第6章

"WewereoutintheEastwhenIwrotetohim.Everythinghadseemedtogowrongwithme.Justaftermyletterhadgonewewereorderedhome.That"showitisyouseemehere.AssoonaswegotintobarracksatCasterbridgeIheardo"thisDamnme!I"lldaretofollowmyfather,andmakeawaywithmyself,too.Itistheonlythinglefttodo!"

"Don"tyeberash,LukeHolway,Isayagain;buttrytomakeamendsbyyourfuturelife.Andmaybeyourfatherwillsmileasmiledownfromheavenupon"eefor"t."

Heshookhishead."Idon"tknowaboutthat!"heansweredbitterly.

"Tryandbeworthyofyourfatherathisbest."Tisnottoolate."

"D"yethinknot?Ifancyitis!Well,I"llturnitover.

Thankyouforyourgoodcounsel.I"llliveforonething,atanyrate.I"llmovefather"sbodytoadecentChristianchurchyard,ifI

doitwithmyownhands.Ican"tsavehislife,butIcangivehimanhonourablegrave.Heshan"tlieinthisaccursedplace!"

"Ay,asourpa"sonsays,"tisabarbarouscustomtheykeepupatSidlinch,andoughttobedoneawaywi".Themana"oldsoldier,too.Yousee,ourpa"sonisnotlikeyoursatSidlinch."

"Hesaysitisbarbarous,doeshe?Soitis!"criedthesoldier.

"Nowhearken,myfriends."Thenheproceededtoinquireiftheywouldincreasehisindebtednesstothembyundertakingtheremoval,privately,ofthebodyofthesuicidetothechurchyard,notofSidlinch,aparishhenowhated,butofChalk-Newton.Hewouldgivethemallhepossessedtodoit.

LotaskedEzraCattstockwhathethoughtofit.

Cattstock,the"celloplayer,whowasalsothesexton,demurred,andadvisedtheyoungsoldiertosoundtherectoraboutitfirst."Midbehewouldobject,andyet"amid"nt.Thepa"sono"Sidlinchisahardman,Iownye,and"asaidiffolkwillkilltheirselvesinhotbloodtheymusttaketheconsequences.Butoursdon"tthinklikethatatall,andmightallowit."

"What"shisname?"

"ThehonourableandreverentMr.Oldham,brothertoLordWessex.Butyouneedn"tbeafeardo"enonthataccount.He"lltalkto"eelikeacommonman,ifsobeyouhaven"thadenoughdrinktogie"eebadbreath."

"O,thesameasformerly.I"llaskhim.Thankyou.Andthatdutydone——"

"Whatthen?"

"There"swarinSpain.Ihearournextmoveisthere.I"lltrytoshowmyselftobewhatmyfatherwishedme.Idon"tsupposeIshall——

butI"lltryinmyfeebleway.ThatmuchIswear——hereoverhisbody.SohelpmeGod."

Lukesmackedhispalmagainstthewhitehand-postwithsuchforcethatitshook."Yes,there"swarinSpain;andanotherchanceformetobeworthyoffather."

Sothematterendedthatnight.Thattheprivateactedinonethingashehadvowedtodosoonbecameapparent,forduringtheChristmasweektherectorcameintothechurchyardwhenCattstockwasthere,andaskedhimtofindaspotthatwouldbesuitableforthepurposeofsuchaninterment,addingthathehadslightlyknownthelatesergeant,andwasnotawareofanylawwhichforbadehimtoassenttotheremoval,theletteroftherulehavingbeenobserved.ButashedidnotwishtoseemmovedbyoppositiontohisneighbouratSidlinch,hehadstipulatedthattheactofcharityshouldbecarriedoutatnight,andasprivatelyaspossible,andthatthegraveshouldbeinanobscurepartoftheenclosure."Youhadbetterseetheyoungmanaboutitatonce,"addedtherector.

ButbeforeEzrahaddoneanythingLukecamedowntohishouse.Hisfurloughhadbeencutshort,owingtonewdevelopmentsofthewarinthePeninsula,andbeingobligedtogobacktohisregimentimmediately,hewascompelledtoleavetheexhumationandreintermenttohisfriends.Everythingwaspaidfor,andheimploredthemalltoseeitcarriedoutforthwith.

Withthisthesoldierleft.ThenextdayEzra,onthinkingthematterover,againwentacrosstotherectory,struckwithsuddenmisgiving.Hehadrememberedthatthesergeanthadbeenburiedwithoutacoffin,andhewasnotsurethatastakehadnotbeendriventhroughhim.Thebusinesswouldbemoretroublesomethantheyhadatfirstsupposed.

"Yes,indeed!"murmuredtherector."Iamafraiditisnotfeasibleafterall."

Thenexteventwasthearrivalofaheadstonebycarrierfromthenearesttown;tobeleftatMr.EzraCattstock"s;allexpensespaid.

Thesextonandthecarrierdepositedthestoneintheformer"southouse;andEzra,leftalone,putonhisspectaclesandreadthebriefandsimpleinscription:-

HERELYETHTHEBODYOFSAMUELHOLWAY,LATESERGEANTINHISMAJESTY"S——

DREGIMENTOFFOOT,WHODEPARTEDTHISLIFEDECEMBERTHE20TH,180.

ERECTEDBYL.H.

"IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHYSON."

Ezraagaincalledattheriversiderectory."Thestoneiscome,sir.

ButI"mafeardwecan"tdoitnohow."

"Ishouldliketoobligehim,"saidthegentlemanlyoldincumbent.

"AndIwouldforegoallfeeswillingly.Still,ifyouandtheothersdon"tthinkyoucancarryitout,Iamindoubtwhattosay."

Well,sir;I"vemadeinquiryofaSidlinchwomanastohisburial,andwhatIthoughtseemstrue.Theyburiedenwi"anewsix-foothurdle-sauldrough"sbody,fromthesheep-penupinNorthEweleasethoughtheywon"towntoitnow.Andthequestionis,Isthemovingworthwhile,consideringtheawkwardness?"

"Haveyouheardanythingmoreoftheyoungman?"

EzrahadonlyheardthathehadembarkedthatweekforSpainwiththerestoftheregiment."Andifhe"sasdesperateas"aseemed,weshallneverseehimhereinEnglandagain."

