ThesuddennessofElfride\'srenunciationofhimselfwasfoodformoretorture。Toanunimpassionedoutsider，itadmittedofatleasttwointerpretations——itmighteitherhaveproceededfromanendeavourtobefaithfultoherfirstchoice，tilltheloverseenabsolutelyoverpoweredtheloverremembered，orfromawishnottolosehislovetillsureoftheloveofanother。ButtoStephenSmiththemotiveinvolvedinthelatteralternativemadeituntenablewhereElfridewastheactor。
Hemusedonherletterstohim，inwhichshehadnevermentionedasyllableconcerningKnight。Itisdesirable，however，toobservethatonlyintwoletterscouldshepossiblyhavedoneso。OnewaswrittenaboutaweekbeforeKnight\'sarrival，when，thoughshedidnotmentionhispromisedcomingtoStephen，shehadhardlyadefinitereasoninhermindforneglectingtodoit。InthenextshedidcasuallyalludetoKnight。ButStephenhadleftBombaylongbeforethatletterarrived。
Stephenlookedattheblackformoftheadjacenthouse，whereitcutadarkpolygonalnotchoutofthesky，andfeltthathehatedthespot。Hedidnotknowmanyfactsofthecase，butcouldnothelpinstinctivelyassociatingElfride\'sficklenesswiththemarriageofherfather，andtheirintroductiontoLondonsociety。
Heclosedtheirongateboundingtheshrubberyasnoiselesslyashehadopenedit，andwentintothegrassyfield。Herehecouldseetheoldvicarage，thehousealonethatwasassociatedwiththesweetpleasanttimeofhisincipientloveforElfride。Turningsadlyfromtheplacethatwasnolongeranookinwhichhisthoughtsmightnestlewhenhewasfaraway，hewanderedinthedirectionoftheeastvillage，toreachhisfather\'shousebeforetheyretiredtorest。
Thenearestwaytothecottagewasbycrossingthepark。Hedidnothurry。Happinessfrequentlyhasreasonforhaste，butitisseldomthatdesolationneedscrambleorstrain。Sometimeshepausedunderthelow-hangingarmsofthetrees，lookingvacantlyontheground。
Stephenwasstandingthus，scarcelylesscrippledinthoughtthanhewasblankinvision，whenaclearsoundpermeatedthequietairabouthim，andspreadonfarbeyond。ThesoundwasthestrokeofabellfromthetowerofEastEndelstowChurch，whichstoodinadellnotfortyyardsfromLordLuxellian\'smansion，andwithintheparkenclosure。Anotherstrokegreetedhisear，andgavecharactertoboth:thencameaslowsuccessionofthem。
\'Somebodyisdead，\'hesaidaloud。
Thedeath-knellofaninhabitantoftheeasternparishwasbeingtolled。
AnunusualfeatureinthetollingwasthatithadnotbeenbegunaccordingtothecustominEndelstowandotherparishesintheneighbourhood。Ateverydeaththesexandageofthedeceasedwereannouncedbyasystemofchanges。Threetimesthreestrokessignifiedthatthedepartedonewasaman；threetimestwo，awoman；twicethree，aboy；twicetwo，agirl。Theregularcontinuityofthetollingsuggestedthatitwastheresumptionratherthanthebeginningofaknell——theopeningportionofwhichStephenhadnotbeennearenoughtohear。
Themomentaryanxietyhehadfeltwithregardtohisparentspassedaway。Hehadlefttheminperfecthealth，andhadanyseriousillnessseizedeither，acommunicationwouldhavereachedhimerethis。Atthesametime，sincehiswayhomewardlayunderthechurchyardyews，heresolvedtolookintothebelfryinpassingby，andspeakawordtoMartinCannister，whowouldbethere。
Stephenreachedthebrowofthehill，andfeltinclinedtorenouncehisidea。Hismoodwassuchthattalkingtoanypersontowhomhecouldnotunburdenhimselfwouldbewearisome。
However，beforehecouldputanyinclinationintoeffect，theyoungmansawfromamidthetreesabrightlightshining，theraysfromwhichradiatedlikeneedlesthroughthesadplumyfoliageoftheyews。Itsdirectionwasfromthecentreofthechurchyard。
Stephenmechanicallywentforward。Nevercouldtherebeagreatercontrastbetweentwoplacesoflikepurposethanbetweenthisgraveyardandthatofthefurthervillage。Herethegrasswascarefullytended，andformedvirtuallyapartofthemanor-houselawn；flowersandshrubsbeingplantedindiscriminatelyoverboth，whilstthefewgravesvisibleweremathematicallyexactinshapeandsmoothness，appearinginthedaytimelikechinsnewlyshaven。
Therewasnowall，thedivisionbetweenGod\'sAcreandLordLuxellian\'sbeingmarkedonlybyafewsquarestonessetatequidistantpoints。Amongthosepersonswhohaveromanticsentimentsonthesubjectoftheirlastdwelling-place，probablythegreaternumberwouldhavechosensuchaspotasthisinpreferencetoanyother:afewwouldhavefanciedaconstraintinitstrimneatness，andwouldhavepreferredthewildhill-topoftheneighbouringsite，withNatureinhermostnegligentattire。
Thelightinthechurchyardhenextdiscoveredtohaveitssourceinapointveryneartheground，andStephenimagineditmightcomefromalanternintheinteriorofapartly-duggrave。Butanearerapproachshowedhimthatitspositionwasimmediatelyunderthewalloftheaisle，andwithinthemouthofanarchway。Hecouldnowhearvoices，andthetruthofthewholematterbegantodawnuponhim。Walkingontowardstheopening，Smithdiscernedonhislefthandaheapofearth，andbeforehimaflightofstonestepswhichtheremovedearthhaduncovered，leadingdownundertheedifice。Itwastheentrancetoalargefamilyvault，extendingunderthenorthaisle。
