ElizabethEndorfieldhadareputeamongwomenwhichwasinitsnaturesomethingbetweendistinctionandnotoriety。Itwasfoundedonthefollowingitemsofcharacter。Shewasshrewdandpenetrating;herhousestoodinalonelyplace;sheneverwenttochurch;sheworearedcloak;shealwaysretainedherbonnetindoorsandshehadapointedchin。ThusfarherattributesweredistinctlySatanic;andthosewholookednofurthercalledher，inplaintermsawitch。Butshewasnotgaunt，noruglyintheupperpartofherface，norparticularlystrangeinmanner;sothat，whenhermoreintimateacquaintancesspokeofherthetermwassoftened，andshebecamesimplyaDeepBody，whowasaslong—headedasshewashigh。
　　ItmaybestatedthatElizabeth，belongedtoaclassofsuspectswhoweregraduallylosingtheirmysteriouscharacteristicsundertheadministrationoftheyoungvicar;though，duringthelongreignofMr。Grinham，theparishofMellstockhadprovedextremelyfavourabletothegrowthofwitches。
　　WhileFancywasrevolvingallthisinhermind，andputtingittoherselfwhetheritwasworthwhiletotellhertroublestoElizabeth，andaskheradviceingettingoutofthem，thewitchspoke。
　　"Youbedown——properdown，"shesaidsuddenly，droppinganotherpotatointothebucket。
　　Fancytooknonotice。
　　"Aboutyouryoungman。"
　　Fancyreddened。Elizabethseemedtobewatchingherthoughts。
　　Really，onewouldalmostthinkshemusthavethepowerspeopleascribedtoher。
　　"Fathernotinthehumourfor’t，hey？"Anotherpotatowasfinishedandflungin。"Ah，Iknowaboutit。Littlebirdstellmethingsthatpeopledon’tdreamofmyknowing。"
　　FancywasdesperateaboutDick，andherewasachance——O，suchawickedchance——ofgettinghelp;andwhatwasgoodnessbesidelove！
　　"Iwishyou’dtellmehowtoputhiminthehumourforit？"shesaid。
　　"ThatIcouldsoondo，"saidthewitchquietly。
　　"Really？O，do;anyhow——Idon’tcare——sothatitisdone！HowcouldIdoit，Mrs。Endorfield？"
　　"Nothingsomightywonderfulinit。"
　　"Well，buthow？"
　　"Bywitchery，ofcourse！"saidElizabeth。
　　"No！"saidFancy。
　　"’Tis，Iassureye。Didn’tyoueverhearIwasawitch？"
　　"Well，"hesitatedFancy，"Ihaveheardyoucalledso。"
　　"Andyoubelievedit？"
　　"Ican’tsaythatIdidexactlybelieveit，for’tisveryhorribleandwicked;but，O，howIdowishitwaspossibleforyoutobeone！"
　　"SoIam。AndI’lltellyouhowtobewitchyourfathertoletyoumarryDickDewy。"
　　"Willithurthim，poorthing？"
　　"Hurtwho？"
　　"Father。"
　　"No;thecharmisworkedbycommonsense，andthespellcanonlybebrokebyyouractingstupidly。"
　　Fancylookedratherperplexed，andElizabethwenton：
　　"ThisfearofLizz——whatever’tis—
　　Bygreatandsmall;
　　Shemakespretencetocommonsense，Andthat’sall。
　　"Youmustdoitlikethis。"Thewitchlaiddownherknifeandpotato，andthenpouredintoFancy’searalonganddetailedlistofdirections，glancingupfromthecornerofhereyeintoFancy’sfacewithanexpressionofsinisterhumour。Fancy’sfacebrightened，clouded，roseandsank，asthenarrativeproceeded。"There，"saidElizabethatlength，stoopingfortheknifeandanotherpotato，"dothat，andyou’llhavehimby—longandby—late，mydear。"
　　"AnddoitIwill！"saidFancy。
　　Shethenturnedherattentiontotheexternalworldoncemore。Theraincontinuedasusual，butthewindhadabatedconsiderablyduringthediscourse。Judgingthatitwasnowpossibletokeepanumbrellaerect，shepulledherhoodagainoverherbonnet，badethewitchgood—bye，andwentherway。
　　CHAPTERIV：THESPELL
　　Mrs。Endorfield’sadvicewasdulyfollowed。
　　"Ibepropersorrythatyourdaughterisn’tsowellasshemightbe，"saidaMellstockmantoGeoffreyonemorning。
　　"Butisthereanythinginit？"saidGeoffreyuneasily，asheshiftedhishattotheright。"Ican’tunderstandthereport。Shedidn’tcomplaintomeabitwhenIsawher。"
　　"Noappetiteatall，theysay。"
　　GeoffreycrossedtoMellstockandcalledattheschoolthatafternoon。Fancywelcomedhimasusual，andaskedhimtostayandtaketeawithher。
　　"Ibe’n’tmuchfortea，thistimeo’day，"hesaid，butstayed。
