\'Oh，no，no!Iwon\'thavethat。\'KnightendeavouredtogivehisreplyalaughingtoneinElfride\'sears，andanearnestnessinStephen\'s:inbothwhicheffortshesignallyfailed，andproducedaforcedspeechpleasanttoneither。\'Well，letusgointotheopenairagain；MissSwancourt，youareparticularlysilent。Youmustn\'tmindSmith。Ihaveknownhimforyears，asIhavetoldyou。\'
\'Yes，youhave，\'shesaid。
\'Tothinkshehasnevermentionedherknowledgeofme!\'Smithmurmured，andthoughtwithsomeremorsehowmuchherconductresembledhisownonhisfirstarrivalatherhouseasastrangertotheplace。
Theyascendedtothedaylight，KnighttakingnofurthernoticeofElfride\'smanner，which，asusual，heattributedtothenaturalshynessofayoungwomanatbeingdiscoveredwalkingwithhimontermswhichleftnotmuchdoubtoftheirmeaning。Elfridesteppedalittleinadvance，andpassedthroughthechurchyard。
\'Youarechangedveryconsiderably，Smith，\'saidKnight，\'andI
supposeitisnomorethanwastobeexpected。However，don\'timaginethatIshallfeelanythelessinterestinyouandyourfortuneswheneveryoucaretoconfidethemtome。IhavenotforgottentheattachmentyouspokeofasyourreasonforgoingawaytoIndia。ALondonyounglady，wasitnot？Ihopeallisprosperous？\'
\'No:thematchisbrokenoff。\'
Itbeingalwaysdifficulttoknowwhethertoexpresssorroworgladnessundersuchcircumstances——alldependinguponthecharacterofthematch——Knighttookshelterinthesafewords:\'I
trustitwasforthebest。\'
\'Ihopeitwas。ButIbegthatyouwillnotpressmefurther:no，youhavenotpressedme——Idon\'tmeanthat——butIwouldrathernotspeakuponthesubject。\'
Stephen\'swordswerehurried。
Knightsaidnomore，andtheyfollowedinthefootstepsofElfride，whostillkeptsomepacesinadvance，andhadnotheardKnight\'sunconsciousallusiontoher。Stephenbadehimadieuatthechurchyard-gatewithoutgoingoutside，andwatchedwhilstheandhissweetheartmountedtheirhorses。
\'Goodheavens，Elfride，\'Knightexclaimed，\'howpaleyouare!I
supposeIoughtnottohavetakenyouintothatvault。Whatisthematter？\'
\'Nothing，\'saidElfridefaintly。\'Ishallbemyselfinamoment。
Allwassostrangeandunexpecteddownthere，thatitmademeunwell。\'
\'Ithoughtyousaidverylittle。ShallIgetsomewater？\'
\'No，no。\'
\'Doyouthinkitissafeforyoutomount？\'
\'Quite——indeeditis，\'shesaid，withalookofappeal。
\'Nowthen——upshegoes!\'whisperedKnight，andliftedhertenderlyintothesaddle。
Heroldloverstilllookedonattheperformanceasheleantoverthegateadozenyardsoff。Onceinthesaddle，andhavingafirmgripofthereins，sheturnedherheadasifbyaresistlessfascination，andforthefirsttimesincethatmemorablepartingonthemooroutsideSt。Launce\'safterthepassionateattemptatmarriagewithhim，Elfridelookedinthefaceoftheyoungmanshefirsthadloved。Hewastheyouthwhohadcalledherhisinseparablewifemanyatime，andwhomshehadevenaddressedasherhusband。Theireyesmet。Measurementoflifeshouldbeproportionedrathertotheintensityoftheexperiencethantoitsactuallength。Theirglance，butamomentchronologically，wasaseasonintheirhistory。ToElfridetheintenseagonyofreproachinStephen\'seyewasanailpiercingherheartwithadeadlinessnowordscandescribe。Withaspasmodiceffortshewithdrewhereyes，urgedonthehorse，andinthechaosofperturbedmemorieswasobliviousofanypresencebesideher。Thedeedofdeceptionwascomplete。
Gainingaknollonwhichtheparktransformeditselfintowoodandcopse，Knightcamestillclosertoherside，andsaid，\'Areyoubetternow，dearest？\'
\'Ohyes。\'Shepressedahandtohereyes，asiftoblotouttheimageofStephen。Avividscarletspotnowshonewithpreternaturalbrightnessinthecentreofeachcheek，leavingtheremainderofherfacelily-whiteasbefore。
\'Elfride，\'saidKnight，ratherinhisoldtoneofmentor，\'youknowIdon\'tforamomentchideyou，butistherenotagreatdealofunwomanlyweaknessinyourallowingyourselftobesooverwhelmedbythesightofwhat，afterall，isnonovelty？Everywomanworthyofthenameshould，Ithink，beabletolookupondeathwithsomethinglikecomposure。Surelyyouthinksotoo？\'
\'Yes；Iownit。\'
Hisobtusenesstothecauseofherindisposition，byevidencinghisentirefreedomfromthesuspicionofanythingbehindthescenes，showedhowincapableKnightwasofdeceptionhimself，ratherthananyinherentdulnessinhimregardinghumannature。
This，clearlyperceivedbyElfride，addedpoignancytoherself-
