PrefatoryNoteAChangedManTheWaitingSupperAlicia'sDiaryTheGravebytheHandpostEnteraDragoonATrystatanAncientEarthworkWhattheShepherdSawACommitteeManof'TheTerror'
　　MasterJohnHorseleigh,KnightTheDuke'sReappearanceAMereInterludePREFATORYNOTE
　　Ireprintinthisvolume,forwhattheymaybeworth,adozenminornovelsthathavebeenpublishedintheperiodicalpressatvariousdatesinthepast,inordertorenderthemaccessibletoreaderswhodesiretohavetheminthecompleteseriesissuedbymypublishers.
　　ForaidinreclaimingsomeofthenarrativesIexpressmythankstotheproprietorsandeditorsofthenewspapersandmagazinesinwhosepagestheyfirstappeared.
　　T.H.
　　August1913.
　　ACHANGEDMAN
　　CHAPTERI
　　Thepersonwho,nexttotheactorsthemselves,chancedtoknowmostoftheirstory,livedjustbelow'Topo'Town'asthespotwascalledinanoldsubstantially-builthouse,distinguishedamongitsneighboursbyhavinganorielwindowonthefirstfloor,whencecouldbeobtainedarakingviewoftheHighStreet,westandeast,theformerincludingLaura'sdwelling,theendoftheTownAvenuehardbyinwhichwereplayedtheoddprankshereaftertobementioned,thePort-Bredyroadrisingwestwards,andtheturningthatledtothecavalrybarrackswheretheCaptainwasquartered.Lookingeastwarddownthetownfromthesamefavouredgazebo,thelongperspectiveofhousesdeclinedanddwindledtilltheymergedinthehighwayacrossthemoor.ThewhiteribandofroaddisappearedoverGrey'sBridgeaquarterofamileoff,toplungeintoinnumerablerusticwindings,shyshades,andsolitaryundulationsuphillanddowndaleforonehundredandtwentymilestillitexhibiteditselfatHydeParkCornerasasmoothblandsurfaceintouchwithabusyandfashionableworld.
　　Tothebarracksaforesaidhadrecentlyarrivedthe——thHussars,aregimentnewtothelocality.Almostbeforeanyacquaintancewithitsmembershadbeenmadebythetownspeople,areportspreadthattheywerea'crack'bodyofmen,andhadbroughtasplendidband.
　　Forsomereasonorotherthetownhadnotbeenusedastheheadquartersofcavalryformanyyears,thevarioustroopsstationedtherehavingconsistedofcasualdetachmentsonly;sothatitwaswithasenseofhonourthateverybody——eventhesmallfurniture-
　　brokerfromwhomthemarriedtroopershiredtablesandchairs——
　　receivedthenewsoftheircrackquality.
　　InthosedaystheHussarregimentsstillworeovertheleftshoulderthatattractiveattachment,orfrilledhalf-coat,hanginglooselybehindlikethewoundedwingofabird,whichwascalledthepelisse,thoughitwasknownamongthetroopersthemselvesasa'sling-
　　jacket.'Itaddedamazinglytotheirpicturesquenessinwomen'seyes,and,indeed,intheeyesofmenalso.
　　Theburgherwholivedinthehousewiththeorielwindowsatduringagreatmanyhoursofthedayinthatprojection,forhewasaninvalid,andtimehungheavilyonhishandsunlesshemaintainedaconstantinterestinproceedingswithout.NotmorethanaweekafterthearrivaloftheHussarshisearswereassailedbytheshoutofoneschoolboytoanotherinthestreetbelow.
　　'Have'eeheardthisabouttheHussars?Theyarehaunted!Yes——aghosttroubles'em;hehasfollowed'emabouttheworldforyears.'
　　Ahauntedregiment:thatwasanewideaforeitherinvalidorstalwart.Thelistenerintheorielcametotheconclusionthatthereweresomelivelycharactersamongthe——thHussars.
　　HemadeCaptainMaumbry'sacquaintanceinaninformalmanneratanafternoonteatowhichhewentinawheeledchair——oneoftheveryrareoutingsthatthestateofhishealthpermitted.Maumbryshowedhimselftobeahandsomemanoftwenty-eightorthirty,withanattractivehintofwickednessinhismannerthatwassuretomakehimadorablewithgoodyoungwomen.Thelargedarkeyesthatlithispalefaceexpressedthiswickednessstrongly,thoughsuchwastheadaptabilityoftheirraysthatonecouldthinktheymighthaveexpressedsadnessorseriousnessjustasreadily,ifhehadhadamindforsuch.
　　AnoldanddeafladywhowaspresentaskedCaptainMaumbrybluntly:
　　'What'sthiswehearaboutyou?Theysayyourregimentishaunted.'
