`Heh-heh！well，Iwishtonoisenothingabroad-nothingatall，’murmuredPoorgrassdiffidently。`Butwebeborntothings-that’strue。YetIwouldrathermytriflewerehid；though，perhaps，ahighnaterisalittlehigh，andatmybirthallthingswerepossibletomyMaker，andhemayhavebegrudgednogifts……Butunderyourbushel，Joseph！underyourbushelwith’ee！
　　Astrangedesire，neighbours，thisdesiretohide，andnopraisedue。YetthereisaSermonontheMountwithacalendaroftheblessedatthehead，andcertainmeekmenmaybenamedtherein。’
　　`Cainy’sgrandfatherwasaverycleverman，’saidMatthewMoon。`Inventeda’apple-treeoutofhisownhead，whichiscalledbyhisnametothisday-theEarlyBall。Youknow`em，Jan？AQuarrendengraftedonaTomPutt，andaRathe-ripeupontopofthatagain。’Tistrew’ausedtobideaboutinapublic-housewi’a’oomaninawayhehadnobusinesstobyrights，butthere——’awereaclevermaninthesenseoftheterm。’
　　`Nowthen，’saidGabrielimpatiently，`whatdidyousee，Cain？’
　　`Iseedourmis’essgointoasortofaparkplace，wherethere’sseats，andshrubsandflowers，arm-in-crookwithasojer，’continuedCainfirmly，andwithadimsensethathiswordswereveryeffectiveasregardedGabriel’semotions。`AndIthinkthesojerwasSergeantTroy。Andtheysattheretogetherformorethanhalf-an-hour，talkingmovingthings，andsheoncewascryinga’mosttodeath。Andwhentheycameouthereyeswereshiningandshewasaswhiteasalily；andtheylookedintooneanother’sfaces，asfargonefriendlyasamanandwomancanbe。’
　　Gabriel’sfeaturesseemedtogetthinner。`Well，whatdidyouseebesides？’
　　`Oh，allsorts。’
　　`Whiteasalily？Youaresure’twasshe？’
　　`Yes。’
　　`Well，whatbesides？’
　　`Greatglasswindowstotheshops，andgreatcloudsinthesky，fallofrain，andoldwoodentreesinthecountryround。’
　　`Youstun-poll！Whatwillyesaynext？’saidCoggan。
　　`Letenalone，’interposedJosephPoorgrass。`Theboy’smaningisthattheskyandtheearthinthekingdomofBathisnotaltogetherdifferentfromourshere。’Tisforourgoodtogainknowledgeofstrangecities，andassuchtheboy’swordsshouldbesuffered，sotospeakit。’
　　`AndthepeopleofBath，’continuedCain，`neverneedtolighttheirfiresexceptasaluxury；forthewaterspringsupoutoftheearthreadyboiledforuse。’
　　`’Tistrueasthelight，’testifiedMatthewMoon。`I’vehearothernavigatorssaythesamething。’
　　`Theydrinknothingelsethere，’saidCain，`andseemtoenjoyit，toseehowtheyswalleritdown。’
　　`Well，itseemsabarbarianpracticeenoughtous，butIdaresaythenativesthinknothingo’it，’saidMatthew。
　　`Anddon’tvictualsspringupaswellasdrink？’askedCoggan，twirlinghiseye。
　　`No-IowntoablotthereinBath-atrueblot。Goddidn’tprovideemwithvictualsaswellasdrink，and’twasadrawbackIcouldn’tgetoveratall。’
　　`Well，’tisacuriousplace，tosaytheleast，’observedMoon；`anditmustbeacuriouspeoplethatlivetherein。’
　　`MissEverdeneandthesoldierwerewalkingabouttogether，yousay？’
　　saidGabriel，returningtothegroup。
　　`Ay，andsheworeabeautifulgold-coloursilkgown，trimmedwithblacklace，thatwouldhavestoodalone’ithoutlegsinsideifrequired。’Twasaverywinsomesight；andherhairwasbrushedsplendid。Andwhenthesunshoneuponthebrightgownandhisredcoat-my！howhandsometheylooked。
　　Youcouldsee’emallthelengthofthestreet。’
　　`Andwhatthen？’murmuredGabriel。
　　`AndthenIwentintoGriffin’stohaemybootshobbed，andthenIwenttoRigg’sbatty-cakeshop，andasked’emforapennethofthecheapestandniceststales，thatwereallbutblue-mouldy，butnotquite。AndwhilstIwaschawing’emdownIwalkedonandseedaclockwithafaceasbigasabakingtrendle——’
　　`Butthat’snothingtodowithmistress！’
　　`I’mcomingtothat，ifyou’llleavemealone，MisterOak！’remonstratedCainy。`Ifyouexcitesme，perhapsyou’llbringonmycoughandthenI
　　shan’tbeabletotellyenothing。’
　　`Yes-lethimtellithisownway，’saidCoggan。
　　Gabrielsettledintoadespairingattitudeofpatience，andCainywenton：——
　　`Andthereweregreatlargehouses，andmorepeoplealltheweeklongthanatWeatherburyclub-walking’onWhiteTuesdays。AndIwenttograndchurchesandchapels。Andhowtheparsonwouldpray！Yes；hewouldkneeldownandputuphishandstogether，andmaketheholygoldringsonhisfingersgleamandtwinkleinyereyes，thathe’dearnedbyprayingsoexcellentwell！-Ahyes，IwishIlivedthere。’
　　`OurpoorParsonThirdlycan’tgetnomoneytobuysuchrings，’saidMatthewMoonthoughtfully。`Andasgoodamanaseverwalked。Idon’tbelievepoorThirdlyhaveasingleone，evenofhumblesttinorcopper。Suchagreatornamentasthey’dbetohimonadulla’ternoon，whenhe’supinthepulpitlightedbythewaxcandles！But’tisimpossible，poorman。Ah，tothinkhowunequalthingsbe。’
　　`Perhapshe’smadeofdifferentstuffthantowear`em，’saidGabrielgrimly。`Well，that’senoughofthis。Goon，Cainy-quick。’
　　`Oh-andthenewstyleofpa’sonswearmoustachesandlongbeards，’
　　continuedtheillustrioustraveller，`andlooklikeMosesandAaroncomplete，andmakewefokesinthecongregationfeelalloverlikethechildrenofIsrael。’
　　`Averyrightfeeling-very，’saidJosephPoorgrass。
　　`Andthere’stworeligionsgoingoninthenationnow-HighChurchandHighChapel。And，thinksI，I’llplayfair；soIwenttoHighChurchinthemorning，andHighChapelintheafternoon。
　　`Arightandproperboy，’saidJosephPoorgrass。
　　`Well，atHighChurchtheypraysinging，andworshipallthecoloursoftherainbow；andatHighChapeltheypraypreaching，andworshipdrabandwhitewashonly。Andthen-Ididn’tseenomoreofMissEverdeneatall。’
　　`Whydidn’tyousaysoafore，then？’exclaimedOak，withmuchdisappointment。
　　`Ah，’saidMatthewMoon，`she’llwishhercakedoughifsobeshe’severintimatewiththatman。
　　`She’snotoverintimatewithhim，’saidGabrielindignantly。
　　`Shewouldknowbetter，’saidCoggan。`Ourmis’esshastoomuchsenseundertheyknotsofblackhairtodosuchamadthing。’
　　`Yousee，he’snotacoarse，ignorantman，forhewaswellbroughtup，’
　　saidMatthewdubiously。`’Twasonlywildnessthatmadehimasoldier，andmaidsratherlikeyourmanofsin。’
　　`Now，CainBall，’saidGabrielrestlessly，canyouswearinthemostawfulformthatthewomanyousawwasMissEverdene？’
　　`CainBall，youbenolongerababeandsuckling，’saidJosephinthesepulchraltonethecircumstancesdemanded，`andyouknowwhattakinganoathis。’Tisahorribletestamentmindye，whichyousayandsealwithyourblood-stone，andtheprophetMatthewtellsusthatonwhomsoeveritshallfallitwillgrindhimtopowder。Now，beforeallthework-folkhereassembled，canyousweartoyourwordsastheshepherdasksye？’
