Shelookeddownandsighed；andtheypassedoutofthecrumblingoldplace，andslowlycrossedtothechurchyardentrance。Knightwasnothimself，andhecouldnotpretendtobe。Shehadnottoldall。
Hesupportedherlightlyoverthestile，andwaspracticallyasattentiveasalovercouldbe。Buttherehadpassedawayaglory，andthedreamwasnotasithadbeenofyore。PerhapsKnightwasnotshapedbyNatureforamarryingman。Perhapshislifelongconstrainttowardswomen，whichhehadattributedtoaccident，wasnotchanceafterall，butthenaturalresultofinstinctiveactssominuteastobeundiscernibleevenbyhimself。Orwhethertheroughdispellingofanybrightillusion，howeverimaginative，depreciatestherealandunexaggeratedbrightnesswhichappertainstoitsbasis，onecannotsay。CertainitwasthatKnight\'sdisappointmentatfindinghimselfsecondorthirdinthefield，atElfride\'smomentaryequivoque，andatherreluctancetobecandid，broughthimtothevergeofcynicism。
ChapterXXXIII
\'OdaughterofBabylon，wastedwithmisery。\'
AhabitofKnight\'s，whennotimmediatelyoccupiedwithElfride——
towalkbyhimselfforhalfanhourorsobetweendinnerandbedtime——hadbecomefamiliartohisfriendsatEndelstow，Elfrideherselfamongthem。Whenhehadhelpedheroverthestile，shesaidgently，\'Ifyouwishtotakeyourusualturnonthehill，Harry，Icanrundowntothehousealone。\'
\'Thankyou，Elfie；thenIthinkIwill。\'
Herformdiminishedtoblacknessinthemoonlight，andKnight，afterremaininguponthechurchyardstileafewminuteslonger，turnedbackagaintowardsthebuilding。Hisusualcoursewasnowtolightacigarorpipe，andindulgeinaquietmeditation。Butto-nighthismindwastootensetobethinkitselfofsuchasolace。Hemerelywalkedroundtothesiteofthefallentower，andsathimselfdownuponsomeofthelargestoneswhichhadcomposedituntilthisday，whenthechainofcircumstanceoriginatedbyStephenSmith，whileintheemployofMr。Hewby，theLondonmanofart，hadbroughtaboutitsoverthrow。
PonderingonthepossibleepisodesofElfride\'spastlife，andonhowhehadsupposedhertohavehadnopastjustifyingthename，hesatandregardedthewhitetombofyoungJethway，nowcloseinfrontofhim。Thesea，thoughcomparativelyplacid，couldasusualbeheardfromthispointalongthewholedistancebetweenpromontoriestotherightandleft，flounderingandentanglingitselfamongtheinsulatedstacksofrockwhichdottedthewater\'sedge——themiserableskeletonsoftorturedoldcliffsthatwouldnotevenyetsuccumbtothewearandtearofthetides。
Asachangefromthoughtsnotofaverycheerfulkind，Knightattemptedexertion。Hestoodup，andpreparedtoascendtothesummitoftheruinousheapofstones，fromwhichamoreextendedoutlookwasobtainablethanfromtheground。Hestretchedouthisarmtoseizetheprojectingarrisofalargerblockthanordinary，andsohelphimselfup，whenhishandlightedplumpuponasubstancedifferinginthegreatestpossibledegreefromwhathehadexpectedtoseize——hardstone。Itwasstringyandentangled，andtraileduponthestone。Thedeepshadowfromtheaislewallpreventedhisseeinganythingheredistinctly，andhebeganguessingasanecessity。\'Itisatressyspeciesofmossorlichen，\'hesaidtohimself。
Butitlaylooselyoverthestone。
\'Itisatuftofgrass，\'hesaid。
Butitlackedtheroughnessandhumidityofthefinestgrass。
\'Itisamason\'swhitewash-brush。\'
Suchbrushes，heremembered，weremorebristly；andhowevermuchusedinrepairingastructure，wouldnotberequiredinpullingonedown。
Hesaid，\'Itmustbeathreadysilkfringe。\'
Hefeltfurtherin。Itwassomewhatwarm。Knightinstantlyfeltsomewhatcold。
Tofindthecoldnessofinanimatematterwhereyouexpectwarmthisstartlingenough；butacoldertemperaturethanthatofthebodybeingrathertherulethantheexceptionincommonsubstances，ithardlyconveyssuchashocktothesystemasfindingwarmthwhereutterfrigidityisanticipated。
\'Godonlyknowswhatitis，\'hesaid。
Hefeltfurther，andinthecourseofaminuteputhishanduponahumanhead。Theheadwaswarm，butmotionless。Thethreadymasswasthehairofthehead——longandstraggling，showingthattheheadwasawoman\'s。
