnersinwomanlyartifice，withoutreflectingwhetherornotitbetotheiradvantagetoshowsoverymuchofthemselves。AmplifyandcorrectforpaperonArtlessArts。\'
\'Yes，Iremembernow，\'saidKnight。\'Thenoteswerecertainlysuggestedbyyourmanoeuvreonthechurchtower。Butyoumustnotthinktoomuchofsuchrandomobservations，\'hecontinuedencouragingly，ashenoticedherinjuredlooks。\'Amerefancypassingthroughmyheadassumesafactitiousimportancetoyou，becauseithasbeenmadepermanentbybeingwrittendown。Allmankindthinkthoughtsasbadasthoseofpeopletheymostloveonearth，butsuchthoughtsnevergettingembodiedonpaper，itbecomesassumedthattheyneverexisted。Idaresaythatyouyourselfhavethoughtsomedisagreeablethingorotherofme，whichwouldseemjustasbadasthisifwritten。Ichallengeyou，now，totellme。\'
\'TheworstthingIhavethoughtofyou？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Imustnot。\'
\'Ohyes。\'
\'Ithoughtyouwereratherround-shouldered。\'
Knightlookedslightlyredder。
\'Andthattherewasalittlebaldspotonthetopofyourhead。\'
\'Heh-heh!Twoineradicabledefects，\'saidKnight，therebeingafaintghastlinessdiscernibleinhislaugh。\'Theyaremuchworseinalady\'seyethanbeingthoughtself-conscious，Isuppose。\'
\'Ah，that\'sveryfine，\'shesaid，tooinexperiencedtoperceiveherhit，andhencenotquitedisposedtoforgivehisnotes。\'YoualludedtomeinthatentryasifIweresuchachild，too。
Everybodydoesthat。Icannotunderstandit。Iamquiteawoman，youknow。HowolddoyouthinkIam？\'
\'Howold？Why，seventeen，Ishouldsay。Allgirlsareseventeen。\'
\'Youarewrong。Iamnearlynineteen。Whichclassofwomendoyoulikebest，thosewhoseemyounger，orthosewhoseemolderthantheyare？\'
\'Off-handIshouldbeinclinedtosaythosewhoseemolder。\'
SoitwasnotElfride\'sclass。
\'Butitiswellknown，\'shesaideagerly，andtherewassomethingtouchingintheartlessanxietytobethoughtmuchofwhichsherevealedbyherwords，\'thatthesloweranatureistodevelop，thericherthenature。Youthsandgirlswhoaremenandwomenbeforetheycomeofagearenobodiesbythetimethatbackwardpeoplehaveshowntheirfullcompass。\'
\'Yes，\'saidKnightthoughtfully。\'Thereisreallysomethinginthatremark。ButattheriskofoffenceImustremindyouthatyoutheretakeitforgrantedthatthewomanbehindhertimeatagivenagehasnotreachedtheendofhertether。Herbackwardnessmaybenotbecausesheisslowtodevelop，butbecauseshesoonexhaustedhercapacityfordeveloping。\'
Elfridelookeddisappointed。Bythistimetheywereindoors。
Mrs。Swancourt，towhommatch-makingbyanyhonestmeanswasmeatanddrink，hadnowalittleschemeofthatnatureconcerningthispair。Themorning-room，inwhichtheybothexpectedtofindher，wasempty；theoldladyhaving，fortheabovereason，vacateditbytheseconddoorastheyenteredbythefirst。
Knightwenttothechimney-piece，andcarelesslysurveyedtwoportraitsonivory。
\'Thoughthesepinkladieshadveryrudimentaryfeatures，judgingbywhatIseehere，\'heobserved，\'theyhadunquestionablybeautifulheadsofhair。\'
\'Yes；andthatiseverything，\'saidElfride，possiblyconsciousofherown，possiblynot。
\'Noteverything；thoughagreatdeal，certainly。\'
\'Whichcolourdoyoulikebest？\'sheventuredtoask。
\'Moredependsonitsabundancethanonitscolour。\'
