AndIwantitnow，atonce。’
　　`Wecouldnotgetanythingspecialworkedthisweek。’
　　`Imusthaveitnow。’
　　`Ifyouwouldlikeoneoftheseinstockitcouldbegotreadyimmediately。’
　　`Verywell，’saidTroy，impatiently。`Let’sseewhatyouhave。’
　　`ThebestIhaveinstockisthisone，’saidthestone-cutter，goingintoashed。`Here’samarbleheadstonebeautifullycrocketed；withmedallionsbeneathoftypicalsubjects；here’sthefootstoneafterthesamepattern，andhere’sthecopingtoenclosethegrave。Thepolishingaloneofthesetcostmeelevenpounds-theslabsarethebestoftheirkind，andI
　　canwarrantthemtoresistrainandfrostforahundredyearswithoutflying。’
　　`Andhowmuch？’
　　`Well，Icouldaddthename，andputitupatWeatherburyforthesumyoumention。’
　　`Getitdoneto-day，andI’llpaythemoneynow。’
　　Themanagreed，andwonderedatsuchamoodinavisitorwhoworenotashredofmourning。Troythenwrotethewordswhichweretoformtheinscription，settledtheaccountandwentaway。Intheafternoonhecamebackagain，andfoundthattheletteringwasalmostdone。Hewaitedintheyardtillthetombwaspacked，andsawitplacedinthecartandstartingonitswaytoWeatherbury，givingdirectionstothetwomenwhoweretoaccompanyittoinquireofthesextonforthegraveofthepersonnamedintheinscription。
　　ItwasquitedarkwhenTroycameoutofCasterbridge。Hecarriedratheraheavybasketuponhisarm，withwhichhestrodemoodilyalongtheroad，restingoccasionallyatbridgesandgates，whereonhedepositedhisburdenforatime。Midwayonhisjourneyhemet，returninginthedarkness，themenandthewaggonwhichhadconveyedthetomb。Hemerelyinquirediftheworkwasdone，and，onbeingassuredthatitwas，passedonagain。
　　TroyenteredWeatherburychurchyardaboutteno’clock，andwentImmediatelytothecornerwherehehadmarkedthevacantgraveearlyinthemorning。
　　Itwasontheobscuresideofthetower，screenedtoagreatextentfromtheviewofpassersalongtheroad-aspotwhichuntillatelyhadbeenabandonedtoheapsofstonesandbushesofalder，butnowitwasclearedandmadeorderlyforinterments，byreasonoftherapidfillingofthegroundelsewhere。
　　Herenowstoodthetombasthemenhadstated，snow-whiteandshapelyinthegloom，consistingofheadandfootstone，andenclosingborderofmarble-workunitingthem。Inthemidstwasmould，suitableforplants。
　　Troydepositedhisbasketbesidethetomb，andvanishedforafewminutes。
　　Whenhereturnedhecarriedaspadeandalantern，thelightofwhichhedirectedforafewmomentsuponthemarblewhilsthereadtheinscription。
　　Hehunghislanternonthelowestboughoftheyew-tree，andtookfromhisbasketflower-rootsofseveralvarieties。Therewerebundlesofsnowdrop，hyacinthandcrocusbulbs，violetsanddoubledaisies，whichweretobloominearlyspring，andofcarnations，pinks，picotees；lilies-ofthevalley，forget-me-not，summer’sfarewell；meadow-saffronandothers，forthelaterseasonsoftheyear。
　　Troylaidtheseoutuponthegrass，andwithanimpassivefacesettoworktoplantthem。Thesnowdropswerearrangedinalineontheoutsideofthecoping，theremainderwithintheenclosureofthegrave。Thecrocusesandhyacinthsweretogrowinrows；someofthesummerflowersheplacedoverherheadandfeet，theliliesandforget-me-notsoverherheart。Theremainderweredispersedinthespacesbetweenthese。
　　Troy，inhisprostrationatthistime，hadnoperceptionthatinthefutilityoftheseromanticdoings，dictatedbyaremorsefulreactionfrompreviousindifference，therewasanyelementofabsurdity。DerivinghisidiosyncrasiesfrombothsidesoftheChannel，heshowedatsuchjuncturesasthepresenttheinelasticityoftheEnglishman，togetherwiththatblindnesstothelinewheresentimentvergesonmawkishness，characteristicoftheFrench。
　　Itwasacloudy，muggy，andverydarknight，andtheraysfromTroy’slanternspreadintothetwooldyewswithastrangeilluminatingpower，flickering，asitseemed，uptotheblackceilingofcloudabove。Hefeltalargedropofrainuponthebackofhishand，andpresentlyonecameandenteredoneoftheholesofthelantern，whereuponthecandlesputteredandwentout。Troywasweary，anditbeingnownotfarfrommidnight，andtherainthreateningtoincrease，heresolvedtoleavethefinishingtouchesofhislabouruntilthedayshouldbreak。Hegropedalongthewallandoverthegravesinthedarktillhefoundhimselfroundatthenorthside。
　　Hereheenteredtheporch，and，reclininguponthebenchwithin，fellasleep。
　　CHAPTERFORTY-SIXTheGurgoyle：itsDoingsThetowerofWeatherburyChurchwasasquareerectionoffourteenth-centurydate，havingtwostonegurgoylesoneachofthetourfacesofitsparapet。
　　Oftheseeightcarvedprotuberancesonlytwoatthistimecontinuedtoservethepurposeoftheirerection-thatofspoutingthewaterfromtheleadroofwithin。Onemouthineachfronthadbeenclosedbybygonechurchwardensassuperfluous，andtwootherswerebrokenawayandchoked-amatternotofmuchconsequencetothewell-beingofthetower，forthetwomouthswhichstillremainedopenandactiveweregapingenoughtodoallthework。
　　Ithasbeensometimesarguedthatthereisnotruercriterionofthevitalityofanygivenart-periodthanthepowerofthemaster-spiritsofthattimeingrotesque；andcertainlyintheinstanceofGothicartthereisnodisputingtheproposition。Weatherburytowerwasasomewhatearlyinstanceoftheuseofanornamentalparapetinparishasdistinctfromcathedralchurches，andthegurgoyleswhicharethenecessarycorrelativesofaparapet，wereexceptionallyprominent-oftheboldestcutthatthehandcouldshape，andofthemostoriginaldesignthatahumanbraincouldconceive。Therewas，sotospeak，thatsymmetryintheirdistortionwhichislessthecharacteristicofBritishthanofContinentalgrotesquesoftheperiod。Alltheeightweredifferentfromeachother。Abeholderwasconvincedthatnothingonearthcouldbemorehideousthanthosehesawonthenorthsideuntilhewentroundtothesouth。Ofthetwoonthislatterface，onlythatatthenorth-easterncornerconcernsthestory。
　　Itwastoohumantobecalledlikeadragon，tooimpishtobelikeaman，tooanimaltobelikeafiend，andnotenoughlikeabirdtobecalledagriffin。Thishorriblestoneentitywasfashionedasifcoveredwithawrinkledhide；ithadshort，erectears，eyesstartingfromtheirsockets，anditsfingersandhandswereseizingthecornersofitsmouth，whichtheythusseemedtopullopentogivefreepassagetothewaterifvomited。
　　Thelowerrowofteethwasquitewashedaway，thoughtheupperstillremained。
　　Hereandthus，juttingacoupleoffeetfromthewallagainstwhichitstoesrestedasasupport，thecreaturehadforfourhundredyearslaughedatthesurroundinglandscape，voicelesslyindryweather，andinwetwithagurglingandsnortingsound。
　　Troysleptonintheporch，andtherainincreasedoutside。Presentlythegurgoylespat。Induetimeasmallstreambegantotricklethroughtheseventyfeetofaerialspacebetweenitsmouthandtheground，whichthewater-dropssmotelikeduckshotintheiracceleratedvelocity。Thestreamthickenedinsubstance，andincreasedinpower，graduallyspoutingfartherandyetfartherfromthesideofthetower。Whentherainfellinasteadyandceaselesstorrentthestreamdasheddownwardinvolumes。
　　Wefollowitscoursetothegroundatthispointoftime。Theendoftheliquidparabolahascomeforwardfromthewall，hasadvancedovertheplinthmouldings，overaheapofstones，overthemarbleborder，intothemidstofFannyRobin’sgrave。
　　Theforceofthestreamhad，untilverylately，beenreceiveduponsomeloosestonesspreadthereabout，whichhadactedasashieldtothesoilundertheonset。Theseduringthesummerhadbeenclearedfromtheground，andtherewasnownothingtoresistthedownfallbutthebareearth。Forseveralyearsthestreamhadnotspoutedsofarfromthetowerasitwasdoingonthisnight，andsuchacontingencyhadbeenoverlooked。Sometimesthisobscurecornerreceivednoinhabitantforthespaceoftwoorthreeyears，andthenitwasusuallybutapauper，apoacher，orothersinnerofundignifiedsins。