　　TheCaptain'sfaceassumedanaspectofgrave,evensad,concern.
　　'Yes,'hereplied,'itistootrue.'
　　Someyoungerladiessmiledtilltheysawhowserioushelooked,whentheylookedseriouslikewise.
　　'Really?'saidtheoldlady.
　　'Yes.Wenaturallydon'twishtosaymuchaboutit.'
　　'No,no;ofcoursenot.But——howhaunted?'
　　'Well;the——THING,asI'llcallit,followsus.Incountryquartersortown,abroadorathome,it'sjustthesame.'
　　'Howdoyouaccountforit?'
　　'H'm.'Maumbryloweredhisvoice.'Somecrimecommittedbycertainofourregimentinpastyears,wesuppose.'
　　'DearmeHowveryhorrid,andsingular!'
　　'But,asIsaid,wedon'tspeakofitmuch.'
　　'Nono.'
　　WhentheHussarwasgone,ayounglady,disclosingalong-suppressedinterest,askediftheghosthadbeenseenbyanyofthetown.
　　Thelawyer'sson,whoalwayshadthelatestboroughnews,saidthat,thoughitwasseldomseenbyanyonebuttheHussarsthemselves,morethanonetownsmanandwomanhadalreadyseteyesonit,tohisorherterror.Thephantommostlyappearedverylateatnight,underthedensetreesofthetown-avenuenearestthebarracks.Itwasabouttenfeethigh;itsteethchatteredwithadrynakedsound,asiftheywerethoseofaskeleton;anditship-bonescouldbeheardgratingintheirsockets.
　　Duringthedarkestweeksofwinterseveraltimidpersonswereseriouslyfrightenedbytheobjectansweringtothischeerfuldescription,andthepolicebegantolookintothematter.Whereupontheappearancesgrewlessfrequent,andsomeoftheBoysoftheregimentthankfullystatedthattheyhadnotbeensofreefromghostlyvisitationforyearsastheyhadbecomesincetheirarrivalinCasterbridge.
　　Thisplayingatghostswasthemostinnocentoftheamusementsindulgedinbythechoiceyoungspiritswhoinhabitedthelichened,red-brickbuildingatthetopofthetownbearing'W.D.'andabroadarrowonitsquoins.Farmoreseriousescapades——levitiesrelatingtolove,wine,cards,betting——weretalkedof,withnodoubtmoreorlessofexaggeration.ThattheHussars,CaptainMaumbryincluded,werethecauseofbittertearstoseveralyoungwomenofthetownandcountryisunquestionablytrue,despitethefactthatthegaietiesoftheyoungmenworeamorestaringcolourinthisold-fashionedplacethantheywouldhavedoneinalargeandmoderncity.
　　CHAPTERII
　　Regularlyonceaweektheyrodeoutinmarchingorder.
　　Returningupthetownononeoftheseoccasions,theromanticpelisseflappingbehindeachhorseman'sshoulderinthesoftsouth-westwind,CaptainMaumbryglancedupattheoriel.Amutualnodwasexchangedbetweenhimandthepersonwhosattherereading.Thereaderandafriendintheroomwithhimfollowedthetroopwiththeireyesallthewayupthestreet,till,whenthesoldierswereoppositethehouseinwhichLauralived,thatyoungladybecamediscernibleinthebalcony.
　　'Theyareengagedtobemarried,Ihear,'saidthefriend.
　　'Who——MaumbryandLaura?Never——sosoon?'
　　'Yes.'
　　'He'llnevermarry.Severalgirlshavebeenmentionedinconnectionwithhisname.IamsorryforLaura.'
　　'Oh,butyouneedn'tbe.Theyareexcellentlymatched.'
　　'She'sonlyonemore.'
　　'She'sonemore,andmorestill.Shehasregularlycaughthim.Sheisabornplayerofthegameofhearts,andsheknewhowtobeathiminhisownpractices.Ifthereisonewomaninthetownwhohasanychanceofholdingherownandmarryinghim,sheisthatwoman.'
　　Thiswastrue,asitturnedout.BynaturalproclivityLaurahadfromthefirstenteredheartandsoulintomilitaryromanceasexhibitedintheplotsandcharactersofthoselivingexponentsofitwhocameunderhernotice.Fromherearliestyoungwomanhoodcivilians,howeverpromising,hadnochanceofwinningherinterestifthemeanestwarriorwerewithinthehorizon.Itmaybethatthepositionofheruncle'shousewhichwasherhomeatthecornerofWestStreetnearestthebarracks,thedailypassingofthetroops,theconstantblowingoftrumpet-callsafurlongfromherwindows,coupledwiththefactthatsheknewnothingoftheinnerrealitiesofmilitarylife,andhenceidealizedit,hadalsohelpedhermind'soriginalbiasforthinkingmen-at-armstheonlyonesworthyofawoman'sheart.
