'Yes,ofcourse.Yousee,hiscomingbackfor'eeprovedwhatI
　　alwaysbelievedof'ee,thoughothersdidn't.There'snobodybutwouldbegladtowelcomeyoutoourparishagain,nowyou'veshowedyourindependenceandacteduptoyourtrustinhispromise.Well,mydear,willyoucome?'
　　'I'dratherbideasMrs.Clark,Ithink,'sheanswered.'Iamnotashamedofmypositionatall;forIamJohn'swidowintheeyesofHeaven.'
　　'Iquiteagree——that'swhyI'vecome.Still,youwon'tliketobealwaysstrainingatthisshop-keepingandmarket-standing;and'twouldbebetterforJohnnyifyouhadnothingtodobuttendhim.'
　　HeheretouchedtheonlyweakspotinSelina'sresistancetohisproposal——thegoodoftheboy.Topromotethattherewereothermenshemighthavemarriedoffhandwithoutlovingthemiftheyhadaskedherto;butthoughshehadknowntheworthyspeakerfromheryouth,shecouldnotforthemomentfancyherselfhappyasMrs.Miller.
　　Hepausedawhile.'Ioughttotell'ee,Mrs.Clark,'hesaidbyandby,'thatmarryingisgettingtobeapressingquestionwithme.Notonmyownaccountatall.Thetruthis,thatmotherisgrowingold,andIamawayfromhomeagooddeal,sothatitisalmostnecessarythereshouldbeanotherpersoninthehousewithherbesidesme.
　　That'sthepracticalconsiderationwhichforcesmetothinkoftakingawife,apartfrommywishtotakeyou;andyouknowthere'snobodyintheworldIcareforsomuch.'
　　Shesaidsomethingabouttherebeingfarbetterwomenthanshe,andothernaturalcommonplaces;butassuredhimshewasmostgratefultohimforfeelingwhathefelt,asindeedshesincerelywas.However,Selinawouldnotconsenttobetheusefulthirdpersoninhiscomfortablehome——atanyratejustthen.Hewentaway,aftertakingteawithher,withoutdiscerningmuchhopeforhiminhergood-bye.
　　VI
　　Afterthateveningshesawandheardnothingofhimforagreatwhile.Herfortnightlyjourneystothesergeant-major'sgravewerecontinued,wheneverweatherdidnothinderthem;andMr.Millermusthaveknown,shethought,ofthiscustomofhers.ButthoughthechurchyardwasnotnearlysofarfromhishomesteadaswashershopatChalk-Newton,heneverappearedintheaccidentalwaythatloversuse.
　　Anexplanationwasforthcomingintheshapeofaletterfromhermother,whocasuallymentionedthatMr.BartholomewMillerhadgoneawaytotheothersideofShottsford-Forumtobemarriedtoathrivingdairyman'sdaughterthatheknewthere.Hischiefmotive,itwasreported,hadbeenlessoneoflovethanawishtoprovideacompanionforhisagedmother.
　　Selinawaspracticalenoughtoknowthatshehadlostagoodandpossiblytheonlyopportunityofsettlinginlifeafterwhathadhappened,andforamomentsheregrettedherindependence.Butshebecamecalmonreflection,andtofortifyherselfinhercoursestartedthatafternoontotendthesergeant-major'sgrave,inwhichshetookthesamesoberpleasureasatfirst.
　　Onreachingthechurchyardandturningthecornertowardsthespotasusual,shewassurprisedtoperceiveanotherwoman,alsoapparentlyarespectablewidow,andwithatinyboybyherside,bendingoverClark'sturf,andspuddingupwiththepointofherumbrellasomeivy-rootsthatSelinahadreverentlyplantedtheretoformanevergreenmantleoverthemound.
　　'Whatareyoudiggingupmyivyfor!'criedSelina,rushingforwardsoexcitedlythatJohnnytumbledoveragravewiththeforceofthetugshegavehishandinhersuddenstart.
　　'Yourivy?'saidtherespectablewoman.
　　'Whyyes!Iplanteditthere——onmyhusband'sgrave.'
　　'YOURhusband's!'
　　'Yes.ThelateSergeant-MajorClark.Anyhow,asgoodasmyhusband,forhewasjustgoingtobe.'
　　'Indeed.Butwhomaybemyhusband,ifnothe?IamtheonlyMrs.
　　JohnClark,widowofthelateSergeant-MajorofDragoons,andthisishisonlysonandheir.'
　　'Howcanthatbe?'falteredSelina,herthroatseemingtosticktogetherasshejustbegantoperceiveitspossibility.'Hehadbeen——goingtomarrymetwice——andweweregoingtoNewZealand.'
　　'Ah!——Irememberaboutyou,'returnedthelegitimatewidowcalmlyandnotunkindly.'YoumustbeSelina;hespokeofyounowandthen,andsaidthathisrelationswithyouwouldalwaysbeaweightonhisconscience.Well;thehistoryofmylifewithhimissoontold.
　　WhenhecamebackfromtheCrimeahebecameacquaintedwithmeatmyhomeinthenorth,andweweremarriedwithinamonthoffirstknowingeachother.Unfortunately,afterlivingtogetherafewmonths,wecouldnotagree;andafteraparticularlysharpquarrel,inwhich,perhaps,Iwasmostinthewrong——asIdon'tmindowningherebyhisgraveside——hewentawayfromme,declaringhewouldbuyhisdischargeandemigratetoNewZealand,andnevercomebacktomeanymore.ThenextthingIheardwasthathehaddiedsuddenlyatMellstockatsomelowcarouse;andashehadleftmeinsuchangertolivenomorewithme,Iwouldn'tcomedowntohisfuneral,ordoanythinginrelationtohim.'Twastemper,Iknow,butthatwasthefact.Evenifwehadpartedfriendsitwouldhavebeenaseriousexpensetotravelthreehundredmilestogetthere,foronewhowasn'tleftsoverywelloffIamsorryIpulledupyourivy-
　　roots;butthatcommonsortofivyisconsideredaweedinmypartofthecountry.'
　　December1899.
　　ATRYSTATANANCIENTEARTHWORK
　　Atone'severystepforwarditriseshigheragainstthesouthsky,withanobtrusivepersonalitythatcompelsthesensestoregarditandconsider.Theeyesmaybendinanotherdirection,butneverwithouttheconsciousnessofitsheavy,high-shoulderedpresenceatitspointofvantage.Acrosstheinterveninglevelsthegaleracesinastraightlinefromthefort,asifbreathedoutofithitherward.Withtheshiftingofthecloudsthefacesofthesteepsvaryincolourandinshade,broadlightsappearingwheremistandvaguenesshadprevailed,dissolvingintheirturnintomelancholygray,whichspreadsoverandeclipsestheluminousbluffs.Inthisso-thoughtimmutablespectacleallischange.
　　Outoftheinvisiblemarineregionontheothersidebirdssoarsuddenlyintotheair,andhangoverthesummitsoftheheightswiththeindifferenceoflongfamiliarity.Theirformsarewhiteagainstthetawnyconcaveofcloud,andthecurvestheyexhibitintheirfloatingsignifythattheyaresea-gullswhichhavejourneyedinlandfromexpectedstressofweather.Asthebirdsrisebehindthefort,sodothecloudsrisebehindthebirds,almostasitseems,strokingwiththeirbaggingbosomstheuppermostflyers.
