第3章

"Inthatcase,"saysI,"goonandconquer——settleitwithher——I

havenoobjection."Thepoorfellowwasverygrateful,andinshort,thereweleftthematter.He"llproposeto-morrow."

ShesawnowtoherdismaywhatJamesBellstonhadreadasencouragement."Hehasmistakenmealtogether,"shesaid."Ihadnoideaofsuchathing."

"What,youwon"thavehim?"

"Indeed,Icannot!"

"Chrissy,"saidMr.Everardwithemphasis,"there"sNOObodywhomI

shouldsolikeyoutomarryasthatyoungman.He"sathoroughlycleverfellow,andfairlywellprovidedfor.He"stravelledalloverthetemperatezone;buthesaysthatdirectlyhemarrieshe"sgoingtogiveupallthat,andbearegularstay-at-home.Youwouldbenowheresaferthaninhishands."

"Itistrue,"sheanswered."HeISahighlydesirablematch,andI

SHOULDbewellprovidedfor,andprobablyverysafeinhishands."

"Thendon"tbeskittish,andstand-to."

Shehadspokenfromherconscienceandunderstanding,andnottopleaseherfather.Asareflectingwomanshebelievedthatsuchamarriagewouldbeawiseone.IngreatthingsNicholaswasclosesttohernature;inlittlethingsBellstonseemedimmeasurablynearerthanNic;andlifewasmadeupoflittlethings.

AltogetherthefirmamentlookedblackforNicholasLong,notwithstandingherhalf-hour"sardourforhimwhenshesawhimdancingwiththedairyman"sdaughter.Mostgreatpassions,movements,andbeliefs——individualandnational——burstduringtheirdeclineintoatemporaryirradiation,whichrivalstheiroriginalsplendour;andthentheyspeedilybecomeextinct.Perhapsthedancehadgiventhelastflare-uptoChristine"slove.Itseemedtohaveimprovidentlyconsumedforitsimmediatepurposeallherardourforwards,sothatforthefuturetherewasnothingleftbutfrigidity.

Nicholashadcertainlybeenveryfoolishaboutthatlicence!

CHAPTERIV

Thislaxityofemotionaltonewasfurtherincreasedbyanincident,when,twodayslater,shekeptanappointmentwithNicholasintheSallows.TheSallowswasanextensionofshrubberiesandplantationsalongthebanksoftheFroom,accessiblefromthelawnofFroom-

EverardHouseonly,exceptbywadingthroughtheriveratthewaterfallorelsewhere.Nearthebrinkwasathicketofboxinwhichatrunklayprostrate;thishadbeenonceortwicetheirtrysting-

place,thoughitwasbynomeansasafeone;anditwashereshesatawaitinghimnow.

Thenoiseofthestreammuffledanysoundoffootsteps,anditwasbeforeshewasawareofhisapproachthatshelookedupandsawhimwadingacrossatthetopofthewaterfall.

NoontidelightsanddwarfedshadowsalwaysbanishedtheromanticaspectofherloveforNicholas.Moreover,somethingnewhadoccurredtodisturbher;andifevershehadregrettedgivingwaytoatendernessforhim——whichperhapsshehadnotdonewithanydistinctness——sheregretteditnow.Yetinthebottomoftheirheartsthosetwowereexcellentlypaired,theverytwinhalvesofaperfectwhole;andtheirlovewaspure.Butatthishoursurfacesshowedgarishly,andobscuredthedepths.Probablyherregretappearedinherface.

Hewalkeduptoherwithoutspeaking,thewaterrunningfromhisboots;and,takingoneofherhandsineachofhisown,lookednarrowlyintohereyes.

"Haveyouthoughtitover?"

"WHAT?"

"Whetherweshalltryagain;youremembersayingyouwouldatthedance?"

"Oh,Ihadforgottenthat!"

"Youaresorrywetriedatall!"hesaidaccusingly.

"Iamnotsosorryforthefactasfortherumours,"shesaid.

"Ah!rumours?"

"Theysaywearealreadymarried."

"Who?"

"Icannottellexactly.Iheardsomewhisperingtothateffect.

Somebodyinthevillagetoldoneoftheservants,Ibelieve.Thismansaidthathewascrossingthechurchyardearlyonthatunfortunatefoggymorning,andheardvoicesinthechancel,andpeepedthroughthewindowaswellasthedimpaneswouldlethim;andtherehesawyouandmeandMr.Bealand,andsoon;butthinkinghissurmiseswouldbedangerousknowledge,hehastenedon.Andsothestorygotafloat.Thenyouraunt,too——"

"GoodLord!——whathasshedone?"

Thestorywas,toldher,andshesaidproudly,"Oyes,itistrueenough.Ihaveseenthelicence.Butitisnottobeknownyet.""

"Seenthelicence?Howthe——"

"Accidentally,Ibelieve,whenyourcoatwashangingsomewhere."

Theinformation,coupledwiththeinfelicitousword"proudly,"causedNicholastoflushwithmortification.Heknewthatitwasinhisaunt"snaturetomakeabragofthatsort;butworsethanthebragwasthefactthatthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichChristinehaddeignedtoshowherconsciousnessthatsuchamarriagewouldbeasourceofpridetohisrelatives——theonlytwohehadintheworld.

"Youaresorry,then,eventobethoughtmywife,muchlesstobeit."Hedroppedherhand,whichfelllifelessly.

"Itisnotsorryexactly,dearNic.ButIfeeluncomfortableandvexed,thatafterscrewingupmycourage,myfidelity,tothepointofgoingtochurch,youshouldhavesomuddled——managedthematterthatithasendedinneitheronethingnortheother.HowcanImeetacquaintances,whenIdon"tknowwhattheyarethinkingofme?"