　　Duringthemealhewatchedhernarrowly。Andtohisgreatconsternationdiscoveredthefollowingunprecedentedchangeinthehealthygirl——thatshecutherselfonlyadiaphanoussliceofbread—
　　and—butter，and，layingitonherplate，passedthemeal—timeinbreakingitintopieces，buteatingnomorethanaboutone—tenthoftheslice。GeoffreyhopedshewouldsaysomethingaboutDick，andfinishupbyweeping，asshehaddoneafterthedecisionagainsthimafewdayssubsequenttotheinterviewinthegarden。Butnothingwassaid，andinduetimeGeoffreydepartedagainforYalburyWood。
　　"’TistobehopedpoorMissFancywillbeabletokeeponherschool，"saidGeoffrey’smanEnochtoGeoffreythefollowingweek，astheywereshovellingupant—hillsinthewood。
　　Geoffreystuckintheshovel，sweptsevenoreightantsfromhissleeve，andkilledanotherthatwasprowlingroundhisear，thenlookedperpendicularlyintotheearthasusual，waitingforEnochtosaymore。"Well，whyshouldn’tshe？"saidthekeeperatlast。
　　"Thebakertoldmeyesterday，"continuedEnoch，shakingoutanotheremmetthathadrunmerrilyuphisthigh，"thatthebreadhe’veleftatthatthereschool—housethislastmonthwouldstarveanymouseinthethreecreations;that’twouldso！AndafterwardsIhadapinto’smalldownatMorrs’s，andthereIheardmore。"
　　"Whatmightthatha’been？"
　　"Thatsheusedtohaveapoundo’thebestrolledbutteraweek，regularasclockwork，fromDairymanViney’sforherself，aswellasjustsomuchsaltedforthehelpinggirl，andthe’oomanshecallsin;butnowthesamequantityd’lastherthreeweeks，andthen’tisthoughtedshethrowsitawaysour。"
　　"Finishdoingtheemmets，andcarrythebaghome—along。"Thekeeperresumedhisgun，tuckeditunderhisarm，andwentonwithoutwhistlingtothedogs，whohoweverfollowed，withabearingmeanttoimplythattheydidnotexpectanysuchattentionswhentheirmasterwasreflecting。
　　OnSaturdaymorninganotecamefromFancy。Hewasnottotroubleaboutsendingherthecoupleofrabbits，aswasintended，becauseshefearedsheshouldnotwantthem。LaterinthedayGeoffreywenttoCasterbridgeandcalleduponthebutcherwhoservedFancywithfreshmeat，whichwasputdowntoherfather’saccount。
　　"I’vecalledtopayupourlittlebill，NeighbourHaylock，andyoucangiemethechiel’saccountatthesametime。"
　　Mr。Haylockturnedroundthreequartersofacircleinthemidstofaheapofjoints，alteredtheexpressionofhisfacefrommeattomoney，wentintoalittleofficeconsistingonlyofadoorandawindow，lookedveryvigorouslyintoabookwhichpossessedlengthbutnobreadth;andthen，seizingapieceofpaperandscribblingthereupon，handedthebill。
　　Probablyitwasthefirsttimeinthehistoryofcommercialtransactionsthatthequalityofshortnessinabutcher’sbillwasacauseoftribulationtothedebtor。"Why，thisisn’tallshe’vehadinawholemonth！"saidGeoffrey。
　　"Everymossel，"saidthebutcher——"（now，Dan，takethatlegandshouldertoMrs。White’s，andthiselevenpoundheretoMr。
　　Martin’s）——you’vebeentreatinghertosmallerjointslately，tomythinking，Mr。Day？"
　　"Onlytwoorthreelittlescramrabbitsthislastweek，asIamalive——IwishIhad！"
　　"Well，mywifesaidtome——（Dan！nottoomuch，nottoomuchonthattrayatatime;bettergotwice）——mywifesaidtomeasshepostedupthebooks：shesays，"MissDaymusthavebeensummerduringthathotmuggyweathermuchforus;fordependupon’t，"shesays，"she’vebeentryingJohnGrimmettunknowntous：seeheraccountelse。"
　　’Tislittle，ofcourse，atthebestoftimes，beingonlyforone，butnow’tisnextkintonothing。"
　　"I’llinquire，"saidGeoffreydespondingly。
　　HereturnedbywayofMellstock，andcalleduponFancy，infulfilmentofapromise。ItbeingSaturday，thechildrenwereenjoyingaholiday，andonenteringtheresidenceFancywasnowheretobeseen。Nan，thecharwoman，wassweepingthekitchen。
　　"Where’smyda’ter？"saidthekeeper。
