"Inthatcase,"saysI,"goonandconquer——settleitwithher——I
　　havenoobjection."Thepoorfellowwasverygrateful,andinshort,thereweleftthematter.He'llproposeto-morrow.'
　　ShesawnowtoherdismaywhatJamesBellstonhadreadasencouragement.'Hehasmistakenmealtogether,'shesaid.'Ihadnoideaofsuchathing.'
　　'What,youwon'thavehim?'
　　'Indeed,Icannot!'
　　'Chrissy,'saidMr.Everardwithemphasis,'there'sNOObodywhomI
　　shouldsolikeyoutomarryasthatyoungman.He'sathoroughlycleverfellow,andfairlywellprovidedfor.He'stravelledalloverthetemperatezone;buthesaysthatdirectlyhemarrieshe'sgoingtogiveupallthat,andbearegularstay-at-home.Youwouldbenowheresaferthaninhishands.'
　　'Itistrue,'sheanswered.'HeISahighlydesirablematch,andI
　　SHOULDbewellprovidedfor,andprobablyverysafeinhishands.'
　　'Thendon'tbeskittish,andstand-to.'
　　Shehadspokenfromherconscienceandunderstanding,andnottopleaseherfather.Asareflectingwomanshebelievedthatsuchamarriagewouldbeawiseone.IngreatthingsNicholaswasclosesttohernature;inlittlethingsBellstonseemedimmeasurablynearerthanNic;andlifewasmadeupoflittlethings.
　　AltogetherthefirmamentlookedblackforNicholasLong,notwithstandingherhalf-hour'sardourforhimwhenshesawhimdancingwiththedairyman'sdaughter.Mostgreatpassions,movements,andbeliefs——individualandnational——burstduringtheirdeclineintoatemporaryirradiation,whichrivalstheiroriginalsplendour;andthentheyspeedilybecomeextinct.Perhapsthedancehadgiventhelastflare-uptoChristine'slove.Itseemedtohaveimprovidentlyconsumedforitsimmediatepurposeallherardourforwards,sothatforthefuturetherewasnothingleftbutfrigidity.
　　Nicholashadcertainlybeenveryfoolishaboutthatlicence!
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Thislaxityofemotionaltonewasfurtherincreasedbyanincident,when,twodayslater,shekeptanappointmentwithNicholasintheSallows.TheSallowswasanextensionofshrubberiesandplantationsalongthebanksoftheFroom,accessiblefromthelawnofFroom-
　　EverardHouseonly,exceptbywadingthroughtheriveratthewaterfallorelsewhere.Nearthebrinkwasathicketofboxinwhichatrunklayprostrate;thishadbeenonceortwicetheirtrysting-
　　place,thoughitwasbynomeansasafeone;anditwashereshesatawaitinghimnow.
　　Thenoiseofthestreammuffledanysoundoffootsteps,anditwasbeforeshewasawareofhisapproachthatshelookedupandsawhimwadingacrossatthetopofthewaterfall.
　　NoontidelightsanddwarfedshadowsalwaysbanishedtheromanticaspectofherloveforNicholas.Moreover,somethingnewhadoccurredtodisturbher;andifevershehadregrettedgivingwaytoatendernessforhim——whichperhapsshehadnotdonewithanydistinctness——sheregretteditnow.Yetinthebottomoftheirheartsthosetwowereexcellentlypaired,theverytwinhalvesofaperfectwhole;andtheirlovewaspure.Butatthishoursurfacesshowedgarishly,andobscuredthedepths.Probablyherregretappearedinherface.
　　Hewalkeduptoherwithoutspeaking,thewaterrunningfromhisboots;and,takingoneofherhandsineachofhisown,lookednarrowlyintohereyes.
　　'Haveyouthoughtitover?'
　　'WHAT?'
　　'Whetherweshalltryagain;youremembersayingyouwouldatthedance?'
　　'Oh,Ihadforgottenthat!'
　　'Youaresorrywetriedatall!'hesaidaccusingly.
　　'Iamnotsosorryforthefactasfortherumours,'shesaid.
　　'Ah!rumours?'
　　'Theysaywearealreadymarried.'
　　'Who?'
　　'Icannottellexactly.Iheardsomewhisperingtothateffect.
　　Somebodyinthevillagetoldoneoftheservants,Ibelieve.Thismansaidthathewascrossingthechurchyardearlyonthatunfortunatefoggymorning,andheardvoicesinthechancel,andpeepedthroughthewindowaswellasthedimpaneswouldlethim;andtherehesawyouandmeandMr.Bealand,andsoon;butthinkinghissurmiseswouldbedangerousknowledge,hehastenedon.Andsothestorygotafloat.Thenyouraunt,too——'
　　'GoodLord!——whathasshedone?'
　　Thestorywas,toldher,andshesaidproudly,"Oyes,itistrueenough.Ihaveseenthelicence.Butitisnottobeknownyet."'
　　'Seenthelicence?Howthe——'
　　'Accidentally,Ibelieve,whenyourcoatwashangingsomewhere.'
　　Theinformation,coupledwiththeinfelicitousword'proudly,'causedNicholastoflushwithmortification.Heknewthatitwasinhisaunt'snaturetomakeabragofthatsort;butworsethanthebragwasthefactthatthiswasthefirstoccasiononwhichChristinehaddeignedtoshowherconsciousnessthatsuchamarriagewouldbeasourceofpridetohisrelatives——theonlytwohehadintheworld.
　　'Youaresorry,then,eventobethoughtmywife,muchlesstobeit.'Hedroppedherhand,whichfelllifelessly.
　　'Itisnotsorryexactly,dearNic.ButIfeeluncomfortableandvexed,thatafterscrewingupmycourage,myfidelity,tothepointofgoingtochurch,youshouldhavesomuddled——managedthematterthatithasendedinneitheronethingnortheother.HowcanImeetacquaintances,whenIdon'tknowwhattheyarethinkingofme?'
