PARTTHETHIRD——SUMMER
CHAPTERI：DRIVINGOUTOFBUDMOUTH
Aneasybendofneckandgracefulsetofhead;fullandwavybundlesofdark—brownhair;lightfalloflittlefeet;prettydevicesontheskirtofthedress;cleardeepeyes;inshort，abunchofsweets：
itwasFancy！Dick’sheartwentroundtoherwitharush。
ThescenewasthecornerofMaryStreetinBudmouth—Regis，neartheKing’sstatue，atwhichpointthewhiteangleofthelasthouseintherowcutperpendicularlyanembayedandnearlymotionlessexpanseofsaltwaterprojectedfromtheouterocean——to—daylitinbrighttonesofgreenandopal。DickandSmarthadjustemergedfromthestreet，andthereontheright，againstthebrilliantsheetofliquidcolour，stoodFancyDay;andsheturnedandrecognizedhim。
DicksuspendedhisthoughtsoftheletterandwonderathowshecametherebydrivingclosetothechainsoftheEsplanade——incontinentlydisplacingtwochairmen，whohadjustcometolifeforthesummerinnewcleanshirtsandrevivifiedclothes，andbeingalmostdisplacedinturnbyarigidboyrattlingalongwithabaker’scart，andlookingneithertotherightnortheleft。HeaskedifsheweregoingtoMellstockthatnight。
\"Yes，I’mwaitingforthecarrier，\"shereplied，seeming，too，tosuspendthoughtsoftheletter。
\"NowIcandriveyouhomenicely，andyousavehalfanhour。Willyecomewithme？\"
AsFancy’spowertowillanythingseemedtohavedepartedinsomemysteriousmanneratthatmoment，Dicksettledthematterbygettingoutandassistingherintothevehiclewithoutanotherword。
Thetemporaryflushuponhercheekchangedtoalesserhue，whichwaspermanent，andatlengththeireyesmet;therewaspresentbetweenthemacertainfeelingofembarrassment，whicharisesatsuchmomentswhenalltheinstinctiveactsdictatedbythepositionhavebeenperformed。Dick，beingengagedwiththereins，thoughtlessofthisawkwardnessthandidFancy，whohadnothingtodobuttofeelhispresence，andtobemoreandmoreconsciousofthefact，thatbyacceptingaseatbesidehiminthiswayshesuccumbedtothetoneofhisnote。Smartjoggedalong，andDickjogged，andthehelplessFancynecessarilyjogged，too;andshefeltthatshewasinameasurecaptureIandmadeaprisoner。
\"Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforyourcompany，MissDay，\"heobserved，astheydrovepastthetwosemicircularbaysoftheOldRoyalHotel，whereHisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdhadmanyatimeattendedtheballsoftheburgesses。
ToMissDay，creditinghimwiththesameconsciousnessofmastery——aconsciousnessofwhichhewasperfectlyinnocent——thisremarksoundedlikeamagnanimousintentiontosootheher，thecaptive。
\"Ididn’tcomeforthepleasureofobligingyouwithmycompany，\"
shesaid。
TheanswerhadanunexpectedmannerofincivilityinitthatmusthavebeenrathersurprisingtoyoungDewy。Atthesametimeitmaybeobserved，thatwhenayoungwomanreturnsarudeanswertoayoungman’scivilremark，herheartisinastatewhicharguesratherhopefullyforhiscasethanotherwise。
Therewassilencebetweenthemtilltheyhadleftthesea—frontandpassedabouttwentyofthetreesthatornamentedtheroadleadingupoutofthetowntowardsCasterbridgeandMellstock。
\"ThoughIdidn’tcomeforthatpurposeeither，Iwouldhavedoneit，\"saidDickatthetwenty—firsttree。
\"Now，Mr。Dewy，noflirtation，becauseit’swrong，andIdon’twishit。\"
Dickseatedhimselfafreshjustashehadbeensittingbefore，arrangedhislooksveryemphatically，andclearedhisthroat。
\"Really，anybodywouldthinkyouhadmetmeonbusinessandwerejustgoingtocommence，\"saidtheladyintractably。
\"Yes，theywould。\"
\"Why，youneverhave，tobesure！\"
