XXI。THEEVENTSOFEIGHTEENHOURS
　　1。MARCHTHETWENTY-NINTH。NOON
　　ExactlysevendaysafterEdwardSpringrovehadseenthemanwiththebundleofstrawwalkingdownthestreetsofCasterbridge，oldFarmerSpringrovewasstandingontheedgeofthesamepavement，talkingtohisfriend，FarmerBaker。
　　Therewasapauseintheirdiscourse。Mr。Springrovewaslookingdownthestreetatsomeobjectwhichhadattractedhisattention。
　　'Ah，'tiswhatweshallallcometo！'hemurmured。
　　Theotherlookedinthesamedirection。'True，neighbourSpringrove；true。'
　　Twomen，advancingonebehindtheotherinthemiddleoftheroad，werewhatthefarmersreferredto。Theywerecarpenters，andboreontheirshouldersanemptycoffin，coveredbyathinblackcloth。
　　'Ialwaysfeelasatisfactionatbeingbreastedbysuchasightasthat，'saidSpringrove，stillregardingthemen'ssadburden。'I
　　callitasortofmedicine。'
　　'Anditismedicine……Ihavenotheardofanybodybeingillupthiswaylately？D'seemasifthepersondiedsuddenly。'
　　'Maybeso。Ah，Baker，wesaysuddendeath，don'twe？Butthere'snodifferenceintheirnaturebetweensuddendeathanddeathofanyothersort。There'snosuchthingasarandomsnappingoffofwhatwaslaiddowntolastlonger。Weonlysuddenlylightuponanend——
　　thoughtfullyformedasanyother——whichhasbeenexistingatthatverysamepointfromthebeginning，thoughunseenbyustobesosoon。'
　　'Itisjustadiscoverytoyourownmind，andnotanalterationintheLord's。'
　　'That'sit。Unexpectedisnotastothething，butastooursight。'
　　'Nowyou'llhardlybelieveme，neighbour，butthislittlesceneinfrontofusmakesmefeellessanxiousaboutpushingonwi'thatthreshingandwinnowingnextweek，thatIwasspeakingabout。Whyshouldwenotstandstill，saysItomyself，andflingaquieteyeupontheWhysandtheWherefores，beforetheendo'itall，andwegodownintothemouldering-place，andareforgotten？'
　　''Tisafeelingthatwillcome。But'twontbearlookinginto。
　　There'saback'ardcurrentintheworld，andwemustdoourutmosttoadvanceinorderjusttobidewherewebe。But，Baker，theyareturninginherewiththecoffin，look。'
　　Thetwocarpentershadbornetheirloadintoanarrowwaycloseathand。Thefarmers，incommonwithothers，turnedandwatchedthemalongtheway。
　　''Tisaman'scoffin，andatallman's，too，'continuedFarmerSpringrove。'Hiswasafineframe，whoeverhewas。'
　　'Averyplainboxforthepoorsoul——justtheroughelm，yousee。'
　　Thecorneroftheclothhadblownaside。
　　'Yes，foraverypoorman。Well，death'sallthelessinsulttohim。Ihaveoftenthoughthowmuchsmallerthericherclassaremadetolookthanthepooratlastpincheslikethis。Perhapsthegreatestofallthereconcilersofathoughtfulmantopoverty——andIspeakfromexperience——isthegrandquietitfillshimwithwhentheuncertaintyofhislifeshowsitselfmorethanusual。'
　　AsSpringrovefinishedspeaking，thebearersofthecoffinwentacrossagravelledsquarefacingthetwomenandapproachedagrimandheavyarchway。Theypausedbeneathit，rangabell，andwaited。
　　OverthearchwaywaswritteninEgyptiancapitals，'COUNTYGAOL。'
　　Thesmallrectangularwicket，whichwasconstructedinoneofthetwoiron-studdeddoors，wasopenedfromtheinside。Themenseverallysteppedoverthethreshold，thecoffindraggeditsmelancholylengththroughtheaperture，andbothenteredthecourt，andwerecoveredfromsight。
　　'Somebodyinthegaol，then？'
　　'Yes，oneoftheprisoners，'saidaboy，scuddingbyatthemoment，whopassedonwhistling。
　　'Doyouknowthenameofthemanwhoisdead？'inquiredBakerofathirdbystander。
　　'Yes，'tisallovertown——surelyyouknow，Mr。Springrove？Why，Manston，MissAldclyffe'ssteward。Hewasfounddeadthefirstthingthismorning。Hehadhunghimselfbehindthedoorofhiscell，insomeway，byahandkerchiefandsomestripsofhisclothes。
　　Theturnkeysayshisfeatureswerescarcelychanged，ashelookedat'emwiththeearlysuna-shininginatthegratinguponhim。Hehasleftafullaccountofthemurder，andallthatledtoit。Sothere'sanendofhim。'
　　Itwasperfectlytrue：Manstonwasdead。
　　Thepreviousdayhehadbeenallowedtheuseofwriting-materials，andhadoccupiedhimselffornearlysevenhoursinpreparingthefollowingconfession：——
　　'LASTWORDS。
　　'Havingfoundman'slifetobeawretchedlyconceivedscheme，I
　　renounceit，and，tocausenofurthertrouble，Iwritedownthefactsconnectedwithmypastproceedings。
　　'AfterthankingGod，onfirstenteringmyhouse，onthenightofthefireatCarriford，formyreleasefrombondagetoawomanI
　　detested，Iwent，asecondtime，tothesceneofthedisaster，and，findingthatnothingcouldbedonebyremainingthere，shortlyafterwardsIreturnedhomeagaininthecompanyofMr。Raunham。
　　'Hepartedfrommeatthestepsofmyporch，andwentbacktowardstherectory。WhilstIstillstoodatthedoor，musingonmystrangedeliverance，Isawafigureadvancefrombeneaththeshadowoftheparktrees。Itwasthefigureofawoman。
　　'Whenshecamenear，thetwilightwassufficienttoshowmeherattire：itwasacloakreachingtothebottomofherdress，andathickveilcoveringherface。Thesefeatures，togetherwithhersizeandgait，aidedalsobyaflashofperceptionastothechainofeventswhichhadsavedherlife，toldmethatshewasmywifeEunice。
　　'Ignashedmyteethinafrenzyofdespair；IhadlostCytherea；I
