and gig, Izz jumped up beside him.
'I am going to leave England, Izz,' he said, as they drove on.
'Going to Brazil.'
'And do Mrs Clare like the notion of such a journey?' she asked.
'She is not going at present--say for a year or so. I am going out
to reconnoitre--to see what life there is like.'
They sped along eastward for some considerable distance, Izz making
no observation.
'How are the others?' he inquired. 'How is Retty?'
'She was in a sort of nervous state when I zid her last; and so thin
and hollow-cheeked that 'a do seem in a decline. Nobody will ever
fall in love wi' her any more,' said Izz absently.
'And Marian?'
Izz lowered her voice.
'Marian drinks.'
'Indeed!'
'Yes. The dairyman has got rid of her.'
'And you!'
'I don't drink, and I bain't in a decline. But--I am no great things
at singing afore breakfast now!'
'How is that? Do you remember how neatly you used to turn ''Twas
down in Cupid's Gardens' and 'The Tailor's Breeches' at morning
milking?'
'Ah, yes! When you first came, sir, that was. Not when you had been
there a bit.'
'Why was that falling-off?'
Her black eyes flashed up to his face for one moment by way of
answer.
'Izz!--how weak of you--for such as I!' he said, and fell into
reverie. 'Then--suppose I had asked YOU to marry me?'
'If you had I should have said 'Yes', and you would have married a
woman who loved 'ee!'
'Really!'
'Down to the ground!' she whispered vehemently. 'O my God! did you
never guess it till now!'
By-and-by they reached a branch road to a village.
'I must get down. I live out there,' said Izz abruptly, never having
spoken since her avowal.
Clare slowed the horse. He was incensed against his fate, bitterly
disposed towards social ordinances; for they had cooped him up in a
corner, out of which there was no legitimate pathway. Why not be
revenged on society by shaping his future domesticities loosely,
instead of kissing the pedagogic rod of convention in this ensnaring
manner?
'I am going to Brazil alone, Izz,' said he. 'I have separated from
my wife for personal, not voyaging, reasons. I may never live with
her again. I may not be able to love you; but--will you go with me
instead of her?'
'You truly wish me to go?'