"Then,dearChristine,letusmendthemuddle.I"llgoawayforafewdaysandgetanotherlicence,andyoucancometome."

Sheshrankfromthisperceptibly."Icannotscrewmyselfuptoitasecondtime,"shesaid."IamsureIcannot!Besides,IpromisedMr.Bealand.AndyethowcanIcontinuetoseeyouaftersucharumour?Weshallbewatchednow,forcertain."

"Thendon"tseeme."

"IfearImustnotforthepresent.Altogether——"

"What?"

"Iamverydepressed."

TheseviewswerenotveryinspiritingtoNicholas,asheconstruedthem.Itmayindeedhavebeenpossiblethatheconstruedthemwrongly,andshouldhaveinsisteduponhermakingtherumourtrue.

Unfortunately,too,hehadcometoherinahurrythroughbramblesandbriars,waterandweed,andtheshaggywildnesswhichhungabouthisappearanceatthisfineandcorrecttimeofdaylentanimpracticabilitytothelookofhim.

"Youblameme——yourepentyourcourses——yourepentthatyouever,everownedanythingtome!"

"No,Nicholas,Idonotrepentthat,"shereturnedgently,thoughwithfirmness."ButIthinkthatyououghtnottohavegotthatlicencewithoutaskingmefirst;andIalsothinkthatyououghttohaveknownhowitwouldbeifyoulivedonhereinyourpresentposition,andmadenoefforttobetterit.Icanbearwhatevercomes,forsocialruinisnotpersonalruinorevenpersonaldisgrace.Butasasensible,new-risenpoetsays,whomIhavebeenreadingthismorning:-

Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth:

AndtopressapointwhiletheseopposeWeresimplepolicy.Betterwait.

Assoonasyouhadgotmypromise,Nic,youshouldhavegoneaway——

yes——andmadeaname,andcomebacktoclaimme.Thatwasmysillygirlishdreamaboutmyhero."

"PerhapsIcandoasmuchyet!Andwouldyouhaveindeedlikedbettertoliveawayfrommeforfamilyreasons,thantorunariskinseeingmeforaffection"ssake?Owhatacoldheartithasgrown!

IfIhadbeenaprince,andyouadairymaid,I"dhavestoodbyyouinthefaceoftheworld!"

Sheshookherhead."Ah——youdon"tknowwhatsocietyis——youdon"tknow."

"Perhapsnot.Whowasthatstrangegentlemanofaboutseven-and-

twentyIsawatMr.Bellston"schristeningfeast?"

"Oh——thatwashisnephewJames.Nowheisamanwhohasseenanunusualextentoftheworldforhisage.Heisagreattraveller,youknow."

"Indeed."

"Infactanexplorer.Heisveryentertaining."

"Nodoubt."

Nicholasreceivednoshockofjealousyfromherannouncement.HeknewhersowellthathecouldseeshewasnotintheleastinlovewithBellston.ButheaskedifBellstonweregoingtocontinuehisexplorations.

"Notifhesettlesinlife.Otherwisehewill,Isuppose."

"PerhapsIcouldbeagreatexplorer,too,ifItried."

"Youcould,Iamsure."

Theysatapart,andnottogether;eachlookingafaroffatvagueobjects,andnotineachother"seyes.Thusthesadautumnafternoonwaned,whilethewaterfallhissedsarcasticallyoftheinevitablenessoftheunpleasant.Verydifferentthisfromthetimewhentheyhadfirstmetthere.

Thenookwasmostpicturesque;butitlookedhorridlycommonandstupidnow.Theirsentimenthadsetacolourhardlylessvisiblethanamaterialoneonsurroundingobjects,assentimentmustwherelifeisbutthought.NicholaswasasdevotedasevertothefairChristine;butunhappilyhetoohadmoodsandhumours,andthedivisionbetweenthemwasnotclosed.

Shehadnosoonergotindoorsandsatdowntoherwork-tablethanherfatherenteredthedrawing-room.

Shehandedhimhisnewspaper;hetookitwithoutaword,wentandstoodonthehearthrug,andflungthepaperonthefloor.

"Christine,what"sthemeaningofthisterriblestory?Iwasjustonmywaytolookattheregister."

Shelookedathimwithoutspeech.

"Youhavemarried——NicholasLong?"

"No,father."

"No?CanyousaynointhefaceofsuchfactsasIhavebeenputinpossessionof?"

"Yes."

"But——thenoteyouwrotetotherector——andthegoingtochurch?"

Shebrieflyexplainedthattheirattempthadfailed.

"Ah!Thenthisiswhatthatdancingmeant,wasit?By-,itmakesme.Howlonghasthisbeengoingon,mayIask?"

"Thiswhat?"

"What,indeed!Why,makinghimyourbeau.Nowlistentome.All"swellthatendswell;fromthisday,madam,thismoment,heistobenothingmoretoyou.Youarenottoseehim.Cuthimadriftinstantly!Ionlywishhisvolkwereonmyfarm——outtheyshouldgo,orIwouldknowthereasonwhy.However,youaretowritehimalettertothiseffectatonce."

"HowcanIcuthimadrift?"

"Whynot?Youmust,mygoodmaid!"

"Well,thoughIhavenotactuallymarriedhim,Ihavesolemnlysworntobehiswifewhenhecomeshomefromabroadtoclaimme.Itwouldbegrossperjurynottofulfilmypromise.Besides,nowomancangotochurchwithamantodeliberatelysolemnizematrimony,andrefusehimafterwards,ifhedoesnothingwrongmeanwhile."

