AndIwantitnow，atonce。’
`Wecouldnotgetanythingspecialworkedthisweek。’
`Imusthaveitnow。’
`Ifyouwouldlikeoneoftheseinstockitcouldbegotreadyimmediately。’
`Verywell，’saidTroy，impatiently。`Let’sseewhatyouhave。’
`ThebestIhaveinstockisthisone，’saidthestone-cutter，goingintoashed。`Here’samarbleheadstonebeautifullycrocketed；withmedallionsbeneathoftypicalsubjects；here’sthefootstoneafterthesamepattern，andhere’sthecopingtoenclosethegrave。Thepolishingaloneofthesetcostmeelevenpounds-theslabsarethebestoftheirkind，andI
canwarrantthemtoresistrainandfrostforahundredyearswithoutflying。’
`Andhowmuch？’
`Well，Icouldaddthename，andputitupatWeatherburyforthesumyoumention。’
`Getitdoneto-day，andI’llpaythemoneynow。’
Themanagreed，andwonderedatsuchamoodinavisitorwhoworenotashredofmourning。Troythenwrotethewordswhichweretoformtheinscription，settledtheaccountandwentaway。Intheafternoonhecamebackagain，andfoundthattheletteringwasalmostdone。Hewaitedintheyardtillthetombwaspacked，andsawitplacedinthecartandstartingonitswaytoWeatherbury，givingdirectionstothetwomenwhoweretoaccompanyittoinquireofthesextonforthegraveofthepersonnamedintheinscription。
ItwasquitedarkwhenTroycameoutofCasterbridge。Hecarriedratheraheavybasketuponhisarm，withwhichhestrodemoodilyalongtheroad，restingoccasionallyatbridgesandgates，whereonhedepositedhisburdenforatime。Midwayonhisjourneyhemet，returninginthedarkness，themenandthewaggonwhichhadconveyedthetomb。Hemerelyinquirediftheworkwasdone，and，onbeingassuredthatitwas，passedonagain。
TroyenteredWeatherburychurchyardaboutteno’clock，andwentImmediatelytothecornerwherehehadmarkedthevacantgraveearlyinthemorning。
Itwasontheobscuresideofthetower，screenedtoagreatextentfromtheviewofpassersalongtheroad-aspotwhichuntillatelyhadbeenabandonedtoheapsofstonesandbushesofalder，butnowitwasclearedandmadeorderlyforinterments，byreasonoftherapidfillingofthegroundelsewhere。
Herenowstoodthetombasthemenhadstated，snow-whiteandshapelyinthegloom，consistingofheadandfootstone，andenclosingborderofmarble-workunitingthem。Inthemidstwasmould，suitableforplants。
Troydepositedhisbasketbesidethetomb，andvanishedforafewminutes。
Whenhereturnedhecarriedaspadeandalantern，thelightofwhichhedirectedforafewmomentsuponthemarblewhilsthereadtheinscription。
Hehunghislanternonthelowestboughoftheyew-tree，andtookfromhisbasketflower-rootsofseveralvarieties。Therewerebundlesofsnowdrop，hyacinthandcrocusbulbs，violetsanddoubledaisies，whichweretobloominearlyspring，andofcarnations，pinks，picotees；lilies-ofthevalley，forget-me-not，summer’sfarewell；meadow-saffronandothers，forthelaterseasonsoftheyear。
Troylaidtheseoutuponthegrass，andwithanimpassivefacesettoworktoplantthem。Thesnowdropswerearrangedinalineontheoutsideofthecoping，theremainderwithintheenclosureofthegrave。Thecrocusesandhyacinthsweretogrowinrows；someofthesummerflowersheplacedoverherheadandfeet，theliliesandforget-me-notsoverherheart。Theremainderweredispersedinthespacesbetweenthese。
Troy，inhisprostrationatthistime，hadnoperceptionthatinthefutilityoftheseromanticdoings，dictatedbyaremorsefulreactionfrompreviousindifference，therewasanyelementofabsurdity。DerivinghisidiosyncrasiesfrombothsidesoftheChannel，heshowedatsuchjuncturesasthepresenttheinelasticityoftheEnglishman，togetherwiththatblindnesstothelinewheresentimentvergesonmawkishness，characteristicoftheFrench。
Itwasacloudy，muggy，andverydarknight，andtheraysfromTroy’slanternspreadintothetwooldyewswithastrangeilluminatingpower，flickering，asitseemed，uptotheblackceilingofcloudabove。Hefeltalargedropofrainuponthebackofhishand，andpresentlyonecameandenteredoneoftheholesofthelantern，whereuponthecandlesputteredandwentout。Troywasweary，anditbeingnownotfarfrommidnight，andtherainthreateningtoincrease，heresolvedtoleavethefinishingtouchesofhislabouruntilthedayshouldbreak。Hegropedalongthewallandoverthegravesinthedarktillhefoundhimselfroundatthenorthside。
Hereheenteredtheporch，and，reclininguponthebenchwithin，fellasleep。
CHAPTERFORTY-SIXTheGurgoyle：itsDoingsThetowerofWeatherburyChurchwasasquareerectionoffourteenth-centurydate，havingtwostonegurgoylesoneachofthetourfacesofitsparapet。
Oftheseeightcarvedprotuberancesonlytwoatthistimecontinuedtoservethepurposeoftheirerection-thatofspoutingthewaterfromtheleadroofwithin。Onemouthineachfronthadbeenclosedbybygonechurchwardensassuperfluous，andtwootherswerebrokenawayandchoked-amatternotofmuchconsequencetothewell-beingofthetower，forthetwomouthswhichstillremainedopenandactiveweregapingenoughtodoallthework。
Ithasbeensometimesarguedthatthereisnotruercriterionofthevitalityofanygivenart-periodthanthepowerofthemaster-spiritsofthattimeingrotesque；andcertainlyintheinstanceofGothicartthereisnodisputingtheproposition。Weatherburytowerwasasomewhatearlyinstanceoftheuseofanornamentalparapetinparishasdistinctfromcathedralchurches，andthegurgoyleswhicharethenecessarycorrelativesofaparapet，wereexceptionallyprominent-oftheboldestcutthatthehandcouldshape，andofthemostoriginaldesignthatahumanbraincouldconceive。Therewas，sotospeak，thatsymmetryintheirdistortionwhichislessthecharacteristicofBritishthanofContinentalgrotesquesoftheperiod。Alltheeightweredifferentfromeachother。Abeholderwasconvincedthatnothingonearthcouldbemorehideousthanthosehesawonthenorthsideuntilhewentroundtothesouth。Ofthetwoonthislatterface，onlythatatthenorth-easterncornerconcernsthestory。
Itwastoohumantobecalledlikeadragon，tooimpishtobelikeaman，tooanimaltobelikeafiend，andnotenoughlikeabirdtobecalledagriffin。Thishorriblestoneentitywasfashionedasifcoveredwithawrinkledhide；ithadshort，erectears，eyesstartingfromtheirsockets，anditsfingersandhandswereseizingthecornersofitsmouth，whichtheythusseemedtopullopentogivefreepassagetothewaterifvomited。
Thelowerrowofteethwasquitewashedaway，thoughtheupperstillremained。
Hereandthus，juttingacoupleoffeetfromthewallagainstwhichitstoesrestedasasupport，thecreaturehadforfourhundredyearslaughedatthesurroundinglandscape，voicelesslyindryweather，andinwetwithagurglingandsnortingsound。
Troysleptonintheporch，andtherainincreasedoutside。Presentlythegurgoylespat。Induetimeasmallstreambegantotricklethroughtheseventyfeetofaerialspacebetweenitsmouthandtheground，whichthewater-dropssmotelikeduckshotintheiracceleratedvelocity。Thestreamthickenedinsubstance，andincreasedinpower，graduallyspoutingfartherandyetfartherfromthesideofthetower。Whentherainfellinasteadyandceaselesstorrentthestreamdasheddownwardinvolumes。
Wefollowitscoursetothegroundatthispointoftime。Theendoftheliquidparabolahascomeforwardfromthewall，hasadvancedovertheplinthmouldings，overaheapofstones，overthemarbleborder，intothemidstofFannyRobin’sgrave。
Theforceofthestreamhad，untilverylately，beenreceiveduponsomeloosestonesspreadthereabout，whichhadactedasashieldtothesoilundertheonset。Theseduringthesummerhadbeenclearedfromtheground，andtherewasnownothingtoresistthedownfallbutthebareearth。Forseveralyearsthestreamhadnotspoutedsofarfromthetowerasitwasdoingonthisnight，andsuchacontingencyhadbeenoverlooked。Sometimesthisobscurecornerreceivednoinhabitantforthespaceoftwoorthreeyears，andthenitwasusuallybutapauper，apoacher，orothersinnerofundignifiedsins。
