第3章

Aloneinherchamber，Bettyflungherselfuponherfaceonthebed，andburstintoshakingsobs。Yetshewouldnotadmittoherselfthatherlover"sconductwasunreasonable；onlythatherrashactofthepreviousweekhadbeenwrong。Noonehadheardherenter，andshewastoowornout，inbodyandmind，tothinkorcareaboutmedicalaid。Inanhourorsoshefeltyetmoreunwell，positivelyill；andnobodycomingtoherattheusualbedtime，shelookedtowardsthedoor。Marksofthelockhavingbeenforcedwerevisible，andthismadehercharyofsummoningaservant。Sheopenedthedoorcautiouslyandsalliedforthdownstairs。

Inthedining-parlour，asitwascalled，thenowsickandsorryBettywasstartledtoseeatthatlatehournothermother，butamansitting，calmlyfinishinghissupper。Therewasnoservantintheroom。Heturned，andsherecognizedherhusband。

"Where"smymamma?"shedemandedwithoutpreface。

"Gonetoyourfather"s。Isthat——"Hestopped，aghast。

"Yes，sir。Thisspottedobjectisyourwife!I"vedoneitbecauseIdon"twantyoutocomenearme!"

Hewassixteenyearshersenior；oldenoughtobecompassionate。

"Mypoorchild，youmustgettobeddirectly!Don"tbeafraidofme——I"llcarryyouupstairs，andsendforadoctorinstantly。"

"Ah，youdon"tknowwhatIam!"shecried。"Ihadaloveronce；butnowhe"sgone!"Twasn"tIwhodesertedhim。Hehasdesertedme；

becauseIamillhewouldn"tkissme，thoughIwantedhimto!"

"Wouldn"the?Thenhewasaverypoorslack-twistedsortoffellow。

Betty，I"VEneverkissedyousinceyoustoodbesidemeasmylittlewife，twelveyearsandahalfold!MayIkissyounow?"

ThoughBettybynomeansdesiredhiskisses，shehadenoughofthespiritofCunigondeinSchiller"sballadtotesthisdaring。"Ifyouhavecouragetoventure，yessir!"saidshe。"Butyoumaydieforit，mind!"

Hecameuptoherandimprintedadeliberatekissfulluponhermouth，saying，"Maymanyothersfollow!"

Sheshookherhead，andhastilywithdrew，thoughsecretlypleasedathishardihood。Theexcitementhadsupportedherforthefewminutesshehadpassedinhispresence，andshecouldhardlydragherselfbacktoherroom。Herhusbandsummonedtheservants，and，sendingthemtoherassistance，wentoffhimselfforadoctor。

ThenextmorningReynardwaitedattheCourttillhehadlearntfromthemedicalmanthatBetty"sattackpromisedtobeaverylightone——

or，asitwasexpressed，"veryfine"；andintakinghisleavesentupanotetoher:

"NowImustbeGone。IpromisedyourMotherIwouldnotseeYouyet，andshemaybeanger"difshefindsmehere。PromisetoseemeasSoonasyouarewell?"

Hewasofallmenthenlivingoneofthebestabletocopewithsuchanuntimelysituationasthis。Acontriving，sagacious，gentle-

manneredman，aphilosopherwhosawthattheonlyconstantattributeoflifeischange，heheldthat，aslongasshelives，thereisnothingfiniteinthemostimpassionedattitudeawomanmaytakeup。

Intwelvemonthshisgirl-wife"srecentinfatuationmightbeasdistastefultohermindasitwasnowtohisown。Inafewyearsherveryfleshwouldchange——sosaidthescientific；——herspirit，somuchmoreephemeral，wascapableofchanginginone。Bettywashis，anditbecameamerequestionofmeanshowtoeffectthatchange。

DuringthedayMrs。Dornell，havingclosedherhusband"seyes，returnedtotheCourt。ShewastrulyrelievedtofindBettythere，eventhoughonabedofsickness。Thediseaseranitscourse，andinduetimeBettybecameconvalescent，withouthavingsuffereddeeplyforherrashness，onelittlespeckbeneathherear，andonebeneathherchin，beingallthemarkssheretained。

TheSquire"sbodywasnotbroughtbacktoKing"s-Hintock。Wherehewasborn，andwherehehadlivedbeforeweddinghisSue，therehehadwishedtobeburied。NosoonerhadshelosthimthanMrs。

Dornell，likecertainotherwives，thoughshehadnevershownanygreataffectionforhimwhilehelived，awokesuddenlytohismanyvirtues，andzealouslyembracedhisopinionaboutdelayingBetty"sunionwithherhusband，whichshehadformerlycombatedstrenuously。

"Poorman!howrighthewas，andhowwrongwasI!"EighteenwascertainlythelowestageatwhichMr。Reynardshouldclaimherchild——nay，itwastoolow!Fartoolow!

Sodesirouswassheofhonouringherlamentedhusband"ssentimentsinthisrespect，thatshewrotetoherson-in-lawsuggestingthat，partlyonaccountofBetty"ssorrowforherfather"sloss，andoutofconsiderationforhisknownwishesfordelay，Bettyshouldnotbetakenfromhertillhernineteenthbirthday。

HowevermuchorlittleStephenReynardmighthavebeentoblameinhismarriage，thepatientmannowalmostdeservedtobepitied。

FirstBetty"sskittishness；nowhermother"sremorsefulvolte-face:

itwasenoughtoexasperateanybody；andhewrotetothewidowinatonewhichledtoalittlecoolnessbetweenthosehithertofirmfriends。However，knowingthathehadawifenottoclaimbuttowin，andthatyoungPhelipsonhadbeenpackedofftoseabyhisparents，Stephenwascomplaisanttoadegree，returningtoLondon，andholdingquitealooffromBettyandhermother，whoremainedforthepresentinthecountry。IntownhehadamildvisitationofthedistemperhehadtakenfromBetty，andinwritingtoherhetookcarenottodwelluponitsmildness。ItwasnowthatBettybegantopityhimforwhatshehadinflicteduponhimbythekiss，andhercorrespondenceacquiredadistinctflavourofkindnessthenceforward。

