第7章

"Ialways_would_haveagoodhorse，youknow，"saidtheoldgentleman，notlikingthatspiritedtimetobequiteeffacedfromthememoryofhisjuniors。

"MindyoubringNancytotheWarrensbeforetheweek’sout，Mr。Cass，"wasPriscilla’spartinginjunction，asshetookthereins，andshookthemgently，bywayoffriendlyincitementtoSpeckle。

"IshalljusttakeaturntothefieldsagainsttheStone—pits，Nancy，andlookatthedraining，"saidGodfrey。

"You’llbeinagainbytea—time，dear？"

"Oh，yes，Ishallbebackinanhour。"

ItwasGodfrey’scustomonaSundayafternoontodoalittlecontemplativefarminginaleisurelywalk。Nancyseldomaccompaniedhim；forthewomenofhergeneration——unless，likePriscilla，theytooktooutdoormanagement——werenotgiventomuchwalkingbeyondtheirownhouseandgarden，findingsufficientexerciseindomesticduties。So，whenPriscillawasnotwithher，sheusuallysatwithMant’sBiblebeforeher，andafterfollowingthetextwithhereyesforalittlewhile，shewouldgraduallypermitthemtowanderasherthoughtshadalreadyinsistedonwandering。

ButNancy’sSundaythoughtswererarelyquiteoutofkeepingwiththedevoutandreverentialintentionimpliedbythebookspreadopenbeforeher。Shewasnottheologicallyinstructedenoughtodiscernveryclearlytherelationbetweenthesacreddocumentsofthepastwhichsheopenedwithoutmethod，andherownobscure，simplelife；

butthespiritofrectitude，andthesenseofresponsibilityfortheeffectofherconductonothers，whichwerestrongelementsinNancy’scharacter，hadmadeitahabitwithhertoscrutinizeherpastfeelingsandactionswithself—questioningsolicitude。Hermindnotbeingcourtedbyagreatvarietyofsubjects，shefilledthevacantmomentsbylivinginwardly，againandagain，throughallherrememberedexperience，especiallythroughthefifteenyearsofhermarriedtime，inwhichherlifeanditssignificancehadbeendoubled。Sherecalledthesmalldetails，thewords，tones，andlooks，inthecriticalsceneswhichhadopenedanewepochforherbygivingheradeeperinsightintotherelationsandtrialsoflife，orwhichhadcalledonherforsomelittleeffortofforbearance，orofpainfuladherencetoanimaginedorrealduty——

askingherselfcontinuallywhethershehadbeeninanyrespectblamable。Thisexcessiveruminationandself—questioningisperhapsamorbidhabitinevitabletoamindofmuchmoralsensibilitywhenshutoutfromitsdueshareofoutwardactivityandofpracticalclaimsonitsaffections——inevitabletoanoble—hearted，childlesswoman，whenherlotisnarrow。"Icandosolittle——haveIdoneitallwell？"istheperpetuallyrecurringthought；andtherearenovoicescallingherawayfromthatsoliloquy，noperemptorydemandstodivertenergyfromvainregretorsuperfluousscruple。

TherewasonemainthreadofpainfulexperienceinNancy’smarriedlife，andonithungcertaindeeply—feltscenes，whichweretheoftenestrevivedinretrospect。TheshortdialoguewithPriscillainthegardenhaddeterminedthecurrentofretrospectinthatfrequentdirectionthisparticularSundayafternoon。Thefirstwanderingofherthoughtfromthetext，whichshestillattempteddutifullytofollowwithhereyesandsilentlips，wasintoanimaginaryenlargementofthedefenceshehadsetupforherhusbandagainstPriscilla’simpliedblame。Thevindicationofthelovedobjectisthebestbalmaffectioncanfindforitswounds：——"A

manmusthavesomuchonhismind，"isthebeliefbywhichawifeoftensupportsacheerfulfaceunderroughanswersandunfeelingwords。AndNancy’sdeepestwoundshadallcomefromtheperceptionthattheabsenceofchildrenfromtheirhearthwasdweltoninherhusband’smindasaprivationtowhichhecouldnotreconcilehimself。

YetsweetNancymighthavebeenexpectedtofeelstillmorekeenlythedenialofablessingtowhichshehadlookedforwardwithallthevariedexpectationsandpreparations，solemnandprettilytrivial，whichfillthemindofalovingwomanwhensheexpectstobecomeamother。Wastherenotadrawerfilledwiththeneatworkofherhands，allunwornanduntouched，justasshehadarrangedittherefourteenyearsago——just，butforonelittledress，whichhadbeenmadetheburial—dress？ButunderthisimmediatepersonaltrialNancywassofirmlyunmurmuring，thatyearsagoshehadsuddenlyrenouncedthehabitofvisitingthisdrawer，lestsheshouldinthiswaybecherishingalongingforwhatwasnotgiven。

Perhapsitwasthisveryseveritytowardsanyindulgenceofwhatsheheldtobesinfulregretinherself，thatmadehershrinkfromapplyingherownstandardtoherhusband。"Itisverydifferent——

itismuchworseforamantobedisappointedinthatway：awomancanalwaysbesatisfiedwithdevotingherselftoherhusband，butamanwantssomethingthatwillmakehimlookforwardmore——andsittingbythefireissomuchdullertohimthantoawoman。"Andalways，whenNancyreachedthispointinhermeditations——trying，withpredeterminedsympathy，toseeeverythingasGodfreysawit——

therecamearenewalofself—questioning。_Had_shedoneeverythinginherpowertolightenGodfrey’sprivation？Hadshereallybeenrightintheresistancewhichhadcosthersomuchpainsixyearsago，andagainfouryearsago——theresistancetoherhusband’swishthattheyshouldadoptachild？Adoptionwasmoreremotefromtheideasandhabitsofthattimethanofourown；stillNancyhadheropiniononit。Itwasasnecessarytohermindtohaveanopiniononalltopics，notexclusivelymasculine，thathadcomeunderhernotice，asforhertohaveapreciselymarkedplaceforeveryarticleofherpersonalproperty：andheropinionswerealwaysprinciplestobeunwaveringlyactedon。Theywerefirm，notbecauseoftheirbasis，butbecausesheheldthemwithatenacityinseparablefromhermentalaction。Onallthedutiesandproprietiesoflife，fromfilialbehaviourtothearrangementsoftheeveningtoilette，prettyNancyLammeter，bythetimeshewasthree—and—twenty，hadherunalterablelittlecode，andhadformedeveryoneofherhabitsinstrictaccordancewiththatcode。Shecarriedthesedecidedjudgmentswithinherinthemostunobtrusiveway：theyrootedthemselvesinhermind，andgrewthereasquietlyasgrass。Yearsago，weknow，sheinsistedondressinglikePriscilla，because"itwasrightforsisterstodressalike"，andbecause"shewoulddowhatwasrightifsheworeagowndyedwithcheese—colouring"。ThatwasatrivialbuttypicalinstanceofthemodeinwhichNancy’slifewasregulated。

Itwasoneofthoserigidprinciples，andnopettyegoisticfeeling，whichhadbeenthegroundofNancy’sdifficultresistancetoherhusband’swish。Toadoptachild，becausechildrenofyourownhadbeendeniedyou，wastotryandchooseyourlotinspiteofProvidence：theadoptedchild，shewasconvinced，wouldneverturnoutwell，andwouldbeacursetothosewhohadwilfullyandrebelliouslysoughtwhatitwasclearthat，forsomehighreason，theywerebetterwithout。Whenyousawathingwasnotmeanttobe，saidNancy，itwasaboundendutytoleaveoffsomuchaswishingforit。Andsofar，perhaps，thewisestofmencouldscarcelymakemorethanaverbalimprovementinherprinciple。Buttheconditionsunderwhichshehelditapparentthatathingwasnotmeanttobe，dependedonamorepeculiarmodeofthinking。Shewouldhavegivenupmakingapurchaseataparticularplaceif，onthreesuccessivetimes，rain，orsomeothercauseofHeaven’ssending，hadformedanobstacle；andshewouldhaveanticipatedabrokenlimborotherheavymisfortunetoanyonewhopersistedinspiteofsuchindications。