　　'Then,dearChristine,letusmendthemuddle.I'llgoawayforafewdaysandgetanotherlicence,andyoucancometome.'
　　Sheshrankfromthisperceptibly.'Icannotscrewmyselfuptoitasecondtime,'shesaid.'IamsureIcannot!Besides,IpromisedMr.Bealand.AndyethowcanIcontinuetoseeyouaftersucharumour?Weshallbewatchednow,forcertain.'
　　'Thendon'tseeme.'
　　'IfearImustnotforthepresent.Altogether——'
　　'What?'
　　'Iamverydepressed.'
　　TheseviewswerenotveryinspiritingtoNicholas,asheconstruedthem.Itmayindeedhavebeenpossiblethatheconstruedthemwrongly,andshouldhaveinsisteduponhermakingtherumourtrue.
　　Unfortunately,too,hehadcometoherinahurrythroughbramblesandbriars,waterandweed,andtheshaggywildnesswhichhungabouthisappearanceatthisfineandcorrecttimeofdaylentanimpracticabilitytothelookofhim.
　　'Youblameme——yourepentyourcourses——yourepentthatyouever,everownedanythingtome!'
　　'No,Nicholas,Idonotrepentthat,'shereturnedgently,thoughwithfirmness.'ButIthinkthatyououghtnottohavegotthatlicencewithoutaskingmefirst;andIalsothinkthatyououghttohaveknownhowitwouldbeifyoulivedonhereinyourpresentposition,andmadenoefforttobetterit.Icanbearwhatevercomes,forsocialruinisnotpersonalruinorevenpersonaldisgrace.Butasasensible,new-risenpoetsays,whomIhavebeenreadingthismorning:-
　　Theworldanditswayshaveacertainworth:
　　AndtopressapointwhiletheseopposeWeresimplepolicy.Betterwait.
　　Assoonasyouhadgotmypromise,Nic,youshouldhavegoneaway——
　　yes——andmadeaname,andcomebacktoclaimme.Thatwasmysillygirlishdreamaboutmyhero.'
　　'PerhapsIcandoasmuchyet!Andwouldyouhaveindeedlikedbettertoliveawayfrommeforfamilyreasons,thantorunariskinseeingmeforaffection'ssake?Owhatacoldheartithasgrown!
　　IfIhadbeenaprince,andyouadairymaid,I'dhavestoodbyyouinthefaceoftheworld!'
　　Sheshookherhead.'Ah——youdon'tknowwhatsocietyis——youdon'tknow.'
　　'Perhapsnot.Whowasthatstrangegentlemanofaboutseven-and-
　　twentyIsawatMr.Bellston'schristeningfeast?'
　　'Oh——thatwashisnephewJames.Nowheisamanwhohasseenanunusualextentoftheworldforhisage.Heisagreattraveller,youknow.'
　　'Indeed.'
　　'Infactanexplorer.Heisveryentertaining.'
　　'Nodoubt.'
　　Nicholasreceivednoshockofjealousyfromherannouncement.HeknewhersowellthathecouldseeshewasnotintheleastinlovewithBellston.ButheaskedifBellstonweregoingtocontinuehisexplorations.
　　'Notifhesettlesinlife.Otherwisehewill,Isuppose.'
　　'PerhapsIcouldbeagreatexplorer,too,ifItried.'
　　'Youcould,Iamsure.'
　　Theysatapart,andnottogether;eachlookingafaroffatvagueobjects,andnotineachother'seyes.Thusthesadautumnafternoonwaned,whilethewaterfallhissedsarcasticallyoftheinevitablenessoftheunpleasant.Verydifferentthisfromthetimewhentheyhadfirstmetthere.
　　Thenookwasmostpicturesque;butitlookedhorridlycommonandstupidnow.Theirsentimenthadsetacolourhardlylessvisiblethanamaterialoneonsurroundingobjects,assentimentmustwherelifeisbutthought.NicholaswasasdevotedasevertothefairChristine;butunhappilyhetoohadmoodsandhumours,andthedivisionbetweenthemwasnotclosed.
　　Shehadnosoonergotindoorsandsatdowntoherwork-tablethanherfatherenteredthedrawing-room.
　　Shehandedhimhisnewspaper;hetookitwithoutaword,wentandstoodonthehearthrug,andflungthepaperonthefloor.
　　'Christine,what'sthemeaningofthisterriblestory?Iwasjustonmywaytolookattheregister.'
　　Shelookedathimwithoutspeech.
　　'Youhavemarried——NicholasLong?'
　　'No,father.'
　　'No?CanyousaynointhefaceofsuchfactsasIhavebeenputinpossessionof?'
　　'Yes.'
　　'But——thenoteyouwrotetotherector——andthegoingtochurch?'
　　Shebrieflyexplainedthattheirattempthadfailed.
　　'Ah!Thenthisiswhatthatdancingmeant,wasit?By-,itmakesme.Howlonghasthisbeengoingon,mayIask?'
　　'Thiswhat?'
　　'What,indeed!Why,makinghimyourbeau.Nowlistentome.All'swellthatendswell;fromthisday,madam,thismoment,heistobenothingmoretoyou.Youarenottoseehim.Cuthimadriftinstantly!Ionlywishhisvolkwereonmyfarm——outtheyshouldgo,orIwouldknowthereasonwhy.However,youaretowritehimalettertothiseffectatonce.'
　　'HowcanIcuthimadrift?'
　　'Whynot?Youmust,mygoodmaid!'
　　'Well,thoughIhavenotactuallymarriedhim,Ihavesolemnlysworntobehiswifewhenhecomeshomefromabroadtoclaimme.Itwouldbegrossperjurynottofulfilmypromise.Besides,nowomancangotochurchwithamantodeliberatelysolemnizematrimony,andrefusehimafterwards,ifhedoesnothingwrongmeanwhile.'
