第11章

AndIwantitnow，atonce。’

`Wecouldnotgetanythingspecialworkedthisweek。’

`Imusthaveitnow。’

`Ifyouwouldlikeoneoftheseinstockitcouldbegotreadyimmediately。’

`Verywell，’saidTroy，impatiently。`Let’sseewhatyouhave。’

`ThebestIhaveinstockisthisone，’saidthestone-cutter，goingintoashed。`Here’samarbleheadstonebeautifullycrocketed；withmedallionsbeneathoftypicalsubjects；here’sthefootstoneafterthesamepattern，andhere’sthecopingtoenclosethegrave。Thepolishingaloneofthesetcostmeelevenpounds-theslabsarethebestoftheirkind，andI

canwarrantthemtoresistrainandfrostforahundredyearswithoutflying。’

`Andhowmuch？’

`Well，Icouldaddthename，andputitupatWeatherburyforthesumyoumention。’

`Getitdoneto-day，andI’llpaythemoneynow。’

Themanagreed，andwonderedatsuchamoodinavisitorwhoworenotashredofmourning。Troythenwrotethewordswhichweretoformtheinscription，settledtheaccountandwentaway。Intheafternoonhecamebackagain，andfoundthattheletteringwasalmostdone。Hewaitedintheyardtillthetombwaspacked，andsawitplacedinthecartandstartingonitswaytoWeatherbury，givingdirectionstothetwomenwhoweretoaccompanyittoinquireofthesextonforthegraveofthepersonnamedintheinscription。

ItwasquitedarkwhenTroycameoutofCasterbridge。Hecarriedratheraheavybasketuponhisarm，withwhichhestrodemoodilyalongtheroad，restingoccasionallyatbridgesandgates，whereonhedepositedhisburdenforatime。Midwayonhisjourneyhemet，returninginthedarkness，themenandthewaggonwhichhadconveyedthetomb。Hemerelyinquirediftheworkwasdone，and，onbeingassuredthatitwas，passedonagain。

TroyenteredWeatherburychurchyardaboutteno’clock，andwentImmediatelytothecornerwherehehadmarkedthevacantgraveearlyinthemorning。

Itwasontheobscuresideofthetower，screenedtoagreatextentfromtheviewofpassersalongtheroad-aspotwhichuntillatelyhadbeenabandonedtoheapsofstonesandbushesofalder，butnowitwasclearedandmadeorderlyforinterments，byreasonoftherapidfillingofthegroundelsewhere。

Herenowstoodthetombasthemenhadstated，snow-whiteandshapelyinthegloom，consistingofheadandfootstone，andenclosingborderofmarble-workunitingthem。Inthemidstwasmould，suitableforplants。

Troydepositedhisbasketbesidethetomb，andvanishedforafewminutes。

Whenhereturnedhecarriedaspadeandalantern，thelightofwhichhedirectedforafewmomentsuponthemarblewhilsthereadtheinscription。

Hehunghislanternonthelowestboughoftheyew-tree，andtookfromhisbasketflower-rootsofseveralvarieties。Therewerebundlesofsnowdrop，hyacinthandcrocusbulbs，violetsanddoubledaisies，whichweretobloominearlyspring，andofcarnations，pinks，picotees；lilies-ofthevalley，forget-me-not，summer’sfarewell；meadow-saffronandothers，forthelaterseasonsoftheyear。

Troylaidtheseoutuponthegrass，andwithanimpassivefacesettoworktoplantthem。Thesnowdropswerearrangedinalineontheoutsideofthecoping，theremainderwithintheenclosureofthegrave。Thecrocusesandhyacinthsweretogrowinrows；someofthesummerflowersheplacedoverherheadandfeet，theliliesandforget-me-notsoverherheart。Theremainderweredispersedinthespacesbetweenthese。

Troy，inhisprostrationatthistime，hadnoperceptionthatinthefutilityoftheseromanticdoings，dictatedbyaremorsefulreactionfrompreviousindifference，therewasanyelementofabsurdity。DerivinghisidiosyncrasiesfrombothsidesoftheChannel，heshowedatsuchjuncturesasthepresenttheinelasticityoftheEnglishman，togetherwiththatblindnesstothelinewheresentimentvergesonmawkishness，characteristicoftheFrench。

Itwasacloudy，muggy，andverydarknight，andtheraysfromTroy’slanternspreadintothetwooldyewswithastrangeilluminatingpower，flickering，asitseemed，uptotheblackceilingofcloudabove。Hefeltalargedropofrainuponthebackofhishand，andpresentlyonecameandenteredoneoftheholesofthelantern，whereuponthecandlesputteredandwentout。Troywasweary，anditbeingnownotfarfrommidnight，andtherainthreateningtoincrease，heresolvedtoleavethefinishingtouchesofhislabouruntilthedayshouldbreak。Hegropedalongthewallandoverthegravesinthedarktillhefoundhimselfroundatthenorthside。

Hereheenteredtheporch，and，reclininguponthebenchwithin，fellasleep。

CHAPTERFORTY-SIXTheGurgoyle：itsDoingsThetowerofWeatherburyChurchwasasquareerectionoffourteenth-centurydate，havingtwostonegurgoylesoneachofthetourfacesofitsparapet。

Oftheseeightcarvedprotuberancesonlytwoatthistimecontinuedtoservethepurposeoftheirerection-thatofspoutingthewaterfromtheleadroofwithin。Onemouthineachfronthadbeenclosedbybygonechurchwardensassuperfluous，andtwootherswerebrokenawayandchoked-amatternotofmuchconsequencetothewell-beingofthetower，forthetwomouthswhichstillremainedopenandactiveweregapingenoughtodoallthework。

Ithasbeensometimesarguedthatthereisnotruercriterionofthevitalityofanygivenart-periodthanthepowerofthemaster-spiritsofthattimeingrotesque；andcertainlyintheinstanceofGothicartthereisnodisputingtheproposition。Weatherburytowerwasasomewhatearlyinstanceoftheuseofanornamentalparapetinparishasdistinctfromcathedralchurches，andthegurgoyleswhicharethenecessarycorrelativesofaparapet，wereexceptionallyprominent-oftheboldestcutthatthehandcouldshape，andofthemostoriginaldesignthatahumanbraincouldconceive。Therewas，sotospeak，thatsymmetryintheirdistortionwhichislessthecharacteristicofBritishthanofContinentalgrotesquesoftheperiod。Alltheeightweredifferentfromeachother。Abeholderwasconvincedthatnothingonearthcouldbemorehideousthanthosehesawonthenorthsideuntilhewentroundtothesouth。Ofthetwoonthislatterface，onlythatatthenorth-easterncornerconcernsthestory。

Itwastoohumantobecalledlikeadragon，tooimpishtobelikeaman，tooanimaltobelikeafiend，andnotenoughlikeabirdtobecalledagriffin。Thishorriblestoneentitywasfashionedasifcoveredwithawrinkledhide；ithadshort，erectears，eyesstartingfromtheirsockets，anditsfingersandhandswereseizingthecornersofitsmouth，whichtheythusseemedtopullopentogivefreepassagetothewaterifvomited。

Thelowerrowofteethwasquitewashedaway，thoughtheupperstillremained。

Hereandthus，juttingacoupleoffeetfromthewallagainstwhichitstoesrestedasasupport，thecreaturehadforfourhundredyearslaughedatthesurroundinglandscape，voicelesslyindryweather，andinwetwithagurglingandsnortingsound。

Troysleptonintheporch，andtherainincreasedoutside。Presentlythegurgoylespat。Induetimeasmallstreambegantotricklethroughtheseventyfeetofaerialspacebetweenitsmouthandtheground，whichthewater-dropssmotelikeduckshotintheiracceleratedvelocity。Thestreamthickenedinsubstance，andincreasedinpower，graduallyspoutingfartherandyetfartherfromthesideofthetower。Whentherainfellinasteadyandceaselesstorrentthestreamdasheddownwardinvolumes。

Wefollowitscoursetothegroundatthispointoftime。Theendoftheliquidparabolahascomeforwardfromthewall，hasadvancedovertheplinthmouldings，overaheapofstones，overthemarbleborder，intothemidstofFannyRobin’sgrave。

Theforceofthestreamhad，untilverylately，beenreceiveduponsomeloosestonesspreadthereabout，whichhadactedasashieldtothesoilundertheonset。Theseduringthesummerhadbeenclearedfromtheground，andtherewasnownothingtoresistthedownfallbutthebareearth。Forseveralyearsthestreamhadnotspoutedsofarfromthetowerasitwasdoingonthisnight，andsuchacontingencyhadbeenoverlooked。Sometimesthisobscurecornerreceivednoinhabitantforthespaceoftwoorthreeyears，andthenitwasusuallybutapauper，apoacher，orothersinnerofundignifiedsins。

