'Recoveringfromherstupor,MademoiselleV——bethoughtherselfagainofheremployer,Mrs.Newbold,whomrecenteventshadestranged.Tothatladyshewentwithafullheart,andexplainedeverything.Mrs.
　　Newboldkepttoherselfheropinionoftheepisode,andreinstalledthedesertedbrideinheroldpositionasgovernesstothefamily.
　　'Agovernesssheremainedtotheendofherdays.AfterthefinalpeacewithFranceshebecameacquaintedwithmymother,towhombydegreessheimpartedtheseexperiencesofhers.Asherhairgrewwhite,andherfeaturespinched,MademoiselleV——wouldwonderwhatnookoftheworldcontainedherlover,ifhelived,andifbyanychanceshemightseehimagain.Butwhen,sometimeinthe'twenties,deathcametoher,atnogreatage,thatoutlineagainstthestarsofthemorningremainedasthelastglimpsesheeverobtainedofherfamily'sfoeandheronceaffiancedhusband.'
　　1895.
　　MASTERJOHNHORSELEIGH,KNIGHT
　　IntheearliestandmustiestvolumeoftheHavenpoolmarriageregisterssaidthethin-facedgentlemanthisentrymaystillbereadbyanyonecuriousenoughtodecipherthecrabbedhandwritingofthedate.ItookacopyofitwhenIwaslastthere;anditrunsthushehadopenedhispocket-book,andnowreadaloudtheextract;
　　afterwardshandingroundthebooktous,whereinwesawtranscribedthefollowing-
　　MastrJohnHorseleigh,Knyght,ofthep'yssheofClyfftonwasmarydtoEdiththewyffelateoffJohnStocker,m'chawnteofHavenpoolthexiiijdajeofDecemberbep'vyleggegevynbyoursup'meheddofthechyrcheofIngelondeKyngeHenrytheviiith1539.
　　Now,ifyouturntothelongandelaboratepedigreeoftheancientfamilyoftheHorseleighsofClyftonHorseleigh,youwillfindnomentionwhateverofthisalliance,notwithstandingtheprivilegegivenbytheSovereignandheadoftheChurch;thesaidSirJohnbeingthereinchronicledasmarrying,atadateapparentlyearlierthantheabove,thedaughterandheiressofRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,aladywhooutlivedhim,ofwhichmarriagetherewereissuetwodaughtersandason,whosucceededhiminhisestates.Howarewetoaccountforthese,asitwouldseem,contemporaneouswives?Astrangelocaltraditiononlycanhelpus,andthiscanbebrieflytold.
　　Oneeveningintheautumnoftheyear1540or1541,ayoungsailor,whoseChristiannamewasRoger,butwhosesurnameisnotknown,landedathisnativeplaceofHavenpool,ontheSouthWessexcoast,afteravoyageintheNewfoundlandtrade,thennewlysprungintoexistence.HereturnedintheshipPrimrosewithacargoof'trayneoylebroughthomefromtheNewFoundeLande,'toquotefromthetownrecordsofthedate.Duringhisabsenceoftwosummersandawinter,whichmadeupthetermofaNewfoundland'spell,'manyunlooked-forchangeshadoccurredwithinthequietlittleseaport,someofwhichcloselyaffectedRogerthesailor.AtthetimeofhisdeparturehisonlysisterEdithhadbecomethebrideofoneStocker,arespectabletownsman,andpartownerofthebriginwhichRogerhadsailed;anditwastothehouseofthiscouple,hisonlyrelatives,thattheyoungmandirectedhissteps.OntryingthedoorinQuayStreethefounditlocked,andthenobservedthatthewindowswereboardedup.
　　Inquiringofabystander,helearntforthefirsttimeofthedeathofhisbrother-in-law,thoughthateventhadtakenplacenearlyeighteenmonthsbefore.
　　'AndmysisterEdith?'askedRoger.
　　'She'smarriedagain——astheydosay,andhathbeensothesetwelvemonths.Idon'tvouchforthetrutho't,thoughifsheisn'tsheoughttobe.'
　　Roger'sfacegrewdark.Hewasamanwithaconsiderablereserveofstrongpassion,andheaskedhisinformantwhathemeantbyspeakingthus.
　　Themanexplainedthatshortlyaftertheyoungwoman'sbereavementastrangerhadcometotheport.Hehadseenhermopingonthequay,hadbeenattractedbyheryouthandloneliness,andinanextraordinarilybriefwooinghadcompletelyfascinatedher——hadcarriedheroff,and,aswasreported,hadmarriedher.Thoughhehadcomebywater,hewassupposedtolivenoverygreatdistanceoffbyland.TheywerelastheardofatOozewood,inUpperWessex,atthehouseofoneWall,atimber-merchant,where,hebelieved,shestillhadalodging,thoughherhusband,ifhewerelawfullythatmuch,wasbutanoccasionalvisitortotheplace.
　　'Thestranger?'askedRoger.'Didyouseehim?Whatmannerofmanwashe?'
　　'Ilikedhimnot,'saidtheother.'Heseemedofthatkindthathathsomethingtoconceal,andashewalkedwithherheeverandanonturnedhisheadandgazedbehindhim,asifhemuchfearedanunwelcomepursuer.But,faith,'continuedhe,'itmayhavebeentheman'sanxietyonly.YetdidInotlikehim.'
　　'Washeolderthanmysister?'Rogerasked.
　　'Ay——mucholder;fromadozentoascoreofyearsolder.Amanofsomeposition,maybe,playinganamorousgameforthepleasureofthehour.Whoknowethbutthathehaveawifealready?Manyhavedonethethinghereaboutsoflate.'
　　Havingpaidavisittothegravesofhisrelatives,thesailornextdaywentalongthestraightroadwhich,thenalane,nowahighway,conductedtothecuriouslittleinlandtownnamedbytheHavenpoolman.ItisunnecessarytodescribeOozewoodontheSouth-Avon.Ithasarailwayatthepresentday;butthirtyyearsofsteamtrafficpastitsprecinctshavehardlymodifieditsoriginalfeatures.
　　Surroundedbyasortoffresh-waterlagoon,dividingitfrommeadowsandcoppice,itsancientthatchandtimberhouseshavebarelymadewayeveninthefrontstreetfortheubiquitousmodernbrickandslate.Itneitherincreasesnordiminishesinsize;itisdifficulttosaywhattheinhabitantsfindtodo,for,thoughtradesinwoodwarearestillcarriedon,therecannotbeenoughofthisclassofworknowadaystomaintainallthehouseholders,theforestsaroundhavingbeensogreatlythinnedandcurtailed.Atthetimeofthistraditiontheforestsweredense,artificersinwoodabounded,andthetimbertradewasbrisk.Everyhouseinthetown,withoutexception,wasofoakframework,filledinwithplaster,andcoveredwiththatch,thechimneybeingtheonlybrickportionofthestructure.InquirysoonbroughtRogerthesailortothedoorofWall,thetimber-dealerreferredto,butitwassometimebeforehewasabletogainadmissiontothelodgingofhissister,thepeoplehavingplainlyreceiveddirectionsnottowelcomestrangers.
　　Shewassittinginanupperroomononeofthelath-backed,willow-
　　bottomed'shepherd's'chairs,madeonthespotthenastothisday,andastheywereprobablymadethereinthedaysoftheHeptarchy.
　　Inherlapwasaninfant,whichshehadbeensuckling,thoughnowithadfallenasleep;sohadtheyoungmotherherselfforafewminutes,underthedrowsingeffectsofsolitude.Hearingfootstepsonthestairs,sheawoke,startedupwithagladcry,andrantothedoor,openingwhichshemetherbrotheronthethreshold.
　　'O,thisismerry;Ididn'texpect'ee!'shesaid.'Ah,Roger——I
　　thoughtitwasJohn.'Hertonesfelltodisappointment.
