ElizabethEndorfieldhadareputeamongwomenwhichwasinitsnaturesomethingbetweendistinctionandnotoriety。Itwasfoundedonthefollowingitemsofcharacter。Shewasshrewdandpenetrating;herhousestoodinalonelyplace;sheneverwenttochurch;sheworearedcloak;shealwaysretainedherbonnetindoorsandshehadapointedchin。ThusfarherattributesweredistinctlySatanic;andthosewholookednofurthercalledher，inplaintermsawitch。Butshewasnotgaunt，noruglyintheupperpartofherface，norparticularlystrangeinmanner;sothat，whenhermoreintimateacquaintancesspokeofherthetermwassoftened，andshebecamesimplyaDeepBody，whowasaslong—headedasshewashigh。
ItmaybestatedthatElizabeth，belongedtoaclassofsuspectswhoweregraduallylosingtheirmysteriouscharacteristicsundertheadministrationoftheyoungvicar;though，duringthelongreignofMr。Grinham，theparishofMellstockhadprovedextremelyfavourabletothegrowthofwitches。
WhileFancywasrevolvingallthisinhermind，andputtingittoherselfwhetheritwasworthwhiletotellhertroublestoElizabeth，andaskheradviceingettingoutofthem，thewitchspoke。
\"Youbedown——properdown，\"shesaidsuddenly，droppinganotherpotatointothebucket。
Fancytooknonotice。
\"Aboutyouryoungman。\"
Fancyreddened。Elizabethseemedtobewatchingherthoughts。
Really，onewouldalmostthinkshemusthavethepowerspeopleascribedtoher。
\"Fathernotinthehumourfor’t，hey？\"Anotherpotatowasfinishedandflungin。\"Ah，Iknowaboutit。Littlebirdstellmethingsthatpeopledon’tdreamofmyknowing。\"
FancywasdesperateaboutDick，andherewasachance——O，suchawickedchance——ofgettinghelp;andwhatwasgoodnessbesidelove！
\"Iwishyou’dtellmehowtoputhiminthehumourforit？\"shesaid。
\"ThatIcouldsoondo，\"saidthewitchquietly。
\"Really？O，do;anyhow——Idon’tcare——sothatitisdone！HowcouldIdoit，Mrs。Endorfield？\"
\"Nothingsomightywonderfulinit。\"
\"Well，buthow？\"
\"Bywitchery，ofcourse！\"saidElizabeth。
\"No！\"saidFancy。
\"’Tis，Iassureye。Didn’tyoueverhearIwasawitch？\"
\"Well，\"hesitatedFancy，\"Ihaveheardyoucalledso。\"
\"Andyoubelievedit？\"
\"Ican’tsaythatIdidexactlybelieveit，for’tisveryhorribleandwicked;but，O，howIdowishitwaspossibleforyoutobeone！\"
\"SoIam。AndI’lltellyouhowtobewitchyourfathertoletyoumarryDickDewy。\"
\"Willithurthim，poorthing？\"
\"Hurtwho？\"
\"Father。\"
\"No;thecharmisworkedbycommonsense，andthespellcanonlybebrokebyyouractingstupidly。\"
Fancylookedratherperplexed，andElizabethwenton：
\"ThisfearofLizz——whatever’tis—
Bygreatandsmall;
Shemakespretencetocommonsense，Andthat’sall。
\"Youmustdoitlikethis。\"Thewitchlaiddownherknifeandpotato，andthenpouredintoFancy’searalonganddetailedlistofdirections，glancingupfromthecornerofhereyeintoFancy’sfacewithanexpressionofsinisterhumour。Fancy’sfacebrightened，clouded，roseandsank，asthenarrativeproceeded。\"There，\"saidElizabethatlength，stoopingfortheknifeandanotherpotato，\"dothat，andyou’llhavehimby—longandby—late，mydear。\"
\"AnddoitIwill！\"saidFancy。
Shethenturnedherattentiontotheexternalworldoncemore。Theraincontinuedasusual，butthewindhadabatedconsiderablyduringthediscourse。Judgingthatitwasnowpossibletokeepanumbrellaerect，shepulledherhoodagainoverherbonnet，badethewitchgood—bye，andwentherway。
CHAPTERIV：THESPELL
Mrs。Endorfield’sadvicewasdulyfollowed。
\"Ibepropersorrythatyourdaughterisn’tsowellasshemightbe，\"saidaMellstockmantoGeoffreyonemorning。
\"Butisthereanythinginit？\"saidGeoffreyuneasily，asheshiftedhishattotheright。\"Ican’tunderstandthereport。Shedidn’tcomplaintomeabitwhenIsawher。\"
\"Noappetiteatall，theysay。\"
GeoffreycrossedtoMellstockandcalledattheschoolthatafternoon。Fancywelcomedhimasusual，andaskedhimtostayandtaketeawithher。
\"Ibe’n’tmuchfortea，thistimeo’day，\"hesaid，butstayed。
