SuddenlyElfridebecameconsciousofwhatshewasdoing，andwaspainfullyconfused。
　　'Whatwereyousointentuponinme？'heinquired。
　　'AsfarasIwasthinkingofyouatall，Iwasthinkinghowcleveryouare，'shesaid，withawantofpremeditationthatwasstartlinginitshonestyandsimplicity。
　　Feelingrestlessnowthatshehadsounwittinglyspoken，shearoseandsteppedtothewindow，havingheardthevoicesofherfatherandMrs。Swancourtcomingupbelowtheterrace。'Heretheyare，'
　　shesaid，goingout。Knightwalkedoutuponthelawnbehindher。
　　Shestoodupontheedgeoftheterrace，closetothestonebalustrade，andlookedtowardsthesun，hangingoveragladejustnowfairasTempe'svale，upwhichherfatherwaswalking。
　　Knightcouldnothelplookingather。Thesunwaswithintendegreesofthehorizon，anditswarmlightfloodedherfaceandheightenedthebrightrosecolourofhercheekstoavermilionred，theirmoderatepinkhuebeingonlyseeninitsnaturaltonewherethecheekcurvedroundintoshadow。Theendsofherhanginghairsoftlydraggedthemselvesbackwardsandforwardsuponhershoulderaseachfaintbreezethrustagainstorrelinquishedit。
　　Fringesandribbonsofherdress，movedbythesamebreeze，lickedliketonguesuponthepartsaroundthem，andflutteringforwardfromshadyfoldscaughtlikewisetheirshareofthelustrousorangeglow。
　　Mr。SwancourtshoutedoutawelcometoKnightfromadistanceofaboutthirtyyards，andafterafewpreliminarywordsproceededtoaconversationofdeepearnestnessonKnight'sfineoldfamilyname，andtheoriesastolineageandintermarriageconnectedtherewith。Knight'sportmanteauhavinginthemeantimearrived，theysoonretiredtopreparefordinner，whichhadbeenpostponedtwohourslaterthantheusualtimeofthatmeal。
　　AnarrivalwasaneventinthelifeofElfride，nowthattheywereagaininthecountry，andthatofKnightnecessarilyanengrossingone。AndthateveningshewenttobedforthefirsttimewithoutthinkingofStephenatall。
　　ChapterXVIII
　　'Heheardhermusicalpants。'
　　TheoldtowerofWestEndelstowChurchhadreachedthelastweeksofitsexistence。ItwastobereplacedbyanewonefromthedesignsofMr。Hewby，thearchitectwhohadsentdownStephen。
　　Planksandpoleshadarrivedinthechurchyard，ironbarshadbeenthrustintothevenerablecrackextendingdownthebelfrywalltothefoundation，thebellshadbeentakendown，theowlshadforsakenthishomeoftheirforefathers，andsixiconoclastsinwhitefustian，towhomacrackededificewasaspeciesofMumboJumbo，hadtakenlodgingsinthevillageprevioustobeginningtheactualremovalofthestones。
　　ThiswasthedayafterKnight'sarrival。Toenjoyforthelasttimetheprospectseawardfromthesummit，thevicar，Mrs。
　　Swancourt，Knight，andElfride，allascendedthewindingturret——
　　Mr。Swancourtsteppingforwardwithmanyloudbreaths，hiswifestrugglingalongsilently，butsufferingnonetheless。Theyhadhardlyreachedthetopwhenalargeluridcloud，palpablyareservoirofrain，thunder，andlightning，wasseentobeadvancingoverheadfromthenorth。
　　Thetwocautiouselderssuggestedanimmediatereturn，andproceededtoputitinpracticeasregardedthemselves。
　　'Dearme，IwishIhadnotcomeup，'exclaimedMrs。Swancourt。
　　'Weshallbeslowerthanyoutwoingoingdown，'thevicarsaidoverhisshoulder，'andso，don'tyoustarttillwearenearlyatthebottom，oryouwillrunoverusandbreakourneckssomewhereinthedarknessoftheturret。'
　　AccordinglyElfrideandKnightwaitedontheleadstillthestaircaseshouldbeclear。Knightwasnotinatalkativemoodthatmorning。Elfridewasratherwilful，byreasonofhisinattention，whichsheprivatelysetdowntohisthinkinghernotworthtalkingto。WhilstKnightstoodwatchingtheriseofthecloud，shesaunteredtotheothersideofthetower，andthererememberedagiddyfeatshehadperformedtheyearbefore。Itwastowalkroundupontheparapetofthetower——whichwasquitewithoutbattlementorpinnacle，andpresentedasmoothflatsurfaceabouttwofeetwide，formingapathwayonallthefoursides。Withoutreflectingintheleastuponwhatshewasdoingshenowsteppedupontheparapetintheoldway，andbeganwalkingalong。
　　'Wearedown，cousinHenry，'criedMrs。Swancourtuptheturret。
　　'Followuswhenyoulike。'
　　KnightturnedandsawElfridebeginningherelevatedpromenade。
　　Hisfaceflushedwithmingledconcernandangeratherrashness。
　　'Icertainlygaveyoucreditformorecommonsense，'hesaid。
　　Shereddenedalittleandwalkedon。
　　'MissSwancourt，Iinsistuponyourcomingdown，'heexclaimed。
　　'Iwillinaminute。Iamsafeenough。Ihavedoneitoften。'
　　Atthatmoment，byreasonofaslightperturbationhiswordshadcausedinher，Elfride'sfootcaughtitselfinalittletuftofgrassgrowinginajointofthestone-work，andshealmostlostherbalance。Knightsprangforwardwithafaceofhorror。BywhatseemedthespecialinterpositionofaconsiderateProvidenceshetotteredtotheinneredgeoftheparapetinsteadoftotheouter，andreeledoverupontheleadrooftwoorthreefeetbelowthewall。
　　Knightseizedherasinavice，andhesaid，panting，'ThateverI
　　shouldhavemetawomanfoolenoughtodoathingofthatkind!
