We'll make a nest for these children, and then we'll
have another look round."
Tess listlessly lent a hand, and in a quarter of an hour the old
four-post bedstead was dissociated from the heap of goods, and
erected under the south wall of the church, the part of the building
known as the d'Urberville Aisle, beneath which the huge vaults lay.
Over the tester of the bedstead was a beautiful traceried window, of
many lights, its date being the fifteenth century. It was called
the d'Urberville Window, and in the upper part could be discerned
heraldic emblems like those on Durbeyfield's old seal and spoon.
Joan drew the curtains round the bed so as to make an excellent tent
of it, and put the smaller children inside. "If it comes to the
worst we can sleep there too, for one night," she said. "But let us
try further on, and get something for the dears to eat! O, Tess,
what's the use of your playing at marrying gentlemen, if it leaves
us like this!"
Accompanied by 'Liza-Lu and the boy, she again ascended the little
lane which secluded the church from the townlet. As soon as they got
into the street they beheld a man on horseback gazing up and down.
"Ah--I'm looking for you!" he said, riding up to them.
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