TheutteredsoundofherstrongconvictionseemedtokindleinChristinealivelierperceptionofallitsbearingsthanshehadknownwhileithadlainunformulatedinhermind.Forwhenshehaddonespeakingshefelldownonherkneesbeforeherfather,coveredherface,andsaid,"Please,pleaseforgiveme,papa!HowcouldIdoitwithoutlettingyouknow!Idon"tknow,Idon"tknow!"

Whenshelookedupshefoundthat,intheturmoilofhismind,herfatherwasmovingabouttheroom."Youarewithinanaceofruiningyourself,ruiningme,ruiningusall!"hesaid."Youarenearlyasbadasyourbrother,begad!"

"PerhapsIam——yes——perhapsIam!"

"ThatIshouldfathersuchaharum-scarumbrood!"

"Itisverybad;butNicholas——"

"He"sascoundrel!"

"HeisNOTascoundrel!"criedshe,turningquickly."He"sasgoodandworthyasyouorI,oranybodybearingourname,oranynoblemaninthekingdom,ifyoucometothat!Only——only"——shecouldnotcontinuetheargumentonthoselines."Now,father,listen!"shesobbed;"ifyoutauntmeI"llgooffandjoinhimathisfarmthisveryday,andmarryhimto-morrow,that"swhatI"lldo!"

"Idon"ttaantye!"

"Iwishtoavoidunseemlinessasmuchasyou."

Shewentaway.Whenshecamebackaquarterofanhourlater,thinkingtofindtheroomempty,hewasstandingthereasbefore,neverhavingapparentlymoved.Hismannerhadquitechanged.Heseemedtotakearesignedandentirelydifferentviewofcircumstances.

"Christine,here"saparagraphinthepaperhintingatasecretwedding,andI"mblazedifitdon"tpointtoyou.Well,sincethiswastohappen,I"llbearit,andnotcomplain.Allvolkhavecrosses,andthisisoneofmine.Now,thisiswhatI"vegottosay——

IfeelthatyoumustcarryoutthisattemptatmarryingNicholasLong.Faith,youmust!Therumourwillbecomeascandalifyoudon"t——that"smyview.Ihavetriedtolookatthebrightestsideofthecase.NicholasLongisayoungmansuperiortomostofhisclass,andfairlypresentable.Andhe"snotpoor——atleasthisuncleisnot.Ibelievetheoldmuddlercouldbuymeupanyday.However,afarmer"swifeyoumustbe,asfarasIcansee.Asyou"vemadeyourbed,soyemustlie.Parentspropose,andungratefulchildrendispose.Youshallmarryhim,andimmediately."

Christinehardlyknewwhattomakeofthis."Heisquitewillingtowait,andsoamI.Wecanwaitfortwoorthreeyears,andthenhewillbeasworthyas——"

"Youmustmarryhim.Andthesoonerthebetter,if"tistobedoneatallAndyetIdidwishyoucouldhavebeenJimBellston"swife.Ididwishit!Butno."

"I,too,wisheditanddostill,inonesense,"shereturnedgently.

Hismoderationhadwonheroutofherdefiantmood,andshewaswillingtoreasonwithhim.

"Youdo?"hesaidsurprised.

"IseethatinaworldlysensemyconductwithMr.Longmaybeconsideredamistake."

"H"m——Iamgladtohearthat——aftermydeathyoumayseeitmoreclearlystill;andyouwon"thavelongtowait,tomyreckoning."

Shefellintobitterrepentance,andkissedhiminheranguish.

"Don"tsaythat!"shecried."Tellmewhattodo?"

"Ifyou"llleavemeforanhourortwoI"llthink.Drivetothemarketandback——thecarriageisatthedoor——andI"lltrytocollectmysenses.Dinnercanbeputbacktillyoureturn."

Inafewminutesshewasdressed,andthecarriageboreherupthehillwhichdividedthevillageandmanorfromthemarket-town.

CHAPTERV

AquarterofanhourbroughtherintotheHighStreet,andforwantofamoreimportanterrandshecalledattheharness-maker"sforadog-collarthatsherequired.

Ithappenedtobemarket-day,andNicholas,havingpostponedtheengagementswhichcalledhimthithertokeeptheappointmentwithherintheSallows,rushedoffattheendoftheafternoontoattendtothemaswellashecould.Arrivingthusinagreathurryonaccountofthelatenessofthehour,hestillretainedthewild,amphibiousappearancewhichhadmarkedhimwhenhecameupfromthemeadowstoherside——anexceptionalconditionofthingswhichhadscarcelyeverbeforeoccurred.Whenshecrossedthepavementfromtheshopdoor,theshopmanbowingandescortinghertothecarriage,Nicholaschancedtobestandingattheroad-waggonoffice,talkingtothemasterofthewaggons.Therewereagoodmanypeopleabout,andthosenearpausedandlookedathertransit,inthefullstrokeofthelevelOctobersun,whichwentunderthebrimsoftheirhats,andpiercedthroughtheirbutton-holes.Fromthegroupsheheardmurmuredthewords:"Mrs.NicholasLong."

Theunexpectedremark,notwithoutdistinctsatireinitstone,tookhersogreatlybysurprisethatshewasconfounded.Nicholaswasbythistimenearer,thoughcomingagainstthesunhehadnotyetperceivedher.Influencedbyherfather"slecture,shefeltangrywithhimforbeingthereandcausingthisawkwardness.Hernoticeofhimwasthereforeslight,superciliousperhaps,slurredover;andhervexationathispresenceshoweddistinctlyinherfaceasshesatdowninherseat.Insteadofcatchinghiswaitingeye,shepositivelyturnedherheadaway.

Amomentaftershewassorryshehadtreatedhimso;buthewasgone.

Reachinghomeshefoundonherdressing-tableanotefromherfather.

Thestatementwasbrief:

Ihaveconsideredandamofthesameopinion.Youmustmarryhim.

