\"Nofairbet？\"repliedMr。Dowlas，angrily。\"IshouldliketohearanymanstandupandsayIwanttobetunfair。Comenow，MasterLundy，Ishouldliketohearyousayit。\"
\"Verylikeyouwould，\"saidthebutcher。\"Butit’snobusinesso’mine。You’renoneo’mybargains，andIaren’ta—goingtotryand’bateyourprice。Ifanybody’llbidforyouatyourownvallying，lethim。I’mforpeaceandquietness，Iam。\"
\"Yes，that’swhateveryyappingcuris，whenyouholdastickupathim，\"saidthefarrier。\"ButI’mafraido’neithermannorghost，andI’mreadytolayafairbet。_I_aren’taturn—tailcur。\"
\"Aye，butthere’sthisinit，Dowlas，\"saidthelandlord，speakinginatoneofmuchcandourandtolerance。\"There’sfolks，i’myopinion，theycan’tseeghos’es，notiftheystoodasplainasapike—staffbefore’em。Andthere’sreasoni’that。Forthere’smywife，now，can’tsmell，notifshe’dthestrongesto’cheeseunderhernose。Ineversee’daghostmyself；butthenIsaystomyself，\"VerylikeIhaven’tgotthesmellfor’em。\"Imean，puttingaghostforasmell，orelsecontrairiways。Andso，I’mforholdingwithbothsides；for，asIsay，thetruthliesbetween’em。AndifDowlaswastogoandstand，andsayhe’dneverseenawinko’
Cliff’sHolidayallthenightthrough，I’dbackhim；andifanybodysaidasCliff’sHolidaywascertainsure，forallthat，I’dback_him_too。Forthesmell’swhatIgoby。\"
Thelandlord’sanalogicalargumentwasnotwellreceivedbythefarrier——amanintenselyopposedtocompromise。
\"Tut，tut，\"hesaid，settingdownhisglasswithrefreshedirritation；\"what’sthesmellgottodowithit？Dideveraghostgiveamanablackeye？That’swhatIshouldliketoknow。Ifghos’eswantmetobelievein’em，let’emleaveoffskulkingi’thedarkandi’loneplaces——let’emcomewherethere’scompanyandcandles。\"
\"Asifghos’es’udwanttobebelievedinbyanybodysoignirant！\"
saidMr。Macey，indeepdisgustatthefarrier’scrassincompetencetoapprehendtheconditionsofghostlyphenomena。
CHAPTERVII
YetthenextmomentthereseemedtobesomeevidencethatghostshadamorecondescendingdispositionthanMr。Maceyattributedtothem；
forthepalethinfigureofSilasMarnerwassuddenlyseenstandinginthewarmlight，utteringnoword，butlookingroundatthecompanywithhisstrangeunearthlyeyes。Thelongpipesgaveasimultaneousmovement，liketheantennaeofstartledinsects，andeverymanpresent，notexceptingeventhescepticalfarrier，hadanimpressionthathesaw，notSilasMarnerintheflesh，butanapparition；forthedoorbywhichSilashadenteredwashiddenbythehigh—screenedseats，andnoonehadnoticedhisapproach。
Mr。Macey，sittingalongwayofftheghost，mightbesupposedtohavefeltanargumentativetriumph，whichwouldtendtoneutralizehisshareofthegeneralalarm。HadhenotalwayssaidthatwhenSilasMarnerwasinthatstrangetranceofhis，hissoulwentloosefromhisbody？Herewasthedemonstration：nevertheless，onthewhole，hewouldhavebeenaswellcontentedwithoutit。Forafewmomentstherewasadeadsilence，Marner’swantofbreathandagitationnotallowinghimtospeak。Thelandlord，underthehabitualsensethathewasboundtokeephishouseopentoallcompany，andconfidentintheprotectionofhisunbrokenneutrality，atlasttookonhimselfthetaskofadjuringtheghost。
\"MasterMarner，\"hesaid，inaconciliatorytone，\"what’slackingtoyou？What’syourbusinesshere？\"
\"Robbed！\"saidSilas，gaspingly。\"I’vebeenrobbed！Iwanttheconstable——andtheJustice——andSquireCass——andMr。Crackenthorp。\"
\"Layholdonhim，JemRodney，\"saidthelandlord，theideaofaghostsubsiding；\"he’soffhishead，Idoubt。He’swetthrough。\"
JemRodneywastheoutermostman，andsatconvenientlynearMarner’sstanding—place；buthedeclinedtogivehisservices。
\"Comeandlayholdonhimyourself，Mr。Snell，ifyou’veamind，\"
saidJem，rathersullenly。\"He’sbeenrobbed，andmurderedtoo，forwhatIknow，\"headded，inamutteringtone。
\"JemRodney！\"saidSilas，turningandfixinghisstrangeeyesonthesuspectedman。
\"Aye，MasterMarner，whatdoyouwantwi’me？\"saidJem，tremblingalittle，andseizinghisdrinking—canasadefensiveweapon。
\"Ifitwasyoustolemymoney，\"saidSilas，claspinghishandsentreatingly，andraisinghisvoicetoacry，\"giveitmeback——
andIwon’tmeddlewithyou。Iwon’tsettheconstableonyou。
Giveitmeback，andI’llletyou——I’llletyouhaveaguinea。\"
\"Mestoleyourmoney！\"saidJem，angrily。\"I’llpitchthiscanatyoureyeifyoutalko’_my_stealingyourmoney。\"
\"Come，come，MasterMarner，\"saidthelandlord，nowrisingresolutely，andseizingMarnerbytheshoulder，\"ifyou’vegotanyinformationtolay，speakitoutsensible，andshowasyou’reinyourrightmind，ifyouexpectanybodytolistentoyou。You’reaswetasadrowndedrat。Sitdownanddryyourself，andspeakstraightforrard。\"
\"Ah，tobesure，man，\"saidthefarrier，whobegantofeelthathehadnotbeenquiteonaparwithhimselfandtheoccasion。\"Let’shavenomorestaringandscreaming，elsewe’llhaveyoustrappedforamadman。ThatwaswhyIdidn’tspeakatthefirst——thinksI，theman’srunmad。\"
\"Aye，aye，makehimsitdown，\"saidseveralvoicesatonce，wellpleasedthattherealityofghostsremainedstillanopenquestion。
ThelandlordforcedMarnertotakeoffhiscoat，andthentositdownonachairalooffromeveryoneelse，inthecentreofthecircleandinthedirectraysofthefire。Theweaver，toofeebletohaveanydistinctpurposebeyondthatofgettinghelptorecoverhismoney，submittedunresistingly。Thetransientfearsofthecompanywerenowforgottenintheirstrongcuriosity，andallfaceswereturnedtowardsSilas，whenthelandlord，havingseatedhimselfagain，said——
\"Nowthen，MasterMarner，what’sthisyou’vegottosay——asyou’vebeenrobbed？Speakout。\"
\"He’dbetternotsayagainasitwasmerobbedhim，\"criedJemRodney，hastily。\"WhatcouldIha’donewithhismoney？Icouldaseasystealtheparson’ssurplice，andwearit。\"
\"Holdyourtongue，Jem，andlet’shearwhathe’sgottosay，\"saidthelandlord。\"Nowthen，MasterMarner。\"
Silasnowtoldhisstory，underfrequentquestioningasthemysteriouscharacteroftherobberybecameevident。
