\'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。TheyounggirlpersuadedherselfthatshewasgladStephenhadsucharighttoherhandashehadacquiredinhereyesbytheelopement。Shebeguiledherselfbysaying，\'PerhapsifIhadnotsocommittedmyselfImightfallinlovewithMr。Knight。\'
AllthismadetheweekofKnight\'sabsenceverygloomyanddistastefultoher。SheretainedStepheninherprayers，andhisoldletterswerere-read——asamedicineinreality，thoughshedeceivedherselfintothebeliefthatitwasasapleasure。
Theselettershadgrownmoreandmorehopeful。Hetoldherthathefinishedhisworkeverydaywithapleasantconsciousnessofhavingremovedonemorestonefromthebarrierwhichdividedthem。
Thenhedrewimagesofwhatafinefiguretheytwowouldcutsomeday。Peoplewouldturntheirheadsandsay，\'Whataprizehehaswon!\'ShewasnottobesadaboutthatwildrunawayattemptoftheirsElfridehadrepeatedlysaidthatitgrievedher。
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。\'