ButVannicockhadcalledtothedriverofthefly,andtheywaiteduntilitwasbroughtonfromtheturnpikehardby.Mr.Maumbrywasplacedtherein.Lauraenteredwithhim,andtheydrovetohishumbleresidenceneartheCross,wherehewasgotupstairs.
　　Vannicockstoodoutsidebytheemptyflyawhile,butLauradidnotreappear.HethereuponenteredtheflyandtoldthedrivertotakehimbacktoIvell.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Mr.Maumbryhadover-exertedhimselfinthereliefofthesufferingpoor,andfellavictim——oneofthelast——tothepestilencewhichhadcarriedoffsomany.Twodayslaterhelayinhiscoffin.
　　Laurawasintheroombelow.Aservantbroughtinsomeletters,andsheglancedthemover.OnewasthenotefromherselftoMaumbry,informinghimthatshewasunabletoendurelifewithhimanylongerandwasabouttoelopewithVannicock.Havingreadthelettershetookitupstairstowherethedeadmanwas,andslippeditintohiscoffin.Thenextdaysheburiedhim.
　　Shewasnowfree.
　　SheshutuphishouseatDurnoverCrossandreturnedtoherlodgingsatCreston.SoonshehadaletterfromVannicock,andsixweeksafterherhusband'sdeathherlovercametoseeher.
　　'Iforgottogiveyoubackthis——thatnight,'hesaidpresently,handingherthelittlebagshehadtakenasherwholeluggagewhenleaving.
　　Laurareceiveditandabsentlyshookitout.Therefelluponthecarpetherbrush,comb,slippers,nightdress,andothersimplenecessariesforajourney.Theyhadanintolerablyghastlylooknow,andshetriedtocoverthem.
　　'Icannow,'hesaid,'askyoutobelongtomelegally——whenaproperintervalhasgone——insteadofaswemeant.'
　　Therewaslanguorinhisutterance,hintingatapossibilitythatitwasperfunctorilymade.Laurapickedupherarticles,answeringthathecertainlycouldsoaskher——shewasfree.Yetnotherexpressioneithercouldbecalledanardentresponse.Thensheblinkedmoreandmorequicklyandputherhandkerchieftoherface.Shewasweepingviolently.
　　Hedidnotmoveortrytocomfortherinanyway.Whathadcomebetweenthem?Nolivingperson.Theyhadbeenlovers.Therewasnownomaterialobstaclewhatevertotheirunion.Buttherewastheinsistentshadowofthatunconsciousone;thethinfigureofhim,movingtoandfroinfrontoftheghastlyfurnaceinthegloomofDurnoverMoor.
　　YetVannicockcalleduponLaurawhenhewasintheneighbourhood,whichwasnotoften;butintwoyears,asifonpurposetofurtherthemarriagewhicheverybodywasexpecting,the-stFootreturnedtoBudmouthRegis.
　　Thereuponthetwocouldnothelpencounteringeachotherattimes.
　　Butwhetherbecausetheobstaclehadbeenthesourceofthelove,orfromasenseoferror,andbecauseMrs.Maumbryborealessattractivelookasawidowthanbefore,theirfeelingsseemedtodeclinefromtheirformerincandescencetoameretepidcivility.
　　WhatdomesticissuessupervenedinVannicock'sfurtherstorythemanintheorielneverknew;butMrs.Maumbrylivedanddiedawidow.
　　1900.
　　THEWAITINGSUPPER
　　CHAPTERI
　　WhoeverhadperceivedtheyeomanstandingonSquireEverard'slawnintheduskofthatOctobereveningfiftyyearsago,mighthavesaidatfirstsightthathewasloiteringtherefromidlecuriosity.Foralargefive-lightwindowofthemanor-houseinfrontofhimwasunshutteredanduncurtained,sothattheilluminatedroomwithincouldbescannedalmosttoitsfourcorners.Obviouslynobodywaseverexpectedtobeinthispartofthegroundsafternightfall.
　　Theapartmentthussweptbyaneyefromwithoutwasoccupiedbytwopersons;theyweresittingoverdessert,thetableclothhavingbeenremovedintheold-fashionedway.Thefruitswerelocal,consistingofapples,pears,nuts,andsuchotherproductsofthesummerasmightbepresumedtogrowontheestate.Therewasstrongaleandrumonthetable,andbutlittlewine.Moreover,theappointmentsofthedining-roomweresimpleandhomelyevenforthedate,betokeningacountrifiedhouseholdofthesmallergentry,withoutmuchwealthorambition——formerlyanumerousclass,butnowingreatpartoustedbytheterritoriallandlords.
　　Oneofthetwositterswasayoungladyinwhitemuslin,wholistenedsomewhatimpatientlytotheremarksofhercompanion,anelderly,rubicundpersonage,whomthemereststrangercouldhavepronouncedtobeherfather.Thewatcherevincednosignsofmoving,anditbecameevidentthataffairswerenotsosimpleastheyfirsthadseemed.
　　Thetallfarmerwasinfactnoaccidentalspectator,andhestoodbypremeditationclosetothetrunkofatree,sothathadanytravellerpassedalongtheroadwithouttheparkgate,orevenroundthelawntothedoor,thatpersonwouldscarcehavenoticedtheother,notwithstandingthatthegatewasquitenearathand,andtheparklittlelargerthanapaddock.Therewasstilllightenoughinthewesternheaventobrightenfaintlyonesideoftheman'sface,andtoshowagainstthetrunkofthetreebehindtheadmirablecutofhisprofile;alsotorevealthatthefrontofthemanor-house,smallthoughitseemed,wassolidlybuiltofstoneinthatnever-to-be-
　　surpassedstylefortheEnglishcountryresidence——themullionedandtransomedElizabethan.
