第2章

ButVannicockhadcalledtothedriverofthefly,andtheywaiteduntilitwasbroughtonfromtheturnpikehardby.Mr.Maumbrywasplacedtherein.Lauraenteredwithhim,andtheydrovetohishumbleresidenceneartheCross,wherehewasgotupstairs.

Vannicockstoodoutsidebytheemptyflyawhile,butLauradidnotreappear.HethereuponenteredtheflyandtoldthedrivertotakehimbacktoIvell.

CHAPTERVII

Mr.Maumbryhadover-exertedhimselfinthereliefofthesufferingpoor,andfellavictim——oneofthelast——tothepestilencewhichhadcarriedoffsomany.Twodayslaterhelayinhiscoffin.

Laurawasintheroombelow.Aservantbroughtinsomeletters,andsheglancedthemover.OnewasthenotefromherselftoMaumbry,informinghimthatshewasunabletoendurelifewithhimanylongerandwasabouttoelopewithVannicock.Havingreadthelettershetookitupstairstowherethedeadmanwas,andslippeditintohiscoffin.Thenextdaysheburiedhim.

Shewasnowfree.

SheshutuphishouseatDurnoverCrossandreturnedtoherlodgingsatCreston.SoonshehadaletterfromVannicock,andsixweeksafterherhusband"sdeathherlovercametoseeher.

"Iforgottogiveyoubackthis——thatnight,"hesaidpresently,handingherthelittlebagshehadtakenasherwholeluggagewhenleaving.

Laurareceiveditandabsentlyshookitout.Therefelluponthecarpetherbrush,comb,slippers,nightdress,andothersimplenecessariesforajourney.Theyhadanintolerablyghastlylooknow,andshetriedtocoverthem.

"Icannow,"hesaid,"askyoutobelongtomelegally——whenaproperintervalhasgone——insteadofaswemeant."

Therewaslanguorinhisutterance,hintingatapossibilitythatitwasperfunctorilymade.Laurapickedupherarticles,answeringthathecertainlycouldsoaskher——shewasfree.Yetnotherexpressioneithercouldbecalledanardentresponse.Thensheblinkedmoreandmorequicklyandputherhandkerchieftoherface.Shewasweepingviolently.

Hedidnotmoveortrytocomfortherinanyway.Whathadcomebetweenthem?Nolivingperson.Theyhadbeenlovers.Therewasnownomaterialobstaclewhatevertotheirunion.Buttherewastheinsistentshadowofthatunconsciousone;thethinfigureofhim,movingtoandfroinfrontoftheghastlyfurnaceinthegloomofDurnoverMoor.

YetVannicockcalleduponLaurawhenhewasintheneighbourhood,whichwasnotoften;butintwoyears,asifonpurposetofurtherthemarriagewhicheverybodywasexpecting,the-stFootreturnedtoBudmouthRegis.

Thereuponthetwocouldnothelpencounteringeachotherattimes.

Butwhetherbecausetheobstaclehadbeenthesourceofthelove,orfromasenseoferror,andbecauseMrs.Maumbryborealessattractivelookasawidowthanbefore,theirfeelingsseemedtodeclinefromtheirformerincandescencetoameretepidcivility.

WhatdomesticissuessupervenedinVannicock"sfurtherstorythemanintheorielneverknew;butMrs.Maumbrylivedanddiedawidow.

1900.

THEWAITINGSUPPER

CHAPTERI

WhoeverhadperceivedtheyeomanstandingonSquireEverard"slawnintheduskofthatOctobereveningfiftyyearsago,mighthavesaidatfirstsightthathewasloiteringtherefromidlecuriosity.Foralargefive-lightwindowofthemanor-houseinfrontofhimwasunshutteredanduncurtained,sothattheilluminatedroomwithincouldbescannedalmosttoitsfourcorners.Obviouslynobodywaseverexpectedtobeinthispartofthegroundsafternightfall.

Theapartmentthussweptbyaneyefromwithoutwasoccupiedbytwopersons;theyweresittingoverdessert,thetableclothhavingbeenremovedintheold-fashionedway.Thefruitswerelocal,consistingofapples,pears,nuts,andsuchotherproductsofthesummerasmightbepresumedtogrowontheestate.Therewasstrongaleandrumonthetable,andbutlittlewine.Moreover,theappointmentsofthedining-roomweresimpleandhomelyevenforthedate,betokeningacountrifiedhouseholdofthesmallergentry,withoutmuchwealthorambition——formerlyanumerousclass,butnowingreatpartoustedbytheterritoriallandlords.

Oneofthetwositterswasayoungladyinwhitemuslin,wholistenedsomewhatimpatientlytotheremarksofhercompanion,anelderly,rubicundpersonage,whomthemereststrangercouldhavepronouncedtobeherfather.Thewatcherevincednosignsofmoving,anditbecameevidentthataffairswerenotsosimpleastheyfirsthadseemed.

Thetallfarmerwasinfactnoaccidentalspectator,andhestoodbypremeditationclosetothetrunkofatree,sothathadanytravellerpassedalongtheroadwithouttheparkgate,orevenroundthelawntothedoor,thatpersonwouldscarcehavenoticedtheother,notwithstandingthatthegatewasquitenearathand,andtheparklittlelargerthanapaddock.Therewasstilllightenoughinthewesternheaventobrightenfaintlyonesideoftheman"sface,andtoshowagainstthetrunkofthetreebehindtheadmirablecutofhisprofile;alsotorevealthatthefrontofthemanor-house,smallthoughitseemed,wassolidlybuiltofstoneinthatnever-to-be-

surpassedstylefortheEnglishcountryresidence——themullionedandtransomedElizabethan.

