第8章

`Heh-heh！well，Iwishtonoisenothingabroad-nothingatall，’murmuredPoorgrassdiffidently。`Butwebeborntothings-that’strue。YetIwouldrathermytriflewerehid；though，perhaps，ahighnaterisalittlehigh，andatmybirthallthingswerepossibletomyMaker，andhemayhavebegrudgednogifts……Butunderyourbushel，Joseph！underyourbushelwith’ee！

Astrangedesire，neighbours，thisdesiretohide，andnopraisedue。YetthereisaSermonontheMountwithacalendaroftheblessedatthehead，andcertainmeekmenmaybenamedtherein。’

`Cainy’sgrandfatherwasaverycleverman，’saidMatthewMoon。`Inventeda’apple-treeoutofhisownhead，whichiscalledbyhisnametothisday-theEarlyBall。Youknow`em，Jan？AQuarrendengraftedonaTomPutt，andaRathe-ripeupontopofthatagain。’Tistrew’ausedtobideaboutinapublic-housewi’a’oomaninawayhehadnobusinesstobyrights，butthere——’awereaclevermaninthesenseoftheterm。’

`Nowthen，’saidGabrielimpatiently，`whatdidyousee，Cain？’

`Iseedourmis’essgointoasortofaparkplace，wherethere’sseats，andshrubsandflowers，arm-in-crookwithasojer，’continuedCainfirmly，andwithadimsensethathiswordswereveryeffectiveasregardedGabriel’semotions。`AndIthinkthesojerwasSergeantTroy。Andtheysattheretogetherformorethanhalf-an-hour，talkingmovingthings，andsheoncewascryinga’mosttodeath。Andwhentheycameouthereyeswereshiningandshewasaswhiteasalily；andtheylookedintooneanother’sfaces，asfargonefriendlyasamanandwomancanbe。’

Gabriel’sfeaturesseemedtogetthinner。`Well，whatdidyouseebesides？’

`Oh，allsorts。’

`Whiteasalily？Youaresure’twasshe？’

`Yes。’

`Well，whatbesides？’

`Greatglasswindowstotheshops，andgreatcloudsinthesky，fallofrain，andoldwoodentreesinthecountryround。’

`Youstun-poll！Whatwillyesaynext？’saidCoggan。

`Letenalone，’interposedJosephPoorgrass。`Theboy’smaningisthattheskyandtheearthinthekingdomofBathisnotaltogetherdifferentfromourshere。’Tisforourgoodtogainknowledgeofstrangecities，andassuchtheboy’swordsshouldbesuffered，sotospeakit。’

`AndthepeopleofBath，’continuedCain，`neverneedtolighttheirfiresexceptasaluxury；forthewaterspringsupoutoftheearthreadyboiledforuse。’

`’Tistrueasthelight，’testifiedMatthewMoon。`I’vehearothernavigatorssaythesamething。’

`Theydrinknothingelsethere，’saidCain，`andseemtoenjoyit，toseehowtheyswalleritdown。’

`Well，itseemsabarbarianpracticeenoughtous，butIdaresaythenativesthinknothingo’it，’saidMatthew。

`Anddon’tvictualsspringupaswellasdrink？’askedCoggan，twirlinghiseye。

`No-IowntoablotthereinBath-atrueblot。Goddidn’tprovideemwithvictualsaswellasdrink，and’twasadrawbackIcouldn’tgetoveratall。’

`Well，’tisacuriousplace，tosaytheleast，’observedMoon；`anditmustbeacuriouspeoplethatlivetherein。’

`MissEverdeneandthesoldierwerewalkingabouttogether，yousay？’

saidGabriel，returningtothegroup。

`Ay，andsheworeabeautifulgold-coloursilkgown，trimmedwithblacklace，thatwouldhavestoodalone’ithoutlegsinsideifrequired。’Twasaverywinsomesight；andherhairwasbrushedsplendid。Andwhenthesunshoneuponthebrightgownandhisredcoat-my！howhandsometheylooked。

Youcouldsee’emallthelengthofthestreet。’

`Andwhatthen？’murmuredGabriel。

`AndthenIwentintoGriffin’stohaemybootshobbed，andthenIwenttoRigg’sbatty-cakeshop，andasked’emforapennethofthecheapestandniceststales，thatwereallbutblue-mouldy，butnotquite。AndwhilstIwaschawing’emdownIwalkedonandseedaclockwithafaceasbigasabakingtrendle——’

`Butthat’snothingtodowithmistress！’

`I’mcomingtothat，ifyou’llleavemealone，MisterOak！’remonstratedCainy。`Ifyouexcitesme，perhapsyou’llbringonmycoughandthenI

shan’tbeabletotellyenothing。’

`Yes-lethimtellithisownway，’saidCoggan。

Gabrielsettledintoadespairingattitudeofpatience，andCainywenton：——

`Andthereweregreatlargehouses，andmorepeoplealltheweeklongthanatWeatherburyclub-walking’onWhiteTuesdays。AndIwenttograndchurchesandchapels。Andhowtheparsonwouldpray！Yes；hewouldkneeldownandputuphishandstogether，andmaketheholygoldringsonhisfingersgleamandtwinkleinyereyes，thathe’dearnedbyprayingsoexcellentwell！-Ahyes，IwishIlivedthere。’

`OurpoorParsonThirdlycan’tgetnomoneytobuysuchrings，’saidMatthewMoonthoughtfully。`Andasgoodamanaseverwalked。Idon’tbelievepoorThirdlyhaveasingleone，evenofhumblesttinorcopper。Suchagreatornamentasthey’dbetohimonadulla’ternoon，whenhe’supinthepulpitlightedbythewaxcandles！But’tisimpossible，poorman。Ah，tothinkhowunequalthingsbe。’

`Perhapshe’smadeofdifferentstuffthantowear`em，’saidGabrielgrimly。`Well，that’senoughofthis。Goon，Cainy-quick。’

`Oh-andthenewstyleofpa’sonswearmoustachesandlongbeards，’

continuedtheillustrioustraveller，`andlooklikeMosesandAaroncomplete，andmakewefokesinthecongregationfeelalloverlikethechildrenofIsrael。’

`Averyrightfeeling-very，’saidJosephPoorgrass。

`Andthere’stworeligionsgoingoninthenationnow-HighChurchandHighChapel。And，thinksI，I’llplayfair；soIwenttoHighChurchinthemorning，andHighChapelintheafternoon。

`Arightandproperboy，’saidJosephPoorgrass。

`Well，atHighChurchtheypraysinging，andworshipallthecoloursoftherainbow；andatHighChapeltheypraypreaching，andworshipdrabandwhitewashonly。Andthen-Ididn’tseenomoreofMissEverdeneatall。’

`Whydidn’tyousaysoafore，then？’exclaimedOak，withmuchdisappointment。

`Ah，’saidMatthewMoon，`she’llwishhercakedoughifsobeshe’severintimatewiththatman。

`She’snotoverintimatewithhim，’saidGabrielindignantly。

`Shewouldknowbetter，’saidCoggan。`Ourmis’esshastoomuchsenseundertheyknotsofblackhairtodosuchamadthing。’

`Yousee，he’snotacoarse，ignorantman，forhewaswellbroughtup，’

saidMatthewdubiously。`’Twasonlywildnessthatmadehimasoldier，andmaidsratherlikeyourmanofsin。’

`Now，CainBall，’saidGabrielrestlessly，canyouswearinthemostawfulformthatthewomanyousawwasMissEverdene？’

