第8章

ElizabethEndorfieldhadareputeamongwomenwhichwasinitsnaturesomethingbetweendistinctionandnotoriety。Itwasfoundedonthefollowingitemsofcharacter。Shewasshrewdandpenetrating;herhousestoodinalonelyplace;sheneverwenttochurch;sheworearedcloak;shealwaysretainedherbonnetindoorsandshehadapointedchin。ThusfarherattributesweredistinctlySatanic;andthosewholookednofurthercalledher，inplaintermsawitch。Butshewasnotgaunt，noruglyintheupperpartofherface，norparticularlystrangeinmanner;sothat，whenhermoreintimateacquaintancesspokeofherthetermwassoftened，andshebecamesimplyaDeepBody，whowasaslong—headedasshewashigh。

ItmaybestatedthatElizabeth，belongedtoaclassofsuspectswhoweregraduallylosingtheirmysteriouscharacteristicsundertheadministrationoftheyoungvicar;though，duringthelongreignofMr。Grinham，theparishofMellstockhadprovedextremelyfavourabletothegrowthofwitches。

WhileFancywasrevolvingallthisinhermind，andputtingittoherselfwhetheritwasworthwhiletotellhertroublestoElizabeth，andaskheradviceingettingoutofthem，thewitchspoke。

"Youbedown——properdown，"shesaidsuddenly，droppinganotherpotatointothebucket。

Fancytooknonotice。

"Aboutyouryoungman。"

Fancyreddened。Elizabethseemedtobewatchingherthoughts。

Really，onewouldalmostthinkshemusthavethepowerspeopleascribedtoher。

"Fathernotinthehumourfor’t，hey？"Anotherpotatowasfinishedandflungin。"Ah，Iknowaboutit。Littlebirdstellmethingsthatpeopledon’tdreamofmyknowing。"

FancywasdesperateaboutDick，andherewasachance——O，suchawickedchance——ofgettinghelp;andwhatwasgoodnessbesidelove！

"Iwishyou’dtellmehowtoputhiminthehumourforit？"shesaid。

"ThatIcouldsoondo，"saidthewitchquietly。

"Really？O，do;anyhow——Idon’tcare——sothatitisdone！HowcouldIdoit，Mrs。Endorfield？"

"Nothingsomightywonderfulinit。"

"Well，buthow？"

"Bywitchery，ofcourse！"saidElizabeth。

"No！"saidFancy。

"’Tis，Iassureye。Didn’tyoueverhearIwasawitch？"

"Well，"hesitatedFancy，"Ihaveheardyoucalledso。"

"Andyoubelievedit？"

"Ican’tsaythatIdidexactlybelieveit，for’tisveryhorribleandwicked;but，O，howIdowishitwaspossibleforyoutobeone！"

"SoIam。AndI’lltellyouhowtobewitchyourfathertoletyoumarryDickDewy。"

"Willithurthim，poorthing？"

"Hurtwho？"

"Father。"

"No;thecharmisworkedbycommonsense，andthespellcanonlybebrokebyyouractingstupidly。"

Fancylookedratherperplexed，andElizabethwenton：

"ThisfearofLizz——whatever’tis—

Bygreatandsmall;

Shemakespretencetocommonsense，Andthat’sall。

"Youmustdoitlikethis。"Thewitchlaiddownherknifeandpotato，andthenpouredintoFancy’searalonganddetailedlistofdirections，glancingupfromthecornerofhereyeintoFancy’sfacewithanexpressionofsinisterhumour。Fancy’sfacebrightened，clouded，roseandsank，asthenarrativeproceeded。"There，"saidElizabethatlength，stoopingfortheknifeandanotherpotato，"dothat，andyou’llhavehimby—longandby—late，mydear。"

"AnddoitIwill！"saidFancy。

Shethenturnedherattentiontotheexternalworldoncemore。Theraincontinuedasusual，butthewindhadabatedconsiderablyduringthediscourse。Judgingthatitwasnowpossibletokeepanumbrellaerect，shepulledherhoodagainoverherbonnet，badethewitchgood—bye，andwentherway。

CHAPTERIV：THESPELL

Mrs。Endorfield’sadvicewasdulyfollowed。

"Ibepropersorrythatyourdaughterisn’tsowellasshemightbe，"saidaMellstockmantoGeoffreyonemorning。

"Butisthereanythinginit？"saidGeoffreyuneasily，asheshiftedhishattotheright。"Ican’tunderstandthereport。Shedidn’tcomplaintomeabitwhenIsawher。"

"Noappetiteatall，theysay。"

GeoffreycrossedtoMellstockandcalledattheschoolthatafternoon。Fancywelcomedhimasusual，andaskedhimtostayandtaketeawithher。

