I’dnothingtodowiththat；youchosetobesoobligingastogiveitme，thatwasall。Ifyoudon’twanttopaythemoney，letitalone；it’sallonetome。ButIwaswillingtoaccommodateyoubyundertakingtosellthehorse，seeingit’snotconvenienttoyoutogosofarto—morrow。"

Godfreywassilentforsomemoments。HewouldhavelikedtospringonDunstan，wrenchthewhipfromhishand，andfloghimtowithinaninchofhislife；andnobodilyfearcouldhavedeterredhim；buthewasmasteredbyanothersortoffear，whichwasfedbyfeelingsstrongereventhanhisresentment。Whenhespokeagain，itwasinahalf—conciliatorytone。

"Well，youmeannononsenseaboutthehorse，eh？You’llsellhimallfair，andhandoverthemoney？Ifyoudon’t，youknow，everything’ullgotosmash，forI’vegotnothingelsetotrustto。

Andyou’llhavelesspleasureinpullingthehouseovermyhead，whenyourownskull’stobebrokentoo。"

"Aye，aye，"saidDunstan，rising；"allright。Ithoughtyou’dcomeround。I’mthefellowtobringoldBryceuptothescratch。

I’llgetyouahundredandtwentyforhim，ifIgetyouapenny。"

"Butit’llperhapsraincatsanddogsto—morrow，asitdidyesterday，andthenyoucan’tgo，"saidGodfrey，hardlyknowingwhetherhewishedforthatobstacleornot。

"Not_it_，"saidDunstan。"I’malwaysluckyinmyweather。Itmightrainifyouwantedtogoyourself。Youneverholdtrumps，youknow——Ialwaysdo。You’vegotthebeauty，yousee，andI’vegottheluck，soyoumustkeepmebyyouforyourcrookedsixpence；

you’ll_ne_—vergetalongwithoutme。"

"Confoundyou，holdyourtongue！"saidGodfrey，impetuously。

"Andtakecaretokeepsoberto—morrow，elseyou’llgetpitchedonyourheadcominghome，andWildfiremightbetheworseforit。"

"Makeyourtenderhearteasy，"saidDunstan，openingthedoor。

"YouneverknewmeseedoublewhenI’dgotabargaintomake；it’udspoilthefun。Besides，wheneverIfall，I’mwarrantedtofallonmylegs。"

Withthat，Dunstanslammedthedoorbehindhim，andleftGodfreytothatbitterruminationonhispersonalcircumstanceswhichwasnowunbrokenfromdaytodaysavebytheexcitementofsporting，drinking，card—playing，ortherarerandlessobliviouspleasureofseeingMissNancyLammeter。Thesubtleandvariedpainsspringingfromthehighersensibilitythataccompanieshigherculture，areperhapslesspitiablethanthatdrearyabsenceofimpersonalenjoymentandconsolationwhichleavesrudermindstotheperpetualurgentcompanionshipoftheirowngriefsanddiscontents。Thelivesofthoseruralforefathers，whomweareapttothinkveryprosaicfigures——menwhoseonlyworkwastorideroundtheirland，gettingheavierandheavierintheirsaddles，andwhopassedtherestoftheirdaysinthehalf—listlessgratificationofsensesdulledbymonotony——hadacertainpathosinthemnevertheless。Calamitiescameto_them_too，andtheirearlyerrorscarriedhardconsequences：perhapstheloveofsomesweetmaiden，theimageofpurity，order，andcalm，hadopenedtheireyestothevisionofalifeinwhichthedayswouldnotseemtoolong，evenwithoutrioting；butthemaidenwaslost，andthevisionpassedaway，andthenwhatwaslefttothem，especiallywhentheyhadbecometooheavyforthehunt，orforcarryingagunoverthefurrows，buttodrinkandgetmerry，ortodrinkandgetangry，sothattheymightbeindependentofvariety，andsayoveragainwitheageremphasisthethingstheyhadsaidalreadyanytimethattwelvemonth？

Assuredly，amongtheseflushedanddull—eyedmenthereweresomewhom——thankstotheirnativehuman—kindness——evenriotcouldneverdriveintobrutality；menwho，whentheircheekswerefresh，hadfeltthekeenpointofsorroworremorse，hadbeenpiercedbythereedstheyleanedon，orhadlightlyputtheirlimbsinfettersfromwhichnostrugglecouldloosethem；andunderthesesadcircumstances，commontousall，theirthoughtscouldfindnoresting—placeoutsidetheever—troddenroundoftheirownpettyhistory。

That，atleast，wastheconditionofGodfreyCassinthissix—and—twentiethyearofhislife。Amovementofcompunction，helpedbythosesmallindefinableinfluenceswhicheverypersonalrelationexertsonapliantnature，hadurgedhimintoasecretmarriage，whichwasablightonhislife。Itwasanuglystoryoflowpassion，delusion，andwakingfromdelusion，whichneedsnottobedraggedfromtheprivacyofGodfrey’sbittermemory。HehadlongknownthatthedelusionwaspartlyduetoatraplaidforhimbyDunstan，whosawinhisbrother’sdegradingmarriagethemeansofgratifyingatoncehisjealoushateandhiscupidity。AndifGodfreycouldhavefelthimselfsimplyavictim，theironbitthatdestinyhadputintohismouthwouldhavechafedhimlessintolerably。IfthecurseshemutteredhalfaloudwhenhewasalonehadhadnootherobjectthanDunstan’sdiabolicalcunning，hemighthaveshrunklessfromtheconsequencesofavowal。Buthehadsomethingelsetocurse——hisownviciousfolly，whichnowseemedasmadandunaccountabletohimasalmostallourfolliesandvicesdowhentheirpromptingshavelongpassedaway。ForfouryearshehadthoughtofNancyLammeter，andwooedherwithtacitpatientworship，asthewomanwhomadehimthinkofthefuturewithjoy：shewouldbehiswife，andwouldmakehomelovelytohim，ashisfather’shomehadneverbeen；anditwouldbeeasy，whenshewasalwaysnear，toshakeoffthosefoolishhabitsthatwerenopleasures，butonlyafeverishwayofannullingvacancy。Godfrey’swasanessentiallydomesticnature，bredupinahomewherethehearthhadnosmiles，andwherethedailyhabitswerenotchastisedbythepresenceofhouseholdorder。Hiseasydispositionmadehimfallinunresistinglywiththefamilycourses，buttheneedofsometenderpermanentaffection，thelongingforsomeinfluencethatwouldmakethegoodhepreferredeasytopursue，causedtheneatness，purity，andliberalorderlinessoftheLammeterhousehold，sunnedbythesmileofNancy，toseemlikethosefreshbrighthoursofthemorningwhentemptationsgotosleepandleavetheearopentothevoiceofthegoodangel，invitingtoindustry，sobriety，andpeace。Andyetthehopeofthisparadisehadnotbeenenoughtosavehimfromacoursewhichshuthimoutofitforever。InsteadofkeepingfastholdofthestrongsilkenropebywhichNancywouldhavedrawnhimsafetothegreenbankswhereitwaseasytostepfirmly，hehadlethimselfbedraggedbackintomudandslime，inwhichitwasuselesstostruggle。Hehadmadetiesforhimselfwhichrobbedhimofallwholesomemotive，andwereaconstantexasperation。

