\"Ialways_would_haveagoodhorse，youknow，\"saidtheoldgentleman，notlikingthatspiritedtimetobequiteeffacedfromthememoryofhisjuniors。
\"MindyoubringNancytotheWarrensbeforetheweek’sout，Mr。Cass，\"wasPriscilla’spartinginjunction，asshetookthereins，andshookthemgently，bywayoffriendlyincitementtoSpeckle。
\"IshalljusttakeaturntothefieldsagainsttheStone—pits，Nancy，andlookatthedraining，\"saidGodfrey。
\"You’llbeinagainbytea—time，dear？\"
\"Oh，yes，Ishallbebackinanhour。\"
ItwasGodfrey’scustomonaSundayafternoontodoalittlecontemplativefarminginaleisurelywalk。Nancyseldomaccompaniedhim；forthewomenofhergeneration——unless，likePriscilla，theytooktooutdoormanagement——werenotgiventomuchwalkingbeyondtheirownhouseandgarden，findingsufficientexerciseindomesticduties。So，whenPriscillawasnotwithher，sheusuallysatwithMant’sBiblebeforeher，andafterfollowingthetextwithhereyesforalittlewhile，shewouldgraduallypermitthemtowanderasherthoughtshadalreadyinsistedonwandering。
ButNancy’sSundaythoughtswererarelyquiteoutofkeepingwiththedevoutandreverentialintentionimpliedbythebookspreadopenbeforeher。Shewasnottheologicallyinstructedenoughtodiscernveryclearlytherelationbetweenthesacreddocumentsofthepastwhichsheopenedwithoutmethod，andherownobscure，simplelife；
butthespiritofrectitude，andthesenseofresponsibilityfortheeffectofherconductonothers，whichwerestrongelementsinNancy’scharacter，hadmadeitahabitwithhertoscrutinizeherpastfeelingsandactionswithself—questioningsolicitude。Hermindnotbeingcourtedbyagreatvarietyofsubjects，shefilledthevacantmomentsbylivinginwardly，againandagain，throughallherrememberedexperience，especiallythroughthefifteenyearsofhermarriedtime，inwhichherlifeanditssignificancehadbeendoubled。Sherecalledthesmalldetails，thewords，tones，andlooks，inthecriticalsceneswhichhadopenedanewepochforherbygivingheradeeperinsightintotherelationsandtrialsoflife，orwhichhadcalledonherforsomelittleeffortofforbearance，orofpainfuladherencetoanimaginedorrealduty——
askingherselfcontinuallywhethershehadbeeninanyrespectblamable。Thisexcessiveruminationandself—questioningisperhapsamorbidhabitinevitabletoamindofmuchmoralsensibilitywhenshutoutfromitsdueshareofoutwardactivityandofpracticalclaimsonitsaffections——inevitabletoanoble—hearted，childlesswoman，whenherlotisnarrow。\"Icandosolittle——haveIdoneitallwell？\"istheperpetuallyrecurringthought；andtherearenovoicescallingherawayfromthatsoliloquy，noperemptorydemandstodivertenergyfromvainregretorsuperfluousscruple。
TherewasonemainthreadofpainfulexperienceinNancy’smarriedlife，andonithungcertaindeeply—feltscenes，whichweretheoftenestrevivedinretrospect。TheshortdialoguewithPriscillainthegardenhaddeterminedthecurrentofretrospectinthatfrequentdirectionthisparticularSundayafternoon。Thefirstwanderingofherthoughtfromthetext，whichshestillattempteddutifullytofollowwithhereyesandsilentlips，wasintoanimaginaryenlargementofthedefenceshehadsetupforherhusbandagainstPriscilla’simpliedblame。Thevindicationofthelovedobjectisthebestbalmaffectioncanfindforitswounds：——\"A
manmusthavesomuchonhismind，\"isthebeliefbywhichawifeoftensupportsacheerfulfaceunderroughanswersandunfeelingwords。AndNancy’sdeepestwoundshadallcomefromtheperceptionthattheabsenceofchildrenfromtheirhearthwasdweltoninherhusband’smindasaprivationtowhichhecouldnotreconcilehimself。
YetsweetNancymighthavebeenexpectedtofeelstillmorekeenlythedenialofablessingtowhichshehadlookedforwardwithallthevariedexpectationsandpreparations，solemnandprettilytrivial，whichfillthemindofalovingwomanwhensheexpectstobecomeamother。Wastherenotadrawerfilledwiththeneatworkofherhands，allunwornanduntouched，justasshehadarrangedittherefourteenyearsago——just，butforonelittledress，whichhadbeenmadetheburial—dress？ButunderthisimmediatepersonaltrialNancywassofirmlyunmurmuring，thatyearsagoshehadsuddenlyrenouncedthehabitofvisitingthisdrawer，lestsheshouldinthiswaybecherishingalongingforwhatwasnotgiven。
Perhapsitwasthisveryseveritytowardsanyindulgenceofwhatsheheldtobesinfulregretinherself，thatmadehershrinkfromapplyingherownstandardtoherhusband。\"Itisverydifferent——
itismuchworseforamantobedisappointedinthatway：awomancanalwaysbesatisfiedwithdevotingherselftoherhusband，butamanwantssomethingthatwillmakehimlookforwardmore——andsittingbythefireissomuchdullertohimthantoawoman。\"Andalways，whenNancyreachedthispointinhermeditations——trying，withpredeterminedsympathy，toseeeverythingasGodfreysawit——
