\'WewereoutintheEastwhenIwrotetohim.Everythinghadseemedtogowrongwithme.Justaftermyletterhadgonewewereorderedhome.That\'showitisyouseemehere.AssoonaswegotintobarracksatCasterbridgeIheardo\'thisDamnme!I\'lldaretofollowmyfather,andmakeawaywithmyself,too.Itistheonlythinglefttodo!\'
\'Don\'tyeberash,LukeHolway,Isayagain;buttrytomakeamendsbyyourfuturelife.Andmaybeyourfatherwillsmileasmiledownfromheavenupon\'eefor\'t.\'
Heshookhishead.\'Idon\'tknowaboutthat!\'heansweredbitterly.
\'Tryandbeworthyofyourfatherathisbest.\'Tisnottoolate.\'
\'D\'yethinknot?Ifancyitis!Well,I\'llturnitover.
Thankyouforyourgoodcounsel.I\'llliveforonething,atanyrate.I\'llmovefather\'sbodytoadecentChristianchurchyard,ifI
doitwithmyownhands.Ican\'tsavehislife,butIcangivehimanhonourablegrave.Heshan\'tlieinthisaccursedplace!\'
\'Ay,asourpa\'sonsays,\'tisabarbarouscustomtheykeepupatSidlinch,andoughttobedoneawaywi\'.Themana\'oldsoldier,too.Yousee,ourpa\'sonisnotlikeyoursatSidlinch.\'
\'Hesaysitisbarbarous,doeshe?Soitis!\'criedthesoldier.
\'Nowhearken,myfriends.\'Thenheproceededtoinquireiftheywouldincreasehisindebtednesstothembyundertakingtheremoval,privately,ofthebodyofthesuicidetothechurchyard,notofSidlinch,aparishhenowhated,butofChalk-Newton.Hewouldgivethemallhepossessedtodoit.
LotaskedEzraCattstockwhathethoughtofit.
Cattstock,the\'celloplayer,whowasalsothesexton,demurred,andadvisedtheyoungsoldiertosoundtherectoraboutitfirst.\'Midbehewouldobject,andyet\'amid\'nt.Thepa\'sono\'Sidlinchisahardman,Iownye,and\'asaidiffolkwillkilltheirselvesinhotbloodtheymusttaketheconsequences.Butoursdon\'tthinklikethatatall,andmightallowit.\'
\'What\'shisname?\'
\'ThehonourableandreverentMr.Oldham,brothertoLordWessex.Butyouneedn\'tbeafeardo\'enonthataccount.He\'lltalkto\'eelikeacommonman,ifsobeyouhaven\'thadenoughdrinktogie\'eebadbreath.\'
\'O,thesameasformerly.I\'llaskhim.Thankyou.Andthatdutydone——\'
\'Whatthen?\'
\'There\'swarinSpain.Ihearournextmoveisthere.I\'lltrytoshowmyselftobewhatmyfatherwishedme.Idon\'tsupposeIshall——
butI\'lltryinmyfeebleway.ThatmuchIswear——hereoverhisbody.SohelpmeGod.\'
Lukesmackedhispalmagainstthewhitehand-postwithsuchforcethatitshook.\'Yes,there\'swarinSpain;andanotherchanceformetobeworthyoffather.\'
Sothematterendedthatnight.Thattheprivateactedinonethingashehadvowedtodosoonbecameapparent,forduringtheChristmasweektherectorcameintothechurchyardwhenCattstockwasthere,andaskedhimtofindaspotthatwouldbesuitableforthepurposeofsuchaninterment,addingthathehadslightlyknownthelatesergeant,andwasnotawareofanylawwhichforbadehimtoassenttotheremoval,theletteroftherulehavingbeenobserved.ButashedidnotwishtoseemmovedbyoppositiontohisneighbouratSidlinch,hehadstipulatedthattheactofcharityshouldbecarriedoutatnight,andasprivatelyaspossible,andthatthegraveshouldbeinanobscurepartoftheenclosure.\'Youhadbetterseetheyoungmanaboutitatonce,\'addedtherector.
ButbeforeEzrahaddoneanythingLukecamedowntohishouse.Hisfurloughhadbeencutshort,owingtonewdevelopmentsofthewarinthePeninsula,andbeingobligedtogobacktohisregimentimmediately,hewascompelledtoleavetheexhumationandreintermenttohisfriends.Everythingwaspaidfor,andheimploredthemalltoseeitcarriedoutforthwith.
Withthisthesoldierleft.ThenextdayEzra,onthinkingthematterover,againwentacrosstotherectory,struckwithsuddenmisgiving.Hehadrememberedthatthesergeanthadbeenburiedwithoutacoffin,andhewasnotsurethatastakehadnotbeendriventhroughhim.Thebusinesswouldbemoretroublesomethantheyhadatfirstsupposed.
\'Yes,indeed!\'murmuredtherector.\'Iamafraiditisnotfeasibleafterall.\'
Thenexteventwasthearrivalofaheadstonebycarrierfromthenearesttown;tobeleftatMr.EzraCattstock\'s;allexpensespaid.
Thesextonandthecarrierdepositedthestoneintheformer\'southouse;andEzra,leftalone,putonhisspectaclesandreadthebriefandsimpleinscription:-
HERELYETHTHEBODYOFSAMUELHOLWAY,LATESERGEANTINHISMAJESTY\'S——
DREGIMENTOFFOOT,WHODEPARTEDTHISLIFEDECEMBERTHE20TH,180.
ERECTEDBYL.H.
\'IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHYSON.\'
Ezraagaincalledattheriversiderectory.\'Thestoneiscome,sir.
ButI\'mafeardwecan\'tdoitnohow.\'
\'Ishouldliketoobligehim,\'saidthegentlemanlyoldincumbent.
\'AndIwouldforegoallfeeswillingly.Still,ifyouandtheothersdon\'tthinkyoucancarryitout,Iamindoubtwhattosay.\'
Well,sir;I\'vemadeinquiryofaSidlinchwomanastohisburial,andwhatIthoughtseemstrue.Theyburiedenwi\'anewsix-foothurdle-sauldrough\'sbody,fromthesheep-penupinNorthEweleasethoughtheywon\'towntoitnow.Andthequestionis,Isthemovingworthwhile,consideringtheawkwardness?\'
\'Haveyouheardanythingmoreoftheyoungman?\'
EzrahadonlyheardthathehadembarkedthatweekforSpainwiththerestoftheregiment.\'Andifhe\'sasdesperateas\'aseemed,weshallneverseehimhereinEnglandagain.\'
\'Itisanawkwardcase,\'saidtherector.
