第7章

"Yes,ofcourse.Yousee,hiscomingbackfor"eeprovedwhatI

alwaysbelievedof"ee,thoughothersdidn"t.There"snobodybutwouldbegladtowelcomeyoutoourparishagain,nowyou"veshowedyourindependenceandacteduptoyourtrustinhispromise.Well,mydear,willyoucome?"

"I"dratherbideasMrs.Clark,Ithink,"sheanswered."Iamnotashamedofmypositionatall;forIamJohn"swidowintheeyesofHeaven."

"Iquiteagree——that"swhyI"vecome.Still,youwon"tliketobealwaysstrainingatthisshop-keepingandmarket-standing;and"twouldbebetterforJohnnyifyouhadnothingtodobuttendhim."

HeheretouchedtheonlyweakspotinSelina"sresistancetohisproposal——thegoodoftheboy.Topromotethattherewereothermenshemighthavemarriedoffhandwithoutlovingthemiftheyhadaskedherto;butthoughshehadknowntheworthyspeakerfromheryouth,shecouldnotforthemomentfancyherselfhappyasMrs.Miller.

Hepausedawhile."Ioughttotell"ee,Mrs.Clark,"hesaidbyandby,"thatmarryingisgettingtobeapressingquestionwithme.Notonmyownaccountatall.Thetruthis,thatmotherisgrowingold,andIamawayfromhomeagooddeal,sothatitisalmostnecessarythereshouldbeanotherpersoninthehousewithherbesidesme.

That"sthepracticalconsiderationwhichforcesmetothinkoftakingawife,apartfrommywishtotakeyou;andyouknowthere"snobodyintheworldIcareforsomuch."

Shesaidsomethingabouttherebeingfarbetterwomenthanshe,andothernaturalcommonplaces;butassuredhimshewasmostgratefultohimforfeelingwhathefelt,asindeedshesincerelywas.However,Selinawouldnotconsenttobetheusefulthirdpersoninhiscomfortablehome——atanyratejustthen.Hewentaway,aftertakingteawithher,withoutdiscerningmuchhopeforhiminhergood-bye.

VI

Afterthateveningshesawandheardnothingofhimforagreatwhile.Herfortnightlyjourneystothesergeant-major"sgravewerecontinued,wheneverweatherdidnothinderthem;andMr.Millermusthaveknown,shethought,ofthiscustomofhers.ButthoughthechurchyardwasnotnearlysofarfromhishomesteadaswashershopatChalk-Newton,heneverappearedintheaccidentalwaythatloversuse.

Anexplanationwasforthcomingintheshapeofaletterfromhermother,whocasuallymentionedthatMr.BartholomewMillerhadgoneawaytotheothersideofShottsford-Forumtobemarriedtoathrivingdairyman"sdaughterthatheknewthere.Hischiefmotive,itwasreported,hadbeenlessoneoflovethanawishtoprovideacompanionforhisagedmother.

Selinawaspracticalenoughtoknowthatshehadlostagoodandpossiblytheonlyopportunityofsettlinginlifeafterwhathadhappened,andforamomentsheregrettedherindependence.Butshebecamecalmonreflection,andtofortifyherselfinhercoursestartedthatafternoontotendthesergeant-major"sgrave,inwhichshetookthesamesoberpleasureasatfirst.

Onreachingthechurchyardandturningthecornertowardsthespotasusual,shewassurprisedtoperceiveanotherwoman,alsoapparentlyarespectablewidow,andwithatinyboybyherside,bendingoverClark"sturf,andspuddingupwiththepointofherumbrellasomeivy-rootsthatSelinahadreverentlyplantedtheretoformanevergreenmantleoverthemound.

"Whatareyoudiggingupmyivyfor!"criedSelina,rushingforwardsoexcitedlythatJohnnytumbledoveragravewiththeforceofthetugshegavehishandinhersuddenstart.

"Yourivy?"saidtherespectablewoman.

"Whyyes!Iplanteditthere——onmyhusband"sgrave."

"YOURhusband"s!"

"Yes.ThelateSergeant-MajorClark.Anyhow,asgoodasmyhusband,forhewasjustgoingtobe."

"Indeed.Butwhomaybemyhusband,ifnothe?IamtheonlyMrs.

JohnClark,widowofthelateSergeant-MajorofDragoons,andthisishisonlysonandheir."

"Howcanthatbe?"falteredSelina,herthroatseemingtosticktogetherasshejustbegantoperceiveitspossibility."Hehadbeen——goingtomarrymetwice——andweweregoingtoNewZealand."

"Ah!——Irememberaboutyou,"returnedthelegitimatewidowcalmlyandnotunkindly."YoumustbeSelina;hespokeofyounowandthen,andsaidthathisrelationswithyouwouldalwaysbeaweightonhisconscience.Well;thehistoryofmylifewithhimissoontold.

WhenhecamebackfromtheCrimeahebecameacquaintedwithmeatmyhomeinthenorth,andweweremarriedwithinamonthoffirstknowingeachother.Unfortunately,afterlivingtogetherafewmonths,wecouldnotagree;andafteraparticularlysharpquarrel,inwhich,perhaps,Iwasmostinthewrong——asIdon"tmindowningherebyhisgraveside——hewentawayfromme,declaringhewouldbuyhisdischargeandemigratetoNewZealand,andnevercomebacktomeanymore.ThenextthingIheardwasthathehaddiedsuddenlyatMellstockatsomelowcarouse;andashehadleftmeinsuchangertolivenomorewithme,Iwouldn"tcomedowntohisfuneral,ordoanythinginrelationtohim."Twastemper,Iknow,butthatwasthefact.Evenifwehadpartedfriendsitwouldhavebeenaseriousexpensetotravelthreehundredmilestogetthere,foronewhowasn"tleftsoverywelloffIamsorryIpulledupyourivy-

roots;butthatcommonsortofivyisconsideredaweedinmypartofthecountry."

December1899.

ATRYSTATANANCIENTEARTHWORK

Atone"severystepforwarditriseshigheragainstthesouthsky,withanobtrusivepersonalitythatcompelsthesensestoregarditandconsider.Theeyesmaybendinanotherdirection,butneverwithouttheconsciousnessofitsheavy,high-shoulderedpresenceatitspointofvantage.Acrosstheinterveninglevelsthegaleracesinastraightlinefromthefort,asifbreathedoutofithitherward.Withtheshiftingofthecloudsthefacesofthesteepsvaryincolourandinshade,broadlightsappearingwheremistandvaguenesshadprevailed,dissolvingintheirturnintomelancholygray,whichspreadsoverandeclipsestheluminousbluffs.Inthisso-thoughtimmutablespectacleallischange.

Outoftheinvisiblemarineregionontheothersidebirdssoarsuddenlyintotheair,andhangoverthesummitsoftheheightswiththeindifferenceoflongfamiliarity.Theirformsarewhiteagainstthetawnyconcaveofcloud,andthecurvestheyexhibitintheirfloatingsignifythattheyaresea-gullswhichhavejourneyedinlandfromexpectedstressofweather.Asthebirdsrisebehindthefort,sodothecloudsrisebehindthebirds,almostasitseems,strokingwiththeirbaggingbosomstheuppermostflyers.

