第7章

Whentheboyreachedthemostfascinatingageofchildhood，andhisshoutsoflaughterranthroughStaplefordHousefromendtoend，theremorsethatoppressedTimothyPetrickknewnobounds。OfallpeopleintheworldthisRupertwastheoneonwhomhecouldhavewishedtheestatestodevolve；yetRupert，byTimothy"sowndesperatestrategyatthetimeofhisbirth，hadbeenoustedfromallinheritanceofthem；and，sincehedidnotmeantoremarry，themanorswouldpasstohisbrotherandhisbrother"schildren，whowouldbenothingtohim，whoseboastedpedigreeononesidewouldbenothingtohisRupert"s。

Hadheonlyleftthefirstwillofhisgrandfatheralone!

Hismindranonthewillscontinually，bothofwhichwereinexistence，andthefirst，thecancelledone，inhisownpossession。

Nightafternight，whentheservantswereallabed，andtheclickofsafetylockssoundedasloudasacrash，helookedatthatfirstwill，andwishedithadbeenthesecondandnotthefirst。

Thecrisiscameatlast。Onenight，afterhavingenjoyedtheboy"scompanyforhours，hecouldnolongerbearthathisbelovedRupertshouldbedispossessed，andhecommittedthefeloniousdeedofalteringthedateoftheearlierwilltoafortnightlater，whichmadeitsexecutionappearsubsequenttothedateofthesecondwillalreadyproved。Hethenboldlypropoundedthefirstwillasthesecond。

HisbrotherEdwardsubmittedtowhatappearedtobenotonlyincontestiblefact，butafarmorelikelydispositionofoldTimothy"sproperty；for，likemanyothers，hehadbeenmuchsurprisedatthelimitationsdefinedintheotherwill，havingnocluetotheircause。HejoinedhisbrotherTimothyinsettingasidethehithertoaccepteddocument，andmatterswentonintheirusualcourse，therebeingnodispositionsinthesubstitutedwilldifferingfromthoseintheother，exceptsuchasrelatedtoafuturewhichhadnotyetarrived。

Theyearsmovedon。RuperthadnotyetrevealedtheanxiouslyexpectedhistoriclineamentswhichshouldforeshadowthepoliticalabilitiesoftheducalfamilyaforesaidwhenithappenedonacertaindaythatTimothyPetrickmadetheacquaintanceofawell-

knownphysicianofBudmouth，whohadbeenthemedicaladviserandfriendofthelateMrs。Petrick"sfamilyformanyyears；thoughafterAnnetta"smarriage，andconsequentremovaltoStapleford，hehadseennomoreofher，theneighbouringpractitionerwhoattendedthePetrickshavingthenbecomeherdoctorasamatterofcourse。

TimothywasimpressedbytheinsightandknowledgedisclosedintheconversationoftheBudmouthphysician，andtheacquaintanceripeningtointimacy，thephysicianalludedtoaformofhallucinationtowhichAnnetta"smotherandgrandmotherhadbeensubject——thatofbelievingincertaindreamsasrealities。HedelicatelyinquiredifTimothyhadevernoticedanythingofthesortinhiswifeduringherlifetime；he，thephysician，hadfanciedthathediscernedgermsofthesamepeculiarityinAnnettawhenheattendedherinhergirlhood。Oneexplanationbegatanother，tillthedumbfounderedTimothyPetrickwaspersuadedinhisownmindthatAnnetta"sconfessiontohimhadbeenbasedonadelusion。

"Youlookdowninthemouth?"saidthedoctor，pausing。

"Abitunmanned。"Tisunexpected-like，"sighedTimothy。

Buthecouldhardlybelieveitpossible；and，thinkingitbesttobefrankwiththedoctor，toldhimthewholestorywhich，tillnow，hehadneverrelatedtolivingman，savehisdyinggrandfather。Tohissurprise，thephysicianinformedhimthatsuchaformofdelusionwaspreciselywhathewouldhaveexpectedfromAnnetta"santecedentsatsuchaphysicalcrisisinherlife。

Petrickprosecutedhisinquirieselsewhere；andtheupshotofhislabourswas，briefly，thatacomparisonofdatesandplacesshowedirrefutablythathispoorwife"sassertioncouldnotpossiblyhavefoundationinfact。TheyoungMarquisofhertenderpassion——ahighlymoralandbright-mindednobleman——hadgoneabroadtheyearbeforeAnnetta"smarriage，andhadnotreturnedtillafterherdeath。Theyounggirl"sloveforhimhadbeenadelicateidealdream——nomore。

Timothywenthome，andtheboyranouttomeethim；whereuponastrangelydismalfeelingofdiscontenttookpossessionofhissoul。

Afterall，then，therewasnothingbutplebeianbloodintheveinsoftheheirtohisnameandestates；hewasnottobesucceededbyanoble-naturedline。Tobesure，Rupertwashisson；butthatgloryandhalohebelievedhimtohaveinheritedfromtheages，outshiningthatofhisbrother"schildren，haddepartedfromRupert"sbrowforever；hecouldnolongerreadhistoryintheboy"sface，andcenturiesofdominationinhiseyes。

Hismannertowardshissongrewcolderandcolderfromthatdayforward；anditwaswithbitternessofheartthathediscernedthecharacteristicfeaturesofthePetricksunfoldingthemselvesbydegrees。Insteadoftheelegantknife-edgednose，sotypicaloftheDukesofSouthwesterland，therebegantoappearonhisfacethebroadnostrilandhollowbridgeofhisgrandfatherTimothy。Noillustriouslineofpoliticianswaspromisedacontinuatorinthatgrayingblueeye，foritwasacquiringtheexpressionoftheorbofaparticularlyobjectionablecousinofhisown；and，insteadofthemouth-curveswhichhadthrilledParliamentaryaudiencesinspeechesnowboundincalfineverywell-orderedlibrary，therewasthebull-

lipofthatveryuncleofhiswhohadhadthemisfortunewiththesignatureofagentleman"swill，andhadbeentransportedforlifeinconsequence。

Tothinkhowhehimself，too，hadsinnedinthissamematterofawillforthismerefleshlyreproductionofawretchedoldunclewhoseverynamehewishedtoforget!Theboy"sChristianname，even，wasanimpostureandanirony，foritimpliedhereditaryforceandbrilliancytowhichheplainlywouldneverattain。Theconsolationofrealsonshipwasalwayslefthimcertainly；buthecouldnothelpgroaningtohimself，"Whycannotasonbeone"sownandsomebodyelse"slikewise!"

TheMarquiswasshortlyafterwardsintheneighbourhoodofStapleford，andTimothyPetrickmethim，andeyedhisnoblecountenanceadmiringly。Thenextday，whenPetrickwasinhisstudy，somebodyknockedatthedoor。

"Who"sthere?"

