PrefatoryNoteAChangedManTheWaitingSupperAlicia\'sDiaryTheGravebytheHandpostEnteraDragoonATrystatanAncientEarthworkWhattheShepherdSawACommitteeManof\'TheTerror\'
MasterJohnHorseleigh,KnightTheDuke\'sReappearanceAMereInterludePREFATORYNOTE
Ireprintinthisvolume,forwhattheymaybeworth,adozenminornovelsthathavebeenpublishedintheperiodicalpressatvariousdatesinthepast,inordertorenderthemaccessibletoreaderswhodesiretohavetheminthecompleteseriesissuedbymypublishers.
ForaidinreclaimingsomeofthenarrativesIexpressmythankstotheproprietorsandeditorsofthenewspapersandmagazinesinwhosepagestheyfirstappeared.
T.H.
August1913.
ACHANGEDMAN
CHAPTERI
Thepersonwho,nexttotheactorsthemselves,chancedtoknowmostoftheirstory,livedjustbelow\'Topo\'Town\'(asthespotwascalled)inanoldsubstantially-builthouse,distinguishedamongitsneighboursbyhavinganorielwindowonthefirstfloor,whencecouldbeobtainedarakingviewoftheHighStreet,westandeast,theformerincludingLaura\'sdwelling,theendoftheTownAvenuehardby(inwhichwereplayedtheoddprankshereaftertobementioned),thePort-Bredyroadrisingwestwards,andtheturningthatledtothecavalrybarrackswheretheCaptainwasquartered.Lookingeastwarddownthetownfromthesamefavouredgazebo,thelongperspectiveofhousesdeclinedanddwindledtilltheymergedinthehighwayacrossthemoor.ThewhiteribandofroaddisappearedoverGrey\'sBridgeaquarterofamileoff,toplungeintoinnumerablerusticwindings,shyshades,andsolitaryundulationsuphillanddowndaleforonehundredandtwentymilestillitexhibiteditselfatHydeParkCornerasasmoothblandsurfaceintouchwithabusyandfashionableworld.
Tothebarracksaforesaidhadrecentlyarrivedthe——thHussars,aregimentnewtothelocality.Almostbeforeanyacquaintancewithitsmembershadbeenmadebythetownspeople,areportspreadthattheywerea\'crack\'bodyofmen,andhadbroughtasplendidband.
Forsomereasonorotherthetownhadnotbeenusedastheheadquartersofcavalryformanyyears,thevarioustroopsstationedtherehavingconsistedofcasualdetachmentsonly;sothatitwaswithasenseofhonourthateverybody——eventhesmallfurniture-
brokerfromwhomthemarriedtroopershiredtablesandchairs——
receivedthenewsoftheircrackquality.
InthosedaystheHussarregimentsstillworeovertheleftshoulderthatattractiveattachment,orfrilledhalf-coat,hanginglooselybehindlikethewoundedwingofabird,whichwascalledthepelisse,thoughitwasknownamongthetroopersthemselvesasa\'sling-
jacket.\'Itaddedamazinglytotheirpicturesquenessinwomen\'seyes,and,indeed,intheeyesofmenalso.
Theburgherwholivedinthehousewiththeorielwindowsatduringagreatmanyhoursofthedayinthatprojection,forhewasaninvalid,andtimehungheavilyonhishandsunlesshemaintainedaconstantinterestinproceedingswithout.NotmorethanaweekafterthearrivaloftheHussarshisearswereassailedbytheshoutofoneschoolboytoanotherinthestreetbelow.
\'Have\'eeheardthisabouttheHussars?Theyarehaunted!Yes——aghosttroubles\'em;hehasfollowed\'emabouttheworldforyears.\'
Ahauntedregiment:thatwasanewideaforeitherinvalidorstalwart.Thelistenerintheorielcametotheconclusionthatthereweresomelivelycharactersamongthe——thHussars.
HemadeCaptainMaumbry\'sacquaintanceinaninformalmanneratanafternoonteatowhichhewentinawheeledchair——oneoftheveryrareoutingsthatthestateofhishealthpermitted.Maumbryshowedhimselftobeahandsomemanoftwenty-eightorthirty,withanattractivehintofwickednessinhismannerthatwassuretomakehimadorablewithgoodyoungwomen.Thelargedarkeyesthatlithispalefaceexpressedthiswickednessstrongly,thoughsuchwastheadaptabilityoftheirraysthatonecouldthinktheymighthaveexpressedsadnessorseriousnessjustasreadily,ifhehadhadamindforsuch.
AnoldanddeafladywhowaspresentaskedCaptainMaumbrybluntly:
\'What\'sthiswehearaboutyou?Theysayyourregimentishaunted.\'
TheCaptain\'sfaceassumedanaspectofgrave,evensad,concern.