Thelawn,althoughneglected,wasstillaslevelasabowling-green——

whichindeeditmightoncehaveservedfor;andthebladesofgrassbeforethewindowwererakedbythecandle-shine,whichstretchedoverthemsofarastotouchtheyeoman"sfaceinfront.

Withinthedining-roomtherewerealso,withoneofthetwain,thesamesignsofahiddenpurposethatmarkedthefarmer.Theyounglady"smindwasstrayingasclearlyintotheshadowsasthatoftheloitererwasfixedupontheroom——nay,itcouldbesaidthatshewasquiteconsciousofhispresenceoutside.Impatiencecausedherfoottobeatsilentlyonthecarpet,andshemorethanoncerosetoleavethetable.Thisproceedingwascheckedbyherfather,whowouldputhishanduponhershoulderandunceremoniouslypressherdownintoherchair,tillheshouldhaveconcludedhisobservations.Herreplieswerebriefenough,andtherewasfactitiousnessinhersmilesofassenttohisviews.Asmallironcasementbetweentwoofthemullionswasopen,andsomeoccasionalwordsofthedialoguewereaudiblewithout.

"Asfordrains——howcanIputindrains?Thepipesdon"tcostmuch,that"strue;butthelabourinsinkingthetrenchesisruination.

Andthenthegates——theyshouldbehungtostoneposts,otherwisethere"snokeepingthemupthroughharvest."TheSquire"svoicewasstronglytonedwiththelocalaccent,sothathesaid"drains"and"geats"liketherusticsonhisestate.

Thelandscapewithoutgrewdarker,andtheyoungman"sfigureseemedtobeabsorbedintothetrunkofthetree.Thesmallstarsfilledinbetweenthelarger,thenebulaebetweenthesmallstars,thetreesquitelosttheirvoice;andiftherewasstillasound,itwasfromthecascadeofastreamwhichstretchedalongunderthetreesthatboundedthelawnonitsnorthernside.

Atlasttheyounggirldidgettoherfeetandsecureherretreat.

"Ihavesomethingtodo,papa,"shesaid."Ishallnotbeinthedrawing-roomjustyet."

"Verywell,"repliedhe."ThenIwon"thurry."Andclosingthedoorbehindher,hedrewhisdecanterstogetherandsettleddowninhischair.

Threeminutesafterthatawoman"sshapeemergedfromthedrawing-

roomwindow,andpassingthroughawall-doortotheentrancefront,cameacrossthegrass.Shekeptwellclearofthedining-roomwindow,butenoughofitslightfellonhertoshow,escapingfromthedark-hoodedcloakthatshewore,strayvergesofthesamelightdresswhichhadfiguredbutrecentlyatthedinner-table.Thehoodwascontractedtightaboutherfacewithadrawing-string,makinghercountenancesmallandbaby-like,andloveliereventhanbefore.

Withouthesitationshebrushedacrossthegrasstothetreeunderwhichtheyoungmanstoodconcealed.Themomentshehadreachedhimheenclosedherformwithhisarm.Themeetingandembrace,thoughbynomeansformal,wereyetnotpassionate;thewholeproceedingwasthatofpersonswhohadrepeatedtheactsooftenastobeunconsciousofitsperformance.Sheturnedwithinhisarm,andfacedinthesamedirectionwithhimself,whichwastowardsthewindow;andthustheystoodwithoutspeaking,thebackofherheadleaningagainsthisshoulder.Forawhileeachseemedtobethinkinghisandherdiversethoughts.

"Youhavekeptmewaitingalongtime,dearChristine,"hesaidatlast."Iwantedtospeaktoyouparticularly,orIshouldnothavestayed.Howcameyoutobediningatthistimeo"night?"

"Fatherhasbeenoutallday,anddinnerwasputbacktillsix.I

knowIhavekeptyou;butNicholas,howcanIhelpitsometimes,ifI

amnottorunanyrisk?Mypoorfatherinsistsuponmylisteningtoallhehastosay;sincemybrotherlefthehashadnobodyelsetolistentohim;andto-nighthewasparticularlytediousonhisusualtopics——draining,andtenant-farmers,andthevillagepeople.ImusttakedaddytoLondon;hegetssonarrowalwaysstayinghere."

"Andwhatdidyousaytoitall?"

"Well,Itookthepartofthetenant-farmers,ofcourse,asthebelovedofoneshouldindutydo."Therefollowedalittlebreakorgasp,implyingastrangledsigh.

"Youaresorryyouhaveencouragedthatbelovingone?"

"Ono,NicholasWhatisityouwanttoseemeforparticularly?"

"Iknowyouaresorry,astimegoeson,andeverythingisatadead-

lock,withnoprospectofchange,andyourruralswainloseshisfreshness!Onlythink,thissecretunderstandingbetweenushaslastednearthreeyear,eversinceyouwasalittleoversixteen."

"Yes;ithasbeenalongtime."

"AndIanuntamed,uncultivatedman,whohasneverseenLondon,andknowsnothingaboutsocietyatall."

