Whentheboyreachedthemostfascinatingageofchildhood，andhisshoutsoflaughterranthroughStaplefordHousefromendtoend，theremorsethatoppressedTimothyPetrickknewnobounds。OfallpeopleintheworldthisRupertwastheoneonwhomhecouldhavewishedtheestatestodevolve；yetRupert，byTimothy\'sowndesperatestrategyatthetimeofhisbirth，hadbeenoustedfromallinheritanceofthem；and，sincehedidnotmeantoremarry，themanorswouldpasstohisbrotherandhisbrother\'schildren，whowouldbenothingtohim，whoseboastedpedigreeononesidewouldbenothingtohisRupert\'s。
Hadheonlyleftthefirstwillofhisgrandfatheralone!
Hismindranonthewillscontinually，bothofwhichwereinexistence，andthefirst，thecancelledone，inhisownpossession。
Nightafternight，whentheservantswereallabed，andtheclickofsafetylockssoundedasloudasacrash，helookedatthatfirstwill，andwishedithadbeenthesecondandnotthefirst。
Thecrisiscameatlast。Onenight，afterhavingenjoyedtheboy\'scompanyforhours，hecouldnolongerbearthathisbelovedRupertshouldbedispossessed，andhecommittedthefeloniousdeedofalteringthedateoftheearlierwilltoafortnightlater，whichmadeitsexecutionappearsubsequenttothedateofthesecondwillalreadyproved。Hethenboldlypropoundedthefirstwillasthesecond。
HisbrotherEdwardsubmittedtowhatappearedtobenotonlyincontestiblefact，butafarmorelikelydispositionofoldTimothy\'sproperty；for，likemanyothers，hehadbeenmuchsurprisedatthelimitationsdefinedintheotherwill，havingnocluetotheircause。HejoinedhisbrotherTimothyinsettingasidethehithertoaccepteddocument，andmatterswentonintheirusualcourse，therebeingnodispositionsinthesubstitutedwilldifferingfromthoseintheother，exceptsuchasrelatedtoafuturewhichhadnotyetarrived。
Theyearsmovedon。RuperthadnotyetrevealedtheanxiouslyexpectedhistoriclineamentswhichshouldforeshadowthepoliticalabilitiesoftheducalfamilyaforesaidwhenithappenedonacertaindaythatTimothyPetrickmadetheacquaintanceofawell-
knownphysicianofBudmouth，whohadbeenthemedicaladviserandfriendofthelateMrs。Petrick\'sfamilyformanyyears；thoughafterAnnetta\'smarriage，andconsequentremovaltoStapleford，hehadseennomoreofher，theneighbouringpractitionerwhoattendedthePetrickshavingthenbecomeherdoctorasamatterofcourse。
TimothywasimpressedbytheinsightandknowledgedisclosedintheconversationoftheBudmouthphysician，andtheacquaintanceripeningtointimacy，thephysicianalludedtoaformofhallucinationtowhichAnnetta\'smotherandgrandmotherhadbeensubject——thatofbelievingincertaindreamsasrealities。HedelicatelyinquiredifTimothyhadevernoticedanythingofthesortinhiswifeduringherlifetime；he，thephysician，hadfanciedthathediscernedgermsofthesamepeculiarityinAnnettawhenheattendedherinhergirlhood。Oneexplanationbegatanother，tillthedumbfounderedTimothyPetrickwaspersuadedinhisownmindthatAnnetta\'sconfessiontohimhadbeenbasedonadelusion。
\'Youlookdowninthemouth?\'saidthedoctor，pausing。
\'Abitunmanned。\'Tisunexpected-like，\'sighedTimothy。
Buthecouldhardlybelieveitpossible；and，thinkingitbesttobefrankwiththedoctor，toldhimthewholestorywhich，tillnow，hehadneverrelatedtolivingman，savehisdyinggrandfather。Tohissurprise，thephysicianinformedhimthatsuchaformofdelusionwaspreciselywhathewouldhaveexpectedfromAnnetta\'santecedentsatsuchaphysicalcrisisinherlife。
Petrickprosecutedhisinquirieselsewhere；andtheupshotofhislabourswas，briefly，thatacomparisonofdatesandplacesshowedirrefutablythathispoorwife\'sassertioncouldnotpossiblyhavefoundationinfact。TheyoungMarquisofhertenderpassion——ahighlymoralandbright-mindednobleman——hadgoneabroadtheyearbeforeAnnetta\'smarriage，andhadnotreturnedtillafterherdeath。Theyounggirl\'sloveforhimhadbeenadelicateidealdream——nomore。
Timothywenthome，andtheboyranouttomeethim；whereuponastrangelydismalfeelingofdiscontenttookpossessionofhissoul。
Afterall，then，therewasnothingbutplebeianbloodintheveinsoftheheirtohisnameandestates；hewasnottobesucceededbyanoble-naturedline。Tobesure，Rupertwashisson；butthatgloryandhalohebelievedhimtohaveinheritedfromtheages，outshiningthatofhisbrother\'schildren，haddepartedfromRupert\'sbrowforever；hecouldnolongerreadhistoryintheboy\'sface，andcenturiesofdominationinhiseyes。
Hismannertowardshissongrewcolderandcolderfromthatdayforward；anditwaswithbitternessofheartthathediscernedthecharacteristicfeaturesofthePetricksunfoldingthemselvesbydegrees。Insteadoftheelegantknife-edgednose，sotypicaloftheDukesofSouthwesterland，therebegantoappearonhisfacethebroadnostrilandhollowbridgeofhisgrandfatherTimothy。Noillustriouslineofpoliticianswaspromisedacontinuatorinthatgrayingblueeye，foritwasacquiringtheexpressionoftheorbofaparticularlyobjectionablecousinofhisown；and，insteadofthemouth-curveswhichhadthrilledParliamentaryaudiencesinspeechesnowboundincalfineverywell-orderedlibrary，therewasthebull-
lipofthatveryuncleofhiswhohadhadthemisfortunewiththesignatureofagentleman\'swill，andhadbeentransportedforlifeinconsequence。
Tothinkhowhehimself，too，hadsinnedinthissamematterofawillforthismerefleshlyreproductionofawretchedoldunclewhoseverynamehewishedtoforget!Theboy\'sChristianname，even，wasanimpostureandanirony，foritimpliedhereditaryforceandbrilliancytowhichheplainlywouldneverattain。Theconsolationofrealsonshipwasalwayslefthimcertainly；buthecouldnothelpgroaningtohimself，\'Whycannotasonbeone\'sownandsomebodyelse\'slikewise!\'
TheMarquiswasshortlyafterwardsintheneighbourhoodofStapleford，andTimothyPetrickmethim，andeyedhisnoblecountenanceadmiringly。Thenextday，whenPetrickwasinhisstudy，somebodyknockedatthedoor。
\'Who\'sthere?\'
\'Rupert。\'
