第7章

Whentheboyreachedthemostfascinatingageofchildhood，andhisshoutsoflaughterranthroughStaplefordHousefromendtoend，theremorsethatoppressedTimothyPetrickknewnobounds。OfallpeopleintheworldthisRupertwastheoneonwhomhecouldhavewishedtheestatestodevolve；yetRupert，byTimothy\'sowndesperatestrategyatthetimeofhisbirth，hadbeenoustedfromallinheritanceofthem；and，sincehedidnotmeantoremarry，themanorswouldpasstohisbrotherandhisbrother\'schildren，whowouldbenothingtohim，whoseboastedpedigreeononesidewouldbenothingtohisRupert\'s。

Hadheonlyleftthefirstwillofhisgrandfatheralone!

Hismindranonthewillscontinually，bothofwhichwereinexistence，andthefirst，thecancelledone，inhisownpossession。

Nightafternight，whentheservantswereallabed，andtheclickofsafetylockssoundedasloudasacrash，helookedatthatfirstwill，andwishedithadbeenthesecondandnotthefirst。

Thecrisiscameatlast。Onenight，afterhavingenjoyedtheboy\'scompanyforhours，hecouldnolongerbearthathisbelovedRupertshouldbedispossessed，andhecommittedthefeloniousdeedofalteringthedateoftheearlierwilltoafortnightlater，whichmadeitsexecutionappearsubsequenttothedateofthesecondwillalreadyproved。Hethenboldlypropoundedthefirstwillasthesecond。

HisbrotherEdwardsubmittedtowhatappearedtobenotonlyincontestiblefact，butafarmorelikelydispositionofoldTimothy\'sproperty；for，likemanyothers，hehadbeenmuchsurprisedatthelimitationsdefinedintheotherwill，havingnocluetotheircause。HejoinedhisbrotherTimothyinsettingasidethehithertoaccepteddocument，andmatterswentonintheirusualcourse，therebeingnodispositionsinthesubstitutedwilldifferingfromthoseintheother，exceptsuchasrelatedtoafuturewhichhadnotyetarrived。

Theyearsmovedon。RuperthadnotyetrevealedtheanxiouslyexpectedhistoriclineamentswhichshouldforeshadowthepoliticalabilitiesoftheducalfamilyaforesaidwhenithappenedonacertaindaythatTimothyPetrickmadetheacquaintanceofawell-

knownphysicianofBudmouth，whohadbeenthemedicaladviserandfriendofthelateMrs。Petrick\'sfamilyformanyyears；thoughafterAnnetta\'smarriage，andconsequentremovaltoStapleford，hehadseennomoreofher，theneighbouringpractitionerwhoattendedthePetrickshavingthenbecomeherdoctorasamatterofcourse。

TimothywasimpressedbytheinsightandknowledgedisclosedintheconversationoftheBudmouthphysician，andtheacquaintanceripeningtointimacy，thephysicianalludedtoaformofhallucinationtowhichAnnetta\'smotherandgrandmotherhadbeensubject——thatofbelievingincertaindreamsasrealities。HedelicatelyinquiredifTimothyhadevernoticedanythingofthesortinhiswifeduringherlifetime；he，thephysician，hadfanciedthathediscernedgermsofthesamepeculiarityinAnnettawhenheattendedherinhergirlhood。Oneexplanationbegatanother，tillthedumbfounderedTimothyPetrickwaspersuadedinhisownmindthatAnnetta\'sconfessiontohimhadbeenbasedonadelusion。

\'Youlookdowninthemouth?\'saidthedoctor，pausing。

\'Abitunmanned。\'Tisunexpected-like，\'sighedTimothy。

Buthecouldhardlybelieveitpossible；and，thinkingitbesttobefrankwiththedoctor，toldhimthewholestorywhich，tillnow，hehadneverrelatedtolivingman，savehisdyinggrandfather。Tohissurprise，thephysicianinformedhimthatsuchaformofdelusionwaspreciselywhathewouldhaveexpectedfromAnnetta\'santecedentsatsuchaphysicalcrisisinherlife。

Petrickprosecutedhisinquirieselsewhere；andtheupshotofhislabourswas，briefly，thatacomparisonofdatesandplacesshowedirrefutablythathispoorwife\'sassertioncouldnotpossiblyhavefoundationinfact。TheyoungMarquisofhertenderpassion——ahighlymoralandbright-mindednobleman——hadgoneabroadtheyearbeforeAnnetta\'smarriage，andhadnotreturnedtillafterherdeath。Theyounggirl\'sloveforhimhadbeenadelicateidealdream——nomore。

Timothywenthome，andtheboyranouttomeethim；whereuponastrangelydismalfeelingofdiscontenttookpossessionofhissoul。

Afterall，then，therewasnothingbutplebeianbloodintheveinsoftheheirtohisnameandestates；hewasnottobesucceededbyanoble-naturedline。Tobesure，Rupertwashisson；butthatgloryandhalohebelievedhimtohaveinheritedfromtheages，outshiningthatofhisbrother\'schildren，haddepartedfromRupert\'sbrowforever；hecouldnolongerreadhistoryintheboy\'sface，andcenturiesofdominationinhiseyes。

Hismannertowardshissongrewcolderandcolderfromthatdayforward；anditwaswithbitternessofheartthathediscernedthecharacteristicfeaturesofthePetricksunfoldingthemselvesbydegrees。Insteadoftheelegantknife-edgednose，sotypicaloftheDukesofSouthwesterland，therebegantoappearonhisfacethebroadnostrilandhollowbridgeofhisgrandfatherTimothy。Noillustriouslineofpoliticianswaspromisedacontinuatorinthatgrayingblueeye，foritwasacquiringtheexpressionoftheorbofaparticularlyobjectionablecousinofhisown；and，insteadofthemouth-curveswhichhadthrilledParliamentaryaudiencesinspeechesnowboundincalfineverywell-orderedlibrary，therewasthebull-

lipofthatveryuncleofhiswhohadhadthemisfortunewiththesignatureofagentleman\'swill，andhadbeentransportedforlifeinconsequence。

Tothinkhowhehimself，too，hadsinnedinthissamematterofawillforthismerefleshlyreproductionofawretchedoldunclewhoseverynamehewishedtoforget!Theboy\'sChristianname，even，wasanimpostureandanirony，foritimpliedhereditaryforceandbrilliancytowhichheplainlywouldneverattain。Theconsolationofrealsonshipwasalwayslefthimcertainly；buthecouldnothelpgroaningtohimself，\'Whycannotasonbeone\'sownandsomebodyelse\'slikewise!\'

TheMarquiswasshortlyafterwardsintheneighbourhoodofStapleford，andTimothyPetrickmethim，andeyedhisnoblecountenanceadmiringly。Thenextday，whenPetrickwasinhisstudy，somebodyknockedatthedoor。

\'Who\'sthere?\'