　　Thepersistenttorrentfromthegurgoyle’sjawsdirectedallitsvengeanceintothegrave。Therichtawnymouldwasstirredintomotion，andboiledlikechocolate。Thewateraccumulatedandwasheddeeperdown，andtheroarofthepoolthusformedspreadintothenightastheheadandchiefamongothernoisesofthekindcreatedbythedelugingrain。TheflowerssocarefullyplantedbyFanny’srepentantloverbegantomoveandwritheintheirbed。
　　Thewinter-violetsturnedslowlyupsidedown，andbecameamerematofmud。Soonthesnowdropandotherbulbsdancedintheboilingmasslikeingredientsinacauldron。Plantsofthetuftedspecieswereloosened，rosetothesurface，andfloatedoff。
　　Troydidnotawakefromhiscomfortlesssleeptillitwasbroadday。
　　Nothavingbeentobedfortwonightshisshouldersfeltstiff，hisfeettender，andhisheadheavy。Herememberedhisposition，arose，shivered，tookthespade，andagainwenton。
　　Therainhadquiteceased，andthesunwasshiningthroughthegreen，brown，andyellowleaves，nowsparklingandvarnishedbytheraindropstothebrightnessofsimilareffectsinthelandscapesofRuysdaelandHobbema；andfillofallthoseinfinitebeautiesthatarisefromtheunionofwaterandcolourwithhighlights。Theairwasrenderedsotransparentbytheheavyfallofrainthattheautumnhuesofthemiddledistancewereasrichasthosenearathand，andtheremotefieldsinterceptedbytheangleofthetowerappearedinthesameplaneasthetoweritself。
　　Heenteredthegravelpathwhichwouldtakehimbehindthetower。Thepath，insteadofbeingstonyasithadbeenthenightbefore，wasbrownedoverwithathincoatingofmud。Atoneplaceinthepathhesawatuftofstringyrootswashedwhiteandcleanasabundleoftendons。Hepickeditup-surelyitcouldnotbeoneoftheprimroseshehadplanted？Hesawabulb，another，andanotherasheadvanced。Beyonddoubttheywerethecrocuses。WithafaceofperplexeddismayTroyturnedthecornerandthenbeheldthewreckthestreamhadmade。
　　Thepooluponthegravehadsoakedawayintotheground，andinitsplacewasahollow。Thedisturbedearthwaswashedoverthegrassandpathwayintheguiseofthebrownmudhehadalreadyseen，anditspottedthemarbletombstonewiththesamestains。Nearlyalltheflowerswerewashedcleanoutoftheground，andtheylay，rootsupwards，onthespotswhithertheyhadbeensplashedbythestream。
　　Troy’sbrowbecameheavilycontracted。Hesethisteethclosely，andhiscompressedlipsmovedasthoseofoneingreatpain。Thissingularaccident，byastrangeconfluenceofemotionsinhim，wasfeltasthesharpeststingofall。Troy’sfacewasveryexpressive，andanyobserverwhohadseenhimnowwouldhardlyhavebelievedhimtobeamanwhohadlaughed，andsung，andpouredlove-triflesintoawoman’sear。Tocursehismiserablelotwasatfirsthisimpulse，buteventhatloweststageofrebellionneededanactivitywhoseabsencewasnecessarilyantecedenttotheexistenceofthemorbidmiserywhichwrunghim。Thesight，comingasitdid，superimposedupontheotherdarksceneryofthepreviousdays，formedasortofclimaxtothewholepanorama，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。Sanguinebynature，Troyhadapowerofeludinggriefbysimplyadjourningit。Hecouldputofftheconsiderationofanyparticularspectretillthematterhadbecomeoldandsoftenedbytime。TheplantingofflowersonFanny’sgravehadbeenperhapsbutaspeciesofelusionoftheprimarygrief，andnowitwasasifhisintentionhadbeenknownandcircumvented。
　　AlmostforthefirsttimeinhislifeTroy，ashestoodbythisdismantledgrave，wishedhimselfanotherman。Itisseldomthatapersonwithmuchanimalspiritdoesnotfeelthatthefactofhislifebeinghisownistheonequalificationwhichsinglesitoutasamorehopefullifethanthatofotherswhomayactuallyresemblehimineveryparticular。Troyhadfelt，inhistransientway，hundredsoftimes，thathecouldnotenvyotherpeopletheircondition，becausethepossessionofthatconditionwouldhavenecessitatedadifferentpersonalitywhenhedesirednootherthanhisown。Hehadnotmindedthepeculiaritiesofhisbirth，thevicissitudesofhislife，themeteor-likeuncertaintyofallthatrelatedtohim，becausetheseappertainedtotheheroofhisstory，withoutwhomtherewouldhavebeennostoryatallforhim；anditseemedtobeonlyinthenatureofthingsthatmatterswouldrightthemselvesatsomeproperdateandwindupwell。Thisverymorningtheillusioncompleteditsdisappearance，and，asitwere，allofasudden，Troyhatedhimself。Thesuddennesswasprobablymoreapparentthanreal。Acoralreefwhichjustcomesshortoftheoceansurfaceisnomoretothehorizonthanifithadneverbeenbegun，andthemerefinishingstrokeiswhatoftenappearstocreateaneventwhichhaslongbeenpotentiallyanaccomplishedthing。
　　Hestoodandmeditated-amiserableman。Whithershouldhego？`Hethatisaccursed，lethimbeaccursedstill，’wasthepitilessanathemawritteninthisspoliatedeffortofhisnew-bornsolicitousness。Amanwhohasspenthisprimalstrengthinjourneyinginonedirectionhasnotmuchspiritleftforreversinghiscourse。Troyhad，sinceyesterday，faintlyreversedhis；butthemerestoppositionhaddisheartenedhim。Toturnaboutwouldhavebeenhardenoughunderthegreatestprovidentialencouragement；
　　buttofindthatProvidence，farfromhelpinghimintoanewcourse，orshowinganywishthathemightadoptone，actuallyjeeredhisfirsttremblingandcriticalattemptinthatkind，wasmorethannaturecouldbear。
　　Heslowlywithdrewfromthegrave。Hedidnotattempttofillupthehole，replacetheflowers，ordoanythingatall。Hesimplythrewuphiscardsandforsworehisgameforthattimeandalways。Goingoutofthechurchyardsilentlyandunobserved-noneofthevillagershavingyetrisen-hepasseddownsomefieldsattheback，andemergedjustassecretlyuponthehighroad。Shortlyafterwardshehadgonefromthevillage。
　　Meanwhile，Bathshebaremainedavoluntaryprisonerintheattic。Thedoorwaskeptlocked，exceptduringtheentriesandexitsofLiddy，forwhomabedhadbeenarrangedinasmalladjoiningroom。ThelightofTroy’slanterninthechurchyardwasnoticedaboutteno’clockbythemaid-servant，whocasuallyglancedfromthewindowinthatdirectionwhilsttakinghersupper，andshecalledBathsheba’sattentiontoit。Theylookedcuriouslyatthephenomenonforatime，untilLiddywassenttobed。
　　Bathshebadidnotsleepveryheavilythatnight。Whenherattendantwasunconsciousandsoftlybreathinginthenextroom，themistressofthehousewasstilllookingoutofthewindowatthefaintgleamspreadingfromamongthetrees-notinasteadyshine，butblinkinglikearevolvingcoast-light，thoughthisappearancefailedtosuggesttoherthatapersonwaspassingandrepassinginfrontofit。Bathshebasatheretillitbegantorain，andthelightvanished，whenshewithdrewtolierestlesslyinherbedandre-enactinawornmindtheluridsceneofyesternight。
　　Almostbeforethefirstfaintsignofdawnappearedshearoseagain，andopenedthewindowtoobtainafillbreathingofthenewmorningair，thepanesbeingnowwetwithtremblingtearsleftbythenightrain，eachoneroundedwithapalelustrecaughtfromprimrose-huedslashesthroughacloudlowdownintheawakeningsky。Fromthetreescamethesoundofsteadydrippinguponthedriftedleavesunderthem，andfromthedirectionofthechurchshecouldhearanothernoise-peculiar，andnotintermittentliketherest，thepurlofwaterfallingintoapool。
　　Liddyknockedateighto’clock，andBathshebaunlockedthedoor。
　　`Whataheavyrainwe’vehadinthenight，ma’am！’saidLiddy，whenherinquiriesaboutbreakfasthadbeenmade。
　　`Yes；veryheavy。’
　　`Didyouhearthestrangenoisefromthechurchyard？’
　　`Iheardonestrangenoise。I’vebeenthinkingitmusthavebeenthewaterfromthetowerspouts。’
　　`Well，that’swhattheshepherdwassaying，ma’am。He’snowgoneontosee。’
　　`Oh！Gabrielhasbeenherethismorning？’
　　`Onlyjustlookedininpassing-quiteinhisoldway，whichIthoughthehadleftofflately。Butthetowerspoutsusedtospatteronthestones，andwearepuzzled，forthiswasliketheboilingofapot。’
