第6章

Bathshebaknewmoreofhimnow；hehadentirelybaredhisheartbeforeher，evenuntilhehadalmostworninhereyesthesorrylookofagrandbirdwithoutthefeathersthatmakeitgrand。Shehadbeenawestruckatherpasttemerity，andwasstrugglingtomakeamendswithoutthinkingwhetherthesinquitedeservedthepenaltyshewasschoolingherselftopay。Tohavebroughtallthisaboutherearswasterrible；butafterawhilethesituationwasnotwithoutafearfuljoy。Thefacilitywithwhicheventhemosttimidwomensometimesacquirearelishforthedreadfulwhenthatisamalgamatedwithalittletriumph，ismarvellous。

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOURThesameNight-TheFirPlantationAmongthemultifariousdutieswhichBathshebahadvoluntarilyimposeduponherselfbydispensingwiththeservicesofabailiff，wastheparticularoneoflookingroundthehomesteadbeforegoingtobed，toseethatallwasrightandsafeforthenight。Gabrielhadalmostconstantlyprecededherinthistoureveryevening，watchingheraffairsascarefullyasanyspeciallyappointedofficerofsurveillancecouldhavedone；butthistenderdevotionwastoagreatextentunknowntohismistress，andasmuchaswasknownwassomewhatthanklesslyreceived。Womenarenevertiredofbewailingman’sficklenessinlove，buttheyonlyseemtosnubhisconstancy。

Aswatchingisbestdoneinvisibly，sheusuallycarriedadarklanterninherhand，andeverynowandthenturnedonthelighttoexaminenooksandcornerswiththecoolnessofametropolitanpoliceman。Thiscoolnessmayhaveoweditsexistencenotsomuchtoherfearlessnessofexpecteddangerastoherfreedomfromthesuspicionofany；herworstanticipateddiscoverybeingthatahorsemightnotbewellbedded，thefowlsnotallin，oradoornotclosed。

Thisnightthebuildingswereinspectedasusual，andshewentroundtothefarmpaddock。Heretheonlysoundsdisturbingthestillnessweresteadymunchingsofmanymouths，andstentorianbreathingsfromallbutinvisiblenoses，endinginsnoresandpuffsliketheblowingofbellowsslowly。Thenthemunchingwouldrecommence，whenthelivelyimaginationmightassisttheeyetodiscernagroupofpink-whitenostrilsshapedascaverns，andveryclammyandhumidontheirsurfaces，notexactlypleasanttothetouchuntilonegotusedtothem；themouthsbeneathhavingagreatpartialityforclosinguponanylooseendofBathsheba’sapparelwhichcamewithinreachoftheirtongues。Aboveeachoftheseastillkeenervisionsuggestedabrownforeheadandtwostaringthoughnotunfriendlyeyes，andaboveallapairofwhitishcrescent-shapedhornsliketwoparticularlynewmoons，anoccasionalstolid`moo！’proclaimingbeyondtheshadeofadoubtthatthesephenomenawerethefeaturesandpersonsofDaisy，Whitefoot，Bonnylass，Jolly-O，Spot，Twinkle-eye，etc。，etc-therespectabledairyofDevoncowsbelongingtoBathshebaaforesaid。

Herwaybacktothehousewasbyapaththroughayoungplantationoftaperingfirs，whichhadbeenplantedsomeyearsearliertoshelterthepremisesfromthenorthwind。Byreasonofthedensityoftheinterwovenfoliageoverheaditwasgloomythereatcloudlessnoontide，twilightintheevening，darkasmidnightatdusk，andblackastheninthplagueofEgyptatmidnight。Todescribethespotistocallitavast，low，naturallyformedhall，theplumyceilingofwhichwassupportedbyslenderpillarsoflivingwood，thefloorbeingcoveredwithasoftduncarpetofdeadspikeletsandmildewedcones，withatuftofgrass-bladeshereandthere。

Thisbitofthepathwasalwaysthecruxofthenight’sramble，though，beforestarting，herapprehensionsofdangerwerenotvividenoughtoleadhertotakeacompanion。SlippingalongherecovertlyasTime，Bathshebafanciedshecouldhearfootstepsenteringthetrackattheoppositeend。

Itwascertainlyarustleoffootsteps。Herowninstantlyfellasgentlyassnowflakes。Shereassuredherselfbyaremembrancethatthepathwaspublic，andthatthetravellerwasprobablysomevillagerreturninghome；

regretting，atthesametime，thatthemeetingshouldbeabouttooccurinthedarkestpointofherroute，eventhoughonlyjustoutsideherowndoor。

Thenoiseapproached，cameclose，andafigurewasapparentlyonthepointofglidingpastherwhensomethingtuggedatherskirtandpinneditforciblytotheground。TheinstantaneouschecknearlythrewBathshebaoffherbalance。Inrecoveringshestruckagainstwarmclothesandbuttons。

`Arumstart，uponmysoul！’saidamasculinevoice，afootorsoaboveherhead。`HaveIhurtyou，mate？’

`No，’saidBathsheba，attemptingtoshrinkaway。

`Wehavegothitchedtogethersomehow，Ithink。’

`Yes。’

`Areyouawoman？’

`Yes。’

`Alady，Ishouldhavesaid。’

`Itdoesn’tmatter。’

`Iamaman。

`Oh！’

Bathshebasoftlytuggedagain，buttonopurpose。

`Isthatadarklanternyouhave？Ifancyso，’saidtheman。

`Yes。’

`Ifyou’llallowmeI’llopenit，andsetyoufree。’

Ahandseizedthelantern，thedoorwasopened，theraysburstoutfromtheirprison，andBathshebabeheldherpositionwithastonishment。

Themantowhomshewashookedwasbrilliantinbrassandscarlet。Hewasasoldier。Hissuddenappearancewastodarknesswhatthesoundofatrumpetistosilence。Gloom，thegeniuslociatalltimeshitherto，wasnowtotallyoverthrown，lessbythelantern-lightthanbywhatthelanternlighted。Thecontrastofthisrevelationwithheranticipationsofsomesinisterfigureinsombregarbwassogreatthatithaduponhertheeffectofafairytransformation。

Itwasimmediatelyapparentthatthemilitaryman’sspurhadbecomeentangledinthegimpwhichdecoratedtheskirtofherdregs。Hecaughtaviewofherface。

`I’llunfastenyouinonemoment，miss，’hesaid，withnew-borngallantry。

`Ono-Icandoit，thankyou，’shehastilyreplied，andstoopedfortheperformance。

Theunfasteningwasnotsuchatriflingaffair。Therowelofthespurhadsowounditselfamongthegimpcordsinthosefewmoments，thatseparationwaslikelytobeamatteroftime。

Hetoostooped，andthelanternstandingonthegroundbetwixtthemthrewthegleamfromitsopensideamongthefir-treeneedlesandthebladesoflongdampgrasswiththeeffectofalargeglowworm。Itradiatedupwardsintotheirfaces，andsentoverhalftheplantationgiganticshadowsofbothmanandwoman，eachduskyshapebecomingdistortedandmangleduponthetree-trunkstillitwastedtonothing。

Helookedhardintohereyeswhensheraisedthemforamoment；Bathshebalookeddownagain，forhisgazewastoostrongtobereceivedpoint-blankwithherown。Butshehadobliquelynoticedthathewasyoungandslim，andthatheworethreechevronsuponhissleeve。

Bathshebapulledagain。

`Youareaprisoner，miss；itisnouseblinkingthematter，’saidthesoldierdrily。`Imustcutyourdressifyouareinsuchahurry。’

`Yes-pleasedo！’sheexclaimedhelplessly。

`Itwouldn’tbenecessaryifyoucouldwaitamoment；’andheunwoundacordfromthelittlewheel。Shewithdrewherownhand，but，whetherbyaccidentordesign，hetouchedit。Bathshebawasvexed；shehardlyknewwhy。