　　TheutteredsoundofherstrongconvictionseemedtokindleinChristinealivelierperceptionofallitsbearingsthanshehadknownwhileithadlainunformulatedinhermind.Forwhenshehaddonespeakingshefelldownonherkneesbeforeherfather,coveredherface,andsaid,'Please,pleaseforgiveme,papa!HowcouldIdoitwithoutlettingyouknow!Idon'tknow,Idon'tknow!'
　　Whenshelookedupshefoundthat,intheturmoilofhismind,herfatherwasmovingabouttheroom.'Youarewithinanaceofruiningyourself,ruiningme,ruiningusall!'hesaid.'Youarenearlyasbadasyourbrother,begad!'
　　'PerhapsIam——yes——perhapsIam!'
　　'ThatIshouldfathersuchaharum-scarumbrood!'
　　'Itisverybad;butNicholas——'
　　'He'sascoundrel!'
　　'HeisNOTascoundrel!'criedshe,turningquickly.'He'sasgoodandworthyasyouorI,oranybodybearingourname,oranynoblemaninthekingdom,ifyoucometothat!Only——only'——shecouldnotcontinuetheargumentonthoselines.'Now,father,listen!'shesobbed;'ifyoutauntmeI'llgooffandjoinhimathisfarmthisveryday,andmarryhimto-morrow,that'swhatI'lldo!'
　　'Idon'ttaantye!'
　　'Iwishtoavoidunseemlinessasmuchasyou.'
　　Shewentaway.Whenshecamebackaquarterofanhourlater,thinkingtofindtheroomempty,hewasstandingthereasbefore,neverhavingapparentlymoved.Hismannerhadquitechanged.Heseemedtotakearesignedandentirelydifferentviewofcircumstances.
　　'Christine,here'saparagraphinthepaperhintingatasecretwedding,andI'mblazedifitdon'tpointtoyou.Well,sincethiswastohappen,I'llbearit,andnotcomplain.Allvolkhavecrosses,andthisisoneofmine.Now,thisiswhatI'vegottosay——
　　IfeelthatyoumustcarryoutthisattemptatmarryingNicholasLong.Faith,youmust!Therumourwillbecomeascandalifyoudon't——that'smyview.Ihavetriedtolookatthebrightestsideofthecase.NicholasLongisayoungmansuperiortomostofhisclass,andfairlypresentable.Andhe'snotpoor——atleasthisuncleisnot.Ibelievetheoldmuddlercouldbuymeupanyday.However,afarmer'swifeyoumustbe,asfarasIcansee.Asyou'vemadeyourbed,soyemustlie.Parentspropose,andungratefulchildrendispose.Youshallmarryhim,andimmediately.'
　　Christinehardlyknewwhattomakeofthis.'Heisquitewillingtowait,andsoamI.Wecanwaitfortwoorthreeyears,andthenhewillbeasworthyas——'
　　'Youmustmarryhim.Andthesoonerthebetter,if'tistobedoneatallAndyetIdidwishyoucouldhavebeenJimBellston'swife.Ididwishit!Butno.'
　　'I,too,wisheditanddostill,inonesense,'shereturnedgently.
　　Hismoderationhadwonheroutofherdefiantmood,andshewaswillingtoreasonwithhim.
　　'Youdo?'hesaidsurprised.
　　'IseethatinaworldlysensemyconductwithMr.Longmaybeconsideredamistake.'
　　'H'm——Iamgladtohearthat——aftermydeathyoumayseeitmoreclearlystill;andyouwon'thavelongtowait,tomyreckoning.'
　　Shefellintobitterrepentance,andkissedhiminheranguish.
　　'Don'tsaythat!'shecried.'Tellmewhattodo?'
　　'Ifyou'llleavemeforanhourortwoI'llthink.Drivetothemarketandback——thecarriageisatthedoor——andI'lltrytocollectmysenses.Dinnercanbeputbacktillyoureturn.'
　　Inafewminutesshewasdressed,andthecarriageboreherupthehillwhichdividedthevillageandmanorfromthemarket-town.
　　CHAPTERV
　　AquarterofanhourbroughtherintotheHighStreet,andforwantofamoreimportanterrandshecalledattheharness-maker'sforadog-collarthatsherequired.
　　Ithappenedtobemarket-day,andNicholas,havingpostponedtheengagementswhichcalledhimthithertokeeptheappointmentwithherintheSallows,rushedoffattheendoftheafternoontoattendtothemaswellashecould.Arrivingthusinagreathurryonaccountofthelatenessofthehour,hestillretainedthewild,amphibiousappearancewhichhadmarkedhimwhenhecameupfromthemeadowstoherside——anexceptionalconditionofthingswhichhadscarcelyeverbeforeoccurred.Whenshecrossedthepavementfromtheshopdoor,theshopmanbowingandescortinghertothecarriage,Nicholaschancedtobestandingattheroad-waggonoffice,talkingtothemasterofthewaggons.Therewereagoodmanypeopleabout,andthosenearpausedandlookedathertransit,inthefullstrokeofthelevelOctobersun,whichwentunderthebrimsoftheirhats,andpiercedthroughtheirbutton-holes.Fromthegroupsheheardmurmuredthewords:'Mrs.NicholasLong.'
　　Theunexpectedremark,notwithoutdistinctsatireinitstone,tookhersogreatlybysurprisethatshewasconfounded.Nicholaswasbythistimenearer,thoughcomingagainstthesunhehadnotyetperceivedher.Influencedbyherfather'slecture,shefeltangrywithhimforbeingthereandcausingthisawkwardness.Hernoticeofhimwasthereforeslight,superciliousperhaps,slurredover;andhervexationathispresenceshoweddistinctlyinherfaceasshesatdowninherseat.Insteadofcatchinghiswaitingeye,shepositivelyturnedherheadaway.
　　Amomentaftershewassorryshehadtreatedhimso;buthewasgone.