　　Thesailorkissedher,lookedathersternlyforafewmoments,andpointingtotheinfant,said,'Youmeanthefatherofthis?'
　　'Yes,myhusband,'saidEdith.
　　'Ihopeso,'heanswered.
　　'Why,Roger,I'mmarried——ofatruthamI!'shecried.
　　'Shameupon'ee,iftrue!Ifnottrue,worse.MasterStockerwasanhonestman,andyeshouldhaverespectedhismemorylonger.Whereisthyhusband?'
　　'Hecomesoften.Ithoughtitwashenow.Ourmarriagehastobekeptsecretforawhile——itwasdoneprivilyforcertainreasons;butwewasmarriedatchurchlikehonestfolk——aforeGodwewere,Roger,sixmonthsafterpoorStocker'sdeath.'
　　''Twastoosoon,'saidRoger.
　　'Iwaslivinginahousealone;Ihadnowheretogoto.YouwerefaroverseaintheNewFoundLand,andJohntookmeandbroughtmehere.'
　　'Howoftendothhecome?'saysRogeragain.
　　'Onceortwiceweekly,'saysshe.
　　'Iwishth''dstwaitedtillIreturned,dearEdy,'hesaid.'Itmidbeyouareawife——Ihopeso.But,ifso,whythismystery?Whythismeanandcrampedlodginginthislonelycopse-circledtown?Ofwhatstandingisyourhusband,andofwhere?'
　　'Heisofgentlebreeding——hisnameisJohn.Iamnotfreetotellhisfamily-name.HeissaidtobeofLondon,forsafety'sake;buthereallylivesinthecountynextadjoiningthis.'
　　'Whereinthenextcounty?'
　　'Idonotknow.Hehaspreferrednottotellme,thatImaynothavethesecretforcedfromme,tohisandmyhurt,bybringingthemarriagetotheearsofhiskinsfolkandfriends.'
　　Herbrother'sfaceflushed.'Ourpeoplehavebeenhonesttownsmen,well-reputedforlong;whyshouldyoureadilytakesuchhumblingfromasojournerofwhomth''stknownothing?'
　　Theyremainedinconstrainedconversetillherquickearcaughtasound,forwhichshemighthavebeenwaiting——ahorse'sfootfall.
　　'ItisJohn!'saidshe.'Thisishisnight——Saturday.'
　　'Don'tbefrightenedlestheshouldfindmehere!'saidRoger.'Iamonthepointofleaving.Iwishnottobeathirdparty.Saynothingatallaboutmyvisit,ifitwillincommodeyousotodo.I
　　willseetheebeforeIgoafloatagain.'
　　Speakingthushelefttheroom,anddescendingthestaircaselethimselfoutbythefrontdoor,thinkinghemightobtainaglimpseoftheapproachinghorseman.Butthattravellerhadinthemeantimegonestealthilyroundtothebackofthehomestead,andpeeringalongthepinion-endofthehouseRogerdiscernedhimunbridlingandhalteringhishorsewithhisownhandsintheshedthere.
　　RogerretiredtotheneighbouringinncalledtheBlackLamb,andmeditated.Thismysteriousmethodofapproachdeterminedhim,afterall,nottoleavetheplacetillhehadascertainedmoredefinitefactsofhissister'sposition——whethershewerethedeludedvictimofthestrangerorthewifesheobviouslybelievedherselftobe.
　　Havingeatensomesupper,helefttheinn,itbeingnowabouteleveno'clock.Hefirstlookedintotheshed,and,findingthehorsestillstandingthere,waitedirresolutelynearthedoorofhissister'slodging.Halfanhourelapsed,and,whilethinkinghewouldclimbintoalofthardbyforanight'srest,thereseemedtobeamovementwithintheshuttersofthesitting-roomthathissisteroccupied.
　　Rogerhidhimselfbehindafaggot-stacknearthebackdoor,rightlydiviningthathissister'svisitorwouldemergebythewayhehadentered.Thedooropened,andthecandlesheheldinherhandlightedforamomentthestranger'sform,showingittobethatofatallandhandsomepersonage,aboutfortyyearsofage,andapparentlyofasuperiorpositioninlife.Edithwasassistinghimtocloakhimself,whichbeingdonehetookleaveofherwithakissandleftthehouse.Fromthedoorshewatchedhimbridleandsaddlehishorse,andhavingmountedandwavedanadieutoherasshestoodcandleinhand,heturnedoutoftheyardandrodeaway.
　　Thehorsewhichborehimwas,orseemedtobe,alittlelame,andRogerfanciedfromthisthattherider'sjourneywasnotlikelytobealongone.Beinglightoffoothefollowedapace,havingnogreatdifficultyonsuchastillnightinkeepingwithinearshotsomefewmiles,thehorsemanpausingmorethanonce.InthispursuitRogerdiscoveredtheridertochoosebridle-tracksandopencommonsinpreferencetoanyhighroad.Thedistancesoonbegantoproveamoretryingonethanhehadbargainedfor;andwhenoutofbreathandinsomedespairofbeingabletoascertaintheman'sidentity,heperceivedanassstandinginthestarlightunderahayrick,fromwhichtheanimalwashelpingitselftoperiodicmouthfuls.
　　ThestorygoesthatRogercaughttheass,mounted,andagainresumedthetrailoftheunconscioushorseman,whichfeatmayhavebeenpossibletoanauticalyoungfellow,thoughonecanhardlyunderstandhowasailorwouldridesuchananimalwithoutbridleorsaddle,andstrangetohishands,unlessthecreaturewereextraordinarilydocile.Thisquestion,however,isimmaterial.SufficeittosaythatatdawnthefollowingmorningRogerbeheldhissister'sloverorhusbandenteringthegatesofalargeandwell-timberedparkonthesouth-westernvergeoftheWhiteHartForestasitwasthencalled,nowknowntoeverybodyastheValeofBlackmoor.Thereuponthesailordiscardedhissteed,andfindingforhimselfanobscurerentrancetothesameparkalittlefurtheron,hecrossedthegrasstoreconnoitre.
　　Hepresentlyperceivedamidthetreesbeforehimamansionwhich,newtohimself,wasoneofthebestknowninthecountyatthattime.Ofthisfinemanorialresidencehardlyatracenowremains;butamanuscriptdatedsomeyearslaterthantheeventsweareregardingdescribesitintermsfromwhichtheimaginationmayconstructasingularlyclearandvividpicture.Thisrecordpresentsitasconsistingof'afaireyellowfreestonebuilding,partlytwoandpartlythreestoreys;afairehalleandparlour,bothwaynscotted;afairedyningroomeandwithdrawingroome,andmanygoodlodgings;akitchenadjoyningebackwardetooneendofthedwelling-house,withafairepassagefromitintothehalle,parlour,anddyningeroome,andsellarsadjoyninge.
　　'Inthefrontofthehouseasquaregreenecourt,andacuriousgatehousewithlodgingsinit,standingwiththefrontofthehousetothesouth;inalargeoutercourtthreestables,acoach-house,alargebarne,andastableforoxenandkyne,andallhousesnecessary.
　　'Withoutthegatehouse,paledin,alargesquaregreene,inwhichstandethafairechappell;ofthesouth-eastsideofthegreenecourt,towardstheriver,alargegarden.
　　'Ofthesouth-westsideofthegreenecourtisalargebowlinggreene,withfowermountedwalksaboutit,allwalledaboutwithabatteledwall,andsettwithallsortsoffruit;andoutofitintothefeildestherearelargewalksundermanytallelmesorderlyplanted.'