\'Yes,\'hereplied,\'itistootrue.\'
Someyoungerladiessmiledtilltheysawhowserioushelooked,whentheylookedseriouslikewise.
\'Really?\'saidtheoldlady.
\'Yes.Wenaturallydon\'twishtosaymuchaboutit.\'
\'No,no;ofcoursenot.But——howhaunted?\'
\'Well;the——THING,asI\'llcallit,followsus.Incountryquartersortown,abroadorathome,it\'sjustthesame.\'
\'Howdoyouaccountforit?\'
\'H\'m.\'Maumbryloweredhisvoice.\'Somecrimecommittedbycertainofourregimentinpastyears,wesuppose.\'
\'DearmeHowveryhorrid,andsingular!\'
\'But,asIsaid,wedon\'tspeakofitmuch.\'
\'Nono.\'
WhentheHussarwasgone,ayounglady,disclosingalong-suppressedinterest,askediftheghosthadbeenseenbyanyofthetown.
Thelawyer\'sson,whoalwayshadthelatestboroughnews,saidthat,thoughitwasseldomseenbyanyonebuttheHussarsthemselves,morethanonetownsmanandwomanhadalreadyseteyesonit,tohisorherterror.Thephantommostlyappearedverylateatnight,underthedensetreesofthetown-avenuenearestthebarracks.Itwasabouttenfeethigh;itsteethchatteredwithadrynakedsound,asiftheywerethoseofaskeleton;anditship-bonescouldbeheardgratingintheirsockets.
Duringthedarkestweeksofwinterseveraltimidpersonswereseriouslyfrightenedbytheobjectansweringtothischeerfuldescription,andthepolicebegantolookintothematter.Whereupontheappearancesgrewlessfrequent,andsomeoftheBoysoftheregimentthankfullystatedthattheyhadnotbeensofreefromghostlyvisitationforyearsastheyhadbecomesincetheirarrivalinCasterbridge.
Thisplayingatghostswasthemostinnocentoftheamusementsindulgedinbythechoiceyoungspiritswhoinhabitedthelichened,red-brickbuildingatthetopofthetownbearing\'W.D.\'andabroadarrowonitsquoins.Farmoreseriousescapades——levitiesrelatingtolove,wine,cards,betting——weretalkedof,withnodoubtmoreorlessofexaggeration.ThattheHussars,CaptainMaumbryincluded,werethecauseofbittertearstoseveralyoungwomenofthetownandcountryisunquestionablytrue,despitethefactthatthegaietiesoftheyoungmenworeamorestaringcolourinthisold-fashionedplacethantheywouldhavedoneinalargeandmoderncity.
CHAPTERII
Regularlyonceaweektheyrodeoutinmarchingorder.
Returningupthetownononeoftheseoccasions,theromanticpelisseflappingbehindeachhorseman\'sshoulderinthesoftsouth-westwind,CaptainMaumbryglancedupattheoriel.Amutualnodwasexchangedbetweenhimandthepersonwhosattherereading.Thereaderandafriendintheroomwithhimfollowedthetroopwiththeireyesallthewayupthestreet,till,whenthesoldierswereoppositethehouseinwhichLauralived,thatyoungladybecamediscernibleinthebalcony.
\'Theyareengagedtobemarried,Ihear,\'saidthefriend.
\'Who——MaumbryandLaura?Never——sosoon?\'
\'Yes.\'
\'He\'llnevermarry.Severalgirlshavebeenmentionedinconnectionwithhisname.IamsorryforLaura.\'
\'Oh,butyouneedn\'tbe.Theyareexcellentlymatched.\'
\'She\'sonlyonemore.\'
\'She\'sonemore,andmorestill.Shehasregularlycaughthim.Sheisabornplayerofthegameofhearts,andsheknewhowtobeathiminhisownpractices.Ifthereisonewomaninthetownwhohasanychanceofholdingherownandmarryinghim,sheisthatwoman.\'
Thiswastrue,asitturnedout.BynaturalproclivityLaurahadfromthefirstenteredheartandsoulintomilitaryromanceasexhibitedintheplotsandcharactersofthoselivingexponentsofitwhocameunderhernotice.Fromherearliestyoungwomanhoodcivilians,howeverpromising,hadnochanceofwinningherinterestifthemeanestwarriorwerewithinthehorizon.Itmaybethatthepositionofheruncle\'shouse(whichwasherhome)atthecornerofWestStreetnearestthebarracks,thedailypassingofthetroops,theconstantblowingoftrumpet-callsafurlongfromherwindows,coupledwiththefactthatsheknewnothingoftheinnerrealitiesofmilitarylife,andhenceidealizedit,hadalsohelpedhermind\'soriginalbiasforthinkingmen-at-armstheonlyonesworthyofawoman\'sheart.