Hecanleavehomeatonceandtravelasproposed.Ihavewrittentohimtothiseffect.Idon"twantanyvictuals,sodon"twaitdinnerforme.

NicholaswasthewrongkindofmantobeblindtohisChristine"smortification,thoughhedidnotknowitsentirecause.Hehadlatelyforeseensomethingofthissortaspossible.

"Itservesmeright,"hethought,ashetrottedhomeward."Itwasabsurd——wickedofmetoleadheronso.Thesacrificewouldhavebeentoogreat——toocruel!"Andyet,thoughhethustookherpart,heflushedwithindignationeverytimehesaidtohimself,"Sheisashamedofme!"

OntheridgewhichoverlookedFroom-Everardhemetaneighbourofhis——astock-dealer——inhisgig,andtheydrewreinandexchangedafewwords.Apartofthedealer"sconversationhadmuchmeaningforNicholas.

"I"vehadoccasiontocallonSquireEverard,"theformersaid;"buthecouldn"tseemeonaccountofbeingquiteknockedupatsomebadnewshehasheard."

NicholasrodeonpastFroom-EverardtoElsenfordFarm,pondering.Hehadnewandstartlingmatterforthoughtassoonashegotthere.

TheSquire"snotehadarrived.Atfirsthecouldnotcredititsimport;thenhesawfurther,tookinthetoneoftheletter,sawthewriter"scontemptbehindthewords,andunderstoodthattheletterwaswrittenasbyamanhemmedintoacorner.Christinewasdefiantly——insultingly——hurledathishead.Hewasacceptedbecausehewassodespised.

Andyetwithwhatrespecthehadtreatedherandhers!Nowhewasremindedofwhatanagriculturalfriendhadsaidyearsago,seeingtheeyesofNicholasfixedonChristineasonanangelwhenshepassed:"Betteralittlefiretowarm"eethanagreatonetoburn"ee.Nogoodcancomeofthrowingyourheartthere."Hewentintothemead,satdown,andaskedhimselffourquestions:

1.Howcouldshelivenearheracquaintanceashiswife,eveninhisabsence,withoutsufferingmartyrdomfromthestingsoftheircontempt?

2.WouldnotthisentailtotalestrangementbetweenChristineandherfamilyalso,andherownconsequentmisery?

3.Mustnotsuchisolationextinguishheraffectionforhim?

4.SupposingthatherfatherriggedthemoutascolonistsandsentthemofftoAmerica,wasnottheeffectofsuchexileupononeofhergentlenurturelikelytobeasthelast?

Inshort,whatevertheyshouldembarkintogetherwouldbecrueltytoher,andhisdeathwouldbearelief.Itwould,indeed,inoneaspectbearelieftohernow,ifsheweresoashamedofhimasshehadappearedtobethatday.Werehedead,thislittleepisodewithhimwouldfadeawaylikeadream.

Mr.Everardwasagood-heartedmanatbottom,buttotakehisenragedofferseriouslywasimpossible.Obviouslyitwashotlymadeinhisfirstbitternessatwhathehadheard.Theleastthingthathecoulddowouldbetogoawayandnevertroublehermore.Totravelandlearnandcomebackintwoyears,asmappedoutintheirfirstsanguinescheme,requiredastaunchheartonherside,ifthenecessaryexpenditureoftimeandmoneyweretobeafterwardsjustified;anditwerefollytocalculateonthatwhenhehadseento-daythatherheartwasfailingheralready.Totravelanddisappearandnotbeheardofformanyyearswouldbeafarmoreindependentstroke,anditwouldleaveherentirelyunfettered.

PerhapshemightrivalinthiskindtheaccomplishedMr.Bellston,ofwhosejourneyingshehadheardsomuch.

Hesatandsat,andthefogroseoutoftheriver,envelopinghimlikeafleece;firsthisfeetandknees,thenhisarmsandbody,andfinallysubmerginghishead.Whenhehadcometoadecisionhewentupagainintothehomestead.Hewouldbeindependent,ifhediedforit,andhewouldfreeChristine.Exilewastheonlycourse.Thefirststepwastoinformhisuncleofhisdetermination.

TwodayslaterNicholaswasonthesamespotinthemead,atalmostthesamehourofeve.Buttherewasnofognow;ablusterousautumnwindhadoustedthestill,goldendaysandmistynights;andhewasgoing,fullofpurpose,intheoppositedirection.WhenhehadlastenteredthemeadhewasaninhabitantoftheFroomvalley;inforty-

eighthourshehadseveredhimselffromthatspotascompletelyasifhehadneverbelongedtoit.AllthatappertainedtohimintheFroomvalleynowwascircumscribedbytheportmanteauinhishand.

Inmakinghispreparationsfordeparturehehadunconsciouslyheldafaint,foolishhopethatshewouldcommunicatewithhimandmakeuptheirestrangementinsomesoftwomanlyway.Butshehadgivennosignal,anditwastooevidenttohimthatherlatestmoodhadgrowntobeherfixedone,provinghowwellfoundedhadbeenhisimpulsetosetherfree.

HeenteredtheSallows,foundhiswayinthedarktothegarden-doorofthehouse,slippedunderitanotetotellherofhisdeparture,andexplainingitstruereasontobeaconsciousnessofhergrowingfeelingthathewasanencumbranceandahumiliation.Ofthedirectionofhisjourneyandofthedateofhisreturnhesaidnothing.

Hiscoursenowtookhimintothehighroad,whichhepursuedforsomemilesinanorth-easterlydirection,stillspinningthethreadofsadinferences,andaskinghimselfwhyheshouldeverreturn.AtdaybreakhestoodonthehillaboveShottsford-Forum,andawaitedacoachwhichpassedaboutthistimealongthathighwaytowardsMelchesterandLondon.