　　CaptainMaumbrywasatypicalprize;onewhomallsurroundingmaidenshadcoveted,achedfor,angledfor,weptfor,hadbyherjudiciousmanagementbecomesubduedtoherpurpose;andinadditiontothepleasureofmarryingthemansheloved,Laurahadthejoyoffeelingherselfhatedbythemothersofallthemarriageablegirlsoftheneighbourhood.
　　Themanintheorielwenttothewedding;notasaguest,foratthistimehewasbutslightlyacquaintedwiththeparties;butmainlybecausethechurchwasclosetohishouse;partly,too,forareasonwhichmovedmanyotherstobespectatorsoftheceremony;asubconsciousnessthat,thoughthecouplemightbehappyintheirexperiences,therewassufficientpossibilityoftheirbeingotherwisetocolourthemusingsofanonlookerwithapleasingpathosofconjecture.Hecouldonoccasiondoaprettystrokeofrhyminginthosedays,andhebeguiledthetimeofwaitingbypencillingonablankpageofhisprayer-bookafewlineswhich,thoughkeptprivatethen,maybegivenhere:-
　　ATAHASTYWEDDING
　　Triolet
　　Ifhoursbeyearsthetwainareblest,FornowtheysolaceswiftdesireBylifelongtiesthattetherzestIfhoursbeyears.ThetwainareblestDoeasternsunsslopeneverwest,Norpallidashesfollowfire.
　　IfhoursbeyearsthetwainareblestFornowtheysolaceswiftdesire.
　　Asif,however,tofalsifyallprophecies,thecoupleseemedtofindinmarriagethesecretofperpetuatingtheintoxicationofacourtshipwhich,onMaumbry'ssideatleast,hadopenedwithoutseriousintent.DuringthewinterfollowingtheywerethemostpopularpairinandaboutCasterbridge——nayinSouthWessexitself.
　　Nosmartdinnerinthecountryhousesoftheyoungerandgayerfamilieswithindrivingdistanceoftheboroughwascompletewithouttheirlivelypresence;Mrs.Maumbrywastheblithestofthewhirlingfiguresatthecountyball;andwhenfollowedthatinevitableincidentofgarrison-townlife,anamateurdramaticentertainment,itwasjustthesame.Theactingwasforthebenefitofsuchandsuchanexcellentcharity——nobodycaredwhat,providedtheplaywereplayed——andbothCaptainMaumbryandhiswifewereinthepiece,havingbeeninfact,bymutualconsent,theoriginatorsoftheperformance.Andsowithlaughter,andthoughtlessness,andmovement,allwentmerrily.Therewasalittlebackwardnessinthebill-payingofthecouple;butinjusticetothemitmustbeaddedthatsoonerorlaterallowingswerepaid.
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Atthechapel-of-easeattendedbythetroopstherearoseabovetheedgeofthepulpitoneSundayanunknownface.Thiswasthefaceofanewcurate.Heplaceduponthedesk,notthefamiliarsermonbook,butmerelyaBible.Thepersonwhotellsthesethingswasnotpresentatthatservice,buthesoonlearntthattheyoungcuratewasnothinglessthanagreatsurprisetohiscongregation;amixedonealways,forthoughtheHussarsoccupiedthebodyofthebuilding,itsnooksandcornerswerecrammedwithcivilians,whom,uptothepresent,eventheleastuncharitablewouldhavedescribedasbeingattractedthitherlessbytheservicesthanbythesoldiery.
　　Nowtherearoseasecondreasonforsqueezingintoanalreadyovercrowdedchurch.ThepersuasiveandgentleeloquenceofMr.
　　Sainwayoperatedlikeacharmuponthoseaccustomedonlytothehigheranddryerstylesofpreaching,andforatimetheotherchurchesofthetownwerethinnedoftheirsitters.
　　Atthispointinthenineteenthcenturythesermonwasthesolereasonforchurchgoingamongstavastbodyofreligiouspeople.Theliturgywasaformalpreliminary,which,liketheRoyalproclamationinacourtofassize,hadtobegotthroughbeforetherealinterestbegan;andonreachinghomethequestionwassimply:Whopreached,andhowdidhehandlehissubject?Evenhadanarchbishopofficiatedintheservicepropernobodywouldhavecaredmuchaboutwhatwassaidorsung.Peoplewhohadformerlyattendedinthemorningonlybegantogointheevening,andeventothespecialaddressesintheafternoon.
　　OnedaywhenCaptainMaumbryenteredhiswife'sdrawing-room,filledwithhiredfurniture,shethoughthewassomebodyelse,forhehadnotcomeupstairshummingthemostcatchingairafloatinmusicalcirclesorinhisusualcarelessway.