Stephenhadneverbeforeseenitopen，anddescendingoneortwostepsstoopedtolookunderthearch。Thevaultappearedtobecrowdedwithcoffins，withtheexceptionofanopencentralspace，whichhadbeennecessarilykeptfreeforingressandaccesstothesides，roundthreeofwhichthecoffinswerestackedinstonebinsorniches。
Theplacewaswelllightedwithcandlesstuckinslipsofwoodthatwerefastenedtothewall。Onmakingthedescentofanotherstepthelivinginhabitantsofthevaultwererecognizable。Theywerehisfatherthemaster-mason，anunder-mason，MartinCannister，andtwoorthreeyoungandoldlabouring-men。Crowbarsandworkmen\'shammerswerescatteredabout。Thewholecompany，sittingroundoncoffinswhichhadbeenremovedfromtheirplaces，apparentlyforsomealterationorenlargementofthevault，wereeatingbreadandcheese，anddrinkingalefromacupwithtwohandles，passedroundfromeachtoeach。
\'Whoisdead？\'Stepheninquired，steppingdown。
ChapterXXVI
\'Tothatlastnothingunderearth。\'
AlleyeswereturnedtotheentranceasStephenspoke，andtheancient-manneredconclavescrutinizedhiminquiringly。
\'Why，\'tisourStephen!\'saidhisfather，risingfromhisseat；
and，stillretainingthefrothymuginhislefthand，heswungforwardhisrightforagrasp。\'Yourmotherisexpectingye——
thoughtyouwouldhavecomeaforedark。Butyou\'llwaitandgohomewithme？Ihaveallbutdonefortheday，andwasgoingdirectly。\'
\'Yes，\'tisMasterStephy，sureenough。Gladtoseeyousosoonagain，MasterSmith，\'saidMartinCannister，chasteningthegladnessexpressedinhiswordsbyastrictneutralityofcountenance，inordertoharmonizethefeelingasmuchaspossiblewiththesolemnityofafamilyvault。
\'Thesametoyou，Martin；andyou，William，\'saidStephen，noddingaroundtotherest，who，havingtheirmouthsfullofbreadandcheese，wereofnecessitycompelledtoreplymerelybycompressingtheireyestofriendlylinesandwrinkles。
\'Andwhoisdead？\'Stephenrepeated。
\'LadyLuxellian，poorgentlewoman，asweallshall，saidtheunder-mason。\'Ay，andwebegoingtoenlargethevaulttomakeroomforher。\'
\'Whendidshedie？\'
\'Earlythismorning，\'hisfatherreplied，withanappearanceofrecurringtoachronicthought。\'Yes，thismorning。Martinhevbeentollingeversince，almost。There，\'twasexpected。Shewasverylimber。\'
\'Ay，poorsoul，thismorning，\'resumedtheunder-mason，amarvellouslyoldman，whoseskinseemedsomuchtoolargeforhisbodythatitwouldnotstayinposition。\'Shemustknowbythistimewhethershe\'stogoupordown，poorwoman。\'
\'Whatwasherage？\'
\'Notmorethansevenoreightandtwentybycandlelight。But，Lord!byday\'awasfortyif\'awereanhour。\'
\'Ay，night-timeorday-timemakesadifferenceoftwentyyearstorichfeymels，\'observedMartin。
\'Shewasoneandthirtyreally，\'saidJohnSmith。\'Ihaditfromthemthatknow。\'
\'Notmorethanthat!\'
\'\'Alookedverybad，poorlady。Infaith，yemightsayshewasdeadforyearsafore\'awouldownit。\'
\'Asmyoldfatherusedtosay，\"dead，butwouldn\'tdropdown。”\'
\'Iseedher，poorsoul，\'saidalabourerfrombehindsomeremovedcoffins，\'onlybutlastValentine\'s-dayofalltheworld。\'Awasarmincrookwi\'mylord。Isaystomyself，\"YoubeticketedChurchyard，mynoblelady，althoughyoudon\'tdreamon\'t。”\'
\'Isupposemylordwillwritetoalltheotherlordsanointedinthenation，tolet\'emknowthatshethatwasisnownomore？\'
\'\'Tisdoneandpast。Iseeabundleoflettersgooffanhourafterthedeath。Sichwonderfulblackrimsastheylettershad——
half-an-inchwide，attheveryleast。\'
\'Toomuch，\'observedMartin。\'Inshort，\'tisoutofthequestionthatahumanbeingcanbesomournfulasblackedgeshalf-an-inchwide。I\'msurepeopledon\'tfeelmorethanaverynarrowborderwhentheyfeelsmostofall。\'
\'Andtherearetwolittlegirls，aretherenot？\'saidStephen。
\'Niceclanelittlefaces!——leftmotherlessnow。\'
\'TheyusedtocometoParsonSwancourt\'stoplaywithMissElfridewhenIwerethere，\'saidWilliamWorm。\'Ah，theydidso\'s!\'Thelattersentencewasintroducedtoaddthenecessarymelancholytoaremarkwhich，intrinsically，couldhardlybemadetopossessenoughfortheoccasion。\'Yes，\'continuedWorm，\'they\'drunupstairs，they\'drundown；flittingaboutwithhereverywhere。
Veryfondofher，theywere。Ah，well!\'
\'Fonderthanevertheywereoftheirmother，so\'tissaidhereandthere，\'addedalabourer。
\'Well，yousee，\'tisnatural。LadyLuxellianstoodalooffrom\'emso——wassodrowsy-like，thattheycouldn\'tloveherinthejolly-
companionwaychildrenwanttolikefolks。OnlylastwinterI
seedMissElfridetalkingtomyladyandthetwochildren，andMissElfridewipedtheirnosesforem\'SOcareful——myladyneveronceseeingthatitwanteddoing；and，naturally，childrentaketopeoplethat\'stheirbestfriend。\'