　　Thenfollowsadescriptionoftheorchardsandgardens;theservants'
　　offices,brewhouse,bakehouse,dairy,pigeon-houses,andcorn-mill;
　　theriveranditsabundanceoffish;thewarren,thecoppices,thewalks;endingthus-
　　'Andallthecountrynorthofthehouse,openchampaign,sandyfeildes,verydryandpleasantforallkindesofrecreation,huntinge,andhawkinge,andprofitblefortillageThehousehathalargeprospecteast,south,andwest,overaverylargeandpleasantvaleisseatedfromthegoodmarketttownsofShertonAbbasthreemiles,andIvelamile,thatplentifullyyieldallmannerofprovision;andwithintwelvemilesofthesouthsea.'
　　ItwasonthegrassbeforethisseductiveandpicturesquestructurethatthesailorstoodatgazeundertheelmsinthedimdawnofSundaymorning,andsawtohissurprisehissister'sloverandhorsevanishwithinthecourtofthebuilding.
　　Perplexedandweary,Rogerslowlyretreated,morethaneverconvincedthatsomethingwaswronginhissister'sposition.Hecrossedthebowlinggreentotheavenueofelms,and,bentonfurtherresearch,wasabouttoclimbintooneofthese,when,lookingbelow,hesawaheapofhayapparentlyforhorsesordeer.Intothishecrept,and,havingeatenacrustofbreadwhichhehadhastilythrustintohispocketattheinn,hecurledupandfellasleep,thehayformingacomfortablebed,andquitecoveringhimover.
　　Hesleptsoundlyandlong,andwasawakenedbythesoundofabell.
　　Onpeeringfromthehayhefoundthetimehadadvancedtofullday;
　　thesunwasshiningbrightly.Thebellwasthatofthe'fairechappell'onthegreenoutsidethegatehouse,anditwascallingtomatins.Presentlythepriestcrossedthegreentoalittleside-doorinthechancel,andthenfromthegatewayofthemansionemergedthehousehold,thetallmanwhomRogerhadseenwithhissisteronthepreviousnight,onhisarmbeingaportlydame,and,runningbesidethepair,twolittlegirlsandaboy.Theseallenteredthechapel,andthebellhavingceasedandtheenvironsbecomeclear,thesailorcreptoutfromhishiding.
　　Hesaunteredtowardsthechapel,theopeningwordsoftheservicebeingaudiblewithin.Whilestandingbytheporchhesawabelatedservitorapproachingfromthekitchen-courttoattendtheservicealso.Rogercarelesslyaccostedhim,andasked,asanidlewanderer,thenameofthefamilyhehadjustseencrossoverfromthemansion.
　　'Odzounds!ifyemoddenbeastrangerhereinverytruth,goodman.
　　ThatwerSirJohnandhisdame,andhischildrenElizabeth,Mary,andJohn.'
　　'Ibefromforeignparts.SirJohnwhatd'yecall'n?'
　　'MasterJohnHorseleigh,Knight,whohada'mostasmuchlondbyinheritanceofhismotheras'ahadbyhisfather,andlikewisesomebyhiswife.Why,bain'thisarmsdreegooldenhorses'heads,andiddenhisladythedaughterofMasterRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,knowntousall?'
　　'Itmidbeso,andyetitmidnot.However,th''ltmissthyprayersforsuchanhonestknight'swelfare,andIhavetotraipseseawardmanymiles.'
　　Hewentonward,andashewalkedcontinuedsayingtohimself,'NowtothatpoorwrongedfoolEdy.Thefondthing!Ithoughtit;'twastooquick——shewaseveramorous.What'stobecomeofher!Godwot!HowbeIgoingtofaceherwiththenews,andhowbeItoholditfromher?Tobringthisdisgraceonmyfather'shonouredname,adouble-
　　tonguedknave!'Heturnedandshookhisfistatthechapelandallinit,andresumedhisway.
　　Perhapsitwasowingtotheperplexityofhismindthat,insteadofreturningbythedirectroadtowardshissister'sobscurelodginginthenextcounty,hefollowedthehighwaytoCasterbridge,somefifteenmilesoff,whereheremaineddrinkinghardallthatafternoonandevening,andwherehelaythatandtwoorthreesucceedingnights,wanderingthencealongtheAngleburyroadtosomevillagethatway,andlyingtheFridaynightafterathisnativeplaceofHavenpool.Thesightofthefamiliarobjectsthereseemstohavestirredhimanewtoaction,andthenextmorninghewasobservedpursuingthewaytoOozewoodthathehadfollowedontheSaturdayprevious,reckoning,nodoubt,thatSaturdaynightwould,asbefore,beatimeforfindingSirJohnwithhissisteragain.
　　Hedelayedtoreachtheplacetilljustbeforesunset.Hissisterwaswalkinginthemeadowsatthefootofthegarden,withanursemaidwhocarriedthebaby,andshelookeduppensivelywhenheapproached.Anxietyastoherpositionhadalreadytolduponheroncerosycheeksandlucideyes.ButconcernforherselfandchildwasdisplacedforthemomentbyherregardofRoger'swornandhaggardface.
　　'Why——youaresick,Roger——youaretired!Wherehaveyoubeenthesemanydays?Whynotkeepmecompanyabit——myhusbandismuchaway?
　　AndwehavehardlyspokeatallofdearfatherandofyourvoyagetotheNewLand.Whydidyougoawaysosuddenly?Thereisasparechamberatmylodging.'
　　'Comeindoors,'hesaid.'We'lltalknow——talkagooddeal.Asforhim[noddingtothechild],betterheavehimintotheriver;betterforhimandyou!'
　　Sheforcedalaugh,asifshetriedtoseeagoodjokeintheremark,andtheywentsilentlyindoors.
　　'Amiserablehole!'saidRoger,lookingroundtheroom.
　　'Nay,but'tisverypretty!'
　　'NotafterwhatI'veseen.Didhemarry'eeatchurchinorderlyfashion?'
　　'Hedidsure——atourchurchatHavenpool.'
　　'Butinaprivyway?'
　　'Ay——becauseofhisfriends——itwasatnight-time.'
　　'Ede,yefondone——forallthathe'snotthyhusband!Th''rtnothiswife;andthechildisabastard.Hehathawifeandchildrenofhisownrank,andbearinghisname;andthat'sSirJohnHorseleigh,ofClyftonHorseleigh,andnotplainJack,asyouthinkhim,andyourlawfulhusband.Thesacramentofmarriageisnosafeguardnowadays.
　　TheKing'snew-madeheadshipoftheChurchhathledmentopractisethesetrickslightly.'
　　Shehadturnedwhite.'That'snottrue,Roger!'shesaid.'Youareinliquor,mybrother,andyouknownotwhatyousay!Yourseafaringyearshavetaught'eebadthings!'
　　'Edith——I'veseenthem;wifeandfamily——all.Howcanst——'
　　Theyweresittinginthegathereddarkness,andatthatmomentstepswereheardwithout.'Gooutthisway,'shesaid.'Itismyhusband.
　　Hemustnotseetheeinthismood.Getawaytillto-morrow,Roger,asyoucareforme.'
　　Shepushedherbrotherthroughadoorleadingtothebackstairs,andalmostassoonasitwasclosedhervisitorentered.Roger,however,didnotretreatdownthestairs;hestoodandlookedthroughthebobbin-hole.IfthevisitorturnedouttobeSirJohn,hehaddeterminedtoconfronthim.
　　Itwastheknight.Shehadstruckalightonhisentry,andhekissedthechild,andtookEdithtenderlybytheshoulders,lookingintoherface.
　　'Something'sgoneawrywi'mydear!'hesaid.'Whatisit?What'sthematter?'
　　'O,Jack!'shecried.'Ihaveheardsuchafearsomerumour——whatdothitmean?Hewhotoldmeismybestfriend.Hemustbedeceived!Butwhodeceivedhim,andwhy?Jack,Iwasjusttoldthatyouhadawifelivingwhenyoumarriedme,andhaveherstill!'
