Bathshebaknewmoreofhimnow；hehadentirelybaredhisheartbeforeher，evenuntilhehadalmostworninhereyesthesorrylookofagrandbirdwithoutthefeathersthatmakeitgrand。Shehadbeenawestruckatherpasttemerity，andwasstrugglingtomakeamendswithoutthinkingwhetherthesinquitedeservedthepenaltyshewasschoolingherselftopay。Tohavebroughtallthisaboutherearswasterrible；butafterawhilethesituationwasnotwithoutafearfuljoy。Thefacilitywithwhicheventhemosttimidwomensometimesacquirearelishforthedreadfulwhenthatisamalgamatedwithalittletriumph，ismarvellous。
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOURThesameNight-TheFirPlantationAmongthemultifariousdutieswhichBathshebahadvoluntarilyimposeduponherselfbydispensingwiththeservicesofabailiff，wastheparticularoneoflookingroundthehomesteadbeforegoingtobed，toseethatallwasrightandsafeforthenight。Gabrielhadalmostconstantlyprecededherinthistoureveryevening，watchingheraffairsascarefullyasanyspeciallyappointedofficerofsurveillancecouldhavedone；butthistenderdevotionwastoagreatextentunknowntohismistress，andasmuchaswasknownwassomewhatthanklesslyreceived。Womenarenevertiredofbewailingman’sficklenessinlove，buttheyonlyseemtosnubhisconstancy。
Aswatchingisbestdoneinvisibly，sheusuallycarriedadarklanterninherhand，andeverynowandthenturnedonthelighttoexaminenooksandcornerswiththecoolnessofametropolitanpoliceman。Thiscoolnessmayhaveoweditsexistencenotsomuchtoherfearlessnessofexpecteddangerastoherfreedomfromthesuspicionofany；herworstanticipateddiscoverybeingthatahorsemightnotbewellbedded，thefowlsnotallin，oradoornotclosed。
Thisnightthebuildingswereinspectedasusual，andshewentroundtothefarmpaddock。Heretheonlysoundsdisturbingthestillnessweresteadymunchingsofmanymouths，andstentorianbreathingsfromallbutinvisiblenoses，endinginsnoresandpuffsliketheblowingofbellowsslowly。Thenthemunchingwouldrecommence，whenthelivelyimaginationmightassisttheeyetodiscernagroupofpink-whitenostrilsshapedascaverns，andveryclammyandhumidontheirsurfaces，notexactlypleasanttothetouchuntilonegotusedtothem；themouthsbeneathhavingagreatpartialityforclosinguponanylooseendofBathsheba’sapparelwhichcamewithinreachoftheirtongues。Aboveeachoftheseastillkeenervisionsuggestedabrownforeheadandtwostaringthoughnotunfriendlyeyes，andaboveallapairofwhitishcrescent-shapedhornsliketwoparticularlynewmoons，anoccasionalstolid`moo！’proclaimingbeyondtheshadeofadoubtthatthesephenomenawerethefeaturesandpersonsofDaisy，Whitefoot，Bonnylass，Jolly-O，Spot，Twinkle-eye，etc。，etc-therespectabledairyofDevoncowsbelongingtoBathshebaaforesaid。
Herwaybacktothehousewasbyapaththroughayoungplantationoftaperingfirs，whichhadbeenplantedsomeyearsearliertoshelterthepremisesfromthenorthwind。Byreasonofthedensityoftheinterwovenfoliageoverheaditwasgloomythereatcloudlessnoontide，twilightintheevening，darkasmidnightatdusk，andblackastheninthplagueofEgyptatmidnight。Todescribethespotistocallitavast，low，naturallyformedhall，theplumyceilingofwhichwassupportedbyslenderpillarsoflivingwood，thefloorbeingcoveredwithasoftduncarpetofdeadspikeletsandmildewedcones，withatuftofgrass-bladeshereandthere。
Thisbitofthepathwasalwaysthecruxofthenight’sramble，though，beforestarting，herapprehensionsofdangerwerenotvividenoughtoleadhertotakeacompanion。SlippingalongherecovertlyasTime，Bathshebafanciedshecouldhearfootstepsenteringthetrackattheoppositeend。
Itwascertainlyarustleoffootsteps。Herowninstantlyfellasgentlyassnowflakes。Shereassuredherselfbyaremembrancethatthepathwaspublic，andthatthetravellerwasprobablysomevillagerreturninghome；
regretting，atthesametime，thatthemeetingshouldbeabouttooccurinthedarkestpointofherroute，eventhoughonlyjustoutsideherowndoor。
Thenoiseapproached，cameclose，andafigurewasapparentlyonthepointofglidingpastherwhensomethingtuggedatherskirtandpinneditforciblytotheground。TheinstantaneouschecknearlythrewBathshebaoffherbalance。Inrecoveringshestruckagainstwarmclothesandbuttons。
`Arumstart，uponmysoul！’saidamasculinevoice，afootorsoaboveherhead。`HaveIhurtyou，mate？’
`No，’saidBathsheba，attemptingtoshrinkaway。
`Wehavegothitchedtogethersomehow，Ithink。’
`Yes。’
`Areyouawoman？’
`Yes。’
`Alady，Ishouldhavesaid。’
`Itdoesn’tmatter。’
`Iamaman。
`Oh！’
Bathshebasoftlytuggedagain，buttonopurpose。
`Isthatadarklanternyouhave？Ifancyso，’saidtheman。
`Yes。’
`Ifyou’llallowmeI’llopenit，andsetyoufree。’
Ahandseizedthelantern，thedoorwasopened，theraysburstoutfromtheirprison，andBathshebabeheldherpositionwithastonishment。
Themantowhomshewashookedwasbrilliantinbrassandscarlet。Hewasasoldier。Hissuddenappearancewastodarknesswhatthesoundofatrumpetistosilence。Gloom，thegeniuslociatalltimeshitherto，wasnowtotallyoverthrown，lessbythelantern-lightthanbywhatthelanternlighted。Thecontrastofthisrevelationwithheranticipationsofsomesinisterfigureinsombregarbwassogreatthatithaduponhertheeffectofafairytransformation。
Itwasimmediatelyapparentthatthemilitaryman’sspurhadbecomeentangledinthegimpwhichdecoratedtheskirtofherdregs。Hecaughtaviewofherface。
`I’llunfastenyouinonemoment，miss，’hesaid，withnew-borngallantry。
`Ono-Icandoit，thankyou，’shehastilyreplied，andstoopedfortheperformance。
Theunfasteningwasnotsuchatriflingaffair。Therowelofthespurhadsowounditselfamongthegimpcordsinthosefewmoments，thatseparationwaslikelytobeamatteroftime。
Hetoostooped，andthelanternstandingonthegroundbetwixtthemthrewthegleamfromitsopensideamongthefir-treeneedlesandthebladesoflongdampgrasswiththeeffectofalargeglowworm。Itradiatedupwardsintotheirfaces，andsentoverhalftheplantationgiganticshadowsofbothmanandwoman，eachduskyshapebecomingdistortedandmangleduponthetree-trunkstillitwastedtonothing。
Helookedhardintohereyeswhensheraisedthemforamoment；Bathshebalookeddownagain，forhisgazewastoostrongtobereceivedpoint-blankwithherown。Butshehadobliquelynoticedthathewasyoungandslim，andthatheworethreechevronsuponhissleeve。
Bathshebapulledagain。
`Youareaprisoner，miss；itisnouseblinkingthematter，’saidthesoldierdrily。`Imustcutyourdressifyouareinsuchahurry。’
`Yes-pleasedo！’sheexclaimedhelplessly。