Duringthemealhewatchedhernarrowly。Andtohisgreatconsternationdiscoveredthefollowingunprecedentedchangeinthehealthygirl——thatshecutherselfonlyadiaphanoussliceofbread—
and—butter，and，layingitonherplate，passedthemeal—timeinbreakingitintopieces，buteatingnomorethanaboutone—tenthoftheslice。GeoffreyhopedshewouldsaysomethingaboutDick，andfinishupbyweeping，asshehaddoneafterthedecisionagainsthimafewdayssubsequenttotheinterviewinthegarden。Butnothingwassaid，andinduetimeGeoffreydepartedagainforYalburyWood。
\"’TistobehopedpoorMissFancywillbeabletokeeponherschool，\"saidGeoffrey’smanEnochtoGeoffreythefollowingweek，astheywereshovellingupant—hillsinthewood。
Geoffreystuckintheshovel，sweptsevenoreightantsfromhissleeve，andkilledanotherthatwasprowlingroundhisear，thenlookedperpendicularlyintotheearthasusual，waitingforEnochtosaymore。\"Well，whyshouldn’tshe？\"saidthekeeperatlast。
\"Thebakertoldmeyesterday，\"continuedEnoch，shakingoutanotheremmetthathadrunmerrilyuphisthigh，\"thatthebreadhe’veleftatthatthereschool—housethislastmonthwouldstarveanymouseinthethreecreations;that’twouldso！AndafterwardsIhadapinto’smalldownatMorrs’s，andthereIheardmore。\"
\"Whatmightthatha’been？\"
\"Thatsheusedtohaveapoundo’thebestrolledbutteraweek，regularasclockwork，fromDairymanViney’sforherself，aswellasjustsomuchsaltedforthehelpinggirl，andthe’oomanshecallsin;butnowthesamequantityd’lastherthreeweeks，andthen’tisthoughtedshethrowsitawaysour。\"
\"Finishdoingtheemmets，andcarrythebaghome—along。\"Thekeeperresumedhisgun，tuckeditunderhisarm，andwentonwithoutwhistlingtothedogs，whohoweverfollowed，withabearingmeanttoimplythattheydidnotexpectanysuchattentionswhentheirmasterwasreflecting。
OnSaturdaymorninganotecamefromFancy。Hewasnottotroubleaboutsendingherthecoupleofrabbits，aswasintended，becauseshefearedsheshouldnotwantthem。LaterinthedayGeoffreywenttoCasterbridgeandcalleduponthebutcherwhoservedFancywithfreshmeat，whichwasputdowntoherfather’saccount。
\"I’vecalledtopayupourlittlebill，NeighbourHaylock，andyoucangiemethechiel’saccountatthesametime。\"
Mr。Haylockturnedroundthreequartersofacircleinthemidstofaheapofjoints，alteredtheexpressionofhisfacefrommeattomoney，wentintoalittleofficeconsistingonlyofadoorandawindow，lookedveryvigorouslyintoabookwhichpossessedlengthbutnobreadth;andthen，seizingapieceofpaperandscribblingthereupon，handedthebill。
Probablyitwasthefirsttimeinthehistoryofcommercialtransactionsthatthequalityofshortnessinabutcher’sbillwasacauseoftribulationtothedebtor。\"Why，thisisn’tallshe’vehadinawholemonth！\"saidGeoffrey。
\"Everymossel，\"saidthebutcher——\"（now，Dan，takethatlegandshouldertoMrs。White’s，andthiselevenpoundheretoMr。
Martin’s）——you’vebeentreatinghertosmallerjointslately，tomythinking，Mr。Day？\"
\"Onlytwoorthreelittlescramrabbitsthislastweek，asIamalive——IwishIhad！\"
\"Well，mywifesaidtome——（Dan！nottoomuch，nottoomuchonthattrayatatime;bettergotwice）——mywifesaidtomeasshepostedupthebooks：shesays，\"MissDaymusthavebeensummerduringthathotmuggyweathermuchforus;fordependupon’t，\"shesays，\"she’vebeentryingJohnGrimmettunknowntous：seeheraccountelse。\"
’Tislittle，ofcourse，atthebestoftimes，beingonlyforone，butnow’tisnextkintonothing。\"
\"I’llinquire，\"saidGeoffreydespondingly。
HereturnedbywayofMellstock，andcalleduponFancy，infulfilmentofapromise。ItbeingSaturday，thechildrenwereenjoyingaholiday，andonenteringtheresidenceFancywasnowheretobeseen。Nan，thecharwoman，wassweepingthekitchen。
\"Where’smyda’ter？\"saidthekeeper。