"Notuncultivated,dearNicholas.Untravelled,sociallyunpractised,ifyouwill,"shesaid,smiling."Well,Ididsigh;butnotbecauseIregretbeingyourpromisedone.WhatIdosometimesregretisthatthescheme,whichmymeetingswithyouarebutapartof,hasnotbeencarriedoutcompletely.Yousaid,Nicholas,thatifIconsentedtosweartokeepfaithwithyou,youwouldgoawayandtravel,andseenations,andpeoples,andcities,andtakeaprofessorwithyou,andstudybooksandart,simultaneouslywithyourstudyofmenandmanners;andthencomebackattheendoftwoyears,whenIshouldfindthatmyfatherwouldbynomeansbeindisposedtoacceptyouasason-in-law.Yousaidyourreasonforwishingtogetmypromisebeforestartingwasthatyourmindwouldthenbemoreatrestwhenyouwerefaraway,andsocouldgiveitselfmorecompletelytoknowledgethanifyouwentasmyunacceptedloveronly,fumingwithanxietyastohowIshouldbewhenyoucameback.Isawhowreasonablethatwas;andsolemnlysworemyselftoyouinconsequence.

Butinsteadofgoingtoseetheworldyoustayonandonheretoseeme."

"Andyoudon"twantmetoseeyou?"

"Yes——no——itisnotthat.ItisthatIhavelatterlyfeltfrightenedatwhatIamdoingwhennotinyouractualpresence.ItseemssowickednottotellmyfatherthatIhavealovercloseathand,withintouchandviewofbothofus;whereasifyouwereabsentmyconductwouldnotseemquitesotreacherous.Therealitieswouldnotstareatoneso.Youwouldbeapleasantdreamtome,whichIshouldbefreetoindulgeinwithoutreproachofmyconscience;Ishouldliveinhopefulexpectationofyourreturningfullyqualifiedtoboldlyclaimmeofmyfather.There,Ihavebeenterriblyfrank,I

know."

Heinhisturnhadlapsedintogloomybreathingsnow."Ididplanitasyoustate,"heanswered."IdidmeantogoawaythemomentIhadyourpromise.But,dearChristine,Ididnotforeseetwoorthreethings.Ididnotknowwhatalotofpainitwouldcosttotearmyselffromyou.AndIdidnotknowthatmystingyuncle——heavenforgivemecallinghimso!——wouldsoflatlyrefusetoadvancememoneyformypurpose——theschemeoftravellingwithafirst-ratetutorcostingaformidablesumo"money.Youhavenoideawhatitwouldcost!"

"ButIhavesaidthatI"llfindthemoney."

"Ah,there,"hereturned,"youhavehitasoreplace.Tospeaktruly,dear,Iwouldratherstayunpolishedahundredyearsthantakeyourmoney."

"Butwhy?Mencontinuallyusethemoneyofthewomentheymarry."

"Yes;butnottillafterwards.Nomanwouldliketotouchyourmoneyatpresent,andIshouldfeelverymeanifIweretodosoinpresentcircumstances.ThatbringsmetowhatIwasgoingtopropose.Butno——uponthewholeIwillnotproposeitnow."

"Ah!Iwouldguaranteeexpenses,andyouwon"tletme!Themoneyismypersonalpossession:itcomestomefrommylategrandfather,andnotfrommyfatheratall."

Helaughedforcedlyandpressedherhand."TherearemorereasonswhyIcannottearmyselfaway,"headded."Whatwouldbecomeofmyuncle"sfarming?Sixhundredacresinthisparish,andfivehundredinthenext——aconstanttraipsingfromonefarmtotheother;hecan"tbeintwoplacesatonce.Still,thatmightbegotoverifitwerenotfortheothermatters.Besides,dear,Istillshouldbealittleuneasy,eventhoughIhaveyourpromise,lestsomebodyshouldsnapyouupawayfromme."

"Ah,youshouldhavethoughtofthatbefore.OtherwiseIhavecommittedmyselffornothing."

"Ishouldhavethoughtofit,"heansweredgravely."ButIdidnot.

Thereliesmyfault,Iadmititfreely.Ah,ifyouwouldonlycommityourselfalittlemore,Imightatleastgetoverthatdifficulty!

ButIwon"taskyou.Youhavenoideahowmuchyouaretomestill;

youcouldnotarguesocoollyifyouhad.WhatpropertybelongstoyouIhatetheverysoundof;itisyouIcarefor.Iwishyouhadn"tafarthingintheworldbutwhatIcouldearnforyou!"

"Idon"taltogetherwishthat,"shemurmured.

"Iwishit,becauseitwouldhavemadewhatIwasgoingtoproposemucheasiertodothanitisnow.IndeedIwillnotproposeit,althoughIcameonpurpose,afterwhatyouhavesaidinyourfrankness."

"Nonsense,Nic.Come,tellme.Howcanyoubesotouchy?"

"Lookatthisthen,Christinedear."Hedrewfromhisbreast-pocketasheetofpaperandunfoldedit,whenitwasobservablethatasealdangledfromthebottom.

"Whatisit?"Sheheldthepapersideways,sothatwhattherewasofwindow-lightfellonitssurface."IcanonlyreadtheOldEnglishletters——why——ournames!Surelyitisnotamarriage-licence?"

"Itis."

Shetrembled."ONic!howcouldyoudothis——andwithouttellingme!"

