XXI。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENHOURS
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-NINTH。NOON
ExactlysevendaysafterEdwardSpringrovehadseenthemanwiththebundleofstrawwalkingdownthestreetsofCasterbridge，oldFarmerSpringrovewasstandingontheedgeofthesamepavement，talkingtohisfriend，FarmerBaker。
Therewasapauseintheirdiscourse。Mr。Springrovewaslookingdownthestreetatsomeobjectwhichhadattractedhisattention。
\'Ah，\'tiswhatweshallallcometo！\'hemurmured。
Theotherlookedinthesamedirection。\'True，neighbourSpringrove；true。\'
Twomen，advancingonebehindtheotherinthemiddleoftheroad，werewhatthefarmersreferredto。Theywerecarpenters，andboreontheirshouldersanemptycoffin，coveredbyathinblackcloth。
\'Ialwaysfeelasatisfactionatbeingbreastedbysuchasightasthat，\'saidSpringrove，stillregardingthemen\'ssadburden。\'I
callitasortofmedicine。\'
\'Anditismedicine……Ihavenotheardofanybodybeingillupthiswaylately？D\'seemasifthepersondiedsuddenly。\'
\'Maybeso。Ah，Baker，wesaysuddendeath，don\'twe？Butthere\'snodifferenceintheirnaturebetweensuddendeathanddeathofanyothersort。There\'snosuchthingasarandomsnappingoffofwhatwaslaiddowntolastlonger。Weonlysuddenlylightuponanend——
thoughtfullyformedasanyother——whichhasbeenexistingatthatverysamepointfromthebeginning，thoughunseenbyustobesosoon。\'
\'Itisjustadiscoverytoyourownmind，andnotanalterationintheLord\'s。\'
\'That\'sit。Unexpectedisnotastothething，butastooursight。\'
\'Nowyou\'llhardlybelieveme，neighbour，butthislittlesceneinfrontofusmakesmefeellessanxiousaboutpushingonwi\'thatthreshingandwinnowingnextweek，thatIwasspeakingabout。Whyshouldwenotstandstill，saysItomyself，andflingaquieteyeupontheWhysandtheWherefores，beforetheendo\'itall，andwegodownintothemouldering-place，andareforgotten？\'
\'\'Tisafeelingthatwillcome。But\'twontbearlookinginto。
There\'saback\'ardcurrentintheworld，andwemustdoourutmosttoadvanceinorderjusttobidewherewebe。But，Baker，theyareturninginherewiththecoffin，look。\'
Thetwocarpentershadbornetheirloadintoanarrowwaycloseathand。Thefarmers，incommonwithothers，turnedandwatchedthemalongtheway。
\'\'Tisaman\'scoffin，andatallman\'s，too，\'continuedFarmerSpringrove。\'Hiswasafineframe，whoeverhewas。\'
\'Averyplainboxforthepoorsoul——justtheroughelm，yousee。\'
Thecorneroftheclothhadblownaside。
\'Yes，foraverypoorman。Well，death\'sallthelessinsulttohim。Ihaveoftenthoughthowmuchsmallerthericherclassaremadetolookthanthepooratlastpincheslikethis。Perhapsthegreatestofallthereconcilersofathoughtfulmantopoverty——andIspeakfromexperience——isthegrandquietitfillshimwithwhentheuncertaintyofhislifeshowsitselfmorethanusual。\'
AsSpringrovefinishedspeaking，thebearersofthecoffinwentacrossagravelledsquarefacingthetwomenandapproachedagrimandheavyarchway。Theypausedbeneathit，rangabell，andwaited。
OverthearchwaywaswritteninEgyptiancapitals，\'COUNTYGAOL。\'
Thesmallrectangularwicket，whichwasconstructedinoneofthetwoiron-studdeddoors，wasopenedfromtheinside。Themenseverallysteppedoverthethreshold，thecoffindraggeditsmelancholylengththroughtheaperture，andbothenteredthecourt，andwerecoveredfromsight。
\'Somebodyinthegaol，then？\'
\'Yes，oneoftheprisoners，\'saidaboy，scuddingbyatthemoment，whopassedonwhistling。
\'Doyouknowthenameofthemanwhoisdead？\'inquiredBakerofathirdbystander。
\'Yes，\'tisallovertown——surelyyouknow，Mr。Springrove？Why，Manston，MissAldclyffe\'ssteward。Hewasfounddeadthefirstthingthismorning。Hehadhunghimselfbehindthedoorofhiscell，insomeway，byahandkerchiefandsomestripsofhisclothes。
Theturnkeysayshisfeatureswerescarcelychanged，ashelookedat\'emwiththeearlysuna-shininginatthegratinguponhim。Hehasleftafullaccountofthemurder，andallthatledtoit。Sothere\'sanendofhim。\'
Itwasperfectlytrue：Manstonwasdead。
Thepreviousdayhehadbeenallowedtheuseofwriting-materials，andhadoccupiedhimselffornearlysevenhoursinpreparingthefollowingconfession：——
\'LASTWORDS。
\'Havingfoundman\'slifetobeawretchedlyconceivedscheme，I
renounceit，and，tocausenofurthertrouble，Iwritedownthefactsconnectedwithmypastproceedings。
\'AfterthankingGod，onfirstenteringmyhouse，onthenightofthefireatCarriford，formyreleasefrombondagetoawomanI
detested，Iwent，asecondtime，tothesceneofthedisaster，and，findingthatnothingcouldbedonebyremainingthere，shortlyafterwardsIreturnedhomeagaininthecompanyofMr。Raunham。
\'Hepartedfrommeatthestepsofmyporch，andwentbacktowardstherectory。WhilstIstillstoodatthedoor，musingonmystrangedeliverance，Isawafigureadvancefrombeneaththeshadowoftheparktrees。Itwasthefigureofawoman。
\'Whenshecamenear，thetwilightwassufficienttoshowmeherattire：itwasacloakreachingtothebottomofherdress，andathickveilcoveringherface。Thesefeatures，togetherwithhersizeandgait，aidedalsobyaflashofperceptionastothechainofeventswhichhadsavedherlife，toldmethatshewasmywifeEunice。
