Thenextflarecame。Bathshebawasonthegroundnow，shoulderinganothersheaf，andsheboreitsdazzlewithoutflinching-thunderandall-andagainascendedwiththeload。Therewasthenasilenceeverywhereforfourorfiveminutes，andthecrunchofthespars，asGabrielhastilydrovethemin，couldagainbedistinctlyheard。Hethoughtthecrisisofthestormhadpassed。Buttherecameaburstoflight。
`Holdon！’saidGabriel，takingthesheaffromhershoulder，andgraspingherarmagain。
Heavenopenedthen，indeed。Theflashwasalmosttoonovelforitsinexpressiblydangerousnaturetobeatoncerealized，andtheycouldonlycomprehendthemagnificenceofitsbeauty。Itsprangfromeast，west，north，south，andwasaperfectdanceofdeath。Theformsofskeletonsappearedintheair，shapedwithbluefireforbones-dancing，leaping，striding，racingaround，andminglingaltogetherinunparalleledconfusion。Withthesewereintertwinedundulatingsnakesofgreen，andbehindthesewasabroadmassoflesserlight。Simultaneouslycamefromeverypartofthetumblingskywhatmaybecalledashout；since，thoughnoshoutevercamenearit，itwasmoreofthenatureofashoutthanofanythingelseearthly。InthemeantimeoneofthegrislyformshadalighteduponthepointofGabriel’srod，toruninvisiblydownit，downthechain，andintotheearth。Gabrielwasalmostblinded，andhecouldfeelBathsheba’swarmarmtrembleinhishand-asensationnovelandthrillingenough；butlove，life，everythinghuman，seemedsmallandtriflinginsuchclosejuxtapositionwithaninfuriateduniverse。
Oakhadhardlytimetogatheruptheseimpressionsintoathought，andtoseehowstrangelytheredfeatherofherhatshoneinthislight，whenthetalltreeonthehillbeforementionedseemedonfiretoawhiteheat，andanewoneamongtheseterriblevoicesmingledwiththelastcrashofthosepreceding。Itwasastupefyingblast，harshandpitiless，anditfellupontheirearsinadead，flatblow，withoutthatreverberationwhichlendsthetonesofadrumtomoredistantthunder。Bythelustrereflectedfromeverypartoftheearthandfromthewidedomicalscoopaboveit，hesawthatthetreewassliceddownthewholelengthofitstall，straightstem，ahugeribandofbarkbeingapparentlyflungoffTheotherportionremainederect，andrevealedthebaredsurfaceasastripofwhitedownthefront。Thelightninghadstruckthetree。Asulphuroussmellfilledtheair；thenallwassilent，andblackasacaveinHinnom。
`Wehadanarrowescape！’saidGabrielhurriedly。`Youhadbettergodown。’
Bathshebasaidnothing；buthecoulddistinctlyhearherrhythmicalpants，andtherecurrentrustleofthesheafbesideherinresponsetoherfrightenedpulsations。Shedescendedtheladder，and，onsecondthoughts，hefollowedher。Thedarknesswasnowimpenetrablebythesharpestvision。
Theybothstoodstillatthebottom，sidebyside。Bathshebaappearedtothinkonlyoftheweather-Oakthoughtonlyofherjustthen。Atlasthesaid——
`Thestormseemstohavepassednow，atanyrate。’
`Ithinksotoo，’saidBathsheba。`Thoughtherearemultitudesofgleams，look！’
Theskywasnowfilledwithanincessantlight，frequentrepetitionmeltingintocompletecontinuity，asanunbrokensoundresultsfromthesuccessivestrokesonagong。
`Nothingserious，’saidhe。`Icannotunderstandnorainfalling。ButHeavenbepraised，itisallthebetterforus。Iamgoingupagain。’
`Gabriel，youarekinderthanIdeserve！Iwillstayandhelpyouyet。
O，whyarenotsomeoftheothershere！’
`Theywouldhavebeenhereiftheycould，’saidOak，inahesitatingway。
`O，Iknowitall-all，’shesaid，addingslowly：`Theyareallasleepinthebarn，inadrunkensleep，andmyhusbandamongthem。That’sit，isitnot？Don’tthinkIamatimidwomanandcan’tendurethings。’
`Iamnotcertain，’saidGabriel。`Iwillgoandsee。’
Hecrossedtothebarn，leavinghertherealone。Helookedthroughthechinksofthedoor。Allwasintotaldarkness，ashehadleftit，andtherestillarose，asattheformertime，thesteadybuzzofmanysnores。
Hefeltazephyrcurlingabouthischeek，andturned。ItwasBathsheba’sbreath-shehadfollowedhim，andwaslookingintothesamechink。
Heendeavouredtoputofftheimmediateandpainfulsubjectoftheirthoughtsbyremarkinggently，`Ifyou’llcomebackagain，miss-ma’am，andhandupafewmore，itwouldsavemuchtime。’
ThenOakwentbackagain，ascendedtothetop，steppedofftheladderforgreaterexpedition，andwentonthatching。Shefollowed，butwithoutasheaf。
`Gabriel，’shesaid，inastrangeandimpressivevoice。
Oaklookedupather。Shehadnotspokensinceheleftthebarn。Thesoftandcontinualshimmerofthedyinglightningshowedamarblefacehighagainsttheblackskyoftheoppositequarter。Bathshebawassittingalmostontheapexofthestack，herfeetgatheredupbeneathher，andrestingonthetoproundoftheladder。
`Yes，mistress，’hesaid。
`IsupposeyouthoughtthatwhenIgallopedawaytoBaththatnightitwasonpurposetobemarried？’
`Ididatlast-notatfirst，’heanswered，somewhatsurprisedattheabruptnesswithwhichthisnewsubjectwasbroached。
`Andothersthoughtso，too！’
`Yes。’
`Andyoublamedmeforit？’
`Well-alittle。’
`Ithoughtso。Now，Icarealittleforyourgoodopinion，andIwanttoplainsomething-IhavelongedtodoiteversinceIreturned，andyoulookedsogravelyatme。ForifIweretodie-andImaydiesoon-itwouldbedreadfulthatyoushouldalwaysthinkmistakenlyofme。Now，listen。’
Gabrielceasedhisrustling。
`IwenttoBaththatnightinthefillintentionofbreakingoffmyengagementtoMrTroy。ItwasowingtocircumstanceswhichoccurredafterIgottherethat-thatweweremarried。Now，doyouseethematterinanewlight？’
`Ido-somewhat。’
`Imust，Isuppose，saymore，nowthatIhavebegun。Andperhapsit’snoharm，foryouarecertainlyundernodelusionthatIeverlovedyou，orthatIcanhaveanyobjectinspeaking，morethanthatobjectIhavementioned。Well，Iwasaloneinastrangecity，andthehorsewaslame。
AndatlastIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Isaw，whenitwastoolate，thatscandalmightseizeholdofmeformeetinghimaloneinthatway。ButI
wascomingaway，whenhesuddenlysaidhehadthatdayseenawomanmorebeautifulthanI，andthathisconstancycouldnotbecountedonunlessIatoncebecamehis……AndIwasgrievedandtroubled——’Sheclearedhervoice，andwaitedamoment，asiftogatherbreath。`Andthen，betweenjealousyanddistraction，Imarriedhim！’shewhisperedwithdesperateimpetuosity。
Gabrielmadenoreply。
