`Heh-heh！well，Iwishtonoisenothingabroad-nothingatall，’murmuredPoorgrassdiffidently。`Butwebeborntothings-that’strue。YetIwouldrathermytriflewerehid；though，perhaps，ahighnaterisalittlehigh，andatmybirthallthingswerepossibletomyMaker，andhemayhavebegrudgednogifts……Butunderyourbushel，Joseph！underyourbushelwith’ee！
Astrangedesire，neighbours，thisdesiretohide，andnopraisedue。YetthereisaSermonontheMountwithacalendaroftheblessedatthehead，andcertainmeekmenmaybenamedtherein。’
`Cainy’sgrandfatherwasaverycleverman，’saidMatthewMoon。`Inventeda’apple-treeoutofhisownhead，whichiscalledbyhisnametothisday-theEarlyBall。Youknow`em，Jan？AQuarrendengraftedonaTomPutt，andaRathe-ripeupontopofthatagain。’Tistrew’ausedtobideaboutinapublic-housewi’a’oomaninawayhehadnobusinesstobyrights，butthere——’awereaclevermaninthesenseoftheterm。’
`Nowthen，’saidGabrielimpatiently，`whatdidyousee，Cain？’
`Iseedourmis’essgointoasortofaparkplace，wherethere’sseats，andshrubsandflowers，arm-in-crookwithasojer，’continuedCainfirmly，andwithadimsensethathiswordswereveryeffectiveasregardedGabriel’semotions。`AndIthinkthesojerwasSergeantTroy。Andtheysattheretogetherformorethanhalf-an-hour，talkingmovingthings，andsheoncewascryinga’mosttodeath。Andwhentheycameouthereyeswereshiningandshewasaswhiteasalily；andtheylookedintooneanother’sfaces，asfargonefriendlyasamanandwomancanbe。’
Gabriel’sfeaturesseemedtogetthinner。`Well，whatdidyouseebesides？’
`Oh，allsorts。’
`Whiteasalily？Youaresure’twasshe？’
`Yes。’
`Well，whatbesides？’
`Greatglasswindowstotheshops，andgreatcloudsinthesky，fallofrain，andoldwoodentreesinthecountryround。’
`Youstun-poll！Whatwillyesaynext？’saidCoggan。
`Letenalone，’interposedJosephPoorgrass。`Theboy’smaningisthattheskyandtheearthinthekingdomofBathisnotaltogetherdifferentfromourshere。’Tisforourgoodtogainknowledgeofstrangecities，andassuchtheboy’swordsshouldbesuffered，sotospeakit。’
`AndthepeopleofBath，’continuedCain，`neverneedtolighttheirfiresexceptasaluxury；forthewaterspringsupoutoftheearthreadyboiledforuse。’
`’Tistrueasthelight，’testifiedMatthewMoon。`I’vehearothernavigatorssaythesamething。’
`Theydrinknothingelsethere，’saidCain，`andseemtoenjoyit，toseehowtheyswalleritdown。’
`Well，itseemsabarbarianpracticeenoughtous，butIdaresaythenativesthinknothingo’it，’saidMatthew。
`Anddon’tvictualsspringupaswellasdrink？’askedCoggan，twirlinghiseye。
`No-IowntoablotthereinBath-atrueblot。Goddidn’tprovideemwithvictualsaswellasdrink，and’twasadrawbackIcouldn’tgetoveratall。’
`Well，’tisacuriousplace，tosaytheleast，’observedMoon；`anditmustbeacuriouspeoplethatlivetherein。’
`MissEverdeneandthesoldierwerewalkingabouttogether，yousay？’
saidGabriel，returningtothegroup。
`Ay，andsheworeabeautifulgold-coloursilkgown，trimmedwithblacklace，thatwouldhavestoodalone’ithoutlegsinsideifrequired。’Twasaverywinsomesight；andherhairwasbrushedsplendid。Andwhenthesunshoneuponthebrightgownandhisredcoat-my！howhandsometheylooked。
Youcouldsee’emallthelengthofthestreet。’
`Andwhatthen？’murmuredGabriel。
`AndthenIwentintoGriffin’stohaemybootshobbed，andthenIwenttoRigg’sbatty-cakeshop，andasked’emforapennethofthecheapestandniceststales，thatwereallbutblue-mouldy，butnotquite。AndwhilstIwaschawing’emdownIwalkedonandseedaclockwithafaceasbigasabakingtrendle——’
`Butthat’snothingtodowithmistress！’
`I’mcomingtothat，ifyou’llleavemealone，MisterOak！’remonstratedCainy。`Ifyouexcitesme，perhapsyou’llbringonmycoughandthenI
shan’tbeabletotellyenothing。’
`Yes-lethimtellithisownway，’saidCoggan。
Gabrielsettledintoadespairingattitudeofpatience，andCainywenton：——
`Andthereweregreatlargehouses，andmorepeoplealltheweeklongthanatWeatherburyclub-walking’onWhiteTuesdays。AndIwenttograndchurchesandchapels。Andhowtheparsonwouldpray！Yes；hewouldkneeldownandputuphishandstogether，andmaketheholygoldringsonhisfingersgleamandtwinkleinyereyes，thathe’dearnedbyprayingsoexcellentwell！-Ahyes，IwishIlivedthere。’
`OurpoorParsonThirdlycan’tgetnomoneytobuysuchrings，’saidMatthewMoonthoughtfully。`Andasgoodamanaseverwalked。Idon’tbelievepoorThirdlyhaveasingleone，evenofhumblesttinorcopper。Suchagreatornamentasthey’dbetohimonadulla’ternoon，whenhe’supinthepulpitlightedbythewaxcandles！But’tisimpossible，poorman。Ah，tothinkhowunequalthingsbe。’
`Perhapshe’smadeofdifferentstuffthantowear`em，’saidGabrielgrimly。`Well，that’senoughofthis。Goon，Cainy-quick。’
`Oh-andthenewstyleofpa’sonswearmoustachesandlongbeards，’
continuedtheillustrioustraveller，`andlooklikeMosesandAaroncomplete，andmakewefokesinthecongregationfeelalloverlikethechildrenofIsrael。’
`Averyrightfeeling-very，’saidJosephPoorgrass。
`Andthere’stworeligionsgoingoninthenationnow-HighChurchandHighChapel。And，thinksI，I’llplayfair；soIwenttoHighChurchinthemorning，andHighChapelintheafternoon。
`Arightandproperboy，’saidJosephPoorgrass。
`Well，atHighChurchtheypraysinging，andworshipallthecoloursoftherainbow；andatHighChapeltheypraypreaching，andworshipdrabandwhitewashonly。Andthen-Ididn’tseenomoreofMissEverdeneatall。’
`Whydidn’tyousaysoafore，then？’exclaimedOak，withmuchdisappointment。
`Ah，’saidMatthewMoon，`she’llwishhercakedoughifsobeshe’severintimatewiththatman。
`She’snotoverintimatewithhim，’saidGabrielindignantly。
`Shewouldknowbetter，’saidCoggan。`Ourmis’esshastoomuchsenseundertheyknotsofblackhairtodosuchamadthing。’
`Yousee，he’snotacoarse，ignorantman，forhewaswellbroughtup，’
saidMatthewdubiously。`’Twasonlywildnessthatmadehimasoldier，andmaidsratherlikeyourmanofsin。’
`Now，CainBall，’saidGabrielrestlessly，canyouswearinthemostawfulformthatthewomanyousawwasMissEverdene？’
`CainBall，youbenolongerababeandsuckling，’saidJosephinthesepulchraltonethecircumstancesdemanded，`andyouknowwhattakinganoathis。’Tisahorribletestamentmindye，whichyousayandsealwithyourblood-stone，andtheprophetMatthewtellsusthatonwhomsoeveritshallfallitwillgrindhimtopowder。Now，beforeallthework-folkhereassembled，canyousweartoyourwordsastheshepherdasksye？’