　　`Pleaseno，MisterOak！’saidCainy，lookingfromonetotheotherwithgreatuneasinessatthespiritualmagnitudeoftheposition。`Idon’tmindsaying’tistrue，butIdon’tliketosay’tisdamntrue，ifthat’swhatyoumane。
　　`Cain，Cain，howcanyou？’askedJosephsternly。`Youbeaskedtoswearinaholymanner’andyouswearlikewickedShimei，thesonofGera，whocursedashecame。Youngman，fie！’
　　`No，Idon’t！’Tisyouwanttosquanderaporeboy’ssoul，JosephPoorgrass-that’swhat’tis！’saidCain，beginningtocry。`AllImaneisthatincommontruth’twasMissEverdeneandSergeantTroy，butinthehorribleso-help-metruththatyewanttomakeofitperhaps’twassomebodyelse！’
　　`There’snogettingattherightsofit，’saidGabriel，turningtohiswork。
　　`CainBall，you’llcometoabitofbread！’groanedJosephPoorgrass。
　　Thenthereapers’hookswereflourishedagain，andtheoldsoundswenton。Gabriel，withoutmakinganypretenceofbeinglively，didnothingtoshowthathewasparticularlydull。However，Cogganknewprettynearlyhowthelandlay，andwhentheywereinanooktogetherhesaid——
　　`Don’ttakeonabouther，Gabriel。Whatdifferencedoesitmakewhosesweetheartsheis，sinceshecan’tbeyours？’
　　`That’stheverythingIsaytomyself，’saidGabriel。
　　CHAPTERTHIRTY-FOURHomeagain-ATricksterThatsameeveningatduskGabrielwasleaningoverCoggan’sgarden-gate，takinganupanddownsurveybeforeretiringtorest。
　　Avehicleofsomekindwassoftlycreepingalongthegrassymarginofthelane。Fromitspreadthetonesoftwowomentalking。Thetoneswerenaturalandnotatallsuppressed。OakinstantlyknewthevoicestobethoseofBathshebaandLiddy。
　　Thecarriagecameoppositeandpassedby。ItwasMissEverdene’sgig，andLiddyandhermistressweretheonlyoccupantsoftheseat。LiddywasaskingquestionsaboutthecityofBath，andhercompanionwasansweringthemlistlesslyandunconcernedly。BothBathshebaandthehorseseemedweary。
　　Theexquisitereliefoffindingthatshewashereagain，safeandsound，overpoweredallreflection，andOakcouldonlyluxuriateinthesenseofit。Allgravereportswereforgotten。
　　Helingeredandlingeredon，tilltherewasnodifferencebetweentheeasternandwesternexpansesofsky，andthetimidharesbegantolimpcourageouslyroundthedimhillocks。Gabrielmighthavebeenthereanadditionalhalf-hourwhenadarkformwalkedslowlyby。`Good-night，Gabriel，’thepassersaid。
　　ItwasBoldwood。`Good-night，sir，’saidGabriel。
　　Boldwoodlikewisevanisheduptheroad，andOakshortlyafterwardsturnedindoorstobed。
　　FarmerBoldwoodwentontowardsMissEverdene’shouse。Hereachedthefront，andapproachingtheentrance，sawalightintheparlour。Theblindwasnotdrawndown，andinsidetheroomwasBathsheba，lookingoversomepapersorletters。HerbackwastowardsBoldwood。Hewenttothedoor，knocked，andwaitedwithtensemusclesandanachingbrow。
　　BoldwoodhadnotbeenoutsidehisgardensincehismeetingwithBathshebaintheroadtoYalbury。Silentandalone，hehadremainedinmoodymeditationonwoman’sways，deemingasessentialsofthewholesextheaccidentsofthesingleoneoftheirnumberhehadevercloselybeheld。Bydegreesamorecharitabletemperhadpervadedhim，andthiswasthereasonofhissallytonight。HehadcometoapologizeandbegforgivenessofBathshebawithsomethinglikeasenseofshameathisviolence，havingbutjustnowlearntthatshehadreturned-onlyfromavisittoLiddy，ashesupposed，theBathescapadebeingquiteunknowntohim。
　　HeinquiredforMissEverdene。Liddy’smannerwasodd，buthedidnotnoticeit。Shewentin，leavinghimstandingthere，andinherabsencetheblindoftheroomcontainingBathshebawaspulleddown。Boldwoodauguredillfromthatsign。Liddycameout。
　　`Mymistresscannotseeyou，sir，’shesaid。
　　Thefarmerinstantlywentoutbythegate。Hewasunforgiven-thatwastheissueofit。Hehadseenherwhowastohimsimultaneouslyadelightandatoesittingintheroomhehadsharedwithherasapeculiarlyprivilegedguestonlyalittleearlierinthesummer，andshehaddeniedhimanentrancetherenow。
　　Boldwooddidnothurryhomeward。Itwasteno’clockatleast，when，walkingdeliberatelythroughthelowerpartofWeatherbury，heheardthecarrier’sspringvanenteringthevillage。Thevanrantoandfromatowninanortherndirection，anditwasownedanddrivenbyaWeatherburyman，atthedoorofwhosehouseitnowpulledup。Thelampfittedtotheheadofthehoodilluminatedascarletandgildedform，whowasthefirsttoalight。
　　`Ah！’saidBoldwoodtohimself`cometoseeheragain。’
　　Troyenteredthecarrier’shouse，whichhadbeentheplaceofhislodgingonhislastvisittohisnativeplace。Boldwoodwasmovedbyasuddendetermination。
　　Hehastenedhome。Intenminuteshewasbackagain，andmadeasifheweregoingtocalluponTroyatthecarrier’s。Butasheapproached，someoneopenedthedoorandcameout。Heheardthispersonsay`Good-night’totheinmates，andthevoicewasTroy’s。Thiswasstrange，comingsoimmediatelyafterhisarrival。Boldwood，however，hasteneduptohim。Troyhadwhatappearedtobeacarpet-baginhishand-thesamethathehadbroughtwithhim。Itseemedasifheweregoingtoleaveagainthisverynight。
　　Troyturnedupthehillandquickenedhispace。Boldwoodsteppedforward。
　　`SergeantTroy？’
　　`Yes-I’mSergeantTroy。’
　　`Justarrivedfromupthecountry，Ithink？’
　　`JustarrivedfromBath。’
　　`IamWilliamBoldwood。’
　　`Indeed。’
　　ThetoneinwhichthiswordwasutteredwasallthathadbeenwantedtobringBoldwoodtothepoint。
　　`Iwishtospeakawordwithyou，’hesaid。
　　`Whatabout？’
　　`Aboutherwholivesjustaheadthereandaboutawomanyouhavewronged。’
　　`Iwonderatyourimpertinence，’saidTroy，movingon。
　　`Nowlookhere，’saidBoldwood，standinginfrontofhim，`wonderornot，youaregoingtoholdaconversationwithme。’
　　TroyheardthedulldeterminationinBoldwood’svoice，lookedathisstalwartframe，thenatthethickcudgelhecarriedinhishand。Heremembereditwaspastteno’clock。ItseemedworthwhiletobeciviltoBoldwood。
　　`Verywell，I’lllistenwithpleasure，’saidTroy，placinghisbagontheground，`onlyspeaklowforsomebodyorothermayoverhearusinthefarmhousethere。’
　　`Wellthen-Iknowagooddealconcerningyour-FannyRobin’sattachmenttoyou。Imaysay，too，thatIbelieveIamtheonlypersoninthevillage，exceptingGabrielOak，whodoesknowit。Yououghttomarryher。’
　　`IsupposeIought。Indeed，Iwishto，butIcannot。’
　　`Why？’
　　Troywasabouttouttersomethinghastily；hethencheckedhimselfandsaid，`Iamtoopoor。’Hisvoicewaschanged。Previouslyithadhadadevil-may-caretone。Itwasthevoiceofatricksternow。
