Page:Hardy - Jude the Obscure, 1896.djvu/215

 the suspicion which led to her rustication is an absolutely baseless one?"

"It is," said Jude, solemnly. Absolutely. So help me God!"

The school-master rose. Each of the twain felt that the interview could not comfortably merge in a friendly discussion of their recent experiences after the manner of friends; and when Jude had taken him round, and shown him some features of the renovation which the old Cathedral was undergoing, Phillotson bade the young man good-day and went away.

This visit took place about eleven o'clock in the morning; but no Sue appeared. When Jude went to his dinner at one he saw his beloved ahead of him in the street leading up from the North Gate, walking as if in no way looking for him. Speedily overtaking her, he remarked that he had asked her to come to him at the Cathedral, and she had promised.

"I have been to get my things from the College," she said—an observation which he was expected to take as an answer, though it was not one. Finding her to be in this evasive mood, he felt inclined to give her the information so long withheld.

"You have not seen Mr. Phillotson to-day?" he ventured to inquire.

"I have not. But I am not going to be cross-examined about him; and if you ask anything more I won't answer!"

"It is very odd that—" He stopped, regarding her.

"What?"

"That you are never so nice in your real presence as you are in your letters!"

"Does it really seem so to you?" said she, smiling with quick curiosity. "Well, that's strange; but I feel just the same about you, Jude. When you are gone away I seem such a cold-hearted—"

As she knew his sentiment towards her Jude saw that