ThreehoursandahalfofstraininguphillsandjoggingdownbroughtthemtoSt。Launce\'s，themarkettownandrailwaystationnearesttoEndelstow，andtheplacefromwhichStephenSmithhadjourneyedoverthedownsonthe，tohim，memorablewintereveningatthebeginningofthesameyear。Thecarrier\'svanwassotimedastomeetastartingup-train，whichStephenentered。Twoorthreehours\'railwaytravelthroughverticalcuttingsinmetamorphicrock，throughoakcopsesrichandgreen，stretchingoverslopesanddowndelightfulvalleys，glens，andravines，sparklingwithwaterlikemany-rilledIda，andheplungedamidthehundredandfiftythousandpeoplecomposingthetownofPlymouth。
Therebeingsometimeuponhishandshelefthisluggageatthecloak-room，andwentonfootalongBedfordStreettothenearestchurch。HereStephenwanderedamongthemultifarioustombstonesandlookedinatthechancelwindow，dreamingofsomethingthatwaslikelytohappenbythealtarthereinthecourseofthecomingmonth。HeturnedawayandascendedtheHoe，viewedthemagnificentstretchofseaandmassivepromontoriesofland，butwithoutparticularlydiscerningonefeatureofthevariedperspective。Hestillsawthatinnerprospect——theeventhehopedforinyonderchurch。ThewideSound，theBreakwater，thelight-
houseonfar-offEddystone，thedarksteamvessels，brigs，barques，andschooners，eitherfloatingstilly，orglidingwithtiniestmotion，wereasthedream，then；thedreamed-ofeventwasasthereality。
SoonStephenwentdownfromtheHoe，andreturnedtotherailwaystation。Hetookhisticket，andenteredtheLondontrain。
ThatdaywasanirksometimeatEndelstowvicarage。NeitherfathernordaughteralludedtothedepartureofStephen。Mr。
Swancourt\'smannertowardsherpartookofthecompunctiouskindnessthatarisesfromamisgivingastothejusticeofsomepreviousact。
Eitherfromlackofthecapacitytograspthewholecoupd\'oeil，orfromanaturalendowmentforcertainkindsofstoicism，womenarecoolerthanmenincriticalsituationsofthepassiveform。
Probably，inElfride\'scaseatleast，itwasblindnesstothegreatercontingenciesofthefutureshewaspreparingforherself，whichenabledhertoaskherfatherinaquietvoiceifhecouldgiveheraholidaysoon，toridetoSt。Launce\'sandgoontoPlymouth。
Now，shehadonlyoncebeforegonealonetoPlymouth，andthatwasinconsequenceofsomeunavoidabledifficulty。Beingacountrygirl，andagood，nottosayawild，horsewoman，ithadbeenherdelighttocanter，withouttheghostofanattendant，overthefourteenorsixteenmilesofhardroadinterveningbetweentheirhomeandthestationatSt。Launce\'s，putupthehorse，andgoontheremainderofthedistancebytrain，returninginthesamemannerintheevening。Itwasthenresolvedthat，thoughshehadsuccessfullyaccomplishedthisjourneyonce，itwasnottoberepeatedwithoutsomeattendance。
ButElfridemustnotbeconfoundedwithordinaryyoungfeminineequestrians。Thecircumstancesofherlonelyandnarrowlifemadeitimperativethatintrottingabouttheneighbourhoodshemusttrotaloneorelsenotatall。Usagesoonrenderedthisperfectlynaturaltoherself。Herfather，whohadhadotherexperiences，didnotmuchliketheideaofaSwancourt，whosepedigreecouldbeasdistinctlytracedasathreadinaskeinofsilk，scamperingoverthehillslikeafarmer\'sdaughter，eventhoughhecouldhabituallyneglecther。Butwhatwithhisnotbeingabletoaffordheraregularattendant，andhisinveteratehabitoflettinganythingbetosavehimselftrouble，thecircumstancegrewcustomary。Andsotherearoseachronicnotioninthevillagers\'
mindsthatallladiesrodewithoutanattendant，likeMissSwancourt，exceptafewwhoweresometimesvisitingatLordLuxellian\'s。
\'Idon\'tlikeyourgoingtoPlymouthalone，particularlygoingtoSt。Launce\'sonhorseback。Whynotdrive，andtaketheman？\'
\'Itisnotnicetobesooverlooked。\'Worm\'scompanywouldnotseriouslyhaveinterferedwithherplans，butitwasherhumourtogowithouthim。
\'Whendoyouwanttogo？\'saidherfather。
Sheonlyanswered，\'Soon。\'
\'Iwillconsider，\'hesaid。
