so do I, and we will both continue to," said Mrs. Yeobright,
rising and kissing her. "Then the wedding, if it comes off, will be
on the morning of the very day Clym comes 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 come," 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 uncomfortable 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 come 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