Theprofileofthewholestupendousruin,asseenatadistanceofamileeastward,iscleanlycutasthatofamarbleinlay.Itisvariedwithprotuberances,whichfromhereaboutshavetheanimalaspectofwarts,wens,knuckles,andhips.Itmayindeedbelikenedtoanenormousmany-limbedorganismofanantediluviantime——

partakingofthecephalopodinshape——lyinglifeless,andcoveredwithathingreencloth,whichhidesitssubstance,whilerevealingitscontour.Thisdullgreenmantleofherbagestretchesdowntowardsthelevels,wheretheploughshaveessayedforcenturiestocreepupnearandyetnearertothebaseofthecastle,buthavealwaysstoppedshortbeforereachingit.Thefurrowsoftheseenvironingattemptsshowthemselvesdistinctly,bendingtotheinclineastheytrenchuponit;mountinginsteepercurves,tillthesteepnessbafflesthem,andtheirparallelthreadsshowlikethestriaeofwavespausingonthecurl.Thepeculiarplaceofwhichthesearesomeofthefeaturesis"Mai-Dun,""TheCastleoftheGreatHill,"saidtobetheDuniumofPtolemy,thecapitaloftheDurotriges,whicheventuallycameintoRomanoccupation,andwasfinallydesertedontheirwithdrawalfromtheisland.

Theeveningisfollowedbyanightonwhichaninvisiblemoonbestowsasubdued,yetpervasivelight——withoutradiance,aswithoutblackness.FromthespotwhereonIamensconcedinacottage,amileaway,theforthasnowceasedtobevisible;yet,asbyday,toanybodywhosethoughtshavebeenengagedwithitanditsbarbarousgrandeursofpasttimetheformassertsitsexistencebehindthenightgauzesaspersistentlyasifithadavoice.Moreover,thesouth-westwindcontinuestofeedtheinterveningarableflatswithvapoursbroughtdirectlyfromitssides.

Themidnighthourforwhichtherehasbeenoccasiontowaitatlengtharrives,andIjourneytowardsthestrongholdinobediencetoarequesturgedearlierintheday.Itconcernsanappointment,whichIratherregretmydecisiontokeepnowthatnightiscome.Theroutethitherishedgelessandtreeless——Ineednotadddeserted.

Themoonlightissufficienttodisclosethepaleriband-likesurfaceofthewayasittrailsalongbetweentheexpansesofdarkerfallow.

Thoughtheroadpassesnearthefortressitdoesnotconductdirectlytoitsfronts.Astheplaceiswithoutaninhabitant,soitiswithoutatrackway.Sopresentlyleavingthemacadamizedroadtopursueitscourseelsewhither,Istepoffuponthefallow,andplodstumblinglyacrossit.Thecastleloomsoutofftheshadebydegrees,likeathingwakingupandaskingwhatIwantthere.Itisnowsoenlargedbynearnessthatitswholeshapecannotbetakeninatoneview.Theploughedgroundendsastherisesharpens,theslopingbasementofgrassbegins,andIclimbupwardtoinvadeMai-

Dun.

ImpressivebydayasthislargestAncient-Britishworkinthekingdomundoubtedlyis,itsimpressivenessisincreasednow.Afterstandingstillandspendingafewminutesinaddingitsagetoitssize,anditssizetoitssolitude,itbecomesappallinglymournfulinitsgrowingcloseness.Asquallywindblowsinthefacewithanimpactwhichproclaimsthatthevapoursoftheairsaillowto-night.TheslopethatIsolaboriouslyclamberupthewindskipssportivelydown.Itstrackcanbediscernedeveninthislightbytheundulationsofthewitheredgrass-bents——theonlyproduceofthisuplandsummitexceptmoss.Fourminutesofascent,andavantage-

groundofsomesortisgained.Itisonlythecrestoftheouterrampart.Immediatelywithinthisachasmgapes;itsbottomisimperceptible,butthecounterscarpslopesnottoosteeplytoadmitofaslidingdescentifcautiouslyperformed.Theshadybottom,dankandchilly,isthusgained,andrevealsitselfasakindofwindinglane,wideenoughforawaggontopassalong,flooredwithrankherbage,andtrendingaway,rightandleft,intoobscurity,betweentheconcentricwallsofearth.Thetoweringclosenessoftheseoneachhand,theirimpenetrability,andtheirponderousness,arefeltasaphysicalpressure.Thewayisnowupthesecondofthem,whichstandssteeperandhigherthanthefirst.Toturnaside,asdidChristian"scompanion,fromsuchaHillDifficulty,isthemorenaturaltendency;butthewaytotheinteriorisupward.Thereis,ofcourse,anentrancetothefortress;butthatliesfaroffontheotherside.Itmightpossiblyhavebeenthewisercoursetoseekforeasieringressthere.

However,beinghere,Iascendthesecondacclivity.Thegrassstems——

thegreybeardofthehill——swayinamassclosetomystoopingface.Thedeadheadsofthesevariousgrasses——fescues,fox-tails,andryes——bobandtwitchasifpulledbyastringunderground.Fromafewthistlesawhistlingproceeds;andeventhemossspeaks,initshumbleway,underthestressoftheblast.

Thatthesummitofthesecondlineofdefencehasbeengainedissuddenlymadeknownbyacontrastingwindfromanewquarter,comingoverwiththecurveofacascade.Thesenovelgustsraiseasoundfromthewholecamporcastle,playinguponitbodilyasuponaharp.

Itiswithsomedifficultythatafootholdcanbepreservedundertheirsweep.LookingaloftforamomentIperceivethattheskyismuchmoreovercastthanithasbeenhitherto,andinafewinstantsadeadlullinwhatisnowagaleensueswithalmostpreternaturalabruptness.Itakeadvantageofthistosidledownthesecondcounterscarp,butbythetimetheditchisreachedthelullrevealsitselftobebuttheprecursorofastorm.Itbeginswithaheaveofthewholeatmosphere,likethesighofawearystrongmanonturningtore-commenceunusualexertion,justasIstandhereinthesecondfosse.Thatwhichnowradiatesfromtheskyuponthesceneisnotsomuchlightasvaporousphosphorescence.

Thewind,quickening,abandonsthenaturaldirectionithaspursuedontheopenupland,andtakesthecourseofthegorge"slength,rushingalongthereinhelter-skelter,andcarryingthickrainuponitsback.Therainisfollowedbyhailstoneswhichflythroughthedefileinbattalions——rolling,hopping,ricochetting,snapping,clatteringdowntheshelvingbanksinanundefinablehazeofconfusion.Theearthensidesofthefosseseemtoquiverunderthedrenchingonset,thoughitispracticallynomoretothemthantheblowsofThoruponthegiantofJotun-land.Itisimpossibletoproceedfurthertillthestormsomewhatabates,andIdrawupbehindaspuroftheinnerscarp,wherepossiblyabarricadestoodtwothousandyearsago;andthusawaitevents.

Theroarofthestormcanbeheardtravellingthecompletecircuitofthecastle——ameasuredmile——comingroundatintervalslikeacircumambulatingcolumnofinfantry.Doubtlesssuchacolumnhaspassedthiswayinitstime,buttheonlycolumnswhichenterintheselatterdaysarethecolumnsofsheepandoxenthataresometimesseenherenow;whiletheonlysemblanceofheroicvoicesheardaretheutterancesofsuch,andofthemanywindswhichmaketheirpassagethroughtheravines.

