'EventhoughIwishyouhadnevercaredforonebeforeme？'
'Yes。Andyoumustnotwishit。Don't!'
'I'lltrynotto，Elfride。'
Soshehoped，butherheartwastroubled。Ifhefeltsodeeplyonthispoint，whatwouldhesaydidheknowall，andseeitasMrs。
Jethwaysawit？Hewouldnevermakeherthehappiestgirlintheworldbytakinghertobehisownforaye。Thethoughtenclosedherasatombwheneveritpresenteditselftoherperturbedbrain。
ShetriedtobelievethatMrs。Jethwaywouldneverdohersuchacruelwrongastoincreasethebadappearanceofherfollybyinnuendoes；andconcludedthatconcealment，havingbeenbegun，mustbepersistedin，ifpossible。Forwhathemightconsiderasbadasthefact，washerpreviousconcealmentofitbystrategy。
ButElfrideknewMrs。Jethwaytobeherenemy，andtohateher。
Itwaspossibleshewoulddoherworst。Andshouldshedoit，allmightbeover。
Wouldthewomanlistentoreason，andbepersuadednottoruinonewhohadneverintentionallyharmedher？
ItwasnightinthevalleybetweenEndelstowCragsandtheshore。
Thebrookwhichtrickledthatwaytotheseawasdistinctinitsmurmursnow，andoverthelineofitscoursetherebegantohangawhiteribandoffog。Againstthesky，onthelefthandofthevale，theblackformofthechurchcouldbeseen。Ontheotherrosehazel-bushes，afewtrees，andwherethesewereabsent，furzetufts——astallasmen——onstemsnearlyasstoutastimber。Theshriekofsomebirdwasoccasionallyheard，asitflewterror-
strickenfromitsfirstroost，toseekanewsleeping-place，whereitmightpassthenightunmolested。
Intheeveningshade，somewaydownthevalley，andunderarowofscrubbyoaks，acottagecouldstillbediscerned。Itstoodabsolutelyalone。Thehousewasratherlarge，andthewindowsofsomeoftheroomswerenailedupwithboardsontheoutside，whichgaveaparticularlydesertedappearancetothewholeerection。
Fromthefrontdooranirregularseriesofroughandmisshapensteps，cutinthesolidrock，leddowntotheedgeofthestreamlet，which，attheirextremity，washollowedintoabasinthroughwhichthewatertrickled。Thiswasevidentlythemeansofwatersupplytothedwellerordwellersinthecottage。
Alightfootstepwashearddescendingfromthehigherslopesofthehillside。Indistinctinthepathwayappearedamovingfemaleshape，whoadvancedandknockedtimidlyatthedoor。Noanswerbeingreturnedtheknockwasrepeated，withthesameresult，anditwasthenrepeatedathirdtime。Thisalsowasunsuccessful。
Fromoneoftheonlytwowindowsonthegroundfloorwhichwerenotboardedupcameraysoflight，noshutterorcurtainobscuringtheroomfromtheeyesofapasserontheoutside。Sofewwalkedthatwayafternightfallthatanysuchmeanstosecuresecrecywereprobablydeemedunnecessary。
Theinequalityoftheraysfallinguponthetreesoutsidetoldthatthelighthaditsorigininaflickeringfireonly。Thevisitor，afterthethirdknocking，steppedalittletotheleftinordertogainaviewoftheinterior，andthrewbackthehoodfromherface。ThedancingyellowsheenrevealedthefairandanxiouscountenanceofElfride。
Insidethehousethisfirelightwasenoughtoilluminetheroomdistinctly，andtoshowthatthefurnitureofthecottagewassuperiortowhatmighthavebeenexpectedfromsounpromisinganexterior。ItalsoshowedtoElfridethattheroomwasempty。
Beyondthelightquiverandflapoftheflamesnothingmovedorwasaudibletherein。
Sheturnedthehandleandentered，throwingoffthecloakwhichenvelopedher，underwhichsheappearedwithouthatorbonnet，andinthesortofhalf-toilettecountrypeopleordinarilydinein。
Thenadvancingtothefootofthestaircaseshecalleddistinctly，butsomewhatfearfully，'Mrs。Jethway!'
