Onanotheroccasionwhenreconnoitringthusshebeheldtwofemalefigureswalkinginthevale。Thedaywasfineandclear；andthepersonsnotbeingmorethanhalfamileoffshecouldseetheireverydetailwiththetelescope。
Thewomanwalkinginfrontcarriedawhitebundleinherarms，fromoneendofwhichhungalongappendageofdrapery；
andwhenthewalkersturned，sothatthesunfellmoredirectlyuponthem，Eustaciacouldseethattheobjectwasababy。
ShecalledCharley，andaskedhimifheknewwhotheywere，thoughshewellguessed。
\"Mrs。Wildeveandthenurse—girl，\"saidCharley。
\"Thenurseiscarryingthebaby？\"saidEustacia。
\"No，’tisMrs。Wildevecarryingthat，\"heanswered，\"andthenursewalksbehindcarryingnothing。\"
Theladwasingoodspiritsthatday，fortheFifthofNovemberhadagaincomeround，andhewasplanningyetanotherschemetodivertherfromhertooabsorbingthoughts。
Fortwosuccessiveyearshismistresshadseemedtotakepleasureinlightingabonfireonthebankoverlookingthevalley；butthisyearshehadapparentlyquiteforgottenthedayandthecustomarydeed。
Hewascarefulnottoremindher，andwentonwithhissecretpreparationsforacheerfulsurprise，themorezealouslythathehadbeenabsentlasttimeandunabletoassist。Ateveryvacantminutehehastenedtogatherfurze—stumps，thorn—treeroots，andothersolidmaterialsfromtheadjacentslopes，hidingthemfromcursoryview。
Theeveningcame，andEustaciawasstillseeminglyunconsciousoftheanniversary。Shehadgoneindoorsafterhersurveythroughtheglass，andhadnotbeenvisiblesince。AssoonasitwasquitedarkCharleybegantobuildthebonfire，choosingpreciselythatspotonthebankwhichEustaciahadchosenatprevioustimes。
WhenallthesurroundingbonfireshadburstintoexistenceCharleykindledhis，andarrangeditsfuelsothatitshouldnotrequiretendingforsometime。
Hethenwentbacktothehouse，andlingeredroundthedoorandwindowstillsheshouldbysomemeansorotherlearnofhisachievementandcomeouttowitnessit。
Buttheshutterswereclosed，thedoorremainedshut，andnoheedwhateverseemedtobetakenofhisperformance。
Notlikingtocallherhewentbackandreplenishedthefire，continuingtodothisformorethanhalfanhour。
ItwasnottillhisstockoffuelhadgreatlydiminishedthathewenttothebackdoorandsentintobegthatMrs。Yeobrightwouldopenthewindow—shuttersandseethesightoutside。
Eustacia，whohadbeensittinglistlesslyintheparlour，startedupattheintelligenceandflungopentheshutters。
Facingheronthebankblazedthefire，whichatoncesentaruddyglareintotheroomwhereshewas，andoverpoweredthecandles。
\"Welldone，Charley！\"saidCaptainVyefromthechimney—corner。
\"ButIhopeitisnotmywoodthathe’sburning……Ah，itwasthistimelastyearthatImetwiththatmanVenn，bringinghomeThomasinYeobright——tobesureitwas！Well，whowouldhavethoughtthatgirl’stroubleswouldhaveendedsowell？Whatasnipeyouwereinthatmatter，Eustacia！Hasyourhusbandwrittentoyouyet？\"
\"No，\"saidEustacia，lookingvaguelythroughthewindowatthefire，whichjustthensomuchengagedhermindthatshedidnotresenthergrandfather’sbluntopinion。
ShecouldseeCharley’sformonthebank，shovellingandstirringthefire；andthereflasheduponherimaginationsomeotherformwhichthatfiremightcallup。
Shelefttheroom，putonhergardenbonnetandcloak，andwentout。Reachingthebank，shelookedoverwithawildcuriosityandmisgiving，whenCharleysaidtoher，withapleasedsenseofhimself，\"Imadeito’
purposeforyou，ma’am。\"
\"Thankyou，\"shesaidhastily。\"ButIwishyoutoputitoutnow。\"
\"Itwillsoonburndown，\"saidCharley，ratherdisappointed。