"Ibe’n’tmuchfortea，thistimeo’day，"hesaid，butstayed。

Duringthemealhewatchedhernarrowly。Andtohisgreatconsternationdiscoveredthefollowingunprecedentedchangeinthehealthygirl——thatshecutherselfonlyadiaphanoussliceofbread—

and—butter，and，layingitonherplate，passedthemeal—timeinbreakingitintopieces，buteatingnomorethanaboutone—tenthoftheslice。GeoffreyhopedshewouldsaysomethingaboutDick，andfinishupbyweeping，asshehaddoneafterthedecisionagainsthimafewdayssubsequenttotheinterviewinthegarden。Butnothingwassaid，andinduetimeGeoffreydepartedagainforYalburyWood。

"’TistobehopedpoorMissFancywillbeabletokeeponherschool，"saidGeoffrey’smanEnochtoGeoffreythefollowingweek，astheywereshovellingupant—hillsinthewood。

Geoffreystuckintheshovel，sweptsevenoreightantsfromhissleeve，andkilledanotherthatwasprowlingroundhisear，thenlookedperpendicularlyintotheearthasusual，waitingforEnochtosaymore。"Well，whyshouldn’tshe？"saidthekeeperatlast。

"Thebakertoldmeyesterday，"continuedEnoch，shakingoutanotheremmetthathadrunmerrilyuphisthigh，"thatthebreadhe’veleftatthatthereschool—housethislastmonthwouldstarveanymouseinthethreecreations;that’twouldso！AndafterwardsIhadapinto’smalldownatMorrs’s，andthereIheardmore。"

"Whatmightthatha’been？"

"Thatsheusedtohaveapoundo’thebestrolledbutteraweek，regularasclockwork，fromDairymanViney’sforherself，aswellasjustsomuchsaltedforthehelpinggirl，andthe’oomanshecallsin;butnowthesamequantityd’lastherthreeweeks，andthen’tisthoughtedshethrowsitawaysour。"

"Finishdoingtheemmets，andcarrythebaghome—along。"Thekeeperresumedhisgun，tuckeditunderhisarm，andwentonwithoutwhistlingtothedogs，whohoweverfollowed，withabearingmeanttoimplythattheydidnotexpectanysuchattentionswhentheirmasterwasreflecting。

OnSaturdaymorninganotecamefromFancy。Hewasnottotroubleaboutsendingherthecoupleofrabbits，aswasintended，becauseshefearedsheshouldnotwantthem。LaterinthedayGeoffreywenttoCasterbridgeandcalleduponthebutcherwhoservedFancywithfreshmeat，whichwasputdowntoherfather’saccount。

"I’vecalledtopayupourlittlebill，NeighbourHaylock，andyoucangiemethechiel’saccountatthesametime。"

Mr。Haylockturnedroundthreequartersofacircleinthemidstofaheapofjoints，alteredtheexpressionofhisfacefrommeattomoney，wentintoalittleofficeconsistingonlyofadoorandawindow，lookedveryvigorouslyintoabookwhichpossessedlengthbutnobreadth;andthen，seizingapieceofpaperandscribblingthereupon，handedthebill。

Probablyitwasthefirsttimeinthehistoryofcommercialtransactionsthatthequalityofshortnessinabutcher’sbillwasacauseoftribulationtothedebtor。"Why，thisisn’tallshe’vehadinawholemonth！"saidGeoffrey。

"Everymossel，"saidthebutcher——"（now，Dan，takethatlegandshouldertoMrs。White’s，andthiselevenpoundheretoMr。

Martin’s）——you’vebeentreatinghertosmallerjointslately，tomythinking，Mr。Day？"

"Onlytwoorthreelittlescramrabbitsthislastweek，asIamalive——IwishIhad！"

"Well，mywifesaidtome——（Dan！nottoomuch，nottoomuchonthattrayatatime;bettergotwice）——mywifesaidtomeasshepostedupthebooks：shesays，"MissDaymusthavebeensummerduringthathotmuggyweathermuchforus;fordependupon’t，"shesays，"she’vebeentryingJohnGrimmettunknowntous：seeheraccountelse。"

’Tislittle，ofcourse，atthebestoftimes，beingonlyforone，butnow’tisnextkintonothing。"

"I’llinquire，"saidGeoffreydespondingly。

HereturnedbywayofMellstock，andcalleduponFancy，infulfilmentofapromise。ItbeingSaturday，thechildrenwereenjoyingaholiday，andonenteringtheresidenceFancywasnowheretobeseen。Nan，thecharwoman，wassweepingthekitchen。

