ThesuddennessofElfride'srenunciationofhimselfwasfoodformoretorture。Toanunimpassionedoutsider，itadmittedofatleasttwointerpretations——itmighteitherhaveproceededfromanendeavourtobefaithfultoherfirstchoice，tilltheloverseenabsolutelyoverpoweredtheloverremembered，orfromawishnottolosehislovetillsureoftheloveofanother。ButtoStephenSmiththemotiveinvolvedinthelatteralternativemadeituntenablewhereElfridewastheactor。
　　Hemusedonherletterstohim，inwhichshehadnevermentionedasyllableconcerningKnight。Itisdesirable，however，toobservethatonlyintwoletterscouldshepossiblyhavedoneso。OnewaswrittenaboutaweekbeforeKnight'sarrival，when，thoughshedidnotmentionhispromisedcomingtoStephen，shehadhardlyadefinitereasoninhermindforneglectingtodoit。InthenextshedidcasuallyalludetoKnight。ButStephenhadleftBombaylongbeforethatletterarrived。
　　Stephenlookedattheblackformoftheadjacenthouse，whereitcutadarkpolygonalnotchoutofthesky，andfeltthathehatedthespot。Hedidnotknowmanyfactsofthecase，butcouldnothelpinstinctivelyassociatingElfride'sficklenesswiththemarriageofherfather，andtheirintroductiontoLondonsociety。
　　Heclosedtheirongateboundingtheshrubberyasnoiselesslyashehadopenedit，andwentintothegrassyfield。Herehecouldseetheoldvicarage，thehousealonethatwasassociatedwiththesweetpleasanttimeofhisincipientloveforElfride。Turningsadlyfromtheplacethatwasnolongeranookinwhichhisthoughtsmightnestlewhenhewasfaraway，hewanderedinthedirectionoftheeastvillage，toreachhisfather'shousebeforetheyretiredtorest。
　　Thenearestwaytothecottagewasbycrossingthepark。Hedidnothurry。Happinessfrequentlyhasreasonforhaste，butitisseldomthatdesolationneedscrambleorstrain。Sometimeshepausedunderthelow-hangingarmsofthetrees，lookingvacantlyontheground。
　　Stephenwasstandingthus，scarcelylesscrippledinthoughtthanhewasblankinvision，whenaclearsoundpermeatedthequietairabouthim，andspreadonfarbeyond。ThesoundwasthestrokeofabellfromthetowerofEastEndelstowChurch，whichstoodinadellnotfortyyardsfromLordLuxellian'smansion，andwithintheparkenclosure。Anotherstrokegreetedhisear，andgavecharactertoboth:thencameaslowsuccessionofthem。
　　'Somebodyisdead，'hesaidaloud。
　　Thedeath-knellofaninhabitantoftheeasternparishwasbeingtolled。
　　AnunusualfeatureinthetollingwasthatithadnotbeenbegunaccordingtothecustominEndelstowandotherparishesintheneighbourhood。Ateverydeaththesexandageofthedeceasedwereannouncedbyasystemofchanges。Threetimesthreestrokessignifiedthatthedepartedonewasaman；threetimestwo，awoman；twicethree，aboy；twicetwo，agirl。Theregularcontinuityofthetollingsuggestedthatitwastheresumptionratherthanthebeginningofaknell——theopeningportionofwhichStephenhadnotbeennearenoughtohear。
　　Themomentaryanxietyhehadfeltwithregardtohisparentspassedaway。Hehadlefttheminperfecthealth，andhadanyseriousillnessseizedeither，acommunicationwouldhavereachedhimerethis。Atthesametime，sincehiswayhomewardlayunderthechurchyardyews，heresolvedtolookintothebelfryinpassingby，andspeakawordtoMartinCannister，whowouldbethere。
　　Stephenreachedthebrowofthehill，andfeltinclinedtorenouncehisidea。Hismoodwassuchthattalkingtoanypersontowhomhecouldnotunburdenhimselfwouldbewearisome。
　　However，beforehecouldputanyinclinationintoeffect，theyoungmansawfromamidthetreesabrightlightshining，theraysfromwhichradiatedlikeneedlesthroughthesadplumyfoliageoftheyews。Itsdirectionwasfromthecentreofthechurchyard。
　　Stephenmechanicallywentforward。Nevercouldtherebeagreatercontrastbetweentwoplacesoflikepurposethanbetweenthisgraveyardandthatofthefurthervillage。Herethegrasswascarefullytended，andformedvirtuallyapartofthemanor-houselawn；flowersandshrubsbeingplantedindiscriminatelyoverboth，whilstthefewgravesvisibleweremathematicallyexactinshapeandsmoothness，appearinginthedaytimelikechinsnewlyshaven。
　　Therewasnowall，thedivisionbetweenGod'sAcreandLordLuxellian'sbeingmarkedonlybyafewsquarestonessetatequidistantpoints。Amongthosepersonswhohaveromanticsentimentsonthesubjectoftheirlastdwelling-place，probablythegreaternumberwouldhavechosensuchaspotasthisinpreferencetoanyother:afewwouldhavefanciedaconstraintinitstrimneatness，andwouldhavepreferredthewildhill-topoftheneighbouringsite，withNatureinhermostnegligentattire。