ThisstrangelynovelsituationofopeninghistroubletohisRaveloeneighbours，ofsittinginthewarmthofahearthnothisown，andfeelingthepresenceoffacesandvoiceswhichwerehisnearestpromiseofhelp，haddoubtlessitsinfluenceonMarner，inspiteofhispassionatepreoccupationwithhisloss。Ourconsciousnessrarelyregistersthebeginningofagrowthwithinusanymorethanwithoutus：therehavebeenmanycirculationsofthesapbeforewedetectthesmallestsignofthebud。
Theslightsuspicionwithwhichhishearersatfirstlistenedtohim，graduallymeltedawaybeforetheconvincingsimplicityofhisdistress：itwasimpossiblefortheneighbourstodoubtthatMarnerwastellingthetruth，notbecausetheywerecapableofarguingatoncefromthenatureofhisstatementstotheabsenceofanymotiveformakingthemfalsely，butbecause，asMr。Maceyobserved，\"Folksashadthedeviltoback’emwerenotlikelytobesomushed\"aspoorSilaswas。Rather，fromthestrangefactthattherobberhadleftnotraces，andhadhappenedtoknowthenickoftime，utterlyincalculablebymortalagents，whenSilaswouldgoawayfromhomewithoutlockinghisdoor，themoreprobableconclusionseemedtobe，thathisdisreputableintimacyinthatquarter，ifiteverexisted，hadbeenbrokenup，andthat，inconsequence，thisillturnhadbeendonetoMarnerbysomebodyitwasquiteinvaintosettheconstableafter。Whythispreternaturalfelonshouldbeobligedtowaittillthedoorwasleftunlocked，wasaquestionwhichdidnotpresentitself。
\"Itisn’tJemRodneyashasdonethiswork，MasterMarner，\"saidthelandlord。\"Youmustn’tbea—castingyoureyeatpoorJem。
TheremaybeabitofareckoningagainstJemforthematterofahareorso，ifanybodywasboundtokeeptheireyesstaringopen，andnivertowink；butJem’sbeena—sittingheredrinkinghiscan，likethedecentestmani’theparish，sincebeforeyouleftyourhouse，MasterMarner，byyourownaccount。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidMr。Macey；\"let’shavenoaccusingo’theinnicent。Thatisn’tthelaw。Theremustbefolkstoswearagain’
amanbeforehecanbeta’enup。Let’shavenoaccusingo’theinnicent，MasterMarner。\"
MemorywasnotsoutterlytorpidinSilasthatitcouldnotbeawakenedbythesewords。Withamovementofcompunctionasnewandstrangetohimaseverythingelsewithinthelasthour，hestartedfromhischairandwentcloseuptoJem，lookingathimasifhewantedtoassurehimselfoftheexpressioninhisface。
\"Iwaswrong，\"hesaid——\"yes，yes——Ioughttohavethought。
There’snothingtowitnessagainstyou，Jem。Onlyyou’dbeenintomyhouseoftenerthananybodyelse，andsoyoucameintomyhead。
Idon’taccuseyou——Iwon’taccuseanybody——only，\"headded，liftinguphishandstohishead，andturningawaywithbewilderedmisery，\"Itry——Itrytothinkwheremyguineascanbe。\"
\"Aye，aye，they’regonewhereit’shotenoughtomelt’em，I
doubt，\"saidMr。Macey。
\"Tchuh！\"saidthefarrier。Andthenheasked，withacross—examiningair，\"Howmuchmoneymighttherebeinthebags，MasterMarner？\"
\"Twohundredandseventy—twopounds，twelveandsixpence，lastnightwhenIcountedit，\"saidSilas，seatinghimselfagain，withagroan。
\"Pooh！why，they’dbenonesoheavytocarry。Sometramp’sbeenin，that’sall；andasforthenofootmarks，andthebricksandthesandbeingallright——why，youreyesareprettymuchlikeainsect’s，MasterMarner；they’reobligedtolooksoclose，youcan’tseemuchatatime。It’smyopinionas，ifI’dbeenyou，oryou’dbeenme——foritcomestothesamething——youwouldn’thavethoughtyou’dfoundeverythingasyouleftit。ButwhatIvoteis，astwoofthesensiblesto’thecompanyshouldgowithyoutoMasterKench，theconstable’s——he’silli’bed，Iknowthatmuch——andgethimtoappointoneofushisdeppity；forthat’sthelaw，andI
don’tthinkanybody’ulltakeuponhimtocontradickmethere。Itisn’tmuchofawalktoKench’s；andthen，ifit’smeasisdeppity，I’llgobackwithyou，MasterMarner，andexamineyourpremises；andifanybody’sgotanyfaulttofindwiththat，I’llthankhimtostandupandsayitoutlikeaman。\"
Bythispregnantspeechthefarrierhadre—establishedhisself—complacency，andwaitedwithconfidencetohearhimselfnamedasoneofthesuperlativelysensiblemen。
\"Letusseehowthenightis，though，\"saidthelandlord，whoalsoconsideredhimselfpersonallyconcernedinthisproposition。\"Why，itrainsheavystill，\"hesaid，returningfromthedoor。
\"Well，I’mnotthemantobeafraido’therain，\"saidthefarrier。\"Forit’lllookbadwhenJusticeMalamhearsasrespectablemenlikeushadainformationlaidbefore’emandtooknosteps。\"
Thelandlordagreedwiththisview，andaftertakingthesenseofthecompany，anddulyrehearsingasmallceremonyknowninhighecclesiasticallifeasthe_noloepiscopari_，heconsentedtotakeonhimselfthechilldignityofgoingtoKench’s。Buttothefarrier’sstrongdisgust，Mr。Maceynowstartedanobjectiontohisproposinghimselfasadeputy—constable；forthatoracularoldgentleman，claimingtoknowthelaw，stated，asafactdeliveredtohimbyhisfather，thatnodoctorcouldbeaconstable。
\"Andyou’readoctor，Ireckon，thoughyou’reonlyacow—doctor——
forafly’safly，thoughitmaybeahoss—fly，\"concludedMr。Macey，wonderingalittleathisown\"’cuteness\"。
Therewasahotdebateuponthis，thefarrierbeingofcourseindisposedtorenouncethequalityofdoctor，butcontendingthatadoctorcouldbeaconstableifheliked——thelawmeant，heneedn’tbeoneifhedidn’tlike。Mr。Maceythoughtthiswasnonsense，sincethelawwasnotlikelytobefonderofdoctorsthanofotherfolks。Moreover，ifitwasinthenatureofdoctorsmorethanofothermennottolikebeingconstables，howcameMr。Dowlastobesoeagertoactinthatcapacity？
\"_I_don’twanttoacttheconstable，\"saidthefarrier，drivenintoacornerbythismercilessreasoning；\"andthere’snomancansayitofme，ifhe’dtellthetruth。Butifthere’stobeanyjealousyanden_vy_ingaboutgoingtoKench’sintherain，letthemgoaslikeit——youwon’tgetmetogo，Icantellyou。\"
Bythelandlord’sintervention，however，thedisputewasaccommodated。Mr。Dowlasconsentedtogoasasecondpersondisinclinedtoactofficially；andsopoorSilas，furnishedwithsomeoldcoverings，turnedoutwithhistwocompanionsintotherainagain，thinkingofthelongnight—hoursbeforehim，notasthosedowholongtorest，butasthosewhoexpectto\"watchforthemorning\"。
CHAPTERVIII
WhenGodfreyCassreturnedfromMrs。Osgood’spartyatmidnight，hewasnotmuchsurprisedtolearnthatDunseyhadnotcomehome。