Noanswer。
Withalookofreliefandregretcombined，denotingthateasecametotheheartanddisappointmenttothebrain，Elfridepausedforseveralminutes，asifundecidedhowtoact。Determiningtowait，shesatdownonachair。Theminutesdrewon，andaftersittingonthethornsofimpatienceforhalfanhour，shesearchedherpocket，tooktherefromaletter，andtoreofftheblankleaf。
Thentakingoutapencilshewroteuponthepaper:
'DEARMRS。JETHWAY，——Ihavebeentovisityou。Iwantedmuchtoseeyou，butIcannotwaitanylonger。Icametobegyounottoexecutethethreatsyouhaverepeatedtome。Donot，Ibeseechyou，Mrs。Jethway，letanyoneknowIranawayfromhome!Itwouldruinmewithhim，andbreakmyheart。Iwilldoanythingforyou，ifyouwillbekindtome。Inthenameofourcommonwomanhood，donot，Iimploreyou，makeascandalofme——Yours，E。
SWANCOURT。'
Shefoldedthenotecornerwise，directedit，andplaceditonthetable。Thenagaindrawingthehoodoverhercurlyheadsheemergedsilentlyasshehadcome。
WhilstthisepisodehadbeeninactionatMrs。Jethway'scottage，Knighthadgonefromthedining-roomintothedrawing-room，andfoundMrs。Swancourttherealone。
'Elfridehasvanishedupstairsorsomewhere，'shesaid。
'AndIhavebeenreadinganarticleinanoldnumberofthePRESENTthatIlightedonbychanceashorttimeago；itisanarticleyouoncetolduswasyours。Well，Harry，withduedeferencetoyourliterarypowers，allowmetosaythatthiseffusionisallnonsense，inmyopinion。'
'Whatisitabout？'saidKnight，takingupthepaperandreading。
'There:don'tgetredaboutit。Ownthatexperiencehastaughtyoutobemorecharitable。Ihaveneverreadsuchunchivalroussentimentsinmylife——fromaman，Imean。There，Iforgiveyou；
itwasbeforeyouknewElfride。'
'Ohyes，'saidKnight，lookingup。'Iremembernow。Thetextofthatsermonwasnotmyownatall，butwassuggestedtomebyayoungmannamedSmith——thesamewhomIhavementionedtoyouascomingfromthisparish。Ithoughttheidearatheringeniousatthetime，andenlargedittotheweightofafewguineas，becauseIhadnothingelseinmyhead。'
'Whichideadoyoucallthetext？Iamcurioustoknowthat。'
'Well，this，'saidKnight，somewhatunwillingly。'Thatexperienceteaches，andyoursweetheart，nolessthanyourtailor，isnecessarilyveryimperfectinherduties，ifyouareherfirstpatron:andconversely，thesweetheartwhoisgracefulundertheinitialkissmustbesupposedtohavehadsomepracticeinthetrade。'
'Anddoyoumeantosaythatyouwrotethatuponthestrengthofanotherman'sremark，withouthavingtesteditbypractice？'
'Yes——indeedIdo。'
'ThenIthinkitwasuncalledforandunfair。Andhowdoyouknowitistrue？Iexpectyouregretitnow。'
'Sinceyoubringmeintoaseriousmood，Iwillspeakcandidly。I
dobelievethatremarktobeperfectlytrue，and，havingwrittenit，Iwoulddefenditanywhere。ButIdooftenregrethavingeverwrittenit，aswellasothersofthesort。Ihavegrownoldersince，andIfindsuchatoneofwritingiscalculatedtodoharmintheworld。EveryliteraryJackbecomesagentlemanifhecanonlypenafewindifferentsatiresuponwomankind:womenthemselves，too，havetakentothetrick；andso，uponthewhole，Ibegintoberatherashamedofmycompanions。'
'Ah，Henry，youhavefalleninlovesinceanditmakesadifference，'saidMrs。Swancourtwithafainttoneofbanter。
'That'strue；butthatisnotmyreason。'
'Havingfoundthat，inacaseofyourownexperience，aso-calledgoosewasaswan，itseemsabsurdtodenysuchapossibilityinothermen'sexperiences。'
'Youcanhitpalpably，cousinCharlotte，'saidKnight。'Youareliketheboywhoputsastoneinsidehissnowball，andIshallplaywithyounolonger。Excuseme——Iamgoingformyeveningstroll。'
ThoughKnighthadspokenjestingly，thisincidentandconversationhadcausedhimasuddendepression。Coming，rathersingularly，justafterhisdiscoverythatElfridehadknownwhatitwastolovewarmlybeforeshehadknownhim，hisminddweltuponthesubject，andthefamiliarpipehesmoked，whilstpacingupanddowntheshrubbery-path，failedtobeasolace。Hethoughtagainofthoseidlewords——hithertoquiteforgotten——aboutthefirstkissofagirl，andthetheoryseemedmorethanreasonable。OfcoursetheirstingnowlayintheirbearingonElfride。
Elfride，underKnight'skiss，hadcertainlybeenaverydifferentwomanfromherselfunderStephen's。Whetherforgoodorforill，shehadmarvellouslywelllearntabetrothedlady'spart；andthefascinatingfinishofherdeportmentinthissecondcampaigndidprobablyarisefromherunreservedencouragementofStephen。
Knight，withalltherapidityofjealoussensitiveness，pounceduponsomewordsshehadinadvertentlyletfallaboutanearring，whichhehadonlypartiallyunderstoodatthetime。Itwasduringthat'initialkiss'bythelittlewaterfall:
'Wemustbecareful。Ilosttheotherbydoingthis!'
Aflushwhichhadinitasmuchofwoundedprideasofsorrow，passedoverKnightashethoughtofwhathehadsofrequentlysaidtoherinhissimplicity。'Ialwaysmeanttobethefirstcomerinawoman'sheart，freshlipsornoneforme。'Howchildishlyblindhemusthaveseemedtothismeregirl!Howshemusthavelaughedathiminwardly!Heabsolutelywrithedashethoughtoftheconfessionshehadwrungfromhimontheboatinthedarknessofnight。Theoneconceptionwhichhadsustainedhisdignitywhendrawnoutofhisshellonthatoccasion——thatofhercharmingignoranceofallsuchmatters——howabsurditwas!
