1861
　　"Achild，morethanallothergiftsThatearthcanoffertodecliningman，Bringshopewithit，andforward—lookingthoughts。"
　　——WORDSWORTH。
　　PARTONE
　　CHAPTERI
　　Inthedayswhenthespinning—wheelshummedbusilyinthefarmhouses——
　　andevengreatladies，clothedinsilkandthread—lace，hadtheirtoyspinning—wheelsofpolishedoak——theremightbeseenindistrictsfarawayamongthelanes，ordeepinthebosomofthehills，certainpallidundersizedmen，who，bythesideofthebrawnycountry—folk，lookedliketheremnantsofadisinheritedrace。Theshepherd’sdogbarkedfiercelywhenoneofthesealien—lookingmenappearedontheupland，darkagainsttheearlywintersunset；forwhatdoglikesafigurebentunderaheavybag？——andthesepalemenrarelystirredabroadwithoutthatmysteriousburden。Theshepherdhimself，thoughhehadgoodreasontobelievethatthebagheldnothingbutflaxenthread，orelsethelongrollsofstronglinenspunfromthatthread，wasnotquitesurethatthistradeofweaving，indispensablethoughitwas，couldbecarriedonentirelywithoutthehelpoftheEvilOne。Inthatfar—offtimesuperstitionclungeasilyroundeverypersonorthingthatwasatallunwonted，orevenintermittentandoccasionalmerely，likethevisitsofthepedlarortheknife—grinder。Nooneknewwherewanderingmenhadtheirhomesortheirorigin；andhowwasamantobeexplainedunlessyouatleastknewsomebodywhoknewhisfatherandmother？
　　Tothepeasantsofoldtimes，theworldoutsidetheirowndirectexperiencewasaregionofvaguenessandmystery：totheiruntravelledthoughtastateofwanderingwasaconceptionasdimasthewinterlifeoftheswallowsthatcamebackwiththespring；andevenasettler，ifhecamefromdistantparts，hardlyeverceasedtobeviewedwitharemnantofdistrust，whichwouldhavepreventedanysurpriseifalongcourseofinoffensiveconductonhisparthadendedinthecommissionofacrime；especiallyifhehadanyreputationforknowledge，orshowedanyskillinhandicraft。Allcleverness，whetherintherapiduseofthatdifficultinstrumentthetongue，orinsomeotherartunfamiliartovillagers，wasinitselfsuspicious：honestfolk，bornandbredinavisiblemanner，weremostlynotoverwiseorclever——atleast，notbeyondsuchamatterasknowingthesignsoftheweather；andtheprocessbywhichrapidityanddexterityofanykindwereacquiredwassowhollyhidden，thattheypartookofthenatureofconjuring。Inthiswayitcametopassthatthosescatteredlinen—weavers——emigrantsfromthetownintothecountry——weretothelastregardedasaliensbytheirrusticneighbours，andusuallycontractedtheeccentrichabitswhichbelongtoastateofloneliness。
　　Intheearlyyearsofthiscentury，suchalinen—weaver，namedSilasMarner，workedathisvocationinastonecottagethatstoodamongthenuttyhedgerowsnearthevillageofRaveloe，andnotfarfromtheedgeofadesertedstone—pit。ThequestionablesoundofSilas’sloom，sounlikethenaturalcheerfultrottingofthewinnowing—machine，orthesimplerrhythmoftheflail，hadahalf—fearfulfascinationfortheRaveloeboys，whowouldoftenleaveofftheirnuttingorbirds’—nestingtopeepinatthewindowofthestonecottage，counterbalancingacertainaweatthemysteriousactionoftheloom，byapleasantsenseofscornfulsuperiority，drawnfromthemockeryofitsalternatingnoises，alongwiththebent，tread—millattitudeoftheweaver。ButsometimesithappenedthatMarner，pausingtoadjustanirregularityinhisthread，becameawareofthesmallscoundrels，and，thoughcharyofhistime，helikedtheirintrusionsoillthathewoulddescendfromhisloom，and，openingthedoor，wouldfixonthemagazethatwasalwaysenoughtomakethemtaketotheirlegsinterror。ForhowwasitpossibletobelievethatthoselargebrownprotuberanteyesinSilasMarner’spalefacereallysawnothingverydistinctlythatwasnotclosetothem，andnotratherthattheirdreadfulstarecoulddartcramp，orrickets，orawrymouthatanyboywhohappenedtobeintherear？Theyhad，perhaps，heardtheirfathersandmothershintthatSilasMarnercouldcurefolks’rheumatismifhehadamind，andadd，stillmoredarkly，thatifyoucouldonlyspeakthedevilfairenough，hemightsaveyouthecostofthedoctor。Suchstrangelingeringechoesoftheolddemon—worshipmightperhapsevennowbecaughtbythediligentlisteneramongthegrey—hairedpeasantry；fortherudemindwithdifficultyassociatestheideasofpowerandbenignity。Ashadowyconceptionofpowerthatbymuchpersuasioncanbeinducedtorefrainfrominflictingharm，istheshapemosteasilytakenbythesenseoftheInvisibleinthemindsofmenwhohavealwaysbeenpressedclosebyprimitivewants，andtowhomalifeofhardtoilhasneverbeenilluminatedbyanyenthusiasticreligiousfaith。Tothempainandmishappresentafarwiderrangeofpossibilitiesthangladnessandenjoyment：theirimaginationisalmostbarrenoftheimagesthatfeeddesireandhope，butisallovergrownbyrecollectionsthatareaperpetualpasturetofear。
　　"Isthereanythingyoucanfancythatyouwouldliketoeat？"I
　　oncesaidtoanoldlabouringman，whowasinhislastillness，andwhohadrefusedallthefoodhiswifehadofferedhim。"No，"heanswered，"I’veneverbeenusedtonothingbutcommonvictual，andIcan’teatthat。"Experiencehadbrednofanciesinhimthatcouldraisethephantasmofappetite。
　　AndRaveloewasavillagewheremanyoftheoldechoeslingered，undrownedbynewvoices。Notthatitwasoneofthosebarrenparisheslyingontheoutskirtsofcivilization——inhabitedbymeagresheepandthinly—scatteredshepherds：onthecontrary，itlayintherichcentralplainofwhatwearepleasedtocallMerryEngland，andheldfarmswhich，speakingfromaspiritualpointofview，paidhighly—desirabletithes。Butitwasnestledinasnugwell—woodedhollow，quiteanhour’sjourneyonhorsebackfromanyturnpike，whereitwasneverreachedbythevibrationsofthecoach—horn，orofpublicopinion。Itwasanimportant—lookingvillage，withafineoldchurchandlargechurchyardintheheartofit，andtwoorthreelargebrick—and—stonehomesteads，withwell—walledorchardsandornamentalweathercocks，standingcloseupontheroad，andliftingmoreimposingfrontsthantherectory，whichpeepedfromamongthetreesontheothersideofthechurchyard：——avillagewhichshowedatoncethesummitsofitssociallife，andtoldthepractisedeyethattherewasnogreatparkandmanor—houseinthevicinity，butthattherewereseveralchiefsinRaveloewhocouldfarmbadlyquiteattheirease，drawingenoughmoneyfromtheirbadfarming，inthosewartimes，toliveinarollickingfashion，andkeepajollyChristmas，Whitsun，andEastertide。
　　ItwasfifteenyearssinceSilasMarnerhadfirstcometoRaveloe；
