Onanotheroccasionwhenreconnoitringthusshebeheldtwofemalefigureswalkinginthevale。Thedaywasfineandclear；andthepersonsnotbeingmorethanhalfamileoffshecouldseetheireverydetailwiththetelescope。
Thewomanwalkinginfrontcarriedawhitebundleinherarms，fromoneendofwhichhungalongappendageofdrapery；
andwhenthewalkersturned，sothatthesunfellmoredirectlyuponthem，Eustaciacouldseethattheobjectwasababy。
ShecalledCharley，andaskedhimifheknewwhotheywere，thoughshewellguessed。
"Mrs。Wildeveandthenurse—girl，"saidCharley。
"Thenurseiscarryingthebaby？"saidEustacia。
"No，’tisMrs。Wildevecarryingthat，"heanswered，"andthenursewalksbehindcarryingnothing。"
Theladwasingoodspiritsthatday，fortheFifthofNovemberhadagaincomeround，andhewasplanningyetanotherschemetodivertherfromhertooabsorbingthoughts。
Fortwosuccessiveyearshismistresshadseemedtotakepleasureinlightingabonfireonthebankoverlookingthevalley；butthisyearshehadapparentlyquiteforgottenthedayandthecustomarydeed。
Hewascarefulnottoremindher，andwentonwithhissecretpreparationsforacheerfulsurprise，themorezealouslythathehadbeenabsentlasttimeandunabletoassist。Ateveryvacantminutehehastenedtogatherfurze—stumps，thorn—treeroots，andothersolidmaterialsfromtheadjacentslopes，hidingthemfromcursoryview。
Theeveningcame，andEustaciawasstillseeminglyunconsciousoftheanniversary。Shehadgoneindoorsafterhersurveythroughtheglass，andhadnotbeenvisiblesince。AssoonasitwasquitedarkCharleybegantobuildthebonfire，choosingpreciselythatspotonthebankwhichEustaciahadchosenatprevioustimes。
WhenallthesurroundingbonfireshadburstintoexistenceCharleykindledhis，andarrangeditsfuelsothatitshouldnotrequiretendingforsometime。
Hethenwentbacktothehouse，andlingeredroundthedoorandwindowstillsheshouldbysomemeansorotherlearnofhisachievementandcomeouttowitnessit。
Buttheshutterswereclosed，thedoorremainedshut，andnoheedwhateverseemedtobetakenofhisperformance。
Notlikingtocallherhewentbackandreplenishedthefire，continuingtodothisformorethanhalfanhour。
ItwasnottillhisstockoffuelhadgreatlydiminishedthathewenttothebackdoorandsentintobegthatMrs。Yeobrightwouldopenthewindow—shuttersandseethesightoutside。
Eustacia，whohadbeensittinglistlesslyintheparlour，startedupattheintelligenceandflungopentheshutters。
Facingheronthebankblazedthefire，whichatoncesentaruddyglareintotheroomwhereshewas，andoverpoweredthecandles。
"Welldone，Charley！"saidCaptainVyefromthechimney—corner。
"ButIhopeitisnotmywoodthathe’sburning……Ah，itwasthistimelastyearthatImetwiththatmanVenn，bringinghomeThomasinYeobright——tobesureitwas！Well，whowouldhavethoughtthatgirl’stroubleswouldhaveendedsowell？Whatasnipeyouwereinthatmatter，Eustacia！Hasyourhusbandwrittentoyouyet？"
"No，"saidEustacia，lookingvaguelythroughthewindowatthefire，whichjustthensomuchengagedhermindthatshedidnotresenthergrandfather’sbluntopinion。
ShecouldseeCharley’sformonthebank，shovellingandstirringthefire；andthereflasheduponherimaginationsomeotherformwhichthatfiremightcallup。
Shelefttheroom，putonhergardenbonnetandcloak，andwentout。Reachingthebank，shelookedoverwithawildcuriosityandmisgiving，whenCharleysaidtoher，withapleasedsenseofhimself，"Imadeito’
purposeforyou，ma’am。"
"Thankyou，"shesaidhastily。"ButIwishyoutoputitoutnow。"