reproach，andsheidolizedhimthemorebecauseoftheirdifference。EventherecentsightofStephen\'sfaceandthesoundofhisvoice，whichforamomenthadstirredachordortwoofancientkindness，wereunabletokeepdowntheadorationre-
existentnowthathewasagainoutofview。
ShehadrepliedtoKnight\'squestionhastily，andimmediatelywentontospeakofindifferentsubjects。Aftertheyhadreachedhomeshewasapartfromhimtilldinner-time。Whendinnerwasover，andtheywerewatchingtheduskinthedrawing-room，Knightsteppedoutupontheterrace。Elfridewentafterhimverydecisively，onthespurofavirtuousintention。
\'Mr。Knight，Iwanttotellyousomething，\'shesaid，withquietfirmness。
\'Andwhatisitabout？\'gailyreturnedherlover。\'Happiness，I
hope。Donotletanythingkeepyousosadasyouseemtohavebeento-day。\'
\'IcannotmentionthematteruntilItellyouthewholesubstanceofit，\'shesaid。\'AndthatIwilldoto-morrow。Ihavebeenremindedofitto-day。ItisaboutsomethingIoncedid，anddon\'tthinkIoughttohavedone。\'
This，itmustbesaid，wasratheramildwayofreferringtoafranticpassionandflight，which，muchorlittleinitself，onlyaccidenthadsavedfrombeingascandalinthepubliceye。
Knightthoughtthemattersometrifle，andsaidpleasantly:
\'ThenIamnottohearthedreadfulconfessionnow？\'
\'No，notnow。Ididnotmeanto-night，\'Elfrideresponded，withaslightdeclineinthefirmnessofhervoice。\'Itisnotlightasyouthinkit——ittroublesmeagreatdeal。\'Fearingnowtheeffectofherownearnestness，sheaddedforcedly，\'Though，perhaps，youmaythinkitlightafterall。\'
\'Butyouhavenotsaidwhenitistobe？\'
\'To-morrowmorning。Nameatime，willyou，andbindmetoit？I
wantyoutofixanhour，becauseIamweak，andmayotherwisetrytogetoutofit。\'Sheaddedalittleartificiallaugh，whichshowedhowtimorousherresolutionwasstill。
\'Well，sayafterbreakfast——ateleveno\'clock。\'
\'Yes，eleveno\'clock。Ipromiseyou。Bindmestrictlytomyword。\'
ChapterXXVIII
\'Ilullafancy，trouble-tost。\'
MissSwancourt，itiseleveno\'clock。\'
Shewaslookingoutofherdressing-roomwindowonthefirstfloor，andKnightwasregardingherfromtheterracebalustrade，uponwhichhehadbeenidlysittingforsometime——dividingtheglancesofhiseyebetweenthepagesofabookinhishand，thebrillianthuesofthegeraniumsandcalceolarias，andtheopenwindowabove-mentioned。
\'Yes，itis，Iknow。Iamcoming。\'
Hedrewcloser，andunderthewindow。
\'Howareyouthismorning，Elfride？Youlooknobetterforyourlongnight\'srest。\'
Sheappearedatthedoorshortlyafter，tookhisofferedarm，andtogethertheywalkedslowlydownthegravelpathleadingtotheriverandawayunderthetrees。
Herresolution，sustainedduringthelastfifteenhours，hadbeentotellthewholetruth，andnowthemomenthadcome。
Stepbysteptheyadvanced，andstillshedidnotspeak。Theywerenearlyattheendofthewalk，whenKnightbrokethesilence。
\'Well，whatistheconfession，Elfride？\'
Shepausedamoment，drewalongbreath；andthisiswhatshesaid:
\'Itoldyouoneday——orratherIgaveyoutounderstand——whatwasnottrue。IfancyyouthoughtmetomeanIwasnineteenmynextbirthday，butitwasmylastIwasnineteen。\'
Themomenthadbeentoomuchforher。Nowthatthecrisishadcome，noqualmsofconscience，noloveofhonesty，noyearningtomakeaconfidenceandobtainforgivenesswithakiss，couldstringElfrideuptotheventure。Herdreadlestheshouldbeunforgivingwasheightenedbythethoughtofyesterday\'sartifice，whichmightpossiblyadddisgusttohisdisappointment。Thecertaintyofonemoreday\'saffection，whichshegainedbysilence，outvaluedthehopeofaperpetuitycombinedwiththeriskofall。
Thetrepidationcausedbythesethoughtsonwhatshehadintendedtosayshooksonaturallythewordsshedidsay，thatKnightneverforamomentsuspectedthemtobealastmoment\'ssubstitution。
Hesmiledandpressedherhandwarmly。
\'MydearElfie——yes，youarenow——noprotestation——whatawinninglittlewomanyouare，tobesoabsurdlyscrupulousaboutamereiota!Really，Ineveroncehavethoughtwhetheryournineteenthyearwasthelastorthepresent。And，byGeorge，wellImaynot；
foritwouldneverdoforastaidfogeyadozenyearsoldertostanduponsuchatrifleasthat。\'
\'Don\'tpraiseme——don\'tpraiseme!ThoughIprizeitfromyourlips，Idon\'tdeserveitnow。\'
ButKnight，beinginanexceptionallygenialmood，merelysawthisdistressfulexclamationasmodesty。\'Well，\'headded，afteraminute，\'Ilikeyouallthebetter，youknow，forsuchmoralprecision，althoughIcalleditabsurd。\'Hewentonwithtenderearnestness:\'For，Elfride，thereisonethingIdolovetoseeinawoman——thatis，asoultruthfulandclearasheaven\'slight。I