\'Beas\'twill，thewomanisdeadandgone，andwemustmakeaplaceforher，\'saidJohn。\'Come，lads，drinkupyourale，andwe\'lljustridthiscorner，soastohaveallclearforbeginningatthewall，assoonas\'tislightto-morrow。\'
StephenthenaskedwhereLadyLuxellianwastolie。
\'Here，\'saidhisfather。\'Wearegoingtosetbackthiswallandmakearecess；and\'tisenoughforustodobeforethefuneral。
Whenmylord\'smotherdied，shesaid，\"John，theplacemustbeenlargedbeforeanothercanbeputin。”But\'aneverexpected\'twouldbewantedsosoon。BettermoveLordGeorgefirst，I
suppose，Simeon？\'
Hepointedwithhisfoottoaheavycoffin，coveredwithwhathadoriginallybeenredvelvet，thecolourofwhichcouldonlyjustbedistinguishednow。
\'Justasyethinkbest，MasterJohn，\'repliedtheshrivelledmason。\'Ah，poorLordGeorge!\'hecontinued，lookingcontemplativelyatthehugecoffin；\'heandIwereasbitterenemiesonceasanycouldbewhenoneisalordandt\'otheronlyamortalman。Poorfellow!He\'dclaphishanduponmyshoulderandcussmeasfamilialandneighbourlyasifhe\'dbeenacommonchap。
Ay，\'acussedmeuphilland\'acussedmedown；andthen\'awouldraveoutagain，andthegooldclampsofhisfinenewteethwouldglisteninthesunlikefettersofbrass，whileI，beingasmallmanandpoor，wasfaintosaynothingatall。Suchastrappenfinegentlemanashewastoo!Yes，Iratherlikedensometimes。
Butoncenowandthen，whenIlookedathistoweringheight，I\'dthinkinmyinside，\"Whataweightyou\'llbe，mylord，forourarmstolowerundertheaisleofEndelstowChurchsomeday!\"\'
\'Andwashe？\'inquiredayounglabourer。
\'Hewas。Hewasfivehundredweightif\'awereapound。Whatwithhislead，andhisoak，andhishandles，andhisonethingandt\'other\'——heretheancientmanslappedhishanduponthecoverwithaforcethatcausedarattleamongthebonesinside——\'hehalfbrokemybackwhenItookhisfeettolowerendownthestepsthere。\"Ah，\"saithItoJohnthere——didn\'tI，John？——\"thateveroneman\'sgloryshouldbesuchaweightuponanotherman!\"Butthere，IlikedmylordGeorgesometimes。\'
\'\'Tisastrangethought，\'saidanother，\'thatwhiletheybeallhereunderoneroof，asnugunitedfamilyo\'Luxellians，theybereallyscatteredmilesawayfromoneanotherintheformofgoodsheepandwickedgoats，isn\'tit？\'
\'True；\'tisathoughttolookat。\'
\'Andthatone，ifhe\'sgoneupward，don\'tknowwhathiswifeisdoingnomorethanthemaninthemoonifshe\'sgonedownward。
Andthatsomeunfortunateoneinthehotplaceisa-holleringacrosstoaluckyoneupintheclouds，andquiteforgettingtheirbodiesbeboxedclosetogetherallthetime。\'
\'Ay，\'tisathoughttolookat，too，thatIcansay\"Hullo!\"closetofieryLordGeorge，and\'acan\'thearme。\'
\'AndthatIbeeatingmyonionclosetodaintyLadyJane\'snose，andshecan\'tsmellme。\'
\'Whatdo\'emputalltheirheadsonewayfor？\'inquiredayoungman。
\'Because\'tischurchyardlaw，yousimple。Thelawofthelivingis，thatamanshallbeuprightanddown-right，andthelawofthedeadis，thatamanshallbeeastandwest。Everystateofsocietyhaveitslaws。\'
\'Wemustbreakthelawwi\'afewofthepoorsouls，however。
Come，buckleto，\'saidthemaster-mason。
Andtheysettoworkanew。
Theorderofintermentcouldbedistinctlytracedbyobservingtheappearanceofthecoffinsastheylaypiledaround。Onthosewhichhadbeenstandingtherebutagenerationortwothetrappingsstillremained。Thoseofanearlierperiodshowedbarewood，withafewtatteredragsdanglingtherefrom。Earlierstill，thewoodlayinfragmentsontheflooroftheniche，andthecoffinconsistedofnakedleadalone；whilstinthecaseoftheveryoldest，eventheleadwasbulgingandcrackinginpieces，revealingtothecuriouseyeaheapofdustwithin。Theshieldsuponmanywerequiteloose，andremovablebythehand，theirlustrelesssurfacesstillindistinctlyexhibitingthenameandtitleofthedeceased。
Overheadthegroinsandconcavitiesofthearchescurvedinalldirections，droppinglowtowardsthewalls，wheretheheightwasnomorethansufficienttoenableapersontostandupright。
ThebodyofGeorgethefourteenthbaron，togetherwithtwoorthreeothers，allofmorerecentdatethanthegreatbulkofcoffinspiledthere，had，forwantofroom，beenplacedattheendofthevaultontressels，andnotinnichesliketheothers。
Theseitwasnecessarytoremove，toformbehindthemthechamberinwhichtheywereultimatelytobedeposited。Stephen，findingtheplaceandproceedingsinkeepingwiththesombrecoloursofhismind，waitedtherestill。
\'Simeon，IsupposeyoucanmindpoorLadyElfride，andhowsheranawaywiththeactor？\'saidJohnSmith，afterawhile。\'Ithinkitfelluponthetimemyfatherwassextonhere。Letussee——whereisshe？\'
\'Heresomewhere，\'returnedSimeon，lookingroundhim。
\'Why，I\'vegotmyarmsroundtheverygentlewomanatthismoment。\'