　　GoodGod，yououghttobeashamedofyourself!'
　　ThecloseproximityoftheShadowofDeathhadmadehersickandpaleasacorpsebeforehespoke。Alreadyloweredtothatstate，hiswordscompletelyover-poweredher，andsheswoonedawayasheheldher。
　　Elfride'seyeswerenotclosedformorethanfortyseconds。Sheopenedthem，andrememberedthepositioninstantly。Hisfacehadaltereditsexpressionfromsternangertopity。Buthissevereremarkshadratherfrightenedher，andshestruggledtobefree。
　　'Ifyoucanstand，ofcourseyoumay，'hesaid，andloosenedhisarms。'Ihardlyknowwhethermosttolaughatyourfreakortochideyouforitsfolly。'
　　Sheimmediatelysankuponthelead-work。Knightliftedheragain。
　　'Areyouhurt？'hesaid。
　　Shemurmuredanincoherentexpression，andtriedtosmile；saying，withafitfulaversionofherface，'Iamonlyfrightened。Putmedown，doputmedown!'
　　'Butyoucan'twalk，'saidKnight。
　　'Youdon'tknowthat；howcanyou？Iamonlyfrightened，Itellyou，'sheansweredpetulantly，andraisedherhandtoherforehead。Knightthensawthatshewasbleedingfromaseverecutinherwrist，apparentlywhereithaddescendeduponasalientcornerofthelead-work。Elfride，too，seemedtoperceiveandfeelthisnowforthefirsttime，andforaminutenearlylostconsciousnessagain。Knightrapidlyboundhishandkerchiefroundtheplace，andtoaddtothecomplication，thethundercloudhehadbeenwatchingbegantoshedsomeheavydropsofrain。Knightlookedupandsawthevicarstridingtowardsthehouse，andMrs。
　　Swancourtwaddlingbesidehimlikeahard-drivenduck。
　　'Asyouaresofaint，itwillbemuchbettertoletmecarryyoudown，'saidKnight；'oratanyrateinsideoutoftherain。'Butherobjectiontobeliftedmadeitimpossibleforhimtosupportherformorethanfivesteps。
　　'Thisisfolly，greatfolly，'heexclaimed，settingherdown。
　　'Indeed!'shemurmured，withtearsinhereyes。'IsayIwillnotbecarried，andyousaythisisfolly!'
　　'Soitis。'
　　'No，itisn't!'
　　'Itisfolly，Ithink。Atanyrate，theoriginofitallis。'
　　'Idon'tagreetoit。Andyouneedn'tgetsoangrywithme；Iamnotworthit。'
　　'Indeedyouare。Youareworththeenmityofprinces，aswassaidofsuchanother。Now，then，willyouclaspyourhandsbehindmyneck，thatImaycarryyoudownwithouthurtingyou？'
　　'No，no。'
　　'Youhadbetter，orIshallforeclose。'
　　'What'sthat!'
