Bathsheba，stillunhappy，wentindoorsagain。InthecourseoftheafternoonshesaidtoLiddy，whohadbeeninformedoftheoccurrence，`WhatwasthecolourofpoorFannyRobin’shair？Doyouknow？Icannotrecollect-I
onlysawherforadayortwo。’
`Itwaslight，ma’am；butsheworeitrathershort，addpackedawayunderhercap，sothatyouwouldhardlynoticeit。ButIhaveseenherletitdownwhenshewasgoingtobed，anditlookedbeautifulthen。Realgoldenhair。’
`Heryoungmanwasasoldier，washenot？’
`Yes。InthesameregimentasMrTroy。Hesaysheknewhimverywell。’
`What，MrTroysaysso？Howcamehetosaythat？’
`OnedayIjustnamedittohim，andaskedhimifheknewFanny’syoungman。Hesaid，“Oyes，heknewtheyoungmanaswellasheknewhimself，andthattherewasn’tamanintheregimenthelikedbetter。”’
`Ah！Saidthat，didhe？’
`Yes；andhesaidtherewasastronglikenessbetweenhimselfandtheotheryoungman，sothatsometimespeoplemistookthem——’
`Liddy，forHeaven’ssakestopyourtalking！’saidBathsheba，withthenervouspetulancethatcomesfromworryingperceptions。
CHAPTERFORTY-TWOJosephandhisBurden-Buck’sHeadAwallboundedthesiteofCasterbridgeUnion-house，exceptalongaportionoftheend。Hereahighgablestoodprominent，anditwascoveredlikethefrontwithamastofivy。Inthisgablewasnowindow，chimney，ornament，orprotuberanceofanykind。Thesinglefeatureappertainingtoit，beyondtheexpanseofdarkgreenleaves，wasasmalldoor。
Thesituationofthedoorwaspeculiar。Thesillwasthreeorfourfeetabovetheground，andforamomentonewasatalossforanexplanationofthisexceptionalaltitude，tillrutsimmediatelybeneathsuggestedthatthedoorwasusedsolelyforthepassageofarticlesandpersonstoandfromthelevelofavehiclestandingontheoutside。Uponthewhole，thedoorseemedtoadvertiseitselfasaspeciesofTraitor’sGatetranslatedtoanothersphere。Thatentryandexitherebywasonlyatrareintervalsbecameapparentonnotingthattuftsofgrasswereallowedtoflourishundisturbedinthechinksofthesill。
AstheclockovertheSouth-streetAlms-housepointedtofiveminutestothree，abluespringwaggon，pickedoutwithred，andcontainingboughsandflowers，passedtheendofthestreet，anduptowardsthissideofthebuilding。Whilstthechimeswereyetstammeringoutashatteredformof`Malbrook’，JosephPoorgrassrangthebell，andreceiveddirectionstobackhiswaggonagainstthehighdoorunderthegable。Thedoorthenopened，andaplainelmcoffinwasslowlythrustforth，andlaidbytwomeninfustianalongthemiddleofthevehicle。
Oneofthementhensteppedupbesideit，tookfromhispocketalumpofchalk，andwroteuponthecoverthenameandafewotherwordsinalargescrawlinghand。Webelievethattheydothesethingsmoretenderlynow，andprovideaplate。Hecoveredthewholewithablackcloth，threadbare，butdecent，thetail-boardofthewaggonwasreturnedtoitsplace，oneofthemenhandedacertificateofregistrytoPoorgrass，andbothenteredthedoor，closingitbehindthem。Theirconnectionwithher，shortasithadbeen，wasoverforever。
Josephthenplacedtheflowersasenjoined，andtheevergreensaround，theflowers，tillitwasdifficulttodivinewhatthewaggoncontained；
hesmackedhiswhip，andtheratherpleasingfuneralcarcreptdownthehill，andalongtheroadtoWeatherbury。
Theafternoondrewonapace，and，lookingtotherighttowardstheseaashewalkedbesidethehorse，Poorgrasssawstrangecloudsandscrollsofmistrollingoverthelongridgeswhichgirtthelandscapeinthatquarter。
Theycameinyetgreatervolumes，andindolentlycreptacrosstheinterveningvalleys，andaroundthewitheredpaperyflagsofthemoorandriverbrinks。
Thentheirdankspongyformsclosedinuponthesky。Itwasasuddenovergrowthofatmosphericfungiwhichhadtheirrootsintheneighbouringsea，andbythetimethathorse，man，andcorpseenteredYalburyGreatWood，thesesilentworkingsofoninvisiblehandhadreachedthem，andtheywerecompletelyenveloped，thisbeingthefirstarrivaloftheautumnfogs，andthefirstfogoftheseries。
Theairwasasaneyesuddenlystruckblind。Thewaggonanditsloadrollednolongeronthehorizontaldivisionbetweenclearnessandopacity，butwereimbeddedinanelasticbodyofamonotonouspallorthroughout。
Therewasnoperceptiblemotionintheair，notavisibledropofwaterfelluponaleafofthebeeches，birches，andfirscomposingthewoodoneitherside。Thetreesstoodinanattitudeofintentness，asiftheywaitedlonginglyforawindtocomeandrockthem。Astartlingquietoverhungallsurroundingthings-socompletely，thatthecrunchingofthewaggon-wheelswasasagreatnoise，andsmallrustles，whichhadneverobtainedahearingexceptbynight，weredistinctlyindividualized。
JosephPoorgrasslookedrounduponhissadburdenasitloomedfaintlythroughthefloweringlaurustinus，thenattheunfathomablegloomamidthehightreesoneachhand，indistinct，shadowless，andspectre-likeintheirmonochromeofgrey。Hefeltanythingbutcheerful，andwishedhehadthecompanyevenofachildordog。Stoppingthehorsehelistened。
Notafootsteporwheelwasaudibleanywherearound，andthedeadsilencewasbrokenonlybyaheavyparticlefallingfromatreethroughtheevergreensandalightingwithasmarttapuponthecoffinofpoorFanny。Thefogbythistimehadsaturatedthetrees，andthiswasthefirstdroppingofwaterfromtheoverbrimmingleaves。ThehollowechoofitsfallremindedthewaggonerpainfullyofthegrimLeveller。Thenhardbycamedownanotherdrop，thentwoorthree。Presentlytherewasacontinualtappingoftheseheavydropsuponthedeadleaves，theroad，andthetravellers。Thenearerboughswerebeadedwiththemisttothegreynessofagedmen，andtherusty-redleavesofthebeecheswerehungwithsimilardrops，likediamondsonauburnhair。’
AttheroadsidehamletcalledRoy-Town，justbeyondthiswood，wastheoldinnBuck’sHead。ItwasaboutamileandahalffromWeatherbury，andinthemeridiantimesofstage-coachtravellinghadbeentheplacewheremanycoacheschangedandkepttheirrelaysofhorses。Alltheoldstablingwasnowpulleddown，andlittleremainedbesidesthehabitableinnitself，which，standingalittlewaybackfromtheroad，signifieditsexistencetopeoplefarupanddownthehighwaybyasignhangingfromthehorizontalboughofanelmontheoppositesideoftheway。
Travellers-forthevarietytouristhadhardlydevelopedintoadistinctspeciesatthisdate-sometimessaidinpassing，whentheycasttheireyesuptothesign-bearingtree，thatartistswerefondofrepresentingthesignboardhangingthus，butthattheythemselveshadneverbeforenoticedsoperfectaninstanceinactualworkingorder。ItwasnearthistreethatthewaggonwasstandingintowhichGabrielOakcreptonhisfirstjourneytoWeatherbury；but，owingtothedarkness，thesignandtheinnhadbeenunobserved。
Themannersoftheinnwereoftheold-establishedtype。Indeed，inthemidstofitsfrequenterstheyexistedasunalterableformulæ；：e。g——Rapwiththebottomofyourpintformoreliquor。
Fortobaccoshout。
Incallingforthegirlinwaiting，say，Maid！’
Dittoforthelandlady，`OldSoul！’，etc。，etc。ItwasarelieftoJoseph’sheartwhenthefriendlysignboardcameinview，and，stoppinghishorseimmediatelybeneathit，heproceededtofulfilanintentionmadealongtimebefore。Hisspiritswereoozingoutofhimquite。Heturnedthehorse’sheadtothegreenbank，andenteredthehostelforamugofale。