Thiswasashakybeginning。Hechoppedround，andsaidcheerily，asamanwhohadresolvednevertospoilhisjollitybylovingoneofwomankind——\"Well，howareyougettingon，MissDay，atthepresenttime？Gaily，Idon’tdoubtforamoment。\"
\"Iamnotgay，Dick;youknowthat。\"
\"Gailydoesn’tmeandeckedingaydresses。\"
\"Ididn’tsupposegailywasgailydressed。Mightyme，whatascholaryou’vegrown！\"
\"Lotsofthingshavehappenedtoyouthisspring，Isee。\"
\"Whathaveyouseen？\"
\"O，nothing;I’veheard，Imean！\"
\"Whathaveyouheard？\"
\"Thenameofaprettyman，withbrassstudsandacopperringandatinwatch—chain，alittlemixedupwithyourown。That’sall。\"
\"That’saveryunkindpictureofMr。Shiner，forthat’swhoyoumean！Thestudsaregold，asyouknow，andit’sarealsilverchain;theringIcan’tconscientiouslydefend，andheonlyworeitonce。\"
\"Hemighthavewornitahundredtimeswithoutshowingithalfsomuch。\"
\"Well，he’snothingtome，\"sheserenelyobserved。
\"NotanymorethanIam？\"
\"Now，Mr。Dewy，\"saidFancyseverely，\"certainlyheisn’tanymoretomethanyouare！\"
\"Notsomuch？\"
Shelookedasidetoconsidertheprecisecompassofthatquestion。
\"ThatIcan’texactlyanswer，\"sherepliedwithsoftarchness。
Astheyweregoingratherslowly，anotherspring—cart，containingafarmer，farmer’swife，andfarmer’sman，joggedpastthem;andthefarmer’swifeandfarmer’smaneyedthecoupleverycuriously。Thefarmerneverlookedupfromthehorse’stail。
\"Whycan’tyouexactlyanswer？\"saidDick，quickeningSmartalittle，andjoggingonjustbehindthefarmerandfarmer’swifeandman。
Asnoanswercame，andastheireyeshadnothingelsetodo，theybothcontemplatedthepicturepresentedinfront，andnoticedhowthefarmer’swifesatflattenedbetweenthetwomen，whobulgedovereachendoftheseattogiveherroom，tilltheyalmostsatupontheirrespectivewheels;andtheylookedtooatthefarmer’swife’ssilkmantle，inflatingitselfbetweenhershoulderslikeaballoonandsinkingflatagain，ateachjogofthehorse。Thefarmer’swife，feelingtheireyesstickingintoherback，lookedoverhershoulder。Dickdroppedtenyardsfurtherbehind。
\"Fancy，whycan’tyouanswer？\"herepeated。
\"BecausehowmuchyouaretomedependsuponhowmuchIamtoyou，\"
saidsheinlowtones。
\"Everything，\"saidDick，puttinghishandtowardshers，andcastingemphaticeyesupontheuppercurveofhercheek。
\"Now，RichardDewy，notouchingme！Ididn’tsayinwhatwayyourthinkingofmeaffectedthequestion——perhapsinversely，don’tyousee？Notouching，sir！Look;goodnessme，don’t，Dick！\"
ThecauseofhersuddenstartwastheunpleasantappearanceoverDick’srightshoulderofanemptytimber—wagonandfourjourneymen—
carpentersreclininginlazyposturesinsideit，theireyesdirectedupwardsatvariousobliqueanglesintothesurroundingworld，thechiefobjectoftheirexistencebeingapparentlytocriticizetotheverybackboneandmarroweveryanimateobjectthatcamewithinthecompassoftheirvision。ThisdifficultyofDick’swasovercomebytrottingontillthewagonandcarpenterswerebeginningtolookrathermistybyreasonofafilmofdustthataccompaniedtheirwagon—wheels，androsearoundtheirheadslikeafog。
\"Sayyouloveme，Fancy。\"
\"No，Dick，certainlynot;’tisn’ttimetodothatyet。\"
\"Why，Fancy？\"
\"’MissDay’isbetteratpresent——don’tmindmysayingso;andI
oughtnottohavecalledyouDick。\"
\"Nonsense！whenyouknowthatIwoulddoanythingonearthforyourlove。Why，youmakeanyonethinkthatlovingisathingthatcanbedoneandundone，andputonandputoffatamerewhim。\"
\"No，no，Idon’t，\"shesaidgently;\"buttherearethingswhichtellmeIoughtnottogivewaytomuchthinkingaboutyou，evenif——\"
