Prev | Current Page 543 | Next

Hardy, Thomas, 1840-1928

"The Woodlanders"


When a few words had been spoken, she said, archly, "I have
nothing to do. Perhaps you are deeply engaged?"
"I? Not a bit. My business now at the best of times is small, I
am sorry to say."
"Well, then, I am going into the Abbey. Come along with me."
The proposition had suggested itself as a quick escape from
publicity, for many eyes were regarding her. She had hoped that
sufficient time had elapsed for the extinction of curiosity; but
it was quite otherwise. The people looked at her with tender
interest as the deserted girl-wife--without obtrusiveness, and
without vulgarity; but she was ill prepared for scrutiny in any
shape.
They walked about the Abbey aisles, and presently sat down. Not a
soul was in the building save themselves. She regarded a stained
window, with her head sideways, and tentatively asked him if he
remembered the last time they were in that town alone.
He remembered it perfectly, and remarked, "You were a proud miss
then, and as dainty as you were high.


Pages:
531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553 554 555