I’dnothingtodowiththat；youchosetobesoobligingastogiveitme，thatwasall。Ifyoudon’twanttopaythemoney，letitalone；it’sallonetome。ButIwaswillingtoaccommodateyoubyundertakingtosellthehorse，seeingit’snotconvenienttoyoutogosofarto—morrow。\"
Godfreywassilentforsomemoments。HewouldhavelikedtospringonDunstan，wrenchthewhipfromhishand，andfloghimtowithinaninchofhislife；andnobodilyfearcouldhavedeterredhim；buthewasmasteredbyanothersortoffear，whichwasfedbyfeelingsstrongereventhanhisresentment。Whenhespokeagain，itwasinahalf—conciliatorytone。
\"Well，youmeannononsenseaboutthehorse，eh？You’llsellhimallfair，andhandoverthemoney？Ifyoudon’t，youknow，everything’ullgotosmash，forI’vegotnothingelsetotrustto。
Andyou’llhavelesspleasureinpullingthehouseovermyhead，whenyourownskull’stobebrokentoo。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidDunstan，rising；\"allright。Ithoughtyou’dcomeround。I’mthefellowtobringoldBryceuptothescratch。
I’llgetyouahundredandtwentyforhim，ifIgetyouapenny。\"
\"Butit’llperhapsraincatsanddogsto—morrow，asitdidyesterday，andthenyoucan’tgo，\"saidGodfrey，hardlyknowingwhetherhewishedforthatobstacleornot。
\"Not_it_，\"saidDunstan。\"I’malwaysluckyinmyweather。Itmightrainifyouwantedtogoyourself。Youneverholdtrumps，youknow——Ialwaysdo。You’vegotthebeauty，yousee，andI’vegottheluck，soyoumustkeepmebyyouforyourcrookedsixpence；
you’ll_ne_—vergetalongwithoutme。\"
\"Confoundyou，holdyourtongue！\"saidGodfrey，impetuously。
\"Andtakecaretokeepsoberto—morrow，elseyou’llgetpitchedonyourheadcominghome，andWildfiremightbetheworseforit。\"
\"Makeyourtenderhearteasy，\"saidDunstan，openingthedoor。
\"YouneverknewmeseedoublewhenI’dgotabargaintomake；it’udspoilthefun。Besides，wheneverIfall，I’mwarrantedtofallonmylegs。\"
Withthat，Dunstanslammedthedoorbehindhim，andleftGodfreytothatbitterruminationonhispersonalcircumstanceswhichwasnowunbrokenfromdaytodaysavebytheexcitementofsporting，drinking，card—playing，ortherarerandlessobliviouspleasureofseeingMissNancyLammeter。Thesubtleandvariedpainsspringingfromthehighersensibilitythataccompanieshigherculture，areperhapslesspitiablethanthatdrearyabsenceofimpersonalenjoymentandconsolationwhichleavesrudermindstotheperpetualurgentcompanionshipoftheirowngriefsanddiscontents。Thelivesofthoseruralforefathers，whomweareapttothinkveryprosaicfigures——menwhoseonlyworkwastorideroundtheirland，gettingheavierandheavierintheirsaddles，andwhopassedtherestoftheirdaysinthehalf—listlessgratificationofsensesdulledbymonotony——hadacertainpathosinthemnevertheless。Calamitiescameto_them_too，andtheirearlyerrorscarriedhardconsequences：perhapstheloveofsomesweetmaiden，theimageofpurity，order，andcalm，hadopenedtheireyestothevisionofalifeinwhichthedayswouldnotseemtoolong，evenwithoutrioting；butthemaidenwaslost，andthevisionpassedaway，andthenwhatwaslefttothem，especiallywhentheyhadbecometooheavyforthehunt，orforcarryingagunoverthefurrows，buttodrinkandgetmerry，ortodrinkandgetangry，sothattheymightbeindependentofvariety，andsayoveragainwitheageremphasisthethingstheyhadsaidalreadyanytimethattwelvemonth？
Assuredly，amongtheseflushedanddull—eyedmenthereweresomewhom——thankstotheirnativehuman—kindness——evenriotcouldneverdriveintobrutality；menwho，whentheircheekswerefresh，hadfeltthekeenpointofsorroworremorse，hadbeenpiercedbythereedstheyleanedon，orhadlightlyputtheirlimbsinfettersfromwhichnostrugglecouldloosethem；andunderthesesadcircumstances，commontousall，theirthoughtscouldfindnoresting—placeoutsidetheever—troddenroundoftheirownpettyhistory。
That，atleast，wastheconditionofGodfreyCassinthissix—and—twentiethyearofhislife。Amovementofcompunction，helpedbythosesmallindefinableinfluenceswhicheverypersonalrelationexertsonapliantnature，hadurgedhimintoasecretmarriage，whichwasablightonhislife。Itwasanuglystoryoflowpassion，delusion，andwakingfromdelusion，whichneedsnottobedraggedfromtheprivacyofGodfrey’sbittermemory。HehadlongknownthatthedelusionwaspartlyduetoatraplaidforhimbyDunstan，whosawinhisbrother’sdegradingmarriagethemeansofgratifyingatoncehisjealoushateandhiscupidity。AndifGodfreycouldhavefelthimselfsimplyavictim，theironbitthatdestinyhadputintohismouthwouldhavechafedhimlessintolerably。IfthecurseshemutteredhalfaloudwhenhewasalonehadhadnootherobjectthanDunstan’sdiabolicalcunning，hemighthaveshrunklessfromtheconsequencesofavowal。Buthehadsomethingelsetocurse——hisownviciousfolly，whichnowseemedasmadandunaccountabletohimasalmostallourfolliesandvicesdowhentheirpromptingshavelongpassedaway。ForfouryearshehadthoughtofNancyLammeter，andwooedherwithtacitpatientworship，asthewomanwhomadehimthinkofthefuturewithjoy：shewouldbehiswife，andwouldmakehomelovelytohim，ashisfather’shomehadneverbeen；anditwouldbeeasy，whenshewasalwaysnear，toshakeoffthosefoolishhabitsthatwerenopleasures，butonlyafeverishwayofannullingvacancy。Godfrey’swasanessentiallydomesticnature，bredupinahomewherethehearthhadnosmiles，andwherethedailyhabitswerenotchastisedbythepresenceofhouseholdorder。Hiseasydispositionmadehimfallinunresistinglywiththefamilycourses，buttheneedofsometenderpermanentaffection，thelongingforsomeinfluencethatwouldmakethegoodhepreferredeasytopursue，causedtheneatness，purity，andliberalorderlinessoftheLammeterhousehold，sunnedbythesmileofNancy，toseemlikethosefreshbrighthoursofthemorningwhentemptationsgotosleepandleavetheearopentothevoiceofthegoodangel，invitingtoindustry，sobriety，andpeace。Andyetthehopeofthisparadisehadnotbeenenoughtosavehimfromacoursewhichshuthimoutofitforever。InsteadofkeepingfastholdofthestrongsilkenropebywhichNancywouldhavedrawnhimsafetothegreenbankswhereitwaseasytostepfirmly，hehadlethimselfbedraggedbackintomudandslime，inwhichitwasuselesstostruggle。Hehadmadetiesforhimselfwhichrobbedhimofallwholesomemotive，andwereaconstantexasperation。