\"Butyouwantto，don’tyou？Yes，sayyoudo;itisbesttobetruthful。Whatevertheymaysayaboutawoman’srighttoconcealwhereherlovelies，andpretenditdoesn’texist，andthingslikethat，itisnotbest;Idoknowit，Fancy。Andanhonestwomaninthat，aswellasinallherdailyconcerns，shinesmostbrightly，andisthoughtmostofinthelong—run。\"
\"Wellthen，perhaps，Dick，Idoloveyoualittle，\"shewhisperedtenderly;\"butIwishyouwouldn’tsayanymorenow。\"
\"Iwon’tsayanymorenow，then，ifyoudon’tlikeit，dear。Butyoudolovemealittle，don’tyou？\"
\"Nowyououghtnottowantmetokeepsayingthingstwice;Ican’tsayanymorenow，andyoumustbecontentwithwhatyouhave。\"
\"ImayatanyratecallyouFancy？There’snoharminthat。\"
\"Yes，youmay。\"
\"Andyou’llnotcallmeMr。Dewyanymore？\"
\"Verywell。\"
CHAPTERII：FURTHERALONGTHEROAD
Dick’sspiritshavingriseninthecourseoftheseadmissionsofhissweetheart，henowtouchedSmartwiththewhip;andonSmart’sneck，notfarbehindhisears。Smart，whohadbeenlostinthoughtforsometime，neverdreamingthatDickcouldreachsofarwithawhipwhich，onthisparticularjourney，hadneverbeenextendedfurtherthanhisflank，tossedhishead，andscamperedalongwithexceedingbriskness，whichwasverypleasanttotheyoungcouplebehindhimtill，turningabendintheroad，theycameinstantlyuponthefarmer，farmer’sman，andfarmer’swifewiththeflappingmantle，alljoggingonjustthesameasever。
\"Botherthosepeople！Hereweareuponthemagain。\"
\"Well，ofcourse。Theyhaveasmuchrighttotheroadaswe。\"
\"Yes，butitisprovokingtobeoverlookedso。Ilikearoadalltomyself。Lookwhatalumberingaffairtheirsis！\"Thewheelsofthefarmer’scart，justatthatmoment，joggedintoadepressionrunningacrosstheroad，givingthecartatwist，whereuponallthreenoddedtotheleft，andoncomingoutofitallthreenoddedtotheright，andwentonjerkingtheirbacksinandoutasusual。\"We’llpassthemwhentheroadgetswider。\"
Whenanopportunityseemedtoofferitselfforcarryingthisintentionintoeffect，theyheardlightflyingwheelsbehind，andontheirquarteringtherewhizzedalongpastthemabrand—newgig，sobrightlypolishedthatthespokesofthewheelssentforthacontinualquiveringlightatonepointintheircircle，andallthepanelsglaredlikemirrorsinDickandFancy’seyes。Thedriver，andownerasitappeared，wasreallyahandsomeman;hiscompanionwasShiner。BothturnedroundastheypassedDickandFancy，andstaredwithboldadmirationinherfacetilltheywereobligedtoattendtotheoperationofpassingthefarmer。DickglancedforaninstantatFancywhileshewasundergoingtheirscrutiny;thenreturnedtohisdrivingwithratherasadcountenance。
\"Whyareyousosilent？\"shesaid，afterawhile，withrealconcern。
\"Nothing。\"
\"Yes，itis，Dick。Icouldn’thelpthosepeoplepassing。\"
\"Iknowthat。\"
\"Youlookoffendedwithme。WhathaveIdone？\"
\"Ican’ttellwithoutoffendingyou。\"
\"Betterout。\"
\"Well，\"saidDick，whoseemedlongingtotell，evenattheriskofoffendingher，\"Iwasthinkinghowdifferentyouinlovearefrommeinlove。Whilstthosemenwerestaring，youdismissedmefromyourthoughtsaltogether，and——\"
\"Youcan’toffendmefurthernow;tellall！\"
\"Andshoweduponyourfaceapleasedsenseofbeingattractiveto’em。\"
\"Don’tbesilly，Dick！YouknowverywellIdidn’t。\"
Dickshookhisheadsceptically，andsmiled。
\"Dick，IalwaysbelieveflatteryIFPOSSIBLE——anditwaspossiblethen。Nowthere’sanopenconfessionofweakness。ButIshowednoconsciousnessofit。\"
Dick，perceivingbyherlookthatshewouldadheretoherstatement，charitablyforboresayinganythingthatcouldmakeherprevaricate。