\"Isitnotapitytoknockitout？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"shemusinglyanswered。
Theystoodinsilence，brokenonlybythecracklingoftheflames，tillCharley，perceivingthatshedidnotwanttotalktohim，movedreluctantlyaway。
Eustaciaremainedwithinthebanklookingatthefire，intendingtogoindoors，yetlingeringstill。Hadshenotbyhersituationbeeninclinedtoholdinindifferenceallthingshonouredofthegodsandofmenshewouldprobablyhavecomeaway。Butherstatewassohopelessthatshecouldplaywithit。Tohavelostislessdisturbingthantowonderifwemaypossiblyhavewon；
andEustaciacouldnow，likeotherpeopleatsuchastage，takeastanding—pointoutsideherself，observeherselfasadisinterestedspectator，andthinkwhatasportforHeaventhiswomanEustaciawas。
Whileshestoodsheheardasound。Itwasthesplashofastoneinthepond。
HadEustaciareceivedthestonefullinthebosomherheartcouldnothavegivenamoredecidedthump。
ShehadthoughtofthepossibilityofsuchasignalinanswertothatwhichhadbeenunwittinglygivenbyCharley；
butshehadnotexpectedityet。HowpromptWildevewas！Yethowcouldhethinkhercapableofdeliberatelywishingtorenewtheirassignationsnow？Animpulsetoleavethespot，adesiretostay，struggledwithinher；
andthedesirehelditsown。Morethanthatitdidnotdo，forsherefrainedevenfromascendingthebankandlookingover。Sheremainedmotionless，notdisturbingamuscleofherfaceorraisinghereyes；forwereshetoturnupherfacethefireonthebankwouldshineuponit，andWildevemightbelookingdown。
Therewasasecondsplashintothepond。
Whydidhestaysolongwithoutadvancingandlookingover？Curiosityhaditsway——sheascendedoneortwooftheearth—stepsinthebankandglancedout。
Wildevewasbeforeher。Hehadcomeforwardafterthrowingthelastpebble，andthefirenowshoneintoeachoftheirfacesfromthebankstretchingbreast—highbetweenthem。
\"Ididnotlightit！\"criedEustaciaquickly。\"Itwaslitwithoutmyknowledge。Don’t，don’tcomeovertome！\"
\"Whyhaveyoubeenlivinghereallthesedayswithouttellingme？Youhaveleftyourhome。IfearIamsomethingtoblameinthis？\"
\"Ididnotletinhismother；that’showitis！\"
\"Youdonotdeservewhatyouhavegot，Eustacia；youareingreatmisery；Iseeitinyoureyes，yourmouth，andalloveryou。Mypoor，poorgirl！\"Hesteppedoverthebank。
\"Youarebeyondeverythingunhappy！\"
\"No，no；notexactly——\"
\"Ithasbeenpushedtoofar——itiskillingyou——Idothinkit！\"
Herusuallyquietbreathinghadgrownquickerwithhiswords。
\"I——I——\"shebegan，andthenburstintoquiveringsobs，shakentotheveryheartbytheunexpectedvoiceofpity——asentimentwhoseexistenceinrelationtoherselfshehadalmostforgotten。
ThisoutbreakofweepingtookEustaciaherselfsomuchbysurprisethatshecouldnotleaveoff，andsheturnedasidefromhiminsomeshame，thoughturninghidnothingfromhim。
Shesobbedondesperately；thentheoutpourlessened，andshebecamequieter。Wildevehadresistedtheimpulsetoclaspher，andstoodwithoutspeaking。
\"Areyounotashamedofme，whousednevertobeacryinganimal？\"sheaskedinaweakwhisperasshewipedhereyes。\"Whydidn’tyougoaway？Iwishyouhadnotseenquiteallthat；itrevealstoomuchbyhalf。\"
\"Youmighthavewishedit，becauseitmakesmeassadasyou，\"hesaidwithemotionanddeference。
\"Asforrevealing——thewordisimpossiblebetweenustwo。\"
\"Ididnotsendforyou——don’tforgetit，Damon；Iaminpain，butIdidnotsendforyou！Asawife，atleast，I’vebeenstraight。\"
\"Nevermind——Icame。O，Eustacia，forgivemefortheharmIhavedoneyouinthesetwopastyears！IseemoreandmorethatIhavebeenyourruin。\"