　　Theprofileofthewholestupendousruin,asseenatadistanceofamileeastward,iscleanlycutasthatofamarbleinlay.Itisvariedwithprotuberances,whichfromhereaboutshavetheanimalaspectofwarts,wens,knuckles,andhips.Itmayindeedbelikenedtoanenormousmany-limbedorganismofanantediluviantime——
　　partakingofthecephalopodinshape——lyinglifeless,andcoveredwithathingreencloth,whichhidesitssubstance,whilerevealingitscontour.Thisdullgreenmantleofherbagestretchesdowntowardsthelevels,wheretheploughshaveessayedforcenturiestocreepupnearandyetnearertothebaseofthecastle,buthavealwaysstoppedshortbeforereachingit.Thefurrowsoftheseenvironingattemptsshowthemselvesdistinctly,bendingtotheinclineastheytrenchuponit;mountinginsteepercurves,tillthesteepnessbafflesthem,andtheirparallelthreadsshowlikethestriaeofwavespausingonthecurl.Thepeculiarplaceofwhichthesearesomeofthefeaturesis'Mai-Dun,''TheCastleoftheGreatHill,'saidtobetheDuniumofPtolemy,thecapitaloftheDurotriges,whicheventuallycameintoRomanoccupation,andwasfinallydesertedontheirwithdrawalfromtheisland.
　　Theeveningisfollowedbyanightonwhichaninvisiblemoonbestowsasubdued,yetpervasivelight——withoutradiance,aswithoutblackness.FromthespotwhereonIamensconcedinacottage,amileaway,theforthasnowceasedtobevisible;yet,asbyday,toanybodywhosethoughtshavebeenengagedwithitanditsbarbarousgrandeursofpasttimetheformassertsitsexistencebehindthenightgauzesaspersistentlyasifithadavoice.Moreover,thesouth-westwindcontinuestofeedtheinterveningarableflatswithvapoursbroughtdirectlyfromitssides.
　　Themidnighthourforwhichtherehasbeenoccasiontowaitatlengtharrives,andIjourneytowardsthestrongholdinobediencetoarequesturgedearlierintheday.Itconcernsanappointment,whichIratherregretmydecisiontokeepnowthatnightiscome.Theroutethitherishedgelessandtreeless——Ineednotadddeserted.
　　Themoonlightissufficienttodisclosethepaleriband-likesurfaceofthewayasittrailsalongbetweentheexpansesofdarkerfallow.
　　Thoughtheroadpassesnearthefortressitdoesnotconductdirectlytoitsfronts.Astheplaceiswithoutaninhabitant,soitiswithoutatrackway.Sopresentlyleavingthemacadamizedroadtopursueitscourseelsewhither,Istepoffuponthefallow,andplodstumblinglyacrossit.Thecastleloomsoutofftheshadebydegrees,likeathingwakingupandaskingwhatIwantthere.Itisnowsoenlargedbynearnessthatitswholeshapecannotbetakeninatoneview.Theploughedgroundendsastherisesharpens,theslopingbasementofgrassbegins,andIclimbupwardtoinvadeMai-
　　Dun.
　　ImpressivebydayasthislargestAncient-Britishworkinthekingdomundoubtedlyis,itsimpressivenessisincreasednow.Afterstandingstillandspendingafewminutesinaddingitsagetoitssize,anditssizetoitssolitude,itbecomesappallinglymournfulinitsgrowingcloseness.Asquallywindblowsinthefacewithanimpactwhichproclaimsthatthevapoursoftheairsaillowto-night.TheslopethatIsolaboriouslyclamberupthewindskipssportivelydown.Itstrackcanbediscernedeveninthislightbytheundulationsofthewitheredgrass-bents——theonlyproduceofthisuplandsummitexceptmoss.Fourminutesofascent,andavantage-
　　groundofsomesortisgained.Itisonlythecrestoftheouterrampart.Immediatelywithinthisachasmgapes;itsbottomisimperceptible,butthecounterscarpslopesnottoosteeplytoadmitofaslidingdescentifcautiouslyperformed.Theshadybottom,dankandchilly,isthusgained,andrevealsitselfasakindofwindinglane,wideenoughforawaggontopassalong,flooredwithrankherbage,andtrendingaway,rightandleft,intoobscurity,betweentheconcentricwallsofearth.Thetoweringclosenessoftheseoneachhand,theirimpenetrability,andtheirponderousness,arefeltasaphysicalpressure.Thewayisnowupthesecondofthem,whichstandssteeperandhigherthanthefirst.Toturnaside,asdidChristian'scompanion,fromsuchaHillDifficulty,isthemorenaturaltendency;butthewaytotheinteriorisupward.Thereis,ofcourse,anentrancetothefortress;butthatliesfaroffontheotherside.Itmightpossiblyhavebeenthewisercoursetoseekforeasieringressthere.
　　However,beinghere,Iascendthesecondacclivity.Thegrassstems——
　　thegreybeardofthehill——swayinamassclosetomystoopingface.Thedeadheadsofthesevariousgrasses——fescues,fox-tails,andryes——bobandtwitchasifpulledbyastringunderground.Fromafewthistlesawhistlingproceeds;andeventhemossspeaks,initshumbleway,underthestressoftheblast.
　　Thatthesummitofthesecondlineofdefencehasbeengainedissuddenlymadeknownbyacontrastingwindfromanewquarter,comingoverwiththecurveofacascade.Thesenovelgustsraiseasoundfromthewholecamporcastle,playinguponitbodilyasuponaharp.
　　Itiswithsomedifficultythatafootholdcanbepreservedundertheirsweep.LookingaloftforamomentIperceivethattheskyismuchmoreovercastthanithasbeenhitherto,andinafewinstantsadeadlullinwhatisnowagaleensueswithalmostpreternaturalabruptness.Itakeadvantageofthistosidledownthesecondcounterscarp,butbythetimetheditchisreachedthelullrevealsitselftobebuttheprecursorofastorm.Itbeginswithaheaveofthewholeatmosphere,likethesighofawearystrongmanonturningtore-commenceunusualexertion,justasIstandhereinthesecondfosse.Thatwhichnowradiatesfromtheskyuponthesceneisnotsomuchlightasvaporousphosphorescence.
　　Thewind,quickening,abandonsthenaturaldirectionithaspursuedontheopenupland,andtakesthecourseofthegorge'slength,rushingalongthereinhelter-skelter,andcarryingthickrainuponitsback.Therainisfollowedbyhailstoneswhichflythroughthedefileinbattalions——rolling,hopping,ricochetting,snapping,clatteringdowntheshelvingbanksinanundefinablehazeofconfusion.Theearthensidesofthefosseseemtoquiverunderthedrenchingonset,thoughitispracticallynomoretothemthantheblowsofThoruponthegiantofJotun-land.Itisimpossibletoproceedfurthertillthestormsomewhatabates,andIdrawupbehindaspuroftheinnerscarp,wherepossiblyabarricadestoodtwothousandyearsago;andthusawaitevents.
　　Theroarofthestormcanbeheardtravellingthecompletecircuitofthecastle——ameasuredmile——comingroundatintervalslikeacircumambulatingcolumnofinfantry.Doubtlesssuchacolumnhaspassedthiswayinitstime,buttheonlycolumnswhichenterintheselatterdaysarethecolumnsofsheepandoxenthataresometimesseenherenow;whiletheonlysemblanceofheroicvoicesheardaretheutterancesofsuch,andofthemanywindswhichmaketheirpassagethroughtheravines.
　　Theexpectedlightningradiatesround,andarumblingasfromitssubterraneanvaults——ifthereareany——fillsthecastle.Thelightningrepeatsitself,and,comingaftertheaforesaidthoughtsofmartialmen,itbearsafancifulresemblancetoswordsmovingincombat.Ithastheverybrassyhueoftheancientweaponsthatherewereused.Thesosuddenentryuponthesceneofthismetallicflameisastheentryofapresidingexhibitorwhounrollsthemaps,uncurtainsthepictures,unlocksthecabinets,andeffectsatransformationbymerelyexposingthematerialsofhisscience,unintelligiblycloakedtillthen.Theabruptconfigurationofthebluffsandmoundsisnowforthefirsttimeclearlyrevealed——moundswhereon,doubtless,spearsandshieldshavefrequentlylainwhiletheirownersloosenedtheirsandalsandyawnedandstretchedtheirarmsinthesun.Forthefirsttime,too,aglimpseisobtainableofthetrueentranceusedbyitsoccupantsofold,somewayahead.