"Butwhyshouldyouthinkthechildwouldturnoutill？"saidGodfrey，inhisremonstrances。"Shehasthrivenaswellaschildcandowiththeweaver；and_he_adoptedher。Thereisn’tsuchaprettylittlegirlanywhereelseintheparish，oronefitterforthestationwecouldgiveher。Wherecanbethelikelihoodofherbeingacursetoanybody？"

"Yes，mydearGodfrey，"saidNancy，whowassittingwithherhandstightlyclaspedtogether，andwithyearning，regretfulaffectioninhereyes。"Thechildmaynotturnoutillwiththeweaver。But，then，hedidn’tgotoseekher，asweshouldbedoing。Itwillbewrong：Ifeelsureitwill。Don’tyourememberwhatthatladywemetattheRoystonBathstoldusaboutthechildhersisteradopted？

ThatwastheonlyadoptingIeverheardof：andthechildwastransportedwhenitwastwenty—three。DearGodfrey，don’taskmetodowhatIknowiswrong：Ishouldneverbehappyagain。Iknowit’sveryhardfor_you_——it’seasierforme——butit’sthewillofProvidence。"

ItmightseemsingularthatNancy——withherreligioustheorypiecedtogetheroutofnarrowsocialtraditions，fragmentsofchurchdoctrineimperfectlyunderstood，andgirlishreasoningsonhersmallexperience——shouldhavearrivedbyherselfatawayofthinkingsonearlyakintothatofmanydevoutpeople，whosebeliefsareheldintheshapeofasystemquiteremotefromherknowledge——singular，ifwedidnotknowthathumanbeliefs，likeallothernaturalgrowths，eludethebarriersofsystem。

GodfreyhadfromthefirstspecifiedEppie，thenabouttwelveyearsold，asachildsuitableforthemtoadopt。IthadneveroccurredtohimthatSilaswouldratherpartwithhislifethanwithEppie。

Surelytheweaverwouldwishthebesttothechildhehadtakensomuchtroublewith，andwouldbegladthatsuchgoodfortuneshouldhappentoher：shewouldalwaysbeverygratefultohim，andhewouldbewellprovidedfortotheendofhislife——providedforastheexcellentparthehaddonebythechilddeserved。Wasitnotanappropriatethingforpeopleinahigherstationtotakeachargeoffthehandsofamaninalower？ItseemedaneminentlyappropriatethingtoGodfrey，forreasonsthatwereknownonlytohimself；andbyacommonfallacy，heimaginedthemeasurewouldbeeasybecausehehadprivatemotivesfordesiringit。ThiswasratheracoarsemodeofestimatingSilas’srelationtoEppie；butwemustrememberthatmanyoftheimpressionswhichGodfreywaslikelytogatherconcerningthelabouringpeoplearoundhimwouldfavourtheideathatdeepaffectionscanhardlygoalongwithcallouspalmsandscantmeans；andhehadnothadtheopportunity，evenifhehadhadthepower，ofenteringintimatelyintoallthatwasexceptionalintheweaver’sexperience。ItwasonlythewantofadequateknowledgethatcouldhavemadeitpossibleforGodfreydeliberatelytoentertainanunfeelingproject：hisnaturalkindnesshadoutlivedthatblightingtimeofcruelwishes，andNancy’spraiseofhimasahusbandwasnotfoundedentirelyonawilfulillusion。

"Iwasright，"shesaidtoherself，whenshehadrecalledalltheirscenesofdiscussion——"IfeelIwasrighttosayhimnay，thoughithurtmemorethananything；buthowgoodGodfreyhasbeenaboutit！Manymenwouldhavebeenveryangrywithmeforstandingoutagainsttheirwishes；andtheymighthavethrownoutthatthey’dhadill—luckinmarryingme；butGodfreyhasneverbeenthemantosaymeanunkindword。It’sonlywhathecan’thide：everythingseemssoblanktohim，Iknow；andtheland——whatadifferenceit’udmaketohim，whenhegoestoseeafterthings，ifhe’dchildrengrowingupthathewasdoingitallfor！ButIwon’tmurmur；andperhapsifhe’dmarriedawomanwho’dhavehadchildren，she’dhavevexedhiminotherways。"

ThispossibilitywasNancy’schiefcomfort；andtogiveitgreaterstrength，shelabouredtomakeitimpossiblethatanyotherwifeshouldhavehadmoreperfecttenderness。Shehadbeen_forced_tovexhimbythatonedenial。Godfreywasnotinsensibletoherlovingeffort，anddidNancynoinjusticeastothemotivesofherobstinacy。Itwasimpossibletohavelivedwithherfifteenyearsandnotbeawarethatanunselfishclingingtotheright，andasincerityclearastheflower—borndew，werehermaincharacteristics；indeed，Godfreyfeltthissostrongly，thathisownmorewaveringnature，tooaversetofacingdifficultytobeunvaryinglysimpleandtruthful，waskeptinacertainaweofthisgentlewifewhowatchedhislookswithayearningtoobeythem。ItseemedtohimimpossiblethatheshouldeverconfesstoherthetruthaboutEppie：shewouldneverrecoverfromtherepulsionthestoryofhisearliermarriagewouldcreate，toldtohernow，afterthatlongconcealment。Andthechild，too，hethought，mustbecomeanobjectofrepulsion：theverysightofherwouldbepainful。TheshocktoNancy’smingledprideandignoranceoftheworld’sevilmightevenbetoomuchforherdelicateframe。Sincehehadmarriedherwiththatsecretonhisheart，hemustkeepittheretothelast。Whateverelsehedid，hecouldnotmakeanirreparablebreachbetweenhimselfandthislong—lovedwife。

Meanwhile，whycouldhenotmakeuphismindtotheabsenceofchildrenfromahearthbrightenedbysuchawife？Whydidhismindflyuneasilytothatvoid，asifitwerethesolereasonwhylifewasnotthoroughlyjoyoustohim？Isupposeitisthewaywithallmenandwomenwhoreachmiddleagewithouttheclearperceptionthatlifenever_can_bethoroughlyjoyous：underthevaguedullnessofthegreyhours，dissatisfactionseeksadefiniteobject，andfindsitintheprivationofanuntriedgood。Dissatisfactionseatedmusinglyonachildlesshearth，thinkswithenvyofthefatherwhosereturnisgreetedbyyoungvoices——seatedatthemealwherethelittleheadsriseoneaboveanotherlikenurseryplants，itseesablackcarehoveringbehindeveryoneofthem，andthinkstheimpulsesbywhichmenabandonfreedom，andseekforties，aresurelynothingbutabriefmadness。InGodfrey’scasetherewerefurtherreasonswhyhisthoughtsshouldbecontinuallysolicitedbythisonepointinhislot：hisconscience，neverthoroughlyeasyaboutEppie，nowgavehischildlesshometheaspectofaretribution；andasthetimepassedon，underNancy’srefusaltoadopther，anyretrievalofhiserrorbecamemoreandmoredifficult。

OnthisSundayafternoonitwasalreadyfouryearssincetherehadbeenanyallusiontothesubjectbetweenthem，andNancysupposedthatitwasforeverburied。

"Iwonderifhe’llminditlessormoreashegetsolder，"shethought；"I’mafraidmore。Agedpeoplefeelthemissofchildren：

whatwouldfatherdowithoutPriscilla？AndifIdie，Godfreywillbeverylonely——notholdingtogetherwithhisbrothersmuch。ButIwon’tbeover—anxious，andtryingtomakethingsoutbeforehand：I

mustdomybestforthepresent。"

WiththatlastthoughtNancyrousedherselffromherreverie，andturnedhereyesagaintowardstheforsakenpage。Ithadbeenforsakenlongerthansheimagined，forshewaspresentlysurprisedbytheappearanceoftheservantwiththetea—things。Itwas，infact，alittlebeforetheusualtimefortea；butJanehadherreasons。

"Isyourmastercomeintotheyard，Jane？"

"No’m，heisn’t，"saidJane，withaslightemphasis，ofwhich，however，hermistresstooknonotice。

"Idon’tknowwhetheryou’veseen’em，’m，"continuedJane，afterapause，"butthere’sfolksmakinghastealloneway，aforethefrontwindow。Idoubtsomething’shappened。There’sniveramantobeseeni’theyard，elseI’dsendandsee。I’vebeenupintothetopattic，butthere’snoseeinganythingfortrees。Ihopenobody’shurt，that’sall。"