`Hewasnottoblame，foritwasperfectlytrueabout-abouthisseeingsomebodyelse，’shequicklynodded。`AndnowIdon’twishforasingleremarkfromyouuponthesubject-indeed，Iforbidit。Ionlywantedyoutoknowthatmisunderstoodbitofmyhistorybeforeatimecomeswhenyoucouldneverknowit-Youwantsomemoresheaves？’
Shewentdowntheladder，andtheworkproceeded。Gabrielsoonperceivedalanguorinthemovementsofhismistressupanddown，andhesaidtoher，gentlyasamother——
`Ithinkyouhadbettergoindoorsnow，youaretired。Icanfinishtherestalone。Ifthewinddoesnotchangetherainislikelytokeepoff。’
`IfIamuselessIwillgo，’saidBathsheba，inaflaggingcadence。
`ButO，ifyourlifeshouldbelost！’
`Youarenotuseless；butIwouldrathernottireyoulonger。Youhavedonewell。’
`Andyoubetter！’shesaidgratefully。`Thankyouforyourdevotion，athousandtimes，Gabriel！Good-night-Iknowyouaredoingyourverybestforme。’
Shediminishedinthegloom，andvanished，andheheardthelatchofthegatefallasshepassedthrough。Heworkedinareverienow，musinguponherstory，anduponthecontradictorinessofthatfeminineheartwhichhadcausedhertospeakmorewarmlytohimto-nightthansheeverhaddonewhilstunmarriedandfreetospeakaswarmlyasshechose。
Hewasdisturbedinhismeditationbyagratingnoisefromthecoach-house。
Itwasthevaneontheroofturninground，andthischangeinthewindwasthesignalforadisastrousrain。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHTRain-OneSolitarymeetsanotherItwasnowfiveo’clock，andthedawnwaspromisingtobreakinhuesofdrabandash。
Theairchangeditstemperatureandstirreditselfmorevigorously。
CoolbreezescoursedintransparenteddiesroundOak’sface。Thewindshiftedyetapointortwoandblewstronger。Intenminuteseverywindofheavenseemedtoberoamingatlarge。Someofthethatchingonthewheat-stackswasnowwhirledfantasticallyaloft，andhadtobereplacedandweightedwithsomerailsthatlaynearathand。Thisdone，Oakslavedawayagainatthebarley。Ahugedropofrainsmotehisface，andthewindsnarledroundeverycorner，thetreesrockedtothebasesoftheirtrunks，andthetwigsclashedinstrife。Drivinginsparsatanypointandonanysystem，inchbyinchhecoveredmoreandmoresafelyfromruinthisdistractingimpersonationofsevenhundredpounds。Theraincameoninearnest，andOaksoonfeltthewatertobetrackingcoldandclammyroutesdownhisback。Ultimatelyhewasreducedwell-nightoahomogeneoussop，andthedyesofhisclothestrickleddownandstoodinapoolatthefootoftheladder。Therainstretchedobliquelythroughthedullatmosphereinliquidspines，unbrokenincontinuitybetweentheirbeginningsinthecloudsandtheirpointsinhim。
Oaksuddenlyrememberedthateightmonthsbeforethintimehehadbeenfightingagainstfireinthesamespotasdesperatelyashewasfightingagainstwaternow-andforafutileloveofthesamewoman。Asforher-ButOakwasgenerousandtrue，anddismissedhisreflections。
Itwasaboutseveno’clockinthedarkleadenmorningwhenGabrielcamedownfromthelaststack，andthankfullyexclaimed，`Itisdone！’Hewasdrenched，weary，andsad，andyetnotsosadasdrenchedandweary，forhewascheeredbyasenseofsuccessinagoodcause。
Faintsoundscamefromthebarn，andhelookedthatway。Figuressteppedsinglyandinpairsthroughthedoors-allwalkingawkwardly，andabashed，savetheforemost，whoworearedjacket，andadvancedwithhishandsinhispockets，whistling。Theothersshambledafterwithaconscience-strickenair；thewholeprocessionwasnotunlikeFlaxman’sgroupofthesuitorstotteringontowardstheinfernalregionsundertheconductofMercury：
Thegnarledshapespassedintothevillage，Troy，theirleader，enteringthefarmhouse。Notasingleoneofthemhadturnedhisfacetothericks，orapparentlybestowedonethoughtupontheircondition。
SoonOaktoowenthomeward，byadifferentroutefromtheirs。Infrontofhimagainstthewetglazedsurfaceofthelanehesawapersonwalkingyetmoreslowlythanhimselfunderanumbrella。Themanturnedandplainlystarted；hewasBoldwood。
`Howareyouthismorning，sir？’saidOak。
`Yes，itisawetday-Oh，Iamwell，verywell，Ithankyou；quitewell。’`Iamgladtohearit，sir。’
Boldwoodseemedtoawaketothepresentbydegrees。`Youlooktiredandill，Oak，’hesaidthen，desultorilyregardinghiscompanion。
`Iamtired。Youlookstrangelyaltered，sir。’
`I？Notabitofit：Iamwellenough。Whatputthatintoyourhead？’
`Ithoughtyoudidn’tlookquitesotoppingasyouusedto，thatwasall。’
`Indeed，thenyouaremistaken，’saidBoldwoodshortly。`Nothinghurtsme。Myconstitutionisanironone。’
`I’vebeenworkinghardtogetourrickscovered，andwasbarelyintime。Neverhadsuchastruggleinmylife……Yoursofcoursearesafe，sir。’
`Oyes。’Boldwoodadded，afteranintervalofsilence：`Whatdidyouask，Oak？’
`Yourricksareallcoveredbeforethistime？’
`No。’
`Atanyrate，thelargeonesuponthestonestaddles？’
`Theyarenot。’
`Themunderthehedge？’
`No。Iforgottotellthethatchertosetaboutit。’
`Northelittleonebythestile？’
`Northelittleonebythestile。Ioverlookedthericksthisyear。’
`Thennotatenthofyourcornwillcometomeasure，sir。’
`Possiblynot。’
`Overlookedthem，’repeatedGabrielslowlytohimself。ItisdifficulttodescribetheintenselydramaticeffectthatannouncementhaduponOakatsuchamoment。Allthenighthehadbeenfeelingthattheneglecthewaslabouringtorepairwasabnormalandisolated-theonlyinstanceofthekindwithinthecircuitofthecounty。Yetatthisverytime，withinthesameparish，agreaterwastehadbeengoingon，uncomplainedofanddisregarded。AfewmonthsearlierBoldwood’sforgettinghishusbandrywouldhavebeenaspreposterousanideaasasailorforgettinghewasinaship。
OakwasjustthinkingthatwhateverhehimselfmighthavesufferedfromBathsheba’smarriage，herewasamanwhohadsufferedmore，whenBoldwoodspokeinachangedvoice-thatofonewhoyearnedtomakeaconfidenceandrelievehisheartbyanoutpouring。
`Oak，youknowaswellasIthatthingshavegonewrongwithmelately。
Imayaswellownit。Iwasgoingtogetalittlesettledinlife，butinsomewaymyplanhascometonothing。’
`Ithoughtmymistresswouldhavemarriedyou，’saidGabriel，notknowingenoughofthefilldepthsofBoldwood’slovetokeepsilenceonthefarmer’saccount，anddeterminednottoevadedisciplinebydoingsoonhisown。
`However，itissosometimes，andnothinghappensthatweexpect，’headded，withthereposeofamanwhommisfortunehadinuredratherthansubdued。