　　There,whereallpassagehasseemedtobeinviolablybarredbyanalmostverticalfacade,therampartsarefoundtooverlapeachotherlikelooselyclaspedfingers,betweenwhichazigzagpathmaybefollowed——acunningconstructionthatpuzzlestheuninformedeye.
　　Butitscunning,evenwherenotobscuredbydilapidation,isnowwastedonthesolitaryformsofafewwildbadgers,rabbits,andhares.MenmusthaveoftengoneoutbythosegatesinthemorningtobattlewiththeRomanlegionsunderVespasian;sometoreturnnomore,otherstocomebackatevening,bringingwiththemthenoiseoftheirheroicdeeds.Butnotapage,notastone,haspreservedtheirfame.
　　Acousticperceptionsmultiplyto-night.Wecanalmosthearthestreamofyearsthathavebornethosedeedsawayfromus.Strangearticulationsseemtofloatontheairfromthatpoint,thegateway,wheretheanimationinpasttimesmustfrequentlyhaveconcentrateditselfathoursofcomingandgoing,andgeneralexcitement.Therearisesanineradicablefancythattheyarehumanvoices;ifso,theymustbethelingeringair-bornevibrationsofconversationsutteredatleastfifteenhundredyearsago.Theattentionisattractedfrommerenebulousimaginingsaboutyonderspotbyarealmovingofsomethingcloseathand.
　　Irecognizebythenowmoderateflashesoflightning,whicharesheet-likeandnearlycontinuous,thatitisthegradualelevationofasmallmoundofearth.Atfirstnolargerthanaman'sfistitreachesthedimensionsofahat,thensinksalittleandisstill.
　　Itisbuttheheavingofamolewhochoosessuchweatherasthistoworkinfromsomeinstinctthattherewillbenobodyabroadtomolesthim.Asthefineearthliftsandliftsandfallslooselyasidefragmentsofburntclayrolloutofit——claythatonceformedpartofcupsorothervesselsusedbytheinhabitantsofthefortress.
　　Theviolenceofthestormhasbeencounterbalancedbyitstransitoriness.Frombeingimmersedinwell-nighsolidmediaofcloudandhailshotwithlightning,Ifindmyselfuncoveredofthehumidinvestitureandleftbaretothemildgazeofthemoon,whichsparklesnowoneverywetgrass-bladeandfrondofmoss.
　　ButIamnotyetinsidethefort,andthedelayedascentofthethirdandlastescarpmentisnowmade.Itissteeperthaneither.Thefirstwasasurfacetowalkup,thesecondtostaggerup,thethirdcanonlybeascendedonthehandsandtoes.Onthesummitobtrudesthefirstevidencewhichhasbeenmetwithintheseprecinctsthatthetimeisreallythenineteenthcentury;itisintheformofawhitenotice-boardonapost,andthewordingcanjustbediscernedbytheraysofthesettingmoon:
　　CAUTION——AnyPersonfoundremovingRelics,Skeletons,Stones,Pottery,Tiles,orotherMaterialfromthisEarthwork,orcuttinguptheGround,willbeProsecutedastheLawdirects.
　　Hereoneobservesadifferenceunderfootfromwhathasgonebefore:
　　scrapsofRomantileandstonechippingsprotrudethroughthegrassinmeagrequantity,butsufficienttosuggestthatmasonrystoodonthespot.Beforetheeyestretchesunderthemoonlighttheinteriorofthefort.Soopenandsolargeisitastobepracticallyanuplandplateau,andyetitsarealieswhollywithinthewallsofwhatmaybedesignatedasonebuilding.Itisalong-violatedretreat;
　　allitscorner-stones,plinths,andarchitraveswerecarriedawaytobuildneighbouringvillagesevenbeforemediaevalormodernhistorybegan.Manyablockwhichoncemayhavehelpedtoformabastionhererestsnowinbrokenanddiminishedshapeaspartofthechimney-
　　cornerofsomeshepherd'scottagewithinthedistanthorizon,andthecorner-stonesofthisheathenaltarmayformthebase-courseofsomeadjoiningvillagechurch.
　　Yettheverybarenessoftheseinnercourtsandwards,theirconditionofmerepasturage,protectswhatremainsofthemasnodefencescoulddo.Nothingisleftvisiblethatthehandscanseizeonortheweatheroverturn,andapermanenceofgeneraloutlineatleastresults,whichnootherconditioncouldensure.
　　Thepositionofthecastleonthisisolatedhillbespeaksdeliberateandstrategicchoiceexercisedbysomeremotemindcapableofprospectivereasoningtoafarextent.Thenaturalconfigurationofthesurroundingcountryanditsbearinguponsuchastrongholdwereobviouslylongconsideredandviewedmentallybeforeitsextensivedesignwascarriedintoexecution.Whowasthemanthatsaid,'Letitbebuilthere!'——notonthathillyonder,oronthatridgebehind,butonthisbestspotofall?WhetherheweresomegreatoneoftheBelgae,oroftheDurotriges,orthetravellingengineerofBritain'sunitedtribes,mustforeverremaintime'ssecret;hisformcannotberealized,norhiscountenance,northetonguethathespoke,whenhesetdownhisfootwithathudandsaid,'Letitbehere!'
　　Withintheinnermostenclosure,thoughitissowidethatatasuperficialglancethebeholderhasonlyasenseofstandingonabreezydown,thesolitudeisrenderedyetmoresolitarybytheknowledgethatbetweenthebenightedsojournerhereinandallkindredhumanityarethosethreeconcentricwallsofearthwhichnobeingwouldthinkofscalingonsuchanightasthis,evenwerehetohearthemostpatheticcriesissuinghencethatcouldbeutteredbyaspectre-chasedsoul.Ireachacentralmoundorplatform——thecrownandaxisofthewholestructure.Theviewfromherebydaymustbeofalmostlimitlessextent.Onthisraisedfloor,dais,orrostrum,harpshaveprobablytwangedmoreorlesstunefulnotesincelebrationofdaring,strength,orcruelty;ofworship,superstition,love,birth,anddeath;ofsimpleloving-kindnessperhapsnever.Manyatimemustthekingorleaderhavedirectedhiskeeneyeshenceacrosstheopenlandstowardstheancientroad,theIceningWay,stillvisibleinthedistance,onthewatchforarmedcompaniesapproachingeithertosuccourortoattack.
　　Iamstartledbyavoicepronouncingmyname.Pastandpresenthavebecomesoconfusedlymingledundertheassociationsofthespotthatforatimeithasescapedmymemorythatthismoundwastheplaceagreedonfortheaforesaidappointment.Iturnandbeholdmyfriend.Hestandswithadarklanterninhishandandaspadeandlightpickaxeoverhisshoulder.HeexpressesbothdelightandsurprisethatIhavecome.ItellhimIhadsetoutbeforethebadweatherbegan.
　　He,towhomneitherweather,darkness,nordifficultyseemstohaveanyrelationorsignificance,soentirelyishissoulwrappedupinhisowndeepintentions,asksmetotakethelanternandaccompanyhim.Itakeitandwalkbyhisside.Heisamanaboutsixty,smallinfigure,withgreyold-fashionedwhiskerscuttotheshapeofapairofcrumb-brushes.Heisentirelyinblackbroadcloth——orrather,atpresent,blackandbrown,forheisbespatteredwithmudfromhisheelstothecrownofhislowhat.Hehasnoconsciousnessofthis——nosenseofanythingbuthispurpose,hisardourforwhichcauseshiseyestoshinelikethoseofalynx,andgiveshismotions,alltheelasticityofanathlete's.
