Stephen Smith revisited Endelstow Vicarage, agreeably to his promise. He had a genuine artistic reason for coming, though no such reason seemed to be required. Six-and-thirty old seat ends, of exquisite fifteenth-century workmanship, were rapidly decaying in an aisle of the church; and it became politic to make drawings of their worm-eaten contours ere they were battered past recognition in the turmoil of the so-called restoration. + 

He entered the house at sunset, and the world was pleasant again to the two fair-haired ones. A momentary pang of disappointment had, nevertheless, passed through Elfride when she casually discovered that he had not come that minute posthaste from London, but had reached the neighbourhood the previous evening. Surprise would have accompanied the feeling, had she not remembered that several tourists were haunting the coast at this season, and that Stephen might have chosen to do likewise. + 

They did little besides chat that evening, Mr.¬†Swancourt beginning to question his visitor, closely yet paternally, and in good part, on his hopes and prospects from the profession he had embraced. Stephen gave vague answers. The next day it rained. In the evening, when twenty-four hours of Elfride had completely rekindled her admirerвАЩs ardour, a game of chess was proposed between them. + 

The game had its value in helping on the developments of their future. + 

Elfride soon perceived that her opponent was but a learner. She next noticed that he had a very odd way of handling the pieces when castling or taking a man. Antecedently she would have supposed that the same performance must be gone through by all players in the same manner; she was taught by his differing action that all ordinary players, who learn the game by sight, unconsciously touch the men in a stereotyped way. This impression of indescribable oddness in StephenвАЩs touch culminated in speech when she saw him, at the taking of one of her bishops, push it aside with the taking man instead of lifting it as a preliminary to the move. + 

вАЬHow strangely you handle the men, Mr.¬†Smith!вАЭ + 

вАЬDo I? I am sorry for that.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh noвБ†вАФdonвАЩt be sorry; it is not a matter great enough for sorrow. But who taught you to play?вАЭ + 

вАЬNobody, Miss Swancourt,вАЭ he said. вАЬI learnt from a book lent me by my friend Mr.¬†Knight, the noblest man in the world.вАЭ + 

вАЬBut you have seen people play?вАЭ + 

вАЬI have never seen the playing of a single game. This is the first time I ever had the opportunity of playing with a living opponent. I have worked out many games from books, and studied the reasons of the different moves, but that is all.вАЭ + 

This was a full explanation of his mannerism; but the fact that a man with the desire for chess should have grown up without being able to see or engage in a game astonished her not a little. She pondered on the circumstance for some time, looking into vacancy and hindering the play. + 

Mr.¬†Swancourt was sitting with his eyes fixed on the board, but apparently thinking of other things. Half to himself he said, pending the move of Elfride: + 

вАЬвАКвАШQuae finis aut quod me manet stipendium?вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

Stephen replied instantly: + 

вАЬвАКвАШEffare: jussas cum fide poenas luam.вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬExcellentвБ†вАФpromptвБ†вАФgratifying!вАЭ said Mr.¬†Swancourt with feeling, bringing down his hand upon the table, and making three pawns and a knight dance over their borders by the shaking. вАЬI was musing on those words as applicable to a strange course I am steeringвБ†вАФbut enough of that. I am delighted with you, Mr.¬†Smith, for it is so seldom in this desert that I meet with a man who is gentleman and scholar enough to continue a quotation, however trite it may be.вАЭ + 

вАЬI also apply the words to myself,вАЭ said Stephen quietly. + 

вАЬYou? The last man in the world to do that, I should have thought.вАЭ + 

вАЬCome,вАЭ murmured Elfride poutingly, and insinuating herself between them, вАЬtell me all about it. Come, construe, construe!вАЭ + 

Stephen looked steadfastly into her face, and said slowly, and in a voice full of a far-off meaning that seemed quaintly premature in one so young: + 

вАЬQuae finis What will be the end, aut or, quod stipendium what fine, manet me awaits me? Effare Speak out; luam I will pay, cum fide with faith, jussas poenas the penalty required.вАЭ + 

The vicar, who had listened with a critical compression of the lips to this schoolboy recitation, and by reason of his imperfect hearing had missed the marked realism of StephenвАЩs tone in the English words, now said hesitatingly: вАЬBy the by, Mr.¬†Smith (I know youвАЩll excuse my curiosity), though your translation was unexceptionably correct and close, you have a way of pronouncing your Latin which to me seems most peculiar. Not that the pronunciation of a dead language is of much importance; yet your accents and quantities have a grotesque sound to my ears. I thought first that you had acquired your way of breathing the vowels from some of the northern colleges; but it cannot be so with the quantities. What I was going to ask was, if your instructor in the classics could possibly have been an Oxford or Cambridge man?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes; he was an Oxford manвБ†вАФFellow of St.¬†CyprianвАЩs.вАЭ + 

