'WewereoutintheEastwhenIwrotetohim.Everythinghadseemedtogowrongwithme.Justaftermyletterhadgonewewereorderedhome.That'showitisyouseemehere.AssoonaswegotintobarracksatCasterbridgeIheardo'thisDamnme!I'lldaretofollowmyfather,andmakeawaywithmyself,too.Itistheonlythinglefttodo!'
　　'Don'tyeberash,LukeHolway,Isayagain;buttrytomakeamendsbyyourfuturelife.Andmaybeyourfatherwillsmileasmiledownfromheavenupon'eefor't.'
　　Heshookhishead.'Idon'tknowaboutthat!'heansweredbitterly.
　　'Tryandbeworthyofyourfatherathisbest.'Tisnottoolate.'
　　'D'yethinknot?Ifancyitis!Well,I'llturnitover.
　　Thankyouforyourgoodcounsel.I'llliveforonething,atanyrate.I'llmovefather'sbodytoadecentChristianchurchyard,ifI
　　doitwithmyownhands.Ican'tsavehislife,butIcangivehimanhonourablegrave.Heshan'tlieinthisaccursedplace!'
　　'Ay,asourpa'sonsays,'tisabarbarouscustomtheykeepupatSidlinch,andoughttobedoneawaywi'.Themana'oldsoldier,too.Yousee,ourpa'sonisnotlikeyoursatSidlinch.'
　　'Hesaysitisbarbarous,doeshe?Soitis!'criedthesoldier.
　　'Nowhearken,myfriends.'Thenheproceededtoinquireiftheywouldincreasehisindebtednesstothembyundertakingtheremoval,privately,ofthebodyofthesuicidetothechurchyard,notofSidlinch,aparishhenowhated,butofChalk-Newton.Hewouldgivethemallhepossessedtodoit.
　　LotaskedEzraCattstockwhathethoughtofit.
　　Cattstock,the'celloplayer,whowasalsothesexton,demurred,andadvisedtheyoungsoldiertosoundtherectoraboutitfirst.'Midbehewouldobject,andyet'amid'nt.Thepa'sono'Sidlinchisahardman,Iownye,and'asaidiffolkwillkilltheirselvesinhotbloodtheymusttaketheconsequences.Butoursdon'tthinklikethatatall,andmightallowit.'
　　'What'shisname?'
　　'ThehonourableandreverentMr.Oldham,brothertoLordWessex.Butyouneedn'tbeafeardo'enonthataccount.He'lltalkto'eelikeacommonman,ifsobeyouhaven'thadenoughdrinktogie'eebadbreath.'
　　'O,thesameasformerly.I'llaskhim.Thankyou.Andthatdutydone——'
　　'Whatthen?'
　　'There'swarinSpain.Ihearournextmoveisthere.I'lltrytoshowmyselftobewhatmyfatherwishedme.Idon'tsupposeIshall——
　　butI'lltryinmyfeebleway.ThatmuchIswear——hereoverhisbody.SohelpmeGod.'
　　Lukesmackedhispalmagainstthewhitehand-postwithsuchforcethatitshook.'Yes,there'swarinSpain;andanotherchanceformetobeworthyoffather.'
　　Sothematterendedthatnight.Thattheprivateactedinonethingashehadvowedtodosoonbecameapparent,forduringtheChristmasweektherectorcameintothechurchyardwhenCattstockwasthere,andaskedhimtofindaspotthatwouldbesuitableforthepurposeofsuchaninterment,addingthathehadslightlyknownthelatesergeant,andwasnotawareofanylawwhichforbadehimtoassenttotheremoval,theletteroftherulehavingbeenobserved.ButashedidnotwishtoseemmovedbyoppositiontohisneighbouratSidlinch,hehadstipulatedthattheactofcharityshouldbecarriedoutatnight,andasprivatelyaspossible,andthatthegraveshouldbeinanobscurepartoftheenclosure.'Youhadbetterseetheyoungmanaboutitatonce,'addedtherector.
　　ButbeforeEzrahaddoneanythingLukecamedowntohishouse.Hisfurloughhadbeencutshort,owingtonewdevelopmentsofthewarinthePeninsula,andbeingobligedtogobacktohisregimentimmediately,hewascompelledtoleavetheexhumationandreintermenttohisfriends.Everythingwaspaidfor,andheimploredthemalltoseeitcarriedoutforthwith.
　　Withthisthesoldierleft.ThenextdayEzra,onthinkingthematterover,againwentacrosstotherectory,struckwithsuddenmisgiving.Hehadrememberedthatthesergeanthadbeenburiedwithoutacoffin,andhewasnotsurethatastakehadnotbeendriventhroughhim.Thebusinesswouldbemoretroublesomethantheyhadatfirstsupposed.
　　'Yes,indeed!'murmuredtherector.'Iamafraiditisnotfeasibleafterall.'
　　Thenexteventwasthearrivalofaheadstonebycarrierfromthenearesttown;tobeleftatMr.EzraCattstock's;allexpensespaid.
　　Thesextonandthecarrierdepositedthestoneintheformer'southouse;andEzra,leftalone,putonhisspectaclesandreadthebriefandsimpleinscription:-
　　HERELYETHTHEBODYOFSAMUELHOLWAY,LATESERGEANTINHISMAJESTY'S——
　　DREGIMENTOFFOOT,WHODEPARTEDTHISLIFEDECEMBERTHE20TH,180.
　　ERECTEDBYL.H.
　　'IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHYSON.'
　　Ezraagaincalledattheriversiderectory.'Thestoneiscome,sir.
　　ButI'mafeardwecan'tdoitnohow.'
　　'Ishouldliketoobligehim,'saidthegentlemanlyoldincumbent.
　　'AndIwouldforegoallfeeswillingly.Still,ifyouandtheothersdon'tthinkyoucancarryitout,Iamindoubtwhattosay.'
　　Well,sir;I'vemadeinquiryofaSidlinchwomanastohisburial,andwhatIthoughtseemstrue.Theyburiedenwi'anewsix-foothurdle-sauldrough'sbody,fromthesheep-penupinNorthEweleasethoughtheywon'towntoitnow.Andthequestionis,Isthemovingworthwhile,consideringtheawkwardness?'
　　'Haveyouheardanythingmoreoftheyoungman?'
　　EzrahadonlyheardthathehadembarkedthatweekforSpainwiththerestoftheregiment.'Andifhe'sasdesperateas'aseemed,weshallneverseehimhereinEnglandagain.'