　　'Nobodytointerruptusatthistimeofnight!'hechuckleswithfierceenjoyment.
　　Weretreatalittlewayandfindasortofangle,anelevationinthesod,asuggestedsquarenessamidthemassofirregularitiesaround.
　　Here,hetellsme,ifanywhere,theking'shousestood.Threemonthsofmeasurementandcalculationhaveconfirmedhiminthisconclusion.
　　Herequestsmenowtoopenthelantern,whichIdo,andthelightstreamsoutuponthewetsod.AtlastdivininghisproceedingsIsaythatIhadnoidea,inkeepingthetryst,thathewasgoingtodomoreatsuchanunusualtimethanmeetmeforameditativeramblethroughthestronghold.Iaskhimwhy,havingapracticableobject,heshouldhavemindedinterruptionsandnothavechosentheday?Heinformsme,quietlypointingtohisspade,thatitwasbecausehispurposeistodig,thensignifyingwithagrimnodthegauntnotice-
　　postagainsttheskybeyond.Iinquirewhy,asaprofessedandwell-
　　knownantiquarywithcapitallettersatthetailofhisname,hedidnotobtainthenecessaryauthority,consideringthestringentpenaltiesforthissortofthing;andhechucklesfiercelyagainwithsuppresseddelight,andsays,'Becausetheywouldn'thavegivenit!'
　　Heatoncebeginscuttingupthesod,and,ashetakesthepickaxetofollowonwith,assuresmethat,penaltyornopenalty,honestmenormarauders,heissureofonething,thatweshallnotbedisturbedatourworktillafterdawn.
　　Iremembertohaveheardofmenwho,intheirenthusiasmforsomespecialscience,art,orhobby,havequitelostthemoralsensewhichwouldrestrainthemfromindulgingitillegitimately;andI
　　conjecturethathere,atlast,isaninstanceofsuchanone.Heprobablyguessesthewaymythoughtstravel,forhestandsupandsolemnlyassertsthathehasadistinctlyjustifiableintentioninthismatter;namely,touncover,tosearch,toverifyatheoryordisplaceit,andtocoverupagain.Hemeanstotakeawaynothing——
　　notagrainofsand.Inthishesaysheseesnosuchmonstroussin.
　　Iinquireifthisisreallyapromisetome?Herepeatsthatitisapromise,andresumesdigging.Mycontributiontothelabouristhatofdirectingthelightconstantlyuponthehole.Whenhehasreachedsomethingmorethanafootdeephedigsmorecautiously,sayingthat,beitmuchorlittlethere,itwillnotliefarbelowthesurface;
　　suchthingsneveraredeep.Afewminuteslaterthepointofthepickaxeclicksuponastonysubstance.Hedrawstheimplementoutasfeelinglyasifithadenteredaman'sbody.Takingupthespadeheshovelswithcare,andasurface,levelasanaltar,ispresentlydisclosed.Hiseyesflashanew;hepullshandfulsofgrassandmopsthesurfaceclean,finallyrubbingitwithhishandkerchief.
　　Graspingthelanternfrommyhandheholdsitclosetotheground,whentheraysrevealacompletemosaic——apavementofminutetesseraeofmanycolours,ofintricatepattern,aworkofmuchart,ofmuchtime,andofmuchindustry.Heexclaimsinashoutthatheknewitalways——thatitisnotaCelticstrongholdexclusively,butalsoaRoman;theformerpeoplehavingprobablycontributedlittlemorethantheoriginalframeworkwhichthelattertookandadaptedtillitbecamethepresentimposingstructure.
　　Iask,WhatifitisRoman?
　　Agreatdeal,accordingtohim.Thatitprovesalltheworldtobewronginthisgreatargument,andhimselfalonetoberight!CanI
　　waitwhilehedigsfurther?
　　Iagree——reluctantly;buthedoesnotnoticemyreluctance.Atanadjoiningspothebeginsflourishingthetoolsanewwiththeskillofanavvy,thisvenerablescholarwithlettersafterhisname.
　　Sometimeshefallsonhisknees,burrowingwithhishandsinthemannerofahare,andwherehisold-fashionedbroadclothtouchesthesidesoftheholeitgetsplasteredwiththedampearth.Hecontinuallymurmurstohimselfhowimportant,howveryimportant,thisdiscoveryis!Hedrawsoutanobject;wewashitinthesameprimitivewaybyrubbingitwiththewetgrass,anditprovestobeasemi-transparentbottleofiridescentbeauty,thesightofwhichdrawsgroansofluxurioussensibilityfromthedigger.Furtherandfurthersearchbringsoutapieceofaweapon.Itisstrangeindeedthatbymerelypeelingoffawrapperofmodernaccumulationswehaveloweredourselvesintoanancientworld.Finallyaskeletonisuncovered,fairlyperfect.Helaysitoutonthegrass,bonetoitsbone.
　　Myfriendsaysthemanmusthavefallenfightinghere,asthisisnoplaceofburial.Heturnsagaintothetrench,scrapes,feels,tillfromacornerhedrawsoutaheavylump——asmallimagefourorfiveincheshigh.Wecleanitasbefore.Itisastatuette,apparentlyofgold,or,moreprobably,ofbronze-gilt——afigureofMercury,obviously,itsheadbeingsurmountedwiththepetasusorwingedhat,theusualaccessoryofthatdeity.Furtherinspectionrevealstheworkmanshiptobeofgoodfinishanddetail,and,preservedbythelimyearth,tobeasfreshineverylineasonthedayitleftthehandsofitsartificer.
　　WeseemtobestandingintheRomanForumandnotonahillinWessex.Intentuponthistrulyvaluablerelicoftheoldempireofwhicheventhisremotespotwasacomponentpart,wedonotnoticewhatisgoingoninthepresentworldtillremindedofitbythesuddenrenewalofthestorm.LookingupIperceivethatthewideextinguisherofcloudhasagainsettleddownuponthefortress-town,asifrestingupontheedgeoftheinnerrampart,andshuttingoutthemoon.Iturnmybacktothetempest,stilldirectingthelightacrossthehole.Mycompaniondigsonunconcernedly;heislivingtwothousandyearsago,anddespisesthingsofthemomentasdreams.
　　Butatlastheisfairlybeaten,andstandingupbesidemelooksroundonwhathehasdone.Theraysofthelanternpassoverthetrenchtothetallskeletonstretcheduponthegrassontheotherside.Thebeatingrainhaswashedthebonescleanandsmooth,andtheforehead,cheek-bones,andtwo-and-thirtyteethoftheskullglisteninthecandle-shineastheylie.
　　Thisstorm,likethefirst,isofthenatureofasquall,anditendsasabruptlyastheother.Wedignofurther.Myfriendsaysthatitisenough——hehasprovedhispoint.Heturnstoreplacethebonesinthetrenchandcoversthem.Buttheyfalltopiecesunderhistouch:
　　theairhasdisintegratedthem,andhecanonlysweepinthefragments.Thenextactofhisplanismorethandifficult,butiscarriedout.Thetreasuresareinhumedagainintheirrespectiveholes:theyarenotours.Eachdepositionseemstocosthimatwinge;andatonemomentIfanciedIsawhimsliphishandintohiscoatpocket.
　　'Wemustre-burythemALL,'sayI.
　　'Oyes,'heanswerswithintegrity.'Iwaswipingmyhand.'