вАЬReally?вАЭ + 

вАЬOh yes; thereвАЩs no doubt about it.вАЭ + 

вАЬThe oddest thing ever I heard of!вАЭ said Mr.¬†Swancourt, starting with astonishment. вАЬThat the pupil of such a manвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬThe best and cleverest man in England!вАЭ cried Stephen enthusiastically. + 

вАФвАЬThat the pupil of such a man should pronounce Latin in the way you pronounce it beats all I ever heard. How long did he instruct you?вАЭ + 

вАЬFour years.вАЭ + 

вАЬFour years!вАЭ + 

вАЬIt is not so strange when I explain,вАЭ Stephen hastened to say. вАЬIt was done in this wayвБ†вАФby letter. I sent him exercises and construing twice a week, and twice a week he sent them back to me corrected, with marginal notes of instruction. That is how I learnt my Latin and Greek, such as it is. He is not responsible for my scanning. He has never heard me scan a line.вАЭ + 

вАЬA novel case, and a singular instance of patience!вАЭ cried the vicar. + 

вАЬOn his part, not on mine. Ah, Henry Knight is one in a thousand! I remember his speaking to me on this very subject of pronunciation. He says that, much to his regret, he sees a time coming when every man will pronounce even the common words of his own tongue as seems right in his own ears, and be thought none the worse for it; that the speaking age is passing away, to make room for the writing age.вАЭ + 

Both Elfride and her father had waited attentively to hear Stephen go on to what would have been the most interesting part of the story, namely, what circumstances could have necessitated such an unusual method of education. But no further explanation was volunteered; and they saw, by the young manвАЩs manner of concentrating himself upon the chessboard, that he was anxious to drop the subject. + 

The game proceeded. Elfride played by rote; Stephen by thought. It was the cruellest thing to checkmate him after so much labour, she considered. What was she dishonest enough to do in her compassion? To let him checkmate her. A second game followed; and being herself absolutely indifferent as to the result (her playing was above the average among women, and she knew it), she allowed him to give checkmate again. A final game, in which she adopted the Muzio gambit as her opening, was terminated by ElfrideвАЩs victory at the twelfth move. + 

Stephen looked up suspiciously. His heart was throbbing even more excitedly than was hers, which itself had quickened when she seriously set to work on this last occasion. Mr.¬†Swancourt had left the room. + 

вАЬYou have been trifling with me till now!вАЭ he exclaimed, his face flushing. вАЬYou did not play your best in the first two games?вАЭ + 

ElfrideвАЩs guilt showed in her face. Stephen became the picture of vexation and sadness, which, relishable for a moment, caused her the next instant to regret the mistake she had made. + 

вАЬMr.¬†Smith, forgive me!вАЭ she said sweetly. вАЬI see now, though I did not at first, that what I have done seems like contempt for your skill. But, indeed, I did not mean it in that sense. I could not, upon my conscience, win a victory in those first and second games over one who fought at such a disadvantage and so manfully.вАЭ + 

He drew a long breath, and murmured bitterly, вАЬAh, you are cleverer than I. You can do everythingвБ†вАФI can do nothing! O Miss Swancourt!вАЭ he burst out wildly, his heart swelling in his throat, вАЬI must tell you how I love you! All these months of my absence I have worshipped you.вАЭ + 

He leapt from his seat like the impulsive lad that he was, slid round to her side, and almost before she suspected it his arm was round her waist, and the two sets of curls intermingled. + 

So entirely new was full-blown love to Elfride, that she trembled as much from the novelty of the emotion as from the emotion itself. Then she suddenly withdrew herself and stood upright, vexed that she had submitted unresistingly even to his momentary pressure. She resolved to consider this demonstration as premature. + 

вАЬYou must not begin such things as those,вАЭ she said with coquettish hauteur of a very transparent nature вАЬAndвБ†вАФyou must not do so againвБ†вАФand papa is coming.вАЭ + 

вАЬLet me kiss youвБ†вАФonly a little one,вАЭ he said with his usual delicacy, and without reading the factitiousness of her manner. + 

вАЬNo; not one.вАЭ + 

вАЬOnly on your cheek?вАЭ + 

вАЬNo.вАЭ + 

вАЬForehead?вАЭ + 

вАЬCertainly not.вАЭ + 

вАЬYou care for somebody else, then? Ah, I thought so!вАЭ + 

вАЬI am sure I do not.вАЭ + 

вАЬNor for me either?вАЭ + 

вАЬHow can I tell?вАЭ she said simply, the simplicity lying merely in the broad outlines of her manner and speech. There were the semitone of voice and half-hidden expression of eyes which tell the initiated how very fragile is the ice of reserve at these times. + 