　　hadgainedonewhosebeautyhaddeparted，whoseutterancewascomplaint，whosemindwasshallow，andwhodrankbrandyeveryday。
　　Therevulsionoffeelingwasterrible。Providence，whomIhadjustthanked，seemedamockingtormentorlaughingatme。Ifeltlikeamadman。
　　'Shecameclose——startedatseeingmeoutside——thenspoketome。
　　HerfirstwordswerereproofforwhatIhadunintentionallydone，andsoundedasanearnestofwhatIwastobecursedwithaslongaswebothlived。Iansweredangrily；thistoneofminechangedhercomplaintstoirritation。Shetauntedmewithasecretshehaddiscovered，whichconcernedMissAldclyffeandmyself。Iwassurprisedtolearnit——moresurprisedthatsheknewit，butconcealedmyfeeling。
　　'“Howcouldyouservemeso？”shesaid，herbreathsmellingofspiritseventhen。“Youloveanotherwoman——yes，youdo。Seehowyoudrivemeabout！Ihavebeentothestation，intendingtoleaveyouforever，andyetIcometotryyouoncemore。“
　　'Anindescribableexasperationhadsprungupinmeasshetalked——
　　rageandregretwereallinall。ScarcelyknowingwhatIdid，I
　　furiouslyraisedmyhandandswungitroundwithmywholeforcetostrikeher。Sheturnedquickly——anditwasthepoorcreature'send。
　　Byhermovementmyhandcameedgewiseexactlyinthenapeoftheneck——asmenstrikeaharetokillit。Theeffectstaggeredmewithamazement。Theblowmusthavedisturbedthevertebrae；shefellatmyfeet，madeafewmovements，andutteredonelowsound。
　　'Iranindoorsforwaterandsomewine，Icameoutandlancedherarmwithmypenknife。Butshelaystill，andIfoundthatshewasdead。
　　'ItwasalongtimebeforeIcouldrealizemyhorribleposition。
　　ForseveralminutesIhadnoideaofattemptingtoescapetheconsequencesofmydeed。Thenalightbrokeuponme。HadanybodyseenhersinceshelefttheThreeTranters？Hadtheynot，shewasalreadybelievedbytheparishionerstobedustandashes。Ishouldneverbefoundout。
　　'UponthisIacted。
　　'Thefirstquestionwashowtodisposeofthebody。Theimpulseofthemomentwastoburyheratonceinthepitbetweentheengine-
　　houseandwaterfall；butitstruckmethatIshouldnothavetime。
　　Itwasnowfouro'clock，andtheworking-menwouldsoonbestirringabouttheplace。Iwouldputoffburyinghertillthenextnight。
　　Icarriedherindoors。
　　'Inturningtheouthouseintoaworkshop，earlierintheseason，I
　　found，whendrivinganailintothewallforfixingacupboard，thatthewallsoundedhollow。Iexaminedit，anddiscoveredbehindtheplasteranoldovenwhichhadlongbeendisused，andwasbrickedupwhenthehousewaspreparedforme。
　　'Tounfixthiscupboardandpulloutthebrickswastheworkofafewminutes。Then，bearinginmindthatIshouldhavetoremovethebodyagainthenextnight，Iplaceditinasack，pusheditintotheoven，packedinthebricks，andreplacedthecupboard。
　　'Ithenwenttobed。Inbed，Ithoughtwhethertherewereanyveryremotepossibilitiesthatmightleadtothesuppositionthatmywifewasnotconsumedbytheflamesoftheburninghouse。Thethingwhichstruckmemostforciblywasthis，thatthesearchersmightthinkitoddthatnoremainswhatevershouldbefound。
　　'Theclinchingandtriumphantdeedwouldbetotakethebodyandplaceitamongtheruinsofthedestroyedhouse。ButIcouldnotdothis，onaccountofthemenwhowerewatchingagainstanoutbreakofthefire。Oneremedyremained。
　　'Iaroseagain，dressedmyself，andwentdowntotheouthouse。I
　　musttakedownthecupboardagain。Ididtakeitdown。Ipulledoutthebricks，pulledoutthesack，pulledoutthecorpse，andtookherkeysfromherpocketandthewatchfromherside。
　　'Ithenreplacedeverythingasbefore。
　　'WiththesearticlesinmypocketIwentoutoftheyard，andtookmywaythroughthewithycopsetothechurchyard，enteringitfromtheback。HereIfeltmywaycarefullyalongtillIcametothenookwherepiecesofbonesfromnewly-duggravesaresometimespiledbehindthelaurel-bushes。Ihadbeenearnestlyhopingtofindaskullamongtheseoldbones；butthoughIhadfrequentlyseenoneortwointherubbishhere，therewasnotonenow。Ithengropedintheothercornerwiththesameresult——nowherecouldIfindaskull。
　　Threeorfourfragmentsoflegandback-boneswereallIcouldcollect，andwiththeseIwasforcedtobecontent。
　　'Takingtheminmyhand，Icrossedtheroad，andgotroundbehindtheinn，wherethecouchheapwasstillsmouldering。Keepingbehindthehedge，Icouldseetheheadsofthethreeorfourmenwhowatchedthespot。
　　'StandinginthisplaceItookthebones，andthrewthemonebyoneoverthehedgeandoverthemen'sheadsintothesmokingembers。
　　Whentheboneshadallbeenthrown，Ithrewthekeys；lastofallI
　　threwthewatch。
　　'IthenreturnedhomeasIhadgone，andwenttobedoncemore，justasthedawnbegantobreak。Iexulted——“Cythereaismineagain！”
　　'Atbreakfast-timeIthought，“Supposethecupboardshouldbysomeunlikelychancegetmovedto-day！”
　　'Iwenttothemason'syardhardby，whilethemenwereatbreakfast，andbroughtawayashovelfulofmortar。Itookitintotheouthouse，againshiftedthecupboard，andplasteredoverthemouthoftheovenbehind。Simplypushingthecupboardbackintoitsplace，IwaitedforthenextnightthatImightburythebody，thoughuponthewholeitwasinatolerablysafehiding-place。
　　'Whenthenightcame，mynerveswereinsomewayweakerthantheyhadbeenonthepreviousnight。Ifeltreluctanttotouchthebody。
