\'Recoveringfromherstupor,MademoiselleV——bethoughtherselfagainofheremployer,Mrs.Newbold,whomrecenteventshadestranged.Tothatladyshewentwithafullheart,andexplainedeverything.Mrs.
Newboldkepttoherselfheropinionoftheepisode,andreinstalledthedesertedbrideinheroldpositionasgovernesstothefamily.
\'Agovernesssheremainedtotheendofherdays.AfterthefinalpeacewithFranceshebecameacquaintedwithmymother,towhombydegreessheimpartedtheseexperiencesofhers.Asherhairgrewwhite,andherfeaturespinched,MademoiselleV——wouldwonderwhatnookoftheworldcontainedherlover,ifhelived,andifbyanychanceshemightseehimagain.Butwhen,sometimeinthe\'twenties,deathcametoher,atnogreatage,thatoutlineagainstthestarsofthemorningremainedasthelastglimpsesheeverobtainedofherfamily\'sfoeandheronceaffiancedhusband.\'
1895.
MASTERJOHNHORSELEIGH,KNIGHT
IntheearliestandmustiestvolumeoftheHavenpoolmarriageregisters(saidthethin-facedgentleman)thisentrymaystillbereadbyanyonecuriousenoughtodecipherthecrabbedhandwritingofthedate.ItookacopyofitwhenIwaslastthere;anditrunsthus(hehadopenedhispocket-book,andnowreadaloudtheextract;
afterwardshandingroundthebooktous,whereinwesawtranscribedthefollowing)-
MastrJohnHorseleigh,Knyght,ofthep\'yssheofClyfftonwasmarydtoEdiththewyffelateoffJohnStocker,m\'chawnteofHavenpoolthexiiijdajeofDecemberbep\'vyleggegevynbyoursup\'meheddofthechyrcheofIngelondeKyngeHenrytheviiith1539.
Now,ifyouturntothelongandelaboratepedigreeoftheancientfamilyoftheHorseleighsofClyftonHorseleigh,youwillfindnomentionwhateverofthisalliance,notwithstandingtheprivilegegivenbytheSovereignandheadoftheChurch;thesaidSirJohnbeingthereinchronicledasmarrying,atadateapparentlyearlierthantheabove,thedaughterandheiressofRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,aladywhooutlivedhim,ofwhichmarriagetherewereissuetwodaughtersandason,whosucceededhiminhisestates.Howarewetoaccountforthese,asitwouldseem,contemporaneouswives?Astrangelocaltraditiononlycanhelpus,andthiscanbebrieflytold.
Oneeveningintheautumnoftheyear1540or1541,ayoungsailor,whoseChristiannamewasRoger,butwhosesurnameisnotknown,landedathisnativeplaceofHavenpool,ontheSouthWessexcoast,afteravoyageintheNewfoundlandtrade,thennewlysprungintoexistence.HereturnedintheshipPrimrosewithacargoof\'trayneoylebroughthomefromtheNewFoundeLande,\'toquotefromthetownrecordsofthedate.Duringhisabsenceoftwosummersandawinter,whichmadeupthetermofaNewfoundland\'spell,\'manyunlooked-forchangeshadoccurredwithinthequietlittleseaport,someofwhichcloselyaffectedRogerthesailor.AtthetimeofhisdeparturehisonlysisterEdithhadbecomethebrideofoneStocker,arespectabletownsman,andpartownerofthebriginwhichRogerhadsailed;anditwastothehouseofthiscouple,hisonlyrelatives,thattheyoungmandirectedhissteps.OntryingthedoorinQuayStreethefounditlocked,andthenobservedthatthewindowswereboardedup.
Inquiringofabystander,helearntforthefirsttimeofthedeathofhisbrother-in-law,thoughthateventhadtakenplacenearlyeighteenmonthsbefore.
\'AndmysisterEdith?\'askedRoger.
\'She\'smarriedagain——astheydosay,andhathbeensothesetwelvemonths.Idon\'tvouchforthetrutho\'t,thoughifsheisn\'tsheoughttobe.\'
Roger\'sfacegrewdark.Hewasamanwithaconsiderablereserveofstrongpassion,andheaskedhisinformantwhathemeantbyspeakingthus.
Themanexplainedthatshortlyaftertheyoungwoman\'sbereavementastrangerhadcometotheport.Hehadseenhermopingonthequay,hadbeenattractedbyheryouthandloneliness,andinanextraordinarilybriefwooinghadcompletelyfascinatedher——hadcarriedheroff,and,aswasreported,hadmarriedher.Thoughhehadcomebywater,hewassupposedtolivenoverygreatdistanceoffbyland.TheywerelastheardofatOozewood,inUpperWessex,atthehouseofoneWall,atimber-merchant,where,hebelieved,shestillhadalodging,thoughherhusband,ifhewerelawfullythatmuch,wasbutanoccasionalvisitortotheplace.
\'Thestranger?\'askedRoger.\'Didyouseehim?Whatmannerofmanwashe?\'
\'Ilikedhimnot,\'saidtheother.\'Heseemedofthatkindthathathsomethingtoconceal,andashewalkedwithherheeverandanonturnedhisheadandgazedbehindhim,asifhemuchfearedanunwelcomepursuer.But,faith,\'continuedhe,\'itmayhavebeentheman\'sanxietyonly.YetdidInotlikehim.\'
\'Washeolderthanmysister?\'Rogerasked.
\'Ay——mucholder;fromadozentoascoreofyearsolder.Amanofsomeposition,maybe,playinganamorousgameforthepleasureofthehour.Whoknowethbutthathehaveawifealready?Manyhavedonethethinghereaboutsoflate.\'
Havingpaidavisittothegravesofhisrelatives,thesailornextdaywentalongthestraightroadwhich,thenalane,nowahighway,conductedtothecuriouslittleinlandtownnamedbytheHavenpoolman.ItisunnecessarytodescribeOozewoodontheSouth-Avon.Ithasarailwayatthepresentday;butthirtyyearsofsteamtrafficpastitsprecinctshavehardlymodifieditsoriginalfeatures.
Surroundedbyasortoffresh-waterlagoon,dividingitfrommeadowsandcoppice,itsancientthatchandtimberhouseshavebarelymadewayeveninthefrontstreetfortheubiquitousmodernbrickandslate.Itneitherincreasesnordiminishesinsize;itisdifficulttosaywhattheinhabitantsfindtodo,for,thoughtradesinwoodwarearestillcarriedon,therecannotbeenoughofthisclassofworknowadaystomaintainallthehouseholders,theforestsaroundhavingbeensogreatlythinnedandcurtailed.Atthetimeofthistraditiontheforestsweredense,artificersinwoodabounded,andthetimbertradewasbrisk.Everyhouseinthetown,withoutexception,wasofoakframework,filledinwithplaster,andcoveredwiththatch,thechimneybeingtheonlybrickportionofthestructure.InquirysoonbroughtRogerthesailortothedoorofWall,thetimber-dealerreferredto,butitwassometimebeforehewasabletogainadmissiontothelodgingofhissister,thepeoplehavingplainlyreceiveddirectionsnottowelcomestrangers.
Shewassittinginanupperroomononeofthelath-backed,willow-
bottomed\'shepherd\'s\'chairs,madeonthespotthenastothisday,andastheywereprobablymadethereinthedaysoftheHeptarchy.
Inherlapwasaninfant,whichshehadbeensuckling,thoughnowithadfallenasleep;sohadtheyoungmotherherselfforafewminutes,underthedrowsingeffectsofsolitude.Hearingfootstepsonthestairs,sheawoke,startedupwithagladcry,andrantothedoor,openingwhichshemetherbrotheronthethreshold.
\'O,thisismerry;Ididn\'texpect\'ee!\'shesaid.\'Ah,Roger——I
thoughtitwasJohn.\'Hertonesfelltodisappointment.