"Itwillsoonburndown，"saidCharley，ratherdisappointed。
"Isitnotapitytoknockitout？"
"Idon’tknow，"shemusinglyanswered。
Theystoodinsilence，brokenonlybythecracklingoftheflames，tillCharley，perceivingthatshedidnotwanttotalktohim，movedreluctantlyaway。
Eustaciaremainedwithinthebanklookingatthefire，intendingtogoindoors，yetlingeringstill。Hadshenotbyhersituationbeeninclinedtoholdinindifferenceallthingshonouredofthegodsandofmenshewouldprobablyhavecomeaway。Butherstatewassohopelessthatshecouldplaywithit。Tohavelostislessdisturbingthantowonderifwemaypossiblyhavewon；
andEustaciacouldnow，likeotherpeopleatsuchastage，takeastanding—pointoutsideherself，observeherselfasadisinterestedspectator，andthinkwhatasportforHeaventhiswomanEustaciawas。
Whileshestoodsheheardasound。Itwasthesplashofastoneinthepond。
HadEustaciareceivedthestonefullinthebosomherheartcouldnothavegivenamoredecidedthump。
ShehadthoughtofthepossibilityofsuchasignalinanswertothatwhichhadbeenunwittinglygivenbyCharley；
butshehadnotexpectedityet。HowpromptWildevewas！Yethowcouldhethinkhercapableofdeliberatelywishingtorenewtheirassignationsnow？Animpulsetoleavethespot，adesiretostay，struggledwithinher；
andthedesirehelditsown。Morethanthatitdidnotdo，forsherefrainedevenfromascendingthebankandlookingover。Sheremainedmotionless，notdisturbingamuscleofherfaceorraisinghereyes；forwereshetoturnupherfacethefireonthebankwouldshineuponit，andWildevemightbelookingdown。
Therewasasecondsplashintothepond。
Whydidhestaysolongwithoutadvancingandlookingover？Curiosityhaditsway——sheascendedoneortwooftheearth—stepsinthebankandglancedout。
Wildevewasbeforeher。Hehadcomeforwardafterthrowingthelastpebble，andthefirenowshoneintoeachoftheirfacesfromthebankstretchingbreast—highbetweenthem。
"Ididnotlightit！"criedEustaciaquickly。"Itwaslitwithoutmyknowledge。Don’t，don’tcomeovertome！"
"Whyhaveyoubeenlivinghereallthesedayswithouttellingme？Youhaveleftyourhome。IfearIamsomethingtoblameinthis？"
"Ididnotletinhismother；that’showitis！"
"Youdonotdeservewhatyouhavegot，Eustacia；youareingreatmisery；Iseeitinyoureyes，yourmouth，andalloveryou。Mypoor，poorgirl！"Hesteppedoverthebank。
"Youarebeyondeverythingunhappy！"
"No，no；notexactly——"
"Ithasbeenpushedtoofar——itiskillingyou——Idothinkit！"
Herusuallyquietbreathinghadgrownquickerwithhiswords。
"I——I——"shebegan，andthenburstintoquiveringsobs，shakentotheveryheartbytheunexpectedvoiceofpity——asentimentwhoseexistenceinrelationtoherselfshehadalmostforgotten。
ThisoutbreakofweepingtookEustaciaherselfsomuchbysurprisethatshecouldnotleaveoff，andsheturnedasidefromhiminsomeshame，thoughturninghidnothingfromhim。
Shesobbedondesperately；thentheoutpourlessened，andshebecamequieter。Wildevehadresistedtheimpulsetoclaspher，andstoodwithoutspeaking。
"Areyounotashamedofme，whousednevertobeacryinganimal？"sheaskedinaweakwhisperasshewipedhereyes。"Whydidn’tyougoaway？Iwishyouhadnotseenquiteallthat；itrevealstoomuchbyhalf。"
"Youmighthavewishedit，becauseitmakesmeassadasyou，"hesaidwithemotionanddeference。
"Asforrevealing——thewordisimpossiblebetweenustwo。"
"Ididnotsendforyou——don’tforgetit，Damon；Iaminpain，butIdidnotsendforyou！Asawife，atleast，I’vebeenstraight。"
"Nevermind——Icame。O，Eustacia，forgivemefortheharmIhavedoneyouinthesetwopastyears！IseemoreandmorethatIhavebeenyourruin。"
