'WhenyouwerewithHewby，ofcourse，ofcourse。Well，Ican'tunderstandit。'Histonesrose。'Idon'tknowwhattosay，yourhoodwinkingmelikethisforsolong!'
　　'Idon'tseethatIhavehoodwinkedyouatall。'
　　'Yes，yes，but'——
　　Knightarosefromhisseat，andbeganpacingupanddowntheroom。
　　Hisfacewasmarkedlypale，andhisvoiceperturbed，ashesaid——
　　'YoudidnotactasIshouldhaveactedtowardsyouunderthosecircumstances。Ifeelitdeeply；andItellyouplainly，Ishallneverforgetit!'
　　'What？'
　　'Yourbehaviouratthatmeetinginthefamilyvault，whenItoldyouweweregoingtobemarried。Deception，dishonesty，everywhere；alltheworld'sofapiece!'
　　Stephendidnotmuchlikethismisconstructionofhismotives，eventhoughitwasbutthehastyconclusionofafrienddisturbedbyemotion。
　　'IcoulddonootherwisethanIdid，withdueregardtoher，'hesaidstiffly。
　　'Indeed!'saidKnight，inthebitteresttoneofreproach。'Norcouldyouwithdueregardtoherhavemarriedher，Isuppose!I
　　havehoped——longed——thatHE，whoturnsouttobeYOU，wouldultimatelyhavedonethat。'
　　'Iammuchobligedtoyouforthathope。Butyoutalkverymysteriously。IthinkIhadaboutthebestreasonanybodycouldhavehadfornotdoingthat。'
　　'Oh，whatreasonwasit？'
　　'ThatIcouldnot。'
　　'Yououghttohavemadeanopportunity；yououghttodosonow，inbarejusticetoher，Stephen!'criedKnight，carriedbeyondhimself。'Thatyouknowverywell，andithurtsandwoundsmemorethanyoudreamtofindyouneverhavetriedtomakeanyreparationtoawomanofthatkind——sotrusting，soapttoberunawaywithbyherfeelings——poorlittlefool，somuchtheworseforher!'
　　'Why，youtalklikeamadman!Youtookherawayfromme，didyounot？'
　　'Pickingupwhatanotherthrowsdowncanscarcelybecalled"takingaway。”However，weshallnotagreetoowelluponthatsubject，sowehadbetterpart。'
　　'ButIamquitecertainyoumisapprehendsomethingmostgrievously，'saidStephen，shakentothebottomofhisheart。
　　'WhathaveIdone；tellme？IhavelostElfride，butisthatsuchasin？'
　　'Wasitherdoing，oryours？'
　　'Waswhat？'
　　'Thatyouparted。'
　　'Iwilltellyouhonestly。Itwashersentirely，entirely。'
　　'Whatwasherreason？'
　　'Icanhardlysay。ButI'lltellthestorywithoutreserve。'
　　Stephenuntilto-dayhadunhesitatinglyheldthatshegrewtiredofhimandturnedtoKnight；buthedidnotliketoadvancethestatementnow，oreventothinkthethought。TofancyotherwiseaccordedbetterwiththehopetowhichKnight'sestrangementhadgivenbirth:thatloveforhisfriendwasnotthedirectcause，butaresultofhersuspensionofloveforhimself。
　　'Suchamattermustnotbeallowedtobreeddiscordbetweenus，'
　　Knightreturned，relapsingintoamannerwhichconcealedallhistruefeeling，asifconfidencenowwasintolerable。'Idoseethatyourreticencetowardsmeinthevaultmayhavebeendictatedbyprudentialconsiderations。'Heconcludedartificially，'Itwasastrangethingaltogether；butnotofmuchimportance，Isuppose，atthisdistanceoftime；anditdoesnotconcernmenow，thoughI
　　don'tmindhearingyourstory。'
　　ThesewordsfromKnight，utteredwithsuchanairofrenunciationandapparentindifference，promptedSmithtospeakon——perhapswithalittlecomplacency——ofhisoldsecretengagementtoElfride。Hetoldthedetailsofitsorigin，andtheperemptorywordsandactionsofherfathertoextinguishtheirlove。
　　Knightperseveredinthetoneandmannerofadisinterestedoutsider。IthadbecomemorethaneverimperativetoscreenhisemotionsfromStephen'seye；theyoungmanwouldotherwisebelessfrank，andtheirmeetingwouldbeagainembittered。Whatwastheuseofuntowardcandour？
　　Stephenhadnowarrivedatthepointinhisingenuousnarrativewhereheleftthevicaragebecauseofherfather'smanner。
　　Knight'sinterestincreased。Theirloveseemedsoinnocentandchildlikethusfar。
　　'Itisanicepointincasuistry，'heobserved，'todecidewhetheryouwereculpableornotinnottellingSwancourtthatyourfriendswereparishionersofhis。Itwasonlyhumannaturetoholdyourtongueunderthecircumstances。Well，whatwastheresultofyourdismissalbyhim？'
　　'Thatweagreedtobesecretlyfaithful。Andtoinsurethiswethoughtwewouldmarry。'
　　Knight'ssuspenseandagitationrosehigherwhenStephenentereduponthisphaseofthesubject。
　　'Doyoumindtellingon？'hesaid，steadyinghismannerofspeech。
　　'Oh，notatall。'
　　ThenStephengaveinfulltheparticularsofthemeetingwithElfrideattherailwaystation；thenecessitytheywereunderofgoingtoLondon，unlesstheceremonyweretobepostponed。Thelongjourneyoftheafternoonandevening；hertimidityandrevulsionoffeeling；itsculminationonreachingLondon；thecrossingovertothedown-platformandtheirimmediatedepartureagain，solelyinobediencetoherwish；thejourneyallnight；
　　theiranxiouswatchingforthedawn；theirarrivalatSt。Launce'satlast——weredetailed。AndhetoldhowavillagewomannamedJethwaywastheonlypersonwhorecognizedthem，eithergoingorcoming；andhowdreadfullythisterrifiedElfride。Hetoldhowhewaitedinthefieldswhilstthisthenreproachfulsweetheartwentforherpony，andhowthelastkissheevergaveherwasgivenamileoutofthetown，onthewaytoEndelstow。
　　ThesethingsStephenrelatedwithawill。HebelievedthatindoingsoheestablishedwordbywordthereasonablenessofhisclaimtoElfride。
　　'Curseher!cursethatwoman!——thatmiserableletterthatpartedus!OGod!'