Onlyafewdayselapsedbeforesheaskedagain。AletterhadreachedherfromStephen。Ithadbeentimedtocomeonthatdaybyspecialarrangementbetweenthem。InithenamedtheearliestmorningonwhichhecouldmeetheratPlymouth。HerfatherhadbeenonajourneytoStratleigh，andreturnedinunusualbuoyancyofspirit。Itwasagoodopportunity；andsincethedismissalofStephenherfatherhadbeengenerallyinamoodtomakesmallconcessions，thathemightsteerclearoflargeonesconnectedwiththatoutcastloverofhers。
\'NextThursdayweekIamgoingfromhomeinadifferentdirection，\'saidherfather。\'Infact，Ishallleavehomethenightbefore。Youmightchoosethesameday，fortheywishtotakeupthecarpets，orsomesuchthing，Ithink。AsIsaid，I
don\'tlikeyoutobeseeninatownonhorsebackalone；butgoifyouwill。\'
Thursdayweek。HerfatherhadnamedtheverydaythatStephenalsohadnamedthatmorningastheearliestonwhichitwouldbeofanyusetomeether；thatwas，aboutfifteendaysfromthedayonwhichhehadleftEndelstow。Fifteendays——thatfragmentofdurationwhichhasacquiredsuchaninterestingindividualityfromitsconnectionwiththeEnglishmarriagelaw。
Sheinvoluntarilylookedatherfathersostrangely，thatonbecomingconsciousofthelookshepaledwithembarrassment。Herfather，too，lookedconfused。Whatwashethinkingof？
ThereseemedtobeaspecialfacilityofferedherbyapowerexternaltoherselfinthecircumstancethatMr。Swancourthadproposedtoleavehomethenightprevioustoherwished-forday。
Herfatherseldomtooklongjourneys；seldomsleptfromhomeexceptperhapsonthenightfollowingaremoteVisitation。Well，shewouldnotinquiretoocuriouslyintothereasonoftheopportunity，nordidhe，aswouldhavebeennatural，proceedtoexplainitofhisownaccord。Inmattersoffacttherehadhithertobeennoreservebetweenthem，thoughtheywerenotusuallyconfidentialinitsfullsense。ButthedivergenceoftheiremotionsonStephen\'saccounthadproducedanestrangementwhichjustatpresentwenteventotheextentofreticenceonthemostordinaryhouseholdtopics。
Elfridewasalmostunconsciouslyrelieved，persuadingherselfthatherfather\'sreserveonhisbusinessjustifiedherinsecrecyasregardedherown——asecrecywhichwasnecessarilyaforegonedecisionwithher。Soanxiousisayoungconsciencetodiscoverapalliative，thattheexpostfactonatureofareasonisofnoaccountinexcludingit。
Theinterveningfortnightwasspentbyhermostlyinwalkingbyherselfamongtheshrubsandtrees，indulgingsometimesinsanguineanticipations；more，farmorefrequently，inmisgivings。
Allherflowersseemeddullofhue；herpetsseemedtolookwistfullyintohereyes，asiftheynolongerstoodinthesamefriendlyrelationtoherasformerly。Sheworemelancholyjewellery，gazedatsunsets，andtalkedtooldmenandwomen。Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadhadaninnerandprivateworldapartfromthevisibleoneabouther。Shewishedthatherfather，insteadofneglectingherevenmorethanusual，wouldmakesomeadvance——justoneword；shewouldthentellall，andriskStephen\'sdispleasure。Thusbroughtroundtotheyouthagain，shesawhiminherfancy，standing，touchingher，hiseyesfullofsadaffection，hopelesslyrenouncinghisattemptbecauseshehadrenouncedhers；andshecouldnotrecede。
OntheWednesdayshewastoreceiveanotherletter。Shehadresolvedtoletherfatherseethearrivalofthisone，betheconsequenceswhattheymight:thedreadoflosingherloverbythisdeedofhonestypreventedheractingupontheresolve。Fiveminutesbeforethepostman\'sexpectedarrivalsheslippedout，anddownthelanetomeethim。Shemethimimmediatelyuponturningasharpangle，whichhidherfromviewinthedirectionofthevicarage。Themansmilinglyhandedonemissive，andwasgoingontohandanother，acircularfromsometradesman。
\'No，\'shesaid；\'takethatontothehouse。\'
\'Why，miss，youaredoingwhatyourfatherhasdoneforthelastfortnight。\'
Shedidnotcomprehend。
\'Why，cometothiscorner，andtakealetterofmeeverymorning，allwritinthesamehandwriting，andlettinganyothersforhimgoontothehouse。\'Andonthepostmanwent。
Nosoonerhadheturnedthecornerbehindherbackthansheheardherfathermeetandaddresstheman。Shehadsavedherletterbytwominutes。Herfatheraudiblywentthroughpreciselythesameperformanceasshehadjustbeenguiltyofherself。
Thisstealthyconductofhiswas，tosaytheleast，peculiar。
Givenanimpulsiveinconsequentgirl，neglectedastoherinnerlifebyheronlyparent，andthefollowingforcesalivewithinher；todeterminearesultant:
Firstloveacteduponbyadeadlyfearofseparationfromitsobject:inexperience，guidingonwardafranticwishtopreventtheabove-namedissue:misgivingsastopropriety，metbyhopeofultimateexoneration:indignationatparentalinconsistencyinfirstencouraging，thenforbidding:achillingsenseofdisobedience，overpoweredbyaconscientiousinabilitytobrookabreakingofplightedfaithwithamanwho，inessentials，hadremainedunalteredfromthebeginning:ablessedhopethatoppositionwouldturnanerroneousjudgement:abrightfaiththatthingswouldmendthereby，andwindupwell。
Probablytheresultwould，afterall，havebeennil，hadnotthefollowingfewremarksbeenmadeonedayatbreakfast。
Herfatherwasinhisoldheartyspirits。Hesmiledtohimselfatstoriestoobadtotell，andcalledElfridealittlescampforsurreptitiouslypreservingsomeblindkittensthatoughttohavebeendrowned。Afterthisexpression，shesaidtohimsuddenly:
IfMr。Smithhadbeenalreadyinthefamily，youwouldnothavebeenmadewretchedbydiscoveringhehadpoorrelations？\'
\'Doyoumeaninthefamilybymarriage？\'herepliedinattentively，andcontinuingtopeelhisegg。
Theaccumulatingscarlettoldthatwashermeaning，asmuchastheaffirmativereply。
\'Ishouldhaveputupwithit，nodoubt，\'Mr。Swancourtobserved。
\'Sothatyouwouldnothavebeendrivenintohopelessmelancholy，buthavemadethebestofhim？\'
Elfride\'serraticmindhadfromheryouthupwardsbeenconstantlyinthehabitofperplexingherfatherbyhypotheticalquestions，basedonabsurdconditions。Thepresentseemedtobecastsopreciselyinthemouldofpreviousonesthat，notbeinggiventosynthesesofcircumstances，heanswereditwithcustomarycomplacency。
\'Ifhewerealliedtousirretrievably，ofcourseI，oranysensibleman，shouldacceptconditionsthatcouldnotbealtered；
certainlynotbehopelesslymelancholyaboutit。Idon\'tbelieveanythingintheworldwouldmakemehopelesslymelancholy。Anddon\'tletanythingmakeyouso，either。\'
\'Iwon\'t，papa，\'shecried，withaserenebrightnessthatpleasedhim。
CertainlyMr。Swancourtmusthavebeenfarfromthinkingthatthebrightnesscamefromanexhilaratingintentiontoholdbacknolongerfromthemadactionshehadplanned。
IntheeveninghedroveawaytowardsStratleigh，quitealone。Itwasanunusualcourseforhim。AtthedoorElfridehadbeenagainalmostimpelledbyherfeelingstopouroutall。
\'WhyareyougoingtoStratleigh，papa？\'shesaid，andlookedathimlongingly。
\'Iwilltellyouto-morrowwhenIcomeback，\'hesaidcheerily；
\'notbeforethen，Elfride。Thouwiltnotutterwhatthoudostnotknow，andsofarwillItrustthee，gentleElfride。\'
Shewasrepressedandhurt。
\'IwilltellyoumyerrandtoPlymouth，too，whenIcomeback，\'
shemurmured。
Hewentaway。Hisjocularitymadeherintentionseemthelighter，ashisindifferencemadehermoreresolvedtodoassheliked。
ItwasafamiliarSeptembersunset，dark-bluefragmentsofclouduponanorange-yellowsky。Thesesunsetsusedtotempthertowalktowardsthem，asanybeautifulthingtemptsanearapproach。
Shewentthroughthefieldtotheprivethedge，clamberedintothemiddleofit，andreclineduponthethickboughs。Afterlookingwestwardforaconsiderabletime，sheblamedherselffornotlookingeastwardtowhereStephenwas，andturnedround。
Ultimatelyhereyesfellupontheground。
Apeculiaritywasobservablebeneathher。Agreenfieldspreaditselfoneachsideofthehedge，onebelongingtotheglebe，theotherbeingapartofthelandattachedtothemanor-houseadjoining。Onthevicaragesideshesawalittlefootpath，thedistinctiveandaltogetherexceptionalfeatureofwhichconsistedinitsbeingonlyabouttenyardslong；itterminatedabruptlyateachend。
Afootpath，suddenlybeginningandsuddenlyending，comingfromnowhereandleadingnowhere，shehadneverseenbefore。
Yes，shehad，onsecondthoughts。Shehadseenexactlysuchapathtroddeninthefrontofbarracksbythesentry。
Andthisrecollectionexplainedtheoriginofthepathhere。Herfatherhadtroddenitbypacingupanddown，asshehadonceseenhimdoing。
Sittingonthehedgeasshesatnow，hereyescommandedaviewofbothsidesofit。Andafewminuteslater，Elfridelookedovertothemanorside。
