Aloneinherchamber，Bettyflungherselfuponherfaceonthebed，andburstintoshakingsobs。Yetshewouldnotadmittoherselfthatherlover\'sconductwasunreasonable；onlythatherrashactofthepreviousweekhadbeenwrong。Noonehadheardherenter，andshewastoowornout，inbodyandmind，tothinkorcareaboutmedicalaid。Inanhourorsoshefeltyetmoreunwell，positivelyill；andnobodycomingtoherattheusualbedtime，shelookedtowardsthedoor。Marksofthelockhavingbeenforcedwerevisible，andthismadehercharyofsummoningaservant。Sheopenedthedoorcautiouslyandsalliedforthdownstairs。
Inthedining-parlour，asitwascalled，thenowsickandsorryBettywasstartledtoseeatthatlatehournothermother，butamansitting，calmlyfinishinghissupper。Therewasnoservantintheroom。Heturned，andsherecognizedherhusband。
\'Where\'smymamma?\'shedemandedwithoutpreface。
\'Gonetoyourfather\'s。Isthat——\'Hestopped，aghast。
\'Yes，sir。Thisspottedobjectisyourwife!I\'vedoneitbecauseIdon\'twantyoutocomenearme!\'
Hewassixteenyearshersenior；oldenoughtobecompassionate。
\'Mypoorchild，youmustgettobeddirectly!Don\'tbeafraidofme——I\'llcarryyouupstairs，andsendforadoctorinstantly。\'
\'Ah，youdon\'tknowwhatIam!\'shecried。\'Ihadaloveronce；butnowhe\'sgone!\'Twasn\'tIwhodesertedhim。Hehasdesertedme；
becauseIamillhewouldn\'tkissme，thoughIwantedhimto!\'
\'Wouldn\'the?Thenhewasaverypoorslack-twistedsortoffellow。
Betty，I\'VEneverkissedyousinceyoustoodbesidemeasmylittlewife，twelveyearsandahalfold!MayIkissyounow?\'
ThoughBettybynomeansdesiredhiskisses，shehadenoughofthespiritofCunigondeinSchiller\'sballadtotesthisdaring。\'Ifyouhavecouragetoventure，yessir!\'saidshe。\'Butyoumaydieforit，mind!\'
Hecameuptoherandimprintedadeliberatekissfulluponhermouth，saying，\'Maymanyothersfollow!\'
Sheshookherhead，andhastilywithdrew，thoughsecretlypleasedathishardihood。Theexcitementhadsupportedherforthefewminutesshehadpassedinhispresence，andshecouldhardlydragherselfbacktoherroom。Herhusbandsummonedtheservants，and，sendingthemtoherassistance，wentoffhimselfforadoctor。
ThenextmorningReynardwaitedattheCourttillhehadlearntfromthemedicalmanthatBetty\'sattackpromisedtobeaverylightone——
or，asitwasexpressed，\'veryfine\'；andintakinghisleavesentupanotetoher:
\'NowImustbeGone。IpromisedyourMotherIwouldnotseeYouyet，andshemaybeanger\'difshefindsmehere。PromisetoseemeasSoonasyouarewell?\'
Hewasofallmenthenlivingoneofthebestabletocopewithsuchanuntimelysituationasthis。Acontriving，sagacious，gentle-
manneredman，aphilosopherwhosawthattheonlyconstantattributeoflifeischange，heheldthat，aslongasshelives，thereisnothingfiniteinthemostimpassionedattitudeawomanmaytakeup。
Intwelvemonthshisgirl-wife\'srecentinfatuationmightbeasdistastefultohermindasitwasnowtohisown。Inafewyearsherveryfleshwouldchange——sosaidthescientific；——herspirit，somuchmoreephemeral，wascapableofchanginginone。Bettywashis，anditbecameamerequestionofmeanshowtoeffectthatchange。
DuringthedayMrs。Dornell，havingclosedherhusband\'seyes，returnedtotheCourt。ShewastrulyrelievedtofindBettythere，eventhoughonabedofsickness。Thediseaseranitscourse，andinduetimeBettybecameconvalescent，withouthavingsuffereddeeplyforherrashness，onelittlespeckbeneathherear，andonebeneathherchin，beingallthemarkssheretained。
TheSquire\'sbodywasnotbroughtbacktoKing\'s-Hintock。Wherehewasborn，andwherehehadlivedbeforeweddinghisSue，therehehadwishedtobeburied。NosoonerhadshelosthimthanMrs。
Dornell，likecertainotherwives，thoughshehadnevershownanygreataffectionforhimwhilehelived，awokesuddenlytohismanyvirtues，andzealouslyembracedhisopinionaboutdelayingBetty\'sunionwithherhusband，whichshehadformerlycombatedstrenuously。
\'Poorman!howrighthewas，andhowwrongwasI!\'EighteenwascertainlythelowestageatwhichMr。Reynardshouldclaimherchild——nay，itwastoolow!Fartoolow!