couldputupwithanythingifIhadthat——forgivenothingifIhaditnot。Elfride，youhavesuchasoul，ifeverwomanhad；andhavingit，retainit，anddon\'teverlistentothefashionabletheoriesofthedayaboutawoman\'sprivilegesandnaturalrighttopractisewiles。Dependuponit，mydeargirl，thatanoblewomanmustbeashonestasanobleman。Ispeciallymeanbyhonesty，fairnessnotonlyinmattersofbusinessandsocialdetail，butinallthedelicatedealingsoflove，towhichthelicencegiventoyoursexparticularlyrefers。\'
Elfridelookedtroublouslyatthetrees。
\'Nowletusgoontotheriver，Elfie。\'
\'IwouldifIhadahaton，\'shesaidwithasortofsuppressedwoe。
\'Iwillgetitforyou，\'saidKnight，verywillingtopurchasehercompanionshipatsocheapaprice。\'Yousitdownthereaminute。\'
Andheturnedandwalkedrapidlybacktothehouseforthearticleinquestion。
Elfridesatdownupononeoftherusticbencheswhichadornedthisportionofthegrounds，andremainedwithhereyesuponthegrass。
Shewasinducedtoliftthembyhearingthebrushoflightandirregularfootstepshardby。Passingalongthepathwhichintersectedtheoneshewasinandtraversedtheoutershrubberies，Elfridebeheldthefarmer\'swidow，Mrs。Jethway。
BeforeshenoticedElfride，shepausedtolookatthehouse，portionsofwhichwerevisiblethroughthebushes。Elfride，shrinkingback，hopedtheunpleasantwomanmightgoonwithoutseeingher。ButMrs。Jethway，silentlyapostrophizingthehouse，withactionswhichseemeddictatedbyahalf-overturnedreason，haddiscernedthegirl，andimmediatelycameupandstoodinfrontofher。
\'Ah，MissSwancourt!Whydidyoudisturbme？Mustn\'tItrespasshere？\'
\'Youmaywalkhereifyoulike，Mrs。Jethway。Idonotdisturbyou。\'
\'Youdisturbmymind，andmymindismywholelife；formyboyistherestill，andheisgonefrommybody。\'
\'Yes，pooryoungman。Iwassorrywhenhedied。\'
\'Doyouknowwhathediedof？\'
\'Consumption。\'
\'Ohno，no!\'saidthewidow。\'Thatword\"consumption\"coversagooddeal。Hediedbecauseyouwerehisownwell-agreedsweetheart，andthenprovedfalse——anditkilledhim。Yes，MissSwancourt，\'shesaidinanexcitedwhisper，\'youkilledmyson!\'
\'Howcanyoubesowickedandfoolish!\'repliedElfride，risingindignantly。Butindignationwasnotnaturaltoher，andhavingbeensowornandharrowedbylateevents，shelostanypowersofdefencethatmoodmighthavelenther。\'Icouldnothelphislovingme，Mrs。Jethway!\'
\'That\'sjustwhatyoucouldhavehelped。Youknowhowitbegan，MissElfride。Yes:yousaidyoulikedthenameofFelixbetterthananyothernameintheparish，andyouknewitwashisname，andthatthoseyousaidittowouldreportittohim。\'
\'Iknewitwashisname——ofcourseIdid；butIamsure，Mrs。
Jethway，Ididnotintendanybodytotellhim。\'
\'Butyouknewtheywould。\'
\'No，Ididn\'t。\'
\'Andthen，afterthat，whenyouwereridingonRevels-daybyourhouse，andtheladsweregatheredthere，andyouwantedtodismount，whenJimDrakeandGeorgeUpwayandthreeorfourmoreranforwardtoholdyourpony，andFelixstoodbacktimid，whydidyoubeckontohim，andsayyouwouldratherheheldit？\'
\'OMrs。Jethway，youdothinksomistakenly!Ilikedhimbest——
that\'swhyIwantedhimtodoit。Hewasgentleandnice——I
alwaysthoughthimso——andIlikedhim。\'
\'Thenwhydidyoulethimkissyou？\'
\'Itisafalsehood；oh，itis，itis!\'saidElfride，weepingwithdesperation。\'Hecamebehindme，andattemptedtokissme；andthatwaswhyItoldhimnevertoletmeseehimagain。\'
\'Butyoudidnottellyourfatheroranybody，asyouwouldhaveifyouhadlookeduponitthenastheinsultyounowpretenditwas。\'
\'Hebeggedmenottotell，andfoolishlyenoughIdidnot。AndI
wishIhadnow。Ilittleexpectedtobescourgedwithmyownkindness。Prayleaveme，Mrs。Jethway。\'Thegirlonlyexpostulatednow。
\'Well，youharshlydismissedhim，andhedied。Andbeforehisbodywascold，youtookanothertoyourheart。Thenascarelesslysenthimabouthisbusiness，andtookathird。Andifyouconsiderthatnothing，MissSwancourt，\'shecontinued，drawingcloser；\'itledontowhatwasveryseriousindeed。Haveyouforgottenthewould-berunawaymarriage？ThejourneytoLondon，andthereturnthenextdaywithoutbeingmarried，andthatthere\'senoughdisgraceinthattoruinawoman\'sgoodnamefarlesslightthanyours？Youmayhave:Ihavenot。Ficklenesstowardsaloverisbad，butficklenessafterplayingthewifeiswantonness。\'
\'Oh，it\'sawickedcruellie!Donotsayit；oh，donot!\'