"Itisanawkwardcase,"saidtherector.

Ezratalkeditoverwiththechoir;oneofwhomsuggestedthatthestonemightbeerectedatthecrossroads.Thiswasregardedasimpracticable.Anothersaidthatitmightbesetupinthechurchyardwithoutremovingthebody;butthiswasseentobedishonest.Sonothingwasdone.

TheheadstoneremainedinEzra"southousetill,growingtiredofseeingitthere,heputitawayamongthebushesatthebottomofhisgarden.Thesubjectwassometimesrevivedamongthem,butitalwaysendedwith:"Consideringhow"awasburied,wecanhardlymakeajobo"t."

TherewasalwaystheconsciousnessthatLukewouldnevercomeback,animpressionstrengthenedbythedisasterswhichwererumouredtohavebefallenthearmyinSpain.Thistendedtomaketheirinertnesspermanent.TheheadstonegrewgreenasitlayonitsbackunderEzra"sbushes;thenatreebytheriverwasblowndown,and,fallingacrossthestone,crackeditinthreepieces.Ultimatelythepiecesbecameburiedintheleavesandmould.

LukehadnotbeenbornaChalk-Newtonman,andhehadnorelationsleftinSidlinch,sothatnotidingsofhimreachedeithervillagethroughoutthewar.ButafterWaterlooandthefallofNapoleontherearrivedatSidlinchonedayanEnglishsergeant-majorcoveredwithstripesand,asitturnedout,richinglory.ForeignservicehadsototallychangedLukeHolwaythatitwasnotuntilhetoldhisnamethattheinhabitantsrecognizedhimasthesergeant"sonlyson.

HehadservedwithunswervingeffectivenessthroughthePeninsularcampaignsunderWellington;hadfoughtatBusaco,Fuentesd"Onore,CiudadRodrigo,Badajoz,Salamanca,Vittoria,QuatreBras,andWaterloo;andhadnowreturnedtoenjoyamorethanearnedpensionandreposeinhisnativedistrict.

HehardlystayedinSidlinchlongerthantotakeamealonhisarrival.ThesameeveninghestartedonfootoverthehilltoChalk-

Newton,passingthehand-post,andsayingasheglancedatthespot,"ThankGod:he"snotthere!"Nightfallwasapproachingwhenhereachedthelattervillage;buthemadestraightforthechurchyard.

Onhisenteringitthereremainedlightenoughtodiscerntheheadstonesby,andthesehenarrowlyscanned.Butthoughhesearchedthefrontpartbytheroad,andthebackpartbytheriver,whathesoughthecouldnotfind——thegraveofSergeantHolway,andamemorialbearingtheinscription:"IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHY

SON."

Heleftthechurchyardandmadeinquiries.Thehonourableandreverendoldrectorwasdead,andsoweremanyofthechoir;butbydegreesthesergeant-majorlearntthathisfatherstilllayatthecross-roadsinLongAshLane.

Lukepursuedhiswaymoodilyhomewards,todowhich,inthenaturalcourse,hewouldbecompelledtorepassthespot,therebeingnootherroadbetweenthetwovillages.Buthecouldnotnowgobythatplace,vociferouswithreproachesinhisfather"stones;andhegotoverthehedgeandwandereddeviouslythroughtheploughedfieldstoavoidthescene.ThroughmanyafightandfatigueLukehadbeensustainedbythethoughtthathewasrestoringthefamilyhonourandmakingnobleamends.Yethisfatherlaystillindegradation.Itwasratherasentimentthanafactthathisfather"sbodyhadbeenmadetosufferforhisownmisdeeds;buttohissuper-sensitivenessitseemedthathiseffortstoretrievehischaracterandtopropitiatetheshadeoftheinsultedonehadendedinfailure.

Heendeavoured,however,toshakeoffhislethargy,and,notlikingtheassociationsofSidlinch,hiredasmallcottageatChalk-Newtonwhichhadlongbeenempty.Herehelivedalone,becomingquiteahermit,andallowingnowomantoenterthehouse.

TheChristmasaftertakinguphisabodehereinhewassittinginthechimneycornerbyhimself,whenheheardfaintnotesinthedistance,andsoonamelodyburstforthimmediatelyoutsidehisownwindow,itcamefromthecarol-singers,asusual;andthoughmanyoftheoldhands,EzraandLotincluded,hadgonetotheirrest,thesameoldcarolswerestillplayedoutofthesameoldbooks.Thereresoundedthroughthesergeant-major"swindow-shuttersthefamiliarlinesthatthedeceasedchoirhadrenderedoverhisfather"sgrave:-

Hecomes"thepri"-sonersto"re-lease",InSa"-tan"sbon"-dageheld".

Whentheyhadfinishedtheywentontoanotherhouse,leavinghimtosilenceandlonelinessasbefore.

Thecandlewantedsnuffing,buthedidnotsnuffit,andhesatontillithadburntdownintothesocketandmadewavesofshadowontheceiling.

TheChristmascheerfulnessofnextmorningwasbrokenatbreakfast-

timebytragicintelligencewhichwentdownthevillagelikewind.

Sergeant-MajorHolwayhadbeenfoundshotthroughtheheadbyhisownhandatthecross-roadsinLongAshLanewherehisfatherlayburied.

Onthetableinthecottagehehadleftapieceofpaper,onwhichhehadwrittenhiswishthathemightbeburiedattheCrossbesidehisfather.Butthepaperwasaccidentallyswepttothefloor,andoverlookedtillafterhisfuneral,whichtookplaceintheordinarywayinthechurchyard.

Christmas1897.

ENTERADRAGOON

Ilatelyhadamelancholyexperience(saidthegentlemanwhoisanswerableforthetruthofthisstory).ItwasthatofgoingoveradoomedhousewithwhoseoutsideaspectIhadlongbeenfamiliar——ahouse,thatis,whichbyreasonofageanddilapidationwastobepulleddownduringthefollowingweek.Someofthethatch,brownandrottenasthegillsofoldmushrooms,had,indeed,beenremovedbeforeIwalkedoverthebuilding.Seeingthatitwasonlyaverysmallhouse——whichisusuallycalleda"cottage-residence"——situatedinaremotehamlet,andthatitwasnotmorethanahundredyearsold,ifsomuch,Iwasledtothinkinmyprogressthroughthehollowrooms,withtheircrackedwallsandslopingfloors,whatanexceptionalnumberofabruptfamilyincidentshadtakenplacetherein——toreckononlythosewhichhadcometomyownknowledge.