Thepersistenttorrentfromthegurgoyle’sjawsdirectedallitsvengeanceintothegrave。Therichtawnymouldwasstirredintomotion，andboiledlikechocolate。Thewateraccumulatedandwasheddeeperdown，andtheroarofthepoolthusformedspreadintothenightastheheadandchiefamongothernoisesofthekindcreatedbythedelugingrain。TheflowerssocarefullyplantedbyFanny’srepentantloverbegantomoveandwritheintheirbed。

Thewinter-violetsturnedslowlyupsidedown，andbecameamerematofmud。Soonthesnowdropandotherbulbsdancedintheboilingmasslikeingredientsinacauldron。Plantsofthetuftedspecieswereloosened，rosetothesurface，andfloatedoff。

Troydidnotawakefromhiscomfortlesssleeptillitwasbroadday。

Nothavingbeentobedfortwonightshisshouldersfeltstiff，hisfeettender，andhisheadheavy。Herememberedhisposition，arose，shivered，tookthespade，andagainwenton。

Therainhadquiteceased，andthesunwasshiningthroughthegreen，brown，andyellowleaves，nowsparklingandvarnishedbytheraindropstothebrightnessofsimilareffectsinthelandscapesofRuysdaelandHobbema；andfillofallthoseinfinitebeautiesthatarisefromtheunionofwaterandcolourwithhighlights。Theairwasrenderedsotransparentbytheheavyfallofrainthattheautumnhuesofthemiddledistancewereasrichasthosenearathand，andtheremotefieldsinterceptedbytheangleofthetowerappearedinthesameplaneasthetoweritself。

Heenteredthegravelpathwhichwouldtakehimbehindthetower。Thepath，insteadofbeingstonyasithadbeenthenightbefore，wasbrownedoverwithathincoatingofmud。Atoneplaceinthepathhesawatuftofstringyrootswashedwhiteandcleanasabundleoftendons。Hepickeditup-surelyitcouldnotbeoneoftheprimroseshehadplanted？Hesawabulb，another，andanotherasheadvanced。Beyonddoubttheywerethecrocuses。WithafaceofperplexeddismayTroyturnedthecornerandthenbeheldthewreckthestreamhadmade。

Thepooluponthegravehadsoakedawayintotheground，andinitsplacewasahollow。Thedisturbedearthwaswashedoverthegrassandpathwayintheguiseofthebrownmudhehadalreadyseen，anditspottedthemarbletombstonewiththesamestains。Nearlyalltheflowerswerewashedcleanoutoftheground，andtheylay，rootsupwards，onthespotswhithertheyhadbeensplashedbythestream。

Troy’sbrowbecameheavilycontracted。Hesethisteethclosely，andhiscompressedlipsmovedasthoseofoneingreatpain。Thissingularaccident，byastrangeconfluenceofemotionsinhim，wasfeltasthesharpeststingofall。Troy’sfacewasveryexpressive，andanyobserverwhohadseenhimnowwouldhardlyhavebelievedhimtobeamanwhohadlaughed，andsung，andpouredlove-triflesintoawoman’sear。Tocursehismiserablelotwasatfirsthisimpulse，buteventhatloweststageofrebellionneededanactivitywhoseabsencewasnecessarilyantecedenttotheexistenceofthemorbidmiserywhichwrunghim。Thesight，comingasitdid，superimposedupontheotherdarksceneryofthepreviousdays，formedasortofclimaxtothewholepanorama，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。Sanguinebynature，Troyhadapowerofeludinggriefbysimplyadjourningit。Hecouldputofftheconsiderationofanyparticularspectretillthematterhadbecomeoldandsoftenedbytime。TheplantingofflowersonFanny’sgravehadbeenperhapsbutaspeciesofelusionoftheprimarygrief，andnowitwasasifhisintentionhadbeenknownandcircumvented。

AlmostforthefirsttimeinhislifeTroy，ashestoodbythisdismantledgrave，wishedhimselfanotherman。Itisseldomthatapersonwithmuchanimalspiritdoesnotfeelthatthefactofhislifebeinghisownistheonequalificationwhichsinglesitoutasamorehopefullifethanthatofotherswhomayactuallyresemblehimineveryparticular。Troyhadfelt，inhistransientway，hundredsoftimes，thathecouldnotenvyotherpeopletheircondition，becausethepossessionofthatconditionwouldhavenecessitatedadifferentpersonalitywhenhedesirednootherthanhisown。Hehadnotmindedthepeculiaritiesofhisbirth，thevicissitudesofhislife，themeteor-likeuncertaintyofallthatrelatedtohim，becausetheseappertainedtotheheroofhisstory，withoutwhomtherewouldhavebeennostoryatallforhim；anditseemedtobeonlyinthenatureofthingsthatmatterswouldrightthemselvesatsomeproperdateandwindupwell。Thisverymorningtheillusioncompleteditsdisappearance，and，asitwere，allofasudden，Troyhatedhimself。Thesuddennesswasprobablymoreapparentthanreal。Acoralreefwhichjustcomesshortoftheoceansurfaceisnomoretothehorizonthanifithadneverbeenbegun，andthemerefinishingstrokeiswhatoftenappearstocreateaneventwhichhaslongbeenpotentiallyanaccomplishedthing。

Hestoodandmeditated-amiserableman。Whithershouldhego？`Hethatisaccursed，lethimbeaccursedstill，’wasthepitilessanathemawritteninthisspoliatedeffortofhisnew-bornsolicitousness。Amanwhohasspenthisprimalstrengthinjourneyinginonedirectionhasnotmuchspiritleftforreversinghiscourse。Troyhad，sinceyesterday，faintlyreversedhis；butthemerestoppositionhaddisheartenedhim。Toturnaboutwouldhavebeenhardenoughunderthegreatestprovidentialencouragement；

buttofindthatProvidence，farfromhelpinghimintoanewcourse，orshowinganywishthathemightadoptone，actuallyjeeredhisfirsttremblingandcriticalattemptinthatkind，wasmorethannaturecouldbear。

Heslowlywithdrewfromthegrave。Hedidnotattempttofillupthehole，replacetheflowers，ordoanythingatall。Hesimplythrewuphiscardsandforsworehisgameforthattimeandalways。Goingoutofthechurchyardsilentlyandunobserved-noneofthevillagershavingyetrisen-hepasseddownsomefieldsattheback，andemergedjustassecretlyuponthehighroad。Shortlyafterwardshehadgonefromthevillage。

Meanwhile，Bathshebaremainedavoluntaryprisonerintheattic。Thedoorwaskeptlocked，exceptduringtheentriesandexitsofLiddy，forwhomabedhadbeenarrangedinasmalladjoiningroom。ThelightofTroy’slanterninthechurchyardwasnoticedaboutteno’clockbythemaid-servant，whocasuallyglancedfromthewindowinthatdirectionwhilsttakinghersupper，andshecalledBathsheba’sattentiontoit。Theylookedcuriouslyatthephenomenonforatime，untilLiddywassenttobed。

Bathshebadidnotsleepveryheavilythatnight。Whenherattendantwasunconsciousandsoftlybreathinginthenextroom，themistressofthehousewasstilllookingoutofthewindowatthefaintgleamspreadingfromamongthetrees-notinasteadyshine，butblinkinglikearevolvingcoast-light，thoughthisappearancefailedtosuggesttoherthatapersonwaspassingandrepassinginfrontofit。Bathshebasatheretillitbegantorain，andthelightvanished，whenshewithdrewtolierestlesslyinherbedandre-enactinawornmindtheluridsceneofyesternight。

Almostbeforethefirstfaintsignofdawnappearedshearoseagain，andopenedthewindowtoobtainafillbreathingofthenewmorningair，thepanesbeingnowwetwithtremblingtearsleftbythenightrain，eachoneroundedwithapalelustrecaughtfromprimrose-huedslashesthroughacloudlowdownintheawakeningsky。Fromthetreescamethesoundofsteadydrippinguponthedriftedleavesunderthem，andfromthedirectionofthechurchshecouldhearanothernoise-peculiar，andnotintermittentliketherest，thepurlofwaterfallingintoapool。

Liddyknockedateighto’clock，andBathshebaunlockedthedoor。

`Whataheavyrainwe’vehadinthenight，ma’am！’saidLiddy，whenherinquiriesaboutbreakfasthadbeenmade。

`Yes；veryheavy。’

`Didyouhearthestrangenoisefromthechurchyard？’

`Iheardonestrangenoise。I’vebeenthinkingitmusthavebeenthewaterfromthetowerspouts。’

`Well，that’swhattheshepherdwassaying，ma’am。He’snowgoneontosee。’

`Oh！Gabrielhasbeenherethismorning？’

`Onlyjustlookedininpassing-quiteinhisoldway，whichIthoughthehadleftofflately。Butthetowerspoutsusedtospatteronthestones，andwearepuzzled，forthiswasliketheboilingofapot。’

Notbeingabletoread，think，orwork，BathshebaaskedLiddytostayandbreakfastwithher。Thetongueofthemorechildishwomanstillranuponrecentevents。`Areyougoingacrosstothechurch，ma’am？’sheasked。