\'Ignashedmyteethinafrenzyofdespair；IhadlostCytherea；I
hadgainedonewhosebeautyhaddeparted，whoseutterancewascomplaint，whosemindwasshallow，andwhodrankbrandyeveryday。
Therevulsionoffeelingwasterrible。Providence，whomIhadjustthanked，seemedamockingtormentorlaughingatme。Ifeltlikeamadman。
\'Shecameclose——startedatseeingmeoutside——thenspoketome。
HerfirstwordswerereproofforwhatIhadunintentionallydone，andsoundedasanearnestofwhatIwastobecursedwithaslongaswebothlived。Iansweredangrily；thistoneofminechangedhercomplaintstoirritation。Shetauntedmewithasecretshehaddiscovered，whichconcernedMissAldclyffeandmyself。Iwassurprisedtolearnit——moresurprisedthatsheknewit，butconcealedmyfeeling。
\'“Howcouldyouservemeso？”shesaid，herbreathsmellingofspiritseventhen。“Youloveanotherwoman——yes，youdo。Seehowyoudrivemeabout！Ihavebeentothestation，intendingtoleaveyouforever，andyetIcometotryyouoncemore。“
\'Anindescribableexasperationhadsprungupinmeasshetalked——
rageandregretwereallinall。ScarcelyknowingwhatIdid，I
furiouslyraisedmyhandandswungitroundwithmywholeforcetostrikeher。Sheturnedquickly——anditwasthepoorcreature\'send。
Byhermovementmyhandcameedgewiseexactlyinthenapeoftheneck——asmenstrikeaharetokillit。Theeffectstaggeredmewithamazement。Theblowmusthavedisturbedthevertebrae；shefellatmyfeet，madeafewmovements，andutteredonelowsound。
\'Iranindoorsforwaterandsomewine，Icameoutandlancedherarmwithmypenknife。Butshelaystill，andIfoundthatshewasdead。
\'ItwasalongtimebeforeIcouldrealizemyhorribleposition。
ForseveralminutesIhadnoideaofattemptingtoescapetheconsequencesofmydeed。Thenalightbrokeuponme。HadanybodyseenhersinceshelefttheThreeTranters？Hadtheynot，shewasalreadybelievedbytheparishionerstobedustandashes。Ishouldneverbefoundout。
\'UponthisIacted。
\'Thefirstquestionwashowtodisposeofthebody。Theimpulseofthemomentwastoburyheratonceinthepitbetweentheengine-
houseandwaterfall；butitstruckmethatIshouldnothavetime。
Itwasnowfouro\'clock，andtheworking-menwouldsoonbestirringabouttheplace。Iwouldputoffburyinghertillthenextnight。
Icarriedherindoors。
\'Inturningtheouthouseintoaworkshop，earlierintheseason，I
found，whendrivinganailintothewallforfixingacupboard，thatthewallsoundedhollow。Iexaminedit，anddiscoveredbehindtheplasteranoldovenwhichhadlongbeendisused，andwasbrickedupwhenthehousewaspreparedforme。
\'Tounfixthiscupboardandpulloutthebrickswastheworkofafewminutes。Then，bearinginmindthatIshouldhavetoremovethebodyagainthenextnight，Iplaceditinasack，pusheditintotheoven，packedinthebricks，andreplacedthecupboard。
\'Ithenwenttobed。Inbed，Ithoughtwhethertherewereanyveryremotepossibilitiesthatmightleadtothesuppositionthatmywifewasnotconsumedbytheflamesoftheburninghouse。Thethingwhichstruckmemostforciblywasthis，thatthesearchersmightthinkitoddthatnoremainswhatevershouldbefound。
\'Theclinchingandtriumphantdeedwouldbetotakethebodyandplaceitamongtheruinsofthedestroyedhouse。ButIcouldnotdothis，onaccountofthemenwhowerewatchingagainstanoutbreakofthefire。Oneremedyremained。
\'Iaroseagain，dressedmyself，andwentdowntotheouthouse。I
musttakedownthecupboardagain。Ididtakeitdown。Ipulledoutthebricks，pulledoutthesack，pulledoutthecorpse，andtookherkeysfromherpocketandthewatchfromherside。
\'Ithenreplacedeverythingasbefore。
\'WiththesearticlesinmypocketIwentoutoftheyard，andtookmywaythroughthewithycopsetothechurchyard，enteringitfromtheback。HereIfeltmywaycarefullyalongtillIcametothenookwherepiecesofbonesfromnewly-duggravesaresometimespiledbehindthelaurel-bushes。Ihadbeenearnestlyhopingtofindaskullamongtheseoldbones；butthoughIhadfrequentlyseenoneortwointherubbishhere，therewasnotonenow。Ithengropedintheothercornerwiththesameresult——nowherecouldIfindaskull。
Threeorfourfragmentsoflegandback-boneswereallIcouldcollect，andwiththeseIwasforcedtobecontent。
\'Takingtheminmyhand，Icrossedtheroad，andgotroundbehindtheinn，wherethecouchheapwasstillsmouldering。Keepingbehindthehedge，Icouldseetheheadsofthethreeorfourmenwhowatchedthespot。
\'StandinginthisplaceItookthebones，andthrewthemonebyoneoverthehedgeandoverthemen\'sheadsintothesmokingembers。
Whentheboneshadallbeenthrown，Ithrewthekeys；lastofallI
threwthewatch。
\'IthenreturnedhomeasIhadgone，andwenttobedoncemore，justasthedawnbegantobreak。Iexulted——“Cythereaismineagain！”
\'Atbreakfast-timeIthought，“Supposethecupboardshouldbysomeunlikelychancegetmovedto-day！”
\'Iwenttothemason\'syardhardby，whilethemenwereatbreakfast，andbroughtawayashovelfulofmortar。Itookitintotheouthouse，againshiftedthecupboard，andplasteredoverthemouthoftheovenbehind。Simplypushingthecupboardbackintoitsplace，IwaitedforthenextnightthatImightburythebody，thoughuponthewholeitwasinatolerablysafehiding-place。