"Rupert。"

"I"llRupertthee，youyoungimpostor!Say，onlyapoorcommonplacePetrick!"hisfathergrunted。"Whydidn"tyouhaveavoiceliketheMarquis"sIsawyesterday?"hecontinued，astheladcamein。"Whyhaven"tyouhislooks，andawayofcommanding，asifyou"ddoneitforcenturies——hey?"

"Why?Howcanyouexpectit，father，whenI"mnotrelatedtohim?"

"Ugh!Thenyououghttobe!"growledhisfather。

Asthenarratorpaused，thesurgeon，theColonel，thehistorian，theSpark，andothersexclaimedthatsuchsubtleandinstructivepsychologicalstudiesasthis(nowthatpsychologywassomuchindemand)werepreciselythetalestheydesired，asmembersofascientificclub，andbeggedthemaster-maltstertotellanothercuriousmentaldelusion。

Themaltstershookhishead，andfearedhewasnotgenteelenoughtotellanotherstorywithasufficientlymoraltoneinittosuittheclub；hewouldprefertoleavethenexttoabetterman。

TheColonelhadfallenintoreflection。Trueitwas，heobserved，thatthemoredreamyandimpulsivenatureofwomanengenderedwithinhererraticfancies，whichoftenstartedheronstrangetracks，onlytoabandontheminsharprevulsionatthedictatesofhercommonsense——sometimeswithludicrouseffect。Eventswhichhadcausedalady"sactiontosetinaparticulardirectionmightcontinuetoenforcethesamelineofconduct，whileshe，likeamangle，wouldstartonasuddeninacontrarycourse，andendwhereshebegan。

TheVice-Presidentlaughed，andapplaudedtheColonel，addingthattheresurelylurkedastorysomewherebehindthatsentiment，ifhewerenotmuchmistaken。

TheColonelfixedhisfacetoagoodnarrativepose，andwentonwithoutfurtherpreamble。

DAMETHESEVENTH:ANNA，LADYBAXBY

BytheColonelItwasinthetimeofthegreatCivilWar——ifIshouldnotrather，asaloyalsubject，callit，withClarendon，theGreatRebellion。

Itwas，Isay，atthatunhappyperiodofourhistory，thattowardstheautumnofaparticularyear，theParliamentforcessatdownbeforeShertonCastlewithoverseventhousandfootandfourpiecesofcannon。TheCastle，asweallknow，wasinthatcenturyownedandoccupiedbyoneoftheEarlsofSevern，andgarrisonedforhisassistancebyacertainnobleMarquiswhocommandedtheKing"stroopsintheseparts。ThesaidEarl，aswellastheyoungLordBaxby，hiseldestson，wereawayfromhomejustnow，raisingforcesfortheKingelsewhere。ButtherewerepresentintheCastle，whenthebesiegersarrivedbeforeit，theson"sfairwifeLadyBaxby，andherservants，togetherwithsomefriendsandnearrelativesofherhusband；andthedefencewassogoodandwell-consideredthattheyanticipatednogreatdanger。

TheParliamentaryforceswerealsocommandedbyanoblelord——forthenobilitywerebynomeans，atthisstageofthewar，allontheKing"sside——andithadbeenobservedduringhisapproachinthenight-time，andinthemorningwhenthereconnoitringtookplace，thatheappearedsadandmuchdepressed。Thetruthwasthat，byastrangefreakofdestiny，ithadcometopassthatthestrongholdhewassettoreducewasthehomeofhisownsister，whomhehadtenderlylovedduringhermaidenhood，andwhomhelovednow，inspiteoftheestrangementwhichhadresultedfromhostilitieswithherhusband"sfamily。Hebelieved，too，that，notwithstandingthiscrueldivision，shestillwassincerelyattachedtohim。

Hishesitationtopointhisordnanceatthewallswasinexplicabletothosewhowerestrangerstohisfamilyhistory。HeremainedinthefieldonthenorthsideoftheCastle(calledbyhisnametothisdaybecauseofhisencampmentthere)tillitoccurredtohimtosendamessengertohissisterAnnawithaletter，inwhichheearnestlyrequestedher，asshevaluedherlife，tostealoutoftheplacebythelittlegatetothesouth，andmakeawayinthatdirectiontotheresidenceofsomefriends。

Shortlyafterhesaw，tohisgreatsurprise，comingfromthefrontoftheCastlewallsaladyonhorseback，withasingleattendant。

Sherodestraightforwardintothefield，anduptheslopetowherehisarmyandtentswerespread。ItwasnottillshegotquitenearthathediscernedhertobehissisterAnna；andmuchwashealarmedthatsheshouldhaverunsuchriskastosallyoutinthefaceofhisforceswithoutknowledgeoftheirproceedings，whenatanymomenttheirfirstdischargemighthaveburstforth，toherowndestructioninsuchexposure。Shedismountedbeforeshewasquiteclosetohim，andhesawthatherfamiliarface，thoughpale，wasnotatalltearful，asitwouldhavebeenintheiryoungerdays。

Indeed，iftheparticularsashandeddownaretobebelieved，hewasinamoretearfulstatethanshe，inhisanxietyabouther。Hecalledherintohistent，outofthegazeofthosearound；forthoughmanyofthesoldierswerehonestandserious-mindedmen，hecouldnotbearthatshewhohadbeenhisdearcompanioninchildhoodshouldbeexposedtocuriousobservationinthishergreatgrief。

Whentheywerealoneinthetentheclaspedherinhisarms，forhehadnotseenhersincethosehappierdayswhen，atthecommencementofthewar，herhusbandandhimselfhadbeenofthesamemindaboutthearbitraryconductoftheKing，andhadlittledreamtthattheywouldnotgotoextremestogether。Shewasthecalmestofthetwo，itissaid，andwasthefirsttospeakconnectedly。

"William，Ihavecometoyou，"saidshe，"butnottosavemyselfasyousuppose。Why，oh，whydoyoupersistinsupportingthisdisloyalcause，andgrievingusso?"

"Saynotthat，"herepliedhastily。"Iftruthhidesatthebottomofawell，whyshouldyousupposejusticetobeinhighplaces?I

amfortherightatanyprice。Anna，leavetheCastle；youaremysister；comeaway，mydear，andsavethylife!"

"Never!"saysshe。"Doyouplantocarryoutthisattack，andleveltheCastleindeed?"

"MostcertainlyIdo，"sayshe。"Whatmeaneththisarmyaroundusifnotso?"

"Thenyouwillfindthebonesofyoursisterburiedintheruinsyoucause!"saidshe。Andwithoutanotherwordsheturnedandlefthim。

"Anna——abidewithme!"heentreated。"Bloodisthickerthanwater，andwhatisthereincommonbetweenyouandyourhusbandnow?"

