"Nofairbet？"repliedMr。Dowlas，angrily。"IshouldliketohearanymanstandupandsayIwanttobetunfair。Comenow，MasterLundy，Ishouldliketohearyousayit。"
　　"Verylikeyouwould，"saidthebutcher。"Butit’snobusinesso’mine。You’renoneo’mybargains，andIaren’ta—goingtotryand’bateyourprice。Ifanybody’llbidforyouatyourownvallying，lethim。I’mforpeaceandquietness，Iam。"
　　"Yes，that’swhateveryyappingcuris，whenyouholdastickupathim，"saidthefarrier。"ButI’mafraido’neithermannorghost，andI’mreadytolayafairbet。_I_aren’taturn—tailcur。"
　　"Aye，butthere’sthisinit，Dowlas，"saidthelandlord，speakinginatoneofmuchcandourandtolerance。"There’sfolks，i’myopinion，theycan’tseeghos’es，notiftheystoodasplainasapike—staffbefore’em。Andthere’sreasoni’that。Forthere’smywife，now，can’tsmell，notifshe’dthestrongesto’cheeseunderhernose。Ineversee’daghostmyself；butthenIsaystomyself，"VerylikeIhaven’tgotthesmellfor’em。"Imean，puttingaghostforasmell，orelsecontrairiways。Andso，I’mforholdingwithbothsides；for，asIsay，thetruthliesbetween’em。AndifDowlaswastogoandstand，andsayhe’dneverseenawinko’
　　Cliff’sHolidayallthenightthrough，I’dbackhim；andifanybodysaidasCliff’sHolidaywascertainsure，forallthat，I’dback_him_too。Forthesmell’swhatIgoby。"
　　Thelandlord’sanalogicalargumentwasnotwellreceivedbythefarrier——amanintenselyopposedtocompromise。
　　"Tut，tut，"hesaid，settingdownhisglasswithrefreshedirritation；"what’sthesmellgottodowithit？Dideveraghostgiveamanablackeye？That’swhatIshouldliketoknow。Ifghos’eswantmetobelievein’em，let’emleaveoffskulkingi’thedarkandi’loneplaces——let’emcomewherethere’scompanyandcandles。"
　　"Asifghos’es’udwanttobebelievedinbyanybodysoignirant！"
　　saidMr。Macey，indeepdisgustatthefarrier’scrassincompetencetoapprehendtheconditionsofghostlyphenomena。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　YetthenextmomentthereseemedtobesomeevidencethatghostshadamorecondescendingdispositionthanMr。Maceyattributedtothem；
　　forthepalethinfigureofSilasMarnerwassuddenlyseenstandinginthewarmlight，utteringnoword，butlookingroundatthecompanywithhisstrangeunearthlyeyes。Thelongpipesgaveasimultaneousmovement，liketheantennaeofstartledinsects，andeverymanpresent，notexceptingeventhescepticalfarrier，hadanimpressionthathesaw，notSilasMarnerintheflesh，butanapparition；forthedoorbywhichSilashadenteredwashiddenbythehigh—screenedseats，andnoonehadnoticedhisapproach。
　　Mr。Macey，sittingalongwayofftheghost，mightbesupposedtohavefeltanargumentativetriumph，whichwouldtendtoneutralizehisshareofthegeneralalarm。HadhenotalwayssaidthatwhenSilasMarnerwasinthatstrangetranceofhis，hissoulwentloosefromhisbody？Herewasthedemonstration：nevertheless，onthewhole，hewouldhavebeenaswellcontentedwithoutit。Forafewmomentstherewasadeadsilence，Marner’swantofbreathandagitationnotallowinghimtospeak。Thelandlord，underthehabitualsensethathewasboundtokeephishouseopentoallcompany，andconfidentintheprotectionofhisunbrokenneutrality，atlasttookonhimselfthetaskofadjuringtheghost。
　　"MasterMarner，"hesaid，inaconciliatorytone，"what’slackingtoyou？What’syourbusinesshere？"
　　"Robbed！"saidSilas，gaspingly。"I’vebeenrobbed！Iwanttheconstable——andtheJustice——andSquireCass——andMr。Crackenthorp。"
　　"Layholdonhim，JemRodney，"saidthelandlord，theideaofaghostsubsiding；"he’soffhishead，Idoubt。He’swetthrough。"
　　JemRodneywastheoutermostman，andsatconvenientlynearMarner’sstanding—place；buthedeclinedtogivehisservices。
　　"Comeandlayholdonhimyourself，Mr。Snell，ifyou’veamind，"
　　saidJem，rathersullenly。"He’sbeenrobbed，andmurderedtoo，forwhatIknow，"headded，inamutteringtone。
　　"JemRodney！"saidSilas，turningandfixinghisstrangeeyesonthesuspectedman。
　　"Aye，MasterMarner，whatdoyouwantwi’me？"saidJem，tremblingalittle，andseizinghisdrinking—canasadefensiveweapon。
　　"Ifitwasyoustolemymoney，"saidSilas，claspinghishandsentreatingly，andraisinghisvoicetoacry，"giveitmeback——
　　andIwon’tmeddlewithyou。Iwon’tsettheconstableonyou。
　　Giveitmeback，andI’llletyou——I’llletyouhaveaguinea。"
　　"Mestoleyourmoney！"saidJem，angrily。"I’llpitchthiscanatyoureyeifyoutalko’_my_stealingyourmoney。"
　　"Come，come，MasterMarner，"saidthelandlord，nowrisingresolutely，andseizingMarnerbytheshoulder，"ifyou’vegotanyinformationtolay，speakitoutsensible，andshowasyou’reinyourrightmind，ifyouexpectanybodytolistentoyou。You’reaswetasadrowndedrat。Sitdownanddryyourself，andspeakstraightforrard。"
　　"Ah，tobesure，man，"saidthefarrier，whobegantofeelthathehadnotbeenquiteonaparwithhimselfandtheoccasion。"Let’shavenomorestaringandscreaming，elsewe’llhaveyoustrappedforamadman。ThatwaswhyIdidn’tspeakatthefirst——thinksI，theman’srunmad。"
　　"Aye，aye，makehimsitdown，"saidseveralvoicesatonce，wellpleasedthattherealityofghostsremainedstillanopenquestion。
　　ThelandlordforcedMarnertotakeoffhiscoat，andthentositdownonachairalooffromeveryoneelse，inthecentreofthecircleandinthedirectraysofthefire。Theweaver，toofeebletohaveanydistinctpurposebeyondthatofgettinghelptorecoverhismoney，submittedunresistingly。Thetransientfearsofthecompanywerenowforgottenintheirstrongcuriosity，andallfaceswereturnedtowardsSilas，whenthelandlord，havingseatedhimselfagain，said——
　　"Nowthen，MasterMarner，what’sthisyou’vegottosay——asyou’vebeenrobbed？Speakout。"
　　"He’dbetternotsayagainasitwasmerobbedhim，"criedJemRodney，hastily。"WhatcouldIha’donewithhismoney？Icouldaseasystealtheparson’ssurplice，andwearit。"
　　"Holdyourtongue，Jem，andlet’shearwhathe’sgottosay，"saidthelandlord。"Nowthen，MasterMarner。"
　　Silasnowtoldhisstory，underfrequentquestioningasthemysteriouscharacteroftherobberybecameevident。