therecamearenewalofself—questioning。_Had_shedoneeverythinginherpowertolightenGodfrey’sprivation？Hadshereallybeenrightintheresistancewhichhadcosthersomuchpainsixyearsago，andagainfouryearsago——theresistancetoherhusband’swishthattheyshouldadoptachild？Adoptionwasmoreremotefromtheideasandhabitsofthattimethanofourown；stillNancyhadheropiniononit。Itwasasnecessarytohermindtohaveanopiniononalltopics，notexclusivelymasculine，thathadcomeunderhernotice，asforhertohaveapreciselymarkedplaceforeveryarticleofherpersonalproperty：andheropinionswerealwaysprinciplestobeunwaveringlyactedon。Theywerefirm，notbecauseoftheirbasis，butbecausesheheldthemwithatenacityinseparablefromhermentalaction。Onallthedutiesandproprietiesoflife，fromfilialbehaviourtothearrangementsoftheeveningtoilette，prettyNancyLammeter，bythetimeshewasthree—and—twenty，hadherunalterablelittlecode，andhadformedeveryoneofherhabitsinstrictaccordancewiththatcode。Shecarriedthesedecidedjudgmentswithinherinthemostunobtrusiveway：theyrootedthemselvesinhermind，andgrewthereasquietlyasgrass。Yearsago，weknow，sheinsistedondressinglikePriscilla，because\"itwasrightforsisterstodressalike\"，andbecause\"shewoulddowhatwasrightifsheworeagowndyedwithcheese—colouring\"。ThatwasatrivialbuttypicalinstanceofthemodeinwhichNancy’slifewasregulated。
Itwasoneofthoserigidprinciples，andnopettyegoisticfeeling，whichhadbeenthegroundofNancy’sdifficultresistancetoherhusband’swish。Toadoptachild，becausechildrenofyourownhadbeendeniedyou，wastotryandchooseyourlotinspiteofProvidence：theadoptedchild，shewasconvinced，wouldneverturnoutwell，andwouldbeacursetothosewhohadwilfullyandrebelliouslysoughtwhatitwasclearthat，forsomehighreason，theywerebetterwithout。Whenyousawathingwasnotmeanttobe，saidNancy，itwasaboundendutytoleaveoffsomuchaswishingforit。Andsofar，perhaps，thewisestofmencouldscarcelymakemorethanaverbalimprovementinherprinciple。Buttheconditionsunderwhichshehelditapparentthatathingwasnotmeanttobe，dependedonamorepeculiarmodeofthinking。Shewouldhavegivenupmakingapurchaseataparticularplaceif，onthreesuccessivetimes，rain，orsomeothercauseofHeaven’ssending，hadformedanobstacle；andshewouldhaveanticipatedabrokenlimborotherheavymisfortunetoanyonewhopersistedinspiteofsuchindications。
\"Butwhyshouldyouthinkthechildwouldturnoutill？\"saidGodfrey，inhisremonstrances。\"Shehasthrivenaswellaschildcandowiththeweaver；and_he_adoptedher。Thereisn’tsuchaprettylittlegirlanywhereelseintheparish，oronefitterforthestationwecouldgiveher。Wherecanbethelikelihoodofherbeingacursetoanybody？\"
\"Yes，mydearGodfrey，\"saidNancy，whowassittingwithherhandstightlyclaspedtogether，andwithyearning，regretfulaffectioninhereyes。\"Thechildmaynotturnoutillwiththeweaver。But，then，hedidn’tgotoseekher，asweshouldbedoing。Itwillbewrong：Ifeelsureitwill。Don’tyourememberwhatthatladywemetattheRoystonBathstoldusaboutthechildhersisteradopted？
ThatwastheonlyadoptingIeverheardof：andthechildwastransportedwhenitwastwenty—three。DearGodfrey，don’taskmetodowhatIknowiswrong：Ishouldneverbehappyagain。Iknowit’sveryhardfor_you_——it’seasierforme——butit’sthewillofProvidence。\"
ItmightseemsingularthatNancy——withherreligioustheorypiecedtogetheroutofnarrowsocialtraditions，fragmentsofchurchdoctrineimperfectlyunderstood，andgirlishreasoningsonhersmallexperience——shouldhavearrivedbyherselfatawayofthinkingsonearlyakintothatofmanydevoutpeople，whosebeliefsareheldintheshapeofasystemquiteremotefromherknowledge——singular，ifwedidnotknowthathumanbeliefs，likeallothernaturalgrowths，eludethebarriersofsystem。
GodfreyhadfromthefirstspecifiedEppie，thenabouttwelveyearsold，asachildsuitableforthemtoadopt。IthadneveroccurredtohimthatSilaswouldratherpartwithhislifethanwithEppie。
Surelytheweaverwouldwishthebesttothechildhehadtakensomuchtroublewith，andwouldbegladthatsuchgoodfortuneshouldhappentoher：shewouldalwaysbeverygratefultohim，andhewouldbewellprovidedfortotheendofhislife——providedforastheexcellentparthehaddonebythechilddeserved。Wasitnotanappropriatethingforpeopleinahigherstationtotakeachargeoffthehandsofamaninalower？ItseemedaneminentlyappropriatethingtoGodfrey，forreasonsthatwereknownonlytohimself；andbyacommonfallacy，heimaginedthemeasurewouldbeeasybecausehehadprivatemotivesfordesiringit。ThiswasratheracoarsemodeofestimatingSilas’srelationtoEppie；butwemustrememberthatmanyoftheimpressionswhichGodfreywaslikelytogatherconcerningthelabouringpeoplearoundhimwouldfavourtheideathatdeepaffectionscanhardlygoalongwithcallouspalmsandscantmeans；andhehadnothadtheopportunity，evenifhehadhadthepower，ofenteringintimatelyintoallthatwasexceptionalintheweaver’sexperience。ItwasonlythewantofadequateknowledgethatcouldhavemadeitpossibleforGodfreydeliberatelytoentertainanunfeelingproject：hisnaturalkindnesshadoutlivedthatblightingtimeofcruelwishes，andNancy’spraiseofhimasahusbandwasnotfoundedentirelyonawilfulillusion。
