第7章

NowOak，withmarvellousingenuity，hadbeengoingtointroducethegallantsergeantthroughthechannelof`badcharacters’。Butallatoncetheschemebrokedown，itsuddenlyoccurringtohimthatthiswasratheraclumsyway，andtoobarefacedtobeginwith。Hetriedanotherpreamble。

`Andasthemanwhowouldnaturallycometomeetyouisawayfromhome，too-ImeanFarmerBoldwood-why，thinksI，I’llgo，hesaid。

`Ah，yes。’Shewalkedonwithoutturningherhead，andformanystepsnothingfartherwasheardfromherquarterthantherustleofherdressagainsttheheavycorn-ears。Thensheresumedrathertartly——

`Idon’tquiteunderstandwhatyoumeantbysayingthatMrBoldwoodwouldnaturallycometomeetme。

`Imeantonaccountoftheweddingwhichtheysayislikelytotakeplacebetweenyouandhim，miss。Forgivemyspeakingplainly。’

`Theysaywhatisnottrue，’shereturnedquickly。`Nomarriageislikelytotakeplacebetweenus。’

Gabrielnowputforthhisunobscuredopinion，forthemomenthadcome。

`Well，MissEverdene，’hesaid，`puttingasidewhatpeoplesay，Ineverinmylifesawanycourtingifhisisnotacourtingofyou。’

Bathshebawouldprobablyhaveterminatedtheconversationthereandthenbyflatlyforbiddingthesubject，hadnotherconsciousweaknessofpositionalluredhertopalterandargueinendeavourstobetterit。

`Sincethissubjecthasbeenmentioned，’shesaidveryemphatically，`Iamgladoftheopportunityofclearingupamistakewhichiiverycommonandveryprovoking。Ididn’tdefinitelypromiseMrBoldwoodanything。I

havenevercaredforhim。Irespecthim，andhehasurgedmetomarryhim。

ButIhavegivenhimnodistinctanswer。AssoonashereturnsIshalldoso；andtheanswerwillbethatIcannotthinkofmarryinghim。’

`Peoplearefallofmistakes，seemingly。’

`Theyare。’

`Theotherdaytheysaidyouweretriflingwithhim，andyoualmostprovedthatyouwerenot；latelytheyhavesaidthatyoubenot，andyoustraightawaybegintoshow——’

`ThatIam，Isupposeyoumean。’

`Well，Ihopetheyspeakthetruth。’

`Theydo，butwronglyapplied。Idon’ttriflewithhim；butthen，I

havenothingtodowithhim。’

OakwasunfortunatelyledontospeakofBoldwood’srivalinawrongtonetoherafterall。`IwishyouhadnevermetthatyoungSergeantTroy，miss，’hesighed。

Bathsheba’sstepsbecamefaintlyspasmodic。`Why？’sheasked。

`Heisnotgoodenoughfor’ee。’

`Didanyonetellyoutospeaktomelikethis？’

`Nobodyatall。’

`ThenitappearstomethatSergeantTroydoesnotconcernushere，’

shesaidintractably。`YetImustsaythatSergeantTroyisaneducatedman，andquiteworthyofanywoman。Heiswellborn。’

`Hisbeinghigherinlearningandbirththantherucko’soldiersisanythingbutaproofofhisworth。Itshowshiscoursetobedown’ard。’

`Icannotseewhatthishastodowithourconversation。MrTroy’scourseisnotbyanymeansdownward；andhissuperiorityisaproofofhisworth！’

`Ibelievehimtohavenoconscienceatall。AndIcannothelpbeggingyou，miss，tohavenothingtodowithhim。Listentomethisonce-onlythisonce！Idon’tsayhe’ssuchabadmanasIhavefancied-IpraytoGodheisnot。Butsincewedon’texactlyknowwhatheis，whynotbehaveasifhemightbebad，simplyforyourownsafety？Don’ttrusthim，mistress；Iaskyounottotrusthimso。’

`Why，pray？’

`Ilikesoldiers，butthisoneIdonotlike，’hesaidsturdily。`Hisclevernessinhiscallingmayhavetemptedhimastray，andwhatismirthtotheneighboursisruintothewoman。Whenhetriestotalkto’eeagain，whynotturnawaywithashort“Goodday“；andwhenyouseehimcomingoneway，turntheother。Whenhesaysanythinglaughable，failtoseethepointanddon’tsmile，andspeakofhimbeforethosewhowillreportyourtalkas“thatfantasticalman“，or“thatSergeantWhat’s-his-name“，“Thatmanofafamilythathascometothedogs。”Don’tbeunmannerlytowardsen，butharmless-uncivil，andsogetridoftheman。

NoChristmasrobindetainedbyawindow-paneeverpulsedasdidBathshebanow。

`Isay-Isayagain-thatitdoesn’tbecomeyoutotalkabouthim。

Whyheshouldbementionedpassesmequite！’sheexclaimeddesperately。

`Iknowthis，th-th-thatheisathoroughlyconscientiousman-bluntsometimeseventorudeness-butalwaysspeakinghismindaboutyouplaintoyourface！’

`Oh。’

`Heisasgoodasanybodyinthisparish！Heisveryparticular，too，aboutgoingtochurch-yes，heis！’

Iamafeardnobodyeversawhimthere。Ineverdid，certainly。’

`Thereasonofthatis，’shesaideagerly，`thathegoesinprivatelybytheoldtowerdoor，justwhentheservicecommences，andsitsatthebackofthegallery。Hetoldmeso。’

ThissupremeinstanceofTroy’sgoodnessfelluponGabriel’searslikethethirteenthstrokeofacrazyclock。Itwasnotonlyreceivedwithutterincredulityasregardeditself，butthrewadoubtonalltheassurancesthathadprecededit。

Oakwasgrievedtofindhowentirelyshetrustedhim。Hebrimmedwithdeepfeelingasherepliedinasteadyvoice，thesteadinessofwhichwasspoiltbythepalpablenessofhisgreatefforttokeepitso：——

`Youknowmistress，thatIloveyou，andshallloveyoualways。IonlymentionthistobringtoyourmindthatatanyrateIwouldwishtodoyounoharm：beyondthatIputitaside。Ihavelostintheraceformoneyandgoodthings，andIamnotsuchafoolastopretendto’eenowIampoor，andyouhavegotaltogetheraboveme。ButBathsheba，dearmistress，thisIbegyoutoconsider-that，bothtokeepyourselfwellhonouredamongtheworkfolk，andincommongenerositytoanhonourablemanwholovesyouaswellasI，youshouldbemorediscreetinyourbearingtowardsthissoldier。’

`Don’t，don’t，don’t！’sheexclaimed，inachokingvoice。

`Areyenotmoretomethanmyownaffairs，andevenlife！’hewenton。`Come，listentome！Iamsixyearsolderthanyou，andMrBoldwoodistenyearsolderthanI，andconsider-Idobegof’eetoconsiderbeforeitistoolate-howsafeyouwouldbeinhishands！’

Oak’sallusiontohisownloveforherlessened，tosomeextent，herangerathisinterference；butshecouldnotreallyforgivehimforlettinghiswishtomarryherbeeclipsedbyhiswishtodohergood，anymorethanforhisslightingtreatmentofTroy。

`Iwishyoutogoelsewhere，’shecommanded，apalenessoffaceinvisibletotheeyebeingsuggestedbythetremblingwords。`Donotremainonthisfarmanylonger。Idon’twantyou-Ibegyoutogo！’

`That’snonsense，’saidOakcalmly。`Thisisthesecondtimeyouhavepretendedtodismissme；andwhat’stheuseo’it？’

`Pretended！Youshallgo，sir-yourlecturingIwillnothear！Iammistresshere。’

`Go，indeed-whatfollywillyousaynext？TreatingmelikeDick，TomandHarrywhenyouknowthatashorttimeagomypositionwasasgoodasyours！Uponmylife，Bathsheba，itistoobarefaced。Youknow，too，thatIcan’tgowithoutputtingthingsinsuchastraitasyouwouldn’tgetoutofIcan’ttellwhen。Unless，indeed，you’llpromisetohaveanunderstandingmanasbailiff，ormanager，orsomething。I’llgoatonceifyou’llpromisethat。’