Butsheshookherheadandwouldnothearhimandhasteningout，mountedherhorse，andreturnedtowardstheCastleasshehadcome。

Ay，many"sthetimewhenIhavebeenridingtohoundsacrossthatfieldthatIhavethoughtofthatscene!

Whenshehadquitegonedownthefield，andovertheinterveningground，androundthebastion，sothathecouldnolongerevenseethetipofhermare"swhitetail，hewasmuchmoredeeplymovedbyemotionsconcerningherandherwelfarethanhehadbeenwhileshewasbeforehim。Hewildlyreproachedhimselfthathehadnotdetainedherbyforceforherowngood，sothat，comewhatmight，shewouldbeunderhisprotectionandnotunderthatofherhusband，whoseimpulsivenaturerenderedhimtooopentoinstantaneousimpressionsandsuddenchangesofplan；hewasnowactinginthiscauseandnowinthat，andlackedthecooljudgmentnecessaryfortheprotectionofawomaninthesetroubledtimes。Herbrotherthoughtofherwordsagainandagain，andsighed，andevenconsideredifasisterwerenotofmorevaluethanaprinciple，andifhewouldnothaveactedmorenaturallyinthrowinginhislotwithhers。

ThedelayofthebesiegersinattackingtheCastlewassaidtobeentirelyowingtothisdistractiononthepartoftheirleader，whoremainedonthespotattemptingsomeindecisiveoperations，andparleyingwiththeMarquis，thenincommand，withfarinferiorforces，withintheCastle。ItneveroccurredtohimthatinthemeantimetheyoungLadyBaxby，hissister，wasinmuchthesamemoodashimself。Herbrother"sfamiliarvoiceandeyes，muchwornandfatiguedbykeepingthefield，andbyfamilydistractionsonaccountofthisunhappyfeud，roseuponhervisionalltheafternoon，andasdaywanedshegrewmoreandmoreParliamentarianinherprinciples，thoughtheonlyargumentswhichhadaddressedthemselvestoherwerethoseoffamilyties。

Herhusband，GeneralLordBaxby，hadbeenexpectedtoreturnallthedayfromhisexcursionintotheeastofthecounty，amessagehavingbeensenttohiminforminghimofwhathadhappenedathome；andintheeveninghearrivedwithreinforcementsinunexpectednumbers。

HerbrotherretreatedbeforethesetoahillnearIvell，fourorfivemilesoff，toaffordthemenandhimselfsomerepose。LordBaxbydulyplacedhisforces，andtherewasnolongeranyimmediatedanger。BythistimeLadyBaxby"sfeelingsweremoreParliamentarianthanever，andinherfancythefaggedcountenanceofherbrother，beatenbackbyherhusband，seemedtoreproachherforheartlessness。Whenherhusbandenteredherapartment，ruddyandboisterous，andfullofhope，shereceivedhimbutsadly；anduponhiscasuallyutteringsomeslightingwordsaboutherbrother"swithdrawal，whichseemedtoconveyanimputationuponhiscourage，sheresentedthem，andretortedthathe，LordBaxbyhimself，hadbeenagainsttheCourt-partyatfirst，whereitwouldbemuchmoretohiscreditifhewereatpresent，andshowingherbrother"sconsistencyofopinion，insteadofsupportingthelyingpolicyoftheKing(asshecalledit)forthesakeofabarrenprincipleofloyalty，whichwasbutanemptyexpressionwhenaKingwasnotatonewithhispeople。Thedissensiongrewbitterbetweenthem，reachingtolittlelessthanahotquarrel，bothbeingquick-

temperedsouls。

LordBaxbywaswearywithhislongday"smarchandotherexcitements，andsoonretiredtobed。Hisladyfollowedsometimeafter。Herhusbandsleptprofoundly，butnotsoshe；shesatbroodingbythewindow-slit，andliftingthecurtainlookedforthuponthehillswithout。

Inthesilencebetweenthefootfallsofthesentinelsshecouldhearfaintsoundsofherbrother"scamponthedistanthills，wherethesoldieryhadhardlysettledasyetintotheirbivouacsincetheirevening"sretreat。Thefirstfrostsofautumnhadtouchedthegrass，andshrivelledthemoredelicateleavesofthecreepers；andshethoughtofWilliamsleepingonthechillyground，underthestrainofthesehardships。Tearsfloodedhereyesasshereturnedtoherhusband"simputationsuponhiscourage，asiftherecouldbeanydoubtofLordWilliam"scourageafterwhathehaddoneinthepastdays。

LordBaxby"slongandreposefulbreathingsinhiscomfortablebedvexedhernow，andshecametoadeterminationonanimpulse。

Hastilylightingataper，shewroteonascrapofpaper:

"Bloodisthickerthanwater，dearWilliam——Iwillcome；"andwiththisinherhand，shewenttothedooroftheroom，andoutuponthestairs；onsecondthoughtsturningbackforamoment，toputonherhusband"shatandcloak——nottheonehewasdailywearing——thatifseeninthetwilightshemightatacasualglanceappearassomeladorhanger-onofoneofthehouseholdwomen；thusaccoutredshedescendedaflightofcircularstairs，atthebottomofwhichwasadooropeningupontheterracetowardsthewest，inthedirectionofherbrother"sposition。Herobjectwastoslipoutwithoutthesentryseeingher，gettothestables，arouseoneofthevarlets，andsendhimaheadofheralongthehighwaywiththenotetowarnherbrotherofherapproach，tothrowinherlotwithhis。

Shewasstillintheshadowofthewallonthewestterrace，waitingforthesentineltobequiteoutoftheway，whenherearsweregreetedbyavoice，saying，fromtheadjoiningshade-

"HereIbe!"

Thetoneswerethetonesofawoman。LadyBaxbymadenoreply，andstoodclosetothewall。

"MyLordBaxby，"thevoicecontinued；andshecouldrecognizeinitthelocalaccentofsomegirlfromthelittletownofSherton，closeathand。"Ibetiredofwaiting，mydearLordBaxby!Iwasafeardyouwouldnevercome!"

LadyBaxbyflushedhottohertoes。

"Howthewenchloveshim!"shesaidtoherself，reasoningfromthetonesofthevoice，whichwereplaintiveandsweetandtenderasabird"s。Shechangedfromthehome-hatingtruanttothestrategicwifeinonemoment。

"Hist!"shesaid。

"Mylord，youtoldmeteno"clock，and"tisneartwelvenow，"

continuestheother。"Howcouldyekeepmewaitingsoifyoulovemeasyousaid?IshouldhavestucktomyloverintheParliamenttroopsifithadnotbeenforthee，mydearlord!"

TherewasnottheleastdoubtthatLadyBaxbyhadbeenmistakenforherhusbandbythisintriguingdamsel。Herewasaprettyunderhandbusiness!Herewereslymanoeuvrings!Herewasfaithlessness!