　　Reachinghomeshefoundonherdressing-tableanotefromherfather.
　　Thestatementwasbrief:
　　Ihaveconsideredandamofthesameopinion.Youmustmarryhim.
　　Hecanleavehomeatonceandtravelasproposed.Ihavewrittentohimtothiseffect.Idon'twantanyvictuals,sodon'twaitdinnerforme.
　　NicholaswasthewrongkindofmantobeblindtohisChristine'smortification,thoughhedidnotknowitsentirecause.Hehadlatelyforeseensomethingofthissortaspossible.
　　'Itservesmeright,'hethought,ashetrottedhomeward.'Itwasabsurd——wickedofmetoleadheronso.Thesacrificewouldhavebeentoogreat——toocruel!'Andyet,thoughhethustookherpart,heflushedwithindignationeverytimehesaidtohimself,'Sheisashamedofme!'
　　OntheridgewhichoverlookedFroom-Everardhemetaneighbourofhis——astock-dealer——inhisgig,andtheydrewreinandexchangedafewwords.Apartofthedealer'sconversationhadmuchmeaningforNicholas.
　　'I'vehadoccasiontocallonSquireEverard,'theformersaid;'buthecouldn'tseemeonaccountofbeingquiteknockedupatsomebadnewshehasheard.'
　　NicholasrodeonpastFroom-EverardtoElsenfordFarm,pondering.Hehadnewandstartlingmatterforthoughtassoonashegotthere.
　　TheSquire'snotehadarrived.Atfirsthecouldnotcredititsimport;thenhesawfurther,tookinthetoneoftheletter,sawthewriter'scontemptbehindthewords,andunderstoodthattheletterwaswrittenasbyamanhemmedintoacorner.Christinewasdefiantly——insultingly——hurledathishead.Hewasacceptedbecausehewassodespised.
　　Andyetwithwhatrespecthehadtreatedherandhers!Nowhewasremindedofwhatanagriculturalfriendhadsaidyearsago,seeingtheeyesofNicholasfixedonChristineasonanangelwhenshepassed:'Betteralittlefiretowarm'eethanagreatonetoburn'ee.Nogoodcancomeofthrowingyourheartthere.'Hewentintothemead,satdown,andaskedhimselffourquestions:
　　1.Howcouldshelivenearheracquaintanceashiswife,eveninhisabsence,withoutsufferingmartyrdomfromthestingsoftheircontempt?
　　2.WouldnotthisentailtotalestrangementbetweenChristineandherfamilyalso,andherownconsequentmisery?
　　3.Mustnotsuchisolationextinguishheraffectionforhim?
　　4.SupposingthatherfatherriggedthemoutascolonistsandsentthemofftoAmerica,wasnottheeffectofsuchexileupononeofhergentlenurturelikelytobeasthelast?
　　Inshort,whatevertheyshouldembarkintogetherwouldbecrueltytoher,andhisdeathwouldbearelief.Itwould,indeed,inoneaspectbearelieftohernow,ifsheweresoashamedofhimasshehadappearedtobethatday.Werehedead,thislittleepisodewithhimwouldfadeawaylikeadream.
　　Mr.Everardwasagood-heartedmanatbottom,buttotakehisenragedofferseriouslywasimpossible.Obviouslyitwashotlymadeinhisfirstbitternessatwhathehadheard.Theleastthingthathecoulddowouldbetogoawayandnevertroublehermore.Totravelandlearnandcomebackintwoyears,asmappedoutintheirfirstsanguinescheme,requiredastaunchheartonherside,ifthenecessaryexpenditureoftimeandmoneyweretobeafterwardsjustified;anditwerefollytocalculateonthatwhenhehadseento-daythatherheartwasfailingheralready.Totravelanddisappearandnotbeheardofformanyyearswouldbeafarmoreindependentstroke,anditwouldleaveherentirelyunfettered.
　　PerhapshemightrivalinthiskindtheaccomplishedMr.Bellston,ofwhosejourneyingshehadheardsomuch.
　　Hesatandsat,andthefogroseoutoftheriver,envelopinghimlikeafleece;firsthisfeetandknees,thenhisarmsandbody,andfinallysubmerginghishead.Whenhehadcometoadecisionhewentupagainintothehomestead.Hewouldbeindependent,ifhediedforit,andhewouldfreeChristine.Exilewastheonlycourse.Thefirststepwastoinformhisuncleofhisdetermination.
　　TwodayslaterNicholaswasonthesamespotinthemead,atalmostthesamehourofeve.Buttherewasnofognow;ablusterousautumnwindhadoustedthestill,goldendaysandmistynights;andhewasgoing,fullofpurpose,intheoppositedirection.WhenhehadlastenteredthemeadhewasaninhabitantoftheFroomvalley;inforty-
　　eighthourshehadseveredhimselffromthatspotascompletelyasifhehadneverbelongedtoit.AllthatappertainedtohimintheFroomvalleynowwascircumscribedbytheportmanteauinhishand.
　　Inmakinghispreparationsfordeparturehehadunconsciouslyheldafaint,foolishhopethatshewouldcommunicatewithhimandmakeuptheirestrangementinsomesoftwomanlyway.Butshehadgivennosignal,anditwastooevidenttohimthatherlatestmoodhadgrowntobeherfixedone,provinghowwellfoundedhadbeenhisimpulsetosetherfree.
　　HeenteredtheSallows,foundhiswayinthedarktothegarden-doorofthehouse,slippedunderitanotetotellherofhisdeparture,andexplainingitstruereasontobeaconsciousnessofhergrowingfeelingthathewasanencumbranceandahumiliation.Ofthedirectionofhisjourneyandofthedateofhisreturnhesaidnothing.
　　Hiscoursenowtookhimintothehighroad,whichhepursuedforsomemilesinanorth-easterlydirection,stillspinningthethreadofsadinferences,andaskinghimselfwhyheshouldeverreturn.AtdaybreakhestoodonthehillaboveShottsford-Forum,andawaitedacoachwhichpassedaboutthistimealongthathighwaytowardsMelchesterandLondon.
