nd of a deep nature, things seem to go on better, I
fancy--as far as I have been able to observe the world.'

'Yes; I suppose it is right. Shallowness has this advantage, that you
can't be drowned there.'

'But I think I'll have you as you are; yes, I will!' she said winsomely.
'The practical husbands and wives who take things philosophically are
very humdrum, are they not? Yes, it would kill me quite. You please me
best as you are.'

'Even though I wish you had never cared for one before me?'

'Yes. And you must not wish it. Don't!'

'I'll try not to, Elfride.'

So she hoped, but her heart was troubled. If he felt so deeply on this
point, what would he say did he know all, and see it as Mrs. Jethway saw
it? He would never make her the happiest girl in the world by taking her
to be his own for aye. The thought enclosed her as a tomb whenever it
presented itself to her perturbed brain. She tried to believe that Mrs.
Jethway would never do her such a cruel wrong as to increase the bad
appearance of her folly by innuendoes; and concluded that concealment,
having been begun, must be persisted in, if possible. For what he might
consider as bad as the fact, was her previous concealment of it by
strategy.

But Elfride knew Mrs. Jethway to be her enemy, and to hate her. It was
possible she would do her worst. And should she do it, all might be
over.

Would the woman listen to reason, and be persuaded not to ruin one who
had never intentionally harmed her?

It was night in the valley between Endelstow Crags and the shore. The
brook which trickled that way to the sea was distinct in its murmurs
now, and over the line of its course there began to hang a white riband
of fog. Against the sky, on the left hand of the vale, the black form of
the church could be seen. On the other rose hazel-bushes, a few trees,
and where these were absent, furze tufts--as tall as men--on stems
nearly as stout as timber. The shriek of some bird was occasionally
heard, as it flew terror-stricken from its first roost, to seek a new
sleeping-place, where it might pass the night unmolested.

In the evening shade, some way down the valley, and under a row of
scrubby oaks, a cottage could still be discerned. It stood absolutely
alone. The house was rather large, and the windows of some of the rooms
were nailed up with boards on the outside, which gave a particularly
deserted appearance to the whole erection. From the front door an
irregular