"WhyshouldIhavethoughtImusttellyou?Youhadnotspoken"frankly"thenasyouhavenow.Wehavebeenalltoeachothermorethanthesetwoyears,andIthoughtIwouldproposethatwemarryprivately,andthatIthenleaveyouontheinstant.Iwouldhavetakenmytravelling-bagtochurch,andyouwouldhavegonehomealone.Ishouldnothavestartedonmyadventuresinthebrilliantmannerofouroriginalplan,butshouldhaverougheditalittleatfirst;mygreatgainwouldhavebeenthattheabsolutepossessionofyouwouldhaveenabledmetoworkwithspiritandpurpose,suchasnothingelsecoulddo.ButIdarenotaskyounow——sofrankasyouhavebeen."

Shedidnotanswer.Thedocumenthehadproducedgavesuchunexpectedsubstantialitytotheventurewithwhichshehadsolongtoyedasavaguedreammerely,thatshewas,intruth,frightenedalittle."I——don"tknowaboutit!"shesaid.

"Perhapsnot.Ah,mylittlelady,youarewearyingofme!"

"No,Nic,"respondedshe,creepingcloser."Iamnot.Uponmyword,andtruth,andhonour,Iamnot,Nic."

"Ameretillerofthesoil,asIshouldbecalled,"hecontinued,withoutheedingher."Andyou——well,adaughterofoneofthe——I

won"tsayoldestfamilies,becausethat"sabsurd,allfamiliesarethesameage——oneofthelongestchronicledfamiliesabouthere,whosenameisactuallythenameoftheplace."

"That"snotmuch,Iamsorrytosay!Mypoorbrother——butIwon"tspeakofthatWell,"shemurmuredmischievously,afterapause,"youcertainlywouldnotneedtobeuneasyifIweretodothisthatyouwantmetodo.Youwouldhavemesafeenoughinyourtrapthen;

Icouldn"tgetaway!"

"That"sjustit!"hesaidvehemently."ItISatrap——youfeelitso,andthatthoughyouwouldn"tbeabletogetawayfrommeyoumightparticularlywishto!Ah,ifIhadaskedyoutwoyearsagoyouwouldhaveagreedinstantly.ButIthoughtIwasboundtowaitfortheproposaltocomefromyouasthesuperior!"

"Nowyouareangry,andtakeseriouslywhatImeantpurelyinfun.

Youdon"tknowmeevenyet!Toshowyouthatyouhavenotbeenmistakeninme,Idoproposetocarryoutthislicence.I"llmarryyou,dearNicholas,to-morrowmorning."

"Ah,Christine!IamafraidIhavestungyouontothis,sothatI

cannot——"

"No,no,no!"shehastilyrejoined;andtherewassomethinginhertonewhichsuggestedthatshehadbeenputuponhermettleandwouldnotflinch."TakemewhilstIaminthehumour.Whatchurchisthelicencefor?"

"ThatI"venotlookedtosee——whyourparishchurchhere,ofcourse.

Ah,thenwecannotuseit!Wedarenotbemarriedhere."

"Wedodare,"saidshe."Andwewilltoo,ifyou"llbethere."

"IFI"llbethere!"

Theyspeedilycametoanagreementthatheshouldbeinthechurch-

porchattenminutestoeightonthefollowingmorning,awaitingher;

andthat,immediatelyaftertheconclusionoftheservicewhichwouldmakethemone,Nicholasshouldsetoutonhislong-deferrededucationaltour,towardsthecostofwhichshewasresolvingtobringasubstantialsubscriptionwithhertochurch.Then,slippingfromhim,shewentindoorsbythewayshehadcome,andNicholasbenthisstepshomewards.

CHAPTERII

Insteadofleavingthespotbythegate,heflunghimselfoverthefence,andpursuedadirectiontowardstheriverunderthetrees.

Anditwasnow,inhislonelyprogress,thatheshowedforthefirsttimeoutwardlythathewasnotaltogetherunworthyofher.Heworelongwater-bootsreachingabovehisknees,and,insteadofmakingacircuittofindabridgebywhichhemightcrosstheFroom——theriveraforesaid——hemadestraightforthepointwhenceproceededthelowroarthatwasatthishourtheonlyevidenceofthestream"sexistence.Hespeedilystoodonthevergeofthewaterfallwhichcausedthenoise,andsteppingintothewateratthetopofthefall,wadedthroughwiththesuretreadofonewhokneweveryinchofhisfooting,eventhoughthecanopyoftreesrenderedthedarknessalmostabsolute,andafalsestepwouldhaveprecipitatedhimintothepoolbeneath.Soonreachingtheboundaryofthegrounds,hecontinuedinthesamedirectlinetotraversethealluvialvalley,fullofbrooksandtributariestothemainstream——informertimesquiteimpassable,andimpassableinwinternow.Sometimeshewouldcrossadeepgullyonaplanknotwiderthanthehand;atanothertimeheploughedhiswaythroughbedsofspear-grass,whereatafewfeettotherightorlefthemighthavebeensuckeddownintoamorass.Atlasthereachedfirmlandontheothersideofthiswaterytract,andcametohishouseontherisebehind——Elsenford——anordinaryfarmstead,fromthebackofwhichroseindistinctbreathings,belchings,andsnortings,therattleofhalters,andotherfamiliarfeaturesofanagriculturist"shome.