　　'Awife?——H'm.'
　　'Yes,andchildren.Sayno,sayno!'
　　'ByGod!Ihavenolawfulwifebutyou;andasforchildren,manyorfew,theyareallbastards,savethisonealone!'
　　'AndthatyoubeSirJohnHorseleighofClyfton?'
　　'Imidbe.Ihaveneversaidsoto'ee.'
　　'ButSirJohnisknowntohavealady,andissueofher!'
　　Theknightlookeddown.'Howdidthymindgetfilledwithsuchasthis?'heasked.
　　'Oneofmykindredcame.'
　　'Atraitor!Whyshouldhemarourlife?Ah!yousaidyouhadabrotheratsea——whereishenow?'
　　'Here!'camefromclosebehindhim.Andflingingopenthedoor,Rogerfacedtheintruder.'Liar!'hesaid,'tocallthyselfherhusband!'
　　SirJohnfiredup,andmadearushatthesailor,whoseizedhimbythecollar,andinthewrestletheybothfell,Rogerunder.Butinafewsecondshecontrivedtoextricatehisrightarm,anddrawingfromhisbeltaknifewhichheworeattachedtoacordroundhisneckheopeneditwithhisteeth,andstruckitintothebreastofSirJohnstretchedabovehim.Edithhadduringthesemomentsrunintothenextroomtoplacethechildinsafety,andwhenshecamebacktheknightwasrelaxinghisholdonRoger'sthroat.Herolledoveruponhisbackandgroaned.
　　Theonlywitnessofthescenesavethethreeconcernedwasthenursemaid,whohadbroughtinthechildonitsfather'sarrival.ShestatedafterwardsthatnobodysuspectedSirJohnhadreceivedhisdeathwound;yetitwasso,thoughhedidnotdieforalongwhile,meaningtherebyanhourortwo;thatMistressEdithcontinuallyendeavouredtostaunchtheblood,callingherbrotherRogerawretch,andorderinghimtogethimselfgone;onwhichorderheacted,afteragloomypause,byopeningthewindow,andlettinghimselfdownbythesilltotheground.
　　ItwasthenthatSirJohn,indifficultaccents,madehisdyingdeclarationtothenurseandEdith,and,later,theapothecary;whichwastothispurport,thattheDameHorseleighwhopassedashiswifeatClyfton,andwhohadbornehimthreechildren,wasintruthanddeed,thoughunconsciously,thewifeofanotherman.SirJohnhadmarriedherseveralyearsbefore,inthefaceofthewholecounty,asthewidowofoneDecimusStrong,whohaddisappearedshortlyafterherunionwithhim,havingadventuredtotheNorthtojointherevoltoftheNobles,andonthatrevoltbeingquelledretreatedacrossthesea.Twoyearsago,havingdiscoveredthismantobestilllivinginFrance,andnotwishingtodisturbthemindandhappinessofherwhobelievedherselfhiswife,yetwishingforlegitimateissue,SirJohnhadinformedtheKingofthefacts,whohadencouragedhimtowedhonestly,thoughsecretly,theyoungmerchant'swidowatHavenpool;
　　shebeing,therefore,hislawfulwife,andsheonly.Thattoavoidallscandalandhubbubhehadpurposedtoletthingsremainastheyweretillfairopportunityshouldariseofmakingthetruecaseknownwithleastpaintoallpartiesconcerned,butthat,havingbeenthussuspectedandattackedbyhisownbrother-in-law,hiszestforsuchschemesandforallthingshaddiedoutinhim,andheonlywishedtocommendhissoultoGod.
　　Thatnight,whiletheowlswerehootingfromtheforestthatencircledthesleepingtownlet,andtheSouth-Avonwasgurglingthroughthewoodenpilesofthebridge,SirJohndiedthereinthearmsofhiswife.Sheconcealednothingofthecauseofherhusband'sdeathsavethesubjectofthequarrel,whichshefeltitwouldbeprematuretoannouncejustthen,anduntilproofofherstatusshouldbeforthcoming.Butbeforeamonthhadpassed,ithappened,toherinexpressiblesorrow,thatthechildofthisclandestineunionfellsickanddied.FromthathourallinterestinthenameandfameoftheHorseleighsforsooktheyoungerofthetwainwhocalledthemselveswivesofSirJohn,and,beingcarelessaboutherownfame,shetooknostepstoassertherclaims,herlegalpositionhaving,indeed,grownhatefultoherinherhorroratthetragedy.AndSirWilliamByrt,thecuratewhohadmarriedhertoherhusband,beinganoldmanandfeeble,wasnotdisinclinedtoleavetheembersunstirredofsuchafierymatterasthis,andtoassistherinlettingestablishedthingsstand.Therefore,Edithretiredwiththenurse,heronlycompanionandfriend,tohernativetown,whereshelivedinabsoluteobscuritytillherdeathinmiddleage.
　　HerbrotherwasneverseenagaininEngland.
　　Astrangelycorroborativesequeltothestoryremainstobetold.
　　ShortlyafterthedeathofSirJohnHorseleigh,asoldieroffortunereturnedfromtheContinent,calledonDameHorseleighthefictitious,livinginwidowedstateatClyftonHorseleigh,and,afterasingularlybriefcourtship,marriedher.ThetraditionatHavenpoolandelsewherehaseverbeenthatthismanwasalreadyherhusband,DecimusStrong,whoremarriedherforappearance'sakeonly.
　　TheillegitimatesonofthisladybySirJohnsucceededtotheestatesandhonours,andhissonafterhim,therebeingnobodyonthealerttoinvestigatetheirpretensions.Littledifferencewouldithavemadetothepresentgeneration,however,hadtherebeensuchaone,forthefamilyinallitsbranches,lawfulandunlawful,hasbeenextinctthesemanyscoreyears,thelastrepresentativebutonebeingkilledatthesiegeofShertonCastle,whileattackingintheserviceoftheParliament,andtheotherbeingoutlawedlaterinthesamecenturyforadebtoftenpounds,anddyinginthecountyjail.
　　Themansionhouseanditsappurtenanceswere,asIhavepreviouslystated,destroyed,exceptingonesmallwing,whichnowformspartofafarmhouse,andisvisibleasyoupassalongtherailwayfromCasterbridgetoIvel.Theoutlineoftheoldbowling-greenisalsodistinctlytobeseen.
　　This,then,isthereasonwhytheonlylawfulmarriageofSirJohn,asrecordedintheobscureregisteratHavenpool,doesnotappearinthepedigreeofthehouseofHorseleigh.
　　Spring1893.
　　THEDUKE'SREAPPEARANCE——AFAMILYTRADITION
　　Accordingtothekinsmanwhotoldmethestory,ChristopherSwetman'shouse,ontheoutskirtsofKing's-Hintockvillage,wasinthosedayslargerandbetterkeptthanwhen,manyyearslater,itwassoldtothelordofthemanoradjoining;afterhavingbeenintheSwetmanfamily,asonemaysay,sincetheConquest.
　　Somepeoplewouldhaveittobethatthethinghappenedatthehouseopposite,belongingtooneChilds,withwhosefamilytheSwetmansafterwardsintermarried.ButthatitwasattheoriginalhomesteadoftheSwetmanscanbeshowninvariousways;chieflybytheunbrokentraditionsofthefamily,andindirectlybytheevidenceofthewallsthemselves,whicharetheonlyonesthereaboutwithwindowsmullionedintheElizabethanmanner,andplainlyofadateanteriortotheevent;whilethoseoftheotherhousemightwellhavebeenerectedfiftyoreightyyearslater,andprobablywere;sincethechoiceofSwetman'shousebythefugitivewasdoubtlessdictatedbynoothercircumstancethanitsthensuitableloneliness.