　　Thelightinthechurchyardhenextdiscoveredtohaveitssourceinapointveryneartheground，andStephenimagineditmightcomefromalanternintheinteriorofapartly-duggrave。Butanearerapproachshowedhimthatitspositionwasimmediatelyunderthewalloftheaisle，andwithinthemouthofanarchway。Hecouldnowhearvoices，andthetruthofthewholematterbegantodawnuponhim。Walkingontowardstheopening，Smithdiscernedonhislefthandaheapofearth，andbeforehimaflightofstonestepswhichtheremovedearthhaduncovered，leadingdownundertheedifice。Itwastheentrancetoalargefamilyvault，extendingunderthenorthaisle。
　　Stephenhadneverbeforeseenitopen，anddescendingoneortwostepsstoopedtolookunderthearch。Thevaultappearedtobecrowdedwithcoffins，withtheexceptionofanopencentralspace，whichhadbeennecessarilykeptfreeforingressandaccesstothesides，roundthreeofwhichthecoffinswerestackedinstonebinsorniches。
　　Theplacewaswelllightedwithcandlesstuckinslipsofwoodthatwerefastenedtothewall。Onmakingthedescentofanotherstepthelivinginhabitantsofthevaultwererecognizable。Theywerehisfatherthemaster-mason，anunder-mason，MartinCannister，andtwoorthreeyoungandoldlabouring-men。Crowbarsandworkmen'shammerswerescatteredabout。Thewholecompany，sittingroundoncoffinswhichhadbeenremovedfromtheirplaces，apparentlyforsomealterationorenlargementofthevault，wereeatingbreadandcheese，anddrinkingalefromacupwithtwohandles，passedroundfromeachtoeach。
　　'Whoisdead？'Stepheninquired，steppingdown。
　　ChapterXXVI
　　'Tothatlastnothingunderearth。'
　　AlleyeswereturnedtotheentranceasStephenspoke，andtheancient-manneredconclavescrutinizedhiminquiringly。
　　'Why，'tisourStephen!'saidhisfather，risingfromhisseat；
　　and，stillretainingthefrothymuginhislefthand，heswungforwardhisrightforagrasp。'Yourmotherisexpectingye——
　　thoughtyouwouldhavecomeaforedark。Butyou'llwaitandgohomewithme？Ihaveallbutdonefortheday，andwasgoingdirectly。'
　　'Yes，'tisMasterStephy，sureenough。Gladtoseeyousosoonagain，MasterSmith，'saidMartinCannister，chasteningthegladnessexpressedinhiswordsbyastrictneutralityofcountenance，inordertoharmonizethefeelingasmuchaspossiblewiththesolemnityofafamilyvault。
　　'Thesametoyou，Martin；andyou，William，'saidStephen，noddingaroundtotherest，who，havingtheirmouthsfullofbreadandcheese，wereofnecessitycompelledtoreplymerelybycompressingtheireyestofriendlylinesandwrinkles。
　　'Andwhoisdead？'Stephenrepeated。
　　'LadyLuxellian，poorgentlewoman，asweallshall，saidtheunder-mason。'Ay，andwebegoingtoenlargethevaulttomakeroomforher。'
　　'Whendidshedie？'
　　'Earlythismorning，'hisfatherreplied，withanappearanceofrecurringtoachronicthought。'Yes，thismorning。Martinhevbeentollingeversince，almost。There，'twasexpected。Shewasverylimber。'
　　'Ay，poorsoul，thismorning，'resumedtheunder-mason，amarvellouslyoldman，whoseskinseemedsomuchtoolargeforhisbodythatitwouldnotstayinposition。'Shemustknowbythistimewhethershe'stogoupordown，poorwoman。'
　　'Whatwasherage？'
　　'Notmorethansevenoreightandtwentybycandlelight。But，Lord!byday'awasfortyif'awereanhour。'
　　'Ay，night-timeorday-timemakesadifferenceoftwentyyearstorichfeymels，'observedMartin。
　　'Shewasoneandthirtyreally，'saidJohnSmith。'Ihaditfromthemthatknow。'
　　'Notmorethanthat!'
　　''Alookedverybad，poorlady。Infaith，yemightsayshewasdeadforyearsafore'awouldownit。'
　　'Asmyoldfatherusedtosay，"dead，butwouldn'tdropdown。”'
　　'Iseedher，poorsoul，'saidalabourerfrombehindsomeremovedcoffins，'onlybutlastValentine's-dayofalltheworld。'Awasarmincrookwi'mylord。Isaystomyself，"YoubeticketedChurchyard，mynoblelady，althoughyoudon'tdreamon't。”'
　　'Isupposemylordwillwritetoalltheotherlordsanointedinthenation，tolet'emknowthatshethatwasisnownomore？'
　　''Tisdoneandpast。Iseeabundleoflettersgooffanhourafterthedeath。Sichwonderfulblackrimsastheylettershad——
　　half-an-inchwide，attheveryleast。'
　　'Toomuch，'observedMartin。'Inshort，'tisoutofthequestionthatahumanbeingcanbesomournfulasblackedgeshalf-an-inchwide。I'msurepeopledon'tfeelmorethanaverynarrowborderwhentheyfeelsmostofall。'
　　'Andtherearetwolittlegirls，aretherenot？'saidStephen。
　　'Niceclanelittlefaces!——leftmotherlessnow。'
　　'TheyusedtocometoParsonSwancourt'stoplaywithMissElfridewhenIwerethere，'saidWilliamWorm。'Ah，theydidso's!'Thelattersentencewasintroducedtoaddthenecessarymelancholytoaremarkwhich，intrinsically，couldhardlybemadetopossessenoughfortheoccasion。'Yes，'continuedWorm，'they'drunupstairs，they'drundown；flittingaboutwithhereverywhere。
　　Veryfondofher，theywere。Ah，well!'