WhileNicholasLongwaspackinghisbaginanupperroomofthisdwelling,MissChristineEverardsatatadeskinherownchamberatFroom-Everardmanor-house,lookingwithpalefixedcountenanceatthecandles.

"Iought——Imustnow!"shewhisperedtoherself."IshouldnothavebegunitifIhadnotmeanttocarryitthrough!Itrunsinthebloodofus,Isuppose."Shealludedtoafactunknowntoherlover,theclandestinemarriageofanauntundercircumstancessomewhatsimilartothepresent.Inafewminutesshehadpennedthefollowingnote:-

October13,183.

DEARMR.BEALAND——CanyoumakeitconvenienttoyourselftomeetmeattheChurchto-morrowmorningateight?Inametheearlyhourbecauseitwouldsuitmebetterthanlateronintheday.Youwillfindmeinthechancel,ifyoucancome.Anansweryesornobythebearerofthiswillbesufficient.

CHRISTINEEVERARD.

Shesentthenotetotherectorimmediately,waitingatasmallside-

doorofthehousetillsheheardtheservant"sfootstepsreturningalongthelane,whenshewentroundandmethiminthepassage.Therectorhadtakenthetroubletowritealine,andansweredthathewouldmeetherwithpleasure.

Adrippingfogwhichusheredinthenextmorningwashighlyfavourabletotheschemeofthepair.AtthattimeofthecenturyFroom-EverardHousehadnotbeenalteredandenlarged;thepubliclanepassedcloseunderitswalls;andtherewasadooropeningdirectlyfromoneoftheoldparlours——thesouthparlour,asitwascalled——intothelanewhichledtothevillage.Christinecameoutthisway,andafterfollowingthelaneforashortdistanceentereduponapathwithinabeltofplantation,bywhichthechurchcouldbereachedprivately.Sheevenavoidedthechurchyardgate,walkingalongtoaplacewheretheturfwithoutthelowwallroseintoamound,enablinghertomountuponthecopingandspringdowninside.

Shecrossedthewetgraves,andsoglidedroundtothedoor.Hewasthere,withhisbaginhishand.Hekissedherwithasortofsurprise,asifhehadexpectedthatatthelastmomentherheartwouldfailher.

Thoughithadnotfailedher,therewas,nevertheless,nogreatardourinChristine"sbearing——merelythemomentumofanantecedentimpulse.Theywentuptheaisletogether,thebottle-greenglassoftheoldleadquarriesadmittingbutlittlelightatthathour,andundersuchanatmosphere.Theystoodbythealtar-railinsilence,Christine"sskirtvisiblyquiveringateachbeatofherheart.

Presentlyaquickstepgrounduponthegravel,andMr.Bealandcameroundbythefront.Hewasaquietbachelor,courteoustowardsChristine,andnotatfirstrecognizinginNicholasaneighbouringyeoman(forhelivedalooflyinthenextparish),advancedtoherwithoutrevealinganysurpriseatherunusualrequest.Butintruthhewassurprised,thekeeninteresttakenbymanycountryyoungwomenatthepresentdayinchurchdecorationandfestivalsbeingthenunknown.

"Goodmorning,"hesaid;andrepeatedthesamewordstoNicholasmoremechanically.

"Goodmorning,"sherepliedgravely."Mr.Bealand,Ihaveaseriousreasonforaskingyoutomeetme——us,Imaysay.Wewishyoutomarryus."

Therector"sgazehardenedtofixity,ratherbetweenthanuponeitherofthem,andheneithermovednorrepliedforsometime.

"Ah!"hesaidatlast.

"Andwearequiteready."

"Ihadnoidea——"

"Ithasbeenkeptratherprivate,"shesaidcalmly.

"Whereareyourwitnesses?"

"Theyareoutsideinthemeadow,sir.Icancalltheminamoment,"

saidNicholas.

"Oh——Iseeitis——Mr.NicholasLong,"saidMr.Bealand,andturningagaintoChristine,"Doesyourfatherknowofthis?"

"IsitnecessarythatIshouldanswerthatquestion,Mr.Bealand?"

"Iamafraiditis——highlynecessary."

Christinebegantolookconcerned.

"Whereisthelicence?"therectorasked;"sincetherehavebeennobanns."

Nicholasproducedit,Mr.Bealandreadit,anoperationwhichoccupiedhimseveralminutes——oratleasthemadeitappearso;tillChristinesaidimpatiently,"Wearequiteready,Mr.Bealand.Willyouproceed?Mr.Longhastotakeajourneyofagreatmanymilesto-day."

"Andyou?"

"No.Iremain."

Mr.Bealandassumedfirmness."Thereissomethingwronginthis,"hesaid."Icannotmarryyouwithoutyourfather"spresence."

"Buthaveyouarighttorefuseus?"interposedNicholas."Ibelieveweareinapositiontodemandyourfulfilmentofourrequest."

"No,youarenot!IsMissEverardofage?Ithinknot.Ithinksheismonthsfrombeingso.Eh,MissEverard?"

"AmIboundtotellthat?"

"Certainly.Atanyrateyouareboundtowriteit.MeanwhileI

refusetosolemnizetheservice.Andletmeentreatyoutwoyoungpeopletodonothingsorashasthis,evenifbygoingtosomestrangechurch,youmaydosowithoutdiscovery.Thetragedyofmarriage——"

"Tragedy?"

