intended, make for the first station beyond the town, but plunged
still farther under the firs, which here abounded for miles. Each
clasping the other round the waist they promenaded over the dry bed
of fir-needles, thrown into a vague intoxicating atmosphere at the
consciousness of being together at last, with no living soul between
them; ignoring that there was a corpse. Thus they proceeded for
several miles till Tess, arousing herself, looked about her, and
said, timidly--
'Are we going anywhere in particular?'
'I don't know, dearest. Why?'
'I don't know.'
'Well, we might walk a few miles further, and when it is evening find
lodgings somewhere or other--in a lonely cottage, perhaps. Can you
walk well, Tessy?'
'O yes! I could walk for ever and ever with your arm round me!'
Upon the whole it seemed a good thing to do. Thereupon they
quickened their pace, avoiding high roads, and following obscure
paths tending more or less northward. But there was an unpractical
vagueness in their movements throughout the day; neither one of them
seemed to consider any question of effectual escape, disguise, or
long concealment. Their every idea was temporary and unforefending,
like the plans of two children.
At mid-day they drew near to a roadside inn, and Tess would have
entered it with him to get something to eat, but he persuaded
her to remain among the trees and bushes of this half-woodland,
half-moorland part of the country till he should come back. Her
clothes were of recent fashion; even the ivory-handled parasol that
she carried was of a shape unknown in the retired spot to which they
had now wandered; and the cut of such articles would have attracted
attention in the settle of a tavern. He soon returned, with food
enough for half-a-dozen people and two bottles of wine--enough to
last them for a day or more, should any emergency arise.
They sat down upon some dead boughs and shared their meal. Between
one and two o'clock they packed up the remainder and went on again.
'I feel strong enough to walk any distance,' said she.
'I think we may as well steer in a general way towards the interior
of the country, where we can hide for a time, and are less likely to
be looked for than anywhere near the coast,' Clare remarked. 'Later
on, when they have forgotten us, we can make for some port.'
She made no reply to this beyond that of grasping him more tightly,
and straight inland they went. Though the season was an English May,
the weather was serenely bright, and during the afternoon it was
quite warm. Through the latter miles of their walk their footpath
had taken them into the depths of the New Forest, and towards
evening, turning the corner of a lane, they perceived behind a brook
and bridge a large board on which was painted in white letters, 'This
desirable Mansion to be Let Furnished'; particulars following, with
directions to apply to some London agents. Passing through the gate
they could see the house, an old brick building of regular design and
large accommodation.