`CainBall，youbenolongerababeandsuckling，’saidJosephinthesepulchraltonethecircumstancesdemanded，`andyouknowwhattakinganoathis。’Tisahorribletestamentmindye，whichyousayandsealwithyourblood-stone，andtheprophetMatthewtellsusthatonwhomsoeveritshallfallitwillgrindhimtopowder。Now，beforeallthework-folkhereassembled，canyousweartoyourwordsastheshepherdasksye？’

`Pleaseno，MisterOak！’saidCainy，lookingfromonetotheotherwithgreatuneasinessatthespiritualmagnitudeoftheposition。`Idon’tmindsaying’tistrue，butIdon’tliketosay’tisdamntrue，ifthat’swhatyoumane。

`Cain，Cain，howcanyou？’askedJosephsternly。`Youbeaskedtoswearinaholymanner’andyouswearlikewickedShimei，thesonofGera，whocursedashecame。Youngman，fie！’

`No，Idon’t！’Tisyouwanttosquanderaporeboy’ssoul，JosephPoorgrass-that’swhat’tis！’saidCain，beginningtocry。`AllImaneisthatincommontruth’twasMissEverdeneandSergeantTroy，butinthehorribleso-help-metruththatyewanttomakeofitperhaps’twassomebodyelse！’

`There’snogettingattherightsofit，’saidGabriel，turningtohiswork。

`CainBall，you’llcometoabitofbread！’groanedJosephPoorgrass。

Thenthereapers’hookswereflourishedagain，andtheoldsoundswenton。Gabriel，withoutmakinganypretenceofbeinglively，didnothingtoshowthathewasparticularlydull。However，Cogganknewprettynearlyhowthelandlay，andwhentheywereinanooktogetherhesaid——

`Don’ttakeonabouther，Gabriel。Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesweetheartsheis，sinceshecan’tbeyours？’

`That’stheverythingIsaytomyself，’saidGabriel。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOURHomeagain-ATricksterThatsameeveningatduskGabrielwasleaningoverCoggan’sgarden-gate，takinganupanddownsurveybeforeretiringtorest。

Avehicleofsomekindwassoftlycreepingalongthegrassymarginofthelane。Fromitspreadthetonesoftwowomentalking。Thetoneswerenaturalandnotatallsuppressed。OakinstantlyknewthevoicestobethoseofBathshebaandLiddy。

Thecarriagecameoppositeandpassedby。ItwasMissEverdene’sgig，andLiddyandhermistressweretheonlyoccupantsoftheseat。LiddywasaskingquestionsaboutthecityofBath，andhercompanionwasansweringthemlistlesslyandunconcernedly。BothBathshebaandthehorseseemedweary。

Theexquisitereliefoffindingthatshewashereagain，safeandsound，overpoweredallreflection，andOakcouldonlyluxuriateinthesenseofit。Allgravereportswereforgotten。

Helingeredandlingeredon，tilltherewasnodifferencebetweentheeasternandwesternexpansesofsky，andthetimidharesbegantolimpcourageouslyroundthedimhillocks。Gabrielmighthavebeenthereanadditionalhalf-hourwhenadarkformwalkedslowlyby。`Good-night，Gabriel，’thepassersaid。

ItwasBoldwood。`Good-night，sir，’saidGabriel。

Boldwoodlikewisevanisheduptheroad，andOakshortlyafterwardsturnedindoorstobed。

FarmerBoldwoodwentontowardsMissEverdene’shouse。Hereachedthefront，andapproachingtheentrance，sawalightintheparlour。Theblindwasnotdrawndown，andinsidetheroomwasBathsheba，lookingoversomepapersorletters。HerbackwastowardsBoldwood。Hewenttothedoor，knocked，andwaitedwithtensemusclesandanachingbrow。

BoldwoodhadnotbeenoutsidehisgardensincehismeetingwithBathshebaintheroadtoYalbury。Silentandalone，hehadremainedinmoodymeditationonwoman’sways，deemingasessentialsofthewholesextheaccidentsofthesingleoneoftheirnumberhehadevercloselybeheld。Bydegreesamorecharitabletemperhadpervadedhim，andthiswasthereasonofhissallytonight。HehadcometoapologizeandbegforgivenessofBathshebawithsomethinglikeasenseofshameathisviolence，havingbutjustnowlearntthatshehadreturned-onlyfromavisittoLiddy，ashesupposed，theBathescapadebeingquiteunknowntohim。

HeinquiredforMissEverdene。Liddy’smannerwasodd，buthedidnotnoticeit。Shewentin，leavinghimstandingthere，andinherabsencetheblindoftheroomcontainingBathshebawaspulleddown。Boldwoodauguredillfromthatsign。Liddycameout。

`Mymistresscannotseeyou，sir，’shesaid。

Thefarmerinstantlywentoutbythegate。Hewasunforgiven-thatwastheissueofit。Hehadseenherwhowastohimsimultaneouslyadelightandatoesittingintheroomhehadsharedwithherasapeculiarlyprivilegedguestonlyalittleearlierinthesummer，andshehaddeniedhimanentrancetherenow。

Boldwooddidnothurryhomeward。Itwasteno’clockatleast，when，walkingdeliberatelythroughthelowerpartofWeatherbury，heheardthecarrier’sspringvanenteringthevillage。Thevanrantoandfromatowninanortherndirection，anditwasownedanddrivenbyaWeatherburyman，atthedoorofwhosehouseitnowpulledup。Thelampfittedtotheheadofthehoodilluminatedascarletandgildedform，whowasthefirsttoalight。

`Ah！’saidBoldwoodtohimself`cometoseeheragain。’

Troyenteredthecarrier’shouse，whichhadbeentheplaceofhislodgingonhislastvisittohisnativeplace。Boldwoodwasmovedbyasuddendetermination。

Hehastenedhome。Intenminuteshewasbackagain，andmadeasifheweregoingtocalluponTroyatthecarrier’s。Butasheapproached，someoneopenedthedoorandcameout。Heheardthispersonsay`Good-night’totheinmates，andthevoicewasTroy’s。Thiswasstrange，comingsoimmediatelyafterhisarrival。Boldwood，however，hasteneduptohim。Troyhadwhatappearedtobeacarpet-baginhishand-thesamethathehadbroughtwithhim。Itseemedasifheweregoingtoleaveagainthisverynight。

Troyturnedupthehillandquickenedhispace。Boldwoodsteppedforward。

`SergeantTroy？’

`Yes-I’mSergeantTroy。’

`Justarrivedfromupthecountry，Ithink？’

`JustarrivedfromBath。’

`IamWilliamBoldwood。’

`Indeed。’

ThetoneinwhichthiswordwasutteredwasallthathadbeenwantedtobringBoldwoodtothepoint。

`Iwishtospeakawordwithyou，’hesaid。

`Whatabout？’

`Aboutherwholivesjustaheadthereandaboutawomanyouhavewronged。’

`Iwonderatyourimpertinence，’saidTroy，movingon。

`Nowlookhere，’saidBoldwood，standinginfrontofhim，`wonderornot，youaregoingtoholdaconversationwithme。’

TroyheardthedulldeterminationinBoldwood’svoice，lookedathisstalwartframe，thenatthethickcudgelhecarriedinhishand。Heremembereditwaspastteno’clock。ItseemedworthwhiletobeciviltoBoldwood。

`Verywell，I’lllistenwithpleasure，’saidTroy，placinghisbagontheground，`onlyspeaklowforsomebodyorothermayoverhearusinthefarmhousethere。’

`Wellthen-Iknowagooddealconcerningyour-FannyRobin’sattachmenttoyou。Imaysay，too，thatIbelieveIamtheonlypersoninthevillage，exceptingGabrielOak，whodoesknowit。Yououghttomarryher。’

`IsupposeIought。Indeed，Iwishto，butIcannot。’

`Why？’