Thepersistenttorrentfromthegurgoyle’sjawsdirectedallitsvengeanceintothegrave。Therichtawnymouldwasstirredintomotion，andboiledlikechocolate。Thewateraccumulatedandwasheddeeperdown，andtheroarofthepoolthusformedspreadintothenightastheheadandchiefamongothernoisesofthekindcreatedbythedelugingrain。TheflowerssocarefullyplantedbyFanny’srepentantloverbegantomoveandwritheintheirbed。
Thewinter-violetsturnedslowlyupsidedown，andbecameamerematofmud。Soonthesnowdropandotherbulbsdancedintheboilingmasslikeingredientsinacauldron。Plantsofthetuftedspecieswereloosened，rosetothesurface，andfloatedoff。
Troydidnotawakefromhiscomfortlesssleeptillitwasbroadday。
Nothavingbeentobedfortwonightshisshouldersfeltstiff，hisfeettender，andhisheadheavy。Herememberedhisposition，arose，shivered，tookthespade，andagainwenton。
Therainhadquiteceased，andthesunwasshiningthroughthegreen，brown，andyellowleaves，nowsparklingandvarnishedbytheraindropstothebrightnessofsimilareffectsinthelandscapesofRuysdaelandHobbema；andfillofallthoseinfinitebeautiesthatarisefromtheunionofwaterandcolourwithhighlights。Theairwasrenderedsotransparentbytheheavyfallofrainthattheautumnhuesofthemiddledistancewereasrichasthosenearathand，andtheremotefieldsinterceptedbytheangleofthetowerappearedinthesameplaneasthetoweritself。
Heenteredthegravelpathwhichwouldtakehimbehindthetower。Thepath，insteadofbeingstonyasithadbeenthenightbefore，wasbrownedoverwithathincoatingofmud。Atoneplaceinthepathhesawatuftofstringyrootswashedwhiteandcleanasabundleoftendons。Hepickeditup-surelyitcouldnotbeoneoftheprimroseshehadplanted？Hesawabulb，another，andanotherasheadvanced。Beyonddoubttheywerethecrocuses。WithafaceofperplexeddismayTroyturnedthecornerandthenbeheldthewreckthestreamhadmade。
Thepooluponthegravehadsoakedawayintotheground，andinitsplacewasahollow。Thedisturbedearthwaswashedoverthegrassandpathwayintheguiseofthebrownmudhehadalreadyseen，anditspottedthemarbletombstonewiththesamestains。Nearlyalltheflowerswerewashedcleanoutoftheground，andtheylay，rootsupwards，onthespotswhithertheyhadbeensplashedbythestream。
Troy’sbrowbecameheavilycontracted。Hesethisteethclosely，andhiscompressedlipsmovedasthoseofoneingreatpain。Thissingularaccident，byastrangeconfluenceofemotionsinhim，wasfeltasthesharpeststingofall。Troy’sfacewasveryexpressive，andanyobserverwhohadseenhimnowwouldhardlyhavebelievedhimtobeamanwhohadlaughed，andsung，andpouredlove-triflesintoawoman’sear。Tocursehismiserablelotwasatfirsthisimpulse，buteventhatloweststageofrebellionneededanactivitywhoseabsencewasnecessarilyantecedenttotheexistenceofthemorbidmiserywhichwrunghim。Thesight，comingasitdid，superimposedupontheotherdarksceneryofthepreviousdays，formedasortofclimaxtothewholepanorama，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。Sanguinebynature，Troyhadapowerofeludinggriefbysimplyadjourningit。Hecouldputofftheconsiderationofanyparticularspectretillthematterhadbecomeoldandsoftenedbytime。TheplantingofflowersonFanny’sgravehadbeenperhapsbutaspeciesofelusionoftheprimarygrief，andnowitwasasifhisintentionhadbeenknownandcircumvented。
AlmostforthefirsttimeinhislifeTroy，ashestoodbythisdismantledgrave，wishedhimselfanotherman。Itisseldomthatapersonwithmuchanimalspiritdoesnotfeelthatthefactofhislifebeinghisownistheonequalificationwhichsinglesitoutasamorehopefullifethanthatofotherswhomayactuallyresemblehimineveryparticular。Troyhadfelt，inhistransientway，hundredsoftimes，thathecouldnotenvyotherpeopletheircondition，becausethepossessionofthatconditionwouldhavenecessitatedadifferentpersonalitywhenhedesirednootherthanhisown。Hehadnotmindedthepeculiaritiesofhisbirth，thevicissitudesofhislife，themeteor-likeuncertaintyofallthatrelatedtohim，becausetheseappertainedtotheheroofhisstory，withoutwhomtherewouldhavebeennostoryatallforhim；anditseemedtobeonlyinthenatureofthingsthatmatterswouldrightthemselvesatsomeproperdateandwindupwell。Thisverymorningtheillusioncompleteditsdisappearance，and，asitwere，allofasudden，Troyhatedhimself。Thesuddennesswasprobablymoreapparentthanreal。Acoralreefwhichjustcomesshortoftheoceansurfaceisnomoretothehorizonthanifithadneverbeenbegun，andthemerefinishingstrokeiswhatoftenappearstocreateaneventwhichhaslongbeenpotentiallyanaccomplishedthing。
Hestoodandmeditated-amiserableman。Whithershouldhego？`Hethatisaccursed，lethimbeaccursedstill，’wasthepitilessanathemawritteninthisspoliatedeffortofhisnew-bornsolicitousness。Amanwhohasspenthisprimalstrengthinjourneyinginonedirectionhasnotmuchspiritleftforreversinghiscourse。Troyhad，sinceyesterday，faintlyreversedhis；butthemerestoppositionhaddisheartenedhim。Toturnaboutwouldhavebeenhardenoughunderthegreatestprovidentialencouragement；
buttofindthatProvidence，farfromhelpinghimintoanewcourse，orshowinganywishthathemightadoptone，actuallyjeeredhisfirsttremblingandcriticalattemptinthatkind，wasmorethannaturecouldbear。
Heslowlywithdrewfromthegrave。Hedidnotattempttofillupthehole，replacetheflowers，ordoanythingatall。Hesimplythrewuphiscardsandforsworehisgameforthattimeandalways。Goingoutofthechurchyardsilentlyandunobserved-noneofthevillagershavingyetrisen-hepasseddownsomefieldsattheback，andemergedjustassecretlyuponthehighroad。Shortlyafterwardshehadgonefromthevillage。
Meanwhile，Bathshebaremainedavoluntaryprisonerintheattic。Thedoorwaskeptlocked，exceptduringtheentriesandexitsofLiddy，forwhomabedhadbeenarrangedinasmalladjoiningroom。ThelightofTroy’slanterninthechurchyardwasnoticedaboutteno’clockbythemaid-servant，whocasuallyglancedfromthewindowinthatdirectionwhilsttakinghersupper，andshecalledBathsheba’sattentiontoit。Theylookedcuriouslyatthephenomenonforatime，untilLiddywassenttobed。
Bathshebadidnotsleepveryheavilythatnight。Whenherattendantwasunconsciousandsoftlybreathinginthenextroom，themistressofthehousewasstilllookingoutofthewindowatthefaintgleamspreadingfromamongthetrees-notinasteadyshine，butblinkinglikearevolvingcoast-light，thoughthisappearancefailedtosuggesttoherthatapersonwaspassingandrepassinginfrontofit。Bathshebasatheretillitbegantorain，andthelightvanished，whenshewithdrewtolierestlesslyinherbedandre-enactinawornmindtheluridsceneofyesternight。
Almostbeforethefirstfaintsignofdawnappearedshearoseagain，andopenedthewindowtoobtainafillbreathingofthenewmorningair，thepanesbeingnowwetwithtremblingtearsleftbythenightrain，eachoneroundedwithapalelustrecaughtfromprimrose-huedslashesthroughacloudlowdownintheawakeningsky。Fromthetreescamethesoundofsteadydrippinguponthedriftedleavesunderthem，andfromthedirectionofthechurchshecouldhearanothernoise-peculiar，andnotintermittentliketherest，thepurlofwaterfallingintoapool。
Liddyknockedateighto’clock，andBathshebaunlockedthedoor。
`Whataheavyrainwe’vehadinthenight，ma’am！’saidLiddy，whenherinquiriesaboutbreakfasthadbeenmade。
`Yes；veryheavy。’
`Didyouhearthestrangenoisefromthechurchyard？’
`Iheardonestrangenoise。I’vebeenthinkingitmusthavebeenthewaterfromthetowerspouts。’
`Well，that’swhattheshepherdwassaying，ma’am。He’snowgoneontosee。’
`Oh！Gabrielhasbeenherethismorning？’
`Onlyjustlookedininpassing-quiteinhisoldway，whichIthoughthehadleftofflately。Butthetowerspoutsusedtospatteronthestones，andwearepuzzled，forthiswasliketheboilingofapot。’