　　'Fonderthanevertheywereoftheirmother，so'tissaidhereandthere，'addedalabourer。
　　'Well，yousee，'tisnatural。LadyLuxellianstoodalooffrom'emso——wassodrowsy-like，thattheycouldn'tloveherinthejolly-
　　companionwaychildrenwanttolikefolks。OnlylastwinterI
　　seedMissElfridetalkingtomyladyandthetwochildren，andMissElfridewipedtheirnosesforem'SOcareful——myladyneveronceseeingthatitwanteddoing；and，naturally，childrentaketopeoplethat'stheirbestfriend。'
　　'Beas'twill，thewomanisdeadandgone，andwemustmakeaplaceforher，'saidJohn。'Come，lads，drinkupyourale，andwe'lljustridthiscorner，soastohaveallclearforbeginningatthewall，assoonas'tislightto-morrow。'
　　StephenthenaskedwhereLadyLuxellianwastolie。
　　'Here，'saidhisfather。'Wearegoingtosetbackthiswallandmakearecess；and'tisenoughforustodobeforethefuneral。
　　Whenmylord'smotherdied，shesaid，"John，theplacemustbeenlargedbeforeanothercanbeputin。”But'aneverexpected'twouldbewantedsosoon。BettermoveLordGeorgefirst，I
　　suppose，Simeon？'
　　Hepointedwithhisfoottoaheavycoffin，coveredwithwhathadoriginallybeenredvelvet，thecolourofwhichcouldonlyjustbedistinguishednow。
　　'Justasyethinkbest，MasterJohn，'repliedtheshrivelledmason。'Ah，poorLordGeorge!'hecontinued，lookingcontemplativelyatthehugecoffin；'heandIwereasbitterenemiesonceasanycouldbewhenoneisalordandt'otheronlyamortalman。Poorfellow!He'dclaphishanduponmyshoulderandcussmeasfamilialandneighbourlyasifhe'dbeenacommonchap。
　　Ay，'acussedmeuphilland'acussedmedown；andthen'awouldraveoutagain，andthegooldclampsofhisfinenewteethwouldglisteninthesunlikefettersofbrass，whileI，beingasmallmanandpoor，wasfaintosaynothingatall。Suchastrappenfinegentlemanashewastoo!Yes，Iratherlikedensometimes。
　　Butoncenowandthen，whenIlookedathistoweringheight，I'dthinkinmyinside，"Whataweightyou'llbe，mylord，forourarmstolowerundertheaisleofEndelstowChurchsomeday!"'
　　'Andwashe？'inquiredayounglabourer。
　　'Hewas。Hewasfivehundredweightif'awereapound。Whatwithhislead，andhisoak，andhishandles，andhisonethingandt'other'——heretheancientmanslappedhishanduponthecoverwithaforcethatcausedarattleamongthebonesinside——'hehalfbrokemybackwhenItookhisfeettolowerendownthestepsthere。"Ah，"saithItoJohnthere——didn'tI，John？——"thateveroneman'sgloryshouldbesuchaweightuponanotherman!"Butthere，IlikedmylordGeorgesometimes。'
　　''Tisastrangethought，'saidanother，'thatwhiletheybeallhereunderoneroof，asnugunitedfamilyo'Luxellians，theybereallyscatteredmilesawayfromoneanotherintheformofgoodsheepandwickedgoats，isn'tit？'
　　'True；'tisathoughttolookat。'
　　'Andthatone，ifhe'sgoneupward，don'tknowwhathiswifeisdoingnomorethanthemaninthemoonifshe'sgonedownward。
　　Andthatsomeunfortunateoneinthehotplaceisa-holleringacrosstoaluckyoneupintheclouds，andquiteforgettingtheirbodiesbeboxedclosetogetherallthetime。'
　　'Ay，'tisathoughttolookat，too，thatIcansay"Hullo!"closetofieryLordGeorge，and'acan'thearme。'
　　'AndthatIbeeatingmyonionclosetodaintyLadyJane'snose，andshecan'tsmellme。'
　　'Whatdo'emputalltheirheadsonewayfor？'inquiredayoungman。
　　'Because'tischurchyardlaw，yousimple。Thelawofthelivingis，thatamanshallbeuprightanddown-right，andthelawofthedeadis，thatamanshallbeeastandwest。Everystateofsocietyhaveitslaws。'
　　'Wemustbreakthelawwi'afewofthepoorsouls，however。
　　Come，buckleto，'saidthemaster-mason。
　　Andtheysettoworkanew。
　　Theorderofintermentcouldbedistinctlytracedbyobservingtheappearanceofthecoffinsastheylaypiledaround。Onthosewhichhadbeenstandingtherebutagenerationortwothetrappingsstillremained。Thoseofanearlierperiodshowedbarewood，withafewtatteredragsdanglingtherefrom。Earlierstill，thewoodlayinfragmentsontheflooroftheniche，andthecoffinconsistedofnakedleadalone；whilstinthecaseoftheveryoldest，eventheleadwasbulgingandcrackinginpieces，revealingtothecuriouseyeaheapofdustwithin。Theshieldsuponmanywerequiteloose，andremovablebythehand，theirlustrelesssurfacesstillindistinctlyexhibitingthenameandtitleofthedeceased。
　　Overheadthegroinsandconcavitiesofthearchescurvedinalldirections，droppinglowtowardsthewalls，wheretheheightwasnomorethansufficienttoenableapersontostandupright。
　　ThebodyofGeorgethefourteenthbaron，togetherwithtwoorthreeothers，allofmorerecentdatethanthegreatbulkofcoffinspiledthere，had，forwantofroom，beenplacedattheendofthevaultontressels，andnotinnichesliketheothers。
　　Theseitwasnecessarytoremove，toformbehindthemthechamberinwhichtheywereultimatelytobedeposited。Stephen，findingtheplaceandproceedingsinkeepingwiththesombrecoloursofhismind，waitedtherestill。
　　'Simeon，IsupposeyoucanmindpoorLadyElfride，andhowsheranawaywiththeactor？'saidJohnSmith，afterawhile。'Ithinkitfelluponthetimemyfatherwassextonhere。Letussee——whereisshe？'
　　'Heresomewhere，'returnedSimeon，lookingroundhim。
　　'Why，I'vegotmyarmsroundtheverygentlewomanatthismoment。'