Theexpectedlightningradiatesround,andarumblingasfromitssubterraneanvaults——ifthereareany——fillsthecastle.Thelightningrepeatsitself,and,comingaftertheaforesaidthoughtsofmartialmen,itbearsafancifulresemblancetoswordsmovingincombat.Ithastheverybrassyhueoftheancientweaponsthatherewereused.Thesosuddenentryuponthesceneofthismetallicflameisastheentryofapresidingexhibitorwhounrollsthemaps,uncurtainsthepictures,unlocksthecabinets,andeffectsatransformationbymerelyexposingthematerialsofhisscience,unintelligiblycloakedtillthen.Theabruptconfigurationofthebluffsandmoundsisnowforthefirsttimeclearlyrevealed——moundswhereon,doubtless,spearsandshieldshavefrequentlylainwhiletheirownersloosenedtheirsandalsandyawnedandstretchedtheirarmsinthesun.Forthefirsttime,too,aglimpseisobtainableofthetrueentranceusedbyitsoccupantsofold,somewayahead.

There,whereallpassagehasseemedtobeinviolablybarredbyanalmostverticalfacade,therampartsarefoundtooverlapeachotherlikelooselyclaspedfingers,betweenwhichazigzagpathmaybefollowed——acunningconstructionthatpuzzlestheuninformedeye.

Butitscunning,evenwherenotobscuredbydilapidation,isnowwastedonthesolitaryformsofafewwildbadgers,rabbits,andhares.MenmusthaveoftengoneoutbythosegatesinthemorningtobattlewiththeRomanlegionsunderVespasian;sometoreturnnomore,otherstocomebackatevening,bringingwiththemthenoiseoftheirheroicdeeds.Butnotapage,notastone,haspreservedtheirfame.

Acousticperceptionsmultiplyto-night.Wecanalmosthearthestreamofyearsthathavebornethosedeedsawayfromus.Strangearticulationsseemtofloatontheairfromthatpoint,thegateway,wheretheanimationinpasttimesmustfrequentlyhaveconcentrateditselfathoursofcomingandgoing,andgeneralexcitement.Therearisesanineradicablefancythattheyarehumanvoices;ifso,theymustbethelingeringair-bornevibrationsofconversationsutteredatleastfifteenhundredyearsago.Theattentionisattractedfrommerenebulousimaginingsaboutyonderspotbyarealmovingofsomethingcloseathand.

Irecognizebythenowmoderateflashesoflightning,whicharesheet-likeandnearlycontinuous,thatitisthegradualelevationofasmallmoundofearth.Atfirstnolargerthanaman"sfistitreachesthedimensionsofahat,thensinksalittleandisstill.

Itisbuttheheavingofamolewhochoosessuchweatherasthistoworkinfromsomeinstinctthattherewillbenobodyabroadtomolesthim.Asthefineearthliftsandliftsandfallslooselyasidefragmentsofburntclayrolloutofit——claythatonceformedpartofcupsorothervesselsusedbytheinhabitantsofthefortress.

Theviolenceofthestormhasbeencounterbalancedbyitstransitoriness.Frombeingimmersedinwell-nighsolidmediaofcloudandhailshotwithlightning,Ifindmyselfuncoveredofthehumidinvestitureandleftbaretothemildgazeofthemoon,whichsparklesnowoneverywetgrass-bladeandfrondofmoss.

ButIamnotyetinsidethefort,andthedelayedascentofthethirdandlastescarpmentisnowmade.Itissteeperthaneither.Thefirstwasasurfacetowalkup,thesecondtostaggerup,thethirdcanonlybeascendedonthehandsandtoes.Onthesummitobtrudesthefirstevidencewhichhasbeenmetwithintheseprecinctsthatthetimeisreallythenineteenthcentury;itisintheformofawhitenotice-boardonapost,andthewordingcanjustbediscernedbytheraysofthesettingmoon:

CAUTION——AnyPersonfoundremovingRelics,Skeletons,Stones,Pottery,Tiles,orotherMaterialfromthisEarthwork,orcuttinguptheGround,willbeProsecutedastheLawdirects.

Hereoneobservesadifferenceunderfootfromwhathasgonebefore:

scrapsofRomantileandstonechippingsprotrudethroughthegrassinmeagrequantity,butsufficienttosuggestthatmasonrystoodonthespot.Beforetheeyestretchesunderthemoonlighttheinteriorofthefort.Soopenandsolargeisitastobepracticallyanuplandplateau,andyetitsarealieswhollywithinthewallsofwhatmaybedesignatedasonebuilding.Itisalong-violatedretreat;

allitscorner-stones,plinths,andarchitraveswerecarriedawaytobuildneighbouringvillagesevenbeforemediaevalormodernhistorybegan.Manyablockwhichoncemayhavehelpedtoformabastionhererestsnowinbrokenanddiminishedshapeaspartofthechimney-

cornerofsomeshepherd"scottagewithinthedistanthorizon,andthecorner-stonesofthisheathenaltarmayformthebase-courseofsomeadjoiningvillagechurch.

Yettheverybarenessoftheseinnercourtsandwards,theirconditionofmerepasturage,protectswhatremainsofthemasnodefencescoulddo.Nothingisleftvisiblethatthehandscanseizeonortheweatheroverturn,andapermanenceofgeneraloutlineatleastresults,whichnootherconditioncouldensure.

Thepositionofthecastleonthisisolatedhillbespeaksdeliberateandstrategicchoiceexercisedbysomeremotemindcapableofprospectivereasoningtoafarextent.Thenaturalconfigurationofthesurroundingcountryanditsbearinguponsuchastrongholdwereobviouslylongconsideredandviewedmentallybeforeitsextensivedesignwascarriedintoexecution.Whowasthemanthatsaid,"Letitbebuilthere!"——notonthathillyonder,oronthatridgebehind,butonthisbestspotofall?WhetherheweresomegreatoneoftheBelgae,oroftheDurotriges,orthetravellingengineerofBritain"sunitedtribes,mustforeverremaintime"ssecret;hisformcannotberealized,norhiscountenance,northetonguethathespoke,whenhesetdownhisfootwithathudandsaid,"Letitbehere!"

Withintheinnermostenclosure,thoughitissowidethatatasuperficialglancethebeholderhasonlyasenseofstandingonabreezydown,thesolitudeisrenderedyetmoresolitarybytheknowledgethatbetweenthebenightedsojournerhereinandallkindredhumanityarethosethreeconcentricwallsofearthwhichnobeingwouldthinkofscalingonsuchanightasthis,evenwerehetohearthemostpatheticcriesissuinghencethatcouldbeutteredbyaspectre-chasedsoul.Ireachacentralmoundorplatform——thecrownandaxisofthewholestructure.Theviewfromherebydaymustbeofalmostlimitlessextent.Onthisraisedfloor,dais,orrostrum,harpshaveprobablytwangedmoreorlesstunefulnotesincelebrationofdaring,strength,orcruelty;ofworship,superstition,love,birth,anddeath;ofsimpleloving-kindnessperhapsnever.Manyatimemustthekingorleaderhavedirectedhiskeeneyeshenceacrosstheopenlandstowardstheancientroad,theIceningWay,stillvisibleinthedistance,onthewatchforarmedcompaniesapproachingeithertosuccourortoattack.

Iamstartledbyavoicepronouncingmyname.Pastandpresenthavebecomesoconfusedlymingledundertheassociationsofthespotthatforatimeithasescapedmymemorythatthismoundwastheplaceagreedonfortheaforesaidappointment.Iturnandbeholdmyfriend.Hestandswithadarklanterninhishandandaspadeandlightpickaxeoverhisshoulder.HeexpressesbothdelightandsurprisethatIhavecome.ItellhimIhadsetoutbeforethebadweatherbegan.

