\'WhenyouwerewithHewby，ofcourse，ofcourse。Well，Ican\'tunderstandit。\'Histonesrose。\'Idon\'tknowwhattosay，yourhoodwinkingmelikethisforsolong!\'
\'Idon\'tseethatIhavehoodwinkedyouatall。\'
\'Yes，yes，but\'——
Knightarosefromhisseat，andbeganpacingupanddowntheroom。
Hisfacewasmarkedlypale，andhisvoiceperturbed，ashesaid——
\'YoudidnotactasIshouldhaveactedtowardsyouunderthosecircumstances。Ifeelitdeeply；andItellyouplainly，Ishallneverforgetit!\'
\'What？\'
\'Yourbehaviouratthatmeetinginthefamilyvault，whenItoldyouweweregoingtobemarried。Deception，dishonesty，everywhere；alltheworld\'sofapiece!\'
Stephendidnotmuchlikethismisconstructionofhismotives，eventhoughitwasbutthehastyconclusionofafrienddisturbedbyemotion。
\'IcoulddonootherwisethanIdid，withdueregardtoher，\'hesaidstiffly。
\'Indeed!\'saidKnight，inthebitteresttoneofreproach。\'Norcouldyouwithdueregardtoherhavemarriedher，Isuppose!I
havehoped——longed——thatHE，whoturnsouttobeYOU，wouldultimatelyhavedonethat。\'
\'Iammuchobligedtoyouforthathope。Butyoutalkverymysteriously。IthinkIhadaboutthebestreasonanybodycouldhavehadfornotdoingthat。\'
\'Oh，whatreasonwasit？\'
\'ThatIcouldnot。\'
\'Yououghttohavemadeanopportunity；yououghttodosonow，inbarejusticetoher，Stephen!\'criedKnight，carriedbeyondhimself。\'Thatyouknowverywell，andithurtsandwoundsmemorethanyoudreamtofindyouneverhavetriedtomakeanyreparationtoawomanofthatkind——sotrusting，soapttoberunawaywithbyherfeelings——poorlittlefool，somuchtheworseforher!\'
\'Why，youtalklikeamadman!Youtookherawayfromme，didyounot？\'
\'Pickingupwhatanotherthrowsdowncanscarcelybecalled\"takingaway。”However，weshallnotagreetoowelluponthatsubject，sowehadbetterpart。\'
\'ButIamquitecertainyoumisapprehendsomethingmostgrievously，\'saidStephen，shakentothebottomofhisheart。
\'WhathaveIdone；tellme？IhavelostElfride，butisthatsuchasin？\'
\'Wasitherdoing，oryours？\'
\'Waswhat？\'
\'Thatyouparted。\'
\'Iwilltellyouhonestly。Itwashersentirely，entirely。\'
\'Whatwasherreason？\'
\'Icanhardlysay。ButI\'lltellthestorywithoutreserve。\'
Stephenuntilto-dayhadunhesitatinglyheldthatshegrewtiredofhimandturnedtoKnight；buthedidnotliketoadvancethestatementnow，oreventothinkthethought。TofancyotherwiseaccordedbetterwiththehopetowhichKnight\'sestrangementhadgivenbirth:thatloveforhisfriendwasnotthedirectcause，butaresultofhersuspensionofloveforhimself。
\'Suchamattermustnotbeallowedtobreeddiscordbetweenus，\'
Knightreturned，relapsingintoamannerwhichconcealedallhistruefeeling，asifconfidencenowwasintolerable。\'Idoseethatyourreticencetowardsmeinthevaultmayhavebeendictatedbyprudentialconsiderations。\'Heconcludedartificially，\'Itwasastrangethingaltogether；butnotofmuchimportance，Isuppose，atthisdistanceoftime；anditdoesnotconcernmenow，thoughI
don\'tmindhearingyourstory。\'
ThesewordsfromKnight，utteredwithsuchanairofrenunciationandapparentindifference，promptedSmithtospeakon——perhapswithalittlecomplacency——ofhisoldsecretengagementtoElfride。Hetoldthedetailsofitsorigin，andtheperemptorywordsandactionsofherfathertoextinguishtheirlove。
Knightperseveredinthetoneandmannerofadisinterestedoutsider。IthadbecomemorethaneverimperativetoscreenhisemotionsfromStephen\'seye；theyoungmanwouldotherwisebelessfrank，andtheirmeetingwouldbeagainembittered。Whatwastheuseofuntowardcandour？
Stephenhadnowarrivedatthepointinhisingenuousnarrativewhereheleftthevicaragebecauseofherfather\'smanner。
Knight\'sinterestincreased。Theirloveseemedsoinnocentandchildlikethusfar。
\'Itisanicepointincasuistry，\'heobserved，\'todecidewhetheryouwereculpableornotinnottellingSwancourtthatyourfriendswereparishionersofhis。Itwasonlyhumannaturetoholdyourtongueunderthecircumstances。Well，whatwastheresultofyourdismissalbyhim？\'
\'Thatweagreedtobesecretlyfaithful。Andtoinsurethiswethoughtwewouldmarry。\'
Knight\'ssuspenseandagitationrosehigherwhenStephenentereduponthisphaseofthesubject。
\'Doyoumindtellingon？\'hesaid，steadyinghismannerofspeech。
\'Oh，notatall。\'
ThenStephengaveinfulltheparticularsofthemeetingwithElfrideattherailwaystation；thenecessitytheywereunderofgoingtoLondon，unlesstheceremonyweretobepostponed。Thelongjourneyoftheafternoonandevening；hertimidityandrevulsionoffeeling；itsculminationonreachingLondon；thecrossingovertothedown-platformandtheirimmediatedepartureagain，solelyinobediencetoherwish；thejourneyallnight；
theiranxiouswatchingforthedawn；theirarrivalatSt。Launce\'satlast——weredetailed。AndhetoldhowavillagewomannamedJethwaywastheonlypersonwhorecognizedthem，eithergoingorcoming；andhowdreadfullythisterrifiedElfride。Hetoldhowhewaitedinthefieldswhilstthisthenreproachfulsweetheartwentforherpony，andhowthelastkissheevergaveherwasgivenamileoutofthetown，onthewaytoEndelstow。