\"Iwasright，\"shesaidtoherself，whenshehadrecalledalltheirscenesofdiscussion——\"IfeelIwasrighttosayhimnay，thoughithurtmemorethananything；buthowgoodGodfreyhasbeenaboutit！Manymenwouldhavebeenveryangrywithmeforstandingoutagainsttheirwishes；andtheymighthavethrownoutthatthey’dhadill—luckinmarryingme；butGodfreyhasneverbeenthemantosaymeanunkindword。It’sonlywhathecan’thide：everythingseemssoblanktohim，Iknow；andtheland——whatadifferenceit’udmaketohim，whenhegoestoseeafterthings，ifhe’dchildrengrowingupthathewasdoingitallfor！ButIwon’tmurmur；andperhapsifhe’dmarriedawomanwho’dhavehadchildren，she’dhavevexedhiminotherways。\"
ThispossibilitywasNancy’schiefcomfort；andtogiveitgreaterstrength，shelabouredtomakeitimpossiblethatanyotherwifeshouldhavehadmoreperfecttenderness。Shehadbeen_forced_tovexhimbythatonedenial。Godfreywasnotinsensibletoherlovingeffort，anddidNancynoinjusticeastothemotivesofherobstinacy。Itwasimpossibletohavelivedwithherfifteenyearsandnotbeawarethatanunselfishclingingtotheright，andasincerityclearastheflower—borndew，werehermaincharacteristics；indeed，Godfreyfeltthissostrongly，thathisownmorewaveringnature，tooaversetofacingdifficultytobeunvaryinglysimpleandtruthful，waskeptinacertainaweofthisgentlewifewhowatchedhislookswithayearningtoobeythem。ItseemedtohimimpossiblethatheshouldeverconfesstoherthetruthaboutEppie：shewouldneverrecoverfromtherepulsionthestoryofhisearliermarriagewouldcreate，toldtohernow，afterthatlongconcealment。Andthechild，too，hethought，mustbecomeanobjectofrepulsion：theverysightofherwouldbepainful。TheshocktoNancy’smingledprideandignoranceoftheworld’sevilmightevenbetoomuchforherdelicateframe。Sincehehadmarriedherwiththatsecretonhisheart，hemustkeepittheretothelast。Whateverelsehedid，hecouldnotmakeanirreparablebreachbetweenhimselfandthislong—lovedwife。
Meanwhile，whycouldhenotmakeuphismindtotheabsenceofchildrenfromahearthbrightenedbysuchawife？Whydidhismindflyuneasilytothatvoid，asifitwerethesolereasonwhylifewasnotthoroughlyjoyoustohim？Isupposeitisthewaywithallmenandwomenwhoreachmiddleagewithouttheclearperceptionthatlifenever_can_bethoroughlyjoyous：underthevaguedullnessofthegreyhours，dissatisfactionseeksadefiniteobject，andfindsitintheprivationofanuntriedgood。Dissatisfactionseatedmusinglyonachildlesshearth，thinkswithenvyofthefatherwhosereturnisgreetedbyyoungvoices——seatedatthemealwherethelittleheadsriseoneaboveanotherlikenurseryplants，itseesablackcarehoveringbehindeveryoneofthem，andthinkstheimpulsesbywhichmenabandonfreedom，andseekforties，aresurelynothingbutabriefmadness。InGodfrey’scasetherewerefurtherreasonswhyhisthoughtsshouldbecontinuallysolicitedbythisonepointinhislot：hisconscience，neverthoroughlyeasyaboutEppie，nowgavehischildlesshometheaspectofaretribution；andasthetimepassedon，underNancy’srefusaltoadopther，anyretrievalofhiserrorbecamemoreandmoredifficult。
OnthisSundayafternoonitwasalreadyfouryearssincetherehadbeenanyallusiontothesubjectbetweenthem，andNancysupposedthatitwasforeverburied。
\"Iwonderifhe’llminditlessormoreashegetsolder，\"shethought；\"I’mafraidmore。Agedpeoplefeelthemissofchildren：
whatwouldfatherdowithoutPriscilla？AndifIdie，Godfreywillbeverylonely——notholdingtogetherwithhisbrothersmuch。ButIwon’tbeover—anxious，andtryingtomakethingsoutbeforehand：I
mustdomybestforthepresent。\"
WiththatlastthoughtNancyrousedherselffromherreverie，andturnedhereyesagaintowardstheforsakenpage。Ithadbeenforsakenlongerthansheimagined，forshewaspresentlysurprisedbytheappearanceoftheservantwiththetea—things。Itwas，infact，alittlebeforetheusualtimefortea；butJanehadherreasons。
\"Isyourmastercomeintotheyard，Jane？\"
\"No’m，heisn’t，\"saidJane，withaslightemphasis，ofwhich，however，hermistresstooknonotice。
\"Idon’tknowwhetheryou’veseen’em，’m，\"continuedJane，afterapause，\"butthere’sfolksmakinghastealloneway，aforethefrontwindow。Idoubtsomething’shappened。There’sniveramantobeseeni’theyard，elseI’dsendandsee。I’vebeenupintothetopattic，butthere’snoseeinganythingfortrees。Ihopenobody’shurt，that’sall。\"
\"Oh，no，Idaresaythere’snothingmuchthematter，\"saidNancy。
\"It’sperhapsMr。Snell’sbullgotoutagain，ashedidbefore。\"
\"Iwishhemayn’tgoreanybodythen，that’sall，\"saidJane，notaltogetherdespisingahypothesiswhichcoveredafewimaginarycalamities。
\"Thatgirlisalwaysterrifyingme，\"thoughtNancy；\"IwishGodfreywouldcomein。\"
Shewenttothefrontwindowandlookedasfarasshecouldseealongtheroad，withanuneasinesswhichshefelttobechildish，fortherewerenownosuchsignsofexcitementasJanehadspokenof，andGodfreywouldnotbelikelytoreturnbythevillageroad，butbythefields。Shecontinuedtostand，however，lookingattheplacidchurchyardwiththelongshadowsofthegravestonesacrossthebrightgreenhillocks，andattheglowingautumncoloursoftheRectorytreesbeyond。Beforesuchcalmexternalbeautythepresenceofavaguefearismoredistinctlyfelt——likearavenflappingitsslowwingacrossthesunnyair。NancywishedmoreandmorethatGodfreywouldcomein。