Still，therewasonepositionworsethanthepresent：itwasthepositionhewouldbeinwhentheuglysecretwasdisclosed；andthedesirethatcontinuallytriumphedovereveryotherwasthatofwardingofftheevilday，whenhewouldhavetobeartheconsequencesofhisfather’sviolentresentmentforthewoundinflictedonhisfamilypride——wouldhave，perhaps，toturnhisbackonthathereditaryeaseanddignitywhich，afterall，wasasortofreasonforliving，andwouldcarrywithhimthecertaintythathewasbanishedforeverfromthesightandesteemofNancyLammeter。Thelongertheinterval，themorechancetherewasofdeliverancefromsome，atleast，ofthehatefulconsequencestowhichhehadsoldhimself；themoreopportunitiesremainedforhimtosnatchthestrangegratificationofseeingNancy，andgatheringsomefaintindicationsofherlingeringregard。Towardsthisgratificationhewasimpelled，fitfully，everynowandthen，afterhavingpassedweeksinwhichhehadavoidedherasthefar—offbright—wingedprizethatonlymadehimspringforwardandfindhischainallthemoregalling。Oneofthosefitsofyearningwasonhimnow，anditwouldhavebeenstrongenoughtohavepersuadedhimtotrustWildfiretoDunstanratherthandisappointtheyearning，evenifhehadnothadanotherreasonforhisdisinclinationtowardsthemorrow’shunt。Thatotherreasonwasthefactthatthemorning’smeetwasnearBatherley，themarket—townwheretheunhappywomanlived，whoseimagebecamemoreodioustohimeveryday；andtohisthoughtthewholevicinagewashauntedbyher。Theyokeamancreatesforhimselfbywrong—doingwillbreedhateinthekindliestnature；andthegood—humoured，affectionate—heartedGodfreyCasswasfastbecomingabitterman，visitedbycruelwishes，thatseemedtoenter，anddepart，andenteragain，likedemonswhohadfoundinhimaready—garnishedhome。

Whatwashetodothiseveningtopassthetime？HemightaswellgototheRainbow，andhearthetalkaboutthecock—fighting：

everybodywasthere，andwhatelsewastheretobedone？Though，forhisownpart，hedidnotcareabuttonforcock—fighting。

Snuff，thebrownspaniel，whohadplacedherselfinfrontofhim，andhadbeenwatchinghimforsometime，nowjumpedupinimpatiencefortheexpectedcaress。ButGodfreythrustherawaywithoutlookingather，andlefttheroom，followedhumblybytheunresentingSnuff——perhapsbecauseshesawnoothercareeropentoher。

CHAPTERIV

DunstanCass，settingoffintherawmorning，atthejudiciouslyquietpaceofamanwhoisobligedtoridetocoveronhishunter，hadtotakehiswayalongthelanewhich，atitsfartherextremity，passedbythepieceofunenclosedgroundcalledtheStone—pit，wherestoodthecottage，onceastone—cutter’sshed，nowforfifteenyearsinhabitedbySilasMarner。Thespotlookedverydrearyatthisseason，withthemoisttroddenclayaboutit，andthered，muddywaterhighupinthedesertedquarry。ThatwasDunstan’sfirstthoughtasheapproachedit；thesecondwas，thattheoldfoolofaweaver，whoseloomheheardrattlingalready，hadagreatdealofmoneyhiddensomewhere。Howwasitthathe，DunstanCass，whohadoftenheardtalkofMarner’smiserliness，hadneverthoughtofsuggestingtoGodfreythatheshouldfrightenorpersuadetheoldfellowintolendingthemoneyontheexcellentsecurityoftheyoungSquire’sprospects？Theresourceoccurredtohimnowassoeasyandagreeable，especiallyasMarner’shoardwaslikelytobelargeenoughtoleaveGodfreyahandsomesurplusbeyondhisimmediateneeds，andenablehimtoaccommodatehisfaithfulbrother，thathehadalmostturnedthehorse’sheadtowardshomeagain。Godfreywouldbereadyenoughtoacceptthesuggestion：hewouldsnatcheagerlyataplanthatmightsavehimfrompartingwithWildfire。

ButwhenDunstan’smeditationreachedthispoint，theinclinationtogoongrewstrongandprevailed。Hedidn’twanttogiveGodfreythatpleasure：hepreferredthatMasterGodfreyshouldbevexed。

Moreover，Dunstanenjoyedtheself—importantconsciousnessofhavingahorsetosell，andtheopportunityofdrivingabargain，swaggering，andpossiblytakingsomebodyin。Hemighthaveallthesatisfactionattendantonsellinghisbrother’shorse，andnotthelesshavethefurthersatisfactionofsettingGodfreytoborrowMarner’smoney。Soherodeontocover。

BryceandKeatingwerethere，asDunstanwasquitesuretheywouldbe——hewassuchaluckyfellow。

"Heyday！"saidBryce，whohadlonghadhiseyeonWildfire，"you’reonyourbrother’shorseto—day：how’sthat？"

"Oh，I’veswoppedwithhim，"saidDunstan，whosedelightinlying，grandlyindependentofutility，wasnottobediminishedbythelikelihoodthathishearerwouldnotbelievehim——"Wildfire’sminenow。"

"What！hasheswoppedwithyouforthatbig—bonedhackofyours？"

saidBryce，quiteawarethatheshouldgetanotherlieinanswer。

"Oh，therewasalittleaccountbetweenus，"saidDunsey，carelessly，"andWildfiremadeiteven。Iaccommodatedhimbytakingthehorse，thoughitwasagainstmywill，forI’dgotanitchforamareo’Jortin’s——asrareabito’bloodaseveryouthrewyourlegacross。ButIshallkeepWildfire，nowI’vegothim，thoughI’dabidofahundredandfiftyforhimtheotherday，fromamanoveratFlitton——he’sbuyingforLordCromleck——afellowwithacastinhiseye，andagreenwaistcoat。ButImeantosticktoWildfire：Ishan’tgetabetteratafenceinahurry。Themare’sgotmoreblood，butshe’sabittooweakinthehind—quarters。"

BryceofcoursedivinedthatDunstanwantedtosellthehorse，andDunstanknewthathedivinedit（horse—dealingisonlyoneofmanyhumantransactionscarriedoninthisingeniousmanner）；andtheybothconsideredthatthebargainwasinitsfirststage，whenBrycerepliedironically——

"Iwonderatthatnow；Iwonderyoumeantokeephim；forIneverheardofamanwhodidn’twanttosellhishorsegettingabidofhalfasmuchagainasthehorsewasworth。You’llbeluckyifyougetahundred。"

Keatingrodeupnow，andthetransactionbecamemorecomplicated。

ItendedinthepurchaseofthehorsebyBryceforahundredandtwenty，tobepaidonthedeliveryofWildfire，safeandsound，attheBatherleystables。ItdidoccurtoDunseythatitmightbewiseforhimtogiveuptheday’shunting，proceedatoncetoBatherley，and，havingwaitedforBryce’sreturn，hireahorsetocarryhimhomewiththemoneyinhispocket。Buttheinclinationforarun，encouragedbyconfidenceinhisluck，andbyadraughtofbrandyfromhispocket—pistolattheconclusionofthebargain，wasnoteasytoovercome，especiallywithahorseunderhimthatwouldtakethefencestotheadmirationofthefield。Dunstan，however，tookonefencetoomany，andgothishorsepiercedwithahedge—stake。