ThesethingsStephenrelatedwithawill。HebelievedthatindoingsoheestablishedwordbywordthereasonablenessofhisclaimtoElfride。
\'Curseher!cursethatwoman!——thatmiserableletterthatpartedus!OGod!\'
Knightbeganpacingtheroomagain，andutteredthisatfurtherend。
\'Whatdidyousay？\'saidStephen，turninground。
\'Say？DidIsayanything？Oh，Iwasmerelythinkingaboutyourstory，andtheoddnessofmyhavingafancyforthesamewomanafterwards。AndthatnowI——Ihaveforgottenheralmost；andneitherofuscareabouther，exceptjustasafriend，youknow，eh？\'
Knightstillcontinuedatthefurtherendoftheroom，somewhatinshadow。
\'Exactly，\'saidStephen，inwardlyexultant，forhewasreallydeceivedbyKnight\'soff-handmanner。
YethewasdeceivedlessbythecompletenessofKnight\'sdisguisethanbythepersuasivepowerwhichlayinthefactthatKnighthadneverbeforedeceivedhiminanything。SothissuppositionthathiscompanionhadceasedtoloveElfridewasanenormouslighteningoftheweightwhichhadturnedthescaleagainsthim。
\'AdmittingthatElfrideCOULDloveanothermanafteryou，\'saidtheelder，underthesamevarnishofcarelesscriticism，\'shewasnonetheworseforthatexperience。\'
\'Theworse？Ofcourseshewasnonetheworse。\'
\'Didyoueverthinkitawildandthoughtlessthingforhertodo？\'
\'Indeed，Ineverdid，\'saidStephen。\'Ipersuadedher。Shesawnoharminituntilshedecidedtoreturn，nordidI；norwasthere，excepttotheextentofindiscretion。\'
\'Directlyshethoughtitwaswrongshewouldgonofurther？\'
\'Thatwasit。Ihadjustbeguntothinkitwrongtoo。\'
\'Suchachildishescapademighthavebeenmisrepresentedbyanyevil-disposedperson，mightitnot？\'
\'Itmight；butIneverheardthatitwas。Nobodywhoreallyknewallthecircumstanceswouldhavedoneotherwisethansmile。Ifalltheworldhadknownit，Elfridewouldstillhaveremainedtheonlyonewhothoughtheractionasin。Poorchild，shealwayspersistedinthinkingso，andwasfrightenedmorethanenough。\'
\'Stephen，doyoulovehernow？\'
\'Well，Ilikeher；Ialwaysshall，youknow，\'hesaidevasively，andwithallthestrategylovesuggested。\'ButIhavenotseenherforsolongthatIcanhardlybeexpectedtoloveher。Doyouloveherstill？\'
\'HowshallIanswerwithoutbeingashamed？Whatficklebeingswemenare，Stephen!Menmaylovestrongestforawhile，butwomenlovelongest。Iusedtoloveher——inmyway，youknow。\'
\'Yes，Iunderstand。Ah，andIusedtoloveherinmyway。Infact，Ilovedheragooddealatonetime；buttravelhasatendencytoobliterateearlyfancies。\'
\'Ithas——ithas，truly。\'
Perhapsthemostextraordinaryfeatureinthisconversationwasthecircumstancethat，thougheachinterlocutorhadatfirsthissuspicionsoftheother\'sabidingpassionawakenedbyseverallittleacts，neitherwouldallowhimselftoseethathisfriendmightnowbespeakingdeceitfullyaswellashe。
\'Stephen。\'resumedKnight，\'nowthatmattersaresmoothbetweenus，IthinkImustleaveyou。Youwon\'tmindmyhurryingofftomyquarters？\'
\'You\'llstaytosomesortofsuppersurely？didn\'tyoucometodinner!\'
\'Youmustreallyexcusemethisonce。\'
\'Thenyou\'lldropintobreakfastto-morrow。\'
\'Ishallberatherpressedfortime。\'
\'Anearlybreakfast，whichshallinterferewithnothing？\'
\'I\'llcome，\'saidKnight，withasmuchreadinessasitwaspossibletograftuponahugestockofreluctance。\'Yes，early；
eighto\'clocksay，asweareunderthesameroof。\'
\'Anytimeyoulike。Eightitshallbe。\'
AndKnightlefthim。Towearamask，todissemblehisfeelingsashehadintheirlatemiserableconversation，wassuchtorturethathecouldsupportitnolonger。ItwasthefirsttimeinKnight\'slifethathehadeverbeensoentirelytheplayerofapart。AndthemanhehadthusdeceivedwasStephen，whohaddocilelylookeduptohimfromyouthasasuperiorofunblemishedintegrity。
Hewenttobed，andallowedthefeverofhisexcitementtorageuncontrolled。Stephen——itwasonlyhewhowastherival——onlyStephen!Therewasananti-climaxofabsurditywhichKnight，wretchedandconscience-strickenashewas，couldnothelprecognizing。Stephenwasbutaboytohim。WherethegreatgrieflaywasinperceivingthattheveryinnocenceofElfrideinreadingherlittlefaultasonesogravewaswhathadfatallymisledhim。HadElfride，withanydegreeofcoolness，assertedthatshehaddonenoharm，thepoisonousbreathofthedeadMrs。
Jethwaywouldhavebeeninoperative。Whydidhenotmakehislittledocilegirltellmore？Ifonthatsubjecthehadonlyexercisedtheimperativenesscustomarywithhimonothers，allmighthavebeenrevealed。Itsmotehisheartlikeaswitchwhenherememberedhowgentlyshehadbornehisscourgingspeeches，neveransweringhimwithasinglereproach，onlyassuringhimofherunboundedlove。
KnightblessedElfrideforhersweetness，andforgotherfault。
Hepicturedwithavividfancythosefairsummersceneswithher。
Heagainsawherasattheirfirstmeeting，timidatspeaking，yetinhereagernesstobeexplanatoryborneforwardalmostagainstherwill。Howshewouldwaitforhimingreenplaces，withoutshowinganyoftheordinarywomanlyaffectationsofindifference!
Howproudshewastobeseenwalkingwithhim，bearinglegiblyinhereyesthethoughtthathewasthegreatestgeniusintheworld!
