Tess's sense of a certain ludicrousness in her errand was now
so strong that, notwithstanding her awe of him, and her general
discomfort at being here, her rosy lips curved towards a smile,
much to the attraction of the swarthy Alexander.
'It is so very foolish,' she stammered; 'I fear can't tell you!'
'Never mind; I like foolish things. Try again, my dear,' said he
kindly.
'Mother asked me to come,' Tess continued; 'and, indeed, I was in the
mind to do so myself likewise. But I did not think it would be like
this. I came, sir, to tell you that we are of the same family as
you.'
'Ho! Poor relations?'
'Yes.'
'Stokes?'
'No; d'Urbervilles.'
'Ay, ay; I mean d'Urbervilles.'
'Our names are worn away to Durbeyfield; but we have several proofs
that we are d'Urbervilles. Antiquarians hold we are,--and--and we
have an old seal, marked with a ramping lion on a shield, and a
castle over him. And we have a very old silver spoon, round in the
bowl like a little ladle, and marked with the same castle. But it
is so worn that mother uses it to stir the pea-soup.'
'A castle argent is certainly my crest,' said he blandly. 'And my
arms a lion rampant.'
'And so mother said we ought to make ourselves beknown to you--as
we've lost our horse by a bad accident, and are the oldest branch o'
the family.'
'Very kind of your mother, I'm sure. And I, for one, don't regret
her step.' Alec looked at Tess as he spoke, in a way that made her
blush a little. 'And so, my pretty girl, you've come on a friendly
visit to us, as relations?'
'I suppose I have,' faltered Tess, looking uncomfortable again.
'Well--there's no harm in it. Where do you live? What are you?'
She gave him brief particulars; and responding to further inquiries
told him that she was intending to go back by the same carrier who
had brought her.
'It is a long while before he returns past Trantridge Cross.
Supposing we walk round the grounds to pass the time, my pretty Coz?'
Tess wished to abridge her visit as much as possible; but the young
man was pressing, and she consented to accompany him. He conducted
her about the lawns, and flower-beds, and conservatories; and thence
to the fruit-garden and greenhouses, where he asked her if she liked
strawberries.
'Yes,' said Tess, 'when they come.'
'They are already here.' D'Urberville began gathering specimens
of the fruit for her, handing them back to her as he stooped; and,
presently, selecting a specially fine product of the 'British Queen'
variety, he stood up and held it by the stem to her mouth.
'No--no!' she said quickly, putting her fingers between his hand and
her lips. 'I would rather take it in my own hand.'