Herewasanothersentrypath。Itwaslikethefirstinlength，anditbeganandendedexactlyoppositethebeginningandendingofitsneighbour，butitwasthinner，andlessdistinct。
Tworeasonsexistedforthedifference。Thisonemighthavebeentroddenbyasimilarweightoftreadtotheother，exercisedalessnumberoftimes；oritmighthavebeenwalkedjustasfrequently，butbylighterfeet。
ProbablyagentlemanfromScotland-yard，hadhebeenpassingatthetime，mighthaveconsideredthelatteralternativeasthemoreprobable。Elfridethoughtotherwise，sofarasshethoughtatall。ButherowngreatTo-Morrowwasnowimminent；allthoughtsinspiredbycasualsightsoftheeyewereonlyallowedtoexercisethemselvesininferiorcornersofherbrain，previouslytobeingbanishedaltogether。
Elfridewasatlengthcompelledtoreasonpracticallyuponherundertaking。Allherdefiniteperceptionsthereon，whentheemotionaccompanyingthemwasabstracted，amountedtonomorethanthese:
\'Sayanhourandthree-quarterstoridetoSt。Launce\'s。
\'SayhalfanhourattheFalcontochangemydress。
\'SaytwohourswaitingforsometrainandgettingtoPlymouth。
\'Sayanhourtosparebeforetwelveo\'clock。
\'TotaltimefromleavingEndelstowtilltwelveo\'clock，fivehours。
\'ThereforeIshallhavetostartatseven。\'
Nosurpriseorsenseofunwontednessenteredthemindsoftheservantsatherearlyride。Themonotonyoflifeweassociatewithpeopleofsmallincomesindistrictsoutofthesoundoftherailwaywhistle，hasoneexception，whichputsintoshadetheexperienceofdwellersaboutthegreatcentresofpopulation——thatis，intravelling。Everyjourneythereismoreorlessanadventure；adventuroushoursarenecessarilychosenforthemostcommonplaceouting。MissElfridehadtoleaveearly——thatwasall。
Elfrideneverwentoutonhorsebackbutshebroughthomesomething——somethingfound，orsomethingbought。Ifshetrottedtotownorvillage，herburdenwasbooks。Iftohills，woods，ortheseashore，itwaswonderfulmosses，abnormaltwigs，ahandkerchiefofwetshellsorseaweed。
Once，inmuddyweather，whenPansywaswalkingwithherdownthestreetofCastleBoterel，onafair-day，apacketinfrontofherandapacketunderherarm，anaccidentbefellthepackets，andtheyslippeddown。Ononesideofher，threevolumesoffictionlaykissingthemud；ontheothernumerousskeinsofpolychromaticwoolslayabsorbingit。Unpleasantwomensmiledthroughwindowsatthemishap，themenalllookedround，andaboy，whowasmindingaginger-breadstallwhilsttheownerhadgonetogetdrunk，laughedloudly。Theblueeyesturnedtosapphires，andthecheekscrimsonedwithvexation。
Afterthatmisadventureshesetherwitstowork，andwasingeniousenoughtoinventanarrangementofsmallstrapsaboutthesaddle，bywhichagreatdealcouldbesafelycarriedthereon，inasmallcompass。Hereshenowspreadoutandfastenedaplaindarkwalking-dressandafewothertriflesofapparel。Wormopenedthegateforher，andshevanishedaway。
Oneofthebrightestmorningsoflatesummershoneuponher。Theheatherwasatitspurplest，thefurzeatitsyellowest，thegrasshopperschirpedloudenoughforbirds，thesnakeshissedlikelittleengines，andElfrideatfirstfeltlively。SittingateaseuponPansy，inherorthodoxriding-habitandnondescripthat，shelookedwhatshefelt。Butthemercuryofthosedayshadatrickoffallingunexpectedly。First，onlyforoneminuteintenhadsheasenseofdepression。Thenalargecloud，thathadbeenhanginginthenorthlikeablackfleece，cameandplaceditselfbetweenherandthesun。Ithelpedonwhatwasalreadyinevitable，andshesankintoauniformityofsadness。
Sheturnedinthesaddleandlookedback。Theywerenowonanopentable-land，whosealtitudestillgaveheraviewoftheseabyEndelstow。Shelookedlonginglyatthatspot。
DuringthislittlerevulsionoffeelingPansyhadbeenstilladvancing，andElfridefeltitwouldbeabsurdtoturnherlittlemare\'sheadtheotherway。\'Still，\'shethought，\'ifIhadamammaathomeIWOULDgoback!\'
Andmakingoneofthosestealthymovementsbywhichwomenlettheirheartsjugglewiththeirbrains，shedidputthehorse\'sheadabout，asifunconsciously，andwentatahand-galloptowardshomeformorethanamile。Bythistime，fromtheinveteratehabitofvaluingwhatwehaverenounceddirectlythealternativeischosen，thethoughtofherforsakenStephenrecalledher，andsheturnedabout，andcanteredontoSt。Launce\'sagain。