Thisman，whoseimaginationhadbeenfeduptopreternaturalsizebylonelystudyandsilentobservationsofhiskind——whoseemotionshadbeendrawnoutlonganddelicatebyhisseclusion，likeplantsinacellar——wasnowabsolutelyinpain。Moreover，severalyearsofpoeticstudy，and，ifthetruthmustbetold，poeticefforts，hadtendedtodeveloptheaffectivesideofhisconstitutionstillfurther，inproportiontohisactivefaculties。
ItwashisbeliefintheabsolutenewnessofblandishmenttoElfridewhichhadconstitutedherprimarycharm。Hebegantothinkitwasashardtobeearliestinawoman'sheartasitwastobefirstinthePoolofBethesda。
ThatKnightshouldhavebeenthusconstituted:thatElfride'ssecondlovershouldnothavebeenoneofthegreatmassofbustlingmankind，littlegiventointrospection，whosegood-naturemighthavecompensatedforanylackofappreciativeness，wasthechanceofthings。Thatherthrobbing，self-confounding，indiscreetheartshouldhavetodefenditselfunaidedagainstthekeenscrutinyandlogicalpowerwhichKnight，nowthathissuspicionswereawakened，wouldsoonerorlaterbesuretoexerciseagainsther，washermisfortune。Amiserableincongruitywasapparentinthecircumstanceofastrongmindpractisingitsunerringarcheryuponaheartwhichtheownerofthatmindlovedbetterthanhisown。
Elfride'sdociledevotiontoKnightwasnowitsownenemy。
Clingingtohimsodependently，shetaughthimintimetopresumeuponthatdevotion——alessonmenarenotslowtolearn。Aslightrebelliousnessoccasionallywouldhavedonehimnoharm，andwouldhavebeenaworldofadvantagetoher。Butsheidolizedhim，andwasproudtobehisbond-servant。
ChapterXXXI
'Awormi'thebud。'
Onedaythereviewersaid，'Letusgotothecliffsagain，Elfride；'and，withoutconsultingherwishes，hemovedasiftostartatonce。
'Thecliffofourdreadfuladventure？'sheinquired，withashudder。'Deathstaresmeinthefaceinthepersonofthatcliff。'
Nevertheless，soentirelyhadshesunkherindividualityinhisthattheremarkwasnotutteredasanexpostulation，andsheimmediatelypreparedtoaccompanyhim。
'No，notthatplace，'saidKnight。'Itisghastlytome，too。
Thatother，Imean；whatisitsname？——WindyBeak。'
WindyBeakwasthesecondcliffinheightalongthatcoast，and，asisfrequentlythecasewiththenaturalfeaturesoftheglobenolessthanwiththeintellectualfeaturesofmen，itenjoyedthereputationofbeingthefirst。Moreover，itwastheclifftowhichElfridehadriddenwithStephenSmith，onawell-rememberedmorningofhissummervisit。
So，thoughthoughtoftheformercliffhadcausedhertoshudderattheperilstowhichherloverandherselfhadtherebeenexposed，bybeingassociatedwithKnightonlyitwasnotsoobjectionableasWindyBeak。Thatplacewasworsethangloomy，itwasaperpetualreproachtoher。
Butnotlikingtorefuse，shesaid，'Itisfurtherthantheothercliff。'
'Yes；butyoucanride。'
'Andwillyoutoo？'
'No，I'llwalk。'
AduplicateofheroriginalarrangementwithStephen。Somefatalitymustbehangingoverherhead。Butsheceasedobjecting。
'Verywell，Harry，I'llride，'shesaidmeekly。
Aquarterofanhourlatershewasinthesaddle。Buthowdifferentthemoodfromthatoftheformertime。Shehad，indeed，givenupherpositionasqueenofthelesstobevassalofthegreater。Herewasnoshowingoffnow；noscamperingoutofsightwithPansy，toperplexandtirehercompanion；nosaucyremarksonLABELLEDAMESANSMERCI。Elfridewasburdenedwiththeveryintensityofherlove。
Knightdidmostofthetalkingalongthejourney。Elfridesilentlylistened，andentirelyresignedherselftothemotionsoftheamblinghorseuponwhichshesat，alternatelyrisingandsinkinggently，likeaseabirduponaseawave。
Whentheyhadreachedthelimitofaquadruped'spossibilitiesinwalking，Knighttenderlyliftedherfromthesaddle，tiedthehorse，andrambledonwithhertotheseatintherock。Knightsatdown，anddrewElfridedeftlybesidehim，andtheylookedoverthesea。
Twoorthreedegreesabovethatmelancholyandeternallylevelline，theoceanhorizon，hungasunofbrass，withnovisiblerays，inaskyofashenhue。Itwasaskythesundidnotilluminateorenkindle，asisusualatsunsets。Thissheetofskywasmetbythesaltmassofgraywater，fleckedhereandtherewithwhite。Awaftofdampnessoccasionallyrosetotheirfaces，whichwasprobablyrarefiedsprayfromtheblowsoftheseauponthefootofthecliff。
ElfridewisheditcouldbealongertimeagothatshehadsattherewithStephenasherlover，andagreedtobehiswife。Thesignificantclosenessofthattimetothepresentwasanotheritemtoaddtothelistofpassionatefearswhichwerechronicwithhernow。