　　"Well，youseeshewastiredwiththeweek’steaching，andthismorningshesaid，"Nan，Isha’n’tgetuptilltheevening。"Yousee，Mr。Day，ifpeopledon’teat，theycan’twork;andasshe’vegie’dupeating，shemustgieupworking。"
　　"Haveyecarriedupanydinnertoher？"
　　"No;shedon’twantany。There，weallknowthatsuchthingsdon’tcomewithoutgoodreason——notthatIwishtosayanythingaboutabrokenheart，oranythingofthekind。"
　　Geoffrey’sownheartfeltinconvenientlylargejustthen。Hewenttothestaircaseandascendedtohisdaughter’sdoor。
　　"Fancy！"
　　"Comein，father。"
　　Toseeapersoninbedfromanycausewhatever，onafineafternoon，isdepressingenough;andherewashisonlychildFancy，notonlyinbed，butlookingverypale。Geoffreywasvisiblydisturbed。
　　"Fancy，Ididn’texpecttoseetheehere，chiel，"hesaid。"What’sthematter？"
　　"I’mnotwell，father。"
　　"How’sthat？"
　　"BecauseIthinkofthings。"
　　"Whatthingscanyouhavetothinko’somortalmuch？"
　　"Youknow，father。"
　　"YouthinkI’vebeencrueltotheeinsayingthatthatpennilessDicko’thinesha’n’tmarrythee，Isuppose？"
　　Noanswer。
　　"Well，youknow，Fancy，Idoitforthebest，andheisn’tgoodenoughforthee。Youknowthatwellenough。"Hereheagainlookedatherasshelay。"Well，Fancy，Ican’tletmyonlychieldie;andifyoucan’tlivewithouten，youmustha’en，Isuppose。"
　　"O，Idon’twanthimlikethat;allagainstyourwill，andeverythingsodisobedient！"sighedtheinvalid。
　　"No，no，’tisn’tagainstmywill。Mywishis，nowId’seehow’tishurtentheetolivewithouten，thatheshallmarrytheeassoonaswe’veconsideredalittle。That’smywishflatandplain，Fancy。
　　There，nevercry，mylittlemaid！Yououghttoha’criedafore;noneedo’cryingnow’tisallover。Well，howsoever，trytostepoverandseemeandmother—lawto—morrow，andha’abitofdinnerwi’
　　us。"
　　"And——Dicktoo？"
　　"Ay，Dicktoo，’far’sIknow。"
　　"AndWHENdoyouthinkyou’llhaveconsidered，father，andhemaymarryme？"shecoaxed。
　　"Well，there，saynextMidsummer;that’snotadaytoolongtowait。"
　　OnleavingtheschoolGeoffreywenttothetranter’s。OldWilliamopenedthedoor。
　　"IsyourgrandsonDickin’ithin，William？"
　　"No，notjustnow，Mr。Day。Thoughhe’vebeenathomeagooddeallately。"
　　"O，how’sthat？"
　　"Whatwi’onething，andwhatwi’t’other，he’sallinamope，asmightbesaid。Don’tseemthefellerheusedto。Ay，’awillsitstuddingandthinkingasif’aweregoingtoturnchapel—member，andthendonothingbuttraypseandwambleabout。Usedtobesuchachattyboy，too，Dickdid;andnow’adon’tspeakatall。Butwon’tyestepinside？Reubenwillbehomesoon，’ab’lieve。"
　　"No，thankyou，Ican’tstaynow。WillyejustaskDickifhe’lldomethekindnesstostepovertoYalburyto—morrowwithmyda’terFancy，ifshe’swellenough？Idon’tlikehertocomebyherself，nowshe’snotsoterribletoppinginhealth。"
　　"SoI’veheard。Ay，sure，I’lltellhimwithoutfail。"
　　CHAPTERV：AFTERGAININGHERPOINT
　　ThevisittoGeoffreypassedoffasdelightfullyasavisitmighthavebeenexpectedtopassoffwhenitwasthefirstdayofsmoothexperienceinahithertoobstructedlove—course。Andthencameaseriesofseveralhappydays，ofthesameundisturbedserenity。
　　Dickcouldcourtherwhenhechose;stayawaywhenhechose，——whichwasnever;walkwithherbywindingstreamsandwaterfallsandautumnscenerytilldewsaridtwilightsentthemhome。AndthustheydrewnearthedayoftheHarvestThanksgiving，whichwasalsothetimechosenforopeningtheorganinMellstockChurch。
　　ItchancedthatDickonthatverydaywascalledawayfromMellstock。AyoungacquaintancehaddiedofconsumptionatCharmley，aneighbouringvillage，onthepreviousMonday，andDick，infulfilmentofalong—standingpromise，wastoassistincarryinghimtothegrave。WhenonTuesday，DickwenttowardstheschooltoacquaintFancywiththefact，itisdifficulttosaywhetherhisowndisappointmentatbeingdeniedthesightofhertriumphantdebutasorganist，wasgreaterthanhisvexationthathispetshouldonthisgreatoccasionbedeprivedofthepleasureofhispresence。