\"Notyou。ThisplaceIlivein。\"
\"Ah，yourgenerositymaynaturallymakeyousaythat。
ButIamtheculprit。Ishouldeitherhavedonemoreornothingatall。\"
\"Inwhatway？\"
\"Ioughtnevertohavehuntedyouout，or，havingdoneit，Ioughttohavepersistedinretainingyou。
ButofcourseIhavenorighttotalkofthatnow。
Iwillonlyaskthis——canIdoanythingforyou？Isthereanythingonthefaceoftheearththatamancandotomakeyouhappierthanyouareatpresent？Ifthereis，Iwilldoit。Youmaycommandme，Eustacia，tothelimitofmyinfluence；anddon’tforgetthatIamrichernow。
Surelysomethingcanbedonetosaveyoufromthis！Sucharareplantinsuchawildplaceitgrievesmetosee。
Doyouwantanythingbought？Doyouwanttogoanywhere？
Doyouwanttoescapetheplacealtogether？Onlysayit，andI’lldoanythingtoputanendtothosetears，whichbutformewouldneverhavebeenatall。\"
\"Weareeachmarriedtoanotherperson，\"shesaidfaintly；
\"andassistancefromyouwouldhaveanevilsound——after——after——\"
\"Well，there’snopreventingslanderersfromhavingtheirfillatanytime；butyouneednotbeafraid。
WhateverImayfeelIpromiseyouonmywordofhonournevertospeaktoyouabout——oractupon——untilyousayImay。
IknowmydutytoThomasinquiteaswellasIknowmydutytoyouasawomanunfairlytreated。WhatshallIassistyouin？\"
\"Ingettingawayfromhere。\"
\"Wheredoyouwishtogoto？\"
\"Ihaveaplaceinmymind。IfyoucouldhelpmeasfarasBudmouthIcandoalltherest。SteamerssailfromthereacrosstheChannel，andsoIcangettoParis，whereIwanttobe。Yes，\"shepleadedearnestly，\"helpmetogettoBudmouthharbourwithoutmygrandfather’sormyhusband’sknowledge，andIcandoalltherest。\"
\"Willitbesafetoleaveyoutherealone？\"
\"Yes，yes。IknowBudmouthwell。\"
\"ShallIgowithyou？Iamrichnow。\"
Shewassilent。
\"Sayyes，sweet！\"
Shewassilentstill。
\"Well，letmeknowwhenyouwishtogo。WeshallbeatourpresenthousetillDecember；afterthatweremovetoCasterbridge。Commandmeinanythingtillthattime。\"
\"Iwillthinkofthis，\"shesaidhurriedly。\"WhetherI
canhonestlymakeuseofyouasafriend，ormustclosewithyouasalover——thatiswhatImustaskmyself。
IfIwishtogoanddecidetoacceptyourcompanyIwillsignaltoyousomeeveningateighto’clockpunctually，andthiswillmeanthatyouaretobereadywithahorseandtrapattwelveo’clockthesamenighttodrivemetoBudmouthharbourintimeforthemorningboat。\"
\"Iwilllookouteverynightateight，andnosignalshallescapeme。\"
\"Nowpleasegoaway。IfIdecideonthisescapeIcanonlymeetyouoncemoreunless——Icannotgowithoutyou。
Go——Icannotbearitlonger。Go——go！\"
Wildeveslowlywentupthestepsanddescendedintothedarknessontheotherside；andashewalkedheglancedback，tillthebankblottedoutherformfromhisfurtherview。
6—ThomasinArgueswithHerCousin，andHeWritesaLetterYeobrightwasatthistimeatBlooms—End，hopingthatEustaciawouldreturntohim。Theremovaloffurniturehadbeenaccomplishedonlythatday，thoughClymhadlivedintheoldhouseformorethanaweek。
Hehadspentthetimeinworkingaboutthepremises，sweepingleavesfromthegardenpaths，cuttingdeadstalksfromtheflowerbeds，andnailingupcreeperswhichhadbeendisplacedbytheautumnwinds。Hetooknoparticularpleasureinthesedeeds，buttheyformedascreenbetweenhimselfanddespair。Moreover，ithadbecomeareligionwithhimtopreserveingoodconditionallthathadlapsedfromhismother’shandstohisown。
DuringtheseoperationshewasconstantlyonthewatchforEustacia。ThatthereshouldbenomistakeaboutherknowingwheretofindhimhehadorderedanoticeboardtobeaffixedtothegardengateatAlderworth，signifyinginwhiteletterswhitherhehadremoved。