　　'Itisanawkwardcase,'saidtherector.
　　Ezratalkeditoverwiththechoir;oneofwhomsuggestedthatthestonemightbeerectedatthecrossroads.Thiswasregardedasimpracticable.Anothersaidthatitmightbesetupinthechurchyardwithoutremovingthebody;butthiswasseentobedishonest.Sonothingwasdone.
　　TheheadstoneremainedinEzra'southousetill,growingtiredofseeingitthere,heputitawayamongthebushesatthebottomofhisgarden.Thesubjectwassometimesrevivedamongthem,butitalwaysendedwith:'Consideringhow'awasburied,wecanhardlymakeajobo't.'
　　TherewasalwaystheconsciousnessthatLukewouldnevercomeback,animpressionstrengthenedbythedisasterswhichwererumouredtohavebefallenthearmyinSpain.Thistendedtomaketheirinertnesspermanent.TheheadstonegrewgreenasitlayonitsbackunderEzra'sbushes;thenatreebytheriverwasblowndown,and,fallingacrossthestone,crackeditinthreepieces.Ultimatelythepiecesbecameburiedintheleavesandmould.
　　LukehadnotbeenbornaChalk-Newtonman,andhehadnorelationsleftinSidlinch,sothatnotidingsofhimreachedeithervillagethroughoutthewar.ButafterWaterlooandthefallofNapoleontherearrivedatSidlinchonedayanEnglishsergeant-majorcoveredwithstripesand,asitturnedout,richinglory.ForeignservicehadsototallychangedLukeHolwaythatitwasnotuntilhetoldhisnamethattheinhabitantsrecognizedhimasthesergeant'sonlyson.
　　HehadservedwithunswervingeffectivenessthroughthePeninsularcampaignsunderWellington;hadfoughtatBusaco,Fuentesd'Onore,CiudadRodrigo,Badajoz,Salamanca,Vittoria,QuatreBras,andWaterloo;andhadnowreturnedtoenjoyamorethanearnedpensionandreposeinhisnativedistrict.
　　HehardlystayedinSidlinchlongerthantotakeamealonhisarrival.ThesameeveninghestartedonfootoverthehilltoChalk-
　　Newton,passingthehand-post,andsayingasheglancedatthespot,'ThankGod:he'snotthere!'Nightfallwasapproachingwhenhereachedthelattervillage;buthemadestraightforthechurchyard.
　　Onhisenteringitthereremainedlightenoughtodiscerntheheadstonesby,andthesehenarrowlyscanned.Butthoughhesearchedthefrontpartbytheroad,andthebackpartbytheriver,whathesoughthecouldnotfind——thegraveofSergeantHolway,andamemorialbearingtheinscription:'IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHY
　　SON.'
　　Heleftthechurchyardandmadeinquiries.Thehonourableandreverendoldrectorwasdead,andsoweremanyofthechoir;butbydegreesthesergeant-majorlearntthathisfatherstilllayatthecross-roadsinLongAshLane.
　　Lukepursuedhiswaymoodilyhomewards,todowhich,inthenaturalcourse,hewouldbecompelledtorepassthespot,therebeingnootherroadbetweenthetwovillages.Buthecouldnotnowgobythatplace,vociferouswithreproachesinhisfather'stones;andhegotoverthehedgeandwandereddeviouslythroughtheploughedfieldstoavoidthescene.ThroughmanyafightandfatigueLukehadbeensustainedbythethoughtthathewasrestoringthefamilyhonourandmakingnobleamends.Yethisfatherlaystillindegradation.Itwasratherasentimentthanafactthathisfather'sbodyhadbeenmadetosufferforhisownmisdeeds;buttohissuper-sensitivenessitseemedthathiseffortstoretrievehischaracterandtopropitiatetheshadeoftheinsultedonehadendedinfailure.
　　Heendeavoured,however,toshakeoffhislethargy,and,notlikingtheassociationsofSidlinch,hiredasmallcottageatChalk-Newtonwhichhadlongbeenempty.Herehelivedalone,becomingquiteahermit,andallowingnowomantoenterthehouse.
　　TheChristmasaftertakinguphisabodehereinhewassittinginthechimneycornerbyhimself,whenheheardfaintnotesinthedistance,andsoonamelodyburstforthimmediatelyoutsidehisownwindow,itcamefromthecarol-singers,asusual;andthoughmanyoftheoldhands,EzraandLotincluded,hadgonetotheirrest,thesameoldcarolswerestillplayedoutofthesameoldbooks.Thereresoundedthroughthesergeant-major'swindow-shuttersthefamiliarlinesthatthedeceasedchoirhadrenderedoverhisfather'sgrave:-
　　Hecomes'thepri'-sonersto're-lease',InSa'-tan'sbon'-dageheld'.
　　Whentheyhadfinishedtheywentontoanotherhouse,leavinghimtosilenceandlonelinessasbefore.
　　Thecandlewantedsnuffing,buthedidnotsnuffit,andhesatontillithadburntdownintothesocketandmadewavesofshadowontheceiling.
　　TheChristmascheerfulnessofnextmorningwasbrokenatbreakfast-
　　timebytragicintelligencewhichwentdownthevillagelikewind.
　　Sergeant-MajorHolwayhadbeenfoundshotthroughtheheadbyhisownhandatthecross-roadsinLongAshLanewherehisfatherlayburied.
　　Onthetableinthecottagehehadleftapieceofpaper,onwhichhehadwrittenhiswishthathemightbeburiedattheCrossbesidehisfather.Butthepaperwasaccidentallyswepttothefloor,andoverlookedtillafterhisfuneral,whichtookplaceintheordinarywayinthechurchyard.
　　Christmas1897.
　　ENTERADRAGOON
　　Ilatelyhadamelancholyexperiencesaidthegentlemanwhoisanswerableforthetruthofthisstory.ItwasthatofgoingoveradoomedhousewithwhoseoutsideaspectIhadlongbeenfamiliar——ahouse,thatis,whichbyreasonofageanddilapidationwastobepulleddownduringthefollowingweek.Someofthethatch,brownandrottenasthegillsofoldmushrooms,had,indeed,beenremovedbeforeIwalkedoverthebuilding.Seeingthatitwasonlyaverysmallhouse——whichisusuallycalleda'cottage-residence'——situatedinaremotehamlet,andthatitwasnotmorethanahundredyearsold,ifsomuch,Iwasledtothinkinmyprogressthroughthehollowrooms,withtheircrackedwallsandslopingfloors,whatanexceptionalnumberofabruptfamilyincidentshadtakenplacetherein——toreckononlythosewhichhadcometomyownknowledge.