\'I\'llRupertthee，youyoungimpostor!Say，onlyapoorcommonplacePetrick!\'hisfathergrunted。\'Whydidn\'tyouhaveavoiceliketheMarquis\'sIsawyesterday?\'hecontinued，astheladcamein。\'Whyhaven\'tyouhislooks，andawayofcommanding，asifyou\'ddoneitforcenturies——hey?\'
\'Why?Howcanyouexpectit，father，whenI\'mnotrelatedtohim?\'
\'Ugh!Thenyououghttobe!\'growledhisfather。
Asthenarratorpaused，thesurgeon，theColonel，thehistorian，theSpark，andothersexclaimedthatsuchsubtleandinstructivepsychologicalstudiesasthisnowthatpsychologywassomuchindemandwerepreciselythetalestheydesired，asmembersofascientificclub，andbeggedthemaster-maltstertotellanothercuriousmentaldelusion。
Themaltstershookhishead，andfearedhewasnotgenteelenoughtotellanotherstorywithasufficientlymoraltoneinittosuittheclub；hewouldprefertoleavethenexttoabetterman。
TheColonelhadfallenintoreflection。Trueitwas，heobserved，thatthemoredreamyandimpulsivenatureofwomanengenderedwithinhererraticfancies，whichoftenstartedheronstrangetracks，onlytoabandontheminsharprevulsionatthedictatesofhercommonsense——sometimeswithludicrouseffect。Eventswhichhadcausedalady\'sactiontosetinaparticulardirectionmightcontinuetoenforcethesamelineofconduct，whileshe，likeamangle，wouldstartonasuddeninacontrarycourse，andendwhereshebegan。
TheVice-Presidentlaughed，andapplaudedtheColonel，addingthattheresurelylurkedastorysomewherebehindthatsentiment，ifhewerenotmuchmistaken。
TheColonelfixedhisfacetoagoodnarrativepose，andwentonwithoutfurtherpreamble。
DAMETHESEVENTH:ANNA，LADYBAXBY
BytheColonelItwasinthetimeofthegreatCivilWar——ifIshouldnotrather，asaloyalsubject，callit，withClarendon，theGreatRebellion。
Itwas，Isay，atthatunhappyperiodofourhistory，thattowardstheautumnofaparticularyear，theParliamentforcessatdownbeforeShertonCastlewithoverseventhousandfootandfourpiecesofcannon。TheCastle，asweallknow，wasinthatcenturyownedandoccupiedbyoneoftheEarlsofSevern，andgarrisonedforhisassistancebyacertainnobleMarquiswhocommandedtheKing\'stroopsintheseparts。ThesaidEarl，aswellastheyoungLordBaxby，hiseldestson，wereawayfromhomejustnow，raisingforcesfortheKingelsewhere。ButtherewerepresentintheCastle，whenthebesiegersarrivedbeforeit，theson\'sfairwifeLadyBaxby，andherservants，togetherwithsomefriendsandnearrelativesofherhusband；andthedefencewassogoodandwell-consideredthattheyanticipatednogreatdanger。
TheParliamentaryforceswerealsocommandedbyanoblelord——forthenobilitywerebynomeans，atthisstageofthewar，allontheKing\'sside——andithadbeenobservedduringhisapproachinthenight-time，andinthemorningwhenthereconnoitringtookplace，thatheappearedsadandmuchdepressed。Thetruthwasthat，byastrangefreakofdestiny，ithadcometopassthatthestrongholdhewassettoreducewasthehomeofhisownsister，whomhehadtenderlylovedduringhermaidenhood，andwhomhelovednow，inspiteoftheestrangementwhichhadresultedfromhostilitieswithherhusband\'sfamily。Hebelieved，too，that，notwithstandingthiscrueldivision，shestillwassincerelyattachedtohim。
Hishesitationtopointhisordnanceatthewallswasinexplicabletothosewhowerestrangerstohisfamilyhistory。HeremainedinthefieldonthenorthsideoftheCastlecalledbyhisnametothisdaybecauseofhisencampmenttheretillitoccurredtohimtosendamessengertohissisterAnnawithaletter，inwhichheearnestlyrequestedher，asshevaluedherlife，tostealoutoftheplacebythelittlegatetothesouth，andmakeawayinthatdirectiontotheresidenceofsomefriends。
Shortlyafterhesaw，tohisgreatsurprise，comingfromthefrontoftheCastlewallsaladyonhorseback，withasingleattendant。
Sherodestraightforwardintothefield，anduptheslopetowherehisarmyandtentswerespread。ItwasnottillshegotquitenearthathediscernedhertobehissisterAnna；andmuchwashealarmedthatsheshouldhaverunsuchriskastosallyoutinthefaceofhisforceswithoutknowledgeoftheirproceedings，whenatanymomenttheirfirstdischargemighthaveburstforth，toherowndestructioninsuchexposure。Shedismountedbeforeshewasquiteclosetohim，andhesawthatherfamiliarface，thoughpale，wasnotatalltearful，asitwouldhavebeenintheiryoungerdays。
Indeed，iftheparticularsashandeddownaretobebelieved，hewasinamoretearfulstatethanshe，inhisanxietyabouther。Hecalledherintohistent，outofthegazeofthosearound；forthoughmanyofthesoldierswerehonestandserious-mindedmen，hecouldnotbearthatshewhohadbeenhisdearcompanioninchildhoodshouldbeexposedtocuriousobservationinthishergreatgrief。
Whentheywerealoneinthetentheclaspedherinhisarms，forhehadnotseenhersincethosehappierdayswhen，atthecommencementofthewar，herhusbandandhimselfhadbeenofthesamemindaboutthearbitraryconductoftheKing，andhadlittledreamtthattheywouldnotgotoextremestogether。Shewasthecalmestofthetwo，itissaid，andwasthefirsttospeakconnectedly。
\'William，Ihavecometoyou，\'saidshe，\'butnottosavemyselfasyousuppose。Why，oh，whydoyoupersistinsupportingthisdisloyalcause，andgrievingusso?\'
\'Saynotthat，\'herepliedhastily。\'Iftruthhidesatthebottomofawell，whyshouldyousupposejusticetobeinhighplaces?I
amfortherightatanyprice。Anna，leavetheCastle；youaremysister；comeaway，mydear，andsavethylife!\'
\'Never!\'saysshe。\'Doyouplantocarryoutthisattack，andleveltheCastleindeed?\'
\'MostcertainlyIdo，\'sayshe。\'Whatmeaneththisarmyaroundusifnotso?\'
\'Thenyouwillfindthebonesofyoursisterburiedintheruinsyoucause!\'saidshe。Andwithoutanotherwordsheturnedandlefthim。
\'Anna——abidewithme!\'heentreated。\'Bloodisthickerthanwater，andwhatisthereincommonbetweenyouandyourhusbandnow?\'
Butsheshookherheadandwouldnothearhimandhasteningout，mountedherhorse，andreturnedtowardstheCastleasshehadcome。
Ay，many\'sthetimewhenIhavebeenridingtohoundsacrossthatfieldthatIhavethoughtofthatscene!