Heformedaresolution；andafterthatcouldmakepretenceofslumbernolonger。Risinganddressinghimself，hesatdownandwaitedforday。
ThatnightStephenwasrestlesstoo。NotbecauseoftheunwontednessofareturntoEnglishscenery；notbecausehewasabouttomeethisparents，andsettledownforawhiletoEnglishcottagelife。Hewasindulgingindreams，andforthenoncethewarehousesofBombayandtheplainsandfortsofPoonahwerebutashadow\'sshadow。Hisdreamwasbasedonthisoneatomoffact:
ElfrideandKnighthadbecomeseparated，andtheirengagementwasasifithadneverbeen。TheirrupturemusthaveoccurredsoonafterStephen\'sdiscoveryofthefactoftheirunion；and，Stephenwentontothink，whatsoprobableasthatareturnofhererrantaffectiontohimselfwasthecause？
Stephen\'sopinionsinthismatterwerethoseofalover，andnotthebalancedjudgmentofanunbiassedspectator。Hisnaturallysanguinespiritbuilthopeuponhope，tillscarcelyadoubtremainedinhismindthatherlingeringtendernessforhimhadinsomewaybeenperceivedbyKnight，andhadprovokedtheirparting。
TogoandseeElfridewasthesuggestionofimpulsesitwasimpossibletowithstand。Atanyrate，torundownfromSt。
Launce\'stoCastlePoterel，adistanceoflessthantwentymiles，andglidelikeaghostabouttheiroldhaunts，makingstealthyinquiriesabouther，wouldbeafascinatingwayofpassingthefirstsparehoursafterreachinghomeonthedayafterthemorrow。
Hewasnowarichermanthanheretofore，standingonhisownbottom；andthedefinitepositioninwhichhehadrootedhimselfnullifiedoldlocaldistinctions。Hehadbecomeillustrious，evensanguineclarus，judgingfromthetoneoftheworthyMayorofSt。
Launce\'s。
ChapterXXXIX
\'Eachtothelovedone\'sside。\'
Thefriendsandrivalsbreakfastedtogetherthenextmorning。Notawordwassaidoneithersideuponthematterdiscussedthepreviouseveningsogliblyandsohollowly。Stephenwasabsorbedthegreaterpartofthetimeinwishinghewerenotforcedtostayintownyetanotherday。
\'Idon\'tintendtoleaveforSt。Launce\'stillto-morrow，asyouknow，\'hesaidtoKnightattheendofthemeal。\'Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselfto-day？\'
\'Ihaveanengagementjustbeforeten，\'saidKnightdeliberately；
\'andafterthattimeImustcallupontwoorthreepeople。\'
\'I\'lllookforyouthisevening，\'saidStephen。
\'Yes，do。Youmayaswellcomeanddinewithme；thatis，ifwecanmeet。ImaynotsleepinLondonto-night；infact，Iamabsolutelyunsettledastomymovementsyet。However，thefirstthingIamgoingtodoistogetmybaggageshiftedfromthisplacetoBede\'sInn。Good-byeforthepresent。I\'llwrite，youknow，ifIcan\'tmeetyou。\'
Itnowwantedaquartertonineo\'clock。WhenKnightwasgone，Stephenfeltyetmoreimpatientofthecircumstancethatanotherdaywouldhavetodragitselfawaywearilybeforehecouldsetoutforthatspotofearthwhereonasoftthoughtofhimmightperhapsbenourishedstill。Onasuddenheadmittedtohismindthepossibilitythattheengagementhewaswaitingintowntokeepmightbepostponedwithoutmuchharm。
Itwasnosoonerperceivedthanattempted。Lookingathiswatch，hefounditwantedfortyminutestothedepartureoftheteno\'clocktrainfromPaddington，whichlefthimasurplusquarterofanhourbeforeitwouldbenecessarytostartforthestation。
Scribblingahastynoteortwo——oneputtingoffthebusinessmeeting，anothertoKnightapologizingfornotbeingabletoseehimintheevening——payinghisbill，andleavinghisheavierluggagetofollowhimbygoods-train，hejumpedintoacabandrattledofftotheGreatWesternStation。
Shortlyafterwardshetookhisseatintherailwaycarriage。
Theguardpausedonhiswhistle，toletintothenextcompartmenttoSmith\'samanofwhomStephenhadcaughtbutahastyglimpseasheranacrosstheplatformatthelastmoment。
Smithsankbackintothecarriage，stilledbyperplexity。ThemanwaslikeKnight——astonishinglylikehim。Wasitpossibleitcouldbehe？TohavegottherehemusthavedrivenlikethewindtoBede\'sInn，andhardlyhavealightedbeforestartingagain。No，itcouldnotbehe；thatwasnothiswayofdoingthings。
DuringtheearlypartofthejourneyStephenSmith\'sthoughtsbusiedthemselvestillhisbrainseemedswollen。Onesubjectwasconcerninghisownapproachingactions。Hewasadayearlierthanhislettertohisparentshadstated，andhisarrangementwiththemhadbeenthattheyshouldmeethimatPlymouth；aplanwhichpleasedtheworthycouplebeyondexpression。Oncebeforethesameengagementhadbeenmade，whichhehadthenquashedbyante-datinghisarrival。ThistimehewouldgorightontoCastleBoterel；
rambleinthatwell-knownneighbourhoodduringtheeveningandnextmorning，makinginquiries；andreturntoPlymouthtomeetthemasarranged——acontrivancewhichwouldleavetheircherishedprojectundisturbed，relievinghisownimpatiencealso。
AtChippenhamtherewasalittlewaiting，andsomelooseningandattachingofcarriages。
Stephenlookedout。Atthesamemomentanotherman\'sheademergedfromtheadjoiningwindow。Eachlookedintheother\'sface。
KnightandStephenconfrontedoneanother。
\'Youhere!\'saidtheyoungerman。
\'Yes。Itseemsthatyouaretoo，\'saidKnight，strangely。
\'Yes。\'
Theselfishnessofloveandthecrueltyofjealousywerefairlyexemplifiedatthismoment。Eachofthetwomenlookedathisfriendashehadneverlookedathimbefore。EachwasTROUBLEDattheother\'spresence。
\'Ithoughtyousaidyouwerenotcomingtillto-morrow，\'remarkedKnight。
\'Idid。Itwasanafterthoughttocometo-day。Thisjourneywasyourengagement，then？\'
\'No，itwasnot。Thisisanafterthoughtofminetoo。Ileftanotetoexplainit，andaccountformynotbeingabletomeetyouthiseveningaswearranged。\'
\'SodidIforyou。\'
\'Youdon\'tlookwell:youdidnotthismorning。\'
\'Ihaveaheadache。Youarepalerto-daythanyouwere。\'
\'I，too，havebeensufferingfromheadache。Wehavetowaithereafewminutes，Ithink。\'