"Where’smyda’ter？"saidthekeeper。

"Well，youseeshewastiredwiththeweek’steaching，andthismorningshesaid，"Nan，Isha’n’tgetuptilltheevening。"Yousee，Mr。Day，ifpeopledon’teat，theycan’twork;andasshe’vegie’dupeating，shemustgieupworking。"

"Haveyecarriedupanydinnertoher？"

"No;shedon’twantany。There，weallknowthatsuchthingsdon’tcomewithoutgoodreason——notthatIwishtosayanythingaboutabrokenheart，oranythingofthekind。"

Geoffrey’sownheartfeltinconvenientlylargejustthen。Hewenttothestaircaseandascendedtohisdaughter’sdoor。

"Fancy！"

"Comein，father。"

Toseeapersoninbedfromanycausewhatever，onafineafternoon，isdepressingenough;andherewashisonlychildFancy，notonlyinbed，butlookingverypale。Geoffreywasvisiblydisturbed。

"Fancy，Ididn’texpecttoseetheehere，chiel，"hesaid。"What’sthematter？"

"I’mnotwell，father。"

"How’sthat？"

"BecauseIthinkofthings。"

"Whatthingscanyouhavetothinko’somortalmuch？"

"Youknow，father。"

"YouthinkI’vebeencrueltotheeinsayingthatthatpennilessDicko’thinesha’n’tmarrythee，Isuppose？"

Noanswer。

"Well，youknow，Fancy，Idoitforthebest，andheisn’tgoodenoughforthee。Youknowthatwellenough。"Hereheagainlookedatherasshelay。"Well，Fancy，Ican’tletmyonlychieldie;andifyoucan’tlivewithouten，youmustha’en，Isuppose。"

"O，Idon’twanthimlikethat;allagainstyourwill，andeverythingsodisobedient！"sighedtheinvalid。

"No，no，’tisn’tagainstmywill。Mywishis，nowId’seehow’tishurtentheetolivewithouten，thatheshallmarrytheeassoonaswe’veconsideredalittle。That’smywishflatandplain，Fancy。

There，nevercry，mylittlemaid！Yououghttoha’criedafore;noneedo’cryingnow’tisallover。Well，howsoever，trytostepoverandseemeandmother—lawto—morrow，andha’abitofdinnerwi’

us。"

"And——Dicktoo？"

"Ay，Dicktoo，’far’sIknow。"

"AndWHENdoyouthinkyou’llhaveconsidered，father，andhemaymarryme？"shecoaxed。

"Well，there，saynextMidsummer;that’snotadaytoolongtowait。"

OnleavingtheschoolGeoffreywenttothetranter’s。OldWilliamopenedthedoor。

"IsyourgrandsonDickin’ithin，William？"

"No，notjustnow，Mr。Day。Thoughhe’vebeenathomeagooddeallately。"

"O，how’sthat？"

"Whatwi’onething，andwhatwi’t’other，he’sallinamope，asmightbesaid。Don’tseemthefellerheusedto。Ay，’awillsitstuddingandthinkingasif’aweregoingtoturnchapel—member，andthendonothingbuttraypseandwambleabout。Usedtobesuchachattyboy，too，Dickdid;andnow’adon’tspeakatall。Butwon’tyestepinside？Reubenwillbehomesoon，’ab’lieve。"

"No，thankyou，Ican’tstaynow。WillyejustaskDickifhe’lldomethekindnesstostepovertoYalburyto—morrowwithmyda’terFancy，ifshe’swellenough？Idon’tlikehertocomebyherself，nowshe’snotsoterribletoppinginhealth。"

"SoI’veheard。Ay，sure，I’lltellhimwithoutfail。"

CHAPTERV：AFTERGAININGHERPOINT

ThevisittoGeoffreypassedoffasdelightfullyasavisitmighthavebeenexpectedtopassoffwhenitwasthefirstdayofsmoothexperienceinahithertoobstructedlove—course。Andthencameaseriesofseveralhappydays，ofthesameundisturbedserenity。

Dickcouldcourtherwhenhechose;stayawaywhenhechose，——whichwasnever;walkwithherbywindingstreamsandwaterfallsandautumnscenerytilldewsaridtwilightsentthemhome。AndthustheydrewnearthedayoftheHarvestThanksgiving，whichwasalsothetimechosenforopeningtheorganinMellstockChurch。

ItchancedthatDickonthatverydaywascalledawayfromMellstock。AyoungacquaintancehaddiedofconsumptionatCharmley，aneighbouringvillage，onthepreviousMonday，andDick，infulfilmentofalong—standingpromise，wastoassistincarryinghimtothegrave。WhenonTuesday，DickwenttowardstheschooltoacquaintFancywiththefact，itisdifficulttosaywhetherhisowndisappointmentatbeingdeniedthesightofhertriumphantdebutasorganist，wasgreaterthanhisvexationthathispetshouldonthisgreatoccasionbedeprivedofthepleasureofhispresence。

