Jude the Obsure

He handed Jude an advertisement list of several pages in booklet

shape, ornamentally margined with a red line, in which were set forth

the various clarets, champagnes, ports, sherries, and other wines

with which he purposed to initiate his new venture. It took Jude

more than by surprise that the man with the soul was thus and thus;

and he felt that he could not open up his confidences.

They talked a little longer, but constrainedly, for when the musician

found that Jude was a poor man his manner changed from what it had

been while Jude's appearance and address deceived him as to his

position and pursuits. Jude stammered out something about his

feelings in wishing to congratulate the author on such an exalted

composition, and took an embarrassed leave.

All the way home by the slow Sunday train, sitting in the fireless

waiting-rooms on this cold spring day, he was depressed enough at

his simplicity in taking such a journey. But no sooner did he reach

his Melchester lodging than he found awaiting him a letter which had

arrived that morning a few minutes after he had left the house. It

was a contrite little note from Sue, in which she said, with sweet

humility, that she felt she had been horrid in telling him he

was not to come to see her, that she despised herself for having

been so conventional; and that he was to be sure to come by the

eleven-forty-five train that very Sunday, and have dinner with them

at half-past one.

Jude almost tore his hair at having missed this letter till it was

too late to act upon its contents; but he had chastened himself

considerably of late, and at last his chimerical expedition

to Kennetbridge really did seem to have been another special

intervention of Providence to keep him away from temptation. But a

growing impatience of faith, which he had noticed in himself more

than once of late, made him pass over in ridicule the idea that God

sent people on fools' errands. He longed to see her; he was angry

at having missed her: and he wrote instantly, telling her what had

happened, and saying he had not enough patience to wait till the

following Sunday, but would come any day in the week that she liked

to name.

Since he wrote a little over-ardently, Sue, as her manner was,

delayed her reply till Thursday before Good Friday, when she said he

might come that afternoon if he wished, this being the earliest day

on which she could welcome him, for she was now assistant-teacher in

her husband's school. Jude therefore got leave from the cathedral

works at the trifling expense of a stoppage of pay, and went.