　　ThisstrangelynovelsituationofopeninghistroubletohisRaveloeneighbours，ofsittinginthewarmthofahearthnothisown，andfeelingthepresenceoffacesandvoiceswhichwerehisnearestpromiseofhelp，haddoubtlessitsinfluenceonMarner，inspiteofhispassionatepreoccupationwithhisloss。Ourconsciousnessrarelyregistersthebeginningofagrowthwithinusanymorethanwithoutus：therehavebeenmanycirculationsofthesapbeforewedetectthesmallestsignofthebud。
　　Theslightsuspicionwithwhichhishearersatfirstlistenedtohim，graduallymeltedawaybeforetheconvincingsimplicityofhisdistress：itwasimpossiblefortheneighbourstodoubtthatMarnerwastellingthetruth，notbecausetheywerecapableofarguingatoncefromthenatureofhisstatementstotheabsenceofanymotiveformakingthemfalsely，butbecause，asMr。Maceyobserved，"Folksashadthedeviltoback’emwerenotlikelytobesomushed"aspoorSilaswas。Rather，fromthestrangefactthattherobberhadleftnotraces，andhadhappenedtoknowthenickoftime，utterlyincalculablebymortalagents，whenSilaswouldgoawayfromhomewithoutlockinghisdoor，themoreprobableconclusionseemedtobe，thathisdisreputableintimacyinthatquarter，ifiteverexisted，hadbeenbrokenup，andthat，inconsequence，thisillturnhadbeendonetoMarnerbysomebodyitwasquiteinvaintosettheconstableafter。Whythispreternaturalfelonshouldbeobligedtowaittillthedoorwasleftunlocked，wasaquestionwhichdidnotpresentitself。
　　"Itisn’tJemRodneyashasdonethiswork，MasterMarner，"saidthelandlord。"Youmustn’tbea—castingyoureyeatpoorJem。
　　TheremaybeabitofareckoningagainstJemforthematterofahareorso，ifanybodywasboundtokeeptheireyesstaringopen，andnivertowink；butJem’sbeena—sittingheredrinkinghiscan，likethedecentestmani’theparish，sincebeforeyouleftyourhouse，MasterMarner，byyourownaccount。"
　　"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Macey；"let’shavenoaccusingo’theinnicent。Thatisn’tthelaw。Theremustbefolkstoswearagain’
　　amanbeforehecanbeta’enup。Let’shavenoaccusingo’theinnicent，MasterMarner。"
　　MemorywasnotsoutterlytorpidinSilasthatitcouldnotbeawakenedbythesewords。Withamovementofcompunctionasnewandstrangetohimaseverythingelsewithinthelasthour，hestartedfromhischairandwentcloseuptoJem，lookingathimasifhewantedtoassurehimselfoftheexpressioninhisface。
　　"Iwaswrong，"hesaid——"yes，yes——Ioughttohavethought。
　　There’snothingtowitnessagainstyou，Jem。Onlyyou’dbeenintomyhouseoftenerthananybodyelse，andsoyoucameintomyhead。
　　Idon’taccuseyou——Iwon’taccuseanybody——only，"headded，liftinguphishandstohishead，andturningawaywithbewilderedmisery，"Itry——Itrytothinkwheremyguineascanbe。"
　　"Aye，aye，they’regonewhereit’shotenoughtomelt’em，I
　　doubt，"saidMr。Macey。
　　"Tchuh！"saidthefarrier。Andthenheasked，withacross—examiningair，"Howmuchmoneymighttherebeinthebags，MasterMarner？"
　　"Twohundredandseventy—twopounds，twelveandsixpence，lastnightwhenIcountedit，"saidSilas，seatinghimselfagain，withagroan。
　　"Pooh！why，they’dbenonesoheavytocarry。Sometramp’sbeenin，that’sall；andasforthenofootmarks，andthebricksandthesandbeingallright——why，youreyesareprettymuchlikeainsect’s，MasterMarner；they’reobligedtolooksoclose，youcan’tseemuchatatime。It’smyopinionas，ifI’dbeenyou，oryou’dbeenme——foritcomestothesamething——youwouldn’thavethoughtyou’dfoundeverythingasyouleftit。ButwhatIvoteis，astwoofthesensiblesto’thecompanyshouldgowithyoutoMasterKench，theconstable’s——he’silli’bed，Iknowthatmuch——andgethimtoappointoneofushisdeppity；forthat’sthelaw，andI
　　don’tthinkanybody’ulltakeuponhimtocontradickmethere。Itisn’tmuchofawalktoKench’s；andthen，ifit’smeasisdeppity，I’llgobackwithyou，MasterMarner，andexamineyourpremises；andifanybody’sgotanyfaulttofindwiththat，I’llthankhimtostandupandsayitoutlikeaman。"
　　Bythispregnantspeechthefarrierhadre—establishedhisself—complacency，andwaitedwithconfidencetohearhimselfnamedasoneofthesuperlativelysensiblemen。
　　"Letusseehowthenightis，though，"saidthelandlord，whoalsoconsideredhimselfpersonallyconcernedinthisproposition。"Why，itrainsheavystill，"hesaid，returningfromthedoor。
　　"Well，I’mnotthemantobeafraido’therain，"saidthefarrier。"Forit’lllookbadwhenJusticeMalamhearsasrespectablemenlikeushadainformationlaidbefore’emandtooknosteps。"
　　Thelandlordagreedwiththisview，andaftertakingthesenseofthecompany，anddulyrehearsingasmallceremonyknowninhighecclesiasticallifeasthe_noloepiscopari_，heconsentedtotakeonhimselfthechilldignityofgoingtoKench’s。Buttothefarrier’sstrongdisgust，Mr。Maceynowstartedanobjectiontohisproposinghimselfasadeputy—constable；forthatoracularoldgentleman，claimingtoknowthelaw，stated，asafactdeliveredtohimbyhisfather，thatnodoctorcouldbeaconstable。
　　"Andyou’readoctor，Ireckon，thoughyou’reonlyacow—doctor——
　　forafly’safly，thoughitmaybeahoss—fly，"concludedMr。Macey，wonderingalittleathisown"’cuteness"。
　　Therewasahotdebateuponthis，thefarrierbeingofcourseindisposedtorenouncethequalityofdoctor，butcontendingthatadoctorcouldbeaconstableifheliked——thelawmeant，heneedn’tbeoneifhedidn’tlike。Mr。Maceythoughtthiswasnonsense，sincethelawwasnotlikelytobefonderofdoctorsthanofotherfolks。Moreover，ifitwasinthenatureofdoctorsmorethanofothermennottolikebeingconstables，howcameMr。Dowlastobesoeagertoactinthatcapacity？
　　"_I_don’twanttoacttheconstable，"saidthefarrier，drivenintoacornerbythismercilessreasoning；"andthere’snomancansayitofme，ifhe’dtellthetruth。Butifthere’stobeanyjealousyanden_vy_ingaboutgoingtoKench’sintherain，letthemgoaslikeit——youwon’tgetmetogo，Icantellyou。"
　　Bythelandlord’sintervention，however，thedisputewasaccommodated。Mr。Dowlasconsentedtogoasasecondpersondisinclinedtoactofficially；andsopoorSilas，furnishedwithsomeoldcoverings，turnedoutwithhistwocompanionsintotherainagain，thinkingofthelongnight—hoursbeforehim，notasthosedowholongtorest，butasthosewhoexpectto"watchforthemorning"。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　WhenGodfreyCassreturnedfromMrs。Osgood’spartyatmidnight，hewasnotmuchsurprisedtolearnthatDunseyhadnotcomehome。