Still，therewasonepositionworsethanthepresent：itwasthepositionhewouldbeinwhentheuglysecretwasdisclosed；andthedesirethatcontinuallytriumphedovereveryotherwasthatofwardingofftheevilday，whenhewouldhavetobeartheconsequencesofhisfather’sviolentresentmentforthewoundinflictedonhisfamilypride——wouldhave，perhaps，toturnhisbackonthathereditaryeaseanddignitywhich，afterall，wasasortofreasonforliving，andwouldcarrywithhimthecertaintythathewasbanishedforeverfromthesightandesteemofNancyLammeter。Thelongertheinterval，themorechancetherewasofdeliverancefromsome，atleast，ofthehatefulconsequencestowhichhehadsoldhimself；themoreopportunitiesremainedforhimtosnatchthestrangegratificationofseeingNancy，andgatheringsomefaintindicationsofherlingeringregard。Towardsthisgratificationhewasimpelled，fitfully，everynowandthen，afterhavingpassedweeksinwhichhehadavoidedherasthefar—offbright—wingedprizethatonlymadehimspringforwardandfindhischainallthemoregalling。Oneofthosefitsofyearningwasonhimnow，anditwouldhavebeenstrongenoughtohavepersuadedhimtotrustWildfiretoDunstanratherthandisappointtheyearning，evenifhehadnothadanotherreasonforhisdisinclinationtowardsthemorrow’shunt。Thatotherreasonwasthefactthatthemorning’smeetwasnearBatherley，themarket—townwheretheunhappywomanlived，whoseimagebecamemoreodioustohimeveryday；andtohisthoughtthewholevicinagewashauntedbyher。Theyokeamancreatesforhimselfbywrong—doingwillbreedhateinthekindliestnature；andthegood—humoured，affectionate—heartedGodfreyCasswasfastbecomingabitterman，visitedbycruelwishes，thatseemedtoenter，anddepart，andenteragain，likedemonswhohadfoundinhimaready—garnishedhome。
Whatwashetodothiseveningtopassthetime？HemightaswellgototheRainbow，andhearthetalkaboutthecock—fighting：
everybodywasthere，andwhatelsewastheretobedone？Though，forhisownpart，hedidnotcareabuttonforcock—fighting。
Snuff，thebrownspaniel，whohadplacedherselfinfrontofhim，andhadbeenwatchinghimforsometime，nowjumpedupinimpatiencefortheexpectedcaress。ButGodfreythrustherawaywithoutlookingather，andlefttheroom，followedhumblybytheunresentingSnuff——perhapsbecauseshesawnoothercareeropentoher。
CHAPTERIV
DunstanCass，settingoffintherawmorning，atthejudiciouslyquietpaceofamanwhoisobligedtoridetocoveronhishunter，hadtotakehiswayalongthelanewhich，atitsfartherextremity，passedbythepieceofunenclosedgroundcalledtheStone—pit，wherestoodthecottage，onceastone—cutter’sshed，nowforfifteenyearsinhabitedbySilasMarner。Thespotlookedverydrearyatthisseason，withthemoisttroddenclayaboutit，andthered，muddywaterhighupinthedesertedquarry。ThatwasDunstan’sfirstthoughtasheapproachedit；thesecondwas，thattheoldfoolofaweaver，whoseloomheheardrattlingalready，hadagreatdealofmoneyhiddensomewhere。Howwasitthathe，DunstanCass，whohadoftenheardtalkofMarner’smiserliness，hadneverthoughtofsuggestingtoGodfreythatheshouldfrightenorpersuadetheoldfellowintolendingthemoneyontheexcellentsecurityoftheyoungSquire’sprospects？Theresourceoccurredtohimnowassoeasyandagreeable，especiallyasMarner’shoardwaslikelytobelargeenoughtoleaveGodfreyahandsomesurplusbeyondhisimmediateneeds，andenablehimtoaccommodatehisfaithfulbrother，thathehadalmostturnedthehorse’sheadtowardshomeagain。Godfreywouldbereadyenoughtoacceptthesuggestion：hewouldsnatcheagerlyataplanthatmightsavehimfrompartingwithWildfire。
ButwhenDunstan’smeditationreachedthispoint，theinclinationtogoongrewstrongandprevailed。Hedidn’twanttogiveGodfreythatpleasure：hepreferredthatMasterGodfreyshouldbevexed。
Moreover，Dunstanenjoyedtheself—importantconsciousnessofhavingahorsetosell，andtheopportunityofdrivingabargain，swaggering，andpossiblytakingsomebodyin。Hemighthaveallthesatisfactionattendantonsellinghisbrother’shorse，andnotthelesshavethefurthersatisfactionofsettingGodfreytoborrowMarner’smoney。Soherodeontocover。
BryceandKeatingwerethere，asDunstanwasquitesuretheywouldbe——hewassuchaluckyfellow。
\"Heyday！\"saidBryce，whohadlonghadhiseyeonWildfire，\"you’reonyourbrother’shorseto—day：how’sthat？\"
\"Oh，I’veswoppedwithhim，\"saidDunstan，whosedelightinlying，grandlyindependentofutility，wasnottobediminishedbythelikelihoodthathishearerwouldnotbelievehim——\"Wildfire’sminenow。\"
\"What！hasheswoppedwithyouforthatbig—bonedhackofyours？\"
saidBryce，quiteawarethatheshouldgetanotherlieinanswer。
\"Oh，therewasalittleaccountbetweenus，\"saidDunsey，carelessly，\"andWildfiremadeiteven。Iaccommodatedhimbytakingthehorse，thoughitwasagainstmywill，forI’dgotanitchforamareo’Jortin’s——asrareabito’bloodaseveryouthrewyourlegacross。ButIshallkeepWildfire，nowI’vegothim，thoughI’dabidofahundredandfiftyforhimtheotherday，fromamanoveratFlitton——he’sbuyingforLordCromleck——afellowwithacastinhiseye，andagreenwaistcoat。ButImeantosticktoWildfire：Ishan’tgetabetteratafenceinahurry。Themare’sgotmoreblood，butshe’sabittooweakinthehind—quarters。\"
BryceofcoursedivinedthatDunstanwantedtosellthehorse，andDunstanknewthathedivinedit（horse—dealingisonlyoneofmanyhumantransactionscarriedoninthisingeniousmanner）；andtheybothconsideredthatthebargainwasinitsfirststage，whenBrycerepliedironically——
\"Iwonderatthatnow；Iwonderyoumeantokeephim；forIneverheardofamanwhodidn’twanttosellhishorsegettingabidofhalfasmuchagainasthehorsewasworth。You’llbeluckyifyougetahundred。\"
Keatingrodeupnow，andthetransactionbecamemorecomplicated。
ItendedinthepurchaseofthehorsebyBryceforahundredandtwenty，tobepaidonthedeliveryofWildfire，safeandsound，attheBatherleystables。ItdidoccurtoDunseythatitmightbewiseforhimtogiveuptheday’shunting，proceedatoncetoBatherley，and，havingwaitedforBryce’sreturn，hireahorsetocarryhimhomewiththemoneyinhispocket。Buttheinclinationforarun，encouragedbyconfidenceinhisluck，andbyadraughtofbrandyfromhispocket—pistolattheconclusionofthebargain，wasnoteasytoovercome，especiallywithahorseunderhimthatwouldtakethefencestotheadmirationofthefield。Dunstan，however，tookonefencetoomany，andgothishorsepiercedwithahedge—stake。
