Themen，afterrecognizingTroy’sfeatures，withdrewacrosstheorchardasquietlyastheyhadcome。TheairwasbigwithBathsheba’sfortunesto-night：everywordeverywhereconcernedher。Whentheywerequiteoutofearshotallbyoneinstinctpaused。
`Itgavemequiteaturn-hisface，’saidTall，breathing。
`Andsoitdidme，’saidSamway。`What’stobedone？’
`Idon’tseethat’tisanybusinessofours，’Smallburymurmureddubiously。
`Butitis！’Tisathingwhichiseverybody’sbusiness，’saidSamway。
`Weknowverywellthatmaster’sonawrongtack，andthatshe’squiteinthedark，andweshouldlet’emknowatonce。Laban，youknowherbest-you’dbettergoandasktespeaktoher。’
`Ibain’tfitforanysuchthing，’saidLaban，nervously。`IshouldthinkWilliamoughttodoitifanybody。He’soldest。’
`Ishallhavenothingtodowithit，’saidSmallbury。`’Tisaticklishbusinessaltogether。Why，he’llgoontoherhimselfinafewminutes，ye’llsee。’
`Wedon’tknowthathewill。Come，Laban。’
`Verywell，ifImustImust，Isuppose，’Tallreluctantlyanswered。
`WhatmustIsay？’
`Justasktoseemaster。’
`Ono；Ishan’tspeaktoMrBoldwood。IfItellanybody，’twillbemistress。’
`Verywell，’saidSamway。
Labanthenwenttothedoor。Whenheopeneditthehumofbustlerolledoutasawaveuponastillstrand-theassemblagebeingimmediatelyinsidethehall-andwasdeadenedtoamurmurashecloseditagain。Eachmanwaitedintently，andlookedaroundatthedarktreetopsgentlyrockingagainsttheskyandoccasionallyshiveringinaslightwind，asifhetookinterestinthescene，whichneitherdid。Oneofthembeganwalkingupanddown，andthencametowherehestartedfromandstoppedagain，withasensethatwalkingwasathingnotworthdoingnow。
`IshouldthinkLabanmusthaveseenmistressbythistime，’saidSmallbury，breakingthesilence。`Perhapsshewon’tcomeandspeaktohim。’
Thedooropened。Tallappeared，andjoinedthem。`Well？’saidboth。
`Ididn’tliketoaskforherafterall，’Labanfalteredout。`Theywereallinsuchastir，tryingtoputalittlespiritintotheparty。
Somehowthefanseemstohangfire，thougheverything’stherethataheartcandesire，andIcouldn’tformysoulinterfereandthrowdampuponit-if’twastosavemylife，Icouldn’t！’
`Isupposewehadbetterallgointogether，’saidSamway，gloomily。
`PerhapsImayhaveachanceofsayingawordtomaster。’
Sothemenenteredthehall，whichwastheroomselectedandarrangedforthegatheringbecauseofitssize。Theyoungermenandmaidswereatlastjustbeginningadance。Bathshebahadbeenperplexedhowtoact，forshewasnotmuchmorethanaslimyoungmaidherself，andtheweightofstatelinesssatheavyuponher。Sometimesshethoughtsheoughtnottohavecomeunderanycircumstances；thensheconsideredwhatcoldunkindnessthatwouldhavebeen，andfinallyresolveduponthemiddlecourseofstayingforaboutanhouronly，andglidingoffunobserved，havingfromthefirstmadeuponhermindthatshecouldonnoaccountdance，sing，ortakeanyactivepartintheproceedings。
HerallottedhourhavingbeenpassedinchattingandlookingonBathshebatoldLiddynottohurryherselfandwenttothesmallparlourtopreparefordeparture，which，likethehall，wasdecoratedwithhollyandivy，andwelllightedup。
Nobodywasintheroom，butshehadhardlybeenthereamomentwhenthemasterofthehouseentered。
`MrsTroy-youarenotgoing？’hesaid。`We’vehardlybegun！’
`Ifyou’llexcuseme，Ishouldliketogonow。’Hermannerwasrestiveforsherememberedherpromise，andimaginedwhathewasabouttosay。
`Butasitisnotlate，’sheadded，`Icanwalkhome，andleavemymanandLiddytocomewhentheychoose。’
`I’vebeentryingtogetanopportunityofspeakingtoyou，’saidBoldwood。
`YouknowperhapswhatIlongtosay？’
Bathshebasilentlylookedonthefloor。
`Youdogiveit？’hesaid，eagerly。
`What？’shewhispered。
`Now，that’sevasion！Why，thepromise。Idon’twanttointrudeuponyouatall，ortoletitbecomeknowntoanybody。Butdogiveyourword！
Amerebusinesscompact，youknow，betweentwopeoplewhoarebeyondtheinfluenceofpassion。’Boldwoodknewhowfalsethispicturewasasregardedhimself；buthehadprovedthatitwastheonlytoneinwhichshewouldallowhimtoapproachher。`Apromisetomarrymeattheendoffiveyearsandthreequarters。Youoweittome！’
`IfeelthatIdo，’saidBathsheba；`thatis，ifyoudemandit。ButIamachangedwoman-anunhappywoman-andnot-not——’
`Youarestillaverybeautifulwoman，’saidBoldwood。Honestyandpureconvictionsuggestedtheremark，unaccompaniedbyanyperceptionthatitmighthavebeenadoptedbybluntflatterytosootheandwinher。
However，ithadnotmucheffectnow，forshesaid，inapassionlessmurmurwhichwasinitselfaproofofherwords：`Ihavenofeelinginthematteratall。AndIdon’tatallknowwhatisrighttodoinmydifficultposition，andIhavenobodytoadviseme。ButIgivemypromise，ifImust。
Igiveitastherenderingofadebt，conditionally，ofcourse，onmybeingawidow。’
`You’llmarrymebetweenfiveandsixyearshence？’
`Don’tpressmetoohard。I’llmarrynobodyelse。’
`Butsurelyyouwillnamethetime，orthere’snothinginthepromiseatall？’
`OIdon’tknow，prayletmego！’shesaid，herbosombeginningtorise。
`Iamafraidwhattodo！Iwanttobejusttoyou，andtobethatseemstobewrongingmyself，andperhapsitisbreakingthecommandments。Thereisconsiderabledoubtofhisdeath，andthenitisdreadful；letmeaskasolicitor，MrBoldwood，ifIoughtorno！’
`Saythewords，dearone，andthesubjectshallbedismissed；ablissfullovingintimacyofsixyears，andthenmarriage-OBathsheba，saythem！’
hebeggedinahuskyvoice，unabletosustaintheformsofmerefriendshipanylonger。`Promiseyourselftome；Ideserveit，indeedIdo，forIhavelovedyoumorethananybodyintheworld！AndifIsaidhastywordsandshoweduncalled-forheatofmannertowardsyou，believeme，dear，Ididnotmeantodistressyou；Iwasinagony，Bathsheba，andIdidnotknowwhatIsaid。Youwouldn’tletadogsufferwhatIhavesuffered，couldyoubutknowit！SometimesIshrinkfromyourknowingwhatIhavefeltforyou，andsometimesIamdistressedthatallofityouneverwillknow。
Begracious，andgiveupalittletome，whenIwouldgiveupmylifeforyou！’
Thetrimmingsofherdress，astheyquiveredagainstthelight，showedhowagitatedshewas，andatlastsheburstoutcrying。`Andyou’llnot-pressme-aboutanythingmore-ifIsayinfiveorsixyears？’shesobbed，whenshehadpowertoframethewords。
`Yes，thenI’llleaveittotime。’
`Verywell。Ifhedoesnotreturn，I’llmarryyouinsixyearsfromthisday，ifwebothlive，’shesaidsolemnly。
`Andyou’lltakethisasatokenfromme。’
Boldwoodhadcomeclosetoherside，andnowheclaspedoneofherhandsinbothhisown，andliftedittohisbreast。
`Whatisit？OhIcannotweararing！’sheexclaimed，onseeingwhatheheld；`besides，Iwouldn’thaveasoulknowthatit’sanengagement！
Perhapsitisimproper？Besides，wearenotengagedintheusualsense，arewe？Don’tinsist，MrBoldwood-don’t！’Inhertroubleatnotbeingabletogetherhandawayfromhimatonce，shestampedpassionatelyonthefloorwithonefoot，andtearscrowdedtohereyesagain。