Hisunravellingwenton，butitneverthelessseemedcomingtonoend。

Shelookedathimagain。

`Thankyouforthesightofsuchabeautifulface！’saidtheyoungsergeant，withoutceremony。

Shecolouredwithembarrassment。`’Twasunwillinglyshown，’sherepliedstiffly，andwithasmuchdignity-whichwasverylittle-asshecouldinfuseintoapositionofcaptivity。

`Ilikeyouthebetterforthatincivility，miss，’hesaid。

`Ishouldhaveliked-Iwish-youhadnevershownyourselftomebyintrudinghere！’Shepulledagain，andthegathersofherdressbegantogivewaylikelilliputianmusketry。

`Ideservethechastisementyourwordsgiveme。Butwhyshouldsuchafairanddutifulgirlhavesuchanaversiontoherfather’ssex？’

`Goonyourway，please。’

`What，Beauty，anddragyouafterme？Dobutlook；Ineversawsuchatangle！’

`O，’tisshamefulofyou；youhavebeenmakingitworseonpurposetokeepmehere-youhave！’

`Indeed，Idon’tthinkso，’saidthesergeant，withamerrytwinkle。

`Itellyouyouhave！’sheexclaimed，inhightemper。`Iinsistuponundoingit。Now，allowme！’

`Certainly，miss；Iamnotofsteel。’Headdedasighwhichhadasmucharchnessinitasasighcouldpossesswithoutlosingitsnaturealtogether。

`Iamthankfulforbeauty，evenwhen’tisthrowntomelikeahonetoadog。Thesemomentswillbeovertoosoon！’

Sheclosedherlipsinadeterminedsilence。

Bathshebawasrevolvinginhermindwhetherbyaboldanddesperaterushshecouldfreeherselfattheriskofleavingherskirtbodilybehindher。Thethoughtwastoodreadful。Thedress-whichshehadputontoappearstatelyatthesupper-wastheheadandfrontofherwardrobe；

notanotherinherstockbecamehersowell。WhatwomaninBathsheba’sposition，notnaturallytimid，andwithincallofherretainers，wouldhaveboughtescapefromadashingsoldieratsodearaprice？

`Allingoodtime；itwillsoonbedone，Iperceive，’saidhercoolfriend。

`Thistriflingprovokes，and-and——’

`Nottoocruel！’

`-Insultsme！’

`ItisdoneinorderthatImayhavethepleasureofapologizingtosocharmingawoman，whichIstraightwaydomosthumbly，madam，’hesaid，bowinglow。

Bathshebareallyknewnotwhattosay。

`I’veseenagoodmanywomeninmytime，’continuedtheyoungmaninamurmur，andmorethoughtfullythanhitherto，criticallyregardingherbentheadatthesametime；`butI’veneverseenawomansobeautifulasyou。Takeitorleaveit-beoffendedorlikeit-Idon’tcare。’

`Whoareyou，then，whocansowellaffordtodespiseopinion？’

`Nostranger。SergeantTroy。Iamstayinginthisplace-There！itisundoneatlast，yousee。Yourlightfingersweremoreeagerthanmine。

Iwishithadbeentheknotofknots，whichthere’snountying！’

Thiswasworseandworse。Shestartedup，andsodidhe。Howtodecentlygetawayfromhim-thatwasherdifficultynow。Shesidledoffinchbyinch，thelanterninherhand，tillshecouldseetherednessofhiscoatnolonger。

`Ah，Beauty；good-bye！’hesaid。

Shemadenoreply，and，reachingadistanceoftwentyorthirtyyards，turnedabout，andranindoors。

Liddyhadjustretiredtorest。Inascendingtoherownchamber，Bathshebaopenedthegirl’sdooraninchortwo，and，panting，said——

`Liddy，isanysoldierstayinginthevillage-sergeantsomebody-

rathergentlemanlyforasergeant，andgoodlooking-aredcoatwithbluefacings？’

`Nomiss……No，Isay；butreallyitmightbeSergeantTroyhomeonfurlough，thoughIhavenotseenhim。HewashereonceinthatwaywhentheregimentwasatCasterbridge。’

`Yes；that’sthename。Hadheamoustache-nowhiskersorbeard？’

`Hehad。’

`Whatkindofapersonishe？’

`O！miss-Iblushtonameit-agayman！ButIknowhimtobeveryquickandtrim，whomighthavemadehisthousands，likeasquire。Suchacleveryoungdandasheis！He’sadoctor’ssonbyname，whichisagreatdeal；andhe’sanearl’ssonbynature！’

`Whichisagreatdealmore。Fancy！Isittrue？’

`Yes。Andhewasbroughtupsowell，andsenttoCasterbridgeGrammarSchoolforyearsandyears。Learntalllanguageswhilehewasthere；anditwassaidhegotonsofarthathecouldtakedownChineseinshorthand；

butthatIdon’tanswerfor，asitwasonlyreported。However，hewastedhisgiftedlot，andlistedasoldier；buteventhenherosetobeasergeantwithouttryingatall。Ah！suchablessingitistobehigh-born；nobilityofbloodwillshineoutevenintheranksandfiles。Andishereallycomehome，miss？’

`Ibelieveso。Good-night，Liddy。’

Afterall，howcouldacheerfulwearerofskirtsbepermanentlyoffendedwiththeman？ThereareoccasionswhengirlslikeBathshebawillputupwithagreatdealofunconventionalbehaviour。Whentheywanttobepraised，whichisoften；whentheywanttobemastered，whichissometimes；andwhentheywantnononsense，whichisseldom。JustnowthefirstfeelingwasintheascendantwithBathsheba，withadashofthesecond。Moreover，bychanceorbydevilry，theministrantwasantecedentlymadeinterestingbybeingahandsomestrangerwhohadevidentlyseenbetterdays。

Soshecouldnotclearlydecidewhetheritwasheropinionthathehadinsultedherornot。

`Waseveranythingsoodd！’sheatlastexclaimedtoherself，inherownroom。`AndwaseveranythingsomeanlydoneaswhatIdid-toskulkawaylikethatfromamanwhowasonlycivilandkind！’Clearlyshedidnotthinkhisbarefacedpraiseofherpersonaninsultnow。

ItwasafatalomissionofBoldwood’sthathehadneveroncetoldhershewasbeautiful。

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVETheNewAcquaintancedescribedIdiosyncrasyandvicissitudehadcombinedtostampSergeantTroyasanexceptionalbeing。

Hewasamantowhommemorieswereanincumbrance，andanticipationsasuperfluity。Simplyfeeling，considering，andcaringforwhatwasbeforehiseyes，hewasvulnerableonlyinthepresent。Hisoutlookupontimewasasatransientflashoftheeyenowandthen：thatprojectionofconsciousnessintodaysgonebyandtocome，whichmakesthepastasynonymforthepatheticandthefutureawordforcircumspection，wasforeigntoTroy。Withhimthepastwasyesterday；thefuture，to-morrow；never，thedayafter。

Onthisaccounthemight，incertainlights，havebeenregardedasoneofthemostfortunateofhisorder。Foritmaybearguedwithgreatplausibilitythatreminiscenceislessanendowmentthanadisease，andthatexpectationinitsonlycomfortableform-thatofabsolutefaith-ispracticallyanimpossibility；whilstintheformofhopeandthesecondarycompounds，patience，impatience，resolve，curiosity，itisaconstantfluctuationbetweenpleasureandpain。

