'Oh，no，no!Iwon'thavethat。'KnightendeavouredtogivehisreplyalaughingtoneinElfride'sears，andanearnestnessinStephen's:inbothwhicheffortshesignallyfailed，andproducedaforcedspeechpleasanttoneither。'Well，letusgointotheopenairagain；MissSwancourt，youareparticularlysilent。Youmustn'tmindSmith。Ihaveknownhimforyears，asIhavetoldyou。'
　　'Yes，youhave，'shesaid。
　　'Tothinkshehasnevermentionedherknowledgeofme!'Smithmurmured，andthoughtwithsomeremorsehowmuchherconductresembledhisownonhisfirstarrivalatherhouseasastrangertotheplace。
　　Theyascendedtothedaylight，KnighttakingnofurthernoticeofElfride'smanner，which，asusual，heattributedtothenaturalshynessofayoungwomanatbeingdiscoveredwalkingwithhimontermswhichleftnotmuchdoubtoftheirmeaning。Elfridesteppedalittleinadvance，andpassedthroughthechurchyard。
　　'Youarechangedveryconsiderably，Smith，'saidKnight，'andI
　　supposeitisnomorethanwastobeexpected。However，don'timaginethatIshallfeelanythelessinterestinyouandyourfortuneswheneveryoucaretoconfidethemtome。IhavenotforgottentheattachmentyouspokeofasyourreasonforgoingawaytoIndia。ALondonyounglady，wasitnot？Ihopeallisprosperous？'
　　'No:thematchisbrokenoff。'
　　Itbeingalwaysdifficulttoknowwhethertoexpresssorroworgladnessundersuchcircumstances——alldependinguponthecharacterofthematch——Knighttookshelterinthesafewords:'I
　　trustitwasforthebest。'
　　'Ihopeitwas。ButIbegthatyouwillnotpressmefurther:no，youhavenotpressedme——Idon'tmeanthat——butIwouldrathernotspeakuponthesubject。'
　　Stephen'swordswerehurried。
　　Knightsaidnomore，andtheyfollowedinthefootstepsofElfride，whostillkeptsomepacesinadvance，andhadnotheardKnight'sunconsciousallusiontoher。Stephenbadehimadieuatthechurchyard-gatewithoutgoingoutside，andwatchedwhilstheandhissweetheartmountedtheirhorses。
　　'Goodheavens，Elfride，'Knightexclaimed，'howpaleyouare!I
　　supposeIoughtnottohavetakenyouintothatvault。Whatisthematter？'
　　'Nothing，'saidElfridefaintly。'Ishallbemyselfinamoment。
　　Allwassostrangeandunexpecteddownthere，thatitmademeunwell。'
　　'Ithoughtyousaidverylittle。ShallIgetsomewater？'
　　'No，no。'
　　'Doyouthinkitissafeforyoutomount？'
　　'Quite——indeeditis，'shesaid，withalookofappeal。
　　'Nowthen——upshegoes!'whisperedKnight，andliftedhertenderlyintothesaddle。
　　Heroldloverstilllookedonattheperformanceasheleantoverthegateadozenyardsoff。Onceinthesaddle，andhavingafirmgripofthereins，sheturnedherheadasifbyaresistlessfascination，andforthefirsttimesincethatmemorablepartingonthemooroutsideSt。Launce'safterthepassionateattemptatmarriagewithhim，Elfridelookedinthefaceoftheyoungmanshefirsthadloved。Hewastheyouthwhohadcalledherhisinseparablewifemanyatime，andwhomshehadevenaddressedasherhusband。Theireyesmet。Measurementoflifeshouldbeproportionedrathertotheintensityoftheexperiencethantoitsactuallength。Theirglance，butamomentchronologically，wasaseasonintheirhistory。ToElfridetheintenseagonyofreproachinStephen'seyewasanailpiercingherheartwithadeadlinessnowordscandescribe。Withaspasmodiceffortshewithdrewhereyes，urgedonthehorse，andinthechaosofperturbedmemorieswasobliviousofanypresencebesideher。Thedeedofdeceptionwascomplete。
　　Gainingaknollonwhichtheparktransformeditselfintowoodandcopse，Knightcamestillclosertoherside，andsaid，'Areyoubetternow，dearest？'
　　'Ohyes。'Shepressedahandtohereyes，asiftoblotouttheimageofStephen。Avividscarletspotnowshonewithpreternaturalbrightnessinthecentreofeachcheek，leavingtheremainderofherfacelily-whiteasbefore。
　　'Elfride，'saidKnight，ratherinhisoldtoneofmentor，'youknowIdon'tforamomentchideyou，butistherenotagreatdealofunwomanlyweaknessinyourallowingyourselftobesooverwhelmedbythesightofwhat，afterall，isnonovelty？Everywomanworthyofthenameshould，Ithink，beabletolookupondeathwithsomethinglikecomposure。Surelyyouthinksotoo？'
　　'Yes；Iownit。'
　　Hisobtusenesstothecauseofherindisposition，byevidencinghisentirefreedomfromthesuspicionofanythingbehindthescenes，showedhowincapableKnightwasofdeceptionhimself，ratherthananyinherentdulnessinhimregardinghumannature。
　　This，clearlyperceivedbyElfride，addedpoignancytoherself-
