\'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.
TheChristmasmoon(hewouldsay)wasshowinghercoldfacetotheupland,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,heovertooktherevengefulDukeattheseconddescent(wherethegreatwesternroadcrossedbeforeyoucametotheoldparkentranceonthatside——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.\'