Troywasabouttouttersomethinghastily；hethencheckedhimselfandsaid，`Iamtoopoor。’Hisvoicewaschanged。Previouslyithadhadadevil-may-caretone。Itwasthevoiceofatricksternow。

Boldwood’spresentmoodwasnotcriticalenoughtonoticetones。Hecontinued，`Imayaswellspeakplainly；andunderstand，Idon’twishtoenterintothequestionsofrightorwrong，woman’shonourandshame，ortoexpressanyopiniononyourconduct。Iintendabusinesstransactionwithyou。’

`Isee，’saidTroy。`Supposewesitdownhere。’

Anoldtreetrunklayunderthehedgeimmediatelyopposite，andtheysatdown。

`IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMissEverdene，’saidBoldwood，`butyoucameand——’

`Notengaged，’saidTroy。

`Asgoodasengaged。’

`IfIhadnotturnedupshemighthavebecomeengagedtoyou。’

`Hangmight！’

`Would，then。’

`IfyouhadnotcomeIshouldcertainly-yes，certainly-havebeenacceptedbythistime。IfyouhadnotseenheryoumighthavebeenmarriedtoFanny。Well，there’stoomuchdifferencebetweenMissEverdene’sstationandyourownforthisflirtationwithherevertobenefityoubyendinginmarriage。SoallIaskis，don’tmolestheranymore。MarryFanny。

I’llmakeitworthyourwhile。’

`Howwillyou？’

`I’llpayyouwellnow，I’llsettleasumofmoneyuponher，andI’llseethatyoudon’tsufferfrompovertyinthefuture。I’llputitclearly。

Bathshebaisonlyplayingwithyou；youaretoopoorforherasIsaid；

sogiveupyourwastingyourtimeaboutagreatmatchyou’llnevermakeforamoderateandrightfulmatchyoumaymaketo-morrow；takeupyourcarpet-bag，turnabout，leaveWeatherburynow，thisnight，andyoushalltakefiftypoundswithyou。Fannyshallhavefiftytoenablehertoprepareforthewedding，whenyouhavetoldmewheresheisliving，andsheshallhavefivehundredpaiddownonherwedding-day。’

InmakingthisstatementBoldwood’svoicerevealedonlytooclearlyaconsciousnessoftheweaknessofhisposition，hisaims，andhismethod。

HismannerhadlapsedquitefromthatofthefirmanddignifiedBoldwoodofformertimes；andsuchaschemeashehadnowengagedinhewouldhavecondemnedaschildishlyimbecileonlyafewmonthsago。Wediscernagrindforceintheloverwhichhelackswhilstafreeman；butthereisabreadthofvisioninthefreemanwhichintheloverwevainlyseek。Wherethereismuchbiastheremustbesomenarrowness，andlove，thoughaddedemotion，issubtractedcapacity。Boldwoodamplifiedthistoanabnormaldegree；

heknewnothingofFannyRobin’scircumstancesorwhereabouts，heknewnothingofTroy’spossibilities，yetthatwaswhathesaid。

`IlikeFannybest，’saidTroy；`andif，asyousay，MissEverdeneisoutofmyreach，whyIhavealltogainbyacceptingyourmoney，andmarryingFan。Butshe’sonlyaservant。’

`Nevermind-doyouagreetomyarrangement？’

`Ido。’

`Ah！’saidBoldwood，inamoreelasticvoice。`O，Troy，ifyoulikeherbest，whythendidyoustepinhereandinjuremyhappiness？’

`IloveFannybestnow’saidTroy。`ButBathsh-MissEverdeneinflamedme，anddisplacedFannyforatime。Itisovernow。’

`Whyshoulditbeoversosoon？Andwhythendidyoucomehereagain？’

`Thereareweightyreasons。Fiftypoundsatonce，yousaid！’

`Idid，’saidBoldwood，`andheretheyare-fiftysovereigns。’HehandedTroyasmallpacket。

`Youhaveeverythingready-itseemsthatyoucalculatedonmyacceptingthem，’saidthesergeant，takingthepacket。

`Ithoughtyoumightacceptthem，’saidBoldwood。

`You’veonlymywordthattheprogrammeshallbeadheredto，whilstIatanyratehavefiftypounds。’

`Ihadthoughtofthat，andIhaveconsideredthatifIcan’tappealtoyourhonourIcantrusttoyour-well，shrewdnesswe’llcallit-nottolosefivehundredpoundsinprospect，andalsomakeabitterenemyofamanwhoiswillingtobeanextremelyusefulfriend。’

`Stop，listen！’saidTroyinawhisper。

Alightpit-patwasaudibleupontheroadjustabovethem。

`ByGeorge——’tisshe，’hecontinued。`Imustgoonandmeether。’

`She-who？’

`Bathsheba。’

`Bathsheba-outaloneatthistimeo’night！’saidBoldwoodinamazement，andstartingup。`Whymustyoumeether？’

`Shewasexpectingmetonight-andImustnowspeaktoher，andwishhergood-bye，accordingtoyourwish。’

`Idon’tseethenecessityofspeaking。’

`Itcandonoharm-andshe’llbewanderingaboutlookingformeifIdon’t。YoushallhearallIsaytoher。ItwillhelpyouinyourlovemakingwhenIamgone。

`Yourtoneismocking。’

`Ono。Andrememberthis，ifshedoesnotknowwhathasbecomeofme，shewillthinkmoreaboutmethanifItellherflatlyIhavecometogiveherup。

`Willyouconfineyourwordstothatonepoint？-ShallIheareverywordyousay？’

`Everyword。Nowsitstillthere，andholdmycarpet-bagforme，andmarkwhatyouhear。’

Thelightfootstepcamecloser，haltingoccasionally，asifthewalkerlistenedforasound。Troywhistledadoublenoteinasoft，flutytone。

`Cometothat，isit！’murmuredBoldwooduneasily。

`Youpromisedsilence，’saidTroy。

`Ipromiseagain。’

Troysteppedforward。

`Frank，dearest，isthatyou？’ThetoneswereBathsheba’s。

`OGod！’saidBoldwood。

`Yes，’saidTroytoher。

`Howlateyouare，’shecontinuedtenderly。`Didyoucomebythecarrier？

Ilistenedandheardhiswheelsenteringthevillage，butitwassometimeago，andIhadalmostgivenyouup，Frank。’

`Iwassuretocome，’saidFrank。`YouknewIshould，didyounot？’

`Well，Ithoughtyouwould，’shesaidplayfully；`and，Frank，itissolucky！There’snotasoulinmyhousebutmetonight。I’vepackedthemalloff，sonobodyonearthwillknowofyourvisittoyourlady’sbower。

Liddywantedtogotohergrandfather’stotellhimaboutherholiday，andIsaidshemightstaywiththemtillto-morrow-whenyou’llbegoneagain。’

`Capital，’saidTroy。`But，dearme，Ihadbettergobackformybag，becausemyslippersandbrushandcombareinit；yourunhomewhilstI

fetchit，andI’llpromisetobeinyourparlourintenminutes。

`Yes。’Sheturnedandtrippedupthehillagain。

DuringtheprogressofthisdialoguetherewasanervoustwitchingofBoldwood’stightlyclosedlips，andhisfacebecamebathedinaclammydew。HenowstartedforwardtowardsTroy。Troyturnedtohimandtookupthebag。

`ShallItellherIhavecometogiveherupandcannotmarryher？’

saidthesoldiermockingly。

`No，no；waitaminute。Iwanttosaymoretoyou-moretoyou！’saidBoldwood，inahoarsewhisper。

`Now，’saidTroy，`youseemydilemma。PerhapsIamabadman-thevictimofmyimpulses-ledawaytodowhatIoughttoleaveundone。I

can’t，however，marrythemboth。AndIhavetworeasonsforchoosingFanny。

First，Ilikeherbestuponthewhole，andsecond，youmakeitworthmywhile。’