　　Iwenttotheouthouse，butinsteadofopeningtheoven，Ifirmlydroveintheshoulder-nailsthatheldthecupboardtothewall。“I
　　willburyherto-morrownight，however，“Ithought。
　　'ButthenextnightIwasstillmorereluctanttotouchher。Andmyreluctanceincreased，andtherethebodyremained。Theovenwas，afterall，neverlikelytobeopenedinmytime。
　　'ImarriedCythereaGraye，andneverdidabridegroomleavethechurchwithaheartmorefullofloveandhappiness，andabrainmorefixedongoodintentions，thanIdidonthatmorning。
　　'WhenCytherea'sbrothermadehisappearanceatthehotelinSouthampton，bearinghisstrangeevidenceoftheporter'sdisclosure，Iwasstaggeredbeyondexpression。Ithoughttheyhadfoundthebody。“AmItobeapprehendedandtoloseherevennow？”
　　Imourned。Isawmyerror，andinstantlysaw，too，thatImustactexternallylikeanhonourableman。SoathisrequestIyieldedheruptohim，andmeditatedonseveralschemesforenablingmetoclaimthewomanIhadalegalrighttoclaimasmywife，withoutdisclosingthereasonwhyIknewmyselftohaveit。
　　'IwenthometoKnapwaterthenextday，andfornearlyaweeklivedinastateofindecision。Icouldnothituponaschemeforprovingmywifedeadwithoutcompromisingmyself。
　　'Mr。RaunhamhintedthatIshouldtakestepstodiscoverherwhereaboutsbyadvertising。Ihadnoenergyforthefarce。ButoneeveningIchancedtoentertheRisingSunInn。Twonotoriouspoachersweresittinginthesettle，whichscreenedmyentrance。
　　Theywerehalfdrunk——theirconversationwascarriedoninthesolemnandemphatictonecommontothatstageofintoxication，andI
　　myselfwasthesubjectofit。
　　'Thefollowingwasthesubstanceoftheirdisjointedremarks：OnthenightofthegreatfireatCarriford，oneofthemwassenttomeetme，andbreakthenewsofthedeathofmywifetome。Thishedid；butbecauseIwouldnotpayhimforhisnews，heleftmeinamoodofvindictiveness。Whenthefirewasover，hejoinedhiscomrade。Thefavourablehourofthenightsuggestedtothemthepossibilityofsomeunlawfulgainbeforedaylightcame。Myfowlhousestoodinatemptingposition，andstillresentinghisrepulseduringtheevening，oneofthemproposedtooperateuponmybirds。IwasbelievedtohavegonetotherectorywithMr。Raunham。
　　Theotherwasdisinclinedtogo，andthefirstwentoffalone。
　　'Itwasnowaboutthreeo'clock。Hehadadvancedasfarastheshrubbery，whichgrowsnearthenorthwallofthehouse，whenhefanciedheheard，abovetherushofthewaterfall，noisesontheothersideofthebuilding。Hedescribedtheminthesewords，“Ghostlymouthstalking——thenafall——thenagroan——thentherushofthewaterandcreakoftheengineasbefore。“Onlyoneexplanationoccurredtohim；thehousewashaunted。And，whetherthoseofthelivingorthedead，voicesofanykindwereinimicaltoonewhohadcomeonsuchanerrand。Hestealthilycrepthome。
　　'Hisunlawfulpurposeinbeingbehindthehouseledhimtoconcealhisadventure。Nosuspicionofthetruthenteredhismindtilltherailway-porterhadstartledeverybodybyhisstrangeannouncement。
　　Thenheaskedhimself，hadthehorrifyingsoundsofthatnightbeenreallyanenactmentinthefleshbetweenmeandmywife？
　　'Thewordsoftheothermanwere：
　　'“Whydon'thetrytofindherifshe'salive？”
　　'“True，“saidthefirst。“Well，Idon'tforgetwhatIheard，andifshedon'tturnupalivemymindwillbeassureasaBibleuponhermurder，andtheparsonshallknowit，thoughIdogetsixmonthsonthetreadmillforbeingwhereIwas。“
　　'“Andifsheshouldturnupalive？”
　　'“ThenIshallknowthatIamwrong，andbelievingmyselfafoolaswellasarogue，holdmytongue。“
　　'Iglidedoutofthehouseinacoldsweat。TheonlypressureinheavenorearthwhichcouldhaveforcedmetorenounceCythereawasnowputuponme——thedreadofadeathuponthegallows。
　　'Isatallthatnightweavingstrategyofvariouskinds。TheonlyeffectualremedyformyhazardousstandingthatIcouldseewasasimpleone。Itwastosubstituteanotherwomanformywifebeforethesuspicionsofthatoneeasily-hoodwinkedmanextendedfurther。
　　'Theonlydifficultywastofindapracticablesubstitute。
　　'Theonewomanatallavailableforthepurposewasafriendless，innocentcreature，namedAnneSeaway，whomIhadknowninmyyouth，andwhohadforsometimebeenthehousekeeperofaladyinLondon。
　　Onaccountofthislady'ssuddendeath，Annestoodinratheraprecariousposition，asregardedherfuturesubsistence。Shewasnotthebestkindofwomanforthescheme；buttherewasnoalternative。Onequalityofherswasvaluable；shewasnotatalker。IwenttoLondontheverynextday，calledattheHoxtonlodgingofmywifetheonlyplaceatwhichshehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andfoundthatnogreatdifficultiesstoodinthewayofapersonation。Andthusfavouringcircumstancesdeterminedmycourse。IvisitedAnneSeaway，madelovetoher，andpropoundedmyplan……
　　'WelivedquietlyenoughuntiltheSundaybeforemyapprehension。
　　Annecamehomefromchurchthatmorning，andtoldmeofthesuspiciouswayinwhichayoungmanhadlookedatherthere。
　　Nothingcouldbedonebeyondwaitingtheissueofevents。ThenthelettercamefromRaunham。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwashalfindifferentastowhatfateawaitedme。DuringthesucceedingdayI