"Oh，no，Idaresaythere’snothingmuchthematter，"saidNancy。

"It’sperhapsMr。Snell’sbullgotoutagain，ashedidbefore。"

"Iwishhemayn’tgoreanybodythen，that’sall，"saidJane，notaltogetherdespisingahypothesiswhichcoveredafewimaginarycalamities。

"Thatgirlisalwaysterrifyingme，"thoughtNancy；"IwishGodfreywouldcomein。"

Shewenttothefrontwindowandlookedasfarasshecouldseealongtheroad，withanuneasinesswhichshefelttobechildish，fortherewerenownosuchsignsofexcitementasJanehadspokenof，andGodfreywouldnotbelikelytoreturnbythevillageroad，butbythefields。Shecontinuedtostand，however，lookingattheplacidchurchyardwiththelongshadowsofthegravestonesacrossthebrightgreenhillocks，andattheglowingautumncoloursoftheRectorytreesbeyond。Beforesuchcalmexternalbeautythepresenceofavaguefearismoredistinctlyfelt——likearavenflappingitsslowwingacrossthesunnyair。NancywishedmoreandmorethatGodfreywouldcomein。

CHAPTERXVIII

Someoneopenedthedoorattheotherendoftheroom，andNancyfeltthatitwasherhusband。Sheturnedfromthewindowwithgladnessinhereyes，forthewife’schiefdreadwasstilled。

"Dear，I’msothankfulyou’recome，"shesaid，goingtowardshim。

"Ibegantoget——"

Shepausedabruptly，forGodfreywaslayingdownhishatwithtremblinghands，andturnedtowardsherwithapalefaceandastrangeunansweringglance，asifhesawherindeed，butsawheraspartofasceneinvisibletoherself。Shelaidherhandonhisarm，notdaringtospeakagain；butheleftthetouchunnoticed，andthrewhimselfintohischair。

Janewasalreadyatthedoorwiththehissingurn。"Tellhertokeepaway，willyou？"saidGodfrey；andwhenthedoorwasclosedagainheexertedhimselftospeakmoredistinctly。

"Sitdown，Nancy——there，"hesaid，pointingtoachairoppositehim。"IcamebackassoonasIcould，tohinderanybody’stellingyoubutme。I’vehadagreatshock——butIcaremostabouttheshockit’llbetoyou。"

"Itisn’tfatherandPriscilla？"saidNancy，withquiveringlips，claspingherhandstogethertightlyonherlap。

"No，it’snobodyliving，"saidGodfrey，unequaltotheconsiderateskillwithwhichhewouldhavewishedtomakehisrevelation。

"It’sDunstan——mybrotherDunstan，thatwelostsightofsixteenyearsago。We’vefoundhim——foundhisbody——hisskeleton。"

ThedeepdreadGodfrey’slookhadcreatedinNancymadeherfeelthesewordsarelief。Shesatincomparativecalmnesstohearwhatelsehehadtotell。Hewenton：

"TheStone—pithasgonedrysuddenly——fromthedraining，I

suppose；andtherehelies——haslainforsixteenyears，wedgedbetweentwogreatstones。There’shiswatchandseals，andthere’smygold—handledhunting—whip，withmynameon：hetookitaway，withoutmyknowing，thedayhewenthuntingonWildfire，thelasttimehewasseen。"

Godfreypaused：itwasnotsoeasytosaywhatcamenext。"Doyouthinkhedrownedhimself？"saidNancy，almostwonderingthatherhusbandshouldbesodeeplyshakenbywhathadhappenedallthoseyearsagotoanunlovedbrother，ofwhomworsethingshadbeenaugured。

"No，hefellin，"saidGodfrey，inalowbutdistinctvoice，asifhefeltsomedeepmeaninginthefact。Presentlyheadded：

"DunstanwasthemanthatrobbedSilasMarner。"

ThebloodrushedtoNancy’sfaceandneckatthissurpriseandshame，forshehadbeenbreduptoregardevenadistantkinshipwithcrimeasadishonour。

"OGodfrey！"shesaid，withcompassioninhertone，forshehadimmediatelyreflectedthatthedishonourmustbefeltstillmorekeenlybyherhusband。

"Therewasthemoneyinthepit，"hecontinued——"alltheweaver’smoney。Everything’sbeengatheredup，andthey’retakingtheskeletontotheRainbow。ButIcamebacktotellyou：therewasnohinderingit；youmustknow。"

Hewassilent，lookingonthegroundfortwolongminutes。Nancywouldhavesaidsomewordsofcomfortunderthisdisgrace，butsherefrained，fromaninstinctivesensethattherewassomethingbehind——

thatGodfreyhadsomethingelsetotellher。Presentlyheliftedhiseyestoherface，andkeptthemfixedonher，ashesaid——

"Everythingcomestolight，Nancy，soonerorlater。WhenGodAlmightywillsit，oursecretsarefoundout。I’velivedwithasecretonmymind，butI’llkeepitfromyounolonger。Iwouldn’thaveyouknowitbysomebodyelse，andnotbyme——Iwouldn’thaveyoufinditoutafterI’mdead。I’lltellyounow。It’sbeen"I

will"and"Iwon’t"withmeallmylife——I’llmakesureofmyselfnow。"

Nancy’sutmostdreadhadreturned。Theeyesofthehusbandandwifemetwithaweinthem，asatacrisiswhichsuspendedaffection。

"Nancy，"saidGodfrey，slowly，"whenImarriedyou，Ihidsomethingfromyou——somethingIoughttohavetoldyou。ThatwomanMarnerfounddeadinthesnow——Eppie’smother——thatwretchedwoman——wasmywife：Eppieismychild。"

Hepaused，dreadingtheeffectofhisconfession。ButNancysatquitestill，onlythathereyesdroppedandceasedtomeethis。Shewaspaleandquietasameditativestatue，claspingherhandsonherlap。

"You’llneverthinkthesameofmeagain，"saidGodfrey，afteralittlewhile，withsometremorinhisvoice。

Shewassilent。

"Ioughtn’ttohaveleftthechildunowned：Ioughtn’ttohavekeptitfromyou。ButIcouldn’tbeartogiveyouup，Nancy。Iwasledawayintomarryingher——Isufferedforit。"

StillNancywassilent，lookingdown；andhealmostexpectedthatshewouldpresentlygetupandsayshewouldgotoherfather’s。

Howcouldshehaveanymercyforfaultsthatmustseemsoblacktoher，withhersimple，severenotions？

Butatlastshelifteduphereyestohisagainandspoke。Therewasnoindignationinhervoice——onlydeepregret。

"Godfrey，ifyouhadbuttoldmethissixyearsago，wecouldhavedonesomeofourdutybythechild。DoyouthinkI’dhaverefusedtotakeherin，ifI’dknownshewasyours？"

AtthatmomentGodfreyfeltallthebitternessofanerrorthatwasnotsimplyfutile，buthaddefeateditsownend。Hehadnotmeasuredthiswifewithwhomhehadlivedsolong。Butshespokeagain，withmoreagitation。

"And——Oh，Godfrey——ifwe’dhadherfromthefirst，ifyou’dtakentoherasyouought，she’dhavelovedmeforhermother——andyou’dhavebeenhappierwithme：Icouldbetterhaveboremylittlebabydying，andourlifemighthavebeenmorelikewhatweusedtothinkit’udbe。"

Thetearsfell，andNancyceasedtospeak。

"Butyouwouldn’thavemarriedmethen，Nancy，ifI’dtoldyou，"

saidGodfrey，urged，inthebitternessofhisself—reproach，toprovetohimselfthathisconducthadnotbeenutterfolly。"Youmaythinkyouwouldnow，butyouwouldn’tthen。Withyourprideandyourfather’s，you’dhavehatedhavinganythingtodowithmeafterthetalkthere’dhavebeen。"

"Ican’tsaywhatIshouldhavedoneaboutthat，Godfrey。Ishouldneverhavemarriedanybodyelse。ButIwasn’tworthdoingwrongfor——

nothingisinthisworld。Nothingissogoodasitseemsbeforehand——notevenourmarryingwasn’t，yousee。"TherewasafaintsadsmileonNancy’sfaceasshesaidthelastwords。