Footsteps were heard. Mr.¬†Swancourt then entered the room, and their private colloquy ended. + 

The day after this partial revelation, Mr.¬†Swancourt proposed a drive to the cliffs beyond Targan Bay, a distance of three or four miles. + 

Half an hour before the time of departure a crash was heard in the back yard, and presently Worm came in, saying partly to the world in general, partly to himself, and slightly to his auditors: + 

вАЬAy, ay, sure! That frying of fish will be the end of William Worm. They be at it again this morningвБ†вАФsame as everвБ†вАФfizz, fizz, fizz!вАЭ + 

вАЬYour head bad again, Worm?вАЭ said Mr.¬†Swancourt. вАЬWhat was that noise we heard in the yard?вАЭ + 

вАЬAy, sir, a weak wambling man am I; and the frying have been going on in my poor head all through the long night and this morning as usual; and I was so dazed wiвАЩ it that down fell a piece of leg-wood across the shaft of the pony-shay, and splintered it off. вАШAy,вАЩ says I, вАШI feel it as if вАЩtwas my own shay; and though IвАЩve done it, and parish pay is my lot if I go from here, perhaps I am as independent as one here and there.вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬDear me, the shaft of the carriage broken!вАЭ cried Elfride. She was disappointed: Stephen doubly so. The vicar showed more warmth of temper than the accident seemed to demand, much to StephenвАЩs uneasiness and rather to his surprise. He had not supposed so much latent sternness could coexist with Mr.¬†SwancourtвАЩs frankness and good-nature. + 

вАЬYou shall not be disappointed,вАЭ said the vicar at length. вАЬIt is almost too long a distance for you to walk. Elfride can trot down on her pony, and you shall have my old nag, Smith.вАЭ + 

Elfride exclaimed triumphantly, вАЬYou have never seen me on horsebackвБ†вАФOh, you must!вАЭ She looked at Stephen and read his thoughts immediately. вАЬAh, you donвАЩt ride, Mr.¬†Smith?вАЭ + 

вАЬI am sorry to say I donвАЩt.вАЭ + 

вАЬFancy a man not able to ride!вАЭ said she rather pertly. + 

The vicar came to his rescue. вАЬThatвАЩs common enough; he has had other lessons to learn. Now, I recommend this plan: let Elfride ride on horseback, and you, Mr.¬†Smith, walk beside her.вАЭ + 

The arrangement was welcomed with secret delight by Stephen. It seemed to combine in itself all the advantages of a long slow ramble with Elfride, without the contingent possibility of the enjoyment being spoilt by her becoming weary. The pony was saddled and brought round. + 

вАЬNow, Mr.¬†Smith,вАЭ said the lady imperatively, coming downstairs, and appearing in her riding-habit, as she always did in a change of dress, like a new edition of a delightful volume, вАЬyou have a task to perform today. These earrings are my very favourite darling ones; but the worst of it is that they have such short hooks that they are liable to be dropped if I toss my head about much, and when I am riding I canвАЩt give my mind to them. It would be doing me knight service if you keep your eyes fixed upon them, and remember them every minute of the day, and tell me directly I drop one. They have had such hairbreadth escapes, havenвАЩt they, Unity?вАЭ she continued to the parlourmaid who was standing at the door. + 

вАЬYes, miss, that they have!вАЭ said Unity with round-eyed commiseration. + 

вАЬOnce вАЩtwas in the lane that I found one of them,вАЭ pursued Elfride reflectively. + 

вАЬAnd then вАЩtwas by the gate into Eighteen Acres,вАЭ Unity chimed in. + 

вАЬAnd then вАЩtwas on the carpet in my own room,вАЭ rejoined Elfride merrily. + 

вАЬAnd then вАЩtwas dangling on the embroidery of your petticoat, miss; and then вАЩtwas down your back, miss, wasnвАЩt it? And oh, what a way you was in, miss, wasnвАЩt you? my! until you found it!вАЭ + 

Stephen took ElfrideвАЩs slight foot upon his hand: вАЬOne, two, three, and up!вАЭ she said. + 

Unfortunately not so. He staggered and lifted, and the horse edged round; and Elfride was ultimately deposited upon the ground rather more forcibly than was pleasant. Smith looked all contrition. + 

вАЬNever mind,вАЭ said the vicar encouragingly; вАЬtry again! вАЩTis a little accomplishment that requires some practice, although it looks so easy. Stand closer to the horseвАЩs head, Mr.¬†Smith.вАЭ + 