Owingtohisrebuffs，ReynardhadgrowntobetrulyinlovewithBettyinhismild，placid，durableway——inthatwaywhichperhaps，uponthewhole，tendsmostgenerallytothewoman"scomfortundertheinstitutionofmarriage，ifnotparticularlytoherecstasy。

Mrs。Dornell"sexaggerationofherhusband"swishfordelayintheirlivingtogetherwasinconvenient，buthewouldnotopenlyinfringeit。HewrotetenderlytoBetty，andsoonannouncedthathehadalittlesurpriseinstoreforher。ThesecretwasthattheKinghadbeengraciouslypleasedtoinformhimprivately，througharelation，thatHisMajestywasabouttoofferhimaBarony。WouldshelikethetitletobeIvell?Moreover，hehadreasonforknowingthatinafewyearsthedignitywouldberaisedtothatofanEarl，forwhichcreationhethoughtthetitleofWessexwouldbeeminentlysuitable，consideringthepositionofmuchoftheirproperty。AsLadyIvell，therefore，andfutureCountessofWessex，heshouldbegleavetoofferherhisheartathirdtime。

Hedidnotadd，ashemighthaveadded，howgreatlytheconsiderationoftheenormousestatesatKing"s-HintockandelsewherewhichBettywouldinherit，andherchildrenafterher，hadconducedtothisdesirablehonour。

WhethertheimpendingtitleshadreallyanyeffectuponBetty"sregardforhimIcannotstate，forshewasoneofthoseclosecharacterswhoneverlettheirmindsbeknownuponanything。Thatsuchhonourwasabsolutelyunexpectedbyherfromsuchaquarteris，however，certain；andshecouldnotdenythatStephenhadshownherkindness，forbearance，evenmagnanimity；hadforgivenherforanerrantpassionwhichhemightwithsomereasonhavedenounced，notwithstandinghercruelpositionasachildentrappedintomarriageereabletounderstanditsbearings。

Hermother，inhergriefandremorseforthelovelesslifeshehadledwithherrough，thoughopen-hearted，husband，madenowacreedofhismerestwhim；andcontinuedtoinsistthat，outofrespecttohisknowndesire，herson-in-lawshouldnotresidewithBettytillthegirl"sfatherhadbeendeadayearatleast，atwhichtimethegirlwouldstillbeundernineteen。LettersmustsufficeforStephentillthen。

"Itisratherlongforhimtowait，"Bettyhesitatinglysaidoneday。

"What!"saidhermother。"FromYOU?nottorespectyourdearfather——"

"Ofcourseitisquiteproper，"saidBettyhastily。"Idon"tgainsayit。Iwasbutthinkingthat——that——"

InthelongslowmonthsofthestipulatedintervalhermothertendedandtrainedBettycarefullyforherduties。Fullyawakenowtothemanyvirtuesofherdeardepartedone，she，amongotheractsofpiousdevotiontohismemory，rebuiltthechurchofKing"s-Hintockvillage，andestablishedvaluablecharitiesinallthevillagesofthatname，asfarastoLittle-Hintock，severalmileseastward。

Insuperintendingtheseworks，particularlythatofthechurch-

building，herdaughterBettywasherconstantcompanion，andtheincidentsoftheirexecutionweredoubtlessnotwithoutasoothingeffectupontheyoungcreature"sheart。Shehadsprungfromgirltowomanbyasuddenbound，andfewwouldhaverecognizedinthethoughtfulfaceofBettynowthesamepersonwho，theyearbefore，hadseemedtohaveabsolutelynoideawhateverofresponsibility，moralorother。TimepassedthustilltheSquirehadbeennearlyayearinhisvault；andMrs。DornellwasdulyaskedbyletterbythepatientReynardifshewerewillingforhimtocomesoon。HedidnotwishtotakeBettyawayifhermother"ssenseoflonelinesswouldbetoogreat，butwouldwillinglyliveatKing"s-Hintockawhilewiththem。

Beforethewidowhadrepliedtothiscommunication，sheonedayhappenedtoobserveBettywalkingonthesouthterraceinthefullsunlight，withouthatormantle，andwasstruckbyherchild"sfigure。Mrs。Dornellcalledherin，andsaidsuddenly:"Haveyouseenyourhusbandsincethetimeofyourpoorfather"sdeath?"

"Well——yes，mamma，"saysBetty，colouring。

"What——againstmywishesandthoseofyourdearfather!Iamshockedatyourdisobedience!"

"Butmyfathersaideighteen，ma"am，andyoumadeitmuchlonger——"

"Why，ofcourse——outofconsiderationforyou!Whenhaveyeseenhim?"

"Well，"stammeredBetty，"inthecourseofhisletterstomehesaidthatIbelongedtohim，andifnobodyknewthatwemetitwouldmakenodifference。AndthatIneednothurtyourfeelingsbytellingyou。"

"Well?"

"SoIwenttoCasterbridgethattimeyouwenttoLondonaboutfivemonthsago——"

"Andmethimthere?Whendidyoucomeback?"

"Dearmamma，itgrewverylate，andhesaiditwassafernottogobacktillnextday，astheroadswerebad；andasyouwereawayfromhome——"

"Idon"twanttohearanymore!Thisisyourrespectforyourfather"smemory，"groanedthewidow。"Whendidyoumeethimagain?"

"Oh——notformorethanafortnight。"

"Afortnight!Howmanytimeshaveyeseenhimaltogether?"

"I"msure，mamma，I"venotseenhimaltogetheradozentimes。"

"Adozen!Andeighteenandahalfyearsoldbarely!"