PerhapshehadnotsoldWildfire，andwaswaitingforanotherchance——
perhaps，onthatfoggyafternoon，hehadpreferredhousinghimselfattheRedLionatBatherleyforthenight，iftherunhadkepthiminthatneighbourhood；forhewasnotlikelytofeelmuchconcernaboutleavinghisbrotherinsuspense。Godfrey’smindwastoofullofNancyLammeter’slooksandbehaviour，toofulloftheexasperationagainsthimselfandhislot，whichthesightofheralwaysproducedinhim，forhimtogivemuchthoughttoWildfire，ortotheprobabilitiesofDunstan’sconduct。
Thenextmorningthewholevillagewasexcitedbythestoryoftherobbery，andGodfrey，likeeveryoneelse，wasoccupiedingatheringanddiscussingnewsaboutit，andinvisitingtheStone—pits。Therainhadwashedawayallpossibilityofdistinguishingfoot—marks，butacloseinvestigationofthespothaddisclosed，inthedirectionoppositetothevillage，atinder—box，withaflintandsteel，halfsunkinthemud。ItwasnotSilas’stinder—box，fortheonlyonehehadeverhadwasstillstandingonhisshelf；andtheinferencegenerallyacceptedwas，thatthetinder—boxintheditchwassomehowconnectedwiththerobbery。Asmallminorityshooktheirheads，andintimatedtheiropinionthatitwasnotarobberytohavemuchlightthrownonitbytinder—boxes，thatMasterMarner’stalehadaqueerlookwithit，andthatsuchthingshadbeenknownasaman’sdoinghimselfamischief，andthensettingthejusticetolookforthedoer。Butwhenquestionedcloselyastotheirgroundsforthisopinion，andwhatMasterMarnerhadtogainbysuchfalsepretences，theyonlyshooktheirheadsasbefore，andobservedthattherewasnoknowingwhatsomefolkscountedgain；
moreover，thateverybodyhadarighttotheirownopinions，groundsornogrounds，andthattheweaver，aseverybodyknew，waspartlycrazy。Mr。Macey，thoughhejoinedinthedefenceofMarneragainstallsuspicionsofdeceit，alsopooh—poohedthetinder—box；indeed，repudiateditasaratherimpioussuggestion，tendingtoimplythateverythingmustbedonebyhumanhands，andthattherewasnopowerwhichcouldmakeawaywiththeguineaswithoutmovingthebricks。
Nevertheless，heturnedroundrathersharplyonMr。Tookey，whenthezealousdeputy，feelingthatthiswasaviewofthecasepeculiarlysuitedtoaparish—clerk，carrieditstillfarther，anddoubtedwhetheritwasrighttoinquireintoarobberyatallwhenthecircumstancesweresomysterious。
\"Asif，\"concludedMr。Tookey——\"asiftherewasnothingbutwhatcouldbemadeoutbyjusticesandconstables。\"
\"Now，don’tyoubeforovershootingthemark，Tookey，\"saidMr。Macey，noddinghisheadasideadmonishingly。\"That’swhatyou’reallaysat；ifIthrowastoneandhit，youthinkthere’ssummatbetterthanhitting，andyoutrytothrowastonebeyond。
WhatIsaidwasagainstthetinder—box：Isaidnothingagainstjusticesandconstables，forthey’reo’KingGeorge’smaking，andit’udbeill—becomingamaninaparishofficetoflyoutagain’KingGeorge。\"
WhilethesediscussionsweregoingonamongstthegroupoutsidetheRainbow，ahigherconsultationwasbeingcarriedonwithin，underthepresidencyofMr。Crackenthorp，therector，assistedbySquireCassandothersubstantialparishioners。IthadjustoccurredtoMr。Snell，thelandlord——hebeing，asheobserved，amanaccustomedtoputtwoandtwotogether——toconnectwiththetinder—box，which，asdeputy—constable，hehimselfhadhadthehonourabledistinctionoffinding，certainrecollectionsofapedlarwhohadcalledtodrinkatthehouseaboutamonthbefore，andhadactuallystatedthathecarriedatinder—boxaboutwithhimtolighthispipe。Here，surely，wasacluetobefollowedout。Andasmemory，whendulyimpregnatedwithascertainedfacts，issometimessurprisinglyfertile，Mr。Snellgraduallyrecoveredavividimpressionoftheeffectproducedonhimbythepedlar’scountenanceandconversation。Hehada\"lookwithhiseye\"whichfellunpleasantlyonMr。Snell’ssensitiveorganism。Tobesure，hedidn’tsayanythingparticular——no，exceptthataboutthetinder—box——butitisn’twhatamansays，it’sthewayhesaysit。
Moreover，hehadaswarthyforeignnessofcomplexionwhichbodedlittlehonesty。
\"Didhewearear—rings？\"Mr。Crackenthorpwishedtoknow，havingsomeacquaintancewithforeigncustoms。
\"Well——stay——letmesee，\"saidMr。Snell，likeadocileclairvoyante，whowouldreallynotmakeamistakeifshecouldhelpit。Afterstretchingthecornersofhismouthandcontractinghiseyes，asifheweretryingtoseetheear—rings，heappearedtogiveuptheeffort，andsaid，\"Well，he’dgotear—ringsinhisboxtosell，soit’snat’raltosupposehemightwear’em。Buthecalledateveryhouse，a’most，inthevillage；there’ssomebodyelse，mayhap，saw’eminhisears，thoughIcan’ttakeuponmerightlytosay。\"
Mr。Snellwascorrectinhissurmise，thatsomebodyelsewouldrememberthepedlar’sear—rings。Foronthespreadofinquiryamongthevillagersitwasstatedwithgatheringemphasis，thattheparsonhadwantedtoknowwhetherthepedlarworeear—ringsinhisears，andanimpressionwascreatedthatagreatdealdependedontheelicitingofthisfact。Ofcourse，everyonewhoheardthequestion，nothavinganydistinctimageofthepedlaras_without_
ear—rings，immediatelyhadanimageofhim_with_ear—rings，largerorsmaller，asthecasemightbe；andtheimagewaspresentlytakenforavividrecollection，sothattheglazier’swife，awell—intentionedwoman，notgiventolying，andwhosehousewasamongthecleanestinthevillage，wasreadytodeclare，assureasevershemeanttotakethesacramenttheverynextChristmasthatwasevercoming，thatshehadseenbigear—rings，intheshapeoftheyoungmoon，inthepedlar’stwoears；whileJinnyOates，thecobbler’sdaughter，beingamoreimaginativeperson，statednotonlythatshehadseenthemtoo，butthattheyhadmadeherbloodcreep，asitdidatthatverymomentwhilethereshestood。
Also，bywayofthrowingfurtherlightonthisclueofthetinder—box，acollectionwasmadeofallthearticlespurchasedfromthepedlaratvarioushouses，andcarriedtotheRainbowtobeexhibitedthere。Infact，therewasageneralfeelinginthevillage，thatfortheclearing—upofthisrobberytheremustbeagreatdealdoneattheRainbow，andthatnomanneedofferhiswifeanexcuseforgoingtherewhileitwasthesceneofseverepublicduties。