Thismiserablestrifeofthoughtnowbegantorageinallitswildness。Overwroughtandtrembling，shedroppedthereinuponPansy\'sshoulders，andvowedshewouldbeledwhitherthehorsewouldtakeher。
Pansyslackenedherpacetoawalk，andwalkedonwithheragitatedburdenforthreeorfourminutes。Attheexpirationofthistimetheyhadcometoalittleby-wayontheright，leadingdownaslopetoapoolofwater。Theponystopped，lookedtowardsthepool，andthenadvancedandstoopedtodrink。
ElfridelookedatherwatchanddiscoveredthatifsheweregoingtoreachSt。Launce\'searlyenoughtochangeherdressattheFalcon，andgetachanceofsomeearlytraintoPlymouth——therewereonlytwoavailable——itwasnecessarytoproceedatonce。
Shewasimpatient。ItseemedasifPansywouldneverstopdrinking；andthereposeofthepool，theidlemotionsoftheinsectsandfliesuponit，theplacidwavingoftheflags，theleaf-skeletons，likeGenoesefiligree，placidlysleepingatthebottom，bytheircontrastwithherownturmoilmadeherimpatiencegreater。
Pansydidturnatlast，andwentuptheslopeagaintothehigh-
road。Theponycameuponit，andstoodcross-wise，lookingupanddown。Elfride\'sheartthrobbederratically，andshethought，\'Horses，iflefttothemselves，makeforwheretheyarebestfed。
Pansywillgohome。\'
PansyturnedandwalkedontowardsSt。Launce\'sPansyathome，duringsummer，hadlittlebutgrasstoliveon。
AfteraruntoSt。Launce\'sshealwayshadafeedofcorntosupportheronthereturnjourney。Therefore，beingnowmorethanhalfway，shepreferredSt。Launce\'s。
ButElfridedidnotrememberthisnow。Allshecaredtorecognizewasadreamyfancythatto-day\'srashactionwasnotherown。Shewasdisabledbyhermoods，anditseemedindispensabletoadheretotheprogramme。Sostrangelyinvolvedaremotivesthat，morethanbyherpromisetoStephen，moreeventhanbyherlove，shewasforcedonbyasenseofthenecessityofkeepingfaithwithherself，aspromisedintheinanevowoftenminutesago。
Shehesitatednolonger。Pansywent，likethesteedofAdonis，asifshetoldthesteps。PresentlythequaintgablesandjumbledroofsofSt。Launce\'swerespreadbeneathher，andgoingdownthehillsheenteredthecourtyardoftheFalcon。Mrs。Buckle，thelandlady，cametothedoortomeether。
TheSwancourtswerewellknownhere。Thetransitionfromequestriantotheordinaryguiseofrailwaytravellershadbeenmorethanonceperformedbyfatheranddaughterinthisestablishment。
InlessthanaquarterofanhourElfrideemergedfromthedoorinherwalkingdress，andwenttotherailway。ShehadnottoldMrs。
Buckleanythingastoherintentions，andwassupposedtohavegoneoutshopping。
Anhourandfortyminuteslater，andshewasinStephen\'sarmsatthePlymouthstation。Notupontheplatform——inthesecretretreatofadesertedwaiting-room。
Stephen\'sfacebodedill。Hewaspaleanddespondent。
Whatisthematter？\'sheasked。
\'Wecannotbemarriedhereto-day，myElfie!Ioughttohaveknownitandstayedhere。InmyignoranceIdidnot。Ihavethelicence，butitcanonlybeusedinmyparishinLondon。Ionlycamedownlastnight，asyouknow。\'
\'Whatshallwedo？\'shesaidblankly。
\'There\'sonlyonethingwecando，darling。\'
\'What\'sthat？\'
\'GoontoLondonbyatrainjuststarting，andbemarriedthereto-morrow。\'
\'Passengersforthe11。5up-traintaketheirseats!\'saidaguard\'svoiceontheplatform。
\'Willyougo，Elfride？\'
\'Iwill。\'
Inthreeminutesthetrainhadmovedoff，bearingawaywithitStephenandElfride。
ChapterXII
\'Adieu!shecries，andwavedherlilyhand。\'
Thefewtatteredcloudsofthemorningenlargedandunited，thesunwithdrewbehindthemtoemergenomorethatday，andtheeveningdrewtoacloseindriftsofrain。Thewater-dropsbeatlikeduckshotagainstthewindowoftherailway-carriagecontainingStephenandElfride。
ThejourneyfromPlymouthtoPaddington，byeventhemostheadlongexpress，allowsquiteenoughleisureforpassionofanysorttocool。Elfride\'sexcitementhadpassedoff，andshesatinakindofstuporduringthelatterhalfofthejourney。Shewasarousedbytheclangingofthemazeofrailsoverwhichtheytracedtheirwayattheentrancetothestation。
IsthisLondon？\'shesaid。
\'Yes，darling，\'saidStepheninatoneofassurancehewasfarfromfeeling。Tohim，nolessthantoher，therealitysogreatlydifferedfromtheprefiguring。