　　Thebeautiesofthetesselatedfloorofthegovernor'shouseareonceagainconsignedtodarkness;thetrenchisfilledup;thesodlaidsmoothlydown;hewipestheperspirationfromhisforeheadwiththesamehandkerchiefhehadusedtomoptheskeletonandtesseraeclean;
　　andwemakefortheeasterngateofthefortress.
　　Dawnburstsuponussuddenlyaswereachtheopening.Itcomesbytheliftingandthinningofthecloudsthatwaytillwearebathedinapinklight.Thedirectionofhishomewardjourneyisnotthesameasmine,andwepartundertheouterslope.
　　WalkingalongquicklytorestorewarmthImuseuponmyeccentricfriend,andcannothelpaskingmyselfthisquestion:DidhereallyreplacethegildedimageofthegodMercuriuswiththerestofthetreasures?Heseemedtodoso;andyetIcouldnottestifytothefact.Probably,however,hewasasgoodashisword.
　　***
　　ItwasthusIspoketomyself,andsotheadventureended.Butonethingremainstobetold,andthatisconcernedwithsevenyearsafter.Amongtheeffectsofmyfriend,atthattimejustdeceased,wasfound,carefullypreserved,agiltstatuetterepresentingMercury,labelled'DebasedRoman.'Norecordwasattachedtoexplainhowitcameintohispossession.ThefigurewasbequeathedtotheCasterbridgeMuseum.
　　DetroitPost,March1885.
　　WHATTHESHEPHERDSAW:ATALEOFFOURMOONLIGHTNIGHTS
　　ThegenialJusticeofthePeace——now,alas,nomore——whomadehimselfresponsibleforthefactsofthisstory,usedtobegininthegoodold-fashionedwaywithabrightmoonlightnightandamysteriousfigure,anexcellentstrokeforanopening,eventothisday,ifwellfollowedup.
　　TheChristmasmoonhewouldsaywasshowinghercoldfacetotheupland,theuplandreflectingtheradianceinfrost-sparklessominuteasonlytobediscerniblebyaneyenearathand.Thiseye,hesaid,wastheeyeofashepherdlad,youngforhisoccupation,whostoodwithinawheeledhutofthekindcommonlyinuseamongsheep-
　　keepersduringtheearlylambingseason,andwasabstractedlylookingthroughtheloopholeatthescenewithout.
　　ThespotwascalledLambingCorner,anditwasashelteredportionofthatwideexpanseofroughpasturelandknownastheMarlburyDowns,whichyoudirectlytraversewhenfollowingtheturnpike-roadacrossMid-WessexfromLondon,throughAldbrickham,inthedirectionofBathandBristol.Here,wherethehutstood,thelandwashighanddry,open,excepttothenorth,andcommandinganundulatingviewformiles.Onthenorthsidegrewatallbeltofcoarsefurze,withenormousstalks,aclumpofthesamestandingdetachedinfrontofthegeneralmass.Theclumpwashollow,andtheinteriorhadbeeningeniouslytakenadvantageofasapositionforthebefore-mentionedhut,whichwasthuscompletelyscreenedfromwinds,andalmostinvisible,exceptthroughthenarrowapproach.Butthefurzetwigshadbeencutawayfromthetwolittlewindowsofthehut,thattheoccupiermightkeephiseyeonhissheep.
　　Intherear,theshelteraffordedbythebeltoffurzebusheswasartificiallyimprovedbyaninclosureofuprightstakes,interwovenwithboughsofthesamepricklyvegetation,andwithintheinclosurelayarenownedMarlbury-Downbreedingflockofeighthundredewes.
　　Tothesouth,inthedirectionoftheyoungshepherd'sidlegaze,thereroseoneconspicuousobjectabovetheuniformmoonlitplateau,andonlyone.ItwasaDruidicaltrilithon,consistingofthreeoblongstonesintheformofadoorway,twoonend,andoneacrossasalintel.Eachstonehadbeenworn,scratched,washed,nibbled,split,andotherwiseattackedbytenthousanddifferentweathers;butnowtheblockslookedshapelyandlittletheworseforwear,sobeautifullyweretheysilveredoverbythelightofthemoon.TheruinwaslocallycalledtheDevil'sDoor.
　　Anoldshepherdpresentlyenteredthehutfromthedirectionoftheewes,andlookedaroundinthegloom.'Beyesleepy?'heaskedincrossaccentsoftheboy.
　　Theladrepliedrathertimidlyinthenegative.
　　'Then,'saidtheshepherd,'I'llgetmehome-along,andrestforafewhours.There'snothingtobedoneherenowasIcansee.Theewescanwantnomoretendingtilldaybreak——'tisbeyondtheboundsofreasonthattheycan.Butastheorderisthatoneofusmustbide,I'llleave'ee,d'yehear.Youcansleepbyday,andIcan't.
　　Andyoucanbedowntomyhouseintenminutesifanythingshouldhappen.Ican'tafford'eecandle;but,as'tisChristmasweek,andthetimethatfolkshavehollerdays,youcanenjoyyerselfbyfallingasleepabitinthechairinsteadofbidingawakeallthetime.Butmind,notlongeratoncethanwhiletheshadeoftheDevil'sDoormovesacoupleofspans,foryoumustkeepaneyeupontheewes.'
　　Theboymadenodefinitereply,andtheoldman,stirringthefireinthestovewithhiscrook-stem,closedthedooruponhiscompanionandvanished.
　　Asthishadbeenmoreorlessthecourseofeventseverynightsincetheseason'slambinghadsetin,theboywasnotatallsurprisedatthecharge,andamusedhimselfforsometimebylightingstrawsatthestove.Hethenwentouttotheewesandnew-bornlambs,re-
　　entered,satdown,andfinallyfellasleep.Thiswashiscustomarymannerofperforminghiswatch,forthoughspecialpermissionfornapshadthisweekbeenaccorded,hehad,asamatteroffact,donethesamethingoneveryprecedingnight,sleepingoftentillawakenedbyasmackontheshoulderatthreeorfourinthemorningfromthecrook-stemoftheoldman.
　　Itmighthavebeenabouteleveno'clockwhenheawoke.Hewassosurprisedatawakingwithout,apparently,beingcalledorstruck,thatonsecondthoughtsheassumedthatsomebodymusthavecalledhiminspiteofappearances,andlookedoutofthehutwindowtowardsthesheep.Theyalllayasquietaswhenhehadvisitedthem,verylittlebleatingbeingaudible,andnohumansouldisturbingthescene.Henextlookedfromtheoppositewindow,andherethecasewasdifferent.Thefrost-facetsglistenedunderthemoonasbefore;
　　anoccasionalfurzebushshowedasadarkspotonthesame;andintheforegroundstoodtheghostlyformofthetrilithon.Butinfrontofthetrilithonstoodaman.
　　Thathewasnottheshepherdoranyoneofthefarmlabourerswasapparentinamoment'sobservation,——hisdressbeingadarksuit,andhisfigureofslenderbuildandgracefulcarriage.Hewalkedbackwardsandforwardsinfrontofthetrilithon.
　　Theshepherdladhadhardlydonespeculatingonthestrangenessoftheunknown'spresencehereatsuchanhour,whenhesawasecondfigurecrossingtheopenswardtowardsthelocalityofthetrilithonandfurze-clumpthatscreenedthehut.Thissecondpersonagewasawoman;andimmediatelyonsightofherthemalestrangerhastenedforward,meetingherjustinfrontofthehutwindow.Beforesheseemedtobeawareofhisintentionheclaspedherinhisarms.
　　Theladyreleasedherselfanddrewbackwithsomedignity.
　　'Youhavecome,Harriet——blessyouforit!'heexclaimed,fervently.
　　'Butnotforthis,'sheanswered,inoffendedaccents.Andthen,moregood-naturedly,'Ihavecome,Fred,becauseyouentreatedmeso!