`Pleaseno，MisterOak！’saidCainy，lookingfromonetotheotherwithgreatuneasinessatthespiritualmagnitudeoftheposition。`Idon’tmindsaying’tistrue，butIdon’tliketosay’tisdamntrue，ifthat’swhatyoumane。
`Cain，Cain，howcanyou？’askedJosephsternly。`Youbeaskedtoswearinaholymanner’andyouswearlikewickedShimei，thesonofGera，whocursedashecame。Youngman，fie！’
`No，Idon’t！’Tisyouwanttosquanderaporeboy’ssoul，JosephPoorgrass-that’swhat’tis！’saidCain，beginningtocry。`AllImaneisthatincommontruth’twasMissEverdeneandSergeantTroy，butinthehorribleso-help-metruththatyewanttomakeofitperhaps’twassomebodyelse！’
`There’snogettingattherightsofit，’saidGabriel，turningtohiswork。
`CainBall，you’llcometoabitofbread！’groanedJosephPoorgrass。
Thenthereapers’hookswereflourishedagain，andtheoldsoundswenton。Gabriel，withoutmakinganypretenceofbeinglively，didnothingtoshowthathewasparticularlydull。However，Cogganknewprettynearlyhowthelandlay，andwhentheywereinanooktogetherhesaid——
`Don’ttakeonabouther，Gabriel。Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesweetheartsheis，sinceshecan’tbeyours？’
`That’stheverythingIsaytomyself，’saidGabriel。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOURHomeagain-ATricksterThatsameeveningatduskGabrielwasleaningoverCoggan’sgarden-gate，takinganupanddownsurveybeforeretiringtorest。
Avehicleofsomekindwassoftlycreepingalongthegrassymarginofthelane。Fromitspreadthetonesoftwowomentalking。Thetoneswerenaturalandnotatallsuppressed。OakinstantlyknewthevoicestobethoseofBathshebaandLiddy。
Thecarriagecameoppositeandpassedby。ItwasMissEverdene’sgig，andLiddyandhermistressweretheonlyoccupantsoftheseat。LiddywasaskingquestionsaboutthecityofBath，andhercompanionwasansweringthemlistlesslyandunconcernedly。BothBathshebaandthehorseseemedweary。
Theexquisitereliefoffindingthatshewashereagain，safeandsound，overpoweredallreflection，andOakcouldonlyluxuriateinthesenseofit。Allgravereportswereforgotten。
Helingeredandlingeredon，tilltherewasnodifferencebetweentheeasternandwesternexpansesofsky，andthetimidharesbegantolimpcourageouslyroundthedimhillocks。Gabrielmighthavebeenthereanadditionalhalf-hourwhenadarkformwalkedslowlyby。`Good-night，Gabriel，’thepassersaid。
ItwasBoldwood。`Good-night，sir，’saidGabriel。
Boldwoodlikewisevanisheduptheroad，andOakshortlyafterwardsturnedindoorstobed。
FarmerBoldwoodwentontowardsMissEverdene’shouse。Hereachedthefront，andapproachingtheentrance，sawalightintheparlour。Theblindwasnotdrawndown，andinsidetheroomwasBathsheba，lookingoversomepapersorletters。HerbackwastowardsBoldwood。Hewenttothedoor，knocked，andwaitedwithtensemusclesandanachingbrow。
BoldwoodhadnotbeenoutsidehisgardensincehismeetingwithBathshebaintheroadtoYalbury。Silentandalone，hehadremainedinmoodymeditationonwoman’sways，deemingasessentialsofthewholesextheaccidentsofthesingleoneoftheirnumberhehadevercloselybeheld。Bydegreesamorecharitabletemperhadpervadedhim，andthiswasthereasonofhissallytonight。HehadcometoapologizeandbegforgivenessofBathshebawithsomethinglikeasenseofshameathisviolence，havingbutjustnowlearntthatshehadreturned-onlyfromavisittoLiddy，ashesupposed，theBathescapadebeingquiteunknowntohim。
HeinquiredforMissEverdene。Liddy’smannerwasodd，buthedidnotnoticeit。Shewentin，leavinghimstandingthere，andinherabsencetheblindoftheroomcontainingBathshebawaspulleddown。Boldwoodauguredillfromthatsign。Liddycameout。
`Mymistresscannotseeyou，sir，’shesaid。
Thefarmerinstantlywentoutbythegate。Hewasunforgiven-thatwastheissueofit。Hehadseenherwhowastohimsimultaneouslyadelightandatoesittingintheroomhehadsharedwithherasapeculiarlyprivilegedguestonlyalittleearlierinthesummer，andshehaddeniedhimanentrancetherenow。
Boldwooddidnothurryhomeward。Itwasteno’clockatleast，when，walkingdeliberatelythroughthelowerpartofWeatherbury，heheardthecarrier’sspringvanenteringthevillage。Thevanrantoandfromatowninanortherndirection，anditwasownedanddrivenbyaWeatherburyman，atthedoorofwhosehouseitnowpulledup。Thelampfittedtotheheadofthehoodilluminatedascarletandgildedform，whowasthefirsttoalight。
`Ah！’saidBoldwoodtohimself`cometoseeheragain。’
Troyenteredthecarrier’shouse，whichhadbeentheplaceofhislodgingonhislastvisittohisnativeplace。Boldwoodwasmovedbyasuddendetermination。
Hehastenedhome。Intenminuteshewasbackagain，andmadeasifheweregoingtocalluponTroyatthecarrier’s。Butasheapproached，someoneopenedthedoorandcameout。Heheardthispersonsay`Good-night’totheinmates，andthevoicewasTroy’s。Thiswasstrange，comingsoimmediatelyafterhisarrival。Boldwood，however，hasteneduptohim。Troyhadwhatappearedtobeacarpet-baginhishand-thesamethathehadbroughtwithhim。Itseemedasifheweregoingtoleaveagainthisverynight。
Troyturnedupthehillandquickenedhispace。Boldwoodsteppedforward。
`SergeantTroy？’
`Yes-I’mSergeantTroy。’
`Justarrivedfromupthecountry，Ithink？’
`JustarrivedfromBath。’
`IamWilliamBoldwood。’
`Indeed。’
ThetoneinwhichthiswordwasutteredwasallthathadbeenwantedtobringBoldwoodtothepoint。
`Iwishtospeakawordwithyou，’hesaid。
`Whatabout？’
`Aboutherwholivesjustaheadthereandaboutawomanyouhavewronged。’
`Iwonderatyourimpertinence，’saidTroy，movingon。
`Nowlookhere，’saidBoldwood，standinginfrontofhim，`wonderornot，youaregoingtoholdaconversationwithme。’
TroyheardthedulldeterminationinBoldwood’svoice，lookedathisstalwartframe，thenatthethickcudgelhecarriedinhishand。Heremembereditwaspastteno’clock。ItseemedworthwhiletobeciviltoBoldwood。
`Verywell，I’lllistenwithpleasure，’saidTroy，placinghisbagontheground，`onlyspeaklowforsomebodyorothermayoverhearusinthefarmhousethere。’
`Wellthen-Iknowagooddealconcerningyour-FannyRobin’sattachmenttoyou。Imaysay，too，thatIbelieveIamtheonlypersoninthevillage，exceptingGabrielOak，whodoesknowit。Yououghttomarryher。’
`IsupposeIought。Indeed，Iwishto，butIcannot。’
`Why？’
Troywasabouttouttersomethinghastily；hethencheckedhimselfandsaid，`Iamtoopoor。’Hisvoicewaschanged。Previouslyithadhadadevil-may-caretone。Itwasthevoiceofatricksternow。