Sodesirouswassheofhonouringherlamentedhusband\'ssentimentsinthisrespect，thatshewrotetoherson-in-lawsuggestingthat，partlyonaccountofBetty\'ssorrowforherfather\'sloss，andoutofconsiderationforhisknownwishesfordelay，Bettyshouldnotbetakenfromhertillhernineteenthbirthday。
HowevermuchorlittleStephenReynardmighthavebeentoblameinhismarriage，thepatientmannowalmostdeservedtobepitied。
FirstBetty\'sskittishness；nowhermother\'sremorsefulvolte-face:
itwasenoughtoexasperateanybody；andhewrotetothewidowinatonewhichledtoalittlecoolnessbetweenthosehithertofirmfriends。However，knowingthathehadawifenottoclaimbuttowin，andthatyoungPhelipsonhadbeenpackedofftoseabyhisparents，Stephenwascomplaisanttoadegree，returningtoLondon，andholdingquitealooffromBettyandhermother，whoremainedforthepresentinthecountry。IntownhehadamildvisitationofthedistemperhehadtakenfromBetty，andinwritingtoherhetookcarenottodwelluponitsmildness。ItwasnowthatBettybegantopityhimforwhatshehadinflicteduponhimbythekiss，andhercorrespondenceacquiredadistinctflavourofkindnessthenceforward。
Owingtohisrebuffs，ReynardhadgrowntobetrulyinlovewithBettyinhismild，placid，durableway——inthatwaywhichperhaps，uponthewhole，tendsmostgenerallytothewoman\'scomfortundertheinstitutionofmarriage，ifnotparticularlytoherecstasy。
Mrs。Dornell\'sexaggerationofherhusband\'swishfordelayintheirlivingtogetherwasinconvenient，buthewouldnotopenlyinfringeit。HewrotetenderlytoBetty，andsoonannouncedthathehadalittlesurpriseinstoreforher。ThesecretwasthattheKinghadbeengraciouslypleasedtoinformhimprivately，througharelation，thatHisMajestywasabouttoofferhimaBarony。WouldshelikethetitletobeIvell?Moreover，hehadreasonforknowingthatinafewyearsthedignitywouldberaisedtothatofanEarl，forwhichcreationhethoughtthetitleofWessexwouldbeeminentlysuitable，consideringthepositionofmuchoftheirproperty。AsLadyIvell，therefore，andfutureCountessofWessex，heshouldbegleavetoofferherhisheartathirdtime。
Hedidnotadd，ashemighthaveadded，howgreatlytheconsiderationoftheenormousestatesatKing\'s-HintockandelsewherewhichBettywouldinherit，andherchildrenafterher，hadconducedtothisdesirablehonour。
WhethertheimpendingtitleshadreallyanyeffectuponBetty\'sregardforhimIcannotstate，forshewasoneofthoseclosecharacterswhoneverlettheirmindsbeknownuponanything。Thatsuchhonourwasabsolutelyunexpectedbyherfromsuchaquarteris，however，certain；andshecouldnotdenythatStephenhadshownherkindness，forbearance，evenmagnanimity；hadforgivenherforanerrantpassionwhichhemightwithsomereasonhavedenounced，notwithstandinghercruelpositionasachildentrappedintomarriageereabletounderstanditsbearings。
Hermother，inhergriefandremorseforthelovelesslifeshehadledwithherrough，thoughopen-hearted，husband，madenowacreedofhismerestwhim；andcontinuedtoinsistthat，outofrespecttohisknowndesire，herson-in-lawshouldnotresidewithBettytillthegirl\'sfatherhadbeendeadayearatleast，atwhichtimethegirlwouldstillbeundernineteen。LettersmustsufficeforStephentillthen。
\'Itisratherlongforhimtowait，\'Bettyhesitatinglysaidoneday。
\'What!\'saidhermother。\'FromYOU?nottorespectyourdearfather——\'
\'Ofcourseitisquiteproper，\'saidBettyhastily。\'Idon\'tgainsayit。Iwasbutthinkingthat——that——\'
InthelongslowmonthsofthestipulatedintervalhermothertendedandtrainedBettycarefullyforherduties。Fullyawakenowtothemanyvirtuesofherdeardepartedone，she，amongotheractsofpiousdevotiontohismemory，rebuiltthechurchofKing\'s-Hintockvillage，andestablishedvaluablecharitiesinallthevillagesofthatname，asfarastoLittle-Hintock，severalmileseastward。
Insuperintendingtheseworks，particularlythatofthechurch-
building，herdaughterBettywasherconstantcompanion，andtheincidentsoftheirexecutionweredoubtlessnotwithoutasoothingeffectupontheyoungcreature\'sheart。Shehadsprungfromgirltowomanbyasuddenbound，andfewwouldhaverecognizedinthethoughtfulfaceofBettynowthesamepersonwho，theyearbefore，hadseemedtohaveabsolutelynoideawhateverofresponsibility，moralorother。TimepassedthustilltheSquirehadbeennearlyayearinhisvault；andMrs。DornellwasdulyaskedbyletterbythepatientReynardifshewerewillingforhimtocomesoon。HedidnotwishtotakeBettyawayifhermother\'ssenseoflonelinesswouldbetoogreat，butwouldwillinglyliveatKing\'s-Hintockawhilewiththem。
Beforethewidowhadrepliedtothiscommunication，sheonedayhappenedtoobserveBettywalkingonthesouthterraceinthefullsunlight，withouthatormantle，andwasstruckbyherchild\'sfigure。Mrs。Dornellcalledherin，andsaidsuddenly:\'Haveyouseenyourhusbandsincethetimeofyourpoorfather\'sdeath?\'
\'Well——yes，mamma，\'saysBetty，colouring。
\'What——againstmywishesandthoseofyourdearfather!Iamshockedatyourdisobedience!\'
\'Butmyfathersaideighteen，ma\'am，andyoumadeitmuchlonger——\'
\'Why，ofcourse——outofconsiderationforyou!Whenhaveyeseenhim?\'
\'Well，\'stammeredBetty，\'inthecourseofhisletterstomehesaidthatIbelongedtohim，andifnobodyknewthatwemetitwouldmakenodifference。AndthatIneednothurtyourfeelingsbytellingyou。\'