　　Notbeingabletoread，think，orwork，BathshebaaskedLiddytostayandbreakfastwithher。Thetongueofthemorechildishwomanstillranuponrecentevents。`Areyougoingacrosstothechurch，ma’am？’sheasked。
　　`NotthatIknowof，’saidBathsheba。
　　`IthoughtyoumightliketogoandseewheretheyhaveputFanny。Thetreeshidetheplacefromyourwindow。’
　　Bathshebahadallsortsofdreadsaboutmeetingherhusband。`HasMrTroybeeninto-night？’shesaid。
　　`No，ma’am；Ithinkhe’sgonetoBudmouth。’
　　Budmouth！thesoundofthewordcarriedwithitamuchdiminishedperspectiveofhimandhisdeeds；therewerethirteenmilesintervalbetwixtthemnow。
　　ShehatedquestioningLiddyaboutherhusband’smovements，andindeedhadhithertosedulouslyavoideddoingso；butnowallthehouseknewthattherehadbeensomedreadfuldisagreementbetweenthem，anditwasfutiletoattemptdisguise。Bathshebahadreachedastageatwhichpeopleceasetohaveanyappreciativeregardforpublicopinion。
　　`Whatmakesyouthinkhehasgonethere？’shesaid。
　　`LabanTallsawhimontheBudmouthroadthismorningbeforebreakfast。’
　　Bathshebawasmomentarilyrelievedofthatwaywardheavinessofthepasttwenty-fourhourswhichhadquenchedthevitalityofyouthinherwithoutsubstitutingthephilosophyofmatureryearsandsheresolvedtogooutandwalkalittleway。Sowhenbreakfastwasoversheputonherbonnet，andtookadirectiontowardsthechurch。Itwasnineo’clock，andthemenhavingreturnedtoworkagainfromtheirfirstmeal，shewasnotlikelytomeetmanyofthemintheroad。KnowingthatFannyhadbeenlaidinthereprobates’quarterofthegraveyard，calledintheparish`behindchurch’，whichwasinvisiblefromtheroad，itwasimpossibletoresisttheimpulsetoenterandlookuponaspotwhich，fromnamelessfeelings，sheatthesametimedreadedtosee。Shehadbeenunabletoovercomeanimpressionthatsomeconnectionexistedbetweenherrivalandthelightthroughthetrees。
　　Bathshebaskirtedthebuttress，andbeheldtheholeandthetomb，itsdelicatelyveinedsurfacesplashedandstainedjustasTroyhadseenitandleftittwohoursearlier。OntheothersideofthescenestoodGabriel。
　　Hiseyes，too，werefixedonthetomb，andherarrivalhavingbeennoiseless，shehadnotasyetattractedhisattention。BathshebadidnotatonceperceivethatthegrandtombandthedisturbedgravewereFanny’s，andshelookedonbothsidesandaroundforsomehumblermound，earthedupandcloddedintheusualway。ThenhereyesfollowedOak’s，andshereadthewordswithwhichtheinscriptionopened：——`ErectedbyFrancisTroyinBelovedMemoryofFannyRobin。’Oaksawher，andhisfirstactwastogazeinquiringlyandlearnhowshereceivedthisknowledgeoftheauthorshipofthework，whichtohimselfhadcausedconsiderableastonishment。Butsuchdiscoveriesdidnotmuchaffecthernow。Emotionalconvulsionsseemedtohavebecomethecommonplacesofherhistory，andshebadehimgoodmorning，andaskedhimtofillintheholewiththespadewhichwasstandingby。WhilstOakwasdoingasshedesired，Bathshebacollectedtheflowers，andbeganplantingthemwiththatsympatheticmanipulationofrootsandleaveswhichissoconspicuousinawoman’sgardening，andwhichflowersseemtounderstandandthriveupon。SherequestedOaktogetthechurch-wardentoturntheleadworkatthemouthofthegurgoylethathunggapingdownuponthem，thatbythismeansthestreammightbedirectedsideways，andarepetitionoftheaccidentprevented。Finally，withthesuperfluousmagnanimityofawomanwhosenarrowerinstinctshavebroughtdownbitternessuponherinsteadoflove，shewipedthemudspotsfromthetombasifsheratherlikeditswordsthanotherwise，andwenthomeagain。
　　CHAPTERFORTY-SEVENAdventuresbytheShoreTroywanderedalongtowardsthesouth。Acompositefeeling，madeupofdisgustwiththe，tohim，humdrumtediousnessofafarmer’slife，gloomyimagesofherwholayinthechurchyard，remorse，andageneralaversenesstohiswife’ssociety，impelledhimtoseekahomeinanyplaceonearthsaveWeatherbury。ThesadaccessoriesofFanny’sendconfrontedhimasvividpictureswhichthreatenedtobeindelible，andmadelifeinBathsheba’shouseintolerable。Atthreeintheafternoonhefoundhimselfatthefootofaslopemorethanamileinlength，whichrantotheridgeofarangeofhillslyingparallelwiththeshore，andformedamonotonousbarrierbetweenthebasinofcultivatedcountryinlandandthewildersceneryofthecoast。Upthehillstretchedaroadnearlystraightandperfectlywhite，thetwosidesapproachingeachotherinagradualtapertilltheymettheskyatthetopabouttwomilesoff。
　　Throughoutthelengthofthisnarrowandirksomeinclinedplanenotasignoflifewasvisibleonthisgarishafternoon。Troytoileduptheroadwithalanguoranddepressiongreaterthananyhehadexperiencedformanyadayandyearbefore。Theairwaswarmandmuggy，andthetopseemedtorecedeasheapproached。
　　Atlasthereachedthesummit，andawideandnovelprospectburstuponhimwithaneffectalmostlikethatofthePacificuponBalboa’sgaze。
　　Thebroadsteelysea，markedonlybyfaintlines，whichhadasemblanceofbeingetchedthereontoadegreenotdeepenoughtodisturbitsgeneralevenness，stretchedthewholewidthofhisfrontandroundtotheright，where，nearthetownandportofBudmouth，thesunbristleddownuponit，andbanishedallcolour，tosubstituteinitsplaceaclearoilypolish。
　　Nothingmovedinsky，land，orsea，exceptafrillofmilkwhitefoamalongtheneareranglesoftheshores，shredsofwhichlickedthecontiguousstonesliketongues。
　　Hedescendedandcametoasmallbasinofseaenclosedbythecliffs。
　　Troy’snaturefreshenedwithinhim；hethoughthewouldrestandbatheherebeforegoingfarther。Heundressedandplungedin。Insidethecovethewaterwasuninterestingtoaswimmer，beingsmoothasapond，andtogetalittleoftheoceanswellTroypresentlyswambetweenthetwoprojectingspursofrockwhichformedthepillarsofHerculestothisminiatureMediterranean。
　　UnfortunatelyforTroyacurrentunknowntohimexistedoutside，which，unimportanttocraftofanyburden，wasawkwardforaswimmerwhomightbetakeninitunawares。Troyfoundhimselfcarriedtotheleftandthenroundinaswoopouttosea。
　　Henowrecollectedtheplaceanditssinistercharacter。Manybathershadthereprayedforadrydeathfromtimetotime，and，likeGonzaloalso，hadbeenunanswered；andTroybegantodeemitpossiblethathemightbeaddedtotheirnumber。Notaboatofanykindwasatpresentwithinsight，butfarinthedistanceBudmouthlayuponthesea，asitwerequietlyregardinghisefforts，andbesidethetowntheharbourshoweditspositionbyadimmeshworkofropesandspars。Afterwell-nighexhaustinghimselfinattemptstogetbacktothemouthofthecove，inhisweaknessswimmingseveralinchesdeeperthanwashiswont，keepinguphisbreathingentirelybyhisnostrils，turninguponhisbackadozentimesover，swimmingenpapillon，andsoon，Troyresolvedasalastresourcetotreadwaterataslightincline，andsoendeavourtoreachtheshoreatanypoint，merelygivinghimselfagentleimpetusinwardswhilstcarriedoninthegeneraldirectionofthetide。This，necessarilyaslowprocess，hefoundtobenotaltogethersodifficult，andthoughtherewasnochoiceofalanding-place-theobjectsonshorepassingbyhiminasadandslowprocession-heperceptiblyapproachedtheextremityofaspitoflandyetfurthertotheright，nowwelldefinedagainstthesunnyportionofthehorizon。WhiletheswimmerseyeswerefixeduponthespitashisonlymeansofsalvationonthissideoftheUnknown，amovingobjectbroketheoutlineoftheextremity，andimmediatelyaship’sboatappeared，mannedwithseveralsailorlads，herbowstowardsthesea。
　　AllTroy’svigourspasmodicallyrevivedtoprolongthestruggleyetalittlefarther。Swimmingwithhisrightarm，hehelduphislefttohailthem，splashinguponthewaves，andshoutingwithallhismight。Fromthepositionofthesettingsunhiswhiteformwasdistinctlyvisibleuponthenowdeep-huedbosomoftheseatotheeastoftheboat，andthemersawhimatonce。Backingtheiroarsandputtingtheboatabout，theypulledtowardshimwithawill，andinfiveorsixminutesfromthetimeofhisfirsthalloo，twoofthesailorshauledhiminoverthestern。
