#i suddenly thought of tess of the d'urbervilles

[betweenthetimeandsound]

""Angel"", he calls me Does he know that I'm falling? From a precipice that I tripped off long ago?" -- the fruits, Paris Paloma

I drink sweet wine from your hands, grown out of grapes from a secret garden, one not guarded by gods, but overgrowing like dandelions in a derelict desert. You rock me in your arms as I close my eyes, letting my soul leave on a trip while I relish in gentle touches, which leave nail marks and plum-like sploches across my skin.

You stroke my temple, your thumb tangled in my hair. You mastered tenderness in a way an angel would not know, for their golden eyes can pierce arteries and snap bones like olive branches. You lick your lips, marveling at how mine glow like poisoned apples, oozing like a ripe pomegranate after a crisp autumn.

Like a vampire, you find you way into my blood. Like a wild deer, I leap and retreat from the distant clearing,

finding an escape route through my own hind legs, hoping the end of the world isn't too far away.

What will happen if you find your way between my legs? Will you find a garden of ravishing, scarlet treats, or will you only be left in burning tears, lamenting in your naivete?

Candied sweetness is the currency needed to attract wayward travelers; eyes of a sparkling sea, hair drifting like a cloud. A wavering silence which lets the sparrows sing their own symphonies, or a possible requiem, for what has been conceived under a winding spire.

"Three Leahs for one Rachel"-- but I'm myself, in a willow's trunk. I never saw myself dying for someone else's birth; I knew it when a rock hovered over my face, and an offering was made for all lovers. Years will pass, but I still remember that bergamot kiss--acidic and bitter, lingering in my mouth as I take others in, where not even vinegar and salt can heal. --Elda Mengisto

[sunset-wishes-upon-hill]

Pandora chapter 1 (Re-write)

A/N: As I have said earlier, there will be a bit of plot change and some scenes will be erased. I will be replacing the chapters online tomorrow or so.

Pandora (Not yet replaced with re-written chapters): FF l Wattpad l Quotev

Volterra, Italy.

Population: 11,042.

She always wanted to take some break off school and travel but it wasn't after her rather dramatic break-up with Mark that set her off to the right rail. She couldn't bear to be in Forks – the gloomy, unfamiliar town. She wanted something different for once or she would've gone crazy.

Jessica didn't know what made her choose this beautiful town out of all places she could have chosen; she'd been dreaming about being in Paris, wondering around with all the latest fashions and enjoying the bright night view– not here. Maybe it was because Italy was similar to Paris: both are known as 'City of Love' and both were beautiful in their own ways too.

Now, she was enjoying the quiet night sky as the stars above her head had come out to play and twinkle like small diamonds studded in the dark blanket. Ever since she was young, she found night to be quite calming, beautiful – not scary or fearful like many other children seemed to believe; she wasn't afraid of the dark because she knew there was nothing in the dark that could harm her.

Jessica closed her eyes in bliss as the calm wind blew through her hair; unlike Forks the night was so peaceful. Quiet. Something that was rare in Forks and other places she visited. The beautiful town held that comfortable country side atmosphere unlike the noisy Forks bustling with lousy teenagers wasting themselves away with alcohol and drugs. Not that she had the right to say anything about their chosen lifestyle.

The whole town was asleep, apart from darkly lit street lights, only silent seemed to inhibit here. So silent that she could hear rustling of trees from the outer walls of the town faintly in her ears.

There was a slightly rustling from her left side she normally wouldn't be able hear if it wasn't for the silence. Jessica slowly turned her head, while she wasn't those reckless types and had good survival skills to know a girl shouldn't be sitting on a fountain at this kind of time alone and open, she couldn't say no to this tranquil experience.

She was sure there was someone there hidden in the darkness and the figure stepped into the silvery moon light. From the tall, lean yet lithe stature, she knew it was a male. He wore all black and hood over his face; too dark to make out any certain looks.

For a moment, her and his eyes seemed to meet before he sharply cut and headed toward the tall, clock tower. Good, as long as he kept his distance she wouldn't have to try her feeble kung-fu version from the movie, 'Rush Hour'.