`Itwouldn’tbenecessaryifyoucouldwaitamoment；’andheunwoundacordfromthelittlewheel。Shewithdrewherownhand，but，whetherbyaccidentordesign，hetouchedit。Bathshebawasvexed；shehardlyknewwhy。
Hisunravellingwenton，butitneverthelessseemedcomingtonoend。
Shelookedathimagain。
`Thankyouforthesightofsuchabeautifulface！’saidtheyoungsergeant，withoutceremony。
Shecolouredwithembarrassment。`’Twasunwillinglyshown，’sherepliedstiffly，andwithasmuchdignity-whichwasverylittle-asshecouldinfuseintoapositionofcaptivity。
`Ilikeyouthebetterforthatincivility，miss，’hesaid。
`Ishouldhaveliked-Iwish-youhadnevershownyourselftomebyintrudinghere！’Shepulledagain，andthegathersofherdressbegantogivewaylikelilliputianmusketry。
`Ideservethechastisementyourwordsgiveme。Butwhyshouldsuchafairanddutifulgirlhavesuchanaversiontoherfather’ssex？’
`Goonyourway，please。’
`What，Beauty，anddragyouafterme？Dobutlook；Ineversawsuchatangle！’
`O，’tisshamefulofyou；youhavebeenmakingitworseonpurposetokeepmehere-youhave！’
`Indeed，Idon’tthinkso，’saidthesergeant，withamerrytwinkle。
`Itellyouyouhave！’sheexclaimed，inhightemper。`Iinsistuponundoingit。Now，allowme！’
`Certainly，miss；Iamnotofsteel。’Headdedasighwhichhadasmucharchnessinitasasighcouldpossesswithoutlosingitsnaturealtogether。
`Iamthankfulforbeauty，evenwhen’tisthrowntomelikeahonetoadog。Thesemomentswillbeovertoosoon！’
Sheclosedherlipsinadeterminedsilence。
Bathshebawasrevolvinginhermindwhetherbyaboldanddesperaterushshecouldfreeherselfattheriskofleavingherskirtbodilybehindher。Thethoughtwastoodreadful。Thedress-whichshehadputontoappearstatelyatthesupper-wastheheadandfrontofherwardrobe；
notanotherinherstockbecamehersowell。WhatwomaninBathsheba’sposition，notnaturallytimid，andwithincallofherretainers，wouldhaveboughtescapefromadashingsoldieratsodearaprice？
`Allingoodtime；itwillsoonbedone，Iperceive，’saidhercoolfriend。
`Thistriflingprovokes，and-and——’
`Nottoocruel！’
`-Insultsme！’
`ItisdoneinorderthatImayhavethepleasureofapologizingtosocharmingawoman，whichIstraightwaydomosthumbly，madam，’hesaid，bowinglow。
Bathshebareallyknewnotwhattosay。
`I’veseenagoodmanywomeninmytime，’continuedtheyoungmaninamurmur，andmorethoughtfullythanhitherto，criticallyregardingherbentheadatthesametime；`butI’veneverseenawomansobeautifulasyou。Takeitorleaveit-beoffendedorlikeit-Idon’tcare。’
`Whoareyou，then，whocansowellaffordtodespiseopinion？’
`Nostranger。SergeantTroy。Iamstayinginthisplace-There！itisundoneatlast，yousee。Yourlightfingersweremoreeagerthanmine。
Iwishithadbeentheknotofknots，whichthere’snountying！’
Thiswasworseandworse。Shestartedup，andsodidhe。Howtodecentlygetawayfromhim-thatwasherdifficultynow。Shesidledoffinchbyinch，thelanterninherhand，tillshecouldseetherednessofhiscoatnolonger。
`Ah，Beauty；good-bye！’hesaid。
Shemadenoreply，and，reachingadistanceoftwentyorthirtyyards，turnedabout，andranindoors。
Liddyhadjustretiredtorest。Inascendingtoherownchamber，Bathshebaopenedthegirl’sdooraninchortwo，and，panting，said——
`Liddy，isanysoldierstayinginthevillage-sergeantsomebody-
rathergentlemanlyforasergeant，andgoodlooking-aredcoatwithbluefacings？’
`Nomiss……No，Isay；butreallyitmightbeSergeantTroyhomeonfurlough，thoughIhavenotseenhim。HewashereonceinthatwaywhentheregimentwasatCasterbridge。’
`Yes；that’sthename。Hadheamoustache-nowhiskersorbeard？’
`Hehad。’
`Whatkindofapersonishe？’
`O！miss-Iblushtonameit-agayman！ButIknowhimtobeveryquickandtrim，whomighthavemadehisthousands，likeasquire。Suchacleveryoungdandasheis！He’sadoctor’ssonbyname，whichisagreatdeal；andhe’sanearl’ssonbynature！’
`Whichisagreatdealmore。Fancy！Isittrue？’
`Yes。Andhewasbroughtupsowell，andsenttoCasterbridgeGrammarSchoolforyearsandyears。Learntalllanguageswhilehewasthere；anditwassaidhegotonsofarthathecouldtakedownChineseinshorthand；
butthatIdon’tanswerfor，asitwasonlyreported。However，hewastedhisgiftedlot，andlistedasoldier；buteventhenherosetobeasergeantwithouttryingatall。Ah！suchablessingitistobehigh-born；nobilityofbloodwillshineoutevenintheranksandfiles。Andishereallycomehome，miss？’
`Ibelieveso。Good-night，Liddy。’
Afterall，howcouldacheerfulwearerofskirtsbepermanentlyoffendedwiththeman？ThereareoccasionswhengirlslikeBathshebawillputupwithagreatdealofunconventionalbehaviour。Whentheywanttobepraised，whichisoften；whentheywanttobemastered，whichissometimes；andwhentheywantnononsense，whichisseldom。JustnowthefirstfeelingwasintheascendantwithBathsheba，withadashofthesecond。Moreover，bychanceorbydevilry，theministrantwasantecedentlymadeinterestingbybeingahandsomestrangerwhohadevidentlyseenbetterdays。
Soshecouldnotclearlydecidewhetheritwasheropinionthathehadinsultedherornot。
`Waseveranythingsoodd！’sheatlastexclaimedtoherself，inherownroom。`AndwaseveranythingsomeanlydoneaswhatIdid-toskulkawaylikethatfromamanwhowasonlycivilandkind！’Clearlyshedidnotthinkhisbarefacedpraiseofherpersonaninsultnow。
ItwasafatalomissionofBoldwood’sthathehadneveroncetoldhershewasbeautiful。
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVETheNewAcquaintancedescribedIdiosyncrasyandvicissitudehadcombinedtostampSergeantTroyasanexceptionalbeing。
Hewasamantowhommemorieswereanincumbrance，andanticipationsasuperfluity。Simplyfeeling，considering，andcaringforwhatwasbeforehiseyes，hewasvulnerableonlyinthepresent。Hisoutlookupontimewasasatransientflashoftheeyenowandthen：thatprojectionofconsciousnessintodaysgonebyandtocome，whichmakesthepastasynonymforthepatheticandthefutureawordforcircumspection，wasforeigntoTroy。Withhimthepastwasyesterday；thefuture，to-morrow；never，thedayafter。
Onthisaccounthemight，incertainlights，havebeenregardedasoneofthemostfortunateofhisorder。Foritmaybearguedwithgreatplausibilitythatreminiscenceislessanendowmentthanadisease，andthatexpectationinitsonlycomfortableform-thatofabsolutefaith-ispracticallyanimpossibility；whilstintheformofhopeandthesecondarycompounds，patience，impatience，resolve，curiosity，itisaconstantfluctuationbetweenpleasureandpain。
