’Yes；’tisthewayIhave。’Hefurtherloweredhistone，asiftheyhadbeenoldfriends，thoughinrealityhehadonlyseenherthreeorfourtimes。’Andhowdidyoucometobehere？Dashmywig，I
don’tliketoseeaniceyoungladylikeyouinthiscompany。YoushouldcometosomeofouryeomanryspreesinCasterbridgeorShottsford-Forum。O，butthegirlsdocome！Theyeomanryarerespectedmen，menofgoodsubstantialfamilies，manyfarmingtheirownland；andeveryoneamongusrideshisowncharger，whichismorethanthesecussedfellowsdo。’Henoddedtowardsthedragoons。
’Hush，hush！Why，thesearefriendsandneighboursofMillerLoveday，andheisagreatfriendofours——ourbestfriend，’saidAnnewithgreatemphasis，andreddeningatthesenseofinjusticetotheirhost。’Whatareyouthinkingof，talkinglikethat？Itisungenerousinyou。’
’Ha，ha！I’veaffrontedyou。Isn’tthatit，fairangel，fair——whatdoyoucallit？——fairvestal？Ah，well！wouldyouwassafeinmyownhouse！Buthonourmustbemindednow，notcourting。Rollicum-
rorum，tol-lol-lorum。Pardonme，mysweet，Ilikeye！Itmaybeacomedownforme，owningland；butIdolikeye。’