"I’maworsemanthanyouthoughtIwas，Nancy，"saidGodfrey，rathertremulously。"Canyouforgivemeever？"

"Thewrongtomeisbutlittle，Godfrey：you’vemadeituptome——

you’vebeengoodtomeforfifteenyears。It’sanotheryoudidthewrongto；andIdoubtitcanneverbeallmadeupfor。"

"ButwecantakeEppienow，"saidGodfrey。"Iwon’tmindtheworldknowingatlast。I’llbeplainandopenfortheresto’mylife。"

"It’llbedifferentcomingtous，nowshe’sgrownup，"saidNancy，shakingherheadsadly。"Butit’syourdutytoacknowledgeherandprovideforher；andI’lldomypartbyher，andpraytoGodAlmightytomakeherloveme。"

"Thenwe’llgotogethertoSilasMarner’sthisverynight，assoonaseverything’squietattheStone—pits。"

CHAPTERXIX

Betweeneightandnineo’clockthatevening，EppieandSilaswereseatedaloneinthecottage。Afterthegreatexcitementtheweaverhadundergonefromtheeventsoftheafternoon，hehadfeltalongingforthisquietude，andhadevenbeggedMrs。WinthropandAaron，whohadnaturallylingeredbehindeveryoneelse，toleavehimalonewithhischild。Theexcitementhadnotpassedaway：ithadonlyreachedthatstagewhenthekeennessofthesusceptibilitymakesexternalstimulusintolerable——whenthereisnosenseofweariness，butratheranintensityofinwardlife，underwhichsleepisanimpossibility。Anyonewhohaswatchedsuchmomentsinothermenremembersthebrightnessoftheeyesandthestrangedefinitenessthatcomesovercoarsefeaturesfromthattransientinfluence。Itisasifanewfinenessofearforallspiritualvoiceshadsentwonder—workingvibrationsthroughtheheavymortalframe——asif"beautybornofmurmuringsound"hadpassedintothefaceofthelistener。

Silas’sfaceshowedthatsortoftransfiguration，ashesatinhisarm—chairandlookedatEppie。Shehaddrawnherownchairtowardshisknees，andleanedforward，holdingbothhishands，whileshelookedupathim。Onthetablenearthem，litbyacandle，laytherecoveredgold——theoldlong—lovedgold，rangedinorderlyheaps，asSilasusedtorangeitinthedayswhenitwashisonlyjoy。Hehadbeentellingherhowheusedtocountiteverynight，andhowhissoulwasutterlydesolatetillshewassenttohim。

"Atfirst，I’dasorto’feelingcomeacrossmenowandthen，"hewassayinginasubduedtone，"asifyoumightbechangedintothegoldagain；forsometimes，turnmyheadwhichwayIwould，Iseemedtoseethegold；andIthoughtIshouldbegladifIcouldfeelit，andfinditwascomeback。Butthatdidn’tlastlong。Afterabit，Ishouldhavethoughtitwasacursecomeagain，ifithaddroveyoufromme，forI’dgottofeeltheneedo’yourlooksandyourvoiceandthetoucho’yourlittlefingers。Youdidn’tknowthen，Eppie，whenyouweresuchalittleun——youdidn’tknowwhatyouroldfatherSilasfeltforyou。"

"ButIknownow，father，"saidEppie。"Ifithadn’tbeenforyou，they’dhavetakenmetotheworkhouse，andthere’dhavebeennobodytoloveme。"

"Eh，mypreciouschild，theblessingwasmine。Ifyouhadn’tbeensenttosaveme，Ishouldha’gonetothegraveinmymisery。Themoneywastakenawayfrommeintime；andyouseeit’sbeenkept——

kepttillitwaswantedforyou。It’swonderful——ourlifeiswonderful。"

Silassatinsilenceafewminutes，lookingatthemoney。"Ittakesnoholdofmenow，"hesaid，ponderingly——"themoneydoesn’t。Iwonderifitevercouldagain——Idoubtitmight，ifI

lostyou，Eppie。ImightcometothinkIwasforsakenagain，andlosethefeelingthatGodwasgoodtome。"

Atthatmomenttherewasaknockingatthedoor；andEppiewasobligedtorisewithoutansweringSilas。Beautifulshelooked，withthetendernessofgatheringtearsinhereyesandaslightflushonhercheeks，asshesteppedtoopenthedoor。TheflushdeepenedwhenshesawMr。andMrs。GodfreyCass。Shemadeherlittlerusticcurtsy，andheldthedoorwideforthemtoenter。

"We’redisturbingyouverylate，mydear，"saidMrs。Cass，takingEppie’shand，andlookinginherfacewithanexpressionofanxiousinterestandadmiration。Nancyherselfwaspaleandtremulous。

Eppie，afterplacingchairsforMr。andMrs。Cass，wenttostandagainstSilas，oppositetothem。

"Well，Marner，"saidGodfrey，tryingtospeakwithperfectfirmness，"it’sagreatcomforttometoseeyouwithyourmoneyagain，thatyou’vebeendeprivedofsomanyyears。Itwasoneofmyfamilydidyouthewrong——themoregrieftome——andIfeelboundtomakeuptoyouforitineveryway。WhateverIcandoforyouwillbenothingbutpayingadebt，evenifIlookednofurtherthantherobbery。ButthereareotherthingsI’mbeholden——shallbebeholdentoyoufor，Marner。"

Godfreycheckedhimself。Ithadbeenagreedbetweenhimandhiswifethatthesubjectofhisfatherhoodshouldbeapproachedverycarefully，andthat，ifpossible，thedisclosureshouldbereservedforthefuture，sothatitmightbemadetoEppiegradually。Nancyhadurgedthis，becauseshefeltstronglythepainfullightinwhichEppiemustinevitablyseetherelationbetweenherfatherandmother。

Silas，alwaysillateasewhenhewasbeingspokentoby"betters"，suchasMr。Cass——tall，powerful，floridmen，seenchieflyonhorseback——answeredwithsomeconstraint——

"Sir，I’veadealtothankyoufora’ready。Asfortherobbery，I

countitnolosstome。AndifIdid，youcouldn’thelpit：youaren’tanswerableforit。"

"Youmaylookatitinthatway，Marner，butInevercan；andI

hopeyou’llletmeactaccordingtomyownfeelingofwhat’sjust。

Iknowyou’reeasilycontented：you’vebeenahard—workingmanallyourlife。"

"Yes，sir，yes，"saidMarner，meditatively。"Ishouldha’beenbadoffwithoutmywork：itwaswhatIheldbywheneverythingelsewasgonefromme。"

"Ah，"saidGodfrey，applyingMarner’swordssimplytohisbodilywants，"itwasagoodtradeforyouinthiscountry，becausethere’sbeenagreatdealoflinen—weavingtobedone。Butyou’regettingratherpastsuchclosework，Marner：it’stimeyoulaidbyandhadsomerest。Youlookagooddealpulleddown，thoughyou’renotanoldman，_are_you？"

"Fifty—five，asnearasIcansay，sir，"saidSilas。

"Oh，why，youmaylivethirtyyearslonger——lookatoldMacey！

Andthatmoneyonthetable，afterall，isbutlittle。Itwon’tgofareitherway——whetherit’sputouttointerest，oryouweretoliveonitaslongasitwouldlast：itwouldn’tgofarifyou’dnobodytokeepbutyourself，andyou’vehadtwotokeepforagoodmanyyearsnow。"

"Eh，sir，"saidSilas，unaffectedbyanythingGodfreywassaying，"I’minnofearo’want。Weshalldoverywell——Eppieandme’ulldowellenough。There’sfewworking—folkshavegotsomuchlaidbyasthat。Idon’tknowwhatitistogentlefolks，butIlookuponitasadeal——almosttoomuch。Andasforus，it’slittlewewant。"

"Onlythegarden，father，"saidEppie，blushinguptotheearsthemomentafter。

"Youloveagarden，doyou，mydear？"saidNancy，thinkingthatthisturninthepointofviewmighthelpherhusband。"Weshouldagreeinthat：Igiveadealoftimetothegarden。"