　　Thelawn,althoughneglected,wasstillaslevelasabowling-green——
　　whichindeeditmightoncehaveservedfor;andthebladesofgrassbeforethewindowwererakedbythecandle-shine,whichstretchedoverthemsofarastotouchtheyeoman'sfaceinfront.
　　Withinthedining-roomtherewerealso,withoneofthetwain,thesamesignsofahiddenpurposethatmarkedthefarmer.Theyounglady'smindwasstrayingasclearlyintotheshadowsasthatoftheloitererwasfixedupontheroom——nay,itcouldbesaidthatshewasquiteconsciousofhispresenceoutside.Impatiencecausedherfoottobeatsilentlyonthecarpet,andshemorethanoncerosetoleavethetable.Thisproceedingwascheckedbyherfather,whowouldputhishanduponhershoulderandunceremoniouslypressherdownintoherchair,tillheshouldhaveconcludedhisobservations.Herreplieswerebriefenough,andtherewasfactitiousnessinhersmilesofassenttohisviews.Asmallironcasementbetweentwoofthemullionswasopen,andsomeoccasionalwordsofthedialoguewereaudiblewithout.
　　'Asfordrains——howcanIputindrains?Thepipesdon'tcostmuch,that'strue;butthelabourinsinkingthetrenchesisruination.
　　Andthenthegates——theyshouldbehungtostoneposts,otherwisethere'snokeepingthemupthroughharvest.'TheSquire'svoicewasstronglytonedwiththelocalaccent,sothathesaid'drains'and'geats'liketherusticsonhisestate.
　　Thelandscapewithoutgrewdarker,andtheyoungman'sfigureseemedtobeabsorbedintothetrunkofthetree.Thesmallstarsfilledinbetweenthelarger,thenebulaebetweenthesmallstars,thetreesquitelosttheirvoice;andiftherewasstillasound,itwasfromthecascadeofastreamwhichstretchedalongunderthetreesthatboundedthelawnonitsnorthernside.
　　Atlasttheyounggirldidgettoherfeetandsecureherretreat.
　　'Ihavesomethingtodo,papa,'shesaid.'Ishallnotbeinthedrawing-roomjustyet.'
　　'Verywell,'repliedhe.'ThenIwon'thurry.'Andclosingthedoorbehindher,hedrewhisdecanterstogetherandsettleddowninhischair.
　　Threeminutesafterthatawoman'sshapeemergedfromthedrawing-
　　roomwindow,andpassingthroughawall-doortotheentrancefront,cameacrossthegrass.Shekeptwellclearofthedining-roomwindow,butenoughofitslightfellonhertoshow,escapingfromthedark-hoodedcloakthatshewore,strayvergesofthesamelightdresswhichhadfiguredbutrecentlyatthedinner-table.Thehoodwascontractedtightaboutherfacewithadrawing-string,makinghercountenancesmallandbaby-like,andloveliereventhanbefore.
　　Withouthesitationshebrushedacrossthegrasstothetreeunderwhichtheyoungmanstoodconcealed.Themomentshehadreachedhimheenclosedherformwithhisarm.Themeetingandembrace,thoughbynomeansformal,wereyetnotpassionate;thewholeproceedingwasthatofpersonswhohadrepeatedtheactsooftenastobeunconsciousofitsperformance.Sheturnedwithinhisarm,andfacedinthesamedirectionwithhimself,whichwastowardsthewindow;andthustheystoodwithoutspeaking,thebackofherheadleaningagainsthisshoulder.Forawhileeachseemedtobethinkinghisandherdiversethoughts.
　　'Youhavekeptmewaitingalongtime,dearChristine,'hesaidatlast.'Iwantedtospeaktoyouparticularly,orIshouldnothavestayed.Howcameyoutobediningatthistimeo'night?'
　　'Fatherhasbeenoutallday,anddinnerwasputbacktillsix.I
　　knowIhavekeptyou;butNicholas,howcanIhelpitsometimes,ifI
　　amnottorunanyrisk?Mypoorfatherinsistsuponmylisteningtoallhehastosay;sincemybrotherlefthehashadnobodyelsetolistentohim;andto-nighthewasparticularlytediousonhisusualtopics——draining,andtenant-farmers,andthevillagepeople.ImusttakedaddytoLondon;hegetssonarrowalwaysstayinghere.'
　　'Andwhatdidyousaytoitall?'
　　'Well,Itookthepartofthetenant-farmers,ofcourse,asthebelovedofoneshouldindutydo.'Therefollowedalittlebreakorgasp,implyingastrangledsigh.
　　'Youaresorryyouhaveencouragedthatbelovingone?'
　　'Ono,NicholasWhatisityouwanttoseemeforparticularly?'
　　'Iknowyouaresorry,astimegoeson,andeverythingisatadead-
　　lock,withnoprospectofchange,andyourruralswainloseshisfreshness!Onlythink,thissecretunderstandingbetweenushaslastednearthreeyear,eversinceyouwasalittleoversixteen.'
　　'Yes;ithasbeenalongtime.'
　　'AndIanuntamed,uncultivatedman,whohasneverseenLondon,andknowsnothingaboutsocietyatall.'
