The Woodlanders

He had not ventured to ask her any particulars; but the position was

pretty clear without them. Though social law had negatived forever

their opening paradise of the previous June, it was not without stoical

pride that he accepted the present trying conjuncture. There was one

man on earth in whom she believed absolutely, and he was that man.

That this crisis could end in nothing but sorrow was a view for a

moment effaced by this triumphant thought of her trust in him; and the

purity of the affection with which he responded to that trust rendered

him more than proof against any frailty that besieged him in relation

to her.

The rain, which had never ceased, now drew his attention by beginning

to drop through the meagre screen that covered him. He rose to attempt

some remedy for this discomfort, but the trembling of his knees and the

throbbing of his pulse told him that in his weakness he was unable to

fence against the storm, and he lay down to bear it as best he might.

He was angry with himself for his feebleness--he who had been so

strong. It was imperative that she should know nothing of his present

state, and to do that she must not see his face by daylight, for its

color would inevitably betray him.

The next morning, accordingly, when it was hardly light, he rose and

dragged his stiff limbs about the precincts, preparing for her

everything she could require for getting breakfast within. On the

bench outside the window-sill he placed water, wood, and other

necessaries, writing with a piece of chalk beside them, "It is best

that I should not see you. Put my breakfast on the bench."

At seven o'clock he tapped at her window, as he had promised,

retreating at once, that she might not catch sight of him. But from

his shelter under the boughs he could see her very well, when, in

response to his signal, she opened the window and the light fell upon

her face. The languid largeness of her eyes showed that her sleep had

been little more than his own, and the pinkness of their lids, that her

waking hours had not been free from tears.

She read the writing, seemed, he thought, disappointed, but took up the

materials he had provided, evidently thinking him some way off. Giles

waited on, assured that a girl who, in spite of her culture, knew what

country life was, would find no difficulty in the simple preparation of

their food.

Within the cot it was all very much as he conjectured, though Grace had

slept much longer than he. After the loneliness of the night, she

would have been glad to see him; but appreciating his feeling when she

read the writing, she made no attempt to recall him. She found

abundance of provisions laid in, his plan being to replenish his

buttery weekly, and this being the day after the victualling van had

called from Sherton. When the meal was ready, she put what he required

outside, as she had done with the supper; and, notwithstanding her

longing to see him, withdrew from the window promptly, and left him to

himself.