Shepeeredoutaswellasthewindow，beadedwithdrops，wouldallowher，andsawonlythelamps，whichhadjustbeenlit，blinkinginthewetatmosphere，androwsofhideouszincchimney-
pipesindimreliefagainstthesky。Shewritheduneasily，aswhenathoughtisswellinginthemindwhichmustcausemuchpainatitsdeliveranceinwords。Elfridehadknownnomoreaboutthestingsofevilreportthanthenativewild-fowlknewoftheeffectsofCrusoe\'sfirstshot。Nowshesawalittlefurther，andalittlefurtherstill。
Thetrainstopped。Stephenrelinquishedthesofthandhehadheldalltheday，andproceededtoassistherontotheplatform。
Thisactofalightinguponstrangegroundseemedallthatwaswantedtocompletearesolutionwithinher。
Shelookedatherbetrothedwithdespairingeyes。
\'OStephen，\'sheexclaimed，\'Iamsomiserable!Imustgohomeagain——Imust——Imust!Forgivemywretchedvacillation。Idon\'tlikeithere——normyself——noryou!\'
Stephenlookedbewildered，anddidnotspeak。
\'Willyouallowmetogohome？\'sheimplored。\'Iwon\'ttroubleyoutogowithme。Iwillnotbeanyweightuponyou；onlysayyouwillagreetomyreturning；thatyouwillnothatemeforit，Stephen!ItisbetterthatIshouldreturnagain；indeeditis，Stephen。\'
\'Butwecan\'treturnnow，\'hesaidinadeprecatorytone。
\'Imust!Iwill!\'
\'How？Whendoyouwanttogo？\'
\'Now。Canwegoatonce？\'
Theladlookedhopelesslyalongtheplatform。
\'Ifyoumustgo，andthinkitwrongtoremain，dearest，\'saidhesadly，\'youshall。Youshalldowhateveryoulike，myElfride。
Butwouldyouinrealityrathergonowthanstaytillto-morrow，andgoasmywife？\'
\'Yes，yes——much——anythingtogonow。Imust；Imust!\'shecried。
\'Weoughttohavedoneoneoftwothings，\'heansweredgloomily。
\'Nevertohavestarted，ornottohavereturnedwithoutbeingmarried。Idon\'tliketosayit，Elfride——indeedIdon\'t；butyoumustbetoldthis，thatgoingbackunmarriedmaycompromiseyourgoodnameintheeyesofpeoplewhomayhearofit。\'
\'Theywillnot；andImustgo。\'
\'OElfride!Iamtoblameforbringingyouaway。\'
\'Notatall。Iamtheelder。\'
\'Byamonth；andwhat\'sthat？Butnevermindthatnow。\'Helookedaround。\'IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？\'heinquiredofaguard。Theguardpassedonanddidnotspeak。
\'IsthereatrainforPlymouthto-night？\'saidElfridetoanother。
\'Yes，miss；the8。10——leavesintenminutes。Youhavecometothewrongplatform；itistheotherside。ChangeatBristolintothenightmail。Downthatstaircase，andundertheline。\'
Theyrandownthestaircase——Elfridefirst——tothebooking-office，andintoacarriagewithanofficialstandingbesidethedoor。
\'Showyourtickets，please。\'Theyarelockedin——menabouttheplatformacceleratetheirvelocitiestilltheyflyupanddownlikeshuttlesinaloom——awhistle——thewavingofaflag——ahumancry——asteamgroan——andawaytheygotoPlymouthagain，justcatchingthesewordsastheyglideoff:
\'Thosetwoyoungstershadanearrunforit，andnomistake!\'
Elfridefoundherbreath。
\'Andhaveyoucometoo，Stephen？Whydidyou？\'
\'IshallnotleaveyoutillIseeyousafeatSt。Launce\'s。DonotthinkworseofmethanIam，Elfride。\'
Andthentheyrattledalongthroughthenight，backagainbythewaytheyhadcome。Theweathercleared，andthestarsshoneinuponthem。Theirtwoorthreefellow-passengerssatformostofthetimewithclosedeyes。Stephensometimesslept；Elfridealonewaswakefulandpalpitatinghourafterhour。
Thedaybegantobreak，andrevealedthattheywerebythesea。
Redrocksoverhungthem，and，recedingintodistance，grewlividinthebluegreyatmosphere。Thesunrose，andsentpenetratingshaftsoflightinupontheirwearyfaces。Anotherhour，andtheworldbegantobebusy。Theywaitedyetalittle，andthetrainslackeneditsspeedinviewoftheplatformatSt。Launce\'s。
Sheshivered，andmusedsadly。
\'Ididnotseealltheconsequences，\'shesaid。\'Appearancesarewofullyagainstme。Ifanybodyfindsmeout，Iam，Isuppose，disgraced。\'
\'Thenappearanceswillspeakfalsely；andhowcanthatmatter，eveniftheydo？Ishallbeyourhusbandsoonerorlater，forcertain，andsoproveyourpurity。\'
\'Stephen，onceinLondonIoughttohavemarriedyou，\'shesaidfirmly。\'Itwasmyonlysafedefence。IseemorethingsnowthanIdidyesterday。Myonlyremainingchanceisnottobediscovered；andthatwemustfightformostdesperately。\'