Herewasapreciousassignationsurprisedinthemidst!Herwickedhusband，whomtillthisverymomentshehadeverdeemedthesoulofgoodfaith——howcouldhe!

LadyBaxbyprecipitatelyretreatedtothedoorintheturret，closedit，lockedit，andascendedoneroundofthestaircase，wheretherewasaloophole。"Iamnotcoming!I，LordBaxby，despiseyeandallyourwantontribe!"shehissedthroughtheopening；andthencreptupstairs，asfirmlyrootedinRoyalistprinciplesasanymanintheCastle。

Herhusbandstillsleptthesleepoftheweary，well-fed，andwell-

drunken，ifnotofthejust；andLadyBaxbyquicklydisrobedherselfwithoutassistance——being，indeed，supposedbyherwomantohaveretiredtorestlongago。Beforelyingdown，shenoiselesslylockedthedoorandplacedthekeyunderherpillow。Morethanthat，shegotastaylace，and，creepinguptoherlord，ingreatstealthtiedthelaceinatightknottooneofhislonglocksofhair，attachingtheotherendofthelacetothebedpost；for，beingtiredherselfnow，shefearedshemightsleepheavily；and，ifherhusbandshouldwake，thiswouldbeadelicatehintthatshehaddiscoveredall。

Itisaddedthat，tomakeassurancetreblysure，hergentleladyship，whenshehadlaindowntorest，heldherlord"shandinherownduringthewholeofthenight。Butthisisold-wives"

gossip，andnotcorroborated。WhatLordBaxbythoughtandsaidwhenheawokethenextmorning，andfoundhimselfsostrangelytethered，islikewiseonlymatterofconjecture；thoughthereisnoreasontosupposethathisragewasgreat。Theextentofhisculpabilityasregardstheintriguewasthismuch；that，whilehaltingatacross-

roadnearShertonthatday，hehadflirtedwithaprettyyoungwoman，whoseemednothingloth，andhadinvitedhertotheCastleterraceafterdark——aninvitationwhichhequiteforgotonhisarrivalhome。

ThesubsequentrelationsofLordandLadyBaxbywerenotagaingreatlyembitteredbyquarrels，sofarasisknown；thoughthehusband"sconductinlaterlifewasoccasionallyeccentric，andthevicissitudesofhispubliccareerculminatedinlongexile。ThesiegeoftheCastlewasnotregularlyundertakentilltwoorthreeyearslaterthanthetimeIhavebeendescribing，whenLadyBaxbyandallthewomentherein，exceptthewifeofthethenGovernor，hadbeenremovedtosafedistance。ThatmemorablesiegeoffifteendaysbyFairfax，andthesurrenderoftheoldplaceonanAugustevening，ismatterofhistory，andneednotbetoldbyme。

TheManofFamilyspokeapprovinglyacrosstotheColonelwhentheClubhaddonesmiling，declaringthatthestorywasanabsolutelyfaithfulpageofhistory，ashehadgoodreasontoknow，hisownpeoplehavingbeenengagedinthatwell-knownscrimmage。HeaskediftheColonelhadeverheardtheequallywell-authenticated，thoughlessmartialtaleofacertainLadyPenelope，wholivedinthesamecentury，andnotascoreofmilesfromthesameplace?

TheColonelhadnotheardit，norhadanybodyexceptthelocalhistorian；andtheinquirerwasinducedtoproceedforthwith。

DAMETHEEIGHTH:THELADYPENELOPE

BythemanofFamilyIngoingoutofCasterbridgebythelow-lyingroadwhicheventuallyconductstothetownofIvell，youseeontherighthandaniviedmanor-house，flankedbybattlementedtowers，andmorethanusuallydistinguishedbythesizeofitsmanymullionedwindows。Thoughstillofgoodcapacity，thebuildingismuchreducedfromitsoriginalgrandproportions；ithas，moreover，beenshornofthefairestatewhichonceappertainedtoitslord，withtheexceptionofafewacresofpark-landimmediatelyaroundthemansion。ThiswasformerlytheseatoftheancientandknightlyfamilyoftheDrenghards，orDrenkhards，nowextinctinthemaleline，whosename，accordingtothelocalchronicles，wasinterpretedtomeanStrenuusMiles，velPotator，thoughcertainmembersofthefamilywereaversetothelattersignification，andaduelwasfoughtbyoneofthemonthataccount，asiswellknown。Withthis，however，wearenotnowconcerned。

IntheearlypartofthereignofthefirstKingJames，therewasvisitingnearthisplaceoftheDrenghardsaladyofnoblefamilyandextraordinarybeauty。Shewasofthepurestdescent；ah，there"sseldomsuchbloodnowadaysashers!Shepossessednogreatwealth，itwassaid，butwassufficientlyendowed。Herbeautywassoperfect，andhermannersoentrancing，thatsuitorsseemedtospringoutofthegroundwherevershewent，asufficientcauseofanxietytotheCountesshermother，heronlylivingparent。Ofthesetherewerethreeinparticular，whomneitherhermother"scomplaintsofprematurity，northereadyrailleryofthemaidenherself，couldeffectuallyputoff。ThesaidgallantswereacertainSirJohnGale，aSirWilliamHervy，andthewell-knownSirGeorgeDrenghard，oneoftheDrenghardfamilybefore-mentioned。

Theyhad，curiouslyenough，allbeenequallyhonouredwiththedistinctionofknighthood，andtheirschemesforseeingherweremanifold，eachfearingthatoneoftheotherswouldstealamarchoverhimself。Notcontentwithcalling，oneveryimaginableexcuse，atthehouseoftherelativewithwhomshesojourned，theyinterceptedherinridesandinwalks；andifanyoneofthemchancedtosurpriseanotherintheactofpayinghermarkedattentions，theencounteroftenendedinanaltercationofgreatviolence。Soheatedandimpassioned，indeed，wouldtheybecome，thattheladyhardlyfeltherselfsafeintheircompanyatsuchtimes，notwithstandingthatshewasabraveandbuxomdamsel，noteasilyputout，andwithadaringspiritofhumourinhercomposition，ifnotofcoquetry。

Atoneofthesealtercations，whichhadplaceinherrelative"sgrounds，andwasunusuallybitter，threateningtoresultinaduel，shefounditnecessarytoassertherself。Turninghaughtilyuponthepairofdisputants，shedeclaredthatwhichevershouldbethefirsttobreakthepeacebetweenthem，nomatterwhattheprovocation，thatmanshouldneverbeadmittedtoherpresenceagain；andthuswouldsheeffectuallystultifytheaggressorbymakingthepromotionofaquarreladistinctbartoitsobject。

Whilethetwoknightswerewearingratheracrest-fallenappearanceatherreprimand，thethird，neverfaroff，cameuponthescene，andsherepeatedhercaveattohimalso。Seeing，then，howgreatwastheconcernofallatherperemptorymood，thelady"smannersoftened，andshesaidwitharoguishsmile-

"Havepatience，havepatience，youfoolishmen!Onlybideyourtimequietly，and，infaith，Iwillmarryyouallinturn!"