CaptainMaumbrywasatypicalprize;onewhomallsurroundingmaidenshadcoveted,achedfor,angledfor,weptfor,hadbyherjudiciousmanagementbecomesubduedtoherpurpose;andinadditiontothepleasureofmarryingthemansheloved,Laurahadthejoyoffeelingherselfhatedbythemothersofallthemarriageablegirlsoftheneighbourhood.
Themanintheorielwenttothewedding;notasaguest,foratthistimehewasbutslightlyacquaintedwiththeparties;butmainlybecausethechurchwasclosetohishouse;partly,too,forareasonwhichmovedmanyotherstobespectatorsoftheceremony;asubconsciousnessthat,thoughthecouplemightbehappyintheirexperiences,therewassufficientpossibilityoftheirbeingotherwisetocolourthemusingsofanonlookerwithapleasingpathosofconjecture.Hecouldonoccasiondoaprettystrokeofrhyminginthosedays,andhebeguiledthetimeofwaitingbypencillingonablankpageofhisprayer-bookafewlineswhich,thoughkeptprivatethen,maybegivenhere:-
ATAHASTYWEDDING
(Triolet)
Ifhoursbeyearsthetwainareblest,FornowtheysolaceswiftdesireBylifelongtiesthattetherzestIfhoursbeyears.ThetwainareblestDoeasternsunsslopeneverwest,Norpallidashesfollowfire.
IfhoursbeyearsthetwainareblestFornowtheysolaceswiftdesire.
Asif,however,tofalsifyallprophecies,thecoupleseemedtofindinmarriagethesecretofperpetuatingtheintoxicationofacourtshipwhich,onMaumbry\'ssideatleast,hadopenedwithoutseriousintent.DuringthewinterfollowingtheywerethemostpopularpairinandaboutCasterbridge——nayinSouthWessexitself.
Nosmartdinnerinthecountryhousesoftheyoungerandgayerfamilieswithindrivingdistanceoftheboroughwascompletewithouttheirlivelypresence;Mrs.Maumbrywastheblithestofthewhirlingfiguresatthecountyball;andwhenfollowedthatinevitableincidentofgarrison-townlife,anamateurdramaticentertainment,itwasjustthesame.Theactingwasforthebenefitofsuchandsuchanexcellentcharity——nobodycaredwhat,providedtheplaywereplayed——andbothCaptainMaumbryandhiswifewereinthepiece,havingbeeninfact,bymutualconsent,theoriginatorsoftheperformance.Andsowithlaughter,andthoughtlessness,andmovement,allwentmerrily.Therewasalittlebackwardnessinthebill-payingofthecouple;butinjusticetothemitmustbeaddedthatsoonerorlaterallowingswerepaid.
CHAPTERIII
Atthechapel-of-easeattendedbythetroopstherearoseabovetheedgeofthepulpitoneSundayanunknownface.Thiswasthefaceofanewcurate.Heplaceduponthedesk,notthefamiliarsermonbook,butmerelyaBible.Thepersonwhotellsthesethingswasnotpresentatthatservice,buthesoonlearntthattheyoungcuratewasnothinglessthanagreatsurprisetohiscongregation;amixedonealways,forthoughtheHussarsoccupiedthebodyofthebuilding,itsnooksandcornerswerecrammedwithcivilians,whom,uptothepresent,eventheleastuncharitablewouldhavedescribedasbeingattractedthitherlessbytheservicesthanbythesoldiery.
Nowtherearoseasecondreasonforsqueezingintoanalreadyovercrowdedchurch.ThepersuasiveandgentleeloquenceofMr.
Sainwayoperatedlikeacharmuponthoseaccustomedonlytothehigheranddryerstylesofpreaching,andforatimetheotherchurchesofthetownwerethinnedoftheirsitters.
Atthispointinthenineteenthcenturythesermonwasthesolereasonforchurchgoingamongstavastbodyofreligiouspeople.Theliturgywasaformalpreliminary,which,liketheRoyalproclamationinacourtofassize,hadtobegotthroughbeforetherealinterestbegan;andonreachinghomethequestionwassimply:Whopreached,andhowdidhehandlehissubject?Evenhadanarchbishopofficiatedintheservicepropernobodywouldhavecaredmuchaboutwhatwassaidorsung.Peoplewhohadformerlyattendedinthemorningonlybegantogointheevening,andeventothespecialaddressesintheafternoon.
OnedaywhenCaptainMaumbryenteredhiswife\'sdrawing-room,filledwithhiredfurniture,shethoughthewassomebodyelse,forhehadnotcomeupstairshummingthemostcatchingairafloatinmusicalcirclesorinhisusualcarelessway.
