 a somnambulist, and not
reflectively like a sage; that at the framing of the terrestrial conditions
there seemed never to have been contemplated such a development of emotional
perceptiveness among the creatures subject to those conditions as that reached
by thinking and educated humanity. But affliction makes opposing forces loom
anthropomorphous; and those ideas were now exchanged for a sense of Jude and
herself fleeing from a persecutor.
    »We must conform!« she said mournfully. »All the ancient wrath of the Power
above us has been vented upon us, His poor creatures, and we must submit. There
is no choice. We must. It is no use fighting against God!«
    »It is only against man and senseless circumstance,« said Jude.
    »True!« she murmured. »What have I been thinking of! I am getting as
superstitious as a savage!... But whoever or whatever our foe may be, I am cowed
into submission. I have no more fighting strength left; no more enterprize. I am
beaten, beaten!... We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to
men! I am always saying that now.«
    »I feel the same!«
    »What shall we do? You are in work now; but remember, it may only be because
our history and relations are not absolutely known.... Possibly, if they knew
our marriage had not been formalized they would turn you out of your job as they
did at Aldbrickham!«
    »I hardly know. Perhaps they would hardly do that. However, I think that we
ought to make it legal now - as soon as you are able to go out.«
    »You think we ought?«
    »Certainly.«
    And Jude fell into thought. »I have seemed to myself lately,« he said, »to
belong to that vast band of men shunned by the virtuous - the men called
seducers. It amazes me when I think of it! I have not been conscious of it, or
of any wrong-doing towards you, whom I love more than myself. Yet I am one of
those men! I wonder if any other of them are the same purblind, simple creatures
as I?... Yes, Sue - that's what I am. I seduced you.... You were a distinct type
- a refined creature, intended by Nature to be left intact. But I couldn't leave
you alone!«
    »No, no, Jude!« she said quickly. »Don't reproach
