in apparent density
The flame dwindled down, died away, and all was wrapped in a darkness to which the gloom before the illumination bore no comparison in apparent density. Stephen, shattered in spirit and sick to his heart’s centre, turned away. In turning, he saw a shadowy outline behind the summer-house on the other side. His eyes grew accustomed to the darkness. Was the form a human form, or was it an opaque bush of juniper?
The lovers arose, brushed against the laurestines, and pursued their way to the house. The indistinct figure had moved, and now passed across Smith’s front. So completely enveloped was the person, that it was impossible to discern him or her any more than as a shape. The shape glided noiselessly on.
Stephen stepped forward, fearing any mischief was intended to the other two. ‘Who are you?’ he said.
‘Never mind who I am,’ answered a weak whisper from the enveloping folds. ‘WHAT I am, may she be! Perhaps I knew well–ah, so well!– a youth whose place you took, as he there now takes yours. Will you let her break your heart, and bring you to an untimely grave, as she did the one before you?’
‘You are Mrs. Jethway, I think. What do you do here? And why do you talk so wildly?’
‘Because my heart is desolate, and nobody cares about it. May hers be so that brought trouble upon me!’
‘Silence!’ said Stephen, staunch to Elfride in spite of himself ‘She would harm nobody wilfully, never would she! How do you come here?’
‘I saw the two coming up the path, and wanted to learn if she were not one of them. Can I help disliking her if I think of the past? Can I help watching her if I remember my boy? Can I help ill- wishing her if I well-wish him?’
The bowed form went on, passed through the wicket, and was enveloped by the shadows of the field.
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