Boldwood’spresentmoodwasnotcriticalenoughtonoticetones。Hecontinued，`Imayaswellspeakplainly；andunderstand，Idon’twishtoenterintothequestionsofrightorwrong，woman’shonourandshame，ortoexpressanyopiniononyourconduct。Iintendabusinesstransactionwithyou。’
`Isee，’saidTroy。`Supposewesitdownhere。’
Anoldtreetrunklayunderthehedgeimmediatelyopposite，andtheysatdown。
`IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMissEverdene，’saidBoldwood，`butyoucameand——’
`Notengaged，’saidTroy。
`Asgoodasengaged。’
`IfIhadnotturnedupshemighthavebecomeengagedtoyou。’
`Hangmight！’
`Would，then。’
`IfyouhadnotcomeIshouldcertainly-yes，certainly-havebeenacceptedbythistime。IfyouhadnotseenheryoumighthavebeenmarriedtoFanny。Well，there’stoomuchdifferencebetweenMissEverdene’sstationandyourownforthisflirtationwithherevertobenefityoubyendinginmarriage。SoallIaskis，don’tmolestheranymore。MarryFanny。
I’llmakeitworthyourwhile。’
`Howwillyou？’
`I’llpayyouwellnow，I’llsettleasumofmoneyuponher，andI’llseethatyoudon’tsufferfrompovertyinthefuture。I’llputitclearly。
Bathshebaisonlyplayingwithyou；youaretoopoorforherasIsaid；
sogiveupyourwastingyourtimeaboutagreatmatchyou’llnevermakeforamoderateandrightfulmatchyoumaymaketo-morrow；takeupyourcarpet-bag，turnabout，leaveWeatherburynow，thisnight，andyoushalltakefiftypoundswithyou。Fannyshallhavefiftytoenablehertoprepareforthewedding，whenyouhavetoldmewheresheisliving，andsheshallhavefivehundredpaiddownonherwedding-day。’
InmakingthisstatementBoldwood’svoicerevealedonlytooclearlyaconsciousnessoftheweaknessofhisposition，hisaims，andhismethod。
HismannerhadlapsedquitefromthatofthefirmanddignifiedBoldwoodofformertimes；andsuchaschemeashehadnowengagedinhewouldhavecondemnedaschildishlyimbecileonlyafewmonthsago。Wediscernagrindforceintheloverwhichhelackswhilstafreeman；butthereisabreadthofvisioninthefreemanwhichintheloverwevainlyseek。Wherethereismuchbiastheremustbesomenarrowness，andlove，thoughaddedemotion，issubtractedcapacity。Boldwoodamplifiedthistoanabnormaldegree；
heknewnothingofFannyRobin’scircumstancesorwhereabouts，heknewnothingofTroy’spossibilities，yetthatwaswhathesaid。
`IlikeFannybest，’saidTroy；`andif，asyousay，MissEverdeneisoutofmyreach，whyIhavealltogainbyacceptingyourmoney，andmarryingFan。Butshe’sonlyaservant。’
`Nevermind-doyouagreetomyarrangement？’
`Ido。’
`Ah！’saidBoldwood，inamoreelasticvoice。`O，Troy，ifyoulikeherbest，whythendidyoustepinhereandinjuremyhappiness？’
`IloveFannybestnow’saidTroy。`ButBathsh-MissEverdeneinflamedme，anddisplacedFannyforatime。Itisovernow。’
`Whyshoulditbeoversosoon？Andwhythendidyoucomehereagain？’
`Thereareweightyreasons。Fiftypoundsatonce，yousaid！’
`Idid，’saidBoldwood，`andheretheyare-fiftysovereigns。’HehandedTroyasmallpacket。
`Youhaveeverythingready-itseemsthatyoucalculatedonmyacceptingthem，’saidthesergeant，takingthepacket。
`Ithoughtyoumightacceptthem，’saidBoldwood。
`You’veonlymywordthattheprogrammeshallbeadheredto，whilstIatanyratehavefiftypounds。’
`Ihadthoughtofthat，andIhaveconsideredthatifIcan’tappealtoyourhonourIcantrusttoyour-well，shrewdnesswe’llcallit-nottolosefivehundredpoundsinprospect，andalsomakeabitterenemyofamanwhoiswillingtobeanextremelyusefulfriend。’
`Stop，listen！’saidTroyinawhisper。
Alightpit-patwasaudibleupontheroadjustabovethem。
`ByGeorge——’tisshe，’hecontinued。`Imustgoonandmeether。’
`She-who？’
`Bathsheba。’
`Bathsheba-outaloneatthistimeo’night！’saidBoldwoodinamazement，andstartingup。`Whymustyoumeether？’
`Shewasexpectingmetonight-andImustnowspeaktoher，andwishhergood-bye，accordingtoyourwish。’
`Idon’tseethenecessityofspeaking。’
`Itcandonoharm-andshe’llbewanderingaboutlookingformeifIdon’t。YoushallhearallIsaytoher。ItwillhelpyouinyourlovemakingwhenIamgone。
`Yourtoneismocking。’
`Ono。Andrememberthis，ifshedoesnotknowwhathasbecomeofme，shewillthinkmoreaboutmethanifItellherflatlyIhavecometogiveherup。
`Willyouconfineyourwordstothatonepoint？-ShallIheareverywordyousay？’
`Everyword。Nowsitstillthere，andholdmycarpet-bagforme，andmarkwhatyouhear。’
Thelightfootstepcamecloser，haltingoccasionally，asifthewalkerlistenedforasound。Troywhistledadoublenoteinasoft，flutytone。
`Cometothat，isit！’murmuredBoldwooduneasily。
`Youpromisedsilence，’saidTroy。
`Ipromiseagain。’
Troysteppedforward。
`Frank，dearest，isthatyou？’ThetoneswereBathsheba’s。
`OGod！’saidBoldwood。
`Yes，’saidTroytoher。
`Howlateyouare，’shecontinuedtenderly。`Didyoucomebythecarrier？
Ilistenedandheardhiswheelsenteringthevillage，butitwassometimeago，andIhadalmostgivenyouup，Frank。’
`Iwassuretocome，’saidFrank。`YouknewIshould，didyounot？’
`Well，Ithoughtyouwould，’shesaidplayfully；`and，Frank，itissolucky！There’snotasoulinmyhousebutmetonight。I’vepackedthemalloff，sonobodyonearthwillknowofyourvisittoyourlady’sbower。
Liddywantedtogotohergrandfather’stotellhimaboutherholiday，andIsaidshemightstaywiththemtillto-morrow-whenyou’llbegoneagain。’
`Capital，’saidTroy。`But，dearme，Ihadbettergobackformybag，becausemyslippersandbrushandcombareinit；yourunhomewhilstI
fetchit，andI’llpromisetobeinyourparlourintenminutes。
`Yes。’Sheturnedandtrippedupthehillagain。
DuringtheprogressofthisdialoguetherewasanervoustwitchingofBoldwood’stightlyclosedlips，andhisfacebecamebathedinaclammydew。HenowstartedforwardtowardsTroy。Troyturnedtohimandtookupthebag。
`ShallItellherIhavecometogiveherupandcannotmarryher？’
saidthesoldiermockingly。
`No，no；waitaminute。Iwanttosaymoretoyou-moretoyou！’saidBoldwood，inahoarsewhisper。
`Now，’saidTroy，`youseemydilemma。PerhapsIamabadman-thevictimofmyimpulses-ledawaytodowhatIoughttoleaveundone。I
can’t，however，marrythemboth。AndIhavetworeasonsforchoosingFanny。
First，Ilikeherbestuponthewhole，andsecond，youmakeitworthmywhile。’
AtthesameinstantBoldwoodspranguponhim，andheldhimbytheneck。
TroyfeltBoldwood’sgraspslowlytightening。Themovewasabsolutelyunexpected。
`Amoment，’hegasped。`Youareinjuringheryoulove！’
`Well，whatdoyoumean？’saidthefarmer。`Givemebreath，’saidTroy。