Thesailorkissedher,lookedathersternlyforafewmoments,andpointingtotheinfant,said,\'Youmeanthefatherofthis?\'
\'Yes,myhusband,\'saidEdith.
\'Ihopeso,\'heanswered.
\'Why,Roger,I\'mmarried——ofatruthamI!\'shecried.
\'Shameupon\'ee,iftrue!Ifnottrue,worse.MasterStockerwasanhonestman,andyeshouldhaverespectedhismemorylonger.Whereisthyhusband?\'
\'Hecomesoften.Ithoughtitwashenow.Ourmarriagehastobekeptsecretforawhile——itwasdoneprivilyforcertainreasons;butwewasmarriedatchurchlikehonestfolk——aforeGodwewere,Roger,sixmonthsafterpoorStocker\'sdeath.\'
\'\'Twastoosoon,\'saidRoger.
\'Iwaslivinginahousealone;Ihadnowheretogoto.YouwerefaroverseaintheNewFoundLand,andJohntookmeandbroughtmehere.\'
\'Howoftendothhecome?\'saysRogeragain.
\'Onceortwiceweekly,\'saysshe.
\'Iwishth\'\'dstwaitedtillIreturned,dearEdy,\'hesaid.\'Itmidbeyouareawife——Ihopeso.But,ifso,whythismystery?Whythismeanandcrampedlodginginthislonelycopse-circledtown?Ofwhatstandingisyourhusband,andofwhere?\'
\'Heisofgentlebreeding——hisnameisJohn.Iamnotfreetotellhisfamily-name.HeissaidtobeofLondon,forsafety\'sake;buthereallylivesinthecountynextadjoiningthis.\'
\'Whereinthenextcounty?\'
\'Idonotknow.Hehaspreferrednottotellme,thatImaynothavethesecretforcedfromme,tohisandmyhurt,bybringingthemarriagetotheearsofhiskinsfolkandfriends.\'
Herbrother\'sfaceflushed.\'Ourpeoplehavebeenhonesttownsmen,well-reputedforlong;whyshouldyoureadilytakesuchhumblingfromasojournerofwhomth\'\'stknownothing?\'
Theyremainedinconstrainedconversetillherquickearcaughtasound,forwhichshemighthavebeenwaiting——ahorse\'sfootfall.
\'ItisJohn!\'saidshe.\'Thisishisnight——Saturday.\'
\'Don\'tbefrightenedlestheshouldfindmehere!\'saidRoger.\'Iamonthepointofleaving.Iwishnottobeathirdparty.Saynothingatallaboutmyvisit,ifitwillincommodeyousotodo.I
willseetheebeforeIgoafloatagain.\'
Speakingthushelefttheroom,anddescendingthestaircaselethimselfoutbythefrontdoor,thinkinghemightobtainaglimpseoftheapproachinghorseman.Butthattravellerhadinthemeantimegonestealthilyroundtothebackofthehomestead,andpeeringalongthepinion-endofthehouseRogerdiscernedhimunbridlingandhalteringhishorsewithhisownhandsintheshedthere.
RogerretiredtotheneighbouringinncalledtheBlackLamb,andmeditated.Thismysteriousmethodofapproachdeterminedhim,afterall,nottoleavetheplacetillhehadascertainedmoredefinitefactsofhissister\'sposition——whethershewerethedeludedvictimofthestrangerorthewifesheobviouslybelievedherselftobe.
Havingeatensomesupper,helefttheinn,itbeingnowabouteleveno\'clock.Hefirstlookedintotheshed,and,findingthehorsestillstandingthere,waitedirresolutelynearthedoorofhissister\'slodging.Halfanhourelapsed,and,whilethinkinghewouldclimbintoalofthardbyforanight\'srest,thereseemedtobeamovementwithintheshuttersofthesitting-roomthathissisteroccupied.
Rogerhidhimselfbehindafaggot-stacknearthebackdoor,rightlydiviningthathissister\'svisitorwouldemergebythewayhehadentered.Thedooropened,andthecandlesheheldinherhandlightedforamomentthestranger\'sform,showingittobethatofatallandhandsomepersonage,aboutfortyyearsofage,andapparentlyofasuperiorpositioninlife.Edithwasassistinghimtocloakhimself,whichbeingdonehetookleaveofherwithakissandleftthehouse.Fromthedoorshewatchedhimbridleandsaddlehishorse,andhavingmountedandwavedanadieutoherasshestoodcandleinhand,heturnedoutoftheyardandrodeaway.
Thehorsewhichborehimwas,orseemedtobe,alittlelame,andRogerfanciedfromthisthattherider\'sjourneywasnotlikelytobealongone.Beinglightoffoothefollowedapace,havingnogreatdifficultyonsuchastillnightinkeepingwithinearshotsomefewmiles,thehorsemanpausingmorethanonce.InthispursuitRogerdiscoveredtheridertochoosebridle-tracksandopencommonsinpreferencetoanyhighroad.Thedistancesoonbegantoproveamoretryingonethanhehadbargainedfor;andwhenoutofbreathandinsomedespairofbeingabletoascertaintheman\'sidentity,heperceivedanassstandinginthestarlightunderahayrick,fromwhichtheanimalwashelpingitselftoperiodicmouthfuls.
ThestorygoesthatRogercaughttheass,mounted,andagainresumedthetrailoftheunconscioushorseman,whichfeatmayhavebeenpossibletoanauticalyoungfellow,thoughonecanhardlyunderstandhowasailorwouldridesuchananimalwithoutbridleorsaddle,andstrangetohishands,unlessthecreaturewereextraordinarilydocile.Thisquestion,however,isimmaterial.SufficeittosaythatatdawnthefollowingmorningRogerbeheldhissister\'sloverorhusbandenteringthegatesofalargeandwell-timberedparkonthesouth-westernvergeoftheWhiteHartForest(asitwasthencalled),nowknowntoeverybodyastheValeofBlackmoor.Thereuponthesailordiscardedhissteed,andfindingforhimselfanobscurerentrancetothesameparkalittlefurtheron,hecrossedthegrasstoreconnoitre.
Hepresentlyperceivedamidthetreesbeforehimamansionwhich,newtohimself,wasoneofthebestknowninthecountyatthattime.Ofthisfinemanorialresidencehardlyatracenowremains;butamanuscriptdatedsomeyearslaterthantheeventsweareregardingdescribesitintermsfromwhichtheimaginationmayconstructasingularlyclearandvividpicture.Thisrecordpresentsitasconsistingof\'afaireyellowfreestonebuilding,partlytwoandpartlythreestoreys;afairehalleandparlour,bothwaynscotted;afairedyningroomeandwithdrawingroome,andmanygoodlodgings;akitchenadjoyningebackwardetooneendofthedwelling-house,withafairepassagefromitintothehalle,parlour,anddyningeroome,andsellarsadjoyninge.
\'Inthefrontofthehouseasquaregreenecourt,andacuriousgatehousewithlodgingsinit,standingwiththefrontofthehousetothesouth;inalargeoutercourtthreestables,acoach-house,alargebarne,andastableforoxenandkyne,andallhousesnecessary.
\'Withoutthegatehouse,paledin,alargesquaregreene,inwhichstandethafairechappell;ofthesouth-eastsideofthegreenecourt,towardstheriver,alargegarden.