　　'Depriveyouofyourchance。'
　　Elfridegavealittletoss。
　　'Now，don'twrithesowhenIattempttocarryyou。'
　　'Ican'thelpit。'
　　'Thensubmitquietly。'
　　'Idon'tcare。Idon'tcare，'shemurmuredinlanguidtonesandwithclosedeyes。
　　Hetookherintohisarms，enteredtheturret，andwithslowandcautiousstepsdescendedroundandround。Then，withthegentlenessofanursingmother，heattendedtothecutonherarm。
　　Duringhisprogressthroughtheoperationsofwipingitandbindingitupanew，herfacechangeditsaspectfrompainedindifferencetosomethinglikebashfulinterest，interspersedwithsmalltremorsandshuddersofatriflingkind。
　　Inthecentreofeachpalecheekasmallredspotthesizeofawaferhadnowmadeitsappearance，andcontinuedtogrowlarger。
　　Elfridemomentarilyexpectedarecurrencetothelectureonherfoolishness，butKnightsaidnomorethanthis——
　　'PromisemeNEVERtowalkonthatparapetagain。'
　　'Itwillbepulleddownsoon:soIdo。'Inafewminutesshecontinuedinalowertone，andseriously，'Youarefamiliarofcourse，aseverybodyis，withthosestrangesensationswesometimeshave，thatourlifeforthemomentexistsinduplicate。'
　　'Thatwehavelivedthroughthatmomentbefore？'
　　'Orshallagain。Well，Ifeltonthetowerthatsomethingsimilartothatsceneisagaintobecommontousboth。'
　　'Godforbid!'saidKnight。'Promisemethatyouwillneveragainwalkonanysuchplaceonanyconsideration。'
　　'Ido。'
　　'Thatsuchathinghasnotbeenbefore，weknow。Thatitshallnotbeagain，youvow。Thereforethinknomoreofsuchafoolishfancy。'
　　Therehadfallenagreatdealofrain，butunaccompaniedbylightning。Afewminuteslonger，andthestormhadceased。
　　'Now，takemyarm，please。'
　　'Ohno，itisnotnecessary。'Thisrelapseintowilfulnesswasbecausehehadagainconnectedtheepithetfoolishwithher。
　　'Nonsense:itisquitenecessary；itwillrainagaindirectly，andyouarenothalfrecovered。'AndwithoutmoreadoKnighttookherhand，drewitunderhisarm，andheldittheresofirmlythatshecouldnothaveremoveditwithoutastruggle。Feelinglikeacoltinahalterforthefirsttime，atthusbeingledalong，yetafraidtobeangry，itwastohergreatreliefthatshesawthecarriagecomingroundthecornertofetchthem。
　　Herfallupontheroofwasnecessarilyexplainedtosomeextentupontheirenteringthehouse；butbothforboretomentionawordofwhatshehadbeendoingtocausesuchanaccident。DuringtheremainderoftheafternoonElfridewasinvisible；butatdinner-
　　timesheappearedasbrightasever。
　　Inthedrawing-room，afterhavingbeenexclusivelyengagedwithMr。andMrs。Swancourtthroughtheinterveninghour，KnightagainfoundhimselfthrownwithElfride。Shehadbeenlookingoverachessprobleminoneoftheillustratedperiodicals。
　　'Youlikechess，MissSwancourt？'
　　'Yes。Itismyfavouritescientificgame；indeed，excludeseveryother。Doyouplay？'
　　'Ihaveplayed；thoughnotlately。'
　　'Challengehim，Elfride，'saidthevicarheartily。'Sheplaysverywellforalady，Mr。Knight。'
　　'Shallweplay？'askedElfridetentatively。
　　'Oh，certainly。Ishallbedelighted。'
　　Thegamebegan。Mr。SwancourthadforgottenasimilarperformancewithStephenSmiththeyearbefore。Elfridehadnot；butshehadbeguntotakeforhermaximtheundoubtedtruththatthenecessityofcontinuingfaithfultoStephen，withoutsuspicion，dictatedaficklebehaviouralmostasimperativelyasficklenessitself；afact，however，whichwouldgiveastartlingadvantagetothelatterqualityshoulditeverappear。
　　Knight，byoneofthoseinexcusableoversightswhichwillsometimesafflictthebestofplayers，placedhisrookinthearmsofoneofherpawns。Itwasherfirstadvantage。Shelookedtriumphant——evenruthless。
　　'ByGeorge!whatwasIthinkingof？'saidKnightquietly；andthendismissedallconcernathisaccident。
　　'Clublawswe'llhave，won'twe，Mr。Knight？'saidElfridesuasively。
　　'Ohyes，certainly，'saidMr。Knight，athought，however，justoccurringtohismind，thathehadtwoorthreetimesallowedhertoreplaceamanonherreligiouslyassuringhimthatsuchamovewasanabsoluteblunder。
　　Sheimmediatelytookuptheunfortunaterookandthecontestproceeded，Elfridehavingnowratherthebetterofthegame。Thenhewontheexchange，regainedhisposition，andbegantopressherhard。Elfridegrewflurried，andplacedherqueenonhisremainingrook'sfile。
　　'There——howstupid!Uponmyword，Ididnotseeyourrook。Ofcoursenobodybutafoolwouldhaveputaqueenthereknowingly!'
　　Shespokeexcitedly，halfexpectingherantagonisttogiveherbackthemove。
　　'Nobody，ofcourse，'saidKnightserenely，andstretchedouthishandtowardshisroyalvictim。
　　'Itisnotverypleasanttohaveittakenadvantageof，then，'shesaidwithsomevexation。
　　'Clublaws，Ithinkyousaid？'returnedKnightblandly，andmercilesslyappropriatingthequeen。
　　Shewasonthebrinkofpouting，butwasashamedtoshowit；tearsalmoststoodinhereyes。Shehadbeentryingsohard——soveryhard——thinkingandthinkingtillherbrainwasinawhirl；anditseemedsoheartlessofhimtotreatherso，afterall。
　　'Ithinkitis——'shebegan。
　　'What？'——
　　'UnkindtotakeadvantageofapuremistakeImakeinthatway。'
　　'Ilostmyrookbyevenapurermistake，'saidtheenemyinaninexorabletone，withoutliftinghiseyes。
　　'Yes，but——'However，ashislogicwasabsolutelyunanswerable，shemerelyregisteredaprotest。'Icannotendurethosecold-
　　bloodedwaysofclubsandprofessionalplayers，likeStauntonandMorphy。Justasifitreallymatteredwhetheryouhaveraisedyourfingersfromamanorno!'