SergeantTroy，beingentirelyinnocentofthepracticeofexpectation，wasneverdisappointed。Tosetagainstthisnegativegaintheremayhavebeensomepositivelossesfromacertainnarrowingofthehighertastesandsensationswhichitentailed。Butlimitationofthecapacityisneverrecognizedasalossbythelosertherefrom：inthisattributemoralorestheticpovertycontrastsplausiblywithmaterial，sincethosewhosufferdonotmindit，whilstthosewhominditsoonceasetosuffer。Itisnotadenialofanythingtohavebeenalwayswithoutit，andwhatTroyhadneverenjoyedhedidnotmiss；but，beingfullyconsciousthatwhatsoberpeoplemissedheenjoyed，hiscapacity，thoughreallyless，seemedgreaterthantheirs。

Hewasmoderatelytruthfultowardsmen，buttowomenliedlikeaCretan-asystemofethicsaboveallotherscalculatedtowinpopularityatthefirstflushofadmissionintolivelysociety；andthepossibilityofthefavourgainedbeingtransitoryhadreferenceonlytothefuture。

Heneverpassedthelinewhichdividesthesprucevicesfromtheugly；

andhence，thoughhismoralshadhardlybeenapplauded，disapprovalofthemhadfrequentlybeentemperedwithasmile。Thistreatmenthadledtohisbecomingasortofregraterofothermen’sgallantries，tohisownaggrandizementasaCorinthian，’ratherthantothemoralprofitofhishearers。

Hisreasonandhispropensitieshadseldomanyreciprocatinginfluence，havingseparatedbymutualconsentlongago；thenceitsometimeshappenedthat，whilehisintentionswereashonourableascouldbewished，anyparticulardeedformedadarkbackgroundwhichthrewthemintofinerelief。Thesergeant’sviciousphasesbeingtheoffspringofimpulse，andhisvirtuousphasesofcoolmeditation，thelatterhadamodesttendencytobeoftenerheardofthanseen。

Troywasfullofactivity，buthisactivitieswerelessofalocomotivethanavegetativenature；and，neverbeingbaseduponanyoriginalchoiceoffoundationordirection，theywereexercisedonwhateverobjectchancemightplaceintheirway。Hence，whilsthesometimesreachedthebrilliantinspeechbecausethatwasspontaneous，hefellbelowthecommonplaceinaction，frominabilitytoguideincipienteffort。Hehadaquickcomprehensionandconsiderableforceofcharacter；but，beingwithoutthepowertocombinethem，thecomprehensionbecameengagedwithtrivialitieswhilstwaitingforthewilltodirectit，andtheforcewasteditselfinuselessgroovesthroughunheedingthecomprehension。

Hewasafairlywell-educatedmanforoneofmiddleclass-exceptionallywelleducatedforacommonsoldier。Hespokefluentlyandunceasingly。

Hecouldinthiswaybeonethingandseemanother；forinstance，hecouldspeakofloveandthinkofdinner；callonthehusbandtolookatthewife；

beeagertopayandintendtoowe。

Thewondrouspowerofflatteryinpassadosatwomanisaperceptionsouniversalastoberemarkeduponbymanypeoplealmostasautomaticallyastheyrepeataproverb，orsaythattheyareChristiansandthelike，withoutthinkingmuchoftheenormouscorollarieswhichspringfromtheproposition。Stilllessisitacteduponforthegoodofthecomplementalbeingalludedto。Withthemajoritysuchanopinionisshelvedwithallthosetriteaphorismswhichrequiresomecatastrophetobringtheirtremendousmeaningsthoroughlyhome。Whenexpressedwithsomeamountofreflectivenessitseemscoordinatewithabeliefthatthisflatterymustbereasonabletobeeffective。Itistothecreditofmenthatfewattempttosettlethequestionbyexperiment，anditisfortheirhappiness，perhaps，thataccidenthasneversettleditforthem。Nevertheless，thatamaledissemblerwhobydelugingherwithuntenablefictionscharmsthefemalewisely，mayacquirepowersreachingtotheextremityofperdition，isatruthtaughttomanybyunsoughtandwringingoccurrences。Andsomeprofesstohaveattainedtothesameknowledgebyexperimentasaforesaid，andjauntilycontinuetheirindulgenceinsuchexperimentswithterribleeffect。SergeantTroywasone。

Hehadbeenknowntoobservecasuallythatindealingwithwomankindtheonlyalternativetoflatterywascursingandswearing。Therewasnothirdmethod。`Treatthemfairly，andyouarealostman，’hewouldsay。

Thisphilosopher’spublicappearanceinWeatherburypromptlyfollowedhisarrivalthere。AweekortwoaftertheshearingBathsheba，feelinganamelessreliefofspiritsonaccountofBoldwood’sabsence，approachedherhayfieldsandlookedoverthehedgetowardsthehaymakers。Theyconsistedinaboutequalproportionsofgnarledandflexuousforms，theformerbeingthemen，thelatterthewomen，whoworetiltbonnetscoveredwithnankeen，whichhunginacurtainupontheirshoulders。CogganandMarkClarkweremowinginalessforwardmeadow，Clarkhummingatunetothestrokesofhisscythe，towhichJanmadenoattempttokeeptimewithhis。Inthefirstmeadtheywerealreadyloadinghay，thewomenrakingitintococksandwindrows，andthementossingituponthewaggon。

Frombehindthewaggonabrightscarletspotemerged，andwentonloadingunconcernedlywiththerest。Itwasthegallantsergeant，whohadcomehaymakingforpleasure；andnobodycoulddenythathewasdoingthemistressofthefarmrealknight-servicebythisvoluntarycontributionofhislabouratabusytime。

AssoonasshehadenteredthefieldTroysawher，andstickinghispitchforkintothegroundandpickinguphiscroporcane，hecameforward。

Bathshebablushedwithhalf-angryembarrassment，andadjustedhereyesaswellasherfeettothedirectlineofherpath。

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIXSceneontheVergeoftheHay-mead`Ah，MissEverdene！’saidthesergeant，touchinghisdiminutivecap。`LittledidIthinkitwasyouIwasspeakingtotheothernight。Andyet，ifI

hadreflected，the“QueenoftheCorn-market“(truthistruthatanyhourofthedayornight，andIheardyousonamedinCasterbridgeyesterday)，the“QueenoftheCorn-market“，Isay，couldbenootherwoman。Istepacrossnowtobegyourforgivenessathousandtimesforhavingbeenledbymyfeelingstoexpressmyselftoostronglyforastranger。TobesureIamnostrangertotheplace-IamSergeantTroy，asItoldyou，andIhaveassistedyouruncleinthesefieldsnoendoftimeswhenIwasalad。Ihavebeendoingthesameforyouto-day。’

`IsupposeImustthankyouforthat，SergeantTroy，’laidtheQueenoftheCorn-marketinanindifferentlygratefultone。

Thesergeantlookedhurtandsad。`Indeedyoumustnot，MissEverdene，’

hesaid。`whycouldyouthinksuchathingnecessary？’

`Iamgladitisnot。’

`Why？ifImayaskwithoutoffence。’

`BecauseIdon’tmuchwanttothankyouforanything。’

`IamafraidIhavemadeaholeinmytonguethatmyheartwillnevermend。Otheseintolerabletimes：thatill-luckshouldfollowamanforhonestlytellingawomansheisbeautiful！’TwasthemostIsaid-youmustownthat；andtheleastIcouldsay-thatIownmyself。’

`ThereissometalkIcoulddowithoutmoreeasilythanmoney。`Indeed。

Thatremarkisasortofdigression。’

`No。ItmeansthatIwouldratherhaveyourroomthanyourcompany。

`AndIwouldratherhavecursesfromyouthankissesfromanyotherwoman；soI’llstayhere。’

Bathshebawasabsolutelyspeechless。Andyetshecouldnothelpfeelingthattheassistancehewasrenderingforbadeaharshrepulse。