Theylaughedheartilyatthissally，allthreetogether，asthoughtheywerethebestoffriends；atwhichsheblushed，andshowedsomeembarrassment，nothavingrealizedthatherarchjestwouldhavesoundedsostrangewhenuttered。Themeetingwhichresultedthus，however，haditsgoodeffectincheckingthebitternessoftheirrivalry；andtheyrepeatedherspeechtotheirrelativesandacquaintancewithahilariousfrequencyandpublicitythattheladylittledivined，orshemighthaveblushedandfeltmoreembarrassmentstill。

Inthecourseoftimethepositionresolveditself，andthebeauteousLadyPenelope(asshewascalled)madeuphermind；herchoicebeingtheeldestofthethreeknights，SirGeorgeDrenghard，ownerofthemansionaforesaid，whichthereuponbecameherhome；andherhusbandbeingapleasantman，andhisfamily，thoughnotsonoble，ofasgoodreputeasherown，allthingsseemedtoshowthatshehadreckonedwiselyinhonouringhimwithherpreference。

Butwhatmayliebehindthestillandsilentveilofthefuturenonecanforetell。Inthecourseofafewmonthsthehusbandofherchoicediedofhisconvivialities(asif，indeed，tobearouthisname)，andtheLadyPenelopewasleftaloneasmistressofhishouse。Bythistimeshehadapparentlyquiteforgottenhercarelessdeclarationtoherloverscollectively；buttheloversthemselveshadnotforgottenit；and，asshewouldnowbefreetotakeasecondoneofthem，SirJohnGaleappearedatherdoorasearlyinherwidowhoodasitwasproperandseemlytodoso。

Shegavehimlittleencouragement；for，ofthetworemaining，herbestbelovedwasSirWilliam，ofwhom，ifthetruthmustbetold，shehadoftenthoughtduringhershortmarriedlife。Buthehadnotyetreappeared。Herheartbegantobesomuchwithhimnowthatshecontrivedtoconveytohim，byindirecthintsthroughhisfriends，thatshewouldnotbedispleasedbyarenewalofhisformerattentions。SirWilliam，however，misapprehendedhergentlesignalling，andfromexcellent，thoughmistakenmotivesofdelicacy，delayedtointrudehimselfuponherforalongtime。MeanwhileSirJohn，nowcreatedabaronet，wasunremitting，andshebegantogrowsomewhatpiquedatthebackwardnessofhimshesecretlydesiredtobeforward。

"Nevermind，"herfriendssaidjestinglytoher(knowingofherhumorousremark，aseverybodydid，thatshewouldmarrythemallthreeiftheywouldhavepatience)——"nevermind；whyhesitateupontheorderofthem?Take"emastheycome。"

Thisvexedherstillmore，andregrettingdeeply，asshehadoftendone，thatsuchacarelessspeechshouldeverhavepassedherlips，shefairlybrokedownunderSirJohn"simportunity，andacceptedhishand。Theyweremarriedonafinespringmorning，abouttheverytimeatwhichtheunfortunateSirWilliamdiscoveredherpreferenceforhim，andwasbeginningtohastenhomefromaforeigncourttodeclarehisunaltereddevotiontoher。OnhisarrivalinEnglandhelearntthesadtruth。

IfSirWilliamsufferedatherprecipitancyunderwhatshehaddeemedhisneglect，theLadyPenelopeherselfsufferedmore。ShehadnotlongbeenthewifeofSirJohnGalebeforeheshowedadispositiontoretaliateuponherforthetroubleanddelayshehadputhimtoinwinningher。Withincreasingfrequencyhewouldtellherthat，asfarashecouldperceive，shewasanarticlenotworthsuchlabourashehadbestowedinobtainingit，andsuchsnubbingsashehadtakenfromhisrivalsonthesameaccount。Theseandothercruelthingsherepeatedtillhemadetheladyweepsorely，andwellnighbrokeherspirit，thoughshehadformerlybeensuchamettlesomedame。Bydegreesitbecameperceptibletoallherfriendsthatherlifewasaveryunhappyone；andthefateofthefairwomanseemedyettheharderinthatitwasherownstatelymansion，lefttohersoleusebyherfirsthusband，whichhersecondhadenteredintoandwasenjoying，hisbeingbutameanandmeagreerection。

Butsuchistheflippancyoffriendsthatwhenshemetthem，andsecretlyconfidedhergrieftotheirears，theywouldsaycheerily，"Lord，nevermind，mydear；there"sathirdtocomeyet!"——atwhichmaladroitremarkshewouldshowmuchindignation，andtellthemtheyshouldknowbetterthantotrifleonsosolemnatheme。Yetthatthepoorladywouldhavebeenonlytoohappytobethewifeofthethird，insteadofSirJohnwhomshehadtaken，waspainfullyobvious，andmuchshewasblamedforherfoolishchoicebysomepeople。SirWilliam，however，hadreturnedtoforeigncitiesonlearningthenewsofhermarriage，andhadneverbeenheardofsince。

TwoorthreeyearsofsufferingwerepassedbyLadyPenelopeasthedespisedandchiddenwifeofthismanSirJohn，amidregretsthatshehadsogreatlymistakenhim，andsighsforonewhomshethoughtnevertoseeagain，tillitchancedthatherhusbandfellsickofsomeslightailment。Onedayafterthis，whenshewassittinginhisroom，lookingfromthewindowupontheexpanseinfront，shebeheld，approachingthehouseonfoot，aformsheseemedtoknowwell。LadyPenelopewithdrewsilentlyfromthesickroom，anddescendedtothehall，whence，throughthedoorway，shesawenteringbetweenthetworoundtowers，whichatthattimeflankedthegateway，SirWilliamHervy，asshehadsurmised，butlookingthinandtravel-worn。Sheadvancedintothecourtyardtomeethim。

"IwaspassingthroughCasterbridge，"hesaid，withfalteringdeference，"andIwalkedouttoaskafteryourladyship"shealth。I

feltthatIcoulddonoless；and，ofcourse，topaymyrespectstoyourgoodhusband，myheretoforeacquaintance……Butoh，Penelope，th"stlooksickandsorry!"

"Iamheartsick，that"sall，"saidshe。

Theycouldseeineachotheranemotionwhichneitherwishedtoexpress，andtheystoodthusalongtimewithtearsintheireyes。

"Hedoesnottreat"eewell，Ihear，"saidSirWilliaminalowvoice。"MayGodinHeavenforgivehim；butitisaskingagreatdeal!"