`IdaresayIamajokeabouttheparish，’saidBoldwood，asifthesubjectcameirresistiblytohistongue，andwithamiserablelightnessmeanttoexpresshisindifference。
`Ono-Idon’tthinkthat。’
`-Buttherealtruthofthematteristhattherewasnot，assomefancy，anyjiltingon-herpart。NoengagementeverexistedbetweenmeandMissEverdene。Peoplesayso，butitisuntrue，sheneverpromisedme！’BoldwoodstoodstillnowandturnedhiswildfacetoOak，`O，Gabriel，’
hecontinued，`Iamweakandfoolish，andIdon’tknowwhat，andIcan’tfendoffmymiserablegrief。IhadsomefaintbeliefinthemercyofGodtillIlostthatwoman。Yes，Hepreparedagourdtoshademe，andliketheprophetIthankedHimandwasglad。ButthenextdayHepreparedawormtosmitethegourdandwitherit；andIfeelitisbettertodiethantolive！’
Asilencefollowed。Boldwoodarousedhimselffromthemomentarymoodofconfidenceintowhichhehaddrifted，andwalkedonagain，resuminghisusualreserve。
`No，Gabriel，’heresumed，withacarelessnesswhichwaslikethesimileonthecountenanceofaskull：`itwasmademoreofbyotherpeoplethaneveritwasbyus。Idofeelalittleregretoccasionally，butnowomaneverhadpowerovermeforanylengthoftime。Well，goodmorning；Icantrustyounottomentiontootherswhathaspassedbetweenustwohere。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-NINEComingHome-CryOntheturnpikeroad，betweenCasterbridgeandWeatherbury，andaboutthreemilesfromtheformerplaceisYalburyHill，oneofthosesteeplongascentswhichpervadethehighwaysofthisundulatingpartofSouthWessex。Inreturningfrommarketitisusualforthefarmersandothergig-gentrytoalightatthebottomandwalkup。
OneSaturdayeveninginthemonthofOctoberBathsheba’svehiclewasdulycreepingupthisincline。Shewassittinglistlesslyinthesecondseatofthegig，whilstwalkingbesideherinafarmer’smarketingsuitofunusuallyfashionablecutwasanerect，well-madeyoungman。Thoughonfoot，heheldthereinsandwhip，andoccasionallyaimedlightrutsatthehorse’searwiththeendofthelash，asarecreation。Thismanwasherhusband，formerlySergeantTroy，who，havingboughthisdischargewithBathsheba’smoney，wasgraduallytransforminghimselfintoafarmerofaspiritedandverymodernschool。Peopleofunalterableideasstillinsisteduponcallinghim`Sergeant’whentheymethim，whichwasinsomedegreeowingtohishavingstillretainedthewell-shapedmoustacheofhismilitarydays，andthesoldierlybearinginseparablefromhisformandtraining。
`Yes，ifithadn’tbeenforthatwretchedrainIshouldhaveclearedtwohundredaseasyaslooking，mylove，’hewassaying。`Don’tyousee，italteredallthechances？TospeaklikeabookIonceread，wetweatheristhenarrative，andfinedaysaretheepisodes，ofourcountry’shistory；
now，isn’tthattrue？’
`Butthetimeofyeariscomeforchangeableweather。’
`Well，yes。Thefactis，theseautumnracesaretheruinofeverybody。
NeverdidIseesuchadayas’twas！’Tisawildopenplace，justoutofBudmouth，andadrabsearolledintowardsuslikeliquidmisery。Windandrain-goodLord！Dark？Why，’twasasblackasmyhatbeforethelastracewasrun。’Twasfiveo’clock，andyoucouldn’tseethehorsestilltheywerealmostin，leavealonecolours。Thegroundwasasheavyaslead，andalljudgementfromafellow’sexperiencewentfornothing。Horses，riders，people，wereallblownaboutlikeshipsatsea。Threeboothswereblownover，andthewretchedfolkinsidecrawledoutupontheirhandsandknees；andinthenextfieldwereasmanyasadozenhatsatonetime。
Ay，Pimpernelregularlystuckfast，whenaboutsixtyyardsoff，andwhenIsawPolicysteppingon，itdidknockmyheartagainsttheliningofmyribs，Iassureyou，mylove！’
`Andyoumean，Frank，’saidBathshebasadly-hervoicewaspainfullyloweredfromthefullnessandvivacityoftheprevioussummer-`thatyouhavelostmorethanahundredpoundsinamonthbythisdreadfulhorse-racing？
O，Frank，itiscruel；itisfoolishofyoutotakeawaymymoneyso。Weshallhavetoleavethefarm；thatwillbetheendofit！’
`Humbugaboutcruel。Now，there’tisagain-turnonthewaterworks；
that’sjustlikeyou。’
`Butyou’llpromisemenottogotoBudmouthsecondmeeting，won’tyou？’
sheimplored。Bathshebawasatthehilldepthfortears，butshemaintainedadryeye。
`Idon’tseewhyIshould；infact，ifitturnsouttobeafineday，Iwasthinkingoftakingyou。’
`Never，never！I’llgoahundredmilestheotherwayfirst。Ihatethesoundoftheveryword！’
`Butthequestionofgoingtoseetheraceorstayingathomehasverylittletodowiththematter。Betsareallbookedsafelyenoughbeforetheracebegins，youmaydepend。Whetheritisabadraceformeoragoodone，willhaveverylittletodowithourgoingtherenextMonday。’
`Butyoudon’tmeantosaythatyouhaveriskedanythingonthisonetoo！’sheexclaimed，withanagonisedlook。
`Therenow，don’tyoubealittlefool。Waittillyouaretold。Why，Bathsheba，youhavelostallthepluckandsaucinessyouformerlyhad，anduponmylifeifIhadknownwhatachicken-heartedcreatureyouwereunderallyourboldness，I’dneverhave-Iknowwhat。’
AflashofindignationmighthavebeenseeninBathsheba’sdarkeyesasshelookedresolutelyaheadafterthisreply。Theymovedonwithoutfartherspeech，someearly-witheredleavesfromthetreeswhichhoodedtheroadatthisspotoccasionallyspinningdownwardacrosstheirpathtotheearth。
Awomanappearedonthebrowofthehill。Theridgewasinacutting，sothatshewasverynearthehusbandandwifebeforeshebecamevisible。
Troyhadturnedtowardsthegigtoremount，andwhilstputtinghisfootonthestepthewomanpassedbehindhim。
Thoughtheovershadowingtreesandtheapproachofeventideenvelopedthemingloom，Bathshebacouldseeplainlyenoughtodiscerntheextremepovertyofthewoman’sgarb，andthesadnessofherface。
`Please，sir，doyouknowatwhattimeCasterbridgeUnion-houseclosesatnight？’
ThewomansaidthesewordstoTroyoverhisshoulder。
Troystartedvisiblyatthesoundofthevoice；yetheseemedtorecoverpresenceofmindsufficienttopreventhimselffromgivingwaytohisimpulsetosuddenlyturnandfaceher。Hesaid，slowly——
`Idon’tknow。’
Thewoman，onhearinghimspeak，quicklylookedup，examinedthesideofhisface，andrecognizedthesoldierundertheyeoman’sgarb。Herfacewasdrawnintoanexpressionwhichhadgladnessandagonybothamongitselements。Sheutteredanhystericalcry，andfelldown。
`O，poorthing！’exclaimedBathsheba，instantlypreparingtoalight。