Hisownill—favouredperson，whichwasquiteunmarketable，escapedwithoutinjury；butpoorWildfire，unconsciousofhisprice，turnedonhisflankandpainfullypantedhislast。IthappenedthatDunstan，ashorttimebefore，havinghadtogetdowntoarrangehisstirrup，hadmutteredagoodmanycursesatthisinterruption，whichhadthrownhimintherearofthehuntnearthemomentofglory，andunderthisexasperationhadtakenthefencesmoreblindly。Hewouldsoonhavebeenupwiththehoundsagain，whenthefatalaccidenthappened；andhencehewasbetweeneagerridersinadvance，nottroublingthemselvesaboutwhathappenedbehindthem，andfar—offstragglers，whowereaslikelyasnottopassquitealooffromthelineofroadinwhichWildfirehadfallen。Dunstan，whosenatureitwastocaremoreforimmediateannoyancesthanforremoteconsequences，nosoonerrecoveredhislegs，andsawthatitwasalloverwithWildfire，thanhefeltasatisfactionattheabsenceofwitnessestoapositionwhichnoswaggeringcouldmakeenviable。
Reinforcinghimself，afterhisshake，withalittlebrandyandmuchswearing，hewalkedasfastashecouldtoacoppiceonhisrighthand，throughwhichitoccurredtohimthathecouldmakehiswaytoBatherleywithoutdangerofencounteringanymemberofthehunt。
Hisfirstintentionwastohireahorsethereandridehomeforthwith，fortowalkmanymileswithoutaguninhishand，andalonganordinaryroad，wasasmuchoutofthequestiontohimastootherspiritedyoungmenofhiskind。HedidnotmuchmindabouttakingthebadnewstoGodfrey，forhehadtoofferhimatthesametimetheresourceofMarner’smoney；andifGodfreykicked，ashealwaysdid，atthenotionofmakingafreshdebtfromwhichhehimselfgotthesmallestshareofadvantage，why，hewouldn’tkicklong：DunstanfeltsurehecouldworryGodfreyintoanything。TheideaofMarner’smoneykeptgrowinginvividness，nowthewantofithadbecomeimmediate；theprospectofhavingtomakehisappearancewiththemuddybootsofapedestrianatBatherley，andtoencounterthegrinningqueriesofstablemen，stoodunpleasantlyinthewayofhisimpatiencetobebackatRaveloeandcarryouthisfelicitousplan；andacasualvisitationofhiswaistcoat—pocket，ashewasruminating，awakenedhismemorytothefactthatthetwoorthreesmallcoinshisforefingerencounteredtherewereoftoopaleacolourtocoverthatsmalldebt，withoutpaymentofwhichthestable—keeperhaddeclaredhewouldneverdoanymorebusinesswithDunseyCass。Afterall，accordingtothedirectioninwhichtherunhadbroughthim，hewasnotsoverymuchfartherfromhomethanhewasfromBatherley；butDunsey，notbeingremarkableforclearnessofhead，wasonlyledtothisconclusionbythegradualperceptionthattherewereotherreasonsforchoosingtheunprecedentedcourseofwalkinghome。Itwasnownearlyfouro’clock，andamistwasgathering：thesoonerhegotintotheroadthebetter。Herememberedhavingcrossedtheroadandseenthefinger—postonlyalittlewhilebeforeWildfirebrokedown；so，buttoninghiscoat，twistingthelashofhishunting—whipcompactlyroundthehandle，andrappingthetopsofhisbootswithaself—possessedair，asiftoassurehimselfthathewasnotatalltakenbysurprise，hesetoffwiththesensethathewasundertakingaremarkablefeatofbodilyexertion，whichsomehowandatsometimeheshouldbeabletodressupandmagnifytotheadmirationofaselectcircleattheRainbow。WhenayounggentlemanlikeDunseyisreducedtosoexceptionalamodeoflocomotionaswalking，awhipinhishandisadesirablecorrectivetoatoobewilderingdreamysenseofunwontednessinhisposition；andDunstan，ashewentalongthroughthegatheringmist，wasalwaysrappinghiswhipsomewhere。ItwasGodfrey’swhip，whichhehadchosentotakewithoutleavebecauseithadagoldhandle；ofcoursenoonecouldsee，whenDunstanheldit，thatthename_GodfreyCass_wascutindeeplettersonthatgoldhandle——theycouldonlyseethatitwasaveryhandsomewhip。
Dunseywasnotwithoutfearthathemightmeetsomeacquaintanceinwhoseeyeshewouldcutapitiablefigure，formistisnoscreenwhenpeoplegetclosetoeachother；butwhenheatlastfoundhimselfinthewell—knownRaveloelaneswithouthavingmetasoul，hesilentlyremarkedthatthatwaspartofhisusualgoodluck。Butnowthemist，helpedbytheeveningdarkness，wasmoreofascreenthanhedesired，forithidtherutsintowhichhisfeetwereliabletoslip——hideverything，sothathehadtoguidehisstepsbydragginghiswhipalongthelowbushesinadvanceofthehedgerow。
Hemustsoon，hethought，begettingneartheopeningattheStone—pits：heshouldfinditoutbythebreakinthehedgerow。Hefounditout，however，byanothercircumstancewhichhehadnotexpected——namely，bycertaingleamsoflight，whichhepresentlyguessedtoproceedfromSilasMarner’scottage。Thatcottageandthemoneyhiddenwithinithadbeeninhismindcontinuallyduringhiswalk，andhehadbeenimaginingwaysofcajolingandtemptingtheweavertopartwiththeimmediatepossessionofhismoneyforthesakeofreceivinginterest。Dunstanfeltasiftheremustbealittlefrighteningaddedtothecajolery，forhisownarithmeticalconvictionswerenotclearenoughtoaffordhimanyforcibledemonstrationastotheadvantagesofinterest；andasforsecurity，heregardeditvaguelyasameansofcheatingamanbymakinghimbelievethathewouldbepaid。Altogether，theoperationonthemiser’smindwasataskthatGodfreywouldbesuretohandovertohismoredaringandcunningbrother：Dunstanhadmadeuphismindtothat；andbythetimehesawthelightgleamingthroughthechinksofMarner’sshutters，theideaofadialoguewiththeweaverhadbecomesofamiliartohim，thatitoccurredtohimasquiteanaturalthingtomaketheacquaintanceforthwith。Theremightbeseveralconveniencesattendingthiscourse：theweaverhadpossiblygotalantern，andDunstanwastiredoffeelinghisway。Hewasstillnearlythree—quartersofamilefromhome，andthelanewasbecomingunpleasantlyslippery，forthemistwaspassingintorain。
Heturnedupthebank，notwithoutsomefearlesthemightmisstherightway，sincehewasnotcertainwhetherthelightwereinfrontoronthesideofthecottage。Buthefeltthegroundbeforehimcautiouslywithhiswhip—handle，andatlastarrivedsafelyatthedoor。Heknockedloudly，ratherenjoyingtheideathattheoldfellowwouldbefrightenedatthesuddennoise。Heheardnomovementinreply：allwassilenceinthecottage。Wastheweavergonetobed，then？Ifso，whyhadheleftalight？Thatwasastrangeforgetfulnessinamiser。Dunstanknockedstillmoreloudly，and，withoutpausingforareply，pushedhisfingersthroughthelatch—hole，intendingtoshakethedoorandpullthelatch—stringupanddown，notdoubtingthatthedoorwasfastened。