`Well，’continuedTroy，`Isupposethereisapraisewhichisrudeness，andthatmaybemine。Atthesametimethereisatreatmentwhichisinjustice，andthatmaybeyours。Becauseaplainbluntman，whohasneverbeentaughtconcealment，speaksouthismindwithoutexactlyintendingit，he’stobesnappedofflikethesonofasinner。’

`Indeedthere’snosuchcasebetweenus，’shesaid，turningaway。`I

don’tallowstrangerstobeboldandimpudent-eveninpraiseofme。’

`Ah-itisnotthefactbutthemethodwhichoffendsyou，’hesaidcarelessly。`ButIhavethesadsatisfactionofknowingthatmywords，whetherpleasingoroffensive，areunmistakablytrue。Wouldyouhavehadmelookatyou，andtellmyacquaintancethatyouarequiteacommon-placewoman，tosaveyoutheembarrassmentofbeingstaredatiftheycomenearyou？NotI。Icouldn’ttellanysuchridiculouslieaboutabeautytoencourageasinglewomaninEnglandintooexcessiveamodesty。’

`Itisallpretence-whatyouaresaying！’exclaimedBathsheba，laughinginspiteofherselfatthesergeant’sslymethod。`Youhavearareinvention，SergeantTroy。Whycouldn’tyouhavepassedbymethatnight，andsaidnothing？-thatwasallImeanttoreproachyoufor。’

`BecauseIwasn’tgoingto。Halfthepleasureofafeelingliesinbeingabletoexpressitonthespurofthemoment，andIletoutmine。Itwouldhavebeenjustthesameifyouhadbeenthereverseperson-uglyandold-Ishouldhaveexclaimedaboutitinthesameway。’

`Howlongisitsinceyouhavebeensoafflictedwithstrongfeeling，then？’

`Oh，eversinceIwasbigenoughtoknowlovelinessfromdeformity。’

`’Tistobehopedyoursenseofthedifferenceyouspeakofdoesn’tstopatfaces，butextendstomoralsaswell。’

`Iwon’tspeakofmoralsorreligion-myownoranybodyelse’s。ThoughperhapsIshouldhavebeenaverygoodChristianifyouprettywomenhadn’tmademeanidolater。’

Bathshebamovedontohidetheirrepressibledimplingsofmerriment。

Troyfollowed，whirlinghiscrop。

`But-MissEverdene-youdoforgiveme？’

`Hardly。’

`Why？’

`Yousaysuchthings。’

`Isaidyouwerebeautiful，andI’llsaysostill，by-soyouare！

ThemostbeautifuleverIsaw，ormayIfalldeadthisinstant！Why，uponmy——’

`Don’t-don’t！Iwon’tlistentoyou-youaresoprofane！’shesaid，inarestlessstatebetweendistressathearinghimandapenchanttohearmore。

`Iagainsayyouareamostfascinatingwoman。There’snothingremarkableinmysayingso，isthere？I’msurethefactisevidentenough。MissEverdene，myopinionmaybetooforciblyletouttopleaseyou，and，forthematterofthat，tooinsignificanttoconvinceyou，butsurelyitishonest，andwhycan’titbeexcused？’

`Becauseit-itisn’tacorrectone，’shefemininelymurmured。

`O，fie-fie！AmIanyworseforbreakingthethirdofthatTerribleTenthanyouforbreakingtheninth？’

`Well，itdoesn’tseemquitetruetomethatIamfascinating，’

sherepliedevasively。

Notsotoyou：thenIsaywithallrespectthat，ifso，itisowingtoyourmodesty，MissEverdene。Butsurelyyoumusthavebeentoldbyeverybodyofwhateverybodynotices？Andyoushouldtaketheirwordsforit。’

`Theydon’tsaysoexactly。’

`Oyes，theymust！’

`Well，Imeantomyface，asyoudo，’shewenton，allowingherselftobefurtherladintoaconversationthatintentionhadrigorouslyforbidden。

`Butyouknowtheythinkso？’

`No-thatis-IcertainlyhaveheardLiddysaytheydo，but——’Shepaused。

Capitulation-thatwasthepurportofthesimplereply，guardedasitwas-capitulation，unknowntoherself。Neverdidafragiletaillesssentenceconveyamoreperfectmeaning。Thecarelesssergeantsmiledwithinhimself，andprobablytoothedevilsmiledfromaloopholeinTophet，forthemomentwastheturning-pointofacareer。Hertoneandmiensignifiedbeyondmistakethattheseedwhichwastoliftthefoundationhadtakenrootinthechink：theremainderwasamerequestionoftimeandnaturalchanges。

`Therethetruthcomesout！’saidthesoldier，inreply。`Nevertellmethatayoungladycanliveinabuzzofadmirationwithoutknowingsomethingaboutit。Ah，well，MissEverdene，youare-pardonmybluntway-youareratheraninjurytoourracethanotherwise。’

`How-indeed？’shesaid，openinghereyes。

`O，itistrueenough。Imayaswellbehungforasheepasalamb(anoldcountrysaying，notofmuchaccount，butitwilldoforaroughsoldier)，andsoIwillspeakmymind，regardlessofyourpleasure，andwithouthopingorintendingtogetyourpardon。Why，MissEverdene，itisinthismannerthatyourgoodlooksmaydomoreharmthangoodintheworld。’Thesergeantlookeddownthemeadincriticalabstraction。`Probablysomeonemanonanaveragefallsinlovewitheachordinarywoman。Shecanmarryhim：heiscontent，andleadsausefullife。Suchwomenasyouahundredmenalwayscovet-youreyeswillbewitchscoresonscoresintoanunavailingfancyforyou-youcanonlymarryoneofthatmany。Outofthesesaytwentywillendeavourtodrownthebitternessofdespisedloveindrink；twentymorewillmopeawaytheirliveswithoutawishorattempttomakeamarkintheworld，becausetheyhavenoambitionapartfromtheirattachmenttoyou；twentymore-thesusceptiblepersonmyselfpossiblyamongthem-willbealwaysdragglingafteryou，gettingwheretheymayjustsecyou，doingdesperatethings。Menaresuchconstantfools！Therestmaytrytogetovertheirpassionwithmoreorlesssuccess。Butallthesemenwillbesaddened。Andnotonlythoseninety-ninemen，buttheninety-ninewomentheymighthavemarriedaresaddenedwiththem。There’smytale。That’swhyIsaythatawomansocharmingasyourself，MissEverdene，ishardlyablessingtoherrace。

Thehandsomesergeant’sfeatureswereduringthisspeechasrigidandsternasJohnKnox’sinaddressinghisgayyoungqueen。

Seeingshemadenoreply，hesaid，`DoyoureadFrench？’

`No；Ibegan，butwhenIgottotheverbs，fatherdied，’shesaidsimply。

`Ido-whenIhaveanopportunity，whichlatterlyhasnotbeenoften(mymotherwasaParisienne)-andthere’saproverbtheyhave，Quiaimebienchâ；tiebien-“Hechastenswholoveswell。”Doyouunderstandme？’

`Ah！’shereplied，andtherewasevenalittletremulousnessintheusuallycoolgirl’svoice；`ifyoucanonlyfighthalfaswinninglyasyoucantalk，youareabletomakeapleasureofabayonetwound！’AndthenpoorBathshebainstantlyperceivedherslipinmakingthisadmission：

inhastilytryingtoretrieveit，shewentfrombadtoworse。`Don’t，however，supposethatIderiveanypleasurefromwhatyoutellme。’

`Iknowyoudonot-Iknowitperfectly，’saidTroy，withmuchheartyconvictionontheexteriorofhisface：andalteringtheexpressiontomoodiness；`whenadozenmenarereadytospeaktenderlytoyou，andgivetheadmirationyoudeservewithoutaddingthewarningyouneed，itstandstoreasonthatmypoorrough-and-readymixtureofpraiseandblamecannotconveymuchpleasure。FoolasImaybe，Iamnotsoconceitedastosupposethat！’