　　reproach，andsheidolizedhimthemorebecauseoftheirdifference。EventherecentsightofStephen'sfaceandthesoundofhisvoice，whichforamomenthadstirredachordortwoofancientkindness，wereunabletokeepdowntheadorationre-
　　existentnowthathewasagainoutofview。
　　ShehadrepliedtoKnight'squestionhastily，andimmediatelywentontospeakofindifferentsubjects。Aftertheyhadreachedhomeshewasapartfromhimtilldinner-time。Whendinnerwasover，andtheywerewatchingtheduskinthedrawing-room，Knightsteppedoutupontheterrace。Elfridewentafterhimverydecisively，onthespurofavirtuousintention。
　　'Mr。Knight，Iwanttotellyousomething，'shesaid，withquietfirmness。
　　'Andwhatisitabout？'gailyreturnedherlover。'Happiness，I
　　hope。Donotletanythingkeepyousosadasyouseemtohavebeento-day。'
　　'IcannotmentionthematteruntilItellyouthewholesubstanceofit，'shesaid。'AndthatIwilldoto-morrow。Ihavebeenremindedofitto-day。ItisaboutsomethingIoncedid，anddon'tthinkIoughttohavedone。'
　　This，itmustbesaid，wasratheramildwayofreferringtoafranticpassionandflight，which，muchorlittleinitself，onlyaccidenthadsavedfrombeingascandalinthepubliceye。
　　Knightthoughtthemattersometrifle，andsaidpleasantly:
　　'ThenIamnottohearthedreadfulconfessionnow？'
　　'No，notnow。Ididnotmeanto-night，'Elfrideresponded，withaslightdeclineinthefirmnessofhervoice。'Itisnotlightasyouthinkit——ittroublesmeagreatdeal。'Fearingnowtheeffectofherownearnestness，sheaddedforcedly，'Though，perhaps，youmaythinkitlightafterall。'
　　'Butyouhavenotsaidwhenitistobe？'
　　'To-morrowmorning。Nameatime，willyou，andbindmetoit？I
　　wantyoutofixanhour，becauseIamweak，andmayotherwisetrytogetoutofit。'Sheaddedalittleartificiallaugh，whichshowedhowtimorousherresolutionwasstill。
　　'Well，sayafterbreakfast——ateleveno'clock。'
　　'Yes，eleveno'clock。Ipromiseyou。Bindmestrictlytomyword。'
　　ChapterXXVIII
　　'Ilullafancy，trouble-tost。'
　　MissSwancourt，itiseleveno'clock。'
　　Shewaslookingoutofherdressing-roomwindowonthefirstfloor，andKnightwasregardingherfromtheterracebalustrade，uponwhichhehadbeenidlysittingforsometime——dividingtheglancesofhiseyebetweenthepagesofabookinhishand，thebrillianthuesofthegeraniumsandcalceolarias，andtheopenwindowabove-mentioned。
　　'Yes，itis，Iknow。Iamcoming。'
　　Hedrewcloser，andunderthewindow。
　　'Howareyouthismorning，Elfride？Youlooknobetterforyourlongnight'srest。'
　　Sheappearedatthedoorshortlyafter，tookhisofferedarm，andtogethertheywalkedslowlydownthegravelpathleadingtotheriverandawayunderthetrees。
　　Herresolution，sustainedduringthelastfifteenhours，hadbeentotellthewholetruth，andnowthemomenthadcome。
　　Stepbysteptheyadvanced，andstillshedidnotspeak。Theywerenearlyattheendofthewalk，whenKnightbrokethesilence。
　　'Well，whatistheconfession，Elfride？'
　　Shepausedamoment，drewalongbreath；andthisiswhatshesaid:
　　'Itoldyouoneday——orratherIgaveyoutounderstand——whatwasnottrue。IfancyyouthoughtmetomeanIwasnineteenmynextbirthday，butitwasmylastIwasnineteen。'
　　Themomenthadbeentoomuchforher。Nowthatthecrisishadcome，noqualmsofconscience，noloveofhonesty，noyearningtomakeaconfidenceandobtainforgivenesswithakiss，couldstringElfrideuptotheventure。Herdreadlestheshouldbeunforgivingwasheightenedbythethoughtofyesterday'sartifice，whichmightpossiblyadddisgusttohisdisappointment。Thecertaintyofonemoreday'saffection，whichshegainedbysilence，outvaluedthehopeofaperpetuitycombinedwiththeriskofall。
　　Thetrepidationcausedbythesethoughtsonwhatshehadintendedtosayshooksonaturallythewordsshedidsay，thatKnightneverforamomentsuspectedthemtobealastmoment'ssubstitution。
　　Hesmiledandpressedherhandwarmly。
　　'MydearElfie——yes，youarenow——noprotestation——whatawinninglittlewomanyouare，tobesoabsurdlyscrupulousaboutamereiota!Really，Ineveroncehavethoughtwhetheryournineteenthyearwasthelastorthepresent。And，byGeorge，wellImaynot；
　　foritwouldneverdoforastaidfogeyadozenyearsoldertostanduponsuchatrifleasthat。'
　　'Don'tpraiseme——don'tpraiseme!ThoughIprizeitfromyourlips，Idon'tdeserveitnow。'
　　ButKnight，beinginanexceptionallygenialmood，merelysawthisdistressfulexclamationasmodesty。'Well，'headded，afteraminute，'Ilikeyouallthebetter，youknow，forsuchmoralprecision，althoughIcalleditabsurd。'Hewentonwithtenderearnestness:'For，Elfride，thereisonethingIdolovetoseeinawoman——thatis，asoultruthfulandclearasheaven'slight。I