`Itmeanssimplyapledge-nosentiment-thesealofapracticalcompact，’
hesaidmorequietly，butstillretainingherhandinhisfirmgrasp。`Come，now！’AndBoldwoodslippedtheringonherfinger。
`Icannotwearit，’shesaid，weepingasifherheartwouldbreak。`Youfrightenme，almost。Sowildascheme！Pleaseletmegohome！’
`Onlyto-night：wearitjustto-night，topleaseme！’
Bathshebasatdowninachair，andburiedherfaceinherhandkerchief，thoughBoldwoodkeptherhandyet。Atlengthshesaid，inasortofhopelesswhisper——
`Verywell，then，Iwillto-night，ifyouwishitsoearnestly。Nowloosenmyhand；Iwill，indeedIwillwearitto-night。’
`Anditshallbethebeginningofapleasantsecretcourtshipofsixyears，withaweddingattheend？’
`Itmustbe，Isuppose，sinceyouwillhaveitso！’shesaid，fairlybeatenintonon-resistance。
Boldwoodpressedherhand，andallowedittodropinherlap。`Iamhappynow，’hesaid。`Godblessyou！’
Helefttheroom，andwhenhethoughtshemightbesufficientlycomposedsentoneofthemaidstoher。Bathshebacloakedtheeffectsofthelatesceneasshebestcould，followedthegirl，andinafewmomentscamedownstairswithherhatandcloakon，readytogo。Togettothedooritwasnecessarytopassthroughthehall，andbeforedoingsoshepausedonthebottomofthestaircasewhichdescendedintoonecorner，totakealastlookatthegathering。
Therewasnomusicordancinginprogressjustnow。Atthelowerend，whichhadbeenarrangedforthework-folkspeciallyagroupconversedinwhispers，andwithcloudedlooks。Boldwoodwasstandingbythefireplace，andhe，too，thoughsoabsorbedinvisionsarisingfromherpromisethathescarcelysawanything，seemedatthatmomenttohaveobservedtheirpeculiarmanner，andtheirlooksaskance。
`Whatisityouareindoubtabout，men？’hesaid。
Oneofthemturnedandreplieduneasily：`ItwassomethingLabanheardof，that’sall，sir。’
`News？Anybodymarriedorengaged，bornordead？’inquiredthefarmer，gaily。`Tellittous，Tall。Onewouldthinkfromyourlooksandmysteriouswaysthatitwassomethingverydreadfulitindeed。
`Ono，sir，nobodyisdead，’saidTall。
`Iwishsomebodywas，’saidSamway，inawhisper。
`Whatdoyousay，Samway？’saidBoldwood，somewhatsharply。`Ifyouhaveanythingtosay，speakout；ifnot，getupanotherdance。
`MrsTroyhascomedownstairs，’saidSamwaytoTall。`Ifyouwanttotellher，youhadbetterdoitnow。’
`Doyouknowwhattheymean？’thefarmeraskedBathsheba，acrosstheroom。
`Idon’tintheleast，’saidBathsheba。
Therewasasmartrappingatthedoor。Oneofthemenopeneditinstantly，andwentoutside。
`MrsTroyiswanted，’hesaid，onreturning。
`Quiteready，’saidBathsheba。`ThoughIdidn’ttellthemtosend。’
`Itisastranger，ma’am，’saidthemanbythedoor。
`Astranger？’shesaid。
`Askhimtocomein，’saidBoldwood。
Themessagewasgiven，andTroy，wrappeduptohiseyesaswehaveseenhim，stoodinthedoorway。
Therewasanunearthlysilence，alllookingtowardsthenewcomer。Thosewhohadjustlearntthathewasintheneighbourhoodrecognizedhiminstantly；
thosewhodidnotwereperplexed。NobodynotedBathsheba。Shewasleaningonthestairs。Herbrowhadheavilycontracted；herwholefacewaspallid，herlipsapart，hereyesrigidlystaringattheirvisitor。
BoldwoodwasamongthosewhodidnotnoticethathewasTroy。`Comein，comein！’herepeated，cheerfully，`anddrainaChristmasbeakerwithus，stranger！’
Troynextadvancedintothemiddleoftheroom，tookoffhiscap，turneddownhiscoat-collar，andlookedBoldwoodintheface。EventhenBoldwooddidnotrecognizethattheimpersonatorofHeaven’spersistentironytowardshim，whohadoncebeforebrokeninuponhisbliss，scourgedhim，andsnatchedhisdelightaway，hadcometodothesethingsasecondtime。Troybegantolaughamechanicallaugh：Boldwoodrecognizedhimnow。
TroyturnedtoBathsheba。Thepoorgirl’swretchednessatthistimewasbeyondallfancyornarration。Shehadsunkdownontheloweststair；
andthereshesat，hermouthblueanddry，andherdarkeyesfixedvacantlyuponhim，asifshewonderedwhetheritwerenotallaterribleillusion。
ThenTroyspoke。`Bathsheba，Icomehereforyou！’
Shemadenoreply。
`Comehomewithme：come！’
Bathshebamovedherfeetalittle，butdidnotrise。
Troywentacrosstoher。
`Come，madam，doyouhearwhatIsay？’hesaid，peremptorily。
Astrangevoicecamefromthefireplace-avoicesoundingfaroffandconfined，asiffromadungeon。HardlyasoulintheassemblyrecognizedthethintonestobethoseofBoldwood。Suddendespairhadtransformedhim。
`Bathsheba，gowithyourhusband！’
Nevertheless，shedidnotmove。ThetruthwasthatBathshebawasbeyondthepaleofactivity-andyetnotinaswoon。Shewasinastateofmentalguttaserena；hermindwasfortheminutetotallydeprivedoflightatthesametimethatnoobscurationwasapparentfromwithout。
Troystretchedouthishandtopullhertowardshim，whenshequicklyshrankback。ThisvisibledreadofhimseemedtoirritateTroy，andheseizedherarmandpulleditsharply。Whetherhisgrasppinchedher，orwhetherhismeretouchwasthecause，wasneverknown，butatthemomentofhisseizureshewrithed，andgaveaquick，lowscream。
Thescreamhadbeenheardbutafewsecondswhenitwasfollowedbyasuddendeafeningreportthatechoedthroughtheroomandstupefiedthemall。Theoakpartitionshookwiththeconcussion，andtheplacewasfilledwithgreysmoke。
InbewildermenttheyturnedtheireyestoBoldwood。Atthisback，ashestoodbeforethefireplace，wasagun-rack，asisusualinfarmhouses，constructedtoholdtwoguns。WhenBathshebahadcriedoutinherhusband’sgrasp，Boldwood’sfaceofgnashingdespairhadchanged。Theveinshadswollen，andafrenziedlookhadgleamedinhiseye。Hehadturnedquickly，takenoneoftheguns，cockedit，andatoncedischargeditatTroy。
Troyfell。Thedistanceapartofthetwomenwassosmallthatthechargeofshotdidnotspreadintheleast，butpassedlikeabulletintohisbody。Heutteredalonggutturalsigh-therewasacontraction-anextension-thenhismusclesrelaxed，andhelaystill。
Boldwoodwasseenthroughthesmoketobenowagainengagedwiththegun。Itwasdouble-barrelled，andhehad，meanwhile，insomewayfastenedhishandkerchieftothetrigger，andwithhisfootontheotherendwasintheactofturningthesecondbarreluponhimselfSamwayhismanwasthefirsttoseethis，andinthemidstofthegeneralhorrordarteduptohim。Boldwoodhadalreadytwitchedthehandkerchief，andthegunexplodedasecondtime，sendingitscontents，byatimelyblowfromSamway，intothebeamwhichcrossedtheceiling。
`Well，itmakesnodifference！’Boldwoodgasped。`Thereisanotherwayformetodie。’
ThenhebrokefromSamway，crossedtheroomtoBathsheba，andkissedherhand。Heputonhishat，openedthedoor，andwentintothedarkness，nobodythinkingofpreventinghim。
CHAPTERFIFTY-FOURAftertheShockBoldwoodpassedintothehighroad，andturnedinthedirectionofCasterbridge。