Ezratalkeditoverwiththechoir;oneofwhomsuggestedthatthestonemightbeerectedatthecrossroads.Thiswasregardedasimpracticable.Anothersaidthatitmightbesetupinthechurchyardwithoutremovingthebody;butthiswasseentobedishonest.Sonothingwasdone.
TheheadstoneremainedinEzra\'southousetill,growingtiredofseeingitthere,heputitawayamongthebushesatthebottomofhisgarden.Thesubjectwassometimesrevivedamongthem,butitalwaysendedwith:\'Consideringhow\'awasburied,wecanhardlymakeajobo\'t.\'
TherewasalwaystheconsciousnessthatLukewouldnevercomeback,animpressionstrengthenedbythedisasterswhichwererumouredtohavebefallenthearmyinSpain.Thistendedtomaketheirinertnesspermanent.TheheadstonegrewgreenasitlayonitsbackunderEzra\'sbushes;thenatreebytheriverwasblowndown,and,fallingacrossthestone,crackeditinthreepieces.Ultimatelythepiecesbecameburiedintheleavesandmould.
LukehadnotbeenbornaChalk-Newtonman,andhehadnorelationsleftinSidlinch,sothatnotidingsofhimreachedeithervillagethroughoutthewar.ButafterWaterlooandthefallofNapoleontherearrivedatSidlinchonedayanEnglishsergeant-majorcoveredwithstripesand,asitturnedout,richinglory.ForeignservicehadsototallychangedLukeHolwaythatitwasnotuntilhetoldhisnamethattheinhabitantsrecognizedhimasthesergeant\'sonlyson.
HehadservedwithunswervingeffectivenessthroughthePeninsularcampaignsunderWellington;hadfoughtatBusaco,Fuentesd\'Onore,CiudadRodrigo,Badajoz,Salamanca,Vittoria,QuatreBras,andWaterloo;andhadnowreturnedtoenjoyamorethanearnedpensionandreposeinhisnativedistrict.
HehardlystayedinSidlinchlongerthantotakeamealonhisarrival.ThesameeveninghestartedonfootoverthehilltoChalk-
Newton,passingthehand-post,andsayingasheglancedatthespot,\'ThankGod:he\'snotthere!\'Nightfallwasapproachingwhenhereachedthelattervillage;buthemadestraightforthechurchyard.
Onhisenteringitthereremainedlightenoughtodiscerntheheadstonesby,andthesehenarrowlyscanned.Butthoughhesearchedthefrontpartbytheroad,andthebackpartbytheriver,whathesoughthecouldnotfind——thegraveofSergeantHolway,andamemorialbearingtheinscription:\'IAMNOTWORTHYTOBECALLEDTHY
SON.\'
Heleftthechurchyardandmadeinquiries.Thehonourableandreverendoldrectorwasdead,andsoweremanyofthechoir;butbydegreesthesergeant-majorlearntthathisfatherstilllayatthecross-roadsinLongAshLane.
Lukepursuedhiswaymoodilyhomewards,todowhich,inthenaturalcourse,hewouldbecompelledtorepassthespot,therebeingnootherroadbetweenthetwovillages.Buthecouldnotnowgobythatplace,vociferouswithreproachesinhisfather\'stones;andhegotoverthehedgeandwandereddeviouslythroughtheploughedfieldstoavoidthescene.ThroughmanyafightandfatigueLukehadbeensustainedbythethoughtthathewasrestoringthefamilyhonourandmakingnobleamends.Yethisfatherlaystillindegradation.Itwasratherasentimentthanafactthathisfather\'sbodyhadbeenmadetosufferforhisownmisdeeds;buttohissuper-sensitivenessitseemedthathiseffortstoretrievehischaracterandtopropitiatetheshadeoftheinsultedonehadendedinfailure.
Heendeavoured,however,toshakeoffhislethargy,and,notlikingtheassociationsofSidlinch,hiredasmallcottageatChalk-Newtonwhichhadlongbeenempty.Herehelivedalone,becomingquiteahermit,andallowingnowomantoenterthehouse.
TheChristmasaftertakinguphisabodehereinhewassittinginthechimneycornerbyhimself,whenheheardfaintnotesinthedistance,andsoonamelodyburstforthimmediatelyoutsidehisownwindow,itcamefromthecarol-singers,asusual;andthoughmanyoftheoldhands,EzraandLotincluded,hadgonetotheirrest,thesameoldcarolswerestillplayedoutofthesameoldbooks.Thereresoundedthroughthesergeant-major\'swindow-shuttersthefamiliarlinesthatthedeceasedchoirhadrenderedoverhisfather\'sgrave:-
Hecomes\'thepri\'-sonersto\'re-lease\',InSa\'-tan\'sbon\'-dageheld\'.
Whentheyhadfinishedtheywentontoanotherhouse,leavinghimtosilenceandlonelinessasbefore.
Thecandlewantedsnuffing,buthedidnotsnuffit,andhesatontillithadburntdownintothesocketandmadewavesofshadowontheceiling.
TheChristmascheerfulnessofnextmorningwasbrokenatbreakfast-
timebytragicintelligencewhichwentdownthevillagelikewind.
Sergeant-MajorHolwayhadbeenfoundshotthroughtheheadbyhisownhandatthecross-roadsinLongAshLanewherehisfatherlayburied.
Onthetableinthecottagehehadleftapieceofpaper,onwhichhehadwrittenhiswishthathemightbeburiedattheCrossbesidehisfather.Butthepaperwasaccidentallyswepttothefloor,andoverlookedtillafterhisfuneral,whichtookplaceintheordinarywayinthechurchyard.
Christmas1897.
ENTERADRAGOON
Ilatelyhadamelancholyexperiencesaidthegentlemanwhoisanswerableforthetruthofthisstory.ItwasthatofgoingoveradoomedhousewithwhoseoutsideaspectIhadlongbeenfamiliar——ahouse,thatis,whichbyreasonofageanddilapidationwastobepulleddownduringthefollowingweek.Someofthethatch,brownandrottenasthegillsofoldmushrooms,had,indeed,beenremovedbeforeIwalkedoverthebuilding.Seeingthatitwasonlyaverysmallhouse——whichisusuallycalleda\'cottage-residence\'——situatedinaremotehamlet,andthatitwasnotmorethanahundredyearsold,ifsomuch,Iwasledtothinkinmyprogressthroughthehollowrooms,withtheircrackedwallsandslopingfloors,whatanexceptionalnumberofabruptfamilyincidentshadtakenplacetherein——toreckononlythosewhichhadcometomyownknowledge.