Hisownill—favouredperson，whichwasquiteunmarketable，escapedwithoutinjury；butpoorWildfire，unconsciousofhisprice，turnedonhisflankandpainfullypantedhislast。IthappenedthatDunstan，ashorttimebefore，havinghadtogetdowntoarrangehisstirrup，hadmutteredagoodmanycursesatthisinterruption，whichhadthrownhimintherearofthehuntnearthemomentofglory，andunderthisexasperationhadtakenthefencesmoreblindly。Hewouldsoonhavebeenupwiththehoundsagain，whenthefatalaccidenthappened；andhencehewasbetweeneagerridersinadvance，nottroublingthemselvesaboutwhathappenedbehindthem，andfar—offstragglers，whowereaslikelyasnottopassquitealooffromthelineofroadinwhichWildfirehadfallen。Dunstan，whosenatureitwastocaremoreforimmediateannoyancesthanforremoteconsequences，nosoonerrecoveredhislegs，andsawthatitwasalloverwithWildfire，thanhefeltasatisfactionattheabsenceofwitnessestoapositionwhichnoswaggeringcouldmakeenviable。

Reinforcinghimself，afterhisshake，withalittlebrandyandmuchswearing，hewalkedasfastashecouldtoacoppiceonhisrighthand，throughwhichitoccurredtohimthathecouldmakehiswaytoBatherleywithoutdangerofencounteringanymemberofthehunt。

Hisfirstintentionwastohireahorsethereandridehomeforthwith，fortowalkmanymileswithoutaguninhishand，andalonganordinaryroad，wasasmuchoutofthequestiontohimastootherspiritedyoungmenofhiskind。HedidnotmuchmindabouttakingthebadnewstoGodfrey，forhehadtoofferhimatthesametimetheresourceofMarner’smoney；andifGodfreykicked，ashealwaysdid，atthenotionofmakingafreshdebtfromwhichhehimselfgotthesmallestshareofadvantage，why，hewouldn’tkicklong：DunstanfeltsurehecouldworryGodfreyintoanything。TheideaofMarner’smoneykeptgrowinginvividness，nowthewantofithadbecomeimmediate；theprospectofhavingtomakehisappearancewiththemuddybootsofapedestrianatBatherley，andtoencounterthegrinningqueriesofstablemen，stoodunpleasantlyinthewayofhisimpatiencetobebackatRaveloeandcarryouthisfelicitousplan；andacasualvisitationofhiswaistcoat—pocket，ashewasruminating，awakenedhismemorytothefactthatthetwoorthreesmallcoinshisforefingerencounteredtherewereoftoopaleacolourtocoverthatsmalldebt，withoutpaymentofwhichthestable—keeperhaddeclaredhewouldneverdoanymorebusinesswithDunseyCass。Afterall，accordingtothedirectioninwhichtherunhadbroughthim，hewasnotsoverymuchfartherfromhomethanhewasfromBatherley；butDunsey，notbeingremarkableforclearnessofhead，wasonlyledtothisconclusionbythegradualperceptionthattherewereotherreasonsforchoosingtheunprecedentedcourseofwalkinghome。Itwasnownearlyfouro’clock，andamistwasgathering：thesoonerhegotintotheroadthebetter。Herememberedhavingcrossedtheroadandseenthefinger—postonlyalittlewhilebeforeWildfirebrokedown；so，buttoninghiscoat，twistingthelashofhishunting—whipcompactlyroundthehandle，andrappingthetopsofhisbootswithaself—possessedair，asiftoassurehimselfthathewasnotatalltakenbysurprise，hesetoffwiththesensethathewasundertakingaremarkablefeatofbodilyexertion，whichsomehowandatsometimeheshouldbeabletodressupandmagnifytotheadmirationofaselectcircleattheRainbow。WhenayounggentlemanlikeDunseyisreducedtosoexceptionalamodeoflocomotionaswalking，awhipinhishandisadesirablecorrectivetoatoobewilderingdreamysenseofunwontednessinhisposition；andDunstan，ashewentalongthroughthegatheringmist，wasalwaysrappinghiswhipsomewhere。ItwasGodfrey’swhip，whichhehadchosentotakewithoutleavebecauseithadagoldhandle；ofcoursenoonecouldsee，whenDunstanheldit，thatthename_GodfreyCass_wascutindeeplettersonthatgoldhandle——theycouldonlyseethatitwasaveryhandsomewhip。

Dunseywasnotwithoutfearthathemightmeetsomeacquaintanceinwhoseeyeshewouldcutapitiablefigure，formistisnoscreenwhenpeoplegetclosetoeachother；butwhenheatlastfoundhimselfinthewell—knownRaveloelaneswithouthavingmetasoul，hesilentlyremarkedthatthatwaspartofhisusualgoodluck。Butnowthemist，helpedbytheeveningdarkness，wasmoreofascreenthanhedesired，forithidtherutsintowhichhisfeetwereliabletoslip——hideverything，sothathehadtoguidehisstepsbydragginghiswhipalongthelowbushesinadvanceofthehedgerow。

Hemustsoon，hethought，begettingneartheopeningattheStone—pits：heshouldfinditoutbythebreakinthehedgerow。Hefounditout，however，byanothercircumstancewhichhehadnotexpected——namely，bycertaingleamsoflight，whichhepresentlyguessedtoproceedfromSilasMarner’scottage。Thatcottageandthemoneyhiddenwithinithadbeeninhismindcontinuallyduringhiswalk，andhehadbeenimaginingwaysofcajolingandtemptingtheweavertopartwiththeimmediatepossessionofhismoneyforthesakeofreceivinginterest。Dunstanfeltasiftheremustbealittlefrighteningaddedtothecajolery，forhisownarithmeticalconvictionswerenotclearenoughtoaffordhimanyforcibledemonstrationastotheadvantagesofinterest；andasforsecurity，heregardeditvaguelyasameansofcheatingamanbymakinghimbelievethathewouldbepaid。Altogether，theoperationonthemiser’smindwasataskthatGodfreywouldbesuretohandovertohismoredaringandcunningbrother：Dunstanhadmadeuphismindtothat；andbythetimehesawthelightgleamingthroughthechinksofMarner’sshutters，theideaofadialoguewiththeweaverhadbecomesofamiliartohim，thatitoccurredtohimasquiteanaturalthingtomaketheacquaintanceforthwith。Theremightbeseveralconveniencesattendingthiscourse：theweaverhadpossiblygotalantern，andDunstanwastiredoffeelinghisway。Hewasstillnearlythree—quartersofamilefromhome，andthelanewasbecomingunpleasantlyslippery，forthemistwaspassingintorain。

Heturnedupthebank，notwithoutsomefearlesthemightmisstherightway，sincehewasnotcertainwhetherthelightwereinfrontoronthesideofthecottage。Buthefeltthegroundbeforehimcautiouslywithhiswhip—handle，andatlastarrivedsafelyatthedoor。Heknockedloudly，ratherenjoyingtheideathattheoldfellowwouldbefrightenedatthesuddennoise。Heheardnomovementinreply：allwassilenceinthecottage。Wastheweavergonetobed，then？Ifso，whyhadheleftalight？Thatwasastrangeforgetfulnessinamiser。Dunstanknockedstillmoreloudly，and，withoutpausingforareply，pushedhisfingersthroughthelatch—hole，intendingtoshakethedoorandpullthelatch—stringupanddown，notdoubtingthatthedoorwasfastened。