Boldwoodloosenedhishand，saying，`ByHeaven，I’veamindtokillyou！’
`Andruinher。’
`Saveher。’
`Oh，howcanshebesavednow，unlessImarryher？’
Boldwoodgroaned。Hereluctantlyreleasedthesoldier，andflunghimbackagainstthehedge。`Devil，youtortureme！’saidhe。
Troyreboundedlikeaball，andwasabouttomakeadashatthefarmer；
buthecheckedhimself，sayinglightly——
`Itisnotworthwhiletomeasuremystrengthwithyou。Indeeditisabarbarouswayofsettlingaquarrel。Ishallshortlyleavethearmybecauseofthesameconviction。NowafterthatrevelationofhowthelandlieswithBathsheba，’twouldbeamistaketokillme，woulditnot？’
`’Twouldbeamistaketokillyou，’repeatedBoldwood，mechanically，withabowedhead。
`Betterkillyourself。’
`Farbetter。’
`I’mgladyouseeit。’
`Troy，makeheryourwife，anddon’tactuponwhatIarrangedjustnow。
Thealternativeisdreadful，buttakeBathsheba；Igiveherup！Shemustloveyouindeedtosellsoulandbodytoyousoutterlyasshehasdone。
Wretchedwoman-deludedwoman-youare，Bathsheba！’
`ButaboutFanny？’
`Bathshebaisawomanwelltodo，’continuedBoldwood，inanervousanxiety，`andTroy，shewillmakeagoodwife；and，indeed，sheisworthyourhasteningonyourmarriagewithher！’
`Butshehasawill-nottosayatemper，andIshallbeamereslavetoher。IcoulddoanythingwithpoorFannyRobin。’
`Troy，’saidBoldwoodimploringly。I’lldoanythingforyou，onlydon’tdeserther；praydon’tdeserther，Troy。’
`Which，poorFanny？’
`No；BathshebaEverdene，loveherbest！lovehertenderly！HowshallIgetyoutoseehowadvantageousitwillbetoyoutosecureheratonce？’
`Idon’twishtosecureherinanynewway。
Boldwood’sarmmovedspasmodicallytowardsTroy’spersonagain。Herepressedtileinstinct，andhisformdroopedaswithpain。
Troywenton——
`Ishallsoonpurchasemydischarge，andthen——’
`ButIwishyoutohastenonthismarriage！Itwillbebetterforyouboth。Youloveeachother，andyoumustletmehelpyoutodoit。’
`How？’
`Why，bysettlingthefivehundredonBathshebainsteadofFanny，toenableyoutomarryatonce。No；shewouldn’thaveitofme。I’llpayitdowntoyouonthewedding-day。’
TroypausedinsecretamazementatBoldwood’swildinfatuation。Hecarelesslysaid，`AndamItohaveanythingnow？’
`Yes，ifyouwishto。ButIhavenotmuchadditionalmoneywithme。
Ididnotexpectthis；butallIhaveisyours。’
Boldwood，morelikeasomnambulistthanawakefulman，pulledoutthelargecanvasbaghecarriedbywayofapurse，andsearchedit。
`Ihavetwenty-onepoundsmorewithme，’hesaid。`Twonotesandasovereign。
ButbeforeIleaveyouImusthaveapapersigned——’
`Paymethemoney，andwe’llgostraighttoherparlour，andmakeanyarrangementyoupleasetosecuremycompliancewithyourwishes。Butshemustknownothingofthiscashbusiness。’
`Nothing，nothing，’saidBoldwoodhastily。`Hereisthesum，andifyou’llcometomyhousewe’llwriteouttheagreementfortheremainder，andthetermsalso。’
`Firstwe’llcalluponher。’
`Butwhy？Comewithmeto-night，andgowithmeto-morrowtothesurrogate’s。’
`Butshemustbeconsulted；atanyrateinformed。’
`Verywell；goon。’
TheywentupthehilltoBathsheba’shouse。Whentheystoodattheentrance，Troysaid，`Waithereamoment。’Openingthedoor，heglidedinside，leavingthedoorajar。
Boldwoodwaited。Intwominutesalightappearedinthepassage。Boldwoodthensawthatthechainhadbeenfastenedacrossthedoor。Troyappearedinsidecarryingabedroomcandlestick。
`What，didyouthinkIshouldbreakin？’saidBoldwoodcontemptuously。
`O，no；itismerelymyhumourtosecurethings。Willyoureadthisamoment？I’llholdthelight。’
Troyhandedafoldednewspaperthroughtheslitbetweendooranddoor-post，andputthecandleclose。`That’stheparagraph，’hesaid，placinghisfingeronaline。
Boldwoodlookedandread——`MARRIAGES
`Onthe17thinst。，atStAmbrose’sChurch，Bath，bytheRev。G。Mincing，B。A。，FrancisTroy，onlysonofthelateEdwardTroy，Esq。，M。D。，ofWeatherburyandsergeant11thDragoonGuards，toBathsheba，onlysurvivingdaughterofthelateMrJohnEverdene，ofCasterbridge。’`ThismaybecalledFortmeetingFeeble，hey，Boldwood？’saidTroy。Alowgurgleofderisivelaughterfollowedthewords。
ThepaperfellfromBoldwood’shands。Troycontinued——
`FiftypoundstomarryFanny。Good。Twenty-onepoundsnottomarryFanny，butBathsheba。Good。Finale：alreadyBathsheba’shusband。Now，Boldwood，yoursistheridiculousfatewhichalwaysattendsinterferencebetweenamanandhiswife。Andanotherword。BadasIam，Iamnotsuchavillainastomakethemarriageormiseryofanywomanamatterofhucksterandsale。Fannyhaslongagoleftme。Idon’tknowwheresheis。Ihavesearchedeverywhere。Anotherwordyet。YousayyouloveBathsheba；yetonthemerestapparentevidenceyouinstantlybelieveinherdishonour。Afigforsuchlove！NowthatI’vetaughtyoualesson，takeyourmoneybackagain。’
`Iwillnot；Iwillnot！’saidBoldwood，inahiss。
`AnyhowIwon’thaveit，’saidTroycontemptuously。Hewrappedthepacketofgoldinthenotes，andthrewthewholeintotheroad。
Boldwoodshookhisclenchedfistathim。`YoujugglerofSatan！Youblackhound！ButI’llpunishyouyet；markme，I’llpunishyouyet！’
Anotherpealoflaughter。Troythenclosedthedoor，andlockedhimselfin。
ThroughoutthewholeofthatnightBoldwood’sdarkformmighthavebeenseenwalkingaboutthehillsanddownsofWeatherburylikeanunhappyShadeintheMournfulFieldsbyAcheron。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVEAtanUpperWindowItwasveryearlythenextmorning-atimeofsunanddew。Theconfusedbeginningsofmanybirds’songsspreadintothehealthyair，andthewanblueoftheheavenwashereandtherecoatedwiththinwebsofincorporealcloudwhichwereofnoeffectinobscuringday。Allthelightsinthescenewereyellowastocolour，andalltheshadowswereattenuatedastoform。
Thecreepingplantsabouttheoldmanor-housewerebowedwithrowsofheavywaterdrops，whichhaduponobjectsbehindthemtheeffectofminutelensesofhighmagnifyingpower。
JustbeforetheclockstruckfiveGabrielOakandCogganpassedthevillagecross，andwentontogethertothefields。Theywereyetbarelyinviewoftheirmistress’shouse，whenOakfanciedhesawtheopeningofacasementinoneoftheupperwindows。Thetwomenwereatthismomentpartiallyscreenedbyanelderbush，nowbeginningtobeenrichedwithblackbunchesoffruit，andtheypausedbeforeemergingfromitsshade。
Ahandsomemanleanedidlyfromthelattice。Helookedeastandthenwest，inthemannerofonewhomakesafirstmorningsurvey。ThemanwasSergeantTroy。Hisredjacketwaslooselythrownon，butnotbuttoned，andhehadaltogethertherelaxedbearingofasoldiertakinghisease。