`Ishallhavenobailiff，Ishallcontinuetobemyownmanager，’shesaiddecisively。

`Verywell，then；youshouldbethankfultomeforbiding。Howwouldthefarmgoonwithnobodytominditbutawoman？butmindthis，Idon’twish’eetofeelyouowemeanything。NotI。chatIdo，Ido。SometimesIsayIshouldbeasgladasabirdtoleavetheplace-fordon’tsupposeI’mcontenttobeanobody。Iwasmadeforbetterthings。However，Idon’tliketoseeyourconcernsgoingtoruin，astheymustifyoukeepinthismind……Ihatetakingmyownmeasuresoplain，but，uponmylife，yourprovokingwaysmakeamansaywhathewouldn’tdreamofatothertimes！

Iowntobeingratherinterfering。Butyouknowwellenoughhowitis，andwhosheisthatIliketoowell，andfeeltoomuchlikeafoolabouttobeciviltoher！’

Itismorethanprobablethatsheprivatelyandunconsciouslyrespectedhimalittleforthisgrimfidelity，whichhadbeenshowninhistoneevenmorethaninhiswords。Atanyrateshemurmuredsomethingtotheeffectthathemightstayifhewished。Shesaidmoredistinctly，`Willyouleavemealonenow？Idon’torderitasamistress-Iaskitasawoman，andIexpectyounottobesouncourteousastorefuse。’

`CertainlyIwill，MissEverdene，’saidGabrielgently。Hewonderedthattherequestshouldhavecomeatthismoment，forthestrifewasover，andtheywereonamostdesolatehill，farfromeveryhumanhabitation，andthehourwasgettinglate。Hestoodstillandallowedhertogetfaraheadofhimtillhecouldonlyseeherformuponthesky。

Adistressingexplanationofthisanxietytoberidofhimatthatpointnowensued。Afigureapparentlyrosefromtheearthbesideher。TheshapebeyondalldoubtwasTroy’s。Oakwouldnotbeevenapossiblelistener，andatonceturnedbacktillagoodtwohundredyardswerebetweentheloversandhimself。

Gabrielwenthomebywayofthechurchyard。Inpassingthetowerhethoughtofwhatshehadsaidaboutthesergeant’svirtuoushabitofenteringthechurchunperceivedatthebeginningofservice。Believingthatthelittlegallerydooralludedtowasquitedisused，heascendedtheexternalflightofstepsatthetopofwhichitstood，andexaminedit。Thepalelustreyethanginginthenorth-westernheavenwassufficienttoshowthatasprigofivyhadgrownfromthewallacrossthedoortoalengthofmorethanafoot，delicatelytyingthepaneltothestonejamb。ItwasadecisiveproofthatthedoorhadnotbeenopenedatleastsinceTroycamebacktoWeatherbury。

CHAPTERTHIRTYHotCheeksandTearfulEyesHalfanhourlaterBathshebaenteredherownhouse。Thereburntuponherfacewhenshemetthelightofthecandlestheflushandexcitementwhichwerelittlelessthanchronicwithhernow。ThefarewellwordsofTroy，whohadaccompaniedhertotheverydoor，stilllingeredinherears。Hehadbiddenheradieufortwodays，whichwere，sohestated，tobespentatBathinvisitingsomefriends。Hehadalsokissedherasecondtime。

ItisonlyfairtoBathshebatoexplainherealittlefactwhichdidnotcometolighttillalongtimeafterwards：thatTroy’spresentationofhimselfsoaptlyattheroadsidethiseveningwasnotbyanydistinctlypreconcertedarrangement。Hehadhinted-shehadforbidden；anditwasonlyonthechanceofhisstillcomingthatshehaddismissedOak，fearingameetingbetweenthemjustthen。

Shenowsankdownintoachair，wildandperturbedbyallthesenewandfeveringsequences。Thenshejumpedupwithamannerofdecision，andfetchedherdeskfromasidetable。

Inthreeminutes，withoutpauseormodification，shehadwrittenalettertoBoldwood，athisaddressbeyondCasterbridge，sayingmildlybutfirmlythatshehadwellconsideredthewholesubjecthehadbroughtbeforeherandkindlygivenhertimetodecideupon；thatherfinaldecisionwasthatshecouldnotmarryhim。ShehadexpressedtoOakanintentiontowaittillBoldwoodcamehomebeforecommunicatingtohimherconclusivereply。

ButBathshebafoundthatshecouldnotwait。

Itwasimpossibletosendthislettertillthenextday；yettoquellheruneasinessbygettingitoutofherhands，andso，asitwere，settingtheactinmotionatonce，shearosetotakeittoanyoneofthewomenwhomightbeinthekitchen。

Shepausedinthepassage。Adialoguewasgoingoninthekitchen，andBathshebaandTroywerethesubjectofit。

`Ifhemarryher，she’llgieupfarming。’

`’Twillbeagallantlife，butmaybringsometroublebetweenthemirth-sosayI。’

`Well，IwishIhadhalfsuchahusband。’

Bathshebahadtoomuchsensetomindseriouslywhatherservitorssaidabouther；buttoomuchwomanlyredundanceofspeechtoleavealonewhatwassaidtillitdiedthenaturaldeathofunmindedthings。Sheburstinuponthem。

`Whoareyouspeakingof？’sheasked。

Therewasapausebeforeanybodyreplied。AtlastLiddysaidfrankly，`Whatwaspassingwasabitofwordaboutyourself，miss。’

`Ithoughtso！MaryannandLiddyandTemperance-nowIforbidyoutosupposesuchthings。YouknowIdon’tcaretheleastforMrTroy-notI。EverybodyknowshowmuchIhatehim-Yes，’repeatedthefrowardyoungperson，`hatehim！’

`Weknowyoudo，miss，’saidLiddy；`andsodoweall。’

`Ihatehimtoo，’saidMaryann。

`Maryann-Oyouperjuredwoman！Howcanyouspeakthatwickedstory！’

saidBathshebaexcitedly`Youadmiredhimfromyourheartonlythismorningintheveryworld，youdid。Yes，Maryann，youknowit！’

`Yes，miss，butsodidyou。Heisawildscampnow，andyouarerighttohatehim。’

`He’snotawildscamp！Howdareyoutomyface！Ihavenorighttohatehim，noryou，noranybody。ButIamasillywoman！Whatisittomewhatheis？Youknowitisnothing。Idon’tcareforhim；Idon’tmeantodefendhisgoodname，notI。Mindthis，ifanyofyousayawordagainsthimyou’llbedismissedinstantly！’

Sheflungdowntheletterandsurgedbackintotheparlour，withabigheartandtearfuleyes，Liddyfollowingher。

`Omiss！’saidmildLiddy，lookingpitifullyintoBathsheba’sface。

`Iamsorrywemistookyouso！Ididthinkyoucaredforhim；butIseeyoudon’tnow。

`Shutthedoor，Liddy。’

Liddyclosedthedoor，andwenton：`Peoplealwayssaysuchfoolery，miss。I’llmakeanswerhencefor’ard，“OfcoursealadylikeMissEverdenecan’tlovehim“，I’llsayitoutinplainblackandwhite。’

Bathshebaburstout：`OLiddy，areyousuchasimpleton？Can’tyoureadriddles？Can’tyousee？Areyouawomanyourself？’

Liddy’scleareyesroundedwithwonderment。

`Yes，youmustbeablindthing，Liddy！’shesaidinrecklessabandonmentandgrief。`O，Ilovehimtoverydistractionandmiseryandagony！Don’tbefrightenedatme，thoughperhapsIamenoughtofrightenanyinnocentwoman。Comecloser-closer。’SheputherarmsroundLiddy’sneck。`Imustletitouttosomebody；itiswearingmeaway！Don’tyouyetknowenoughofmetoseethroughthatmiserabledenialofmine？OGod，whatalieitwas！Heavenandmyloveforgiveme。Anddon’tyouknowthatawomanwholovesatallthinksnothingofperjurywhenitisbalancedagainstherlove？There，gooutoftheroom；Iwanttobequitealone。’

