'IamintendingtocrosstoCorkfromBristol，'returnedKnight；
　　'andthenIgoontoDublin。'
　　'Returnthisway，andstayalittlelongerwithus，'saidthevicar。'Aweekisnothing。Wehavehardlybeenabletorealizeyourpresenceyet。Irememberastorywhich——'
　　Thevicarsuddenlystopped。HehadforgottenitwasSunday，andwouldprobablyhavegoneoninhisweek-daymodeofthoughthadnotaturninthebreezeblowntheskirtofhiscollegegownwithintherangeofhisvision，andsoremindedhim。Heatoncedivertedthecurrentofhisnarrativewiththedexteritytheoccasiondemanded。
　　'ThestoryoftheLevitewhojourneyedtoBethlehem-judah，fromwhichItookmytexttheSundaybeforelast，isquitetothepoint，'hecontinued，withthepronunciationofamanwho，farfromhavingintendedtotellaweek-daystoryamomentearlier，hadthoughtofnothingbutSabbathmattersforseveralweeks。
　　'Whatdidhegainafterallbyhisrestlessness？HadheremainedinthecityoftheJebusites，andnotbeensoanxiousforGibeah，noneofhistroubleswouldhavearisen。'
　　'Buthehadwastedfivedaysalready，'saidKnight，closinghiseyestothevicar'scommendablediversion。'Hisfaultlayinbeginningthetarryingsystemoriginally。'
　　'True，true；myillustrationfails。'
　　'Butnotthehospitalitywhichpromptedthestory。'
　　'Soyouaretocomejustthesame，'urgedMrs。Swancourt，forshehadseenanalmostimperceptiblefallofcountenanceinherstepdaughteratKnight'sannouncement。
　　Knighthalfpromisedtocallonhisreturnjourney；buttheuncertaintywithwhichhespokewasquiteenoughtofillElfridewitharegretfulinterestinallhedidduringthefewremaininghours。Thecuratehavingalreadyofficiatedtwicethatdayinthetwochurches，Mr。Swancourthadundertakenthewholeoftheeveningservice，andKnightreadthelessonsforhim。Thesunstreamedacrossfromthedilapidatedwestwindow，andlightedalltheassembledworshipperswithagoldenglow，Knightashereadbeingilluminatedbythesamemellowlustre。Elfrideattheorganregardedhimwithathrobbingsadnessofmoodwhichwasfedbyasenseofbeingfarremovedfromhissphere。Ashewentdeliberatelythroughthechapterappointed——aportionofthehistoryofElijah——andascendedthatmagnificentclimaxofthewind，theearthquake，thefire，andthestillsmallvoice，hisdeeptonesechoedpastwithsuchapparentdisregardofherexistence，thathispresenceinspiredherwithaforlornsenseofunapproachableness，whichhisabsencewouldhardlyhavebeenabletocause。
　　Atthesametime，turningherfaceforamomenttocatchthegloryofthedyingsunasitfellonhisform，hereyeswerearrestedbytheshapeandaspectofawomaninthewestgallery。ItwasthebleakbarrencountenanceofthewidowJethway，whomElfridehadnotseenmuchofsincethemorningofherreturnwithStephenSmith。Possessingthesmallestofcompetencies，thisunhappywomanappearedtospendherlifeinjourneyingsbetweenEndelstowChurchyardandthatofavillagenearSouthampton，whereherfatherandmotherwerelaid。
　　Shehadnotattendedtheservicehereforaconsiderabletime，andshenowseemedtohaveareasonforherchoiceofseat。Fromthegallerywindowthetombofhersonwasplainlyvisible——standingasthenearestobjectinaprospectwhichwasclosedoutwardlybythechangelesshorizonofthesea。
　　Thestreamingrays，too，floodedherface，nowbenttowardsElfridewithahardandbitterexpressionthatthesolemnityoftheplaceraisedtoatragicdignityitdidnotintrinsicallypossess。Thegirlresumedhernormalattitudewithanaddeddisquiet。
　　Elfride'semotionwascumulative，andafterawhilewouldassertitselfonasudden。Aslighttouchwasenoughtosetitfree——apoem，asunset，acunninglycontrivedchordofmusic，avagueimagining，beingtheusualaccidentsofitsexhibition。ThelongingforKnight'srespect，whichwasleadinguptoanincipientyearningforhislove，madethepresentconjunctureasufficientone。Whilstkneelingdownprevioustoleaving，whenthesunnystreakshadgoneupwardtotheroof，andthelowerpartofthechurchwasinsoftshadow，shecouldnothelpthinkingofColeridge'smorbidpoem'TheThreeGraves，'andshudderingasshewonderedifMrs。Jethwaywerecursingher，sheweptasifherheartwouldbreak。
　　Theycameoutofchurchjustasthesunwentdown，leavingthelandscapelikeaplatformfromwhichaneloquentspeakerhasretired，andnothingremainsfortheaudiencetodobuttoriseandgohome。Mr。andMrs。Swancourtwentoffinthecarriage，KnightandElfridepreferringtowalk，astheskilfuloldmatchmakerhadimagined。Theydescendedthehilltogether。
　　'Ilikedyourreading，Mr。Knight，'Elfridepresentlyfoundherselfsaying。'Youreadbetterthanpapa。'
　　'Iwillpraiseanybodythatwillpraiseme。Youplayedexcellently，MissSwancourt，andverycorrectly。'
　　'Correctly——yes。'
　　'Itmustbeagreatpleasuretoyoutotakeanactivepartintheservice。'
　　'Iwanttobeabletoplaywithmorefeeling。ButIhavenotagoodselectionofmusic，sacredorsecular。IwishIhadanicelittlemusic-library——wellchosen，andthattheonlynewpiecessentmewerethoseofgenuinemerit。'
　　'Iamgladtohearsuchawishfromyou。Itisextraordinaryhowmanywomenhavenohonestloveofmusicasanendandnotasameans，evenleavingoutthosewhohavenothinginthem。Theymostlylikeitforitsaccessories。IhavenevermetawomanwholovesmusicasdotenoradozenmenIknow。'
　　'Howwouldyoudrawthelinebetweenwomenwithsomethingandwomenwithnothinginthem？'
　　'Well，'saidKnight，reflectingamoment，'Imeanbynothinginthemthosewhodon'tcareaboutanythingsolid。Thisisaninstance:Iknewamanwhohadayoungfriendinwhomhewasmuchinterested；infact，theyweregoingtobemarried。Shewasseeminglypoetical，andheofferedherachoiceoftwoeditionsoftheBritishpoets，whichshepretendedtowantbadly。Hesaid，"Whichofthemwouldyoulikebestformetosend？"Shesaid，"A
　　pairoftheprettiestearringsinBondStreet，ifyoudon'tmind，wouldbenicerthaneither。”NowIcallheragirlwithnotmuchinherbutvanity；andsodoyou，Idaresay。'
　　'Ohyes，'repliedElfridewithaneffort。
　　Happeningtocatchaglimpseofherfaceasshewasspeaking，andnoticingthatherattemptatheartinesswasamiserablefailure，heappearedtohavemisgivings。
　　'You，MissSwancourt，wouldnot，undersuchcircumstances，havepreferredthenicknacks？'
　　'No，Idon'tthinkIshould，indeed，'shestammered。
　　'I'llputittoyou，'saidtheinflexibleKnight。'Whichwillyouhaveofthesetwothingsofaboutequalvalue——thewell-chosenlittlelibraryofthebestmusicyouspokeof——boundinmorocco，walnutcase，lockandkey——orapairoftheveryprettiestearringsinBondStreetwindows？'
　　'Ofcoursethemusic，'Elfriderepliedwithforcedearnestness。
　　'Youarequitecertain？'hesaidemphatically。
　　'Quite，'shefaltered；'ifIcouldforcertainbuytheearringsafterwards。'
　　Knight，somewhatblamably，keenlyenjoyedsparringwiththepalpitatingmobilecreature，whoseexcitablenaturemadeanysuchthingaspeciesofcruelty。
　　Helookedatherratheroddly，andsaid，'Fie!'