AtthesameinstantBoldwoodspranguponhim，andheldhimbytheneck。

TroyfeltBoldwood’sgraspslowlytightening。Themovewasabsolutelyunexpected。

`Amoment，’hegasped。`Youareinjuringheryoulove！’

`Well，whatdoyoumean？’saidthefarmer。`Givemebreath，’saidTroy。

Boldwoodloosenedhishand，saying，`ByHeaven，I’veamindtokillyou！’

`Andruinher。’

`Saveher。’

`Oh，howcanshebesavednow，unlessImarryher？’

Boldwoodgroaned。Hereluctantlyreleasedthesoldier，andflunghimbackagainstthehedge。`Devil，youtortureme！’saidhe。

Troyreboundedlikeaball，andwasabouttomakeadashatthefarmer；

buthecheckedhimself，sayinglightly——

`Itisnotworthwhiletomeasuremystrengthwithyou。Indeeditisabarbarouswayofsettlingaquarrel。Ishallshortlyleavethearmybecauseofthesameconviction。NowafterthatrevelationofhowthelandlieswithBathsheba，’twouldbeamistaketokillme，woulditnot？’

`’Twouldbeamistaketokillyou，’repeatedBoldwood，mechanically，withabowedhead。

`Betterkillyourself。’

`Farbetter。’

`I’mgladyouseeit。’

`Troy，makeheryourwife，anddon’tactuponwhatIarrangedjustnow。

Thealternativeisdreadful，buttakeBathsheba；Igiveherup！Shemustloveyouindeedtosellsoulandbodytoyousoutterlyasshehasdone。

Wretchedwoman-deludedwoman-youare，Bathsheba！’

`ButaboutFanny？’

`Bathshebaisawomanwelltodo，’continuedBoldwood，inanervousanxiety，`andTroy，shewillmakeagoodwife；and，indeed，sheisworthyourhasteningonyourmarriagewithher！’

`Butshehasawill-nottosayatemper，andIshallbeamereslavetoher。IcoulddoanythingwithpoorFannyRobin。’

`Troy，’saidBoldwoodimploringly。I’lldoanythingforyou，onlydon’tdeserther；praydon’tdeserther，Troy。’

`Which，poorFanny？’

`No；BathshebaEverdene，loveherbest！lovehertenderly！HowshallIgetyoutoseehowadvantageousitwillbetoyoutosecureheratonce？’

`Idon’twishtosecureherinanynewway。

Boldwood’sarmmovedspasmodicallytowardsTroy’spersonagain。Herepressedtileinstinct，andhisformdroopedaswithpain。

Troywenton——

`Ishallsoonpurchasemydischarge，andthen——’

`ButIwishyoutohastenonthismarriage！Itwillbebetterforyouboth。Youloveeachother，andyoumustletmehelpyoutodoit。’

`How？’

`Why，bysettlingthefivehundredonBathshebainsteadofFanny，toenableyoutomarryatonce。No；shewouldn’thaveitofme。I’llpayitdowntoyouonthewedding-day。’

TroypausedinsecretamazementatBoldwood’swildinfatuation。Hecarelesslysaid，`AndamItohaveanythingnow？’

`Yes，ifyouwishto。ButIhavenotmuchadditionalmoneywithme。

Ididnotexpectthis；butallIhaveisyours。’

Boldwood，morelikeasomnambulistthanawakefulman，pulledoutthelargecanvasbaghecarriedbywayofapurse，andsearchedit。

`Ihavetwenty-onepoundsmorewithme，’hesaid。`Twonotesandasovereign。

ButbeforeIleaveyouImusthaveapapersigned——’

`Paymethemoney，andwe’llgostraighttoherparlour，andmakeanyarrangementyoupleasetosecuremycompliancewithyourwishes。Butshemustknownothingofthiscashbusiness。’

`Nothing，nothing，’saidBoldwoodhastily。`Hereisthesum，andifyou’llcometomyhousewe’llwriteouttheagreementfortheremainder，andthetermsalso。’

`Firstwe’llcalluponher。’

`Butwhy？Comewithmeto-night，andgowithmeto-morrowtothesurrogate’s。’

`Butshemustbeconsulted；atanyrateinformed。’

`Verywell；goon。’

TheywentupthehilltoBathsheba’shouse。Whentheystoodattheentrance，Troysaid，`Waithereamoment。’Openingthedoor，heglidedinside，leavingthedoorajar。

Boldwoodwaited。Intwominutesalightappearedinthepassage。Boldwoodthensawthatthechainhadbeenfastenedacrossthedoor。Troyappearedinsidecarryingabedroomcandlestick。

`What，didyouthinkIshouldbreakin？’saidBoldwoodcontemptuously。

`O，no；itismerelymyhumourtosecurethings。Willyoureadthisamoment？I’llholdthelight。’

Troyhandedafoldednewspaperthroughtheslitbetweendooranddoor-post，andputthecandleclose。`That’stheparagraph，’hesaid，placinghisfingeronaline。

Boldwoodlookedandread——`MARRIAGES

`Onthe17thinst。，atStAmbrose’sChurch，Bath，bytheRev。G。Mincing，B。A。，FrancisTroy，onlysonofthelateEdwardTroy，Esq。，M。D。，ofWeatherburyandsergeant11thDragoonGuards，toBathsheba，onlysurvivingdaughterofthelateMrJohnEverdene，ofCasterbridge。’`ThismaybecalledFortmeetingFeeble，hey，Boldwood？’saidTroy。Alowgurgleofderisivelaughterfollowedthewords。

ThepaperfellfromBoldwood’shands。Troycontinued——

`FiftypoundstomarryFanny。Good。Twenty-onepoundsnottomarryFanny，butBathsheba。Good。Finale：alreadyBathsheba’shusband。Now，Boldwood，yoursistheridiculousfatewhichalwaysattendsinterferencebetweenamanandhiswife。Andanotherword。BadasIam，Iamnotsuchavillainastomakethemarriageormiseryofanywomanamatterofhucksterandsale。Fannyhaslongagoleftme。Idon’tknowwheresheis。Ihavesearchedeverywhere。Anotherwordyet。YousayyouloveBathsheba；yetonthemerestapparentevidenceyouinstantlybelieveinherdishonour。Afigforsuchlove！NowthatI’vetaughtyoualesson，takeyourmoneybackagain。’

`Iwillnot；Iwillnot！’saidBoldwood，inahiss。

`AnyhowIwon’thaveit，’saidTroycontemptuously。Hewrappedthepacketofgoldinthenotes，andthrewthewholeintotheroad。

Boldwoodshookhisclenchedfistathim。`YoujugglerofSatan！Youblackhound！ButI’llpunishyouyet；markme，I’llpunishyouyet！’

Anotherpealoflaughter。Troythenclosedthedoor，andlockedhimselfin。

ThroughoutthewholeofthatnightBoldwood’sdarkformmighthavebeenseenwalkingaboutthehillsanddownsofWeatherburylikeanunhappyShadeintheMournfulFieldsbyAcheron。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVEAtanUpperWindowItwasveryearlythenextmorning-atimeofsunanddew。Theconfusedbeginningsofmanybirds’songsspreadintothehealthyair，andthewanblueoftheheavenwashereandtherecoatedwiththinwebsofincorporealcloudwhichwereofnoeffectinobscuringday。Allthelightsinthescenewereyellowastocolour，andalltheshadowswereattenuatedastoform。

Thecreepingplantsabouttheoldmanor-housewerebowedwithrowsofheavywaterdrops，whichhaduponobjectsbehindthemtheeffectofminutelensesofhighmagnifyingpower。

