`I don't mind that; no woman do when it comes to agony-point, and there's no other way!'

`Then don't get down, but sit where you are.'

He drove past the cross-roads, one mile, two miles, without showing any signs of affection.

`You love me very, very much, Izz?' he suddenly asked.

`I do - I have said I do! I loved you all the time we was at the dairy together!'

`More than Tess?'

She shook her head.

`No,' she murmured, `not more than she.'

`How's that?'

`Because nobody could love 'ee more than Tess did!... . She would have laid down her life for 'ee. I could do no more.'

Like the prophet on the top of Poor Izz Huett would fain have spoken perversely at such a moment, but the fascination exercised over her rougher nature by Tess's character compelled her to grace.

Clare was silent; his heart had risen at these straightforward words from such an unexpected unimpeachable quarter. In his throat was something as if a sob had solidified there. His ears repeated, `She would have laid down her life for 'ee. I could do no more!'

`Forget our idle talk, Izz,' he said, turning the horse's head suddenly. `I don't know what I've been saying! I will now drive you back to where your lane branches off.'

`So much for honesty towards 'ee! O - how can I bear it - how can I - how can I!'

Izz Huett burst into wild tears, and beat her forehead as she saw what she had done.

`Do you regret that poor little act of justice to an absent one? O, Izz, don't spoil it by regret!'

She stilled herself by degrees.

`Very well, sir. Perhaps I didn't know what I was saying, either, wh - when I agreed to go! I wish - what cannot be!'

`Because I have a loving wife already.'

`Yes, yes! You have.'

They reached the corner of the lane which they had passed half an hour earlier, and she hopped down.

`Izz - please, please forget my momentary levity!' he cried. `It was so ill-considered, so ill-advised!'

`Forget it? Never, never! O, it was no levity to me!'

He felt how richly he deserved the reproach that the wounded cry conveyed, and, in a sorrow that was inexpressible, leapt down and took her hand.

`Well, but, Izz, we'll part friends, anyhow? You don't know what I've had to bear!'