　　couldputupwithanythingifIhadthat——forgivenothingifIhaditnot。Elfride，youhavesuchasoul，ifeverwomanhad；andhavingit，retainit，anddon'teverlistentothefashionabletheoriesofthedayaboutawoman'sprivilegesandnaturalrighttopractisewiles。Dependuponit，mydeargirl，thatanoblewomanmustbeashonestasanobleman。Ispeciallymeanbyhonesty，fairnessnotonlyinmattersofbusinessandsocialdetail，butinallthedelicatedealingsoflove，towhichthelicencegiventoyoursexparticularlyrefers。'
　　Elfridelookedtroublouslyatthetrees。
　　'Nowletusgoontotheriver，Elfie。'
　　'IwouldifIhadahaton，'shesaidwithasortofsuppressedwoe。
　　'Iwillgetitforyou，'saidKnight，verywillingtopurchasehercompanionshipatsocheapaprice。'Yousitdownthereaminute。'
　　Andheturnedandwalkedrapidlybacktothehouseforthearticleinquestion。
　　Elfridesatdownupononeoftherusticbencheswhichadornedthisportionofthegrounds，andremainedwithhereyesuponthegrass。
　　Shewasinducedtoliftthembyhearingthebrushoflightandirregularfootstepshardby。Passingalongthepathwhichintersectedtheoneshewasinandtraversedtheoutershrubberies，Elfridebeheldthefarmer'swidow，Mrs。Jethway。
　　BeforeshenoticedElfride，shepausedtolookatthehouse，portionsofwhichwerevisiblethroughthebushes。Elfride，shrinkingback，hopedtheunpleasantwomanmightgoonwithoutseeingher。ButMrs。Jethway，silentlyapostrophizingthehouse，withactionswhichseemeddictatedbyahalf-overturnedreason，haddiscernedthegirl，andimmediatelycameupandstoodinfrontofher。
　　'Ah，MissSwancourt!Whydidyoudisturbme？Mustn'tItrespasshere？'
　　'Youmaywalkhereifyoulike，Mrs。Jethway。Idonotdisturbyou。'
　　'Youdisturbmymind，andmymindismywholelife；formyboyistherestill，andheisgonefrommybody。'
　　'Yes，pooryoungman。Iwassorrywhenhedied。'
　　'Doyouknowwhathediedof？'
　　'Consumption。'
　　'Ohno，no!'saidthewidow。'Thatword"consumption"coversagooddeal。Hediedbecauseyouwerehisownwell-agreedsweetheart，andthenprovedfalse——anditkilledhim。Yes，MissSwancourt，'shesaidinanexcitedwhisper，'youkilledmyson!'
　　'Howcanyoubesowickedandfoolish!'repliedElfride，risingindignantly。Butindignationwasnotnaturaltoher，andhavingbeensowornandharrowedbylateevents，shelostanypowersofdefencethatmoodmighthavelenther。'Icouldnothelphislovingme，Mrs。Jethway!'
　　'That'sjustwhatyoucouldhavehelped。Youknowhowitbegan，MissElfride。Yes:yousaidyoulikedthenameofFelixbetterthananyothernameintheparish，andyouknewitwashisname，andthatthoseyousaidittowouldreportittohim。'
　　'Iknewitwashisname——ofcourseIdid；butIamsure，Mrs。
　　Jethway，Ididnotintendanybodytotellhim。'
　　'Butyouknewtheywould。'
　　'No，Ididn't。'
　　'Andthen，afterthat，whenyouwereridingonRevels-daybyourhouse，andtheladsweregatheredthere，andyouwantedtodismount，whenJimDrakeandGeorgeUpwayandthreeorfourmoreranforwardtoholdyourpony，andFelixstoodbacktimid，whydidyoubeckontohim，andsayyouwouldratherheheldit？'
　　'OMrs。Jethway，youdothinksomistakenly!Ilikedhimbest——
　　that'swhyIwantedhimtodoit。Hewasgentleandnice——I
　　alwaysthoughthimso——andIlikedhim。'
　　'Thenwhydidyoulethimkissyou？'
　　'Itisafalsehood；oh，itis，itis!'saidElfride，weepingwithdesperation。'Hecamebehindme，andattemptedtokissme；andthatwaswhyItoldhimnevertoletmeseehimagain。'
　　'Butyoudidnottellyourfatheroranybody，asyouwouldhaveifyouhadlookeduponitthenastheinsultyounowpretenditwas。'
　　'Hebeggedmenottotell，andfoolishlyenoughIdidnot。AndI
　　wishIhadnow。Ilittleexpectedtobescourgedwithmyownkindness。Prayleaveme，Mrs。Jethway。'Thegirlonlyexpostulatednow。
　　'Well，youharshlydismissedhim，andhedied。Andbeforehisbodywascold，youtookanothertoyourheart。Thenascarelesslysenthimabouthisbusiness，andtookathird。Andifyouconsiderthatnothing，MissSwancourt，'shecontinued，drawingcloser；'itledontowhatwasveryseriousindeed。Haveyouforgottenthewould-berunawaymarriage？ThejourneytoLondon，andthereturnthenextdaywithoutbeingmarried，andthatthere'senoughdisgraceinthattoruinawoman'sgoodnamefarlesslightthanyours？Youmayhave:Ihavenot。Ficklenesstowardsaloverisbad，butficklenessafterplayingthewifeiswantonness。'
　　'Oh，it'sawickedcruellie!Donotsayit；oh，donot!'
