第9章

Thenextflarecame。Bathshebawasonthegroundnow，shoulderinganothersheaf，andsheboreitsdazzlewithoutflinching-thunderandall-andagainascendedwiththeload。Therewasthenasilenceeverywhereforfourorfiveminutes，andthecrunchofthespars，asGabrielhastilydrovethemin，couldagainbedistinctlyheard。Hethoughtthecrisisofthestormhadpassed。Buttherecameaburstoflight。

`Holdon！’saidGabriel，takingthesheaffromhershoulder，andgraspingherarmagain。

Heavenopenedthen，indeed。Theflashwasalmosttoonovelforitsinexpressiblydangerousnaturetobeatoncerealized，andtheycouldonlycomprehendthemagnificenceofitsbeauty。Itsprangfromeast，west，north，south，andwasaperfectdanceofdeath。Theformsofskeletonsappearedintheair，shapedwithbluefireforbones-dancing，leaping，striding，racingaround，andminglingaltogetherinunparalleledconfusion。Withthesewereintertwinedundulatingsnakesofgreen，andbehindthesewasabroadmassoflesserlight。Simultaneouslycamefromeverypartofthetumblingskywhatmaybecalledashout；since，thoughnoshoutevercamenearit，itwasmoreofthenatureofashoutthanofanythingelseearthly。InthemeantimeoneofthegrislyformshadalighteduponthepointofGabriel’srod，toruninvisiblydownit，downthechain，andintotheearth。Gabrielwasalmostblinded，andhecouldfeelBathsheba’swarmarmtrembleinhishand-asensationnovelandthrillingenough；butlove，life，everythinghuman，seemedsmallandtriflinginsuchclosejuxtapositionwithaninfuriateduniverse。

Oakhadhardlytimetogatheruptheseimpressionsintoathought，andtoseehowstrangelytheredfeatherofherhatshoneinthislight，whenthetalltreeonthehillbeforementionedseemedonfiretoawhiteheat，andanewoneamongtheseterriblevoicesmingledwiththelastcrashofthosepreceding。Itwasastupefyingblast，harshandpitiless，anditfellupontheirearsinadead，flatblow，withoutthatreverberationwhichlendsthetonesofadrumtomoredistantthunder。Bythelustrereflectedfromeverypartoftheearthandfromthewidedomicalscoopaboveit，hesawthatthetreewassliceddownthewholelengthofitstall，straightstem，ahugeribandofbarkbeingapparentlyflungoffTheotherportionremainederect，andrevealedthebaredsurfaceasastripofwhitedownthefront。Thelightninghadstruckthetree。Asulphuroussmellfilledtheair；thenallwassilent，andblackasacaveinHinnom。

`Wehadanarrowescape！’saidGabrielhurriedly。`Youhadbettergodown。’

Bathshebasaidnothing；buthecoulddistinctlyhearherrhythmicalpants，andtherecurrentrustleofthesheafbesideherinresponsetoherfrightenedpulsations。Shedescendedtheladder，and，onsecondthoughts，hefollowedher。Thedarknesswasnowimpenetrablebythesharpestvision。

Theybothstoodstillatthebottom，sidebyside。Bathshebaappearedtothinkonlyoftheweather-Oakthoughtonlyofherjustthen。Atlasthesaid——

`Thestormseemstohavepassednow，atanyrate。’

`Ithinksotoo，’saidBathsheba。`Thoughtherearemultitudesofgleams，look！’

Theskywasnowfilledwithanincessantlight，frequentrepetitionmeltingintocompletecontinuity，asanunbrokensoundresultsfromthesuccessivestrokesonagong。

`Nothingserious，’saidhe。`Icannotunderstandnorainfalling。ButHeavenbepraised，itisallthebetterforus。Iamgoingupagain。’

`Gabriel，youarekinderthanIdeserve！Iwillstayandhelpyouyet。

O，whyarenotsomeoftheothershere！’

`Theywouldhavebeenhereiftheycould，’saidOak，inahesitatingway。

`O，Iknowitall-all，’shesaid，addingslowly：`Theyareallasleepinthebarn，inadrunkensleep，andmyhusbandamongthem。That’sit，isitnot？Don’tthinkIamatimidwomanandcan’tendurethings。’

`Iamnotcertain，’saidGabriel。`Iwillgoandsee。’

Hecrossedtothebarn，leavinghertherealone。Helookedthroughthechinksofthedoor。Allwasintotaldarkness，ashehadleftit，andtherestillarose，asattheformertime，thesteadybuzzofmanysnores。

Hefeltazephyrcurlingabouthischeek，andturned。ItwasBathsheba’sbreath-shehadfollowedhim，andwaslookingintothesamechink。

Heendeavouredtoputofftheimmediateandpainfulsubjectoftheirthoughtsbyremarkinggently，`Ifyou’llcomebackagain，miss-ma’am，andhandupafewmore，itwouldsavemuchtime。’

ThenOakwentbackagain，ascendedtothetop，steppedofftheladderforgreaterexpedition，andwentonthatching。Shefollowed，butwithoutasheaf。

`Gabriel，’shesaid，inastrangeandimpressivevoice。

Oaklookedupather。Shehadnotspokensinceheleftthebarn。Thesoftandcontinualshimmerofthedyinglightningshowedamarblefacehighagainsttheblackskyoftheoppositequarter。Bathshebawassittingalmostontheapexofthestack，herfeetgatheredupbeneathher，andrestingonthetoproundoftheladder。

`Yes，mistress，’hesaid。

`IsupposeyouthoughtthatwhenIgallopedawaytoBaththatnightitwasonpurposetobemarried？’

`Ididatlast-notatfirst，’heanswered，somewhatsurprisedattheabruptnesswithwhichthisnewsubjectwasbroached。

`Andothersthoughtso，too！’

`Yes。’

`Andyoublamedmeforit？’

`Well-alittle。’

`Ithoughtso。Now，Icarealittleforyourgoodopinion，andIwanttoplainsomething-IhavelongedtodoiteversinceIreturned，andyoulookedsogravelyatme。ForifIweretodie-andImaydiesoon-itwouldbedreadfulthatyoushouldalwaysthinkmistakenlyofme。Now，listen。’

Gabrielceasedhisrustling。

`IwenttoBaththatnightinthefillintentionofbreakingoffmyengagementtoMrTroy。ItwasowingtocircumstanceswhichoccurredafterIgottherethat-thatweweremarried。Now，doyouseethematterinanewlight？’

`Ido-somewhat。’

`Imust，Isuppose，saymore，nowthatIhavebegun。Andperhapsit’snoharm，foryouarecertainlyundernodelusionthatIeverlovedyou，orthatIcanhaveanyobjectinspeaking，morethanthatobjectIhavementioned。Well，Iwasaloneinastrangecity，andthehorsewaslame。

AndatlastIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Isaw，whenitwastoolate，thatscandalmightseizeholdofmeformeetinghimaloneinthatway。ButI

wascomingaway，whenhesuddenlysaidhehadthatdayseenawomanmorebeautifulthanI，andthathisconstancycouldnotbecountedonunlessIatoncebecamehis……AndIwasgrievedandtroubled——’Sheclearedhervoice，andwaitedamoment，asiftogatherbreath。`Andthen，betweenjealousyanddistraction，Imarriedhim！’shewhisperedwithdesperateimpetuosity。

