Herfatherdidnotreply，andElfridelefttheroom。
Shebegantolookoutforthepostmanagain。ThreemorningslaterhebroughtaninlandletterfromStephen。Itcontainedverylittlematter，havingbeenwritteninhaste；butthemeaningwasbulkyenough。Stephensaidthat，havingexecutedacommissioninLiverpool，heshouldarriveathisfather'shouse，EastEndelstow，atfiveorsixo'clockthatsameevening；thathewouldafterduskwalkontothenextvillage，andmeether，ifshewould，inthechurchporch，asintheoldtime。Heproposedthisplanbecausehethoughtitunadvisabletocallformallyatherhousesolateintheevening；yethecouldnotsleepwithouthavingseenher。Theminuteswouldseemhourstillheclaspedherinhisarms。
Elfridewasstillsteadfastinheropinionthathonourcompelledhertomeethim。Probablytheverylongingtoavoidhimlentadditionalweighttotheconviction；forshewasmarkedlyoneofthosewhosighfortheunattainable——towhom，superlatively，ahopeispleasingbecausenotapossession。Andsheknewitsowellthatherintellectwasinclinedtoexaggeratethisdefectinherself。
Soduringthedayshelookedherdutysteadfastlyintheface；
readWordsworth'sastringentyetdepressingodetothatDeity；
committedherselftoherguidance；andstillfelttheweightofchancedesires。
Butshebegantotakeamelancholypleasureincontemplatingthesacrificeofherselftothemanwhomamaidenlysenseofproprietycompelledhertoregardasheronlypossiblehusband。Shewouldmeethim，anddoallthatlayinherpowertomarryhim。Toguardagainstarelapse，anotewasatoncedespatchedtohisfather'scottageforStephenonhisarrival，fixinganhourfortheinterview。
ChapterXXI
'Onthycoldgreystones，Osea!'
StephenhadsaidthatheshouldcomebywayofBristol，andthencebyasteamertoCastleBoterel，inordertoavoidthelongjourneyoverthehillsfromSt。Launce's。HedidnotknowoftheextensionoftherailwaytoCamelton。
DuringtheafternoonathoughtoccurredtoElfride，thatfromanycliffalongtheshoreitwouldbepossibletoseethesteamersomehoursbeforeitsarrival。
Shehadaccumulatedreligiousforceenoughtodoanactofsupererogation。Theactwasthis——togotosomepointoflandandwatchfortheshipthatbroughtherfuturehusbandhome。
Itwasacloudyafternoon。Elfridewasoftendivertedfromapurposebyadullsky；andthoughsheusedtopersuadeherselfthattheweatherwasasfineaspossibleontheothersideoftheclouds，shecouldnotbringaboutanypracticalresultfromthisfancy。Now，hermoodwassuchthatthehumidskyharmonizedwithit。
Havingascendedandpassedoverahillbehindthehouse，Elfridecametoasmallstream。Sheuseditasaguidetothecoast。Itwassmallerthanthatinherownvalley，andflowedaltogetheratahigherlevel。Busheslinedtheslopesofitsshallowtrough；
butatthebottom，wherethewaterran，wasasoftgreencarpet，inastriptwoorthreeyardswide。
Inwinter，thewaterflowedoverthegrass；insummer，asnow，ittrickledalongachannelinthemidst。
Elfridehadasensationofeyesregardingherfromsomewhere。Sheturned，andtherewasMr。Knight。Hehaddroppedintothevalleyfromthesideofthehill。Shefeltathrillofpleasure，andrebelliouslyallowedittoexist。
'Whatutterlonelinesstofindyouin!'
'Iamgoingtotheshorebytrackingthestream。Ibelieveitemptiesitselfnotfaroff，inasilverthreadofwater，overacascadeofgreatheight。'
'Whydoyouloadyourselfwiththatheavytelescope？'
'Tolookovertheseawithit，'shesaidfaintly。
'I'llcarryitforyoutoyourjourney'send。'Andhetooktheglassfromherunresistinghands。'Itcannotbehalfamilefurther。See，thereisthewater。'Hepointedtoashortfragmentoflevelmuddy-graycolour，cuttingagainstthesky。
Elfridehadalreadyscannedthesmallsurfaceofoceanvisible，andhadseennoship。
Theywalkedalongincompany，sometimeswiththebrookbetweenthem——foritwasnowiderthanaman'sstride——sometimesclosetogether。Thegreencarpetgrewswampy，andtheykepthigherup。
Oneofthetworidgesbetweenwhichtheywalkeddwindledlowerandbecameinsignificant。Thatontherighthandrosewiththeiradvance，andterminatedinaclearlydefinededgeagainstthelight，asifitwereabruptlysawnoff。Alittlefurther，andthebedoftherivuletendedinthesamefashion。
Theyhadcometoabankbreast-high，andoveritthevalleywasnolongertobeseen。Itwaswithdrawncleanlyandcompletely。Initsplacewasskyandboundlessatmosphere；andperpendicularlydownbeneaththem——smallandfaroff——laythecorrugatedsurfaceoftheAtlantic。
Thesmallstreamherefounditsdeath。Runningovertheprecipiceitwasdispersedinspraybeforeitwashalf-waydown，andfallinglikerainuponprojectingledges，mademinutegrassymeadowsofthem。Atthebottomthewater-dropssoakedawayamidthedebrisofthecliff。Thiswastheingloriousendoftheriver。