Knightinhisperplexitystoodstillforamoment，andcollectedhisthoughts。Thevicar\'saccountofthefallofthetowerwasthattheworkmenhadbeenunderminingitalltheday，andhadleftintheeveningintendingtogivethefinishingstrokethenextmorning。Halfanhouraftertheyhadgonetheunderminedanglecamedown。Thewomanwhowashalfburied，asitseemed，musthavebeenbeneathitatthemomentofthefall。
Knightleaptupandbeganendeavouringtoremovetherubbishwithhishands。Theheapoverlyingthebodywasforthemostpartfineanddusty，butinimmensequantity。Itwouldbeasavingoftimetorunforassistance。Hecrossedtothechurchyardwall，andhasteneddownthehill。
Alittlewaydownanintersectingroadpassedoverasmallridge，whichnowshowedupdarklyagainstthemoon，andthisroadhereformedakindofnotchinthesky-line。AtthemomentthatKnightarrivedatthecrossinghebeheldamanonthiseminence，comingtowardshim。Knightturnedasideandmetthestranger。
\'Therehasbeenanaccidentatthechurch，\'saidKnight，withoutpreface。\'Thetowerhasfallenonsomebody，whohasbeenlyingthereeversince。Willyoucomeandhelp？\'
\'ThatIwill，\'saidtheman。
\'Itisawoman，\'saidKnight，astheyhurriedback，\'andIthinkwetwoareenoughtoextricateher。Doyouknowofashovel？\'
\'Thegrave-diggingshovelsareaboutsomewhere。Theyusedtostayinthetower。\'
\'Andtheremustbesomebelongingtotheworkmen。\'
Theysearchedabout，andinanangleoftheporchfoundthreecarefullystowedaway。GoingroundtothewestendKnightsignifiedthespotofthetragedy。
\'Weoughttohavebroughtalantern，\'heexclaimed。\'Butwemaybeabletodowithout。\'Hesettoworkremovingthesuperincumbentmass。
Theotherman，wholookedonsomewhathelplesslyatfirst，nowfollowedtheexampleofKnight\'sactivity，andremovedthelargerstoneswhichweremingledwiththerubbish。Butwithalltheireffortsitwasquitetenminutesbeforethebodyoftheunfortunatecreaturecouldbeextricated。Theyliftedherascarefullyastheycould，breathlesslycarriedhertoFelixJethway\'stomb，whichwasonlyafewstepswestward，andlaidherthereon。
\'Isshedeadindeed？\'saidthestranger。
\'Sheappearstobe，\'saidKnight。\'Whichisthenearesthouse？
Thevicarage，Isuppose。\'
\'Yes；butsinceweshallhavetocallasurgeonfromCastleBoterel，Ithinkitwouldbebettertocarryherinthatdirection，insteadofawayfromthetown。\'
\'Andisitnotmuchfurthertothefirsthousewecometogoingthatway，thantothevicarageortoTheCrags？\'
\'Notmuch，\'thestrangerreplied。
\'Supposewetakeherthere，then。AndIthinkthebestwaytodoitwouldbethus，ifyoudon\'tmindjoininghandswithme。\'
\'Notintheleast；Iamgladtoassist。\'
Makingakindofcradle，byclaspingtheirhandscrosswiseundertheinanimatewoman，theyliftedher，andwalkedonsidebysidedownapathindicatedbythestranger，whoappearedtoknowthelocalitywell。
\'Ihadbeensittinginthechurchfornearlyanhour，\'Knightresumed，whentheywereoutofthechurchyard。\'AfterwardsI
walkedroundtothesiteofthefallentower，andsofoundher。
ItispainfultothinkIunconsciouslywastedsomuchtimeintheverypresenceofaperishing，flyingsoul。\'
\'Thetowerfellatdusk，diditnot？quitetwohoursago，I
think？\'
\'Yes。Shemusthavebeentherealone。Whatcouldhavebeenherobjectinvisitingthechurchyardthen？
\'Itisdifficulttosay。\'Thestrangerlookedinquiringlyintotherecliningfaceofthemotionlessformtheybore。\'Wouldyouturnherroundforamoment，sothatthelightshinesonherface？\'hesaid。
Theyturnedherfacetothemoon，andthemanlookedcloserintoherfeatures。\'Why，Iknowher!\'heexclaimed。
\'Whoisshe？\'
\'Mrs。Jethway。Andthecottagewearetakinghertoisherown。
Sheisawidow；andIwasspeakingtoheronlythisafternoon。I
wasatCastleBoterelpost-office，andshecametheretopostaletter。Poorsoul!Letushurryon。\'
\'Holdmywristalittletighter。Wasnotthattombwelaidheronthetombofheronlyson？\'