However，theintelligencewascommunicated。Sheboreitasshebestcould，notwithoutmanyexpressionsofregret，andconvictionsthatherperformancewouldbenothingtohernow。

Justbeforeeleveno’clockonSundayhesetoutuponhissaderrand。

Thefuneralwastobeimmediatelyafterthemorningservice，andastherewerefourgoodmilestowalk，drivingbeinginconvenient，itbecamenecessarytostartcomparativelyearly。Halfanhourlaterwouldcertainlyhaveansweredhispurposequiteaswell，yetatthelastmomentnothingwouldcontenthisardentmindbutthathemustgoamileoutofhiswayinthedirectionoftheschool，inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisLoveasshestartedforchurch。

Striking，therefore，intothelanetowardstheschool，insteadofacrosstheeweleasedirecttoCharmley，hearrivedoppositeherdoorashisgoddessemerged。

Ifeverawomanlookedadivinity，FancyDayappearedonethatmorningasshefloateddownthoseschoolsteps，intheformofanebulouscollectionofcoloursincliningtoblue。Withanaudacityunparalleledinthewholehistoryofvillage—school—mistressesatthisdate——partlyowing，nodoubt，topapa’srespectableaccumulationofcash，whichrenderedherprofessionnotaltogetheroneofnecessity——shehadactuallydonnedahatandfeather，andloweredherhithertoplainlylooped—uphair，whichnowfellabouthershouldersinaprofusionofcurls。PoorDickwasastonished：

hehadneverseenherlooksodistractinglybeautifulbefore，saveonChristmas—eve，whenherhairwasinthesameluxuriantconditionoffreedom。Buthisfirstburstofdelightedsurprisewasfollowedbylesscomfortablefeelings，assoonashisbrainrecovereditspowertothink。

Fancyhadblushed;——wasitwithconfusion？Shehadalsoinvoluntarilypressedbackhercurls。Shehadnotexpectedhim。

"Fancy，youdidn’tknowmeforamomentinmyfuneralclothes，didyou？"

"Good—morning，Dick——no，really，Ididn’tknowyouforaninstantinsuchasadsuit。"

Helookedagainatthegaytressesandhat。"You’veneverdressedsocharmingbefore，dearest。"

"Iliketohearyoupraisemeinthatway，Dick，"shesaid，smilingarchly。"Itismeatanddrinktoawoman。DoIlooknicereally？"

"Fie！youknowit。Didyouremember，——Imeandidn’tyourememberaboutmygoingawayto—day？"

"Well，yes，Idid，Dick;but，youknow，Iwantedtolookwell;——

forgiveme。"

"Yes，darling;yes，ofcourse，——there’snothingtoforgive。No，I

wasonlythinkingthatwhenwetalkedonTuesdayandWednesdayandThursdayandFridayaboutmyabsenceto—day，andIwassosorryforit，yousaid，Fancy，sowereyousorry，andalmostcried，andsaiditwouldbenopleasuretoyoutobetheattractionofthechurchto—day，sinceIcouldnotbethere。"

"Mydearone，neitherwillitbesomuchpleasuretome……ButI

dotakealittledelightinmylife，Isuppose，"shepouted。

"Apartfrommine？"

Shelookedathimwithperplexedeyes。"Iknowyouarevexedwithme，Dick，anditisbecausethefirstSundayIhavecurlsandahatandfeathersinceIhavebeenherehappenstobetheverydayyouareawayandwon’tbewithme。Yes，sayitis，forthatisit！AndyouthinkthatallthisweekIoughttohaverememberedyouwouldn’tbehereto—day，andnothavecaredtobebetterdressedthanusual。

Yes，youdo，Dick，anditisratherunkind！"

"No，no，"saidDickearnestlyandsimply，"Ididn’tthinksobadlyofyouasthat。Ionlythoughtthat——ifYOUhadbeengoingaway，I

shouldn’thavetriednewattractionsfortheeyesofotherpeople。

ButthenofcourseyouandIaredifferent，naturally。"

"Well，perhapsweare。"

"Whateverwillthevicarsay，Fancy？"

"Idon’tfearwhathesaysintheleast！"sheansweredproudly。

"Buthewon’tsayanythingofthesortyouthink。No，no。"

"Hecanhardlyhaveconscienceto，indeed。"