　　Boldwood’spresentmoodwasnotcriticalenoughtonoticetones。Hecontinued，`Imayaswellspeakplainly；andunderstand，Idon’twishtoenterintothequestionsofrightorwrong，woman’shonourandshame，ortoexpressanyopiniononyourconduct。Iintendabusinesstransactionwithyou。’
　　`Isee，’saidTroy。`Supposewesitdownhere。’
　　Anoldtreetrunklayunderthehedgeimmediatelyopposite，andtheysatdown。
　　`IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMissEverdene，’saidBoldwood，`butyoucameand——’
　　`Notengaged，’saidTroy。
　　`Asgoodasengaged。’
　　`IfIhadnotturnedupshemighthavebecomeengagedtoyou。’
　　`Hangmight！’
　　`Would，then。’
　　`IfyouhadnotcomeIshouldcertainly-yes，certainly-havebeenacceptedbythistime。IfyouhadnotseenheryoumighthavebeenmarriedtoFanny。Well，there’stoomuchdifferencebetweenMissEverdene’sstationandyourownforthisflirtationwithherevertobenefityoubyendinginmarriage。SoallIaskis，don’tmolestheranymore。MarryFanny。
　　I’llmakeitworthyourwhile。’
　　`Howwillyou？’
　　`I’llpayyouwellnow，I’llsettleasumofmoneyuponher，andI’llseethatyoudon’tsufferfrompovertyinthefuture。I’llputitclearly。
　　Bathshebaisonlyplayingwithyou；youaretoopoorforherasIsaid；
　　sogiveupyourwastingyourtimeaboutagreatmatchyou’llnevermakeforamoderateandrightfulmatchyoumaymaketo-morrow；takeupyourcarpet-bag，turnabout，leaveWeatherburynow，thisnight，andyoushalltakefiftypoundswithyou。Fannyshallhavefiftytoenablehertoprepareforthewedding，whenyouhavetoldmewheresheisliving，andsheshallhavefivehundredpaiddownonherwedding-day。’
　　InmakingthisstatementBoldwood’svoicerevealedonlytooclearlyaconsciousnessoftheweaknessofhisposition，hisaims，andhismethod。
　　HismannerhadlapsedquitefromthatofthefirmanddignifiedBoldwoodofformertimes；andsuchaschemeashehadnowengagedinhewouldhavecondemnedaschildishlyimbecileonlyafewmonthsago。Wediscernagrindforceintheloverwhichhelackswhilstafreeman；butthereisabreadthofvisioninthefreemanwhichintheloverwevainlyseek。Wherethereismuchbiastheremustbesomenarrowness，andlove，thoughaddedemotion，issubtractedcapacity。Boldwoodamplifiedthistoanabnormaldegree；
　　heknewnothingofFannyRobin’scircumstancesorwhereabouts，heknewnothingofTroy’spossibilities，yetthatwaswhathesaid。
　　`IlikeFannybest，’saidTroy；`andif，asyousay，MissEverdeneisoutofmyreach，whyIhavealltogainbyacceptingyourmoney，andmarryingFan。Butshe’sonlyaservant。’
　　`Nevermind-doyouagreetomyarrangement？’
　　`Ido。’
　　`Ah！’saidBoldwood，inamoreelasticvoice。`O，Troy，ifyoulikeherbest，whythendidyoustepinhereandinjuremyhappiness？’
　　`IloveFannybestnow’saidTroy。`ButBathsh-MissEverdeneinflamedme，anddisplacedFannyforatime。Itisovernow。’
　　`Whyshoulditbeoversosoon？Andwhythendidyoucomehereagain？’
　　`Thereareweightyreasons。Fiftypoundsatonce，yousaid！’
　　`Idid，’saidBoldwood，`andheretheyare-fiftysovereigns。’HehandedTroyasmallpacket。
　　`Youhaveeverythingready-itseemsthatyoucalculatedonmyacceptingthem，’saidthesergeant，takingthepacket。
　　`Ithoughtyoumightacceptthem，’saidBoldwood。
　　`You’veonlymywordthattheprogrammeshallbeadheredto，whilstIatanyratehavefiftypounds。’
　　`Ihadthoughtofthat，andIhaveconsideredthatifIcan’tappealtoyourhonourIcantrusttoyour-well，shrewdnesswe’llcallit-nottolosefivehundredpoundsinprospect，andalsomakeabitterenemyofamanwhoiswillingtobeanextremelyusefulfriend。’
　　`Stop，listen！’saidTroyinawhisper。
　　Alightpit-patwasaudibleupontheroadjustabovethem。
　　`ByGeorge——’tisshe，’hecontinued。`Imustgoonandmeether。’
　　`She-who？’
　　`Bathsheba。’
　　`Bathsheba-outaloneatthistimeo’night！’saidBoldwoodinamazement，andstartingup。`Whymustyoumeether？’
　　`Shewasexpectingmetonight-andImustnowspeaktoher，andwishhergood-bye，accordingtoyourwish。’
　　`Idon’tseethenecessityofspeaking。’
　　`Itcandonoharm-andshe’llbewanderingaboutlookingformeifIdon’t。YoushallhearallIsaytoher。ItwillhelpyouinyourlovemakingwhenIamgone。
　　`Yourtoneismocking。’
　　`Ono。Andrememberthis，ifshedoesnotknowwhathasbecomeofme，shewillthinkmoreaboutmethanifItellherflatlyIhavecometogiveherup。
　　`Willyouconfineyourwordstothatonepoint？-ShallIheareverywordyousay？’
　　`Everyword。Nowsitstillthere，andholdmycarpet-bagforme，andmarkwhatyouhear。’
　　Thelightfootstepcamecloser，haltingoccasionally，asifthewalkerlistenedforasound。Troywhistledadoublenoteinasoft，flutytone。
　　`Cometothat，isit！’murmuredBoldwooduneasily。
　　`Youpromisedsilence，’saidTroy。
　　`Ipromiseagain。’
　　Troysteppedforward。
　　`Frank，dearest，isthatyou？’ThetoneswereBathsheba’s。
　　`OGod！’saidBoldwood。
　　`Yes，’saidTroytoher。
　　`Howlateyouare，’shecontinuedtenderly。`Didyoucomebythecarrier？
　　Ilistenedandheardhiswheelsenteringthevillage，butitwassometimeago，andIhadalmostgivenyouup，Frank。’
　　`Iwassuretocome，’saidFrank。`YouknewIshould，didyounot？’
　　`Well，Ithoughtyouwould，’shesaidplayfully；`and，Frank，itissolucky！There’snotasoulinmyhousebutmetonight。I’vepackedthemalloff，sonobodyonearthwillknowofyourvisittoyourlady’sbower。
　　Liddywantedtogotohergrandfather’stotellhimaboutherholiday，andIsaidshemightstaywiththemtillto-morrow-whenyou’llbegoneagain。’
　　`Capital，’saidTroy。`But，dearme，Ihadbettergobackformybag，becausemyslippersandbrushandcombareinit；yourunhomewhilstI
　　fetchit，andI’llpromisetobeinyourparlourintenminutes。
　　`Yes。’Sheturnedandtrippedupthehillagain。
　　DuringtheprogressofthisdialoguetherewasanervoustwitchingofBoldwood’stightlyclosedlips，andhisfacebecamebathedinaclammydew。HenowstartedforwardtowardsTroy。Troyturnedtohimandtookupthebag。
　　`ShallItellherIhavecometogiveherupandcannotmarryher？’
　　saidthesoldiermockingly。
　　`No，no；waitaminute。Iwanttosaymoretoyou-moretoyou！’saidBoldwood，inahoarsewhisper。
　　`Now，’saidTroy，`youseemydilemma。PerhapsIamabadman-thevictimofmyimpulses-ledawaytodowhatIoughttoleaveundone。I
　　can’t，however，marrythemboth。AndIhavetworeasonsforchoosingFanny。
　　First，Ilikeherbestuponthewhole，andsecond，youmakeitworthmywhile。’
　　AtthesameinstantBoldwoodspranguponhim，andheldhimbytheneck。
　　TroyfeltBoldwood’sgraspslowlytightening。Themovewasabsolutelyunexpected。
　　`Amoment，’hegasped。`Youareinjuringheryoulove！’
　　`Well，whatdoyoumean？’saidthefarmer。`Givemebreath，’saidTroy。