　　'Notuncultivated,dearNicholas.Untravelled,sociallyunpractised,ifyouwill,'shesaid,smiling.'Well,Ididsigh;butnotbecauseIregretbeingyourpromisedone.WhatIdosometimesregretisthatthescheme,whichmymeetingswithyouarebutapartof,hasnotbeencarriedoutcompletely.Yousaid,Nicholas,thatifIconsentedtosweartokeepfaithwithyou,youwouldgoawayandtravel,andseenations,andpeoples,andcities,andtakeaprofessorwithyou,andstudybooksandart,simultaneouslywithyourstudyofmenandmanners;andthencomebackattheendoftwoyears,whenIshouldfindthatmyfatherwouldbynomeansbeindisposedtoacceptyouasason-in-law.Yousaidyourreasonforwishingtogetmypromisebeforestartingwasthatyourmindwouldthenbemoreatrestwhenyouwerefaraway,andsocouldgiveitselfmorecompletelytoknowledgethanifyouwentasmyunacceptedloveronly,fumingwithanxietyastohowIshouldbewhenyoucameback.Isawhowreasonablethatwas;andsolemnlysworemyselftoyouinconsequence.
　　Butinsteadofgoingtoseetheworldyoustayonandonheretoseeme.'
　　'Andyoudon'twantmetoseeyou?'
　　'Yes——no——itisnotthat.ItisthatIhavelatterlyfeltfrightenedatwhatIamdoingwhennotinyouractualpresence.ItseemssowickednottotellmyfatherthatIhavealovercloseathand,withintouchandviewofbothofus;whereasifyouwereabsentmyconductwouldnotseemquitesotreacherous.Therealitieswouldnotstareatoneso.Youwouldbeapleasantdreamtome,whichIshouldbefreetoindulgeinwithoutreproachofmyconscience;Ishouldliveinhopefulexpectationofyourreturningfullyqualifiedtoboldlyclaimmeofmyfather.There,Ihavebeenterriblyfrank,I
　　know.'
　　Heinhisturnhadlapsedintogloomybreathingsnow.'Ididplanitasyoustate,'heanswered.'IdidmeantogoawaythemomentIhadyourpromise.But,dearChristine,Ididnotforeseetwoorthreethings.Ididnotknowwhatalotofpainitwouldcosttotearmyselffromyou.AndIdidnotknowthatmystingyuncle——heavenforgivemecallinghimso!——wouldsoflatlyrefusetoadvancememoneyformypurpose——theschemeoftravellingwithafirst-ratetutorcostingaformidablesumo'money.Youhavenoideawhatitwouldcost!'
　　'ButIhavesaidthatI'llfindthemoney.'
　　'Ah,there,'hereturned,'youhavehitasoreplace.Tospeaktruly,dear,Iwouldratherstayunpolishedahundredyearsthantakeyourmoney.'
　　'Butwhy?Mencontinuallyusethemoneyofthewomentheymarry.'
　　'Yes;butnottillafterwards.Nomanwouldliketotouchyourmoneyatpresent,andIshouldfeelverymeanifIweretodosoinpresentcircumstances.ThatbringsmetowhatIwasgoingtopropose.Butno——uponthewholeIwillnotproposeitnow.'
　　'Ah!Iwouldguaranteeexpenses,andyouwon'tletme!Themoneyismypersonalpossession:itcomestomefrommylategrandfather,andnotfrommyfatheratall.'
　　Helaughedforcedlyandpressedherhand.'TherearemorereasonswhyIcannottearmyselfaway,'headded.'Whatwouldbecomeofmyuncle'sfarming?Sixhundredacresinthisparish,andfivehundredinthenext——aconstanttraipsingfromonefarmtotheother;hecan'tbeintwoplacesatonce.Still,thatmightbegotoverifitwerenotfortheothermatters.Besides,dear,Istillshouldbealittleuneasy,eventhoughIhaveyourpromise,lestsomebodyshouldsnapyouupawayfromme.'
　　'Ah,youshouldhavethoughtofthatbefore.OtherwiseIhavecommittedmyselffornothing.'
　　'Ishouldhavethoughtofit,'heansweredgravely.'ButIdidnot.
　　Thereliesmyfault,Iadmititfreely.Ah,ifyouwouldonlycommityourselfalittlemore,Imightatleastgetoverthatdifficulty!
　　ButIwon'taskyou.Youhavenoideahowmuchyouaretomestill;
　　youcouldnotarguesocoollyifyouhad.WhatpropertybelongstoyouIhatetheverysoundof;itisyouIcarefor.Iwishyouhadn'tafarthingintheworldbutwhatIcouldearnforyou!'
　　'Idon'taltogetherwishthat,'shemurmured.
　　'Iwishit,becauseitwouldhavemadewhatIwasgoingtoproposemucheasiertodothanitisnow.IndeedIwillnotproposeit,althoughIcameonpurpose,afterwhatyouhavesaidinyourfrankness.'
　　'Nonsense,Nic.Come,tellme.Howcanyoubesotouchy?'
　　'Lookatthisthen,Christinedear.'Hedrewfromhisbreast-pocketasheetofpaperandunfoldedit,whenitwasobservablethatasealdangledfromthebottom.
　　'Whatisit?'Sheheldthepapersideways,sothatwhattherewasofwindow-lightfellonitssurface.'IcanonlyreadtheOldEnglishletters——why——ournames!Surelyitisnotamarriage-licence?'
　　'Itis.'
　　Shetrembled.'ONic!howcouldyoudothis——andwithouttellingme!'