\'Well?\'
\'SoIwenttoCasterbridgethattimeyouwenttoLondonaboutfivemonthsago——\'
\'Andmethimthere?Whendidyoucomeback?\'
\'Dearmamma，itgrewverylate，andhesaiditwassafernottogobacktillnextday，astheroadswerebad；andasyouwereawayfromhome——\'
\'Idon\'twanttohearanymore!Thisisyourrespectforyourfather\'smemory，\'groanedthewidow。\'Whendidyoumeethimagain?\'
\'Oh——notformorethanafortnight。\'
\'Afortnight!Howmanytimeshaveyeseenhimaltogether?\'
\'I\'msure，mamma，I\'venotseenhimaltogetheradozentimes。\'
\'Adozen!Andeighteenandahalfyearsoldbarely!\'
\'Twicewemetbyaccident，\'pleadedBetty。\'OnceatAbbot\'s-Cernel，andanothertimeattheRedLion，Melchester。\'
\'Othoudeceitfulgirl!\'criedMrs。Dornell。\'AnaccidenttookyoutotheRedLionwhilstIwasstayingattheWhiteHart!Iremember——
youcameinattwelveo\'clockatnightandsaidyou\'dbeentoseethecathedralbythelighto\'themoon!\'
\'Myever-honouredmamma，soIhad!IonlywenttotheRedLionwithhimafterwards。\'
\'OhBetty，Betty!Thatmychildshouldhavedeceivedmeeveninmywidoweddays!\'
\'But，mydearestmamma，youmadememarryhim!\'saysBettywithspirit，\'andofcourseI\'vetoobeyhimmorethanyounow!\'
Mrs。Dornellsighed。\'AllIhavetosayis，thatyou\'dbettergetyourhusbandtojoinyouassoonaspossible，\'sheremarked。\'Togoonplayingthemaidenlikethis——I\'mashamedtoseeyou!\'
ShewroteinstantlytoStephenReynard:\'Iwashmyhandsofthewholematterasbetweenyoutwo；thoughIshouldadviseyoutoOPENLYjoineachotherassoonasyoucan——ifyouwishtoavoidscandal。\'
Hecame，thoughnottillthepromisedtitlehadbeengranted，andhecouldcallBettyarchly\'MyLady。\'
Peoplesaidinafteryearsthatsheandherhusbandwereveryhappy。
Howeverthatmaybe，theyhadanumerousfamily；andshebecameinduecoursefirstCountessofWessex，ashehadforetold。
ThelittlewhitefrockinwhichshehadbeenmarriedtohimatthetenderageoftwelvewascarefullypreservedamongtherelicsatKing\'s-HintockCourt，whereitmaystillbeseenbythecurious——ayellowing，pathetictestimonytothesmallcounttakenofthehappinessofaninnocentchildinthesocialstrategyofthosedays，whichmighthaveled，butprovidentiallydidnotlead，togreatunhappiness。
WhentheEarldiedBettywrotehimanepitaph，inwhichshedescribedhimasthebestofhusbands，fathers，andfriends，andcalledherselfhisdisconsolatewidow。
Suchiswoman；orrathernottogiveoffencebysosweepinganassertion，suchwasBettyDornell。
ItwasatameetingofoneoftheWessexFieldandAntiquarianClubsthattheforegoingstory，partlytold，partlyreadfromamanuscript，wasmadetododutyfortheregulationpapersondeformedbutterflies，fossilox-horns，prehistoricdung-mixens，andsuchlike，thatusuallyoccupiedthemoreseriousattentionofthemembers。
ThisClubwasofaninclusiveandintersocialcharacter；toadegree，indeed，remarkableforthepartofEnglandinwhichithaditsbeing——dear，delightfulWessex，whosestatuesquedynastiesareevennowonlyjustbeginningtofeeltheshakingofthenewandstrangespiritwithout，likethatwhichenteredthelonelyvalleyofEzekiel\'svisionandmadethedrybonesmove:wherethehonestsquires，tradesmen，parsons，clerks，andpeoplestillpraisetheLordwithonevoiceforHisbestofallpossibleworlds。
Thepresentmeeting，whichwastoextendovertwodays，hadopeneditsproceedingsatthemuseumofthetownwhosebuildingsandenvironsweretobevisitedbythemembers。Lunchhadended，andtheafternoonexcursionhadbeenabouttobeundertaken，whentheraincamedowninanobstinatespatter，whichrevealednosignofcessation。Asthememberswaitedtheygrewchilly，althoughitwasonlyautumn，andafirewaslighted，whichthrewacheerfulshineuponthevarnishedskulls，urns，penates，tesserae，costumes，coatsofmail，weapons，andmissals，animatedthefossilizedichthyosaurusandiguanodon；whilethedeadeyesofthestuffedbirds——thosenever-absentfamiliarsinsuchcollections，thoughmurderedtoextinctionoutofdoors——flashedastheyhadflashedtotherisingsunabovetheneighbouringmoorsonthefatalmorningwhenthetriggerwaspulledwhichendedtheirlittleflight。Itwasthenthatthehistorianproducedhismanuscript，whichhehadprepared，hesaid，withaviewtopublication。Hisdeliveryofthestoryhavingconcludedasaforesaid，thespeakerexpressedhishopethattheconstraintoftheweather，andthepaucityofmorescientificpapers，wouldexcuseanyinappropriatenessinhissubject。
Severalmembersobservedthatastorm-boundclubcouldnotpresumetobeselective，andtheywereallverymuchobligedtohimforsuchacuriouschapterfromthedomestichistoriesofthecounty。
ThePresidentlookedgloomilyfromthewindowatthedescendingrain，andbrokeashortsilencebysayingthatthoughtheClubhadmet，thereseemedlittleprobabilityofitsbeingabletovisittheobjectsofinterestsetdownamongtheagenda。
TheTreasurerobservedthattheyhadatleastaroofovertheirheads；andtheyhadalsoaseconddaybeforethem。
Asentimentalmember，leaningbackinhischair，declaredthathewasinnohurrytogoout，andthatnothingwouldpleasehimsomuchasanothercountystory，withorwithoutmanuscript。
TheColoneladdedthatthesubjectshouldbealady，liketheformer，towhichagentlemanknownastheSparksaid\'Hear，hear!\'
