again to full assurance.

'Right, right, Master Derriman, no offence--'twas only my joke,' said the
genial miller. 'Everybody's a soldier nowadays. Drink a drap o' this
cordial, and don't mind words.'

The young man drank without the least reluctance, and said, 'Yes, miller,
I am called out. 'Tis ticklish times for us soldiers now; we hold our
lives in our hands--What are those fellows grinning at behind the
table?--I say, we do!'

'Staying with your uncle at the farm for a day or two, Mr. Derriman?'

'No, no; as I told you, six mile off. Billeted at Casterbridge. But I
have to call and see the old, old--'

'Gentleman?'

'Gentleman!--no, skinflint. He lives upon the sweepings of the barton;
ha, ha!' And the speaker's regular white teeth showed themselves like
snow in a Dutch cabbage. 'Well, well, the profession of arms makes a man
proof against all that. I take things as I find 'em.'

'Quite right, Master Derriman. Another drop?'

'No, no. I'll take no more than is good for me--no man should; so don't
tempt me.'

The yeoman then saw Anne, and by an unconscious gravitation went towards
her and the other women, flinging a remark to John Loveday in passing.
'Ah, Loveday! I heard you were come; in short, I come o' purpose to see
you. Glad to see you enjoying yourself at home again.'

The trumpet-major replied civilly, though not without grimness, for he
seemed hardly to like Derriman's motion towards Anne.

'Widow Garland's daughter!--yes, 'tis! surely. You remember me? I have
been here before. Festus Derriman, Yeomanry Cavalry.'

Anne gave a little curtsey. 'I know your name is Festus--that's all.'

'Yes, 'tis well known--especially latterly.' He dropped his voice to
confidence pitch. 'I suppose your friends here are disturbed by my
coming in, as they don't seem to talk much? I don't mean to interrupt
the party; but I often find that people are put out by my coming among
'em, especially when I've got my regimentals on.'

'La! and are they?'

'Yes; 'tis the way I have.' He further lowered his tone, as if they had
been old friends, though in reality he had only seen her three or four
times. 'And how did you come to be here? Dash my wig, I don't like to
see a nice young lady like you in this company. You should come to some
of our yeomanry sprees in Casterbridge or Shottsford-Forum. O, but the
girls do come! The yeomanry are respected men, men of good substantial
families, many far