\'Whenthenightcame，mynerveswereinsomewayweakerthantheyhadbeenonthepreviousnight。Ifeltreluctanttotouchthebody。
Iwenttotheouthouse，butinsteadofopeningtheoven，Ifirmlydroveintheshoulder-nailsthatheldthecupboardtothewall。“I
willburyherto-morrownight，however，“Ithought。
\'ButthenextnightIwasstillmorereluctanttotouchher。Andmyreluctanceincreased，andtherethebodyremained。Theovenwas，afterall，neverlikelytobeopenedinmytime。
\'ImarriedCythereaGraye，andneverdidabridegroomleavethechurchwithaheartmorefullofloveandhappiness，andabrainmorefixedongoodintentions，thanIdidonthatmorning。
\'WhenCytherea\'sbrothermadehisappearanceatthehotelinSouthampton，bearinghisstrangeevidenceoftheporter\'sdisclosure，Iwasstaggeredbeyondexpression。Ithoughttheyhadfoundthebody。“AmItobeapprehendedandtoloseherevennow？”
Imourned。Isawmyerror，andinstantlysaw，too，thatImustactexternallylikeanhonourableman。SoathisrequestIyieldedheruptohim，andmeditatedonseveralschemesforenablingmetoclaimthewomanIhadalegalrighttoclaimasmywife，withoutdisclosingthereasonwhyIknewmyselftohaveit。
\'IwenthometoKnapwaterthenextday，andfornearlyaweeklivedinastateofindecision。Icouldnothituponaschemeforprovingmywifedeadwithoutcompromisingmyself。
\'Mr。RaunhamhintedthatIshouldtakestepstodiscoverherwhereaboutsbyadvertising。Ihadnoenergyforthefarce。ButoneeveningIchancedtoentertheRisingSunInn。Twonotoriouspoachersweresittinginthesettle，whichscreenedmyentrance。
Theywerehalfdrunk——theirconversationwascarriedoninthesolemnandemphatictonecommontothatstageofintoxication，andI
myselfwasthesubjectofit。
\'Thefollowingwasthesubstanceoftheirdisjointedremarks：OnthenightofthegreatfireatCarriford，oneofthemwassenttomeetme，andbreakthenewsofthedeathofmywifetome。Thishedid；butbecauseIwouldnotpayhimforhisnews，heleftmeinamoodofvindictiveness。Whenthefirewasover，hejoinedhiscomrade。Thefavourablehourofthenightsuggestedtothemthepossibilityofsomeunlawfulgainbeforedaylightcame。Myfowlhousestoodinatemptingposition，andstillresentinghisrepulseduringtheevening，oneofthemproposedtooperateuponmybirds。IwasbelievedtohavegonetotherectorywithMr。Raunham。
Theotherwasdisinclinedtogo，andthefirstwentoffalone。
\'Itwasnowaboutthreeo\'clock。Hehadadvancedasfarastheshrubbery，whichgrowsnearthenorthwallofthehouse，whenhefanciedheheard，abovetherushofthewaterfall，noisesontheothersideofthebuilding。Hedescribedtheminthesewords，“Ghostlymouthstalking——thenafall——thenagroan——thentherushofthewaterandcreakoftheengineasbefore。“Onlyoneexplanationoccurredtohim；thehousewashaunted。And，whetherthoseofthelivingorthedead，voicesofanykindwereinimicaltoonewhohadcomeonsuchanerrand。Hestealthilycrepthome。
\'Hisunlawfulpurposeinbeingbehindthehouseledhimtoconcealhisadventure。Nosuspicionofthetruthenteredhismindtilltherailway-porterhadstartledeverybodybyhisstrangeannouncement。
Thenheaskedhimself，hadthehorrifyingsoundsofthatnightbeenreallyanenactmentinthefleshbetweenmeandmywife？
\'Thewordsoftheothermanwere：
\'“Whydon\'thetrytofindherifshe\'salive？”
\'“True，“saidthefirst。“Well，Idon\'tforgetwhatIheard，andifshedon\'tturnupalivemymindwillbeassureasaBibleuponhermurder，andtheparsonshallknowit，thoughIdogetsixmonthsonthetreadmillforbeingwhereIwas。“
\'“Andifsheshouldturnupalive？”
\'“ThenIshallknowthatIamwrong，andbelievingmyselfafoolaswellasarogue，holdmytongue。“
\'Iglidedoutofthehouseinacoldsweat。TheonlypressureinheavenorearthwhichcouldhaveforcedmetorenounceCythereawasnowputuponme——thedreadofadeathuponthegallows。
\'Isatallthatnightweavingstrategyofvariouskinds。TheonlyeffectualremedyformyhazardousstandingthatIcouldseewasasimpleone。Itwastosubstituteanotherwomanformywifebeforethesuspicionsofthatoneeasily-hoodwinkedmanextendedfurther。
\'Theonlydifficultywastofindapracticablesubstitute。
\'Theonewomanatallavailableforthepurposewasafriendless，innocentcreature，namedAnneSeaway，whomIhadknowninmyyouth，andwhohadforsometimebeenthehousekeeperofaladyinLondon。
Onaccountofthislady\'ssuddendeath，Annestoodinratheraprecariousposition，asregardedherfuturesubsistence。Shewasnotthebestkindofwomanforthescheme；buttherewasnoalternative。Onequalityofherswasvaluable；shewasnotatalker。IwenttoLondontheverynextday，calledattheHoxtonlodgingofmywifetheonlyplaceatwhichshehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andfoundthatnogreatdifficultiesstoodinthewayofapersonation。Andthusfavouringcircumstancesdeterminedmycourse。IvisitedAnneSeaway，madelovetoher，andpropoundedmyplan……
\'WelivedquietlyenoughuntiltheSundaybeforemyapprehension。
Annecamehomefromchurchthatmorning，andtoldmeofthesuspiciouswayinwhichayoungmanhadlookedatherthere。
Nothingcouldbedonebeyondwaitingtheissueofevents。ThenthelettercamefromRaunham。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwashalfindifferentastowhatfateawaitedme。DuringthesucceedingdayI