"Twicewemetbyaccident，"pleadedBetty。"OnceatAbbot"s-Cernel，andanothertimeattheRedLion，Melchester。"

"Othoudeceitfulgirl!"criedMrs。Dornell。"AnaccidenttookyoutotheRedLionwhilstIwasstayingattheWhiteHart!Iremember——

youcameinattwelveo"clockatnightandsaidyou"dbeentoseethecathedralbythelighto"themoon!"

"Myever-honouredmamma，soIhad!IonlywenttotheRedLionwithhimafterwards。"

"OhBetty，Betty!Thatmychildshouldhavedeceivedmeeveninmywidoweddays!"

"But，mydearestmamma，youmadememarryhim!"saysBettywithspirit，"andofcourseI"vetoobeyhimmorethanyounow!"

Mrs。Dornellsighed。"AllIhavetosayis，thatyou"dbettergetyourhusbandtojoinyouassoonaspossible，"sheremarked。"Togoonplayingthemaidenlikethis——I"mashamedtoseeyou!"

ShewroteinstantlytoStephenReynard:"Iwashmyhandsofthewholematterasbetweenyoutwo；thoughIshouldadviseyoutoOPENLYjoineachotherassoonasyoucan——ifyouwishtoavoidscandal。"

Hecame，thoughnottillthepromisedtitlehadbeengranted，andhecouldcallBettyarchly"MyLady。"

Peoplesaidinafteryearsthatsheandherhusbandwereveryhappy。

Howeverthatmaybe，theyhadanumerousfamily；andshebecameinduecoursefirstCountessofWessex，ashehadforetold。

ThelittlewhitefrockinwhichshehadbeenmarriedtohimatthetenderageoftwelvewascarefullypreservedamongtherelicsatKing"s-HintockCourt，whereitmaystillbeseenbythecurious——ayellowing，pathetictestimonytothesmallcounttakenofthehappinessofaninnocentchildinthesocialstrategyofthosedays，whichmighthaveled，butprovidentiallydidnotlead，togreatunhappiness。

WhentheEarldiedBettywrotehimanepitaph，inwhichshedescribedhimasthebestofhusbands，fathers，andfriends，andcalledherselfhisdisconsolatewidow。

Suchiswoman；orrather(nottogiveoffencebysosweepinganassertion)，suchwasBettyDornell。

ItwasatameetingofoneoftheWessexFieldandAntiquarianClubsthattheforegoingstory，partlytold，partlyreadfromamanuscript，wasmadetododutyfortheregulationpapersondeformedbutterflies，fossilox-horns，prehistoricdung-mixens，andsuchlike，thatusuallyoccupiedthemoreseriousattentionofthemembers。

ThisClubwasofaninclusiveandintersocialcharacter；toadegree，indeed，remarkableforthepartofEnglandinwhichithaditsbeing——dear，delightfulWessex，whosestatuesquedynastiesareevennowonlyjustbeginningtofeeltheshakingofthenewandstrangespiritwithout，likethatwhichenteredthelonelyvalleyofEzekiel"svisionandmadethedrybonesmove:wherethehonestsquires，tradesmen，parsons，clerks，andpeoplestillpraisetheLordwithonevoiceforHisbestofallpossibleworlds。

Thepresentmeeting，whichwastoextendovertwodays，hadopeneditsproceedingsatthemuseumofthetownwhosebuildingsandenvironsweretobevisitedbythemembers。Lunchhadended，andtheafternoonexcursionhadbeenabouttobeundertaken，whentheraincamedowninanobstinatespatter，whichrevealednosignofcessation。Asthememberswaitedtheygrewchilly，althoughitwasonlyautumn，andafirewaslighted，whichthrewacheerfulshineuponthevarnishedskulls，urns，penates，tesserae，costumes，coatsofmail，weapons，andmissals，animatedthefossilizedichthyosaurusandiguanodon；whilethedeadeyesofthestuffedbirds——thosenever-absentfamiliarsinsuchcollections，thoughmurderedtoextinctionoutofdoors——flashedastheyhadflashedtotherisingsunabovetheneighbouringmoorsonthefatalmorningwhenthetriggerwaspulledwhichendedtheirlittleflight。Itwasthenthatthehistorianproducedhismanuscript，whichhehadprepared，hesaid，withaviewtopublication。Hisdeliveryofthestoryhavingconcludedasaforesaid，thespeakerexpressedhishopethattheconstraintoftheweather，andthepaucityofmorescientificpapers，wouldexcuseanyinappropriatenessinhissubject。

Severalmembersobservedthatastorm-boundclubcouldnotpresumetobeselective，andtheywereallverymuchobligedtohimforsuchacuriouschapterfromthedomestichistoriesofthecounty。

ThePresidentlookedgloomilyfromthewindowatthedescendingrain，andbrokeashortsilencebysayingthatthoughtheClubhadmet，thereseemedlittleprobabilityofitsbeingabletovisittheobjectsofinterestsetdownamongtheagenda。

TheTreasurerobservedthattheyhadatleastaroofovertheirheads；andtheyhadalsoaseconddaybeforethem。

Asentimentalmember，leaningbackinhischair，declaredthathewasinnohurrytogoout，andthatnothingwouldpleasehimsomuchasanothercountystory，withorwithoutmanuscript。

TheColoneladdedthatthesubjectshouldbealady，liketheformer，towhichagentlemanknownastheSparksaid"Hear，hear!"