\'Rupert。\'

\'I\'llRupertthee，youyoungimpostor!Say，onlyapoorcommonplacePetrick!\'hisfathergrunted。\'Whydidn\'tyouhaveavoiceliketheMarquis\'sIsawyesterday?\'hecontinued，astheladcamein。\'Whyhaven\'tyouhislooks，andawayofcommanding，asifyou\'ddoneitforcenturies——hey?\'

\'Why?Howcanyouexpectit，father，whenI\'mnotrelatedtohim?\'

\'Ugh!Thenyououghttobe!\'growledhisfather。

Asthenarratorpaused，thesurgeon，theColonel，thehistorian，theSpark，andothersexclaimedthatsuchsubtleandinstructivepsychologicalstudiesasthis(nowthatpsychologywassomuchindemand)werepreciselythetalestheydesired，asmembersofascientificclub，andbeggedthemaster-maltstertotellanothercuriousmentaldelusion。

Themaltstershookhishead，andfearedhewasnotgenteelenoughtotellanotherstorywithasufficientlymoraltoneinittosuittheclub；hewouldprefertoleavethenexttoabetterman。

TheColonelhadfallenintoreflection。Trueitwas，heobserved，thatthemoredreamyandimpulsivenatureofwomanengenderedwithinhererraticfancies，whichoftenstartedheronstrangetracks，onlytoabandontheminsharprevulsionatthedictatesofhercommonsense——sometimeswithludicrouseffect。Eventswhichhadcausedalady\'sactiontosetinaparticulardirectionmightcontinuetoenforcethesamelineofconduct，whileshe，likeamangle，wouldstartonasuddeninacontrarycourse，andendwhereshebegan。

TheVice-Presidentlaughed，andapplaudedtheColonel，addingthattheresurelylurkedastorysomewherebehindthatsentiment，ifhewerenotmuchmistaken。

TheColonelfixedhisfacetoagoodnarrativepose，andwentonwithoutfurtherpreamble。

DAMETHESEVENTH:ANNA，LADYBAXBY

BytheColonelItwasinthetimeofthegreatCivilWar——ifIshouldnotrather，asaloyalsubject，callit，withClarendon，theGreatRebellion。

Itwas，Isay，atthatunhappyperiodofourhistory，thattowardstheautumnofaparticularyear，theParliamentforcessatdownbeforeShertonCastlewithoverseventhousandfootandfourpiecesofcannon。TheCastle，asweallknow，wasinthatcenturyownedandoccupiedbyoneoftheEarlsofSevern，andgarrisonedforhisassistancebyacertainnobleMarquiswhocommandedtheKing\'stroopsintheseparts。ThesaidEarl，aswellastheyoungLordBaxby，hiseldestson，wereawayfromhomejustnow，raisingforcesfortheKingelsewhere。ButtherewerepresentintheCastle，whenthebesiegersarrivedbeforeit，theson\'sfairwifeLadyBaxby，andherservants，togetherwithsomefriendsandnearrelativesofherhusband；andthedefencewassogoodandwell-consideredthattheyanticipatednogreatdanger。

TheParliamentaryforceswerealsocommandedbyanoblelord——forthenobilitywerebynomeans，atthisstageofthewar，allontheKing\'sside——andithadbeenobservedduringhisapproachinthenight-time，andinthemorningwhenthereconnoitringtookplace，thatheappearedsadandmuchdepressed。Thetruthwasthat，byastrangefreakofdestiny，ithadcometopassthatthestrongholdhewassettoreducewasthehomeofhisownsister，whomhehadtenderlylovedduringhermaidenhood，andwhomhelovednow，inspiteoftheestrangementwhichhadresultedfromhostilitieswithherhusband\'sfamily。Hebelieved，too，that，notwithstandingthiscrueldivision，shestillwassincerelyattachedtohim。

Hishesitationtopointhisordnanceatthewallswasinexplicabletothosewhowerestrangerstohisfamilyhistory。HeremainedinthefieldonthenorthsideoftheCastle(calledbyhisnametothisdaybecauseofhisencampmentthere)tillitoccurredtohimtosendamessengertohissisterAnnawithaletter，inwhichheearnestlyrequestedher，asshevaluedherlife，tostealoutoftheplacebythelittlegatetothesouth，andmakeawayinthatdirectiontotheresidenceofsomefriends。

Shortlyafterhesaw，tohisgreatsurprise，comingfromthefrontoftheCastlewallsaladyonhorseback，withasingleattendant。

Sherodestraightforwardintothefield，anduptheslopetowherehisarmyandtentswerespread。ItwasnottillshegotquitenearthathediscernedhertobehissisterAnna；andmuchwashealarmedthatsheshouldhaverunsuchriskastosallyoutinthefaceofhisforceswithoutknowledgeoftheirproceedings，whenatanymomenttheirfirstdischargemighthaveburstforth，toherowndestructioninsuchexposure。Shedismountedbeforeshewasquiteclosetohim，andhesawthatherfamiliarface，thoughpale，wasnotatalltearful，asitwouldhavebeenintheiryoungerdays。

Indeed，iftheparticularsashandeddownaretobebelieved，hewasinamoretearfulstatethanshe，inhisanxietyabouther。Hecalledherintohistent，outofthegazeofthosearound；forthoughmanyofthesoldierswerehonestandserious-mindedmen，hecouldnotbearthatshewhohadbeenhisdearcompanioninchildhoodshouldbeexposedtocuriousobservationinthishergreatgrief。

Whentheywerealoneinthetentheclaspedherinhisarms，forhehadnotseenhersincethosehappierdayswhen，atthecommencementofthewar，herhusbandandhimselfhadbeenofthesamemindaboutthearbitraryconductoftheKing，andhadlittledreamtthattheywouldnotgotoextremestogether。Shewasthecalmestofthetwo，itissaid，andwasthefirsttospeakconnectedly。

\'William，Ihavecometoyou，\'saidshe，\'butnottosavemyselfasyousuppose。Why，oh，whydoyoupersistinsupportingthisdisloyalcause，andgrievingusso?\'

\'Saynotthat，\'herepliedhastily。\'Iftruthhidesatthebottomofawell，whyshouldyousupposejusticetobeinhighplaces?I

amfortherightatanyprice。Anna，leavetheCastle；youaremysister；comeaway，mydear，andsavethylife!\'

\'Never!\'saysshe。\'Doyouplantocarryoutthisattack，andleveltheCastleindeed?\'

\'MostcertainlyIdo，\'sayshe。\'Whatmeaneththisarmyaroundusifnotso?\'

\'Thenyouwillfindthebonesofyoursisterburiedintheruinsyoucause!\'saidshe。Andwithoutanotherwordsheturnedandlefthim。

\'Anna——abidewithme!\'heentreated。\'Bloodisthickerthanwater，andwhatisthereincommonbetweenyouandyourhusbandnow?\'

Butsheshookherheadandwouldnothearhimandhasteningout，mountedherhorse，andreturnedtowardstheCastleasshehadcome。

Ay，many\'sthetimewhenIhavebeenridingtohoundsacrossthatfieldthatIhavethoughtofthatscene!