　　'Doesyournewmanknowofit？Ithinknot，orhewouldbenomanofyours!Asmuchofthestoryaswasknowniscreepingabouttheneighbourhoodevennow；butIknowmorethananyofthem，andwhyshouldIrespectyourlove？'
　　'Idefyyou!'criedElfridetempestuously。'Doandsayallyoucantoruinme；try；putyourtongueatwork；Iinviteit!Idefyyouasaslanderouswoman!Look，therehecomes。'AndhervoicetrembledgreatlyasshesawthroughtheleavesthebelovedformofKnightcomingfromthedoorwithherhatinhishand。'Tellhimatonce；Icanbearit。'
　　'Notnow，'saidthewoman，anddisappeareddownthepath。
　　TheexcitementofherlatterwordshadrestoredcolourtoElfride'scheeks；andhastilywipinghereyes，shewalkedfartheron，sothatbythetimeherloverhadovertakenherthetracesofemotionhadnearlydisappearedfromherface。Knightputthehatuponherhead，tookherhand，anddrewitwithinhisarm。
　　ItwasthelastdaybutoneprevioustotheirdepartureforSt。
　　Leonards；andKnightseemedtohaveapurposeinbeingmuchinhercompanythatday。Theyrambledalongthevalley。Theseasonwasthatperiodintheautumnwhenthefoliagealoneofanordinaryplantationisrichenoughinhuestoexhaustthechromaticcombinationsofanartist'spalette。Mostlustrousofallarethebeeches，graduatingfrombrightrustyredattheextremityoftheboughstoabrightyellowattheirinnerparts；youngoaksarestillofaneutralgreen；Scotchfirsandholliesarenearlyblue；
　　whilstoccasionaldottingsofothervarietiesgivemaroonsandpurplesofeverytinge。
　　Theriver——suchasitwas——herepursueditscourseamidflagstonesaslevelasapavement，butdividedbycrevicesofirregularwidth。Withthesummerdroughtthetorrenthadnarrowedtillitwasnowbutathreadofcrystalclearness，meanderingalongacentralchannelintherockybedofthewintercurrent。Knightscrambledthroughthebusheswhichatthispointnearlycoveredthebrookfromsight，andleaptdownuponthedryportionoftheriverbottom。
　　'Elfride，Ineversawsuchasight!'heexclaimed。'Thehazelsoverhangtheriver'scourseinaperfectarch，andthefloorisbeautifullypaved。Theplaceremindsoneofthepassagesofacloister。Letmehelpyoudown。'
　　Heassistedherthroughthemarginalunderwoodanddowntothestones。Theywalkedontogethertoatinycascadeaboutafootwideandhigh，andsatdownbesideitontheflagsthatforninemonthsintheyearweresubmergedbeneathagushingbourne。Fromtheirfeettrickledtheattenuatedthreadofwaterwhichaloneremainedtotelltheintentandreasonofthisleaf-coveredaisle，andjourneyedoninazigzaglinetilllostintheshade。
　　Knight，leaningonhiselbow，aftercontemplatingallthis，lookedcriticallyatElfride。
　　'Doesnotsuchaluxuriantheadofhairexhaustitselfandgetthinastheyearsgoonfromeighteentoeight-and-twenty？'heaskedatlength。
　　'Ohno!'shesaidquickly，withavisibledisinclinationtoharboursuchathought，whichcameuponherwithanunpleasantnesswhoseforceitwouldbedifficultformentounderstand。Sheaddedafterwards，withsmoulderinguneasiness，'Doyoureallythinkthatagreatabundanceofhairismorelikelytogetthinthanamoderatequantity？'
　　'Yes，Ireallydo。Ibelieve——amalmostsure，infact——thatifstatisticscouldbeobtainedonthesubject，youwouldfindthepersonswiththinhairwerethosewhohadasuperabundanceoriginally，andthatthosewhostartwithamoderatequantityretainitwithoutmuchloss。'
　　Elfride'stroublessatuponherfaceaswellasinherheart。
　　Perhapstoawomanitisalmostasdreadfultothinkoflosingherbeautyasoflosingherreputation。Atanyrate，shelookedquiteasgloomyasshehadlookedatanyminutethatday。
　　'Youshouldn'tbesotroubledaboutamerepersonaladornment，'
　　saidKnight，withsomeoftheseverityoftonethathadbeencustomarybeforeshehadbeguiledhimintosoftness。
　　'Ithinkitisawoman'sdutytobeasbeautifulasshecan。IfI
　　wereascholar，IwouldgiveyouchapterandverseforitfromoneofyourownLatinauthors。Iknowthereissuchapassage，forpapahasalludedtoit。'
　　"'Munditiae，etornatus，etcultus，"&c——isthatit？ApassageinLivywhichisnodefenceatall。'
　　'No，itisnotthat。'
　　'Nevermind，then；forIhaveareasonfornottakingupmyoldcudgelsagainstyou，Elfie。Canyouguesswhatthereasonis？'
　　'No；butIamgladtohearit，'shesaidthankfully。'Foritisdreadfulwhenyoutalkso。Forwhateverdreadfulnametheweaknessmaydeserve，ImustcandidlyownthatIamterrifiedtothinkmyhairmayevergetthin。'
　　'Ofcourse；asensiblewomanwouldratherloseherwitsthanherbeauty。'
　　'Idon'tcareifyoudosaysatireandjudgemecruelly。Iknowmyhairisbeautiful；everybodysaysso。'
　　'Why，mydearMissSwancourt，'hetenderlyreplied，'Ihavenotsaidanythingagainstit。Butyouknowwhatissaidabouthandsomebeingandhandsomedoing。'
　　'PoorMissHandsome-doescutsbutasorryfigurebesideMissHandsome-isineveryman'seyes，yourownnotexcepted，Mr。
　　Knight，thoughitpleasesyoutothrowoffso，'saidElfridesaucily。Andloweringhervoice:'Yououghtnottohavetakensomuchtroubletosavemefromfallingoverthecliff，foryoudon'tthinkminealifeworthmuchtroubleevidently。'
　　'Perhapsyouthinkminewasnotworthyours。'
　　'Itwasworthanybody's!'