He,towhomneitherweather,darkness,nordifficultyseemstohaveanyrelationorsignificance,soentirelyishissoulwrappedupinhisowndeepintentions,asksmetotakethelanternandaccompanyhim.Itakeitandwalkbyhisside.Heisamanaboutsixty,smallinfigure,withgreyold-fashionedwhiskerscuttotheshapeofapairofcrumb-brushes.Heisentirelyinblackbroadcloth——orrather,atpresent,blackandbrown,forheisbespatteredwithmudfromhisheelstothecrownofhislowhat.Hehasnoconsciousnessofthis——nosenseofanythingbuthispurpose,hisardourforwhichcauseshiseyestoshinelikethoseofalynx,andgiveshismotions,alltheelasticityofanathlete"s.

"Nobodytointerruptusatthistimeofnight!"hechuckleswithfierceenjoyment.

Weretreatalittlewayandfindasortofangle,anelevationinthesod,asuggestedsquarenessamidthemassofirregularitiesaround.

Here,hetellsme,ifanywhere,theking"shousestood.Threemonthsofmeasurementandcalculationhaveconfirmedhiminthisconclusion.

Herequestsmenowtoopenthelantern,whichIdo,andthelightstreamsoutuponthewetsod.AtlastdivininghisproceedingsIsaythatIhadnoidea,inkeepingthetryst,thathewasgoingtodomoreatsuchanunusualtimethanmeetmeforameditativeramblethroughthestronghold.Iaskhimwhy,havingapracticableobject,heshouldhavemindedinterruptionsandnothavechosentheday?Heinformsme,quietlypointingtohisspade,thatitwasbecausehispurposeistodig,thensignifyingwithagrimnodthegauntnotice-

postagainsttheskybeyond.Iinquirewhy,asaprofessedandwell-

knownantiquarywithcapitallettersatthetailofhisname,hedidnotobtainthenecessaryauthority,consideringthestringentpenaltiesforthissortofthing;andhechucklesfiercelyagainwithsuppresseddelight,andsays,"Becausetheywouldn"thavegivenit!"

Heatoncebeginscuttingupthesod,and,ashetakesthepickaxetofollowonwith,assuresmethat,penaltyornopenalty,honestmenormarauders,heissureofonething,thatweshallnotbedisturbedatourworktillafterdawn.

Iremembertohaveheardofmenwho,intheirenthusiasmforsomespecialscience,art,orhobby,havequitelostthemoralsensewhichwouldrestrainthemfromindulgingitillegitimately;andI

conjecturethathere,atlast,isaninstanceofsuchanone.Heprobablyguessesthewaymythoughtstravel,forhestandsupandsolemnlyassertsthathehasadistinctlyjustifiableintentioninthismatter;namely,touncover,tosearch,toverifyatheoryordisplaceit,andtocoverupagain.Hemeanstotakeawaynothing——

notagrainofsand.Inthishesaysheseesnosuchmonstroussin.

Iinquireifthisisreallyapromisetome?Herepeatsthatitisapromise,andresumesdigging.Mycontributiontothelabouristhatofdirectingthelightconstantlyuponthehole.Whenhehasreachedsomethingmorethanafootdeephedigsmorecautiously,sayingthat,beitmuchorlittlethere,itwillnotliefarbelowthesurface;

suchthingsneveraredeep.Afewminuteslaterthepointofthepickaxeclicksuponastonysubstance.Hedrawstheimplementoutasfeelinglyasifithadenteredaman"sbody.Takingupthespadeheshovelswithcare,andasurface,levelasanaltar,ispresentlydisclosed.Hiseyesflashanew;hepullshandfulsofgrassandmopsthesurfaceclean,finallyrubbingitwithhishandkerchief.

Graspingthelanternfrommyhandheholdsitclosetotheground,whentheraysrevealacompletemosaic——apavementofminutetesseraeofmanycolours,ofintricatepattern,aworkofmuchart,ofmuchtime,andofmuchindustry.Heexclaimsinashoutthatheknewitalways——thatitisnotaCelticstrongholdexclusively,butalsoaRoman;theformerpeoplehavingprobablycontributedlittlemorethantheoriginalframeworkwhichthelattertookandadaptedtillitbecamethepresentimposingstructure.

Iask,WhatifitisRoman?

Agreatdeal,accordingtohim.Thatitprovesalltheworldtobewronginthisgreatargument,andhimselfalonetoberight!CanI

waitwhilehedigsfurther?

Iagree——reluctantly;buthedoesnotnoticemyreluctance.Atanadjoiningspothebeginsflourishingthetoolsanewwiththeskillofanavvy,thisvenerablescholarwithlettersafterhisname.

Sometimeshefallsonhisknees,burrowingwithhishandsinthemannerofahare,andwherehisold-fashionedbroadclothtouchesthesidesoftheholeitgetsplasteredwiththedampearth.Hecontinuallymurmurstohimselfhowimportant,howveryimportant,thisdiscoveryis!Hedrawsoutanobject;wewashitinthesameprimitivewaybyrubbingitwiththewetgrass,anditprovestobeasemi-transparentbottleofiridescentbeauty,thesightofwhichdrawsgroansofluxurioussensibilityfromthedigger.Furtherandfurthersearchbringsoutapieceofaweapon.Itisstrangeindeedthatbymerelypeelingoffawrapperofmodernaccumulationswehaveloweredourselvesintoanancientworld.Finallyaskeletonisuncovered,fairlyperfect.Helaysitoutonthegrass,bonetoitsbone.

Myfriendsaysthemanmusthavefallenfightinghere,asthisisnoplaceofburial.Heturnsagaintothetrench,scrapes,feels,tillfromacornerhedrawsoutaheavylump——asmallimagefourorfiveincheshigh.Wecleanitasbefore.Itisastatuette,apparentlyofgold,or,moreprobably,ofbronze-gilt——afigureofMercury,obviously,itsheadbeingsurmountedwiththepetasusorwingedhat,theusualaccessoryofthatdeity.Furtherinspectionrevealstheworkmanshiptobeofgoodfinishanddetail,and,preservedbythelimyearth,tobeasfreshineverylineasonthedayitleftthehandsofitsartificer.

WeseemtobestandingintheRomanForumandnotonahillinWessex.Intentuponthistrulyvaluablerelicoftheoldempireofwhicheventhisremotespotwasacomponentpart,wedonotnoticewhatisgoingoninthepresentworldtillremindedofitbythesuddenrenewalofthestorm.LookingupIperceivethatthewideextinguisherofcloudhasagainsettleddownuponthefortress-town,asifrestingupontheedgeoftheinnerrampart,andshuttingoutthemoon.Iturnmybacktothetempest,stilldirectingthelightacrossthehole.Mycompaniondigsonunconcernedly;heislivingtwothousandyearsago,anddespisesthingsofthemomentasdreams.

Butatlastheisfairlybeaten,andstandingupbesidemelooksroundonwhathehasdone.Theraysofthelanternpassoverthetrenchtothetallskeletonstretcheduponthegrassontheotherside.Thebeatingrainhaswashedthebonescleanandsmooth,andtheforehead,cheek-bones,andtwo-and-thirtyteethoftheskullglisteninthecandle-shineastheylie.

Thisstorm,likethefirst,isofthenatureofasquall,anditendsasabruptlyastheother.Wedignofurther.Myfriendsaysthatitisenough——hehasprovedhispoint.Heturnstoreplacethebonesinthetrenchandcoversthem.Buttheyfalltopiecesunderhistouch:

theairhasdisintegratedthem,andhecanonlysweepinthefragments.Thenextactofhisplanismorethandifficult,butiscarriedout.Thetreasuresareinhumedagainintheirrespectiveholes:theyarenotours.Eachdepositionseemstocosthimatwinge;andatonemomentIfanciedIsawhimsliphishandintohiscoatpocket.