CHAPTERXVIII
Someoneopenedthedoorattheotherendoftheroom，andNancyfeltthatitwasherhusband。Sheturnedfromthewindowwithgladnessinhereyes，forthewife’schiefdreadwasstilled。
\"Dear，I’msothankfulyou’recome，\"shesaid，goingtowardshim。
\"Ibegantoget——\"
Shepausedabruptly，forGodfreywaslayingdownhishatwithtremblinghands，andturnedtowardsherwithapalefaceandastrangeunansweringglance，asifhesawherindeed，butsawheraspartofasceneinvisibletoherself。Shelaidherhandonhisarm，notdaringtospeakagain；butheleftthetouchunnoticed，andthrewhimselfintohischair。
Janewasalreadyatthedoorwiththehissingurn。\"Tellhertokeepaway，willyou？\"saidGodfrey；andwhenthedoorwasclosedagainheexertedhimselftospeakmoredistinctly。
\"Sitdown，Nancy——there，\"hesaid，pointingtoachairoppositehim。\"IcamebackassoonasIcould，tohinderanybody’stellingyoubutme。I’vehadagreatshock——butIcaremostabouttheshockit’llbetoyou。\"
\"Itisn’tfatherandPriscilla？\"saidNancy，withquiveringlips，claspingherhandstogethertightlyonherlap。
\"No，it’snobodyliving，\"saidGodfrey，unequaltotheconsiderateskillwithwhichhewouldhavewishedtomakehisrevelation。
\"It’sDunstan——mybrotherDunstan，thatwelostsightofsixteenyearsago。We’vefoundhim——foundhisbody——hisskeleton。\"
ThedeepdreadGodfrey’slookhadcreatedinNancymadeherfeelthesewordsarelief。Shesatincomparativecalmnesstohearwhatelsehehadtotell。Hewenton：
\"TheStone—pithasgonedrysuddenly——fromthedraining，I
suppose；andtherehelies——haslainforsixteenyears，wedgedbetweentwogreatstones。There’shiswatchandseals，andthere’smygold—handledhunting—whip，withmynameon：hetookitaway，withoutmyknowing，thedayhewenthuntingonWildfire，thelasttimehewasseen。\"
Godfreypaused：itwasnotsoeasytosaywhatcamenext。\"Doyouthinkhedrownedhimself？\"saidNancy，almostwonderingthatherhusbandshouldbesodeeplyshakenbywhathadhappenedallthoseyearsagotoanunlovedbrother，ofwhomworsethingshadbeenaugured。
\"No，hefellin，\"saidGodfrey，inalowbutdistinctvoice，asifhefeltsomedeepmeaninginthefact。Presentlyheadded：
\"DunstanwasthemanthatrobbedSilasMarner。\"
ThebloodrushedtoNancy’sfaceandneckatthissurpriseandshame，forshehadbeenbreduptoregardevenadistantkinshipwithcrimeasadishonour。
\"OGodfrey！\"shesaid，withcompassioninhertone，forshehadimmediatelyreflectedthatthedishonourmustbefeltstillmorekeenlybyherhusband。
\"Therewasthemoneyinthepit，\"hecontinued——\"alltheweaver’smoney。Everything’sbeengatheredup，andthey’retakingtheskeletontotheRainbow。ButIcamebacktotellyou：therewasnohinderingit；youmustknow。\"
Hewassilent，lookingonthegroundfortwolongminutes。Nancywouldhavesaidsomewordsofcomfortunderthisdisgrace，butsherefrained，fromaninstinctivesensethattherewassomethingbehind——
thatGodfreyhadsomethingelsetotellher。Presentlyheliftedhiseyestoherface，andkeptthemfixedonher，ashesaid——
\"Everythingcomestolight，Nancy，soonerorlater。WhenGodAlmightywillsit，oursecretsarefoundout。I’velivedwithasecretonmymind，butI’llkeepitfromyounolonger。Iwouldn’thaveyouknowitbysomebodyelse，andnotbyme——Iwouldn’thaveyoufinditoutafterI’mdead。I’lltellyounow。It’sbeen\"I
will\"and\"Iwon’t\"withmeallmylife——I’llmakesureofmyselfnow。\"
Nancy’sutmostdreadhadreturned。Theeyesofthehusbandandwifemetwithaweinthem，asatacrisiswhichsuspendedaffection。
\"Nancy，\"saidGodfrey，slowly，\"whenImarriedyou，Ihidsomethingfromyou——somethingIoughttohavetoldyou。ThatwomanMarnerfounddeadinthesnow——Eppie’smother——thatwretchedwoman——wasmywife：Eppieismychild。\"
Hepaused，dreadingtheeffectofhisconfession。ButNancysatquitestill，onlythathereyesdroppedandceasedtomeethis。Shewaspaleandquietasameditativestatue，claspingherhandsonherlap。
\"You’llneverthinkthesameofmeagain，\"saidGodfrey，afteralittlewhile，withsometremorinhisvoice。
Shewassilent。
\"Ioughtn’ttohaveleftthechildunowned：Ioughtn’ttohavekeptitfromyou。ButIcouldn’tbeartogiveyouup，Nancy。Iwasledawayintomarryingher——Isufferedforit。\"
StillNancywassilent，lookingdown；andhealmostexpectedthatshewouldpresentlygetupandsayshewouldgotoherfather’s。
Howcouldshehaveanymercyforfaultsthatmustseemsoblacktoher，withhersimple，severenotions？
Butatlastshelifteduphereyestohisagainandspoke。Therewasnoindignationinhervoice——onlydeepregret。
\"Godfrey，ifyouhadbuttoldmethissixyearsago，wecouldhavedonesomeofourdutybythechild。DoyouthinkI’dhaverefusedtotakeherin，ifI’dknownshewasyours？\"
AtthatmomentGodfreyfeltallthebitternessofanerrorthatwasnotsimplyfutile，buthaddefeateditsownend。Hehadnotmeasuredthiswifewithwhomhehadlivedsolong。Butshespokeagain，withmoreagitation。