"Certainly.Itisfullofcrisesandcatastrophes,andendswiththedeathofoneoftheactors.Thetragedyofmarriage,asIwassaying,isoneIshallnotbeapartytoyourbeginningwithsuchlighthearts,andIshallfeelboundtoputyourfatheronhisguard,MissEverard.Thinkbetterofit,Ientreatyou!Remembertheproverb,"Marryinhasteandrepentatleisure.""

Christine,spurredbyopposition,almoststormedathim.Nicholasimplored;butnothingwouldturnthatobstinaterector.Shesatdownandreflected.By-and-bysheconfrontedMr.Bealand.

"Ourmarriageisnottobethismorning,Isee,"shesaid."Nowgrantmeonefavour,andinreturnI"llpromiseyoutodonothingrashly.Donottellmyfatherawordofwhathashappenedhere."

"Iagree——ifyouundertakenottoelope."

ShelookedatNicholas,andhelookedather."Doyouwishmetoelope,Nic?"sheasked.

"No,"hesaid.

Sothecompactwasmade,andtheyleftthechurchsingly,Nicholasremainingtillthelast,andclosingthedoor.Onhiswayhome,carryingthewell-packedbagwhichwasjustnowtogonofurther,thetwomenwhoweremendingwater-carriersinthemeadowsapproachedthehedge,asiftheyhadbeenonthealertallthetime.

"Yousaidyoumidwantusforzummat,sir?"

"Allright——nevermind,"heansweredthroughthehedge."Ididnotrequireyouafterall."

CHAPTERIII

Atamanornotfarawaytherelivedaqueerandprimitivecouplewhohadlatelybeenblessedwithasonandheir.Thechristeningtookplaceduringtheweekundernotice,andthishadbeenfollowedbyafeasttotheparishioners.Christine"sfather,oneofthesamegenerationandkind,hadbeenaskedtodriveoverandassistintheentertainment,andChristine,asamatterofcourse,accompaniedhim.

WhentheyreachedAthelhall,asthehousewascalled,theyfoundtheusuallyquietnookalivelyspectacle.Tableshadbeenspreadintheapartmentwhichlentitsnametothewholebuilding——thehallproper——

coveredwithafineopen-timberedroof,whosebraces,purlins,andraftersmadeabrownthicketofoakoverhead.Heretenantryofallagessatwiththeirwivesandfamilies,andtheservantswereassistedintheirministrationsbythesonsanddaughtersoftheowner"sfriendsandneighbours.Christinelentahandamongtherest.

Shewasholdingaplateineachhandtowardsahugebrownplatterofbakedrice-pudding,fromwhichafootmanwasscoopingalargespoonful,whenavoicereachedherearoverhershoulder:"Allowmetoholdthemforyou."

Christineturned,andrecognizedinthespeakerthenephewoftheentertainer,ayoungmanfromLondon,whomshehadalreadymetontwoorthreeoccasions.

Sheacceptedtheprofferedhelp,andfromthatmoment,wheneverhepassedherintheirmarchingstoandfroduringtheremainderoftheserving,hesmiledacquaintance.Whentheirworkwasdone,heimprovedthefewwordsintoaconversation.Heplainlyhadbeenattractedbyherfairness.

Bellstonwasaself-assuredyoungman,notparticularlygood-looking,withmorecolourinhisskinthanevenNicholashad.Hehadflushedalittleinattractinghernotice,thoughtheflushhadnothingofnervousnessinit——theairwithwhichitwasaccompaniedmakingitcuriouslysuggestiveofaflushofanger;andevenwhenhelaugheditwasdifficulttobanishthatfancy.

Thelateautumnsunlightstreamedinthroughthewindowpanesupontheheadsandshouldersofthevenerablepatriarchsofthehamlet,anduponthemiddle-aged,andupontheyoung;uponmenandwomenwhohadplayedout,orweretoplay,tragediesortragi-comediesinthatnookofcivilizationnotlessgreat,essentially,thanthosewhich,enactedonmorecentralarenas,fixtheattentionoftheworld.OneofthepartywasacousinofNicholasLong"s,whosatwithherhusbandandchildren.

Tomakehimselfaslocallyharmoniousaspossible,Mr.Bellstonremarkedtohiscompaniononthescene——"Itdoesone"sheartgood,"

hesaid,"toseethesesimplepeasantsenjoyingthemselves."

"OMr.Bellston!"exclaimedChristine;"don"tbetoosureaboutthatword"simple"!Youlittlethinkwhattheyseeandmeditate!Theirreasoningsandemotionsareascomplicatedasours."

ShespokewithavehemencewhichwouldhavebeenhardlypresentinherwordsbutforherownrelationtoNicholas.Thesenseofthatproducedinheranamelessdepressionthenceforward.Theyoungman,however,stillfollowedherup.

"Iamgladtohearyousayit,"hereturnedwarmly."Iwasmerelyattuningmyselftoyourmood,asIthought.TherealtruthisthatI

knowmoreoftheParthians,andMedes,anddwellersinMesopotamia——

almostofanypeople,indeed——thanoftheEnglishrustics.Travelandexplorationaremyprofession,notthestudyoftheBritishpeasantry."