Notbeingabletoread，think，orwork，BathshebaaskedLiddytostayandbreakfastwithher。Thetongueofthemorechildishwomanstillranuponrecentevents。`Areyougoingacrosstothechurch，ma’am？’sheasked。
`NotthatIknowof，’saidBathsheba。
`IthoughtyoumightliketogoandseewheretheyhaveputFanny。Thetreeshidetheplacefromyourwindow。’
Bathshebahadallsortsofdreadsaboutmeetingherhusband。`HasMrTroybeeninto-night？’shesaid。
`No，ma’am；Ithinkhe’sgonetoBudmouth。’
Budmouth！thesoundofthewordcarriedwithitamuchdiminishedperspectiveofhimandhisdeeds；therewerethirteenmilesintervalbetwixtthemnow。
ShehatedquestioningLiddyaboutherhusband’smovements，andindeedhadhithertosedulouslyavoideddoingso；butnowallthehouseknewthattherehadbeensomedreadfuldisagreementbetweenthem，anditwasfutiletoattemptdisguise。Bathshebahadreachedastageatwhichpeopleceasetohaveanyappreciativeregardforpublicopinion。
`Whatmakesyouthinkhehasgonethere？’shesaid。
`LabanTallsawhimontheBudmouthroadthismorningbeforebreakfast。’
Bathshebawasmomentarilyrelievedofthatwaywardheavinessofthepasttwenty-fourhourswhichhadquenchedthevitalityofyouthinherwithoutsubstitutingthephilosophyofmatureryearsandsheresolvedtogooutandwalkalittleway。Sowhenbreakfastwasoversheputonherbonnet，andtookadirectiontowardsthechurch。Itwasnineo’clock，andthemenhavingreturnedtoworkagainfromtheirfirstmeal，shewasnotlikelytomeetmanyofthemintheroad。KnowingthatFannyhadbeenlaidinthereprobates’quarterofthegraveyard，calledintheparish`behindchurch’，whichwasinvisiblefromtheroad，itwasimpossibletoresisttheimpulsetoenterandlookuponaspotwhich，fromnamelessfeelings，sheatthesametimedreadedtosee。Shehadbeenunabletoovercomeanimpressionthatsomeconnectionexistedbetweenherrivalandthelightthroughthetrees。
Bathshebaskirtedthebuttress，andbeheldtheholeandthetomb，itsdelicatelyveinedsurfacesplashedandstainedjustasTroyhadseenitandleftittwohoursearlier。OntheothersideofthescenestoodGabriel。
Hiseyes，too，werefixedonthetomb，andherarrivalhavingbeennoiseless，shehadnotasyetattractedhisattention。BathshebadidnotatonceperceivethatthegrandtombandthedisturbedgravewereFanny’s，andshelookedonbothsidesandaroundforsomehumblermound，earthedupandcloddedintheusualway。ThenhereyesfollowedOak’s，andshereadthewordswithwhichtheinscriptionopened：——`ErectedbyFrancisTroyinBelovedMemoryofFannyRobin。’Oaksawher，andhisfirstactwastogazeinquiringlyandlearnhowshereceivedthisknowledgeoftheauthorshipofthework，whichtohimselfhadcausedconsiderableastonishment。Butsuchdiscoveriesdidnotmuchaffecthernow。Emotionalconvulsionsseemedtohavebecomethecommonplacesofherhistory，andshebadehimgoodmorning，andaskedhimtofillintheholewiththespadewhichwasstandingby。WhilstOakwasdoingasshedesired，Bathshebacollectedtheflowers，andbeganplantingthemwiththatsympatheticmanipulationofrootsandleaveswhichissoconspicuousinawoman’sgardening，andwhichflowersseemtounderstandandthriveupon。SherequestedOaktogetthechurch-wardentoturntheleadworkatthemouthofthegurgoylethathunggapingdownuponthem，thatbythismeansthestreammightbedirectedsideways，andarepetitionoftheaccidentprevented。Finally，withthesuperfluousmagnanimityofawomanwhosenarrowerinstinctshavebroughtdownbitternessuponherinsteadoflove，shewipedthemudspotsfromthetombasifsheratherlikeditswordsthanotherwise，andwenthomeagain。
CHAPTERFORTY-SEVENAdventuresbytheShoreTroywanderedalongtowardsthesouth。Acompositefeeling，madeupofdisgustwiththe，tohim，humdrumtediousnessofafarmer’slife，gloomyimagesofherwholayinthechurchyard，remorse，andageneralaversenesstohiswife’ssociety，impelledhimtoseekahomeinanyplaceonearthsaveWeatherbury。ThesadaccessoriesofFanny’sendconfrontedhimasvividpictureswhichthreatenedtobeindelible，andmadelifeinBathsheba’shouseintolerable。Atthreeintheafternoonhefoundhimselfatthefootofaslopemorethanamileinlength，whichrantotheridgeofarangeofhillslyingparallelwiththeshore，andformedamonotonousbarrierbetweenthebasinofcultivatedcountryinlandandthewildersceneryofthecoast。Upthehillstretchedaroadnearlystraightandperfectlywhite，thetwosidesapproachingeachotherinagradualtapertilltheymettheskyatthetopabouttwomilesoff。
Throughoutthelengthofthisnarrowandirksomeinclinedplanenotasignoflifewasvisibleonthisgarishafternoon。Troytoileduptheroadwithalanguoranddepressiongreaterthananyhehadexperiencedformanyadayandyearbefore。Theairwaswarmandmuggy，andthetopseemedtorecedeasheapproached。
Atlasthereachedthesummit，andawideandnovelprospectburstuponhimwithaneffectalmostlikethatofthePacificuponBalboa’sgaze。
Thebroadsteelysea，markedonlybyfaintlines，whichhadasemblanceofbeingetchedthereontoadegreenotdeepenoughtodisturbitsgeneralevenness，stretchedthewholewidthofhisfrontandroundtotheright，where，nearthetownandportofBudmouth，thesunbristleddownuponit，andbanishedallcolour，tosubstituteinitsplaceaclearoilypolish。
Nothingmovedinsky，land，orsea，exceptafrillofmilkwhitefoamalongtheneareranglesoftheshores，shredsofwhichlickedthecontiguousstonesliketongues。
Hedescendedandcametoasmallbasinofseaenclosedbythecliffs。
Troy’snaturefreshenedwithinhim；hethoughthewouldrestandbatheherebeforegoingfarther。Heundressedandplungedin。Insidethecovethewaterwasuninterestingtoaswimmer，beingsmoothasapond，andtogetalittleoftheoceanswellTroypresentlyswambetweenthetwoprojectingspursofrockwhichformedthepillarsofHerculestothisminiatureMediterranean。
UnfortunatelyforTroyacurrentunknowntohimexistedoutside，which，unimportanttocraftofanyburden，wasawkwardforaswimmerwhomightbetakeninitunawares。Troyfoundhimselfcarriedtotheleftandthenroundinaswoopouttosea。
Henowrecollectedtheplaceanditssinistercharacter。Manybathershadthereprayedforadrydeathfromtimetotime，and，likeGonzaloalso，hadbeenunanswered；andTroybegantodeemitpossiblethathemightbeaddedtotheirnumber。Notaboatofanykindwasatpresentwithinsight，butfarinthedistanceBudmouthlayuponthesea，asitwerequietlyregardinghisefforts，andbesidethetowntheharbourshoweditspositionbyadimmeshworkofropesandspars。Afterwell-nighexhaustinghimselfinattemptstogetbacktothemouthofthecove，inhisweaknessswimmingseveralinchesdeeperthanwashiswont，keepinguphisbreathingentirelybyhisnostrils，turninguponhisbackadozentimesover，swimmingenpapillon，andsoon，Troyresolvedasalastresourcetotreadwaterataslightincline，andsoendeavourtoreachtheshoreatanypoint，merelygivinghimselfagentleimpetusinwardswhilstcarriedoninthegeneraldirectionofthetide。This，necessarilyaslowprocess，hefoundtobenotaltogethersodifficult，andthoughtherewasnochoiceofalanding-place-theobjectsonshorepassingbyhiminasadandslowprocession-heperceptiblyapproachedtheextremityofaspitoflandyetfurthertotheright，nowwelldefinedagainstthesunnyportionofthehorizon。WhiletheswimmerseyeswerefixeduponthespitashisonlymeansofsalvationonthissideoftheUnknown，amovingobjectbroketheoutlineoftheextremity，andimmediatelyaship’sboatappeared，mannedwithseveralsailorlads，herbowstowardsthesea。
AllTroy’svigourspasmodicallyrevivedtoprolongthestruggleyetalittlefarther。Swimmingwithhisrightarm，hehelduphislefttohailthem，splashinguponthewaves，andshoutingwithallhismight。Fromthepositionofthesettingsunhiswhiteformwasdistinctlyvisibleuponthenowdeep-huedbosomoftheseatotheeastoftheboat，andthemersawhimatonce。Backingtheiroarsandputtingtheboatabout，theypulledtowardshimwithawill，andinfiveorsixminutesfromthetimeofhisfirsthalloo，twoofthesailorshauledhiminoverthestern。