But，tohissurprise，atthisdoublemotionthedooropened，andhefoundhimselfinfrontofabrightfirewhichlitupeverycornerofthecottage——thebed，theloom，thethreechairs，andthetable——

andshowedhimthatMarnerwasnotthere。

NothingatthatmomentcouldbemuchmoreinvitingtoDunseythanthebrightfireonthebrickhearth：hewalkedinandseatedhimselfbyitatonce。Therewassomethinginfrontofthefire，too，thatwouldhavebeeninvitingtoahungryman，ifithadbeeninadifferentstageofcooking。Itwasasmallbitofporksuspendedfromthekettle—hangerbyastringpassedthroughalargedoor—key，inawayknowntoprimitivehousekeepersunpossessedofjacks。Buttheporkhadbeenhungatthefarthestextremityofthehanger，apparentlytopreventtheroastingfromproceedingtoorapidlyduringtheowner’sabsence。Theoldstaringsimpletonhadhotmeatforhissupper，then？thoughtDunstan。Peoplehadalwayssaidhelivedonmouldybread，onpurposetocheckhisappetite。Butwherecouldhebeatthistime，andonsuchanevening，leavinghissupperinthisstageofpreparation，andhisdoorunfastened？Dunstan’sownrecentdifficultyinmakinghiswaysuggestedtohimthattheweaverhadperhapsgoneoutsidehiscottagetofetchinfuel，orforsomesuchbriefpurpose，andhadslippedintotheStone—pit。ThatwasaninterestingideatoDunstan，carryingconsequencesofentirenovelty。Iftheweaverwasdead，whohadarighttohismoney？Whowouldknowwherehismoneywashidden？_Whowouldknowthatanybodyhadcometotakeitaway？_Hewentnofartherintothesubtletiesofevidence：thepressingquestion，"Where_is_themoney？"nowtooksuchentirepossessionofhimastomakehimquiteforgetthattheweaver’sdeathwasnotacertainty。Adullmind，oncearrivingataninferencethatflattersadesire，israrelyabletoretaintheimpressionthatthenotionfromwhichtheinferencestartedwaspurelyproblematic。AndDunstan’smindwasasdullasthemindofapossiblefelonusuallyis。Therewereonlythreehiding—placeswherehehadeverheardofcottagers’hoardsbeingfound：thethatch，thebed，andaholeinthefloor。Marner’scottagehadnothatch；andDunstan’sfirstact，afteratrainofthoughtmaderapidbythestimulusofcupidity，wastogouptothebed；butwhilehedidso，hiseyestravelledeagerlyoverthefloor，wherethebricks，distinctinthefire—light，werediscernibleunderthesprinklingofsand。Butnoteverywhere；fortherewasonespot，andoneonly，whichwasquitecoveredwithsand，andsandshowingthemarksoffingers，whichhadapparentlybeencarefultospreaditoveragivenspace。Itwasnearthetreddlesoftheloom。InaninstantDunstandartedtothatspot，sweptawaythesandwithhiswhip，and，insertingthethinendofthehookbetweenthebricks，foundthattheywereloose。Inhastehelifteduptwobricks，andsawwhathehadnodoubtwastheobjectofhissearch；forwhatcouldtherebebutmoneyinthosetwoleathernbags？And，fromtheirweight，theymustbefilledwithguineas。Dunstanfeltroundthehole，tobecertainthatitheldnomore；thenhastilyreplacedthebricks，andspreadthesandoverthem。Hardlymorethanfiveminuteshadpassedsinceheenteredthecottage，butitseemedtoDunstanlikealongwhile；andthoughhewaswithoutanydistinctrecognitionofthepossibilitythatMarnermightbealive，andmightre—enterthecottageatanymoment，hefeltanundefinabledreadlayingholdonhim，asherosetohisfeetwiththebagsinhishand。Hewouldhastenoutintothedarkness，andthenconsiderwhatheshoulddowiththebags。Heclosedthedoorbehindhimimmediately，thathemightshutinthestreamoflight：afewstepswouldbeenoughtocarryhimbeyondbetrayalbythegleamsfromtheshutter—chinksandthelatch—hole。Therainanddarknesshadgotthicker，andhewasgladofit；thoughitwasawkwardwalkingwithbothhandsfilled，sothatitwasasmuchashecoulddotograsphiswhipalongwithoneofthebags。Butwhenhehadgoneayardortwo，hemighttakehistime。Sohesteppedforwardintothedarkness。

CHAPTERV

WhenDunstanCassturnedhisbackonthecottage，SilasMarnerwasnotmorethanahundredyardsawayfromit，ploddingalongfromthevillagewithasackthrownroundhisshouldersasanovercoat，andwithahornlanterninhishand。Hislegswereweary，buthismindwasatease，freefromthepresentimentofchange。Thesenseofsecuritymorefrequentlyspringsfromhabitthanfromconviction，andforthisreasonitoftensubsistsaftersuchachangeintheconditionsasmighthavebeenexpectedtosuggestalarm。Thelapseoftimeduringwhichagiveneventhasnothappened，is，inthislogicofhabit，constantlyallegedasareasonwhytheeventshouldneverhappen，evenwhenthelapseoftimeispreciselytheaddedconditionwhichmakestheeventimminent。Amanwilltellyouthathehasworkedinamineforfortyyearsunhurtbyanaccidentasareasonwhyheshouldapprehendnodanger，thoughtheroofisbeginningtosink；anditisoftenobservable，thattheolderamangets，themoredifficultitistohimtoretainabelievingconceptionofhisowndeath。ThisinfluenceofhabitwasnecessarilystronginamanwhoselifewassomonotonousasMarner’s——

whosawnonewpeopleandheardofnoneweventstokeepaliveinhimtheideaoftheunexpectedandthechangeful；anditexplainssimplyenough，whyhismindcouldbeatease，thoughhehadlefthishouseandhistreasuremoredefencelessthanusual。Silaswasthinkingwithdoublecomplacencyofhissupper：first，becauseitwouldbehotandsavoury；andsecondly，becauseitwouldcosthimnothing。Forthelittlebitofporkwasapresentfromthatexcellenthousewife，MissPriscillaLammeter，towhomhehadthisdaycarriedhomeahandsomepieceoflinen；anditwasonlyonoccasionofapresentlikethis，thatSilasindulgedhimselfwithroast—meat。Supperwashisfavouritemeal，becauseitcameathistimeofrevelry，whenhisheartwarmedoverhisgold；wheneverhehadroast—meat，healwayschosetohaveitforsupper。Butthisevening，hehadnosooneringeniouslyknottedhisstringfastroundhisbitofpork，twistedthestringaccordingtoruleoverhisdoor—key，passeditthroughthehandle，andmadeitfastonthehanger，thanherememberedthatapieceofveryfinetwinewasindispensabletohis"settingup"anewpieceofworkinhisloomearlyinthemorning。Ithadslippedhismemory，because，incomingfromMr。Lammeter’s，hehadnothadtopassthroughthevillage；buttolosetimebygoingonerrandsinthemorningwasoutofthequestion。Itwasanastyfogtoturnoutinto，buttherewerethingsSilaslovedbetterthanhisowncomfort；so，drawinghisporktotheextremityofthehanger，andarminghimselfwithhislanternandhisoldsack，hesetoutonwhat，inordinaryweather，wouldhavebeenatwentyminutes’errand。Hecouldnothavelockedhisdoorwithoutundoinghiswell—knottedstringandretardinghissupper；itwasnotworthhiswhiletomakethatsacrifice。WhatthiefwouldfindhiswaytotheStone—pitsonsuchanightasthis？

andwhyshouldhecomeonthisparticularnight，whenhehadnevercomethroughallthefifteenyearsbefore？ThesequestionswerenotdistinctlypresentinSilas’smind；theymerelyservetorepresentthevaguely—feltfoundationofhisfreedomfromanxiety。