　　'What'sthematter,Jack?'shesaidwithoutlookingupfromanoteshewaswriting.
　　'Well——notmuch,thatIknow.'
　　'O,butthereis,'shemurmuredasshewrote.
　　'Why——thiscursednewlathinasheet——Imeanthenewparson!Hewantsustostoptheband-playingonSundayafternoons.'
　　Lauralookedupaghast.
　　'Why,itistheonethingthatenablesthefewrationalbeingshereaboutstokeepalivefromSaturdaytoMonday!'
　　'Hesaysallthetownflocktothemusicanddon'tcometotheservice,andthatthepiecesplayedareprofane,ormundane,orinane,orsomething——notwhatoughttobeplayedonSunday.Ofcourse'tisLautmannwhosettlesthosethings.'
　　Lautmannwasthebandmaster.
　　Thebarrack-greenonSundayafternoonshad,indeed,becomethepromenadeofagreatmanytownspeoplecheerfullyinclined,manyevenofthosewhoattendedinthemorningatMr.Sainway'sservice;andlittleboyswhooughttohavebeenlisteningtothecurate'safternoonlectureweretoooftenseenrollinguponthegrassandmakingfacesbehindthemoredignifiedlisteners.
　　Lauraheardnomoreaboutthematter,however,fortwoorthreeweeks,whensuddenlyrememberingitsheaskedherhusbandifanyfurtherobjectionshadbeenraised.
　　'O——Mr.Sainway.Iforgottotellyou.I'vemadehisacquaintance.
　　Heisnotabadsortofman.'
　　LauraaskedifeitherMaumbryorsomeothersoftheofficersdidnotgivethepresumptuouscurateagoodsettingdownforhisinterference.
　　'Owell——we'veforgottenthat.He'sastunningpreacher,theytellme.'
　　Theacquaintancedevelopedapparently,fortheCaptainsaidtoheralittlelateron,'There'sagooddealinSainway'sargumentabouthavingnobandonSundayafternoons.Afterall,itisclosetohischurch.Buthedoesn'tpresshisobjectionsunduly.'
　　'Iamsurprisedtohearyoudefendhim!'
　　'Itwasonlyapassingthoughtofmine.Wenaturallydon'twishtooffendtheinhabitantsofthetowniftheydon'tlikeit.'
　　'Buttheydo.'
　　Theinvalidintheorielneverclearlygatheredthedetailsofprogressinthisconflictoflayandclericalopinion;butsoitwasthat,tothedisappointmentofmusicians,thegriefofout-walkinglovers,andtheregretofthejuniorpopulationofthetownandcountryround,theband-playingonSundayafternoonsceasedinCasterbridgebarrack-square.
　　BythistimetheMaumbryshadfrequentlylistenedtothepreachingofthegentleifnarrow-mindedcurate;fortheselight-natured,hit-or-
　　miss,racketypeoplewenttochurchlikeothersforrespectability'ssake.Nonesoorthodoxasyourunmitigatedworldling.AmoreremarkableeventwasthesighttothemaninthewindowofCaptainMaumbryandMr.SainwaywalkingdowntheHighStreetinearnestconversation.Onhismentioningthisfacttoacallerhewasassuredthatitwasamatterofcommontalkthattheywerealwaystogether.
　　Theobserverwouldsoonhavelearntthiswithhisowneyesifhehadnotbeentold.Theybegantopasstogethernearlyeveryday.
　　HithertoMrs.Maumbry,infashionablewalkingclothes,hadusuallybeenherhusband'scompanion;butthiswaslessfrequentnow.Thecloseandsingularfriendshipbetweenthetwomenwentonfornearlyayear,whenMr.Sainwaywaspresentedtoalivinginadensely-
　　populatedtowninthemidlandcounties.Hebadetheparishionersofhisoldplaceareluctantfarewellanddeparted,thetouchingsermonhepreachedontheoccasionbeingpublishedbythelocalprinter.
　　Everybodywassorrytolosehim;anditwaswithgenuinegriefthathisCasterbridgecongregationlearntlateronthatsoonafterhisinductiontohisbenefice,duringsomebitterweather,hehadfallenseriouslyillofinflammationofthelungs,ofwhichheeventuallydied.
　　Wenowgetbelowthesurfaceofthings.Ofallwhohadknownthedeadcurate,nonegrievedforhimlikethemanwhoonhisfirstarrivalhadcalledhima'lathinasheet.'Mrs.Maumbryhadnevergreatlysympathizedwiththeimpressiveparson;indeed,shehadbeensecretlygladthathehadgoneawaytobetterhimself.Hehadconsiderablydiminishedthepleasuresofawomanbywhomthejoysofearthandgoodcompanyhadbeenappreciatedtothefull.Sorryforherhusbandinhislossofafriendwhohadbeennoneofhers,shewasyetquiteunpreparedforthesequel.