'Whatareyoulookingfor？saidKnight，followingthedirectionofhereyes。
Shewasgazinghardatablackobject——nearertotheshorethantothehorizon——fromthesummitofwhichcameanebuloushaze，stretchinglikegauzeoverthesea。
'ThePuffin，alittlesummersteamboat——fromBristoltoCastleBoterel，'shesaid。'Ithinkthatisit——look。Willyougivemetheglass？'
Knightpulledopentheold-fashionedbutpowerfultelescope，andhandedittoElfride，whohadlookedonwithheavyeyes。
'Ican'tkeepitupnow，'shesaid。
'Restitonmyshoulder。'
'Itistoohigh。'
'Undermyarm。'
'Toolow。Youmaylookinstead，'shemurmuredweakly。
Knightraisedtheglasstohiseye，andswepttheseatillthePuffinentereditsfield。
'Yes，itisthePuffin——atinycraft。Icanseeherfigure-headdistinctly——abirdwithabeakasbigasitshead。'
'Canyouseethedeck？'
"Waitaminute；yes，prettyclearly。AndIcanseetheblackformsofthepassengersagainstitswhitesurface。Oneofthemhastakensomethingfromanother——aglass，Ithink——yes，itis——
andheislevellingitinthisdirection。Dependuponitweareconspicuousobjectsagainsttheskytothem。Now，itseemstorainuponthem，andtheyputonovercoatsandopenumbrellas。
Theyvanishandgobelow——allbutthatonewhohasborrowedtheglass。Heisaslimyoungfellow，andstillwatchesus。'
Elfridegrewpale，andshiftedherlittlefeetuneasily。
Knightloweredtheglass。
'Ithinkwehadbetterreturn，'hesaid。'Thatcloudwhichisrainingonthemmaysoonreachus。Why，youlookill。Howisthat？'
'Somethingintheairaffectsmyface。'
'Thosefaircheeksareveryfastidious，Ifear，'returnedKnighttenderly。'Thisairwouldmakethoserosythatwereneversobefore，onewouldthink——eh，Nature'sspoiltchild？'
Elfride'scolourreturnedagain。
'Thereismoretoseebehindus，afterall，'saidKnight。
SheturnedherbackupontheboatandStephenSmith，andsaw，toweringstillhigherthanthemselves，theverticalfaceofthehillontheright，whichdidnotprojectseawardsofarasthebedofthevalley，butformedthebackofasmallcove，andsowasvisiblelikeaconcavewall，bendingroundfromtheirpositiontowardstheleft。
Thecompositionofthehugehillwasrevealedtoitsbackboneandmarrowhereatitsrentextremity。Itconsistedofavaststratificationofblackish-grayslate，unvariedinitswholeheightbyasinglechangeofshade。
Itiswithcliffsandmountainsaswithpersons；theyhavewhatiscalledapresence，whichisnotnecessarilyproportionatetotheiractualbulk。Alittlecliffwillimpressyoupowerfully；agreatonenotatall。Itdepends，aswithman，uponthecountenanceofthecliff。
'Icannotbeartolookatthatcliff，'saidElfride。'Ithasahorridpersonality，andmakesmeshudder。Wewillgo。'
'Canyouclimb？'saidKnight。'Ifso，wewillascendbythatpathoverthegrimoldfellow'sbrow。'
'Tryme，'saidElfridedisdainfully。'Ihaveascendedsteeperslopesthanthat。'
Fromwheretheyhadbeenloitering，agrassypathwoundalonginsideabank，placedasasafeguardforunwarypedestrians，tothetopoftheprecipice，andoveritalongthehillinaninlanddirection。
'Takemyarm，MissSwancourt，'saidKnight。
'Icangetonbetterwithoutit，thankyou。'
Whentheywereonequarterofthewayup，Elfridestoppedtotakebreath。Knightstretchedouthishand。
Shetookit，andtheyascendedtheremainingslopetogether。
Reachingtheverytop，theysatdowntorestbymutualconsent。
'Heavens，whatanaltitude!'saidKnightbetweenhispants，andlookingfaroverthesea。Thecascadeatthebottomoftheslopeappearedamerespaninheightfromwheretheywerenow。
Elfridewaslookingtotheleft。Thesteamboatwasinfullviewagain，andbyreasonofthevastsurfaceofseatheirhigherpositionuncovereditseemedalmostclosetotheshore。
'Overthatedge，'saidKnight，'wherenothingbutvacancyappears，isamovingcompactmass。Thewindstrikesthefaceoftherock，runsupit，riseslikeafountaintoaheightfaraboveourheads，curlsoverusinanarch，anddispersesbehindus。Infact，aninvertedcascadeisthere——asperfectastheNiagaraFalls——butrisinginsteadoffalling，andairinsteadofwater。Nowlookhere。'
Knightthrewastoneoverthebank，aimingitasiftogoonwardoverthecliff。Reachingtheverge，ittoweredintotheairlikeabird，turnedback，andalightedonthegroundbehindthem。Theythemselveswereinadeadcalm。
'AboatcrossesNiagaraimmediatelyatthefootofthefalls，wherethewaterisquitestill，thefallenmasscurvingunderit。
Weareinpreciselythesamepositionwithregardtoouratmosphericcataracthere。Ifyourunbackfromtheclifffiftyyards，youwillbeinabriskwind。NowIdaresayoverthebankisalittlebackwardcurrent。'
Knightroseandleantoverthebank。Nosoonerwashisheadaboveitthanhishatappearedtobesuckedfromhishead——slippingoverhisforeheadinaseawarddirection。