He glanced over his shoulder, as if checking if whether she was giving more interest and attention than normal. Satisfied she shrugged off and went back to watching the evening sky, he opened the doors before stepping inside and closing it behind him.

The next day, she started off her morning with touring around the beautiful town. Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) was the first place she stepped in, admiring the beautiful religious paintings left behind as legacy by famous painters that graced through our history.

The gallery was spacious, huge and maze-like that she could only explore less than half of the whole collections of arts within the time she gave herself. The brief disappointment vanished when Jessica found a family café 'L'Incontro' that was designed in a way that gave off homely atmosphere giving the ease Jessica sought ever since she came here.

She brought one of articulately made pastry and cappuccino printed with heart shape made from milk drops, almost too hesitant to drink such art form. Jessica of course snapped the picture and uploaded on her Instagram for her friends to see and instantly her phone lighted with notifications.

Jessica was greeted by the owner of the place who also acted as manager/employee, Leo – a middle aged man who is married and had a daughter of her age who often helped out his place. Jessica soon found herself laughing at the man's jokes, he was almost like her father – obviously loves his family very much, humorous, very protective of their only daughter and loved to humiliate their daughter very openly.

She soon said goodbye, finishing her meal but with a promise she'll come back to have their famous home-made Spaghetti Bolognese.

Soon enough, Jessica found herself at a strange place when she wondered out the town's wall. Maybe she was being too adventurous on her first day. Now she didn't know how to get out the lovely garden of sorts she found by accident. She doubts the long-time inhabitants even knew this place; she was completely lost.

But those worrying thoughts were repressed as Jessica began to take in the surroundings. It was tranquil and isolated; a perfect place. A haven away from the world.

She took a seat on Gothic designed metal bench, opened her bag and took out her novel she needed to read: 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' a rather depressing book she heard, not to mention she saw the drama too. Let's say, she prefered happy endings.

Jessica was too engrossed to notice the time flowing as sun start to set, there were groups of murmurs heading toward her directions but it wasn't until the melodic voice tore her away from the world of literature.

"Now, stay together, everyone." The high pitched voice struck through Jessica, definitely making a deep impression on her even before she saw its owner which she was sure was as beautiful as the voice was.

And she was. So so much more.

The woman wore dark crimson dress that flattered and hugged her die-for hourglass figure, long, lustrous mahogany hair and long legs any models would sell their souls to the devils for. The gorgeous woman was beautiful enough to be compared to Rosalie Hale – another girl Jessica knew that was more stunning than any celebrities she saw in the magazines.

Jessica almost flinched nervously when the woman turned to look at Jessica sitting at the side with idiotic gaping looks; mouth wide open and eyes bulged like a fish. The woman looked surprised but quickly replaced it with a smile as she graced – not walk – the floor effortlessly toward her.

"Hello." Her voice rang in Jessica's ears like clarion church bells.

"..Hi.." Jessica's voice was weak and squeaky against the mysterious woman.

"I am Heidi." She had an exotic name too to suit her exotic beauty, "Yours'?"

"Jessica. Jessica Stanley." Jessica wasted no time to shake her head nervously; her name sounded so ordinary and common against Heidi's.

Heidi beamed at her, "Pleasure. You are not from here are you not?"

Jessica nodded, for some whatever reason, she was compelled to tell the truths. Hell, if she asked for Jessica's credit card PIN, she'd gladly give her if it made her happy.

"You don't happen to know the Cullens' right?" Jessica suddenly blurted out.

If there was one thing that constantly reminded her of the Cullens' was their unnatural beauty that outshined all the famous people out there. Many often, Jessica wondered how the hell they weren't famous; just by their looks alone they could make it to the cover page of Vogue with a flick of a finger but instead they settled in a small, boring, rural town for an ordinary life instead.

And the fact she even asked such questions, she chided herself for being stupid. Like, Cullens' have a family in Italy – well to be fair, they never revealed much about themselves to others except Bella and mostly kept to themselves but she came all the way here and certainly did not take 11 hour flight just so her self-esteem could take a punch in the gut.