　　PerhapshehadnotsoldWildfire，andwaswaitingforanotherchance——
　　perhaps，onthatfoggyafternoon，hehadpreferredhousinghimselfattheRedLionatBatherleyforthenight，iftherunhadkepthiminthatneighbourhood；forhewasnotlikelytofeelmuchconcernaboutleavinghisbrotherinsuspense。Godfrey’smindwastoofullofNancyLammeter’slooksandbehaviour，toofulloftheexasperationagainsthimselfandhislot，whichthesightofheralwaysproducedinhim，forhimtogivemuchthoughttoWildfire，ortotheprobabilitiesofDunstan’sconduct。
　　Thenextmorningthewholevillagewasexcitedbythestoryoftherobbery，andGodfrey，likeeveryoneelse，wasoccupiedingatheringanddiscussingnewsaboutit，andinvisitingtheStone—pits。Therainhadwashedawayallpossibilityofdistinguishingfoot—marks，butacloseinvestigationofthespothaddisclosed，inthedirectionoppositetothevillage，atinder—box，withaflintandsteel，halfsunkinthemud。ItwasnotSilas’stinder—box，fortheonlyonehehadeverhadwasstillstandingonhisshelf；andtheinferencegenerallyacceptedwas，thatthetinder—boxintheditchwassomehowconnectedwiththerobbery。Asmallminorityshooktheirheads，andintimatedtheiropinionthatitwasnotarobberytohavemuchlightthrownonitbytinder—boxes，thatMasterMarner’stalehadaqueerlookwithit，andthatsuchthingshadbeenknownasaman’sdoinghimselfamischief，andthensettingthejusticetolookforthedoer。Butwhenquestionedcloselyastotheirgroundsforthisopinion，andwhatMasterMarnerhadtogainbysuchfalsepretences，theyonlyshooktheirheadsasbefore，andobservedthattherewasnoknowingwhatsomefolkscountedgain；
　　moreover，thateverybodyhadarighttotheirownopinions，groundsornogrounds，andthattheweaver，aseverybodyknew，waspartlycrazy。Mr。Macey，thoughhejoinedinthedefenceofMarneragainstallsuspicionsofdeceit，alsopooh—poohedthetinder—box；indeed，repudiateditasaratherimpioussuggestion，tendingtoimplythateverythingmustbedonebyhumanhands，andthattherewasnopowerwhichcouldmakeawaywiththeguineaswithoutmovingthebricks。
　　Nevertheless，heturnedroundrathersharplyonMr。Tookey，whenthezealousdeputy，feelingthatthiswasaviewofthecasepeculiarlysuitedtoaparish—clerk，carrieditstillfarther，anddoubtedwhetheritwasrighttoinquireintoarobberyatallwhenthecircumstancesweresomysterious。
　　"Asif，"concludedMr。Tookey——"asiftherewasnothingbutwhatcouldbemadeoutbyjusticesandconstables。"
　　"Now，don’tyoubeforovershootingthemark，Tookey，"saidMr。Macey，noddinghisheadasideadmonishingly。"That’swhatyou’reallaysat；ifIthrowastoneandhit，youthinkthere’ssummatbetterthanhitting，andyoutrytothrowastonebeyond。
　　WhatIsaidwasagainstthetinder—box：Isaidnothingagainstjusticesandconstables，forthey’reo’KingGeorge’smaking，andit’udbeill—becomingamaninaparishofficetoflyoutagain’KingGeorge。"
　　WhilethesediscussionsweregoingonamongstthegroupoutsidetheRainbow，ahigherconsultationwasbeingcarriedonwithin，underthepresidencyofMr。Crackenthorp，therector，assistedbySquireCassandothersubstantialparishioners。IthadjustoccurredtoMr。Snell，thelandlord——hebeing，asheobserved，amanaccustomedtoputtwoandtwotogether——toconnectwiththetinder—box，which，asdeputy—constable，hehimselfhadhadthehonourabledistinctionoffinding，certainrecollectionsofapedlarwhohadcalledtodrinkatthehouseaboutamonthbefore，andhadactuallystatedthathecarriedatinder—boxaboutwithhimtolighthispipe。Here，surely，wasacluetobefollowedout。Andasmemory，whendulyimpregnatedwithascertainedfacts，issometimessurprisinglyfertile，Mr。Snellgraduallyrecoveredavividimpressionoftheeffectproducedonhimbythepedlar’scountenanceandconversation。Hehada"lookwithhiseye"whichfellunpleasantlyonMr。Snell’ssensitiveorganism。Tobesure，hedidn’tsayanythingparticular——no，exceptthataboutthetinder—box——butitisn’twhatamansays，it’sthewayhesaysit。
　　Moreover，hehadaswarthyforeignnessofcomplexionwhichbodedlittlehonesty。
　　"Didhewearear—rings？"Mr。Crackenthorpwishedtoknow，havingsomeacquaintancewithforeigncustoms。
　　"Well——stay——letmesee，"saidMr。Snell，likeadocileclairvoyante，whowouldreallynotmakeamistakeifshecouldhelpit。Afterstretchingthecornersofhismouthandcontractinghiseyes，asifheweretryingtoseetheear—rings，heappearedtogiveuptheeffort，andsaid，"Well，he’dgotear—ringsinhisboxtosell，soit’snat’raltosupposehemightwear’em。Buthecalledateveryhouse，a’most，inthevillage；there’ssomebodyelse，mayhap，saw’eminhisears，thoughIcan’ttakeuponmerightlytosay。"
　　Mr。Snellwascorrectinhissurmise，thatsomebodyelsewouldrememberthepedlar’sear—rings。Foronthespreadofinquiryamongthevillagersitwasstatedwithgatheringemphasis，thattheparsonhadwantedtoknowwhetherthepedlarworeear—ringsinhisears，andanimpressionwascreatedthatagreatdealdependedontheelicitingofthisfact。Ofcourse，everyonewhoheardthequestion，nothavinganydistinctimageofthepedlaras_without_
　　ear—rings，immediatelyhadanimageofhim_with_ear—rings，largerorsmaller，asthecasemightbe；andtheimagewaspresentlytakenforavividrecollection，sothattheglazier’swife，awell—intentionedwoman，notgiventolying，andwhosehousewasamongthecleanestinthevillage，wasreadytodeclare，assureasevershemeanttotakethesacramenttheverynextChristmasthatwasevercoming，thatshehadseenbigear—rings，intheshapeoftheyoungmoon，inthepedlar’stwoears；whileJinnyOates，thecobbler’sdaughter，beingamoreimaginativeperson，statednotonlythatshehadseenthemtoo，butthattheyhadmadeherbloodcreep，asitdidatthatverymomentwhilethereshestood。
　　Also，bywayofthrowingfurtherlightonthisclueofthetinder—box，acollectionwasmadeofallthearticlespurchasedfromthepedlaratvarioushouses，andcarriedtotheRainbowtobeexhibitedthere。Infact，therewasageneralfeelinginthevillage，thatfortheclearing—upofthisrobberytheremustbeagreatdealdoneattheRainbow，andthatnomanneedofferhiswifeanexcuseforgoingtherewhileitwasthesceneofseverepublicduties。