Thoughthesehadspokeninjest，aruraldeanwhowaspresentobservedblandlythattherewasnolackofmaterials。Many，indeed，werethelegendsandtraditionsofgentleandnobledames，renownedintimespastinthatpartofEngland，whoseactionsandpassionswerenow，butformen"smemories，buriedunderthebriefinscriptiononatomboranentryofdatesinadrypedigree。

Anothermember，anoldsurgeon，asomewhatgrimthoughsociablepersonage，wasquiteofthespeaker"sopinion，andfeltquitesurethatthememoryofthereverendgentlemanmustaboundwithsuchcurioustalesoffairdames，oftheirlovesandhates，theirjoysandtheirmisfortunes，theirbeautyandtheirfate。

Theparson，atrifleconfused，retortedthattheirfriendthesurgeon，thesonofasurgeon，seemedtohim，asamanwhohadseenmuchandheardmoreduringthelongcourseofhisownandhisfather"spractice，thememberofallothersmostlikelytobeacquaintedwithsuchlore。

Thebookworm，theColonel，thehistorian，theVice-president，thechurchwarden，thetwocurates，thegentleman-tradesman，thesentimentalmember，thecrimsonmaltster，thequietgentleman，themanoffamily，theSpark，andseveralothers，quiteagreed，andbeggedthathewouldrecallsomethingofthekind。Theoldsurgeonsaidthat，thoughameetingoftheMid-WessexFieldandAntiquarianClubwasthelastplaceatwhichheshouldhaveexpectedtobecalleduponinthisway，hehadnoobjection；andtheparsonsaidhewouldcomenext。Thesurgeonthenreflected，anddecidedtorelatethehistoryofaladynamedBarbara，wholivedtowardstheendofthelastcentury，apologizingforhistaleasbeingperhapsalittletooprofessional。ThecrimsonmaltsterwinkedtotheSparkathearingthenatureoftheapology，andthesurgeonbegan。

DAMETHESECOND:BARBARAOFTHEHOUSEOFGREBE

BytheOldSurgeonItwasapparentlyanidea，ratherthanapassion，thatinspiredLordUplandtowers"resolvetowinher。Nobodyeverknewwhenheformedit，orwhencehegothisassuranceofsuccessinthefaceofhermanifestdislikeofhim。PossiblynotuntilafterthatfirstimportantactofherlifewhichIshallpresentlymention。Hismaturedandcynicaldoggednessattheageofnineteen，whenimpulsemostlyrulescalculation，wasremarkable，andmighthaveoweditsexistenceasmuchtohissuccessiontotheearldomanditsaccompanyinglocalhonoursinchildhood，astothefamilycharacter；

anelevationwhichjerkedhimintomaturity，sotospeak，withouthishavingknownadolescence。Hehadonlyreachedhistwelfthyearwhenhisfather，thefourthEarl，died，afteracourseoftheBathwaters。

Nevertheless，thefamilycharacterhadagreatdealtodowithit。

Determinationwashereditaryinthebearersofthatescutcheon；

sometimesforgood，sometimesforevil。

Theseatsofthetwofamilieswereabouttenmilesapart，thewaybetweenthemlyingalongthenowold，thennew，turnpike-roadconnectingHavenpoolandWarbornewiththecityofMelchester:aroadwhich，thoughonlyabranchfromwhatwasknownastheGreatWesternHighway，isprobably，evenatpresent，asithasbeenforthelasthundredyears，oneofthefinestexamplesofamacadamizedturnpike-trackthatcanbefoundinEngland。

ThemansionoftheEarl，aswellasthatofhisneighbour，Barbara"sfather，stoodbackaboutamilefromthehighway，withwhicheachwasconnectedbyanordinarydriveandlodge。ItwasalongthisparticularhighwaythattheyoungEarldroveonacertaineveningatChristmastidesometwentyyearsbeforetheendofthelastcentury，toattendaballatCheneManor，thehomeofBarbara，andherparentsSirJohnandLadyGrebe。SirJohn"swasabaronetcycreatedafewyearsbeforethebreakingoutoftheCivilWar，andhislandswereevenmoreextensivethanthoseofLordUplandtowershimself；

comprisingthisManorofChene，anotheronthecoastnear，halftheHundredofCockdene，andwell-enclosedlandsinseveralotherparishes，notablyWarborneandthosecontiguous。AtthistimeBarbarawasbarelyseventeen，andtheballisthefirstoccasiononwhichwehaveanytraditionofLordUplandtowersattemptingtenderrelationswithher；itwasearlyenough，Godknows。

Anintimatefriend——oneoftheDrenkhards——issaidtohavedinedwithhimthatday，andLordUplandtowershad，forawonder，communicatedtohisguestthesecretdesignofhisheart。

"You"llnevergether——sure；you"llnevergether!"thisfriendhadsaidatparting。"She"snotdrawntoyourlordshipbylove:andasforthoughtofagoodmatch，why，there"snomorecalculationinherthaninabird。"

"We"llsee，"saidLordUplandtowersimpassively。

Henodoubtthoughtofhisfriend"sforecastashetravelledalongthehighwayinhischariot；butthesculpturalreposeofhisprofileagainstthevanishingdaylightonhisrighthandwouldhaveshownhisfriendthattheEarl"sequanimitywasundisturbed。HereachedthesolitarywaysidetaverncalledLorntonInn——therendezvousofmanyadaringpoacherforoperationsintheadjoiningforest；andhemighthaveobserved，ifhehadtakenthetrouble，astrangepost-

chaisestandinginthehalting-spacebeforetheinn。Hedulyspedpastit，andhalf-an-hourafterthroughthelittletownofWarborne。

Onward，amilefarther，wasthehouseofhisentertainer。

Atthisdateitwasanimposingedifice——or，rather，congeriesofedifices——asextensiveastheresidenceoftheEarlhimself；thoughfarlessregular。Onewingshowedextremeantiquity，havinghugechimneys，whosesubstructuresprojectedfromtheexternalwallsliketowers；andakitchenofvastdimensions，inwhich(itwassaid)

breakfastshadbeencookedforJohnofGaunt。WhilsthewasyetintheforecourthecouldheartherhythmofFrenchhornsandclarionets，thefavouriteinstrumentsofthosedaysatsuchentertainments。

Enteringthelongparlour，inwhichthedancehadjustbeenopenedbyLadyGrebewithaminuet——itbeingnowseveno"clock，accordingtothetradition——hewasreceivedwithawelcomebefittinghisrank，andlookedroundforBarbara。Shewasnotdancing，andseemedtobepreoccupied——almost，indeed，asthoughshehadbeenwaitingforhim。

