第1章

PrefatoryNoteAChangedManTheWaitingSupperAlicia"sDiaryTheGravebytheHandpostEnteraDragoonATrystatanAncientEarthworkWhattheShepherdSawACommitteeManof"TheTerror"

MasterJohnHorseleigh,KnightTheDuke"sReappearanceAMereInterludePREFATORYNOTE

Ireprintinthisvolume,forwhattheymaybeworth,adozenminornovelsthathavebeenpublishedintheperiodicalpressatvariousdatesinthepast,inordertorenderthemaccessibletoreaderswhodesiretohavetheminthecompleteseriesissuedbymypublishers.

ForaidinreclaimingsomeofthenarrativesIexpressmythankstotheproprietorsandeditorsofthenewspapersandmagazinesinwhosepagestheyfirstappeared.

T.H.

August1913.

ACHANGEDMAN

CHAPTERI

Thepersonwho,nexttotheactorsthemselves,chancedtoknowmostoftheirstory,livedjustbelow"Topo"Town"(asthespotwascalled)inanoldsubstantially-builthouse,distinguishedamongitsneighboursbyhavinganorielwindowonthefirstfloor,whencecouldbeobtainedarakingviewoftheHighStreet,westandeast,theformerincludingLaura"sdwelling,theendoftheTownAvenuehardby(inwhichwereplayedtheoddprankshereaftertobementioned),thePort-Bredyroadrisingwestwards,andtheturningthatledtothecavalrybarrackswheretheCaptainwasquartered.Lookingeastwarddownthetownfromthesamefavouredgazebo,thelongperspectiveofhousesdeclinedanddwindledtilltheymergedinthehighwayacrossthemoor.ThewhiteribandofroaddisappearedoverGrey"sBridgeaquarterofamileoff,toplungeintoinnumerablerusticwindings,shyshades,andsolitaryundulationsuphillanddowndaleforonehundredandtwentymilestillitexhibiteditselfatHydeParkCornerasasmoothblandsurfaceintouchwithabusyandfashionableworld.

Tothebarracksaforesaidhadrecentlyarrivedthe——thHussars,aregimentnewtothelocality.Almostbeforeanyacquaintancewithitsmembershadbeenmadebythetownspeople,areportspreadthattheywerea"crack"bodyofmen,andhadbroughtasplendidband.

Forsomereasonorotherthetownhadnotbeenusedastheheadquartersofcavalryformanyyears,thevarioustroopsstationedtherehavingconsistedofcasualdetachmentsonly;sothatitwaswithasenseofhonourthateverybody——eventhesmallfurniture-

brokerfromwhomthemarriedtroopershiredtablesandchairs——

receivedthenewsoftheircrackquality.

InthosedaystheHussarregimentsstillworeovertheleftshoulderthatattractiveattachment,orfrilledhalf-coat,hanginglooselybehindlikethewoundedwingofabird,whichwascalledthepelisse,thoughitwasknownamongthetroopersthemselvesasa"sling-

jacket."Itaddedamazinglytotheirpicturesquenessinwomen"seyes,and,indeed,intheeyesofmenalso.

Theburgherwholivedinthehousewiththeorielwindowsatduringagreatmanyhoursofthedayinthatprojection,forhewasaninvalid,andtimehungheavilyonhishandsunlesshemaintainedaconstantinterestinproceedingswithout.NotmorethanaweekafterthearrivaloftheHussarshisearswereassailedbytheshoutofoneschoolboytoanotherinthestreetbelow.

"Have"eeheardthisabouttheHussars?Theyarehaunted!Yes——aghosttroubles"em;hehasfollowed"emabouttheworldforyears."

Ahauntedregiment:thatwasanewideaforeitherinvalidorstalwart.Thelistenerintheorielcametotheconclusionthatthereweresomelivelycharactersamongthe——thHussars.

HemadeCaptainMaumbry"sacquaintanceinaninformalmanneratanafternoonteatowhichhewentinawheeledchair——oneoftheveryrareoutingsthatthestateofhishealthpermitted.Maumbryshowedhimselftobeahandsomemanoftwenty-eightorthirty,withanattractivehintofwickednessinhismannerthatwassuretomakehimadorablewithgoodyoungwomen.Thelargedarkeyesthatlithispalefaceexpressedthiswickednessstrongly,thoughsuchwastheadaptabilityoftheirraysthatonecouldthinktheymighthaveexpressedsadnessorseriousnessjustasreadily,ifhehadhadamindforsuch.

AnoldanddeafladywhowaspresentaskedCaptainMaumbrybluntly:

"What"sthiswehearaboutyou?Theysayyourregimentishaunted."