　　thoughtonceortwiceofrunningaway，butcouldnotquitemakeupmymind。Atanyrateitwouldbebesttoburythebodyofmywife，Ithought，fortheovenmightbeopenedatanytime。IwenttoCasterbridgeandmadesomearrangements。IntheeveningMissAldclyffewhoisunitedtomebyacommonsecretwhichIhavenorightorwishtodisclosecametomyhouse，andalarmedmestillmore。ShesaidthatshecouldtellbyMr。Raunham'smannerthatevening，thathekeptbackfromherasuspicionofmoreimportanceeventhantheonehespokeof，andthatstrangerswereinhishouseeventhen。
　　'Iguessedwhatthisfurthersuspicionwas，andresolvedtoenlightenhertoacertainextent，andsosecureherassistance。I
　　saidthatIkilledmywifebyanaccidentonthenightofthefire，dwellingupontheadvantagetoherofthedeathoftheonlywomanwhoknewhersecret。
　　'Herterror，andfearsformyfate，ledhertowatchtherectorythatevening。Shesawthedetectiveleaveit，andfollowedhimtomyresidence。ThisshetoldmehurriedlywhenIperceivedherafterdiggingmywife'sgraveintheplantation。Shedidnotsuspectwhatthesackcontained。
　　'Iamnowabouttoenteronmynormalcondition。Forpeoplearealmostalwaysintheirgraves。Whenwesurveythelongraceofmen，itisstrangeandstillmorestrangetofindthattheyaremainlydeadmen，whohavescarcelyeverbeenotherwise。
　　'AENEASMANSTON。'
　　Thesteward'sconfession，aidedbycircumstantialevidenceofvariouskinds，wasthemeansoffreeingbothAnneSeawayandMissAldclyffefromallsuspicionofcomplicitywiththemurderer。
　　2。SIXO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Itwasevening——justatsunset——onthedayofManston'sdeath。
　　InthecottageatTolchurchwasgatheredagroupconsistingofCytherea，herbrother，EdwardSpringrove，andhisfather。Theysatbythewindowconversingofthestrangeeventswhichhadjusttakenplace。InCytherea'seyetherebeamedahopefulray，thoughherfacewasaswhiteasalily。
　　Whilsttheytalked，lookingoutattheyelloweveninglightthatcoatedthehedges，trees，andchurchtower，abroughamrolledroundthecornerofthelane，andcameinfullview。Itreflectedtheraysofthesuninaflashfromitspolishedpanelsasitturnedtheangle，thespokesofthewheelsbristlinginthesamelightlikebayonets。Thevehiclecamenearer，andarrivedoppositeOwen'sdoor，whenthedriverpulledthereinandgaveashout，andthepantingandsweatinghorsesstopped。
　　'MissAldclyffe'scarriage！'theyallexclaimed。
　　Owenwentout。'IsMissGrayeathome？'saidtheman。'Anoteforher，andIamtowaitforananswer。'
　　CythereareadinthehandwritingoftheRectorofCarriford：——
　　'DEARMISSGRAYE，——MissAldclyffeisill，thoughnotdangerously。
　　Shecontinuallyrepeatsyourname，andnowwishesverymuchtoseeyou。Ifyoupossiblycan，comeinthecarriage——Verysincerelyyours，JOHNRAUNHAM。'
　　'Howcomessheill？'Oweninquiredofthecoachman。
　　'Shecaughtaviolentcoldbystandingoutofdoorsinthedamp，onthenightthestewardranaway。Eversince，tillthismorning，shecomplainedoffulnessandheatinthechest。ThismorningthemaidraninandtoldhersuddenlythatManstonhadkilledhimselfingaol——sheshrieked——brokeablood-vessel——andfelluponthefloor。
　　Severeinternalhaemorrhagecontinuedforsometimeandthenstopped。Theysaysheissuretogetoverit；butsheherselfsaysno。Shehassufferedfromitbefore。'
　　Cythereawasreadyinafewmoments，andenteredthecarriage。
　　3。SEVENO'CLOCKP。M。
　　SoftaswasCytherea'smotionalongthecorridorsofKnapwaterHouse，thepreternaturallykeenintelligenceofthesufferingwomancaughtthemaiden'swell-knownfootfall。Sheenteredthesick-
　　chamberwithsuspendedbreath。
　　Intheroomeverythingwassostill，andsensationwasasitweresorarefiedbysolicitude，thatthinkingseemedacting，andthelady'sweakactoftryingtoliveasilentwrestlingwithallthepowersoftheuniverse。NobodywaspresentbutMr。Raunham，thenursehavinglefttheroomonCytherea'sentry，andthephysicianandsurgeonbeingengagedinawhisperedconversationinaside-chamber。Theirpatienthadbeenpronouncedoutofdanger。
　　Cythereawenttothebedside，andwasinstantlyrecognized。O，whatachange——MissAldclyffedependentuponpillows！Andyetnotaforbiddingchange。Withweaknesshadcomesoftnessofaspect：thehaughtinesswasextractedfromthefrailthincountenance，andasweetermildplacidityhadtakenitsplace。
　　MissAldclyffesignifiedtoMr。RaunhamthatshewouldliketobealonewithCytherea。
　　'Cytherea？'shefaintlywhisperedtheinstantthedoorwasclosed。
　　Cythereaclaspedthelady'sweakhand，andsankbesideher。
　　MissAldclyffewhisperedagain。'TheysayIamcertaintolive；butIknowthatIamcertainlygoingtodie。'
　　'Theyknow，Ithink，andhope。'
　　'Iknowbest，butwe'llleavethat。Cytherea——OCytherea，canyouforgiveme！'
　　Hercompanionpressedherhand。
　　'Butyoudon'tknowyet——youdon'tknowyet，'theinvalidmurmured。
　　'ItisforgivenessforthatmisrepresentationtoEdwardSpringrovethatIimplore，andforputtingsuchforceuponhim——thatwhichcausedallthetrainofyourinnumerableills！'
　　'Iknowall——all。AndIdoforgiveyou。Notinahastyimpulsethatisrevokedwhencoolnesscomes，butdeliberatelyandsincerely：
　　asImyselfhopetobeforgiven，Iaccordyoumyforgivenessnow。'