　　Knightsmiledaspitilesslyasbefore，andtheywentoninsilence。
　　'Checkmate，'saidKnight。
　　'Anothergame，'saidElfrideperemptorily，andlookingverywarm。
　　'Withallmyheart，'saidKnight。
　　'Checkmate，'saidKnightagainattheendoffortyminutes。
　　'Anothergame，'shereturnedresolutely。
　　'I'llgiveyoutheoddsofabishop，'Knightsaidtoherkindly。
　　'No，thankyou，'Elfriderepliedinatoneintendedforcourteousindifference；but，asafact，verycavalierindeed。
　　'Checkmate，'saidheropponentwithouttheleastemotion。
　　Oh，thedifferencebetweenElfride'sconditionofmindnow，andwhenshepurposelymadeblundersthatStephenSmithmightwin!
　　Itwasbedtime。Hermindasdistractedasifitwouldthrobitselfoutofherhead，shewentofftoherchamber，fullofmortificationatbeingbeatentimeaftertimewhensheherselfwastheaggressor。Havingfortwoorthreeyearsenjoyedthereputationthroughouttheglobeofherfather'sbrain——whichalmostconstitutedherentireworld——ofbeinganexcellentplayer，thisfiascowasintolerable；forunfortunatelythepersonmostdoggedinthebeliefinafalsereputationisalwaysthatone，thepossessor，whohasthebestmeansofknowingthatitisnottrue。
　　Inbednosleepcametosootheher；thatgentlethingbeingtheverymiddle-of-summerfriendinthisrespectofflyingawayatthemeresttroublouscloud。Afterlyingawaketilltwoo'clockanideaseemedtostrikeher。Shesoftlyarose，gotalight，andfetchedaChessPraxisfromthelibrary。Returningandsittingupinbed，shediligentlystudiedthevolumetilltheclockstruckfive，andhereyelidsfeltthickandheavy。Shethenextinguishedthelightandlaydownagain。
　　'Youlookpale，Elfride，'saidMrs。Swancourtthenextmorningatbreakfast。'Isn'tshe，cousinHarry？'
　　Ayounggirlwhoisscarcelyillatallcanhardlyhelpbecomingsowhenregardedassuchbyalleyesturninguponheratthetableinobediencetosomeremark。EverybodylookedatElfride。Shecertainlywaspale。
　　'AmIpale？'shesaidwithafaintsmile。'Ididnotsleepmuch。
　　Icouldnotgetridofarmiesofbishopsandknights，tryhowI
　　would。'
　　'Chessisabadthingjustbeforebedtime；especiallyforexcitablepeoplelikeyourself，dear。Don'teverplaylateagain。'
　　'I'llplayearlyinstead。CousinKnight，'shesaidinimitationofMrs。Swancourt，'willyouobligemeinsomething？'
　　'Eventohalfmykingdom。'
　　'Well，itistoplayonegamemore。'
　　'When？'
　　'Now，instantly；themomentwehavebreakfasted。'
　　'Nonsense，Elfride，'saidherfather。'Makingyourselfaslavetothegamelikethat。'
　　'ButIwantto，papa!Honestly，Iamrestlessathavingbeensoignominiouslyovercome。AndMr。Knightdoesn'tmind。Sowhatharmcantherebe？'
　　'Letusplay，byallmeans，ifyouwishit，'saidKnight。
　　So，whenbreakfastwasover，thecombatantswithdrewtothequietofthelibrary，andthedoorwasclosed。Elfrideseemedtohaveanideathatherconductwasratherill-regulatedandstartlinglyfreefromconventionalrestraint。Andworse，shefancieduponKnight'sfaceaslightlyamusedlookatherproceedings。
　　'Youthinkmefoolish，Isuppose，'shesaidrecklessly；'butI
　　wanttodomyverybestjustonce，andseewhetherIcanovercomeyou。'
　　'Certainly:nothingmorenatural。ThoughIamafraiditisnottheplanadoptedbywomenoftheworldafteradefeat。'
　　'Why，pray？'
　　'Becausetheyknowthatasgoodasovercomingisskillineffacingrecollectionofbeingovercome，andturntheirattentiontothatentirely。'
　　'Iamwrongagain，ofcourse。'
　　'Perhapsyourwrongismorepleasingthantheirright。'
　　'Idon'tquiteknowwhetheryoumeanthat，orwhetheryouarelaughingatme，'shesaid，lookingdoubtinglyathim，yetincliningtoacceptthemoreflatteringinterpretation。'IamalmostsureyouthinkitvanityinmetothinkIamamatchforyou。Well，ifyoudo，Isaythatvanityisnocrimeinsuchacase。'
　　'Well，perhapsnot。Thoughitishardlyavirtue。'
　　'Ohyes，inbattle!Nelson'sbraverylayinhisvanity。'
　　'Indeed!Thensodidhisdeath。'
　　Ohno，no!ForitiswritteninthebookoftheprophetShakespeare——
　　"Fearandbeslain？noworsecancometofight；
　　Andfightanddie，isdeathdestroyingdeath!"