　　hewasthensimplyapallidyoungman，withprominentshort—sightedbrowneyes，whoseappearancewouldhavehadnothingstrangeforpeopleofaveragecultureandexperience，butforthevillagersnearwhomhehadcometosettleithadmysteriouspeculiaritieswhichcorrespondedwiththeexceptionalnatureofhisoccupation，andhisadventfromanunknownregioncalled"North’ard"。Sohadhiswayoflife：——heinvitednocomertostepacrosshisdoor—sill，andheneverstrolledintothevillagetodrinkapintattheRainbow，ortogossipatthewheelwright’s：hesoughtnomanorwoman，saveforthepurposesofhiscalling，orinordertosupplyhimselfwithnecessaries；anditwassooncleartotheRaveloelassesthathewouldneverurgeoneofthemtoaccepthimagainstherwill——quiteasifhehadheardthemdeclarethattheywouldnevermarryadeadmancometolifeagain。ThisviewofMarner’spersonalitywasnotwithoutanothergroundthanhispalefaceandunexampledeyes；forJemRodney，themole—catcher，averredthatoneeveningashewasreturninghomeward，hesawSilasMarnerleaningagainstastilewithaheavybagonhisback，insteadofrestingthebagonthestileasamaninhissenseswouldhavedone；andthat，oncominguptohim，hesawthatMarner’seyesweresetlikeadeadman’s，andhespoketohim，andshookhim，andhislimbswerestiff，andhishandsclutchedthebagasifthey’dbeenmadeofiron；butjustashehadmadeuphismindthattheweaverwasdead，hecameallrightagain，like，asyoumightsay，inthewinkingofaneye，andsaid"Good—night"，andwalkedoff。AllthisJemsworehehadseen，morebytokenthatitwastheverydayhehadbeenmole—catchingonSquireCass’sland，downbytheoldsaw—pit。SomesaidMarnermusthavebeenina"fit"，awordwhichseemedtoexplainthingsotherwiseincredible；buttheargumentativeMr。Macey，clerkoftheparish，shookhishead，andaskedifanybodywaseverknowntogooffinafitandnotfalldown。Afitwasastroke，wasn’tit？anditwasinthenatureofastroketopartlytakeawaytheuseofaman’slimbsandthrowhimontheparish，ifhe’dgotnochildrentolookto。No，no；itwasnostrokethatwouldletamanstandonhislegs，likeahorsebetweentheshafts，andthenwalkoffassoonasyoucansay"Gee！"Buttheremightbesuchathingasaman’ssoulbeingloosefromhisbody，andgoingoutandin，likeabirdoutofitsnestandback；andthatwashowfolksgotover—wise，fortheywenttoschoolinthisshell—lessstatetothosewhocouldteachthemmorethantheirneighbourscouldlearnwiththeirfivesensesandtheparson。AndwheredidMasterMarnergethisknowledgeofherbsfrom——andcharmstoo，ifhelikedtogivethemaway？JemRodney’sstorywasnomorethanwhatmighthavebeenexpectedbyanybodywhohadseenhowMarnerhadcuredSallyOates，andmadehersleeplikeababy，whenherhearthadbeenbeatingenoughtoburstherbody，fortwomonthsandmore，whileshehadbeenunderthedoctor’scare。Hemightcuremorefolksifhewould；
　　buthewasworthspeakingfair，ifitwasonlytokeephimfromdoingyouamischief。
　　ItwaspartlytothisvaguefearthatMarnerwasindebtedforprotectinghimfromthepersecutionthathissingularitiesmighthavedrawnuponhim，butstillmoretothefactthat，theoldlinen—weaverintheneighbouringparishofTarleybeingdead，hishandicraftmadehimahighlywelcomesettlertothericherhousewivesofthedistrict，andeventothemoreprovidentcottagers，whohadtheirlittlestockofyarnattheyear’send。
　　Theirsenseofhisusefulnesswouldhavecounteractedanyrepugnanceorsuspicionwhichwasnotconfirmedbyadeficiencyinthequalityorthetaleoftheclothhewoveforthem。AndtheyearshadrolledonwithoutproducinganychangeintheimpressionsoftheneighboursconcerningMarner，exceptthechangefromnoveltytohabit。AttheendoffifteenyearstheRaveloemensaidjustthesamethingsaboutSilasMarnerasatthebeginning：theydidnotsaythemquitesooften，buttheybelievedthemmuchmorestronglywhentheydidsaythem。Therewasonlyoneimportantadditionwhichtheyearshadbrought：itwas，thatMasterMarnerhadlaidbyafinesightofmoneysomewhere，andthathecouldbuyup"biggermen"thanhimself。
　　Butwhileopinionconcerninghimhadremainednearlystationary，andhisdailyhabitshadpresentedscarcelyanyvisiblechange，Marner’sinwardlifehadbeenahistoryandametamorphosis，asthatofeveryfervidnaturemustbewhenithasfled，orbeencondemned，tosolitude。Hislife，beforehecametoRaveloe，hadbeenfilledwiththemovement，thementalactivity，andtheclosefellowship，which，inthatdayasinthis，markedthelifeofanartisanearlyincorporatedinanarrowreligioussect，wherethepoorestlaymanhasthechanceofdistinguishinghimselfbygiftsofspeech，andhas，attheveryleast，theweightofasilentvoterinthegovernmentofhiscommunity。Marnerwashighlythoughtofinthatlittlehiddenworld，knowntoitselfasthechurchassemblinginLanternYard；hewasbelievedtobeayoungmanofexemplarylifeandardentfaith；andapeculiarinteresthadbeencentredinhimeversincehehadfallen，ataprayer—meeting，intoamysteriousrigidityandsuspensionofconsciousness，which，lastingforanhourormore，hadbeenmistakenfordeath。TohavesoughtamedicalexplanationforthisphenomenonwouldhavebeenheldbySilashimself，aswellasbyhisministerandfellow—members，awilfulself—exclusionfromthespiritualsignificancethatmightlietherein。Silaswasevidentlyabrotherselectedforapeculiardiscipline；andthoughtheefforttointerpretthisdisciplinewasdiscouragedbytheabsence，onhispart，ofanyspiritualvisionduringhisoutwardtrance，yetitwasbelievedbyhimselfandothersthatitseffectwasseeninanaccessionoflightandfervour。
　　Alesstruthfulmanthanhemighthavebeentemptedintothesubsequentcreationofavisionintheformofresurgentmemory；alesssanemanmighthavebelievedinsuchacreation；butSilaswasbothsaneandhonest，though，aswithmanyhonestandferventmen，culturehadnotdefinedanychannelsforhissenseofmystery，andsoitspreaditselfovertheproperpathwayofinquiryandknowledge。Hehadinheritedfromhismothersomeacquaintancewithmedicinalherbsandtheirpreparation——alittlestoreofwisdomwhichshehadimpartedtohimasasolemnbequest——butoflateyearshehadhaddoubtsaboutthelawfulnessofapplyingthisknowledge，believingthatherbscouldhavenoefficacywithoutprayer，andthatprayermightsufficewithoutherbs；sothattheinheriteddelighthehadinwanderinginthefieldsinsearchoffoxgloveanddandelionandcoltsfoot，begantoweartohimthecharacterofatemptation。