\'Yes，itwas。Yes，Iseeitnow。Shewastheretovisitthetomb。Sincethedeathofthatsonshehasbeenadesolate，despondingwoman，alwaysbewailinghim。Shewasafarmer\'swife，verywelleducated——agovernessoriginally，Ibelieve。\'
Knight\'sheartwasmovedtosympathy。HisownfortunesseemedinsomestrangewaytobeinterwovenwiththoseofthisJethwayfamily，throughtheinfluenceofElfrideoverhimselfandtheunfortunatesonofthathouse。Hemadenoreply，andtheystillwalkedon。
\'Shebeginstofeelheavy，\'saidthestranger，breakingthesilence。
\'Yes，shedoes，\'saidKnight；andafteranotherpauseadded，\'I
thinkIhavemetyoubefore，thoughwhereIcannotrecollect。MayIaskwhoyouare？\'
\'Ohyes。IamLordLuxellian。Whoareyou？\'
\'IamavisitoratTheCrags——Mr。Knight。\'
\'Ihaveheardofyou，Mr。Knight。\'
\'AndIofyou，LordLuxellian。Iamgladtomeetyou。\'
\'Imaysaythesame。Iamfamiliarwithyournameinprint。\'
\'AndIwithyours。Isthisthehouse？\'
\'Yes。\'
Thedoorwaslocked。Knight，reflectingamoment，searchedthepocketofthelifelesswoman，andfoundthereinalargekeywhich，onbeingappliedtothedoor，openediteasily。Thefirewasout，butthemoonlightenteredthequarriedwindow，andmadepatternsuponthefloor。Theraysenabledthemtoseethattheroomintowhichtheyhadenteredwasprettywellfurnished，itbeingthesameroomthatElfridehadvisitedalonetwoorthreeeveningsearlier。Theydepositedtheirstillburdenonanold-fashionedcouchwhichstoodagainstthewall，andKnightsearchedaboutforalamporcandle。Hefoundacandleonashelf，lightedit，andplaceditonthetable。
BothKnightandLordLuxellianexaminedthepalecountenanceattentively，andbothwerenearlyconvincedthattherewasnohope。Nomarksofviolencewerevisibleinthecasualexaminationtheymade。
\'IthinkthatasIknowwhereDoctorGransonlives，\'saidLordLuxellian，\'Ihadbetterrunforhimwhilstyoustayhere。\'
Knightagreedtothis。LordLuxellianthenwentoff，andhishurryingfootstepsdiedaway。Knightcontinuedbendingoverthebody，andafewminuteslongerofcarefulscrutinyperfectlysatisfiedhimthatthewomanwasfarbeyondthereachofthelancetandthedrug。Herextremitieswerealreadybeginningtogetstiffandcold。Knightcoveredherface，andsatdown。
Theminuteswentby。Theessayistremainedmusingonalltheoccurrencesofthenight。Hiseyesweredirecteduponthetable，andhehadseenforsometimethatwriting-materialswerespreaduponit。Henownoticedthesemoreparticularly:therewereaninkstand，pen，blotting-book，andnote-paper。Severalsheetsofpaperwerethrustasidefromtherest，uponwhichlettershadbeenbegunandrelinquished，asiftheirformhadnotbeensatisfactorytothewriter。Astickofblacksealing-waxandsealweretheretoo，asiftheordinaryfasteninghadnotbeenconsideredsufficientlysecure。Theabandonedsheetsofpaperlyingastheydidopenuponthetable，madeitpossible，ashesat，toreadthefewwordswrittenoneach。Oneranthus:
\'SIR，——Asawomanwhowasonceblestwithadearsonofherown，I
imploreyoutoacceptawarning——\'
Another:
\'SIR，——Ifyouwilldeigntoreceivewarningfromastrangerbeforeitistoolatetoalteryourcourse，listento——\'
Thethird:
\'SIR，——WiththisletterIenclosetoyouanotherwhich，unaidedbyanyexplanationfromme，tellsastartlingtale。Iwish，however，toaddafewwordstomakeyourdelusionyetmorecleartoyou——
\'
Itwasplainthat，aftertheserenouncedbeginnings，afourthletterhadbeenwrittenanddespatched，whichhadbeendeemedaproperone。Uponthetableweretwodropsofsealing-wax，thestickfromwhichtheyweretakenhavingbeenlaiddownoverhangingtheedgeofthetable；theendofitdrooped，showingthatthewaxwasplacedtherewhilstwarm。Therewasthechairinwhichthewriterhadsat，theimpressionoftheletter\'saddressupontheblotting-paper，andthepoorwidowwhohadcausedtheseresultslyingdeadhardby。KnighthadseenenoughtoleadhimtotheconclusionthatMrs。Jethway，havingmatterofgreatimportancetocommunicatetosomefriendoracquaintance，hadwrittenhimaverycarefulletter，andgoneherselftopostit；thatshehadnotreturnedtothehousefromthattimeofleavingittillLordLuxellianandhimselfhadbroughtherbackdead。