　　'ThereissomethingthatIhavewantedtotellyoulately,dear,'hesaidonemorningatbreakfastwithhesitation.'Haveyouguessedwhatitis?'
　　Shehadguessednothing.
　　'ThatIthinkofretiringfromthearmy.'
　　'What!'
　　'IhavethoughtmoreandmoreofSainwaysincehisdeath,andofwhatheusedtosaytomesoearnestly.AndIfeelcertainIshallberightinobeyingacallwithinmetogiveupthisfightingtradeandentertheChurch.'
　　'What——beaparson?'
　　'Yes.'
　　'Butwhatshould_I_do?'
　　'Beaparson'swife.'
　　'Never!'sheaffirmed.
　　'Buthowcanyouhelpit?'
　　'I'llrunawayrather!'shesaidvehemently;
　　'No,youmustn't,'Maumbryreplied,inthetoneheusedwhenhismindwasmadeup.'You'llgetaccustomedtotheidea,forIamconstrainedtocarryitout,thoughitisagainstmyworldlyinterests.IamforcedonbyaHandoutsidemetotreadinthestepsofSainway.'
　　'Jack,'sheasked,withcalmpallorandroundeyes;'doyoumeantosayseriouslythatyouarearrangingtobeacurateinsteadofasoldier?'
　　'ImightsayacurateISasoldier——ofthechurchmilitant;butI
　　don'twanttooffendyouwithdoctrine.Idistinctlysay,yes.'
　　Lateoneevening,alittletimeonward,hecaughthersittingbythedimfirelightinherroom.Shedidnotknowhehadentered;andhefoundherweeping.'Whatareyoucryingabout,poordearest?'hesaid.
　　Shestarted.'Becauseofwhatyouhavetoldme!'TheCaptaingrewveryunhappy;buthewasundeterred.
　　Induetimethetownlearnt,toitsintensesurprise,thatCaptainMaumbryhadretiredfromthe——thHussarsandgonetoFountallTheologicalCollegetopreparefortheministry.
　　CHAPTERIV
　　'O,thepityofit!Suchadashingsoldier——sopopular——suchanacquisitiontothetown——thesoulofsociallifehere!Andnow!
　　Oneshouldnotspeakillofthedead,butthatdreadfulMr.
　　Sainway——itwastoocruelofhim!'
　　ThisisasummaryofwhatwassaidwhenCaptain,nowtheReverend,JohnMaumbrywasenabledbycircumstancestoindulgehisheart'sdesireofreturningtothesceneofhisformerexploitsinthecapacityofaministeroftheGospel.Alow-lyingdistrictofthetown,whichatthatdatewascrowdedwithimpoverishedcottagers,wascryingforacurate,andMr.Maumbrygenerouslyofferedhimselfasonewillingtoundertakelaboursthatwerecertaintoproducelittleresult,andnothanks,credit,oremolument.
　　Letthetruthbetoldabouthimasaclergyman;heprovedtobeanythingbutabrilliantsuccess.Painstaking,single-minded,deeplyinearnestasallcouldsee,hisdeliverywaslaboured,hissermonsweredulltolistento,andalas,too,toolong.Eventhedispassionatejudgeswhosatbythehourinthebar-parlouroftheWhiteHart——aninnstandingatthedividinglinebetweenthepoorquarteraforesaidandthefashionablequarterofMaumbry'sformertriumphs,andhenceaffordingapositionofstrictimpartiality——
　　agreedinsubstancewiththeyoungladiestothewestward,thoughtheirviewsweresomewhatmoreterselyexpressed:'Surely,GodA'mightyspwiledagoodsojertomakeabadpa'sonwhenHeshiftedCap'nMa'mbryintoasarpless!'
　　Thelatterknewthatsuchthingsweresaid,buthepursuedhisdaily'
　　laboursinandoutofthehovelswithsereneunconcern.
　　ItwasaboutthistimethattheinvalidintheorielbecamemorethanamerebowingacquaintanceofMrs.Maumbry's.Shehadreturnedtothetownwithherhusband,andwaslivingwithhiminalittlehouseinthecentreofhiscircleofministration,whenbysomemeansshebecameoneoftheinvalid'svisitors.Afterageneralconversationwhilesittinginhisroomwithafriendofboth,anincidentleduptothematterthatstillrankleddeeplyinhersoul.Herfacewasnowpalerandthinnerthanithadbeen;evenmoreattractive,herdisappointmentshavinginscribedthemselvesasmeekthoughtfulnessonalookthatwasoncealittlefrivolous.ThetwoladieshadcalledtobeallowedtousethewindowforobservingthedepartureoftheHussars,whowereleavingforbarracksmuchnearertoLondon.
