第14章

XXI。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENHOURS

1。MARCHTHETWENTY-NINTH。NOON

ExactlysevendaysafterEdwardSpringrovehadseenthemanwiththebundleofstrawwalkingdownthestreetsofCasterbridge，oldFarmerSpringrovewasstandingontheedgeofthesamepavement，talkingtohisfriend，FarmerBaker。

Therewasapauseintheirdiscourse。Mr。Springrovewaslookingdownthestreetatsomeobjectwhichhadattractedhisattention。

\'Ah，\'tiswhatweshallallcometo！\'hemurmured。

Theotherlookedinthesamedirection。\'True，neighbourSpringrove；true。\'

Twomen，advancingonebehindtheotherinthemiddleoftheroad，werewhatthefarmersreferredto。Theywerecarpenters，andboreontheirshouldersanemptycoffin，coveredbyathinblackcloth。

\'Ialwaysfeelasatisfactionatbeingbreastedbysuchasightasthat，\'saidSpringrove，stillregardingthemen\'ssadburden。\'I

callitasortofmedicine。\'

\'Anditismedicine……Ihavenotheardofanybodybeingillupthiswaylately？D\'seemasifthepersondiedsuddenly。\'

\'Maybeso。Ah，Baker，wesaysuddendeath，don\'twe？Butthere\'snodifferenceintheirnaturebetweensuddendeathanddeathofanyothersort。There\'snosuchthingasarandomsnappingoffofwhatwaslaiddowntolastlonger。Weonlysuddenlylightuponanend——

thoughtfullyformedasanyother——whichhasbeenexistingatthatverysamepointfromthebeginning，thoughunseenbyustobesosoon。\'

\'Itisjustadiscoverytoyourownmind，andnotanalterationintheLord\'s。\'

\'That\'sit。Unexpectedisnotastothething，butastooursight。\'

\'Nowyou\'llhardlybelieveme，neighbour，butthislittlesceneinfrontofusmakesmefeellessanxiousaboutpushingonwi\'thatthreshingandwinnowingnextweek，thatIwasspeakingabout。Whyshouldwenotstandstill，saysItomyself，andflingaquieteyeupontheWhysandtheWherefores，beforetheendo\'itall，andwegodownintothemouldering-place，andareforgotten？\'

\'\'Tisafeelingthatwillcome。But\'twontbearlookinginto。

There\'saback\'ardcurrentintheworld，andwemustdoourutmosttoadvanceinorderjusttobidewherewebe。But，Baker，theyareturninginherewiththecoffin，look。\'

Thetwocarpentershadbornetheirloadintoanarrowwaycloseathand。Thefarmers，incommonwithothers，turnedandwatchedthemalongtheway。

\'\'Tisaman\'scoffin，andatallman\'s，too，\'continuedFarmerSpringrove。\'Hiswasafineframe，whoeverhewas。\'

\'Averyplainboxforthepoorsoul——justtheroughelm，yousee。\'

Thecorneroftheclothhadblownaside。

\'Yes，foraverypoorman。Well，death\'sallthelessinsulttohim。Ihaveoftenthoughthowmuchsmallerthericherclassaremadetolookthanthepooratlastpincheslikethis。Perhapsthegreatestofallthereconcilersofathoughtfulmantopoverty——andIspeakfromexperience——isthegrandquietitfillshimwithwhentheuncertaintyofhislifeshowsitselfmorethanusual。\'

AsSpringrovefinishedspeaking，thebearersofthecoffinwentacrossagravelledsquarefacingthetwomenandapproachedagrimandheavyarchway。Theypausedbeneathit，rangabell，andwaited。

OverthearchwaywaswritteninEgyptiancapitals，\'COUNTYGAOL。\'

Thesmallrectangularwicket，whichwasconstructedinoneofthetwoiron-studdeddoors，wasopenedfromtheinside。Themenseverallysteppedoverthethreshold，thecoffindraggeditsmelancholylengththroughtheaperture，andbothenteredthecourt，andwerecoveredfromsight。

\'Somebodyinthegaol，then？\'

\'Yes，oneoftheprisoners，\'saidaboy，scuddingbyatthemoment，whopassedonwhistling。

\'Doyouknowthenameofthemanwhoisdead？\'inquiredBakerofathirdbystander。

\'Yes，\'tisallovertown——surelyyouknow，Mr。Springrove？Why，Manston，MissAldclyffe\'ssteward。Hewasfounddeadthefirstthingthismorning。Hehadhunghimselfbehindthedoorofhiscell，insomeway，byahandkerchiefandsomestripsofhisclothes。

Theturnkeysayshisfeatureswerescarcelychanged，ashelookedat\'emwiththeearlysuna-shininginatthegratinguponhim。Hehasleftafullaccountofthemurder，andallthatledtoit。Sothere\'sanendofhim。\'

Itwasperfectlytrue：Manstonwasdead。

Thepreviousdayhehadbeenallowedtheuseofwriting-materials，andhadoccupiedhimselffornearlysevenhoursinpreparingthefollowingconfession：——

\'LASTWORDS。

\'Havingfoundman\'slifetobeawretchedlyconceivedscheme，I

renounceit，and，tocausenofurthertrouble，Iwritedownthefactsconnectedwithmypastproceedings。

\'AfterthankingGod，onfirstenteringmyhouse，onthenightofthefireatCarriford，formyreleasefrombondagetoawomanI

detested，Iwent，asecondtime，tothesceneofthedisaster，and，findingthatnothingcouldbedonebyremainingthere，shortlyafterwardsIreturnedhomeagaininthecompanyofMr。Raunham。

\'Hepartedfrommeatthestepsofmyporch，andwentbacktowardstherectory。WhilstIstillstoodatthedoor，musingonmystrangedeliverance，Isawafigureadvancefrombeneaththeshadowoftheparktrees。Itwasthefigureofawoman。

\'Whenshecamenear，thetwilightwassufficienttoshowmeherattire：itwasacloakreachingtothebottomofherdress，andathickveilcoveringherface。Thesefeatures，togetherwithhersizeandgait，aidedalsobyaflashofperceptionastothechainofeventswhichhadsavedherlife，toldmethatshewasmywifeEunice。