Liddywenttowardsthedoor。

`Liddy，comehere。Solemnlysweartomethathe’snotafastman；thatitisallliestheysayabouthim！’

`But，miss，howcanIsayheisnotif——’

`Yougracelessgirl！Howcanyouhavethecruelhearttorepeatwhattheysay？Unfeelingthingthatyouare……ButI’llseeifyouoranybodyelseinthevillage，ortowneither，daredosuchathing！’Shestartedoffpacingfromfireplacetodoor，andbackagain。

`No，miss。Idon’t-Iknowitisnottrue！’saidLiddyfrightenedatBathsheba’sunwontedvehemence。

`Isupposeyouonlyagreewithmelikethattopleaseme。ButLiddy，hecannotbebad，asissaid。Doyouhear？’

`Yes，miss，yes。’

`Andyoudon’tbelieveheis？’

`Idon’tknowwhattosay，miss，’saidLiddy，beginningtocry。`IfIsayNo，youdon’tbelieveme；andifIsayYes，yourageatme！’

`Sayyoudon’tbelieveit-sayyoudon’t！’

`Idon’tbelievehimtobesobadastheymakeout。’

`Heisnotbadatall……Mypoorlifeandheart，howweakIam！’shemoaned，inarelaxed，desultoryway，heedlessofLiddy’spresence。`O，howIwishIhadneverseenhim！lovingismiseryforwomenalways。IshallneverforgiveGodformakingmeawoman，anddearlyamIbeginningtopayforthehonourofowningaprettyface。’ShefreshenedandturnedtoLiddysuddenly。`Mindthis，LydiaSmallbury，ifyourepeatanywhereasinglewordofwhatIhavesaidtoyouinsidethiscloseddoor，I’llnevertrustyou，orloveyou，orhaveyouwithmeamomentlonger-notamoment！’

`Idon’twanttorepeatanything，’saidLiddy，withwomanlydignityofadiminutiveorder；`butIdon’twishtostaywithyou。And，ifyouplease，I’llgoattheendoftheharvest，orthisweek，orto-day……I

don’tseethatIdeservetobeputuponandstormedatfornothing！’concludedthesmallwoman，bigly。

`No，no，Liddy；youmuststay！’saidBathsheba，droppingfromhaughtinesstoentreatywithcapriciousinconsequence。`Youmustnotnoticemybeinginatakingjustnow。Youarenotasaservant-youareacompaniontome。Dear，dear-Idon’tknowwhatIamdoingsincethismiserableacheo’myhearthasweightedandwornuponmeso！WhatshallIcometo！IsupposeIshallgetfartherandfartherintotroubles。IwondersometimesifI

amdoomedtodieintheUnion。Iamfriendlessenough，Godknows！’

`Iwon’tnoticeanything，norwillIleaveyou！’sobbedLiddy，impulsivelyputtingupherlipstoBathsheba’s，andkissingher。

ThenBathshebakissedLiddy，andallwassmoothagain。

`Idon’toftencry，doI，Lidd？butyouhavemadetearscomeintomyeyes，’shesaid，asmileshiningthroughthemoisture。`Trytothinkhimagoodman，won’tyou，dearLiddy？’

`Iwill，miss，indeed。’

`Heisasortofsteadymaninawildwayyouknow。That’sbetterthantobeassomeare，wildinasteadyway。Iamafraidthat’showIam。Andpromisemetokeepmysecret-do，Liddy！Anddonotletthemknow`thatIhavebeencryingabouthim，becauseitwillbedreadfulforme，andnogoodtohim，poorthing！’

`Death’sheadhimselfshan’twringitfromme，mistress，ifI’veamindtokeepanything；andI’llalwaysbeyourfriend，’repliedLiddyemphatically，atthesametimebringingafewmoretearsintoherowneyes，notfromanyparticularnecessity，butfromanartisticsenseofmakingherselfinkeepingwiththeremainderofthepicture，whichseemstoinfluencewomenatsuchtimes。`IthinkGodlikesustobegoodfriends，don’tyou？’

`IndeedIdo。’

`And，dearmiss，youwon’tharrymeandstormatme，willyou？becauseyouseemtoswellsotallasalionthen，anditfrightensme！Doyouknow，Ifancyyouwouldbeamatchforanymanwhenyouareinoneofyourtakings。’

`Never！doyou？’saidBathsheba，slightlylaughing，thoughsomewhatseriouslyalarmedbythisAmazonianpictureofherself。`IhopeIamnotaboldsortofmaid-mannish？’shecontinuedwithsomeanxiety。

`Ono，notmannish；butsoalmightywomanish，that’tisgettingonthatwaysometimes。Ah！miss，’shesaid，afterhavingdrawnherbreathverysadlyinandsentitverysadlyout，`IwishIhadhalfyourfailingthatway。’Tisagreatprotectiontoapoormaidintheseillegit’matedays！’

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONEBlame-FuryThenexteveningBathsheba，withtheideaofgettingoutofthewayofMrBoldwoodintheeventofhisreturningtoanswerhernoteinperson，proceededtofulfilanengagementmadewithLiddysomefewhoursearlier。

Bathsheba’scompanion，asagageoftheirreconciliation，hadbeengrantedaweek’sholidaytovisithersister，whowasmarriedtoathrivinghurdlerandcattle-crib-makerlivinginadelightfullabyrinthofhazelcopsenotfarbeyondYalbury。ThearrangementwasthatMissEverdeneshouldhonourthembycomingthereforadayortwotoinspectsomeingeniouscontrivanceswhichthismanofthewoodshadintroducedintohiswares。

LeavingherinstructionswithGabrielandMaryann，thattheyweretoseeeverythingcarefullylockedupforthenight，shewentoutofthehousejustatthecloseofatimelythunder-shower，whichhadrefinedtheair，anddaintilybathedthecoatoftheland，thoughallbeneathwasdryasever。Freshnesswasexhaledinanessencefromthevariedcontoursofbankandhollow，asiftheearthbreathedmaidenbreathandthepleasedbirdswerehymningtothescene。Beforeher，amongtheclouds，therewasacontrastintheshapeoflairsoffiercelightwhichshowedthemselvesintheneighbourhoodofahiddensun，lingeringontothefarthestnorth-westcorneroftheheavensthatthismidsummerseasonallowed。

Shehadwalkednearlytwomilesofherjourney，watchinghowthedaywasretreating，andthinkinghowthetimeofdeedswasquietlymeltingintothetimeofthought，togiveplaceinitsturntothetimeofprayerandsleep，whenshebeheldadvancingoverYalburyhilltheverymanshesoughtsoanxiouslytoelude。Boldwoodwassteppingon，notwiththatquiettreadofreservedstrengthwhichwashiscustomarygait，inwhichhealwaysseemedtobebalancingtwothoughts。Hismannerwasstunnedandsluggishnow。

Boldwoodhadforthefirsttimebeenawakenedtowoman’sprivilegesintergiversationevenwhenitinvolvesanotherperson’spossibleblight。

ThatBathshebawasafirmandpositivegirl，farlessinconsequentthanherfellows，hadbeentheverylungofhishope；forhehadheldthatthesequalitieswouldleadhertoadheretoastraightcourseforconsistency’ssake，andaccepthim，thoughherfancymightnotfloodhimwiththeiridescenthuesofuncriticallove。Buttheargumentnowcamebackassorrygleamsfromabrokenmirror。Thediscoverywasnolessascourgethanasurprise。

Hecameonlookingupontheground，anddidnotsecBathshebatilltheywerelessthanastone’sthrowapart。Helookedupatthesoundofherpit-pat，andhischangedappearancesufficientlydenotedtoherthedepthandstrengthofthefeelingsparalyzedbyherletter。

`Oh；isityou，MrBoldwood？’shefaltered，aguiltywarmthpulsinginherface。

Thosewhohavethepowerofreproachinginsilencemayfinditameansmoreeffectivethanwords。Thereareaccentsintheeyewhicharenotonthetongue，andmoretalescomefrompalelipsthancanenteranear。Itisboththegrandeurandthepainoftheremotermoodsthattheyavoidthepathwayofsound。Boldwood’slookwasunanswerable。