Cogganspokefirst，lookingquietlyatthewindow。
`Shehasmarriedhim！’hesaid。
Gabrielhadpreviouslybeheldthesight，andhenowstoodwithhisbackturned，makingnoreply。
`Ifanciedweshouldknowsomethingto-day，’continuedCoggan。`Iheardwheelspassmydoorjustafterdark-youwereoutsomewhere。’HeglancedrounduponGabriel。`Goodheavensaboveus，Oak，howwhiteyourfaceis；
youlooklikeacorpse！’
`DoI？’saidOak，withafaintsmile。
`Leanonthegate：I’llwaitabit。’
`Allright，allright。’
Theystoodbythegateawhile，Gabriellistlesslystaringattheground。
Hismindspedintothefuture，andsawthereenactedinyearsofleisurethescenesofrepentancethatwouldensuefromthisworkofhaste。Thattheyweremarriedhehadinstantlydecided。Whyhaditbeensomysteriouslymanaged？IthadbecomeknownthatshehadhadafearfuljourneytoBath，owingtohermiscalculatingthedistance；thatthehorsehadbrokendown，andthatshehadbeenmorethantwodaysgettingthere。ItwasnotBathsheba’swaytodothingsfurtivelyWithallhercultsshewascandouritself。Couldshehavebeenentrapped？Theunionwasnotonlyanunutterablegrieftohim；itamazedhim，notwithstandingthathehadpassedtheprecedingweekinasuspicionthatsuchmightbetheissueofTroy’smeetingherawayfromhome。HerquietreturnwithLiddyhadtosomeextentdispersedthedread。Justasthatimperceptiblemotionwhichappearslikestillnessisinfinitelydividedinitspropertiesfromstillnessitself，sohadhishopeundistinguishablefromdespairdifferedfromdespairindeed。
Inafewminutestheymovedonagaintowardsthehouse。Thesergeantstilllookedfromthewindow。
`Morning，comrades！’heshouted，inacheeryvoice，whentheycameup。
Cogganrepliedtothegreeting。`Bain’tyegoingtoanswertheman？’
hethensaidtoGabriel。`I’dsaygoodmorning-youneedn’tspendahapeth“
ofmeaninguponit，andyetkeepthemancivil。’
Gabrielsoondecidedtoothat，sincethedeedwasdone，toputthebestfaceuponthematterwouldbethegreatestkindnesstoherheloved。
`Goodmorning，SergeantTroy，’hereturned，inaghastlyvoice。`Arambling，gloomyhousethis，’saidTroy，smiling。
`Why-theymaynotbemarried！’suggestedCoggan。`Perhapsshe’snotthere。’
Gabrielshookhishead。Thesoldierturnedalittletowardstheeast，andthesunkindledhisscarletcoattoanorangeglow。
`Butitisaniceoldhouse，’respondedGabriel。
`Yes-Isupposeso；butIfeellikenewwineinanoldbottlehere。
Mynotionisthatsash-windowsshouldbeputthroughout，andtheseoldwainscotedwallsbrightenedupabit；ortheoakclearedquiteaway，andthewallspapered。’
`Itwouldbeapity，Ithink。’
`Well，no。Aphilosopheroncesaidinmyhearingthattheoldbuilders，whoworkedwhenartwasalivingthing，hadnorespectfortheworkofbuilderswhowentbeforethem，butpulleddownandalteredastheythoughtfit；andwhyshouldn’twe？“Creationandpreservationdon’tdowelltogether。”
sayshe，“andamillionofantiquarianscan’tinventastyle。”Mymindexactly。Iamformakingthisplacemoremodern，thatwemaybecheerfulwhilstwecan。’
Themilitarymanturnedandsurveyedtheinterioroftheroom，toassisthisideasofimprovementinthisdirection。GabrielandCogganbegantomoveon。
`Oh，Coggan，’saidTroy，asifinspiredbyarecollection，`doyouknowifinsanityhaseverappearedinMrBoldwood’sfamily？’
Janreflectedforamoment。
`Ionceheardthatanuncleofhiswasqueerinhishead，butIdon’tknowtherightso’t，’hesaid。
`Itisofnoimportance，’saidTroylightly。`Well，Ishallbedowninthefieldswithyousometimethisweek；butIhaveafewmatterstoattendtofirst。Sogood-daytoyou。Weshall，ofcourse，keeponjustasfriendlytermsasusual。I’mnotaproudman：nobodyiseverabletosaythatofSergeantTroy。However，whatismustbe，andhere’shalfa-crowntodrinkmyhealth，men。’
TroythrewthecoindexterouslyacrossthefrontplotandoverthefencetowardsGabriel，whoshunneditinitsfall，hisfaceturningtoanangryred。Coggantwirledhiseye，edgedforward，andcaughtthemoneyinitsricochetupontheroad。
`Verywell-youkeepit，Coggan，’saidGabrielwithdisdain，andalmostfiercely。`Asforme，I’lldowithoutgiftsfromhim！’
`Don’tshowittoomuch，’saidCogganmusingly。`Forifhe’smarriedtoher，markmywords，he’llbuyhisdischargeandbeourmasterhere。
Therefore’tiswelltosay“Friend“outwardly，thoughyousay“Troublehouse“
within。
`Well-perhapsitisbesttobesilent；butIcan’tgofurtherthanthat。Ican’tflatter，andifmyplacehereisonlytobekeptbysmoothinghimdown，myplacemustbelost。’
Ahorseman，whomtheyhadforsometimeseeninthedistance，nowappearedclosebesidethem。
`There’sMrBoldwood，’saidOak。`IwonderwhatTroymeantbyhisquestion。’
CogganandOaknoddedrespectfullytothefarmer，justcheckedtheirpacestodiscoveriftheywerewanted，andfindingtheywerenot，stoodbacktolethimpasson。
TheonlysignsoftheterriblesorrowBoldwoodhadbeencombatingthroughthenight，andwascombatingnow，werethewantofcolourinhiswell-definedface，theenlargedappearanceoftheveinsinhisforeheadandtemples，andthesharperlinesabouthismouth。Thehorseborehimaway，andtheverystepoftheanimalseemedsignificantofdoggeddespair。Gabriel，foraminute，roseabovehisowngriefinnoticingBoldwood’s。Hesawthesquarefiguresittingerectuponthehorse，theheadturnedtoneitherside，theelbowssteadybythehips，thebrimofthehatlevelandundisturbedinitsonwardglide，untilthekeenedgesofBoldwood’sshapesankbydegreesoverthehill。Toonewhoknewthemanandhisstorytherewassomethingmorestrikinginthisimmobilitythaninacollapse。Theclashofdiscordbetweenmoodandmatterherewasforcedpainfullyhometotheheart；and，asinlaughtertherearemoredreadfulphasesthanintears，sowasthereinthesteadinessofthisagonizedmananexpressiondeeperthanacry。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIXWealthinJeopardy-TheRevelOnenight，attheendofAugust，whenBathsheba’sexperiencesasamarriedwomanwerestillnew，andwhentheweatherwasyetdryandsultry，amanstoodmotionlessinthestackyardofWeatherburyUpperFarm，lookingatthemoonandsky。
Thenighthadasinisteraspect。Aheatedbreezefromthesouthslowlyfannedthesummitsofloftyobjects，andintheskydashesofbuoyantcloudweresailinginacourseatrightanglestothatofanotherstratum，neitheroftheminthedirectionofthebreezebelow。Themoon，asseenthroughthesefilms，hadaluridmetalliclook。Thefieldsweresallowwiththeimpurelight，andallweretingedinmonochrome，asifbeheldthroughstainedglass。Thesameeveningthesheephadtrailedhomewardheadtotail，thebehaviouroftherookshadbeenconfused，andthehorseshadmovedwithtimidityandcaution。
