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waited； but the steward did not reappear。 The alarm was raised
they searched the town high and lowno Manston。 All this morning
they have been searching； but there's not a sign of him anywhere。
However； he has lost his last chance of getting across the Channel。
It is reported that he has since changed clothes with a labourer。'
During this narration； Edward； lost in thought； had let his eyes
follow a shabby man in a smock…frock； but wearing light bootswho
was stalking down the street under a bundle of straw which overhung
and concealed his head。 It was a very ordinary circumstance for a
man with a bundle of straw on his shoulders and overhanging his
head； to go down the High Street。 Edward saw him cross the bridge
which divided the town from the country； place his shaggy
encumbrance by the side of the road； and leave it there。
Springrove now parted from his acquaintance； and went also in the
direction of the bridge； and some way beyond it。 As far as he could
see stretched the turnpike road； and； while he was looking； he
noticed a man to leap from the hedge at a point two hundred； or two
hundred and fifty yards ahead； cross the road； and go through a
wicket on the other side。 This figure seemed like that of the man
who had been carrying the bundle of straw。 He looked at the straw：
it still stood alone。
The subjoined facts sprang； as it were； into juxtaposition in his
brain：
Manston had been seen wearing the clothes of a labouring mana
brown smock…frock。 So had this man； who seemed other than a
labourer； on second thoughts： and he had concealed his face by his
bundle of straw with the greatest ease and naturalness。
The path the man had taken led； among other places； to Tolchurch；
where Cytherea was living。
If Mrs。 Manston was murdered； as some said； on the night of the
fire； Cytherea was the steward's lawful wife。 Manston at bay； and
reckless of results； might rush to his wife and harm her。
It was a horrible supposition for a man who loved Cytherea to
entertain； but Springrove could not resist its influence。 He
started off for Tolchurch。
2。 ONE TO TWO O'CLOCK P。M。
On that self…same mid…day； whilst Edward was proceeding to Tolchurch
by the footpath across the fields； Owen Graye had left the village
and was riding along the turnpike road to the county…town； that he
might ascertain the exact truth of the strange rumour which had
reached him concerning Manston。 Not to disquiet his sister； he had
said nothing to her of the matter。
She sat by the window reading。 From her position she could see up
the lane for a distance of at least a hundred yards。 Passers…by
were so rare in this retired nook； that the eyes of those who dwelt
by the wayside were invariably lifted to every one on the road；
great and small； as to a novelty。
A man in a brown smock…frock turned the corner and came towards the
house。 It being market…day at Casterbridge； the village was nearly
deserted； and more than this； the old farm…house in which Owen and
his sister were staying； stood； as has been stated； apart from the
body of cottages。 The man did not look respectable； Cytherea arose
and bolted the door。
Unfortunately he was near enough to see her cross the room。 He
advanced to the door； knocked； and； receiving no answer； came to the
window； he next pressed his face against the glass； peering in。
Cytherea's experience at that moment was probably as trying a one as
ever fell to the lot of a gentlewoman to endure。 She recognized in
the peering face that of the man she had married。
But not a movement was made by her； not a sound escaped her。 Her
fear was great； but had she known the truththat the man outside；
feeling he had nothing on earth to lose by any act； was in the last
stage of recklessness； terrified nature must have given way。
'Cytherea；' he said； 'let me come in： I am your husband。'
'No；' she replied； still not realizing the magnitude of her peril。
'If you want to speak to us； wait till my brother comes。'
'O； he's not at home？ Cytherea； I can't live without you！ All my
sin has been because I love you so！ Will you fly with me？ I have
money enough for us bothonly come with me。'
'Not nownot now。'
'I am your husband； I tell you； and I must come in。'
'You cannot；' she said faintly。 His words began to terrify her。
'I will； I say！' he exclaimed。 'Will you let me in； I ask once
more？'
'NoI will not；' said Cytherea。
'Then I will let myself in！' he answered resolutely。 'I will； if I
die for it！'
The windows were glazed in lattice panes of leadwork； hung in
casements。 He broke one of the panes with a stone； thrust his hand
through the hole； unfastened the latch which held the casement
close； and began opening the window。
Instantly the shutters flew together with a slam； and were barred
with desperate quickness by Cytherea on the inside。
'Damn you！' he exclaimed。
He ran round to the back of the house。 His impatience was greater
now： he thrust his fist through the pantry window at one blow； and
opened it in the same way as the former one had been opened； before
the terror…stricken girl was aware that he had gone round。 In an
instant he stood in the pantry； advanced to the front room where she
was； flung back the shutters； and held out his arms to embrace her。
In extremely trying moments of bodily or mental pain； Cytherea
either flushed hot or faded pale； according to the state of her
constitution at the moment。 Now she burned like fire from head to
foot； and this preserved her consciousness。
Never before had the poor child's natural agility served her in such
good stead as now。 A heavy oblong table stood in the middle of the
room。 Round this table she flew； keeping it between herself and
Manston； her large eyes wide open with terror； their dilated pupils
constantly fixed upon Manston's； to read by his expression whether
his next intention was to dart to the right or the left。
Even he； at that heated moment； could not endure the expression of
unutterable agony which shone from that extraordinary gaze of hers。
It had surely been given her by God as a means of defence。 Manston
continued his pursuit with a lowered eye。
The panting and maddened desperadoblind to everything but the
capture of his wifewent with a rush under the table： she went
over it like a bird。 He went heavily over it： she flew under it；
and was out at the other side。
'One on her youth and pliant limbs relies；
One on his sinews and his giant size。'
But his superior strength was sure to tire her down in the long…run。
She felt her weakness increasing with the quickness of her breath；
she uttered a wild scream； which in its heartrending intensity
seemed to echo for miles。
At the same juncture her hair became unfastened； and rolled down
about her shoulders。 The least accident at such critical periods is
sufficient to confuse the overwrought intelligence。 She lost sight
of his intended direction for one instant； and he immediately
outmanoeuvred her。
'At last！ my Cytherea！' he cried； overturning the table； springing
over it； seizing one of the long brown tresses； pulling her towards