Jude the Obsure

He determined to play the Spartan; to make the best of it, and

support her; but he could not write the requested good wishes for a

day or two. Meanwhile there came another note from his impatient

little dear:

Jude, will you give me away? I have nobody else who could

do it so conveniently as you, being the only married relation

I have here on the spot, even if my father were friendly

enough to be willing, which he isn't. I hope you won't think

it a trouble? I have been looking at the marriage service in

the prayer-book, and it seems to me very humiliating that a

giver-away should be required at all. According to the

ceremony as there printed, my bridegroom chooses me of his

own will and pleasure; but I don't choose him. Somebody

GIVES me to him, like a she-ass or she-goat, or any other

domestic animal. Bless your exalted views of woman, O

churchman! But I forget: I am no longer privileged to tease

you.--Ever, SUSANNA FLORENCE MARY BRIDEHEAD.

Jude screwed himself up to heroic key; and replied:

MY DEAR SUE,--Of course I wish you joy! And also of course

I will give you away. What I suggest is that, as you have

no house of your own, you do not marry from your school

friend's, but from mine. It would be more proper, I think,

since I am, as you say, the person nearest related to you in

this part of the world.

I don't see why you sign your letter in such a new and

terribly formal way? Surely you care a bit about me

still!--Ever your affectionate, JUDE.

What had jarred on him even more than the signature was a little

sting he had been silent on--the phrase "married relation"--What an

idiot it made him seem as her lover! If Sue had written that in

satire, he could hardly forgive her; if in suffering--ah, that was

another thing!

His offer of his lodging must have commended itself to Phillotson

at any rate, for the schoolmaster sent him a line of warm thanks,

accepting the convenience. Sue also thanked him. Jude immediately

moved into more commodious quarters, as much to escape the espionage

of the suspicious landlady who had been one cause of Sue's unpleasant

experience as for the sake of room.

Then Sue wrote to tell him the day fixed for the wedding; and Jude

decided, after inquiry, that she should come into residence on the

following Saturday, which would allow of a ten days' stay in the city

prior to the ceremony, sufficiently representing a nominal residence

of fifteen.