Herehewalkedataneven，steadypaceoverYalburyHill，alongthedeadlevelbeyond，mountedMellstockHill，andbetweenelevenandtwelveo’clockcrossedtheMoorintothetown。Thestreetswerenearlydesertednow，andthewavinglamp-flamesonlylighteduprowsofgreyshop-shutters，andstripsofwhitepavinguponwhichhisstepechoedashepassedalong。Heturnedtotheright，andhaltedbeforeanarchwayofheavystonework，whichwasclosedbyaniron-studdedpairofdoors。Thiswastheentrancetothegaol，andoveritalampwasfixed，thelightenablingthewretchedtravellertofindabell-pull。
Thesmallwicketatlastopened，andaporterappeared。Boldwoodsteppedforward，andsaidsomethinginalowtone，when，afteradelay，anothermancame。Boldwoodentered，andthedoorwasclosedbehindhim，andhewalkedtheworldnomore。
LongbeforethistimeWeatherburyhadbeenthoroughlyaroused，andthewilddeedwhichhadterminatedBoldwood’smerrymakingbecameknowntoall。
OfthoseoutofthehouseOakwasoneofthefirsttohearofthecatastrophe，andwhenheenteredtheroom，whichwasaboutfiveminutesafterBoldwood’sexit，thescenewasterrible。Allthefemaleguestswerehuddledaghastagainstthewallslikesheepinastorm，andthemenwerebewilderedastowhattodo。AsforBathsheba，shehadchanged。ShewassittingonthefloorbesidethebodyofTroyhisheadpillowedinherlap，whereshehadherselfliftedit。Withonehandsheheldherhandkerchieftohisbreastandcoveredthewound，thoughscarcelyasingledropofbloodhadflowed，andwiththeothershetightlyclaspedoneofhis。Thehouseholdconvulsionhadmadeherherselfagain。Thetemporarycomahadceased，andactivityhadcomewiththenecessityforitDeedsofendurancewhichseemordinaryinphilosophyarerareinconduct，andBathshebawasastonishingallaroundhernow，forherphilosophywasherconduct，andsheseldomthoughtpracticablewhatshedidnotpractise。Shewasofthestuffofwhichgreatmen’smothersaremade。Shewasindispensabletohighgenerationhatedatteaparties，fearedinshops，andlovedatcrises。Troyrecumbentinhiswife’slapformednowthesolespectacleinthemiddleofthespaciousroom。
`Gabriel，’shesaid，automatically，whenheentered，turningupafaceofwhichonlythewell-knownlinesremainedtotellhimitwashers，allelseinthepicturehavingfadedquite。`RidetoCasterbridgeinstantlyforasurgeon。Itis，Ibelieve，useless，butgo。MrBoldwoodhasshotmyhusband。’
Herstatementofthefactinsuchquietandsimplewordscamewithmoreforcethanatragicdeclamation，andhadsomewhattheeffectofsettingthedistortedimagesineachmindpresentintoproperfocus。Oak，almostbeforehehadcomprehendedanythingbeyondthebriefestabstractoftheevent，hurriedoutoftheroom，saddledahorseandrodeaway。Nottillhehadriddenmorethanamilediditoccurtohimthathewouldhavedonebetterbysendingsomeothermanonthiserrand，remaininghimselfinthehouse。WhathadbecomeofBoldwood？Heshouldhavebeenlookedafter。Washemad-hadtherebeenaquarrel？ThenhowhadTroygotthere？Wherehadhecomefrom？Howdidthisremarkablereappearanceeffectitselfwhenhewassupposedbymanytobeatthebottomofthesea？OakhadinsomemeasurebeenpreparedforthepresenceofTroybyhearingarumourofhisreturnjustbeforeenteringBoldwood’shouse；butbeforehehadweighedthatinformation，thisfataleventhadbeensuperimposed。However，itwastoolatenowtothinkofsendinganothermessenger，andherodeon，intheexcitementoftheseself-inquiriesnotdiscerning，whenaboutthreemilesfromCasterbridge，asquare-figuredpedestrianpassingalongunderthedarkhedgeinthesamedirectionashisown。
Themilesnecessarytobetraversed，andotherhindrancesincidentaltothelatenessofthehourandthedarknessofthenight，delayedthearrivalofMrAldritch，thesurgeon；andmorethanthreehourspassedbetweenthetimeatwhichtheshotwasfiredandthatofhisenteringthehouse。
OakwasadditionallydetainedinCasterbridgethroughhavingtogivenoticetotheauthoritiesofwhathadhappened；andhethenfoundthatBoldwoodhadalsoenteredthetown，anddeliveredhimselfup。
Inthemeantimethesurgeon，havinghastenedintothehallatBoldwood’s，founditindarknessandquitedeserted。Hewentontothebackofthehouse，wherehediscoveredinthekitchenanoldman，ofwhomhemadeinquiries。
`She’shadhimtookawaytoherownhouse，sir，’saidhisinformant。
`Whohas？’saidthedoctor。
`MrsTroy。’Awasquitedead，sir。’
Thiswasastonishinginformation。`Shehadnorighttodothat，’saidthedoctor。`Therewillhavetobeaninquest，andsheshouldhavewaitedtoknowwhattodo。’
`Yes，sir；itwashintedtoherthatshehadbetterwaittillthelawwasknown。Butshesaidlawwasnothingtoher，andshewouldn’tletherdearhusband’scorpsebideneglectedforfolkstostareatforallthecrownersinEngland。’
MrAldritchdroveatoncebackagainupthehilltoBathsheba’s。ThefirstpersonhemetwaspoorLiddy，whoseemedliterallytohavedwindledsmallerinthesefewlatterhours。Whathasbeendone？’hesaid。
`Idon’tknow，sir，’saidLiddy，withsuspendedbreath。`Mymistresshasdoneitall。’
`Whereisshe？’
`Upstairswithhim，sir。Whenhewasbroughthomeandtakenupstairs，shesaidshewantednofartherhelpfromthemen。Andthenshecalledme，andmademefillthebath，andafterthattoldmeIhadbettergoandliedownbecauseIlookedsoill。Thenshelockedherselfintotheroomalonewithhim，andwouldnotletanursecomein，oranybodyatall。ButIthoughtI’dwaitinthenextroomincasesheshouldwantme。Iheardhermovingaboutinsideformorethananhour，butsheonlycameonce，andthatwasformorecandles，becausehershadburntdownintothesocket。ShesaidweweretoletherknowwhenyouorMrThirdlycame，sir。’
Oakenteredwiththeparsonatthismoment，andtheyallwentupstairstogether，precededbyLiddySmallbury。Everythingwassilentasthegravewhentheypausedonthelanding。Liddyknocked，andBathsheba’sdresswasheardrustlingacrosstheroom：thekeyturnedinthelock，andsheopenedthedoor。Herlookswerecalmandnearlyrigid，likeaslightlyanimatedbustofMelpomene。
`Oh，MrAldritch，youhavecomeatlast，’shemurmuredfromherlipsmerely，andthrewbackthedoor。`Ah，andMrThirdly。Well，allisdone，andanybodyintheworldmayseehimnow。’Shethenpassedbyhim，crossedthelanding，andenteredanotherroom。
Lookingintothechamberofdeathshehadvacatedtheysawbythelightofthecandleswhichwereonthedrawersatallstraightshapelyingatthefartherendofthebedroom，wrappedinwhite。Everythingaroundwasquiteorderly。Thedoctorwentin，andafterafewminutesreturnedtothelandingagain，whereOakandtheparsonstillwaited。
`Itisalldone，indeed，asshesays，’remarkedMrAldritch，inasubduedvoice。`Thebodyhasbeenundressedandproperlylaidoutingrave-clothes。
GraciousHeaven-thismeregirl！Shemusthavethenerveofastoic！’