AndnodoubtthereweremanymoreofwhichIhadneverheard.

Itstoodatthetopofagardenstretchingdowntothelaneorstreetthatranthroughahermit-groupofdwellingsinMellstockparish.

Fromagreengateatthelowerentrance,overwhichthethornhedgehadbeenshapedtoanarchbyconstantclippings,agravelpathascendedbetweentheboxedgesofoncetrimraspberry,strawberry,andvegetableplots,towardsthefrontdoor.Thiswasincolouranancientandbleachedgreenthatcouldberubbedoffwiththefinger,anditboreasmalllong-featuredbrassknockercoveredwithverdigrisinitscrevices.Forsomeyearsbeforethiseveofdemolitionthehomesteadhaddegenerated,andbeendividedintotwotenementstoserveascottagesforfarmlabourers;butinitsprimeithadindisputableclaimtobeconsideredneat,pretty,andgenteel.

Thevarietyofincidentsabovealludedtowasmainlyowingtothenatureofthetenure,wherebytheplacehadbeenoccupiedbyfamiliesnotquiteofthekindcustomaryinsuchspots——peoplewhosecircumstances,position,orantecedentsweremoreorlessofacriticalhappy-go-luckycast.AndoftheseresidentsthefamilywhosetermcomprisedthestoryIwishtorelatewasthatofMr.JacobPaddockthemarket-gardener,whodweltthereforsomeyearswithhiswifeandgrown-updaughter.

I

Anevidentcommotionwasagitatingthepremises,whichjerkedbusysoundsacrossthefrontplot,resemblingthoseofadisturbedhive.

Ifamemberofthehouseholdappearedatthedooritwaswithacountenanceofabstractionandconcern.

Eveningbegantobendoverthescene;andtheotherinhabitantsofthehamletcameouttodrawwater,theircommonwellbeinginthepublicroadoppositethegardenandhouseofthePaddocks.Havingwounduptheirbucketsfullrespectivelytheylingered,andspokesignificantlytogether.Fromtheirwordsanycasuallistenermighthavegatheredinformationofwhathadoccurred.

Thewoodmanwholivednearestthesiteofthestorytoldmostofthetale.Selina,thedaughterofthePaddocksopposite,hadbeensurprisedthatafternoonbyreceivingaletterfromheronceintendedhusband,thenacorporal,butnowasergeant-majorofdragoons,whomshehadhithertosupposedtobeoneoftheslainintheBattleoftheAlmatwoorthreeyearsbefore.

"Shepickedupwi"enagainstherfather"swish,asweknow,andbeforehegothisstripes,"theirinformantcontinued."Notbutthatthemanwasasheartyafellerasyou"dmeetthissideo"London.

ButJacob,yousee,wishedhertodobetter,andonecanunderstandit.However,shewasdeterminedtosticktohimatthattime;andforwhathappenedshewasnotmuchtoblame,sonearastheyweretomatrimonywhenthewarbrokeoutandspoiledall."

"Eventheverypighadbeenkilledforthewedding,"saidawoman,"andthebarrelo"beerorderedin.O,themanmeanthonourableenough.Buttobeoffintwodaystofightinaforeigncountry——

"twasnaturalofherfathertosaytheyshouldwaittillhegotback."

"Andhenevercame,"murmuredoneintheshade.

"Thewarendedbuthermanneverturnedupagain.Shewasnotsurehewaskilled,butwastooproud,ortootimid,togoandhuntforhim."

"Onereasonwhyherfatherforgaveherwhenhefoundouthowmattersstoodwas,ashesaidplainatthetime,thathelikedtheman,andcouldseethathemeanttoactstraight.Sotheoldfolksmadethebestofwhattheycouldn"tmend,andkepthertherewith"em,whensomewouldn"t.Timehasprovedseeminglythathedidmeantoactstraight,nowthathehaswrittoherthathe"scoming.She"dhavestucktohimallthroughthetime,"tismybelief;ift"otherhadn"tcomealong."

"Atthetimeofthecourtship,"resumedthewoodman,"theregimentwasquarteredinCasterbridgeBarracks,andheandshegotacquaintedbyhiscallingtobuyapenn"orthofrathe-ripesoffthattreeyonderinherfather"sorchard——though"twassaidheseedHERoverhedgeaswellastheapples.Hedeclared"twasakindofapplehemuchfancied;andhecalledforapenn"ortheverydaytillthetreewascleared.Itendedinhiscallingforher."

""Twasathousandpitiestheydidn"tjineupatonceandha"donewi"

it.

"Well;betterlatethannever,ifsobehe"llhavehernow.But,Lord,she"dthatfaithin"enthatshe"dnomorebeliefthathewasalive,whena"didn"tcome,thanthattheundermostmaninourchurchyardwasalive.She"dneverhavethoughtofanotherbutforthat——Ono!"

""Tisawkward,altogether,forhernow."

"Stillshehadn"tmarriedwi"thenewman.Thoughtobesureshewouldhavecommitteditnextweek,eventhelicencebeinggot,theysay,forshe"dhavenobannsthistime,thefirstbeingsounfortunate."

"Perhapsthesergeant-majorwillthinkhe"sreleased,andgoashecame."

"O,notasIreckon.Soldiersbain"tparticular,andshe"satidypieceo"furniturestill.Whatwillhappenisthatshe"llhavehersoldier,andbreakoffwiththemaster-wheelwright,licenceorno——

dazemeifshewon"t."

Intheprogressofthesedesultoryconjecturestheformofanotherneighbouraroseinthegloom.Shenoddedtothepeopleatthewell,whoreplied"G"dnight,Mrs.Stone,"asshepassedthroughMr.

Paddock"sgatetowardshisdoor.Shewasanintimatefriendofthelatter"shousehold,andthegroupfollowedherwiththeireyesupthepathandpastthewindows,whichwerenowlightedupbycandlesinside.

