she had taken a
little cordial; and he was about to give them notice to quit, till by
chance overhearing her one night haranguing Jude in rattling terms,
and ultimately flinging a shoe at his head, he recognized the note of
genuine wedlock; and concluding that they must be respectable, said
no more.

Jude did not get any better, and one day he requested Arabella, with
considerable hesitation, to execute a commission for him. She asked
him indifferently what it was.

"To write to Sue."

"What in the name--do you want me to write to her for?"

"To ask how she is, and if she'll come to see me, because I'm ill,
and should like to see her--once again."

"It is like you to insult a lawful wife by asking such a thing!"

"It is just in order not to insult you that I ask you to do it. You
know I love Sue. I don't wish to mince the matter--there stands the
fact: I love her. I could find a dozen ways of sending a letter to
her without your knowledge. But I wish to be quite above-board with
you, and with her husband. A message through you asking her to come
is at least free from any odour of intrigue. If she retains any of
her old nature at all, she'll come."

"You've no respect for marriage whatever, or its rights and duties!"

"What DOES it matter what my opinions are--a wretch like me! Can
it matter to anybody in the world who comes to see me for half an
hour--here with one foot in the grave! ... Come, please write,
Arabella!" he pleaded. "Repay my candour by a little generosity!"

"I should think NOT!"

"Not just once?--Oh do!" He felt that his physical weakness had
taken away all his dignity.

"What do you want HER to know how you are for? She don't want to see
'ee. She's the rat that forsook the sinking ship!"

"Don't, don't!"

"And I stuck to un--the more fool I! Have that strumpet in the house
indeed!"

Almost as soon as the words were spoken Jude sprang from the chair,
and before Arabella knew where she was he had her on her back upon a
little couch which stood there, he kneeling above her.

"Say another word of that sort," he whispered, "and I'll kill
you--here and now! I've everything to gain by it--my own death not
being the least part. So don't think there's no meaning in what I
say!"

"What do you want me to do?" gasped Arabella.

"Promise never to speak of her."

"Very well. I do."

"I take your word," he said scornfully as he loosened her. "But what
it is worth I can't sa