　　Boldwoodloosenedhishand，saying，`ByHeaven，I’veamindtokillyou！’
　　`Andruinher。’
　　`Saveher。’
　　`Oh，howcanshebesavednow，unlessImarryher？’
　　Boldwoodgroaned。Hereluctantlyreleasedthesoldier，andflunghimbackagainstthehedge。`Devil，youtortureme！’saidhe。
　　Troyreboundedlikeaball，andwasabouttomakeadashatthefarmer；
　　buthecheckedhimself，sayinglightly——
　　`Itisnotworthwhiletomeasuremystrengthwithyou。Indeeditisabarbarouswayofsettlingaquarrel。Ishallshortlyleavethearmybecauseofthesameconviction。NowafterthatrevelationofhowthelandlieswithBathsheba，’twouldbeamistaketokillme，woulditnot？’
　　`’Twouldbeamistaketokillyou，’repeatedBoldwood，mechanically，withabowedhead。
　　`Betterkillyourself。’
　　`Farbetter。’
　　`I’mgladyouseeit。’
　　`Troy，makeheryourwife，anddon’tactuponwhatIarrangedjustnow。
　　Thealternativeisdreadful，buttakeBathsheba；Igiveherup！Shemustloveyouindeedtosellsoulandbodytoyousoutterlyasshehasdone。
　　Wretchedwoman-deludedwoman-youare，Bathsheba！’
　　`ButaboutFanny？’
　　`Bathshebaisawomanwelltodo，’continuedBoldwood，inanervousanxiety，`andTroy，shewillmakeagoodwife；and，indeed，sheisworthyourhasteningonyourmarriagewithher！’
　　`Butshehasawill-nottosayatemper，andIshallbeamereslavetoher。IcoulddoanythingwithpoorFannyRobin。’
　　`Troy，’saidBoldwoodimploringly。I’lldoanythingforyou，onlydon’tdeserther；praydon’tdeserther，Troy。’
　　`Which，poorFanny？’
　　`No；BathshebaEverdene，loveherbest！lovehertenderly！HowshallIgetyoutoseehowadvantageousitwillbetoyoutosecureheratonce？’
　　`Idon’twishtosecureherinanynewway。
　　Boldwood’sarmmovedspasmodicallytowardsTroy’spersonagain。Herepressedtileinstinct，andhisformdroopedaswithpain。
　　Troywenton——
　　`Ishallsoonpurchasemydischarge，andthen——’
　　`ButIwishyoutohastenonthismarriage！Itwillbebetterforyouboth。Youloveeachother，andyoumustletmehelpyoutodoit。’
　　`How？’
　　`Why，bysettlingthefivehundredonBathshebainsteadofFanny，toenableyoutomarryatonce。No；shewouldn’thaveitofme。I’llpayitdowntoyouonthewedding-day。’
　　TroypausedinsecretamazementatBoldwood’swildinfatuation。Hecarelesslysaid，`AndamItohaveanythingnow？’
　　`Yes，ifyouwishto。ButIhavenotmuchadditionalmoneywithme。
　　Ididnotexpectthis；butallIhaveisyours。’
　　Boldwood，morelikeasomnambulistthanawakefulman，pulledoutthelargecanvasbaghecarriedbywayofapurse，andsearchedit。
　　`Ihavetwenty-onepoundsmorewithme，’hesaid。`Twonotesandasovereign。
　　ButbeforeIleaveyouImusthaveapapersigned——’
　　`Paymethemoney，andwe’llgostraighttoherparlour，andmakeanyarrangementyoupleasetosecuremycompliancewithyourwishes。Butshemustknownothingofthiscashbusiness。’
　　`Nothing，nothing，’saidBoldwoodhastily。`Hereisthesum，andifyou’llcometomyhousewe’llwriteouttheagreementfortheremainder，andthetermsalso。’
　　`Firstwe’llcalluponher。’
　　`Butwhy？Comewithmeto-night，andgowithmeto-morrowtothesurrogate’s。’
　　`Butshemustbeconsulted；atanyrateinformed。’
　　`Verywell；goon。’
　　TheywentupthehilltoBathsheba’shouse。Whentheystoodattheentrance，Troysaid，`Waithereamoment。’Openingthedoor，heglidedinside，leavingthedoorajar。
　　Boldwoodwaited。Intwominutesalightappearedinthepassage。Boldwoodthensawthatthechainhadbeenfastenedacrossthedoor。Troyappearedinsidecarryingabedroomcandlestick。
　　`What，didyouthinkIshouldbreakin？’saidBoldwoodcontemptuously。
　　`O，no；itismerelymyhumourtosecurethings。Willyoureadthisamoment？I’llholdthelight。’
　　Troyhandedafoldednewspaperthroughtheslitbetweendooranddoor-post，andputthecandleclose。`That’stheparagraph，’hesaid，placinghisfingeronaline。
　　Boldwoodlookedandread——`MARRIAGES
　　`Onthe17thinst。，atStAmbrose’sChurch，Bath，bytheRev。G。Mincing，B。A。，FrancisTroy，onlysonofthelateEdwardTroy，Esq。，M。D。，ofWeatherburyandsergeant11thDragoonGuards，toBathsheba，onlysurvivingdaughterofthelateMrJohnEverdene，ofCasterbridge。’`ThismaybecalledFortmeetingFeeble，hey，Boldwood？’saidTroy。Alowgurgleofderisivelaughterfollowedthewords。
　　ThepaperfellfromBoldwood’shands。Troycontinued——
　　`FiftypoundstomarryFanny。Good。Twenty-onepoundsnottomarryFanny，butBathsheba。Good。Finale：alreadyBathsheba’shusband。Now，Boldwood，yoursistheridiculousfatewhichalwaysattendsinterferencebetweenamanandhiswife。Andanotherword。BadasIam，Iamnotsuchavillainastomakethemarriageormiseryofanywomanamatterofhucksterandsale。Fannyhaslongagoleftme。Idon’tknowwheresheis。Ihavesearchedeverywhere。Anotherwordyet。YousayyouloveBathsheba；yetonthemerestapparentevidenceyouinstantlybelieveinherdishonour。Afigforsuchlove！NowthatI’vetaughtyoualesson，takeyourmoneybackagain。’
　　`Iwillnot；Iwillnot！’saidBoldwood，inahiss。
　　`AnyhowIwon’thaveit，’saidTroycontemptuously。Hewrappedthepacketofgoldinthenotes，andthrewthewholeintotheroad。
　　Boldwoodshookhisclenchedfistathim。`YoujugglerofSatan！Youblackhound！ButI’llpunishyouyet；markme，I’llpunishyouyet！’
　　Anotherpealoflaughter。Troythenclosedthedoor，andlockedhimselfin。
　　ThroughoutthewholeofthatnightBoldwood’sdarkformmighthavebeenseenwalkingaboutthehillsanddownsofWeatherburylikeanunhappyShadeintheMournfulFieldsbyAcheron。
　　CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVEAtanUpperWindowItwasveryearlythenextmorning-atimeofsunanddew。Theconfusedbeginningsofmanybirds’songsspreadintothehealthyair，andthewanblueoftheheavenwashereandtherecoatedwiththinwebsofincorporealcloudwhichwereofnoeffectinobscuringday。Allthelightsinthescenewereyellowastocolour，andalltheshadowswereattenuatedastoform。
　　Thecreepingplantsabouttheoldmanor-housewerebowedwithrowsofheavywaterdrops，whichhaduponobjectsbehindthemtheeffectofminutelensesofhighmagnifyingpower。
　　JustbeforetheclockstruckfiveGabrielOakandCogganpassedthevillagecross，andwentontogethertothefields。Theywereyetbarelyinviewoftheirmistress’shouse，whenOakfanciedhesawtheopeningofacasementinoneoftheupperwindows。Thetwomenwereatthismomentpartiallyscreenedbyanelderbush，nowbeginningtobeenrichedwithblackbunchesoffruit，andtheypausedbeforeemergingfromitsshade。
　　Ahandsomemanleanedidlyfromthelattice。Helookedeastandthenwest，inthemannerofonewhomakesafirstmorningsurvey。ThemanwasSergeantTroy。Hisredjacketwaslooselythrownon，butnotbuttoned，andhehadaltogethertherelaxedbearingofasoldiertakinghisease。