Goingdownintothekitchenoftheinn，thefloorofwhichwasastepbelowthepassage，whichinitsturnwasastepbelowtheroadoutside，whatshouldJosephseetogladdenhiseyesbuttwocopper-coloureddiscs，intheformofthecountenancesofMrJanCogganandMrMarkClark。Theseownersofthetwomostappreciativethroatsintheneighbourhood，withinthepaleofrespectability，werenowsittingfacetofaceoverathree-leggedcirculartable，havinganironrimtokeepcupsandpotsfrombeingaccidentallyelbowedofftheymighthavebeensaidtoresemblethesettingsunandthefillmoonshiningvis-à；-visacrosstheglobe。
`Why，’tisneighbourPoorgrass！’saidMarkClark。`I’msureyourfacedon’tpraiseyourmistress’stable，Joseph。’
`I’vehadaverypalecompanionforthelastfourmiles，’saidJoseph，indulginginashuddertoneddownbyresignation。`Andtospeakthetruth，’twasbeginningtotelluponme。Iassureye，Iha’n’tseedthecolourofvictualsordrinksincebreakfasttimethismorning，andthatwasnomorethanadew-bitafield。’
`Thendrink，Joseph，anddon’trestrainyourself’saidCoggan，handinghimahoopedmugthree-quartershill。
Josephdrankforamoderatelylongtime，thenforalongertime，saying，asheloweredthejug。`’Tisprettydrinking-veryprettydrinking，andismorethancheerfulonmymelancholyerrand，sotospeakit。’
`True，drinkisapleasantdelight，’saidJan，asonewhorepeatedatruismsofamiliartohisbrainthathehardlynoticeditspassageoverhistongue；and，liftingthecup，Coggantiltedhisheadgraduallybackwards，withclosedeyes，thathisexpectantsoulmightnotbedivertedforoneinstantfromitsblissbyirrelevantsurroundings。
`Well，Imustbeonagain，’saidPoorgrass。`NotbutthatIshouldlikeanothernipwithye；buttheparishmightloseconfidenceinmeifIwasseedhere。’
`Wherebeyetradingo’ttoto-day，then，Joseph？’
`BacktoWeatherbury。I’vegotpoorlittleFannyRobininmywaggonoutside，andImustbeatthechurchyardgatesataquartertofivewithher。’
`Ay-I’veheardofit。Andsoshe’snailedupinparishboardsafterall，andnobodytopaythebellshillingandthegravehalf-crown。’
`Theparishpaysthegravehalf-crown，butnotthebellshilling，becausethebell’saluxery：but’acanhardlydowithoutthegrave，poorbody。
However，Iexpectourmistresswillpayall。’
`AprettymaidaseverIsee！Butwhat’syerhurry，Joseph？Thepoorwoman’sdead，andyoucan’tbringhertolife，andyoumayaswellsitdowncomfortable，andfinishanotherwithus。’
`Idon’tmindtakingjusttheleastthimblefulyecandreamofmorewithye，sonnies。Butonlyafewminutes，because’tisas’tis。’
`Ofcourse，you’llhaveanotherdrop。Aman’stwicethemanafterwards。
Youfeelsowarmandglorious，andyouwhopandslapatyourworkwithoutanytrouble，andeverythinggoesonlikesticksa-breaking。Toomuchliquorisbad，andleadsustothathornedmaninthesmokyhouse；butafterallmanypeoplehaven’tthegiftofenjoyingawet，andsincewebehighlyfavouredwithapowerthatway，weshouldmakethemosto’t。’
`True，’saidMarkClark。“Tisatalentthelordhasmercifullybestoweduponus，andweoughtnottoneglectit。But，whatwiththeparsonsandclerksandschool-peopleandserioustea-parties，themerryoldwaysofgoodlifehavegonetothedogs-uponmycarcase，theyhave！’
`Well，really，Imustbeonwardagainnow，’saidJoseph。
`Now，now，Joseph；nonsense！Thepoorwomanisdead，isn’tshe，andwhat’syourhurry？’
`Well，IhopeProvidencewon’tbeinawaywithmeformydoings，’saidJoseph，againsittingdown。`I’vebeentroubledwithweakmoment’lately，’tistrue。I’vebeendrinkyoncethismonthalreadyandIdidnotgotochurcha-Sunday，andIdroppedacurseortwoyesterday；soIdon’twanttogotoofarformysafety。Yournextworldisyournextworld，andnottobesquanderedoffhand。’
`Ibelieveyetobeachapel-member，Joseph。ThatIdo。’
`Oh，no，no！Idon’tgosofarasthat。’
`Formypart，’saidCoggan，`I’mstaunchChurchofEngland。’
`Ay，andfaith，sobeI，’saidMarkClark。
`Iwon’tsaymuchformyself；Idon’twishto，’Coggancontinued，withthattendencytotalkonprincipleswhichischaracteristicofthebarley-corn。
`ButI’veneverchangedasingledoctrine：I’vestucklikeaplastertotheoldfaithIwasbornin。Yes；there’sthistobesaidfortheChurch，amancanbelongtotheChurchandbideinhischeerfuloldinn，andnevertroubleorworryhismindaboutdoctrinesatall。Buttobeameetinger，youmustgotochapelinallwindsandweathers，andmakeyerselfasfranticasaskitNotbutthatchapel-membersbecleverchapsenoughintheirway。
Theycanliftupbeautifulprayersoutoftheirownheads，allabouttheirfamiliesandshipwracksinthenewspapers。’
`Theycan-theycan，’saidMarkClark，withcorroborativefeeling；
`butweChurchmen，yousee，musthaveitallprintedaforehand，or，dangitall，weshouldnomoreknowwhattosaytoagreatgafferlikethelordthanbabesunborn。
`Chapel-folkbemorehand-in-glovewiththemabovethanwe，’saidJosephthoughtfully。
`Yes，’saidCoggan。`Weknowverywellthatifanybodydogotoheaven，theywill。They’veworkedhardforit，andtheydeservetohaveit，suchas’tis。Ibain’tsuchafoolastopretendthatwewhosticktotheChurchhavethesamechancesasthey，becauseweknowwehavenot。ButIhateafellerwho’llchangehisoldancientdoctrinesforthesakeofgettingtoheaven。I’dassoonturnking’s-evidenceforthefewpoundsyouget。
Why，neighbours，wheneveryoneofmytatieswerefrosted，ourPa’sonThirdlywerethemanwhogavemeasackforseed，thoughhehardlyhadoneforhisownuse，andnomoneytobuy’em。Ifithadn’tbeenforhim，Ishouldn’thaehadatatietoputinmygarden。D’yethinkI’dturnafterthat？No，I’llsticktomyside；andifwebeinthewrong，sobeit：I’llfallwiththefallen！’
`Wellsaid-verywellsaid，’observedJoseph-`However，folks，I
mustbemovingnow：uponmylifeImust。Pa’sonThirdlywillbewaitingatthechurchgates，andthere’sthewomana-bidingoutsideinthewaggon。’
`JosephPoorgrass，don’tbesomiserable！Pa’sonThirdlywon’tmind。
He’sagenerousman；he’sfoundmeintractsforyears，andI’veconsumedagoodmanyinthecourseofalongandshadylife；buthe’sneverbeenthemantocryoutattheexpense。Sitdown。’
ThelongerJosephPoorgrassremained，thelesshisspiritwastroubledbythedutieswhichdevolveduponhimthisafternoon。Theminutesglidedbyuncounted，untiltheeveningshadesbeganperceptiblytodeepen，andtheeyesofthethreewerebutsparklingpointsonthesurfaceofdarkness。
Coggan’srepeaterstrucksixfromhispocketintheunusualstillsmalltones。
Atthatmomenthastystepswereheardintheentry，andthedooropenedtoadmitthefigureofGabrielOak，followedbythemaidoftheinnbearingacandle。Hestaredsternlyattheonelengthyandtworoundfacesofthesitters，whichconfrontedhimwiththeexpressionsofafiddleandacoupleofwarming-pans。JosephPoorgrassblinked，andshrankseveralinchesintothebackground。
`Uponmysoul。I’mashamedofyou；’tisdisgraceful，Joseph，disgraceful！’
saidGabrielindignantly。`Coggan，youcallyourselfaman，anddon’tknowbetterthanthis。’
CogganlookedupindefinitelyatOak，oneorotherofhiseyesoccasionallyopeningandclosingofitsownaccord，asifitwerenotamember，butadozyindividualwithadistinctpersonality。