Heidi's kind face melted away and replaced by something Jessica identified as recognition. So she knew the Cullens'? And from the fleeting emotion she observed, Heidi seemed to have a somewhat strained relationship with them and surprised Jessica knew them.

"You know the Cullens'?"

Jessica nodded.

Heidi once again smiled pleasantly, "What a surprise? If they told us their acquaintance was coming over here, I'd have shown you around the Volterra's most beautiful sides."

"I don't really know them," Jessica told, shrugging her shoulder, "I mean they are not the most sociable people I know. Dr and Mrs. Cullens' kids goes to my school but I don't really talk to them, they are quite weird. Especially Alice."

Jessica saw Heidi relax, "I see. Well, I must get going you see, my groups are getting quite restless but it was a privilege to talk to you. Hope we can meet once again in the future."

Jessica finally noticed who she was talking about. There was probably about twenty or thirty groups of tourists in their very obvious and stereotypical tourist fashion: waist purse, hats, cameras but no souvenir of sorts. Wasn't that what many tourists would actually take with them of their visitation?

She saw Heidi floating toward the group once again and they all look at her with the same star-struck gaze, even the children. She guided them to the front and to the door.

Heidi once more turned her head toward Jessica, "Oh, this is a private property, Jessica, no outsiders allowed. I am sorry for the inconvenience."

Jessica furiously shook her head with red hues spreading across her cheeks, "Um, no! It was my fault for intruding – I-I didn't know. I'll go."

She hastily collected her belongings and speed walked to the way the tourists came but not before giving a last glance over the shoulder as she saw Heidi closing the door after everyone had entered and gave her a final dazzling smile.

Somehow, it unnerved her.

Jessica checked her watch and was surprised to see it was already seven in the afternoon. She should get back to her hotel room now as it was already quite dark. She used her phone light as a flash light to guide her feet to not stumble down the stairs.

She turned and twists through almost maze like ambiguous constructions, she didn't know where she was going but following her pure instinct. Jessica's eyes were down onto her shoes she forgot to look up as she felt herself bump into a hard wall.

But the hard wall didn't felt like wool either.

Jessica gasped when she realised it was someone – not something – and jumped a few feet back, "I'm so sorry! It was dark and I wasn't looking where I was going."

She was hoping it was just a normal person and not some psycho or even a mafia or something like that. Jessica looked back to see the person's reaction. The person had dark coat and a hood over him–

"You look like the person I saw yesterday night…" She blurted out before quickly apologising, "Sorry, random thoughts. I apologise for the bumping into you by the way."

Jessica side stepped and found herself torn with two roads. Which one would lead her to the right road and which one would lead her to the wrong end? Right or Left?

Jessica turned to her right, about to step around the corner until a voice stopped her.

"Left."

She stopped, glancing over her shoulder with puzzled expression.

"You are going the wrong way; left." His voice was suave and smooth with hint of English accent. It was like hearing sirens sing.

"Oh.." Jessica muttered as realisation hit her like cold bucket of water, feeling embarrassed, she turned to the left.

"Thank you." She thanked before disappearing off the corner.

The next few days, she kept her eyes out for Heidi for reason unknown to her. She hoped she could even see few of the tourists that were with Heidi but sadly, she couldn't spot those people in the crowds. Not even Heidi.

Where were all the tourists? Did they all go back?

Ominous feeling tugged the back of her mind and she began to worry. Something wasn't right. She didn't know the reason but somehow, doubtful feelings were rousing inside her.

Jessica stood up from the bench in the town square and trotted into the familiar maze.

Wait–why was she here again? Jessica wondered as she stared at the closed door.

Jessica carefully stepped toward the door, first stepping up the small stairs and she soon stood in front of the door.

"I believe Heidi had told you not to come here again." The familiar voice drawled lazily.

She jerked to the source and found the man standing down the stair, still wearing the dark cloak and hood over his face.

"I was–what's behind this door?" Jessica demanded feebly.