　　Heloweredtheendofthecoffinhewasholding，wipedhisface，andthrowingamorselofrottenwooduponanotherasanindicator，continued:'That'sherhusbandthere。Theywasasfairacoupleasyoushouldseeanywhereroundabout；andagood-heartedpairlikewise。Ay，Icanmindit，thoughIwasbutachielatthetime。Shefellinlovewiththisyoungmanofhers，andtheirbannswereaskedinsomechurchinLondon；andtheoldlordherfatheractuallyheard'emaskedthethreetimes，anddidn'tnoticehername，beinggabbledonwi'ahostofothers。Whenshehadmarriedshetoldherfather，and'afleedintoamonstrousrage，andsaidsheshouldn'haeafarthing。LadyElfridesaidshedidn'tthinkofwishingit；ifhe'dforgieher'twasallsheasked，andasforaliving，shewascontenttoplayplayswithherhusband。Thisfrightenedtheoldlord，and'agie'd'emahousetolivein，andagreatgarden，andalittlefieldortwo，andacarriage，andagoodfewguineas。Well，thepoorthingdiedatherfirstgossiping，andherhusband——whowasastender-heartedamanasevereatmeat，andwouldhavediedforher——wentwildinhismind，andbrokehisheartso'twassaid。Anyhow，theywereburiedthesameday——fatherandmother——butthebabylived。Ay，mylord'sfamilymademuchofthatmanthen，andputhimherewithhiswife，andthereinthecornerthemanisnow。TheSundayaftertherewasafuneralsermon:thetextwas，"Oreverthesilvercordbeloosed，orthegoldenbowlbebroken；"andwhen'twaspreachingthemendrewtheirhandsacrosstheireyesseveraltimes，andeverywomancriedoutloud。'
　　'Andwhatbecameofthebaby？'saidStephen，whohadfrequentlyheardportionsofthestory。
　　'Shewasbroughtupbyhergrandmother，andaprettymaidshewere。Andshemustneedsrunawaywiththecurate——ParsonSwancourtthatisnow。Thenhergrandmotherdied，andthetitleandeverythingwentawaytoanotherbranchofthefamilyaltogether。ParsonSwancourtwastedagooddealofhiswife'smoney，andshelefthimMissElfride。Thattrickofrunningawayseemstobehandeddowninfamilies，likecrazinessorgout。Andtheytwowomenbealikeaspeas。'
　　'Whichtwo？'
　　'LadyElfrideandyoungMissthat'salivenow。Thesamehairandeyes:butMissElfride'smotherwasdarkeragooddeal。'
　　'Life'sastranglebubble，yesee，'saidWilliamWormmusingly。
　　'ForiftheLord'sanointmenthaddescendeduponwomeninsteadofmen，MissElfridewouldbeLordLuxellian——Lady，Imane。Butasitis，thebloodisrunout，andshe'snothingtotheLuxellianfamilybylaw，whatevershemaybebygospel。'
　　'Iusedtofancy，'saidSimeon，'whenIseedMissElfridehuggingthelittleladyships，thattherewasalikeness；butIsuppose'twasonlymydream，foryearsmusthavealteredtheoldfamilyshape。'
　　'Andnowwe'llmovethesetwo，andhome-along，'interposedJohnSmith，reviving，asbecameamaster，thespiritoflabour，whichhadshowedunmistakablesignsofbeingnearlyvanquishedbythespiritofchat，'Theflagonofalewedon'twantwe'llletbideheretillto-morrow；noneofthepoorsoulswilltouchit'ab'lieve。'
　　Sotheevening'sworkwasconcluded，andthepartydrewfromtheabodeofthequietdead，closingtheoldirondoor，andshootingthelockloudlyintothehugecopperstaple——anincongruousactofimprisonmenttowardsthosewhohadnodreamsofescape。
　　ChapterXXVII
　　'HowshouldIgreetthee？'
　　Lovefrequentlydiesoftimealone——muchmorefrequentlyofdisplacement。WithElfrideSwancourt，apowerfulreasonwhythedisplacementshouldbesuccessfulwasthatthenew-comerwasagreatermanthanthefirst。BythesideoftheinstructiveandpiquantsnubbingsshereceivedfromKnight，Stephen'sgeneralagreeablenessseemedwatery；bythesideofKnight'ssparelove-
　　making，Stephen'scontinualoutflowseemedlackadaisical。Shehadbeguntosighforsomebodyfurtheroninmanhood。Stephenwashardlyenoughofaman。
　　Perhapstherewasapronenesstoinconstancyinhernature——anature，tothosewhocontemplateitfromastandpointbeyondtheinfluenceofthatinconstancy，themostexquisiteofallinitsplasticityandreadysympathies。Partly，too，Stephen'sfailuretomakehisholdonherheartapermanentonewashistootimidhabitofdispraisinghimselfbesideher——apeculiaritywhich，exercisedtowardssensiblemen，stirsakindlychordofattachmentthatamarkedassertivenesswouldleaveuntouched，butinevitablyleadsthemostsensiblewomanintheworldtoundervaluehimwhopractisesit。Directlydomineeringceasesintheman，snubbingbeginsinthewoman；thetritebutnolessunfortunatefactbeingthatthegentlercreaturerarelyhasthecapacitytoappreciatefairtreatmentfromhernaturalcomplement。TheabidingperceptionofthepositionofStephen'sparentshad，ofcourse，alittletodowithElfride'srenunciation。Tosuchgirlspovertymaynotbe，astothemoreworldlymassesofhumanity，asininitself；butitisasin，becausegracefulanddaintymannersseldomexistinsuchanatmosphere。Fewwomenofoldfamilycanbethoroughlytaughtthatafinesoulmaywearasmock-frock，andanadmittedlycommonmaninoneisbutawormintheireyes。JohnSmith'sroughhandsandclothes，hiswife'sdialect，thenecessarynarrownessoftheirways，beingconstantlyunderElfride'snotice，werenotwithouttheirdeflectinginfluence。
　　Onreachinghomeaftertheperilousadventurebythesea-shore，Knighthadfeltunwell，andretiredalmostimmediately。Theyoungladywhohadsomateriallyassistedhimhaddonethesame，butshereappeared，properlyclothed，aboutfiveo'clock。Shewanderedrestlesslyaboutthehouse，butnotonaccountoftheirjointnarrowescapefromdeath。Thestormwhichhadtornthetreehadmerelybowedthereed，andwiththedeliveranceofKnightalldeepthoughtoftheaccidenthadlefther。Themutualavowalwhichithadbeenthemeansofprecipitatingoccupiedafarlongerlengthofhermeditations。
　　Elfride'sdisquietnowwasonaccountofthatmiserablepromisetomeetStephen，whichreturnedlikeaspectreagainandagain。TheperceptionofhislittlenessbesideKnightgrewuponheralarmingly。Shenowthoughthowsoundhadbeenherfather'sadvicetohertogivehimup，andwasaspassionatelydesirousoffollowingitasshehadhithertobeenaverse。PerhapsthereisnothingmorehardeningtothetoneofyoungmindsthanthustodiscoverhowtheirdearestandstrongestwishesbecomegraduallyattunedbyTimetheCynictotheverynoteofsomeselfishpolicywhichinearlierdaystheydespised。
　　Thehourofappointmentcame，andwithitacrisis；andwiththecrisisacollapse。
　　'Godforgiveme——Ican'tmeetStephen!'sheexclaimedtoherself。
　　'Idon'tlovehimless，butIloveMr。Knightmore!'