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Somefifteenyearsafterthedateoftheforegoingincidents,amanwhohaddweltinfarcountries,andviewedmanycities,arrivedatRoy-Town,aroadsidehamletontheoldwesternturnpikeroad,notfivemilesfromFroom-Everard,andputupattheBuck'sHead,anisolatedinnatthatspot.Hewasstillbarelyofmiddleage,butitcouldbeseenthatahazeofgreywassettlinguponthelocksofhishair,andthathisfacehadlostcolourandcurve,asifbyexposuretobleachingclimatesandstrangeatmospheres,orfromailmentsincidentalthereto.Heseemedtoobservelittlearoundhim,byreasonoftheintrusionofhismusingsuponthescene.IntruthNicholasLongwasjustnowthecreatureofoldhopesandfearsconsequentuponhisarrival——thismanwhooncehadnotcaredifhisnamewereblottedoutfromthatdistrict.Theeveninglightshowedwistfullineswhichhecouldnotsmoothawaybytheworldling'sglossofnonchalancethathehadlearnttoflingoverhisface.
　　TheBuck'sHeadwasasomewhatunusualplaceforamanofthissorttochooseasahouseofsojourninpreferencetosomeCasterbridgeinnfourmilesfurtheron.BeforehelefthomeithadbeenalivelyoldtavernatwhichHigh-flyers,andHeralds,andTally-hoeshadchangedhorsesontheirstagesupanddownthecountry;butnowthehousewasrathercavernousandchilly,thestable-roofswerehollow-
　　backed,thelandlordwasasthmatic,andthetrafficgone.
　　Hearrivedintheafternoon,andwhenhehadsentbacktheflyandwashavinganondescriptmeal,heputaquestiontothewaiting-maidwithamienofindifference.
　　'SquireEverard,ofFroom-EverardManor,hasbeendeadsomeyears,I
　　believe?'
　　Sherepliedintheaffirmative.
　　'Andareanyofthefamilylefttherestill?'
　　'Ono,blessyou,sir!Theysoldtheplaceyearsago——SquireEverard'ssondid——andwentaway.I'veneverheardwheretheywentto.Theycamequitetonothing.'
　　'Neverheardanythingoftheyounglady——theSquire'sdaughter?'
　　'No.Yousee'twasbeforeIcametotheseparts.'
　　Whenthewaitresslefttheroom,Nicholaspushedasidehisplateandgazedoutofthewindow.HewasnotgoingoverintotheFroomValleyaltogetheronChristine'saccount,butshehadgreatlyanimatedhismotiveincomingthatway.Anyhowhewouldpushontherenowthathewassonear,andnotaskquestionsherewherehewasliabletobewronglyinformed.Thefundamentalinquiryhehadnotventuredtomake——whetherChristinehadmarriedbeforethefamilywentaway.Hehadabstainedbecauseofanabsurddreadofextinguishinghopefulsurmise.ThattheEverardshadlefttheiroldhomewasbadenoughintelligenceforoneday.
　　Risingfromthetableheputonhishatandwentout,ascendingtowardstheuplandwhichdividedthisdistrictfromhisnativevale.
　　Thefirstfamiliarfeaturethatmethiseyewasalittlespotonthedistantsky——aclumpoftreesstandingonabarrowwhichsurmountedayetmoreremoteupland——apointwhere,inhischildhood,hehadbelievedpeoplecouldstandandseeAmerica.Hereachedthefurthervergeoftheplateauonwhichhehadentered.Ah,therewasthevalley——agreenish-greystretchofcolour——stilllookingplacidandserene,asthoughithadnotmuchmissedhim.IfChristinewasnolongerthere,whyshouldhepauseoveritthisevening?Hisuncleandauntweredead,andto-morrowwouldbesoonenoughtoinquireforremoterrelatives.Thus,disinclinedtogofurther,heturnedtoretracehiswaytotheinn.
　　Inthebackwardpathhenowperceivedthefigureofawoman,whohadbeenwalkingatadistancebehindhim;andasshedrewnearerhebegantobestartled.Surely,despitethevariationsintroducedintothatfigurebychangingyears,itsground-lineswerethoseofChristine?
　　NicholashadbeensentimentalenoughtowritetoChristineimmediatelyonlandingatSouthamptonadayortwobeforethis,addressinghisletterataventuretotheoldhouse,andmerelytellingherthatheplannedtoreachtheRoy-Towninnonthepresentafternoon.ThenewsofthescatteringoftheEverardshaddissipatedhishopeofhearingofher;buthereshewas.
　　Sotheymet——there,alone,ontheopendownbyapond,justasifthemeetinghadbeencarefullyarranged.
　　Shethrewupherveil.Shewasstillbeautiful,thoughtheyearshadtouchedher;alittlemorematronly——muchmorehomely.Orwasitonlythathewasmuchlesshomelynow——amanoftheworld——thesenseofhomelinessbeingrelative?Herfacehadgrowntobepre-eminentlyofthesortthatwouldbecalledinteresting.Herhabilimentswereofademureandsobercast,thoughshewasonewhohadusedtodresssoairilyandsogaily.Yearshadlaidonafewshadowstoointhis.
　　'Ireceivedyourletter,'shesaid,whenthemomentaryembarrassmentoftheirfirstapproachhadpassed.'AndIthoughtIwouldwalkacrossthehillsto-day,asitwasfine.Ihavejustcalledattheinn,andtheytoldmeyouwereout.Iwasnowonmywayhomeward.'
　　Hehardlylistenedtothis,thoughheintentlygazedather.
　　'Christine,'hesaid,'oneword.Areyoufree?'
　　'I——Iaminacertainsense,'shereplied,colouring.