II

Mrs.Stonepausedatthedoor,knocked,andwasadmittedbySelina"smother,whotookhervisitoratonceintotheparlouronthelefthand,whereatablewaspartlyspreadforsupper.Onthe"beaufet"

againstthewallstoodprobablytheonlyobjectwhichwouldhaveattractedtheeyeofalocalstrangerinanotherwiseordinarilyfurnishedroom,agreatplum-cakeguardedasifitwereacuriositybyaglassshadeofthekindseeninmuseums——square,withawoodenbacklikethoseenclosingstuffedspecimensofrarefeatherorfur.

Thiswasthemummyofthecakeintendedinearlierdaysforthewedding-feastofSelinaandthesoldier,whichhadbeenreligiouslyandlovinglypreservedbytheformerasatestimonytoherintentionalrespectabilityinspiteofanuntowardsubsequentcircumstance,whichwillbementioned.Thisrelicwasnowasdryasabrick,andseemedtobelongtoapre-existentcivilization.Tillquiterecently,Selinahadbeeninthehabitofpausingbeforeitdaily,andrecallingtheaccidentwhoseconsequenceshadthrownashadowoverherlifeeversince——thatofwhichthewater-drawershadspoken——thesuddennewsonemorningthattheRoutehadcomeforthe——

thDragoons,twodaysonlybeingtheintervalbeforedeparture;thehurriedconsultationastowhatshouldbedone,thesecondtimeofaskingbeingpastbutnotthethird;andthedecisionthatitwouldbeunwisetosolemnizematrimonyinsuchhaphazardcircumstances,evenifitwerepossible,whichwasdoubtful.

Beforethefiretheyoungwomaninquestionwasnowseatedonalowstool,inthestillnessofreverie,andatoddlingboyplayedabouttheflooraroundher.

"Ah,Mrs.Stone!"saidSelina,risingslowly."Howkindofyoutocomein.You"llbidetosupper?Motherhastoldyouthestrangenews,ofcourse?"

"No.ButIhearditoutside,thatis,thatyou"dhadaletterfromMr.Clark——Sergeant-MajorClark,astheysayheisnow——andthathe"scomingtomakeitupwith"ee."

"Yes;comingto-night——allthewayfromthenorthofEnglandwherehe"squartered.Idon"tknowwhetherI"mhappyor——frightenedatit.

OfcourseIalwaysbelievedthatifhewasalivehe"dcomeandkeephissolemnvowtome.Butwhenitisprintedthatamaniskilled——

whatcanyouthink?"

"ItWASprinted?"

"Why,yes.AftertheBattleoftheAlmathebookofthenamesofthekilledandwoundedwasnailedupagainstCasterbridgeTownHalldoor.

"TwasonaSaturday,andIwalkedthereo"purposetoreadandseeformyself;forI"dheardthathisnamewasdown.Therewasacrowdofpeopleroundthebook,lookingforthenamesofrelations;andI

canmindthatwhentheysawmetheymadewayforme——knowingthatwe"dbeenjustgoingtobemarried——andthat,asyoumaysay,I

belongedtohim.Well,Ireachedupmyarm,andturnedoverthefarrelsofthebook,andunderthe"killed"Ireadhissurname,butinsteadof"John"they"dprinted"James,"andIthought"twasamistake,andthatitmustbehe.Whocouldhaveguessedthereweretwonearlyofonenameinoneregiment."

"Well——he"scomingtofinishtheweddingof"eeasmaybesaid;sonevermind,mydear.All"swellthatendswell."

"That"swhatheseemstosay.ButthenhehasnotheardyetaboutMr.Miller;andthat"swhatratherterrifiesme.Luckilymymarriagewithhimnextweekwastohavebeenbylicence,andnotbanns,asinJohn"scase;anditwasnotsowellknownonthataccount.Still,I

don"tknowwhattothink."

"Everythingseemstocomejust"twixtcupandlipwith"ee,don"titnow,MissPaddock.Twoweddingsbrokeoff——"tisodd!HowcameyoutoacceptMr.Miller,mydear?"

"He"sbeensogoodandfaithful!Notmindingaboutthechildatall;

forheknewtherightsofthestory.He"sdearlyfondo"Johnny,youknow——justasif"twerehisown——isn"the,myduck?DoMr.Millerloveyouordon"the?"

"Iss!An"IloveMr.Miller,"saidthetoddler.

"Well,yousee,Mrs.Stone,hesaidhe"dmakemeacomfortablehome;

andthinking"twouldbeagoodthingforJohnny,Mr.Millerbeingsomuchbetteroffthanme,Iagreedatlast,justasawidowmight——

whichiswhatIhavealwaysfeltmyself;eversinceIsawwhatI

thoughtwasJohn"snameprintedthere.IhopeJohnwillforgiveme!"

"Sohewillforgive"ee,since"twasnomannerofwrongtohim.Heoughttohavesent"eealine,saying"twasanotherman."

Selina"smotherentered."We"venotknownofthisanhour,Mrs.

Stone,"shesaid."TheletterwasbroughtupfromLowerMellstockPost-officebyoneoftheschoolchildren,onlythisafternoon.Mr.

Millerwascomingherethisverynighttosettleabouttheweddingdoings.Hark!Isthatyourfather?OrisitMr.Milleralreadycome?"

Thefootstepsenteredtheporch;therewasabrushingonthemat,andthedooroftheroomsprungbacktodisclosearubicundmanaboutthirtyyearsofage,ofthrivingmaster-mechanicappearanceandobviouslycomfortabletemper.Onseeingthechild,andbeforetakinganynoticewhateveroftheelders,thecomermadeanoiselikethecrowingofacockandflappedhisarmsasiftheywerewings,amethodofentrywhichhadtheunqualifiedadmirationofJohnny.

"Yes——itishe,"saidSelinaconstrainedlyadvancing.

"What——wereyoualltalkingaboutme,mydear?"saidthegenialyoungmanwhenhehadfinishedhiscrowingandresumedhumanmanners."Whywhat"sthematter,"hewenton."Youlookstruckallofaheap."

Mr.Millerspreadanaspectofconcernoverhisownface,anddrewachairuptothefire.

"Omother,wouldyoutellMr.Miller,ifhedon"tknow?"