TheCaptain"sfaceassumedanaspectofgrave,evensad,concern.

"Yes,"hereplied,"itistootrue."

Someyoungerladiessmiledtilltheysawhowserioushelooked,whentheylookedseriouslikewise.

"Really?"saidtheoldlady.

"Yes.Wenaturallydon"twishtosaymuchaboutit."

"No,no;ofcoursenot.But——howhaunted?"

"Well;the——THING,asI"llcallit,followsus.Incountryquartersortown,abroadorathome,it"sjustthesame."

"Howdoyouaccountforit?"

"H"m."Maumbryloweredhisvoice."Somecrimecommittedbycertainofourregimentinpastyears,wesuppose."

"DearmeHowveryhorrid,andsingular!"

"But,asIsaid,wedon"tspeakofitmuch."

"Nono."

WhentheHussarwasgone,ayounglady,disclosingalong-suppressedinterest,askediftheghosthadbeenseenbyanyofthetown.

Thelawyer"sson,whoalwayshadthelatestboroughnews,saidthat,thoughitwasseldomseenbyanyonebuttheHussarsthemselves,morethanonetownsmanandwomanhadalreadyseteyesonit,tohisorherterror.Thephantommostlyappearedverylateatnight,underthedensetreesofthetown-avenuenearestthebarracks.Itwasabouttenfeethigh;itsteethchatteredwithadrynakedsound,asiftheywerethoseofaskeleton;anditship-bonescouldbeheardgratingintheirsockets.

Duringthedarkestweeksofwinterseveraltimidpersonswereseriouslyfrightenedbytheobjectansweringtothischeerfuldescription,andthepolicebegantolookintothematter.Whereupontheappearancesgrewlessfrequent,andsomeoftheBoysoftheregimentthankfullystatedthattheyhadnotbeensofreefromghostlyvisitationforyearsastheyhadbecomesincetheirarrivalinCasterbridge.

Thisplayingatghostswasthemostinnocentoftheamusementsindulgedinbythechoiceyoungspiritswhoinhabitedthelichened,red-brickbuildingatthetopofthetownbearing"W.D."andabroadarrowonitsquoins.Farmoreseriousescapades——levitiesrelatingtolove,wine,cards,betting——weretalkedof,withnodoubtmoreorlessofexaggeration.ThattheHussars,CaptainMaumbryincluded,werethecauseofbittertearstoseveralyoungwomenofthetownandcountryisunquestionablytrue,despitethefactthatthegaietiesoftheyoungmenworeamorestaringcolourinthisold-fashionedplacethantheywouldhavedoneinalargeandmoderncity.

CHAPTERII

Regularlyonceaweektheyrodeoutinmarchingorder.

Returningupthetownononeoftheseoccasions,theromanticpelisseflappingbehindeachhorseman"sshoulderinthesoftsouth-westwind,CaptainMaumbryglancedupattheoriel.Amutualnodwasexchangedbetweenhimandthepersonwhosattherereading.Thereaderandafriendintheroomwithhimfollowedthetroopwiththeireyesallthewayupthestreet,till,whenthesoldierswereoppositethehouseinwhichLauralived,thatyoungladybecamediscernibleinthebalcony.

"Theyareengagedtobemarried,Ihear,"saidthefriend.

"Who——MaumbryandLaura?Never——sosoon?"

"Yes."

"He"llnevermarry.Severalgirlshavebeenmentionedinconnectionwithhisname.IamsorryforLaura."

"Oh,butyouneedn"tbe.Theyareexcellentlymatched."

"She"sonlyonemore."

"She"sonemore,andmorestill.Shehasregularlycaughthim.Sheisabornplayerofthegameofhearts,andsheknewhowtobeathiminhisownpractices.Ifthereisonewomaninthetownwhohasanychanceofholdingherownandmarryinghim,sheisthatwoman."

Thiswastrue,asitturnedout.BynaturalproclivityLaurahadfromthefirstenteredheartandsoulintomilitaryromanceasexhibitedintheplotsandcharactersofthoselivingexponentsofitwhocameunderhernotice.Fromherearliestyoungwomanhoodcivilians,howeverpromising,hadnochanceofwinningherinterestifthemeanestwarriorwerewithinthehorizon.Itmaybethatthepositionofheruncle"shouse(whichwasherhome)atthecornerofWestStreetnearestthebarracks,thedailypassingofthetroops,theconstantblowingoftrumpet-callsafurlongfromherwindows,coupledwiththefactthatsheknewnothingoftheinnerrealitiesofmilitarylife,andhenceidealizedit,hadalsohelpedhermind"soriginalbiasforthinkingmen-at-armstheonlyonesworthyofawoman"sheart.