`NotthatIknowof，’saidBathsheba。

`IthoughtyoumightliketogoandseewheretheyhaveputFanny。Thetreeshidetheplacefromyourwindow。’

Bathshebahadallsortsofdreadsaboutmeetingherhusband。`HasMrTroybeeninto-night？’shesaid。

`No，ma’am；Ithinkhe’sgonetoBudmouth。’

Budmouth！thesoundofthewordcarriedwithitamuchdiminishedperspectiveofhimandhisdeeds；therewerethirteenmilesintervalbetwixtthemnow。

ShehatedquestioningLiddyaboutherhusband’smovements，andindeedhadhithertosedulouslyavoideddoingso；butnowallthehouseknewthattherehadbeensomedreadfuldisagreementbetweenthem，anditwasfutiletoattemptdisguise。Bathshebahadreachedastageatwhichpeopleceasetohaveanyappreciativeregardforpublicopinion。

`Whatmakesyouthinkhehasgonethere？’shesaid。

`LabanTallsawhimontheBudmouthroadthismorningbeforebreakfast。’

Bathshebawasmomentarilyrelievedofthatwaywardheavinessofthepasttwenty-fourhourswhichhadquenchedthevitalityofyouthinherwithoutsubstitutingthephilosophyofmatureryearsandsheresolvedtogooutandwalkalittleway。Sowhenbreakfastwasoversheputonherbonnet，andtookadirectiontowardsthechurch。Itwasnineo’clock，andthemenhavingreturnedtoworkagainfromtheirfirstmeal，shewasnotlikelytomeetmanyofthemintheroad。KnowingthatFannyhadbeenlaidinthereprobates’quarterofthegraveyard，calledintheparish`behindchurch’，whichwasinvisiblefromtheroad，itwasimpossibletoresisttheimpulsetoenterandlookuponaspotwhich，fromnamelessfeelings，sheatthesametimedreadedtosee。Shehadbeenunabletoovercomeanimpressionthatsomeconnectionexistedbetweenherrivalandthelightthroughthetrees。

Bathshebaskirtedthebuttress，andbeheldtheholeandthetomb，itsdelicatelyveinedsurfacesplashedandstainedjustasTroyhadseenitandleftittwohoursearlier。OntheothersideofthescenestoodGabriel。

Hiseyes，too，werefixedonthetomb，andherarrivalhavingbeennoiseless，shehadnotasyetattractedhisattention。BathshebadidnotatonceperceivethatthegrandtombandthedisturbedgravewereFanny’s，andshelookedonbothsidesandaroundforsomehumblermound，earthedupandcloddedintheusualway。ThenhereyesfollowedOak’s，andshereadthewordswithwhichtheinscriptionopened：——`ErectedbyFrancisTroyinBelovedMemoryofFannyRobin。’Oaksawher，andhisfirstactwastogazeinquiringlyandlearnhowshereceivedthisknowledgeoftheauthorshipofthework，whichtohimselfhadcausedconsiderableastonishment。Butsuchdiscoveriesdidnotmuchaffecthernow。Emotionalconvulsionsseemedtohavebecomethecommonplacesofherhistory，andshebadehimgoodmorning，andaskedhimtofillintheholewiththespadewhichwasstandingby。WhilstOakwasdoingasshedesired，Bathshebacollectedtheflowers，andbeganplantingthemwiththatsympatheticmanipulationofrootsandleaveswhichissoconspicuousinawoman’sgardening，andwhichflowersseemtounderstandandthriveupon。SherequestedOaktogetthechurch-wardentoturntheleadworkatthemouthofthegurgoylethathunggapingdownuponthem，thatbythismeansthestreammightbedirectedsideways，andarepetitionoftheaccidentprevented。Finally，withthesuperfluousmagnanimityofawomanwhosenarrowerinstinctshavebroughtdownbitternessuponherinsteadoflove，shewipedthemudspotsfromthetombasifsheratherlikeditswordsthanotherwise，andwenthomeagain。

CHAPTERFORTY-SEVENAdventuresbytheShoreTroywanderedalongtowardsthesouth。Acompositefeeling，madeupofdisgustwiththe，tohim，humdrumtediousnessofafarmer’slife，gloomyimagesofherwholayinthechurchyard，remorse，andageneralaversenesstohiswife’ssociety，impelledhimtoseekahomeinanyplaceonearthsaveWeatherbury。ThesadaccessoriesofFanny’sendconfrontedhimasvividpictureswhichthreatenedtobeindelible，andmadelifeinBathsheba’shouseintolerable。Atthreeintheafternoonhefoundhimselfatthefootofaslopemorethanamileinlength，whichrantotheridgeofarangeofhillslyingparallelwiththeshore，andformedamonotonousbarrierbetweenthebasinofcultivatedcountryinlandandthewildersceneryofthecoast。Upthehillstretchedaroadnearlystraightandperfectlywhite，thetwosidesapproachingeachotherinagradualtapertilltheymettheskyatthetopabouttwomilesoff。

Throughoutthelengthofthisnarrowandirksomeinclinedplanenotasignoflifewasvisibleonthisgarishafternoon。Troytoileduptheroadwithalanguoranddepressiongreaterthananyhehadexperiencedformanyadayandyearbefore。Theairwaswarmandmuggy，andthetopseemedtorecedeasheapproached。

Atlasthereachedthesummit，andawideandnovelprospectburstuponhimwithaneffectalmostlikethatofthePacificuponBalboa’sgaze。

Thebroadsteelysea，markedonlybyfaintlines，whichhadasemblanceofbeingetchedthereontoadegreenotdeepenoughtodisturbitsgeneralevenness，stretchedthewholewidthofhisfrontandroundtotheright，where，nearthetownandportofBudmouth，thesunbristleddownuponit，andbanishedallcolour，tosubstituteinitsplaceaclearoilypolish。

Nothingmovedinsky，land，orsea，exceptafrillofmilkwhitefoamalongtheneareranglesoftheshores，shredsofwhichlickedthecontiguousstonesliketongues。

Hedescendedandcametoasmallbasinofseaenclosedbythecliffs。

Troy’snaturefreshenedwithinhim；hethoughthewouldrestandbatheherebeforegoingfarther。Heundressedandplungedin。Insidethecovethewaterwasuninterestingtoaswimmer，beingsmoothasapond，andtogetalittleoftheoceanswellTroypresentlyswambetweenthetwoprojectingspursofrockwhichformedthepillarsofHerculestothisminiatureMediterranean。

UnfortunatelyforTroyacurrentunknowntohimexistedoutside，which，unimportanttocraftofanyburden，wasawkwardforaswimmerwhomightbetakeninitunawares。Troyfoundhimselfcarriedtotheleftandthenroundinaswoopouttosea。

Henowrecollectedtheplaceanditssinistercharacter。Manybathershadthereprayedforadrydeathfromtimetotime，and，likeGonzaloalso，hadbeenunanswered；andTroybegantodeemitpossiblethathemightbeaddedtotheirnumber。Notaboatofanykindwasatpresentwithinsight，butfarinthedistanceBudmouthlayuponthesea，asitwerequietlyregardinghisefforts，andbesidethetowntheharbourshoweditspositionbyadimmeshworkofropesandspars。Afterwell-nighexhaustinghimselfinattemptstogetbacktothemouthofthecove，inhisweaknessswimmingseveralinchesdeeperthanwashiswont，keepinguphisbreathingentirelybyhisnostrils，turninguponhisbackadozentimesover，swimmingenpapillon，andsoon，Troyresolvedasalastresourcetotreadwaterataslightincline，andsoendeavourtoreachtheshoreatanypoint，merelygivinghimselfagentleimpetusinwardswhilstcarriedoninthegeneraldirectionofthetide。This，necessarilyaslowprocess，hefoundtobenotaltogethersodifficult，andthoughtherewasnochoiceofalanding-place-theobjectsonshorepassingbyhiminasadandslowprocession-heperceptiblyapproachedtheextremityofaspitoflandyetfurthertotheright，nowwelldefinedagainstthesunnyportionofthehorizon。WhiletheswimmerseyeswerefixeduponthespitashisonlymeansofsalvationonthissideoftheUnknown，amovingobjectbroketheoutlineoftheextremity，andimmediatelyaship’sboatappeared，mannedwithseveralsailorlads，herbowstowardsthesea。

AllTroy’svigourspasmodicallyrevivedtoprolongthestruggleyetalittlefarther。Swimmingwithhisrightarm，hehelduphislefttohailthem，splashinguponthewaves，andshoutingwithallhismight。Fromthepositionofthesettingsunhiswhiteformwasdistinctlyvisibleuponthenowdeep-huedbosomoftheseatotheeastoftheboat，andthemersawhimatonce。Backingtheiroarsandputtingtheboatabout，theypulledtowardshimwithawill，andinfiveorsixminutesfromthetimeofhisfirsthalloo，twoofthesailorshauledhiminoverthestern。

