But am I on that account likely to
preach a crusade against it? Sister mine, we are what we are; we think
and speak and do what causation determines. If you can still hold
another belief, do so, and be thrice blessed. I would so gladly see you
happy, dear Miriam."

Again he took her hand, and pressed it against his cheek Miriam looked
straight before her with wide, almost despairing eyes.

"I must go, this moment," Elgar said, happening to notice the time.
"Say I have been here, and couldn't wait for their return; indeed, they
wouldn't expect it."

"Wait a few minutes, Reuben."

She retained his hand.

"I can't dear; I can't." His cheeks were hot. "I have an appointment."

"What appointment? With whom?"

"A friend. It is something important. I'll tell you another time."

"Tell me now. Your sister is more to you than a friend. I ask you to
stay with me, Reuben."

In his haste, he did not understand how great an effort over herself
such words as these implied. The egoist rarely is moved to wonder at
unusual demonstrations made on his own behalf. Miriam was holding his
hand firmly, but he broke away. Then he turned back, took her in his
arms, and kissed her more tenderly than he ever had done since he was a
child. Miriam had a smile of hope, but only for a moment. After all, he
was gone.

CHAPTER XI

IN DUE COURSE

A change of trains, and half an hour's delay, at Manchester, then on
through Lancashire civilization, through fumes and evil smells and
expanses of grey-built hideousness, as far as the station called
Bartles.

Miriam remarked novelties as she alighted. The long wooden platform,
which used to be almost bare, was now in part sheltered by a structure
of iron and glass. There was a bookstall. Porters were more numerous.
The old stationmaster still bustled about; he recognized her with a
stare of curiosity, but did not approach to speak, as formerly he would
have done. Miriam affected not to observe him; he had been wont to sit
in the same chapel with her.

The wooden stairs down into the road were supplanted by steps of stone,
and below waited several cabs, instead of the two she remembered. "To
Redbeck House." The local odours were, at all events, the same as ever;
with what intensity they revived the past! Every well-known object,
every familiar face, heightened the intolerable throbbing of her heart;
so that at length she drew herself into a corner of the cab and looked
at nothing.