AndnodoubtthereweremanymoreofwhichIhadneverheard.
Itstoodatthetopofagardenstretchingdowntothelaneorstreetthatranthroughahermit-groupofdwellingsinMellstockparish.
Fromagreengateatthelowerentrance,overwhichthethornhedgehadbeenshapedtoanarchbyconstantclippings,agravelpathascendedbetweentheboxedgesofoncetrimraspberry,strawberry,andvegetableplots,towardsthefrontdoor.Thiswasincolouranancientandbleachedgreenthatcouldberubbedoffwiththefinger,anditboreasmalllong-featuredbrassknockercoveredwithverdigrisinitscrevices.Forsomeyearsbeforethiseveofdemolitionthehomesteadhaddegenerated,andbeendividedintotwotenementstoserveascottagesforfarmlabourers;butinitsprimeithadindisputableclaimtobeconsideredneat,pretty,andgenteel.
Thevarietyofincidentsabovealludedtowasmainlyowingtothenatureofthetenure,wherebytheplacehadbeenoccupiedbyfamiliesnotquiteofthekindcustomaryinsuchspots——peoplewhosecircumstances,position,orantecedentsweremoreorlessofacriticalhappy-go-luckycast.AndoftheseresidentsthefamilywhosetermcomprisedthestoryIwishtorelatewasthatofMr.JacobPaddockthemarket-gardener,whodweltthereforsomeyearswithhiswifeandgrown-updaughter.
I
Anevidentcommotionwasagitatingthepremises,whichjerkedbusysoundsacrossthefrontplot,resemblingthoseofadisturbedhive.
Ifamemberofthehouseholdappearedatthedooritwaswithacountenanceofabstractionandconcern.
Eveningbegantobendoverthescene;andtheotherinhabitantsofthehamletcameouttodrawwater,theircommonwellbeinginthepublicroadoppositethegardenandhouseofthePaddocks.Havingwounduptheirbucketsfullrespectivelytheylingered,andspokesignificantlytogether.Fromtheirwordsanycasuallistenermighthavegatheredinformationofwhathadoccurred.
Thewoodmanwholivednearestthesiteofthestorytoldmostofthetale.Selina,thedaughterofthePaddocksopposite,hadbeensurprisedthatafternoonbyreceivingaletterfromheronceintendedhusband,thenacorporal,butnowasergeant-majorofdragoons,whomshehadhithertosupposedtobeoneoftheslainintheBattleoftheAlmatwoorthreeyearsbefore.
\'Shepickedupwi\'enagainstherfather\'swish,asweknow,andbeforehegothisstripes,\'theirinformantcontinued.\'Notbutthatthemanwasasheartyafellerasyou\'dmeetthissideo\'London.
ButJacob,yousee,wishedhertodobetter,andonecanunderstandit.However,shewasdeterminedtosticktohimatthattime;andforwhathappenedshewasnotmuchtoblame,sonearastheyweretomatrimonywhenthewarbrokeoutandspoiledall.\'
\'Eventheverypighadbeenkilledforthewedding,\'saidawoman,\'andthebarrelo\'beerorderedin.O,themanmeanthonourableenough.Buttobeoffintwodaystofightinaforeigncountry——
\'twasnaturalofherfathertosaytheyshouldwaittillhegotback.\'
\'Andhenevercame,\'murmuredoneintheshade.
\'Thewarendedbuthermanneverturnedupagain.Shewasnotsurehewaskilled,butwastooproud,ortootimid,togoandhuntforhim.\'
\'Onereasonwhyherfatherforgaveherwhenhefoundouthowmattersstoodwas,ashesaidplainatthetime,thathelikedtheman,andcouldseethathemeanttoactstraight.Sotheoldfolksmadethebestofwhattheycouldn\'tmend,andkepthertherewith\'em,whensomewouldn\'t.Timehasprovedseeminglythathedidmeantoactstraight,nowthathehaswrittoherthathe\'scoming.She\'dhavestucktohimallthroughthetime,\'tismybelief;ift\'otherhadn\'tcomealong.\'
\'Atthetimeofthecourtship,\'resumedthewoodman,\'theregimentwasquarteredinCasterbridgeBarracks,andheandshegotacquaintedbyhiscallingtobuyapenn\'orthofrathe-ripesoffthattreeyonderinherfather\'sorchard——though\'twassaidheseedHERoverhedgeaswellastheapples.Hedeclared\'twasakindofapplehemuchfancied;andhecalledforapenn\'ortheverydaytillthetreewascleared.Itendedinhiscallingforher.\'
\'\'Twasathousandpitiestheydidn\'tjineupatonceandha\'donewi\'
it.
\'Well;betterlatethannever,ifsobehe\'llhavehernow.But,Lord,she\'dthatfaithin\'enthatshe\'dnomorebeliefthathewasalive,whena\'didn\'tcome,thanthattheundermostmaninourchurchyardwasalive.She\'dneverhavethoughtofanotherbutforthat——Ono!\'
\'\'Tisawkward,altogether,forhernow.\'
\'Stillshehadn\'tmarriedwi\'thenewman.Thoughtobesureshewouldhavecommitteditnextweek,eventhelicencebeinggot,theysay,forshe\'dhavenobannsthistime,thefirstbeingsounfortunate.\'
\'Perhapsthesergeant-majorwillthinkhe\'sreleased,andgoashecame.\'
\'O,notasIreckon.Soldiersbain\'tparticular,andshe\'satidypieceo\'furniturestill.Whatwillhappenisthatshe\'llhavehersoldier,andbreakoffwiththemaster-wheelwright,licenceorno——
dazemeifshewon\'t.\'
Intheprogressofthesedesultoryconjecturestheformofanotherneighbouraroseinthegloom.Shenoddedtothepeopleatthewell,whoreplied\'G\'dnight,Mrs.Stone,\'asshepassedthroughMr.
Paddock\'sgatetowardshisdoor.Shewasanintimatefriendofthelatter\'shousehold,andthegroupfollowedherwiththeireyesupthepathandpastthewindows,whichwerenowlightedupbycandlesinside.
