还乡The Return Of The Native-第28章

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He　could　not　afford　to　wait　till　the　next　day　before　seeing　Thomasin　and　detailing　his　plan。　　He　speedily　plunged　himself　into　toilet　operations；　pulled　a　suit　of　cloth　clothes　from　a　box；　and　in　about　twenty　minutes　stood　before　the　van…lantern　as　a　reddleman　in　nothing　but　his　face；　the　vermilion　shades　of　which　were　not　to　be　removed　in　a　day。　　Closing　the　door　and　fastening　it　with　a　padlock；　Venn　set　off　towards　Blooms…End。
He　had　reached　the　white　palings　and　laid　his　hand　upon　the　gate　when　the　door　of　the　house　opened；　and　quickly　closed　again。　　A　female　form　had　glided　in。　　At　the　same　time　a　man；　who　had　seemingly　been　standing　with　the　woman　in　the　porch；　came　forward　from　the　house　till　he　was　face　to　face　with　Venn。　　It　was　Wildeve　again。　
“Man　alive；　you’ve　been　quick　at　it；”　said　Diggory　sarcastically。　
“And　you　slow；　as　you　will　find；”　said　Wildeve。　　“And；”　lowering　his　voice；　“you　may　as　well　go　back　again　now。　　I’ve　claimed　her；　and　got　her。　　Good　night；　reddleman！”　Thereupon　Wildeve　walked　away。
Venn’s　heart　sank　within　him；　though　it　had　not　risen　unduly　high。　　He　stood　leaning　over　the　palings　in　an　indecisive　mood　for　nearly　a　quarter　of　an　hour。　　Then　he　went　up　the　garden　path；　knocked；　and　asked　for　Mrs。　Yeobright。　
Instead　of　requesting　him　to　enter　she　came　to　the　porch。　　A　discourse　was　carried　on　between　them　in　low　measured　tones　for　the　space　of　ten　minutes　or　more。　　At　the　end　of　the　time　Mrs。　Yeobright　went　in；　and　Venn　sadly　retraced　his　steps　into　the　heath。　　When　he　had　again　regained　his　van　he　lit　the　lantern；　and　with　an　apathetic　face　at　once　began　to　pull　off　his　best　clothes；　till　in　the　course　of　a　few　minutes　he　reappeared　as　the　confirmed　and　irretrievable　reddleman　that　he　had　seemed　before。　


8　… Firmness　Is　Discovered　in　a　Gentle　Heart


On　that　evening　the　interior　of　Blooms…End；　though　cosy　and　fortable；　had　been　rather　silent。　　Clym　Yeobright　was　not　at　home。　　Since　the　Christmas　party　he　had　gone　on　a　few　days’　visit　to　a　friend　about　ten　miles　off。　
The　shadowy　form　seen　by　Venn　to　part　from　Wildeve　in　the　porch；　and　quickly　withdraw　into　the　house；　was　Thomasin’s。　On　entering　she　threw　down　a　cloak　which　had　been　carelessly　wrapped　round　her；　and　came　forward　to　the　light；　where　Mrs。　Yeobright　sat　at　her　work…table；　drawn　up　within　the　settle；　so　that　part　of　it　projected　into　the　chimney…corner。
“I　don’t　like　your　going　out　after　dark　alone；　Tamsin；”　said　her　aunt　quietly；　without　looking　up　from　her　work。　　“I　have　only　been　just　outside　the　door。”
“Well？”　inquired　Mrs。　Yeobright；　struck　by　a　change　in　the　tone　of　Thomasin’s　voice；　and　observing　her。　　Thomasin’s　cheek　was　flushed　to　a　pitch　far　beyond　that　which　it　had　reached　before　her　troubles；　and　her　eyes　glittered。　
“It　was　HE　who　knocked；”　she　said。　
“I　thought　as　much。”
“He　wishes　the　marriage　to　be　at　once。”
“Indeed！　What—is　he　anxious？”　Mrs。　Yeobright　directed　a　searching　look　upon　her　niece。　　“Why　did　not　Mr。　Wildeve　e　in？”
“He　did　not　wish　to。　　You　are　not　friends　with　him；　he　says。　　He　would　like　the　wedding　to　be　the　day　after　tomorrow；　quite　privately；　at　the　church　of　his　parish—not　at　ours。”
“Oh！　And　what　did　you　say？”
“I　agreed　to　it；”　Thomasin　answered　firmly。　　“I　am　a　practical　woman　now。　　I　don’t　believe　in　hearts　at　all。　　I　would　marry　him　under　any　circumstances　since—since　Clym’s　letter。”
A　letter　was　lying　on　Mrs。　Yeobright’s　work…basket；　and　at　Thomasin’s　words　her　aunt　reopened　it；　and　silently　read　for　the　tenth　time　that　day：