　　Knightbeganpacingtheroomagain，andutteredthisatfurtherend。
　　'Whatdidyousay？'saidStephen，turninground。
　　'Say？DidIsayanything？Oh，Iwasmerelythinkingaboutyourstory，andtheoddnessofmyhavingafancyforthesamewomanafterwards。AndthatnowI——Ihaveforgottenheralmost；andneitherofuscareabouther，exceptjustasafriend，youknow，eh？'
　　Knightstillcontinuedatthefurtherendoftheroom，somewhatinshadow。
　　'Exactly，'saidStephen，inwardlyexultant，forhewasreallydeceivedbyKnight'soff-handmanner。
　　YethewasdeceivedlessbythecompletenessofKnight'sdisguisethanbythepersuasivepowerwhichlayinthefactthatKnighthadneverbeforedeceivedhiminanything。SothissuppositionthathiscompanionhadceasedtoloveElfridewasanenormouslighteningoftheweightwhichhadturnedthescaleagainsthim。
　　'AdmittingthatElfrideCOULDloveanothermanafteryou，'saidtheelder，underthesamevarnishofcarelesscriticism，'shewasnonetheworseforthatexperience。'
　　'Theworse？Ofcourseshewasnonetheworse。'
　　'Didyoueverthinkitawildandthoughtlessthingforhertodo？'
　　'Indeed，Ineverdid，'saidStephen。'Ipersuadedher。Shesawnoharminituntilshedecidedtoreturn，nordidI；norwasthere，excepttotheextentofindiscretion。'
　　'Directlyshethoughtitwaswrongshewouldgonofurther？'
　　'Thatwasit。Ihadjustbeguntothinkitwrongtoo。'
　　'Suchachildishescapademighthavebeenmisrepresentedbyanyevil-disposedperson，mightitnot？'
　　'Itmight；butIneverheardthatitwas。Nobodywhoreallyknewallthecircumstanceswouldhavedoneotherwisethansmile。Ifalltheworldhadknownit，Elfridewouldstillhaveremainedtheonlyonewhothoughtheractionasin。Poorchild，shealwayspersistedinthinkingso，andwasfrightenedmorethanenough。'
　　'Stephen，doyoulovehernow？'
　　'Well，Ilikeher；Ialwaysshall，youknow，'hesaidevasively，andwithallthestrategylovesuggested。'ButIhavenotseenherforsolongthatIcanhardlybeexpectedtoloveher。Doyouloveherstill？'
　　'HowshallIanswerwithoutbeingashamed？Whatficklebeingswemenare，Stephen!Menmaylovestrongestforawhile，butwomenlovelongest。Iusedtoloveher——inmyway，youknow。'
　　'Yes，Iunderstand。Ah，andIusedtoloveherinmyway。Infact，Ilovedheragooddealatonetime；buttravelhasatendencytoobliterateearlyfancies。'
　　'Ithas——ithas，truly。'
　　Perhapsthemostextraordinaryfeatureinthisconversationwasthecircumstancethat，thougheachinterlocutorhadatfirsthissuspicionsoftheother'sabidingpassionawakenedbyseverallittleacts，neitherwouldallowhimselftoseethathisfriendmightnowbespeakingdeceitfullyaswellashe。
　　'Stephen。'resumedKnight，'nowthatmattersaresmoothbetweenus，IthinkImustleaveyou。Youwon'tmindmyhurryingofftomyquarters？'
　　'You'llstaytosomesortofsuppersurely？didn'tyoucometodinner!'
　　'Youmustreallyexcusemethisonce。'
　　'Thenyou'lldropintobreakfastto-morrow。'
　　'Ishallberatherpressedfortime。'
　　'Anearlybreakfast，whichshallinterferewithnothing？'
　　'I'llcome，'saidKnight，withasmuchreadinessasitwaspossibletograftuponahugestockofreluctance。'Yes，early；
　　eighto'clocksay，asweareunderthesameroof。'
　　'Anytimeyoulike。Eightitshallbe。'
　　AndKnightlefthim。Towearamask，todissemblehisfeelingsashehadintheirlatemiserableconversation，wassuchtorturethathecouldsupportitnolonger。ItwasthefirsttimeinKnight'slifethathehadeverbeensoentirelytheplayerofapart。AndthemanhehadthusdeceivedwasStephen，whohaddocilelylookeduptohimfromyouthasasuperiorofunblemishedintegrity。
　　Hewenttobed，andallowedthefeverofhisexcitementtorageuncontrolled。Stephen——itwasonlyhewhowastherival——onlyStephen!Therewasananti-climaxofabsurditywhichKnight，wretchedandconscience-strickenashewas，couldnothelprecognizing。Stephenwasbutaboytohim。WherethegreatgrieflaywasinperceivingthattheveryinnocenceofElfrideinreadingherlittlefaultasonesogravewaswhathadfatallymisledhim。HadElfride，withanydegreeofcoolness，assertedthatshehaddonenoharm，thepoisonousbreathofthedeadMrs。
　　Jethwaywouldhavebeeninoperative。Whydidhenotmakehislittledocilegirltellmore？Ifonthatsubjecthehadonlyexercisedtheimperativenesscustomarywithhimonothers，allmighthavebeenrevealed。Itsmotehisheartlikeaswitchwhenherememberedhowgentlyshehadbornehisscourgingspeeches，neveransweringhimwithasinglereproach，onlyassuringhimofherunboundedlove。
　　KnightblessedElfrideforhersweetness，andforgotherfault。
　　Hepicturedwithavividfancythosefairsummersceneswithher。
　　Heagainsawherasattheirfirstmeeting，timidatspeaking，yetinhereagernesstobeexplanatoryborneforwardalmostagainstherwill。Howshewouldwaitforhimingreenplaces，withoutshowinganyoftheordinarywomanlyaffectationsofindifference!
　　Howproudshewastobeseenwalkingwithhim，bearinglegiblyinhereyesthethoughtthathewasthegreatestgeniusintheworld!
