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