Thunderwasimminent，and，takingsomesecondaryappearancesintoconsideration，itwaslikelytobefollowedbyoneofthelengthenedrainswhichmarktheclosetodryweatherfortheseason。Beforetwelvehourshadpassedaharvestatmospherewouldbeabygonething。
Oakgazedwithmisgivingateightnakedandunprotectedricks，massiveandheavywiththerichproduceofone-halfthefarmforthatyear。Hewentontothebarn。
ThiswasthenightwhichhadbeenselectedbySergeantTroy-rulingnowintheroomofhiswife-forgivingtheharvestsupperanddance。
AsOakapproachedthebuildingthesoundofviolinsandatambourine，andtheregularjiggingofmanyfeet，grewmoredistinct。Hecameclosetothelargedoors，oneofwhichstoodslightlyajar，andlookedin。
Thecentralspace，togetherwiththerecessatoneend，wasemptiedofallincumbrances，andthisarea，coveringabouttwo-thirdsofthewhole，wasappropriatedforthegathering，theremainingend，whichwaspiledtotheceilingwithoats，beingscreenedoffwithsail-cloth。Tuftsandgarlandsofgreenfoliagedecoratedthewalls，beams，andextemporizedchandeliers，andimmediatelyoppositetoOakarostrumhadbeenerected，bearingatableandchairs。Heresatthreefiddlers，andbesidethemstoodafranticmanwithhishaironend，perspirationstreamingdownhischeeks，andatambourinequiveringinhishand。
Thedanceended，andontheblackoakfloorinthemidstanewrowofcouplesformedforanother。
`Now，ma’am，andnooffenceIhope，Iaskwhatdanceyouwouldlikenext？’saidthefirstviolin。
`Really，itmakesnodifference，’saidtheclearvoiceofBathsheba，whostoodattheinnerendofthebuilding，observingthescenefrombehindatablecoveredwithcupsandviands。Troywaslollingbesideher。
`Then，’saidthefiddler，`I’llventuretonamethattherightandproperthingis“TheSoldier’sJoy“-therebeingagallantsoldiermarriedintotheArm-hey，mysonnies，andgentlemenall？’
`Itshallbe“TheSoldier’sJoy“，’exclaimedachorus。
`Thanksforthecompliment，’saidthesergeantgaily，takingBathshebabythehandandleadinghertothetopofthedance。`ForthoughIhavepurchasedmydischargefromHerMostGraciousMajesty’sregimentofcavalrythe11thDragoonGuards，toattendtothenewdutiesawaitingmehere，IshallcontinueasoldierinspiritandfeelingaslongasIlive。’
Sothedancebegan。Astothemeritsof`TheSoldier’sJoy’，therecannotbe，andneverwere，twoopinions。IthasbeenobservedinthemusicalcirclesofWeatherburyanditsvicinitythatthismelody，attheendofthree-quartersofanhourofthunderousfooting，stillpossessesmorestimulativepropertiesfortheheelandtoethanthemajorityofotherdancesattheirfirstopening。
`TheSoldier’sJoy’has，too，anadditionalcharm，inbeingsoadmirablyadaptedtothetambourineaforesaid-nomeaninstrumentinthehandsofaperformerwhounderstandstheproperconvulsions，spasms，StVitus’sdances，andfearfulfrenziesnecessarywhenexhibitingitstonesintheirhighestperfection。
Theimmortaltuneended，afineDDrollingforthfromthebass-violwiththesonorousnessofacannonade，andGabrieldelayedhisentrynolonger。HeavoidedBathsheba，andgotasnearaspossibletotheplatform，whereSergeantTroywasnowseated，drinkingbrandy-and-water，thoughtheothersdrankwithoutexceptionciderandale。Gabrielcouldnoteasilythrusthimselfwithinspeakingdistanceofthesergeant，andhesentamessage，askinghimtocomedownforamoment。Thesergeantsaidhecouldnotattend。
`Willyoutellhim，then，’saidGabriel，`thatIonlysteppedath’arttosaythataheavyrainissuretofallsoon，andthatsomethingshouldbedonetoprotectthericks？’
`MrTroysaysitwillnotrain，’returnedthemessenger，andhecannotstoptotalktoyouaboutsuchfidgets。’
InjuxtapositionwithTroy，Oakhadamelancholytendencytolooklikeacandlebesidegas，andillateasehewentoutagain，thinkinghewouldgohome；for，underthecircumstances，hehadnoheartforthesceneinthebarn。Atthedoorhepausedforamoment：Troywasspeaking。
`Friends，itisnotonlytheharvesthomethatwearecelebratingto-night；
butthisisalsoaWeddingFeast。AshorttimeagoIhadthehappinesstoleadtothealtarthislady，yourmistress，andnotuntilnowhavewebeenabletogiveanypublicflourishtotheeventinWeatherbury。Thatitmaybethoroughlywelldone，andthateverymanmaygohappytobed，Ihaveorderedtobebroughtheresomebottlesofbrandyandkettlesofhotwater。Atreble-stronggobletwillbehandedroundtoeachguest。
Bathshebaputherhanduponhisarm，and，withupturnedpaleface，saidimploringly，`No-don’tgiveittothem-praydon’t，Frank！Itwillonlydothemharm：theyhavehadenoughofeverything。’
`True-wedon’twishfornomore，thankye，’saidoneortwo。
`Pooh！’saidthesergeantcontemptuously，andraisedhisvoiceasiflightedupbyanewidea。`Friends，’hesaid，`we’llsendthewomenfolkhome！’Tistimetheywereinbed。Thenwecockbirdswillhaveajollycarousetoourselves！Ifanyofthemenshowthewhitefeather，letthemlookelsewhereforawinter’swork。’
Bathshebaindignantlyleftthebarn，followedbyallthewomenandchildren。
Themusicians，notlookinguponthemselvesas`company’，slippedquietlyawaytotheirspring-waggonandputinthehorse。ThusTroyandthemenonthefarmwereleftsoleoccupantsoftheplace。Oak，nottoappearunnecessarilydisagreeable，stayedalittlewhile；thenhe，too，aroseandquietlytookhisdeparture，followedbyafriendlyoathfromthesergeantfornotstayingtoasecondroundofgrog。
Gabrielproceededtowardshishome。Inapproachingthedoor，histoekickedsomethingwhichfeltandsoundedsoft，leathery，anddistended，likeaboxing-glove。Itwasalargetoadhumblytravellingacrossthepath。
Oaktookitup，thinkingitmightbebettertokillthecreaturetosaveitfrompain；butfindingituninjured，heplaceditagainamongthegrass。
HeknewwhatthisdirectmessagefromtheGreatMothermeant。Andsooncameanother。
Whenhestruckalightindoorsthereappeareduponthetableathinglisteningstreak，asifabrushofvarnishhadbeenlightlydraggedacrossit。Oak’seyesfollowedtheserpentinesheentotheotherside，whereitleduptoahugebrowngarden-slug，whichhadcomeindoorsto-nightforreasonsofitsown。ItwasNature’ssecondwayofhintingtohimthathewastoprepareforfoulweather。