　　Heformedaresolution；andafterthatcouldmakepretenceofslumbernolonger。Risinganddressinghimself，hesatdownandwaitedforday。
　　ThatnightStephenwasrestlesstoo。NotbecauseoftheunwontednessofareturntoEnglishscenery；notbecausehewasabouttomeethisparents，andsettledownforawhiletoEnglishcottagelife。Hewasindulgingindreams，andforthenoncethewarehousesofBombayandtheplainsandfortsofPoonahwerebutashadow'sshadow。Hisdreamwasbasedonthisoneatomoffact:
　　ElfrideandKnighthadbecomeseparated，andtheirengagementwasasifithadneverbeen。TheirrupturemusthaveoccurredsoonafterStephen'sdiscoveryofthefactoftheirunion；and，Stephenwentontothink，whatsoprobableasthatareturnofhererrantaffectiontohimselfwasthecause？
　　Stephen'sopinionsinthismatterwerethoseofalover，andnotthebalancedjudgmentofanunbiassedspectator。Hisnaturallysanguinespiritbuilthopeuponhope，tillscarcelyadoubtremainedinhismindthatherlingeringtendernessforhimhadinsomewaybeenperceivedbyKnight，andhadprovokedtheirparting。
　　TogoandseeElfridewasthesuggestionofimpulsesitwasimpossibletowithstand。Atanyrate，torundownfromSt。
　　Launce'stoCastlePoterel，adistanceoflessthantwentymiles，andglidelikeaghostabouttheiroldhaunts，makingstealthyinquiriesabouther，wouldbeafascinatingwayofpassingthefirstsparehoursafterreachinghomeonthedayafterthemorrow。
　　Hewasnowarichermanthanheretofore，standingonhisownbottom；andthedefinitepositioninwhichhehadrootedhimselfnullifiedoldlocaldistinctions。Hehadbecomeillustrious，evensanguineclarus，judgingfromthetoneoftheworthyMayorofSt。
　　Launce's。
　　ChapterXXXIX
　　'Eachtothelovedone'sside。'
　　Thefriendsandrivalsbreakfastedtogetherthenextmorning。Notawordwassaidoneithersideuponthematterdiscussedthepreviouseveningsogliblyandsohollowly。Stephenwasabsorbedthegreaterpartofthetimeinwishinghewerenotforcedtostayintownyetanotherday。
　　'Idon'tintendtoleaveforSt。Launce'stillto-morrow，asyouknow，'hesaidtoKnightattheendofthemeal。'Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselfto-day？'
　　'Ihaveanengagementjustbeforeten，'saidKnightdeliberately；
　　'andafterthattimeImustcallupontwoorthreepeople。'
　　'I'lllookforyouthisevening，'saidStephen。
　　'Yes，do。Youmayaswellcomeanddinewithme；thatis，ifwecanmeet。ImaynotsleepinLondonto-night；infact，Iamabsolutelyunsettledastomymovementsyet。However，thefirstthingIamgoingtodoistogetmybaggageshiftedfromthisplacetoBede'sInn。Good-byeforthepresent。I'llwrite，youknow，ifIcan'tmeetyou。'
　　Itnowwantedaquartertonineo'clock。WhenKnightwasgone，Stephenfeltyetmoreimpatientofthecircumstancethatanotherdaywouldhavetodragitselfawaywearilybeforehecouldsetoutforthatspotofearthwhereonasoftthoughtofhimmightperhapsbenourishedstill。Onasuddenheadmittedtohismindthepossibilitythattheengagementhewaswaitingintowntokeepmightbepostponedwithoutmuchharm。
　　Itwasnosoonerperceivedthanattempted。Lookingathiswatch，hefounditwantedfortyminutestothedepartureoftheteno'clocktrainfromPaddington，whichlefthimasurplusquarterofanhourbeforeitwouldbenecessarytostartforthestation。
　　Scribblingahastynoteortwo——oneputtingoffthebusinessmeeting，anothertoKnightapologizingfornotbeingabletoseehimintheevening——payinghisbill，andleavinghisheavierluggagetofollowhimbygoods-train，hejumpedintoacabandrattledofftotheGreatWesternStation。
　　Shortlyafterwardshetookhisseatintherailwaycarriage。
　　Theguardpausedonhiswhistle，toletintothenextcompartmenttoSmith'samanofwhomStephenhadcaughtbutahastyglimpseasheranacrosstheplatformatthelastmoment。
　　Smithsankbackintothecarriage，stilledbyperplexity。ThemanwaslikeKnight——astonishinglylikehim。Wasitpossibleitcouldbehe？TohavegottherehemusthavedrivenlikethewindtoBede'sInn，andhardlyhavealightedbeforestartingagain。No，itcouldnotbehe；thatwasnothiswayofdoingthings。
　　DuringtheearlypartofthejourneyStephenSmith'sthoughtsbusiedthemselvestillhisbrainseemedswollen。Onesubjectwasconcerninghisownapproachingactions。Hewasadayearlierthanhislettertohisparentshadstated，andhisarrangementwiththemhadbeenthattheyshouldmeethimatPlymouth；aplanwhichpleasedtheworthycouplebeyondexpression。Oncebeforethesameengagementhadbeenmade，whichhehadthenquashedbyante-datinghisarrival。ThistimehewouldgorightontoCastleBoterel；
　　rambleinthatwell-knownneighbourhoodduringtheeveningandnextmorning，makinginquiries；andreturntoPlymouthtomeetthemasarranged——acontrivancewhichwouldleavetheircherishedprojectundisturbed，relievinghisownimpatiencealso。
　　AtChippenhamtherewasalittlewaiting，andsomelooseningandattachingofcarriages。
　　Stephenlookedout。Atthesamemomentanotherman'sheademergedfromtheadjoiningwindow。Eachlookedintheother'sface。
　　KnightandStephenconfrontedoneanother。
　　'Youhere!'saidtheyoungerman。
　　'Yes。Itseemsthatyouaretoo，'saidKnight，strangely。
　　'Yes。'
　　Theselfishnessofloveandthecrueltyofjealousywerefairlyexemplifiedatthismoment。Eachofthetwomenlookedathisfriendashehadneverlookedathimbefore。EachwasTROUBLEDattheother'spresence。
　　'Ithoughtyousaidyouwerenotcomingtillto-morrow，'remarkedKnight。
　　'Idid。Itwasanafterthoughttocometo-day。Thisjourneywasyourengagement，then？'
　　'No，itwasnot。Thisisanafterthoughtofminetoo。Ileftanotetoexplainit，andaccountformynotbeingabletomeetyouthiseveningaswearranged。'
　　'SodidIforyou。'
　　'Youdon'tlookwell:youdidnotthismorning。'
　　'Ihaveaheadache。Youarepalerto-daythanyouwere。'
　　'I，too，havebeensufferingfromheadache。Wehavetowaithereafewminutes，Ithink。'
　　Theywalkedupanddowntheplatform，eachonemoreandmoreembarrassinglyconcernedwiththeawkwardnessofhisfriend'spresence。Theyreachedtheendofthefootway，andpausedinsheerabsent-mindedness。Stephen'svacanteyesrestedupontheoperationsofsomeporters，whowereshiftingadarkandcurious-
　　lookingvanfromtherearofthetrain，toshuntanotherwhichwasbetweenitandtheforepartofthetrain。Thisoperationhavingbeenconcluded，thetwofriendsreturnedtothesideoftheircarriage。
　　'Willyoucomeinhere？'saidKnight，notverywarmly。
　　'Ihavemyrugandportmanteauandumbrellawithme:itisratherbotheringtomovenow，'saidStephenreluctantly。'Whynotyoucomehere？'
　　'Ihavemytrapstoo。Itishardlyworthwhiletoshiftthem，forIshallseeyouagain，youknow。'
　　'Oh，yes。'
　　Andeachgotintohisownplace。Justatstarting，amanontheplatformhelduphishandsandstoppedthetrain。
　　Stephenlookedouttoseewhatwasthematter。
　　Oneoftheofficialswasexclaimingtoanother，'Thatcarriageshouldhavebeenattachedagain。Can'tyouseeitisforthemainline？Quick!Whatfoolsthereareintheworld!'