　　Whatcanhavebeentheobjectofyourwritingsuchaletter?I
　　fearedImightbedoingyougrievousillbystayingaway.Howdidyoucomehere?'
　　'Iwalkedallthewayfrommyfather's.'
　　'Well,whatisit?Howhaveyoulivedsincewelastmet?'
　　'Butroughly;youmighthaveknownthatwithoutasking.IhaveseenmanylandsandmanyfacessinceIlastwalkedthesedowns,butIhaveonlythoughtofyou.'
　　'Isitonlytotellmethisthatyouhavesummonedmesostrangely?'
　　Apassingbreezeblewawaythemurmurofthereplyandseveralsucceedingsentences,tilltheman'svoiceagainbecameaudibleinthewords,'Harriet——truthbetweenustwo!IhaveheardthattheDukedoesnottreatyoutoowell.'
　　'Heiswarm-tempered,butheisagoodhusband.'
　　'Hespeaksroughlytoyou,andsometimeseventhreatenstolockyououtofdoors.'
　　'Onlyonce,Fred!Onmyhonour,onlyonce.TheDukeisafairlygoodhusband,Irepeat.Butyoudeservepunishmentforthisnight'strickofdrawingmeout.Whatdoesitmean?'
　　'Harriet,dearest,isthisfairorhonest?Isitnotnotoriousthatyourlifewithhimisasadone——that,inspiteofthesweetnessofyourtemper,thesournessofhisembittersyourdays.IhavecometoknowifIcanhelpyou.YouareaDuchess,andIamFredOgbourne;
　　butitisnotimpossiblethatImaybeabletohelpyouByGod!
　　thesweetnessofthattongueoughttokeephimcivil,especiallywhenthereisaddedtoitthesweetnessofthatface!'
　　'CaptainOgbourne!'sheexclaimed,withanemphasisofplayfulfear.
　　'Howcansuchacomradeofmyyouthbehavetomeasyoudo?Don'tspeakso,andstareatmeso!Isthisreallyallyouhavetosay?I
　　seeIoughtnottohavecome.'Twasthoughtlesslydone.'
　　Anotherbreezebrokethethreadofdiscourseforatime.
　　'Verywell.Iperceiveyouaredeadandlosttome,'hecouldnextbeheardtosay,'"CaptainOgbourne"provesthat.AsIoncelovedyouIloveyounow,Harriet,withoutonejotofabatement;butyouarenotthewomanyouwere——youoncewerehonesttowardsme;andnowyouconcealyourheartinmade-upspeeches.Letitbe:Icanneverseeyouagain.'
　　'Youneednotsaythatinsuchatragedytone,yousilly.Youmayseemeinanordinaryway——whyshouldyounot?But,ofcourse,notinsuchawayasthis.Ishouldnothavecomenow,ifithadnothappenedthattheDukeisawayfromhome,sothatthereisnobodytocheckmyerraticimpulses.'
　　'Whendoeshereturn?'
　　'Thedayafterto-morrow,orthedayafterthat.'
　　'Thenmeetmeagainto-morrownight.'
　　'No,Fred,Icannot.'
　　'Ifyoucannotto-morrownight,youcanthenightafter;oneofthetwobeforehecomespleasebestowonme.Now,yourhanduponit!
　　To-morrowornextnightyouwillseemetobidmefarewell!'HeseizedtheDuchess'shand.
　　'No,butFred——letgomyhand!Whatdoyoumeanbyholdingmeso?
　　Ifitbelovetoforgetallrespecttoawoman'spresentpositioninthinkingofherpast,thenyoursmaybeso,Frederick.Itisnotkindandgentleofyoutoinducemetocometothisplaceforpityofyou,andthentoholdmetighthere.'
　　'Butseemeoncemore!Ihavecometwothousandmilestoaskit.'
　　'O,Imustnot!Therewillbeslanders——Heavenknowswhat!Icannotmeetyou.Forthesakeofoldtimesdon'taskit.'
　　'Thenowntwothingstome;thatyoudidlovemeonce,andthatyourhusbandisunkindtoyouoftenenoughnowtomakeyouthinkofthetimewhenyoucaredforme.'
　　'Yes——Iownthemboth,'sheansweredfaintly.'Butowningsuchasthattellsagainstme;andIsweartheinferenceisnottrue.'
　　'Don'tsaythat;foryouhavecome——letmethinkthereasonofyourcomingwhatIliketothinkit.Itcandoyounoharm.Comeoncemore!'
　　Hestillheldherhandandwaist.'Verywell,then,'shesaid.
　　'Thusfaryoushallpersuademe.Iwillmeetyouto-morrownightorthenightafter.Now,letmego.'
　　Hereleasedher,andtheyparted.TheDuchessranrapidlydownthehilltowardstheoutlyingmansionofShakeforestTowers,andwhenhehadwatchedheroutofsight,heturnedandstrodeoffintheoppositedirection.Allthenwassilentandemptyasbefore.
　　Yetitwasonlyforamoment.Whentheyhadquitedeparted,anothershapeappeareduponthescene.Hecamefrombehindthetrilithon.
　　Hewasamanofstouterbuildthanthefirst,andworethebootsandspursofahorseman.Twothingswereatonceobviousfromthisphenomenon:thathehadwatchedtheinterviewbetweentheCaptainandtheDuchess;andthat,thoughheprobablyhadseeneverymovementofthecouple,includingtheembrace,hehadbeentooremotetohearthereluctantwordsofthelady'sconversation——or,indeed,anywordsatall——sothatthemeetingmusthaveexhibiteditselftohiseyeastheassignationofapairofwell-agreedlovers.Butitwasnecessarythatseveralyearsshouldelapsebeforetheshepherd-boywasoldenoughtoreasonoutthis.
　　Thethirdindividualstoodstillforamoment,asifdeepinmeditation.Hecrossedovertowheretheladyandgentlemanhadstood,andlookedattheground;thenhetooturnedandwentawayinathirddirection,aswidelydivergentaspossiblefromthosetakenbythetwointerlocutors.Hiscoursewastowardsthehighway;andafewminutesafterwardsthetrotofahorsemighthavebeenhearduponitsfrostysurface,lesseningtillitdiedawayupontheear.
　　Theboyremainedinthehut,confrontingthetrilithonasifheexpectedyetmoreactorsonthescene,butnobodyelseappeared.Howlonghestoodwithhislittlefaceagainsttheloopholehehardlyknew;buthewasrudelyawakenedfromhisreveriebyapunchinhisback,andinthefeelofithefamiliarlyrecognizedthestemoftheoldshepherd'scrook.
　　'Blamethyyoungeyesandlimbs,BillMills——nowyouhaveletthefireout,andyouknowIwantitkeptin!Ithoughtsomethingwouldgowrongwith'eeuphere,andIcouldn'tbideinbednomorethanthistledownonthewind,thatIcouldnot!Well,what'shappened,fieupon'ee?'
　　'Nothing.'
　　'EwesallasIleft'em?'
　　'Yes.'
　　'Anylambswantbringingin?'
　　'No.'
　　Theshepherdrelitthefire,andwentoutamongthesheepwithalantern,forthemoonwasgettinglow.Soonhecameinagain.
　　'Blameitall——thou'stsaythatnothinghavehappened;whenoneewehavetwinnedandisliketogooff,andanotherisdyingforwantofhalfaneyeoflookingto!Itold'ee,BillMills,ifanythingwentwrongtocomedownandcallme;andthisishowyouhavedoneit.'
　　'YousaidIcouldgotosleepforahollerday,andIdid.'