　　Theyformedpartofabrig’screwandhadcomeashoreforsand。Lendinghimwhatlittleclothingtheycouldspareamongthemasaslightprotectionagainsttherapidlycoolingair，theyagreedtolandhiminthemorning；
　　andwithoutfurtherdelay，foritwasgrowinglate，theymadeagaintowardstheroadsteadwheretheirvessellay。
　　Andnownightdroppedslowlyuponthewidewaterylevelsinfront；andatnogreatdistancefromthem，wheretheshore-linecurvedround，andformedalongribandofshadeuponthehorizon，aseriesofpointsofyellowlightbegantostartintoexistence，denotingthespottobethesiteofBudmouth，wherethelampswerebeinglightedalongtheparade。Thecluckoftheiroarswastheonlysoundofanydistinctnessuponthesea，andastheylabouredamidthethickeningshadesthelamp-lightsgrewlarger，eachappearingtosendaflamingsworddeepdownintothewavesbeforeit，untiltherearose，amongotherdimshapesofthekind，theformofthevesselforwhichtheywerebound。
　　CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHTDoubtsarise-DoubtshungerBathshebaunderwenttheenlargementofherhusband’sabsencefromhourstodayswithaslightfeelingofsurprise，andaslightfeelingofrelief；
　　yetneithersensationroseatanytimefarabovethelevelcommonlydesignatedasindifference。Shebelongedtohim：thecertaintiesofthatpositionweresowelldefined，andthereasonableprobabilitiesofitsissuesobounded，thatshecouldnotspeculateoncontingencies。Takingnofurtherinterestinherselfasasplendidwoman，sheacquiredtheindifferentfeelingsofanoutsiderincontemplatingherprobablefateasasingularwretch；
　　forBathshebadrewherselfandherfutureincoloursthatnorealitycouldexceedfordarkness。Heroriginalvigorousprideofyouthhadsickened，andwithithaddeclinedallheranxietiesaboutcomingyears，sinceanxietyrecognizesabetterandaworsealternative，andBathshebahadmadeuphermindthatalternativesonanynote-worthyscalehadceasedforher。
　　Soon，orlater-andthatnotverylate-herhusbandwouldbehomeagain。
　　AndthenthedaysoftheirtenancyoftheUpperFarmwouldbenumbered。
　　TherehadoriginallybeenshownbytheagenttotheestatesomedistrustofBathsheba’stenureasJamesEverdene’ssuccessor，onthescoreofhersex，andheryouth，andherbeauty；butthepeculiarnatureofheruncle’swill，hisownfrequenttestimonybeforehisdeathtoherclevernessinsuchapursuit，andhervigorousmarshallingofthenumerousflocksandherdswhichcamesuddenlyintoherhandsbeforenegotiationswereconcluded，hadwonconfidenceinherpowers，andnofartherobjectionshadbeenraised。
　　Shehadlatterlybeeningreatdoubtastowhatthelegaleffectsofhermarriagewouldbeuponherposition；butnonoticehadbeentakenasyetofherchangeofname，andonlyonepointwasclear-thatintheeventofherownorherhusband’sinabilitytomeettheagentattheforthcomingJanuaryrent-day，verylittleconsiderationwouldbeshown，and，forthatmatter，verylittlewouldbedeserved。Onceoutofthefarmtheapproachofpovertywouldbesure。
　　HenceBathshebalivedinaperceptionthatherpurposeswerebrokenoff。Shewasnotawomanwhocouldhopeonwithoutgoodmaterialsfortheprocess，differingthusfromthelessfar-sightedandenergetic，thoughmorepettedonesofthesex，withwhomhopegoesonasasortofclockworkwhichthemerestfoodandshelteraresufficienttowindup；andperceivingclearlythathermistakehadbeenafatalone，sheacceptedherposition，andwaitedcoldlyfortheend。
　　ThefirstSaturdayafterTroy’sdepartureshewenttoCasterbridgealone，ajourneyshehadnottakensincehermarriage。OnthisSaturdayBathshebawaspassingslowlyonlootthroughthecrowdofruralbusiness-mengatheredasusualinfrontofthemarket-house，whowereasusualgazeduponbytheburgherswithfeelingsthatthosehealthylivesweredearlypaidforbyexclusionfrompossiblealdermanship，whenaman，whohadapparentlybeenfollowingher，saidsomewordstoanotheronherlefthand。Bathsheba’searswerekeenasthoseofanywildanimal，andshedistinctlyheardwhatthespeakersaid，thoughherbackwastowardshim。
　　`IamlookingforMrsTroy。Isthatshethere’
　　`Yes；that’stheyounglady，Ibelieve，’saidthepersonaddressed。
　　`Ihavesomeawkwardnewstobreaktoher。Herhusbandisdrowned。’
　　Asifendowedwiththespiritofprophecy，Bathshebagaspedout，`No，itisnottrue；itcannotbetrue！’Thenshesaidandheardnomore。Theiceofself-commandwhichhadlatterlygatheredoverherwasbroken，andthecurrentsburstforthagain，andoverwhelmedher。Adarknesscameintohereyes，andshefell。
　　Butnottotheground。Agloomyman，whohadbeenobservingherfromundertheporticooftheoldcorn-exchangewhenshepassedthroughthegroupwithout，steppedquicklytohersideatthemomentofherexclamation，andcaughtherinhisarmsasshesankdown。
　　`Whatisit？’saidBoldwood，lookingupatthebringerofthebignews，ashesupportedher。
　　`HerhusbandwasdrownedthisweekwhilebathinginLulwindCove。A
　　coastguardsmanfoundhisclothes，andbroughtthemintoBudmouthyesterday。’
　　ThereuponastrangefirelightedupBoldwood’seye，andhisfaceflushedwiththesuppressedexcitementofanunutterablethought。Everybody’sglancewasnowcentreduponhimandtheunconsciousBathsheba。Heliftedherbodilyofftheground，andsmootheddownthefoldsofherdressasachildmighthavetakenastorm-beatenbirdandarrangeditsruffledplumes，andboreheralongthepavementtotheKing’sArmsinn。Herehepassedwithherunderthearchwayintoaprivateroom；andbythetimehehaddeposited-solothly-thepreciousburdenuponasofa，Bathshebahadopenedhereyes。Rememberingallthathadoccurred，shemurmured，`Iwanttogohome！’
　　Boldwoodlefttheroom。Hestoodforamomentinthepassagetorecoverhissenses。Theexperiencehadbeentoomuchforhisconsciousnesstokeepupwith，andnowthathehadgraspeditithadgoneagain。Forthosefewheavenly，goldenmomentsshehadbeeninhisarms。
　　Whatdiditmatterabouthernotknowingit？Shehadbeenclosetohisbreast；hehadbeenclosetohers。
　　Hestartedonwardagain，andsendingawomantoher，wentouttoascertainallthefactsofthecase。Theseappearedtobelimitedtowhathehadalreadyheard。Hethenorderedherhorsetobeputintothegig，andwhenallwasreadyreturnedtoinformher。Hefoundthat，thoughstillpaleandunwell，shehadinthemeantimesentfortheBudmouthmanwhobroughtthetidings，andlearntFromhimalltherewastoknow。
　　Beinghardlyinaconditiontodrivehomeasshehaddriventotown，Boldwood，witheverydelicacyofmannerandfeeling，offeredtogetheradriver，ortogiveheraseatinhisphaeton，whichwasmorecomfortablethanherownconveyance。TheseproposalsBathshebagentlydeclined，andthefarmeratoncedeparted。
　　Abouthalfan-hourlatersheinvigoratedherselfbyaneffort，andtookherseatandthereinsasusual-inexternalappearancemuchasifnothinghadhappened。Shewentoutofthetownbyatortuousbackstreet，anddroveslowlyalong，unconsciousoftheroadandthescene。ThefirstshadesofeveningwereshowingthemselveswhenBathshebareachedhome，where，silentlyalightingandleavingthehorseinthebandsoftheboy，sheproceededatonceupstairs。Liddymetheronthelanding。ThenewshadprecededBathshebatoWeatherburybyhalfan-hour，andLiddylikedinquiringlyintohermistress’sface。Bathshebahadnothingtosay。
　　Sheenteredherbedroomandsatbythewindow，andthoughtandthoughttillnightenvelopedher，andtheextremelinesonlyofhershapewerevisible。Somebodycametothedoor，knocked，andopenedit。
　　`Well，whatisit，Liddy？’shesaid。
　　`Iwasthinkingtheremustbesomethinggotforyoutowear，’saidLiddy，withhesitation。
　　`Whatdoyoumean？’
　　`Mourning。’
　　`No，no，no，’saidBathshebahurriedly。
　　`ButIsupposetheremustbesomethingdoneforpoor——’
　　`Notatpresent，Ithink。Itisnotnecessary。
　　`Whynot，ma’am？’
　　`Becausehe’sstillalive。’
　　`Howdoyouknowthat？’saidLiddy，amazed。