\"And——Oh，Godfrey——ifwe’dhadherfromthefirst，ifyou’dtakentoherasyouought，she’dhavelovedmeforhermother——andyou’dhavebeenhappierwithme：Icouldbetterhaveboremylittlebabydying，andourlifemighthavebeenmorelikewhatweusedtothinkit’udbe。\"
Thetearsfell，andNancyceasedtospeak。
\"Butyouwouldn’thavemarriedmethen，Nancy，ifI’dtoldyou，\"
saidGodfrey，urged，inthebitternessofhisself—reproach，toprovetohimselfthathisconducthadnotbeenutterfolly。\"Youmaythinkyouwouldnow，butyouwouldn’tthen。Withyourprideandyourfather’s，you’dhavehatedhavinganythingtodowithmeafterthetalkthere’dhavebeen。\"
\"Ican’tsaywhatIshouldhavedoneaboutthat，Godfrey。Ishouldneverhavemarriedanybodyelse。ButIwasn’tworthdoingwrongfor——
nothingisinthisworld。Nothingissogoodasitseemsbeforehand——notevenourmarryingwasn’t，yousee。\"TherewasafaintsadsmileonNancy’sfaceasshesaidthelastwords。
\"I’maworsemanthanyouthoughtIwas，Nancy，\"saidGodfrey，rathertremulously。\"Canyouforgivemeever？\"
\"Thewrongtomeisbutlittle，Godfrey：you’vemadeituptome——
you’vebeengoodtomeforfifteenyears。It’sanotheryoudidthewrongto；andIdoubtitcanneverbeallmadeupfor。\"
\"ButwecantakeEppienow，\"saidGodfrey。\"Iwon’tmindtheworldknowingatlast。I’llbeplainandopenfortheresto’mylife。\"
\"It’llbedifferentcomingtous，nowshe’sgrownup，\"saidNancy，shakingherheadsadly。\"Butit’syourdutytoacknowledgeherandprovideforher；andI’lldomypartbyher，andpraytoGodAlmightytomakeherloveme。\"
\"Thenwe’llgotogethertoSilasMarner’sthisverynight，assoonaseverything’squietattheStone—pits。\"
CHAPTERXIX
Betweeneightandnineo’clockthatevening，EppieandSilaswereseatedaloneinthecottage。Afterthegreatexcitementtheweaverhadundergonefromtheeventsoftheafternoon，hehadfeltalongingforthisquietude，andhadevenbeggedMrs。WinthropandAaron，whohadnaturallylingeredbehindeveryoneelse，toleavehimalonewithhischild。Theexcitementhadnotpassedaway：ithadonlyreachedthatstagewhenthekeennessofthesusceptibilitymakesexternalstimulusintolerable——whenthereisnosenseofweariness，butratheranintensityofinwardlife，underwhichsleepisanimpossibility。Anyonewhohaswatchedsuchmomentsinothermenremembersthebrightnessoftheeyesandthestrangedefinitenessthatcomesovercoarsefeaturesfromthattransientinfluence。Itisasifanewfinenessofearforallspiritualvoiceshadsentwonder—workingvibrationsthroughtheheavymortalframe——asif\"beautybornofmurmuringsound\"hadpassedintothefaceofthelistener。
Silas’sfaceshowedthatsortoftransfiguration，ashesatinhisarm—chairandlookedatEppie。Shehaddrawnherownchairtowardshisknees，andleanedforward，holdingbothhishands，whileshelookedupathim。Onthetablenearthem，litbyacandle，laytherecoveredgold——theoldlong—lovedgold，rangedinorderlyheaps，asSilasusedtorangeitinthedayswhenitwashisonlyjoy。Hehadbeentellingherhowheusedtocountiteverynight，andhowhissoulwasutterlydesolatetillshewassenttohim。
\"Atfirst，I’dasorto’feelingcomeacrossmenowandthen，\"hewassayinginasubduedtone，\"asifyoumightbechangedintothegoldagain；forsometimes，turnmyheadwhichwayIwould，Iseemedtoseethegold；andIthoughtIshouldbegladifIcouldfeelit，andfinditwascomeback。Butthatdidn’tlastlong。Afterabit，Ishouldhavethoughtitwasacursecomeagain，ifithaddroveyoufromme，forI’dgottofeeltheneedo’yourlooksandyourvoiceandthetoucho’yourlittlefingers。Youdidn’tknowthen，Eppie，whenyouweresuchalittleun——youdidn’tknowwhatyouroldfatherSilasfeltforyou。\"
\"ButIknownow，father，\"saidEppie。\"Ifithadn’tbeenforyou，they’dhavetakenmetotheworkhouse，andthere’dhavebeennobodytoloveme。\"
\"Eh，mypreciouschild，theblessingwasmine。Ifyouhadn’tbeensenttosaveme，Ishouldha’gonetothegraveinmymisery。Themoneywastakenawayfrommeintime；andyouseeit’sbeenkept——
kepttillitwaswantedforyou。It’swonderful——ourlifeiswonderful。\"
Silassatinsilenceafewminutes，lookingatthemoney。\"Ittakesnoholdofmenow，\"hesaid，ponderingly——\"themoneydoesn’t。Iwonderifitevercouldagain——Idoubtitmight，ifI
lostyou，Eppie。ImightcometothinkIwasforsakenagain，andlosethefeelingthatGodwasgoodtome。\"
Atthatmomenttherewasaknockingatthedoor；andEppiewasobligedtorisewithoutansweringSilas。Beautifulshelooked，withthetendernessofgatheringtearsinhereyesandaslightflushonhercheeks，asshesteppedtoopenthedoor。TheflushdeepenedwhenshesawMr。andMrs。GodfreyCass。Shemadeherlittlerusticcurtsy，andheldthedoorwideforthemtoenter。
\"We’redisturbingyouverylate，mydear，\"saidMrs。Cass，takingEppie’shand，andlookinginherfacewithanexpressionofanxiousinterestandadmiration。Nancyherselfwaspaleandtremulous。
Eppie，afterplacingchairsforMr。andMrs。Cass，wenttostandagainstSilas，oppositetothem。
