'You love her--his daughter?'

'With all my heart, mother.'

'Since when?'

'I don't know. Since that Sunday in the chapel, I believe.'

'And she?'

'She loves me.'

Mrs. Hardy moved to a chair, sat down with her face turned from him, and
stayed for many minutes apparently lost in thought. She started, hearing
Harry at the door.

'Where are you going?' she asked.

'To see Chris.' He answered in a tone hinting defiance, as if expecting
antagonism; but his mother said nothing more, and He passed out.

Harry found Chris sitting alone in her father's house. A candle burned on
the table by her side, her hands lay idly in her lap. He had expected to
find her weeping, surrounded by women, but her eyes were tearless and the
news of Shine's arrest was not yet known in the township. Harry fell on
his knees by her side and clasped her about the waist. There was a sort
of dull apathy in her face that awed him. He did not kiss her.

'I've heard, dear,' he whispered. 'All's over.'