Heloweredtheendofthecoffinhewasholding，wipedhisface，andthrowingamorselofrottenwooduponanotherasanindicator，continued:\'That\'sherhusbandthere。Theywasasfairacoupleasyoushouldseeanywhereroundabout；andagood-heartedpairlikewise。Ay，Icanmindit，thoughIwasbutachielatthetime。Shefellinlovewiththisyoungmanofhers，andtheirbannswereaskedinsomechurchinLondon；andtheoldlordherfatheractuallyheard\'emaskedthethreetimes，anddidn\'tnoticehername，beinggabbledonwi\'ahostofothers。Whenshehadmarriedshetoldherfather，and\'afleedintoamonstrousrage，andsaidsheshouldn\'haeafarthing。LadyElfridesaidshedidn\'tthinkofwishingit；ifhe\'dforgieher\'twasallsheasked，andasforaliving，shewascontenttoplayplayswithherhusband。Thisfrightenedtheoldlord，and\'agie\'d\'emahousetolivein，andagreatgarden，andalittlefieldortwo，andacarriage，andagoodfewguineas。Well，thepoorthingdiedatherfirstgossiping，andherhusband——whowasastender-heartedamanasevereatmeat，andwouldhavediedforher——wentwildinhismind，andbrokehisheartso\'twassaid。Anyhow，theywereburiedthesameday——fatherandmother——butthebabylived。Ay，mylord\'sfamilymademuchofthatmanthen，andputhimherewithhiswife，andthereinthecornerthemanisnow。TheSundayaftertherewasafuneralsermon:thetextwas，\"Oreverthesilvercordbeloosed，orthegoldenbowlbebroken；\"andwhen\'twaspreachingthemendrewtheirhandsacrosstheireyesseveraltimes，andeverywomancriedoutloud。\'
\'Andwhatbecameofthebaby？\'saidStephen，whohadfrequentlyheardportionsofthestory。
\'Shewasbroughtupbyhergrandmother，andaprettymaidshewere。Andshemustneedsrunawaywiththecurate——ParsonSwancourtthatisnow。Thenhergrandmotherdied，andthetitleandeverythingwentawaytoanotherbranchofthefamilyaltogether。ParsonSwancourtwastedagooddealofhiswife\'smoney，andshelefthimMissElfride。Thattrickofrunningawayseemstobehandeddowninfamilies，likecrazinessorgout。Andtheytwowomenbealikeaspeas。\'
\'Whichtwo？\'
\'LadyElfrideandyoungMissthat\'salivenow。Thesamehairandeyes:butMissElfride\'smotherwasdarkeragooddeal。\'
\'Life\'sastranglebubble，yesee，\'saidWilliamWormmusingly。
\'ForiftheLord\'sanointmenthaddescendeduponwomeninsteadofmen，MissElfridewouldbeLordLuxellian——Lady，Imane。Butasitis，thebloodisrunout，andshe\'snothingtotheLuxellianfamilybylaw，whatevershemaybebygospel。\'
\'Iusedtofancy，\'saidSimeon，\'whenIseedMissElfridehuggingthelittleladyships，thattherewasalikeness；butIsuppose\'twasonlymydream，foryearsmusthavealteredtheoldfamilyshape。\'
\'Andnowwe\'llmovethesetwo，andhome-along，\'interposedJohnSmith，reviving，asbecameamaster，thespiritoflabour，whichhadshowedunmistakablesignsofbeingnearlyvanquishedbythespiritofchat，\'Theflagonofalewedon\'twantwe\'llletbideheretillto-morrow；noneofthepoorsoulswilltouchit\'ab\'lieve。\'
Sotheevening\'sworkwasconcluded，andthepartydrewfromtheabodeofthequietdead，closingtheoldirondoor，andshootingthelockloudlyintothehugecopperstaple——anincongruousactofimprisonmenttowardsthosewhohadnodreamsofescape。
ChapterXXVII
\'HowshouldIgreetthee？\'
Lovefrequentlydiesoftimealone——muchmorefrequentlyofdisplacement。WithElfrideSwancourt，apowerfulreasonwhythedisplacementshouldbesuccessfulwasthatthenew-comerwasagreatermanthanthefirst。BythesideoftheinstructiveandpiquantsnubbingsshereceivedfromKnight，Stephen\'sgeneralagreeablenessseemedwatery；bythesideofKnight\'ssparelove-
making，Stephen\'scontinualoutflowseemedlackadaisical。Shehadbeguntosighforsomebodyfurtheroninmanhood。Stephenwashardlyenoughofaman。
Perhapstherewasapronenesstoinconstancyinhernature——anature，tothosewhocontemplateitfromastandpointbeyondtheinfluenceofthatinconstancy，themostexquisiteofallinitsplasticityandreadysympathies。Partly，too，Stephen\'sfailuretomakehisholdonherheartapermanentonewashistootimidhabitofdispraisinghimselfbesideher——apeculiaritywhich，exercisedtowardssensiblemen，stirsakindlychordofattachmentthatamarkedassertivenesswouldleaveuntouched，butinevitablyleadsthemostsensiblewomanintheworldtoundervaluehimwhopractisesit。Directlydomineeringceasesintheman，snubbingbeginsinthewoman；thetritebutnolessunfortunatefactbeingthatthegentlercreaturerarelyhasthecapacitytoappreciatefairtreatmentfromhernaturalcomplement。TheabidingperceptionofthepositionofStephen\'sparentshad，ofcourse，alittletodowithElfride\'srenunciation。Tosuchgirlspovertymaynotbe，astothemoreworldlymassesofhumanity，asininitself；butitisasin，becausegracefulanddaintymannersseldomexistinsuchanatmosphere。Fewwomenofoldfamilycanbethoroughlytaughtthatafinesoulmaywearasmock-frock，andanadmittedlycommonmaninoneisbutawormintheireyes。JohnSmith\'sroughhandsandclothes，hiswife\'sdialect，thenecessarynarrownessoftheirways，beingconstantlyunderElfride\'snotice，werenotwithouttheirdeflectinginfluence。