"Wemustre-burythemALL,"sayI.

"Oyes,"heanswerswithintegrity."Iwaswipingmyhand."

Thebeautiesofthetesselatedfloorofthegovernor"shouseareonceagainconsignedtodarkness;thetrenchisfilledup;thesodlaidsmoothlydown;hewipestheperspirationfromhisforeheadwiththesamehandkerchiefhehadusedtomoptheskeletonandtesseraeclean;

andwemakefortheeasterngateofthefortress.

Dawnburstsuponussuddenlyaswereachtheopening.Itcomesbytheliftingandthinningofthecloudsthatwaytillwearebathedinapinklight.Thedirectionofhishomewardjourneyisnotthesameasmine,andwepartundertheouterslope.

WalkingalongquicklytorestorewarmthImuseuponmyeccentricfriend,andcannothelpaskingmyselfthisquestion:DidhereallyreplacethegildedimageofthegodMercuriuswiththerestofthetreasures?Heseemedtodoso;andyetIcouldnottestifytothefact.Probably,however,hewasasgoodashisword.

***

ItwasthusIspoketomyself,andsotheadventureended.Butonethingremainstobetold,andthatisconcernedwithsevenyearsafter.Amongtheeffectsofmyfriend,atthattimejustdeceased,wasfound,carefullypreserved,agiltstatuetterepresentingMercury,labelled"DebasedRoman."Norecordwasattachedtoexplainhowitcameintohispossession.ThefigurewasbequeathedtotheCasterbridgeMuseum.

DetroitPost,March1885.

WHATTHESHEPHERDSAW:ATALEOFFOURMOONLIGHTNIGHTS

ThegenialJusticeofthePeace——now,alas,nomore——whomadehimselfresponsibleforthefactsofthisstory,usedtobegininthegoodold-fashionedwaywithabrightmoonlightnightandamysteriousfigure,anexcellentstrokeforanopening,eventothisday,ifwellfollowedup.

TheChristmasmoon(hewouldsay)wasshowinghercoldfacetotheupland,theuplandreflectingtheradianceinfrost-sparklessominuteasonlytobediscerniblebyaneyenearathand.Thiseye,hesaid,wastheeyeofashepherdlad,youngforhisoccupation,whostoodwithinawheeledhutofthekindcommonlyinuseamongsheep-

keepersduringtheearlylambingseason,andwasabstractedlylookingthroughtheloopholeatthescenewithout.

ThespotwascalledLambingCorner,anditwasashelteredportionofthatwideexpanseofroughpasturelandknownastheMarlburyDowns,whichyoudirectlytraversewhenfollowingtheturnpike-roadacrossMid-WessexfromLondon,throughAldbrickham,inthedirectionofBathandBristol.Here,wherethehutstood,thelandwashighanddry,open,excepttothenorth,andcommandinganundulatingviewformiles.Onthenorthsidegrewatallbeltofcoarsefurze,withenormousstalks,aclumpofthesamestandingdetachedinfrontofthegeneralmass.Theclumpwashollow,andtheinteriorhadbeeningeniouslytakenadvantageofasapositionforthebefore-mentionedhut,whichwasthuscompletelyscreenedfromwinds,andalmostinvisible,exceptthroughthenarrowapproach.Butthefurzetwigshadbeencutawayfromthetwolittlewindowsofthehut,thattheoccupiermightkeephiseyeonhissheep.

Intherear,theshelteraffordedbythebeltoffurzebusheswasartificiallyimprovedbyaninclosureofuprightstakes,interwovenwithboughsofthesamepricklyvegetation,andwithintheinclosurelayarenownedMarlbury-Downbreedingflockofeighthundredewes.

Tothesouth,inthedirectionoftheyoungshepherd"sidlegaze,thereroseoneconspicuousobjectabovetheuniformmoonlitplateau,andonlyone.ItwasaDruidicaltrilithon,consistingofthreeoblongstonesintheformofadoorway,twoonend,andoneacrossasalintel.Eachstonehadbeenworn,scratched,washed,nibbled,split,andotherwiseattackedbytenthousanddifferentweathers;butnowtheblockslookedshapelyandlittletheworseforwear,sobeautifullyweretheysilveredoverbythelightofthemoon.TheruinwaslocallycalledtheDevil"sDoor.

Anoldshepherdpresentlyenteredthehutfromthedirectionoftheewes,andlookedaroundinthegloom."Beyesleepy?"heaskedincrossaccentsoftheboy.

Theladrepliedrathertimidlyinthenegative.

"Then,"saidtheshepherd,"I"llgetmehome-along,andrestforafewhours.There"snothingtobedoneherenowasIcansee.Theewescanwantnomoretendingtilldaybreak——"tisbeyondtheboundsofreasonthattheycan.Butastheorderisthatoneofusmustbide,I"llleave"ee,d"yehear.Youcansleepbyday,andIcan"t.

Andyoucanbedowntomyhouseintenminutesifanythingshouldhappen.Ican"tafford"eecandle;but,as"tisChristmasweek,andthetimethatfolkshavehollerdays,youcanenjoyyerselfbyfallingasleepabitinthechairinsteadofbidingawakeallthetime.Butmind,notlongeratoncethanwhiletheshadeoftheDevil"sDoormovesacoupleofspans,foryoumustkeepaneyeupontheewes."

Theboymadenodefinitereply,andtheoldman,stirringthefireinthestovewithhiscrook-stem,closedthedooruponhiscompanionandvanished.

Asthishadbeenmoreorlessthecourseofeventseverynightsincetheseason"slambinghadsetin,theboywasnotatallsurprisedatthecharge,andamusedhimselfforsometimebylightingstrawsatthestove.Hethenwentouttotheewesandnew-bornlambs,re-

entered,satdown,andfinallyfellasleep.Thiswashiscustomarymannerofperforminghiswatch,forthoughspecialpermissionfornapshadthisweekbeenaccorded,hehad,asamatteroffact,donethesamethingoneveryprecedingnight,sleepingoftentillawakenedbyasmackontheshoulderatthreeorfourinthemorningfromthecrook-stemoftheoldman.

Itmighthavebeenabouteleveno"clockwhenheawoke.Hewassosurprisedatawakingwithout,apparently,beingcalledorstruck,thatonsecondthoughtsheassumedthatsomebodymusthavecalledhiminspiteofappearances,andlookedoutofthehutwindowtowardsthesheep.Theyalllayasquietaswhenhehadvisitedthem,verylittlebleatingbeingaudible,andnohumansouldisturbingthescene.Henextlookedfromtheoppositewindow,andherethecasewasdifferent.Thefrost-facetsglistenedunderthemoonasbefore;

anoccasionalfurzebushshowedasadarkspotonthesame;andintheforegroundstoodtheghostlyformofthetrilithon.Butinfrontofthetrilithonstoodaman.

Thathewasnottheshepherdoranyoneofthefarmlabourerswasapparentinamoment"sobservation,——hisdressbeingadarksuit,andhisfigureofslenderbuildandgracefulcarriage.Hewalkedbackwardsandforwardsinfrontofthetrilithon.

Theshepherdladhadhardlydonespeculatingonthestrangenessoftheunknown"spresencehereatsuchanhour,whenhesawasecondfigurecrossingtheopenswardtowardsthelocalityofthetrilithonandfurze-clumpthatscreenedthehut.Thissecondpersonagewasawoman;andimmediatelyonsightofherthemalestrangerhastenedforward,meetingherjustinfrontofthehutwindow.Beforesheseemedtobeawareofhisintentionheclaspedherinhisarms.

Theladyreleasedherselfanddrewbackwithsomedignity.