\'Doesyournewmanknowofit？Ithinknot，orhewouldbenomanofyours!Asmuchofthestoryaswasknowniscreepingabouttheneighbourhoodevennow；butIknowmorethananyofthem，andwhyshouldIrespectyourlove？\'
\'Idefyyou!\'criedElfridetempestuously。\'Doandsayallyoucantoruinme；try；putyourtongueatwork；Iinviteit!Idefyyouasaslanderouswoman!Look，therehecomes。\'AndhervoicetrembledgreatlyasshesawthroughtheleavesthebelovedformofKnightcomingfromthedoorwithherhatinhishand。\'Tellhimatonce；Icanbearit。\'
\'Notnow，\'saidthewoman，anddisappeareddownthepath。
TheexcitementofherlatterwordshadrestoredcolourtoElfride\'scheeks；andhastilywipinghereyes，shewalkedfartheron，sothatbythetimeherloverhadovertakenherthetracesofemotionhadnearlydisappearedfromherface。Knightputthehatuponherhead，tookherhand，anddrewitwithinhisarm。
ItwasthelastdaybutoneprevioustotheirdepartureforSt。
Leonards；andKnightseemedtohaveapurposeinbeingmuchinhercompanythatday。Theyrambledalongthevalley。Theseasonwasthatperiodintheautumnwhenthefoliagealoneofanordinaryplantationisrichenoughinhuestoexhaustthechromaticcombinationsofanartist\'spalette。Mostlustrousofallarethebeeches，graduatingfrombrightrustyredattheextremityoftheboughstoabrightyellowattheirinnerparts；youngoaksarestillofaneutralgreen；Scotchfirsandholliesarenearlyblue；
whilstoccasionaldottingsofothervarietiesgivemaroonsandpurplesofeverytinge。
Theriver——suchasitwas——herepursueditscourseamidflagstonesaslevelasapavement，butdividedbycrevicesofirregularwidth。Withthesummerdroughtthetorrenthadnarrowedtillitwasnowbutathreadofcrystalclearness，meanderingalongacentralchannelintherockybedofthewintercurrent。Knightscrambledthroughthebusheswhichatthispointnearlycoveredthebrookfromsight，andleaptdownuponthedryportionoftheriverbottom。
\'Elfride，Ineversawsuchasight!\'heexclaimed。\'Thehazelsoverhangtheriver\'scourseinaperfectarch，andthefloorisbeautifullypaved。Theplaceremindsoneofthepassagesofacloister。Letmehelpyoudown。\'
Heassistedherthroughthemarginalunderwoodanddowntothestones。Theywalkedontogethertoatinycascadeaboutafootwideandhigh，andsatdownbesideitontheflagsthatforninemonthsintheyearweresubmergedbeneathagushingbourne。Fromtheirfeettrickledtheattenuatedthreadofwaterwhichaloneremainedtotelltheintentandreasonofthisleaf-coveredaisle，andjourneyedoninazigzaglinetilllostintheshade。
Knight，leaningonhiselbow，aftercontemplatingallthis，lookedcriticallyatElfride。
\'Doesnotsuchaluxuriantheadofhairexhaustitselfandgetthinastheyearsgoonfromeighteentoeight-and-twenty？\'heaskedatlength。
\'Ohno!\'shesaidquickly，withavisibledisinclinationtoharboursuchathought，whichcameuponherwithanunpleasantnesswhoseforceitwouldbedifficultformentounderstand。Sheaddedafterwards，withsmoulderinguneasiness，\'Doyoureallythinkthatagreatabundanceofhairismorelikelytogetthinthanamoderatequantity？\'
\'Yes，Ireallydo。Ibelieve——amalmostsure，infact——thatifstatisticscouldbeobtainedonthesubject，youwouldfindthepersonswiththinhairwerethosewhohadasuperabundanceoriginally，andthatthosewhostartwithamoderatequantityretainitwithoutmuchloss。\'
Elfride\'stroublessatuponherfaceaswellasinherheart。
Perhapstoawomanitisalmostasdreadfultothinkoflosingherbeautyasoflosingherreputation。Atanyrate，shelookedquiteasgloomyasshehadlookedatanyminutethatday。
\'Youshouldn\'tbesotroubledaboutamerepersonaladornment，\'
saidKnight，withsomeoftheseverityoftonethathadbeencustomarybeforeshehadbeguiledhimintosoftness。
\'Ithinkitisawoman\'sdutytobeasbeautifulasshecan。IfI
wereascholar，IwouldgiveyouchapterandverseforitfromoneofyourownLatinauthors。Iknowthereissuchapassage，forpapahasalludedtoit。\'
\"\'Munditiae，etornatus，etcultus，\"&c——isthatit？ApassageinLivywhichisnodefenceatall。\'
\'No，itisnotthat。\'
\'Nevermind，then；forIhaveareasonfornottakingupmyoldcudgelsagainstyou，Elfie。Canyouguesswhatthereasonis？\'
\'No；butIamgladtohearit，\'shesaidthankfully。\'Foritisdreadfulwhenyoutalkso。Forwhateverdreadfulnametheweaknessmaydeserve，ImustcandidlyownthatIamterrifiedtothinkmyhairmayevergetthin。\'
\'Ofcourse；asensiblewomanwouldratherloseherwitsthanherbeauty。\'
\'Idon\'tcareifyoudosaysatireandjudgemecruelly。Iknowmyhairisbeautiful；everybodysaysso。\'