"A matter that is none of your concern." He coldly replied, stepping up to face her.

Jessica narrowed her eyes, darting between the mystery man and the door, "So I can go in? What will happen when I go in?"

She was only replied with a smirk, "If that is your wish," He gestured his arm to the door, "Go ahead."

If this human did step in, it only suited his need rather than hers'.

Jessica's head wearily approached the door, her hand grasped on the door knob. Her mind was screaming there was something much more sinister behind this door that only separated her from whatever dark secrets there was. But at the corner of her mind, the curiosity probed against her better judgement.

Curiosity killed the cat, her conscious said.

But the satisfaction brought it back, her mind retorted.

Ring

Ring

The dull, metallic sound of her phone ringtone rang loudly, making Jessica startle. She checked the screen name: Bella.

Swiping the accept call button, she brought the cell to her ear, "Hello?"

"Jessica, are you ok?!"

There was desperation in Bella's voice, deepening Jessica's frown, "Um..duh? Why has someone called you saying that I was kidnapped?" Jessica jokingly laughed. Slight shuffling could be heard before the masculine voice replaced Bella's.

"Jessica, get out of there."

"Edward? What–"

"Get out. Go somewhere that is crowded – anywhere but there!"

Did someone actually called them saying she was kidnapped?

"I don't understand–" The phone was abruptly taken from Jessica's hand as Alec held the cell to his ears and with the smooth but demanding tone overridden with threat,

"Edward, please compose yourself. I am at my most controlled self; you are making her more suspicious."

Jessica could still his shouts of protests over the phone but it was swiftly cut as Alec pressed the end call button and handed it back to her.

"You know Edward?"

"Of course. He had visited us once with..Bella." He smirked, teasingly, "Come. I will accompany you back – if you still wish to."

Jessica realised he was gesturing to the doors and with defeated pride, she backed away.

"Good choice." The unsuspecting human followed behind him as he guided her back to the town square to make sure she didn't linger by.

"I'm Jessica." She introduced, finding the silent too awkward.

"Alec." His reply after a brief pause was short as if contemplating to give her his name or not.

Jessica concluded he had a rather quiet nature but he seemed lively and teasing at times, "So, what's the deal with you and Edward? He sounded like he was talking to his public enemy no.1"

"Feelings are mutual I suppose."

She nodded but there was something that had been bugging her as of recent, "How old are you?" A rude question but hopefully he doesn't mind.

"Fourteen." There was a pause before he answered her.

Jessica halted, shocked, her reply coming out in stutter, "W-wait– fourteen? As in one and four together?"

His lip twitched in emotion she couldn't identify, "Of course. I cannot be old as the number you seemed to have mistakenly heard."

So forty is out then, Jessica thought.

"Well you don't sound very fourteen-ish. You sound older."

"And may I ask yours' since it is a courtesy to answer one's own question as well?"

"Seventeen."

"You don't look like seventeen." He retorted.

Jessica laughed along but quickly placed serious expression, realising his word can be interpreted in both ways, "Wait, like good way or bad? Young or older? If old how old?"

She saw only a calm expression in his half hidden face, leaving her to decide, "Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?"

"It's none of my concern."

Jessica smiled, finding the kid's too-old-for-him-vocabulary cute, "I bet you're home-schooled; you definitely are. You're lucky I'm like really open, but I'm here because I want to make mistakes. You know take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere or just see what life has for me."

"Mistake? I believe you made your first."

Jessica frowned, "No, this will probably be my…hundredth one or more."

She saw she was soon back to where she started, blurry faces passing by, silently ignoring the two teenagers in the alley, "Wanna be friends whilst I’m here?" She turned but he wordlessly faced her to the front. Jessica liked to believe she was initiating friendship purely out of altruistic intention but really she was lonely and also needed a native friend who could show her around so she didn’t make tourist mistakes like spending unnecessary amount of money on something cheap.

"You should not so easily say those words." He whispered with a hint of mocking in his voice.

"Why?" She frowned once again at his outward gestures.

"Because the very thing you are asking for is impossible."