"Ah，there’splentyofgardeningattheRedHouse，"saidGodfrey，surprisedatthedifficultyhefoundinapproachingapropositionwhichhadseemedsoeasytohiminthedistance。"You’vedoneagoodpartbyEppie，Marner，forsixteenyears。It’udbeagreatcomforttoyoutoseeherwellprovidedfor，wouldn’tit？Shelooksbloomingandhealthy，butnotfitforanyhardships：shedoesn’tlooklikeastrappinggirlcomeofworkingparents。You’dliketoseehertakencareofbythosewhocanleaveherwelloff，andmakealadyofher；she’smorefitforitthanforaroughlife，suchasshemightcometohaveinafewyears’time。"

AslightflushcameoverMarner’sface，anddisappeared，likeapassinggleam。EppiewassimplywonderingMr。Cassshouldtalksoaboutthingsthatseemedtohavenothingtodowithreality；butSilaswashurtanduneasy。

"Idon’ttakeyourmeaning，sir，"heanswered，nothavingwordsatcommandtoexpressthemingledfeelingswithwhichhehadheardMr。Cass’swords。

"Well，mymeaningisthis，Marner，"saidGodfrey，determinedtocometothepoint。"Mrs。CassandI，youknow，havenochildren——

nobodytobenefitbyourgoodhomeandeverythingelsewehave——

morethanenoughforourselves。Andweshouldliketohavesomebodyintheplaceofadaughtertous——weshouldliketohaveEppie，andtreatherineverywayasourownchild。It’udbeagreatcomforttoyouinyouroldage，Ihope，toseeherfortunemadeinthatway，afteryou’vebeenatthetroubleofbringingherupsowell。Andit’srightyoushouldhaveeveryrewardforthat。AndEppie，I’msure，willalwaysloveyouandbegratefultoyou：she’dcomeandseeyouveryoften，andweshouldallbeonthelook—outtodoeverythingwecouldtowardsmakingyoucomfortable。"

AplainmanlikeGodfreyCass，speakingundersomeembarrassment，necessarilyblundersonwordsthatarecoarserthanhisintentions，andthatarelikelytofallgratinglyonsusceptiblefeelings。

Whilehehadbeenspeaking，EppiehadquietlypassedherarmbehindSilas’shead，andletherhandrestagainstitcaressingly：shefelthimtremblingviolently。HewassilentforsomemomentswhenMr。Casshadended——powerlessundertheconflictofemotions，allalikepainful。Eppie’sheartwasswellingatthesensethatherfatherwasindistress；andshewasjustgoingtoleandownandspeaktohim，whenonestrugglingdreadatlastgainedthemasteryovereveryotherinSilas，andhesaid，faintly——

"Eppie，mychild，speak。Iwon’tstandinyourway。ThankMr。andMrs。Cass。"

Eppietookherhandfromherfather’shead，andcameforwardastep。

Hercheekswereflushed，butnotwithshynessthistime：thesensethatherfatherwasindoubtandsufferingbanishedthatsortofself—consciousness。Shedroppedalowcurtsy，firsttoMrs。CassandthentoMr。Cass，andsaid——

"Thankyou，ma’am——thankyou，sir。ButIcan’tleavemyfather，norownanybodynearerthanhim。AndIdon’twanttobealady——

thankyouallthesame"（hereEppiedroppedanothercurtsy）。"I

couldn’tgiveupthefolksI’vebeenusedto。"

Eppie’slipsbegantotremblealittleatthelastwords。Sheretreatedtoherfather’schairagain，andheldhimroundtheneck：

whileSilas，withasubduedsob，putuphishandtograsphers。

ThetearswereinNancy’seyes，buthersympathywithEppiewas，naturally，dividedwithdistressonherhusband’saccount。Shedarednotspeak，wonderingwhatwasgoingoninherhusband’smind。

Godfreyfeltanirritationinevitabletoalmostallofuswhenweencounteranunexpectedobstacle。Hehadbeenfullofhisownpenitenceandresolutiontoretrievehiserrorasfarasthetimewaslefttohim；hewaspossessedwithall—importantfeelings，thatweretoleadtoapredeterminedcourseofactionwhichhehadfixedonastheright，andhewasnotpreparedtoenterwithlivelyappreciationintootherpeople’sfeelingscounteractinghisvirtuousresolves。Theagitationwithwhichhespokeagainwasnotquiteunmixedwithanger。

"ButI’veaclaimonyou，Eppie——thestrongestofallclaims。

It’smyduty，Marner，toownEppieasmychild，andprovideforher。

Sheismyownchild——hermotherwasmywife。I’veanaturalclaimonherthatmuststandbeforeeveryother。"

Eppiehadgivenaviolentstart，andturnedquitepale。Silas，onthecontrary，whohadbeenrelieved，byEppie’sanswer，fromthedreadlesthismindshouldbeinoppositiontohers，feltthespiritofresistanceinhimsetfree，notwithoutatouchofparentalfierceness。"Then，sir，"heanswered，withanaccentofbitternessthathadbeensilentinhimsincethememorabledaywhenhisyouthfulhopehadperished——"then，sir，whydidn’tyousaysosixteenyearago，andclaimherbeforeI’dcometoloveher，i’steado’comingtotakeherfrommenow，whenyoumightaswelltaketheheartouto’mybody？Godgavehertomebecauseyouturnedyourbackuponher，andHelooksuponherasmine：you’venorighttoher！Whenamanturnsablessingfromhisdoor，itfallstothemastakeitin。"

"Iknowthat，Marner。Iwaswrong。I’verepentedofmyconductinthatmatter，"saidGodfrey，whocouldnothelpfeelingtheedgeofSilas’swords。

"I’mgladtohearit，sir，"saidMarner，withgatheringexcitement；"butrepentancedoesn’talterwhat’sbeengoingonforsixteenyear。Yourcomingnowandsaying"I’mherfather"doesn’talterthefeelingsinsideus。It’smeshe’sbeencallingherfathereversinceshecouldsaytheword。"

"ButIthinkyoumightlookatthethingmorereasonably，Marner，"

saidGodfrey，unexpectedlyawedbytheweaver’sdirecttruth—speaking。"Itisn’tasifshewastobetakenquiteawayfromyou，sothatyou’dneverseeheragain。She’llbeverynearyou，andcometoseeyouveryoften。She’llfeeljustthesametowardsyou。"

"Justthesame？"saidMarner，morebitterlythanever。"How’llshefeeljustthesameformeasshedoesnow，whenweeato’thesamebit，anddrinko’thesamecup，andthinko’thesamethingsfromoneday’sendtoanother？Justthesame？that’sidletalk。

You’dcutusi’two。"

Godfrey，unqualifiedbyexperiencetodiscernthepregnancyofMarner’ssimplewords，feltratherangryagain。Itseemedtohimthattheweaverwasveryselfish（ajudgmentreadilypassedbythosewhohavenevertestedtheirownpowerofsacrifice）toopposewhatwasundoubtedlyforEppie’swelfare；andhefelthimselfcalledupon，forhersake，toasserthisauthority。

"Ishouldhavethought，Marner，"hesaid，severely——"IshouldhavethoughtyouraffectionforEppiewouldmakeyourejoiceinwhatwasforhergood，evenifitdidcalluponyoutogiveupsomething。

Yououghttorememberyourownlife’suncertain，andshe’satanagenowwhenherlotmaysoonbefixedinawayverydifferentfromwhatitwouldbeinherfather’shome：shemaymarrysomelowworking—man，andthen，whateverImightdoforher，Icouldn’tmakeherwell—off。You’reputtingyourselfinthewayofherwelfare；

andthoughI’msorrytohurtyouafterwhatyou’vedone，andwhatI’veleftundone，Ifeelnowit’smydutytoinsistontakingcareofmyowndaughter。Iwanttodomyduty。"