　　However，theintelligencewascommunicated。Sheboreitasshebestcould，notwithoutmanyexpressionsofregret，andconvictionsthatherperformancewouldbenothingtohernow。
　　Justbeforeeleveno’clockonSundayhesetoutuponhissaderrand。
　　Thefuneralwastobeimmediatelyafterthemorningservice，andastherewerefourgoodmilestowalk，drivingbeinginconvenient，itbecamenecessarytostartcomparativelyearly。Halfanhourlaterwouldcertainlyhaveansweredhispurposequiteaswell，yetatthelastmomentnothingwouldcontenthisardentmindbutthathemustgoamileoutofhiswayinthedirectionoftheschool，inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisLoveasshestartedforchurch。
　　Striking，therefore，intothelanetowardstheschool，insteadofacrosstheeweleasedirecttoCharmley，hearrivedoppositeherdoorashisgoddessemerged。
　　Ifeverawomanlookedadivinity，FancyDayappearedonethatmorningasshefloateddownthoseschoolsteps，intheformofanebulouscollectionofcoloursincliningtoblue。Withanaudacityunparalleledinthewholehistoryofvillage—school—mistressesatthisdate——partlyowing，nodoubt，topapa’srespectableaccumulationofcash，whichrenderedherprofessionnotaltogetheroneofnecessity——shehadactuallydonnedahatandfeather，andloweredherhithertoplainlylooped—uphair，whichnowfellabouthershouldersinaprofusionofcurls。PoorDickwasastonished：
　　hehadneverseenherlooksodistractinglybeautifulbefore，saveonChristmas—eve，whenherhairwasinthesameluxuriantconditionoffreedom。Buthisfirstburstofdelightedsurprisewasfollowedbylesscomfortablefeelings，assoonashisbrainrecovereditspowertothink。
　　Fancyhadblushed;——wasitwithconfusion？Shehadalsoinvoluntarilypressedbackhercurls。Shehadnotexpectedhim。
　　"Fancy，youdidn’tknowmeforamomentinmyfuneralclothes，didyou？"
　　"Good—morning，Dick——no，really，Ididn’tknowyouforaninstantinsuchasadsuit。"
　　Helookedagainatthegaytressesandhat。"You’veneverdressedsocharmingbefore，dearest。"
　　"Iliketohearyoupraisemeinthatway，Dick，"shesaid，smilingarchly。"Itismeatanddrinktoawoman。DoIlooknicereally？"
　　"Fie！youknowit。Didyouremember，——Imeandidn’tyourememberaboutmygoingawayto—day？"
　　"Well，yes，Idid，Dick;but，youknow，Iwantedtolookwell;——
　　forgiveme。"
　　"Yes，darling;yes，ofcourse，——there’snothingtoforgive。No，I
　　wasonlythinkingthatwhenwetalkedonTuesdayandWednesdayandThursdayandFridayaboutmyabsenceto—day，andIwassosorryforit，yousaid，Fancy，sowereyousorry，andalmostcried，andsaiditwouldbenopleasuretoyoutobetheattractionofthechurchto—day，sinceIcouldnotbethere。"
　　"Mydearone，neitherwillitbesomuchpleasuretome……ButI
　　dotakealittledelightinmylife，Isuppose，"shepouted。
　　"Apartfrommine？"
　　Shelookedathimwithperplexedeyes。"Iknowyouarevexedwithme，Dick，anditisbecausethefirstSundayIhavecurlsandahatandfeathersinceIhavebeenherehappenstobetheverydayyouareawayandwon’tbewithme。Yes，sayitis，forthatisit！AndyouthinkthatallthisweekIoughttohaverememberedyouwouldn’tbehereto—day，andnothavecaredtobebetterdressedthanusual。
　　Yes，youdo，Dick，anditisratherunkind！"
　　"No，no，"saidDickearnestlyandsimply，"Ididn’tthinksobadlyofyouasthat。Ionlythoughtthat——ifYOUhadbeengoingaway，I
　　shouldn’thavetriednewattractionsfortheeyesofotherpeople。
　　ButthenofcourseyouandIaredifferent，naturally。"
　　"Well，perhapsweare。"
　　"Whateverwillthevicarsay，Fancy？"
　　"Idon’tfearwhathesaysintheleast！"sheansweredproudly。
　　"Buthewon’tsayanythingofthesortyouthink。No，no。"
　　"Hecanhardlyhaveconscienceto，indeed。"
　　"Nowcome，yousay，Dick，thatyouquiteforgiveme，forImustgo，"
　　shesaidwithsuddengaiety，andskippedbackwardsintotheporch。
　　"Comehere，sir;——sayyouforgiveme，andthenyoushallkissme;——
　　youneverhaveyetwhenIhaveworncurls，youknow。Yes，justwhereyouwanttosomuch，——yes，youmay！"