Theunutterablemelancholyofthewholescene，ashewaitedon，silentandalone，didnotaltogetherclashwiththemoodofKnight，eventhoughhewastheaffiancedofafairandwinninggirl，andthoughsolatelyhehadbeeninhercompany。Whilstsittingontheremainsofthedemolishedtowerhehaddefinedanewsensation；thatthelengthenedcourseofinactionhehadlatelybeenindulginginonElfride\'saccountmightprobablynotbegoodforhimasamanwhohadworktodo。Itcouldquicklybeputanendtobyhasteningonhismarriagewithher。
Knight，inhisownopinion，wasonewhohadmissedhismarkbyexcessiveaiming。Havingnow，toagreatextent，givenupidealambitions，hewishedearnestlytodirecthispowersintoamorepracticalchannel，andthuscorrecttheintrospectivetendencieswhichhadneverbroughthimselfmuchhappiness，ordonehisfellow-creaturesanygreatgood。Tomakeastartinthisnewdirectionbymarriage，which，sinceknowingElfride，hadbeensoentrancinganidea，waslessexquisiteto-night。Thatthecurtailmentofhisillusionregardingherhadsomethingtodowiththereaction，andwiththereturnofhisoldsentimentsonwastingtime，ismorethanprobable。ThoughKnight\'shearthadsogreatlymasteredhim，themasterywasnotsocompleteastobeeasilymaintainedinthefaceofamoderateintellectualrevival。
Hisreveriewasbrokenbythesoundofwheels，andahorse\'stramp。Thedooropenedtoadmitthesurgeon，LordLuxellian，andaMr。Coole，coronerforthedivisionwhohadbeenattendingatCastleBoterelthatveryday，andwashavinganafter-dinnerchatwiththedoctorwhenLordLuxellianarrived；nextcametwofemalenursesandsomeidlers。
Mr。Granson，afteracursoryexamination，pronouncedthewomandeadfromsuffocation，inducedbyintensepressureontherespiratoryorgans；andarrangementsweremadethattheinquiryshouldtakeplaceonthefollowingmorning，beforethereturnofthecoronertoSt。Launce\'s。
Shortlyafterwardsthehouseofthewidowwasdesertedbyallitslivingoccupants，andsheabodeindeath，asshehadinherlifeduringthepasttwoyears，entirelyalone。
ChapterXXXIV
\'Yea，happyshallhebethatrewardeththeeasthouhastservedus。\'
Sixteenhourshadpassed。Knightwasenteringtheladies\'boudoiratTheCrags，uponhisreturnfromattendingtheinquesttouchingthedeathofMrs。Jethway。Elfridewasnotintheapartment。
Mrs。Swancourtmadeafewinquiriesconcerningtheverdictandcollateralcircumstances。Thenshesaid——
\'Thepostmancamethismorningtheminuteafteryouleftthehouse。Therewasonlyoneletterforyou，andIhaveithere。\'
Shetookaletterfromthelidofherworkbox，andhandedittohim。Knighttookthemissiveabstractedly，butstruckbyitsappearancemurmuredafewwordsandlefttheroom。
Theletterwasfastenedwithablackseal，andthehandwritinginwhichitwasaddressedhadlainunderhiseyes，longandprominently，onlytheeveningbefore。
Knightwasgreatlyagitated，andlookedaboutforaspotwherehemightbesecurefrominterruption。Itwastheseasonofheavydews，whichlayontheherbageinshadyplacesallthedaylong；
nevertheless，heenteredasmallpatchofneglectedgrass-platenclosedbytheshrubbery，andthereperusedtheletter，whichhehadopenedonhiswaythither。
Thehandwriting，theseal，thepaper，theintroductorywords，allhadtoldontheinstantthattheletterhadcometohimfromthehandsofthewidowJethway，nowdeadandcold。Hehadinstantlyunderstoodthattheunfinishednoteswhichcaughthiseyeyesternightwereintendedfornobodybuthimself。HehadrememberedsomeofthewordsofElfrideinhersleeponthesteamer，thatsomebodywasnottotellhimofsomething，oritwouldbeherruin——acircumstancehithertodeemedsotrivialandmeaninglessthathehadwell-nighforgottenit。Allthesethingsinfusedintohimanemotionintenseinpowerandsupremelydistressinginquality。Thepaperinhishandquiveredasheread:
\'THEVALLEY，ENDELSTOW。
\'SIR，——Awomanwhohasnotmuchintheworldtolosebyanycensurethisactmaybringuponher，wishestogiveyousomehintsconcerningaladyyoulove。Ifyouwilldeigntoacceptawarningbeforeitistoolate，youwillnoticewhatyourcorrespondenthastosay。