CHAPTERVI

Somefifteenyearsafterthedateoftheforegoingincidents,amanwhohaddweltinfarcountries,andviewedmanycities,arrivedatRoy-Town,aroadsidehamletontheoldwesternturnpikeroad,notfivemilesfromFroom-Everard,andputupattheBuck"sHead,anisolatedinnatthatspot.Hewasstillbarelyofmiddleage,butitcouldbeseenthatahazeofgreywassettlinguponthelocksofhishair,andthathisfacehadlostcolourandcurve,asifbyexposuretobleachingclimatesandstrangeatmospheres,orfromailmentsincidentalthereto.Heseemedtoobservelittlearoundhim,byreasonoftheintrusionofhismusingsuponthescene.IntruthNicholasLongwasjustnowthecreatureofoldhopesandfearsconsequentuponhisarrival——thismanwhooncehadnotcaredifhisnamewereblottedoutfromthatdistrict.Theeveninglightshowedwistfullineswhichhecouldnotsmoothawaybytheworldling"sglossofnonchalancethathehadlearnttoflingoverhisface.

TheBuck"sHeadwasasomewhatunusualplaceforamanofthissorttochooseasahouseofsojourninpreferencetosomeCasterbridgeinnfourmilesfurtheron.BeforehelefthomeithadbeenalivelyoldtavernatwhichHigh-flyers,andHeralds,andTally-hoeshadchangedhorsesontheirstagesupanddownthecountry;butnowthehousewasrathercavernousandchilly,thestable-roofswerehollow-

backed,thelandlordwasasthmatic,andthetrafficgone.

Hearrivedintheafternoon,andwhenhehadsentbacktheflyandwashavinganondescriptmeal,heputaquestiontothewaiting-maidwithamienofindifference.

"SquireEverard,ofFroom-EverardManor,hasbeendeadsomeyears,I

believe?"

Sherepliedintheaffirmative.

"Andareanyofthefamilylefttherestill?"

"Ono,blessyou,sir!Theysoldtheplaceyearsago——SquireEverard"ssondid——andwentaway.I"veneverheardwheretheywentto.Theycamequitetonothing."

"Neverheardanythingoftheyounglady——theSquire"sdaughter?"

"No.Yousee"twasbeforeIcametotheseparts."

Whenthewaitresslefttheroom,Nicholaspushedasidehisplateandgazedoutofthewindow.HewasnotgoingoverintotheFroomValleyaltogetheronChristine"saccount,butshehadgreatlyanimatedhismotiveincomingthatway.Anyhowhewouldpushontherenowthathewassonear,andnotaskquestionsherewherehewasliabletobewronglyinformed.Thefundamentalinquiryhehadnotventuredtomake——whetherChristinehadmarriedbeforethefamilywentaway.Hehadabstainedbecauseofanabsurddreadofextinguishinghopefulsurmise.ThattheEverardshadlefttheiroldhomewasbadenoughintelligenceforoneday.

Risingfromthetableheputonhishatandwentout,ascendingtowardstheuplandwhichdividedthisdistrictfromhisnativevale.

Thefirstfamiliarfeaturethatmethiseyewasalittlespotonthedistantsky——aclumpoftreesstandingonabarrowwhichsurmountedayetmoreremoteupland——apointwhere,inhischildhood,hehadbelievedpeoplecouldstandandseeAmerica.Hereachedthefurthervergeoftheplateauonwhichhehadentered.Ah,therewasthevalley——agreenish-greystretchofcolour——stilllookingplacidandserene,asthoughithadnotmuchmissedhim.IfChristinewasnolongerthere,whyshouldhepauseoveritthisevening?Hisuncleandauntweredead,andto-morrowwouldbesoonenoughtoinquireforremoterrelatives.Thus,disinclinedtogofurther,heturnedtoretracehiswaytotheinn.

Inthebackwardpathhenowperceivedthefigureofawoman,whohadbeenwalkingatadistancebehindhim;andasshedrewnearerhebegantobestartled.Surely,despitethevariationsintroducedintothatfigurebychangingyears,itsground-lineswerethoseofChristine?

NicholashadbeensentimentalenoughtowritetoChristineimmediatelyonlandingatSouthamptonadayortwobeforethis,addressinghisletterataventuretotheoldhouse,andmerelytellingherthatheplannedtoreachtheRoy-Towninnonthepresentafternoon.ThenewsofthescatteringoftheEverardshaddissipatedhishopeofhearingofher;buthereshewas.

Sotheymet——there,alone,ontheopendownbyapond,justasifthemeetinghadbeencarefullyarranged.

Shethrewupherveil.Shewasstillbeautiful,thoughtheyearshadtouchedher;alittlemorematronly——muchmorehomely.Orwasitonlythathewasmuchlesshomelynow——amanoftheworld——thesenseofhomelinessbeingrelative?Herfacehadgrowntobepre-eminentlyofthesortthatwouldbecalledinteresting.Herhabilimentswereofademureandsobercast,thoughshewasonewhohadusedtodresssoairilyandsogaily.Yearshadlaidonafewshadowstoointhis.

"Ireceivedyourletter,"shesaid,whenthemomentaryembarrassmentoftheirfirstapproachhadpassed."AndIthoughtIwouldwalkacrossthehillsto-day,asitwasfine.Ihavejustcalledattheinn,andtheytoldmeyouwereout.Iwasnowonmywayhomeward."

Hehardlylistenedtothis,thoughheintentlygazedather.

"Christine,"hesaid,"oneword.Areyoufree?"

"I——Iaminacertainsense,"shereplied,colouring.

Theannouncementhadamagicaleffect.Theinterveningtimebetweenpastandpresentclosedupforhim,andmovedbyanimpulsewhichhehadcombatedforfifteenyears,heseizedhertwohandsanddrewhertowardshim.