　　Somedisappointmentwasfelt，andperhapsalittleindignationalso，whenitbecameknownthatSilasMarner，onbeingquestionedbytheSquireandtheparson，hadretainednootherrecollectionofthepedlarthanthathehadcalledathisdoor，buthadnotenteredhishouse，havingturnedawayatoncewhenSilas，holdingthedoorajar，hadsaidthathewantednothing。ThishadbeenSilas’stestimony，thoughheclutchedstronglyattheideaofthepedlar’sbeingtheculprit，ifonlybecauseitgavehimadefiniteimageofawhereaboutforhisgoldafterithadbeentakenawayfromitshiding—place：hecouldseeitnowinthepedlar’sbox。Butitwasobservedwithsomeirritationinthevillage，thatanybodybuta"blindcreatur"likeMarnerwouldhaveseenthemanprowlingabout，forhowcamehetoleavehistinder—boxintheditchcloseby，ifhehadn’tbeenlingeringthere？Doubtless，hehadmadehisobservationswhenhesawMarneratthedoor。Anybodymightknow——
　　andonlylookathim——thattheweaverwasahalf—crazymiser。Itwasawonderthepedlarhadn’tmurderedhim；menofthatsort，withringsintheirears，hadbeenknownformurderersoftenandoften；
　　therehadbeenonetriedatthe’sizes，notsolongagobutwhattherewerepeoplelivingwhorememberedit。
　　GodfreyCass，indeed，enteringtheRainbowduringoneofMr。Snell’sfrequentlyrepeatedrecitalsofhistestimony，hadtreateditlightly，statingthathehimselfhadboughtapen—knifeofthepedlar，andthoughthimamerrygrinningfellowenough；itwasallnonsense，hesaid，abouttheman’sevillooks。Butthiswasspokenofinthevillageastherandomtalkofyouth，"asifitwasonlyMr。Snellwhohadseensomethingoddaboutthepedlar！"Onthecontrary，therewereatleasthalf—a—dozenwhowerereadytogobeforeJusticeMalam，andgiveinmuchmorestrikingtestimonythananythelandlordcouldfurnish。ItwastobehopedMr。GodfreywouldnotgotoTarleyandthrowcoldwateronwhatMr。Snellsaidthere，andsopreventthejusticefromdrawingupawarrant。Hewassuspectedofintendingthis，when，aftermid—day，hewasseensettingoffonhorsebackinthedirectionofTarley。
　　ButbythistimeGodfrey’sinterestintherobberyhadfadedbeforehisgrowinganxietyaboutDunstanandWildfire，andhewasgoing，nottoTarley，buttoBatherley，unabletorestinuncertaintyaboutthemanylonger。ThepossibilitythatDunstanhadplayedhimtheuglytrickofridingawaywithWildfire，toreturnattheendofamonth，whenhehadgambledawayorotherwisesquanderedthepriceofthehorse，wasafearthaturgeditselfuponhimmore，even，thanthethoughtofanaccidentalinjury；andnowthatthedanceatMrs。Osgood’swaspast，hewasirritatedwithhimselfthathehadtrustedhishorsetoDunstan。Insteadoftryingtostillhisfears，heencouragedthem，withthatsuperstitiousimpressionwhichclingstousall，thatifweexpectevilverystronglyitisthelesslikelytocome；andwhenheheardahorseapproachingatatrot，andsawahatrisingaboveahedgebeyondanangleofthelane，hefeltasifhisconjurationhadsucceeded。Butnosoonerdidthehorsecomewithinsight，thanhisheartsankagain。ItwasnotWildfire；
　　andinafewmomentsmorehediscernedthattheriderwasnotDunstan，butBryce，whopulleduptospeak，withafacethatimpliedsomethingdisagreeable。
　　"Well，Mr。Godfrey，that’saluckybrotherofyours，thatMasterDunsey，isn’the？"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidGodfrey，hastily。
　　"Why，hasn’thebeenhomeyet？"saidBryce。
　　"Home？no。Whathashappened？Bequick。Whathashedonewithmyhorse？"
　　"Ah，Ithoughtitwasyours，thoughhepretendedyouhadpartedwithittohim。"
　　"Hashethrownhimdownandbrokenhisknees？"saidGodfrey，flushedwithexasperation。
　　"Worsethanthat，"saidBryce。"Yousee，I’dmadeabargainwithhimtobuythehorseforahundredandtwenty——aswingingprice，butIalwayslikedthehorse。Andwhatdoeshedobutgoandstakehim——flyatahedgewithstakesinit，atopofabankwithaditchbeforeit。Thehorsehadbeendeadaprettygoodwhilewhenhewasfound。Sohehasn’tbeenhomesince，hashe？"
　　"Home？no，"saidGodfrey，"andhe’dbetterkeepaway。Confoundmeforafool！Imighthaveknownthiswouldbetheendofit。"
　　"Well，totellyouthetruth，"saidBryce，"afterI’dbargainedforthehorse，itdidcomeintomyheadthathemightberidingandsellingthehorsewithoutyourknowledge，forIdidn’tbelieveitwashisown。IknewMasterDunseywasuptohistrickssometimes。
　　Butwherecanhebegone？He’sneverbeenseenatBatherley。Hecouldn’thavebeenhurt，forhemusthavewalkedoff。"
　　"Hurt？"saidGodfrey，bitterly。"He’llneverbehurt——he’smadetohurtotherpeople。"
　　"Andsoyou_did_givehimleavetosellthehorse，eh？"saidBryce。
　　"Yes；Iwantedtopartwiththehorse——hewasalwaysalittletoohardinthemouthforme，"saidGodfrey；hispridemakinghimwinceundertheideathatBryceguessedthesaletobeamatterofnecessity。"Iwasgoingtoseeafterhim——Ithoughtsomemischiefhadhappened。I’llgobacknow，"headded，turningthehorse’shead，andwishinghecouldgetridofBryce；forhefeltthatthelong—dreadedcrisisinhislifewascloseuponhim。
　　"You’recomingontoRaveloe，aren’tyou？"
　　"Well，no，notnow，"saidBryce。"I_was_comingroundthere，forIhadtogotoFlitton，andIthoughtImightaswelltakeyouinmyway，andjustletyouknowallIknewmyselfaboutthehorse。
　　IsupposeMasterDunseydidn’tliketoshowhimselftilltheillnewshadblownoverabit。He’sperhapsgonetopayavisitattheThreeCrowns，byWhitbridge——Iknowhe’sfondofthehouse。"
　　"Perhapsheis，"saidGodfrey，ratherabsently。Thenrousinghimself，hesaid，withaneffortatcarelessness，"Weshallhearofhimsoonenough，I’llbebound。"
　　"Well，here’smyturning，"saidBryce，notsurprisedtoperceivethatGodfreywasrather"down"；"soI’llbidyougood—day，andwishImaybringyoubetternewsanothertime。"
　　Godfreyrodealongslowly，representingtohimselfthesceneofconfessiontohisfatherfromwhichhefeltthattherewasnownolongeranyescape。Therevelationaboutthemoneymustbemadetheverynextmorning；andifhewithheldtherest，Dunstanwouldbesuretocomebackshortly，and，findingthathemustbearthebruntofhisfather’sanger，wouldtellthewholestoryoutofspite，eventhoughhehadnothingtogainbyit。Therewasonestep，perhaps，bywhichhemightstillwinDunstan’ssilenceandputofftheevilday：hemighttellhisfatherthathehadhimselfspentthemoneypaidtohimbyFowler；andashehadneverbeenguiltyofsuchanoffencebefore，theaffairwouldblowoverafteralittlestorming。