Whenshehadquitegonedownthefield，andovertheinterveningground，androundthebastion，sothathecouldnolongerevenseethetipofhermare\'swhitetail，hewasmuchmoredeeplymovedbyemotionsconcerningherandherwelfarethanhehadbeenwhileshewasbeforehim。Hewildlyreproachedhimselfthathehadnotdetainedherbyforceforherowngood，sothat，comewhatmight，shewouldbeunderhisprotectionandnotunderthatofherhusband，whoseimpulsivenaturerenderedhimtooopentoinstantaneousimpressionsandsuddenchangesofplan；hewasnowactinginthiscauseandnowinthat，andlackedthecooljudgmentnecessaryfortheprotectionofawomaninthesetroubledtimes。Herbrotherthoughtofherwordsagainandagain，andsighed，andevenconsideredifasisterwerenotofmorevaluethanaprinciple，andifhewouldnothaveactedmorenaturallyinthrowinginhislotwithhers。
ThedelayofthebesiegersinattackingtheCastlewassaidtobeentirelyowingtothisdistractiononthepartoftheirleader，whoremainedonthespotattemptingsomeindecisiveoperations，andparleyingwiththeMarquis，thenincommand，withfarinferiorforces，withintheCastle。ItneveroccurredtohimthatinthemeantimetheyoungLadyBaxby，hissister，wasinmuchthesamemoodashimself。Herbrother\'sfamiliarvoiceandeyes，muchwornandfatiguedbykeepingthefield，andbyfamilydistractionsonaccountofthisunhappyfeud，roseuponhervisionalltheafternoon，andasdaywanedshegrewmoreandmoreParliamentarianinherprinciples，thoughtheonlyargumentswhichhadaddressedthemselvestoherwerethoseoffamilyties。
Herhusband，GeneralLordBaxby，hadbeenexpectedtoreturnallthedayfromhisexcursionintotheeastofthecounty，amessagehavingbeensenttohiminforminghimofwhathadhappenedathome；andintheeveninghearrivedwithreinforcementsinunexpectednumbers。
HerbrotherretreatedbeforethesetoahillnearIvell，fourorfivemilesoff，toaffordthemenandhimselfsomerepose。LordBaxbydulyplacedhisforces，andtherewasnolongeranyimmediatedanger。BythistimeLadyBaxby\'sfeelingsweremoreParliamentarianthanever，andinherfancythefaggedcountenanceofherbrother，beatenbackbyherhusband，seemedtoreproachherforheartlessness。Whenherhusbandenteredherapartment，ruddyandboisterous，andfullofhope，shereceivedhimbutsadly；anduponhiscasuallyutteringsomeslightingwordsaboutherbrother\'swithdrawal，whichseemedtoconveyanimputationuponhiscourage，sheresentedthem，andretortedthathe，LordBaxbyhimself，hadbeenagainsttheCourt-partyatfirst，whereitwouldbemuchmoretohiscreditifhewereatpresent，andshowingherbrother\'sconsistencyofopinion，insteadofsupportingthelyingpolicyoftheKingasshecalleditforthesakeofabarrenprincipleofloyalty，whichwasbutanemptyexpressionwhenaKingwasnotatonewithhispeople。Thedissensiongrewbitterbetweenthem，reachingtolittlelessthanahotquarrel，bothbeingquick-
temperedsouls。
LordBaxbywaswearywithhislongday\'smarchandotherexcitements，andsoonretiredtobed。Hisladyfollowedsometimeafter。Herhusbandsleptprofoundly，butnotsoshe；shesatbroodingbythewindow-slit，andliftingthecurtainlookedforthuponthehillswithout。
Inthesilencebetweenthefootfallsofthesentinelsshecouldhearfaintsoundsofherbrother\'scamponthedistanthills，wherethesoldieryhadhardlysettledasyetintotheirbivouacsincetheirevening\'sretreat。Thefirstfrostsofautumnhadtouchedthegrass，andshrivelledthemoredelicateleavesofthecreepers；andshethoughtofWilliamsleepingonthechillyground，underthestrainofthesehardships。Tearsfloodedhereyesasshereturnedtoherhusband\'simputationsuponhiscourage，asiftherecouldbeanydoubtofLordWilliam\'scourageafterwhathehaddoneinthepastdays。
LordBaxby\'slongandreposefulbreathingsinhiscomfortablebedvexedhernow，andshecametoadeterminationonanimpulse。
Hastilylightingataper，shewroteonascrapofpaper:
\'Bloodisthickerthanwater，dearWilliam——Iwillcome；\'andwiththisinherhand，shewenttothedooroftheroom，andoutuponthestairs；onsecondthoughtsturningbackforamoment，toputonherhusband\'shatandcloak——nottheonehewasdailywearing——thatifseeninthetwilightshemightatacasualglanceappearassomeladorhanger-onofoneofthehouseholdwomen；thusaccoutredshedescendedaflightofcircularstairs，atthebottomofwhichwasadooropeningupontheterracetowardsthewest，inthedirectionofherbrother\'sposition。Herobjectwastoslipoutwithoutthesentryseeingher，gettothestables，arouseoneofthevarlets，andsendhimaheadofheralongthehighwaywiththenotetowarnherbrotherofherapproach，tothrowinherlotwithhis。
Shewasstillintheshadowofthewallonthewestterrace，waitingforthesentineltobequiteoutoftheway，whenherearsweregreetedbyavoice，saying，fromtheadjoiningshade-
\'HereIbe!\'
Thetoneswerethetonesofawoman。LadyBaxbymadenoreply，andstoodclosetothewall。
\'MyLordBaxby，\'thevoicecontinued；andshecouldrecognizeinitthelocalaccentofsomegirlfromthelittletownofSherton，closeathand。\'Ibetiredofwaiting，mydearLordBaxby!Iwasafeardyouwouldnevercome!\'
LadyBaxbyflushedhottohertoes。
\'Howthewenchloveshim!\'shesaidtoherself，reasoningfromthetonesofthevoice，whichwereplaintiveandsweetandtenderasabird\'s。Shechangedfromthehome-hatingtruanttothestrategicwifeinonemoment。
\'Hist!\'shesaid。
\'Mylord，youtoldmeteno\'clock，and\'tisneartwelvenow，\'
continuestheother。\'Howcouldyekeepmewaitingsoifyoulovemeasyousaid?IshouldhavestucktomyloverintheParliamenttroopsifithadnotbeenforthee，mydearlord!\'
TherewasnottheleastdoubtthatLadyBaxbyhadbeenmistakenforherhusbandbythisintriguingdamsel。Herewasaprettyunderhandbusiness!Herewereslymanoeuvrings!Herewasfaithlessness!
