I finished this today and someone else should either read or post here so it's not just a thread of me yelling at myself, but:

1) Obvs I adored it but I did feel a lull in the last quarter after

2) The moment I truly started caring about awkward loser John Thornton, officially:

Quote:He loved her, and would love her; and defy her, and this miserable bodily pain.

He stood still for a moment, to make this resolution firm and clear. There was an omnibus passing—going into the country; the conductor thought he was wishing for a place, and stopped near the pavement. It was too much trouble to apologise and explain; so he mounted upon it, and was borne away,—past long rows of houses—then past detached villas with trim gardens, till they came to real country hedge-rows, and, by-and-by, to a small country town. Then everybody got down; and so did Mr. Thornton, and because they walked away he did so too.

When you're too socially awkward and lovesick for life so you accidentally signal a bus and get on and just roll with it so you don't have to make a scene... XD