\"Well，youseeshewastiredwiththeweek’steaching，andthismorningshesaid，\"Nan，Isha’n’tgetuptilltheevening。\"Yousee，Mr。Day，ifpeopledon’teat，theycan’twork;andasshe’vegie’dupeating，shemustgieupworking。\"
\"Haveyecarriedupanydinnertoher？\"
\"No;shedon’twantany。There，weallknowthatsuchthingsdon’tcomewithoutgoodreason——notthatIwishtosayanythingaboutabrokenheart，oranythingofthekind。\"
Geoffrey’sownheartfeltinconvenientlylargejustthen。Hewenttothestaircaseandascendedtohisdaughter’sdoor。
\"Fancy！\"
\"Comein，father。\"
Toseeapersoninbedfromanycausewhatever，onafineafternoon，isdepressingenough;andherewashisonlychildFancy，notonlyinbed，butlookingverypale。Geoffreywasvisiblydisturbed。
\"Fancy，Ididn’texpecttoseetheehere，chiel，\"hesaid。\"What’sthematter？\"
\"I’mnotwell，father。\"
\"How’sthat？\"
\"BecauseIthinkofthings。\"
\"Whatthingscanyouhavetothinko’somortalmuch？\"
\"Youknow，father。\"
\"YouthinkI’vebeencrueltotheeinsayingthatthatpennilessDicko’thinesha’n’tmarrythee，Isuppose？\"
Noanswer。
\"Well，youknow，Fancy，Idoitforthebest，andheisn’tgoodenoughforthee。Youknowthatwellenough。\"Hereheagainlookedatherasshelay。\"Well，Fancy，Ican’tletmyonlychieldie;andifyoucan’tlivewithouten，youmustha’en，Isuppose。\"
\"O，Idon’twanthimlikethat;allagainstyourwill，andeverythingsodisobedient！\"sighedtheinvalid。
\"No，no，’tisn’tagainstmywill。Mywishis，nowId’seehow’tishurtentheetolivewithouten，thatheshallmarrytheeassoonaswe’veconsideredalittle。That’smywishflatandplain，Fancy。
There，nevercry，mylittlemaid！Yououghttoha’criedafore;noneedo’cryingnow’tisallover。Well，howsoever，trytostepoverandseemeandmother—lawto—morrow，andha’abitofdinnerwi’
us。\"
\"And——Dicktoo？\"
\"Ay，Dicktoo，’far’sIknow。\"
\"AndWHENdoyouthinkyou’llhaveconsidered，father，andhemaymarryme？\"shecoaxed。
\"Well，there，saynextMidsummer;that’snotadaytoolongtowait。\"
OnleavingtheschoolGeoffreywenttothetranter’s。OldWilliamopenedthedoor。
\"IsyourgrandsonDickin’ithin，William？\"
\"No，notjustnow，Mr。Day。Thoughhe’vebeenathomeagooddeallately。\"
\"O，how’sthat？\"
\"Whatwi’onething，andwhatwi’t’other，he’sallinamope，asmightbesaid。Don’tseemthefellerheusedto。Ay，’awillsitstuddingandthinkingasif’aweregoingtoturnchapel—member，andthendonothingbuttraypseandwambleabout。Usedtobesuchachattyboy，too，Dickdid;andnow’adon’tspeakatall。Butwon’tyestepinside？Reubenwillbehomesoon，’ab’lieve。\"
\"No，thankyou，Ican’tstaynow。WillyejustaskDickifhe’lldomethekindnesstostepovertoYalburyto—morrowwithmyda’terFancy，ifshe’swellenough？Idon’tlikehertocomebyherself，nowshe’snotsoterribletoppinginhealth。\"
\"SoI’veheard。Ay，sure，I’lltellhimwithoutfail。\"
CHAPTERV：AFTERGAININGHERPOINT
ThevisittoGeoffreypassedoffasdelightfullyasavisitmighthavebeenexpectedtopassoffwhenitwasthefirstdayofsmoothexperienceinahithertoobstructedlove—course。Andthencameaseriesofseveralhappydays，ofthesameundisturbedserenity。
Dickcouldcourtherwhenhechose;stayawaywhenhechose，——whichwasnever;walkwithherbywindingstreamsandwaterfallsandautumnscenerytilldewsaridtwilightsentthemhome。AndthustheydrewnearthedayoftheHarvestThanksgiving，whichwasalsothetimechosenforopeningtheorganinMellstockChurch。
ItchancedthatDickonthatverydaywascalledawayfromMellstock。AyoungacquaintancehaddiedofconsumptionatCharmley，aneighbouringvillage，onthepreviousMonday，andDick，infulfilmentofalong—standingpromise，wastoassistincarryinghimtothegrave。WhenonTuesday，DickwenttowardstheschooltoacquaintFancywiththefact，itisdifficulttosaywhetherhisowndisappointmentatbeingdeniedthesightofhertriumphantdebutasorganist，wasgreaterthanhisvexationthathispetshouldonthisgreatoccasionbedeprivedofthepleasureofhispresence。