What　is　the　meaning　of　this　silly　story　that　people　are　circulating　about　Thomasin　and　Mr。　Wildeve？　　I　should　call　such　a　scandal　humiliating　if　there　was　the　least　chance　of　its　being　true。　　How　could　such　a　gross　falsehood　have　arisen？　　It　is　said　that　one　should　go　abroad　to　hear　news　of　home；　and　I　appear　to　have　done　it。　　Of　course　I　contradict　the　tale　everywhere；　but　it　is　very　vexing；　and　I　wonder　how　it　could　have　originated。　　It　is　too　ridiculous　that　such　a　girl　as　Thomasin　could　so　mortify　us　as　to　get　jilted　on　the　wedding　day。　　What　has　she　done？


“Yes；”　Mrs。　Yeobright　said　sadly；　putting　down　the　letter。　　“If　you　think　you　can　marry　him；　do　so。　　And　since　Mr。　Wildeve　wishes　it　to　be　unceremonious；　let　it　be　that　too。　　I　can　do　nothing。　　It　is　all　in　your　own　hands　now。　　My　power　over　your　welfare　came　to　an　end　when　you　left　this　house　to　go　with　him　to　Anglebury。”　　She　continued；　half　in　bitterness；　“I　may　almost　ask；　why　do　you　consult　me　in　the　matter　at　all？　　If　you　had　gone　and　married　him　without　saying　a　word　to　me；　I　could　hardly　have　been　angry—simply　because；　poor　girl；　you　can’t　do　a　better　thing。”
“Don’t　say　that　and　dishearten　me。”
“You　are　right—I　will　not。”
“I　do　not　plead　for　him；　Aunt。　　Human　nature　is　weak；　and　I　am　not　a　blind　woman　to　insist　that　he　is　perfect。　　I　did　think　so；　but　I　don’t　now。　　But　I　know　my　course；　and　you　know　that　I　know　it。　　I　hope　for　the　best。”
“And　so　do　I；　and　we　will　both　continue　to；”　said　Mrs。　Yeobright；　rising　and　kissing　her。　　“Then　the　wedding；　if　it　es　off；　will　be　on　the　morning　of　the　very　day　Clym　es　home？”
“Yes。　I　decided　that　it　ought　to　be　over　before　he　came。　　After　that　you　can　look　him　in　the　face；　and　so　can　I。　Our　concealments　will　matter　nothing。”
Mrs。　Yeobright　moved　her　head　in　thoughtful　assent；　and　presently　said；　“Do　you　wish　me　to　give　you　away？　　I　am　willing　to　undertake　that；　you　know；　if　you　wish；　as　I　was　last　time。　　After　once　forbidding　the　banns　I　think　I　can　do　no　less。”
“I　don’t　think　I　will　ask　you　to　e；”　said　Thomasin　reluctantly；　but　with　decision。　　“It　would　be　unpleasant；　I　am　almost　sure。　　Better　let　there　be　only　strangers　present；　and　none　of　my　relations　at　all。　　I　would　rather　have　it　so。　　I　do　not　wish　to　do　anything　which　may　touch　your　credit；　and　I　feel　that　I　should　be　unfortable　if　you　were　there；　after　what　has　passed。　　I　am　only　your　niece；　and　there　is　no　necessity　why　you　should　concern　yourself　more　about　me。”
“Well；　he　has　beaten　us；”　her　aunt　said。　　“It　really　seems　as　if　he　had　been　playing　with　you　in　this　way　in　revenge　for　my　humbling　him　as　I　did　by　standing　up　against　him　at　first。”
“O　no；　Aunt；”　murmured　Thomasin。　
They　said　no　more　on　the　subject　then。　　Diggory　Venn’s　knock　came　soon　after；　and　Mrs。　Yeobright；　on　returning　from　her　interview　with　him　in　the　porch；　carelessly　observed；　“Another　lover　has　e　to　ask　for　you。”
“No？”
“Yes；　that　queer　young　man　Venn。”
“Asks　to　pay　his　addresses　to　me？”
“Yes；　and　I　told　him　he　was　too　late。”
Thomasin　looked　silently　into　the　candle…flame。　“Poor　Diggory！”　she　said；　and　then　aroused　herself　to　other　things。　
The　next　day　was　passed　in　mere　mechanical　deeds　of　preparation；　both　the　women　being　anxious　to　immerse　themselves　in　these　to　escape　the　emotional　aspect　of　the　situation。　　Some　wearing　apparel　and　other　articles　were　collected　anew　for　Thomasin；　and　remarks　on　domestic　details　were　frequently　made；　so　as　to　obscure　any　inner　misgivings　about　her　future　as　Wildeve’s　wife。　
The　appointed　morning　came。　　The　arrangement　with　Wildeve　was　that　he　should　meet　her　at　the　church　to　guard　against　any　unpleasant　curiosity　which　might　have　affected　them　had　they　been　seen　walking　off　together　in　the　usual　country　way。　