　　ButGodfreycouldnotbendhimselftothis。HefeltthatinlettingDunstanhavethemoney，hehadalreadybeenguiltyofabreachoftrusthardlylessculpablethanthatofspendingthemoneydirectlyforhisownbehoof；andyettherewasadistinctionbetweenthetwoactswhichmadehimfeelthattheonewassomuchmoreblackeningthantheotherastobeintolerabletohim。
　　"Idon’tpretendtobeagoodfellow，"hesaidtohimself；"butI’mnotascoundrel——atleast，I’llstopshortsomewhere。I’llbeartheconsequencesofwhatI_have_donesoonerthanmakebelieveI’vedonewhatIneverwouldhavedone。I’dneverhavespentthemoneyformyownpleasure——Iwastorturedintoit。"
　　ThroughtheremainderofthisdayGodfrey，withonlyoccasionalfluctuations，kepthiswillbentinthedirectionofacompleteavowaltohisfather，andhewithheldthestoryofWildfire’slosstillthenextmorning，thatitmightservehimasanintroductiontoheaviermatter。TheoldSquirewasaccustomedtohisson’sfrequentabsencefromhome，andthoughtneitherDunstan’snorWildfire’snon—appearanceamattercallingforremark。Godfreysaidtohimselfagainandagain，thatifheletslipthisoneopportunityofconfession，hemightneverhaveanother；therevelationmightbemadeeveninamoreodiouswaythanbyDunstan’smalignity：_she_
　　mightcomeasshehadthreatenedtodo。Andthenhetriedtomakethesceneeasiertohimselfbyrehearsal：hemadeuphismindhowhewouldpassfromtheadmissionofhisweaknessinlettingDunstanhavethemoneytothefactthatDunstanhadaholdonhimwhichhehadbeenunabletoshakeoff，andhowhewouldworkuphisfathertoexpectsomethingverybadbeforehetoldhimthefact。TheoldSquirewasanimplacableman：hemaderesolutionsinviolentanger，andhewasnottobemovedfromthemafterhisangerhadsubsided——
　　asfieryvolcanicmatterscoolandhardenintorock。Likemanyviolentandimplacablemen，heallowedevilstogrowunderfavourofhisownheedlessness，tilltheypresseduponhimwithexasperatingforce，andthenheturnedroundwithfierceseverityandbecameunrelentinglyhard。Thiswashissystemwithhistenants：heallowedthemtogetintoarrears，neglecttheirfences，reducetheirstock，selltheirstraw，andotherwisegothewrongway，——andthen，whenhebecameshortofmoneyinconsequenceofthisindulgence，hetookthehardestmeasuresandwouldlistentonoappeal。Godfreyknewallthis，andfeltitwiththegreaterforcebecausehehadconstantlysufferedannoyancefromwitnessinghisfather’ssuddenfitsofunrelentingness，forwhichhisownhabitualirresolutiondeprivedhimofallsympathy。（Hewasnotcriticalonthefaultyindulgencewhichprecededthesefits；_that_seemedtohimnaturalenough。）Stilltherewasjustthechance，Godfreythought，thathisfather’spridemightseethismarriageinalightthatwouldinducehimtohushitup，ratherthanturnhissonoutandmakethefamilythetalkofthecountryfortenmilesround。
　　ThiswastheviewofthecasethatGodfreymanagedtokeepbeforehimprettycloselytillmidnight，andhewenttosleepthinkingthathehaddonewithinwarddebating。Butwhenheawokeinthestillmorningdarknesshefounditimpossibletoreawakenhiseveningthoughts；itwasasiftheyhadbeentiredoutandwerenottoberousedtofurtherwork。Insteadofargumentsforconfession，hecouldnowfeelthepresenceofnothingbutitsevilconsequences：
　　theolddreadofdisgracecameback——theoldshrinkingfromthethoughtofraisingahopelessbarrierbetweenhimselfandNancy——
　　theolddispositiontorelyonchanceswhichmightbefavourabletohim，andsavehimfrombetrayal。Why，afterall，shouldhecutoffthehopeofthembyhisownact？Hehadseenthematterinawronglightyesterday。HehadbeeninaragewithDunstan，andhadthoughtofnothingbutathoroughbreak—upoftheirmutualunderstanding；butwhatitwouldbereallywisestforhimtodo，wastotryandsoftenhisfather’sangeragainstDunsey，andkeepthingsasnearlyaspossibleintheiroldcondition。IfDunseydidnotcomebackforafewdays（andGodfreydidnotknowbutthattherascalhadenoughmoneyinhispockettoenablehimtokeepawaystilllonger），everythingmightblowover。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　Godfreyroseandtookhisownbreakfastearlierthanusual，butlingeredinthewainscotedparlourtillhisyoungerbrothershadfinishedtheirmealandgoneout；awaitinghisfather，whoalwaystookawalkwithhismanaging—manbeforebreakfast。EveryonebreakfastedatadifferenthourintheRedHouse，andtheSquirewasalwaysthelatest，givingalongchancetoaratherfeeblemorningappetitebeforehetriedit。Thetablehadbeenspreadwithsubstantialeatablesnearlytwohoursbeforehepresentedhimself——
　　atall，stoutmanofsixty，withafaceinwhichtheknitbrowandratherhardglanceseemedcontradictedbytheslackandfeeblemouth。Hispersonshowedmarksofhabitualneglect，hisdresswasslovenly；andyettherewassomethinginthepresenceoftheoldSquiredistinguishablefromthatoftheordinaryfarmersintheparish，whowereperhapseverywhitasrefinedashe，but，havingslouchedtheirwaythroughlifewithaconsciousnessofbeinginthevicinityoftheir"betters"，wantedthatself—possessionandauthoritativenessofvoiceandcarriagewhichbelongedtoamanwhothoughtofsuperiorsasremoteexistenceswithwhomhehadpersonallylittlemoretodothanwithAmericaorthestars。TheSquirehadbeenusedtoparishhomageallhislife，usedtothepresuppositionthathisfamily，histankards，andeverythingthatwashis，weretheoldestandbest；andasheneverassociatedwithanygentryhigherthanhimself，hisopinionwasnotdisturbedbycomparison。
　　Heglancedathissonasheenteredtheroom，andsaid，"What，sir！
　　haven’t_you_hadyourbreakfastyet？"buttherewasnopleasantmorninggreetingbetweenthem；notbecauseofanyunfriendliness，butbecausethesweetflowerofcourtesyisnotagrowthofsuchhomesastheRedHouse。
　　"Yes，sir，"saidGodfrey，"I’vehadmybreakfast，butIwaswaitingtospeaktoyou。"
　　"Ah！well，"saidtheSquire，throwinghimselfindifferentlyintohischair，andspeakinginaponderouscoughingfashion，whichwasfeltinRaveloetobeasortofprivilegeofhisrank，whilehecutapieceofbeef，andhelditupbeforethedeer—houndthathadcomeinwithhim。"Ringthebellformyale，willyou？Youyoungsters’