However，theintelligencewascommunicated。Sheboreitasshebestcould，notwithoutmanyexpressionsofregret，andconvictionsthatherperformancewouldbenothingtohernow。
Justbeforeeleveno’clockonSundayhesetoutuponhissaderrand。
Thefuneralwastobeimmediatelyafterthemorningservice，andastherewerefourgoodmilestowalk，drivingbeinginconvenient，itbecamenecessarytostartcomparativelyearly。Halfanhourlaterwouldcertainlyhaveansweredhispurposequiteaswell，yetatthelastmomentnothingwouldcontenthisardentmindbutthathemustgoamileoutofhiswayinthedirectionoftheschool，inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisLoveasshestartedforchurch。
Striking，therefore，intothelanetowardstheschool，insteadofacrosstheeweleasedirecttoCharmley，hearrivedoppositeherdoorashisgoddessemerged。
Ifeverawomanlookedadivinity，FancyDayappearedonethatmorningasshefloateddownthoseschoolsteps，intheformofanebulouscollectionofcoloursincliningtoblue。Withanaudacityunparalleledinthewholehistoryofvillage—school—mistressesatthisdate——partlyowing，nodoubt，topapa’srespectableaccumulationofcash，whichrenderedherprofessionnotaltogetheroneofnecessity——shehadactuallydonnedahatandfeather，andloweredherhithertoplainlylooped—uphair，whichnowfellabouthershouldersinaprofusionofcurls。PoorDickwasastonished：
hehadneverseenherlooksodistractinglybeautifulbefore，saveonChristmas—eve，whenherhairwasinthesameluxuriantconditionoffreedom。Buthisfirstburstofdelightedsurprisewasfollowedbylesscomfortablefeelings，assoonashisbrainrecovereditspowertothink。
Fancyhadblushed;——wasitwithconfusion？Shehadalsoinvoluntarilypressedbackhercurls。Shehadnotexpectedhim。
\"Fancy，youdidn’tknowmeforamomentinmyfuneralclothes，didyou？\"
\"Good—morning，Dick——no，really，Ididn’tknowyouforaninstantinsuchasadsuit。\"
Helookedagainatthegaytressesandhat。\"You’veneverdressedsocharmingbefore，dearest。\"
\"Iliketohearyoupraisemeinthatway，Dick，\"shesaid，smilingarchly。\"Itismeatanddrinktoawoman。DoIlooknicereally？\"
\"Fie！youknowit。Didyouremember，——Imeandidn’tyourememberaboutmygoingawayto—day？\"
\"Well，yes，Idid，Dick;but，youknow，Iwantedtolookwell;——
forgiveme。\"
\"Yes，darling;yes，ofcourse，——there’snothingtoforgive。No，I
wasonlythinkingthatwhenwetalkedonTuesdayandWednesdayandThursdayandFridayaboutmyabsenceto—day，andIwassosorryforit，yousaid，Fancy，sowereyousorry，andalmostcried，andsaiditwouldbenopleasuretoyoutobetheattractionofthechurchto—day，sinceIcouldnotbethere。\"
\"Mydearone，neitherwillitbesomuchpleasuretome……ButI
dotakealittledelightinmylife，Isuppose，\"shepouted。
\"Apartfrommine？\"
Shelookedathimwithperplexedeyes。\"Iknowyouarevexedwithme，Dick，anditisbecausethefirstSundayIhavecurlsandahatandfeathersinceIhavebeenherehappenstobetheverydayyouareawayandwon’tbewithme。Yes，sayitis，forthatisit！AndyouthinkthatallthisweekIoughttohaverememberedyouwouldn’tbehereto—day，andnothavecaredtobebetterdressedthanusual。
Yes，youdo，Dick，anditisratherunkind！\"
\"No，no，\"saidDickearnestlyandsimply，\"Ididn’tthinksobadlyofyouasthat。Ionlythoughtthat——ifYOUhadbeengoingaway，I
shouldn’thavetriednewattractionsfortheeyesofotherpeople。
ButthenofcourseyouandIaredifferent，naturally。\"
\"Well，perhapsweare。\"
\"Whateverwillthevicarsay，Fancy？\"
\"Idon’tfearwhathesaysintheleast！\"sheansweredproudly。
\"Buthewon’tsayanythingofthesortyouthink。No，no。\"
\"Hecanhardlyhaveconscienceto，indeed。\"
\"Nowcome，yousay，Dick，thatyouquiteforgiveme，forImustgo，\"
shesaidwithsuddengaiety，andskippedbackwardsintotheporch。
\"Comehere，sir;——sayyouforgiveme，andthenyoushallkissme;——
youneverhaveyetwhenIhaveworncurls，youknow。Yes，justwhereyouwanttosomuch，——yes，youmay！\"