YetKnightwasverytenderthisevening，andsustainedherclosetohimastheysat。
Notawordhadbeenutteredbyeithersincesittingdown，whenKnightsaidmusingly，lookingstillafar——
'Iwonderifanyloversinpastyearseversatherewitharmslocked，aswedonow。Probablytheyhave，fortheplaceseemsformedforaseat。'
Herrecollectionofawell-knownpairwhohad，andthemuch-
talked-oflosswhichhadensuedtherefrom，andhowtheyoungmanhadbeensentbacktolookforthemissingarticle，ledElfridetoglancedowntoherside，andbehindherback。Manypeoplewholoseatrinketinvoluntarilygiveamomentarylookforitinpassingthespoteversolongafterwards。Theydonotoftenfindit。Elfride，inturningherhead，sawsomethingshineweaklyfromacreviceintherockysedile。Onlyforafewminutesduringthedaydidthesunlightthealcovetoitsinnermostriftsandslits，buttheseweretheminutesnow，anditslevelraysdidElfridethegoodorevilturnofrevealingthelostornament。
Elfride'sthoughtsinstantlyrevertedtothewordsshehadunintentionallyuttereduponwhathadbeengoingonwhentheearringwaslost。AndshewasimmediatelyseizedwithamisgivingthatKnight，onseeingtheobject，wouldberemindedofherwords。
Herinstinctiveactthereforewastosecureitprivately。
ItwassodeepinthecrackthatElfridecouldnotpullitoutwithherhand，thoughshemadeseveralsurreptitioustrials。
'Whatareyoudoing，Elfie？'saidKnight，noticingherattempts，andlookingbehindhimlikewise。
Shehadrelinquishedtheendeavour，buttoolate。
Knightpeeredintothejointfromwhichherhandhadbeenwithdrawn，andsawwhatshehadseen。Heinstantlytookapenknifefromhispocket，andbydintofprobingandscrapingbroughttheearringoutuponopenground。
'Itisnotyours，surely？'heinquired。
'Yes，itis，'shesaidquietly。
'Well，thatisamostextraordinarything，thatweshouldfinditlikethis!'Knightthenrememberedmorecircumstances；'What，isittheoneyouhavetoldmeof？'
'Yes。'
Theunfortunateremarkofhersatthekisscameintohismind，ifeyeswereeveranindextobetrusted。Tryingtorepressthewordsheyetspokeonthesubject，moretoobtainassurancethatwhatithadseemedtoimplywasnottruethanfromawishtopryintobygones。
'Wereyoureallyengagedtobemarriedtothatlover？'hesaid，lookingstraightforwardattheseaagain。
'Yes——butnotexactly。YetIthinkIwas。'
'OElfride，engagedtobemarried!'hemurmured。
'Itwouldhavebeencalleda——secretengagement，Isuppose。Butdon'tlooksodisappointed；don'tblameme。'
'No，no。'
'Whydoyousay"No，no，"insuchaway？Sweetlyenough，butsobarely？'
Knightmadenodirectreplytothis。'Elfride，Itoldyouonce，'
hesaid，followingouthisthoughts，'thatIneverkissedawomanasasweetheartuntilIkissedyou。Akissisnotmuch，I
suppose，andithappenstofewyoungpeopletobeabletoavoidallblandishmentsandattentionsexceptfromtheonetheyafterwardsmarry。ButIhavepeculiarweaknesses，Elfride；andbecauseIhaveledapeculiarlife，Imustsufferforit，I
suppose。Ihadhoped——well，whatIhadnorighttohopeinconnectionwithyou。Younaturallygrantedyourformerlovertheprivilegesyougrantme。'
A'yes'camefromherlikethelastsadwhisperofabreeze。
'Andheusedtokissyou——ofcoursehedid。'
'Yes。'
'Andperhapsyouallowedhimamorefreemannerinhislove-makingthanIhaveshowninmine。'
'No，Ididnot。'Thiswasrathermorealertlyspoken。
'Butheadopteditwithoutbeingallowed？'
'Yes。'
'HowmuchIhavemadeofyou，Elfride，andhowIhavekeptaloof!'
saidKnightindeepandshakentones。'SomanydaysandhoursasIhavehopedinyou——Ihavefearedtokissyoumorethanthosetwotimes。Andhemadenoscruplesto……'
Shecreptclosertohimandtrembledasifwithcold。Herdreadthatthewholestory，withrandomadditions，wouldbecomeknowntohim，causedhermannertobesoagitatedthatKnightwasalarmedandperplexedintostillness。Theactualinnocencewhichmadeherthinksofearfullyofwhat，astheworldgoes，wasnotagreatmatter，magnifiedherapparentguilt。ItmayhavesaidtoKnightthatawomanwhowassoflurriedinthepreliminariesmusthaveadreadfulsequeltohertale。
'Iknow，'continuedKnight，withanindescribabledragofmannerandintonation，——'IknowIamabsurdlyscrupulousaboutyou——thatIwantyoutooexclusivelymine。Inyourpastbeforeyouknewme——
fromyourverycradle——Iwantedtothinkyouhadbeenmine。I
wouldmakeyouminebymainforce。Elfride，'hewentonvehemently，'Ican'thelpthisjealousyoveryou!Itismynature，andmustbeso，andIHATEthefactthatyouhavebeencaressedbefore:yeshateit!'