\'Youaredeceived。Cansuchawomanasthisbeworthy？
\'Onewhoencouragedanhonestyouthtoloveher，thenslightedhim，sothathedied。
\'Onewhonexttookamanofnobirthasalover，whowasforbiddenthehousebyherfather。
\'Onewhosecretlyleftherhometobemarriedtothatman，methim，andwentwithhimtoLondon。
\'Onewho，forsomereasonorother，returnedagainunmarried。
\'Onewho，inherafter-correspondencewithhim，wentsofarastoaddresshimasherhusband。
\'Onewhowrotetheenclosedlettertoaskme，whobetterthananybodyelseknowsthestory，tokeepthescandalasecret。
\'Ihopesoontobebeyondthereachofeitherblameorpraise。
ButbeforeremovingmeGodhasputitinmypowertoavengethedeathofmyson。
\'GERTRUDEJETHWAY。\'
TheletterenclosedwasthenoteinpencilthatElfridehadwritteninMrs。Jethway\'scottage:
\'DEARMRS。JETHWAY，——Ihavebeentovisityou。Iwantedmuchtoseeyou，butIcannotwaitanylonger。Icametobegyounottoexecutethethreatsyouhaverepeatedtome。Donot，Ibeseechyou，Mrs。Jethway，letanyoneknowIranawayfromhome!Itwouldruinmewithhim，andbreakmyheart。Iwilldoanythingforyou，ifyouwillbekindtome。Inthenameofourcommonwomanhood，donot，Iimploreyou，makeascandalofme——Yours，\'E。SWANCOURT。
Knightturnedhisheadwearilytowardsthehouse。Thegroundroserapidlyonnearingtheshrubberyinwhichhestood，raisingitalmosttoalevelwiththefirstfloorofTheCrags。Elfride\'sdressing-roomlayinthesalientangleinthisdirection，anditwaslightedbytwowindowsinsuchapositionthat，fromKnight\'sstanding-place，hissightpassedthroughbothwindows，andrakedtheroom。Elfridewasthere；shewaspausingbetweenthetwowindows，lookingatherfigureinthecheval-glass。Sheregardedherselflongandattentivelyinfront；turned，flungbackherhead，andobservedthereflectionoverhershoulder。
Nobodycanpredicateastoherobjectorfancy；shemayhavedonethedeedintheveryabstractionofdeepsadness。Shemayhavebeenmoaningfromthebottomofherheart，\'HowunhappyamI!\'ButtheimpressionproducedonKnightwasnotagoodone。Hedroppedhiseyesmoodily。Thedeadwoman\'sletterhadavirtueintheaccidentofitsjuncturefarbeyondanyitintrinsicallyexhibited。Circumstancelenttoevilwordsaringofpitilessjusticeechoingfromthegrave。Knightcouldnotenduretheirpossession。Hetoretheletterintofragments。
Heheardabrushingamongthebushesbehind，andturninghisheadhesawElfridefollowinghim。Thefairgirllookedinhisfacewithawistfulsmileofhope，tooforcedlyhopefultodisplacethefirmlyestablisheddreadbeneathit。Hisseverewordsofthepreviousnightstillsatheavyuponher。
\'Isawyoufrommywindow，Harry，\'shesaidtimidly。
\'Thedewwillmakeyourfeetwet，\'heobserved，asonedeaf。
\'Idon\'tmindit。\'
\'Thereisdangeringettingwetfeet。\'
\'Yes……Harry，whatisthematter？\'
\'Oh，nothing。ShallIresumetheseriousconversationIhadwithyoulastnight？No，perhapsnot；perhapsIhadbetternot。\'
\'Oh，Icannottell!Howwretcheditallis!Ah，Iwishyouwereyourowndearselfagain，andhadkissedmewhenIcameup!Whydidn\'tyouaskmeforone？whydon\'tyounow？\'
\'Toofreeinmannerbyhalf，\'heheardmurmurthevoicewithinhim。
\'Itwasthathatefulconversationlastnight，\'shewenton。\'Oh，thosewords!Lastnightwasablacknightforme。\'
\'Kiss!——Ihatethatword!Don\'ttalkofkissing，forGod\'ssake!I
shouldthinkyoumightwithadvantagehaveshowntactenoughtokeepbackthatword\"kiss，\"consideringthoseyouhaveaccepted。\'
Shebecameverypale，andarigidanddesolatecharacterytookpossessionofherface。Thatfacewassodelicateandtenderinappearancenow，thatonecouldfancythepressureofafingeruponitwouldcausealividspot。
Knightwalkedon，andElfridewithhim，silentandunopposing。Heopenedagate，andtheyenteredapathacrossastubble-field。
\'PerhapsIintrudeuponyou？\'shesaidasheclosedthegate。
\'ShallIgoaway？\'
\'No。Listentome，Elfride。\'Knight\'svoicewaslowandunequal。
\'Ihavebeenhonestwithyou:willyoubesowithme？Ifany——