"Hush，hush!"saidshehastily。

"Nay，butIwillspeakwhatImayhonestlysay，"heanswered。"Iamnotunderyourroof，andmytongueisfree。Whydidstnotwaitforme，Penelope，orsendtomeamoreovertletter?Iwouldhavetravellednightanddaytocome!"

"Toolate，William；youmustnotaskit，"saidshe，endeavouringtoquiethimasinoldtimes。"Myhusbandjustnowisunwell。Hewillgrowbetterinadayortwo，maybe。YoumustcallagainandseehimbeforeyouleaveCasterbridge。"

Asshesaidthistheireyesmet。Eachwasthinkingofherlightsomewordsabouttakingthethreemeninturn；eachthoughtthattwo-

thirdsofthatpromisehadbeenfulfilled。But，asifitwereunpleasanttoherthatthisrecollectionshouldhavearisen，shespokeagainquickly:"Comeagaininadayortwo，whenmyhusbandwillbewellenoughtoseeyou。"

SirWilliamdepartedwithoutenteringthehouse，andshereturnedtoSirJohn"schamber。He，risingfromhispillow，said，"Towhomhastbeentalking，wife，inthecourtyard?Iheardvoicesthere。"

Shehesitated，andherepeatedthequestionmoreimpatiently。

"Idonotwishtotellyounow，"saidshe。

"ButIwoollknow!"saidhe。

Thensheanswered，"SirWilliamHervy。"

"ByG-Ithoughtasmuch!"criedSirJohn，dropsofperspirationstandingonhiswhiteface。"Askulkingvillain!Asickman"searsarekeen，mylady。Iheardthattheywerelover-liketones，andhecalled"eebyyourChristianname。Thesebeyourintrigues，mylady，whenIamoffmylegsawhile!"

"Onmyhonour，"criedshe，"youdomeawrong。IswearIdidnotknowofhiscoming!"

"Swearasyouwill，"saidSirJohn，"Idon"tbelieve"ee。"Andwiththishetauntedher，andworkedhimselfintoagreaterpassion，whichmuchincreasedhisillness。Hisladysatstill，brooding。

Therewasthatuponherfacewhichhadseldombeentheresincehermarriage；andsheseemedtothinkanewofwhatshehadsolightlysaidinthedaysofherfreedom，whenherthreeloverswereoneandallcovetingherhand。"Ibeganatthewrongendofthem，"shemurmured。"MyGod——thatdidI!"

"What?"saidhe。

"Atrifle，"saidshe。"Ispoketomyselfonly。"

Itwassomewhatstrangethatafterthisday，whileshewentaboutthehousewithevenasadderfacethanusual，herchurlishhusbandgrewworse；andwhatwasmore，tothesurpriseofall，thoughtotheregretoffew，hediedafortnightlater。SirWilliamhadnotcalleduponhimashehadpromised，havingreceivedaprivatecommunicationfromLadyPenelope，franklyinforminghimthattodosowouldbeinadvisable，byreasonofherhusband"stemper。

NowwhenSirJohnwasgone，andhisremainscarriedtohisfamilyburying-placeinanotherpartofEngland，theladybeganinduetimetowonderwhitherSirWilliamhadbetakenhimself。Butshehadbeencuredofprecipitancy(ifeverwomanwere)，andwaspreparedtowaitherwholelifetimeawidowifthesaidSirWilliamshouldnotreappear。Herlifewasnowpassedmostlywithinthewalls，orinpromenadingbetweenthepleasaunceandthebowling-green；andsheveryseldomwentevensofarasthehighroadwhichthenskirtedthegroundsonthenorth，thoughithasnow，andformanyyears，beendivertedtothesouthside。Herpatiencewasrewarded(iflovebeinanycaseareward)；foroneday，manymonthsafterhersecondhusband"sdeath，amessengerarrivedathergatewiththeintelligencethatSirWilliamHervywasagaininCasterbridge，andwouldbegladtoknowifitwereherpleasurethatheshouldwaituponher。

Itneedhardlybesaidthatpermissionwasjoyfullygranted，andwithintwohoursherloverstoodbeforeher，amorethoughtfulmanthanformerly，butinallessentialrespectsthesameman，generous，modesttodiffidence，andsincere。Thereservewhichwomanlydecorumthrewoverhermannerwasbuttooobviouslyartificial，andwhenhesaid"thewaysofProvidencearestrange，"andaddedafteramoment，"andmercifullikewise，"shecouldnotconcealheragitation，andburstintotearsuponhisneck。

"Butthisistoosoon，"shesaid，startingback。

"Butno，"saidhe。"Youareelevenmonthsgoneinwidowhood，anditisnotasifSirJohnhadbeenagoodhusbandtoyou。"

Hisvisitsgrewprettyfrequentnow，asmaywellbeguessed，andinamonthortwohebegantourgehertoanearlyunion。Butshecounselledalittlelongerdelay。

"Why?"saidhe。"SurelyIhavewaitedlong!Lifeisshort；wearegettingoldereveryday，andIamthelastofthethree。"

"Yes，"saidtheladyfrankly。"AndthatiswhyIwouldnothaveyouhasten。Ourmarriagemayseemsostrangetoeverybody，aftermyunluckyremarkonthatoccasionweknowsowell，andwhichsomanyothersknowlikewise，thankstotalebearers。"

Onthisrepresentationheconcededalittlespace，forthesakeofhergoodname。Butthedestineddayoftheirmarriageatlastarrived，anditwasagaytimeforthevillagersandallconcerned，andthebellsintheparishchurchrangfromnoontillnight。Thusatlastshewasunitedtothemanwhohadlovedherthemosttenderlyofthemall，whobutforhisreticencemightperhapshavebeenthefirsttowinher。Oftendidhesaytohimself；"Howwondrousthatherwordsshouldhavebeenfulfilled!Manyatruthhathbeenspokeninjest，butneveramoreremarkableone!"Thenobleladyherselfpreferrednottodwellonthecoincidence，acertainshyness，ifnotshame，crossingherfairfaceatanyallusionthereto。

Butpeoplewillhavetheirsay，sensitivesoulsornone，andtheirsayingsonthisthirdoccasiontookasingularshape。"Surely，"

theywhispered，"thereissomethingmorethanchanceinthis……

Thedeathofthefirstwaspossiblynatural；butwhatofthedeathofthesecond，whoill-usedher，andwhom，lovingthethirdsodesperately，shemusthavewishedoutoftheway?"