There was a slight breeze of wind passing through her hair and when she turned her head behind, he had disappeared.

Bella sighed as she pocketed her phone, turning around to face the worrying stares of the Cullens', "She seems fine..for now."

Edward stepped forward, holding her hands with his cold ones, "Bella, if she's alright, then she is fine. Stop troubling yourself and relax."

"But Alice saw it. She saw–" Bella couldn't even finish her sentence and Edward understood. He saw Alice's vision as clear as she had.

"Bella, remember my visions are not accurate and change according to people's choice." Alice added with the intention to soothe Bella's worry.

Bella had been with Alice and Edward when she received her vision; the image flashed passed through her eyes in fast speed but it was crystal clear what was happening.

Jessica standing in the centre of the familiar large throne room, Alec grasping Jessica's arm tightly in hold before Aro stepped down with cruel smile..he bites her neck before Alec ravages her in animalistic fashion until the last drop of her blood dropped from his lip and coats the floor with crimson – the colour of his eyes and stared into the lifeless eye of Jessica Stanley.

It was Edward who alerted Bella who immediately acted on her worry and called Jessica to confirm her safety.

Alice saw Bella's fear held gaze relax a little as she heard she was fine until another sort of fear held her and rambled out in almost incoherent words. Edward took the phone, knowing he was more calm and in control at these types of situation. He commanded her to get out of wherever she was to the place with crowds but then her whole form went cold when she heard a familiar drawling voice that wasn't Jessica's. It was Alec's.

Edward shouted out his protest against Alec's more swift and calculating response until the call was disconnected with the dial-tones.

Jessica spent most of her days dreaded with boredom, mostly rolling in her bed and staring up in her ceiling. Empty tube of ice cream sat next to her tattered book, Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Overwhelmed with frustration, she put the empty tube on the bed side table before pulling the sheet up to her face, burying herself deeply into the comfortable abyss she was in.

The peace was short lived.

Ring

Just ignore it.. She hoped the caller would get the idea she was unavailable and cut the call short, praying the other side with the prolonged dial tones will come to realise she had absolutely no will to pick up the mobile. The caller would probably be either her family or friends, and if they knew Jessica Stanley; they'd know she had her phone 24/7, regardless night, day, time or situations; she'd never ignore the phone ringing more than once.

Ring

She could feel her eyebrow twitch with annoyance as the phone kept on ringing, each sound of the ringtone seemed to magnify hundred times in her ears.

Ring

Jessica took in a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated back into her slumber, reminding herself the comfortable world she was in.

Ring–

Her hand clawed the mechanic, swiped the screen angrily and pulled it to her ear, "Hello?!" Her greeting was half shout and half growl.

"Jessica? It's Bella. Are you OK? She sounds OK."

Jessica knew Bella was probably confirming her well-being to those around her; listening to the conversations.

"Yes, Bella. I'm OK, I don't know why you are having a panic attack; I'm gonna have a panic attack 'cuz of you. Whoever called you saying I was dead or drowned or hung or burnt alive or something is probably not true because I sure as hell am not talking to you from my grave."

She could hear sigh of relief over the phone.

"I'm glad...you're safe. Jessica, just..just stay away from people there."

Jessica rolled her eyes, "Yes, mother, I'll say no when someone ask me to follow them to their van for a candy(!)"

"I'm not kidding! Jessica..just promise me you'll-no, come back! Come back to Forks."

"Come back? Bella, the whole reason why I'm travelling is to get out of the Forks, not get back in. Is this the incident about Alec yesterday?"

"Alec? He told you his name?" There was unbelieving tone in Bella's voice as if she didn't believe her ears or the person she was speaking to right now.

"Yes, Bella. Most people do. It's no.1 rule in something called introduction-slash-ice breaker." Jessica bit out the sarcasm, wanting to sleep.

"..So he didn't hurt you?"

Jessica frowned, gawking at the phone as if she was seeing Bella face to face, "Is he suppose to? Did you call me expecting me to be in a hospital or a morgue? Wait, is hurting people some kind of custom in Italy because I heard you can't make V shape with your fingers in front of Italian people because that means their boyfriend or girlfriend is cheating on them or whatever."