Seeingsheturnedalittleaside，hesaid，`What，areyouafraidofme？’

`Whyshouldyousaythat？’saidBathsheba。

`Ifanciedyoulookedso，’saidhe。`Anditismoststrange，becauseofitscontrastwithmyfeelingforyou。’

Sheregainedself-possession，fixedhereyescalmly，andwaited。

`Youknowwhatthatfeelingis，’continuedBoldwooddeliberately。`A

thingstrongasdeath。Nodismissalbyahastyletteraffectsthat。’

`Iwishyoudidnotfeelsostronglyaboutme，’shemurmured。`Itisgenerousofyou，andmorethanIdeserve，butImustnothearitnow。’

`Hearit？WhatdoyouthinkIhavetosay，then？Iamnottomarryyou，andthat’senough。Yourletterwasexcellentlyplain。Iwantyoutohearnothing-notI。’

Bathshebawasunabletodirectherwillintoanydefinitegrooveforfreeingherselffromthisfearfullyawkwardposition。Sheconfusedlysaid，`Goodevening，’andwasmovingon。Boldwoodwalkeduptoherheavilyanddully。

`Bathsheba-darling-isitfinalindeed？’

`Indeeditis。’

`OBathsheba-havepityuponme！’Boldwoodburstout。`God’ssake，yes-Iamcometothatlow，loweststage-toaskawomanforpity！Still，sheisyou-sheisyou。’

Bathshebacommandedherselfwell。Butshecouldhardlygetaclearvoiceforwhatcameinstinctivelytoherlips：`Thereislittlehonourtothewomaninthatspeech。’Itwasonlywhispered，forsomethingunutterablymournfulnolessthandistressinginthisspectacleofamanshowinghimselftobesoentirelythevaneofapassionenervatedthefeminineinstinctforpunctilios。

`Iambeyondmyselfaboutthis，andammad，’hesaid。`Iamnostoicatalltobesupplicatinghere；butIdosupplicatetoyou。Iwishyouknewwhatisinmeofdevotiontoyou；butitisimpossible，that。Inbarehumanmercytoalonelyman，don’tthrowmeoffnow！’

`Idon’tthrowyouoff-indeed，howcanI？Ineverhadyou。’Inhernoon-clearsensethatshehadneverlovedhimsheforgotforamomentherthoughtlessangleonthatdayinFebruary。

`Buttherewasatimewhenyouturnedtome，beforeIthoughtofyou！

Idon’treproachyou，forevennowIfeelthattheignorantandcolddarknessthatIshouldhavelivedinifyouhadnotattractedmebythatletter-valentineyoucallit-wouldhavebeenworsethanmyknowledgeofyou，thoughithasbroughtthismisery。But，Isay，therewasatimewhenI

knewnothingofyou，andcarednothingforyou，andyetyoudrewmeon。

Andifyousayyougavemenoencouragement，Icannotbutcontradictyou。’

`Whatyoucallencouragementwasthechildishgameofanidleminute。

Ihavebitterlyrepentedofit-ay，bitterly，andintears。Canyoustillgoonremindingme？’

`Idon’taccuseyouofit-Ideploreit。Itookforearnestwhatyouinsistwasjest，andnowthisthatIpraytobejestyousayisawful，wretchedearnest。Ourmoodsmeetatwrongplaces。Iwishyourfeelingwasmorelikemine，ormyfeelingmorelikeyours！O，couldIbuthaveforeseenthetorturethattriflingtrickwasgoingtoleadmeinto，howIshouldhavecursedyou；butonlyhavingbeenabletoseeitsince，Icannotdothat，forIloveyoutoowell！Butitisweak，idledrivellingtogoonlikethis……Bathsheba，youarethefirstwomanofanyshadeornaturethatIhaveeverlookedattolove，anditisthehavingbeensonearclaimingyouformyownthatmakesthisdenialsohardtobear。Hownearlyyoupromisedme！ButIdon’tspeaknowtomoveyourheart，andmakeyougrievebecauseofmypain；itisnouse，that。Imustbearit；mypainwouldgetnolessbypainingyou。’

`ButIdopityyou-deeply-O，sodeeply！’sheearnestlysaid。

`Donosuchthing-donosuchthing。Yourdearlove，Bathsheba，issuchavastthingbesideyourpity，thatthelossofyourpityaswellasyourloveisnogreatadditiontomysorrow，nordoesthegainofyourpitymakeitsensiblyless。Osweet-howdearlyyouspoketomebehindthespear-bedatthewashing-pool，andinthebarnattheshearing，andthatdearestlasttimeintheeveningatyourhome！Whereareyourpleasantwordsallgone-yourearnesthopetobeabletoloveme？Whereisyourfirmconvictionthatyouwouldgettocareformeverymuch？Reallyforgotten？-

really？’

Shecheckedemotion，lookedhimquietlyandclearlyintheface，andsaidinherlow，firmvoice，`MrBoldwood，Ipromisedyounothing。Wouldyouhavehadmeawomanofclaywhenyoupaidmethatfarthest，highestcomplimentamancanpayawoman-tellingherhelovesher？Iwasboundtoshowsomefeeling，ifIwouldnotbeagracelessshrew。Yeteachofthosepleasureswasjustfortheday-thedayjustforthepleasure。HowwasItoknowthatwhatisapastimetoallothermenwasdeathtoyou？

Havereason，do，andthinkmorekindlyofme！’

`Well，nevermindarguing-nevermind。Onethingissure：youwereallbutmine，andnowyouarenotnearlymine。Everythingischanged，andthatbyyoualone，remember。Youwerenothingtomeonce，andIwascontented；

youarenownothingtomeagain，andhowdifferentthesecondnothingisfromthefirst！WouldtoGodyouhadnevertakenmeup，sinceitwasonlytothrowmedown！’

Bathsheba，inspiteofhermettle，begantofeelunmistakablesignsthatshewasinherentlytheweakervessel。Shestrovemiserablyagainstthisfemininitywhichwouldinsistuponsupplyingunbiddenemotionsinstrongerandstrongercurrent。Shehadtriedtoeludeagitationbyfiringhermindonthetrees，sky，anytrivialobjectbeforehereyes，whilsthisreproachesfell，butingenuitycouldnotsavehernow。

`Ididnottakeyouup-surelyIdidnot！’sheansweredasheroicallyasshecould。`Butdon’tbeinthismoodwithme。IcanendurebeingtoldIaminthewrong，ifyouwillonlytellitmegently！Osir，willyounotkindlyforgiveme，andlookatitcheerfully？’

`Cheerfully！Canamanfooledtoutterheart-burningfindareasonforbeingmerry？IfIhavelost，howcanIbeasifIhadwon？Heavens，youmustbeheartlessquite！HadIknownwhatafearfullybittersweetthiswastobe，howIwouldhaveavoidedyou，andneverseenyou，andbeendeaftoyou。Itellyouallthis，butwhatdoyoucare！Youdon’tcare。’

Shereturnedsilentandweakdenialstohischarges，andswayedherheaddesperately，asiftothrustawaythewordsastheycameshoweringaboutherearsfromthelipsofthetremblingmanintheclimaxoflife，withhisbronzedI“omanfaceandfineframe。

`Dearest，dearest，Iamwaveringevennowbetweenthetwooppositesofrecklesslyrenouncingyou，andlabouringhumblyforyouagain。ForgetthatyouhavesaidNo，andletitbeasitwas！Say，Bathsheba，thatyouonlywrotethatrefusaltomeinfan-come，sayittome！’

`Itwouldbeuntrue，andpainfultobothofus。Youoverratemycapacityforlove。Idon’tpossesshalfthewarmthofnatureyoubelievemetohave。

Anunprotectedchildhoodinacoldworldhasbeatengentlenessoutofme。’

Heimmediatelysaidwithmoreresentment：`Thatmaybetrue，somewhat；

butah，MissEverdene，itwon’tdoasareason！Youarenotthecoldwomanyouwouldhavemebelieve。No，no！Itisn’tbecauseyouhavenofeelinginyouthatyoudon’tloveme。Younaturallywouldhavemethinkso-youwouldhidefrommethatyouhaveaburningheartlikemine。Youhaveloveenough，butitisturnedintoanewchannel。Iknowwhere。’