Shedrewalongdeepbreath，whichwashalfasob。Knight'sfacewashard，andheneverlookedatheratall，stillfixinghisgazefarouttosea，whichthesunhadnowresignedtotheshade。Inhighplacesitisnotlongfromsunsettonight，duskbeinginameasurebanished，andthoughonlyeveningwheretheysat，ithadbeentwilightinthevalleysforhalfanhour。Uponthedullexpanseofseatheregraduallyintensifieditselfintoexistencethegleamofadistantlight-ship。
'Whenthatloverfirstkissedyou，Elfridewasitinsuchaplaceasthis？'
'Yes，itwas。'
'Youdon'ttellmeanythingbutwhatIwringoutofyou。Whyisthat？Whyhaveyousuppressedallmentionofthiswhencasualconfidencesofmineshouldhavesuggestedconfidenceinreturn？OnboardtheJuliet，whywereyousosecret？Itseemslikebeingmadeafoolof，Elfride，tothinkthat，whenIwasteachingyouhowdesirableitwasthatweshouldhavenosecretsfromeachother，youwereassentinginwords，butinactcontradictingme。
Confidencewouldhavebeensomuchmorepromisingforourhappiness。Ifyouhadhadconfidenceinme，andtoldmewillingly，Ishould——bedifferent。Butyousuppresseverything，andIshallquestionyou。DidyouliveatEndelstowatthattime？'
'Yes，'shesaidfaintly。
'Wherewereyouwhenhefirstkissedyou？'
'Sittinginthisseat。'
'Ah，Ithoughtso!'saidKnight，risingandfacingher。
'Andthataccountsforeverything——theexclamationwhichyouexplaineddeceitfully，andall!Forgivetheharshword，Elfride——
forgiveit。'Hesmiledasurfacesmileashecontinued:'WhatapoormortalIamtoplaysecondfiddleineverythingandtobedeludedbyfibs!'
'Oh，don'tsayit；don't，Harry!'
'Wheredidhekissyoubesideshere？'
'Sittingon——atombinthe——churchyard——andotherplaces，'sheansweredwithslowrecklessness。
'Nevermind，nevermind，'heexclaimed，onseeinghertearsandperturbation。'Idon'twanttogrieveyou。Idon'tcare。'
ButKnightdidcare。
'Itmakesnodifference，youknow，'hecontinued，seeingshedidnotreply。
'Ifeelcold，'saidElfride。'Shallwegohome？'
'Yes；itislateintheyeartositlongoutofdoors:weoughttobeoffthisledgebeforeitgetstoodarktoletusseeourfooting。Idaresaythehorseisimpatient。'
Knightspokethemerestcommonplacetohernow。Hehadhopedtothelastmomentthatshewouldhavevolunteeredthewholestoryofherfirstattachment。Itgrewmoreandmoredistastefultohimthatsheshouldhaveasecretofthisnature。Suchentireconfidenceashehadpicturedasabouttoexistbetweenhimselfandtheinnocentyoungwifewhohadknownnolover'stonessavehis——wasthisitsbeginning？Heliftedheruponthehorse，andtheywentalongconstrainedly。Thepoisonofsuspicionwasdoingitsworkwell。
Anincidentoccurredonthishomewardjourneywhichwaslongrememberedbyboth，asaddingshadetoshadow。KnightcouldnotkeepfromhismindthewordsofAdam'sreproachtoEveinPARADISE
LOST，andatlastwhisperedthemtohimself——
'Fool'dandbeguiled:byhimthou，Ibythee!'
'Whatdidyousay？'Elfrideinquiredtimorously。
'Itwasonlyaquotation。'
Theyhadnowdroppedintoahollow，andthechurchtowermadeitsappearanceagainstthepaleeveningsky，itslowerpartbeinghiddenbysomeinterveningtrees。Elfride，beingdeniedananswer，waslookingatthetowerandtryingtothinkofsomecontrastingquotationshemightusetoregainhistenderness。
Afteralittlethoughtshesaidinwinningtones——
"Thouhastbeenmyhope，andastrongtowerformeagainsttheenemy。”'
Theypassedon。Afewminuteslaterthreeorfourbirdswereseentoflyoutofthetower。
'Thestrongtowermoves，'saidKnight，withsurprise。
Acornerofthesquaremassswayedforward，sank，andvanished。A
loudrumblefollowed，andacloudofdustarosewhereallhadpreviouslybeensoclear。
'Thechurchrestorershavedoneit!'saidElfride。
AtthisminuteMr。Swancourtwasseenapproachingthem。Hecameupwithabustlingdemeanour，apparentlymuchengrossedbysomebusinessinhand。
'Wehavegotthetowerdown!'heexclaimed。'Itcameratherquickerthanweintendeditshould。Thefirstideawastotakeitdownstonebystone，youknow。Indoingthisthecrackwidenedconsiderably，anditwasnotbelievedsafeforthementostanduponthewallsanylonger。Thenwedecidedtoundermineit，andthreemensettoworkattheweakestcornerthisafternoon。Theyhadleftofffortheevening，intendingtogivethefinalblowto-
morrowmorning，andhadbeenhomeabouthalfanhour，whendownitcame。Averysuccessfuljob——averyfinejobindeed。Buthewasatougholdfellowinspiteofthecrack。'HereMr。Swancourtwipedfromhisfacetheperspirationhisexcitementhadcausedhim。
'Pooroldtower!'saidElfride。
'Yes，Iamsorryforit，'saidKnight。'Itwasaninterestingpieceofantiquity——alocalrecordoflocalart。'
'Ah，butmydearsir，weshallhaveanewone，expostulatedMr。
Swancourt；'asplendidtower——designedbyafirst-rateLondonman——
intheneweststyleofGothicart，andfullofChristianfeeling。'
'Indeed!'saidKnight。