　　'WhyshouldIhavethoughtImusttellyou?Youhadnotspoken"frankly"thenasyouhavenow.Wehavebeenalltoeachothermorethanthesetwoyears,andIthoughtIwouldproposethatwemarryprivately,andthatIthenleaveyouontheinstant.Iwouldhavetakenmytravelling-bagtochurch,andyouwouldhavegonehomealone.Ishouldnothavestartedonmyadventuresinthebrilliantmannerofouroriginalplan,butshouldhaverougheditalittleatfirst;mygreatgainwouldhavebeenthattheabsolutepossessionofyouwouldhaveenabledmetoworkwithspiritandpurpose,suchasnothingelsecoulddo.ButIdarenotaskyounow——sofrankasyouhavebeen.'
　　Shedidnotanswer.Thedocumenthehadproducedgavesuchunexpectedsubstantialitytotheventurewithwhichshehadsolongtoyedasavaguedreammerely,thatshewas,intruth,frightenedalittle.'I——don'tknowaboutit!'shesaid.
　　'Perhapsnot.Ah,mylittlelady,youarewearyingofme!'
　　'No,Nic,'respondedshe,creepingcloser.'Iamnot.Uponmyword,andtruth,andhonour,Iamnot,Nic.'
　　'Ameretillerofthesoil,asIshouldbecalled,'hecontinued,withoutheedingher.'Andyou——well,adaughterofoneofthe——I
　　won'tsayoldestfamilies,becausethat'sabsurd,allfamiliesarethesameage——oneofthelongestchronicledfamiliesabouthere,whosenameisactuallythenameoftheplace.'
　　'That'snotmuch,Iamsorrytosay!Mypoorbrother——butIwon'tspeakofthatWell,'shemurmuredmischievously,afterapause,'youcertainlywouldnotneedtobeuneasyifIweretodothisthatyouwantmetodo.Youwouldhavemesafeenoughinyourtrapthen;
　　Icouldn'tgetaway!'
　　'That'sjustit!'hesaidvehemently.'ItISatrap——youfeelitso,andthatthoughyouwouldn'tbeabletogetawayfrommeyoumightparticularlywishto!Ah,ifIhadaskedyoutwoyearsagoyouwouldhaveagreedinstantly.ButIthoughtIwasboundtowaitfortheproposaltocomefromyouasthesuperior!'
　　'Nowyouareangry,andtakeseriouslywhatImeantpurelyinfun.
　　Youdon'tknowmeevenyet!Toshowyouthatyouhavenotbeenmistakeninme,Idoproposetocarryoutthislicence.I'llmarryyou,dearNicholas,to-morrowmorning.'
　　'Ah,Christine!IamafraidIhavestungyouontothis,sothatI
　　cannot——'
　　'No,no,no!'shehastilyrejoined;andtherewassomethinginhertonewhichsuggestedthatshehadbeenputuponhermettleandwouldnotflinch.'TakemewhilstIaminthehumour.Whatchurchisthelicencefor?'
　　'ThatI'venotlookedtosee——whyourparishchurchhere,ofcourse.
　　Ah,thenwecannotuseit!Wedarenotbemarriedhere.'
　　'Wedodare,'saidshe.'Andwewilltoo,ifyou'llbethere.'
　　'IFI'llbethere!'
　　Theyspeedilycametoanagreementthatheshouldbeinthechurch-
　　porchattenminutestoeightonthefollowingmorning,awaitingher;
　　andthat,immediatelyaftertheconclusionoftheservicewhichwouldmakethemone,Nicholasshouldsetoutonhislong-deferrededucationaltour,towardsthecostofwhichshewasresolvingtobringasubstantialsubscriptionwithhertochurch.Then,slippingfromhim,shewentindoorsbythewayshehadcome,andNicholasbenthisstepshomewards.
　　CHAPTERII
　　Insteadofleavingthespotbythegate,heflunghimselfoverthefence,andpursuedadirectiontowardstheriverunderthetrees.
　　Anditwasnow,inhislonelyprogress,thatheshowedforthefirsttimeoutwardlythathewasnotaltogetherunworthyofher.Heworelongwater-bootsreachingabovehisknees,and,insteadofmakingacircuittofindabridgebywhichhemightcrosstheFroom——theriveraforesaid——hemadestraightforthepointwhenceproceededthelowroarthatwasatthishourtheonlyevidenceofthestream'sexistence.Hespeedilystoodonthevergeofthewaterfallwhichcausedthenoise,andsteppingintothewateratthetopofthefall,wadedthroughwiththesuretreadofonewhokneweveryinchofhisfooting,eventhoughthecanopyoftreesrenderedthedarknessalmostabsolute,andafalsestepwouldhaveprecipitatedhimintothepoolbeneath.Soonreachingtheboundaryofthegrounds,hecontinuedinthesamedirectlinetotraversethealluvialvalley,fullofbrooksandtributariestothemainstream——informertimesquiteimpassable,andimpassableinwinternow.Sometimeshewouldcrossadeepgullyonaplanknotwiderthanthehand;atanothertimeheploughedhiswaythroughbedsofspear-grass,whereatafewfeettotherightorlefthemighthavebeensuckeddownintoamorass.Atlasthereachedfirmlandontheothersideofthiswaterytract,andcametohishouseontherisebehind——Elsenford——anordinaryfarmstead,fromthebackofwhichroseindistinctbreathings,belchings,andsnortings,therattleofhalters,andotherfamiliarfeaturesofanagriculturist'shome.