　　Anddowntheysat，andthecontestbegan，Elfridehavingthefirstmove。Thegameprogressed。Elfride'sheartbeatsoviolentlythatshecouldnotsitstill。Herdreadwaslestheshouldhearit。Andhediddiscoveritatlast——someflowersuponthetablebeingsetthrobbingbyitspulsations。
　　'Ithinkwehadbettergiveover，'saidKnight，lookingathergently。'Itistoomuchforyou，Iknow。Letuswritedowntheposition，andfinishanothertime。'
　　'No，pleasenot，'sheimplored。'IshouldnotrestifIdidnotknowtheresultatonce。Itisyourmove。'
　　Tenminutespassed。
　　Shestartedupsuddenly。'Iknowwhatyouaredoing？'shecried，anangrycolouruponhercheeks，andhereyesindignant。'Youwerethinkingoflettingmewintopleaseme!'
　　'Idon'tmindowningthatIwas，'Knightrespondedphlegmatically，andappearingallthemoresobycontrastwithherownturmoil。
　　'Butyoumustnot!Iwon'thaveit。'
　　'Verywell。'
　　'No，thatwillnotdo；Iinsistthatyoupromisenottodoanysuchabsurdthing。Itisinsultingme!'
　　'Verywell，madam。Iwon'tdoanysuchabsurdthing。Youshallnotwin。'
　　'Thatistobeproved!'shereturnedproudly；andtheplaywenton。
　　Nothingisnowheardbutthetickingofaquaintoldtimepieceonthesummitofabookcase。Tenminutespass；hecapturesherknight；shetakeshisknight，andlooksaveryRhadamanthus。
　　Moreminutestickaway；shetakeshispawnandhastheadvantage，showinghersenseofitratherprominently。
　　Fiveminutesmore:hetakesherbishop:shebringsthingsevenbytakinghisknight。
　　Threeminutes:shelooksbold，andtakeshisqueen:helooksplacid，andtakeshers。
　　Eightortenminutespass:hetakesapawn；sheuttersalittlepooh!butnottheghostofapawncanshetakeinretaliation。
　　Tenminutespass:hetakesanotherpawnandsays，'Check!'Sheflushes，extricatesherselfbycapturinghisbishop，andlookstriumphant。Heimmediatelytakesherbishop:shelookssurprised。
　　Fiveminuteslonger:shemakesadashandtakeshisonlyremainingbishop；herepliesbytakingheronlyremainingknight。
　　Twominutes:hegivescheck；hermindisnowinapainfulstateoftension，andsheshadesherfacewithherhand。
　　Yetafewminutesmore:hetakesherrookandchecksagain。Sheliterallytremblesnowlestanartfulsurpriseshehasinstoreforhimshallbeanticipatedbytheartfulsurpriseheevidentlyhasinstoreforher。
　　Fiveminutes:'Checkmateintwomoves!'exclaimsElfride。
　　'Ifyoucan，'saysKnight。
　　'Oh，Ihavemiscalculated；thatiscruel!'
　　'Checkmate，'saysKnight；andthevictoryiswon。
　　Elfridearoseandturnedawaywithoutlettinghimseeherface。
　　Onceinthehallsheranupstairsandintoherroom，andflungherselfdownuponherbed，weepingbitterly。
　　'WhereisElfride？'saidherfatheratluncheon。
　　Knightlistenedanxiouslyfortheanswer。Hehadbeenhopingtoseeheragainbeforethistime。
　　'Sheisn'twell，sir，'wasthereply。
　　Mrs。Swancourtroseandlefttheroom，goingupstairstoElfride'sapartment。
　　AtthedoorwasUnity，whooccupiedinthenewestablishmentapositionbetweenyounglady'smaidandmiddle-housemaid。
　　'Sheissoundasleep，ma'am，'Unitywhispered。
　　Mrs。Swancourtopenedthedoor。Elfridewaslyingfull-dressedonthebed，herfacehotandred，herarmsthrownabroad。Atintervalsofaminuteshetossedrestlesslyfromsidetoside，andindistinctlymoanedwordsusedinthegameofchess。
　　Mrs。Swancourthadaturnfordoctoring，andfeltherpulse。Itwastwanginglikeaharp-string，attherateofnearlyahundredandfiftyaminute。Softlymovingthesleepinggirltoalittlelesscrampedposition，shewentdownstairsagain。
　　'Sheisasleepnow，'saidMrs。Swancourt。'Shedoesnotseemverywell。CousinKnight，whatwereyouthinkingof？hertenderbrainwon'tbearcudgellinglikeyourgreathead。Youshouldhavestrictlyforbiddenhertoplayagain。'
　　Intruth，theessayist'sexperienceofthenatureofyoungwomenwasfarlessextensivethanhisabstractknowledgeofthemledhimselfandotherstobelieve。Hecouldpackthemintosentenceslikeaworkman，butpracticallywasnowhere。
　　'Iamindeedsorry，'saidKnight，feelingevenmorethanheexpressed。'Butsurely，theyoungladyknowsbestwhatisgoodforher!'