Travel.Therewassufficientcoincidencebetweenhisdeclarationandthecourseshehadurgeduponherlover,tolendBellston"saccountofhimselfacertaininterestinChristine"sears.HemightperhapsbeabletotellhersomethingthatwouldbeusefultoNicholas,iftheirdreamwerecarriedout.Adooropenedfromthehallintothegarden,andshesomehowfoundherselfoutside,chattingwithMr.

Bellstononthistopic,tillshethoughtthatuponthewholeshelikedtheyoungman.Thegardenbeinghisuncle"s,hetookherrounditwithanairofproprietorship;andtheywentonamongsttheMichaelmasdaisiesandchrysanthemums,andthroughadoortothefruit-garden.Agreen-housewasopen,andhewentinandcutherabunchofgrapes.

"Howdaringofyou!Theyareyouruncle"s."

"O,hedon"tmind——Idoanythinghere.Arougholdbuffer,isn"the?"

ShewasthinkingofherNic,andfeltthat,bycomparisonwithherpresentacquaintance,thefarmermorethanheldhisownasafineandintelligentfellow;buttheharmonywithherownexistenceinlittlethings,whichshefoundhere,impartedanalientingetoNicholasjustnow.Thelatter,idealizedbymoonlight,orathousandmilesofdistance,wasaltogetheramoreromanticobjectforawoman"sdreamthanthissmartnew-lacqueredman;butinthesunofafternoon,andamidasurroundingcompany,Mr.Bellstonwasaverytolerablecompanion.

Whentheyre-enteredthehall,Bellstonentreatedhertocomewithhimupaspiralstairinthethicknessofthewall,leadingtoapassageandgallerywhencetheycouldlookdownuponthescenebelow.

Thepeoplehadfinishedtheirfeast,thenewly-christenedbabyhadbeenexhibited,andafewwordshavingbeenspokentothemtheybegan,amidaracketingofforms,tomakeforthegreenswardwithout,Nicholas"scousinandcousin"swifeandcousin"schildrenamongtherest.Whiletheywerefilingout,avoicewasheardcalling——

"Hullo!——here,Jim;whereareyou?"saidBellston"suncle.Theyoungmandescended,Christinefollowingatleisure.

"Nowwillyebeagoodfellow,"theSquirecontinued,"andsetthemgoingoutsideinsomedanceorotherthattheyknow?I"mdog-tired,andIwanttohaveayewwordswithMr.Everardbeforewejoin"em——

hey,Everard?Theyareshytillsomebodystarts"em;afterwardsthey"llkeepgwinebriskenough."

"Ay,thattheywool,"saidSquireEverard.

Theyfollowedtothelawn;andhereitprovedthatJamesBellstonwasasshy,orratherasaverse,asanyofthetenantrythemselves,toactingthepartoffugleman.Onlytheparishpeoplehadbeenatthefeast,butoutlyingneighbourshadnowstrolledinforadance.

"Theywant"SpeedthePlough,""saidBellston,comingupbreathless.

"Itmustbeacountrydance,Isuppose?Now,MissEverard,dohavepityuponme.Iamsupposedtoleadoff;butreallyIknownomoreaboutspeedingtheploughthanachildjustborn!Wouldyoutakeoneofthevillagers?——justtostartthem,myunclesays.Supposeyoutakethathandsomeyoungfarmeroverthere——Idon"tknowhisname,butIdaresayyoudo——andI"llcomeonwithoneofthedairyman"sdaughtersasasecondcouple."

Christineturnedinthedirectionsignified,andchangedcolour——

thoughintheshadenobodynoticedit,"Oh,yes——Iknowhim,"shesaidcoolly."Heisfromnearourownplace——Mr.NicholasLong."

"That"scapital——thenyoucaneasilymakehimstandasfirstcouplewithyou.NowImustpickupmine."

"I——IthinkI"lldancewithyou,Mr.Bellston,"shesaidwithsometrepidation."Because,yousee,"sheexplainedeagerly,"Iknowthefigureandyoudon"t——sothatIcanhelpyou;whileNicholasLong,I

know,isfamiliarwiththefigure,andthatwillmaketwocoupleswhoknowit——whichisnecessary,atleast."

Bellstonshowedhisgratificationbyoneofhisangry-pleasantflushes——hehadhardlydaredtoaskforwhatsheprofferedfreely;

andhavingrequestedNicholastotakethedairyman"sdaughter,ledChristinetoherplace,Longpromptlysteppingupsecondwithhischarge.ThereweregrimsilentdepthsinNic"scharacter;asmalldeedysparkinhiseye,asitcaughtChristine"s,wasallthatshowedhisconsciousnessofher.Thenthefiddlersbegan——thecelebratedMellstockfiddlerswho,givenfreestripping,couldplayfromsunsettodawnwithoutturningahair.Thecoupleswheeledandswung,NicholastakingChristine"shandinthecourseofbusinesswiththefigure,whenshewaitedforhimtogiveitalittlesqueeze;buthedidnot.

Christinehadthegreatestdifficultyinsteeringherpartnerthroughthemaze,onaccountofhisself-will,andwhenatlasttheyreachedthebottomofthelongline,shewasbreathlesswithherhardlabourRestinghere,shewatchedNicandhislady;and,thoughshehaddecidedlycooledoffintheselatermonths,begantoadmirehimanew.Nobodyknewthesedanceslikehim,afterall,orcoulddoanythingofthissortsowell.Hisperformancewiththedairyman"sdaughtersowonuponher,thatwhen"SpeedthePlough"wasovershecontrivedtospeaktohim.