\'Ignashedmyteethinafrenzyofdespair；IhadlostCytherea；I

hadgainedonewhosebeautyhaddeparted，whoseutterancewascomplaint，whosemindwasshallow，andwhodrankbrandyeveryday。

Therevulsionoffeelingwasterrible。Providence，whomIhadjustthanked，seemedamockingtormentorlaughingatme。Ifeltlikeamadman。

\'Shecameclose——startedatseeingmeoutside——thenspoketome。

HerfirstwordswerereproofforwhatIhadunintentionallydone，andsoundedasanearnestofwhatIwastobecursedwithaslongaswebothlived。Iansweredangrily；thistoneofminechangedhercomplaintstoirritation。Shetauntedmewithasecretshehaddiscovered，whichconcernedMissAldclyffeandmyself。Iwassurprisedtolearnit——moresurprisedthatsheknewit，butconcealedmyfeeling。

\'“Howcouldyouservemeso？”shesaid，herbreathsmellingofspiritseventhen。“Youloveanotherwoman——yes，youdo。Seehowyoudrivemeabout！Ihavebeentothestation，intendingtoleaveyouforever，andyetIcometotryyouoncemore。“

\'Anindescribableexasperationhadsprungupinmeasshetalked——

rageandregretwereallinall。ScarcelyknowingwhatIdid，I

furiouslyraisedmyhandandswungitroundwithmywholeforcetostrikeher。Sheturnedquickly——anditwasthepoorcreature\'send。

Byhermovementmyhandcameedgewiseexactlyinthenapeoftheneck——asmenstrikeaharetokillit。Theeffectstaggeredmewithamazement。Theblowmusthavedisturbedthevertebrae；shefellatmyfeet，madeafewmovements，andutteredonelowsound。

\'Iranindoorsforwaterandsomewine，Icameoutandlancedherarmwithmypenknife。Butshelaystill，andIfoundthatshewasdead。

\'ItwasalongtimebeforeIcouldrealizemyhorribleposition。

ForseveralminutesIhadnoideaofattemptingtoescapetheconsequencesofmydeed。Thenalightbrokeuponme。HadanybodyseenhersinceshelefttheThreeTranters？Hadtheynot，shewasalreadybelievedbytheparishionerstobedustandashes。Ishouldneverbefoundout。

\'UponthisIacted。

\'Thefirstquestionwashowtodisposeofthebody。Theimpulseofthemomentwastoburyheratonceinthepitbetweentheengine-

houseandwaterfall；butitstruckmethatIshouldnothavetime。

Itwasnowfouro\'clock，andtheworking-menwouldsoonbestirringabouttheplace。Iwouldputoffburyinghertillthenextnight。

Icarriedherindoors。

\'Inturningtheouthouseintoaworkshop，earlierintheseason，I

found，whendrivinganailintothewallforfixingacupboard，thatthewallsoundedhollow。Iexaminedit，anddiscoveredbehindtheplasteranoldovenwhichhadlongbeendisused，andwasbrickedupwhenthehousewaspreparedforme。

\'Tounfixthiscupboardandpulloutthebrickswastheworkofafewminutes。Then，bearinginmindthatIshouldhavetoremovethebodyagainthenextnight，Iplaceditinasack，pusheditintotheoven，packedinthebricks，andreplacedthecupboard。

\'Ithenwenttobed。Inbed，Ithoughtwhethertherewereanyveryremotepossibilitiesthatmightleadtothesuppositionthatmywifewasnotconsumedbytheflamesoftheburninghouse。Thethingwhichstruckmemostforciblywasthis，thatthesearchersmightthinkitoddthatnoremainswhatevershouldbefound。

\'Theclinchingandtriumphantdeedwouldbetotakethebodyandplaceitamongtheruinsofthedestroyedhouse。ButIcouldnotdothis，onaccountofthemenwhowerewatchingagainstanoutbreakofthefire。Oneremedyremained。

\'Iaroseagain，dressedmyself，andwentdowntotheouthouse。I

musttakedownthecupboardagain。Ididtakeitdown。Ipulledoutthebricks，pulledoutthesack，pulledoutthecorpse，andtookherkeysfromherpocketandthewatchfromherside。

\'Ithenreplacedeverythingasbefore。

\'WiththesearticlesinmypocketIwentoutoftheyard，andtookmywaythroughthewithycopsetothechurchyard，enteringitfromtheback。HereIfeltmywaycarefullyalongtillIcametothenookwherepiecesofbonesfromnewly-duggravesaresometimespiledbehindthelaurel-bushes。Ihadbeenearnestlyhopingtofindaskullamongtheseoldbones；butthoughIhadfrequentlyseenoneortwointherubbishhere，therewasnotonenow。Ithengropedintheothercornerwiththesameresult——nowherecouldIfindaskull。

Threeorfourfragmentsoflegandback-boneswereallIcouldcollect，andwiththeseIwasforcedtobecontent。

\'Takingtheminmyhand，Icrossedtheroad，andgotroundbehindtheinn，wherethecouchheapwasstillsmouldering。Keepingbehindthehedge，Icouldseetheheadsofthethreeorfourmenwhowatchedthespot。

\'StandinginthisplaceItookthebones，andthrewthemonebyoneoverthehedgeandoverthemen\'sheadsintothesmokingembers。

Whentheboneshadallbeenthrown，Ithrewthekeys；lastofallI

threwthewatch。

\'IthenreturnedhomeasIhadgone，andwenttobedoncemore，justasthedawnbegantobreak。Iexulted——“Cythereaismineagain！”

\'Atbreakfast-timeIthought，“Supposethecupboardshouldbysomeunlikelychancegetmovedto-day！”

\'Iwenttothemason\'syardhardby，whilethemenwereatbreakfast，andbroughtawayashovelfulofmortar。Itookitintotheouthouse，againshiftedthecupboard，andplasteredoverthemouthoftheovenbehind。Simplypushingthecupboardbackintoitsplace，IwaitedforthenextnightthatImightburythebody，thoughuponthewholeitwasinatolerablysafehiding-place。

\'Whenthenightcame，mynerveswereinsomewayweakerthantheyhadbeenonthepreviousnight。Ifeltreluctanttotouchthebody。