Thoughthesehadspokeninjest，aruraldeanwhowaspresentobservedblandlythattherewasnolackofmaterials。Many，indeed，werethelegendsandtraditionsofgentleandnobledames，renownedintimespastinthatpartofEngland，whoseactionsandpassionswerenow，butformen\'smemories，buriedunderthebriefinscriptiononatomboranentryofdatesinadrypedigree。
Anothermember，anoldsurgeon，asomewhatgrimthoughsociablepersonage，wasquiteofthespeaker\'sopinion，andfeltquitesurethatthememoryofthereverendgentlemanmustaboundwithsuchcurioustalesoffairdames，oftheirlovesandhates，theirjoysandtheirmisfortunes，theirbeautyandtheirfate。
Theparson，atrifleconfused，retortedthattheirfriendthesurgeon，thesonofasurgeon，seemedtohim，asamanwhohadseenmuchandheardmoreduringthelongcourseofhisownandhisfather\'spractice，thememberofallothersmostlikelytobeacquaintedwithsuchlore。
Thebookworm，theColonel，thehistorian，theVice-president，thechurchwarden，thetwocurates，thegentleman-tradesman，thesentimentalmember，thecrimsonmaltster，thequietgentleman，themanoffamily，theSpark，andseveralothers，quiteagreed，andbeggedthathewouldrecallsomethingofthekind。Theoldsurgeonsaidthat，thoughameetingoftheMid-WessexFieldandAntiquarianClubwasthelastplaceatwhichheshouldhaveexpectedtobecalleduponinthisway，hehadnoobjection；andtheparsonsaidhewouldcomenext。Thesurgeonthenreflected，anddecidedtorelatethehistoryofaladynamedBarbara，wholivedtowardstheendofthelastcentury，apologizingforhistaleasbeingperhapsalittletooprofessional。ThecrimsonmaltsterwinkedtotheSparkathearingthenatureoftheapology，andthesurgeonbegan。
DAMETHESECOND:BARBARAOFTHEHOUSEOFGREBE
BytheOldSurgeonItwasapparentlyanidea，ratherthanapassion，thatinspiredLordUplandtowers\'resolvetowinher。Nobodyeverknewwhenheformedit，orwhencehegothisassuranceofsuccessinthefaceofhermanifestdislikeofhim。PossiblynotuntilafterthatfirstimportantactofherlifewhichIshallpresentlymention。Hismaturedandcynicaldoggednessattheageofnineteen，whenimpulsemostlyrulescalculation，wasremarkable，andmighthaveoweditsexistenceasmuchtohissuccessiontotheearldomanditsaccompanyinglocalhonoursinchildhood，astothefamilycharacter；
anelevationwhichjerkedhimintomaturity，sotospeak，withouthishavingknownadolescence。Hehadonlyreachedhistwelfthyearwhenhisfather，thefourthEarl，died，afteracourseoftheBathwaters。
Nevertheless，thefamilycharacterhadagreatdealtodowithit。
Determinationwashereditaryinthebearersofthatescutcheon；
sometimesforgood，sometimesforevil。
Theseatsofthetwofamilieswereabouttenmilesapart，thewaybetweenthemlyingalongthenowold，thennew，turnpike-roadconnectingHavenpoolandWarbornewiththecityofMelchester:aroadwhich，thoughonlyabranchfromwhatwasknownastheGreatWesternHighway，isprobably，evenatpresent，asithasbeenforthelasthundredyears，oneofthefinestexamplesofamacadamizedturnpike-trackthatcanbefoundinEngland。
ThemansionoftheEarl，aswellasthatofhisneighbour，Barbara\'sfather，stoodbackaboutamilefromthehighway，withwhicheachwasconnectedbyanordinarydriveandlodge。ItwasalongthisparticularhighwaythattheyoungEarldroveonacertaineveningatChristmastidesometwentyyearsbeforetheendofthelastcentury，toattendaballatCheneManor，thehomeofBarbara，andherparentsSirJohnandLadyGrebe。SirJohn\'swasabaronetcycreatedafewyearsbeforethebreakingoutoftheCivilWar，andhislandswereevenmoreextensivethanthoseofLordUplandtowershimself；
comprisingthisManorofChene，anotheronthecoastnear，halftheHundredofCockdene，andwell-enclosedlandsinseveralotherparishes，notablyWarborneandthosecontiguous。AtthistimeBarbarawasbarelyseventeen，andtheballisthefirstoccasiononwhichwehaveanytraditionofLordUplandtowersattemptingtenderrelationswithher；itwasearlyenough，Godknows。
Anintimatefriend——oneoftheDrenkhards——issaidtohavedinedwithhimthatday，andLordUplandtowershad，forawonder，communicatedtohisguestthesecretdesignofhisheart。
\'You\'llnevergether——sure；you\'llnevergether!\'thisfriendhadsaidatparting。\'She\'snotdrawntoyourlordshipbylove:andasforthoughtofagoodmatch，why，there\'snomorecalculationinherthaninabird。\'
\'We\'llsee，\'saidLordUplandtowersimpassively。
Henodoubtthoughtofhisfriend\'sforecastashetravelledalongthehighwayinhischariot；butthesculpturalreposeofhisprofileagainstthevanishingdaylightonhisrighthandwouldhaveshownhisfriendthattheEarl\'sequanimitywasundisturbed。HereachedthesolitarywaysidetaverncalledLorntonInn——therendezvousofmanyadaringpoacherforoperationsintheadjoiningforest；andhemighthaveobserved，ifhehadtakenthetrouble，astrangepost-
chaisestandinginthehalting-spacebeforetheinn。Hedulyspedpastit，andhalf-an-hourafterthroughthelittletownofWarborne。
Onward，amilefarther，wasthehouseofhisentertainer。
Atthisdateitwasanimposingedifice——or，rather，congeriesofedifices——asextensiveastheresidenceoftheEarlhimself；thoughfarlessregular。Onewingshowedextremeantiquity，havinghugechimneys，whosesubstructuresprojectedfromtheexternalwallsliketowers；andakitchenofvastdimensions，inwhichitwassaid