Herewasapreciousassignationsurprisedinthemidst!Herwickedhusband，whomtillthisverymomentshehadeverdeemedthesoulofgoodfaith——howcouldhe!
LadyBaxbyprecipitatelyretreatedtothedoorintheturret，closedit，lockedit，andascendedoneroundofthestaircase，wheretherewasaloophole。\'Iamnotcoming!I，LordBaxby，despiseyeandallyourwantontribe!\'shehissedthroughtheopening；andthencreptupstairs，asfirmlyrootedinRoyalistprinciplesasanymanintheCastle。
Herhusbandstillsleptthesleepoftheweary，well-fed，andwell-
drunken，ifnotofthejust；andLadyBaxbyquicklydisrobedherselfwithoutassistance——being，indeed，supposedbyherwomantohaveretiredtorestlongago。Beforelyingdown，shenoiselesslylockedthedoorandplacedthekeyunderherpillow。Morethanthat，shegotastaylace，and，creepinguptoherlord，ingreatstealthtiedthelaceinatightknottooneofhislonglocksofhair，attachingtheotherendofthelacetothebedpost；for，beingtiredherselfnow，shefearedshemightsleepheavily；and，ifherhusbandshouldwake，thiswouldbeadelicatehintthatshehaddiscoveredall。
Itisaddedthat，tomakeassurancetreblysure，hergentleladyship，whenshehadlaindowntorest，heldherlord\'shandinherownduringthewholeofthenight。Butthisisold-wives\'
gossip，andnotcorroborated。WhatLordBaxbythoughtandsaidwhenheawokethenextmorning，andfoundhimselfsostrangelytethered，islikewiseonlymatterofconjecture；thoughthereisnoreasontosupposethathisragewasgreat。Theextentofhisculpabilityasregardstheintriguewasthismuch；that，whilehaltingatacross-
roadnearShertonthatday，hehadflirtedwithaprettyyoungwoman，whoseemednothingloth，andhadinvitedhertotheCastleterraceafterdark——aninvitationwhichhequiteforgotonhisarrivalhome。
ThesubsequentrelationsofLordandLadyBaxbywerenotagaingreatlyembitteredbyquarrels，sofarasisknown；thoughthehusband\'sconductinlaterlifewasoccasionallyeccentric，andthevicissitudesofhispubliccareerculminatedinlongexile。ThesiegeoftheCastlewasnotregularlyundertakentilltwoorthreeyearslaterthanthetimeIhavebeendescribing，whenLadyBaxbyandallthewomentherein，exceptthewifeofthethenGovernor，hadbeenremovedtosafedistance。ThatmemorablesiegeoffifteendaysbyFairfax，andthesurrenderoftheoldplaceonanAugustevening，ismatterofhistory，andneednotbetoldbyme。
TheManofFamilyspokeapprovinglyacrosstotheColonelwhentheClubhaddonesmiling，declaringthatthestorywasanabsolutelyfaithfulpageofhistory，ashehadgoodreasontoknow，hisownpeoplehavingbeenengagedinthatwell-knownscrimmage。HeaskediftheColonelhadeverheardtheequallywell-authenticated，thoughlessmartialtaleofacertainLadyPenelope，wholivedinthesamecentury，andnotascoreofmilesfromthesameplace?
TheColonelhadnotheardit，norhadanybodyexceptthelocalhistorian；andtheinquirerwasinducedtoproceedforthwith。
DAMETHEEIGHTH:THELADYPENELOPE
BythemanofFamilyIngoingoutofCasterbridgebythelow-lyingroadwhicheventuallyconductstothetownofIvell，youseeontherighthandaniviedmanor-house，flankedbybattlementedtowers，andmorethanusuallydistinguishedbythesizeofitsmanymullionedwindows。Thoughstillofgoodcapacity，thebuildingismuchreducedfromitsoriginalgrandproportions；ithas，moreover，beenshornofthefairestatewhichonceappertainedtoitslord，withtheexceptionofafewacresofpark-landimmediatelyaroundthemansion。ThiswasformerlytheseatoftheancientandknightlyfamilyoftheDrenghards，orDrenkhards，nowextinctinthemaleline，whosename，accordingtothelocalchronicles，wasinterpretedtomeanStrenuusMiles，velPotator，thoughcertainmembersofthefamilywereaversetothelattersignification，andaduelwasfoughtbyoneofthemonthataccount，asiswellknown。Withthis，however，wearenotnowconcerned。
IntheearlypartofthereignofthefirstKingJames，therewasvisitingnearthisplaceoftheDrenghardsaladyofnoblefamilyandextraordinarybeauty。Shewasofthepurestdescent；ah，there\'sseldomsuchbloodnowadaysashers!Shepossessednogreatwealth，itwassaid，butwassufficientlyendowed。Herbeautywassoperfect，andhermannersoentrancing，thatsuitorsseemedtospringoutofthegroundwherevershewent，asufficientcauseofanxietytotheCountesshermother，heronlylivingparent。Ofthesetherewerethreeinparticular，whomneitherhermother\'scomplaintsofprematurity，northereadyrailleryofthemaidenherself，couldeffectuallyputoff。ThesaidgallantswereacertainSirJohnGale，aSirWilliamHervy，andthewell-knownSirGeorgeDrenghard，oneoftheDrenghardfamilybefore-mentioned。
Theyhad，curiouslyenough，allbeenequallyhonouredwiththedistinctionofknighthood，andtheirschemesforseeingherweremanifold，eachfearingthatoneoftheotherswouldstealamarchoverhimself。Notcontentwithcalling，oneveryimaginableexcuse，atthehouseoftherelativewithwhomshesojourned，theyinterceptedherinridesandinwalks；andifanyoneofthemchancedtosurpriseanotherintheactofpayinghermarkedattentions，theencounteroftenendedinanaltercationofgreatviolence。Soheatedandimpassioned，indeed，wouldtheybecome，thattheladyhardlyfeltherselfsafeintheircompanyatsuchtimes，notwithstandingthatshewasabraveandbuxomdamsel，noteasilyputout，andwithadaringspiritofhumourinhercomposition，ifnotofcoquetry。
Atoneofthesealtercations，whichhadplaceinherrelative\'sgrounds，andwasunusuallybitter，threateningtoresultinaduel，shefounditnecessarytoassertherself。Turninghaughtilyuponthepairofdisputants，shedeclaredthatwhichevershouldbethefirsttobreakthepeacebetweenthem，nomatterwhattheprovocation，thatmanshouldneverbeadmittedtoherpresenceagain；andthuswouldsheeffectuallystultifytheaggressorbymakingthepromotionofaquarreladistinctbartoitsobject。