　　Herhandwasplashinginthelittlewaterfall，andhereyeswerebentthesameway。
　　'Youtalkaboutmyseveritywithyou，Elfride。Youareunkindtome，youknow。'
　　'How？'sheasked，lookingupfromheridleoccupation。
　　'Aftermytakingtroubletogetjewellerytopleaseyou，youwouldn'tacceptit。'
　　'PerhapsIwouldnow；perhapsIwantto。'
　　'Do!'saidKnight。
　　Andthepacketwaswithdrawnfromhispocketandpresentedthethirdtime。Elfridetookitwithdelight。Theobstaclewasrentintwain，andthesignificantgiftwashers。
　　'I'lltakeouttheseuglyonesatonce，'sheexclaimed，'andI'llwearyours——shallI？'
　　'Ishouldbegratified。'
　　Now，thoughitmayseemunlikely，consideringhowfarthetwohadgoneinconverse，KnighthadneveryetventuredtokissElfride。
　　FarslowerwashethanStephenSmithinmatterslikethat。TheutmostadvancehehadmadeinsuchdemonstrationshadbeentothedegreewitnessedbyStepheninthesummer-house。SoElfride'scheekbeingstillforbiddenfruittohim，hesaidimpulsively。
　　'Elfie，Ishouldliketotouchthatseductiveearofyours。Thosearemygifts；soletmedressyouinthem。'
　　Shehesitatedwithastimulatinghesitation。
　　'Letmeputjustoneinitsplace，then？'
　　Herfacegrewmuchwarmer。
　　'Idon'tthinkitwouldbequitetheusualorpropercourse，'shesaid，suddenlyturningandresumingheroperationofplashingintheminiaturecataract。
　　Thestillnessofthingswasdisturbedbyabirdcomingtothestreamlettodrink。Afterwatchinghimdiphisbill，sprinklehimself，andflyintoatree，Knightreplied，withthecourteousbrusquenessshesomuchlikedtohear——
　　'Elfride，nowyoumayaswellbefair。Youwouldmindmydoingitbutlittle，Ithink；sogivemeleave，do。'
　　'Iwillbefair，then，'shesaidconfidingly，andlookinghimfullintheface。Itwasaparticularpleasuretohertobeabletodoalittlehonestywithoutfear。'Ishouldnotmindyourdoingso——
　　Ishouldlikesuchanattention。Mythoughtwas，woulditberighttoletyou？'
　　'ThenIwill!'herejoined，withthatsingularearnestnessaboutasmallmatter——intheeyesofaladies'manbutamomentarypegforflirtationorjest——whichisonlyfoundindeepnatureswhohavebeenwhollyunusedtotoyingwithwomankind，andwhich，fromitsunwontedness，isinitselfatributethemostpreciousthatcanberendered，andhomagethemostexquisitetobereceived。
　　'Andyoushall，'shewhispered，withoutreserve，andnolongermistressoftheceremonies。AndthenElfrideinclinedherselftowardshim，thrustbackherhair，andpoisedherheadsideways。
　　Indoingthisherarmandshouldernecessarilyrestedagainsthisbreast。
　　Atthetouch，thesensationofbothseemedtobeconcentratedatthepointofcontact。AllthetimehewasperformingthedelicatemanoeuvreKnighttrembledlikeayoungsurgeoninhisfirstoperation。
　　'Nowtheother，'saidKnightinawhisper。
　　'No，no。'
　　'Whynot？'
　　'Idon'tknowexactly。'
　　'Youmustknow。'
　　'Yourtouchagitatesmeso。Letusgohome。'
　　'Don'tsaythat，Elfride。Whatisit，afterall？Amerenothing。
　　Nowturnround，dearest。'
　　Shewaspowerlesstodisobey，andturnedforthwith；andthen，withoutanydefinedintentionineither'smind，hisfaceandhersdrewclosertogether；andhesupportedherthere，andkissedher。
　　Knightwasatoncethemostardentandthecoolestmanalive。
　　Whenhisemotionsslumberedheappearedalmostphlegmatic；whentheyweremovedhewasnolessthanpassionate。Andnow，withouthavingquiteintendedanearlymarriage，heputthequestionplainly。Itcamewithalltheardourwhichwastheaccumulationoflongyearsbehindanaturalreserve。
　　'Elfride，whenshallwebemarried？'
　　Thewordsweresweettoher；buttherewasabitterinthesweet。
　　Thesenewly-overtactsofhis，whichhadculminatedinthisplainquestion，comingontheverydayofMrs。Jethway'sblastingreproaches，painteddistinctlyherficklenessasanenormity。
　　Lovinghiminsecrethadnotseemedsuchthorough-goinginconstancyasthesameloverecognizedandacteduponinthefaceofthreats。Herdistractionwasinterpretedbyhimathersideastheoutwardsignsofanunwontedexperience。
　　'Idon'tpressyouforananswernow，darling，'hesaid，seeingshewasnotlikelytogivealucidreply。'Takeyourtime。'
　　Knightwasashonourableamanaswaseverlovedanddeludedbywoman。Itmaybesaidthathisblindnessinloveprovedthepoint，forshrewdnessinloveusuallygoeswithmeannessingeneral。Oncethepassionhadmasteredhim，theintellecthadgonefornaught。Knight，asalover，wasmoresingle-mindedandfarsimplerthanhisfriendStephen，whoinothercapacitieswasshallowbesidehim。
　　Withoutsayingmoreonthesubjectoftheirmarriage，Knightheldheratarm'slength，asifshehadbeenalargebouquet，andlookedatherwithcriticalaffection。
　　'Doesyourprettygiftbecomeme？'sheinquired，withtearsofexcitementonthefringesofhereyes。
　　'Undoubtedly，perfectly!'saidherlover，adoptingalightertonetoputheratherease。'Ah，youshouldseethem；youlookshinierthanever。FancythatIhavebeenabletoimproveyou!'