　　Amongthemembersofhischurchtherewasoneyoungman，alittleolderthanhimself，withwhomhehadlonglivedinsuchclosefriendshipthatitwasthecustomoftheirLanternYardbrethrentocallthemDavidandJonathan。TherealnameofthefriendwasWilliamDane，andhe，too，wasregardedasashininginstanceofyouthfulpiety，thoughsomewhatgiventoover—severitytowardsweakerbrethren，andtobesodazzledbyhisownlightastoholdhimselfwiserthanhisteachers。ButwhateverblemishesothersmightdiscerninWilliam，tohisfriend’smindhewasfaultless；forMarnerhadoneofthoseimpressibleself—doubtingnatureswhich，ataninexperiencedage，admireimperativenessandleanoncontradiction。TheexpressionoftrustingsimplicityinMarner’sface，heightenedbythatabsenceofspecialobservation，thatdefenceless，deer—likegazewhichbelongstolargeprominenteyes，wasstronglycontrastedbytheself—complacentsuppressionofinwardtriumphthatlurkedinthenarrowslantingeyesandcompressedlipsofWilliamDane。OneofthemostfrequenttopicsofconversationbetweenthetwofriendswasAssuranceofsalvation：Silasconfessedthathecouldneverarriveatanythinghigherthanhopemingledwithfear，andlistenedwithlongingwonderwhenWilliamdeclaredthathehadpossessedunshakenassuranceeversince，intheperiodofhisconversion，hehaddreamedthathesawthewords"callingandelectionsure"standingbythemselvesonawhitepageintheopenBible。Suchcolloquieshaveoccupiedmanyapairofpale—facedweavers，whoseunnurturedsoulshavebeenlikeyoungwingedthings，flutteringforsakeninthetwilight。
　　IthadseemedtotheunsuspectingSilasthatthefriendshiphadsufferednochillevenfromhisformationofanotherattachmentofacloserkind。Forsomemonthshehadbeenengagedtoayoungservant—woman，waitingonlyforalittleincreasetotheirmutualsavingsinordertotheirmarriage；anditwasagreatdelighttohimthatSarahdidnotobjecttoWilliam’soccasionalpresenceintheirSundayinterviews。ItwasatthispointintheirhistorythatSilas’scatalepticfitoccurredduringtheprayer—meeting；andamidstthevariousqueriesandexpressionsofinterestaddressedtohimbyhisfellow—members，William’ssuggestionalonejarredwiththegeneralsympathytowardsabrotherthussingledoutforspecialdealings。Heobservedthat，tohim，thistrancelookedmorelikeavisitationofSatanthanaproofofdivinefavour，andexhortedhisfriendtoseethathehidnoaccursedthingwithinhissoul。Silas，feelingboundtoacceptrebukeandadmonitionasabrotherlyoffice，feltnoresentment，butonlypain，athisfriend’sdoubtsconcerninghim；andtothiswassoonaddedsomeanxietyattheperceptionthatSarah’smannertowardshimbegantoexhibitastrangefluctuationbetweenaneffortatanincreasedmanifestationofregardandinvoluntarysignsofshrinkinganddislike。Heaskedherifshewishedtobreakofftheirengagement；butshedeniedthis：theirengagementwasknowntothechurch，andhadbeenrecognizedintheprayer—meetings；itcouldnotbebrokenoffwithoutstrictinvestigation，andSarahcouldrendernoreasonthatwouldbesanctionedbythefeelingofthecommunity。Atthistimetheseniordeaconwastakendangerouslyill，and，beingachildlesswidower，hewastendednightanddaybysomeoftheyoungerbrethrenorsisters。
　　Silasfrequentlytookhisturninthenight—watchingwithWilliam，theonerelievingtheotherattwointhemorning。Theoldman，contrarytoexpectation，seemedtobeonthewaytorecovery，whenonenightSilas，sittingupbyhisbedside，observedthathisusualaudiblebreathinghadceased。Thecandlewasburninglow，andhehadtoliftittoseethepatient’sfacedistinctly。Examinationconvincedhimthatthedeaconwasdead——hadbeendeadsometime，forthelimbswererigid。Silasaskedhimselfifhehadbeenasleep，andlookedattheclock：itwasalreadyfourinthemorning。
　　HowwasitthatWilliamhadnotcome？Inmuchanxietyhewenttoseekforhelp，andsoontherewereseveralfriendsassembledinthehouse，theministeramongthem，whileSilaswentawaytohiswork，wishinghecouldhavemetWilliamtoknowthereasonofhisnon—appearance。Butatsixo’clock，ashewasthinkingofgoingtoseekhisfriend，Williamcame，andwithhimtheminister。TheycametosummonhimtoLanternYard，tomeetthechurchmembersthere；andtohisinquiryconcerningthecauseofthesummonstheonlyreplywas，"Youwillhear。"NothingfurtherwassaiduntilSilaswasseatedinthevestry，infrontoftheminister，withtheeyesofthosewhotohimrepresentedGod’speoplefixedsolemnlyuponhim。
　　Thentheminister，takingoutapocket—knife，showedittoSilas，andaskedhimifheknewwherehehadleftthatknife？Silassaid，hedidnotknowthathehadleftitanywhereoutofhisownpocket——
　　buthewastremblingatthisstrangeinterrogation。Hewasthenexhortednottohidehissin，buttoconfessandrepent。Theknifehadbeenfoundinthebureaubythedeparteddeacon’sbedside——
　　foundintheplacewherethelittlebagofchurchmoneyhadlain，whichtheministerhimselfhadseenthedaybefore。Somehandhadremovedthatbag；andwhosehandcoulditbe，ifnotthatofthemantowhomtheknifebelonged？ForsometimeSilaswasmutewithastonishment：thenhesaid，"Godwillclearme：Iknownothingabouttheknifebeingthere，orthemoneybeinggone。Searchmeandmydwelling；youwillfindnothingbutthreepoundfiveofmyownsavings，whichWilliamDaneknowsIhavehadthesesixmonths。"AtthisWilliamgroaned，buttheministersaid，"Theproofisheavyagainstyou，brotherMarner。Themoneywastakeninthenightlastpast，andnomanwaswithourdepartedbrotherbutyou，forWilliamDanedeclarestousthathewashinderedbysuddensicknessfromgoingtotakehisplaceasusual，andyouyourselfsaidthathehadnotcome；and，moreover，youneglectedthedeadbody。"
　　"Imusthaveslept，"saidSilas。Then，afterapause，headded，"OrImusthavehadanothervisitationlikethatwhichyouhaveallseenmeunder，sothatthethiefmusthavecomeandgonewhileIwasnotinthebody，butoutofthebody。But，Isayagain，searchmeandmydwelling，forIhavebeennowhereelse。"
　　Thesearchwasmade，anditended——inWilliamDane’sfindingthewell—knownbag，empty，tuckedbehindthechestofdrawersinSilas’schamber！OnthisWilliamexhortedhisfriendtoconfess，andnottohidehissinanylonger。Silasturnedalookofkeenreproachonhim，andsaid，"William，fornineyearsthatwehavegoneinandouttogether，haveyoueverknownmetellalie？ButGodwillclearme。"
　　"Brother，"saidWilliam，"howdoIknowwhatyoumayhavedoneinthesecretchambersofyourheart，togiveSatananadvantageoveryou？"
　　Silaswasstilllookingathisfriend。Suddenlyadeepflushcameoverhisface，andhewasabouttospeakimpetuously，whenheseemedcheckedagainbysomeinwardshock，thatsenttheflushbackandmadehimtremble。Butatlasthespokefeebly，lookingatWilliam。
　　"Iremembernow——theknifewasn’tinmypocket。"
　　Williamsaid，"Iknownothingofwhatyoumean。"Theotherpersonspresent，however，begantoinquirewhereSilasmeanttosaythattheknifewas，buthewouldgivenofurtherexplanation：heonlysaid，"Iamsorestricken；Icansaynothing。Godwillclearme。"