　　`Idon’tknowit。Butwouldn’tithavebeendifferent，orshouldn’tIhaveheardmore，orwouldn’ttheyhavefoundhim，Liddy？-or-Idon’tknowhowitis，butdeathwouldhavebeendifferentfromhowthisis。Theremaybesometrickinit。Iamperfectlyconvincedthatheisstillalive！’
　　BathshebaremainedfirminthisopiniontillMonday，whentwocircumstancesconjoinedtoshakeit。Thefirstwasashortparagraphinthelocalnewspaper，which，beyondmakingbyamethodizingpenformidablepresumptiveevidenceofTroy’sdeathbydrowning，containedtheimportanttestimonyofayoungMrBarker，M。D。，ofBudmouth，whospoketobeinganeyewitnessoftheaccident，inalettertotheeditor。Inthishestatedthathewaspassingoverthecliffontheremotersideofthecovejustasthesunwassetting。Atthattimehesawabathercarriedalonginthecurrentoutsidethemouthofthecove，andguessedinaninstantthattherewasbutapoorchanceforhimunless。Heshouldbepossessedofunusualmuscularpowers。Hedriftedbehindaprojectionofthecoast，andMrBarkerfollowedalongtheshoreinthesamedirection。Butbythetimethathecouldreachanelevationsufficientlygreattocommandaviewoftheseabeyond，duskhadsetin，andnothingfartherwastobeseen。
　　Theothercircumstancewasthearrivalofhisclothes，whenitbecamenecessaryforhertoexamineandidentifythem-thoughthishadvirtuallybeendonelongbeforebythosewhoinspectedthelettersinhispockets。
　　ItwassoevidenttoherinthemidstofheragitationthatTroyhadundressedinthefallconvictionofdressingagainalmostimmediately，thatthenotionthatanythingbutdeathcouldhavepreventedhimwasaperverseonetoentertain。
　　ThenBathshebasaidtoherselfthatotherswereassuredintheiropinion；
　　strangethatsheshouldnotbe。Astrangereflectionoccurredtoher，causingherfacetoflush。SupposethatTroyhadfollowedFannyintoanotherworld。
　　Hadhedonethisintentionallyyetcontrivedtomakehisdeathappearlikeanaccident？Nevertheless，thisthoughtofhowtheapparentmightdifferfromthereal-madevividbyherbygonejealousyofFanny，andtheremorsehehadshownthatnight-didnotblindhertotheperceptionofalikelierdifference，lesstragic，buttoherselffarmoredisastrous。
　　Whenalonelatethateveningbesideasmallfire，andmuchcalmeddown，BathshebatookTroy’swatchintoherhand，whichhadbeenrestoredtoherwiththerestofthearticlesbelongingtohim。Sheopenedthecaseashehadopeneditbeforeheraweekago。Therewasthelittlecoilofpalehairwhichhadbeenasthefazetothisgreatexplosion。
　　`Hewashersandshewashis；theyshouldbegonetogether，’shesaid。
　　`Iamnothingtoeitherofthem，andwhyshouldIkeepherhair？’Shetookitinherhand，andhelditoverthefire。`No-I’llnotburnit-I’llkeepitinmemoryofher，poorthing！’sheadded，snatchingbackherhand。
　　CHAPTERFORTY-NINEOak’sAdvancement-AGreatHopeThelateautumnandthewinterdrewonapace，andtheleaveslaythickupontheturfofthegladesandthemossesofthewoods。Bathsheba，havingpreviouslybeenlivinginastateofsuspendedfeelingwhichwasnotsuspense，nowlivedinamoodofquietudewhichwasnotpreciselypeacefulness。Whileshehadknownhimtobealiveshecouldhavethoughtofhisdeathwithequanimity；butnowthatitmightbeshehadlosthim，sheregrettedthathewasnothersstill。Shekeptthefirmgoing，rakedinherprofitswithoutcaringkeenlyaboutthem，andexpendedmoneyonventuresbecauseshehaddonesoinbygonedays，which，thoughnotlonggoneby，seemedinfinitelyremovedfromherpresent。Shelookedbackuponthatpastoveragreatgulf，asifshewerenowadeadperson，havingthefacultyofmeditationstillleftinher，bymeansofwhich，likethemoulderinggentlefolkofthepoet’sstory，shecouldsitandponderwhatagiftlifeusedtobe。
　　However，oneexcellentresultofhergeneralapathywasthelongdelayedinstallationofOakasbailiffbuthehavingvirtuallyexercisedthatfunctionforalongtimealready，thechange，beyondthesubstantialincreaseofwagesitbrought，waslittlemorethananominaloneaddressedtotheoutsideworld。
　　Boldwoodlivedsecludedandinactive。Muchofhidwheatandallhisbarleyofthatseasonhadbeenspoiltbytherain。Itsprouted，grewintointricatemats，andwasultimatelythrowntothepigsinarmfuls。Thestrangeneglectwhichhadproducedthisruinandwastebecamethesubjectofwhisperedtalkamongallthepeopleround；anditwaselicitedfromoneofBoldwood’smenthatforgetfulnesshadnothingtodowithit，forhehadbeenremindedofthedangertohiscornasmanytimesandaspersistentlyasinferiorsdaredtodo。ThesightofthepigsturningindisgustfromtherottenearsseemtoarouseBoldwood，andheoneeveningsentforOak。WhetheritwassuggestedbyBathsheba’srecentactofpromotionornot，thefarmerproposedattheinterviewthatGabrielshouldundertakethesuperintendenceofthelowerFarmaswellasofBathsheba’s，becauseofthenecessityBoldwoodfeltforsuchaid，andtheimpossibilityofdiscoveringamoretrustworthyman。Gabriel’smalignantstarwasassuredlysettingfast。
　　Bathsheba，whenshelearntofthisproposal-forOakwasobligedtoconsulther-atfirstlanguidlyobjected。Sheconsideredthatthetwofarmstogetherweretooextensivefortheobservationofoneman。Boldwood，whowasapparentlydeterminedbypersonalratherthancommercialreasons，suggestedthatOakshouldbefurnishedwithahorseforhissoleuse，whentheplanwouldpresentnodifficulty，thetwofarmslyingsidebyside。
　　Boldwooddidnotdirectlycommunicatewithherduringthesenegotiations，onlyspeakingtoOak，whowasthegobetweenthroughout。Allwasharmoniouslyarrangedatlast，andwenowseeOakmountedonastrongcob，anddailytrottingthelengthandbreadthofabouttwothousandacresinacheerfulspiritofsurveillance，asifthecropsallbelongedtohim-theactualmistressoftheone-half，andthemasteroftheother，sittingintheirrespectivehomesingloomyandsadseclusion。
　　Outofthistherearose，duringthespringsucceeding，atalkintheparishthatGabrielOakwasfeatheringhisnestfast。
　　`Whateverd’yethink？’saidSusanTall，`GableOakiscomingitquitethedand。Henowwearsshiningbootswithhardlyahobin’em，twoorthreetimesa-week，andatallhata-Sundays，and’ahardlyknowsthenameofsmockfrock。WhenIseepeoplestrutenoughtobecutupintobantamcocks，Istanddormantwithwonder，andsaysnomore！’
　　ItwaseventuallyknownthatGabriel，thoughpaidafixedwagebyBathshebaindependentofthefluctuationsofagriculturalprofits，hadmadeanengagementwithBoldwoodbywhichOakwastoreceiveashareofthereceipts-asmallsharecertainly，yetitwasmoneyofahigherqualitythanmerewages，andcapableofexpansioninawaythatwageswerenot。SomewerebeginningtoconsiderOaka`near’man，forthoughhisconditionhadthusfarimproved，helivedinnobetterstylethanbefore，occupyingthesamecottage，paringhisownpotatoes，mendinghisstockings，andsometimesevenmakinghisbedwithhisownhands。ButasOakwasnotonlyprovokinglyindifferenttopublicopinion，butamanwhoclungpersistentlytooldhabitsandusages，simplybecausetheywereold，therewasroomfordoubtastohismotives。
　　AgreathopehadlatterlygerminatedinBoldwood，whoseunreasoningdevotiontoBathshebacouldonlybecharacterizedasafondmadnesswhichneithertimenorcircumstance，evilnorgoodreport，couldweakenordestroy。
　　Thisfeveredhopehadgrownupagainlikeagrainofmustard-seedduringthequietwhichfollowedthehastyconjecturethatTroywasdrowned。Henourisheditfearfully，andalmostshunnedthecontemplationofitinearnest，lestfactsshouldrevealthewildnessofthedream。Bathshebahavingatlastbeenpersuadedtowearmourning，herappearanceassheenteredthechurchinthatguisewasinitselfaweeklyadditiontohisfaiththatatimewascoming-veryfaroffperhaps，yetsurelynearing-whenhiswaitingoneventsshouldhaveitsreward。Howlonghemighthavetowaithehadnotyetcloselyconsidered。WhathewouldtrytorecognizewasthatthesevereschoolingshehadbeensubjectedtohadmadeBathshebamuchmoreconsideratethanshehadformerlybeenofthefeelingsofothers，andhetrustedthat，shouldshebewillingatanytimeinthefuturetomarryanymanatall，thatmanwouldbehimself。Therewasasubstratumofgoodfeelinginher；herself-reproachfortheinjuryshehadthoughtlesslydonehimmightbedependeduponnowtoamuchgreaterextentthanbeforeherinfatuationanddisappointment。Itwouldbepossibletoapproachherbythechannelofhergoodnature，andtosuggestafriendlybusiness-likecompactbetweenthemforfulfilmentatsomefutureday，keepingthepassionatesideofhisdesireentirelyoutofhersight。SuchwasBoldwood’shope。
