`Why, of course I will. What - isn't he coming to fetch you - to marry you from here? He won't condescend to do that?'

`No - I won't let him. I go to him voluntarily, just as I went away from him. We are to be married at his little church at Marygreen.'

She was so sadly sweet in what he called her wrong-headedness that Jude could not help being moved to tears more than once for pity of her. `I never knew such a woman for doing impulsive penances, as you, Sue! No sooner does one expect you to go straight on, as the one rational proceeding, than you double round the corner!'

`Ah, well; let that go! ... Jude, I must say good-bye! But I wanted you to go to the cemetery with me. Let our farewell be there - beside the graves of those who died to bring home to me the error of my views.'

They turned in the direction of the place, and the gate was opened to them on application. Sue had been there often, and she knew the way to the spot in the dark. They reached it, and stood still.

`It is here - I should like to part,' said she.

`So be it!'

`Don't think me hard because I have acted on conviction. Your generous devotion to me is unparalleled, Jude! Your worldly failure, if you have failed, is to your credit rather than to your blame. Remember that the best and greatest among mankind are those who do themselves no worldly good. Every successful man is more or less a selfish man. The devoted fail.... `Charity seeketh not her own.''

`In that chapter we are at one, ever beloved darling, and on it we'll part friends. Its verses will stand fast when all the rest that you call religion has passed away!'

`Well - don't discuss it. Good-bye, Jude; my fellow-sinner, and kindest friend!'

`Good-bye, my mistaken wife. Good-bye!'