wistfully, then seemed to fall into
a reverie, as if he were forgetting what he observed. The momentary
situation ended, he passed on, and Eustacia sipped her wine without
knowing what she drank. The man for whom she had predetermined to
nourish a passion went into the small room, and across it to the
further extremity.

The mummers, as has been stated, were seated on a bench, one end of
which extended into the small apartment, or pantry, for want of space
in the outer room. Eustacia, partly from shyness, had chosen the
midmost seat, which thus commanded a view of the interior of the
pantry as well as the room containing the guests. When Clym passed
down the pantry her eyes followed him in the gloom which prevailed
there. At the remote end was a door which, just as he was about to
open it for himself, was opened by somebody within; and light streamed
forth.

The person was Thomasin, with a candle, looking anxious, pale, and
interesting. Yeobright appeared glad to see her, and pressed her
hand. "That's right, Tamsie," he said heartily, as though recalled
to himself by the sight of her, "you have decided to come down. I am
glad of it."

"Hush--no, no," she said quickly. "I only came to speak to you."

"But why not join us?"

"I cannot. At least I would rather not. I am not well enough, and we
shall have plenty of time together now you are going to be home a good
long holiday."

"It isn't nearly so pleasant without you. Are you really ill?"

"Just a little, my old cousin--here," she said, playfully sweeping her
hand across her heart.

"Ah, mother should have asked somebody else to be present tonight,
perhaps?"

"O no, indeed. I merely stepped down, Clym, to ask you--" Here he
followed her through the doorway into the private room beyond, and,
the door closing, Eustacia and the mummer who sat next to her, the
only other witness of the performance, saw and heard no more.

The heat flew to Eustacia's head and cheeks. She instantly guessed
that Clym, having been home only these two or three days, had not as
yet been made acquainted with Thomasin's painful situation with regard
to Wildeve; and seeing her living there just as she had been living
before he left home, he naturally suspected nothing. Eustacia felt
a wild jealousy of Thomasin on the instant. Though Thomasin might
possibly have tender sentiments towards another man as yet, how long
could they be expected to last when she was shut up here with this
inte