"Nowcome，yousay，Dick，thatyouquiteforgiveme，forImustgo，"

shesaidwithsuddengaiety，andskippedbackwardsintotheporch。

"Comehere，sir;——sayyouforgiveme，andthenyoushallkissme;——

youneverhaveyetwhenIhaveworncurls，youknow。Yes，justwhereyouwanttosomuch，——yes，youmay！"

Dickfollowedherintotheinnercorner，wherehewasprobablynotslowinavailinghimselfoftheprivilegeoffered。

"Nowthat’satreatforyou，isn’tit？"shecontinued。"Good—bye，orIshallbelate。Comeandseemeto—morrow：you’llbetiredtonight。"

Thustheyparted，andFancyproceededtothechurch。Theorganstoodononesideofthechancel，closetoandundertheimmediateeyeofthevicarwhenhewasinthepulpit，andalsoinfullviewofthecongregation。Hereshesatdown，forthefirsttimeinsuchaconspicuousposition，herseathavingpreviouslybeeninaremotespotintheaisle。

"Goodheavens——disgraceful！Curlsandahatandfeather！"saidthedaughtersofthesmallgentry，whohadeitheronlycurlyhairwithoutahatandfeather，orahatandfeatherwithoutcurlyhair。

"Abonnetforchurchalways，"saidsobermatrons。

ThatMr。Mayboldwasconsciousofherpresenceclosebesidehimduringthesermon;thathewasnotatallangryatherdevelopmentofcostume;thatheadmiredher，sheperceived。Butshedidnotseethathelovedherduringthatsermon—timeashehadneverlovedawomanbefore;thatherproximitywasastrangedelighttohim;andthathegloriedinhermusicalsuccessthatmorninginaspiritquitebeyondamerecleric’sgloryattheinaugurationofaneworderofthings。

Theoldchoir，withhumbledhearts，nolongertooktheirseatsinthegalleryasheretofore（whichwasnowgivenuptotheschool—

childrenwhowerenotsingers，andapupil—teacher），butwerescatteredaboutwiththeirwivesindifferentpartsofthechurch。

Havingnothingtodowithconductingtheserviceforalmostthefirsttimeintheirlives，theyallfeltawkward，outofplace，abashed，andinconveniencedbytheirhands。Thetranterhadproposedthattheyshouldstayawayto—dayandgonutting，butgrandfatherWilliamwouldnothearofsuchathingforamoment。

"No，"herepliedreproachfully，andquotedaverse"Thoughthishascomeuponus，letnotourheartsbeturnedback，orourstepsgooutoftheway。"

Sotheystoodandwatchedthecurlsofhairtrailingdownthebackofthesuccessfulrival，andthewavingofherfeather，assheswayedherhead。Afterafewtimidnotesanduncertaintouchesherplayingbecamemarkedlycorrect，andtowardstheendfullandfree。

But，whetherfromprejudiceorunbiassedjudgment，thevenerablebodyofmusicianscouldnothelpthinkingthatthesimplernotestheyhadbeenwonttobringforthweremoreinkeepingwiththesimplicityoftheiroldchurchthanthecrowdedchordsandinterludesitwasherpleasuretoproduce。

CHAPTERVI：INTOTEMPTATION

Thedaywasdone，andFancywasagainintheschool—house。Aboutfiveo’clockitbegantorain，andinratheradullframeofmindshewanderedintotheschoolroom，forwantofsomethingbettertodo。Shewasthinking——ofherloverDickDewy？Notprecisely。Ofhowwearyshewasoflivingalone：howunbearableitwouldbetoreturntoYalburyundertheruleofherstrange—temperedstep—

mother;thatitwasfarbettertobemarriedtoanybodythandothat;thateightorninelongmonthshadyettobelivedthrougheretheweddingcouldtakeplace。

AtthesideoftheroomwerehighwindowsofHam—hillstone，uponeithersillofwhichshecouldsitbyfirstmountingadeskandusingitasafootstool。Astheeveningadvancedheresheperchedherself，aswashercustomonsuchwetandgloomyoccasions，putonalightshawlandbonnet，openedthewindow，andlookedoutattherain。

ThewindowoverlookedafieldcalledtheGrove，anditwasthepositionfromwhichsheusedtosurveythecrownofDick’spassinghatintheearlydaysoftheiracquaintanceandmeetings。Notalivingsoulwasnowvisibleanywhere;therainkeptallpeopleindoorswhowerenotforcedabroadbynecessity，andnecessitywaslessimportunateonSundaysthanduringtheweek。