　　AndnodoubtthereweremanymoreofwhichIhadneverheard.
　　Itstoodatthetopofagardenstretchingdowntothelaneorstreetthatranthroughahermit-groupofdwellingsinMellstockparish.
　　Fromagreengateatthelowerentrance,overwhichthethornhedgehadbeenshapedtoanarchbyconstantclippings,agravelpathascendedbetweentheboxedgesofoncetrimraspberry,strawberry,andvegetableplots,towardsthefrontdoor.Thiswasincolouranancientandbleachedgreenthatcouldberubbedoffwiththefinger,anditboreasmalllong-featuredbrassknockercoveredwithverdigrisinitscrevices.Forsomeyearsbeforethiseveofdemolitionthehomesteadhaddegenerated,andbeendividedintotwotenementstoserveascottagesforfarmlabourers;butinitsprimeithadindisputableclaimtobeconsideredneat,pretty,andgenteel.
　　Thevarietyofincidentsabovealludedtowasmainlyowingtothenatureofthetenure,wherebytheplacehadbeenoccupiedbyfamiliesnotquiteofthekindcustomaryinsuchspots——peoplewhosecircumstances,position,orantecedentsweremoreorlessofacriticalhappy-go-luckycast.AndoftheseresidentsthefamilywhosetermcomprisedthestoryIwishtorelatewasthatofMr.JacobPaddockthemarket-gardener,whodweltthereforsomeyearswithhiswifeandgrown-updaughter.
　　I
　　Anevidentcommotionwasagitatingthepremises,whichjerkedbusysoundsacrossthefrontplot,resemblingthoseofadisturbedhive.
　　Ifamemberofthehouseholdappearedatthedooritwaswithacountenanceofabstractionandconcern.
　　Eveningbegantobendoverthescene;andtheotherinhabitantsofthehamletcameouttodrawwater,theircommonwellbeinginthepublicroadoppositethegardenandhouseofthePaddocks.Havingwounduptheirbucketsfullrespectivelytheylingered,andspokesignificantlytogether.Fromtheirwordsanycasuallistenermighthavegatheredinformationofwhathadoccurred.
　　Thewoodmanwholivednearestthesiteofthestorytoldmostofthetale.Selina,thedaughterofthePaddocksopposite,hadbeensurprisedthatafternoonbyreceivingaletterfromheronceintendedhusband,thenacorporal,butnowasergeant-majorofdragoons,whomshehadhithertosupposedtobeoneoftheslainintheBattleoftheAlmatwoorthreeyearsbefore.
　　'Shepickedupwi'enagainstherfather'swish,asweknow,andbeforehegothisstripes,'theirinformantcontinued.'Notbutthatthemanwasasheartyafellerasyou'dmeetthissideo'London.
　　ButJacob,yousee,wishedhertodobetter,andonecanunderstandit.However,shewasdeterminedtosticktohimatthattime;andforwhathappenedshewasnotmuchtoblame,sonearastheyweretomatrimonywhenthewarbrokeoutandspoiledall.'
　　'Eventheverypighadbeenkilledforthewedding,'saidawoman,'andthebarrelo'beerorderedin.O,themanmeanthonourableenough.Buttobeoffintwodaystofightinaforeigncountry——
　　'twasnaturalofherfathertosaytheyshouldwaittillhegotback.'
　　'Andhenevercame,'murmuredoneintheshade.
　　'Thewarendedbuthermanneverturnedupagain.Shewasnotsurehewaskilled,butwastooproud,ortootimid,togoandhuntforhim.'
　　'Onereasonwhyherfatherforgaveherwhenhefoundouthowmattersstoodwas,ashesaidplainatthetime,thathelikedtheman,andcouldseethathemeanttoactstraight.Sotheoldfolksmadethebestofwhattheycouldn'tmend,andkepthertherewith'em,whensomewouldn't.Timehasprovedseeminglythathedidmeantoactstraight,nowthathehaswrittoherthathe'scoming.She'dhavestucktohimallthroughthetime,'tismybelief;ift'otherhadn'tcomealong.'
　　'Atthetimeofthecourtship,'resumedthewoodman,'theregimentwasquarteredinCasterbridgeBarracks,andheandshegotacquaintedbyhiscallingtobuyapenn'orthofrathe-ripesoffthattreeyonderinherfather'sorchard——though'twassaidheseedHERoverhedgeaswellastheapples.Hedeclared'twasakindofapplehemuchfancied;andhecalledforapenn'ortheverydaytillthetreewascleared.Itendedinhiscallingforher.'
　　''Twasathousandpitiestheydidn'tjineupatonceandha'donewi'
　　it.
　　'Well;betterlatethannever,ifsobehe'llhavehernow.But,Lord,she'dthatfaithin'enthatshe'dnomorebeliefthathewasalive,whena'didn'tcome,thanthattheundermostmaninourchurchyardwasalive.She'dneverhavethoughtofanotherbutforthat——Ono!'
　　''Tisawkward,altogether,forhernow.'
　　'Stillshehadn'tmarriedwi'thenewman.Thoughtobesureshewouldhavecommitteditnextweek,eventhelicencebeinggot,theysay,forshe'dhavenobannsthistime,thefirstbeingsounfortunate.'
　　'Perhapsthesergeant-majorwillthinkhe'sreleased,andgoashecame.'
　　'O,notasIreckon.Soldiersbain'tparticular,andshe'satidypieceo'furniturestill.Whatwillhappenisthatshe'llhavehersoldier,andbreakoffwiththemaster-wheelwright,licenceorno——
　　dazemeifshewon't.'
　　Intheprogressofthesedesultoryconjecturestheformofanotherneighbouraroseinthegloom.Shenoddedtothepeopleatthewell,whoreplied'G'dnight,Mrs.Stone,'asshepassedthroughMr.
　　Paddock'sgatetowardshisdoor.Shewasanintimatefriendofthelatter'shousehold,andthegroupfollowedherwiththeireyesupthepathandpastthewindows,whichwerenowlightedupbycandlesinside.
