Jude the Obsure - Page 292/318

"This--is th' Martyrs'--burning-place," he stammered as they

dragged across a broad street. "I remember--in old Fuller's _Holy

State_--and I am reminded of it--by our passing by here--old Fuller

in his _Holy State_ says, that at the burning of Ridley, Doctor

Smith--preached sermon, and took as his text _'Though I give my body

to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.'_--Often

think of it as I pass here. Ridley was a--"

"Yes. Exactly. Very thoughtful of you, deary, even though it hasn't

much to do with our present business."

"Why, yes it has! I'm giving my body to be burned! But--ah you

don't understand!--it wants Sue to understand such things! And I

was her seducer--poor little girl! And she's gone--and I don't care

about myself! Do what you like with me! ... And yet she did it for

conscience' sake, poor little Sue!"

"Hang her!--I mean, I think she was right," hiccuped Arabella. "I've

my feelings too, like her; and I feel I belong to you in Heaven's

eye, and to nobody else, till death us do part! It is--hic--never

too late--hic to mend!"

They had reached her father's house, and she softly unfastened the

door, groping about for a light within.

The circumstances were not altogether unlike those of their entry

into the cottage at Cresscombe, such a long time before. Nor were

perhaps Arabella's motives. But Jude did not think of that, though

she did.

"I can't find the matches, dear," she said when she had fastened up

the door. "But never mind--this way. As quiet as you can, please."

"It is as dark as pitch," said Jude.

"Give me your hand, and I'll lead you. That's it. Just sit down

here, and I'll pull off your boots. I don't want to wake him."

"Who?"

"Father. He'd make a row, perhaps."

She pulled off his boots. "Now," she whispered, "take hold of

me--never mind your weight. Now--first stair, second stair--"

"But--are we out in our old house by Marygreen?" asked the stupefied

Jude. "I haven't been inside it for years till now! Hey? And where

are my books? That's what I want to know?"

"We are at my house, dear, where there's nobody to spy out how ill

you are. Now--third stair, fourth stair--that's it. Now we shall

get on."

VII

Arabella was preparing breakfast in the downstairs back room of this

small, recently hired tenement of her father's. She put her head

into the little pork-shop in front, and told Mr. Donn it was ready.

Donn, endeavouring to look like a master pork-butcher, in a greasy

blue blouse, and with a strap round his waist from which a steel

dangled, came in promptly.