Onreachinghomeaftertheperilousadventurebythesea-shore，Knighthadfeltunwell，andretiredalmostimmediately。Theyoungladywhohadsomateriallyassistedhimhaddonethesame，butshereappeared，properlyclothed，aboutfiveo\'clock。Shewanderedrestlesslyaboutthehouse，butnotonaccountoftheirjointnarrowescapefromdeath。Thestormwhichhadtornthetreehadmerelybowedthereed，andwiththedeliveranceofKnightalldeepthoughtoftheaccidenthadlefther。Themutualavowalwhichithadbeenthemeansofprecipitatingoccupiedafarlongerlengthofhermeditations。
Elfride\'sdisquietnowwasonaccountofthatmiserablepromisetomeetStephen，whichreturnedlikeaspectreagainandagain。TheperceptionofhislittlenessbesideKnightgrewuponheralarmingly。Shenowthoughthowsoundhadbeenherfather\'sadvicetohertogivehimup，andwasaspassionatelydesirousoffollowingitasshehadhithertobeenaverse。PerhapsthereisnothingmorehardeningtothetoneofyoungmindsthanthustodiscoverhowtheirdearestandstrongestwishesbecomegraduallyattunedbyTimetheCynictotheverynoteofsomeselfishpolicywhichinearlierdaystheydespised。
Thehourofappointmentcame，andwithitacrisis；andwiththecrisisacollapse。
\'Godforgiveme——Ican\'tmeetStephen!\'sheexclaimedtoherself。
\'Idon\'tlovehimless，butIloveMr。Knightmore!\'
Yes:shewouldsaveherselffromamannotfitforher——inspiteofvows。Shewouldobeyherfather，andhavenomoretodowithStephenSmith。Thusthefickleresolveshowedsignsofassumingthecomplexionofavirtue。
ThefollowingdayswerepassedwithoutanydefiniteavowalfromKnight\'slips。SuchsolitarywalksandscenesasthatwitnessedbySmithinthesummer-housewerefrequent，buthecourtedhersointangiblythattoanybutsuchadelicateperceptionasElfride\'sitwouldhaveappearednocourtshipatall。Thetimenowreallybegantobesweetwithher。Shedismissedthesenseofsininherpastactions，andwasautomaticintheintoxicationofthemoment。
ThefactthatKnightmadenoactualdeclarationwasnodrawback。
Knowingsincethebetrayalofhissentimentsthatloveforherreallyexisted，shepreferreditforthepresentinitsformofessence，andwaswillingtoavoidforawhilethegrossermediumofwords。Theirfeelingshavingbeenforcedtoaratherprematuredemonstration，areactionwasindulgedinbyboth。
Butnosoonerhadshegotridofhertroubledconscienceonthematteroffaithlessnessthananewanxietyconfrontedher。ItwaslestKnightshouldaccidentallymeetStephenintheparish，andthatherselfshouldbethesubjectofdiscourse。
Elfride，learningKnightmorethoroughly，perceivedthat，farfromhavinganotionofStephen\'sprecedence，hehadnoideathatshehadeverbeenwooedbeforebyanybody。Onordinaryoccasionsshehadatonguesofrankastoshowherwholemind，andamindsostraightforwardastorevealherhearttoitsinnermostshrine。
Butthetimeforachangehadcome。SheneveralludedtoevenaknowledgeofKnight\'sfriend。Whenwomenaresecrettheyaresecretindeed；andmoreoftenthannottheyonlybegintobesecretwiththeadventofasecondlover。
Theelopementwasnowaspectreworsethanthefirst，and，liketheSpiritinGlenfinlas，itwaxedtallerwitheveryattempttolayit。HernaturalhonestyinvitedhertoconfideinKnight，andtrusttohisgenerosityforforgiveness:sheknewalsothatasmerepolicyitwouldbebettertotellhimearlyifhewastobetoldatall。Thelongerherconcealmentthemoredifficultwouldbetherevelation。Butsheputitoff。Theintensefearwhichaccompaniesintenseloveinyoungwomenwastoostrongtoallowtheexerciseofamoralqualityantagonistictoitself:
\'Whereloveisgreat，thelittlestdoubtsarefear；
Wherelittlefearsgrowgreat，greatlovegrowsthere。\'
Thematchwaslookeduponasmadebyherfatherandmother。Thevicarrememberedherpromisetorevealthemeaningofthetelegramshehadreceived，andtwodaysafterthesceneinthesummer-
house，askedherpointedly。Shewasfrankwithhimnow。
\'IhadbeencorrespondingwithStephenSmitheversinceheleftEngland，tilllately，\'shecalmlysaid。
\'What!\'criedthevicaraghast；\'undertheeyesofMr。Knight，too？\'
\'No；whenIfoundIcaredmostforMr。Knight，Iobeyedyou。\'
\'Youwereverykind，I\'msure。WhendidyoubegintolikeMr。
Knight？\'
\'Idon\'tseethatthatisapertinentquestion，papa；thetelegramwasfromtheshippingagent，andwasnotsentatmyrequest。Itannouncedthearrivalofthevesselbringinghimhome。\'
\'Home!What，ishehere？\'
\'Yes；inthevillage，Ibelieve。\'
\'Hashetriedtoseeyou？\'
\'Onlybyfairmeans。Butdon\'t，papa，questionmeso!Itistorture。\'
\'Iwillonlysayonewordmore，\'hereplied。\'Haveyoumethim？\'
\'Ihavenot。Icanassureyouthatatthepresentmomentthereisnomoreofanunderstandingbetweenmeandtheyoungmanyousomuchdislikedthanbetweenhimandyou。Youtoldmetoforgethim；andIhaveforgottenhim。\'
\'Oh，well；thoughyoudidnotobeymeinthebeginning，youareagoodgirl，Elfride，inobeyingmeatlast。\'
\'Don\'tcallme\"good，\"papa，\'shesaidbitterly；\'youdon\'tknow——
andthelesssaidaboutsomethingsthebetter。Remember，Mr。
Knightknowsnothingabouttheother。Oh，howwrongitallis!I
don\'tknowwhatIamcomingto。\'