\'What\'sthematter,Jack?\'shesaidwithoutlookingupfromanoteshewaswriting.
\'Well——notmuch,thatIknow.\'
\'O,butthereis,\'shemurmuredasshewrote.
\'Why——thiscursednewlathinasheet——Imeanthenewparson!Hewantsustostoptheband-playingonSundayafternoons.\'
Lauralookedupaghast.
\'Why,itistheonethingthatenablesthefewrationalbeingshereaboutstokeepalivefromSaturdaytoMonday!\'
\'Hesaysallthetownflocktothemusicanddon\'tcometotheservice,andthatthepiecesplayedareprofane,ormundane,orinane,orsomething——notwhatoughttobeplayedonSunday.Ofcourse\'tisLautmannwhosettlesthosethings.\'
Lautmannwasthebandmaster.
Thebarrack-greenonSundayafternoonshad,indeed,becomethepromenadeofagreatmanytownspeoplecheerfullyinclined,manyevenofthosewhoattendedinthemorningatMr.Sainway\'sservice;andlittleboyswhooughttohavebeenlisteningtothecurate\'safternoonlectureweretoooftenseenrollinguponthegrassandmakingfacesbehindthemoredignifiedlisteners.
Lauraheardnomoreaboutthematter,however,fortwoorthreeweeks,whensuddenlyrememberingitsheaskedherhusbandifanyfurtherobjectionshadbeenraised.
\'O——Mr.Sainway.Iforgottotellyou.I\'vemadehisacquaintance.
Heisnotabadsortofman.\'
LauraaskedifeitherMaumbryorsomeothersoftheofficersdidnotgivethepresumptuouscurateagoodsettingdownforhisinterference.
\'Owell——we\'veforgottenthat.He\'sastunningpreacher,theytellme.\'
Theacquaintancedevelopedapparently,fortheCaptainsaidtoheralittlelateron,\'There\'sagooddealinSainway\'sargumentabouthavingnobandonSundayafternoons.Afterall,itisclosetohischurch.Buthedoesn\'tpresshisobjectionsunduly.\'
\'Iamsurprisedtohearyoudefendhim!\'
\'Itwasonlyapassingthoughtofmine.Wenaturallydon\'twishtooffendtheinhabitantsofthetowniftheydon\'tlikeit.\'
\'Buttheydo.\'
Theinvalidintheorielneverclearlygatheredthedetailsofprogressinthisconflictoflayandclericalopinion;butsoitwasthat,tothedisappointmentofmusicians,thegriefofout-walkinglovers,andtheregretofthejuniorpopulationofthetownandcountryround,theband-playingonSundayafternoonsceasedinCasterbridgebarrack-square.
BythistimetheMaumbryshadfrequentlylistenedtothepreachingofthegentleifnarrow-mindedcurate;fortheselight-natured,hit-or-
miss,racketypeoplewenttochurchlikeothersforrespectability\'ssake.Nonesoorthodoxasyourunmitigatedworldling.AmoreremarkableeventwasthesighttothemaninthewindowofCaptainMaumbryandMr.SainwaywalkingdowntheHighStreetinearnestconversation.Onhismentioningthisfacttoacallerhewasassuredthatitwasamatterofcommontalkthattheywerealwaystogether.
Theobserverwouldsoonhavelearntthiswithhisowneyesifhehadnotbeentold.Theybegantopasstogethernearlyeveryday.
HithertoMrs.Maumbry,infashionablewalkingclothes,hadusuallybeenherhusband\'scompanion;butthiswaslessfrequentnow.Thecloseandsingularfriendshipbetweenthetwomenwentonfornearlyayear,whenMr.Sainwaywaspresentedtoalivinginadensely-
populatedtowninthemidlandcounties.Hebadetheparishionersofhisoldplaceareluctantfarewellanddeparted,thetouchingsermonhepreachedontheoccasionbeingpublishedbythelocalprinter.
Everybodywassorrytolosehim;anditwaswithgenuinegriefthathisCasterbridgecongregationlearntlateronthatsoonafterhisinductiontohisbenefice,duringsomebitterweather,hehadfallenseriouslyillofinflammationofthelungs,ofwhichheeventuallydied.
Wenowgetbelowthesurfaceofthings.Ofallwhohadknownthedeadcurate,nonegrievedforhimlikethemanwhoonhisfirstarrivalhadcalledhima\'lathinasheet.\'Mrs.Maumbryhadnevergreatlysympathizedwiththeimpressiveparson;indeed,shehadbeensecretlygladthathehadgoneawaytobetterhimself.Hehadconsiderablydiminishedthepleasuresofawomanbywhomthejoysofearthandgoodcompanyhadbeenappreciatedtothefull.Sorryforherhusbandinhislossofafriendwhohadbeennoneofhers,shewasyetquiteunpreparedforthesequel.