Whilethetwoknightswerewearingratheracrest-fallenappearanceatherreprimand，thethird，neverfaroff，cameuponthescene，andsherepeatedhercaveattohimalso。Seeing，then，howgreatwastheconcernofallatherperemptorymood，thelady\'smannersoftened，andshesaidwitharoguishsmile-
\'Havepatience，havepatience，youfoolishmen!Onlybideyourtimequietly，and，infaith，Iwillmarryyouallinturn!\'
Theylaughedheartilyatthissally，allthreetogether，asthoughtheywerethebestoffriends；atwhichsheblushed，andshowedsomeembarrassment，nothavingrealizedthatherarchjestwouldhavesoundedsostrangewhenuttered。Themeetingwhichresultedthus，however，haditsgoodeffectincheckingthebitternessoftheirrivalry；andtheyrepeatedherspeechtotheirrelativesandacquaintancewithahilariousfrequencyandpublicitythattheladylittledivined，orshemighthaveblushedandfeltmoreembarrassmentstill。
Inthecourseoftimethepositionresolveditself，andthebeauteousLadyPenelopeasshewascalledmadeuphermind；herchoicebeingtheeldestofthethreeknights，SirGeorgeDrenghard，ownerofthemansionaforesaid，whichthereuponbecameherhome；andherhusbandbeingapleasantman，andhisfamily，thoughnotsonoble，ofasgoodreputeasherown，allthingsseemedtoshowthatshehadreckonedwiselyinhonouringhimwithherpreference。
Butwhatmayliebehindthestillandsilentveilofthefuturenonecanforetell。Inthecourseofafewmonthsthehusbandofherchoicediedofhisconvivialitiesasif，indeed，tobearouthisname，andtheLadyPenelopewasleftaloneasmistressofhishouse。Bythistimeshehadapparentlyquiteforgottenhercarelessdeclarationtoherloverscollectively；buttheloversthemselveshadnotforgottenit；and，asshewouldnowbefreetotakeasecondoneofthem，SirJohnGaleappearedatherdoorasearlyinherwidowhoodasitwasproperandseemlytodoso。
Shegavehimlittleencouragement；for，ofthetworemaining，herbestbelovedwasSirWilliam，ofwhom，ifthetruthmustbetold，shehadoftenthoughtduringhershortmarriedlife。Buthehadnotyetreappeared。Herheartbegantobesomuchwithhimnowthatshecontrivedtoconveytohim，byindirecthintsthroughhisfriends，thatshewouldnotbedispleasedbyarenewalofhisformerattentions。SirWilliam，however，misapprehendedhergentlesignalling，andfromexcellent，thoughmistakenmotivesofdelicacy，delayedtointrudehimselfuponherforalongtime。MeanwhileSirJohn，nowcreatedabaronet，wasunremitting，andshebegantogrowsomewhatpiquedatthebackwardnessofhimshesecretlydesiredtobeforward。
\'Nevermind，\'herfriendssaidjestinglytoherknowingofherhumorousremark，aseverybodydid，thatshewouldmarrythemallthreeiftheywouldhavepatience——\'nevermind；whyhesitateupontheorderofthem?Take\'emastheycome。\'
Thisvexedherstillmore，andregrettingdeeply，asshehadoftendone，thatsuchacarelessspeechshouldeverhavepassedherlips，shefairlybrokedownunderSirJohn\'simportunity，andacceptedhishand。Theyweremarriedonafinespringmorning，abouttheverytimeatwhichtheunfortunateSirWilliamdiscoveredherpreferenceforhim，andwasbeginningtohastenhomefromaforeigncourttodeclarehisunaltereddevotiontoher。OnhisarrivalinEnglandhelearntthesadtruth。
IfSirWilliamsufferedatherprecipitancyunderwhatshehaddeemedhisneglect，theLadyPenelopeherselfsufferedmore。ShehadnotlongbeenthewifeofSirJohnGalebeforeheshowedadispositiontoretaliateuponherforthetroubleanddelayshehadputhimtoinwinningher。Withincreasingfrequencyhewouldtellherthat，asfarashecouldperceive，shewasanarticlenotworthsuchlabourashehadbestowedinobtainingit，andsuchsnubbingsashehadtakenfromhisrivalsonthesameaccount。Theseandothercruelthingsherepeatedtillhemadetheladyweepsorely，andwellnighbrokeherspirit，thoughshehadformerlybeensuchamettlesomedame。Bydegreesitbecameperceptibletoallherfriendsthatherlifewasaveryunhappyone；andthefateofthefairwomanseemedyettheharderinthatitwasherownstatelymansion，lefttohersoleusebyherfirsthusband，whichhersecondhadenteredintoandwasenjoying，hisbeingbutameanandmeagreerection。
Butsuchistheflippancyoffriendsthatwhenshemetthem，andsecretlyconfidedhergrieftotheirears，theywouldsaycheerily，\'Lord，nevermind，mydear；there\'sathirdtocomeyet!\'——atwhichmaladroitremarkshewouldshowmuchindignation，andtellthemtheyshouldknowbetterthantotrifleonsosolemnatheme。Yetthatthepoorladywouldhavebeenonlytoohappytobethewifeofthethird，insteadofSirJohnwhomshehadtaken，waspainfullyobvious，andmuchshewasblamedforherfoolishchoicebysomepeople。SirWilliam，however，hadreturnedtoforeigncitiesonlearningthenewsofhermarriage，andhadneverbeenheardofsince。
TwoorthreeyearsofsufferingwerepassedbyLadyPenelopeasthedespisedandchiddenwifeofthismanSirJohn，amidregretsthatshehadsogreatlymistakenhim，andsighsforonewhomshethoughtnevertoseeagain，tillitchancedthatherhusbandfellsickofsomeslightailment。Onedayafterthis，whenshewassittinginhisroom，lookingfromthewindowupontheexpanseinfront，shebeheld，approachingthehouseonfoot，aformsheseemedtoknowwell。LadyPenelopewithdrewsilentlyfromthesickroom，anddescendedtothehall，whence，throughthedoorway，shesawenteringbetweenthetworoundtowers，whichatthattimeflankedthegateway，SirWilliamHervy，asshehadsurmised，butlookingthinandtravel-worn。Sheadvancedintothecourtyardtomeethim。
\'IwaspassingthroughCasterbridge，\'hesaid，withfalteringdeference，\'andIwalkedouttoaskafteryourladyship\'shealth。I
feltthatIcoulddonoless；and，ofcourse，topaymyrespectstoyourgoodhusband，myheretoforeacquaintance……Butoh，Penelope，th\'stlooksickandsorry!\'
\'Iamheartsick，that\'sall，\'saidshe。
Theycouldseeineachotheranemotionwhichneitherwishedtoexpress，andtheystoodthusalongtimewithtearsintheireyes。
\'Hedoesnottreat\'eewell，Ihear，\'saidSirWilliaminalowvoice。\'MayGodinHeavenforgivehim；butitisaskingagreatdeal!\'