\'Abundancesbeingequal，mayIinquireyourfavouritecolour？\'
\'Dark。\'
\'Imeanforwomen，\'shesaid，withtheminutestfallofcountenance，andahopethatshehadbeenmisunderstood。
\'SodoI，\'Knightreplied。
ItwasimpossibleforanymannottoknowthecolourofElfride\'shair。Inwomenwhowearitplainlysuchafeaturemaybeoverlookedbymennotgiventoocularintentness。Butherswasalwaysintheway。Yousawherhairasfarasyoucouldseehersex，andknewthatitwasthepalestbrown。SheknewinstantlythatKnight，beingperfectlyawareofthis，hadanindependentstandardofadmirationinthematter。
Elfridewasthoroughlyvexed。Shecouldnotbutbestruckwiththehonestyofhisopinions，andtheworstofitwas，thatthemoretheywentagainsther，themoresherespectedthem。Andnow，likearecklessgambler，shehazardedherlastandbesttreasure。
Hereyes:theywereherallnow。
\'Whatcolouredeyesdoyoulikebest，Mr。Knight？\'shesaidslowly。
\'Honestly，orasacompliment？\'
\'Ofcoursehonestly；Idon\'twantanybody\'scompliment!\'
AndyetElfrideknewotherwise:thatacomplimentorwordofapprovalfromthatmanthenwouldhavebeenlikeawelltoafamishedArab。
\'Ipreferhazel，\'hesaidserenely。
Shehadplayedandlostagain。
ChapterXIX
\'Lovewasinthenextdegree。\'
Knighthadnoneofthoselightfamiliaritiesofspeechwhich，byjudicioustouchesofepigrammaticflattery，obliterateawoman\'srecollectionofthespeaker\'sabstractopinions。Sonomorewassaidbyeitheronthesubjectofhair，eyes，ordevelopment。
Elfride\'smindhadbeenimpregnatedwithsentimentsofherownsmallnesstoanuncomfortabledegreeofdistinctness，andherdiscomfortwasvisibleinherface。Thewholetendencyoftheconversationlatterlyhadbeentoquietlybutsurelydisparageher；andshewasfaintotakeStephenintofavourinself-defence。
Hewouldnothavebeensounloving，shesaid，astoadmireanidiosyncrasyandfeaturesdifferentfromherown。True，Stephenhaddeclaredhelovedher:Mr。Knighthadneverdoneanythingofthesort。Somehowthisdidnotmendmatters，andthesensationofhersmallnessinKnight\'seyesstillremained。Hadthepositionbeenreversed——hadStephenlovedherinspiteofadifferingtaste，andhadKnightbeenindifferentinspiteofherresemblancetohisideal，itwouldhaveengenderedfarhappierthoughts。Asmattersstood，Stephen\'sadmirationmighthaveitsrootinablindnesstheresultofpassion。Perhapsanykeenman\'sjudgmentwascondemnatoryofher。
DuringtheremainderofSaturdaytheyweremoreorlessthrownwiththeirseniors，andnoconversationarosewhichwasexclusivelytheirown。WhenElfridewasinbedthatnightherthoughtsrecurredtothesamesubject。Atonemomentsheinsistedthatitwasill-naturedofhimtospeaksodecisivelyashehaddone；thenext，thatitwassterlinghonesty。
\'Ah，whatapoornobodyIam!\'shesaid，sighing。\'Peoplelikehim，whogoaboutthegreatworld，don\'tcareintheleastwhatI
amlikeeitherinmoodorfeature。\'
Perhapsamanwhohasgotthoroughlyintoawoman\'smindinthismanner，ishalfwaytoherheart；thedistancebetweenthosetwostationsisproverbiallyshort。
\'Andareyoureallygoingawaythisweek？\'saidMrs。SwancourttoKnightonthefollowingevening，whichwasSunday。
Theywereallleisurelyclimbingthehilltothechurch，wherealastservicewasnowtobeheldattheratherexceptionaltimeofeveninginsteadofintheafternoon，previoustothedemolitionoftheruinousportions。