Oaksatdownmeditatingfornearlyanhour。Duringthistimetwoblackspiders，ofthekindcommoninthatchedhouses，promenadedtheceiling，ultimatelydroppingtothefloor。Thisremindedhimthatiftherewasoneclassofmanifestationonthismatterthathethoroughlyunderstood，itwantheinstinctsofsheep。Helefttheroom，ranacrosstwoorthreefieldstowardstheflock，gotuponahedge，andlookedoveramongthem。
Theywerecrowdedclosetogetherontheothersidearoundsomefurzebushes，andthefirstpeculiarityobservablewasthat，onthesuddenappearanceofOak’sheadoverthefence，theydidnotstirorrunaway。Theyhadnowaterrorofsomethinggreaterthantheirterrorofman。Butthiswasnotthemostnoteworthyfeature：theywereallgroupedinsuchawaythattheirtails，withoutasingleexception，weretowardsthathalfofthehorizonfromwhichthestormthreatened。Therewasaninnercirclecloselyhuddled，andoutsidethesetheyradiatedwiderapart，thepatternformedbytheflockasawholenotbeingunlikeavandykedlacecollar，towhichtheclumpoffurze-bushesstoodinthepositionofawearer’sneck。
Thiswasenoughtore-establishhiminhisoriginalopinion。Heknewnowthathewasright，andthatTroywaswrong。Everyvoiceinnaturewasunanimousinbespeakingchange。Buttwodistincttranslationsattachedtothesedumbexpressions。Apparentlytherewastobeathunder-storm，andafterwardsacoldcontinuousrain。Thecreepingthingsseemedtoknowallaboutthelaterrain，butlittleoftheinterpolatedthunder-storm；
whilstthesheepknewallaboutthethunderstormandnothingofthelaterrain。
Thiscomplicationofweathersbeinguncommon，wasallthemoretobefeared。Oakreturnedtothestackyard。Allwassilenthere，andtheconicaltipsofthericksjutteddarklyintothesky。Therewerefivewheat-ricksinthisyard，andthreestacksofbarley。Thewheatwhenthreshedwouldaverageaboutthirtyquarterstoeachstack；thebarley，atleastforty。
TheirvaluetoBathsheba，andindeedtoanybody，Oakmentallyestimatedbythefollowingsimplecalculation：——5times30150quarters=500l。
3times40120quarters=250l。
Total750l。Sevenhundredandfiftypoundsinthedivinestformthatmoneycanwear-thatofnecessaryfoodformanandbeast：shouldtheriskberunofdeterioratingthisbulkofcorntolessthanhalfitsvalue，becauseoftheinstabilityofawoman？`Never，ifIcanpreventit！’saidGabriel。
SuchwastheargumentthatOaksetoutwardlybeforehim。Butman，eventohimself，isapalimpsest，havinganostensiblewriting，andanotherbeneaththelines。Itispossiblethattherewasthisgoldenlegendundertheutilitarianone：`IwillhelptomylasteffortthewomanIhavelovedsodearly。’
Hewentbacktothebarntoendeavourtoobtainassistanceforcoveringthericksthatverynight。Allwassilentwithin，andhewouldhavepassedoninthebeliefthatthepartyhadbrokenup，hadnotadimlight，yellowassaffronbycontrastwiththegreenishwhitenessoutside，streamedthroughaknot-holeinthefoldingdoors。
Gabriellookedin。Anunusualpicturemethiseye。
Thecandlessuspendedamongtheevergreenshadburntdowntotheirsockets，andinsomecasestheleavestiedaboutthemwerescorched。Manyofthelightshadquitegoneout，otherssmokedandstank，greasedroppingfromthemuponthefloor。Here，underthetable，andleaningagainstformsandchairsineveryconceivableattitudeexcepttheperpendicular，werethewretchedpersonsofallthework-folk，thehairoftheirheadsatsuchlowlevelsbeingsuggestiveofmopsandbrooms。InthemidstoftheseshoneredanddistinctthefigureofSergeantTroy，leaningbackinachair。
Cogganwasonhisback，withhismouthopen，buzzingforthsnores，aswereseveralothers；theunitedbreathingsofthehorizontalassemblageformingasubduedroarlikelondonfromadistance。JosephPoorgrasswerecurledroundinthefashionofahedgehog，apparentlyinattemptstopresenttheleastpossibleportionofhissurfacetotheair；andbehindhimwasdimlyvisibleanunimportantremnantofWilliamSmallbury。Theglassesandcupsstillstooduponthetable，awater-jugbeingoverturned，fromwhichasmallrill，aftertracingitscoursewithmarvellousprecisiondownthecentreofthelongtable，fellintotheneckoftheunconsciousMarkClark，inasteady，monotonousdrip，likethedrippingofastalactiteinacave。
Gabrielglancedhopelesslyatthegroup，which，withoneortwoexceptions，composedalltheable-bodiedmenuponthefarm。Hesawatoncethatifthericksweretobesavedthatnight，oreventhenextmorning，hemustsavethemwithhisownhands。
Afaint`ting-ting’resoundedfromunderCoggan’swaistcoat。ItwasCoggan’swatchstrikingthehouroftwo。
OakwenttotherecumbentformofMatthewMoon，whousuallyundertooktheroughthatchingofthehomestead，andshookhim。Theshakingwaswithouteffect。
Gabrielshoutedinhisear，`Where’syourthatching-beetleandrickstickandspars？’
`Underthestaddles，’saidMoonmechanically，withtheunconsciouspromptnessofamedium。
Gabrielletgohishead，anditdroppeduponthefloorlikeabowl。
HethenwenttoSusanTall’shusband。
`Where’sthekeyofthegranary？’
Noanswer。Thequestionwasrepeated，withthesameresult。TobeshoutedtoatnightwasevidentlylessofanoveltytoSusanTall’shusbandthantoMatthewMoon。OakflungdownTall’sheadintothecorneragainandturnedaway。
Tobejust，themenwerenotgreatlytoblameforthispainfulanddemoralizingterminationtotheevening’sentertainment。SergeantTroyhadsostrenuouslyinsisted，glassinhand，thatdrinkingshouldbethebondoftheirunion，thatthosewhowishedtorefusehardlylikedtobesounmannerlyunderthecircumstances。Havingfromtheiryouthupbeenentirelyunaccustomedtoanyliquorstrongerthanciderormildale，itwasnowonderthattheyhadsuccumbed，oneandall，withextraordinaryuniformity，afterthelapseofaboutanhour。
Gabrielwasgreatlydepressed。Thisdebauchbodedillforthatwilfulandfascinatingmistresswhomthefaithfulmanevennowfeltwithinhimastheembodimentofallthatwassweetandbrightandhopeless。
Heputouttheexpiringlights，thatthebarnmightnotbeendangered，closedthedooruponthemenintheirdeepoblivioussleep，andwentagainintothelonenight。Ahotbreeze，asifbreathedfromthepartedlipsofsomedragonabouttoswallowtheglobe，fannedhimfromthe，south，whiledirectlyoppositeinthenorthroseagrimmisshapenbodyofcloud，intheveryteethofthewind。Sounnaturallydiditrisethatonecouldfancyittobeliftedbymachineryfrombelow。Meanwhilethefaintcloudletshadflownbackintothesouth-eastcornerofthesky，asifinterrorofthelargecloud，likeayoungbroodgazedinuponbysomemonster。
Goingontothevillage，OakflungasmallstoneagainstthewindowofLabanTall’sbedroom，expectingSusantoopenit；butnobodystirred。