　　'Whataconfoundednuisancethesestoppagesare!'exclaimedKnightimpatiently，lookingoutfromhiscompartment。'Whatisit？'
　　'Thatsingularcarriagewesawhasbeenunfastenedfromourtrainbymistake，itseems，'saidStephen。
　　Hewaswatchingtheprocessofattachingit。Thevanorcarriage，whichhenowrecognizedashavingseenatPaddingtonbeforetheystarted，wasrichandsolemnratherthangloomyinaspect。Itseemedtobequitenew，andofmoderndesign，anditsimpressivepersonalityattractedthenoticeofothersbesidehimself。Hebehelditgraduallywheeledforwardbytwomenoneachside:
　　slowerandmoresadlyitseemedtoapproach:thenaslightconcussion，andtheywereconnectedwithit，andoffagain。
　　StephensatalltheafternoonponderinguponthereasonofKnight'sunexpectedreappearance。WashegoingasfarasCastleBoterel？Ifso，hecouldonlyhaveoneobjectinview——avisittoElfride。Andwhatanideaitseemed!
　　AtPlymouthSmithpartookofalittlerefreshment，andthenwentroundtothesidefromwhichthetrainstartedforCamelton，thenewstationnearCastleBoterelandEndelstow。
　　Knightwasalreadythere。
　　Stephenwalkedupandstoodbesidehimwithoutspeaking。Twomenatthismomentcreptoutfromamongthewheelsofthewaitingtrain。
　　'Thecarriageislightenough，'saidoneinagrimtone。'Lightasvanity；fullofnothing。'
　　'Nothinginsize，butagooddealinsignification，'saidtheother，amanofbrightermindandmanners。
　　SmiththenperceivedthattotheirtrainwasattachedthatsamecarriageofgrandanddarkaspectwhichhadhauntedthemallthewayfromLondon。
　　'Youaregoingon，Isuppose？'saidKnight，turningtoStephen，afteridlylookingatthesameobject。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Wemayaswelltraveltogetherfortheremainingdistance，maywenot？'
　　'Certainlywewill；'andtheybothenteredthesamedoor。
　　Eveningdrewonapace。ItchancedtobetheeveofSt。
　　Valentine's——thatbishopofblessedmemorytoyouthfullovers——andthesunshonelowundertherimofathickhardcloud，decoratingtheeminencesofthelandscapewithcrownsoforangefire。Asthetrainchangeditsdirectiononacurve，thesameraysstretchedinthroughthewindow，andcoaxedopenKnight'shalf-closedeyes。
　　'YouwillgetoutatSt。Launce's，Isuppose？'hemurmured。
　　'No，'saidStephen，'Iamnotexpectedtillto-morrow。'Knightwassilent。
　　'Andyou——areyougoingtoEndelstow？'saidtheyoungermanpointedly。
　　'Sinceyouask，IcandonolessthansayIam，Stephen，'
　　continuedKnightslowly，andwithmoreresolutionofmannerthanhehadshownalltheday。'IamgoingtoEndelstowtoseeifElfrideSwancourtisstillfree；andifso，toaskhertobemywife。'
　　'SoamI，'saidStephenSmith。
　　'Ithinkyou'llloseyourlabour，'Knightreturnedwithdecision。
　　'Naturallyyoudo。'TherewasastrongaccentofbitternessinStephen'svoice。'YoumighthavesaidHOPEinsteadofTHINK，'headded。
　　'Imighthavedonenosuchthing。Igaveyoumyopinion。ElfrideSwancourtmayhavelovedyouonce，nodoubt，butitwaswhenshewassoyoungthatshehardlyknewherownmind。'
　　'Thankyou，'saidStephenlaconically。'SheknewhermindaswellasIdid。Wearethesameage。Ifyouhadn'tinterfered——'
　　'Don'tsaythat——don'tsayit，Stephen!HowcanyoumakeoutthatIinterfered？Bejust，please!'
　　'Well，'saidhisfriend，'shewasminebeforeshewasyours——youknowthat!Anditseemedahardthingtofindyouhadgother，andthatifithadnotbeenforyou，allmighthaveturnedoutwellforme。'Stephenspokewithaswellingheart，andlookedoutofthewindowtohidetheemotionthatwouldmakeitselfvisibleuponhisface。
　　'Itisabsurd，'saidKnightinakindertone，'foryoutolookatthematterinthatlight。WhatItellyouisforyourgood。Younaturallydonotliketorealizethetruth——thatherlikingforyouwasonlyagirl'sfirstfancy，whichhasnorootever。'
　　'Itisnottrue!'saidStephenpassionately。'Itwasyouputmeout。Andnowyou'llbepushinginagainbetweenus，anddeprivingmeofmychanceagain!Myright，that'swhatitis!Howungenerousofyoutocomeanewandtrytotakeherawayfromme!Whenyouhadwonher，Ididnotinterfere；andyoumight，Ithink，Mr。Knight，dobymeasIdidbyyou!'