　　'Blessyou，that'sjustwhatshedoesn'tknow。Sheneverthinksofsuchthings，doesshe，Christopher？HerfatherandIhavetocommandherandkeepherinorder，asyouwouldachild。ShewillsaythingsworthyofaFrenchepigrammatist，andactlikearobininagreenhouse。ButIthinkwewillsendforDr。Granson——therecanbenoharm。'
　　AmanwasstraightwaydespatchedonhorsebacktoCastleBoterel，andthegentlemanknownasDr。Gransoncameinthecourseoftheafternoon。Hepronouncedhernervoussystemtobeinadecidedstateofdisorder；forwardedsomesoothingdraught，andgaveordersthatonnoaccountwhateverwasshetoplaychessagain。
　　ThenextmorningKnight，muchvexedwithhimself，waitedwithacuriouslycompoundedfeelingforherentrytobreakfast。Thewomenservantscameintoprayersatirregularintervals，andaseachentered，hecouldnot，tosavehislife，avoidturninghisheadwiththehopethatshemightbeElfride。Mr。Swancourtbeganreadingwithoutwaitingforher。Thensomebodyglidedinnoiselessly；Knightsoftlyglancedup:itwasonlythelittlekitchen-maid。Knightthoughtreadingprayersabore。
　　Hewentoutalone，andforalmostthefirsttimefailedtorecognizethatholdingconversewithNature'scharmswasnotsolitude。Onnearingthehouseagainheperceivedhisyoungfriendcrossingaslopebyapathwhichranintotheonehewasfollowingintheangleofthefield。Heretheymet。Elfridewasatonceexultantandabashed:comingintohispresencehaduponhertheeffectofenteringacathedral。
　　Knighthadhisnote-bookinhishand，andhad，infact，beenintheveryactofwritingthereinwhentheycameinviewofeachother。Heleftoffinthemidstofasentence，andproceededtoinquirewarmlyconcerningherstateofhealth。Shesaidshewasperfectlywell，andindeedhadneverlookedbetter。Herhealthwasasinconsequentasheractions。Herlipswerered，WITHOUT
　　thepolishthatcherrieshave，andtheirrednessmarginedwiththewhiteskininaclearlydefinedline，whichhadnothingofjaggedconfusioninit。Altogethershestoodasthelastpersonintheworldtobeknockedoverbyagameofchess，becausetooephemeral-lookingtoplayone。
　　'Areyoutakingnotes？'sheinquiredwithanalacrityplainlyarisinglessfrominterestinthesubjectthanfromawishtodiverthisthoughtsfromherself。
　　'Yes；Iwasmakinganentry。AndwithyourpermissionIwillcompleteit。'Knightthenstoodstillandwrote。Elfrideremainedbesidehimamoment，andafterwardswalkedon。
　　'Ishouldliketoseeallthesecretsthatareinthatbook，'shegailyflungbacktohimoverhershoulder。
　　'Idon'tthinkyouwouldfindmuchtointerestyou。'
　　'IknowIshould。'
　　'ThenofcourseIhavenomoretosay。'
　　'ButIwouldaskthisquestionfirst。Isitabookofmerefactsconcerningjourneysandexpenditure，andsoon，orabookofthoughts？'
　　'Well，totellthetruth，itisnotexactlyeither。Itconsistsforthemostpartofjottingsforarticlesandessays，disjointedanddisconnected，ofnopossibleinteresttoanybodybutmyself。'
　　'Itcontains，Isuppose，yourdevelopedthoughtsinembryo？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Iftheyareinterestingwhenenlargedtothesizeofanarticle，whatmusttheybeintheirconcentratedform？Purerectifiedspirit，aboveproof；beforeitisloweredtobefitforhumanconsumption:"wordsthatburn"indeed。'
　　'Ratherlikeaballoonbeforeitisinflated:flabby，shapeless，dead。Youcouldhardlyreadthem。'
　　'MayItry？'shesaidcoaxingly。'Iwrotemypoorromanceinthatway——Imeaninbits，outofdoors——andIshouldliketoseewhetheryourwayofenteringthingsisthesameasmine。'
　　'Really，that'sratheranawkwardrequest。IsupposeIcanhardlyrefusenowyouhaveaskedsodirectly；but——'
　　'Youthinkmeill-manneredinasking。Butdoesnotthisjustifyme——yourwritinginmypresence，Mr。Knight？IfIhadlighteduponyourbookbychance，itwouldhavebeendifferent；butyoustandbeforeme，andsay，"Excuseme，"withoutcaringwhetherIdoornot，andwriteon，andthentellmetheyarenotprivatefactsbutpublicideas。'
　　'Verywell，MissSwancourt。Ifyoureallymustsee，theconsequencesbeuponyourownhead。Remember，myadvicetoyouistoleavemybookalone。'
　　'ButwiththatcautionIhaveyourpermission？'
　　'Yes。'
　　Shehesitatedamoment，lookedathishandcontainingthebook，thenlaughed，andsaying，'Imustseeit，'withdrewitfromhisfingers。