　　Totheeyesofthemiddle-aged，Bathshebawasperhapsadditionallycharmingjustnow。Herexuberanceofspiritwaspruneddown；theoriginalphantomofdelightshadshownherselftobenottoobrightforhumannature’sdailyfood，andshehadbeenabletoenterthissecondpoeticalphasewithoutlosingmuchofthefirstintheprocess。
　　Bathsheba’sreturnfromatwomonths’visittoheroldauntatNorcombeaffordedtheimpassionedandyearningfarmerapretextforinquiringdirectlyalterher-nowpossiblyintheninthmonthofherwidowhood-andendeavouringtogetanotionofherstateofmindregardinghim。Thisoccurredinthemiddleofthehaymaking，andBoldwoodcontrivedtobenearLiddy，whowasassistinginthefields。
　　`Iamgladtoseeyououtofdoors，Lydia，’hesaidpleasantly。
　　Shesimpered，andwonderedinherheartwhyheshouldspeaksofranklytoher。
　　`IhopeMrsTroyisquitewellafterherlongabsence，’hecontinued，inamannerexpressingthatthecoldest-heartedneighbourcouldscarcelysaylessabouther。
　　`Sheisquitewell，sir。’
　　`Andcheerful，Isuppose。
　　`Yes，cheerful。’
　　`Fearful，didyousay？’
　　`Ono。Imerelysaidshewascheerful。’
　　`Tellsyouallheraffairs？’
　　`No，sir。’
　　`Someofthem？’
　　`Yes，sir。’
　　`MrsTroyputsmuchconfidenceinyou，Lydia，andverywisely，perhaps。’
　　`Shedo，sir。I’vebeenwithherallthroughhertroubles，andwaswithheratthetimeofMrTroy’sgoingandall。AndifsheweretomarryagainIexpectIshouldbidewithher。’
　　`Shepromisesthatyoushall-quitenatural，’saidthestrategiclover，throbbingthroughouthimatthepresumptionwhichLiddy’swordsappearedtowarrant-thathisdarlinghadthoughtofre-marriage。
　　`No-shedoesn’tpromiseitexactly。Imerelyjudgeonmyownaccount。’
　　`Yes，yes，Iunderstand。Whenshealludestothepossibilityofmarryingagain，youconclude——’
　　`Sheneverdoalludetoit，sir，’saidLiddy，thinkinghowverystupidMrBoldwoodwasgetting。
　　`Ofcoursenot，’hereturnedhastily，hishopefallingagain。`Youneedn’ttakequitesuchlongreacheswithyourtake，Lydia-shortandquickonesarebest。Well，perhaps，assheisabsolutemistressagainnow，itiswiseofhertoresolvenevertogiveupherfreedom。
　　`Mymistressdidcertainlyoncesay，thoughnotseriously，thatshesupposedshemightmarryagainattheendofsevenyearsfromlastyear，ifshecaredtoriskMrTroy’scomingbackandclaimingher。’
　　`Ah，sixyearsfromthepresenttime。Saidthatshemight。Shemightmarryatonceineveryreasonableperson’sopinion，whateverthelawyersmaysaytothecontrary。
　　`Haveyoubeentoaskthem？’saidLiddyinnocently。
　　`NotI，’saidBoldwood，growingred。`Liddy，youneedn’tstayhereaminutelaterthanyouwish，soMrOaksays。Iamnowgoingonlittlefarther。
　　Good-afternoon。’
　　Hewentawayvexedwithhimselfandashamedofhavingforthisonetimeinhislifedoneanythingwhichcouldbecalledunderhand。PoorBoldwoodhadnomoreskillinfinessethanabattering-ramandhewasuneasywithasenseofhavingmadehimselftoappearstupidand，whatwasworse，mean。
　　Buthehad，afterall，lightedupononefactbywayofrepayment。Itwasasingularlyfreshandfascinatingfact，aridthoughnotwithoutitssadnessitwaspertinentandreal。InlittlemorethansixyearsfromthistimeBathshebamightcertainlymarryhim。Therewassomethingdefiniteinthathope，foradmittingthattheremighthavebeennodeepthoughtinherwordstoLiddyaboutmarriage，theyshowedatleasthercreedonthematter。
　　Thispleasantnotionwasnowcontinuallyinhismind。Sixyearswerealongtime，buthowmuchshorterthannever，theideahehadforsolongbeenobligedtoendure！JacobhadservedtwicesevenyearsforRachel：
　　whatweresixforsuchawomanasthis？Hetriedtolikethenotionofwaitingforherbetterthanthatofwinningheratonce。Boldwoodfelthislovetobesodeepandstrongandeternal，thatitwaspossibleshehadneveryetknownitsfallvolume，andthispatienceindelaywouldaffordhimanopportunityofgivingsweetproofonthepoint。Hewouldannihilatethesixyearsofhislifeasiftheywereminutes-solittledidhevaluehistimeonearthbesideherlove。Hewouldlethersee，allthosesixyearsofintangibleetherealcourtship，howlittlecarehehadforanythingbutasitboreupontheconsummation。
　　MeanwhiletheearlyandthelatesummerbroughtroundtheweekinwhichGreenhillFairwasheld。ThisfairwasfrequentlyattendedbythefolkofWeatherbury。
　　CHAPTERFIFTYTheSheepFair-TroytoucheshisWife’sHandGreenhillwastheNijniNovgorodofSouthWessex；andthebusiest，merriest，noisiestdayofthewholestatutenumberwasthedayofthesheepfair。
　　Thisyearlygatheringwasuponthesummitofahillwhichretainedingoodpreservationtheremainsofanancientearthwork，consistingofahugerampartandentrenchmentofanovalformencirclingthetopofthehill，thoughsomewhatbrokendownhereandthere。Toeachofthetwochiefopeningsonoppositesidesawindingroadascended，andthelevelgreenspaceoftenorfifteenacresenclosedbythebankwasthesiteofthefair。Afewpermanenterectionsdottedthespot，butthemajorityofvisitorspatronizedcanvasaloneforrestingandfeedingunderduringthetimeoftheirsojournhere。
　　Shepherdswhoattendedwiththeirflocksfromlongdistancesstartedfromhometwoorthreedays，orevenaweek，beforethefair，drivingtheirchargesafewmileseachday-notmorethantenortwelve-andrestingthematnightinhiredfieldsbythewaysideatpreviouslychosenpoints，wheretheyfed，havingfastedsincemorning。Theshepherdofeachflockmarchedbehind，abundlecontaininghiskitfortheweekstrappeduponhisshoulders，andinhishandhiscrook，whichheusedasthestaffofhispilgrimage。Severalofthesheepwouldgetwornandlame，andoccasionallyalambingoccurredontheroad。Tomeetthesecontingencies，therewasfrequentlyprovided，toaccompanytheflocksfromtheremoterpoints，aponyandwaggonintowhichtheweaklyonesweretakenfortheremainderofthejourney。
　　TheWeatherburyFarms，however，werenosuchlongdistancefromthehill，andthosearrangementswerenotnecessaryintheircase。ButthelargeunitedflocksofBathshebaandFarmerBoldwoodformedavaluableandimposingmultitudewhichdemandedmuchattention，andonthisaccountGabriel，inadditiontoBoldwood’sshepherdandCainBall，accompaniedthemalongtheway，throughthedecayedoldtownofKingsbere，andupwardtotheplateau，-oldGeorgethedogofcoursebehindthem。
　　WhentheautumnsunslantedoverGreenhillthismorningandlightedthedewyflatuponitscrest，nebulouscloudsofdustweretobeseenfloatingbetweenthepairsofhedgeswhichstreakedthewideprospectaroundinalldirections。Thesegraduallyconvergeduponthebaseofthehill，andtheflocksbecameindividuallyvisible，climbingtheserpentinewayswhichledtothetop。Thus，inaslowprocession，theyenteredtheopeningtowhichtheroadstended，multitudeaftermultitude，hornedandhornless-blueflocksandredflocks，buffflocksandbrownflocks，evengreenandsalmon-tintedflocks，accordingtothefancyofthecolouristandcustomofthefarm。Menwereshouting，dogswerebarking，withgreatestanimation，butthethrongingtravellersinsolongajourneyhadgrownnearlyindifferenttosuchterrors，thoughtheystillbleatedpiteouslyattheunwantednessoftheirexperiences，atallshepherdrisinghereandthereinthemidstofthem，likeagiganticidolamidacrowdofprostratedevotees。