вАЬIndeed, I shanвАЩt let him try again,вАЭ said she with a microscopic look of indignation. вАЬWorm, come here, and help me to mount.вАЭ Worm stepped forward, and she was in the saddle in a trice. + 

Then they moved on, going for some distance in silence, the hot air of the valley being occasionally brushed from their faces by a cool breeze, which wound its way along ravines leading up from the sea. + 

вАЬI suppose,вАЭ said Stephen, вАЬthat a man who can neither sit in a saddle himself nor help another person into one seems a useless incumbrance; but, Miss Swancourt, IвАЩll learn to do it all for your sake; I will, indeed.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat is so unusual in you,вАЭ she said, in a didactic tone justifiable in a horsewomanвАЩs address to a benighted walker, вАЬis that your knowledge of certain things should be combined with your ignorance of certain other things.вАЭ + 

Stephen lifted his eyes earnestly to hers. + 

вАЬYou know,вАЭ he said, вАЬit is simply because there are so many other things to be learnt in this wide world that I didnвАЩt trouble about that particular bit of knowledge. I thought it would be useless to me; but I donвАЩt think so now. I will learn riding, and all connected with it, because then you would like me better. Do you like me much less for this?вАЭ + 

She looked sideways at him with critical meditation tenderly rendered. + 

вАЬDo I seem like вАШLa Belle Dame Sans Merci?вАЩвАКвАЭ she began suddenly, without replying to his question. вАЬFancy yourself saying, Mr.¬†Smith: + 

вАШI sat her on my pacing steed, + 

And nothing else saw all day long, + 

For sidelong would she bend, and sing + 

A fairyвАЩs song. + 

She found me roots of relish sweet, + 

And honey wild, and manna dew;вАЩ + 

and thatвАЩs all she did.вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, no,вАЭ said the young man stilly, and with a rising colour. + 

вАЬвАКвАШAnd sure in language strange she said, + 

I love thee true.вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬNot at all,вАЭ she rejoined quickly. вАЬSee how I can gallop. Now, Pansy, off!вАЭ And Elfride started; and Stephen beheld her light figure contracting to the dimensions of a bird as she sank into the distanceвБ†вАФher hair flowing. + 

He walked on in the same direction, and for a considerable time could see no signs of her returning. Dull as a flower without the sun he sat down upon a stone, and not for fifteen minutes was any sound of horse or rider to be heard. Then Elfride and Pansy appeared on the hill in a round trot. + 

вАЬSuch a delightful scamper as we have had!вАЭ she said, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. She turned the horseвАЩs head, Stephen arose, and they went on again. + 

вАЬWell, what have you to say to me, Mr.¬†Smith, after my long absence?вАЭ + 

вАЬDo you remember a question you could not exactly answer last nightвБ†вАФwhether I was more to you than anybody else?вАЭ said he. + 

вАЬI cannot exactly answer now, either.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy canвАЩt you?вАЭ + 

вАЬBecause I donвАЩt know if I am more to you than anyone else.вАЭ + 

вАЬYes, indeed, you are!вАЭ he exclaimed in a voice of intensest appreciation, at the same time gliding round and looking into her face. + 

вАЬEyes in eyes,вАЭ he murmured playfully; and she blushingly obeyed, looking back into his. + 

вАЬAnd why not lips on lips?вАЭ continued Stephen daringly. + 

вАЬNo, certainly not. Anybody might look; and it would be the death of me. You may kiss my hand if you like.вАЭ + 

He expressed by a look that to kiss a hand through a glove, and that a riding-glove, was not a great treat under the circumstances. + 

вАЬThere, then; IвАЩll take my glove off. IsnвАЩt it a pretty white hand? Ah, you donвАЩt want to kiss it, and you shall not now!вАЭ + 

вАЬIf I do not, may I never kiss again, you severe Elfride! You know I think more of you than I can tell; that you are my queen. I would die for you, Elfride!вАЭ + 

A rapid red again filled her cheeks, and she looked at him meditatively. What a proud moment it was for Elfride then! She was ruling a heart with absolute despotism for the first time in her life. + 

Stephen stealthily pounced upon her hand. + 

вАЬNo; I wonвАЩt, I wonвАЩt!вАЭ she said intractably; вАЬand you shouldnвАЩt take me by surprise.вАЭ + 

There ensued a mild form of tussle for absolute possession of the much-coveted hand, in which the boisterousness of boy and girl was far more prominent than the dignity of man and woman. Then Pansy became restless. Elfride recovered her position and remembered herself. + 