breakfastshadbeencookedforJohnofGaunt。WhilsthewasyetintheforecourthecouldheartherhythmofFrenchhornsandclarionets，thefavouriteinstrumentsofthosedaysatsuchentertainments。
Enteringthelongparlour，inwhichthedancehadjustbeenopenedbyLadyGrebewithaminuet——itbeingnowseveno\'clock，accordingtothetradition——hewasreceivedwithawelcomebefittinghisrank，andlookedroundforBarbara。Shewasnotdancing，andseemedtobepreoccupied——almost，indeed，asthoughshehadbeenwaitingforhim。
Barbaraatthistimewasagoodandprettygirl，whoneverspokeillofanyone，andhatedotherprettywomentheveryleastpossible。
Shedidnotrefusehimforthecountry-dancewhichfollowed，andsoonafterwashispartnerinasecond。
Theeveningworeon，andthehornsandclarionetstootledmerrily。
Barbaraevincedtowardsherloverneitherdistinctpreferencenoraversion；butoldeyeswouldhaveseenthatsheponderedsomething。
However，aftersuppershepleadedaheadache，anddisappeared。Topassthetimeofherabsence，LordUplandtowerswentintoalittleroomadjoiningthelonggallery，wheresomeelderlyonesweresittingbythefire——forhehadaphlegmaticdislikeofdancingforitsownsake，——and，liftingthewindow-curtains，helookedoutofthewindowintotheparkandwood，darknowasacavern。Someoftheguestsappearedtobeleavingevensosoonasthis，twolightsshowingthemselvesasturningawayfromthedoorandsinkingtonothinginthedistance。
Hishostessputherheadintotheroomtolookforpartnersfortheladies，andLordUplandtowerscameout。LadyGrebeinformedhimthatBarbarahadnotreturnedtotheball-room:shehadgonetobedinsheernecessity。
\'Shehasbeensoexcitedovertheballallday，\'hermothercontinued，\'thatIfearedshewouldbewornoutearly……Butsure，LordUplandtowers，youwon\'tbeleavingyet?\'
Hesaidthatitwasneartwelveo\'clock，andthatsomehadalreadyleft。
\'Iprotestnobodyhasgoneyet，\'saidLadyGrebe。
Tohumourherhestayedtillmidnight，andthensetout。Hehadmadenoprogressinhissuit；buthehadassuredhimselfthatBarbaragavenootherguestthepreference，andnearlyeverybodyintheneighbourhoodwasthere。
\'\'Tisonlyamatteroftime，\'saidthecalmyoungphilosopher。
Thenextmorninghelaytillnearteno\'clock，andhehadonlyjustcomeoutupontheheadofthestaircasewhenheheardhoofsuponthegravelwithout；inafewmomentsthedoorhadbeenopened，andSirJohnGrebemethiminthehall，ashesetfootontheloweststair。
\'Mylord——where\'sBarbara——mydaughter?\'
EventheEarlofUplandtowerscouldnotrepressamazement。\'What\'sthematter，mydearSirJohn，\'sayshe。
Thenewswasstartling，indeed。FromtheBaronet\'sdisjointedexplanationLordUplandtowersgatheredthatafterhisownandtheotherguests\'departureSirJohnandLadyGrebehadgonetorestwithoutseeinganymoreofBarbara；itbeingunderstoodbythemthatshehadretiredtobedwhenshesentwordtosaythatshecouldnotjointhedancersagain。Beforethenshehadtoldhermaidthatshewoulddispensewithherservicesforthisnight；andtherewasevidencetoshowthattheyoungladyhadneverlaindownatall，thebedremainingunpressed。Circumstancesseemedtoprovethatthedeceitfulgirlhadfeignedindispositiontogetanexcuseforleavingtheball-room，andthatshehadleftthehousewithintenminutes，presumablyduringthefirstdanceaftersupper。
\'Isawhergo，\'saidLordUplandtowers。
\'Thedevilyoudid!\'saysSirJohn。
\'Yes。\'Andhementionedtheretreatingcarriage-lights，andhowhewasassuredbyLadyGrebethatnoguesthaddeparted。
\'Surelythatwasit!\'saidthefather。\'Butshe\'snotgonealone，d\'yeknow!\'
\'Ah——whoistheyoungman?\'
\'Icanon\'yguess。Myworstfearismymostlikelyguess。I\'llsaynomore。Ithought——yetIwouldnotbelieve——itpossiblethatyouwasthesinner。Wouldthatyouhadbeen!But\'tist\'other，\'tist\'other，byG-!Imuste\'enup，andafter\'em!\'
\'Whomdoyoususpect?\'
SirJohnwouldnotgiveaname，and，stultifiedratherthanagitated，LordUplandtowersaccompaniedhimbacktoChene。HeagainaskeduponwhomweretheBaronet\'ssuspicionsdirected；andtheimpulsiveSirJohnwasnomatchfortheinsistenceofUplandtowers。
Hesaidatlength，\'Ifear\'tisEdmondWillowes。\'
\'Who\'she?\'
\'AyoungfellowofShottsford-Forum——awidow-woman\'sson，\'theothertoldhim，andexplainedthatWillowes\'sfather，orgrandfather，wasthelastoftheoldglass-paintersinthatplace，whereasyoumayknowtheartlingeredonwhenithaddiedoutineveryotherpartofEngland。
\'ByG-that\'sbad——mightybad!\'saidLordUplandtowers，throwinghimselfbackinthechaiseinfrigiddespair。
Theydespatchedemissariesinalldirections；onebytheMelchesterRoad，anotherbyShottsford-Forum，anothercoastwards。
Butthelovershadaten-hours\'start；anditwasapparentthatsoundjudgmenthadbeenexercisedinchoosingastheirtimeofflighttheparticularnightwhenthemovementsofastrangecarriagewouldnotbenoticed，eitherintheparkorontheneighbouringhighway，owingtothegeneralpressofvehicles。ThechaisewhichhadbeenseenwaitingatLorntonInnwas，nodoubt，theonetheyhadescapedin；andthepairofheadswhichhadplannedsocleverlythusfarhadprobablycontrivedmarriageerenow。