Whenshehadquitegonedownthefield，andovertheinterveningground，androundthebastion，sothathecouldnolongerevenseethetipofhermare\'swhitetail，hewasmuchmoredeeplymovedbyemotionsconcerningherandherwelfarethanhehadbeenwhileshewasbeforehim。Hewildlyreproachedhimselfthathehadnotdetainedherbyforceforherowngood，sothat，comewhatmight，shewouldbeunderhisprotectionandnotunderthatofherhusband，whoseimpulsivenaturerenderedhimtooopentoinstantaneousimpressionsandsuddenchangesofplan；hewasnowactinginthiscauseandnowinthat，andlackedthecooljudgmentnecessaryfortheprotectionofawomaninthesetroubledtimes。Herbrotherthoughtofherwordsagainandagain，andsighed，andevenconsideredifasisterwerenotofmorevaluethanaprinciple，andifhewouldnothaveactedmorenaturallyinthrowinginhislotwithhers。

ThedelayofthebesiegersinattackingtheCastlewassaidtobeentirelyowingtothisdistractiononthepartoftheirleader，whoremainedonthespotattemptingsomeindecisiveoperations，andparleyingwiththeMarquis，thenincommand，withfarinferiorforces，withintheCastle。ItneveroccurredtohimthatinthemeantimetheyoungLadyBaxby，hissister，wasinmuchthesamemoodashimself。Herbrother\'sfamiliarvoiceandeyes，muchwornandfatiguedbykeepingthefield，andbyfamilydistractionsonaccountofthisunhappyfeud，roseuponhervisionalltheafternoon，andasdaywanedshegrewmoreandmoreParliamentarianinherprinciples，thoughtheonlyargumentswhichhadaddressedthemselvestoherwerethoseoffamilyties。

Herhusband，GeneralLordBaxby，hadbeenexpectedtoreturnallthedayfromhisexcursionintotheeastofthecounty，amessagehavingbeensenttohiminforminghimofwhathadhappenedathome；andintheeveninghearrivedwithreinforcementsinunexpectednumbers。

HerbrotherretreatedbeforethesetoahillnearIvell，fourorfivemilesoff，toaffordthemenandhimselfsomerepose。LordBaxbydulyplacedhisforces，andtherewasnolongeranyimmediatedanger。BythistimeLadyBaxby\'sfeelingsweremoreParliamentarianthanever，andinherfancythefaggedcountenanceofherbrother，beatenbackbyherhusband，seemedtoreproachherforheartlessness。Whenherhusbandenteredherapartment，ruddyandboisterous，andfullofhope，shereceivedhimbutsadly；anduponhiscasuallyutteringsomeslightingwordsaboutherbrother\'swithdrawal，whichseemedtoconveyanimputationuponhiscourage，sheresentedthem，andretortedthathe，LordBaxbyhimself，hadbeenagainsttheCourt-partyatfirst，whereitwouldbemuchmoretohiscreditifhewereatpresent，andshowingherbrother\'sconsistencyofopinion，insteadofsupportingthelyingpolicyoftheKing(asshecalledit)forthesakeofabarrenprincipleofloyalty，whichwasbutanemptyexpressionwhenaKingwasnotatonewithhispeople。Thedissensiongrewbitterbetweenthem，reachingtolittlelessthanahotquarrel，bothbeingquick-

temperedsouls。

LordBaxbywaswearywithhislongday\'smarchandotherexcitements，andsoonretiredtobed。Hisladyfollowedsometimeafter。Herhusbandsleptprofoundly，butnotsoshe；shesatbroodingbythewindow-slit，andliftingthecurtainlookedforthuponthehillswithout。

Inthesilencebetweenthefootfallsofthesentinelsshecouldhearfaintsoundsofherbrother\'scamponthedistanthills，wherethesoldieryhadhardlysettledasyetintotheirbivouacsincetheirevening\'sretreat。Thefirstfrostsofautumnhadtouchedthegrass，andshrivelledthemoredelicateleavesofthecreepers；andshethoughtofWilliamsleepingonthechillyground，underthestrainofthesehardships。Tearsfloodedhereyesasshereturnedtoherhusband\'simputationsuponhiscourage，asiftherecouldbeanydoubtofLordWilliam\'scourageafterwhathehaddoneinthepastdays。

LordBaxby\'slongandreposefulbreathingsinhiscomfortablebedvexedhernow，andshecametoadeterminationonanimpulse。

Hastilylightingataper，shewroteonascrapofpaper:

\'Bloodisthickerthanwater，dearWilliam——Iwillcome；\'andwiththisinherhand，shewenttothedooroftheroom，andoutuponthestairs；onsecondthoughtsturningbackforamoment，toputonherhusband\'shatandcloak——nottheonehewasdailywearing——thatifseeninthetwilightshemightatacasualglanceappearassomeladorhanger-onofoneofthehouseholdwomen；thusaccoutredshedescendedaflightofcircularstairs，atthebottomofwhichwasadooropeningupontheterracetowardsthewest，inthedirectionofherbrother\'sposition。Herobjectwastoslipoutwithoutthesentryseeingher，gettothestables，arouseoneofthevarlets，andsendhimaheadofheralongthehighwaywiththenotetowarnherbrotherofherapproach，tothrowinherlotwithhis。

Shewasstillintheshadowofthewallonthewestterrace，waitingforthesentineltobequiteoutoftheway，whenherearsweregreetedbyavoice，saying，fromtheadjoiningshade-

\'HereIbe!\'

Thetoneswerethetonesofawoman。LadyBaxbymadenoreply，andstoodclosetothewall。

\'MyLordBaxby，\'thevoicecontinued；andshecouldrecognizeinitthelocalaccentofsomegirlfromthelittletownofSherton，closeathand。\'Ibetiredofwaiting，mydearLordBaxby!Iwasafeardyouwouldnevercome!\'

LadyBaxbyflushedhottohertoes。

\'Howthewenchloveshim!\'shesaidtoherself，reasoningfromthetonesofthevoice，whichwereplaintiveandsweetandtenderasabird\'s。Shechangedfromthehome-hatingtruanttothestrategicwifeinonemoment。

\'Hist!\'shesaid。

\'Mylord，youtoldmeteno\'clock，and\'tisneartwelvenow，\'

continuestheother。\'Howcouldyekeepmewaitingsoifyoulovemeasyousaid?IshouldhavestucktomyloverintheParliamenttroopsifithadnotbeenforthee，mydearlord!\'

TherewasnottheleastdoubtthatLadyBaxbyhadbeenmistakenforherhusbandbythisintriguingdamsel。Herewasaprettyunderhandbusiness!Herewereslymanoeuvrings!Herewasfaithlessness!