\"Well，Marner，\"saidGodfrey，tryingtospeakwithperfectfirmness，\"it’sagreatcomforttometoseeyouwithyourmoneyagain，thatyou’vebeendeprivedofsomanyyears。Itwasoneofmyfamilydidyouthewrong——themoregrieftome——andIfeelboundtomakeuptoyouforitineveryway。WhateverIcandoforyouwillbenothingbutpayingadebt，evenifIlookednofurtherthantherobbery。ButthereareotherthingsI’mbeholden——shallbebeholdentoyoufor，Marner。\"
Godfreycheckedhimself。Ithadbeenagreedbetweenhimandhiswifethatthesubjectofhisfatherhoodshouldbeapproachedverycarefully，andthat，ifpossible，thedisclosureshouldbereservedforthefuture，sothatitmightbemadetoEppiegradually。Nancyhadurgedthis，becauseshefeltstronglythepainfullightinwhichEppiemustinevitablyseetherelationbetweenherfatherandmother。
Silas，alwaysillateasewhenhewasbeingspokentoby\"betters\"，suchasMr。Cass——tall，powerful，floridmen，seenchieflyonhorseback——answeredwithsomeconstraint——
\"Sir，I’veadealtothankyoufora’ready。Asfortherobbery，I
countitnolosstome。AndifIdid，youcouldn’thelpit：youaren’tanswerableforit。\"
\"Youmaylookatitinthatway，Marner，butInevercan；andI
hopeyou’llletmeactaccordingtomyownfeelingofwhat’sjust。
Iknowyou’reeasilycontented：you’vebeenahard—workingmanallyourlife。\"
\"Yes，sir，yes，\"saidMarner，meditatively。\"Ishouldha’beenbadoffwithoutmywork：itwaswhatIheldbywheneverythingelsewasgonefromme。\"
\"Ah，\"saidGodfrey，applyingMarner’swordssimplytohisbodilywants，\"itwasagoodtradeforyouinthiscountry，becausethere’sbeenagreatdealoflinen—weavingtobedone。Butyou’regettingratherpastsuchclosework，Marner：it’stimeyoulaidbyandhadsomerest。Youlookagooddealpulleddown，thoughyou’renotanoldman，_are_you？\"
\"Fifty—five，asnearasIcansay，sir，\"saidSilas。
\"Oh，why，youmaylivethirtyyearslonger——lookatoldMacey！
Andthatmoneyonthetable，afterall，isbutlittle。Itwon’tgofareitherway——whetherit’sputouttointerest，oryouweretoliveonitaslongasitwouldlast：itwouldn’tgofarifyou’dnobodytokeepbutyourself，andyou’vehadtwotokeepforagoodmanyyearsnow。\"
\"Eh，sir，\"saidSilas，unaffectedbyanythingGodfreywassaying，\"I’minnofearo’want。Weshalldoverywell——Eppieandme’ulldowellenough。There’sfewworking—folkshavegotsomuchlaidbyasthat。Idon’tknowwhatitistogentlefolks，butIlookuponitasadeal——almosttoomuch。Andasforus，it’slittlewewant。\"
\"Onlythegarden，father，\"saidEppie，blushinguptotheearsthemomentafter。
\"Youloveagarden，doyou，mydear？\"saidNancy，thinkingthatthisturninthepointofviewmighthelpherhusband。\"Weshouldagreeinthat：Igiveadealoftimetothegarden。\"
\"Ah，there’splentyofgardeningattheRedHouse，\"saidGodfrey，surprisedatthedifficultyhefoundinapproachingapropositionwhichhadseemedsoeasytohiminthedistance。\"You’vedoneagoodpartbyEppie，Marner，forsixteenyears。It’udbeagreatcomforttoyoutoseeherwellprovidedfor，wouldn’tit？Shelooksbloomingandhealthy，butnotfitforanyhardships：shedoesn’tlooklikeastrappinggirlcomeofworkingparents。You’dliketoseehertakencareofbythosewhocanleaveherwelloff，andmakealadyofher；she’smorefitforitthanforaroughlife，suchasshemightcometohaveinafewyears’time。\"
AslightflushcameoverMarner’sface，anddisappeared，likeapassinggleam。EppiewassimplywonderingMr。Cassshouldtalksoaboutthingsthatseemedtohavenothingtodowithreality；butSilaswashurtanduneasy。
\"Idon’ttakeyourmeaning，sir，\"heanswered，nothavingwordsatcommandtoexpressthemingledfeelingswithwhichhehadheardMr。Cass’swords。
\"Well，mymeaningisthis，Marner，\"saidGodfrey，determinedtocometothepoint。\"Mrs。CassandI，youknow，havenochildren——
nobodytobenefitbyourgoodhomeandeverythingelsewehave——
morethanenoughforourselves。Andweshouldliketohavesomebodyintheplaceofadaughtertous——weshouldliketohaveEppie，andtreatherineverywayasourownchild。It’udbeagreatcomforttoyouinyouroldage，Ihope，toseeherfortunemadeinthatway，afteryou’vebeenatthetroubleofbringingherupsowell。Andit’srightyoushouldhaveeveryrewardforthat。AndEppie，I’msure，willalwaysloveyouandbegratefultoyou：she’dcomeandseeyouveryoften，andweshouldallbeonthelook—outtodoeverythingwecouldtowardsmakingyoucomfortable。\"
AplainmanlikeGodfreyCass，speakingundersomeembarrassment，necessarilyblundersonwordsthatarecoarserthanhisintentions，andthatarelikelytofallgratinglyonsusceptiblefeelings。
Whilehehadbeenspeaking，EppiehadquietlypassedherarmbehindSilas’shead，andletherhandrestagainstitcaressingly：shefelthimtremblingviolently。HewassilentforsomemomentswhenMr。Casshadended——powerlessundertheconflictofemotions，allalikepainful。Eppie’sheartwasswellingatthesensethatherfatherwasindistress；andshewasjustgoingtoleandownandspeaktohim，whenonestrugglingdreadatlastgainedthemasteryovereveryotherinSilas，andhesaid，faintly——
\"Eppie，mychild，speak。Iwon’tstandinyourway。ThankMr。andMrs。Cass。\"
Eppietookherhandfromherfather’shead，andcameforwardastep。
Hercheekswereflushed，butnotwithshynessthistime：thesensethatherfatherwasindoubtandsufferingbanishedthatsortofself—consciousness。Shedroppedalowcurtsy，firsttoMrs。CassandthentoMr。Cass，andsaid——