Bella laughed over the phone, seems her little nervous tick was passing, "No..well I don't think so anyway. Jessica when are you coming back to Forks?"

"Well..." She bit her lip in thoughtful thinking, "Soon..I guess. Although I have a year to spare and get some experience for my credits but being in Italy is so not helping so I might cut my 'vacation' early."

"Oh that's cool. Well, I'll speak to you soon, OK?"

Small smile appeared on Jessica at Bella's worry for her, "Yea, thanks for worrying though. Better than my parent." She can imagine Bella smiling over the phone. With quick but fond goodbyes, she hung up and closed her eyes.

Bella grew agitated when she wouldn't pick up at the first ring like she always did. To her relief, Jessica sounded fine and normal. She registered no pain or fear in her voice. She knew from Edward, Carlisle's century long happy friendship with the Volturi leader, Aro, and Alice had explained that they never kill the inhabitants of Volterra; tourists or not, they don't like risking even the tiniest chance and brought their 'food' from places that was quite far away. Even so, Bella bit her lip, the nagging anxiety in the back of her mind didn't reside one bit.

Jessica was soon standing in the alley way she and Alec parted, why did she have to be so curious? Just who were they?

"I hope you will not make same mistake."

Those striking voice seemed struck fear in her like a child caught stealing a candy. Jessica twirled to see Alec, hood over his face and leaning against the wall elegantly.

"You scared me to death." Jessica gestured her hands on her heart, pounding violently against her ribs.

"You’re still alive."

“Are you sure you’re not related to the Cullens’ in anyway? Because you remind me of them, like in a weird, creepy way. Not saying you’re creepy or anything, but you’re getting there.”

He didn't reply and stayed silent. Weird human, he thought, just like the other one.

The next time she met the mystery boy again was through pure coincidence. She didn't expect to see him again but when she did, felt an odd sense of happiness at the somewhat familiar face.

"Hey!" She called out from a distance, "Alec!"

The boy stilled at the sound of his name. With the fall of darkness and overshadowing hood, she couldn't see his face but she was sure it was him. Then resumed his gait toward the hill. Jessica raised a brow at the blatant act of snub. Rude she thought as her legs carried toward him.

By the time she reached where he once stood, he had disappeared.

"So rude." She muttered with a disapproving shake and turned back around when a figure emerged from the corner. Her phone clattered to the floor and she prayed her screen hadn't cracked from the collision.

"Who is rude?" He asked, "Is it not considered rude to trail someone?"

"I wasn't trailing!" She denied, "And isn't it rude to ignore someone when they call out your name?!"

"I didn't hear you." He lied.

"Yeah, looks like you didn't hear me(!)"

"What do you want?" He asked audibly impatient. The tone surprised her. He usually sounded friendly.

"I don't know." She honestly said, "Is it weird for me to say you just reminds me of the Cullens'? You're...weird."

"Ah..you said that several times." He tilted his head, "Is that all?"

"You don't really get along with people do you?" Jessica suddenly asked.

"I'm not interested." He shrugged off.

"I don't know...you just got that..lonely vibe, you know."

"You're wrong." His voice changed from a friendly tone to harsher intonation.

It seemed she made him angry and for a moment, she preferred him angry. He seemed..like a person.

"So you can get angry.." The word slipped out of her mouth before she could register it.

The corner of his lip twitched, "What did you say?"

"Huh, oh, shit, no, I wasn't meant to say that." Jessica backed away as he stepped forward, "Sorry, goodnight, bye!"

As she twisted around, one of her leg tangled around her other ankle and knocked her off balance as she felt herself falling. Clenching her eyes and bracing for painful impact, her hands desperately searched for something to grab on. Then something firm hooked around her wrist and pulled her back on her feet.

With incredible speed, his arm shot out to wrap its fingers around her wrist and one thing she noticed foremost was how icy to the touch his skin was against hers'. It was frighteningly cold. Almost like a corpse.