Theyformedpartofabrig’screwandhadcomeashoreforsand。Lendinghimwhatlittleclothingtheycouldspareamongthemasaslightprotectionagainsttherapidlycoolingair，theyagreedtolandhiminthemorning；
andwithoutfurtherdelay，foritwasgrowinglate，theymadeagaintowardstheroadsteadwheretheirvessellay。
Andnownightdroppedslowlyuponthewidewaterylevelsinfront；andatnogreatdistancefromthem，wheretheshore-linecurvedround，andformedalongribandofshadeuponthehorizon，aseriesofpointsofyellowlightbegantostartintoexistence，denotingthespottobethesiteofBudmouth，wherethelampswerebeinglightedalongtheparade。Thecluckoftheiroarswastheonlysoundofanydistinctnessuponthesea，andastheylabouredamidthethickeningshadesthelamp-lightsgrewlarger，eachappearingtosendaflamingsworddeepdownintothewavesbeforeit，untiltherearose，amongotherdimshapesofthekind，theformofthevesselforwhichtheywerebound。
CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHTDoubtsarise-DoubtshungerBathshebaunderwenttheenlargementofherhusband’sabsencefromhourstodayswithaslightfeelingofsurprise，andaslightfeelingofrelief；
yetneithersensationroseatanytimefarabovethelevelcommonlydesignatedasindifference。Shebelongedtohim：thecertaintiesofthatpositionweresowelldefined，andthereasonableprobabilitiesofitsissuesobounded，thatshecouldnotspeculateoncontingencies。Takingnofurtherinterestinherselfasasplendidwoman，sheacquiredtheindifferentfeelingsofanoutsiderincontemplatingherprobablefateasasingularwretch；
forBathshebadrewherselfandherfutureincoloursthatnorealitycouldexceedfordarkness。Heroriginalvigorousprideofyouthhadsickened，andwithithaddeclinedallheranxietiesaboutcomingyears，sinceanxietyrecognizesabetterandaworsealternative，andBathshebahadmadeuphermindthatalternativesonanynote-worthyscalehadceasedforher。
Soon，orlater-andthatnotverylate-herhusbandwouldbehomeagain。
AndthenthedaysoftheirtenancyoftheUpperFarmwouldbenumbered。
TherehadoriginallybeenshownbytheagenttotheestatesomedistrustofBathsheba’stenureasJamesEverdene’ssuccessor，onthescoreofhersex，andheryouth，andherbeauty；butthepeculiarnatureofheruncle’swill，hisownfrequenttestimonybeforehisdeathtoherclevernessinsuchapursuit，andhervigorousmarshallingofthenumerousflocksandherdswhichcamesuddenlyintoherhandsbeforenegotiationswereconcluded，hadwonconfidenceinherpowers，andnofartherobjectionshadbeenraised。
Shehadlatterlybeeningreatdoubtastowhatthelegaleffectsofhermarriagewouldbeuponherposition；butnonoticehadbeentakenasyetofherchangeofname，andonlyonepointwasclear-thatintheeventofherownorherhusband’sinabilitytomeettheagentattheforthcomingJanuaryrent-day，verylittleconsiderationwouldbeshown，and，forthatmatter，verylittlewouldbedeserved。Onceoutofthefarmtheapproachofpovertywouldbesure。
HenceBathshebalivedinaperceptionthatherpurposeswerebrokenoff。Shewasnotawomanwhocouldhopeonwithoutgoodmaterialsfortheprocess，differingthusfromthelessfar-sightedandenergetic，thoughmorepettedonesofthesex，withwhomhopegoesonasasortofclockworkwhichthemerestfoodandshelteraresufficienttowindup；andperceivingclearlythathermistakehadbeenafatalone，sheacceptedherposition，andwaitedcoldlyfortheend。
ThefirstSaturdayafterTroy’sdepartureshewenttoCasterbridgealone，ajourneyshehadnottakensincehermarriage。OnthisSaturdayBathshebawaspassingslowlyonlootthroughthecrowdofruralbusiness-mengatheredasusualinfrontofthemarket-house，whowereasusualgazeduponbytheburgherswithfeelingsthatthosehealthylivesweredearlypaidforbyexclusionfrompossiblealdermanship，whenaman，whohadapparentlybeenfollowingher，saidsomewordstoanotheronherlefthand。Bathsheba’searswerekeenasthoseofanywildanimal，andshedistinctlyheardwhatthespeakersaid，thoughherbackwastowardshim。
`IamlookingforMrsTroy。Isthatshethere’
`Yes；that’stheyounglady，Ibelieve，’saidthepersonaddressed。
`Ihavesomeawkwardnewstobreaktoher。Herhusbandisdrowned。’
Asifendowedwiththespiritofprophecy，Bathshebagaspedout，`No，itisnottrue；itcannotbetrue！’Thenshesaidandheardnomore。Theiceofself-commandwhichhadlatterlygatheredoverherwasbroken，andthecurrentsburstforthagain，andoverwhelmedher。Adarknesscameintohereyes，andshefell。
Butnottotheground。Agloomyman，whohadbeenobservingherfromundertheporticooftheoldcorn-exchangewhenshepassedthroughthegroupwithout，steppedquicklytohersideatthemomentofherexclamation，andcaughtherinhisarmsasshesankdown。
`Whatisit？’saidBoldwood，lookingupatthebringerofthebignews，ashesupportedher。
`HerhusbandwasdrownedthisweekwhilebathinginLulwindCove。A
coastguardsmanfoundhisclothes，andbroughtthemintoBudmouthyesterday。’
ThereuponastrangefirelightedupBoldwood’seye，andhisfaceflushedwiththesuppressedexcitementofanunutterablethought。Everybody’sglancewasnowcentreduponhimandtheunconsciousBathsheba。Heliftedherbodilyofftheground，andsmootheddownthefoldsofherdressasachildmighthavetakenastorm-beatenbirdandarrangeditsruffledplumes，andboreheralongthepavementtotheKing’sArmsinn。Herehepassedwithherunderthearchwayintoaprivateroom；andbythetimehehaddeposited-solothly-thepreciousburdenuponasofa，Bathshebahadopenedhereyes。Rememberingallthathadoccurred，shemurmured，`Iwanttogohome！’
Boldwoodlefttheroom。Hestoodforamomentinthepassagetorecoverhissenses。Theexperiencehadbeentoomuchforhisconsciousnesstokeepupwith，andnowthathehadgraspeditithadgoneagain。Forthosefewheavenly，goldenmomentsshehadbeeninhisarms。
Whatdiditmatterabouthernotknowingit？Shehadbeenclosetohisbreast；hehadbeenclosetohers。
Hestartedonwardagain，andsendingawomantoher，wentouttoascertainallthefactsofthecase。Theseappearedtobelimitedtowhathehadalreadyheard。Hethenorderedherhorsetobeputintothegig，andwhenallwasreadyreturnedtoinformher。Hefoundthat，thoughstillpaleandunwell，shehadinthemeantimesentfortheBudmouthmanwhobroughtthetidings，andlearntFromhimalltherewastoknow。
Beinghardlyinaconditiontodrivehomeasshehaddriventotown，Boldwood，witheverydelicacyofmannerandfeeling，offeredtogetheradriver，ortogiveheraseatinhisphaeton，whichwasmorecomfortablethanherownconveyance。TheseproposalsBathshebagentlydeclined，andthefarmeratoncedeparted。
Abouthalfan-hourlatersheinvigoratedherselfbyaneffort，andtookherseatandthereinsasusual-inexternalappearancemuchasifnothinghadhappened。Shewentoutofthetownbyatortuousbackstreet，anddroveslowlyalong，unconsciousoftheroadandthescene。ThefirstshadesofeveningwereshowingthemselveswhenBathshebareachedhome，where，silentlyalightingandleavingthehorseinthebandsoftheboy，sheproceededatonceupstairs。Liddymetheronthelanding。ThenewshadprecededBathshebatoWeatherburybyhalfan-hour，andLiddylikedinquiringlyintohermistress’sface。Bathshebahadnothingtosay。
Sheenteredherbedroomandsatbythewindow，andthoughtandthoughttillnightenvelopedher，andtheextremelinesonlyofhershapewerevisible。Somebodycametothedoor，knocked，andopenedit。
`Well，whatisit，Liddy？’shesaid。
`Iwasthinkingtheremustbesomethinggotforyoutowear，’saidLiddy，withhesitation。
`Whatdoyoumean？’
`Mourning。’
`No，no，no，’saidBathshebahurriedly。
`ButIsupposetheremustbesomethingdoneforpoor——’
`Notatpresent，Ithink。Itisnotnecessary。
`Whynot，ma’am？’
`Becausehe’sstillalive。’
`Howdoyouknowthat？’saidLiddy，amazed。