`Staywhereyouare，andattendtothehorse！’saidTroyperemptorily，throwingherthereinsandthewhip。`Walkthehorsetothetop；I’llseetothewoman。’
`ButI——’
`Doyouhear？Clk-Poppet！’
Thehorse，gig，andBathshebamovedon。
`Howonearthdidyoucomehere？Ithoughtyouweremilesaway，ordead！
Whydidn’tyouwritetome？’saidTroytothewoman，inastrangelygentle，yethurriedvoice，asheliftedherup。
`Ifearedto。’
`Haveyouanymoney？’
`None。’
`GoodHeavens-IwishIhadmoretogiveyou！Here’s-wretched-themeresttrifle。ItiseveryfarthingIhaveleft。Ihavenonebutwhatmywifegivesme，youknow，andIcan’taskhernow。’
Thewomanmadenoanswer。
`Ihaveonlyanothermoment，’continuedTroy；`andnowlisten。Whereareyougoingto-night？CasterbridgeUnions’
`Yes；Ithoughttogothere。’
`Youshan’tgothere；yet，wait。Yes，perhapsfortonight；Icandonothingbetter-worseluck！Sleepthereto-night，andstaythereto-morrow。
MondayisthefirstfreedayIhave；andonMondaymorning，attenexactly，meetmeonGrey’sBridge，justoutofthetown。I’llbringallthemoneyIcanmuster。Youshan’twant-I’llseethat，Fanny；thenI’llgetyoualodgingsomewhere。Good-byetillthen。Iamabrute-butgood-bye！’
Afteradvancingthedistancewhichcompletedtheascentofthehill，Bathshebaturnedherhead。Thewomanwasuponherfeet，andBathshebasawherwithdrawingfromTroy，andgoingfeeblydownthehillbythethirdmilestonefromCasterbridge。Troythencameontowardshiswife，steppedintothegig，tookthereinsfromherhand，andwithoutmakinganyobservationwhippedthehorseintoatrot。Hewasratheragitated。
`Doyouknowwhothatwomanwas？’saidBathsheba，lookingsearchinglyintohisface。
`Ido，’hesaid，lookingboldlybackintohers。
`Ithoughtyoudid，’saidshe，withangryhauteur，andstillregardinghim。`Whoisshe？’
Hesuddenlyseemedtothinkthatfranknesswouldbenefitneitherofthewomen。
`Nothingtoeitherofus，’hesaid。`Iknowherbysight。’
`Whatishername？’
`HowshouldIknowhername？’
`Ithinkyoudo。’
`Thinkifyouwill，andbe——’ThesentencewascompletedbyasmartcutofthewhiproundPoppet’sflank，whichcausedtheanimaltostartforwardatawildpace。Nomorewassaid。
CHAPTERFORTYOnCasterbridgeHighwayForaconsiderabletimethewomanwalkedon。Herstepsbecamefeebler，andshestrainedhereyestolookafaruponthenakedroad，nowindistinctamidthepenumbræ；ofnight。Atlengthheronwardwalkdwindledtothemeresttotter，andsheopenedagatewithinwhichwasahaystack。Underneaththisshesatdownandpresentlyslept。
Whenthewomanawokeitwastofindherselfinthedepthsofamoonlessandstarlessnight。Aheavyunbrokencrustofcloudstretchedacrossthesky，shuttingouteveryspeckofheaven；andadistanthalowhichhungoverthetownofCasterbridgewasvisibleagainsttheblackconcave，theluminosityappearingthebrighterbyitsgreatcontrastwiththecircumscribingdarkness。Towardsthisweak，softglowthewomanturnedhereyes。
`IfIcouldonlygetthere！’shesaid。`Meethimthedayafterto-morrow：
Godhelpme！PerhapsIshallbeinmygravebeforethen。’
Amanor-houseclockfromthefardepthsofshadowstruckthehour，one，inasmall，attenuatedtone。Aftermidnightthevoiceofaclockseemstoloseinbreadthasmuchasinlength，andtodiminishitssonorousnesstoathinfalsetto。
Afterwardsalight-twolights-arosefromtheremoteshade，andgrewlarger。Acarriagerolledalongtheroad，andpassedthegate。Itprobablycontainedsomelatediners-out。Thebeamsfromonelampshoneforamomentuponthecrouchingwoman，andthrewherfaceintovividrelief。Thefacewasyounginthegroundwork，oldinthefinish；thegeneralcontourswereflexuousandchildlike，butthefinerlineamentshadbeguntobesharpandthin。
Thepedestrianstoodup，apparentlywithareviveddetermination，andlookedaround。Theroadappearedtobefamiliartoher，andshecarefullyscannedthefenceassheslowlywalkedalong。Presentlytherebecamevisibleadimwhiteshape；itwasanothermilestone。Shedrewherfingersacrossitsfacetofeelthemarks。
`Twomore！’shesaid。
Sheleantagainstthestoneasameansofrestforashortinterval，thenbestirredherself，andagainpursuedherway。Foraslightdistancesheboreupbravely，afterwardsflaggingasbefore。Thiswasbesidealonecopsewood，whereinheapsofwhitechipsstrewnupontheleafygroundshowedthatwoodmenhadbeenfaggotingandmakinghurdlesduringtheday。Nowtherewasnotarustle，notabreeze，notthefaintestclashoftwigstokeephercompany。Thewomanlookedoverthegate，openedit，andwentin。
Closetotheentrancestoodarowoffaggots，boundandunbound，togetherwithstakesofallsizes。
Forafewsecondsthewayfarerstoodwiththattensestillnesswhichsignifiesitselftobenottheend，butmerelythesuspension，ofapreviousmotion。Herattitudewasthatofapersonwholistens，eithertotheexternalworldofsound，ortotheimagineddiscourseofthought。Aclosecriticismmighthavedetectedsignsprovingthatshewasintentonthelatteralternative。
Moreover，aswasshownbywhatfollowed，shewasoddlyexercisingthefacultyofinventionuponthespecialityofthecleverJacquetDroz，thedesignerofautomaticsubstitutesforhumanlimbs。
BytheaidoftheCasterbridgeaurora，andbyfeelingwithherhands，thewomanselectedtwosticksfromtheheaps。Thesestickswerenearlystraighttotheheightofthreeorfourfeet，whereeachbranchedintoa，forkliketheletterY。Shesatdown，snappedoffthesmalluppertwigs，andcarriedtheremainderwithherintotheroad。Sheplacedoneoftheseforksundereacharmasacrutch，testedthem，timidlythrewherwholeweightuponthem-solittlethatitwas-andswungherselfforward。Thegirlhadmadeforherselfamaterialaid。
Thecrutchesansweredwell。Thepatofherfeet，andthetapofhersticksuponthehighway，wereallthesoundsthatcamefromthetravellernow。Shehadpassedthelastmilestonebyagoodlongdistance，andbegantolookwistfullytowardsthebankasifcalculatinguponanothermilestonesoon。Thecrutches，thoughsoveryuseful，hadtheirlimitsofpower。Mechanismonlytransferslabour，beingpowerlesstosupersedeit，andtheoriginalamountofexertionwasnotclearedaway；itwasthrownintothebodyandarms。Shewasexhausted，andeachswingforwardbecamefainter。Atlastsheswayedsideways，andfell。