"Youhavecome,Harriet——blessyouforit!"heexclaimed,fervently.

"Butnotforthis,"sheanswered,inoffendedaccents.Andthen,moregood-naturedly,"Ihavecome,Fred,becauseyouentreatedmeso!

Whatcanhavebeentheobjectofyourwritingsuchaletter?I

fearedImightbedoingyougrievousillbystayingaway.Howdidyoucomehere?"

"Iwalkedallthewayfrommyfather"s."

"Well,whatisit?Howhaveyoulivedsincewelastmet?"

"Butroughly;youmighthaveknownthatwithoutasking.IhaveseenmanylandsandmanyfacessinceIlastwalkedthesedowns,butIhaveonlythoughtofyou."

"Isitonlytotellmethisthatyouhavesummonedmesostrangely?"

Apassingbreezeblewawaythemurmurofthereplyandseveralsucceedingsentences,tilltheman"svoiceagainbecameaudibleinthewords,"Harriet——truthbetweenustwo!IhaveheardthattheDukedoesnottreatyoutoowell."

"Heiswarm-tempered,butheisagoodhusband."

"Hespeaksroughlytoyou,andsometimeseventhreatenstolockyououtofdoors."

"Onlyonce,Fred!Onmyhonour,onlyonce.TheDukeisafairlygoodhusband,Irepeat.Butyoudeservepunishmentforthisnight"strickofdrawingmeout.Whatdoesitmean?"

"Harriet,dearest,isthisfairorhonest?Isitnotnotoriousthatyourlifewithhimisasadone——that,inspiteofthesweetnessofyourtemper,thesournessofhisembittersyourdays.IhavecometoknowifIcanhelpyou.YouareaDuchess,andIamFredOgbourne;

butitisnotimpossiblethatImaybeabletohelpyouByGod!

thesweetnessofthattongueoughttokeephimcivil,especiallywhenthereisaddedtoitthesweetnessofthatface!"

"CaptainOgbourne!"sheexclaimed,withanemphasisofplayfulfear.

"Howcansuchacomradeofmyyouthbehavetomeasyoudo?Don"tspeakso,andstareatmeso!Isthisreallyallyouhavetosay?I

seeIoughtnottohavecome."Twasthoughtlesslydone."

Anotherbreezebrokethethreadofdiscourseforatime.

"Verywell.Iperceiveyouaredeadandlosttome,"hecouldnextbeheardtosay,""CaptainOgbourne"provesthat.AsIoncelovedyouIloveyounow,Harriet,withoutonejotofabatement;butyouarenotthewomanyouwere——youoncewerehonesttowardsme;andnowyouconcealyourheartinmade-upspeeches.Letitbe:Icanneverseeyouagain."

"Youneednotsaythatinsuchatragedytone,yousilly.Youmayseemeinanordinaryway——whyshouldyounot?But,ofcourse,notinsuchawayasthis.Ishouldnothavecomenow,ifithadnothappenedthattheDukeisawayfromhome,sothatthereisnobodytocheckmyerraticimpulses."

"Whendoeshereturn?"

"Thedayafterto-morrow,orthedayafterthat."

"Thenmeetmeagainto-morrownight."

"No,Fred,Icannot."

"Ifyoucannotto-morrownight,youcanthenightafter;oneofthetwobeforehecomespleasebestowonme.Now,yourhanduponit!

To-morrowornextnightyouwillseemetobidmefarewell!"HeseizedtheDuchess"shand.

"No,butFred——letgomyhand!Whatdoyoumeanbyholdingmeso?

Ifitbelovetoforgetallrespecttoawoman"spresentpositioninthinkingofherpast,thenyoursmaybeso,Frederick.Itisnotkindandgentleofyoutoinducemetocometothisplaceforpityofyou,andthentoholdmetighthere."

"Butseemeoncemore!Ihavecometwothousandmilestoaskit."

"O,Imustnot!Therewillbeslanders——Heavenknowswhat!Icannotmeetyou.Forthesakeofoldtimesdon"taskit."

"Thenowntwothingstome;thatyoudidlovemeonce,andthatyourhusbandisunkindtoyouoftenenoughnowtomakeyouthinkofthetimewhenyoucaredforme."

"Yes——Iownthemboth,"sheansweredfaintly."Butowningsuchasthattellsagainstme;andIsweartheinferenceisnottrue."

"Don"tsaythat;foryouhavecome——letmethinkthereasonofyourcomingwhatIliketothinkit.Itcandoyounoharm.Comeoncemore!"

Hestillheldherhandandwaist."Verywell,then,"shesaid.

"Thusfaryoushallpersuademe.Iwillmeetyouto-morrownightorthenightafter.Now,letmego."

Hereleasedher,andtheyparted.TheDuchessranrapidlydownthehilltowardstheoutlyingmansionofShakeforestTowers,andwhenhehadwatchedheroutofsight,heturnedandstrodeoffintheoppositedirection.Allthenwassilentandemptyasbefore.

Yetitwasonlyforamoment.Whentheyhadquitedeparted,anothershapeappeareduponthescene.Hecamefrombehindthetrilithon.

Hewasamanofstouterbuildthanthefirst,andworethebootsandspursofahorseman.Twothingswereatonceobviousfromthisphenomenon:thathehadwatchedtheinterviewbetweentheCaptainandtheDuchess;andthat,thoughheprobablyhadseeneverymovementofthecouple,includingtheembrace,hehadbeentooremotetohearthereluctantwordsofthelady"sconversation——or,indeed,anywordsatall——sothatthemeetingmusthaveexhibiteditselftohiseyeastheassignationofapairofwell-agreedlovers.Butitwasnecessarythatseveralyearsshouldelapsebeforetheshepherd-boywasoldenoughtoreasonoutthis.

Thethirdindividualstoodstillforamoment,asifdeepinmeditation.Hecrossedovertowheretheladyandgentlemanhadstood,andlookedattheground;thenhetooturnedandwentawayinathirddirection,aswidelydivergentaspossiblefromthosetakenbythetwointerlocutors.Hiscoursewastowardsthehighway;andafewminutesafterwardsthetrotofahorsemighthavebeenhearduponitsfrostysurface,lesseningtillitdiedawayupontheear.

Theboyremainedinthehut,confrontingthetrilithonasifheexpectedyetmoreactorsonthescene,butnobodyelseappeared.Howlonghestoodwithhislittlefaceagainsttheloopholehehardlyknew;buthewasrudelyawakenedfromhisreveriebyapunchinhisback,andinthefeelofithefamiliarlyrecognizedthestemoftheoldshepherd"scrook.

"Blamethyyoungeyesandlimbs,BillMills——nowyouhaveletthefireout,andyouknowIwantitkeptin!Ithoughtsomethingwouldgowrongwith"eeuphere,andIcouldn"tbideinbednomorethanthistledownonthewind,thatIcouldnot!Well,what"shappened,fieupon"ee?"

"Nothing."

"EwesallasIleft"em?"

"Yes."

"Anylambswantbringingin?"

"No."

Theshepherdrelitthefire,andwentoutamongthesheepwithalantern,forthemoonwasgettinglow.Soonhecameinagain.

"Blameitall——thou"stsaythatnothinghavehappened;whenoneewehavetwinnedandisliketogooff,andanotherisdyingforwantofhalfaneyeoflookingto!Itold"ee,BillMills,ifanythingwentwrongtocomedownandcallme;andthisishowyouhavedoneit."

"YousaidIcouldgotosleepforahollerday,andIdid."