\'Hush，hush!\'saidshehastily。
\'Nay，butIwillspeakwhatImayhonestlysay，\'heanswered。\'Iamnotunderyourroof，andmytongueisfree。Whydidstnotwaitforme，Penelope，orsendtomeamoreovertletter?Iwouldhavetravellednightanddaytocome!\'
\'Toolate，William；youmustnotaskit，\'saidshe，endeavouringtoquiethimasinoldtimes。\'Myhusbandjustnowisunwell。Hewillgrowbetterinadayortwo，maybe。YoumustcallagainandseehimbeforeyouleaveCasterbridge。\'
Asshesaidthistheireyesmet。Eachwasthinkingofherlightsomewordsabouttakingthethreemeninturn；eachthoughtthattwo-
thirdsofthatpromisehadbeenfulfilled。But，asifitwereunpleasanttoherthatthisrecollectionshouldhavearisen，shespokeagainquickly:\'Comeagaininadayortwo，whenmyhusbandwillbewellenoughtoseeyou。\'
SirWilliamdepartedwithoutenteringthehouse，andshereturnedtoSirJohn\'schamber。He，risingfromhispillow，said，\'Towhomhastbeentalking，wife，inthecourtyard?Iheardvoicesthere。\'
Shehesitated，andherepeatedthequestionmoreimpatiently。
\'Idonotwishtotellyounow，\'saidshe。
\'ButIwoollknow!\'saidhe。
Thensheanswered，\'SirWilliamHervy。\'
\'ByG-Ithoughtasmuch!\'criedSirJohn，dropsofperspirationstandingonhiswhiteface。\'Askulkingvillain!Asickman\'searsarekeen，mylady。Iheardthattheywerelover-liketones，andhecalled\'eebyyourChristianname。Thesebeyourintrigues，mylady，whenIamoffmylegsawhile!\'
\'Onmyhonour，\'criedshe，\'youdomeawrong。IswearIdidnotknowofhiscoming!\'
\'Swearasyouwill，\'saidSirJohn，\'Idon\'tbelieve\'ee。\'Andwiththishetauntedher，andworkedhimselfintoagreaterpassion，whichmuchincreasedhisillness。Hisladysatstill，brooding。
Therewasthatuponherfacewhichhadseldombeentheresincehermarriage；andsheseemedtothinkanewofwhatshehadsolightlysaidinthedaysofherfreedom，whenherthreeloverswereoneandallcovetingherhand。\'Ibeganatthewrongendofthem，\'shemurmured。\'MyGod——thatdidI!\'
\'What?\'saidhe。
\'Atrifle，\'saidshe。\'Ispoketomyselfonly。\'
Itwassomewhatstrangethatafterthisday，whileshewentaboutthehousewithevenasadderfacethanusual，herchurlishhusbandgrewworse；andwhatwasmore，tothesurpriseofall，thoughtotheregretoffew，hediedafortnightlater。SirWilliamhadnotcalleduponhimashehadpromised，havingreceivedaprivatecommunicationfromLadyPenelope，franklyinforminghimthattodosowouldbeinadvisable，byreasonofherhusband\'stemper。
NowwhenSirJohnwasgone，andhisremainscarriedtohisfamilyburying-placeinanotherpartofEngland，theladybeganinduetimetowonderwhitherSirWilliamhadbetakenhimself。Butshehadbeencuredofprecipitancyifeverwomanwere，andwaspreparedtowaitherwholelifetimeawidowifthesaidSirWilliamshouldnotreappear。Herlifewasnowpassedmostlywithinthewalls，orinpromenadingbetweenthepleasaunceandthebowling-green；andsheveryseldomwentevensofarasthehighroadwhichthenskirtedthegroundsonthenorth，thoughithasnow，andformanyyears，beendivertedtothesouthside。Herpatiencewasrewardediflovebeinanycaseareward；foroneday，manymonthsafterhersecondhusband\'sdeath，amessengerarrivedathergatewiththeintelligencethatSirWilliamHervywasagaininCasterbridge，andwouldbegladtoknowifitwereherpleasurethatheshouldwaituponher。
Itneedhardlybesaidthatpermissionwasjoyfullygranted，andwithintwohoursherloverstoodbeforeher，amorethoughtfulmanthanformerly，butinallessentialrespectsthesameman，generous，modesttodiffidence，andsincere。Thereservewhichwomanlydecorumthrewoverhermannerwasbuttooobviouslyartificial，andwhenhesaid\'thewaysofProvidencearestrange，\'andaddedafteramoment，\'andmercifullikewise，\'shecouldnotconcealheragitation，andburstintotearsuponhisneck。
\'Butthisistoosoon，\'shesaid，startingback。
\'Butno，\'saidhe。\'Youareelevenmonthsgoneinwidowhood，anditisnotasifSirJohnhadbeenagoodhusbandtoyou。\'
Hisvisitsgrewprettyfrequentnow，asmaywellbeguessed，andinamonthortwohebegantourgehertoanearlyunion。Butshecounselledalittlelongerdelay。
\'Why?\'saidhe。\'SurelyIhavewaitedlong!Lifeisshort；wearegettingoldereveryday，andIamthelastofthethree。\'
\'Yes，\'saidtheladyfrankly。\'AndthatiswhyIwouldnothaveyouhasten。Ourmarriagemayseemsostrangetoeverybody，aftermyunluckyremarkonthatoccasionweknowsowell，andwhichsomanyothersknowlikewise，thankstotalebearers。\'
Onthisrepresentationheconcededalittlespace，forthesakeofhergoodname。Butthedestineddayoftheirmarriageatlastarrived，anditwasagaytimeforthevillagersandallconcerned，andthebellsintheparishchurchrangfromnoontillnight。Thusatlastshewasunitedtothemanwhohadlovedherthemosttenderlyofthemall，whobutforhisreticencemightperhapshavebeenthefirsttowinher。Oftendidhesaytohimself；\'Howwondrousthatherwordsshouldhavebeenfulfilled!Manyatruthhathbeenspokeninjest，butneveramoreremarkableone!\'Thenobleladyherselfpreferrednottodwellonthecoincidence，acertainshyness，ifnotshame，crossingherfairfaceatanyallusionthereto。
Butpeoplewillhavetheirsay，sensitivesoulsornone，andtheirsayingsonthisthirdoccasiontookasingularshape。\'Surely，\'
theywhispered，\'thereissomethingmorethanchanceinthis……
Thedeathofthefirstwaspossiblynatural；butwhatofthedeathofthesecond，whoill-usedher，andwhom，lovingthethirdsodesperately，shemusthavewishedoutoftheway?\'
ThentheypiecedtogethersundrytrivialincidentsofSirJohn\'sillness，anddweltupontheindubitabletruththathehadgrownworseafterherlover\'sunexpectedvisit；tillaverysinistertheorywasbuiltupastothehandshemayhavehadinSirJohn\'sprematuredemise。Butnothingofthissuspicionwassaidopenly，forshewasaladyofnoblebirth——nobler，indeed，thaneitherofherhusbands——andwhatpeoplesuspectedtheyfearedtoexpressinformalaccusation。