CaptainMaumbrywasatypicalprize;onewhomallsurroundingmaidenshadcoveted,achedfor,angledfor,weptfor,hadbyherjudiciousmanagementbecomesubduedtoherpurpose;andinadditiontothepleasureofmarryingthemansheloved,Laurahadthejoyoffeelingherselfhatedbythemothersofallthemarriageablegirlsoftheneighbourhood.

Themanintheorielwenttothewedding;notasaguest,foratthistimehewasbutslightlyacquaintedwiththeparties;butmainlybecausethechurchwasclosetohishouse;partly,too,forareasonwhichmovedmanyotherstobespectatorsoftheceremony;asubconsciousnessthat,thoughthecouplemightbehappyintheirexperiences,therewassufficientpossibilityoftheirbeingotherwisetocolourthemusingsofanonlookerwithapleasingpathosofconjecture.Hecouldonoccasiondoaprettystrokeofrhyminginthosedays,andhebeguiledthetimeofwaitingbypencillingonablankpageofhisprayer-bookafewlineswhich,thoughkeptprivatethen,maybegivenhere:-

ATAHASTYWEDDING

(Triolet)

Ifhoursbeyearsthetwainareblest,FornowtheysolaceswiftdesireBylifelongtiesthattetherzestIfhoursbeyears.ThetwainareblestDoeasternsunsslopeneverwest,Norpallidashesfollowfire.

IfhoursbeyearsthetwainareblestFornowtheysolaceswiftdesire.

Asif,however,tofalsifyallprophecies,thecoupleseemedtofindinmarriagethesecretofperpetuatingtheintoxicationofacourtshipwhich,onMaumbry"ssideatleast,hadopenedwithoutseriousintent.DuringthewinterfollowingtheywerethemostpopularpairinandaboutCasterbridge——nayinSouthWessexitself.

Nosmartdinnerinthecountryhousesoftheyoungerandgayerfamilieswithindrivingdistanceoftheboroughwascompletewithouttheirlivelypresence;Mrs.Maumbrywastheblithestofthewhirlingfiguresatthecountyball;andwhenfollowedthatinevitableincidentofgarrison-townlife,anamateurdramaticentertainment,itwasjustthesame.Theactingwasforthebenefitofsuchandsuchanexcellentcharity——nobodycaredwhat,providedtheplaywereplayed——andbothCaptainMaumbryandhiswifewereinthepiece,havingbeeninfact,bymutualconsent,theoriginatorsoftheperformance.Andsowithlaughter,andthoughtlessness,andmovement,allwentmerrily.Therewasalittlebackwardnessinthebill-payingofthecouple;butinjusticetothemitmustbeaddedthatsoonerorlaterallowingswerepaid.

CHAPTERIII

Atthechapel-of-easeattendedbythetroopstherearoseabovetheedgeofthepulpitoneSundayanunknownface.Thiswasthefaceofanewcurate.Heplaceduponthedesk,notthefamiliarsermonbook,butmerelyaBible.Thepersonwhotellsthesethingswasnotpresentatthatservice,buthesoonlearntthattheyoungcuratewasnothinglessthanagreatsurprisetohiscongregation;amixedonealways,forthoughtheHussarsoccupiedthebodyofthebuilding,itsnooksandcornerswerecrammedwithcivilians,whom,uptothepresent,eventheleastuncharitablewouldhavedescribedasbeingattractedthitherlessbytheservicesthanbythesoldiery.

Nowtherearoseasecondreasonforsqueezingintoanalreadyovercrowdedchurch.ThepersuasiveandgentleeloquenceofMr.

Sainwayoperatedlikeacharmuponthoseaccustomedonlytothehigheranddryerstylesofpreaching,andforatimetheotherchurchesofthetownwerethinnedoftheirsitters.

Atthispointinthenineteenthcenturythesermonwasthesolereasonforchurchgoingamongstavastbodyofreligiouspeople.Theliturgywasaformalpreliminary,which,liketheRoyalproclamationinacourtofassize,hadtobegotthroughbeforetherealinterestbegan;andonreachinghomethequestionwassimply:Whopreached,andhowdidhehandlehissubject?Evenhadanarchbishopofficiatedintheservicepropernobodywouldhavecaredmuchaboutwhatwassaidorsung.Peoplewhohadformerlyattendedinthemorningonlybegantogointheevening,andeventothespecialaddressesintheafternoon.

OnedaywhenCaptainMaumbryenteredhiswife"sdrawing-room,filledwithhiredfurniture,shethoughthewassomebodyelse,forhehadnotcomeupstairshummingthemostcatchingairafloatinmusicalcirclesorinhisusualcarelessway.

