Page:Hardy - Jude the Obscure, 1896.djvu/510

 "Now I supplicate you, Richard, to whom I belong, and whom I wish to honor and obey, as I vowed, to let me in."

"Think it over well. You know what it means. Having you back was one thing—this another. So think again."

"I have thought—I wish this!"

"That's a complaisant spirit—and perhaps you are right. With a lover hanging about, a half-marriage should be completed. But I repeat my reminder this third and last time."

"It is my wish!... O God!"

"What did you say O God for?"

"I didn't know!"

"Yes, you do! But—" He gloomily considered her thin and fragile form a moment longer as she crouched before him in her night-clothes. "Well, I thought it might end like this," he said, presently. "I owe you nothing, after these signs; but I'll take you in at your word, and forgive you."

He put his arm round her to lift her up. Sue started back.

"What's the matter?" he asked, speaking, for the first time, sternly. You shrink from me again?—just as formerly!"

"No, Richard—I—I—was not thinking—"

"You wish to come in here?"

"Yes."

"You still bear in mind what it means?"

"Yes. It is my duty!"

Placing the candlestick on the chest of drawers, he led her through the doorway, and, lifting her bodily, kissed her. A wild look of aversion passed over her face, but, clinching her teeth, she uttered no cry.

Mrs. Edlin had by this time undressed, and was about to get into bed, when she said to herself: "Ah—perhaps I'd better go and see if the little thing is all right. How it do blow and rain!"