II
Mrs.Stonepausedatthedoor,knocked,andwasadmittedbySelina\'smother,whotookhervisitoratonceintotheparlouronthelefthand,whereatablewaspartlyspreadforsupper.Onthe\'beaufet\'
againstthewallstoodprobablytheonlyobjectwhichwouldhaveattractedtheeyeofalocalstrangerinanotherwiseordinarilyfurnishedroom,agreatplum-cakeguardedasifitwereacuriositybyaglassshadeofthekindseeninmuseums——square,withawoodenbacklikethoseenclosingstuffedspecimensofrarefeatherorfur.
Thiswasthemummyofthecakeintendedinearlierdaysforthewedding-feastofSelinaandthesoldier,whichhadbeenreligiouslyandlovinglypreservedbytheformerasatestimonytoherintentionalrespectabilityinspiteofanuntowardsubsequentcircumstance,whichwillbementioned.Thisrelicwasnowasdryasabrick,andseemedtobelongtoapre-existentcivilization.Tillquiterecently,Selinahadbeeninthehabitofpausingbeforeitdaily,andrecallingtheaccidentwhoseconsequenceshadthrownashadowoverherlifeeversince——thatofwhichthewater-drawershadspoken——thesuddennewsonemorningthattheRoutehadcomeforthe——
thDragoons,twodaysonlybeingtheintervalbeforedeparture;thehurriedconsultationastowhatshouldbedone,thesecondtimeofaskingbeingpastbutnotthethird;andthedecisionthatitwouldbeunwisetosolemnizematrimonyinsuchhaphazardcircumstances,evenifitwerepossible,whichwasdoubtful.
Beforethefiretheyoungwomaninquestionwasnowseatedonalowstool,inthestillnessofreverie,andatoddlingboyplayedabouttheflooraroundher.
\'Ah,Mrs.Stone!\'saidSelina,risingslowly.\'Howkindofyoutocomein.You\'llbidetosupper?Motherhastoldyouthestrangenews,ofcourse?\'
\'No.ButIhearditoutside,thatis,thatyou\'dhadaletterfromMr.Clark——Sergeant-MajorClark,astheysayheisnow——andthathe\'scomingtomakeitupwith\'ee.\'
\'Yes;comingto-night——allthewayfromthenorthofEnglandwherehe\'squartered.Idon\'tknowwhetherI\'mhappyor——frightenedatit.
OfcourseIalwaysbelievedthatifhewasalivehe\'dcomeandkeephissolemnvowtome.Butwhenitisprintedthatamaniskilled——
whatcanyouthink?\'
\'ItWASprinted?\'
\'Why,yes.AftertheBattleoftheAlmathebookofthenamesofthekilledandwoundedwasnailedupagainstCasterbridgeTownHalldoor.
\'TwasonaSaturday,andIwalkedthereo\'purposetoreadandseeformyself;forI\'dheardthathisnamewasdown.Therewasacrowdofpeopleroundthebook,lookingforthenamesofrelations;andI
canmindthatwhentheysawmetheymadewayforme——knowingthatwe\'dbeenjustgoingtobemarried——andthat,asyoumaysay,I
belongedtohim.Well,Ireachedupmyarm,andturnedoverthefarrelsofthebook,andunderthe\"killed\"Ireadhissurname,butinsteadof\"John\"they\'dprinted\"James,\"andIthought\'twasamistake,andthatitmustbehe.Whocouldhaveguessedthereweretwonearlyofonenameinoneregiment.\'
\'Well——he\'scomingtofinishtheweddingof\'eeasmaybesaid;sonevermind,mydear.All\'swellthatendswell.\'
\'That\'swhatheseemstosay.ButthenhehasnotheardyetaboutMr.Miller;andthat\'swhatratherterrifiesme.Luckilymymarriagewithhimnextweekwastohavebeenbylicence,andnotbanns,asinJohn\'scase;anditwasnotsowellknownonthataccount.Still,I
don\'tknowwhattothink.\'
\'Everythingseemstocomejust\'twixtcupandlipwith\'ee,don\'titnow,MissPaddock.Twoweddingsbrokeoff——\'tisodd!HowcameyoutoacceptMr.Miller,mydear?\'
\'He\'sbeensogoodandfaithful!Notmindingaboutthechildatall;
forheknewtherightsofthestory.He\'sdearlyfondo\'Johnny,youknow——justasif\'twerehisown——isn\'the,myduck?DoMr.Millerloveyouordon\'the?\'
\'Iss!An\'IloveMr.Miller,\'saidthetoddler.
\'Well,yousee,Mrs.Stone,hesaidhe\'dmakemeacomfortablehome;
andthinking\'twouldbeagoodthingforJohnny,Mr.Millerbeingsomuchbetteroffthanme,Iagreedatlast,justasawidowmight——
whichiswhatIhavealwaysfeltmyself;eversinceIsawwhatI
thoughtwasJohn\'snameprintedthere.IhopeJohnwillforgiveme!\'
\'Sohewillforgive\'ee,since\'twasnomannerofwrongtohim.Heoughttohavesent\'eealine,saying\'twasanotherman.\'
Selina\'smotherentered.\'We\'venotknownofthisanhour,Mrs.
Stone,\'shesaid.\'TheletterwasbroughtupfromLowerMellstockPost-officebyoneoftheschoolchildren,onlythisafternoon.Mr.
Millerwascomingherethisverynighttosettleabouttheweddingdoings.Hark!Isthatyourfather?OrisitMr.Milleralreadycome?\'
Thefootstepsenteredtheporch;therewasabrushingonthemat,andthedooroftheroomsprungbacktodisclosearubicundmanaboutthirtyyearsofage,ofthrivingmaster-mechanicappearanceandobviouslycomfortabletemper.Onseeingthechild,andbeforetakinganynoticewhateveroftheelders,thecomermadeanoiselikethecrowingofacockandflappedhisarmsasiftheywerewings,amethodofentrywhichhadtheunqualifiedadmirationofJohnny.
\'Yes——itishe,\'saidSelinaconstrainedlyadvancing.
\'What——wereyoualltalkingaboutme,mydear?\'saidthegenialyoungmanwhenhehadfinishedhiscrowingandresumedhumanmanners.\'Whywhat\'sthematter,\'hewenton.\'Youlookstruckallofaheap.\'
Mr.Millerspreadanaspectofconcernoverhisownface,anddrewachairuptothefire.
\'Omother,wouldyoutellMr.Miller,ifhedon\'tknow?\'
\'MISTERMiller!andgoingtobemarriedinsixdays!\'heinterposed.
\'Ah——hedon\'tknowityet!\'murmuredMrs.Paddock.
