II. A Lurid Light Breaks in upon a Darkened Understanding

           Clym’sgriefbecamemitigatedbywearingitselfout.Hisstrengthreturned,andamonthafterthevisitofThomasinhemighthavebeenseenwalkingaboutthegarden.Enduranceanddespair,equanimityandgloom,thetintsofhealthandthepallorofdeath,mingledweirdlyinhisface.Hewasnowunnaturallysilentuponallofthepastthatrelatedtohismother;andthoughEustaciaknewthathewasthinkingofitnonetheless,shewasonlytoogladtoescapethetopicevertobringitupanew.Whenhismindhadbeenweakerhishearthadledhimtospeakout;butreasonhavingnowsomewhatrecovereditselfhesankintotaciturnity.

           Oneeveningwhenhewasthusstandinginthegarden,abstractedlyspuddingupaweedwithhisstick,abonyfigureturnedthecornerofthehouseandcameuptohim.

           “Christian,isn’tit?”saidClym.“Iamgladyouhavefoundmeout.IshallsoonwantyoutogotoBlooms-Endandassistmeinputtingthehouseinorder.IsupposeitisalllockedupasIleftit?”

           “Yes,MisterClym.”

           “Haveyoudugupthepotatoesandotherroots?”

           “Yes,withoutadropo’rain,thankGod.ButIwascomingtotell’eeofsomethingelsewhichisquitedifferentfromwhatwehavelatelyhadinthefamily.IamsentbytherichgentlemanattheWoman,thatweusedtocallthelandlord,totell’eethatMrs.Wildeveisdoingwellofagirl,whichwasbornpunctuallyatoneo’clockatnoon,orafewminutesmoreorless;and’tissaidthatexpectingofthisincreaseiswhathavekept’emtheresincetheycameintotheirmoney.”

           “Andsheisgettingonwell,yousay?”

           “Yes,sir.