Thefearsofherparentswererealized。AlettersentbyspecialmessengerfromBarbara，ontheeveningofthatday，brieflyinformedthemthatherloverandherselfwereonthewaytoLondon，andbeforethiscommunicationreachedherhometheywouldbeunitedashusbandandwife。ShehadtakenthisextremestepbecauseshelovedherdearEdmondasshecouldlovenootherman，andbecauseshehadseenclosingroundherthedoomofmarriagewithLordUplandtowers，unlesssheputthatthreatenedfateoutofpossibilitybydoingasshehaddone。Shehadwellconsideredthestepbeforehand，andwaspreparedtolivelikeanyothercountry-townsman\'swifeifherfatherrepudiatedherforheraction。
\'D-her!\'saidLordUplandtowers，ashedrovehomewardthatnight。
\'D-herforafool!\'——whichshowsthekindofloveheboreher。
Well；SirJohnhadalreadystartedinpursuitofthemasamatterofduty，drivinglikeawildmantoMelchester，andthencebythedirecthighwaytothecapital。Buthesoonsawthathewasactingtonopurpose；andbyandby，discoveringthatthemarriagehadactuallytakenplace，heforeboreallattemptstounearththemintheCity，andreturnedandsatdownwithhisladytodigesttheeventasbesttheycould。
ToproceedagainstthisWillowesfortheabductionofourheiresswas，possibly，intheirpower；yet，whentheyconsideredthenowunalterablefacts，theyrefrainedfromviolentretribution。Somesixweekspassed，duringwhichtimeBarbara\'sparents，thoughtheykeenlyfeltherloss，heldnocommunicationwiththetruant，eitherforreproachorcondonation。Theycontinuedtothinkofthedisgraceshehadbroughtuponherself；for，thoughtheyoungmanwasanhonestfellow，andthesonofanhonestfather，thelatterhaddiedsoearly，andhiswidowhadhadsuchstrugglestomaintainherself；thatthesonwasveryimperfectlyeducated。Moreover，hisbloodwas，asfarastheyknew，ofnodistinctionwhatever，whilsthers，throughhermother，wascompoundedofthebestjuicesofancientbaronialdistillation，containingtincturesofMaundeville，andMohun，andSyward，andPeverell，andCulliford，andTalbot，andPlantagenet，andYork，andLancaster，andGodknowswhatbesides，whichitwasathousandpitiestothrowaway。
Thefatherandmothersatbythefireplacethatwasspannedbythefour-centredarchbearingthefamilyshieldsonitshaunches，andgroanedaloud——theladymorethanSirJohn。
\'Tothinkthisshouldhavecomeuponusinouroldage!\'saidhe。
\'Speakforyourself!\'shesnappedthroughhersobs。\'Iamonlyone-
and-forty!……Whydidn\'tyeridefasterandovertake\'em!\'
Inthemeantimetheyoungmarriedlovers，caringnomoreabouttheirbloodthanaboutditch-water，wereintenselyhappy——happy，thatis，inthedescendingscalewhich，asweallknow，Heaveninitswisdomhasordainedforsuchrashcases；thatistosay，thefirstweektheywereintheseventhheaven，thesecondinthesixth，thethirdweektemperate，thefourthreflective，andsoon；alover\'sheartafterpossessionbeingcomparabletotheearthinitsgeologicstages，asdescribedtoussometimesbyourworthyPresident；firstahotcoal，thenawarmone，thenacoolingcinder，thenchilly——thesimileshallbepursuednofurther。Thelongandtheshortofitwasthatonedayaletter，sealedwiththeirdaughter\'sownlittleseal，cameintoSirJohnandLadyGrebe\'shands；and，onopeningit，theyfoundittocontainanappealfromtheyoungcoupletoSirJohntoforgivethemforwhattheyhaddone，andtheywouldfallontheirnakedkneesandbemostdutifulchildrenforevermore。
ThenSirJohnandhisladysatdownagainbythefireplacewiththefour-centredarch，andconsulted，andre-readtheletter。SirJohnGrebe，ifthetruthmustbetold，lovedhisdaughter\'shappinessfarmore，poorman，thanhelovedhisnameandlineage；herecalledtohismindallherlittleways，gaveventtoasigh；and，bythistimeacclimatizedtotheideaofthemarriage，saidthatwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthathesupposedtheymustnotbetooharshwithher。PerhapsBarbaraandherhusbandwereinactualneed；andhowcouldtheylettheironlychildstarve?
Aslightconsolationhadcometotheminanunexpectedmanner。TheyhadbeencrediblyinformedthatanancestorofplebeianWilloweswasoncehonouredwithintermarriagewithascionofthearistocracywhohadgonetothedogs。Inshort，suchisthefoolishnessofdistinguishedparents，andsometimesofothersalso，thattheywrotethatverydaytotheaddressBarbarahadgiventhem，informingherthatshemightreturnhomeandbringherhusbandwithher；theywouldnotobjecttoseehim，wouldnotreproachher，andwouldendeavourtowelcomeboth，andtodiscusswiththemwhatcouldbestbearrangedfortheirfuture。
Inthreeorfourdaysarathershabbypost-chaisedrewupatthedoorofCheneManor-house，atsoundofwhichthetender-heartedbaronetandhiswiferanoutasiftowelcomeaprinceandprincessoftheblood。Theywereoverjoyedtoseetheirspoiltchildreturnsafeandsound——thoughshewasonlyMrs。Willowes，wifeofEdmondWillowesofnowhere。Barbaraburstintopenitentialtears，andbothhusbandandwifewerecontriteenough，aswelltheymightbe，consideringthattheyhadnotaguineatocalltheirown。
Whenthefourhadcalmedthemselves，andnotawordofchidinghadbeenutteredtothepair，theydiscussedthepositionsoberly，youngWillowessittinginthebackgroundwithgreatmodestytillinvitedforwardbyLadyGrebeinnofrigidtone。
\'Howhandsomeheis!\'shesaidtoherself。\'Idon\'twonderatBarbara\'scrazeforhim。\'