　　'Don't"Mr。”me；youareaswellintheworldasIamnow。'
　　'Firstloveisdeepest；andthatwasmine。'
　　'Whotoldyouthat？'saidKnightsuperciliously。
　　'Ihadherfirstlove。Anditwasthroughmethatyouandsheparted。Icanguessthatwellenough。'
　　'Itwas。AndifIweretoexplaintoyouinwhatwaythatoperatedinpartingus，Ishouldconvinceyouthatyoudoquitewronginintrudinguponher——that，asIsaidatfirst，yourlabourwillbelost。Idon'tchoosetoexplain，becausetheparticularsarepainful。Butifyouwon'tlistentome，goon，forHeaven'ssake。Idon'tcarewhatyoudo，myboy。'
　　'Youhavenorighttodomineerovermeasyoudo。Justbecause，whenIwasalad，Iwasaccustomedtolookuptoyouasamaster，andyouhelpedmealittle，forwhichIwasgratefultoyouandhavelovedyou，youassumetoomuchnow，andstepinbeforeme。
　　Itiscruel——itisunjust——ofyoutoinjuremeso!'
　　Knightshowedhimselfkeenlyhurtatthis。'Stephen，thosewordsareuntrueandunworthyofanyman，andtheyareunworthyofyou。
　　Youknowyouwrongme。Ifyouhaveeverprofitedbyanyinstructionofmine，Iamonlytoogladtoknowit。Youknowitwasgivenungrudgingly，andthatIhaveneveroncelookeduponitasmakingyouinanywayadebtortome。'
　　Stephen'snaturallygentlenaturewastouched，anditwasinatroubledvoicethathesaid，'Yes，yes。Iamunjustinthat——I
　　ownit。'
　　'ThisisSt。Launce'sStation，Ithink。Areyougoingtogetout？'
　　Knight'smannerofreturningtothematterinhanddrewStephenagainintohimself。'No；ItoldyouIwasgoingtoEndelstow，'heresolutelyreplied。
　　Knight'sfeaturesbecameimpassive，andhesaidnomore。Thetraincontinuedrattlingon，andStephenleantbackinhiscornerandclosedhiseyes。Theyellowsofeveninghadturnedtobrowns，theduskyshadesthickened，andaflyingcloudofdustoccasionallystrokedthewindow——borneuponachillingbreezewhichblewfromthenorth-east。Thepreviouslygildedbutnowdrearyhillsbegantolosetheirdaylightaspectsofrotundity，andtobecomeblackdiscsvandykedagainstthesky，allnaturewearingthecloakthatsixo'clockcastsoverthelandscapeatthistimeoftheyear。
　　Stephenstartedupinbewildermentafteralongstillness，anditwassometimebeforeherecollectedhimself。
　　'Well，howreal，howreal!'heexclaimed，brushinghishandacrosshiseyes。
　　'Whatis？'saidKnight。
　　'Thatdream。Ifellasleepforafewminutes，andhavehadadream——themostvividIeverremember。'
　　Hewearilylookedoutintothegloom。TheywerenowdrawingneartoCamelton。Thelightingofthelampswasperceptiblethroughtheveilofevening——eachflamestartingintoexistenceatintervals，andblinkingweaklyagainstthegustsofwind。
　　'Whatdidyoudream？'saidKnightmoodily。
　　'Oh，nothingtobetold。'Twasasortofincubus。Thereisneveranythingindreams。'
　　'Ihardlysupposedtherewas。'
　　'Iknowthat。However，whatIsovividlydreamtwasthis，sinceyouwouldliketohear。ItwasthebrightestofbrightmorningsatEastEndelstowChurch，andyouandIstoodbythefont。FarawayinthechancelLordLuxellianwasstandingalone，coldandimpassive，andutterlyunlikehisusualself:butIknewitwashe。Insidethealtarrailstoodastrangeclergymanwithhisbookopen。HelookedupandsaidtoLordLuxellian，"Where'sthebride？"LordLuxelliansaid，"There'snobride。”Atthatmomentsomebodycameinatthedoor，andIknewhertobeLadyLuxellianwhodied。Heturnedandsaidtoher，"Ithoughtyouwereinthevaultbelowus；butthatcouldhaveonlybeenadreamofmine。
　　Comeon。”Thenshecameon。AndinbrushingbetweenusshechilledmesowithcoldthatIexclaimed，"Thelifeisgoneoutofme!"and，inthewayofdreams，Iawoke。ButhereweareatCamelton。'
　　Theywereslowlyenteringthestation。
　　'Whatareyougoingtodo？'saidKnight。'DoyoureallyintendtocallontheSwancourts？'
　　'Bynomeans。Iamgoingtomakeinquiriesfirst。IshallstayattheLuxellianArmsto-night。YouwillgorightontoEndelstow，Isuppose，atonce？'
　　'Icanhardlydothatatthistimeoftheday。Perhapsyouarenotawarethatthefamily——herfather，atanyrate——isatvariancewithmeasmuchaswithyou。
　　'Ididn'tknowit。'
　　'AndthatIcannotrushintothehouseasanoldfriendanymorethanyoucan。CertainlyIhavetheprivilegesofadistantrelationship，whatevertheymaybe。'
　　Knightletdownthewindow，andlookedahead。'Thereareagreatmanypeopleatthestation，'hesaid。'Theyseemalltobeonthelook-outforus。'
　　Whenthetrainstopped，thehalf-estrangedfriendscouldperceivebythelamplightthattheassemblageofidlersenclosedasakernelagroupofmeninblackcloaks。Asidegateintheplatformrailingwasopen，andoutsidethisstoodadarkvehicle，whichtheycouldnotatfirstcharacterize。ThenKnightsawonitsupperpartformsagainsttheskylikecedarsbynight，andknewthevehicletobeahearse。Fewpeoplewereatthecarriagedoorstomeetthepassengers——themajorityhadcongregatedatthisupperend。KnightandStephenalighted，andturnedforamomentinthesamedirection。
　　Thesombrevan，whichhadaccompaniedthemalldayfromLondon，nowbegantorevealthattheirdestinationwasalsoitsown。Ithadbeendrawnupexactlyoppositetheopengate。Thebystandersallfellback，formingaclearlanefromthegatewaytothevan，andthemenincloaksenteredthelatterconveyance。
　　'Theyarelabourers，Ifancy，'saidStephen。'Ah，itisstrange；
　　butIrecognizethreeofthemasEndelstowmen。Ratherremarkablethis。'
　　Presentlytheybegantocomeout，twoandtwo；andundertheraysofthelamptheywereseentobearbetweenthemalight-colouredcoffinofsatin-wood，brightlypolished，andwithoutanail。Theeightmentooktheburdenupontheirshoulders，andslowlycrossedwithitovertothegate。
　　KnightandStephenwentoutside，andcameclosetotheprocessionasitmovedoff。Acarriagebelongingtothecortegeturnedroundclosetoalamp。TheraysshoneinuponthefaceofthevicarofEndelstow，Mr。Swancourt——lookingmanyyearsolderthanwhentheyhadlastseenhim。KnightandStepheninvoluntarilydrewback。
　　Knightspoketoabystander。'WhathasMr。Swancourttodowiththatfuneral？'
　　'Heisthelady'sfather，'saidthebystander。
　　'Whatlady'sfather？'saidKnight，inavoicesohollowthatthemanstaredathim。
　　'Thefatheroftheladyinthecoffin。ShediedinLondon，youknow，andhasbeenbroughtherebythistrain。Sheistobetakenhometo-night，andburiedto-morrow。'
　　Knightstoodstaringblindlyatwherethehearsehadbeen；asifhesawit，orsomeone，there。Thenheturned，andbeheldthelitheformofStephenboweddownlikethatofanoldman。Hetookhisyoungfriend'sarm，andledhimawayfromthelight。
　　ChapterXL
　　'Welcome，proudlady。'
　　Halfanhourhaspassed。TwomiserablemenarewanderinginthedarknessupthemilesofroadfromCameltontoEndelstow。
　　'Hasshebrokenherheart？'saidHenryKnight。'CanitbethatI
　　havekilledher？Iwasbitterwithher，Stephen，andshehasdied!