\'Ofthesouth-westsideofthegreenecourtisalargebowlinggreene,withfowermountedwalksaboutit,allwalledaboutwithabatteledwall,andsettwithallsortsoffruit;andoutofitintothefeildestherearelargewalksundermanytallelmesorderlyplanted.\'
Thenfollowsadescriptionoftheorchardsandgardens;theservants\'
offices,brewhouse,bakehouse,dairy,pigeon-houses,andcorn-mill;
theriveranditsabundanceoffish;thewarren,thecoppices,thewalks;endingthus-
\'Andallthecountrynorthofthehouse,openchampaign,sandyfeildes,verydryandpleasantforallkindesofrecreation,huntinge,andhawkinge,andprofitblefortillageThehousehathalargeprospecteast,south,andwest,overaverylargeandpleasantvaleisseatedfromthegoodmarketttownsofShertonAbbasthreemiles,andIvelamile,thatplentifullyyieldallmannerofprovision;andwithintwelvemilesofthesouthsea.\'
ItwasonthegrassbeforethisseductiveandpicturesquestructurethatthesailorstoodatgazeundertheelmsinthedimdawnofSundaymorning,andsawtohissurprisehissister\'sloverandhorsevanishwithinthecourtofthebuilding.
Perplexedandweary,Rogerslowlyretreated,morethaneverconvincedthatsomethingwaswronginhissister\'sposition.Hecrossedthebowlinggreentotheavenueofelms,and,bentonfurtherresearch,wasabouttoclimbintooneofthese,when,lookingbelow,hesawaheapofhayapparentlyforhorsesordeer.Intothishecrept,and,havingeatenacrustofbreadwhichhehadhastilythrustintohispocketattheinn,hecurledupandfellasleep,thehayformingacomfortablebed,andquitecoveringhimover.
Hesleptsoundlyandlong,andwasawakenedbythesoundofabell.
Onpeeringfromthehayhefoundthetimehadadvancedtofullday;
thesunwasshiningbrightly.Thebellwasthatofthe\'fairechappell\'onthegreenoutsidethegatehouse,anditwascallingtomatins.Presentlythepriestcrossedthegreentoalittleside-doorinthechancel,andthenfromthegatewayofthemansionemergedthehousehold,thetallmanwhomRogerhadseenwithhissisteronthepreviousnight,onhisarmbeingaportlydame,and,runningbesidethepair,twolittlegirlsandaboy.Theseallenteredthechapel,andthebellhavingceasedandtheenvironsbecomeclear,thesailorcreptoutfromhishiding.
Hesaunteredtowardsthechapel,theopeningwordsoftheservicebeingaudiblewithin.Whilestandingbytheporchhesawabelatedservitorapproachingfromthekitchen-courttoattendtheservicealso.Rogercarelesslyaccostedhim,andasked,asanidlewanderer,thenameofthefamilyhehadjustseencrossoverfromthemansion.
\'Odzounds!ifyemoddenbeastrangerhereinverytruth,goodman.
ThatwerSirJohnandhisdame,andhischildrenElizabeth,Mary,andJohn.\'
\'Ibefromforeignparts.SirJohnwhatd\'yecall\'n?\'
\'MasterJohnHorseleigh,Knight,whohada\'mostasmuchlondbyinheritanceofhismotheras\'ahadbyhisfather,andlikewisesomebyhiswife.Why,bain\'thisarmsdreegooldenhorses\'heads,andiddenhisladythedaughterofMasterRichardPhelipson,ofMontislope,inNetherWessex,knowntousall?\'
\'Itmidbeso,andyetitmidnot.However,th\'\'ltmissthyprayersforsuchanhonestknight\'swelfare,andIhavetotraipseseawardmanymiles.\'
Hewentonward,andashewalkedcontinuedsayingtohimself,\'NowtothatpoorwrongedfoolEdy.Thefondthing!Ithoughtit;\'twastooquick——shewaseveramorous.What\'stobecomeofher!Godwot!HowbeIgoingtofaceherwiththenews,andhowbeItoholditfromher?Tobringthisdisgraceonmyfather\'shonouredname,adouble-
tonguedknave!\'Heturnedandshookhisfistatthechapelandallinit,andresumedhisway.
Perhapsitwasowingtotheperplexityofhismindthat,insteadofreturningbythedirectroadtowardshissister\'sobscurelodginginthenextcounty,hefollowedthehighwaytoCasterbridge,somefifteenmilesoff,whereheremaineddrinkinghardallthatafternoonandevening,andwherehelaythatandtwoorthreesucceedingnights,wanderingthencealongtheAngleburyroadtosomevillagethatway,andlyingtheFridaynightafterathisnativeplaceofHavenpool.Thesightofthefamiliarobjectsthereseemstohavestirredhimanewtoaction,andthenextmorninghewasobservedpursuingthewaytoOozewoodthathehadfollowedontheSaturdayprevious,reckoning,nodoubt,thatSaturdaynightwould,asbefore,beatimeforfindingSirJohnwithhissisteragain.
Hedelayedtoreachtheplacetilljustbeforesunset.Hissisterwaswalkinginthemeadowsatthefootofthegarden,withanursemaidwhocarriedthebaby,andshelookeduppensivelywhenheapproached.Anxietyastoherpositionhadalreadytolduponheroncerosycheeksandlucideyes.ButconcernforherselfandchildwasdisplacedforthemomentbyherregardofRoger\'swornandhaggardface.
\'Why——youaresick,Roger——youaretired!Wherehaveyoubeenthesemanydays?Whynotkeepmecompanyabit——myhusbandismuchaway?
AndwehavehardlyspokeatallofdearfatherandofyourvoyagetotheNewLand.Whydidyougoawaysosuddenly?Thereisasparechamberatmylodging.\'
\'Comeindoors,\'hesaid.\'We\'lltalknow——talkagooddeal.Asforhim[noddingtothechild],betterheavehimintotheriver;betterforhimandyou!\'
Sheforcedalaugh,asifshetriedtoseeagoodjokeintheremark,andtheywentsilentlyindoors.
\'Amiserablehole!\'saidRoger,lookingroundtheroom.
\'Nay,but\'tisverypretty!\'
\'NotafterwhatI\'veseen.Didhemarry\'eeatchurchinorderlyfashion?\'
\'Hedidsure——atourchurchatHavenpool.\'
\'Butinaprivyway?\'
\'Ay——becauseofhisfriends——itwasatnight-time.\'
\'Ede,yefondone——forallthathe\'snotthyhusband!Th\'\'rtnothiswife;andthechildisabastard.Hehathawifeandchildrenofhisownrank,andbearinghisname;andthat\'sSirJohnHorseleigh,ofClyftonHorseleigh,andnotplainJack,asyouthinkhim,andyourlawfulhusband.Thesacramentofmarriageisnosafeguardnowadays.
TheKing\'snew-madeheadshipoftheChurchhathledmentopractisethesetrickslightly.\'
Shehadturnedwhite.\'That\'snottrue,Roger!\'shesaid.\'Youareinliquor,mybrother,andyouknownotwhatyousay!Yourseafaringyearshavetaught\'eebadthings!\'
\'Edith——I\'veseenthem;wifeandfamily——all.Howcanst——\'
Theyweresittinginthegathereddarkness,andatthatmomentstepswereheardwithout.\'Gooutthisway,\'shesaid.\'Itismyhusband.
Hemustnotseetheeinthismood.Getawaytillto-morrow,Roger,asyoucareforme.\'
Shepushedherbrotherthroughadoorleadingtothebackstairs,andalmostassoonasitwasclosedhervisitorentered.Roger,however,didnotretreatdownthestairs;hestoodandlookedthroughthebobbin-hole.IfthevisitorturnedouttobeSirJohn,hehaddeterminedtoconfronthim.
Itwastheknight.Shehadstruckalightonhisentry,andhekissedthechild,andtookEdithtenderlybytheshoulders,lookingintoherface.