\'ThereissomethingthatIhavewantedtotellyoulately,dear,\'hesaidonemorningatbreakfastwithhesitation.\'Haveyouguessedwhatitis?\'
Shehadguessednothing.
\'ThatIthinkofretiringfromthearmy.\'
\'What!\'
\'IhavethoughtmoreandmoreofSainwaysincehisdeath,andofwhatheusedtosaytomesoearnestly.AndIfeelcertainIshallberightinobeyingacallwithinmetogiveupthisfightingtradeandentertheChurch.\'
\'What——beaparson?\'
\'Yes.\'
\'Butwhatshould_I_do?\'
\'Beaparson\'swife.\'
\'Never!\'sheaffirmed.
\'Buthowcanyouhelpit?\'
\'I\'llrunawayrather!\'shesaidvehemently;
\'No,youmustn\'t,\'Maumbryreplied,inthetoneheusedwhenhismindwasmadeup.\'You\'llgetaccustomedtotheidea,forIamconstrainedtocarryitout,thoughitisagainstmyworldlyinterests.IamforcedonbyaHandoutsidemetotreadinthestepsofSainway.\'
\'Jack,\'sheasked,withcalmpallorandroundeyes;\'doyoumeantosayseriouslythatyouarearrangingtobeacurateinsteadofasoldier?\'
\'ImightsayacurateISasoldier——ofthechurchmilitant;butI
don\'twanttooffendyouwithdoctrine.Idistinctlysay,yes.\'
Lateoneevening,alittletimeonward,hecaughthersittingbythedimfirelightinherroom.Shedidnotknowhehadentered;andhefoundherweeping.\'Whatareyoucryingabout,poordearest?\'hesaid.
Shestarted.\'Becauseofwhatyouhavetoldme!\'TheCaptaingrewveryunhappy;buthewasundeterred.
Induetimethetownlearnt,toitsintensesurprise,thatCaptainMaumbryhadretiredfromthe——thHussarsandgonetoFountallTheologicalCollegetopreparefortheministry.
CHAPTERIV
\'O,thepityofit!Suchadashingsoldier——sopopular——suchanacquisitiontothetown——thesoulofsociallifehere!Andnow!
Oneshouldnotspeakillofthedead,butthatdreadfulMr.
Sainway——itwastoocruelofhim!\'
ThisisasummaryofwhatwassaidwhenCaptain,nowtheReverend,JohnMaumbrywasenabledbycircumstancestoindulgehisheart\'sdesireofreturningtothesceneofhisformerexploitsinthecapacityofaministeroftheGospel.Alow-lyingdistrictofthetown,whichatthatdatewascrowdedwithimpoverishedcottagers,wascryingforacurate,andMr.Maumbrygenerouslyofferedhimselfasonewillingtoundertakelaboursthatwerecertaintoproducelittleresult,andnothanks,credit,oremolument.
Letthetruthbetoldabouthimasaclergyman;heprovedtobeanythingbutabrilliantsuccess.Painstaking,single-minded,deeplyinearnestasallcouldsee,hisdeliverywaslaboured,hissermonsweredulltolistento,andalas,too,toolong.Eventhedispassionatejudgeswhosatbythehourinthebar-parlouroftheWhiteHart——aninnstandingatthedividinglinebetweenthepoorquarteraforesaidandthefashionablequarterofMaumbry\'sformertriumphs,andhenceaffordingapositionofstrictimpartiality——
agreedinsubstancewiththeyoungladiestothewestward,thoughtheirviewsweresomewhatmoreterselyexpressed:\'Surely,GodA\'mightyspwiledagoodsojertomakeabadpa\'sonwhenHeshiftedCap\'nMa\'mbryintoasarpless!\'
Thelatterknewthatsuchthingsweresaid,buthepursuedhisdaily\'
laboursinandoutofthehovelswithsereneunconcern.
ItwasaboutthistimethattheinvalidintheorielbecamemorethanamerebowingacquaintanceofMrs.Maumbry\'s.Shehadreturnedtothetownwithherhusband,andwaslivingwithhiminalittlehouseinthecentreofhiscircleofministration,whenbysomemeansshebecameoneoftheinvalid\'svisitors.Afterageneralconversationwhilesittinginhisroomwithafriendofboth,anincidentleduptothematterthatstillrankleddeeplyinhersoul.Herfacewasnowpalerandthinnerthanithadbeen;evenmoreattractive,herdisappointmentshavinginscribedthemselvesasmeekthoughtfulnessonalookthatwasoncealittlefrivolous.ThetwoladieshadcalledtobeallowedtousethewindowforobservingthedepartureoftheHussars,whowereleavingforbarracksmuchnearertoLondon.