Themansionthatsheoccupiedhadbeenlefttoherforsolongatimeassheshouldchoosetoresideinit，and，havingaregardforthespot，shehadcoaxedSirWilliamtoremainthere。Butintheenditwasunfortunate；foroneday，wheninthefulltideofhishappiness，hewaswalkingamongthewillowsnearthegardens，whereheoverheardaconversationbetweensomebasket-makerswhowerecuttingtheosiersfortheiruse。Inthisfataldialoguethesuspicionsoftheneighbouringtownsfolkwererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。
\'Acupboardclosetohisbed，andthekeyinherpocket。Ah!\'saidone。
\'Andabluephialtherein——h\'m!\'saidanother。
\'Andspurge-laurelleavesamongthehearth-ashes。Oh-oh!\'saidathird。
OnhisreturnhomeSirWilliamseemedtohaveagedyears。Buthesaidnothing；indeed，itwasathingimpossible。Andfromthathouraghastlyestrangementbegan。Shecouldnotunderstandit，andsimplywaited。Onedayhesaid，however，\'Imustgoabroad。\'
\'Why?\'saidshe。\'William，haveIoffendedyou?\'
\'No，\'saidhe；\'butImustgo。\'
Shecouldcoaxlittlemoreoutofhim，andinitselftherewasnothingunnaturalinhisdeparture，forhehadbeenawandererfromhisyouth。Inafewdayshestartedoff，apparentlyquiteanothermanthanhewhohadrushedtohersidesodevotedlyafewmonthsbefore。
Itisnotknownwhen，orhow，therumours，whichweresothickintheatmospherearoundher，actuallyreachedtheLadyPenelope\'sears，butthattheydidreachherthereisnodoubt。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldnot；thedistrictteemedwiththem；theyrustledintheairlikenight-birdsofevilomen。Thenareasonforherhusband\'sdepartureoccurredtoherappalledmind，andalossofhealthbecamequicklyapparent。Shedwindledthinintheface，andtheveinsinhertemplescouldallbedistinctlytraced。Aninnerfireseemedtobewitheringheraway。Herringsfelloffherfingers，andherarmshungliketheflailsofthethreshers，thoughtheyhadtilllatelybeensoroundandsoelastic。Shewrotetoherhusbandrepeatedly，begginghimtoreturntoher；buthe，beinginextremeandwretcheddoubt，moreover，knowingnothingofherill-
health，andneversuspectingthattherumourshadreachedheralso，deemedabsencebest，andpostponedhisreturnawhile，givingvariousgoodreasonsforhisdelay。
Atlength，however，whentheLadyPenelopehadgivenbirthtoastill-bornchild，hermother，theCountess，addressedalettertoSirWilliam，requestinghimtocomebacktoherifhewishedtoseeheralive；sinceshewaswastingawayofsomemysteriousdisease，whichseemedtoberathermentalthanphysical。Itwasevidentthathismother-in-lawknewnothingofthesecret，forshelivedatadistance；butSirWilliampromptlyhastenedhome，andstoodbesidethebedofhisnowdyingwife。
\'Believeme，William，\'shesaidwhentheywerealone，\'Iaminnocent——innocent!\'
\'Ofwhat?\'saidhe。\'HeavenforbidthatIshouldaccuseyouofanything!\'
\'Butyoudoaccuseme——silently!\'shegasped。\'Icouldnotwritethereon——andaskyoutohearme。Itwastoomuch，toodegrading。
ButwouldthatIhadbeenlessproud!Theysuspectmeofpoisoninghim，William!But，ohmydearhusband，Iaminnocentofthatwickedcrime!Hediednaturally。Ilovedyou——toosoon；butthatwasall!\'
Nothingavailedtosaveher。ThewormhadgnawedtoofarintoherheartbeforeSirWilliam\'sreturnforanythingtoberemedialnow；
andinafewweeksshebreathedherlast。Afterherdeaththepeoplespokelouder，andherconductbecameasubjectofpublicdiscussion。Alittlelateron，thephysician，whohadattendedthelateSirJohn，heardtherumour，andcamedownfromtheplacenearLondontowhichhelatterlyhadretired，withtheexpresspurposeofcallinguponSirWilliamHervy，nowstayinginCasterbridge。
Hestatedthat，attherequestofarelativeofSirJohn\'s，whowishedtobeassuredonthematterbyreasonofitssuddenness，hehad，withtheassistanceofasurgeon，madeaprivateexaminationofSirJohn\'sbodyimmediatelyafterhisdecease，andfoundthatithadresultedfrompurelynaturalcauses。Nobodyatthistimehadbreathedasuspicionoffoulplay，andthereforenothingwassaidwhichmightafterwardshaveestablishedherinnocence。
Itbeingthusplacedbeyonddoubtthatthisbeautifulandnobleladyhadbeendonetodeathbyavilescandalthatwaswhollyunfounded，herhusbandwasstungwithadreadfulremorseatthesharehehadtakeninhermisfortunes，andleftthecountryanew，thistimenevertoreturnalive。Hesurvivedherbutafewyears，andhisbodywasbroughthomeandburiedbesidehiswife\'sunderthetombwhichisstillvisibleintheparishchurch。Untillatelytherewasagoodportraitofher，inweedsforherfirsthusband，withacrossinherhand，attheancestralseatofherfamily，whereshewasmuchpitied，asshedeservedtobe。Yetthereweresomesevereenoughtosay——andthesenotunjustpersonsinotherrespects——thatthoughunquestionablyinnocentofthecrimeimputedtoher，shehadshownanunseemlywantonnessincontractingthreemarriagesinsuchrapidsuccession；thattheuntruesuspicionmighthavebeenorderedbyProvidencewhooftenworksindirectlyasapunishmentforherself-indulgence。UponthatpointIhavenoopiniontooffer。
ThereverendtheVice-President，however，thetalebeingended，offeredashisopinionthatherfateoughttobequiteclearlyrecognizedasapunishment。SothoughttheChurchwarden，andalsothequietgentlemansittingnear。Thelatterknewmanyotherinstancesinpoint，oneofwhichcouldbenarratedinafewwords。
DAMETHENINTH:THEDUCHESSOFHAMPTONSHIRE
BytheQuietGentlemanSomefiftyyearsago，thethenDukeofHamptonshire，fifthofthattitle，wasincontestiblytheheadmaninhiscounty，andparticularlyintheneighbourhoodofBatton。HecameoftheancientandloyalfamilyofSaxelbye，which，beforeitsennoblement，hadnumberedmanyknightlyandecclesiasticalcelebritiesinitsmaleline。Itwouldhaveoccupiedapainstakingcountyhistorianawholeafternoontotakerubbingsofthenumerouseffigiesandheraldicdevicesgraventotheirmemoryonthebrasses，tablets，andaltar-