Theywalkedupanddowntheplatform，eachonemoreandmoreembarrassinglyconcernedwiththeawkwardnessofhisfriend\'spresence。Theyreachedtheendofthefootway，andpausedinsheerabsent-mindedness。Stephen\'svacanteyesrestedupontheoperationsofsomeporters，whowereshiftingadarkandcurious-
lookingvanfromtherearofthetrain，toshuntanotherwhichwasbetweenitandtheforepartofthetrain。Thisoperationhavingbeenconcluded，thetwofriendsreturnedtothesideoftheircarriage。
\'Willyoucomeinhere？\'saidKnight，notverywarmly。
\'Ihavemyrugandportmanteauandumbrellawithme:itisratherbotheringtomovenow，\'saidStephenreluctantly。\'Whynotyoucomehere？\'
\'Ihavemytrapstoo。Itishardlyworthwhiletoshiftthem，forIshallseeyouagain，youknow。\'
\'Oh，yes。\'
Andeachgotintohisownplace。Justatstarting，amanontheplatformhelduphishandsandstoppedthetrain。
Stephenlookedouttoseewhatwasthematter。
Oneoftheofficialswasexclaimingtoanother，\'Thatcarriageshouldhavebeenattachedagain。Can\'tyouseeitisforthemainline？Quick!Whatfoolsthereareintheworld!\'
\'Whataconfoundednuisancethesestoppagesare!\'exclaimedKnightimpatiently，lookingoutfromhiscompartment。\'Whatisit？\'
\'Thatsingularcarriagewesawhasbeenunfastenedfromourtrainbymistake，itseems，\'saidStephen。
Hewaswatchingtheprocessofattachingit。Thevanorcarriage，whichhenowrecognizedashavingseenatPaddingtonbeforetheystarted，wasrichandsolemnratherthangloomyinaspect。Itseemedtobequitenew，andofmoderndesign，anditsimpressivepersonalityattractedthenoticeofothersbesidehimself。Hebehelditgraduallywheeledforwardbytwomenoneachside:
slowerandmoresadlyitseemedtoapproach:thenaslightconcussion，andtheywereconnectedwithit，andoffagain。
StephensatalltheafternoonponderinguponthereasonofKnight\'sunexpectedreappearance。WashegoingasfarasCastleBoterel？Ifso，hecouldonlyhaveoneobjectinview——avisittoElfride。Andwhatanideaitseemed!
AtPlymouthSmithpartookofalittlerefreshment，andthenwentroundtothesidefromwhichthetrainstartedforCamelton，thenewstationnearCastleBoterelandEndelstow。
Knightwasalreadythere。
Stephenwalkedupandstoodbesidehimwithoutspeaking。Twomenatthismomentcreptoutfromamongthewheelsofthewaitingtrain。
\'Thecarriageislightenough，\'saidoneinagrimtone。\'Lightasvanity；fullofnothing。\'
\'Nothinginsize，butagooddealinsignification，\'saidtheother，amanofbrightermindandmanners。
SmiththenperceivedthattotheirtrainwasattachedthatsamecarriageofgrandanddarkaspectwhichhadhauntedthemallthewayfromLondon。
\'Youaregoingon，Isuppose？\'saidKnight，turningtoStephen，afteridlylookingatthesameobject。
\'Yes。\'
\'Wemayaswelltraveltogetherfortheremainingdistance，maywenot？\'
\'Certainlywewill；\'andtheybothenteredthesamedoor。
Eveningdrewonapace。ItchancedtobetheeveofSt。
Valentine\'s——thatbishopofblessedmemorytoyouthfullovers——andthesunshonelowundertherimofathickhardcloud，decoratingtheeminencesofthelandscapewithcrownsoforangefire。Asthetrainchangeditsdirectiononacurve，thesameraysstretchedinthroughthewindow，andcoaxedopenKnight\'shalf-closedeyes。
\'YouwillgetoutatSt。Launce\'s，Isuppose？\'hemurmured。
\'No，\'saidStephen，\'Iamnotexpectedtillto-morrow。\'Knightwassilent。
\'Andyou——areyougoingtoEndelstow？\'saidtheyoungermanpointedly。
\'Sinceyouask，IcandonolessthansayIam，Stephen，\'
continuedKnightslowly，andwithmoreresolutionofmannerthanhehadshownalltheday。\'IamgoingtoEndelstowtoseeifElfrideSwancourtisstillfree；andifso，toaskhertobemywife。\'
\'SoamI，\'saidStephenSmith。
\'Ithinkyou\'llloseyourlabour，\'Knightreturnedwithdecision。
\'Naturallyyoudo。\'TherewasastrongaccentofbitternessinStephen\'svoice。\'YoumighthavesaidHOPEinsteadofTHINK，\'headded。
\'Imighthavedonenosuchthing。Igaveyoumyopinion。ElfrideSwancourtmayhavelovedyouonce，nodoubt，butitwaswhenshewassoyoungthatshehardlyknewherownmind。\'
\'Thankyou，\'saidStephenlaconically。\'SheknewhermindaswellasIdid。Wearethesameage。Ifyouhadn\'tinterfered——\'
\'Don\'tsaythat——don\'tsayit，Stephen!HowcanyoumakeoutthatIinterfered？Bejust，please!\'
\'Well，\'saidhisfriend，\'shewasminebeforeshewasyours——youknowthat!Anditseemedahardthingtofindyouhadgother，andthatifithadnotbeenforyou，allmighthaveturnedoutwellforme。\'Stephenspokewithaswellingheart，andlookedoutofthewindowtohidetheemotionthatwouldmakeitselfvisibleuponhisface。
\'Itisabsurd，\'saidKnightinakindertone，\'foryoutolookatthematterinthatlight。WhatItellyouisforyourgood。Younaturallydonotliketorealizethetruth——thatherlikingforyouwasonlyagirl\'sfirstfancy，whichhasnorootever。\'
\'Itisnottrue!\'saidStephenpassionately。\'Itwasyouputmeout。Andnowyou\'llbepushinginagainbetweenus，anddeprivingmeofmychanceagain!Myright，that\'swhatitis!Howungenerousofyoutocomeanewandtrytotakeherawayfromme!Whenyouhadwonher，Ididnotinterfere；andyoumight，Ithink，Mr。Knight，dobymeasIdidbyyou!\'
\'Don\'t\"Mr。”me；youareaswellintheworldasIamnow。\'
\'Firstloveisdeepest；andthatwasmine。\'
\'Whotoldyouthat？\'saidKnightsuperciliously。
\'Ihadherfirstlove。Anditwasthroughmethatyouandsheparted。Icanguessthatwellenough。\'
\'Itwas。AndifIweretoexplaintoyouinwhatwaythatoperatedinpartingus，Ishouldconvinceyouthatyoudoquitewronginintrudinguponher——that，asIsaidatfirst，yourlabourwillbelost。Idon\'tchoosetoexplain，becausetheparticularsarepainful。Butifyouwon\'tlistentome，goon，forHeaven\'ssake。Idon\'tcarewhatyoudo，myboy。\'
\'Youhavenorighttodomineerovermeasyoudo。Justbecause，whenIwasalad，Iwasaccustomedtolookuptoyouasamaster，andyouhelpedmealittle，forwhichIwasgratefultoyouandhavelovedyou，youassumetoomuchnow，andstepinbeforeme。