　　'AmIreallysonice？Iamgladforyoursake。IwishIcouldseemyself。'
　　'Youcan't。Youmustwaittillwegethome。'
　　'Ishallneverbeable，'shesaid，laughing。'Look:here'saway。'
　　'Sothereis。Welldone，woman'swit!'
　　'Holdmesteady!'
　　'Ohyes。'
　　'Anddon'tletmefall，willyou？'
　　'Bynomeans。'
　　Belowtheirseatthethreadofwaterpausedtospreadoutintoasmoothsmallpool。Knightsupportedherwhilstshekneltdownandleantoverit。
　　'Icanseemyself。Really，tryasreligiouslyasIwill，Icannothelpadmiringmyappearanceinthem。'
　　'Doubtless。Howcanyoubesofondoffinery？Ibelieveyouarecorruptingmeintoatasteforit。IusedtohateeverysuchthingbeforeIknewyou。'
　　'Ilikeornaments，becauseIwantpeopletoadmirewhatyoupossess，andenvyyou，andsay，"IwishIwashe。”'
　　'IsupposeIoughtnottoobjectafterthat。Andhowmuchlongerareyougoingtolookinthereatyourself？'
　　'Untilyouaretiredofholdingme？Oh，Iwanttoaskyousomething。'Andsheturnedround。'Nowtelltruly，won'tyou？
　　Whatcolourofhairdoyoulikebestnow？'
　　Knightdidnotansweratthemoment。
　　'Saylight，do!'shewhisperedcoaxingly。'Don'tsaydark，asyoudidthattime。'
　　'Light-brown，then。Exactlythecolourofmysweetheart's。'
　　'Really？'saidElfride，enjoyingastruthwhatsheknewtobeflattery。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Andblueeyes，too，nothazel？Sayyes，sayyes!'
　　'Onerecantationisenoughforto-day。'
　　'No，no。'
　　'Verywell，blueeyes。'AndKnightlaughed，anddrewhercloseandkissedherthesecondtime，whichoperationsheperformedwiththecarefulnessofafruiterertouchingabunchofgrapessoasnottodisturbtheirbloom。
　　Elfrideobjectedtoasecond，andflungawayherface，themovementcausingaslightdisarrangementofhatandhair。Hardlythinkingwhatshesaidinthetrepidationofthemoment，sheexclaimed，clappingherhandtoherear——
　　'Ah，wemustbecareful!Ilosttheotherearringdoinglikethis。'
　　Nosoonerdidsherealisethesignificantwordsthanatroubledlookpassedacrossherface，andsheshutherlipsasiftokeepthemback。
　　'Doinglikewhat？'saidKnight，perplexed。
　　'Oh，sittingdownoutofdoors，'sherepliedhastily。
　　ChapterXXIX
　　'Care，thoucanker。'
　　ItisaneveningatthebeginningofOctober，andthemellowestofautumnsunsetsirradiatesLondon，eventoitsuttermosteasternend。BetweentheeyeandtheflamingWest，columnsofsmokestandupinthestillairliketalltrees。Everythingintheshadeisrichandmistyblue。
　　Mr。andMrs。SwancourtandElfridearelookingattheselustrousandluridcontrastsfromthewindowofalargehotelnearLondonBridge。ThevisittotheirfriendsatSt。Leonardsisover，andtheyarestayingadayortwointhemetropolisontheirwayhome。
　　KnightspentthesameintervaloftimeincrossingovertoBrittanybywayofJerseyandSt。Malo。HethenpassedthroughNormandy，andreturnedtoLondonalso，hisarrivaltherehavingbeentwodayslaterthanthatofElfrideandherparents。
　　SotheeveningofthisOctoberdaysawthemallmeetingattheabove-mentionedhotel，wheretheyhadpreviouslyengagedapartments。DuringtheafternoonKnighthadbeentohislodgingsatRichmondtomakealittlechangeinthenatureofhisbaggage；
　　andoncomingupagaintherewasneverusheredbyablandwaiterintoacomfortableroomahappiermanthanKnightwhenshowntowhereElfrideandherstep-motherweresittingafterafatiguingdayofshopping。
　　Elfridelookednonethebetterforherchange:Knightwasasbrownasanut。Theyweresoonengagedbythemselvesinacorneroftheroom。Nowthatthepreciouswordsofpromisehadbeenspoken，theyounggirlhadnoideaofkeepingupherpricebythesystemofreservewhichothermoreaccomplishedmaidensuse。Herloverwaswithheragain，anditwasenough:shemadeherheartovertohimentirely。
　　Dinnerwassoondespatched。Andwhenapreliminaryroundofconversationconcerningtheirdoingssincethelastpartinghadbeenconcluded，theyrevertedtothesubjectofto-morrow'sjourneyhome。
　　'ThatenervatingridethroughthemyrtleclimateofSouthDevon——
　　howIdreaditto-morrow!'Mrs。Swancourtwassaying。'Ihadhopedtheweatherwouldhavebeencoolerbythistime。'
　　'Didyouevergobywater？'saidKnight。
　　'Never——bynever，Imeannotsincethetimeofrailways。'
