On  the  other  hand,  I  felt  no  yearning  of  the  bowels  towards
him,  and  did  not  propose  to  go  one  inch  over  the  newly  turned
clods  to  bid  him  good-day.  Supported  by  my  hoe,  chin  on
hands,  I  watched  him,  tolerably  sure  that  he  would  never
mark  me  down.  I  was  as  brown  as  the  earth  in  which  I
delved,  scarce  distinguishable  from  it.     I  had  on  my  head  an


AN   UNEXPECTED    MESSENGER  295

old  felt  hat  of  no  shape  at  all ;  I  had  a  cotton  shirt  open  to  the
navel,  and  a  pair  of  blue  cotton  drawers  which  failed  me  at
the  knees.  I  was  bleached  and  tanned  again,  stained  and
pohshed  by  the  constant  rub  of  weather  and  hard  work  —  a
perfect  contrast  to  my  last  appearance  before  him.  Then  it
had  been  my  heart  that  was  rent,  not  my  garments ;  then  my
spirit  was  fretted  and  seamed,  not  my  skin.  Then  I  had  had
a  fine  cloth  coat  and  lace  ruffles ;  but  my  soul  was  soiled  and
my  honour  in  tatters.  The  hand  which  shot  him  down  had
been  covered  in  a  scented  glove ;  but  pride  had  flaunted  it
upon  me,  naked  and  unashamed.  The  contrast  assured  me,
while  it  gave  me  confidence  enough  to  watch  my  wily  enemy.
He  saw  me,  however  —  he  saw  me  and  reined  up  his  horse.