Theyformedpartofabrig’screwandhadcomeashoreforsand。Lendinghimwhatlittleclothingtheycouldspareamongthemasaslightprotectionagainsttherapidlycoolingair，theyagreedtolandhiminthemorning；

andwithoutfurtherdelay，foritwasgrowinglate，theymadeagaintowardstheroadsteadwheretheirvessellay。

Andnownightdroppedslowlyuponthewidewaterylevelsinfront；andatnogreatdistancefromthem，wheretheshore-linecurvedround，andformedalongribandofshadeuponthehorizon，aseriesofpointsofyellowlightbegantostartintoexistence，denotingthespottobethesiteofBudmouth，wherethelampswerebeinglightedalongtheparade。Thecluckoftheiroarswastheonlysoundofanydistinctnessuponthesea，andastheylabouredamidthethickeningshadesthelamp-lightsgrewlarger，eachappearingtosendaflamingsworddeepdownintothewavesbeforeit，untiltherearose，amongotherdimshapesofthekind，theformofthevesselforwhichtheywerebound。

CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHTDoubtsarise-DoubtshungerBathshebaunderwenttheenlargementofherhusband’sabsencefromhourstodayswithaslightfeelingofsurprise，andaslightfeelingofrelief；

yetneithersensationroseatanytimefarabovethelevelcommonlydesignatedasindifference。Shebelongedtohim：thecertaintiesofthatpositionweresowelldefined，andthereasonableprobabilitiesofitsissuesobounded，thatshecouldnotspeculateoncontingencies。Takingnofurtherinterestinherselfasasplendidwoman，sheacquiredtheindifferentfeelingsofanoutsiderincontemplatingherprobablefateasasingularwretch；

forBathshebadrewherselfandherfutureincoloursthatnorealitycouldexceedfordarkness。Heroriginalvigorousprideofyouthhadsickened，andwithithaddeclinedallheranxietiesaboutcomingyears，sinceanxietyrecognizesabetterandaworsealternative，andBathshebahadmadeuphermindthatalternativesonanynote-worthyscalehadceasedforher。

Soon，orlater-andthatnotverylate-herhusbandwouldbehomeagain。

AndthenthedaysoftheirtenancyoftheUpperFarmwouldbenumbered。

TherehadoriginallybeenshownbytheagenttotheestatesomedistrustofBathsheba’stenureasJamesEverdene’ssuccessor，onthescoreofhersex，andheryouth，andherbeauty；butthepeculiarnatureofheruncle’swill，hisownfrequenttestimonybeforehisdeathtoherclevernessinsuchapursuit，andhervigorousmarshallingofthenumerousflocksandherdswhichcamesuddenlyintoherhandsbeforenegotiationswereconcluded，hadwonconfidenceinherpowers，andnofartherobjectionshadbeenraised。

Shehadlatterlybeeningreatdoubtastowhatthelegaleffectsofhermarriagewouldbeuponherposition；butnonoticehadbeentakenasyetofherchangeofname，andonlyonepointwasclear-thatintheeventofherownorherhusband’sinabilitytomeettheagentattheforthcomingJanuaryrent-day，verylittleconsiderationwouldbeshown，and，forthatmatter，verylittlewouldbedeserved。Onceoutofthefarmtheapproachofpovertywouldbesure。

HenceBathshebalivedinaperceptionthatherpurposeswerebrokenoff。Shewasnotawomanwhocouldhopeonwithoutgoodmaterialsfortheprocess，differingthusfromthelessfar-sightedandenergetic，thoughmorepettedonesofthesex，withwhomhopegoesonasasortofclockworkwhichthemerestfoodandshelteraresufficienttowindup；andperceivingclearlythathermistakehadbeenafatalone，sheacceptedherposition，andwaitedcoldlyfortheend。

ThefirstSaturdayafterTroy’sdepartureshewenttoCasterbridgealone，ajourneyshehadnottakensincehermarriage。OnthisSaturdayBathshebawaspassingslowlyonlootthroughthecrowdofruralbusiness-mengatheredasusualinfrontofthemarket-house，whowereasusualgazeduponbytheburgherswithfeelingsthatthosehealthylivesweredearlypaidforbyexclusionfrompossiblealdermanship，whenaman，whohadapparentlybeenfollowingher，saidsomewordstoanotheronherlefthand。Bathsheba’searswerekeenasthoseofanywildanimal，andshedistinctlyheardwhatthespeakersaid，thoughherbackwastowardshim。

`IamlookingforMrsTroy。Isthatshethere’

`Yes；that’stheyounglady，Ibelieve，’saidthepersonaddressed。

`Ihavesomeawkwardnewstobreaktoher。Herhusbandisdrowned。’

Asifendowedwiththespiritofprophecy，Bathshebagaspedout，`No，itisnottrue；itcannotbetrue！’Thenshesaidandheardnomore。Theiceofself-commandwhichhadlatterlygatheredoverherwasbroken，andthecurrentsburstforthagain，andoverwhelmedher。Adarknesscameintohereyes，andshefell。

Butnottotheground。Agloomyman，whohadbeenobservingherfromundertheporticooftheoldcorn-exchangewhenshepassedthroughthegroupwithout，steppedquicklytohersideatthemomentofherexclamation，andcaughtherinhisarmsasshesankdown。

`Whatisit？’saidBoldwood，lookingupatthebringerofthebignews，ashesupportedher。

`HerhusbandwasdrownedthisweekwhilebathinginLulwindCove。A

coastguardsmanfoundhisclothes，andbroughtthemintoBudmouthyesterday。’

ThereuponastrangefirelightedupBoldwood’seye，andhisfaceflushedwiththesuppressedexcitementofanunutterablethought。Everybody’sglancewasnowcentreduponhimandtheunconsciousBathsheba。Heliftedherbodilyofftheground，andsmootheddownthefoldsofherdressasachildmighthavetakenastorm-beatenbirdandarrangeditsruffledplumes，andboreheralongthepavementtotheKing’sArmsinn。Herehepassedwithherunderthearchwayintoaprivateroom；andbythetimehehaddeposited-solothly-thepreciousburdenuponasofa，Bathshebahadopenedhereyes。Rememberingallthathadoccurred，shemurmured，`Iwanttogohome！’

Boldwoodlefttheroom。Hestoodforamomentinthepassagetorecoverhissenses。Theexperiencehadbeentoomuchforhisconsciousnesstokeepupwith，andnowthathehadgraspeditithadgoneagain。Forthosefewheavenly，goldenmomentsshehadbeeninhisarms。

Whatdiditmatterabouthernotknowingit？Shehadbeenclosetohisbreast；hehadbeenclosetohers。

Hestartedonwardagain，andsendingawomantoher，wentouttoascertainallthefactsofthecase。Theseappearedtobelimitedtowhathehadalreadyheard。Hethenorderedherhorsetobeputintothegig，andwhenallwasreadyreturnedtoinformher。Hefoundthat，thoughstillpaleandunwell，shehadinthemeantimesentfortheBudmouthmanwhobroughtthetidings，andlearntFromhimalltherewastoknow。

Beinghardlyinaconditiontodrivehomeasshehaddriventotown，Boldwood，witheverydelicacyofmannerandfeeling，offeredtogetheradriver，ortogiveheraseatinhisphaeton，whichwasmorecomfortablethanherownconveyance。TheseproposalsBathshebagentlydeclined，andthefarmeratoncedeparted。

Abouthalfan-hourlatersheinvigoratedherselfbyaneffort，andtookherseatandthereinsasusual-inexternalappearancemuchasifnothinghadhappened。Shewentoutofthetownbyatortuousbackstreet，anddroveslowlyalong，unconsciousoftheroadandthescene。ThefirstshadesofeveningwereshowingthemselveswhenBathshebareachedhome，where，silentlyalightingandleavingthehorseinthebandsoftheboy，sheproceededatonceupstairs。Liddymetheronthelanding。ThenewshadprecededBathshebatoWeatherburybyhalfan-hour，andLiddylikedinquiringlyintohermistress’sface。Bathshebahadnothingtosay。

Sheenteredherbedroomandsatbythewindow，andthoughtandthoughttillnightenvelopedher，andtheextremelinesonlyofhershapewerevisible。Somebodycametothedoor，knocked，andopenedit。

`Well，whatisit，Liddy？’shesaid。

`Iwasthinkingtheremustbesomethinggotforyoutowear，’saidLiddy，withhesitation。

`Whatdoyoumean？’

`Mourning。’

`No，no，no，’saidBathshebahurriedly。

`ButIsupposetheremustbesomethingdoneforpoor——’

`Notatpresent，Ithink。Itisnotnecessary。

`Whynot，ma’am？’

`Becausehe’sstillalive。’

`Howdoyouknowthat？’saidLiddy，amazed。

`Idon’tknowit。Butwouldn’tithavebeendifferent，orshouldn’tIhaveheardmore，orwouldn’ttheyhavefoundhim，Liddy？-or-Idon’tknowhowitis，butdeathwouldhavebeendifferentfromhowthisis。Theremaybesometrickinit。Iamperfectlyconvincedthatheisstillalive！’