Iwenttotheouthouse，butinsteadofopeningtheoven，Ifirmlydroveintheshoulder-nailsthatheldthecupboardtothewall。“I

willburyherto-morrownight，however，“Ithought。

\'ButthenextnightIwasstillmorereluctanttotouchher。Andmyreluctanceincreased，andtherethebodyremained。Theovenwas，afterall，neverlikelytobeopenedinmytime。

\'ImarriedCythereaGraye，andneverdidabridegroomleavethechurchwithaheartmorefullofloveandhappiness，andabrainmorefixedongoodintentions，thanIdidonthatmorning。

\'WhenCytherea\'sbrothermadehisappearanceatthehotelinSouthampton，bearinghisstrangeevidenceoftheporter\'sdisclosure，Iwasstaggeredbeyondexpression。Ithoughttheyhadfoundthebody。“AmItobeapprehendedandtoloseherevennow？”

Imourned。Isawmyerror，andinstantlysaw，too，thatImustactexternallylikeanhonourableman。SoathisrequestIyieldedheruptohim，andmeditatedonseveralschemesforenablingmetoclaimthewomanIhadalegalrighttoclaimasmywife，withoutdisclosingthereasonwhyIknewmyselftohaveit。

\'IwenthometoKnapwaterthenextday，andfornearlyaweeklivedinastateofindecision。Icouldnothituponaschemeforprovingmywifedeadwithoutcompromisingmyself。

\'Mr。RaunhamhintedthatIshouldtakestepstodiscoverherwhereaboutsbyadvertising。Ihadnoenergyforthefarce。ButoneeveningIchancedtoentertheRisingSunInn。Twonotoriouspoachersweresittinginthesettle，whichscreenedmyentrance。

Theywerehalfdrunk——theirconversationwascarriedoninthesolemnandemphatictonecommontothatstageofintoxication，andI

myselfwasthesubjectofit。

\'Thefollowingwasthesubstanceoftheirdisjointedremarks：OnthenightofthegreatfireatCarriford，oneofthemwassenttomeetme，andbreakthenewsofthedeathofmywifetome。Thishedid；butbecauseIwouldnotpayhimforhisnews，heleftmeinamoodofvindictiveness。Whenthefirewasover，hejoinedhiscomrade。Thefavourablehourofthenightsuggestedtothemthepossibilityofsomeunlawfulgainbeforedaylightcame。Myfowlhousestoodinatemptingposition，andstillresentinghisrepulseduringtheevening，oneofthemproposedtooperateuponmybirds。IwasbelievedtohavegonetotherectorywithMr。Raunham。

Theotherwasdisinclinedtogo，andthefirstwentoffalone。

\'Itwasnowaboutthreeo\'clock。Hehadadvancedasfarastheshrubbery，whichgrowsnearthenorthwallofthehouse，whenhefanciedheheard，abovetherushofthewaterfall，noisesontheothersideofthebuilding。Hedescribedtheminthesewords，“Ghostlymouthstalking——thenafall——thenagroan——thentherushofthewaterandcreakoftheengineasbefore。“Onlyoneexplanationoccurredtohim；thehousewashaunted。And，whetherthoseofthelivingorthedead，voicesofanykindwereinimicaltoonewhohadcomeonsuchanerrand。Hestealthilycrepthome。

\'Hisunlawfulpurposeinbeingbehindthehouseledhimtoconcealhisadventure。Nosuspicionofthetruthenteredhismindtilltherailway-porterhadstartledeverybodybyhisstrangeannouncement。

Thenheaskedhimself，hadthehorrifyingsoundsofthatnightbeenreallyanenactmentinthefleshbetweenmeandmywife？

\'Thewordsoftheothermanwere：

\'“Whydon\'thetrytofindherifshe\'salive？”

\'“True，“saidthefirst。“Well，Idon\'tforgetwhatIheard，andifshedon\'tturnupalivemymindwillbeassureasaBibleuponhermurder，andtheparsonshallknowit，thoughIdogetsixmonthsonthetreadmillforbeingwhereIwas。“

\'“Andifsheshouldturnupalive？”

\'“ThenIshallknowthatIamwrong，andbelievingmyselfafoolaswellasarogue，holdmytongue。“

\'Iglidedoutofthehouseinacoldsweat。TheonlypressureinheavenorearthwhichcouldhaveforcedmetorenounceCythereawasnowputuponme——thedreadofadeathuponthegallows。

\'Isatallthatnightweavingstrategyofvariouskinds。TheonlyeffectualremedyformyhazardousstandingthatIcouldseewasasimpleone。Itwastosubstituteanotherwomanformywifebeforethesuspicionsofthatoneeasily-hoodwinkedmanextendedfurther。

\'Theonlydifficultywastofindapracticablesubstitute。

\'Theonewomanatallavailableforthepurposewasafriendless，innocentcreature，namedAnneSeaway，whomIhadknowninmyyouth，andwhohadforsometimebeenthehousekeeperofaladyinLondon。

Onaccountofthislady\'ssuddendeath，Annestoodinratheraprecariousposition，asregardedherfuturesubsistence。Shewasnotthebestkindofwomanforthescheme；buttherewasnoalternative。Onequalityofherswasvaluable；shewasnotatalker。IwenttoLondontheverynextday，calledattheHoxtonlodgingofmywife(theonlyplaceatwhichshehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston)，andfoundthatnogreatdifficultiesstoodinthewayofapersonation。Andthusfavouringcircumstancesdeterminedmycourse。IvisitedAnneSeaway，madelovetoher，andpropoundedmyplan……

\'WelivedquietlyenoughuntiltheSundaybeforemyapprehension。

Annecamehomefromchurchthatmorning，andtoldmeofthesuspiciouswayinwhichayoungmanhadlookedatherthere。

Nothingcouldbedonebeyondwaitingtheissueofevents。ThenthelettercamefromRaunham。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwashalfindifferentastowhatfateawaitedme。DuringthesucceedingdayI

thoughtonceortwiceofrunningaway，butcouldnotquitemakeupmymind。Atanyrateitwouldbebesttoburythebodyofmywife，Ithought，fortheovenmightbeopenedatanytime。IwenttoCasterbridgeandmadesomearrangements。IntheeveningMissAldclyffe(whoisunitedtomebyacommonsecretwhichIhavenorightorwishtodisclose)cametomyhouse，andalarmedmestillmore。ShesaidthatshecouldtellbyMr。Raunham\'smannerthatevening，thathekeptbackfromherasuspicionofmoreimportanceeventhantheonehespokeof，andthatstrangerswereinhishouseeventhen。