Sittinghereandthinkingagain——ofherlover，orofthesensationshehadcreatedatchurchthatday？——well，itisunknown——thinkingandthinkingshesawadarkmasculinefigurearisingintodistinctnessatthefurtherendoftheGrove——amanwithoutanumbrella。Nearerandnearerhecame，andsheperceivedthathewasindeepmourning，andthenthatitwasDick。Yes，inthefondnessandfoolishnessofhisyoungheart，afterwalkingfourmiles，inadrizzlingrainwithoutovercoatorumbrella，andinfaceofaremarkfromhislovethathewasnottocomebecausehewouldbetired，hehadmadeithisbusinesstowanderthismileoutofhiswayagain，fromsheerwishofspendingtenminutesinherpresence。

"ODick，howwetyouare！"shesaid，ashedrewupunderthewindow。

"Why，yourcoatshinesasifithadbeenvarnished，andyourhat——mygoodness，there’sastreaminghat！"

"O，Idon’tmind，darling！"saidDickcheerfully。"Wetneverhurtsme，thoughIamrathersorryformybestclothes。However，itcouldn’tbehelped;welentalltheumbrellastothewomen。Idon’tknowwhenIshallgetmineback！"

"Andlook，there’sanastypatchofsomethingjustonyourshoulder。"

"Ah，that’sjapanning;itrubbedofftheclampsofpoorJack’scoffinwhenweloweredhimfromourshouldersuponthebier！I

don’tcareaboutthat，for’twasthelastdeedIcoulddoforhim;

and’tishardifyoucan’taffordacoatforanoldfriend。"

Fancyputherhandtohermouthforhalfaminute。Underneaththepalmofthatlittlehandthereexistedforthathalf—minutealittleyawn。

"Dick，Idon’tlikeyoutostandthereinthewet。Andyoumustn’tsitdown。Gohomeandchangeyourthings。Don’tstayanotherminute。"

"Onekissaftercomingsofar，"hepleaded。

"IfIcanreach，then。"

Helookedratherdisappointedatnotbeinginvitedroundtothedoor。Shetwistedfromherseatedpositionandbentherselfdownwards，butnotevenbystandingontheplinthwasitpossibleforDicktogethislipsintocontactwithhersassheheldthem。

Bygreatexertionshemighthavereachedalittlelower;butthenshewouldhaveexposedherheadtotherain。

"Nevermind，Dick;kissmyhand，"shesaid，flingingitdowntohim。

"Now，good—bye。"

"Good—bye。"

Hewalkedslowlyaway，turningandturningagaintolookathertillhewasoutofsight。Duringtheretreatshesaidtoherself，almostinvoluntarily，andstillconsciousofthatmorning’striumph——"I

likeDick，andIlovehim;buthowplainandsorryamanlooksintherain，withnoumbrella，andwetthrough！"

Ashevanished，shemadeasiftodescendfromherseat;butglancingintheotherdirectionshesawanotherformcomingalongthesametrack。Itwasalsothatofaman。He，too，wasinblackfromtoptotoe;buthecarriedanumbrella。

Hedrewnearer，andthedirectionoftheraincausedhimsotoslanthisumbrellathatfromherheightabovethegroundhisheadwasinvisible，asshewasalsotohim。Hepassedinduetimedirectlybeneathher，andinlookingdownupontheexteriorofhisumbrellaherfeminineeyesperceivedittobeofsuperiorsilk——lesscommonatthatdatethansince——andofelegantmake。Hereachedtheentrancetothebuilding，andFancysuddenlylostsightofhim。

InsteadofpursuingtheroadwayasDickhaddonehehadturnedsharplyroundintoherownporch。

Shejumpedtothefloor，hastilyflungoffhershawlandbonnet，smoothedandpattedherhairtillthecurlshunginpassablecondition，andlistened。Noknock。Nearlyaminutepassed，andstilltherewasnoknock。Thentherearoseasoftseriesofraps，nolouderthanthetappingofadistantwoodpecker，andbarelydistinctenoughtoreachherears。Shecomposedherselfandflungopenthedoor。

IntheporchstoodMr。Maybold。

Therewasawarmflushuponhisface，andabrightflashinhiseyes，whichmadehimlookhandsomerthanshehadeverseenhimbefore。

"Good—evening，MissDay。"

"Good—evening，Mr。Maybold，"shesaid，inastrangestateofmind。

Shehadnoticed，beyondtheardenthueofhisface，thathisvoicehadasingulartremorinit，andthathishandshooklikeanaspenleafwhenhelaidhisumbrellainthecorneroftheporch。Withoutanotherwordbeingspokenbyeither，hecameintotheschoolroom，shutthedoor，andmovedclosetoher。Onceinside，theexpressionofhisfacewasnomorediscernible，byreasonoftheincreasingduskofevening。

"Iwanttospeaktoyou，"hethensaid;"seriously——onaperhapsunexpectedsubject，butonewhichisalltheworldtome——Idon’tknowwhatitmaybetoyou，MissDay。"