　　Theannouncementhadamagicaleffect.Theinterveningtimebetweenpastandpresentclosedupforhim,andmovedbyanimpulsewhichhehadcombatedforfifteenyears,heseizedhertwohandsanddrewhertowardshim.
　　Shestartedback,andbecamealmostamereacquaintance.'Ihavetotellyou,'shegasped,'thatIhave——beenmarried.'
　　Nicholas'srose-coloureddreamwasimmediatelytoneddowntoagreyishtinge.
　　'Ididnotmarrytillmanyyearsafteryouhadleft,'shecontinuedinthehumbletonesofoneconfessingtoacrime.'OhNic,'shecriedreproachfully,'howcouldyoustayawaysolong?'
　　'Whomdidyoumarry?'
　　'Mr.Bellston.'
　　'I——oughttohaveexpectedit.'Hewasgoingtoadd,'Andishedead?'buthecheckedhimself.Herdressunmistakablysuggestedwidowhood;andshehadsaidshewasfree.
　　'Imustnowhastenhome,'saidshe.'Ifeltthat,consideringmyshortcomingsatourpartingsomanyyearsago,Iowedyoutheinitiativenow.'
　　'Thereissomeofyouroldgenerosityinthat.I'llwalkwithyou,ifImay.Whereareyouliving,Christine?'
　　'Inthesamehouse,butnotontheoldconditions.Ihavepartofitonlease;thefarmernowtenantingthepremisesfoundthewholemorethanhewanted,andtheownerallowedmetokeepwhatroomsIchose.
　　Iampoornow,youknow,Nicholas,andalmostfriendless.MybrothersoldtheFroom-Everardestatewhenitcametohim,andthepersonwhoboughtitturnedourhomeintoafarmhouse.Tillmyfather'sdeathmyhusbandandIlivedinthemanor-housewithhim,sothatIhaveneverlivedawayfromthespot.'
　　Shewaspoor.That,andthechangeofname,sufficientlyaccountedfortheinn-servant'signoranceofhercontinuedexistencewithinthewallsofheroldhome.
　　Itwasgrowingdusk,andhestillwalkedwithher.Awoman'sheadarosefromthedeclivitybeforethem,andasshedrewnearer,Christineaskedhimtogoback.
　　'Thisisthewifeofthefarmerwhosharesthehouse,'shesaid.
　　'SheisaccustomedtocomeoutandmeetmewheneverIwalkfarandambenighted.Iamobligedtowalkeverywherenow.'
　　Thefarmer'swife,seeingthatChristinewasnotalone,pausedinheradvance,andNicholassaid,'DearChristine,ifyouareobligedtodothesethings,Iamnot,andwhatwealthIcancommandyoumaycommandlikewise.Theysayrollingstonesgathernomoss;buttheygatherdrosssometimes.Iwasoneofthepioneerstothegold-fields,youknow,andmadeasufficientfortunethereformywants.Whatismore,Ikeptit.WhenIhaddonethisIwascominghome,buthearingofmyuncle'sdeathIchangedmyplan,travelled,speculated,andincreasedmyfortune.Now,beforewepart:yourememberyoustoodwithmeatthealtaronce,andthereforeIspeakwithlesspreparationthanIshouldotherwiseuse.BeforewepartthenIask,shallanotheragainintrudebetweenus?Orshallwecompletetheunionwebegan?'
　　Shetrembled——justasshehaddoneatthatveryminuteofstandingwithhiminthechurch,towhichhehadrecalledhermind.'Iwillnotenterintothatnow,dearNicholas,'shereplied.'Therewillbemoretotalkofandconsiderfirst——moretoexplain,whichitwouldhavespoiledthismeetingtohaveenteredintonow.'
　　'Yes,yes;but——'
　　'FurtherthanthebriefanswerIfirstgave,Nic,don'tpressmeto-
　　night.Istillhavetheoldaffectionforyou,orIshouldnothavesoughtyou.Letthatsufficeforthemoment.'
　　'Verywell,dearone.AndwhenshallIcalltoseeyou?'
　　'Iwillwriteandfixanhour.Iwilltellyoueverythingofmyhistorythen.'
　　Andthustheyparted,Nicholasfeelingthathehadnotcomeherefruitlessly.WhensheandhercompanionwereoutofsightheretracedhisstepstoRoy-Town,wherehemadehimselfascomfortableashecouldinthedesertedoldinnofhisboyhood'sdays.Hemissedhercompanionshipthiseveningmorethanhehaddoneatanytimeduringthewholefifteenyears;anditwasasthoughinsteadofseparationtherehadbeenconstantcommunionwithherthroughoutthatperiod.Thetonesofhervoicehadstirredhisheartinanookwhichhadlainstagnanteversincehelastheardthem.Theyrecalledthewomantowhomhehadonceliftedhiseyesastoagoddess.Herannouncementthatshehadbeenanother'scameasalittleshocktohim,andhedidnotnowlifthiseyestoherinpreciselythesamewayashehadliftedthematfirst.ButheforgaveherformarryingBellston;whatcouldheexpectafterfifteenyears?
　　HesleptatRoy-Townthatnight,andinthemorningtherewasashortnotefromher,repeatingmoreemphaticallyherstatementofthepreviousevening——thatshewishedtoinformhimclearlyofhercircumstances,andtocalmlyconsiderwithhimthepositioninwhichshewasplaced.WouldhecalluponheronSundayafternoon,whenshewassuretobealone?
　　'Nic,'shewroteon,'whatacosmopoliteyouare!Iexpectedtofindmyoldyeomanstill;butIwasquiteawedinthepresenceofsuchacitizenoftheworld.DidIseemrustyandunpractised?Ah——youseemedsooncetome!'