"Don"tyouspeaktoyourbetterslikethat,youngman,oryou"llcometothegallows-tree!Youdidn"tsleepallthetime,oryouwouldn"thavebeenpeepingoutofthattherehole!Nowyoucangohome,andbeuphereagainbybreakfast-time.Ibeanoldman,andthere"soldmenthatdeservewelloftheworld;butnoI——mustresthowIcan!"

Theeldershepherdthenlaydowninsidethehut,andtheboywentdownthehilltothehamletwherehedwelt.

SECONDNIGHT

Whenthenextnightdrewontheactionsoftheboywerealmostenoughtoshowthathewasthinkingofthemeetinghehadwitnessed,andofthepromisewrungfromtheladythatshewouldcomethereagain.Asfarasthesheep-tendingarrangementswereconcerned,to-nightwasbutarepetitionoftheforegoingone.Betweentenandeleveno"clocktheoldshepherdwithdrewasusualforwhatsleepathomehemightchancetogetwithoutinterruption,makinguptheothernecessaryhoursofrestatsometimeduringtheday;theboywasleftalone.

Thefrostwasthesameasonthenightbefore,exceptperhapsthatitwasalittlemoresevere.Themoonshoneasusual,exceptthatitwasthree-quartersofanhourlaterinitscourse;andtheboy"sconditionwasmuchthesame,exceptthathefeltnosleepinesswhatever.Hefelt,too,ratherafraid;butuponthewholehepreferredwitnessinganassignationofstrangerstorunningtheriskofbeingdiscoveredabsentbytheoldshepherd.

ItwasbeforethedistantclockofShakeforestTowershadstruckeleventhatheobservedtheopeningofthesecondactofthismidnightdrama.ItconsistedintheappearanceofneitherlovernorDuchess,butofthethirdfigure——thestoutman,bootedandspurred——

whocameupfromtheeasterlydirectioninwhichhehadretreatedthenightbefore.Hewalkedonceroundthetrilithon,andnextadvancedtowardstheclumpconcealingthehut,themoonlightshiningfulluponhisfaceandrevealinghimtobetheDuke.Fearseizedupontheshepherd-boy:theDukewasJovehimselftotheruralpopulation,whomtooffendwasstarvation,homelessness,anddeath,andwhomtolookatwastobementallyscathedanddumbfoundered.Heclosedthestove,sothatnotasparkoflightappeared,andhastilyburiedhimselfinthestrawthatlayinacorner.

TheDukecameclosetotheclumpoffurzeandstoodbythespotwherehiswifeandtheCaptainhadheldtheirdialogue;heexaminedthefurzeasifsearchingforahiding-place,andindoingsodiscoveredthehut.Thelatterhewalkedroundandthenlookedinside;findingittoallseemingempty,heentered,closingthedoorbehindhimandtakinghisplaceatthelittlecircularwindowagainstwhichtheboy"sfacehadbeenpressedjustbefore.

TheDukehadnotadoptedhismeasurestoorapidly,ifhisobjectwereconcealment.Almostassoonashehadstationedhimselfthereeleveno"clockstruck,andtheslenderyoungmanwhohadpreviouslygracedthescenepromptlyreappearedfromthenorthquarterofthedown.

Thespotofassignationhaving,bytheaccidentofhisrunningforwardontheforegoingnight,removeditselffromtheDevil"sDoortotheclumpoffurze,heinstinctivelycamethither,andwaitedfortheDuchesswherehehadmetherbefore.

Butafearfulsurprisewasinstoreforhimto-night,aswellasforthetremblingjuvenile.AthisappearancetheDukebreathedmoreandmorequickly,hisbreathingsbeingdistinctlyaudibletothecrouchingboy.Theyoungmanhadhardlypausedwhenthealertnoblemansoftlyopenedthedoorofthehut,and,steppingroundthefurze,camefulluponCaptainFred.

"Youhavedishonouredher,andyoushalldiethedeathyoudeserve!"

cametotheshepherd"sears,inaharsh,hollowwhisperthroughtheboardingofthehut.

Theapatheticandtaciturnboywasexcitedenoughtoruntheriskofrisingandlookingfromthewindow,buthecouldseenothingfortheinterveningfurzeboughs,boththemenhavinggoneroundtotheside.

Whattookplaceinthefewfollowingmomentsheneverexactlyknew.

Hediscernedportionofashadowinquickmuscularmovement;thentherewasthefallofsomethingonthegrass;thentherewasstillness.

TwoorthreeminuteslatertheDukebecamevisibleroundthecornerofthehut,draggingbythecollarthenowinertbodyofthesecondman.TheDukedraggedhimacrosstheopenspacetowardsthetrilithon.Behindthisruinwasahollow,irregularspot,overgrownwithfurzeandstuntedthorns,andriddledbytheoldholesofbadgers,itsformerinhabitants,whohadnowdiedoutordeparted.

TheDukevanishedintothisdepressionwithhisburden,reappearingafterthelapseofafewseconds.Whenhecameforthhedraggednothingbehindhim.

Hereturnedtothesideofthehut,cleansedsomethingonthegrass,andagainputhimselfonthewatch,thoughnotasbefore,insidethehut,butwithout,ontheshadyside."Nowforthesecond!"hesaid.

Itwasplain,eventotheunsophisticatedboy,thathenowawaitedtheotherpersonoftheappointment——hiswife,theDuchess——forwhatpurposeitwasterribletothink.Heseemedtobeamanofsuchdeterminedtemperthathewouldscarcelyhesitateincarryingoutacourseofrevengetothebitterend.Moreover——thoughitwaswhattheshepherddidnotperceive——thiswasallthemoreprobable,inthatthemoodyDukewaslabouringundertheexaggeratedimpressionwhichthesightofthemeetingindumbshowhadconveyed.

Thejealouswatcherwaitedlong,buthewaitedinvain.Fromwithinthehuttheboycouldhearhisoccasionalexclamationsofsurprise,asifhewerealmostdisappointedatthefailureofhisassumptionthathisguiltyDuchesswouldsurelykeepthetryst.Sometimeshesteppedfromtheshadeofthefurzeintothemoonlight,andhelduphiswatchtolearnthetime.

Abouthalf-pastelevenheseemedtogiveupexpectingher.Hethenwentasecondtimetothehollowbehindthetrilithon,remainingtherenearlyaquarterofanhour.Fromthisplaceheproceededquicklyoverashoulderofthedeclivity,alittletotheleft,presentlyreturningonhorseback,whichprovedthathishorsehadbeentetheredinsomesecretplacedownthere.Crossinganewthedownbetweenthehutandthetrilithon,andscanningtheprecinctsasiffinallytoassurehimselfthatshehadnotcome,herodeslowlydownwardsinthedirectionofShakeforestTowers.

Thejuvenileshepherdthoughtofwhatlayinthehollowyonder;andnofearofthecrook-stemofhissuperiorofficerwaspotentenoughtodetainhimlongeronthathillalone.Anylivecompany,eventhemostterrible,wasbetterthanthecompanyofthedead;so,runningwiththespeedofahareinthedirectionpursuedbythehorseman,heovertooktherevengefulDukeattheseconddescent(wherethegreatwesternroadcrossedbeforeyoucametotheoldparkentranceonthatside——nowclosedupandthelodgeclearedaway,thoughatthetimeitwaswonderedwhy,beingconsideredthemostconvenientgateofall).