\"Thankyou，ma’am——thankyou，sir。ButIcan’tleavemyfather，norownanybodynearerthanhim。AndIdon’twanttobealady——
thankyouallthesame\"（hereEppiedroppedanothercurtsy）。\"I
couldn’tgiveupthefolksI’vebeenusedto。\"
Eppie’slipsbegantotremblealittleatthelastwords。Sheretreatedtoherfather’schairagain，andheldhimroundtheneck：
whileSilas，withasubduedsob，putuphishandtograsphers。
ThetearswereinNancy’seyes，buthersympathywithEppiewas，naturally，dividedwithdistressonherhusband’saccount。Shedarednotspeak，wonderingwhatwasgoingoninherhusband’smind。
Godfreyfeltanirritationinevitabletoalmostallofuswhenweencounteranunexpectedobstacle。Hehadbeenfullofhisownpenitenceandresolutiontoretrievehiserrorasfarasthetimewaslefttohim；hewaspossessedwithall—importantfeelings，thatweretoleadtoapredeterminedcourseofactionwhichhehadfixedonastheright，andhewasnotpreparedtoenterwithlivelyappreciationintootherpeople’sfeelingscounteractinghisvirtuousresolves。Theagitationwithwhichhespokeagainwasnotquiteunmixedwithanger。
\"ButI’veaclaimonyou，Eppie——thestrongestofallclaims。
It’smyduty，Marner，toownEppieasmychild，andprovideforher。
Sheismyownchild——hermotherwasmywife。I’veanaturalclaimonherthatmuststandbeforeeveryother。\"
Eppiehadgivenaviolentstart，andturnedquitepale。Silas，onthecontrary，whohadbeenrelieved，byEppie’sanswer，fromthedreadlesthismindshouldbeinoppositiontohers，feltthespiritofresistanceinhimsetfree，notwithoutatouchofparentalfierceness。\"Then，sir，\"heanswered，withanaccentofbitternessthathadbeensilentinhimsincethememorabledaywhenhisyouthfulhopehadperished——\"then，sir，whydidn’tyousaysosixteenyearago，andclaimherbeforeI’dcometoloveher，i’steado’comingtotakeherfrommenow，whenyoumightaswelltaketheheartouto’mybody？Godgavehertomebecauseyouturnedyourbackuponher，andHelooksuponherasmine：you’venorighttoher！Whenamanturnsablessingfromhisdoor，itfallstothemastakeitin。\"
\"Iknowthat，Marner。Iwaswrong。I’verepentedofmyconductinthatmatter，\"saidGodfrey，whocouldnothelpfeelingtheedgeofSilas’swords。
\"I’mgladtohearit，sir，\"saidMarner，withgatheringexcitement；\"butrepentancedoesn’talterwhat’sbeengoingonforsixteenyear。Yourcomingnowandsaying\"I’mherfather\"doesn’talterthefeelingsinsideus。It’smeshe’sbeencallingherfathereversinceshecouldsaytheword。\"
\"ButIthinkyoumightlookatthethingmorereasonably，Marner，\"
saidGodfrey，unexpectedlyawedbytheweaver’sdirecttruth—speaking。\"Itisn’tasifshewastobetakenquiteawayfromyou，sothatyou’dneverseeheragain。She’llbeverynearyou，andcometoseeyouveryoften。She’llfeeljustthesametowardsyou。\"
\"Justthesame？\"saidMarner，morebitterlythanever。\"How’llshefeeljustthesameformeasshedoesnow，whenweeato’thesamebit，anddrinko’thesamecup，andthinko’thesamethingsfromoneday’sendtoanother？Justthesame？that’sidletalk。
You’dcutusi’two。\"
Godfrey，unqualifiedbyexperiencetodiscernthepregnancyofMarner’ssimplewords，feltratherangryagain。Itseemedtohimthattheweaverwasveryselfish（ajudgmentreadilypassedbythosewhohavenevertestedtheirownpowerofsacrifice）toopposewhatwasundoubtedlyforEppie’swelfare；andhefelthimselfcalledupon，forhersake，toasserthisauthority。
\"Ishouldhavethought，Marner，\"hesaid，severely——\"IshouldhavethoughtyouraffectionforEppiewouldmakeyourejoiceinwhatwasforhergood，evenifitdidcalluponyoutogiveupsomething。
Yououghttorememberyourownlife’suncertain，andshe’satanagenowwhenherlotmaysoonbefixedinawayverydifferentfromwhatitwouldbeinherfather’shome：shemaymarrysomelowworking—man，andthen，whateverImightdoforher，Icouldn’tmakeherwell—off。You’reputtingyourselfinthewayofherwelfare；
andthoughI’msorrytohurtyouafterwhatyou’vedone，andwhatI’veleftundone，Ifeelnowit’smydutytoinsistontakingcareofmyowndaughter。Iwanttodomyduty。\"
ItwouldbedifficulttosaywhetheritwereSilasorEppiethatwasmoredeeplystirredbythislastspeechofGodfrey’s。ThoughthadbeenverybusyinEppieasshelistenedtothecontestbetweenheroldlong—lovedfatherandthisnewunfamiliarfatherwhohadsuddenlycometofilltheplaceofthatblackfeaturelessshadowwhichhadheldtheringandplaceditonhermother’sfinger。Herimaginationhaddartedbackwardinconjectures，andforwardinprevisions，ofwhatthisrevealedfatherhoodimplied；andtherewerewordsinGodfrey’slastspeechwhichhelpedtomaketheprevisionsespeciallydefinite。Notthatthesethoughts，eitherofpastorfuture，determinedherresolution——_that_wasdeterminedbythefeelingswhichvibratedtoeverywordSilashaduttered；buttheyraised，evenapartfromthesefeelings，arepulsiontowardstheofferedlotandthenewly—revealedfather。