JustbeforetheclockstruckfiveGabrielOakandCogganpassedthevillagecross，andwentontogethertothefields。Theywereyetbarelyinviewoftheirmistress’shouse，whenOakfanciedhesawtheopeningofacasementinoneoftheupperwindows。Thetwomenwereatthismomentpartiallyscreenedbyanelderbush，nowbeginningtobeenrichedwithblackbunchesoffruit，andtheypausedbeforeemergingfromitsshade。

Ahandsomemanleanedidlyfromthelattice。Helookedeastandthenwest，inthemannerofonewhomakesafirstmorningsurvey。ThemanwasSergeantTroy。Hisredjacketwaslooselythrownon，butnotbuttoned，andhehadaltogethertherelaxedbearingofasoldiertakinghisease。

Cogganspokefirst，lookingquietlyatthewindow。

`Shehasmarriedhim！’hesaid。

Gabrielhadpreviouslybeheldthesight，andhenowstoodwithhisbackturned，makingnoreply。

`Ifanciedweshouldknowsomethingto-day，’continuedCoggan。`Iheardwheelspassmydoorjustafterdark-youwereoutsomewhere。’HeglancedrounduponGabriel。`Goodheavensaboveus，Oak，howwhiteyourfaceis；

youlooklikeacorpse！’

`DoI？’saidOak，withafaintsmile。

`Leanonthegate：I’llwaitabit。’

`Allright，allright。’

Theystoodbythegateawhile，Gabriellistlesslystaringattheground。

Hismindspedintothefuture，andsawthereenactedinyearsofleisurethescenesofrepentancethatwouldensuefromthisworkofhaste。Thattheyweremarriedhehadinstantlydecided。Whyhaditbeensomysteriouslymanaged？IthadbecomeknownthatshehadhadafearfuljourneytoBath，owingtohermiscalculatingthedistance；thatthehorsehadbrokendown，andthatshehadbeenmorethantwodaysgettingthere。ItwasnotBathsheba’swaytodothingsfurtivelyWithallhercultsshewascandouritself。Couldshehavebeenentrapped？Theunionwasnotonlyanunutterablegrieftohim；itamazedhim，notwithstandingthathehadpassedtheprecedingweekinasuspicionthatsuchmightbetheissueofTroy’smeetingherawayfromhome。HerquietreturnwithLiddyhadtosomeextentdispersedthedread。Justasthatimperceptiblemotionwhichappearslikestillnessisinfinitelydividedinitspropertiesfromstillnessitself，sohadhishopeundistinguishablefromdespairdifferedfromdespairindeed。

Inafewminutestheymovedonagaintowardsthehouse。Thesergeantstilllookedfromthewindow。

`Morning，comrades！’heshouted，inacheeryvoice，whentheycameup。

Cogganrepliedtothegreeting。`Bain’tyegoingtoanswertheman？’

hethensaidtoGabriel。`I’dsaygoodmorning-youneedn’tspendahapeth“

ofmeaninguponit，andyetkeepthemancivil。’

Gabrielsoondecidedtoothat，sincethedeedwasdone，toputthebestfaceuponthematterwouldbethegreatestkindnesstoherheloved。

`Goodmorning，SergeantTroy，’hereturned，inaghastlyvoice。`Arambling，gloomyhousethis，’saidTroy，smiling。

`Why-theymaynotbemarried！’suggestedCoggan。`Perhapsshe’snotthere。’

Gabrielshookhishead。Thesoldierturnedalittletowardstheeast，andthesunkindledhisscarletcoattoanorangeglow。

`Butitisaniceoldhouse，’respondedGabriel。

`Yes-Isupposeso；butIfeellikenewwineinanoldbottlehere。

Mynotionisthatsash-windowsshouldbeputthroughout，andtheseoldwainscotedwallsbrightenedupabit；ortheoakclearedquiteaway，andthewallspapered。’

`Itwouldbeapity，Ithink。’

`Well，no。Aphilosopheroncesaidinmyhearingthattheoldbuilders，whoworkedwhenartwasalivingthing，hadnorespectfortheworkofbuilderswhowentbeforethem，butpulleddownandalteredastheythoughtfit；andwhyshouldn’twe？“Creationandpreservationdon’tdowelltogether。”

sayshe，“andamillionofantiquarianscan’tinventastyle。”Mymindexactly。Iamformakingthisplacemoremodern，thatwemaybecheerfulwhilstwecan。’

Themilitarymanturnedandsurveyedtheinterioroftheroom，toassisthisideasofimprovementinthisdirection。GabrielandCogganbegantomoveon。

`Oh，Coggan，’saidTroy，asifinspiredbyarecollection，`doyouknowifinsanityhaseverappearedinMrBoldwood’sfamily？’

Janreflectedforamoment。

`Ionceheardthatanuncleofhiswasqueerinhishead，butIdon’tknowtherightso’t，’hesaid。

`Itisofnoimportance，’saidTroylightly。`Well，Ishallbedowninthefieldswithyousometimethisweek；butIhaveafewmatterstoattendtofirst。Sogood-daytoyou。Weshall，ofcourse，keeponjustasfriendlytermsasusual。I’mnotaproudman：nobodyiseverabletosaythatofSergeantTroy。However，whatismustbe，andhere’shalfa-crowntodrinkmyhealth，men。’

TroythrewthecoindexterouslyacrossthefrontplotandoverthefencetowardsGabriel，whoshunneditinitsfall，hisfaceturningtoanangryred。Coggantwirledhiseye，edgedforward，andcaughtthemoneyinitsricochetupontheroad。

`Verywell-youkeepit，Coggan，’saidGabrielwithdisdain，andalmostfiercely。`Asforme，I’lldowithoutgiftsfromhim！’

`Don’tshowittoomuch，’saidCogganmusingly。`Forifhe’smarriedtoher，markmywords，he’llbuyhisdischargeandbeourmasterhere。

Therefore’tiswelltosay“Friend“outwardly，thoughyousay“Troublehouse“

within。

`Well-perhapsitisbesttobesilent；butIcan’tgofurtherthanthat。Ican’tflatter，andifmyplacehereisonlytobekeptbysmoothinghimdown，myplacemustbelost。’

Ahorseman，whomtheyhadforsometimeseeninthedistance，nowappearedclosebesidethem。

`There’sMrBoldwood，’saidOak。`IwonderwhatTroymeantbyhisquestion。’

CogganandOaknoddedrespectfullytothefarmer，justcheckedtheirpacestodiscoveriftheywerewanted，andfindingtheywerenot，stoodbacktolethimpasson。

TheonlysignsoftheterriblesorrowBoldwoodhadbeencombatingthroughthenight，andwascombatingnow，werethewantofcolourinhiswell-definedface，theenlargedappearanceoftheveinsinhisforeheadandtemples，andthesharperlinesabouthismouth。Thehorseborehimaway，andtheverystepoftheanimalseemedsignificantofdoggeddespair。Gabriel，foraminute，roseabovehisowngriefinnoticingBoldwood’s。Hesawthesquarefiguresittingerectuponthehorse，theheadturnedtoneitherside，theelbowssteadybythehips，thebrimofthehatlevelandundisturbedinitsonwardglide，untilthekeenedgesofBoldwood’sshapesankbydegreesoverthehill。Toonewhoknewthemanandhisstorytherewassomethingmorestrikinginthisimmobilitythaninacollapse。Theclashofdiscordbetweenmoodandmatterherewasforcedpainfullyhometotheheart；and，asinlaughtertherearemoredreadfulphasesthanintears，sowasthereinthesteadinessofthisagonizedmananexpressiondeeperthanacry。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIXWealthinJeopardy-TheRevelOnenight，attheendofAugust，whenBathsheba’sexperiencesasamarriedwomanwerestillnew，andwhentheweatherwasyetdryandsultry，amanstoodmotionlessinthestackyardofWeatherburyUpperFarm，lookingatthemoonandsky。

