Jude the Obsure

"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."