Gabrielmadenoreply。

`Hewasnottoblame，foritwasperfectlytrueabout-abouthisseeingsomebodyelse，’shequicklynodded。`AndnowIdon’twishforasingleremarkfromyouuponthesubject-indeed，Iforbidit。Ionlywantedyoutoknowthatmisunderstoodbitofmyhistorybeforeatimecomeswhenyoucouldneverknowit-Youwantsomemoresheaves？’

Shewentdowntheladder，andtheworkproceeded。Gabrielsoonperceivedalanguorinthemovementsofhismistressupanddown，andhesaidtoher，gentlyasamother——

`Ithinkyouhadbettergoindoorsnow，youaretired。Icanfinishtherestalone。Ifthewinddoesnotchangetherainislikelytokeepoff。’

`IfIamuselessIwillgo，’saidBathsheba，inaflaggingcadence。

`ButO，ifyourlifeshouldbelost！’

`Youarenotuseless；butIwouldrathernottireyoulonger。Youhavedonewell。’

`Andyoubetter！’shesaidgratefully。`Thankyouforyourdevotion，athousandtimes，Gabriel！Good-night-Iknowyouaredoingyourverybestforme。’

Shediminishedinthegloom，andvanished，andheheardthelatchofthegatefallasshepassedthrough。Heworkedinareverienow，musinguponherstory，anduponthecontradictorinessofthatfeminineheartwhichhadcausedhertospeakmorewarmlytohimto-nightthansheeverhaddonewhilstunmarriedandfreetospeakaswarmlyasshechose。

Hewasdisturbedinhismeditationbyagratingnoisefromthecoach-house。

Itwasthevaneontheroofturninground，andthischangeinthewindwasthesignalforadisastrousrain。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHTRain-OneSolitarymeetsanotherItwasnowfiveo’clock，andthedawnwaspromisingtobreakinhuesofdrabandash。

Theairchangeditstemperatureandstirreditselfmorevigorously。

CoolbreezescoursedintransparenteddiesroundOak’sface。Thewindshiftedyetapointortwoandblewstronger。Intenminuteseverywindofheavenseemedtoberoamingatlarge。Someofthethatchingonthewheat-stackswasnowwhirledfantasticallyaloft，andhadtobereplacedandweightedwithsomerailsthatlaynearathand。Thisdone，Oakslavedawayagainatthebarley。Ahugedropofrainsmotehisface，andthewindsnarledroundeverycorner，thetreesrockedtothebasesoftheirtrunks，andthetwigsclashedinstrife。Drivinginsparsatanypointandonanysystem，inchbyinchhecoveredmoreandmoresafelyfromruinthisdistractingimpersonationofsevenhundredpounds。Theraincameoninearnest，andOaksoonfeltthewatertobetrackingcoldandclammyroutesdownhisback。Ultimatelyhewasreducedwell-nightoahomogeneoussop，andthedyesofhisclothestrickleddownandstoodinapoolatthefootoftheladder。Therainstretchedobliquelythroughthedullatmosphereinliquidspines，unbrokenincontinuitybetweentheirbeginningsinthecloudsandtheirpointsinhim。

Oaksuddenlyrememberedthateightmonthsbeforethintimehehadbeenfightingagainstfireinthesamespotasdesperatelyashewasfightingagainstwaternow-andforafutileloveofthesamewoman。Asforher-ButOakwasgenerousandtrue，anddismissedhisreflections。

Itwasaboutseveno’clockinthedarkleadenmorningwhenGabrielcamedownfromthelaststack，andthankfullyexclaimed，`Itisdone！’Hewasdrenched，weary，andsad，andyetnotsosadasdrenchedandweary，forhewascheeredbyasenseofsuccessinagoodcause。

Faintsoundscamefromthebarn，andhelookedthatway。Figuressteppedsinglyandinpairsthroughthedoors-allwalkingawkwardly，andabashed，savetheforemost，whoworearedjacket，andadvancedwithhishandsinhispockets，whistling。Theothersshambledafterwithaconscience-strickenair；thewholeprocessionwasnotunlikeFlaxman’sgroupofthesuitorstotteringontowardstheinfernalregionsundertheconductofMercury：

Thegnarledshapespassedintothevillage，Troy，theirleader，enteringthefarmhouse。Notasingleoneofthemhadturnedhisfacetothericks，orapparentlybestowedonethoughtupontheircondition。

SoonOaktoowenthomeward，byadifferentroutefromtheirs。Infrontofhimagainstthewetglazedsurfaceofthelanehesawapersonwalkingyetmoreslowlythanhimselfunderanumbrella。Themanturnedandplainlystarted；hewasBoldwood。

`Howareyouthismorning，sir？’saidOak。

`Yes，itisawetday-Oh，Iamwell，verywell，Ithankyou；quitewell。’`Iamgladtohearit，sir。’

Boldwoodseemedtoawaketothepresentbydegrees。`Youlooktiredandill，Oak，’hesaidthen，desultorilyregardinghiscompanion。

`Iamtired。Youlookstrangelyaltered，sir。’

`I？Notabitofit：Iamwellenough。Whatputthatintoyourhead？’

`Ithoughtyoudidn’tlookquitesotoppingasyouusedto，thatwasall。’

`Indeed，thenyouaremistaken，’saidBoldwoodshortly。`Nothinghurtsme。Myconstitutionisanironone。’

`I’vebeenworkinghardtogetourrickscovered，andwasbarelyintime。Neverhadsuchastruggleinmylife……Yoursofcoursearesafe，sir。’

`Oyes。’Boldwoodadded，afteranintervalofsilence：`Whatdidyouask，Oak？’

`Yourricksareallcoveredbeforethistime？’

`No。’

`Atanyrate，thelargeonesuponthestonestaddles？’

`Theyarenot。’

`Themunderthehedge？’

`No。Iforgottotellthethatchertosetaboutit。’

`Northelittleonebythestile？’

`Northelittleonebythestile。Ioverlookedthericksthisyear。’

`Thennotatenthofyourcornwillcometomeasure，sir。’

`Possiblynot。’

`Overlookedthem，’repeatedGabrielslowlytohimself。ItisdifficulttodescribetheintenselydramaticeffectthatannouncementhaduponOakatsuchamoment。Allthenighthehadbeenfeelingthattheneglecthewaslabouringtorepairwasabnormalandisolated-theonlyinstanceofthekindwithinthecircuitofthecounty。Yetatthisverytime，withinthesameparish，agreaterwastehadbeengoingon，uncomplainedofanddisregarded。AfewmonthsearlierBoldwood’sforgettinghishusbandrywouldhavebeenaspreposterousanideaasasailorforgettinghewasinaship。

OakwasjustthinkingthatwhateverhehimselfmighthavesufferedfromBathsheba’smarriage，herewasamanwhohadsufferedmore，whenBoldwoodspokeinachangedvoice-thatofonewhoyearnedtomakeaconfidenceandrelievehisheartbyanoutpouring。

`Oak，youknowaswellasIthatthingshavegonewrongwithmelately。

Imayaswellownit。Iwasgoingtogetalittlesettledinlife，butinsomewaymyplanhascometonothing。’

`Ithoughtmymistresswouldhavemarriedyou，’saidGabriel，notknowingenoughofthefilldepthsofBoldwood’slovetokeepsilenceonthefarmer’saccount，anddeterminednottoevadedisciplinebydoingsoonhisown。

`However，itissosometimes，andnothinghappensthatweexpect，’headded，withthereposeofamanwhommisfortunehadinuredratherthansubdued。

`IdaresayIamajokeabouttheparish，’saidBoldwood，asifthesubjectcameirresistiblytohistongue，andwithamiserablelightnessmeanttoexpresshisindifference。