　　ThetroopersturnedthecornerofBarrackRoadintothetopofHighStreet,headedbytheirbandplaying'ThegirlIleftbehindme'
　　whichwasformerlyalwaysthetuneforsuchtimes,thoughitisnownearlydisused.Theycameandpassedtheoriel,whereanofficerortwo,lookingupanddiscoveringMrs.Maumbry,salutedher,whoseeyesfilledwithtearsasthenotesofthebandwanedaway.Beforethelittlegrouphadrecoveredfromthatsenseoftheromanticwhichsuchspectaclesimpart,Mr.Maumbrycamealongthepavement.Heprobablyhadbiddenhisformerbrethren-in-armsafarewellatthetopofthestreet,forhewalkedfromthatdirectioninhisrathershabbyclericalclothes,andwithabasketonhisarmwhichseemedtoholdsomepurchaseshehadbeenmakingforhispoorerparishioners.
　　Unlikethesoldiershewentalongquiteunconsciousofhisappearanceorofthescenearound.
　　ThecontrastwastoomuchforLaura.Withlipsthatnowquivered,sheaskedtheinvalidwhathethoughtofthechangethathadcometoher.
　　Itwasdifficulttoanswer,andwithawilfulnessthatwastoostronginhersherepeatedthequestion.
　　'Doyouthink,'sheadded,'thatawoman'shusbandhasarighttodosuchathing,evenifhedoesfeelacertaincalltoit?'
　　Herlistenersympathizedtoolargelywithbothofthemtobeanythingbutunsatisfactoryinhisreply.LauragazedlonginglyoutofthewindowtowardsthethindustylineofHussars,nowsmallingtowardstheMellstockRidge.'I,'shesaid,'whoshouldhavebeenintheirvanonthewaytoLondon,amdoomedtofesterinaholeinDurnoverLane!'
　　Manyeventshadpassedandmanyrumourshadbeencurrentconcerningherbeforetheinvalidsawheragainafterherleave-takingthatday.
　　CHAPTERV
　　Casterbridgehadknownmanymilitaryandcivilepisodes;manyhappytimes,andtimeslesshappy;andnowcamethetimeofhervisitation.
　　Thescourgeofcholerahadbeenlaidonthesufferingcountry,andthelow-lyingpurlieusofthisancientboroughhadmorethantheirshareoftheinfliction.MixenLane,intheDurnoverquarter,andinMaumbry'sparish,waswheretheblowfellmostheavily.Yettherewasacertainmercyinitschoiceofadate,forMaumbrywasthemanforsuchanhour.
　　Thespreadoftheepidemicwassorapidthatmanyleftthetownandtooklodgingsinthevillagesandfarms.Mr.Maumbry'shousewasclosetothemostinfectedstreet,andhehimselfwasoccupiedmorn,noon,andnightinendeavourstostampouttheplagueandinalleviatingthesufferingsofthevictims.So,asamatterofordinaryprecaution,hedecidedtoisolatehiswifesomewhereawayfromhimforawhile.
　　Shesuggestedavillagebythesea,nearBudmouthRegis,andlodgingswereobtainedforheratCreston,aspotdividedfromtheCasterbridgevalleybyahighridgethatgaveitquiteanotheratmosphere,thoughitlaynomorethansixmilesoff.
　　Thithershewent.Whileshewasrusticatinginthisplaceofsafety,andherhusbandwasslavingintheslums,shestruckupanacquaintancewithalieutenantinthe-stFoot,aMr.Vannicock,whowasstationedwithhisregimentattheBudmouthinfantrybarracks.
　　AsLaurafrequentlysatontheshelvingbeach,watchingeachthinwaveslideuptoher,andhearing,withoutheeding,itsgnawatthepebblesinitsretreat,heoftentookawalkthatway.
　　Theacquaintancegrewandripened.Hersituation,herhistory,herbeauty,herage——ayearortwoabovehisown——alltendedtomakeanimpressionontheyoungman'sheart,andarecklessflirtationwassooninblitheprogressuponthatlonelyshore.
　　Itwassaidbyherdetractorsafterwardsthatshehadchosenherlodgingtobenearthisgentleman,butthereisreasontobelievethatshehadneverseenhimtillherarrivalthere.JustnowCasterbridgewassodeeplyoccupiedwithitsownsadaffairs——adailyburyingofthedeadanddestructionofcontaminatedclothesandbedding——thatithadlittleinclinationtopromulgatesuchgossipasmayhavereacheditsearsonthepair.NobodylongconsideredLaurainthetragiccloudwhichoverhungall.