\'Something\'sgoneawrywi\'mydear!\'hesaid.\'Whatisit?What\'sthematter?\'
\'O,Jack!\'shecried.\'Ihaveheardsuchafearsomerumour——whatdothitmean?Hewhotoldmeismybestfriend.Hemustbedeceived!Butwhodeceivedhim,andwhy?Jack,Iwasjusttoldthatyouhadawifelivingwhenyoumarriedme,andhaveherstill!\'
\'Awife?——H\'m.\'
\'Yes,andchildren.Sayno,sayno!\'
\'ByGod!Ihavenolawfulwifebutyou;andasforchildren,manyorfew,theyareallbastards,savethisonealone!\'
\'AndthatyoubeSirJohnHorseleighofClyfton?\'
\'Imidbe.Ihaveneversaidsoto\'ee.\'
\'ButSirJohnisknowntohavealady,andissueofher!\'
Theknightlookeddown.\'Howdidthymindgetfilledwithsuchasthis?\'heasked.
\'Oneofmykindredcame.\'
\'Atraitor!Whyshouldhemarourlife?Ah!yousaidyouhadabrotheratsea——whereishenow?\'
\'Here!\'camefromclosebehindhim.Andflingingopenthedoor,Rogerfacedtheintruder.\'Liar!\'hesaid,\'tocallthyselfherhusband!\'
SirJohnfiredup,andmadearushatthesailor,whoseizedhimbythecollar,andinthewrestletheybothfell,Rogerunder.Butinafewsecondshecontrivedtoextricatehisrightarm,anddrawingfromhisbeltaknifewhichheworeattachedtoacordroundhisneckheopeneditwithhisteeth,andstruckitintothebreastofSirJohnstretchedabovehim.Edithhadduringthesemomentsrunintothenextroomtoplacethechildinsafety,andwhenshecamebacktheknightwasrelaxinghisholdonRoger\'sthroat.Herolledoveruponhisbackandgroaned.
Theonlywitnessofthescenesavethethreeconcernedwasthenursemaid,whohadbroughtinthechildonitsfather\'sarrival.ShestatedafterwardsthatnobodysuspectedSirJohnhadreceivedhisdeathwound;yetitwasso,thoughhedidnotdieforalongwhile,meaningtherebyanhourortwo;thatMistressEdithcontinuallyendeavouredtostaunchtheblood,callingherbrotherRogerawretch,andorderinghimtogethimselfgone;onwhichorderheacted,afteragloomypause,byopeningthewindow,andlettinghimselfdownbythesilltotheground.
ItwasthenthatSirJohn,indifficultaccents,madehisdyingdeclarationtothenurseandEdith,and,later,theapothecary;whichwastothispurport,thattheDameHorseleighwhopassedashiswifeatClyfton,andwhohadbornehimthreechildren,wasintruthanddeed,thoughunconsciously,thewifeofanotherman.SirJohnhadmarriedherseveralyearsbefore,inthefaceofthewholecounty,asthewidowofoneDecimusStrong,whohaddisappearedshortlyafterherunionwithhim,havingadventuredtotheNorthtojointherevoltoftheNobles,andonthatrevoltbeingquelledretreatedacrossthesea.Twoyearsago,havingdiscoveredthismantobestilllivinginFrance,andnotwishingtodisturbthemindandhappinessofherwhobelievedherselfhiswife,yetwishingforlegitimateissue,SirJohnhadinformedtheKingofthefacts,whohadencouragedhimtowedhonestly,thoughsecretly,theyoungmerchant\'swidowatHavenpool;
shebeing,therefore,hislawfulwife,andsheonly.Thattoavoidallscandalandhubbubhehadpurposedtoletthingsremainastheyweretillfairopportunityshouldariseofmakingthetruecaseknownwithleastpaintoallpartiesconcerned,butthat,havingbeenthussuspectedandattackedbyhisownbrother-in-law,hiszestforsuchschemesandforallthingshaddiedoutinhim,andheonlywishedtocommendhissoultoGod.
Thatnight,whiletheowlswerehootingfromtheforestthatencircledthesleepingtownlet,andtheSouth-Avonwasgurglingthroughthewoodenpilesofthebridge,SirJohndiedthereinthearmsofhiswife.Sheconcealednothingofthecauseofherhusband\'sdeathsavethesubjectofthequarrel,whichshefeltitwouldbeprematuretoannouncejustthen,anduntilproofofherstatusshouldbeforthcoming.Butbeforeamonthhadpassed,ithappened,toherinexpressiblesorrow,thatthechildofthisclandestineunionfellsickanddied.FromthathourallinterestinthenameandfameoftheHorseleighsforsooktheyoungerofthetwainwhocalledthemselveswivesofSirJohn,and,beingcarelessaboutherownfame,shetooknostepstoassertherclaims,herlegalpositionhaving,indeed,grownhatefultoherinherhorroratthetragedy.AndSirWilliamByrt,thecuratewhohadmarriedhertoherhusband,beinganoldmanandfeeble,wasnotdisinclinedtoleavetheembersunstirredofsuchafierymatterasthis,andtoassistherinlettingestablishedthingsstand.Therefore,Edithretiredwiththenurse,heronlycompanionandfriend,tohernativetown,whereshelivedinabsoluteobscuritytillherdeathinmiddleage.
HerbrotherwasneverseenagaininEngland.
Astrangelycorroborativesequeltothestoryremainstobetold.
ShortlyafterthedeathofSirJohnHorseleigh,asoldieroffortunereturnedfromtheContinent,calledonDameHorseleighthefictitious,livinginwidowedstateatClyftonHorseleigh,and,afterasingularlybriefcourtship,marriedher.ThetraditionatHavenpoolandelsewherehaseverbeenthatthismanwasalreadyherhusband,DecimusStrong,whoremarriedherforappearance\'sakeonly.
TheillegitimatesonofthisladybySirJohnsucceededtotheestatesandhonours,andhissonafterhim,therebeingnobodyonthealerttoinvestigatetheirpretensions.Littledifferencewouldithavemadetothepresentgeneration,however,hadtherebeensuchaone,forthefamilyinallitsbranches,lawfulandunlawful,hasbeenextinctthesemanyscoreyears,thelastrepresentativebutonebeingkilledatthesiegeofShertonCastle,whileattackingintheserviceoftheParliament,andtheotherbeingoutlawedlaterinthesamecenturyforadebtoftenpounds,anddyinginthecountyjail.
Themansionhouseanditsappurtenanceswere,asIhavepreviouslystated,destroyed,exceptingonesmallwing,whichnowformspartofafarmhouse,andisvisibleasyoupassalongtherailwayfromCasterbridgetoIvel.Theoutlineoftheoldbowling-greenisalsodistinctlytobeseen.
This,then,isthereasonwhytheonlylawfulmarriageofSirJohn,asrecordedintheobscureregisteratHavenpool,doesnotappearinthepedigreeofthehouseofHorseleigh.
Spring1893.
THEDUKE\'SREAPPEARANCE——AFAMILYTRADITION
Accordingtothekinsmanwhotoldmethestory,ChristopherSwetman\'shouse,ontheoutskirtsofKing\'s-Hintockvillage,wasinthosedayslargerandbetterkeptthanwhen,manyyearslater,itwassoldtothelordofthemanoradjoining;afterhavingbeenintheSwetmanfamily,asonemaysay,sincetheConquest.
Somepeoplewouldhaveittobethatthethinghappenedatthehouseopposite,belongingtooneChilds,withwhosefamilytheSwetmansafterwardsintermarried.ButthatitwasattheoriginalhomesteadoftheSwetmanscanbeshowninvariousways;chieflybytheunbrokentraditionsofthefamily,andindirectlybytheevidenceofthewallsthemselves,whicharetheonlyonesthereaboutwithwindowsmullionedintheElizabethanmanner,andplainlyofadateanteriortotheevent;whilethoseoftheotherhousemightwellhavebeenerectedfiftyoreightyyearslater,andprobablywere;sincethechoiceofSwetman\'shousebythefugitivewasdoubtlessdictatedbynoothercircumstancethanitsthensuitableloneliness.
