It reminded Angel that he was somewhat
unfairly taking advantage of an accidental position; and he went no
further with it. No definite words of love had crossed their lips
as yet, and suspension at this point was desirable now. However,
he walked slowly, to make the remainder of the distance as long as
possible; but at last they came to the bend, and the rest of their
progress was in full view of the other three. The dry land was
reached, and he set her down.
Her friends were looking with round thoughtful eyes at her and him,
and she could see that they had been talking of her. He hastily bade
them farewell, and splashed back along the stretch of submerged road.
The four moved on together as before, till Marian broke the silence
by saying--
"No--in all truth; we have no chance against her!" She looked
joylessly at Tess.
"What do you mean?" asked the latter.
"He likes 'ee best--the very best! We could see it as he brought
'ee. He would have kissed 'ee, if you had encouraged him to do it,
ever so little."
"No, no," said she.
The gaiety with which they had set out had somehow vanished; and
yet there was no enmity or malice between them. They were generous
young souls; they had been reared in the lonely country nooks where
fatalism is a strong sentiment, and they did not blame her.
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