　　'Don'tyouspeaktoyourbetterslikethat,youngman,oryou'llcometothegallows-tree!Youdidn'tsleepallthetime,oryouwouldn'thavebeenpeepingoutofthattherehole!Nowyoucangohome,andbeuphereagainbybreakfast-time.Ibeanoldman,andthere'soldmenthatdeservewelloftheworld;butnoI——mustresthowIcan!'
　　Theeldershepherdthenlaydowninsidethehut,andtheboywentdownthehilltothehamletwherehedwelt.
　　SECONDNIGHT
　　Whenthenextnightdrewontheactionsoftheboywerealmostenoughtoshowthathewasthinkingofthemeetinghehadwitnessed,andofthepromisewrungfromtheladythatshewouldcomethereagain.Asfarasthesheep-tendingarrangementswereconcerned,to-nightwasbutarepetitionoftheforegoingone.Betweentenandeleveno'clocktheoldshepherdwithdrewasusualforwhatsleepathomehemightchancetogetwithoutinterruption,makinguptheothernecessaryhoursofrestatsometimeduringtheday;theboywasleftalone.
　　Thefrostwasthesameasonthenightbefore,exceptperhapsthatitwasalittlemoresevere.Themoonshoneasusual,exceptthatitwasthree-quartersofanhourlaterinitscourse;andtheboy'sconditionwasmuchthesame,exceptthathefeltnosleepinesswhatever.Hefelt,too,ratherafraid;butuponthewholehepreferredwitnessinganassignationofstrangerstorunningtheriskofbeingdiscoveredabsentbytheoldshepherd.
　　ItwasbeforethedistantclockofShakeforestTowershadstruckeleventhatheobservedtheopeningofthesecondactofthismidnightdrama.ItconsistedintheappearanceofneitherlovernorDuchess,butofthethirdfigure——thestoutman,bootedandspurred——
　　whocameupfromtheeasterlydirectioninwhichhehadretreatedthenightbefore.Hewalkedonceroundthetrilithon,andnextadvancedtowardstheclumpconcealingthehut,themoonlightshiningfulluponhisfaceandrevealinghimtobetheDuke.Fearseizedupontheshepherd-boy:theDukewasJovehimselftotheruralpopulation,whomtooffendwasstarvation,homelessness,anddeath,andwhomtolookatwastobementallyscathedanddumbfoundered.Heclosedthestove,sothatnotasparkoflightappeared,andhastilyburiedhimselfinthestrawthatlayinacorner.
　　TheDukecameclosetotheclumpoffurzeandstoodbythespotwherehiswifeandtheCaptainhadheldtheirdialogue;heexaminedthefurzeasifsearchingforahiding-place,andindoingsodiscoveredthehut.Thelatterhewalkedroundandthenlookedinside;findingittoallseemingempty,heentered,closingthedoorbehindhimandtakinghisplaceatthelittlecircularwindowagainstwhichtheboy'sfacehadbeenpressedjustbefore.
　　TheDukehadnotadoptedhismeasurestoorapidly,ifhisobjectwereconcealment.Almostassoonashehadstationedhimselfthereeleveno'clockstruck,andtheslenderyoungmanwhohadpreviouslygracedthescenepromptlyreappearedfromthenorthquarterofthedown.
　　Thespotofassignationhaving,bytheaccidentofhisrunningforwardontheforegoingnight,removeditselffromtheDevil'sDoortotheclumpoffurze,heinstinctivelycamethither,andwaitedfortheDuchesswherehehadmetherbefore.
　　Butafearfulsurprisewasinstoreforhimto-night,aswellasforthetremblingjuvenile.AthisappearancetheDukebreathedmoreandmorequickly,hisbreathingsbeingdistinctlyaudibletothecrouchingboy.Theyoungmanhadhardlypausedwhenthealertnoblemansoftlyopenedthedoorofthehut,and,steppingroundthefurze,camefulluponCaptainFred.
　　'Youhavedishonouredher,andyoushalldiethedeathyoudeserve!'
　　cametotheshepherd'sears,inaharsh,hollowwhisperthroughtheboardingofthehut.
　　Theapatheticandtaciturnboywasexcitedenoughtoruntheriskofrisingandlookingfromthewindow,buthecouldseenothingfortheinterveningfurzeboughs,boththemenhavinggoneroundtotheside.
　　Whattookplaceinthefewfollowingmomentsheneverexactlyknew.
　　Hediscernedportionofashadowinquickmuscularmovement;thentherewasthefallofsomethingonthegrass;thentherewasstillness.
　　TwoorthreeminuteslatertheDukebecamevisibleroundthecornerofthehut,draggingbythecollarthenowinertbodyofthesecondman.TheDukedraggedhimacrosstheopenspacetowardsthetrilithon.Behindthisruinwasahollow,irregularspot,overgrownwithfurzeandstuntedthorns,andriddledbytheoldholesofbadgers,itsformerinhabitants,whohadnowdiedoutordeparted.
　　TheDukevanishedintothisdepressionwithhisburden,reappearingafterthelapseofafewseconds.Whenhecameforthhedraggednothingbehindhim.
　　Hereturnedtothesideofthehut,cleansedsomethingonthegrass,andagainputhimselfonthewatch,thoughnotasbefore,insidethehut,butwithout,ontheshadyside.'Nowforthesecond!'hesaid.
　　Itwasplain,eventotheunsophisticatedboy,thathenowawaitedtheotherpersonoftheappointment——hiswife,theDuchess——forwhatpurposeitwasterribletothink.Heseemedtobeamanofsuchdeterminedtemperthathewouldscarcelyhesitateincarryingoutacourseofrevengetothebitterend.Moreover——thoughitwaswhattheshepherddidnotperceive——thiswasallthemoreprobable,inthatthemoodyDukewaslabouringundertheexaggeratedimpressionwhichthesightofthemeetingindumbshowhadconveyed.
　　Thejealouswatcherwaitedlong,buthewaitedinvain.Fromwithinthehuttheboycouldhearhisoccasionalexclamationsofsurprise,asifhewerealmostdisappointedatthefailureofhisassumptionthathisguiltyDuchesswouldsurelykeepthetryst.Sometimeshesteppedfromtheshadeofthefurzeintothemoonlight,andhelduphiswatchtolearnthetime.
　　Abouthalf-pastelevenheseemedtogiveupexpectingher.Hethenwentasecondtimetothehollowbehindthetrilithon,remainingtherenearlyaquarterofanhour.Fromthisplaceheproceededquicklyoverashoulderofthedeclivity,alittletotheleft,presentlyreturningonhorseback,whichprovedthathishorsehadbeentetheredinsomesecretplacedownthere.Crossinganewthedownbetweenthehutandthetrilithon,andscanningtheprecinctsasiffinallytoassurehimselfthatshehadnotcome,herodeslowlydownwardsinthedirectionofShakeforestTowers.
　　Thejuvenileshepherdthoughtofwhatlayinthehollowyonder;andnofearofthecrook-stemofhissuperiorofficerwaspotentenoughtodetainhimlongeronthathillalone.Anylivecompany,eventhemostterrible,wasbetterthanthecompanyofthedead;so,runningwiththespeedofahareinthedirectionpursuedbythehorseman,heovertooktherevengefulDukeattheseconddescentwherethegreatwesternroadcrossedbeforeyoucametotheoldparkentranceonthatside——nowclosedupandthelodgeclearedaway,thoughatthetimeitwaswonderedwhy,beingconsideredthemostconvenientgateofall.