вАЬYou make me behave in not a nice way at all!вАЭ she exclaimed, in a tone neither of pleasure nor anger, but partaking of both. вАЬI ought not to have allowed such a romp! We are too old now for that sort of thing.вАЭ + 

вАЬI hope you donвАЩt think me tooвБ†вАФtoo much of a creeping-round sort of man,вАЭ said he in a penitent tone, conscious that he too had lost a little dignity by the proceeding. + 

вАЬYou are too familiar; and I canвАЩt have it! Considering the shortness of the time we have known each other, Mr.¬†Smith, you take too much upon you. You think I am a country girl, and it doesnвАЩt matter how you behave to me!вАЭ + 

вАЬI assure you, Miss Swancourt, that I had no idea of freak in my mind. I wanted to imprint a sweet serious kiss upon your hand; and thatвАЩs all.вАЭ + 

вАЬNow, thatвАЩs creeping round again! And you mustnвАЩt look into my eyes so,вАЭ she said, shaking her head at him, and trotting on a few paces in advance. Thus she led the way out of the lane and across some fields in the direction of the cliffs. At the boundary of the fields nearest the sea she expressed a wish to dismount. The horse was tied to a post, and they both followed an irregular path, which ultimately terminated upon a flat ledge passing round the face of the huge blue-black rock at a height about midway between the sea and the topmost verge. There, far beneath and before them, lay the everlasting stretch of ocean; there, upon detached rocks, were the white screaming gulls, seeming ever intending to settle, and yet always passing on. Right and left ranked the toothed and zigzag line of storm-torn heights, forming the series which culminated in the one beneath their feet. + 

Behind the youth and maiden was a tempting alcove and seat, formed naturally in the beetling mass, and wide enough to admit two or three persons. Elfride sat down, and Stephen sat beside her. + 

вАЬI am afraid it is hardly proper of us to be here, either,вАЭ she said half inquiringly. вАЬWe have not known each other long enough for this kind of thing, have we!вАЭ + 

вАЬOh yes,вАЭ he replied judicially; вАЬquite long enough.вАЭ + 

вАЬHow do you know?вАЭ + 

вАЬIt is not length of time, but the manner in which our minutes beat, that makes enough or not enough in our acquaintanceship.вАЭ + 

вАЬYes, I see that. But I wish papa suspected or knew what a very new thing I am doing. He does not think of it at all.вАЭ + 

вАЬDarling Elfie, I wish we could be married! It is wrong for me to say itвБ†вАФI know it isвБ†вАФbefore you know more; but I wish we might be, all the same. Do you love me deeply, deeply?вАЭ + 

вАЬNo!вАЭ she said in a fluster. + 

At this point-blank denial, Stephen turned his face away decisively, and preserved an ominous silence; the only objects of interest on earth for him being apparently the three or fourscore seabirds circling in the air afar off. + 

вАЬI didnвАЩt mean to stop you quite,вАЭ she faltered with some alarm; and seeing that he still remained silent, she added more anxiously, вАЬIf you say that again, perhaps, I will not be quiteвБ†вАФquite so obstinateвБ†вАФifвБ†вАФif you donвАЩt like me to be.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, my Elfride!вАЭ he exclaimed, and kissed her. + 

It was ElfrideвАЩs first kiss. And so awkward and unused was she; full of strivingвБ†вАФno relenting. There was none of those apparent struggles to get out of the trap which only results in getting further in: no final attitude of receptivity: no easy close of shoulder to shoulder, hand upon hand, face upon face, and, in spite of coyness, the lips in the right place at the supreme moment. That graceful though apparently accidental falling into position, which many have noticed as precipitating the end and making sweethearts the sweeter, was not here. Why? Because experience was absent. A woman must have had many kisses before she kisses well. + 

In fact, the art of tendering the lips for these amatory salutes follows the principles laid down in treatises on legerdemain for performing the trick called Forcing a Card. The card is to be shifted nimbly, withdrawn, edged under, and withal not to be offered till the moment the unsuspecting personвАЩs hand reaches the pack; this forcing to be done so modestly and yet so coaxingly, that the person trifled with imagines he is really choosing what is in fact thrust into his hand. + 

Well, there were no such facilities now; and Stephen was conscious of itвБ†вАФfirst with a momentary regret that his kiss should be spoilt by her confused receipt of it, and then with the pleasant perception that her awkwardness was her charm. + 

вАЬAnd you do care for me and love me?вАЭ said he. + 

вАЬYes.вАЭ + 

вАЬVery much?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd I mustnвАЩt ask you if youвАЩll wait for me, and be my wife some day?вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy not?вАЭ she said naively. + 