Hewas，indeed，oneofthehandsomestmenwhoeversethislipsonamaid\'s。Abluecoat，murreywaistcoat，andbreechesofdrabsetoffafigurethatcouldscarcelybesurpassed。Hehadlargedarkeyes，anxiousnow，astheyglancedfromBarbaratoherparentsandtenderlybackagaintoher；observingwhom，evennowinhertrepidation，onecouldseewhythesangfroidofLordUplandtowershadbeenraisedtomorethanlukewarmness。Herfairyoungfaceaccordingtothetalehandeddownbyoldwomenlookedoutfromunderagrayconicalhat，trimmedwithwhiteostrich-feathers，andherlittletoespeepedfromabuffpetticoatwornunderapucegown。
Herfeatureswerenotregular:theywerealmostinfantine，asyoumayseefromminiaturesinpossessionofthefamily，hermouthshowingmuchsensitiveness，andonecouldbesurethatherfaultswouldnotlieonthesideofbadtemperunlessforurgentreasons。
Well，theydiscussedtheirstateasbecamethem，andthedesireoftheyoungcoupletogainthegoodwillofthoseuponwhomtheywereliterallydependentforeverythinginducedthemtoagreetoanytemporizingmeasurethatwasnottooirksome。Therefore，havingbeennearlytwomonthsunited，theydidnotopposeSirJohn\'sproposalthatheshouldfurnishEdmondWilloweswithfundssufficientforhimtotravelayearontheContinentinthecompanyofatutor，theyoungmanundertakingtolendhimselfwiththeutmostdiligencetothetutor\'sinstructions，tillhebecamepolishedoutwardlyandinwardlytothedegreerequiredinthehusbandofsuchaladyasBarbara。Hewastoapplyhimselftothestudyoflanguages，manners，history，society，ruins，andeverythingelsethatcameunderhiseyes，tillheshouldreturntotakehisplacewithoutblushingbyBarbara\'sside。
\'Andbythattime，\'saidworthySirJohn，\'I\'llgetmylittleplaceoutatYewsholtreadyforyouandBarbaratooccupyonyourreturn。
Thehouseissmallandoutoftheway；butitwilldoforayoungcoupleforawhile。\'
\'If\'twerenobiggerthanasummer-houseitwoulddo!\'saysBarbara。
\'If\'twerenobiggerthanasedan-chair!\'saysWillowes。\'Andthemorelonelythebetter。\'
\'Wecanputupwiththeloneliness，\'saidBarbara，withlesszest。
\'Somefriendswillcome，nodoubt。\'
Allthisbeinglaiddown，atravelledtutorwascalledin——amanofmanygiftsandgreatexperience，——andonafinemorningawaytutorandpupilwent。AgreatreasonurgedagainstBarbaraaccompanyingheryouthfulhusbandwasthathisattentionstoherwouldnaturallybesuchastopreventhiszealouslyapplyingeveryhourofhistimetolearningandseeing——anargumentofwiseprescience，andunanswerable。Regulardaysforletter-writingwerefixed，BarbaraandherEdmondexchangedtheirlastkissesatthedoor，andthechaisesweptunderthearchwayintothedrive。
HewrotetoherfromLeHavre，assoonashereachedthatport，whichwasnotforsevendays，onaccountofadversewinds；hewrotefromRouen，andfromParis；describedtoherhissightoftheKingandCourtatVersailles，andthewonderfulmarble-workandmirrorsinthatpalace；wrotenextfromLyons；then，afteracomparativelylonginterval，fromTurin，narratinghisfearfuladventuresincrossingMontCenisonmules，andhowhewasovertakenwithaterrificsnowstorm，whichhadwell-nighbeentheendofhim，andhistutor，andhisguides。ThenhewroteglowinglyofItaly；andBarbaracouldseethedevelopmentofherhusband\'smindreflectedinhislettersmonthbymonth；andshemuchadmiredtheforethoughtofherfatherinsuggestingthiseducationforEdmond。Yetshesighedsometimes——herhusbandbeingnolongerinevidencetofortifyherinherchoiceofhim——andtimidlydreadedwhatmortificationsmightbeinstoreforherbyreasonofthismesalliance。Shewentoutverylittle；forontheoneortwooccasionsonwhichshehadshownherselftoformerfriendsshenoticedadistinctdifferenceintheirmanner，asthoughtheyshouldsay，\'Ah，myhappyswain\'swife；
you\'recaught!\'
Edmond\'sletterswereasaffectionateasever；evenmoreaffectionate，afterawhile，thanhersweretohim。Barbaraobservedthisgrowingcoolnessinherself；andlikeagoodandhonestladywashorrifiedandgrieved，sinceheronlywishwastoactfaithfullyanduprightly。Ittroubledhersomuchthatsheprayedforawarmerheart，andatlastwrotetoherhusbandtobeghim，nowthathewasinthelandofArt，tosendherhisportrait，eversosmall，thatshemightlookatitalldayandeveryday，andneverforamomentforgethisfeatures。
Willoweswasnothingloth，andrepliedthathewoulddomorethanshewished:hehadmadefriendswithasculptorinPisa，whowasmuchinterestedinhimandhishistory；andhehadcommissionedthisartisttomakeabustofhimselfinmarble，whichwhenfinishedhewouldsendher。WhatBarbarahadwantedwassomethingimmediate；
butsheexpressednoobjectiontothedelay；andinhisnextcommunicationEdmundtoldherthatthesculptor，ofhisownchoice，haddecidedtoincreasethebusttoafull-lengthstatue，soanxiouswashetogetaspecimenofhisskillintroducedtothenoticeoftheEnglisharistocracy。Itwasprogressingwell，andrapidly。
Meanwhile，Barbara\'sattentionbegantobeoccupiedathomewithYewsholtLodge，thehousethatherkind-heartedfatherwaspreparingforherresidencewhenherhusbandreturned。Itwasasmallplaceontheplanofalargeone——acottagebuiltintheformofamansion，havingacentralhallwithawoodengalleryrunningroundit，androomsnobiggerthanclosetstofollowthisintroduction。
Itstoodonaslopesosolitary，andsurroundedbytreessodense，thatthebirdswhoinhabitedtheboughssangatstrangehours，asiftheyhardlycoulddistinguishnightfromday。