"Notyou。ThisplaceIlivein。"
"Ah，yourgenerositymaynaturallymakeyousaythat。
ButIamtheculprit。Ishouldeitherhavedonemoreornothingatall。"
"Inwhatway？"
"Ioughtnevertohavehuntedyouout，or，havingdoneit，Ioughttohavepersistedinretainingyou。
ButofcourseIhavenorighttotalkofthatnow。
Iwillonlyaskthis——canIdoanythingforyou？Isthereanythingonthefaceoftheearththatamancandotomakeyouhappierthanyouareatpresent？Ifthereis，Iwilldoit。Youmaycommandme，Eustacia，tothelimitofmyinfluence；anddon’tforgetthatIamrichernow。
Surelysomethingcanbedonetosaveyoufromthis！Sucharareplantinsuchawildplaceitgrievesmetosee。
Doyouwantanythingbought？Doyouwanttogoanywhere？
Doyouwanttoescapetheplacealtogether？Onlysayit，andI’lldoanythingtoputanendtothosetears，whichbutformewouldneverhavebeenatall。"
"Weareeachmarriedtoanotherperson，"shesaidfaintly；
"andassistancefromyouwouldhaveanevilsound——after——after——"
"Well，there’snopreventingslanderersfromhavingtheirfillatanytime；butyouneednotbeafraid。
WhateverImayfeelIpromiseyouonmywordofhonournevertospeaktoyouabout——oractupon——untilyousayImay。
IknowmydutytoThomasinquiteaswellasIknowmydutytoyouasawomanunfairlytreated。WhatshallIassistyouin？"
"Ingettingawayfromhere。"
"Wheredoyouwishtogoto？"
"Ihaveaplaceinmymind。IfyoucouldhelpmeasfarasBudmouthIcandoalltherest。SteamerssailfromthereacrosstheChannel，andsoIcangettoParis，whereIwanttobe。Yes，"shepleadedearnestly，"helpmetogettoBudmouthharbourwithoutmygrandfather’sormyhusband’sknowledge，andIcandoalltherest。"
"Willitbesafetoleaveyoutherealone？"
"Yes，yes。IknowBudmouthwell。"
"ShallIgowithyou？Iamrichnow。"
Shewassilent。
"Sayyes，sweet！"
Shewassilentstill。
"Well，letmeknowwhenyouwishtogo。WeshallbeatourpresenthousetillDecember；afterthatweremovetoCasterbridge。Commandmeinanythingtillthattime。"
"Iwillthinkofthis，"shesaidhurriedly。"WhetherI
canhonestlymakeuseofyouasafriend，ormustclosewithyouasalover——thatiswhatImustaskmyself。
IfIwishtogoanddecidetoacceptyourcompanyIwillsignaltoyousomeeveningateighto’clockpunctually，andthiswillmeanthatyouaretobereadywithahorseandtrapattwelveo’clockthesamenighttodrivemetoBudmouthharbourintimeforthemorningboat。"
"Iwilllookouteverynightateight，andnosignalshallescapeme。"
"Nowpleasegoaway。IfIdecideonthisescapeIcanonlymeetyouoncemoreunless——Icannotgowithoutyou。
Go——Icannotbearitlonger。Go——go！"
Wildeveslowlywentupthestepsanddescendedintothedarknessontheotherside；andashewalkedheglancedback，tillthebankblottedoutherformfromhisfurtherview。
6—ThomasinArgueswithHerCousin，andHeWritesaLetterYeobrightwasatthistimeatBlooms—End，hopingthatEustaciawouldreturntohim。Theremovaloffurniturehadbeenaccomplishedonlythatday，thoughClymhadlivedintheoldhouseformorethanaweek。
Hehadspentthetimeinworkingaboutthepremises，sweepingleavesfromthegardenpaths，cuttingdeadstalksfromtheflowerbeds，andnailingupcreeperswhichhadbeendisplacedbytheautumnwinds。Hetooknoparticularpleasureinthesedeeds，buttheyformedascreenbetweenhimselfanddespair。Moreover，ithadbecomeareligionwithhimtopreserveingoodconditionallthathadlapsedfromhismother’shandstohisown。