Somedisappointmentwasfelt，andperhapsalittleindignationalso，whenitbecameknownthatSilasMarner，onbeingquestionedbytheSquireandtheparson，hadretainednootherrecollectionofthepedlarthanthathehadcalledathisdoor，buthadnotenteredhishouse，havingturnedawayatoncewhenSilas，holdingthedoorajar，hadsaidthathewantednothing。ThishadbeenSilas’stestimony，thoughheclutchedstronglyattheideaofthepedlar’sbeingtheculprit，ifonlybecauseitgavehimadefiniteimageofawhereaboutforhisgoldafterithadbeentakenawayfromitshiding—place：hecouldseeitnowinthepedlar’sbox。Butitwasobservedwithsomeirritationinthevillage，thatanybodybuta\"blindcreatur\"likeMarnerwouldhaveseenthemanprowlingabout，forhowcamehetoleavehistinder—boxintheditchcloseby，ifhehadn’tbeenlingeringthere？Doubtless，hehadmadehisobservationswhenhesawMarneratthedoor。Anybodymightknow——
andonlylookathim——thattheweaverwasahalf—crazymiser。Itwasawonderthepedlarhadn’tmurderedhim；menofthatsort，withringsintheirears，hadbeenknownformurderersoftenandoften；
therehadbeenonetriedatthe’sizes，notsolongagobutwhattherewerepeoplelivingwhorememberedit。
GodfreyCass，indeed，enteringtheRainbowduringoneofMr。Snell’sfrequentlyrepeatedrecitalsofhistestimony，hadtreateditlightly，statingthathehimselfhadboughtapen—knifeofthepedlar，andthoughthimamerrygrinningfellowenough；itwasallnonsense，hesaid，abouttheman’sevillooks。Butthiswasspokenofinthevillageastherandomtalkofyouth，\"asifitwasonlyMr。Snellwhohadseensomethingoddaboutthepedlar！\"Onthecontrary，therewereatleasthalf—a—dozenwhowerereadytogobeforeJusticeMalam，andgiveinmuchmorestrikingtestimonythananythelandlordcouldfurnish。ItwastobehopedMr。GodfreywouldnotgotoTarleyandthrowcoldwateronwhatMr。Snellsaidthere，andsopreventthejusticefromdrawingupawarrant。Hewassuspectedofintendingthis，when，aftermid—day，hewasseensettingoffonhorsebackinthedirectionofTarley。
ButbythistimeGodfrey’sinterestintherobberyhadfadedbeforehisgrowinganxietyaboutDunstanandWildfire，andhewasgoing，nottoTarley，buttoBatherley，unabletorestinuncertaintyaboutthemanylonger。ThepossibilitythatDunstanhadplayedhimtheuglytrickofridingawaywithWildfire，toreturnattheendofamonth，whenhehadgambledawayorotherwisesquanderedthepriceofthehorse，wasafearthaturgeditselfuponhimmore，even，thanthethoughtofanaccidentalinjury；andnowthatthedanceatMrs。Osgood’swaspast，hewasirritatedwithhimselfthathehadtrustedhishorsetoDunstan。Insteadoftryingtostillhisfears，heencouragedthem，withthatsuperstitiousimpressionwhichclingstousall，thatifweexpectevilverystronglyitisthelesslikelytocome；andwhenheheardahorseapproachingatatrot，andsawahatrisingaboveahedgebeyondanangleofthelane，hefeltasifhisconjurationhadsucceeded。Butnosoonerdidthehorsecomewithinsight，thanhisheartsankagain。ItwasnotWildfire；
andinafewmomentsmorehediscernedthattheriderwasnotDunstan，butBryce，whopulleduptospeak，withafacethatimpliedsomethingdisagreeable。
\"Well，Mr。Godfrey，that’saluckybrotherofyours，thatMasterDunsey，isn’the？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidGodfrey，hastily。
\"Why，hasn’thebeenhomeyet？\"saidBryce。
\"Home？no。Whathashappened？Bequick。Whathashedonewithmyhorse？\"
\"Ah，Ithoughtitwasyours，thoughhepretendedyouhadpartedwithittohim。\"
\"Hashethrownhimdownandbrokenhisknees？\"saidGodfrey，flushedwithexasperation。
\"Worsethanthat，\"saidBryce。\"Yousee，I’dmadeabargainwithhimtobuythehorseforahundredandtwenty——aswingingprice，butIalwayslikedthehorse。Andwhatdoeshedobutgoandstakehim——flyatahedgewithstakesinit，atopofabankwithaditchbeforeit。Thehorsehadbeendeadaprettygoodwhilewhenhewasfound。Sohehasn’tbeenhomesince，hashe？\"
\"Home？no，\"saidGodfrey，\"andhe’dbetterkeepaway。Confoundmeforafool！Imighthaveknownthiswouldbetheendofit。\"
\"Well，totellyouthetruth，\"saidBryce，\"afterI’dbargainedforthehorse，itdidcomeintomyheadthathemightberidingandsellingthehorsewithoutyourknowledge，forIdidn’tbelieveitwashisown。IknewMasterDunseywasuptohistrickssometimes。
Butwherecanhebegone？He’sneverbeenseenatBatherley。Hecouldn’thavebeenhurt，forhemusthavewalkedoff。\"
\"Hurt？\"saidGodfrey，bitterly。\"He’llneverbehurt——he’smadetohurtotherpeople。\"
\"Andsoyou_did_givehimleavetosellthehorse，eh？\"saidBryce。
\"Yes；Iwantedtopartwiththehorse——hewasalwaysalittletoohardinthemouthforme，\"saidGodfrey；hispridemakinghimwinceundertheideathatBryceguessedthesaletobeamatterofnecessity。\"Iwasgoingtoseeafterhim——Ithoughtsomemischiefhadhappened。I’llgobacknow，\"headded，turningthehorse’shead，andwishinghecouldgetridofBryce；forhefeltthatthelong—dreadedcrisisinhislifewascloseuponhim。
\"You’recomingontoRaveloe，aren’tyou？\"
\"Well，no，notnow，\"saidBryce。\"I_was_comingroundthere，forIhadtogotoFlitton，andIthoughtImightaswelltakeyouinmyway，andjustletyouknowallIknewmyselfaboutthehorse。
IsupposeMasterDunseydidn’tliketoshowhimselftilltheillnewshadblownoverabit。He’sperhapsgonetopayavisitattheThreeCrowns，byWhitbridge——Iknowhe’sfondofthehouse。\"
\"Perhapsheis，\"saidGodfrey，ratherabsently。Thenrousinghimself，hesaid，withaneffortatcarelessness，\"Weshallhearofhimsoonenough，I’llbebound。\"
\"Well，here’smyturning，\"saidBryce，notsurprisedtoperceivethatGodfreywasrather\"down\"；\"soI’llbidyougood—day，andwishImaybringyoubetternewsanothertime。\"
Godfreyrodealongslowly，representingtohimselfthesceneofconfessiontohisfatherfromwhichhefeltthattherewasnownolongeranyescape。Therevelationaboutthemoneymustbemadetheverynextmorning；andifhewithheldtherest，Dunstanwouldbesuretocomebackshortly，and，findingthathemustbearthebruntofhisfather’sanger，wouldtellthewholestoryoutofspite，eventhoughhehadnothingtogainbyit。Therewasonestep，perhaps，bywhichhemightstillwinDunstan’ssilenceandputofftheevilday：hemighttellhisfatherthathehadhimselfspentthemoneypaidtohimbyFowler；andashehadneverbeenguiltyofsuchanoffencebefore，theaffairwouldblowoverafteralittlestorming。