Aunt　and　niece　stood　together　in　the　bedroom　where　the　bride　was　dressing。　　The　sun；　where　it　could　catch　it；　made　a　mirror　of　Thomasin’s　hair；　which　she　always　wore　braided。　　It　was　braided　according　to　a　calendar　system—the　more　important　the　day　the　more　numerous　the　strands　in　the　braid。　　On　ordinary　working…days　she　braided　it　in　threes；　on　ordinary　Sundays　in　fours；　at　Maypolings；　gipsyings；　and　the　like；　she　braided　it　in　fives。　　Years　ago　she　had　said　that　when　she　married　she　would　braid　it　in　sevens。　　She　had　braided　it　in　sevens　today。　
“I　have　been　thinking　that　I　will　wear　my　blue　silk　after　all；”　she　said。　　“It　is　my　wedding　day；　even　though　there　may　be　something　sad　about　the　time。　　I　mean；”　she　added；　anxious　to　correct　any　wrong　impression；　“not　sad　in　itself；　but　in　its　having　had　great　disappointment　and　trouble　before　it。”
Mrs。　Yeobright　breathed　in　a　way　which　might　have　been　called　a　sigh。　　“I　almost　wish　Clym　had　been　at　home；”　she　said。　　“Of　course　you　chose　the　time　because　of　his　absence。”
“Partly。　I　have　felt　that　I　acted　unfairly　to　him　in　not　telling　him　all；　but；　as　it　was　done　not　to　grieve　him；　I　thought　I　would　carry　out　the　plan　to　its　end；　and　tell　the　whole　story　when　the　sky　was　clear。”
“You　are　a　practical　little　woman；”　said　Mrs。　Yeobright；　smiling。　　“I　wish　you　and　he—no；　I　don’t　wish　anything。　　There；　it　is　nine　o’clock；”　she　interrupted；　hearing　a　whizz　and　a　dinging　downstairs。
“I　told　Damon　I　would　leave　at　nine；”　said　Thomasin；　hastening　out　of　the　room。
Her　aunt　followed。　　When　Thomasin　was　going　up　the　little　walk　from　the　door　to　the　wicket…gate；　Mrs。　Yeobright　looked　reluctantly　at　her；　and　said；　“It　is　a　shame　to　let　you　go　alone。”
“It　is　necessary；”　said　Thomasin。
“At　any　rate；”　added　her　aunt　with　forced　cheerfulness；　“I　shall　call　upon　you　this　afternoon；　and　bring　the　cake　with　me。　　If　Clym　has　returned　by　that　time　he　will　perhaps　e　too。　
I　wish　to　show　Mr。　Wildeve　that　I　bear　him　no　ill…will。　　Let　the　past　be　forgotten。　　Well；　God　bless　you！　There；　I　don’t　believe　in　old　superstitions；　but　I’ll　do　it。”　She　threw　a　slipper　at　the　retreating　figure　of　the　girl；　who　turned；　smiled；　and　went　on　again。
A　few　steps　further；　and　she　looked　back。　　“Did　you　call　me；　Aunt？”　she　tremulously　inquired。　　“Good…bye！”
Moved　by　an　uncontrollable　feeling　as　she　looked　upon　Mrs。　Yeobright’s　worn；　wet　face；　she　ran　back；　when　her　aunt　came　forward；　and　they　met　again。　　“O—Tamsie；”　said　the　elder；　weeping；　“I　don’t　like　to　let　you　go。”
“I—I　am—“　Thomasin　began；　giving　way　likewise。
But；　quelling　her　grief；　she　said　“Good…bye！”　again　and　went　on。　
Then　Mrs。　Yeobright　saw　a　little　figure　wending　its　way　between　the　scratching　furze…bushes；　and　diminishing　far　up　the　valley—a　pale…blue　spot　in　a　vast　field　of　neutral　brown；　solitary　and　undefended　except　by　the　power　of　her　own　hope。　
But　the　worst　feature　in　the　case　was　one　which　did　not　appear　in　the　landscape；　it　was　the　man。　
The　hour　chosen　for　the　ceremony　by　Thomasin　and　Wildeve　had　been　so　timed　as　to　enable　her　to　escape　the　awkwardness　of　meeting　her　cousin　Clym；　who　was　returning　the　same　morning。　　To　own　to　the　partial　truth　of　what　he　had　heard　would　be　distressing　as　long　as　the　humiliating　position　resulting　from　the　event　was　unimproved。　　It　was　only　after　a　second　and　successful　journey　to　the　altar　that　she　could　lift　up　her　head　and　prove　the　failure　of　the　first　attempt　a　pure　accident。
She　had　not　been　gone　from　Blooms…End　more　than　half　an　hour　when　Yeobright　came　by　the　meads　from　the　other　direction　and　entered　the　house。　
“I　had　an　early　breakfast；”　he　said　to　his　mother　after　greeting　her。　　“Now　I　could　eat　a　little　more。”
They　sat　down　to　the　repeated　meal；　and　he　went　on　in　a　low；　anxious　voice；　apparently　imagining　that　Thomasin　had　not　yet　e　downstairs；　“What’s　this　I　have　heard　about　Th