　　Cogganspokefirst，lookingquietlyatthewindow。
　　`Shehasmarriedhim！’hesaid。
　　Gabrielhadpreviouslybeheldthesight，andhenowstoodwithhisbackturned，makingnoreply。
　　`Ifanciedweshouldknowsomethingto-day，’continuedCoggan。`Iheardwheelspassmydoorjustafterdark-youwereoutsomewhere。’HeglancedrounduponGabriel。`Goodheavensaboveus，Oak，howwhiteyourfaceis；
　　youlooklikeacorpse！’
　　`DoI？’saidOak，withafaintsmile。
　　`Leanonthegate：I’llwaitabit。’
　　`Allright，allright。’
　　Theystoodbythegateawhile，Gabriellistlesslystaringattheground。
　　Hismindspedintothefuture，andsawthereenactedinyearsofleisurethescenesofrepentancethatwouldensuefromthisworkofhaste。Thattheyweremarriedhehadinstantlydecided。Whyhaditbeensomysteriouslymanaged？IthadbecomeknownthatshehadhadafearfuljourneytoBath，owingtohermiscalculatingthedistance；thatthehorsehadbrokendown，andthatshehadbeenmorethantwodaysgettingthere。ItwasnotBathsheba’swaytodothingsfurtivelyWithallhercultsshewascandouritself。Couldshehavebeenentrapped？Theunionwasnotonlyanunutterablegrieftohim；itamazedhim，notwithstandingthathehadpassedtheprecedingweekinasuspicionthatsuchmightbetheissueofTroy’smeetingherawayfromhome。HerquietreturnwithLiddyhadtosomeextentdispersedthedread。Justasthatimperceptiblemotionwhichappearslikestillnessisinfinitelydividedinitspropertiesfromstillnessitself，sohadhishopeundistinguishablefromdespairdifferedfromdespairindeed。
　　Inafewminutestheymovedonagaintowardsthehouse。Thesergeantstilllookedfromthewindow。
　　`Morning，comrades！’heshouted，inacheeryvoice，whentheycameup。
　　Cogganrepliedtothegreeting。`Bain’tyegoingtoanswertheman？’
　　hethensaidtoGabriel。`I’dsaygoodmorning-youneedn’tspendahapeth“
　　ofmeaninguponit，andyetkeepthemancivil。’
　　Gabrielsoondecidedtoothat，sincethedeedwasdone，toputthebestfaceuponthematterwouldbethegreatestkindnesstoherheloved。
　　`Goodmorning，SergeantTroy，’hereturned，inaghastlyvoice。`Arambling，gloomyhousethis，’saidTroy，smiling。
　　`Why-theymaynotbemarried！’suggestedCoggan。`Perhapsshe’snotthere。’
　　Gabrielshookhishead。Thesoldierturnedalittletowardstheeast，andthesunkindledhisscarletcoattoanorangeglow。
　　`Butitisaniceoldhouse，’respondedGabriel。
　　`Yes-Isupposeso；butIfeellikenewwineinanoldbottlehere。
　　Mynotionisthatsash-windowsshouldbeputthroughout，andtheseoldwainscotedwallsbrightenedupabit；ortheoakclearedquiteaway，andthewallspapered。’
　　`Itwouldbeapity，Ithink。’
　　`Well，no。Aphilosopheroncesaidinmyhearingthattheoldbuilders，whoworkedwhenartwasalivingthing，hadnorespectfortheworkofbuilderswhowentbeforethem，butpulleddownandalteredastheythoughtfit；andwhyshouldn’twe？“Creationandpreservationdon’tdowelltogether。”
　　sayshe，“andamillionofantiquarianscan’tinventastyle。”Mymindexactly。Iamformakingthisplacemoremodern，thatwemaybecheerfulwhilstwecan。’
　　Themilitarymanturnedandsurveyedtheinterioroftheroom，toassisthisideasofimprovementinthisdirection。GabrielandCogganbegantomoveon。
　　`Oh，Coggan，’saidTroy，asifinspiredbyarecollection，`doyouknowifinsanityhaseverappearedinMrBoldwood’sfamily？’
　　Janreflectedforamoment。
　　`Ionceheardthatanuncleofhiswasqueerinhishead，butIdon’tknowtherightso’t，’hesaid。
　　`Itisofnoimportance，’saidTroylightly。`Well，Ishallbedowninthefieldswithyousometimethisweek；butIhaveafewmatterstoattendtofirst。Sogood-daytoyou。Weshall，ofcourse，keeponjustasfriendlytermsasusual。I’mnotaproudman：nobodyiseverabletosaythatofSergeantTroy。However，whatismustbe，andhere’shalfa-crowntodrinkmyhealth，men。’
　　TroythrewthecoindexterouslyacrossthefrontplotandoverthefencetowardsGabriel，whoshunneditinitsfall，hisfaceturningtoanangryred。Coggantwirledhiseye，edgedforward，andcaughtthemoneyinitsricochetupontheroad。
　　`Verywell-youkeepit，Coggan，’saidGabrielwithdisdain，andalmostfiercely。`Asforme，I’lldowithoutgiftsfromhim！’
　　`Don’tshowittoomuch，’saidCogganmusingly。`Forifhe’smarriedtoher，markmywords，he’llbuyhisdischargeandbeourmasterhere。
　　Therefore’tiswelltosay“Friend“outwardly，thoughyousay“Troublehouse“
　　within。
　　`Well-perhapsitisbesttobesilent；butIcan’tgofurtherthanthat。Ican’tflatter，andifmyplacehereisonlytobekeptbysmoothinghimdown，myplacemustbelost。’
　　Ahorseman，whomtheyhadforsometimeseeninthedistance，nowappearedclosebesidethem。
　　`There’sMrBoldwood，’saidOak。`IwonderwhatTroymeantbyhisquestion。’
　　CogganandOaknoddedrespectfullytothefarmer，justcheckedtheirpacestodiscoveriftheywerewanted，andfindingtheywerenot，stoodbacktolethimpasson。
　　TheonlysignsoftheterriblesorrowBoldwoodhadbeencombatingthroughthenight，andwascombatingnow，werethewantofcolourinhiswell-definedface，theenlargedappearanceoftheveinsinhisforeheadandtemples，andthesharperlinesabouthismouth。Thehorseborehimaway，andtheverystepoftheanimalseemedsignificantofdoggeddespair。Gabriel，foraminute，roseabovehisowngriefinnoticingBoldwood’s。Hesawthesquarefiguresittingerectuponthehorse，theheadturnedtoneitherside，theelbowssteadybythehips，thebrimofthehatlevelandundisturbedinitsonwardglide，untilthekeenedgesofBoldwood’sshapesankbydegreesoverthehill。Toonewhoknewthemanandhisstorytherewassomethingmorestrikinginthisimmobilitythaninacollapse。Theclashofdiscordbetweenmoodandmatterherewasforcedpainfullyhometotheheart；and，asinlaughtertherearemoredreadfulphasesthanintears，sowasthereinthesteadinessofthisagonizedmananexpressiondeeperthanacry。
　　CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIXWealthinJeopardy-TheRevelOnenight，attheendofAugust，whenBathsheba’sexperiencesasamarriedwomanwerestillnew，andwhentheweatherwasyetdryandsultry，amanstoodmotionlessinthestackyardofWeatherburyUpperFarm，lookingatthemoonandsky。
　　Thenighthadasinisteraspect。Aheatedbreezefromthesouthslowlyfannedthesummitsofloftyobjects，andintheskydashesofbuoyantcloudweresailinginacourseatrightanglestothatofanotherstratum，neitheroftheminthedirectionofthebreezebelow。Themoon，asseenthroughthesefilms，hadaluridmetalliclook。Thefieldsweresallowwiththeimpurelight，andallweretingedinmonochrome，asifbeheldthroughstainedglass。Thesameeveningthesheephadtrailedhomewardheadtotail，thebehaviouroftherookshadbeenconfused，andthehorseshadmovedwithtimidityandcaution。