\'Iguessedwhatthisfurthersuspicionwas，andresolvedtoenlightenhertoacertainextent，andsosecureherassistance。I

saidthatIkilledmywifebyanaccidentonthenightofthefire，dwellingupontheadvantagetoherofthedeathoftheonlywomanwhoknewhersecret。

\'Herterror，andfearsformyfate，ledhertowatchtherectorythatevening。Shesawthedetectiveleaveit，andfollowedhimtomyresidence。ThisshetoldmehurriedlywhenIperceivedherafterdiggingmywife\'sgraveintheplantation。Shedidnotsuspectwhatthesackcontained。

\'Iamnowabouttoenteronmynormalcondition。Forpeoplearealmostalwaysintheirgraves。Whenwesurveythelongraceofmen，itisstrangeandstillmorestrangetofindthattheyaremainlydeadmen，whohavescarcelyeverbeenotherwise。

\'AENEASMANSTON。\'

Thesteward\'sconfession，aidedbycircumstantialevidenceofvariouskinds，wasthemeansoffreeingbothAnneSeawayandMissAldclyffefromallsuspicionofcomplicitywiththemurderer。

2。SIXO\'CLOCKP。M。

Itwasevening——justatsunset——onthedayofManston\'sdeath。

InthecottageatTolchurchwasgatheredagroupconsistingofCytherea，herbrother，EdwardSpringrove，andhisfather。Theysatbythewindowconversingofthestrangeeventswhichhadjusttakenplace。InCytherea\'seyetherebeamedahopefulray，thoughherfacewasaswhiteasalily。

Whilsttheytalked，lookingoutattheyelloweveninglightthatcoatedthehedges，trees，andchurchtower，abroughamrolledroundthecornerofthelane，andcameinfullview。Itreflectedtheraysofthesuninaflashfromitspolishedpanelsasitturnedtheangle，thespokesofthewheelsbristlinginthesamelightlikebayonets。Thevehiclecamenearer，andarrivedoppositeOwen\'sdoor，whenthedriverpulledthereinandgaveashout，andthepantingandsweatinghorsesstopped。

\'MissAldclyffe\'scarriage！\'theyallexclaimed。

Owenwentout。\'IsMissGrayeathome？\'saidtheman。\'Anoteforher，andIamtowaitforananswer。\'

CythereareadinthehandwritingoftheRectorofCarriford：——

\'DEARMISSGRAYE，——MissAldclyffeisill，thoughnotdangerously。

Shecontinuallyrepeatsyourname，andnowwishesverymuchtoseeyou。Ifyoupossiblycan，comeinthecarriage——Verysincerelyyours，JOHNRAUNHAM。\'

\'Howcomessheill？\'Oweninquiredofthecoachman。

\'Shecaughtaviolentcoldbystandingoutofdoorsinthedamp，onthenightthestewardranaway。Eversince，tillthismorning，shecomplainedoffulnessandheatinthechest。ThismorningthemaidraninandtoldhersuddenlythatManstonhadkilledhimselfingaol——sheshrieked——brokeablood-vessel——andfelluponthefloor。

Severeinternalhaemorrhagecontinuedforsometimeandthenstopped。Theysaysheissuretogetoverit；butsheherselfsaysno。Shehassufferedfromitbefore。\'

Cythereawasreadyinafewmoments，andenteredthecarriage。

3。SEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。

SoftaswasCytherea\'smotionalongthecorridorsofKnapwaterHouse，thepreternaturallykeenintelligenceofthesufferingwomancaughtthemaiden\'swell-knownfootfall。Sheenteredthesick-

chamberwithsuspendedbreath。

Intheroomeverythingwassostill，andsensationwasasitweresorarefiedbysolicitude，thatthinkingseemedacting，andthelady\'sweakactoftryingtoliveasilentwrestlingwithallthepowersoftheuniverse。NobodywaspresentbutMr。Raunham，thenursehavinglefttheroomonCytherea\'sentry，andthephysicianandsurgeonbeingengagedinawhisperedconversationinaside-chamber。Theirpatienthadbeenpronouncedoutofdanger。

Cythereawenttothebedside，andwasinstantlyrecognized。O，whatachange——MissAldclyffedependentuponpillows！Andyetnotaforbiddingchange。Withweaknesshadcomesoftnessofaspect：thehaughtinesswasextractedfromthefrailthincountenance，andasweetermildplacidityhadtakenitsplace。

MissAldclyffesignifiedtoMr。RaunhamthatshewouldliketobealonewithCytherea。

\'Cytherea？\'shefaintlywhisperedtheinstantthedoorwasclosed。

Cythereaclaspedthelady\'sweakhand，andsankbesideher。

MissAldclyffewhisperedagain。\'TheysayIamcertaintolive；butIknowthatIamcertainlygoingtodie。\'

\'Theyknow，Ithink，andhope。\'

\'Iknowbest，butwe\'llleavethat。Cytherea——OCytherea，canyouforgiveme！\'

Hercompanionpressedherhand。

\'Butyoudon\'tknowyet——youdon\'tknowyet，\'theinvalidmurmured。

\'ItisforgivenessforthatmisrepresentationtoEdwardSpringrovethatIimplore，andforputtingsuchforceuponhim——thatwhichcausedallthetrainofyourinnumerableills！\'

\'Iknowall——all。AndIdoforgiveyou。Notinahastyimpulsethatisrevokedwhencoolnesscomes，butdeliberatelyandsincerely：

asImyselfhopetobeforgiven，Iaccordyoumyforgivenessnow。\'

TearsstreamedfromMissAldclyffe\'seyes，andmingledwiththoseofheryoungcompanion，whocouldnotrestrainhersforsympathy。

Expressionsofstrongattachment，interruptedbyemotion，burstagainandagainfromthebroken-spiritedwoman。

\'Butyoudon\'tknowmymotive。O，ifyouonlyknewit，howyouwouldpitymethen！\'