Barbaraatthistimewasagoodandprettygirl，whoneverspokeillofanyone，andhatedotherprettywomentheveryleastpossible。

Shedidnotrefusehimforthecountry-dancewhichfollowed，andsoonafterwashispartnerinasecond。

Theeveningworeon，andthehornsandclarionetstootledmerrily。

Barbaraevincedtowardsherloverneitherdistinctpreferencenoraversion；butoldeyeswouldhaveseenthatsheponderedsomething。

However，aftersuppershepleadedaheadache，anddisappeared。Topassthetimeofherabsence，LordUplandtowerswentintoalittleroomadjoiningthelonggallery，wheresomeelderlyonesweresittingbythefire——forhehadaphlegmaticdislikeofdancingforitsownsake，——and，liftingthewindow-curtains，helookedoutofthewindowintotheparkandwood，darknowasacavern。Someoftheguestsappearedtobeleavingevensosoonasthis，twolightsshowingthemselvesasturningawayfromthedoorandsinkingtonothinginthedistance。

Hishostessputherheadintotheroomtolookforpartnersfortheladies，andLordUplandtowerscameout。LadyGrebeinformedhimthatBarbarahadnotreturnedtotheball-room:shehadgonetobedinsheernecessity。

"Shehasbeensoexcitedovertheballallday，"hermothercontinued，"thatIfearedshewouldbewornoutearly……Butsure，LordUplandtowers，youwon"tbeleavingyet?"

Hesaidthatitwasneartwelveo"clock，andthatsomehadalreadyleft。

"Iprotestnobodyhasgoneyet，"saidLadyGrebe。

Tohumourherhestayedtillmidnight，andthensetout。Hehadmadenoprogressinhissuit；buthehadassuredhimselfthatBarbaragavenootherguestthepreference，andnearlyeverybodyintheneighbourhoodwasthere。

""Tisonlyamatteroftime，"saidthecalmyoungphilosopher。

Thenextmorninghelaytillnearteno"clock，andhehadonlyjustcomeoutupontheheadofthestaircasewhenheheardhoofsuponthegravelwithout；inafewmomentsthedoorhadbeenopened，andSirJohnGrebemethiminthehall，ashesetfootontheloweststair。

"Mylord——where"sBarbara——mydaughter?"

EventheEarlofUplandtowerscouldnotrepressamazement。"What"sthematter，mydearSirJohn，"sayshe。

Thenewswasstartling，indeed。FromtheBaronet"sdisjointedexplanationLordUplandtowersgatheredthatafterhisownandtheotherguests"departureSirJohnandLadyGrebehadgonetorestwithoutseeinganymoreofBarbara；itbeingunderstoodbythemthatshehadretiredtobedwhenshesentwordtosaythatshecouldnotjointhedancersagain。Beforethenshehadtoldhermaidthatshewoulddispensewithherservicesforthisnight；andtherewasevidencetoshowthattheyoungladyhadneverlaindownatall，thebedremainingunpressed。Circumstancesseemedtoprovethatthedeceitfulgirlhadfeignedindispositiontogetanexcuseforleavingtheball-room，andthatshehadleftthehousewithintenminutes，presumablyduringthefirstdanceaftersupper。

"Isawhergo，"saidLordUplandtowers。

"Thedevilyoudid!"saysSirJohn。

"Yes。"Andhementionedtheretreatingcarriage-lights，andhowhewasassuredbyLadyGrebethatnoguesthaddeparted。

"Surelythatwasit!"saidthefather。"Butshe"snotgonealone，d"yeknow!"

"Ah——whoistheyoungman?"

"Icanon"yguess。Myworstfearismymostlikelyguess。I"llsaynomore。Ithought——yetIwouldnotbelieve——itpossiblethatyouwasthesinner。Wouldthatyouhadbeen!But"tist"other，"tist"other，byG-!Imuste"enup，andafter"em!"

"Whomdoyoususpect?"

SirJohnwouldnotgiveaname，and，stultifiedratherthanagitated，LordUplandtowersaccompaniedhimbacktoChene。HeagainaskeduponwhomweretheBaronet"ssuspicionsdirected；andtheimpulsiveSirJohnwasnomatchfortheinsistenceofUplandtowers。

Hesaidatlength，"Ifear"tisEdmondWillowes。"

"Who"she?"

"AyoungfellowofShottsford-Forum——awidow-woman"sson，"theothertoldhim，andexplainedthatWillowes"sfather，orgrandfather，wasthelastoftheoldglass-paintersinthatplace，where(asyoumayknow)theartlingeredonwhenithaddiedoutineveryotherpartofEngland。

"ByG-that"sbad——mightybad!"saidLordUplandtowers，throwinghimselfbackinthechaiseinfrigiddespair。

Theydespatchedemissariesinalldirections；onebytheMelchesterRoad，anotherbyShottsford-Forum，anothercoastwards。

Butthelovershadaten-hours"start；anditwasapparentthatsoundjudgmenthadbeenexercisedinchoosingastheirtimeofflighttheparticularnightwhenthemovementsofastrangecarriagewouldnotbenoticed，eitherintheparkorontheneighbouringhighway，owingtothegeneralpressofvehicles。ThechaisewhichhadbeenseenwaitingatLorntonInnwas，nodoubt，theonetheyhadescapedin；andthepairofheadswhichhadplannedsocleverlythusfarhadprobablycontrivedmarriageerenow。

Thefearsofherparentswererealized。AlettersentbyspecialmessengerfromBarbara，ontheeveningofthatday，brieflyinformedthemthatherloverandherselfwereonthewaytoLondon，andbeforethiscommunicationreachedherhometheywouldbeunitedashusbandandwife。ShehadtakenthisextremestepbecauseshelovedherdearEdmondasshecouldlovenootherman，andbecauseshehadseenclosingroundherthedoomofmarriagewithLordUplandtowers，unlesssheputthatthreatenedfateoutofpossibilitybydoingasshehaddone。Shehadwellconsideredthestepbeforehand，andwaspreparedtolivelikeanyothercountry-townsman"swifeifherfatherrepudiatedherforheraction。

