"I have told you he is asking me to marry him--to make our natural
marriage a legal one," said Sue, with yet more dignity. "It was
quite by my wish that he didn't the moment I was free."
"Ah, yes--you are a oneyer too, like myself," said Arabella, eyeing
her visitor with humorous criticism. "Bolted from your first, didn't
you, like me?"
"Good morning!--I must go," said Sue hastily.
"And I, too, must up and off!" replied the other, springing out of
bed so suddenly that the soft parts of her person shook. Sue jumped
aside in trepidation. "Lord, I am only a woman--not a six-foot
sojer! ... Just a moment, dear," she continued, putting her hand on
Sue's arm. "I really did want to consult Jude on a little matter of
business, as I told him. I came about that more than anything else.
Would he run up to speak to me at the station as I am going? You
think not. Well, I'll write to him about it. I didn't want to write
it, but never mind--I will."
III
When Sue reached home Jude was awaiting her at the door to take the
initial step towards their marriage. She clasped his arm, and they
went along silently together, as true comrades oft-times do. He saw
that she was preoccupied, and forbore to question her.
"Oh Jude--I've been talking to her," she said at last. "I wish I
hadn't! And yet it is best to be reminded of things."
"I hope she was civil."
"Yes. I--I can't help liking her--just a little bit! She's not
an ungenerous nature; and I am so glad her difficulties have all
suddenly ended." She explained how Arabella had been summoned back,
and would be enabled to retrieve her position. "I was referring
to our old question. What Arabella has been saying to me has made
me feel more than ever how hopelessly vulgar an institution legal
marriage is--a sort of trap to catch a man--I can't bear to think
of it. I wish I hadn't promised to let you put up the banns this
morning!"
"Oh, don't mind me. Any time will do for me. I thought you might
like to get it over quickly, now."
"Indeed, I don't feel any more anxious now than I did before.
Perhaps with any other man I might be a little anxious; but among the
very few virtues possessed by your family and mine, dear, I think I
may set staunchness. So I am not a bit frightened about losing you,
now I really am yours and you really are mine. In fact, I am easier
in my mind than I was, for my conscience is clear about Richard, who
now has a right to his freedom. I felt we were deceiving him
before."