　　'Forgiveme，'shesaid，laughingalittle，alittlefrightened，andblushingverydeeply。
　　'Ah，MissElfie，whydidn'tyousayatfirst，asanyfirmwomanwouldhavesaid，Iamasbadasshe，andshallchoosethesame？'
　　'Idon'tknow，'saidElfridewofully，andwithadistressfulsmile。
　　'Ithoughtyouwereexceptionallymusical？'
　　'SoIam，Ithink。Butthetestissosevere——quitepainful。'
　　'Idon'tunderstand。'
　　'Musicdoesn'tdoanyrealgood，orrather——'
　　'ThatISathingtosay，MissSwancourt!Why，what——'
　　'Youdon'tunderstand!youdon'tunderstand!'
　　'Why，whatconceivableuseisthereinjimcrackjewellery？'
　　'No，no，no，no!'shecriedpetulantly；'Ididn'tmeanwhatyouthink。Ilikethemusicbest，onlyIlike——'
　　'Earringsbetter——ownit!'hesaidinateasingtone。'Well，I
　　thinkIshouldhavehadthemoralcouragetoownitatonce，withoutpretendingtoanelevationIcouldnotreach。'
　　LiketheFrenchsoldiery，Elfridewasnotbravewhenonthedefensive。Soitwasalmostwithtearsinhereyesthatsheanswereddesperately:
　　'Mymeaningis，thatIlikeearringsbestjustnow，becauseIlostoneofmyprettiestpairlastyear，andpapasaidhewouldnotbuyanymore，orallowmetomyself，becauseIwascareless；andnowI
　　wishIhadsomelikethem——that'swhatmymeaningis——indeeditis，Mr。Knight。'
　　'IamafraidIhavebeenveryharshandrude，'saidKnight，withalookofregretatseeinghowdisturbedshewas。'Butseriously，ifwomenonlyknewhowtheyruintheirgoodlooksbysuchappurtenances，Iamsuretheywouldneverwantthem。'
　　'Theywerelovely，andbecamemeso!'
　　'Notiftheywereliketheordinaryhideousthingswomenstufftheirearswithnowadays——likethegovernorofasteam-engine，orapairofscales，orgoldgibbetsandchains，andartists'
　　palettes，andcompensationpendulums，andHeavenknowswhatbesides。'
　　'No；theywerenotoneofthosethings。Sopretty——likethis，'
　　shesaidwitheageranimation。Andshedrewwiththepointofherparasolanenlargedviewofoneofthelamenteddarlings，toascalethatwouldhavesuitedagiantesshalf-a-milehigh。
　　'Yes，verypretty——very，'saidKnightdryly。'Howdidyoucometolosesuchapreciouspairofarticles？'
　　'Ionlylostone——nobodyeverlosesbothatthesametime。'
　　Shemadethisremarkwithembarrassment，andanervousmovementofthefingers。SeeingthatthelossoccurredwhilstStephenSmithwasattemptingtokissherforthefirsttimeonthecliff，herconfusionwashardlytobewonderedat。Thequestionhadbeenawkward，andreceivednodirectanswer。
　　Knightseemednottonoticehermanner。
　　'Oh，nobodyeverlosesboth——Isee。Andcertainlythefactthatitwasacaseoflosstakesawayallodourofvanityfromyourchoice。'
　　'AsIneverknowwhetheryouareinearnest，Idon'tnow，'shesaid，lookingupinquiringlyatthehairyfaceoftheoracle。Andcominggallantlytoherownrescue，'IfIreallyseemvain，itisthatIamonlyvaininmyways——notinmyheart。Theworstwomenarethosevainintheirhearts，andnotintheirways。'
　　'Anadroitdistinction。Well，theyarecertainlythemoreobjectionableofthetwo，'saidKnight。
　　'Isvanityamortaloravenialsin？Youknowwhatlifeis:tellme。'
　　'Iamveryfarfromknowingwhatlifeis。Ajustconceptionoflifeistoolargeathingtograspduringtheshortintervalofpassingthroughit。'
　　'Willthefactofawomanbeingfondofjewellerybelikelytomakeherlife，initshighersense，afailure？'
　　'Nobody'slifeisaltogetherafailure。'
　　'Well，youknowwhatImean，eventhoughmywordsarebadlyselectedandcommonplace，'shesaidimpatiently。'BecauseIuttercommonplacewords，youmustnotsupposeIthinkonlycommonplacethoughts。MypoorstockofwordsarelikealimitednumberofroughmouldsIhavetocastallmymaterialsin，goodandbad；andthenoveltyordelicacyofthesubstanceisoftenlostinthecoarsetritenessoftheform。'
　　'Verywell；I'llbelievethatingeniousrepresentation。Astothesubjectinhand——liveswhicharefailures——youneednottroubleyourself。Anybody'slifemaybejustasromanticandstrangeandinterestingifheorshefailsasifheorshesucceed。Allthedifferenceis，thatthelastchapteriswantinginthestory。Ifamanofpowertriestodoagreatdeed，andjustfallsshortofitbyanaccidentnothisfault，uptothattimehishistoryhadasmuchinitasthatofagreatmanwhohasdonehisgreatdeed。
　　Itiswhimsicaloftheworldtoholdthatparticularsofhowaladwenttoschoolandsoonshouldbeasaninterestingromanceorasnothingtothem，preciselyinproportiontohisafterrenown。'
　　Theywerewalkingbetweenthesunsetandthemoonrise。Withthedroppingofthesunanearlyfullmoonhadbeguntoraiseitself。
　　Theirshadows，ascastbythewesternglare，showedsignsofbecomingobliteratedintheinterestofarivalpairintheoppositedirectionwhichthemoonwasbringingtodistinctness。
　　'Iconsidermylifetosomeextentafailure，'saidKnightagainafterapause，duringwhichhehadnoticedtheantagonisticshadows。
　　'You!How？'
　　'Idon'tpreciselyknow。ButinsomewayIhavemissedthemark。'
　　'Really？Tohavedoneitisnotmuchtobesadabout，buttofeelthatyouhavedoneitmustbeacauseofsorrow。AmIright？'