ThesightofShiner，too，hadrecalledanotherbranchofthesubjecttohismind;thatwhichhadbeenhisgreatesttroubletillhercompanyandwordshadobscureditsprobability。
\"Bytheway，Fancy，doyouknowwhyourquireistobedismissed？\"
\"No：exceptthatitisMr。Maybold’swishformetoplaytheorgan。\"
\"Doyouknowhowitcametobehiswish？\"
\"ThatIdon’t。\"
\"Mr。Shiner，beingchurchwarden，haspersuadedthevicar;who，however，waswillingenoughbefore。Shiner，Iknow，iscrazytoseeyouplayingeverySunday;Isupposehe’llturnoveryourmusic，fortheorganwillbeclosetohispew。But——Iknowyouhaveneverencouragedhim？\"
\"Neveronce！\"saidFancyemphatically，andwitheyesfullofearnesttruth。\"Idon’tlikehimindeed，andIneverheardofhisdoingthisbefore！IhavealwaysfeltthatIshouldliketoplayinachurch，butIneverwishedtoturnyouandyourchoirout;andI
neverevensaidthatIcouldplaytillIwasasked。Youdon’tthinkforamomentthatIdid，surely，doyou？\"
\"Iknowyoudidn’t，dear。\"
\"OrthatIcaretheleastmorselofabitforhim？\"
\"Iknowyoudon’t。\"
ThedistancebetweenBudmouthandMellstockwastenorelevenmiles，andtherebeingagoodinn，\"TheShip，\"fourmilesoutofBudmouth，withamastandcross—treesinfront，Dick’scustomindrivingthitherwastodividethejourneyintothreestagesbyrestingatthisinngoingandcoming，andnottroublingtheBudmouthstablesatall，wheneverhisvisittothetownwasamerecallanddeposit，asto—day。
Fancywasusheredintoalittletea—room，andDickwenttothestablestoseetothefeedingofSmart。Infaceofthesignificanttwitchesoffeaturethatwerevisibleintheostlerandlabouringmenidlingaround，DickendeavouredtolookunconsciousofthefactthattherewasanysentimentbetweenhimandFancybeyondatranter’sdesiretocarryapassengerhome。HepresentlyenteredtheinnandopenedthedoorofFancy’sroom。
\"Dick，doyouknow，ithasstruckmethatitisratherawkward，mybeingherealonewithyoulikethis。Idon’tthinkyouhadbettercomeinwithme。\"
\"That’sratherunpleasant，dear。\"
\"Yes，itis，andIwantedyoutohavesometeaaswellasmyselftoo，becauseyoumustbetired。\"
\"Well，letmehavesomewithyou，then。Iwasdeniedoncebefore，ifyourecollect，Fancy。\"
\"Yes，yes，nevermind！Anditseemsunfriendlyofmenow，butI
don’tknowwhattodo。\"
\"Itshallbeasyousay，then。\"Dickbegantoretreatwithadissatisfiedwrinklingofface，andafarewellglanceatthecosytea—tray。
\"Butyoudon’tseehowitis，Dick，whenyouspeaklikethat，\"shesaid，withmoreearnestnessthanshehadevershownbefore。\"Youdoknow，thatevenifIcareverymuchforyou，ImustrememberthatI
haveadifficultpositiontomaintain。Thevicarwouldnotlikeme，ashisschoolmistress，toindulgeinatete—a—teteanywherewithanybody。\"
\"ButIamnotANYbody！\"exclaimedDick。
\"No，no，Imeanwithayoungman;\"andsheaddedsoftly，\"unlessI
werereallyengagedtobemarriedtohim。\"
\"Isthatall？Then，dearest，dearest，whywe’llbeengagedatonce，tobesurewewill，anddownIsit！Thereitis，aseasyasaglove！\"
\"Ah！butsupposeIwon’t！And，goodnessme，whathaveIdone！\"shefaltered，gettingveryred。\"Positively，itseemsasifImeantyoutosaythat！\"
\"Let’sdoit！Imeangetengaged，\"saidDick。\"Now，Fancy，willyoubemywife？\"
\"Doyouknow，Dick，itwasratherunkindofyoutosaywhatyoudidcomingalongtheroad，\"sheremarked，asifshehadnotheardthelatterpartofhisspeech;thoughanacuteobservermighthavenoticedaboutherbreast，astheword’wife’fellfromDick’slips，asoftsilentescapeofbreaths，withveryshortrestsbetweeneach。
\"WhatdidIsay？\"
\"Aboutmytryingtolookattractivetothosemeninthegig。\"
