Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 2).pdf/48

They tossed and turned on their little beds, and the cheese-wring dripped monotonously downstairs.

‘B’ you awake, Tess?’ whispered one, half-an-hour later.

It was Izz Huett’s voice.

Tess replied in the affirmative, whereupon also Retty and Marian suddenly flung the bedclothes off them, and sighed—

‘So be we!’

‘I wonder what she is like—the lady they say his family have looked out for him!’

‘I wonder,’ said Izz.

‘Some lady looked out for him?’ gasped Tess, starting, ‘I have never heard o’ that!’

‘Oh yes—’tis whispered; a young lady of his own rank, chosen by his family; a Doctor of Divinity’s daughter near his father’s parish of Emminster; he don’t much care for her, they say. But he is sure to marry her.’

They had heard so very little of this; yet it was enough to build up wretched dolorous dreams upon, there in the shade of the night. They pictured all the details of his being won round to consent, of the wedding preparations, of the bride’s