`Ono-Idon’tthinkthat。’

`-Buttherealtruthofthematteristhattherewasnot，assomefancy，anyjiltingon-herpart。NoengagementeverexistedbetweenmeandMissEverdene。Peoplesayso，butitisuntrue，sheneverpromisedme！’BoldwoodstoodstillnowandturnedhiswildfacetoOak，`O，Gabriel，’

hecontinued，`Iamweakandfoolish，andIdon’tknowwhat，andIcan’tfendoffmymiserablegrief。IhadsomefaintbeliefinthemercyofGodtillIlostthatwoman。Yes，Hepreparedagourdtoshademe，andliketheprophetIthankedHimandwasglad。ButthenextdayHepreparedawormtosmitethegourdandwitherit；andIfeelitisbettertodiethantolive！’

Asilencefollowed。Boldwoodarousedhimselffromthemomentarymoodofconfidenceintowhichhehaddrifted，andwalkedonagain，resuminghisusualreserve。

`No，Gabriel，’heresumed，withacarelessnesswhichwaslikethesimileonthecountenanceofaskull：`itwasmademoreofbyotherpeoplethaneveritwasbyus。Idofeelalittleregretoccasionally，butnowomaneverhadpowerovermeforanylengthoftime。Well，goodmorning；Icantrustyounottomentiontootherswhathaspassedbetweenustwohere。

CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINEComingHome-CryOntheturnpikeroad，betweenCasterbridgeandWeatherbury，andaboutthreemilesfromtheformerplaceisYalburyHill，oneofthosesteeplongascentswhichpervadethehighwaysofthisundulatingpartofSouthWessex。Inreturningfrommarketitisusualforthefarmersandothergig-gentrytoalightatthebottomandwalkup。

OneSaturdayeveninginthemonthofOctoberBathsheba’svehiclewasdulycreepingupthisincline。Shewassittinglistlesslyinthesecondseatofthegig，whilstwalkingbesideherinafarmer’smarketingsuitofunusuallyfashionablecutwasanerect，well-madeyoungman。Thoughonfoot，heheldthereinsandwhip，andoccasionallyaimedlightrutsatthehorse’searwiththeendofthelash，asarecreation。Thismanwasherhusband，formerlySergeantTroy，who，havingboughthisdischargewithBathsheba’smoney，wasgraduallytransforminghimselfintoafarmerofaspiritedandverymodernschool。Peopleofunalterableideasstillinsisteduponcallinghim`Sergeant’whentheymethim，whichwasinsomedegreeowingtohishavingstillretainedthewell-shapedmoustacheofhismilitarydays，andthesoldierlybearinginseparablefromhisformandtraining。

`Yes，ifithadn’tbeenforthatwretchedrainIshouldhaveclearedtwohundredaseasyaslooking，mylove，’hewassaying。`Don’tyousee，italteredallthechances？TospeaklikeabookIonceread，wetweatheristhenarrative，andfinedaysaretheepisodes，ofourcountry’shistory；

now，isn’tthattrue？’

`Butthetimeofyeariscomeforchangeableweather。’

`Well，yes。Thefactis，theseautumnracesaretheruinofeverybody。

NeverdidIseesuchadayas’twas！’Tisawildopenplace，justoutofBudmouth，andadrabsearolledintowardsuslikeliquidmisery。Windandrain-goodLord！Dark？Why，’twasasblackasmyhatbeforethelastracewasrun。’Twasfiveo’clock，andyoucouldn’tseethehorsestilltheywerealmostin，leavealonecolours。Thegroundwasasheavyaslead，andalljudgementfromafellow’sexperiencewentfornothing。Horses，riders，people，wereallblownaboutlikeshipsatsea。Threeboothswereblownover，andthewretchedfolkinsidecrawledoutupontheirhandsandknees；andinthenextfieldwereasmanyasadozenhatsatonetime。

Ay，Pimpernelregularlystuckfast，whenaboutsixtyyardsoff，andwhenIsawPolicysteppingon，itdidknockmyheartagainsttheliningofmyribs，Iassureyou，mylove！’

`Andyoumean，Frank，’saidBathshebasadly-hervoicewaspainfullyloweredfromthefullnessandvivacityoftheprevioussummer-`thatyouhavelostmorethanahundredpoundsinamonthbythisdreadfulhorse-racing？

O，Frank，itiscruel；itisfoolishofyoutotakeawaymymoneyso。Weshallhavetoleavethefarm；thatwillbetheendofit！’

`Humbugaboutcruel。Now，there’tisagain-turnonthewaterworks；

that’sjustlikeyou。’

`Butyou’llpromisemenottogotoBudmouthsecondmeeting，won’tyou？’

sheimplored。Bathshebawasatthehilldepthfortears，butshemaintainedadryeye。

`Idon’tseewhyIshould；infact，ifitturnsouttobeafineday，Iwasthinkingoftakingyou。’

`Never，never！I’llgoahundredmilestheotherwayfirst。Ihatethesoundoftheveryword！’

`Butthequestionofgoingtoseetheraceorstayingathomehasverylittletodowiththematter。Betsareallbookedsafelyenoughbeforetheracebegins，youmaydepend。Whetheritisabadraceformeoragoodone，willhaveverylittletodowithourgoingtherenextMonday。’

`Butyoudon’tmeantosaythatyouhaveriskedanythingonthisonetoo！’sheexclaimed，withanagonisedlook。

`Therenow，don’tyoubealittlefool。Waittillyouaretold。Why，Bathsheba，youhavelostallthepluckandsaucinessyouformerlyhad，anduponmylifeifIhadknownwhatachicken-heartedcreatureyouwereunderallyourboldness，I’dneverhave-Iknowwhat。’

AflashofindignationmighthavebeenseeninBathsheba’sdarkeyesasshelookedresolutelyaheadafterthisreply。Theymovedonwithoutfartherspeech，someearly-witheredleavesfromthetreeswhichhoodedtheroadatthisspotoccasionallyspinningdownwardacrosstheirpathtotheearth。

Awomanappearedonthebrowofthehill。Theridgewasinacutting，sothatshewasverynearthehusbandandwifebeforeshebecamevisible。

Troyhadturnedtowardsthegigtoremount，andwhilstputtinghisfootonthestepthewomanpassedbehindhim。

Thoughtheovershadowingtreesandtheapproachofeventideenvelopedthemingloom，Bathshebacouldseeplainlyenoughtodiscerntheextremepovertyofthewoman’sgarb，andthesadnessofherface。

`Please，sir，doyouknowatwhattimeCasterbridgeUnion-houseclosesatnight？’

ThewomansaidthesewordstoTroyoverhisshoulder。

Troystartedvisiblyatthesoundofthevoice；yetheseemedtorecoverpresenceofmindsufficienttopreventhimselffromgivingwaytohisimpulsetosuddenlyturnandfaceher。Hesaid，slowly——

`Idon’tknow。’

Thewoman，onhearinghimspeak，quicklylookedup，examinedthesideofhisface，andrecognizedthesoldierundertheyeoman’sgarb。Herfacewasdrawnintoanexpressionwhichhadgladnessandagonybothamongitselements。Sheutteredanhystericalcry，andfelldown。

`O，poorthing！’exclaimedBathsheba，instantlypreparingtoalight。

`Staywhereyouare，andattendtothehorse！’saidTroyperemptorily，throwingherthereinsandthewhip。`Walkthehorsetothetop；I’llseetothewoman。’

`ButI——’

`Doyouhear？Clk-Poppet！’