　　Dickfollowedherintotheinnercorner，wherehewasprobablynotslowinavailinghimselfoftheprivilegeoffered。
　　"Nowthat’satreatforyou，isn’tit？"shecontinued。"Good—bye，orIshallbelate。Comeandseemeto—morrow：you’llbetiredtonight。"
　　Thustheyparted，andFancyproceededtothechurch。Theorganstoodononesideofthechancel，closetoandundertheimmediateeyeofthevicarwhenhewasinthepulpit，andalsoinfullviewofthecongregation。Hereshesatdown，forthefirsttimeinsuchaconspicuousposition，herseathavingpreviouslybeeninaremotespotintheaisle。
　　"Goodheavens——disgraceful！Curlsandahatandfeather！"saidthedaughtersofthesmallgentry，whohadeitheronlycurlyhairwithoutahatandfeather，orahatandfeatherwithoutcurlyhair。
　　"Abonnetforchurchalways，"saidsobermatrons。
　　ThatMr。Mayboldwasconsciousofherpresenceclosebesidehimduringthesermon;thathewasnotatallangryatherdevelopmentofcostume;thatheadmiredher，sheperceived。Butshedidnotseethathelovedherduringthatsermon—timeashehadneverlovedawomanbefore;thatherproximitywasastrangedelighttohim;andthathegloriedinhermusicalsuccessthatmorninginaspiritquitebeyondamerecleric’sgloryattheinaugurationofaneworderofthings。
　　Theoldchoir，withhumbledhearts，nolongertooktheirseatsinthegalleryasheretofore（whichwasnowgivenuptotheschool—
　　childrenwhowerenotsingers，andapupil—teacher），butwerescatteredaboutwiththeirwivesindifferentpartsofthechurch。
　　Havingnothingtodowithconductingtheserviceforalmostthefirsttimeintheirlives，theyallfeltawkward，outofplace，abashed，andinconveniencedbytheirhands。Thetranterhadproposedthattheyshouldstayawayto—dayandgonutting，butgrandfatherWilliamwouldnothearofsuchathingforamoment。
　　"No，"herepliedreproachfully，andquotedaverse"Thoughthishascomeuponus，letnotourheartsbeturnedback，orourstepsgooutoftheway。"
　　Sotheystoodandwatchedthecurlsofhairtrailingdownthebackofthesuccessfulrival，andthewavingofherfeather，assheswayedherhead。Afterafewtimidnotesanduncertaintouchesherplayingbecamemarkedlycorrect，andtowardstheendfullandfree。
　　But，whetherfromprejudiceorunbiassedjudgment，thevenerablebodyofmusicianscouldnothelpthinkingthatthesimplernotestheyhadbeenwonttobringforthweremoreinkeepingwiththesimplicityoftheiroldchurchthanthecrowdedchordsandinterludesitwasherpleasuretoproduce。
　　CHAPTERVI：INTOTEMPTATION
　　Thedaywasdone，andFancywasagainintheschool—house。Aboutfiveo’clockitbegantorain，andinratheradullframeofmindshewanderedintotheschoolroom，forwantofsomethingbettertodo。Shewasthinking——ofherloverDickDewy？Notprecisely。Ofhowwearyshewasoflivingalone：howunbearableitwouldbetoreturntoYalburyundertheruleofherstrange—temperedstep—
　　mother;thatitwasfarbettertobemarriedtoanybodythandothat;thateightorninelongmonthshadyettobelivedthrougheretheweddingcouldtakeplace。
　　AtthesideoftheroomwerehighwindowsofHam—hillstone，uponeithersillofwhichshecouldsitbyfirstmountingadeskandusingitasafootstool。Astheeveningadvancedheresheperchedherself，aswashercustomonsuchwetandgloomyoccasions，putonalightshawlandbonnet，openedthewindow，andlookedoutattherain。
　　ThewindowoverlookedafieldcalledtheGrove，anditwasthepositionfromwhichsheusedtosurveythecrownofDick’spassinghatintheearlydaysoftheiracquaintanceandmeetings。Notalivingsoulwasnowvisibleanywhere;therainkeptallpeopleindoorswhowerenotforcedabroadbynecessity，andnecessitywaslessimportunateonSundaysthanduringtheweek。