Whenaleaffloatedtotheearthheturnedhishead，thinkingitmightbeherfoot—fall。Abirdsearchingforwormsinthemouldoftheflower—bedssoundedlikeherhandonthelatchofthegate；andatdusk，whensoft，strangeventriloquismscamefromholesintheground，hollowstalks，curleddeadleaves，andothercrannieswhereinbreezes，worms，andinsectscanworktheirwill，hefanciedthattheywereEustacia，standingwithoutandbreathingwishesofreconciliation。
Uptothishourhehadperseveredinhisresolvenottoinviteherback。Atthesametimetheseveritywithwhichhehadtreatedherlulledthesharpnessofhisregretforhismother，andawokesomeofhisoldsolicitudeforhismother’ssupplanter。Harshfeelingsproduceharshusage，andthisbyreactionquenchesthesentimentsthatgaveitbirth。Themorehereflectedthemorehesoftened。
Buttolookuponhiswifeasinnocenceindistresswasimpossible，thoughhecouldaskhimselfwhetherhehadgivenherquitetimeenough——ifhehadnotcomealittletoosuddenlyuponheronthatsombremorning。
NowthatthefirstflushofhisangerhadpaledhewasdisinclinedtoascribetohermorethananindiscreetfriendshipwithWildeve，fortherehadnotappearedinhermannerthesignsofdishonour。Andthisonceadmitted，anabsolutelydarkinterpretationofheracttowardshismotherwasnolongerforceduponhim。
OntheeveningofthefifthNovemberhisthoughtsofEustaciawereintense。Echoesfromthosepasttimeswhentheyhadexchangedtenderwordsallthedaylongcamelikethediffusedmurmurofaseashoreleftmilesbehind。
\"Surely，\"hesaid，\"shemighthavebroughtherselftocommunicatewithmebeforenow，andconfesshonestlywhatWildevewastoher。\"
InsteadofremainingathomethatnighthedeterminedtogoandseeThomasinandherhusband。IfhefoundopportunityhewouldalludetothecauseoftheseparationbetweenEustaciaandhimself，keepingsilence，however，onthefactthattherewasathirdpersoninhishousewhenhismotherwasturnedaway。IfitprovedthatWildevewasinnocentlytherehewoulddoubtlessopenlymentionit。
IfheweretherewithunjustintentionsWildeve，beingamanofquickfeeling，mightpossiblysaysomethingtorevealtheextenttowhichEustaciawascompromised。
Butonreachinghiscousin’shousehefoundthatonlyThomasinwasathome，WildevebeingatthattimeonhiswaytowardsthebonfireinnocentlylitbyCharleyatMistover。
Thomasinthen，asalways，wasgladtoseeClym，andtookhimtoinspectthesleepingbaby，carefullyscreeningthecandlelightfromtheinfant’seyeswithherhand。
\"Tamsin，haveyouheardthatEustaciaisnotwithme。
now？\"hesaidwhentheyhadsatdownagain。
\"No，\"saidThomasin，alarmed。
\"AndnotthatIhaveleftAlderworth？\"
\"No。IneverheartidingsfromAlderworthunlessyoubringthem。Whatisthematter？\"
ClyminadisturbedvoicerelatedtoherhisvisittoSusanNunsuch’sboy，therevelationhehadmade，andwhathadresultedfromhischargingEustaciawithhavingwilfullyandheartlesslydonethedeed。
HesuppressedallmentionofWildeve’spresencewithher。
\"Allthis，andInotknowingit！\"murmuredThomasininanawestrucktone，\"Terrible！Whatcouldhavemadeher——O，Eustacia！Andwhenyoufounditoutyouwentinhothastetoher？Wereyoutoocruel？——orisshereallysowickedassheseems？\"
\"Canamanbetoocrueltohismother’senemy？\"
\"Icanfancyso。\"
\"Verywell，then——I’lladmitthathecan。Butnowwhatistobedone？\"
\"Makeitupagain——ifaquarrelsodeadlycaneverbemadeup。Ialmostwishyouhadnottoldme。
Butdotrytobereconciled。Thereareways，afterall，ifyoubothwishto。\"