`Ithinkyou-areconceited，nevertheless，’saidBathsheba，lookingaskanceatareedshewasfitfullypullingwithonehand，havinglatelygrownfeverishunderthesoldier’ssystemofprocedure-notbecausethenatureofhiscajolerywasentirelyunperceived，butbecauseitsvigourwasoverwhelming。

`Iwouldnotownittoanybodyelse-nordoIexactlytoyou。Still，theremighthavebeensomeself-conceitinmyfoolishsuppositiontheothernight。IknewthatwhatIsaidinadmirationmightbeanopiniontoooftenforceduponyoutogiveanypleasure，butIcertainlydidthinkthatthekindnessofyournaturemightpreventyoujudginganuncontrolledtongueharshly-whichyouhavedone-andthinkingbadlyofmeandwoundingmethismorning，whenIamworkinghardtosaveyourhay。’

`Well，youneednotthinkmoreofthat：perhapsyoudidnotmeantoberudetomebyspeakingoutyourmind：indeed，Ibelieveyoudidnot，’

saidtheshrewdwoman，inpainfullyinnocentearnest。`AndIthankyouforgivinghelphere。But-butmindyoudon’tspeaktomeagaininthatway，orinanyother，unlessIspeaktoyou。’

`OMissBathsheba！Thatistoohard！’

`No，itisn’t。Whyisit？’

`Youwillneverspeaktome；forIshallnotbeherelong。Iamsoongoingbackagaintothemiserablemonotonyofdrill-andperhapsourregimentwillbeorderedoutsoon。Andyetyoutakeawaytheonelittleewe-lambofpleasurethatIhaveinthisdulllifeofmine。Well，perhapsgenerosityisnotawoman’smostmarkedcharacteristic。’

`Whenareyougoingfromhere？’sheaskedwithsomeinterest。`Inamonth。’

`Buthowcanitgiveyoupleasuretospeaktome？’

`Canyouask，MissEverdene-knowingasyoudo-whatmyoffenceisbasedon？’

`Ifyoudocaresomuchforasillytrifleofthatkind，then，Idon’tminddoingit，’sheuncertainlyanddoubtinglyanswered。`Butyoucan’treallycareforawordfromme？youonlysayso-Ithinkyouonlysayso。’

`That’sunjust-butIwon’trepeattheremark。Iamtoogratifiedtogetsuchamarkofyourfriendshipatanypricetocavilatthetone。IdoMissEverdene，careforit。Youmaythinkamanfoolishtowantamereword-justagoodmorning。Perhapsheis-Idon’tknow。Butyouhaveneverbeenamanlookinguponawoman，andthatwomanyourself’

`Well。’

`Thenyouknownothingofwhatsuchanexperienceislike-andHeavenforbidthatyouevershould！’

`Nonsense，flatterer！Whatisitlike？Iaminterestedinknowing。’

`Putshortly，itisnotbeingabletothink，hear，orlookinanydirectionexceptonewithoutwretchedness，northerewithouttorture。’

`Ah，sergeant，itwon’tdo-youarepretending！’shesaid，shakingherhead。`Yourwordsaretoodashingtobetrue。’

`Iamnot，uponthehonourofasoldier。’

`Butwhyisitso？-OfcourseIaskformerepastime。’

`Becauseyouaresodistracting-andIamsodistracted。’

`Youlooklikeit。’

`Iamindeed。’

`Why，youonlysawmetheothernight！’

`Thatmakesnodifference。Thelightningworksinstantaneously。Ilovedyouthen，atonce-asIdonow。’

Bathshebasurveyedhimcuriously，fromthefeetupward，ashighasshelikedtoventureherglance，whichwasnotquitesohighashiseyes。

`Youcannotandyoudon’t，’shesaiddemurely。`Thereisnosuchsuddenfeelinginpeople。Iwon’tlistentoyouanylonger。Dearme，IwishI

knewwhato’clockitis-Iamgoing-Ihavewastedtoomuchtimeherealready！’

Thesergeantlookedathiswatchandtoldher。`What，haven’tyouawatch，miss？’heinquired。

`Ihavenotjustatpresent-Iamabouttogetanewone。

`No。Youshallbegivenone。Yes-youshall。Agift，MissEverdene-agift。’

Andbeforesheknewwhattheyoungmanwasintending，aheavygoldwatchwasinherhand。

`Itisanunusuallygoodoneforamanlikemetopossess，’hequietlysaid。`Thatwatchhasahistory。Pressthespringandopentheback。’

Shedidso。

`Whatdoyousee？’

`Acrestandamotto。

`Acoronetwithfivepoints，andbeneath，Ceditamorrebus-

“Loveyieldstocircumstance。”It’sthemottooftheEarlsofSevern。ThatwatchbelongedtothelastLord，andwasgiventomymother’shusband，amedicalman，forhisusetillIcameofage，whenitwastobegiventome。ItwasallthefortunethateverIinherited。Thatwatchhasregulatedimperialinterestsinitstime-thestatelyceremonial，thecourtlyassignation，pompoustravels，andlordlysleeps。Nowitisyours。’

`But，SergeantTroy，Icannottakethis-Icannot！’sheexclaimedwithround-eyedwonder。`Agoldwatch！Whatareyoudoing？Don’tbesuchadissembler！’

Thesergeantretreatedtoavoidreceivingbackhisgift，whichsheheldoutpersistentlytowardshim。Bathshebafollowedasheretired。

`Keepit-do，MissEverdene-keepit！’saidtheerraticchildofimpulse。

`Thefactofyourpossessingitmakesitworthtentimesasmuchtome。

Amoreplebeianonewillanswermypurposejustaswell，andthepleasureofknowingwhoseheartmyoldonebeatsagainst-well，Iwon’tspeakofthat。Itisinfarworthierhandsthaneverithasbeeninbefore。’

`ButindeedIcan’thaveit。’shesaid，inaperfectsimmerofdistress。

`O，howcanyoudosuchathing；thatis，ifyoureallymeanit！Givemeyourdeadfather’swatch，andsuchavaluableone！Youshouldnotbesoreckless，indeed，SergeantTroy！’

`Ilovedmyfather：good；butbetter，Iloveyoumore。That’showI

candoit，’saidthesergeantwithanintonationofsuchexquisitefidelitytonaturethatitwasevidentlynotallactednow。Herbeauty，which，whilstithadbeenquiescent，hehadpraisedinjest，hadinitsanimatedphasesmovedhimtoearnest；andthoughhisseriousnesswaslessthansheimagined，itwasprobablymorethanheimaginedhimself。

Bathshebawasbrimmingwithagitatedbewilderment，andshesaid，inhalf-suspiciousaccentsoffeeling，`Canitbe！O，howcanitbe，thatyoucareforme，andsosuddenly！Youhaveseensolittleofme：Imaynotbereallyso-sonice-lookingasIseemtoyou。Please，dotakeit；

O，do！Icannotandwillnothaveit。Believeme，yourgenerosityistoogreat。Ihaveneverdoneyouasinglekindness，andwhyshouldyoubesokindtome？’

Afactitiousreplyhadbeenagainuponhislips，butitwasagainsuspended，andhelookedatherwithanarrestedeye。Thetruthwas，thatasshenowstood-excited，wild，andhonestastheday-heralluringbeautyboreoutsofullytheepithetshehadbestoweduponitthathewasquitestartledathistemerityinadvancingthemasfalse。Hesaidmechanically，`Ah，why？’andcontinuedtolookather。

`Andmyworkfolkseemefollowingyouaboutthefield，andarewondering。

O，thisisdreadful！’shewenton，unconsciousofthetransmutationshewaseffecting。

`Ididnotquitemeanyoutoacceptitatfirst，foritwasmyonepoorpatentofnobility，’hebrokeoutbluntly；`but，uponmysoul，Iwishyouwouldnow。Withoutanyshamming，come！Don’tdenymethehappinessofwearingitformysake？Butyouaretoolovelyeventocaretobekindasothersare。’