'That'sthebackwardeddy，asItoldyou，'hecried，andvanishedoverthelittlebankafterhishat。
Elfridewaitedoneminute；hedidnotreturn。Shewaitedanother，andtherewasnosignofhim。
Afewdropsofrainfell，thenasuddenshower。
Shearose，andlookedoverthebank。Ontheothersideweretwoorthreeyardsoflevelground——thenashortsteeppreparatoryslope——thenthevergeoftheprecipice。
OntheslopewasKnight，hishatonhishead。Hewasonhishandsandknees，tryingtoclimbbacktothelevelground。Therainhadwettedtheshalysurfaceoftheincline。Aslightsuperficialwettingofthesoilhereaboutmadeitfarmoreslipperytostandonthanthesamesoilthoroughlydrenched。Theinnersubstancewasstillhard，andwaslubricatedbythemoistenedfilm。
'Ifindadifficultyingettingback，'saidKnight。
Elfride'sheartfelllikelead。
'Butyoucangetback？'shewildlyinquired。
Knightstrovewithallhismightfortwoorthreeminutes，andthedropsofperspirationbegantobeadhisbrow。
'No，Iamunabletodoit，'heanswered。
Elfride，byawrenchofthought，forcedawayfromhermindthesensationthatKnightwasinbodilydanger。Butattempttohelphimshemust。Sheventureduponthetreacherousincline，proppedherselfwiththeclosedtelescope，andgavehimherhandbeforehesawhermovements。
'OElfride!whydidyou？'saidhe。'Iamafraidyouhaveonlyendangeredyourself。'
Andasiftoprovehisstatement，inmakinganendeavourbyherassistancetheybothslippedlower，andthenhewasagainstayed。
Hisfootwasproppedbyabracketofquartzrock，balancedonthevergeoftheprecipice。Fixedbythis，hesteadiedher，herheadbeingaboutafootbelowthebeginningoftheslope。Elfridehaddroppedtheglass；itrolledtotheedgeandvanishedoveritintoanethersky。
'Holdtightlytome，'hesaid。
Sheflungherarmsroundhisneckwithsuchafirmgraspthatwhilstheremaineditwasimpossibleforhertofall。
'Don'tbeflurried，'Knightcontinued。'Solongaswestayabovethisblockweareperfectlysafe。WaitamomentwhilstIconsiderwhatwehadbetterdo。'
Heturnedhiseyestothedizzydepthsbeneaththem，andsurveyedthepositionofaffairs。
Twoglancestoldhimatalewithghastlydistinctness。Itwasthat，unlesstheyperformedtheirfeatofgettinguptheslopewiththeprecisionofmachines，theywereovertheedgeandwhirlinginmid-air。
Forthispurposeitwasnecessarythatheshouldrecoverthebreathandstrengthwhichhispreviouseffortshadcosthim。Sohestillwaited，andlookedinthefaceoftheenemy。
Thecrestofthisterriblenaturalfacadepassedamongtheneighbouringinhabitantsasbeingsevenhundredfeetabovethewateritoverhung。Ithadbeenprovedbyactualmeasurementtobenotafootlessthansixhundredandfifty。
Thatistosay，itisnearlythreetimestheheightofFlamborough，halfashighagainastheSouthForeland，ahundredfeethigherthanBeachyHead——theloftiestpromontoryontheeastorsouthsideofthisisland——twicetheheightofSt。Aldhelm's，thriceashighastheLizard，andjustdoubletheheightofSt。
Bee's。Onesea-bordpointonthewesterncoastisknowntosurpassitinaltitude，butonlybyafewfeet。ThisisGreatOrme'sHead，inCaernarvonshire。
Anditmustberememberedthatthecliffexhibitsanintensifyingfeaturewhichsomeofthosearewithout——sheerperpendicularityfromthehalf-tidelevel。
Yetthisremarkablerampartformsnoheadland:itratherwallsinaninlet——thepromontoryoneachsidebeingmuchlower。Thus，farfrombeingsalient，itshorizontalsectionisconcave。Thesea，rollingdirectfromtheshoresofNorthAmerica，hasinfacteatenachasmintothemiddleofahill，andthegiant，embayedandunobtrusive，standsintherearofpigmysupporters。Notleastsingularly，neitherhill，chasm，norprecipicehasaname。OnthisaccountIwillcalltheprecipicetheCliffwithoutaName。*
*SeePrefaceWhatgaveanaddedterrortoitsheightwasitsblackness。Anduponthisdarkfacethebeatingoftenthousandwestwindshadformedakindofbloom，whichhadavisualeffectnotunlikethatofaHambro'grape。Moreoveritseemedtofloatoffintotheatmosphere，andinspireterrorthroughthelungs。
'Thispieceofquartz，supportingmyfeet，isontheverynoseofthecliff，'saidKnight，breakingthesilenceafterhisrigidstoicalmeditation。'Nowwhatyouaretodoisthis。Clamberupmybodytillyourfeetareonmyshoulders:whenyouarethereyouwill，Ithink，beabletoclimbontolevelground。'
'Whatwillyoudo？'
'Waitwhilstyourunforassistance。'
'Ioughttohavedonethatinthefirstplace，oughtInot？'
'Iwasintheactofslipping，andshouldhavereachednostand-
pointwithoutyourweight，inallprobability。Butdon'tletustalk。Bebrave，Elfride，andclimb。'
Shepreparedtoascend，saying，'ThisisthemomentIanticipatedwhenonthetower。Ithoughtitwouldcome!'