thoughtonceortwiceofrunningaway，butcouldnotquitemakeupmymind。Atanyrateitwouldbebesttoburythebodyofmywife，Ithought，fortheovenmightbeopenedatanytime。IwenttoCasterbridgeandmadesomearrangements。IntheeveningMissAldclyffewhoisunitedtomebyacommonsecretwhichIhavenorightorwishtodisclosecametomyhouse，andalarmedmestillmore。ShesaidthatshecouldtellbyMr。Raunham\'smannerthatevening，thathekeptbackfromherasuspicionofmoreimportanceeventhantheonehespokeof，andthatstrangerswereinhishouseeventhen。
\'Iguessedwhatthisfurthersuspicionwas，andresolvedtoenlightenhertoacertainextent，andsosecureherassistance。I
saidthatIkilledmywifebyanaccidentonthenightofthefire，dwellingupontheadvantagetoherofthedeathoftheonlywomanwhoknewhersecret。
\'Herterror，andfearsformyfate，ledhertowatchtherectorythatevening。Shesawthedetectiveleaveit，andfollowedhimtomyresidence。ThisshetoldmehurriedlywhenIperceivedherafterdiggingmywife\'sgraveintheplantation。Shedidnotsuspectwhatthesackcontained。
\'Iamnowabouttoenteronmynormalcondition。Forpeoplearealmostalwaysintheirgraves。Whenwesurveythelongraceofmen，itisstrangeandstillmorestrangetofindthattheyaremainlydeadmen，whohavescarcelyeverbeenotherwise。
\'AENEASMANSTON。\'
Thesteward\'sconfession，aidedbycircumstantialevidenceofvariouskinds，wasthemeansoffreeingbothAnneSeawayandMissAldclyffefromallsuspicionofcomplicitywiththemurderer。
2。SIXO\'CLOCKP。M。
Itwasevening——justatsunset——onthedayofManston\'sdeath。
InthecottageatTolchurchwasgatheredagroupconsistingofCytherea，herbrother，EdwardSpringrove，andhisfather。Theysatbythewindowconversingofthestrangeeventswhichhadjusttakenplace。InCytherea\'seyetherebeamedahopefulray，thoughherfacewasaswhiteasalily。
Whilsttheytalked，lookingoutattheyelloweveninglightthatcoatedthehedges，trees，andchurchtower，abroughamrolledroundthecornerofthelane，andcameinfullview。Itreflectedtheraysofthesuninaflashfromitspolishedpanelsasitturnedtheangle，thespokesofthewheelsbristlinginthesamelightlikebayonets。Thevehiclecamenearer，andarrivedoppositeOwen\'sdoor，whenthedriverpulledthereinandgaveashout，andthepantingandsweatinghorsesstopped。
\'MissAldclyffe\'scarriage！\'theyallexclaimed。
Owenwentout。\'IsMissGrayeathome？\'saidtheman。\'Anoteforher，andIamtowaitforananswer。\'
CythereareadinthehandwritingoftheRectorofCarriford：——
\'DEARMISSGRAYE，——MissAldclyffeisill，thoughnotdangerously。
Shecontinuallyrepeatsyourname，andnowwishesverymuchtoseeyou。Ifyoupossiblycan，comeinthecarriage——Verysincerelyyours，JOHNRAUNHAM。\'
\'Howcomessheill？\'Oweninquiredofthecoachman。
\'Shecaughtaviolentcoldbystandingoutofdoorsinthedamp，onthenightthestewardranaway。Eversince，tillthismorning，shecomplainedoffulnessandheatinthechest。ThismorningthemaidraninandtoldhersuddenlythatManstonhadkilledhimselfingaol——sheshrieked——brokeablood-vessel——andfelluponthefloor。
Severeinternalhaemorrhagecontinuedforsometimeandthenstopped。Theysaysheissuretogetoverit；butsheherselfsaysno。Shehassufferedfromitbefore。\'
Cythereawasreadyinafewmoments，andenteredthecarriage。
3。SEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。
SoftaswasCytherea\'smotionalongthecorridorsofKnapwaterHouse，thepreternaturallykeenintelligenceofthesufferingwomancaughtthemaiden\'swell-knownfootfall。Sheenteredthesick-
chamberwithsuspendedbreath。
Intheroomeverythingwassostill，andsensationwasasitweresorarefiedbysolicitude，thatthinkingseemedacting，andthelady\'sweakactoftryingtoliveasilentwrestlingwithallthepowersoftheuniverse。NobodywaspresentbutMr。Raunham，thenursehavinglefttheroomonCytherea\'sentry，andthephysicianandsurgeonbeingengagedinawhisperedconversationinaside-chamber。Theirpatienthadbeenpronouncedoutofdanger。
Cythereawenttothebedside，andwasinstantlyrecognized。O，whatachange——MissAldclyffedependentuponpillows！Andyetnotaforbiddingchange。Withweaknesshadcomesoftnessofaspect：thehaughtinesswasextractedfromthefrailthincountenance，andasweetermildplacidityhadtakenitsplace。
MissAldclyffesignifiedtoMr。RaunhamthatshewouldliketobealonewithCytherea。
\'Cytherea？\'shefaintlywhisperedtheinstantthedoorwasclosed。
Cythereaclaspedthelady\'sweakhand，andsankbesideher。
MissAldclyffewhisperedagain。\'TheysayIamcertaintolive；butIknowthatIamcertainlygoingtodie。\'
\'Theyknow，Ithink，andhope。\'
\'Iknowbest，butwe\'llleavethat。Cytherea——OCytherea，canyouforgiveme！\'
Hercompanionpressedherhand。
\'Butyoudon\'tknowyet——youdon\'tknowyet，\'theinvalidmurmured。
\'ItisforgivenessforthatmisrepresentationtoEdwardSpringrovethatIimplore，andforputtingsuchforceuponhim——thatwhichcausedallthetrainofyourinnumerableills！\'
\'Iknowall——all。AndIdoforgiveyou。Notinahastyimpulsethatisrevokedwhencoolnesscomes，butdeliberatelyandsincerely：
asImyselfhopetobeforgiven，Iaccordyoumyforgivenessnow。\'