\'Why，mydearMissSwancourt，\'hetenderlyreplied，\'Ihavenotsaidanythingagainstit。Butyouknowwhatissaidabouthandsomebeingandhandsomedoing。\'
\'PoorMissHandsome-doescutsbutasorryfigurebesideMissHandsome-isineveryman\'seyes，yourownnotexcepted，Mr。
Knight，thoughitpleasesyoutothrowoffso，\'saidElfridesaucily。Andloweringhervoice:\'Yououghtnottohavetakensomuchtroubletosavemefromfallingoverthecliff，foryoudon\'tthinkminealifeworthmuchtroubleevidently。\'
\'Perhapsyouthinkminewasnotworthyours。\'
\'Itwasworthanybody\'s!\'
Herhandwasplashinginthelittlewaterfall，andhereyeswerebentthesameway。
\'Youtalkaboutmyseveritywithyou，Elfride。Youareunkindtome，youknow。\'
\'How？\'sheasked，lookingupfromheridleoccupation。
\'Aftermytakingtroubletogetjewellerytopleaseyou，youwouldn\'tacceptit。\'
\'PerhapsIwouldnow；perhapsIwantto。\'
\'Do!\'saidKnight。
Andthepacketwaswithdrawnfromhispocketandpresentedthethirdtime。Elfridetookitwithdelight。Theobstaclewasrentintwain，andthesignificantgiftwashers。
\'I\'lltakeouttheseuglyonesatonce，\'sheexclaimed，\'andI\'llwearyours——shallI？\'
\'Ishouldbegratified。\'
Now，thoughitmayseemunlikely，consideringhowfarthetwohadgoneinconverse，KnighthadneveryetventuredtokissElfride。
FarslowerwashethanStephenSmithinmatterslikethat。TheutmostadvancehehadmadeinsuchdemonstrationshadbeentothedegreewitnessedbyStepheninthesummer-house。SoElfride\'scheekbeingstillforbiddenfruittohim，hesaidimpulsively。
\'Elfie，Ishouldliketotouchthatseductiveearofyours。Thosearemygifts；soletmedressyouinthem。\'
Shehesitatedwithastimulatinghesitation。
\'Letmeputjustoneinitsplace，then？\'
Herfacegrewmuchwarmer。
\'Idon\'tthinkitwouldbequitetheusualorpropercourse，\'shesaid，suddenlyturningandresumingheroperationofplashingintheminiaturecataract。
Thestillnessofthingswasdisturbedbyabirdcomingtothestreamlettodrink。Afterwatchinghimdiphisbill，sprinklehimself，andflyintoatree，Knightreplied，withthecourteousbrusquenessshesomuchlikedtohear——
\'Elfride，nowyoumayaswellbefair。Youwouldmindmydoingitbutlittle，Ithink；sogivemeleave，do。\'
\'Iwillbefair，then，\'shesaidconfidingly，andlookinghimfullintheface。Itwasaparticularpleasuretohertobeabletodoalittlehonestywithoutfear。\'Ishouldnotmindyourdoingso——
Ishouldlikesuchanattention。Mythoughtwas，woulditberighttoletyou？\'
\'ThenIwill!\'herejoined，withthatsingularearnestnessaboutasmallmatter——intheeyesofaladies\'manbutamomentarypegforflirtationorjest——whichisonlyfoundindeepnatureswhohavebeenwhollyunusedtotoyingwithwomankind，andwhich，fromitsunwontedness，isinitselfatributethemostpreciousthatcanberendered，andhomagethemostexquisitetobereceived。
\'Andyoushall，\'shewhispered，withoutreserve，andnolongermistressoftheceremonies。AndthenElfrideinclinedherselftowardshim，thrustbackherhair，andpoisedherheadsideways。
Indoingthisherarmandshouldernecessarilyrestedagainsthisbreast。
Atthetouch，thesensationofbothseemedtobeconcentratedatthepointofcontact。AllthetimehewasperformingthedelicatemanoeuvreKnighttrembledlikeayoungsurgeoninhisfirstoperation。
\'Nowtheother，\'saidKnightinawhisper。
\'No，no。\'
\'Whynot？\'
\'Idon\'tknowexactly。\'
\'Youmustknow。\'
\'Yourtouchagitatesmeso。Letusgohome。\'
\'Don\'tsaythat，Elfride。Whatisit，afterall？Amerenothing。
Nowturnround，dearest。\'
Shewaspowerlesstodisobey，andturnedforthwith；andthen，withoutanydefinedintentionineither\'smind，hisfaceandhersdrewclosertogether；andhesupportedherthere，andkissedher。
Knightwasatoncethemostardentandthecoolestmanalive。
Whenhisemotionsslumberedheappearedalmostphlegmatic；whentheyweremovedhewasnolessthanpassionate。Andnow，withouthavingquiteintendedanearlymarriage，heputthequestionplainly。Itcamewithalltheardourwhichwastheaccumulationoflongyearsbehindanaturalreserve。
\'Elfride，whenshallwebemarried？\'
Thewordsweresweettoher；buttherewasabitterinthesweet。
Thesenewly-overtactsofhis，whichhadculminatedinthisplainquestion，comingontheverydayofMrs。Jethway\'sblastingreproaches，painteddistinctlyherficklenessasanenormity。
Lovinghiminsecrethadnotseemedsuchthorough-goinginconstancyasthesameloverecognizedandacteduponinthefaceofthreats。Herdistractionwasinterpretedbyhimathersideastheoutwardsignsofanunwontedexperience。