ButGodfreycouldnotbendhimselftothis。HefeltthatinlettingDunstanhavethemoney，hehadalreadybeenguiltyofabreachoftrusthardlylessculpablethanthatofspendingthemoneydirectlyforhisownbehoof；andyettherewasadistinctionbetweenthetwoactswhichmadehimfeelthattheonewassomuchmoreblackeningthantheotherastobeintolerabletohim。
\"Idon’tpretendtobeagoodfellow，\"hesaidtohimself；\"butI’mnotascoundrel——atleast，I’llstopshortsomewhere。I’llbeartheconsequencesofwhatI_have_donesoonerthanmakebelieveI’vedonewhatIneverwouldhavedone。I’dneverhavespentthemoneyformyownpleasure——Iwastorturedintoit。\"
ThroughtheremainderofthisdayGodfrey，withonlyoccasionalfluctuations，kepthiswillbentinthedirectionofacompleteavowaltohisfather，andhewithheldthestoryofWildfire’slosstillthenextmorning，thatitmightservehimasanintroductiontoheaviermatter。TheoldSquirewasaccustomedtohisson’sfrequentabsencefromhome，andthoughtneitherDunstan’snorWildfire’snon—appearanceamattercallingforremark。Godfreysaidtohimselfagainandagain，thatifheletslipthisoneopportunityofconfession，hemightneverhaveanother；therevelationmightbemadeeveninamoreodiouswaythanbyDunstan’smalignity：_she_
mightcomeasshehadthreatenedtodo。Andthenhetriedtomakethesceneeasiertohimselfbyrehearsal：hemadeuphismindhowhewouldpassfromtheadmissionofhisweaknessinlettingDunstanhavethemoneytothefactthatDunstanhadaholdonhimwhichhehadbeenunabletoshakeoff，andhowhewouldworkuphisfathertoexpectsomethingverybadbeforehetoldhimthefact。TheoldSquirewasanimplacableman：hemaderesolutionsinviolentanger，andhewasnottobemovedfromthemafterhisangerhadsubsided——
asfieryvolcanicmatterscoolandhardenintorock。Likemanyviolentandimplacablemen，heallowedevilstogrowunderfavourofhisownheedlessness，tilltheypresseduponhimwithexasperatingforce，andthenheturnedroundwithfierceseverityandbecameunrelentinglyhard。Thiswashissystemwithhistenants：heallowedthemtogetintoarrears，neglecttheirfences，reducetheirstock，selltheirstraw，andotherwisegothewrongway，——andthen，whenhebecameshortofmoneyinconsequenceofthisindulgence，hetookthehardestmeasuresandwouldlistentonoappeal。Godfreyknewallthis，andfeltitwiththegreaterforcebecausehehadconstantlysufferedannoyancefromwitnessinghisfather’ssuddenfitsofunrelentingness，forwhichhisownhabitualirresolutiondeprivedhimofallsympathy。（Hewasnotcriticalonthefaultyindulgencewhichprecededthesefits；_that_seemedtohimnaturalenough。）Stilltherewasjustthechance，Godfreythought，thathisfather’spridemightseethismarriageinalightthatwouldinducehimtohushitup，ratherthanturnhissonoutandmakethefamilythetalkofthecountryfortenmilesround。
ThiswastheviewofthecasethatGodfreymanagedtokeepbeforehimprettycloselytillmidnight，andhewenttosleepthinkingthathehaddonewithinwarddebating。Butwhenheawokeinthestillmorningdarknesshefounditimpossibletoreawakenhiseveningthoughts；itwasasiftheyhadbeentiredoutandwerenottoberousedtofurtherwork。Insteadofargumentsforconfession，hecouldnowfeelthepresenceofnothingbutitsevilconsequences：
theolddreadofdisgracecameback——theoldshrinkingfromthethoughtofraisingahopelessbarrierbetweenhimselfandNancy——
theolddispositiontorelyonchanceswhichmightbefavourabletohim，andsavehimfrombetrayal。Why，afterall，shouldhecutoffthehopeofthembyhisownact？Hehadseenthematterinawronglightyesterday。HehadbeeninaragewithDunstan，andhadthoughtofnothingbutathoroughbreak—upoftheirmutualunderstanding；butwhatitwouldbereallywisestforhimtodo，wastotryandsoftenhisfather’sangeragainstDunsey，andkeepthingsasnearlyaspossibleintheiroldcondition。IfDunseydidnotcomebackforafewdays（andGodfreydidnotknowbutthattherascalhadenoughmoneyinhispockettoenablehimtokeepawaystilllonger），everythingmightblowover。
CHAPTERIX
Godfreyroseandtookhisownbreakfastearlierthanusual，butlingeredinthewainscotedparlourtillhisyoungerbrothershadfinishedtheirmealandgoneout；awaitinghisfather，whoalwaystookawalkwithhismanaging—manbeforebreakfast。EveryonebreakfastedatadifferenthourintheRedHouse，andtheSquirewasalwaysthelatest，givingalongchancetoaratherfeeblemorningappetitebeforehetriedit。Thetablehadbeenspreadwithsubstantialeatablesnearlytwohoursbeforehepresentedhimself——
atall，stoutmanofsixty，withafaceinwhichtheknitbrowandratherhardglanceseemedcontradictedbytheslackandfeeblemouth。Hispersonshowedmarksofhabitualneglect，hisdresswasslovenly；andyettherewassomethinginthepresenceoftheoldSquiredistinguishablefromthatoftheordinaryfarmersintheparish，whowereperhapseverywhitasrefinedashe，but，havingslouchedtheirwaythroughlifewithaconsciousnessofbeinginthevicinityoftheir\"betters\"，wantedthatself—possessionandauthoritativenessofvoiceandcarriagewhichbelongedtoamanwhothoughtofsuperiorsasremoteexistenceswithwhomhehadpersonallylittlemoretodothanwithAmericaorthestars。TheSquirehadbeenusedtoparishhomageallhislife，usedtothepresuppositionthathisfamily，histankards，andeverythingthatwashis，weretheoldestandbest；andasheneverassociatedwithanygentryhigherthanhimself，hisopinionwasnotdisturbedbycomparison。
Heglancedathissonasheenteredtheroom，andsaid，\"What，sir！
haven’t_you_hadyourbreakfastyet？\"buttherewasnopleasantmorninggreetingbetweenthem；notbecauseofanyunfriendliness，butbecausethesweetflowerofcourtesyisnotagrowthofsuchhomesastheRedHouse。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidGodfrey，\"I’vehadmybreakfast，butIwaswaitingtospeaktoyou。\"
\"Ah！well，\"saidtheSquire，throwinghimselfindifferentlyintohischair，andspeakinginaponderouscoughingfashion，whichwasfeltinRaveloetobeasortofprivilegeofhisrank，whilehecutapieceofbeef，andhelditupbeforethedeer—houndthathadcomeinwithhim。\"Ringthebellformyale，willyou？Youyoungsters’