\"Idon’tknowthatwedobothwishtomakeitup，\"
saidClym。\"Ifshehadwishedit，wouldshenothavesenttomebythistime？\"
\"Youseemtowishto，andyetyouhavenotsenttoher。\"
\"True；butIhavebeentossedtoandfroindoubtifIought，aftersuchstrongprovocation。Toseemenow，Thomasin，givesyounoideaofwhatIhavebeen；
ofwhatdepthsIhavedescendedtointhesefewlastdays。
O，itwasabittershametoshutoutmymotherlikethat！
CanIeverforgetit，orevenagreetoseeheragain？\"
\"Shemightnothaveknownthatanythingseriouswouldcomeofit，andperhapsshedidnotmeantokeepAuntoutaltogether。\"
\"Shesaysherselfthatshedidnot。Butthefactremainsthatkeepheroutshedid。\"
\"Believehersorry，andsendforher。\"
\"Howifshewillnotcome？\"
\"Itwillproveherguilty，byshowingthatitisherhabittonourishenmity。ButIdonotthinkthatforamoment。\"
\"Iwilldothis。Iwillwaitforadayortwolonger——
notlongerthantwodayscertainly；andifshedoesnotsendtomeinthattimeIwillindeedsendtoher。
IthoughttohaveseenWildeveheretonight。Ishefromhome？\"
Thomasinblushedalittle。\"No，\"shesaid。\"Heismerelygoneoutforawalk。\"
\"Whydidn’thetakeyouwithhim？Theeveningisfine。
Youwantfreshairaswellashe。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tcareforgoinganywhere；besides，thereisbaby。\"
\"Yes，yes。Well，IhavebeenthinkingwhetherIshouldnotconsultyourhusbandaboutthisaswellasyou，\"
saidClymsteadily。
\"IfancyIwouldnot，\"shequicklyanswered。\"Itcandonogood。\"
Hercousinlookedherintheface。NodoubtThomasinwasignorantthatherhusbandhadanyshareintheeventsofthattragicafternoon；buthercountenanceseemedtosignifythatsheconcealedsomesuspicionorthoughtofthereputedtenderrelationsbetweenWildeveandEustaciaindaysgoneby。
Clym，however，couldmakenothingofit，andherosetodepart，moreindoubtthanwhenhecame。
\"Youwillwritetoherinadayortwo？\"saidtheyoungwomanearnestly。\"Idosohopethewretchedseparationmaycometoanend。\"
\"Iwill，\"saidClym；\"Idon’trejoiceinmypresentstateatall。\"
AndheleftherandclimbedoverthehilltoBlooms—End。
Beforegoingtobedhesatdownandwrotethefollowingletter：——
MYDEAREUSTACIA，——Imustobeymyheartwithoutconsultingmyreasontooclosely。Willyoucomebacktome？Doso，andthepastshallneverbementioned。Iwastoosevere；
butO，Eustacia，theprovocation！Youdon’tknow，youneverwillknow，whatthosewordsofangercostmewhichyoudrewdownuponyourself。AllthatanhonestmancanpromiseyouIpromisenow，whichisthatfrommeyoushallneversufferanythingonthisscoreagain。
Afterallthevowswehavemade，Eustacia，Ithinkwehadbetterpasstheremainderofourlivesintryingtokeepthem。Cometome，then，evenifyoureproachme。
IhavethoughtofyoursufferingsthatmorningonwhichI
partedfromyou；Iknowtheyweregenuine，andtheyareasmuchasyououghttobear。Ourlovemuststillcontinue。
Suchheartsasourswouldneverhavebeengivenusbuttobeconcernedwitheachother。Icouldnotaskyoubackatfirst，Eustacia，forIwasunabletopersuademyselfthathewhowaswithyouwasnotthereasalover。
ButifyouwillcomeandexplaindistractingappearancesIdonotquestionthatyoucanshowyourhonestytome。
Whyhaveyounotcomebefore？DoyouthinkIwillnotlistentoyou？Surelynot，whenyourememberthekissesandvowsweexchangedunderthesummermoon。
Returnthen，andyoushallbewarmlywelcomed。
Icannolongerthinkofyoutoyourprejudice——Iambuttoomuchabsorbedinjustifyingyou。——Yourhusbandasever，CLYM。
\"There，\"hesaid，ashelaiditinhisdesk，\"that’sagoodthingdone。IfshedoesnotcomebeforetomorrownightIwillsendittoher。\"