　　WhileNicholasLongwaspackinghisbaginanupperroomofthisdwelling,MissChristineEverardsatatadeskinherownchamberatFroom-Everardmanor-house,lookingwithpalefixedcountenanceatthecandles.
　　'Iought——Imustnow!'shewhisperedtoherself.'IshouldnothavebegunitifIhadnotmeanttocarryitthrough!Itrunsinthebloodofus,Isuppose.'Shealludedtoafactunknowntoherlover,theclandestinemarriageofanauntundercircumstancessomewhatsimilartothepresent.Inafewminutesshehadpennedthefollowingnote:-
　　October13,183.
　　DEARMR.BEALAND——CanyoumakeitconvenienttoyourselftomeetmeattheChurchto-morrowmorningateight?Inametheearlyhourbecauseitwouldsuitmebetterthanlateronintheday.Youwillfindmeinthechancel,ifyoucancome.Anansweryesornobythebearerofthiswillbesufficient.
　　CHRISTINEEVERARD.
　　Shesentthenotetotherectorimmediately,waitingatasmallside-
　　doorofthehousetillsheheardtheservant'sfootstepsreturningalongthelane,whenshewentroundandmethiminthepassage.Therectorhadtakenthetroubletowritealine,andansweredthathewouldmeetherwithpleasure.
　　Adrippingfogwhichusheredinthenextmorningwashighlyfavourabletotheschemeofthepair.AtthattimeofthecenturyFroom-EverardHousehadnotbeenalteredandenlarged;thepubliclanepassedcloseunderitswalls;andtherewasadooropeningdirectlyfromoneoftheoldparlours——thesouthparlour,asitwascalled——intothelanewhichledtothevillage.Christinecameoutthisway,andafterfollowingthelaneforashortdistanceentereduponapathwithinabeltofplantation,bywhichthechurchcouldbereachedprivately.Sheevenavoidedthechurchyardgate,walkingalongtoaplacewheretheturfwithoutthelowwallroseintoamound,enablinghertomountuponthecopingandspringdowninside.
　　Shecrossedthewetgraves,andsoglidedroundtothedoor.Hewasthere,withhisbaginhishand.Hekissedherwithasortofsurprise,asifhehadexpectedthatatthelastmomentherheartwouldfailher.
　　Thoughithadnotfailedher,therewas,nevertheless,nogreatardourinChristine'sbearing——merelythemomentumofanantecedentimpulse.Theywentuptheaisletogether,thebottle-greenglassoftheoldleadquarriesadmittingbutlittlelightatthathour,andundersuchanatmosphere.Theystoodbythealtar-railinsilence,Christine'sskirtvisiblyquiveringateachbeatofherheart.
　　Presentlyaquickstepgrounduponthegravel,andMr.Bealandcameroundbythefront.Hewasaquietbachelor,courteoustowardsChristine,andnotatfirstrecognizinginNicholasaneighbouringyeomanforhelivedalooflyinthenextparish,advancedtoherwithoutrevealinganysurpriseatherunusualrequest.Butintruthhewassurprised,thekeeninteresttakenbymanycountryyoungwomenatthepresentdayinchurchdecorationandfestivalsbeingthenunknown.
　　'Goodmorning,'hesaid;andrepeatedthesamewordstoNicholasmoremechanically.
　　'Goodmorning,'sherepliedgravely.'Mr.Bealand,Ihaveaseriousreasonforaskingyoutomeetme——us,Imaysay.Wewishyoutomarryus.'
　　Therector'sgazehardenedtofixity,ratherbetweenthanuponeitherofthem,andheneithermovednorrepliedforsometime.
　　'Ah!'hesaidatlast.
　　'Andwearequiteready.'
　　'Ihadnoidea——'
　　'Ithasbeenkeptratherprivate,'shesaidcalmly.
　　'Whereareyourwitnesses?'
　　'Theyareoutsideinthemeadow,sir.Icancalltheminamoment,'
　　saidNicholas.
　　'Oh——Iseeitis——Mr.NicholasLong,'saidMr.Bealand,andturningagaintoChristine,'Doesyourfatherknowofthis?'
　　'IsitnecessarythatIshouldanswerthatquestion,Mr.Bealand?'
　　'Iamafraiditis——highlynecessary.'
　　Christinebegantolookconcerned.
　　'Whereisthelicence?'therectorasked;'sincetherehavebeennobanns.'
　　Nicholasproducedit,Mr.Bealandreadit,anoperationwhichoccupiedhimseveralminutes——oratleasthemadeitappearso;tillChristinesaidimpatiently,'Wearequiteready,Mr.Bealand.Willyouproceed?Mr.Longhastotakeajourneyofagreatmanymilesto-day.'
　　'Andyou?'
　　'No.Iremain.'
　　Mr.Bealandassumedfirmness.'Thereissomethingwronginthis,'hesaid.'Icannotmarryyouwithoutyourfather'spresence.'
　　'Buthaveyouarighttorefuseus?'interposedNicholas.'Ibelieveweareinapositiontodemandyourfulfilmentofourrequest.'
　　'No,youarenot!IsMissEverardofage?Ithinknot.Ithinksheismonthsfrombeingso.Eh,MissEverard?'
　　'AmIboundtotellthat?'
　　'Certainly.Atanyrateyouareboundtowriteit.MeanwhileI
　　refusetosolemnizetheservice.Andletmeentreatyoutwoyoungpeopletodonothingsorashasthis,evenifbygoingtosomestrangechurch,youmaydosowithoutdiscovery.Thetragedyofmarriage——'
　　'Tragedy?'