businessisyourownpleasure，mostly。There’snohurryaboutitforanybodybutyourselves。\"
TheSquire’slifewasquiteasidleashissons’，butitwasafictionkeptupbyhimselfandhiscontemporariesinRaveloethatyouthwasexclusivelytheperiodoffolly，andthattheiragedwisdomwasconstantlyinastateofendurancemitigatedbysarcasm。
Godfreywaited，beforehespokeagain，untilthealehadbeenbroughtandthedoorclosed——anintervalduringwhichFleet，thedeer—hound，hadconsumedenoughbitsofbeeftomakeapoorman’sholidaydinner。
\"There’sbeenacursedpieceofill—luckwithWildfire，\"hebegan；
\"happenedthedaybeforeyesterday。\"
\"What！brokehisknees？\"saidtheSquire，aftertakingadraughtofale。\"Ithoughtyouknewhowtoridebetterthanthat，sir。
Ineverthrewahorsedowninmylife。IfIhad，Imightha’
whistledforanother，for_my_fatherwasn’tquitesoreadytounstringassomeotherfathersIknowof。Buttheymustturnoveranewleaf——_they_must。Whatwithmortgagesandarrears，I’masshorto’cashasaroadsidepauper。AndthatfoolKimblesaysthenewspaper’stalkingaboutpeace。Why，thecountrywouldn’thavealegtostandon。Prices’udrundownlikeajack，andIshouldnevergetmyarrears，notifIsoldallthefellowsup。Andthere’sthatdamnedFowler，Iwon’tputupwithhimanylonger；I’vetoldWinthroptogotoCoxthisveryday。Thelyingscoundreltoldmehe’dbesuretopaymeahundredlastmonth。Hetakesadvantagebecausehe’sonthatoutlyingfarm，andthinksIshallforgethim。\"
TheSquirehaddeliveredthisspeechinacoughingandinterruptedmanner，butwithnopauselongenoughforGodfreytomakeitapretextfortakingupthewordagain。HefeltthathisfathermeanttowardoffanyrequestformoneyonthegroundofthemisfortunewithWildfire，andthattheemphasishehadthusbeenledtolayonhisshortnessofcashandhisarrearswaslikelytoproduceanattitudeofmindtheutmostunfavourableforhisowndisclosure。
Buthemustgoon，nowhehadbegun。
\"It’sworsethanbreakingthehorse’sknees——he’sbeenstakedandkilled，\"hesaid，assoonashisfatherwassilent，andhadbeguntocuthismeat。\"ButIwasn’tthinkingofaskingyoutobuymeanotherhorse；IwasonlythinkingI’dlostthemeansofpayingyouwiththepriceofWildfire，asI’dmeanttodo。Dunseytookhimtothehunttosellhimformetheotherday，andafterhe’dmadeabargainforahundredandtwentywithBryce，hewentafterthehounds，andtooksomefool’sleaporotherthatdidforthehorseatonce。Ifithadn’tbeenforthat，Ishouldhavepaidyouahundredpoundsthismorning。\"
TheSquirehadlaiddownhisknifeandfork，andwasstaringathissoninamazement，notbeingsufficientlyquickofbraintoformaprobableguessastowhatcouldhavecausedsostrangeaninversionofthepaternalandfilialrelationsasthispropositionofhissontopayhimahundredpounds。
\"Thetruthis，sir——I’mverysorry——Iwasquitetoblame，\"
saidGodfrey。\"Fowlerdidpaythathundredpounds。Hepaidittome，whenIwasoverthereonedaylastmonth。AndDunseybotheredmeforthemoney，andIlethimhaveit，becauseIhopedIshouldbeabletopayityoubeforethis。\"
TheSquirewaspurplewithangerbeforehissonhaddonespeaking，andfoundutterancedifficult。\"YouletDunseyhaveit，sir？AndhowlonghaveyoubeensothickwithDunseythatyoumust_collogue_
withhimtoembezzlemymoney？Areyouturningoutascamp？ItellyouIwon’thaveit。I’llturnthewholepackofyououtofthehousetogether，andmarryagain。I’dhaveyoutoremember，sir，myproperty’sgotnoentailonit；——sincemygrandfather’stimetheCassescandoastheylikewiththeirland。Rememberthat，sir。
LetDunseyhavethemoney！WhyshouldyouletDunseyhavethemoney？There’ssomelieatthebottomofit。\"
\"There’snolie，sir，\"saidGodfrey。\"Iwouldn’thavespentthemoneymyself，butDunseybotheredme，andIwasafool，andlethimhaveit。ButImeanttopayit，whetherhedidornot。That’sthewholestory。Inevermeanttoembezzlemoney，andI’mnotthemantodoit。Youneverknewmedoadishonesttrick，sir。\"
\"Where’sDunsey，then？Whatdoyoustandtalkingtherefor？GoandfetchDunsey，asItellyou，andlethimgiveaccountofwhathewantedthemoneyfor，andwhathe’sdonewithit。Heshallrepentit。I’llturnhimout。IsaidIwould，andI’lldoit。Heshan’tbraveme。Goandfetchhim。\"
\"Dunseyisn’tcomeback，sir。\"
\"What！didhebreakhisownneck，then？\"saidtheSquire，withsomedisgustattheideathat，inthatcase，hecouldnotfulfilhisthreat。
\"No，hewasn’thurt，Ibelieve，forthehorsewasfounddead，andDunseymusthavewalkedoff。Idaresayweshallseehimagainby—and—by。Idon’tknowwhereheis。\"
\"Andwhatmustyoubelettinghimhavemymoneyfor？Answermethat，\"saidtheSquire，attackingGodfreyagain，sinceDunseywasnotwithinreach。
\"Well，sir，Idon’tknow，\"saidGodfrey，hesitatingly。Thatwasafeebleevasion，butGodfreywasnotfondoflying，and，notbeingsufficientlyawarethatnosortofduplicitycanlongflourishwithoutthehelpofvocalfalsehoods，hewasquiteunpreparedwithinventedmotives。
\"Youdon’tknow？Itellyouwhatitis，sir。You’vebeenuptosometrick，andyou’vebeenbribinghimnottotell，\"saidtheSquire，withasuddenacutenesswhichstartledGodfrey，whofelthisheartbeatviolentlyatthenearnessofhisfather’sguess。Thesuddenalarmpushedhimontotakethenextstep——averyslightimpulsesufficesforthatonadownwardroad。
\"Why，sir，\"hesaid，tryingtospeakwithcarelessease，\"itwasalittleaffairbetweenmeandDunsey；it’snomattertoanybodyelse。It’shardlyworthwhiletopryintoyoungmen’sfooleries：itwouldn’thavemadeanydifferencetoyou，sir，ifI’dnothadthebadlucktoloseWildfire。Ishouldhavepaidyouthemoney。\"
\"Fooleries！Pshaw！it’stimeyou’ddonewithfooleries。AndI’dhaveyouknow，sir，you_must_ha’donewith’em，\"saidtheSquire，frowningandcastinganangryglanceathisson。\"Yourgoings—onarenotwhatIshallfindmoneyforanylonger。There’smygrandfatherhadhisstablesfullo’horses，andkeptagoodhouse，too，andinworsetimes，bywhatIcanmakeout；andsomightI，ifIhadn’tfourgood—for—nothingfellowstohangonmelikehorse—leeches。I’vebeentoogoodafathertoyouall——that’swhatitis。ButIshallpullup，sir。\"