\'Knowwhat?\'
\'Well——JohnClark——nowSergeant-MajorClark——wasn\'tshotatAlmaafterall.\'Twasanotherofalmostthesamename.\'
\'Nowthat\'sinteresting!Therewereseveralcaseslikethat.\'
\'Andhe\'shomeagain;andhe\'scominghereto-nighttoseeher.\'
\'WhatevershallIsay,thathemaynotbeoffendedwithwhatI\'vedone?\'interposedSelina.
\'Butwhyshoulditmatterifhebe?\'
\'O!Imustagreetobehiswifeifheforgivesme——ofcourseI
must.\'
\'Must!Butwhynotsaynay,Selina,evenifhedoforgive\'ee?\'
\'Ono!HowcanIwithoutbeingwicked?Youwereveryverykind,Mr.
Miller,toaskmetohaveyou;noothermanwouldhavedoneitafterwhathadhappened;andIagreed,eventhoughIdidnotfeelhalfsowarmasIought.Yetitwasentirelyowingtomybelievinghiminthegrave,asIknewthatifhewerenothewouldcarryouthispromise;andthisshowsthatIwasrightintrustinghim.\'
\'YesHemustbeagoodishsortoffellow,\'saidMr.Miller,foramomentsoimpressedwiththeexcellentlyfaithfulconductofthesergeant-majorofdragoonsthathedisregardeditseffectuponhisownposition.Hesighedslowlyandadded,\'Well,Selina,\'tisforyoutosay.Iloveyou,andIlovetheboy;andthere\'smychimney-
cornerandstickso\'furniturereadyfor\'eeboth.\'
\'Yes,Iknow!ButImustn\'thearitanymorenow,\'murmuredSelinaquickly.\'Johnwillbeheresoon.Ihopehe\'llseehowitallwaswhenItellhim.IfsobeIcouldhavewrittenittohimitwouldhavebeenbetter.\'
\'Youthinkhedoesn\'tknowasinglewordaboutourhavingbeenonthebrinko\'t.Butperhapsit\'stheotherway——he\'sheardofitandthatmayhavebroughthim.
\'Ah——perhapshehas!\'shesaidbrightening.\'Andalreadyforgivesme.\'
\'Ifnot,speakoutstraightandfair,andtellhimexactlyhowitfellout.Ifhe\'samanhe\'llseeit.\'
\'Ohe\'samantrueenough.ButIreallydothinkIshan\'thavetotellhimatall,sinceyou\'veputittomethatway!\'
AsitwasnowJohnny\'sbedtimehewascarriedupstairs,andwhenSelinacamedownagainhermotherobservedwithsomeanxiety,\'I
fancyMr.Clarkmustbeheresoonifhe\'scoming;andthatbeingso,perhapsMr.Millerwouldn\'tmind——wishingusgood-night!sinceyouaresodeterminedtosticktoyoursergeant-major.\'Alittlebitternessbubbledamidtheclosingwords.\'Itwouldbelessawkward,Mr.Millernotbeinghere——ifhewillallowmetosayit.\'
\'Tobesure;tobesure,\'themaster-wheelwrightexclaimedwithinstantconviction,risingalertlyfromhischair.\'Lordblessmysoul,\'hesaid,takinguphishatandstick,\'andwetohavebeenmarriedinsixdays!ButSelina——you\'reright.Youdobelongtothechild\'sfathersincehe\'salive.I\'lltrytomakethebestofit.\'
BeforethegenerousMillerhadgotfurthertherecameaknocktothedooraccompaniedbythenoiseofwheels.
\'IthoughtIheardsomethingdrivingup!\'saidMrsPaddock.
TheyheardMr.Paddock,whohadbeensmokingintheroomopposite,riseandgotothedoor,andinamomentavoicefamiliarenoughtoSelinawasaudiblysaying,\'AtlastIamhereagain——notwithoutmanyinterruptions!Howisitwith\'ee,Mr.Paddock?Andhowisshe?
Thoughtnevertoseemeagain,Isuppose?\'
Astepwithaclinkofspursinitstruckupontheentryfloor.
\'DangedifIbain\'tcatched!\'murmuredMr.Miller,forgettingcompany-speech.\'Nevermind——Imayaswellmeethimhereaselsewhere;andIshouldliketoseethechap,andmakefriendswithen,asheseemsoneo\'therightsort.\'Hereturnedtothefireplacejustasthesergeant-majorwasusheredin.
III
Hewasagoodspecimenofthelong-servicesoldierofthosedays;anotunhandsomeman,withacertainundemonstrativedignity,whichsomemighthavesaidtobepartlyowingtothestiffnessofhisuniformabouthisneck,thehighstockbeingstillworn.HewasmuchstouterthanwhenSelinahadpartedfromhim.Althoughshehadnotmeanttobedemonstrativesheranacrosstohimdirectlyshesawhim,andheheldherinhisarmsandkissedher.
Theninmuchagitationshewhisperedsomethingtohim,atwhichheseemedtobemuchsurprised.
\'He\'sjustputtobed,\'shecontinued.\'Youcangoupandseehim.
Iknewyou\'dcomeifyouwerealive!ButIhadquitegi\'dyouupfordead.You\'vebeenhomeinEnglandeversincethewarended?\'
\'Yes,dear.\'
\'Whydidn\'tyoucomesooner?\'
\'That\'sjustwhatIaskmyself!WhywasIsuchasappyasnottohurryherethefirstdayIsetfootonshore!Well,who\'dhavethoughtit——youareasprettyasever!\'
Herelinquishedhertopeepupstairsalittleway,where,bylookingthroughtheballusters,hecouldseeJohnny\'scotjustwithinanopendoor.OnhissteppingdownagainMr.Millerwaspreparingtodepart.
\'Now,what\'sthis?IamsorrytoseeanybodygoingthemomentI\'vecome,\'expostulatedthesergeant-major.\'Ithoughtwemightmakeaneveningofit.There\'saninegalloncasko\'\"Phoenix\"beeroutsideinthetrap,andaham,andhalfarawmil\'cheese;forIthoughtyoumightbeshorto\'forageinalonelyplacelikethis;anditstruckmewemightliketoaskinaneighbourortwo.Butperhapsitwouldbetakingaliberty?\'
\'Ono,notatall,\'saidMr.Paddock,whowasnowintheroom,inajudicialmeasuredmanner.\'Verythoughtfulof\'ee,only\'twasnotnecessary,forwehadjustlaidinanextrystockofeatablesanddrinkablesinpreparationforthecomingevent.\'
\'\'Twasverykind,uponmyheart,\'saidthesoldier,\'tothinkmeworthsuchajocundpreparation,sinceyoucouldonlyhavegotmyletterthismorning.\'
Selinagazedatherfathertostophim,andexchangedembarrassedglanceswithMiller.ContrarytoherhopesSergeant-MajorClarkplainlydidnotknowthatthepreparationsreferredtowereforsomethingquiteotherthanhisownvisit.
