 or moral defence of it, on the
old lines) that it has done little more than finish her education. I shall write
to her, and learn whether what that woman said is true or no.«
    As he had made up his mind to do this before he had written to his friend,
there had not been much reason for writing to the latter at all. However, it was
Phillotson's way to act thus.
    He accordingly addressed a carefully considered epistle to Sue, and, knowing
her emotional temperament, threw a Rhadamanthine strictness into the lines here
and there, carefully hiding his heterodox feelings, not to frighten her. He
stated that, it having come to his knowledge that her views had considerably
changed, he felt compelled to say that his own, too, were largely modified by
events subsequent to their parting. He would not conceal from her that
passionate love had little to do with his communication. It arose from a wish to
make their lives, if not a success, at least no such disastrous failure as they
threatened to become, through his acting on what he had considered at the time a
principle of justice, charity, and reason.
    To indulge one's instinctive and uncontrolled sense of justice and right,
was not, he had found, permitted with impunity in an old civilization like ours.
It was necessary to act under an acquired and cultivated sense of the same, if
you wished to enjoy an average share of comfort and honour; and to let crude
loving-kindness take care of itself.
    He suggested that she should come to him there at Marygreen.
    On second thoughts he took out the last paragraph but one; and having
re-written the letter he despatched it immediately, and in some excitement
awaited the issue.
 
A few days after a figure moved through the white fog which enveloped the
Beersheba suburb of Christminster, towards the quarter in which Jude Fawley had
taken up his lodging since his division from Sue. A timid knock sounded upon the
door of his abode.
    It was evening - so he was at home; and by a species of divination he jumped
up and rushed to the door himself.
    »Will you come out with me? I would rather not come in. I want to - to talk
with you - and to go with you to the cemetery.«
    It had been in the trembling accents of Sue that these words came. Jude put
on his hat. »It is dreary for you to be out,« he said. »But if you prefer not to
come in, I don't mind.