'Thisisnotatimeforsuperstition，'saidKnight。'Dismissallthat。'
'Iwill，'shesaidhumbly。
'Nowputyourfootintomyhand:nexttheother。That'sgood——
welldone。Holdtomyshoulder。'
Sheplacedherfeetuponthestirruphemadeofhishand，andwashighenoughtogetaviewofthenaturalsurfaceofthehilloverthebank。
'Canyounowclimbontolevelground？'
'Iamafraidnot。Iwilltry。'
'Whatcanyousee？'
'Theslopingcommon。'
'Whatuponit？'
'Purpleheatherandsomegrass。'
'Nothingmore——nomanorhumanbeingofanykind？'
'Nobody。'
'Nowtrytogethigherinthisway。Youseethattuftofsea-pinkaboveyou。Getthatwellintoyourhand，butdon'ttrusttoitentirely。Thenstepuponmyshoulder，andIthinkyouwillreachthetop。'
Withtremblinglimbsshedidexactlyashetoldher。Thepreternaturalquietandsolemnityofhismanneroverspreaduponherself，andgaveheracouragenotherown。Shemadeaspringfromthetopofhisshoulder，andwasup。
Thensheturnedtolookathim。
Byanillfate，theforcedownwardsofherbound，addedtohisownweight，hadbeentoomuchfortheblockofquartzuponwhichhisfeetdepended。Itwas，indeed，originallyanigneousprotrusionintotheenormousmassesofblackstrata，whichhadsincebeenwornawayfromthesidesofthealienfragmentbycenturiesoffrostandrain，andnowleftitwithoutmuchsupport。
Itmoved。Knightseizedatuftofsea-pinkwitheachhand。
Thequartzrockwhichhadbeenhissalvationwasworsethanuselessnow。Itrolledover，outofsight，andawayintothesamenetherskythathadengulfedthetelescope。
Oneofthetuftsbywhichheheldcameoutattheroot，andKnightbegantofollowthequartz。Itwasaterriblemoment。Elfrideutteredalowwildwailofagony，bowedherhead，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。
Betweentheturf-coveredslopeandthegiganticperpendicularrockintervenedaweather-wornseriesofjaggededges，formingafaceyetsteeperthantheformerslope。Asheslowlyslidinchbyinchuponthese，Knightmadealastdesperatedashatthelowesttuftofvegetation——thelastoutlyingknotofstarvedherbageeretherockappearedinallitsbareness。Itarrestedhisfurtherdescent。Knightwasnowliterallysuspendedbyhisarms；buttheinclineofthebrowbeingwhatengineerswouldcallaboutaquarterinone，itwassufficienttorelievehisarmsofaportionofhisweight，butwasveryfarfromofferinganadequatelyflatfacetosupporthim。
Inspiteofthisdreadfultensionofbodyandmind，Knightfoundtimeforamomentofthankfulness。Elfridewassafe。
Shelayonhersideabovehim——herfingersclasped。Seeinghimagainsteady，shejumpeduponherfeet。
'Now，ifIcanonlysaveyoubyrunningforhelp!'shecried。
'Oh，Iwouldhavediedinstead!Whydidyoutrysohardtodeliverme？'Andsheturnedawaywildlytorunforassistance。
'Elfride，howlongwillittakeyoutoruntoEndelstowandback？'
'Three-quartersofanhour。'
'Thatwon'tdo；myhandswillnotholdouttenminutes。Andistherenobodynearer？'
'No；unlessachancepassermayhappentobe。'
'Hewouldhavenothingwithhimthatcouldsaveme。Isthereapoleorstickofanykindonthecommon？'
Shegazedaround。Thecommonwasbareofeverythingbutheatherandgrass。
Aminute——perhapsmoretime——waspassedinmutethoughtbyboth。
Onasuddentheblankandhelplessagonyleftherface。Shevanishedoverthebankfromhissight。
Knightfelthimselfinthepresenceofapersonalizedlonliness。
ChapterXXII
'Awoman'sway。'
Haggardcliffs，ofeveryuglyaltitude，areascommonassea-fowlalongthelineofcoastbetweenExmoorandLand'sEnd；butthisoutflankedandencompassedspecimenwastheugliestofthemall。
Theirsummitsarenotsafeplacesforscientificexperimentontheprinciplesofair-currents，asKnighthadnowfound，tohisdismay。
Hestillclutchedthefaceoftheescarpment——notwiththefrenziedholdofdespair，butwithadoggeddeterminationtomakethemostofhiseveryjotofendurance，andsogivethelongestpossiblescopetoElfride'sintentions，whatevertheymightbe。
Hereclinedhandinhandwiththeworldinitsinfancy。Notablade，notaninsect，whichspokeofthepresent，wasbetweenhimandthepast。Theinveterateantagonismoftheseblackprecipicestoallstrugglersforlifeisinnowaymoreforciblysuggestedthanbythepaucityoftuftsofgrass，lichens，orconfervaeontheiroutermostledges。
