Page:Hardy - Jude the Obscure, 1896.djvu/454

 "Good-night," he said, and turned to go.

"Oh, but you shall kiss me!" said she, starting up. "I can't—bear—"

He clasped her, and kissed her weeping face as he had scarcely ever done before, and they remained in silence till she said, "Good-bye, good-bye!" And then gently pressing him away she got free, trying to mitigate the sadness by saying: "We'll be dear friends just the same, Jude, won't we? And we'll see each other sometimes—yes! and forget all this, and try to be as we were long ago?"

Jude did not permit himself to speak, but turned and descended the stairs.