'Ohyes。Notinthebarbarousclumsyarchitectureofthisneighbourhood；youseenothingsoroughandpagananywhereelseinEngland。Whenthemenaregone，Iwouldadviseyoutogoandseethechurchbeforeanythingfurtherisdonetoit。Youcannowsitinthechancel，andlookdownthenavethroughthewestarch，andthroughthatfarouttosea。Infact，'saidMr。Swancourtsignificantly，'ifaweddingwereperformedatthealtarto-morrowmorning，itmightbewitnessedfromthedeckofashiponavoyagetotheSouthSeas，withagoodglass。However，afterdinner，whenthemoonhasrisen，goupandseeforyourselves。'
Knightassentedwithfeverishreadiness。HehaddecidedwithinthelastfewminutesthathecouldnotrestanothernightwithoutfurthertalkwithElfrideuponthesubjectwhichnowdividedthem:
hewasdeterminedtoknowall，andrelievehisdisquietinsomeway。Elfridewouldgladlyhaveescapedfurtherconversealonewithhimthatnight，butitseemedinevitable。
Justaftermoonrisetheyleftthehouse。Howlittleanyexpectationofthemoonlightprospect——whichwastheostensiblereasonoftheirpilgrimage——hadtodowithKnight'srealmotiveingettingthegentlegirlagainuponhisarm，Elfridenolessthanhimselfwellknew。
ChapterXXXII
'HadIwistbeforeIkist'
ItwasnowOctober，andthenightairwaschill。Afterlookingtoseethatshewaswellwrappedup，Knighttookheralongthehillsidepaththeyhadascendedsomanytimesineachother'scompany，whendoubtwasathingunknown。Onreachingthechurchtheyfoundthatonesideofthetowerwas，asthevicarhadstated，entirelyremoved，andlyingintheshapeofrubbishattheirfeet。Thetoweronitseasternsidestillwasfirm，andmighthavewithstoodtheshockofstormsandthesiegeofbatteringyearsformanyagenerationevennow。Theyenteredbytheside-door，wenteastward，andsatdownbythealtar-steps。
Theheavyarchspanningthejunctionoftowerandnaveformedto-
nightablackframetoadistantmistyview，stretchingfarwestward。Justoutsidethearchcametheheapoffallenstones，thenaportionofmoonlitchurchyard，thenthewideandconvexseabehind。Itwasacoup-d'oeilwhichhadneverbeenpossiblesincethemediaevalmasonsfirstattachedtheoldtowertotheolderchurchitdignified，andhencemustbesupposedtohavehadaninterestapartfromthatofsimplemoonlightonancientwallandseaandshore——anymentionofwhichhasbythistime，itistobefeared，becomeoneofthecuckoo-crieswhichareheardbutnotregarded。Raysofcrimson，blue，andpurpleshoneuponthetwainfromtheeastwindowbehindthem，whereinsaintsandangelsviedwitheachotherinprimitivesurroundingsoflandscapeandsky，andthrewuponthepavementatthesitters'feetasofterreproductionofthesametranslucenthues，amidwhichtheshadowsofthetwolivingheadsofKnightandElfridewereopaqueandprominentblots。Presentlythemoonbecamecoveredbyacloud，andtheiridescencediedaway。
'There，itisgone!'saidKnight。'I'vebeenthinking，Elfride，thatthisplacewesitoniswherewemayhopetokneeltogethersoon。ButIamrestlessanduneasy，andyouknowwhy。'
Beforesherepliedthemoonlightreturnedagain，irradiatingthatportionofchurchyardwithintheirview。Itbrightenedthenearpartfirst，andagainstthebackgroundwhichthecloud-shadowhadnotyetuncoveredstood，brightestofall，awhitetomb——thetombofyoungJethway。
Knight，stillaliveonthesubjectofElfride'ssecret，thoughtofherwordsconcerningthekissthatitoncehadoccurredonatombinthischurchyard。
'Elfride，'hesaid，withasuperficialarchnesswhichdidnothalfcoveranundercurrentofreproach，'doyouknow，Ithinkyoumighthavetoldmevoluntarilyaboutthatpast——ofkissesandbetrothing——withoutgivingmesomuchuneasinessandtrouble。Wasthatthetombyoualludedtoashavingsatonwithhim？'
Shewaitedaninstant。'Yes，'shesaid。
ThecorrectnessofhisrandomshotstartledKnight；though，consideringthatalmostalltheothermemorialsinthechurchyardwereuprightheadstonesuponwhichnobodycouldpossiblysit，itwasnotsowonderful。
Elfridedidnotevennowgoonwiththeexplanationherexactingloverwishedtohave，andherreticencebegantoirritatehimasbefore。Hewasinclinedtoreadheralecture。
'Whydon'tyoutellmeall？'hesaidsomewhatindignantly。
'Elfride，thereisnotasinglesubjectuponwhichIfeelmorestronglythanuponthis——thateverythingoughttobeclearedupbetweentwopersonsbeforetheybecomehusbandandwife。Seehowdesirableandwisesuchacourseis，inordertoavoiddisagreeablecontingenciesintheformofdiscoveriesafterwards。
For，Elfride，asecretofnoimportanceatallmaybemadethebasisofsomefatalmisunderstandingonlybecauseitisdiscovered，andnotconfessed。Theysaythereneverwasacoupleofwhomonehadnotsomesecrettheotherneverkneworwasintendedtoknow。Thismayormaynotbetrue；butifitbetrue，somehavebeenhappyinspiteratherthaninconsequenceofit。
Ifamanweretoseeanothermanlookingsignificantlyathiswife，andshewereblushingcrimsonandappearingstartled，doyouthinkhewouldbesowellsatisfiedwith，forinstance，hertruthfulexplanationthatonce，tohergreatannoyance，sheaccidentallyfaintedintohisarms，asifshehadsaiditvoluntarilylongago，beforethecircumstanceoccurredwhichforceditfromher？Supposethatadmireryouspokeofinconnectionwiththetombyondershouldturnup，andbotherme。Itwouldembitterourlives，ifIwerethenhalfinthedark，asIamnow!'