　　Yes:shewouldsaveherselffromamannotfitforher——inspiteofvows。Shewouldobeyherfather，andhavenomoretodowithStephenSmith。Thusthefickleresolveshowedsignsofassumingthecomplexionofavirtue。
　　ThefollowingdayswerepassedwithoutanydefiniteavowalfromKnight'slips。SuchsolitarywalksandscenesasthatwitnessedbySmithinthesummer-housewerefrequent，buthecourtedhersointangiblythattoanybutsuchadelicateperceptionasElfride'sitwouldhaveappearednocourtshipatall。Thetimenowreallybegantobesweetwithher。Shedismissedthesenseofsininherpastactions，andwasautomaticintheintoxicationofthemoment。
　　ThefactthatKnightmadenoactualdeclarationwasnodrawback。
　　Knowingsincethebetrayalofhissentimentsthatloveforherreallyexisted，shepreferreditforthepresentinitsformofessence，andwaswillingtoavoidforawhilethegrossermediumofwords。Theirfeelingshavingbeenforcedtoaratherprematuredemonstration，areactionwasindulgedinbyboth。
　　Butnosoonerhadshegotridofhertroubledconscienceonthematteroffaithlessnessthananewanxietyconfrontedher。ItwaslestKnightshouldaccidentallymeetStephenintheparish，andthatherselfshouldbethesubjectofdiscourse。
　　Elfride，learningKnightmorethoroughly，perceivedthat，farfromhavinganotionofStephen'sprecedence，hehadnoideathatshehadeverbeenwooedbeforebyanybody。Onordinaryoccasionsshehadatonguesofrankastoshowherwholemind，andamindsostraightforwardastorevealherhearttoitsinnermostshrine。
　　Butthetimeforachangehadcome。SheneveralludedtoevenaknowledgeofKnight'sfriend。Whenwomenaresecrettheyaresecretindeed；andmoreoftenthannottheyonlybegintobesecretwiththeadventofasecondlover。
　　Theelopementwasnowaspectreworsethanthefirst，and，liketheSpiritinGlenfinlas，itwaxedtallerwitheveryattempttolayit。HernaturalhonestyinvitedhertoconfideinKnight，andtrusttohisgenerosityforforgiveness:sheknewalsothatasmerepolicyitwouldbebettertotellhimearlyifhewastobetoldatall。Thelongerherconcealmentthemoredifficultwouldbetherevelation。Butsheputitoff。Theintensefearwhichaccompaniesintenseloveinyoungwomenwastoostrongtoallowtheexerciseofamoralqualityantagonistictoitself:
　　'Whereloveisgreat，thelittlestdoubtsarefear；
　　Wherelittlefearsgrowgreat，greatlovegrowsthere。'
　　Thematchwaslookeduponasmadebyherfatherandmother。Thevicarrememberedherpromisetorevealthemeaningofthetelegramshehadreceived，andtwodaysafterthesceneinthesummer-
　　house，askedherpointedly。Shewasfrankwithhimnow。
　　'IhadbeencorrespondingwithStephenSmitheversinceheleftEngland，tilllately，'shecalmlysaid。
　　'What!'criedthevicaraghast；'undertheeyesofMr。Knight，too？'
　　'No；whenIfoundIcaredmostforMr。Knight，Iobeyedyou。'
　　'Youwereverykind，I'msure。WhendidyoubegintolikeMr。
　　Knight？'
　　'Idon'tseethatthatisapertinentquestion，papa；thetelegramwasfromtheshippingagent，andwasnotsentatmyrequest。Itannouncedthearrivalofthevesselbringinghimhome。'
　　'Home!What，ishehere？'
　　'Yes；inthevillage，Ibelieve。'
　　'Hashetriedtoseeyou？'
　　'Onlybyfairmeans。Butdon't，papa，questionmeso!Itistorture。'
　　'Iwillonlysayonewordmore，'hereplied。'Haveyoumethim？'
　　'Ihavenot。Icanassureyouthatatthepresentmomentthereisnomoreofanunderstandingbetweenmeandtheyoungmanyousomuchdislikedthanbetweenhimandyou。Youtoldmetoforgethim；andIhaveforgottenhim。'
　　'Oh，well；thoughyoudidnotobeymeinthebeginning，youareagoodgirl，Elfride，inobeyingmeatlast。'
　　'Don'tcallme"good，"papa，'shesaidbitterly；'youdon'tknow——
　　andthelesssaidaboutsomethingsthebetter。Remember，Mr。
　　Knightknowsnothingabouttheother。Oh，howwrongitallis!I
　　don'tknowwhatIamcomingto。'
　　'Asmattersstand，Ishouldbeinclinedtotellhim；or，atanyrate，Ishouldnotalarmmyselfabouthisknowing。HefoundouttheotherdaythatthiswastheparishyoungSmith'sfatherlivesin——whatputsyouinsuchaflurry？'
　　'Ican'tsay；butpromise——praydon'tlethimknow!Itwouldbemyruin!'