Themovementofthehorseoutside,andtheimpatienttappingofawhip-handleuponthevehicleremindedthemthatClark\'sdriverwasstillinwaiting.Theprovisionswerebroughtintothehouse,andthecartdismissed.Miller,withverylittlepressureindeed,acceptedaninvitationtosupper,andafewneighbourswereinducedtocomeintomakeupacheerfulparty.
Duringthelayingofthemeal,andthroughoutitscontinuance,Selina,whosatbesideherfirstintendedhusband,triedfrequentlytobreakthenewstohimofherengagementtotheother——nowterminatedsosuddenly,andsohappilyforherheart,andhersenseofwomanlyvirtue.Butthetalkranentirelyuponthelatewar;andthoughfortifiedbyhalfahornofthestrongalebroughtbythesergeant-majorshedecidedthatshemighthaveabetteropportunitywhensupperwasoverofrevealingthesituationtohiminprivate.
Havingsupped,Clarkleanedbackateaseinhischairandlookedaround.\'Weusedsometimestohaveadanceinthatotherroomaftersupper,Selinadear,Irecollect.Weusedtoclearoutallthefurnitureintothisroombeforebeginning.Haveyoukeptupsuchgoingson?\'
\'No,notatall!\'saidhissweetheart,sadly.
\'Wewerenotunlikelytoreviveitinafewdays,\'saidMr.Paddock.
\'But,howsomever,there\'sseeminglymanyaslip,asthesayingis.\'
\'Yes,I\'lltellJohnallaboutthatbyandby!\'interposedSelina;atwhich,perceivingthatthesecretwhichhedidnotlikekeepingwastobekeptevenyet,herfatherheldhistonguewithsomeshowoftestiness.
Thesubjectofadancehavingbeenbroached,toputthethoughtinpracticewasthefeelingofall.Soonafterthetablesandchairswerebornefromtheoppositeroomtothisbyzealoushands,andtwoofthevillagerssenthomeforafiddleandtambourine,whenthemajoritybegantotreadameasurewellknowninthatsecludedvale.
Selinanaturallydancedwiththesergeant-major,notaltogethertoherfather\'ssatisfaction,andtotherealuneasinessofhermother,bothofwhomwouldhavepreferredapostponementoffestivitiestilltherashlyanticipatedrelationshipbetweentheirdaughterandClarkinthepasthadbeenmadefactbythechurch\'sordinances.Theydidnot,however,expressapositiveobjection,Mr.Paddockremembering,withself-reproach,thatitwasowingtohisoriginalstronglyexpresseddisapprovalofSelina\'sbeingasoldier\'swifethattheweddinghadbeendelayed,andfinallyhindered——withworseconsequencesthanwereexpected;andeversincethemisadventurebroughtaboutbyhisgovernmenthehadallowedeventstosteertheirowncourses.
\'Mytailswillsurelycatchinyourspurs,John!\'murmuredthedaughterofthehouse,asshewhirledarounduponhisarmwiththeraptsoulandlookofasomnambulist.\'Ididn\'tknowweshoulddance,orIwouldhaveputonmyotherfrock.\'
\'I\'lltakecare,mylove.We\'vedancedherebefore.Doyouthinkyourfatherobjectstomenow?I\'veriseninrank.Ifancyhe\'sstillalittleagainstme.\'
\'Hehasrepented,timesenough.\'
\'AndsohaveI!IfIhadmarriedyouthen\'twouldhavesavedmanyamisfortune.IhavesometimesthoughtitmighthavebeenpossibletorushtheceremonythroughsomehowbeforeIleft;thoughwewereonlyinthesecondasking,werewe?AndevenifIhadcomebackstraightherewhenwereturnedfromtheCrimea,andmarriedyouthen,howmuchhappierIshouldhavebeen!\'
\'DearJohn,tosaythat!Whydidn\'tyou?\'
\'O——dilatorinessandwantofthought,andafearoffacingyourfatheraftersolong.Iwasinhospitalagreatwhile,youknow.
Buthowfamiliartheplaceseemsagain!What\'sthatIsawonthebeaufetintheotherroom?Itneverusedtobethere.Asortofwitheredcorpseofacake——notanoldbride-cakesurely?\'
\'Yes,John,ours.\'Tistheveryonethatwasmadeforourweddingthreeyearsago.\'
\'Sakesalive!Why,timeshutsuptogether,andallbetweenthenandnowseemsnottohavebeen!Whatbecameofthatwedding-gownthattheyweremakinginthisroom,Iremember——abluish,whitish,frothything?\'
\'Ihavethattoo.\'
\'Really!Why,Selina——\'
\'Yes!\'
\'Whynotputitonnow?\'
\'Wouldn\'titseem.Andyet,OhowIshouldliketo!Itwouldremindthemall,ifwetoldthemwhatitwas,howwereallymeanttobemarriedonthatbygoneday!\'Hereyeswereagainladenwithwet.
\'YesThepitythatwedidn\'t——thepity!\'Moodymournfulnessseemedtoholdsilentawhileonenotnaturallytaciturn.\'Well——willyou?\'hesaid.
\'Iwill——thenextdance,ifmotherdon\'tmind.\'
Accordingly,justbeforethenextfigurewasformed,Selinadisappeared,andspeedilycamedownstairsinacreasedandbox-worn,butstillairyandpretty,muslingown,whichwasindeedtheveryonethathadbeenmeanttograceherasabridethreeyearsbefore.
\'Itisdreadfullyold-fashioned,\'sheapologized.
\'Notatall.Whatagrandthoughtofmine!Now,let\'sto\'tagain.\'
Sheexplainedtosomeofthem,asheledhertotheseconddance,whatthefrockhadbeenmeantfor,andthatshehadputitonathisrequest.Andagainathwartandaroundtheroomtheywent.
\'Youseemthebride!\'hesaid.