Theswiftmusicofherheartbecamehubbubnow，andshethrobbedtoextremity。HewascomingtoTroy。Hedidthenknowwhathadoccurred！Andthenamefellfromhislipsthenextmoment。

`WhydidTroynotleavemytreasurealone？’heaskedfiercely。`WhenIhadnothoughtofinjuringhim，whydidheforcehimselfuponyournotice！

Beforeheworriedyouyourinclinationwastohaveme；whennextIshouldhavecometoyouyouranswerwouldhavebeenYes。Canyoudenyit-Iask，canyoudenyit？’

Shedelayedthereply，butwastoohonesttowithholdit。`Icannot，’

shewhispered。

`Iknowyoucannot。Buthestoleininmyabsenceandrobbedme。Whydidn’thewinyouawaybefore，whennobodywouldhavebeengrieved？-whennobodywouldhavebeensettale-bearing。Nowthepeoplesneeratme-theveryhillsandskyseemtolaughatmetillIblushshamefullyformyfolly。

Ihavelostmyrespect，mygoodname，mystanding-lostit，nevertogetitagain。Goandmarryyourman-goon！’

`Osir-MrBoldwood！’

`Youmayaswell。Ihavenofartherclaimuponyou。Asforme，Ihadbettergosomewherealone，andhide-andpray。Ilovedawomanonce。I

amnowashamed。WhenIamdeadthey’llsay，Miserablelove-sickmanthathewas。Heaven-heaven-ifIhadgotjiltedsecretly，andthedishonournotknown，andmypositionkept！Butnomatter，itisgone，andthewomannotgained。Shameuponhim-shame！’

Hisunreasonableangerterrifiedher，andsheglidedfromhim，withoutobviouslymoving，asshesaid，`Iamonlyagirl-donotspeaktomeso！’

`Allthetimeyouknew-howverywellyouknew-thatyournewfreakwasmymisery。Dazzledbybrassandscarlet-O，Bathsheba-thisiswoman’sfollyindeed！’

Shefiredupatonce。`Youaretakingtoomuchuponyourself！’shesaidvehemently。`Everybodyisuponme-everybody。Itisunmanlytoattackawomanso！Ihavenobodyintheworldtofightmybattlesforme；butnomercyisshown。Yetifathousandofyousneerandsaythingsagainstme，Iwillnotbeputdown！’

`You’llchatterwithhimdoubtlessaboutme。Saytohim，“Boldwoodwouldhavediedforme。”Yes，andyouhavegivenwaytohim，knowinghimtobenotthemanforyou。Hehaskissedyou-claimedyouashis。Doyouhear-hehaskissedyou。Denyit！’

Themosttragicwomaniscowedbyatragicman，andalthoughBoldwoodwas，invehemenceandglow，nearlyherownselfrenderedintoanothersex，Bathsheba’scheekquivered。Shegasped，`Leaveme，sir-leaveme！Iamnothingtoyou。Letmegoon！’

`Denythathehaskissedyou。’

`Ishallnot。’

`Ha-thenhehas！’camehoarselyfromthefarmer。

`Hehas，’shesaidslowly，and，inspiteofherfear，defiantly，`I

amnotashamedtospeakthetruth。’

`Thencursehim；andcursehim！’saidBoldwood，breakingintoawhisperedfury。`WhilstIwouldhavegivenworldstotouchyourhand，youhaveletarakecomeinwithoutrightorceremonyand-Kissyou！Heaven’smercy-kissyou！……Ah，atimeofhislifeshallcomewhenhewillhavetorepent，andthinkwretchedlyofthepainhehascausedanotherman；andthenmayheache，andwish，andcurse，andyearn-asIdonow！’

`Don’t，don’t，O，don’tpraydowneviluponhim！’sheimploredinamiserablecry。`Anythingbutthat-anything。O，beKindtohim，sir，forIlovehimtrue！’

Boldwood’sideashadreachedthatpointoffusionatwhichoutlineandconsistencyentirelydisappear。Theimpendingnightappearedtoconcentrateinhiseye。Hedidnothearheratallnow。

`I’llpunishhim-bymysoul，thatwillI！I’llmeethim，soldierorno，andI’llhorsewhiptheuntimelystriplingforhisrecklesstheftofmyonedelight。IfhewereahundredmenI’dhorsewhiphim——’Hedroppedhisvoicesuddenlyandunnaturally。`Bathsheba，sweet，lostcoquette，pardonme！I’vebeenblamingyou，threateningyou，behavinglikeachurltoyou，whenhe’sthegreatestsinner。Hestoleyourdearheartawaywithhisunfathomablelies！……Itisafortunatethingforhimthathe’sgonebacktohisregiment-thathe’sawayupthecountry，andnothere！Ihopehemaynotreturnherejustyet。IprayGodhemaynotcomeintomysight，forImaybetemptedbeyondmyself。O，Bathsheba，keephimaway-yes，keephimawayfromme！’

ForamomentBoldwoodstoodsoinertlyafterthisthathissoulseemedtohavebeenentirelyexhaledwiththebreathofhispassionatewords。

Heturnedhisfaceaway，andwithdrew，andhisformwassooncoveredoverbythetwilightashisfootstepsmixedinwiththelowhissoftheleadtrees。

Bathsheba，whohadbeenstandingmotionlessasamodelallthislattertime，flungherhandstoherface，andwildlyattemptedtoponderontheexhibitionwhichhadjustpassedaway。SuchastoundingwellsoffeveredfeelinginastillmanlikeMrBoldwoodwereincomprehensible，dreadful。

Insteadofbeingamantrainedtorepressionhewas-whatshehadseenhim。

Theforceofthefarmer’sthreatslayintheirrelationtoacircumstanceknownatpresentonlytoherself；herloverwascomingbacktoWeatherburyinthecourseoftheverynextdayortwo。TroyhadnotreturnedtohisdistantbarracksasBoldwoodandotherssupposed，buthadmerelygonetovisitsomeacquaintanceinBath，andhadyetaweekormoreremainingtohisfurlough。

Shefeltwretchedlycertainthatifherevisitedherjustatthisnickoftime，andcameintocontactwithBoldwood，afiercequarrelwouldbetheconsequence。ShepantedwithsolicitudewhenshethoughtofpossibleinjurytoTroy。Theleastsparkwouldkindlethefarmer’sswiftfeelingsofrageandjealousy；hewouldlosehisself-masteryashehadthisevening；

Troy’sblithenessmightbecomeaggressive；itmighttakethedirectionofderision，andBoldwood’sangermightthantakethedirectionofrevenge。

Withalmostamorbiddreadofbeingthoughtagushinggirl，thisguidelesswomantoowellconcealedfromtheworldunderamannerofcarelessnessthewarmdepthsofherstrongemotions。Butnowtherewasnoreserve。Inherdistraction，insteadofadvancingfurthershewalkedupanddown，beatingtheairwithherfingers，pressingherbrow，andsobbingbrokenlytoherself。

Thenshesatdownonaheapofstonesbythewaysidetothink。Theresheremainedlong。Abovethedakmarginoftheearthappearedforeshoresandpromontoriesofcopperycloud，boundingagreenandpellucidexpanseinthewesternsky。Amaranthineglossescameoverthemthen，andtheunrestingworldwheeledherroundtoacontrastingprospecteastward，intheshapeofindecisiveandpalpitatingstart。Shegazedupontheirsilentthroesamidtheshadesofspace，butrealizednoneatall。HertroubledspiritwasfarawaywithTroy。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWONight-HorsestrampingThevillageofWeatherburywasquietasthegraveyardinitsmidst，andthelivingwerelyingwellnighasstillasthedead。Thechurchclockstruckeleven。Theairwassoemptyofothersoundsthatthewhirroftheclock-workimmediatelybeforethestrokeswasdistinct，andsowasalsotheclickofthesameattheirclose。Thenotesflewforthwiththeusualblindobtusenessofinanimatethings-flappingandreboundingamongwalls，undulatingagainstthescatteredclouds，spreadingthroughtheirintersticesintounexploredmilesofspace。