　　II
　　Mrs.Stonepausedatthedoor,knocked,andwasadmittedbySelina'smother,whotookhervisitoratonceintotheparlouronthelefthand,whereatablewaspartlyspreadforsupper.Onthe'beaufet'
　　againstthewallstoodprobablytheonlyobjectwhichwouldhaveattractedtheeyeofalocalstrangerinanotherwiseordinarilyfurnishedroom,agreatplum-cakeguardedasifitwereacuriositybyaglassshadeofthekindseeninmuseums——square,withawoodenbacklikethoseenclosingstuffedspecimensofrarefeatherorfur.
　　Thiswasthemummyofthecakeintendedinearlierdaysforthewedding-feastofSelinaandthesoldier,whichhadbeenreligiouslyandlovinglypreservedbytheformerasatestimonytoherintentionalrespectabilityinspiteofanuntowardsubsequentcircumstance,whichwillbementioned.Thisrelicwasnowasdryasabrick,andseemedtobelongtoapre-existentcivilization.Tillquiterecently,Selinahadbeeninthehabitofpausingbeforeitdaily,andrecallingtheaccidentwhoseconsequenceshadthrownashadowoverherlifeeversince——thatofwhichthewater-drawershadspoken——thesuddennewsonemorningthattheRoutehadcomeforthe——
　　thDragoons,twodaysonlybeingtheintervalbeforedeparture;thehurriedconsultationastowhatshouldbedone,thesecondtimeofaskingbeingpastbutnotthethird;andthedecisionthatitwouldbeunwisetosolemnizematrimonyinsuchhaphazardcircumstances,evenifitwerepossible,whichwasdoubtful.
　　Beforethefiretheyoungwomaninquestionwasnowseatedonalowstool,inthestillnessofreverie,andatoddlingboyplayedabouttheflooraroundher.
　　'Ah,Mrs.Stone!'saidSelina,risingslowly.'Howkindofyoutocomein.You'llbidetosupper?Motherhastoldyouthestrangenews,ofcourse?'
　　'No.ButIhearditoutside,thatis,thatyou'dhadaletterfromMr.Clark——Sergeant-MajorClark,astheysayheisnow——andthathe'scomingtomakeitupwith'ee.'
　　'Yes;comingto-night——allthewayfromthenorthofEnglandwherehe'squartered.Idon'tknowwhetherI'mhappyor——frightenedatit.
　　OfcourseIalwaysbelievedthatifhewasalivehe'dcomeandkeephissolemnvowtome.Butwhenitisprintedthatamaniskilled——
　　whatcanyouthink?'
　　'ItWASprinted?'
　　'Why,yes.AftertheBattleoftheAlmathebookofthenamesofthekilledandwoundedwasnailedupagainstCasterbridgeTownHalldoor.
　　'TwasonaSaturday,andIwalkedthereo'purposetoreadandseeformyself;forI'dheardthathisnamewasdown.Therewasacrowdofpeopleroundthebook,lookingforthenamesofrelations;andI
　　canmindthatwhentheysawmetheymadewayforme——knowingthatwe'dbeenjustgoingtobemarried——andthat,asyoumaysay,I
　　belongedtohim.Well,Ireachedupmyarm,andturnedoverthefarrelsofthebook,andunderthe"killed"Ireadhissurname,butinsteadof"John"they'dprinted"James,"andIthought'twasamistake,andthatitmustbehe.Whocouldhaveguessedthereweretwonearlyofonenameinoneregiment.'
　　'Well——he'scomingtofinishtheweddingof'eeasmaybesaid;sonevermind,mydear.All'swellthatendswell.'
　　'That'swhatheseemstosay.ButthenhehasnotheardyetaboutMr.Miller;andthat'swhatratherterrifiesme.Luckilymymarriagewithhimnextweekwastohavebeenbylicence,andnotbanns,asinJohn'scase;anditwasnotsowellknownonthataccount.Still,I
　　don'tknowwhattothink.'
　　'Everythingseemstocomejust'twixtcupandlipwith'ee,don'titnow,MissPaddock.Twoweddingsbrokeoff——'tisodd!HowcameyoutoacceptMr.Miller,mydear?'
　　'He'sbeensogoodandfaithful!Notmindingaboutthechildatall;
　　forheknewtherightsofthestory.He'sdearlyfondo'Johnny,youknow——justasif'twerehisown——isn'the,myduck?DoMr.Millerloveyouordon'the?'
　　'Iss!An'IloveMr.Miller,'saidthetoddler.
　　'Well,yousee,Mrs.Stone,hesaidhe'dmakemeacomfortablehome;
　　andthinking'twouldbeagoodthingforJohnny,Mr.Millerbeingsomuchbetteroffthanme,Iagreedatlast,justasawidowmight——
　　whichiswhatIhavealwaysfeltmyself;eversinceIsawwhatI
　　thoughtwasJohn'snameprintedthere.IhopeJohnwillforgiveme!'
　　'Sohewillforgive'ee,since'twasnomannerofwrongtohim.Heoughttohavesent'eealine,saying'twasanotherman.'
　　Selina'smotherentered.'We'venotknownofthisanhour,Mrs.
　　Stone,'shesaid.'TheletterwasbroughtupfromLowerMellstockPost-officebyoneoftheschoolchildren,onlythisafternoon.Mr.
　　Millerwascomingherethisverynighttosettleabouttheweddingdoings.Hark!Isthatyourfather?OrisitMr.Milleralreadycome?'
　　Thefootstepsenteredtheporch;therewasabrushingonthemat,andthedooroftheroomsprungbacktodisclosearubicundmanaboutthirtyyearsofage,ofthrivingmaster-mechanicappearanceandobviouslycomfortabletemper.Onseeingthechild,andbeforetakinganynoticewhateveroftheelders,thecomermadeanoiselikethecrowingofacockandflappedhisarmsasiftheywerewings,amethodofentrywhichhadtheunqualifiedadmirationofJohnny.
　　'Yes——itishe,'saidSelinaconstrainedlyadvancing.
　　'What——wereyoualltalkingaboutme,mydear?'saidthegenialyoungmanwhenhehadfinishedhiscrowingandresumedhumanmanners.'Whywhat'sthematter,'hewenton.'Youlookstruckallofaheap.'
　　Mr.Millerspreadanaspectofconcernoverhisownface,anddrewachairuptothefire.
　　'Omother,wouldyoutellMr.Miller,ifhedon'tknow?'
　　'MISTERMiller!andgoingtobemarriedinsixdays!'heinterposed.
