Chapter 33

It is as I told you; and I am leaving to-morrow evening. Richard and I thought it could be done with less obtrusiveness after dark. I feel rather frightened, and therefore ask you to be sure you are on the Melchester platform to meet me. I arrive at a little to seven. I know you will, of course, dear Jude; but I feel so timid that I can't help begging you to be punctual. He has been so very kind to me through it all!

Now to our meeting! S.

The up-train by which she was departing stopped by signal only. To Sue it seemed strange that such a powerful organization as a railway train should be brought to a stand-still on purpose for her - a fugitive from her lawful home.

The twenty minutes' journey drew towards its close, and Sue began gathering her things together to alight. At the moment that the train came to a stand-still by the Melchester platform a hand was laid on the door and she beheld Jude. He entered the compartment promptly. He had a black bag in his hand, and was dressed in the dark suit he wore on Sundays and in the evening after work. Altogether he looked a very handsome young fellow, his ardent affection for her burning in his eyes.

`Oh Jude!' She clasped his hand with both hers, and her tense state caused her to simmer over in a little succession of dry sobs. `I - I am so glad! I get out here?'

`No. I get in, dear one! I've packed. Besides this bag I've only a big box which is labelled.'

`But don't I get out? Aren't we going to stay here?'

`We couldn't possibly, don't you see. We are known here - I, at any rate, am well known. I've booked for Aldbrickham; and here's your ticket for the same place, as you have only one to here.'

`I thought we should have stayed here,' she repeated.

`It wouldn't have done at all.'

`Ah! Perhaps not.'

`There wasn't time for me to write and say the place I had decided on. Aldbrickham is a much bigger town - sixty or seventy thousand inhabitants - and nobody knows anything about us there.'

`And you have given up your cathedral work here?'

`Yes. It was rather sudden - your message coming unexpectedly. Strictly, I might have been made to finish out the week. But I pleaded urgency and I was let off. I would have deserted any day at your command, dear Sue. I have deserted more than that for you!'

`I fear I am doing you a lot of harm. Ruining your prospects of the Church; ruining your progress in your trade; everything!'

`The Church is no more to me. Let it lie! I am not to be one of

The soldier-saints who, row on row,
Burn upward each to his point of bliss,

`Oh I seem so bad - upsetting men's courses like this!' said she, taking up in her voice the emotion that had begun in his. But she recovered her equanimity by the time they had travelled a dozen miles.