Chapter 6

           Ittookofcoursemorethanthatparticularpassagetoplaceustogetherinpresenceofwhatwehadnowtolivewithaswecould—mydreadfulliabilitytoimpressionsoftheordersovividlyexemplified,andmycompanion’sknowledge,henceforth—aknowledgehalfconsternationandhalfcompassion—ofthatliability.Therehadbeen,thisevening,aftertherevelationleftme,foranhour,soprostrate—therehadbeen,foreitherofus,noattendanceonanyservicebutalittleserviceoftearsandvows,ofprayersandpromises,aclimaxtotheseriesofmutualchallengesandpledgesthathadstraightwayensuedonourretreatingtogethertotheschoolroomandshuttingourselvesuptheretohaveeverythingout.Theresultofourhavingeverythingoutwassimplytoreduceoursituationtothelastrigorofitselements.Sheherselfhadseennothing,nottheshadowofashadow,andnobodyinthehousebutthegovernesswasinthegoverness’splight;yetsheacceptedwithoutdirectlyimpugningmysanitythetruthasIgaveittoher,andendedbyshowingme,onthisground,anawestrickentenderness,anexpressionofthesenseofmymorethanquestionableprivilege,ofwhichtheverybreathhasremainedwithmeasthatofthesweetestofhumancharities.

           Whatwassettledbetweenus,accordingly,thatnight,wasthatwethoughtwemightbearthingstogether;andIwasnotevensurethat,inspiteofherexemption,itwasshewhohadthebestoftheburden.