“Are you always this cold?” She asked, noting to his skin temperature rather than his character.

Alec took back his arm just as fast as he reached out and Jessica blinked at the speed which he did. She almost missed it and thought, what a fast reflex.

“I think it’s good if you go.” He said with the absence of his usual friendly tone.

Jessica wanted to see his eyes that was always hidden by his hood and slightly bent down without being too noticeable. He smoothly turned slightly and lowered his chin, barring her catching a potential glance.

She frowned, confused by his actions. What was he hiding? Was he..deformed somehow? Did he have lazy eyes? Could he be blind?

“Look, I know we are basically strangers, but..I’m not going to judge whatever. I knew people who did morally questionable things when they got drunk so..yeah I did low key judged them but it was low key…”

“Go.” He patiently said.

“Okay, goodbye. Just remember that.” She turned and carefully stepped down the stone stairs. When she arrived on the ground, Jessica glanced back and saw that the mystery boy had been standing in the same spot and if his eyes were not covered, they’d have met.

What a weird boy. She thought. There was something unnerving about him like the Cullens’. They looked normal..well in sense that they had two arms, two legs, a nose, a lip and two eyes just like her but there was something that set her apart from them that she just couldn’t identify. It was like they were different -- a world different.

Alec broke the contact, turning on his heels and stalking away.

[sleepwalker-in-me]

Tess of the D'urbervilles

"Why do you trouble me so!" she cried, reproach flashing from her very finger-ends.

"I trouble YOU? I think I may ask, why do you trouble me?"

"Sure, I don't trouble you any-when!"

"You say you don't? But you do! You haunt me. Those very eyes that you turned upon my with such a bitter flash a moment ago, they come to me just as you showed them then, in the night and in the day! Tess, ever since you told me of that child of ours, it is just as if my feelings, which have been flowing in a strong puritanical stream, had suddenly found a way open in the direction of you, and had all at once gushed through. The religious channel is left dry forthwith; and it is you who have done it!"

She gazed in silence."What--you have given up your preaching entirely?" she asked. She had gathered from Angel sufficient of the incredulity of modern thought to despise flash enthusiasm; but, as a woman, she was somewhat appalled.

In affected severity d'Urberville continued--

"Entirely. I have broken every engagement since that afternoon I was to address the drunkards at Casterbridge Fair. The deuce only knows what I am thought of by the brethren. Ah-ha! The brethren! No doubt they pray for me--weep for me; for they are kind people in their way. But what do I care? How could I go on with the thing when I had lost my faith in it?--it would have been hypocrisy of the basest kind! Among them I should have stood like Hymenaeus and Alexander, who were delivered over to Satan that they might learn not to blaspheme. What a grand revenge you have taken! I saw you innocent, and I deceived you. Four years after, you find me a Christian enthusiast; you then work upon me, perhaps to my complete perdition! But Tess, my coz, as I used to call you, this is only my way of talking, and you must not look so horribly concerned. Of course you have done nothing except retain your pretty face and shapely figure. I saw it on the rick before you saw me--that tight pinafore-thing sets it off, and that wing-bonnet--you field-girls should never wear those bonnets if you wish to keep out of danger." He regarded her silently for a few moments, and with a short cynical laugh resumed: "I believe that if the bachelor-apostle, whose deputy I thought I was, had been tempted by such a pretty face, he would have let go the plough for her sake as I do!"

Tess attempted to expostulate, but at this juncture all her fluency failed her, and without heeding he added:

"Well, this paradise that you supply is perhaps as good as any other, after all.But to speak seriously. Tess." D'Urberville rose and came nearer, reclining sideways amid the sheaves, and resting upon his elbow. "Since I last saw you, I have been thinking of what you said that HE said. I have come to the conclusion that there does seem rather a want of common-sense in these threadbare old propositions; how I could have been so fired by poor Parson Clare's enthusiasm, and have gone so madly to work, transcending even him, I cannot make out! As for what you said last time, on the strength of your wonderful husband's intelligence--whose name you have never told me--about having what they call an ethical system without any dogma, I don't see my way to that at all." "Why, you can have the religion of loving-kindness and purity at least, if you can't have--what do you call it--dogma."