\"Youcouldn’thelplookingso，whetheryoutriedorno。And，Fancy，youdocareforme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Verymuch？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andyou’llbemyownwife？\"
Herheartquickened，addingtoandwithdrawingfromhercheekvaryingtonesofredtomatcheachvaryingthought。Dicklookedexpectantlyattheripetintofherdelicatemouth，waitingforwhatwascomingforth。
\"Yes——iffatherwillletme。\"
Dickdrewhimselfclosetoher，compressinghislipsandpoutingthemout，asifhewereabouttowhistlethesoftestmelodyknown。
\"Ono！\"saidFancysolemnly。
ThemodestDickdrewbackalittle。
\"Dick，Dick，kissmeandletmegoinstantly！——here’ssomebodycoming！\"shewhisperinglyexclaimed。
***
HalfanhourafterwardsDickemergedfromtheinn，andifFancy’slipshadbeenrealcherriesprobablyDick’swouldhaveappeareddeeplystained。Thelandlordwasstandingintheyard。
\"Heu—heu！hay—hay，MasterDewy！Ho—ho！\"helaughed，lettingthelaughslipoutgentlyandbydegreesthatitmightmakelittlenoiseinitsexit，andsmitingDickunderthefifthribatthesametime。
\"Thiswillneverdo，uponmylife，MasterDewy！callingfortayforafeymelpassenger，andthengoinginandsittingdownandhavingsometoo，andbidingsuchafinelongtime！\"
\"Butsurelyyouknow？\"saidDick，withgreatapparentsurprise。
\"Yes，yes！Ha—ha！\"smitingthelandlordundertheribsinreturn。
\"Why，what？Yes，yes;ha—ha！\"
\"Youknow，ofcourse！\"
\"Yes，ofcourse！But——thatis——Idon’t。\"
\"Whyabout——betweenthatyoungladyandme？\"noddingtothewindowoftheroomthatFancyoccupied。
\"No;notI！\"saidtheinnkeeper，bringinghiseyesintocircles。
\"Andyoudon’t！\"
\"Notaword，I’lltakemyoath！\"
\"ButyoulaughedwhenIlaughed。\"
\"Ay，thatwasmesympathy;sodidyouwhenIlaughed！\"
\"Really，youdon’tknow？Goodness——notknowingthat！\"
\"I’lltakemyoathIdon’t！\"
\"Oyes，\"saidDick，withfrigidrhetoricofpityingastonishment，\"we’reengagedtobemarried，yousee，andInaturallylookafterher。\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Ididn’tknowthat，andIhopeye’llexcuseanylittlefreedomofmine，Mr。Dewy。Butitisaveryoddthing;I
wastalkingtoyourfatherveryintimateaboutfamilymattersonlylastFridayintheworld，andwhoshouldcomeinbutKeeperDay，andweallthenfella—talkingo’familymatters;butneitheroneo’
themsaidamortalwordaboutit;knowenmetoosomanyyears，andI
atyourfather’sownwedding。’Tisn’twhatIshouldhaveexpectedfromanoldneighbour！\"
\"Well，tosaythetruth，wehadn’ttoldfatheroftheengagementatthattime;infact，’twasn’tsettled。\"
\"Ah！thebusinesswasdoneSunday。Yes，yes，Sunday’sthecourtingday。Heu—heu！\"
\"No，’twasn’tdoneSundayinparticular。\"
\"Afterschool—hoursthisweek？Well，averygoodtime，averypropergoodtime。\"
\"Ono，’twasn’tdonethen。\"
\"Comingalongtheroadto—daythen，Isuppose？\"
\"Notatall;Iwouldn’tthinkofgettingengagedinadog—cart。\"
\"Dammy——mightaswellhavesaidatonce，theWHENbeblowed！
Anyhow，’tisafineday，andIhopenexttimeyou’llcomeasone。\"
Fancywasdulybroughtoutandassistedintothevehicle，andthenewlyaffiancedyouthandmaidenpassedupthesteephilltotheRidgeway，andvanishedinthedirectionofMellstock。
CHAPTERIII：ACONFESSION
Itwasamorningofthelattersummer—time;amorningoflingeringdews，whenthegrassisneverdryintheshade。Fuchsiasanddahliaswereladentilleleveno’clockwithsmalldropsanddashesofwater，changingthecolouroftheirsparkleateverymovementoftheair;andelsewherehangingontwigslikesmallsilverfruit。
Thethreadsofgardenspidersappearedthickandpolished。Inthedryandsunnyplaces，dozensoflong—leggedcrane—flieswhizzedoffthegrassateverystepthepassertook。