　　'Thenifyoucanaffordanadditionalday，Iproposethatwedoit，'saidKnight。'TheChannelislikealakejustnow。WeshouldreachPlymouthinaboutfortyhours，Ithink，andtheboatsstartfromjustbelowthebridgehere'pointingoverhisshouldereastward。
　　'Hear，hear!'saidthevicar。
　　'It'sanidea，certainly，'saidhiswife。
　　'Ofcoursethesecoastersarerathertubby，'saidKnight。'Butyouwouldn'tmindthat？'
　　'No:wewouldn'tmind。'
　　'Andthesaloonisaplacelikethefishmarketofaninth-ratecountrytown，butthatwouldn'tmatter？'
　　'Ohdear，no。Ifwehadonlythoughtofitsoonenough，wemighthavehadtheuseofLordLuxellian'syacht。Butnevermind，we'llgo。WeshallescapetheworryingrattlethroughthewholelengthofLondonto-morrowmorning——nottomentiontheriskofbeingkilledbyexcursiontrains，whichisnotalittleoneatthistimeoftheyear，ifthepapersaretrue。'
　　Elfride，too，thoughtthearrangementdelightful；andaccordingly，teno'clockthefollowingmorningsawtwocabscrawlingroundbytheMint，andbetweenthepreternaturallyhighwallsofNightingaleLanetowardstheriverside。
　　Thefirstvehiclewasoccupiedbythetravellersinperson，andthesecondbroughtuptheluggage，underthesupervisionofMrs。
　　Snewson，Mrs。Swancourt'smaid——andforthelastfortnightElfride'salso；foralthoughtheyoungerladyhadneverbeenaccustomedtoanysuchattendantatrobingtimes，herstepmotherforcedherintoasemblanceoffamiliaritywithonewhentheywereawayfromhome。
　　Presentlywaggons，bales，andsmellsofalldescriptionsincreasedtosuchanextentthattheadvanceofthecabswasattheslowestpossiblerate。Atintervalsitwasnecessarytohaltentirely，thattheheavyvehiclesunloadinginfrontmightbemovedaside，afeatwhichwasnotaccomplishedwithoutadealofswearingandnoise。Thevicarputhisheadoutofthewindow。
　　'Surelytheremustbesomemistakeintheway，'hesaidwithgreatconcern，drawinginhisheadagain。'There'snotarespectableconveyancetobeseenhereexceptours。I'veheardthattherearestrangedensinthispartofLondon，intowhichpeoplehavebeenentrappedandmurdered——surelythereisnoconspiracyonthepartofthecabman？'
　　'Ohno，no。Itisallright，'saidMr。Knight，whowasasplacidasdewyevebythesideofElfride。
　　'ButwhatIarguefrom，'saidthevicar，withagreateremphasisofuneasiness，'areplainappearances。Thiscan'tbethehighwayfromLondontoPlymouthbywater，becauseitisnowayatalltoanyplace。Weshallmissoursteamerandourtraintoo——that'swhatIthink。'
　　'Dependuponitweareright。Infact，hereweare。'
　　'Trimmer'sWharf，'saidthecabman，openingthedoor。
　　Nosoonerhadtheyalightedthantheyperceivedatusslegoingonbetweenthehindmostcabmanandacrowdoflightporterswhohadchargedhimincolumn，toobtainpossessionofthebagsandboxes，Mrs。Snewson'shandsbeingseenstretchedtowardsheaveninthemidstofthemelee。Knightadvancedgallantly，andafterahardstrugglereducedthecrowdtotwo，uponwhoseshouldersandtrucksthegoodsvanishedawayinthedirectionofthewater'sedgewithstartlingrapidity。
　　Thenmoreofthesametribe，whohadrunonahead，wereheardshoutingtoboatmen，threeofwhompulledalongside，andtwobeingvanquished，theluggagewenttumblingintotheremainingone。
　　'Neversawsuchadreadfulsceneinmylife——never!'saidMr。
　　Swancourt，flounderingintotheboat。'WorsethanFamineandSworduponone。Ithoughtsuchcustomswereconfinedtocontinentalports。Aren'tyouastonished，Elfride？'
　　'Ohno，'saidElfride，appearingamidthedingyscenelikearainbowinamurkysky。'Itisapleasantnovelty，Ithink。'
　　'Whereinthewideoceanisoursteamer？'thevicarinquired。'I
　　canseenothingbutoldhulks，forthelifeofme。'
　　'Justbehindthatone，'saidKnight；'weshallsoonberoundunderher。'
　　Theobjectoftheirsearchwassoonafterdisclosedtoview——agreatlumberingformofinkyblackness，whichlookedasifithadneverknownthetouchofapaint-brushforfiftyyears。Itwaslyingbesidejustsuchanother，andthewayonboardwasdownanarrowlaneofwaterbetweenthetwo，aboutayardandahalfwideatoneend，andgraduallyconvergingtoapoint。Atthemomentoftheirentryintothisnarrowpassage，abrilliantlypaintedrivalpaddleddowntheriverlikeatrottingsteed，creatingsuchaseriesofwavesandsplashesthattheirfrailwherrywastossedlikeateacup，andthevicarandhiswifeslantedthiswayandthat，incliningtheirheadsintocontactwithaPunch-and-Judyairandcountenance，thewaveletsstrikingthesidesofthetwohulls，andflappingbackintotheirlaps。