Itiscruel——itisunjust——ofyoutoinjuremeso!\'
Knightshowedhimselfkeenlyhurtatthis。\'Stephen，thosewordsareuntrueandunworthyofanyman，andtheyareunworthyofyou。
Youknowyouwrongme。Ifyouhaveeverprofitedbyanyinstructionofmine，Iamonlytoogladtoknowit。Youknowitwasgivenungrudgingly，andthatIhaveneveroncelookeduponitasmakingyouinanywayadebtortome。\'
Stephen\'snaturallygentlenaturewastouched，anditwasinatroubledvoicethathesaid，\'Yes，yes。Iamunjustinthat——I
ownit。\'
\'ThisisSt。Launce\'sStation，Ithink。Areyougoingtogetout？\'
Knight\'smannerofreturningtothematterinhanddrewStephenagainintohimself。\'No；ItoldyouIwasgoingtoEndelstow，\'heresolutelyreplied。
Knight\'sfeaturesbecameimpassive，andhesaidnomore。Thetraincontinuedrattlingon，andStephenleantbackinhiscornerandclosedhiseyes。Theyellowsofeveninghadturnedtobrowns，theduskyshadesthickened，andaflyingcloudofdustoccasionallystrokedthewindow——borneuponachillingbreezewhichblewfromthenorth-east。Thepreviouslygildedbutnowdrearyhillsbegantolosetheirdaylightaspectsofrotundity，andtobecomeblackdiscsvandykedagainstthesky，allnaturewearingthecloakthatsixo\'clockcastsoverthelandscapeatthistimeoftheyear。
Stephenstartedupinbewildermentafteralongstillness，anditwassometimebeforeherecollectedhimself。
\'Well，howreal，howreal!\'heexclaimed，brushinghishandacrosshiseyes。
\'Whatis？\'saidKnight。
\'Thatdream。Ifellasleepforafewminutes，andhavehadadream——themostvividIeverremember。\'
Hewearilylookedoutintothegloom。TheywerenowdrawingneartoCamelton。Thelightingofthelampswasperceptiblethroughtheveilofevening——eachflamestartingintoexistenceatintervals，andblinkingweaklyagainstthegustsofwind。
\'Whatdidyoudream？\'saidKnightmoodily。
\'Oh，nothingtobetold。\'Twasasortofincubus。Thereisneveranythingindreams。\'
\'Ihardlysupposedtherewas。\'
\'Iknowthat。However，whatIsovividlydreamtwasthis，sinceyouwouldliketohear。ItwasthebrightestofbrightmorningsatEastEndelstowChurch，andyouandIstoodbythefont。FarawayinthechancelLordLuxellianwasstandingalone，coldandimpassive，andutterlyunlikehisusualself:butIknewitwashe。Insidethealtarrailstoodastrangeclergymanwithhisbookopen。HelookedupandsaidtoLordLuxellian，\"Where\'sthebride？\"LordLuxelliansaid，\"There\'snobride。”Atthatmomentsomebodycameinatthedoor，andIknewhertobeLadyLuxellianwhodied。Heturnedandsaidtoher，\"Ithoughtyouwereinthevaultbelowus；butthatcouldhaveonlybeenadreamofmine。
Comeon。”Thenshecameon。AndinbrushingbetweenusshechilledmesowithcoldthatIexclaimed，\"Thelifeisgoneoutofme!\"and，inthewayofdreams，Iawoke。ButhereweareatCamelton。\'
Theywereslowlyenteringthestation。
\'Whatareyougoingtodo？\'saidKnight。\'DoyoureallyintendtocallontheSwancourts？\'
\'Bynomeans。Iamgoingtomakeinquiriesfirst。IshallstayattheLuxellianArmsto-night。YouwillgorightontoEndelstow，Isuppose，atonce？\'
\'Icanhardlydothatatthistimeoftheday。Perhapsyouarenotawarethatthefamily——herfather，atanyrate——isatvariancewithmeasmuchaswithyou。
\'Ididn\'tknowit。\'
\'AndthatIcannotrushintothehouseasanoldfriendanymorethanyoucan。CertainlyIhavetheprivilegesofadistantrelationship，whatevertheymaybe。\'
Knightletdownthewindow，andlookedahead。\'Thereareagreatmanypeopleatthestation，\'hesaid。\'Theyseemalltobeonthelook-outforus。\'
Whenthetrainstopped，thehalf-estrangedfriendscouldperceivebythelamplightthattheassemblageofidlersenclosedasakernelagroupofmeninblackcloaks。Asidegateintheplatformrailingwasopen，andoutsidethisstoodadarkvehicle，whichtheycouldnotatfirstcharacterize。ThenKnightsawonitsupperpartformsagainsttheskylikecedarsbynight，andknewthevehicletobeahearse。Fewpeoplewereatthecarriagedoorstomeetthepassengers——themajorityhadcongregatedatthisupperend。KnightandStephenalighted，andturnedforamomentinthesamedirection。
Thesombrevan，whichhadaccompaniedthemalldayfromLondon，nowbegantorevealthattheirdestinationwasalsoitsown。Ithadbeendrawnupexactlyoppositetheopengate。Thebystandersallfellback，formingaclearlanefromthegatewaytothevan，andthemenincloaksenteredthelatterconveyance。
\'Theyarelabourers，Ifancy，\'saidStephen。\'Ah，itisstrange；
butIrecognizethreeofthemasEndelstowmen。Ratherremarkablethis。\'
Presentlytheybegantocomeout，twoandtwo；andundertheraysofthelamptheywereseentobearbetweenthemalight-colouredcoffinofsatin-wood，brightlypolished，andwithoutanail。Theeightmentooktheburdenupontheirshoulders，andslowlycrossedwithitovertothegate。
KnightandStephenwentoutside，andcameclosetotheprocessionasitmovedoff。Acarriagebelongingtothecortegeturnedroundclosetoalamp。TheraysshoneinuponthefaceofthevicarofEndelstow，Mr。Swancourt——lookingmanyyearsolderthanwhentheyhadlastseenhim。KnightandStepheninvoluntarilydrewback。
Knightspoketoabystander。\'WhathasMr。Swancourttodowiththatfuneral？\'
\'Heisthelady\'sfather，\'saidthebystander。
\'Whatlady\'sfather？\'saidKnight，inavoicesohollowthatthemanstaredathim。
\'Thefatheroftheladyinthecoffin。ShediedinLondon，youknow，andhasbeenbroughtherebythistrain。Sheistobetakenhometo-night，andburiedto-morrow。\'
Knightstoodstaringblindlyatwherethehearsehadbeen；asifhesawit，orsomeone，there。Thenheturned，andbeheldthelitheformofStephenboweddownlikethatofanoldman。Hetookhisyoungfriend\'sarm，andledhimawayfromthelight。
ChapterXL
\'Welcome，proudlady。\'
Halfanhourhaspassed。TwomiserablemenarewanderinginthedarknessupthemilesofroadfromCameltontoEndelstow。
\'Hasshebrokenherheart？\'saidHenryKnight。\'CanitbethatI
havekilledher？Iwasbitterwithher，Stephen，andshehasdied!