　　'Ah——hedon'tknowityet!'murmuredMrs.Paddock.
　　'Knowwhat?'
　　'Well——JohnClark——nowSergeant-MajorClark——wasn'tshotatAlmaafterall.'Twasanotherofalmostthesamename.'
　　'Nowthat'sinteresting!Therewereseveralcaseslikethat.'
　　'Andhe'shomeagain;andhe'scominghereto-nighttoseeher.'
　　'WhatevershallIsay,thathemaynotbeoffendedwithwhatI'vedone?'interposedSelina.
　　'Butwhyshoulditmatterifhebe?'
　　'O!Imustagreetobehiswifeifheforgivesme——ofcourseI
　　must.'
　　'Must!Butwhynotsaynay,Selina,evenifhedoforgive'ee?'
　　'Ono!HowcanIwithoutbeingwicked?Youwereveryverykind,Mr.
　　Miller,toaskmetohaveyou;noothermanwouldhavedoneitafterwhathadhappened;andIagreed,eventhoughIdidnotfeelhalfsowarmasIought.Yetitwasentirelyowingtomybelievinghiminthegrave,asIknewthatifhewerenothewouldcarryouthispromise;andthisshowsthatIwasrightintrustinghim.'
　　'YesHemustbeagoodishsortoffellow,'saidMr.Miller,foramomentsoimpressedwiththeexcellentlyfaithfulconductofthesergeant-majorofdragoonsthathedisregardeditseffectuponhisownposition.Hesighedslowlyandadded,'Well,Selina,'tisforyoutosay.Iloveyou,andIlovetheboy;andthere'smychimney-
　　cornerandstickso'furniturereadyfor'eeboth.'
　　'Yes,Iknow!ButImustn'thearitanymorenow,'murmuredSelinaquickly.'Johnwillbeheresoon.Ihopehe'llseehowitallwaswhenItellhim.IfsobeIcouldhavewrittenittohimitwouldhavebeenbetter.'
　　'Youthinkhedoesn'tknowasinglewordaboutourhavingbeenonthebrinko't.Butperhapsit'stheotherway——he'sheardofitandthatmayhavebroughthim.
　　'Ah——perhapshehas!'shesaidbrightening.'Andalreadyforgivesme.'
　　'Ifnot,speakoutstraightandfair,andtellhimexactlyhowitfellout.Ifhe'samanhe'llseeit.'
　　'Ohe'samantrueenough.ButIreallydothinkIshan'thavetotellhimatall,sinceyou'veputittomethatway!'
　　AsitwasnowJohnny'sbedtimehewascarriedupstairs,andwhenSelinacamedownagainhermotherobservedwithsomeanxiety,'I
　　fancyMr.Clarkmustbeheresoonifhe'scoming;andthatbeingso,perhapsMr.Millerwouldn'tmind——wishingusgood-night!sinceyouaresodeterminedtosticktoyoursergeant-major.'Alittlebitternessbubbledamidtheclosingwords.'Itwouldbelessawkward,Mr.Millernotbeinghere——ifhewillallowmetosayit.'
　　'Tobesure;tobesure,'themaster-wheelwrightexclaimedwithinstantconviction,risingalertlyfromhischair.'Lordblessmysoul,'hesaid,takinguphishatandstick,'andwetohavebeenmarriedinsixdays!ButSelina——you'reright.Youdobelongtothechild'sfathersincehe'salive.I'lltrytomakethebestofit.'
　　BeforethegenerousMillerhadgotfurthertherecameaknocktothedooraccompaniedbythenoiseofwheels.
　　'IthoughtIheardsomethingdrivingup!'saidMrsPaddock.
　　TheyheardMr.Paddock,whohadbeensmokingintheroomopposite,riseandgotothedoor,andinamomentavoicefamiliarenoughtoSelinawasaudiblysaying,'AtlastIamhereagain——notwithoutmanyinterruptions!Howisitwith'ee,Mr.Paddock?Andhowisshe?
　　Thoughtnevertoseemeagain,Isuppose?'
　　Astepwithaclinkofspursinitstruckupontheentryfloor.
　　'DangedifIbain'tcatched!'murmuredMr.Miller,forgettingcompany-speech.'Nevermind——Imayaswellmeethimhereaselsewhere;andIshouldliketoseethechap,andmakefriendswithen,asheseemsoneo'therightsort.'Hereturnedtothefireplacejustasthesergeant-majorwasusheredin.
　　III
　　Hewasagoodspecimenofthelong-servicesoldierofthosedays;anotunhandsomeman,withacertainundemonstrativedignity,whichsomemighthavesaidtobepartlyowingtothestiffnessofhisuniformabouthisneck,thehighstockbeingstillworn.HewasmuchstouterthanwhenSelinahadpartedfromhim.Althoughshehadnotmeanttobedemonstrativesheranacrosstohimdirectlyshesawhim,andheheldherinhisarmsandkissedher.
　　Theninmuchagitationshewhisperedsomethingtohim,atwhichheseemedtobemuchsurprised.
　　'He'sjustputtobed,'shecontinued.'Youcangoupandseehim.
　　Iknewyou'dcomeifyouwerealive!ButIhadquitegi'dyouupfordead.You'vebeenhomeinEnglandeversincethewarended?'
　　'Yes,dear.'
　　'Whydidn'tyoucomesooner?'
　　'That'sjustwhatIaskmyself!WhywasIsuchasappyasnottohurryherethefirstdayIsetfootonshore!Well,who'dhavethoughtit——youareasprettyasever!'
　　Herelinquishedhertopeepupstairsalittleway,where,bylookingthroughtheballusters,hecouldseeJohnny'scotjustwithinanopendoor.OnhissteppingdownagainMr.Millerwaspreparingtodepart.
　　'Now,what'sthis?IamsorrytoseeanybodygoingthemomentI'vecome,'expostulatedthesergeant-major.'Ithoughtwemightmakeaneveningofit.There'saninegalloncasko'"Phoenix"beeroutsideinthetrap,andaham,andhalfarawmil'cheese;forIthoughtyoumightbeshorto'forageinalonelyplacelikethis;anditstruckmewemightliketoaskinaneighbourortwo.Butperhapsitwouldbetakingaliberty?'
　　'Ono,notatall,'saidMr.Paddock,whowasnowintheroom,inajudicialmeasuredmanner.'Verythoughtfulof'ee,only'twasnotnecessary,forwehadjustlaidinanextrystockofeatablesanddrinkablesinpreparationforthecomingevent.'