Herewasapreciousassignationsurprisedinthemidst!Herwickedhusband，whomtillthisverymomentshehadeverdeemedthesoulofgoodfaith——howcouldhe!

LadyBaxbyprecipitatelyretreatedtothedoorintheturret，closedit，lockedit，andascendedoneroundofthestaircase，wheretherewasaloophole。\'Iamnotcoming!I，LordBaxby，despiseyeandallyourwantontribe!\'shehissedthroughtheopening；andthencreptupstairs，asfirmlyrootedinRoyalistprinciplesasanymanintheCastle。

Herhusbandstillsleptthesleepoftheweary，well-fed，andwell-

drunken，ifnotofthejust；andLadyBaxbyquicklydisrobedherselfwithoutassistance——being，indeed，supposedbyherwomantohaveretiredtorestlongago。Beforelyingdown，shenoiselesslylockedthedoorandplacedthekeyunderherpillow。Morethanthat，shegotastaylace，and，creepinguptoherlord，ingreatstealthtiedthelaceinatightknottooneofhislonglocksofhair，attachingtheotherendofthelacetothebedpost；for，beingtiredherselfnow，shefearedshemightsleepheavily；and，ifherhusbandshouldwake，thiswouldbeadelicatehintthatshehaddiscoveredall。

Itisaddedthat，tomakeassurancetreblysure，hergentleladyship，whenshehadlaindowntorest，heldherlord\'shandinherownduringthewholeofthenight。Butthisisold-wives\'

gossip，andnotcorroborated。WhatLordBaxbythoughtandsaidwhenheawokethenextmorning，andfoundhimselfsostrangelytethered，islikewiseonlymatterofconjecture；thoughthereisnoreasontosupposethathisragewasgreat。Theextentofhisculpabilityasregardstheintriguewasthismuch；that，whilehaltingatacross-

roadnearShertonthatday，hehadflirtedwithaprettyyoungwoman，whoseemednothingloth，andhadinvitedhertotheCastleterraceafterdark——aninvitationwhichhequiteforgotonhisarrivalhome。

ThesubsequentrelationsofLordandLadyBaxbywerenotagaingreatlyembitteredbyquarrels，sofarasisknown；thoughthehusband\'sconductinlaterlifewasoccasionallyeccentric，andthevicissitudesofhispubliccareerculminatedinlongexile。ThesiegeoftheCastlewasnotregularlyundertakentilltwoorthreeyearslaterthanthetimeIhavebeendescribing，whenLadyBaxbyandallthewomentherein，exceptthewifeofthethenGovernor，hadbeenremovedtosafedistance。ThatmemorablesiegeoffifteendaysbyFairfax，andthesurrenderoftheoldplaceonanAugustevening，ismatterofhistory，andneednotbetoldbyme。

TheManofFamilyspokeapprovinglyacrosstotheColonelwhentheClubhaddonesmiling，declaringthatthestorywasanabsolutelyfaithfulpageofhistory，ashehadgoodreasontoknow，hisownpeoplehavingbeenengagedinthatwell-knownscrimmage。HeaskediftheColonelhadeverheardtheequallywell-authenticated，thoughlessmartialtaleofacertainLadyPenelope，wholivedinthesamecentury，andnotascoreofmilesfromthesameplace?

TheColonelhadnotheardit，norhadanybodyexceptthelocalhistorian；andtheinquirerwasinducedtoproceedforthwith。

DAMETHEEIGHTH:THELADYPENELOPE

BythemanofFamilyIngoingoutofCasterbridgebythelow-lyingroadwhicheventuallyconductstothetownofIvell，youseeontherighthandaniviedmanor-house，flankedbybattlementedtowers，andmorethanusuallydistinguishedbythesizeofitsmanymullionedwindows。Thoughstillofgoodcapacity，thebuildingismuchreducedfromitsoriginalgrandproportions；ithas，moreover，beenshornofthefairestatewhichonceappertainedtoitslord，withtheexceptionofafewacresofpark-landimmediatelyaroundthemansion。ThiswasformerlytheseatoftheancientandknightlyfamilyoftheDrenghards，orDrenkhards，nowextinctinthemaleline，whosename，accordingtothelocalchronicles，wasinterpretedtomeanStrenuusMiles，velPotator，thoughcertainmembersofthefamilywereaversetothelattersignification，andaduelwasfoughtbyoneofthemonthataccount，asiswellknown。Withthis，however，wearenotnowconcerned。

IntheearlypartofthereignofthefirstKingJames，therewasvisitingnearthisplaceoftheDrenghardsaladyofnoblefamilyandextraordinarybeauty。Shewasofthepurestdescent；ah，there\'sseldomsuchbloodnowadaysashers!Shepossessednogreatwealth，itwassaid，butwassufficientlyendowed。Herbeautywassoperfect，andhermannersoentrancing，thatsuitorsseemedtospringoutofthegroundwherevershewent，asufficientcauseofanxietytotheCountesshermother，heronlylivingparent。Ofthesetherewerethreeinparticular，whomneitherhermother\'scomplaintsofprematurity，northereadyrailleryofthemaidenherself，couldeffectuallyputoff。ThesaidgallantswereacertainSirJohnGale，aSirWilliamHervy，andthewell-knownSirGeorgeDrenghard，oneoftheDrenghardfamilybefore-mentioned。

Theyhad，curiouslyenough，allbeenequallyhonouredwiththedistinctionofknighthood，andtheirschemesforseeingherweremanifold，eachfearingthatoneoftheotherswouldstealamarchoverhimself。Notcontentwithcalling，oneveryimaginableexcuse，atthehouseoftherelativewithwhomshesojourned，theyinterceptedherinridesandinwalks；andifanyoneofthemchancedtosurpriseanotherintheactofpayinghermarkedattentions，theencounteroftenendedinanaltercationofgreatviolence。Soheatedandimpassioned，indeed，wouldtheybecome，thattheladyhardlyfeltherselfsafeintheircompanyatsuchtimes，notwithstandingthatshewasabraveandbuxomdamsel，noteasilyputout，andwithadaringspiritofhumourinhercomposition，ifnotofcoquetry。

Atoneofthesealtercations，whichhadplaceinherrelative\'sgrounds，andwasunusuallybitter，threateningtoresultinaduel，shefounditnecessarytoassertherself。Turninghaughtilyuponthepairofdisputants，shedeclaredthatwhichevershouldbethefirsttobreakthepeacebetweenthem，nomatterwhattheprovocation，thatmanshouldneverbeadmittedtoherpresenceagain；andthuswouldsheeffectuallystultifytheaggressorbymakingthepromotionofaquarreladistinctbartoitsobject。