　　'Pooh，child。Knightisagoodfellowandacleverman；butatthesametimeitdoesnotescapemyperceptionsthatheisnogreatcatchforyou。Menofhisturnofmindarenothingsowonderfulinthewayofhusbands。Ifyouhadchosentowait，youmighthavematedwithamuchwealthierman。Butremember，Ihavenotawordtosayagainstyourhavinghim，ifyoulikehim。
　　Charlotteisdelighted，asyouknow。'
　　'Well，papa，'shesaid，smilinghopefullythroughasigh，'itisnicetofeelthatingivingwayto——tocaringforhim，Ihavepleasedmyfamily。ButIamnotgood；ohno，Iamveryfarfromthat!'
　　'Noneofusaregood，Iamsorrytosay，'saidherfatherblandly；
　　'butgirlshaveacharteredrighttochangetheirminds，youknow。
　　Ithasbeenrecognizedbypoetsfromtimeimmemorial。Catullussays，"Muliercupidoquoddicitamanti，invento——'Whatamemorymineis!However，thepassageis，thatawoman'swordstoaloverareasamatterofcoursewrittenonlyonwindandwater。Nowdon'tbetroubledaboutthat，Elfride。'
　　'Ah，youdon'tknow!'
　　Theyhadbeenstandingonthelawn，andKnightwasnowseenlingeringsomewaydownawindingwalk。WhenElfridemethim，itwaswithamuchgreaterlightnessofheart；thingsweremorestraightforwardnow。Theresponsibilityofherficklenessseemedpartlyshiftedfromherownshoulderstoherfather's。Still，therewereshadows。
　　'Ah，couldhehaveknownhowfarIwentwithStephen，andyethavesaidthesame，howmuchhappierIshouldbe!'Thatwasherprevailingthought。
　　Intheafternoontheloverswentouttogetheronhorsebackforanhourortwo；andthoughnotwishingtobeobserved，byreasonofthelatedeathofLadyLuxellian，whosefuneralhadtakenplaceveryprivatelyonthepreviousday，theyyetfounditnecessarytopassEastEndelstowChurch。
　　Thestepstothevault，ashasbeenstated，wereontheoutsideofthebuilding，immediatelyundertheaislewall。Beingonhorseback，bothKnightandElfridecouldoverlooktheshrubswhichscreenedthechurch-yard。
　　'Look，thevaultseemsstilltobeopen，'saidKnight。
　　'Yes，itisopen，'sheanswered'Whoisthatmanclosebyit？Themason，Isuppose？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'IwonderifitisJohnSmith，Stephen'sfather？'
　　'Ibelieveitis，'saidElfride，withapprehension。
　　'Ah，andcanitbe？Ishouldliketoinquirehowhisson，mytruantprotege'，isgoingon。Andfromyourfather'sdescriptionofthevault，theinteriormustbeinteresting。Supposewegoin。'
　　'Hadwebetter，doyouthink？MaynotLordLuxellianbethere？'
　　'Itisnotatalllikely。'
　　Elfridethenassented，sinceshecoulddonothingelse。Herheart，whichatfirsthadquailedinconsternation，recovereditselfwhensheconsideredthecharacterofJohnSmith。Aquietunassumingman，hewouldbesuretoacttowardsherasbeforethoselovepassageswithhisson，whichmighthavegivenamorepretentiousmechanicairs。SowithoutmuchalarmshetookKnight'sarmafterdismounting，andwentwithhimbetweenandoverthegraves。Themaster-masonrecognizedherassheapproached，and，asusual，liftedhishatrespectfully。
　　'IknowyoutobeMr。Smith，myformerfriendStephen'sfather，'
　　saidKnight，directlyhehadscannedtheembrownedandruddyfeaturesofJohn。
　　'Yes，sir，Ib'lieveIbe。'
　　'Howisyoursonnow？IhaveonlyonceheardfromhimsincehewenttoIndia。Idaresayyouhaveheardhimspeakofme——Mr。
　　Knight，whobecameacquaintedwithhimsomeyearsagoinExonbury。'
　　'Ay，thatIhave。Stephenisverywell，thankyou，sir，andhe'sinEngland；infact，he'sathome。Inshort，sir，he'sdowninthevaultthere，a-lookingatthedepartedcoffins。'
　　Elfride'sheartflutteredlikeabutterfly。
　　Knightlookedamazed。'Well，thatisextraordinary。'hemurmured。
　　'DidheknowIwasintheparish？'
　　'Ireallycan'tsay，sir，'saidJohn，wishinghimselfoutoftheentanglementherathersuspectedthanthoroughlyunderstood。
　　'Woulditbeconsideredanintrusionbythefamilyifwewentintothevault？'
　　'Oh，blessye，no，sir；scoresoffolkhavebeensteppingdown。
　　'Tisleftopena-purpose。'
　　'Wewillgodown，Elfride。'
　　'Iamafraidtheairisclose，'shesaidappealingly。
　　'Ohno，ma'am，'saidJohn。'Wewhite-limedthewallsandarchestheday'twasopened，aswealwaysdo，andagainonthemorningofthefuneral；theplaceisassweetasagranary。
　　'ThenIshouldlikeyoutoaccompanyme，Elfie；havingoriginallysprungfromthefamilytoo。'
　　'Idon'tlikegoingwheredeathissoemphaticallypresent。I'llstaybythehorseswhilstyougoin；theymaygetloose。'
　　'Whatnonsense!Ihadnoideayoursentimentsweresoflimsilyformedastobeperturbedbyafewremnantsofmortality；butstayout，ifyouaresoafraid，byallmeans。'
　　'Ohno，Iamnotafraid；don'tsaythat。'
　　Sheheldmiserablytohisarm，thinkingthat，perhaps，therevelationmightaswellcomeatonceastenminuteslater，forStephenwouldbesuretoaccompanyhisfriendtohishorse。
　　Atfirst，thegloomofthevault，whichwaslightedonlybyacoupleofcandles，wastoogreattoadmitoftheirseeinganythingdistinctly；butwithafurtheradvanceKnightdiscerned，infrontoftheblackmassesliningthewalls，ayoungmanstanding，andwritinginapocket-book。
　　Knightsaidoneword:'Stephen!'