`Idon’tknowit。Butwouldn’tithavebeendifferent，orshouldn’tIhaveheardmore，orwouldn’ttheyhavefoundhim，Liddy？-or-Idon’tknowhowitis，butdeathwouldhavebeendifferentfromhowthisis。Theremaybesometrickinit。Iamperfectlyconvincedthatheisstillalive！’
BathshebaremainedfirminthisopiniontillMonday，whentwocircumstancesconjoinedtoshakeit。Thefirstwasashortparagraphinthelocalnewspaper，which，beyondmakingbyamethodizingpenformidablepresumptiveevidenceofTroy’sdeathbydrowning，containedtheimportanttestimonyofayoungMrBarker，M。D。，ofBudmouth，whospoketobeinganeyewitnessoftheaccident，inalettertotheeditor。Inthishestatedthathewaspassingoverthecliffontheremotersideofthecovejustasthesunwassetting。Atthattimehesawabathercarriedalonginthecurrentoutsidethemouthofthecove，andguessedinaninstantthattherewasbutapoorchanceforhimunless。Heshouldbepossessedofunusualmuscularpowers。Hedriftedbehindaprojectionofthecoast，andMrBarkerfollowedalongtheshoreinthesamedirection。Butbythetimethathecouldreachanelevationsufficientlygreattocommandaviewoftheseabeyond，duskhadsetin，andnothingfartherwastobeseen。
Theothercircumstancewasthearrivalofhisclothes，whenitbecamenecessaryforhertoexamineandidentifythem-thoughthishadvirtuallybeendonelongbeforebythosewhoinspectedthelettersinhispockets。
ItwassoevidenttoherinthemidstofheragitationthatTroyhadundressedinthefallconvictionofdressingagainalmostimmediately，thatthenotionthatanythingbutdeathcouldhavepreventedhimwasaperverseonetoentertain。
ThenBathshebasaidtoherselfthatotherswereassuredintheiropinion；
strangethatsheshouldnotbe。Astrangereflectionoccurredtoher，causingherfacetoflush。SupposethatTroyhadfollowedFannyintoanotherworld。
Hadhedonethisintentionallyyetcontrivedtomakehisdeathappearlikeanaccident？Nevertheless，thisthoughtofhowtheapparentmightdifferfromthereal-madevividbyherbygonejealousyofFanny，andtheremorsehehadshownthatnight-didnotblindhertotheperceptionofalikelierdifference，lesstragic，buttoherselffarmoredisastrous。
Whenalonelatethateveningbesideasmallfire，andmuchcalmeddown，BathshebatookTroy’swatchintoherhand，whichhadbeenrestoredtoherwiththerestofthearticlesbelongingtohim。Sheopenedthecaseashehadopeneditbeforeheraweekago。Therewasthelittlecoilofpalehairwhichhadbeenasthefazetothisgreatexplosion。
`Hewashersandshewashis；theyshouldbegonetogether，’shesaid。
`Iamnothingtoeitherofthem，andwhyshouldIkeepherhair？’Shetookitinherhand，andhelditoverthefire。`No-I’llnotburnit-I’llkeepitinmemoryofher，poorthing！’sheadded，snatchingbackherhand。
CHAPTERFORTY-NINEOak’sAdvancement-AGreatHopeThelateautumnandthewinterdrewonapace，andtheleaveslaythickupontheturfofthegladesandthemossesofthewoods。Bathsheba，havingpreviouslybeenlivinginastateofsuspendedfeelingwhichwasnotsuspense，nowlivedinamoodofquietudewhichwasnotpreciselypeacefulness。Whileshehadknownhimtobealiveshecouldhavethoughtofhisdeathwithequanimity；butnowthatitmightbeshehadlosthim，sheregrettedthathewasnothersstill。Shekeptthefirmgoing，rakedinherprofitswithoutcaringkeenlyaboutthem，andexpendedmoneyonventuresbecauseshehaddonesoinbygonedays，which，thoughnotlonggoneby，seemedinfinitelyremovedfromherpresent。Shelookedbackuponthatpastoveragreatgulf，asifshewerenowadeadperson，havingthefacultyofmeditationstillleftinher，bymeansofwhich，likethemoulderinggentlefolkofthepoet’sstory，shecouldsitandponderwhatagiftlifeusedtobe。
However，oneexcellentresultofhergeneralapathywasthelongdelayedinstallationofOakasbailiffbuthehavingvirtuallyexercisedthatfunctionforalongtimealready，thechange，beyondthesubstantialincreaseofwagesitbrought，waslittlemorethananominaloneaddressedtotheoutsideworld。
Boldwoodlivedsecludedandinactive。Muchofhidwheatandallhisbarleyofthatseasonhadbeenspoiltbytherain。Itsprouted，grewintointricatemats，andwasultimatelythrowntothepigsinarmfuls。Thestrangeneglectwhichhadproducedthisruinandwastebecamethesubjectofwhisperedtalkamongallthepeopleround；anditwaselicitedfromoneofBoldwood’smenthatforgetfulnesshadnothingtodowithit，forhehadbeenremindedofthedangertohiscornasmanytimesandaspersistentlyasinferiorsdaredtodo。ThesightofthepigsturningindisgustfromtherottenearsseemtoarouseBoldwood，andheoneeveningsentforOak。WhetheritwassuggestedbyBathsheba’srecentactofpromotionornot，thefarmerproposedattheinterviewthatGabrielshouldundertakethesuperintendenceofthelowerFarmaswellasofBathsheba’s，becauseofthenecessityBoldwoodfeltforsuchaid，andtheimpossibilityofdiscoveringamoretrustworthyman。Gabriel’smalignantstarwasassuredlysettingfast。
Bathsheba，whenshelearntofthisproposal-forOakwasobligedtoconsulther-atfirstlanguidlyobjected。Sheconsideredthatthetwofarmstogetherweretooextensivefortheobservationofoneman。Boldwood，whowasapparentlydeterminedbypersonalratherthancommercialreasons，suggestedthatOakshouldbefurnishedwithahorseforhissoleuse，whentheplanwouldpresentnodifficulty，thetwofarmslyingsidebyside。
Boldwooddidnotdirectlycommunicatewithherduringthesenegotiations，onlyspeakingtoOak，whowasthegobetweenthroughout。Allwasharmoniouslyarrangedatlast，andwenowseeOakmountedonastrongcob，anddailytrottingthelengthandbreadthofabouttwothousandacresinacheerfulspiritofsurveillance，asifthecropsallbelongedtohim-theactualmistressoftheone-half，andthemasteroftheother，sittingintheirrespectivehomesingloomyandsadseclusion。
Outofthistherearose，duringthespringsucceeding，atalkintheparishthatGabrielOakwasfeatheringhisnestfast。
`Whateverd’yethink？’saidSusanTall，`GableOakiscomingitquitethedand。Henowwearsshiningbootswithhardlyahobin’em，twoorthreetimesa-week，andatallhata-Sundays，and’ahardlyknowsthenameofsmockfrock。WhenIseepeoplestrutenoughtobecutupintobantamcocks，Istanddormantwithwonder，andsaysnomore！’
ItwaseventuallyknownthatGabriel，thoughpaidafixedwagebyBathshebaindependentofthefluctuationsofagriculturalprofits，hadmadeanengagementwithBoldwoodbywhichOakwastoreceiveashareofthereceipts-asmallsharecertainly，yetitwasmoneyofahigherqualitythanmerewages，andcapableofexpansioninawaythatwageswerenot。SomewerebeginningtoconsiderOaka`near’man，forthoughhisconditionhadthusfarimproved，helivedinnobetterstylethanbefore，occupyingthesamecottage，paringhisownpotatoes，mendinghisstockings，andsometimesevenmakinghisbedwithhisownhands。ButasOakwasnotonlyprovokinglyindifferenttopublicopinion，butamanwhoclungpersistentlytooldhabitsandusages，simplybecausetheywereold，therewasroomfordoubtastohismotives。
AgreathopehadlatterlygerminatedinBoldwood，whoseunreasoningdevotiontoBathshebacouldonlybecharacterizedasafondmadnesswhichneithertimenorcircumstance，evilnorgoodreport，couldweakenordestroy。
Thisfeveredhopehadgrownupagainlikeagrainofmustard-seedduringthequietwhichfollowedthehastyconjecturethatTroywasdrowned。Henourisheditfearfully，andalmostshunnedthecontemplationofitinearnest，lestfactsshouldrevealthewildnessofthedream。Bathshebahavingatlastbeenpersuadedtowearmourning，herappearanceassheenteredthechurchinthatguisewasinitselfaweeklyadditiontohisfaiththatatimewascoming-veryfaroffperhaps，yetsurelynearing-whenhiswaitingoneventsshouldhaveitsreward。Howlonghemighthavetowaithehadnotyetcloselyconsidered。WhathewouldtrytorecognizewasthatthesevereschoolingshehadbeensubjectedtohadmadeBathshebamuchmoreconsideratethanshehadformerlybeenofthefeelingsofothers，andhetrustedthat，shouldshebewillingatanytimeinthefuturetomarryanymanatall，thatmanwouldbehimself。Therewasasubstratumofgoodfeelinginher；herself-reproachfortheinjuryshehadthoughtlesslydonehimmightbedependeduponnowtoamuchgreaterextentthanbeforeherinfatuationanddisappointment。Itwouldbepossibletoapproachherbythechannelofhergoodnature，andtosuggestafriendlybusiness-likecompactbetweenthemforfulfilmentatsomefutureday，keepingthepassionatesideofhisdesireentirelyoutofhersight。SuchwasBoldwood’shope。