Cythereadidnotbreakthepausewhichensued，andtheelderwomanappearednowtonerveherselfbyasuperhumaneffort。Shespokeoninavoiceweakasasummerbreeze，andfullofintermission，andyettherepervadeditasteadinessofintentionthatseemedtodemandfirmtonestobearitoutworthily。

\'Cytherea，\'shesaid，\'listentomebeforeIdie。

\'Alongtimeago——morethanthirtyyearsago——ayounggirlofseventeenwascruellybetrayedbyhercousin，awildofficerofsix-

and-twenty。HewenttoIndia，anddied。

\'OnenightwhenthatmiserablegirlhadjustarrivedhomewithherparentsfromGermany，whereherbabyhadbeenborn，shetookallthemoneyshepossessed，pinneditonherinfant\'sbosom，togetherwithaletter，stating，amongotherthings，whatshewishedthechild\'sChristiannametobe；wrappedupthelittlething，andwalkedwithittoClapham。Here，inaretiredstreet，sheselectedahouse。

Sheplacedthechildonthedoorstepandknockedatthedoor，thenranawayandwatched。Theytookitupandcarrieditindoors。

\'Nowthatherpoorbabywasgone，thegirlblamedherselfbitterlyforcrueltytowardsit，andwishedshehadadoptedherparents\'

counseltosecretlyhireanurse。Shelongedtoseeit。Shedidn\'tknowwhattodo。Shewroteinanassumednametothewomanwhohadtakenitin，andaskedhertomeetthewriterwiththeinfantatcertainplacesshenamed。Thesewerehotelsorcoffee-housesinChelsea，Pimlico，orHammersmith。Thewoman，beingwellpaid，alwayscame，andaskednoquestions。Atonemeeting——ataninninHammersmith——shemadeherappearancewithoutthechild，andtoldthegirlitwassoillthatitwouldnotlivethroughthenight。Thenews，andfatigue，broughtonafainting-fit……\'

MissAldclyffe\'ssobschokedherutterance，andshebecamepainfullyagitated。Cytherea，paleandamazedatwhatsheheard，weptforher，bentoverher，andbeggedhernottogoonspeaking。

\'Yes——Imust，\'shecried，betweenhersobs。\'Iwill——Imustgoon！

AndImusttellyetmoreplainly！……youmusthearitbeforeIamgone，Cytherea。\'Thesympathizingandastonishedgirlsatdownagain。

\'ThenameofthewomanwhohadtakenthechildwasMANSTON。Shewasthewidowofaschoolmaster。Shesaidshehadadoptedthechildofarelation。

\'Onlyonemaneverfoundoutwhothemotherwas。Hewasthekeeperoftheinninwhichshefainted，andhissilenceshehaspurchasedeversince。

\'Atwelvemonthpassed——fifteenmonths——andthesaddenedgirlmetamanatherfather\'shousenamedGraye——yourfather，Cytherea，thenunmarried。Ah，suchaman！Inexperiencenowperceivedwhatitwastobelovedinspiritandintruth！Butitwastoolate。Hadheknownhersecrethewouldhavecastherout。Shewithdrewfromhimbyaneffort，andpined。

\'Yearsandyearsafterwards，whenshebecamemistressofafortuneandestatesbyherfather\'sdeath，sheformedtheweakschemeofhavingnearherthesonwhom，inherfather\'slife-time，shehadbeenforbiddentorecognize。Cytherea，youknowwhothatweakwomanis……

\'BysuchtoilsomelabourasthisIgothimhereasmysteward。AndIwantedtoseehimYOURHUSBAND，Cytherea！——thehusbandofmytruelover\'schild。Itwasasweetdreamtome……Pityme——O，pityme！TodieunlovedismorethanIcanbear！Ilovedyourfather，andIlovehimnow。\'

ThatwastheburdenofCythereaAldclyffe。

\'Isupposeyoumustleavemeagain——youalwaysleaveme，\'shesaid，afterholdingtheyoungwoman\'shandalongwhileinsilence。

\'No——indeedI\'llstayalways。Doyoulikemetostay？\'

MissAldclyffeinthejawsofdeathwasMissAldclyffestill，thoughtheoldfirehaddegeneratedtomerephosphorescencenow。\'Butyouareyourbrother\'shousekeeper？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Well，ofcourseyoucannotstaywithmeonasuddenlikethis……

Gohome，orhewillbeatalossforthings。Andto-morrowmorningcomeagain，won\'tyou，dearest，comeagain——we\'llfetchyou。Butyoumustn\'tstaynow，andputOwenout。Ono——itwouldbeabsurd。\'

Theabsorbingconcernabouttriflesofdailyroutine，whichissooftenseeninverysickpeople，waspresenthere。

Cythereapromisedtogohome，andcomethenextmorningtostaycontinuously。

\'StaytillIdiethen，willyounot？Yes，tillIdie——Ishan\'tdietillto-morrow。\'

\'Wehopeforyourrecovery——allofus。\'

\'Iknowbest。Comeatsixo\'clock，darling。\'

\'AssoonaseverIcan，\'returnedCythereatenderly。

\'Butsixistooearly——youwillhavetothinkofyourbrother\'sbreakfast。LeaveTolchurchateight，willyou？\'

Cythereaconsentedtothis。MissAldclyffewouldneverhaveknownhadhercompanionstayedinthehouseallnight；butthehonestyofCytherea\'snaturerebelledagainsteventhefriendlydeceitwhichsuchaproceedingwouldhaveinvolved。

Anarrangementwascometowherebyshewastobetakenhomeinthepony-carriageinsteadofthebroughamthatfetchedher；thecarriagetoputupatTolchurchfarmforthenight，andonthataccounttobeinreadinesstobringherbackearlier。

4。MARCHTHETHIRTIETH。DAYBREAK

ThethirdandlastinstanceofCytherea\'ssubjectiontothoseperiodicterrorsofthenightwhichhademphasizedherconnectionwiththeAldclyffenameandbloodoccurredatthepresentdate。

Itwasaboutfouro\'clockinthemorningwhenCytherea，thoughmostprobablydreaming，seemedtoawake——andinstantlywastransfixedbyasortofspell，thathadinitmoreofawethanofaffright。Atthefootofherbed，lookingherinthefacewithanexpressionofentreatybeyondthepowerofwordstoportray，wastheformofMissAldclyffe——wananddistinct。Nomotionwasperceptibleinher；butlonging——earnestlonging——waswrittenineveryfeature。