　　'Certainly.Itisfullofcrisesandcatastrophes,andendswiththedeathofoneoftheactors.Thetragedyofmarriage,asIwassaying,isoneIshallnotbeapartytoyourbeginningwithsuchlighthearts,andIshallfeelboundtoputyourfatheronhisguard,MissEverard.Thinkbetterofit,Ientreatyou!Remembertheproverb,"Marryinhasteandrepentatleisure."'
　　Christine,spurredbyopposition,almoststormedathim.Nicholasimplored;butnothingwouldturnthatobstinaterector.Shesatdownandreflected.By-and-bysheconfrontedMr.Bealand.
　　'Ourmarriageisnottobethismorning,Isee,'shesaid.'Nowgrantmeonefavour,andinreturnI'llpromiseyoutodonothingrashly.Donottellmyfatherawordofwhathashappenedhere.'
　　'Iagree——ifyouundertakenottoelope.'
　　ShelookedatNicholas,andhelookedather.'Doyouwishmetoelope,Nic?'sheasked.
　　'No,'hesaid.
　　Sothecompactwasmade,andtheyleftthechurchsingly,Nicholasremainingtillthelast,andclosingthedoor.Onhiswayhome,carryingthewell-packedbagwhichwasjustnowtogonofurther,thetwomenwhoweremendingwater-carriersinthemeadowsapproachedthehedge,asiftheyhadbeenonthealertallthetime.
　　'Yousaidyoumidwantusforzummat,sir?'
　　'Allright——nevermind,'heansweredthroughthehedge.'Ididnotrequireyouafterall.'
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Atamanornotfarawaytherelivedaqueerandprimitivecouplewhohadlatelybeenblessedwithasonandheir.Thechristeningtookplaceduringtheweekundernotice,andthishadbeenfollowedbyafeasttotheparishioners.Christine'sfather,oneofthesamegenerationandkind,hadbeenaskedtodriveoverandassistintheentertainment,andChristine,asamatterofcourse,accompaniedhim.
　　WhentheyreachedAthelhall,asthehousewascalled,theyfoundtheusuallyquietnookalivelyspectacle.Tableshadbeenspreadintheapartmentwhichlentitsnametothewholebuilding——thehallproper——
　　coveredwithafineopen-timberedroof,whosebraces,purlins,andraftersmadeabrownthicketofoakoverhead.Heretenantryofallagessatwiththeirwivesandfamilies,andtheservantswereassistedintheirministrationsbythesonsanddaughtersoftheowner'sfriendsandneighbours.Christinelentahandamongtherest.
　　Shewasholdingaplateineachhandtowardsahugebrownplatterofbakedrice-pudding,fromwhichafootmanwasscoopingalargespoonful,whenavoicereachedherearoverhershoulder:'Allowmetoholdthemforyou.'
　　Christineturned,andrecognizedinthespeakerthenephewoftheentertainer,ayoungmanfromLondon,whomshehadalreadymetontwoorthreeoccasions.
　　Sheacceptedtheprofferedhelp,andfromthatmoment,wheneverhepassedherintheirmarchingstoandfroduringtheremainderoftheserving,hesmiledacquaintance.Whentheirworkwasdone,heimprovedthefewwordsintoaconversation.Heplainlyhadbeenattractedbyherfairness.
　　Bellstonwasaself-assuredyoungman,notparticularlygood-looking,withmorecolourinhisskinthanevenNicholashad.Hehadflushedalittleinattractinghernotice,thoughtheflushhadnothingofnervousnessinit——theairwithwhichitwasaccompaniedmakingitcuriouslysuggestiveofaflushofanger;andevenwhenhelaugheditwasdifficulttobanishthatfancy.
　　Thelateautumnsunlightstreamedinthroughthewindowpanesupontheheadsandshouldersofthevenerablepatriarchsofthehamlet,anduponthemiddle-aged,andupontheyoung;uponmenandwomenwhohadplayedout,orweretoplay,tragediesortragi-comediesinthatnookofcivilizationnotlessgreat,essentially,thanthosewhich,enactedonmorecentralarenas,fixtheattentionoftheworld.OneofthepartywasacousinofNicholasLong's,whosatwithherhusbandandchildren.
　　Tomakehimselfaslocallyharmoniousaspossible,Mr.Bellstonremarkedtohiscompaniononthescene——'Itdoesone'sheartgood,'
　　hesaid,'toseethesesimplepeasantsenjoyingthemselves.'
　　'OMr.Bellston!'exclaimedChristine;'don'tbetoosureaboutthatword"simple"!Youlittlethinkwhattheyseeandmeditate!Theirreasoningsandemotionsareascomplicatedasours.'
　　ShespokewithavehemencewhichwouldhavebeenhardlypresentinherwordsbutforherownrelationtoNicholas.Thesenseofthatproducedinheranamelessdepressionthenceforward.Theyoungman,however,stillfollowedherup.
　　'Iamgladtohearyousayit,'hereturnedwarmly.'Iwasmerelyattuningmyselftoyourmood,asIthought.TherealtruthisthatI
　　knowmoreoftheParthians,andMedes,anddwellersinMesopotamia——
　　almostofanypeople,indeed——thanoftheEnglishrustics.Travelandexplorationaremyprofession,notthestudyoftheBritishpeasantry.'