BathshebaremainedfirminthisopiniontillMonday，whentwocircumstancesconjoinedtoshakeit。Thefirstwasashortparagraphinthelocalnewspaper，which，beyondmakingbyamethodizingpenformidablepresumptiveevidenceofTroy’sdeathbydrowning，containedtheimportanttestimonyofayoungMrBarker，M。D。，ofBudmouth，whospoketobeinganeyewitnessoftheaccident，inalettertotheeditor。Inthishestatedthathewaspassingoverthecliffontheremotersideofthecovejustasthesunwassetting。Atthattimehesawabathercarriedalonginthecurrentoutsidethemouthofthecove，andguessedinaninstantthattherewasbutapoorchanceforhimunless。Heshouldbepossessedofunusualmuscularpowers。Hedriftedbehindaprojectionofthecoast，andMrBarkerfollowedalongtheshoreinthesamedirection。Butbythetimethathecouldreachanelevationsufficientlygreattocommandaviewoftheseabeyond，duskhadsetin，andnothingfartherwastobeseen。

Theothercircumstancewasthearrivalofhisclothes，whenitbecamenecessaryforhertoexamineandidentifythem-thoughthishadvirtuallybeendonelongbeforebythosewhoinspectedthelettersinhispockets。

ItwassoevidenttoherinthemidstofheragitationthatTroyhadundressedinthefallconvictionofdressingagainalmostimmediately，thatthenotionthatanythingbutdeathcouldhavepreventedhimwasaperverseonetoentertain。

ThenBathshebasaidtoherselfthatotherswereassuredintheiropinion；

strangethatsheshouldnotbe。Astrangereflectionoccurredtoher，causingherfacetoflush。SupposethatTroyhadfollowedFannyintoanotherworld。

Hadhedonethisintentionallyyetcontrivedtomakehisdeathappearlikeanaccident？Nevertheless，thisthoughtofhowtheapparentmightdifferfromthereal-madevividbyherbygonejealousyofFanny，andtheremorsehehadshownthatnight-didnotblindhertotheperceptionofalikelierdifference，lesstragic，buttoherselffarmoredisastrous。

Whenalonelatethateveningbesideasmallfire，andmuchcalmeddown，BathshebatookTroy’swatchintoherhand，whichhadbeenrestoredtoherwiththerestofthearticlesbelongingtohim。Sheopenedthecaseashehadopeneditbeforeheraweekago。Therewasthelittlecoilofpalehairwhichhadbeenasthefazetothisgreatexplosion。

`Hewashersandshewashis；theyshouldbegonetogether，’shesaid。

`Iamnothingtoeitherofthem，andwhyshouldIkeepherhair？’Shetookitinherhand，andhelditoverthefire。`No-I’llnotburnit-I’llkeepitinmemoryofher，poorthing！’sheadded，snatchingbackherhand。

CHAPTERFORTY-NINEOak’sAdvancement-AGreatHopeThelateautumnandthewinterdrewonapace，andtheleaveslaythickupontheturfofthegladesandthemossesofthewoods。Bathsheba，havingpreviouslybeenlivinginastateofsuspendedfeelingwhichwasnotsuspense，nowlivedinamoodofquietudewhichwasnotpreciselypeacefulness。Whileshehadknownhimtobealiveshecouldhavethoughtofhisdeathwithequanimity；butnowthatitmightbeshehadlosthim，sheregrettedthathewasnothersstill。Shekeptthefirmgoing，rakedinherprofitswithoutcaringkeenlyaboutthem，andexpendedmoneyonventuresbecauseshehaddonesoinbygonedays，which，thoughnotlonggoneby，seemedinfinitelyremovedfromherpresent。Shelookedbackuponthatpastoveragreatgulf，asifshewerenowadeadperson，havingthefacultyofmeditationstillleftinher，bymeansofwhich，likethemoulderinggentlefolkofthepoet’sstory，shecouldsitandponderwhatagiftlifeusedtobe。

However，oneexcellentresultofhergeneralapathywasthelongdelayedinstallationofOakasbailiffbuthehavingvirtuallyexercisedthatfunctionforalongtimealready，thechange，beyondthesubstantialincreaseofwagesitbrought，waslittlemorethananominaloneaddressedtotheoutsideworld。

Boldwoodlivedsecludedandinactive。Muchofhidwheatandallhisbarleyofthatseasonhadbeenspoiltbytherain。Itsprouted，grewintointricatemats，andwasultimatelythrowntothepigsinarmfuls。Thestrangeneglectwhichhadproducedthisruinandwastebecamethesubjectofwhisperedtalkamongallthepeopleround；anditwaselicitedfromoneofBoldwood’smenthatforgetfulnesshadnothingtodowithit，forhehadbeenremindedofthedangertohiscornasmanytimesandaspersistentlyasinferiorsdaredtodo。ThesightofthepigsturningindisgustfromtherottenearsseemtoarouseBoldwood，andheoneeveningsentforOak。WhetheritwassuggestedbyBathsheba’srecentactofpromotionornot，thefarmerproposedattheinterviewthatGabrielshouldundertakethesuperintendenceofthelowerFarmaswellasofBathsheba’s，becauseofthenecessityBoldwoodfeltforsuchaid，andtheimpossibilityofdiscoveringamoretrustworthyman。Gabriel’smalignantstarwasassuredlysettingfast。

Bathsheba，whenshelearntofthisproposal-forOakwasobligedtoconsulther-atfirstlanguidlyobjected。Sheconsideredthatthetwofarmstogetherweretooextensivefortheobservationofoneman。Boldwood，whowasapparentlydeterminedbypersonalratherthancommercialreasons，suggestedthatOakshouldbefurnishedwithahorseforhissoleuse，whentheplanwouldpresentnodifficulty，thetwofarmslyingsidebyside。

Boldwooddidnotdirectlycommunicatewithherduringthesenegotiations，onlyspeakingtoOak，whowasthegobetweenthroughout。Allwasharmoniouslyarrangedatlast，andwenowseeOakmountedonastrongcob，anddailytrottingthelengthandbreadthofabouttwothousandacresinacheerfulspiritofsurveillance，asifthecropsallbelongedtohim-theactualmistressoftheone-half，andthemasteroftheother，sittingintheirrespectivehomesingloomyandsadseclusion。

Outofthistherearose，duringthespringsucceeding，atalkintheparishthatGabrielOakwasfeatheringhisnestfast。

`Whateverd’yethink？’saidSusanTall，`GableOakiscomingitquitethedand。Henowwearsshiningbootswithhardlyahobin’em，twoorthreetimesa-week，andatallhata-Sundays，and’ahardlyknowsthenameofsmockfrock。WhenIseepeoplestrutenoughtobecutupintobantamcocks，Istanddormantwithwonder，andsaysnomore！’

ItwaseventuallyknownthatGabriel，thoughpaidafixedwagebyBathshebaindependentofthefluctuationsofagriculturalprofits，hadmadeanengagementwithBoldwoodbywhichOakwastoreceiveashareofthereceipts-asmallsharecertainly，yetitwasmoneyofahigherqualitythanmerewages，andcapableofexpansioninawaythatwageswerenot。SomewerebeginningtoconsiderOaka`near’man，forthoughhisconditionhadthusfarimproved，helivedinnobetterstylethanbefore，occupyingthesamecottage，paringhisownpotatoes，mendinghisstockings，andsometimesevenmakinghisbedwithhisownhands。ButasOakwasnotonlyprovokinglyindifferenttopublicopinion，butamanwhoclungpersistentlytooldhabitsandusages，simplybecausetheywereold，therewasroomfordoubtastohismotives。

AgreathopehadlatterlygerminatedinBoldwood，whoseunreasoningdevotiontoBathshebacouldonlybecharacterizedasafondmadnesswhichneithertimenorcircumstance，evilnorgoodreport，couldweakenordestroy。

Thisfeveredhopehadgrownupagainlikeagrainofmustard-seedduringthequietwhichfollowedthehastyconjecturethatTroywasdrowned。Henourisheditfearfully，andalmostshunnedthecontemplationofitinearnest，lestfactsshouldrevealthewildnessofthedream。Bathshebahavingatlastbeenpersuadedtowearmourning，herappearanceassheenteredthechurchinthatguisewasinitselfaweeklyadditiontohisfaiththatatimewascoming-veryfaroffperhaps，yetsurelynearing-whenhiswaitingoneventsshouldhaveitsreward。Howlonghemighthavetowaithehadnotyetcloselyconsidered。WhathewouldtrytorecognizewasthatthesevereschoolingshehadbeensubjectedtohadmadeBathshebamuchmoreconsideratethanshehadformerlybeenofthefeelingsofothers，andhetrustedthat，shouldshebewillingatanytimeinthefuturetomarryanymanatall，thatmanwouldbehimself。Therewasasubstratumofgoodfeelinginher；herself-reproachfortheinjuryshehadthoughtlesslydonehimmightbedependeduponnowtoamuchgreaterextentthanbeforeherinfatuationanddisappointment。Itwouldbepossibletoapproachherbythechannelofhergoodnature，andtosuggestafriendlybusiness-likecompactbetweenthemforfulfilmentatsomefutureday，keepingthepassionatesideofhisdesireentirelyoutofhersight。SuchwasBoldwood’shope。