TearsstreamedfromMissAldclyffe\'seyes，andmingledwiththoseofheryoungcompanion，whocouldnotrestrainhersforsympathy。
Expressionsofstrongattachment，interruptedbyemotion，burstagainandagainfromthebroken-spiritedwoman。
\'Butyoudon\'tknowmymotive。O，ifyouonlyknewit，howyouwouldpitymethen！\'
Cythereadidnotbreakthepausewhichensued，andtheelderwomanappearednowtonerveherselfbyasuperhumaneffort。Shespokeoninavoiceweakasasummerbreeze，andfullofintermission，andyettherepervadeditasteadinessofintentionthatseemedtodemandfirmtonestobearitoutworthily。
\'Cytherea，\'shesaid，\'listentomebeforeIdie。
\'Alongtimeago——morethanthirtyyearsago——ayounggirlofseventeenwascruellybetrayedbyhercousin，awildofficerofsix-
and-twenty。HewenttoIndia，anddied。
\'OnenightwhenthatmiserablegirlhadjustarrivedhomewithherparentsfromGermany，whereherbabyhadbeenborn，shetookallthemoneyshepossessed，pinneditonherinfant\'sbosom，togetherwithaletter，stating，amongotherthings，whatshewishedthechild\'sChristiannametobe；wrappedupthelittlething，andwalkedwithittoClapham。Here，inaretiredstreet，sheselectedahouse。
Sheplacedthechildonthedoorstepandknockedatthedoor，thenranawayandwatched。Theytookitupandcarrieditindoors。
\'Nowthatherpoorbabywasgone，thegirlblamedherselfbitterlyforcrueltytowardsit，andwishedshehadadoptedherparents\'
counseltosecretlyhireanurse。Shelongedtoseeit。Shedidn\'tknowwhattodo。Shewroteinanassumednametothewomanwhohadtakenitin，andaskedhertomeetthewriterwiththeinfantatcertainplacesshenamed。Thesewerehotelsorcoffee-housesinChelsea，Pimlico，orHammersmith。Thewoman，beingwellpaid，alwayscame，andaskednoquestions。Atonemeeting——ataninninHammersmith——shemadeherappearancewithoutthechild，andtoldthegirlitwassoillthatitwouldnotlivethroughthenight。Thenews，andfatigue，broughtonafainting-fit……\'
MissAldclyffe\'ssobschokedherutterance，andshebecamepainfullyagitated。Cytherea，paleandamazedatwhatsheheard，weptforher，bentoverher，andbeggedhernottogoonspeaking。
\'Yes——Imust，\'shecried，betweenhersobs。\'Iwill——Imustgoon！
AndImusttellyetmoreplainly！……youmusthearitbeforeIamgone，Cytherea。\'Thesympathizingandastonishedgirlsatdownagain。
\'ThenameofthewomanwhohadtakenthechildwasMANSTON。Shewasthewidowofaschoolmaster。Shesaidshehadadoptedthechildofarelation。
\'Onlyonemaneverfoundoutwhothemotherwas。Hewasthekeeperoftheinninwhichshefainted，andhissilenceshehaspurchasedeversince。
\'Atwelvemonthpassed——fifteenmonths——andthesaddenedgirlmetamanatherfather\'shousenamedGraye——yourfather，Cytherea，thenunmarried。Ah，suchaman！Inexperiencenowperceivedwhatitwastobelovedinspiritandintruth！Butitwastoolate。Hadheknownhersecrethewouldhavecastherout。Shewithdrewfromhimbyaneffort，andpined。
\'Yearsandyearsafterwards，whenshebecamemistressofafortuneandestatesbyherfather\'sdeath，sheformedtheweakschemeofhavingnearherthesonwhom，inherfather\'slife-time，shehadbeenforbiddentorecognize。Cytherea，youknowwhothatweakwomanis……
\'BysuchtoilsomelabourasthisIgothimhereasmysteward。AndIwantedtoseehimYOURHUSBAND，Cytherea！——thehusbandofmytruelover\'schild。Itwasasweetdreamtome……Pityme——O，pityme！TodieunlovedismorethanIcanbear！Ilovedyourfather，andIlovehimnow。\'
ThatwastheburdenofCythereaAldclyffe。
\'Isupposeyoumustleavemeagain——youalwaysleaveme，\'shesaid，afterholdingtheyoungwoman\'shandalongwhileinsilence。
\'No——indeedI\'llstayalways。Doyoulikemetostay？\'
MissAldclyffeinthejawsofdeathwasMissAldclyffestill，thoughtheoldfirehaddegeneratedtomerephosphorescencenow。\'Butyouareyourbrother\'shousekeeper？\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Well，ofcourseyoucannotstaywithmeonasuddenlikethis……
Gohome，orhewillbeatalossforthings。Andto-morrowmorningcomeagain，won\'tyou，dearest，comeagain——we\'llfetchyou。Butyoumustn\'tstaynow，andputOwenout。Ono——itwouldbeabsurd。\'
Theabsorbingconcernabouttriflesofdailyroutine，whichissooftenseeninverysickpeople，waspresenthere。
Cythereapromisedtogohome，andcomethenextmorningtostaycontinuously。
\'StaytillIdiethen，willyounot？Yes，tillIdie——Ishan\'tdietillto-morrow。\'
\'Wehopeforyourrecovery——allofus。\'
\'Iknowbest。Comeatsixo\'clock，darling。\'
\'AssoonaseverIcan，\'returnedCythereatenderly。
\'Butsixistooearly——youwillhavetothinkofyourbrother\'sbreakfast。LeaveTolchurchateight，willyou？\'
Cythereaconsentedtothis。MissAldclyffewouldneverhaveknownhadhercompanionstayedinthehouseallnight；butthehonestyofCytherea\'snaturerebelledagainsteventhefriendlydeceitwhichsuchaproceedingwouldhaveinvolved。
Anarrangementwascometowherebyshewastobetakenhomeinthepony-carriageinsteadofthebroughamthatfetchedher；thecarriagetoputupatTolchurchfarmforthenight，andonthataccounttobeinreadinesstobringherbackearlier。
4。MARCHTHETHIRTIETH。DAYBREAK
ThethirdandlastinstanceofCytherea\'ssubjectiontothoseperiodicterrorsofthenightwhichhademphasizedherconnectionwiththeAldclyffenameandbloodoccurredatthepresentdate。