"MISTERMiller!andgoingtobemarriedinsixdays!"heinterposed.

"Ah——hedon"tknowityet!"murmuredMrs.Paddock.

"Knowwhat?"

"Well——JohnClark——nowSergeant-MajorClark——wasn"tshotatAlmaafterall."Twasanotherofalmostthesamename."

"Nowthat"sinteresting!Therewereseveralcaseslikethat."

"Andhe"shomeagain;andhe"scominghereto-nighttoseeher."

"WhatevershallIsay,thathemaynotbeoffendedwithwhatI"vedone?"interposedSelina.

"Butwhyshoulditmatterifhebe?"

"O!Imustagreetobehiswifeifheforgivesme——ofcourseI

must."

"Must!Butwhynotsaynay,Selina,evenifhedoforgive"ee?"

"Ono!HowcanIwithoutbeingwicked?Youwereveryverykind,Mr.

Miller,toaskmetohaveyou;noothermanwouldhavedoneitafterwhathadhappened;andIagreed,eventhoughIdidnotfeelhalfsowarmasIought.Yetitwasentirelyowingtomybelievinghiminthegrave,asIknewthatifhewerenothewouldcarryouthispromise;andthisshowsthatIwasrightintrustinghim."

"YesHemustbeagoodishsortoffellow,"saidMr.Miller,foramomentsoimpressedwiththeexcellentlyfaithfulconductofthesergeant-majorofdragoonsthathedisregardeditseffectuponhisownposition.Hesighedslowlyandadded,"Well,Selina,"tisforyoutosay.Iloveyou,andIlovetheboy;andthere"smychimney-

cornerandstickso"furniturereadyfor"eeboth."

"Yes,Iknow!ButImustn"thearitanymorenow,"murmuredSelinaquickly."Johnwillbeheresoon.Ihopehe"llseehowitallwaswhenItellhim.IfsobeIcouldhavewrittenittohimitwouldhavebeenbetter."

"Youthinkhedoesn"tknowasinglewordaboutourhavingbeenonthebrinko"t.Butperhapsit"stheotherway——he"sheardofitandthatmayhavebroughthim.

"Ah——perhapshehas!"shesaidbrightening."Andalreadyforgivesme."

"Ifnot,speakoutstraightandfair,andtellhimexactlyhowitfellout.Ifhe"samanhe"llseeit."

"Ohe"samantrueenough.ButIreallydothinkIshan"thavetotellhimatall,sinceyou"veputittomethatway!"

AsitwasnowJohnny"sbedtimehewascarriedupstairs,andwhenSelinacamedownagainhermotherobservedwithsomeanxiety,"I

fancyMr.Clarkmustbeheresoonifhe"scoming;andthatbeingso,perhapsMr.Millerwouldn"tmind——wishingusgood-night!sinceyouaresodeterminedtosticktoyoursergeant-major."Alittlebitternessbubbledamidtheclosingwords."Itwouldbelessawkward,Mr.Millernotbeinghere——ifhewillallowmetosayit."

"Tobesure;tobesure,"themaster-wheelwrightexclaimedwithinstantconviction,risingalertlyfromhischair."Lordblessmysoul,"hesaid,takinguphishatandstick,"andwetohavebeenmarriedinsixdays!ButSelina——you"reright.Youdobelongtothechild"sfathersincehe"salive.I"lltrytomakethebestofit."

BeforethegenerousMillerhadgotfurthertherecameaknocktothedooraccompaniedbythenoiseofwheels.

"IthoughtIheardsomethingdrivingup!"saidMrsPaddock.

TheyheardMr.Paddock,whohadbeensmokingintheroomopposite,riseandgotothedoor,andinamomentavoicefamiliarenoughtoSelinawasaudiblysaying,"AtlastIamhereagain——notwithoutmanyinterruptions!Howisitwith"ee,Mr.Paddock?Andhowisshe?

Thoughtnevertoseemeagain,Isuppose?"

Astepwithaclinkofspursinitstruckupontheentryfloor.

"DangedifIbain"tcatched!"murmuredMr.Miller,forgettingcompany-speech."Nevermind——Imayaswellmeethimhereaselsewhere;andIshouldliketoseethechap,andmakefriendswithen,asheseemsoneo"therightsort."Hereturnedtothefireplacejustasthesergeant-majorwasusheredin.

III

Hewasagoodspecimenofthelong-servicesoldierofthosedays;anotunhandsomeman,withacertainundemonstrativedignity,whichsomemighthavesaidtobepartlyowingtothestiffnessofhisuniformabouthisneck,thehighstockbeingstillworn.HewasmuchstouterthanwhenSelinahadpartedfromhim.Althoughshehadnotmeanttobedemonstrativesheranacrosstohimdirectlyshesawhim,andheheldherinhisarmsandkissedher.

Theninmuchagitationshewhisperedsomethingtohim,atwhichheseemedtobemuchsurprised.

"He"sjustputtobed,"shecontinued."Youcangoupandseehim.

Iknewyou"dcomeifyouwerealive!ButIhadquitegi"dyouupfordead.You"vebeenhomeinEnglandeversincethewarended?"

"Yes,dear."

"Whydidn"tyoucomesooner?"

"That"sjustwhatIaskmyself!WhywasIsuchasappyasnottohurryherethefirstdayIsetfootonshore!Well,who"dhavethoughtit——youareasprettyasever!"

Herelinquishedhertopeepupstairsalittleway,where,bylookingthroughtheballusters,hecouldseeJohnny"scotjustwithinanopendoor.OnhissteppingdownagainMr.Millerwaspreparingtodepart.

"Now,what"sthis?IamsorrytoseeanybodygoingthemomentI"vecome,"expostulatedthesergeant-major."Ithoughtwemightmakeaneveningofit.There"saninegalloncasko""Phoenix"beeroutsideinthetrap,andaham,andhalfarawmil"cheese;forIthoughtyoumightbeshorto"forageinalonelyplacelikethis;anditstruckmewemightliketoaskinaneighbourortwo.Butperhapsitwouldbetakingaliberty?"

"Ono,notatall,"saidMr.Paddock,whowasnowintheroom,inajudicialmeasuredmanner."Verythoughtfulof"ee,only"twasnotnecessary,forwehadjustlaidinanextrystockofeatablesanddrinkablesinpreparationforthecomingevent."