　　Travel.Therewassufficientcoincidencebetweenhisdeclarationandthecourseshehadurgeduponherlover,tolendBellston'saccountofhimselfacertaininterestinChristine'sears.HemightperhapsbeabletotellhersomethingthatwouldbeusefultoNicholas,iftheirdreamwerecarriedout.Adooropenedfromthehallintothegarden,andshesomehowfoundherselfoutside,chattingwithMr.
　　Bellstononthistopic,tillshethoughtthatuponthewholeshelikedtheyoungman.Thegardenbeinghisuncle's,hetookherrounditwithanairofproprietorship;andtheywentonamongsttheMichaelmasdaisiesandchrysanthemums,andthroughadoortothefruit-garden.Agreen-housewasopen,andhewentinandcutherabunchofgrapes.
　　'Howdaringofyou!Theyareyouruncle's.'
　　'O,hedon'tmind——Idoanythinghere.Arougholdbuffer,isn'the?'
　　ShewasthinkingofherNic,andfeltthat,bycomparisonwithherpresentacquaintance,thefarmermorethanheldhisownasafineandintelligentfellow;buttheharmonywithherownexistenceinlittlethings,whichshefoundhere,impartedanalientingetoNicholasjustnow.Thelatter,idealizedbymoonlight,orathousandmilesofdistance,wasaltogetheramoreromanticobjectforawoman'sdreamthanthissmartnew-lacqueredman;butinthesunofafternoon,andamidasurroundingcompany,Mr.Bellstonwasaverytolerablecompanion.
　　Whentheyre-enteredthehall,Bellstonentreatedhertocomewithhimupaspiralstairinthethicknessofthewall,leadingtoapassageandgallerywhencetheycouldlookdownuponthescenebelow.
　　Thepeoplehadfinishedtheirfeast,thenewly-christenedbabyhadbeenexhibited,andafewwordshavingbeenspokentothemtheybegan,amidaracketingofforms,tomakeforthegreenswardwithout,Nicholas'scousinandcousin'swifeandcousin'schildrenamongtherest.Whiletheywerefilingout,avoicewasheardcalling——
　　'Hullo!——here,Jim;whereareyou?'saidBellston'suncle.Theyoungmandescended,Christinefollowingatleisure.
　　'Nowwillyebeagoodfellow,'theSquirecontinued,'andsetthemgoingoutsideinsomedanceorotherthattheyknow?I'mdog-tired,andIwanttohaveayewwordswithMr.Everardbeforewejoin'em——
　　hey,Everard?Theyareshytillsomebodystarts'em;afterwardsthey'llkeepgwinebriskenough.'
　　'Ay,thattheywool,'saidSquireEverard.
　　Theyfollowedtothelawn;andhereitprovedthatJamesBellstonwasasshy,orratherasaverse,asanyofthetenantrythemselves,toactingthepartoffugleman.Onlytheparishpeoplehadbeenatthefeast,butoutlyingneighbourshadnowstrolledinforadance.
　　'Theywant"SpeedthePlough,"'saidBellston,comingupbreathless.
　　'Itmustbeacountrydance,Isuppose?Now,MissEverard,dohavepityuponme.Iamsupposedtoleadoff;butreallyIknownomoreaboutspeedingtheploughthanachildjustborn!Wouldyoutakeoneofthevillagers?——justtostartthem,myunclesays.Supposeyoutakethathandsomeyoungfarmeroverthere——Idon'tknowhisname,butIdaresayyoudo——andI'llcomeonwithoneofthedairyman'sdaughtersasasecondcouple.'
　　Christineturnedinthedirectionsignified,andchangedcolour——
　　thoughintheshadenobodynoticedit,'Oh,yes——Iknowhim,'shesaidcoolly.'Heisfromnearourownplace——Mr.NicholasLong.'
　　'That'scapital——thenyoucaneasilymakehimstandasfirstcouplewithyou.NowImustpickupmine.'
　　'I——IthinkI'lldancewithyou,Mr.Bellston,'shesaidwithsometrepidation.'Because,yousee,'sheexplainedeagerly,'Iknowthefigureandyoudon't——sothatIcanhelpyou;whileNicholasLong,I
　　know,isfamiliarwiththefigure,andthatwillmaketwocoupleswhoknowit——whichisnecessary,atleast.'
　　Bellstonshowedhisgratificationbyoneofhisangry-pleasantflushes——hehadhardlydaredtoaskforwhatsheprofferedfreely;
　　andhavingrequestedNicholastotakethedairyman'sdaughter,ledChristinetoherplace,Longpromptlysteppingupsecondwithhischarge.ThereweregrimsilentdepthsinNic'scharacter;asmalldeedysparkinhiseye,asitcaughtChristine's,wasallthatshowedhisconsciousnessofher.Thenthefiddlersbegan——thecelebratedMellstockfiddlerswho,givenfreestripping,couldplayfromsunsettodawnwithoutturningahair.Thecoupleswheeledandswung,NicholastakingChristine'shandinthecourseofbusinesswiththefigure,whenshewaitedforhimtogiveitalittlesqueeze;buthedidnot.
　　Christinehadthegreatestdifficultyinsteeringherpartnerthroughthemaze,onaccountofhisself-will,andwhenatlasttheyreachedthebottomofthelongline,shewasbreathlesswithherhardlabourRestinghere,shewatchedNicandhislady;and,thoughshehaddecidedlycooledoffintheselatermonths,begantoadmirehimanew.Nobodyknewthesedanceslikehim,afterall,orcoulddoanythingofthissortsowell.Hisperformancewiththedairyman'sdaughtersowonuponher,thatwhen'SpeedthePlough'wasovershecontrivedtospeaktohim.