"D-her!"saidLordUplandtowers，ashedrovehomewardthatnight。

"D-herforafool!"——whichshowsthekindofloveheboreher。

Well；SirJohnhadalreadystartedinpursuitofthemasamatterofduty，drivinglikeawildmantoMelchester，andthencebythedirecthighwaytothecapital。Buthesoonsawthathewasactingtonopurpose；andbyandby，discoveringthatthemarriagehadactuallytakenplace，heforeboreallattemptstounearththemintheCity，andreturnedandsatdownwithhisladytodigesttheeventasbesttheycould。

ToproceedagainstthisWillowesfortheabductionofourheiresswas，possibly，intheirpower；yet，whentheyconsideredthenowunalterablefacts，theyrefrainedfromviolentretribution。Somesixweekspassed，duringwhichtimeBarbara"sparents，thoughtheykeenlyfeltherloss，heldnocommunicationwiththetruant，eitherforreproachorcondonation。Theycontinuedtothinkofthedisgraceshehadbroughtuponherself；for，thoughtheyoungmanwasanhonestfellow，andthesonofanhonestfather，thelatterhaddiedsoearly，andhiswidowhadhadsuchstrugglestomaintainherself；thatthesonwasveryimperfectlyeducated。Moreover，hisbloodwas，asfarastheyknew，ofnodistinctionwhatever，whilsthers，throughhermother，wascompoundedofthebestjuicesofancientbaronialdistillation，containingtincturesofMaundeville，andMohun，andSyward，andPeverell，andCulliford，andTalbot，andPlantagenet，andYork，andLancaster，andGodknowswhatbesides，whichitwasathousandpitiestothrowaway。

Thefatherandmothersatbythefireplacethatwasspannedbythefour-centredarchbearingthefamilyshieldsonitshaunches，andgroanedaloud——theladymorethanSirJohn。

"Tothinkthisshouldhavecomeuponusinouroldage!"saidhe。

"Speakforyourself!"shesnappedthroughhersobs。"Iamonlyone-

and-forty!……Whydidn"tyeridefasterandovertake"em!"

Inthemeantimetheyoungmarriedlovers，caringnomoreabouttheirbloodthanaboutditch-water，wereintenselyhappy——happy，thatis，inthedescendingscalewhich，asweallknow，Heaveninitswisdomhasordainedforsuchrashcases；thatistosay，thefirstweektheywereintheseventhheaven，thesecondinthesixth，thethirdweektemperate，thefourthreflective，andsoon；alover"sheartafterpossessionbeingcomparabletotheearthinitsgeologicstages，asdescribedtoussometimesbyourworthyPresident；firstahotcoal，thenawarmone，thenacoolingcinder，thenchilly——thesimileshallbepursuednofurther。Thelongandtheshortofitwasthatonedayaletter，sealedwiththeirdaughter"sownlittleseal，cameintoSirJohnandLadyGrebe"shands；and，onopeningit，theyfoundittocontainanappealfromtheyoungcoupletoSirJohntoforgivethemforwhattheyhaddone，andtheywouldfallontheirnakedkneesandbemostdutifulchildrenforevermore。

ThenSirJohnandhisladysatdownagainbythefireplacewiththefour-centredarch，andconsulted，andre-readtheletter。SirJohnGrebe，ifthetruthmustbetold，lovedhisdaughter"shappinessfarmore，poorman，thanhelovedhisnameandlineage；herecalledtohismindallherlittleways，gaveventtoasigh；and，bythistimeacclimatizedtotheideaofthemarriage，saidthatwhatwasdonecouldnotbeundone，andthathesupposedtheymustnotbetooharshwithher。PerhapsBarbaraandherhusbandwereinactualneed；andhowcouldtheylettheironlychildstarve?

Aslightconsolationhadcometotheminanunexpectedmanner。TheyhadbeencrediblyinformedthatanancestorofplebeianWilloweswasoncehonouredwithintermarriagewithascionofthearistocracywhohadgonetothedogs。Inshort，suchisthefoolishnessofdistinguishedparents，andsometimesofothersalso，thattheywrotethatverydaytotheaddressBarbarahadgiventhem，informingherthatshemightreturnhomeandbringherhusbandwithher；theywouldnotobjecttoseehim，wouldnotreproachher，andwouldendeavourtowelcomeboth，andtodiscusswiththemwhatcouldbestbearrangedfortheirfuture。

Inthreeorfourdaysarathershabbypost-chaisedrewupatthedoorofCheneManor-house，atsoundofwhichthetender-heartedbaronetandhiswiferanoutasiftowelcomeaprinceandprincessoftheblood。Theywereoverjoyedtoseetheirspoiltchildreturnsafeandsound——thoughshewasonlyMrs。Willowes，wifeofEdmondWillowesofnowhere。Barbaraburstintopenitentialtears，andbothhusbandandwifewerecontriteenough，aswelltheymightbe，consideringthattheyhadnotaguineatocalltheirown。

Whenthefourhadcalmedthemselves，andnotawordofchidinghadbeenutteredtothepair，theydiscussedthepositionsoberly，youngWillowessittinginthebackgroundwithgreatmodestytillinvitedforwardbyLadyGrebeinnofrigidtone。

"Howhandsomeheis!"shesaidtoherself。"Idon"twonderatBarbara"scrazeforhim。"

Hewas，indeed，oneofthehandsomestmenwhoeversethislipsonamaid"s。Abluecoat，murreywaistcoat，andbreechesofdrabsetoffafigurethatcouldscarcelybesurpassed。Hehadlargedarkeyes，anxiousnow，astheyglancedfromBarbaratoherparentsandtenderlybackagaintoher；observingwhom，evennowinhertrepidation，onecouldseewhythesangfroidofLordUplandtowershadbeenraisedtomorethanlukewarmness。Herfairyoungface(accordingtothetalehandeddownbyoldwomen)lookedoutfromunderagrayconicalhat，trimmedwithwhiteostrich-feathers，andherlittletoespeepedfromabuffpetticoatwornunderapucegown。