KnightponderedonthemeaningofElfride'shastydisappearance，butcouldnotavoidaninstinctiveconclusionthatthereexistedbutadoubtfulhopeforhim。Asfarashecouldjudge，hissolechanceofdeliverancelayinthepossibilityofaropeorpolebeingbrought；andthispossibilitywasremoteindeed。Thesoiluponthesehighdownswasleftsountendedthattheywereunenclosedformiles，exceptbyacasualbankordrywall，andwererarelyvisitedbutforthepurposeofcollectingorcountingtheflockwhichfoundascantymeansofsubsistencethereon。
Atfirst，whendeathappearedimprobable，becauseithadnevervisitedhimbefore，Knightcouldthinkofnofuture，norofanythingconnectedwithhispast。HecouldonlylooksternlyatNature'streacherousattempttoputanendtohim，andstrivetothwarther。
Fromthefactthatthecliffformedtheinnerfaceofthesegmentofahugecylinder，havingtheskyforatopandtheseaforabottom，whichenclosedthecovetotheextentofmorethanasemicircle，hecouldseetheverticalfacecurvingroundoneachsideofhim。Helookedfardownthefacade，andrealizedmorethoroughlyhowitthreatenedhim。Grimnesswasineveryfeature，andtoitsverybowelstheinimicalshapewasdesolation。
Byoneofthosefamiliarconjunctionsofthingswherewiththeinanimateworldbaitsthemindofmanwhenhepausesinmomentsofsuspense，oppositeKnight'seyeswasanimbeddedfossil，standingforthinlowrelieffromtherock。Itwasacreaturewitheyes。
Theeyes，deadandturnedtostone，wereevennowregardinghim。
ItwasoneoftheearlycrustaceanscalledTrilobites。Separatedbymillionsofyearsintheirlives，Knightandthisunderlingseemedtohavemetintheirdeath。Itwasthesingleinstancewithinreachofhisvisionofanythingthathadeverbeenaliveandhadhadabodytosave，ashehimselfhadnow。
Thecreaturerepresentedbutalowtypeofanimalexistence，forneverintheirvernalyearshadtheplainsindicatedbythosenumberlessslatylayersbeentraversedbyanintelligenceworthyofthename。Zoophytes，mollusca，shell-fish，werethehighestdevelopmentsofthoseancientdates。Theimmenselapsesoftimeeachformationrepresentedhadknownnothingofthedignityofman。Theyweregrandtimes，buttheyweremeantimestoo，andmeanweretheirrelics。Hewastobewiththesmallinhisdeath。
Knightwasageologist；andsuchisthesupremacyofhabitoveroccasion，asapioneerofthethoughtsofmen，thatatthisdreadfuljuncturehismindfoundtimetotakein，byamomentarysweep，thevariedscenesthathadhadtheirdaybetweenthiscreature'sepochandhisown。Thereisnoplacelikeacleftlandscapeforbringinghomesuchimaginingsasthese。
Timecloseduplikeafanbeforehim。Hesawhimselfatoneextremityoftheyears，facetofacewiththebeginningandalltheintermediatecenturiessimultaneously。Fiercemen，clothedinthehidesofbeasts，andcarrying，fordefenceandattack，hugeclubsandpointedspears，rosefromtherock，likethephantomsbeforethedoomedMacbeth。Theylivedinhollows，woods，andmudhuts——perhapsincavesoftheneighbouringrocks。Behindthemstoodanearlierband。Nomanwasthere。Hugeelephantineforms，themastodon，thehippopotamus，thetapir，antelopesofmonstroussize，themegatherium，andthemyledon——all，forthemoment，injuxtaposition。Furtherback，andoverlappedbythese，wereperchedhuge-billedbirdsandswinishcreaturesaslargeashorses。Stillmoreshadowywerethesinistercrocodilianoutlines——alligatorsandotheruncouthshapes，culminatinginthecolossallizard，theiguanodon。Foldedbehindweredragonformsandcloudsofflyingreptiles:stillunderneathwerefishybeingsoflowerdevelopment；andsoon，tillthelifetimescenesofthefossilconfrontinghimwereapresentandmodernconditionofthings。TheseimagespassedbeforeKnight'sinnereyeinlessthanhalfaminute，andhewasagainconsideringtheactualpresent。Washetodie？ThementalpictureofElfrideintheworld，withouthimselftocherishher，smotehisheartlikeawhip。Hehadhopedfordeliverance，butwhatcouldagirldo？Hedarednotmoveaninch。WasDeathreallystretchingouthishand？
Theprevioussensation，thatitwasimprobablehewoulddie，wasfainternow。
However，Knightstillclungtothecliff。
Tothosemusingweather-beatenWest-countryfolkwhopassthegreaterpartoftheirdaysandnightsoutofdoors，Natureseemstohavemoodsinotherthanapoeticalsense:predilectionsforcertaindeedsatcertaintimes，withoutanyapparentlawtogovernorseasontoaccountforthem。Sheisreadasapersonwithacurioustemper；asonewhodoesnotscatterkindnessesandcrueltiesalternately，impartially，andinorder，butheartlessseveritiesoroverwhelminggenerositiesinlawlesscaprice。Man'scaseisalwaysthatoftheprodigal'sfavouriteorthemiser'spensioner。Inherunfriendlymomentsthereseemsafelinefuninhertricks，begottenbyaforetasteofherpleasureinswallowingthevictim。