　　Ontheirreturntothevestrytherewasfurtherdeliberation。AnyresorttolegalmeasuresforascertainingtheculpritwascontrarytotheprinciplesofthechurchinLanternYard，accordingtowhichprosecutionwasforbiddentoChristians，evenhadthecaseheldlessscandaltothecommunity。Butthememberswereboundtotakeothermeasuresforfindingoutthetruth，andtheyresolvedonprayinganddrawinglots。Thisresolutioncanbeagroundofsurpriseonlytothosewhoareunacquaintedwiththatobscurereligiouslifewhichhasgoneoninthealleysofourtowns。Silaskneltwithhisbrethren，relyingonhisowninnocencebeingcertifiedbyimmediatedivineinterference，butfeelingthattherewassorrowandmourningbehindforhimeventhen——thathistrustinmanhadbeencruellybruised。_ThelotsdeclaredthatSilasMarnerwasguilty。_Hewassolemnlysuspendedfromchurch—membership，andcalledupontorenderupthestolenmoney：onlyonconfession，asthesignofrepentance，couldhebereceivedoncemorewithinthefoldsofthechurch。
　　Marnerlistenedinsilence。Atlast，wheneveryonerosetodepart，hewenttowardsWilliamDaneandsaid，inavoiceshakenbyagitation——
　　"ThelasttimeIrememberusingmyknife，waswhenItookitouttocutastrapforyou。Idon’trememberputtingitinmypocketagain。_You_stolethemoney，andyouhavewovenaplottolaythesinatmydoor。Butyoumayprosper，forallthat：thereisnojustGodthatgovernstheearthrighteously，butaGodoflies，thatbearswitnessagainsttheinnocent。"
　　Therewasageneralshudderatthisblasphemy。
　　Williamsaidmeekly，"IleaveourbrethrentojudgewhetherthisisthevoiceofSatanornot。Icandonothingbutprayforyou，Silas。"
　　PoorMarnerwentoutwiththatdespairinhissoul——thatshakentrustinGodandman，whichislittleshortofmadnesstoalovingnature。Inthebitternessofhiswoundedspirit，hesaidtohimself，"_She_willcastmeofftoo。"Andhereflectedthat，ifshedidnotbelievethetestimonyagainsthim，herwholefaithmustbeupsetashiswas。Topeopleaccustomedtoreasonabouttheformsinwhichtheirreligiousfeelinghasincorporateditself，itisdifficulttoenterintothatsimple，untaughtstateofmindinwhichtheformandthefeelinghaveneverbeenseveredbyanactofreflection。WeareapttothinkitinevitablethatamaninMarner’spositionshouldhavebeguntoquestionthevalidityofanappealtothedivinejudgmentbydrawinglots；buttohimthiswouldhavebeenaneffortofindependentthoughtsuchashehadneverknown；andhemusthavemadetheeffortatamomentwhenallhisenergieswereturnedintotheanguishofdisappointedfaith。Ifthereisanangelwhorecordsthesorrowsofmenaswellastheirsins，heknowshowmanyanddeeparethesorrowsthatspringfromfalseideasforwhichnomanisculpable。
　　Marnerwenthome，andforawholedaysatalone，stunnedbydespair，withoutanyimpulsetogotoSarahandattempttowinherbeliefinhisinnocence。Theseconddayhetookrefugefrombenumbingunbelief，bygettingintohisloomandworkingawayasusual；andbeforemanyhourswerepast，theministerandoneofthedeaconscametohimwiththemessagefromSarah，thatsheheldherengagementtohimatanend。Silasreceivedthemessagemutely，andthenturnedawayfromthemessengerstoworkathisloomagain。Inlittlemorethanamonthfromthattime，SarahwasmarriedtoWilliamDane；andnotlongafterwardsitwasknowntothebrethreninLanternYardthatSilasMarnerhaddepartedfromthetown。
　　CHAPTERII
　　Evenpeoplewhoseliveshavebeenmadevariousbylearning，sometimesfindithardtokeepafastholdontheirhabitualviewsoflife，ontheirfaithintheInvisible，nay，onthesensethattheirpastjoysandsorrowsarearealexperience，whentheyaresuddenlytransportedtoanewland，wherethebeingsaroundthemknownothingoftheirhistory，andsharenoneoftheirideas——
　　wheretheirmotherearthshowsanotherlap，andhumanlifehasotherformsthanthoseonwhichtheirsoulshavebeennourished。Mindsthathavebeenunhingedfromtheiroldfaithandlove，haveperhapssoughtthisLetheaninfluenceofexile，inwhichthepastbecomesdreamybecauseitssymbolshaveallvanished，andthepresenttooisdreamybecauseitislinkedwithnomemories。Buteven_their_
　　experiencemayhardlyenablethemthoroughlytoimaginewhatwastheeffectonasimpleweaverlikeSilasMarner，whenhelefthisowncountryandpeopleandcametosettleinRaveloe。Nothingcouldbemoreunlikehisnativetown，setwithinsightofthewidespreadhillsides，thanthislow，woodedregion，wherehefelthiddenevenfromtheheavensbythescreeningtreesandhedgerows。Therewasnothinghere，whenheroseinthedeepmorningquietandlookedoutonthedewybramblesandranktuftedgrass，thatseemedtohaveanyrelationwiththatlifecentringinLanternYard，whichhadoncebeentohimthealtar—placeofhighdispensations。Thewhitewashedwalls；thelittlepewswherewell—knownfiguresenteredwithasubduedrustling，andwherefirstonewell—knownvoiceandthenanother，pitchedinapeculiarkeyofpetition，utteredphrasesatonceoccultandfamiliar，liketheamuletwornontheheart；thepulpitwheretheministerdeliveredunquestioneddoctrine，andswayedtoandfro，andhandledthebookinalongaccustomedmanner；
　　theverypausesbetweenthecoupletsofthehymn，asitwasgivenout，andtherecurrentswellofvoicesinsong：thesethingshadbeenthechannelofdivineinfluencestoMarner——theywerethefosteringhomeofhisreligiousemotions——theywereChristianityandGod’skingdomuponearth。Aweaverwhofindshardwordsinhishymn—bookknowsnothingofabstractions；asthelittlechildknowsnothingofparentallove，butonlyknowsonefaceandonelaptowardswhichitstretchesitsarmsforrefugeandnurture。
　　AndwhatcouldbemoreunlikethatLanternYardworldthantheworldinRaveloe？——orchardslookinglazywithneglectedplenty；thelargechurchinthewidechurchyard，whichmengazedatloungingattheirowndoorsinservice—time；thepurple—facedfarmersjoggingalongthelanesorturninginattheRainbow；homesteads，wheremensuppedheavilyandsleptinthelightoftheeveninghearth，andwherewomenseemedtobelayingupastockoflinenforthelifetocome。TherewerenolipsinRaveloefromwhichawordcouldfallthatwouldstirSilasMarner’sbenumbedfaithtoasenseofpain。
　　Intheearlyagesoftheworld，weknow，itwasbelievedthateachterritorywasinhabitedandruledbyitsowndivinities，sothatamancouldcrosstheborderingheightsandbeoutofthereachofhisnativegods，whosepresencewasconfinedtothestreamsandthegrovesandthehillsamongwhichhehadlivedfromhisbirth。AndpoorSilaswasvaguelyconsciousofsomethingnotunlikethefeelingofprimitivemen，whentheyfledthus，infearorinsullenness，fromthefaceofanunpropitiousdeity。ItseemedtohimthatthePowerhehadvainlytrustedinamongthestreetsandattheprayer—meetings，wasveryfarawayfromthislandinwhichhehadtakenrefuge，wheremenlivedincarelessabundance，knowingandneedingnothingofthattrust，which，forhim，hadbeenturnedtobitterness。Thelittlelighthepossessedspreaditsbeamssonarrowly，thatfrustratedbeliefwasacurtainbroadenoughtocreateforhimtheblacknessofnight。
　　Hisfirstmovementaftertheshockhadbeentoworkinhisloom；andhewentonwiththisunremittingly，neveraskinghimselfwhy，nowhewascometoRaveloe，heworkedfaronintothenighttofinishthetaleofMrs。Osgood’stable—linensoonerthansheexpected——
