om there across the Channel, and
so I can get to Paris, where I want to be. Yes," she pleaded earnestly,
"help me to get to Budmouth harbour without my grandfather's or my
husband's knowledge, and I can do all the rest."

"Will it be safe to leave you there alone?"

"Yes, yes. I know Budmouth well."

"Shall I go with you? I am rich now."

She was silent.

"Say yes, sweet!"

She was silent still.

"Well, let me know when you wish to go. We shall be at our present
house till December; after that we remove to Casterbridge. Command me in
anything till that time."

"I will think of this," she said hurriedly. "Whether I can honestly make
use of you as a friend, or must close with you as a lover--that is what
I must ask myself. If I wish to go and decide to accept your company I
will signal to you some evening at eight o'clock punctually, and this
will mean that you are to be ready with a horse and trap at twelve
o'clock the same night to drive me to Budmouth harbour in time for the
morning boat."

"I will look out every night at eight, and no signal shall escape me."

"Now please go away. If I decide on this escape I can only meet you
once more unless--I cannot go without you. Go--I cannot bear it longer.
Go--go!"

Wildeve slowly went up the steps and descended into the darkness on the
other side; and as he walked he glanced back, till the bank blotted out
her form from his further view.

6--Thomasin Argues with Her Cousin, and He Writes a Letter

Yeobright was at this time at Blooms-End, hoping that Eustacia would
return to him. The removal of furniture had been accomplished only that
day, though Clym had lived in the old house for more than a week. He had
spent the time in working about the premises, sweeping leaves from the
garden paths, cutting dead stalks from the flower beds, and nailing
up creepers which had been displaced by the autumn winds. He took no
particular pleasure in these deeds, but they formed a screen between
himself and despair. Moreover, it had become a religion with him to
preserve in good condition all that had lapsed from his mother's hands
to his own.

During these operations he was constantly on the watch for Eustacia.
That there should be no mistake about her knowing where to find him
he had ordered a notice board to be affixed to the garden gate at
Alderworth, signifying in white letters whither he had removed. When a
leaf floated to the earth he turned his head, thinkin