Dickfollowedherintotheinnercorner，wherehewasprobablynotslowinavailinghimselfoftheprivilegeoffered。
\"Nowthat’satreatforyou，isn’tit？\"shecontinued。\"Good—bye，orIshallbelate。Comeandseemeto—morrow：you’llbetiredtonight。\"
Thustheyparted，andFancyproceededtothechurch。Theorganstoodononesideofthechancel，closetoandundertheimmediateeyeofthevicarwhenhewasinthepulpit，andalsoinfullviewofthecongregation。Hereshesatdown，forthefirsttimeinsuchaconspicuousposition，herseathavingpreviouslybeeninaremotespotintheaisle。
\"Goodheavens——disgraceful！Curlsandahatandfeather！\"saidthedaughtersofthesmallgentry，whohadeitheronlycurlyhairwithoutahatandfeather，orahatandfeatherwithoutcurlyhair。
\"Abonnetforchurchalways，\"saidsobermatrons。
ThatMr。Mayboldwasconsciousofherpresenceclosebesidehimduringthesermon;thathewasnotatallangryatherdevelopmentofcostume;thatheadmiredher，sheperceived。Butshedidnotseethathelovedherduringthatsermon—timeashehadneverlovedawomanbefore;thatherproximitywasastrangedelighttohim;andthathegloriedinhermusicalsuccessthatmorninginaspiritquitebeyondamerecleric’sgloryattheinaugurationofaneworderofthings。
Theoldchoir，withhumbledhearts，nolongertooktheirseatsinthegalleryasheretofore（whichwasnowgivenuptotheschool—
childrenwhowerenotsingers，andapupil—teacher），butwerescatteredaboutwiththeirwivesindifferentpartsofthechurch。
Havingnothingtodowithconductingtheserviceforalmostthefirsttimeintheirlives，theyallfeltawkward，outofplace，abashed，andinconveniencedbytheirhands。Thetranterhadproposedthattheyshouldstayawayto—dayandgonutting，butgrandfatherWilliamwouldnothearofsuchathingforamoment。
\"No，\"herepliedreproachfully，andquotedaverse\"Thoughthishascomeuponus，letnotourheartsbeturnedback，orourstepsgooutoftheway。\"
Sotheystoodandwatchedthecurlsofhairtrailingdownthebackofthesuccessfulrival，andthewavingofherfeather，assheswayedherhead。Afterafewtimidnotesanduncertaintouchesherplayingbecamemarkedlycorrect，andtowardstheendfullandfree。
But，whetherfromprejudiceorunbiassedjudgment，thevenerablebodyofmusicianscouldnothelpthinkingthatthesimplernotestheyhadbeenwonttobringforthweremoreinkeepingwiththesimplicityoftheiroldchurchthanthecrowdedchordsandinterludesitwasherpleasuretoproduce。
CHAPTERVI：INTOTEMPTATION
Thedaywasdone，andFancywasagainintheschool—house。Aboutfiveo’clockitbegantorain，andinratheradullframeofmindshewanderedintotheschoolroom，forwantofsomethingbettertodo。Shewasthinking——ofherloverDickDewy？Notprecisely。Ofhowwearyshewasoflivingalone：howunbearableitwouldbetoreturntoYalburyundertheruleofherstrange—temperedstep—
mother;thatitwasfarbettertobemarriedtoanybodythandothat;thateightorninelongmonthshadyettobelivedthrougheretheweddingcouldtakeplace。
AtthesideoftheroomwerehighwindowsofHam—hillstone，uponeithersillofwhichshecouldsitbyfirstmountingadeskandusingitasafootstool。Astheeveningadvancedheresheperchedherself，aswashercustomonsuchwetandgloomyoccasions，putonalightshawlandbonnet，openedthewindow，andlookedoutattherain。
ThewindowoverlookedafieldcalledtheGrove，anditwasthepositionfromwhichsheusedtosurveythecrownofDick’spassinghatintheearlydaysoftheiracquaintanceandmeetings。Notalivingsoulwasnowvisibleanywhere;therainkeptallpeopleindoorswhowerenotforcedabroadbynecessity，andnecessitywaslessimportunateonSundaysthanduringtheweek。
Sittinghereandthinkingagain——ofherlover，orofthesensationshehadcreatedatchurchthatday？——well，itisunknown——thinkingandthinkingshesawadarkmasculinefigurearisingintodistinctnessatthefurtherendoftheGrove——amanwithoutanumbrella。Nearerandnearerhecame，andsheperceivedthathewasindeepmourning，andthenthatitwasDick。Yes，inthefondnessandfoolishnessofhisyoungheart，afterwalkingfourmiles，inadrizzlingrainwithoutovercoatorumbrella，andinfaceofaremarkfromhislovethathewasnottocomebecausehewouldbetired，hehadmadeithisbusinesstowanderthismileoutofhiswayagain，fromsheerwishofspendingtenminutesinherpresence。