ItwouldbedifficulttosaywhetheritwereSilasorEppiethatwasmoredeeplystirredbythislastspeechofGodfrey’s。ThoughthadbeenverybusyinEppieasshelistenedtothecontestbetweenheroldlong—lovedfatherandthisnewunfamiliarfatherwhohadsuddenlycometofilltheplaceofthatblackfeaturelessshadowwhichhadheldtheringandplaceditonhermother’sfinger。Herimaginationhaddartedbackwardinconjectures，andforwardinprevisions，ofwhatthisrevealedfatherhoodimplied；andtherewerewordsinGodfrey’slastspeechwhichhelpedtomaketheprevisionsespeciallydefinite。Notthatthesethoughts，eitherofpastorfuture，determinedherresolution——_that_wasdeterminedbythefeelingswhichvibratedtoeverywordSilashaduttered；buttheyraised，evenapartfromthesefeelings，arepulsiontowardstheofferedlotandthenewly—revealedfather。

Silas，ontheotherhand，wasagainstrickeninconscience，andalarmedlestGodfrey’saccusationshouldbetrue——lestheshouldberaisinghisownwillasanobstacletoEppie’sgood。Formanymomentshewasmute，strugglingfortheself—conquestnecessarytotheutteringofthedifficultwords。Theycameouttremulously。

"I’llsaynomore。Letitbeasyouwill。Speaktothechild。

I’llhindernothing。"

EvenNancy，withalltheacutesensibilityofherownaffections，sharedherhusband’sview，thatMarnerwasnotjustifiableinhiswishtoretainEppie，afterherrealfatherhadavowedhimself。Shefeltthatitwasaveryhardtrialforthepoorweaver，buthercodeallowednoquestionthatafatherbybloodmusthaveaclaimabovethatofanyfoster—father。Besides，Nancy，usedallherlifetoplenteouscircumstancesandtheprivilegesof"respectability"，couldnotenterintothepleasureswhichearlynurtureandhabitconnectwithallthelittleaimsandeffortsofthepoorwhoarebornpoor：tohermind，Eppie，inbeingrestoredtoherbirthright，wasenteringonatoolongwithheldbutunquestionablegood。HencesheheardSilas’slastwordswithrelief，andthought，asGodfreydid，thattheirwishwasachieved。

"Eppie，mydear，"saidGodfrey，lookingathisdaughter，notwithoutsomeembarrassment，underthesensethatshewasoldenoughtojudgehim，"it’llalwaysbeourwishthatyoushouldshowyourloveandgratitudetoonewho’sbeenafathertoyousomanyyears，andweshallwanttohelpyoutomakehimcomfortableineveryway。

Butwehopeyou’llcometoloveusaswell；andthoughIhaven’tbeenwhatafathershouldha’beentoyoualltheseyears，Iwishtodotheutmostinmypowerforyoufortherestofmylife，andprovideforyouasmyonlychild。Andyou’llhavethebestofmothersinmywife——that’llbeablessingyouhaven’tknownsinceyouwereoldenoughtoknowit。"

"Mydear，you’llbeatreasuretome，"saidNancy，inhergentlevoice。"Weshallwantfornothingwhenwehaveourdaughter。"

Eppiedidnotcomeforwardandcurtsy，asshehaddonebefore。SheheldSilas’shandinhers，andgraspeditfirmly——itwasaweaver’shand，withapalmandfinger—tipsthatweresensitivetosuchpressure——whileshespokewithcolderdecisionthanbefore。

"Thankyou，ma’am——thankyou，sir，foryouroffers——they’reverygreat，andfarabovemywish。ForIshouldhavenodelighti’

lifeanymoreifIwasforcedtogoawayfrommyfather，andknewhewassittingathome，a—thinkingofmeandfeelinglone。We’vebeenusedtobehappytogethereveryday，andIcan’tthinko’nohappinesswithouthim。Andhesayshe’dnobodyi’theworldtillI

wassenttohim，andhe’dhavenothingwhenIwasgone。Andhe’stookcareofmeandlovedmefromthefirst，andI’llcleavetohimaslongashelives，andnobodyshallevercomebetweenhimandme。"

"Butyoumustmakesure，Eppie，"saidSilas，inalowvoice——

"youmustmakesureasyouwon’teverbesorry，becauseyou’vemadeyourchoicetostayamongpoorfolks，andwithpoorclothesandthings，whenyoumightha’hadeverythingo’thebest。"

HissensitivenessonthispointhadincreasedashelistenedtoEppie’swordsoffaithfulaffection。

"Icanneverbesorry，father，"saidEppie。"Ishouldn’tknowwhattothinkonortowishforwithfinethingsaboutme，asI

haven’tbeenusedto。Andit’udbepoorworkformetoputonthings，andrideinagig，andsitinaplaceatchurch，as’udmakethemasI’mfondofthinkmeunfittingcompanyfor’em。Whatcould_I_careforthen？"

NancylookedatGodfreywithapainedquestioningglance。Buthiseyeswerefixedonthefloor，wherehewasmovingtheendofhisstick，asifhewereponderingonsomethingabsently。Shethoughttherewasawordwhichmightperhapscomebetterfromherlipsthanfromhis。

"Whatyousayisnatural，mydearchild——it’snaturalyoushouldclingtothosewho’vebroughtyouup，"shesaid，mildly；"butthere’sadutyyouowetoyourlawfulfather。There’sperhapssomethingtobegivenuponmoresidesthanone。Whenyourfatheropenshishometoyou，Ithinkit’srightyoushouldn’tturnyourbackonit。"

"Ican’tfeelasI’vegotanyfatherbutone，"saidEppie，impetuously，whilethetearsgathered。"I’vealwaysthoughtofalittlehomewherehe’dsiti’thecorner，andIshouldfendanddoeverythingforhim：Ican’tthinko’nootherhome。Iwasn’tbroughtuptobealady，andIcan’tturnmymindtoit。Iliketheworking—folks，andtheirvictuals，andtheirways。And，"sheendedpassionately，whilethetearsfell，"I’mpromisedtomarryaworking—man，as’lllivewithfather，andhelpmetotakecareofhim。"

GodfreylookedupatNancywithaflushedfaceandsmartingdilatedeyes。Thisfrustrationofapurposetowardswhichhehadsetoutundertheexaltedconsciousnessthathewasabouttocompensateinsomedegreeforthegreatestdemeritofhislife，madehimfeeltheairoftheroomstifling。

"Letusgo，"hesaid，inanunder—tone。

"Wewon’ttalkofthisanylongernow，"saidNancy，rising。

"We’reyourwell—wishers，mydear——andyourstoo，Marner。Weshallcomeandseeyouagain。It’sgettinglatenow。"

Inthiswayshecoveredherhusband’sabruptdeparture，forGodfreyhadgonestraighttothedoor，unabletosaymore。

CHAPTERXX

NancyandGodfreywalkedhomeunderthestarlightinsilence。Whentheyenteredtheoakenparlour，Godfreythrewhimselfintohischair，whileNancylaiddownherbonnetandshawl，andstoodonthehearthnearherhusband，unwillingtoleavehimevenforafewminutes，andyetfearingtoutteranywordlestitmightjaronhisfeeling。AtlastGodfreyturnedhisheadtowardsher，andtheireyesmet，dwellinginthatmeetingwithoutanymovementoneitherside。Thatquietmutualgazeofatrustinghusbandandwifeislikethefirstmomentofrestorrefugefromagreatwearinessoragreatdanger——nottobeinterferedwithbyspeechoractionwhichwoulddistractthesensationsfromthefreshenjoymentofrepose。

Butpresentlyheputouthishand，andasNancyplacedherswithinit，hedrewhertowardshim，andsaid——

"That’sended！"

Shebenttokisshim，andthensaid，asshestoodbyhisside，"Yes，I’mafraidwemustgiveupthehopeofhavingherforadaughter。Itwouldn’tberighttowanttoforcehertocometousagainstherwill。Wecan’talterherbringingupandwhat’scomeofit。"

"No，"saidGodfrey，withakeendecisivenessoftone，incontrastwithhisusuallycarelessandunemphaticspeech——"there’sdebtswecan’tpaylikemoneydebts，bypayingextrafortheyearsthathaveslippedby。WhileI’vebeenputtingoffandputtingoff，thetreeshavebeengrowing——it’stoolatenow。Marnerwasintherightinwhathesaidaboutaman’sturningawayablessingfromhisdoor：itfallstosomebodyelse。Iwantedtopassforchildlessonce，Nancy——Ishallpassforchildlessnowagainstmywish。"

Nancydidnotspeakimmediately，butafteralittlewhilesheasked——

"Youwon’tmakeitknown，then，aboutEppie’sbeingyourdaughter？"