Shestartedback,andbecamealmostamereacquaintance."Ihavetotellyou,"shegasped,"thatIhave——beenmarried."

Nicholas"srose-coloureddreamwasimmediatelytoneddowntoagreyishtinge.

"Ididnotmarrytillmanyyearsafteryouhadleft,"shecontinuedinthehumbletonesofoneconfessingtoacrime."OhNic,"shecriedreproachfully,"howcouldyoustayawaysolong?"

"Whomdidyoumarry?"

"Mr.Bellston."

"I——oughttohaveexpectedit."Hewasgoingtoadd,"Andishedead?"buthecheckedhimself.Herdressunmistakablysuggestedwidowhood;andshehadsaidshewasfree.

"Imustnowhastenhome,"saidshe."Ifeltthat,consideringmyshortcomingsatourpartingsomanyyearsago,Iowedyoutheinitiativenow."

"Thereissomeofyouroldgenerosityinthat.I"llwalkwithyou,ifImay.Whereareyouliving,Christine?"

"Inthesamehouse,butnotontheoldconditions.Ihavepartofitonlease;thefarmernowtenantingthepremisesfoundthewholemorethanhewanted,andtheownerallowedmetokeepwhatroomsIchose.

Iampoornow,youknow,Nicholas,andalmostfriendless.MybrothersoldtheFroom-Everardestatewhenitcametohim,andthepersonwhoboughtitturnedourhomeintoafarmhouse.Tillmyfather"sdeathmyhusbandandIlivedinthemanor-housewithhim,sothatIhaveneverlivedawayfromthespot."

Shewaspoor.That,andthechangeofname,sufficientlyaccountedfortheinn-servant"signoranceofhercontinuedexistencewithinthewallsofheroldhome.

Itwasgrowingdusk,andhestillwalkedwithher.Awoman"sheadarosefromthedeclivitybeforethem,andasshedrewnearer,Christineaskedhimtogoback.

"Thisisthewifeofthefarmerwhosharesthehouse,"shesaid.

"SheisaccustomedtocomeoutandmeetmewheneverIwalkfarandambenighted.Iamobligedtowalkeverywherenow."

Thefarmer"swife,seeingthatChristinewasnotalone,pausedinheradvance,andNicholassaid,"DearChristine,ifyouareobligedtodothesethings,Iamnot,andwhatwealthIcancommandyoumaycommandlikewise.Theysayrollingstonesgathernomoss;buttheygatherdrosssometimes.Iwasoneofthepioneerstothegold-fields,youknow,andmadeasufficientfortunethereformywants.Whatismore,Ikeptit.WhenIhaddonethisIwascominghome,buthearingofmyuncle"sdeathIchangedmyplan,travelled,speculated,andincreasedmyfortune.Now,beforewepart:yourememberyoustoodwithmeatthealtaronce,andthereforeIspeakwithlesspreparationthanIshouldotherwiseuse.BeforewepartthenIask,shallanotheragainintrudebetweenus?Orshallwecompletetheunionwebegan?"

Shetrembled——justasshehaddoneatthatveryminuteofstandingwithhiminthechurch,towhichhehadrecalledhermind."Iwillnotenterintothatnow,dearNicholas,"shereplied."Therewillbemoretotalkofandconsiderfirst——moretoexplain,whichitwouldhavespoiledthismeetingtohaveenteredintonow."

"Yes,yes;but——"

"FurtherthanthebriefanswerIfirstgave,Nic,don"tpressmeto-

night.Istillhavetheoldaffectionforyou,orIshouldnothavesoughtyou.Letthatsufficeforthemoment."

"Verywell,dearone.AndwhenshallIcalltoseeyou?"

"Iwillwriteandfixanhour.Iwilltellyoueverythingofmyhistorythen."

Andthustheyparted,Nicholasfeelingthathehadnotcomeherefruitlessly.WhensheandhercompanionwereoutofsightheretracedhisstepstoRoy-Town,wherehemadehimselfascomfortableashecouldinthedesertedoldinnofhisboyhood"sdays.Hemissedhercompanionshipthiseveningmorethanhehaddoneatanytimeduringthewholefifteenyears;anditwasasthoughinsteadofseparationtherehadbeenconstantcommunionwithherthroughoutthatperiod.Thetonesofhervoicehadstirredhisheartinanookwhichhadlainstagnanteversincehelastheardthem.Theyrecalledthewomantowhomhehadonceliftedhiseyesastoagoddess.Herannouncementthatshehadbeenanother"scameasalittleshocktohim,andhedidnotnowlifthiseyestoherinpreciselythesamewayashehadliftedthematfirst.ButheforgaveherformarryingBellston;whatcouldheexpectafterfifteenyears?

HesleptatRoy-Townthatnight,andinthemorningtherewasashortnotefromher,repeatingmoreemphaticallyherstatementofthepreviousevening——thatshewishedtoinformhimclearlyofhercircumstances,andtocalmlyconsiderwithhimthepositioninwhichshewasplaced.WouldhecalluponheronSundayafternoon,whenshewassuretobealone?

"Nic,"shewroteon,"whatacosmopoliteyouare!Iexpectedtofindmyoldyeomanstill;butIwasquiteawedinthepresenceofsuchacitizenoftheworld.DidIseemrustyandunpractised?Ah——youseemedsooncetome!"

Tenderplayfulwords;theoldChristinewasinthem.ShesaidSundayafternoon,anditwasnowonlySaturdaymorning.Hewishedshehadsaidto-day;thatshortrevivalofherimagehadvitalizedtosuddenheatfeelingsthathadalmostbeenstilled.Whatevershemighthavetoexplainastoherposition——anditwasawkwardlynarrowed,nodoubt——hecouldnotgiveherup.MissEverardorMrs.Bellston,whatmatteredit?——shewasthesameChristine.