　　'Dreadful!horrible!'Mr。Swancourtmurmuredprivately；andsaidaloud，Ithoughtwewalkedonboard。Idon'tthinkreallyI
　　shouldhavecome，ifIhadknownthistroublewasattachedtoit。'
　　'Iftheymustsplash，Iwishtheywouldsplashuswithcleanwater，'saidtheoldlady，wipingherdresswithherhandkerchief。
　　'Ihopeitisperfectlysafe，'continuedthevicar。
　　'Opapa!youarenotverybrave，'criedElfridemerrily。
　　'Braveryisonlyobtusenesstotheperceptionofcontingencies，'
　　Mr。Swancourtseverelyanswered。
　　Mrs。Swancourtlaughed，andElfridelaughed，andKnightlaughed，inthemidstofwhichpleasantnessamanshoutedtothemfromsomepositionbetweentheirheadsandthesky，andtheyfoundtheywereclosetotheJuliet，intowhichtheyquiveringlyascended。
　　Ithavingbeenfoundthatthelownessofthetidewouldpreventtheirgettingoffforanhour，theSwancourts，havingnothingelsetodo，allowedtheireyestoidleuponmeninbluejerseysperformingmysteriousmendingoperationswithtar-twine；theyturnedtolookatthedashesofluridsunlight，likeburnishedcopperstarsafloatontheripples，whichdancedintoandtantalizedtheirvision；orlistenedtotheloudmusicofasteam-
　　craneatworkcloseby；ortosighingsoundsfromthefunnelsofpassingsteamers，gettingdeadastheygrewmoredistant；ortoshoutsfromthedecksofdifferentcraftintheirvicinity，allofthemassumingtheformof'Ah-he-hay!'
　　Half-pastten:notyetoff。Mr。Swancourtbreathedabreathofweariness，andlookedathisfellow-travellersingeneral。Theirfaceswerecertainlynotworthlookingat。Theexpression'Waiting'waswrittenuponthemsoabsolutelythatnothingmorecouldbediscernedthere。AllanimationwassuspendedtillProvidenceshouldraisethewaterandletthemgo。
　　'Ihavebeenthinking，'saidKnight，'thatwehavecomeamongsttherarestclassofpeopleinthekingdom。Ofallhumancharacteristics，alowopinionofthevalueofhisowntimebyanindividualmustbeamongthestrangesttofind。Hereweseenumbersofthatpatientandhappyspecies。Rovers，asdistinctfromtravellers。'
　　'Buttheyarepleasure-seekers，towhomtimeisofnoimportance。'
　　'Ohno。Thepleasure-seekerswemeetonthegrandroutesaremoreanxiousthancommercialtravellerstorushon。Andaddedtothelossoftimeingettingtotheirjourney'send，theseexceptionalpeopletaketheirchanceofsea-sicknessbycomingthisway。'
　　'Canitbe？'inquiredthevicarwithapprehension。'Surelynot，Mr。Knight，justhereinourEnglishChannel——closeatourdoors，asImaysay。'
　　'Entrancepassagesareverydraughtyplaces，andtheChannelisliketherest。Itruinsthetemperofsailors。IthasbeencalculatedbyphilosophersthatmoredamnsgouptoheavenfromtheChannel，inthecourseofayear，thanfromallthefiveoceansputtogether。'
　　Theyreallystartnow，andthedeadlooksofallthethrongcometolifeimmediately。Themanwhohasbeenfranticallyhaulinginaropethatbadefairtohavenoendceaseshislabours，andtheyglidedowntheserpentinebendsoftheThames。
　　AnythinganywherewasamineofinteresttoElfride，andsowasthis。
　　'Itiswellenoughnow，'saidMrs。Swancourt，aftertheyhadpassedtheNore，'butIcan'tsayIhavecaredformyvoyagehitherto。'Forbeingnowintheopenseaaslightbreezehadsprungup，whichcheeredheraswellashertwoyoungercompanions。Butunfortunatelyithadareverseeffectuponthevicar，who，afterturningasortofapricotjamcolour，interspersedwithdashesofraspberry，pleadedindisposition，andvanishedfromtheirsight。
　　Theafternoonworeon。Mrs。Swancourtkindlysatapartbyherselfreading，andthebetrothedpairwerelefttothemselves。ElfrideclungtrustinglytoKnight'sarm，andproudwasshetowalkwithhimupanddownthedeck，ortogoforward，andleaningwithhimagainsttheforecastlerails，watchthesettingsungraduallywithdrawingitselfovertheirsternintoahugebankoflividcloudwithgoldenedgesthatrosetomeetit。