Thehorse，gig，andBathshebamovedon。

`Howonearthdidyoucomehere？Ithoughtyouweremilesaway，ordead！

Whydidn’tyouwritetome？’saidTroytothewoman，inastrangelygentle，yethurriedvoice，asheliftedherup。

`Ifearedto。’

`Haveyouanymoney？’

`None。’

`GoodHeavens-IwishIhadmoretogiveyou！Here’s-wretched-themeresttrifle。ItiseveryfarthingIhaveleft。Ihavenonebutwhatmywifegivesme，youknow，andIcan’taskhernow。’

Thewomanmadenoanswer。

`Ihaveonlyanothermoment，’continuedTroy；`andnowlisten。Whereareyougoingto-night？CasterbridgeUnions’

`Yes；Ithoughttogothere。’

`Youshan’tgothere；yet，wait。Yes，perhapsfortonight；Icandonothingbetter-worseluck！Sleepthereto-night，andstaythereto-morrow。

MondayisthefirstfreedayIhave；andonMondaymorning，attenexactly，meetmeonGrey’sBridge，justoutofthetown。I’llbringallthemoneyIcanmuster。Youshan’twant-I’llseethat，Fanny；thenI’llgetyoualodgingsomewhere。Good-byetillthen。Iamabrute-butgood-bye！’

Afteradvancingthedistancewhichcompletedtheascentofthehill，Bathshebaturnedherhead。Thewomanwasuponherfeet，andBathshebasawherwithdrawingfromTroy，andgoingfeeblydownthehillbythethirdmilestonefromCasterbridge。Troythencameontowardshiswife，steppedintothegig，tookthereinsfromherhand，andwithoutmakinganyobservationwhippedthehorseintoatrot。Hewasratheragitated。

`Doyouknowwhothatwomanwas？’saidBathsheba，lookingsearchinglyintohisface。

`Ido，’hesaid，lookingboldlybackintohers。

`Ithoughtyoudid，’saidshe，withangryhauteur，andstillregardinghim。`Whoisshe？’

Hesuddenlyseemedtothinkthatfranknesswouldbenefitneitherofthewomen。

`Nothingtoeitherofus，’hesaid。`Iknowherbysight。’

`Whatishername？’

`HowshouldIknowhername？’

`Ithinkyoudo。’

`Thinkifyouwill，andbe——’ThesentencewascompletedbyasmartcutofthewhiproundPoppet’sflank，whichcausedtheanimaltostartforwardatawildpace。Nomorewassaid。

CHAPTERFORTYOnCasterbridgeHighwayForaconsiderabletimethewomanwalkedon。Herstepsbecamefeebler，andshestrainedhereyestolookafaruponthenakedroad，nowindistinctamidthepenumbræ；ofnight。Atlengthheronwardwalkdwindledtothemeresttotter，andsheopenedagatewithinwhichwasahaystack。Underneaththisshesatdownandpresentlyslept。

Whenthewomanawokeitwastofindherselfinthedepthsofamoonlessandstarlessnight。Aheavyunbrokencrustofcloudstretchedacrossthesky，shuttingouteveryspeckofheaven；andadistanthalowhichhungoverthetownofCasterbridgewasvisibleagainsttheblackconcave，theluminosityappearingthebrighterbyitsgreatcontrastwiththecircumscribingdarkness。Towardsthisweak，softglowthewomanturnedhereyes。

`IfIcouldonlygetthere！’shesaid。`Meethimthedayafterto-morrow：

Godhelpme！PerhapsIshallbeinmygravebeforethen。’

Amanor-houseclockfromthefardepthsofshadowstruckthehour，one，inasmall，attenuatedtone。Aftermidnightthevoiceofaclockseemstoloseinbreadthasmuchasinlength，andtodiminishitssonorousnesstoathinfalsetto。

Afterwardsalight-twolights-arosefromtheremoteshade，andgrewlarger。Acarriagerolledalongtheroad，andpassedthegate。Itprobablycontainedsomelatediners-out。Thebeamsfromonelampshoneforamomentuponthecrouchingwoman，andthrewherfaceintovividrelief。Thefacewasyounginthegroundwork，oldinthefinish；thegeneralcontourswereflexuousandchildlike，butthefinerlineamentshadbeguntobesharpandthin。

Thepedestrianstoodup，apparentlywithareviveddetermination，andlookedaround。Theroadappearedtobefamiliartoher，andshecarefullyscannedthefenceassheslowlywalkedalong。Presentlytherebecamevisibleadimwhiteshape；itwasanothermilestone。Shedrewherfingersacrossitsfacetofeelthemarks。

`Twomore！’shesaid。

Sheleantagainstthestoneasameansofrestforashortinterval，thenbestirredherself，andagainpursuedherway。Foraslightdistancesheboreupbravely，afterwardsflaggingasbefore。Thiswasbesidealonecopsewood，whereinheapsofwhitechipsstrewnupontheleafygroundshowedthatwoodmenhadbeenfaggotingandmakinghurdlesduringtheday。Nowtherewasnotarustle，notabreeze，notthefaintestclashoftwigstokeephercompany。Thewomanlookedoverthegate，openedit，andwentin。

Closetotheentrancestoodarowoffaggots，boundandunbound，togetherwithstakesofallsizes。

Forafewsecondsthewayfarerstoodwiththattensestillnesswhichsignifiesitselftobenottheend，butmerelythesuspension，ofapreviousmotion。Herattitudewasthatofapersonwholistens，eithertotheexternalworldofsound，ortotheimagineddiscourseofthought。Aclosecriticismmighthavedetectedsignsprovingthatshewasintentonthelatteralternative。

Moreover，aswasshownbywhatfollowed，shewasoddlyexercisingthefacultyofinventionuponthespecialityofthecleverJacquetDroz，thedesignerofautomaticsubstitutesforhumanlimbs。

BytheaidoftheCasterbridgeaurora，andbyfeelingwithherhands，thewomanselectedtwosticksfromtheheaps。Thesestickswerenearlystraighttotheheightofthreeorfourfeet，whereeachbranchedintoa，forkliketheletterY。Shesatdown，snappedoffthesmalluppertwigs，andcarriedtheremainderwithherintotheroad。Sheplacedoneoftheseforksundereacharmasacrutch，testedthem，timidlythrewherwholeweightuponthem-solittlethatitwas-andswungherselfforward。Thegirlhadmadeforherselfamaterialaid。

Thecrutchesansweredwell。Thepatofherfeet，andthetapofhersticksuponthehighway，wereallthesoundsthatcamefromthetravellernow。Shehadpassedthelastmilestonebyagoodlongdistance，andbegantolookwistfullytowardsthebankasifcalculatinguponanothermilestonesoon。Thecrutches，thoughsoveryuseful，hadtheirlimitsofpower。Mechanismonlytransferslabour，beingpowerlesstosupersedeit，andtheoriginalamountofexertionwasnotclearedaway；itwasthrownintothebodyandarms。Shewasexhausted，andeachswingforwardbecamefainter。Atlastsheswayedsideways，andfell。

Hereshelay，ashapelessheap，fortenminutesandmore。Themorningwindbegantoboomdullyovertheflats，andtomoveafreshdeadleaveswhichhadlainstillsinceyesterday。Thewomandesperatelyturnedrounduponherknees，andnextrosetoherfeet。Steadyingherselfbythehelpofonecrutch，sheessayedastep，thenanother，thenathird，usingthecrutchesnowaswalking-sticksonly。ThussheprogressedtilldescendingMellstockHillanothermilestoneappeared，andsoonthebeginningofaniron-railedfencecameintoview。Shestaggeredacrosstothefirstpost，clungtoit，andlookedaround。