DuringtheseoperationshewasconstantlyonthewatchforEustacia。ThatthereshouldbenomistakeaboutherknowingwheretofindhimhehadorderedanoticeboardtobeaffixedtothegardengateatAlderworth，signifyinginwhiteletterswhitherhehadremoved。
Whenaleaffloatedtotheearthheturnedhishead，thinkingitmightbeherfoot—fall。Abirdsearchingforwormsinthemouldoftheflower—bedssoundedlikeherhandonthelatchofthegate；andatdusk，whensoft，strangeventriloquismscamefromholesintheground，hollowstalks，curleddeadleaves，andothercrannieswhereinbreezes，worms，andinsectscanworktheirwill，hefanciedthattheywereEustacia，standingwithoutandbreathingwishesofreconciliation。
Uptothishourhehadperseveredinhisresolvenottoinviteherback。Atthesametimetheseveritywithwhichhehadtreatedherlulledthesharpnessofhisregretforhismother，andawokesomeofhisoldsolicitudeforhismother’ssupplanter。Harshfeelingsproduceharshusage，andthisbyreactionquenchesthesentimentsthatgaveitbirth。Themorehereflectedthemorehesoftened。
Buttolookuponhiswifeasinnocenceindistresswasimpossible，thoughhecouldaskhimselfwhetherhehadgivenherquitetimeenough——ifhehadnotcomealittletoosuddenlyuponheronthatsombremorning。
NowthatthefirstflushofhisangerhadpaledhewasdisinclinedtoascribetohermorethananindiscreetfriendshipwithWildeve，fortherehadnotappearedinhermannerthesignsofdishonour。Andthisonceadmitted，anabsolutelydarkinterpretationofheracttowardshismotherwasnolongerforceduponhim。
OntheeveningofthefifthNovemberhisthoughtsofEustaciawereintense。Echoesfromthosepasttimeswhentheyhadexchangedtenderwordsallthedaylongcamelikethediffusedmurmurofaseashoreleftmilesbehind。
"Surely，"hesaid，"shemighthavebroughtherselftocommunicatewithmebeforenow，andconfesshonestlywhatWildevewastoher。"
InsteadofremainingathomethatnighthedeterminedtogoandseeThomasinandherhusband。IfhefoundopportunityhewouldalludetothecauseoftheseparationbetweenEustaciaandhimself，keepingsilence，however，onthefactthattherewasathirdpersoninhishousewhenhismotherwasturnedaway。IfitprovedthatWildevewasinnocentlytherehewoulddoubtlessopenlymentionit。
IfheweretherewithunjustintentionsWildeve，beingamanofquickfeeling，mightpossiblysaysomethingtorevealtheextenttowhichEustaciawascompromised。
Butonreachinghiscousin’shousehefoundthatonlyThomasinwasathome，WildevebeingatthattimeonhiswaytowardsthebonfireinnocentlylitbyCharleyatMistover。
Thomasinthen，asalways，wasgladtoseeClym，andtookhimtoinspectthesleepingbaby，carefullyscreeningthecandlelightfromtheinfant’seyeswithherhand。
"Tamsin，haveyouheardthatEustaciaisnotwithme。
now？"hesaidwhentheyhadsatdownagain。
"No，"saidThomasin，alarmed。
"AndnotthatIhaveleftAlderworth？"
"No。IneverheartidingsfromAlderworthunlessyoubringthem。Whatisthematter？"
ClyminadisturbedvoicerelatedtoherhisvisittoSusanNunsuch’sboy，therevelationhehadmade，andwhathadresultedfromhischargingEustaciawithhavingwilfullyandheartlesslydonethedeed。
HesuppressedallmentionofWildeve’spresencewithher。
"Allthis，andInotknowingit！"murmuredThomasininanawestrucktone，"Terrible！Whatcouldhavemadeher——O，Eustacia！Andwhenyoufounditoutyouwentinhothastetoher？Wereyoutoocruel？——orisshereallysowickedassheseems？"
"Canamanbetoocrueltohismother’senemy？"
"Icanfancyso。"
"Verywell，then——I’lladmitthathecan。Butnowwhatistobedone？"
"Makeitupagain——ifaquarrelsodeadlycaneverbemadeup。Ialmostwishyouhadnottoldme。