　　AndmayGodhaveNOmercyuponme!'
　　'HowcanyouhavekilledhermorethanI？'
　　'Why，Iwentawayfromher——stoleawayalmost——anddidn'ttellherIshouldnotcomeagain；andatthatlastmeetingIdidnotkissheronce，butlethermiserablygo。Ihavebeenafool——afool!I
　　wishthemostabjectconfessionofitbeforecrowdsofmycountrymencouldinanywaymakeamendstomydarlingfortheintensecrueltyIhaveshownher!'
　　'YOURdarling!'saidStephen，withasortoflaugh。'Anymancansaythat，Isuppose；anymancan。Iknowthis，shewasMYdarlingbeforeshewasyours；andaftertoo。Ifanybodyhasarighttocallherhisown，itisI。'
　　'Youtalklikeamaninthedark；whichiswhatyouare。Didsheeverdoanythingforyou？Riskhername，forinstance，foryou？'
　　Yes，shedid，'saidStephenemphatically。
　　'Notentirely。Didsheeverliveforyou——proveshecouldnotlivewithoutyou——laughandweepforyou？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Never!Didsheeverriskherlifeforyou——no!Mydarlingdidforme。'
　　'Thenitwasinkindnessonly。Whendidsheriskherlifeforyou？'
　　'Tosavemineonthecliffyonder。ThepoorchildwaswithmelookingattheapproachofthePuffinsteamboat，andIslippeddown。Webothhadanarrowescape。Iwishwehaddiedthere!'
　　'Ah，butwait，'Stephenpleadedwithweteyes。'Shewentonthatclifftoseemearrivehome:shehadpromisedit。Shetoldmeshewouldmonthsbefore。Andwouldshehavegonethereifshehadnotcaredformeatall？'
　　'YouhaveanideathatElfridediedforyou，nodoubt，'saidKnight，withamournfulsarcasmtoonervelesstosupportitself。
　　'Nevermind。Ifwefindthat——thatshediedyours，I'llsaynomoreever。'
　　'Andifwefindshediedyours，I'llsaynomore。'
　　'Verywell——soitshallbe。'
　　Thedarkcloudsintowhichthesunhadsunkhadbeguntodropraininanincreasingvolume。
　　'Canwewaitsomewhereheretillthisshowerisover？'saidStephendesultorily。
　　'Asyouwill。Butitisnotworthwhile。We'llheartheparticulars，andreturn。Don'tletpeopleknowwhoweare。Iamnotmuchnow。'
　　Theyhadreachedapointatwhichtheroadbranchedintotwo——justoutsidethewestvillage，oneforkofthedivergingroutespassingintothelatterplace，theotherstretchingontoEastEndelstow。
　　Havingcomesomeofthedistancebythefootpath，theynowfoundthatthehearsewasonlyalittleinadvanceofthem。
　　'IfancyithasturnedofftoEastEndelstow。Canyousee？'
　　'Icannot。Youmustbemistaken。'
　　KnightandStephenenteredthevillage。Abaroffierylightlayacrosstheroad，proceedingfromthehalf-opendoorofasmithy，inwhichbellowswereheardblowingandahammerringing。Therainhadincreased，andtheymechanicallyturnedforsheltertowardsthewarmandcosyscene。
　　Closeattheirheelscameanotherman，withoutover-coatorumbrella，andwithaparcelunderhisarm。
　　'Awetevening，'hesaidtothetwofriends，andpassedbythem。
　　Theystoodintheouterpenthouse，butthemanwentintothefire。
　　Thesmithceasedhisblowing，andbegantalkingtothemanwhohadentered。
　　'IhavewalkedallthewayfromCamelton，'saidthelatter。'Wasobligedtocometo-night，youknow。'
　　Heheldtheparcel，whichwasaflatone，towardsthefirelight，tolearniftherainhadpenetratedit。Restingitedgewiseontheforge，hesupporteditperpendicularlywithonehand，wipinghisfacewiththehandkerchiefheheldintheother。
　　'IsupposeyouknowwhatI'vegothere？'heobservedtothesmith。
　　'No，Idon't，'saidthesmith，pausingagainonhisbellows。
　　'Astherain'snotover，I'llshowyou，'saidthebearer。
　　Helaidthethinandbroadpackage，whichhadacuteanglesindifferentdirections，flatupontheanvil，andthesmithblewupthefiretogivehimmorelight。First，afteruntyingthepackage，asheetofbrownpaperwasremoved:thiswaslaidflat。
　　Thenheunfoldedapieceofbaize:thisalsohespreadflatonthepaper。Thethirdcoveringwasawrapperoftissuepaper，whichwasspreadoutinitsturn。Theenclosurewasrevealed，andhehelditupforthesmith'sinspection。
　　'Oh——Isee!'saidthesmith，kindlingwithachastenedinterest，anddrawingclose。'Pooryounglady——ah，terriblemelancholything——sosoontoo!'