strange——connectionhasexistedbetweenyourselfandapredecessorofmine，tellitnow。ItisbetterthatIknowitnow，eventhoughtheknowledgeshouldpartus，thanthatIshoulddiscoveritintimetocome。Andsuspicionshavebeenawakenedinme。I
thinkIwillnotsayhow，becauseIdespisethemeans。A
discoveryofanymysteryofyourpastwouldembitterourlives。\'
Knightwaitedwithaslowmannerofcalmness。Hiseyesweresadandimperative。Theywentfartheralongthepath。
\'WillyouforgivemeifItellyouall？\'sheexclaimedentreatingly。
\'Ican\'tpromise；somuchdependsuponwhatyouhavetotell。\'
Elfridecouldnotendurethesilencewhichfollowed。
\'Areyounotgoingtoloveme？\'sheburstout。\'Harry，Harry，loveme，andspeakasusual!Do；Ibeseechyou，Harry!\'
\'Areyougoingtoactfairlybyme？\'saidKnight，withrisinganger；\'orareyounot？WhathaveIdonetoyouthatIshouldbeputofflikethis？Becaughtlikeabirdinaspringe；everythingintendedtobehiddenfromme!Whyisit，Elfride？That\'swhatI
askyou。\'
Intheiragitationtheyhadleftthepath，andwerewanderingamongthewetandobstructivestubble，withoutknowingorheedingit。
\'WhathaveIdone？\'shefaltered。
\'What？Howcanyouaskwhat，whenyouknowsowell？YouKNOWthatIhavedesignedlybeenkeptinignoranceofsomethingattachingtoyou，which，hadIknownofit，mighthavealteredallmyconduct；
andyetyousay，what？\'
Shedroopedvisibly，andmadenoanswer。
\'NotthatIbelieveinmaliciousletter-writersandwhisperers；
notI。Idon\'tknowwhetherIdoordon\'t:uponmysoul，Ican\'ttell。Iknowthis:areligionwasbuildingitselfuponyouinmyheart。Ilookedintoyoureyes，andthoughtIsawtheretruthandinnocenceaspureandperfectaseverembodiedbyGodinthefleshofwoman。Perfecttruthistoomuchtoexpect，butordinarytruthIWILLHAVEornothingatall。Justsay，then；isthematteryoukeepbackofthegravestimportance，orisitnot？\'
\'Idon\'tunderstandallyourmeaning。IfIhavehiddenanythingfromyou，ithasbeenbecauseIlovedyouso，andIfeared——
feared——toloseyou。\'
\'Sinceyouarenotgiventoconfidence，Iwanttoaskyousomeplainquestions。HaveIyourpermission？\'
\'Yes，\'shesaid，andtherecameoverherfaceawearyresignation。
\'Saytheharshestwordsyoucan；Iwillbearthem!\'
\'Thereisascandalintheairconcerningyou，Elfride；andI
cannotevencombatitwithoutknowingdefinitelywhatitis。Itmaynotrefertoyouentirely，orevenatall。\'Knighttrifledintheverybitternessofhisfeeling。\'InthetimeoftheFrenchRevolution，Pariseau，aballet-master，wasbeheadedbymistakeforParisot，acaptainoftheKing\'sGuard。Iwishtherewasanother\"E。Swancourt\"intheneighbourhood。Lookatthis。\'
HehandedherthelettershehadwrittenandleftonthetableatMrs。Jethway\'s。Shelookedoveritvacantly。
\'Itisnotsomuchasitseems!\'shepleaded。\'Itseemswickedlydeceptivetolookatnow，butithadamuchmorenaturaloriginthanyouthink。Mysolewishwasnottoendangerourlove。O
Harry!thatwasallmyidea。Itwasnotmuchharm。\'
\'Yes，yes；butindependentlyofthepoormiserablecreature\'sremarks，itseemstoimply——somethingwrong。\'
\'Whatremarks？\'
\'Thoseshewroteme——nowtorntopieces。Elfride，DIDyourunawaywithamanyouloved？——thatwasthedamnablestatement。Hassuchanaccusationlifeinit——really，truly，Elfride？\'
\'Yes，\'shewhispered。
Knight\'scountenancesank。\'Tobemarriedtohim？\'camehuskilyfromhislips。
\'Yes。Oh，forgiveme!Ihadneverseenyou，Harry。\'
\'ToLondon？\'
\'Yes；butI——\'
\'Answermyquestions；saynothingelse，ElfrideDidyoueverdeliberatelytrytomarryhiminsecret？\'
\'No；notdeliberately。\'
\'Butdidyoudoit？\'
Afeebleredpassedoverherface。
\'Yes，\'shesaid。
\'Andafterthat——didyou——writetohimasyourhusband；anddidheaddressyouashiswife？\'
\'Listen，listen!Itwas——\'
\'Doanswerme；onlyanswerme!\'
\'Then，yes，wedid。\'Herlipsshook；butitwaswithsomelittledignitythatshecontinued:\'Iwouldgladlyhavetoldyou；forI
knewandknowIhaddonewrong。ButIdarednot；Ilovedyoutoowell。Oh，sowell!Youhavebeeneverythingintheworldtome——