Thenighthadasinisteraspect。Aheatedbreezefromthesouthslowlyfannedthesummitsofloftyobjects，andintheskydashesofbuoyantcloudweresailinginacourseatrightanglestothatofanotherstratum，neitheroftheminthedirectionofthebreezebelow。Themoon，asseenthroughthesefilms，hadaluridmetalliclook。Thefieldsweresallowwiththeimpurelight，andallweretingedinmonochrome，asifbeheldthroughstainedglass。Thesameeveningthesheephadtrailedhomewardheadtotail，thebehaviouroftherookshadbeenconfused，andthehorseshadmovedwithtimidityandcaution。

Thunderwasimminent，and，takingsomesecondaryappearancesintoconsideration，itwaslikelytobefollowedbyoneofthelengthenedrainswhichmarktheclosetodryweatherfortheseason。Beforetwelvehourshadpassedaharvestatmospherewouldbeabygonething。

Oakgazedwithmisgivingateightnakedandunprotectedricks，massiveandheavywiththerichproduceofone-halfthefarmforthatyear。Hewentontothebarn。

ThiswasthenightwhichhadbeenselectedbySergeantTroy-rulingnowintheroomofhiswife-forgivingtheharvestsupperanddance。

AsOakapproachedthebuildingthesoundofviolinsandatambourine，andtheregularjiggingofmanyfeet，grewmoredistinct。Hecameclosetothelargedoors，oneofwhichstoodslightlyajar，andlookedin。

Thecentralspace，togetherwiththerecessatoneend，wasemptiedofallincumbrances，andthisarea，coveringabouttwo-thirdsofthewhole，wasappropriatedforthegathering，theremainingend，whichwaspiledtotheceilingwithoats，beingscreenedoffwithsail-cloth。Tuftsandgarlandsofgreenfoliagedecoratedthewalls，beams，andextemporizedchandeliers，andimmediatelyoppositetoOakarostrumhadbeenerected，bearingatableandchairs。Heresatthreefiddlers，andbesidethemstoodafranticmanwithhishaironend，perspirationstreamingdownhischeeks，andatambourinequiveringinhishand。

Thedanceended，andontheblackoakfloorinthemidstanewrowofcouplesformedforanother。

`Now，ma’am，andnooffenceIhope，Iaskwhatdanceyouwouldlikenext？’saidthefirstviolin。

`Really，itmakesnodifference，’saidtheclearvoiceofBathsheba，whostoodattheinnerendofthebuilding，observingthescenefrombehindatablecoveredwithcupsandviands。Troywaslollingbesideher。

`Then，’saidthefiddler，`I’llventuretonamethattherightandproperthingis“TheSoldier’sJoy“-therebeingagallantsoldiermarriedintotheArm-hey，mysonnies，andgentlemenall？’

`Itshallbe“TheSoldier’sJoy“，’exclaimedachorus。

`Thanksforthecompliment，’saidthesergeantgaily，takingBathshebabythehandandleadinghertothetopofthedance。`ForthoughIhavepurchasedmydischargefromHerMostGraciousMajesty’sregimentofcavalrythe11thDragoonGuards，toattendtothenewdutiesawaitingmehere，IshallcontinueasoldierinspiritandfeelingaslongasIlive。’

Sothedancebegan。Astothemeritsof`TheSoldier’sJoy’，therecannotbe，andneverwere，twoopinions。IthasbeenobservedinthemusicalcirclesofWeatherburyanditsvicinitythatthismelody，attheendofthree-quartersofanhourofthunderousfooting，stillpossessesmorestimulativepropertiesfortheheelandtoethanthemajorityofotherdancesattheirfirstopening。

`TheSoldier’sJoy’has，too，anadditionalcharm，inbeingsoadmirablyadaptedtothetambourineaforesaid-nomeaninstrumentinthehandsofaperformerwhounderstandstheproperconvulsions，spasms，StVitus’sdances，andfearfulfrenziesnecessarywhenexhibitingitstonesintheirhighestperfection。

Theimmortaltuneended，afineDDrollingforthfromthebass-violwiththesonorousnessofacannonade，andGabrieldelayedhisentrynolonger。HeavoidedBathsheba，andgotasnearaspossibletotheplatform，whereSergeantTroywasnowseated，drinkingbrandy-and-water，thoughtheothersdrankwithoutexceptionciderandale。Gabrielcouldnoteasilythrusthimselfwithinspeakingdistanceofthesergeant，andhesentamessage，askinghimtocomedownforamoment。Thesergeantsaidhecouldnotattend。

`Willyoutellhim，then，’saidGabriel，`thatIonlysteppedath’arttosaythataheavyrainissuretofallsoon，andthatsomethingshouldbedonetoprotectthericks？’

`MrTroysaysitwillnotrain，’returnedthemessenger，andhecannotstoptotalktoyouaboutsuchfidgets。’

InjuxtapositionwithTroy，Oakhadamelancholytendencytolooklikeacandlebesidegas，andillateasehewentoutagain，thinkinghewouldgohome；for，underthecircumstances，hehadnoheartforthesceneinthebarn。Atthedoorhepausedforamoment：Troywasspeaking。

`Friends，itisnotonlytheharvesthomethatwearecelebratingto-night；

butthisisalsoaWeddingFeast。AshorttimeagoIhadthehappinesstoleadtothealtarthislady，yourmistress，andnotuntilnowhavewebeenabletogiveanypublicflourishtotheeventinWeatherbury。Thatitmaybethoroughlywelldone，andthateverymanmaygohappytobed，Ihaveorderedtobebroughtheresomebottlesofbrandyandkettlesofhotwater。Atreble-stronggobletwillbehandedroundtoeachguest。

Bathshebaputherhanduponhisarm，and，withupturnedpaleface，saidimploringly，`No-don’tgiveittothem-praydon’t，Frank！Itwillonlydothemharm：theyhavehadenoughofeverything。’

`True-wedon’twishfornomore，thankye，’saidoneortwo。

`Pooh！’saidthesergeantcontemptuously，andraisedhisvoiceasiflightedupbyanewidea。`Friends，’hesaid，`we’llsendthewomenfolkhome！’Tistimetheywereinbed。Thenwecockbirdswillhaveajollycarousetoourselves！Ifanyofthemenshowthewhitefeather，letthemlookelsewhereforawinter’swork。’

Bathshebaindignantlyleftthebarn，followedbyallthewomenandchildren。

Themusicians，notlookinguponthemselvesas`company’，slippedquietlyawaytotheirspring-waggonandputinthehorse。ThusTroyandthemenonthefarmwereleftsoleoccupantsoftheplace。Oak，nottoappearunnecessarilydisagreeable，stayedalittlewhile；thenhe，too，aroseandquietlytookhisdeparture，followedbyafriendlyoathfromthesergeantfornotstayingtoasecondroundofgrog。

Gabrielproceededtowardshishome。Inapproachingthedoor，histoekickedsomethingwhichfeltandsoundedsoft，leathery，anddistended，likeaboxing-glove。Itwasalargetoadhumblytravellingacrossthepath。

Oaktookitup，thinkingitmightbebettertokillthecreaturetosaveitfrompain；butfindingituninjured，heplaceditagainamongthegrass。