　　''Twasverykind,uponmyheart,'saidthesoldier,'tothinkmeworthsuchajocundpreparation,sinceyoucouldonlyhavegotmyletterthismorning.'
　　Selinagazedatherfathertostophim,andexchangedembarrassedglanceswithMiller.ContrarytoherhopesSergeant-MajorClarkplainlydidnotknowthatthepreparationsreferredtowereforsomethingquiteotherthanhisownvisit.
　　Themovementofthehorseoutside,andtheimpatienttappingofawhip-handleuponthevehicleremindedthemthatClark'sdriverwasstillinwaiting.Theprovisionswerebroughtintothehouse,andthecartdismissed.Miller,withverylittlepressureindeed,acceptedaninvitationtosupper,andafewneighbourswereinducedtocomeintomakeupacheerfulparty.
　　Duringthelayingofthemeal,andthroughoutitscontinuance,Selina,whosatbesideherfirstintendedhusband,triedfrequentlytobreakthenewstohimofherengagementtotheother——nowterminatedsosuddenly,andsohappilyforherheart,andhersenseofwomanlyvirtue.Butthetalkranentirelyuponthelatewar;andthoughfortifiedbyhalfahornofthestrongalebroughtbythesergeant-majorshedecidedthatshemighthaveabetteropportunitywhensupperwasoverofrevealingthesituationtohiminprivate.
　　Havingsupped,Clarkleanedbackateaseinhischairandlookedaround.'Weusedsometimestohaveadanceinthatotherroomaftersupper,Selinadear,Irecollect.Weusedtoclearoutallthefurnitureintothisroombeforebeginning.Haveyoukeptupsuchgoingson?'
　　'No,notatall!'saidhissweetheart,sadly.
　　'Wewerenotunlikelytoreviveitinafewdays,'saidMr.Paddock.
　　'But,howsomever,there'sseeminglymanyaslip,asthesayingis.'
　　'Yes,I'lltellJohnallaboutthatbyandby!'interposedSelina;atwhich,perceivingthatthesecretwhichhedidnotlikekeepingwastobekeptevenyet,herfatherheldhistonguewithsomeshowoftestiness.
　　Thesubjectofadancehavingbeenbroached,toputthethoughtinpracticewasthefeelingofall.Soonafterthetablesandchairswerebornefromtheoppositeroomtothisbyzealoushands,andtwoofthevillagerssenthomeforafiddleandtambourine,whenthemajoritybegantotreadameasurewellknowninthatsecludedvale.
　　Selinanaturallydancedwiththesergeant-major,notaltogethertoherfather'ssatisfaction,andtotherealuneasinessofhermother,bothofwhomwouldhavepreferredapostponementoffestivitiestilltherashlyanticipatedrelationshipbetweentheirdaughterandClarkinthepasthadbeenmadefactbythechurch'sordinances.Theydidnot,however,expressapositiveobjection,Mr.Paddockremembering,withself-reproach,thatitwasowingtohisoriginalstronglyexpresseddisapprovalofSelina'sbeingasoldier'swifethattheweddinghadbeendelayed,andfinallyhindered——withworseconsequencesthanwereexpected;andeversincethemisadventurebroughtaboutbyhisgovernmenthehadallowedeventstosteertheirowncourses.
　　'Mytailswillsurelycatchinyourspurs,John!'murmuredthedaughterofthehouse,asshewhirledarounduponhisarmwiththeraptsoulandlookofasomnambulist.'Ididn'tknowweshoulddance,orIwouldhaveputonmyotherfrock.'
　　'I'lltakecare,mylove.We'vedancedherebefore.Doyouthinkyourfatherobjectstomenow?I'veriseninrank.Ifancyhe'sstillalittleagainstme.'
　　'Hehasrepented,timesenough.'
　　'AndsohaveI!IfIhadmarriedyouthen'twouldhavesavedmanyamisfortune.IhavesometimesthoughtitmighthavebeenpossibletorushtheceremonythroughsomehowbeforeIleft;thoughwewereonlyinthesecondasking,werewe?AndevenifIhadcomebackstraightherewhenwereturnedfromtheCrimea,andmarriedyouthen,howmuchhappierIshouldhavebeen!'
　　'DearJohn,tosaythat!Whydidn'tyou?'
　　'O——dilatorinessandwantofthought,andafearoffacingyourfatheraftersolong.Iwasinhospitalagreatwhile,youknow.
　　Buthowfamiliartheplaceseemsagain!What'sthatIsawonthebeaufetintheotherroom?Itneverusedtobethere.Asortofwitheredcorpseofacake——notanoldbride-cakesurely?'
　　'Yes,John,ours.'Tistheveryonethatwasmadeforourweddingthreeyearsago.'
　　'Sakesalive!Why,timeshutsuptogether,andallbetweenthenandnowseemsnottohavebeen!Whatbecameofthatwedding-gownthattheyweremakinginthisroom,Iremember——abluish,whitish,frothything?'
　　'Ihavethattoo.'
　　'Really!Why,Selina——'
　　'Yes!'
　　'Whynotputitonnow?'
　　'Wouldn'titseem.Andyet,OhowIshouldliketo!Itwouldremindthemall,ifwetoldthemwhatitwas,howwereallymeanttobemarriedonthatbygoneday!'Hereyeswereagainladenwithwet.
　　'YesThepitythatwedidn't——thepity!'Moodymournfulnessseemedtoholdsilentawhileonenotnaturallytaciturn.'Well——willyou?'hesaid.
　　'Iwill——thenextdance,ifmotherdon'tmind.'
　　Accordingly,justbeforethenextfigurewasformed,Selinadisappeared,andspeedilycamedownstairsinacreasedandbox-worn,butstillairyandpretty,muslingown,whichwasindeedtheveryonethathadbeenmeanttograceherasabridethreeyearsbefore.
　　'Itisdreadfullyold-fashioned,'sheapologized.
　　'Notatall.Whatagrandthoughtofmine!Now,let'sto'tagain.'
　　Sheexplainedtosomeofthem,asheledhertotheseconddance,whatthefrockhadbeenmeantfor,andthatshehadputitonathisrequest.Andagainathwartandaroundtheroomtheywent.
　　'Youseemthebride!'hesaid.