　　Oncewithinthesoundofthehorse'sfootsteps,BillMillsfeltcomparativelycomfortable;for,thoughinaweoftheDukebecauseofhisposition,hehadnomoralrepugnancetohiscompanionshiponaccountofthegrislydeedhehadcommitted,consideringthatpowerfulnoblemantohavearighttodowhathechoseonhisownlands.TheDukerodesteadilyonbeneathhisancestraltrees,thehoofsofhishorsesendingupasmartsoundnowthathehadreachedthehardroadofthedrive,andsoondrewnearthefrontdoorofhishouse,surmountedbyparapetswithsquare-cutbattlementsthatcastanotchedshadeuponthegravelledterrace.TheseoutlineswerequitefamiliartolittleBillMills,thoughnothingwithintheirboundaryhadeverbeenseenbyhim.
　　Whentheriderapproachedthemansionasmallturretdoorwasquicklyopenedandawomancameout.Assoonasshesawthehorseman'soutlinessheranforwardintothemoonlighttomeethim.
　　'Ahdear——andareyoucome?'shesaid.'IheardHero'streadjustwhenyourodeoverthehill,andIknewitinamoment.IwouldhavecomefurtherifIhadbeenaware——'
　　'Gladtoseeme,eh?'
　　'Howcanyouaskthat?'
　　'Well;itisalovelynightformeetings.'
　　'Yes,itisalovelynight.'
　　TheDukedismountedandstoodbyherside.'Whyshouldyouhavebeenlisteningatthistimeofnight,andyetnotexpectingme?'heasked.
　　'Why,indeed!Thereisastrangestoryattachedtothat,whichI
　　musttellyouatonce.Butwhydidyoucomeanightsoonerthanyousaidyouwouldcome?Iamrathersorry——Ireallyam!'shakingherheadplayfully'forasasurprisetoyouIhadorderedabonfiretobebuilt,whichwastobelightedonyourarrivalto-morrow;andnowitiswasted.Youcanseetheoutlineofitjustoutthere.'
　　TheDukelookedacrosstoaspotofrisingglade,andsawthefaggotsinaheap.Hethenbenthiseyeswithablandandpuzzledairontheground,'Whatisthisstrangestoryyouhavetotellmethatkeptyouawake?'hemurmured.
　　'Itisthis——anditisreallyratherserious.MycousinFredOgbourne——CaptainOgbourneasheisnow——wasinhisboyhoodagreatadmirerofmine,asIthinkIhavetoldyou,thoughIwassixyearshissenior.Instricttruth,hewasabsurdlyfondofme.'
　　'Youhavenevertoldmeofthatbefore.'
　　'ThenitwasyoursisterItold——yes,itwas.Well,youknowIhavenotseenhimformanyyears,andnaturallyIhadquiteforgottenhisadmirationofmeinoldtimes.Butguessmysurprisewhenthedaybeforeyesterday,Ireceivedamysteriousnotebearingnoaddress,andfoundonopeningitthatitcamefromhim.Thecontentsfrightenedmeoutofmywits.HehadreturnedfromCanadatohisfather'shouse,andconjuredmebyallhecouldthinkoftomeethimatonce.ButIthinkIcanrepeattheexactwords,thoughIwillshowittoyouwhenwegetindoors.
　　"MYDEARCOUSINHARRIET,"thenotesaid,"Afterthislongabsenceyouwillbesurprisedatmysuddenreappearance,andmorebywhatIamgoingtoask.Butifmylifeandfutureareofanyconcerntoyouatall,Ibegthatyouwillgrantmyrequest.WhatIrequireofyou,is,dearHarriet,thatyoumeetmeaboutelevento-nightbytheDruidstonesonMarlburyDowns,aboutamileormorefromyourhouse.I
　　cannotsaymore,excepttoentreatyoutocome.Iwillexplainallwhenyouarethere.Theonethingis,Iwanttoseeyou.Comealone.Believeme,Iwouldnotaskthisifmyhappinessdidnothanguponit——Godknowshowentirely!Iamtooagitatedtosaymore——
　　Yours.FRED."
　　'Thatwasallofit.Now,ofcourseIoughthavegone,asitturnedout,butthatIdidnotthinkofthen.Irememberedhisimpetuoustemper,andfearedthatsomethinggrievouswasimpendingoverhishead,whilehehadnotafriendintheworldtohelphim,oranyoneexceptmyselftowhomhewouldcaretomakehistroubleknown.SoI
　　wrappedmyselfupandwenttoMarlburyDownsatthetimehehadnamed.Don'tyouthinkIwascourageous?'
　　'Very.'
　　'WhenIgotthere——butshallwenotwalkon;itisgettingcold?'
　　TheDuke,however,didnotmove.'WhenIgottherehecame,ofcourse,asafullgrownmanandofficer,andnotastheladthatI
　　hadknownhim.WhenIsawhimIwassorryIhadcome.Icanhardlytellyouhowhebehaved.WhathewantedIdon'tknowevennow;itseemedtobenomorethanthemeremeetingwithme.Heheldmebythehandandwaist——Osotight——andwouldnotletmegotillIhadpromisedtomeethimagain.HismannerwassostrangeandpassionatethatIwasafraidofhiminsuchalonelyplace,andIpromisedtocome.ThenIescaped——thenIranhome——andthat'sall.Whenthetimedrewonthiseveningfortheappointment——which,ofcourse,I
　　neverintendedtokeep,Ifeltuneasy,lestwhenhefoundImeanttodisappointhimhewouldcomeontothehouse;andthat'swhyIcouldnotsleep.Butyouaresosilent!'
　　'Ihavehadalongjourney.'
　　'Thenletusgetintothehouse.Whydidyoucomealoneandunattendedlikethis?'
　　'Itwasmyhumour.'
　　Afteramoment'ssilence,duringwhichtheymovedon,shesaid,'I
　　havethoughtofsomethingwhichIhardlyliketosuggesttoyou.HesaidthatifIfailedtocometo-nighthewouldwaitagainto-morrownight.Now,shallweto-morrownightgotothehilltogether——justtoseeifheisthere;andifheis,readhimalessononhisfoolishnessinnourishingthisoldpassion,andsendingformesooddly,insteadofcomingtothehouse?'
　　'Whyshouldweseeifhe'sthere?'saidherhusbandmoodily.
　　'BecauseIthinkweoughttodosomethinginit.PoorFred!Hewouldlistentoyouifyoureasonedwithhim,andsetourpositionsintheirtruelightbeforehim.ItwouldbenomorethanChristiankindnesstoamanwhounquestionablyisverymiserablefromsomecauseorother.Hisheadseemsquiteturned.'
　　Bythistimetheyhadreachedthedoor,rungthebell,andwaited.
　　Allthehouseseemedtobeasleep;butsoonamancametothem,thehorsewastakenaway,andtheDukeandDuchesswentin.
　　THIRDNIGHT
　　Therewasnohelpforit.BillMillswasobligedtostayonduty,intheoldshepherd'sabsence,thiseveningasbefore,orgiveuphispostandliving.HethoughtasbravelyashecouldofwhatlaybehindtheDevil'sDoor,butwithnogreatsuccess,andwasthereforeinameasurerelieved,evenifawe-stricken,whenhesawtheformsoftheDukeandDuchessstrollingacrossthefrostedgreensward.TheDuchesswasafewyardsinfrontofherhusbandandtrippedonlightly.
　　'Itellyouhehasnotthoughtitworthwhiletocomeagain!'theDukeinsisted,ashestoodstill,reluctanttowalkfurther.
　　'Heismorelikelytocomeandwaitallnight;anditwouldbeharshtreatmenttolethimdoitasecondtime.'
　　'Heisnothere;soturnandcomehome.'
　　'Heseemsnottobehere,certainly;Iwonderifanythinghashappenedtohim.Ifithas,Ishallneverforgivemyself!'
　　TheDuke,uneasily,'O,no.Hehassomeotherengagement.'
　　'Thatisveryunlikely.'
　　'Orperhapshehasfoundthedistancetoofar.'