`Theheartofawifemerely，’floatedinawhisperabouttheearsofthethree，andturningtheysawBathshebainthemidstofthem。Then，asifatthatinstanttoprovethatherfortitudehadbeenmoreofwillthanofspontaneity，shesilentlysankdownbetweenthemandwasashapelessheapofdraperyonthefloor。Thesimpleconsciousnessthatsuperhumanstrainwasnolongerrequiredhadatonceputaperiodtoherpowertocontinueit。
Theytookherawayintoafartherroom，andthemedicalattendancewhichhadbeenuselessinTroy’scasewasinvaluableinBathsheba’s，whofellintoaseriesoffainting-fitsthathadaseriousaspectforatime。Thesuffererwasgottobed，andOak，findingfromthebulletinsthatnothingreallydreadfulwastobeapprehendedonherscoreleftthehouse。LiddykeptwatchinBathsheba’schamber，wheresheheardhermistressmoaninginwhispersthroughthedullslowhoursofthatwretchednight：`Oitismyfault-howcanIlive！OHeaven，howcanIlive！’
CHAPTERFIFTY-FIVETheMarchFollowing-`BathshebaBoldwood’WepassrapidlyonintothemonthofMarch，toabreezydaywithoutsunshine，frost，ordew。OnYalburyHill，aboutmidwaybetweenWeatherburyandCasterbridge，wheretheturnpikeroadpassesoverthecrest，anumerousconcourseofpeoplehadgathered，theeyesofthegreaternumberbeingfrequentlystretchedafarinanortherlydirection。Thegroupsconsistedofathrongofidlers，apartyofjavelin-men，andtwotrumpeters，andinthemidstwerecarriages，oneofwhichcontainedthehighsheriffWiththeidlers，manyofwhomhadmountedtothetopofacuttingformedfortheroad，wereseveralWeatherburymenandboys-amongothersPoorgrass，Coggan，andCainBall。
Attheendofhalf-an-hourafaintdustwasseenintheexpectedquarter，andshortlyafteratravelling-carriage，bringingoneofthetwojudgesontheWesternCircuit，cameupthehillandhaltedonthetop。Thejudgechangedcarriageswhilstaflourishwasblownbythebig-cheekedtrumpeters，andaprocessionbeingformedofthevehiclesandjavelin-men，theyallproceededtowardsthetown，exceptingtheWeatherburymen，whoassoonastheyhadseenthejudgemoveoffreturnedhomeagaintotheirwork。
`Joseph，Izeedyousqueezingclosetothecarriage，’saidCoggan，astheywalked。`Didyenoticemylordjudge’sface？’
`Idid，’saidPoorgrass，`Ilookedhardaten，asifIwouldreadhisverysoul；andtherewasmerryinhiseyes-ortospeakwiththeexacttruthrequiredofusatthissolemntime，intheeyethatwastowardsme。
`Well，Ihopeforthebest，’saidCoggan，`thoughbadthatmustbe。
However，Ishan’tgotothetrial，andI’dadvisetherestofyethatbain’twantedtobideaway。’Twilldisturbhismindmorethananythingtoseeustherestaringathimasifhewereashow。’
`TheverythingIsaidthismorning，’observedJoseph。“`Justiceiscometoweighhiminthebalances。”Isaidinmyreflectiousway，“andifhe’sfoundwanting，sobeituntohim。”andabystandersaid“Hear，hear！Amanwhocantalklikethatoughttobeheard。”ButIdon’tlikedwellinguponit，formyfewwordsaremyfewwords，andriotmuch；thoughthespeechofsomemenisrumouredabroadasthoughbynatureformedforsuch。’
`So’tis，Joseph。Andnow，neighbours，asIsaid，everymanbideathome。’
Theresolutionwasadheredto；andallwaitedanxiouslyforthenewsnextday。Theirsuspensewasdiverted，however，byadiscoverywhichwasmadeintheafternoon，throwingmorelightonBoldwood’sconductandconditionthananydetailswhichhadprecededit。
ThathehadbeenfromthetimeofGreenhillFairuntilthefatalChristmasEveinexcitedandunusualmoodswasknowntothosewhohadbeenintimatewithhim；butnobodyimaginedthattherehadshowninhimunequivocalsymptomsofthementalderangementwhichBathshebaandOak，aloneofallothersandatdifferenttimes，hadmomentarilysuspected。Inalockedclosetwasnowdiscoveredanextraordinarycollectionofarticles。Therewereseveralsetsofladies’dressesinthepiece，ofsundryexpensivematerials；silksandsatins，poplinsandvelvets，allofcolourswhichfromBathsheba’sstyleofdressmighthavebeenjudgedtobeherfavourites。Thereweretwomuffs，sableandermine。Abovealltherewasacaseofjewellery，containingfourheavygoldbraceletsandseverallocketsandrings，alloffinequalityandmanufacture。ThesethingshadbeenboughtinBathandothertownsfromtimetotime，andbroughthomebystealth。Theywereallcarefullypackedinpaper，andeachpackagewaslabelled`BathshebaBoldwood’，adatebeingsubjoinedsixyearsinadvanceineveryinstance。
ThesesomewhatpatheticevidencesofamindcrazedwithcareandlovewerethesubjectofdiscourseinWarren’smalt-housewhenOakenteredfromCasterbridgewithtidingsofthesentence。Hecameintheafternoon，andhisface，asthekilnglowshoneuponit，toldthetalesufficientlywell。
Boldwood，aseveryonesupposedhewoulddo，hadpleadedguilty，andhadbeensentencedtodeath。
TheconvictionthatBoldwoodhadnotbeenmorallyresponsibleforhislateractsnowbecamegeneral。Factselicitedprevioustothetrialhadpointedstronglyinthesamedirection，buttheyhadnotbeenofsufficientweighttoleadtoanorderforanexaminationintothestateofBoldwood’smind。Itwasastonishing，nowthatapresumptionofinsanitywasraised，howmanycollateralcircumstanceswererememberedtowhichaconditionofmentaldiseaseseemedtoaffordtheonlyexplanation-amongothers，theunprecedentedneglectofhiscornstacksintheprevioussummer。
ApetitionwasaddressedtotheHomeSecretary，advancingthecircumstanceswhichappearedtojustifyarequestforareconsiderationofthesentence。
Itwasnot`numerouslysigned’bytheinhabitantsofCasterbridge，asisusualinsuchcases，forBoldwoodhadnevermademanyfriendsoverthecounter。Theshopsthoughtitverynaturalthatamanwho，byimportingdirectfromtheproducer，haddaringlysetasidethefirstgreatprincipleofprovincialexistence，namely，thatGodmadecountryvillagestosupplycustomerstocountrytowns，shouldhaveconfusedideasabouttheDecalogue。
Theprompterswereafewmercifulmenwhohadperhapstoofeelinglyconsideredthefactslatterlyunearthed，andtheresultwasthatevidencewastakenwhichitwashopedmightremovethecrime，inamoralpointofview，outofthecategoryofwilfulmurder，andleadittoberegardedasasheeroutcomeofmadness。
TheupshotofthepetitionwaswaitedforinWeatherburywithsolicitousinterest。Theexecutionhadbeenfixedforeighto’clockinaSaturdaymorningaboutafortnightafterthesentencewaspassed，anduptoFridayafternoonnoanswerhadbeenreceived。AtthattimeGabrielcamefromCasterbridgeGaol，whitherhehadbeentowishBoldwoodgood-bye，andturneddownaby-streettoavoidthetown。Whenpastthelasthouseheheardahammering，andlifting，’hisbowedheadhelookedbackforamoment。Overthechimneyshecouldseetheupperpartofthegaolentrance，richandglowingintheafternoonsun，andsomefigureswerethere。Theywerecarpentersliftingpostintoaverticalpositionwithintheparapet。Hewithdrewhiseyesquicklyandhastenedon。
Itwasdarkwhenhereachedhome，andhalfthevillagewasouttomeethim。
`Notidings，’Gabrielsaid，wearily。`AndI’mafraidthere’snohope。
I’vebeenwithhimmorethantwohours。’