But，tohissurprise，atthisdoublemotionthedooropened，andhefoundhimselfinfrontofabrightfirewhichlitupeverycornerofthecottage——thebed，theloom，thethreechairs，andthetable——
andshowedhimthatMarnerwasnotthere。
NothingatthatmomentcouldbemuchmoreinvitingtoDunseythanthebrightfireonthebrickhearth：hewalkedinandseatedhimselfbyitatonce。Therewassomethinginfrontofthefire，too，thatwouldhavebeeninvitingtoahungryman，ifithadbeeninadifferentstageofcooking。Itwasasmallbitofporksuspendedfromthekettle—hangerbyastringpassedthroughalargedoor—key，inawayknowntoprimitivehousekeepersunpossessedofjacks。Buttheporkhadbeenhungatthefarthestextremityofthehanger，apparentlytopreventtheroastingfromproceedingtoorapidlyduringtheowner’sabsence。Theoldstaringsimpletonhadhotmeatforhissupper，then？thoughtDunstan。Peoplehadalwayssaidhelivedonmouldybread，onpurposetocheckhisappetite。Butwherecouldhebeatthistime，andonsuchanevening，leavinghissupperinthisstageofpreparation，andhisdoorunfastened？Dunstan’sownrecentdifficultyinmakinghiswaysuggestedtohimthattheweaverhadperhapsgoneoutsidehiscottagetofetchinfuel，orforsomesuchbriefpurpose，andhadslippedintotheStone—pit。ThatwasaninterestingideatoDunstan，carryingconsequencesofentirenovelty。Iftheweaverwasdead，whohadarighttohismoney？Whowouldknowwherehismoneywashidden？_Whowouldknowthatanybodyhadcometotakeitaway？_Hewentnofartherintothesubtletiesofevidence：thepressingquestion，\"Where_is_themoney？\"nowtooksuchentirepossessionofhimastomakehimquiteforgetthattheweaver’sdeathwasnotacertainty。Adullmind，oncearrivingataninferencethatflattersadesire，israrelyabletoretaintheimpressionthatthenotionfromwhichtheinferencestartedwaspurelyproblematic。AndDunstan’smindwasasdullasthemindofapossiblefelonusuallyis。Therewereonlythreehiding—placeswherehehadeverheardofcottagers’hoardsbeingfound：thethatch，thebed，andaholeinthefloor。Marner’scottagehadnothatch；andDunstan’sfirstact，afteratrainofthoughtmaderapidbythestimulusofcupidity，wastogouptothebed；butwhilehedidso，hiseyestravelledeagerlyoverthefloor，wherethebricks，distinctinthefire—light，werediscernibleunderthesprinklingofsand。Butnoteverywhere；fortherewasonespot，andoneonly，whichwasquitecoveredwithsand，andsandshowingthemarksoffingers，whichhadapparentlybeencarefultospreaditoveragivenspace。Itwasnearthetreddlesoftheloom。InaninstantDunstandartedtothatspot，sweptawaythesandwithhiswhip，and，insertingthethinendofthehookbetweenthebricks，foundthattheywereloose。Inhastehelifteduptwobricks，andsawwhathehadnodoubtwastheobjectofhissearch；forwhatcouldtherebebutmoneyinthosetwoleathernbags？And，fromtheirweight，theymustbefilledwithguineas。Dunstanfeltroundthehole，tobecertainthatitheldnomore；thenhastilyreplacedthebricks，andspreadthesandoverthem。Hardlymorethanfiveminuteshadpassedsinceheenteredthecottage，butitseemedtoDunstanlikealongwhile；andthoughhewaswithoutanydistinctrecognitionofthepossibilitythatMarnermightbealive，andmightre—enterthecottageatanymoment，hefeltanundefinabledreadlayingholdonhim，asherosetohisfeetwiththebagsinhishand。Hewouldhastenoutintothedarkness，andthenconsiderwhatheshoulddowiththebags。Heclosedthedoorbehindhimimmediately，thathemightshutinthestreamoflight：afewstepswouldbeenoughtocarryhimbeyondbetrayalbythegleamsfromtheshutter—chinksandthelatch—hole。Therainanddarknesshadgotthicker，andhewasgladofit；thoughitwasawkwardwalkingwithbothhandsfilled，sothatitwasasmuchashecoulddotograsphiswhipalongwithoneofthebags。Butwhenhehadgoneayardortwo，hemighttakehistime。Sohesteppedforwardintothedarkness。
CHAPTERV
WhenDunstanCassturnedhisbackonthecottage，SilasMarnerwasnotmorethanahundredyardsawayfromit，ploddingalongfromthevillagewithasackthrownroundhisshouldersasanovercoat，andwithahornlanterninhishand。Hislegswereweary，buthismindwasatease，freefromthepresentimentofchange。Thesenseofsecuritymorefrequentlyspringsfromhabitthanfromconviction，andforthisreasonitoftensubsistsaftersuchachangeintheconditionsasmighthavebeenexpectedtosuggestalarm。Thelapseoftimeduringwhichagiveneventhasnothappened，is，inthislogicofhabit，constantlyallegedasareasonwhytheeventshouldneverhappen，evenwhenthelapseoftimeispreciselytheaddedconditionwhichmakestheeventimminent。Amanwilltellyouthathehasworkedinamineforfortyyearsunhurtbyanaccidentasareasonwhyheshouldapprehendnodanger，thoughtheroofisbeginningtosink；anditisoftenobservable，thattheolderamangets，themoredifficultitistohimtoretainabelievingconceptionofhisowndeath。ThisinfluenceofhabitwasnecessarilystronginamanwhoselifewassomonotonousasMarner’s——
whosawnonewpeopleandheardofnoneweventstokeepaliveinhimtheideaoftheunexpectedandthechangeful；anditexplainssimplyenough，whyhismindcouldbeatease，thoughhehadlefthishouseandhistreasuremoredefencelessthanusual。Silaswasthinkingwithdoublecomplacencyofhissupper：first，becauseitwouldbehotandsavoury；andsecondly，becauseitwouldcosthimnothing。Forthelittlebitofporkwasapresentfromthatexcellenthousewife，MissPriscillaLammeter，towhomhehadthisdaycarriedhomeahandsomepieceoflinen；anditwasonlyonoccasionofapresentlikethis，thatSilasindulgedhimselfwithroast—meat。Supperwashisfavouritemeal，becauseitcameathistimeofrevelry，whenhisheartwarmedoverhisgold；wheneverhehadroast—meat，healwayschosetohaveitforsupper。Butthisevening，hehadnosooneringeniouslyknottedhisstringfastroundhisbitofpork，twistedthestringaccordingtoruleoverhisdoor—key，passeditthroughthehandle，andmadeitfastonthehanger，thanherememberedthatapieceofveryfinetwinewasindispensabletohis\"settingup\"anewpieceofworkinhisloomearlyinthemorning。Ithadslippedhismemory，because，incomingfromMr。Lammeter’s，hehadnothadtopassthroughthevillage；buttolosetimebygoingonerrandsinthemorningwasoutofthequestion。Itwasanastyfogtoturnoutinto，buttherewerethingsSilaslovedbetterthanhisowncomfort；so，drawinghisporktotheextremityofthehanger，andarminghimselfwithhislanternandhisoldsack，hesetoutonwhat，inordinaryweather，wouldhavebeenatwentyminutes’errand。Hecouldnothavelockedhisdoorwithoutundoinghiswell—knottedstringandretardinghissupper；itwasnotworthhiswhiletomakethatsacrifice。WhatthiefwouldfindhiswaytotheStone—pitsonsuchanightasthis？