Meanwhile，atthehousehehadjustleftThomasinsatsighinguneasily。FidelitytoherhusbandhadthateveninginducedhertoconcealallsuspicionthatWildeve’sinterestinEustaciahadnotendedwithhismarriage。
Butsheknewnothingpositive；andthoughClymwasherwell—belovedcousintherewasonenearertoherstill。
When，alittlelater，WildevereturnedfromhiswalktoMistover，Thomasinsaid，\"Damon，wherehaveyoubeen？I
wasgettingquitefrightened，andthoughtyouhadfallenintotheriver。Idislikebeinginthehousebymyself。\"
\"Frightened？\"hesaid，touchinghercheekasifsheweresomedomesticanimal。\"Why，Ithoughtnothingcouldfrightenyou。Itisthatyouaregettingproud，Iamsure，anddon’tlikelivingheresincewehaverisenaboveourbusiness。Well，itisatediousmatter，thisgettinganewhouse；butIcouldn’thavesetaboutitsooner，unlessourtenthousandpoundshadbeenahundredthousand，whenwecouldhaveaffordedtodespisecaution。\"
\"No——Idon’tmindwaiting——Iwouldratherstayheretwelvemonthslongerthanrunanyriskwithbaby。
ButIdon’tlikeyourvanishingsointheevenings。
There’ssomethingonyourmind——Iknowthereis，Damon。
Yougoaboutsogloomily，andlookattheheathasifitweresomebody’sgaolinsteadofanicewildplacetowalkin。\"
Helookedtowardsherwithpityingsurprise。\"What，doyoulikeEgdonHeath？\"hesaid。
\"IlikewhatIwasbornnearto；Iadmireitsgrimoldface。\"
\"Pooh，mydear。Youdon’tknowwhatyoulike。\"
\"IamsureIdo。There’sonlyonethingunpleasantaboutEgdon。\"
\"What’sthat？\"
\"Younevertakemewithyouwhenyouwalkthere。Whydoyouwandersomuchinityourselfifyousodislikeit？\"
Theinquiry，thoughasimpleone，wasplainlydisconcerting，andhesatdownbeforereplying。\"Idon’tthinkyouoftenseemethere。Giveaninstance。\"
\"Iwill，\"sheansweredtriumphantly。\"WhenyouwentoutthiseveningIthoughtthatasbabywasasleepI
wouldseewhereyouweregoingtosomysteriouslywithouttellingme。SoIranoutandfollowedbehindyou。
Youstoppedattheplacewheretheroadforks，lookedroundatthebonfires，andthensaid，’Damnit，I’llgo！’Andyouwentquicklyuptheleft—handroad。
ThenIstoodandwatchedyou。\"
Wildevefrowned，afterwardssaying，withaforcedsmile，\"Well，whatwonderfuldiscoverydidyoumake？\"
\"There——nowyouareangry，andwewon’ttalkofthisanymore。\"Shewentacrosstohim，satonafootstool，andlookedupinhisface。
\"Nonsense！\"hesaid，\"that’showyoualwaysbackout。
Wewillgoonwithitnowwehavebegun。Whatdidyounextsee？Iparticularlywanttoknow。\"
\"Don’tbelikethat，Damon！\"shemurmured。\"Ididn’tseeanything。Youvanishedoutofsight，andthenI
lookedroundatthebonfiresandcamein。\"
\"Perhapsthisisnottheonlytimeyouhavedoggedmysteps。
Areyoutryingtofindoutsomethingbadaboutme？\"
\"Notatall！Ihaveneverdonesuchathingbefore，andIshouldn’thavedoneitnowifwordshadnotsometimesbeendroppedaboutyou。\"
\"WhatDOyoumean？\"heimpatientlyasked。
\"Theysay——theysayyouusedtogotoAlderworthintheevenings，anditputsintomymindwhatIhaveheardabout——\"
Wildeveturnedangrilyandstoodupinfrontofher。
\"Now，\"hesaid，flourishinghishandintheair，\"justoutwithit，madam！Idemandtoknowwhatremarksyouhaveheard。\"
\"Well，IheardthatyouusedtobeveryfondofEustacia——nothingmorethanthat，thoughdroppedinabit—by—bitway。Yououghtnottobeangry！\"
Heobservedthathereyeswerebrimmingwithtears。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"thereisnothingnewinthat，andofcourseIdon’tmeantoberoughtowardsyou，soyouneednotcry。Now，don’tletusspeakofthesubjectanymore。\"