Totheeyesofthemiddle-aged，Bathshebawasperhapsadditionallycharmingjustnow。Herexuberanceofspiritwaspruneddown；theoriginalphantomofdelightshadshownherselftobenottoobrightforhumannature’sdailyfood，andshehadbeenabletoenterthissecondpoeticalphasewithoutlosingmuchofthefirstintheprocess。

Bathsheba’sreturnfromatwomonths’visittoheroldauntatNorcombeaffordedtheimpassionedandyearningfarmerapretextforinquiringdirectlyalterher-nowpossiblyintheninthmonthofherwidowhood-andendeavouringtogetanotionofherstateofmindregardinghim。Thisoccurredinthemiddleofthehaymaking，andBoldwoodcontrivedtobenearLiddy，whowasassistinginthefields。

`Iamgladtoseeyououtofdoors，Lydia，’hesaidpleasantly。

Shesimpered，andwonderedinherheartwhyheshouldspeaksofranklytoher。

`IhopeMrsTroyisquitewellafterherlongabsence，’hecontinued，inamannerexpressingthatthecoldest-heartedneighbourcouldscarcelysaylessabouther。

`Sheisquitewell，sir。’

`Andcheerful，Isuppose。

`Yes，cheerful。’

`Fearful，didyousay？’

`Ono。Imerelysaidshewascheerful。’

`Tellsyouallheraffairs？’

`No，sir。’

`Someofthem？’

`Yes，sir。’

`MrsTroyputsmuchconfidenceinyou，Lydia，andverywisely，perhaps。’

`Shedo，sir。I’vebeenwithherallthroughhertroubles，andwaswithheratthetimeofMrTroy’sgoingandall。AndifsheweretomarryagainIexpectIshouldbidewithher。’

`Shepromisesthatyoushall-quitenatural，’saidthestrategiclover，throbbingthroughouthimatthepresumptionwhichLiddy’swordsappearedtowarrant-thathisdarlinghadthoughtofre-marriage。

`No-shedoesn’tpromiseitexactly。Imerelyjudgeonmyownaccount。’

`Yes，yes，Iunderstand。Whenshealludestothepossibilityofmarryingagain，youconclude——’

`Sheneverdoalludetoit，sir，’saidLiddy，thinkinghowverystupidMrBoldwoodwasgetting。

`Ofcoursenot，’hereturnedhastily，hishopefallingagain。`Youneedn’ttakequitesuchlongreacheswithyourtake，Lydia-shortandquickonesarebest。Well，perhaps，assheisabsolutemistressagainnow，itiswiseofhertoresolvenevertogiveupherfreedom。

`Mymistressdidcertainlyoncesay，thoughnotseriously，thatshesupposedshemightmarryagainattheendofsevenyearsfromlastyear，ifshecaredtoriskMrTroy’scomingbackandclaimingher。’

`Ah，sixyearsfromthepresenttime。Saidthatshemight。Shemightmarryatonceineveryreasonableperson’sopinion，whateverthelawyersmaysaytothecontrary。

`Haveyoubeentoaskthem？’saidLiddyinnocently。

`NotI，’saidBoldwood，growingred。`Liddy，youneedn’tstayhereaminutelaterthanyouwish，soMrOaksays。Iamnowgoingonlittlefarther。

Good-afternoon。’

Hewentawayvexedwithhimselfandashamedofhavingforthisonetimeinhislifedoneanythingwhichcouldbecalledunderhand。PoorBoldwoodhadnomoreskillinfinessethanabattering-ramandhewasuneasywithasenseofhavingmadehimselftoappearstupidand，whatwasworse，mean。

Buthehad，afterall，lightedupononefactbywayofrepayment。Itwasasingularlyfreshandfascinatingfact，aridthoughnotwithoutitssadnessitwaspertinentandreal。InlittlemorethansixyearsfromthistimeBathshebamightcertainlymarryhim。Therewassomethingdefiniteinthathope，foradmittingthattheremighthavebeennodeepthoughtinherwordstoLiddyaboutmarriage，theyshowedatleasthercreedonthematter。

Thispleasantnotionwasnowcontinuallyinhismind。Sixyearswerealongtime，buthowmuchshorterthannever，theideahehadforsolongbeenobligedtoendure！JacobhadservedtwicesevenyearsforRachel：

whatweresixforsuchawomanasthis？Hetriedtolikethenotionofwaitingforherbetterthanthatofwinningheratonce。Boldwoodfelthislovetobesodeepandstrongandeternal，thatitwaspossibleshehadneveryetknownitsfallvolume，andthispatienceindelaywouldaffordhimanopportunityofgivingsweetproofonthepoint。Hewouldannihilatethesixyearsofhislifeasiftheywereminutes-solittledidhevaluehistimeonearthbesideherlove。Hewouldlethersee，allthosesixyearsofintangibleetherealcourtship，howlittlecarehehadforanythingbutasitboreupontheconsummation。

MeanwhiletheearlyandthelatesummerbroughtroundtheweekinwhichGreenhillFairwasheld。ThisfairwasfrequentlyattendedbythefolkofWeatherbury。

CHAPTERFIFTYTheSheepFair-TroytoucheshisWife’sHandGreenhillwastheNijniNovgorodofSouthWessex；andthebusiest，merriest，noisiestdayofthewholestatutenumberwasthedayofthesheepfair。

Thisyearlygatheringwasuponthesummitofahillwhichretainedingoodpreservationtheremainsofanancientearthwork，consistingofahugerampartandentrenchmentofanovalformencirclingthetopofthehill，thoughsomewhatbrokendownhereandthere。Toeachofthetwochiefopeningsonoppositesidesawindingroadascended，andthelevelgreenspaceoftenorfifteenacresenclosedbythebankwasthesiteofthefair。Afewpermanenterectionsdottedthespot，butthemajorityofvisitorspatronizedcanvasaloneforrestingandfeedingunderduringthetimeoftheirsojournhere。

Shepherdswhoattendedwiththeirflocksfromlongdistancesstartedfromhometwoorthreedays，orevenaweek，beforethefair，drivingtheirchargesafewmileseachday-notmorethantenortwelve-andrestingthematnightinhiredfieldsbythewaysideatpreviouslychosenpoints，wheretheyfed，havingfastedsincemorning。Theshepherdofeachflockmarchedbehind，abundlecontaininghiskitfortheweekstrappeduponhisshoulders，andinhishandhiscrook，whichheusedasthestaffofhispilgrimage。Severalofthesheepwouldgetwornandlame，andoccasionallyalambingoccurredontheroad。Tomeetthesecontingencies，therewasfrequentlyprovided，toaccompanytheflocksfromtheremoterpoints，aponyandwaggonintowhichtheweaklyonesweretakenfortheremainderofthejourney。

TheWeatherburyFarms，however，werenosuchlongdistancefromthehill，andthosearrangementswerenotnecessaryintheircase。ButthelargeunitedflocksofBathshebaandFarmerBoldwoodformedavaluableandimposingmultitudewhichdemandedmuchattention，andonthisaccountGabriel，inadditiontoBoldwood’sshepherdandCainBall，accompaniedthemalongtheway，throughthedecayedoldtownofKingsbere，andupwardtotheplateau，-oldGeorgethedogofcoursebehindthem。

WhentheautumnsunslantedoverGreenhillthismorningandlightedthedewyflatuponitscrest，nebulouscloudsofdustweretobeseenfloatingbetweenthepairsofhedgeswhichstreakedthewideprospectaroundinalldirections。Thesegraduallyconvergeduponthebaseofthehill，andtheflocksbecameindividuallyvisible，climbingtheserpentinewayswhichledtothetop。Thus，inaslowprocession，theyenteredtheopeningtowhichtheroadstended，multitudeaftermultitude，hornedandhornless-blueflocksandredflocks，buffflocksandbrownflocks，evengreenandsalmon-tintedflocks，accordingtothefancyofthecolouristandcustomofthefarm。Menwereshouting，dogswerebarking，withgreatestanimation，butthethrongingtravellersinsolongajourneyhadgrownnearlyindifferenttosuchterrors，thoughtheystillbleatedpiteouslyattheunwantednessoftheirexperiences，atallshepherdrisinghereandthereinthemidstofthem，likeagiganticidolamidacrowdofprostratedevotees。

ThegreatmassofsheepinthefairconsistedofSouthDownsandtheoldWessexhornedbreeds；tothelatterclassBathsheba’sandFarmerBoldwood’smainlybelonged。Thesefiledinaboutnineo’clock，theirvermiculatedhornsloppinggracefullyoneachsideoftheircheeksingeometricallyperfectspirals，asmallpinkandwhiteearnestlingundereachhorn。Beforeandbehindcameothervarieties，perfectleopardsastothefallrichsubstanceoftheircoats，andonlylackingthespots。TherewerealsoafewoftheOxfordshirebreed，whosewoolwasbeginningtocurllikeachild’sflaxenhair，thoughsurpassedinthisrespectbytheeffeminateLeicesters，whichwereinturnlesscurlythantheCotswolds。ButthemostpicturesquebyfarwasasmallflockofExmoors，whichchancedtobetherethisyear。

