Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/194

 ‘Whose portraits are those?’ asked Clare of the charwoman.

‘I’ve been told by old folk that they were ladies of the D’Urberville family, the ancient lords of this manor,’ she said. ‘Owing to their being builded into the wall they can’t be removed.’

The unpleasantness of the matter was that, in addition to their effect upon Tess, her fine features were unquestionably traceable in these exaggerated forms. He said nothing of this, however, and, regretting that he had gone out of his way to choose the house for their bridal time, went on into the adjoining room. The place having been rather hastily prepared for them they washed their hands in one basin. Clare touched hers under the water.

‘Which are my fingers and which are yours?’ he said, looking up. ‘They are very much mixed.’

‘They are all yours,’ said she, very prettily, and endeavoured to be gayer than she was. He had not been displeased with her thoughtfulness on such an occasion; it was what every sensible woman would show; but Tess knew that she had been thoughtful to excess, and struggled against it.