Bathsheba’scranniedandmouldyhallswereto-nightoccupiedonlybyMaryann，Liddybeing，aswasstated，withhersister，whomBathshebahadsetouttovisit。Afewminutesafterelevenhadstruck，Maryannturnedinherbedwithasenseofbeingdisturbed。Shewastotallyunconsciousofthenatureoftheinterruptiontohersleep。Itledtoadream，andthedreamtoanawakening，withanuneasysensationthatsomethinghadhappened。Sheleftherbedandlikedoutofthewindow。Thepaddockabuttedonthisendofthebuilding，andinthepaddockshecouldjustdiscernbytheuncertaingrayamovingfigureapproachingthehorsethatwasfeedingthere。Thefigureseizedthehorsebytheforelock，andledittothecomerofthefield。Hereshecouldseesomeobjectwhichcircumstancesprovedtobeavehicle，forafterafewminutesspentapparentlyinharnessing，sheheardthetrotofthehorsedowntheroad，mingledwiththesoundoflightwheels。

Twovarietiesonlyofhumanitycouldhaveenteredthepaddockwiththeghost-likeglideofthatmysteriousfigure。Theywereawomanandagipsyman。Awomanwasoutofthequestioninsuchanoccupationatthishour，andthecomercouldbenolessthanathief，whomightprobablyhaveknowntheweaknessofthehouseholdonthisparticularnight，andhavechosenitonthataccountforhisdaringattempt。Moreover，toraisesuspiciontoconvictionitself，thereweregipsiesinWeatherburyBottom。

Maryann，whohadbeenafraidtoshoutintherobber’spresence，havingseenhimdeparthadnofear。Shehastilyslippedonherclothes，stumpeddownthedisjointedstaircasewithitshundredcreaks，rantoCoggan’s，thenearesthouse，andraisedanalarm。CoggancalledGabriel，whonowagainlodgedinhishouseasatfirst，andtogethertheywenttothepaddock。

Beyondalldoubtthehorsewasgone。

`Hark！’saidGabriel。

Theylistened。DistinctuponthestagnantaircamethesoundsofatrottinghorsepassingupLongpuddleLane-justblondthegipsies’encampmentinWeatherburyBottom。

`That’sourDainty-I’llsweartoherstep，’saidJan。

`Mightyme！Won’tmis’essstormandcallusstupidswhenshecomesback！’

moanedMaryann。`HowIwishithadhappenedwhenshewasathome，andnoneofushadbeenanswerable！’

`Wemustrideafter，’saidGabrieldecisively。`I’llberesponsibletoMissEvendeneforwhatwedo。Yes，we’llfollow。’

`Faith，Idon’tseehow，’saidCoggan。`Allourhors’saretooheavyforthattrickexceptlittlePoppet，andwhat’sshebetweentwoofus？-

Ifweonlyhadthatpairoverthehedgewemightdosomething。’

`Whichpair？’

`MrBoldwood’sTidyandMoll。’

`ThenwaitheretillIcomehitheragain，’saidGabriel。HerandownthehilltowardsFarmerBoldwood’s。

`FarmerBoldwoodisnotathome，’saidMaryann。

`Allthebetter，’saidCoggan。`Iknowwhathe’sgonefor。’

LessthanfiveminutesbroughtupOakagain，runningatthesamepace，withtwohaltersdanglingfromhishand。

`Wheredidyoufind`em？’saidCoggan，turningroundandleapinguponthehedgewithoutwaitingforananswer。

`Undertheeaves。Iknewwheretheywerekept，’saidGabriel，followinghim。`Coggan，youcanridebare-backed？there’snotimetolookforsaddles。’

`Likeahero！’saidJan。

`Maryann，yougotobed，’Gabrielshoutedtoherfromthetopofthehedge。

SpringingdownintoBoldwood’spastures，eachpocketedhishaltertohideitfromthehorses，who，seeingthemenempty-handed，docilelyallowedthemselvestobeseizedbythemane，whenthehaltersweredexterouslyslippedon。Havingneitherbitnorbridle，OakandCogganextemporizedtheformerbypassingtheropeineachcasethroughtheanimal’smouthandloopingitontheotherside。Oakvaultedastride，andCogganclamberedupbyaidofthebank，whentheyascendedtothegateandgallopedoffinthedirectiontakenbyBathsheba’shorseandtherobber。Whosevehiclethehorsehadbeenharnessedtowasamatterofsomeuncertainty。

WeatherburyBottomwasreachedinthreeorfourminutes。Theyscannedtheshadygreenpatchbytheroadside。Thegipsiesweregone。

`Thevillains！’saidGabriel。`Whichwayhavetheygone，Iwonder？’

`Straighton，assureasGodmadelittleapples，’saidJan。

`Verywell；wearebettermounted，andmustovertake`era，’saidOak。

`Nowonatfallspeed！’

Nosoundoftheriderintheirvancouldnowbediscovered。Theroad-metalgrewsofterandmoreclayeyasWeatherburywasleftbehind，andthelaterainhadwetteditssurfacetoasomewhatplastic，butnotmuddystate。

Theycametocross-roads。CoggansuddenlypulledupMollandslippedoff。

`What’sthematter？’saidGabriel。

`Wemusttrytotrack`era，sincewecan’thear’em，’saidJan，fumblinginhispockets。Hestruckalight，andheldthematchtotheground。Therainhadbeenheavierhere，andallfootandhorsetracksmadeprevioustothestormhadbeenabradedandblurredbythedrops，andtheywerenowsomanylittlescoopsofwater，whichreflectedtheflameofthematchlikeeyes。Onesetoftrackswasfreshandhadnowaterinthem；onepairofrutswasalsoempty，andnotsmallcanals，liketheothers。Thefootprintsformingthisrecentimpressionwerefallofinformationastopace；theywereinequidistantpairs，threeorfourfeetapart，therightandleftfootofeachpairbeingexactlyoppositeoneanother。

`Straighton！’Janexclaimed。`Trackslikethatmeanastiffgallop。

Nowonderwedon’thearhim。Andthehorseisharnessed-lookattheruts。

Ay，that’sourmare，sureenough！’

`Howdoyouknow？’

`OldJimmyHarrisonlyshoedherlastweek，andI’dsweartohismakeamongtenthousand。’

`Therestofthegipsiesmustha’goneonearlier，orsomeotherway，’

saidOak。`Yousawtherewerenoothertracks？’

`True。’Theyrodealongsilentlyforalongwearytime。Coggancarriedanoldpinchbeckrepeaterwhichhehadinheritedfromsomegeniusinhisfamily；anditnowstruckone。Helightedanothermatch，andexaminedthegroundagain。

`’Tisacanternow，’hesaid，throwingawaythelight。`Atwisty，ricketypaceforagig。Thefactis，theyoverdroveheratstarting；weshallcatch`emyet。

Againtheyhastenedon，andenteredBlackmoreVale。Coggan’swatchstrucktwo。Whentheylookedagainthehoof-marksweresospacedastoformasortofzigzagifunited，likethelampsalongastreet。

`That’satrot，Iknow，’saidGabriel。

`Onlyatrotnow，’saidCoggancheerfully。`Weshallovertakehimintime。’

Theypushedrapidlyonforyettwoorthreemiles。`Ah！amoment，’saidJan。`Let’sseehowshewasdrivenupthishill。`Twillhelpus。’Alightwaspromptlystruckuponhisgaitersasbefore，andtheexaminationmade。

`Hurrah！’saidCoggan。`Shewalkeduphere-andwellshemight。Weshallgetthemintwomiles，foracrown。

Theyrodethree，andlistened。Nosoundwastobeheardsaveamillpondtricklinghoarselythroughahatch，andsuggestinggloomypossibilitiesofdrowningbyjumpingin。Gabrieldismountedwhentheycametoaturning。

Thetrackswereabsolutelytheonlyguideastothedirectionthattheynowhad，andgreatcautionwasnecessarytoavoidconfusingthemwithsomeotherswhichhadmadetheirappearancelately。

`Whatdoesthismean？-thoughIguess，’saidGabriel，lookingupatCogganashemovedthematchoverthegroundabouttheturning。Coggan，who，nolessthanthepantinghorses，hadlatterlyshownsignsofweariness，againscrutinizedthemysticcharacters。Thistimeonlythreewereoftheregularhorseshoeshape。Everyfourthwasadot。