SergeantTroy，beingentirelyinnocentofthepracticeofexpectation，wasneverdisappointed。Tosetagainstthisnegativegaintheremayhavebeensomepositivelossesfromacertainnarrowingofthehighertastesandsensationswhichitentailed。Butlimitationofthecapacityisneverrecognizedasalossbythelosertherefrom：inthisattributemoralorestheticpovertycontrastsplausiblywithmaterial，sincethosewhosufferdonotmindit，whilstthosewhominditsoonceasetosuffer。Itisnotadenialofanythingtohavebeenalwayswithoutit，andwhatTroyhadneverenjoyedhedidnotmiss；but，beingfullyconsciousthatwhatsoberpeoplemissedheenjoyed，hiscapacity，thoughreallyless，seemedgreaterthantheirs。
Hewasmoderatelytruthfultowardsmen，buttowomenliedlikeaCretan-asystemofethicsaboveallotherscalculatedtowinpopularityatthefirstflushofadmissionintolivelysociety；andthepossibilityofthefavourgainedbeingtransitoryhadreferenceonlytothefuture。
Heneverpassedthelinewhichdividesthesprucevicesfromtheugly；
andhence，thoughhismoralshadhardlybeenapplauded，disapprovalofthemhadfrequentlybeentemperedwithasmile。Thistreatmenthadledtohisbecomingasortofregraterofothermen’sgallantries，tohisownaggrandizementasaCorinthian，’ratherthantothemoralprofitofhishearers。
Hisreasonandhispropensitieshadseldomanyreciprocatinginfluence，havingseparatedbymutualconsentlongago；thenceitsometimeshappenedthat，whilehisintentionswereashonourableascouldbewished，anyparticulardeedformedadarkbackgroundwhichthrewthemintofinerelief。Thesergeant’sviciousphasesbeingtheoffspringofimpulse，andhisvirtuousphasesofcoolmeditation，thelatterhadamodesttendencytobeoftenerheardofthanseen。
Troywasfullofactivity，buthisactivitieswerelessofalocomotivethanavegetativenature；and，neverbeingbaseduponanyoriginalchoiceoffoundationordirection，theywereexercisedonwhateverobjectchancemightplaceintheirway。Hence，whilsthesometimesreachedthebrilliantinspeechbecausethatwasspontaneous，hefellbelowthecommonplaceinaction，frominabilitytoguideincipienteffort。Hehadaquickcomprehensionandconsiderableforceofcharacter；but，beingwithoutthepowertocombinethem，thecomprehensionbecameengagedwithtrivialitieswhilstwaitingforthewilltodirectit，andtheforcewasteditselfinuselessgroovesthroughunheedingthecomprehension。
Hewasafairlywell-educatedmanforoneofmiddleclass-exceptionallywelleducatedforacommonsoldier。Hespokefluentlyandunceasingly。
Hecouldinthiswaybeonethingandseemanother；forinstance，hecouldspeakofloveandthinkofdinner；callonthehusbandtolookatthewife；
beeagertopayandintendtoowe。
Thewondrouspowerofflatteryinpassadosatwomanisaperceptionsouniversalastoberemarkeduponbymanypeoplealmostasautomaticallyastheyrepeataproverb，orsaythattheyareChristiansandthelike，withoutthinkingmuchoftheenormouscorollarieswhichspringfromtheproposition。Stilllessisitacteduponforthegoodofthecomplementalbeingalludedto。Withthemajoritysuchanopinionisshelvedwithallthosetriteaphorismswhichrequiresomecatastrophetobringtheirtremendousmeaningsthoroughlyhome。Whenexpressedwithsomeamountofreflectivenessitseemscoordinatewithabeliefthatthisflatterymustbereasonabletobeeffective。Itistothecreditofmenthatfewattempttosettlethequestionbyexperiment，anditisfortheirhappiness，perhaps，thataccidenthasneversettleditforthem。Nevertheless，thatamaledissemblerwhobydelugingherwithuntenablefictionscharmsthefemalewisely，mayacquirepowersreachingtotheextremityofperdition，isatruthtaughttomanybyunsoughtandwringingoccurrences。Andsomeprofesstohaveattainedtothesameknowledgebyexperimentasaforesaid，andjauntilycontinuetheirindulgenceinsuchexperimentswithterribleeffect。SergeantTroywasone。
Hehadbeenknowntoobservecasuallythatindealingwithwomankindtheonlyalternativetoflatterywascursingandswearing。Therewasnothirdmethod。`Treatthemfairly，andyouarealostman，’hewouldsay。
Thisphilosopher’spublicappearanceinWeatherburypromptlyfollowedhisarrivalthere。AweekortwoaftertheshearingBathsheba，feelinganamelessreliefofspiritsonaccountofBoldwood’sabsence，approachedherhayfieldsandlookedoverthehedgetowardsthehaymakers。Theyconsistedinaboutequalproportionsofgnarledandflexuousforms，theformerbeingthemen，thelatterthewomen，whoworetiltbonnetscoveredwithnankeen，whichhunginacurtainupontheirshoulders。CogganandMarkClarkweremowinginalessforwardmeadow，Clarkhummingatunetothestrokesofhisscythe，towhichJanmadenoattempttokeeptimewithhis。Inthefirstmeadtheywerealreadyloadinghay，thewomenrakingitintococksandwindrows，andthementossingituponthewaggon。
Frombehindthewaggonabrightscarletspotemerged，andwentonloadingunconcernedlywiththerest。Itwasthegallantsergeant，whohadcomehaymakingforpleasure；andnobodycoulddenythathewasdoingthemistressofthefarmrealknight-servicebythisvoluntarycontributionofhislabouratabusytime。
AssoonasshehadenteredthefieldTroysawher，andstickinghispitchforkintothegroundandpickinguphiscroporcane，hecameforward。
Bathshebablushedwithhalf-angryembarrassment，andadjustedhereyesaswellasherfeettothedirectlineofherpath。
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIXSceneontheVergeoftheHay-mead`Ah，MissEverdene！’saidthesergeant，touchinghisdiminutivecap。`LittledidIthinkitwasyouIwasspeakingtotheothernight。Andyet，ifI
hadreflected，the“QueenoftheCorn-market“truthistruthatanyhourofthedayornight，andIheardyousonamedinCasterbridgeyesterday，the“QueenoftheCorn-market“，Isay，couldbenootherwoman。Istepacrossnowtobegyourforgivenessathousandtimesforhavingbeenledbymyfeelingstoexpressmyselftoostronglyforastranger。TobesureIamnostrangertotheplace-IamSergeantTroy，asItoldyou，andIhaveassistedyouruncleinthesefieldsnoendoftimeswhenIwasalad。Ihavebeendoingthesameforyouto-day。’
`IsupposeImustthankyouforthat，SergeantTroy，’laidtheQueenoftheCorn-marketinanindifferentlygratefultone。
Thesergeantlookedhurtandsad。`Indeedyoumustnot，MissEverdene，’
hesaid。`whycouldyouthinksuchathingnecessary？’
`Iamgladitisnot。’
`Why？ifImayaskwithoutoffence。’
`BecauseIdon’tmuchwanttothankyouforanything。’
`IamafraidIhavemadeaholeinmytonguethatmyheartwillnevermend。Otheseintolerabletimes：thatill-luckshouldfollowamanforhonestlytellingawomansheisbeautiful！’TwasthemostIsaid-youmustownthat；andtheleastIcouldsay-thatIownmyself。’
`ThereissometalkIcoulddowithoutmoreeasilythanmoney。`Indeed。
Thatremarkisasortofdigression。’
`No。ItmeansthatIwouldratherhaveyourroomthanyourcompany。