`Don’ttakeonso，shepherd！’saidMarkClark，lookingreproachfullyatthecandle，whichappearedtopossessspecialfeaturesofinterestforhiseyes。
`Nobodycanhurtadeadwoman，’atlengthsaidCoggan，withtheprecisionofamachine。`Allthatcouldbedoneforherisdone-she’sbeyondus；
andwhyshouldamanputhimselfinatearinghurryforlifelessclaythatcanneitherfeelnorsee，anddon’tknowwhatyoudowithheratall？Ifshe’dbeenalive，Iwouldhavebeenthefirsttohelpher。Ifshenowwantedvictualsanddrink，I’dpayforit，moneydown。Butshe’sdead，andnospeedofourswillbringhertolife。Thewoman’spastus-timespentuponheristhrowedaway；whyshouldwehurrytodowhat’snotrequired？
Drink，shepherd，andbefriends，fortomorrowwemaybelikeher。’
`Wemay，’addedMarkClarkemphatically，atoncedrinkinghimself，torunnofartherriskoflosinghischancebytheeventalludedto，Janmeanwhilemerginghisadditionalthoughtsofto-morrowinasong：——`To-morrowto-morrow！
Andwhilepeaceandplen-tyIfindatmyboard，Withaheartfreefromsick-nessandsor-rowWithmyfriendswillIsharewhatto-daymayaf-ford，Andletthemspreadthetableto-morrowTo-morrowto-mor——’`Doholdthyhorning，Jan！’saidOak；andturninguponPoorgrass，`asforyou，Joseph，whodoyourwickeddeedsinsuchconfoundedlyholyways，youareasdrunkasyoucanstand。’
`No，ShepherdOak，no！Listentoreason，shepherd。Allthat’sthematterwithmeistheafflictioncalledamultiplyingeye，andthat’showitisIlookdoubletoyou-Imean，youlookdoubletome。’
`Amultiplyingeyeisaverybadthing，’saidMarkClark。
`ItalwayscomesonwhenIhavebeeninapublic-housealittletime，’
saidJosephPoorgrassmeekly。`Yes；Iseetwoofeverysort，asifIweresomeholymanlivinginthetimesofKingNoahandenteringintotheark……
Y-y-y-yes，’headded，becomingmuchaffectedbythepictureofhimselfasapersonthrownaway，andsheddingtears；`IfeeltoogoodforEngland：
IoughttohavelivedinGenesisbyrights，liketheothermenofsacrifice，andthenIshouldn’thaveb-b-beencalledad-d-drunkardinsuchaway！’
`Iwishyou’dshowyourselfamanofspirit，andnotsitwhiningthere！’
`Showmyselfamanofspirit？……Ah，well！letmetakethenameofdrunkardhumbly-letmebeamanofcontriteknees-letitbe！IknowthatIalwaysdosay“PleaseGod“aforeIdoanything，frommygettinguptomygoingdownofthesame，andIbewillingtotakeasmuchdisgraceasthereisinthatholyact。Hah，yes！……Butnotamanofspirit？HaveIeverallowedthetoeofpridetobeliftedagainstmyhinderpartswithoutgroaningmanfullythatIquestiontherighttodoso！Iinquirethatqueryboldly？’
`Wecan’tsaythatyouhave，HeroPoorgrass，’admittedJan。
`NeverhaveIallowedsuchtreatmenttopassunquestioned！YettheshepherdsaysinthefaceofthatrichtestimonythatIbenotamanofspirit！
Well，letitpassby，anddeathisakindfriend！’
Gabriel，seeingthatneitherofthethreewasinafitstatetotakechargeofthewaggonfortheremainderofthejourney，madenoreply，but，closingthedooragainuponthem，wentacrosstowherethevehiclestood，nowgettingindistinctinthefogandgloomofthismildewytime。Hepulledthehorse’sheadfromthelargepatchofturfithadeatenbare，readjustedtheboughsoverthecoffin，anddrovealongthroughtheunwholesomenight。
IthadgraduallybecomerumouredinthevillagethatthebodytobebroughtandburiedthatdaywasallthatwasleftoftheunfortunateFannyRobinwhohadfollowedtheEleventhfromCasterbridgethroughMelchesterandonwards。But，thankstoBoldwood’sreticenceandOak’sgenerosity，thelovershehadfollowedhadneverbeenindividualizedasTroy。Gabrielhopedthatthewholetruthofthemattermightnotbepublishedtillatanyratethegirlhadbeeninhergraveforafewdays，whentheinterposingbarriersofearthandtime，andasensethattheeventshadbeensomewhatshutintooblivion，woulddeadenthestingthatrevelationandinvidiousremarkwouldhaveforBathshebajustnow。
BythetimethatGabrielreachedtheoldmanor-house，herresidence，whichlayinhiswaytothechurch，itwasquitedark。Amancamefromthegateandsaidthroughthefog，whichhungbetweenthemlikeblownflour——
`IsthatPoorgrasswiththecorpse？’
Gabrielrecognizedthevoiceasthatoftheparson。
`Thecorpseishere，sir，’saidGabriel。
`IhavejustbeentoinquireofMrsTroyifshecouldtellmethereasonofthedelay。Iamafraiditistoolatenowforthefuneraltobeperformedwithproperdecency。Haveyoutheregistrar’scertificate？’
`No，’saidGabriel。`IexpectPoorgrasshasthat；andhe’sattheBuck’sHead。Iforgottoaskhimforit。’
`Thenthatsettlesthematter。We’llputoffthefuneraltilltomorrowmorning。Thebodymaybebroughtontothechurch，oritmaybelefthereatthefarmandfetchedbythebearersinthemorning。Theywaitedmorethananhour，andhavenowgonehome。’
Gabrielhadhisreasonsforthinkingthelatteramostobjectionableplan，notwithstandingthatFannyhadbeenaninmateofthefarm-houseforseveralyearsinthelifetimeofBathsheba’suncle。Visionsofseveralunhappycontingencieswhichmightarisefromthisdelayflittedbeforehim。Buthiswillwasnotlaw，andhewentindoorstoinquireofhismistresswhatwereherwishesonthesubject。Hefoundherinanunusualmood：hereyesasshelookeduptohimweresuspiciousandperplexedaswithsomeantecedentthought。Troyhadnotyetreturned。AtfirstBathshebaassentedwithamienofindifferencetohispropositionthattheyshouldgoontothechurchatoncewiththeirburden；butimmediatelyafterwards，followingGabrieltothegate，sheswervedtotheextremeofsolicitousnessonFanny’saccount，anddesiredthatthegirlmightbebroughtintothehouse。Oakarguedupontheconvenienceofleavingherinthewaggon，justasshelaynow，withherflowersandgreenleavesabouther，merelywheelingthevehicleintothecoachhousetillthemorning，buttonopurpose。`Itisunkindandunchristian，’shesaid，`toleavethepoorthinginacoach-houseallnight。’
`Verywell，then，’saidtheparson。`AndIwillarrangethatthefuneralshalltakeplaceearlytomorrow。PerhapsMrsTroyisrightinfeelingthatwecannottreatadeadfellow-creaturetoothoughtfully。Wemustrememberthatthoughshemayhaveerredgrievouslyinleavingherhome，sheisstilloursister；anditistobebelievedthatGod’suncovenantedmerciesareextendedtowardsher，andthatsheisamemberoftheflockofChrist。’
Theparson’swordsspreadintotheheavyairwithasadyetunperturbedcadence，andGabrielshedanhonesttear。Bathshebaseemedunmoved。MrThirdlythenleftthem，andGabriellightedalantern。Fetchingthreeothermentoassisthim，theyboretheunconscioustruantindoors，placingthecoffinontwobenchesinthemiddleofalittlesitting-roomnextthehall，asBathshebadirected。
EveryoneexceptGabrielOakthenlefttheroom。Hestillindecisivelylingeredbesidethebody。HewasdeeplytroubledatthewretchedlyironicalaspectthatcircumstanceswereputtingonwithregardtoTroy’swife，andathisownpowerlessnesstocounteractthem。Inspiteofhiscarefulmanoeuvringallthisday，theveryworsteventthatcouldinanywayhavehappenedinconnectionwiththeburialhadhappenednow。Oakimaginedaterriblediscoveryresultingfromthisafternoon’sworkthatmightcastoverBathsheba’slifeashadewhichtheinterpositionofmanylapsingyearsmightbutindifferentlylighten，andwhichnothingatallmightaltogetherremove。