вАЬThere is a reason why, my Elfride.вАЭ + 

вАЬNot anyone that I know of.вАЭ + 

вАЬSuppose there is something connected with me which makes it almost impossible for you to agree to be my wife, or for your father to countenance such an idea?вАЭ + 

вАЬNothing shall make me cease to love you: no blemish can be found upon your personal nature. That is pure and generous, I know; and having that, how can I be cold to you?вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd shall nothing else affect usвБ†вАФshall nothing beyond my nature be a part of my quality in your eyes, Elfie?вАЭ + 

вАЬNothing whatever,вАЭ she said with a breath of relief. вАЬIs that all? Some outside circumstance? What do I care?вАЭ + 

вАЬYou can hardly judge, dear, till you know what has to be judged. For that, we will stop till we get home. I believe in you, but I cannot feel bright.вАЭ + 

вАЬLove is new, and fresh to us as the dew; and we are together. As the loverвАЩs world goes, this is a great deal. Stephen, I fancy I see the difference between me and youвБ†вАФbetween men and women generally, perhaps. I am content to build happiness on any accidental basis that may lie near at hand; you are for making a world to suit your happiness.вАЭ + 

вАЬElfride, you sometimes say things which make you seem suddenly to become five years older than you are, or than I am; and that remark is one. I couldnвАЩt think so old as that, try how I might.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ And no lover has ever kissed you before?вАЭ + 

вАЬNever.вАЭ + 

вАЬI knew that; you were so unused. You ride well, but you donвАЩt kiss nicely at all; and I was told once, by my friend Knight, that that is an excellent fault in woman.вАЭ + 

вАЬNow, come; I must mount again, or we shall not be home by dinnertime.вАЭ And they returned to where Pansy stood tethered. вАЬInstead of entrusting my weight to a young manвАЩs unstable palm,вАЭ she continued gaily, вАЬI prefer a surer вАШupping-stockвАЩ (as the villagers call it), in the form of a gate. ThereвБ†вАФnow I am myself again.вАЭ + 

They proceeded homeward at the same walking pace. + 

Her blitheness won Stephen out of his thoughtfulness, and each forgot everything but the tone of the moment. + 

вАЬWhat did you love me for?вАЭ she said, after a long musing look at a flying bird. + 

вАЬI donвАЩt know,вАЭ he replied idly. + 

вАЬOh yes, you do,вАЭ insisted Elfride. + 

вАЬPerhaps, for your eyes.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat of them?вБ†вАФnow, donвАЩt vex me by a light answer. What of my eyes?вАЭ + 

вАЬOh, nothing to be mentioned. They are indifferently good.вАЭ + 

вАЬCome, Stephen, I wonвАЩt have that. What did you love me for?вАЭ + 

вАЬIt might have been for your mouth?вАЭ + 

вАЬWell, what about my mouth?вАЭ + 

вАЬI thought it was a passable mouth enoughвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬThatвАЩs not very comforting.вАЭ + 

вАЬWith a pretty pout and sweet lips; but actually, nothing more than what everybody has.вАЭ + 

вАЬDonвАЩt make up things out of your head as you go on, thereвАЩs a dear Stephen. NowвБ†вАФwhatвБ†вАФdidвБ†вАФyouвБ†вАФloveвБ†вАФmeвБ†вАФfor?вАЭ + 

вАЬPerhaps, вАЩtwas for your neck and hair; though I am not sure: or for your idle blood, that did nothing but wander away from your cheeks and back again; but I am not sure. Or your hands and arms, that they eclipsed all other hands and arms; or your feet, that they played about under your dress like little mice; or your tongue, that it was of a dear delicate tone. But I am not altogether sure.вАЭ + 

вАЬAh, thatвАЩs pretty to say; but I donвАЩt care for your love, if it made a mere flat picture of me in that way, and not being sure, and such cold reasoning; but what you felt I was, you know, StephenвАЭ (at this a stealthy laugh and frisky look into his face), вАЬwhen you said to yourself, вАШIвАЩll certainly love that young lady.вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬI never said it.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhen you said to yourself, then, вАШI never will love that young lady.вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬI didnвАЩt say that, either.вАЭ + 

вАЬThen was it, вАШI suppose I must love that young lady?вАЩвАКвАЭ + 

вАЬNo.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat, then?вАЭ + 

вАЬвАКвАЩTwas much more fluctuatingвБ†вАФnot so definite.вАЭ + 

вАЬTell me; do, do.вАЭ + 

вАЬIt was that I ought not to think about you if I loved you truly.вАЭ + 

вАЬAh, that I donвАЩt understand. ThereвАЩs no getting it out of you. And IвАЩll not ask you ever any moreвБ†вАФnever moreвБ†вАФto say out of the deep reality of your heart what you loved me for.вАЭ + 