Hescreweduphisface，andemittedalong`whew-w-w！’

`Lame，’saidOak。

`Yes。Daintyislamed；thenear-foot-afore，’saidCogganslowlystaringstillatthefootprints。

`We’llpushon，’saidGabriel，remountinghishumidsteed。

Althoughtheroadalongitsgreaterparthadbeenasgoodasanyturnpike-roadinthecountry，itwasnominallyonlyabyway。ThelastturninghadbroughtthemintothehighroadleadingtoBath。Cogganrecollectedhimself。

`Weshallhavehimnow！’heexclaimed。

`Where？’

`ShertonTurnpike。Thekeeperofthatgateisthesleepiestmanbetweenhereandlondon-DanRandall，that’shisname-knowedenforyears，whenhewasatCasterbridgegate。Betweenthelamenessaidthegate’tisadonejob。’

Theynowadvancedwithextremecaution。Nothingwassaiduntil，againstashadybackgroundoffoliage，fivewhitebarswerevisible，crossingtheirroutealittlewayahead。

`Hush-wearealmostclose！’saidGabriel。

`Ambleonuponthegrass，’saidCoggan。

Thewhitebarswereblottedoutinthemidstbyadarkshapeinfrontofthem。Thesilenceofthislonelytimewaspiercedbyanexclamationfromthatquarter。

`Hoy-a-hoy！Gate！’

Itappearedthattherehadbeenapreviouscallwhichtheyhadnotnoticed，forontheircloseapproachthedooroftheturnpike-houseopened，andthekeepercameouthalf-dressed，withacandleinhishand。Theraysilluminedthewholegroup。

`Keepthegateclose！’shoutedGabriel。`Hehasstolenthehorse！’

`Who？’saidtheturnpike-man。

Gabriellookedatthedriverofthegig，andsawawoman-Bathsheba，hismistress。

Onhearinghisvoiceshehadturnedherfaceawayfromthelight。Cogganhad，however，caughtsightofherinthemeanwhile。

`Why，’tismistress-I’lltakemyoath！’hesaid，amazed。

Bathshebaitcertainlywas，andshehadbythistimedonethetrickshecoulddosowellincrisesnotoflove，namely，maskasurprisebycoolnessofmanner。

`Well，Gabriel，’sheinquiredquietly，`whereareyougoing？’

`Wethought——’beganGabriel。

`IamdrivingtoBath，’shesaid，takingforherownusetheassurancethatGabriellacked。`AnimportantmattermadeitnecessaryformetogiveupmyvisittoLiddy，andgooffatonce。What，then，wereyoufollowingme？’

`Wethoughtthehorsewasstole。’

`Well-whatathing！HowveryfoolishofyounottoknowthatIhadtakenthetrapandhorse。IcouldneitherwakeMaryannnorgetintothehouse，thoughIhammeredfortenminutesagainstherwindow-sill。

Fortunately，Icouldgetthekeyofthecoach-house，soItroublednoonefarther。Didn’tyouthinkitmightbeme？’

`Whyshouldwe，miss？’

`Perhapsnot。Why，thoseareneverFarmerBoldwood’shorses！Goodnessmerry！whathaveyoubeendoing-bringingtroubleuponmeinthisway？

What！mustn’taladymoveaninchfromherdoorwithoutbeingdoggedlikeathief？’

`Buthowwaswetoknow，ifyouleftnoaccountofyourdoings？’expostulatedCoggan，`andladiesdon’tdriveatthesehours，miss，asajineralruleofsociety。

`Ididleaveanaccount-andyouwouldhaveseenitinthemorning。

Iwroteinchalkonthecoach-housedoorsthatIhadcomebackforthehorseandgig，anddrivenoff；thatIcouldarousenobody，andshouldreturnsoon。

`Butyou’llconsider，ma’am，thatwecouldn’tseethattillitgotdaylight。’

`True，’shesaid，andthoughvexedatfirstshehadtoomuchsensetoblamethemlongorseriouslyforadevotiontoherthatwasasvaluableasitwasrare。Sheaddedwithaveryprettygrace，`Well，Ireallythankyouheartilyfortakingallthistrouble；butIwishyouhadborrowedanybody’shorsesbutMrBoldwood’s。’

`Daintyislame，miss，’saidCoggan。`Canyegoon？’

`Itwasonlyastoneinhershoe。Igotdownandpulleditoutahundredyardsback。Icanmanageverywell，thankyou。IshallbeinBathbydaylight。

Willyounowreturn，please？’

Sheturnedherhead-thegateman’scandleshimmeringuponherquick，cleareyesasshedidso-passedthroughthegate，andwassoonwrappedintheemboweringshadesofmysterioussummerboughs。CogganandGabrielputabouttheirhorses，andfannedbythevelvetyairofthisJulynight，retracedtheroadbywhichtheyhadcome。

`Astrangevagary，thisofhers，isn’tit，Oak？’saidCoggancuriously。

`Yes，’saidGabrielshortly。`Shewon’tbeinBathbynodaylight！’

`Coggan，supposewekeepthisnight’sworkasquietaswecan？’

`Iamofoneandthesamemind。’

`Verywell。Weshallbehomebythreeo’clockorso，andcancreepintotheparishlikelambs。’

Bathsheba’sperturbedmeditationsbytheroadsidehadultimatelyevolvedaconclusionthattherewereonlytworemediesforthepresentdesperatestateofaffairs。ThefirstwasmerelytokeepTroyawayfromWeatherburytillBoldwood’sindignationhadcooled；thesecondtolistentoOak’sentreaties，andBoldwood’sdenunciations，andgiveupTroyaltogether。

Alas！Couldshegiveupthisnewlove-inducehimtorenounceherbysayingshedidnotlikehim-couldnomorespeaktohim，andbeghim，forhergood，toendhisfurloughinBath，andseeherandWeatherburynomore？

Itwasapicturefallofmisery，butforawhileshecontemplateditfirmly，allowingherself，nevertheless，asgirlswill，todwelluponthehappylifeshewouldhaveenjoyedhadTroybeenBoldwood，andthepathoflovethepathofduty-inflictinguponherselfgratuitoustorturesbyimagininghimtheloverofanotherwomanafterforgettingher；forshehadpenetratedTroy’snaturesofarastoestimatehistendenciesprettyaccurately，butunfortunatelylovedhimnolessinthinkingthathemightsoonceasetoloveher-indeed，considerablymore。

Shejumpedtoherfeet。Shewouldseehimatonce。Yes，shewouldimplorehimbywordofmouthtoassistherinthisdilemma。Alettertokeephimawaycouldnotreachhimintime，evenifheshouldbedisposedtolistentoit。

WasBathshebaaltogetherblindtotheobviousfactthatthesupportofalover’sarmsisnotofakindbestcalculatedtoassistaresolvetorenouncehim？Orwasshesophisticallysensible，withathrillofpleasure，thatbyadoptingthiscourseforgettingridofhimshewasensuringameetingwithhim，atanyrate，oncemore？

Itwasnowdark，andthehourmusthavebeennearlyten。TheonlywaytoaccomplishherpurposewastogiveupherideaofvisitingLiddyatYalbury，returntoWeatherburyFarm，putthehorseintothegig，anddriveatoncetoBath。Theschemeseemedatfirstimpossible；thejourneywasafearfullyheavyone，evenforastronghorse，atherownestimate，。andshemuchunderratedthedistance。Itwasmostventuresomeforawoman，atnight，andalone。

ButcouldshegoontoLiddy’sandleavethingstotaketheircourse？

No，no：anythingbutthat。Bathshebawasfallofastimulatingturbulence，besidewhichcautionvainlyprayedforahearing。Sheturnedbacktowardsthevillage。