SuchawayofthinkinghadbeenabsurdtoKnight，buthebegantoadoptitnow。Hewasfirstspittedontoarock。Newtorturesfollowed。Therainincreased，andpersecutedhimwithanexceptionalpersistencywhichhewasmovedtobelieveoweditscausetothefactthathewasinsuchawretchedstatealready。
Anentirelyneworderofthingscouldbeobservedinthisintroductionofrainuponthescene。Itrainedupwardsinsteadofdown。Thestrongascendingaircarriedtherain-dropswithitinitsraceuptheescarpment，comingtohimwithsuchvelocitythattheystuckintohisfleshlikecoldneedles。Eachdropwasvirtuallyashaft，anditpiercedhimtohisskin。Thewater-
shaftsseemedtolifthimontheirpoints:nodownwardraineverhadsuchatorturingeffect。Inabriefspacehewasdrenched，exceptintwoplaces。Thesewereonthetopofhisshouldersandonthecrownofhishat。
Thewind，thoughnotintenseinothersituationswasstronghere。
Ittuggedathiscoatandliftedit。Wearemostlyaccustomedtolookuponalloppositionwhichisnotanimate，asthatofthestolid，inexorablehandofindifference，whichwearsoutthepatiencemorethanthestrength。Here，atanyrate，hostilitydidnotassumethatslowandsickeningform。Itwasacosmicagency，active，lashing，eagerforconquest:determination；notaninsensatestandingintheway。
Knighthadover-estimatedthestrengthofhishands。Theyweregettingweakalready。'Shewillnevercomeagain；shehasbeengonetenminutes，'hesaidtohimself。
Thismistakearosefromtheunusualcompressionofhisexperiencesjustnow:shehadreallybeengonebutthree。
'Asmanymoreminuteswillbemyend，'hethought。
Nextcameanotherinstanceoftheincapacityofthemindtomakecomparisonsatsuchtimes。
'Thisisasummerafternoon，'hesaid，'andtherecanneverhavebeensuchaheavyandcoldrainonasummerdayinmylifebefore。'
Hewasagainmistaken。Therainwasquiteordinaryinquantity；
theairintemperature。Itwas，asisusual，themenacingattitudeinwhichtheyapproachedhimthatmagnifiedtheirpowers。
Heagainlookedstraightdownwards，thewindandthewater-dashesliftinghismoustache，scuddinguphischeeks，underhiseyelids，andintohiseyes。Thisiswhathesawdownthere:thesurfaceofthesea——visuallyjustpasthistoes，andunderhisfeet；actuallyone-eighthofamile，ormorethantwohundredyards，belowthem。
Wecolouraccordingtoourmoodstheobjectswesurvey。Theseawouldhavebeenadeepneutralblue，hadhappierauspicesattendedthegazeritwasnownootherwisethandistinctlyblacktohisvision。Thatnarrowwhiteborderwasfoam，heknewwell；butitsboisteroustossesweresodistantastoappearapulsationonly，anditsplashingwasbarelyaudible。Awhitebordertoablacksea——hisfuneralpallanditsedging。
Theworldwastosomeextentturnedupsidedownforhim。Raindescendedfrombelow。Beneathhisfeetwasaerialspaceandtheunknown；abovehimwasthefirm，familiarground，anduponitallthathelovedbest。
Pitilessnaturehadthentwovoices，andtwoonly。Thenearerwasthevoiceofthewindinhisearsrisingandfallingasitmauledandthrusthimhardorsoftly。Thesecondanddistantonewasthemoanofthatunplummettedoceanbelowandafar——rubbingitsrestlessflankagainsttheCliffwithoutaName。
Knightperseveringlyheldfast。HadheanyfaithinElfride？
Perhaps。Loveisfaith，andfaith，likeagatheredflower，willrootlesslyliveon。
Nobodywouldhaveexpectedthesuntoshineonsuchaneveningasthis。Yetitappeared，lowdownuponthesea。Notwithitsnaturalgoldenfringe，sweepingthefurthestendsofthelandscape，notwiththestrangeglareofwhitenesswhichitsometimesputsonasanalternativetocolour，butasasplotchofvermilionreduponaleadenground——aredfacelookingonwithadrunkenleer。
Mostmenwhohavebrainsknowit，andfewaresofoolishastodisguisethisfactfromthemselvesorothers，eventhoughanostentatiousdisplaymaybecalledself-conceit。Knight，withoutshowingitmuch，knewthathisintellectwasabovetheaverage。
Andhethought——hecouldnothelpthinking——thathisdeathwouldbeadeliberatelosstoearthofgoodmaterial；thatsuchanexperimentinkillingmighthavebeenpractiseduponsomelessdevelopedlife。
Afancysomepeoplehold，wheninabittermood，isthatinexorablecircumstanceonlytriestopreventwhatintelligenceattempts。Renounceadesireforalong-contestedposition，andgoonanothertack，andafterawhiletheprizeisthrownatyou，seeminglyindisappointmentthatnomoretantalizingispossible。