\'Asmattersstand，Ishouldbeinclinedtotellhim；or，atanyrate，Ishouldnotalarmmyselfabouthisknowing。HefoundouttheotherdaythatthiswastheparishyoungSmith\'sfatherlivesin——whatputsyouinsuchaflurry？\'
\'Ican\'tsay；butpromise——praydon\'tlethimknow!Itwouldbemyruin!\'
\'Pooh，child。Knightisagoodfellowandacleverman；butatthesametimeitdoesnotescapemyperceptionsthatheisnogreatcatchforyou。Menofhisturnofmindarenothingsowonderfulinthewayofhusbands。Ifyouhadchosentowait，youmighthavematedwithamuchwealthierman。Butremember，Ihavenotawordtosayagainstyourhavinghim，ifyoulikehim。
Charlotteisdelighted，asyouknow。\'
\'Well，papa，\'shesaid，smilinghopefullythroughasigh，\'itisnicetofeelthatingivingwayto——tocaringforhim，Ihavepleasedmyfamily。ButIamnotgood；ohno，Iamveryfarfromthat!\'
\'Noneofusaregood，Iamsorrytosay，\'saidherfatherblandly；
\'butgirlshaveacharteredrighttochangetheirminds，youknow。
Ithasbeenrecognizedbypoetsfromtimeimmemorial。Catullussays，\"Muliercupidoquoddicitamanti，invento——\'Whatamemorymineis!However，thepassageis，thatawoman\'swordstoaloverareasamatterofcoursewrittenonlyonwindandwater。Nowdon\'tbetroubledaboutthat，Elfride。\'
\'Ah，youdon\'tknow!\'
Theyhadbeenstandingonthelawn，andKnightwasnowseenlingeringsomewaydownawindingwalk。WhenElfridemethim，itwaswithamuchgreaterlightnessofheart；thingsweremorestraightforwardnow。Theresponsibilityofherficklenessseemedpartlyshiftedfromherownshoulderstoherfather\'s。Still，therewereshadows。
\'Ah，couldhehaveknownhowfarIwentwithStephen，andyethavesaidthesame，howmuchhappierIshouldbe!\'Thatwasherprevailingthought。
Intheafternoontheloverswentouttogetheronhorsebackforanhourortwo；andthoughnotwishingtobeobserved，byreasonofthelatedeathofLadyLuxellian，whosefuneralhadtakenplaceveryprivatelyonthepreviousday，theyyetfounditnecessarytopassEastEndelstowChurch。
Thestepstothevault，ashasbeenstated，wereontheoutsideofthebuilding，immediatelyundertheaislewall。Beingonhorseback，bothKnightandElfridecouldoverlooktheshrubswhichscreenedthechurch-yard。
\'Look，thevaultseemsstilltobeopen，\'saidKnight。
\'Yes，itisopen，\'sheanswered\'Whoisthatmanclosebyit？Themason，Isuppose？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'IwonderifitisJohnSmith，Stephen\'sfather？\'
\'Ibelieveitis，\'saidElfride，withapprehension。
\'Ah，andcanitbe？Ishouldliketoinquirehowhisson，mytruantprotege\'，isgoingon。Andfromyourfather\'sdescriptionofthevault，theinteriormustbeinteresting。Supposewegoin。\'
\'Hadwebetter，doyouthink？MaynotLordLuxellianbethere？\'
\'Itisnotatalllikely。\'
Elfridethenassented，sinceshecoulddonothingelse。Herheart，whichatfirsthadquailedinconsternation，recovereditselfwhensheconsideredthecharacterofJohnSmith。Aquietunassumingman，hewouldbesuretoacttowardsherasbeforethoselovepassageswithhisson，whichmighthavegivenamorepretentiousmechanicairs。SowithoutmuchalarmshetookKnight\'sarmafterdismounting，andwentwithhimbetweenandoverthegraves。Themaster-masonrecognizedherassheapproached，and，asusual，liftedhishatrespectfully。
\'IknowyoutobeMr。Smith，myformerfriendStephen\'sfather，\'
saidKnight，directlyhehadscannedtheembrownedandruddyfeaturesofJohn。
\'Yes，sir，Ib\'lieveIbe。\'
\'Howisyoursonnow？IhaveonlyonceheardfromhimsincehewenttoIndia。Idaresayyouhaveheardhimspeakofme——Mr。
Knight，whobecameacquaintedwithhimsomeyearsagoinExonbury。\'
\'Ay，thatIhave。Stephenisverywell，thankyou，sir，andhe\'sinEngland；infact，he\'sathome。Inshort，sir，he\'sdowninthevaultthere，a-lookingatthedepartedcoffins。\'
Elfride\'sheartflutteredlikeabutterfly。
Knightlookedamazed。\'Well，thatisextraordinary。\'hemurmured。
\'DidheknowIwasintheparish？\'
\'Ireallycan\'tsay，sir，\'saidJohn，wishinghimselfoutoftheentanglementherathersuspectedthanthoroughlyunderstood。
\'Woulditbeconsideredanintrusionbythefamilyifwewentintothevault？\'
\'Oh，blessye，no，sir；scoresoffolkhavebeensteppingdown。
\'Tisleftopena-purpose。\'
\'Wewillgodown，Elfride。\'
\'Iamafraidtheairisclose，\'shesaidappealingly。
\'Ohno，ma\'am，\'saidJohn。\'Wewhite-limedthewallsandarchestheday\'twasopened，aswealwaysdo，andagainonthemorningofthefuneral；theplaceisassweetasagranary。
\'ThenIshouldlikeyoutoaccompanyme，Elfie；havingoriginallysprungfromthefamilytoo。\'
\'Idon\'tlikegoingwheredeathissoemphaticallypresent。I\'llstaybythehorseswhilstyougoin；theymaygetloose。\'
\'Whatnonsense!Ihadnoideayoursentimentsweresoflimsilyformedastobeperturbedbyafewremnantsofmortality；butstayout，ifyouaresoafraid，byallmeans。\'
\'Ohno，Iamnotafraid；don\'tsaythat。\'
Sheheldmiserablytohisarm，thinkingthat，perhaps，therevelationmightaswellcomeatonceastenminuteslater，forStephenwouldbesuretoaccompanyhisfriendtohishorse。