"What"sthematter,Jack?"shesaidwithoutlookingupfromanoteshewaswriting.

"Well——notmuch,thatIknow."

"O,butthereis,"shemurmuredasshewrote.

"Why——thiscursednewlathinasheet——Imeanthenewparson!Hewantsustostoptheband-playingonSundayafternoons."

Lauralookedupaghast.

"Why,itistheonethingthatenablesthefewrationalbeingshereaboutstokeepalivefromSaturdaytoMonday!"

"Hesaysallthetownflocktothemusicanddon"tcometotheservice,andthatthepiecesplayedareprofane,ormundane,orinane,orsomething——notwhatoughttobeplayedonSunday.Ofcourse"tisLautmannwhosettlesthosethings."

Lautmannwasthebandmaster.

Thebarrack-greenonSundayafternoonshad,indeed,becomethepromenadeofagreatmanytownspeoplecheerfullyinclined,manyevenofthosewhoattendedinthemorningatMr.Sainway"sservice;andlittleboyswhooughttohavebeenlisteningtothecurate"safternoonlectureweretoooftenseenrollinguponthegrassandmakingfacesbehindthemoredignifiedlisteners.

Lauraheardnomoreaboutthematter,however,fortwoorthreeweeks,whensuddenlyrememberingitsheaskedherhusbandifanyfurtherobjectionshadbeenraised.

"O——Mr.Sainway.Iforgottotellyou.I"vemadehisacquaintance.

Heisnotabadsortofman."

LauraaskedifeitherMaumbryorsomeothersoftheofficersdidnotgivethepresumptuouscurateagoodsettingdownforhisinterference.

"Owell——we"veforgottenthat.He"sastunningpreacher,theytellme."

Theacquaintancedevelopedapparently,fortheCaptainsaidtoheralittlelateron,"There"sagooddealinSainway"sargumentabouthavingnobandonSundayafternoons.Afterall,itisclosetohischurch.Buthedoesn"tpresshisobjectionsunduly."

"Iamsurprisedtohearyoudefendhim!"

"Itwasonlyapassingthoughtofmine.Wenaturallydon"twishtooffendtheinhabitantsofthetowniftheydon"tlikeit."

"Buttheydo."

Theinvalidintheorielneverclearlygatheredthedetailsofprogressinthisconflictoflayandclericalopinion;butsoitwasthat,tothedisappointmentofmusicians,thegriefofout-walkinglovers,andtheregretofthejuniorpopulationofthetownandcountryround,theband-playingonSundayafternoonsceasedinCasterbridgebarrack-square.

BythistimetheMaumbryshadfrequentlylistenedtothepreachingofthegentleifnarrow-mindedcurate;fortheselight-natured,hit-or-

miss,racketypeoplewenttochurchlikeothersforrespectability"ssake.Nonesoorthodoxasyourunmitigatedworldling.AmoreremarkableeventwasthesighttothemaninthewindowofCaptainMaumbryandMr.SainwaywalkingdowntheHighStreetinearnestconversation.Onhismentioningthisfacttoacallerhewasassuredthatitwasamatterofcommontalkthattheywerealwaystogether.

Theobserverwouldsoonhavelearntthiswithhisowneyesifhehadnotbeentold.Theybegantopasstogethernearlyeveryday.

HithertoMrs.Maumbry,infashionablewalkingclothes,hadusuallybeenherhusband"scompanion;butthiswaslessfrequentnow.Thecloseandsingularfriendshipbetweenthetwomenwentonfornearlyayear,whenMr.Sainwaywaspresentedtoalivinginadensely-

populatedtowninthemidlandcounties.Hebadetheparishionersofhisoldplaceareluctantfarewellanddeparted,thetouchingsermonhepreachedontheoccasionbeingpublishedbythelocalprinter.

Everybodywassorrytolosehim;anditwaswithgenuinegriefthathisCasterbridgecongregationlearntlateronthatsoonafterhisinductiontohisbenefice,duringsomebitterweather,hehadfallenseriouslyillofinflammationofthelungs,ofwhichheeventuallydied.

Wenowgetbelowthesurfaceofthings.Ofallwhohadknownthedeadcurate,nonegrievedforhimlikethemanwhoonhisfirstarrivalhadcalledhima"lathinasheet."Mrs.Maumbryhadnevergreatlysympathizedwiththeimpressiveparson;indeed,shehadbeensecretlygladthathehadgoneawaytobetterhimself.Hehadconsiderablydiminishedthepleasuresofawomanbywhomthejoysofearthandgoodcompanyhadbeenappreciatedtothefull.Sorryforherhusbandinhislossofafriendwhohadbeennoneofhers,shewasyetquiteunpreparedforthesequel.