　　businessisyourownpleasure，mostly。There’snohurryaboutitforanybodybutyourselves。"
　　TheSquire’slifewasquiteasidleashissons’，butitwasafictionkeptupbyhimselfandhiscontemporariesinRaveloethatyouthwasexclusivelytheperiodoffolly，andthattheiragedwisdomwasconstantlyinastateofendurancemitigatedbysarcasm。
　　Godfreywaited，beforehespokeagain，untilthealehadbeenbroughtandthedoorclosed——anintervalduringwhichFleet，thedeer—hound，hadconsumedenoughbitsofbeeftomakeapoorman’sholidaydinner。
　　"There’sbeenacursedpieceofill—luckwithWildfire，"hebegan；
　　"happenedthedaybeforeyesterday。"
　　"What！brokehisknees？"saidtheSquire，aftertakingadraughtofale。"Ithoughtyouknewhowtoridebetterthanthat，sir。
　　Ineverthrewahorsedowninmylife。IfIhad，Imightha’
　　whistledforanother，for_my_fatherwasn’tquitesoreadytounstringassomeotherfathersIknowof。Buttheymustturnoveranewleaf——_they_must。Whatwithmortgagesandarrears，I’masshorto’cashasaroadsidepauper。AndthatfoolKimblesaysthenewspaper’stalkingaboutpeace。Why，thecountrywouldn’thavealegtostandon。Prices’udrundownlikeajack，andIshouldnevergetmyarrears，notifIsoldallthefellowsup。Andthere’sthatdamnedFowler，Iwon’tputupwithhimanylonger；I’vetoldWinthroptogotoCoxthisveryday。Thelyingscoundreltoldmehe’dbesuretopaymeahundredlastmonth。Hetakesadvantagebecausehe’sonthatoutlyingfarm，andthinksIshallforgethim。"
　　TheSquirehaddeliveredthisspeechinacoughingandinterruptedmanner，butwithnopauselongenoughforGodfreytomakeitapretextfortakingupthewordagain。HefeltthathisfathermeanttowardoffanyrequestformoneyonthegroundofthemisfortunewithWildfire，andthattheemphasishehadthusbeenledtolayonhisshortnessofcashandhisarrearswaslikelytoproduceanattitudeofmindtheutmostunfavourableforhisowndisclosure。
　　Buthemustgoon，nowhehadbegun。
　　"It’sworsethanbreakingthehorse’sknees——he’sbeenstakedandkilled，"hesaid，assoonashisfatherwassilent，andhadbeguntocuthismeat。"ButIwasn’tthinkingofaskingyoutobuymeanotherhorse；IwasonlythinkingI’dlostthemeansofpayingyouwiththepriceofWildfire，asI’dmeanttodo。Dunseytookhimtothehunttosellhimformetheotherday，andafterhe’dmadeabargainforahundredandtwentywithBryce，hewentafterthehounds，andtooksomefool’sleaporotherthatdidforthehorseatonce。Ifithadn’tbeenforthat，Ishouldhavepaidyouahundredpoundsthismorning。"
　　TheSquirehadlaiddownhisknifeandfork，andwasstaringathissoninamazement，notbeingsufficientlyquickofbraintoformaprobableguessastowhatcouldhavecausedsostrangeaninversionofthepaternalandfilialrelationsasthispropositionofhissontopayhimahundredpounds。
　　"Thetruthis，sir——I’mverysorry——Iwasquitetoblame，"
　　saidGodfrey。"Fowlerdidpaythathundredpounds。Hepaidittome，whenIwasoverthereonedaylastmonth。AndDunseybotheredmeforthemoney，andIlethimhaveit，becauseIhopedIshouldbeabletopayityoubeforethis。"
　　TheSquirewaspurplewithangerbeforehissonhaddonespeaking，andfoundutterancedifficult。"YouletDunseyhaveit，sir？AndhowlonghaveyoubeensothickwithDunseythatyoumust_collogue_
　　withhimtoembezzlemymoney？Areyouturningoutascamp？ItellyouIwon’thaveit。I’llturnthewholepackofyououtofthehousetogether，andmarryagain。I’dhaveyoutoremember，sir，myproperty’sgotnoentailonit；——sincemygrandfather’stimetheCassescandoastheylikewiththeirland。Rememberthat，sir。
　　LetDunseyhavethemoney！WhyshouldyouletDunseyhavethemoney？There’ssomelieatthebottomofit。"
　　"There’snolie，sir，"saidGodfrey。"Iwouldn’thavespentthemoneymyself，butDunseybotheredme，andIwasafool，andlethimhaveit。ButImeanttopayit，whetherhedidornot。That’sthewholestory。Inevermeanttoembezzlemoney，andI’mnotthemantodoit。Youneverknewmedoadishonesttrick，sir。"
　　"Where’sDunsey，then？Whatdoyoustandtalkingtherefor？GoandfetchDunsey，asItellyou，andlethimgiveaccountofwhathewantedthemoneyfor，andwhathe’sdonewithit。Heshallrepentit。I’llturnhimout。IsaidIwould，andI’lldoit。Heshan’tbraveme。Goandfetchhim。"
　　"Dunseyisn’tcomeback，sir。"
　　"What！didhebreakhisownneck，then？"saidtheSquire，withsomedisgustattheideathat，inthatcase，hecouldnotfulfilhisthreat。
　　"No，hewasn’thurt，Ibelieve，forthehorsewasfounddead，andDunseymusthavewalkedoff。Idaresayweshallseehimagainby—and—by。Idon’tknowwhereheis。"
　　"Andwhatmustyoubelettinghimhavemymoneyfor？Answermethat，"saidtheSquire，attackingGodfreyagain，sinceDunseywasnotwithinreach。
　　"Well，sir，Idon’tknow，"saidGodfrey，hesitatingly。Thatwasafeebleevasion，butGodfreywasnotfondoflying，and，notbeingsufficientlyawarethatnosortofduplicitycanlongflourishwithoutthehelpofvocalfalsehoods，hewasquiteunpreparedwithinventedmotives。
　　"Youdon’tknow？Itellyouwhatitis，sir。You’vebeenuptosometrick，andyou’vebeenbribinghimnottotell，"saidtheSquire，withasuddenacutenesswhichstartledGodfrey，whofelthisheartbeatviolentlyatthenearnessofhisfather’sguess。Thesuddenalarmpushedhimontotakethenextstep——averyslightimpulsesufficesforthatonadownwardroad。
　　"Why，sir，"hesaid，tryingtospeakwithcarelessease，"itwasalittleaffairbetweenmeandDunsey；it’snomattertoanybodyelse。It’shardlyworthwhiletopryintoyoungmen’sfooleries：itwouldn’thavemadeanydifferencetoyou，sir，ifI’dnothadthebadlucktoloseWildfire。Ishouldhavepaidyouthemoney。"
　　"Fooleries！Pshaw！it’stimeyou’ddonewithfooleries。AndI’dhaveyouknow，sir，you_must_ha’donewith’em，"saidtheSquire，frowningandcastinganangryglanceathisson。"Yourgoings—onarenotwhatIshallfindmoneyforanylonger。There’smygrandfatherhadhisstablesfullo’horses，andkeptagoodhouse，too，andinworsetimes，bywhatIcanmakeout；andsomightI，ifIhadn’tfourgood—for—nothingfellowstohangonmelikehorse—leeches。I’vebeentoogoodafathertoyouall——that’swhatitis。ButIshallpullup，sir。"