\"ODick，howwetyouare！\"shesaid，ashedrewupunderthewindow。
\"Why，yourcoatshinesasifithadbeenvarnished，andyourhat——mygoodness，there’sastreaminghat！\"
\"O，Idon’tmind，darling！\"saidDickcheerfully。\"Wetneverhurtsme，thoughIamrathersorryformybestclothes。However，itcouldn’tbehelped;welentalltheumbrellastothewomen。Idon’tknowwhenIshallgetmineback！\"
\"Andlook，there’sanastypatchofsomethingjustonyourshoulder。\"
\"Ah，that’sjapanning;itrubbedofftheclampsofpoorJack’scoffinwhenweloweredhimfromourshouldersuponthebier！I
don’tcareaboutthat，for’twasthelastdeedIcoulddoforhim;
and’tishardifyoucan’taffordacoatforanoldfriend。\"
Fancyputherhandtohermouthforhalfaminute。Underneaththepalmofthatlittlehandthereexistedforthathalf—minutealittleyawn。
\"Dick，Idon’tlikeyoutostandthereinthewet。Andyoumustn’tsitdown。Gohomeandchangeyourthings。Don’tstayanotherminute。\"
\"Onekissaftercomingsofar，\"hepleaded。
\"IfIcanreach，then。\"
Helookedratherdisappointedatnotbeinginvitedroundtothedoor。Shetwistedfromherseatedpositionandbentherselfdownwards，butnotevenbystandingontheplinthwasitpossibleforDicktogethislipsintocontactwithhersassheheldthem。
Bygreatexertionshemighthavereachedalittlelower;butthenshewouldhaveexposedherheadtotherain。
\"Nevermind，Dick;kissmyhand，\"shesaid，flingingitdowntohim。
\"Now，good—bye。\"
\"Good—bye。\"
Hewalkedslowlyaway，turningandturningagaintolookathertillhewasoutofsight。Duringtheretreatshesaidtoherself，almostinvoluntarily，andstillconsciousofthatmorning’striumph——\"I
likeDick，andIlovehim;buthowplainandsorryamanlooksintherain，withnoumbrella，andwetthrough！\"
Ashevanished，shemadeasiftodescendfromherseat;butglancingintheotherdirectionshesawanotherformcomingalongthesametrack。Itwasalsothatofaman。He，too，wasinblackfromtoptotoe;buthecarriedanumbrella。
Hedrewnearer，andthedirectionoftheraincausedhimsotoslanthisumbrellathatfromherheightabovethegroundhisheadwasinvisible，asshewasalsotohim。Hepassedinduetimedirectlybeneathher，andinlookingdownupontheexteriorofhisumbrellaherfeminineeyesperceivedittobeofsuperiorsilk——lesscommonatthatdatethansince——andofelegantmake。Hereachedtheentrancetothebuilding，andFancysuddenlylostsightofhim。
InsteadofpursuingtheroadwayasDickhaddonehehadturnedsharplyroundintoherownporch。
Shejumpedtothefloor，hastilyflungoffhershawlandbonnet，smoothedandpattedherhairtillthecurlshunginpassablecondition，andlistened。Noknock。Nearlyaminutepassed，andstilltherewasnoknock。Thentherearoseasoftseriesofraps，nolouderthanthetappingofadistantwoodpecker，andbarelydistinctenoughtoreachherears。Shecomposedherselfandflungopenthedoor。
IntheporchstoodMr。Maybold。
Therewasawarmflushuponhisface，andabrightflashinhiseyes，whichmadehimlookhandsomerthanshehadeverseenhimbefore。
\"Good—evening，MissDay。\"
\"Good—evening，Mr。Maybold，\"shesaid，inastrangestateofmind。
Shehadnoticed，beyondtheardenthueofhisface，thathisvoicehadasingulartremorinit，andthathishandshooklikeanaspenleafwhenhelaidhisumbrellainthecorneroftheporch。Withoutanotherwordbeingspokenbyeither，hecameintotheschoolroom，shutthedoor，andmovedclosetoher。Onceinside，theexpressionofhisfacewasnomorediscernible，byreasonoftheincreasingduskofevening。
\"Iwanttospeaktoyou，\"hethensaid;\"seriously——onaperhapsunexpectedsubject，butonewhichisalltheworldtome——Idon’tknowwhatitmaybetoyou，MissDay。\"