AndmayGodhaveNOmercyuponme!\'
\'HowcanyouhavekilledhermorethanI？\'
\'Why，Iwentawayfromher——stoleawayalmost——anddidn\'ttellherIshouldnotcomeagain；andatthatlastmeetingIdidnotkissheronce，butlethermiserablygo。Ihavebeenafool——afool!I
wishthemostabjectconfessionofitbeforecrowdsofmycountrymencouldinanywaymakeamendstomydarlingfortheintensecrueltyIhaveshownher!\'
\'YOURdarling!\'saidStephen，withasortoflaugh。\'Anymancansaythat，Isuppose；anymancan。Iknowthis，shewasMYdarlingbeforeshewasyours；andaftertoo。Ifanybodyhasarighttocallherhisown，itisI。\'
\'Youtalklikeamaninthedark；whichiswhatyouare。Didsheeverdoanythingforyou？Riskhername，forinstance，foryou？\'
Yes，shedid，\'saidStephenemphatically。
\'Notentirely。Didsheeverliveforyou——proveshecouldnotlivewithoutyou——laughandweepforyou？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Never!Didsheeverriskherlifeforyou——no!Mydarlingdidforme。\'
\'Thenitwasinkindnessonly。Whendidsheriskherlifeforyou？\'
\'Tosavemineonthecliffyonder。ThepoorchildwaswithmelookingattheapproachofthePuffinsteamboat，andIslippeddown。Webothhadanarrowescape。Iwishwehaddiedthere!\'
\'Ah，butwait，\'Stephenpleadedwithweteyes。\'Shewentonthatclifftoseemearrivehome:shehadpromisedit。Shetoldmeshewouldmonthsbefore。Andwouldshehavegonethereifshehadnotcaredformeatall？\'
\'YouhaveanideathatElfridediedforyou，nodoubt，\'saidKnight，withamournfulsarcasmtoonervelesstosupportitself。
\'Nevermind。Ifwefindthat——thatshediedyours，I\'llsaynomoreever。\'
\'Andifwefindshediedyours，I\'llsaynomore。\'
\'Verywell——soitshallbe。\'
Thedarkcloudsintowhichthesunhadsunkhadbeguntodropraininanincreasingvolume。
\'Canwewaitsomewhereheretillthisshowerisover？\'saidStephendesultorily。
\'Asyouwill。Butitisnotworthwhile。We\'llheartheparticulars，andreturn。Don\'tletpeopleknowwhoweare。Iamnotmuchnow。\'
Theyhadreachedapointatwhichtheroadbranchedintotwo——justoutsidethewestvillage，oneforkofthedivergingroutespassingintothelatterplace，theotherstretchingontoEastEndelstow。
Havingcomesomeofthedistancebythefootpath，theynowfoundthatthehearsewasonlyalittleinadvanceofthem。
\'IfancyithasturnedofftoEastEndelstow。Canyousee？\'
\'Icannot。Youmustbemistaken。\'
KnightandStephenenteredthevillage。Abaroffierylightlayacrosstheroad，proceedingfromthehalf-opendoorofasmithy，inwhichbellowswereheardblowingandahammerringing。Therainhadincreased，andtheymechanicallyturnedforsheltertowardsthewarmandcosyscene。
Closeattheirheelscameanotherman，withoutover-coatorumbrella，andwithaparcelunderhisarm。
\'Awetevening，\'hesaidtothetwofriends，andpassedbythem。
Theystoodintheouterpenthouse，butthemanwentintothefire。
Thesmithceasedhisblowing，andbegantalkingtothemanwhohadentered。
\'IhavewalkedallthewayfromCamelton，\'saidthelatter。\'Wasobligedtocometo-night，youknow。\'
Heheldtheparcel，whichwasaflatone，towardsthefirelight，tolearniftherainhadpenetratedit。Restingitedgewiseontheforge，hesupporteditperpendicularlywithonehand，wipinghisfacewiththehandkerchiefheheldintheother。
\'IsupposeyouknowwhatI\'vegothere？\'heobservedtothesmith。
\'No，Idon\'t，\'saidthesmith，pausingagainonhisbellows。
\'Astherain\'snotover，I\'llshowyou，\'saidthebearer。
Helaidthethinandbroadpackage，whichhadacuteanglesindifferentdirections，flatupontheanvil，andthesmithblewupthefiretogivehimmorelight。First，afteruntyingthepackage，asheetofbrownpaperwasremoved:thiswaslaidflat。
Thenheunfoldedapieceofbaize:thisalsohespreadflatonthepaper。Thethirdcoveringwasawrapperoftissuepaper，whichwasspreadoutinitsturn。Theenclosurewasrevealed，andhehelditupforthesmith\'sinspection。
\'Oh——Isee!\'saidthesmith，kindlingwithachastenedinterest，anddrawingclose。\'Pooryounglady——ah，terriblemelancholything——sosoontoo!\'
KnightandStephenturnedtheirheadsandlooked。
\'Andwhat\'sthat？\'continuedthesmith。
\'That\'sthecoronet——beautifullyfinished，isn\'tit？Ah，thatcostsomemoney!\'
\'\'TisasfineabitofmetalworkaseverIsee——that\'tis。\'
\'Itcamefromthesamepeopleasthecoffin，youknow，butwasnotreadysoonenoughtobesentroundtothehouseinLondonyesterday。I\'vegottofixitonthisverynight。\'
Thecarefully-packedarticleswereacoffin-plateandcoronet。
KnightandStephencameforward。Theundertaker\'sman，onseeingthemlookfortheinscription，civillyturneditroundtowardsthem，andeachread，almostatonemoment，bytheruddylightofthecoals:
ELFRIDE，WifeofSpenserHugoLuxellian，FifteenthBaronLuxellian:
DiedFebruary10，18。
Theyreadit，andreadit，andreaditagain——StephenandKnight——