`Doyouthinkhereallywasoutofhismindwhenhedidit？’
saidSmallbury。
`Ican’thonestlysaythatIdo，’Oakreplied。`However，thatwecantalkofanothertime。Hastherebeenanychangeinmistressthisafternoon？’
`Noneatall。’
`Isshedownstairs？’
`No。Andgettingonsonicelyasshewastoo。She’sbutverylittlebetternowagainthanshewasatChristmas。Shekeepsonaskingifyoubecome，andifthere’snews，tillone’sweariedoutwi’answeringher。
ShallIgoandsayyou’vecome？’
`No，’saidOak。`There’sachanceyet；butIcouldn’tstayintownanylonger-afterseeinghimtoo。SoLaban-Labanishere，isn’the？’
`Yes，’saidTall。
`WhatI’vearrangedis，thatyoushallridetotownthelastthingtonight；leavehereaboutnine，andwaitawhilethere，gettinghomeabouttwelve。Ifnothinghasbeenreceivedbyelevento-night，theysaythere’snochanceatall。’
`Idosohopehislifewithbespared，’saidLiddy。`Ifitisnot，she’llgooutofhermindtoo。Poorthing；hersufferingshavebeendreadful；
shedeservesanybody’spity。’
`Isshealteredmuch？’saidCoggan。
`Ifyouhaven’tseenpoormistresssinceChristmas，youwouldn’tknowher，’saidLiddy。`Hereyesaresomiserablethatshe’snotthesamewoman。
Onlytwoyearsagoshewasarompinggirl，andnowshe’sthis！’
Labandepartedasdirected，andateleveno’clockthatnightseveralofthevillagersstrolledalongtheroadtoCasterbridgeandawaitedhisarrival-amongthemOak，andnearlyalltherestofBathsheba’smen。Gabriel’sanxietywasgreatthatBoldwoodmighthesaved，eventhoughinhisconsciencehefeltthatheoughttodie；fortherehadbeenqualitiesinthefarmerwhichOakloved。Atlast，whentheyallwerewearythetrampofahorsewasheardinthedistance——Firstdead，asifonturfittrode，Then，clattering，onthevillageroadInotherpacethanforthheyode。`Weshallsoonknownow，onewayorother，’saidCoggan，andtheyallsteppeddownfromthebankonwhichtheyhadbeenstandingintotheroad，andtheriderprancedintothemidstofthem。
`Isthatyou，Laban？’saidGabriel。
`Yes——’tiscome。He’snottodie。’TisconfinementduringHerMajesty’spleasure。’
`Hurrah！’saidCoggan，withaswellingheart。`God’sabovethedevilyet！’
CHAPTERFIFTY-SIXBeautyinLoneliness-AfterAllBathshebarevivedwiththespring。Theutterprostrationthathadfollowedthelowfeverfromwhichshehadsuffereddiminishedperceptiblywhenalluncertaintyuponeverysubjecthadcometoanend。
Butsheremainedalonenowforthegreaterpartofhertime，andstayedinthehouse，oratfurthestwentintothegarden。Sheshunnedeveryone，evenLiddy，andcouldbebroughttomakenoconfidences，andtoaskfornosympathy。
Asthesummerdrewonshepassedmoreofhertimeintheopenair，andbegantoexamineintofarmingmattersfromsheernecessity，thoughsheneverrodeoutorpersonallysuperintendedasatformertimes。OneFridayeveninginAugustshewalkedalittlewayalongtheroadandenteredthevillageforthefirsttimesincethesombreeventoftheprecedingChristmas。
Noneoftheoldcolourhadasyetcometohercheek，anditsabsolutepalenesswasheightenedbythejetblackofhergown，tillitappearedpreternatural。
Whenshereachedalittleshopattheotherendoftheplace，whichstoodnearlyoppositetothechurchyard，Bathshebaheardsinginginsidethechurch，andsheknewthatthesingerswerepracticing。Shecrossedtheroad，openedthegate，andenteredthegraveyard，thehighsillsofthechurchwindowseffectuallyscreeningherfromtheeyesofthosegatheredwithin。HerstealthywalkwastothenookwhereinTroyhadworkedatplantingflowersuponFannyRobin’sgrave，andshecametothemarbletombstone。
Amotionofsatisfactionenlivenedherfaceasshereadthecompleteinscription。FirstcamethewordsofTroyhimself：——ERECTEDBYFRANCISTROYINBELOVEDMEMORYOFFANNYROBIN，WHO
DIEDOCTOBER9，18-，AGED20YEARS。Underneaththiswasnowinscribedinnewletters：——INTHESAMEGRAVELIETHEREMAINSOFTHEAFORESAIDFRANCIS
TROY，WHODIEDDECEMBER24TH，18-，AGED26YEARS。Whilstshestoodandreadandmeditatedthetonesoftheorganbeganagaininthechurch，andshewentwiththesamelightsteproundtotheporchandlistened。Thedoorwasclosed，andthechoirwaslearninganewhymn。
Bathshebawasstirredbyemotionswhichlatterlyshehadassumedtobealtogetherdeadwithinher。Thelittleattenuatedvoicesofthechildrenbroughttoherearindistinctutterancethewordstheysangwithoutthoughtorcomprehension——Lead，kindlyLight，amidtheencirclinggloom，LeadThoumeon。Bathsheba’sfeelingwasalwaystosomeextentdependentuponherwhim，asisthecasewithmanyotherwomen。Somethingbigcameintoherthroatandanuprisingtohereyes-andshethoughtthatshewouldallowtheimminenttearstoflowiftheywished。Theydidflowandplenteously，andonefelluponthestonebenchbesideher。Onceshehadbeguntocryforshehardlyknewwhat，shecouldnotleaveoffforcrowdingthoughtssheknewtoowell。Shewouldhavegivenanythingintheworldtobe，asthosechildrenwere，unconcernedatthemeaningoftheirwords，becausetooinnocenttofeelthenecessityforanysuchexpression。Alltheimpassionedscenesofherbriefexperienceseemedtorevivewithaddedemotionatthatmoment，andthosesceneswhichhadbeenwithoutemotionduringenactmenthademotionthen。Yetgriefcametoherratherasaluxurythanasthescourgeofformertimes。
OwingtoBathsheba’sfacebeingburiedinherhandsshedidnotnoticeaformwhichcamequietlyintotheporch，andonseeingher，firstmovedasiftoretreat，thenpausedandregardedher。Bathshebadidnotraiseherheadforsometime，andwhenshelookedroundherfacewaswet，andhereyesdrownedanddim。`MrOak，’exclaimedshe，disconcerted，`howlonghaveyoubeenhere？’
`Afewminutes，ma’am，’saidOak，respectfully。
`Areyougoingin？’saidBathsheba；andtherecamefromwithinthechurchasfromaprompter——Ilovedthegarishday，and，spiteoffears，Prideruledmywill：remembernotpastyears。`Iwas，’saidGabriel。`Iamoneofthebasssingers，youknow。Ihavesungbassforseveralmonths。’
`Indeed：Iwasn’tawareofthat。I’llleaveyou，then。’WhichIhavelovedlongsince，andlostawhile，sangthechildren。
`Don’tletmedriveyouaway，mistress。IthinkIwon’tgointo-night。’
`Ono-youdon’tdrivemeaway。’
Thentheystoodinastateofsomeembarrassment，Bathshebatryingtowipeherdreadfullydrenchedandinflamedfacewithouthisnoticingher。
AtlengthOaksaid，`I’venotseenyou-Imeanspokentoyou-sinceeversolong，haveI？’Buthefearedtobringdistressingmemoriesback，andinterruptedhimselfwith：`Wereyougoingintochurch？’
`No，’shesaid。`Icametoseethetombstoneprivately-toseeiftheyhadcuttheinscriptionasIwished。MrOak，youneedn’tmindspeakingtome，ifyouwishto，onthematterwhichisinbothourmindsatthismoment。
`Andhavetheydoneitasyouwished？’saidOak。
`Yes。Comeandseeit，ifyouhavenotalready。’
Sotogethertheywentandreadthetomb。`Eightmonthsago！’Gabrielmurmuredwhenhesawthedate。`Itseemslikeyesterdaytome。’