\'Idon\'tpressyouforananswernow，darling，\'hesaid，seeingshewasnotlikelytogivealucidreply。\'Takeyourtime。\'
Knightwasashonourableamanaswaseverlovedanddeludedbywoman。Itmaybesaidthathisblindnessinloveprovedthepoint，forshrewdnessinloveusuallygoeswithmeannessingeneral。Oncethepassionhadmasteredhim，theintellecthadgonefornaught。Knight，asalover，wasmoresingle-mindedandfarsimplerthanhisfriendStephen，whoinothercapacitieswasshallowbesidehim。
Withoutsayingmoreonthesubjectoftheirmarriage，Knightheldheratarm\'slength，asifshehadbeenalargebouquet，andlookedatherwithcriticalaffection。
\'Doesyourprettygiftbecomeme？\'sheinquired，withtearsofexcitementonthefringesofhereyes。
\'Undoubtedly，perfectly!\'saidherlover，adoptingalightertonetoputheratherease。\'Ah，youshouldseethem；youlookshinierthanever。FancythatIhavebeenabletoimproveyou!\'
\'AmIreallysonice？Iamgladforyoursake。IwishIcouldseemyself。\'
\'Youcan\'t。Youmustwaittillwegethome。\'
\'Ishallneverbeable，\'shesaid，laughing。\'Look:here\'saway。\'
\'Sothereis。Welldone，woman\'swit!\'
\'Holdmesteady!\'
\'Ohyes。\'
\'Anddon\'tletmefall，willyou？\'
\'Bynomeans。\'
Belowtheirseatthethreadofwaterpausedtospreadoutintoasmoothsmallpool。Knightsupportedherwhilstshekneltdownandleantoverit。
\'Icanseemyself。Really，tryasreligiouslyasIwill，Icannothelpadmiringmyappearanceinthem。\'
\'Doubtless。Howcanyoubesofondoffinery？Ibelieveyouarecorruptingmeintoatasteforit。IusedtohateeverysuchthingbeforeIknewyou。\'
\'Ilikeornaments，becauseIwantpeopletoadmirewhatyoupossess，andenvyyou，andsay，\"IwishIwashe。”\'
\'IsupposeIoughtnottoobjectafterthat。Andhowmuchlongerareyougoingtolookinthereatyourself？\'
\'Untilyouaretiredofholdingme？Oh，Iwanttoaskyousomething。\'Andsheturnedround。\'Nowtelltruly，won\'tyou？
Whatcolourofhairdoyoulikebestnow？\'
Knightdidnotansweratthemoment。
\'Saylight，do!\'shewhisperedcoaxingly。\'Don\'tsaydark，asyoudidthattime。\'
\'Light-brown，then。Exactlythecolourofmysweetheart\'s。\'
\'Really？\'saidElfride，enjoyingastruthwhatsheknewtobeflattery。
\'Yes。\'
\'Andblueeyes，too，nothazel？Sayyes，sayyes!\'
\'Onerecantationisenoughforto-day。\'
\'No，no。\'
\'Verywell，blueeyes。\'AndKnightlaughed，anddrewhercloseandkissedherthesecondtime，whichoperationsheperformedwiththecarefulnessofafruiterertouchingabunchofgrapessoasnottodisturbtheirbloom。
Elfrideobjectedtoasecond，andflungawayherface，themovementcausingaslightdisarrangementofhatandhair。Hardlythinkingwhatshesaidinthetrepidationofthemoment，sheexclaimed，clappingherhandtoherear——
\'Ah，wemustbecareful!Ilosttheotherearringdoinglikethis。\'
Nosoonerdidsherealisethesignificantwordsthanatroubledlookpassedacrossherface，andsheshutherlipsasiftokeepthemback。
\'Doinglikewhat？\'saidKnight，perplexed。
\'Oh，sittingdownoutofdoors，\'sherepliedhastily。
ChapterXXIX
\'Care，thoucanker。\'
ItisaneveningatthebeginningofOctober，andthemellowestofautumnsunsetsirradiatesLondon，eventoitsuttermosteasternend。BetweentheeyeandtheflamingWest，columnsofsmokestandupinthestillairliketalltrees。Everythingintheshadeisrichandmistyblue。
Mr。andMrs。SwancourtandElfridearelookingattheselustrousandluridcontrastsfromthewindowofalargehotelnearLondonBridge。ThevisittotheirfriendsatSt。Leonardsisover，andtheyarestayingadayortwointhemetropolisontheirwayhome。
KnightspentthesameintervaloftimeincrossingovertoBrittanybywayofJerseyandSt。Malo。HethenpassedthroughNormandy，andreturnedtoLondonalso，hisarrivaltherehavingbeentwodayslaterthanthatofElfrideandherparents。
SotheeveningofthisOctoberdaysawthemallmeetingattheabove-mentionedhotel，wheretheyhadpreviouslyengagedapartments。DuringtheafternoonKnighthadbeentohislodgingsatRichmondtomakealittlechangeinthenatureofhisbaggage；
andoncomingupagaintherewasneverusheredbyablandwaiterintoacomfortableroomahappiermanthanKnightwhenshowntowhereElfrideandherstep-motherweresittingafterafatiguingdayofshopping。
Elfridelookednonethebetterforherchange:Knightwasasbrownasanut。Theyweresoonengagedbythemselvesinacorneroftheroom。Nowthatthepreciouswordsofpromisehadbeenspoken，theyounggirlhadnoideaofkeepingupherpricebythesystemofreservewhichothermoreaccomplishedmaidensuse。Herloverwaswithheragain，anditwasenough:shemadeherheartovertohimentirely。
