`If you haven't seen poor mistress since Christmas, you wouldn't know her,' said Liddy. `Her eyes are so miserable that she's not the same woman. Only two years ago she was a romping girl, and now she's this!'

Laban departed as directed, and at eleven o'clock that night several of the villagers strolled along the road to Casterbridge and awaited his arrival - among them Oak, and nearly all the rest of Bathsheba's men. Gabriel's anxiety was great that Boldwood might he saved, even though in his conscience he felt that he ought to die; for there had been qualities in the farmer which Oak loved. At last, when they all were weary the tramp of a horse was heard in the distance--

First dead, as if on turf it trode,

Then, clattering, on the village road

In other pace than forth he yode.

`We shall soon know now, one way or other,' said Coggan, and they all stepped down from the bank on which they had been standing into the road, and the rider pranced into the midst of them.

`Is that you, Laban?' said Gabriel.

`Yes--'tis come. He's not to die. 'Tis confinement during Her Majesty's pleasure.'

`Hurrah!' said Coggan, with a swelling heart. `God's above the devil yet!'