`No，no；don’tsayso！IhavereasonsforreservewhichIcannotexplain。’

`Letitbe’then，letitbe，’hesaid，receivingbackthewatchatlast；

`Imustbeleavingyounow。Andwillyouspeaktomeforthemefewweeksofmystay？’

`IndeedIwill。Yet，Idon’tknowifIwill！O，whydidyoucomeanddisturbmeso！’

`Perhapsinsettingagin，Ihavecaughtmyself。Suchthingshavehappened。

Well，willyouletmeworkinyourfields？’hecoaxed。

`Yes，Isupposeso；ifitisanypleasuretoyou。

`MissEverdene，Ithankyou。’

`No，no。’

`Good-bye！’

Thesergeantbroughthishandtothecapontheslopeofhishead，saluted，andreturnedtothedistantgroupofhaymakers。

Bathshebacouldnotfacethehaymakersnow。Herhearterraticallyflittinghitherandthitherfromperplexedexcitement，hot，andalmosttearful，sheretreatedhomeward，murmuring，`O，whathaveIdone！Whatdoesitmean！

IwishIknewhowmuchofitwastrue！’

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENHivingtheBeesTheWeatherburybeeswerelateintheirswarmingthisyear。ItwasinthelatterpartofJune，andthedayaftertheinterviewwithTroyinthehayfield，thatBathshebawasstandinginhergarden，watchingaswarmintheairandguessingtheirprobablesettlingplace。Notonlyweretheylatethisyear，butunruly。Sometimesthroughoutawholeseasonalltheswarmswouldalightonthelowestattainablebough-suchaspartofacurrant-bushorespalierapple-tree；nextyeartheywould，withjustthesameunanimity，makestraightofftotheuppermostmemberofsometall，gauntcostard，orquarrenden，andtheredefyallinvaderswhodidnotcomearmedwithladdersandstavestotakethem。

Thiswasthecaseatpresent。Bathsheba’seyes，shadedbyonehand，werefollowingtheascendingmultitudeagainsttheunexplorablestretchofbluetilltheyultimatelyhaltedbyoneoftheunwieldytreesspokenof。Aprocesssomewhatanalogoustothatofallegedformationsoftheuniverse，timeandtimesago，wasobservable。Thebustlingswarmhadswepttheskyinascatteredanduniformhaze，whichnowthickenedtoanebulouscentre：

thisglidedontoaboughandgrewstilldenser，tillitformedasolidblackspotuponthelight。

Themenandwomenbeingallbusilyengagedinsavingthehay-evenLiddyhadleftthehouseforthepurposeoflendingahand-Bathshebaresolvedtohivethebeesherself，ifpossible。Shehaddressedthehivewithherbsandhoney，fetchedaladder，brush，andcrook，madeherselfimpregnablewitharmourofleathergloves，strawhat，andlargegauzeveil-oncegreenbutnowfadedtosnuffcolour-andascendedadozenrungsoftheladder。Atoncesheheard，nottenyardsoffavoicethatwasbeginningtohaveastrangepowerinagitatingher。

`MissEverdene，letmeassistyou；youshouldnotattemptsuchathingalone。’

Troywasjustopeningthegardengate。

Bathshebaflungdownthebrush，crook，andemptyhive，pulledtheskirtofherdresstightlyroundheranklesinatremendousflurry，andaswellasshecouldsliddowntheladder。BythetimeshereachedthebottomTroywastherealso，andhestoopedtopickupthehive。

`HowfortunateIamtohavedroppedinatthismoment！’exclaimedthesergeant。

Shefoundhervoiceinaminute。`What！andwillyoushaketheminforme？’sheasked，inwhat，foradefiantgirl，wasafalteringway；though，foratimidgirl，itwouldhaveseemedabravewayenough。

`WillI！’saidTroy。`WhyofcourseIwill。Howbloomingyouareto-day！’

Troyflungdownhiscaneandputhisfootontheladdertoascend。

`Butyoumusthaveontheveilandgloves，oryou’llbestungfearfully！’

`Ah，yes。Imustputontheveilandgloves。Willyoukindlyshowmehowtofixthemproperly？’

`Andyoumusthavethebroad-brimmedhat，too；foryourcaphasnobrimtokeeptheveiloff，andthey’dreachyourface。’

`Thebroad-brimmedhat，too，byallmeans。’

Soawhimsicalfateorderedthatherhatshouldbetakenoff-veilandallattached-andplaceduponhishead，Troytossinghisownintoagooseberrybush。Thentheveilhadtobetiedatitsloweredgeroundhiscollarandtheglovesputonhim。

Helookedsuchanextraordinaryobjectinthisguisethat，flurriedasshewas，shecouldnotavoidlaughingoutright。Itwastheremovalofyetanotherstakefromthepalisadeofcoldmannerswhichhadkepthimoff。

Bathshebalookedonfromthegroundwhilsthewasbusysweepingandshakingthebeesfromthetree，holdingupthehivewiththeotherhandforthemtofallinto。Shemadeuseofanunobservedminutewhilsthisattentionwasabsorbedintheoperationtoarrangeherplumesalittle。

Hecamedownholdingthehiveatarm’slength，behindwhichtrailedacloudofbees。

`Uponmylife，’saidTroy，throughtheveil，`holdingupthishivemakesone’sarmacheworsethanaweekofsword-exercise。’Whenthemanoeuvrewascompleteheapproachedher。`Wouldyoubegoodenoughtountiemeandletmeout？Iamnearlystifledinsidethissilkcage。

Tohideherembarrassmentduringtheunwantedprocessofuntyingthestringabouthisneck，shesaid：

`Ihaveneverseenthatyouspokeof。’

`What？’

`Thesword-exercise。’

`Ah！wouldyouliketo？’saidTroy。

Bathshebahesitated。ShehadheardwondrousreportsfromtimetotimebydwellersinWeatherbury，whohadbychancesojournedawhileinCasterbridge，nearthebarracks，ofthisstrangeandgloriousperformance，thesword-exercise。

Menandboyswhohadpeepedthroughchinksoroverwallsintothebarrack-yardreturnedwithaccountsofitsbeingthemostflashingaffairconceivable；

accoutermentsandweaponsglisteninglikestars-here，there，around-

yetallbyruleandcompass。

Soshesaidmildlywhatshefeltstrongly：

`Yes；Ishouldliketoseeitverymuch。’

`Andsoyoushall；youshallseemegothroughit。’

`No！How？’

`Letmeconsider。’

`Notwithawalking-stick-Idon’tcaretoseethat。Itmustbearealsword。’

`Yes，Iknow；andIhavenoswordhere；butIthinkIcouldgetonebytheevening。Now，willyoudothis？’

Troybentoverherandmurmuredsomesuggestioninalowvoice。

`Ono，indeed！’saidBathsheba，blushing。`Thankyouverymuch，butIcouldn’tonanyaccount。

`Surelyyoumight？Nobodywouldknow。’

Sheshookherhead，butwithaweakenednegation。`IfIwereto，’shesaid，`ImustbringLiddytoo。MightInot？’

Troylookedfaraway。`Idon’tseewhyyouwanttobringher，’hesaidcoldly。

AnunconsciouslookofassentinBathsheba’seyesbetrayedthatsomethingmorethanhiscoldnesshadmadeheralsofeelthatLiddywouldbesuperfluousinthesuggestedscene。Shehadfeltit，evenwhilstmakingtheproposal。

`Well，Iwon’tbringLiddy-andI’llcome。Butonlyforaveryshorttime，’sheadded；`averyshorttime。’