　　Knightrambledontowardsthehouse，leavingherstandinginthepathturningovertheleaves。Bythetimehehadreachedthewicket-gatehesawthatshehadmoved，andwaitedtillshecameup。
　　Elfridehadclosedthenote-book，andwascarryingitdisdainfullybythecornerbetweenherfingerandthumb；herfaceworeanettledlook。Shesilentlyextendedthevolumetowardshim，raisinghereyesnohigherthanherhandwaslifted。
　　'Takeit，'saidElfridequickly。'Idon'twanttoreadit。'
　　'Couldyouunderstandit？'saidKnight。
　　'AsfarasIlooked。ButIdidn'tcaretoreadmuch。'
　　'Why，MissSwancourt？'
　　'OnlybecauseIdidn'twishto——that'sall。'
　　'Iwarnedyouthatyoumightnot。'
　　'Yes，butIneversupposedyouwouldhaveputmethere。'
　　'Yournameisnotmentionedoncewithinthefourcorners。'
　　'Notmyname——Iknowthat。'
　　'Noryourdescription，noranythingbywhichanybodywouldrecognizeyou。'
　　'Exceptmyself。Forwhatisthis？'sheexclaimed，takingitfromhimandopeningapage。'August7。That'sthedaybeforeyesterday。ButIwon'treadit，'Elfridesaid，closingthebookagainwithprettyhauteur。'WhyshouldI？Ihadnobusinesstoasktoseeyourhook，anditservesmeright。'
　　Knighthardlyrecollectedwhathehadwritten，andturnedoverthebooktosee。Hecametothis:
　　'Aug。7。Girlgetsintoherteens，andherself-consciousnessisborn。Afteracertainintervalpassedininfantinehelplessnessitbeginstoact。Simple，young，andinexperiencedatfirst。
　　Personsofobservationcantelltoanicetyhowoldthisconsciousnessisbytheskillithasacquiredintheartnecessarytoitssuccess——theartofhidingitself。Generallybeginscareerbyactionswhicharepopularlytermedshowing-off。Methodadopteddependsineachcaseuponthedisposition，rank，residence，oftheyoungladyattemptingit。Town-bredgirlwilluttersomemoralparadoxonfastmen，orlove。Countrymissadoptsthemorematerialmediaoftakingaghastlyfence，whistling，ormakingyourbloodruncoldbyappearingtoriskherneck。MEM。OnEndelstowTower。
　　'Aninnocentvanityisofcoursetheoriginofthesedisplays。
　　"Lookatme，"saytheseyouthfulbeginnersinwomanlyartifice，withoutreflectingwhetherornotitbetotheiradvantagetoshowsoverymuchofthemselves。AmplifyandcorrectforpaperonArtlessArts。'
　　'Yes，Iremembernow，'saidKnight。'Thenoteswerecertainlysuggestedbyyourmanoeuvreonthechurchtower。Butyoumustnotthinktoomuchofsuchrandomobservations，'hecontinuedencouragingly，ashenoticedherinjuredlooks。'Amerefancypassingthroughmyheadassumesafactitiousimportancetoyou，becauseithasbeenmadepermanentbybeingwrittendown。Allmankindthinkthoughtsasbadasthoseofpeopletheymostloveonearth，butsuchthoughtsnevergettingembodiedonpaper，itbecomesassumedthattheyneverexisted。Idaresaythatyouyourselfhavethoughtsomedisagreeablethingorotherofme，whichwouldseemjustasbadasthisifwritten。Ichallengeyou，now，totellme。'
　　'TheworstthingIhavethoughtofyou？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Imustnot。'
　　'Ohyes。'
　　'Ithoughtyouwereratherround-shouldered。'
　　Knightlookedslightlyredder。
　　'Andthattherewasalittlebaldspotonthetopofyourhead。'
　　'Heh-heh!Twoineradicabledefects，'saidKnight，therebeingafaintghastlinessdiscernibleinhislaugh。'Theyaremuchworseinalady'seyethanbeingthoughtself-conscious，Isuppose。'
　　'Ah，that'sveryfine，'shesaid，tooinexperiencedtoperceiveherhit，andhencenotquitedisposedtoforgivehisnotes。'YoualludedtomeinthatentryasifIweresuchachild，too。
　　Everybodydoesthat。Icannotunderstandit。Iamquiteawoman，youknow。HowolddoyouthinkIam？'
　　'Howold？Why，seventeen，Ishouldsay。Allgirlsareseventeen。'
　　'Youarewrong。Iamnearlynineteen。Whichclassofwomendoyoulikebest，thosewhoseemyounger，orthosewhoseemolderthantheyare？'
　　'Off-handIshouldbeinclinedtosaythosewhoseemolder。'
　　SoitwasnotElfride'sclass。
　　'Butitiswellknown，'shesaideagerly，andtherewassomethingtouchingintheartlessanxietytobethoughtmuchofwhichsherevealedbyherwords，'thatthesloweranatureistodevelop，thericherthenature。Youthsandgirlswhoaremenandwomenbeforetheycomeofagearenobodiesbythetimethatbackwardpeoplehaveshowntheirfullcompass。'
　　'Yes，'saidKnightthoughtfully。'Thereisreallysomethinginthatremark。ButattheriskofoffenceImustremindyouthatyoutheretakeitforgrantedthatthewomanbehindhertimeatagivenagehasnotreachedtheendofhertether。Herbackwardnessmaybenotbecausesheisslowtodevelop，butbecauseshesoonexhaustedhercapacityfordeveloping。'
