ave had enough of it. Then I shall
probably come back to Paris again, and there I shall stay as long as
I can afford to."

"Back to Paris again," she murmured in a voice that was nearly a sigh.
She had never once told Wildeve of the Parisian desires which Clym's
description had sown in her; yet here was he involuntarily in a
position to gratify them. "You think a good deal of Paris?" she
added.

"Yes. In my opinion it is the central beauty-spot of the world."

"And in mine! And Thomasin will go with you?"

"Yes, if she cares to. She may prefer to stay at home."

"So you will be going about, and I shall be staying here!"

"I suppose you will. But we know whose fault that is."

"I am not blaming you," she said quickly.

"Oh, I thought you were. If ever you SHOULD be inclined to blame me,
think of a certain evening by Rainbarrow, when you promised to meet
me and did not. You sent me a letter; and my heart ached to read that
as I hope yours never will. That was one point of divergence. I then
did something in haste... But she is a good woman, and I will say no
more."

"I know that the blame was on my side that time," said Eustacia. "But
it had not always been so. However, it is my misfortune to be too
sudden in feeling. O, Damon, don't reproach me any more--I can't bear
that."

They went on silently for a distance of two or three miles, when
Eustacia said suddenly, "Haven't you come out of your way, Mr.
Wildeve?"

"My way is anywhere tonight. I will go with you as far as the hill
on which we can see Blooms-End, as it is getting late for you to be
alone."

"Don't trouble. I am not obliged to be out at all. I think I would
rather you did not accompany me further. This sort of thing would
have an odd look if known."

"Very well, I will leave you." He took her hand unexpectedly, and
kissed it--for the first time since her marriage. "What light is that
on the hill?" he added, as it were to hide the caress.

She looked, and saw a flickering firelight proceeding from the open
side of a hovel a little way before them. The hovel, which she had
hitherto always found empty, seemed to be inhabited now.

"Since you have come so far," said Eustacia, "will you see me safely
past that hut? I thought I should have met Clym somewhere about here,
but as he doesn't appear I will hasten on and get to Blooms-End before
he leaves."

They advanced to the turf-shed, and when they got near it the
firelight and the lantern insi