　　TearsstreamedfromMissAldclyffe'seyes，andmingledwiththoseofheryoungcompanion，whocouldnotrestrainhersforsympathy。
　　Expressionsofstrongattachment，interruptedbyemotion，burstagainandagainfromthebroken-spiritedwoman。
　　'Butyoudon'tknowmymotive。O，ifyouonlyknewit，howyouwouldpitymethen！'
　　Cythereadidnotbreakthepausewhichensued，andtheelderwomanappearednowtonerveherselfbyasuperhumaneffort。Shespokeoninavoiceweakasasummerbreeze，andfullofintermission，andyettherepervadeditasteadinessofintentionthatseemedtodemandfirmtonestobearitoutworthily。
　　'Cytherea，'shesaid，'listentomebeforeIdie。
　　'Alongtimeago——morethanthirtyyearsago——ayounggirlofseventeenwascruellybetrayedbyhercousin，awildofficerofsix-
　　and-twenty。HewenttoIndia，anddied。
　　'OnenightwhenthatmiserablegirlhadjustarrivedhomewithherparentsfromGermany，whereherbabyhadbeenborn，shetookallthemoneyshepossessed，pinneditonherinfant'sbosom，togetherwithaletter，stating，amongotherthings，whatshewishedthechild'sChristiannametobe；wrappedupthelittlething，andwalkedwithittoClapham。Here，inaretiredstreet，sheselectedahouse。
　　Sheplacedthechildonthedoorstepandknockedatthedoor，thenranawayandwatched。Theytookitupandcarrieditindoors。
　　'Nowthatherpoorbabywasgone，thegirlblamedherselfbitterlyforcrueltytowardsit，andwishedshehadadoptedherparents'
　　counseltosecretlyhireanurse。Shelongedtoseeit。Shedidn'tknowwhattodo。Shewroteinanassumednametothewomanwhohadtakenitin，andaskedhertomeetthewriterwiththeinfantatcertainplacesshenamed。Thesewerehotelsorcoffee-housesinChelsea，Pimlico，orHammersmith。Thewoman，beingwellpaid，alwayscame，andaskednoquestions。Atonemeeting——ataninninHammersmith——shemadeherappearancewithoutthechild，andtoldthegirlitwassoillthatitwouldnotlivethroughthenight。Thenews，andfatigue，broughtonafainting-fit……'
　　MissAldclyffe'ssobschokedherutterance，andshebecamepainfullyagitated。Cytherea，paleandamazedatwhatsheheard，weptforher，bentoverher，andbeggedhernottogoonspeaking。
　　'Yes——Imust，'shecried，betweenhersobs。'Iwill——Imustgoon！
　　AndImusttellyetmoreplainly！……youmusthearitbeforeIamgone，Cytherea。'Thesympathizingandastonishedgirlsatdownagain。
　　'ThenameofthewomanwhohadtakenthechildwasMANSTON。Shewasthewidowofaschoolmaster。Shesaidshehadadoptedthechildofarelation。
　　'Onlyonemaneverfoundoutwhothemotherwas。Hewasthekeeperoftheinninwhichshefainted，andhissilenceshehaspurchasedeversince。
　　'Atwelvemonthpassed——fifteenmonths——andthesaddenedgirlmetamanatherfather'shousenamedGraye——yourfather，Cytherea，thenunmarried。Ah，suchaman！Inexperiencenowperceivedwhatitwastobelovedinspiritandintruth！Butitwastoolate。Hadheknownhersecrethewouldhavecastherout。Shewithdrewfromhimbyaneffort，andpined。
　　'Yearsandyearsafterwards，whenshebecamemistressofafortuneandestatesbyherfather'sdeath，sheformedtheweakschemeofhavingnearherthesonwhom，inherfather'slife-time，shehadbeenforbiddentorecognize。Cytherea，youknowwhothatweakwomanis……
　　'BysuchtoilsomelabourasthisIgothimhereasmysteward。AndIwantedtoseehimYOURHUSBAND，Cytherea！——thehusbandofmytruelover'schild。Itwasasweetdreamtome……Pityme——O，pityme！TodieunlovedismorethanIcanbear！Ilovedyourfather，andIlovehimnow。'
　　ThatwastheburdenofCythereaAldclyffe。
　　'Isupposeyoumustleavemeagain——youalwaysleaveme，'shesaid，afterholdingtheyoungwoman'shandalongwhileinsilence。
　　'No——indeedI'llstayalways。Doyoulikemetostay？'
　　MissAldclyffeinthejawsofdeathwasMissAldclyffestill，thoughtheoldfirehaddegeneratedtomerephosphorescencenow。'Butyouareyourbrother'shousekeeper？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Well，ofcourseyoucannotstaywithmeonasuddenlikethis……
　　Gohome，orhewillbeatalossforthings。Andto-morrowmorningcomeagain，won'tyou，dearest，comeagain——we'llfetchyou。Butyoumustn'tstaynow，andputOwenout。Ono——itwouldbeabsurd。'
　　Theabsorbingconcernabouttriflesofdailyroutine，whichissooftenseeninverysickpeople，waspresenthere。
　　Cythereapromisedtogohome，andcomethenextmorningtostaycontinuously。
　　'StaytillIdiethen，willyounot？Yes，tillIdie——Ishan'tdietillto-morrow。'
　　'Wehopeforyourrecovery——allofus。'
　　'Iknowbest。Comeatsixo'clock，darling。'
　　'AssoonaseverIcan，'returnedCythereatenderly。
　　'Butsixistooearly——youwillhavetothinkofyourbrother'sbreakfast。LeaveTolchurchateight，willyou？'
　　Cythereaconsentedtothis。MissAldclyffewouldneverhaveknownhadhercompanionstayedinthehouseallnight；butthehonestyofCytherea'snaturerebelledagainsteventhefriendlydeceitwhichsuchaproceedingwouldhaveinvolved。
　　Anarrangementwascometowherebyshewastobetakenhomeinthepony-carriageinsteadofthebroughamthatfetchedher；thecarriagetoputupatTolchurchfarmforthenight，andonthataccounttobeinreadinesstobringherbackearlier。
　　4。MARCHTHETHIRTIETH。DAYBREAK