　　Thunderwasimminent，and，takingsomesecondaryappearancesintoconsideration，itwaslikelytobefollowedbyoneofthelengthenedrainswhichmarktheclosetodryweatherfortheseason。Beforetwelvehourshadpassedaharvestatmospherewouldbeabygonething。
　　Oakgazedwithmisgivingateightnakedandunprotectedricks，massiveandheavywiththerichproduceofone-halfthefarmforthatyear。Hewentontothebarn。
　　ThiswasthenightwhichhadbeenselectedbySergeantTroy-rulingnowintheroomofhiswife-forgivingtheharvestsupperanddance。
　　AsOakapproachedthebuildingthesoundofviolinsandatambourine，andtheregularjiggingofmanyfeet，grewmoredistinct。Hecameclosetothelargedoors，oneofwhichstoodslightlyajar，andlookedin。
　　Thecentralspace，togetherwiththerecessatoneend，wasemptiedofallincumbrances，andthisarea，coveringabouttwo-thirdsofthewhole，wasappropriatedforthegathering，theremainingend，whichwaspiledtotheceilingwithoats，beingscreenedoffwithsail-cloth。Tuftsandgarlandsofgreenfoliagedecoratedthewalls，beams，andextemporizedchandeliers，andimmediatelyoppositetoOakarostrumhadbeenerected，bearingatableandchairs。Heresatthreefiddlers，andbesidethemstoodafranticmanwithhishaironend，perspirationstreamingdownhischeeks，andatambourinequiveringinhishand。
　　Thedanceended，andontheblackoakfloorinthemidstanewrowofcouplesformedforanother。
　　`Now，ma’am，andnooffenceIhope，Iaskwhatdanceyouwouldlikenext？’saidthefirstviolin。
　　`Really，itmakesnodifference，’saidtheclearvoiceofBathsheba，whostoodattheinnerendofthebuilding，observingthescenefrombehindatablecoveredwithcupsandviands。Troywaslollingbesideher。
　　`Then，’saidthefiddler，`I’llventuretonamethattherightandproperthingis“TheSoldier’sJoy“-therebeingagallantsoldiermarriedintotheArm-hey，mysonnies，andgentlemenall？’
　　`Itshallbe“TheSoldier’sJoy“，’exclaimedachorus。
　　`Thanksforthecompliment，’saidthesergeantgaily，takingBathshebabythehandandleadinghertothetopofthedance。`ForthoughIhavepurchasedmydischargefromHerMostGraciousMajesty’sregimentofcavalrythe11thDragoonGuards，toattendtothenewdutiesawaitingmehere，IshallcontinueasoldierinspiritandfeelingaslongasIlive。’
　　Sothedancebegan。Astothemeritsof`TheSoldier’sJoy’，therecannotbe，andneverwere，twoopinions。IthasbeenobservedinthemusicalcirclesofWeatherburyanditsvicinitythatthismelody，attheendofthree-quartersofanhourofthunderousfooting，stillpossessesmorestimulativepropertiesfortheheelandtoethanthemajorityofotherdancesattheirfirstopening。
　　`TheSoldier’sJoy’has，too，anadditionalcharm，inbeingsoadmirablyadaptedtothetambourineaforesaid-nomeaninstrumentinthehandsofaperformerwhounderstandstheproperconvulsions，spasms，StVitus’sdances，andfearfulfrenziesnecessarywhenexhibitingitstonesintheirhighestperfection。
　　Theimmortaltuneended，afineDDrollingforthfromthebass-violwiththesonorousnessofacannonade，andGabrieldelayedhisentrynolonger。HeavoidedBathsheba，andgotasnearaspossibletotheplatform，whereSergeantTroywasnowseated，drinkingbrandy-and-water，thoughtheothersdrankwithoutexceptionciderandale。Gabrielcouldnoteasilythrusthimselfwithinspeakingdistanceofthesergeant，andhesentamessage，askinghimtocomedownforamoment。Thesergeantsaidhecouldnotattend。
　　`Willyoutellhim，then，’saidGabriel，`thatIonlysteppedath’arttosaythataheavyrainissuretofallsoon，andthatsomethingshouldbedonetoprotectthericks？’
　　`MrTroysaysitwillnotrain，’returnedthemessenger，andhecannotstoptotalktoyouaboutsuchfidgets。’
　　InjuxtapositionwithTroy，Oakhadamelancholytendencytolooklikeacandlebesidegas，andillateasehewentoutagain，thinkinghewouldgohome；for，underthecircumstances，hehadnoheartforthesceneinthebarn。Atthedoorhepausedforamoment：Troywasspeaking。
　　`Friends，itisnotonlytheharvesthomethatwearecelebratingto-night；
　　butthisisalsoaWeddingFeast。AshorttimeagoIhadthehappinesstoleadtothealtarthislady，yourmistress，andnotuntilnowhavewebeenabletogiveanypublicflourishtotheeventinWeatherbury。Thatitmaybethoroughlywelldone，andthateverymanmaygohappytobed，Ihaveorderedtobebroughtheresomebottlesofbrandyandkettlesofhotwater。Atreble-stronggobletwillbehandedroundtoeachguest。
　　Bathshebaputherhanduponhisarm，and，withupturnedpaleface，saidimploringly，`No-don’tgiveittothem-praydon’t，Frank！Itwillonlydothemharm：theyhavehadenoughofeverything。’
　　`True-wedon’twishfornomore，thankye，’saidoneortwo。
　　`Pooh！’saidthesergeantcontemptuously，andraisedhisvoiceasiflightedupbyanewidea。`Friends，’hesaid，`we’llsendthewomenfolkhome！’Tistimetheywereinbed。Thenwecockbirdswillhaveajollycarousetoourselves！Ifanyofthemenshowthewhitefeather，letthemlookelsewhereforawinter’swork。’
　　Bathshebaindignantlyleftthebarn，followedbyallthewomenandchildren。
　　Themusicians，notlookinguponthemselvesas`company’，slippedquietlyawaytotheirspring-waggonandputinthehorse。ThusTroyandthemenonthefarmwereleftsoleoccupantsoftheplace。Oak，nottoappearunnecessarilydisagreeable，stayedalittlewhile；thenhe，too，aroseandquietlytookhisdeparture，followedbyafriendlyoathfromthesergeantfornotstayingtoasecondroundofgrog。
　　Gabrielproceededtowardshishome。Inapproachingthedoor，histoekickedsomethingwhichfeltandsoundedsoft，leathery，anddistended，likeaboxing-glove。Itwasalargetoadhumblytravellingacrossthepath。
　　Oaktookitup，thinkingitmightbebettertokillthecreaturetosaveitfrompain；butfindingituninjured，heplaceditagainamongthegrass。
　　HeknewwhatthisdirectmessagefromtheGreatMothermeant。Andsooncameanother。
　　Whenhestruckalightindoorsthereappeareduponthetableathinglisteningstreak，asifabrushofvarnishhadbeenlightlydraggedacrossit。Oak’seyesfollowedtheserpentinesheentotheotherside，whereitleduptoahugebrowngarden-slug，whichhadcomeindoorsto-nightforreasonsofitsown。ItwasNature’ssecondwayofhintingtohimthathewastoprepareforfoulweather。
