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