　　'Partly，thoughnotquite。Forasensationofbeingprofoundlyexperiencedservesasasortofconsolationtopeoplewhoareconsciousofhavingtakenwrongturnings。Contradictoryasitseems，thereisnothingtruerthanthatpeoplewhohavealwaysgonerightdon'tknowhalfasmuchaboutthenatureandwaysofgoingrightasthosedowhohavegonewrong。However，itisnotdesirableformetochillyoursummer-timebygoingintothis。'
　　'YouhavenottoldmeevennowifIamreallyvain。'
　　'IfIsayYes，Ishalloffendyou；ifIsayNo，you'llthinkI
　　don'tmeanit，'hereplied，lookingcuriouslyintoherface。
　　'Ah，well，'shereplied，withalittlebreathofdistress，'"Thatwhichisexceedingdeep，whowillfinditout？"IsupposeImusttakeyouasIdotheBible——findoutandunderstandallIcan；andonthestrengthofthat，swallowtherestinalump，bysimplefaith。Thinkmevain，ifyouwill。Worldlygreatnessrequiressomuchlittlenesstogrowupin，thataninfirmitymoreorlessisnotamatterforregret。'
　　'Asregardswomen，Ican'tsay，'answeredKnightcarelessly；'butitiswithoutdoubtamisfortuneforamanwhohasalivingtoget，tobebornofatrulynoblenature。Ahighsoulwillbringamantotheworkhouse；soyoumayberightinstickingupforvanity。'
　　'No，no，Idon'tdothat，'shesaidregretfully。
　　Mr。Knight，whenyouaregone，willyousendmesomethingyouhavewritten？IthinkIshouldliketoseewhetheryouwriteasyouhavelatelyspoken，orinyourbettermood。Whichisyourtrueself——thecynicyouhavebeenthisevening，orthenicephilosopheryouwereuptoto-night？'
　　'Ah，which？YouknowaswellasI。'
　　Theirconversationdetainedthemonthelawnandintheporticotillthestarsblinkedout。Elfrideflungbackherhead，andsaididly——
　　'There'sabrightstarexactlyoverme。'
　　'Eachbrightstarisoverheadsomewhere。'
　　'Isit？Ohyes，ofcourse。Whereisthatone？'andshepointedwithherfinger。
　　'ThatispoisedlikeawhitehawkoveroneoftheCapeVerdeIslands。'
　　'Andthat？'
　　'LookingdownuponthesourceoftheNile。'
　　'Andthatlonelyquiet-lookingone？'
　　'HewatchestheNorthPole，andhasnolessthanthewholeequatorforhishorizon。Andthatidleonelowdownupontheground，thatwehavealmostrolledawayfrom，isinIndia——overtheheadofayoungfriendofmine，whoverypossiblylooksatthestarinourzenith，asithangslowuponhishorizon，andthinksofitasmarkingwherehistruelovedwells。'
　　ElfrideglancedatKnightwithmisgiving。Didhemeanher？Shecouldnotseehisfeatures；buthisattitudeseemedtoshowunconsciousness。
　　'ThestarisoverMYhead，'shesaidwithhesitation。
　　'Oranybodyelse'sinEngland。'
　　'Ohyes，Isee:'shebreathedherrelief。
　　'Hisparents，Ibelieve，arenativesofthiscounty。Idon'tknowthem，thoughIhavebeenincorrespondencewithhimformanyyearstilllately。Fortunatelyorunfortunatelyforhimhefellinlove，andthenwenttoBombay。SincethattimeIhaveheardverylittleofhim。'
　　Knightwentnofurtherinhisvolunteeredstatement，andthoughElfrideatonemomentwasinclinedtoprofitbythelessonsinhonestyhehadjustbeengivingher，thefleshwasweak，andtheintentiondispersedintosilence。ThereseemedareproachinKnight'sblindwords，andyetshewasnotabletoclearlydefineanydisloyaltythatshehadbeenguiltyof。
　　ChapterXX
　　'Adistantdearnessinthehill。'
　　KnightturnedhisbackupontheparishofEndelstow，andcrossedovertoCork。
　　Onedayofabsencesuperimposeditselfonanother，andproportionatelyweightedhisheart。HepushedontotheLakesofKillarney，rambledamidtheirluxuriantwoods，surveyedtheinfinitevarietyofisland，hill，anddaletheretobefound，listenedtothemarvellousechoesofthatromanticspot；butaltogethermissedthegloryandthedreamheformerlyfoundinsuchfavouredregions。
　　WhilstinthecompanyofElfride，hergirlishpresencehadnotperceptiblyaffectedhimtoanydepth。Hehadnotbeenconsciousthatherentryintohisspherehadaddedanythingtohimself；butnowthatshewastakenawayhewasveryconsciousofagreatdealbeingabstracted。Thesuperfluityhadbecomeanecessity，andKnightwasinlove。
　　StephenfellinlovewithElfridebylookingather:Knightbyceasingtodoso。Whenorhowthespiritenteredintohimheknewnot:certainhewasthatwhenonthepointofleavingEndelstowhehadfeltnoneofthatexquisitenicetyofpoignantsadnessnaturaltosuchseverances，seeinghowdelightfulasubjectofcontemplationElfridehadbeeneversince。Hadhebeguntoloveherwhenshemethiseyeafterhermishaponthetower？Hehadsimplythoughtherweak。Hadhegrowntoloveherwhilststandingonthelawnbrightenedalloverbytheeveningsun？Hehadthoughthercomplexiongood:nomore。Wasitherconversationthathadsowntheseed？Hehadthoughtherwordsingenious，andverycreditabletoayoungwoman，butnotnoteworthy。Hadthechess-
　　playinganythingtodowithit？Certainlynot:hehadthoughtheratthattimearatherconceitedchild。
　　Knight'sexperiencewasacompletedisproofoftheassumptionthatlovealwayscomesbyglancesoftheeyeandsympathetictouchesofthefingers:that，likeflame，itmakesitselfpalpableatthemomentofgeneration。Nottilltheywereparted，andshehadbecomesublimatedinhismemory，couldhebesaidtohaveevenattentivelyregardedher。
　　Thus，havingpassivelygatheredupimagesofherwhichhisminddidnotactupontillthecauseofthemwasnolongerbeforehim，heappearedtohimselftohavefalleninlovewithhersoul，whichhadtemporarilyassumeditsdisembodimenttoaccompanyhimonhisway。