　　withoutcontemplatingbeforehandthemoneyshewouldputintohishandforthework。Heseemedtoweave，likethespider，frompureimpulse，withoutreflection。Everyman’swork，pursuedsteadily，tendsinthiswaytobecomeanendinitself，andsotobridgeoverthelovelesschasmsofhislife。Silas’shandsatisfieditselfwiththrowingtheshuttle，andhiseyewithseeingthelittlesquaresintheclothcompletethemselvesunderhiseffort。Thentherewerethecallsofhunger；andSilas，inhissolitude，hadtoprovidehisownbreakfast，dinner，andsupper，tofetchhisownwaterfromthewell，andputhisownkettleonthefire；andalltheseimmediatepromptingshelped，alongwiththeweaving，toreducehislifetotheunquestioningactivityofaspinninginsect。Hehatedthethoughtofthepast；therewasnothingthatcalledouthisloveandfellowshiptowardthestrangershehadcomeamongst；andthefuturewasalldark，fortherewasnoUnseenLovethatcaredforhim。
　　Thoughtwasarrestedbyutterbewilderment，nowitsoldnarrowpathwaywasclosed，andaffectionseemedtohavediedunderthebruisethathadfallenonitskeenestnerves。
　　ButatlastMrs。Osgood’stable—linenwasfinished，andSilaswaspaidingold。Hisearningsinhisnativetown，whereheworkedforawholesaledealer，hadbeenafteralowerrate；hehadbeenpaidweekly，andofhisweeklyearningsalargeproportionhadgonetoobjectsofpietyandcharity。Now，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hehadfivebrightguineasputintohishand；nomanexpectedashareofthem，andhelovednomanthatheshouldofferhimashare。
　　Butwhatweretheguineastohimwhosawnovistabeyondcountlessdaysofweaving？Itwasneedlessforhimtoaskthat，foritwaspleasanttohimtofeeltheminhispalm，andlookattheirbrightfaces，whichwereallhisown：itwasanotherelementoflife，liketheweavingandthesatisfactionofhunger，subsistingquitealooffromthelifeofbeliefandlovefromwhichhehadbeencutoff。
　　Theweaver’shandhadknownthetouchofhard—wonmoneyevenbeforethepalmhadgrowntoitsfullbreadth；fortwentyyears，mysteriousmoneyhadstoodtohimasthesymbolofearthlygood，andtheimmediateobjectoftoil。Hehadseemedtoloveitlittleintheyearswheneverypennyhaditspurposeforhim；forhelovedthe_purpose_then。Butnow，whenallpurposewasgone，thathabitoflookingtowardsthemoneyandgraspingitwithasenseoffulfilledeffortmadealoamthatwasdeepenoughfortheseedsofdesire；andasSilaswalkedhomewardacrossthefieldsinthetwilight，hedrewoutthemoneyandthoughtitwasbrighterinthegatheringgloom。
　　Aboutthistimeanincidenthappenedwhichseemedtoopenapossibilityofsomefellowshipwithhisneighbours。Oneday，takingapairofshoestobemended，hesawthecobbler’swifeseatedbythefire，sufferingfromtheterriblesymptomsofheart—diseaseanddropsy，whichhehadwitnessedastheprecursorsofhismother’sdeath。Hefeltarushofpityatthemingledsightandremembrance，and，recallingthereliefhismotherhadfoundfromasimplepreparationoffoxglove，hepromisedSallyOatestobringhersomethingthatwouldeaseher，sincethedoctordidhernogood。Inthisofficeofcharity，Silasfelt，forthefirsttimesincehehadcometoRaveloe，asenseofunitybetweenhispastandpresentlife，whichmighthavebeenthebeginningofhisrescuefromtheinsect—likeexistenceintowhichhisnaturehadshrunk。ButSallyOates’sdiseasehadraisedherintoapersonageofmuchinterestandimportanceamongtheneighbours，andthefactofherhavingfoundrelieffromdrinkingSilasMarner’s"stuff"becameamatterofgeneraldiscourse。WhenDoctorKimblegavephysic，itwasnaturalthatitshouldhaveaneffect；butwhenaweaver，whocamefromnobodyknewwhere，workedwonderswithabottleofbrownwaters，theoccultcharacteroftheprocesswasevident。SuchasortofthinghadnotbeenknownsincetheWiseWomanatTarleydied；andshehadcharmsaswellas"stuff"：everybodywenttoherwhentheirchildrenhadfits。SilasMarnermustbeapersonofthesamesort，forhowdidheknowwhatwouldbringbackSallyOates’sbreath，ifhedidn’tknowafinesightmorethanthat？TheWiseWomanhadwordsthatshemutteredtoherself，sothatyoucouldn’thearwhattheywere，andifshetiedabitofredthreadroundthechild’stoethewhile，itwouldkeepoffthewaterinthehead。TherewerewomeninRaveloe，atthatpresenttime，whohadwornoneoftheWiseWoman’slittlebagsroundtheirnecks，and，inconsequence，hadneverhadanidiotchild，asAnnCoulterhad。SilasMarnercouldverylikelydoasmuch，andmore；andnowitwasallclearhowheshouldhavecomefromunknownparts，andbeso"comical—looking"。
　　ButSallyOatesmustmindandnottellthedoctor，forhewouldbesuretosethisfaceagainstMarner：hewasalwaysangryabouttheWiseWoman，andusedtothreatenthosewhowenttoherthattheyshouldhavenoneofhishelpanymore。
　　Silasnowfoundhimselfandhiscottagesuddenlybesetbymotherswhowantedhimtocharmawaythewhooping—cough，orbringbackthemilk，andbymenwhowantedstuffagainsttherheumaticsortheknotsinthehands；and，tosecurethemselvesagainstarefusal，theapplicantsbroughtsilverintheirpalms。Silasmighthavedrivenaprofitabletradeincharmsaswellasinhissmalllistofdrugs；
　　butmoneyonthisconditionwasnotemptationtohim：hehadneverknownanimpulsetowardsfalsity，andhedroveoneafteranotherawaywithgrowingirritation，forthenewsofhimasawisemanhadspreadeventoTarley，anditwaslongbeforepeopleceasedtotakelongwalksforthesakeofaskinghisaid。Butthehopeinhiswisdomwasatlengthchangedintodread，fornoonebelievedhimwhenhesaidheknewnocharmsandcouldworknocures，andeverymanandwomanwhohadanaccidentoranewattackafterapplyingtohim，setthemisfortunedowntoMasterMarner’sill—willandirritatedglances。ThusitcametopassthathismovementofpitytowardsSallyOates，whichhadgivenhimatransientsenseofbrotherhood，heightenedtherepulsionbetweenhimandhisneighbours，andmadehisisolationmorecomplete。
　　Graduallytheguineas，thecrowns，andthehalf—crownsgrewtoaheap，andMarnerdrewlessandlessforhisownwants，tryingtosolvetheproblemofkeepinghimselfstrongenoughtoworksixteenhoursa—dayonassmallanoutlayaspossible。Havenotmen，shutupinsolitaryimprisonment，foundaninterestinmarkingthemomentsbystraightstrokesofacertainlengthonthewall，untilthegrowthofthesumofstraightstrokes，arrangedintriangles，hasbecomeamasteringpurpose？Dowenotwileawaymomentsofinanityorfatiguedwaitingbyrepeatingsometrivialmovementorsound，untiltherepetitionhasbredawant，whichisincipienthabit？Thatwillhelpustounderstandhowtheloveofaccumulatingmoneygrowsanabsorbingpassioninmenwhoseimaginations，evenintheverybeginningoftheirhoard，showedthemnopurposebeyondit。