Totheeyesofthemiddle-aged，Bathshebawasperhapsadditionallycharmingjustnow。Herexuberanceofspiritwaspruneddown；theoriginalphantomofdelightshadshownherselftobenottoobrightforhumannature’sdailyfood，andshehadbeenabletoenterthissecondpoeticalphasewithoutlosingmuchofthefirstintheprocess。
Bathsheba’sreturnfromatwomonths’visittoheroldauntatNorcombeaffordedtheimpassionedandyearningfarmerapretextforinquiringdirectlyalterher-nowpossiblyintheninthmonthofherwidowhood-andendeavouringtogetanotionofherstateofmindregardinghim。Thisoccurredinthemiddleofthehaymaking，andBoldwoodcontrivedtobenearLiddy，whowasassistinginthefields。
`Iamgladtoseeyououtofdoors，Lydia，’hesaidpleasantly。
Shesimpered，andwonderedinherheartwhyheshouldspeaksofranklytoher。
`IhopeMrsTroyisquitewellafterherlongabsence，’hecontinued，inamannerexpressingthatthecoldest-heartedneighbourcouldscarcelysaylessabouther。
`Sheisquitewell，sir。’
`Andcheerful，Isuppose。
`Yes，cheerful。’
`Fearful，didyousay？’
`Ono。Imerelysaidshewascheerful。’
`Tellsyouallheraffairs？’
`No，sir。’
`Someofthem？’
`Yes，sir。’
`MrsTroyputsmuchconfidenceinyou，Lydia，andverywisely，perhaps。’
`Shedo，sir。I’vebeenwithherallthroughhertroubles，andwaswithheratthetimeofMrTroy’sgoingandall。AndifsheweretomarryagainIexpectIshouldbidewithher。’
`Shepromisesthatyoushall-quitenatural，’saidthestrategiclover，throbbingthroughouthimatthepresumptionwhichLiddy’swordsappearedtowarrant-thathisdarlinghadthoughtofre-marriage。
`No-shedoesn’tpromiseitexactly。Imerelyjudgeonmyownaccount。’
`Yes，yes，Iunderstand。Whenshealludestothepossibilityofmarryingagain，youconclude——’
`Sheneverdoalludetoit，sir，’saidLiddy，thinkinghowverystupidMrBoldwoodwasgetting。
`Ofcoursenot，’hereturnedhastily，hishopefallingagain。`Youneedn’ttakequitesuchlongreacheswithyourtake，Lydia-shortandquickonesarebest。Well，perhaps，assheisabsolutemistressagainnow，itiswiseofhertoresolvenevertogiveupherfreedom。
`Mymistressdidcertainlyoncesay，thoughnotseriously，thatshesupposedshemightmarryagainattheendofsevenyearsfromlastyear，ifshecaredtoriskMrTroy’scomingbackandclaimingher。’
`Ah，sixyearsfromthepresenttime。Saidthatshemight。Shemightmarryatonceineveryreasonableperson’sopinion，whateverthelawyersmaysaytothecontrary。
`Haveyoubeentoaskthem？’saidLiddyinnocently。
`NotI，’saidBoldwood，growingred。`Liddy，youneedn’tstayhereaminutelaterthanyouwish，soMrOaksays。Iamnowgoingonlittlefarther。
Good-afternoon。’
Hewentawayvexedwithhimselfandashamedofhavingforthisonetimeinhislifedoneanythingwhichcouldbecalledunderhand。PoorBoldwoodhadnomoreskillinfinessethanabattering-ramandhewasuneasywithasenseofhavingmadehimselftoappearstupidand，whatwasworse，mean。
Buthehad，afterall，lightedupononefactbywayofrepayment。Itwasasingularlyfreshandfascinatingfact，aridthoughnotwithoutitssadnessitwaspertinentandreal。InlittlemorethansixyearsfromthistimeBathshebamightcertainlymarryhim。Therewassomethingdefiniteinthathope，foradmittingthattheremighthavebeennodeepthoughtinherwordstoLiddyaboutmarriage，theyshowedatleasthercreedonthematter。
Thispleasantnotionwasnowcontinuallyinhismind。Sixyearswerealongtime，buthowmuchshorterthannever，theideahehadforsolongbeenobligedtoendure！JacobhadservedtwicesevenyearsforRachel：
whatweresixforsuchawomanasthis？Hetriedtolikethenotionofwaitingforherbetterthanthatofwinningheratonce。Boldwoodfelthislovetobesodeepandstrongandeternal，thatitwaspossibleshehadneveryetknownitsfallvolume，andthispatienceindelaywouldaffordhimanopportunityofgivingsweetproofonthepoint。Hewouldannihilatethesixyearsofhislifeasiftheywereminutes-solittledidhevaluehistimeonearthbesideherlove。Hewouldlethersee，allthosesixyearsofintangibleetherealcourtship，howlittlecarehehadforanythingbutasitboreupontheconsummation。
MeanwhiletheearlyandthelatesummerbroughtroundtheweekinwhichGreenhillFairwasheld。ThisfairwasfrequentlyattendedbythefolkofWeatherbury。
CHAPTERFIFTYTheSheepFair-TroytoucheshisWife’sHandGreenhillwastheNijniNovgorodofSouthWessex；andthebusiest，merriest，noisiestdayofthewholestatutenumberwasthedayofthesheepfair。
Thisyearlygatheringwasuponthesummitofahillwhichretainedingoodpreservationtheremainsofanancientearthwork，consistingofahugerampartandentrenchmentofanovalformencirclingthetopofthehill，thoughsomewhatbrokendownhereandthere。Toeachofthetwochiefopeningsonoppositesidesawindingroadascended，andthelevelgreenspaceoftenorfifteenacresenclosedbythebankwasthesiteofthefair。Afewpermanenterectionsdottedthespot，butthemajorityofvisitorspatronizedcanvasaloneforrestingandfeedingunderduringthetimeoftheirsojournhere。
Shepherdswhoattendedwiththeirflocksfromlongdistancesstartedfromhometwoorthreedays，orevenaweek，beforethefair，drivingtheirchargesafewmileseachday-notmorethantenortwelve-andrestingthematnightinhiredfieldsbythewaysideatpreviouslychosenpoints，wheretheyfed，havingfastedsincemorning。Theshepherdofeachflockmarchedbehind，abundlecontaininghiskitfortheweekstrappeduponhisshoulders，andinhishandhiscrook，whichheusedasthestaffofhispilgrimage。Severalofthesheepwouldgetwornandlame，andoccasionallyalambingoccurredontheroad。Tomeetthesecontingencies，therewasfrequentlyprovided，toaccompanytheflocksfromtheremoterpoints，aponyandwaggonintowhichtheweaklyonesweretakenfortheremainderofthejourney。
TheWeatherburyFarms，however，werenosuchlongdistancefromthehill，andthosearrangementswerenotnecessaryintheircase。ButthelargeunitedflocksofBathshebaandFarmerBoldwoodformedavaluableandimposingmultitudewhichdemandedmuchattention，andonthisaccountGabriel，inadditiontoBoldwood’sshepherdandCainBall，accompaniedthemalongtheway，throughthedecayedoldtownofKingsbere，andupwardtotheplateau，-oldGeorgethedogofcoursebehindthem。
WhentheautumnsunslantedoverGreenhillthismorningandlightedthedewyflatuponitscrest，nebulouscloudsofdustweretobeseenfloatingbetweenthepairsofhedgeswhichstreakedthewideprospectaroundinalldirections。Thesegraduallyconvergeduponthebaseofthehill，andtheflocksbecameindividuallyvisible，climbingtheserpentinewayswhichledtothetop。Thus，inaslowprocession，theyenteredtheopeningtowhichtheroadstended，multitudeaftermultitude，hornedandhornless-blueflocksandredflocks，buffflocksandbrownflocks，evengreenandsalmon-tintedflocks，accordingtothefancyofthecolouristandcustomofthefarm。Menwereshouting，dogswerebarking，withgreatestanimation，butthethrongingtravellersinsolongajourneyhadgrownnearlyindifferenttosuchterrors，thoughtheystillbleatedpiteouslyattheunwantednessoftheirexperiences，atallshepherdrisinghereandthereinthemidstofthem，likeagiganticidolamidacrowdofprostratedevotees。