andwhyshouldhecomeonthisparticularnight，whenhehadnevercomethroughallthefifteenyearsbefore？ThesequestionswerenotdistinctlypresentinSilas’smind；theymerelyservetorepresentthevaguely—feltfoundationofhisfreedomfromanxiety。
Hereachedhisdoorinmuchsatisfactionthathiserrandwasdone：
heopenedit，andtohisshort—sightedeyeseverythingremainedashehadleftit，exceptthatthefiresentoutawelcomeincreaseofheat。Hetrodaboutthefloorwhileputtingbyhislanternandthrowingasidehishatandsack，soastomergethemarksofDunstan’sfeetonthesandinthemarksofhisownnailedboots。
Thenhemovedhisporknearertothefire，andsatdowntotheagreeablebusinessoftendingthemeatandwarminghimselfatthesametime。
Anyonewhohadlookedathimastheredlightshoneuponhispaleface，strangestrainingeyes，andmeagreform，wouldperhapshaveunderstoodthemixtureofcontemptuouspity，dread，andsuspicionwithwhichhewasregardedbyhisneighboursinRaveloe。YetfewmencouldbemoreharmlessthanpoorMarner。Inhistruthfulsimplesoul，noteventhegrowinggreedandworshipofgoldcouldbegetanyvicedirectlyinjurioustoothers。Thelightofhisfaithquiteputout，andhisaffectionsmadedesolate，hehadclungwithalltheforceofhisnaturetohisworkandhismoney；andlikeallobjectstowhichamandevoteshimself，theyhadfashionedhimintocorrespondencewiththemselves。Hisloom，ashewroughtinitwithoutceasing，hadinitsturnwroughtonhim，andconfirmedmoreandmorethemonotonouscravingforitsmonotonousresponse。Hisgold，ashehungoveritandsawitgrow，gatheredhispoweroflovingtogetherintoahardisolationlikeitsown。
Assoonashewaswarmhebegantothinkitwouldbealongwhiletowaittillaftersupperbeforehedrewouthisguineas，anditwouldbepleasanttoseethemonthetablebeforehimasheatehisunwontedfeast。Forjoyisthebestofwine，andSilas’sguineaswereagoldenwineofthatsort。
Heroseandplacedhiscandleunsuspectinglyonthefloornearhisloom，sweptawaythesandwithoutnoticinganychange，andremovedthebricks。Thesightoftheemptyholemadehisheartleapviolently，butthebeliefthathisgoldwasgonecouldnotcomeatonce——onlyterror，andtheeagerefforttoputanendtotheterror。Hepassedhistremblinghandallaboutthehole，tryingtothinkitpossiblethathiseyeshaddeceivedhim；thenheheldthecandleintheholeandexamineditcuriously，tremblingmoreandmore。Atlastheshooksoviolentlythatheletfallthecandle，andliftedhishandstohishead，tryingtosteadyhimself，thathemightthink。Hadheputhisgoldsomewhereelse，byasuddenresolutionlastnight，andthenforgottenit？Amanfallingintodarkwatersseeksamomentaryfootingevenonslidingstones；andSilas，byactingasifhebelievedinfalsehopes，wardedoffthemomentofdespair。Hesearchedineverycorner，heturnedhisbedover，andshookit，andkneadedit；helookedinhisbrickovenwherehelaidhissticks。Whentherewasnootherplacetobesearched，hekneeleddownagainandfeltoncemoreallroundthehole。Therewasnountriedrefugeleftforamoment’sshelterfromtheterribletruth。
Yes，therewasasortofrefugewhichalwayscomeswiththeprostrationofthoughtunderanoverpoweringpassion：itwasthatexpectationofimpossibilities，thatbeliefincontradictoryimages，whichisstilldistinctfrommadness，becauseitiscapableofbeingdissipatedbytheexternalfact。Silasgotupfromhiskneestrembling，andlookedroundatthetable：didn’tthegoldliethereafterall？Thetablewasbare。Thenheturnedandlookedbehindhim——lookedallroundhisdwelling，seemingtostrainhisbrowneyesaftersomepossibleappearanceofthebagswherehehadalreadysoughttheminvain。Hecouldseeeveryobjectinhiscottage——
andhisgoldwasnotthere。
Againheputhistremblinghandstohishead，andgaveawildringingscream，thecryofdesolation。Forafewmomentsafter，hestoodmotionless；butthecryhadrelievedhimfromthefirstmaddeningpressureofthetruth。Heturned，andtotteredtowardshisloom，andgotintotheseatwhereheworked，instinctivelyseekingthisasthestrongestassuranceofreality。
Andnowthatallthefalsehopeshadvanished，andthefirstshockofcertaintywaspast，theideaofathiefbegantopresentitself，andheentertainediteagerly，becauseathiefmightbecaughtandmadetorestorethegold。Thethoughtbroughtsomenewstrengthwithit，andhestartedfromhisloomtothedoor。Asheopenedittherainbeatinuponhim，foritwasfallingmoreandmoreheavily。
Therewerenofootstepstobetrackedonsuchanight——footsteps？
Whenhadthethiefcome？DuringSilas’sabsenceinthedaytimethedoorhadbeenlocked，andtherehadbeennomarksofanyinroadonhisreturnbydaylight。Andintheevening，too，hesaidtohimself，everythingwasthesameaswhenhehadleftit。Thesandandbrickslookedasiftheyhadnotbeenmoved。_Was_itathiefwhohadtakenthebags？orwasitacruelpowerthatnohandscouldreach，whichhaddelightedinmakinghimasecondtimedesolate？Heshrankfromthisvaguerdread，andfixedhismindwithstrugglingeffortontherobberwithhands，whocouldbereachedbyhands。Histhoughtsglancedatalltheneighbourswhohadmadeanyremarks，oraskedanyquestionswhichhemightnowregardasagroundofsuspicion。TherewasJemRodney，aknownpoacher，andotherwisedisreputable：hehadoftenmetMarnerinhisjourneysacrossthefields，andhadsaidsomethingjestinglyabouttheweaver’smoney；
nay，hehadonceirritatedMarner，bylingeringatthefirewhenhecalledtolighthispipe，insteadofgoingabouthisbusiness。JemRodneywastheman——therewaseaseinthethought。Jemcouldbefoundandmadetorestorethemoney：Marnerdidnotwanttopunishhim，butonlytogetbackhisgoldwhichhadgonefromhim，andlefthissoullikeaforlorntravelleronanunknowndesert。Therobbermustbelaidholdof。Marner’sideasoflegalauthoritywereconfused，buthefeltthathemustgoandproclaimhisloss；andthegreatpeopleinthevillage——theclergyman，theconstable，andSquireCass——wouldmakeJemRodney，orsomebodyelse，deliverupthestolenmoney。Herushedoutintherain，underthestimulusofthishope，forgettingtocoverhishead，notcaringtofastenhisdoor；forhefeltasifhehadnothinglefttolose。Heranswiftly，tillwantofbreathcompelledhimtoslackenhispaceashewasenteringthevillageattheturningclosetotheRainbow。