　　Meanwhile,ontheBudmouthsideofthehilltheverymoodofmenwasincontrast.Thevisitationtherehadbeenslightandmuchearlier,andnormaloccupationsandpastimeshadbeenresumed.Mr.MaumbryhadarrangedtoseeLauratwiceaweekintheopenair,thatshemightrunnoriskfromhim;and,havingheardnothingofthefaintrumour,hemetherasusualonedryandwindyafternoononthesummitofthedividinghill,nearwherethehighroadfromtowntotowncrossestheoldRidge-wayatrightangles.
　　Hewavedhishand,andsmiledassheapproached,shoutingtoher:
　　'Wewillkeepthiswallbetweenus,dear.'Wallsformedthefield-
　　fenceshere.'Youmustn'tbeendangered.Itwon'tbeforlong,withGod'shelp!'
　　'Iwilldoasyoutellme,Jack.Butyouarerunningtoomuchriskyourself,aren'tyou?Igetlittlenewsofyou;butIfancyyouare.'
　　'Notmorethanothers.'
　　Thussomewhatformallytheytalked,aninsulatingwindbeatingthewallbetweenthemlikeamill-weir.
　　'Butyouwantedtoaskmesomething?'headded.
　　'Yes.YouknowwearetryinginBudmouthtoraisesomemoneyforyoursufferers;andthewaywehavethoughtofisbyadramaticperformance.Theywantmetotakeapart.'
　　Hisfacesaddened.'Ihaveknownsomuchofthatsortofthing,andallthataccompaniesit!Iwishyouhadthoughtofsomeotherway.'
　　Shesaidlightlythatshewasafraiditwasallsettled.'Youobjecttomytakingapart,then?Ofcourse——'
　　Hetoldherthathedidnotliketosayhepositivelyobjected.Hewishedtheyhadchosenanoratorio,orlecture,oranythingmoreinkeepingwiththenecessityitwastorelieve.
　　'But,'saidsheimpatiently,'peoplewon'tcometooratoriosorlectures!Theywillcrowdtocomediesandfarces.'
　　'Well,IcannotdictatetoBudmouthhowitshallearnthemoneyitisgoingtogiveus.Whoisgettingupthisperformance?'
　　'Theboysofthe-st.'
　　'Ah,yes;ouroldgame!'repliedMr.Maumbry.'ThegriefofCasterbridgeistheexcusefortheirfrivolity.Candidly,dearLaura,Iwishyouwouldn'tplayinit.ButIdon'tforbidyouto.I
　　leavethewholetoyourjudgment.'
　　Theinterviewended,andtheywenttheirwaysnorthwardandsouthward.TimedisclosedtoallconcernedthatMrs.Maumbryplayedinthecomedyastheheroine,thelover'spartbeingtakenbyMr.
　　Vannicock.
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Thuswashelpedonaneventwhichtheconductofthemutually-
　　attractedoneshadbeengeneratingforsometime.
　　Itisunnecessarytogivedetails.The——stFootleftforBristol,andthisprecipitatedtheiraction.AfteraweekofhesitationsheagreedtoleaveherhomeatCrestonandmeetVannicockontheridgehardby,andtoaccompanyhimtoBath,wherehehadsecuredlodgingsforher,sothatshewouldbeonlyaboutadozenmilesfromhisquarters.
　　Accordingly,ontheeveningchosen,shelaidonherdressing-tableanoteforherhusband,runningthus:-
　　DEARJACK——Iamunabletoendurethislifeanylonger,andIhaveresolvedtoputanendtoit.ItoldyouIshouldrunawayifyoupersistedinbeingaclergyman,andnowIamdoingit.Onecannothelpone'snature.IhaveresolvedtothrowinmylotwithMr.
　　Vannicock,andIhoperatherthanexpectyouwillforgiveme——L.
　　Then,withhardlyascrapofluggage,shewent,ascendingtotheridgeintheduskofearlyevening.AlmostontheveryspotwhereherhusbandhadstoodattheirlasttrystshebeheldtheoutlineofVannicock,whohadcomeallthewayfromBristoltofetchher.
　　'Idon'tlikemeetinghere——itissounlucky!'shecriedtohim.
　　'ForGod'ssakeletushaveaplaceofourown.Gobacktothemilestone,andI'llcomeon.'
　　Hewentbacktothemilestonethatstandsonthenorthslopeoftheridge,wheretheoldandnewroadsdiverge,andshejoinedhimthere.
　　Shewastaciturnandsorrowfulwhenheaskedherwhyshewouldnotmeethimonthetop.Atlastsheinquiredhowtheyweregoingtotravel.
　　HeexplainedthatheproposedtowalktoMellstockHill,ontheothersideofCasterbridge,whereaflywaswaitingtotakethembyacross-cutintotheIvellRoad,andonwardtothattown.TheBristolrailwaywasopentoIvell.