　　ItwasacloudyJulymorningjustbeforedawn,thehouroftwohavingbeenstruckbySwetman'sone-handedclockonthestairs,thatisstillpreservedinthefamily.Christopherheardthestrokesfromhischamber,immediatelyatthetopofthestaircase,andoverlookingthefrontofthehouse.Hedidnotwonderthathewassleepless.
　　Therumoursandexcitementswhichhadlatterlystirredtheneighbourhood,totheeffectthattherightfulKingofEnglandhadlandedfromHolland,ataportonlyeighteenmilestothesouth-westofSwetman'shouse,wereenoughtomakewakefulandanxiousevenacontentedyeomanlikehim.Someofthevillagers,intoxicatedbythenews,hadthrowndowntheirscythes,andrushedtotheranksoftheinvader.ChristopherSwetmanhadweighedbothsidesofthequestion,andhadremainedathome.
　　Nowashelaythinkingoftheseandotherthingshefanciedthathecouldhearthefootfallofamanontheroadleadinguptohishouse——
　　abyway,whichledscarceanywhereelse;andthereforeatreadwasatanytimemoreapttostartletheinmatesofthehomesteadthanifithadstoodinathoroughfare.Thefootfallcameoppositethegate,andstoppedthere.Oneminute,twominutespassed,andthepedestriandidnotproceed.ChristopherSwetmangotoutofbed,andopenedthecasement.'Hoi!who'sthere?'crieshe.
　　'Afriend,'camefromthedarkness.
　　'Andwhatmidyewantatthistimeo'night?'saysSwetman.
　　'Shelter.I'velostmyway.'
　　'What'sthyname?'
　　Therecamenoanswer.
　　'BeyeoneofKingMonmouth'smen?'
　　'Hethatasksnoquestionswillhearnoliesfromme.Iamastranger;andIamspent,andhungered.Canyouletmeliewithyouto-night?'
　　Swetmanwasgeneroustopeopleintrouble,andhishousewasroomy.
　　'Waitabit,'hesaid,'andI'llcomedownandhavealookatthee,anyhow.'
　　Hestruckalight,putonhisclothes,anddescended,takinghishorn-lanternfromanailinthepassage,andlightingitbeforeopeningthedoor.Theraysfellontheformofatall,darkmanincavalryaccoutrementsandwearingasword.Hewaspalewithfatigueandcoveredwithmud,thoughtheweatherwasdry.
　　'Pritheetakenoheedofmyappearance,'saidthestranger.'Butletmein.'
　　Thathisvisitorwasinsoredistressadmittedofnodoubt,andtheyeoman'snaturalhumanityassistedtheother'ssadimportunityandgentlevoice.Swetmantookhimin,notwithoutasuspicionthatthismanrepresentedinsomewayMonmouth'scause,towhichhewasnotunfriendlyinhissecretheart.Athisearnestrequestthenew-comerwasgivenasuitoftheyeoman'soldclothesinexchangeforhisown,which,withhissword,werehiddeninaclosetinSwetman'schamber;
　　foodwasthenputbeforehimandalodgingprovidedforhiminaroomattheback.
　　Hereheslepttillquitelateinthemorning,whichwasSunday,thesixthofJuly,andwhenhecamedowninthegarmentsthathehadborrowedhemetthehouseholdwithamelancholysmile.BesidesSwetmanhimself,therewereonlyhistwodaughters,GraceandLeonardthelatterwas,oddlyenough,awoman'snamehere,andbothhadbeenenjoinedtosecrecy.Theyaskednoquestionsandreceivednoinformation;thoughthestrangerregardedtheirfaircountenanceswithaninterestalmosttoodeep.Havingpartakenoftheirusualbreakfastofhamandciderheprofessedwearinessandretiredtothechamberwhencehehadcome.
　　Inacoupleofhoursorthereabouthecamedownagain,thetwoyoungwomenhavingnowgoneofftomorningservice.SeeingChristopherbustlingaboutthehousewithoutassistance,heaskedifhecoulddoanythingtoaidhishost.
　　Asheseemedanxioustohidealldifferencesandappearasoneofthemselves,SwetmansethimtogetvegetablesfromthegardenandfetchwaterfromButtock'sSpringinthedipnearthehousethoughthespringwasnotcalledbythatnametillyearsafter,bytheway.
　　'AndwhatcanIdonext?'saysthestrangerwhentheseserviceshadbeenperformed.
　　HismeeknessanddocilitystruckChristophermuch,andwonuponhim.
　　'Sinceyoubemindedto,'saysthelatter,'youcantakedownthedishesandspreadthetablefordinner.Takeapewterplateforthyself,butthetrencherswilldoforwe.'
　　Buttheotherwouldnot,andtookatrencherlikewise,indoingwhichhespokeofthetwogirlsandremarkedhowcomelytheywere.
　　Thisquietudewasputanendtobyastiroutofdoors,whichwassufficienttodrawSwetman'sattentiontoit,andhewentout.FarmhandswhohadgoneoffandjoinedtheDukeonhisarrivalhadbeguntocomeinwithnewsthatamidnightbattlehadbeenfoughtonthemoorstothenorth,theDuke'smen,whohadattacked,beingentirelyworsted;theDukehimself,withoneortwolordsandotherfriends,hadfled,nooneknewwhither.
　　'Therehasbeenabattle,'saysSwetman,oncomingindoorsafterthesetidings,andlookingearnestlyatthestranger.
　　'Maythevictorybetotherightfulintheend,whatevertheissuenow,'saystheother,withasorrowfulsigh.
　　'Dostreallyknownothingaboutit?'saidChristopher.'Icouldhaveswornyouwasonefromthatverybattle!'
　　'Iwasherebeforethreeo'theclockthismorning;andthesemenhaveonlyarrivednow.'
　　'True,'saidtheyeoman.'Butstill,Ithink——'
　　'Donotpressyourquestion,'thestrangerurged.'Iaminastrait,andcanrefuseahelpernothing;suchinquiryis,therefore,unfair.'
　　'Trueagain,'saidSwetman,andheldhistongue.
　　Thedaughtersofthehousereturnedfromchurch,wheretheservicehadbeenhurriedbyreasonoftheexcitement.Totheirfather'squestioningiftheyhadspokenofhimwhosojournedtheretheyrepliedthattheyhadsaidneveraword;which,indeed,wastrue,aseventsproved.
　　Hebadethemservethedinner;and,asthevisitorhadwithdrawnsincethenewsofthebattle,preparedtotakeaplattertohimupstairs.Buthepreferredtocomedownanddinewiththefamily.
　　Duringtheafternoonmorefugitivespassedthroughthevillage,butChristopherSwetman,hisvisitor,andhisfamilykeptindoors.Intheevening,however,Swetmancameoutfromhisgate,and,harkeninginsilencetothesetidingsandmore,wonderedwhatmightbeinstoreforhimforhislastnight'swork.
　　Hereturnedhomewardbyapathacrossthemeadthatskirtedhisownorchard.Passinghere,heheardthevoiceofhisdaughterLeonardexpostulatinginsidethehedge,herwordsbeing:'Don'tye,sir;
　　don't!Ipritheeletmego!'
　　'Why,sweetheart?'
　　'BecauseI'vea-promisedanother!'
　　Peepingthrough,ashecouldnothelpdoing,hesawthegirlstrugglinginthearmsofthestranger,whowasattemptingtokissher;butfindingherresistancetobegenuine,andherdistressunfeigned,hereluctantlylethergo.
　　Swetman'sfacegrewdark,forhisgirlsweremoretohimthanhimself.Hehastenedon,meditatingmoodilyalltheway.Heenteredthegate,andmadestraightfortheorchard.Whenhereachedithisdaughterhaddisappeared,butthestrangerwasstillstandingthere.