ItwasacloudyJulymorningjustbeforedawn,thehouroftwohavingbeenstruckbySwetman\'sone-handedclockonthestairs,thatisstillpreservedinthefamily.Christopherheardthestrokesfromhischamber,immediatelyatthetopofthestaircase,andoverlookingthefrontofthehouse.Hedidnotwonderthathewassleepless.
Therumoursandexcitementswhichhadlatterlystirredtheneighbourhood,totheeffectthattherightfulKingofEnglandhadlandedfromHolland,ataportonlyeighteenmilestothesouth-westofSwetman\'shouse,wereenoughtomakewakefulandanxiousevenacontentedyeomanlikehim.Someofthevillagers,intoxicatedbythenews,hadthrowndowntheirscythes,andrushedtotheranksoftheinvader.ChristopherSwetmanhadweighedbothsidesofthequestion,andhadremainedathome.
Nowashelaythinkingoftheseandotherthingshefanciedthathecouldhearthefootfallofamanontheroadleadinguptohishouse——
abyway,whichledscarceanywhereelse;andthereforeatreadwasatanytimemoreapttostartletheinmatesofthehomesteadthanifithadstoodinathoroughfare.Thefootfallcameoppositethegate,andstoppedthere.Oneminute,twominutespassed,andthepedestriandidnotproceed.ChristopherSwetmangotoutofbed,andopenedthecasement.\'Hoi!who\'sthere?\'crieshe.
\'Afriend,\'camefromthedarkness.
\'Andwhatmidyewantatthistimeo\'night?\'saysSwetman.
\'Shelter.I\'velostmyway.\'
\'What\'sthyname?\'
Therecamenoanswer.
\'BeyeoneofKingMonmouth\'smen?\'
\'Hethatasksnoquestionswillhearnoliesfromme.Iamastranger;andIamspent,andhungered.Canyouletmeliewithyouto-night?\'
Swetmanwasgeneroustopeopleintrouble,andhishousewasroomy.
\'Waitabit,\'hesaid,\'andI\'llcomedownandhavealookatthee,anyhow.\'
Hestruckalight,putonhisclothes,anddescended,takinghishorn-lanternfromanailinthepassage,andlightingitbeforeopeningthedoor.Theraysfellontheformofatall,darkmanincavalryaccoutrementsandwearingasword.Hewaspalewithfatigueandcoveredwithmud,thoughtheweatherwasdry.
\'Pritheetakenoheedofmyappearance,\'saidthestranger.\'Butletmein.\'
Thathisvisitorwasinsoredistressadmittedofnodoubt,andtheyeoman\'snaturalhumanityassistedtheother\'ssadimportunityandgentlevoice.Swetmantookhimin,notwithoutasuspicionthatthismanrepresentedinsomewayMonmouth\'scause,towhichhewasnotunfriendlyinhissecretheart.Athisearnestrequestthenew-comerwasgivenasuitoftheyeoman\'soldclothesinexchangeforhisown,which,withhissword,werehiddeninaclosetinSwetman\'schamber;
foodwasthenputbeforehimandalodgingprovidedforhiminaroomattheback.
Hereheslepttillquitelateinthemorning,whichwasSunday,thesixthofJuly,andwhenhecamedowninthegarmentsthathehadborrowedhemetthehouseholdwithamelancholysmile.BesidesSwetmanhimself,therewereonlyhistwodaughters,GraceandLeonard(thelatterwas,oddlyenough,awoman\'snamehere),andbothhadbeenenjoinedtosecrecy.Theyaskednoquestionsandreceivednoinformation;thoughthestrangerregardedtheirfaircountenanceswithaninterestalmosttoodeep.Havingpartakenoftheirusualbreakfastofhamandciderheprofessedwearinessandretiredtothechamberwhencehehadcome.
Inacoupleofhoursorthereabouthecamedownagain,thetwoyoungwomenhavingnowgoneofftomorningservice.SeeingChristopherbustlingaboutthehousewithoutassistance,heaskedifhecoulddoanythingtoaidhishost.
Asheseemedanxioustohidealldifferencesandappearasoneofthemselves,SwetmansethimtogetvegetablesfromthegardenandfetchwaterfromButtock\'sSpringinthedipnearthehouse(thoughthespringwasnotcalledbythatnametillyearsafter,bytheway).
\'AndwhatcanIdonext?\'saysthestrangerwhentheseserviceshadbeenperformed.
HismeeknessanddocilitystruckChristophermuch,andwonuponhim.
\'Sinceyoubemindedto,\'saysthelatter,\'youcantakedownthedishesandspreadthetablefordinner.Takeapewterplateforthyself,butthetrencherswilldoforwe.\'
Buttheotherwouldnot,andtookatrencherlikewise,indoingwhichhespokeofthetwogirlsandremarkedhowcomelytheywere.
Thisquietudewasputanendtobyastiroutofdoors,whichwassufficienttodrawSwetman\'sattentiontoit,andhewentout.FarmhandswhohadgoneoffandjoinedtheDukeonhisarrivalhadbeguntocomeinwithnewsthatamidnightbattlehadbeenfoughtonthemoorstothenorth,theDuke\'smen,whohadattacked,beingentirelyworsted;theDukehimself,withoneortwolordsandotherfriends,hadfled,nooneknewwhither.
\'Therehasbeenabattle,\'saysSwetman,oncomingindoorsafterthesetidings,andlookingearnestlyatthestranger.
\'Maythevictorybetotherightfulintheend,whatevertheissuenow,\'saystheother,withasorrowfulsigh.
\'Dostreallyknownothingaboutit?\'saidChristopher.\'Icouldhaveswornyouwasonefromthatverybattle!\'
\'Iwasherebeforethreeo\'theclockthismorning;andthesemenhaveonlyarrivednow.\'
\'True,\'saidtheyeoman.\'Butstill,Ithink——\'
\'Donotpressyourquestion,\'thestrangerurged.\'Iaminastrait,andcanrefuseahelpernothing;suchinquiryis,therefore,unfair.\'
\'Trueagain,\'saidSwetman,andheldhistongue.
Thedaughtersofthehousereturnedfromchurch,wheretheservicehadbeenhurriedbyreasonoftheexcitement.Totheirfather\'squestioningiftheyhadspokenofhimwhosojournedtheretheyrepliedthattheyhadsaidneveraword;which,indeed,wastrue,aseventsproved.
Hebadethemservethedinner;and,asthevisitorhadwithdrawnsincethenewsofthebattle,preparedtotakeaplattertohimupstairs.Buthepreferredtocomedownanddinewiththefamily.
Duringtheafternoonmorefugitivespassedthroughthevillage,butChristopherSwetman,hisvisitor,andhisfamilykeptindoors.Intheevening,however,Swetmancameoutfromhisgate,and,harkeninginsilencetothesetidingsandmore,wonderedwhatmightbeinstoreforhimforhislastnight\'swork.
Hereturnedhomewardbyapathacrossthemeadthatskirtedhisownorchard.Passinghere,heheardthevoiceofhisdaughterLeonardexpostulatinginsidethehedge,herwordsbeing:\'Don\'tye,sir;
don\'t!Ipritheeletmego!\'
\'Why,sweetheart?\'
\'BecauseI\'vea-promisedanother!\'
Peepingthrough,ashecouldnothelpdoing,hesawthegirlstrugglinginthearmsofthestranger,whowasattemptingtokissher;butfindingherresistancetobegenuine,andherdistressunfeigned,hereluctantlylethergo.
Swetman\'sfacegrewdark,forhisgirlsweremoretohimthanhimself.Hehastenedon,meditatingmoodilyalltheway.Heenteredthegate,andmadestraightfortheorchard.Whenhereachedithisdaughterhaddisappeared,butthestrangerwasstillstandingthere.