Atfirst，thegloomofthevault，whichwaslightedonlybyacoupleofcandles，wastoogreattoadmitoftheirseeinganythingdistinctly；butwithafurtheradvanceKnightdiscerned，infrontoftheblackmassesliningthewalls，ayoungmanstanding，andwritinginapocket-book。
Knightsaidoneword:\'Stephen!\'
StephenSmith，notbeinginsuchabsoluteignoranceofKnight\'swhereaboutsasKnighthadbeenofSmith\'sinstantlyrecognizedhisfriend，andknewbyrotetheoutlinesofthefairwomanstandingbehindhim。
Stephencameforwardandshookhimbythehand，withoutspeaking。
\'Whyhaveyounotwritten，myboy？\'saidKnight，withoutinanywaysignifyingElfride\'spresencetoStephen。Totheessayist，Smithwasstillthecountryladwhomhehadpatronizedandtended；
onetowhomtheformalpresentationofaladybetrothedtohimselfwouldhaveseemedincongruousandabsurd。
\'Whyhaven\'tyouwrittentome？\'saidStephen。
\'Ah，yes。Whyhaven\'tI？whyhaven\'twe？That\'salwaysthequerywhichwecannotclearlyanswerwithoutanunsatisfactorysenseofourinadequacies。However，Ihavenotforgottenyou，Smith。Andnowwehavemet；andwemustmeetagain，andhavealongerchatthanthiscanconvenientlybe。Imustknowallyouhavebeendoing。Thatyonhavethriven，Iknow，andyoumustteachmetheway。\'
Elfridestoodinthebackground。Stephenhadreadthepositionataglance，andimmediatelyguessedthatshehadnevermentionedhisnametoKnight。Histactinavoidingcatastropheswasthechiefqualitywhichmadehimintellectuallyrespectable，inwhichqualityhefartranscendedKnight；andhedecidedthatatranquilissueoutoftheencounter，withoutanyharrowingofthefeelingsofeitherKnightorElfride，wastobeattemptedifpossible。HisoldsenseofindebtednesstoKnighthadneverwhollyforsakenhim；
hisloveforElfridewasgenerousnow。
Asfarashedaredlookathermovementshesawthatherbearingtowardshimwouldbedictatedbyhisowntowardsher；andifheactedasastrangershewoulddolikewiseasameansofdeliverance。Circumstancesfavouringthiscourse，itwasdesirablealsotoberatherreservedtowardsKnight，toshortenthemeetingasmuchaspossible。
\'Iamafraidthatmytimeisalmosttooshorttoallowevenofsuchapleasure，\'hesaid。\'Ileavehereto-morrow。AnduntilI
startfortheContinentandIndia，whichwillbeinafortnight，I
shallhavehardlyamomenttospare。\'
Knight\'sdisappointmentanddissatisfiedlooksatthisreplysentapangthroughStephenasgreatasanyhehadfeltatthesightofElfride。Thewordsaboutshortnessoftimewereliterallytrue，buttheirtonewasfarfrombeingso。HewouldhavebeengratifiedtotalkwithKnightasinpasttimes，andsawasadeadlosstohimselfthat，tosavethewomanwhocarednothingforhim，hewasdeliberatelythrowingawayhisfriend。
\'Oh，Iamsorrytohearthat，\'saidKnight，inachangedtone。
\'Butofcourse，ifyouhaveweightyconcernstoattendto，theymustnotbeneglected。Andifthisistobeourfirstandlastmeeting，letmesaythatIwishyousuccesswithallmyheart!\'
Knight\'swarmthrevivedtowardstheend；thesolemnimpressionshewasbeginningtoreceivefromthescenearoundthemabstractingfromhisheartasapuerilityanymomentaryvexationatwords。
\'Itisastrangeplaceforustomeetin，\'hecontinued，lookingroundthevault。
Stephenbrieflyassented，andtherewasasilence。Theblackenedcoffinswerenowrevealedmoreclearlythanatfirst，thewhitenedwallsandarchesthrowingthemforwardinstrongrelief。Itwasascenewhichwasrememberedbyallthreeasanindeliblemarkintheirhistory。Knight，withanabstractedface，wasstandingbetweenhiscompanions，thoughalittleinadvanceofthem，Elfridebeingonhisrighthand，andStephenSmithonhisleft。
Thewhitedaylightonhisrightsidegleamedfaintlyin，andwastonedtoabluenessbycontrastwiththeyellowraysfromthecandleagainstthewall。Elfride，timidlyshrinkingback，andnearesttheentrance，receivedmostofthelighttherefrom，whilstStephenwasentirelyincandlelight，andtohimthespotofouterskyvisibleabovethestepswasasasteelybluepatch，andnothingmore。
\'Ihavebeenheretwoorthreetimessinceitwasopened，\'saidStephen。\'Myfatherwasengagedinthework，youknow。\'
\'Yes。Whatareyoudoing？\'Knightinquired，lookingatthenote-
bookandpencilStephenheldinhishand。
\'Ihavebeensketchingafewdetailsinthechurch，andsincethenIhavebeencopyingthenamesfromsomeofthecoffinshere。
BeforeIleftEnglandIusedtodoagooddealofthissortofthing。\'
\'Yes；ofcourse。Ah，that\'spoorLadyLuxellian，Isuppose。\'
Knightpointedtoacoffinoflightsatin-wood，whichstoodonthestonesleepersinthenewniche。\'Andtheremainderofthefamilyareonthisside。Whoarethosetwo，sosnugandclosetogether？\'
Stephen\'svoicealteredslightlyashereplied\'That\'sLadyElfrideKingsmore——bornLuxellian，andthatisArthur，herhusband。Ihaveheardmyfathersaythatthey——he——ranawaywithher，andmarriedheragainstthewishofherparents。\'
\'ThenIimaginethistobewhereyougotyourChristianname，MissSwancourt？\'saidKnight，turningtoher。\'IthinkyoutoldmeitwasthreeorfourgenerationsagothatyourfamilybranchedofffromtheLuxellians？\'