　　'Sir!'saidtheyeoman,hisangerhavinginnowiseabated,'I'veseenwhathashappened!Ihavetaken'eeintomyhouse,atsomejeopardytomyself;and,whoeveryoube,theleastIexpectedof'eewastotreatthemaidenswithaseemlyrespect.Youhavenotdoneit,andInolongertrustyou.Iamthemorewatchfulovertheminthattheyaremotherless;andImustask'eetogoafterdarkthisnight!'
　　Thestrangerseemeddazedatdiscoveringwhathisimpulsehadbroughtdownuponhishead,andhispalefacegrewpaler.Hedidnotreplyforatime.Whenhedidspeakhissoftvoicewasthickwithfeeling.
　　'Sir,'sayshe,'IownthatIaminthewrong,ifyoutakethemattergravely.Wedonotwhatwewouldbutwhatwemust.ThoughIhavenotinjuredyourdaughterasawoman,Ihavebeentreacheroustoherasahostessandfriendinneed.I'llgo,asyousay;Icandonoless.Ishalldoubtlessfindarefugeelsewhere.'
　　Theywalkedtowardsthehouseinsilence,whereSwetmaninsistedthathisguestshouldhavesupperbeforedeparting.Bythetimethiswaseatenitwasduskandthestrangerannouncedthathewasready.
　　Theywentupstairstowherethegarmentsandswordlayhidden,tillthedepartingonesaidthatonfurtherthoughthewouldaskanotherfavour:thatheshouldbeallowedtoretaintheclotheshewore,andthathishostwouldkeeptheothersandtheswordtillhe,thespeaker,shouldcomeorsendforthem.
　　'Asyouwill,'saidSwetman.'Thegainisonmyside;forthosecloutswerebutkepttodressascarecrownextfall.'
　　'Theysuitmycase,'saidthestrangersadly.'Howevermuchtheymaymisfitme,theydonotmisfitmysorryfortunenow!'
　　'Nay,then,'saidChristopherrelenting,'Iwastoohasty.Sh'ltbide!'
　　Buttheotherwouldnot,sayingthatitwasbetterthatthingsshouldtaketheircourse.NotwithstandingthatSwetmanimportunedhim,heonlyadded,'IfInevercomeagain,dowithmybelongingsasyoulist.Inthepocketyouwillfindagoldsnuff-box,andinthesnuff-boxfiftygoldpieces.'
　　'Butkeep'emforthyuse,man!'saidtheyeoman.
　　'No,'saysthepartingguest;'theyareforeignpiecesandwouldharmmeifIweretaken.DoasIbidthee.Putawaythesethingsagainandtakeespecialchargeofthesword.Itbelongedtomyfather'sfatherandIvalueitmuch.Butsomethingmorecommonbecomesmenow.'
　　Sayingwhich,hetook,ashewentdownstairs,oneoftheashsticksusedbySwetmanhimselfforwalkingwith.Theyeomanlightedhimouttothegardenhatch,wherehedisappearedthroughClammersGatebytheroadthatcrossesKing's-HintockParktoEvershead.
　　Christopherreturnedtotheupstairschamber,andsatdownonhisbedreflecting.Thenheexaminedthethingsleftbehind,andsurelyenoughinoneofthepocketsthegoldsnuff-boxwasrevealed,containingthefiftygoldpiecesasstatedbythefugitive.Theyeomannextlookedattheswordwhichitsownerhadstatedtohavebelongedtohisgrandfather.Itwastwo-edged,sothathealmostfearedtohandleit.Onthebladewasinscribedthewords'ANDREA
　　FERARA,'andamongthemanyfinechasingswerearoseandcrown,theplumeofthePrinceofWales,andtwoportraits;portraitsofamanandawoman,theman'shavingthefaceofthefirstKingCharles,andthewoman's,apparently,thatofhisQueen.
　　Swetman,muchawedandsurprised,returnedthearticlestothecloset,andwentdownstairspondering.Ofhissurmisehesaidnothingtohisdaughters,merelydeclaringtothemthatthegentlemanwasgone;andneverrevealingthathehadbeenaneye-witnessoftheunpleasantsceneintheorchardthatwastheimmediatecauseofthedeparture.
　　NothingoccurredinHintockduringtheweekthatfollowed,beyondthefitfularrivalofmoredecidedtidingsconcerningtheutterdefeatoftheDuke'sarmyandhisowndisappearanceatanearlystageofthebattle.ThenitwastoldthatMonmouthwastaken,notinhisownclothesbutinthedisguiseofacountryman.HehadbeensenttoLondon,andwasconfinedintheTower.
　　ThepossibilitythathisguesthadbeennootherthantheDukemadeSwetmanunspeakablysorrynow;hisheartsmotehimatthethoughtthat,actingsoharshlyforsuchasmallbreachofgoodfaith,hemighthavebeenthemeansofforwardingtheunhappyfugitive'scapture.Onthegirlscominguptohimhesaid,'Getawaywithye,wenches:Ifearyouhavebeentheruinofanunfortunateman!'
　　OntheTuesdaynightfollowing,whentheyeomanwassleepingasusualinhischamber,hewas,hesaid,consciousoftheentryofsomeone.
　　Openinghiseyes,hebeheldbythelightofthemoon,whichshoneuponthefrontofhishouse,thefigureofamanwhoseemedtobethestrangermovingfromthedoortowardsthecloset.Hewasdressedsomewhatdifferentlynow,butthefacewasquitethatofhislateguestinitstragicalpensiveness,aswasalsothetallnessofhisfigure.Henearedthecloset;and,feelinghisvisitortobewithinhisrights,Christopherrefrainedfromstirring.ThepersonageturnedhislargehaggardeyesuponthebedwhereSwetmanlay,andthenwithdrewfromtheirhidingthearticlesthatbelongedtohim,againgivingahardgazeatChristopherashewentnoiselesslyoutofthechamberwithhispropertiesonhisarm.Hisretreatdownthestairswasjustaudible,andalsohisdeparturebythesidedoor,throughwhichentranceorexitwaseasytothosewhoknewtheplace.
　　Nothingfurtherhappened,andtowardsmorningSwetmanslept.Toavoidallriskhesaidnotawordtothegirlsofthevisitofthenight,andcertainlynottoanyoneoutsidethehouse;foritwasdangerousatthattimetoavowanything.
　　Amongthekilledinopposingtherecentrisinghadbeenayoungerbrotherofthelordofthemanor,wholivedatKing's-HintockCourthardby.Seeingthelatterridepastinmourningclothesnextday,Swetmanventuredtocondolewithhim.
　　'He'dnobusinessthere!'answeredtheother.Hiswordsandmannershowedthebitternessthatwasmingledwithhisregret.'Butsaynomoreofhim.Youknowwhathashappenedsince,Isuppose?'
　　'IknowthattheysayMonmouthistaken,SirThomas,butIcan'tthinkittrue,'answeredSwetman.
　　'Ozounds!'tistrueenough,'criedtheknight,'andthat'snotall.
　　TheDukewasexecutedonTowerHilltwodaysago.'
　　'D'yesayitverily?'saysSwetman.
　　'Andaveryharddeathhehad,worseluckfor'n,'saidSirThomas.
　　'Well,'tisoverforhimandoverformybrother.Butnotfortherest.There'llbesearchingsandsiftingsdownhereanon;andhappyisthemanwhohashadnothingtodowiththismatter!'
　　NowSwetmanhadhardlyheardthelatterwords,somuchwasheconfoundedbythestrangenessofthetidingsthattheDukehadcometohisdeathonthepreviousTuesday.ForithadbeenonlythenightbeforethispresentdayofFridaythathehadseenhisformerguest,whomhehadceasedtodoubtcouldbeotherthantheDuke,comeintohischamberandfetchawayhisaccoutrementsashehadpromised.
　　'Itcouldn'thavebeenavision,'saidChristophertohimselfwhentheknighthadriddenon.'ButI'llgostraightandseeifthethingsbeintheclosetstill;andthusIshallsurelylearnif'twereavisionorno.'