`AndIwouldratherhavecursesfromyouthankissesfromanyotherwoman；soI’llstayhere。’
Bathshebawasabsolutelyspeechless。Andyetshecouldnothelpfeelingthattheassistancehewasrenderingforbadeaharshrepulse。
`Well，’continuedTroy，`Isupposethereisapraisewhichisrudeness，andthatmaybemine。Atthesametimethereisatreatmentwhichisinjustice，andthatmaybeyours。Becauseaplainbluntman，whohasneverbeentaughtconcealment，speaksouthismindwithoutexactlyintendingit，he’stobesnappedofflikethesonofasinner。’
`Indeedthere’snosuchcasebetweenus，’shesaid，turningaway。`I
don’tallowstrangerstobeboldandimpudent-eveninpraiseofme。’
`Ah-itisnotthefactbutthemethodwhichoffendsyou，’hesaidcarelessly。`ButIhavethesadsatisfactionofknowingthatmywords，whetherpleasingoroffensive，areunmistakablytrue。Wouldyouhavehadmelookatyou，andtellmyacquaintancethatyouarequiteacommon-placewoman，tosaveyoutheembarrassmentofbeingstaredatiftheycomenearyou？NotI。Icouldn’ttellanysuchridiculouslieaboutabeautytoencourageasinglewomaninEnglandintooexcessiveamodesty。’
`Itisallpretence-whatyouaresaying！’exclaimedBathsheba，laughinginspiteofherselfatthesergeant’sslymethod。`Youhavearareinvention，SergeantTroy。Whycouldn’tyouhavepassedbymethatnight，andsaidnothing？-thatwasallImeanttoreproachyoufor。’
`BecauseIwasn’tgoingto。Halfthepleasureofafeelingliesinbeingabletoexpressitonthespurofthemoment，andIletoutmine。Itwouldhavebeenjustthesameifyouhadbeenthereverseperson-uglyandold-Ishouldhaveexclaimedaboutitinthesameway。’
`Howlongisitsinceyouhavebeensoafflictedwithstrongfeeling，then？’
`Oh，eversinceIwasbigenoughtoknowlovelinessfromdeformity。’
`’Tistobehopedyoursenseofthedifferenceyouspeakofdoesn’tstopatfaces，butextendstomoralsaswell。’
`Iwon’tspeakofmoralsorreligion-myownoranybodyelse’s。ThoughperhapsIshouldhavebeenaverygoodChristianifyouprettywomenhadn’tmademeanidolater。’
Bathshebamovedontohidetheirrepressibledimplingsofmerriment。
Troyfollowed，whirlinghiscrop。
`But-MissEverdene-youdoforgiveme？’
`Hardly。’
`Why？’
`Yousaysuchthings。’
`Isaidyouwerebeautiful，andI’llsaysostill，by-soyouare！
ThemostbeautifuleverIsaw，ormayIfalldeadthisinstant！Why，uponmy——’
`Don’t-don’t！Iwon’tlistentoyou-youaresoprofane！’shesaid，inarestlessstatebetweendistressathearinghimandapenchanttohearmore。
`Iagainsayyouareamostfascinatingwoman。There’snothingremarkableinmysayingso，isthere？I’msurethefactisevidentenough。MissEverdene，myopinionmaybetooforciblyletouttopleaseyou，and，forthematterofthat，tooinsignificanttoconvinceyou，butsurelyitishonest，andwhycan’titbeexcused？’
`Becauseit-itisn’tacorrectone，’shefemininelymurmured。
`O，fie-fie！AmIanyworseforbreakingthethirdofthatTerribleTenthanyouforbreakingtheninth？’
`Well，itdoesn’tseemquitetruetomethatIamfascinating，’
sherepliedevasively。
Notsotoyou：thenIsaywithallrespectthat，ifso，itisowingtoyourmodesty，MissEverdene。Butsurelyyoumusthavebeentoldbyeverybodyofwhateverybodynotices？Andyoushouldtaketheirwordsforit。’
`Theydon’tsaysoexactly。’
`Oyes，theymust！’
`Well，Imeantomyface，asyoudo，’shewenton，allowingherselftobefurtherladintoaconversationthatintentionhadrigorouslyforbidden。
`Butyouknowtheythinkso？’
`No-thatis-IcertainlyhaveheardLiddysaytheydo，but——’Shepaused。
Capitulation-thatwasthepurportofthesimplereply，guardedasitwas-capitulation，unknowntoherself。Neverdidafragiletaillesssentenceconveyamoreperfectmeaning。Thecarelesssergeantsmiledwithinhimself，andprobablytoothedevilsmiledfromaloopholeinTophet，forthemomentwastheturning-pointofacareer。Hertoneandmiensignifiedbeyondmistakethattheseedwhichwastoliftthefoundationhadtakenrootinthechink：theremainderwasamerequestionoftimeandnaturalchanges。
`Therethetruthcomesout！’saidthesoldier，inreply。`Nevertellmethatayoungladycanliveinabuzzofadmirationwithoutknowingsomethingaboutit。Ah，well，MissEverdene，youare-pardonmybluntway-youareratheraninjurytoourracethanotherwise。’
`How-indeed？’shesaid，openinghereyes。
`O，itistrueenough。Imayaswellbehungforasheepasalambanoldcountrysaying，notofmuchaccount，butitwilldoforaroughsoldier，andsoIwillspeakmymind，regardlessofyourpleasure，andwithouthopingorintendingtogetyourpardon。Why，MissEverdene，itisinthismannerthatyourgoodlooksmaydomoreharmthangoodintheworld。’Thesergeantlookeddownthemeadincriticalabstraction。`Probablysomeonemanonanaveragefallsinlovewitheachordinarywoman。Shecanmarryhim：heiscontent，andleadsausefullife。Suchwomenasyouahundredmenalwayscovet-youreyeswillbewitchscoresonscoresintoanunavailingfancyforyou-youcanonlymarryoneofthatmany。Outofthesesaytwentywillendeavourtodrownthebitternessofdespisedloveindrink；twentymorewillmopeawaytheirliveswithoutawishorattempttomakeamarkintheworld，becausetheyhavenoambitionapartfromtheirattachmenttoyou；twentymore-thesusceptiblepersonmyselfpossiblyamongthem-willbealwaysdragglingafteryou，gettingwheretheymayjustsecyou，doingdesperatethings。Menaresuchconstantfools！Therestmaytrytogetovertheirpassionwithmoreorlesssuccess。Butallthesemenwillbesaddened。Andnotonlythoseninety-ninemen，buttheninety-ninewomentheymighthavemarriedaresaddenedwiththem。There’smytale。That’swhyIsaythatawomansocharmingasyourself，MissEverdene，ishardlyablessingtoherrace。
Thehandsomesergeant’sfeatureswereduringthisspeechasrigidandsternasJohnKnox’sinaddressinghisgayyoungqueen。
Seeingshemadenoreply，hesaid，`DoyoureadFrench？’
`No；Ibegan，butwhenIgottotheverbs，fatherdied，’shesaidsimply。
`Ido-whenIhaveanopportunity，whichlatterlyhasnotbeenoftenmymotherwasaParisienne-andthere’saproverbtheyhave，Quiaimebienchâ；tiebien-“Hechastenswholoveswell。”Doyouunderstandme？’
`Ah！’shereplied，andtherewasevenalittletremulousnessintheusuallycoolgirl’svoice；`ifyoucanonlyfighthalfaswinninglyasyoucantalk，youareabletomakeapleasureofabayonetwound！’AndthenpoorBathshebainstantlyperceivedherslipinmakingthisadmission：
inhastilytryingtoretrieveit，shewentfrombadtoworse。`Don’t，however，supposethatIderiveanypleasurefromwhatyoutellme。’