Hereachedhisdoorinmuchsatisfactionthathiserrandwasdone：

heopenedit，andtohisshort—sightedeyeseverythingremainedashehadleftit，exceptthatthefiresentoutawelcomeincreaseofheat。Hetrodaboutthefloorwhileputtingbyhislanternandthrowingasidehishatandsack，soastomergethemarksofDunstan’sfeetonthesandinthemarksofhisownnailedboots。

Thenhemovedhisporknearertothefire，andsatdowntotheagreeablebusinessoftendingthemeatandwarminghimselfatthesametime。

Anyonewhohadlookedathimastheredlightshoneuponhispaleface，strangestrainingeyes，andmeagreform，wouldperhapshaveunderstoodthemixtureofcontemptuouspity，dread，andsuspicionwithwhichhewasregardedbyhisneighboursinRaveloe。YetfewmencouldbemoreharmlessthanpoorMarner。Inhistruthfulsimplesoul，noteventhegrowinggreedandworshipofgoldcouldbegetanyvicedirectlyinjurioustoothers。Thelightofhisfaithquiteputout，andhisaffectionsmadedesolate，hehadclungwithalltheforceofhisnaturetohisworkandhismoney；andlikeallobjectstowhichamandevoteshimself，theyhadfashionedhimintocorrespondencewiththemselves。Hisloom，ashewroughtinitwithoutceasing，hadinitsturnwroughtonhim，andconfirmedmoreandmorethemonotonouscravingforitsmonotonousresponse。Hisgold，ashehungoveritandsawitgrow，gatheredhispoweroflovingtogetherintoahardisolationlikeitsown。

Assoonashewaswarmhebegantothinkitwouldbealongwhiletowaittillaftersupperbeforehedrewouthisguineas，anditwouldbepleasanttoseethemonthetablebeforehimasheatehisunwontedfeast。Forjoyisthebestofwine，andSilas’sguineaswereagoldenwineofthatsort。

Heroseandplacedhiscandleunsuspectinglyonthefloornearhisloom，sweptawaythesandwithoutnoticinganychange，andremovedthebricks。Thesightoftheemptyholemadehisheartleapviolently，butthebeliefthathisgoldwasgonecouldnotcomeatonce——onlyterror，andtheeagerefforttoputanendtotheterror。Hepassedhistremblinghandallaboutthehole，tryingtothinkitpossiblethathiseyeshaddeceivedhim；thenheheldthecandleintheholeandexamineditcuriously，tremblingmoreandmore。Atlastheshooksoviolentlythatheletfallthecandle，andliftedhishandstohishead，tryingtosteadyhimself，thathemightthink。Hadheputhisgoldsomewhereelse，byasuddenresolutionlastnight，andthenforgottenit？Amanfallingintodarkwatersseeksamomentaryfootingevenonslidingstones；andSilas，byactingasifhebelievedinfalsehopes，wardedoffthemomentofdespair。Hesearchedineverycorner，heturnedhisbedover，andshookit，andkneadedit；helookedinhisbrickovenwherehelaidhissticks。Whentherewasnootherplacetobesearched，hekneeleddownagainandfeltoncemoreallroundthehole。Therewasnountriedrefugeleftforamoment’sshelterfromtheterribletruth。

Yes，therewasasortofrefugewhichalwayscomeswiththeprostrationofthoughtunderanoverpoweringpassion：itwasthatexpectationofimpossibilities，thatbeliefincontradictoryimages，whichisstilldistinctfrommadness，becauseitiscapableofbeingdissipatedbytheexternalfact。Silasgotupfromhiskneestrembling，andlookedroundatthetable：didn’tthegoldliethereafterall？Thetablewasbare。Thenheturnedandlookedbehindhim——lookedallroundhisdwelling，seemingtostrainhisbrowneyesaftersomepossibleappearanceofthebagswherehehadalreadysoughttheminvain。Hecouldseeeveryobjectinhiscottage——

andhisgoldwasnotthere。

Againheputhistremblinghandstohishead，andgaveawildringingscream，thecryofdesolation。Forafewmomentsafter，hestoodmotionless；butthecryhadrelievedhimfromthefirstmaddeningpressureofthetruth。Heturned，andtotteredtowardshisloom，andgotintotheseatwhereheworked，instinctivelyseekingthisasthestrongestassuranceofreality。

Andnowthatallthefalsehopeshadvanished，andthefirstshockofcertaintywaspast，theideaofathiefbegantopresentitself，andheentertainediteagerly，becauseathiefmightbecaughtandmadetorestorethegold。Thethoughtbroughtsomenewstrengthwithit，andhestartedfromhisloomtothedoor。Asheopenedittherainbeatinuponhim，foritwasfallingmoreandmoreheavily。

Therewerenofootstepstobetrackedonsuchanight——footsteps？

Whenhadthethiefcome？DuringSilas’sabsenceinthedaytimethedoorhadbeenlocked，andtherehadbeennomarksofanyinroadonhisreturnbydaylight。Andintheevening，too，hesaidtohimself，everythingwasthesameaswhenhehadleftit。Thesandandbrickslookedasiftheyhadnotbeenmoved。_Was_itathiefwhohadtakenthebags？orwasitacruelpowerthatnohandscouldreach，whichhaddelightedinmakinghimasecondtimedesolate？Heshrankfromthisvaguerdread，andfixedhismindwithstrugglingeffortontherobberwithhands，whocouldbereachedbyhands。Histhoughtsglancedatalltheneighbourswhohadmadeanyremarks，oraskedanyquestionswhichhemightnowregardasagroundofsuspicion。TherewasJemRodney，aknownpoacher，andotherwisedisreputable：hehadoftenmetMarnerinhisjourneysacrossthefields，andhadsaidsomethingjestinglyabouttheweaver’smoney；

nay，hehadonceirritatedMarner，bylingeringatthefirewhenhecalledtolighthispipe，insteadofgoingabouthisbusiness。JemRodneywastheman——therewaseaseinthethought。Jemcouldbefoundandmadetorestorethemoney：Marnerdidnotwanttopunishhim，butonlytogetbackhisgoldwhichhadgonefromhim，andlefthissoullikeaforlorntravelleronanunknowndesert。Therobbermustbelaidholdof。Marner’sideasoflegalauthoritywereconfused，buthefeltthathemustgoandproclaimhisloss；andthegreatpeopleinthevillage——theclergyman，theconstable，andSquireCass——wouldmakeJemRodney，orsomebodyelse，deliverupthestolenmoney。Herushedoutintherain，underthestimulusofthishope，forgettingtocoverhishead，notcaringtofastenhisdoor；forhefeltasifhehadnothinglefttolose。Heranswiftly，tillwantofbreathcompelledhimtoslackenhispaceashewasenteringthevillageattheturningclosetotheRainbow。

