`I'm glad you see it.'

`Troy, make her your wife, and don't act upon what I arranged just now. The alternative is dreadful, but take Bathsheba; I give her up! She must love you indeed to sell soul and body to you so utterly as she has done. Wretched woman - deluded woman - you are, Bathsheba!'

`But about Fanny?'

`Bathsheba is a woman well to do,' continued Boldwood, in a nervous anxiety, `and Troy, she will make a good wife; and, indeed, she is worth your hastening on your marriage with her!'

`But she has a will - not to say a temper, and I shall be a mere slave to her. I could do anything with poor Fanny Robin.'

`Troy,' said Boldwood imploringly. I'll do anything for you, only don't desert her; pray don't desert her, Troy.'

`Which, poor Fanny?'

`No; Bathsheba Everdene, love her best! love her tenderly! How shall I get you to see how advantageous it will be to you to secure her at once?'

`I don't wish to secure her in any new way.

Boldwood's arm moved spasmodically towards Troy's person again. He repressed tile instinct, and his form drooped as with pain.

Troy went on--

`I shall soon purchase my discharge, and then--'

`But I wish you to hasten on this marriage! It will be better for you both. You love each other, and you must let me help you to do it.'

`How?'

`Why, by settling the five hundred on Bathsheba instead of Fanny, to enable you to marry at once. No; she wouldn't have it of me. I'll pay it down to you on the wedding-day.'

Troy paused in secret amazement at Boldwood's wild infatuation. He carelessly said, `And am I to have anything now?'

`Yes, if you wish to. But I have not much additional money with me. I did not expect this; but all I have is yours.'

Boldwood, more like a somnambulist than a wakeful man, pulled out the large canvas bag he carried by way of a purse, and searched it.

`I have twenty-one pounds more with me,' he said. `Two notes and a sovereign. But before I leave you I must have a paper signed--'

`Pay me the money, and we'll go straight to her parlour, and make any arrangement you please to secure my compliance with your wishes. But she must know nothing of this cash business.'

`Nothing, nothing,' said Boldwood hastily. `Here is the sum, and if you'll come to my house we'll write out the agreement for the remainder, and the terms also.'

`First we'll call upon her.'