Whilethetwoknightswerewearingratheracrest-fallenappearanceatherreprimand，thethird，neverfaroff，cameuponthescene，andsherepeatedhercaveattohimalso。Seeing，then，howgreatwastheconcernofallatherperemptorymood，thelady\'smannersoftened，andshesaidwitharoguishsmile-

\'Havepatience，havepatience，youfoolishmen!Onlybideyourtimequietly，and，infaith，Iwillmarryyouallinturn!\'

Theylaughedheartilyatthissally，allthreetogether，asthoughtheywerethebestoffriends；atwhichsheblushed，andshowedsomeembarrassment，nothavingrealizedthatherarchjestwouldhavesoundedsostrangewhenuttered。Themeetingwhichresultedthus，however，haditsgoodeffectincheckingthebitternessoftheirrivalry；andtheyrepeatedherspeechtotheirrelativesandacquaintancewithahilariousfrequencyandpublicitythattheladylittledivined，orshemighthaveblushedandfeltmoreembarrassmentstill。

Inthecourseoftimethepositionresolveditself，andthebeauteousLadyPenelope(asshewascalled)madeuphermind；herchoicebeingtheeldestofthethreeknights，SirGeorgeDrenghard，ownerofthemansionaforesaid，whichthereuponbecameherhome；andherhusbandbeingapleasantman，andhisfamily，thoughnotsonoble，ofasgoodreputeasherown，allthingsseemedtoshowthatshehadreckonedwiselyinhonouringhimwithherpreference。

Butwhatmayliebehindthestillandsilentveilofthefuturenonecanforetell。Inthecourseofafewmonthsthehusbandofherchoicediedofhisconvivialities(asif，indeed，tobearouthisname)，andtheLadyPenelopewasleftaloneasmistressofhishouse。Bythistimeshehadapparentlyquiteforgottenhercarelessdeclarationtoherloverscollectively；buttheloversthemselveshadnotforgottenit；and，asshewouldnowbefreetotakeasecondoneofthem，SirJohnGaleappearedatherdoorasearlyinherwidowhoodasitwasproperandseemlytodoso。

Shegavehimlittleencouragement；for，ofthetworemaining，herbestbelovedwasSirWilliam，ofwhom，ifthetruthmustbetold，shehadoftenthoughtduringhershortmarriedlife。Buthehadnotyetreappeared。Herheartbegantobesomuchwithhimnowthatshecontrivedtoconveytohim，byindirecthintsthroughhisfriends，thatshewouldnotbedispleasedbyarenewalofhisformerattentions。SirWilliam，however，misapprehendedhergentlesignalling，andfromexcellent，thoughmistakenmotivesofdelicacy，delayedtointrudehimselfuponherforalongtime。MeanwhileSirJohn，nowcreatedabaronet，wasunremitting，andshebegantogrowsomewhatpiquedatthebackwardnessofhimshesecretlydesiredtobeforward。

\'Nevermind，\'herfriendssaidjestinglytoher(knowingofherhumorousremark，aseverybodydid，thatshewouldmarrythemallthreeiftheywouldhavepatience)——\'nevermind；whyhesitateupontheorderofthem?Take\'emastheycome。\'

Thisvexedherstillmore，andregrettingdeeply，asshehadoftendone，thatsuchacarelessspeechshouldeverhavepassedherlips，shefairlybrokedownunderSirJohn\'simportunity，andacceptedhishand。Theyweremarriedonafinespringmorning，abouttheverytimeatwhichtheunfortunateSirWilliamdiscoveredherpreferenceforhim，andwasbeginningtohastenhomefromaforeigncourttodeclarehisunaltereddevotiontoher。OnhisarrivalinEnglandhelearntthesadtruth。

IfSirWilliamsufferedatherprecipitancyunderwhatshehaddeemedhisneglect，theLadyPenelopeherselfsufferedmore。ShehadnotlongbeenthewifeofSirJohnGalebeforeheshowedadispositiontoretaliateuponherforthetroubleanddelayshehadputhimtoinwinningher。Withincreasingfrequencyhewouldtellherthat，asfarashecouldperceive，shewasanarticlenotworthsuchlabourashehadbestowedinobtainingit，andsuchsnubbingsashehadtakenfromhisrivalsonthesameaccount。Theseandothercruelthingsherepeatedtillhemadetheladyweepsorely，andwellnighbrokeherspirit，thoughshehadformerlybeensuchamettlesomedame。Bydegreesitbecameperceptibletoallherfriendsthatherlifewasaveryunhappyone；andthefateofthefairwomanseemedyettheharderinthatitwasherownstatelymansion，lefttohersoleusebyherfirsthusband，whichhersecondhadenteredintoandwasenjoying，hisbeingbutameanandmeagreerection。

Butsuchistheflippancyoffriendsthatwhenshemetthem，andsecretlyconfidedhergrieftotheirears，theywouldsaycheerily，\'Lord，nevermind，mydear；there\'sathirdtocomeyet!\'——atwhichmaladroitremarkshewouldshowmuchindignation，andtellthemtheyshouldknowbetterthantotrifleonsosolemnatheme。Yetthatthepoorladywouldhavebeenonlytoohappytobethewifeofthethird，insteadofSirJohnwhomshehadtaken，waspainfullyobvious，andmuchshewasblamedforherfoolishchoicebysomepeople。SirWilliam，however，hadreturnedtoforeigncitiesonlearningthenewsofhermarriage，andhadneverbeenheardofsince。

TwoorthreeyearsofsufferingwerepassedbyLadyPenelopeasthedespisedandchiddenwifeofthismanSirJohn，amidregretsthatshehadsogreatlymistakenhim，andsighsforonewhomshethoughtnevertoseeagain，tillitchancedthatherhusbandfellsickofsomeslightailment。Onedayafterthis，whenshewassittinginhisroom，lookingfromthewindowupontheexpanseinfront，shebeheld，approachingthehouseonfoot，aformsheseemedtoknowwell。LadyPenelopewithdrewsilentlyfromthesickroom，anddescendedtothehall，whence，throughthedoorway，shesawenteringbetweenthetworoundtowers，whichatthattimeflankedthegateway，SirWilliamHervy，asshehadsurmised，butlookingthinandtravel-worn。Sheadvancedintothecourtyardtomeethim。

\'IwaspassingthroughCasterbridge，\'hesaid，withfalteringdeference，\'andIwalkedouttoaskafteryourladyship\'shealth。I

feltthatIcoulddonoless；and，ofcourse，topaymyrespectstoyourgoodhusband，myheretoforeacquaintance……Butoh，Penelope，th\'stlooksickandsorry!\'

\'Iamheartsick，that\'sall，\'saidshe。

Theycouldseeineachotheranemotionwhichneitherwishedtoexpress，andtheystoodthusalongtimewithtearsintheireyes。

\'Hedoesnottreat\'eewell，Ihear，\'saidSirWilliaminalowvoice。\'MayGodinHeavenforgivehim；butitisaskingagreatdeal!\'