Knightspokethelattersentenceswithgrowingforce。
'Itcannotbe，'shesaid。
'Whynot？'heaskedsharply。
Elfridewasdistressedtofindhiminsosternamood，andshetrembled。Inaconfusionofideas，probablynotintendingawilfulprevarication，sheansweredhurriedly——
'Ifhe'sdead，howcanyoumeethim？'
'Ishedead？Oh，that'sdifferentaltogether!'saidKnight，immenselyrelieved。'But，letmesee——whatdidyousayaboutthattombandhim？'
'That'shistomb，'shecontinuedfaintly。
'What!washewholiesburiedtherethemanwhowasyourlover？'
Knightaskedinadistinctvoice。
'Yes；andIdidn'tlovehimorencouragehim。'
'Butyoulethimkissyou——yousaidso，youknow，Elfride。'
Shemadenoreply。
'Why，'saidKnight，recollectingcircumstancesbydegrees，'yousurelysaidyouwereinsomedegreeengagedtohim——andofcourseyouwereifhekissedyou。Andnowyousayyouneverencouragedhim。AndIhavebeenfancyingyousaid——Iamalmostsureyoudid——
thatyouweresittingwithhimONthattomb。GoodGod!'hecried，suddenlystartingupinanger，'areyoutellingmeuntruths？Whyshouldyouplaywithmelikethis？I'llhavetherightofit。Elfride，weshallneverbehappy!There'sablightuponus，orme，oryou，anditmustbeclearedoffbeforewemarry。'Knightmovedawayimpetuouslyasiftoleaveher。
Shejumpedupandclutchedhisarm'Don'tgo，Harry——don't!
'Tellme，then，'saidKnightsternly。'Andrememberthis，nomorefibs，or，uponmysoul，Ishallhateyou。Heavens!thatIshouldcometothis，tobemadeafoolofbyagirl'suntruths——'
'Don't，don'ttreatmesocruelly!OHarry，Harry，havepity，andwithdrawthosedreadfulwords!Iamtruthfulbynature——Iam——andIdon'tknowhowIcametomakeyoumisunderstand!ButIwasfrightened!'Shequiveredsoinherperturbationthatsheshookhimwithher{Note:sentenceincompleteintext。}
'Didyousayyouweresittingonthattomb？'heaskedmoodily。
'Yes；anditwastrue。'
'Thenhow，inthenameofHeaven，canamansituponhisowntomb？'
'Thatwasanotherman。Forgiveme，Harry，won'tyou？'
'What，aloverinthetombandaloveronit？'
'Oh——Oh——yes!'
'Thenthereweretwobeforeme？
'I——supposeso。'
'Now，don'tbeasillywomanwithyoursupposing——Ihateallthat，'saidKnightcontemptuouslyalmost。'Well，welearnstrangethings。Idon'tknowwhatImighthavedone——nomancansayintowhatshapecircumstancesmaywarphim——butIhardlythinkIshouldhavehadtheconsciencetoacceptthefavoursofanewloverwhilstsittingoverthepoorremainsoftheoldone；uponmysoul，Idon't。'Knight，inmoodymeditation，continuedlookingtowardsthetomb，whichstoodstaringtheminthefacelikeanavengingghost。
'Butyouwrongme——Oh，sogrievously!"shecried。'Ididnotmeditateanysuchthing:believeme，Harry，Ididnot。Itonlyhappenedso——quiteofitself。'
'Well，Isupposeyoudidn'tINTENDsuchathing，'hesaid。
'Nobodyeverdoes，'hesadlycontinued。
'AndhiminthegraveIneveronceloved。'
'Isupposethesecondloverandyou，asyousatthere，vowedtobefaithfultoeachotherforever？'
Elfrideonlyrepliedbyquickheavybreaths，showingshewasonthebrinkofasob。
'Youdon'tchoosetobeanythingbutreserved，then？'hesaidimperatively。
'Ofcoursewedid，'sheresponded。
'"Ofcourse!"Youseemtotreatthesubjectverylightly？'
'Itispast，andisnothingtousnow。'
'Elfride，itisanothingwhich，thoughitmaymakeacarelessmanlaugh，cannotbutmakeagenuineonegrieve。Itisaverygnawingpain。Tellmestraightthrough——allofit。'
'Never。OHarry!howcanyouexpectitwhensolittleofitmakesyousoharshwithme？'
'Now，Elfride，listentothis。Youknowthatwhatyouhavetoldonlyjarsthesubtlerfanciesinone，afterall。ThefeelingI
haveaboutitwouldbecalled，andis，meresentimentality；andI
don'twantyoutosupposethatanordinarypreviousengagementofastraightforwardkindwouldmakeanypracticaldifferenceinmylove，ormywishtomakeyoumywife。Butyouseemtohavemoretotell，andthat'swherethewrongis。Istheremore？'
'Notmuchmore，'shewearilyanswered。