ThegreatmassofsheepinthefairconsistedofSouthDownsandtheoldWessexhornedbreeds；tothelatterclassBathsheba’sandFarmerBoldwood’smainlybelonged。Thesefiledinaboutnineo’clock，theirvermiculatedhornsloppinggracefullyoneachsideoftheircheeksingeometricallyperfectspirals，asmallpinkandwhiteearnestlingundereachhorn。Beforeandbehindcameothervarieties，perfectleopardsastothefallrichsubstanceoftheircoats，andonlylackingthespots。TherewerealsoafewoftheOxfordshirebreed，whosewoolwasbeginningtocurllikeachild’sflaxenhair，thoughsurpassedinthisrespectbytheeffeminateLeicesters，whichwereinturnlesscurlythantheCotswolds。ButthemostpicturesquebyfarwasasmallflockofExmoors，whichchancedtobetherethisyear。
Theirpiedfacesandlegs，darkandheavyhorns，tressesofwoolhangingroundtheirswarthyforeheads，quiterelievedthemonotonyoftheflocksinthatquarter。
Allthesebleating，panting，andwearythousandshadenteredandwerepennedbeforethemorninghadfaradvanced，thedogbelongingtoeachflockbeingtiedtothecornerofthepencontainingit。Alleysforpedestriansintersectedthepens，whichsoonbecamecrowdedwithbuyersandsellersfromfarandnear。
Inanotherpartofthehillanaltogetherdifferentscenebegantoforceitselfupontheeyetowardsmidday。Acirculartentofexceptionalnewnessandsize，wasincourseoferectionhere。Asthedaydrewon，theflocksbegantochangehands，lighteningtheshepherds’responsibilities；andtheyturnedtheirattentiontothistentandinquiredofamanatworkthere，whosesoulseemedconcentratedontyingabotheringknotinnotime，whatwasgoingon。
`TheRoyalHippodromePerformanceofTurpin’sRidetoYorkandtheDeathofBlackBess，’repliedthemanpromptly，withoutturninghiseyesorleavingofftying。
Assoonasthetentwascompletedthebandstruckuphighlystimulatingharmonies，andtheannouncementwaspubliclymade，BlackBessstandinginaconspicuouspositionontheoutside，asalivingproof，ifproofwerewanted，ofthetruthoftheoracularutterancesfromthestageoverwhichthepeopleweretoenter。Theseweresoconvincedbysuchgenuineappealstoheartandunderstandingboththattheysoonbegantocrowdinabundantly，amongtheforemostbeingvisibleJanCogganandJosephPoorgrass，whowereholidaykeepinghereto-day。
`That’sthegreatruffenpushingme！’screamedawomaninfrontofJanoverhershoulderathimwhentherushwasatitsfiercest。
`HowcanIhelppushingyewhenthefolkbehindpushme？’saidCoggan，inadeprecatingtone，turninghisheadtowardstheaforesaidfolkasfarashecouldwithoutturninghisbody，whichwasjammedasinavice。
Therewasasilence；thenthedrumsandtrumpetsagainsentforththeirechoingnotes。Thecrowdwasagainecstasied，andgaveanotherlurchinwhichCogganandPoorgrasswereagainthrustbythosebehinduponthewomeninfront。
`Othathelplessfeymelsshouldbeatthemercyofsuchruffens！’exclaimedoneoftheseladiesagain，assheswayedlikeareedshakenbythewind。
`Now，’saidCoggan，appealinginanearnestvoicetothepublicatlargeasitstoodclusteredabouthisshoulder-blades，`didyeeverhearsuchaonreasonablewomanasthat？Uponmycarcass，neighbours，ifIcouldonlygetoutofthischeesewring，thedamnwomenmighteattheshowforme！’
`Don’tyeloseyertemper，Jan！’imploredJosephPoorgrass，inawhisper。
`Theymightgettheirmentomurderus，forIthinkbytheshineoftheireyesthattheybeasinfulformofwomankind。’
Janheldhistongue，asifhehadnoobjectiontobepacifiedtopleaseafriend，andtheygraduallyreachedthefootoftheladder，Poorgrassbeingflattenedlikeajumping-jack，andthesixpence，taradmission，whichhehadgotreadyhalfan-hourearlier，havingbecomesoreekinghotinthetightsqueezeofhisexcitedhandthatthewomaninspangles，brazenringssetwithglassdiamonds，andwithchalkedfaceandshoulders，whotookthemoneyofhim，hastilydroppeditagainfromafearthatsometrickhadbeenplayedtoburnherfingers。Sotheyallentered，andtheclothofthetent，totheeyesofanobserverontheoutside，becamebulgedintoinnumerablepimplessuchasweobserveonasackofpotatoes，causedbythevarioushumanheads，backs，andelbowsathighpressurewithin。
Attherearofthelargetentthereweretwosmalldressing-tents。Oneofthese，allottedtothemaleperformers，waspartitionedintohalvesbyacloth；andinoneofthedivisionstherewassittingonthegrass，pullingonapairofjack-boots，ayoungmanwhomweinstantlyrecognizeasSergeantTroy。
Troy’sappearanceinthispositionmaybebrieflyaccountedfor。ThebrigaboardwhichhewastakeninBudmouthRoadswasabouttostartonavoyage，thoughsomewhatshortofhands。Troyreadthearticlesandjoined，butbeforetheysailedaboatwasdespatchedacrossthebaytoLulwindCove；ashehadhalfexpected，hisclothesweregone。HeultimatelyworkedhispassagetotheUnitedStates，wherehemadeaprecariouslivinginvarioustownsasProfessorofGymnastics，SwordExercise，Fencing，andPugilism。Afewmonthsweresufficienttogivehimadistasteforthiskindoflife。Therewasacertainanimalformofrefinementinhisnature；
andhoweverpleasantastrangeconditionmightbewhilstprivationswereeasilywardedoff，itwasdisadvantageouslycoarsewhenmoneywasshort。
Therewaseverpresent，too，theideathathecouldclaimahomeanditscomfortsdidhebutchoosetoreturntoEnglandandWeatherburyFarm。WhetherBathshebathoughthimdeadwasafrequentsubjectofcuriousconjecture。
ToEnglandhedidreturnatlast；butthefactofdrawingnearertoWeatherburyabstracteditsfascinations，andhisintentiontoenterhisoldgrooveatthatplacebecamemodified。ItwaswithgloomheconsideredonlandingatLiverpoolthatifheweretogohomehisreceptionwouldbeofakindveryunpleasanttocontemplate；forwhatTroyhadinthewayofemotionwasanoccasionalfitfulsentimentwhichsometimescausedhimasmuchinconvenienceasemotionofastrongandhealthykind。Bathshebawasnotawomantobemadeafoolof，orawomantosufferinsilence；andhowcouldheendureexistencewithaspiritedwifetowhomatfirstenteringhewouldbebeholdenforfoodandlodging？Moreover，itwasnotatallunlikelythathiswifewouldfailatherfarming，ifshehadnotalreadydoneso；andhewouldthenbecomeliableforhermaintenance；andwhatalifesuchafutureofpovertywithherwouldbe，thespectreofFannyconstantlybetweenthem，harrowinghistemperandembitteringherwords！Thus，forreasonstouchingondistaste，regret，andshamecommingled，heputoffhisreturnfromdaytoday，andwouldhavedecidedtoputitoffaltogetherifhecouldhavefoundanywhereelsetheready-madeestablishmentwhichexistedforhimthere。
Atthistime-theJulyprecedingtheSeptemberinwhichwefindhimatGreenhillFair-hefellinwithatravellingcircuswhichwasperformingintheoutskirtsofanortherntown。Troyintroducedhimselftothemanagerbytamingarestivehorseofthetroupe，hittingasuspendedapplewithapistol-bulletfiredfromtheanimal’shackwheninfallgallop，andotherfeats。Forhismeritsinthese-allmoreorlessbaseduponhisexperiencesasadragoon-guardsman-Troywastakenintothecompany，andtheplayofTurpinwaspreparedwithaviewtohispersonationofthechiefcharacter。
Troywasnotgreatlyelatedbytheappreciativespiritinwhichhewasundoubtedlytreated，buthethoughttheengagementmightaffordhimafewweeksforconsideration。Itwasthuscarelessly，andwithouthavingformedanydefiniteplanforthefuture，thatTroyfoundhimselfatGreenhillFairwiththerestofthecompanyonthisday。
Andnowthemildautumnsungotlower，andinfrontofthepavilionthefollowingincidenthadtakenplace。Bathsheba-whowasdriventothefairthatdaybyheroddmanPoorgrass-had，likeeveryoneelse，readorheardtheannouncementthatMrFrancis，theGreatCosmopolitanEquestrianandRoughrider，wouldenactthepartofTurpin，andshewasnotyettoooldandcareworntobewithoutalittlecuriositytoseehim。Thisparticularshowwasbyfarthelargestandgrandestinthefair，ahordeoflittleshowsgroupingthemselvesunderitsshadelikechickensaroundahen。Thecrowdhadpassedin，andBoldwood，whohadbeenwatchingallthedayforanopportunityofspeakingtoher，seeinghercomparativelyisolated，cameuptoherside。
`Ihopethesheephavedonewelltoday，MrsTroy？’hesaidnervously。
