g them and despised them. The day was Sunday; but
as going to church, except to be married or buried, was exceptional
at Egdon, this made little difference. He had determined upon the
bold stroke of asking for an interview with Miss Vye--to attack
her position as Thomasin's rival either by art or by storm,
showing therein, somewhat too conspicuously, the want of gallantry
characteristic of a certain astute sort of men, from clowns to kings.
The great Frederick making war on the beautiful Archduchess, Napoleon
refusing terms to the beautiful Queen of Prussia, were not more dead
to difference of sex than the reddleman was, in his peculiar way, in
planning the displacement of Eustacia.

To call at the captain's cottage was always more or less an
undertaking for the inferior inhabitants. Though occasionally chatty,
his moods were erratic, and nobody could be certain how he would
behave at any particular moment. Eustacia was reserved, and lived
very much to herself. Except the daughter of one of the cotters, who
was their servant, and a lad who worked in the garden and stable,
scarcely anyone but themselves ever entered the house. They were the
only genteel people of the district except the Yeobrights, and though
far from rich, they did not feel that necessity for preserving a
friendly face towards every man, bird, and beast which influenced
their poorer neighbours.

When the reddleman entered the garden the old man was looking through
his glass at the stain of blue sea in the distant landscape, the
little anchors on his buttons twinkling in the sun. He recognized
Venn as his companion on the highway, but made no remark on that
circumstance, merely saying, "Ah, reddleman--you here? Have a glass
of grog?"

Venn declined, on the plea of it being too early, and stated that
his business was with Miss Vye. The captain surveyed him from cap
to waistcoat and from waistcoat to leggings for a few moments, and
finally asked him to go indoors.

Miss Vye was not to be seen by anybody just then; and the reddleman
waited in the window-bench of the kitchen, his hands hanging across
his divergent knees, and his cap hanging from his hands.

"I suppose the young lady is not up yet?" he presently said to the
servant.

"Not quite yet. Folks never call upon ladies at this time of day."

"Then I'll step outside," said Venn. "If she is willing to see me,
will she please send out word, and I'll come in."

The reddleman left the house and