　　Sittinghereandthinkingagain——ofherlover，orofthesensationshehadcreatedatchurchthatday？——well，itisunknown——thinkingandthinkingshesawadarkmasculinefigurearisingintodistinctnessatthefurtherendoftheGrove——amanwithoutanumbrella。Nearerandnearerhecame，andsheperceivedthathewasindeepmourning，andthenthatitwasDick。Yes，inthefondnessandfoolishnessofhisyoungheart，afterwalkingfourmiles，inadrizzlingrainwithoutovercoatorumbrella，andinfaceofaremarkfromhislovethathewasnottocomebecausehewouldbetired，hehadmadeithisbusinesstowanderthismileoutofhiswayagain，fromsheerwishofspendingtenminutesinherpresence。
　　"ODick，howwetyouare！"shesaid，ashedrewupunderthewindow。
　　"Why，yourcoatshinesasifithadbeenvarnished，andyourhat——mygoodness，there’sastreaminghat！"
　　"O，Idon’tmind，darling！"saidDickcheerfully。"Wetneverhurtsme，thoughIamrathersorryformybestclothes。However，itcouldn’tbehelped;welentalltheumbrellastothewomen。Idon’tknowwhenIshallgetmineback！"
　　"Andlook，there’sanastypatchofsomethingjustonyourshoulder。"
　　"Ah，that’sjapanning;itrubbedofftheclampsofpoorJack’scoffinwhenweloweredhimfromourshouldersuponthebier！I
　　don’tcareaboutthat，for’twasthelastdeedIcoulddoforhim;
　　and’tishardifyoucan’taffordacoatforanoldfriend。"
　　Fancyputherhandtohermouthforhalfaminute。Underneaththepalmofthatlittlehandthereexistedforthathalf—minutealittleyawn。
　　"Dick，Idon’tlikeyoutostandthereinthewet。Andyoumustn’tsitdown。Gohomeandchangeyourthings。Don’tstayanotherminute。"
　　"Onekissaftercomingsofar，"hepleaded。
　　"IfIcanreach，then。"
　　Helookedratherdisappointedatnotbeinginvitedroundtothedoor。Shetwistedfromherseatedpositionandbentherselfdownwards，butnotevenbystandingontheplinthwasitpossibleforDicktogethislipsintocontactwithhersassheheldthem。
　　Bygreatexertionshemighthavereachedalittlelower;butthenshewouldhaveexposedherheadtotherain。
　　"Nevermind，Dick;kissmyhand，"shesaid，flingingitdowntohim。
　　"Now，good—bye。"
　　"Good—bye。"
　　Hewalkedslowlyaway，turningandturningagaintolookathertillhewasoutofsight。Duringtheretreatshesaidtoherself，almostinvoluntarily，andstillconsciousofthatmorning’striumph——"I
　　likeDick，andIlovehim;buthowplainandsorryamanlooksintherain，withnoumbrella，andwetthrough！"
　　Ashevanished，shemadeasiftodescendfromherseat;butglancingintheotherdirectionshesawanotherformcomingalongthesametrack。Itwasalsothatofaman。He，too，wasinblackfromtoptotoe;buthecarriedanumbrella。
　　Hedrewnearer，andthedirectionoftheraincausedhimsotoslanthisumbrellathatfromherheightabovethegroundhisheadwasinvisible，asshewasalsotohim。Hepassedinduetimedirectlybeneathher，andinlookingdownupontheexteriorofhisumbrellaherfeminineeyesperceivedittobeofsuperiorsilk——lesscommonatthatdatethansince——andofelegantmake。Hereachedtheentrancetothebuilding，andFancysuddenlylostsightofhim。
　　InsteadofpursuingtheroadwayasDickhaddonehehadturnedsharplyroundintoherownporch。
　　Shejumpedtothefloor，hastilyflungoffhershawlandbonnet，smoothedandpattedherhairtillthecurlshunginpassablecondition，andlistened。Noknock。Nearlyaminutepassed，andstilltherewasnoknock。Thentherearoseasoftseriesofraps，nolouderthanthetappingofadistantwoodpecker，andbarelydistinctenoughtoreachherears。Shecomposedherselfandflungopenthedoor。
　　IntheporchstoodMr。Maybold。
　　Therewasawarmflushuponhisface，andabrightflashinhiseyes，whichmadehimlookhandsomerthanshehadeverseenhimbefore。
　　"Good—evening，MissDay。"
　　"Good—evening，Mr。Maybold，"shesaid，inastrangestateofmind。
　　Shehadnoticed，beyondtheardenthueofhisface，thathisvoicehadasingulartremorinit，andthathishandshooklikeanaspenleafwhenhelaidhisumbrellainthecorneroftheporch。Withoutanotherwordbeingspokenbyeither，hecameintotheschoolroom，shutthedoor，andmovedclosetoher。Onceinside，theexpressionofhisfacewasnomorediscernible，byreasonoftheincreasingduskofevening。
　　"Iwanttospeaktoyou，"hethensaid;"seriously——onaperhapsunexpectedsubject，butonewhichisalltheworldtome——Idon’tknowwhatitmaybetoyou，MissDay。"