TheCasterbridgelightswerenowindividuallyvisible。Itwasgettingtowardsmorning，andvehiclesmightbehopedfor，ifnotexpectedsoon。

Shelistened。Therewasnotasoundoflifesavethatacmeandsublimationofalldismalsounds，thebarkofafox，itsthreehollownotesbeingrenderedatintervalsofaminutewiththeprecisionofafuneralbell。

`Lessthanamile！’thewomanmurmured。`No；more，’sheadded，afterapause。`Themileistothecounty-hall，andmyresting-placeisontheothersideCasterbridge。Alittleoveramile，andthereIam！’Afteranintervalsheagainspoke。`Fiveorsixstepstoayard-sixperhaps。I

havetogoseventeenhundredyards。Ahundredtimessix，Fixhundred。Seventeentimesthat。Opityme，Lord！’

Holdingtotherails，sheadvanced，thrustingonehandforwardupontherail，thentheother，thenleaningoveritwhilstshedraggedherfeetonbeneath。

Thiswomanwasnotgiventosoliloquy；butextremityoffeelinglessenstheindividualityoftheweak，asitincreasesthatofthestrong。Shesaidagaininthesametone，`I’llbelievethattheendliesfivepostsforward，andnofurther，andsogetstrengthtopassthem’

Thiswasapracticalapplicationoftheprinciplethatahalf-feignedandfictitiousfaithisbetterthannofaithatall。

Shepassedfivepostsandheldontothefifth。

`I’llpassfivemorebybelievingmylonged-forspotisatthenextfifth。Icandoit。’

Shepassedfivemore。

`Itliesonlyfivefarther。’

Shepassedfivemore。

`Butitisfivefarther。’

Shepassedthem。

`Thatstonebridgeistheendofmyjourney，’shesaid，whenthebridgeovertheFroomwasinview。

Shecrawledtothebridge。Duringtheefforteachbreathofthewomanwentintotheairasifnevertoreturnagain。

`Nowforthetruthofthematter，’shesaid，sittingdown。`Thetruthis，thatIhavelessthanhalfamile。’Self-beguilementwithwhatshehadknownallthetimetobefalsehadgivenherstrengthtocomeoverhalfamilethatshewouldhavebeenpowerlesstofaceinthelump。Theartificeshowedthatthewoman，bysomemysteriousintuition，hadgraspedtheparadoxicaltruththatblindnessmayoperatemorevigorouslythanprescience，andtheshort-sightedeffectmorethanthefar-seeing；thatlimitation，andnotcomprehensiveness，isneededforstrikingablow。

Thehalf-milestoodnowbeforethesickandwearywomanlikeastolidJuggernaut。ItwasanimpassiveKingofherworld。TheroadhereranacrossDurnoverMoor，opentotheroadoneitherside。Shesurveyedthewidespace，thelights，herself，sighed，andlaydownagainstaguardstoneofthebridge。

Neverwasingenuityexercisedsosorelyasthetravellerhereexercisedhers。Everyconceivableaid，method，stratagem，mechanism，bywhichtheselastdesperateeighthundredyardscouldbeoverpassedbyahumanbeingunperceived，wasrevolvedinherbusybrain，anddismissedasimpracticable。

Shethoughtofsticks，wheels，crawling-sheeventhoughtofrolling。

Buttheexertiondemandedbyeitheroftheselattertwowasgreaterthantowalkerect。Thefacultyofcontrivancewaswornout。Hopelessnesshadcomeatlast。

`Nofarther！’shewhispered，andclosedhereyes。

Fromthestripeofshadowontheoppositesideofthebridgeaportionofshadeseemedtodetachitselfandmoveintoisolationuponthepalewhiteoftheroad。Itglidednoiselesslytowardstherecumbentwoman。

Shebecameconsciousofsomethingtouchingherhand；itwassoftnessanditwaswarmth。Sheopenedhereyes，andthesubstancetouchedherface。

Adogwaslickinghercheek。

Hewasahuge，heavy，andquietcreature，standingdarklyagainstthelowhorizon，andatleasttwofeethigherthanthepresentpositionofhereyes。WhetherNewfoundland，mastiffbloodhound，orwhatnot，itwasimpossibletosay。Heseemedtobeoftoostrangeandmysteriousanaturetobelongtoanyvarietyamongthoseofpopularnomenclature。Beingthusassignabletonobreed，hewastheidealembodimentofcaninegreatness-ageneralizationfromwhatwascommontoall。Night，initssad，solemn，andbenevolentaspect，apartfromitsstealthyandcruelside，waspersonifiedinthisform。Darknessendowsthesmallandordinaryonesamongmankindwithpoeticalpower，andeventhesufferingwomanthrewherideaintofigure。

Inherrecliningpositionshelookeduptohimjustasinearliertimesshehad，whenstanding，lookeduptoman。Theanimal，whowasashomelessasshe，respectfullywithdrewasteportwowhenthewomanmoved，and，seeingthatshedidnotrepulsehim，helickedherhandagain。

Athoughtmovedwithinherlikelightning。`PerhapsIcanmakeuseofhim-Imightdoitthen！’

ShepointedinthedirectionofCasterbridge，andthedogseemedtomisunderstand：hetrottedon。Then，findingshecouldnotfollow，hecamebackandwhined。

Theultimateandsaddestsingularityofwoman’seffortandinventionwasreachedwhen，withaquickenedbreathing，sherosetoastoopingposture，and，restinghertwolittlearmsupontheshouldersofthedog，leantfirmlythereon，andmurmuredstimulatingwords。Whilstshesorrowedinherheartshecheeredwithhervoice，andwhatwasstrangerthanthatthestrongshouldneedencouragementfromtheweakwasthatcheerfulnessshouldbesowellstimulatedbysuchutterdejection。Herfriendmovedforwardslowly，andshewithsmallmincingstepsmovedforwardbesidehim，halfherweightbeingthrownupontheanimal。Sometimesshesankasshehadsunkfromwalkingerect，fromthecrutches，fromtherails。Thedog，whonowthoroughlyunderstoodherdesireandherincapacity，wasfranticinhisdistressontheseoccasions；

hewouldtugatherdressandrunforward。Shealwayscalledhimback，anditwasnowtobeobservedthatthewomanlistenedforhumansoundsonlytoavoidthem。Itwasevidentthatshehadanobjectinkeepingherpresenceontheroadandherforlornstateunknown。

Theirprogresswasnecessarilyveryslow。Theyreachedthebottomofthetown，andtheCasterbridgelampslaybeforethemlikefallenPleiadsastheyturnedtotheleftintothedenseshadeofadesertedavenueofchestnuts，andsoskirtedtheborough。Thusthetownwaspassed，andthegoalwasreached。

Onthismuch-desiredspotoutsidethetownroseapicturesquebuilding。

Originallyithadbeenamerecasetoholdpeople。Theshellhadbeensothin，sodevoidofexcrescence，andsocloselydrawnovertheaccommodationgranted，thatthegrimcharacterofwhatwasbeneathshowedthroughit，astheshapeofabodyisvisibleunderawinding-sheet。

ThenNature，asifoffended，lentahand。Massesofivygrewup，completelycoveringthewalls，tilltheplacelookedlikeanabbey；anditwasdiscoveredthattheviewfromthefront，overtheCasterbridgechimneys，wasoneofthemostmagnificentinthecounty。Aneighbouringearloncesaidthathewouldgiveupayear’srentaltohaveathisowndoortheviewenjoyedbytheinmatesfromtheirs-andveryprobablytheinmateswouldhavegivenuptheviewforhisyear’srental。