""Twasverykind,uponmyheart,"saidthesoldier,"tothinkmeworthsuchajocundpreparation,sinceyoucouldonlyhavegotmyletterthismorning."

Selinagazedatherfathertostophim,andexchangedembarrassedglanceswithMiller.ContrarytoherhopesSergeant-MajorClarkplainlydidnotknowthatthepreparationsreferredtowereforsomethingquiteotherthanhisownvisit.

Themovementofthehorseoutside,andtheimpatienttappingofawhip-handleuponthevehicleremindedthemthatClark"sdriverwasstillinwaiting.Theprovisionswerebroughtintothehouse,andthecartdismissed.Miller,withverylittlepressureindeed,acceptedaninvitationtosupper,andafewneighbourswereinducedtocomeintomakeupacheerfulparty.

Duringthelayingofthemeal,andthroughoutitscontinuance,Selina,whosatbesideherfirstintendedhusband,triedfrequentlytobreakthenewstohimofherengagementtotheother——nowterminatedsosuddenly,andsohappilyforherheart,andhersenseofwomanlyvirtue.Butthetalkranentirelyuponthelatewar;andthoughfortifiedbyhalfahornofthestrongalebroughtbythesergeant-majorshedecidedthatshemighthaveabetteropportunitywhensupperwasoverofrevealingthesituationtohiminprivate.

Havingsupped,Clarkleanedbackateaseinhischairandlookedaround."Weusedsometimestohaveadanceinthatotherroomaftersupper,Selinadear,Irecollect.Weusedtoclearoutallthefurnitureintothisroombeforebeginning.Haveyoukeptupsuchgoingson?"

"No,notatall!"saidhissweetheart,sadly.

"Wewerenotunlikelytoreviveitinafewdays,"saidMr.Paddock.

"But,howsomever,there"sseeminglymanyaslip,asthesayingis."

"Yes,I"lltellJohnallaboutthatbyandby!"interposedSelina;atwhich,perceivingthatthesecretwhichhedidnotlikekeepingwastobekeptevenyet,herfatherheldhistonguewithsomeshowoftestiness.

Thesubjectofadancehavingbeenbroached,toputthethoughtinpracticewasthefeelingofall.Soonafterthetablesandchairswerebornefromtheoppositeroomtothisbyzealoushands,andtwoofthevillagerssenthomeforafiddleandtambourine,whenthemajoritybegantotreadameasurewellknowninthatsecludedvale.

Selinanaturallydancedwiththesergeant-major,notaltogethertoherfather"ssatisfaction,andtotherealuneasinessofhermother,bothofwhomwouldhavepreferredapostponementoffestivitiestilltherashlyanticipatedrelationshipbetweentheirdaughterandClarkinthepasthadbeenmadefactbythechurch"sordinances.Theydidnot,however,expressapositiveobjection,Mr.Paddockremembering,withself-reproach,thatitwasowingtohisoriginalstronglyexpresseddisapprovalofSelina"sbeingasoldier"swifethattheweddinghadbeendelayed,andfinallyhindered——withworseconsequencesthanwereexpected;andeversincethemisadventurebroughtaboutbyhisgovernmenthehadallowedeventstosteertheirowncourses.

"Mytailswillsurelycatchinyourspurs,John!"murmuredthedaughterofthehouse,asshewhirledarounduponhisarmwiththeraptsoulandlookofasomnambulist."Ididn"tknowweshoulddance,orIwouldhaveputonmyotherfrock."

"I"lltakecare,mylove.We"vedancedherebefore.Doyouthinkyourfatherobjectstomenow?I"veriseninrank.Ifancyhe"sstillalittleagainstme."

"Hehasrepented,timesenough."

"AndsohaveI!IfIhadmarriedyouthen"twouldhavesavedmanyamisfortune.IhavesometimesthoughtitmighthavebeenpossibletorushtheceremonythroughsomehowbeforeIleft;thoughwewereonlyinthesecondasking,werewe?AndevenifIhadcomebackstraightherewhenwereturnedfromtheCrimea,andmarriedyouthen,howmuchhappierIshouldhavebeen!"

"DearJohn,tosaythat!Whydidn"tyou?"

"O——dilatorinessandwantofthought,andafearoffacingyourfatheraftersolong.Iwasinhospitalagreatwhile,youknow.

Buthowfamiliartheplaceseemsagain!What"sthatIsawonthebeaufetintheotherroom?Itneverusedtobethere.Asortofwitheredcorpseofacake——notanoldbride-cakesurely?"

"Yes,John,ours."Tistheveryonethatwasmadeforourweddingthreeyearsago."

"Sakesalive!Why,timeshutsuptogether,andallbetweenthenandnowseemsnottohavebeen!Whatbecameofthatwedding-gownthattheyweremakinginthisroom,Iremember——abluish,whitish,frothything?"

"Ihavethattoo."

"Really!Why,Selina——"

"Yes!"

"Whynotputitonnow?"

"Wouldn"titseem.Andyet,OhowIshouldliketo!Itwouldremindthemall,ifwetoldthemwhatitwas,howwereallymeanttobemarriedonthatbygoneday!"Hereyeswereagainladenwithwet.

"YesThepitythatwedidn"t——thepity!"Moodymournfulnessseemedtoholdsilentawhileonenotnaturallytaciturn."Well——willyou?"hesaid.

"Iwill——thenextdance,ifmotherdon"tmind."

Accordingly,justbeforethenextfigurewasformed,Selinadisappeared,andspeedilycamedownstairsinacreasedandbox-worn,butstillairyandpretty,muslingown,whichwasindeedtheveryonethathadbeenmeanttograceherasabridethreeyearsbefore.

"Itisdreadfullyold-fashioned,"sheapologized.

"Notatall.Whatagrandthoughtofmine!Now,let"sto"tagain."

Sheexplainedtosomeofthem,asheledhertotheseconddance,whatthefrockhadbeenmeantfor,andthatshehadputitonathisrequest.Andagainathwartandaroundtheroomtheywent.

"Youseemthebride!"hesaid.