　　KnightandStephenturnedtheirheadsandlooked。
　　'Andwhat'sthat？'continuedthesmith。
　　'That'sthecoronet——beautifullyfinished，isn'tit？Ah，thatcostsomemoney!'
　　''TisasfineabitofmetalworkaseverIsee——that'tis。'
　　'Itcamefromthesamepeopleasthecoffin，youknow，butwasnotreadysoonenoughtobesentroundtothehouseinLondonyesterday。I'vegottofixitonthisverynight。'
　　Thecarefully-packedarticleswereacoffin-plateandcoronet。
　　KnightandStephencameforward。Theundertaker'sman，onseeingthemlookfortheinscription，civillyturneditroundtowardsthem，andeachread，almostatonemoment，bytheruddylightofthecoals:
　　ELFRIDE，WifeofSpenserHugoLuxellian，FifteenthBaronLuxellian:
　　DiedFebruary10，18。
　　Theyreadit，andreadit，andreaditagain——StephenandKnight——
　　asifanimatedbyonesoul。ThenStephenputhishanduponKnight'sarm，andtheyretiredfromtheyellowglow，further，further，tillthechilldarknessenclosedthemround，andthequietskyasserteditspresenceoverheadasadimgreysheetofblankmonotony。
　　'Whereshallwego？'saidStephen。
　　'Idon'tknow。'
　　Alongsilenceensued……'Elfridemarried!'saidStephentheninathinwhisper，asifhefearedtolettheassertionlooseontheworld。
　　'False，'whisperedKnight。
　　'Anddead。Deniedusboth。Ihate"false"——Ihateit!'
　　Knightmadenoanswer。
　　Nothingwasheardbythemnowsavetheslowmeasurementoftimebytheirbeatingpulses，thesofttouchofthedribblingrainupontheirclothes，andthelowpurroftheblacksmith'sbellowshardby。
　　'ShallwefollowElfieanyfurther？'Stephensaid。
　　'No:letusleaveheralone。Sheisbeyondourlove，andletherbebeyondourreproach。Sincewedon'tknowhalfthereasonsthatmadeherdoasshedid，Stephen，howcanwesay，evennow，thatshewasnotpureandtrueinheart？'Knight'svoicehadnowbecomemildandgentleasachild's。Hewenton:'Canwecallherambitious？No。Circumstancehas，asusual，overpoweredherpurposes——fragileanddelicateasshe——liabletobeoverthrowninamomentbythecoarseelementsofaccident。Iknowthat'sit，——
　　don'tyou？'
　　'Itmaybe——itmustbe。Letusgoon。'
　　TheybegantobendtheirstepstowardsCastleBoterel，whithertheyhadsenttheirbagsfromCamelton。Theywanderedoninsilenceformanyminutes。Stephenthenpaused，andlightlyputhishandwithinKnight'sarm。
　　'Iwonderhowshecametodie，'hesaidinabrokenwhisper。
　　'Shallwereturnandlearnalittlemore？'
　　Theyturnedbackagain，andenteringEndelstowasecondtime，cametoadoorwhichwasstandingopen。ItwasthatofaninncalledtheWelcomeHome，andthehouseappearedtohavebeenrecentlyrepairedandentirelymodernized。Thenametoowasnotthatofthesamelandlordasformerly，butMartinCannister's。
　　KnightandSmithentered。Theinnwasquitesilent，andtheyfollowedthepassagetilltheyreachedthekitchen，whereahugefirewasburning，whichroaredupthechimney，andsentoverthefloor，ceiling，andnewly-whitenedwallsaglaresointenseastomakethecandlequiteasecondarylight。Awomaninawhiteapronandblackgownwasstandingtherealonebehindacleanly-scrubbeddealtable。Stephenfirst，andKnightafterwards，recognizedherasUnity，whohadbeenparlour-maidatthevicarageandyounglady's-maidattheCrags。
　　'Unity，'saidStephensoftly，'don'tyouknowme？'
　　Shelookedinquiringlyamoment，andherfaceclearedup。
　　'Mr。Smith——ay，thatitis!'shesaid。'Andthat'sMr。Knight。I
　　begyoutositdown。PerhapsyouknowthatsinceIsawyoulastI
　　havemarriedMartinCannister。'
　　'Howlonghaveyoubeenmarried？'
　　'Aboutfivemonths。WeweremarriedthesamedaythatmydearMissElfiebecameLadyLuxellian。'TearsappearedinUnity'seyes，andfilledthem，andfelldownhercheek，inspiteofeffortstothecontrary。
　　Thepainofthetwomeninresolutelycontrollingthemselveswhenthusexampledtoadmitreliefofthesamekindwasdistressing。
　　Theybothturnedtheirbacksandwalkedafewstepsaway。
　　ThenUnitysaid，'Willyougointotheparlour，gentlemen？'
　　'Letusstayherewithher，'Knightwhispered，andturningsaid，'No；wewillsithere。Wewanttorestanddryourselveshereforatime，ifyouplease。'
　　Thateveningthesorrowingfriendssatwiththeirhostessbesidethelargefire，Knightintherecessformedbythechimneybreast，wherehewasinshade。Andbyshowingalittleconfidencetheywonhers，andshetoldthemwhattheyhadstayedtohear——thelatterhistoryofpoorElfride。
　　'Oneday——afteryou，Mr。Knight，leftusforthelasttime——shewasmissedfromtheCrags，andherfatherwentafterher，andbroughtherhomeill。Whereshewentto，Ineverknew——butshewasveryunwellforweeksafterwards。Andshesaidtomethatshedidn'tcarewhatbecameofher，andshewishedshecoulddie。
　　Whenshewasbetter，Isaidshewouldlivetobemarriedyet，andshesaidthen，"Yes；I'lldoanythingforthebenefitofmyfamily，soastoturnmyuselesslifetosomepracticalaccount。”
　　Well，itbeganlikethisaboutLordLuxelliancourtingher。ThefirstLadyLuxellianhaddied，andhewasingreattroublebecausethelittlegirlswereleftmotherless。Afterawhiletheyusedtocomeandseeherintheirlittleblackfrocks，fortheylikedheraswellorbetterthantheirownmother——that'strue。Theyusedtocallher"littlemamma。”Thesechildrenmadeherashadelivelier，butshewasnotthegirlshehadbeen——Icouldseethat——