Theysteppedout。Elfridepulledathickveiloverherface。
Awomanwithredandscalyeyelidsandglisteningeyeswassittingonabenchjustinsidetheoffice-door。ShefixedhereyesuponElfridewithanexpressionwhoseforceitwasimpossibletodoubt，butthemeaningofwhichwasnotclear；thenuponthecarriagetheyhadleft。Sheseemedtoreadasinisterstoryinthescene。
Elfrideshrankback，andturnedtheotherway。
\'Whoisthatwoman？\'saidStephen。\'Shelookedhardatyou。\'
\'Mrs。Jethway——awidow，andmotherofthatyoungmanwhosetombwesatontheothernight。Stephen，sheismyenemy。WouldthatGodhadhadmercyenoughuponmetohavehiddenthisfromHER!\'
\'Donottalksohopelessly，\'heremonstrated。\'Idon\'tthinksherecognizedus。\'
\'Ipraythatshedidnot。\'
Heputonamorevigorousmood。
\'Now，wewillgoandgetsomebreakfast。\'
\'No，no!\'shebegged。\'Icannoteat。IMUSTgetbacktoEndelstow。\'
ElfridewasasifshehadgrownyearsolderthanStephennow。
\'ButyouhavehadnothingsincelastnightbutthatcupofteaatBristol。\'
\'Ican\'teat，Stephen。\'
\'Wineandbiscuit？\'
\'No。\'
\'Nortea，norcoffee？\'
\'No。\'
\'Aglassofwater？\'
\'No。Iwantsomethingthatmakespeoplestrongandenergeticforthepresent，thatborrowsthestrengthofto-morrowforuseto-
day——leavingto-morrowwithoutanyatallforthatmatter；oreventhatwouldtakealllifeawayto-morrow，solongasitenabledmetogethomeagainnow。Brandy，that\'swhatIwant。Thatwoman\'seyeshaveeatenmyheartaway!\'
\'Youarewild；andyougrieveme，darling。Mustitbebrandy？\'
\'Yes，ifyouplease。\'
\'Howmuch？\'
\'Idon\'tknow。Ihaveneverdrunkmorethanateaspoonfulatonce。AllIknowisthatIwantit。Don\'tgetitattheFalcon。\'
Heleftherinthefields，andwenttothenearestinninthatdirection。Presentlyhereturnedwithasmallflasknearlyfull，andsomeslicesofbread-and-butter，thinaswafers，inapaper-
bag。Elfridetookasiportwo。
\'Itgoesintomyeyes，\'shesaidwearily。\'Ican\'ttakeanymore。
Yes，Iwill；Iwillclosemyeyes。Ah，itgoestothembyaninsideroute。Idon\'twantit；throwitaway。\'
However，shecouldeat，anddideat。HerchiefattentionwasconcentrateduponhowtogetthehorsefromtheFalconstableswithoutsuspicion。Stephenwasnotallowedtoaccompanyherintothetown。Sheactednowuponconclusionsreachedwithoutanyaidfromhim:hispoweroverherseemedtohavedeparted。
\'Youhadbetternotbeseenwithme，evenherewhereIamsolittleknown。Wehavebegunstealthilyasthieves，andwemustendstealthilyasthieves，atallhazards。Untilpapahasbeentoldbymemyself，adiscoverywouldbeterrible。\'
Walkingandgloomilytalkingthustheywaitedtillnearlynineo\'clock，atwhichtimeElfridethoughtshemightcallattheFalconwithoutcreatingmuchsurprise。Behindtherailway-stationwastheriver，spannedbyanoldTudorbridge，whencetheroaddivergedintwodirections，oneskirtingthesuburbsofthetown，andwindingroundagainintothehigh-roadtoEndelstow。BesidethisroadStephensat，andawaitedherreturnfromtheFalcon。
Hesatasonesittingforaportrait，motionless，watchingthechequeredlightsandshadesonthetree-trunks，thechildrenplayingoppositetheschoolprevioustoenteringforthemorninglesson，thereapersinafieldafaroff。Thecertaintyofpossessionhadnotcome，andtherewasnothingtomitigatetheyouth\'sgloom，thatincreasedwiththethoughtofthepartingnowsonear。
Atlengthshecametrottingroundtohim，inappearancemuchasontheromanticmorningoftheirvisittothecliff，butshornoftheradiancewhichglistenedaboutherthen。However，hercomparativeimmunityfromfurtherriskandtroublehadconsiderablycomposedher。Elfride\'scapacityforbeingwoundedwasonlysurpassedbyhercapacityforhealing，whichrightlyorwronglyisbysomeconsideredanindexoftransientnessoffeelingingeneral。
\'Elfride，whatdidtheysayattheFalcon？\'
\'Nothing。Nobodyseemedcuriousaboutme。TheyknewIwenttoPlymouth，andIhavestayedthereanightnowandthenwithMissBicknell。Irathercalculateduponthat。\'
Andnowpartingaroselikeadeathtothesechildren，foritwasimperativethatsheshouldstartatonce。Stephenwalkedbesideherfornearlyamile。Duringthewalkhesaidsadly:
\'Elfride，four-and-twentyhourshavepassed，andthethingisnotdone。\'
\'Butyouhaveinsuredthatitshallbedone。\'
\'HowhaveI？\'
\'OStephen，youaskhow!DoyouthinkIcouldmarryanothermanonearthafterhavinggonethusfarwithyou？HaveInotshownbeyondpossibilityofdoubtthatIcanbenobodyelse\'s？HaveInotirretrievablycommittedmyself？——pridehasstoodfornothinginthefaceofmygreatlove。Youmisunderstoodmyturningback，andIcannotexplainit。Itwaswrongtogowithyouatall；andthoughitwouldhavebeenworsetogofurther，itwouldhavebeenbetterpolicy，perhaps。Beassuredofthis，thatwheneveryouhaveahomeforme——howeverpoorandhumble——andcomeandclaimme，Iamready。\'Sheaddedbitterly，\'Whenmyfatherknowsofthisday\'swork，hemaybeonlytoogladtoletmego。\'
\'Perhapshemay，then，insistuponourmarriageatonce!\'Stephenanswered，seeingarayofhopeintheveryfocusofherremorse。
\'Ihopehemay，evenifwehadstilltoparttillIamreadyforyou，asweintended。\'
Elfridedidnotreply。
\'Youdon\'tseemthesamewoman，Elfie，thatyouwereyesterday。\'
\'NoramI。Butgood-bye。Gobacknow。\'Andshereinedthehorseforparting。\'OStephen，\'shecried，\'Ifeelsoweak!Idon\'tknowhowtomeethim。Cannotyou，afterall，comebackwithme？\'
\'ShallIcome？\'
Elfridepausedtothink。
\'No；itwillnotdo。Itismyutterfoolishnessthatmakesmesaysuchwords。Buthewillsendforyou。\'
\'Saytohim，\'continuedStephen，\'thatwedidthisintheabsolutedespairofourminds。Tellhimwedon\'twishhimtofavourus——
onlytodealjustlywithus。Ifhesays，marrynow，somuchthebetter。Ifnot，saythatallmaybeputrightbyhispromisetoallowmetohaveyouwhenIamgoodenoughforyou——whichmaybesoon。SayIhavenothingtoofferhiminexchangeforhistreasure——themoresorryI；butallthelove，andallthelife，andallthelabourofanhonestmanshallbeyours。Astowhenthishadbetterbetold，Ileaveyoutojudge。\'
Hiswordsmadehercheerfulenoughtotoywithherposition。
\'Andifillreportshouldcome，Stephen，\'shesaidsmiling，\'why，theorange-treemustsaveme，asitsavedvirginsinSt。George\'stimefromthepoisonousbreathofthedragon。There，forgivemeforforwardness:Iamgoing。\'
Thentheboyandgirlbeguiledthemselveswithwordsofhalf-
partingonly。
\'Ownwifie，Godblessyoutillwemeetagain!\'
\'Tillwemeetagain，good-bye!\'
Andtheponywenton，andshespoketohimnomore。Hesawherfigurediminishandherblueveilgrowgray——sawitwiththeagonizingsensationsofaslowdeath。
Afterthuspartingfromamanthanwhomshehadknownnonegreaterasyet，Elfrideroderapidlyonwards，atearbeingoccasionallyshakenfromhereyesintotheroad。Whatyesterdayhadseemedsodesirable，sopromising，eventrifling，hadnowacquiredthecomplexionofatragedy。
ShesawtherocksandseaintheneighbourhoodofEndelstow，andheavedasighofreliefWhenshepassedafieldbehindthevicaragesheheardthevoicesofUnityandWilliamWorm。Theywerehangingacarpetuponaline。Unitywasutteringasentencethatconcludedwith\'whenMissElfridecomes。\'
\'Whend\'yeexpecther？\'
\'Nottilleveningnow。She\'ssafeenoughatMissBicknell\'s，blessye。\'
Elfridewentroundtothedoor。Shedidnotknockorring；andseeingnobodytotakethehorse，Elfrideledherroundtotheyard，slippedoffthebridleandsaddle，drovehertowardsthepaddock，andturnedherin。ThenElfridecreptindoors，andlookedintoalltheground-floorrooms。Herfatherwasnotthere。
Onthemantelpieceofthedrawing-roomstoodaletteraddressedtoherinhishandwriting。Shetookitandreaditasshewentupstairstochangeherhabit。
STRATLEIGH，Thursday。
\'DEARELFRIDE，——OnsecondthoughtsIwillnotreturnto-day，butonlycomeasfarasWadcombe。Ishallbeathomebyto-morrowafternoon，andbringafriendwithme——Yours，inhaste，C。S。\'
Aftermakingaquicktoiletshefeltmorerevived，thoughstillsufferingfromaheadache。OngoingoutofthedoorshemetUnityatthetopofthestair。
\'OMissElfride!Isaidtomyself\'tishersperrit!Wedidn\'tdreamo\'younotcominghomelastnight。Youdidn\'tsayanythingaboutstaying。\'
\'Iintendedtocomehomethesameevening，butalteredmyplan。I
wishedIhadn\'tafterwards。Papawillbeangry，Isuppose？\'
\'Betternottellhim，miss，\'saidUnity。
\'Idofearto，\'shemurmured。\'Unity，wouldyoujustbegintellinghimwhenhecomeshome？\'