　　Marnerwantedtheheapsoftentogrowintoasquare，andthenintoalargersquare；andeveryaddedguinea，whileitwasitselfasatisfaction，bredanewdesire。Inthisstrangeworld，madeahopelessriddletohim，hemight，ifhehadhadalessintensenature，havesatweaving，weaving——lookingtowardstheendofhispattern，ortowardstheendofhisweb，tillheforgottheriddle，andeverythingelsebuthisimmediatesensations；butthemoneyhadcometomarkoffhisweavingintoperiods，andthemoneynotonlygrew，butitremainedwithhim。Hebegantothinkitwasconsciousofhim，ashisloomwas，andhewouldonnoaccounthaveexchangedthosecoins，whichhadbecomehisfamiliars，forothercoinswithunknownfaces。Hehandledthem，hecountedthem，tilltheirformandcolourwerelikethesatisfactionofathirsttohim；butitwasonlyinthenight，whenhisworkwasdone，thathedrewthemouttoenjoytheircompanionship。Hehadtakenupsomebricksinhisfloorunderneathhisloom，andherehehadmadeaholeinwhichhesettheironpotthatcontainedhisguineasandsilvercoins，coveringthebrickswithsandwheneverhereplacedthem。Notthattheideaofbeingrobbedpresenteditselfoftenorstronglytohismind：
　　hoardingwascommonincountrydistrictsinthosedays；therewereoldlabourersintheparishofRaveloewhowereknowntohavetheirsavingsbythem，probablyinsidetheirflock—beds；buttheirrusticneighbours，thoughnotallofthemashonestastheirancestorsinthedaysofKingAlfred，hadnotimaginationsboldenoughtolayaplanofburglary。Howcouldtheyhavespentthemoneyintheirownvillagewithoutbetrayingthemselves？Theywouldbeobligedto"runaway"——acourseasdarkanddubiousasaballoonjourney。
　　So，yearafteryear，SilasMarnerhadlivedinthissolitude，hisguineasrisingintheironpot，andhislifenarrowingandhardeningitselfmoreandmoreintoamerepulsationofdesireandsatisfactionthathadnorelationtoanyotherbeing。Hislifehadreduceditselftothefunctionsofweavingandhoarding，withoutanycontemplationofanendtowardswhichthefunctionstended。Thesamesortofprocesshasperhapsbeenundergonebywisermen，whentheyhavebeencutofffromfaithandlove——only，insteadofaloomandaheapofguineas，theyhavehadsomeeruditeresearch，someingeniousproject，orsomewell—knittheory。StrangelyMarner’sfaceandfigureshrankandbentthemselvesintoaconstantmechanicalrelationtotheobjectsofhislife，sothatheproducedthesamesortofimpressionasahandleoracrookedtube，whichhasnomeaningstandingapart。Theprominenteyesthatusedtolooktrustinganddreamy，nowlookedasiftheyhadbeenmadetoseeonlyonekindofthingthatwasverysmall，liketinygrain，forwhichtheyhuntedeverywhere：andhewassowitheredandyellow，that，thoughhewasnotyetforty，thechildrenalwayscalledhim"OldMasterMarner"。
　　Yeteveninthisstageofwitheringalittleincidenthappened，whichshowedthatthesapofaffectionwasnotallgone。Itwasoneofhisdailytaskstofetchhiswaterfromawellacoupleoffieldsoff，andforthispurpose，eversincehecametoRaveloe，hehadhadabrownearthenwarepot，whichheheldashismostpreciousutensilamongtheveryfewconvenienceshehadgrantedhimself。Ithadbeenhiscompanionfortwelveyears，alwaysstandingonthesamespot，alwayslendingitshandletohimintheearlymorning，sothatitsformhadanexpressionforhimofwillinghelpfulness，andtheimpressofitshandleonhispalmgaveasatisfactionmingledwiththatofhavingthefreshclearwater。Onedayashewasreturningfromthewell，hestumbledagainstthestepofthestile，andhisbrownpot，fallingwithforceagainstthestonesthatoverarchedtheditchbelowhim，wasbrokeninthreepieces。Silaspickedupthepiecesandcarriedthemhomewithgriefinhisheart。Thebrownpotcouldneverbeofusetohimanymore，buthestuckthebitstogetherandproppedtheruininitsoldplaceforamemorial。
　　ThisisthehistoryofSilasMarner，untilthefifteenthyearafterhecametoRaveloe。Thelivelongdayhesatinhisloom，hisearfilledwithitsmonotony，hiseyesbentclosedownontheslowgrowthofsamenessinthebrownishweb，hismusclesmovingwithsuchevenrepetitionthattheirpauseseemedalmostasmuchaconstraintastheholdingofhisbreath。Butatnightcamehisrevelry：atnightheclosedhisshutters，andmadefasthisdoors，anddrewforthhisgold。Longagotheheapofcoinshadbecometoolargefortheironpottoholdthem，andhehadmadeforthemtwothickleatherbags，whichwastednoroomintheirresting—place，butlentthemselvesflexiblytoeverycorner。Howtheguineasshoneastheycamepouringoutofthedarkleathermouths！Thesilverborenolargeproportioninamounttothegold，becausethelongpiecesoflinenwhichformedhischiefworkwerealwayspartlypaidforingold，andoutofthesilverhesuppliedhisownbodilywants，choosingalwaystheshillingsandsixpencestospendinthisway。
　　Helovedtheguineasbest，buthewouldnotchangethesilver——thecrownsandhalf—crownsthatwerehisownearnings，begottenbyhislabour；helovedthemall。Hespreadthemoutinheapsandbathedhishandsinthem；thenhecountedthemandsetthemupinregularpiles，andfelttheirroundedoutlinebetweenhisthumbandfingers，andthoughtfondlyoftheguineasthatwereonlyhalf—earnedbytheworkinhisloom，asiftheyhadbeenunbornchildren——thoughtoftheguineasthatwerecomingslowlythroughthecomingyears，throughallhislife，whichspreadfarawaybeforehim，theendquitehiddenbycountlessdaysofweaving。Nowonderhisthoughtswerestillwithhisloomandhismoneywhenhemadehisjourneysthroughthefieldsandthelanestofetchandcarryhomehiswork，sothathisstepsneverwanderedtothehedge—banksandthelane—sideinsearchoftheoncefamiliarherbs：thesetoobelongedtothepast，fromwhichhislifehadshrunkaway，likearivuletthathassunkfardownfromthegrassyfringeofitsoldbreadthintoalittleshiveringthread，thatcutsagrooveforitselfinthebarrensand。
　　ButabouttheChristmasofthatfifteenthyear，asecondgreatchangecameoverMarner’slife，andhishistorybecameblentinasingularmannerwiththelifeofhisneighbours。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ThegreatestmaninRaveloewasSquireCass，wholivedinthelargeredhousewiththehandsomeflightofstonestepsinfrontandthehighstablesbehindit，nearlyoppositethechurch。Hewasonlyoneamongseverallandedparishioners，buthealonewashonouredwiththetitleofSquire；forthoughMr。Osgood’sfamilywasalsounderstoodtobeoftimelessorigin——theRaveloeimaginationhavingneverventuredbacktothatfearfulblankwhentherewerenoOsgoods——still，hemerelyownedthefarmheoccupied；whereasSquireCasshadatenantortwo，whocomplainedofthegametohimquiteasifhehadbeenalord。