Cythereabelievedsheexercisedherwakingjudgmentasusualinthinking，withoutashadowofdoubt，thatMissAldclyffestoodbeforeherinfleshandblood。ReasonwasnotsufficientlyalerttoleadCythereatoaskherselfhowsuchathingcouldhaveoccurred。

\'Iwouldhaveremainedwithyou——whywouldyounotallowmetostay！\'Cythereaexclaimed。Thespellwasbroken：shebecamebroadlyawake；andthefigurevanished。

Itwasinthegreytimeofdawn。Shetrembledinasweatofdisquiet，andnotbeingabletoendurethethoughtofherbrotherbeingasleep，shewentandtappedathisdoor。

\'Owen！\'

Hewasnotaheavysleeper，anditwasverginguponhistimetorise。

\'Whatdoyouwant，Cytherea？\'

\'IoughtnottohaveleftKnapwaterlastnight。IwishIhadnot。

IreallythinkIwillstartatonce。Shewantsme，Iknow。\'

\'Whattimeisit？\'

\'Afewminutespastfour。\'

\'Youhadbetternot。Keeptothetimeagreedupon。Consider，weshouldhavesuchatroubleinrousingthedriver，andotherthings。\'

Uponthewholeitseemedwisernottoactonamerefancy。Shewenttobedagain。

Anhourlater，whenOwenwasthinkingofgettingup，aknockingcametothefrontdoor。ThenextminutesomethingtouchedtheglassofOwen\'swindow。Hewaited——thenoisewasrepeated。Alittlegravelhadbeenthrownagainstittoarousehim。

Hecrossedtheroom，pulleduptheblind，andlookedout。Asolemnwhitefacewasgazingupwardsfromtheroad，expectantlystrainingtocatchthefirstglimpseofapersonwithinthepanes。ItwasthefaceofaKnapwatermansittingonhorseback。

Owensawhiserrand。Thereisanunmistakablelookinthefaceofeverymanwhobringstidingsofdeath。Grayeopenedthewindow。

\'MissAldclyffe……\'saidthemessenger，andpaused。

\'Ah——dead？\'

\'Yes——sheisdead。\'

\'Whendidshedie？\'

\'Attenminutespastfour，afteranothereffusion。Sheknewbest，yousee，sir。Istarteddirectly，bytherector\'sorders。\'

SEQUEL

Fifteenmonthshavepassed，andwearebroughtontoMidsummerNight，1867。

ThepicturepresentedistheinterioroftheoldbelfryofCarrifordChurch，atteno\'clockintheevening。

SixCarrifordmenandonestrangeraregatheredthere，beneaththelightofaflaringcandlestuckonapieceofwoodagainstthewall。

ThesixCarrifordmenarethewell-knownringersofthefine-tonedoldbellsinthekeyofF，whichhavebeenmusictotheearsofCarrifordparishandtheoutlyingdistrictsforthelastfourhundredyears。Thestrangerisanassistant，whohasappearedfromnobodyknowswhere。

Thesixnatives——intheirshirt-sleeves，andwithouthats——pullandcatchfranticallyatthedancingbellropes，thelocksoftheirhairwavinginthebreezecreatedbytheirquickmotions；thestranger，whohasthetreblebell，doeslikewise，butinhisrightmindandcoat。Theirever-changingshadowsmingleonthewallinanendlessvarietyofkaleidoscopicforms，andtheeyesofallthesevenarereligiouslyfixedonadiagramlikealargeadditionsum，whichischalkedonthefloor。

Vividlycontrastingwiththeyellowlightofthecandleuponthefourunplasteredwallsofthetower，anduponthefacesandclothesofthemen，isthescenediscerniblethroughthescreenbeneaththetowerarchway。Attheextremityofthelongmysteriousavenueofthenaveandchancelcanbeseenshaftsofmoonlightstreaminginattheeastwindowofthechurch——blue，phosphoric，andghostly。

Athoroughrenovationofthebell-ringingmachineryandaccessorieshadtakenplaceinanticipationofaninterestingevent。Newropeshadbeenprovided；everybellhadbeencarefullyshiftedfromitscarriage，andthepivotslubricated。Brightred\'sallies\'ofwoollentexture——softtothehandsandeasilycaught——glowedontheropesinplaceoftheoldraggedknots，allofwhichnewnessinsmalldetailsonlyrenderedmoreevidenttheirrepressibleaspectofageinthemasssurroundingthem。

Thetriple-bob-majorwasended，andtheringerswipedtheirfacesandrolleddowntheirshirt-sleeves，previouslytotuckingawaytheropesandleavingtheplaceforthenight。

\'Piph——h——h——h！Agoodfortyminutes，\'saidamanwithastreamingface，andblowingouthisbreath——oneofthepairwhohadtakenthetenorbell。

\'Ourfriendherepulledproperwell——that\'adid——seeinghe\'sbutastranger，\'saidClerkCrickett，whohadjustresignedthesecondrope，andaddressingthemanintheblackcoat。

\'\'Adid，\'saidtherest。

\'Ienjoyeditmuch，\'saidthemanmodestly。

\'Whatweshouldha\'donewithoutyouwordscan\'ttell。Themanthatd\'belongbyrightstothattherebellisillo\'twogallonso\'woldcider。\'

\'Andnowso\'s，\'remarkedthefifthringer，aspertainingtothelastallusion，\'we\'llfinishthisdropo\'metheglinandcider，andeverymanhome-alongstraightasaline。\'

\'Wi\'allmyheart，\'ClerkCrickettreplied。\'AndtheLordsendifI

ha\'n\'tdonemydutybyMasterTeddySpringrove——thatIhaveso。\'

\'Andtheresto\'us，\'theysaid，asthecupwashandedround。

\'Ay，ay——inringen——butIwasspakeninaspiritualsenseo\'thismornen\'sbusinesso\'mineupbythechancelrailsthere。\'Twasveryconvenienttolugherhereandmarryherinsteado\'doenitatthattwopenny-halfpennytowno\'Budm\'th。Veryconvenient。\'

\'Very。TherewasalittlefeeforMasterCrickett。\'

\'Ah——well。Money\'smoney——verymuchso——very——Ialwayshavesaidit。But\'twasaprettysightforthenation。Hecoloureduplikeanymaid，that\'adid。\'

