required him. What a humiliating
victory! He loved her best, she thought; and yet--dared she to murmur
such treacherous criticism ever so softly?--what was the man worth
whom a woman inferior to herself did not value? The sentiment which
lurks more or less in all animate nature--that of not desiring the
undesired of others--was lively as a passion in the super-subtle,
epicurean heart of Eustacia. Her social superiority over him, which
hitherto had scarcely ever impressed her, became unpleasantly
insistent, and for the first time she felt that she had stooped in
loving him.

"Well, darling, you agree?" said Wildeve.

"If it could be London, or even Budmouth, instead of America," she
murmured languidly. "Well, I will think. It is too great a thing for
me to decide offhand. I wish I hated the heath less--or loved you
more."

"You can be painfully frank. You loved me a month ago warmly enough
to go anywhere with me."

"And you loved Thomasin."

"Yes, perhaps that was where the reason lay," he returned, with almost
a sneer. "I don't hate her now."

"Exactly. The only thing is that you can no longer get her."

"Come--no taunts, Eustacia, or we shall quarrel. If you don't agree
to go with me, and agree shortly, I shall go by myself."

"Or try Thomasin again. Damon, how strange it seems that you could
have married her or me indifferently, and only have come to me because
I am--cheapest! Yes, yes--it is true. There was a time when I should
have exclaimed against a man of that sort, and been quite wild; but it
is all past now."

"Will you go, dearest? Come secretly with me to Bristol, marry me,
and turn our backs upon this dog-hole of England for ever? Say Yes."

"I want to get away from here at almost any cost," she said with
weariness, "but I don't like to go with you. Give me more time to
decide."

"I have already," said Wildeve. "Well, I give you one more week."

"A little longer, so that I may tell you decisively. I have to
consider so many things. Fancy Thomasin being anxious to get rid of
you! I cannot forget it."

"Never mind that. Say Monday week. I will be here precisely at this
time."

"Let it be at Rainbarrow," said she. "This is too near home; my
grandfather may be walking out."

"Thank you, dear. On Monday week at this time I will be at the
Barrow. Till then good-bye."

"Good-bye. No, no, you must not touch me now. Shaking hands is enough
till I have made up my mind."

Eustacia watched his s