Suddenly，asinalastattempttosaveBathshebafrom，atanyrate，immediateanguish，helookedagain，ashehadlookedbefore，atthechalkwritinguponthecoffinlid。Thescrawlwasthissimpleone，`FannyRobinandchid’。Gabrieltookhishandkerchiefandcarefullyrubbedoutthetwolatterwords，leavingvisibleoneinscription`FannyRobin’
only。Hethenlefttheroom，andwentoutquietlybythefrontdoor。
CHAPTERFORTY-THREEFanny’sRevenge`Doyouwantmeanylonger，ma’am？’inquiredLiddy，atalaterhourthesameevening，standingbythedoorwithachambercandlestickinherhand，andaddressingBathsheba，whosatcheerlessandaloneinthelargeparlourbesidethefirstfireoftheseason。
`Nomoreto-night，Liddy。’
`I’llsitupformasterifyoulike，ma’am。IamnotatallafraidofFanny，ifImaysitinmyownroomandhaveacandle。Shewassuchachildlike，freshyoungthingthatherspiritcouldn’tappeartoanybodyifittried，I’mquitesure。’
`Ono，no！Yougotobed。I’llsitupforhimmyselftilltwelveo’clock，andifhehasnotarrivedbythattime，Ishallgivehimupandgotobedtoo。’
`Itishalf-pasttennow。’
`Oh：isit？’
`Whydon’tyousitupstairs，ma’am？’
`Whydon’tI？’saidBathshebadesultorily。`Itisn’tworthwhile-there’safirehere，Liddy。’Shesuddenlyexclaimedinanimpulsiveandexcitedwhisper，`HaveyouheardanythingstrangesaidofFanny？’Thewordshadnosoonerescapedherthananexpressionofunutterableregretcrossedherface，andsheburstintotears。
`No-notaword！’saidLiddy，lookingattheweepingwomanwithastonishment。
`Whatisitmakesyoucryso，ma’am；hasanythinghurtyou？’ShecametoBathsheba’ssidewithafacehillofsympathy。
`No，Liddy-Idon’twantyouanymore。IcanhardlysaywhyIhavetakensotocryinglately：Ineverusedtocry。Good-night。’
Liddythenlefttheparlourandclosedthedoor。
Bathshebawaslonelyandmiserablenow；notlonelieractuallythanshehadbeenbeforehermarriage；butherlonelinessthenwastothatofthepresenttimeasthesolitudeofamountainistothesolitudeofacave。
Andwithinthelastdayortwohadcomethesedisquietingthoughtsaboutherhusband’spast。HerwaywardsentimentthateveningconcerningFanny’stemporaryresting-placehadbeentheresultofastrangecomplicationofimpulsesinBathsheba’sbosom。Perhapsitwouldbemoreaccuratelydescribedasadeterminedrebellionagainstherprejudices，arevulsionfromalowerinstinctofuncharitableness，whichwouldhavewithheldallsympathyfromthedeadwoman，becauseinlifeshehadprecededBathshebaintheattentionsofamanwhomBathshebahadbynomeansceasedfromloving，thoughherlovewassicktodeathjustnowwiththegravityofafurthermisgiving。
Infiveortenminutestherewasanothertapatthedoor。Liddyreappeared，andcominginalittlewaystoodhesitating，untilatlengthshesaid，`Maryannhasjustheardsomethingverystrange，butIknowitisn’ttrue。
Andweshallbesuretoknowtherightsofitinadayortwo。’
`Whatisit？’
`Oh，nothingconnectedwithyouorus，ma’am。Itis’boutFanny。Thatsamethingyouhaveheard。’
`Ihaveheardnothing。’
`ImeanthatawickedstoryisgottoWeatherburywithinthislasthour-that——’Liddycameclosetohermistressandwhisperedtheremainderofthesentenceslowlyintoherear，incliningherheadasshespokeinthedirectionoftheroomwhereFannylay。
Bathshebatrembledfromheadtofoot。
`Idon’tbelieveit！’shesaidexcitedly`Andthere’sonlyonenamewrittenonthecoffin-cover。’
`NorI，ma’am。Andagoodmanyothersdon’t；forweshouldsurelyhavebeentoldmoreaboutitifithadbeentrue-don’tyouthinkso’ma’am？’
`Wemightorwemightnot。’
Bathshebaturnedandlookedintothefire，thatLiddymightnotseeherface。Findingthathermistresswasgoingtosaynomore，Liddyglidedout，closedthedoorsoftly，andwenttobed。
Bathsheba’sface，asshecontinuedlookingintothefirethatevening，mighthavecitedsolicitousnessonheraccountevenamongthosewholovedherleast。ThesadnessofFannyRobin’sfatedidnotmakeBathsheba’sglorious，althoughshewastheEsthertothispoorVashti，andtheirfatesmightbesupposedtostandinsomerespectsascontraststoeachother。WhenLiddycameintotheroomasecondtimethebeautifuleyeswhichmethershadwornalistless，wearylook。Whenshewentoutaftertellingthestorytheyhadpressedwretchednessinfillactivity。Hersimplecountrynature，fedonold-fashionedprinciples，wastroubledbythatwhichwouldhavetroubledawomanoftheworldverylittle，bothFannyandherchild，ifshehadone，beingdead。
BathshebahadgroundsforconjecturingaconnectionbetweenherownhistoryandthedimlysuspectedtragedyofFanny’sendwhichOakandBoldwoodneverforamomentcreditedherwithpossessing。ThemeetingwiththelonelywomanonthepreviousSaturdaynighthadbeenunwitnessedandunspokenof。OakmayhavehadthebestofintentionsinwithholdingforasmanydaysaspossiblethedetailsofwhathadhappenedtoFanny；buthadheknownthatBathsheba’sperceptionshadalreadybeenexercisedinthematter，hewouldhavedonenothingtolengthentheminutesofsuspenseshewasnowundergoing，whenthecertaintywhichmustterminateitwouldbetheworstfactsuspectedafterall。
Shesuddenlyfeltalongingtospeaktosomeonestrongerthanherself，andsogetstrengthtosustainhersurmisedpositionwithdignityandhercarkingdoubtswithstoicism。Wherecouldshefindsuchafriend？nowhereinthehouse。Shewasbyfarthecoolestofthewomenunderherroof。
Patienceandsuspensionofjudgementforafewhourswerewhatshewantedtolearn，andtherewasnobodytoteachher。MightshebutgotoGabrielOak！-butthatcouldnotbe。WhatawayOakhad，shethought，ofenduringthings。Boldwood，whoseemedsomuchdeeperandhigherandstrongerinfeelingthanGabriel，hadnotyetlearnt，anymorethansheherself，thesimplelessonwhichOakshowedamasteryofbyeveryturnandlookhegave-thatamongthemultitudeofinterestsbywhichhewassurrounded，thosewhichaffectedhispersonalwellbeingwerenotthemostabsorbingandimportantinhiseyes。Oakmeditativelylookeduponthehorizonofcircumstanceswithoutanyspecialregardtohisownstandpointinthemidst。Thatwashowshewouldwishtobe。ButthenOakwasnotrackedbyincertitudeupontheinmostmatterofhisbosom，asshewasatthismoment。OakknewallaboutFannythatshewishedtoknow-shefeltconvincedofthat。Ifsheweretogotohimnowatonceandsaynomorethanthesefewwords，`Whatisthetruthofthestory？’hewouldfeelboundinhonourtotellher。
Itwouldbeaninexpressiblerelief。Nofurtherspeechwouldneedtobeuttered。Heknewhersowellthatnoeccentricityofbehaviourinherwouldalarmhim。
Sheflungacloakroundher，wenttothedoorandopenedit。Everyblade，everytwigwasstill。Theairwasyetthickwithmoisture，thoughsomewhatlessdensethanduringtheafternoon，andasteadysmackofdropsuponthefallenleavesundertheboughswasalmostmusicalinitssoothingregularity。