\'Wellenough\'amidcolourup。\'Tisnosmallmatterforamantoplaywi\'fire。\'

\'Whateveritmaybetoawoman，\'saidtheclerkabsently。

\'Thou\'rtthinkeno\'thywife，clerk，\'saidGadWeedy。\'She\'llplaywi\'itagainwhenthou\'stgotmildewed。\'

\'Well——lether，Godblessher；forI\'mbutapoorthirdman，I。TheLordhavemercyuponthefourth！……Ay，Teddy\'sgothisownatlast。Whatlittlewhiteearsthatmaidhev，tobesure！chooseyourwifeasyouchooseyourpig——asmallearandasmalltale——thatwasalwaysmyjokewhenIwasamerryfeller，ah——yearsagonenow！ButTeddy\'sgother。Poorchap，hewasgettenasthinasahermitwi\'

grief——sowasshe。\'

\'Maybeshe\'llpickupnow。\'

\'True——\'tisnater\'slaw，whichnomanshallgainsay。Ah，welldoI

bearinmindwhatIsaidtoPa\'sonRaunham，aboutthymother\'sfamilyo\'seven，Gad，theveryfirstweekofhiscomenhere，whenI

wasjustinmyprime。“AndhowmanydaughtershasthatpoorWeedygot，clerk？”hesays。“Six，sir，“saysI，“andeveryoneof\'emhasabrother！”“Poorwoman，“sayshe，“adozenchildren！——giveherthishalf-sovereignfromme，clerk。“\'Alaughedagoodfiveminutesafterwards，whenhefoundoutmymerrynater——\'adid。Butthere，\'tisoverwi\'menow。EnterentheChurchistheruinofaman\'switforwit\'snothenwithoutafaintshaddero\'sin。\'

\'IfsobeTeddyandtheladyhadbeenkeptapartforlife，they\'dbothha\'died，\'saidGademphatically。

\'Butnowinsteado\'deaththere\'llbeincreaseo\'life，\'answeredtheclerk。

\'Itallwentproperwell，\'saidthefifthbell-ringer。\'Theydidn\'tfleeofftoBabylonishplaces——notthey。\'Hestruckupanattitude——

\'Here\'sMasterSpringrovestandenso：here\'sthemarriedwomanstandenlikewise；heretheyd\'walkacrosstoKnapwaterHouse；andtheretheyd\'bideinthechimleycorner，hardandfast。\'

\'Yes，\'twasaprettywedden，andwellattended，\'addedtheclerk。

\'Herewasmyladyherself——redasscarlet：herewasMasterSpringrove，lookenasifhehalfwishedhe\'dnevera-come——ah，poorsouls！——themenalwaysdo！Thewomendostanditbest——themaidwasinherglory。Thoughshewassoshythegloryshoneplainthroughthatshyskin。Ah，itdidso\'s。\'

\'Ay，\'saidGad，\'andtherewasTimTankinsandhisfivejourneymencarpenters，standenontiptoeandpeepeninatthechancelwinders。

TherewasDairymanDodmanwaiteninhisnewspring-carttosee\'emcomeout——whipinhand——that\'awas。Thenupcomestwomastertailors。ThentherewasChristopherRuntwi\'hispickaxeandshovel。Therewaswimmen-folkandtherewasmen-folktraypsenupanddownchurch\'ardtilltheyworeapathwi\'traypsenso——lettenthesquallenchildrenslipdownthroughtheirarmsandnearlyskinneno\'em。AndthesewerealloverandabovethegentryandSunday-clothesfolkinside。Well，IseedMr。Grayeatlastdressedupquitethedand。“Well，Mr。Graye，“saysIfromthetopo\'

church\'ardwall，“how\'syerself？”Mr。Grayeneverspoke——he\'dpridedawayhishearen。Seizetheman，Ididn\'wantentospak。

Teddyhearsit，andturnsround：“Allright，Gad！”sayshe，andlaughedlikeaboy。There\'smoreinTeddy。\'

\'Well，\'saidClerkCrickett，turningtothemaninblack，\'nowyou\'vebeenamongussolong，andd\'knowussowell，won\'tyetelluswhatye\'vecomeherefor，andwhatyourtradeis？\'

\'Iamnotrade，\'saidthethinman，smiling，\'andIcametoseethewickednessoftheland。\'

\'Isaidthouwastoneo\'thedevil\'sbroodwi\'thyblackclothes，\'

repliedasturdyringer，whohadnotspokenbefore。

\'No，thetruthis，\'saidthethinman，retractingatthishorribletranslation，\'Icameforawalkbecauseitisafineevening。\'

\'Nowlet\'sbeoff，neighbours，\'theclerkinterrupted。

Thecandlewasinvertedinthesocket，andthewholepartysteppedoutintothechurchyard。Themoonwasshiningwithinadayortwooffull，andjustoverlookedthethreeorfourvastyewsthatstoodonthesouth-eastsideofthechurch，androseinunvariedandflatdarknessagainsttheilluminatedatmospherebehindthem。

\'Good-night，\'theclerksaidtohiscomrades，whenthedoorwaslocked。\'Mynearestwayisthroughthepark。\'

\'Isupposemineistoo？\'saidthestranger。\'Iamgoingtotherailway-station。\'

\'Ofcourse——comeon。\'

Thetwomenwentoverastiletothewest，theremainderofthepartygoingintotheroadontheoppositeside。

\'Andsotheromancehasendedwell，\'theclerk\'scompanionremarked，astheybrushedalongthroughthegrass。\'Butwhatisthetruthofthestoryabouttheproperty？\'

\'Nowlookhere，neighbour，\'saidClerkCrickett，\'ifsobeyou\'lltellmewhatyourlineo\'lifeis，andyourpurposeincomenhereto-day，I\'lltellyouthetruthabouttheweddenparticulars。\'