"ThereissomethingthatIhavewantedtotellyoulately,dear,"hesaidonemorningatbreakfastwithhesitation."Haveyouguessedwhatitis?"

Shehadguessednothing.

"ThatIthinkofretiringfromthearmy."

"What!"

"IhavethoughtmoreandmoreofSainwaysincehisdeath,andofwhatheusedtosaytomesoearnestly.AndIfeelcertainIshallberightinobeyingacallwithinmetogiveupthisfightingtradeandentertheChurch."

"What——beaparson?"

"Yes."

"Butwhatshould_I_do?"

"Beaparson"swife."

"Never!"sheaffirmed.

"Buthowcanyouhelpit?"

"I"llrunawayrather!"shesaidvehemently;

"No,youmustn"t,"Maumbryreplied,inthetoneheusedwhenhismindwasmadeup."You"llgetaccustomedtotheidea,forIamconstrainedtocarryitout,thoughitisagainstmyworldlyinterests.IamforcedonbyaHandoutsidemetotreadinthestepsofSainway."

"Jack,"sheasked,withcalmpallorandroundeyes;"doyoumeantosayseriouslythatyouarearrangingtobeacurateinsteadofasoldier?"

"ImightsayacurateISasoldier——ofthechurchmilitant;butI

don"twanttooffendyouwithdoctrine.Idistinctlysay,yes."

Lateoneevening,alittletimeonward,hecaughthersittingbythedimfirelightinherroom.Shedidnotknowhehadentered;andhefoundherweeping."Whatareyoucryingabout,poordearest?"hesaid.

Shestarted."Becauseofwhatyouhavetoldme!"TheCaptaingrewveryunhappy;buthewasundeterred.

Induetimethetownlearnt,toitsintensesurprise,thatCaptainMaumbryhadretiredfromthe——thHussarsandgonetoFountallTheologicalCollegetopreparefortheministry.

CHAPTERIV

"O,thepityofit!Suchadashingsoldier——sopopular——suchanacquisitiontothetown——thesoulofsociallifehere!Andnow!

Oneshouldnotspeakillofthedead,butthatdreadfulMr.

Sainway——itwastoocruelofhim!"

ThisisasummaryofwhatwassaidwhenCaptain,nowtheReverend,JohnMaumbrywasenabledbycircumstancestoindulgehisheart"sdesireofreturningtothesceneofhisformerexploitsinthecapacityofaministeroftheGospel.Alow-lyingdistrictofthetown,whichatthatdatewascrowdedwithimpoverishedcottagers,wascryingforacurate,andMr.Maumbrygenerouslyofferedhimselfasonewillingtoundertakelaboursthatwerecertaintoproducelittleresult,andnothanks,credit,oremolument.

Letthetruthbetoldabouthimasaclergyman;heprovedtobeanythingbutabrilliantsuccess.Painstaking,single-minded,deeplyinearnestasallcouldsee,hisdeliverywaslaboured,hissermonsweredulltolistento,andalas,too,toolong.Eventhedispassionatejudgeswhosatbythehourinthebar-parlouroftheWhiteHart——aninnstandingatthedividinglinebetweenthepoorquarteraforesaidandthefashionablequarterofMaumbry"sformertriumphs,andhenceaffordingapositionofstrictimpartiality——

agreedinsubstancewiththeyoungladiestothewestward,thoughtheirviewsweresomewhatmoreterselyexpressed:"Surely,GodA"mightyspwiledagoodsojertomakeabadpa"sonwhenHeshiftedCap"nMa"mbryintoasarpless!"

Thelatterknewthatsuchthingsweresaid,buthepursuedhisdaily"

laboursinandoutofthehovelswithsereneunconcern.

ItwasaboutthistimethattheinvalidintheorielbecamemorethanamerebowingacquaintanceofMrs.Maumbry"s.Shehadreturnedtothetownwithherhusband,andwaslivingwithhiminalittlehouseinthecentreofhiscircleofministration,whenbysomemeansshebecameoneoftheinvalid"svisitors.Afterageneralconversationwhilesittinginhisroomwithafriendofboth,anincidentleduptothematterthatstillrankleddeeplyinhersoul.Herfacewasnowpalerandthinnerthanithadbeen;evenmoreattractive,herdisappointmentshavinginscribedthemselvesasmeekthoughtfulnessonalookthatwasoncealittlefrivolous.ThetwoladieshadcalledtobeallowedtousethewindowforobservingthedepartureoftheHussars,whowereleavingforbarracksmuchnearertoLondon.