Itseemedbettertobeoutofthehousethanwithinit，andBathshebaclosedthedoor，andwalkedslowlydownthelanetillshecameoppositetoGabriel’scottage，wherehenowlivedalone，havingleftCoggan’shousethroughbeingpinchedforroom。Therewasalightinonewindowonly，andthatwasdownstairs。Theshutterswerenotclosed，norwasanyblindorcurtaindrawnoverthewindow，neitherrobberynorobservationbeingacontingencywhichcoulddomuchinjurytotheoccupantofthedomicile。Yes，itwasGabrielhimselfwhowassittingup；hewasreading。Fromherstanding-placeintheroadshecouldseehimplainly，sittingquitestill，hislightcurlyheaduponhishand，andonlyoccasionallylookinguptosnuffthecandlewhichstoodbesidehim。Atlengthhelookedattheclock，seemedsurprisedatthelatenessofthehour，closedhisbook，andarose。Hewasgoingtobed，sheknew，andifshetappeditmustbedoneatonce。
Alasforherresolve！Shefeltshecouldnotdoit。Notforworldsnowcouldshegiveahintabouthermiserytohim，muchlessaskhimplainlyforinformationonthecauseofFanny’sdeath。Shemustsuspect，andguess，andchafe，andbearitallalone。
Likeahomelesswanderershelingeredbythebank，asiflulledandfascinatedbytheatmosphereofcontentwhichseemedtospreadfromthatlittledwelling，andwassosadlylackinginherown。Gabrielappearedinanupperroom，placedhislightinthewindow-bench，andthen-kneltdowntopray。Thecontrastofthepicturewithherrebelliousandagitatedexistenceatthissametimewastoomuchforhertobeartolookuponlonger。
Itwasnotforhertomakeatrucewithtroublebyanysuchmeans。Shemusttreadhergiddydistractingmeasuretoitslastnote，asshehadbegunit。Withaswollenheartshewentagainupthelane，andenteredherowndoor。
MorefeverednowbyareactionfromthefirstfeelingswhichOak’sexamplehadraisedinher，shepausedinthehall，lookingatthedooroftheroomwhereinFannylay。Shelockedherfingers，threwbackherhead，andstrainedherhothandsrigidlyacrossherforehead，saying，withahystericalsob，`WouldtoGodyouwouldspeakandtellmeyoursecret，Fanny！……O，Ihopeitisnottruethattherearetwoofyou！……IfIcouldonlylookinuponyouforonelittleminute，Ishouldknowall！’
Afewmomentspassed，andsheadded，slowly，`AndIwill。’
Bathshebainaftertimescouldnevergaugethemoodwhichcarriedherthroughtheactionsfollowingthismurmuredresolutiononthismemorableeveningofherlife。Shewenttothelumber-closetforascrewdriver。Attheendofashortthoughundefinedtimeshefoundherselfinthesmallroom，quiveringwithemotion，amistbeforehereyes，andanexcruciatingpulsationinherbrain，standingbesidetheuncoveredcoffinofthegirlwhoseconjecturedendhadsoentirelyengrossedher，andsayingtoherselfinahuskyvoiceasshegazedwithin——
`Itwasbesttoknowtheworst，andIknowitnow！’
Shewasconsciousofhavingbroughtaboutthissituationbyaseriesofactionsdoneasbyoneinanextravagantdream；offollowingthatideaastomethod，whichhadburstuponherinthehallwithglaringobviousness，byglidingtothetopofthestairs，assuringherselfbylisteningtotheheavybreathingofhermaidsthattheywereasleep，glidingdownagain，turningthehandleofthedoorwithinwhichtheyounggirllay，anddeliberatelysettingherselftodowhat，ifshehadanticipatedanysuchundertakingatnightandalone，wouldhavehorrifiedher，butwhich，whendone，wasnotsodreadfulaswastheconclusiveproofofherhusband’sconductwhichcamewithknowingbeyonddoubtthelastchapterofFanny’sstory。
Bathsheba’sheadsankuponherbosom，andthebreathwhichhadbeenbatedinsuspense，curiosity，andinterest，wasexhalednowintheformofawhisperedwail：`Oh-h-h！’shesaid，andthesilentroomaddedlengthtohermoan。
Hertearsfellfastbesidetheunconsciouspairinthecoffin；tearsofacomplicatedorigin，ofanatureindescribable，almostindefinableexceptasotherthanthoseofsimplesorrow。AssuredlytheirwontedfiresmusthavelivedinFanny’sasheswheneventsweresoshapedastochariotherhitherinthisnatural，unobtrusive，yeteffectualmanner。Theonefeatalone-thatofdying-bywhichameanconditioncouldberesolvedintoagrandone，FannyhadachievedAndtothathaddestinysubjoinedthisrencountertonight，whichhid，inBathsheba’swildimagining，turnedhercompanion’sfailuretosuccess，herhumiliationtotriumph，herlucklessnesstoascendency；ithadthrownoverherselfagarishlightofmockery，andsetuponallthingsaboutheranironicalsmile。
Fanny’sfacewasframedinbythatyellowhairofhers；andtherewasnolongermuchroomfordoubtastotheoriginofthecurlownedbyTroy。
InBathsheba’sheatedfancytheinnocentwhitecountenance-pressedadimtriumphantconsciousnessofthepainshewasretaliatingforherpainwithallthemercilessrigouroftheMosaiclaw；`Burningforburning；
woundforwound；strifeforstrife。’
Bathshebaindulgedincontemplationofescapefromherpositionbyimmediatedeath，which，thoughtshe，thoughitwasaninconvenientandawfulway，hadlimitstoitsinconvenienceandawfulnessthatcouldnotbeoverpassed；
whilsttheshamesoflifeweremeasureless。Yeteventhisschemeofextinctionbydeathwasbuttamelycopyingherrival’smethodwithoutthereasonswhichhadglorifieditinherrival’scase。Sheglidedrapidlyupanddowntheroom，aswasmostlyherhabitwhenexcited，herhandshangingclaspedinfrontofher，asshethoughtandinpartexpressedinbrokenwords：
`O，Ihateher，yetIdon’tmeanthatIhateher，foritisgrievousandwicked；andyetIhateheralittle！Yes，myfleshinsistsuponhatingher，whethermyspiritiswillingorno！……Ifshehadonlylived，Icouldhavebeenangryandcrueltowardsherwithsomejustification；buttobevindictivetowardsapoordeadwomanrecoilsuponmyself。OGod，havemercy！
Iammiserableatallthis！’
Bathshebabecameatthismomentsoterrifiedatherownstateofmindthatshelookedaroundforsomesortofrefugefromherself。ThevisionofOakkneelingdownthatnightrecurredtoher，andwiththeimitativeinstinctwhichanimateswomensheseizedupontheidea，resolvedtokneel，and，ifpossible，pray。Gabrielhadprayed；sowouldshe。
Shekneltbesidethecoffin，coveredherfacewithherhands，andforatimetheroomwassilentasatomb。Whetherfromapurelymechanical，orfromanyothercause，whenBathshebaaroseitwaswithaquietedspirit，andaregretfortheantagonisticinstinctswhichhadseizeduponherjustbefore。
Inherdesiretomakeatonementshetookflowersfromavasebythewindow，andbeganlayingthemaroundthedeadgirl’shead。Bathshebaknewnootherwayofshowingkindnesstopersonsdepartedthanbygivingthemflowers。Sheknewnothowlongsheremainedengagedthus。Sheforgottime，life，whereshewas，whatshewasdoing。Aslammingtogetherofthecoach-housedoorsintheyardbroughthertoherselfagain。Aninstantafter，thefrontdooropenedandclosed，stepscrossedthehall，andherhusbandappearedattheentrancetotheroom，lookinginuponher。
Hebehelditallbydegrees，staredinstupefactionatthescene，asifhethoughtitanillusionraisedbysomefiendishincantation。Bathsheba，pallidasacorpseonend，gazedbackathiminthesamewildway。
Solittleareinstinctiveguessesthefruitofalegitimateinductionthat，atthismoment，ashestoodwiththedoorinhishand，TroyneveroncethoughtofFannyinconnectionwithwhathesaw。Hisfirstconfusedideawasthatsomebodyinthehousehaddied。
`Well-what？’saidTroyblankly。
`Imustgo！Imustgo！’saidBathsheba，toherselfmorethantohim。
Shecamewithadilatedeyetowardsthedoor，topushpasthim。
`What’sthematter，inGod’sname？who’sdead？’saidTroy。`Icannotsay；letmegoout。Iwantair！’shecontinued。
