Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/43

‘They are better women than I,’ she replied, magnanimously sticking to her resolve.

‘Not to me,’ said Angel.

He saw her grow warm at this; and they went some steps in silence.

‘I hope I am not too heavy?’ she said timidly.

‘Oh no. You should lift Marian! Such a lump. You are like an undulating billow warmed by the sun. And all this fluff of muslin about you is the froth.’

‘It is very pretty—if I seem like that to you.’

‘Do you know that I have undergone three-quarters of this labour entirely for the sake of the fourth quarter?’

‘No.’

‘I did not expect such an event to-day.’

‘Nor I. … The water came up so sudden.’

That the rise in the water was what she understood him to refer to, the state of her breathing belied. Clare stood still, and inclined his face towards hers.

‘O Tessy!’ he exclaimed.

The girl’s cheeks burned to the breeze, and she could not look into his eyes for her emotion. It reminded Angel that he was somewhat unfairly