　　Godfreywassilent。Hewasnotlikelytobeverypenetratinginhisjudgments，buthehadalwayshadasensethathisfather’sindulgencehadnotbeenkindness，andhadhadavaguelongingforsomedisciplinethatwouldhavecheckedhisownerrantweaknessandhelpedhisbetterwill。TheSquireatehisbreadandmeathastily，tookadeepdraughtofale，thenturnedhischairfromthetable，andbegantospeakagain。
　　"It’llbealltheworseforyou，youknow——you’dneedtryandhelpmekeepthingstogether。"
　　"Well，sir，I’veoftenofferedtotakethemanagementofthings，butyouknowyou’vetakenitillalways，andseemedtothinkI
　　wantedtopushyououtofyourplace。"
　　"Iknownothingo’yourofferingoro’mytakingitill，"saidtheSquire，whosememoryconsistedincertainstrongimpressionsunmodifiedbydetail；"butIknow，onewhileyouseemedtobethinkingo’marrying，andIdidn’toffertoputanyobstaclesinyourway，assomefatherswould。I’daslieveyoumarriedLammeter’sdaughterasanybody。Isuppose，ifI’dsaidyounay，you’dha’keptonwithit；but，forwanto’contradiction，you’vechangedyourmind。You’reashilly—shallyfellow：youtakeafteryourpoormother。Sheneverhadawillofherown；awomanhasnocallforone，ifshe’sgotapropermanforherhusband。But_your_
　　wifehadneedhaveone，foryouhardlyknowyourownmindenoughtomakebothyourlegswalkoneway。Thelasshasn’tsaiddownrightshewon’thaveyou，hasshe？"
　　"No，"saidGodfrey，feelingveryhotanduncomfortable；"butI
　　don’tthinkshewill。"
　　"Think！whyhaven’tyouthecouragetoaskher？Doyousticktoit，youwanttohave_her_——that’sthething？"
　　"There’snootherwomanIwanttomarry，"saidGodfrey，evasively。
　　"Well，then，letmemaketheofferforyou，that’sall，ifyouhaven’ttheplucktodoityourself。Lammeterisn’tlikelytobeloathforhisdaughtertomarryinto_my_family，Ishouldthink。
　　Andasfortheprettylass，shewouldn’thavehercousin——andthere’snobodyelse，asIsee，couldha’stoodinyourway。"
　　"I’dratherletitbe，pleasesir，atpresent，"saidGodfrey，inalarm。"Ithinkshe’salittleoffendedwithmejustnow，andI
　　shouldliketospeakformyself。Amanmustmanagethesethingsforhimself。"
　　"Well，speak，then，andmanageit，andseeifyoucan’tturnoveranewleaf。That’swhatamanmustdowhenhethinkso’marrying。"
　　"Idon’tseehowIcanthinkofitatpresent，sir。Youwouldn’tliketosettlemeononeofthefarms，Isuppose，andIdon’tthinkshe’dcometoliveinthishousewithallmybrothers。It’sadifferentsortoflifetowhatshe’sbeenusedto。"
　　"Notcometoliveinthishouse？Don’ttellme。Youaskher，that’sall，"saidtheSquire，withashort，scornfullaugh。
　　"I’dratherletthethingbe，atpresent，sir，"saidGodfrey。"I
　　hopeyouwon’ttrytohurryitonbysayinganything。"
　　"IshalldowhatIchoose，"saidtheSquire，"andIshallletyouknowI’mmaster；elseyoumayturnoutandfindanestatetodropintosomewhereelse。GooutandtellWinthropnottogotoCox’s，butwaitforme。Andtell’emtogetmyhorsesaddled。Andstop：
　　lookoutandgetthathacko’Dunsey’ssold，andhandmethemoney，willyou？He’llkeepnomorehacksatmyexpense。Andifyouknowwherehe’ssneaking——Idaresayyoudo——youmaytellhimtosparehimselfthejourneyo’comingbackhome。Lethimturnostler，andkeephimself。Heshan’thangonmeanymore。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhereheis，sir；andifIdid，itisn’tmyplacetotellhimtokeepaway，"saidGodfrey，movingtowardsthedoor。
　　"Confoundit，sir，don’tstayarguing，butgoandordermyhorse，"
　　saidtheSquire，takingupapipe。
　　Godfreylefttheroom，hardlyknowingwhetherheweremorerelievedbythesensethattheinterviewwasendedwithouthavingmadeanychangeinhisposition，ormoreuneasythathehadentangledhimselfstillfurtherinprevaricationanddeceit。WhathadpassedabouthisproposingtoNancyhadraisedanewalarm，lestbysomeafter—dinnerwordsofhisfather’stoMr。Lammeterheshouldbethrownintotheembarrassmentofbeingobligedabsolutelytodeclineherwhensheseemedtobewithinhisreach。Hefledtohisusualrefuge，thatofhopingforsomeunforeseenturnoffortune，somefavourablechancewhichwouldsavehimfromunpleasantconsequences——
　　perhapsevenjustifyhisinsinceritybymanifestingitsprudence。
　　Andinthispointoftrustingtosomethrowoffortune’sdice，Godfreycanhardlybecalledspeciallyold—fashioned。FavourableChance，Ifancy，isthegodofallmenwhofollowtheirowndevicesinsteadofobeyingalawtheybelievein。Letevenapolishedmanofthesedaysgetintoapositionheisashamedtoavow，andhismindwillbebentonallthepossibleissuesthatmaydeliverhimfromthecalculableresultsofthatposition。Lethimliveoutsidehisincome，orshirktheresolutehonestworkthatbringswages，andhewillpresentlyfindhimselfdreamingofapossiblebenefactor，apossiblesimpletonwhomaybecajoledintousinghisinterest，apossiblestateofmindinsomepossiblepersonnotyetforthcoming。
　　Lethimneglecttheresponsibilitiesofhisoffice，andhewillinevitablyanchorhimselfonthechancethatthethingleftundonemayturnoutnottobeofthesupposedimportance。Lethimbetrayhisfriend’sconfidence，andhewilladorethatsamecunningcomplexitycalledChance，whichgiveshimthehopethathisfriendwillneverknow。Lethimforsakeadecentcraftthathemaypursuethegentilitiesofaprofessiontowhichnaturenevercalledhim，andhisreligionwillinfalliblybetheworshipofblessedChance，whichhewillbelieveinasthemightycreatorofsuccess。Theevilprincipledeprecatedinthatreligionistheorderlysequencebywhichtheseedbringsforthacropafteritskind。
　　CHAPTERX