`Andtomeasifitwereyearsago-longyears，andIhadbeendeadbetween。AndnowIamgoinghome，MrOak。’
Oakwalkedafterher。`IwantedtonameasmallmattertoyouassoonasIcould，’hesaidwithhesitation。`Merelyaboutbusiness，andIthinkImayjustmentionitnow，ifyou’llallowme。’
`Oyes，certainly。’
`ItisthatImaysoonhavetogiveupthemanagementofyourfarm，MrsTroy。Thefactis，IamthinkingofleavingEngland-notyet，youknow-nextspring。’
`LeavingEngland！’shesaid，insurpriseandgenuinedisappointment。
`Why，Gabriel，whatareyougoingtodothatfor？’
`Well，I’vethoughtitbest，’Oakstammeredout。`CaliforniaisthespotI’vehadinmymindtotry。’
`ButitisunderstoodeverywherethatyouaregoingtotakepoorMrBoldwood’sfarmonyourownaccount？’
`I’vehadtherefusalo’it’tistrue；butnothingissettledyet，andIhavereasonsforgieingup。Ishallfinishoutmyyearthereasmanagerforthetrustees，butnomore。’
`AndwhatshallIdowithoutyou？Oh，Gabriel，Idon’tthinkyououghttogoaway。You’vebeenwithmesolong-throughbrighttimesanddarktimes-sucholdfriendsasweare-thatitseemsunkindalmost。Ihadfanciedthatifyouleasedtheotherfarmasmaster，youmightstillgiveahelpinglookacrossatmine。Andnowgoingaway！’
`Iwouldhavewillingly。’
`YetnowthatIammorehelplessthaneveryougoaway！’
`Yes，that’stheillfortuneo’it，’saidGabriel，inadistressedtone。
`AnditisbecauseofthatveryhelplessnessthatIfeelboundtogo。Goodafternoon，ma’am，’heconcluded，inevidentanxietytogetawayandatoncewentoutofthechurchyardbyapathshecouldfollowonnopretencewhatever。
Bathshebawenthome，hermindoccupiedwithanewtrouble，whichbeingratherharassingthandeadlywascalculatedtodogoodbydivertingherfromthechronicgloomofherlife。ShewassetthinkingagreatdealaboutOakandofhiswishtoshunher；andthereoccurredtoBathshebaseveralincidentsofherlatterintercoursewithhim，which，trivialwhensinglyviewed，amountedtogethertoaperceptibledisinclinationforhersociety。
Itbrokeuponheratlengthasagreatpainthatherlastolddisciplewasabouttoforsakeherandflee。Hewhohadbelievedinherandarguedonhersidewhenalltherestoftheworldwasagainsther，hadatlastliketheothersbecomewearyandneglectfuloftheoldcause，andwasleavinghertofightherbattlesalone。
Threeweekswenton，andmoreevidenceofhiswantofinterestinherwasforthcoming。Shenoticedthatinsteadofenteringthesmallparlourorofficewherethefarmaccountswerekept，andwaiting，orleavingamemorandumashehadhithertodoneduringherseclusion，Oaknevercameatallwhenshewaslikelytobethere，onlyenteringatunseasonablehourswhenherpresenceinthatpartofthehousewasleasttobeexpected。Wheneverhewanteddirectionhesentamessage，ornotewithneitherheadingnorsignature，towhichshewasobligedtoreplyinthesameoffhandstyle。
PoorBathshebabegantosuffernowfromthemosttorturingstingofall-asensationthatshewasdespised。
Theautumnworeawaygloomilyenoughamidthesemelancholyconjectures，andChristmas-daycame，completingayearofherlegalwidowhood，andtwoyearsandaquarterofherlifealone。Onexaminingherheartitappearedbeyondmeasurestrangethatthesubjectofwhichtheseasonmighthavebeensupposedsuggestive-theeventinthehallatBoldwood’s-wasnotagitatingheratall；butinstead，anagonizingconvictionthateverybodyabjuredher-forwhatshecouldnottell-andthatOakwastheringleaderoftherecusants。ComingoutofchurchthatdayshelookedroundinhopethatOak，whosebassvoiceshehadheardrollingoutfromthegalleryoverheadinamostunconcernedmanner，mightchancetolingerinherpathintheoldway。Therehewas，asusual，comingdownthepathbehindher。ButonseeingBathshebaturn，helookedaside，andassoonashegotbeyondthegate，andtherewasthebarestexcuseforadivergence，hemadeone，andvanished。
Thenextmorningbroughttheculminatingstroke；shehadbeenexpectingitlong。ItwasaformalnoticebyletterfromhimthatheshouldnotrenewhisengagementwithherforthefollowingLady-day。
Bathshebaactuallysatandcriedoverthislettermostbitterly。ShewasaggrievedandwoundedthatthepossessionofhopelesslovefromGabriel，whichshehadgrowntoregardasherinalienablerightforlife，shouldhavebeenwithdrawnjustathisownpleasureinthisway。Shewasbewilderedtoobytheprospectofhavingtorelyonherownresourcesagain：itseemedtoherselfthatshenevercouldagainacquireenergysufficienttogotomarket，barter，andsell。SinceTroy’sdeathOakhadattendedallsalesandfairsforher，transactingherbusinessatthesametimewithhisown。
Whatshouldshedonow？Herlifewasbecomingadesolation。
SodesolatewasBathshebathisevening，thatinanabsolutehungerforpityandsympathy，andmiserableinthatsheappearedtohaveoutlivedtheonlytruefriendshipshehadeverowned，sheputonherbonnetandcloakandwentdowntoOak’shousejustaftersunset，guidedonherwaybythepaleprimroseraysofacrescentmoonafewdaysold。
Alivelyfirelightshonefromthewindow，butnobodywasvisibleintheroom。Shetappednervously，andthenthoughtitdoubtfulifitwererightforasinglewomantocalluponabachelorwholivedalone，althoughhewashermanager，andshemightbesupposedtocallonbusinesswithoutanyrealimpropriety。Gabrielopenedthedoor，andthemoonshoneuponhisforehead。
`MrOak，’saidBathshebafaintly。
`Yes；IamMrOak，’saidGabriel。`WhohaveIthehonour-Ohowstupidofme，nottoknowyou，mistress！’
`Ishallnotbeyourmistressmuchlonger，shallI，Gabriel？’shesaidinpathetictones。
`Well，no。Isuppose-Butcomein，ma’am。Oh-andI’llgetalight，’
Oakreplied，withsomeawkwardness。
`No；notonmyaccount。’
`ItissoseldomthatIgetaladyvisitorthatI’mafraidIhaven’tproperaccommodation。Willyousitdown，please？Here’sachairandthere’sone，too。Iamsorrythatmychairsallhavewoodseats，andareratherhard，butI-wasthinkingofgettingsomenewones。’Oakplacedtwoorthreeforher。
`Theyarequiteeasyenoughforme。’
Sodownshesat，anddownhesat，thefiredancingintheirfaces，andupontheoldfurniture，alla-sheenenWi’longyearsO’handlen，thatformedOak’sarrayofhouseholdpossessions，whichsentbackadancingreflectioninreply。Itwasveryoddtothesetwopersons，whokneweachotherpassingwell，thatthemerecircumstanceoftheirmeetinginanewplaceandinanewwayshouldmakethemsoawkwardandconstrained。Inthefields，oratherhouse，therehadneverbeenanyembarrassment；butnowthatOakhadbecometheentertainertheirlivesseemedtobemovedbackagaintothedayswhentheywerestrangers。
`You’llthinkitstrangethatIhavecome，but——’
`Ono；notatall。’
`ButIthought-Gabriel，IhavebeenuneasyinthebeliefthatIhaveoffendedyou，andthatyouaregoingawayonthataccount。Itgrievedmeverymuch，andIcouldn’thelpcoming。’
`Offendedme！Asifyoucoulddothat，Bathsheba！’
`Haven’tI？’sheasked，gladly。`But，whatareyougoingawayforelse？’