HedidnotgooutsidetheinnallSaturday.Hehadnowishtoseeordoanythingbuttoawaitthecominginterview.Sohesmoked,andreadthelocalnewspaperofthepreviousweek,andstowedhimselfinthechimney-corner.Intheeveninghefeltthathecouldremainindoorsnolonger,andthemoonbeingnearthefull,hestartedfromtheinnonfootinthesamedirectionasthatofyesterday,withtheviewofcontemplatingtheoldvillageanditsprecincts,andhoveringroundherhouseunderthecloakofnight.

Withastoutstickinhishandheclimbedoverthefivemilesofuplandinacomparativelyshortspaceoftime.Nicholashadseenmanystrangelandsandtroddenmanystrangewayssincehelastwalkedthatpath,butashetrudgedheseemedwonderfullylikehisoldself,andhadnottheslightestdifficultyinfindingtheway.Indescendingtothemeadsthestreamsperplexedhimalittle,someoftheoldfoot-bridgeshavingbeenremoved;butheultimatelygotacrossthelargerwater-courses,andpushedontothevillage,avoidingherresidenceforthemoment,lestsheshouldencounterhim,andthinkhehadnotrespectedthetimeofherappointment.

Hefoundhiswaytothechurchyard,andfirstascertainedwherelaythetworelationshehadleftaliveathisdeparture;thenheobservedthegravestonesofotherinhabitantswithwhomhehadbeenwellacquainted,tillbydegreesheseemedtobeinthesocietyofalltheelderFroom-Everardpopulation,ashehadknowntheplace.

Sidebysideastheyhadlivedinhisdayhereweretheynow.Theyhadmovedhouseinmass.

ButnotombofMr.Bellstonwasvisible,though,ashehadlivedatthemanor-house,itwouldhavebeennaturaltofindithere.IntruthNicholaswasmoreanxioustodiscoverthatthananything,beingcurioustoknowhowlonghehadbeendead.SeeingfromtheglimmerofalightinthechurchthatsomebodywastherecleaningforSundayheentered,andlookedrounduponthewallsaswellashecould.Buttherewasnomonumenttoherhusband,thoughonehadbeenerectedtotheSquire.

Nicholasaddressedtheyoungmanwhowassweeping."Idon"tseeanymonumentortombtothelateMr.Bellston?"

"Ono,sir;youwon"tseethat,"saidtheyoungmandrily.

"Why,pray?"

"Becausehe"snotburiedhere.He"snotChristian-buriedanywhere,asfarasweknow.Inshort,perhapshe"snotburiedatall;andbetweenourselves,perhapshe"salive."

Nicholassankaninchshorter."Ah,"heanswered.

"Thenyoudon"tknowthepeculiarcircumstances,sir?"

"Iamastrangerhere——astolateyears."

"Mr.Bellstonwasatraveller——anexplorer——itwashiscalling;youmayhaveheardhisnameassuch?"

"Iremember."NicholasrecalledthefactthatthisverybentofMr.

Bellston"swastheincentivetohisownroaming.

"Well,whenhemarriedhecameandlivedherewithhiswifeandhiswife"sfather,andsaidhewouldtravelnomore.Butafteratimehegotwearyofbidingquiethere,andwearyofher——hewasnotagoodhusbandtotheyoungladybyanymeans——andhebetookhimselfagaintohisoldtrickofroving——withhermoney.Awayhewent,quiteoutoftherealmofhumanfoot,intothebowelsofAsia,andneverwasheardofmore.Hewasmurdered,itissaid,butnobodyknows;thoughasthatwasnineyearsagohe"sdeadenoughinprinciple,ifnotincorporation.Hiswidowlivesquitehumble,forbetweenherhusbandandherbrothershe"sleftinveryleanpasturage."

NicholaswentbacktotheBuck"sHeadwithouthoveringroundherdwelling.Thisthenwastheexplanationwhichshehadwantedtomake.Notdead,butmissing.Howcouldhehaveexpectedthatthefirstfairpromiseofhappinessheldouttohimwouldremainuntarnished?Shehadsaidthatshewasfree;andlegallyshewasfree,nodoubt.Moreover,fromhertoneandmannerhefelthimselfjustifiedinconcludingthatshewouldbewillingtoruntheriskofaunionwithhim,intheimprobabilityofherhusband"sexistence.

Evenifthathusbandlived,hisreturnwasnotalikelyevent,tojudgefromhischaracter.Amanwhocouldspendhermoneyonhisownpersonaladventureswouldnotbeanxioustodisturbherpovertyaftersuchalapseoftime.

Well,theprospectwasnotsouncloudedasithadseemed.Butcouldhe,evennow,giveupChristine?

CHAPTERVII

Twomonthsmorebroughttheyearnearlytoaclose,andfoundNicholasLongtenantofaspacioushouseinthemarket-townnearesttoFroom-Everard.Amanofmeans,genialcharacter,andabachelor,hewasanobjectofgreatinteresttohisneighbours,andtohisneighbours"wivesanddaughters.Buthetooklittlenoteofthis,andhadmadeithisbusinesstogotwiceaweek,nomatterwhattheweather,tothenowfarmhouseatFroom-Everard,awingofwhichhadbeenretainedastherefugeofChristine.Healwayswalked,togivenotroubleinputtingupahorsetoahousekeeperwhosestaffwaslimited.

Thetwohadputtheirheadstogetheronthesituation,hadgonetoasolicitor,hadbalancedpossibilities,andhadresolvedtomaketheplungeofmatrimony."Nothingventure,nothinghave,"Christinehadsaid,withsomeofheroldaudacity.