\'Hush，hush!\'saidshehastily。

\'Nay，butIwillspeakwhatImayhonestlysay，\'heanswered。\'Iamnotunderyourroof，andmytongueisfree。Whydidstnotwaitforme，Penelope，orsendtomeamoreovertletter?Iwouldhavetravellednightanddaytocome!\'

\'Toolate，William；youmustnotaskit，\'saidshe，endeavouringtoquiethimasinoldtimes。\'Myhusbandjustnowisunwell。Hewillgrowbetterinadayortwo，maybe。YoumustcallagainandseehimbeforeyouleaveCasterbridge。\'

Asshesaidthistheireyesmet。Eachwasthinkingofherlightsomewordsabouttakingthethreemeninturn；eachthoughtthattwo-

thirdsofthatpromisehadbeenfulfilled。But，asifitwereunpleasanttoherthatthisrecollectionshouldhavearisen，shespokeagainquickly:\'Comeagaininadayortwo，whenmyhusbandwillbewellenoughtoseeyou。\'

SirWilliamdepartedwithoutenteringthehouse，andshereturnedtoSirJohn\'schamber。He，risingfromhispillow，said，\'Towhomhastbeentalking，wife，inthecourtyard?Iheardvoicesthere。\'

Shehesitated，andherepeatedthequestionmoreimpatiently。

\'Idonotwishtotellyounow，\'saidshe。

\'ButIwoollknow!\'saidhe。

Thensheanswered，\'SirWilliamHervy。\'

\'ByG-Ithoughtasmuch!\'criedSirJohn，dropsofperspirationstandingonhiswhiteface。\'Askulkingvillain!Asickman\'searsarekeen，mylady。Iheardthattheywerelover-liketones，andhecalled\'eebyyourChristianname。Thesebeyourintrigues，mylady，whenIamoffmylegsawhile!\'

\'Onmyhonour，\'criedshe，\'youdomeawrong。IswearIdidnotknowofhiscoming!\'

\'Swearasyouwill，\'saidSirJohn，\'Idon\'tbelieve\'ee。\'Andwiththishetauntedher，andworkedhimselfintoagreaterpassion，whichmuchincreasedhisillness。Hisladysatstill，brooding。

Therewasthatuponherfacewhichhadseldombeentheresincehermarriage；andsheseemedtothinkanewofwhatshehadsolightlysaidinthedaysofherfreedom，whenherthreeloverswereoneandallcovetingherhand。\'Ibeganatthewrongendofthem，\'shemurmured。\'MyGod——thatdidI!\'

\'What?\'saidhe。

\'Atrifle，\'saidshe。\'Ispoketomyselfonly。\'

Itwassomewhatstrangethatafterthisday，whileshewentaboutthehousewithevenasadderfacethanusual，herchurlishhusbandgrewworse；andwhatwasmore，tothesurpriseofall，thoughtotheregretoffew，hediedafortnightlater。SirWilliamhadnotcalleduponhimashehadpromised，havingreceivedaprivatecommunicationfromLadyPenelope，franklyinforminghimthattodosowouldbeinadvisable，byreasonofherhusband\'stemper。

NowwhenSirJohnwasgone，andhisremainscarriedtohisfamilyburying-placeinanotherpartofEngland，theladybeganinduetimetowonderwhitherSirWilliamhadbetakenhimself。Butshehadbeencuredofprecipitancy(ifeverwomanwere)，andwaspreparedtowaitherwholelifetimeawidowifthesaidSirWilliamshouldnotreappear。Herlifewasnowpassedmostlywithinthewalls，orinpromenadingbetweenthepleasaunceandthebowling-green；andsheveryseldomwentevensofarasthehighroadwhichthenskirtedthegroundsonthenorth，thoughithasnow，andformanyyears，beendivertedtothesouthside。Herpatiencewasrewarded(iflovebeinanycaseareward)；foroneday，manymonthsafterhersecondhusband\'sdeath，amessengerarrivedathergatewiththeintelligencethatSirWilliamHervywasagaininCasterbridge，andwouldbegladtoknowifitwereherpleasurethatheshouldwaituponher。

Itneedhardlybesaidthatpermissionwasjoyfullygranted，andwithintwohoursherloverstoodbeforeher，amorethoughtfulmanthanformerly，butinallessentialrespectsthesameman，generous，modesttodiffidence，andsincere。Thereservewhichwomanlydecorumthrewoverhermannerwasbuttooobviouslyartificial，andwhenhesaid\'thewaysofProvidencearestrange，\'andaddedafteramoment，\'andmercifullikewise，\'shecouldnotconcealheragitation，andburstintotearsuponhisneck。

\'Butthisistoosoon，\'shesaid，startingback。

\'Butno，\'saidhe。\'Youareelevenmonthsgoneinwidowhood，anditisnotasifSirJohnhadbeenagoodhusbandtoyou。\'

Hisvisitsgrewprettyfrequentnow，asmaywellbeguessed，andinamonthortwohebegantourgehertoanearlyunion。Butshecounselledalittlelongerdelay。

\'Why?\'saidhe。\'SurelyIhavewaitedlong!Lifeisshort；wearegettingoldereveryday，andIamthelastofthethree。\'

\'Yes，\'saidtheladyfrankly。\'AndthatiswhyIwouldnothaveyouhasten。Ourmarriagemayseemsostrangetoeverybody，aftermyunluckyremarkonthatoccasionweknowsowell，andwhichsomanyothersknowlikewise，thankstotalebearers。\'

Onthisrepresentationheconcededalittlespace，forthesakeofhergoodname。Butthedestineddayoftheirmarriageatlastarrived，anditwasagaytimeforthevillagersandallconcerned，andthebellsintheparishchurchrangfromnoontillnight。Thusatlastshewasunitedtothemanwhohadlovedherthemosttenderlyofthemall，whobutforhisreticencemightperhapshavebeenthefirsttowinher。Oftendidhesaytohimself；\'Howwondrousthatherwordsshouldhavebeenfulfilled!Manyatruthhathbeenspokeninjest，butneveramoreremarkableone!\'Thenobleladyherselfpreferrednottodwellonthecoincidence，acertainshyness，ifnotshame，crossingherfairfaceatanyallusionthereto。

Butpeoplewillhavetheirsay，sensitivesoulsornone，andtheirsayingsonthisthirdoccasiontookasingularshape。\'Surely，\'

theywhispered，\'thereissomethingmorethanchanceinthis……

Thedeathofthefirstwaspossiblynatural；butwhatofthedeathofthesecond，whoill-usedher，andwhom，lovingthethirdsodesperately，shemusthavewishedoutoftheway?\'