`Itwillnottakefiveminutes，’saidTroy。

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHTTheHollowamidtheFernsThehilloppositeBathsheba’sdwellingextended，amileoff，intoanuncultivatedtractofland，dottedatthisseasonwithtallthicketsofbrakefernplumpanddiaphanousfromrecentrapidgrowth，andradiantinhuesofclearanduntaintedgreen。

Ateighto’clockthismidsummerevening，whilstthebristlingballofgoldintheweststillsweptthetipsofthefernswithitslongluxuriantrays，asoftbrushing-byofgarmentsmighthavebeenheardamongthem，andBathshebaappearedintheirmidst，theirsoft，featheryarmscaressingheruptohershoulders。Shepaused，turned，wentbackoverthehillandhalfwaytoherowndoor，whenceshecastafarewellglanceuponthespotshehadjustleft，havingresolvednottoremainneartheplaceafterall。

Shesawadimspotofartificialredmovingroundtheshoulderoftherise。Itdisappearedontheotherside。

Shewaitedoneminute-twominutes-thoughtofTroy’sdisappointmentathernon-fulfilmentofapromisedengagement，tillsheagainranalongthefield，clamberedoverthebank，andfollowedtheoriginaldirection。

Shewasnowliterallytremblingandpantingatthishertemerityinsuchanerrantundertaking；herbreathcameandwentquickly，andhereyesshonewithaninfrequentlight。Yetgoshemust。Shereachedthevergeofapitinthemiddleoftheferns。Troystoodinthebottom，lookinguptowardsher。

`IheardyourustlingthroughthefernbeforeIsawyou，’hesaid，comingupandgivingherhishandtohelpherdowntheslope。

Thepitwasasaucer-shapedconcave，naturallyformed，withatopdiameterofaboutthirtyfeet，andshallowenoughtoallowthesunshinetoreachtheirheads。Standinginthecentre，theskyoverheadwasmetbyacircularhorizonoffern：thisgrewnearlytothebottomoftheslopeandthenabruptlyceased。Themiddlewithinthebeltofverdurewasflooredwithathickflossycarpetofmossandgrassintermingled，soyieldingthatthefootwashalf-buriedwithinit。

`Now，’saidTroy，producingthesword，which，asheraiseditintothesunlight，gleamedasortofgreeting，likealivingthing；`first，wehavefourrightandfourleftcuts；fourrightandfourleftthrusts。Infantrycutsandguardsaremoreinterestingthanours，tomymind；buttheyarenotsoswashing。Theyhavesevencutsandthreethrusts。Somuchasapreliminary。

Well，next，ourcutoneisasifyouweresowingyourcorn-so。’Bathshebasawasortofrainbow，upsidedownintheair，andTroy’sarmwasstillagain。`Cuttwo，asifyouwerehedging-so。Three，asifyouwerereaping-so。Four，asifyouwerethreshing-inthatway。Thenthesameontheleft。Thethrustsarethese：one，two，three，four，right；one，two，three，four，left’Herepeatedthem。`Have`emagain？’hesaid。`One，two——

Shehurriedlyinterrupted：`I’drathernot；thoughIdon’tmindyourtwosandfours；butyouronesandthreesareterrible！’

`Verywell。I’llletyouofftheonesandthrees。Next，cuts，pointsandguardsaltogether。’Troydulyexhibitedthem。`Thenthere’spursuingpractice，inthisway。’Hegavethemovementsasbefore。`There，thosearethestereotypedforms。Theinfantryhavetwomostdiabolicalupwardcuts，whichwearetoohumanetouse。Likethis-three，four。’

`Howmurderousandbloodthirsty！’

`Theyareratherdeathy。NowI’llbemoreinteresting，andletyouseesomelooseplay-givingallthecutsandpoints，infantryandcavalry，quickerthanlightning，andaspromiscuously-withjustenoughruletoregulateinstinctandyetnottofetterit。Youaremyantagonist，withthisdifferencefromrealwarfare，thatIshallmissyoueverytimebyonehair’sbreadth，orperhapstwo。Mindyoudon’tflinch，whateveryoudo。’

`I’llbesurenotto！’shesaidinvincibly。

Hepointedtoaboutayardinfrontofhim。

Bathsheba’sadventurousspiritwasbeginningtofindsomegrainsofrelishinthesehighlynovelproceedings。Shetookupherpositionasdirected，facingTroy。

`NowjusttolearnwhetheryouhavepluckenoughtoletmedowhatI

wish，I’llgiveyouapreliminarytest。’

Heflourishedtheswordbywayofintroductionnumbertwo，andthenextthingofwhichshewasconsciouswasthatthepointandbladeoftheswordweredartingwithagleamtowardsherleftside，justaboveherhip；thenoftheirreappearanceonherrightside，emergingasitwerefrombetweenherribs，havingapparentlypassedthroughherbody。Thethirditemofconsciousnesswasthatofseeingthesamesword，perfectlycleanandfreefrombloodheldverticallyinTroy’shand(inthepositiontechnicallycalled`recoverswords’)。Allwasasquickaselectricity。

`Oh！’shecriedoutinaffright，pressingherhandtoherside。`Haveyourunmethrough？-no，youhavenot！Whateverhaveyoudone！’

`Ihavenottouchedyou，’saidTroyquietly。`Itwasmeresleightofhand。Theswordpassedbehindyou。Nowyouarenotafraid，areyou？BecauseifyouareIcan’tperform。IgivemywordthatIwillnotonlynothurtyou，butnotoncetouchyou。’

`Idon’tthinkIamafraid。Youarequitesureyouwillnothurtme？’

`Quitesure。’

`Istheswordverysharp？’

`Ono-onlystandasstillasastatue。Now！’InaninstanttheatmospherewastransformedtoBathsheba’seyes。

Beamsoflightcaughtfromthelowsun’srays，above，around，infrontofher，well-nighshutoutearthandheaven-allemittedinthemarvellousevolutionsofTroy’sreflectingblade，whichseemedeverywhereatonce，andyetnowherespecially。Thesecirclinggleamswereaccompaniedbyakeenrushthatwasalmostawhistling-alsospringingfromallsidesofheratonce。Inshort，shewasenclosedinafirmamentoflight，andofsharphisses，resemblingasky-fullofmeteorscloseathand。

NeversincethebroadswordbecamethenationalweaponhadtherebeenmoredexterityshowninitsmanagementthanbythehandsofSergeantTroy，andneverhadhebeeninsuchsplendidtemperfortheperformanceasnowintheeveningsunshineamongthefernswithBathsheba。Itmaysafelybeassertedwithrespecttotheclosenessofhiscuts，thathaditbeenpossiblefortheedgeoftheswordtoleaveintheairapermanentsubstancewhereveritflewpast，thespaceleftuntouchedwouldhavebeenalmostamouldofBathsheba’sfigure。

Behindtheluminousstreamsofthisauroramilitaris，shecouldseethehueofTroy’sswordarm，spreadinascarlethazeoverthespacecoveredbyitsmotions，likeatwangedharpstring，andbehindallToyhimselfmostlyfacingher；sometimes，toshowtherearcuts，half-turnedaway，hiseyeneverthelessalwayskeenlymeasuringherbreadthandoutline，andhislipstightlyclosedinsustainedeffort。Next，hismovementslapsedslower，andshecouldseethemindividually。Thehissingoftheswordhadceased，andhestoppedentirely。

`Thatouterlooselockofhairwantstidying，’hesaid，beforeshehadmovedorspoken。`Wait：I’lldoitforyou。’

Anarcofsilvershoneonherrightside：theswordhaddescended。Thelockdroppedtotheground。

`Bravelyborne！’saidTroy。`Youdidn’tflinchashade’sthickness。

Wonderfulinawoman！’

`ItwasbecauseIdidn’texpectit。O，youhavespoiltmyhair！’