TheRainbow，inMarner’sview，wasaplaceofluxuriousresortforrichandstouthusbands，whosewiveshadsuperfluousstoresoflinen；itwastheplacewherehewaslikelytofindthepowersanddignitiesofRaveloe，andwherehecouldmostspeedilymakehislosspublic。Heliftedthelatch，andturnedintothebrightbarorkitchenontherighthand，wherethelessloftycustomersofthehousewereinthehabitofassembling，theparlourontheleftbeingreservedforthemoreselectsocietyinwhichSquireCassfrequentlyenjoyedthedoublepleasureofconvivialityandcondescension。Buttheparlourwasdarkto—night，thechiefpersonageswhoornamenteditscirclebeingallatMrs。Osgood’sbirthdaydance，asGodfreyCasswas。Andinconsequenceofthis，thepartyonthehigh—screenedseatsinthekitchenwasmorenumerousthanusual；

severalpersonages，whowouldotherwisehavebeenadmittedintotheparlourandenlargedtheopportunityofhectoringandcondescensionfortheirbetters，beingcontentthiseveningtovarytheirenjoymentbytakingtheirspirits—and—waterwheretheycouldthemselveshectorandcondescendincompanythatcalledforbeer。

CHAPTERVI

Theconversation，whichwasatahighpitchofanimationwhenSilasapproachedthedooroftheRainbow，had，asusual，beenslowandintermittentwhenthecompanyfirstassembled。Thepipesbegantobepuffedinasilencewhichhadanairofseverity；themoreimportantcustomers，whodrankspiritsandsatnearestthefire，staringateachotherasifabetweredependingonthefirstmanwhowinked；whilethebeer—drinkers，chieflymeninfustianjacketsandsmock—frocks，kepttheireyelidsdownandrubbedtheirhandsacrosstheirmouths，asiftheirdraughtsofbeerwereafunerealdutyattendedwithembarrassingsadness。AtlastMr。Snell，thelandlord，amanofaneutraldisposition，accustomedtostandalooffromhumandifferencesasthoseofbeingswhowereallalikeinneedofliquor，brokesilence，bysayinginadoubtfultonetohiscousinthebutcher——

"Somefolks’udsaythatwasafinebeastyoudruvinyesterday，Bob？"

Thebutcher，ajolly，smiling，red—hairedman，wasnotdisposedtoanswerrashly。Hegaveafewpuffsbeforehespatandreplied，"Andtheywouldn’tbefurwrong，John。"

Afterthisfeebledelusivethaw，thesilencesetinasseverelyasbefore。

"WasitaredDurham？"saidthefarrier，takingupthethreadofdiscourseafterthelapseofafewminutes。

Thefarrierlookedatthelandlord，andthelandlordlookedatthebutcher，asthepersonwhomusttaketheresponsibilityofanswering。

"Reditwas，"saidthebutcher，inhisgood—humouredhuskytreble——

"andaDurhamitwas。"

"Thenyouneedn’ttell_me_whoyouboughtitof，"saidthefarrier，lookingroundwithsometriumph；"IknowwhoitishasgottheredDurhamso’thiscountry—side。Andshe’dawhitestaronherbrow，I’llbetapenny？"Thefarrierleanedforwardwithhishandsonhiskneesasheputthisquestion，andhiseyestwinkledknowingly。

"Well；yes——shemight，"saidthebutcher，slowly，consideringthathewasgivingadecidedaffirmative。"Idon’tsaycontrairy。"

"Iknewthatverywell，"saidthefarrier，throwinghimselfbackwardagain，andspeakingdefiantly；"if_I_don’tknowMr。Lammeter’scows，Ishouldliketoknowwhodoes——that’sall。

Andasforthecowyou’vebought，bargainornobargain，I’vebeenatthedrenchingofher——contradickmewhowill。"

Thefarrierlookedfierce，andthemildbutcher’sconversationalspiritwasrousedalittle。

"I’mnotforcontradickingnoman，"hesaid；"I’mforpeaceandquietness。Someareforcuttinglongribs——I’mforcutting’emshortmyself；but_I_don’tquarrelwith’em。AllIsayis，it’salovelycarkiss——andanybodyaswasreasonable，it’udbringtearsintotheireyestolookatit。"

"Well，it’sthecowasIdrenched，whateveritis，"pursuedthefarrier，angrily；"anditwasMr。Lammeter’scow，elseyoutoldaliewhenyousaiditwasaredDurham。"

"Itellnolies，"saidthebutcher，withthesamemildhuskinessasbefore，"andIcontradicknone——notifamanwastoswearhimselfblack：he’snomeato’mine，nornoneo’mybargains。AllI

sayis，it’salovelycarkiss。AndwhatIsay，I’llstickto；butI’llquarrelwi’noman。"

"No，"saidthefarrier，withbittersarcasm，lookingatthecompanygenerally；"andp’rhapsyouaren’tpig—headed；andp’rhapsyoudidn’tsaythecowwasaredDurham；andp’rhapsyoudidn’tsayshe’dgotastaronherbrow——sticktothat，nowyou’reatit。"

"Come，come，"saidthelandlord；"letthecowalone。Thetruthliesatweenyou：you’rebothrightandbothwrong，asIallayssay。

Andasforthecow’sbeingMr。Lammeter’s，Isaynothingtothat；

butthisIsay，astheRainbow’stheRainbow。Andforthemattero’

that，ifthetalkistobeo’theLammeters，_you_knowthemostupo’thathead，eh，Mr。Macey？YourememberwhenfirstMr。Lammeter’sfathercomeintotheseparts，andtooktheWarrens？"

Mr。Macey，tailorandparish—clerk，thelatterofwhichfunctionsrheumatismhadoflateobligedhimtosharewithasmall—featuredyoungmanwhosatoppositehim，heldhiswhiteheadononeside，andtwirledhisthumbswithanairofcomplacency，slightlyseasonedwithcriticism。Hesmiledpityingly，inanswertothelandlord’sappeal，andsaid——

"Aye，aye；Iknow，Iknow；butIletotherfolkstalk。I’velaidbynow，andgevuptotheyounguns。AskthemashavebeentoschoolatTarley：they’velearntpernouncing；that’scomeupsincemyday。"

"Ifyou’repointingatme，Mr。Macey，"saidthedeputyclerk，withanairofanxiouspropriety，"I’mnowiseamantospeakoutofmyplace。Asthepsalmsays——

"Iknowwhat’sright，noronlyso，ButalsopractisewhatIknow。""

"Well，then，Iwishyou’dkeepholdo’thetune，whenit’ssetforyou；ifyou’reforprac_tis_ing，Iwishyou’dprac_tise_that，"

saidalargejocose—lookingman，anexcellentwheelwrightinhisweek—daycapacity，butonSundaysleaderofthechoir。Hewinked，ashespoke，attwoofthecompany，whowereknownofficiallyasthe"bassoon"andthe"key—bugle"，intheconfidencethathewasexpressingthesenseofthemusicalprofessioninRaveloe。

Mr。Tookey，thedeputy—clerk，whosharedtheunpopularitycommontodeputies，turnedveryred，butreplied，withcarefulmoderation——

"Mr。Winthrop，ifyou’llbringmeanyproofasI’minthewrong，I’mnotthemantosayIwon’talter。Butthere’speoplesetuptheirownearsforastandard，andexpectthewholechoirtofollow’em。Theremaybetwoopinions，Ihope。"

"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Macey，whofeltverywellsatisfiedwiththisattackonyouthfulpresumption；"you’rerightthere，Tookey：

there’sallaystwo’pinions；there’sthe’pinionamanhasofhimsen，andthere’sthe’pinionotherfolkshaveonhim。There’dbetwo’pinionsaboutacrackedbell，ifthebellcouldhearitself。"

