The lock was out of order, but a piece of

furniture had been moved forward on the inside, which prevented her

opening the door more than an inch or two. A stream of morning light

through the shutter-chink fell upon the faces of the pair, wrapped in

profound slumber, Tess's lips being parted like a half-opened flower

near his cheek. The caretaker was so struck with their innocent

appearance, and with the elegance of Tess's gown hanging across a

chair, her silk stockings beside it, the pretty parasol, and the

other habits in which she had arrived because she had none else, that

her first indignation at the effrontery of tramps and vagabonds gave

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way to a momentary sentimentality over this genteel elopement, as it

seemed. She closed the door, and withdrew as softly as she had come,

to go and consult with her neighbours on the odd discovery.

Not more than a minute had elapsed after her withdrawal when Tess

woke, and then Clare. Both had a sense that something had disturbed

them, though they could not say what; and the uneasy feeling which

it engendered grew stronger. As soon as he was dressed he narrowly

scanned the lawn through the two or three inches of shutter-chink.

"I think we will leave at once," said he. "It is a fine day. And I

cannot help fancying somebody is about the house. At any rate, the

woman will be sure to come to-day."

She passively assented, and putting the room in order, they took up

the few articles that belonged to them, and departed noiselessly.

When they had got into the Forest she turned to take a last look at

the house. "Ah, happy house--goodbye!" she said. "My life can only be a

question of a few weeks. Why should we not have stayed there?"

"Don't say it, Tess! We shall soon get out of this district

altogether. We'll continue our course as we've begun it, and keep

straight north. Nobody will think of looking for us there. We shall

be looked for at the Wessex ports if we are sought at all. When we

are in the north we will get to a port and away."

Having thus persuaded her, the plan was pursued, and they kept a

bee-line northward. Their long repose at the manor-house lent them

walking power now; and towards mid-day they found that they were

approaching the steepled city of Melchester, which lay directly in

their way. He decided to rest her in a clump of trees during the

afternoon, and push onward under cover of darkness. At dusk Clare

purchased food as usual, and their night march began, the boundary

between Upper and Mid-Wessex being crossed about eight o'clock.




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