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