　　ThegreatmassofsheepinthefairconsistedofSouthDownsandtheoldWessexhornedbreeds；tothelatterclassBathsheba’sandFarmerBoldwood’smainlybelonged。Thesefiledinaboutnineo’clock，theirvermiculatedhornsloppinggracefullyoneachsideoftheircheeksingeometricallyperfectspirals，asmallpinkandwhiteearnestlingundereachhorn。Beforeandbehindcameothervarieties，perfectleopardsastothefallrichsubstanceoftheircoats，andonlylackingthespots。TherewerealsoafewoftheOxfordshirebreed，whosewoolwasbeginningtocurllikeachild’sflaxenhair，thoughsurpassedinthisrespectbytheeffeminateLeicesters，whichwereinturnlesscurlythantheCotswolds。ButthemostpicturesquebyfarwasasmallflockofExmoors，whichchancedtobetherethisyear。
　　Theirpiedfacesandlegs，darkandheavyhorns，tressesofwoolhangingroundtheirswarthyforeheads，quiterelievedthemonotonyoftheflocksinthatquarter。
　　Allthesebleating，panting，andwearythousandshadenteredandwerepennedbeforethemorninghadfaradvanced，thedogbelongingtoeachflockbeingtiedtothecornerofthepencontainingit。Alleysforpedestriansintersectedthepens，whichsoonbecamecrowdedwithbuyersandsellersfromfarandnear。
　　Inanotherpartofthehillanaltogetherdifferentscenebegantoforceitselfupontheeyetowardsmidday。Acirculartentofexceptionalnewnessandsize，wasincourseoferectionhere。Asthedaydrewon，theflocksbegantochangehands，lighteningtheshepherds’responsibilities；andtheyturnedtheirattentiontothistentandinquiredofamanatworkthere，whosesoulseemedconcentratedontyingabotheringknotinnotime，whatwasgoingon。
　　`TheRoyalHippodromePerformanceofTurpin’sRidetoYorkandtheDeathofBlackBess，’repliedthemanpromptly，withoutturninghiseyesorleavingofftying。
　　Assoonasthetentwascompletedthebandstruckuphighlystimulatingharmonies，andtheannouncementwaspubliclymade，BlackBessstandinginaconspicuouspositionontheoutside，asalivingproof，ifproofwerewanted，ofthetruthoftheoracularutterancesfromthestageoverwhichthepeopleweretoenter。Theseweresoconvincedbysuchgenuineappealstoheartandunderstandingboththattheysoonbegantocrowdinabundantly，amongtheforemostbeingvisibleJanCogganandJosephPoorgrass，whowereholidaykeepinghereto-day。
　　`That’sthegreatruffenpushingme！’screamedawomaninfrontofJanoverhershoulderathimwhentherushwasatitsfiercest。
　　`HowcanIhelppushingyewhenthefolkbehindpushme？’saidCoggan，inadeprecatingtone，turninghisheadtowardstheaforesaidfolkasfarashecouldwithoutturninghisbody，whichwasjammedasinavice。
　　Therewasasilence；thenthedrumsandtrumpetsagainsentforththeirechoingnotes。Thecrowdwasagainecstasied，andgaveanotherlurchinwhichCogganandPoorgrasswereagainthrustbythosebehinduponthewomeninfront。
　　`Othathelplessfeymelsshouldbeatthemercyofsuchruffens！’exclaimedoneoftheseladiesagain，assheswayedlikeareedshakenbythewind。
　　`Now，’saidCoggan，appealinginanearnestvoicetothepublicatlargeasitstoodclusteredabouthisshoulder-blades，`didyeeverhearsuchaonreasonablewomanasthat？Uponmycarcass，neighbours，ifIcouldonlygetoutofthischeesewring，thedamnwomenmighteattheshowforme！’
　　`Don’tyeloseyertemper，Jan！’imploredJosephPoorgrass，inawhisper。
　　`Theymightgettheirmentomurderus，forIthinkbytheshineoftheireyesthattheybeasinfulformofwomankind。’
　　Janheldhistongue，asifhehadnoobjectiontobepacifiedtopleaseafriend，andtheygraduallyreachedthefootoftheladder，Poorgrassbeingflattenedlikeajumping-jack，andthesixpence，taradmission，whichhehadgotreadyhalfan-hourearlier，havingbecomesoreekinghotinthetightsqueezeofhisexcitedhandthatthewomaninspangles，brazenringssetwithglassdiamonds，andwithchalkedfaceandshoulders，whotookthemoneyofhim，hastilydroppeditagainfromafearthatsometrickhadbeenplayedtoburnherfingers。Sotheyallentered，andtheclothofthetent，totheeyesofanobserverontheoutside，becamebulgedintoinnumerablepimplessuchasweobserveonasackofpotatoes，causedbythevarioushumanheads，backs，andelbowsathighpressurewithin。
　　Attherearofthelargetentthereweretwosmalldressing-tents。Oneofthese，allottedtothemaleperformers，waspartitionedintohalvesbyacloth；andinoneofthedivisionstherewassittingonthegrass，pullingonapairofjack-boots，ayoungmanwhomweinstantlyrecognizeasSergeantTroy。
　　Troy’sappearanceinthispositionmaybebrieflyaccountedfor。ThebrigaboardwhichhewastakeninBudmouthRoadswasabouttostartonavoyage，thoughsomewhatshortofhands。Troyreadthearticlesandjoined，butbeforetheysailedaboatwasdespatchedacrossthebaytoLulwindCove；ashehadhalfexpected，hisclothesweregone。HeultimatelyworkedhispassagetotheUnitedStates，wherehemadeaprecariouslivinginvarioustownsasProfessorofGymnastics，SwordExercise，Fencing，andPugilism。Afewmonthsweresufficienttogivehimadistasteforthiskindoflife。Therewasacertainanimalformofrefinementinhisnature；
　　andhoweverpleasantastrangeconditionmightbewhilstprivationswereeasilywardedoff，itwasdisadvantageouslycoarsewhenmoneywasshort。
　　Therewaseverpresent，too，theideathathecouldclaimahomeanditscomfortsdidhebutchoosetoreturntoEnglandandWeatherburyFarm。WhetherBathshebathoughthimdeadwasafrequentsubjectofcuriousconjecture。
　　ToEnglandhedidreturnatlast；butthefactofdrawingnearertoWeatherburyabstracteditsfascinations，andhisintentiontoenterhisoldgrooveatthatplacebecamemodified。ItwaswithgloomheconsideredonlandingatLiverpoolthatifheweretogohomehisreceptionwouldbeofakindveryunpleasanttocontemplate；forwhatTroyhadinthewayofemotionwasanoccasionalfitfulsentimentwhichsometimescausedhimasmuchinconvenienceasemotionofastrongandhealthykind。Bathshebawasnotawomantobemadeafoolof，orawomantosufferinsilence；andhowcouldheendureexistencewithaspiritedwifetowhomatfirstenteringhewouldbebeholdenforfoodandlodging？Moreover，itwasnotatallunlikelythathiswifewouldfailatherfarming，ifshehadnotalreadydoneso；andhewouldthenbecomeliableforhermaintenance；andwhatalifesuchafutureofpovertywithherwouldbe，thespectreofFannyconstantlybetweenthem，harrowinghistemperandembitteringherwords！Thus，forreasonstouchingondistaste，regret，andshamecommingled，heputoffhisreturnfromdaytoday，andwouldhavedecidedtoputitoffaltogetherifhecouldhavefoundanywhereelsetheready-madeestablishmentwhichexistedforhimthere。
　　Atthistime-theJulyprecedingtheSeptemberinwhichwefindhimatGreenhillFair-hefellinwithatravellingcircuswhichwasperformingintheoutskirtsofanortherntown。Troyintroducedhimselftothemanagerbytamingarestivehorseofthetroupe，hittingasuspendedapplewithapistol-bulletfiredfromtheanimal’shackwheninfallgallop，andotherfeats。Forhismeritsinthese-allmoreorlessbaseduponhisexperiencesasadragoon-guardsman-Troywastakenintothecompany，andtheplayofTurpinwaspreparedwithaviewtohispersonationofthechiefcharacter。
　　Troywasnotgreatlyelatedbytheappreciativespiritinwhichhewasundoubtedlytreated，buthethoughttheengagementmightaffordhimafewweeksforconsideration。Itwasthuscarelessly，andwithouthavingformedanydefiniteplanforthefuture，thatTroyfoundhimselfatGreenhillFairwiththerestofthecompanyonthisday。
　　Andnowthemildautumnsungotlower，andinfrontofthepavilionthefollowingincidenthadtakenplace。Bathsheba-whowasdriventothefairthatdaybyheroddmanPoorgrass-had，likeeveryoneelse，readorheardtheannouncementthatMrFrancis，theGreatCosmopolitanEquestrianandRoughrider，wouldenactthepartofTurpin，andshewasnotyettoooldandcareworntobewithoutalittlecuriositytoseehim。Thisparticularshowwasbyfarthelargestandgrandestinthefair，ahordeoflittleshowsgroupingthemselvesunderitsshadelikechickensaroundahen。Thecrowdhadpassedin，andBoldwood，whohadbeenwatchingallthedayforanopportunityofspeakingtoher，seeinghercomparativelyisolated，cameuptoherside。
　　`Ihopethesheephavedonewelltoday，MrsTroy？’hesaidnervously。
