Complete Works of Thomas Hardy (Illustrated) by Thomas Hardy Read Free Book Online Page B

their positions with a troubled rustle, and flew at intervals with a little rap against his walking-stick and hat. He was glad to reach the north stile, and get into the park, where, with an anxious pulse, he passed beneath the creaking limes.
    “Will she wake soon enough; will she be forgetful, and sleep over the time?” He had asked himself this many times since he rose that morning, and still beset by the inquiry, he drew near to the mansion.
    Her bedroom was in the north wing, facing towards the church, and on turning the brow of the hill a faint light in the window reassured him. Taking a few little stones from the path he threw them upon the sill, as they had agreed, and she instantly opened the window, and said softly, “The butler sleeps on the ground floor on this side, go to the bow-window in the shrubbery.”
    He went round among the bushes to the place mentioned, which was entirely sheltered from the wind. She soon appeared, bearing in her hand a wax taper, so small that it scarcely gave more light than a glowworm. She wore the same dress that she had worn when they first met on the previous Christmas, and her hair was loose as at that time. Indeed, she looked throughout much as she had looked then, except that her bright eyes were red, as Egbert could see well enough.
    “I have something for you,” she said softly as she opened the window. “How much time is there?”
    “Half an hour only, dearest.”
    She began a sigh, but checked it, at the same time holding out a packet to him.
    “Here are fifty pounds,” she whispered. “It will be useful to you now, and more shall follow.”
    Egbert felt how impossible it was to accept this. “No, my dear one,” he said, “I cannot.”
    “I don’t require it, Egbert. I wish you to have it; I have plenty. Come, do take it.” But seeing that he continued firm on this point she reluctantly gave in, saying that she would keep it for him.
    “I fear so much that papa suspects me,” she said. “And if so, it was my own fault, and all owing to a conversation I began with him without thinking beforehand that it would be dangerous.”
    “What did you say?”
    I said,” she whispered, ‘Suppose a man should love me very much, would you mind my being acquainted with him if he were a very worthy man?’ ‘That depends upon his rank and circumstances,’ he said. ‘Suppose,’ I said, ‘that in addition to his goodness he had much learning, and had made his name famous in the world, but was not altogether rich?’ I think I showed too much earnestness, and I wished that I could have recalled my words. ‘When the time comes I will tell you,’ he said, ‘and don’t speak or think of these matters again.’“
    In consequence of this new imprudence of hers Egbert doubted if it would be right to correspond with her. He said nothing about it then, but it added a new shade to the parting.
    “I think your decision a good and noble one,” she murmured, smiling hopefully. “And you will come back some day a wondrous man of the world, talking of vast schemes, radical errors, and saying such words as the ‘backbone of society,’ the ‘tendency of modern thought,’ and other things like that. When papa says to you, ‘My lord the chancellor,’ you will answer him with ‘A tall man, with a deep-toned voice — I know him well.’ When he says, ‘Such and such were Lord Hatton’s words, I think,’ you will answer, No, they were Lord Tyrrell’s; I was present on the occasion;’ and so on in that way. You must get to talk authoritatively about vintages and their dates, and to know all about epicureanism, idleness, and fashion; and so you will beat him with his own weapons, for he knows nothing of these things. He will criticise you; then he will be nettled; then he will admire you.”
    Egbert kissed her hand devotedly, and held it long.
    “If you cannot in the least succeed,” she added, “I shall never think the less of you. The truly great stand on no