　　Oaksatdownmeditatingfornearlyanhour。Duringthistimetwoblackspiders，ofthekindcommoninthatchedhouses，promenadedtheceiling，ultimatelydroppingtothefloor。Thisremindedhimthatiftherewasoneclassofmanifestationonthismatterthathethoroughlyunderstood，itwantheinstinctsofsheep。Helefttheroom，ranacrosstwoorthreefieldstowardstheflock，gotuponahedge，andlookedoveramongthem。
　　Theywerecrowdedclosetogetherontheothersidearoundsomefurzebushes，andthefirstpeculiarityobservablewasthat，onthesuddenappearanceofOak’sheadoverthefence，theydidnotstirorrunaway。Theyhadnowaterrorofsomethinggreaterthantheirterrorofman。Butthiswasnotthemostnoteworthyfeature：theywereallgroupedinsuchawaythattheirtails，withoutasingleexception，weretowardsthathalfofthehorizonfromwhichthestormthreatened。Therewasaninnercirclecloselyhuddled，andoutsidethesetheyradiatedwiderapart，thepatternformedbytheflockasawholenotbeingunlikeavandykedlacecollar，towhichtheclumpoffurze-bushesstoodinthepositionofawearer’sneck。
　　Thiswasenoughtore-establishhiminhisoriginalopinion。Heknewnowthathewasright，andthatTroywaswrong。Everyvoiceinnaturewasunanimousinbespeakingchange。Buttwodistincttranslationsattachedtothesedumbexpressions。Apparentlytherewastobeathunder-storm，andafterwardsacoldcontinuousrain。Thecreepingthingsseemedtoknowallaboutthelaterrain，butlittleoftheinterpolatedthunder-storm；
　　whilstthesheepknewallaboutthethunderstormandnothingofthelaterrain。
　　Thiscomplicationofweathersbeinguncommon，wasallthemoretobefeared。Oakreturnedtothestackyard。Allwassilenthere，andtheconicaltipsofthericksjutteddarklyintothesky。Therewerefivewheat-ricksinthisyard，andthreestacksofbarley。Thewheatwhenthreshedwouldaverageaboutthirtyquarterstoeachstack；thebarley，atleastforty。
　　TheirvaluetoBathsheba，andindeedtoanybody，Oakmentallyestimatedbythefollowingsimplecalculation：——5times30150quarters=500l。
　　3times40120quarters=250l。
　　Total750l。Sevenhundredandfiftypoundsinthedivinestformthatmoneycanwear-thatofnecessaryfoodformanandbeast：shouldtheriskberunofdeterioratingthisbulkofcorntolessthanhalfitsvalue，becauseoftheinstabilityofawoman？`Never，ifIcanpreventit！’saidGabriel。
　　SuchwastheargumentthatOaksetoutwardlybeforehim。Butman，eventohimself，isapalimpsest，havinganostensiblewriting，andanotherbeneaththelines。Itispossiblethattherewasthisgoldenlegendundertheutilitarianone：`IwillhelptomylasteffortthewomanIhavelovedsodearly。’
　　Hewentbacktothebarntoendeavourtoobtainassistanceforcoveringthericksthatverynight。Allwassilentwithin，andhewouldhavepassedoninthebeliefthatthepartyhadbrokenup，hadnotadimlight，yellowassaffronbycontrastwiththegreenishwhitenessoutside，streamedthroughaknot-holeinthefoldingdoors。
　　Gabriellookedin。Anunusualpicturemethiseye。
　　Thecandlessuspendedamongtheevergreenshadburntdowntotheirsockets，andinsomecasestheleavestiedaboutthemwerescorched。Manyofthelightshadquitegoneout，otherssmokedandstank，greasedroppingfromthemuponthefloor。Here，underthetable，andleaningagainstformsandchairsineveryconceivableattitudeexcepttheperpendicular，werethewretchedpersonsofallthework-folk，thehairoftheirheadsatsuchlowlevelsbeingsuggestiveofmopsandbrooms。InthemidstoftheseshoneredanddistinctthefigureofSergeantTroy，leaningbackinachair。
　　Cogganwasonhisback，withhismouthopen，buzzingforthsnores，aswereseveralothers；theunitedbreathingsofthehorizontalassemblageformingasubduedroarlikelondonfromadistance。JosephPoorgrasswerecurledroundinthefashionofahedgehog，apparentlyinattemptstopresenttheleastpossibleportionofhissurfacetotheair；andbehindhimwasdimlyvisibleanunimportantremnantofWilliamSmallbury。Theglassesandcupsstillstooduponthetable，awater-jugbeingoverturned，fromwhichasmallrill，aftertracingitscoursewithmarvellousprecisiondownthecentreofthelongtable，fellintotheneckoftheunconsciousMarkClark，inasteady，monotonousdrip，likethedrippingofastalactiteinacave。
　　Gabrielglancedhopelesslyatthegroup，which，withoneortwoexceptions，composedalltheable-bodiedmenuponthefarm。Hesawatoncethatifthericksweretobesavedthatnight，oreventhenextmorning，hemustsavethemwithhisownhands。
　　Afaint`ting-ting’resoundedfromunderCoggan’swaistcoat。ItwasCoggan’swatchstrikingthehouroftwo。
　　OakwenttotherecumbentformofMatthewMoon，whousuallyundertooktheroughthatchingofthehomestead，andshookhim。Theshakingwaswithouteffect。
　　Gabrielshoutedinhisear，`Where’syourthatching-beetleandrickstickandspars？’
　　`Underthestaddles，’saidMoonmechanically，withtheunconsciouspromptnessofamedium。
　　Gabrielletgohishead，anditdroppeduponthefloorlikeabowl。
　　HethenwenttoSusanTall’shusband。
　　`Where’sthekeyofthegranary？’
　　Noanswer。Thequestionwasrepeated，withthesameresult。TobeshoutedtoatnightwasevidentlylessofanoveltytoSusanTall’shusbandthantoMatthewMoon。OakflungdownTall’sheadintothecorneragainandturnedaway。
　　Tobejust，themenwerenotgreatlytoblameforthispainfulanddemoralizingterminationtotheevening’sentertainment。SergeantTroyhadsostrenuouslyinsisted，glassinhand，thatdrinkingshouldbethebondoftheirunion，thatthosewhowishedtorefusehardlylikedtobesounmannerlyunderthecircumstances。Havingfromtheiryouthupbeenentirelyunaccustomedtoanyliquorstrongerthanciderormildale，itwasnowonderthattheyhadsuccumbed，oneandall，withextraordinaryuniformity，afterthelapseofaboutanhour。
　　Gabrielwasgreatlydepressed。Thisdebauchbodedillforthatwilfulandfascinatingmistresswhomthefaithfulmanevennowfeltwithinhimastheembodimentofallthatwassweetandbrightandhopeless。
　　Heputouttheexpiringlights，thatthebarnmightnotbeendangered，closedthedooruponthemenintheirdeepoblivioussleep，andwentagainintothelonenight。Ahotbreeze，asifbreathedfromthepartedlipsofsomedragonabouttoswallowtheglobe，fannedhimfromthe，south，whiledirectlyoppositeinthenorthroseagrimmisshapenbodyofcloud，intheveryteethofthewind。Sounnaturallydiditrisethatonecouldfancyittobeliftedbymachineryfrombelow。Meanwhilethefaintcloudletshadflownbackintothesouth-eastcornerofthesky，asifinterrorofthelargecloud，likeayoungbroodgazedinuponbysomemonster。
　　Goingontothevillage，OakflungasmallstoneagainstthewindowofLabanTall’sbedroom，expectingSusantoopenit；butnobodystirred。
