Knight walked on,and Elfride with him,silent and unopposing.He opened a gate,and they entered a path across a stubble-field.
Perhaps I intrude upon you?she said as he closed the gate.
Shall I go away?
No.Listen to me,Elfride.Knights voice was low and unequal.
I have been honest with you:will you be so with me?If any--strange--connection has existed between yourself and a predecessor of mine,tell it now.It is better that I know it now,even though the knowledge should part us,than that I should discover it in time to come.And suspicions have been awakened in me.I
think I will not say how,because I despise the means.Adiscovery of any mystery of your past would embitter our lives.
Knight waited with a slow manner of calmness.His eyes were sad and imperative.They went farther along the path.
Will you forgive me if I tell you all?she exclaimed entreatingly.
I cant promise;so much depends upon what you have to tell.
Elfride could not endure the silence which followed.
Are you not going to love me?she burst out.Harry,Harry,love me,and speak as usual!Do;I beseech you,Harry!
Are you going to act fairly by me?said Knight,with rising anger;or are you not?What have I done to you that I should be put off like this?Be caught like a bird in a springe;everything intended to be hidden from me!Why is it,Elfride?Thats what I ask you.
In their agitation they had left the path,and were wandering among the wet and obstructive stubble,without knowing or heeding it.
What have I done?she faltered.
What?How can you ask what,when you know so well?You KNOW that I have designedly been kept in ignorance of something attaching to you,which,had I known of it,might have altered all my conduct;and yet you say,what?
She drooped visibly,and made no answer.
Not that I believe in malicious letter-writers and whisperers;not I.I dont know whether I do or dont:upon my soul,I cant tell.I know this:a religion was building itself upon you in my heart.I looked into your eyes,and thought I saw there truth and innocence as pure and perfect as ever embodied by God in the flesh of woman.Perfect truth is too much to expect,but ordinary truth I WILL HAVE or nothing at all.Just say,then;is the matter you keep back of the gravest importance,or is it not?
I dont understand all your meaning.If I have hidden anything from you,it has been because I loved you so,and I feared--feared--to lose you.
Since you are not given to confidence,I want to ask you some plain questions.Have I your permission?
Yes,she said,and there came over her face a weary resignation.
Say the harshest words you can;I will bear them!
There is a scandal in the air concerning you,Elfride;and I cannot even combat it without knowing definitely what it is.It may not refer to you entirely,or even at all.Knight trifled in the very bitterness of his feeling.In the time of the French Revolution,Pariseau,a ballet-master,was beheaded by mistake for Parisot,a captain of the Kings Guard.I wish there was another "E.Swancourt"in the neighbourhood.Look at this.
He handed her the letter she had written and left on the table at Mrs.Jethways.She looked over it vacantly.
It is not so much as it seems!she pleaded.It seems wickedly deceptive to look at now,but it had a much more natural origin than you think.My sole wish was not to endanger our love.O
Harry!that was all my idea.It was not much harm.
Yes,yes;but independently of the poor miserable creatures remarks,it seems to imply--something wrong.
What remarks?
Those she wrote me--now torn to pieces.Elfride,DID you run away with a man you loved?--that was the damnable statement.Has such an accusation life in it--really,truly,Elfride?
Yes,she whispered.
Knights countenance sank.To be married to him?came huskily from his lips.
Yes.Oh,forgive me!I had never seen you,Harry.
To London?
Yes;but I----
Answer my questions;say nothing else,Elfride Did you ever deliberately try to marry him in secret?
No;not deliberately.
But did you do it?
A feeble red passed over her face.
Yes,she said.
And after that--did you--write to him as your husband;and did he address you as his wife?
Listen,listen!It was----
Do answer me;only answer me!
Then,yes,we did.Her lips shook;but it was with some little dignity that she continued:I would gladly have told you.