`Butno；stay，Iinsist！’Heseizedherhand，andthenvolitionseemedtoleaveher，andshewentoffintoastateofpassivity。He，stillholdingher，cameuptheroom，andthus，handinhand，TroyandBathshebaapproachedthecoffin’sside。
Thecandlewasstandingonabureauclosebythem，andthelight，slanteddown，distinctlyenkindlingthecoldfeaturesofbothmotherandbabe。
Troylookedin，droppedhiswife’shand，knowledgeofitallcomeoverhiminaluridsheen，andhestoodstill。
Sostillheremainedthathecouldbeimaginedtohaveleftinhimnomotivepowerwhatever。Theclashesoffeelinginalldirectionsconfoundedoneanother，producedaneutrality，andtherewasmotioninnone。
`Doyouknowher？’saidBathsheba，inasmallenclosedecho，asfromtheinteriorofacell。
`Ido，’saidTroy。
`Isitshe？’
`Itis。’
Hehadoriginallystooderect。Andnow，inthewell-nighcongealedimmobilityofhisframecouldbediscernedanincipientmovement，asinthedarkestnightmaybediscernedlightafterawhile。Hewasgraduallysinkingforwards。
Thelinesofhisfeaturessoftened，anddismaymodulatedtoillimitablesadness。Bathshebawasregardinghimfromtheotherside，stillwithpartedlipsanddistractedeyes。Capacityforintensefeelingisproportionatetothegeneralintensityofthenature，andperhapsinallFanny’ssuffering，muchgreaterrelativelytoherstrength，thereneverwasatimewhenshesufferedinanabsolutesensewhatBathshebasufferednow。
WhatTroydidwastosinkuponhiskneeswithanindefinableunionofremorseandreverenceuponhisface，and，bendingeverFannyRobin，gentlykissedher，asonewouldkissaninfantasleeptoavoidawakeningit。
Atthesightandsoundofthat，toher，unendurableact，Bathshebasprangtowardshim。Allthestrongfeelingswhichhadbeenscatteredoverherexistencesincesheknewwhatfeelingwas，seemedgatheredtogetherintoonepulsationnow。Therevulsionfromherindignantmoodalittleearlier，whenshehadmeditateduponcompromisedhonour，forestalment，eclipseinmaternitybyanother，wasviolentandentire。Allthatwasforgotteninthesimpleandstillstrongattachmentofwifetohusband。Shehadsighedforherself-completenessthen，andnowshecriedaloudagainsttheseveranceoftheunionshehaddeplored。SheflungherarmsroundTroy’sneck，exclaimingwildlyfromthedeepestdeepofherheart——
`Don’t-don’tkissthem！O，Frank，Ican’tbearit-Ican’t！Iloveyoubetterthanshedid；kissmetoo，Frank-kissme！YouwillFrank，kissmetoo！’
TherewassomethingsoabnormalandstartlinginthechildlikepainandsimplicityofthisappealfromawomanofBathsheba’scalibreandindependence，thatTroy，looseninghertightlyclaspedarmsfromhisneck，lookedatherinbewilderment。Itwassuchanunexpectedrevelationofallwomenbeingalikeatheart，eventhosesodifferentintheiraccessoriesasFannyandthisonebesidehim，thatTroycouldhardlyseemtobelievehertobehisproudwifeBathsheba。Fanny’sownspiritseemedtobeanimatingherframe。Butthiswasthemoodofafewinstantsonly。Whenthemomentarysurprisehadpassed，hisexpressionchangedtoasilencingimperiousgaze。
`Iwillnotkissyou！’hesaid，pushingheraway。
Hadthewifenowbutgonenofurther。Yet，perhaps，undertheharrowingcircumstances，tospeakoutwastheonewrongactwhichcanbebetterunderstood，ifnotforgiveninher，thantherightandpoliticone，herrivalbeingnowbutacorpse。Allthefeelingshehadbeenbetrayedintoshowingshedrewbacktoherselfagainbyastrenuouseffortofself-command。
`Whathaveyoutosayasyourreason？’sheasked，herbittervoicebeingstrangelylow-quitethatofanotherwomannow。
`IhavetosaythatIhavebeenabad，black-heartedman’heanswered。
`Andthatthiswomanisyourvictim；andInotlessthanshe。’
`Ah！don’ttauntme，madam。Thiswomanismoretome，deadassheis，thaneveryouwere，orare，orcanbe。IfSatanhadnottemptedmewiththatfaceofyours，andthosecursedcoquetries，Ishouldhavemarriedher。Ineverhadanotherthoughttillyoucameinmyway。WouldtoGodthatIhad；butitisalltoolate！Ideservetoliveintormentforthis！’
HeturnedtoFannythen。`Butnevermind，darling，’hesaid；`inthesightofHeavenyouaremyvery，verywife！’
AtthesewordsarosefromBathsheba’slipsalong，lowcryofmeasurelessdespairandindignation，suchawailofanguishashadneverbeforebeenheardwithinthoseold-inhabitedwalls。ItwastheTetelestouofherunionwithTroy。
`Ifshe’s-that，-what-amI？’sheadded，asacontinuationofthesamecry，andsobbingpitifully；andtheraritywithherofsuchabandonmentonlymadetheconditionmoredire。
`Youarenothingtome-nothing，’saidTroyheartlessly。`Aceremonybeforeapriestdoesn’tmakeamarriage。Iamnotmorallyyours。
Avehementimpulsetofleefromhim，torunfromthisplace，hide，andescapehiswordsatanyprice，notstoppingshortofdeathitself，masteredBathshebanow。Shewaitednotaninstant，butturnedtothedoorandranout。
CHAPTERFORTY-FOURUnderaTree-ReactionBathshebawentalongthedarkroad，neitherknowingnorcaringaboutthedirectionorissueofherflight。Thefirsttimethatshedefinitelynoticedherpositionwaswhenshereachedagateleadingintoathicketoverhungbysomelargeoakandbeechtrees。Onlookingintotheplace，itoccurredtoherthatshehadseenitbydaylightonsomepreviousoccasion，andthatwhatappearedlikeanimpassablethicketwasinrealityabrakeoffernnowwitheringfast。Shecouldthinkofnothingbettertodowithherpalpitatingselfthantogoinhereandhide；andenteringshelightedonaspotshelteredfromthedampfogbyarecliningtrunk，whereshesankdownuponatangledcouchoffrondsandstems。Shemechanicallypulledsomearmfulsroundhertokeepoffthebreezes，andclosedhereyes。
WhethershesleptornotthatnightBathshebawasnotclearlyaware。
Butitwaswithafreshenedexistenceandacoolerbrainthat，alongtimeafterwards，shebecameconsciousofsomeinterestingproceedingswhichweregoingoninthetreesaboveherheadandaround。
Acoarse-throatedchatterwasthefirstsound。
Itwasasparrowjustwaking。
Next：`Chee-weeze-weeze-weeze！’fromanotherretreat。
Itwasafinch。
Third：`Tink-tink-tink-tink-a-chink！’fromthehedge。
Itwasarobin。
`Chuck-chuck-chuck！’overhead。
Asquirrel。
Then，fromtheroad，`Withmyra-ta-ta，andmyrum-tum-tum！’
Itwasaploughboy。Presentlyhecameopposite，andshebelievedfromhisvoicethathewasoneoftheboysonherownfarm。Hewasfollowedbyashamblingtrampofheavyfeet，andlookingthroughthefernsBathshebacouldjustdiscerninthewanlightofdaybreakateamofherownhorses。
Theystoppedtodrinkatapondontheothersideoftheway。Shewatchedthemflouncingintothepool，drinking，tossinguptheirheads，drinkingagain，thewaterdribblingfromtheirlipsinsilverthreads。Therewasanotherflounce，andtheycameoutofthepond，andturnedbackagaintowardsthefarm。
Shelookedfurtheraround。Daywasjustdawning，andbesideitscoolairandcoloursherheatedactionsandresolvesofthenightstoodoutinluridcontrast。Sheperceivedthatinherlap，andclingingtoherhair，wereredandyellowleaveswhichhadcomedownfromthetreeandsettledsilentlyuponherduringherpartialsleep。Bathshebashookherdresstogetridofthem，whenmultitudesofthesamefamilylyingroundaboutherroseandflutteredawayinthebreezethuscreated，`likeghostsfromanenchanterfleeing’