Hereshelay，ashapelessheap，fortenminutesandmore。Themorningwindbegantoboomdullyovertheflats，andtomoveafreshdeadleaveswhichhadlainstillsinceyesterday。Thewomandesperatelyturnedrounduponherknees，andnextrosetoherfeet。Steadyingherselfbythehelpofonecrutch，sheessayedastep，thenanother，thenathird，usingthecrutchesnowaswalking-sticksonly。ThussheprogressedtilldescendingMellstockHillanothermilestoneappeared，andsoonthebeginningofaniron-railedfencecameintoview。Shestaggeredacrosstothefirstpost，clungtoit，andlookedaround。
TheCasterbridgelightswerenowindividuallyvisible。Itwasgettingtowardsmorning，andvehiclesmightbehopedfor，ifnotexpectedsoon。
Shelistened。Therewasnotasoundoflifesavethatacmeandsublimationofalldismalsounds，thebarkofafox，itsthreehollownotesbeingrenderedatintervalsofaminutewiththeprecisionofafuneralbell。
`Lessthanamile！’thewomanmurmured。`No；more，’sheadded，afterapause。`Themileistothecounty-hall，andmyresting-placeisontheothersideCasterbridge。Alittleoveramile，andthereIam！’Afteranintervalsheagainspoke。`Fiveorsixstepstoayard-sixperhaps。I
havetogoseventeenhundredyards。Ahundredtimessix，Fixhundred。Seventeentimesthat。Opityme，Lord！’
Holdingtotherails，sheadvanced，thrustingonehandforwardupontherail，thentheother，thenleaningoveritwhilstshedraggedherfeetonbeneath。
Thiswomanwasnotgiventosoliloquy；butextremityoffeelinglessenstheindividualityoftheweak，asitincreasesthatofthestrong。Shesaidagaininthesametone，`I’llbelievethattheendliesfivepostsforward，andnofurther，andsogetstrengthtopassthem’
Thiswasapracticalapplicationoftheprinciplethatahalf-feignedandfictitiousfaithisbetterthannofaithatall。
Shepassedfivepostsandheldontothefifth。
`I’llpassfivemorebybelievingmylonged-forspotisatthenextfifth。Icandoit。’
Shepassedfivemore。
`Itliesonlyfivefarther。’
Shepassedfivemore。
`Butitisfivefarther。’
Shepassedthem。
`Thatstonebridgeistheendofmyjourney，’shesaid，whenthebridgeovertheFroomwasinview。
Shecrawledtothebridge。Duringtheefforteachbreathofthewomanwentintotheairasifnevertoreturnagain。
`Nowforthetruthofthematter，’shesaid，sittingdown。`Thetruthis，thatIhavelessthanhalfamile。’Self-beguilementwithwhatshehadknownallthetimetobefalsehadgivenherstrengthtocomeoverhalfamilethatshewouldhavebeenpowerlesstofaceinthelump。Theartificeshowedthatthewoman，bysomemysteriousintuition，hadgraspedtheparadoxicaltruththatblindnessmayoperatemorevigorouslythanprescience，andtheshort-sightedeffectmorethanthefar-seeing；thatlimitation，andnotcomprehensiveness，isneededforstrikingablow。
Thehalf-milestoodnowbeforethesickandwearywomanlikeastolidJuggernaut。ItwasanimpassiveKingofherworld。TheroadhereranacrossDurnoverMoor，opentotheroadoneitherside。Shesurveyedthewidespace，thelights，herself，sighed，andlaydownagainstaguardstoneofthebridge。
Neverwasingenuityexercisedsosorelyasthetravellerhereexercisedhers。Everyconceivableaid，method，stratagem，mechanism，bywhichtheselastdesperateeighthundredyardscouldbeoverpassedbyahumanbeingunperceived，wasrevolvedinherbusybrain，anddismissedasimpracticable。
Shethoughtofsticks，wheels，crawling-sheeventhoughtofrolling。
Buttheexertiondemandedbyeitheroftheselattertwowasgreaterthantowalkerect。Thefacultyofcontrivancewaswornout。Hopelessnesshadcomeatlast。
`Nofarther！’shewhispered，andclosedhereyes。
Fromthestripeofshadowontheoppositesideofthebridgeaportionofshadeseemedtodetachitselfandmoveintoisolationuponthepalewhiteoftheroad。Itglidednoiselesslytowardstherecumbentwoman。
Shebecameconsciousofsomethingtouchingherhand；itwassoftnessanditwaswarmth。Sheopenedhereyes，andthesubstancetouchedherface。
Adogwaslickinghercheek。
Hewasahuge，heavy，andquietcreature，standingdarklyagainstthelowhorizon，andatleasttwofeethigherthanthepresentpositionofhereyes。WhetherNewfoundland，mastiffbloodhound，orwhatnot，itwasimpossibletosay。Heseemedtobeoftoostrangeandmysteriousanaturetobelongtoanyvarietyamongthoseofpopularnomenclature。Beingthusassignabletonobreed，hewastheidealembodimentofcaninegreatness-ageneralizationfromwhatwascommontoall。Night，initssad，solemn，andbenevolentaspect，apartfromitsstealthyandcruelside，waspersonifiedinthisform。Darknessendowsthesmallandordinaryonesamongmankindwithpoeticalpower，andeventhesufferingwomanthrewherideaintofigure。
Inherrecliningpositionshelookeduptohimjustasinearliertimesshehad，whenstanding，lookeduptoman。Theanimal，whowasashomelessasshe，respectfullywithdrewasteportwowhenthewomanmoved，and，seeingthatshedidnotrepulsehim，helickedherhandagain。
Athoughtmovedwithinherlikelightning。`PerhapsIcanmakeuseofhim-Imightdoitthen！’
ShepointedinthedirectionofCasterbridge，andthedogseemedtomisunderstand：hetrottedon。Then，findingshecouldnotfollow，hecamebackandwhined。
Theultimateandsaddestsingularityofwoman’seffortandinventionwasreachedwhen，withaquickenedbreathing，sherosetoastoopingposture，and，restinghertwolittlearmsupontheshouldersofthedog，leantfirmlythereon，andmurmuredstimulatingwords。Whilstshesorrowedinherheartshecheeredwithhervoice，andwhatwasstrangerthanthatthestrongshouldneedencouragementfromtheweakwasthatcheerfulnessshouldbesowellstimulatedbysuchutterdejection。Herfriendmovedforwardslowly，andshewithsmallmincingstepsmovedforwardbesidehim，halfherweightbeingthrownupontheanimal。Sometimesshesankasshehadsunkfromwalkingerect，fromthecrutches，fromtherails。Thedog，whonowthoroughlyunderstoodherdesireandherincapacity，wasfranticinhisdistressontheseoccasions；
hewouldtugatherdressandrunforward。Shealwayscalledhimback，anditwasnowtobeobservedthatthewomanlistenedforhumansoundsonlytoavoidthem。Itwasevidentthatshehadanobjectinkeepingherpresenceontheroadandherforlornstateunknown。
Theirprogresswasnecessarilyveryslow。Theyreachedthebottomofthetown，andtheCasterbridgelampslaybeforethemlikefallenPleiadsastheyturnedtotheleftintothedenseshadeofadesertedavenueofchestnuts，andsoskirtedtheborough。Thusthetownwaspassed，andthegoalwasreached。
Onthismuch-desiredspotoutsidethetownroseapicturesquebuilding。