ThetroopersturnedthecornerofBarrackRoadintothetopofHighStreet,headedbytheirbandplaying"ThegirlIleftbehindme"

(whichwasformerlyalwaysthetuneforsuchtimes,thoughitisnownearlydisused).Theycameandpassedtheoriel,whereanofficerortwo,lookingupanddiscoveringMrs.Maumbry,salutedher,whoseeyesfilledwithtearsasthenotesofthebandwanedaway.Beforethelittlegrouphadrecoveredfromthatsenseoftheromanticwhichsuchspectaclesimpart,Mr.Maumbrycamealongthepavement.Heprobablyhadbiddenhisformerbrethren-in-armsafarewellatthetopofthestreet,forhewalkedfromthatdirectioninhisrathershabbyclericalclothes,andwithabasketonhisarmwhichseemedtoholdsomepurchaseshehadbeenmakingforhispoorerparishioners.

Unlikethesoldiershewentalongquiteunconsciousofhisappearanceorofthescenearound.

ThecontrastwastoomuchforLaura.Withlipsthatnowquivered,sheaskedtheinvalidwhathethoughtofthechangethathadcometoher.

Itwasdifficulttoanswer,andwithawilfulnessthatwastoostronginhersherepeatedthequestion.

"Doyouthink,"sheadded,"thatawoman"shusbandhasarighttodosuchathing,evenifhedoesfeelacertaincalltoit?"

Herlistenersympathizedtoolargelywithbothofthemtobeanythingbutunsatisfactoryinhisreply.LauragazedlonginglyoutofthewindowtowardsthethindustylineofHussars,nowsmallingtowardstheMellstockRidge."I,"shesaid,"whoshouldhavebeenintheirvanonthewaytoLondon,amdoomedtofesterinaholeinDurnoverLane!"

Manyeventshadpassedandmanyrumourshadbeencurrentconcerningherbeforetheinvalidsawheragainafterherleave-takingthatday.

CHAPTERV

Casterbridgehadknownmanymilitaryandcivilepisodes;manyhappytimes,andtimeslesshappy;andnowcamethetimeofhervisitation.

Thescourgeofcholerahadbeenlaidonthesufferingcountry,andthelow-lyingpurlieusofthisancientboroughhadmorethantheirshareoftheinfliction.MixenLane,intheDurnoverquarter,andinMaumbry"sparish,waswheretheblowfellmostheavily.Yettherewasacertainmercyinitschoiceofadate,forMaumbrywasthemanforsuchanhour.

Thespreadoftheepidemicwassorapidthatmanyleftthetownandtooklodgingsinthevillagesandfarms.Mr.Maumbry"shousewasclosetothemostinfectedstreet,andhehimselfwasoccupiedmorn,noon,andnightinendeavourstostampouttheplagueandinalleviatingthesufferingsofthevictims.So,asamatterofordinaryprecaution,hedecidedtoisolatehiswifesomewhereawayfromhimforawhile.

Shesuggestedavillagebythesea,nearBudmouthRegis,andlodgingswereobtainedforheratCreston,aspotdividedfromtheCasterbridgevalleybyahighridgethatgaveitquiteanotheratmosphere,thoughitlaynomorethansixmilesoff.

Thithershewent.Whileshewasrusticatinginthisplaceofsafety,andherhusbandwasslavingintheslums,shestruckupanacquaintancewithalieutenantinthe-stFoot,aMr.Vannicock,whowasstationedwithhisregimentattheBudmouthinfantrybarracks.

AsLaurafrequentlysatontheshelvingbeach,watchingeachthinwaveslideuptoher,andhearing,withoutheeding,itsgnawatthepebblesinitsretreat,heoftentookawalkthatway.

Theacquaintancegrewandripened.Hersituation,herhistory,herbeauty,herage——ayearortwoabovehisown——alltendedtomakeanimpressionontheyoungman"sheart,andarecklessflirtationwassooninblitheprogressuponthatlonelyshore.

Itwassaidbyherdetractorsafterwardsthatshehadchosenherlodgingtobenearthisgentleman,butthereisreasontobelievethatshehadneverseenhimtillherarrivalthere.JustnowCasterbridgewassodeeplyoccupiedwithitsownsadaffairs——adailyburyingofthedeadanddestructionofcontaminatedclothesandbedding——thatithadlittleinclinationtopromulgatesuchgossipasmayhavereacheditsearsonthepair.NobodylongconsideredLaurainthetragiccloudwhichoverhungall.