`Onlyoncemore。`No-no！Iamafraidofyou-indeedIam！’shecried。

`Iwon’ttouchyouatall-notevenyourhair。Iamonlygoingtokillthatcaterpillarsettlingonyou。Now：still！’

Itappearedthatacaterpillarhadcomefromthefernandchosenthefrontofherbodiceashisrestingplace。Shesawthepointglistentowardsherbosom，andseeminglyenterit。Bathshebaclosedhereyesinthefullpersuasionthatshewaskilledatlast。However，feelingjustasusual，sheopenedthemagain。

`Thereitis，look，’saidthesergeant，holdinghisswordbeforehereyes。Thecaterpillarwasspitteduponitspoint。`Why，itismagic！’saidBathsheba，amazed。`Ono-dexterity。Imerelygavepointtoyourbosomwherethecaterpillarwas，andinsteadofrunningyouthroughcheckedtheextensionathousandthofaninchshortofyoursurface。’

`Buthowcouldyouchopoffacurlofmyhairwithaswordthathasnoedge？’

`Noedge！Thisswordwillshavelikearazor。Lookhere。’

Hetouchedthepalmofhishandwiththeblade，andthenliftingit，showedherathinshavingofscarfskindanglingtherefrom。

`Butyousaidbeforebeginningthatitwasbluntandcouldn’tcutme！’

`Thatwastogetyoutostandstill，andsomakesureofyoursafety。

Theriskofinjuringyouthroughyourmovingwastoogreatnottoforcemetotellyouafibtoescapeit。’

Sheshuddered。`Ihavebeenwithinaninchofmylife，anddidn’tknowit！’

`Morepreciselyspeaking，youhavebeenwithinhalfaninchofbeingparedalivetwohundredandninety-fivetimes。’

`Cruel，cruel，’tisofyou！’

`Youhavebeenperfectlysafe，nevertheless。Myswordnevererrs。’AndTroyreturnedtheweapontothescabbard。

Bathsheba，overcomebyahundredtumultuousfeelingsresultingfromthescene，abstractedlysatdownonatuftofheather。

`Imustleaveyounow，’saidToysoftly。`AndI’llventuretotakeandkeepthisinremembranceofyou。

Shesawhimstooptothegrass，pickupthewindinglockwhichhehadseveredfromhermanifoldtresses，twistitroundhisfingers，unfastenabuttoninthebreastofhiscoat，andcarefullyputitinside。Shefeltpowerlesstowithstandordenyhim。Hewasaltogethertoomuchforher，andBathshebaseemedasonewho，facingarevivingwind，findsitblowsostronglythatitstopsthebreath。

Hedrewnearandsaid，`Imustbeleavingyou。’Hedrewnearerstill。

Aminutelaterandshesawhisscarletformdisappearamidthefernythicket，almostinaflash，likeabrandswiftlywaved。

Thatminute’sintervalhadbroughtthebloodbeatingintoherface，setherstingingasifaflametotheveryhollowsofherfeet，andenlargedemotiontoacompasswhichquiteswampedthought。Ithadbroughtuponherastrokeresulting，asdidthatofMosesinHoreb，inaliquidstream-

hereastreamoftears。Shefeltlikeonewhohassinnedagreatsin。

ThecircumstancehadbeenthegentledipofTroy’smouthdownwardsuponherown。Hehadkissedher。

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINEParticularsofaTwilightWalkWenowseetheelementoffollydistinctlyminglingwiththemanyvaryingparticularswhichmadeupthecharacterofBathshebaEverdene。Itwasalmostforeigntoherintrinsicnature。IntroducedaslymphonthedartofErositeventuallypermeatedandcolouredherwholeconstitution。Bathsheba，thoughshehadtoomuchunderstandingtobeentirelygovernedbyherwomanliness，hadtoomuchwomanlinesstouseherunderstandingtothebestadvantage。

Perhapsinnominorpointdoeswomanastonishherhelpmatemorethaninthestrangepowershepossessesofbelievingcajoleriesthatsheknowstobefalse-except，indeed，inthatofbeingutterlyscepticalonstricturesthatsheknowstobetrue。

BathshebalovedTroyinthewaythatonlyself-reliantwomenlovewhentheyabandontheirself-reliance。Whenastrongwomanrecklesslythrowsawayherstrengthsheisworsethanaweakwomanwhohasneverhadanystrengthtothrowaway。Onesourceofherinadequacyisthenoveltyoftheoccasion。Shehasneverhadpracticeinmakingthebestofsuchacondition。

Weaknessisdoublyweakbybeingnew。

Bathshebawasnotconsciousofguileinthismatter。Thoughinonesenseawomanoftheworld，itwas，afterall，thatworldofdaylightcoteriesandgreencarpetswhereincattleformthepassingcrowdandwindsthebusyhum；whereaquietfamilyofrabbitsorhareslivesontheothersideofyourparty-wall，whereyourneighbouriseverybodyinthetything，andwherecalculationisconfinedtomarket-days。Ofthefabricatedtastesofgoodfashionablesocietysheknewbutlittle，andoftheformulatedself-indulgenceofbad，nothingatall。Hadherutmostthoughtsinthisdirectionbeendistinctlyworded(andbyherselftheyneverwere)，theywouldonlyhaveamountedtosuchamatterasthatshefeltherimpulsestobepleasanterguidesthanherdiscretion。Herlovewasentireasachild’s，andthoughwarmassummeritwasfreshasspring。Herculpabilitylayinhermakingnoattempttocontrolfeelingbysubtleandcarefulinquiryintoconsequences。Shecouldshowothersthesteepandthornyway，but`reck’dnotherownrede’。

AndTroy’sdeformitieslaydeepdownfromawoman’svision，whilsthisembellishmentswereupontheverysurface；thuscontrastingwithhomelyOak，whosedefectswerepatenttotheblindest，andwhosevirtueswereasmetalsinamine。

Thedifferencebetweenloveandrespectwasmarkedlyshowninherconduct。

BathshebahadspokenofherinterestinBoldwoodwiththegreatestfreedomtoLiddy，butshehadonlycommunedwithherownheartconcerningTroy。

AllthisinfatuationGabrielsaw，andwastroubledtherebyfromthetimeofhisdailyjourneya-fieldtothetimeofhisreturn，andontothesmallhoursofmanyanight。Thathewannotbelovedhadhithertobeenhisgreatsorrow；thatBathshebawasgettingintothetoilswasnowasorrowgreaterthanthefirst，andonewhichnearlyobscuredit。Itwasaresultwhichparalleledtheoft-quotedobservationofHippocratesconcerningphysicalpains。

Thatisanoblethoughperhapsanunpromisinglovewhichnoteventhefearofbreedingaversioninthebosomoftheonebelovedcandeterfromcombatinghisorhererrors。Oakdeterminedtospeaktohismistress。HewouldbasehisappealonwhatheconsideredherunfairtreatmentofFarmerBoldwood，nowabsentfromhome。

Anopportunityoccurredoneeveningwhenshehadgoneforashortwalkbyapaththroughtheneighboringcornfields。ItwasduskwhenOak，whohadnotbeenfara-fieldthatday，tookthesamepathandmetherreturning，quitepensively，ashethought。

Thewheatwasnowtall，andthepathwasnarrow；thusthewaywasquiteasunkengroovebetweentheembowingthicketoneitherside。Twopersonscouldnotwalkabreastwithoutdamagingthecrop，andOakstoodasidetoletherpass。

`Oh，isitGabriel？’shesaid。`Youaretakingawalktoo。Good-night。’

`IthoughtIwouldcometomeetyou，asitisratherlate，’saidOak，turningandfollowingatherheelswhenshehadbrushedsomewhatquicklybyhim。

`Thankyou，indeed，butIamnotveryfearful。’

`Ono；buttherearebadcharactersabout。’

`Inevermeetthem。’