　　JusticeMalamwasnaturallyregardedinTarleyandRaveloeasamanofcapaciousmind，seeingthathecoulddrawmuchwiderconclusionswithoutevidencethancouldbeexpectedofhisneighbourswhowerenotontheCommissionofthePeace。Suchamanwasnotlikelytoneglecttheclueofthetinder—box，andaninquirywassetonfootconcerningapedlar，nameunknown，withcurlyblackhairandaforeigncomplexion，carryingaboxofcutleryandjewellery，andwearinglargeringsinhisears。Buteitherbecauseinquirywastooslow—footedtoovertakehim，orbecausethedescriptionappliedtosomanypedlarsthatinquirydidnotknowhowtochooseamongthem，weekspassedaway，andtherewasnootherresultconcerningtherobberythanagradualcessationoftheexcitementithadcausedinRaveloe。DunstanCass’sabsencewashardlyasubjectofremark：hehadoncebeforehadaquarrelwithhisfather，andhadgoneoff，nobodyknewwhither，toreturnattheendofsixweeks，takeuphisoldquartersunforbidden，andswaggerasusual。Hisownfamily，whoequallyexpectedthisissue，withthesoledifferencethattheSquirewasdeterminedthistimetoforbidhimtheoldquarters，nevermentionedhisabsence；andwhenhisuncleKimbleorMr。Osgoodnoticedit，thestoryofhishavingkilledWildfire，andcommittedsomeoffenceagainsthisfather，wasenoughtopreventsurprise。ToconnectthefactofDunsey’sdisappearancewiththatoftherobberyoccurringonthesameday，layquiteawayfromthetrackofeveryone’sthought——evenGodfrey’s，whohadbetterreasonthananyoneelsetoknowwhathisbrotherwascapableof。Herememberednomentionoftheweaverbetweenthemsincethetime，twelveyearsago，whenitwastheirboyishsporttoderidehim；and，besides，hisimaginationconstantlycreatedan_alibi_forDunstan：hesawhimcontinuallyinsomecongenialhaunt，towhichhehadwalkedoffonleavingWildfire——sawhimspongingonchanceacquaintances，andmeditatingareturnhometotheoldamusementoftormentinghiselderbrother。EvenifanybraininRaveloehadputthesaidtwofactstogether，Idoubtwhetheracombinationsoinjurioustotheprescriptiverespectabilityofafamilywithamuralmonumentandvenerabletankards，wouldnothavebeensuppressedasofunsoundtendency。ButChristmaspuddings，brawn，andabundanceofspirituousliquors，throwingthementaloriginalityintothechannelofnightmare，aregreatpreservativesagainstadangerousspontaneityofwakingthought。
　　WhentherobberywastalkedofattheRainbowandelsewhere，ingoodcompany，thebalancecontinuedtowaverbetweentherationalexplanationfoundedonthetinder—box，andthetheoryofanimpenetrablemysterythatmockedinvestigation。Theadvocatesofthetinder—box—and—pedlarviewconsideredtheothersideamuddle—headedandcredulousset，who，becausetheythemselveswerewall—eyed，supposedeverybodyelsetohavethesameblankoutlook；
　　andtheadherentsoftheinexplicablemorethanhintedthattheirantagonistswereanimalsinclinedtocrowbeforetheyhadfoundanycorn——mereskimming—dishesinpointofdepth——whoseclear—sightednessconsistedinsupposingtherewasnothingbehindabarn—doorbecausetheycouldn’tseethroughit；sothat，thoughtheircontroversydidnotservetoelicitthefactconcerningtherobbery，itelicitedsometrueopinionsofcollateralimportance。
　　ButwhilepoorSilas’slossservedthustobrushtheslowcurrentofRaveloeconversation，Silashimselfwasfeelingthewitheringdesolationofthatbereavementaboutwhichhisneighbourswerearguingattheirease。Toanyonewhohadobservedhimbeforehelosthisgold，itmighthaveseemedthatsowitheredandshrunkenalifeashiscouldhardlybesusceptibleofabruise，couldhardlyendureanysubtractionbutsuchaswouldputanendtoitaltogether。Butinrealityithadbeenaneagerlife，filledwithimmediatepurposewhichfencedhiminfromthewide，cheerlessunknown。Ithadbeenaclinginglife；andthoughtheobjectroundwhichitsfibreshadclungwasadeaddisruptedthing，itsatisfiedtheneedforclinging。Butnowthefencewasbrokendown——thesupportwassnatchedaway。Marner’sthoughtscouldnolongermoveintheiroldround，andwerebaffledbyablanklikethatwhichmeetsaploddingantwhentheearthhasbrokenawayonitshomewardpath。Theloomwasthere，andtheweaving，andthegrowingpatterninthecloth；butthebrighttreasureintheholeunderhisfeetwasgone；theprospectofhandlingandcountingitwasgone：theeveninghadnophantasmofdelighttostillthepoorsoul’scraving。Thethoughtofthemoneyhewouldgetbyhisactualworkcouldbringnojoy，foritsmeagreimagewasonlyafreshreminderofhisloss；andhopewastooheavilycrushedbythesuddenblowforhisimaginationtodwellonthegrowthofanewhoardfromthatsmallbeginning。
　　Hefilleduptheblankwithgrief。Ashesatweaving，heeverynowandthenmoanedlow，likeoneinpain：itwasthesignthathisthoughtshadcomeroundagaintothesuddenchasm——totheemptyevening—time。Andalltheevening，ashesatinhislonelinessbyhisdullfire，heleanedhiselbowsonhisknees，andclaspedhisheadwithhishands，andmoanedverylow——notasonewhoseekstobeheard。
　　Andyethewasnotutterlyforsakeninhistrouble。TherepulsionMarnerhadalwayscreatedinhisneighbourswaspartlydissipatedbythenewlightinwhichthismisfortunehadshownhim。Insteadofamanwhohadmorecunningthanhonestfolkscouldcomeby，and，whatwasworse，hadnottheinclinationtousethatcunninginaneighbourlyway，itwasnowapparentthatSilashadnotcunningenoughtokeephisown。Hewasgenerallyspokenofasa"poormushedcreatur"；andthatavoidanceofhisneighbours，whichhadbeforebeenreferredtohisill—willandtoaprobableaddictiontoworsecompany，wasnowconsideredmerecraziness。
　　Thischangetoakindlierfeelingwasshowninvariousways。TheodourofChristmascookingbeingonthewind，itwastheseasonwhensuperfluousporkandblackpuddingsaresuggestiveofcharityinwell—to—dofamilies；andSilas’smisfortunehadbroughthimuppermostinthememoryofhousekeeperslikeMrs。Osgood。
　　Mr。Crackenthorp，too，whileheadmonishedSilasthathismoneyhadprobablybeentakenfromhimbecausehethoughttoomuchofitandnevercametochurch，enforcedthedoctrinebyapresentofpigs’
　　pettitoes，wellcalculatedtodissipateunfoundedprejudicesagainsttheclericalcharacter。NeighbourswhohadnothingbutverbalconsolationtogiveshowedadispositionnotonlytogreetSilasanddiscusshismisfortuneatsomelengthwhentheyencounteredhiminthevillage，butalsototakethetroubleofcallingathiscottageandgettinghimtorepeatallthedetailsontheveryspot；andthentheywouldtrytocheerhimbysaying，"Well，MasterMarner，you’renoworseoffnorotherpoorfolks，afterall；andifyouwastobecrippled，theparish’udgiveyoua’lowance。"
　　Isupposeonereasonwhyweareseldomabletocomfortourneighbourswithourwordsisthatourgoodwillgetsadulterated，inspiteofourselves，beforeitcanpassourlips。Wecansendblackpuddingsandpettitoeswithoutgivingthemaflavourofourownegoism；butlanguageisastreamthatisalmostsuretosmackofamingledsoil。TherewasafairproportionofkindnessinRaveloe；
　　butitwasoftenofabeeryandbunglingsort，andtooktheshapeleastalliedtothecomplimentaryandhypocritical。