"ButIcouldn"twearthisgowntobemarriedinnow!"shereplied,ecstatically,"orIshouldn"thaveputitonandmadeitdusty.Itisreallytooold-fashioned,andsofoldedandfrettedout,youcan"tthink.Thatwaswithmytakingitoutsomanytimestolookat.I

haveneverputiton——never——tillnow!"

"Selina,Iamthinkingofgivingupthearmy.WillyouemigratewithmetoNewZealand?I"veanuncleouttheredoingwell,andhe"dsoonhelpmetomakingalargerincome.TheEnglisharmyisglorious,butitain"taltogetherenriching."

"Ofcourse,anywherethatyoudecideupon.IsithealthythereforJohnny?"

"Alovelyclimate.AndIshallneverbehappyinEnglandAha!"

heconcludedagain,withabitternessofunexpectedstrength,"wouldtoHeavenIhadcomestraightbackhere!"

Asthedancebroughtroundoneneighbourafteranotherthere-unitedpairwerethrownintojuxtapositionwithBobHeartallamongtherestwhohadbeencalledin;onewhosechronicexpressionwasthathecarriedinsidehimajokeonthepointofburstingwithitsownvastness.Hetookoccasionnowtoletoutalittleofitsquality,shakinghisheadatSelinaasheaddressedherinanundertone-

"Thisisabitofatoppertothebridegroom,hoho!"Twillteachenthelibertyyou"llexpectwhenyou"vemarrieden!"

"Whatdoeshemeanbya"topper,""thesergeant-majorasked,who,notbeingoflocalextraction,despisedthevenerablelocallanguage,andalsoseemedtosuppose"bridegroom"tobeananticipatorynameforhimself."IonlyhopeIshallneverbeworsetreatedthanyou"vetreatedmeto-night!"

Selinalookedfrightened."Hedidn"tmeanyou,dear,"shesaidastheymovedon."Wethoughtperhapsyouknewwhathadhappened,owingtoyourcomingjustatthistime.Hadyou——heardanythingabout——

whatIintended?"

"Notabreath——howshouldI——awayupinYorkshire?ItwasbythemerestaccidentthatIcamejustatthisdatetomakepeacewithyouformydelay."

"IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMr.BartholomewMiller.That"swhatitis!Iwouldhavelet"eeknowbyletter,buttherewasnotime,onlyhearingfrom"eethisafternoonYouwon"tdesertmeforit,willyou,John?Because,asyouknow,Iquitesupposedyoudead,and——and——"Hereyeswerefulloftearsoftrepidation,andhemighthavefeltasobheavingwithinher.

IV

Thesoldierwassilentduringtwoorthreedoublebarsofthetune.

"WhenwereyoutohavebeenmarriedtothesaidMr.BartholomewMiller?"heinquired.

"Quitesoon."

"Howsoon?"

"Nextweek——Oyes——justthesameasitwaswithyouandme.There"sastrangefateofinterruptionhangingoverme,Isometimesthink!

Hehadboughtthelicence,whichIpreferredsothatitmightn"tbelike——ours.Butitmadenodifferencetothefateofit."

"Hadboughtthelicence!Thedevil!"

"Don"tbeangry,dearJohn.Ididn"tknow!"

"No,no,I"mnotangry."

"Itwassokindofhim,considering!"

"YesIsee,ofcourse,hownaturalyouractionwas——neverthinkingofseeingmeanymore!IsittheMr.Millerwhoisinthisdance?"

"Yes."

ClarkglancedrounduponBartholomewandwassilentagain,forsomelittlewhile,andshestolealookathim,tofindthatheseemedchanged."John,youlookill!"shealmostsobbed.""Tisn"tme,isit?"

"Odear,no.ThoughIhadn"t,somehow,expectedit.Ican"tfindfaultwithyouforamoment——andIdon"tThisisadeuceofalongdance,don"tyouthink?We"vebeenatittwentyminutesifasecond,andthefiguredoesn"tallowonemuchrest.I"mquiteoutofbreath."

"Theylikethemsodreadfullylonghere.Shallwedropout?OrI"llstopthefiddler."

"Ono,no,IthinkIcanfinish.ButalthoughIlookhealthyenoughIhaveneverbeensostrongasIformerlywas,sincethatlongillnessIhadinthehospitalatScutari."

"AndIknewnothingaboutit!"

"Youcouldn"t,dear,asIdidn"twrite.WhatafoolIhavebeenaltogether!"Hegaveatwitch,asofoneinpain."Iwon"tdanceagainwhenthisoneisover.ThefactisIhavetravelledalongwayto-day,anditseemstohaveknockedmeupabit."

Therecouldbenodoubtthatthesergeant-majorwasunwell,andSelinamadeherselfmiserablebystillbelievingthatherstorywasthecauseofhisailment.Suddenlyhesaidinachangedvoice,andsheperceivedthathewaspalerthanever:"Imustsitdown."

Lettinggoherwaisthewentquicklytotheotherroom.Shefollowed,andfoundhiminthenearestchair,hisfacebentdownuponhishandsandarms,whichwererestingonthetable.

"What"sthematter?"saidherfather,whosattheredozingbythefire.

"Johnisn"twellWearegoingtoNewZealandwhenwearemarried,father.Alovelycountry!John,wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?"

"Adropo"thatSchiedamofoldOwlett"s,that"sunderstairs,perhaps,"suggestedherfather."Notthatnowadays"tismuchbetterthanlicensedliquor."

"John,"shesaid,puttingherfaceclosetohisandpressinghisarm.

"Willyouhaveadropofspiritsorsomething?"

Hedidnotreply,andSelinaobservedthathisearandthesideofhisfacewerequitewhite.Convincedthathisillnesswasserious,agrowingdismayseizedholdofher.Thedanceended;hermothercamein,andlearningwhathadhappened,lookednarrowlyatthesergeant-

major.

"Wemustnotlethimlielikethat,lifthimup,"shesaid."Lethimrestinthewindow-benchonsomecushions."

Theyunfoldedhisarmsandhandsastheylayclaspeduponthetable,andonliftinghisheadfoundhisfeaturestobeartheveryimpressofdeathitself.BartholomewMiller,whohadnowcomein,assistedMr.Paddocktomakeacomfortablecouchinthewindow-seat,wheretheystretchedoutClarkuponhisback.