　　Tenderplayfulwords;theoldChristinewasinthem.ShesaidSundayafternoon,anditwasnowonlySaturdaymorning.Hewishedshehadsaidto-day;thatshortrevivalofherimagehadvitalizedtosuddenheatfeelingsthathadalmostbeenstilled.Whatevershemighthavetoexplainastoherposition——anditwasawkwardlynarrowed,nodoubt——hecouldnotgiveherup.MissEverardorMrs.Bellston,whatmatteredit?——shewasthesameChristine.
　　HedidnotgooutsidetheinnallSaturday.Hehadnowishtoseeordoanythingbuttoawaitthecominginterview.Sohesmoked,andreadthelocalnewspaperofthepreviousweek,andstowedhimselfinthechimney-corner.Intheeveninghefeltthathecouldremainindoorsnolonger,andthemoonbeingnearthefull,hestartedfromtheinnonfootinthesamedirectionasthatofyesterday,withtheviewofcontemplatingtheoldvillageanditsprecincts,andhoveringroundherhouseunderthecloakofnight.
　　Withastoutstickinhishandheclimbedoverthefivemilesofuplandinacomparativelyshortspaceoftime.Nicholashadseenmanystrangelandsandtroddenmanystrangewayssincehelastwalkedthatpath,butashetrudgedheseemedwonderfullylikehisoldself,andhadnottheslightestdifficultyinfindingtheway.Indescendingtothemeadsthestreamsperplexedhimalittle,someoftheoldfoot-bridgeshavingbeenremoved;butheultimatelygotacrossthelargerwater-courses,andpushedontothevillage,avoidingherresidenceforthemoment,lestsheshouldencounterhim,andthinkhehadnotrespectedthetimeofherappointment.
　　Hefoundhiswaytothechurchyard,andfirstascertainedwherelaythetworelationshehadleftaliveathisdeparture;thenheobservedthegravestonesofotherinhabitantswithwhomhehadbeenwellacquainted,tillbydegreesheseemedtobeinthesocietyofalltheelderFroom-Everardpopulation,ashehadknowntheplace.
　　Sidebysideastheyhadlivedinhisdayhereweretheynow.Theyhadmovedhouseinmass.
　　ButnotombofMr.Bellstonwasvisible,though,ashehadlivedatthemanor-house,itwouldhavebeennaturaltofindithere.IntruthNicholaswasmoreanxioustodiscoverthatthananything,beingcurioustoknowhowlonghehadbeendead.SeeingfromtheglimmerofalightinthechurchthatsomebodywastherecleaningforSundayheentered,andlookedrounduponthewallsaswellashecould.Buttherewasnomonumenttoherhusband,thoughonehadbeenerectedtotheSquire.
　　Nicholasaddressedtheyoungmanwhowassweeping.'Idon'tseeanymonumentortombtothelateMr.Bellston?'
　　'Ono,sir;youwon'tseethat,'saidtheyoungmandrily.
　　'Why,pray?'
　　'Becausehe'snotburiedhere.He'snotChristian-buriedanywhere,asfarasweknow.Inshort,perhapshe'snotburiedatall;andbetweenourselves,perhapshe'salive.'
　　Nicholassankaninchshorter.'Ah,'heanswered.
　　'Thenyoudon'tknowthepeculiarcircumstances,sir?'
　　'Iamastrangerhere——astolateyears.'
　　'Mr.Bellstonwasatraveller——anexplorer——itwashiscalling;youmayhaveheardhisnameassuch?'
　　'Iremember.'NicholasrecalledthefactthatthisverybentofMr.
　　Bellston'swastheincentivetohisownroaming.
　　'Well,whenhemarriedhecameandlivedherewithhiswifeandhiswife'sfather,andsaidhewouldtravelnomore.Butafteratimehegotwearyofbidingquiethere,andwearyofher——hewasnotagoodhusbandtotheyoungladybyanymeans——andhebetookhimselfagaintohisoldtrickofroving——withhermoney.Awayhewent,quiteoutoftherealmofhumanfoot,intothebowelsofAsia,andneverwasheardofmore.Hewasmurdered,itissaid,butnobodyknows;thoughasthatwasnineyearsagohe'sdeadenoughinprinciple,ifnotincorporation.Hiswidowlivesquitehumble,forbetweenherhusbandandherbrothershe'sleftinveryleanpasturage.'
　　NicholaswentbacktotheBuck'sHeadwithouthoveringroundherdwelling.Thisthenwastheexplanationwhichshehadwantedtomake.Notdead,butmissing.Howcouldhehaveexpectedthatthefirstfairpromiseofhappinessheldouttohimwouldremainuntarnished?Shehadsaidthatshewasfree;andlegallyshewasfree,nodoubt.Moreover,fromhertoneandmannerhefelthimselfjustifiedinconcludingthatshewouldbewillingtoruntheriskofaunionwithhim,intheimprobabilityofherhusband'sexistence.
　　Evenifthathusbandlived,hisreturnwasnotalikelyevent,tojudgefromhischaracter.Amanwhocouldspendhermoneyonhisownpersonaladventureswouldnotbeanxioustodisturbherpovertyaftersuchalapseoftime.
　　Well,theprospectwasnotsouncloudedasithadseemed.Butcouldhe,evennow,giveupChristine?
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Twomonthsmorebroughttheyearnearlytoaclose,andfoundNicholasLongtenantofaspacioushouseinthemarket-townnearesttoFroom-Everard.Amanofmeans,genialcharacter,andabachelor,hewasanobjectofgreatinteresttohisneighbours,andtohisneighbours'wivesanddaughters.Buthetooklittlenoteofthis,andhadmadeithisbusinesstogotwiceaweek,nomatterwhattheweather,tothenowfarmhouseatFroom-Everard,awingofwhichhadbeenretainedastherefugeofChristine.Healwayswalked,togivenotroubleinputtingupahorsetoahousekeeperwhosestaffwaslimited.
　　Thetwohadputtheirheadstogetheronthesituation,hadgonetoasolicitor,hadbalancedpossibilities,andhadresolvedtomaketheplungeofmatrimony.'Nothingventure,nothinghave,'Christinehadsaid,withsomeofheroldaudacity.