Knightgaveupthoughtsoflifeutterlyandentirely，andturnedtocontemplatetheDarkValleyandtheunknownfuturebeyond。
Intotheshadowydepthsofthesespeculationswewillnotfollowhim。Letitsufficetostatewhatensued。
Atthatmomentoftakingnomorethoughtforthislife，somethingdisturbedtheoutlineofthebankabovehim。Aspotappeared。ItwastheheadofElfride。
Knightimmediatelypreparedtowelcomelifeagain。
Theexpressionofafaceconsignedtoutterloneliness，whenafriendfirstlooksinuponit，ismovingintheextreme。Inrowingseawardtoalight-shiporsea-girtlighthouse，where，withoutanyimmediateterrorofdeath，theinmatesexperiencethegloomofmonotonousseclusion，thegratefuleloquenceoftheircountenancesatthegreeting，expressiveofthankfulnessforthevisit，isenoughtostirtheemotionsofthemostcarelessobserver。
Knight'supwardlookatElfridewasofanaturewith，butfartranscending，suchaninstanceasthis。Thelinesofhisfacehaddeepenedtofurrows，andeveryoneofthemthankedhervisibly。
Hislipsmovedtotheword'Elfride，'thoughtheemotionevolvednosound。Hiseyespassedalldescriptionintheircombinationofthewholediapasonofeloquence，fromlover'sdeeplovetofellow-
man'sgratitudeforatokenofremembrancefromoneofhiskind。
Elfridehadcomeback。Whatshehadcometodohedidnotknow。
Shecouldonlylookonathisdeath，perhaps。Still，shehadcomeback，andnotdesertedhimutterly，anditwasmuch。
ItwasanoveltyintheextremetoseeHenryKnight，towhomElfridewasbutachild，whohadswayedherasatreeswaysabird'snest，whomasteredherandmadeherweepmostbitterlyatherowninsignificance，thusthankfulforasightofherface。
Shelookeddownuponhim，herfaceglisteningwithrainandtears。
Hesmiledfaintly。
'Howcalmheis!'shethought。'Howgreatandnobleheistobesocalm!'Shewouldhavediedtentimesforhimthen。
Theglidingformofthesteamboatcaughthereye:sheheededitnolonger。
'Howmuchlongercanyouwait？'camefromherpalelipsandalongthewindtohisposition。
'Fourminutes，'saidKnightinaweakervoicethanherown。
'Butwithagoodhopeofbeingsaved？'
'Sevenoreight。'
Henownoticedthatinherarmssheboreabundleofwhitelinen，andthatherformwassingularlyattenuated。SopreternaturallythinandflexiblewasElfrideatthismoment，thatsheappearedtobendunderthelightblowsoftherain-shafts，astheystruckintohersidesandbosom，andsplinteredintosprayonherface。Thereisnothinglikeathoroughdrenchingforreducingtheprotuberancesofclothes，butElfride'sseemedtoclingtoherlikeaglove。
Withoutheedingtheattackofthecloudsfurtherthanbyraisingherhandandwipingawaythespirtsofrainwhentheywentmoreparticularlyintohereyes，shesatdownandhurriedlybeganrendingthelinenintostrips。Thesesheknottedendtoend，andafterwardstwistedthemlikethestrandsofacord。Inashortspaceoftimeshehadformedaperfectropebythismeans，sixorsevenyardslong。
'CanyouwaitwhileIbindit？'shesaid，anxiouslyextendinghergazedowntohim。
'Yes，ifnotverylong。Hopehasgivenmeawonderfulinstalmentofstrength。'
Elfridedroppedhereyesagain，toretheremainingmaterialintonarrowtape-likeligaments，knottedeachtoeachasbefore，butonasmallerscale，andwoundthelengthystringshehadthusformedroundandroundthelinenrope，which，withoutthisbinding，hadatendencytospreadabroad。
'Now，'saidKnight，who，watchingtheproceedingsintently，hadbythistimenotonlygraspedherscheme，butreasonedfurtheron，'I
canholdthreeminuteslongeryet。Anddoyouusethetimeintestingthestrengthoftheknots，onebyone。'
Sheatonceobeyed，testedeachsinglybyputtingherfootontheropebetweeneachknot，andpullingwithherhands。Oneoftheknotsslipped。
'Oh，think!Itwouldhavebrokenbutforyourforethought，'
Elfrideexclaimedapprehensively。
Sheretiedthetwoends。Theropewasnowfirmineverypart。
'Whenyouhaveletitdown，'saidKnight，alreadyresuminghispositionofrulingpower，'gobackfromtheedgeoftheslope，andoverthebankasfarastheropewillallowyou。Thenleandown，andholdtheendwithbothhands。'
Hehadfirstthoughtofasaferplanforhisowndeliverance，butitinvolvedthedisadvantageofpossiblyendangeringherlife。
'Ihavetieditroundmywaist，'shecried，'andIwillleandirectlyuponthebank，holdingwithmyhandsaswell。'
Itwasthearrangementhehadthoughtof，butwouldnotsuggest。
'IwillraiseanddropitthreetimeswhenIambehindthebank，'
shecontinued，'tosignifythatIamready。Takecare，oh，takethegreatestcare，Ibegyou!'