Theirpiedfacesandlegs，darkandheavyhorns，tressesofwoolhangingroundtheirswarthyforeheads，quiterelievedthemonotonyoftheflocksinthatquarter。

Allthesebleating，panting，andwearythousandshadenteredandwerepennedbeforethemorninghadfaradvanced，thedogbelongingtoeachflockbeingtiedtothecornerofthepencontainingit。Alleysforpedestriansintersectedthepens，whichsoonbecamecrowdedwithbuyersandsellersfromfarandnear。

Inanotherpartofthehillanaltogetherdifferentscenebegantoforceitselfupontheeyetowardsmidday。Acirculartentofexceptionalnewnessandsize，wasincourseoferectionhere。Asthedaydrewon，theflocksbegantochangehands，lighteningtheshepherds’responsibilities；andtheyturnedtheirattentiontothistentandinquiredofamanatworkthere，whosesoulseemedconcentratedontyingabotheringknotinnotime，whatwasgoingon。

`TheRoyalHippodromePerformanceofTurpin’sRidetoYorkandtheDeathofBlackBess，’repliedthemanpromptly，withoutturninghiseyesorleavingofftying。

Assoonasthetentwascompletedthebandstruckuphighlystimulatingharmonies，andtheannouncementwaspubliclymade，BlackBessstandinginaconspicuouspositionontheoutside，asalivingproof，ifproofwerewanted，ofthetruthoftheoracularutterancesfromthestageoverwhichthepeopleweretoenter。Theseweresoconvincedbysuchgenuineappealstoheartandunderstandingboththattheysoonbegantocrowdinabundantly，amongtheforemostbeingvisibleJanCogganandJosephPoorgrass，whowereholidaykeepinghereto-day。

`That’sthegreatruffenpushingme！’screamedawomaninfrontofJanoverhershoulderathimwhentherushwasatitsfiercest。

`HowcanIhelppushingyewhenthefolkbehindpushme？’saidCoggan，inadeprecatingtone，turninghisheadtowardstheaforesaidfolkasfarashecouldwithoutturninghisbody，whichwasjammedasinavice。

Therewasasilence；thenthedrumsandtrumpetsagainsentforththeirechoingnotes。Thecrowdwasagainecstasied，andgaveanotherlurchinwhichCogganandPoorgrasswereagainthrustbythosebehinduponthewomeninfront。

`Othathelplessfeymelsshouldbeatthemercyofsuchruffens！’exclaimedoneoftheseladiesagain，assheswayedlikeareedshakenbythewind。

`Now，’saidCoggan，appealinginanearnestvoicetothepublicatlargeasitstoodclusteredabouthisshoulder-blades，`didyeeverhearsuchaonreasonablewomanasthat？Uponmycarcass，neighbours，ifIcouldonlygetoutofthischeesewring，thedamnwomenmighteattheshowforme！’

`Don’tyeloseyertemper，Jan！’imploredJosephPoorgrass，inawhisper。

`Theymightgettheirmentomurderus，forIthinkbytheshineoftheireyesthattheybeasinfulformofwomankind。’

Janheldhistongue，asifhehadnoobjectiontobepacifiedtopleaseafriend，andtheygraduallyreachedthefootoftheladder，Poorgrassbeingflattenedlikeajumping-jack，andthesixpence，taradmission，whichhehadgotreadyhalfan-hourearlier，havingbecomesoreekinghotinthetightsqueezeofhisexcitedhandthatthewomaninspangles，brazenringssetwithglassdiamonds，andwithchalkedfaceandshoulders，whotookthemoneyofhim，hastilydroppeditagainfromafearthatsometrickhadbeenplayedtoburnherfingers。Sotheyallentered，andtheclothofthetent，totheeyesofanobserverontheoutside，becamebulgedintoinnumerablepimplessuchasweobserveonasackofpotatoes，causedbythevarioushumanheads，backs，andelbowsathighpressurewithin。

Attherearofthelargetentthereweretwosmalldressing-tents。Oneofthese，allottedtothemaleperformers，waspartitionedintohalvesbyacloth；andinoneofthedivisionstherewassittingonthegrass，pullingonapairofjack-boots，ayoungmanwhomweinstantlyrecognizeasSergeantTroy。

Troy’sappearanceinthispositionmaybebrieflyaccountedfor。ThebrigaboardwhichhewastakeninBudmouthRoadswasabouttostartonavoyage，thoughsomewhatshortofhands。Troyreadthearticlesandjoined，butbeforetheysailedaboatwasdespatchedacrossthebaytoLulwindCove；ashehadhalfexpected，hisclothesweregone。HeultimatelyworkedhispassagetotheUnitedStates，wherehemadeaprecariouslivinginvarioustownsasProfessorofGymnastics，SwordExercise，Fencing，andPugilism。Afewmonthsweresufficienttogivehimadistasteforthiskindoflife。Therewasacertainanimalformofrefinementinhisnature；

andhoweverpleasantastrangeconditionmightbewhilstprivationswereeasilywardedoff，itwasdisadvantageouslycoarsewhenmoneywasshort。

Therewaseverpresent，too，theideathathecouldclaimahomeanditscomfortsdidhebutchoosetoreturntoEnglandandWeatherburyFarm。WhetherBathshebathoughthimdeadwasafrequentsubjectofcuriousconjecture。

ToEnglandhedidreturnatlast；butthefactofdrawingnearertoWeatherburyabstracteditsfascinations，andhisintentiontoenterhisoldgrooveatthatplacebecamemodified。ItwaswithgloomheconsideredonlandingatLiverpoolthatifheweretogohomehisreceptionwouldbeofakindveryunpleasanttocontemplate；forwhatTroyhadinthewayofemotionwasanoccasionalfitfulsentimentwhichsometimescausedhimasmuchinconvenienceasemotionofastrongandhealthykind。Bathshebawasnotawomantobemadeafoolof，orawomantosufferinsilence；andhowcouldheendureexistencewithaspiritedwifetowhomatfirstenteringhewouldbebeholdenforfoodandlodging？Moreover，itwasnotatallunlikelythathiswifewouldfailatherfarming，ifshehadnotalreadydoneso；andhewouldthenbecomeliableforhermaintenance；andwhatalifesuchafutureofpovertywithherwouldbe，thespectreofFannyconstantlybetweenthem，harrowinghistemperandembitteringherwords！Thus，forreasonstouchingondistaste，regret，andshamecommingled，heputoffhisreturnfromdaytoday，andwouldhavedecidedtoputitoffaltogetherifhecouldhavefoundanywhereelsetheready-madeestablishmentwhichexistedforhimthere。

Atthistime-theJulyprecedingtheSeptemberinwhichwefindhimatGreenhillFair-hefellinwithatravellingcircuswhichwasperformingintheoutskirtsofanortherntown。Troyintroducedhimselftothemanagerbytamingarestivehorseofthetroupe，hittingasuspendedapplewithapistol-bulletfiredfromtheanimal’shackwheninfallgallop，andotherfeats。Forhismeritsinthese-allmoreorlessbaseduponhisexperiencesasadragoon-guardsman-Troywastakenintothecompany，andtheplayofTurpinwaspreparedwithaviewtohispersonationofthechiefcharacter。

Troywasnotgreatlyelatedbytheappreciativespiritinwhichhewasundoubtedlytreated，buthethoughttheengagementmightaffordhimafewweeksforconsideration。Itwasthuscarelessly，andwithouthavingformedanydefiniteplanforthefuture，thatTroyfoundhimselfatGreenhillFairwiththerestofthecompanyonthisday。

Andnowthemildautumnsungotlower，andinfrontofthepavilionthefollowingincidenthadtakenplace。Bathsheba-whowasdriventothefairthatdaybyheroddmanPoorgrass-had，likeeveryoneelse，readorheardtheannouncementthatMrFrancis，theGreatCosmopolitanEquestrianandRoughrider，wouldenactthepartofTurpin，andshewasnotyettoooldandcareworntobewithoutalittlecuriositytoseehim。Thisparticularshowwasbyfarthelargestandgrandestinthefair，ahordeoflittleshowsgroupingthemselvesunderitsshadelikechickensaroundahen。Thecrowdhadpassedin，andBoldwood，whohadbeenwatchingallthedayforanopportunityofspeakingtoher，seeinghercomparativelyisolated，cameuptoherside。

`Ihopethesheephavedonewelltoday，MrsTroy？’hesaidnervously。

`Oyes，thankyou，’saidBathsheba，colourspringingupinthecentreofhercheeks。`Iwasfortunateenoughtosellthemalljustaswegotuponthehill，sowehadn’ttopenatall。’

`Andnowyouareentirelyatleisure？’