ThentheypiecedtogethersundrytrivialincidentsofSirJohn"sillness，anddweltupontheindubitabletruththathehadgrownworseafterherlover"sunexpectedvisit；tillaverysinistertheorywasbuiltupastothehandshemayhavehadinSirJohn"sprematuredemise。Butnothingofthissuspicionwassaidopenly，forshewasaladyofnoblebirth——nobler，indeed，thaneitherofherhusbands——andwhatpeoplesuspectedtheyfearedtoexpressinformalaccusation。

Themansionthatsheoccupiedhadbeenlefttoherforsolongatimeassheshouldchoosetoresideinit，and，havingaregardforthespot，shehadcoaxedSirWilliamtoremainthere。Butintheenditwasunfortunate；foroneday，wheninthefulltideofhishappiness，hewaswalkingamongthewillowsnearthegardens，whereheoverheardaconversationbetweensomebasket-makerswhowerecuttingtheosiersfortheiruse。Inthisfataldialoguethesuspicionsoftheneighbouringtownsfolkwererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。

"Acupboardclosetohisbed，andthekeyinherpocket。Ah!"saidone。

"Andabluephialtherein——h"m!"saidanother。

"Andspurge-laurelleavesamongthehearth-ashes。Oh-oh!"saidathird。

OnhisreturnhomeSirWilliamseemedtohaveagedyears。Buthesaidnothing；indeed，itwasathingimpossible。Andfromthathouraghastlyestrangementbegan。Shecouldnotunderstandit，andsimplywaited。Onedayhesaid，however，"Imustgoabroad。"

"Why?"saidshe。"William，haveIoffendedyou?"

"No，"saidhe；"butImustgo。"

Shecouldcoaxlittlemoreoutofhim，andinitselftherewasnothingunnaturalinhisdeparture，forhehadbeenawandererfromhisyouth。Inafewdayshestartedoff，apparentlyquiteanothermanthanhewhohadrushedtohersidesodevotedlyafewmonthsbefore。

Itisnotknownwhen，orhow，therumours，whichweresothickintheatmospherearoundher，actuallyreachedtheLadyPenelope"sears，butthattheydidreachherthereisnodoubt。Itwasimpossiblethattheyshouldnot；thedistrictteemedwiththem；theyrustledintheairlikenight-birdsofevilomen。Thenareasonforherhusband"sdepartureoccurredtoherappalledmind，andalossofhealthbecamequicklyapparent。Shedwindledthinintheface，andtheveinsinhertemplescouldallbedistinctlytraced。Aninnerfireseemedtobewitheringheraway。Herringsfelloffherfingers，andherarmshungliketheflailsofthethreshers，thoughtheyhadtilllatelybeensoroundandsoelastic。Shewrotetoherhusbandrepeatedly，begginghimtoreturntoher；buthe，beinginextremeandwretcheddoubt，moreover，knowingnothingofherill-

health，andneversuspectingthattherumourshadreachedheralso，deemedabsencebest，andpostponedhisreturnawhile，givingvariousgoodreasonsforhisdelay。

Atlength，however，whentheLadyPenelopehadgivenbirthtoastill-bornchild，hermother，theCountess，addressedalettertoSirWilliam，requestinghimtocomebacktoherifhewishedtoseeheralive；sinceshewaswastingawayofsomemysteriousdisease，whichseemedtoberathermentalthanphysical。Itwasevidentthathismother-in-lawknewnothingofthesecret，forshelivedatadistance；butSirWilliampromptlyhastenedhome，andstoodbesidethebedofhisnowdyingwife。

"Believeme，William，"shesaidwhentheywerealone，"Iaminnocent——innocent!"

"Ofwhat?"saidhe。"HeavenforbidthatIshouldaccuseyouofanything!"

"Butyoudoaccuseme——silently!"shegasped。"Icouldnotwritethereon——andaskyoutohearme。Itwastoomuch，toodegrading。

ButwouldthatIhadbeenlessproud!Theysuspectmeofpoisoninghim，William!But，ohmydearhusband，Iaminnocentofthatwickedcrime!Hediednaturally。Ilovedyou——toosoon；butthatwasall!"

Nothingavailedtosaveher。ThewormhadgnawedtoofarintoherheartbeforeSirWilliam"sreturnforanythingtoberemedialnow；

andinafewweeksshebreathedherlast。Afterherdeaththepeoplespokelouder，andherconductbecameasubjectofpublicdiscussion。Alittlelateron，thephysician，whohadattendedthelateSirJohn，heardtherumour，andcamedownfromtheplacenearLondontowhichhelatterlyhadretired，withtheexpresspurposeofcallinguponSirWilliamHervy，nowstayinginCasterbridge。

Hestatedthat，attherequestofarelativeofSirJohn"s，whowishedtobeassuredonthematterbyreasonofitssuddenness，hehad，withtheassistanceofasurgeon，madeaprivateexaminationofSirJohn"sbodyimmediatelyafterhisdecease，andfoundthatithadresultedfrompurelynaturalcauses。Nobodyatthistimehadbreathedasuspicionoffoulplay，andthereforenothingwassaidwhichmightafterwardshaveestablishedherinnocence。

Itbeingthusplacedbeyonddoubtthatthisbeautifulandnobleladyhadbeendonetodeathbyavilescandalthatwaswhollyunfounded，herhusbandwasstungwithadreadfulremorseatthesharehehadtakeninhermisfortunes，andleftthecountryanew，thistimenevertoreturnalive。Hesurvivedherbutafewyears，andhisbodywasbroughthomeandburiedbesidehiswife"sunderthetombwhichisstillvisibleintheparishchurch。Untillatelytherewasagoodportraitofher，inweedsforherfirsthusband，withacrossinherhand，attheancestralseatofherfamily，whereshewasmuchpitied，asshedeservedtobe。Yetthereweresomesevereenoughtosay——andthesenotunjustpersonsinotherrespects——thatthoughunquestionablyinnocentofthecrimeimputedtoher，shehadshownanunseemlywantonnessincontractingthreemarriagesinsuchrapidsuccession；thattheuntruesuspicionmighthavebeenorderedbyProvidence(whooftenworksindirectly)asapunishmentforherself-indulgence。UponthatpointIhavenoopiniontooffer。

ThereverendtheVice-President，however，thetalebeingended，offeredashisopinionthatherfateoughttobequiteclearlyrecognizedasapunishment。SothoughttheChurchwarden，andalsothequietgentlemansittingnear。Thelatterknewmanyotherinstancesinpoint，oneofwhichcouldbenarratedinafewwords。