　　Thisplantheyfollowed,andwalkedbrisklythroughthedullgloomtilltheynearedCasterbridge,whichplacetheyavoidedbyturningtotherightattheRomanAmphitheatreandbearingroundtoDurnoverCross.ThencethewaywassolitaryandopenacrossthemoortothehillwhereontheIvellflyawaitedthem.
　　'Ihavenoticedforsometime,'shesaid,'aluridglareovertheDurnoverendofthetown.ItseemstocomefromsomewhereaboutMixenLane.'
　　'Thelamps,'hesuggested.
　　'There'snotalampasbigasarushlightinthewholelane.Itiswherethecholeraisworst.'
　　ByStandfastCorner,alittlebeyondtheCross,theysuddenlyobtainedanendviewofthelane.Largebonfireswereburninginthemiddleoftheway,withaviewtopurifyingtheair;andfromthewretchedtenementswithwhichthelanewaslinedinthosedayspersonswerebringingoutbeddingandclothing.Somewasthrownintothefires,therestplacedinwheel-barrowsandwheeledintothemoordirectlyinthetrackofthefugitives.
　　Theyfollowedon,andcameuptowhereavastcopperwassetintheopenair.Herethelinenwasboiledanddisinfected.BythelightofthelanternsLauradiscoveredthatherhusbandwasstandingbythecopper,andthatitwashewhounloadedthebarrowandimmerseditscontents.Thenightwassocalmandmuggythattheconversationbythecopperreachedherears.
　　'Aretheremanymoreloadsto-night?'
　　'There'stheclotheso'theythatdiedthisafternoon,sir.Butthatmightbidetillto-morrow,foryoumustbetiredout.'
　　'We'lldoitatonce,forIcan'taskanybodyelsetoundertakeit.
　　Overturnthatloadonthegrassandfetchtherest.'
　　Themandidsoandwentoffwiththebarrow.Maumbrypausedforamomenttowipehisface,andresumedhishomelydrudgeryamidthissqualidandreekingscene,pressingdownandstirringthecontentsofthecopperwithwhatlookedlikeanoldrolling-pin.Thesteamtherefrom,ladenwithdeath,travelledinalowtrailacrossthemeadow.
　　Lauraspokesuddenly:'Iwon'tgoto-nightafterall.Heissotired,andImusthelphim.Ididn'tknowthingsweresobadasthis!'
　　Vannicock'sarmdroppedfromherwaist,whereithadbeenrestingastheywalked.'Willyouleave?'sheasked.
　　'IwillifyousayImust.ButI'dratherhelptoo.'Therewasnoexpostulationinhistone.
　　Laurahadgoneforward.'Jack,'shesaid,'Iamcometohelp!'
　　Thewearycurateturnedandheldupthelantern.'O——what,isityou,Laura?'heaskedinsurprise.'Whydidyoucomeintothis?Youhadbettergoback——theriskisgreat.'
　　'ButIwanttohelpyou,Jack.Pleaseletmehelp!Ididn'tcomebymyself——Mr.Vannicockkeptmecompany.Hewillmakehimselfusefultoo,ifhe'snotgoneon.Mr.Vannicock!'
　　Theyounglieutenantcameforwardreluctantly.Mr.Maumbryspokeformallytohim,addingasheresumedhislabour,'Ithoughtthe——stFoothadgonetoBristol.'
　　'Wehave.ButIhaverundownagainforafewthings.'
　　Thetwonewcomersbegantoassist,VannicockplacingonthegroundthesmallbagcontainingLaura'stoiletarticlesthathehadbeencarrying.Thebarrowmansoonreturnedwithanotherload,andallcontinuedworkfornearlyahalf-hour,whenacoachmancameoutfromtheshadowstothenorth.
　　'Begpardon,sir,'hewhisperedtoVannicock,'butI'vewaitedsolongonMellstockhillthatatlastIdrovedowntotheturnpike;andseeingthelighthere,Iranontofindoutwhathadhappened.'
　　LieutenantVannicocktoldhimtowaitafewminutes,andthelastbarrow-loadwasgotthrough.Mr.Maumbrystretchedhimselfandbreathedheavily,saying,'There;wecandonomore.'
　　Asiffromtherelaxationofeffortheseemedtobeseizedwithviolentpain.Hepressedhishandstohissidesandbentforward.
　　'Ah!Ithinkithasgotholdofmeatlast,'hesaidwithdifficulty.'Imusttrytogethome.LetMr.Vannicocktakeyouback,Laura.'
　　Hewalkedafewsteps,theyhelpinghim,butwasobligedtosinkdownonthegrass.
　　'Iam——afraid——you'llhavetosendforahurdle,orshutter,orsomething,'hewentonfeebly,'ortrytogetmeintothebarrow.'