"Well，Mr。Macey，"saidpoorTookey，seriousamidstthegenerallaughter，"Iundertooktopartiallyfilluptheofficeofparish—clerkbyMr。Crackenthorp’sdesire，wheneveryourinfirmitiesshouldmakeyouunfitting；andit’soneoftherightsthereoftosinginthechoir——elsewhyhaveyoudonethesameyourself？"

"Ah！buttheoldgentlemanandyouaretwofolks，"saidBenWinthrop。"Theoldgentleman’sgotagift。Why，theSquireusedtoinvitehimtotakeaglass，onlytohearhimsingthe"RedRovier"；didn’the，Mr。Macey？It’sanat’ralgift。There’smylittleladAaron，he’sgotagift——hecansingatuneoffstraight，likeathrostle。Butasforyou，MasterTookey，you’dbettersticktoyour"Amens"：yourvoiceiswellenoughwhenyoukeepitupinyournose。It’syourinsideasisn’trightmadeformusic：it’snobetternorahollowstalk。"

ThiskindofunflinchingfranknesswasthemostpiquantformofjoketothecompanyattheRainbow，andBenWinthrop’sinsultwasfeltbyeverybodytohavecappedMr。Macey’sepigram。

"Iseewhatitisplainenough，"saidMr。Tookey，unabletokeepcoolanylonger。"There’saconsperacytoturnmeouto’thechoir，asIshouldn’tsharetheChristmasmoney——that’swhereitis。ButIshallspeaktoMr。Crackenthorp；I’llnotbeputuponbynoman。"

"Nay，nay，Tookey，"saidBenWinthrop。"We’llpayyouyoursharetokeepoutofit——that’swhatwe’lldo。There’sthingsfolks’udpaytoberidon，besidesvarmin。"

"Come，come，"saidthelandlord，whofeltthatpayingpeoplefortheirabsencewasaprincipledangeroustosociety；"ajoke’sajoke。We’reallgoodfriendshere，Ihope。Wemustgiveandtake。

You’rebothrightandyou’rebothwrong，asIsay。Iagreewi’

Mr。Maceyhere，asthere’stwoopinions；andifminewasasked，I

shouldsaythey’rebothright。Tookey’srightandWinthrop’sright，andthey’veonlygottosplitthedifferenceandmakethemselveseven。"

Thefarrierwaspuffinghispiperatherfiercely，insomecontemptatthistrivialdiscussion。Hehadnoearformusichimself，andneverwenttochurch，asbeingofthemedicalprofession，andlikelytobeinrequisitionfordelicatecows。Butthebutcher，havingmusicinhissoul，hadlistenedwithadivideddesireforTookey’sdefeatandforthepreservationofthepeace。

"Tobesure，"hesaid，followingupthelandlord’sconciliatoryview，"we’refondofouroldclerk；it’snat’ral，andhimusedtobesuchasinger，andgotabrotherasisknownforthefirstfiddlerinthiscountry—side。Eh，it’sapitybutwhatSolomonlivedinourvillage，andcouldgiveusatunewhenweliked；eh，Mr。Macey？I’dkeephiminliverandlightsfornothing——thatI

would。"

"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Macey，intheheightofcomplacency；"ourfamily’sbeenknownformusicianersasfarbackasanybodycantell。

Butthemthingsaredyingout，asItellSolomoneverytimehecomesround；there’snovoiceslikewhatthereusedtobe，andthere’snobodyrememberswhatweremember，ifitisn’ttheoldcrows。"

"Aye，yourememberwhenfirstMr。Lammeter’sfathercomeintotheseparts，don’tyou，Mr。Macey？"saidthelandlord。

"IshouldthinkIdid，"saidtheoldman，whohadnowgonethroughthatcomplimentaryprocessnecessarytobringhimuptothepointofnarration；"andafineoldgentlemanhewas——asfine，andfinernortheMr。Lammeterasnowis。Hecamefromabitnorth’ard，sofarasIcouldevermakeout。Butthere’snobodyrightlyknowsaboutthoseparts：onlyitcouldn’tbefarnorth’ard，normuchdifferentfromthiscountry，forhebroughtafinebreedo’sheepwithhim，sotheremustbepasturesthere，andeverythingreasonable。Wehearedtellashe’dsoldhisownlandtocomeandtaketheWarrens，andthatseemedoddforamanashadlandofhisown，tocomeandrentafarminastrangeplace。Buttheysaiditwasalongofhiswife’sdying；thoughthere’sreasonsinthingsasnobodyknowson——that’sprettymuchwhatI’vemadeout；yetsomefolksaresowise，they’llfindyoufiftyreasonsstraightoff，andallthewhiletherealreason’swinkingat’eminthecorner，andtheyniversee’t。Howsomever，itwassoonseenaswe’dgotanewparish’nerasknow’dtherightsandcustomso’things，andkepagoodhouse，andwaswelllookedonbyeverybody。Andtheyoungman——

that’stheMr。Lammeterasnowis，forhe’dniverasister——

soonbeguntocourtMissOsgood，that’sthesistero’theMr。Osgoodasnowis，andafinehandsomelassshewas——eh，youcan’tthink——

theypretendthisyounglassislikeher，butthat’sthewaywi’

peopleasdon’tknowwhatcomebefore’em。_I_shouldknow，forI

helpedtheoldrector，Mr。Drumlowaswas，Ihelpedhimmarry’em。"

HereMr。Maceypaused；healwaysgavehisnarrativeininstalments，expectingtobequestionedaccordingtoprecedent。

"Aye，andapartic’larthinghappened，didn’tit，Mr。Macey，soasyouwerelikelytorememberthatmarriage？"saidthelandlord，inacongratulatorytone。

"Ishouldthinktheredid——a_very_partic’larthing，"saidMr。Macey，noddingsideways。"ForMr。Drumlow——pooroldgentleman，Iwasfondonhim，thoughhe’dgotabitconfusedinhishead，whatwi’ageandwi’takingadropo’summatwarmwhentheservicecomeofacoldmorning。AndyoungMr。Lammeter，he’dhavenowaybuthemustbemarriedinJaniwary，which，tobesure，’saunreasonabletimetobemarriedin，foritisn’tlikeachristeningoraburying，asyoucan’thelp；andsoMr。Drumlow——pooroldgentleman，Iwasfondonhim——butwhenhecometoputthequestions，heput’embytheruleo’contrairy，like，andhesays，"Wiltthouhavethismantothyweddedwife？"sayshe，andthenhesays，"Wiltthouhavethiswomantothyweddedhusband？"sayshe。

Butthepartic’larestthingofallis，asnobodytookanynoticeonitbutme，andtheyansweredstraightoff"yes"，likeasifithadbeenmesaying"Amen"i’therightplace，withoutlisteningtowhatwentbefore。"

"But_you_knewwhatwasgoingonwellenough，didn’tyou，Mr。Macey？Youwereliveenough，eh？"saidthebutcher。

"Lorblessyou！"saidMr。Macey，pausing，andsmilinginpityattheimpotenceofhishearer’simagination——"why，Iwasallofatremble：itwasasifI’dbeenacoatpulledbythetwotails，like；

forIcouldn’tstoptheparson，Icouldn’ttakeuponmetodothat；

andyetIsaidtomyself，Isays，"Supposetheyshouldn’tbefastmarried，’causethewordsarecontrairy？"andmyheadwentworkinglikeamill，forIwasallaysuncommonforturningthingsoverandseeingallround’em；andIsaystomyself，"Is’tthemeanin’orthewordsasmakesfolksfasti’wedlock？"Fortheparsonmeantright，andthebrideandbridegroommeantright。Butthen，whenIcometothinkonit，meanin’goesbutalittlewayi’mostthings，foryoumaymeantostickthingstogetherandyourgluemaybebad，andthenwhereareyou？AndsoIsaystomysen，"Itisn’tthemeanin’，it’stheglue。"AndIwasworretedasifI’dgotthreebellstopullatonce，whenwewentintothevestry，andtheybeguntosigntheirnames。Butwhere’stheuseo’talking？——youcan’tthinkwhatgoesonina’cuteman’sinside。"