　　Itwasstillthatgloriouswar—timewhichwasfelttobeapeculiarfavourofProvidencetowardsthelandedinterest，andthefallofpriceshadnotyetcometocarrytheraceofsmallsquiresandyeomendownthatroadtoruinforwhichextravaganthabitsandbadhusbandrywereplentifullyanointingtheirwheels。IamspeakingnowinrelationtoRaveloeandtheparishesthatresembledit；forourold—fashionedcountrylifehadmanydifferentaspects，asalllifemusthavewhenitisspreadoveravarioussurface，andbreathedonvariouslybymultitudinouscurrents，fromthewindsofheaventothethoughtsofmen，whichareforevermovingandcrossingeachotherwithincalculableresults。Raveloelaylowamongthebushytreesandtheruttedlanes，alooffromthecurrentsofindustrialenergyandPuritanearnestness：therichateanddrankfreely，acceptinggoutandapoplexyasthingsthatranmysteriouslyinrespectablefamilies，andthepoorthoughtthattherichwereentirelyintherightofittoleadajollylife；besides，theirfeastingcausedamultiplicationoforts，whichweretheheirloomsofthepoor。BettyJayscentedtheboilingofSquireCass’shams，butherlongingwasarrestedbytheunctuousliquorinwhichtheywereboiled；andwhentheseasonsbroughtroundthegreatmerry—makings，theywereregardedonallhandsasafinethingforthepoor。FortheRaveloefeastswereliketheroundsofbeefandthebarrelsofale——theywereonalargescale，andlastedagoodwhile，especiallyinthewinter—time。Afterladieshadpackeduptheirbestgownsandtop—knotsinbandboxes，andhadincurredtheriskoffordingstreamsonpillionswiththepreciousburdeninrainyorsnowyweather，whentherewasnoknowinghowhighthewaterwouldrise，itwasnottobesupposedthattheylookedforwardtoabriefpleasure。Onthisgrounditwasalwayscontrivedinthedarkseasons，whentherewaslittleworktobedone，andthehourswerelong，thatseveralneighboursshouldkeepopenhouseinsuccession。
　　SosoonasSquireCass’sstandingdishesdiminishedinplentyandfreshness，hisguestshadnothingtodobuttowalkalittlehigherupthevillagetoMr。Osgood’s，attheOrchards，andtheyfoundhamsandchinesuncut，pork—pieswiththescentofthefireinthem，spunbutterinallitsfreshness——everything，infact，thatappetitesatleisurecoulddesire，inperhapsgreaterperfection，thoughnotingreaterabundance，thanatSquireCass’s。
　　FortheSquire’swifehaddiedlongago，andtheRedHousewaswithoutthatpresenceofthewifeandmotherwhichisthefountainofwholesomeloveandfearinparlourandkitchen；andthishelpedtoaccountnotonlyfortherebeingmoreprofusionthanfinishedexcellenceintheholidayprovisions，butalsoforthefrequencywithwhichtheproudSquirecondescendedtopresideintheparlouroftheRainbowratherthanundertheshadowofhisowndarkwainscot；perhaps，also，forthefactthathissonshadturnedoutratherill。Raveloewasnotaplacewheremoralcensurewassevere，butitwasthoughtaweaknessintheSquirethathehadkeptallhissonsathomeinidleness；andthoughsomelicencewastobeallowedtoyoungmenwhosefatherscouldaffordit，peopleshooktheirheadsatthecoursesofthesecondson，Dunstan，commonlycalledDunseyCass，whosetasteforswoppingandbettingmightturnouttobeasowingofsomethingworsethanwildoats。Tobesure，theneighbourssaid，itwasnomatterwhatbecameofDunsey——aspitefuljeeringfellow，whoseemedtoenjoyhisdrinkthemorewhenotherpeoplewentdry——alwaysprovidedthathisdoingsdidnotbringtroubleonafamilylikeSquireCass’s，withamonumentinthechurch，andtankardsolderthanKingGeorge。ButitwouldbeathousandpitiesifMr。Godfrey，theeldest，afineopen—facedgood—naturedyoungmanwhowastocomeintothelandsomeday，shouldtaketogoingalongthesameroadwithhisbrother，ashehadseemedtodooflate。Ifhewentoninthatway，hewouldloseMissNancyLammeter；foritwaswellknownthatshehadlookedveryshylyonhimeversincelastWhitsuntidetwelvemonth，whentherewassomuchtalkabouthisbeingawayfromhomedaysanddaystogether。
　　Therewassomethingwrong，morethancommon——thatwasquiteclear；
　　forMr。Godfreydidn’tlookhalfsofresh—colouredandopenasheusedtodo。Atonetimeeverybodywassaying，WhatahandsomecoupleheandMissNancyLammeterwouldmake！andifshecouldcometobemistressattheRedHouse，therewouldbeafinechange，fortheLammetershadbeenbroughtupinthatway，thattheyneversufferedapinchofsalttobewasted，andyeteverybodyintheirhouseholdhadofthebest，accordingtohisplace。Suchadaughter—in—lawwouldbeasavingtotheoldSquire，ifsheneverbroughtapennytoherfortune；foritwastobefearedthat，notwithstandinghisincomings，thereweremoreholesinhispocketthantheonewhereheputhisownhandin。ButifMr。Godfreydidn’tturnoveranewleaf，hemightsay"Good—bye"toMissNancyLammeter。
　　ItwastheoncehopefulGodfreywhowasstanding，withhishandsinhisside—pocketsandhisbacktothefire，inthedarkwainscotedparlour，onelateNovemberafternooninthatfifteenthyearofSilasMarner’slifeatRaveloe。Thefadinggreylightfelldimlyonthewallsdecoratedwithguns，whips，andfoxes’brushes，oncoatsandhatsflungonthechairs，ontankardssendingforthascentofflatale，andonahalf—chokedfire，withpipesproppedupinthechimney—corners：signsofadomesticlifedestituteofanyhallowingcharm，withwhichthelookofgloomyvexationonGodfrey’sblondfacewasinsadaccordance。Heseemedtobewaitingandlisteningforsomeone’sapproach，andpresentlythesoundofaheavystep，withanaccompanyingwhistle，washeardacrossthelargeemptyentrance—hall。
　　Thedooropened，andathick—set，heavy—lookingyoungmanentered，withtheflushedfaceandthegratuitouslyelatedbearingwhichmarkthefirststageofintoxication。ItwasDunsey，andatthesightofhimGodfrey’sfacepartedwithsomeofitsgloomtotakeonthemoreactiveexpressionofhatred。Thehandsomebrownspanielthatlayonthehearthretreatedunderthechairinthechimney—corner。
　　"Well，MasterGodfrey，whatdoyouwantwithme？"saidDunsey，inamockingtone。"You’remyeldersandbetters，youknow；Iwasobligedtocomewhenyousentforme。"
　　"Why，thisiswhatIwant——andjustshakeyourselfsoberandlisten，willyou？"saidGodfrey，savagely。Hehadhimselfbeendrinkingmorethanwasgoodforhim，tryingtoturnhisgloomintouncalculatinganger。"Iwanttotellyou，ImusthandoverthatrentofFowler’stotheSquire，orelsetellhimIgaveityou；forhe’sthreateningtodistrainforit，andit’llallbeoutsoon，whetherItellhimornot。Hesaid，justnow，beforehewentout，heshouldsendwordtoCoxtodistrain，ifFowlerdidn’tcomeandpayuphisarrearsthisweek。TheSquire’sshorto’cash，andinnohumourtostandanynonsense；andyouknowwhathethreatened，ifeverhefoundyoumakingawaywithhismoneyagain。So，seeandgetthemoney，andprettyquickly，willyou？"
　　"Oh！"saidDunsey，sneeringly，comingnearertohisbrotherandlookinginhisface。"Suppose，now，yougetthemoneyyourself，andsavemethetrouble，eh？Sinceyouwassokindastohanditovertome，you’llnotrefusemethekindnesstopayitbackforme：
　　itwasyourbrotherlylovemadeyoudoit，youknow。"