Noreply。
\"Fancy，Ihavecometoaskyouifyouwillbemywife？\"
Asapersonwhohasbeenidlyamusinghimselfwithrollingasnowballmightstartatfindinghehadsetinmotionanavalanche，sodidFancystartatthesewordsfromthevicar。Andinthedeadsilencewhichfollowedthem，thebreathingsofthemanandofthewomancouldbedistinctlyandseparatelyheard;andtherewasthisdifferencebetweenthem——hisrespirationsgraduallygrewquieterandlessrapidaftertheenunciationhers，fromhavingbeenlowandregular，increasedinquicknessandforce，tillshealmostpanted。
\"Icannot，Icannot，Mr。Maybold——Icannot！Don’taskme！\"shesaid。
\"Don’tanswerinahurry！\"heentreated。\"Anddolistentome。
Thisisnosuddenfeelingonmypart。Ihavelovedyouformorethansixmonths！Perhapsmylateinterestinteachingthechildrenherehasnotbeensosingle—mindedasitseemed。Youwillunderstandmymotive——likemebetter，perhaps，forhonestlytellingyouthatIhavestruggledagainstmyemotioncontinually，becauseI
havethoughtthatitwasnotwellformetoloveyou！ButI
resolvedtostrugglenolonger;Ihaveexaminedthefeeling;andtheloveIbearyouisasgenuineasthatIcouldbearanywoman！Iseeyourgreatcharm;Irespectyournaturaltalents，andtherefinementtheyhavebroughtintoyournature——theyarequiteenough，andmorethanenoughforme！Theyareequaltoanythingeverrequiredofthemistressofaquietparsonage—house——theplaceinwhichIshallpassmydays，whereveritmaybesituated。OFancy，Ihavewatchedyou，criticizedyouevenseverely，broughtmyfeelingstothelightofjudgment，andstillhavefoundthemrational，andsuchasanymanmighthaveexpectedtobeinspiredwithbyawomanlikeyou！Sothereisnothinghurried，secret，oruntowardinmydesiretodothis。Fancy，willyoumarryme？\"
Noanswerwasreturned。
\"Don’trefuse;don’t，\"heimplored。\"Itwouldbefoolishofyou——I
meancruel！Ofcoursewewouldnotlivehere，Fancy。IhavehadforalongtimetheofferofanexchangeoflivingswithafriendinYorkshire，butIhavehithertorefusedonaccountofmymother。
Therewewouldgo。Yourmusicalpowersshallbestillfurtherdeveloped;youshallhavewhateverpianoforteyoulike;youshallhaveanything，Fancy，anythingtomakeyouhappy——pony—carriage，flowers，birds，pleasantsociety;yes，youhaveenoughinyouforanysociety，afterafewmonthsoftravelwithme！Willyou，Fancy，marryme？\"
Anotherpauseensued，variedonlybythesurgingoftherainagainstthewindow——panes，andthenFancyspoke，inafaintandbrokenvoice。
\"Yes，Iwill，\"shesaid。
\"Godblessyou，myown！\"Headvancedquickly，andputhisarmouttoembraceher。Shedrewbackhastily。\"Nono，notnow！\"shesaidinanagitatedwhisper。\"Therearethings;——butthetemptationis，O，toostrong，andIcan’tresistitIcan’ttellyounow，butI
musttellyou！Don’t，please，don’tcomenearmenow！Iwanttothink，IcanscarcelygetmyselfusedtotheideaofwhatIhavepromisedyet。\"Thenextminutesheturnedtoadesk，buriedherfaceinherhands，andburstintoahystericalfitofweeping。\"O，leavemetomyself！\"shesobbed;\"leaveme！O，leaveme！\"
\"Don’tbedistressed;don’t，dearest！\"Itwaswithvisibledifficultythatherestrainedhimselffromapproachingher。\"Youshalltellmeatyourleisurewhatitisthatgrievesyouso;Iamhappy——beyondallmeasurehappy！——athavingyoursimplepromise。\"
\"Anddogoandleavemenow！\"
\"ButImustnot，injusticetoyou，leaveforaminute，untilyouareyourselfagain。\"
\"Therethen，\"shesaid，controllingheremotion，andstandingup;\"I
amnotdisturbednow。\"
Hereluctantlymovedtowardsthedoor。\"Good—bye！\"hemurmuredtenderly。\"I’llcometo—morrowaboutthistime。\"
CHAPTERVII：SECONDTHOUGHTS
Thenextmorningthevicarroseearly。ThefirstthinghedidwastowritealongandcarefullettertohisfriendinYorkshire。
Then，eatingalittlebreakfast，hecrossedthemeadowsinthedirectionofCasterbridge，bearinghisletterinhispocket，thathemightpostitatthetownoffice，andobviatethelossofonedayinitstransmissionthatwouldhaveresultedhadheleftitforthefoot—postthroughthevillage。