\'Sir!\'saidtheyeoman,hisangerhavinginnowiseabated,\'I\'veseenwhathashappened!Ihavetaken\'eeintomyhouse,atsomejeopardytomyself;and,whoeveryoube,theleastIexpectedof\'eewastotreatthemaidenswithaseemlyrespect.Youhavenotdoneit,andInolongertrustyou.Iamthemorewatchfulovertheminthattheyaremotherless;andImustask\'eetogoafterdarkthisnight!\'
Thestrangerseemeddazedatdiscoveringwhathisimpulsehadbroughtdownuponhishead,andhispalefacegrewpaler.Hedidnotreplyforatime.Whenhedidspeakhissoftvoicewasthickwithfeeling.
\'Sir,\'sayshe,\'IownthatIaminthewrong,ifyoutakethemattergravely.Wedonotwhatwewouldbutwhatwemust.ThoughIhavenotinjuredyourdaughterasawoman,Ihavebeentreacheroustoherasahostessandfriendinneed.I\'llgo,asyousay;Icandonoless.Ishalldoubtlessfindarefugeelsewhere.\'
Theywalkedtowardsthehouseinsilence,whereSwetmaninsistedthathisguestshouldhavesupperbeforedeparting.Bythetimethiswaseatenitwasduskandthestrangerannouncedthathewasready.
Theywentupstairstowherethegarmentsandswordlayhidden,tillthedepartingonesaidthatonfurtherthoughthewouldaskanotherfavour:thatheshouldbeallowedtoretaintheclotheshewore,andthathishostwouldkeeptheothersandtheswordtillhe,thespeaker,shouldcomeorsendforthem.
\'Asyouwill,\'saidSwetman.\'Thegainisonmyside;forthosecloutswerebutkepttodressascarecrownextfall.\'
\'Theysuitmycase,\'saidthestrangersadly.\'Howevermuchtheymaymisfitme,theydonotmisfitmysorryfortunenow!\'
\'Nay,then,\'saidChristopherrelenting,\'Iwastoohasty.Sh\'ltbide!\'
Buttheotherwouldnot,sayingthatitwasbetterthatthingsshouldtaketheircourse.NotwithstandingthatSwetmanimportunedhim,heonlyadded,\'IfInevercomeagain,dowithmybelongingsasyoulist.Inthepocketyouwillfindagoldsnuff-box,andinthesnuff-boxfiftygoldpieces.\'
\'Butkeep\'emforthyuse,man!\'saidtheyeoman.
\'No,\'saysthepartingguest;\'theyareforeignpiecesandwouldharmmeifIweretaken.DoasIbidthee.Putawaythesethingsagainandtakeespecialchargeofthesword.Itbelongedtomyfather\'sfatherandIvalueitmuch.Butsomethingmorecommonbecomesmenow.\'
Sayingwhich,hetook,ashewentdownstairs,oneoftheashsticksusedbySwetmanhimselfforwalkingwith.Theyeomanlightedhimouttothegardenhatch,wherehedisappearedthroughClammersGatebytheroadthatcrossesKing\'s-HintockParktoEvershead.
Christopherreturnedtotheupstairschamber,andsatdownonhisbedreflecting.Thenheexaminedthethingsleftbehind,andsurelyenoughinoneofthepocketsthegoldsnuff-boxwasrevealed,containingthefiftygoldpiecesasstatedbythefugitive.Theyeomannextlookedattheswordwhichitsownerhadstatedtohavebelongedtohisgrandfather.Itwastwo-edged,sothathealmostfearedtohandleit.Onthebladewasinscribedthewords\'ANDREA
FERARA,\'andamongthemanyfinechasingswerearoseandcrown,theplumeofthePrinceofWales,andtwoportraits;portraitsofamanandawoman,theman\'shavingthefaceofthefirstKingCharles,andthewoman\'s,apparently,thatofhisQueen.
Swetman,muchawedandsurprised,returnedthearticlestothecloset,andwentdownstairspondering.Ofhissurmisehesaidnothingtohisdaughters,merelydeclaringtothemthatthegentlemanwasgone;andneverrevealingthathehadbeenaneye-witnessoftheunpleasantsceneintheorchardthatwastheimmediatecauseofthedeparture.
NothingoccurredinHintockduringtheweekthatfollowed,beyondthefitfularrivalofmoredecidedtidingsconcerningtheutterdefeatoftheDuke\'sarmyandhisowndisappearanceatanearlystageofthebattle.ThenitwastoldthatMonmouthwastaken,notinhisownclothesbutinthedisguiseofacountryman.HehadbeensenttoLondon,andwasconfinedintheTower.
ThepossibilitythathisguesthadbeennootherthantheDukemadeSwetmanunspeakablysorrynow;hisheartsmotehimatthethoughtthat,actingsoharshlyforsuchasmallbreachofgoodfaith,hemighthavebeenthemeansofforwardingtheunhappyfugitive\'scapture.Onthegirlscominguptohimhesaid,\'Getawaywithye,wenches:Ifearyouhavebeentheruinofanunfortunateman!\'
OntheTuesdaynightfollowing,whentheyeomanwassleepingasusualinhischamber,hewas,hesaid,consciousoftheentryofsomeone.
Openinghiseyes,hebeheldbythelightofthemoon,whichshoneuponthefrontofhishouse,thefigureofamanwhoseemedtobethestrangermovingfromthedoortowardsthecloset.Hewasdressedsomewhatdifferentlynow,butthefacewasquitethatofhislateguestinitstragicalpensiveness,aswasalsothetallnessofhisfigure.Henearedthecloset;and,feelinghisvisitortobewithinhisrights,Christopherrefrainedfromstirring.ThepersonageturnedhislargehaggardeyesuponthebedwhereSwetmanlay,andthenwithdrewfromtheirhidingthearticlesthatbelongedtohim,againgivingahardgazeatChristopherashewentnoiselesslyoutofthechamberwithhispropertiesonhisarm.Hisretreatdownthestairswasjustaudible,andalsohisdeparturebythesidedoor,throughwhichentranceorexitwaseasytothosewhoknewtheplace.
Nothingfurtherhappened,andtowardsmorningSwetmanslept.Toavoidallriskhesaidnotawordtothegirlsofthevisitofthenight,andcertainlynottoanyoneoutsidethehouse;foritwasdangerousatthattimetoavowanything.
Amongthekilledinopposingtherecentrisinghadbeenayoungerbrotherofthelordofthemanor,wholivedatKing\'s-HintockCourthardby.Seeingthelatterridepastinmourningclothesnextday,Swetmanventuredtocondolewithhim.
\'He\'dnobusinessthere!\'answeredtheother.Hiswordsandmannershowedthebitternessthatwasmingledwithhisregret.\'Butsaynomoreofhim.Youknowwhathashappenedsince,Isuppose?\'
\'IknowthattheysayMonmouthistaken,SirThomas,butIcan\'tthinkittrue,\'answeredSwetman.
\'Ozounds!\'tistrueenough,\'criedtheknight,\'andthat\'snotall.
TheDukewasexecutedonTowerHilltwodaysago.\'
\'D\'yesayitverily?\'saysSwetman.
\'Andaveryharddeathhehad,worseluckfor\'n,\'saidSirThomas.
\'Well,\'tisoverforhimandoverformybrother.Butnotfortherest.There\'llbesearchingsandsiftingsdownhereanon;andhappyisthemanwhohashadnothingtodowiththismatter!\'
NowSwetmanhadhardlyheardthelatterwords,somuchwasheconfoundedbythestrangenessofthetidingsthattheDukehadcometohisdeathonthepreviousTuesday.ForithadbeenonlythenightbeforethispresentdayofFridaythathehadseenhisformerguest,whomhehadceasedtodoubtcouldbeotherthantheDuke,comeintohischamberandfetchawayhisaccoutrementsashehadpromised.