　　Shebegantorulehimsoimperiouslynowthat，accustomedtoanalysis，healmosttrembledatthepossibleresultoftheintroductionofthisnewforceamongthenicelyadjustedonesofhisordinarylife。Hebecamerestless:thenheforgotallcollateralsubjectsinthepleasureofthinkingabouther。
　　YetitmustbesaidthatKnightlovedphilosophicallyratherthanwithromance。
　　Hethoughtofhermannertowardshim。Simplicityvergesoncoquetry。Wassheflirting？hesaidtohimself。Noforcibletranslationoffavourintosuspicionwasabletoupholdsuchatheory。Theperformancehadbeentoowelldonetobeanythingbutreal。Ithadthedefectswithoutwhichnothingisgenuine。Noactressoftwentyyears'standing，nobald-neckedladywhoseearliestseason'out'waslostinthediscreetmistofevasivetalk，couldhaveplayedbeforehimthepartofingenuousgirlasElfridelivedit。Shehadthelittleartfulwayswhichpartlymakeupingenuousness。
　　Therearebachelorsbynatureandbachelorsbycircumstance:
　　spinsterstheredoubtlessarealsoofbothkinds，thoughsomethinkonlythoseofthelatter。However，Knighthadbeenlookeduponasabachelorbynature。Whatwashecomingto？Itwasveryoddtohimselftolookathistheoriesonthesubjectoflove，andreadingthemnowbythefulllightofanewexperience，toseehowmuchmorehissentencesmeantthanhehadfeltthemtomeanwhentheywerewritten。Peopleoftendiscovertherealforceofatriteoldmaximonlywhenitisthrustuponthembyachanceadventure；butKnighthadneverbeforeknownthecaseofamanwholearntthefullcompassofhisownepigramsbysuchmeans。
　　Hewasintenselysatisfiedwithoneaspectoftheaffair。Inbredinhimwasaninvincibleobjectiontobeanybutthefirstcomerinawoman'sheart。Hehaddiscoveredwithinhimselftheconditionthatifeverhedidmakeuphismindtomarry，itmustbeonthecertaintythatnocroppingoutofinconvenientoldletters，nobowandblushtoamysteriousstrangercasuallymet，shouldbeapossiblesourceofdiscomposure。Knight'ssentimentswereonlytheordinaryonesofamanofhisagewholovesgenuinely，perhapsexaggeratedalittlebyhispursuits。Whenmenfirstloveaslads，itiswiththeverycentreoftheirhearts，nothingelsebeingconcernedintheoperation。Withaddedyears，moreofthefacultiesattemptapartnershipinthepassion，tillatKnight'sagetheunderstandingisfaintohaveahandinit。
　　Itmayaswellbeleftout。Amaninlovesettinguphisbrainsasagaugeofhispositionisasonedeterminingaship'slongitudefromalightatthemast-head。
　　KnightarguedfromElfride'sunwontednessofmanner，whichwasmatteroffact，toanunwontednessinlove，whichwasmatterofinferenceonly。Increduleslespluscredules。'Elfride，'hesaid，'hadhardlylookeduponamantillshesawme。'
　　Hehadneverforgottenhisseveritytoherbecauseshepreferredornamenttoedification，andhadsinceexcusedherahundredtimesbythinkinghownaturaltowomankindwasaloveofadornment，andhownecessarybecameamildinfusionofpersonalvanitytocompletethedelicateandfascinatingdyeofthefemininemind。
　　Soattheendoftheweek'sabsence，whichhadbroughthimasfarasDublin，heresolvedtocurtailhistour，returntoEndelstow，andcommithimselfbymakingarealityofthehypotheticalofferofthatSundayevening。
　　Notwithstandingthathehadconcoctedagreatdealofpapertheoryonsocialamenitiesandmodernmannersgenerally，thespecialounceofpracticewaswanting，andnowforhislifeKnightcouldnotrecollectwhetheritwasconsideredcorrecttogiveayoungladypersonalornamentsbeforearegularengagementtomarryhadbeeninitiated。ButthedaybeforeleavingDublinhelookedaroundanxiouslyforahigh-classjewelleryestablishment，inwhichhepurchasedwhatheconsideredwouldsuitherbest。
　　Itwaswithamostawkwardandunwontedfeelingthatafterenteringandclosingthedoorofhisroomhesatdown，openedthemoroccocase，andheldupeachofthefragilebitsofgold-workbeforehiseyes。Manythingshadbecomeoldtothesolitarymanofletters，butthesewerenew，andhehandledlikeachildanoutcomeofcivilizationwhichhadneverbeforebeentouchedbyhisfingers。Asuddenfastidiousdecisionthatthepatternchosenwouldnotsuitherafterallcausedhimtoriseinaflurryandteardownthestreettochangethemforothers。Afteragreatdealoftroubleinreselecting，duringwhichhismindbecamesobewilderedthatthecriticalfacultyonobjectsofartseemedtohavevacatedhispersonaltogether，Knightcarriedoffanotherpairofear-rings。Theseremainedinhispossessiontilltheafternoon，when，aftercontemplatingthemfiftytimeswithagrowingmisgivingthatthelastchoicewasworsethanthefirst，hefeltthatnosleepwouldvisithispillowtillhehadimproveduponhispreviouspurchasesyetagain。Inaperfectheatofvexationwithhimselfforsuchtergiversation，hewentanewtotheshop-door，wasabsolutelyashamedtoenterandgivefurthertrouble，wenttoanothershop，boughtapairatanenormouslyincreasedprice，becausetheyseemedtheverything，askedthegoldsmithsiftheywouldtaketheotherpairinexchange，wastoldthattheycouldnotexchangearticlesboughtofanothermaker，paiddownthemoney，andwentoffwiththetwopairsinhispossession，wonderingwhatonearthtodowiththesuperfluouspair。