　　Hewentroundtothebackdoor，whichhadbeenleftunfastenedforLabansentry，andpassedintothefootofthestaircase。
　　`MrsTall，I’vecomeforthekeyofthegranary，togetattherickcloths，’
　　saidOak，inastentorianvoice。
　　`Isthatyou？’saidMrsSusanTall，halfawake。
　　`Yes，’saidGabriel。
　　`Comealongtobed，do，youdraw-latchingrogue-keepingabodyawakelikethis！’
　　`Itisn’tLaban——’tisGabrielOak。Iwantthekeyofthegranary。’
　　`Gabriel！`Whatinthenameoffortunedidyoupretendtobelabanfor？’
　　`Ididn’t。Ithoughtyoumeant——’
　　`Yesyoudid！`Whatdoyouwanthere？’
　　`Thekeyofthegranary。
　　`Takeitthen。’Tisonthenail。Peoplecomingdisturbingwomenatthistimeofnightought——’
　　Gabrieltookthekey，withoutwaitingtoheartheconclusionofthetirade。Tenminuteslaterhislonelyfiguremighthavebeenseendraggingfourlargewaterproofcoveringsacrosstheyard，andsoontwooftheseheapsoftreasureingrainwerecoveredsnug-twoclothstoeach。Twohundredpoundsweresecured。Threewheat-stacksremainedopen，andtherewerenomorecloths。Oaklookedunderthestaddlesandfoundafork。Hemountedthethirdpileofwealthandbeganoperating，adoptingtheplanofslopingtheuppersheavesoneovertheother；and，inaddition，fillingtheintersticeswiththematerialofsomeuntiedsheaves。
　　Sofarallwaswell。BythishurriedcontrivanceBathsheba’spropertyinwheatwassafeforatanyrateaweekortwo，providedalwaysthattherewasnotmuchwind。
　　Nextcamethebarley。Thisitwasonlypossibletoprotectbysystematicthatching。Timewenton，andthemoonvanishednottoreappear。Itwasthefarewelloftheambassadorprevioustowar。Thenighthadahaggardlook，likeasickthing；andtherecamefinallyanutterexpirationofairfromthewholeheavenintheformofaslowbreeze，whichmighthavebeenlikenedtoadeath。Andnownothingwasheardintheyardbutthedullthudsofthebeetlewhichdroveinthespars，andtherustleofthatchintheintervals。
　　CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVENTheStorm-TheTwotogetherAlightflappedoverthescene，asifreflectedfromphosphorescentwingscrossingthesky，andarumblefilledtheair。Itwasthefirstmoveoftheapproachingstorm。
　　Thesecondpealwasnoisy，withcomparativelylittlevisiblelightning。
　　GabrielsawacandleshininginBathsheba’sbedroom，andsoonashadowswepttoandfroupontheblind。
　　Thentherecameathirdflash。Manoeuvresofamostextraordinarykindweregoingoninthevastfirmamentalhollowsoverhead。Thelightningnowwasthecolourofsilver，andgleamedintheheavenslikeamailedarmy。
　　Rumbledbecamerattles。Gabrielfromhiselevatedpositioncouldseeoverthelandscapeatleasthalf-a-dozenmilesinfront。Everyhedge，bush，andtreewasdistinctasinalineengraving。Inapaddockinthesamedirectionwasaherdofheifers，andtheformsofthesewerevisibleatthismomentintheactofgallopingaboutinthewildestandmaddestconfusion，flingingtheirheelsandtailshighintotheair，theirheadstoearth。
　　Apoplarintheimmediateforegroundwaslikeaninkstrokeonburnishedtin。Thenthepicturevanished，leavingthedarknesssointensethatGabrielworkedentirelybyfeelingwithhishands。
　　Hehadstuckhisricking-rod，orponiard，asitwasindifferentlycalled-alongironlance，polishedbyhandling-intothestack，usedtosupportthesheavesinsteadofthesupportcalledagroomusedonhouses。Abluelightappearedinthezenith，andinsomeindescribablemannerflickereddownnearthetopoftherod。Itwasthefourthofthelargerflashes。
　　Amomentlaterandtherewasasmack-smart，clear，andshort。Gabrielfelthispositiontobeanythingbutasafeone，andheresolvedtodescend。
　　Notadropofrainhadfallenasyet。Hewipedhiswearybrow，andlookedagainattheblackformsoftheunprotectedstacks。Washislifesovaluabletohimafterall？Whatwerehisprospectsthatheshouldbesocharyofrunningrisk，whenimportantandurgentlabourcouldnotbecarriedonwithoutsuchrisk？Heresolvedtosticktothestick。However，hetookaprecaution。Underthestaddleswasalongtetheringchain，usedtopreventtheescapeoferranthorses。Thishecarrieduptheladder，andstickinghisrodthroughtheclogatoneend，allowedtheotherendofthechaintotrailupontheground。Thespikeattachedtoithedrovein。Undertheshadowofthisextemporizedlightning-conductorhefelthimselfcomparativelysafe。
　　BeforeOakhadlaidhishandsuponhistoolsagainoutleaptthefifthflash，withthespringofaserpentandtheshoutofafiend。Itwasgreenasanemerald，andthereverberationwasstunning。Whatwasthisthelightrevealedtohim？Intheopengroundbeforehim，ashelookedovertheridgeoftherick，wasadarkandapparentlyfemaleform。Coulditbethatoftheonlyventuresomewomanintheparish-Bathsheba？Theformmovedonastep：thenhecouldseenomore。
　　`Isthatyou，ma’am？’saidGabrieltothedarkness。
　　`Whoisthere？’saidthevoiceofBathsheba。
　　`Gabriel。Iamontherick，thatching。’
　　`O，Gabriel！-andareyou？Ihavecomeaboutthem。Theweatherawokeme，andIthoughtofthecorn。Iamsodistressedaboutit-canwesaveitanyhow？Icannotfindmyhusband。Ishewithyou？’
　　`Heisnothere。’
　　`Doyouknowwhereheis？’
　　`Asleepinthebarn。’
　　`Hepromisedthatthestacksshouldbeseento，andnowtheyareallneglected！CanIdoanythingtohelp？Liddyisafraidtocomeout。Fancyfindingyouhereatsuchanhour！SurelyIcandosomething？’
　　`Youcanbringupsomereed-sheavestome，onebyone，ma’am；ifyouarenotafraidtocomeuptheladderinthedark，’saidGabriel。`Everymomentispreciousnow，andthatwouldsaveagooddealoftime。Itisnotverydarkwhenthelightninghasbeengoneabit。’
　　`I’lldoanything！’shesaidresolutely。Sheinstantlytookasheafuponhershoulder，clamberedupclosetohisheels，placeditbehindtherod，anddescendedforanother。Atherthirdascentthericksuddenlybrightenedwiththebrazenglareofshiningmajolica-everyknotineverystrawwasvisible。Ontheslopeinfrontofhimappearedtwohumanshapes，blackasjet。Thericklostitssheen-theshapesvanished。Gabrielturnedhishead。Ithadbeenthesixthflashwhichhadcomefromtheeastbehindhim，andthetwodarkformsontheslopehadbeentheshadowsofhimselfandBathsheba。
　　Thencamethepeal。Ithardlywascrediblethatsuchaheavenlylightcouldbetheparentofsuchadiabolicalsound。
　　`Howterrible！’sheexclaimed，andclutchedhimbythesleeve。Gabrielturned，andsteadiedheronheraerialperchbyholdingherarm。Atthesamemoment，whilehewasstillreversedinhisattitude，therewasmorelight，andhesaw，asitwere，acopyofthetallpoplartreeonthehilldrawninblackonthewallofthebarn。Itwastheshadowofthattree，thrownacrossbyasecondaryflashinthewest。