　　'ButIcouldn'twearthisgowntobemarriedinnow!'shereplied,ecstatically,'orIshouldn'thaveputitonandmadeitdusty.Itisreallytooold-fashioned,andsofoldedandfrettedout,youcan'tthink.Thatwaswithmytakingitoutsomanytimestolookat.I
　　haveneverputiton——never——tillnow!'
　　'Selina,Iamthinkingofgivingupthearmy.WillyouemigratewithmetoNewZealand?I'veanuncleouttheredoingwell,andhe'dsoonhelpmetomakingalargerincome.TheEnglisharmyisglorious,butitain'taltogetherenriching.'
　　'Ofcourse,anywherethatyoudecideupon.IsithealthythereforJohnny?'
　　'Alovelyclimate.AndIshallneverbehappyinEnglandAha!'
　　heconcludedagain,withabitternessofunexpectedstrength,'wouldtoHeavenIhadcomestraightbackhere!'
　　Asthedancebroughtroundoneneighbourafteranotherthere-unitedpairwerethrownintojuxtapositionwithBobHeartallamongtherestwhohadbeencalledin;onewhosechronicexpressionwasthathecarriedinsidehimajokeonthepointofburstingwithitsownvastness.Hetookoccasionnowtoletoutalittleofitsquality,shakinghisheadatSelinaasheaddressedherinanundertone-
　　'Thisisabitofatoppertothebridegroom,hoho!'Twillteachenthelibertyyou'llexpectwhenyou'vemarrieden!'
　　'Whatdoeshemeanbya"topper,"'thesergeant-majorasked,who,notbeingoflocalextraction,despisedthevenerablelocallanguage,andalsoseemedtosuppose'bridegroom'tobeananticipatorynameforhimself.'IonlyhopeIshallneverbeworsetreatedthanyou'vetreatedmeto-night!'
　　Selinalookedfrightened.'Hedidn'tmeanyou,dear,'shesaidastheymovedon.'Wethoughtperhapsyouknewwhathadhappened,owingtoyourcomingjustatthistime.Hadyou——heardanythingabout——
　　whatIintended?'
　　'Notabreath——howshouldI——awayupinYorkshire?ItwasbythemerestaccidentthatIcamejustatthisdatetomakepeacewithyouformydelay.'
　　'IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMr.BartholomewMiller.That'swhatitis!Iwouldhavelet'eeknowbyletter,buttherewasnotime,onlyhearingfrom'eethisafternoonYouwon'tdesertmeforit,willyou,John?Because,asyouknow,Iquitesupposedyoudead,and——and——'Hereyeswerefulloftearsoftrepidation,andhemighthavefeltasobheavingwithinher.
　　IV
　　Thesoldierwassilentduringtwoorthreedoublebarsofthetune.
　　'WhenwereyoutohavebeenmarriedtothesaidMr.BartholomewMiller?'heinquired.
　　'Quitesoon.'
　　'Howsoon?'
　　'Nextweek——Oyes——justthesameasitwaswithyouandme.There'sastrangefateofinterruptionhangingoverme,Isometimesthink!
　　Hehadboughtthelicence,whichIpreferredsothatitmightn'tbelike——ours.Butitmadenodifferencetothefateofit.'
　　'Hadboughtthelicence!Thedevil!'
　　'Don'tbeangry,dearJohn.Ididn'tknow!'
　　'No,no,I'mnotangry.'
　　'Itwassokindofhim,considering!'
　　'YesIsee,ofcourse,hownaturalyouractionwas——neverthinkingofseeingmeanymore!IsittheMr.Millerwhoisinthisdance?'
　　'Yes.'
　　ClarkglancedrounduponBartholomewandwassilentagain,forsomelittlewhile,andshestolealookathim,tofindthatheseemedchanged.'John,youlookill!'shealmostsobbed.''Tisn'tme,isit?'
　　'Odear,no.ThoughIhadn't,somehow,expectedit.Ican'tfindfaultwithyouforamoment——andIdon'tThisisadeuceofalongdance,don'tyouthink?We'vebeenatittwentyminutesifasecond,andthefiguredoesn'tallowonemuchrest.I'mquiteoutofbreath.'
　　'Theylikethemsodreadfullylonghere.Shallwedropout?OrI'llstopthefiddler.'
　　'Ono,no,IthinkIcanfinish.ButalthoughIlookhealthyenoughIhaveneverbeensostrongasIformerlywas,sincethatlongillnessIhadinthehospitalatScutari.'
　　'AndIknewnothingaboutit!'
　　'Youcouldn't,dear,asIdidn'twrite.WhatafoolIhavebeenaltogether!'Hegaveatwitch,asofoneinpain.'Iwon'tdanceagainwhenthisoneisover.ThefactisIhavetravelledalongwayto-day,anditseemstohaveknockedmeupabit.'
　　Therecouldbenodoubtthatthesergeant-majorwasunwell,andSelinamadeherselfmiserablebystillbelievingthatherstorywasthecauseofhisailment.Suddenlyhesaidinachangedvoice,andsheperceivedthathewaspalerthanever:'Imustsitdown.'
　　Lettinggoherwaisthewentquicklytotheotherroom.Shefollowed,andfoundhiminthenearestchair,hisfacebentdownuponhishandsandarms,whichwererestingonthetable.
　　'What'sthematter?'saidherfather,whosattheredozingbythefire.
　　'Johnisn'twellWearegoingtoNewZealandwhenwearemarried,father.Alovelycountry!John,wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?'
　　'Adropo'thatSchiedamofoldOwlett's,that'sunderstairs,perhaps,'suggestedherfather.'Notthatnowadays'tismuchbetterthanlicensedliquor.'
　　'John,'shesaid,puttingherfaceclosetohisandpressinghisarm.
　　'Willyouhaveadropofspiritsorsomething?'
　　Hedidnotreply,andSelinaobservedthathisearandthesideofhisfacewerequitewhite.Convincedthathisillnesswasserious,agrowingdismayseizedholdofher.Thedanceended;hermothercamein,andlearningwhathadhappened,lookednarrowlyatthesergeant-
　　major.
　　'Wemustnotlethimlielikethat,lifthimup,'shesaid.'Lethimrestinthewindow-benchonsomecushions.'
　　Theyunfoldedhisarmsandhandsastheylayclaspeduponthetable,andonliftinghisheadfoundhisfeaturestobeartheveryimpressofdeathitself.BartholomewMiller,whohadnowcomein,assistedMr.Paddocktomakeacomfortablecouchinthewindow-seat,wheretheystretchedoutClarkuponhisback.
