For months Weatherbury people had been discussing the party that Mr Boldwood was going to give just before Christmas，and now the day had finally arrived. Bathsheba was getting ready for it.

‘I'm upset，Liddy，it's foolish of me，I know，’she said. ‘I wish I didn't have to go to the party. I haven't spoken to Mr Boldwood since the autumn，when I promised to see him at Christmas，so I'll have to go. My black silk dress，please. ’

‘Surely you don't need to wear black tonight，ma'am？You've been a widow for fourteen months now. That's a long time. ’

‘No，if I wear a bright dress，people will say I'm encouraging Mr Boldwood. How do I look，Liddy？’

‘I've hardly ever seen you look so lovely，ma'am. ’

‘I rish offending him if I don't go. Oh，I wish I could have continued as I've been for the last year or so，with no hopes or fears，and no pleasures and no sadness. ’

‘If Mr Boldwood asked you to run away with him，what would you say，ma'am？’said Liddy with a smile.

‘Now，Liddy，no joking. This is far too serious. I won't marry anyone for a long time. Get my cloak. It's time to go. ’

At the same time，in his farmhouse，Boldwood was also dressing He was trying on a new coat which had just been delivered. Tonight he wanted to look his best.

Just then Gabriel entered，to report on farm business.

‘Oh，Oak，’said Boldwood. ‘You're invited to the party tonight，of course. ’

‘I'll try to come，if I'm not too busy，’said Gabriel quietly. ‘I'm glad to see you looking happier，sir. ’

‘Yes，I confess I'm cheerful tonight. But my happiness depends on a hope. Oak，my hands are shaking. Could you help me with the buttons on this coat？’And as Gabriel came forward to help，he went on feverishly，‘Oak，does a woman keep her promise to become engaged？You know women better than I do—tell me. ’

‘I don't think I understand women well at all. But if she wants to put right a mistake，she may keep a promise like that. ’

‘I think she will，’whispered Boldwood. ‘She says she can think of me as a husband seven years after Troy's disappear-ance. ’

‘Seven years，’said Gabriel，shaking his head. ‘A long time. ’

‘But it isn't seven years！’answered Boldwood impatiently. ‘It's only five years，nine months and a few days now！’

‘Don't build your hopes on her promise，sir. Remember，she disappointed you once. And she's young. ’

‘She never promised me that first time，so she's never broken her promise to me yet. I trust her to keep her word. But let's talk business for a moment，Oak. You work so hard as my farm manager that I want you to have a larger share of the profits. I know a little about your secret. You have warm feelings for her too，but you've let me succeed in courting her！I want to show you how grateful I am for that. ’

‘Oh，that's not necessary，thank you，’said Gabriel hurriedly. ‘I must get used to my disappointment as other men have. ’He left，rather worried by Boldwood's strange manner.

Outside the front door of Boldwood's house a group of men were talking quietly.

‘Sergeant Troy was seen in Casterbridge this afternoon，’said Billy Smallbury. ‘His body was never found，you know，neighbours. ’

‘Should we tell the mistress？’asked Laban Tall. ‘Poor woman！What a mistake she made in marrying him！’

Just then Boldwood came out and walked to the gate. He did not notice the men，who were standing in the darkness.

‘I hope to God she'll come！’he whispered. ‘Oh，my darling，my darling，why do you make me wait like this！’

They all heard his words clearly. The sound of wheels came from the road，and Bathsheba arrived. Boldwood took her into the house，and the door closed behind them.

‘I didn't realize he was still in love with her！’said Billy.

‘Poor Mr Boldwood，the news will be hard for him，’said Jan Coggan. ‘We'll have to tell the............