　　Noreply。
　　"Fancy，Ihavecometoaskyouifyouwillbemywife？"
　　Asapersonwhohasbeenidlyamusinghimselfwithrollingasnowballmightstartatfindinghehadsetinmotionanavalanche，sodidFancystartatthesewordsfromthevicar。Andinthedeadsilencewhichfollowedthem，thebreathingsofthemanandofthewomancouldbedistinctlyandseparatelyheard;andtherewasthisdifferencebetweenthem——hisrespirationsgraduallygrewquieterandlessrapidaftertheenunciationhers，fromhavingbeenlowandregular，increasedinquicknessandforce，tillshealmostpanted。
　　"Icannot，Icannot，Mr。Maybold——Icannot！Don’taskme！"shesaid。
　　"Don’tanswerinahurry！"heentreated。"Anddolistentome。
　　Thisisnosuddenfeelingonmypart。Ihavelovedyouformorethansixmonths！Perhapsmylateinterestinteachingthechildrenherehasnotbeensosingle—mindedasitseemed。Youwillunderstandmymotive——likemebetter，perhaps，forhonestlytellingyouthatIhavestruggledagainstmyemotioncontinually，becauseI
　　havethoughtthatitwasnotwellformetoloveyou！ButI
　　resolvedtostrugglenolonger;Ihaveexaminedthefeeling;andtheloveIbearyouisasgenuineasthatIcouldbearanywoman！Iseeyourgreatcharm;Irespectyournaturaltalents，andtherefinementtheyhavebroughtintoyournature——theyarequiteenough，andmorethanenoughforme！Theyareequaltoanythingeverrequiredofthemistressofaquietparsonage—house——theplaceinwhichIshallpassmydays，whereveritmaybesituated。OFancy，Ihavewatchedyou，criticizedyouevenseverely，broughtmyfeelingstothelightofjudgment，andstillhavefoundthemrational，andsuchasanymanmighthaveexpectedtobeinspiredwithbyawomanlikeyou！Sothereisnothinghurried，secret，oruntowardinmydesiretodothis。Fancy，willyoumarryme？"
　　Noanswerwasreturned。
　　"Don’trefuse;don’t，"heimplored。"Itwouldbefoolishofyou——I
　　meancruel！Ofcoursewewouldnotlivehere，Fancy。IhavehadforalongtimetheofferofanexchangeoflivingswithafriendinYorkshire，butIhavehithertorefusedonaccountofmymother。
　　Therewewouldgo。Yourmusicalpowersshallbestillfurtherdeveloped;youshallhavewhateverpianoforteyoulike;youshallhaveanything，Fancy，anythingtomakeyouhappy——pony—carriage，flowers，birds，pleasantsociety;yes，youhaveenoughinyouforanysociety，afterafewmonthsoftravelwithme！Willyou，Fancy，marryme？"
　　Anotherpauseensued，variedonlybythesurgingoftherainagainstthewindow——panes，andthenFancyspoke，inafaintandbrokenvoice。
　　"Yes，Iwill，"shesaid。
　　"Godblessyou，myown！"Headvancedquickly，andputhisarmouttoembraceher。Shedrewbackhastily。"Nono，notnow！"shesaidinanagitatedwhisper。"Therearethings;——butthetemptationis，O，toostrong，andIcan’tresistitIcan’ttellyounow，butI
　　musttellyou！Don’t，please，don’tcomenearmenow！Iwanttothink，IcanscarcelygetmyselfusedtotheideaofwhatIhavepromisedyet。"Thenextminutesheturnedtoadesk，buriedherfaceinherhands，andburstintoahystericalfitofweeping。"O，leavemetomyself！"shesobbed;"leaveme！O，leaveme！"
　　"Don’tbedistressed;don’t，dearest！"Itwaswithvisibledifficultythatherestrainedhimselffromapproachingher。"Youshalltellmeatyourleisurewhatitisthatgrievesyouso;Iamhappy——beyondallmeasurehappy！——athavingyoursimplepromise。"
　　"Anddogoandleavemenow！"
　　"ButImustnot，injusticetoyou，leaveforaminute，untilyouareyourselfagain。"
　　"Therethen，"shesaid，controllingheremotion，andstandingup;"I
　　amnotdisturbednow。"
　　Hereluctantlymovedtowardsthedoor。"Good—bye！"hemurmuredtenderly。"I’llcometo—morrowaboutthistime。"
　　CHAPTERVII：SECONDTHOUGHTS
　　Thenextmorningthevicarroseearly。ThefirstthinghedidwastowritealongandcarefullettertohisfriendinYorkshire。
　　Then，eatingalittlebreakfast，hecrossedthemeadowsinthedirectionofCasterbridge，bearinghisletterinhispocket，thathemightpostitatthetownoffice，andobviatethelossofonedayinitstransmissionthatwouldhaveresultedhadheleftitforthefoot—postthroughthevillage。