　　ThethirdandlastinstanceofCytherea'ssubjectiontothoseperiodicterrorsofthenightwhichhademphasizedherconnectionwiththeAldclyffenameandbloodoccurredatthepresentdate。
　　Itwasaboutfouro'clockinthemorningwhenCytherea，thoughmostprobablydreaming，seemedtoawake——andinstantlywastransfixedbyasortofspell，thathadinitmoreofawethanofaffright。Atthefootofherbed，lookingherinthefacewithanexpressionofentreatybeyondthepowerofwordstoportray，wastheformofMissAldclyffe——wananddistinct。Nomotionwasperceptibleinher；butlonging——earnestlonging——waswrittenineveryfeature。
　　Cythereabelievedsheexercisedherwakingjudgmentasusualinthinking，withoutashadowofdoubt，thatMissAldclyffestoodbeforeherinfleshandblood。ReasonwasnotsufficientlyalerttoleadCythereatoaskherselfhowsuchathingcouldhaveoccurred。
　　'Iwouldhaveremainedwithyou——whywouldyounotallowmetostay！'Cythereaexclaimed。Thespellwasbroken：shebecamebroadlyawake；andthefigurevanished。
　　Itwasinthegreytimeofdawn。Shetrembledinasweatofdisquiet，andnotbeingabletoendurethethoughtofherbrotherbeingasleep，shewentandtappedathisdoor。
　　'Owen！'
　　Hewasnotaheavysleeper，anditwasverginguponhistimetorise。
　　'Whatdoyouwant，Cytherea？'
　　'IoughtnottohaveleftKnapwaterlastnight。IwishIhadnot。
　　IreallythinkIwillstartatonce。Shewantsme，Iknow。'
　　'Whattimeisit？'
　　'Afewminutespastfour。'
　　'Youhadbetternot。Keeptothetimeagreedupon。Consider，weshouldhavesuchatroubleinrousingthedriver，andotherthings。'
　　Uponthewholeitseemedwisernottoactonamerefancy。Shewenttobedagain。
　　Anhourlater，whenOwenwasthinkingofgettingup，aknockingcametothefrontdoor。ThenextminutesomethingtouchedtheglassofOwen'swindow。Hewaited——thenoisewasrepeated。Alittlegravelhadbeenthrownagainstittoarousehim。
　　Hecrossedtheroom，pulleduptheblind，andlookedout。Asolemnwhitefacewasgazingupwardsfromtheroad，expectantlystrainingtocatchthefirstglimpseofapersonwithinthepanes。ItwasthefaceofaKnapwatermansittingonhorseback。
　　Owensawhiserrand。Thereisanunmistakablelookinthefaceofeverymanwhobringstidingsofdeath。Grayeopenedthewindow。
　　'MissAldclyffe……'saidthemessenger，andpaused。
　　'Ah——dead？'
　　'Yes——sheisdead。'
　　'Whendidshedie？'
　　'Attenminutespastfour，afteranothereffusion。Sheknewbest，yousee，sir。Istarteddirectly，bytherector'sorders。'
　　SEQUEL
　　Fifteenmonthshavepassed，andwearebroughtontoMidsummerNight，1867。
　　ThepicturepresentedistheinterioroftheoldbelfryofCarrifordChurch，atteno'clockintheevening。
　　SixCarrifordmenandonestrangeraregatheredthere，beneaththelightofaflaringcandlestuckonapieceofwoodagainstthewall。
　　ThesixCarrifordmenarethewell-knownringersofthefine-tonedoldbellsinthekeyofF，whichhavebeenmusictotheearsofCarrifordparishandtheoutlyingdistrictsforthelastfourhundredyears。Thestrangerisanassistant，whohasappearedfromnobodyknowswhere。
　　Thesixnatives——intheirshirt-sleeves，andwithouthats——pullandcatchfranticallyatthedancingbellropes，thelocksoftheirhairwavinginthebreezecreatedbytheirquickmotions；thestranger，whohasthetreblebell，doeslikewise，butinhisrightmindandcoat。Theirever-changingshadowsmingleonthewallinanendlessvarietyofkaleidoscopicforms，andtheeyesofallthesevenarereligiouslyfixedonadiagramlikealargeadditionsum，whichischalkedonthefloor。
　　Vividlycontrastingwiththeyellowlightofthecandleuponthefourunplasteredwallsofthetower，anduponthefacesandclothesofthemen，isthescenediscerniblethroughthescreenbeneaththetowerarchway。Attheextremityofthelongmysteriousavenueofthenaveandchancelcanbeseenshaftsofmoonlightstreaminginattheeastwindowofthechurch——blue，phosphoric，andghostly。
　　Athoroughrenovationofthebell-ringingmachineryandaccessorieshadtakenplaceinanticipationofaninterestingevent。Newropeshadbeenprovided；everybellhadbeencarefullyshiftedfromitscarriage，andthepivotslubricated。Brightred'sallies'ofwoollentexture——softtothehandsandeasilycaught——glowedontheropesinplaceoftheoldraggedknots，allofwhichnewnessinsmalldetailsonlyrenderedmoreevidenttheirrepressibleaspectofageinthemasssurroundingthem。
　　Thetriple-bob-majorwasended，andtheringerswipedtheirfacesandrolleddowntheirshirt-sleeves，previouslytotuckingawaytheropesandleavingtheplaceforthenight。
　　'Piph——h——h——h！Agoodfortyminutes，'saidamanwithastreamingface，andblowingouthisbreath——oneofthepairwhohadtakenthetenorbell。
　　'Ourfriendherepulledproperwell——that'adid——seeinghe'sbutastranger，'saidClerkCrickett，whohadjustresignedthesecondrope，andaddressingthemanintheblackcoat。
　　''Adid，'saidtherest。
　　'Ienjoyeditmuch，'saidthemanmodestly。
　　'Whatweshouldha'donewithoutyouwordscan'ttell。Themanthatd'belongbyrightstothattherebellisillo'twogallonso'woldcider。'
　　'Andnowso's，'remarkedthefifthringer，aspertainingtothelastallusion，'we'llfinishthisdropo'metheglinandcider，andeverymanhome-alongstraightasaline。'
　　'Wi'allmyheart，'ClerkCrickettreplied。'AndtheLordsendifI