Meanwhile,ontheBudmouthsideofthehilltheverymoodofmenwasincontrast.Thevisitationtherehadbeenslightandmuchearlier,andnormaloccupationsandpastimeshadbeenresumed.Mr.MaumbryhadarrangedtoseeLauratwiceaweekintheopenair,thatshemightrunnoriskfromhim;and,havingheardnothingofthefaintrumour,hemetherasusualonedryandwindyafternoononthesummitofthedividinghill,nearwherethehighroadfromtowntotowncrossestheoldRidge-wayatrightangles.

Hewavedhishand,andsmiledassheapproached,shoutingtoher:

"Wewillkeepthiswallbetweenus,dear."(Wallsformedthefield-

fenceshere.)"Youmustn"tbeendangered.Itwon"tbeforlong,withGod"shelp!"

"Iwilldoasyoutellme,Jack.Butyouarerunningtoomuchriskyourself,aren"tyou?Igetlittlenewsofyou;butIfancyyouare."

"Notmorethanothers."

Thussomewhatformallytheytalked,aninsulatingwindbeatingthewallbetweenthemlikeamill-weir.

"Butyouwantedtoaskmesomething?"headded.

"Yes.YouknowwearetryinginBudmouthtoraisesomemoneyforyoursufferers;andthewaywehavethoughtofisbyadramaticperformance.Theywantmetotakeapart."

Hisfacesaddened."Ihaveknownsomuchofthatsortofthing,andallthataccompaniesit!Iwishyouhadthoughtofsomeotherway."

Shesaidlightlythatshewasafraiditwasallsettled."Youobjecttomytakingapart,then?Ofcourse——"

Hetoldherthathedidnotliketosayhepositivelyobjected.Hewishedtheyhadchosenanoratorio,orlecture,oranythingmoreinkeepingwiththenecessityitwastorelieve.

"But,"saidsheimpatiently,"peoplewon"tcometooratoriosorlectures!Theywillcrowdtocomediesandfarces."

"Well,IcannotdictatetoBudmouthhowitshallearnthemoneyitisgoingtogiveus.Whoisgettingupthisperformance?"

"Theboysofthe-st."

"Ah,yes;ouroldgame!"repliedMr.Maumbry."ThegriefofCasterbridgeistheexcusefortheirfrivolity.Candidly,dearLaura,Iwishyouwouldn"tplayinit.ButIdon"tforbidyouto.I

leavethewholetoyourjudgment."

Theinterviewended,andtheywenttheirwaysnorthwardandsouthward.TimedisclosedtoallconcernedthatMrs.Maumbryplayedinthecomedyastheheroine,thelover"spartbeingtakenbyMr.

Vannicock.

CHAPTERVI

Thuswashelpedonaneventwhichtheconductofthemutually-

attractedoneshadbeengeneratingforsometime.

Itisunnecessarytogivedetails.The——stFootleftforBristol,andthisprecipitatedtheiraction.AfteraweekofhesitationsheagreedtoleaveherhomeatCrestonandmeetVannicockontheridgehardby,andtoaccompanyhimtoBath,wherehehadsecuredlodgingsforher,sothatshewouldbeonlyaboutadozenmilesfromhisquarters.

Accordingly,ontheeveningchosen,shelaidonherdressing-tableanoteforherhusband,runningthus:-

DEARJACK——Iamunabletoendurethislifeanylonger,andIhaveresolvedtoputanendtoit.ItoldyouIshouldrunawayifyoupersistedinbeingaclergyman,andnowIamdoingit.Onecannothelpone"snature.IhaveresolvedtothrowinmylotwithMr.

Vannicock,andIhoperatherthanexpectyouwillforgiveme——L.

Then,withhardlyascrapofluggage,shewent,ascendingtotheridgeintheduskofearlyevening.AlmostontheveryspotwhereherhusbandhadstoodattheirlasttrystshebeheldtheoutlineofVannicock,whohadcomeallthewayfromBristoltofetchher.

"Idon"tlikemeetinghere——itissounlucky!"shecriedtohim.

"ForGod"ssakeletushaveaplaceofourown.Gobacktothemilestone,andI"llcomeon."

Hewentbacktothemilestonethatstandsonthenorthslopeoftheridge,wheretheoldandnewroadsdiverge,andshejoinedhimthere.

Shewastaciturnandsorrowfulwhenheaskedherwhyshewouldnotmeethimonthetop.Atlastsheinquiredhowtheyweregoingtotravel.

HeexplainedthatheproposedtowalktoMellstockHill,ontheothersideofCasterbridge,whereaflywaswaitingtotakethembyacross-cutintotheIvellRoad,andonwardtothattown.TheBristolrailwaywasopentoIvell.