Itwasafoggymorning，andthetreesshedinnoisywater—dropsthemoisturetheyhadcollectedfromthethickair，anacornoccasionallyfallingfromitscuptotheground，incompanywiththedrippings。Inthemeads，sheetsofspiders’—web，almostopaquewithwet，hunginfoldsoverthefences，andthefallingleavesappearedineveryvarietyofbrown，green，andyellowhue。
Alowandmerrywhistlingwasheardonthehighwayhewasapproaching，thenthelightfootstepsofamangoinginthesamedirectionashimself。Onreachingthejunctionofhispathwiththeroad，thevicarbeheldDickDewy’sopenandcheerfulface。Dickliftedhishat，andthevicarcameoutintothehighwaythatDickwaspursuing。
\"Good—morning，Dewy。Howwellyouarelooking！\"saidMr。Maybold。
\"Yes，sir，Iamwell——quitewell！IamgoingtoCasterbridgenow，togetSmart’scollar;weleftitthereSaturdaytoberepaired。\"
\"IamgoingtoCasterbridge，sowe’llwalktogether，\"thevicarsaid。DickgaveahopwithonefoottoputhimselfinstepwithMr。
Maybold，whoproceeded：\"IfancyIdidn’tseeyouatchurchyesterday，Dewy。Orwereyoubehindthepier？\"
\"No;IwenttoCharmley。PoorJohnDunfordchosemetobeoneofhisbearersalongtimebeforehedied，andyesterdaywasthefuneral。OfcourseIcouldn’trefuse，thoughIshouldhavelikedparticularlytohavebeenathomeas’twasthedayofthenewmusic。\"
\"Yes，youshouldhavebeen。Themusicalportionoftheservicewassuccessful——verysuccessfulindeed;andwhatismoretothepurpose，noill—feelingwhateverwasevincedbyanyofthemembersoftheoldchoir。Theyjoinedinthesingingwiththegreatestgood—will。\"
\"’TwasnaturalenoughthatIshouldwanttobethere，Isuppose，\"
saidDick，smilingaprivatesmile;\"consideringwhotheorgan——
playerwas。\"
Atthisthevicarreddenedalittle，andsaid，\"Yes，yes，\"thoughnotatallcomprehendingDick’struemeaning，who，ashereceivednofurtherreply，continuedhesitatingly，andwithanothersmiledenotinghisprideasalover—
\"IsupposeyouknowwhatImean，sir？You’veheardaboutmeand——
MissDay？\"
TheredinMaybold’scountenancewentaway：heturnedandlookedDickintheface。
\"No，\"hesaidconstrainedly，\"I’veheardnothingwhateveraboutyouandMissDay。\"
\"Why，she’smysweetheart，andwearegoingtobemarriednextMidsummer。Wearekeepingitratherclosejustatpresent，because’tisagoodmanymonthstowait;butitisherfather’swishthatwedon’tmarrybefore，andofcoursewemustsubmit。Butthetime’illsoonslipalong。\"
\"Yes，thetimewillsoonslipalong——Timeglidesawayeveryday——
yes。\"
Mayboldsaidthesewords，buthehadnoideaofwhattheywere。Hewasconsciousofacoldandsicklythrillthroughouthim;andallhereasonedwasthisthattheyoungcreaturewhosegraceshadintoxicatedhimintomakingthemostimprudentresolutionofhislife，waslessanangelthanawoman。
\"Yousee，sir，\"continuedtheingenuousDick，\"’twillbebetterinonesense。Ishallbythattimebetheregularmanagerofabrancho’father’sbusiness，whichhasverymuchincreasedlately，andbusiness，whichwethinkofstartingelsewhere。Ithasverymuchincreasedlately，andweexpectnextyeartokeepa’extracoupleofhorses。We’vealreadyoureyeonone——brownasaberry，necklikearainbow，fifteenhands，andnotagrayhairinher——offeredusattwenty—fivewantacrown。AndtokippacewiththetimesIhavehadsomecardsprentedandIbegleavetohandyouone，sir。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidthevicar，mechanicallytakingthecardthatDickofferedhim。
\"IturninherebyGrey’sBridge，\"saidDick。\"Isupposeyougostraightonanduptown？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Good—morning，sir。\"
\"Good—morning，Dewy。\"
Mayboldstoodstilluponthebridge，holdingthecardasithadbeenputintohishand，andDick’sfootstepsdiedawaytowardsDurnoverMill。Thevicar’sfirstvoluntaryactionwastoreadthecardDEWYANDSON，TRANTERSANDHAULIERS，MELLSTOCK。