Healmostwishedhecouldlosethem，orthatsomebodywouldstealthem，andwasburdenedwithaninterposingsensethat，asacapableman，withtrueideasofeconomy，hemustnecessarilysellthemsomewhere，whichhedidatlastforameresong。Mingledwithablankfeelingofawholedaybeinglosttohiminrunningaboutthecityonthisnewandextraordinaryclassoferrand，andofseveralpoundsbeinglostthroughhisbungling，wasaslightsenseofsatisfactionthathehademergedforeverfromhisantediluvianignoranceonthesubjectofladies'jewellery，aswellassecuredatrulyartisticproductionatlast。Duringtheremainderofthatdayhescannedtheornamentsofeveryladyhemetwiththeprofoundlyexperiencedeyeofanappraiser。
　　NextmorningKnightwasagaincrossingSt。George'sChannel——notreturningtoLondonbytheHolyheadrouteashehadoriginallyintended，buttowardsBristol——availinghimselfofMr。andMrs。
　　Swancourt'sinvitationtorevisitthemonhishomewardjourney。
　　WeflitforwardtoElfride。
　　Woman'srulingpassion——tofascinateandinfluencethosemorepowerfulthanshe——thoughoperantinElfride，wasdecidedlypurposeless。ShehadwantedherfriendKnight'sgoodopinionfromthefirst:howmuchmorethanthatelementaryingredientoffriendshipshenowdesired，herfearswouldhardlyallowhertothink。Inoriginallywishingtopleasethehighestclassofmanshehadeverintimatelyknown，therewasnodisloyaltytoStephenSmith。Shecouldnot——andfewwomencan——realizethepossiblevastnessofanissuewhichhasonlyaninsignificantbegetting。
　　HerlettersfromStephenwerenecessarilyfew，andhersenseoffidelityclungtothelastshehadreceivedasawreckedmarinerclingstoflotsam。TheyounggirlpersuadedherselfthatshewasgladStephenhadsucharighttoherhandashehadacquiredinhereyesbytheelopement。Shebeguiledherselfbysaying，'PerhapsifIhadnotsocommittedmyselfImightfallinlovewithMr。Knight。'
　　AllthismadetheweekofKnight'sabsenceverygloomyanddistastefultoher。SheretainedStepheninherprayers，andhisoldletterswerere-read——asamedicineinreality，thoughshedeceivedherselfintothebeliefthatitwasasapleasure。
　　Theselettershadgrownmoreandmorehopeful。Hetoldherthathefinishedhisworkeverydaywithapleasantconsciousnessofhavingremovedonemorestonefromthebarrierwhichdividedthem。
　　Thenhedrewimagesofwhatafinefiguretheytwowouldcutsomeday。Peoplewouldturntheirheadsandsay，'Whataprizehehaswon!'ShewasnottobesadaboutthatwildrunawayattemptoftheirsElfridehadrepeatedlysaidthatitgrievedher。
　　Whateveranyotherpersonwhoknewofitmightthink，heknewwellenoughthemodestyofhernature。TheonlyreproachwasagentleonefornothavingwrittenquitesodevotedlyduringhervisittoLondon。Herletterhadseemedtohavealivelinessderivedfromotherthoughtsthanthoughtsofhim。
　　Knight'sintentionofanearlyreturntoEndelstowhavingoriginallybeenfaint，hispromisetodosohadbeenfainter。Hewasamanwhokepthiswordswelltotherearofhispossibleactions。Thevicarwasrathersurprisedtoseehimagainsosoon:
　　Mrs。Swancourtwasnot。Knightfound，onmeetingthemall，afterhisarrivalhadbeenannounced，thattheyhadformedanintentiontogotoSt。Leonardsforafewdaysattheendofthemonth。
　　NosatisfactoryconjunctureoffereditselfonthisfirsteveningofhisreturnforpresentingElfridewithwhathehadbeenatsuchpainstoprocure。Hewasfastidiousinhisreadingofopportunitiesforsuchanintendedact。Thenextmorningchancingtobreakfineafteraweekofcloudyweather，itwasproposedanddecidedthattheyshouldalldrivetoBarwithStrand，alocallionwhichneitherMrs。SwancourtnorKnighthadseen。Knightscentedromanticoccasionsfromafar，andforesawthatsuchaonemightbeexpectedbeforethecomingnight。
　　Thejourneywasalongaroadbyneutralgreenhills，uponwhichhedgerowslaytrailinglikeropesonaquay。Gapsintheseuplandsrevealedthebluesea，fleckedwithafewdashesofwhiteandasolitarywhitesail，thewholebrimminguptoakeenhorizonwhichlaylikealineruledfromhillsidetohillside。Thentheyrolleddownapass，thechocolate-tonedrocksformingawallonbothsides，fromoneofwhichfellaheavyjaggedshadeoverhalftheroadway。Aspoutoffreshwaterburstfromanoccasionalcrevice，andpatteringdownuponbroadgreenleaves，ranalongasarivuletatthebottom。Unkemptlocksofheatheroverhungthebrowofeachsteep，whenceatdiverspointsabrambleswungforthintomid-air，snatchingattheirhead-dresseslikeaclaw。
　　Theymountedthelastcrest，andthebaywhichwastobetheendoftheirpilgrimageburstuponthem。Theoceanbluenessdeepeneditscolourasitstretchedtothefootofthecrags，whereitterminatedinafringeofwhite——silentatthisdistance，thoughmovingandheavinglikeacounterpaneuponarestlesssleeper。
　　Theshadowedhollowsofthepurpleandbrownrockswouldhavebeencalledbluehadnotthattintbeensoentirelyappropriatedbythewaterbesidethem。
　　Thecarriagewasputupatalittlecottagewithashedattached，andanostlerandthecoachmancarriedthehamperofprovisionsdowntotheshore。