FancyDayandherfriendSusanDewythetranter’sdaughter，wereinsuchaspotasthis，pullingdownaboughladenwithearlyapples。
ThreemonthshadelapsedsinceDickandFancyhadjourneyedtogetherfromBudmouth，andthecourseoftheirlovehadrunonvigorouslyduringthewholetime。Therehadbeenjustenoughdifficultyattendingitsdevelopment，andjustenoughfinesserequiredinkeepingitprivate，tolendthepassionanever—increasingfreshnessonFancy’spart，whilst，whetherfromtheseaccessoriesornot，Dick’shearthadbeenatalltimesasfondascouldbedesired。ButtherewasacloudonFancy’shorizonnow。
\"Sheissowelloff——betterthananyofus，\"SusanDewywassaying。
\"Herfatherfarmsfivehundredacres，andshemightmarryadoctororcurateoranythingofthatkindifshecontrivedalittle。\"
\"Idon’tthinkDickoughttohavegonetothatgipsy—partyatallwhenheknewIcouldn’tgo，\"repliedFancyuneasily。
\"Hedidn’tknowthatyouwouldnotbetheretillitwastoolatetorefusetheinvitation，\"saidSusan。
\"Andwhatwasshelike？Tellme。\"
\"Well，shewasratherpretty，Imustown。\"
\"Tellstraightonabouther，can’tyou！Come，do，Susan。Howmanytimesdidyousayhedancedwithher？\"
\"Once。\"
\"Twice，Ithinkyousaid？\"
\"IndeedI’msureIdidn’t。\"
\"Well，andhewantedtoagain，Iexpect。\"
\"No;Idon’tthinkhedid。Shewantedtodancewithhimagainbadenough，Iknow。EverybodydoeswithDick，becausehe’ssohandsomeandsuchaclevercourter。\"
\"O，Iwish！——Howdidyousaysheworeherhair？\"
\"Inlongcurls，——andherhairislight，anditcurlswithoutbeingputinpaper：that’showitisshe’ssoattractive。\"
\"She’stryingtogethimaway！yes，yes，sheis！AndthroughkeepingthismiserableschoolImustn’twearmyhairincurls！ButIwill;Idon’tcareifIleavetheschoolandgohome，Iwillwearmycurls！Look，Susan，do！isherhairassoftandlongasthis？\"
Fancypulledfromitscoilunderherhatatwineofherownhair，andstretcheditdownhershouldertoshowitslength，lookingatSusantocatchheropinionfromhereyes。
\"Itisaboutthesamelengthasthat，Ithink，\"saidMissDewy。
Fancypausedhopelessly。\"Iwishminewaslighter，likehers！\"shecontinuedmournfully。\"Buthersisn’tsosoft，isit？Tellme，now。\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
Fancyabstractedlyextendedhervisiontosurveyayellowbutterflyandared—and—blackbutterflythatwereflittingalongincompany，andthenbecameawarethatDickwasadvancingupthegarden。
\"Susan，here’sDickcoming;Isupposethat’sbecausewe’vebeentalkingabouthim。\"
\"Well，then，Ishallgoindoorsnow——youwon’twantme;\"andSusanturnedpracticallyandwalkedoff。
Enterthesingle—mindedDick，whoseonlyfaultatthegipsying，orpicnic，hadbeenthatoflovingFancytooexclusively，anddeprivinghimselfoftheinnocentpleasurethegatheringmighthaveaffordedhim，bysighingregretfullyatherabsence，——whohaddancedwiththerivalinsheerdespairofeverbeingabletogetthroughthatstale，flat，andunprofitableafternooninanyotherway;butthisshewouldnotbelieve。
Fancyhadsettledherplanofemotion。ToreproachDick？Ono，no。
\"Iamingreattrouble，\"saidshe，takingwhatwasintendedtobeahopelesslymelancholysurveyofafewsmallappleslyingunderthetree;yetacriticalearmighthavenoticedinhervoiceatentativetoneastotheeffectofthewordsuponDickwhensheutteredthem。
\"Whatareyouintroubleabout？Tellmeofit，\"saidDickearnestly。\"Darling，Iwillshareitwith’eeandhelp’ee。\"
\"No，no：youcan’t！Nobodycan！\"
\"Whynot？Youdon’tdeserveit，whateveritis。Tellme，dear。\"
\"O，itisn’twhatyouthink！Itisdreadful：myownsin！\"
\"Sin，Fancy！asifyoucouldsin！Iknowitcan’tbe。\"