ThentheypiecedtogethersundrytrivialincidentsofSirJohn\'sillness，anddweltupontheindubitabletruththathehadgrownworseafterherlover\'sunexpectedvisit；tillaverysinistertheorywasbuiltupastothehandshemayhavehadinSirJohn\'sprematuredemise。Butnothingofthissuspicionwassaidopenly，forshewasaladyofnoblebirth——nobler，indeed，thaneitherofherhusbands——andwhatpeoplesuspectedtheyfearedtoexpressinformalaccusation。

Themansionthatsheoccupiedhadbeenlefttoherforsolongatimeassheshouldchoosetoresideinit，and，havingaregardforthespot，shehadcoaxedSirWilliamtoremainthere。Butintheenditwasunfortunate；foroneday，wheninthefulltideofhishappiness，hewaswalkingamongthewillowsnearthegardens，whereheoverheardaconversationbetweensomebasket-makerswhowerecuttingtheosiersfortheiruse。Inthisfataldialoguethesuspicionsoftheneighbouringtownsfolkwererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。

\'Acupboardclosetohisbed，andthekeyinherpocket。Ah!\'saidone。

\'Andabluephialtherein——h\'m!\'saidanother。

\'Andspurge-laurelleavesamongthehearth-ashes。Oh-oh!\'saidathird。

OnhisreturnhomeSirWilliamseemedtohaveagedyears。Buthesaidnothing；indeed，itwasathingimpossible。Andfromthathouraghastlyestrangementbegan。Shecouldnotunderstandit，andsimplywaited。Onedayhesaid，however，\'Imustgoabroad。\'

\'Why?\'saidshe。\'William，haveIoffendedyou?\'

\'No，\'saidhe；\'butImustgo。\'

Shecouldcoaxlittlemoreoutofhim，andinitselftherewasnothingunnaturalinhisdeparture，forhehadbeenawandererfromhisyouth。Inafewdayshestartedoff，apparentlyquiteanothermanthanhewhohadrushedtohersidesodevotedlyafewmonthsbefore。

Itisnotknownwhen，orhow，therumours，whichweresothickintheatmospherearoundher，actuallyreachedtheLadyPenelope\'sears，butthattheydidreachherthereisnodoubt。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldnot；thedistrictteemedwiththem；theyrustledintheairlikenight-birdsofevilomen。Thenareasonforherhusband\'sdepartureoccurredtoherappalledmind，andalossofhealthbecamequicklyapparent。Shedwindledthinintheface，andtheveinsinhertemplescouldallbedistinctlytraced。Aninnerfireseemedtobewitheringheraway。Herringsfelloffherfingers，andherarmshungliketheflailsofthethreshers，thoughtheyhadtilllatelybeensoroundandsoelastic。Shewrotetoherhusbandrepeatedly，begginghimtoreturntoher；buthe，beinginextremeandwretcheddoubt，moreover，knowingnothingofherill-

health，andneversuspectingthattherumourshadreachedheralso，deemedabsencebest，andpostponedhisreturnawhile，givingvariousgoodreasonsforhisdelay。

Atlength，however，whentheLadyPenelopehadgivenbirthtoastill-bornchild，hermother，theCountess，addressedalettertoSirWilliam，requestinghimtocomebacktoherifhewishedtoseeheralive；sinceshewaswastingawayofsomemysteriousdisease，whichseemedtoberathermentalthanphysical。Itwasevidentthathismother-in-lawknewnothingofthesecret，forshelivedatadistance；butSirWilliampromptlyhastenedhome，andstoodbesidethebedofhisnowdyingwife。

\'Believeme，William，\'shesaidwhentheywerealone，\'Iaminnocent——innocent!\'

\'Ofwhat?\'saidhe。\'HeavenforbidthatIshouldaccuseyouofanything!\'

\'Butyoudoaccuseme——silently!\'shegasped。\'Icouldnotwritethereon——andaskyoutohearme。Itwastoomuch，toodegrading。

ButwouldthatIhadbeenlessproud!Theysuspectmeofpoisoninghim，William!But，ohmydearhusband，Iaminnocentofthatwickedcrime!Hediednaturally。Ilovedyou——toosoon；butthatwasall!\'

Nothingavailedtosaveher。ThewormhadgnawedtoofarintoherheartbeforeSirWilliam\'sreturnforanythingtoberemedialnow；

andinafewweeksshebreathedherlast。Afterherdeaththepeoplespokelouder，andherconductbecameasubjectofpublicdiscussion。Alittlelateron，thephysician，whohadattendedthelateSirJohn，heardtherumour，andcamedownfromtheplacenearLondontowhichhelatterlyhadretired，withtheexpresspurposeofcallinguponSirWilliamHervy，nowstayinginCasterbridge。

Hestatedthat，attherequestofarelativeofSirJohn\'s，whowishedtobeassuredonthematterbyreasonofitssuddenness，hehad，withtheassistanceofasurgeon，madeaprivateexaminationofSirJohn\'sbodyimmediatelyafterhisdecease，andfoundthatithadresultedfrompurelynaturalcauses。Nobodyatthistimehadbreathedasuspicionoffoulplay，andthereforenothingwassaidwhichmightafterwardshaveestablishedherinnocence。

Itbeingthusplacedbeyonddoubtthatthisbeautifulandnobleladyhadbeendonetodeathbyavilescandalthatwaswhollyunfounded，herhusbandwasstungwithadreadfulremorseatthesharehehadtakeninhermisfortunes，andleftthecountryanew，thistimenevertoreturnalive。Hesurvivedherbutafewyears，andhisbodywasbroughthomeandburiedbesidehiswife\'sunderthetombwhichisstillvisibleintheparishchurch。Untillatelytherewasagoodportraitofher，inweedsforherfirsthusband，withacrossinherhand，attheancestralseatofherfamily，whereshewasmuchpitied，asshedeservedtobe。Yetthereweresomesevereenoughtosay——andthesenotunjustpersonsinotherrespects——thatthoughunquestionablyinnocentofthecrimeimputedtoher，shehadshownanunseemlywantonnessincontractingthreemarriagesinsuchrapidsuccession；thattheuntruesuspicionmighthavebeenorderedbyProvidence(whooftenworksindirectly)asapunishmentforherself-indulgence。UponthatpointIhavenoopiniontooffer。

ThereverendtheVice-President，however，thetalebeingended，offeredashisopinionthatherfateoughttobequiteclearlyrecognizedasapunishment。SothoughttheChurchwarden，andalsothequietgentlemansittingnear。Thelatterknewmanyotherinstancesinpoint，oneofwhichcouldbenarratedinafewwords。