　　Elfridelookeddisappointed。Bythistimetheywereindoors。
　　Mrs。Swancourt，towhommatch-makingbyanyhonestmeanswasmeatanddrink，hadnowalittleschemeofthatnatureconcerningthispair。Themorning-room，inwhichtheybothexpectedtofindher，wasempty；theoldladyhaving，fortheabovereason，vacateditbytheseconddoorastheyenteredbythefirst。
　　Knightwenttothechimney-piece，andcarelesslysurveyedtwoportraitsonivory。
　　'Thoughthesepinkladieshadveryrudimentaryfeatures，judgingbywhatIseehere，'heobserved，'theyhadunquestionablybeautifulheadsofhair。'
　　'Yes；andthatiseverything，'saidElfride，possiblyconsciousofherown，possiblynot。
　　'Noteverything；thoughagreatdeal，certainly。'
　　'Whichcolourdoyoulikebest？'sheventuredtoask。
　　'Moredependsonitsabundancethanonitscolour。'
　　'Abundancesbeingequal，mayIinquireyourfavouritecolour？'
　　'Dark。'
　　'Imeanforwomen，'shesaid，withtheminutestfallofcountenance，andahopethatshehadbeenmisunderstood。
　　'SodoI，'Knightreplied。
　　ItwasimpossibleforanymannottoknowthecolourofElfride'shair。Inwomenwhowearitplainlysuchafeaturemaybeoverlookedbymennotgiventoocularintentness。Butherswasalwaysintheway。Yousawherhairasfarasyoucouldseehersex，andknewthatitwasthepalestbrown。SheknewinstantlythatKnight，beingperfectlyawareofthis，hadanindependentstandardofadmirationinthematter。
　　Elfridewasthoroughlyvexed。Shecouldnotbutbestruckwiththehonestyofhisopinions，andtheworstofitwas，thatthemoretheywentagainsther，themoresherespectedthem。Andnow，likearecklessgambler，shehazardedherlastandbesttreasure。
　　Hereyes:theywereherallnow。
　　'Whatcolouredeyesdoyoulikebest，Mr。Knight？'shesaidslowly。
　　'Honestly，orasacompliment？'
　　'Ofcoursehonestly；Idon'twantanybody'scompliment!'
　　AndyetElfrideknewotherwise:thatacomplimentorwordofapprovalfromthatmanthenwouldhavebeenlikeawelltoafamishedArab。
　　'Ipreferhazel，'hesaidserenely。
　　Shehadplayedandlostagain。
　　ChapterXIX
　　'Lovewasinthenextdegree。'
　　Knighthadnoneofthoselightfamiliaritiesofspeechwhich，byjudicioustouchesofepigrammaticflattery，obliterateawoman'srecollectionofthespeaker'sabstractopinions。Sonomorewassaidbyeitheronthesubjectofhair，eyes，ordevelopment。
　　Elfride'smindhadbeenimpregnatedwithsentimentsofherownsmallnesstoanuncomfortabledegreeofdistinctness，andherdiscomfortwasvisibleinherface。Thewholetendencyoftheconversationlatterlyhadbeentoquietlybutsurelydisparageher；andshewasfaintotakeStephenintofavourinself-defence。
　　Hewouldnothavebeensounloving，shesaid，astoadmireanidiosyncrasyandfeaturesdifferentfromherown。True，Stephenhaddeclaredhelovedher:Mr。Knighthadneverdoneanythingofthesort。Somehowthisdidnotmendmatters，andthesensationofhersmallnessinKnight'seyesstillremained。Hadthepositionbeenreversed——hadStephenlovedherinspiteofadifferingtaste，andhadKnightbeenindifferentinspiteofherresemblancetohisideal，itwouldhaveengenderedfarhappierthoughts。Asmattersstood，Stephen'sadmirationmighthaveitsrootinablindnesstheresultofpassion。Perhapsanykeenman'sjudgmentwascondemnatoryofher。
　　DuringtheremainderofSaturdaytheyweremoreorlessthrownwiththeirseniors，andnoconversationarosewhichwasexclusivelytheirown。WhenElfridewasinbedthatnightherthoughtsrecurredtothesamesubject。Atonemomentsheinsistedthatitwasill-naturedofhimtospeaksodecisivelyashehaddone；thenext，thatitwassterlinghonesty。
　　'Ah，whatapoornobodyIam!'shesaid，sighing。'Peoplelikehim，whogoaboutthegreatworld，don'tcareintheleastwhatI
　　amlikeeitherinmoodorfeature。'
　　Perhapsamanwhohasgotthoroughlyintoawoman'smindinthismanner，ishalfwaytoherheart；thedistancebetweenthosetwostationsisproverbiallyshort。
　　'Andareyoureallygoingawaythisweek？'saidMrs。SwancourttoKnightonthefollowingevening，whichwasSunday。
　　Theywereallleisurelyclimbingthehilltothechurch，wherealastservicewasnowtobeheldattheratherexceptionaltimeofeveninginsteadofintheafternoon，previoustothedemolitionoftheruinousportions。