　　Godfreybithislipsandclenchedhisfist。"Don’tcomenearmewiththatlook，elseI’llknockyoudown。"
　　"Ohno，youwon’t，"saidDunsey，turningawayonhisheel，however。"BecauseI’msuchagood—naturedbrother，youknow。
　　Imightgetyouturnedoutofhouseandhome，andcutoffwithashillinganyday。ImighttelltheSquirehowhishandsomesonwasmarriedtothatniceyoungwoman，MollyFarren，andwasveryunhappybecausehecouldn’tlivewithhisdrunkenwife，andIshouldslipintoyourplaceascomfortableascouldbe。Butyousee，Idon’tdoit——I’msoeasyandgood—natured。You’lltakeanytroubleforme。
　　You’llgetthehundredpoundsforme——Iknowyouwill。"
　　"HowcanIgetthemoney？"saidGodfrey，quivering。"Ihaven’tashillingtoblessmyselfwith。Andit’saliethatyou’dslipintomyplace：you’dgetyourselfturnedouttoo，that’sall。Forifyoubegintellingtales，I’llfollow。Bob’smyfather’sfavourite——youknowthatverywell。He’donlythinkhimselfwellridofyou。"
　　"Nevermind，"saidDunsey，noddinghisheadsidewaysashelookedoutofthewindow。"It’udbeverypleasanttometogoinyourcompany——you’resuchahandsomebrother，andwe’vealwaysbeensofondofquarrellingwithoneanother，Ishouldn’tknowwhattodowithoutyou。Butyou’dlikebetterforusbothtostayathometogether；Iknowyouwould。Soyou’llmanagetogetthatlittlesumo’money，andI’llbidyougood—bye，thoughI’msorrytopart。"
　　Dunstanwasmovingoff，butGodfreyrushedafterhimandseizedhimbythearm，saying，withanoath——
　　"Itellyou，Ihavenomoney：Icangetnomoney。"
　　"BorrowofoldKimble。"
　　"Itellyou，hewon’tlendmeanymore，andIshan’taskhim。"
　　"Well，then，sellWildfire。"
　　"Yes，that’seasytalking。Imusthavethemoneydirectly。"
　　"Well，you’veonlygottoridehimtothehuntto—morrow。There’llbeBryceandKeatingthere，forsure。You’llgetmorebidsthanone。"
　　"Idaresay，andgetbackhomeateighto’clock，splasheduptothechin。I’mgoingtoMrs。Osgood’sbirthdaydance。"
　　"Oho！"saidDunsey，turninghisheadononeside，andtryingtospeakinasmallmincingtreble。"Andthere’ssweetMissNancycoming；andweshalldancewithher，andpromisenevertobenaughtyagain，andbetakenintofavour，and——"
　　"HoldyourtongueaboutMissNancy，youfool，"saidGodfrey，turningred，"elseI’llthrottleyou。"
　　"Whatfor？"saidDunsey，stillinanartificialtone，buttakingawhipfromthetableandbeatingthebutt—endofitonhispalm。
　　"You’veaverygoodchance。I’dadviseyoutocreepuphersleeveagain：it’udbesavingtime，ifMollyshouldhappentotakeadroptoomuchlaudanumsomeday，andmakeawidowerofyou。MissNancywouldn’tmindbeingasecond，ifshedidn’tknowit。Andyou’vegotagood—naturedbrother，who’llkeepyoursecretwell，becauseyou’llbesoveryobligingtohim。"
　　"I’lltellyouwhatitis，"saidGodfrey，quivering，andpaleagain，"mypatienceisprettynearatanend。Ifyou’dalittlemoresharpnessinyou，youmightknowthatyoumayurgeamanabittoofar，andmakeoneleapaseasyasanother。Idon’tknowbutwhatitissonow：ImayaswelltelltheSquireeverythingmyself——
　　Ishouldgetyouoffmyback，ifIgotnothingelse。And，afterall，he’llknowsometime。She’sbeenthreateningtocomeherselfandtellhim。So，don’tflatteryourselfthatyoursecrecy’sworthanypriceyouchoosetoask。YoudrainmeofmoneytillIhavegotnothingtopacify_her_with，andshe’lldoasshethreatenssomeday。It’sallone。I’lltellmyfathereverythingmyself，andyoumaygotothedevil。"
　　Dunseyperceivedthathehadovershothismark，andthattherewasapointatwhicheventhehesitatingGodfreymightbedrivenintodecision。Buthesaid，withanairofunconcern——
　　"Asyouplease；butI’llhaveadraughtofalefirst。"Andringingthebell，hethrewhimselfacrosstwochairs，andbegantorapthewindow—seatwiththehandleofhiswhip。
　　Godfreystood，stillwithhisbacktothefire，uneasilymovinghisfingersamongthecontentsofhisside—pockets，andlookingatthefloor。Thatbigmuscularframeofhisheldplentyofanimalcourage，buthelpedhimtonodecisionwhenthedangerstobebravedweresuchascouldneitherbeknockeddownnorthrottled。Hisnaturalirresolutionandmoralcowardicewereexaggeratedbyapositioninwhichdreadedconsequencesseemedtopressequallyonallsides，andhisirritationhadnosoonerprovokedhimtodefyDunstanandanticipateallpossiblebetrayals，thanthemiserieshemustbringonhimselfbysuchastepseemedmoreunendurabletohimthanthepresentevil。Theresultsofconfessionwerenotcontingent，theywerecertain；whereasbetrayalwasnotcertain。
　　Fromthenearvisionofthatcertaintyhefellbackonsuspenseandvacillationwithasenseofrepose。Thedisinheritedsonofasmallsquire，equallydisinclinedtodigandtobeg，wasalmostashelplessasanuprootedtree，which，bythefavourofearthandsky，hasgrowntoahandsomebulkonthespotwhereitfirstshotupward。
　　PerhapsitwouldhavebeenpossibletothinkofdiggingwithsomecheerfulnessifNancyLammeterweretobewononthoseterms；but，sincehemustirrevocablylose_her_aswellastheinheritance，andmustbreakeverytiebuttheonethatdegradedhimandlefthimwithoutmotivefortryingtorecoverhisbetterself，hecouldimaginenofutureforhimselfontheothersideofconfessionbutthatof"’listingforasoldier"——themostdesperatestep，shortofsuicide，intheeyesofrespectablefamilies。No！hewouldrathertrusttocasualtiesthantohisownresolve——rathergoonsittingatthefeast，andsippingthewineheloved，thoughwiththeswordhangingoverhimandterrorinhisheart，thanrushawayintothecolddarknesswheretherewasnopleasureleft。TheutmostconcessiontoDunstanaboutthehorsebegantoseemeasy，comparedwiththefulfilmentofhisownthreat。Buthispridewouldnotlethimrecommencetheconversationotherwisethanbycontinuingthequarrel。Dunstanwaswaitingforthis，andtookhisaleinshorterdraughtsthanusual。
　　"It’sjustlikeyou，"Godfreyburstout，inabittertone，"totalkaboutmysellingWildfireinthatcoolway——thelastthingI’vegottocallmyown，andthebestbitofhorse—fleshIeverhadinmylife。Andifyou’dgotasparkofprideinyou，you’dbeashamedtoseethestablesemptied，andeverybodysneeringaboutit。
　　Butit’smybeliefyou’dsellyourself，ifitwasonlyforthepleasureofmakingsomebodyfeelhe’dgotabadbargain。"
　　"Aye，aye，"saidDunstan，veryplacably，"youdomejustice，I
　　see。YouknowI’majewelfor’ticingpeopleintobargains。ForwhichreasonIadviseyoutolet_me_sellWildfire。I’dridehimtothehuntto—morrowforyou，withpleasure。Ishouldn’tlooksohandsomeasyouinthesaddle，butit’sthehorsethey’llbidfor，andnottherider。"
　　"Yes，Idaresay——trustmyhorsetoyou！"
　　"Asyouplease，"saidDunstan，rappingthewindow—seatagainwithanairofgreatunconcern。"It’s_you_havegottopayFowler’smoney；it’snoneofmybusiness。YoureceivedthemoneyfromhimwhenyouwenttoBramcote，and_you_toldtheSquireitwasn’tpaid。