\'Shewasmygrandmother，\'saidElfride，vainlyendeavouringtomoistenherdrylipsbeforeshespoke。Elfridehadthentheconscience-strickenlookofGuido\'sMagdalen，rendereduponamorechildlikeform。ShekeptherfacepartiallyawayfromKnightandStephen，andsethereyesupontheskyvisibleoutside，asifhersalvationdependeduponquicklyreachingit。HerlefthandrestedlightlywithinKnight\'sarm，halfwithdrawn，fromasenseofshameatclaiminghimbeforeheroldlover，yetunwillingtorenouncehim；sothatherglovemerelytouchedhissleeve。\'\"Canonebepardoned，andretaintheoffence？\"\'quotedElfride\'sheartthen。
Conversationseemedtohavenoself-sustainingpower，andwentonintheshapeofdisjointedremarks。\'One\'smindgetsthrongedwiththoughtswhilestandingsosolemnlyhere，\'Knightsaid，inameasuredquietvoice。\'Howmuchhasbeensaidondeathfromtimetotime!howmuchweourselvescanthinkuponit!Wemayfancyeachofthesewholieheresaying:
\'ForThou，tomakemyfallmoregreat，Didstliftmeuponhigh。\'
Whatcomesnext，Elfride？ItistheHundred-and-secondPsalmIamthinkingof。\'
\'Yes，Iknowit，\'shemurmured，andwentoninastilllowervoice，seeminglyafraidforanywordsfromtheemotionalsideofhernaturetoreachStephen:
\'\"Mydays，justhasteningtotheirend，Arelikeaneveningshade；
Mybeautydoth，likewither\'dgrass，Withwaninglustrefade。”\'
\'Well，\'saidKnightmusingly，\'letusleavethem。Suchoccasionsastheseseemtocompelustoroamoutsideourselves，farawayfromthefragileframewelivein，andtoexpandtillourperceptiongrowssovastthatourphysicalrealitybearsnosortofproportiontoit。Welookbackupontheweakandminutestemonwhichthisluxuriantgrowthdepends，andask，Canitbepossiblethatsuchacapacityhasafoundationsosmall？MustI
againreturntomydailywalkinthatnarrowcell，ahumanbody，whereworldlythoughtscantortureme？Dowenot？\'
\'Yes，\'saidStephenandElfride。
\'Onehasasenseofwrong，too，thatsuchanappreciativebreadthasasentientbeingpossessesshouldbecommittedtothefrailcasketofabody。Whatweakensone\'sintentionsregardingthefuturelikethethoughtofthis？……However，letustuneourselvestoamorecheerfulchord，forthere\'sagreatdealtobedoneyetbyusall。\'
AsKnightmeditativelyaddressedhisjuniorsthus，unconsciousofthedeceptionpractised，fordifferentreasons，bytheseveredheartsathisside，andofthescenesthathadinearlierdaysunitedthem，eachonefeltthatheandshedidnotgainbycontrastwiththeirmusingmentor。Physicallynotsohandsomeaseithertheyouthfularchitectorthevicar\'sdaughter，thethoroughnessandintegrityofKnightilluminatedhisfeatureswithadignitynotevenincipientintheothertwo。Itisdifficulttoframeruleswhichshallapplytobothsexes，andElfride，anundevelopedgirl，must，perhaps，hardlybeladenwiththemoralresponsibilitieswhichattachtoamaninlikecircumstances。Thecharmofwoman，too，liespartlyinhersubtlenessinmattersoflove。Butifhonestyisavirtueinitself，Elfride，havingnoneofitnow，seemed，beingforbeing，scarcelygoodenoughforKnight。Stephen，thoughdeceptivefornounworthypurpose，wasdeceptiveafterall；andwhatevergoodresultsgracesuchstrategyifitsucceed，itseldomdrawsadmiration，especiallywhenitfails。
Onanordinaryoccasion，hadKnightbeenevenquitealonewithStephen，hewouldhardlyhavealludedtohispossiblerelationshiptoElfride。ButmovedbyattendantcircumstancesKnightwasimpelledtobeconfiding。
\'Stephen，\'hesaid，\'thisladyisMissSwancourt。Iamstayingatherfather\'shouse，asyouprobablyknow。\'HesteppedafewpacesnearertoSmith，andsaidinalowertone:\'Imayaswelltellyouthatweareengagedtobemarried。\'
Lowasthewordshadbeenspoken，Elfridehadheardthem，andawaitedStephen\'sreplyinbreathlesssilence，ifthatcouldbecalledsilencewhereElfride\'sdress，ateachthrobofherheart，shookandindicateditlikeapulse-glass，rustlingalsoagainstthewallinreplytothesamethrobbing。Therayofdaylightwhichreachedherfacelentitabluepallorincomparisonwiththoseoftheothertwo。
\'Icongratulateyou，\'Stephenwhispered；andsaidaloud，\'IknowMissSwancourt——alittle。YoumustrememberthatmyfatherisaparishionerofMr。Swancourt\'s。\'
\'Ithoughtyoumightpossiblynothavelivedathomesincetheyhavebeenhere。\'
\'Ihaveneverlivedathome，certainly，sincethattime。\'
\'IhaveseenMr。Smith，\'falteredElfride。
\'Well，thereisnoexcuseforme。AsstrangerstoeachotherI
ought，Isuppose，tohaveintroducedyou:asacquaintances，I
shouldnothavestoodsopersistentlybetweenyou。Butthefactis，Smith，youseemaboytome，evennow。\'
Stephenappearedtohaveamorethanpreviousconsciousnessoftheintensecrueltyofhisfateatthepresentmoment。Hecouldnotrepressthewords，utteredwithadimbitterness:
\'YoushouldhavesaidthatIseemedstilltheruralmechanic\'ssonIam，andhenceanunfitsubjectfortheceremonyofintroductions。\'