Shedroppedtheropeoverhim，tolearnhowmuchofitslengthitwouldbenecessarytoexpendonthatsideofthebank，wentback，anddisappearedasshehaddonebefore。
TheropewastrailingbyKnight'sshoulders。Inafewmomentsittwitchedthreetimes。
Hewaitedyetasecondortwo，thenlaidhold。
Theinclineofthisupperportionoftheprecipice，tothelengthonlyofafewfeet，uselesstoaclimberempty-handed，wasinvaluablenow。Notmorethanhalfhisweightdependedentirelyonthelinenrope。Halfadozenextensionsofthearms，alternatingwithhalfadozenseizuresoftheropewithhisfeet，broughthimuptothelevelofthesoil。
Hewassaved，andbyElfride。
Heextendedhiscrampedlimbslikeanawakenedsleeper，andsprangoverthebank。
Atsightofhimsheleapttoherfeetwithalmostashriekofjoy。
Knight'seyesmethers，andwithsupremeeloquencetheglanceofeachtoldalong-concealedtaleofemotioninthatshorthalf-
moment。Movedbyanimpulseneithercouldresist，theyrantogetherandintoeachother'sarms。
Atthemomentofembracing，Elfride'seyesinvoluntarilyflashedtowardsthePuffinsteamboat。Ithaddoubledthepoint，andwasnolongertobeseen。
Anoverwhelmingrushofexultationathavingdeliveredthemanshereveredfromoneofthemostterribleformsofdeath，shookthegentlegirltothecentreofhersoul。ItmergedinadefianceofdutytoStephen，andatotalrecklessnessastoplightedfaith。
Everynerveofherwillwasnowinentiresubjectiontoherfeeling——volitionasaguidingpowerhadforsakenher。Toremainpassive，assheremainednow，encircledbyhisarms，wasasufficientlycompleteresult——agloriouscrowntoalltheyearsofherlife。Perhapshewasonlygrateful，anddidnotloveher。Nomatter:itwasinfinitelymoretobeeventheslaveofthegreaterthanthequeenoftheless。Somesuchsensationasthis，thoughitwasnotrecognizedasafinishedthought，racedalongtheimpressionablesoulofElfride。
Regardingtheirattitude，itwasimpossiblefortwopersonstogonearertoakissthanwentKnightandElfrideduringthoseminutesofimpulsiveembraceinthepeltingrain。Yettheydidnotkiss。
Knight'speculiarityofnaturewassuchthatitwouldnotallowhimtotakeadvantageoftheunguardedandpassionateavowalshehadtacitlymade。
Elfriderecoveredherself，andgentlystruggledtobefree。
Hereluctantlyrelinquishedher，andthensurveyedherfromcrowntotoe。Sheseemedassmallasaninfant。Heperceivedwhenceshehadobtainedtherope。
'Elfride，myElfride!'heexclaimedingratifiedamazement。
'Imustleaveyounow，'shesaid，herfacedoublingitsred，withanexpressionbetweengladnessandshame'Youfollowme，butatsomedistance。'
'Therainandwindpierceyouthrough；thechillwillkillyou。
Godblessyouforsuchdevotion!Takemycoatandputiton。'
'No；Ishallgetwarmrunning。'
Elfridehadabsolutelynothingbetweenherandtheweatherbutherexteriorrobeor'costume。'Thedoorhadbeenmadeuponawoman'swit，andithadfounditswayout。Behindthebank，whilstKnightreclineduponthedizzyslopewaitingfordeath，shehadtakenoffherwholeclothing，andreplacedonlyherouterbodiceandskirt。
Everythreadoftheremainderlayuponthegroundintheformofawoollenandcottonrope。
'Iamusedtobeingwetthrough，'sheadded。'IhavebeendrenchedonPansydozensoftimes。Good-byetillwemeet，clothedandinourrightminds，bythefiresideathome!'
Shethenranofffromhimthroughthepeltingrainlikeahare；ormorelikeapheasantwhen，scamperingawaywithaloweredtail，ithasamindtofly，butdoesnot。Elfridewassoonoutofsight。