Herfeatureswerenotregular:theywerealmostinfantine，asyoumayseefromminiaturesinpossessionofthefamily，hermouthshowingmuchsensitiveness，andonecouldbesurethatherfaultswouldnotlieonthesideofbadtemperunlessforurgentreasons。

Well，theydiscussedtheirstateasbecamethem，andthedesireoftheyoungcoupletogainthegoodwillofthoseuponwhomtheywereliterallydependentforeverythinginducedthemtoagreetoanytemporizingmeasurethatwasnottooirksome。Therefore，havingbeennearlytwomonthsunited，theydidnotopposeSirJohn"sproposalthatheshouldfurnishEdmondWilloweswithfundssufficientforhimtotravelayearontheContinentinthecompanyofatutor，theyoungmanundertakingtolendhimselfwiththeutmostdiligencetothetutor"sinstructions，tillhebecamepolishedoutwardlyandinwardlytothedegreerequiredinthehusbandofsuchaladyasBarbara。Hewastoapplyhimselftothestudyoflanguages，manners，history，society，ruins，andeverythingelsethatcameunderhiseyes，tillheshouldreturntotakehisplacewithoutblushingbyBarbara"sside。

"Andbythattime，"saidworthySirJohn，"I"llgetmylittleplaceoutatYewsholtreadyforyouandBarbaratooccupyonyourreturn。

Thehouseissmallandoutoftheway；butitwilldoforayoungcoupleforawhile。"

"If"twerenobiggerthanasummer-houseitwoulddo!"saysBarbara。

"If"twerenobiggerthanasedan-chair!"saysWillowes。"Andthemorelonelythebetter。"

"Wecanputupwiththeloneliness，"saidBarbara，withlesszest。

"Somefriendswillcome，nodoubt。"

Allthisbeinglaiddown，atravelledtutorwascalledin——amanofmanygiftsandgreatexperience，——andonafinemorningawaytutorandpupilwent。AgreatreasonurgedagainstBarbaraaccompanyingheryouthfulhusbandwasthathisattentionstoherwouldnaturallybesuchastopreventhiszealouslyapplyingeveryhourofhistimetolearningandseeing——anargumentofwiseprescience，andunanswerable。Regulardaysforletter-writingwerefixed，BarbaraandherEdmondexchangedtheirlastkissesatthedoor，andthechaisesweptunderthearchwayintothedrive。

HewrotetoherfromLeHavre，assoonashereachedthatport，whichwasnotforsevendays，onaccountofadversewinds；hewrotefromRouen，andfromParis；describedtoherhissightoftheKingandCourtatVersailles，andthewonderfulmarble-workandmirrorsinthatpalace；wrotenextfromLyons；then，afteracomparativelylonginterval，fromTurin，narratinghisfearfuladventuresincrossingMontCenisonmules，andhowhewasovertakenwithaterrificsnowstorm，whichhadwell-nighbeentheendofhim，andhistutor，andhisguides。ThenhewroteglowinglyofItaly；andBarbaracouldseethedevelopmentofherhusband"smindreflectedinhislettersmonthbymonth；andshemuchadmiredtheforethoughtofherfatherinsuggestingthiseducationforEdmond。Yetshesighedsometimes——herhusbandbeingnolongerinevidencetofortifyherinherchoiceofhim——andtimidlydreadedwhatmortificationsmightbeinstoreforherbyreasonofthismesalliance。Shewentoutverylittle；forontheoneortwooccasionsonwhichshehadshownherselftoformerfriendsshenoticedadistinctdifferenceintheirmanner，asthoughtheyshouldsay，"Ah，myhappyswain"swife；

you"recaught!"

Edmond"sletterswereasaffectionateasever；evenmoreaffectionate，afterawhile，thanhersweretohim。Barbaraobservedthisgrowingcoolnessinherself；andlikeagoodandhonestladywashorrifiedandgrieved，sinceheronlywishwastoactfaithfullyanduprightly。Ittroubledhersomuchthatsheprayedforawarmerheart，andatlastwrotetoherhusbandtobeghim，nowthathewasinthelandofArt，tosendherhisportrait，eversosmall，thatshemightlookatitalldayandeveryday，andneverforamomentforgethisfeatures。

Willoweswasnothingloth，andrepliedthathewoulddomorethanshewished:hehadmadefriendswithasculptorinPisa，whowasmuchinterestedinhimandhishistory；andhehadcommissionedthisartisttomakeabustofhimselfinmarble，whichwhenfinishedhewouldsendher。WhatBarbarahadwantedwassomethingimmediate；

butsheexpressednoobjectiontothedelay；andinhisnextcommunicationEdmundtoldherthatthesculptor，ofhisownchoice，haddecidedtoincreasethebusttoafull-lengthstatue，soanxiouswashetogetaspecimenofhisskillintroducedtothenoticeoftheEnglisharistocracy。Itwasprogressingwell，andrapidly。

Meanwhile，Barbara"sattentionbegantobeoccupiedathomewithYewsholtLodge，thehousethatherkind-heartedfatherwaspreparingforherresidencewhenherhusbandreturned。Itwasasmallplaceontheplanofalargeone——acottagebuiltintheformofamansion，havingacentralhallwithawoodengalleryrunningroundit，androomsnobiggerthanclosetstofollowthisintroduction。

Itstoodonaslopesosolitary，andsurroundedbytreessodense，thatthebirdswhoinhabitedtheboughssangatstrangehours，asiftheyhardlycoulddistinguishnightfromday。

DuringtheprogressofrepairsatthisbowerBarbarafrequentlyvisitedit。Thoughsosecludedbythedensegrowth，itwasnearthehighroad，andonedaywhilelookingoverthefenceshesawLordUplandtowersridingpast。Hesalutedhercourteously，yetwithmechanicalstiffness，anddidnothalt。Barbarawenthome，andcontinuedtopraythatshemightneverceasetoloveherhusband。