HeknewwhatthisdirectmessagefromtheGreatMothermeant。Andsooncameanother。

Whenhestruckalightindoorsthereappeareduponthetableathinglisteningstreak，asifabrushofvarnishhadbeenlightlydraggedacrossit。Oak’seyesfollowedtheserpentinesheentotheotherside，whereitleduptoahugebrowngarden-slug，whichhadcomeindoorsto-nightforreasonsofitsown。ItwasNature’ssecondwayofhintingtohimthathewastoprepareforfoulweather。

Oaksatdownmeditatingfornearlyanhour。Duringthistimetwoblackspiders，ofthekindcommoninthatchedhouses，promenadedtheceiling，ultimatelydroppingtothefloor。Thisremindedhimthatiftherewasoneclassofmanifestationonthismatterthathethoroughlyunderstood，itwantheinstinctsofsheep。Helefttheroom，ranacrosstwoorthreefieldstowardstheflock，gotuponahedge，andlookedoveramongthem。

Theywerecrowdedclosetogetherontheothersidearoundsomefurzebushes，andthefirstpeculiarityobservablewasthat，onthesuddenappearanceofOak’sheadoverthefence，theydidnotstirorrunaway。Theyhadnowaterrorofsomethinggreaterthantheirterrorofman。Butthiswasnotthemostnoteworthyfeature：theywereallgroupedinsuchawaythattheirtails，withoutasingleexception，weretowardsthathalfofthehorizonfromwhichthestormthreatened。Therewasaninnercirclecloselyhuddled，andoutsidethesetheyradiatedwiderapart，thepatternformedbytheflockasawholenotbeingunlikeavandykedlacecollar，towhichtheclumpoffurze-bushesstoodinthepositionofawearer’sneck。

Thiswasenoughtore-establishhiminhisoriginalopinion。Heknewnowthathewasright，andthatTroywaswrong。Everyvoiceinnaturewasunanimousinbespeakingchange。Buttwodistincttranslationsattachedtothesedumbexpressions。Apparentlytherewastobeathunder-storm，andafterwardsacoldcontinuousrain。Thecreepingthingsseemedtoknowallaboutthelaterrain，butlittleoftheinterpolatedthunder-storm；

whilstthesheepknewallaboutthethunderstormandnothingofthelaterrain。

Thiscomplicationofweathersbeinguncommon，wasallthemoretobefeared。Oakreturnedtothestackyard。Allwassilenthere，andtheconicaltipsofthericksjutteddarklyintothesky。Therewerefivewheat-ricksinthisyard，andthreestacksofbarley。Thewheatwhenthreshedwouldaverageaboutthirtyquarterstoeachstack；thebarley，atleastforty。

TheirvaluetoBathsheba，andindeedtoanybody，Oakmentallyestimatedbythefollowingsimplecalculation：——5times30150quarters=500l。

3times40120quarters=250l。

Total750l。Sevenhundredandfiftypoundsinthedivinestformthatmoneycanwear-thatofnecessaryfoodformanandbeast：shouldtheriskberunofdeterioratingthisbulkofcorntolessthanhalfitsvalue，becauseoftheinstabilityofawoman？`Never，ifIcanpreventit！’saidGabriel。

SuchwastheargumentthatOaksetoutwardlybeforehim。Butman，eventohimself，isapalimpsest，havinganostensiblewriting，andanotherbeneaththelines。Itispossiblethattherewasthisgoldenlegendundertheutilitarianone：`IwillhelptomylasteffortthewomanIhavelovedsodearly。’

Hewentbacktothebarntoendeavourtoobtainassistanceforcoveringthericksthatverynight。Allwassilentwithin，andhewouldhavepassedoninthebeliefthatthepartyhadbrokenup，hadnotadimlight，yellowassaffronbycontrastwiththegreenishwhitenessoutside，streamedthroughaknot-holeinthefoldingdoors。

Gabriellookedin。Anunusualpicturemethiseye。

Thecandlessuspendedamongtheevergreenshadburntdowntotheirsockets，andinsomecasestheleavestiedaboutthemwerescorched。Manyofthelightshadquitegoneout，otherssmokedandstank，greasedroppingfromthemuponthefloor。Here，underthetable，andleaningagainstformsandchairsineveryconceivableattitudeexcepttheperpendicular，werethewretchedpersonsofallthework-folk，thehairoftheirheadsatsuchlowlevelsbeingsuggestiveofmopsandbrooms。InthemidstoftheseshoneredanddistinctthefigureofSergeantTroy，leaningbackinachair。

Cogganwasonhisback，withhismouthopen，buzzingforthsnores，aswereseveralothers；theunitedbreathingsofthehorizontalassemblageformingasubduedroarlikelondonfromadistance。JosephPoorgrasswerecurledroundinthefashionofahedgehog，apparentlyinattemptstopresenttheleastpossibleportionofhissurfacetotheair；andbehindhimwasdimlyvisibleanunimportantremnantofWilliamSmallbury。Theglassesandcupsstillstooduponthetable，awater-jugbeingoverturned，fromwhichasmallrill，aftertracingitscoursewithmarvellousprecisiondownthecentreofthelongtable，fellintotheneckoftheunconsciousMarkClark，inasteady，monotonousdrip，likethedrippingofastalactiteinacave。

Gabrielglancedhopelesslyatthegroup，which，withoneortwoexceptions，composedalltheable-bodiedmenuponthefarm。Hesawatoncethatifthericksweretobesavedthatnight，oreventhenextmorning，hemustsavethemwithhisownhands。

Afaint`ting-ting’resoundedfromunderCoggan’swaistcoat。ItwasCoggan’swatchstrikingthehouroftwo。

OakwenttotherecumbentformofMatthewMoon，whousuallyundertooktheroughthatchingofthehomestead，andshookhim。Theshakingwaswithouteffect。

Gabrielshoutedinhisear，`Where’syourthatching-beetleandrickstickandspars？’

`Underthestaddles，’saidMoonmechanically，withtheunconsciouspromptnessofamedium。

Gabrielletgohishead，anditdroppeduponthefloorlikeabowl。

HethenwenttoSusanTall’shusband。

`Where’sthekeyofthegranary？’

Noanswer。Thequestionwasrepeated，withthesameresult。TobeshoutedtoatnightwasevidentlylessofanoveltytoSusanTall’shusbandthantoMatthewMoon。OakflungdownTall’sheadintothecorneragainandturnedaway。

Tobejust，themenwerenotgreatlytoblameforthispainfulanddemoralizingterminationtotheevening’sentertainment。SergeantTroyhadsostrenuouslyinsisted，glassinhand，thatdrinkingshouldbethebondoftheirunion，thatthosewhowishedtorefusehardlylikedtobesounmannerlyunderthecircumstances。Havingfromtheiryouthupbeenentirelyunaccustomedtoanyliquorstrongerthanciderormildale，itwasnowonderthattheyhadsuccumbed，oneandall，withextraordinaryuniformity，afterthelapseofaboutanhour。

Gabrielwasgreatlydepressed。Thisdebauchbodedillforthatwilfulandfascinatingmistresswhomthefaithfulmanevennowfeltwithinhimastheembodimentofallthatwassweetandbrightandhopeless。

Heputouttheexpiringlights，thatthebarnmightnotbeendangered，closedthedooruponthemenintheirdeepoblivioussleep，andwentagainintothelonenight。Ahotbreeze，asifbreathedfromthepartedlipsofsomedragonabouttoswallowtheglobe，fannedhimfromthe，south，whiledirectlyoppositeinthenorthroseagrimmisshapenbodyofcloud，intheveryteethofthewind。Sounnaturallydiditrisethatonecouldfancyittobeliftedbymachineryfrombelow。Meanwhilethefaintcloudletshadflownbackintothesouth-eastcornerofthesky，asifinterrorofthelargecloud，likeayoungbroodgazedinuponbysomemonster。