\'Itcouldn\'thavebeenavision,\'saidChristophertohimselfwhentheknighthadriddenon.\'ButI\'llgostraightandseeifthethingsbeintheclosetstill;andthusIshallsurelylearnif\'twereavisionorno.\'
Totheclosethewent,whichhehadnotlookedintosincethestranger\'sdeparture.Andsearchingbehindthearticlesplacedtoconcealthethingshidden,hefoundthat,ashehadneverdoubted,theyweregone.
WhentherumourspreadabroadintheWestthatthemanbeheadedintheTowerwasnotindeedtheDuke,butoneofhisofficerstakenafterthebattle,andthattheDukehadbeenassistedtoescapeoutofthecountry,Swetmanfoundinitanexplanationofwhatsodeeplymystifiedhim.ThathisvisitormighthavebeenafriendoftheDuke\'s,whomtheDukehadaskedtofetchthethingsinalastrequest,Swetmanwouldneveradmit.HisbeliefintherumourthatMonmouthlived,likethatofthousandsofothers,continuedtotheendofhisdays.
Such,briefly,concludedmykinsman,isthetraditionwhichhasbeenhandeddowninChristopherSwetman\'sfamilyforthelasttwohundredyears.
AMEREINTERLUDE
CHAPTERI
Thetravellerinschool-books,whovouchedindryesttonesforthefidelitytofactofthefollowingnarrative,usedtoaddaringoftruthtoitbyopeningwithanicetyofcriticismontheheroine\'spersonality.Peoplewerewrong,hedeclared,whentheysurmisedthatBaptistaTrewthenwasayoungwomanwithscarcelyemotionsorcharacter.Therewasnothinginhertolove,andnothingtohate——soranthegeneralopinion.Thatsheshowedfewpositivequalitieswastrue.Thecoloursandtoneswhichchangingeventspaintonthefacesofactivewomankindwerelookedforinvainuponhers.Butstillwatersrundeep;andnocrisishadcomeintheyearsofherearlymaidenhoodtodemonstratewhatlayhiddenwithinher,likemetalinamine.
ShewasthedaughterofasmallfarmerinSt.Maria\'s,oneoftheIslesofLyonessebeyondOff-Wessex,whohadspentalargesum,asthereunderstood,onhereducation,bysendinghertothemainlandfortwoyears.AtnineteenshewasenteredattheTrainingCollegeforTeachers,andattwenty-onenominatedtoaschoolinthecountry,nearTor-upon-Sea,whithersheproceededaftertheChristmasexaminationandholidays.
Themonthspassedbyfromwintertospringandsummer,andBaptistaappliedherselftohernewdutiesasbestshecould,tillanuneventfulyearhadelapsed.Thenanairofabstractionpervadedherbearingasshewalkedtoandfro,twiceaday,andsheshowedthetraitsofapersonwhohadsomethingonhermind.Awidow,bynameMrs.Wace,inwhosehouseBaptistaTrewthenhadbeenprovidedwithasitting-roomandbedroomtilltheschool-houseshouldbebuilt,noticedthischangeinheryouthfultenant\'smanner,andatlastventuredtopressherwithafewquestions.
\'Ithasnothingtodowiththeplace,norwithyou,\'saidMissTrewthen.
\'Thenitisthesalary?\'
\'No,northesalary.\'
\'Thenitissomethingyouhaveheardfromhome,mydear.\'
Baptistawassilentforafewmoments.\'ItisMr.Heddegan,\'shemurmured.\'HimtheyusedtocallDavidHeddeganbeforehegothismoney.\'
\'AndwhoistheMr.HeddegantheyusedtocallDavid?\'
\'AnoldbacheloratGiant\'sTown,St.Maria\'s,withnorelationswhatever,wholivesaboutastone\'sthrowfromfather\'s.WhenIwasachildheusedtotakemeonhiskneeandsayhe\'dmarrymesomeday.NowIamawomanthejesthasturnedearnest,andheisanxioustodoit.AndfatherandmothersaysIcan\'tdobetterthanhavehim.\'
\'He\'swelloff?\'
\'Yes——he\'stherichestmanweknow——asafriendandneighbour.\'
\'Howmucholderdidyousayhewasthanyourself?\'
\'Ididn\'tsay.Twentyyearsatleast.\'
\'Andanunpleasantmaninthebargainperhaps?\'
\'No——he\'snotunpleasant.\'
\'Well,child,allIcansayisthatI\'dresistanysuchengagementifit\'snotpalatableto\'ee.Youarecomfortablehere,inmylittlehouse,Ihope.Alltheparishlike\'ee:andI\'veneverbeensocheerful,sincemypoorhusbandleftmetowearhiswings,asI\'vebeenwith\'eeasmylodger.\'
Theschoolmistressassuredherlandladythatshecouldreturnthesentiment.\'Butherecomesmyperplexity,\'shesaid.\'Idon\'tlikekeepingschool.Ah,youaresurprised——youdidn\'tsuspectit.
That\'sbecauseI\'veconcealedmyfeeling.Well,Isimplyhateschool.Idon\'tcareforchildren——theyareunpleasant,troublesomelittlethings,whomnothingwoulddelightsomuchastohearthatyouhadfallendowndead.YetIwouldevenputupwiththemifitwasnotfortheinspector.ForthreemonthsbeforehisvisitIdidn\'tsleepsoundly.AndtheCommitteeofCouncilarealwayschangingtheCode,sothatyoudon\'tknowwhattoteach,andwhattoleaveuntaught.Ithinkfatherandmotherareright.TheysayIshallneverexcelasaschoolmistressifIdisliketheworkso,andthatthereforeIoughttogetsettledbymarryingMr.Heddegan.Betweenustwo,Ilikehimbetterthanschool;butIdon\'tlikehimquitesomuchastowishtomarryhim.\'
Theseconversations,oncebegun,werecontinuedfromdaytoday;tillatlengththeyounggirl\'selderlyfriendandlandladythrewinheropiniononthesideofMissTrewthen\'sparents.Allthingsconsidered,shedeclared,theuncertaintyoftheschool,thelabour,Baptista\'snaturaldislikeforteaching,itwouldbeaswelltotakewhatfateoffered,andmakethebestofmattersbyweddingherfather\'soldneighbourandprosperousfriend.
TheEasterholidayscameround,andBaptistawenttospendthemasusualinhernativeisle,goingbytrainintoOff-WessexandcrossingbypacketfromPen-zephyr.WhenshereturnedinthemiddleofAprilherfaceworeamoresettledaspect.
\'Well?\'saidtheexpectantMrs.Wace.
\'Ihaveagreedtohavehimasmyhusband,\'saidBaptista,inanoff-
handway.\'Heavenknowsifitwillbeforthebestornot.ButI
haveagreedtodoit,andsothematterissettled.\'
Mrs.Wacecommendedher;butBaptistadidnotcaretodwellonthesubject;sothatallusiontoitwasveryinfrequentbetweenthem.
Nevertheless,amongotherthings,sherepeatedtothewidowfromtimetotimeinmonosyllabicremarksthattheweddingwasreallyimpending;thatitwasarrangedforthesummer,andthatshehadgivennoticeofleavingtheschoolattheAugustholidays.Lateronsheannouncedmorespecificallythathermarriagewastotakeplaceimmediatelyafterherreturnhomeatthebeginningofthemonthaforesaid.
ShenowcorrespondedregularlywithMr.Heddegan.Herlettersfromhimwereseen,atleastontheoutside,andinpartwithin,byMrs.
Wace.HadshereadmoreoftheirinteriorsthantheoccasionalsentencesshownherbyBaptistashewouldhaveperceivedthatthescratchy,rustyhandwritingofMissTrewthen\'sbetrothedconveyedlittlemorematterthandetailsoftheirfuturehousekeeping,andhispreparationsforthesame,withinnumerable\'mydears\'sprinkledindisconnectedly,toshowthedepthofhisaffectionwithouttheinconveniencesofsyntax.