ThetroopersturnedthecornerofBarrackRoadintothetopofHighStreet,headedbytheirbandplaying\'ThegirlIleftbehindme\'
(whichwasformerlyalwaysthetuneforsuchtimes,thoughitisnownearlydisused).Theycameandpassedtheoriel,whereanofficerortwo,lookingupanddiscoveringMrs.Maumbry,salutedher,whoseeyesfilledwithtearsasthenotesofthebandwanedaway.Beforethelittlegrouphadrecoveredfromthatsenseoftheromanticwhichsuchspectaclesimpart,Mr.Maumbrycamealongthepavement.Heprobablyhadbiddenhisformerbrethren-in-armsafarewellatthetopofthestreet,forhewalkedfromthatdirectioninhisrathershabbyclericalclothes,andwithabasketonhisarmwhichseemedtoholdsomepurchaseshehadbeenmakingforhispoorerparishioners.
Unlikethesoldiershewentalongquiteunconsciousofhisappearanceorofthescenearound.
ThecontrastwastoomuchforLaura.Withlipsthatnowquivered,sheaskedtheinvalidwhathethoughtofthechangethathadcometoher.
Itwasdifficulttoanswer,andwithawilfulnessthatwastoostronginhersherepeatedthequestion.
\'Doyouthink,\'sheadded,\'thatawoman\'shusbandhasarighttodosuchathing,evenifhedoesfeelacertaincalltoit?\'
Herlistenersympathizedtoolargelywithbothofthemtobeanythingbutunsatisfactoryinhisreply.LauragazedlonginglyoutofthewindowtowardsthethindustylineofHussars,nowsmallingtowardstheMellstockRidge.\'I,\'shesaid,\'whoshouldhavebeenintheirvanonthewaytoLondon,amdoomedtofesterinaholeinDurnoverLane!\'
Manyeventshadpassedandmanyrumourshadbeencurrentconcerningherbeforetheinvalidsawheragainafterherleave-takingthatday.
CHAPTERV
Casterbridgehadknownmanymilitaryandcivilepisodes;manyhappytimes,andtimeslesshappy;andnowcamethetimeofhervisitation.
Thescourgeofcholerahadbeenlaidonthesufferingcountry,andthelow-lyingpurlieusofthisancientboroughhadmorethantheirshareoftheinfliction.MixenLane,intheDurnoverquarter,andinMaumbry\'sparish,waswheretheblowfellmostheavily.Yettherewasacertainmercyinitschoiceofadate,forMaumbrywasthemanforsuchanhour.
Thespreadoftheepidemicwassorapidthatmanyleftthetownandtooklodgingsinthevillagesandfarms.Mr.Maumbry\'shousewasclosetothemostinfectedstreet,andhehimselfwasoccupiedmorn,noon,andnightinendeavourstostampouttheplagueandinalleviatingthesufferingsofthevictims.So,asamatterofordinaryprecaution,hedecidedtoisolatehiswifesomewhereawayfromhimforawhile.
Shesuggestedavillagebythesea,nearBudmouthRegis,andlodgingswereobtainedforheratCreston,aspotdividedfromtheCasterbridgevalleybyahighridgethatgaveitquiteanotheratmosphere,thoughitlaynomorethansixmilesoff.
Thithershewent.Whileshewasrusticatinginthisplaceofsafety,andherhusbandwasslavingintheslums,shestruckupanacquaintancewithalieutenantinthe-stFoot,aMr.Vannicock,whowasstationedwithhisregimentattheBudmouthinfantrybarracks.
AsLaurafrequentlysatontheshelvingbeach,watchingeachthinwaveslideuptoher,andhearing,withoutheeding,itsgnawatthepebblesinitsretreat,heoftentookawalkthatway.
Theacquaintancegrewandripened.Hersituation,herhistory,herbeauty,herage——ayearortwoabovehisown——alltendedtomakeanimpressionontheyoungman\'sheart,andarecklessflirtationwassooninblitheprogressuponthatlonelyshore.
Itwassaidbyherdetractorsafterwardsthatshehadchosenherlodgingtobenearthisgentleman,butthereisreasontobelievethatshehadneverseenhimtillherarrivalthere.JustnowCasterbridgewassodeeplyoccupiedwithitsownsadaffairs——adailyburyingofthedeadanddestructionofcontaminatedclothesandbedding——thatithadlittleinclinationtopromulgatesuchgossipasmayhavereacheditsearsonthepair.NobodylongconsideredLaurainthetragiccloudwhichoverhungall.