Butdotrytobereconciled。Thereareways，afterall，ifyoubothwishto。"
"Idon’tknowthatwedobothwishtomakeitup，"
saidClym。"Ifshehadwishedit，wouldshenothavesenttomebythistime？"
"Youseemtowishto，andyetyouhavenotsenttoher。"
"True；butIhavebeentossedtoandfroindoubtifIought，aftersuchstrongprovocation。Toseemenow，Thomasin，givesyounoideaofwhatIhavebeen；
ofwhatdepthsIhavedescendedtointhesefewlastdays。
O，itwasabittershametoshutoutmymotherlikethat！
CanIeverforgetit，orevenagreetoseeheragain？"
"Shemightnothaveknownthatanythingseriouswouldcomeofit，andperhapsshedidnotmeantokeepAuntoutaltogether。"
"Shesaysherselfthatshedidnot。Butthefactremainsthatkeepheroutshedid。"
"Believehersorry，andsendforher。"
"Howifshewillnotcome？"
"Itwillproveherguilty，byshowingthatitisherhabittonourishenmity。ButIdonotthinkthatforamoment。"
"Iwilldothis。Iwillwaitforadayortwolonger——
notlongerthantwodayscertainly；andifshedoesnotsendtomeinthattimeIwillindeedsendtoher。
IthoughttohaveseenWildeveheretonight。Ishefromhome？"
Thomasinblushedalittle。"No，"shesaid。"Heismerelygoneoutforawalk。"
"Whydidn’thetakeyouwithhim？Theeveningisfine。
Youwantfreshairaswellashe。"
"Oh，Idon’tcareforgoinganywhere；besides，thereisbaby。"
"Yes，yes。Well，IhavebeenthinkingwhetherIshouldnotconsultyourhusbandaboutthisaswellasyou，"
saidClymsteadily。
"IfancyIwouldnot，"shequicklyanswered。"Itcandonogood。"
Hercousinlookedherintheface。NodoubtThomasinwasignorantthatherhusbandhadanyshareintheeventsofthattragicafternoon；buthercountenanceseemedtosignifythatsheconcealedsomesuspicionorthoughtofthereputedtenderrelationsbetweenWildeveandEustaciaindaysgoneby。
Clym，however，couldmakenothingofit，andherosetodepart，moreindoubtthanwhenhecame。
"Youwillwritetoherinadayortwo？"saidtheyoungwomanearnestly。"Idosohopethewretchedseparationmaycometoanend。"
"Iwill，"saidClym；"Idon’trejoiceinmypresentstateatall。"
AndheleftherandclimbedoverthehilltoBlooms—End。
Beforegoingtobedhesatdownandwrotethefollowingletter：——
MYDEAREUSTACIA，——Imustobeymyheartwithoutconsultingmyreasontooclosely。Willyoucomebacktome？Doso，andthepastshallneverbementioned。Iwastoosevere；
butO，Eustacia，theprovocation！Youdon’tknow，youneverwillknow，whatthosewordsofangercostmewhichyoudrewdownuponyourself。AllthatanhonestmancanpromiseyouIpromisenow，whichisthatfrommeyoushallneversufferanythingonthisscoreagain。
Afterallthevowswehavemade，Eustacia，Ithinkwehadbetterpasstheremainderofourlivesintryingtokeepthem。Cometome，then，evenifyoureproachme。
IhavethoughtofyoursufferingsthatmorningonwhichI
partedfromyou；Iknowtheyweregenuine，andtheyareasmuchasyououghttobear。Ourlovemuststillcontinue。
Suchheartsasourswouldneverhavebeengivenusbuttobeconcernedwitheachother。Icouldnotaskyoubackatfirst，Eustacia，forIwasunabletopersuademyselfthathewhowaswithyouwasnotthereasalover。
ButifyouwillcomeandexplaindistractingappearancesIdonotquestionthatyoucanshowyourhonestytome。
Whyhaveyounotcomebefore？DoyouthinkIwillnotlistentoyou？Surelynot，whenyourememberthekissesandvowsweexchangedunderthesummermoon。
Returnthen，andyoushallbewarmlywelcomed。
Icannolongerthinkofyoutoyourprejudice——Iambuttoomuchabsorbedinjustifyingyou。——Yourhusbandasever，CLYM。
"There，"hesaid，ashelaiditinhisdesk，"that’sagoodthingdone。IfshedoesnotcomebeforetomorrownightIwillsendittoher。"