tombsintheaisleoftheparish-church。TheDukehimself，however，wasamanlittleattractedbyancientchroniclesinstoneandmetal，evenwhentheyconcernedhisownbeginnings。Heallowedhismindtolingerbypreferenceonthemanygracelessandunedifyingpleasureswhichhispositionplacedathiscommand。Hecouldonoccasionclosethemouthsofhisdependentsbyagoodbomb-likeoath，andheargueddoggedlywiththeparsononthevirtuesofcock-fightingandbaitingthebull。
Thisnobleman\'spersonalappearancewassomewhatimpressive。Hiscomplexionwasthatofthecopper-beechtree。Hisframewasstalwart，thoughslightlystooping。Hismouthwaslarge，andhecarriedanunpolishedsaplingashiswalking-stick，exceptwhenhecarriedaspudforcuttingupanythistleheencounteredonhiswalks。Hiscastlestoodinthemidstofapark，surroundedbyduskyelms，excepttothesouthward；andwhenthemoonshoneout，thegleamingstonefacade，backedbyheavyboughs，wasvisiblefromthedistanthighroadasawhitespotonthesurfaceofdarkness。
Thoughcalledacastle，thebuildingwaslittlefortified，andhadbeenerectedwithgreatereyetointernalconveniencethanthosecranniedplacesofdefencetowhichthenamestrictlyappertains。
Itwasacastellatedmansionasregularasachessboardonitsground-plan，ornamentedwithmake-believebastionsandmachicolations，behindwhichwerestacksofbattlementedchimneys。
Onstillmornings，atthefire-lightinghour，whenghostlyhouse-
maidsstalkthecorridors，andthinstreaksoflightthroughtheshutter-chinkslendstartlingwinksandsmilestoancestorsoncanvas，twelveorfifteenthinstemsofbluesmokesproutedupwardsfromthesechimney-tops，andspreadintoaflatcanopyonhigh。
Aroundthesitestretchedtenthousandacresofgood，fat，unimpeachablesoil，plentifulingladesandlawnswherevervisiblefromthecastle-windows，andmerginginhomelyarablewherescreenedfromthetoocuriouseyebyingeniously-contrivedplantations。
Somewaybehindtheownerofallthiscamethesecondmanintheparish，therector，theHonourableandReverendMr。Oldbourne，awidower，overstiffandsternforaclergyman，whoseseverewhiteneckcloth，well-keptgrayhair，andright-linedfacebetokenednoneofthosesympathetictraitswhereondependssomuchofaparson\'spowertodogoodamonghisfellow-creatures。Thelast，far-removedmanoftheseries——altogethertheNeptuneoftheselocalprimaries——
wasthecurate，Mr。AlwynHill。Hewasahandsomeyoungdeaconwithcurlyhair，dreamyeyes——sodreamythattolooklongintothemwaslikeascendingandfloatingamongsummerclouds——acomplexionasfreshasaflower，andachinabsolutelybeardless。Thoughhisagewasabouttwenty-five，helookednotmuchovernineteen。
TherectorhadadaughtercalledEmmeline，ofsosweetandsimpleanaturethatherbeautywasdiscovered，measured，andinventoriedbyalmosteverybodyinthatpartofthecountrybeforeitwassuspectedbyherselftoexist。Shehadbeenbredincomparativesolitude；arencounterwithmentroubledandconfusedher。Wheneverastrangevisitorcametoherfather\'shousesheslippedintotheorchardandremainedtillhewasgone，ridiculingherweaknessinapostrophes，butunabletoovercomeit。Hervirtueslayinnoresistantforceofcharacter，butinanaturalinappetencyforevilthings，whichtoherwereasunmeaningasjointsoffleshtoaherbivorouscreature。
Hercharmsofperson，manner，andmind，hadbeenclearforsometimetotheAntinousinorders，andnolesssototheDuke，who，thoughscandalouslyignorantofdaintyphrases，evershowingaclumsymannertowardsthegentlersex，and，inshort，notatallalady\'sman，tookfiretoadegreethatwaswellnighterribleatsuddensightofEmmeline，ashorttimeaftershewasturnedseventeen。
Itoccurredoneafternoonatthecornerofashrubberybetweenthecastleandtherectory，wheretheDukewasstandingtowatchtheheavingofamole，whenthefairgirlbrushedpastatadistanceofafewyards，inthefulllightofthesun，andwithouthatorbonnet。TheDukewenthomelikeamanwhohadseenaspirit。Heascendedtothepicture-galleryofhiscastle，andtherepassedsometimeinstaringatthebygonebeautiesofhislineasifhehadneverbeforeconsideredwhatanimportantpartthosespecimensofwomankindhadplayedintheevolutionoftheSaxelbyerace。Hedinedalone，drankratherfreely，anddeclaredtohimselfthatEmmelineOldbournemustbehis。
Meanwhiletherehadunfortunatelyarisenbetweenthecurateandthisgirlsomesweetandsecretunderstanding。Particularsoftheattachmentremainedunknownthenandalways，butitwasplainlynotapprovedofbyherfather。Hisprocedurewascold，hard，andinexorable。Soonthecuratedisappearedfromtheparish，almostsuddenly，afterbitterandhardwordshadbeenheardtopassbetweenhimandtherectoroneeveninginthegarden，intermingledwithwhich，likethecriesofthedyinginthedinofbattle，werethebeseechingsobsofawoman。NotlongafterthisitwasannouncedthatamarriagebetweentheDukeandMissOldbournewastobesolemnizedatasurprisinglyearlydate。
Thewedding-daycameandpassed；andshewasaDuchess。Nobodyseemedtothinkoftheoustedmanduringtheday，orelsethosewhothoughtofhimconcealedtheirmeditations。Someofthelesssubservientonesweredisposedtospeakinajocularmanneroftheaugusthusbandandwife，otherstomakecorrectandprettyspeechesaboutthem，accordingastheirsexandnaturedictated。Butintheevening，theringersinthebelfry，withwhomAlwynhadbeenafavourite，easedtheirmindsalittleconcerningthegentleyoungman，andthepossibleregretsofthewomanhehadloved。
\'Don\'tyouseesomethingwronginitall?\'saidthethirdbellashewipedhisface。\'Iknowwellenoughwhereshewouldhavelikedtostableherhorsesto-night，whentheyhavedonetheirjourney。\'
\'Thatis，youwouldknowifyoucouldtellwhereyoungMr。Hillisliving，whichisknowntononeintheparish。\'
\'Excepttotheladythatthisringo\'grandsiretriplesisinhonourof。\'