xt
morning, as he had purposed, and ask for an engagement with her, a
possibility impending all the while that Elfride herself would not be
on his side. Only one course recommended itself as wise. To wait and see
what the days would bring forth; to go and execute his commissions in
Birmingham; then to return, learn if anything had happened, and try what
a meeting might do; perhaps her surprise at his backwardness would bring
her forward to show latent warmth as decidedly as in old times.

This act of patience was in keeping only with the nature of a man
precisely of Stephen's constitution. Nine men out of ten would perhaps
have rushed off, got into her presence, by fair means or foul, and
provoked a catastrophe of some sort. Possibly for the better, probably
for the worse.

He started for Birmingham the next morning. A day's delay would have
made no difference; but he could not rest until he had begun and ended
the programme proposed to himself. Bodily activity will sometimes take
the sting out of anxiety as completely as assurance itself.

Chapter XXV

'Mine own familiar friend.'

During these days of absence Stephen lived under alternate conditions.
Whenever his emotions were active, he was in agony. Whenever he was not
in agony, the business in hand had driven out of his mind by sheer force
all deep reflection on the subject of Elfride and love.

By the time he took his return journey at the week's end, Stephen had
very nearly worked himself up to an intention to call and see her face
to face. On this occasion also he adopted his favourite route--by the
little summer steamer from Bristol to Castle Boterel; the time saved
by speed on the railway being wasted at junctions, and in following a
devious course.

It was a bright silent evening at the beginning of September when Smith
again set foot in the little town. He felt inclined to linger awhile
upon the quay before ascending the hills, having formed a romantic
intention to go home by way of her house, yet not wishing to wander in
its neighbourhood till the evening shades should sufficiently screen him
from observation.

And thus waiting for night's nearer approach, he watched the placid
scene, over which the pale luminosity of the west cast a sorrowful
monochrome, that became slowly embrowned by the dusk. A star appeared,
and another, and another. They sparkled amid the yards and rigging
of the two coal brigs lying alangside, as if they had bee