Itwasaboutfouro\'clockinthemorningwhenCytherea，thoughmostprobablydreaming，seemedtoawake——andinstantlywastransfixedbyasortofspell，thathadinitmoreofawethanofaffright。Atthefootofherbed，lookingherinthefacewithanexpressionofentreatybeyondthepowerofwordstoportray，wastheformofMissAldclyffe——wananddistinct。Nomotionwasperceptibleinher；butlonging——earnestlonging——waswrittenineveryfeature。
Cythereabelievedsheexercisedherwakingjudgmentasusualinthinking，withoutashadowofdoubt，thatMissAldclyffestoodbeforeherinfleshandblood。ReasonwasnotsufficientlyalerttoleadCythereatoaskherselfhowsuchathingcouldhaveoccurred。
\'Iwouldhaveremainedwithyou——whywouldyounotallowmetostay！\'Cythereaexclaimed。Thespellwasbroken：shebecamebroadlyawake；andthefigurevanished。
Itwasinthegreytimeofdawn。Shetrembledinasweatofdisquiet，andnotbeingabletoendurethethoughtofherbrotherbeingasleep，shewentandtappedathisdoor。
\'Owen！\'
Hewasnotaheavysleeper，anditwasverginguponhistimetorise。
\'Whatdoyouwant，Cytherea？\'
\'IoughtnottohaveleftKnapwaterlastnight。IwishIhadnot。
IreallythinkIwillstartatonce。Shewantsme，Iknow。\'
\'Whattimeisit？\'
\'Afewminutespastfour。\'
\'Youhadbetternot。Keeptothetimeagreedupon。Consider，weshouldhavesuchatroubleinrousingthedriver，andotherthings。\'
Uponthewholeitseemedwisernottoactonamerefancy。Shewenttobedagain。
Anhourlater，whenOwenwasthinkingofgettingup，aknockingcametothefrontdoor。ThenextminutesomethingtouchedtheglassofOwen\'swindow。Hewaited——thenoisewasrepeated。Alittlegravelhadbeenthrownagainstittoarousehim。
Hecrossedtheroom，pulleduptheblind，andlookedout。Asolemnwhitefacewasgazingupwardsfromtheroad，expectantlystrainingtocatchthefirstglimpseofapersonwithinthepanes。ItwasthefaceofaKnapwatermansittingonhorseback。
Owensawhiserrand。Thereisanunmistakablelookinthefaceofeverymanwhobringstidingsofdeath。Grayeopenedthewindow。
\'MissAldclyffe……\'saidthemessenger，andpaused。
\'Ah——dead？\'
\'Yes——sheisdead。\'
\'Whendidshedie？\'
\'Attenminutespastfour，afteranothereffusion。Sheknewbest，yousee，sir。Istarteddirectly，bytherector\'sorders。\'
SEQUEL
Fifteenmonthshavepassed，andwearebroughtontoMidsummerNight，1867。
ThepicturepresentedistheinterioroftheoldbelfryofCarrifordChurch，atteno\'clockintheevening。
SixCarrifordmenandonestrangeraregatheredthere，beneaththelightofaflaringcandlestuckonapieceofwoodagainstthewall。
ThesixCarrifordmenarethewell-knownringersofthefine-tonedoldbellsinthekeyofF，whichhavebeenmusictotheearsofCarrifordparishandtheoutlyingdistrictsforthelastfourhundredyears。Thestrangerisanassistant，whohasappearedfromnobodyknowswhere。
Thesixnatives——intheirshirt-sleeves，andwithouthats——pullandcatchfranticallyatthedancingbellropes，thelocksoftheirhairwavinginthebreezecreatedbytheirquickmotions；thestranger，whohasthetreblebell，doeslikewise，butinhisrightmindandcoat。Theirever-changingshadowsmingleonthewallinanendlessvarietyofkaleidoscopicforms，andtheeyesofallthesevenarereligiouslyfixedonadiagramlikealargeadditionsum，whichischalkedonthefloor。
Vividlycontrastingwiththeyellowlightofthecandleuponthefourunplasteredwallsofthetower，anduponthefacesandclothesofthemen，isthescenediscerniblethroughthescreenbeneaththetowerarchway。Attheextremityofthelongmysteriousavenueofthenaveandchancelcanbeseenshaftsofmoonlightstreaminginattheeastwindowofthechurch——blue，phosphoric，andghostly。
Athoroughrenovationofthebell-ringingmachineryandaccessorieshadtakenplaceinanticipationofaninterestingevent。Newropeshadbeenprovided；everybellhadbeencarefullyshiftedfromitscarriage，andthepivotslubricated。Brightred\'sallies\'ofwoollentexture——softtothehandsandeasilycaught——glowedontheropesinplaceoftheoldraggedknots，allofwhichnewnessinsmalldetailsonlyrenderedmoreevidenttheirrepressibleaspectofageinthemasssurroundingthem。
Thetriple-bob-majorwasended，andtheringerswipedtheirfacesandrolleddowntheirshirt-sleeves，previouslytotuckingawaytheropesandleavingtheplaceforthenight。
\'Piph——h——h——h！Agoodfortyminutes，\'saidamanwithastreamingface，andblowingouthisbreath——oneofthepairwhohadtakenthetenorbell。
\'Ourfriendherepulledproperwell——that\'adid——seeinghe\'sbutastranger，\'saidClerkCrickett，whohadjustresignedthesecondrope，andaddressingthemanintheblackcoat。
\'\'Adid，\'saidtherest。
\'Ienjoyeditmuch，\'saidthemanmodestly。
\'Whatweshouldha\'donewithoutyouwordscan\'ttell。Themanthatd\'belongbyrightstothattherebellisillo\'twogallonso\'woldcider。\'
\'Andnowso\'s，\'remarkedthefifthringer，aspertainingtothelastallusion，\'we\'llfinishthisdropo\'metheglinandcider，andeverymanhome-alongstraightasaline。\'
\'Wi\'allmyheart，\'ClerkCrickettreplied。\'AndtheLordsendifI
ha\'n\'tdonemydutybyMasterTeddySpringrove——thatIhaveso。\'
\'Andtheresto\'us，\'theysaid，asthecupwashandedround。