вАЬSweet tantalizer, whatвАЩs the use? It comes to this sole simple thing: That at one time I had never seen you, and I didnвАЩt love you; that then I saw you, and I did love you. Is that enough?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes; I will make it do.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ I know, I think, what I love you for. You are nice-looking, of course; but I didnвАЩt mean for that. It is because you are so docile and gentle.вАЭ + 

вАЬThose are not quite the correct qualities for a man to be loved for,вАЭ said Stephen, in rather a dissatisfied tone of self-criticism. вАЬWell, never mind. I must ask your father to allow us to be engaged directly we get indoors. It will be for a long time.вАЭ + 

вАЬI like it the better.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ Stephen, donвАЩt mention it till tomorrow.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhy?вАЭ + 

вАЬBecause, if he should objectвБ†вАФI donвАЩt think he will; but if he shouldвБ†вАФwe shall have a day longer of happiness from our ignorance.вБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ Well, what are you thinking of so deeply?вАЭ + 

вАЬI was thinking how my dear friend Knight would enjoy this scene. I wish he could come here.вАЭ + 

вАЬYou seem very much engrossed with him,вАЭ she answered, with a jealous little toss. вАЬHe must be an interesting man to take up so much of your attention.вАЭ + 

вАЬInteresting!вАЭ said Stephen, his face glowing with his fervour; вАЬnoble, you ought to say.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh yes, yes; I forgot,вАЭ she said half satirically. вАЬThe noblest man in England, as you told us last night.вАЭ + 

вАЬHe is a fine fellow, laugh as you will, Miss Elfie.вАЭ + 

вАЬI know he is your hero. But what does he do? anything?вАЭ + 

вАЬHe writes.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat does he write? I have never heard of his name.вАЭ + 

вАЬBecause his personality, and that of several others like him, is absorbed into a huge we, namely, the impalpable entity called The PresentвБ†вАФa social and literary Review.вАЭ + 

вАЬIs he only a reviewer?вАЭ + 

вАЬOnly, Elfie! Why, I can tell you it is a fine thing to be on the staff of The Present. Finer than being a novelist considerably.вАЭ + 

вАЬThatвАЩs a hit at me, and my poor Court of Kellyon Castle.вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, Elfride,вАЭ he whispered; вАЬI didnвАЩt mean that. I mean that he is really a literary man of some eminence, and not altogether a reviewer. He writes things of a higher class than reviews, though he reviews a book occasionally. His ordinary productions are social and ethical essaysвБ†вАФall that The Present contains which is not literary reviewing.вАЭ + 

вАЬI admit he must be talented if he writes for The Present. We have it sent to us irregularly. I want papa to be a subscriber, but heвАЩs so conservative. Now the next point in this Mr.¬†KnightвБ†вАФI suppose he is a very good man.вАЭ + 

вАЬAn excellent man. I shall try to be his intimate friend some day.вАЭ + 

вАЬBut arenвАЩt you now?вАЭ + 

вАЬNo; not so much as that,вАЭ replied Stephen, as if such a supposition were extravagant. вАЬYou see, it was in this wayвБ†вАФhe came originally from the same place as I, and taught me things; but I am not intimate with him. ShanвАЩt I be glad when I get richer and better known, and hob and nob with him!вАЭ StephenвАЩs eyes sparkled. + 

A pout began to shape itself upon ElfrideвАЩs soft lips. вАЬYou think always of him, and like him better than you do me!вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, indeed, Elfride. The feeling is different quite. But I do like him, and he deserves even more affection from me than I give.вАЭ + 

вАЬYou are not nice now, and you make me as jealous as possible!вАЭ she exclaimed perversely. вАЬI know you will never speak to any third person of me so warmly as you do to me of him.вАЭ + 

вАЬBut you donвАЩt understand, Elfride,вАЭ he said with an anxious movement. вАЬYou shall know him some day. He is so brilliantвБ†вАФno, it isnвАЩt exactly brilliant; so thoughtfulвБ†вАФnor does thoughtful express himвБ†вАФthat it would charm you to talk to him. HeвАЩs a most desirable friend, and that isnвАЩt half I could say.вАЭ + 

вАЬI donвАЩt care how good he is; I donвАЩt want to know him, because he comes between me and you. You think of him night and day, ever so much more than of anybody else; and when you are thinking of him, I am shut out of your mind.вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, dear Elfride; I love you dearly.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd I donвАЩt like you to tell me so warmly about him when you are in the middle of loving me. Stephen, suppose that I and this man Knight of yours were both drowning, and you could only save one of usвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬYesвБ†вАФthe stupid old propositionвБ†вАФwhich would I save?вАЭ + 