Godfreywassilent。Hewasnotlikelytobeverypenetratinginhisjudgments，buthehadalwayshadasensethathisfather’sindulgencehadnotbeenkindness，andhadhadavaguelongingforsomedisciplinethatwouldhavecheckedhisownerrantweaknessandhelpedhisbetterwill。TheSquireatehisbreadandmeathastily，tookadeepdraughtofale，thenturnedhischairfromthetable，andbegantospeakagain。
\"It’llbealltheworseforyou，youknow——you’dneedtryandhelpmekeepthingstogether。\"
\"Well，sir，I’veoftenofferedtotakethemanagementofthings，butyouknowyou’vetakenitillalways，andseemedtothinkI
wantedtopushyououtofyourplace。\"
\"Iknownothingo’yourofferingoro’mytakingitill，\"saidtheSquire，whosememoryconsistedincertainstrongimpressionsunmodifiedbydetail；\"butIknow，onewhileyouseemedtobethinkingo’marrying，andIdidn’toffertoputanyobstaclesinyourway，assomefatherswould。I’daslieveyoumarriedLammeter’sdaughterasanybody。Isuppose，ifI’dsaidyounay，you’dha’keptonwithit；but，forwanto’contradiction，you’vechangedyourmind。You’reashilly—shallyfellow：youtakeafteryourpoormother。Sheneverhadawillofherown；awomanhasnocallforone，ifshe’sgotapropermanforherhusband。But_your_
wifehadneedhaveone，foryouhardlyknowyourownmindenoughtomakebothyourlegswalkoneway。Thelasshasn’tsaiddownrightshewon’thaveyou，hasshe？\"
\"No，\"saidGodfrey，feelingveryhotanduncomfortable；\"butI
don’tthinkshewill。\"
\"Think！whyhaven’tyouthecouragetoaskher？Doyousticktoit，youwanttohave_her_——that’sthething？\"
\"There’snootherwomanIwanttomarry，\"saidGodfrey，evasively。
\"Well，then，letmemaketheofferforyou，that’sall，ifyouhaven’ttheplucktodoityourself。Lammeterisn’tlikelytobeloathforhisdaughtertomarryinto_my_family，Ishouldthink。
Andasfortheprettylass，shewouldn’thavehercousin——andthere’snobodyelse，asIsee，couldha’stoodinyourway。\"
\"I’dratherletitbe，pleasesir，atpresent，\"saidGodfrey，inalarm。\"Ithinkshe’salittleoffendedwithmejustnow，andI
shouldliketospeakformyself。Amanmustmanagethesethingsforhimself。\"
\"Well，speak，then，andmanageit，andseeifyoucan’tturnoveranewleaf。That’swhatamanmustdowhenhethinkso’marrying。\"
\"Idon’tseehowIcanthinkofitatpresent，sir。Youwouldn’tliketosettlemeononeofthefarms，Isuppose，andIdon’tthinkshe’dcometoliveinthishousewithallmybrothers。It’sadifferentsortoflifetowhatshe’sbeenusedto。\"
\"Notcometoliveinthishouse？Don’ttellme。Youaskher，that’sall，\"saidtheSquire，withashort，scornfullaugh。
\"I’dratherletthethingbe，atpresent，sir，\"saidGodfrey。\"I
hopeyouwon’ttrytohurryitonbysayinganything。\"
\"IshalldowhatIchoose，\"saidtheSquire，\"andIshallletyouknowI’mmaster；elseyoumayturnoutandfindanestatetodropintosomewhereelse。GooutandtellWinthropnottogotoCox’s，butwaitforme。Andtell’emtogetmyhorsesaddled。Andstop：
lookoutandgetthathacko’Dunsey’ssold，andhandmethemoney，willyou？He’llkeepnomorehacksatmyexpense。Andifyouknowwherehe’ssneaking——Idaresayyoudo——youmaytellhimtosparehimselfthejourneyo’comingbackhome。Lethimturnostler，andkeephimself。Heshan’thangonmeanymore。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhereheis，sir；andifIdid，itisn’tmyplacetotellhimtokeepaway，\"saidGodfrey，movingtowardsthedoor。
\"Confoundit，sir，don’tstayarguing，butgoandordermyhorse，\"
saidtheSquire，takingupapipe。
Godfreylefttheroom，hardlyknowingwhetherheweremorerelievedbythesensethattheinterviewwasendedwithouthavingmadeanychangeinhisposition，ormoreuneasythathehadentangledhimselfstillfurtherinprevaricationanddeceit。WhathadpassedabouthisproposingtoNancyhadraisedanewalarm，lestbysomeafter—dinnerwordsofhisfather’stoMr。Lammeterheshouldbethrownintotheembarrassmentofbeingobligedabsolutelytodeclineherwhensheseemedtobewithinhisreach。Hefledtohisusualrefuge，thatofhopingforsomeunforeseenturnoffortune，somefavourablechancewhichwouldsavehimfromunpleasantconsequences——
perhapsevenjustifyhisinsinceritybymanifestingitsprudence。
Andinthispointoftrustingtosomethrowoffortune’sdice，Godfreycanhardlybecalledspeciallyold—fashioned。FavourableChance，Ifancy，isthegodofallmenwhofollowtheirowndevicesinsteadofobeyingalawtheybelievein。Letevenapolishedmanofthesedaysgetintoapositionheisashamedtoavow，andhismindwillbebentonallthepossibleissuesthatmaydeliverhimfromthecalculableresultsofthatposition。Lethimliveoutsidehisincome，orshirktheresolutehonestworkthatbringswages，andhewillpresentlyfindhimselfdreamingofapossiblebenefactor，apossiblesimpletonwhomaybecajoledintousinghisinterest，apossiblestateofmindinsomepossiblepersonnotyetforthcoming。
Lethimneglecttheresponsibilitiesofhisoffice，andhewillinevitablyanchorhimselfonthechancethatthethingleftundonemayturnoutnottobeofthesupposedimportance。Lethimbetrayhisfriend’sconfidence，andhewilladorethatsamecunningcomplexitycalledChance，whichgiveshimthehopethathisfriendwillneverknow。Lethimforsakeadecentcraftthathemaypursuethegentilitiesofaprofessiontowhichnaturenevercalledhim，andhisreligionwillinfalliblybetheworshipofblessedChance，whichhewillbelieveinasthemightycreatorofsuccess。Theevilprincipledeprecatedinthatreligionistheorderlysequencebywhichtheseedbringsforthacropafteritskind。
CHAPTERX