\'Ay，ay——inringen——butIwasspakeninaspiritualsenseo\'thismornen\'sbusinesso\'mineupbythechancelrailsthere。\'Twasveryconvenienttolugherhereandmarryherinsteado\'doenitatthattwopenny-halfpennytowno\'Budm\'th。Veryconvenient。\'
\'Very。TherewasalittlefeeforMasterCrickett。\'
\'Ah——well。Money\'smoney——verymuchso——very——Ialwayshavesaidit。But\'twasaprettysightforthenation。Hecoloureduplikeanymaid，that\'adid。\'
\'Wellenough\'amidcolourup。\'Tisnosmallmatterforamantoplaywi\'fire。\'
\'Whateveritmaybetoawoman，\'saidtheclerkabsently。
\'Thou\'rtthinkeno\'thywife，clerk，\'saidGadWeedy。\'She\'llplaywi\'itagainwhenthou\'stgotmildewed。\'
\'Well——lether，Godblessher；forI\'mbutapoorthirdman，I。TheLordhavemercyuponthefourth！……Ay，Teddy\'sgothisownatlast。Whatlittlewhiteearsthatmaidhev，tobesure！chooseyourwifeasyouchooseyourpig——asmallearandasmalltale——thatwasalwaysmyjokewhenIwasamerryfeller，ah——yearsagonenow！ButTeddy\'sgother。Poorchap，hewasgettenasthinasahermitwi\'
grief——sowasshe。\'
\'Maybeshe\'llpickupnow。\'
\'True——\'tisnater\'slaw，whichnomanshallgainsay。Ah，welldoI
bearinmindwhatIsaidtoPa\'sonRaunham，aboutthymother\'sfamilyo\'seven，Gad，theveryfirstweekofhiscomenhere，whenI
wasjustinmyprime。“AndhowmanydaughtershasthatpoorWeedygot，clerk？”hesays。“Six，sir，“saysI，“andeveryoneof\'emhasabrother！”“Poorwoman，“sayshe，“adozenchildren！——giveherthishalf-sovereignfromme，clerk。“\'Alaughedagoodfiveminutesafterwards，whenhefoundoutmymerrynater——\'adid。Butthere，\'tisoverwi\'menow。EnterentheChurchistheruinofaman\'switforwit\'snothenwithoutafaintshaddero\'sin。\'
\'IfsobeTeddyandtheladyhadbeenkeptapartforlife，they\'dbothha\'died，\'saidGademphatically。
\'Butnowinsteado\'deaththere\'llbeincreaseo\'life，\'answeredtheclerk。
\'Itallwentproperwell，\'saidthefifthbell-ringer。\'Theydidn\'tfleeofftoBabylonishplaces——notthey。\'Hestruckupanattitude——
\'Here\'sMasterSpringrovestandenso：here\'sthemarriedwomanstandenlikewise；heretheyd\'walkacrosstoKnapwaterHouse；andtheretheyd\'bideinthechimleycorner，hardandfast。\'
\'Yes，\'twasaprettywedden，andwellattended，\'addedtheclerk。
\'Herewasmyladyherself——redasscarlet：herewasMasterSpringrove，lookenasifhehalfwishedhe\'dnevera-come——ah，poorsouls！——themenalwaysdo！Thewomendostanditbest——themaidwasinherglory。Thoughshewassoshythegloryshoneplainthroughthatshyskin。Ah，itdidso\'s。\'
\'Ay，\'saidGad，\'andtherewasTimTankinsandhisfivejourneymencarpenters，standenontiptoeandpeepeninatthechancelwinders。
TherewasDairymanDodmanwaiteninhisnewspring-carttosee\'emcomeout——whipinhand——that\'awas。Thenupcomestwomastertailors。ThentherewasChristopherRuntwi\'hispickaxeandshovel。Therewaswimmen-folkandtherewasmen-folktraypsenupanddownchurch\'ardtilltheyworeapathwi\'traypsenso——lettenthesquallenchildrenslipdownthroughtheirarmsandnearlyskinneno\'em。AndthesewerealloverandabovethegentryandSunday-clothesfolkinside。Well，IseedMr。Grayeatlastdressedupquitethedand。“Well，Mr。Graye，“saysIfromthetopo\'
church\'ardwall，“how\'syerself？”Mr。Grayeneverspoke——he\'dpridedawayhishearen。Seizetheman，Ididn\'wantentospak。
Teddyhearsit，andturnsround：“Allright，Gad！”sayshe，andlaughedlikeaboy。There\'smoreinTeddy。\'
\'Well，\'saidClerkCrickett，turningtothemaninblack，\'nowyou\'vebeenamongussolong，andd\'knowussowell，won\'tyetelluswhatye\'vecomeherefor，andwhatyourtradeis？\'
\'Iamnotrade，\'saidthethinman，smiling，\'andIcametoseethewickednessoftheland。\'
\'Isaidthouwastoneo\'thedevil\'sbroodwi\'thyblackclothes，\'
repliedasturdyringer，whohadnotspokenbefore。
\'No，thetruthis，\'saidthethinman，retractingatthishorribletranslation，\'Icameforawalkbecauseitisafineevening。\'
\'Nowlet\'sbeoff，neighbours，\'theclerkinterrupted。
Thecandlewasinvertedinthesocket，andthewholepartysteppedoutintothechurchyard。Themoonwasshiningwithinadayortwooffull，andjustoverlookedthethreeorfourvastyewsthatstoodonthesouth-eastsideofthechurch，androseinunvariedandflatdarknessagainsttheilluminatedatmospherebehindthem。
\'Good-night，\'theclerksaidtohiscomrades，whenthedoorwaslocked。\'Mynearestwayisthroughthepark。\'
\'Isupposemineistoo？\'saidthestranger。\'Iamgoingtotherailway-station。\'
\'Ofcourse——comeon。\'
Thetwomenwentoverastiletothewest，theremainderofthepartygoingintotheroadontheoppositeside。
\'Andsotheromancehasendedwell，\'theclerk\'scompanionremarked，astheybrushedalongthroughthegrass。\'Butwhatisthetruthofthestoryabouttheproperty？\'
\'Nowlookhere，neighbour，\'saidClerkCrickett，\'ifsobeyou\'lltellmewhatyourlineo\'lifeis，andyourpurposeincomenhereto-day，I\'lltellyouthetruthabouttheweddenparticulars。\'
\'Verywell——Iwillwhenyouhavedone，\'saidtheotherman。