　　ha'n'tdonemydutybyMasterTeddySpringrove——thatIhaveso。'
　　'Andtheresto'us，'theysaid，asthecupwashandedround。
　　'Ay，ay——inringen——butIwasspakeninaspiritualsenseo'thismornen'sbusinesso'mineupbythechancelrailsthere。'Twasveryconvenienttolugherhereandmarryherinsteado'doenitatthattwopenny-halfpennytowno'Budm'th。Veryconvenient。'
　　'Very。TherewasalittlefeeforMasterCrickett。'
　　'Ah——well。Money'smoney——verymuchso——very——Ialwayshavesaidit。But'twasaprettysightforthenation。Hecoloureduplikeanymaid，that'adid。'
　　'Wellenough'amidcolourup。'Tisnosmallmatterforamantoplaywi'fire。'
　　'Whateveritmaybetoawoman，'saidtheclerkabsently。
　　'Thou'rtthinkeno'thywife，clerk，'saidGadWeedy。'She'llplaywi'itagainwhenthou'stgotmildewed。'
　　'Well——lether，Godblessher；forI'mbutapoorthirdman，I。TheLordhavemercyuponthefourth！……Ay，Teddy'sgothisownatlast。Whatlittlewhiteearsthatmaidhev，tobesure！chooseyourwifeasyouchooseyourpig——asmallearandasmalltale——thatwasalwaysmyjokewhenIwasamerryfeller，ah——yearsagonenow！ButTeddy'sgother。Poorchap，hewasgettenasthinasahermitwi'
　　grief——sowasshe。'
　　'Maybeshe'llpickupnow。'
　　'True——'tisnater'slaw，whichnomanshallgainsay。Ah，welldoI
　　bearinmindwhatIsaidtoPa'sonRaunham，aboutthymother'sfamilyo'seven，Gad，theveryfirstweekofhiscomenhere，whenI
　　wasjustinmyprime。“AndhowmanydaughtershasthatpoorWeedygot，clerk？”hesays。“Six，sir，“saysI，“andeveryoneof'emhasabrother！”“Poorwoman，“sayshe，“adozenchildren！——giveherthishalf-sovereignfromme，clerk。“'Alaughedagoodfiveminutesafterwards，whenhefoundoutmymerrynater——'adid。Butthere，'tisoverwi'menow。EnterentheChurchistheruinofaman'switforwit'snothenwithoutafaintshaddero'sin。'
　　'IfsobeTeddyandtheladyhadbeenkeptapartforlife，they'dbothha'died，'saidGademphatically。
　　'Butnowinsteado'deaththere'llbeincreaseo'life，'answeredtheclerk。
　　'Itallwentproperwell，'saidthefifthbell-ringer。'Theydidn'tfleeofftoBabylonishplaces——notthey。'Hestruckupanattitude——
　　'Here'sMasterSpringrovestandenso：here'sthemarriedwomanstandenlikewise；heretheyd'walkacrosstoKnapwaterHouse；andtheretheyd'bideinthechimleycorner，hardandfast。'
　　'Yes，'twasaprettywedden，andwellattended，'addedtheclerk。
　　'Herewasmyladyherself——redasscarlet：herewasMasterSpringrove，lookenasifhehalfwishedhe'dnevera-come——ah，poorsouls！——themenalwaysdo！Thewomendostanditbest——themaidwasinherglory。Thoughshewassoshythegloryshoneplainthroughthatshyskin。Ah，itdidso's。'
　　'Ay，'saidGad，'andtherewasTimTankinsandhisfivejourneymencarpenters，standenontiptoeandpeepeninatthechancelwinders。
　　TherewasDairymanDodmanwaiteninhisnewspring-carttosee'emcomeout——whipinhand——that'awas。Thenupcomestwomastertailors。ThentherewasChristopherRuntwi'hispickaxeandshovel。Therewaswimmen-folkandtherewasmen-folktraypsenupanddownchurch'ardtilltheyworeapathwi'traypsenso——lettenthesquallenchildrenslipdownthroughtheirarmsandnearlyskinneno'em。AndthesewerealloverandabovethegentryandSunday-clothesfolkinside。Well，IseedMr。Grayeatlastdressedupquitethedand。“Well，Mr。Graye，“saysIfromthetopo'
　　church'ardwall，“how'syerself？”Mr。Grayeneverspoke——he'dpridedawayhishearen。Seizetheman，Ididn'wantentospak。
　　Teddyhearsit，andturnsround：“Allright，Gad！”sayshe，andlaughedlikeaboy。There'smoreinTeddy。'
　　'Well，'saidClerkCrickett，turningtothemaninblack，'nowyou'vebeenamongussolong，andd'knowussowell，won'tyetelluswhatye'vecomeherefor，andwhatyourtradeis？'
　　'Iamnotrade，'saidthethinman，smiling，'andIcametoseethewickednessoftheland。'
　　'Isaidthouwastoneo'thedevil'sbroodwi'thyblackclothes，'
　　repliedasturdyringer，whohadnotspokenbefore。
　　'No，thetruthis，'saidthethinman，retractingatthishorribletranslation，'Icameforawalkbecauseitisafineevening。'
　　'Nowlet'sbeoff，neighbours，'theclerkinterrupted。
　　Thecandlewasinvertedinthesocket，andthewholepartysteppedoutintothechurchyard。Themoonwasshiningwithinadayortwooffull，andjustoverlookedthethreeorfourvastyewsthatstoodonthesouth-eastsideofthechurch，androseinunvariedandflatdarknessagainsttheilluminatedatmospherebehindthem。
　　'Good-night，'theclerksaidtohiscomrades，whenthedoorwaslocked。'Mynearestwayisthroughthepark。'
　　'Isupposemineistoo？'saidthestranger。'Iamgoingtotherailway-station。'
　　'Ofcourse——comeon。'
　　Thetwomenwentoverastiletothewest，theremainderofthepartygoingintotheroadontheoppositeside。
　　'Andsotheromancehasendedwell，'theclerk'scompanionremarked，astheybrushedalongthroughthegrass。'Butwhatisthetruthofthestoryabouttheproperty？'
　　'Nowlookhere，neighbour，'saidClerkCrickett，'ifsobeyou'lltellmewhatyourlineo'lifeis，andyourpurposeincomenhereto-day，I'lltellyouthetruthabouttheweddenparticulars。'
　　'Verywell——Iwillwhenyouhavedone，'saidtheotherman。