　　StephenSmith，notbeinginsuchabsoluteignoranceofKnight'swhereaboutsasKnighthadbeenofSmith'sinstantlyrecognizedhisfriend，andknewbyrotetheoutlinesofthefairwomanstandingbehindhim。
　　Stephencameforwardandshookhimbythehand，withoutspeaking。
　　'Whyhaveyounotwritten，myboy？'saidKnight，withoutinanywaysignifyingElfride'spresencetoStephen。Totheessayist，Smithwasstillthecountryladwhomhehadpatronizedandtended；
　　onetowhomtheformalpresentationofaladybetrothedtohimselfwouldhaveseemedincongruousandabsurd。
　　'Whyhaven'tyouwrittentome？'saidStephen。
　　'Ah，yes。Whyhaven'tI？whyhaven'twe？That'salwaysthequerywhichwecannotclearlyanswerwithoutanunsatisfactorysenseofourinadequacies。However，Ihavenotforgottenyou，Smith。Andnowwehavemet；andwemustmeetagain，andhavealongerchatthanthiscanconvenientlybe。Imustknowallyouhavebeendoing。Thatyonhavethriven，Iknow，andyoumustteachmetheway。'
　　Elfridestoodinthebackground。Stephenhadreadthepositionataglance，andimmediatelyguessedthatshehadnevermentionedhisnametoKnight。Histactinavoidingcatastropheswasthechiefqualitywhichmadehimintellectuallyrespectable，inwhichqualityhefartranscendedKnight；andhedecidedthatatranquilissueoutoftheencounter，withoutanyharrowingofthefeelingsofeitherKnightorElfride，wastobeattemptedifpossible。HisoldsenseofindebtednesstoKnighthadneverwhollyforsakenhim；
　　hisloveforElfridewasgenerousnow。
　　Asfarashedaredlookathermovementshesawthatherbearingtowardshimwouldbedictatedbyhisowntowardsher；andifheactedasastrangershewoulddolikewiseasameansofdeliverance。Circumstancesfavouringthiscourse，itwasdesirablealsotoberatherreservedtowardsKnight，toshortenthemeetingasmuchaspossible。
　　'Iamafraidthatmytimeisalmosttooshorttoallowevenofsuchapleasure，'hesaid。'Ileavehereto-morrow。AnduntilI
　　startfortheContinentandIndia，whichwillbeinafortnight，I
　　shallhavehardlyamomenttospare。'
　　Knight'sdisappointmentanddissatisfiedlooksatthisreplysentapangthroughStephenasgreatasanyhehadfeltatthesightofElfride。Thewordsaboutshortnessoftimewereliterallytrue，buttheirtonewasfarfrombeingso。HewouldhavebeengratifiedtotalkwithKnightasinpasttimes，andsawasadeadlosstohimselfthat，tosavethewomanwhocarednothingforhim，hewasdeliberatelythrowingawayhisfriend。
　　'Oh，Iamsorrytohearthat，'saidKnight，inachangedtone。
　　'Butofcourse，ifyouhaveweightyconcernstoattendto，theymustnotbeneglected。Andifthisistobeourfirstandlastmeeting，letmesaythatIwishyousuccesswithallmyheart!'
　　Knight'swarmthrevivedtowardstheend；thesolemnimpressionshewasbeginningtoreceivefromthescenearoundthemabstractingfromhisheartasapuerilityanymomentaryvexationatwords。
　　'Itisastrangeplaceforustomeetin，'hecontinued，lookingroundthevault。
　　Stephenbrieflyassented，andtherewasasilence。Theblackenedcoffinswerenowrevealedmoreclearlythanatfirst，thewhitenedwallsandarchesthrowingthemforwardinstrongrelief。Itwasascenewhichwasrememberedbyallthreeasanindeliblemarkintheirhistory。Knight，withanabstractedface，wasstandingbetweenhiscompanions，thoughalittleinadvanceofthem，Elfridebeingonhisrighthand，andStephenSmithonhisleft。
　　Thewhitedaylightonhisrightsidegleamedfaintlyin，andwastonedtoabluenessbycontrastwiththeyellowraysfromthecandleagainstthewall。Elfride，timidlyshrinkingback，andnearesttheentrance，receivedmostofthelighttherefrom，whilstStephenwasentirelyincandlelight，andtohimthespotofouterskyvisibleabovethestepswasasasteelybluepatch，andnothingmore。
　　'Ihavebeenheretwoorthreetimessinceitwasopened，'saidStephen。'Myfatherwasengagedinthework，youknow。'
　　'Yes。Whatareyoudoing？'Knightinquired，lookingatthenote-
　　bookandpencilStephenheldinhishand。
　　'Ihavebeensketchingafewdetailsinthechurch，andsincethenIhavebeencopyingthenamesfromsomeofthecoffinshere。
　　BeforeIleftEnglandIusedtodoagooddealofthissortofthing。'
　　'Yes；ofcourse。Ah，that'spoorLadyLuxellian，Isuppose。'
　　Knightpointedtoacoffinoflightsatin-wood，whichstoodonthestonesleepersinthenewniche。'Andtheremainderofthefamilyareonthisside。Whoarethosetwo，sosnugandclosetogether？'
　　Stephen'svoicealteredslightlyashereplied'That'sLadyElfrideKingsmore——bornLuxellian，andthatisArthur，herhusband。Ihaveheardmyfathersaythatthey——he——ranawaywithher，andmarriedheragainstthewishofherparents。'
　　'ThenIimaginethistobewhereyougotyourChristianname，MissSwancourt？'saidKnight，turningtoher。'IthinkyoutoldmeitwasthreeorfourgenerationsagothatyourfamilybranchedofffromtheLuxellians？'