andyouarenow。Willyounotforgiveme？\'
Itisamelancholythought，thatmenwhoatfirstwillnotallowtheverdictofperfectiontheypronounceupontheirsweetheartsorwivestobedisturbedbyGod\'sowntestimonytothecontrary，will，oncesuspectingtheirpurity，morallyhangthemuponevidencetheywouldbeashamedtoadmitinjudgingadog。
Thereluctancetotell，whicharosefromElfride\'ssimplicityinthinkingherselfsomuchmoreculpablethanshereallywas，hadbeendoingfatalworkinKnight\'smind。Themanofmanyideas，nowthathisfirstdreamofimpossiblethingswasover，vibratedtoofarinthecontrarydirection；andhereverymovementoffeature——everytremor——everyconfusedword——wastakenassomuchproofofherunworthiness。
\'Elfride，wemustbidgood-byetocompliment，\'saidKnight:\'wemustdowithoutpolitenessnow。Lookinmyface，andasyoubelieveinGodabove，tellmetrulyonethingmore。Wereyouawayalonewithhim？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Didyoureturnhomethesamedayonwhichyouleftit？\'
\'No。\'
Thewordfelllikeabolt，andtheverylandandskyseemedtosuffer。Knightturnedaside。MeantimeElfride\'scountenanceworealookindicatingutterdespairofbeingabletoexplainmatterssothattheywouldseemnomorethantheyreallywere，——adespairwhichnotonlyrelinquishesthehopeofdirectexplanation，butwearilygivesupallcollateralchancesofextenuation。
ThescenewasengravedforyearsontheretinaofKnight\'seye:
thedeadandbrownstubble，theweedsamongit，thedistantbeltofbeechesshuttingouttheviewofthehouse，theleavesofwhichwerenowredandsicktodeath。
\'Youmustforgetme，\'hesaid。\'Weshallnotmarry，Elfride。\'
Howmuchanguishpassedintohersoulatthosewordsfromhimwastoldbythelookofsupremetortureshewore。
\'Whatmeaninghaveyou，Harry？Youonlysayso，doyou？\'
Shelookeddoubtinglyupathim，andtriedtolaugh，asiftheunrealityofhiswordsmustbeunquestionable。
\'Youarenotinearnest，Iknow——Ihopeyouarenot？SurelyI
belongtoyou，andyouaregoingtokeepmeforyours？\'
\'Elfride，Ihavebeenspeakingtooroughlytoyou；IhavesaidwhatIoughtonlytohavethought。Ilikeyou；andletmegiveyouawordofadvice。Marryyourmanassoonasyoucan。Howeverwearyofeachotheryoumayfeel，youbelongtoeachother，andI
amnotgoingtostepbetweenyou。DoyouthinkIwould——doyouthinkIcouldforamoment？Ifyoucannotmarryhimnow，andanothermakesyouhiswife，donotrevealthissecrettohimaftermarriage，ifyoudonotbefore。Honestywouldbedamnationthen。\'
Bewilderedbyhisexpressions，sheexclaimed——
\'No，no；IwillnotbeawifeunlessIamyours；andImustbeyours!\'
\'Ifwehadmarried——\'
\'Butyoudon\'tMEAN——that——that——youwillgoawayandleaveme，andnotbeanythingmoretome——oh，youdon\'t!\'
Convulsivesobstookallnerveoutofherutterance。Shecheckedthem，andcontinuedtolookinhisfacefortherayofhopethatwasnottobefoundthere。
\'Iamgoingindoors，\'saidKnight。\'Youwillnotfollowme，Elfride；Iwishyounotto。\'
\'Ohno；indeed，Iwillnot。\'
\'AndthenIamgoingtoCastleBoterel。Good-bye。\'
Hespokethefarewellasifitwerebutfortheday——lightly，ashehadspokensuchtemporaryfarewellsmanytimesbefore——andsheseemedtounderstanditassuch。Knighthadnotthepowertotellherplainlythathewasgoingforever；hehardlyknewforcertainthathewas:whetherheshouldrushbackagainuponthecurrentofanirresistibleemotion，orwhetherhecouldsufficientlyconquerhimself，andherinhim，toestablishthatpartingasasupremefarewell，andpresenthimselftotheworldagainasnowoman\'s。
Tenminuteslaterhehadleftthehouse，leavingdirectionsthatifhedidnotreturnintheeveninghisluggagewastobesenttohischambersinLondon，whenceheintendedtowritetoMr。
Swancourtastothereasonsofhissuddendeparture。Hedescendedthevalley，andcouldnotforbearturninghishead。Hesawthestubble-field，andaslightgirlishfigureinthemidstofit——upagainstthesky。Elfride，docileasever，hadhardlymovedastep，forhehadsaid，Remain。Helookedandsawheragain——hesawherforweeksandmonths。Hewithdrewhiseyesfromthescene，swepthishandacrossthem，asiftobrushawaythesight，breathedalowgroan，andwenton。
