Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/171

a new one. The question was set at rest by his forethought, disclosed by the arrival of some large packages addressed to her. Inside them she found a whole stock of clothing, from bonnet to shoes, including a perfect morning costume, such as would well suit the simple wedding they planned. He entered the house shortly after the arrival of the packages, and heard her upstairs undoing them.

A minute later she came down with a flush on her face and tears in her eyes.

‘How thoughtful you’ve been!’ she murmured, her cheek upon his shoulder. ‘Even to the gloves and handkerchief! My own love—how good, how kind!’

‘No, no, Tess; just an order to a tradeswoman in London—nothing more.’

And to divert her from thinking too highly of him he told her to go upstairs, and take her time, and see if it all fitted; and, if not, to get the village seampstress to make a few alterations.

She did return upstairs, and put on the gown. Alone, she stood for a moment before the glass looking at the effect of her silk attire; and then