Originallyithadbeenamerecasetoholdpeople。Theshellhadbeensothin，sodevoidofexcrescence，andsocloselydrawnovertheaccommodationgranted，thatthegrimcharacterofwhatwasbeneathshowedthroughit，astheshapeofabodyisvisibleunderawinding-sheet。
ThenNature，asifoffended，lentahand。Massesofivygrewup，completelycoveringthewalls，tilltheplacelookedlikeanabbey；anditwasdiscoveredthattheviewfromthefront，overtheCasterbridgechimneys，wasoneofthemostmagnificentinthecounty。Aneighbouringearloncesaidthathewouldgiveupayear’srentaltohaveathisowndoortheviewenjoyedbytheinmatesfromtheirs-andveryprobablytheinmateswouldhavegivenuptheviewforhisyear’srental。
Thisstoneedificeconsistedofacentralmassandtwowings，whereonstoodassentinelsafewslimchimneys，nowgurglingsorrowfullytotheslowwind。Inthewallwasagate，andbythegateabell-pullformedofahangingwire。Thewomanraisedherselfashighaspossibleuponherknees，andcouldjustreachthehandle。Shemoveditandfellforwardsinabowedattitude，herfaceuponherbosom。
Itwasgettingontowardssixo’clock，andsoundsofmovementweretobeheardinsidethebuildingwhichwasthehavenofresttothisweariedsoul。Alittledoorbythelargeonewasopened，andamanappearedinside。
Hediscernedthepantingheapofclothes，wentbackforalight，andcameagain。Heenteredasecondtime，andreturnedwithtwowomen。
Theseliftedtheprostratefigureandassistedherinthroughthedoorway。
Themanthenclosedthedoor。
`Howdidshegethere？’saidoneofthewomen。
`Thelordknows，’saidtheother。
`Thereisadogoutside，’murmuredtheovercometraveller。`Whereishegone？Hehelpedme。’
`Istonedhimaway，’saidtheman。
Thelittleprocessionthenmovedforward-themaninfrontbearingthelight，thetwobonywomennext，supportingbetweenthemthesmallandsuppleone。Thustheyenteredthehouseanddisappeared。
CHAPTERFORTY-ONESuspicion-FannyissentforBathshebasaidverylittletoherhusbandallthateveningoftheirreturnfrommarket，andhewasnotdisposedtosaymuchtoher。Heexhibitedtheunpleasantcombinationofarestlessconditionwithasilenttongue。Thenextday，whichwasSunday，passednearlyinthesamemannerasregardedtheirtaciturnity，Bathshebagoingtochurchbothmorningandafternoon。
ThiswasthedaybeforetheBudmouthraces。IntheeveningTroysaid，suddenly——
`Bathsheba，couldyouletmehavetwentypounds？’
Hercountenanceinstantlysank。`Twentypounds？’shesaid。
`Thefactis，Iwantitbadly。’TheanxietyuponTroy’sfacewasunusualandverymarked。Itwasaculminationofthemoodhehadbeeninalltheday。
`Ah！forthoseracesto-morrow。’
Troyforthemomentmadenoreply。Hermistakehaditsadvantagestoamanwhoshrankfromhavinghismindinspectedashedidnow。`Well，supposeIdowantitforraces？’hesaid，atlast。
`O，Frank！’Bathshebareplied，andtherewassuchavolumeofentreatyinthewords。`OnlysuchafewweeksagoyousaidthatIwasfarsweeterthanallyourotherpleasuresputtogether，andthatyouwouldgivethemallupforme；andnow，won’tyougiveupthisone，whichismoreaworrythanapleasure？Do，Frank。Come，letmefascinateyoubyallIcando-byprettywordsandprettylooks，andeverythingIcanthinkof-tostayathome。Sayyestoyourwife-sayyes！’
ThetenderestandsoftestphasesofBathsheba’snaturewereprominentnow-advancedimpulsivelyforhisacceptance，withoutanyofthedisguisesanddefenceswhichthewarinessofhercharacterwhenshewascooltoofrequentlythrewoverthem。Fewmencouldhaveresistedthearchyetdignifiedentreatyofthebeautifulface，thrownalittlebackandsidewaysinthewell-knownattitudethatexpressesmorethanthewordsitaccompanies，andwhichseemstohavebeendesignedforthesespecialoccasions。Hadthewomannotbeenhiswife，Troywouldhavesuccumbedinstantly；asitwas，hethoughthewouldnotdeceiveherlonger。
`Themoneyisnotwantedforracingdebtsatall，’hesaid。
`Whatisitfor？’sheasked。`Youworrymeagreatdealbythesemysteriousresponsibilities，Frank。’
Troyhesitated。Hedidnotnowloveherenoughtoallowhimselftobecarriedtoofarbyherways。Yetitwasnecessarytobecivil。`Youwrongmebysuchasuspiciousmanner，hesaid。`Suchstrait-waistcoatingasyoutreatmetoisnotbecominginyouatsoearlyadate。’
`IthinkthatIhavearighttogrumblealittleifIpay，’shesaidwithfeaturesbetweenasmileandapout。
`Exactly；and，theformerbeingdone，supposeweproceedtothelatter。
Bathsheba，funisallverywell，butdon’tgotoofar，oryoumayhavecausetoregretsomething。’
Shereddened。`Idothatalready，’shesaidquickly。`Whatdoyouregret？’
`Thatmyromancehascometoanend。’
`Allromancesendatmarriage。’
`Iwishyouwouldn’ttalklikethat。Yougrievemetomysoulbybeingsmartatmyexpense。
`Youaredullenoughatmine。Ibelieveyouhateme。’
`Notyou-onlyyourfaults。Idohatethem。’
`’Twouldbemuchmorebecomingifyousetyourselftocurethem。Come，let’sstrikeabalancewiththetwentypounds，andbefriends。’
Shegaveasighofresignation。`Ihaveaboutthatsumhereforhouseholdexpenses。Ifyoumusthaveit，takeit。’
`Verygood。Thankyou。IexpectIshallhavegoneawaybeforeyouareintobreakfasttomorrow。
`Andmustyougo？Ah！therewasatime，Frank，whenitwouldhavetakenagoodmanypromisestootherpeopletodragyouawayfromme。Youusedtocallmedarling，then。Butitdoesn’tmattertoyouhowmydaysarepassednow。’
`Imustgo，inspiteofsentiment。’Troy，ashespoke，lookedathiswatch，and，apparentlyactuatedbynonlucendoprinciples，openedthecaseattheback，revealing，snuglystowedwithinit，asmallcoilofhair。
Bathsheba’seyeshadbeenaccidentallyliftedatthatmoment，andshesawtheactionandsawthehair。Sheflushedinpainandsurprise，andsomewordsescapedherbeforeshehadthoughtwhetherornotitwaswisetoutterthem。`Awoman’scurlofhair！’shesaid。`O，Frank，whoseisthat？’
Troyhadinstantlyclosedhiswatch。Hecarelesslyreplied，asonewhocloakedsomefeelingsthatthesighthadstirred：`Why，yours，ofcourse。
Whoseshoulditbe？IhadquiteforgottenthatIhadit。’
`Whatadreadfulfib，Frank！’
`ItellyouIhadforgottenit！’hesaidloudly。
`Idon’tmeanthat-itwasyellowhair。’
`Nonsense。’
`That’sinsultingme。Iknowitwasyellow。Nowwhosewasit？Iwanttoknow。’
`Verywell-I’lltellyou，somakenomoreado。ItisthehairofayoungwomanIwasgoingtomarrybeforeIknewyou。’
`Yououghttotellmehername，then。’
`Icannotdothat。’
`Isshemarriedyet？’
`No。’
`Isshealive？’