`Iamnotgoingtoemigrate，youknow；Iwasn’tawarethatyouwouldwishmenottowhenItold’ee，orIshouldn’thavethoughtofdoingit，’
hesaid，simply。`IhavearrangedforLittleWeatherburyFarm，andshallhaveitinmyownhandsatLady-day。YouknowI’vehadashareinitforsometime。Still，thatwouldn’tpreventmyattendingtoyourbusinessasbefore，hadn’titbeenthatthingshavebeensaidaboutus。’
`What？’saidBathshebainsurprise。`Thingssaidaboutyouandme！Whatarethey？’
`Icannottellyou。’
`Itwouldbewiserifyouwereto，Ithink。Youhaveplayedthepartofmentortomemanytimes，andIdon’tseewhyyoushouldfeartodoitnow。’
`Itisnothingthatyouhavedone，thistime。Thetopandtailo’tisthis-thatI’msniffingabouthere，andwaitingforpoorBoldwood’sfarm，withathoughtofgettingyousomeday。’
`Gettingme！Whatdoesthatmean？’
`Marryingof’ee，inplainBritish。Youaskedmetotell，soyoumustn’tblameme。’
Bathshebadidnotlookquitesoalarmedasifacannonhadbeendischargedbyherear，whichwaswhatOakhadexpected。`Marryingme！Ididn’tknowitwasthatyoumeant，’shesaid，quietly。`Suchathingasthatistooabsurd-toosoon-tothinkofbyfar！’
`Yes；ofcourse，itistooabsurd。Idon’tdesireanysuchthing；I
shouldthinkthatwasplainenoughbythistime。Surely，surelyyoubethelastpersonintheworldIthinkofmarrying。Itistooabsurd，asyousay。
“`Too-s-s-soon“werethewordsIused。’
`Imustbegyourpardonforcorrectingyou，butyousaid，“tooabsurd“，andsodoI。’
`Ibegyourpardontoo！’shereturned，withtearsinhereyes。“`Toosoon“waswhatIsaid。Butitdoesn’tmatterabit-notatall-butI
onlymeant，“toosoon“。Indeed，Ididn’t，MrOak，andyoumustbelieveme！’Gabriellookedherlongintheface，butthefirelightbeingfainttherewasnotmuchtobeseen。`Bathsheba，’hesaid，tenderlyandinsurprise，andcomingcloser：`IfIonlyknewonething-whetheryouwouldallowmetoloveyouandwinyou，andmarryyouafterall-ifIonlyknewthat！’
`Butyouneverwillknow，’shemurmured。
`Why？’
`Becauseyouneverask。’
`Oh-Oh！’saidGabriel，withalowlaughofjoyousness。`Myowndear——’
`Yououghtnottohavesentmethatharshletterthismorning，’sheinterrupted。`Itshowsyoudidn’tcareabitaboutme，andwerereadytodesertmelikealltherestofthem！Itwasverycruelofyou，consideringIwasthefirstsweetheartthatyoueverhad，andyouwerethefirstI
everhad；andIshallnotforgetit！’
`Now，Bathsheba，waseveranybodysoprovoking？’hesaid，laughing。
`YouknowitwaspurelythatI，asanunmarriedman，carryingonabusinessforyouasaverytakingyoungwoman，hadaproperhardparttoplay-
moreparticularthatpeopleknewIhadasortoffeelingfor’ee；andI
fancied，fromthewaywewerementionedtogether，thatitmightinjureyourgoodname。NobodyknowstheheatandfretIhavebeencausedbyit。’
`Andwasthatall？’
`All。’
`O，howgladIamIcame！’sheexclaimed，thankfully，assherosefromherseat。`IhavethoughtsomuchmoreofyousinceIfanciedyoudidnotwanteventoseemeagain。ButImustbegoingnoworIshallbemissed。
Why，Gabriel，’shesaid，withaslightlaugh，astheywenttothedoor，`itseemsexactlyasifIhadcomecourtingyou-howdreadful！’
`Andquiteright，too，’saidOak。`I’vedancedatyourskittishheels，mybeautifulBathsheba，formanyalongmile，andmanyalongday；anditishardtobegrudgemethisonevisit。’
Heaccompaniedherupthehill，explainingtoherthedetailsofhisforthcomingtenureoftheotherfarm。Theyspokeverylittleoftheirmutualfeelings；prettyphrasesandwarmexpressionsbeingprobablyunnecessarybetweensuchtriedfriends。Theirswasthatsubstantialaffectionwhicharisesifanyarisesatallwhenthetwowhoarethrowntogetherbeginfirstbyknowingtheroughersidesofeachother’scharacter，andnotthebesttillfurtheron，theromancegrowingupintheintersticesofamassofhardprosaicreality。Thisgood-fellowship-camaraderie-usuallyoccurringthroughsimilarityofpursuits，isunfortunatelyseldomsuperaddedtolovebetweenthesexes，becausemenandwomenassociate，notintheirlabours，butintheirpleasuresmerely。Where，however，happycircumstancepermitsitsdevelopment，thecompoundedfeelingprovesitselftobetheonlylovewhichisstrongasdeath-thatlovewhichmanywaterscannotquench，northefloodsdrown，besidewhichthepassionusuallycalledbythenameisevanescentassteam。
CHAPTERFIFTY-SEVENAFoggyNightandMorning-Conclusion`Themostprivate，secret，plainestweddingthatitispossibletohave。’
ThosehadbeenBathsheba’swordstoOakoneevening，sometimeaftertheeventoftheprecedingchapter，andhemeditatedahillhourbytheclockuponhowtocarryoutherwishestotheletter。
`Alicense-Oyes，itmustbealicense，’hesaidtohimselfatlast。
`Verywell，then；first，alicense。’
Onadarknight，afewdayslater，Oakcamewithmysteriousstepsfromthesurrogate’sdoorinCasterbridge。Onthewayhomeheheardaheavytreadinfrontofhim，and，overtakingtheman，foundhimtobeCoggan。
Theywalkedtogetherintothevillageuntiltheycametoalittlelanebehindthechurch，leadingdowntothecottageofLabanTall，whohadlatelybeeninstalledasclerkoftheparish，andwasyetinmortalterroratchurchonSundayswhenheheardhislonevoiceamongcertainhardwordsofthePsalms，whithernomanventuredtofollowhim。
`Well，good-night，Coggan，’saidOak，`I’mgoingdownthisway。’
`Oh！’saidCoggan，surprised；`what’sgoingonto-night，then，makesobold，MrOak？’
ItseemedratherungenerousnottotellCoggan，underthecircumstances，forCogganhadbeentrueassteelallthroughthetimeofGabriel’sunhappinessaboutBathsheba，andGabrielsaid，`Youcankeepasecret，Coggan？’
`You’veprovedme，andyouknow。’
`Yes，Ihave，andIdoknow。Well，then，mistressandImeantogetmarriedtomorrowmorning。’
`Heaven’shightower！AndyetI’vethoughtofsuchathingfromtimetotime；true，Ihave。Butkeepingitsoclose！Well，there，’tisnoconsarnofmine，andIwish’eejoyo’her。’
`Thankyou，Coggan。ButIassure’eethatthisgreathushisnotwhatIwishedforatall，orwhateitherofuswouldhavewishedifithadn’tbeenforcertainthingsthatwouldmakeagayweddingseemhardlythething。
Bathshebahasagreatwishthatalltheparishshrillnotbeinchurch，lookingather-she’sshy-likeandnervousaboutit，infact-soI
bedoingthistohumourher。’
`Ay，Isee：quiteright，too，IsupposeImustsay。Andyoubenowgoingdowntotheclerk。’
`Yes；youmayaswellcomewithme。’
`Iamafeardyourlabourinkeepingitclosewillbethrowedaway，’
saidCoggan，astheywalkedalong。`LabeTall’soldwomanwillhornitalloverparishinhalf-an-hour。’
`Soshewill，uponmylife；Ineverthoughtofthat，’saidOak，pausing。
`YetImusttellhimto-night，Isuppose，forhe’sworkingsofaroff，andleavesearly。’
`I’lltell’eehowwecouldtackleher，’saidCoggan。`I’llknockandasktospeaktoLabanoutsidethedoor，youstandinginthebackground。
Thenhe’llcomeout，andyoutellyertale。She’llneverguesswhatIwantenfor；andI’llmakeupafewwordsaboutthefarm-work，asablind。’