　　''Tisabargain；andthisistherighto'thestory。WhenMissAldclyffe'swillwasopened，itwasfoundtohavebeendrawnupontheverydaythatManstonherlove-childmarriedMissCythereaGraye。Andthisiswhatthatdeepwomandid。Deep？shewasasdeepastheNorthStar。Shebequeathedallherproperty，realandpersonal，to“THEWIFEOFAENEASMANSTON“withoneexception：
　　failenherlifetoherhusband：failenhislifetotheheirsofhishead——bodyIwouldsay：failenthemtoherabsolutelyandherheirsforever：failenthesetoPa'sonRaunham，andsoontotheendo'
　　thehumanrace。Nowdoyouseethedepthofherscheme？Why，althoughuponthesurfaceitappearedherwholepropertywasforMissCytherea，bytheword“wife“beingused，andnotCytherea'sname，whoeverwasthewifeo'Manstonwouldcomeinfor't。Wasn'tthatraledepth？Itwasdone，ofcourse，thathersonAEneas，underanycircumstances，shouldbemastero'theproperty，withoutfolkknowenitwashersonorsuspectinganything，astheywouldifithadbeenlefttoenstraightway。'
　　'Acleverarrangement！Andwhatwastheexception？'
　　'Thepaymentofalegacytoherrelative，Pa'sonRaunham。'
　　'AndMissCythereawasnowManston'swidowandonlyrelative，andinheritedallabsolutely。'
　　'True，shedid。“Well，“saysshe，“Ishan'thaveit“shedidn'tlikethenotiono'gettenanythingthroughManston，naturallyenough，prettydear。Shewaivedherrightinfavouro'Mr。
　　Raunham。Now，ifthere'samanintheworldthatd'carenothenaboutland——Idon'tsaythereis，butIFthereis——'tisourpa'son。
　　He'slikeasnail。He'sa-growedsototheshapeo'thatthererectorythat'awouldn'thinko'leaveniteveninname。“'Tisyours，MissGraye，“sayshe。“No，'tisyours，“saysshe。“'Tis'n'
　　mine，“sayshe。TheCrownhadcasthiseyesuponthecase，thinkeno'forfeiturebyfelony——but'twasnosuchthing，and'agieditup，too。Didyoueverhearsuchatale？——threepeople，amanandawoman，andaCrown——neithero'eminamadhouse——flingenanestatebackwardsandforwardslikeanappleornut？Well，itendedinthisway。Mr。Raunhamtookit：youngSpringrovewashadasagentandsteward，andputtoliveinKnapwaterHouse，closehereathand——
　　justasif'twashisown。Hedoesjustwhathe'dlike——Mr。Raunhamneverinterferen——andhitherto-dayhe'sbroughthisnewwife，Cytherea。Andasettlementha'beendrawnupthisveryday，wherebytheirchildren，heirs，andcetrer，betoinheritafterMr。Raunham'sdeath。Goodfortunecameatlast。Herbrother，too，isdoenwell。
　　Hecameinfirstmaninsomearchitecturalcompetition，andisabouttomovetoLondon。Here'sthehouse，look。Stapoutfromthesebushes，andyou'llgetaclearsighto't。'
　　Theyemergedfromtheshrubbery，breakingofftowardsthelake，anddownthesouthslope。Whentheyarrivedexactlyoppositethecentreofthemansion，theyhalted。
　　ItwasamagnificentpictureoftheEnglishcountry-house。Thewholeofthesevereregularfront，withitscolumnsandcornices，wasbuiltofawhitesmoothly-facedfreestone，whichappearedintheraysofthemoonaspureasPentelicmarble。Thesoleobjectsinthescenerivallingthefairnessofthefacadewereadozenswansfloatinguponthelake。
　　Atthismomentthecentraldooratthetopofthestepswasopened，andtwofiguresadvancedintothelight。Twocontrastingfigureswerethey。Ayounglithewomaninanairyfairydress——CythereaSpringrove：ayoungmaninblackstereotyperaiment——Edward，herhusband。
　　Theystoodatthetopofthestepstogether，lookingatthemoon，thewater，andthegenerallovelinessoftheprospect。
　　'That'sthemarriedmanandwife——there，I'veillustratedmystorybyralelivenspecimens，'theclerkwhispered。
　　'Tobesure，howclosetogethertheydostand！Youcouldn'slipapenny-piecebetween'em——thatyoucouldn'！Beautifultoseeit，isn'tit——beautiful！……Butthisisaprivatepath，andwewon'tlet'emseeus，asalltheringersbegoentheretoasupperanddanceto-morrownight。'
　　Thespeakerandhiscompanionsoftlymovedon，passedthroughthewicket，andintothecoach-road。Arrivedattheclerk'shouseatthefurtherboundaryofthepark，theypausedtopart。
　　'Nowforyourhalfo'thebargain，'saidClerkCrickett。'What'syourlineo'life，andwhatd'yecomeherefor？'
　　'I'mthereportertotheCasterbridgeChronicle，andIcometopickupthenews。Good-night。'
　　MeanwhileEdwardandCytherea，afterlingeringonthestepsforseveralminutes，slowlydescendedtheslopetothelake。Theskiffwaslyingalongside。
　　'O，Edward，'saidCytherea，'youmustdosomethingthathasjustcomeintomyhead！'
　　'Well，dearest——Iknow。'
　　'Yes——givemeonehalf-minute'srowonthelakeherenow，justasyoudidonBudmouthBaythreeyearsago。'
　　Hehandedherintotheboat，andalmostnoiselesslypulledofffromshore。Whentheywerehalf-waybetweenthetwomarginsofthelake，hepausedandlookedather。
　　'Ah，darling，IrememberexactlyhowIkissedyouthatfirsttime，'
　　saidSpringrove。'Youwerethereasyouarenow。Iunshippedthescullsinthisway。ThenIturnedroundandsatbesideyou——inthisway。ThenIputmyhandontheothersideofyourlittleneck——'
　　'Ithinkitwasjustonmycheek，inthisway。'
　　'Ah，soitwas。Thenyoumovedthatsoftredmouthroundtomine——'
　　'But，dearest——youpresseditroundifyouremember；andofcourseI
　　couldn'tthenhelplettingitcometoyourmouthwithoutbeingunkindtoyou，andIwouldn'tbethat。'
　　'AndthenIputmycheekagainstthatcheek，andturnedmytwolipsrounduponthosetwolips，andkissedthem——so。'
　　End