Noreply。

"Fancy，Ihavecometoaskyouifyouwillbemywife？"

Asapersonwhohasbeenidlyamusinghimselfwithrollingasnowballmightstartatfindinghehadsetinmotionanavalanche，sodidFancystartatthesewordsfromthevicar。Andinthedeadsilencewhichfollowedthem，thebreathingsofthemanandofthewomancouldbedistinctlyandseparatelyheard;andtherewasthisdifferencebetweenthem——hisrespirationsgraduallygrewquieterandlessrapidaftertheenunciationhers，fromhavingbeenlowandregular，increasedinquicknessandforce，tillshealmostpanted。

"Icannot，Icannot，Mr。Maybold——Icannot！Don’taskme！"shesaid。

"Don’tanswerinahurry！"heentreated。"Anddolistentome。

Thisisnosuddenfeelingonmypart。Ihavelovedyouformorethansixmonths！Perhapsmylateinterestinteachingthechildrenherehasnotbeensosingle—mindedasitseemed。Youwillunderstandmymotive——likemebetter，perhaps，forhonestlytellingyouthatIhavestruggledagainstmyemotioncontinually，becauseI

havethoughtthatitwasnotwellformetoloveyou！ButI

resolvedtostrugglenolonger;Ihaveexaminedthefeeling;andtheloveIbearyouisasgenuineasthatIcouldbearanywoman！Iseeyourgreatcharm;Irespectyournaturaltalents，andtherefinementtheyhavebroughtintoyournature——theyarequiteenough，andmorethanenoughforme！Theyareequaltoanythingeverrequiredofthemistressofaquietparsonage—house——theplaceinwhichIshallpassmydays，whereveritmaybesituated。OFancy，Ihavewatchedyou，criticizedyouevenseverely，broughtmyfeelingstothelightofjudgment，andstillhavefoundthemrational，andsuchasanymanmighthaveexpectedtobeinspiredwithbyawomanlikeyou！Sothereisnothinghurried，secret，oruntowardinmydesiretodothis。Fancy，willyoumarryme？"

Noanswerwasreturned。

"Don’trefuse;don’t，"heimplored。"Itwouldbefoolishofyou——I

meancruel！Ofcoursewewouldnotlivehere，Fancy。IhavehadforalongtimetheofferofanexchangeoflivingswithafriendinYorkshire，butIhavehithertorefusedonaccountofmymother。

Therewewouldgo。Yourmusicalpowersshallbestillfurtherdeveloped;youshallhavewhateverpianoforteyoulike;youshallhaveanything，Fancy，anythingtomakeyouhappy——pony—carriage，flowers，birds，pleasantsociety;yes，youhaveenoughinyouforanysociety，afterafewmonthsoftravelwithme！Willyou，Fancy，marryme？"

Anotherpauseensued，variedonlybythesurgingoftherainagainstthewindow——panes，andthenFancyspoke，inafaintandbrokenvoice。

"Yes，Iwill，"shesaid。

"Godblessyou，myown！"Headvancedquickly，andputhisarmouttoembraceher。Shedrewbackhastily。"Nono，notnow！"shesaidinanagitatedwhisper。"Therearethings;——butthetemptationis，O，toostrong，andIcan’tresistitIcan’ttellyounow，butI

musttellyou！Don’t，please，don’tcomenearmenow！Iwanttothink，IcanscarcelygetmyselfusedtotheideaofwhatIhavepromisedyet。"Thenextminutesheturnedtoadesk，buriedherfaceinherhands，andburstintoahystericalfitofweeping。"O，leavemetomyself！"shesobbed;"leaveme！O，leaveme！"

"Don’tbedistressed;don’t，dearest！"Itwaswithvisibledifficultythatherestrainedhimselffromapproachingher。"Youshalltellmeatyourleisurewhatitisthatgrievesyouso;Iamhappy——beyondallmeasurehappy！——athavingyoursimplepromise。"

"Anddogoandleavemenow！"

"ButImustnot，injusticetoyou，leaveforaminute，untilyouareyourselfagain。"

"Therethen，"shesaid，controllingheremotion，andstandingup;"I

amnotdisturbednow。"

Hereluctantlymovedtowardsthedoor。"Good—bye！"hemurmuredtenderly。"I’llcometo—morrowaboutthistime。"

CHAPTERVII：SECONDTHOUGHTS

Thenextmorningthevicarroseearly。ThefirstthinghedidwastowritealongandcarefullettertohisfriendinYorkshire。

Then，eatingalittlebreakfast，hecrossedthemeadowsinthedirectionofCasterbridge，bearinghisletterinhispocket，thathemightpostitatthetownoffice，andobviatethelossofonedayinitstransmissionthatwouldhaveresultedhadheleftitforthefoot—postthroughthevillage。