\"’Tis，’tis！\"saidtheyounglady，inaprettylittlefrenzyofsorrow。\"Ihavedonewrong，andIdon’tliketotellit！Nobodywillforgiveme，nobody！andyouaboveallwillnot！……Ihaveallowedmyselfto——to——fl——\"
\"What，——notflirt！\"hesaid，controllinghisemotionasitwerebyasuddenpressureinwardfromhissurface。\"Andyousaidonlythedaybeforeyesterdaythatyouhadn’tflirtedinyourlife！\"
\"Yes，Idid;andthatwasawickedstory！Ihaveletanotherloveme，and——\"
\"GoodG——！Well，I’llforgiveyou，——yes，ifyoucouldn’thelpit，——
yes，Iwill！\"saidthenowdismalDick。\"Didyouencouragehim？\"
\"O，——Idon’tknow，——yes——no。O，Ithinkso！\"
\"Whowasit？\"Apause。\"Tellme！\"
\"Mr。Shiner。\"
Afterasilencethatwasonlydisturbedbythefallofanapple，along—checkedsighfromDick，andasobfromFancy，hesaidwithrealausterity—
\"Tellitall;——everyword！\"
\"Helookedatme，andIlookedathim，andhesaid，\"Willyouletmeshowyouhowtocatchbullfinchesdownherebythestream？\"AndI——
wantedtoknowverymuch——Ididsolongtohaveabullfinch！I
couldn’thelpthatandIsaid，\"Yes！\"andthenhesaid，\"Comehere。\"
AndIwentwithhimdowntothelovelyriver，andthenhesaidtome，\"LookandseehowIdoit，andthenyou’llknow：Iputthisbirdlimeroundthistwig，andthenIgohere，\"hesaid，\"andhideawayunderahush;andpresentlycleverMisterBirdcomesandperchesuponthetwig，andflapshiswings，andyou’vegothimbeforeyoucansayJack\"——something;O，O，O，Iforgetwhat！\"
\"JackSprat，\"mournfullysuggestedDickthroughthecloudofhismisery。
\"No，notJackSprat，\"shesobbed。
\"Then’twasJackRobinson！\"hesaid，withtheemphasisofamanwhohadresolvedtodiscovereveryiotaofthetruth，ordie。
\"Yes，thatwasit！AndthenIputmyhandupontherailofthebridgetogetacross，and——That’sall。\"
\"Well，thatisn’tmuch，either，\"saidDickcritically，andmorecheerfully。\"NotthatIseewhatbusinessShinerhastotakeuponhimselftoteachyouanything。Butitseems——itdoseemtheremusthavebeenmorethanthattosetyouupinsuchadreadfultaking？\"
HelookedintoFancy’seyes。Miseryofmiseries！——guiltwaswrittentherestill。
\"Now，Fancy，you’venottoldmeall！\"saidDick，rathersternlyforaquietyoungman。
\"O，don’tspeaksocruelly！Iamafraidtotellnow！Ifyouhadn’tbeenharsh，Iwasgoingontotellall;nowIcan’t！\"
\"Come，dearFancy，tell：come。I’llforgive;Imust，——byheavenandearth，Imust，whetherIwillorno;Iloveyouso！\"
\"Well，whenIputmyhandonthebridge，hetouchedit——\"
\"Ascamp！\"saidDick，grindinganimaginaryhumanframetopowder。
\"Andthenhelookedatme，andatlasthesaid，’AreyouinlovewithDickDewy？’AndIsaid，’PerhapsIam！’andthenhesaid，’I
wishyouweren’tthen，forIwanttomarryyou，withallmysoul。’\"
\"There’savillainnow！Wanttomarryyou！\"AndDickquiveredwiththebitternessofsatiricallaughter。Thensuddenlyrememberingthathemightbereckoningwithouthishost：\"Unless，tohesure，youarewillingtohavehim，——perhapsyouare，\"hesaid，withthewretchedindifferenceofacastaway。
\"No，indeedIamnot！\"shesaid，hersobsjustbeginningtotakeafavourableturntowardscure。
\"Well，then，\"saidDick，comingalittletohissenses，\"you’vebeenstretchingitverymuchingivingsuchadreadfulbeginningtosuchamerenothing。AndIknowwhatyou’vedoneitfor，——justbecauseofthatgipsy—party！\"Heturnedawayfromherandtookfivepacesdecisively，asifheweretiredofanungratefulcountry，includingherself\"Youdidittomakemejealous，andIwon’tstandit！\"Heflungthewordstoheroverhisshoulderandthenstalkedon，apparentlyveryanxioustowalktotheremotestoftheColoniesthatveryminute。