`Yes。’
`Isshepretty？’
`Yes。’
`Itiswonderfulhowshecanbe，poorthing，undersuchanawfulaffliction！’
`Affliction-whataffliction？’heinquiredquickly。
`Havinghairofthatdreadfulcolour。’
`Oh-ho-Ilikethat！’saidTroy，recoveringhimself。`Why，herhairhasbeenadmiredbyeverybodywhohasseenhersinceshehaswornitloose，whichhasnotbeenlong。Itisbeautifulhair。Peopleusedtoturntheirheadstolookatit，poorgirl！’
`Pooh！that’snothing！’sheexclaimed，inincipientaccentsofpique。
`IfIcaredforyourloveasmuchasIusedtoIcouldsaypeoplehadturnedtolookatmine。’
`Bathsheba，don’tbesofitfulandjealous。Youknewwhatmarriedlifewouldbelike，andshouldn’thaveentereditifyoufearedthesecontingencies。’
Troyhadbythistimedrivenhertobitterness：herheartwasbiginherthroat，andtheductstohereyeswerepainfullyfull。Ashamedasshewastoshowemotion，atlastsheburstout：——
`ThisisallIgetforlovingyousowell！Ah！whenImarriedyouyourlifewasdearertomethanmyown。Iwouldhavediedforyou-howtrulyIcansaythatIwouldhavediedforyou！Andnowyousneeratmyfoolishnessinmarryingyou。O！isitkindtometothrowmymistakeinmyface？Whateveropinionyoumayhaveofmywisdom，youshouldnottellmeofitsomercilessly，nowthatIaminyourpower。’
`Ican’thelphowthingsfallout，’saidTroy；`uponmyheart，womenwillbethedeathofme！’
`Well，youshouldn’tkeeppeople’shair。You’llburnit，won’tyou，Frank？’
Frankwentonasifhehadnotheardher。`Thereareconsiderationsevenbeforemyconsiderationforyou；reparationstobemade-tiesyouknownothingof。Ifyourepentofmarrying，sodoI。’
Tremblingnow，sheputherhanduponhisarm，saying，inmingledtonesofwretchednessandcoaxing，`Ionlyrepentitifyoudon’tlovemebetterthananywomanintheworld！Idon’totherwise，Frank。Youdon’trepentbecauseyoualreadylovesomebodybetterthanyouloveme，doyou？’
`Idon’tknow。Whydoyousaythat？’
`Youwon’tburnthatcurl。Youlikethewomanwhoownsthatprettyhair-yes；itispretty-morebeautifulthanmymiserableblackmane！Well，itisnouse；Ican’thelpbeingugly。Youmustlikeherbest，ifyouwill！’
`Untilto-day，whenItookitfromadrawer，Ihaveneverlookeduponthatbitofhairforseveralmonths-thatIamreadytoswear。’
`Butjustnowyousaid“ties“；andthen-thatwomanwemet？’
`’Twasthemeetingwithherthatremindedmeofthehair。’
`Isithers，then？’
`Yes。There，nowthatyouhavewormeditoutofme，Ihopeyouarecontent。
`Andwhataretheties？’
`Oh！thatmeantnothing-amerejest。’
`Amerejest！’shesaid，inmournfulastonishment。`CanyoujestwhenIamsowretchedlyinearnest？Tellmethetruth，Frank。Iamnotafool，youknow，althoughIamawoman，andhavemywoman’smoments。Come！treatmefairly，’shesaid，lookinghonestlyandfearlesslyintohisface。`I
don’twantmuch；barejustice-that’sall！Ah！onceIfeltIcouldbecontentwithnothinglessthanthehighesthomagefromthehusbandIshouldchoose。Now，anythingshortofcrueltywillcontentme。Yes！theindependentandspiritedBathshebaiscometothis！’
`ForHeaven’ssakedon’tbesodesperate！’Troysaidsnappishly，risingashedidso，andleavingtheroom。
Directlyhehadgone，Bathshebaburstintogreatsobs-dry-eyedsobs，whichcutastheycame，withoutanysofteningbytears。Butshedeterminedtorepressallevidencesoffeeling。Shewasconquered；butshewouldneverownitaslongasshelived。Herpridewasindeedbroughtlowbydespairingdiscoveriesofherspoliationbymarriagewithaledpurenaturethanherown。Shechafedtoandfroinrebelliousness，likeacagedleopard；herwholesoulwasinarms，andthebloodfiredherface。UntilshehadmetTroy，Bathshebahadbeenproudofherpositionasawoman；ithadbeenaglorytohertoknowthatherlipshadbeentouchedbynoman’sonearth-thatherwaisthadneverbeenencircledbyalover’sarm。Shehatedherselfnow。Inthoseearlierdaysshehadalwaysnourishedasecretcontemptforgirlswhoweretheslavesofthefirstgood-lookingyoungfellowwhoshouldchoosetosalutethem。Shehadnevertakenkindlytotheideaofmarriageintheabstractasdidthemajorityofwomenshesawabouther。Intheturmoilofheranxietyforherlovershehadagreedtomarryhim；buttheperceptionthathadaccompaniedherhappiesthoursonthisaccountwasratherthatofselfsacrificethanofpromotionandhonour。Althoughshescarcelyknewthedivinity’sname，DianawasthegoddesswhomBathshebainstinctivelyadored。Thatshehadnever，bylook，word，orsign，encouragedamantoapproachher-thatshehadfeltherselfsufficienttoherself，andhadintheindependenceofhergirlishheartfanciedtherewasacertaindegradationinrenouncingthesimplicityofamaidenexistencetobecomethehumblerhalfofanindifferentmatrimonialwhole-werefactsnowbitterlyremembered。O，ifshehadneverstoopedtofollyofthiskind，respectableasitwas，andcouldonlystandagain，asshehadstoodonthehillatNorcombe，anddareTroyoranyothermantopolluteahairofherheadbyhisinterference！
Thenextmorningsheroseearlierthanusual，andhadthehorsesaddledforherrideroundthefarminthecustomaryway。Whenshecameinathalf-pasteight-theirusualhourforbreakfasting-shewasinformedthatherhusbandhadrisen，takenhisbreakfast，anddrivenofftoCasterbridgewiththegigandPoppet。
Afterbreakfastshewascoolandcollected-quiteherselfinfactandsherambledtothegate，intendingtowalktoanotherquarterofthefarm，whichshestillpersonallysuperintendedaswellasherdutiesinthehousewouldpermit，continually，however，findingherselfprecededinforethoughtbyGabrielOak，forwhomshebegantoentertainthegenuinefriendshipofasister。Ofcourse，shesometimesthoughtofhiminthelightofanoldlover，andhadmomentaryimaginingsofwhatlifewithhimasahusbandwouldhavebeenlike；alsooflifewithBoldwoodunderthesameconditions。
ButBathsheba，thoughshecouldfeel，wasnotmuchgiventofutiledreaming，andhermusingsunderthisheadwereshortandentirelyconfinedtothetimeswhenTroy’sneglectwasmorethanordinarilyevident。
ShesawcominguptheroadamanlikeMrBoldwood。ItwasMrBoldwood。
Bathshebablushedpainfully，andwatched。Thefarmerstoppedwhenstillalongwayoff，andhelduphishandtoGabrielOak，whowasinafootpathacrossthefield。Thetwomenthenapproachedeachotherandseemedtoengageinearnestconversation。
Thustheycontinuedforalongtime。JosephPoorgrassnowpassednearthem，wheelingabarrowofapplesupthehilltoBathsheba’sresidence。