"O no! I'm a different sort of fellow from that! If there's nobody to say, 'Do this, and it will be a good thing for you after you are dead; do that, and if will be a bad thing for you,' I can't warm up. Hang it, I am not going to feel responsible for my deeds and passions if there's nobody to be responsible to; and if I were you, my dear, I wouldn't either!"

She tried to argue, and tell him that he had mixed in his dull brain two matters, theology and morals, which in the primitive days of mankind had been quite distinct. But owing to Angel Clare's reticence, to her absolute want of training, and to her being a vessel of emotions rather than reasons, she could not get on. "Well, never mind," he resumed. "Here I am, my love, as in the old times!"

"Not as then--never as then--'tis different!" she entreated. "And there was never warmth with me! O why didn't you keep your faith, if the loss of it has brought you to speak to me like this!"

"Because you've knocked it out of me; so the evil be upon your sweet head! Your husband little thought how his teaching would recoil upon him! Ha-ha--I'm awfully glad you have made an apostate of me all the same! Tess, I am more taken with you than ever, and I pity you too. For all your closeness, I see you are in a bad way--neglected by one who ought to cherish you."

She could not get her morsels of food down her throat; her lips were dry, and she was ready to choke. The voices and laughs of the workfolk eating and drinking under the rick came to her as if they were a quarter of a mile off.

"It is cruelty to me!" she said. "How--how can you treat me to this talk, if you care ever so little for me?""True, true," he said, wincing a little. "I did not come to reproach you for my deeds. I came Tess, to say that I don't like you to be working like this, and I have come on purpose for you. You say you have a husband who is not I. Well, perhaps you have; but I've never seen him, and you've not told me his name; and altogether he seems rather a mythological personage. However, even if you have one, I think I am nearer to you than he is. I, at any rate, try to help you out of trouble, but he does not, bless his invisible face! The words of the stern prophet Hosea that I used to read come back to me. Don't you know them, Tess?--'And she shall follow after her lover, but she shall not overtake him; and she shall seek him, but shall not find him; then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now!' ... Tess, my trap is waiting just under the hill, and--darling mine, not his!--you know the rest."

Her face had been rising to a dull crimson fire while he spoke; but she did not answer.

"You have been the cause of my backsliding," he continued, stretching his arm towards her waist; "you should be willing to share it, and leave that mule you call husband for ever."

One of her leather gloves, which she had taken off to eat her skimmer-cake, lay in her lap, and without the slightest warning she passionately swung the glove by the gauntlet directly in his face. It was heavy and thick as a warrior's, and it struck him flat on the mouth. Fancy might have regarded the act as the recrudescence of a trick in which her armed progenitors were not unpractised. Alec fiercely started up from his reclining position. A scarlet oozing appeared where her blow had alighted, and in a moment the blood began dropping from his mouth upon the straw. But he soon controlled himself, calmly drew his handkerchief from his pocket, and mopped his bleeding lips. She too had sprung up, but she sank down again. "Now, punish me!" she said, turning up her eyes to him with the hopeless defiance of the sparrow's gaze before its captor twists its neck. "Whip me, crush me; you need not mind those people under the rick! I shall not cry out. Once victim, always victim--that's the law!"

"O no, no, Tess," he said blandly. "I can make full allowance for this. Yet you most unjustly forget one thing, that I would have married you if you had not put it out of my power to do so. Did I not ask you flatly to be my wife--hey? Answer me."

"You did."

"And you cannot be. But remember one thing!" His voice hardened as his temper got the better of him with the recollection of his sincerity in asking her and her present ingratitude, and he stepped across to her side and held her by the shoulders, so that she shook under his grasp. "Remember, my lady, I was your master once! I will be your master again. If you are any man's wife you are mine!"

The threshers now began to stir below.

"So much for our quarrel," he said, letting her go. "Now I shall leave you, and shall come again for your answer during the afternoon. You don't know me yet! But I know you."