ChapterXXXV
\'Andwiltthouleavemethus？——saynay——saynay!\'
ThesceneshiftstoKnight\'schambersinBede\'sInn。ItwaslateintheeveningofthedayfollowinghisdeparturefromEndelstow。
AdrizzlingraindescendeduponLondon，formingahumidanddrearyhaloovereverywell-lightedstreet。Therainhadnotyetbeenprevalentlongenoughtogivetorapidvehiclesthatclearanddistinctrattlewhichfollowsthethoroughwashingofthestonesbyadrenchingrain，butwasjustsufficienttomakefootwayandroadwayslippery，adhesive，andcloggingtobothfeetandwheels。
Knightwasstandingbythefire，lookingintoitsexpiringembers，previouslytoemergingfromhisdoorforadrearyjourneyhometoRichmond。Hishatwason，andthegasturnedoff。Theblindofthewindowoverlookingthealleywasnotdrawndown；andwiththelightfrombeneath，whichshoneovertheceilingoftheroom，came，inplaceoftheusualbabble，onlythereducedclatterandquickspeechwhichweretheresultofnecessityratherthanchoice。
Whilsthethusstood，waitingfortheexpirationofthefewminutesthatwerewantingtothetimeforhiscatchingthetrain，alighttappinguponthedoormingledwiththeothersoundsthatreachedhisears。Itwassofaintatfirstthattheouternoiseswerealmostsufficienttodrownit。FindingitrepeatedKnightcrossedthelobby，crowdedwithbooksandrubbish，andopenedthedoor。
Awoman，closelymuffledup，butvisiblyoffragilebuild，wasstandingonthelandingunderthegaslight。Shesprangforward，flungherarmsroundKnight\'sneck，andutteredalowcry——
\'OHarry，Harry，youarekillingme!Icouldnothelpcoming。
Don\'tsendmeaway——don\'t!ForgiveyourElfrideforcoming——Iloveyouso!\'
Knight\'sagitationandastonishmentmasteredhimforafewmoments。
\'Elfride!\'hecried，\'whatdoesthismean？Whathaveyoudone？\'
\'Donothurtmeandpunishme——Oh，donot!Icouldn\'thelpcoming；
itwaskillingme。Lastnight，whenyoudidnotcomeback，I
couldnotbearit——Icouldnot!Onlyletmebewithyou，andseeyourface，Harry；Idon\'taskformore。\'
Hereyelidswerehot，heavy，andthickwithexcessiveweeping，andthedelicaterose-redofhercheekswasdisfiguredandinflamedbytheconstantchafingofthehandkerchiefinwipinghermanytears。
\'Whoiswithyou？Haveyoucomealone？\'hehurriedlyinquired。
\'Yes。Whenyoudidnotcomelastnight，Isatuphopingyouwouldcome——andthenightwasallagony——andIwaitedonandon，andyoudidnotcome!Thenwhenitwasmorning，andyourlettersaidyouweregone，Icouldnotendureit；andIranawayfromthemtoSt。
Launce\'s，andcamebythetrain。AndIhavebeenalldaytravellingtoyou，andyouwon\'tmakemegoawayagain，willyou，Harry，becauseIshallalwaysloveyoutillIdie？\'
\'Yetitiswrongforyoutostay。OElfride!whathaveyoucommittedyourselfto？Itisruintoyourgoodnametoruntomelikethis!Hasnotyourfirstexperiencebeensufficienttokeepyoufromthesethings？\'
\'Myname!Harry，Ishallsoondie，andwhatgoodwillmynamebetomethen？Oh，couldIbutbethemanandyouthewoman，Iwouldnotleaveyouforsuchalittlefaultasmine!Donotthinkitwassovileathinginmetorunawaywithhim。Ah，howIwishyoucouldhaverunawaywithtwentywomenbeforeyouknewme，thatI
mightshowyouIwouldthinkitnofault，butbegladtogetyouafterthemall，sothatIhadyou!Ifyouonlyknewmethroughandthrough，howtrueIam，Harry。CannotIbeyours？Sayyoulovemejustthesame，anddon\'tletmebeseparatedfromyouagain，willyou？Icannotbearit——allthelonghoursanddaysandnightsgoingon，andyounotthere，butawaybecauseyouhateme!\'
\'Nothateyou，Elfride，\'hesaidgently，andsupportedherwithhisarm。\'Butyoucannotstayherenow——justatpresent，Imean。\'
\'IsupposeImustnot——IwishImight。Iamafraidthatif——youlosesightofme——somethingdarkwillhappen，andweshallnotmeetagain。Harry，ifIamnotgoodenoughtobeyourwife，I
wishIcouldbeyourservantandlivewithyou，andnotbesentawaynevertoseeyouagain。Idon\'tmindwhatitisexceptthat!\'