Stillheseemedunconscious."Wemustgetadoctor,"saidSelina.

"O,mydearJohn,howisityoubetakenlikethis?"

"Myimpressionisthathe"sdead!"murmuredMr.Paddock."Hedon"tbreatheenoughtomoveatomtit"sfeather."

Therewereplentytovolunteertogoforadoctor,butasitwouldbeatleastanhourbeforehecouldgettherethecaseseemedsomewhathopeless.Thedancing-partyendedasunceremoniouslyasithadbegun;buttheguestslingeredroundthepremisestillthedoctorshouldarrive.Whenhedidcomethesergeant-major"sextremitieswerealreadycold,andtherewasnodoubtthatdeathhadovertakenhimalmostatthemomentthathehadsatdown.

ThemedicalpractitionerquiterefusedtoaccepttheunhappySelina"stheorythatherrevelationhadinanywayinducedClark"ssuddencollapse.Bothheandthecoronerafterwards,whofoundtheimmediatecausetobeheart-failure,heldthatsuchasuppositionwasunwarrantedbyfacts.Theyassertedthatalongday"sjourney,ahurrieddrive,andthenanexhaustingdance,weresufficientforsucharesultuponaheartenfeebledbyfattydegenerationaftertheprivationsofaCrimeanwinterandothertryingexperiences,thecoincidenceofthesadeventwithanydisclosureofhersbeingapureaccident.

Thisconclusion,however,didnotdislodgeSelina"sopinionthattheshockofherstatementhadbeentheimmediatestrokewhichhadfelledaconstitutionsoundermined.

V

AtthisdatetheCasterbridgeBarrackswerecavalryquarters,theiradaptationtoartilleryhavingbeeneffectedsomeyearslater.Ithadbeenowingtothefactthatthe——thDragoons,inwhichJohnClarkhadserved,happenedtobelyingtherethatSelinamadehisacquaintance.AtthetimeofhisdeaththebarrackswereoccupiedbytheScotsGreys,butwhenthepatheticcircumstancesofthesergeant-

major"sendbecameknowninthetowntheofficersoftheGreysofferedtheservicesoftheirfinereedandbrassband,thathemighthaveafuneralmarkedbyduemilitaryhonours.Hisbodywasaccordinglyremovedtothebarracks,andcarriedthencetothechurchyardintheDurnoverquarteronthefollowingafternoon,oneoftheGreys"mostancientanddocilechargersbeingblackeduptorepresentClark"shorseontheoccasion.

EverybodypitiedSelina,whosestorywaswellknown.Shefollowedthecorpseastheonlymourner,Clarkhavingbeenwithoutrelationsinthispartofthecountry,andacommunicationwithhisregimenthavingbroughtnonefromadistance.Shesatinalittleshabbybrown-blackmourningcarriage,squeezingherselfupinacornertobeasmuchaspossibleoutofsightduringtheslowanddramaticmarchthroughthetowntothetunefromSaul.Whentheintermenthadtakenplace,thevolleysbeenfired,andthereturnjourneybegun,itwaswithsomethinglikeashockthatshefoundthemilitaryescorttobemovingataquickmarchtothelivelystrainsof"Offshegoes!"asifallcareforthesergeant-majorwasexpectedtobeendedwiththelatedischargeofthecarbines.Itwas,bychance,theverytunetowhichtheyhadbeenfootingwhenhedied,andunabletobearitsnotes,shehastilytoldherdrivertodropbehind.ThebandandmilitarypartydiminisheduptheHighStreet,andSelinaturnedoverSwanbridgeandhomewardtoMellstock.

Thenrecommencedforheralifewhoseincidentswerepreciselyofasuitwiththosewhichhadprecededthesoldier"sreturn;buthowdifferentinherappreciationofthem!Hernarrowmissoftherecoveredrespectabilitytheyhadhopedforfromthattardyeventworkeduponherparentsasanirritant,andafterthefirstweekortwoofhermourningherlifewiththemgrewalmostinsupportable.

Shehadimpulsivelytakentoherselftheweedsofawidow,forsuchsheseemedtoherselftobe,andclothedlittleJohnnyinsableslikewise.Thisassumptionofamoralrelationshiptothedeceased,whichsheassertedtobeonlynotalegalonebytwomostunexpectedaccidents,ledtheoldpeopletoindulgeinsarcasmatherexpensewhenevertheybeheldherattire,thoughallthewhileitcostthemmorepaintoutterthanitgavehertohearit.Havingbecomeaccustomedbyherresidenceathometothebusinesscarriedonbyherfather,shesurprisedthemonedaybygoingoffwiththechildtoChalk-Newton,inthedirectionofthetownofIvell,andopeningaminiaturefruitandvegetableshop,attendingIvellmarketwithherproduce.Herbusinessgrewsomewhatlarger,anditwassoonsufficienttoenablehertosupportherselfandtheboyincomfort.

Shecalledherself"Mrs.JohnClark"fromthedayofleavinghome,andpaintedthenameonhersignboard——nomanforbiddingher.

Bydegreesthepainofherstatewasforgotteninhernewcircumstances,andgettingtobegenerallyacceptedasthewidowofasergeant-majorofdragoons——anassumptionwhichhermodestandmournfuldemeanourseemedtosubstantiate——herlifebecameaplacidone,hermindbeingnourishedbythemelancholyluxuryofdreamingwhatmighthavebeenherfutureinNewZealandwithJohn,ifhehadonlylivedtotakeherthere.HeronlytravelsnowwereajourneytoIvellonmarket-days,andonceafortnighttothechurchyardinwhichClarklay,theretotend,withJohnny"sassistance,aswidowsarewonttodo,theflowersshehadplanteduponhisgrave.

Onadayabouteighteenmonthsafterhisunexpecteddecease,SelinawassurprisedinherlodgingoverherlittleshopbyavisitfromBartholomewMiller.Hehadcalledonheronceortwicebefore,onwhichoccasionshehadusedwithoutawordofcommentthenamebywhichshewasknown.

"I"vecomethistime,"hesaid,"lessbecauseIwasinthisdirectionthantoaskyou,Mrs.Clark,whatyoumidwellguess.I"vecomeo"

purpose,inshort."

Shesmiled.

""Tistoaskmeagaintomarryyou?"