Meanwhile，atthehousehehadjustleftThomasinsatsighinguneasily。FidelitytoherhusbandhadthateveninginducedhertoconcealallsuspicionthatWildeve’sinterestinEustaciahadnotendedwithhismarriage。
Butsheknewnothingpositive；andthoughClymwasherwell—belovedcousintherewasonenearertoherstill。
When，alittlelater，WildevereturnedfromhiswalktoMistover，Thomasinsaid，"Damon，wherehaveyoubeen？I
wasgettingquitefrightened，andthoughtyouhadfallenintotheriver。Idislikebeinginthehousebymyself。"
"Frightened？"hesaid，touchinghercheekasifsheweresomedomesticanimal。"Why，Ithoughtnothingcouldfrightenyou。Itisthatyouaregettingproud，Iamsure，anddon’tlikelivingheresincewehaverisenaboveourbusiness。Well，itisatediousmatter，thisgettinganewhouse；butIcouldn’thavesetaboutitsooner，unlessourtenthousandpoundshadbeenahundredthousand，whenwecouldhaveaffordedtodespisecaution。"
"No——Idon’tmindwaiting——Iwouldratherstayheretwelvemonthslongerthanrunanyriskwithbaby。
ButIdon’tlikeyourvanishingsointheevenings。
There’ssomethingonyourmind——Iknowthereis，Damon。
Yougoaboutsogloomily，andlookattheheathasifitweresomebody’sgaolinsteadofanicewildplacetowalkin。"
Helookedtowardsherwithpityingsurprise。"What，doyoulikeEgdonHeath？"hesaid。
"IlikewhatIwasbornnearto；Iadmireitsgrimoldface。"
"Pooh，mydear。Youdon’tknowwhatyoulike。"
"IamsureIdo。There’sonlyonethingunpleasantaboutEgdon。"
"What’sthat？"
"Younevertakemewithyouwhenyouwalkthere。Whydoyouwandersomuchinityourselfifyousodislikeit？"
Theinquiry，thoughasimpleone，wasplainlydisconcerting，andhesatdownbeforereplying。"Idon’tthinkyouoftenseemethere。Giveaninstance。"
"Iwill，"sheansweredtriumphantly。"WhenyouwentoutthiseveningIthoughtthatasbabywasasleepI
wouldseewhereyouweregoingtosomysteriouslywithouttellingme。SoIranoutandfollowedbehindyou。
Youstoppedattheplacewheretheroadforks，lookedroundatthebonfires，andthensaid，’Damnit，I’llgo！’Andyouwentquicklyuptheleft—handroad。
ThenIstoodandwatchedyou。"
Wildevefrowned，afterwardssaying，withaforcedsmile，"Well，whatwonderfuldiscoverydidyoumake？"
"There——nowyouareangry，andwewon’ttalkofthisanymore。"Shewentacrosstohim，satonafootstool，andlookedupinhisface。
"Nonsense！"hesaid，"that’showyoualwaysbackout。
Wewillgoonwithitnowwehavebegun。Whatdidyounextsee？Iparticularlywanttoknow。"
"Don’tbelikethat，Damon！"shemurmured。"Ididn’tseeanything。Youvanishedoutofsight，andthenI
lookedroundatthebonfiresandcamein。"
"Perhapsthisisnottheonlytimeyouhavedoggedmysteps。
Areyoutryingtofindoutsomethingbadaboutme？"
"Notatall！Ihaveneverdonesuchathingbefore，andIshouldn’thavedoneitnowifwordshadnotsometimesbeendroppedaboutyou。"
"WhatDOyoumean？"heimpatientlyasked。
"Theysay——theysayyouusedtogotoAlderworthintheevenings，anditputsintomymindwhatIhaveheardabout——"
Wildeveturnedangrilyandstoodupinfrontofher。
"Now，"hesaid，flourishinghishandintheair，"justoutwithit，madam！Idemandtoknowwhatremarksyouhaveheard。"
"Well，IheardthatyouusedtobeveryfondofEustacia——nothingmorethanthat，thoughdroppedinabit—by—bitway。Yououghtnottobeangry！"
Heobservedthathereyeswerebrimmingwithtears。
"Well，"hesaid，"thereisnothingnewinthat，andofcourseIdon’tmeantoberoughtowardsyou，soyouneednotcry。Now，don’tletusspeakofthesubjectanymore。"