BoldwoodandGabrielcalledtohim，spoketohimforafewminutes，andthenallthreeparted，Josephimmediatelycomingupthehillwithhisbarrow。
Bathsheba，whohadseenthispantomimewithsomesurprise，experiencedgreatreliefwhenBoldwoodturnedbackagain。`Well，what’sthemessage，Joseph？’shesaid。
Hesetdownhisbarrow，and，puttinguponhimselftherefinedaspectthataconversationwithaladyrequired，spoketoBathshebaoverthegate。
`You’llneverseeFannyRobinnomore-usenorprincipal-ma’am。’
`Why？’
`Becauseshe’sdeadintheUnion。`Fannydead-never！’
`Yes，ma’am。’
`Whatdidshediefrom？’
`Idon’tknowforcertain；butIshouldbeinclinedtothinkitwasfromgeneralneshnessofconstitution。Shewassuchalimbermaidthat’acouldstandnohardship，evenwhenIknowedher，and’awentlikeacandle-snoff，so’tissaid。Shewastookbadinthemorning，and，beingquitefeebleandwornout，shediedintheevening。Shebelongsbylawtoourparish；andMrBoldwoodisgoingtosendawaggonatthreethisafternoontofetchherhomehereandburyher。’
`IndeedIshallnotletMrBoldwooddoanysuchthing-Ishalldoit！
Fannywasmyuncle’sservant，and，althoughIonlyknewherforacoupleofdays，shebelongstome。Howvery，verysadthisis！-theideaofFannybeinginaworkhouse。’Bathshebahadbeguntoknowwhatsufferingwas，andshespokewithrealfeeling……`SendacrosstoMrBoldwood’s，andsaythatMrsTroywilltakeuponherselfthedutyoffetchinganoldservantofthefamily。Weoughtnottoputherinawaggon；we’llgetahearse。’
`Therewillhardlybetime，ma’am，willthere？’
`Perhapsnot，’shesaid，musingly。`Whendidyousaywemustbeatthedoor-threeo’clock？’
`Threeo’clockthisafternoon，ma’am，sotospeakit。’
`Verywell-yougowithit。Aprettywaggonisbetterthananuglyhearse，afterall。Joseph，havethenewspringwaggonwiththebluebodyandredwheels，andwashitveryclean。And，Joseph——’
`Yes，ma’am。’
`Carrywithyousomeevergreensandflowerstoputuponhercoffin-
indeed，gatheragreatmany，andcompletelyburyherinthem。Getsomeboughsoflaurustinus，andvariegatedbox，andyew，andboy’s-love；ay，andsomebunchesofchrysanthemum。AndletoldPleasantdrawher，becausesheknewhimsowell。’
`Iwill，ma’am。IoughttohavesaidthattheUnion，intheformoffourlabouringmen，willmeetmewhenIgetstoourchurchyardgate，andtakeherandburyheraccordingtotheritesoftheBoardofGuardians，asbylawordained。’
`Dearme-CasterbridgeUnion-andisFannycometothis？’saidBathsheba，musing。`IwishIhadknownofitsooner。Ithoughtshewasfaraway。Howlonghasshelivedthere？’
`On’ybeenthereadayortwo。’
`Oh！-thenshehasnotbeenstayingthereasaregularinmate？’
`No。Shefirstwenttoliveinagarrison-townt’othersideo’Wessex，andsincethenshe’sbeenpickingupalivingatseampsteringinMelchesterforseveralmonths，atthehouseofaveryrespectablewidow-womanwhotakesinworkofthatsort。SheonlygothandytheUnion-houseonSundaymorning’ab’lieve，and’tissupposedhereandtherethatshehadtraipsedeverystepofthewayfromMelchester。WhysheleftherplaceIcan’tsay，forIdon’tknow；andastoalie，why，Iwouldn’ttellit。That’stheshortofthestory，ma’am。’
`Ah-h！’
Nogemeverflashedfromarosyraytoawhiteonemorerapidlythanchangedtheyoungwife’scountenancewhilstthiswordcamefromherinalong-drawnbreath。`Didshewalkalongourturnpike-road？’shesaid，inasuddenlyrestlessandeagervoice。
`Ibelieveshedid……Ma’am，shallIcallLiddy？Youbain’twell，ma’am，surely？Youlooklikealily-sopaleandfainty！’
`No；don’tcallher；itisnothing。WhendidshepassWeatherbury？’
`LastSaturdaynight。’
`Thatwilldo，Joseph；nowyoumaygo。’
`Certainly，ma’am。’
`Joseph，comehitheramoment。WhatwasthecolourofFannyRobin’shair？’
`Really，mistress，nowthat’tisputtomesojudge-and-jurylike，I
can’tcalltomind，ifye’llbelieveme！’
`Nevermind；goonanddowhatItoldyou。Stop-well，no，goon。’
Sheturnedherselfawayfromhim，thathemightnolongernoticethemoodwhichhadsetitssignsovisiblyuponher，andwentindoorswithadistressingsenseoffaintnessandabeatingbrow。Aboutanhourafter，sheheardthenoiseofthewaggonandwentout，stillwithapainfulconsciousnessofherbewilderedandtroubledlook’Joseph，dressedinhisbestsuitofclothes，wasputtinginthehorsetostart。Theshrubsandflowerswereallpiledinthewaggon，asshehaddirected。Bathshebahardlysawthemnow。
`Whosesweetheartdidyousay，Joseph？’
`Idon’tknow，ma’am。’
`Areyouquitesure？’
`Yes，ma’am，quitesure。’
`Sureofwhat？’
`I’msurethatallIknowisthatshearrivedinthemorninganddiedintheeveningwithoutfartherparley。WhatOakandMrBoldwoodtoldmewasonlythesefewwords“LittleFannyRobinisdead，Joseph。”Gabrielsaid，lookinginmyfaceinhissteadyoldway。Iwasverysorry，andI
said，“Ah！-andhowdidshecometodie？““Well，she’sdeadinCasterbridgeUnion。”hesaid；“andperhaps’tisn’tmuchmatterabouthowshecametodie。ShereachedtheUnionearlySundaymorning，anddiedintheafternoon-that’sclearenough。”ThenIaskedwhatshe’dbeendoinglately，andMrBoldwoodturnedroundtomethen，andleftoffspittingathistlewiththeendofhisstick。HetoldmeaboutherhavinglivedbyseampsteringinMelchester，asImentionedtoyou，andthatshewalkedtherefromattheendoflastweek，passingnearhereSaturdaynightinthedusk。TheythensaidIhadbetterjustnameahentofherdeathtoyou，andawaytheywent。Herdeathmighthavebeenbroughtonbybidinginthenightwind，youknow，ma’am；forpeopleusedtosayshe’dgooffinadecline：sheusedtocoughagooddealinwintertime。However，’tisn’tmuchoddstousaboutthatnow，for’tisallover。’
`Haveyouheardadifferentstoryatall？’ShelookedathimsointentlythatJoseph’seyesquailed。
`Notaword，mistress，Iassure’ee！’hesaid。`Hardlyanybodyintheparishknowsthenewsyet。’
`IwonderwhyGabrieldidn’tbringthemessagetomehimself。Hemostlymakesapointofseeingmeuponthemosttriflingerrand。’Thesewordsweremerelymurmured，andshewaslookingupontheground。
`Perhapshewasbusy，ma’am，’Josephsuggested。`Andsometimesheseemstosufferfromthingsuponhismind，connectedwiththetimewhenhewasbetteroffthan’aisnow。’A’sratheracuriousitem，butaveryunderstandingshepherd，andlearnedinbooks。’
`Didanythingseemuponhismindwhilsthewasspeakingtoyouaboutthis？’
`Icannotbutsaythattheredid，ma’am。Hewasterribledown，andsowasFarmerBoldwood。’
`Thankyou，Joseph。Thatwilldo。Goonnow，oryou’llbelate。’