Dinnerwassoondespatched。Andwhenapreliminaryroundofconversationconcerningtheirdoingssincethelastpartinghadbeenconcluded，theyrevertedtothesubjectofto-morrow\'sjourneyhome。
\'ThatenervatingridethroughthemyrtleclimateofSouthDevon——
howIdreaditto-morrow!\'Mrs。Swancourtwassaying。\'Ihadhopedtheweatherwouldhavebeencoolerbythistime。\'
\'Didyouevergobywater？\'saidKnight。
\'Never——bynever，Imeannotsincethetimeofrailways。\'
\'Thenifyoucanaffordanadditionalday，Iproposethatwedoit，\'saidKnight。\'TheChannelislikealakejustnow。WeshouldreachPlymouthinaboutfortyhours，Ithink，andtheboatsstartfromjustbelowthebridgehere\'pointingoverhisshouldereastward。
\'Hear，hear!\'saidthevicar。
\'It\'sanidea，certainly，\'saidhiswife。
\'Ofcoursethesecoastersarerathertubby，\'saidKnight。\'Butyouwouldn\'tmindthat？\'
\'No:wewouldn\'tmind。\'
\'Andthesaloonisaplacelikethefishmarketofaninth-ratecountrytown，butthatwouldn\'tmatter？\'
\'Ohdear，no。Ifwehadonlythoughtofitsoonenough，wemighthavehadtheuseofLordLuxellian\'syacht。Butnevermind，we\'llgo。WeshallescapetheworryingrattlethroughthewholelengthofLondonto-morrowmorning——nottomentiontheriskofbeingkilledbyexcursiontrains，whichisnotalittleoneatthistimeoftheyear，ifthepapersaretrue。\'
Elfride，too，thoughtthearrangementdelightful；andaccordingly，teno\'clockthefollowingmorningsawtwocabscrawlingroundbytheMint，andbetweenthepreternaturallyhighwallsofNightingaleLanetowardstheriverside。
Thefirstvehiclewasoccupiedbythetravellersinperson，andthesecondbroughtuptheluggage，underthesupervisionofMrs。
Snewson，Mrs。Swancourt\'smaid——andforthelastfortnightElfride\'salso；foralthoughtheyoungerladyhadneverbeenaccustomedtoanysuchattendantatrobingtimes，herstepmotherforcedherintoasemblanceoffamiliaritywithonewhentheywereawayfromhome。
Presentlywaggons，bales，andsmellsofalldescriptionsincreasedtosuchanextentthattheadvanceofthecabswasattheslowestpossiblerate。Atintervalsitwasnecessarytohaltentirely，thattheheavyvehiclesunloadinginfrontmightbemovedaside，afeatwhichwasnotaccomplishedwithoutadealofswearingandnoise。Thevicarputhisheadoutofthewindow。
\'Surelytheremustbesomemistakeintheway，\'hesaidwithgreatconcern，drawinginhisheadagain。\'There\'snotarespectableconveyancetobeseenhereexceptours。I\'veheardthattherearestrangedensinthispartofLondon，intowhichpeoplehavebeenentrappedandmurdered——surelythereisnoconspiracyonthepartofthecabman？\'
\'Ohno，no。Itisallright，\'saidMr。Knight，whowasasplacidasdewyevebythesideofElfride。
\'ButwhatIarguefrom，\'saidthevicar，withagreateremphasisofuneasiness，\'areplainappearances。Thiscan\'tbethehighwayfromLondontoPlymouthbywater，becauseitisnowayatalltoanyplace。Weshallmissoursteamerandourtraintoo——that\'swhatIthink。\'
\'Dependuponitweareright。Infact，hereweare。\'
\'Trimmer\'sWharf，\'saidthecabman，openingthedoor。
Nosoonerhadtheyalightedthantheyperceivedatusslegoingonbetweenthehindmostcabmanandacrowdoflightporterswhohadchargedhimincolumn，toobtainpossessionofthebagsandboxes，Mrs。Snewson\'shandsbeingseenstretchedtowardsheaveninthemidstofthemelee。Knightadvancedgallantly，andafterahardstrugglereducedthecrowdtotwo，uponwhoseshouldersandtrucksthegoodsvanishedawayinthedirectionofthewater\'sedgewithstartlingrapidity。
Thenmoreofthesametribe，whohadrunonahead，wereheardshoutingtoboatmen，threeofwhompulledalongside，andtwobeingvanquished，theluggagewenttumblingintotheremainingone。
\'Neversawsuchadreadfulsceneinmylife——never!\'saidMr。
Swancourt，flounderingintotheboat。\'WorsethanFamineandSworduponone。Ithoughtsuchcustomswereconfinedtocontinentalports。Aren\'tyouastonished，Elfride？\'
\'Ohno，\'saidElfride，appearingamidthedingyscenelikearainbowinamurkysky。\'Itisapleasantnovelty，Ithink。\'
\'Whereinthewideoceanisoursteamer？\'thevicarinquired。\'I
canseenothingbutoldhulks，forthelifeofme。\'
\'Justbehindthatone，\'saidKnight；\'weshallsoonberoundunderher。\'