　　andshegrewthinneragooddeal。Well，mylordgottoasktheSwancourtsoftenerandoftenertodinner——nobodyelseofhisacquaintance——andatlastthevicar'sfamilywerebackwardsandforwardsatallhoursoftheday。Well，peoplesaythatthelittlegirlsaskedtheirfathertoletMissElfridecomeandlivewiththem，andthathesaidperhapshewouldiftheyweregoodchildren。However，thetimewenton，andonedayIsaid，"MissElfride，youdon'tlooksowellasyouusedto；andthoughnobodyelseseemstonoticeitIdo。”Shelaughedalittle，andsaid，"I
　　shalllivetobemarriedyet，asyoutoldme。”
　　'"Shallyou，miss？Iamgladtohearthat，"Isaid。
　　'"WhomdoyouthinkIamgoingtobemarriedto？"shesaidagain。
　　'"Mr。Knight，Isuppose，"saidI。
　　'"Oh!"shecried，andturnedoffsowhite，andaforeIcouldgettohershehadsunkdownlikeaheapofclothes，andfaintedaway。
　　Well，then，shecametoherselfafteratime，andsaid，"Unity，nowwe'llgoonwithourconversation。”
　　'"Betternotto-day，miss，"Isaid。
　　'"Yes，wewill，"shesaid。"WhomdoyouthinkIamgoingtobemarriedto？"
　　'"Idon'tknow，"Isaidthistime。
　　'"Guess，"shesaid。
　　'"'Tisn'tmylord，isit？"saysI。
　　'"Yes，'tis，"saysshe，inasickwildway。
　　'"Buthedon'tcomecourtingmuch，"Isaid。
　　"'Ah!youdon'tknow，"shesaid，andtoldme'twasgoingtobeinOctober。Afterthatshefreshenedupabit——whether'twaswiththethoughtofgettingawayfromhomeornot，Idon'tknow。For，perhaps，Imayaswellspeakplainly，andtellyouthatherhomewasnohometohernow。Herfatherwasbittertoherandharshuponher；andthoughMrs。Swancourtwaswellenoughinherway，'twasasortofcoldpolitenessthatwasnotworthmuch，andthelittlethinghadaworryingtimeofitaltogether。Aboutamonthbeforethewedding，sheandmylordandthetwochildrenusedtorideabouttogetheruponhorseback，andaveryprettysighttheywere；andifyou'llbelieveme，Ineversawhimoncewithherunlessthechildrenwerewithhertoo——whichmadethecourtingsostrange-looking。Ay，andmylordissohandsome，youknow，sothatatlastIthinksheratherlikedhim；andIhaveseenhersmileandblushabitatthingshesaid。Hewantedherthemorebecausethechildrendid，foreverybodycouldseethatshewouldbeamosttendermothertothem，andfriendandplaymatetoo。Andmylordisnotonlyhandsome，butasplendidcourter，anduptoallthewayso't。Sohemadeherthebeautifullestpresents；ah，oneIcanmind——alovelybracelet，withdiamondsandemeralds。
　　Oh，howredherfacecamewhenshesawit!Theoldrosescamebacktohercheeksforaminuteortwothen。Ihelpeddressherthedaywebothweremarried——itwasthelastserviceIdidher，poorchild!Whenshewasready，Iranupstairsandslippedonmyownweddinggown，andawaytheywent，andawaywentMartinandI；andnosoonerhadmylordandmyladybeenmarriedthantheparsonmarriedus。Itwasaveryquietpairofweddings——hardlyanybodyknewit。Well，hopewillholditsowninayoungheart，ifsobeitcan；andmyladyfreshenedupabit，formylordwasSO
　　handsomeandkind。'
　　'Howcameshetodie——andawayfromhome？'murmuredKnight。
　　'Don'tyousee，sir，shefelloffagainaforethey'dbeenmarriedlong，andmylordtookherabroadforchangeofscene。Theywerecominghome，andhadgotasfarasLondon，whenshewastakenveryillandcouldn'tbemoved，andthereshedied。'
　　'Washeveryfondofher？'
　　'What，mylord？Oh，hewas!'
　　'VERYfondofher？'
　　'VERY，beyondeverything。Notsuddenly，butbyslowdegrees。
　　'Twashernaturetowinpeoplemorewhentheyknewherwell。He'dhavediedforher，Ibelieve。Poormylord，he'sheart-brokennow!'
　　'Thefuneralisto-morrow？'
　　'Yes；myhusbandisnowatthevaultwiththemasons，openingthestepsandcleaningdownthewalls。'
　　ThenextdaytwomenwalkedupthefamiliarvalleyfromCastleBotereltoEastEndelstowChurch。Andwhenthefuneralwasover，andeveryonehadleftthelawn-likechurchyard，thepairwentsoftlydownthestepsoftheLuxellianvault，andunderthelow-
　　groinedarchestheyhadbeheldoncebefore，litupthenasnow。
　　Inthenewnicheofthecryptlayarathernewcoffin，whichhadlostsomeofitslustre，andanewercoffinstill，brightanduntarnishedintheslightestdegree。
　　Besidethelatterwasthedarkformofaman，kneelingonthedampfloor，hisbodyflungacrossthecoffin，hishandsclasped，andhiswholeframeseeminglygivenupinutterabandonmenttogrief。
　　Hewasstillyoung——younger，perhaps，thanKnight——andevennowshowedhowgracefulwashisfigureandsymmetricalhisbuild。Hemurmuredaprayerhalfaloud，andwasquiteunconsciousthattwootherswerestandingwithinafewyardsofhim。
　　KnightandStephenhadadvancedtowheretheyoncestoodbesideElfrideonthedayallthreehadmetthere，beforeshehadherselfgonedownintosilencelikeherancestors，andshutherbrightblueeyesforever。Notuntilthendidtheyseethekneelingfigureinthedimlight。KnightinstantlyrecognizedthemournerasLordLuxellian，thebereavedhusbandofElfride。
　　Theyfeltthemselvestobeintruders。KnightpressedStephenback，andtheysilentlywithdrewastheyhadentered。
　　'Comeaway，'hesaid，inabrokenvoice。'Wehavenorighttobethere。Anotherstandsbeforeus——nearertoherthanwe!'
　　AndsidebysidetheybothretracedtheirstepsdownthegreystillvalleytoCastleBoterel。