　　'Shewasmygrandmother，'saidElfride，vainlyendeavouringtomoistenherdrylipsbeforeshespoke。Elfridehadthentheconscience-strickenlookofGuido'sMagdalen，rendereduponamorechildlikeform。ShekeptherfacepartiallyawayfromKnightandStephen，andsethereyesupontheskyvisibleoutside，asifhersalvationdependeduponquicklyreachingit。HerlefthandrestedlightlywithinKnight'sarm，halfwithdrawn，fromasenseofshameatclaiminghimbeforeheroldlover，yetunwillingtorenouncehim；sothatherglovemerelytouchedhissleeve。'"Canonebepardoned，andretaintheoffence？"'quotedElfride'sheartthen。
　　Conversationseemedtohavenoself-sustainingpower，andwentonintheshapeofdisjointedremarks。'One'smindgetsthrongedwiththoughtswhilestandingsosolemnlyhere，'Knightsaid，inameasuredquietvoice。'Howmuchhasbeensaidondeathfromtimetotime!howmuchweourselvescanthinkuponit!Wemayfancyeachofthesewholieheresaying:
　　'ForThou，tomakemyfallmoregreat，Didstliftmeuponhigh。'
　　Whatcomesnext，Elfride？ItistheHundred-and-secondPsalmIamthinkingof。'
　　'Yes，Iknowit，'shemurmured，andwentoninastilllowervoice，seeminglyafraidforanywordsfromtheemotionalsideofhernaturetoreachStephen:
　　'"Mydays，justhasteningtotheirend，Arelikeaneveningshade；
　　Mybeautydoth，likewither'dgrass，Withwaninglustrefade。”'
　　'Well，'saidKnightmusingly，'letusleavethem。Suchoccasionsastheseseemtocompelustoroamoutsideourselves，farawayfromthefragileframewelivein，andtoexpandtillourperceptiongrowssovastthatourphysicalrealitybearsnosortofproportiontoit。Welookbackupontheweakandminutestemonwhichthisluxuriantgrowthdepends，andask，Canitbepossiblethatsuchacapacityhasafoundationsosmall？MustI
　　againreturntomydailywalkinthatnarrowcell，ahumanbody，whereworldlythoughtscantortureme？Dowenot？'
　　'Yes，'saidStephenandElfride。
　　'Onehasasenseofwrong，too，thatsuchanappreciativebreadthasasentientbeingpossessesshouldbecommittedtothefrailcasketofabody。Whatweakensone'sintentionsregardingthefuturelikethethoughtofthis？……However，letustuneourselvestoamorecheerfulchord，forthere'sagreatdealtobedoneyetbyusall。'
　　AsKnightmeditativelyaddressedhisjuniorsthus，unconsciousofthedeceptionpractised，fordifferentreasons，bytheseveredheartsathisside，andofthescenesthathadinearlierdaysunitedthem，eachonefeltthatheandshedidnotgainbycontrastwiththeirmusingmentor。Physicallynotsohandsomeaseithertheyouthfularchitectorthevicar'sdaughter，thethoroughnessandintegrityofKnightilluminatedhisfeatureswithadignitynotevenincipientintheothertwo。Itisdifficulttoframeruleswhichshallapplytobothsexes，andElfride，anundevelopedgirl，must，perhaps，hardlybeladenwiththemoralresponsibilitieswhichattachtoamaninlikecircumstances。Thecharmofwoman，too，liespartlyinhersubtlenessinmattersoflove。Butifhonestyisavirtueinitself，Elfride，havingnoneofitnow，seemed，beingforbeing，scarcelygoodenoughforKnight。Stephen，thoughdeceptivefornounworthypurpose，wasdeceptiveafterall；andwhatevergoodresultsgracesuchstrategyifitsucceed，itseldomdrawsadmiration，especiallywhenitfails。
　　Onanordinaryoccasion，hadKnightbeenevenquitealonewithStephen，hewouldhardlyhavealludedtohispossiblerelationshiptoElfride。ButmovedbyattendantcircumstancesKnightwasimpelledtobeconfiding。
　　'Stephen，'hesaid，'thisladyisMissSwancourt。Iamstayingatherfather'shouse，asyouprobablyknow。'HesteppedafewpacesnearertoSmith，andsaidinalowertone:'Imayaswelltellyouthatweareengagedtobemarried。'
　　Lowasthewordshadbeenspoken，Elfridehadheardthem，andawaitedStephen'sreplyinbreathlesssilence，ifthatcouldbecalledsilencewhereElfride'sdress，ateachthrobofherheart，shookandindicateditlikeapulse-glass，rustlingalsoagainstthewallinreplytothesamethrobbing。Therayofdaylightwhichreachedherfacelentitabluepallorincomparisonwiththoseoftheothertwo。
　　'Icongratulateyou，'Stephenwhispered；andsaidaloud，'IknowMissSwancourt——alittle。YoumustrememberthatmyfatherisaparishionerofMr。Swancourt's。'
　　'Ithoughtyoumightpossiblynothavelivedathomesincetheyhavebeenhere。'
　　'Ihaveneverlivedathome，certainly，sincethattime。'
　　'IhaveseenMr。Smith，'falteredElfride。
　　'Well，thereisnoexcuseforme。AsstrangerstoeachotherI
　　ought，Isuppose，tohaveintroducedyou:asacquaintances，I
　　shouldnothavestoodsopersistentlybetweenyou。Butthefactis，Smith，youseemaboytome，evennow。'
　　Stephenappearedtohaveamorethanpreviousconsciousnessoftheintensecrueltyofhisfateatthepresentmoment。Hecouldnotrepressthewords，utteredwithadimbitterness:
　　'YoushouldhavesaidthatIseemedstilltheruralmechanic'ssonIam，andhenceanunfitsubjectfortheceremonyofintroductions。'