Theobjectoftheirsearchwassoonafterdisclosedtoview——agreatlumberingformofinkyblackness，whichlookedasifithadneverknownthetouchofapaint-brushforfiftyyears。Itwaslyingbesidejustsuchanother，andthewayonboardwasdownanarrowlaneofwaterbetweenthetwo，aboutayardandahalfwideatoneend，andgraduallyconvergingtoapoint。Atthemomentoftheirentryintothisnarrowpassage，abrilliantlypaintedrivalpaddleddowntheriverlikeatrottingsteed，creatingsuchaseriesofwavesandsplashesthattheirfrailwherrywastossedlikeateacup，andthevicarandhiswifeslantedthiswayandthat，incliningtheirheadsintocontactwithaPunch-and-Judyairandcountenance，thewaveletsstrikingthesidesofthetwohulls，andflappingbackintotheirlaps。
\'Dreadful!horrible!\'Mr。Swancourtmurmuredprivately；andsaidaloud，Ithoughtwewalkedonboard。Idon\'tthinkreallyI
shouldhavecome，ifIhadknownthistroublewasattachedtoit。\'
\'Iftheymustsplash，Iwishtheywouldsplashuswithcleanwater，\'saidtheoldlady，wipingherdresswithherhandkerchief。
\'Ihopeitisperfectlysafe，\'continuedthevicar。
\'Opapa!youarenotverybrave，\'criedElfridemerrily。
\'Braveryisonlyobtusenesstotheperceptionofcontingencies，\'
Mr。Swancourtseverelyanswered。
Mrs。Swancourtlaughed，andElfridelaughed，andKnightlaughed，inthemidstofwhichpleasantnessamanshoutedtothemfromsomepositionbetweentheirheadsandthesky，andtheyfoundtheywereclosetotheJuliet，intowhichtheyquiveringlyascended。
Ithavingbeenfoundthatthelownessofthetidewouldpreventtheirgettingoffforanhour，theSwancourts，havingnothingelsetodo，allowedtheireyestoidleuponmeninbluejerseysperformingmysteriousmendingoperationswithtar-twine；theyturnedtolookatthedashesofluridsunlight，likeburnishedcopperstarsafloatontheripples，whichdancedintoandtantalizedtheirvision；orlistenedtotheloudmusicofasteam-
craneatworkcloseby；ortosighingsoundsfromthefunnelsofpassingsteamers，gettingdeadastheygrewmoredistant；ortoshoutsfromthedecksofdifferentcraftintheirvicinity，allofthemassumingtheformof\'Ah-he-hay!\'
Half-pastten:notyetoff。Mr。Swancourtbreathedabreathofweariness，andlookedathisfellow-travellersingeneral。Theirfaceswerecertainlynotworthlookingat。Theexpression\'Waiting\'waswrittenuponthemsoabsolutelythatnothingmorecouldbediscernedthere。AllanimationwassuspendedtillProvidenceshouldraisethewaterandletthemgo。
\'Ihavebeenthinking，\'saidKnight，\'thatwehavecomeamongsttherarestclassofpeopleinthekingdom。Ofallhumancharacteristics，alowopinionofthevalueofhisowntimebyanindividualmustbeamongthestrangesttofind。Hereweseenumbersofthatpatientandhappyspecies。Rovers，asdistinctfromtravellers。\'
\'Buttheyarepleasure-seekers，towhomtimeisofnoimportance。\'
\'Ohno。Thepleasure-seekerswemeetonthegrandroutesaremoreanxiousthancommercialtravellerstorushon。Andaddedtothelossoftimeingettingtotheirjourney\'send，theseexceptionalpeopletaketheirchanceofsea-sicknessbycomingthisway。\'
\'Canitbe？\'inquiredthevicarwithapprehension。\'Surelynot，Mr。Knight，justhereinourEnglishChannel——closeatourdoors，asImaysay。\'
\'Entrancepassagesareverydraughtyplaces，andtheChannelisliketherest。Itruinsthetemperofsailors。IthasbeencalculatedbyphilosophersthatmoredamnsgouptoheavenfromtheChannel，inthecourseofayear，thanfromallthefiveoceansputtogether。\'
Theyreallystartnow，andthedeadlooksofallthethrongcometolifeimmediately。Themanwhohasbeenfranticallyhaulinginaropethatbadefairtohavenoendceaseshislabours，andtheyglidedowntheserpentinebendsoftheThames。
AnythinganywherewasamineofinteresttoElfride，andsowasthis。
\'Itiswellenoughnow，\'saidMrs。Swancourt，aftertheyhadpassedtheNore，\'butIcan\'tsayIhavecaredformyvoyagehitherto。\'Forbeingnowintheopenseaaslightbreezehadsprungup，whichcheeredheraswellashertwoyoungercompanions。Butunfortunatelyithadareverseeffectuponthevicar，who，afterturningasortofapricotjamcolour，interspersedwithdashesofraspberry，pleadedindisposition，andvanishedfromtheirsight。
Theafternoonworeon。Mrs。Swancourtkindlysatapartbyherselfreading，andthebetrothedpairwerelefttothemselves。ElfrideclungtrustinglytoKnight\'sarm，andproudwasshetowalkwithhimupanddownthedeck，ortogoforward，andleaningwithhimagainsttheforecastlerails，watchthesettingsungraduallywithdrawingitselfovertheirsternintoahugebankoflividcloudwithgoldenedgesthatrosetomeetit。