"Nic,youaretodancewithmenexttime."

Hesaidhewould,andpresentlyaskedherinaformalpublicmanner,liftinghishatgallantly.Sheshowedalittlebackwardness,whichhequiteunderstood,andallowedhimtoleadhertothetop,arowofenormouslengthappearingbelowthemasifbymagicassoonastheyhadtakentheirplaces.TrulytheSquirewasrightwhenhesaidthattheyonlywantedstarting.

"Whatisittobe?"whisperedNicholas.

Sheturnedtotheband."TheHoneymoon,"shesaid.

Andthentheytrodthedelightfullast-centurymeasureofthatname,whichifithadbeeneverdancedbetter,wasneverdancedwithmorezest.TheperfectresponsivenesswhichtheirtenderacquaintancethrewintothemotionsofNicholasandhispartnerlenttotheirgyrationsthefineadjustmentoftwointeractingpartsofasinglemachine.TheexcitementofthemovementcarriedChristinebacktothetime——theunreflectingpassionatetime,abouttwoyearsbefore——

whensheandNichadbeenincipientloversonly;anditmadeherforgetthecarkinganxieties,thevisionofsocialbreakersahead,thathadbeguntotakethegildingoffherpositionnow.Nicholas,onhispart,hadneverceasedtobealover;nopersonalworrieshadasyetmadehimconsciousofanystaleness,flatness,orunprofitablenessinhisadmirationofChristine.

"Notquitesowildly,Nic,"shewhispered."Idon"tobjectpersonally;butthey"llnoticeus.Howcameyouhere?"

"Iheardthatyouhaddrivenover;andIsetout——onpurposeforthis."

"What——youhavewalked?"

"Yes.IfIhadwaitedforoneofuncle"shorsesIshouldhavebeentoolate."

"Fivemileshereandfiveback——tenmilesonfoot——merelytodance!"

"Withyou.Whatmadeyouthinkofthisold"Honeymoon"thing?"

"O!itcameintomyheadwhenIsawyou,aswhatwouldhavebeenarealitywithusifyouhadnotbeenstupidaboutthatlicence,andhadgotitforadistantchurch."

"Shallwetryagain?"

"No——Idon"tknow.I"llthinkitover."

Thevillagersadmiredtheirgraceandskill,asthedancersthemselvesperceived;buttheydidnotknowwhataccompaniedthatadmirationinonespot,atleast.

"Peoplewhowondertheycanfootitsofeatlytogethershouldknowwhatsomeothersthink,"awatermanwassayingtohisneighbour.

"Thentheirwonderwouldbeless."

Hiscomradeaskedforinformation.

"Well——reallyIhardlybelieveit——but"tissaidtheybemanandwife.Yes,sure——wenttochurchanddidthejoba"mostafore"twaslightonemorning.Butmind,notawordofthis;for"twouldbethelossofawinter"sworktomeifIhadspreadsuchareportanditwerenottrue."

Whenthedancehadendedsherejoinedherownsectionofthecompany.

HerfatherandMr.Bellstontheelderhadnowcomeoutfromthehouse,andweresmokinginthebackground.Presentlyshefoundthatherfatherwasatherelbow.

"Christine,don"tdancetoooftenwithyoungLong——asamerematterofprudence,Imean,asvolkmightthinkitodd,hebeingoneofourownneighbouringfarmers.Ishouldnotmentionthisto"eeifhewereanordinaryyoungfellow;butbeingsuperiortotherestitbehovesyoutobecareful."

"Exactly,papa,"saidChristine.

Buttherevivedsensethatshewasdeceivinghimthrewadampoverherspirits."But,afterall,"shesaidtoherself,"heisayoungmanofElsenford,handsome,able,andthesoulofhonour;andIamayoungwomanoftheadjoiningparish,whohavebeenconstantlythrownintocommunicationwithhim.Isitnot,bynature"srule,themostproperthingintheworldthatIshouldmarryhim,andisitnotanabsurdconventionalregulationwhichsaysthatsuchaunionwouldbewrong?"

ItmaybeconcludedthatthestrengthofChristine"slarge-mindedargumentwasratheranevidenceofweaknessthanofstrengthinthepassionitconcerned,whichhadrequiredneitherargumentnorreasoningofanykindforitsmaintenancewhenfullandflushinitsearlydays.

Whendrivinghomeinthedarkwithherfathershesankintopensivesilence.ShewasthinkingofNicholashavingtotrudgeonfootallthosemilesbackafterhisexertionsonthesward.Mr.Everard,arousinghimselffromanap,saidsuddenly,"Ihavesomethingtomentionto"ee,byGeorge——soIhave,Chris!Youprobablyknowwhatitis?"

Sheexpressedignorance,wonderingifherfatherhaddiscoveredanythingofhersecret.

"Well,accordingtoHIMyouknowit.ButIwilltell"ee.PerhapsyounoticedyoungJimBellstonwalkingmeoffdownthelawnwithhim?——whetherorno,wewalkedtogetheragoodwhile;andheinformedmethathewantedtopayhisaddressesto"ee.Inaturallysaidthatitdependeduponyourself;andherepliedthatyouwerewillingenough;youhadgivenhimparticularencouragement——showingyourpreferenceforhimbyspeciallychoosinghimforyourpartner——hey?