Withalmostgratuitoushonestytheyhadlettheirintentionsbewidelyknown.Christine,itistrue,hadrathershrunkfrompublicityatfirst;butNicholasarguedthattheirboldnessinthisrespectwouldhavegoodresults.Withhisfriendsheheldthattherewasnottheslightestprobabilityofherbeingotherthanawidow,andachallengetothemissingmannow,followedbynoresponse,wouldstultifyanyunpleasantremarkswhichmightbethrownatheraftertheirunion.TothisendaparagraphwasinsertedintheWessexpapers,announcingthattheirmarriagewasproposedtobecelebratedonsuchandsuchadayinDecember.

Hisperiodicwalksalongthesouthsideofthevalleytovisitherwereamongthehappiestexperiencesofhislife.Theyellowleavesfallingaroundhimintheforeground,thewell-wateredmeadsonthelefthand,andthewomanhelovedawaitinghimatthebackofthescene,promisedafutureofmuchserenity,asfarashumanjudgmentcouldforesee.Onarriving,hewouldsitwithherinthe"parlour"

ofthewingsheretained,hergeneralsitting-room,wheretheonlyrelicsofherearlysurroundingswereanoldclockfromtheotherendofthehouse,andherownpiano.Beforeitwasquitedarktheywouldstand,handinhand,lookingoutofthewindowacrosstheflatturftothedarkclumpoftreeswhichhidfurtherviewfromtheireyes.

"Doyouwishyouwerestillmistresshere,dear?"heoncesaid.

"Notatall,"saidshecheerfully."Ihaveagoodenoughroom,andagoodenoughfire,andagoodenoughfriend.Besides,mylatterdaysasmistressofthehousewerenothappyones,andtheyspoilttheplaceforme.Itwasapunishmentformyfaithlessness.Nic,youdoforgiveme?Reallyyoudo?"

Thetwenty-thirdofDecember,theeveofthewedding-day,hadarrivedatlastinthetrainofsuchuneventfulonesasthese.Nicholashadarrangedtovisitherthatdayalittlelaterthanusual,andseethateverythingwasreadywithherforthemorrow"seventandherremovaltohishouse;forhehadbeguntolookafterherdomesticaffairs,andtolightenasmuchaspossiblethedutiesofherhousekeeping.

Hewastocometoanearlysupper,whichshehadarrangedtotaketheplaceofawedding-breakfastnextday——thelatternotbeingfeasibleinherpresentsituation.AnhourorsoafterdarkthewifeofthefarmerwholivedintheotherpartofthehouseenteredChristine"sparlourtolaythecloth.

"Whatwithgettingthehamskinned,andtheblack-puddingshottedup,"shesaid,"itwilltakemeallmytimebeforehe"shere,ifI

beginthisminute."

"I"lllaythetablemyself,"saidChristine,jumpingup."Doyouattendtothecooking."

"Thankyou,ma"am.Andperhaps"tisnomatter,seeingthatitisthelastnightyou"llhavetodosuchwork.Iknewthissortoflifewouldn"tlastlongfor"ee,beingborntobetterthings."

"Ithaslastedratherlong,Mrs.Wake.Andifhehadnotfoundmeoutitwouldhavelastedallmydays."

"Buthedidfindyouout."

"Hedid.AndI"lllaytheclothimmediately."

Mrs.Wakewentbacktothekitchen,andChristinebegantobustleabout.ShegreatlyenjoyedpreparingthistableforNicholasandherselfwithherownhands.Shetookartisticpleasureinadjustingeacharticletoitsposition,asifhalfanincherrorwereapointofhighimportance.Finallysheplacedthetwocandleswheretheyweretostand,andsatdownbythefire.

Mrs.Wakere-enteredandregardedtheeffect."Whynothaveanothercandleortwo,ma"am?"shesaid.""Twouldmakeitlivelier.Sayfour."

"Verywell,"saidChristine,andfourcandleswerelighted.

"Really,"sheadded,surveyingthem,"Ihavebeennowsolongaccustomedtolittleeconomiesthattheylookquiteextravagant."

"Ah,you"llsoonthinknothingoffortyinhisgrandnewhouse!

ShallIbringinsupperdirectlyhecomes,ma"am?"

"No,notforhalfanhour;and,Mrs.Wake,youandBetsyarebusyinthekitchen,Iknow;sowhenheknocksdon"tdisturbyourselves;I

canlethimin."

Shewasagainleftalone,and,asitstillwantedsometimetoNicholas"sappointment,shestoodbythefire,lookingatherselfintheglassoverthemantel.Reflectivelyraisingalockofherhairjustabovehertemplesheuncoveredasmallscar.Thatscarhadahistory.Theterribletemperofherlatehusband——thosesuddenmoodsofirascibilitywhichhadmadeevenhisfriendlyexcitementslooklikeanger——hadoncecausedhimtosetthatmarkuponherwiththebezelofaringhewore.Hedeclaredthatthewholethingwasanaccident.Shewasawoman,andkeptherownopinion.

Christinethenturnedherbacktotheglassandscannedthetableandthecandles,shiningoneateachcornerliketypesofthefourEvangelists,andthoughttheylookedtooassuming——tooconfident.

Sheglancedupattheclock,whichstoodalsointhisroom,therenotbeingspaceenoughforitinthepassage.Itwasnearlyseven,andsheexpectedNicholasathalf-past.Shelikedthecompanyofthisvenerablearticleinherlonelylife:itstickingsandwhizzingswereasortofconversation.Itnowbegantostrikethehour.Attheendsomethinggratedslightly.Then,withoutanywarning,theclockslowlyinclinedforwardandfellatfulllengthuponthefloor.