`Yes，exceptthatIhavetoseeonemoredealerintwohours’time；

otherwiseIshouldbegoinghome。Iwaslookingatthislargetentandtheannouncement。Haveyoueverseentheplayof“Turpin’sRidetoYork“？

Turpinwasarealman，washenot？’

`Oyes，perfectlytrue-allofit。Indeed，IthinkI’veheardJanCoggansaythatarelationofhisknewTomKing，Turpin’sfriend，quitewell。’

`Cogganisrathergiventostrangestoriesconnectedwithhisrelations，wemustremember。Ihopetheycanallbebelieved。’

`Yes，yes；weknowCoggan。ButTurpinistrueenough。Youhaveneverseenitplayed，Isuppose？’

`Never。IwasnotallowedtogointotheseplaceswhenIwasyoung。

Hark！What’sthatprancing？Howtheyshout！’

`BlackBessjuststartedoff，Isuppose。AmIrightinsupposingyouwouldliketoseetheperformance，MrsTroy？Pleaseexcusemymistake，ifitisone；butifyouwouldliketo，I’llgetaseatforyouwithpleasure。’

Perceivingthatshehesitated，headded，`Imyselfshallnotstaytoseeit：I’veseenitbefore。’

NowBathshebadidcarealittletoseetheshow，andhadonlywithheldherfeetfromtheladderbecauseshefearedtogoinalone。ShehadbeenhopingthatOakmightappear，whoseassistanceinsuchcaseswasalwaysacceptedasaninalienableright，butOakwasnowheretobeseen；andhenceitwasthatshesaid，`Thenifyouwilljustlookinfirst，toseeifthere’sroom，IthinkIwillgoinforaminuteortwo。’

AndsoashorttimeafterthisBathshebaappearedinthetentwithBoldwoodatherelbow，who，takinghertoa`reserved’seat，againwithdrew。

Thisfeatureconsistedofoneraisedbenchinaveryconspicuouspartofthecircle，coveredwithredcloth，andflooredwithapieceofcarpet，andBathshebaimmediatelyfound，toherconfusion，thatshewasthesinglereservedindividualinthetent，therestofthecrowdedspectators，oneandall，standingontheirlegsonthebordersofthearena，wheretheygottwiceasgoodaviewoftheperformanceforhalfthemoney。Henceasmanyeyeswereturneduponher，enthronedaloneinthisplaceofhonour，againstascarletbackground，asupontheponiesandclownwhowereengagedinpreliminaryexploitsinthecentre，Turpinnothavingyetappeared。

Oncethere，Bathshebawasforcedtomakethebestofitandremain：shesatdown，spreadingherskirtswithsomedignityovertheunoccupiedspaceoneachsideofher，andgivinganewandfeminineaspecttothepavilion。

InafewminutesshenoticedthefatrednapeofCoggan’sneckamongthosestandingjustbelowher，andJosephPoorgrass’ssaintlyprofilealittlefurtheron。

Theinteriorwasshadowywithapeculiarshade。Thestrangeluminoussemi-opacitiesoffineautumnafternoonsandevesintensifiedintoRembrandteffectsthefewyellowsunbeamswhichcamethroughholesanddivisionsinthecanvas，andspurtedlikejetsofgold-dustacrosstheduskyblueatmosphereofhazepervadingthetent，untiltheyalightedoninnersurfacesofclothopposite，andshonelikelittlelampssuspendedthere。

Troy，onpeepingfromhisdressing-tentthroughaslitforareconnoitrebeforeentering，sawhisunconsciouswifeonhighbeforehimasdescribed，sittingasqueenofthetournament。Hestartedbackinutterconfusion，foralthoughhisdisguiseeffectuallyconcealedhispersonality，heinstantlyfeltthatshewouldbesuretorecognizehisvoice。HehadseveraltimesduringthedaythoughtofthepossibilityofsomeWeatherburypersonorotherappearingandrecognizinghim；buthehadtakentheriskcarelessly。

Iftheyseeme，letthem，hehadsaid。ButherewasBathshebainherownperson；andtherealityofthescenewassomuchintenserthananyofhisprefiguringsthathefelthehadnothalfenoughconsideredthepoint。

ShelookedsocharmingandfairthathiscoolmoodaboutWeatherburypeoplewaschanged。Hehadnotexpectedhertoexercisethispoweroverhiminthetwinklingofaneye。Shouldhegoon，andcarenothing？Hecouldnotbringhimselftodothat。Beyondapoliticwishtoremainunknown，theresuddenlyaroseinhimnowasenseofshameatthepossibilitythathisattractiveyoungwife，whoalreadydespisedhim，shoulddespisehimmorebydiscoveringhiminsomeanaconditionaftersolongatime。Heactuallyblushedatthethought，andwasvexedbeyondmeasurethathissentimentsofdisliketowardsWeatherburyshouldhaveledhimtodailyaboutthecountryinthisway。

ButTroywasnevermorecleverthanwhenabsolutelyathiswits’end。

Hehastilythrustasidethecurtaindividinghisownlittledressingspacefromthatofthemanagerandproprietor，whonowappearedastheindividualcalledTomKingasfardownashiswaist，andastheaforesaidrespectablemanagerthencetohistoes。

`Here’sthedeviltopay！’saidTroy。

`How’sthat？’

`Why，there’sablackguardcreditorinthetentIdon’twanttosee，who’lldiscovermeandnabmeassureasSatanifIopenmymouth。What’stobedone？’

`Youmustappearnow，Ithink。’

`Ican’t。’

`Buttheplaymustproceed。’

`DoyougiveoutthatTurpinhasgotabadcold，andcan’tspeakhispart，butthathe’llperformitjustthesamewithoutspeaking。’

Theproprietorshookhishead。

`Anyhow，playornoplay，Iwon’topenmymouth，’saidTroyfirmly。

`Verywell，thenletmesee。Itellyouhowwe’llmanage，’saidtheother，whoperhapsfeltitwouldbeextremelyawkwardtooffendhisleadingmanjustatthistime。`Iwon’ttell’emanythingaboutyourkeepingsilence；

goonwiththepieceandsaynothing，doingwhatyoucanbyajudiciouswinknowandthen，andafewindomitablenodsintheheroicplaces，youknow。They’llneverfindoutthatthespeechesareomitted。’

Thisseemedfeasibleenough，forTurpin’sspeecheswerenotmanyorlong，thefascinationofthepiecelyingentirelyintheaction；andaccordinglytheplaybegan，andattheappointedtimeBlackBessleaptintothegrassycircleamidtheplauditsofthespectators。Attheturnpikescene，whereBessandTurpinarehotlypursuedatmidnightbytheofficers，andthehalfawakegatekeeperinhistassellednightcapdeniesthatanyhorsemanhaspassed，Cogganutteredabroad-chested`Welldone！’whichcouldbeheardalloverthefairabovethebleating，andPoorgrasssmileddelightedlywithanicesenseofdramaticcontrastbetweenourhero，whocoollyleapsthegate，andhaltingjusticeintheformofhisenemies，whomustneedspullupcumbersomelyandwaittobeletthrough。AtthedeathofTomKing，hecouldnotrefrainfromseizingCogganbythehand，andwhispering，withtearsinhiseyes，`Ofcoursehe’snotreallyshot，Jan-onlyseemingly！’

Andwhenthelastsadscenecameon，andthebodyofthegallantandfaithfulBesshadtobecarriedoutonashutterbytwelvevolunteersfromamongthespectators，nothingcouldrestrainPoorgrassfromlendingahand，exclaiming，asheaskedJantojoinhim，`’TwillbesomethingtotellofatWarren’sinfutureyears，Jan，andhanddowntoourchildren。’FormanyayearinWeatherbury，Josephtold，withtheairofamanwhohadhadexperiencesinhistime，thathetouchedwithhisownhandthehoofofBessasshelayupontheboarduponhisshoulder。If，ascomethinkershold，immortalityconsistsinbeingenshrinedinothers’memories，thendidBlackBessbecomeimmortalthatdayifsheneverhaddonesobefore。

MeanwhileTroyhadaddedafewtouchestohisordinarymakeupfarthecharacter，themoreeffectuallytodisguisehimself，andthoughhehadfeltfaintqualmsonfirstentering，themetamorphosiseffectedbyjudiciously`lining’hisfacewithawirerenderedhimsafefromtheeyesofBathshebaandhermen。Nevertheless，hewasrelievedwhenitwasgotthrough。

Therewasasecondperformanceintheevening，andthetentwaslightedup。Troyhadtakenhispartveryquietlythistime，venturingtointroduceafewspeechesonoccasion；andwasjustconcludingitwhen，whilststandingattheedgeofthecirclecontiguoustothefirstrowofspectators，heobservedwithinayardofhimtheeyeofamandartedkeenlyintohissidefeatures。Troyhastilyshiftedhisposition，afterhavingrecognizedinthescrutineertheknavishbailiffPennyways，hiswife’sswornenemy，whostillhungabouttheoutskirtsofWeatherbury。