TheRainbow，inMarner’sview，wasaplaceofluxuriousresortforrichandstouthusbands，whosewiveshadsuperfluousstoresoflinen；itwastheplacewherehewaslikelytofindthepowersanddignitiesofRaveloe，andwherehecouldmostspeedilymakehislosspublic。Heliftedthelatch，andturnedintothebrightbarorkitchenontherighthand，wherethelessloftycustomersofthehousewereinthehabitofassembling，theparlourontheleftbeingreservedforthemoreselectsocietyinwhichSquireCassfrequentlyenjoyedthedoublepleasureofconvivialityandcondescension。Buttheparlourwasdarkto—night，thechiefpersonageswhoornamenteditscirclebeingallatMrs。Osgood’sbirthdaydance，asGodfreyCasswas。Andinconsequenceofthis，thepartyonthehigh—screenedseatsinthekitchenwasmorenumerousthanusual；
severalpersonages，whowouldotherwisehavebeenadmittedintotheparlourandenlargedtheopportunityofhectoringandcondescensionfortheirbetters，beingcontentthiseveningtovarytheirenjoymentbytakingtheirspirits—and—waterwheretheycouldthemselveshectorandcondescendincompanythatcalledforbeer。
CHAPTERVI
Theconversation，whichwasatahighpitchofanimationwhenSilasapproachedthedooroftheRainbow，had，asusual，beenslowandintermittentwhenthecompanyfirstassembled。Thepipesbegantobepuffedinasilencewhichhadanairofseverity；themoreimportantcustomers，whodrankspiritsandsatnearestthefire，staringateachotherasifabetweredependingonthefirstmanwhowinked；whilethebeer—drinkers，chieflymeninfustianjacketsandsmock—frocks，kepttheireyelidsdownandrubbedtheirhandsacrosstheirmouths，asiftheirdraughtsofbeerwereafunerealdutyattendedwithembarrassingsadness。AtlastMr。Snell，thelandlord，amanofaneutraldisposition，accustomedtostandalooffromhumandifferencesasthoseofbeingswhowereallalikeinneedofliquor，brokesilence，bysayinginadoubtfultonetohiscousinthebutcher——
\"Somefolks’udsaythatwasafinebeastyoudruvinyesterday，Bob？\"
Thebutcher，ajolly，smiling，red—hairedman，wasnotdisposedtoanswerrashly。Hegaveafewpuffsbeforehespatandreplied，\"Andtheywouldn’tbefurwrong，John。\"
Afterthisfeebledelusivethaw，thesilencesetinasseverelyasbefore。
\"WasitaredDurham？\"saidthefarrier，takingupthethreadofdiscourseafterthelapseofafewminutes。
Thefarrierlookedatthelandlord，andthelandlordlookedatthebutcher，asthepersonwhomusttaketheresponsibilityofanswering。
\"Reditwas，\"saidthebutcher，inhisgood—humouredhuskytreble——
\"andaDurhamitwas。\"
\"Thenyouneedn’ttell_me_whoyouboughtitof，\"saidthefarrier，lookingroundwithsometriumph；\"IknowwhoitishasgottheredDurhamso’thiscountry—side。Andshe’dawhitestaronherbrow，I’llbetapenny？\"Thefarrierleanedforwardwithhishandsonhiskneesasheputthisquestion，andhiseyestwinkledknowingly。
\"Well；yes——shemight，\"saidthebutcher，slowly，consideringthathewasgivingadecidedaffirmative。\"Idon’tsaycontrairy。\"
\"Iknewthatverywell，\"saidthefarrier，throwinghimselfbackwardagain，andspeakingdefiantly；\"if_I_don’tknowMr。Lammeter’scows，Ishouldliketoknowwhodoes——that’sall。
Andasforthecowyou’vebought，bargainornobargain，I’vebeenatthedrenchingofher——contradickmewhowill。\"
Thefarrierlookedfierce，andthemildbutcher’sconversationalspiritwasrousedalittle。
\"I’mnotforcontradickingnoman，\"hesaid；\"I’mforpeaceandquietness。Someareforcuttinglongribs——I’mforcutting’emshortmyself；but_I_don’tquarrelwith’em。AllIsayis，it’salovelycarkiss——andanybodyaswasreasonable，it’udbringtearsintotheireyestolookatit。\"
\"Well，it’sthecowasIdrenched，whateveritis，\"pursuedthefarrier，angrily；\"anditwasMr。Lammeter’scow，elseyoutoldaliewhenyousaiditwasaredDurham。\"
\"Itellnolies，\"saidthebutcher，withthesamemildhuskinessasbefore，\"andIcontradicknone——notifamanwastoswearhimselfblack：he’snomeato’mine，nornoneo’mybargains。AllI
sayis，it’salovelycarkiss。AndwhatIsay，I’llstickto；butI’llquarrelwi’noman。\"
\"No，\"saidthefarrier，withbittersarcasm，lookingatthecompanygenerally；\"andp’rhapsyouaren’tpig—headed；andp’rhapsyoudidn’tsaythecowwasaredDurham；andp’rhapsyoudidn’tsayshe’dgotastaronherbrow——sticktothat，nowyou’reatit。\"
\"Come，come，\"saidthelandlord；\"letthecowalone。Thetruthliesatweenyou：you’rebothrightandbothwrong，asIallayssay。
Andasforthecow’sbeingMr。Lammeter’s，Isaynothingtothat；
butthisIsay，astheRainbow’stheRainbow。Andforthemattero’
that，ifthetalkistobeo’theLammeters，_you_knowthemostupo’thathead，eh，Mr。Macey？YourememberwhenfirstMr。Lammeter’sfathercomeintotheseparts，andtooktheWarrens？\"
Mr。Macey，tailorandparish—clerk，thelatterofwhichfunctionsrheumatismhadoflateobligedhimtosharewithasmall—featuredyoungmanwhosatoppositehim，heldhiswhiteheadononeside，andtwirledhisthumbswithanairofcomplacency，slightlyseasonedwithcriticism。Hesmiledpityingly，inanswertothelandlord’sappeal，andsaid——
\"Aye，aye；Iknow，Iknow；butIletotherfolkstalk。I’velaidbynow，andgevuptotheyounguns。AskthemashavebeentoschoolatTarley：they’velearntpernouncing；that’scomeupsincemyday。\"
\"Ifyou’repointingatme，Mr。Macey，\"saidthedeputyclerk，withanairofanxiouspropriety，\"I’mnowiseamantospeakoutofmyplace。Asthepsalmsays——
\"Iknowwhat’sright，noronlyso，ButalsopractisewhatIknow。\"\"
\"Well，then，Iwishyou’dkeepholdo’thetune，whenit’ssetforyou；ifyou’reforprac_tis_ing，Iwishyou’dprac_tise_that，\"
saidalargejocose—lookingman，anexcellentwheelwrightinhisweek—daycapacity，butonSundaysleaderofthechoir。Hewinked，ashespoke，attwoofthecompany，whowereknownofficiallyasthe\"bassoon\"andthe\"key—bugle\"，intheconfidencethathewasexpressingthesenseofthemusicalprofessioninRaveloe。
Mr。Tookey，thedeputy—clerk，whosharedtheunpopularitycommontodeputies，turnedveryred，butreplied，withcarefulmoderation——