Thisplantheyfollowed,andwalkedbrisklythroughthedullgloomtilltheynearedCasterbridge,whichplacetheyavoidedbyturningtotherightattheRomanAmphitheatreandbearingroundtoDurnoverCross.ThencethewaywassolitaryandopenacrossthemoortothehillwhereontheIvellflyawaitedthem.

"Ihavenoticedforsometime,"shesaid,"aluridglareovertheDurnoverendofthetown.ItseemstocomefromsomewhereaboutMixenLane."

"Thelamps,"hesuggested.

"There"snotalampasbigasarushlightinthewholelane.Itiswherethecholeraisworst."

ByStandfastCorner,alittlebeyondtheCross,theysuddenlyobtainedanendviewofthelane.Largebonfireswereburninginthemiddleoftheway,withaviewtopurifyingtheair;andfromthewretchedtenementswithwhichthelanewaslinedinthosedayspersonswerebringingoutbeddingandclothing.Somewasthrownintothefires,therestplacedinwheel-barrowsandwheeledintothemoordirectlyinthetrackofthefugitives.

Theyfollowedon,andcameuptowhereavastcopperwassetintheopenair.Herethelinenwasboiledanddisinfected.BythelightofthelanternsLauradiscoveredthatherhusbandwasstandingbythecopper,andthatitwashewhounloadedthebarrowandimmerseditscontents.Thenightwassocalmandmuggythattheconversationbythecopperreachedherears.

"Aretheremanymoreloadsto-night?"

"There"stheclotheso"theythatdiedthisafternoon,sir.Butthatmightbidetillto-morrow,foryoumustbetiredout."

"We"lldoitatonce,forIcan"taskanybodyelsetoundertakeit.

Overturnthatloadonthegrassandfetchtherest."

Themandidsoandwentoffwiththebarrow.Maumbrypausedforamomenttowipehisface,andresumedhishomelydrudgeryamidthissqualidandreekingscene,pressingdownandstirringthecontentsofthecopperwithwhatlookedlikeanoldrolling-pin.Thesteamtherefrom,ladenwithdeath,travelledinalowtrailacrossthemeadow.

Lauraspokesuddenly:"Iwon"tgoto-nightafterall.Heissotired,andImusthelphim.Ididn"tknowthingsweresobadasthis!"

Vannicock"sarmdroppedfromherwaist,whereithadbeenrestingastheywalked."Willyouleave?"sheasked.

"IwillifyousayImust.ButI"dratherhelptoo."Therewasnoexpostulationinhistone.

Laurahadgoneforward."Jack,"shesaid,"Iamcometohelp!"

Thewearycurateturnedandheldupthelantern."O——what,isityou,Laura?"heaskedinsurprise."Whydidyoucomeintothis?Youhadbettergoback——theriskisgreat."

"ButIwanttohelpyou,Jack.Pleaseletmehelp!Ididn"tcomebymyself——Mr.Vannicockkeptmecompany.Hewillmakehimselfusefultoo,ifhe"snotgoneon.Mr.Vannicock!"

Theyounglieutenantcameforwardreluctantly.Mr.Maumbryspokeformallytohim,addingasheresumedhislabour,"Ithoughtthe——stFoothadgonetoBristol."

"Wehave.ButIhaverundownagainforafewthings."

Thetwonewcomersbegantoassist,VannicockplacingonthegroundthesmallbagcontainingLaura"stoiletarticlesthathehadbeencarrying.Thebarrowmansoonreturnedwithanotherload,andallcontinuedworkfornearlyahalf-hour,whenacoachmancameoutfromtheshadowstothenorth.

"Begpardon,sir,"hewhisperedtoVannicock,"butI"vewaitedsolongonMellstockhillthatatlastIdrovedowntotheturnpike;andseeingthelighthere,Iranontofindoutwhathadhappened."

LieutenantVannicocktoldhimtowaitafewminutes,andthelastbarrow-loadwasgotthrough.Mr.Maumbrystretchedhimselfandbreathedheavily,saying,"There;wecandonomore."

Asiffromtherelaxationofeffortheseemedtobeseizedwithviolentpain.Hepressedhishandstohissidesandbentforward.

"Ah!Ithinkithasgotholdofmeatlast,"hesaidwithdifficulty."Imusttrytogethome.LetMr.Vannicocktakeyouback,Laura."

Hewalkedafewsteps,theyhelpinghim,butwasobligedtosinkdownonthegrass.

"Iam——afraid——you"llhavetosendforahurdle,orshutter,orsomething,"hewentonfeebly,"ortrytogetmeintothebarrow."