"No：wherewouldbethegoodtoanybody？——onlyharm。ImustdowhatIcanforherinthestateoflifeshechooses。Imustseewhoitisshe’sthinkingofmarrying。"

"Ifitwon’tdoanygoodtomakethethingknown，"saidNancy，whothoughtshemightnowallowherselfthereliefofentertainingafeelingwhichshehadtriedtosilencebefore，"IshouldbeverythankfulforfatherandPriscillanevertobetroubledwithknowingwhatwasdoneinthepast，morethanaboutDunsey：itcan’tbehelped，theirknowingthat。"

"Ishallputitinmywill——IthinkIshallputitinmywill。

Ishouldn’tliketoleaveanythingtobefoundout，likethisofDunsey，"saidGodfrey，meditatively。"ButIcan’tseeanythingbutdifficultiesthat’udcomefromtellingitnow。ImustdowhatIcantomakeherhappyinherownway。I’veanotion，"headded，afteramoment’spause，"it’sAaronWinthropshemeantshewasengagedto。IrememberseeinghimwithherandMarnergoingawayfromchurch。"

"Well，he’sverysoberandindustrious，"saidNancy，tryingtoviewthematterascheerfullyaspossible。

Godfreyfellintothoughtfulnessagain。PresentlyhelookedupatNancysorrowfully，andsaid——

"She’saverypretty，nicegirl，isn’tshe，Nancy？"

"Yes，dear；andwithjustyourhairandeyes：Iwonderedithadneverstruckmebefore。"

"Ithinkshetookadisliketomeatthethoughtofmybeingherfather：Icouldseeachangeinhermannerafterthat。"

"Shecouldn’tbeartothinkofnotlookingonMarnerasherfather，"saidNancy，notwishingtoconfirmherhusband’spainfulimpression。

"ShethinksIdidwrongbyhermotheraswellasbyher。ShethinksmeworsethanIam。Butshe_must_thinkit：shecanneverknowall。It’spartofmypunishment，Nancy，formydaughtertodislikeme。IshouldneverhavegotintothattroubleifI’dbeentruetoyou——ifIhadn’tbeenafool。I’dnorighttoexpectanythingbutevilcouldcomeofthatmarriage——andwhenIshirkeddoingafather’sparttoo。"

Nancywassilent：herspiritofrectitudewouldnotlethertrytosoftentheedgeofwhatshefelttobeajustcompunction。Hespokeagainafteralittlewhile，butthetonewasratherchanged：therewastendernessmingledwiththepreviousself—reproach。

"AndIgot_you_，Nancy，inspiteofall；andyetI’vebeengrumblinganduneasybecauseIhadn’tsomethingelse——asifI

deservedit。"

"You’veneverbeenwantingtome，Godfrey，"saidNancy，withquietsincerity。"Myonlytroublewouldbegoneifyouresignedyourselftothelotthat’sbeengivenus。"

"Well，perhapsitisn’ttoolatetomendabitthere。Thoughit_is_toolatetomendsomethings，saywhattheywill。"

CHAPTERXXI

Thenextmorning，whenSilasandEppiewereseatedattheirbreakfast，hesaidtoher——

"Eppie，there’sathingI’vehadonmymindtodothistwoyear，andnowthemoney’sbeenbroughtbacktous，wecandoit。I’vebeenturningitoverandoverinthenight，andIthinkwe’llsetoutto—morrow，whilethefinedayslast。We’llleavethehouseandeverythingforyourgodmothertotakecareon，andwe’llmakealittlebundleo’thingsandsetout。"

"Wheretogo，daddy？"saidEppie，inmuchsurprise。

"Tomyoldcountry——tothetownwhereIwasborn——upLanternYard。IwanttoseeMr。Paston，theminister：somethingmayha’

comeouttomake’emknowIwasinnicento’therobbery。AndMr。Pastonwasamanwithadealo’light——Iwanttospeaktohimaboutthedrawingo’thelots。AndIshouldliketotalktohimaboutthereligiono’thiscountry—side，forIpartlythinkhedoesn’tknowonit。"

Eppiewasveryjoyful，fortherewastheprospectnotonlyofwonderanddelightatseeingastrangecountry，butalsoofcomingbacktotellAaronallaboutit。Aaronwassomuchwiserthanshewasaboutmostthings——itwouldberatherpleasanttohavethislittleadvantageoverhim。Mrs。Winthrop，thoughpossessedwithadimfearofdangersattendantonsolongajourney，andrequiringmanyassurancesthatitwouldnottakethemoutoftheregionofcarriers’cartsandslowwaggons，wasneverthelesswellpleasedthatSilasshouldrevisithisowncountry，andfindoutifhehadbeenclearedfromthatfalseaccusation。

"You’dbeeasierinyourmindfortheresto’yourlife，MasterMarner，"saidDolly——"thatyouwould。Andifthere’sanylighttobegotuptheyardasyoutalkon，we’veneedofiti’thisworld，andI’dbegladonitmyself，ifyoucouldbringitback。"

Soonthefourthdayfromthattime，SilasandEppie，intheirSundayclothes，withasmallbundletiedinabluelinenhandkerchief，weremakingtheirwaythroughthestreetsofagreatmanufacturingtown。Silas，bewilderedbythechangesthirtyyearshadbroughtoverhisnativeplace，hadstoppedseveralpersonsinsuccessiontoaskthemthenameofthistown，thathemightbesurehewasnotunderamistakeaboutit。

"AskforLanternYard，father——askthisgentlemanwiththetasselsonhisshouldersa—standingattheshopdoor；heisn’tinahurryliketherest，"saidEppie，insomedistressatherfather’sbewilderment，andillatease，besides，amidstthenoise，themovement，andthemultitudeofstrangeindifferentfaces。

"Eh，mychild，hewon’tknowanythingaboutit，"saidSilas；

"gentlefolksdidn’tevergouptheYard。ButhappensomebodycantellmewhichisthewaytoPrisonStreet，wherethejailis。

Iknowthewayouto’thatasifI’dseenityesterday。"

Withsomedifficulty，aftermanyturningsandnewinquiries，theyreachedPrisonStreet；andthegrimwallsofthejail，thefirstobjectthatansweredtoanyimageinSilas’smemory，cheeredhimwiththecertitude，whichnoassuranceofthetown’snamehadhithertogivenhim，thathewasinhisnativeplace。

"Ah，"hesaid，drawingalongbreath，"there’sthejail，Eppie；

that’sjustthesame：Iaren’tafraidnow。It’sthethirdturningonthelefthandfromthejaildoors——that’sthewaywemustgo。"

"Oh，whatadarkuglyplace！"saidEppie。"Howithidesthesky！It’sworsethantheWorkhouse。I’mgladyoudon’tliveinthistownnow，father。IsLanternYardlikethisstreet？"

"Mypreciouschild，"saidSilas，smiling，"itisn’tabigstreetlikethis。Ineverwaseasyi’thisstreetmyself，butIwasfondo’LanternYard。Theshopshereareallaltered，Ithink——Ican’tmake’emout；butIshallknowtheturning，becauseit’sthethird。"

"Hereitis，"hesaid，inatoneofsatisfaction，astheycametoanarrowalley。"Andthenwemustgototheleftagain，andthenstraightfor’ardforabit，upShoeLane：andthenweshallbeattheentrynexttotheo’erhangingwindow，wherethere’sthenickintheroadforthewatertorun。Eh，Icanseeitall。"

"Ofather，I’mlikeasifIwasstifled，"saidEppie。"I

couldn’tha’thoughtasanyfolkslivedi’thisway，soclosetogether。HowprettytheStone—pits’ulllookwhenwegetback！"

"Itlookscomicalto_me_，child，now——andsmellsbad。Ican’tthinkasitusenedtosmellso。"

Hereandthereasallow，begrimedfacelookedoutfromagloomydoorwayatthestrangers，andincreasedEppie’suneasiness，sothatitwasalonged—forreliefwhentheyissuedfromthealleysintoShoeLane，wheretherewasabroaderstripofsky。

"Dearheart！"saidSilas，"why，there’speoplecomingouto’theYardasifthey’dbeentochapelatthistimeo’day——aweekdaynoon！"