Thisstoneedificeconsistedofacentralmassandtwowings，whereonstoodassentinelsafewslimchimneys，nowgurglingsorrowfullytotheslowwind。Inthewallwasagate，andbythegateabell-pullformedofahangingwire。Thewomanraisedherselfashighaspossibleuponherknees，andcouldjustreachthehandle。Shemoveditandfellforwardsinabowedattitude，herfaceuponherbosom。

Itwasgettingontowardssixo’clock，andsoundsofmovementweretobeheardinsidethebuildingwhichwasthehavenofresttothisweariedsoul。Alittledoorbythelargeonewasopened，andamanappearedinside。

Hediscernedthepantingheapofclothes，wentbackforalight，andcameagain。Heenteredasecondtime，andreturnedwithtwowomen。

Theseliftedtheprostratefigureandassistedherinthroughthedoorway。

Themanthenclosedthedoor。

`Howdidshegethere？’saidoneofthewomen。

`Thelordknows，’saidtheother。

`Thereisadogoutside，’murmuredtheovercometraveller。`Whereishegone？Hehelpedme。’

`Istonedhimaway，’saidtheman。

Thelittleprocessionthenmovedforward-themaninfrontbearingthelight，thetwobonywomennext，supportingbetweenthemthesmallandsuppleone。Thustheyenteredthehouseanddisappeared。

CHAPTERFORTY-ONESuspicion-FannyissentforBathshebasaidverylittletoherhusbandallthateveningoftheirreturnfrommarket，andhewasnotdisposedtosaymuchtoher。Heexhibitedtheunpleasantcombinationofarestlessconditionwithasilenttongue。Thenextday，whichwasSunday，passednearlyinthesamemannerasregardedtheirtaciturnity，Bathshebagoingtochurchbothmorningandafternoon。

ThiswasthedaybeforetheBudmouthraces。IntheeveningTroysaid，suddenly——

`Bathsheba，couldyouletmehavetwentypounds？’

Hercountenanceinstantlysank。`Twentypounds？’shesaid。

`Thefactis，Iwantitbadly。’TheanxietyuponTroy’sfacewasunusualandverymarked。Itwasaculminationofthemoodhehadbeeninalltheday。

`Ah！forthoseracesto-morrow。’

Troyforthemomentmadenoreply。Hermistakehaditsadvantagestoamanwhoshrankfromhavinghismindinspectedashedidnow。`Well，supposeIdowantitforraces？’hesaid，atlast。

`O，Frank！’Bathshebareplied，andtherewassuchavolumeofentreatyinthewords。`OnlysuchafewweeksagoyousaidthatIwasfarsweeterthanallyourotherpleasuresputtogether，andthatyouwouldgivethemallupforme；andnow，won’tyougiveupthisone，whichismoreaworrythanapleasure？Do，Frank。Come，letmefascinateyoubyallIcando-byprettywordsandprettylooks，andeverythingIcanthinkof-tostayathome。Sayyestoyourwife-sayyes！’

ThetenderestandsoftestphasesofBathsheba’snaturewereprominentnow-advancedimpulsivelyforhisacceptance，withoutanyofthedisguisesanddefenceswhichthewarinessofhercharacterwhenshewascooltoofrequentlythrewoverthem。Fewmencouldhaveresistedthearchyetdignifiedentreatyofthebeautifulface，thrownalittlebackandsidewaysinthewell-knownattitudethatexpressesmorethanthewordsitaccompanies，andwhichseemstohavebeendesignedforthesespecialoccasions。Hadthewomannotbeenhiswife，Troywouldhavesuccumbedinstantly；asitwas，hethoughthewouldnotdeceiveherlonger。

`Themoneyisnotwantedforracingdebtsatall，’hesaid。

`Whatisitfor？’sheasked。`Youworrymeagreatdealbythesemysteriousresponsibilities，Frank。’

Troyhesitated。Hedidnotnowloveherenoughtoallowhimselftobecarriedtoofarbyherways。Yetitwasnecessarytobecivil。`Youwrongmebysuchasuspiciousmanner，hesaid。`Suchstrait-waistcoatingasyoutreatmetoisnotbecominginyouatsoearlyadate。’

`IthinkthatIhavearighttogrumblealittleifIpay，’shesaidwithfeaturesbetweenasmileandapout。

`Exactly；and，theformerbeingdone，supposeweproceedtothelatter。

Bathsheba，funisallverywell，butdon’tgotoofar，oryoumayhavecausetoregretsomething。’

Shereddened。`Idothatalready，’shesaidquickly。`Whatdoyouregret？’

`Thatmyromancehascometoanend。’

`Allromancesendatmarriage。’

`Iwishyouwouldn’ttalklikethat。Yougrievemetomysoulbybeingsmartatmyexpense。

`Youaredullenoughatmine。Ibelieveyouhateme。’

`Notyou-onlyyourfaults。Idohatethem。’

`’Twouldbemuchmorebecomingifyousetyourselftocurethem。Come，let’sstrikeabalancewiththetwentypounds，andbefriends。’

Shegaveasighofresignation。`Ihaveaboutthatsumhereforhouseholdexpenses。Ifyoumusthaveit，takeit。’

`Verygood。Thankyou。IexpectIshallhavegoneawaybeforeyouareintobreakfasttomorrow。

`Andmustyougo？Ah！therewasatime，Frank，whenitwouldhavetakenagoodmanypromisestootherpeopletodragyouawayfromme。Youusedtocallmedarling，then。Butitdoesn’tmattertoyouhowmydaysarepassednow。’

`Imustgo，inspiteofsentiment。’Troy，ashespoke，lookedathiswatch，and，apparentlyactuatedbynonlucendoprinciples，openedthecaseattheback，revealing，snuglystowedwithinit，asmallcoilofhair。

Bathsheba’seyeshadbeenaccidentallyliftedatthatmoment，andshesawtheactionandsawthehair。Sheflushedinpainandsurprise，andsomewordsescapedherbeforeshehadthoughtwhetherornotitwaswisetoutterthem。`Awoman’scurlofhair！’shesaid。`O，Frank，whoseisthat？’

Troyhadinstantlyclosedhiswatch。Hecarelesslyreplied，asonewhocloakedsomefeelingsthatthesighthadstirred：`Why，yours，ofcourse。

Whoseshoulditbe？IhadquiteforgottenthatIhadit。’

`Whatadreadfulfib，Frank！’

`ItellyouIhadforgottenit！’hesaidloudly。

`Idon’tmeanthat-itwasyellowhair。’

`Nonsense。’

`That’sinsultingme。Iknowitwasyellow。Nowwhosewasit？Iwanttoknow。’

`Verywell-I’lltellyou，somakenomoreado。ItisthehairofayoungwomanIwasgoingtomarrybeforeIknewyou。’

`Yououghttotellmehername，then。’

`Icannotdothat。’

`Isshemarriedyet？’

`No。’

`Isshealive？’

`Yes。’

`Isshepretty？’

`Yes。’

`Itiswonderfulhowshecanbe，poorthing，undersuchanawfulaffliction！’

`Affliction-whataffliction？’heinquiredquickly。

`Havinghairofthatdreadfulcolour。’