Afterthatshesickened，anddidnotcomeoutofdoorsagainforalongtime。

Theyearofeducationhadextendedtofourteenmonths，andthehousewasinorderforEdmond"sreturntotakeuphisabodetherewithBarbara，when，insteadoftheaccustomedletterforher，cameonetoSirJohnGrebeinthehandwritingofthesaidtutor，informinghimofaterriblecatastrophethathadoccurredtothematVenice。MrWillowesandhimselfhadattendedthetheatreonenightduringtheCarnivaloftheprecedingweek，towitnesstheItaliancomedy，when，owingtothecarelessnessofoneofthecandle-snuffers，thetheatrehadcaughtfire，andbeenburnttotheground。Fewpersonshadlosttheirlives，owingtothesuperhumanexertionsofsomeoftheaudienceingettingoutthesenselesssufferers；and，amongthemall，hewhohadriskedhisownlifethemostheroicallywasMr。

Willowes。Inre-enteringforthefifthtimetosavehisfellow-

creaturessomefierybeamshadfallenuponhim，andhehadbeengivenupforlost。Hewas，however，bytheblessingofProvidence，recovered，withthelifestillinhim，thoughhewasfearfullyburnt；andbyalmostamiracleheseemedlikelytosurvive，hisconstitutionbeingwondrouslysound。Hewas，ofcourse，unabletowrite，buthewasreceivingtheattentionofseveralskilfulsurgeons。Furtherreportwouldbemadebythenextmailorbyprivatehand。

ThetutorsaidnothingindetailofpoorWillowes"ssufferings，butassoonasthenewswasbrokentoBarbarasherealizedhowintensetheymusthavebeen，andherimmediateinstinctwastorushtohisside，though，onconsideration，thejourneyseemedimpossibletoher。Herhealthwasbynomeanswhatithadbeen，andtopostacrossEuropeatthatseasonoftheyear，ortotraversetheBayofBiscayinasailing-craft，wasanundertakingthatwouldhardlybejustifiedbytheresult。Butshewasanxioustogotill，onreadingtotheendoftheletter，herhusband"stutorwasfoundtohintverystronglyagainstsuchastepifitshouldbecontemplated，thisbeingalsotheopinionofthesurgeons。AndthoughWillowes"scomraderefrainedfromgivinghisreasons，theydisclosedthemselvesplainlyenoughinthesequel。

Thetruthwasthattheworstofthewoundsresultingfromthefirehadoccurredtohisheadandface——thathandsomefacewhichhadwonherheartfromher，——andboththetutorandthesurgeonsknewthatforasensitiveyoungwomantoseehimbeforehiswoundshadhealedwouldcausemoremiserytoherbytheshockthanhappinesstohimbyherministrations。

LadyGrebeblurtedoutwhatSirJohnandBarbarahadthought，buthadhadtoomuchdelicacytoexpress。

"Sure，"tismightyhardforyou，poorBarbara，thattheonelittlegifthehadtojustifyyourrashchoiceofhim——hiswonderfulgoodlooks——shouldbetakenawaylikethis，toleave"eenoexcuseatallforyourconductintheworld"seyes……Well，Iwishyou"dmarriedt"other——thatdoI!"Andtheladysighed。

"He"llsoongetrightagain，"saidherfathersoothingly。

Suchremarksastheabovewerenotoftenmade；buttheywerefrequentenoughtocauseBarbaraanuneasysenseofself-

stultification。Shedeterminedtohearthemnolonger；andthehouseatYewsholtbeingreadyandfurnished，shewithdrewthitherwithhermaids，whereforthefirsttimeshecouldfeelmistressofahomethatwouldbehersandherhusband"sexclusively，whenhecame。

AfterlongweeksWilloweshadrecoveredsufficientlytobeabletowritehimself；andslowlyandtenderlyheenlightenedheruponthefullextentofhisinjuries。Itwasamercy，hesaid，thathehadnotlosthissightentirely；buthewasthankfultosaythathestillretainedfullvisioninoneeye，thoughtheotherwasdarkforever。ThesparingmannerinwhichhemetedoutparticularsofhisconditiontoldBarbarahowappallinghadbeenhisexperience。Hewasgratefulforherassurancethatnothingcouldchangeher；butfearedshedidnotfullyrealizethathewassosadlydisfiguredastomakeitdoubtfulifshewouldrecognizehim。However，inspiteofall，hisheartwasastruetoherasiteverhadbeen。

Barbarasawfromhisanxietyhowmuchlaybehind。SherepliedthatshesubmittedtothedecreesofFate，andwouldwelcomehiminanyshapeassoonashecouldcome。Shetoldhimoftheprettyretreatinwhichshehadtakenupherabode，pendingtheirjointoccupationofit，anddidnotrevealhowmuchshehadsighedovertheinformationthatallhisgoodlooksweregone。Stilllessdidshesaythatshefeltacertainstrangenessinawaitinghim，theweekstheyhadlivedtogetherhavingbeensoshortbycomparisonwiththelengthofhisabsence。

SlowlydrewonthetimewhenWillowesfoundhimselfwellenoughtocomehome。HelandedatSouthampton，andpostedthencetowardsYewsholt。BarbaraarrangedtogoouttomeethimasfarasLorntonInn——thespotbetweentheForestandtheChaseatwhichhehadwaitedfornightontheeveningoftheirelopement。Thithershedroveattheappointedhourinalittlepony-chaise，presentedherbyherfatheronherbirthdayforherespecialuseinhernewhouse；

whichvehicleshesentbackonarrivingattheinn，theplanagreeduponbeingthatsheshouldperformthereturnjourneywithherhusbandinhishiredcoach。

Therewasnotmuchaccommodationforaladyatthiswaysidetavern；

but，asitwasafineeveninginearlysummer，shedidnotmind