Suddenlyhestartedandstoodstillwithalookofdistressedamazement，thatalarmedEppie。Theywerebeforeanopeninginfrontofalargefactory，fromwhichmenandwomenwerestreamingfortheirmiddaymeal。

"Father，"saidEppie，claspinghisarm，"what’sthematter？"

ButshehadtospeakagainandagainbeforeSilascouldanswerher。

"It’sgone，child，"hesaid，atlast，instrongagitation——

"LanternYard’sgone。Itmustha’beenhere，becausehere’sthehousewiththeo’erhangingwindow——Iknowthat——it’sjustthesame；butthey’vemadethisnewopening；andseethatbigfactory！

It’sallgone——chapelandall。"

"Comeintothatlittlebrush—shopandsitdown，father——they’llletyousitdown，"saidEppie，alwaysonthewatchlestoneofherfather’sstrangeattacksshouldcomeon。"Perhapsthepeoplecantellyouallaboutit。"

Butneitherfromthebrush—maker，whohadcometoShoeLaneonlytenyearsago，whenthefactorywasalreadybuilt，norfromanyothersourcewithinhisreach，couldSilaslearnanythingoftheoldLanternYardfriends，orofMr。Pastontheminister。

"Theoldplaceisallswep’away，"SilassaidtoDollyWinthroponthenightofhisreturn——"thelittlegraveyardandeverything。

Theoldhome’sgone；I’venohomebutthisnow。Ishallneverknowwhethertheygotatthetrutho’therobbery，norwhetherMr。Pastoncouldha’givenmeanylightaboutthedrawingo’thelots。It’sdarktome，Mrs。Winthrop，thatis；Idoubtit’llbedarktothelast。"

"Well，yes，MasterMarner，"saidDolly，whosatwithaplacidlisteningface，nowborderedbygreyhairs；"Idoubtitmay。It’sthewillo’Themaboveasamanythingsshouldbedarktous；butthere’ssomethingsasI’veneverfelti’thedarkabout，andthey’remostlywhatcomesi’theday’swork。Youwereharddonebythatonce，MasterMarner，anditseemsasyou’llneverknowtherightsofit；butthatdoesn’thinderthere_being_arights，MasterMarner，forallit’sdarktoyouandme。"

"No，"saidSilas，"no；thatdoesn’thinder。SincethetimethechildwassenttomeandI’vecometoloveherasmyself，I’vehadlightenoughtotrustenby；andnowshesaysshe’llneverleaveme，IthinkIshalltrustentillIdie。"

CONCLUSION。

TherewasonetimeoftheyearwhichwasheldinRaveloetobeespeciallysuitableforawedding。Itwaswhenthegreatlilacsandlaburnumsintheold—fashionedgardensshowedtheirgoldenandpurplewealthabovethelichen—tintedwalls，andwhentherewerecalvesstillyoungenoughtowantbucketfulsoffragrantmilk。

Peoplewerenotsobusythenastheymustbecomewhenthefullcheese—makingandthemowinghadsetin；andbesides，itwasatimewhenalightbridaldresscouldbewornwithcomfortandseentoadvantage。

HappilythesunshinefellmorewarmlythanusualonthelilactuftsthemorningthatEppiewasmarried，forherdresswasaverylightone。Shehadoftenthought，thoughwithafeelingofrenunciation，thattheperfectionofawedding—dresswouldbeawhitecotton，withthetiniestpinksprigatwideintervals；sothatwhenMrs。GodfreyCassbeggedtoprovideone，andaskedEppietochoosewhatitshouldbe，previousmeditationhadenabledhertogiveadecidedansweratonce。

Seenatalittledistanceasshewalkedacrossthechurchyardanddownthevillage，sheseemedtobeattiredinpurewhite，andherhairlookedlikethedashofgoldonalily。Onehandwasonherhusband’sarm，andwiththeothersheclaspedthehandofherfatherSilas。

"Youwon’tbegivingmeaway，father，"shehadsaidbeforetheywenttochurch；"you’llonlybetakingAarontobeasontoyou。"

DollyWinthropwalkedbehindwithherhusband；andthereendedthelittlebridalprocession。

Thereweremanyeyestolookatit，andMissPriscillaLammeterwasgladthatsheandherfatherhadhappenedtodriveuptothedooroftheRedHousejustintimetoseethisprettysight。TheyhadcometokeepNancycompanyto—day，becauseMr。CasshadhadtogoawaytoLytherley，forspecialreasons。Thatseemedtobeapity，forotherwisehemighthavegone，asMr。CrackenthorpandMr。Osgoodcertainlywould，tolookonatthewedding—feastwhichhehadorderedattheRainbow，naturallyfeelingagreatinterestintheweaverwhohadbeenwrongedbyoneofhisownfamily。

"Icouldha’wishedNancyhadhadthelucktofindachildlikethatandbringherup，"saidPriscillatoherfather，astheysatinthegig；"Ishouldha’hadsomethingyoungtothinkofthen，besidesthelambsandthecalves。"

"Yes，mydear，yes，"saidMr。Lammeter；"onefeelsthatasonegetsolder。Thingslookdimtooldfolks：they’dneedhavesomeyoungeyesabout’em，tolet’emknowtheworld’sthesameasitusedtobe。"

Nancycameoutnowtowelcomeherfatherandsister；andtheweddinggrouphadpassedonbeyondtheRedHousetothehumblerpartofthevillage。

DollyWinthropwasthefirsttodivinethatoldMr。Macey，whohadbeensetinhisarm—chairoutsidehisowndoor，wouldexpectsomespecialnoticeastheypassed，sincehewastoooldtobeatthewedding—feast。

"Mr。Macey’slookingforawordfromus，"saidDolly；"he’llbehurtifwepasshimandsaynothing——andhimsorackedwithrheumatiz。"

Sotheyturnedasidetoshakehandswiththeoldman。Hehadlookedforwardtotheoccasion，andhadhispremeditatedspeech。

"Well，MasterMarner，"hesaid，inavoicethatquaveredagooddeal，"I’velivedtoseemywordscometrue。Iwasthefirsttosaytherewasnoharminyou，thoughyourlooksmightbeagain’you；

andIwasthefirsttosayyou’dgetyourmoneyback。Andit’snothingbutrightfulasyoushould。AndI’dha’saidthe"Amens"，andwilling，attheholymatrimony；butTookey’sdoneitagoodwhilenow，andIhopeyou’llhavenonetheworseluck。"

IntheopenyardbeforetheRainbowthepartyofguestswerealreadyassembled，thoughitwasstillnearlyanhourbeforetheappointedfeasttime。Butbythismeanstheycouldnotonlyenjoytheslowadventoftheirpleasure；theyhadalsoampleleisuretotalkofSilasMarner’sstrangehistory，andarrivebyduedegreesattheconclusionthathehadbroughtablessingonhimselfbyactinglikeafathertoalonemotherlesschild。Eventhefarrierdidnotnegativethissentiment：onthecontrary，hetookitupaspeculiarlyhisown，andinvitedanyhardypersonpresenttocontradicthim。Buthemetwithnocontradiction；andalldifferencesamongthecompanyweremergedinageneralagreementwithMr。Snell’ssentiment，thatwhenamanhaddeservedhisgoodluck，itwasthepartofhisneighbourstowishhimjoy。

Asthebridalgroupapproached，aheartycheerwasraisedintheRainbowyard；andBenWinthrop，whosejokeshadretainedtheiracceptableflavour，founditagreeabletoturninthereandreceivecongratulations；notrequiringtheproposedintervalofquietattheStone—pitsbeforejoiningthecompany。

Eppiehadalargergardenthanshehadeverexpectedtherenow；andinotherwaystherehadbeenalterationsattheexpenseofMr。Cass，thelandlord，tosuitSilas’slargerfamily。ForheandEppiehaddeclaredthattheywouldratherstayattheStone—pitsthangotoanynewhome。Thegardenwasfencedwithstonesontwosides，butinfronttherewasanopenfence，throughwhichtheflowersshonewithansweringgladness，asthefourunitedpeoplecamewithinsightofthem。

"Ofather，"saidEppie，"whataprettyhomeoursis！Ithinknobodycouldbehappierthanweare。"