Hewentroundtothebackdoor，whichhadbeenleftunfastenedforLabansentry，andpassedintothefootofthestaircase。
`MrsTall，I’vecomeforthekeyofthegranary，togetattherickcloths，’
saidOak，inastentorianvoice。
`Isthatyou？’saidMrsSusanTall，halfawake。
`Yes，’saidGabriel。
`Comealongtobed，do，youdraw-latchingrogue-keepingabodyawakelikethis！’
`Itisn’tLaban——’tisGabrielOak。Iwantthekeyofthegranary。’
`Gabriel！`Whatinthenameoffortunedidyoupretendtobelabanfor？’
`Ididn’t。Ithoughtyoumeant——’
`Yesyoudid！`Whatdoyouwanthere？’
`Thekeyofthegranary。
`Takeitthen。’Tisonthenail。Peoplecomingdisturbingwomenatthistimeofnightought——’
Gabrieltookthekey，withoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofthetirade。Tenminuteslaterhislonelyfiguremighthavebeenseendraggingfourlargewaterproofcoveringsacrosstheyard，andsoontwooftheseheapsoftreasureingrainwerecoveredsnug-twoclothstoeach。Twohundredpoundsweresecured。Threewheat-stacksremainedopen，andtherewerenomorecloths。Oaklookedunderthestaddlesandfoundafork。Hemountedthethirdpileofwealthandbeganoperating，adoptingtheplanofslopingtheuppersheavesoneovertheother；and，inaddition，fillingtheintersticeswiththematerialofsomeuntiedsheaves。
Sofarallwaswell。BythishurriedcontrivanceBathsheba’spropertyinwheatwassafeforatanyrateaweekortwo，providedalwaysthattherewasnotmuchwind。
Nextcamethebarley。Thisitwasonlypossibletoprotectbysystematicthatching。Timewenton，andthemoonvanishednottoreappear。Itwasthefarewelloftheambassadorprevioustowar。Thenighthadahaggardlook，likeasickthing；andtherecamefinallyanutterexpirationofairfromthewholeheavenintheformofaslowbreeze，whichmighthavebeenlikenedtoadeath。Andnownothingwasheardintheyardbutthedullthudsofthebeetlewhichdroveinthespars，andtherustleofthatchintheintervals。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVENTheStorm-TheTwotogetherAlightflappedoverthescene，asifreflectedfromphosphorescentwingscrossingthesky，andarumblefilledtheair。Itwasthefirstmoveoftheapproachingstorm。
Thesecondpealwasnoisy，withcomparativelylittlevisiblelightning。
GabrielsawacandleshininginBathsheba’sbedroom，andsoonashadowswepttoandfroupontheblind。
Thentherecameathirdflash。Manoeuvresofamostextraordinarykindweregoingoninthevastfirmamentalhollowsoverhead。Thelightningnowwasthecolourofsilver，andgleamedintheheavenslikeamailedarmy。
Rumbledbecamerattles。Gabrielfromhiselevatedpositioncouldseeoverthelandscapeatleasthalf-a-dozenmilesinfront。Everyhedge，bush，andtreewasdistinctasinalineengraving。Inapaddockinthesamedirectionwasaherdofheifers，andtheformsofthesewerevisibleatthismomentintheactofgallopingaboutinthewildestandmaddestconfusion，flingingtheirheelsandtailshighintotheair，theirheadstoearth。
Apoplarintheimmediateforegroundwaslikeaninkstrokeonburnishedtin。Thenthepicturevanished，leavingthedarknesssointensethatGabrielworkedentirelybyfeelingwithhishands。
Hehadstuckhisricking-rod，orponiard，asitwasindifferentlycalled-alongironlance，polishedbyhandling-intothestack，usedtosupportthesheavesinsteadofthesupportcalledagroomusedonhouses。Abluelightappearedinthezenith，andinsomeindescribablemannerflickereddownnearthetopoftherod。Itwasthefourthofthelargerflashes。
Amomentlaterandtherewasasmack-smart，clear，andshort。Gabrielfelthispositiontobeanythingbutasafeone，andheresolvedtodescend。
Notadropofrainhadfallenasyet。Hewipedhiswearybrow，andlookedagainattheblackformsoftheunprotectedstacks。Washislifesovaluabletohimafterall？Whatwerehisprospectsthatheshouldbesocharyofrunningrisk，whenimportantandurgentlabourcouldnotbecarriedonwithoutsuchrisk？Heresolvedtosticktothestick。However，hetookaprecaution。Underthestaddleswasalongtetheringchain，usedtopreventtheescapeoferranthorses。Thishecarrieduptheladder，andstickinghisrodthroughtheclogatoneend，allowedtheotherendofthechaintotrailupontheground。Thespikeattachedtoithedrovein。Undertheshadowofthisextemporizedlightning-conductorhefelthimselfcomparativelysafe。
BeforeOakhadlaidhishandsuponhistoolsagainoutleaptthefifthflash，withthespringofaserpentandtheshoutofafiend。Itwasgreenasanemerald，andthereverberationwasstunning。Whatwasthisthelightrevealedtohim？Intheopengroundbeforehim，ashelookedovertheridgeoftherick，wasadarkandapparentlyfemaleform。Coulditbethatoftheonlyventuresomewomanintheparish-Bathsheba？Theformmovedonastep：thenhecouldseenomore。
`Isthatyou，ma’am？’saidGabrieltothedarkness。
`Whoisthere？’saidthevoiceofBathsheba。
`Gabriel。Iamontherick，thatching。’
`O，Gabriel！-andareyou？Ihavecomeaboutthem。Theweatherawokeme，andIthoughtofthecorn。Iamsodistressedaboutit-canwesaveitanyhow？Icannotfindmyhusband。Ishewithyou？’
`Heisnothere。’
`Doyouknowwhereheis？’
`Asleepinthebarn。’
`Hepromisedthatthestacksshouldbeseento，andnowtheyareallneglected！CanIdoanythingtohelp？Liddyisafraidtocomeout。Fancyfindingyouhereatsuchanhour！SurelyIcandosomething？’
`Youcanbringupsomereed-sheavestome，onebyone，ma’am；ifyouarenotafraidtocomeuptheladderinthedark，’saidGabriel。`Everymomentispreciousnow，andthatwouldsaveagooddealoftime。Itisnotverydarkwhenthelightninghasbeengoneabit。’
`I’lldoanything！’shesaidresolutely。Sheinstantlytookasheafuponhershoulder，clamberedupclosetohisheels，placeditbehindtherod，anddescendedforanother。Atherthirdascentthericksuddenlybrightenedwiththebrazenglareofshiningmajolica-everyknotineverystrawwasvisible。Ontheslopeinfrontofhimappearedtwohumanshapes，blackasjet。Thericklostitssheen-theshapesvanished。Gabrielturnedhishead。Ithadbeenthesixthflashwhichhadcomefromtheeastbehindhim，andthetwodarkformsontheslopehadbeentheshadowsofhimselfandBathsheba。
Thencamethepeal。Ithardlywascrediblethatsuchaheavenlylightcouldbetheparentofsuchadiabolicalsound。
`Howterrible！’sheexclaimed，andclutchedhimbythesleeve。Gabrielturned，andsteadiedheronheraerialperchbyholdingherarm。Atthesamemoment，whilehewasstillreversedinhisattitude，therewasmorelight，andhesaw，asitwere，acopyofthetallpoplartreeonthehilldrawninblackonthewallofthebarn。Itwastheshadowofthattree，thrownacrossbyasecondaryflashinthewest。