DuringtheprogressofrepairsatthisbowerBarbarafrequentlyvisitedit。Thoughsosecludedbythedensegrowth，itwasnearthehighroad，andonedaywhilelookingoverthefenceshesawLordUplandtowersridingpast。Hesalutedhercourteously，yetwithmechanicalstiffness，anddidnothalt。Barbarawenthome，andcontinuedtopraythatshemightneverceasetoloveherhusband。
Afterthatshesickened，anddidnotcomeoutofdoorsagainforalongtime。
Theyearofeducationhadextendedtofourteenmonths，andthehousewasinorderforEdmond\'sreturntotakeuphisabodetherewithBarbara，when，insteadoftheaccustomedletterforher，cameonetoSirJohnGrebeinthehandwritingofthesaidtutor，informinghimofaterriblecatastrophethathadoccurredtothematVenice。MrWillowesandhimselfhadattendedthetheatreonenightduringtheCarnivaloftheprecedingweek，towitnesstheItaliancomedy，when，owingtothecarelessnessofoneofthecandle-snuffers，thetheatrehadcaughtfire，andbeenburnttotheground。Fewpersonshadlosttheirlives，owingtothesuperhumanexertionsofsomeoftheaudienceingettingoutthesenselesssufferers；and，amongthemall，hewhohadriskedhisownlifethemostheroicallywasMr。
Willowes。Inre-enteringforthefifthtimetosavehisfellow-
creaturessomefierybeamshadfallenuponhim，andhehadbeengivenupforlost。Hewas，however，bytheblessingofProvidence，recovered，withthelifestillinhim，thoughhewasfearfullyburnt；andbyalmostamiracleheseemedlikelytosurvive，hisconstitutionbeingwondrouslysound。Hewas，ofcourse，unabletowrite，buthewasreceivingtheattentionofseveralskilfulsurgeons。Furtherreportwouldbemadebythenextmailorbyprivatehand。
ThetutorsaidnothingindetailofpoorWillowes\'ssufferings，butassoonasthenewswasbrokentoBarbarasherealizedhowintensetheymusthavebeen，andherimmediateinstinctwastorushtohisside，though，onconsideration，thejourneyseemedimpossibletoher。Herhealthwasbynomeanswhatithadbeen，andtopostacrossEuropeatthatseasonoftheyear，ortotraversetheBayofBiscayinasailing-craft，wasanundertakingthatwouldhardlybejustifiedbytheresult。Butshewasanxioustogotill，onreadingtotheendoftheletter，herhusband\'stutorwasfoundtohintverystronglyagainstsuchastepifitshouldbecontemplated，thisbeingalsotheopinionofthesurgeons。AndthoughWillowes\'scomraderefrainedfromgivinghisreasons，theydisclosedthemselvesplainlyenoughinthesequel。
Thetruthwasthattheworstofthewoundsresultingfromthefirehadoccurredtohisheadandface——thathandsomefacewhichhadwonherheartfromher，——andboththetutorandthesurgeonsknewthatforasensitiveyoungwomantoseehimbeforehiswoundshadhealedwouldcausemoremiserytoherbytheshockthanhappinesstohimbyherministrations。
LadyGrebeblurtedoutwhatSirJohnandBarbarahadthought，buthadhadtoomuchdelicacytoexpress。
\'Sure，\'tismightyhardforyou，poorBarbara，thattheonelittlegifthehadtojustifyyourrashchoiceofhim——hiswonderfulgoodlooks——shouldbetakenawaylikethis，toleave\'eenoexcuseatallforyourconductintheworld\'seyes……Well，Iwishyou\'dmarriedt\'other——thatdoI!\'Andtheladysighed。
\'He\'llsoongetrightagain，\'saidherfathersoothingly。
Suchremarksastheabovewerenotoftenmade；buttheywerefrequentenoughtocauseBarbaraanuneasysenseofself-
stultification。Shedeterminedtohearthemnolonger；andthehouseatYewsholtbeingreadyandfurnished，shewithdrewthitherwithhermaids，whereforthefirsttimeshecouldfeelmistressofahomethatwouldbehersandherhusband\'sexclusively，whenhecame。
AfterlongweeksWilloweshadrecoveredsufficientlytobeabletowritehimself；andslowlyandtenderlyheenlightenedheruponthefullextentofhisinjuries。Itwasamercy，hesaid，thathehadnotlosthissightentirely；buthewasthankfultosaythathestillretainedfullvisioninoneeye，thoughtheotherwasdarkforever。ThesparingmannerinwhichhemetedoutparticularsofhisconditiontoldBarbarahowappallinghadbeenhisexperience。Hewasgratefulforherassurancethatnothingcouldchangeher；butfearedshedidnotfullyrealizethathewassosadlydisfiguredastomakeitdoubtfulifshewouldrecognizehim。However，inspiteofall，hisheartwasastruetoherasiteverhadbeen。
Barbarasawfromhisanxietyhowmuchlaybehind。SherepliedthatshesubmittedtothedecreesofFate，andwouldwelcomehiminanyshapeassoonashecouldcome。Shetoldhimoftheprettyretreatinwhichshehadtakenupherabode，pendingtheirjointoccupationofit，anddidnotrevealhowmuchshehadsighedovertheinformationthatallhisgoodlooksweregone。Stilllessdidshesaythatshefeltacertainstrangenessinawaitinghim，theweekstheyhadlivedtogetherhavingbeensoshortbycomparisonwiththelengthofhisabsence。
SlowlydrewonthetimewhenWillowesfoundhimselfwellenoughtocomehome。HelandedatSouthampton，andpostedthencetowardsYewsholt。BarbaraarrangedtogoouttomeethimasfarasLorntonInn——thespotbetweentheForestandtheChaseatwhichhehadwaitedfornightontheeveningoftheirelopement。Thithershedroveattheappointedhourinalittlepony-chaise，presentedherbyherfatheronherbirthdayforherespecialuseinhernewhouse；
whichvehicleshesentbackonarrivingattheinn，theplanagreeduponbeingthatsheshouldperformthereturnjourneywithherhusbandinhishiredcoach。
Therewasnotmuchaccommodationforaladyatthiswaysidetavern；
but，asitwasafineeveninginearlysummer，shedidnotmind