　　Knightfoundhisopportunity。'Ididnotforgetyourwish，'hebegan，whentheywereapartfromtheirfriends。
　　Elfridelookedasifshedidnotunderstand。
　　'AndIhavebroughtyouthese，'hecontinued，awkwardlypullingoutthecase，andopeningitwhileholdingittowardsher。
　　'OMr。Knight!'saidElfrideconfusedly，andturningtoalivelyred；'Ididn'tknowyouhadanyintentionormeaninginwhatyousaid。Ithoughtitameresupposition。Idon'twantthem。'
　　Athoughtwhichhadflashedintohermindgavethereplyagreaterdecisivenessthanitmightotherwisehavepossessed。To-morrowwasthedayforStephen'sletter。
　　'Butwillyounotacceptthem？'Knightreturned，feelinglesshermasterthanheretofore。
　　'Iwouldrathernot。Theyarebeautiful——morebeautifulthananyIhaveeverseen，'sheansweredearnestly，lookinghalf-wishfullyatthetemptation，asEvemayhavelookedattheapple。'ButI
　　don'twanttohavethem，ifyouwillkindlyforgiveme，Mr。
　　Knight。'
　　'Nokindnessatall，'saidMr。Knight，broughttoafullstopatthisunexpectedturnofevents。
　　Asilencefollowed。Knightheldtheopencase，lookingratherwofullyattheglitteringformshehadforsakenhisorbittoprocure；turningitaboutandholdingitupasif，feelinghisgifttobeslightedbyher，hewereendeavouringtoadmireitverymuchhimself。
　　'Shutthemup，anddon'tletmeseethemanylonger——do!'shesaidlaughingly，andwithaquaintmixtureofreluctanceandentreaty。
　　'Why，Elfie？'
　　'NotElfietoyou，Mr。Knight。Oh，becauseIshallwantthem。
　　There，Iamsilly，Iknow，tosaythat!ButIhaveareasonfornottakingthem——now。'Shekeptinthelastwordforamoment，intendingtoimplythatherrefusalwasfinite，butsomehowthewordslippedout，andundidalltherest。
　　'Youwilltakethemsomeday？'
　　'Idon'twantto。'
　　'Whydon'tyouwantto，ElfrideSwancourt？'
　　'BecauseIdon't。Idon'tliketotakethem。'
　　'Ihavereadafactofdistressingsignificanceinthat，'saidKnight。'Sinceyoulikethem，yourdisliketohavingthemmustbetowardsme？'
　　'No，itisn't。'
　　'What，then？Doyoulikeme？'
　　Elfridedeepenedintint，andlookedintothedistancewithfeaturesshapedtoanexpressionofthenicestcriticismasregardedheranswer。
　　'Ilikeyouprettywell，'sheatlengthmurmuredmildly。
　　'Notverymuch？'
　　'Youaresosharpwithme，andsayhardthings，andsohowcanI？'
　　sherepliedevasively。
　　'Youthinkmeafogey，Isuppose？'
　　'No，Idon't——ImeanIdo——Idon'tknowwhatIthinkyou，Imean。
　　Letusgotopapa，'respondedElfride，withsomewhatofaflurrieddelivery。
　　'Well，I'lltellyoumyobjectingettingthepresent，'saidKnight，withacomposureintendedtoremovefromhermindanypossibleimpressionofhisbeingwhathewas——herlover。'YouseeitwastheveryleastIcoulddoincommoncivility。'
　　Elfridefeltratherblankatthislucidstatement。
　　Knightcontinued，puttingawaythecase:'Ifeltasanybodynaturallywouldhave，youknow，thatmywordsonyourchoicetheotherdaywereinvidiousandunfair，andthoughtanapologyshouldtakeapracticalshape。'
　　'Ohyes。'
　　Elfridewassorry——shecouldnottellwhy——thathegavesuchalegitimatereason。Itwasadisappointmentthathehadallthetimeacoolmotive，whichmightbestatedtoanybodywithoutraisingasmile。Hadsheknowntheywereofferedinthatspirit，shewouldcertainlyhaveacceptedtheseductivegift。Andthetantalizingfeaturewasthatperhapshesuspectedhertoimaginethemofferedasalover'stoken，whichwasmortifyingenoughiftheywerenot。
　　Mrs。Swancourtcamenowtowheretheyweresitting，toselectaflatboulderforspreadingtheirtable-clothupon，and，amidthediscussiononthatsubject，thematterpendingbetweenKnightandElfridewasshelvedforawhile。Hereadherrefusalsocertainlyasthebashfulnessofagirlinanovelposition，that，uponthewhole，hecouldtoleratesuchabeginning。CouldKnighthavebeentoldthatitwasasenseoffidelitystrugglingagainstnewlove，whilstnolessassuringastohisultimatevictory，itmighthaveentirelyabstractedthewishtosecureit。
　　Atthesametimeaslightconstraintofmannerwasvisiblebetweenthemfortheremainderoftheafternoon。Thetideturned，andtheywereobligedtoascendtohigherground。Thedayglidedontoitsendwiththeusualquietdreamypassivityofsuchoccasions——wheneverydeeddoneandthingthoughtisinendeavouringtoavoiddoingandthinkingmore。Lookingidlyoverthevergeofacrag，theybeheldtheirstonedining-tablegraduallybeingsplasheduponandtheircrumbsandfragmentsallwashedawaybytheincomingsea。Thevicardrewamorallessonfromthescene；Knightrepliedinthesamesatisfiedstrain。Andthenthewavesrolledinfuriously——theneutralgreen-and-bluetonguesofwatersliduptheslopes，andweremetamorphosedintofoambyacarelessblow，fallingbackwhiteandfaint，andleavingtrailingfollowersbehind。
　　Thepassingofaheavyshowerwasthenextscene——drivingthemtoshelterinashallowcave——afterwhichthehorseswereputin，andtheystartedtoreturnhomeward。Bythetimetheyreachedthehigherlevelstheskyhadagaincleared，andthesunsetraysglanceddirectlyuponthewetuphillroadtheyhadclimbed。Therutsformedbytheircarriage-wheelsontheascent——apairofLiliputiancanals——wereasshiningbarsofgold，taperingtonothinginthedistance。Uponthisalsotheyturnedtheirbacks，andnightspreadoverthesea。