　　`Oyes，thankyou，’saidBathsheba，colourspringingupinthecentreofhercheeks。`Iwasfortunateenoughtosellthemalljustaswegotuponthehill，sowehadn’ttopenatall。’
　　`Andnowyouareentirelyatleisure？’
　　`Yes，exceptthatIhavetoseeonemoredealerintwohours’time；
　　otherwiseIshouldbegoinghome。Iwaslookingatthislargetentandtheannouncement。Haveyoueverseentheplayof“Turpin’sRidetoYork“？
　　Turpinwasarealman，washenot？’
　　`Oyes，perfectlytrue-allofit。Indeed，IthinkI’veheardJanCoggansaythatarelationofhisknewTomKing，Turpin’sfriend，quitewell。’
　　`Cogganisrathergiventostrangestoriesconnectedwithhisrelations，wemustremember。Ihopetheycanallbebelieved。’
　　`Yes，yes；weknowCoggan。ButTurpinistrueenough。Youhaveneverseenitplayed，Isuppose？’
　　`Never。IwasnotallowedtogointotheseplaceswhenIwasyoung。
　　Hark！What’sthatprancing？Howtheyshout！’
　　`BlackBessjuststartedoff，Isuppose。AmIrightinsupposingyouwouldliketoseetheperformance，MrsTroy？Pleaseexcusemymistake，ifitisone；butifyouwouldliketo，I’llgetaseatforyouwithpleasure。’
　　Perceivingthatshehesitated，headded，`Imyselfshallnotstaytoseeit：I’veseenitbefore。’
　　NowBathshebadidcarealittletoseetheshow，andhadonlywithheldherfeetfromtheladderbecauseshefearedtogoinalone。ShehadbeenhopingthatOakmightappear，whoseassistanceinsuchcaseswasalwaysacceptedasaninalienableright，butOakwasnowheretobeseen；andhenceitwasthatshesaid，`Thenifyouwilljustlookinfirst，toseeifthere’sroom，IthinkIwillgoinforaminuteortwo。’
　　AndsoashorttimeafterthisBathshebaappearedinthetentwithBoldwoodatherelbow，who，takinghertoa`reserved’seat，againwithdrew。
　　Thisfeatureconsistedofoneraisedbenchinaveryconspicuouspartofthecircle，coveredwithredcloth，andflooredwithapieceofcarpet，andBathshebaimmediatelyfound，toherconfusion，thatshewasthesinglereservedindividualinthetent，therestofthecrowdedspectators，oneandall，standingontheirlegsonthebordersofthearena，wheretheygottwiceasgoodaviewoftheperformanceforhalfthemoney。Henceasmanyeyeswereturneduponher，enthronedaloneinthisplaceofhonour，againstascarletbackground，asupontheponiesandclownwhowereengagedinpreliminaryexploitsinthecentre，Turpinnothavingyetappeared。
　　Oncethere，Bathshebawasforcedtomakethebestofitandremain：shesatdown，spreadingherskirtswithsomedignityovertheunoccupiedspaceoneachsideofher，andgivinganewandfeminineaspecttothepavilion。
　　InafewminutesshenoticedthefatrednapeofCoggan’sneckamongthosestandingjustbelowher，andJosephPoorgrass’ssaintlyprofilealittlefurtheron。
　　Theinteriorwasshadowywithapeculiarshade。Thestrangeluminoussemi-opacitiesoffineautumnafternoonsandevesintensifiedintoRembrandteffectsthefewyellowsunbeamswhichcamethroughholesanddivisionsinthecanvas，andspurtedlikejetsofgold-dustacrosstheduskyblueatmosphereofhazepervadingthetent，untiltheyalightedoninnersurfacesofclothopposite，andshonelikelittlelampssuspendedthere。
　　Troy，onpeepingfromhisdressing-tentthroughaslitforareconnoitrebeforeentering，sawhisunconsciouswifeonhighbeforehimasdescribed，sittingasqueenofthetournament。Hestartedbackinutterconfusion，foralthoughhisdisguiseeffectuallyconcealedhispersonality，heinstantlyfeltthatshewouldbesuretorecognizehisvoice。HehadseveraltimesduringthedaythoughtofthepossibilityofsomeWeatherburypersonorotherappearingandrecognizinghim；buthehadtakentheriskcarelessly。
　　Iftheyseeme，letthem，hehadsaid。ButherewasBathshebainherownperson；andtherealityofthescenewassomuchintenserthananyofhisprefiguringsthathefelthehadnothalfenoughconsideredthepoint。
　　ShelookedsocharmingandfairthathiscoolmoodaboutWeatherburypeoplewaschanged。Hehadnotexpectedhertoexercisethispoweroverhiminthetwinklingofaneye。Shouldhegoon，andcarenothing？Hecouldnotbringhimselftodothat。Beyondapoliticwishtoremainunknown，theresuddenlyaroseinhimnowasenseofshameatthepossibilitythathisattractiveyoungwife，whoalreadydespisedhim，shoulddespisehimmorebydiscoveringhiminsomeanaconditionaftersolongatime。Heactuallyblushedatthethought，andwasvexedbeyondmeasurethathissentimentsofdisliketowardsWeatherburyshouldhaveledhimtodailyaboutthecountryinthisway。
　　ButTroywasnevermorecleverthanwhenabsolutelyathiswits’end。
　　Hehastilythrustasidethecurtaindividinghisownlittledressingspacefromthatofthemanagerandproprietor，whonowappearedastheindividualcalledTomKingasfardownashiswaist，andastheaforesaidrespectablemanagerthencetohistoes。
　　`Here’sthedeviltopay！’saidTroy。
　　`How’sthat？’
　　`Why，there’sablackguardcreditorinthetentIdon’twanttosee，who’lldiscovermeandnabmeassureasSatanifIopenmymouth。What’stobedone？’
　　`Youmustappearnow，Ithink。’
　　`Ican’t。’
　　`Buttheplaymustproceed。’
　　`DoyougiveoutthatTurpinhasgotabadcold，andcan’tspeakhispart，butthathe’llperformitjustthesamewithoutspeaking。’
　　Theproprietorshookhishead。
　　`Anyhow，playornoplay，Iwon’topenmymouth，’saidTroyfirmly。
　　`Verywell，thenletmesee。Itellyouhowwe’llmanage，’saidtheother，whoperhapsfeltitwouldbeextremelyawkwardtooffendhisleadingmanjustatthistime。`Iwon’ttell’emanythingaboutyourkeepingsilence；
　　goonwiththepieceandsaynothing，doingwhatyoucanbyajudiciouswinknowandthen，andafewindomitablenodsintheheroicplaces，youknow。They’llneverfindoutthatthespeechesareomitted。’
　　Thisseemedfeasibleenough，forTurpin’sspeecheswerenotmanyorlong，thefascinationofthepiecelyingentirelyintheaction；andaccordinglytheplaybegan，andattheappointedtimeBlackBessleaptintothegrassycircleamidtheplauditsofthespectators。Attheturnpikescene，whereBessandTurpinarehotlypursuedatmidnightbytheofficers，andthehalfawakegatekeeperinhistassellednightcapdeniesthatanyhorsemanhaspassed，Cogganutteredabroad-chested`Welldone！’whichcouldbeheardalloverthefairabovethebleating，andPoorgrasssmileddelightedlywithanicesenseofdramaticcontrastbetweenourhero，whocoollyleapsthegate，andhaltingjusticeintheformofhisenemies，whomustneedspullupcumbersomelyandwaittobeletthrough。AtthedeathofTomKing，hecouldnotrefrainfromseizingCogganbythehand，andwhispering，withtearsinhiseyes，`Ofcoursehe’snotreallyshot，Jan-onlyseemingly！’
　　Andwhenthelastsadscenecameon，andthebodyofthegallantandfaithfulBesshadtobecarriedoutonashutterbytwelvevolunteersfromamongthespectators，nothingcouldrestrainPoorgrassfromlendingahand，exclaiming，asheaskedJantojoinhim，`’TwillbesomethingtotellofatWarren’sinfutureyears，Jan，andhanddowntoourchildren。’FormanyayearinWeatherbury，Josephtold，withtheairofamanwhohadhadexperiencesinhistime，thathetouchedwithhisownhandthehoofofBessasshelayupontheboarduponhisshoulder。If，ascomethinkershold，immortalityconsistsinbeingenshrinedinothers’memories，thendidBlackBessbecomeimmortalthatdayifsheneverhaddonesobefore。
　　MeanwhileTroyhadaddedafewtouchestohisordinarymakeupfarthecharacter，themoreeffectuallytodisguisehimself，andthoughhehadfeltfaintqualmsonfirstentering，themetamorphosiseffectedbyjudiciously`lining’hisfacewithawirerenderedhimsafefromtheeyesofBathshebaandhermen。Nevertheless，hewasrelievedwhenitwasgotthrough。
　　Therewasasecondperformanceintheevening，andthetentwaslightedup。Troyhadtakenhispartveryquietlythistime，venturingtointroduceafewspeechesonoccasion；andwasjustconcludingitwhen，whilststandingattheedgeofthecirclecontiguoustothefirstrowofspectators，heobservedwithinayardofhimtheeyeofamandartedkeenlyintohissidefeatures。Troyhastilyshiftedhisposition，afterhavingrecognizedinthescrutineertheknavishbailiffPennyways，hiswife’sswornenemy，whostillhungabouttheoutskirtsofWeatherbury。