　　Totheclosethewent,whichhehadnotlookedintosincethestranger'sdeparture.Andsearchingbehindthearticlesplacedtoconcealthethingshidden,hefoundthat,ashehadneverdoubted,theyweregone.
　　WhentherumourspreadabroadintheWestthatthemanbeheadedintheTowerwasnotindeedtheDuke,butoneofhisofficerstakenafterthebattle,andthattheDukehadbeenassistedtoescapeoutofthecountry,Swetmanfoundinitanexplanationofwhatsodeeplymystifiedhim.ThathisvisitormighthavebeenafriendoftheDuke's,whomtheDukehadaskedtofetchthethingsinalastrequest,Swetmanwouldneveradmit.HisbeliefintherumourthatMonmouthlived,likethatofthousandsofothers,continuedtotheendofhisdays.
　　Such,briefly,concludedmykinsman,isthetraditionwhichhasbeenhandeddowninChristopherSwetman'sfamilyforthelasttwohundredyears.
　　AMEREINTERLUDE
　　CHAPTERI
　　Thetravellerinschool-books,whovouchedindryesttonesforthefidelitytofactofthefollowingnarrative,usedtoaddaringoftruthtoitbyopeningwithanicetyofcriticismontheheroine'spersonality.Peoplewerewrong,hedeclared,whentheysurmisedthatBaptistaTrewthenwasayoungwomanwithscarcelyemotionsorcharacter.Therewasnothinginhertolove,andnothingtohate——soranthegeneralopinion.Thatsheshowedfewpositivequalitieswastrue.Thecoloursandtoneswhichchangingeventspaintonthefacesofactivewomankindwerelookedforinvainuponhers.Butstillwatersrundeep;andnocrisishadcomeintheyearsofherearlymaidenhoodtodemonstratewhatlayhiddenwithinher,likemetalinamine.
　　ShewasthedaughterofasmallfarmerinSt.Maria's,oneoftheIslesofLyonessebeyondOff-Wessex,whohadspentalargesum,asthereunderstood,onhereducation,bysendinghertothemainlandfortwoyears.AtnineteenshewasenteredattheTrainingCollegeforTeachers,andattwenty-onenominatedtoaschoolinthecountry,nearTor-upon-Sea,whithersheproceededaftertheChristmasexaminationandholidays.
　　Themonthspassedbyfromwintertospringandsummer,andBaptistaappliedherselftohernewdutiesasbestshecould,tillanuneventfulyearhadelapsed.Thenanairofabstractionpervadedherbearingasshewalkedtoandfro,twiceaday,andsheshowedthetraitsofapersonwhohadsomethingonhermind.Awidow,bynameMrs.Wace,inwhosehouseBaptistaTrewthenhadbeenprovidedwithasitting-roomandbedroomtilltheschool-houseshouldbebuilt,noticedthischangeinheryouthfultenant'smanner,andatlastventuredtopressherwithafewquestions.
　　'Ithasnothingtodowiththeplace,norwithyou,'saidMissTrewthen.
　　'Thenitisthesalary?'
　　'No,northesalary.'
　　'Thenitissomethingyouhaveheardfromhome,mydear.'
　　Baptistawassilentforafewmoments.'ItisMr.Heddegan,'shemurmured.'HimtheyusedtocallDavidHeddeganbeforehegothismoney.'
　　'AndwhoistheMr.HeddegantheyusedtocallDavid?'
　　'AnoldbacheloratGiant'sTown,St.Maria's,withnorelationswhatever,wholivesaboutastone'sthrowfromfather's.WhenIwasachildheusedtotakemeonhiskneeandsayhe'dmarrymesomeday.NowIamawomanthejesthasturnedearnest,andheisanxioustodoit.AndfatherandmothersaysIcan'tdobetterthanhavehim.'
　　'He'swelloff?'
　　'Yes——he'stherichestmanweknow——asafriendandneighbour.'
　　'Howmucholderdidyousayhewasthanyourself?'
　　'Ididn'tsay.Twentyyearsatleast.'
　　'Andanunpleasantmaninthebargainperhaps?'
　　'No——he'snotunpleasant.'
　　'Well,child,allIcansayisthatI'dresistanysuchengagementifit'snotpalatableto'ee.Youarecomfortablehere,inmylittlehouse,Ihope.Alltheparishlike'ee:andI'veneverbeensocheerful,sincemypoorhusbandleftmetowearhiswings,asI'vebeenwith'eeasmylodger.'
　　Theschoolmistressassuredherlandladythatshecouldreturnthesentiment.'Butherecomesmyperplexity,'shesaid.'Idon'tlikekeepingschool.Ah,youaresurprised——youdidn'tsuspectit.
　　That'sbecauseI'veconcealedmyfeeling.Well,Isimplyhateschool.Idon'tcareforchildren——theyareunpleasant,troublesomelittlethings,whomnothingwoulddelightsomuchastohearthatyouhadfallendowndead.YetIwouldevenputupwiththemifitwasnotfortheinspector.ForthreemonthsbeforehisvisitIdidn'tsleepsoundly.AndtheCommitteeofCouncilarealwayschangingtheCode,sothatyoudon'tknowwhattoteach,andwhattoleaveuntaught.Ithinkfatherandmotherareright.TheysayIshallneverexcelasaschoolmistressifIdisliketheworkso,andthatthereforeIoughttogetsettledbymarryingMr.Heddegan.Betweenustwo,Ilikehimbetterthanschool;butIdon'tlikehimquitesomuchastowishtomarryhim.'
　　Theseconversations,oncebegun,werecontinuedfromdaytoday;tillatlengththeyounggirl'selderlyfriendandlandladythrewinheropiniononthesideofMissTrewthen'sparents.Allthingsconsidered,shedeclared,theuncertaintyoftheschool,thelabour,Baptista'snaturaldislikeforteaching,itwouldbeaswelltotakewhatfateoffered,andmakethebestofmattersbyweddingherfather'soldneighbourandprosperousfriend.
　　TheEasterholidayscameround,andBaptistawenttospendthemasusualinhernativeisle,goingbytrainintoOff-WessexandcrossingbypacketfromPen-zephyr.WhenshereturnedinthemiddleofAprilherfaceworeamoresettledaspect.
　　'Well?'saidtheexpectantMrs.Wace.
　　'Ihaveagreedtohavehimasmyhusband,'saidBaptista,inanoff-
　　handway.'Heavenknowsifitwillbeforthebestornot.ButI
　　haveagreedtodoit,andsothematterissettled.'
　　Mrs.Wacecommendedher;butBaptistadidnotcaretodwellonthesubject;sothatallusiontoitwasveryinfrequentbetweenthem.
　　Nevertheless,amongotherthings,sherepeatedtothewidowfromtimetotimeinmonosyllabicremarksthattheweddingwasreallyimpending;thatitwasarrangedforthesummer,andthatshehadgivennoticeofleavingtheschoolattheAugustholidays.Lateronsheannouncedmorespecificallythathermarriagewastotakeplaceimmediatelyafterherreturnhomeatthebeginningofthemonthaforesaid.
　　ShenowcorrespondedregularlywithMr.Heddegan.Herlettersfromhimwereseen,atleastontheoutside,andinpartwithin,byMrs.
　　Wace.HadshereadmoreoftheirinteriorsthantheoccasionalsentencesshownherbyBaptistashewouldhaveperceivedthatthescratchy,rustyhandwritingofMissTrewthen'sbetrothedconveyedlittlemorematterthandetailsoftheirfuturehousekeeping,andhispreparationsforthesame,withinnumerable'mydears'sprinkledindisconnectedly,toshowthedepthofhisaffectionwithouttheinconveniencesofsyntax.
