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