\'Verywell——Iwillwhenyouhavedone，\'saidtheotherman。

\'\'Tisabargain；andthisistherighto\'thestory。WhenMissAldclyffe\'swillwasopened，itwasfoundtohavebeendrawnupontheverydaythatManston(herlove-child)marriedMissCythereaGraye。Andthisiswhatthatdeepwomandid。Deep？shewasasdeepastheNorthStar。Shebequeathedallherproperty，realandpersonal，to“THEWIFEOFAENEASMANSTON“(withoneexception)：

failenherlifetoherhusband：failenhislifetotheheirsofhishead——bodyIwouldsay：failenthemtoherabsolutelyandherheirsforever：failenthesetoPa\'sonRaunham，andsoontotheendo\'

thehumanrace。Nowdoyouseethedepthofherscheme？Why，althoughuponthesurfaceitappearedherwholepropertywasforMissCytherea，bytheword“wife“beingused，andnotCytherea\'sname，whoeverwasthewifeo\'Manstonwouldcomeinfor\'t。Wasn\'tthatraledepth？Itwasdone，ofcourse，thathersonAEneas，underanycircumstances，shouldbemastero\'theproperty，withoutfolkknowenitwashersonorsuspectinganything，astheywouldifithadbeenlefttoenstraightway。\'

\'Acleverarrangement！Andwhatwastheexception？\'

\'Thepaymentofalegacytoherrelative，Pa\'sonRaunham。\'

\'AndMissCythereawasnowManston\'swidowandonlyrelative，andinheritedallabsolutely。\'

\'True，shedid。“Well，“saysshe，“Ishan\'thaveit“(shedidn\'tlikethenotiono\'gettenanythingthroughManston，naturallyenough，prettydear)。Shewaivedherrightinfavouro\'Mr。

Raunham。Now，ifthere\'samanintheworldthatd\'carenothenaboutland——Idon\'tsaythereis，butIFthereis——\'tisourpa\'son。

He\'slikeasnail。He\'sa-growedsototheshapeo\'thatthererectorythat\'awouldn\'thinko\'leaveniteveninname。“\'Tisyours，MissGraye，“sayshe。“No，\'tisyours，“saysshe。“\'Tis\'n\'

mine，“sayshe。TheCrownhadcasthiseyesuponthecase，thinkeno\'forfeiturebyfelony——but\'twasnosuchthing，and\'agieditup，too。Didyoueverhearsuchatale？——threepeople，amanandawoman，andaCrown——neithero\'eminamadhouse——flingenanestatebackwardsandforwardslikeanappleornut？Well，itendedinthisway。Mr。Raunhamtookit：youngSpringrovewashadasagentandsteward，andputtoliveinKnapwaterHouse，closehereathand——

justasif\'twashisown。Hedoesjustwhathe\'dlike——Mr。Raunhamneverinterferen——andhitherto-dayhe\'sbroughthisnewwife，Cytherea。Andasettlementha\'beendrawnupthisveryday，wherebytheirchildren，heirs，andcetrer，betoinheritafterMr。Raunham\'sdeath。Goodfortunecameatlast。Herbrother，too，isdoenwell。

Hecameinfirstmaninsomearchitecturalcompetition，andisabouttomovetoLondon。Here\'sthehouse，look。Stapoutfromthesebushes，andyou\'llgetaclearsighto\'t。\'

Theyemergedfromtheshrubbery，breakingofftowardsthelake，anddownthesouthslope。Whentheyarrivedexactlyoppositethecentreofthemansion，theyhalted。

ItwasamagnificentpictureoftheEnglishcountry-house。Thewholeofthesevereregularfront，withitscolumnsandcornices，wasbuiltofawhitesmoothly-facedfreestone，whichappearedintheraysofthemoonaspureasPentelicmarble。Thesoleobjectsinthescenerivallingthefairnessofthefacadewereadozenswansfloatinguponthelake。

Atthismomentthecentraldooratthetopofthestepswasopened，andtwofiguresadvancedintothelight。Twocontrastingfigureswerethey。Ayounglithewomaninanairyfairydress——CythereaSpringrove：ayoungmaninblackstereotyperaiment——Edward，herhusband。

Theystoodatthetopofthestepstogether，lookingatthemoon，thewater，andthegenerallovelinessoftheprospect。

\'That\'sthemarriedmanandwife——there，I\'veillustratedmystorybyralelivenspecimens，\'theclerkwhispered。

\'Tobesure，howclosetogethertheydostand！Youcouldn\'slipapenny-piecebetween\'em——thatyoucouldn\'！Beautifultoseeit，isn\'tit——beautiful！……Butthisisaprivatepath，andwewon\'tlet\'emseeus，asalltheringersbegoentheretoasupperanddanceto-morrownight。\'

Thespeakerandhiscompanionsoftlymovedon，passedthroughthewicket，andintothecoach-road。Arrivedattheclerk\'shouseatthefurtherboundaryofthepark，theypausedtopart。

\'Nowforyourhalfo\'thebargain，\'saidClerkCrickett。\'What\'syourlineo\'life，andwhatd\'yecomeherefor？\'

\'I\'mthereportertotheCasterbridgeChronicle，andIcometopickupthenews。Good-night。\'

MeanwhileEdwardandCytherea，afterlingeringonthestepsforseveralminutes，slowlydescendedtheslopetothelake。Theskiffwaslyingalongside。

\'O，Edward，\'saidCytherea，\'youmustdosomethingthathasjustcomeintomyhead！\'

\'Well，dearest——Iknow。\'

\'Yes——givemeonehalf-minute\'srowonthelakeherenow，justasyoudidonBudmouthBaythreeyearsago。\'

Hehandedherintotheboat，andalmostnoiselesslypulledofffromshore。Whentheywerehalf-waybetweenthetwomarginsofthelake，hepausedandlookedather。

\'Ah，darling，IrememberexactlyhowIkissedyouthatfirsttime，\'

saidSpringrove。\'Youwerethereasyouarenow。Iunshippedthescullsinthisway。ThenIturnedroundandsatbesideyou——inthisway。ThenIputmyhandontheothersideofyourlittleneck——\'

\'Ithinkitwasjustonmycheek，inthisway。\'

\'Ah，soitwas。Thenyoumovedthatsoftredmouthroundtomine——\'

\'But，dearest——youpresseditroundifyouremember；andofcourseI

couldn\'tthenhelplettingitcometoyourmouthwithoutbeingunkindtoyou，andIwouldn\'tbethat。\'

\'AndthenIputmycheekagainstthatcheek，andturnedmytwolipsrounduponthosetwolips，andkissedthem——so。\'

End