DAMETHENINTH:THEDUCHESSOFHAMPTONSHIRE

BytheQuietGentlemanSomefiftyyearsago，thethenDukeofHamptonshire，fifthofthattitle，wasincontestiblytheheadmaninhiscounty，andparticularlyintheneighbourhoodofBatton。HecameoftheancientandloyalfamilyofSaxelbye，which，beforeitsennoblement，hadnumberedmanyknightlyandecclesiasticalcelebritiesinitsmaleline。Itwouldhaveoccupiedapainstakingcountyhistorianawholeafternoontotakerubbingsofthenumerouseffigiesandheraldicdevicesgraventotheirmemoryonthebrasses，tablets，andaltar-

tombsintheaisleoftheparish-church。TheDukehimself，however，wasamanlittleattractedbyancientchroniclesinstoneandmetal，evenwhentheyconcernedhisownbeginnings。Heallowedhismindtolingerbypreferenceonthemanygracelessandunedifyingpleasureswhichhispositionplacedathiscommand。Hecouldonoccasionclosethemouthsofhisdependentsbyagoodbomb-likeoath，andheargueddoggedlywiththeparsononthevirtuesofcock-fightingandbaitingthebull。

Thisnobleman"spersonalappearancewassomewhatimpressive。Hiscomplexionwasthatofthecopper-beechtree。Hisframewasstalwart，thoughslightlystooping。Hismouthwaslarge，andhecarriedanunpolishedsaplingashiswalking-stick，exceptwhenhecarriedaspudforcuttingupanythistleheencounteredonhiswalks。Hiscastlestoodinthemidstofapark，surroundedbyduskyelms，excepttothesouthward；andwhenthemoonshoneout，thegleamingstonefacade，backedbyheavyboughs，wasvisiblefromthedistanthighroadasawhitespotonthesurfaceofdarkness。

Thoughcalledacastle，thebuildingwaslittlefortified，andhadbeenerectedwithgreatereyetointernalconveniencethanthosecranniedplacesofdefencetowhichthenamestrictlyappertains。

Itwasacastellatedmansionasregularasachessboardonitsground-plan，ornamentedwithmake-believebastionsandmachicolations，behindwhichwerestacksofbattlementedchimneys。

Onstillmornings，atthefire-lightinghour，whenghostlyhouse-

maidsstalkthecorridors，andthinstreaksoflightthroughtheshutter-chinkslendstartlingwinksandsmilestoancestorsoncanvas，twelveorfifteenthinstemsofbluesmokesproutedupwardsfromthesechimney-tops，andspreadintoaflatcanopyonhigh。

Aroundthesitestretchedtenthousandacresofgood，fat，unimpeachablesoil，plentifulingladesandlawnswherevervisiblefromthecastle-windows，andmerginginhomelyarablewherescreenedfromthetoocuriouseyebyingeniously-contrivedplantations。

Somewaybehindtheownerofallthiscamethesecondmanintheparish，therector，theHonourableandReverendMr。Oldbourne，awidower，overstiffandsternforaclergyman，whoseseverewhiteneckcloth，well-keptgrayhair，andright-linedfacebetokenednoneofthosesympathetictraitswhereondependssomuchofaparson"spowertodogoodamonghisfellow-creatures。Thelast，far-removedmanoftheseries——altogethertheNeptuneoftheselocalprimaries——

wasthecurate，Mr。AlwynHill。Hewasahandsomeyoungdeaconwithcurlyhair，dreamyeyes——sodreamythattolooklongintothemwaslikeascendingandfloatingamongsummerclouds——acomplexionasfreshasaflower，andachinabsolutelybeardless。Thoughhisagewasabouttwenty-five，helookednotmuchovernineteen。

TherectorhadadaughtercalledEmmeline，ofsosweetandsimpleanaturethatherbeautywasdiscovered，measured，andinventoriedbyalmosteverybodyinthatpartofthecountrybeforeitwassuspectedbyherselftoexist。Shehadbeenbredincomparativesolitude；arencounterwithmentroubledandconfusedher。Wheneverastrangevisitorcametoherfather"shousesheslippedintotheorchardandremainedtillhewasgone，ridiculingherweaknessinapostrophes，butunabletoovercomeit。Hervirtueslayinnoresistantforceofcharacter，butinanaturalinappetencyforevilthings，whichtoherwereasunmeaningasjointsoffleshtoaherbivorouscreature。

Hercharmsofperson，manner，andmind，hadbeenclearforsometimetotheAntinousinorders，andnolesssototheDuke，who，thoughscandalouslyignorantofdaintyphrases，evershowingaclumsymannertowardsthegentlersex，and，inshort，notatallalady"sman，tookfiretoadegreethatwaswellnighterribleatsuddensightofEmmeline，ashorttimeaftershewasturnedseventeen。

Itoccurredoneafternoonatthecornerofashrubberybetweenthecastleandtherectory，wheretheDukewasstandingtowatchtheheavingofamole，whenthefairgirlbrushedpastatadistanceofafewyards，inthefulllightofthesun，andwithouthatorbonnet。TheDukewenthomelikeamanwhohadseenaspirit。Heascendedtothepicture-galleryofhiscastle，andtherepassedsometimeinstaringatthebygonebeautiesofhislineasifhehadneverbeforeconsideredwhatanimportantpartthosespecimensofwomankindhadplayedintheevolutionoftheSaxelbyerace。Hedinedalone，drankratherfreely，anddeclaredtohimselfthatEmmelineOldbournemustbehis。

Meanwhiletherehadunfortunatelyarisenbetweenthecurateandthisgirlsomesweetandsecretunderstanding。Particularsoftheattachmentremainedunknownthenandalways，butitwasplainlynotapprovedofbyherfather。Hisprocedurewascold，hard，andinexorable。Soonthecuratedisappearedfromtheparish，almostsuddenly，afterbitterandhardwordshadbeenheardtopassbetweenhimandtherectoroneeveninginthegarden，intermingledwithwhich，likethecriesofthedyinginthedinofbattle，werethebeseechingsobsofawoman。NotlongafterthisitwasannouncedthatamarriagebetweentheDukeandMissOldbournewastobesolemnizedatasurprisinglyearlydate。

Thewedding-daycameandpassed；andshewasaDuchess。Nobodyseemedtothinkoftheoustedmanduringtheday，orelsethosewhothoughtofhimconcealedtheirmeditations。Someofthelesssubservientonesweredisposedtospeakinajocularmanneroftheaugusthusbandandwife，otherstomakecorrectandprettyspeechesaboutthem，accordingastheirsexandnaturedictated。Butintheevening，theringersinthebelfry，withwhomAlwynhadbeenafavourite，easedtheirmindsalittleconcerningthegentleyoungman，andthepossibleregretsofthewomanhehadloved。

"Don"tyouseesomethingwronginitall?"saidthethirdbellashewipedhisface。"Iknowwellenoughwhereshewouldhavelikedtostableherhorsesto-night，whentheyhavedonetheirjourney。"

"Thatis，youwouldknowifyoucouldtellwhereyoungMr。Hillisliving，whichisknowntononeintheparish。"

"Excepttotheladythatthisringo"grandsiretriplesisinhonourof。"