Knightpreservedagravesilenceforaminute。'"Notmuchmore，"'
hesaidatlast。'Ishouldthinknot，indeed!'Hisvoiceassumedalowandsteadypitch。'Elfride，youmustnotmindmysayingastrange-soundingthing，forsayitIshall。Itisthis:thatifthereWEREmuchmoretoaddtoanaccountwhichalreadyincludesalltheparticularsthatabrokenmarriageengagementcouldpossiblyincludewithpropriety，itmustbesomeexceptionalthingwhichmightmakeitimpossibleformeoranyoneelsetoloveyouandmarryyou。'
Knight'sdisturbedmoodledhimmuchfurtherthanhewouldhavegoneinaquietermoment。And，evenasitwas，hadshebeenassertivetoanydegreehewouldnothavebeensoperemptory；andhadshebeenastrongercharacter——morepracticalandlessimaginative——shewouldhavemademoreuseofherpositioninhishearttoinfluencehim。Buttheconfidingtendernesswhichhadwonhimiseveraccompaniedbyasortofself-committaltothestreamofevents，leadingeverysuchwomantotrustmoretothekindnessoffateforgoodresultsthantoanyargumentofherown。
'Well，well，'hemurmuredcynically；'Iwon'tsayitisyourfault:itismyill-luck，Isuppose。Ihadnorealrighttoquestionyou——everybodywouldsayitwaspresuming。Butwhenwehavemisunderstood，wefeelinjuredbythesubjectofourmisunderstanding。Youneversaidyouhadhadnobodyelseheremakinglovetoyou，sowhyshouldIblameyou？Elfride，Ibegyourpardon。'
'No，no!Iwouldratherhaveyourangerthanthatcoolaggrievedpoliteness。Dodropthat，Harry!Whyshouldyouinflictthatuponme？Itreducesmetothelevelofamereacquaintance。'
'Youdothatwithme。Whynotconfidenceforconfidence？'
'Yes；butIdidn'taskyouasinglequestionwithregardtoyourpast:Ididn'twishtoknowaboutit。AllIcaredforwasthat，whereveryoucamefrom，whateveryouhaddone，whoeveryouhadloved，youweremineatlast。Harry，iforiginallyyouhadknownIhadloved，wouldyouneverhavecaredforme？'
'Iwon'tquitesaythat。ThoughIownthattheideaofyourinexperiencedstatehadagreatcharmforme。ButIthinkthis:
thatifIhadknowntherewasanyphaseofyourpastloveyouwouldrefusetorevealifIaskedtoknowit，Ishouldneverhavelovedyou。'
Elfridesobbedbitterly。'AmIsucha——merecharacterlesstoy——astohavenoattrac——tioninme，apartfrom——freshness？Haven'tI
brains？Yousaid——Iwascleverandingeniousinmythoughts，and——
isn'tthatanything？HaveInotsomebeauty？IthinkIhavealittle——andIknowIhave——yes，Ido!Youhavepraisedmyvoice，andmymanner，andmyaccomplishments。YetallthesetogetheraresomuchrubbishbecauseI——accidentallysawamanbeforeyou!'
'Oh，come，Elfride。"Accidentallysawaman"isverycool。Youlovedhim，remember。'——
'Andlovedhimalittle!'
'Andrefusenowtoanswerthesimplequestionhowitended。Doyourefusestill，Elfride？'
'Youhavenorighttoquestionmeso——yousaidso。Itisunfair。
TrustmeasItrustyou。'
'That'snotatall。'
'Ishallnotloveyouifyouaresocruel。Itiscrueltometoarguelikethis。'
'Perhapsitis。Yes，itis。Iwascarriedawaybymyfeelingforyou。HeavenknowsthatIdidn'tmeanto；butIhavelovedyousothatIhaveusedyoubadly。'
'Idon'tmindit，Harry!'sheinstantlyanswered，creepingupandnestlingagainsthim；'andIwillnotthinkatallthatyouusedmeharshlyifyouwillforgiveme，andnotbevexedwithmeanymore？IdowishIhadbeenexactlyasyouthoughtIwas，butI
couldnothelpit，youknow。IfIhadonlyknownyouhadbeencoming，whatanunneryIwouldhavelivedintohavebeengoodenoughforyou!'
'Well，nevermind，'saidKnight；andheturnedtogo。Heendeavouredtospeaksportivelyastheywenton。'DiogenesLaertiussaysthatphilosophersusedvoluntarilytodeprivethemselvesofsighttobeuninterruptedintheirmeditations。
Men，becominglovers，oughttodothesamething。'
'Why？——butnevermind——Idon'twanttoknow。Don'tspeaklaconicallytome，'shesaidwithdeprecation。
'Why？Becausetheywouldneverthenbedistractedbydiscoveringtheiridolwassecond-hand。'