\"Mr。Winthrop，ifyou’llbringmeanyproofasI’minthewrong，I’mnotthemantosayIwon’talter。Butthere’speoplesetuptheirownearsforastandard，andexpectthewholechoirtofollow’em。Theremaybetwoopinions，Ihope。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidMr。Macey，whofeltverywellsatisfiedwiththisattackonyouthfulpresumption；\"you’rerightthere，Tookey：
there’sallaystwo’pinions；there’sthe’pinionamanhasofhimsen，andthere’sthe’pinionotherfolkshaveonhim。There’dbetwo’pinionsaboutacrackedbell，ifthebellcouldhearitself。\"
\"Well，Mr。Macey，\"saidpoorTookey，seriousamidstthegenerallaughter，\"Iundertooktopartiallyfilluptheofficeofparish—clerkbyMr。Crackenthorp’sdesire，wheneveryourinfirmitiesshouldmakeyouunfitting；andit’soneoftherightsthereoftosinginthechoir——elsewhyhaveyoudonethesameyourself？\"
\"Ah！buttheoldgentlemanandyouaretwofolks，\"saidBenWinthrop。\"Theoldgentleman’sgotagift。Why，theSquireusedtoinvitehimtotakeaglass，onlytohearhimsingthe\"RedRovier\"；didn’the，Mr。Macey？It’sanat’ralgift。There’smylittleladAaron，he’sgotagift——hecansingatuneoffstraight，likeathrostle。Butasforyou，MasterTookey，you’dbettersticktoyour\"Amens\"：yourvoiceiswellenoughwhenyoukeepitupinyournose。It’syourinsideasisn’trightmadeformusic：it’snobetternorahollowstalk。\"
ThiskindofunflinchingfranknesswasthemostpiquantformofjoketothecompanyattheRainbow，andBenWinthrop’sinsultwasfeltbyeverybodytohavecappedMr。Macey’sepigram。
\"Iseewhatitisplainenough，\"saidMr。Tookey，unabletokeepcoolanylonger。\"There’saconsperacytoturnmeouto’thechoir，asIshouldn’tsharetheChristmasmoney——that’swhereitis。ButIshallspeaktoMr。Crackenthorp；I’llnotbeputuponbynoman。\"
\"Nay，nay，Tookey，\"saidBenWinthrop。\"We’llpayyouyoursharetokeepoutofit——that’swhatwe’lldo。There’sthingsfolks’udpaytoberidon，besidesvarmin。\"
\"Come，come，\"saidthelandlord，whofeltthatpayingpeoplefortheirabsencewasaprincipledangeroustosociety；\"ajoke’sajoke。We’reallgoodfriendshere，Ihope。Wemustgiveandtake。
You’rebothrightandyou’rebothwrong，asIsay。Iagreewi’
Mr。Maceyhere，asthere’stwoopinions；andifminewasasked，I
shouldsaythey’rebothright。Tookey’srightandWinthrop’sright，andthey’veonlygottosplitthedifferenceandmakethemselveseven。\"
Thefarrierwaspuffinghispiperatherfiercely，insomecontemptatthistrivialdiscussion。Hehadnoearformusichimself，andneverwenttochurch，asbeingofthemedicalprofession，andlikelytobeinrequisitionfordelicatecows。Butthebutcher，havingmusicinhissoul，hadlistenedwithadivideddesireforTookey’sdefeatandforthepreservationofthepeace。
\"Tobesure，\"hesaid，followingupthelandlord’sconciliatoryview，\"we’refondofouroldclerk；it’snat’ral，andhimusedtobesuchasinger，andgotabrotherasisknownforthefirstfiddlerinthiscountry—side。Eh，it’sapitybutwhatSolomonlivedinourvillage，andcouldgiveusatunewhenweliked；eh，Mr。Macey？I’dkeephiminliverandlightsfornothing——thatI
would。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidMr。Macey，intheheightofcomplacency；\"ourfamily’sbeenknownformusicianersasfarbackasanybodycantell。
Butthemthingsaredyingout，asItellSolomoneverytimehecomesround；there’snovoiceslikewhatthereusedtobe，andthere’snobodyrememberswhatweremember，ifitisn’ttheoldcrows。\"
\"Aye，yourememberwhenfirstMr。Lammeter’sfathercomeintotheseparts，don’tyou，Mr。Macey？\"saidthelandlord。
\"IshouldthinkIdid，\"saidtheoldman，whohadnowgonethroughthatcomplimentaryprocessnecessarytobringhimuptothepointofnarration；\"andafineoldgentlemanhewas——asfine，andfinernortheMr。Lammeterasnowis。Hecamefromabitnorth’ard，sofarasIcouldevermakeout。Butthere’snobodyrightlyknowsaboutthoseparts：onlyitcouldn’tbefarnorth’ard，normuchdifferentfromthiscountry，forhebroughtafinebreedo’sheepwithhim，sotheremustbepasturesthere，andeverythingreasonable。Wehearedtellashe’dsoldhisownlandtocomeandtaketheWarrens，andthatseemedoddforamanashadlandofhisown，tocomeandrentafarminastrangeplace。Buttheysaiditwasalongofhiswife’sdying；thoughthere’sreasonsinthingsasnobodyknowson——that’sprettymuchwhatI’vemadeout；yetsomefolksaresowise，they’llfindyoufiftyreasonsstraightoff，andallthewhiletherealreason’swinkingat’eminthecorner，andtheyniversee’t。Howsomever，itwassoonseenaswe’dgotanewparish’nerasknow’dtherightsandcustomso’things，andkepagoodhouse，andwaswelllookedonbyeverybody。Andtheyoungman——
that’stheMr。Lammeterasnowis，forhe’dniverasister——
soonbeguntocourtMissOsgood，that’sthesistero’theMr。Osgoodasnowis，andafinehandsomelassshewas——eh，youcan’tthink——
theypretendthisyounglassislikeher，butthat’sthewaywi’
peopleasdon’tknowwhatcomebefore’em。_I_shouldknow，forI
helpedtheoldrector，Mr。Drumlowaswas，Ihelpedhimmarry’em。\"
HereMr。Maceypaused；healwaysgavehisnarrativeininstalments，expectingtobequestionedaccordingtoprecedent。
\"Aye，andapartic’larthinghappened，didn’tit，Mr。Macey，soasyouwerelikelytorememberthatmarriage？\"saidthelandlord，inacongratulatorytone。
\"Ishouldthinktheredid——a_very_partic’larthing，\"saidMr。Macey，noddingsideways。\"ForMr。Drumlow——pooroldgentleman，Iwasfondonhim，thoughhe’dgotabitconfusedinhishead，whatwi’ageandwi’takingadropo’summatwarmwhentheservicecomeofacoldmorning。AndyoungMr。Lammeter，he’dhavenowaybuthemustbemarriedinJaniwary，which，tobesure，’saunreasonabletimetobemarriedin，foritisn’tlikeachristeningoraburying，asyoucan’thelp；andsoMr。Drumlow——pooroldgentleman，Iwasfondonhim——butwhenhecometoputthequestions，heput’embytheruleo’contrairy，like，andhesays，\"Wiltthouhavethismantothyweddedwife？\"sayshe，andthenhesays，\"Wiltthouhavethiswomantothyweddedhusband？\"sayshe。
Butthepartic’larestthingofallis，asnobodytookanynoticeonitbutme，andtheyansweredstraightoff\"yes\"，likeasifithadbeenmesaying\"Amen\"i’therightplace，withoutlisteningtowhatwentbefore。\"
\"But_you_knewwhatwasgoingonwellenough，didn’tyou，Mr。Macey？Youwereliveenough，eh？\"saidthebutcher。
\"Lorblessyou！\"saidMr。Macey，pausing，andsmilinginpityattheimpotenceofhishearer’simagination——\"why，Iwasallofatremble：itwasasifI’dbeenacoatpulledbythetwotails，like；
forIcouldn’tstoptheparson，Icouldn’ttakeuponmetodothat；