Itwasafoggymorning，andthetreesshedinnoisywater—dropsthemoisturetheyhadcollectedfromthethickair，anacornoccasionallyfallingfromitscuptotheground，incompanywiththedrippings。Inthemeads，sheetsofspiders’—web，almostopaquewithwet，hunginfoldsoverthefences，andthefallingleavesappearedineveryvarietyofbrown，green，andyellowhue。

Alowandmerrywhistlingwasheardonthehighwayhewasapproaching，thenthelightfootstepsofamangoinginthesamedirectionashimself。Onreachingthejunctionofhispathwiththeroad，thevicarbeheldDickDewy’sopenandcheerfulface。Dickliftedhishat，andthevicarcameoutintothehighwaythatDickwaspursuing。

"Good—morning，Dewy。Howwellyouarelooking！"saidMr。Maybold。

"Yes，sir，Iamwell——quitewell！IamgoingtoCasterbridgenow，togetSmart’scollar;weleftitthereSaturdaytoberepaired。"

"IamgoingtoCasterbridge，sowe’llwalktogether，"thevicarsaid。DickgaveahopwithonefoottoputhimselfinstepwithMr。

Maybold，whoproceeded："IfancyIdidn’tseeyouatchurchyesterday，Dewy。Orwereyoubehindthepier？"

"No;IwenttoCharmley。PoorJohnDunfordchosemetobeoneofhisbearersalongtimebeforehedied，andyesterdaywasthefuneral。OfcourseIcouldn’trefuse，thoughIshouldhavelikedparticularlytohavebeenathomeas’twasthedayofthenewmusic。"

"Yes，youshouldhavebeen。Themusicalportionoftheservicewassuccessful——verysuccessfulindeed;andwhatismoretothepurpose，noill—feelingwhateverwasevincedbyanyofthemembersoftheoldchoir。Theyjoinedinthesingingwiththegreatestgood—will。"

"’TwasnaturalenoughthatIshouldwanttobethere，Isuppose，"

saidDick，smilingaprivatesmile;"consideringwhotheorgan——

playerwas。"

Atthisthevicarreddenedalittle，andsaid，"Yes，yes，"thoughnotatallcomprehendingDick’struemeaning，who，ashereceivednofurtherreply，continuedhesitatingly，andwithanothersmiledenotinghisprideasalover—

"IsupposeyouknowwhatImean，sir？You’veheardaboutmeand——

MissDay？"

TheredinMaybold’scountenancewentaway：heturnedandlookedDickintheface。

"No，"hesaidconstrainedly，"I’veheardnothingwhateveraboutyouandMissDay。"

"Why，she’smysweetheart，andwearegoingtobemarriednextMidsummer。Wearekeepingitratherclosejustatpresent，because’tisagoodmanymonthstowait;butitisherfather’swishthatwedon’tmarrybefore，andofcoursewemustsubmit。Butthetime’illsoonslipalong。"

"Yes，thetimewillsoonslipalong——Timeglidesawayeveryday——

yes。"

Mayboldsaidthesewords，buthehadnoideaofwhattheywere。Hewasconsciousofacoldandsicklythrillthroughouthim;andallhereasonedwasthisthattheyoungcreaturewhosegraceshadintoxicatedhimintomakingthemostimprudentresolutionofhislife，waslessanangelthanawoman。

"Yousee，sir，"continuedtheingenuousDick，"’twillbebetterinonesense。Ishallbythattimebetheregularmanagerofabrancho’father’sbusiness，whichhasverymuchincreasedlately，andbusiness，whichwethinkofstartingelsewhere。Ithasverymuchincreasedlately，andweexpectnextyeartokeepa’extracoupleofhorses。We’vealreadyoureyeonone——brownasaberry，necklikearainbow，fifteenhands，andnotagrayhairinher——offeredusattwenty—fivewantacrown。AndtokippacewiththetimesIhavehadsomecardsprentedandIbegleavetohandyouone，sir。"

"Certainly，"saidthevicar，mechanicallytakingthecardthatDickofferedhim。

"IturninherebyGrey’sBridge，"saidDick。"Isupposeyougostraightonanduptown？"

"Yes。"

"Good—morning，sir。"

"Good—morning，Dewy。"

Mayboldstoodstilluponthebridge，holdingthecardasithadbeenputintohishand，andDick’sfootstepsdiedawaytowardsDurnoverMill。Thevicar’sfirstvoluntaryactionwastoreadthecardDEWYANDSON，TRANTERSANDHAULIERS，MELLSTOCK。