\'ButIcouldn\'twearthisgowntobemarriedinnow!\'shereplied,ecstatically,\'orIshouldn\'thaveputitonandmadeitdusty.Itisreallytooold-fashioned,andsofoldedandfrettedout,youcan\'tthink.Thatwaswithmytakingitoutsomanytimestolookat.I
haveneverputiton——never——tillnow!\'
\'Selina,Iamthinkingofgivingupthearmy.WillyouemigratewithmetoNewZealand?I\'veanuncleouttheredoingwell,andhe\'dsoonhelpmetomakingalargerincome.TheEnglisharmyisglorious,butitain\'taltogetherenriching.\'
\'Ofcourse,anywherethatyoudecideupon.IsithealthythereforJohnny?\'
\'Alovelyclimate.AndIshallneverbehappyinEnglandAha!\'
heconcludedagain,withabitternessofunexpectedstrength,\'wouldtoHeavenIhadcomestraightbackhere!\'
Asthedancebroughtroundoneneighbourafteranotherthere-unitedpairwerethrownintojuxtapositionwithBobHeartallamongtherestwhohadbeencalledin;onewhosechronicexpressionwasthathecarriedinsidehimajokeonthepointofburstingwithitsownvastness.Hetookoccasionnowtoletoutalittleofitsquality,shakinghisheadatSelinaasheaddressedherinanundertone-
\'Thisisabitofatoppertothebridegroom,hoho!\'Twillteachenthelibertyyou\'llexpectwhenyou\'vemarrieden!\'
\'Whatdoeshemeanbya\"topper,\"\'thesergeant-majorasked,who,notbeingoflocalextraction,despisedthevenerablelocallanguage,andalsoseemedtosuppose\'bridegroom\'tobeananticipatorynameforhimself.\'IonlyhopeIshallneverbeworsetreatedthanyou\'vetreatedmeto-night!\'
Selinalookedfrightened.\'Hedidn\'tmeanyou,dear,\'shesaidastheymovedon.\'Wethoughtperhapsyouknewwhathadhappened,owingtoyourcomingjustatthistime.Hadyou——heardanythingabout——
whatIintended?\'
\'Notabreath——howshouldI——awayupinYorkshire?ItwasbythemerestaccidentthatIcamejustatthisdatetomakepeacewithyouformydelay.\'
\'IwasengagedtobemarriedtoMr.BartholomewMiller.That\'swhatitis!Iwouldhavelet\'eeknowbyletter,buttherewasnotime,onlyhearingfrom\'eethisafternoonYouwon\'tdesertmeforit,willyou,John?Because,asyouknow,Iquitesupposedyoudead,and——and——\'Hereyeswerefulloftearsoftrepidation,andhemighthavefeltasobheavingwithinher.
IV
Thesoldierwassilentduringtwoorthreedoublebarsofthetune.
\'WhenwereyoutohavebeenmarriedtothesaidMr.BartholomewMiller?\'heinquired.
\'Quitesoon.\'
\'Howsoon?\'
\'Nextweek——Oyes——justthesameasitwaswithyouandme.There\'sastrangefateofinterruptionhangingoverme,Isometimesthink!
Hehadboughtthelicence,whichIpreferredsothatitmightn\'tbelike——ours.Butitmadenodifferencetothefateofit.\'
\'Hadboughtthelicence!Thedevil!\'
\'Don\'tbeangry,dearJohn.Ididn\'tknow!\'
\'No,no,I\'mnotangry.\'
\'Itwassokindofhim,considering!\'
\'YesIsee,ofcourse,hownaturalyouractionwas——neverthinkingofseeingmeanymore!IsittheMr.Millerwhoisinthisdance?\'
\'Yes.\'
ClarkglancedrounduponBartholomewandwassilentagain,forsomelittlewhile,andshestolealookathim,tofindthatheseemedchanged.\'John,youlookill!\'shealmostsobbed.\'\'Tisn\'tme,isit?\'
\'Odear,no.ThoughIhadn\'t,somehow,expectedit.Ican\'tfindfaultwithyouforamoment——andIdon\'tThisisadeuceofalongdance,don\'tyouthink?We\'vebeenatittwentyminutesifasecond,andthefiguredoesn\'tallowonemuchrest.I\'mquiteoutofbreath.\'
\'Theylikethemsodreadfullylonghere.Shallwedropout?OrI\'llstopthefiddler.\'
\'Ono,no,IthinkIcanfinish.ButalthoughIlookhealthyenoughIhaveneverbeensostrongasIformerlywas,sincethatlongillnessIhadinthehospitalatScutari.\'
\'AndIknewnothingaboutit!\'
\'Youcouldn\'t,dear,asIdidn\'twrite.WhatafoolIhavebeenaltogether!\'Hegaveatwitch,asofoneinpain.\'Iwon\'tdanceagainwhenthisoneisover.ThefactisIhavetravelledalongwayto-day,anditseemstohaveknockedmeupabit.\'
Therecouldbenodoubtthatthesergeant-majorwasunwell,andSelinamadeherselfmiserablebystillbelievingthatherstorywasthecauseofhisailment.Suddenlyhesaidinachangedvoice,andsheperceivedthathewaspalerthanever:\'Imustsitdown.\'
Lettinggoherwaisthewentquicklytotheotherroom.Shefollowed,andfoundhiminthenearestchair,hisfacebentdownuponhishandsandarms,whichwererestingonthetable.
\'What\'sthematter?\'saidherfather,whosattheredozingbythefire.
\'Johnisn\'twellWearegoingtoNewZealandwhenwearemarried,father.Alovelycountry!John,wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink?\'
\'Adropo\'thatSchiedamofoldOwlett\'s,that\'sunderstairs,perhaps,\'suggestedherfather.\'Notthatnowadays\'tismuchbetterthanlicensedliquor.\'
\'John,\'shesaid,puttingherfaceclosetohisandpressinghisarm.
\'Willyouhaveadropofspiritsorsomething?\'
Hedidnotreply,andSelinaobservedthathisearandthesideofhisfacewerequitewhite.Convincedthathisillnesswasserious,agrowingdismayseizedholdofher.Thedanceended;hermothercamein,andlearningwhathadhappened,lookednarrowlyatthesergeant-
major.
\'Wemustnotlethimlielikethat,lifthimup,\'shesaid.\'Lethimrestinthewindow-benchonsomecushions.\'
Theyunfoldedhisarmsandhandsastheylayclaspeduponthetable,andonliftinghisheadfoundhisfeaturestobeartheveryimpressofdeathitself.BartholomewMiller,whohadnowcomein,assistedMr.Paddocktomakeacomfortablecouchinthewindow-seat,wheretheystretchedoutClarkuponhisback.
