Jude the Obsure

"I saw Richard amongst the people on the other side."

"Ah--did you!"

"He is evidently come up to Jerusalem to see the festival like the

rest of us: and on that account is probably living not so very far

away. He had the same hankering for the university that you had, in

a milder form. I don't think he saw me, though he must have heard

you speaking to the crowd. But he seemed not to notice."

"Well--suppose he did. Your mind is free from worries about him now,

my Sue?"

"Yes, I suppose so. But I am weak. Although I know it is all right

with our plans, I felt a curious dread of him; an awe, or terror, of

conventions I don't believe in. It comes over me at times like a

sort of creeping paralysis, and makes me so sad!"

"You are getting tired, Sue. Oh--I forgot, darling! Yes, we'll go

on at once."

They started in quest of the lodging, and at last found something

that seemed to promise well, in Mildew Lane--a spot which to Jude was

irresistible--though to Sue it was not so fascinating--a narrow lane

close to the back of a college, but having no communication with

it. The little houses were darkened to gloom by the high collegiate

buildings, within which life was so far removed from that of the

people in the lane as if it had been on opposite sides of the globe;

yet only a thickness of wall divided them. Two or three of the

houses had notices of rooms to let, and the newcomers knocked at the

door of one, which a woman opened.

"Ah--listen!" said Jude suddenly, instead of addressing her.

"What?"

"Why the bells--what church can that be? The tones are familiar."

Another peal of bells had begun to sound out at some distance off.

"I don't know!" said the landlady tartly. "Did you knock to ask

that?"

"No; for lodgings," said Jude, coming to himself.

The householder scrutinized Sue's figure a moment. "We haven't any

to let," said she, shutting the door.

Jude looked discomfited, and the boy distressed. "Now, Jude," said

Sue, "let me try. You don't know the way."

They found a second place hard by; but here the occupier, observing

not only Sue, but the boy and the small children, said civilly, "I am

sorry to say we don't let where there are children"; and also closed

the door.