`Iknowyoudonot-Iknowitperfectly，’saidTroy，withmuchheartyconvictionontheexteriorofhisface：andalteringtheexpressiontomoodiness；`whenadozenmenarereadytospeaktenderlytoyou，andgivetheadmirationyoudeservewithoutaddingthewarningyouneed，itstandstoreasonthatmypoorrough-and-readymixtureofpraiseandblamecannotconveymuchpleasure。FoolasImaybe，Iamnotsoconceitedastosupposethat！’
`Ithinkyou-areconceited，nevertheless，’saidBathsheba，lookingaskanceatareedshewasfitfullypullingwithonehand，havinglatelygrownfeverishunderthesoldier’ssystemofprocedure-notbecausethenatureofhiscajolerywasentirelyunperceived，butbecauseitsvigourwasoverwhelming。
`Iwouldnotownittoanybodyelse-nordoIexactlytoyou。Still，theremighthavebeensomeself-conceitinmyfoolishsuppositiontheothernight。IknewthatwhatIsaidinadmirationmightbeanopiniontoooftenforceduponyoutogiveanypleasure，butIcertainlydidthinkthatthekindnessofyournaturemightpreventyoujudginganuncontrolledtongueharshly-whichyouhavedone-andthinkingbadlyofmeandwoundingmethismorning，whenIamworkinghardtosaveyourhay。’
`Well，youneednotthinkmoreofthat：perhapsyoudidnotmeantoberudetomebyspeakingoutyourmind：indeed，Ibelieveyoudidnot，’
saidtheshrewdwoman，inpainfullyinnocentearnest。`AndIthankyouforgivinghelphere。But-butmindyoudon’tspeaktomeagaininthatway，orinanyother，unlessIspeaktoyou。’
`OMissBathsheba！Thatistoohard！’
`No，itisn’t。Whyisit？’
`Youwillneverspeaktome；forIshallnotbeherelong。Iamsoongoingbackagaintothemiserablemonotonyofdrill-andperhapsourregimentwillbeorderedoutsoon。Andyetyoutakeawaytheonelittleewe-lambofpleasurethatIhaveinthisdulllifeofmine。Well，perhapsgenerosityisnotawoman’smostmarkedcharacteristic。’
`Whenareyougoingfromhere？’sheaskedwithsomeinterest。`Inamonth。’
`Buthowcanitgiveyoupleasuretospeaktome？’
`Canyouask，MissEverdene-knowingasyoudo-whatmyoffenceisbasedon？’
`Ifyoudocaresomuchforasillytrifleofthatkind，then，Idon’tminddoingit，’sheuncertainlyanddoubtinglyanswered。`Butyoucan’treallycareforawordfromme？youonlysayso-Ithinkyouonlysayso。’
`That’sunjust-butIwon’trepeattheremark。Iamtoogratifiedtogetsuchamarkofyourfriendshipatanypricetocavilatthetone。IdoMissEverdene，careforit。Youmaythinkamanfoolishtowantamereword-justagoodmorning。Perhapsheis-Idon’tknow。Butyouhaveneverbeenamanlookinguponawoman，andthatwomanyourself’
`Well。’
`Thenyouknownothingofwhatsuchanexperienceislike-andHeavenforbidthatyouevershould！’
`Nonsense，flatterer！Whatisitlike？Iaminterestedinknowing。’
`Putshortly，itisnotbeingabletothink，hear，orlookinanydirectionexceptonewithoutwretchedness，northerewithouttorture。’
`Ah，sergeant，itwon’tdo-youarepretending！’shesaid，shakingherhead。`Yourwordsaretoodashingtobetrue。’
`Iamnot，uponthehonourofasoldier。’
`Butwhyisitso？-OfcourseIaskformerepastime。’
`Becauseyouaresodistracting-andIamsodistracted。’
`Youlooklikeit。’
`Iamindeed。’
`Why，youonlysawmetheothernight！’
`Thatmakesnodifference。Thelightningworksinstantaneously。Ilovedyouthen，atonce-asIdonow。’
Bathshebasurveyedhimcuriously，fromthefeetupward，ashighasshelikedtoventureherglance，whichwasnotquitesohighashiseyes。
`Youcannotandyoudon’t，’shesaiddemurely。`Thereisnosuchsuddenfeelinginpeople。Iwon’tlistentoyouanylonger。Dearme，IwishI
knewwhato’clockitis-Iamgoing-Ihavewastedtoomuchtimeherealready！’
Thesergeantlookedathiswatchandtoldher。`What，haven’tyouawatch，miss？’heinquired。
`Ihavenotjustatpresent-Iamabouttogetanewone。
`No。Youshallbegivenone。Yes-youshall。Agift，MissEverdene-agift。’
Andbeforesheknewwhattheyoungmanwasintending，aheavygoldwatchwasinherhand。
`Itisanunusuallygoodoneforamanlikemetopossess，’hequietlysaid。`Thatwatchhasahistory。Pressthespringandopentheback。’
Shedidso。
`Whatdoyousee？’
`Acrestandamotto。
`Acoronetwithfivepoints，andbeneath，Ceditamorrebus-
“Loveyieldstocircumstance。”It’sthemottooftheEarlsofSevern。ThatwatchbelongedtothelastLord，andwasgiventomymother’shusband，amedicalman，forhisusetillIcameofage，whenitwastobegiventome。ItwasallthefortunethateverIinherited。Thatwatchhasregulatedimperialinterestsinitstime-thestatelyceremonial，thecourtlyassignation，pompoustravels，andlordlysleeps。Nowitisyours。’
`But，SergeantTroy，Icannottakethis-Icannot！’sheexclaimedwithround-eyedwonder。`Agoldwatch！Whatareyoudoing？Don’tbesuchadissembler！’
Thesergeantretreatedtoavoidreceivingbackhisgift，whichsheheldoutpersistentlytowardshim。Bathshebafollowedasheretired。
`Keepit-do，MissEverdene-keepit！’saidtheerraticchildofimpulse。
`Thefactofyourpossessingitmakesitworthtentimesasmuchtome。
Amoreplebeianonewillanswermypurposejustaswell，andthepleasureofknowingwhoseheartmyoldonebeatsagainst-well，Iwon’tspeakofthat。Itisinfarworthierhandsthaneverithasbeeninbefore。’
`ButindeedIcan’thaveit。’shesaid，inaperfectsimmerofdistress。
`O，howcanyoudosuchathing；thatis，ifyoureallymeanit！Givemeyourdeadfather’swatch，andsuchavaluableone！Youshouldnotbesoreckless，indeed，SergeantTroy！’
`Ilovedmyfather：good；butbetter，Iloveyoumore。That’showI
candoit，’saidthesergeantwithanintonationofsuchexquisitefidelitytonaturethatitwasevidentlynotallactednow。Herbeauty，which，whilstithadbeenquiescent，hehadpraisedinjest，hadinitsanimatedphasesmovedhimtoearnest；andthoughhisseriousnesswaslessthansheimagined，itwasprobablymorethanheimaginedhimself。
Bathshebawasbrimmingwithagitatedbewilderment，andshesaid，inhalf-suspiciousaccentsoffeeling，`Canitbe！O，howcanitbe，thatyoucareforme，andsosuddenly！Youhaveseensolittleofme：Imaynotbereallyso-sonice-lookingasIseemtoyou。Please，dotakeit；
O，do！Icannotandwillnothaveit。Believeme，yourgenerosityistoogreat。Ihaveneverdoneyouasinglekindness，andwhyshouldyoubesokindtome？’
Afactitiousreplyhadbeenagainuponhislips，butitwasagainsuspended，andhelookedatherwithanarrestedeye。Thetruthwas，thatasshenowstood-excited，wild，andhonestastheday-heralluringbeautyboreoutsofullytheepithetshehadbestoweduponitthathewasquitestartledathistemerityinadvancingthemasfalse。Hesaidmechanically，`Ah，why？’andcontinuedtolookather。
`Andmyworkfolkseemefollowingyouaboutthefield，andarewondering。
O，thisisdreadful！’shewenton，unconsciousofthetransmutationshewaseffecting。
`Ididnotquitemeanyoutoacceptitatfirst，foritwasmyonepoorpatentofnobility，’hebrokeoutbluntly；`but，uponmysoul，Iwishyouwouldnow。Withoutanyshamming，come！Don’tdenymethehappinessofwearingitformysake？Butyouaretoolovelyeventocaretobekindasothersare。’