　　Theeveningwaschilly，andtherewasnomoon。KnightsatclosetoElfride，and，whenthedarknessrenderedthepositionofapersonamatterofuncertainty，particularlyclose。Elfrideedgedaway。
　　'Ihopeyouallowmemyplaceungrudgingly？'hewhispered。
　　'Ohyes；'tistheleastIcandoincommoncivility，'shesaid，accentingthewordssothathemightrecognizethemashisownreturned。
　　Bothofthemfeltdelicatelybalancedbetweentwopossibilities。
　　Thustheyreachedhome。
　　ToKnightthismildexperiencewasdelightful。Itwastohimagentleinnocenttime——atimewhich，thoughtheremaynotbemuchinit，seldomrepeatsitselfinaman'slife，andhasapeculiardearnesswhenglancedatretrospectively。Heisnotinconvenientlydeepinlove，andislulledbyapeacefulsenseofbeingabletoenjoythemosttrivialthingwithachildlikeenjoyment。Themovementofawave，thecolourofastone，anything，wasenoughforKnight'sdrowsythoughtsofthatdaytoprecipitatethemselvesupon。Eventhesermonizingplatitudesthevicarhaddeliveredhimselfof——chieflybecausesomethingseemedtobeprofessionallyrequiredofhiminthepresenceofamanofKnight'sproclivities——wereswallowedwhole。ThepresenceofElfrideledhimnotmerelytotoleratethatkindoftalkfromthenecessitiesofordinarycourtesy；buthelistenedtoit——tookintheideaswithanenjoyablemake-believethattheywereproperandnecessary，andindulgedinaconservativefeelingthatthefaceofthingswascomplete。
　　EnteringherroomthateveningElfridefoundapacketforherselfonthedressing-table。Howitcamethereshedidnotknow。Shetremblinglyundidthefoldsofwhitepaperthatcoveredit。Yes；
　　itwasthetreasureofamoroccocase，containingthosetreasuresofornamentshehadrefusedinthedaytime。
　　Elfridedressedherselfinthemforamoment，lookedatherselfintheglass，blushedred，andputthemaway。Theyfilledherdreamsallthatnight。Neverhadsheseenanythingsolovely，andneverwasitmoreclearthatasanhonestwomanshewasindutyboundtorefusethem。Whyitwasnotequallycleartoherthatdutyrequiredmorevigorousco-ordinateconductaswell，letthosewhodissecthersay。
　　Thenextmorningglaredinlikeaspectreuponher。ItwasStephen'sletter-day，andshewasboundtomeetthepostman——tostealthilydoadeedshehadneverliked，tosecureanendshenowhadceasedtodesire。
　　Butshewent。
　　Thereweretwoletters。
　　OnewasfromthebankatSt。Launce's，inwhichshehadasmallprivatedeposit——probablysomethingaboutinterest。Sheputthatinherpocketforamoment，andgoingindoorsandupstairstobesaferfromobservation，tremblinglyopenedStephen's。
　　Whatwasthishesaidtoher？
　　ShewastogototheSt。Launce'sBankandtakeasumofmoneywhichtheyhadreceivedprivateadvicestopayher。
　　Thesumwastwohundredpounds。
　　Therewasnocheck，order，oranythingofthenatureofguarantee。
　　Infacttheinformationamountedtothis:themoneywasnowintheSt。Launce'sBank，standinginhername。
　　Sheinstantlyopenedtheotherletter。Itcontainedadeposit-
　　notefromthebankforthesumoftwohundredpoundswhichhadthatdaybeenaddedtoheraccount。Stephen'sinformation，then，wascorrect，andthetransfermade。
　　'Ihavesavedthisinoneyear，'Stephen'sletterwentontosay，'andwhatsoproperaswellaspleasantformetodoastohanditovertoyoutokeepforyouruse？Ihaveplentyformyself，independentlyofthis。Shouldyounotbedisposedtoletitlieidleinthebank，getyourfathertoinvestitinyournameongoodsecurity。Itisalittlepresenttoyoufromyourmorethanbetrothed。Hewill，Ithink，Elfride，feelnowthatmypretensionstoyourhandareanythingbutthedreamofasillyboynotworthrationalconsideration。'
　　Withanaturaldelicacy，Elfride，inmentioningherfather'smarriage，hadrefrainedfromallallusiontothepecuniaryresourcesofthelady。
　　Leavingthismatter-of-factsubject，hewenton，somewhatafterhisboyishmanner:
　　'Doyouremember，darling，thatfirstmorningofmyarrivalatyourhouse，whenyourfatherreadatprayersthemiracleofhealingthesickofthepalsy——whereheistoldtotakeuphisbedandwalk？Ido，andIcannowsowellrealizetheforceofthatpassage。ThesmallestpieceofmatisthebedoftheOriental，andyesterdayIsawanativeperformtheveryaction，whichremindedmetomentionit。ButyouarebetterreadthanI，andperhapsyouknewallthislongago……OnedayIboughtsomesmallnativeidolstosendhometoyouascuriosities，butafterwardsfindingtheyhadbeencastinEngland，madetolookold，andshippedover，Ithrewthemawayindisgust。
　　'Speakingofthisremindsmethatweareobligedtoimportallourhouse-buildingironworkfromEngland。Neverwassuchforesightrequiredtobeexercisedinbuildinghousesashere。Beforewebegin，wehavetoordereverycolumn，lock，hinge，andscrewthatwillberequired。Wecannotgointothenextstreet，asinLondon，andgetthemcastataminute'snotice。Mr。L。sayssomebodywillhavetogotoEnglandverysoonandsuperintendtheselectionofalargeorderofthiskind。IonlywishImaybetheman。'