Therewasanopeningtowardstheeast，andtheglowfromtheasyetunrisensunattractedhereyesthither。Fromherfeet，andbetweenthebeautifulyellowingfernswiththeirfeatheryarms，thegroundslopeddownwardstoahollow，inwhichwasaspeciesofswamp，dottedwithfungi。Amorningmisthungoveritnow-anoisomeyetmagnificentsilveryveil，filloflightfromthesun，yetsemi-opaque-thehedgebehinditbeinginsomemeasurehiddenbyitshazyluminousness。Upthesidesofthisdepressiongrewsheavesofthecommonrush，andhereandthereapeculiarspeciesofflag，thebladesofwhichglistenedintheemergingsun，likescythes。
Butthegeneralaspectoftheswampwasmalignant。Fromitsmoistandpoisonouscoatseemedtobeexhaledtheessencesofevilthingsintheearth，andinthewatersundertheearth。Thefungigrewinallmannerofpositionsfromrottingleavesandtreestumps，someexhibitingtoherlistlessgazetheirclammytops，otherstheiroozinggills。Someweremarkedwithgreatsplotches，redasarterialblood，othersweresaffronyellow，andotherstallandattenuated，withstemslikemacaroni。Somewereleatheryandofrichestbrowns。Thehollowseemedanurseryofpestilencessmallandgreat，intheimmediateneighbourhoodofcomfortandhealth，andBathshebaarosewithatremoratthethoughtofhavingpassedthenightonthebrinkofsodismalaplace。
Therewerenowotherfootstepstobeheardalongtheroad。Bathsheba’snerveswerestillunstrung：shecroucheddownoutofsightagain，andthepedestriancameintoview。Hewasaschoolboy，withabagslungoverhisshouldercontaininghisdinner，andabookinhishand。Hepausedbythegate，and，withoutlookingup，continuedmurmuringwordsintonesquiteloudenoughtoreachherears。
“`OLord，OLord，OLord，OLord，OLord“：-thatIknowouto’book。
“Giveus，giveus，giveus，giveus，giveus“：-thatIknow。“Gracethat，gracethat，gracethat，gracethat“：-thatIknow。’Otherwordsfollowedtothesameeffect。Theboywasofthedunceclassapparently；thebookwasapsalter，andthiswashiswayoflearningthecollect。Intheworstattacksoftroublethereappearstobealwaysasuperficialfilmofconsciousnesswhichisleftdisengagedandopentothenoticeoftrifles，andBathshebawasfaintlyamusedattheboy’smethod，tillhetoopassedon。
Bythistimestuporhadgivenplacetoanxiety，andanxietybegantomakeroomforhungerandthirst。Aformnowappearedupontheriseontheothersideoftheswamp，half-hiddenbythemist，andcametowardsBathsheba。
Thewoman-foritwasawoman-approachedwithherfaceaskance，asiflookingearnestlyonallsidesofher。Whenshegotalittlefurtherroundtotheleft，anddrewnearer，Bathshebacouldseethenewcomer’sprofileagainstthesunnysky，andknewthewavysweepfromforeheadtochin，withneitheranglenordecisivelineanywhereaboutit，tobethefamiliarcontourofLiddySmallbury。
Bathsheba’sheartboundedwithgratitudeinthethoughtthatshewasnotaltogetherdeserted，andshejumpedup。`O，Liddy！’shesaid，orattemptedtosay；butthewordshadonlybeenframedbyherlips；therecamenosound。
Shehadlosthervoicebyexposuretothecloggedatmosphereallthesehoursofnight。
`O，ma’am！IamsogladIhavefoundyou，’saidthegirl，assoonasshesawBathsheba。
`Youcan’tcomeacross，’Bathshebasaidinawhisper，whichshevainlyendeavouredtomakeloudenoughtoreachLiddy’sears。Liddy，notknowingthis，steppeddownupontheswamp，saying，asshedidso，`Itwillbearmeup，Ithink。’
BathshebaneverforgotthattransientlittlepictureofLiddycrossingtheswamptoherthereinthemorninglight。Iridescentbubblesofdanksubterraneanbreathrosefromthesweatingsodbesidethewaiting-maid’sfeetasshetrod，hissingastheyburstandexpandedawaytojointhevapouryfirmamentabove。Liddydidnotsink，asBathshebahadanticipated。
Shelandedsafelyontheotherside，andlookedupatthebeautifulthoughpaleandwearyfaceofheryoungmistress。
`Poorthing！’saidLiddy，withtearsinhereyes。`Doheartenyourselfupalittle，ma’am。Howeverdid——’
`Ican’tspeakaboveawhisper-myvoiceisgoneforthepresent，’
saidBathshebahurriedly。`Isupposethedampairfromthathollowhastakenitaway。Liddy，don’tquestionme，mind。Whosentyou-anybody？’
`Nobody。Ithought，whenIfoundyouwerenotathome，thatsomethingcruelhadhappened。IfancyIheardhisvoicelatelastnight；andso，knowingsomethingwaswrong——’
`Isheathome？’
`No；heleftjustbeforeIcameout。’
`IsFannytakenaway？’
`Notyet。Shewillsoonbe-atnineo’clock。’
`Wewon’tgohomeatpresent，then。Supposewewalkaboutinthiswood？’
Liddy，withoutexactlyunderstandingeverything，oranything，inthisepisode，assented，andtheywalkedtogetherfurtheramongthetrees。
`Butyouhadbettercomein，ma’am，andhavesomethingtoeat。Youwilldieofachill！’
`Ishallnotcomeindoorsyet-perhapsnever。’
`ShallIgetyousomethingtoeat，andsomethingelsetoputoveryourheadbesidesthatlittleshawl？’
`Ifyouwill，Liddy！’
Liddyvanished，andattheendoftwentyminutesreturnedwithacloak，hat，someslicesofbreadandbutter，atea-cupsandsomehotteainalittlechinajug。
`IsFannygone？’saidBathsheba。
`No，’saidhercompanion，pouringoutthetea。
Bathshebawrappedherselfupandateanddranksparingly。Hervoicewasthenalittleclearer，andatriflingcolourreturnedtoherface。
`Nowwe’llwalkaboutagain，’shesaid。
Theywanderedaboutthewoodfornearlytwohours，BathshebareplyinginmonosyllablestoLiddy’sprattle，forhermindranononesubject，andoneonly。Sheinterruptedwith——
`IwonderifFannyisgonebythistime？’
`Iwillgoandsee。’
Shecamebackwiththeinformationthatthemenwerejusttakingawaythecorpse；thatBathshebahadbeeninquiredfor；thatshehadrepliedtotheeffectthathermistresswasunwellandcouldnotbeseen。
`ThentheythinkIaminmybedroom？’
`Yes。’Liddythenventuredtoadd：`YousaidwhenIfirstfoundyouthatyoumightnevergohomeagain-youdidn’tmeanit，ma’am？’
`No；I’vealteredmymind。Itisonlywomenwithnoprideinthemwhorunawayfromtheirhusbands。Thereisonepositionworsethanthatofbeingfounddeadinyourhusband’shousefromhisill-usage，andthatis，tobefoundalivethroughhavinggoneawaytothehouseofsomebodyelse。
I’vethoughtofitallthismorning，andI’vechosenmycourse。Arunawaywifeisanencumbrancetoeverybody，aburdentoherselfandabyword-
allofwhichmakeupaheapofmiserygreaterthananythatcomesbystayingathome-thoughthismayincludethetriflingitemsofinsult，beating，andstarvation。Liddy，ifeveryoumarry-Godforbidthatyouevershould！-
you’llfindyourselfinafearfulsituation；butmindthis，don’tyouflinch。Standyourground，andbecuttopieces。That’swhatI’mgoingtodo。’
`O，mistress，don’ttalkso！’saidLiddy，takingherhand，`butIknewyouhadtoomuchsensetobideaway。MayIaskwhatdreadfulthingitisthathashappenedbetweenyouandhim？’
`Youmayask；butImaynottell。’
Inabouttenminutestheyreturnedtothehousebyacircuitousroute，enteringattherear。Bathshebaglidedupthebackstairstoadisusedattic，andhercompanionfollowed。
`Liddy，’shesaid，withalighterheart，foryouthandhopehadbeguntoreassertthemselves；`youaretobemyconfidanteforthepresent-
