`Ihavebeentooweak，Ithink！’shejerkedoutassheprancedon，shakingdowntear-dropsnowandthen。`Itwasburning，likealover’s-oh，itwas！AndIwon’twritetohimanymore，oratleastforalongtime，toimpresshimwithmydignity！AndIhopeitwillhurthimverymuch-expectingaletterto-morrowmorning，andthenext，andthenext，andnolettercoming。He’llsufferthenwithsuspense-won’the，that’sall！-andIamverygladofit！’-TearsofpityforJude’sapproachingsufferingsatherhandsmingledwiththosewhichhadsurgedupinpityforherself。
Thentheslimlittlewifeorahusbandwhosepersonwasdisagreeabletoher，theethereal，fine-nerved，sensitivegirl，quiteunfittedbytemperamentandinstincttofulfiltheconditionsofthematrimonialrelationwithPhillotson，possiblywithscarceanyman，walkedfitfullyalong，andpanted，andbroughtwearinessintohereyesbygazingandworryinghopelessly。
Phillotsonmetheratthearrivalstation，and，seeingthatshewastroubled，thoughtitmustbeowingtothedepressingeffectofheraunt’sdeathandfuneral。Hebegantellingherofhisday’sdoings，andhowhisfriendGillingham，aneighbouringschoolmasterwhomhehadnotseenforyears，hadcalleduponhim。Whileascendingtothetown，seatedonthetopoftheomnibusbesidehim，shesaidsuddenlyandwithanairofself-chastisement，regardingthewhiteroadanditsborderingbushesofhazel：
`Richard-IletMr。Fawleyholdmyhandalongwhile。Idon’tknowwhetheryouthinkitwrong？’
He，wakingapparentlyfromthoughtsoffardifferentmould，saidvaguely，`Oh，didyou？Whatdidyoudothatfor？’