\"O，O，O，Dick——Dick！\"shecried，trottingafterhimlikeapetlamb，andreallyseriouslyalarmedatlast，\"you’llkillme！Myimpulsesarebad——miserablywicked，——andIcan’thelpit;forgiveme，Dick！AndIloveyoualways;andthosetimeswhenyoulooksillyanddon’tseemquitegoodenoughforme，——justthesame，Ido，Dick！Andthereissomethingmoreserious，thoughnotconcerningthatwalkwithhim。\"
\"Well，whatisit？\"saidDick，alteringhismindaboutwalkingtotheColoniesinfact，passingtotheotherextreme，andstandingsorootedtotheroadthathewasapparentlynotevengoinghome。
\"Whythis，\"shesaid，dryingthebeginningofanewfloodoftearsshehadbeengoingtoshed，\"thisistheseriouspart。FatherhastoldMr。Shinerthathewouldlikehimforason—in—law，ifhecouldgetme;——thathehashisrightheartyconsenttocomecourtingme！\"
CHAPTERIV：ANARRANGEMENT
\"ThatISserious，\"saidDick，moreintellectuallythanhehadspokenforalongtime。
ThetruthwasthatGeoffreyknewnothingabouthisdaughter’scontinuedwalksandmeetingswithDick。WhenahintthatthereweresymptomsofanattachmentbetweenthemhadfirstreachedGeoffrey’sears，hestatedsoemphaticallythathemustthinkthematteroverbeforeanysuchthingcouldbeallowedthat，ratherunwiselyonDick’spart，whateveritmighthavebeenonthelady’s，theloverswerecarefultobeseentogethernomoreinpublic;andGeoffrey，forgettingthereport，didnotthinkoverthematteratall。SoMr。
ShinerresumedhisoldpositioninGeoffrey’sbrainbymerefluxoftime。EvenShinerbegantobelievethatDickexistedforFancynomore，——thoughthatremarkablyeasy—goingmanhadtakennoactivestepsonhisownaccountasyet。
\"AndfatherhasnotonlytoldMr。Shinerthat，\"continuedFancy，\"buthehaswrittenmealetter，tosayheshouldwishmetoencourageMr。Shiner，if’twasconvenient！\"
\"Imuststartoffandseeyourfatheratonce！\"saidDick，takingtwoorthreevehementstepstothesouth，recollectingthatMr。Daylivedtothenorth，andcomingbackagain。
\"Ithinkwehadbetterseehimtogether。Nottellhimwhatyoucomefor，oranythingofthekind，untilhelikesyou，andsowinhisbrainthroughhisheart，whichisalwaysthewaytomanagepeople。
Imeaninthisway：IamgoinghomeonSaturdayweektohelptheminthehoney—taking。Youmightcometheretome，havesomethingtoeatanddrink，andlethimguesswhatyourcomingsignifies，withoutsayingitinsomanywords。\"
\"We’lldoit，dearest。ButIshallaskhimforyou，flatandplain;
notwaitforhisguessing。\"Andtheloverthensteppedclosetoher，andattemptedtogiveheronelittlekissonthecheek，hislipsalightinghowever，onanoutlyingtractofherbackhairbyreasonofanimpulsethathadcausedhertoturnherheadwithajerk。\"Yes，andI’llputonmysecond—bestsuitandacleanshirtandcollar，andblackmybootsasif’twasaSunday。’Twillhaveagoodappearance，yousee，andthat’sagreatdealtostartwith。\"
\"Youwon’twearthatoldwaistcoat，willyou，Dick？\"
\"Blessyou，no！WhyI——\"
\"Ididn’tmeantobepersonal，dearDick，\"shesaid，fearingshehadhurthisfeelings。\"’Tisaverynicewaistcoat，butwhatImeantwas，thatthoughitisanexcellentwaistcoatforasettled—downman，itisnotquiteonefor\"（shewaited，andablushexpandedoverherface，andthenshewentonagain）——\"forgoingcourtingin。\"
\"No，I’llwearmybestwinterone，withtheleatherlining，thatmothermade。Itisabeautiful，handsomewaistcoatinside，yes，aseveranybodysaw。Infact，onlytheotherday，Iunbuttonedittoshowachapthatverylining，andhesaiditwasthestrongest，handsomestliningyoucouldwishtoseeontheking’swaistcoathimself。\"
\"_I_don’tquiteknowwhattowear，\"shesaid，asifherhabitualindifferencealonetodresshadkeptbacksoimportantasubjecttillnow。