`Oh-ho-Ilikethat！’saidTroy，recoveringhimself。`Why，herhairhasbeenadmiredbyeverybodywhohasseenhersinceshehaswornitloose，whichhasnotbeenlong。Itisbeautifulhair。Peopleusedtoturntheirheadstolookatit，poorgirl！’

`Pooh！that’snothing！’sheexclaimed，inincipientaccentsofpique。

`IfIcaredforyourloveasmuchasIusedtoIcouldsaypeoplehadturnedtolookatmine。’

`Bathsheba，don’tbesofitfulandjealous。Youknewwhatmarriedlifewouldbelike，andshouldn’thaveentereditifyoufearedthesecontingencies。’

Troyhadbythistimedrivenhertobitterness：herheartwasbiginherthroat，andtheductstohereyeswerepainfullyfull。Ashamedasshewastoshowemotion，atlastsheburstout：——

`ThisisallIgetforlovingyousowell！Ah！whenImarriedyouyourlifewasdearertomethanmyown。Iwouldhavediedforyou-howtrulyIcansaythatIwouldhavediedforyou！Andnowyousneeratmyfoolishnessinmarryingyou。O！isitkindtometothrowmymistakeinmyface？Whateveropinionyoumayhaveofmywisdom，youshouldnottellmeofitsomercilessly，nowthatIaminyourpower。’

`Ican’thelphowthingsfallout，’saidTroy；`uponmyheart，womenwillbethedeathofme！’

`Well，youshouldn’tkeeppeople’shair。You’llburnit，won’tyou，Frank？’

Frankwentonasifhehadnotheardher。`Thereareconsiderationsevenbeforemyconsiderationforyou；reparationstobemade-tiesyouknownothingof。Ifyourepentofmarrying，sodoI。’

Tremblingnow，sheputherhanduponhisarm，saying，inmingledtonesofwretchednessandcoaxing，`Ionlyrepentitifyoudon’tlovemebetterthananywomanintheworld！Idon’totherwise，Frank。Youdon’trepentbecauseyoualreadylovesomebodybetterthanyouloveme，doyou？’

`Idon’tknow。Whydoyousaythat？’

`Youwon’tburnthatcurl。Youlikethewomanwhoownsthatprettyhair-yes；itispretty-morebeautifulthanmymiserableblackmane！Well，itisnouse；Ican’thelpbeingugly。Youmustlikeherbest，ifyouwill！’

`Untilto-day，whenItookitfromadrawer，Ihaveneverlookeduponthatbitofhairforseveralmonths-thatIamreadytoswear。’

`Butjustnowyousaid“ties“；andthen-thatwomanwemet？’

`’Twasthemeetingwithherthatremindedmeofthehair。’

`Isithers，then？’

`Yes。There，nowthatyouhavewormeditoutofme，Ihopeyouarecontent。

`Andwhataretheties？’

`Oh！thatmeantnothing-amerejest。’

`Amerejest！’shesaid，inmournfulastonishment。`CanyoujestwhenIamsowretchedlyinearnest？Tellmethetruth，Frank。Iamnotafool，youknow，althoughIamawoman，andhavemywoman’smoments。Come！treatmefairly，’shesaid，lookinghonestlyandfearlesslyintohisface。`I

don’twantmuch；barejustice-that’sall！Ah！onceIfeltIcouldbecontentwithnothinglessthanthehighesthomagefromthehusbandIshouldchoose。Now，anythingshortofcrueltywillcontentme。Yes！theindependentandspiritedBathshebaiscometothis！’

`ForHeaven’ssakedon’tbesodesperate！’Troysaidsnappishly，risingashedidso，andleavingtheroom。

Directlyhehadgone，Bathshebaburstintogreatsobs-dry-eyedsobs，whichcutastheycame，withoutanysofteningbytears。Butshedeterminedtorepressallevidencesoffeeling。Shewasconquered；butshewouldneverownitaslongasshelived。Herpridewasindeedbroughtlowbydespairingdiscoveriesofherspoliationbymarriagewithaledpurenaturethanherown。Shechafedtoandfroinrebelliousness，likeacagedleopard；herwholesoulwasinarms，andthebloodfiredherface。UntilshehadmetTroy，Bathshebahadbeenproudofherpositionasawoman；ithadbeenaglorytohertoknowthatherlipshadbeentouchedbynoman’sonearth-thatherwaisthadneverbeenencircledbyalover’sarm。Shehatedherselfnow。Inthoseearlierdaysshehadalwaysnourishedasecretcontemptforgirlswhoweretheslavesofthefirstgood-lookingyoungfellowwhoshouldchoosetosalutethem。Shehadnevertakenkindlytotheideaofmarriageintheabstractasdidthemajorityofwomenshesawabouther。Intheturmoilofheranxietyforherlovershehadagreedtomarryhim；buttheperceptionthathadaccompaniedherhappiesthoursonthisaccountwasratherthatofselfsacrificethanofpromotionandhonour。Althoughshescarcelyknewthedivinity’sname，DianawasthegoddesswhomBathshebainstinctivelyadored。Thatshehadnever，bylook，word，orsign，encouragedamantoapproachher-thatshehadfeltherselfsufficienttoherself，andhadintheindependenceofhergirlishheartfanciedtherewasacertaindegradationinrenouncingthesimplicityofamaidenexistencetobecomethehumblerhalfofanindifferentmatrimonialwhole-werefactsnowbitterlyremembered。O，ifshehadneverstoopedtofollyofthiskind，respectableasitwas，andcouldonlystandagain，asshehadstoodonthehillatNorcombe，anddareTroyoranyothermantopolluteahairofherheadbyhisinterference！

Thenextmorningsheroseearlierthanusual，andhadthehorsesaddledforherrideroundthefarminthecustomaryway。Whenshecameinathalf-pasteight-theirusualhourforbreakfasting-shewasinformedthatherhusbandhadrisen，takenhisbreakfast，anddrivenofftoCasterbridgewiththegigandPoppet。

Afterbreakfastshewascoolandcollected-quiteherselfinfactandsherambledtothegate，intendingtowalktoanotherquarterofthefarm，whichshestillpersonallysuperintendedaswellasherdutiesinthehousewouldpermit，continually，however，findingherselfprecededinforethoughtbyGabrielOak，forwhomshebegantoentertainthegenuinefriendshipofasister。Ofcourse，shesometimesthoughtofhiminthelightofanoldlover，andhadmomentaryimaginingsofwhatlifewithhimasahusbandwouldhavebeenlike；alsooflifewithBoldwoodunderthesameconditions。

ButBathsheba，thoughshecouldfeel，wasnotmuchgiventofutiledreaming，andhermusingsunderthisheadwereshortandentirelyconfinedtothetimeswhenTroy’sneglectwasmorethanordinarilyevident。

ShesawcominguptheroadamanlikeMrBoldwood。ItwasMrBoldwood。

Bathshebablushedpainfully，andwatched。Thefarmerstoppedwhenstillalongwayoff，andhelduphishandtoGabrielOak，whowasinafootpathacrossthefield。Thetwomenthenapproachedeachotherandseemedtoengageinearnestconversation。

Thustheycontinuedforalongtime。JosephPoorgrassnowpassednearthem，wheelingabarrowofapplesupthehilltoBathsheba’sresidence。

BoldwoodandGabrielcalledtohim，spoketohimforafewminutes，andthenallthreeparted，Josephimmediatelycomingupthehillwithhisbarrow。

Bathsheba，whohadseenthispantomimewithsomesurprise，experiencedgreatreliefwhenBoldwoodturnedbackagain。`Well，what’sthemessage，Joseph？’shesaid。