\'\'Tisabargain；andthisistherighto\'thestory。WhenMissAldclyffe\'swillwasopened，itwasfoundtohavebeendrawnupontheverydaythatManstonherlove-childmarriedMissCythereaGraye。Andthisiswhatthatdeepwomandid。Deep？shewasasdeepastheNorthStar。Shebequeathedallherproperty，realandpersonal，to“THEWIFEOFAENEASMANSTON“withoneexception：
failenherlifetoherhusband：failenhislifetotheheirsofhishead——bodyIwouldsay：failenthemtoherabsolutelyandherheirsforever：failenthesetoPa\'sonRaunham，andsoontotheendo\'
thehumanrace。Nowdoyouseethedepthofherscheme？Why，althoughuponthesurfaceitappearedherwholepropertywasforMissCytherea，bytheword“wife“beingused，andnotCytherea\'sname，whoeverwasthewifeo\'Manstonwouldcomeinfor\'t。Wasn\'tthatraledepth？Itwasdone，ofcourse，thathersonAEneas，underanycircumstances，shouldbemastero\'theproperty，withoutfolkknowenitwashersonorsuspectinganything，astheywouldifithadbeenlefttoenstraightway。\'
\'Acleverarrangement！Andwhatwastheexception？\'
\'Thepaymentofalegacytoherrelative，Pa\'sonRaunham。\'
\'AndMissCythereawasnowManston\'swidowandonlyrelative，andinheritedallabsolutely。\'
\'True，shedid。“Well，“saysshe，“Ishan\'thaveit“shedidn\'tlikethenotiono\'gettenanythingthroughManston，naturallyenough，prettydear。Shewaivedherrightinfavouro\'Mr。
Raunham。Now，ifthere\'samanintheworldthatd\'carenothenaboutland——Idon\'tsaythereis，butIFthereis——\'tisourpa\'son。
He\'slikeasnail。He\'sa-growedsototheshapeo\'thatthererectorythat\'awouldn\'thinko\'leaveniteveninname。“\'Tisyours，MissGraye，“sayshe。“No，\'tisyours，“saysshe。“\'Tis\'n\'
mine，“sayshe。TheCrownhadcasthiseyesuponthecase，thinkeno\'forfeiturebyfelony——but\'twasnosuchthing，and\'agieditup，too。Didyoueverhearsuchatale？——threepeople，amanandawoman，andaCrown——neithero\'eminamadhouse——flingenanestatebackwardsandforwardslikeanappleornut？Well，itendedinthisway。Mr。Raunhamtookit：youngSpringrovewashadasagentandsteward，andputtoliveinKnapwaterHouse，closehereathand——
justasif\'twashisown。Hedoesjustwhathe\'dlike——Mr。Raunhamneverinterferen——andhitherto-dayhe\'sbroughthisnewwife，Cytherea。Andasettlementha\'beendrawnupthisveryday，wherebytheirchildren，heirs，andcetrer，betoinheritafterMr。Raunham\'sdeath。Goodfortunecameatlast。Herbrother，too，isdoenwell。
Hecameinfirstmaninsomearchitecturalcompetition，andisabouttomovetoLondon。Here\'sthehouse，look。Stapoutfromthesebushes，andyou\'llgetaclearsighto\'t。\'
Theyemergedfromtheshrubbery，breakingofftowardsthelake，anddownthesouthslope。Whentheyarrivedexactlyoppositethecentreofthemansion，theyhalted。
ItwasamagnificentpictureoftheEnglishcountry-house。Thewholeofthesevereregularfront，withitscolumnsandcornices，wasbuiltofawhitesmoothly-facedfreestone，whichappearedintheraysofthemoonaspureasPentelicmarble。Thesoleobjectsinthescenerivallingthefairnessofthefacadewereadozenswansfloatinguponthelake。
Atthismomentthecentraldooratthetopofthestepswasopened，andtwofiguresadvancedintothelight。Twocontrastingfigureswerethey。Ayounglithewomaninanairyfairydress——CythereaSpringrove：ayoungmaninblackstereotyperaiment——Edward，herhusband。
Theystoodatthetopofthestepstogether，lookingatthemoon，thewater，andthegenerallovelinessoftheprospect。
\'That\'sthemarriedmanandwife——there，I\'veillustratedmystorybyralelivenspecimens，\'theclerkwhispered。
\'Tobesure，howclosetogethertheydostand！Youcouldn\'slipapenny-piecebetween\'em——thatyoucouldn\'！Beautifultoseeit，isn\'tit——beautiful！……Butthisisaprivatepath，andwewon\'tlet\'emseeus，asalltheringersbegoentheretoasupperanddanceto-morrownight。\'
Thespeakerandhiscompanionsoftlymovedon，passedthroughthewicket，andintothecoach-road。Arrivedattheclerk\'shouseatthefurtherboundaryofthepark，theypausedtopart。
\'Nowforyourhalfo\'thebargain，\'saidClerkCrickett。\'What\'syourlineo\'life，andwhatd\'yecomeherefor？\'
\'I\'mthereportertotheCasterbridgeChronicle，andIcometopickupthenews。Good-night。\'
MeanwhileEdwardandCytherea，afterlingeringonthestepsforseveralminutes，slowlydescendedtheslopetothelake。Theskiffwaslyingalongside。
\'O，Edward，\'saidCytherea，\'youmustdosomethingthathasjustcomeintomyhead！\'
\'Well，dearest——Iknow。\'
\'Yes——givemeonehalf-minute\'srowonthelakeherenow，justasyoudidonBudmouthBaythreeyearsago。\'
Hehandedherintotheboat，andalmostnoiselesslypulledofffromshore。Whentheywerehalf-waybetweenthetwomarginsofthelake，hepausedandlookedather。
\'Ah，darling，IrememberexactlyhowIkissedyouthatfirsttime，\'
saidSpringrove。\'Youwerethereasyouarenow。Iunshippedthescullsinthisway。ThenIturnedroundandsatbesideyou——inthisway。ThenIputmyhandontheothersideofyourlittleneck——\'
\'Ithinkitwasjustonmycheek，inthisway。\'
\'Ah，soitwas。Thenyoumovedthatsoftredmouthroundtomine——\'
\'But，dearest——youpresseditroundifyouremember；andofcourseI
couldn\'tthenhelplettingitcometoyourmouthwithoutbeingunkindtoyou，andIwouldn\'tbethat。\'
\'AndthenIputmycheekagainstthatcheek，andturnedmytwolipsrounduponthosetwolips，andkissedthem——so。\'
End