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,andnotatfirstrecognizinginNicholasaneighbouringyeomanforhelivedalooflyinthenextparish,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?