Hesetdownhisbarrow，and，puttinguponhimselftherefinedaspectthataconversationwithaladyrequired，spoketoBathshebaoverthegate。

`You’llneverseeFannyRobinnomore-usenorprincipal-ma’am。’

`Why？’

`Becauseshe’sdeadintheUnion。`Fannydead-never！’

`Yes，ma’am。’

`Whatdidshediefrom？’

`Idon’tknowforcertain；butIshouldbeinclinedtothinkitwasfromgeneralneshnessofconstitution。Shewassuchalimbermaidthat’acouldstandnohardship，evenwhenIknowedher，and’awentlikeacandle-snoff，so’tissaid。Shewastookbadinthemorning，and，beingquitefeebleandwornout，shediedintheevening。Shebelongsbylawtoourparish；andMrBoldwoodisgoingtosendawaggonatthreethisafternoontofetchherhomehereandburyher。’

`IndeedIshallnotletMrBoldwooddoanysuchthing-Ishalldoit！

Fannywasmyuncle’sservant，and，althoughIonlyknewherforacoupleofdays，shebelongstome。Howvery，verysadthisis！-theideaofFannybeinginaworkhouse。’Bathshebahadbeguntoknowwhatsufferingwas，andshespokewithrealfeeling……`SendacrosstoMrBoldwood’s，andsaythatMrsTroywilltakeuponherselfthedutyoffetchinganoldservantofthefamily。Weoughtnottoputherinawaggon；we’llgetahearse。’

`Therewillhardlybetime，ma’am，willthere？’

`Perhapsnot，’shesaid，musingly。`Whendidyousaywemustbeatthedoor-threeo’clock？’

`Threeo’clockthisafternoon，ma’am，sotospeakit。’

`Verywell-yougowithit。Aprettywaggonisbetterthananuglyhearse，afterall。Joseph，havethenewspringwaggonwiththebluebodyandredwheels，andwashitveryclean。And，Joseph——’

`Yes，ma’am。’

`Carrywithyousomeevergreensandflowerstoputuponhercoffin-

indeed，gatheragreatmany，andcompletelyburyherinthem。Getsomeboughsoflaurustinus，andvariegatedbox，andyew，andboy’s-love；ay，andsomebunchesofchrysanthemum。AndletoldPleasantdrawher，becausesheknewhimsowell。’

`Iwill，ma’am。IoughttohavesaidthattheUnion，intheformoffourlabouringmen，willmeetmewhenIgetstoourchurchyardgate，andtakeherandburyheraccordingtotheritesoftheBoardofGuardians，asbylawordained。’

`Dearme-CasterbridgeUnion-andisFannycometothis？’saidBathsheba，musing。`IwishIhadknownofitsooner。Ithoughtshewasfaraway。Howlonghasshelivedthere？’

`On’ybeenthereadayortwo。’

`Oh！-thenshehasnotbeenstayingthereasaregularinmate？’

`No。Shefirstwenttoliveinagarrison-townt’othersideo’Wessex，andsincethenshe’sbeenpickingupalivingatseampsteringinMelchesterforseveralmonths，atthehouseofaveryrespectablewidow-womanwhotakesinworkofthatsort。SheonlygothandytheUnion-houseonSundaymorning’ab’lieve，and’tissupposedhereandtherethatshehadtraipsedeverystepofthewayfromMelchester。WhysheleftherplaceIcan’tsay，forIdon’tknow；andastoalie，why，Iwouldn’ttellit。That’stheshortofthestory，ma’am。’

`Ah-h！’

Nogemeverflashedfromarosyraytoawhiteonemorerapidlythanchangedtheyoungwife’scountenancewhilstthiswordcamefromherinalong-drawnbreath。`Didshewalkalongourturnpike-road？’shesaid，inasuddenlyrestlessandeagervoice。

`Ibelieveshedid……Ma’am，shallIcallLiddy？Youbain’twell，ma’am，surely？Youlooklikealily-sopaleandfainty！’

`No；don’tcallher；itisnothing。WhendidshepassWeatherbury？’

`LastSaturdaynight。’

`Thatwilldo，Joseph；nowyoumaygo。’

`Certainly，ma’am。’

`Joseph，comehitheramoment。WhatwasthecolourofFannyRobin’shair？’

`Really，mistress，nowthat’tisputtomesojudge-and-jurylike，I

can’tcalltomind，ifye’llbelieveme！’

`Nevermind；goonanddowhatItoldyou。Stop-well，no，goon。’

Sheturnedherselfawayfromhim，thathemightnolongernoticethemoodwhichhadsetitssignsovisiblyuponher，andwentindoorswithadistressingsenseoffaintnessandabeatingbrow。Aboutanhourafter，sheheardthenoiseofthewaggonandwentout，stillwithapainfulconsciousnessofherbewilderedandtroubledlook’Joseph，dressedinhisbestsuitofclothes，wasputtinginthehorsetostart。Theshrubsandflowerswereallpiledinthewaggon，asshehaddirected。Bathshebahardlysawthemnow。

`Whosesweetheartdidyousay，Joseph？’

`Idon’tknow，ma’am。’

`Areyouquitesure？’

`Yes，ma’am，quitesure。’

`Sureofwhat？’

`I’msurethatallIknowisthatshearrivedinthemorninganddiedintheeveningwithoutfartherparley。WhatOakandMrBoldwoodtoldmewasonlythesefewwords“LittleFannyRobinisdead，Joseph。”Gabrielsaid，lookinginmyfaceinhissteadyoldway。Iwasverysorry，andI

said，“Ah！-andhowdidshecometodie？““Well，she’sdeadinCasterbridgeUnion。”hesaid；“andperhaps’tisn’tmuchmatterabouthowshecametodie。ShereachedtheUnionearlySundaymorning，anddiedintheafternoon-that’sclearenough。”ThenIaskedwhatshe’dbeendoinglately，andMrBoldwoodturnedroundtomethen，andleftoffspittingathistlewiththeendofhisstick。HetoldmeaboutherhavinglivedbyseampsteringinMelchester，asImentionedtoyou，andthatshewalkedtherefromattheendoflastweek，passingnearhereSaturdaynightinthedusk。TheythensaidIhadbetterjustnameahentofherdeathtoyou，andawaytheywent。Herdeathmighthavebeenbroughtonbybidinginthenightwind，youknow，ma’am；forpeopleusedtosayshe’dgooffinadecline：sheusedtocoughagooddealinwintertime。However，’tisn’tmuchoddstousaboutthatnow，for’tisallover。’

`Haveyouheardadifferentstoryatall？’ShelookedathimsointentlythatJoseph’seyesquailed。

`Notaword，mistress，Iassure’ee！’hesaid。`Hardlyanybodyintheparishknowsthenewsyet。’

`IwonderwhyGabrieldidn’tbringthemessagetomehimself。Hemostlymakesapointofseeingmeuponthemosttriflingerrand。’Thesewordsweremerelymurmured，andshewaslookingupontheground。

`Perhapshewasbusy，ma’am，’Josephsuggested。`Andsometimesheseemstosufferfromthingsuponhismind，connectedwiththetimewhenhewasbetteroffthan’aisnow。’A’sratheracuriousitem，butaveryunderstandingshepherd，andlearnedinbooks。’

`Didanythingseemuponhismindwhilsthewasspeakingtoyouaboutthis？’

`Icannotbutsaythattheredid，ma’am。Hewasterribledown，andsowasFarmerBoldwood。’

`Thankyou，Joseph。Thatwilldo。Goonnow，oryou’llbelate。’