　　CHAPTERII
　　ItwastheendofJuly——dry,toodry,evenfortheseason,thedelicategreenherbsandvegetablesthatgrewinthisfavouredendofthekingdomtastingratherofthewatering-potthanofthepurefreshmoisturefromtheskies.Baptista'sboxeswerepacked,andoneSaturdaymorningshedepartedbyawaggonettetothestation,andthencebytraintoPen-zephyr,fromwhichportshewas,asusual,tocrossthewaterimmediatelytoherhome,andbecomeMr.Heddegan'swifeontheWednesdayoftheweekfollowing.
　　Shemighthavereturnedaweeksooner.Butthoughtheweddingdayhadloomedsonear,andthebannswereout,shedelayedherdeparturetillthislastmoment,sayingitwasnotnecessaryforhertobeathomelongbeforehand.AsMr.Heddeganwasolderthanherself,shesaid,shewastobemarriedinherordinarysummerbonnetandgreysilkfrock,andtherewerenopreparationstomakethathadnotbeenamplymadebyherparentsandintendedhusband.
　　Induetime,afterahotandtediousjourney,shereachedPen-zephyr.
　　Shehereobtainedsomerefreshment,andthenwenttowardsthepier,whereshelearnttohersurprisethatthelittlesteamboatplyingbetweenthetownandtheislandshadleftateleveno'clock;theusualhourofdepartureintheafternoonhavingbeenforestalledinconsequenceofthefogswhichhadforafewdaysprevailedtowardsevening,makingtwilightnavigationdangerous.
　　ThisbeingSaturday,therewasnownootherboattillTuesday,anditbecameobviousthathereshewouldhavetoremainforthethreedays,unlessherfriendsshouldthinkfittorigoutoneoftheisland'
　　sailing-boatsandcometofetchher——anotverylikelycontingency,theseadistancebeingnearlyfortymiles.
　　Baptista,however,hadbeendetainedinPen-zephyronmorethanoneoccasionbefore,eitheronaccountofbadweatherorsomesuchreasonasthepresent,andshewasthereforenotinanypersonalalarm.
　　But,asshewastobemarriedonthefollowingWednesday,thedelaywascertainlyinconvenienttoamorethanordinarydegree,sinceitwouldleavelessthanaday'sintervalbetweenherarrivalandtheweddingceremony.
　　Apartfromthisawkwardnessshedidnotmuchmindtheaccident.Itwasindeedcurioustoseehowlittlesheminded.Perhapsitwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythat,althoughshewasgoingtodothecriticaldeedofherlifequitewillingly,sheexperiencedanindefinablereliefatthepostponementofhermeetingwithHeddegan.
　　Buthermanneraftermakingdiscoveryofthehindrancewasquietandsubdued,eventopassivityitself;aswasinstancedbyherhaving,atthemomentofreceivinginformationthatthesteamerhadsailed,replied'Oh,'socoollytotheporterwithherluggage,thathewasalmostdisappointedatherlackofdisappointment.
　　Thequestionnowwas,shouldshereturnagaintoMrs.Wace,inthevillageofLowerWessex,orwaitinthetownatwhichshehadarrived.Shewouldhavepreferredtogoback,butthedistancewastoogreat;moreover,havinglefttheplaceforgood,andsomewhatdramatically,tobecomeabride,areturn,evenforsoshortaspace,wouldhavebeenatriflehumiliating.
　　Leaving,then,herboxesatthestation,hernextanxietywastosecurearespectable,orrathergenteel,lodginginthepopularseasideresortconfrontingher.Tothisendshelookedaboutthetown,inwhich,thoughshehadpassedthroughithalf-a-dozentimes,shewaspracticallyastranger.
　　Baptistafoundaroomtosuitheroverafruiterer'sshop;whereshemadeherselfathome,andsetherselfinorderafterherjourney.Anearlycupofteahavingrevivedherspiritsshewalkedouttoreconnoitre.
　　Beingaschoolmistresssheavoidedlookingattheschools,andhavingasortoftradeconnectionwithbooks,sheavoidedlookingatthebooksellers;butwearyingoftheothershopssheinspectedthechurches;notthatforherownpartshecaredmuchaboutecclesiasticaledifices;buttouristslookedatthem,andsowouldshe——aproceedingforwhichnoonewouldhavecreditedherwithanygreatoriginality,such,forinstance,asthatshesubsequentlyshowedherselftopossess.Thechurchessoonoppressedher.ShetriedtheMuseum,butcameoutbecauseitseemedlonelyandtedious.
　　Yetthetownandthewalksinthislandofstrawberries,theseheadquartersofearlyEnglishflowersandfruit,werethen,asalways,attractive.Fromthemorepicturesquestreetsshewenttothetowngardens,andthePier,andtheHarbour,andlookedatthemenatworkthere,loadingandunloadingasinthetimeofthePhoenicians.
　　'NotBaptista?Yes,Baptistaitis!'
　　Thewordswereutteredbehindher.Turningroundshegaveastart,andbecameconfused,evenagitated,foramoment.Thenshesaidinherusualundemonstrativemanner,'O——isitreallyyou,Charles?'
　　Withoutspeakingagainatonce,andwithahalf-smile,thenew-comerglancedherover.Therewasmuchcriticism,andsomeresentment——
　　eventemper——inhiseye.
　　'Iamgoinghome,'continuedshe.'ButIhavemissedtheboat.'
　　Hescarcelyseemedtotakeinthemeaningofthisexplanation,intheintensityofhiscriticalsurvey.'Teachingstill?Whatafineschoolmistressyoumake,Baptista,Iwarrant!'hesaidwithaslightflavourofsarcasm,whichwasnotlostuponher.
　　'IknowIamnothingtobragof,'shereplied.'That'swhyIhavegivenup.'
　　'O——givenup?Youastonishme.'
　　'Ihatetheprofession.'
　　'Perhapsthat'sbecauseIaminit.'
　　'Ono,itisn't.ButIamgoingtoenteronanotherlifealtogether.
　　IamgoingtobemarriednextweektoMr.DavidHeddegan.'
　　Theyoungman——fortifiedashewasbyanaturalcynicalprideandpassionateness——wincedatthisunexpectedreply,notwithstanding.
　　'WhoisMr.DavidHeddegan?'heasked,asindifferentlyaslayinhispower.
　　SheinformedhimthebearerofthenamewasageneralmerchantofGiant'sTown,St.Maria'sisland——herfather'snearestneighbourandoldestfriend.
　　'Thenweshan'tseeanythingmoreofyouonthemainland?'inquiredtheschoolmaster.
　　'O,Idon'tknowaboutthat,'saidMissTrewthen.
　　'Hereendeththecareerofthebelleoftheboarding-schoolyourfatherwasfoolishenoughtosendyouto.A"generalmerchant's"
　　wifeintheLyonesseIsles.Willyousellpoundsofsoapandpennyworthsoftintacks,orwholebarsofsaponaceousmatter,andgreattenpennynails?'
　　'He'snotinsuchasmallwayasthat!'shealmostpleaded.'Heownsships,thoughtheyareratherlittleones!'
　　'O,well,itismuchthesame.Come,letuswalkon;itistedioustostandstill.Ithoughtyouwouldbeafailureineducation,'hecontinued,whensheobeyedhimandstrolledahead.'Younevershowedpowerthatway.Youremindmemuchofsomeofthosewomenwhothinktheyaresuretobegreatactressesiftheygoonthestage,becausetheyhaveaprettyface,andforgetthatwhatwerequireisacting.
　　Butyoufoundyourmistake,didn'tyou?'
　　'Don'ttauntme,Charles.'Itwasnoticeablethattheyoungschoolmaster'stonecausedhernoangerorretaliatorypassion;farotherwise:therewasatearinhereye.'HowisityouareatPen-
　　zephyr?'sheinquired.