"Butyouheldinforallthat，didn’tyou，Mr。Macey？"saidthelandlord。

"Aye，IheldintighttillIwasbymysenwi’Mr。Drumlow，andthenIoutwi’everything，butrespectful，asIallaysdid。Andhemadelightonit，andhesays，"Pooh，pooh，Macey，makeyourselfeasy，"

hesays；"it’sneitherthemeaningnorthewords——it’sthere_ges_terdoesit——that’stheglue。"Soyouseehesettlediteasy；forparsonsanddoctorsknoweverythingbyheart，like，soastheyaren’tworretedwi’thinkingwhat’stherightsandwrongso’

things，asI’nbeenmanyandmany’sthetime。Andsureenoughtheweddingturnedoutallright，on’ypoorMrs。Lammeter——that’sMissOsgoodaswas——diedaforethelasseswasgrowedup；butforprosperityandeverythingrespectable，there’snofamilymorelookedon。"

EveryoneofMr。Macey’saudiencehadheardthisstorymanytimes，butitwaslistenedtoasifithadbeenafavouritetune，andatcertainpointsthepuffingofthepipeswasmomentarilysuspended，thatthelistenersmightgivetheirwholemindstotheexpectedwords。Buttherewasmoretocome；andMr。Snell，thelandlord，dulyputtheleadingquestion。

"Why，oldMr。Lammeterhadaprettyfortin，didn’ttheysay，whenhecomeintotheseparts？"

"Well，yes，"saidMr。Macey；"butIdaresayit’sasmuchasthisMr。Lammeter’sdonetokeepitwhole。FortherewasallaysatalkasnobodycouldgetrichontheWarrens：thoughheholdsitcheap，forit’swhattheycallCharityLand。"

"Aye，andthere’sfewfolksknowsowellasyouhowitcometobeCharityLand，eh，Mr。Macey？"saidthebutcher。

"Howshouldthey？"saidtheoldclerk，withsomecontempt。

"Why，mygrandfathermadethegrooms’liveryforthatMr。CliffascameandbuiltthebigstablesattheWarrens。Why，they’restablesfourtimesasbigasSquireCass’s，forhethoughto’nothingbuthossesandhunting，Cliffdidn’t——aLunnontailor，somefolkssaid，ashadgonemadwi’cheating。Forhecouldn’tride；lorblessyou！theysaidhe’dgotnomoregripo’thehossthanifhislegshadbeencross—sticks：mygrandfatherhearedoldSquireCasssaysomanyandmanyatime。Butridehewould，asifOldHarryhadbeena—drivinghim；andhe’dason，alado’sixteen；andnothingwouldhisfatherhavehimdo，buthemustrideandride——thoughtheladwasfrighted，theysaid。Anditwasacommonsayingasthefatherwantedtoridethetailorouto’thelad，andmakeagentlemanonhim——notbutwhatI’matailormyself，butinrespectasGodmademesuch，I’mproudonit，for"Macey，tailor"，’sbeenwroteupoverourdoorsinceaforetheQueen’sheadswentoutontheshillings。

ButCliff，hewasashamedo’beingcalledatailor，andhewassorevexedashisridingwaslaughedat，andnobodyo’thegentlefolkshereaboutcouldabidehim。Howsomever，thepoorladgotsicklyanddied，andthefatherdidn’tlivelongafterhim，forhegotqueerernorever，andtheysaidheusedtogoouti’thedeado’thenight，wi’alanterninhishand，tothestables，andsetaloto’lightsburning，forhegotashecouldn’tsleep；andtherehe’dstand，crackinghiswhipandlookingathishosses；andtheysaiditwasamercyasthestablesdidn’tgetburntdownwi’thepoordumbcreatursin’em。Butatlasthediedraving，andtheyfoundashe’dleftallhisproperty，Warrensandall，toaLunnonCharity，andthat’showtheWarrenscometobeCharityLand；though，asforthestables，Mr。Lammeterneveruses’em——they’reouto’allcharicter——

lorblessyou！ifyouwastosetthedoorsa—bangingin’em，it’udsoundlikethunderhalfo’ertheparish。"

"Aye，butthere’smoregoingoninthestablesthanwhatfolksseebydaylight，eh，Mr。Macey？"saidthelandlord。

"Aye，aye；gothatwayofadarknight，that’sall，"saidMr。Macey，winkingmysteriously，"andthenmakebelieve，ifyoulike，asyoudidn’tseelightsi’thestables，norhearthestampingo’thehosses，northecrackingo’thewhips，andhowling，too，ifit’stow’rtdaybreak。"Cliff’sHoliday"hasbeenthenameofiteversin’Iwereaboy；that’stosay，somesaidasitwastheholidayOldHarrygevhimfromroasting，like。That’swhatmyfathertoldme，andhewasareasonableman，thoughthere’sfolksnowadaysknowwhathappenedaforetheywerebornbetternortheyknowtheirownbusiness。"

"Whatdoyousaytothat，eh，Dowlas？"saidthelandlord，turningtothefarrier，whowasswellingwithimpatienceforhiscue。

"There’sanutfor_you_tocrack。"

Mr。Dowlaswasthenegativespiritinthecompany，andwasproudofhisposition。

"Say？Isaywhataman_should_sayasdoesn’tshuthiseyestolookatafinger—post。Isay，asI’mreadytowageranymantenpound，ifhe’llstandoutwi’meanydrynightinthepasturebeforetheWarrenstables，asweshallneitherseelightsnorhearnoises，ifitisn’ttheblowingofourownnoses。That’swhatIsay，andI’vesaiditmanyatime；butthere’snobody’ullventuraten—pun’

noteontheirghos’esastheymakesosureof。"

"Why，Dowlas，that’seasybetting，thatis，"saidBenWinthrop。

"Youmightaswellbetamanashewouldn’tcatchtherheumatiseifhestoodupto’sneckinthepoolofafrostynight。It’udbefinefunforamantowinhisbetashe’dcatchtherheumatise。

FolksasbelieveinCliff’sHolidayaren’tagoingtoventurnearitforamattero’tenpound。"

"IfMasterDowlaswantstoknowthetruthonit，"saidMr。Macey，withasarcasticsmile，tappinghisthumbstogether，"he’snocalltolayanybet——lethimgoandstan’byhimself——there’snobody’ullhinderhim；andthenhecanlettheparish’nersknowifthey’rewrong。"

"Thankyou！I’mobligedtoyou，"saidthefarrier，withasnortofscorn。"Iffolksarefools，it’snobusinesso’mine。_I_

don’twanttomakeoutthetruthaboutghos’es：Iknowita’ready。

ButI’mnotagainstabet——everythingfairandopen。LetanymanbetmetenpoundasIshallseeCliff’sHoliday，andI’llgoandstandbymyself。Iwantnocompany。I’dasliefdoitasI’dfillthispipe。"

"Ah，butwho’stowatchyou，Dowlas，andseeyoudoit？That’snofairbet，"saidthebutcher。

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