JusticeMalamwasnaturallyregardedinTarleyandRaveloeasamanofcapaciousmind，seeingthathecoulddrawmuchwiderconclusionswithoutevidencethancouldbeexpectedofhisneighbourswhowerenotontheCommissionofthePeace。Suchamanwasnotlikelytoneglecttheclueofthetinder—box，andaninquirywassetonfootconcerningapedlar，nameunknown，withcurlyblackhairandaforeigncomplexion，carryingaboxofcutleryandjewellery，andwearinglargeringsinhisears。Buteitherbecauseinquirywastooslow—footedtoovertakehim，orbecausethedescriptionappliedtosomanypedlarsthatinquirydidnotknowhowtochooseamongthem，weekspassedaway，andtherewasnootherresultconcerningtherobberythanagradualcessationoftheexcitementithadcausedinRaveloe。DunstanCass’sabsencewashardlyasubjectofremark：hehadoncebeforehadaquarrelwithhisfather，andhadgoneoff，nobodyknewwhither，toreturnattheendofsixweeks，takeuphisoldquartersunforbidden，andswaggerasusual。Hisownfamily，whoequallyexpectedthisissue，withthesoledifferencethattheSquirewasdeterminedthistimetoforbidhimtheoldquarters，nevermentionedhisabsence；andwhenhisuncleKimbleorMr。Osgoodnoticedit，thestoryofhishavingkilledWildfire，andcommittedsomeoffenceagainsthisfather，wasenoughtopreventsurprise。ToconnectthefactofDunsey’sdisappearancewiththatoftherobberyoccurringonthesameday，layquiteawayfromthetrackofeveryone’sthought——evenGodfrey’s，whohadbetterreasonthananyoneelsetoknowwhathisbrotherwascapableof。Herememberednomentionoftheweaverbetweenthemsincethetime，twelveyearsago，whenitwastheirboyishsporttoderidehim；and，besides，hisimaginationconstantlycreatedan_alibi_forDunstan：hesawhimcontinuallyinsomecongenialhaunt，towhichhehadwalkedoffonleavingWildfire——sawhimspongingonchanceacquaintances，andmeditatingareturnhometotheoldamusementoftormentinghiselderbrother。EvenifanybraininRaveloehadputthesaidtwofactstogether，Idoubtwhetheracombinationsoinjurioustotheprescriptiverespectabilityofafamilywithamuralmonumentandvenerabletankards，wouldnothavebeensuppressedasofunsoundtendency。ButChristmaspuddings，brawn，andabundanceofspirituousliquors，throwingthementaloriginalityintothechannelofnightmare，aregreatpreservativesagainstadangerousspontaneityofwakingthought。
WhentherobberywastalkedofattheRainbowandelsewhere，ingoodcompany，thebalancecontinuedtowaverbetweentherationalexplanationfoundedonthetinder—box，andthetheoryofanimpenetrablemysterythatmockedinvestigation。Theadvocatesofthetinder—box—and—pedlarviewconsideredtheothersideamuddle—headedandcredulousset，who，becausetheythemselveswerewall—eyed，supposedeverybodyelsetohavethesameblankoutlook；
andtheadherentsoftheinexplicablemorethanhintedthattheirantagonistswereanimalsinclinedtocrowbeforetheyhadfoundanycorn——mereskimming—dishesinpointofdepth——whoseclear—sightednessconsistedinsupposingtherewasnothingbehindabarn—doorbecausetheycouldn’tseethroughit；sothat，thoughtheircontroversydidnotservetoelicitthefactconcerningtherobbery，itelicitedsometrueopinionsofcollateralimportance。
ButwhilepoorSilas’slossservedthustobrushtheslowcurrentofRaveloeconversation，Silashimselfwasfeelingthewitheringdesolationofthatbereavementaboutwhichhisneighbourswerearguingattheirease。Toanyonewhohadobservedhimbeforehelosthisgold，itmighthaveseemedthatsowitheredandshrunkenalifeashiscouldhardlybesusceptibleofabruise，couldhardlyendureanysubtractionbutsuchaswouldputanendtoitaltogether。Butinrealityithadbeenaneagerlife，filledwithimmediatepurposewhichfencedhiminfromthewide，cheerlessunknown。Ithadbeenaclinginglife；andthoughtheobjectroundwhichitsfibreshadclungwasadeaddisruptedthing，itsatisfiedtheneedforclinging。Butnowthefencewasbrokendown——thesupportwassnatchedaway。Marner’sthoughtscouldnolongermoveintheiroldround，andwerebaffledbyablanklikethatwhichmeetsaploddingantwhentheearthhasbrokenawayonitshomewardpath。Theloomwasthere，andtheweaving，andthegrowingpatterninthecloth；butthebrighttreasureintheholeunderhisfeetwasgone；theprospectofhandlingandcountingitwasgone：theeveninghadnophantasmofdelighttostillthepoorsoul’scraving。Thethoughtofthemoneyhewouldgetbyhisactualworkcouldbringnojoy，foritsmeagreimagewasonlyafreshreminderofhisloss；andhopewastooheavilycrushedbythesuddenblowforhisimaginationtodwellonthegrowthofanewhoardfromthatsmallbeginning。
Hefilleduptheblankwithgrief。Ashesatweaving，heeverynowandthenmoanedlow，likeoneinpain：itwasthesignthathisthoughtshadcomeroundagaintothesuddenchasm——totheemptyevening—time。Andalltheevening，ashesatinhislonelinessbyhisdullfire，heleanedhiselbowsonhisknees，andclaspedhisheadwithhishands，andmoanedverylow——notasonewhoseekstobeheard。
Andyethewasnotutterlyforsakeninhistrouble。TherepulsionMarnerhadalwayscreatedinhisneighbourswaspartlydissipatedbythenewlightinwhichthismisfortunehadshownhim。Insteadofamanwhohadmorecunningthanhonestfolkscouldcomeby，and，whatwasworse，hadnottheinclinationtousethatcunninginaneighbourlyway，itwasnowapparentthatSilashadnotcunningenoughtokeephisown。Hewasgenerallyspokenofasa\"poormushedcreatur\"；andthatavoidanceofhisneighbours，whichhadbeforebeenreferredtohisill—willandtoaprobableaddictiontoworsecompany，wasnowconsideredmerecraziness。
Thischangetoakindlierfeelingwasshowninvariousways。TheodourofChristmascookingbeingonthewind，itwastheseasonwhensuperfluousporkandblackpuddingsaresuggestiveofcharityinwell—to—dofamilies；andSilas’smisfortunehadbroughthimuppermostinthememoryofhousekeeperslikeMrs。Osgood。
Mr。Crackenthorp，too，whileheadmonishedSilasthathismoneyhadprobablybeentakenfromhimbecausehethoughttoomuchofitandnevercametochurch，enforcedthedoctrinebyapresentofpigs’
pettitoes，wellcalculatedtodissipateunfoundedprejudicesagainsttheclericalcharacter。NeighbourswhohadnothingbutverbalconsolationtogiveshowedadispositionnotonlytogreetSilasanddiscusshismisfortuneatsomelengthwhentheyencounteredhiminthevillage，butalsototakethetroubleofcallingathiscottageandgettinghimtorepeatallthedetailsontheveryspot；andthentheywouldtrytocheerhimbysaying，\"Well，MasterMarner，you’renoworseoffnorotherpoorfolks，afterall；andifyouwastobecrippled，theparish’udgiveyoua’lowance。\"
Isupposeonereasonwhyweareseldomabletocomfortourneighbourswithourwordsisthatourgoodwillgetsadulterated，inspiteofourselves，beforeitcanpassourlips。Wecansendblackpuddingsandpettitoeswithoutgivingthemaflavourofourownegoism；butlanguageisastreamthatisalmostsuretosmackofamingledsoil。TherewasafairproportionofkindnessinRaveloe；
butitwasoftenofabeeryandbunglingsort，andtooktheshapeleastalliedtothecomplimentaryandhypocritical。