CHAPTERII
ItwastheendofJuly——dry,toodry,evenfortheseason,thedelicategreenherbsandvegetablesthatgrewinthisfavouredendofthekingdomtastingratherofthewatering-potthanofthepurefreshmoisturefromtheskies.Baptista\'sboxeswerepacked,andoneSaturdaymorningshedepartedbyawaggonettetothestation,andthencebytraintoPen-zephyr,fromwhichportshewas,asusual,tocrossthewaterimmediatelytoherhome,andbecomeMr.Heddegan\'swifeontheWednesdayoftheweekfollowing.
Shemighthavereturnedaweeksooner.Butthoughtheweddingdayhadloomedsonear,andthebannswereout,shedelayedherdeparturetillthislastmoment,sayingitwasnotnecessaryforhertobeathomelongbeforehand.AsMr.Heddeganwasolderthanherself,shesaid,shewastobemarriedinherordinarysummerbonnetandgreysilkfrock,andtherewerenopreparationstomakethathadnotbeenamplymadebyherparentsandintendedhusband.
Induetime,afterahotandtediousjourney,shereachedPen-zephyr.
Shehereobtainedsomerefreshment,andthenwenttowardsthepier,whereshelearnttohersurprisethatthelittlesteamboatplyingbetweenthetownandtheislandshadleftateleveno\'clock;theusualhourofdepartureintheafternoonhavingbeenforestalledinconsequenceofthefogswhichhadforafewdaysprevailedtowardsevening,makingtwilightnavigationdangerous.
ThisbeingSaturday,therewasnownootherboattillTuesday,anditbecameobviousthathereshewouldhavetoremainforthethreedays,unlessherfriendsshouldthinkfittorigoutoneoftheisland\'
sailing-boatsandcometofetchher——anotverylikelycontingency,theseadistancebeingnearlyfortymiles.
Baptista,however,hadbeendetainedinPen-zephyronmorethanoneoccasionbefore,eitheronaccountofbadweatherorsomesuchreasonasthepresent,andshewasthereforenotinanypersonalalarm.
But,asshewastobemarriedonthefollowingWednesday,thedelaywascertainlyinconvenienttoamorethanordinarydegree,sinceitwouldleavelessthanaday\'sintervalbetweenherarrivalandtheweddingceremony.
Apartfromthisawkwardnessshedidnotmuchmindtheaccident.Itwasindeedcurioustoseehowlittlesheminded.Perhapsitwouldnotbetoomuchtosaythat,althoughshewasgoingtodothecriticaldeedofherlifequitewillingly,sheexperiencedanindefinablereliefatthepostponementofhermeetingwithHeddegan.
Buthermanneraftermakingdiscoveryofthehindrancewasquietandsubdued,eventopassivityitself;aswasinstancedbyherhaving,atthemomentofreceivinginformationthatthesteamerhadsailed,replied\'Oh,\'socoollytotheporterwithherluggage,thathewasalmostdisappointedatherlackofdisappointment.
Thequestionnowwas,shouldshereturnagaintoMrs.Wace,inthevillageofLowerWessex,orwaitinthetownatwhichshehadarrived.Shewouldhavepreferredtogoback,butthedistancewastoogreat;moreover,havinglefttheplaceforgood,andsomewhatdramatically,tobecomeabride,areturn,evenforsoshortaspace,wouldhavebeenatriflehumiliating.
Leaving,then,herboxesatthestation,hernextanxietywastosecurearespectable,orrathergenteel,lodginginthepopularseasideresortconfrontingher.Tothisendshelookedaboutthetown,inwhich,thoughshehadpassedthroughithalf-a-dozentimes,shewaspracticallyastranger.
Baptistafoundaroomtosuitheroverafruiterer\'sshop;whereshemadeherselfathome,andsetherselfinorderafterherjourney.Anearlycupofteahavingrevivedherspiritsshewalkedouttoreconnoitre.
Beingaschoolmistresssheavoidedlookingattheschools,andhavingasortoftradeconnectionwithbooks,sheavoidedlookingatthebooksellers;butwearyingoftheothershopssheinspectedthechurches;notthatforherownpartshecaredmuchaboutecclesiasticaledifices;buttouristslookedatthem,andsowouldshe——aproceedingforwhichnoonewouldhavecreditedherwithanygreatoriginality,such,forinstance,asthatshesubsequentlyshowedherselftopossess.Thechurchessoonoppressedher.ShetriedtheMuseum,butcameoutbecauseitseemedlonelyandtedious.
Yetthetownandthewalksinthislandofstrawberries,theseheadquartersofearlyEnglishflowersandfruit,werethen,asalways,attractive.Fromthemorepicturesquestreetsshewenttothetowngardens,andthePier,andtheHarbour,andlookedatthemenatworkthere,loadingandunloadingasinthetimeofthePhoenicians.
\'NotBaptista?Yes,Baptistaitis!\'
Thewordswereutteredbehindher.Turningroundshegaveastart,andbecameconfused,evenagitated,foramoment.Thenshesaidinherusualundemonstrativemanner,\'O——isitreallyyou,Charles?\'
Withoutspeakingagainatonce,andwithahalf-smile,thenew-comerglancedherover.Therewasmuchcriticism,andsomeresentment——
eventemper——inhiseye.
\'Iamgoinghome,\'continuedshe.\'ButIhavemissedtheboat.\'
Hescarcelyseemedtotakeinthemeaningofthisexplanation,intheintensityofhiscriticalsurvey.\'Teachingstill?Whatafineschoolmistressyoumake,Baptista,Iwarrant!\'hesaidwithaslightflavourofsarcasm,whichwasnotlostuponher.
\'IknowIamnothingtobragof,\'shereplied.\'That\'swhyIhavegivenup.\'
\'O——givenup?Youastonishme.\'
\'Ihatetheprofession.\'
\'Perhapsthat\'sbecauseIaminit.\'
\'Ono,itisn\'t.ButIamgoingtoenteronanotherlifealtogether.
IamgoingtobemarriednextweektoMr.DavidHeddegan.\'
Theyoungman——fortifiedashewasbyanaturalcynicalprideandpassionateness——wincedatthisunexpectedreply,notwithstanding.
\'WhoisMr.DavidHeddegan?\'heasked,asindifferentlyaslayinhispower.
SheinformedhimthebearerofthenamewasageneralmerchantofGiant\'sTown,St.Maria\'sisland——herfather\'snearestneighbourandoldestfriend.
\'Thenweshan\'tseeanythingmoreofyouonthemainland?\'inquiredtheschoolmaster.
\'O,Idon\'tknowaboutthat,\'saidMissTrewthen.
\'Hereendeththecareerofthebelleoftheboarding-schoolyourfatherwasfoolishenoughtosendyouto.A\"generalmerchant\'s\"
wifeintheLyonesseIsles.Willyousellpoundsofsoapandpennyworthsoftintacks,orwholebarsofsaponaceousmatter,andgreattenpennynails?\'
\'He\'snotinsuchasmallwayasthat!\'shealmostpleaded.\'Heownsships,thoughtheyareratherlittleones!\'
\'O,well,itismuchthesame.Come,letuswalkon;itistedioustostandstill.Ithoughtyouwouldbeafailureineducation,\'hecontinued,whensheobeyedhimandstrolledahead.\'Younevershowedpowerthatway.Youremindmemuchofsomeofthosewomenwhothinktheyaresuretobegreatactressesiftheygoonthestage,becausetheyhaveaprettyface,andforgetthatwhatwerequireisacting.
Butyoufoundyourmistake,didn\'tyou?\'
\'Don\'ttauntme,Charles.\'Itwasnoticeablethattheyoungschoolmaster\'stonecausedhernoangerorretaliatorypassion;farotherwise:therewasatearinhereye.\'HowisityouareatPen-
zephyr?\'sheinquired.