andyetIsaidtomyself，Isays，\"Supposetheyshouldn’tbefastmarried，’causethewordsarecontrairy？\"andmyheadwentworkinglikeamill，forIwasallaysuncommonforturningthingsoverandseeingallround’em；andIsaystomyself，\"Is’tthemeanin’orthewordsasmakesfolksfasti’wedlock？\"Fortheparsonmeantright，andthebrideandbridegroommeantright。Butthen，whenIcometothinkonit，meanin’goesbutalittlewayi’mostthings，foryoumaymeantostickthingstogetherandyourgluemaybebad，andthenwhereareyou？AndsoIsaystomysen，\"Itisn’tthemeanin’，it’stheglue。\"AndIwasworretedasifI’dgotthreebellstopullatonce，whenwewentintothevestry，andtheybeguntosigntheirnames。Butwhere’stheuseo’talking？——youcan’tthinkwhatgoesonina’cuteman’sinside。\"
\"Butyouheldinforallthat，didn’tyou，Mr。Macey？\"saidthelandlord。
\"Aye，IheldintighttillIwasbymysenwi’Mr。Drumlow，andthenIoutwi’everything，butrespectful，asIallaysdid。Andhemadelightonit，andhesays，\"Pooh，pooh，Macey，makeyourselfeasy，\"
hesays；\"it’sneitherthemeaningnorthewords——it’sthere_ges_terdoesit——that’stheglue。\"Soyouseehesettlediteasy；forparsonsanddoctorsknoweverythingbyheart，like，soastheyaren’tworretedwi’thinkingwhat’stherightsandwrongso’
things，asI’nbeenmanyandmany’sthetime。Andsureenoughtheweddingturnedoutallright，on’ypoorMrs。Lammeter——that’sMissOsgoodaswas——diedaforethelasseswasgrowedup；butforprosperityandeverythingrespectable，there’snofamilymorelookedon。\"
EveryoneofMr。Macey’saudiencehadheardthisstorymanytimes，butitwaslistenedtoasifithadbeenafavouritetune，andatcertainpointsthepuffingofthepipeswasmomentarilysuspended，thatthelistenersmightgivetheirwholemindstotheexpectedwords。Buttherewasmoretocome；andMr。Snell，thelandlord，dulyputtheleadingquestion。
\"Why，oldMr。Lammeterhadaprettyfortin，didn’ttheysay，whenhecomeintotheseparts？\"
\"Well，yes，\"saidMr。Macey；\"butIdaresayit’sasmuchasthisMr。Lammeter’sdonetokeepitwhole。FortherewasallaysatalkasnobodycouldgetrichontheWarrens：thoughheholdsitcheap，forit’swhattheycallCharityLand。\"
\"Aye，andthere’sfewfolksknowsowellasyouhowitcometobeCharityLand，eh，Mr。Macey？\"saidthebutcher。
\"Howshouldthey？\"saidtheoldclerk，withsomecontempt。
\"Why，mygrandfathermadethegrooms’liveryforthatMr。CliffascameandbuiltthebigstablesattheWarrens。Why，they’restablesfourtimesasbigasSquireCass’s，forhethoughto’nothingbuthossesandhunting，Cliffdidn’t——aLunnontailor，somefolkssaid，ashadgonemadwi’cheating。Forhecouldn’tride；lorblessyou！theysaidhe’dgotnomoregripo’thehossthanifhislegshadbeencross—sticks：mygrandfatherhearedoldSquireCasssaysomanyandmanyatime。Butridehewould，asifOldHarryhadbeena—drivinghim；andhe’dason，alado’sixteen；andnothingwouldhisfatherhavehimdo，buthemustrideandride——thoughtheladwasfrighted，theysaid。Anditwasacommonsayingasthefatherwantedtoridethetailorouto’thelad，andmakeagentlemanonhim——notbutwhatI’matailormyself，butinrespectasGodmademesuch，I’mproudonit，for\"Macey，tailor\"，’sbeenwroteupoverourdoorsinceaforetheQueen’sheadswentoutontheshillings。
ButCliff，hewasashamedo’beingcalledatailor，andhewassorevexedashisridingwaslaughedat，andnobodyo’thegentlefolkshereaboutcouldabidehim。Howsomever，thepoorladgotsicklyanddied，andthefatherdidn’tlivelongafterhim，forhegotqueerernorever，andtheysaidheusedtogoouti’thedeado’thenight，wi’alanterninhishand，tothestables，andsetaloto’lightsburning，forhegotashecouldn’tsleep；andtherehe’dstand，crackinghiswhipandlookingathishosses；andtheysaiditwasamercyasthestablesdidn’tgetburntdownwi’thepoordumbcreatursin’em。Butatlasthediedraving，andtheyfoundashe’dleftallhisproperty，Warrensandall，toaLunnonCharity，andthat’showtheWarrenscometobeCharityLand；though，asforthestables，Mr。Lammeterneveruses’em——they’reouto’allcharicter——
lorblessyou！ifyouwastosetthedoorsa—bangingin’em，it’udsoundlikethunderhalfo’ertheparish。\"
\"Aye，butthere’smoregoingoninthestablesthanwhatfolksseebydaylight，eh，Mr。Macey？\"saidthelandlord。
\"Aye，aye；gothatwayofadarknight，that’sall，\"saidMr。Macey，winkingmysteriously，\"andthenmakebelieve，ifyoulike，asyoudidn’tseelightsi’thestables，norhearthestampingo’thehosses，northecrackingo’thewhips，andhowling，too，ifit’stow’rtdaybreak。\"Cliff’sHoliday\"hasbeenthenameofiteversin’Iwereaboy；that’stosay，somesaidasitwastheholidayOldHarrygevhimfromroasting，like。That’swhatmyfathertoldme，andhewasareasonableman，thoughthere’sfolksnowadaysknowwhathappenedaforetheywerebornbetternortheyknowtheirownbusiness。\"
\"Whatdoyousaytothat，eh，Dowlas？\"saidthelandlord，turningtothefarrier，whowasswellingwithimpatienceforhiscue。
\"There’sanutfor_you_tocrack。\"
Mr。Dowlaswasthenegativespiritinthecompany，andwasproudofhisposition。
\"Say？Isaywhataman_should_sayasdoesn’tshuthiseyestolookatafinger—post。Isay，asI’mreadytowageranymantenpound，ifhe’llstandoutwi’meanydrynightinthepasturebeforetheWarrenstables，asweshallneitherseelightsnorhearnoises，ifitisn’ttheblowingofourownnoses。That’swhatIsay，andI’vesaiditmanyatime；butthere’snobody’ullventuraten—pun’
noteontheirghos’esastheymakesosureof。\"
\"Why，Dowlas，that’seasybetting，thatis，\"saidBenWinthrop。
\"Youmightaswellbetamanashewouldn’tcatchtherheumatiseifhestoodupto’sneckinthepoolofafrostynight。It’udbefinefunforamantowinhisbetashe’dcatchtherheumatise。
FolksasbelieveinCliff’sHolidayaren’tagoingtoventurnearitforamattero’tenpound。\"
\"IfMasterDowlaswantstoknowthetruthonit，\"saidMr。Macey，withasarcasticsmile，tappinghisthumbstogether，\"he’snocalltolayanybet——lethimgoandstan’byhimself——there’snobody’ullhinderhim；andthenhecanlettheparish’nersknowifthey’rewrong。\"
\"Thankyou！I’mobligedtoyou，\"saidthefarrier，withasnortofscorn。\"Iffolksarefools，it’snobusinesso’mine。_I_
don’twanttomakeoutthetruthaboutghos’es：Iknowita’ready。
ButI’mnotagainstabet——everythingfairandopen。LetanymanbetmetenpoundasIshallseeCliff’sHoliday，andI’llgoandstandbymyself。Iwantnocompany。I’dasliefdoitasI’dfillthispipe。\"
\"Ah，butwho’stowatchyou，Dowlas，andseeyoudoit？That’snofairbet，\"saidthebutcher。