　　'Nic,youaretodancewithmenexttime.'
　　Hesaidhewould,andpresentlyaskedherinaformalpublicmanner,liftinghishatgallantly.Sheshowedalittlebackwardness,whichhequiteunderstood,andallowedhimtoleadhertothetop,arowofenormouslengthappearingbelowthemasifbymagicassoonastheyhadtakentheirplaces.TrulytheSquirewasrightwhenhesaidthattheyonlywantedstarting.
　　'Whatisittobe?'whisperedNicholas.
　　Sheturnedtotheband.'TheHoneymoon,'shesaid.
　　Andthentheytrodthedelightfullast-centurymeasureofthatname,whichifithadbeeneverdancedbetter,wasneverdancedwithmorezest.TheperfectresponsivenesswhichtheirtenderacquaintancethrewintothemotionsofNicholasandhispartnerlenttotheirgyrationsthefineadjustmentoftwointeractingpartsofasinglemachine.TheexcitementofthemovementcarriedChristinebacktothetime——theunreflectingpassionatetime,abouttwoyearsbefore——
　　whensheandNichadbeenincipientloversonly;anditmadeherforgetthecarkinganxieties,thevisionofsocialbreakersahead,thathadbeguntotakethegildingoffherpositionnow.Nicholas,onhispart,hadneverceasedtobealover;nopersonalworrieshadasyetmadehimconsciousofanystaleness,flatness,orunprofitablenessinhisadmirationofChristine.
　　'Notquitesowildly,Nic,'shewhispered.'Idon'tobjectpersonally;butthey'llnoticeus.Howcameyouhere?'
　　'Iheardthatyouhaddrivenover;andIsetout——onpurposeforthis.'
　　'What——youhavewalked?'
　　'Yes.IfIhadwaitedforoneofuncle'shorsesIshouldhavebeentoolate.'
　　'Fivemileshereandfiveback——tenmilesonfoot——merelytodance!'
　　'Withyou.Whatmadeyouthinkofthisold"Honeymoon"thing?'
　　'O!itcameintomyheadwhenIsawyou,aswhatwouldhavebeenarealitywithusifyouhadnotbeenstupidaboutthatlicence,andhadgotitforadistantchurch.'
　　'Shallwetryagain?'
　　'No——Idon'tknow.I'llthinkitover.'
　　Thevillagersadmiredtheirgraceandskill,asthedancersthemselvesperceived;buttheydidnotknowwhataccompaniedthatadmirationinonespot,atleast.
　　'Peoplewhowondertheycanfootitsofeatlytogethershouldknowwhatsomeothersthink,'awatermanwassayingtohisneighbour.
　　'Thentheirwonderwouldbeless.'
　　Hiscomradeaskedforinformation.
　　'Well——reallyIhardlybelieveit——but'tissaidtheybemanandwife.Yes,sure——wenttochurchanddidthejoba'mostafore'twaslightonemorning.Butmind,notawordofthis;for'twouldbethelossofawinter'sworktomeifIhadspreadsuchareportanditwerenottrue.'
　　Whenthedancehadendedsherejoinedherownsectionofthecompany.
　　HerfatherandMr.Bellstontheelderhadnowcomeoutfromthehouse,andweresmokinginthebackground.Presentlyshefoundthatherfatherwasatherelbow.
　　'Christine,don'tdancetoooftenwithyoungLong——asamerematterofprudence,Imean,asvolkmightthinkitodd,hebeingoneofourownneighbouringfarmers.Ishouldnotmentionthisto'eeifhewereanordinaryyoungfellow;butbeingsuperiortotherestitbehovesyoutobecareful.'
　　'Exactly,papa,'saidChristine.
　　Buttherevivedsensethatshewasdeceivinghimthrewadampoverherspirits.'But,afterall,'shesaidtoherself,'heisayoungmanofElsenford,handsome,able,andthesoulofhonour;andIamayoungwomanoftheadjoiningparish,whohavebeenconstantlythrownintocommunicationwithhim.Isitnot,bynature'srule,themostproperthingintheworldthatIshouldmarryhim,andisitnotanabsurdconventionalregulationwhichsaysthatsuchaunionwouldbewrong?'
　　ItmaybeconcludedthatthestrengthofChristine'slarge-mindedargumentwasratheranevidenceofweaknessthanofstrengthinthepassionitconcerned,whichhadrequiredneitherargumentnorreasoningofanykindforitsmaintenancewhenfullandflushinitsearlydays.
　　Whendrivinghomeinthedarkwithherfathershesankintopensivesilence.ShewasthinkingofNicholashavingtotrudgeonfootallthosemilesbackafterhisexertionsonthesward.Mr.Everard,arousinghimselffromanap,saidsuddenly,'Ihavesomethingtomentionto'ee,byGeorge——soIhave,Chris!Youprobablyknowwhatitis?'
　　Sheexpressedignorance,wonderingifherfatherhaddiscoveredanythingofhersecret.
　　'Well,accordingtoHIMyouknowit.ButIwilltell'ee.PerhapsyounoticedyoungJimBellstonwalkingmeoffdownthelawnwithhim?——whetherorno,wewalkedtogetheragoodwhile;andheinformedmethathewantedtopayhisaddressesto'ee.Inaturallysaidthatitdependeduponyourself;andherepliedthatyouwerewillingenough;youhadgivenhimparticularencouragement——showingyourpreferenceforhimbyspeciallychoosinghimforyourpartner——hey?