asifanimatedbyonesoul。ThenStephenputhishanduponKnight\'sarm，andtheyretiredfromtheyellowglow，further，further，tillthechilldarknessenclosedthemround，andthequietskyasserteditspresenceoverheadasadimgreysheetofblankmonotony。
\'Whereshallwego？\'saidStephen。
\'Idon\'tknow。\'
Alongsilenceensued……\'Elfridemarried!\'saidStephentheninathinwhisper，asifhefearedtolettheassertionlooseontheworld。
\'False，\'whisperedKnight。
\'Anddead。Deniedusboth。Ihate\"false\"——Ihateit!\'
Knightmadenoanswer。
Nothingwasheardbythemnowsavetheslowmeasurementoftimebytheirbeatingpulses，thesofttouchofthedribblingrainupontheirclothes，andthelowpurroftheblacksmith\'sbellowshardby。
\'ShallwefollowElfieanyfurther？\'Stephensaid。
\'No:letusleaveheralone。Sheisbeyondourlove，andletherbebeyondourreproach。Sincewedon\'tknowhalfthereasonsthatmadeherdoasshedid，Stephen，howcanwesay，evennow，thatshewasnotpureandtrueinheart？\'Knight\'svoicehadnowbecomemildandgentleasachild\'s。Hewenton:\'Canwecallherambitious？No。Circumstancehas，asusual，overpoweredherpurposes——fragileanddelicateasshe——liabletobeoverthrowninamomentbythecoarseelementsofaccident。Iknowthat\'sit，——
don\'tyou？\'
\'Itmaybe——itmustbe。Letusgoon。\'
TheybegantobendtheirstepstowardsCastleBoterel，whithertheyhadsenttheirbagsfromCamelton。Theywanderedoninsilenceformanyminutes。Stephenthenpaused，andlightlyputhishandwithinKnight\'sarm。
\'Iwonderhowshecametodie，\'hesaidinabrokenwhisper。
\'Shallwereturnandlearnalittlemore？\'
Theyturnedbackagain，andenteringEndelstowasecondtime，cametoadoorwhichwasstandingopen。ItwasthatofaninncalledtheWelcomeHome，andthehouseappearedtohavebeenrecentlyrepairedandentirelymodernized。Thenametoowasnotthatofthesamelandlordasformerly，butMartinCannister\'s。
KnightandSmithentered。Theinnwasquitesilent，andtheyfollowedthepassagetilltheyreachedthekitchen，whereahugefirewasburning，whichroaredupthechimney，andsentoverthefloor，ceiling，andnewly-whitenedwallsaglaresointenseastomakethecandlequiteasecondarylight。Awomaninawhiteapronandblackgownwasstandingtherealonebehindacleanly-scrubbeddealtable。Stephenfirst，andKnightafterwards，recognizedherasUnity，whohadbeenparlour-maidatthevicarageandyounglady\'s-maidattheCrags。
\'Unity，\'saidStephensoftly，\'don\'tyouknowme？\'
Shelookedinquiringlyamoment，andherfaceclearedup。
\'Mr。Smith——ay，thatitis!\'shesaid。\'Andthat\'sMr。Knight。I
begyoutositdown。PerhapsyouknowthatsinceIsawyoulastI
havemarriedMartinCannister。\'
\'Howlonghaveyoubeenmarried？\'
\'Aboutfivemonths。WeweremarriedthesamedaythatmydearMissElfiebecameLadyLuxellian。\'TearsappearedinUnity\'seyes，andfilledthem，andfelldownhercheek，inspiteofeffortstothecontrary。
Thepainofthetwomeninresolutelycontrollingthemselveswhenthusexampledtoadmitreliefofthesamekindwasdistressing。
Theybothturnedtheirbacksandwalkedafewstepsaway。
ThenUnitysaid，\'Willyougointotheparlour，gentlemen？\'
\'Letusstayherewithher，\'Knightwhispered，andturningsaid，\'No；wewillsithere。Wewanttorestanddryourselveshereforatime，ifyouplease。\'
Thateveningthesorrowingfriendssatwiththeirhostessbesidethelargefire，Knightintherecessformedbythechimneybreast，wherehewasinshade。Andbyshowingalittleconfidencetheywonhers，andshetoldthemwhattheyhadstayedtohear——thelatterhistoryofpoorElfride。
\'Oneday——afteryou，Mr。Knight，leftusforthelasttime——shewasmissedfromtheCrags，andherfatherwentafterher，andbroughtherhomeill。Whereshewentto，Ineverknew——butshewasveryunwellforweeksafterwards。Andshesaidtomethatshedidn\'tcarewhatbecameofher，andshewishedshecoulddie。
Whenshewasbetter，Isaidshewouldlivetobemarriedyet，andshesaidthen，\"Yes；I\'lldoanythingforthebenefitofmyfamily，soastoturnmyuselesslifetosomepracticalaccount。”
Well，itbeganlikethisaboutLordLuxelliancourtingher。ThefirstLadyLuxellianhaddied，andhewasingreattroublebecausethelittlegirlswereleftmotherless。Afterawhiletheyusedtocomeandseeherintheirlittleblackfrocks，fortheylikedheraswellorbetterthantheirownmother——that\'strue。Theyusedtocallher\"littlemamma。”Thesechildrenmadeherashadelivelier，butshewasnotthegirlshehadbeen——Icouldseethat——
andshegrewthinneragooddeal。Well，mylordgottoasktheSwancourtsoftenerandoftenertodinner——nobodyelseofhisacquaintance——andatlastthevicar\'sfamilywerebackwardsandforwardsatallhoursoftheday。Well，peoplesaythatthelittlegirlsaskedtheirfathertoletMissElfridecomeandlivewiththem，andthathesaidperhapshewouldiftheyweregoodchildren。However，thetimewenton，andonedayIsaid，\"MissElfride，youdon\'tlooksowellasyouusedto；andthoughnobodyelseseemstonoticeitIdo。”Shelaughedalittle，andsaid，\"I