somebodymustbe-andIchooseyou。Well，Ishalltakeupmyabodehereforawhile。Willyougetafirelighted，putdownapieceofcarpet，andhelpmetomaketheplacecomfortable？Afterwards，IwantyouandMaryanntobringupthatlittlestumpbedsteadinthesmallroom，andthebedbelongingtoit，andatable，andsomeotherthings。WhatshallIdotopasstheheavytimeaway？’
`Hemminghandkerchiefsisaverygoodthing，’saidLiddy。
`Ono，no！Ihateneedlework-Ialwaysdid。’
`Knitting？’
`Andthattoo。’
`Youmightfinishyoursampler。Onlythecarnationsandpeacockswantfillingin；andthenitcouldbeframedandglazed，andhungbesideyouraunt’s，ma’am。’
`Samplersareoutofdate-horriblycountrified。No，Liddy，I’llread。
Bringupsomebooks-notnewones。Ihaven’thearttoreadanythingnew。’
`Someofyouruncle’soldones，ma’am？’
`Yes。Someofthosewestowedawayinboxes。’Afaintgleamofhumourpassedoverherfaceasshesaid：`BringBeaumontandFletcher’sMaid’sTragedy；andtheMourningBride；and-letmesee-NightThoughts；andtheVanityofHumanWishes。’
`Andthatstoryoftheblackman，whomurderedhiswifeDesdemona？Itisanicedismalonethatwouldsuityouexcellentjustnow。
`Now，Lidd，you’vebeenlookingintomybooks，withouttellingme；andIsaidyouwerenotto！Howdoyouknowitwouldsuitme？Itwouldn’tsuitmeatall。’
`Butiftheothersdo——’
`No，theydon’t；andIwon’treaddismalbooks。WhyshouldIreaddismalbooks，indeed？BringmeLoveinaVillage，andtheMaidoftheMill；andDoctorSyntax；andsomevolumesoftheSpectator。’
AllthatdayBathshebaandLiddylivedintheatticinastateofbarricade；
aprecautionwhichprovedtobeneedlessasagainstTroy，forhedidnotappearintheneighbourhoodortroublethematall。Bathshebasatatthewindowtillsunset，sometimesattemptingtoread，atothertimeswatchingeverymovementoutsidewithoutmuchpurpose，andlisteningwithoutmuchinteresttoeverysound。
Thesunwentdownalmostblood-redthatnight，andalividcloudreceiveditsraysintheeast。Upagainstthisdarkbackgroundthewestfrontofthechurchtower-theonlypartoftheedificevisiblefromthefarm-housewindows-rosedistinctandlustrous，thevaneuponthesummitbristlingwithrays。Hereabouts，atsixo’clock，theyoungmenofthevillagegathered，aswastheircustom，foragameofPrisoners’base。Thespothadbeenconsecratedtothisancientdiversionfromtimeimmemorial，theoldstocksconvenientlyformingabasefacingtheboundaryofthechurchyard，infrontofwhichthegroundwastroddenhardandbareasapavementbytheplayers。Shecouldseethebrownandblackheadsoftheyoungladsdartingaboutrightandleft，theirwhiteshirt-sleevesgleaminginthesun；whilstoccasionallyashoutandapealofheartylaughtervariedthestillnessoftheeveningair。Theycontinuedplayingforaquarterofanhourorso，whenthegameconcludedabruptly，andtheplayersleaptoverthewallandvanishedroundtotheothersidebehindayew-tree，whichwasalsohalfbehindabeech，nowspreadinginonemassofgoldenfoliage，onwhichthebranchestracedblacklines。
`Whydidthebase-playersfinishtheirgamesosuddenly？’Bathshebainquired，thenexttimethatLiddyenteredtheroom。
`Ithink’twasbecausetwomencamejustthenfromCasterbridgeandbeganputtingupagrandcarvedtombstone，’saidLiddy。`Theladswenttoseewhoseitwas。’
`Doyouknow？’Bathshebaasked。
`Idon’t，’saidLiddy。
CHAPTERFORTY-FIVETroy’sRomanticismWhenTroy’swifehadleftthehouseatthepreviousmidnighthisfirstactwastocoverthedeadfromsight。Thisdoneheascendedthestairs，andthrowinghimselfdownuponthebeddressedashewas，hewaitedmiserablyforthemorning。
Fatehaddealtgrimlywithhimthroughthelastfour-and-twentyhours。
Hisdayhadbeenspentinawaywhichvariedverymateriallyfromhisintentionsregardingit。Thereisalwaysaninertiatobeover-comeinstrikingoutanewlineofconduct-notmoreinourselves，itseems，thanincircumscribingevents，whichappearasifleaguedtogethertoallownonoveltiesinthewayofamelioration。
TwentypoundshavingbeensecuredfromBathsheba，hehadmanagedtoaddtothesumeveryfarthinghecouldmusteronhisownaccount，whichhadbeensevenpoundsten。Withthismoney，twenty-sevenpoundsteninall，hehadhastilydrivenfromthegatethatmorningtokeephisappointmentwithFannyRobin。
OnreachingCasterbridgeheleftthehorseandtrapataninn，andatfiveminutesbeforetencamebacktothebridgeatthelowerendofthetown，andsathimselfupontheparapet。Theclocksstruckthehour，andnoFannyappeared。Infact，atthatmomentshewasbeingrobedinhergrave-clothesbytwoattendantsattheUnionpoorhouse-thefirstandlasttiring-womenthegentlecreaturehadeverbeenhonouredwith。Thequarterwent，thehalf-hour。ArushofrecollectioncameuponTroyashewaited；thiswasthesecondtimeshehadbrokenaseriousengagementwithhim。Inangerhevoweditshouldbethelast，andateleveno’clock，whenhehadlingeredandwatchedthestonesofthebridgetillhekneweverylichenupontheirfaces，andheardthechinkoftheripplesunderneathtilltheyoppressedhim，hejumpedfromhisseat，wenttotheinnforhisgig，andinabittermoodofindifferenceconcerningthepast，andrecklessnessaboutthefuture，droveontoBudmouthraces。
Hereachedtherace-courseattwo-o’clock，andremainedeitherthereorinthetowntillnine。ButFanny’simage，asithadappearedtohiminthesombreshadowsofthatSaturdayevening，returnedtohismind，backedupbyBathsheba’sreproaches。Hevowedhewouldnotbet，andhekepthisvow，foronleavingthetownatnineo’clockintheeveninghehaddiminishedhiscashonlytotheextentofafewshillings。
Hetrottedslowlyhomeward，anditwasnowthathewasstruckforthefirsttimewithathoughtthatFannyhadbeenreallypreventedbyillnessfromkeepingherpromise。Thistimeshecouldhadmadenomistake。HeregrettedthathehadnotremainedinCasterbridgeandmadeinquiries。Reachinghomehequietlyunharnessedthehorseandcameindoors，aswehaveseen，tothefearfulshockthatawaitedhim。
Assoonasitgrewlightenoughtodistinguishobjects；Troyarosefromthecoverletofthebed，andinamoodofabsoluteindifferencetoBathsheba’swhereabouts，andalmostobliviousofherexistence，hestalkeddownstairsandleftthehousebythebackdoor。Hiswalkwastowardsthechurchyard，enteringwhichhesearchedaroundtillhefoundanewlydugunoccupiedgrave-thegravedugthedaybeforeforFanny。Thepositionofthishavingbeenmarked，hehastenedtoCasterbridge，onlypausingandmusingforawhileatthehillwhereonhehadlastseenFannyalive。
Reachingthetown，Troydescendedintoasidestreetandenteredapairofgatessurmountedbyaboardbearingthewords，`Lester，stoneandmarblemason’。Withinwgrelyingaboutstonesofallsizesanddesigns，inscribedasbeingsacredtothememoryofunnamedpersonswhohadnotyetdied。
Troywassounlikehimselfnowinlook，word，anddeed，thatthewantoflikenesswasperceptibleeventohisownconsciousness。Hismethodofengaginghimselfinthisbusinessofpurchasingatombwasthatofanabsolutelyunpractisedman。Hecouldnotbringhimselftoconsider，calculate，oreconomize。Hewaywardlywishedforsomething，andhesetaboutobtainingitlikeachildinanursery。`Iwantagoodtomb，’hesaidtothemanwhostoodinalittleofficewithintheyard。`Iwantasgoodaoneasyoucangivemefortwenty-sevenpounds。’
Itwasallthemoneyhepossessed。
`Thatsumtoincludeeverything？’
`Everything。Cuttingthename，carriagetoWeatherbury，anderection。