Meanwhile,ontheBudmouthsideofthehilltheverymoodofmenwasincontrast.Thevisitationtherehadbeenslightandmuchearlier,andnormaloccupationsandpastimeshadbeenresumed.Mr.MaumbryhadarrangedtoseeLauratwiceaweekintheopenair,thatshemightrunnoriskfromhim;and,havingheardnothingofthefaintrumour,hemetherasusualonedryandwindyafternoononthesummitofthedividinghill,nearwherethehighroadfromtowntotowncrossestheoldRidge-wayatrightangles.
Hewavedhishand,andsmiledassheapproached,shoutingtoher:
\'Wewillkeepthiswallbetweenus,dear.\'(Wallsformedthefield-
fenceshere.)\'Youmustn\'tbeendangered.Itwon\'tbeforlong,withGod\'shelp!\'
\'Iwilldoasyoutellme,Jack.Butyouarerunningtoomuchriskyourself,aren\'tyou?Igetlittlenewsofyou;butIfancyyouare.\'
\'Notmorethanothers.\'
Thussomewhatformallytheytalked,aninsulatingwindbeatingthewallbetweenthemlikeamill-weir.
\'Butyouwantedtoaskmesomething?\'headded.
\'Yes.YouknowwearetryinginBudmouthtoraisesomemoneyforyoursufferers;andthewaywehavethoughtofisbyadramaticperformance.Theywantmetotakeapart.\'
Hisfacesaddened.\'Ihaveknownsomuchofthatsortofthing,andallthataccompaniesit!Iwishyouhadthoughtofsomeotherway.\'
Shesaidlightlythatshewasafraiditwasallsettled.\'Youobjecttomytakingapart,then?Ofcourse——\'
Hetoldherthathedidnotliketosayhepositivelyobjected.Hewishedtheyhadchosenanoratorio,orlecture,oranythingmoreinkeepingwiththenecessityitwastorelieve.
\'But,\'saidsheimpatiently,\'peoplewon\'tcometooratoriosorlectures!Theywillcrowdtocomediesandfarces.\'
\'Well,IcannotdictatetoBudmouthhowitshallearnthemoneyitisgoingtogiveus.Whoisgettingupthisperformance?\'
\'Theboysofthe-st.\'
\'Ah,yes;ouroldgame!\'repliedMr.Maumbry.\'ThegriefofCasterbridgeistheexcusefortheirfrivolity.Candidly,dearLaura,Iwishyouwouldn\'tplayinit.ButIdon\'tforbidyouto.I
leavethewholetoyourjudgment.\'
Theinterviewended,andtheywenttheirwaysnorthwardandsouthward.TimedisclosedtoallconcernedthatMrs.Maumbryplayedinthecomedyastheheroine,thelover\'spartbeingtakenbyMr.
Vannicock.
CHAPTERVI
Thuswashelpedonaneventwhichtheconductofthemutually-
attractedoneshadbeengeneratingforsometime.
Itisunnecessarytogivedetails.The——stFootleftforBristol,andthisprecipitatedtheiraction.AfteraweekofhesitationsheagreedtoleaveherhomeatCrestonandmeetVannicockontheridgehardby,andtoaccompanyhimtoBath,wherehehadsecuredlodgingsforher,sothatshewouldbeonlyaboutadozenmilesfromhisquarters.
Accordingly,ontheeveningchosen,shelaidonherdressing-tableanoteforherhusband,runningthus:-
DEARJACK——Iamunabletoendurethislifeanylonger,andIhaveresolvedtoputanendtoit.ItoldyouIshouldrunawayifyoupersistedinbeingaclergyman,andnowIamdoingit.Onecannothelpone\'snature.IhaveresolvedtothrowinmylotwithMr.
Vannicock,andIhoperatherthanexpectyouwillforgiveme——L.
Then,withhardlyascrapofluggage,shewent,ascendingtotheridgeintheduskofearlyevening.AlmostontheveryspotwhereherhusbandhadstoodattheirlasttrystshebeheldtheoutlineofVannicock,whohadcomeallthewayfromBristoltofetchher.
\'Idon\'tlikemeetinghere——itissounlucky!\'shecriedtohim.
\'ForGod\'ssakeletushaveaplaceofourown.Gobacktothemilestone,andI\'llcomeon.\'
Hewentbacktothemilestonethatstandsonthenorthslopeoftheridge,wheretheoldandnewroadsdiverge,andshejoinedhimthere.
Shewastaciturnandsorrowfulwhenheaskedherwhyshewouldnotmeethimonthetop.Atlastsheinquiredhowtheyweregoingtotravel.
HeexplainedthatheproposedtowalktoMellstockHill,ontheothersideofCasterbridge,whereaflywaswaitingtotakethembyacross-cutintotheIvellRoad,andonwardtothattown.TheBristolrailwaywasopentoIvell.