Thisschemewasconsideredfeasible；andCogganadvancedboldly，andrappedatMrsTall’sdoor。MrsTallherselfopenedit。
`IwantedtohaveawordwithLaban。’
`He’snotathome，andwon’tbethissideofeleveno’clock。He’vebeenforcedtogoovertoYalburysinceshuttingoutwork。Ishalldoquiteaswell。’
`Ihardlythinkyouwill。Stopamoment，’andCoggansteppedroundthecorneroftheporchtoconsultOak。
`Who’st’otherman，then？’saidMrsTall。
`Onlyafriend，’saidCoggan。
`Sayhe’swantedtomeetmistressnearchurch-hatchto-morrowmorningatten，’saidOak，inawhisper。`Thathemustcomewithoutfail，andwearhisbestclothes。’
`Theclotheswillfloorusassafeashouses！’saidCoggan。
`Itcan’tbehelped，’saidOak。`Tellher。’
SoCoggandeliveredthemessage。`Mind，hetorwet，bloworsnow，hemustcome，’addedJan。`’Tisveryparticular，indeed。Thefactis，’tistowitnesshersignsomelaw-workabouttakingshareswi’anotherfarmerforalongspano’years。There，that’swhat’tis，andnowI’vetold’ee，MotherTall，inawayIshouldn’tha’doneifIhadn’tloved’eesohopelesswell。’
Cogganretiredbeforeshecouldaskanyfurther；andnexttheycalledatthevicar’sinamannerwhichexcitednocuriosityatall。ThenGabrielwenthome，andpreparedforthemorrow。
`Liddy，’saidBathsheba，ongoingtobedthatnight，`Iwantyoutocallmeatseveno’clockto-morrow，incaseIshouldn’twake。’
`Butyoualwaysdowakeaforethen，ma’am。’
`Yes，butIhavesomethingimportanttodo，whichI’lltellyouofwhenthetimecomes，andit’sbesttomakesure。’
Bathsheba，however，awokevoluntarilyatfour，norcouldshebyanycontrivancegettosleepagain。Aboutsix，beingquitepositivethatherwatchhadstoppedduringthenight，shecouldwaitnolonger。ShewentandtappedatLiddy’sdoor，andaftersomelabourawokeher。
`ButIthoughtitwasIwhohadtocallyou？’saidthebewilderedLiddy。
`Anditisn’tsixyet。’
`Indeeditis；howcanyoutellsuchastory，Liddy！Iknowitmustbeeversomuchpastseven。Cometomyroomassoonasyoucan；Iwantyoutogivemyhairagoodbrushing。’
WhenLiddycametoBathsheba’sroomhermistresswasalreadywaiting。
Liddycouldnotunderstandthisextraordinarypromptness。`Whateverisgoingon，ma’am？’shesaid。
`Well，I’lltellyou，’saidBathsheba，withamischievoussmileinherbrighteyes。`FarmerOakiscomingheretodinewithmeto-day！’
`FarmerOak-andnobodyelse？-youtwoalone？’
`Yes。’
`Butisitsafe，ma’am，afterwhat’sbeensaid？’askedhercompanion，dubiously。`Awoman’sgoodnameissuchaperishablearticlethat——’
Bathshebalaughedwithaflushedcheek，andwhisperedinLiddy’sear，althoughtherewasnobodypresent。ThenLiddystaredandexclaimed，`Soulsalive，whatnews！Itmakesmyheartgoquitebumpity-bump！’
`Itmakesmineratherfurious，too，’saidBathsheba。`However，there’snogettingoutofitnow！’
Itwasadampdisagreeablemorning。Nevertheless，attwentyminutestoteno’clock，Oakcameoutofhishouse，andWentupthehillsideWiththatsortofstrideAmanputsoutwhenwalkinginsearchofabride，andknockedatBathsheba’sdoor。Tenminuteslateralargeandasmallerumbrellamighthavebeenseenmovingfromthesamedoor，andthroughthemistalongtheroadtothechurch。Thedistancewasnotmorethanaquarterofamile，andthesetwosensiblepersonsdeemeditunnecessarytodrive。
AnobservermusthavebeenverycloseindeedtodiscoverthattheformsundertheumbrellaswerethoseofOakandBathsheba，arm-in-armforthefirsttimeintheirlives，Oakinagreatcoatextendingtohisknees，andBathshebainacloakthatreachedherclods。Yet，thoughsoplainlydressed，therewasacertainrejuvenatedappearanceabouther：——Asthougharoseshouldshutandbeabudagain。Reposehadagainincarnadinedhercheeks；andhaving，atGabriel’srequest，arrangedherhairthismorningasshehadwornityearsagoonNorcombeHill，sheseemedinhiseyesremarkablylikethegirlofthatfascinatingdream，which，consideringthatshewasnowonlythreeorfour-and-twenty，wasperhapsnotverywonderful。InthechurchwereTall，Liddy，andtheparson，andinaremarkablyshortspaceoftimetoedeedwasdone。
ThetwosatdownveryquietlytoteainBathsheba’sparlourintheeveningofthesameday，forithadbeenarrangedthatfarmerOakshouldgotheretolive，sincehehadasyetneithermoney，house，norfurnitureworthyofthename，thoughhewasonasurewaytowardsthem，whilstBathshebawas，comparatively，inaplethoraofallthree。
JustasBathshebawaspouringoutacupoftea，theirearsweregreetedbythefiringofacannon，followedbywhatseemedlikeatremendousblowingoftrumpets，inthefrontofthehouse。
`There！’saidOak，laughing，`Iknewthosefellowswereuptosomething，bythelookontheirfaces。’
Oaktookupthelightandwentintotheporch，followedbyBathshebawithashawloverherhead。Theraysfelluponagroupofmalefiguresgathereduponthegravelinfront，who，whentheysawthenewly-marriedcoupleintheporch，setupaloud`Hurrah！’andatthesamemomentbangagainwentthecannoninthebackgroundfollowedbyahideousclangofmusicfromadrum，tambourine，clarionet，serpent，hautboy，tenor-viol，anddouble-bass-theonlyremainingrelicsofthetrueandoriginalWeatherburyband-venerableworm-eateninstruments，whichhadcelebratedintheirownpersonsthevictoriesofMarlborough，underthefingersoftheforefathersofthosewhoplayedthemnow。Theperformerscameforward，andmarcheduptothefront。
`Thosebrightboys，MarkClarkandJan，areatthebottomofallthis，’
saidOak。`Comein，souls，andhavesomethingtoeatanddrinkwi’meandmywife。’
`Notto-night，’saidMarkClark，withevidentself-denial。`Thankyeallthesame；butwe’llcallatamoreseemlytime。However，wecouldn’tthinkoflettingthedaypasswithoutanoteofadmirationofsomesort。
Ifyecouldsendadropofsom’atdowntoWarren’s，whysoitis。Here’slonglifeandhappinesstoneighbourOakandhiscomelybride！’
`Thankye；thankyeall！’saidGabriel。`AbitandadropshallbesenttoWarren’sforyeatonce。Ihadathoughtthatwemightverylikelygetasaluteofsomesortfromouroldfriends，andIwassayingsotomywifebutnow。’
`Faith，’saidCoggan，inacriticaltone，turningtohiscompanions，`themanhevlearnttosay“mywife“inawonderfulnaterelway，consideringhowveryyouthfulheisinwedlockasyet-hey，neighboursall？’
`Ineverheerdaskilfuloldmarriedfelleroftwentyyears’standingpipe“mywife“inamoreusednotethan’adid，’saidJacobSmallbury。
`Itmighthavebeenalittlemoretruetonaterif’thadbeenspokealittlechillier，butthatwasn’ttobeexpectedjustnow。’
`Thatimprovementwillcomewi’time，’saidJan，twirlinghiseye。ThenOaklaughed。Bathshebasmiledforsheneverlaughedreadilynow，andtheirfriendsturnedtogo。
`Yes；Isupposethat’sthesizeo’t，’saidJosephPoorgrasswithacheerfulsighastheymovedaway；`andIwishhimjoyo’her；thoughIwereonceortwiceuponsayingtodaywithholyHosea，inmyscripturemanner，whichismysecondnature，“Ephraimisjoinedtoidols：lethimalone。”Butsince’tisas’tis，why，itmighthavebeenworse，andIfeelmythanksaccordingly。’