The Return of the Native

8--Firmness Is Discovered in a Gentle Heart

On that evening the interior of Blooms-End, though cosy and comfortable,had been rather silent. Clym Yeobright was not at home. Since theChristmas party he had gone on a few days' visit to a friend about tenmiles off.

The shadowy form seen by Venn to part from Wildeve in the porch, andquickly withdraw into the house, was Thomasin's. On entering she threwdown a cloak which had been carelessly wrapped round her, and cameforward to the light, where Mrs. Yeobright sat at her work-table,drawn up within the settle, so that part of it projected into thechimney-corner.

”I don't like your going out after dark alone, Tamsin,” said her auntquietly, without looking up from her work.

”I have only been just outside the door.”

”Well?” inquired Mrs. Yeobright, struck by a change in the tone ofThomasin's voice, and observing her. Thomasin's cheek was flushed to apitch far beyond that which it had reached before her troubles, and hereyes glittered.

”It was HE who knocked,” she said.

”I thought as much.”

”He wishes the marriage to be at once.”

”Indeed! What--is he anxious?” Mrs. Yeobright directed a searching lookupon her niece. ”Why did not Mr. Wildeve come in?”

”He did not wish to. You are not friends with him, he says. He wouldlike the wedding to be the day after tomorrow, quite privately; at thechurch of his parish--not at ours.”

”Oh! And what did you say?”

”I agreed to it,” Thomasin answered firmly. ”I am a practical womannow. I don't believe in hearts at all. I would marry him under anycircumstances since--since Clym's letter.”

A letter was lying on Mrs. Yeobright's work-basket, and at Thomasin'swords her aunt reopened it, and silently read for the tenth time thatday:--