第102章

I dont care if you do say satire and judge me cruelly.I know my hair is beautiful;everybody says so.

Why,my dear Miss Swancourt,he tenderly replied,I have not said anything against it.But you know what is said about handsome being and handsome doing.

Poor Miss Handsome-does cuts but a sorry figure beside Miss Handsome-is in every mans eyes,your own not excepted,Mr.

Knight,though it pleases you to throw off so,said Elfride saucily.And lowering her voice:You ought not to have taken so much trouble to save me from falling over the cliff,for you dont think mine a life worth much trouble evidently.

Perhaps you think mine was not worth yours.

It was worth anybodys!

Her hand was plashing in the little waterfall,and her eyes were bent the same way.

You talk about my severity with you,Elfride.You are unkind to me,you know.

How?she asked,looking up from her idle occupation.

After my taking trouble to get jewellery to please you,you wouldnt accept it.

Perhaps I would now;perhaps I want to.

Do!said Knight.

And the packet was withdrawn from his pocket and presented the third time.Elfride took it with delight.The obstacle was rent in twain,and the significant gift was hers.

Ill take out these ugly ones at once,she exclaimed,and Ill wear yours--shall I?

I should be gratified.

Now,though it may seem unlikely,considering how far the two had gone in converse,Knight had never yet ventured to kiss Elfride.

Far slower was he than Stephen Smith in matters like that.The utmost advance he had made in such demonstrations had been to the degree witnessed by Stephen in the summer-house.So Elfrides cheek being still forbidden fruit to him,he said impulsively.

Elfie,I should like to touch that seductive ear of yours.Those are my gifts;so let me dress you in them.

She hesitated with a stimulating hesitation.

Let me put just one in its place,then?

Her face grew much warmer.

I dont think it would be quite the usual or proper course,she said,suddenly turning and resuming her operation of plashing in the miniature cataract.

The stillness of things was disturbed by a bird coming to the streamlet to drink.After watching him dip his bill,sprinkle himself,and fly into a tree,Knight replied,with the courteous brusqueness she so much liked to hear--

Elfride,now you may as well be fair.You would mind my doing it but little,I think;so give me leave,do.

I will be fair,then,she said confidingly,and looking him full in the face.It was a particular pleasure to her to be able to do a little honesty without fear.I should not mind your doing so--

I should like such an attention.My thought was,would it be right to let you?

Then I will!he rejoined,with that singular earnestness about a small matter--in the eyes of a ladiesman but a momentary peg for flirtation or jest--which is only found in deep natures who have been wholly unused to toying with womankind,and which,from its unwontedness,is in itself a tribute the most precious that can be rendered,and homage the most exquisite to be received.

And you shall,she whispered,without reserve,and no longer mistress of the ceremonies.And then Elfride inclined herself towards him,thrust back her hair,and poised her head sideways.

In doing this her arm and shoulder necessarily rested against his breast.

At the touch,the sensation of both seemed to be concentrated at the point of contact.All the time he was performing the delicate manoeuvre Knight trembled like a young surgeon in his first operation.

Now the other,said Knight in a whisper.

No,no.

Why not?

I dont know exactly.

You must know.

Your touch agitates me so.Let us go home.

Dont say that,Elfride.What is it,after all?A mere nothing.

Now turn round,dearest.

She was powerless to disobey,and turned forthwith;and then,without any defined intention in eithers mind,his face and hers drew closer together;and he supported her there,and kissed her.