that she've not so much as spoke to him since they were at Greenhill Fair: but what can folk believe o't? However, she's not fond of him - quite offish and quite careless, I know.'

`I'm not so sure of that... She's a handsome woman, Pennyways, is she not? Own that you never saw a finer or more splendid creature in your life. Upon my honour, when I set eyes upon her that day I wondered what I could have been made of to be able to leave her by herself so long. And then I was hampered with that bothering show, which I'm free of at last, thank the stars.' He smoked on awhile, and then added, `How did she look when you passed by yesterday?'

`Oh, she took no great heed of me, ye may well fancy; but she looked well enough, far's I know. Just flashed her haughty eyes upon my poor scram body, and then let them go past me to what was yond, much as if I'd been no more than a leafless tree. She had just got off her mare to look at the last wring- down of cider for the year; she had been riding, and so her colours were up and her breath rather quick, so that her bosom plimmed and fell - plimmed and fell - every time plain to my eye. Ay, and there were the fellers round her wringing down the cheese and bustling about and saying, "Ware o' the pommy, ma'am: 'twill spoil yer gown.' "Never mind me," says she. Then Gabe brought her some of the new cider, and she must needs go drinking it through a strawmote, and not in a nateral way at all. "Liddy," says she, "bring indoors a few gallons, and I'll make some cider-wine." Sergeant, I was no more to her than a morsel of scroff in the fuel-house!'

`I must go and find her out at once - O yes, I see that - I must go. Oak is head man still, isn't he?'

`Yes, 'a b'lieve. And at Little Weatherbury Farm too. He manages everything.'

`'Twill puzzle him to manage her, or any other man of his compass!'

`I don't know about that. She can't do without him, and knowing it well he's pretty independent. And she've a few soft corners to her mind, though I've never been able to get into one, the devil's in't!'

`Ah, baily, she's a notch above you, and you must own it: a higher class of animal - a finer tissue. However, stick to me, and neither this haughty goddess, dashing piece of womanhood, Juno-wife of mine (Juno was a goddess, you know), nor anybody else shall hurt you. But all this wants looking into, I perceive. What with one thing and another, I see that my work is well cut out for me.'

V

`How do I look to-night, Liddy?' said Bathsheba, giving a final adjustment to her dress before leading the glass.

`I never saw you look so well before. Yes - I'll tell you when you looked like it - that night, a year and a half ago, when you came in so wild-like, and scolded us for making remarks about you and Mr Troy.'

`Everybody will think that I am setting myself to captivate Mr Boldwood, I suppose,' she murmured. `At least they'll say so. Can't my hair be brushed down a little flatter? I dread going - yet I dread the risk of wounding him by staying away.'

`Anyhow, ma'am, you can't well be dressed plainer than you are, unless you go in sackcloth at once. 'Tis your excitement is what makes you look so noticeable to-night.'

`I don't know what's the matter, I feel wretched at one time, and buoyant at another. I wish I could have continued quite alone as I have been for the last year or so, with no hopes and no fears, and no pleasure and no grief'

`Now just suppose Mr Boldwood should ask you - only just suppose it - to run away with him, what would you do, ma'am?'