`No，no；don’tsayso！IhavereasonsforreservewhichIcannotexplain。’
`Letitbe’then，letitbe，’hesaid，receivingbackthewatchatlast；
`Imustbeleavingyounow。Andwillyouspeaktomeforthemefewweeksofmystay？’
`IndeedIwill。Yet，Idon’tknowifIwill！O，whydidyoucomeanddisturbmeso！’
`Perhapsinsettingagin，Ihavecaughtmyself。Suchthingshavehappened。
Well，willyouletmeworkinyourfields？’hecoaxed。
`Yes，Isupposeso；ifitisanypleasuretoyou。
`MissEverdene，Ithankyou。’
`No，no。’
`Good-bye！’
Thesergeantbroughthishandtothecapontheslopeofhishead，saluted，andreturnedtothedistantgroupofhaymakers。
Bathshebacouldnotfacethehaymakersnow。Herhearterraticallyflittinghitherandthitherfromperplexedexcitement，hot，andalmosttearful，sheretreatedhomeward，murmuring，`O，whathaveIdone！Whatdoesitmean！
IwishIknewhowmuchofitwastrue！’
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENHivingtheBeesTheWeatherburybeeswerelateintheirswarmingthisyear。ItwasinthelatterpartofJune，andthedayaftertheinterviewwithTroyinthehayfield，thatBathshebawasstandinginhergarden，watchingaswarmintheairandguessingtheirprobablesettlingplace。Notonlyweretheylatethisyear，butunruly。Sometimesthroughoutawholeseasonalltheswarmswouldalightonthelowestattainablebough-suchaspartofacurrant-bushorespalierapple-tree；nextyeartheywould，withjustthesameunanimity，makestraightofftotheuppermostmemberofsometall，gauntcostard，orquarrenden，andtheredefyallinvaderswhodidnotcomearmedwithladdersandstavestotakethem。
Thiswasthecaseatpresent。Bathsheba’seyes，shadedbyonehand，werefollowingtheascendingmultitudeagainsttheunexplorablestretchofbluetilltheyultimatelyhaltedbyoneoftheunwieldytreesspokenof。Aprocesssomewhatanalogoustothatofallegedformationsoftheuniverse，timeandtimesago，wasobservable。Thebustlingswarmhadswepttheskyinascatteredanduniformhaze，whichnowthickenedtoanebulouscentre：
thisglidedontoaboughandgrewstilldenser，tillitformedasolidblackspotuponthelight。
Themenandwomenbeingallbusilyengagedinsavingthehay-evenLiddyhadleftthehouseforthepurposeoflendingahand-Bathshebaresolvedtohivethebeesherself，ifpossible。Shehaddressedthehivewithherbsandhoney，fetchedaladder，brush，andcrook，madeherselfimpregnablewitharmourofleathergloves，strawhat，andlargegauzeveil-oncegreenbutnowfadedtosnuffcolour-andascendedadozenrungsoftheladder。Atoncesheheard，nottenyardsoffavoicethatwasbeginningtohaveastrangepowerinagitatingher。
`MissEverdene，letmeassistyou；youshouldnotattemptsuchathingalone。’
Troywasjustopeningthegardengate。
Bathshebaflungdownthebrush，crook，andemptyhive，pulledtheskirtofherdresstightlyroundheranklesinatremendousflurry，andaswellasshecouldsliddowntheladder。BythetimeshereachedthebottomTroywastherealso，andhestoopedtopickupthehive。
`HowfortunateIamtohavedroppedinatthismoment！’exclaimedthesergeant。
Shefoundhervoiceinaminute。`What！andwillyoushaketheminforme？’sheasked，inwhat，foradefiantgirl，wasafalteringway；though，foratimidgirl，itwouldhaveseemedabravewayenough。
`WillI！’saidTroy。`WhyofcourseIwill。Howbloomingyouareto-day！’
Troyflungdownhiscaneandputhisfootontheladdertoascend。
`Butyoumusthaveontheveilandgloves，oryou’llbestungfearfully！’
`Ah，yes。Imustputontheveilandgloves。Willyoukindlyshowmehowtofixthemproperly？’
`Andyoumusthavethebroad-brimmedhat，too；foryourcaphasnobrimtokeeptheveiloff，andthey’dreachyourface。’
`Thebroad-brimmedhat，too，byallmeans。’
Soawhimsicalfateorderedthatherhatshouldbetakenoff-veilandallattached-andplaceduponhishead，Troytossinghisownintoagooseberrybush。Thentheveilhadtobetiedatitsloweredgeroundhiscollarandtheglovesputonhim。
Helookedsuchanextraordinaryobjectinthisguisethat，flurriedasshewas，shecouldnotavoidlaughingoutright。Itwastheremovalofyetanotherstakefromthepalisadeofcoldmannerswhichhadkepthimoff。
Bathshebalookedonfromthegroundwhilsthewasbusysweepingandshakingthebeesfromthetree，holdingupthehivewiththeotherhandforthemtofallinto。Shemadeuseofanunobservedminutewhilsthisattentionwasabsorbedintheoperationtoarrangeherplumesalittle。
Hecamedownholdingthehiveatarm’slength，behindwhichtrailedacloudofbees。
`Uponmylife，’saidTroy，throughtheveil，`holdingupthishivemakesone’sarmacheworsethanaweekofsword-exercise。’Whenthemanoeuvrewascompleteheapproachedher。`Wouldyoubegoodenoughtountiemeandletmeout？Iamnearlystifledinsidethissilkcage。
Tohideherembarrassmentduringtheunwantedprocessofuntyingthestringabouthisneck，shesaid：
`Ihaveneverseenthatyouspokeof。’
`What？’
`Thesword-exercise。’
`Ah！wouldyouliketo？’saidTroy。
Bathshebahesitated。ShehadheardwondrousreportsfromtimetotimebydwellersinWeatherbury，whohadbychancesojournedawhileinCasterbridge，nearthebarracks，ofthisstrangeandgloriousperformance，thesword-exercise。
Menandboyswhohadpeepedthroughchinksoroverwallsintothebarrack-yardreturnedwithaccountsofitsbeingthemostflashingaffairconceivable；
accoutermentsandweaponsglisteninglikestars-here，there，around-
yetallbyruleandcompass。
Soshesaidmildlywhatshefeltstrongly：
`Yes；Ishouldliketoseeitverymuch。’
`Andsoyoushall；youshallseemegothroughit。’
`No！How？’
`Letmeconsider。’
`Notwithawalking-stick-Idon’tcaretoseethat。Itmustbearealsword。’
`Yes，Iknow；andIhavenoswordhere；butIthinkIcouldgetonebytheevening。Now，willyoudothis？’
Troybentoverherandmurmuredsomesuggestioninalowvoice。
`Ono，indeed！’saidBathsheba，blushing。`Thankyouverymuch，butIcouldn’tonanyaccount。
`Surelyyoumight？Nobodywouldknow。’
Sheshookherhead，butwithaweakenednegation。`IfIwereto，’shesaid，`ImustbringLiddytoo。MightInot？’
Troylookedfaraway。`Idon’tseewhyyouwanttobringher，’hesaidcoldly。
AnunconsciouslookofassentinBathsheba’seyesbetrayedthatsomethingmorethanhiscoldnesshadmadeheralsofeelthatLiddywouldbesuperfluousinthesuggestedscene。Shehadfeltit，evenwhilstmakingtheproposal。
`Well，Iwon’tbringLiddy-andI’llcome。Butonlyforaveryshorttime，’sheadded；`averyshorttime。’
`Itwillnottakefiveminutes，’saidTroy。
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHTTheHollowamidtheFernsThehilloppositeBathsheba’sdwellingextended，amileoff，intoanuncultivatedtractofland，dottedatthisseasonwithtallthicketsofbrakefernplumpanddiaphanousfromrecentrapidgrowth，andradiantinhuesofclearanduntaintedgreen。