Oncewithinthesoundofthehorse"sfootsteps,BillMillsfeltcomparativelycomfortable;for,thoughinaweoftheDukebecauseofhisposition,hehadnomoralrepugnancetohiscompanionshiponaccountofthegrislydeedhehadcommitted,consideringthatpowerfulnoblemantohavearighttodowhathechoseonhisownlands.TheDukerodesteadilyonbeneathhisancestraltrees,thehoofsofhishorsesendingupasmartsoundnowthathehadreachedthehardroadofthedrive,andsoondrewnearthefrontdoorofhishouse,surmountedbyparapetswithsquare-cutbattlementsthatcastanotchedshadeuponthegravelledterrace.TheseoutlineswerequitefamiliartolittleBillMills,thoughnothingwithintheirboundaryhadeverbeenseenbyhim.

Whentheriderapproachedthemansionasmallturretdoorwasquicklyopenedandawomancameout.Assoonasshesawthehorseman"soutlinessheranforwardintothemoonlighttomeethim.

"Ahdear——andareyoucome?"shesaid."IheardHero"streadjustwhenyourodeoverthehill,andIknewitinamoment.IwouldhavecomefurtherifIhadbeenaware——"

"Gladtoseeme,eh?"

"Howcanyouaskthat?"

"Well;itisalovelynightformeetings."

"Yes,itisalovelynight."

TheDukedismountedandstoodbyherside."Whyshouldyouhavebeenlisteningatthistimeofnight,andyetnotexpectingme?"heasked.

"Why,indeed!Thereisastrangestoryattachedtothat,whichI

musttellyouatonce.Butwhydidyoucomeanightsoonerthanyousaidyouwouldcome?Iamrathersorry——Ireallyam!"(shakingherheadplayfully)"forasasurprisetoyouIhadorderedabonfiretobebuilt,whichwastobelightedonyourarrivalto-morrow;andnowitiswasted.Youcanseetheoutlineofitjustoutthere."

TheDukelookedacrosstoaspotofrisingglade,andsawthefaggotsinaheap.Hethenbenthiseyeswithablandandpuzzledairontheground,"Whatisthisstrangestoryyouhavetotellmethatkeptyouawake?"hemurmured.

"Itisthis——anditisreallyratherserious.MycousinFredOgbourne——CaptainOgbourneasheisnow——wasinhisboyhoodagreatadmirerofmine,asIthinkIhavetoldyou,thoughIwassixyearshissenior.Instricttruth,hewasabsurdlyfondofme."

"Youhavenevertoldmeofthatbefore."

"ThenitwasyoursisterItold——yes,itwas.Well,youknowIhavenotseenhimformanyyears,andnaturallyIhadquiteforgottenhisadmirationofmeinoldtimes.Butguessmysurprisewhenthedaybeforeyesterday,Ireceivedamysteriousnotebearingnoaddress,andfoundonopeningitthatitcamefromhim.Thecontentsfrightenedmeoutofmywits.HehadreturnedfromCanadatohisfather"shouse,andconjuredmebyallhecouldthinkoftomeethimatonce.ButIthinkIcanrepeattheexactwords,thoughIwillshowittoyouwhenwegetindoors.

"MYDEARCOUSINHARRIET,"thenotesaid,"Afterthislongabsenceyouwillbesurprisedatmysuddenreappearance,andmorebywhatIamgoingtoask.Butifmylifeandfutureareofanyconcerntoyouatall,Ibegthatyouwillgrantmyrequest.WhatIrequireofyou,is,dearHarriet,thatyoumeetmeaboutelevento-nightbytheDruidstonesonMarlburyDowns,aboutamileormorefromyourhouse.I

cannotsaymore,excepttoentreatyoutocome.Iwillexplainallwhenyouarethere.Theonethingis,Iwanttoseeyou.Comealone.Believeme,Iwouldnotaskthisifmyhappinessdidnothanguponit——Godknowshowentirely!Iamtooagitatedtosaymore——

Yours.FRED."

"Thatwasallofit.Now,ofcourseIoughthavegone,asitturnedout,butthatIdidnotthinkofthen.Irememberedhisimpetuoustemper,andfearedthatsomethinggrievouswasimpendingoverhishead,whilehehadnotafriendintheworldtohelphim,oranyoneexceptmyselftowhomhewouldcaretomakehistroubleknown.SoI

wrappedmyselfupandwenttoMarlburyDownsatthetimehehadnamed.Don"tyouthinkIwascourageous?"

"Very."

"WhenIgotthere——butshallwenotwalkon;itisgettingcold?"

TheDuke,however,didnotmove."WhenIgottherehecame,ofcourse,asafullgrownmanandofficer,andnotastheladthatI

hadknownhim.WhenIsawhimIwassorryIhadcome.Icanhardlytellyouhowhebehaved.WhathewantedIdon"tknowevennow;itseemedtobenomorethanthemeremeetingwithme.Heheldmebythehandandwaist——Osotight——andwouldnotletmegotillIhadpromisedtomeethimagain.HismannerwassostrangeandpassionatethatIwasafraidofhiminsuchalonelyplace,andIpromisedtocome.ThenIescaped——thenIranhome——andthat"sall.Whenthetimedrewonthiseveningfortheappointment——which,ofcourse,I

neverintendedtokeep,Ifeltuneasy,lestwhenhefoundImeanttodisappointhimhewouldcomeontothehouse;andthat"swhyIcouldnotsleep.Butyouaresosilent!"

"Ihavehadalongjourney."

"Thenletusgetintothehouse.Whydidyoucomealoneandunattendedlikethis?"

"Itwasmyhumour."

Afteramoment"ssilence,duringwhichtheymovedon,shesaid,"I

havethoughtofsomethingwhichIhardlyliketosuggesttoyou.HesaidthatifIfailedtocometo-nighthewouldwaitagainto-morrownight.Now,shallweto-morrownightgotothehilltogether——justtoseeifheisthere;andifheis,readhimalessononhisfoolishnessinnourishingthisoldpassion,andsendingformesooddly,insteadofcomingtothehouse?"

"Whyshouldweseeifhe"sthere?"saidherhusbandmoodily.

"BecauseIthinkweoughttodosomethinginit.PoorFred!Hewouldlistentoyouifyoureasonedwithhim,andsetourpositionsintheirtruelightbeforehim.ItwouldbenomorethanChristiankindnesstoamanwhounquestionablyisverymiserablefromsomecauseorother.Hisheadseemsquiteturned."

Bythistimetheyhadreachedthedoor,rungthebell,andwaited.

Allthehouseseemedtobeasleep;butsoonamancametothem,thehorsewastakenaway,andtheDukeandDuchesswentin.

THIRDNIGHT

Therewasnohelpforit.BillMillswasobligedtostayonduty,intheoldshepherd"sabsence,thiseveningasbefore,orgiveuphispostandliving.HethoughtasbravelyashecouldofwhatlaybehindtheDevil"sDoor,butwithnogreatsuccess,andwasthereforeinameasurerelieved,evenifawe-stricken,whenhesawtheformsoftheDukeandDuchessstrollingacrossthefrostedgreensward.TheDuchesswasafewyardsinfrontofherhusbandandtrippedonlightly.

"Itellyouhehasnotthoughtitworthwhiletocomeagain!"theDukeinsisted,ashestoodstill,reluctanttowalkfurther.

"Heismorelikelytocomeandwaitallnight;anditwouldbeharshtreatmenttolethimdoitasecondtime."

"Heisnothere;soturnandcomehome."

"Heseemsnottobehere,certainly;Iwonderifanythinghashappenedtohim.Ifithas,Ishallneverforgivemyself!"

TheDuke,uneasily,"O,no.Hehassomeotherengagement."

"Thatisveryunlikely."

"Orperhapshehasfoundthedistancetoofar."