Thisplantheyfollowed,andwalkedbrisklythroughthedullgloomtilltheynearedCasterbridge,whichplacetheyavoidedbyturningtotherightattheRomanAmphitheatreandbearingroundtoDurnoverCross.ThencethewaywassolitaryandopenacrossthemoortothehillwhereontheIvellflyawaitedthem.
\'Ihavenoticedforsometime,\'shesaid,\'aluridglareovertheDurnoverendofthetown.ItseemstocomefromsomewhereaboutMixenLane.\'
\'Thelamps,\'hesuggested.
\'There\'snotalampasbigasarushlightinthewholelane.Itiswherethecholeraisworst.\'
ByStandfastCorner,alittlebeyondtheCross,theysuddenlyobtainedanendviewofthelane.Largebonfireswereburninginthemiddleoftheway,withaviewtopurifyingtheair;andfromthewretchedtenementswithwhichthelanewaslinedinthosedayspersonswerebringingoutbeddingandclothing.Somewasthrownintothefires,therestplacedinwheel-barrowsandwheeledintothemoordirectlyinthetrackofthefugitives.
Theyfollowedon,andcameuptowhereavastcopperwassetintheopenair.Herethelinenwasboiledanddisinfected.BythelightofthelanternsLauradiscoveredthatherhusbandwasstandingbythecopper,andthatitwashewhounloadedthebarrowandimmerseditscontents.Thenightwassocalmandmuggythattheconversationbythecopperreachedherears.
\'Aretheremanymoreloadsto-night?\'
\'There\'stheclotheso\'theythatdiedthisafternoon,sir.Butthatmightbidetillto-morrow,foryoumustbetiredout.\'
\'We\'lldoitatonce,forIcan\'taskanybodyelsetoundertakeit.
Overturnthatloadonthegrassandfetchtherest.\'
Themandidsoandwentoffwiththebarrow.Maumbrypausedforamomenttowipehisface,andresumedhishomelydrudgeryamidthissqualidandreekingscene,pressingdownandstirringthecontentsofthecopperwithwhatlookedlikeanoldrolling-pin.Thesteamtherefrom,ladenwithdeath,travelledinalowtrailacrossthemeadow.
Lauraspokesuddenly:\'Iwon\'tgoto-nightafterall.Heissotired,andImusthelphim.Ididn\'tknowthingsweresobadasthis!\'
Vannicock\'sarmdroppedfromherwaist,whereithadbeenrestingastheywalked.\'Willyouleave?\'sheasked.
\'IwillifyousayImust.ButI\'dratherhelptoo.\'Therewasnoexpostulationinhistone.
Laurahadgoneforward.\'Jack,\'shesaid,\'Iamcometohelp!\'
Thewearycurateturnedandheldupthelantern.\'O——what,isityou,Laura?\'heaskedinsurprise.\'Whydidyoucomeintothis?Youhadbettergoback——theriskisgreat.\'
\'ButIwanttohelpyou,Jack.Pleaseletmehelp!Ididn\'tcomebymyself——Mr.Vannicockkeptmecompany.Hewillmakehimselfusefultoo,ifhe\'snotgoneon.Mr.Vannicock!\'
Theyounglieutenantcameforwardreluctantly.Mr.Maumbryspokeformallytohim,addingasheresumedhislabour,\'Ithoughtthe——stFoothadgonetoBristol.\'
\'Wehave.ButIhaverundownagainforafewthings.\'
Thetwonewcomersbegantoassist,VannicockplacingonthegroundthesmallbagcontainingLaura\'stoiletarticlesthathehadbeencarrying.Thebarrowmansoonreturnedwithanotherload,andallcontinuedworkfornearlyahalf-hour,whenacoachmancameoutfromtheshadowstothenorth.
\'Begpardon,sir,\'hewhisperedtoVannicock,\'butI\'vewaitedsolongonMellstockhillthatatlastIdrovedowntotheturnpike;andseeingthelighthere,Iranontofindoutwhathadhappened.\'
LieutenantVannicocktoldhimtowaitafewminutes,andthelastbarrow-loadwasgotthrough.Mr.Maumbrystretchedhimselfandbreathedheavily,saying,\'There;wecandonomore.\'
Asiffromtherelaxationofeffortheseemedtobeseizedwithviolentpain.Hepressedhishandstohissidesandbentforward.
\'Ah!Ithinkithasgotholdofmeatlast,\'hesaidwithdifficulty.\'Imusttrytogethome.LetMr.Vannicocktakeyouback,Laura.\'
Hewalkedafewsteps,theyhelpinghim,butwasobligedtosinkdownonthegrass.
\'Iam——afraid——you\'llhavetosendforahurdle,orshutter,orsomething,\'hewentonfeebly,\'ortrytogetmeintothebarrow.\'
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