`Oyes，thankyou，’saidBathsheba，colourspringingupinthecentreofhercheeks。`Iwasfortunateenoughtosellthemalljustaswegotuponthehill，sowehadn’ttopenatall。’
`Andnowyouareentirelyatleisure？’
`Yes，exceptthatIhavetoseeonemoredealerintwohours’time；
otherwiseIshouldbegoinghome。Iwaslookingatthislargetentandtheannouncement。Haveyoueverseentheplayof“Turpin’sRidetoYork“？
Turpinwasarealman，washenot？’
`Oyes，perfectlytrue-allofit。Indeed，IthinkI’veheardJanCoggansaythatarelationofhisknewTomKing，Turpin’sfriend，quitewell。’
`Cogganisrathergiventostrangestoriesconnectedwithhisrelations，wemustremember。Ihopetheycanallbebelieved。’
`Yes，yes；weknowCoggan。ButTurpinistrueenough。Youhaveneverseenitplayed，Isuppose？’
`Never。IwasnotallowedtogointotheseplaceswhenIwasyoung。
Hark！What’sthatprancing？Howtheyshout！’
`BlackBessjuststartedoff，Isuppose。AmIrightinsupposingyouwouldliketoseetheperformance，MrsTroy？Pleaseexcusemymistake，ifitisone；butifyouwouldliketo，I’llgetaseatforyouwithpleasure。’
Perceivingthatshehesitated，headded，`Imyselfshallnotstaytoseeit：I’veseenitbefore。’
NowBathshebadidcarealittletoseetheshow，andhadonlywithheldherfeetfromtheladderbecauseshefearedtogoinalone。ShehadbeenhopingthatOakmightappear，whoseassistanceinsuchcaseswasalwaysacceptedasaninalienableright，butOakwasnowheretobeseen；andhenceitwasthatshesaid，`Thenifyouwilljustlookinfirst，toseeifthere’sroom，IthinkIwillgoinforaminuteortwo。’
AndsoashorttimeafterthisBathshebaappearedinthetentwithBoldwoodatherelbow，who，takinghertoa`reserved’seat，againwithdrew。
Thisfeatureconsistedofoneraisedbenchinaveryconspicuouspartofthecircle，coveredwithredcloth，andflooredwithapieceofcarpet，andBathshebaimmediatelyfound，toherconfusion，thatshewasthesinglereservedindividualinthetent，therestofthecrowdedspectators，oneandall，standingontheirlegsonthebordersofthearena，wheretheygottwiceasgoodaviewoftheperformanceforhalfthemoney。Henceasmanyeyeswereturneduponher，enthronedaloneinthisplaceofhonour，againstascarletbackground，asupontheponiesandclownwhowereengagedinpreliminaryexploitsinthecentre，Turpinnothavingyetappeared。
Oncethere，Bathshebawasforcedtomakethebestofitandremain：shesatdown，spreadingherskirtswithsomedignityovertheunoccupiedspaceoneachsideofher，andgivinganewandfeminineaspecttothepavilion。
InafewminutesshenoticedthefatrednapeofCoggan’sneckamongthosestandingjustbelowher，andJosephPoorgrass’ssaintlyprofilealittlefurtheron。
Theinteriorwasshadowywithapeculiarshade。Thestrangeluminoussemi-opacitiesoffineautumnafternoonsandevesintensifiedintoRembrandteffectsthefewyellowsunbeamswhichcamethroughholesanddivisionsinthecanvas，andspurtedlikejetsofgold-dustacrosstheduskyblueatmosphereofhazepervadingthetent，untiltheyalightedoninnersurfacesofclothopposite，andshonelikelittlelampssuspendedthere。
Troy，onpeepingfromhisdressing-tentthroughaslitforareconnoitrebeforeentering，sawhisunconsciouswifeonhighbeforehimasdescribed，sittingasqueenofthetournament。Hestartedbackinutterconfusion，foralthoughhisdisguiseeffectuallyconcealedhispersonality，heinstantlyfeltthatshewouldbesuretorecognizehisvoice。HehadseveraltimesduringthedaythoughtofthepossibilityofsomeWeatherburypersonorotherappearingandrecognizinghim；buthehadtakentheriskcarelessly。
Iftheyseeme，letthem，hehadsaid。ButherewasBathshebainherownperson；andtherealityofthescenewassomuchintenserthananyofhisprefiguringsthathefelthehadnothalfenoughconsideredthepoint。
ShelookedsocharmingandfairthathiscoolmoodaboutWeatherburypeoplewaschanged。Hehadnotexpectedhertoexercisethispoweroverhiminthetwinklingofaneye。Shouldhegoon，andcarenothing？Hecouldnotbringhimselftodothat。Beyondapoliticwishtoremainunknown，theresuddenlyaroseinhimnowasenseofshameatthepossibilitythathisattractiveyoungwife，whoalreadydespisedhim，shoulddespisehimmorebydiscoveringhiminsomeanaconditionaftersolongatime。Heactuallyblushedatthethought，andwasvexedbeyondmeasurethathissentimentsofdisliketowardsWeatherburyshouldhaveledhimtodailyaboutthecountryinthisway。
ButTroywasnevermorecleverthanwhenabsolutelyathiswits’end。
Hehastilythrustasidethecurtaindividinghisownlittledressingspacefromthatofthemanagerandproprietor，whonowappearedastheindividualcalledTomKingasfardownashiswaist，andastheaforesaidrespectablemanagerthencetohistoes。
`Here’sthedeviltopay！’saidTroy。
`How’sthat？’
`Why，there’sablackguardcreditorinthetentIdon’twanttosee，who’lldiscovermeandnabmeassureasSatanifIopenmymouth。What’stobedone？’
`Youmustappearnow，Ithink。’
`Ican’t。’
`Buttheplaymustproceed。’
`DoyougiveoutthatTurpinhasgotabadcold，andcan’tspeakhispart，butthathe’llperformitjustthesamewithoutspeaking。’
Theproprietorshookhishead。
`Anyhow，playornoplay，Iwon’topenmymouth，’saidTroyfirmly。
`Verywell，thenletmesee。Itellyouhowwe’llmanage，’saidtheother，whoperhapsfeltitwouldbeextremelyawkwardtooffendhisleadingmanjustatthistime。`Iwon’ttell’emanythingaboutyourkeepingsilence；
goonwiththepieceandsaynothing，doingwhatyoucanbyajudiciouswinknowandthen，andafewindomitablenodsintheheroicplaces，youknow。They’llneverfindoutthatthespeechesareomitted。’
Thisseemedfeasibleenough，forTurpin’sspeecheswerenotmanyorlong，thefascinationofthepiecelyingentirelyintheaction；andaccordinglytheplaybegan，andattheappointedtimeBlackBessleaptintothegrassycircleamidtheplauditsofthespectators。Attheturnpikescene，whereBessandTurpinarehotlypursuedatmidnightbytheofficers，andthehalfawakegatekeeperinhistassellednightcapdeniesthatanyhorsemanhaspassed，Cogganutteredabroad-chested`Welldone！’whichcouldbeheardalloverthefairabovethebleating，andPoorgrasssmileddelightedlywithanicesenseofdramaticcontrastbetweenourhero，whocoollyleapsthegate，andhaltingjusticeintheformofhisenemies，whomustneedspullupcumbersomelyandwaittobeletthrough。AtthedeathofTomKing，hecouldnotrefrainfromseizingCogganbythehand，andwhispering，withtearsinhiseyes，`Ofcoursehe’snotreallyshot，Jan-onlyseemingly！’
Andwhenthelastsadscenecameon，andthebodyofthegallantandfaithfulBesshadtobecarriedoutonashutterbytwelvevolunteersfromamongthespectators，nothingcouldrestrainPoorgrassfromlendingahand，exclaiming，asheaskedJantojoinhim，`’TwillbesomethingtotellofatWarren’sinfutureyears，Jan，andhanddowntoourchildren。’FormanyayearinWeatherbury，Josephtold，withtheairofamanwhohadhadexperiencesinhistime，thathetouchedwithhisownhandthehoofofBessasshelayupontheboarduponhisshoulder。If，ascomethinkershold，immortalityconsistsinbeingenshrinedinothers’memories，thendidBlackBessbecomeimmortalthatdayifsheneverhaddonesobefore。
MeanwhileTroyhadaddedafewtouchestohisordinarymakeupfarthecharacter，themoreeffectuallytodisguisehimself，andthoughhehadfeltfaintqualmsonfirstentering，themetamorphosiseffectedbyjudiciously`lining’hisfacewithawirerenderedhimsafefromtheeyesofBathshebaandhermen。Nevertheless，hewasrelievedwhenitwasgotthrough。
Therewasasecondperformanceintheevening，andthetentwaslightedup。Troyhadtakenhispartveryquietlythistime，venturingtointroduceafewspeechesonoccasion；andwasjustconcludingitwhen，whilststandingattheedgeofthecirclecontiguoustothefirstrowofspectators，heobservedwithinayardofhimtheeyeofamandartedkeenlyintohissidefeatures。Troyhastilyshiftedhisposition，afterhavingrecognizedinthescrutineertheknavishbailiffPennyways，hiswife’sswornenemy，whostillhungabouttheoutskirtsofWeatherbury。