Ateighto’clockthismidsummerevening，whilstthebristlingballofgoldintheweststillsweptthetipsofthefernswithitslongluxuriantrays，asoftbrushing-byofgarmentsmighthavebeenheardamongthem，andBathshebaappearedintheirmidst，theirsoft，featheryarmscaressingheruptohershoulders。Shepaused，turned，wentbackoverthehillandhalfwaytoherowndoor，whenceshecastafarewellglanceuponthespotshehadjustleft，havingresolvednottoremainneartheplaceafterall。
Shesawadimspotofartificialredmovingroundtheshoulderoftherise。Itdisappearedontheotherside。
Shewaitedoneminute-twominutes-thoughtofTroy’sdisappointmentathernon-fulfilmentofapromisedengagement，tillsheagainranalongthefield，clamberedoverthebank，andfollowedtheoriginaldirection。
Shewasnowliterallytremblingandpantingatthishertemerityinsuchanerrantundertaking；herbreathcameandwentquickly，andhereyesshonewithaninfrequentlight。Yetgoshemust。Shereachedthevergeofapitinthemiddleoftheferns。Troystoodinthebottom，lookinguptowardsher。
`IheardyourustlingthroughthefernbeforeIsawyou，’hesaid，comingupandgivingherhishandtohelpherdowntheslope。
Thepitwasasaucer-shapedconcave，naturallyformed，withatopdiameterofaboutthirtyfeet，andshallowenoughtoallowthesunshinetoreachtheirheads。Standinginthecentre，theskyoverheadwasmetbyacircularhorizonoffern：thisgrewnearlytothebottomoftheslopeandthenabruptlyceased。Themiddlewithinthebeltofverdurewasflooredwithathickflossycarpetofmossandgrassintermingled，soyieldingthatthefootwashalf-buriedwithinit。
`Now，’saidTroy，producingthesword，which，asheraiseditintothesunlight，gleamedasortofgreeting，likealivingthing；`first，wehavefourrightandfourleftcuts；fourrightandfourleftthrusts。Infantrycutsandguardsaremoreinterestingthanours，tomymind；buttheyarenotsoswashing。Theyhavesevencutsandthreethrusts。Somuchasapreliminary。
Well，next，ourcutoneisasifyouweresowingyourcorn-so。’Bathshebasawasortofrainbow，upsidedownintheair，andTroy’sarmwasstillagain。`Cuttwo，asifyouwerehedging-so。Three，asifyouwerereaping-so。Four，asifyouwerethreshing-inthatway。Thenthesameontheleft。Thethrustsarethese：one，two，three，four，right；one，two，three，four，left’Herepeatedthem。`Have`emagain？’hesaid。`One，two——
Shehurriedlyinterrupted：`I’drathernot；thoughIdon’tmindyourtwosandfours；butyouronesandthreesareterrible！’
`Verywell。I’llletyouofftheonesandthrees。Next，cuts，pointsandguardsaltogether。’Troydulyexhibitedthem。`Thenthere’spursuingpractice，inthisway。’Hegavethemovementsasbefore。`There，thosearethestereotypedforms。Theinfantryhavetwomostdiabolicalupwardcuts，whichwearetoohumanetouse。Likethis-three，four。’
`Howmurderousandbloodthirsty！’
`Theyareratherdeathy。NowI’llbemoreinteresting，andletyouseesomelooseplay-givingallthecutsandpoints，infantryandcavalry，quickerthanlightning，andaspromiscuously-withjustenoughruletoregulateinstinctandyetnottofetterit。Youaremyantagonist，withthisdifferencefromrealwarfare，thatIshallmissyoueverytimebyonehair’sbreadth，orperhapstwo。Mindyoudon’tflinch，whateveryoudo。’
`I’llbesurenotto！’shesaidinvincibly。
Hepointedtoaboutayardinfrontofhim。
Bathsheba’sadventurousspiritwasbeginningtofindsomegrainsofrelishinthesehighlynovelproceedings。Shetookupherpositionasdirected，facingTroy。
`NowjusttolearnwhetheryouhavepluckenoughtoletmedowhatI
wish，I’llgiveyouapreliminarytest。’
Heflourishedtheswordbywayofintroductionnumbertwo，andthenextthingofwhichshewasconsciouswasthatthepointandbladeoftheswordweredartingwithagleamtowardsherleftside，justaboveherhip；thenoftheirreappearanceonherrightside，emergingasitwerefrombetweenherribs，havingapparentlypassedthroughherbody。Thethirditemofconsciousnesswasthatofseeingthesamesword，perfectlycleanandfreefrombloodheldverticallyinTroy’shandinthepositiontechnicallycalled`recoverswords’。Allwasasquickaselectricity。
`Oh！’shecriedoutinaffright，pressingherhandtoherside。`Haveyourunmethrough？-no，youhavenot！Whateverhaveyoudone！’
`Ihavenottouchedyou，’saidTroyquietly。`Itwasmeresleightofhand。Theswordpassedbehindyou。Nowyouarenotafraid，areyou？BecauseifyouareIcan’tperform。IgivemywordthatIwillnotonlynothurtyou，butnotoncetouchyou。’
`Idon’tthinkIamafraid。Youarequitesureyouwillnothurtme？’
`Quitesure。’
`Istheswordverysharp？’
`Ono-onlystandasstillasastatue。Now！’InaninstanttheatmospherewastransformedtoBathsheba’seyes。
Beamsoflightcaughtfromthelowsun’srays，above，around，infrontofher，well-nighshutoutearthandheaven-allemittedinthemarvellousevolutionsofTroy’sreflectingblade，whichseemedeverywhereatonce，andyetnowherespecially。Thesecirclinggleamswereaccompaniedbyakeenrushthatwasalmostawhistling-alsospringingfromallsidesofheratonce。Inshort，shewasenclosedinafirmamentoflight，andofsharphisses，resemblingasky-fullofmeteorscloseathand。
NeversincethebroadswordbecamethenationalweaponhadtherebeenmoredexterityshowninitsmanagementthanbythehandsofSergeantTroy，andneverhadhebeeninsuchsplendidtemperfortheperformanceasnowintheeveningsunshineamongthefernswithBathsheba。Itmaysafelybeassertedwithrespecttotheclosenessofhiscuts，thathaditbeenpossiblefortheedgeoftheswordtoleaveintheairapermanentsubstancewhereveritflewpast，thespaceleftuntouchedwouldhavebeenalmostamouldofBathsheba’sfigure。
Behindtheluminousstreamsofthisauroramilitaris，shecouldseethehueofTroy’sswordarm，spreadinascarlethazeoverthespacecoveredbyitsmotions，likeatwangedharpstring，andbehindallToyhimselfmostlyfacingher；sometimes，toshowtherearcuts，half-turnedaway，hiseyeneverthelessalwayskeenlymeasuringherbreadthandoutline，andhislipstightlyclosedinsustainedeffort。Next，hismovementslapsedslower，andshecouldseethemindividually。Thehissingoftheswordhadceased，andhestoppedentirely。
`Thatouterlooselockofhairwantstidying，’hesaid，beforeshehadmovedorspoken。`Wait：I’lldoitforyou。’
Anarcofsilvershoneonherrightside：theswordhaddescended。Thelockdroppedtotheground。
`Bravelyborne！’saidTroy。`Youdidn’tflinchashade’sthickness。
Wonderfulinawoman！’
`ItwasbecauseIdidn’texpectit。O，youhavespoiltmyhair！’
`Onlyoncemore。`No-no！Iamafraidofyou-indeedIam！’shecried。