　　Itwasafoggymorning，andthetreesshedinnoisywater—dropsthemoisturetheyhadcollectedfromthethickair，anacornoccasionallyfallingfromitscuptotheground，incompanywiththedrippings。Inthemeads，sheetsofspiders’—web，almostopaquewithwet，hunginfoldsoverthefences，andthefallingleavesappearedineveryvarietyofbrown，green，andyellowhue。
　　Alowandmerrywhistlingwasheardonthehighwayhewasapproaching，thenthelightfootstepsofamangoinginthesamedirectionashimself。Onreachingthejunctionofhispathwiththeroad，thevicarbeheldDickDewy’sopenandcheerfulface。Dickliftedhishat，andthevicarcameoutintothehighwaythatDickwaspursuing。
　　"Good—morning，Dewy。Howwellyouarelooking！"saidMr。Maybold。
　　"Yes，sir，Iamwell——quitewell！IamgoingtoCasterbridgenow，togetSmart’scollar;weleftitthereSaturdaytoberepaired。"
　　"IamgoingtoCasterbridge，sowe’llwalktogether，"thevicarsaid。DickgaveahopwithonefoottoputhimselfinstepwithMr。
　　Maybold，whoproceeded："IfancyIdidn’tseeyouatchurchyesterday，Dewy。Orwereyoubehindthepier？"
　　"No;IwenttoCharmley。PoorJohnDunfordchosemetobeoneofhisbearersalongtimebeforehedied，andyesterdaywasthefuneral。OfcourseIcouldn’trefuse，thoughIshouldhavelikedparticularlytohavebeenathomeas’twasthedayofthenewmusic。"
　　"Yes，youshouldhavebeen。Themusicalportionoftheservicewassuccessful——verysuccessfulindeed;andwhatismoretothepurpose，noill—feelingwhateverwasevincedbyanyofthemembersoftheoldchoir。Theyjoinedinthesingingwiththegreatestgood—will。"
　　"’TwasnaturalenoughthatIshouldwanttobethere，Isuppose，"
　　saidDick，smilingaprivatesmile;"consideringwhotheorgan——
　　playerwas。"
　　Atthisthevicarreddenedalittle，andsaid，"Yes，yes，"thoughnotatallcomprehendingDick’struemeaning，who，ashereceivednofurtherreply，continuedhesitatingly，andwithanothersmiledenotinghisprideasalover—
　　"IsupposeyouknowwhatImean，sir？You’veheardaboutmeand——
　　MissDay？"
　　TheredinMaybold’scountenancewentaway：heturnedandlookedDickintheface。
　　"No，"hesaidconstrainedly，"I’veheardnothingwhateveraboutyouandMissDay。"
　　"Why，she’smysweetheart，andwearegoingtobemarriednextMidsummer。Wearekeepingitratherclosejustatpresent，because’tisagoodmanymonthstowait;butitisherfather’swishthatwedon’tmarrybefore，andofcoursewemustsubmit。Butthetime’illsoonslipalong。"
　　"Yes，thetimewillsoonslipalong——Timeglidesawayeveryday——
　　yes。"
　　Mayboldsaidthesewords，buthehadnoideaofwhattheywere。Hewasconsciousofacoldandsicklythrillthroughouthim;andallhereasonedwasthisthattheyoungcreaturewhosegraceshadintoxicatedhimintomakingthemostimprudentresolutionofhislife，waslessanangelthanawoman。
　　"Yousee，sir，"continuedtheingenuousDick，"’twillbebetterinonesense。Ishallbythattimebetheregularmanagerofabrancho’father’sbusiness，whichhasverymuchincreasedlately，andbusiness，whichwethinkofstartingelsewhere。Ithasverymuchincreasedlately，andweexpectnextyeartokeepa’extracoupleofhorses。We’vealreadyoureyeonone——brownasaberry，necklikearainbow，fifteenhands，andnotagrayhairinher——offeredusattwenty—fivewantacrown。AndtokippacewiththetimesIhavehadsomecardsprentedandIbegleavetohandyouone，sir。"
　　"Certainly，"saidthevicar，mechanicallytakingthecardthatDickofferedhim。
　　"IturninherebyGrey’sBridge，"saidDick。"Isupposeyougostraightonanduptown？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Good—morning，sir。"
　　"Good—morning，Dewy。"
　　Mayboldstoodstilluponthebridge，holdingthecardasithadbeenputintohishand，andDick’sfootstepsdiedawaytowardsDurnoverMill。Thevicar’sfirstvoluntaryactionwastoreadthecardDEWYANDSON，TRANTERSANDHAULIERS，MELLSTOCK。