opened. Expecting to see the remainder
of the band Eustacia turned; but no--Clym Yeobright came out as softly
as she had done, and closed the door behind him.

He advanced and stood beside her. "I have an odd opinion," he said,
"and should like to ask you a question. Are you a woman--or am I
wrong?"

"I am a woman."

His eyes lingered on her with great interest. "Do girls often play as
mummers now? They never used to."

"They don't now."

"Why did you?"

"To get excitement and shake off depression," she said in low tones.

"What depressed you?"

"Life."

"That's a cause of depression a good many have to put up with."

"Yes."

A long silence. "And do you find excitement?" asked Clym at last.

"At this moment, perhaps."

"Then you are vexed at being discovered?"

"Yes; though I thought I might be."

"I would gladly have asked you to our party had I known you wished to
come. Have I ever been acquainted with you in my youth?"

"Never."

"Won't you come in again, and stay as long as you like?"

"No. I wish not to be further recognized."

"Well, you are safe with me." After remaining in thought a minute he
added gently, "I will not intrude upon you longer. It is a strange
way of meeting, and I will not ask why I find a cultivated woman
playing such a part as this."

She did not volunteer the reason which he seemed to hope for, and
he wished her good night, going thence round to the back of the
house, where he walked up and down by himself for some time before
re-entering.

Eustacia, warmed with an inner fire, could not wait for her companions
after this. She flung back the ribbons from her face, opened the
gate, and at once struck into the heath. She did not hasten along.
Her grandfather was in bed at this hour, for she so frequently walked
upon the hills on moonlight nights that he took no notice of her
comings and goings, and, enjoying himself in his own way, left her to
do likewise. A more important subject than that of getting indoors
now engrossed her. Yeobright, if he had the least curiosity, would
infallibly discover her name. What then? She first felt a sort of
exultation at the way in which the adventure had terminated, even
though at moments between her exultations she was abashed and
blushful. Then this consideration recurred to chill her: What was
the use of her exploit? She was at present a total stranger to the
Yeobright family. The unreasonable nimbus of romance with which she
had