Stillheseemedunconscious.\'Wemustgetadoctor,\'saidSelina.
\'O,mydearJohn,howisityoubetakenlikethis?\'
\'Myimpressionisthathe\'sdead!\'murmuredMr.Paddock.\'Hedon\'tbreatheenoughtomoveatomtit\'sfeather.\'
Therewereplentytovolunteertogoforadoctor,butasitwouldbeatleastanhourbeforehecouldgettherethecaseseemedsomewhathopeless.Thedancing-partyendedasunceremoniouslyasithadbegun;buttheguestslingeredroundthepremisestillthedoctorshouldarrive.Whenhedidcomethesergeant-major\'sextremitieswerealreadycold,andtherewasnodoubtthatdeathhadovertakenhimalmostatthemomentthathehadsatdown.
ThemedicalpractitionerquiterefusedtoaccepttheunhappySelina\'stheorythatherrevelationhadinanywayinducedClark\'ssuddencollapse.Bothheandthecoronerafterwards,whofoundtheimmediatecausetobeheart-failure,heldthatsuchasuppositionwasunwarrantedbyfacts.Theyassertedthatalongday\'sjourney,ahurrieddrive,andthenanexhaustingdance,weresufficientforsucharesultuponaheartenfeebledbyfattydegenerationaftertheprivationsofaCrimeanwinterandothertryingexperiences,thecoincidenceofthesadeventwithanydisclosureofhersbeingapureaccident.
Thisconclusion,however,didnotdislodgeSelina\'sopinionthattheshockofherstatementhadbeentheimmediatestrokewhichhadfelledaconstitutionsoundermined.
V
AtthisdatetheCasterbridgeBarrackswerecavalryquarters,theiradaptationtoartilleryhavingbeeneffectedsomeyearslater.Ithadbeenowingtothefactthatthe——thDragoons,inwhichJohnClarkhadserved,happenedtobelyingtherethatSelinamadehisacquaintance.AtthetimeofhisdeaththebarrackswereoccupiedbytheScotsGreys,butwhenthepatheticcircumstancesofthesergeant-
major\'sendbecameknowninthetowntheofficersoftheGreysofferedtheservicesoftheirfinereedandbrassband,thathemighthaveafuneralmarkedbyduemilitaryhonours.Hisbodywasaccordinglyremovedtothebarracks,andcarriedthencetothechurchyardintheDurnoverquarteronthefollowingafternoon,oneoftheGreys\'mostancientanddocilechargersbeingblackeduptorepresentClark\'shorseontheoccasion.
EverybodypitiedSelina,whosestorywaswellknown.Shefollowedthecorpseastheonlymourner,Clarkhavingbeenwithoutrelationsinthispartofthecountry,andacommunicationwithhisregimenthavingbroughtnonefromadistance.Shesatinalittleshabbybrown-blackmourningcarriage,squeezingherselfupinacornertobeasmuchaspossibleoutofsightduringtheslowanddramaticmarchthroughthetowntothetunefromSaul.Whentheintermenthadtakenplace,thevolleysbeenfired,andthereturnjourneybegun,itwaswithsomethinglikeashockthatshefoundthemilitaryescorttobemovingataquickmarchtothelivelystrainsof\'Offshegoes!\'asifallcareforthesergeant-majorwasexpectedtobeendedwiththelatedischargeofthecarbines.Itwas,bychance,theverytunetowhichtheyhadbeenfootingwhenhedied,andunabletobearitsnotes,shehastilytoldherdrivertodropbehind.ThebandandmilitarypartydiminisheduptheHighStreet,andSelinaturnedoverSwanbridgeandhomewardtoMellstock.
Thenrecommencedforheralifewhoseincidentswerepreciselyofasuitwiththosewhichhadprecededthesoldier\'sreturn;buthowdifferentinherappreciationofthem!Hernarrowmissoftherecoveredrespectabilitytheyhadhopedforfromthattardyeventworkeduponherparentsasanirritant,andafterthefirstweekortwoofhermourningherlifewiththemgrewalmostinsupportable.
Shehadimpulsivelytakentoherselftheweedsofawidow,forsuchsheseemedtoherselftobe,andclothedlittleJohnnyinsableslikewise.Thisassumptionofamoralrelationshiptothedeceased,whichsheassertedtobeonlynotalegalonebytwomostunexpectedaccidents,ledtheoldpeopletoindulgeinsarcasmatherexpensewhenevertheybeheldherattire,thoughallthewhileitcostthemmorepaintoutterthanitgavehertohearit.Havingbecomeaccustomedbyherresidenceathometothebusinesscarriedonbyherfather,shesurprisedthemonedaybygoingoffwiththechildtoChalk-Newton,inthedirectionofthetownofIvell,andopeningaminiaturefruitandvegetableshop,attendingIvellmarketwithherproduce.Herbusinessgrewsomewhatlarger,anditwassoonsufficienttoenablehertosupportherselfandtheboyincomfort.
Shecalledherself\'Mrs.JohnClark\'fromthedayofleavinghome,andpaintedthenameonhersignboard——nomanforbiddingher.
Bydegreesthepainofherstatewasforgotteninhernewcircumstances,andgettingtobegenerallyacceptedasthewidowofasergeant-majorofdragoons——anassumptionwhichhermodestandmournfuldemeanourseemedtosubstantiate——herlifebecameaplacidone,hermindbeingnourishedbythemelancholyluxuryofdreamingwhatmighthavebeenherfutureinNewZealandwithJohn,ifhehadonlylivedtotakeherthere.HeronlytravelsnowwereajourneytoIvellonmarket-days,andonceafortnighttothechurchyardinwhichClarklay,theretotend,withJohnny\'sassistance,aswidowsarewonttodo,theflowersshehadplanteduponhisgrave.
Onadayabouteighteenmonthsafterhisunexpecteddecease,SelinawassurprisedinherlodgingoverherlittleshopbyavisitfromBartholomewMiller.Hehadcalledonheronceortwicebefore,onwhichoccasionshehadusedwithoutawordofcommentthenamebywhichshewasknown.
\'I\'vecomethistime,\'hesaid,\'lessbecauseIwasinthisdirectionthantoaskyou,Mrs.Clark,whatyoumidwellguess.I\'vecomeo\'
purpose,inshort.\'
Shesmiled.
\'\'Tistoaskmeagaintomarryyou?\'