DAMETHENINTH:THEDUCHESSOFHAMPTONSHIRE

BytheQuietGentlemanSomefiftyyearsago，thethenDukeofHamptonshire，fifthofthattitle，wasincontestiblytheheadmaninhiscounty，andparticularlyintheneighbourhoodofBatton。HecameoftheancientandloyalfamilyofSaxelbye，which，beforeitsennoblement，hadnumberedmanyknightlyandecclesiasticalcelebritiesinitsmaleline。Itwouldhaveoccupiedapainstakingcountyhistorianawholeafternoontotakerubbingsofthenumerouseffigiesandheraldicdevicesgraventotheirmemoryonthebrasses，tablets，andaltar-

tombsintheaisleoftheparish-church。TheDukehimself，however，wasamanlittleattractedbyancientchroniclesinstoneandmetal，evenwhentheyconcernedhisownbeginnings。Heallowedhismindtolingerbypreferenceonthemanygracelessandunedifyingpleasureswhichhispositionplacedathiscommand。Hecouldonoccasionclosethemouthsofhisdependentsbyagoodbomb-likeoath，andheargueddoggedlywiththeparsononthevirtuesofcock-fightingandbaitingthebull。

Thisnobleman\'spersonalappearancewassomewhatimpressive。Hiscomplexionwasthatofthecopper-beechtree。Hisframewasstalwart，thoughslightlystooping。Hismouthwaslarge，andhecarriedanunpolishedsaplingashiswalking-stick，exceptwhenhecarriedaspudforcuttingupanythistleheencounteredonhiswalks。Hiscastlestoodinthemidstofapark，surroundedbyduskyelms，excepttothesouthward；andwhenthemoonshoneout，thegleamingstonefacade，backedbyheavyboughs，wasvisiblefromthedistanthighroadasawhitespotonthesurfaceofdarkness。

Thoughcalledacastle，thebuildingwaslittlefortified，andhadbeenerectedwithgreatereyetointernalconveniencethanthosecranniedplacesofdefencetowhichthenamestrictlyappertains。

Itwasacastellatedmansionasregularasachessboardonitsground-plan，ornamentedwithmake-believebastionsandmachicolations，behindwhichwerestacksofbattlementedchimneys。

Onstillmornings，atthefire-lightinghour，whenghostlyhouse-

maidsstalkthecorridors，andthinstreaksoflightthroughtheshutter-chinkslendstartlingwinksandsmilestoancestorsoncanvas，twelveorfifteenthinstemsofbluesmokesproutedupwardsfromthesechimney-tops，andspreadintoaflatcanopyonhigh。

Aroundthesitestretchedtenthousandacresofgood，fat，unimpeachablesoil，plentifulingladesandlawnswherevervisiblefromthecastle-windows，andmerginginhomelyarablewherescreenedfromthetoocuriouseyebyingeniously-contrivedplantations。

Somewaybehindtheownerofallthiscamethesecondmanintheparish，therector，theHonourableandReverendMr。Oldbourne，awidower，overstiffandsternforaclergyman，whoseseverewhiteneckcloth，well-keptgrayhair，andright-linedfacebetokenednoneofthosesympathetictraitswhereondependssomuchofaparson\'spowertodogoodamonghisfellow-creatures。Thelast，far-removedmanoftheseries——altogethertheNeptuneoftheselocalprimaries——

wasthecurate，Mr。AlwynHill。Hewasahandsomeyoungdeaconwithcurlyhair，dreamyeyes——sodreamythattolooklongintothemwaslikeascendingandfloatingamongsummerclouds——acomplexionasfreshasaflower，andachinabsolutelybeardless。Thoughhisagewasabouttwenty-five，helookednotmuchovernineteen。

TherectorhadadaughtercalledEmmeline，ofsosweetandsimpleanaturethatherbeautywasdiscovered，measured，andinventoriedbyalmosteverybodyinthatpartofthecountrybeforeitwassuspectedbyherselftoexist。Shehadbeenbredincomparativesolitude；arencounterwithmentroubledandconfusedher。Wheneverastrangevisitorcametoherfather\'shousesheslippedintotheorchardandremainedtillhewasgone，ridiculingherweaknessinapostrophes，butunabletoovercomeit。Hervirtueslayinnoresistantforceofcharacter，butinanaturalinappetencyforevilthings，whichtoherwereasunmeaningasjointsoffleshtoaherbivorouscreature。

Hercharmsofperson，manner，andmind，hadbeenclearforsometimetotheAntinousinorders，andnolesssototheDuke，who，thoughscandalouslyignorantofdaintyphrases，evershowingaclumsymannertowardsthegentlersex，and，inshort，notatallalady\'sman，tookfiretoadegreethatwaswellnighterribleatsuddensightofEmmeline，ashorttimeaftershewasturnedseventeen。

Itoccurredoneafternoonatthecornerofashrubberybetweenthecastleandtherectory，wheretheDukewasstandingtowatchtheheavingofamole，whenthefairgirlbrushedpastatadistanceofafewyards，inthefulllightofthesun，andwithouthatorbonnet。TheDukewenthomelikeamanwhohadseenaspirit。Heascendedtothepicture-galleryofhiscastle，andtherepassedsometimeinstaringatthebygonebeautiesofhislineasifhehadneverbeforeconsideredwhatanimportantpartthosespecimensofwomankindhadplayedintheevolutionoftheSaxelbyerace。Hedinedalone，drankratherfreely，anddeclaredtohimselfthatEmmelineOldbournemustbehis。

Meanwhiletherehadunfortunatelyarisenbetweenthecurateandthisgirlsomesweetandsecretunderstanding。Particularsoftheattachmentremainedunknownthenandalways，butitwasplainlynotapprovedofbyherfather。Hisprocedurewascold，hard，andinexorable。Soonthecuratedisappearedfromtheparish，almostsuddenly，afterbitterandhardwordshadbeenheardtopassbetweenhimandtherectoroneeveninginthegarden，intermingledwithwhich，likethecriesofthedyinginthedinofbattle，werethebeseechingsobsofawoman。NotlongafterthisitwasannouncedthatamarriagebetweentheDukeandMissOldbournewastobesolemnizedatasurprisinglyearlydate。

Thewedding-daycameandpassed；andshewasaDuchess。Nobodyseemedtothinkoftheoustedmanduringtheday，orelsethosewhothoughtofhimconcealedtheirmeditations。Someofthelesssubservientonesweredisposedtospeakinajocularmanneroftheaugusthusbandandwife，otherstomakecorrectandprettyspeechesaboutthem，accordingastheirsexandnaturedictated。Butintheevening，theringersinthebelfry，withwhomAlwynhadbeenafavourite，easedtheirmindsalittleconcerningthegentleyoungman，andthepossibleregretsofthewomanhehadloved。

\'Don\'tyouseesomethingwronginitall?\'saidthethirdbellashewipedhisface。\'Iknowwellenoughwhereshewouldhavelikedtostableherhorsesto-night，whentheyhavedonetheirjourney。\'

\'Thatis，youwouldknowifyoucouldtellwhereyoungMr。Hillisliving，whichisknowntononeintheparish。\'

\'Excepttotheladythatthisringo\'grandsiretriplesisinhonourof。\'