　　Therebeforeherlaythedeposit-receiptforthetwohundredpounds，andbesideittheelegantpresentofKnight。Elfridegrewcold——thenhercheeksfeltheatedbybeatingblood。Ifbydestroyingthepieceofpaperthewholetransactioncouldhavebeenwithdrawnfromherexperience，shewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedthemoneyitrepresented。Shedidnotknowwhattodoineithercase。Shealmostfearedtoletthetwoarticleslieinjuxtaposition:soantagonisticweretheintereststheyrepresentedthatamiraculousrepulsionofonebytheotherwasalmosttobeexpected。
　　Thatdayshewasseenlittleof。Bytheeveningshehadcometoaresolution，andacteduponit。Thepacketwassealedup——withatearofregretassheclosedthecaseupontheprettyformsitcontained——directed，andplaceduponthewriting-tableinKnight'sroom。AndaletterwaswrittentoStephen，statingthatasyetshehardlyunderstoodherpositionwithregardtothemoneysent；
　　butdeclaringthatshewasreadytofulfilherpromisetomarryhim。Afterthisletterhadbeenwrittenshedelayedpostingit——
　　althoughneverceasingtofeelstrenuouslythatthedeedmustbedone。
　　Severaldayspassed。TherewasanotherIndianletterforElfride。
　　Comingunexpectedly，herfathersawit，butmadenoremark——why，shecouldnottell。Thenewsthistimewasabsolutelyoverwhelming。Stephen，ashehadwished，hadbeenactuallychosenasthemostfittingtoexecutetheiron-workcommissionhehadalludedtoasimpending。Thisdutycompletedhewouldhavethreemonths'leave。Hislettercontinuedthatheshouldfollowitinaweek，andshouldtaketheopportunitytoplainlyaskherfathertopermittheengagement。Thencameapageexpressiveofhisdelightandhersatthereunion；andfinally，theinformationthathewouldwritetotheshippingagents，askingthemtotelegraphandtellherwhentheshipbringinghimhomeshouldbeinsight——
　　knowinghowacceptablesuchinformationwouldbe。
　　Elfridelivedandmovednowasinadream。Knighthadatfirstbecomealmostangryatherpersistentrefusalofhisoffering——andnolesswiththemannerthanthefactofit。Buthesawthatshebegantolookwornandill——andhisvexationlessenedtosimpleperplexity。
　　Heceasednowtoremaininthehouseforlonghourstogetherasbefore，butmadeitamerecentreforantiquarianandgeologicalexcursionsintheneighbourhood。Throwuphiscardsandgoawayhefainwouldhavedone，butcouldnot。And，thus，availinghimselfoftheprivilegesofarelative，hewentinandoutthepremisesasfancyledhim——butstilllingeredon。
　　'Idon'twishtostayhereanotherdayifmypresenceisdistasteful，'hesaidoneafternoon。'AtfirstyouusedtoimplythatIwasseverewithyou；andwhenIamkindyoutreatmeunfairly。'
　　'No，no。Don'tsayso。'
　　Theoriginoftheiracquaintanceshiphadbeensuchastorendertheirmannertowardseachotherpeculiaranduncommon。Itwasofakindtocausethemtospeakouttheirmindsonanyfeelingsofobjectionanddifference:tobereticentongentlermatters。
　　'Ihaveagoodmindtogoawayandnevertroubleyouagain，'
　　continuedKnight。
　　Shesaidnothing，buttheeloquentexpressionofhereyesandwanfacewasenoughtoreproachhimforharshness。
　　'Doyoulikemetobehere，then？'inquiredKnightgently。
　　'Yes，'shesaid。Fidelitytotheoldloveandtruthtothenewwererangedonoppositesides，andtruthvirtuelesslyprevailed。
　　'ThenI'llstayalittlelonger，'saidKnight。
　　'Don'tbevexedifIkeepbymyselfagooddeal，willyou？Perhapssomethingmayhappen，andImaytellyousomething。'
　　'Merecoyness，'saidKnighttohimself；andwentawaywithalighterheart。Thetrickofreadingtrulytheenigmaticalforcesatworkinwomenatgiventimes，whichwithsomemenisanunerringinstinct，ispeculiartomindslessdirectandhonestthanKnight's。
　　Thenextevening，aboutfiveo'clock，beforeKnighthadreturnedfromapilgrimagealongtheshore，amanwalkeduptothehouse。
　　HewasamessengerfromCamelton，atownafewmilesoff，towhichplacetherailwayhadbeenadvancedduringthesummer。
　　'AtelegramforMissSwancourt，andthreeandsixpencetopayforthespecialmessenger。'MissSwancourtsentoutthemoney，signedthepaper，andopenedherletterwithatremblinghand。Sheread:
　　'Johnson，Liverpool，toMissSwancourt，Endelstow，nearCastleBoterel。
　　'AmaryllistelegraphedoffHolyhead，fouro'clock。ExpectwilldockandlandpassengersatCanning'sBasinteno'clockto-morrowmorning。'
　　Herfathercalledherintothestudy。
　　'Elfride，whosentyouthatmessage？'heaskedsuspiciously。
　　'Johnson。'
　　'WhoisJohnson，forHeaven'ssake？'
　　'Idon'tknow。'
　　'Thedeuceyoudon't!Whoistoknow，then？'
　　'Ihaveneverheardofhimtillnow。'
　　'That'sasingularstory，isn'tit。'
　　'Idon'tknow。'
　　'Come，come，miss!Whatwasthetelegram？'
　　'Doyoureallywishtoknow，papa？'
　　'Well，Ido。'
　　'Remember，Iamafull-grownwomannow。'
　　'Well，whatthen？'
　　'Beingawoman，andnotachild，Imay，Ithink，haveasecretortwo。'
　　'Youwill，itseems。'
　　'Womenhave，asarule。'
　　'Butdon'tkeepthem。Sospeakout。'
　　'Ifyouwillnotpressmenow，Igivemywordtotellyouthemeaningofallthisbeforetheweekispast。'
　　'Onyourhonour？'
　　'Onmyhonour。'
　　'Verywell。Ihavehadacertainsuspicion，youknow；andIshallbegladtofinditfalse。Idon'tlikeyourmannerlately。'
　　'Attheendoftheweek，Isaid，papa。'