　　Stillheseemedunconscious.'Wemustgetadoctor,'saidSelina.
　　'O,mydearJohn,howisityoubetakenlikethis?'
　　'Myimpressionisthathe'sdead!'murmuredMr.Paddock.'Hedon'tbreatheenoughtomoveatomtit'sfeather.'
　　Therewereplentytovolunteertogoforadoctor,butasitwouldbeatleastanhourbeforehecouldgettherethecaseseemedsomewhathopeless.Thedancing-partyendedasunceremoniouslyasithadbegun;buttheguestslingeredroundthepremisestillthedoctorshouldarrive.Whenhedidcomethesergeant-major'sextremitieswerealreadycold,andtherewasnodoubtthatdeathhadovertakenhimalmostatthemomentthathehadsatdown.
　　ThemedicalpractitionerquiterefusedtoaccepttheunhappySelina'stheorythatherrevelationhadinanywayinducedClark'ssuddencollapse.Bothheandthecoronerafterwards,whofoundtheimmediatecausetobeheart-failure,heldthatsuchasuppositionwasunwarrantedbyfacts.Theyassertedthatalongday'sjourney,ahurrieddrive,andthenanexhaustingdance,weresufficientforsucharesultuponaheartenfeebledbyfattydegenerationaftertheprivationsofaCrimeanwinterandothertryingexperiences,thecoincidenceofthesadeventwithanydisclosureofhersbeingapureaccident.
　　Thisconclusion,however,didnotdislodgeSelina'sopinionthattheshockofherstatementhadbeentheimmediatestrokewhichhadfelledaconstitutionsoundermined.
　　V
　　AtthisdatetheCasterbridgeBarrackswerecavalryquarters,theiradaptationtoartilleryhavingbeeneffectedsomeyearslater.Ithadbeenowingtothefactthatthe——thDragoons,inwhichJohnClarkhadserved,happenedtobelyingtherethatSelinamadehisacquaintance.AtthetimeofhisdeaththebarrackswereoccupiedbytheScotsGreys,butwhenthepatheticcircumstancesofthesergeant-
　　major'sendbecameknowninthetowntheofficersoftheGreysofferedtheservicesoftheirfinereedandbrassband,thathemighthaveafuneralmarkedbyduemilitaryhonours.Hisbodywasaccordinglyremovedtothebarracks,andcarriedthencetothechurchyardintheDurnoverquarteronthefollowingafternoon,oneoftheGreys'mostancientanddocilechargersbeingblackeduptorepresentClark'shorseontheoccasion.
　　EverybodypitiedSelina,whosestorywaswellknown.Shefollowedthecorpseastheonlymourner,Clarkhavingbeenwithoutrelationsinthispartofthecountry,andacommunicationwithhisregimenthavingbroughtnonefromadistance.Shesatinalittleshabbybrown-blackmourningcarriage,squeezingherselfupinacornertobeasmuchaspossibleoutofsightduringtheslowanddramaticmarchthroughthetowntothetunefromSaul.Whentheintermenthadtakenplace,thevolleysbeenfired,andthereturnjourneybegun,itwaswithsomethinglikeashockthatshefoundthemilitaryescorttobemovingataquickmarchtothelivelystrainsof'Offshegoes!'asifallcareforthesergeant-majorwasexpectedtobeendedwiththelatedischargeofthecarbines.Itwas,bychance,theverytunetowhichtheyhadbeenfootingwhenhedied,andunabletobearitsnotes,shehastilytoldherdrivertodropbehind.ThebandandmilitarypartydiminisheduptheHighStreet,andSelinaturnedoverSwanbridgeandhomewardtoMellstock.
　　Thenrecommencedforheralifewhoseincidentswerepreciselyofasuitwiththosewhichhadprecededthesoldier'sreturn;buthowdifferentinherappreciationofthem!Hernarrowmissoftherecoveredrespectabilitytheyhadhopedforfromthattardyeventworkeduponherparentsasanirritant,andafterthefirstweekortwoofhermourningherlifewiththemgrewalmostinsupportable.
　　Shehadimpulsivelytakentoherselftheweedsofawidow,forsuchsheseemedtoherselftobe,andclothedlittleJohnnyinsableslikewise.Thisassumptionofamoralrelationshiptothedeceased,whichsheassertedtobeonlynotalegalonebytwomostunexpectedaccidents,ledtheoldpeopletoindulgeinsarcasmatherexpensewhenevertheybeheldherattire,thoughallthewhileitcostthemmorepaintoutterthanitgavehertohearit.Havingbecomeaccustomedbyherresidenceathometothebusinesscarriedonbyherfather,shesurprisedthemonedaybygoingoffwiththechildtoChalk-Newton,inthedirectionofthetownofIvell,andopeningaminiaturefruitandvegetableshop,attendingIvellmarketwithherproduce.Herbusinessgrewsomewhatlarger,anditwassoonsufficienttoenablehertosupportherselfandtheboyincomfort.
　　Shecalledherself'Mrs.JohnClark'fromthedayofleavinghome,andpaintedthenameonhersignboard——nomanforbiddingher.
　　Bydegreesthepainofherstatewasforgotteninhernewcircumstances,andgettingtobegenerallyacceptedasthewidowofasergeant-majorofdragoons——anassumptionwhichhermodestandmournfuldemeanourseemedtosubstantiate——herlifebecameaplacidone,hermindbeingnourishedbythemelancholyluxuryofdreamingwhatmighthavebeenherfutureinNewZealandwithJohn,ifhehadonlylivedtotakeherthere.HeronlytravelsnowwereajourneytoIvellonmarket-days,andonceafortnighttothechurchyardinwhichClarklay,theretotend,withJohnny'sassistance,aswidowsarewonttodo,theflowersshehadplanteduponhisgrave.
　　Onadayabouteighteenmonthsafterhisunexpecteddecease,SelinawassurprisedinherlodgingoverherlittleshopbyavisitfromBartholomewMiller.Hehadcalledonheronceortwicebefore,onwhichoccasionshehadusedwithoutawordofcommentthenamebywhichshewasknown.
　　'I'vecomethistime,'hesaid,'lessbecauseIwasinthisdirectionthantoaskyou,Mrs.Clark,whatyoumidwellguess.I'vecomeo'
　　purpose,inshort.'
　　Shesmiled.
　　''Tistoaskmeagaintomarryyou?'