　　Withalmostgratuitoushonestytheyhadlettheirintentionsbewidelyknown.Christine,itistrue,hadrathershrunkfrompublicityatfirst;butNicholasarguedthattheirboldnessinthisrespectwouldhavegoodresults.Withhisfriendsheheldthattherewasnottheslightestprobabilityofherbeingotherthanawidow,andachallengetothemissingmannow,followedbynoresponse,wouldstultifyanyunpleasantremarkswhichmightbethrownatheraftertheirunion.TothisendaparagraphwasinsertedintheWessexpapers,announcingthattheirmarriagewasproposedtobecelebratedonsuchandsuchadayinDecember.
　　Hisperiodicwalksalongthesouthsideofthevalleytovisitherwereamongthehappiestexperiencesofhislife.Theyellowleavesfallingaroundhimintheforeground,thewell-wateredmeadsonthelefthand,andthewomanhelovedawaitinghimatthebackofthescene,promisedafutureofmuchserenity,asfarashumanjudgmentcouldforesee.Onarriving,hewouldsitwithherinthe'parlour'
　　ofthewingsheretained,hergeneralsitting-room,wheretheonlyrelicsofherearlysurroundingswereanoldclockfromtheotherendofthehouse,andherownpiano.Beforeitwasquitedarktheywouldstand,handinhand,lookingoutofthewindowacrosstheflatturftothedarkclumpoftreeswhichhidfurtherviewfromtheireyes.
　　'Doyouwishyouwerestillmistresshere,dear?'heoncesaid.
　　'Notatall,'saidshecheerfully.'Ihaveagoodenoughroom,andagoodenoughfire,andagoodenoughfriend.Besides,mylatterdaysasmistressofthehousewerenothappyones,andtheyspoilttheplaceforme.Itwasapunishmentformyfaithlessness.Nic,youdoforgiveme?Reallyyoudo?'
　　Thetwenty-thirdofDecember,theeveofthewedding-day,hadarrivedatlastinthetrainofsuchuneventfulonesasthese.Nicholashadarrangedtovisitherthatdayalittlelaterthanusual,andseethateverythingwasreadywithherforthemorrow'seventandherremovaltohishouse;forhehadbeguntolookafterherdomesticaffairs,andtolightenasmuchaspossiblethedutiesofherhousekeeping.
　　Hewastocometoanearlysupper,whichshehadarrangedtotaketheplaceofawedding-breakfastnextday——thelatternotbeingfeasibleinherpresentsituation.AnhourorsoafterdarkthewifeofthefarmerwholivedintheotherpartofthehouseenteredChristine'sparlourtolaythecloth.
　　'Whatwithgettingthehamskinned,andtheblack-puddingshottedup,'shesaid,'itwilltakemeallmytimebeforehe'shere,ifI
　　beginthisminute.'
　　'I'lllaythetablemyself,'saidChristine,jumpingup.'Doyouattendtothecooking.'
　　'Thankyou,ma'am.Andperhaps'tisnomatter,seeingthatitisthelastnightyou'llhavetodosuchwork.Iknewthissortoflifewouldn'tlastlongfor'ee,beingborntobetterthings.'
　　'Ithaslastedratherlong,Mrs.Wake.Andifhehadnotfoundmeoutitwouldhavelastedallmydays.'
　　'Buthedidfindyouout.'
　　'Hedid.AndI'lllaytheclothimmediately.'
　　Mrs.Wakewentbacktothekitchen,andChristinebegantobustleabout.ShegreatlyenjoyedpreparingthistableforNicholasandherselfwithherownhands.Shetookartisticpleasureinadjustingeacharticletoitsposition,asifhalfanincherrorwereapointofhighimportance.Finallysheplacedthetwocandleswheretheyweretostand,andsatdownbythefire.
　　Mrs.Wakere-enteredandregardedtheeffect.'Whynothaveanothercandleortwo,ma'am?'shesaid.''Twouldmakeitlivelier.Sayfour.'
　　'Verywell,'saidChristine,andfourcandleswerelighted.
　　'Really,'sheadded,surveyingthem,'Ihavebeennowsolongaccustomedtolittleeconomiesthattheylookquiteextravagant.'
　　'Ah,you'llsoonthinknothingoffortyinhisgrandnewhouse!
　　ShallIbringinsupperdirectlyhecomes,ma'am?'
　　'No,notforhalfanhour;and,Mrs.Wake,youandBetsyarebusyinthekitchen,Iknow;sowhenheknocksdon'tdisturbyourselves;I
　　canlethimin.'
　　Shewasagainleftalone,and,asitstillwantedsometimetoNicholas'sappointment,shestoodbythefire,lookingatherselfintheglassoverthemantel.Reflectivelyraisingalockofherhairjustabovehertemplesheuncoveredasmallscar.Thatscarhadahistory.Theterribletemperofherlatehusband——thosesuddenmoodsofirascibilitywhichhadmadeevenhisfriendlyexcitementslooklikeanger——hadoncecausedhimtosetthatmarkuponherwiththebezelofaringhewore.Hedeclaredthatthewholethingwasanaccident.Shewasawoman,andkeptherownopinion.
　　Christinethenturnedherbacktotheglassandscannedthetableandthecandles,shiningoneateachcornerliketypesofthefourEvangelists,andthoughttheylookedtooassuming——tooconfident.
　　Sheglancedupattheclock,whichstoodalsointhisroom,therenotbeingspaceenoughforitinthepassage.Itwasnearlyseven,andsheexpectedNicholasathalf-past.Shelikedthecompanyofthisvenerablearticleinherlonelylife:itstickingsandwhizzingswereasortofconversation.Itnowbegantostrikethehour.Attheendsomethinggratedslightly.Then,withoutanywarning,theclockslowlyinclinedforwardandfellatfulllengthuponthefloor.