shalllivetobemarriedyet，asyoutoldme。”
\'\"Shallyou，miss？Iamgladtohearthat，\"Isaid。
\'\"WhomdoyouthinkIamgoingtobemarriedto？\"shesaidagain。
\'\"Mr。Knight，Isuppose，\"saidI。
\'\"Oh!\"shecried，andturnedoffsowhite，andaforeIcouldgettohershehadsunkdownlikeaheapofclothes，andfaintedaway。
Well，then，shecametoherselfafteratime，andsaid，\"Unity，nowwe\'llgoonwithourconversation。”
\'\"Betternotto-day，miss，\"Isaid。
\'\"Yes，wewill，\"shesaid。\"WhomdoyouthinkIamgoingtobemarriedto？\"
\'\"Idon\'tknow，\"Isaidthistime。
\'\"Guess，\"shesaid。
\'\"\'Tisn\'tmylord，isit？\"saysI。
\'\"Yes，\'tis，\"saysshe，inasickwildway。
\'\"Buthedon\'tcomecourtingmuch，\"Isaid。
\"\'Ah!youdon\'tknow，\"shesaid，andtoldme\'twasgoingtobeinOctober。Afterthatshefreshenedupabit——whether\'twaswiththethoughtofgettingawayfromhomeornot，Idon\'tknow。For，perhaps，Imayaswellspeakplainly，andtellyouthatherhomewasnohometohernow。Herfatherwasbittertoherandharshuponher；andthoughMrs。Swancourtwaswellenoughinherway，\'twasasortofcoldpolitenessthatwasnotworthmuch，andthelittlethinghadaworryingtimeofitaltogether。Aboutamonthbeforethewedding，sheandmylordandthetwochildrenusedtorideabouttogetheruponhorseback，andaveryprettysighttheywere；andifyou\'llbelieveme，Ineversawhimoncewithherunlessthechildrenwerewithhertoo——whichmadethecourtingsostrange-looking。Ay，andmylordissohandsome，youknow，sothatatlastIthinksheratherlikedhim；andIhaveseenhersmileandblushabitatthingshesaid。Hewantedherthemorebecausethechildrendid，foreverybodycouldseethatshewouldbeamosttendermothertothem，andfriendandplaymatetoo。Andmylordisnotonlyhandsome，butasplendidcourter，anduptoallthewayso\'t。Sohemadeherthebeautifullestpresents；ah，oneIcanmind——alovelybracelet，withdiamondsandemeralds。
Oh，howredherfacecamewhenshesawit!Theoldrosescamebacktohercheeksforaminuteortwothen。Ihelpeddressherthedaywebothweremarried——itwasthelastserviceIdidher，poorchild!Whenshewasready，Iranupstairsandslippedonmyownweddinggown，andawaytheywent，andawaywentMartinandI；andnosoonerhadmylordandmyladybeenmarriedthantheparsonmarriedus。Itwasaveryquietpairofweddings——hardlyanybodyknewit。Well，hopewillholditsowninayoungheart，ifsobeitcan；andmyladyfreshenedupabit，formylordwasSO
handsomeandkind。\'
\'Howcameshetodie——andawayfromhome？\'murmuredKnight。
\'Don\'tyousee，sir，shefelloffagainaforethey\'dbeenmarriedlong，andmylordtookherabroadforchangeofscene。Theywerecominghome，andhadgotasfarasLondon，whenshewastakenveryillandcouldn\'tbemoved，andthereshedied。\'
\'Washeveryfondofher？\'
\'What，mylord？Oh，hewas!\'
\'VERYfondofher？\'
\'VERY，beyondeverything。Notsuddenly，butbyslowdegrees。
\'Twashernaturetowinpeoplemorewhentheyknewherwell。He\'dhavediedforher，Ibelieve。Poormylord，he\'sheart-brokennow!\'
\'Thefuneralisto-morrow？\'
\'Yes；myhusbandisnowatthevaultwiththemasons，openingthestepsandcleaningdownthewalls。\'
ThenextdaytwomenwalkedupthefamiliarvalleyfromCastleBotereltoEastEndelstowChurch。Andwhenthefuneralwasover，andeveryonehadleftthelawn-likechurchyard，thepairwentsoftlydownthestepsoftheLuxellianvault，andunderthelow-
groinedarchestheyhadbeheldoncebefore，litupthenasnow。
Inthenewnicheofthecryptlayarathernewcoffin，whichhadlostsomeofitslustre，andanewercoffinstill，brightanduntarnishedintheslightestdegree。
Besidethelatterwasthedarkformofaman，kneelingonthedampfloor，hisbodyflungacrossthecoffin，hishandsclasped，andhiswholeframeseeminglygivenupinutterabandonmenttogrief。
Hewasstillyoung——younger，perhaps，thanKnight——andevennowshowedhowgracefulwashisfigureandsymmetricalhisbuild。Hemurmuredaprayerhalfaloud，andwasquiteunconsciousthattwootherswerestandingwithinafewyardsofhim。
KnightandStephenhadadvancedtowheretheyoncestoodbesideElfrideonthedayallthreehadmetthere，beforeshehadherselfgonedownintosilencelikeherancestors，andshutherbrightblueeyesforever。Notuntilthendidtheyseethekneelingfigureinthedimlight。KnightinstantlyrecognizedthemournerasLordLuxellian，thebereavedhusbandofElfride。
Theyfeltthemselvestobeintruders。KnightpressedStephenback，andtheysilentlywithdrewastheyhadentered。
\'Comeaway，\'hesaid，inabrokenvoice。\'Wehavenorighttobethere。Anotherstandsbeforeus——nearertoherthanwe!\'
AndsidebysidetheybothretracedtheirstepsdownthegreystillvalleytoCastleBoterel。