вАЬWell, which? Not me.вАЭ + 

вАЬBoth of you,вАЭ he said, pressing her pendent hand. + 

вАЬNo, that wonвАЩt do; only one of us.вАЭ + 

вАЬI cannot say; I donвАЩt know. It is disagreeableвБ†вАФquite a horrid idea to have to handle.вАЭ + 

вАЬA-ha, I know. You would save him, and let me drown, drown, drown; and I donвАЩt care about your love!вАЭ + 

She had endeavoured to give a playful tone to her words, but the latter speech was rather forced in its gaiety. + 

At this point in the discussion she trotted off to turn a corner which was avoided by the footpath, the road and the path reuniting at a point a little further on. On again making her appearance she continually managed to look in a direction away from him, and left him in the cool shade of her displeasure. Stephen was soon beaten at this game of indifference. He went round and entered the range of her vision. + 

вАЬAre you offended, Elfie? Why donвАЩt you talk?вАЭ + 

вАЬSave me, then, and let that Mr.¬†Clever of yours drown. I hate him. Now, which would you?вАЭ + 

вАЬReally, Elfride, you should not press such a hard question. It is ridiculous.вАЭ + 

вАЬThen I wonвАЩt be alone with you any more. Unkind, to wound me so!вАЭ She laughed at her own absurdity but persisted. + 

вАЬCome, Elfie, letвАЩs make it up and be friends.вАЭ + 

вАЬSay you would save me, then, and let him drown.вАЭ + 

вАЬI would save youвБ†вАФand him too.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd let him drown. Come, or you donвАЩt love me!вАЭ she teasingly went on. + 

вАЬAnd let him drown,вАЭ he ejaculated despairingly. + 

вАЬThere; now I am yours!вАЭ she said, and a womanвАЩs flush of triumph lit her eyes. + 

вАЬOnly one earring, miss, as IвАЩm alive,вАЭ said Unity on their entering the hall. + 

With a face expressive of wretched misgiving, ElfrideвАЩs hand flew like an arrow to her ear. + 

вАЬThere!вАЭ she exclaimed to Stephen, looking at him with eyes full of reproach. + 

вАЬI quite forgot, indeed. If I had only remembered!вАЭ he answered, with a conscience-stricken face. + 

She wheeled herself round, and turned into the shrubbery. Stephen followed. + 

вАЬIf you had told me to watch anything, Stephen, I should have religiously done it,вАЭ she capriciously went on, as soon as she heard him behind her. + 

вАЬForgetting is forgivable.вАЭ + 

вАЬWell, you will find it, if you want me to respect you and be engaged to you when we have asked papa.вАЭ She considered a moment, and added more seriously, вАЬI know now where I dropped it, Stephen. It was on the cliff. I remember a faint sensation of some change about me, but I was too absent to think of it then. And thatвАЩs where it is now, and you must go and look there.вАЭ + 

вАЬIвАЩll go at once.вАЭ + 

And he strode away up the valley, under a broiling sun and amid the deathlike silence of early afternoon. He ascended, with giddy-paced haste, the windy range of rocks to where they had sat, felt and peered about the stones and crannies, but ElfrideвАЩs stray jewel was nowhere to be seen. Next Stephen slowly retraced his steps, and, pausing at a crossroad to reflect a while, he left the plateau and struck downwards across some fields, in the direction of Endelstow House. + 

He walked along the path by the river without the slightest hesitation as to its bearing, apparently quite familiar with every inch of the ground. As the shadows began to lengthen and the sunlight to mellow, he passed through two wicket-gates, and drew near the outskirts of Endelstow Park. The river now ran along under the park fence, previous to entering the grove itself, a little further on. + 

Here stood a cottage, between the fence and the stream, on a slightly elevated spot of ground, round which the river took a turn. The characteristic feature of this snug habitation was its one chimney in the gable end, its squareness of form disguised by a huge cloak of ivy, which had grown so luxuriantly and extended so far from its base, as to increase the apparent bulk of the chimney to the dimensions of a tower. Some little distance from the back of the house rose the park boundary, and over this were to be seen the sycamores of the grove, making slow inclinations to the just-awakening air. + 

Stephen crossed the little wood bridge in front, went up to the cottage door, and opened it without knock or signal of any kind. + 

Exclamations of welcome burst from some person or persons when the door was thrust ajar, followed by the scrape of chairs on a stone floor, as if pushed back by their occupiers in rising from a table. The door was closed again, and nothing could now be heard from within, save a lively chatter and the rattle of plates. + 