`Iwon’ttouchyouatall-notevenyourhair。Iamonlygoingtokillthatcaterpillarsettlingonyou。Now：still！’
Itappearedthatacaterpillarhadcomefromthefernandchosenthefrontofherbodiceashisrestingplace。Shesawthepointglistentowardsherbosom，andseeminglyenterit。Bathshebaclosedhereyesinthefullpersuasionthatshewaskilledatlast。However，feelingjustasusual，sheopenedthemagain。
`Thereitis，look，’saidthesergeant，holdinghisswordbeforehereyes。Thecaterpillarwasspitteduponitspoint。`Why，itismagic！’saidBathsheba，amazed。`Ono-dexterity。Imerelygavepointtoyourbosomwherethecaterpillarwas，andinsteadofrunningyouthroughcheckedtheextensionathousandthofaninchshortofyoursurface。’
`Buthowcouldyouchopoffacurlofmyhairwithaswordthathasnoedge？’
`Noedge！Thisswordwillshavelikearazor。Lookhere。’
Hetouchedthepalmofhishandwiththeblade，andthenliftingit，showedherathinshavingofscarfskindanglingtherefrom。
`Butyousaidbeforebeginningthatitwasbluntandcouldn’tcutme！’
`Thatwastogetyoutostandstill，andsomakesureofyoursafety。
Theriskofinjuringyouthroughyourmovingwastoogreatnottoforcemetotellyouafibtoescapeit。’
Sheshuddered。`Ihavebeenwithinaninchofmylife，anddidn’tknowit！’
`Morepreciselyspeaking，youhavebeenwithinhalfaninchofbeingparedalivetwohundredandninety-fivetimes。’
`Cruel，cruel，’tisofyou！’
`Youhavebeenperfectlysafe，nevertheless。Myswordnevererrs。’AndTroyreturnedtheweapontothescabbard。
Bathsheba，overcomebyahundredtumultuousfeelingsresultingfromthescene，abstractedlysatdownonatuftofheather。
`Imustleaveyounow，’saidToysoftly。`AndI’llventuretotakeandkeepthisinremembranceofyou。
Shesawhimstooptothegrass，pickupthewindinglockwhichhehadseveredfromhermanifoldtresses，twistitroundhisfingers，unfastenabuttoninthebreastofhiscoat，andcarefullyputitinside。Shefeltpowerlesstowithstandordenyhim。Hewasaltogethertoomuchforher，andBathshebaseemedasonewho，facingarevivingwind，findsitblowsostronglythatitstopsthebreath。
Hedrewnearandsaid，`Imustbeleavingyou。’Hedrewnearerstill。
Aminutelaterandshesawhisscarletformdisappearamidthefernythicket，almostinaflash，likeabrandswiftlywaved。
Thatminute’sintervalhadbroughtthebloodbeatingintoherface，setherstingingasifaflametotheveryhollowsofherfeet，andenlargedemotiontoacompasswhichquiteswampedthought。Ithadbroughtuponherastrokeresulting，asdidthatofMosesinHoreb，inaliquidstream-
hereastreamoftears。Shefeltlikeonewhohassinnedagreatsin。
ThecircumstancehadbeenthegentledipofTroy’smouthdownwardsuponherown。Hehadkissedher。
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINEParticularsofaTwilightWalkWenowseetheelementoffollydistinctlyminglingwiththemanyvaryingparticularswhichmadeupthecharacterofBathshebaEverdene。Itwasalmostforeigntoherintrinsicnature。IntroducedaslymphonthedartofErositeventuallypermeatedandcolouredherwholeconstitution。Bathsheba，thoughshehadtoomuchunderstandingtobeentirelygovernedbyherwomanliness，hadtoomuchwomanlinesstouseherunderstandingtothebestadvantage。
Perhapsinnominorpointdoeswomanastonishherhelpmatemorethaninthestrangepowershepossessesofbelievingcajoleriesthatsheknowstobefalse-except，indeed，inthatofbeingutterlyscepticalonstricturesthatsheknowstobetrue。
BathshebalovedTroyinthewaythatonlyself-reliantwomenlovewhentheyabandontheirself-reliance。Whenastrongwomanrecklesslythrowsawayherstrengthsheisworsethanaweakwomanwhohasneverhadanystrengthtothrowaway。Onesourceofherinadequacyisthenoveltyoftheoccasion。Shehasneverhadpracticeinmakingthebestofsuchacondition。
Weaknessisdoublyweakbybeingnew。
Bathshebawasnotconsciousofguileinthismatter。Thoughinonesenseawomanoftheworld，itwas，afterall，thatworldofdaylightcoteriesandgreencarpetswhereincattleformthepassingcrowdandwindsthebusyhum；whereaquietfamilyofrabbitsorhareslivesontheothersideofyourparty-wall，whereyourneighbouriseverybodyinthetything，andwherecalculationisconfinedtomarket-days。Ofthefabricatedtastesofgoodfashionablesocietysheknewbutlittle，andoftheformulatedself-indulgenceofbad，nothingatall。Hadherutmostthoughtsinthisdirectionbeendistinctlywordedandbyherselftheyneverwere，theywouldonlyhaveamountedtosuchamatterasthatshefeltherimpulsestobepleasanterguidesthanherdiscretion。Herlovewasentireasachild’s，andthoughwarmassummeritwasfreshasspring。Herculpabilitylayinhermakingnoattempttocontrolfeelingbysubtleandcarefulinquiryintoconsequences。Shecouldshowothersthesteepandthornyway，but`reck’dnotherownrede’。
AndTroy’sdeformitieslaydeepdownfromawoman’svision，whilsthisembellishmentswereupontheverysurface；thuscontrastingwithhomelyOak，whosedefectswerepatenttotheblindest，andwhosevirtueswereasmetalsinamine。
Thedifferencebetweenloveandrespectwasmarkedlyshowninherconduct。
BathshebahadspokenofherinterestinBoldwoodwiththegreatestfreedomtoLiddy，butshehadonlycommunedwithherownheartconcerningTroy。
AllthisinfatuationGabrielsaw，andwastroubledtherebyfromthetimeofhisdailyjourneya-fieldtothetimeofhisreturn，andontothesmallhoursofmanyanight。Thathewannotbelovedhadhithertobeenhisgreatsorrow；thatBathshebawasgettingintothetoilswasnowasorrowgreaterthanthefirst，andonewhichnearlyobscuredit。Itwasaresultwhichparalleledtheoft-quotedobservationofHippocratesconcerningphysicalpains。
Thatisanoblethoughperhapsanunpromisinglovewhichnoteventhefearofbreedingaversioninthebosomoftheonebelovedcandeterfromcombatinghisorhererrors。Oakdeterminedtospeaktohismistress。HewouldbasehisappealonwhatheconsideredherunfairtreatmentofFarmerBoldwood，nowabsentfromhome。
Anopportunityoccurredoneeveningwhenshehadgoneforashortwalkbyapaththroughtheneighboringcornfields。ItwasduskwhenOak，whohadnotbeenfara-fieldthatday，tookthesamepathandmetherreturning，quitepensively，ashethought。
Thewheatwasnowtall，andthepathwasnarrow；thusthewaywasquiteasunkengroovebetweentheembowingthicketoneitherside。Twopersonscouldnotwalkabreastwithoutdamagingthecrop，andOakstoodasidetoletherpass。
`Oh，isitGabriel？’shesaid。`Youaretakingawalktoo。Good-night。’
`IthoughtIwouldcometomeetyou，asitisratherlate，’saidOak，turningandfollowingatherheelswhenshehadbrushedsomewhatquicklybyhim。
`Thankyou，indeed，butIamnotveryfearful。’
`Ono；buttherearebadcharactersabout。’
`Inevermeetthem。’