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