Herwalkwasslow，forshewishednottoenterWeatherburytillthecottagerswereinbed，and，particularly，tillBoldwoodwassecure。HerplanwasnowtodrivetoBathduringthenight，seeSergeantTroyinthemorningbeforehesetouttocometoher，bidhimfarewell，anddismisshim；thentorestthehorsethoroughly(herselftoweepthewhile，shethought)，startingearlythenextmorningonherreturnjourney。BythisarrangementshecouldtrotDaintygentlyalltheday，reachLiddyatYalburyintheevening，andcomehometoWeatherburywithherwhenevertheychose-sonobodywouldknowshehadbeentoBathatall。

SuchwasBathsheba’sscheme。Butinhertopographicalignoranceasalatercomertotheplace，shemisreckonedthedistanceofherjourneyasnotmuchmorethanhalfwhatitreallywas。Heridea，however，sheproceededtocarryout，withwhatinitialsuccesswehavealreadyseen。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREEIntheSun-AHarbingerAweekpassed，andtherewerenotidingsofBathsheba；norwasthereanyexplanationofherGilpin’srig。

ThenanotecameforMaryann，statingthatthebusinesswhichhadcalledhermistresstoBathstilldetainedherthere；butthatshehopedtoreturninthecourseofanotherweek。

Anotherweekpassed。Theoat-harvestbegan，andallthemenwereafieldunderamonochromaticLammassky，amidthetremblingairandshortshadowsofnoon。Indoorsnothingwastobeheardsavethedroningofbluebottleflies；out-of-doorsthewhettingofscythesandthehissoftressyoat-earsrubbingtogetherastheirperpendicularstalksofamber-yellowfellheavilytoeachswath。Everydropofmoisturenotinthemen’sbottlesandflagonsintheformofciderwasrainingasperspirationfromtheirforeheadsandcheeks。Droughtwaseverywhereelse。

Theywereabouttowithdrawforawhileintothecharitableshadeofatreeinthefence，whenCoggansawafigureinabluecoatandbrassbuttonsrunningtothemacrossthefield。

`Iwonderwhothatis？’hesaid。

`Ihopenothingiswrongaboutmistress，’saidMaryann，whowithsomeotherwomenwastyingthebundles(oatsbeingalwayssheafedonthisfarm)，`butanunluckytokencametomeindoorsthismorning。Iwenttounlockthedooranddroppedthekey，anditfelluponthestonefloorandbrokeintotwopieces。Breakingakeyisadreadfulbodement。Iwishmis’esswashome。’

`’TisCainBall，’saidGabriel，pausingfromwhettinghisreaphook。

Oakwasnotboundbyhisagreementtoassistinthecorn-field；buttheharvestmonthisananxioustimeforafarmer，andthecornwasBathsheba’s，sohelentahand。

`He’sdressedupinhisbestclothes，’saidMatthewMoon。`Hehevbeenawayfromhomeforafewdays，sincehe’shadthatfelonuponhisfinger；

for`asaid，sinceIcan’tworkI’llhaveahollerday’

`Agoodtimeforone-a’excellenttime，’saidJosephPoorgrass，straighteninghisback；forhe，likesomeoftheothers，hadawayofrestingawhilefromhislabouronsuchhotdaysforreasonspreternaturallysmall；ofwhichCainBall’sadventonaweek-dayinhisSunday-clotheswasoneofthefirstmagnitude。`’TwasabadlegallowedmetoreadthePilgrim’sProgress，andMarkClarklearntAll-Fours’inawhitlow。’

`Ay，andmyfatherputhisarmoutofjointtohavetimetogocourting，’

saidJanCoggan，inaneclipsingtone，wipinghisfacewithhisshirt-sleeveandthrustingbackhishatuponthenapeofhisneck。

BythistimeCainywasnearingthegroupofharvesters，andwasperceivedtobecarryingalargesliceofbreadandhaminonehand，fromwhichhetookmouthfulsasheran，theotherbeingwrappedinabandage。Whenhecameclose，hismouthassumedthebellshapeandhebegantocoughviolently。

`Now，Cainy！’saidGabrielsternly。`HowmanymoretimesmustItellyoutokeepfromrunningsofastwhenyoubeeating？You’llchokeyourselfsomeday，that’swhatyou’lldo，CainBall。’

`Hok-hok-hok！’repliedCain。`Acrumbofmyvictualswentthewrongway-hok-hok！That’swhat’tis，MisterOak！AndI’vebeenvisitingtoBathbecauseIhadafelononmythumb；yes，andI’vebeen-ahok-hok！’

DirectlyCainmentionedBath，theyallthrewdowntheirhooksandforksanddrewroundhim。Unfortunatelytheerraticcrumbdidnotimprovehisnarrativepowers，andasupplementaryhindrancewasthatofasneeze，jerkingfromhispockethisratherlargewatch，whichdangledinfrontoftheyoungmanpendulum-wise。

`Yes，’hecontinued，directinghisthoughtstoBathandlettinghiseyesfollow，`I’veseedtheworldatlast-yes-andI’veseedourmis’ess-ahok-hok-hok！’

`Bothertheboy！’saidGabriel。`Somethingisalwaysgoingthewrongwaydownyourthroat，sothatyoucan’ttellwhat’snecessarytobetold。’

`Ahok！there！Please，MisterOak，agnathavejustfleedintomystomachandbroughtthecoughonagain！’

`Yes，that’sjustit。Yourmouthisalwaysopen，youyoungrascal！’

`’Tisterriblebadtohaveagnatflydownyerthroat，poreboy！’saidMatthewMoon。

`Well，atBathyousaw——’promptedGabriel。

`Isawourmistress，’continuedthejuniorshepherd，`andasojer，walkingalong。Andbymebytheygotcloserandcloser，andthentheywentarm-in-crook，likecourtingcompletehok-hok！likecourtingcomplete-hok！-courtingcomplete——’losingthethreadofhisnarrativeatthispointsimultaneouslywithhislossofbreath，theirinformantlookedupanddownthefieldapparentlyforsomecluetoit。`Well，Iseeourmis’essandasoldier-a-ha-a-wk！’

`Damntheboy！’saidGabriel。

`’Tisonlymymanner，MisterOak，ifye’llexcuseit，’saidCainBall，lookingreproachfullyatOak，witheyesdrenchedintheirowndew。

`Here’ssomeciderforhim-that’llcurehisthroat，’saidJanCoggan，liftingaflagonofcider，pullingoutthecork，andapplyingtheholetoCainy’smouth；JosephPoorgrassinthemeantimebeginningtothinkapprehensivelyoftheseriousconsequencesthatwouldfollowCainyBall’sstrangulationinhiscough，andthehistoryofhidBathadventuresdyingwithhim。

`Formypoorself，Ialwayssay“pleaseGod“aforeIdoanything，’saidJoseph，inanunboastfulvoice；`andsoshouldyou，CainBall。’Tisagreatsafeguard，andmightperhapssaveyoufrombeingchokedtodeathsomeday。’

MrCogganpouredtheliquorwithunstintedliberalityatthesufferingCain’scircularmouth；halfofitrunningdownthesideoftheflagon，andhalfofwhatreachedhismouthrunningdownoutsidehisthroat，andhalfofwhatraningoingthewrongway，andbeingcoughedandsneezedaroundthepersonsofthegatheredreapersintheformofaciderfog，whichforamomenthunginthesunnyairlikeasmallexhalation。

`There’sagreatclumsysneeze！Whycan’tyehavebettermanners，youyoungdog！’saidCoggan，withdrawingtheflagon。

`Theciderwentupmynose！’criedCainy，assoonashecouldspeak；

`andnow’tisgonedownmyneck，andintomypoordumbfelon，andovermyshinybuttonsandallmybestcloze！’

`Thepoorlad’scoughisterribleonfortunate，’saidMatthewMoon。`Andagreathistoryonhand，too。Bumphisback，shepherd。’

`’Tismynater，’mournedCain。`MothersaysIalwayswassoexcitablewhenmyfeelingswereworkeduptoapoint！’

`True，true，’saidJosephPoorgrass。`TheBallswerealwaysaveryexcitablefamily。Iknowedtheboy’sgrandfather-atrulynervousandmodestman，eventogenteelrefinery。’Twasblush，blushwithhim，almostasmuchas’tiswithme-notbutthat’tisafaultinme！’

`Notatall，MasterPoorgrass，’saidCoggan。`’Tisavarynoblequalityinye。’