Goingontothevillage，OakflungasmallstoneagainstthewindowofLabanTall’sbedroom，expectingSusantoopenit；butnobodystirred。

Hewentroundtothebackdoor，whichhadbeenleftunfastenedforLabansentry，andpassedintothefootofthestaircase。

`MrsTall，I’vecomeforthekeyofthegranary，togetattherickcloths，’

saidOak，inastentorianvoice。

`Isthatyou？’saidMrsSusanTall，halfawake。

`Yes，’saidGabriel。

`Comealongtobed，do，youdraw-latchingrogue-keepingabodyawakelikethis！’

`Itisn’tLaban——’tisGabrielOak。Iwantthekeyofthegranary。’

`Gabriel！`Whatinthenameoffortunedidyoupretendtobelabanfor？’

`Ididn’t。Ithoughtyoumeant——’

`Yesyoudid！`Whatdoyouwanthere？’

`Thekeyofthegranary。

`Takeitthen。’Tisonthenail。Peoplecomingdisturbingwomenatthistimeofnightought——’

Gabrieltookthekey，withoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofthetirade。Tenminuteslaterhislonelyfiguremighthavebeenseendraggingfourlargewaterproofcoveringsacrosstheyard，andsoontwooftheseheapsoftreasureingrainwerecoveredsnug-twoclothstoeach。Twohundredpoundsweresecured。Threewheat-stacksremainedopen，andtherewerenomorecloths。Oaklookedunderthestaddlesandfoundafork。Hemountedthethirdpileofwealthandbeganoperating，adoptingtheplanofslopingtheuppersheavesoneovertheother；and，inaddition，fillingtheintersticeswiththematerialofsomeuntiedsheaves。

Sofarallwaswell。BythishurriedcontrivanceBathsheba’spropertyinwheatwassafeforatanyrateaweekortwo，providedalwaysthattherewasnotmuchwind。

Nextcamethebarley。Thisitwasonlypossibletoprotectbysystematicthatching。Timewenton，andthemoonvanishednottoreappear。Itwasthefarewelloftheambassadorprevioustowar。Thenighthadahaggardlook，likeasickthing；andtherecamefinallyanutterexpirationofairfromthewholeheavenintheformofaslowbreeze，whichmighthavebeenlikenedtoadeath。Andnownothingwasheardintheyardbutthedullthudsofthebeetlewhichdroveinthespars，andtherustleofthatchintheintervals。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVENTheStorm-TheTwotogetherAlightflappedoverthescene，asifreflectedfromphosphorescentwingscrossingthesky，andarumblefilledtheair。Itwasthefirstmoveoftheapproachingstorm。

Thesecondpealwasnoisy，withcomparativelylittlevisiblelightning。

GabrielsawacandleshininginBathsheba’sbedroom，andsoonashadowswepttoandfroupontheblind。

Thentherecameathirdflash。Manoeuvresofamostextraordinarykindweregoingoninthevastfirmamentalhollowsoverhead。Thelightningnowwasthecolourofsilver，andgleamedintheheavenslikeamailedarmy。

Rumbledbecamerattles。Gabrielfromhiselevatedpositioncouldseeoverthelandscapeatleasthalf-a-dozenmilesinfront。Everyhedge，bush，andtreewasdistinctasinalineengraving。Inapaddockinthesamedirectionwasaherdofheifers，andtheformsofthesewerevisibleatthismomentintheactofgallopingaboutinthewildestandmaddestconfusion，flingingtheirheelsandtailshighintotheair，theirheadstoearth。

Apoplarintheimmediateforegroundwaslikeaninkstrokeonburnishedtin。Thenthepicturevanished，leavingthedarknesssointensethatGabrielworkedentirelybyfeelingwithhishands。

Hehadstuckhisricking-rod，orponiard，asitwasindifferentlycalled-alongironlance，polishedbyhandling-intothestack，usedtosupportthesheavesinsteadofthesupportcalledagroomusedonhouses。Abluelightappearedinthezenith，andinsomeindescribablemannerflickereddownnearthetopoftherod。Itwasthefourthofthelargerflashes。

Amomentlaterandtherewasasmack-smart，clear，andshort。Gabrielfelthispositiontobeanythingbutasafeone，andheresolvedtodescend。

Notadropofrainhadfallenasyet。Hewipedhiswearybrow，andlookedagainattheblackformsoftheunprotectedstacks。Washislifesovaluabletohimafterall？Whatwerehisprospectsthatheshouldbesocharyofrunningrisk，whenimportantandurgentlabourcouldnotbecarriedonwithoutsuchrisk？Heresolvedtosticktothestick。However，hetookaprecaution。Underthestaddleswasalongtetheringchain，usedtopreventtheescapeoferranthorses。Thishecarrieduptheladder，andstickinghisrodthroughtheclogatoneend，allowedtheotherendofthechaintotrailupontheground。Thespikeattachedtoithedrovein。Undertheshadowofthisextemporizedlightning-conductorhefelthimselfcomparativelysafe。

BeforeOakhadlaidhishandsuponhistoolsagainoutleaptthefifthflash，withthespringofaserpentandtheshoutofafiend。Itwasgreenasanemerald，andthereverberationwasstunning。Whatwasthisthelightrevealedtohim？Intheopengroundbeforehim，ashelookedovertheridgeoftherick，wasadarkandapparentlyfemaleform。Coulditbethatoftheonlyventuresomewomanintheparish-Bathsheba？Theformmovedonastep：thenhecouldseenomore。

`Isthatyou，ma’am？’saidGabrieltothedarkness。

`Whoisthere？’saidthevoiceofBathsheba。

`Gabriel。Iamontherick，thatching。’

`O，Gabriel！-andareyou？Ihavecomeaboutthem。Theweatherawokeme，andIthoughtofthecorn。Iamsodistressedaboutit-canwesaveitanyhow？Icannotfindmyhusband。Ishewithyou？’

`Heisnothere。’

`Doyouknowwhereheis？’

`Asleepinthebarn。’

`Hepromisedthatthestacksshouldbeseento，andnowtheyareallneglected！CanIdoanythingtohelp？Liddyisafraidtocomeout。Fancyfindingyouhereatsuchanhour！SurelyIcandosomething？’

`Youcanbringupsomereed-sheavestome，onebyone，ma’am；ifyouarenotafraidtocomeuptheladderinthedark，’saidGabriel。`Everymomentispreciousnow，andthatwouldsaveagooddealoftime。Itisnotverydarkwhenthelightninghasbeengoneabit。’

`I’lldoanything！’shesaidresolutely。Sheinstantlytookasheafuponhershoulder，clamberedupclosetohisheels，placeditbehindtherod，anddescendedforanother。Atherthirdascentthericksuddenlybrightenedwiththebrazenglareofshiningmajolica-everyknotineverystrawwasvisible。Ontheslopeinfrontofhimappearedtwohumanshapes，blackasjet。Thericklostitssheen-theshapesvanished。Gabrielturnedhishead。Ithadbeenthesixthflashwhichhadcomefromtheeastbehindhim，andthetwodarkformsontheslopehadbeentheshadowsofhimselfandBathsheba。

Thencamethepeal。Ithardlywascrediblethatsuchaheavenlylightcouldbetheparentofsuchadiabolicalsound。

`Howterrible！’sheexclaimed，andclutchedhimbythesleeve。Gabrielturned，andsteadiedheronheraerialperchbyholdingherarm。Atthesamemoment，whilehewasstillreversedinhisattitude，therewasmorelight，andhesaw，asitwere，acopyofthetallpoplartreeonthehilldrawninblackonthewallofthebarn。Itwastheshadowofthattree，thrownacrossbyasecondaryflashinthewest。