Silas，ontheotherhand，wasagainstrickeninconscience，andalarmedlestGodfrey’saccusationshouldbetrue——lestheshouldberaisinghisownwillasanobstacletoEppie’sgood。Formanymomentshewasmute，strugglingfortheself—conquestnecessarytotheutteringofthedifficultwords。Theycameouttremulously。
\"I’llsaynomore。Letitbeasyouwill。Speaktothechild。
I’llhindernothing。\"
EvenNancy，withalltheacutesensibilityofherownaffections，sharedherhusband’sview，thatMarnerwasnotjustifiableinhiswishtoretainEppie，afterherrealfatherhadavowedhimself。Shefeltthatitwasaveryhardtrialforthepoorweaver，buthercodeallowednoquestionthatafatherbybloodmusthaveaclaimabovethatofanyfoster—father。Besides，Nancy，usedallherlifetoplenteouscircumstancesandtheprivilegesof\"respectability\"，couldnotenterintothepleasureswhichearlynurtureandhabitconnectwithallthelittleaimsandeffortsofthepoorwhoarebornpoor：tohermind，Eppie，inbeingrestoredtoherbirthright，wasenteringonatoolongwithheldbutunquestionablegood。HencesheheardSilas’slastwordswithrelief，andthought，asGodfreydid，thattheirwishwasachieved。
\"Eppie，mydear，\"saidGodfrey，lookingathisdaughter，notwithoutsomeembarrassment，underthesensethatshewasoldenoughtojudgehim，\"it’llalwaysbeourwishthatyoushouldshowyourloveandgratitudetoonewho’sbeenafathertoyousomanyyears，andweshallwanttohelpyoutomakehimcomfortableineveryway。
Butwehopeyou’llcometoloveusaswell；andthoughIhaven’tbeenwhatafathershouldha’beentoyoualltheseyears，Iwishtodotheutmostinmypowerforyoufortherestofmylife，andprovideforyouasmyonlychild。Andyou’llhavethebestofmothersinmywife——that’llbeablessingyouhaven’tknownsinceyouwereoldenoughtoknowit。\"
\"Mydear，you’llbeatreasuretome，\"saidNancy，inhergentlevoice。\"Weshallwantfornothingwhenwehaveourdaughter。\"
Eppiedidnotcomeforwardandcurtsy，asshehaddonebefore。SheheldSilas’shandinhers，andgraspeditfirmly——itwasaweaver’shand，withapalmandfinger—tipsthatweresensitivetosuchpressure——whileshespokewithcolderdecisionthanbefore。
\"Thankyou，ma’am——thankyou，sir，foryouroffers——they’reverygreat，andfarabovemywish。ForIshouldhavenodelighti’
lifeanymoreifIwasforcedtogoawayfrommyfather，andknewhewassittingathome，a—thinkingofmeandfeelinglone。We’vebeenusedtobehappytogethereveryday，andIcan’tthinko’nohappinesswithouthim。Andhesayshe’dnobodyi’theworldtillI
wassenttohim，andhe’dhavenothingwhenIwasgone。Andhe’stookcareofmeandlovedmefromthefirst，andI’llcleavetohimaslongashelives，andnobodyshallevercomebetweenhimandme。\"
\"Butyoumustmakesure，Eppie，\"saidSilas，inalowvoice——
\"youmustmakesureasyouwon’teverbesorry，becauseyou’vemadeyourchoicetostayamongpoorfolks，andwithpoorclothesandthings，whenyoumightha’hadeverythingo’thebest。\"
HissensitivenessonthispointhadincreasedashelistenedtoEppie’swordsoffaithfulaffection。
\"Icanneverbesorry，father，\"saidEppie。\"Ishouldn’tknowwhattothinkonortowishforwithfinethingsaboutme，asI
haven’tbeenusedto。Andit’udbepoorworkformetoputonthings，andrideinagig，andsitinaplaceatchurch，as’udmakethemasI’mfondofthinkmeunfittingcompanyfor’em。Whatcould_I_careforthen？\"
NancylookedatGodfreywithapainedquestioningglance。Buthiseyeswerefixedonthefloor，wherehewasmovingtheendofhisstick，asifhewereponderingonsomethingabsently。Shethoughttherewasawordwhichmightperhapscomebetterfromherlipsthanfromhis。
\"Whatyousayisnatural，mydearchild——it’snaturalyoushouldclingtothosewho’vebroughtyouup，\"shesaid，mildly；\"butthere’sadutyyouowetoyourlawfulfather。There’sperhapssomethingtobegivenuponmoresidesthanone。Whenyourfatheropenshishometoyou，Ithinkit’srightyoushouldn’tturnyourbackonit。\"
\"Ican’tfeelasI’vegotanyfatherbutone，\"saidEppie，impetuously，whilethetearsgathered。\"I’vealwaysthoughtofalittlehomewherehe’dsiti’thecorner，andIshouldfendanddoeverythingforhim：Ican’tthinko’nootherhome。Iwasn’tbroughtuptobealady，andIcan’tturnmymindtoit。Iliketheworking—folks，andtheirvictuals，andtheirways。And，\"sheendedpassionately，whilethetearsfell，\"I’mpromisedtomarryaworking—man，as’lllivewithfather，andhelpmetotakecareofhim。\"
GodfreylookedupatNancywithaflushedfaceandsmartingdilatedeyes。Thisfrustrationofapurposetowardswhichhehadsetoutundertheexaltedconsciousnessthathewasabouttocompensateinsomedegreeforthegreatestdemeritofhislife，madehimfeeltheairoftheroomstifling。
\"Letusgo，\"hesaid，inanunder—tone。
\"Wewon’ttalkofthisanylongernow，\"saidNancy，rising。
\"We’reyourwell—wishers，mydear——andyourstoo，Marner。Weshallcomeandseeyouagain。It’sgettinglatenow。\"
Inthiswayshecoveredherhusband’sabruptdeparture，forGodfreyhadgonestraighttothedoor，unabletosaymore。
CHAPTERXX
NancyandGodfreywalkedhomeunderthestarlightinsilence。Whentheyenteredtheoakenparlour，Godfreythrewhimselfintohischair，whileNancylaiddownherbonnetandshawl，andstoodonthehearthnearherhusband，unwillingtoleavehimevenforafewminutes，andyetfearingtoutteranywordlestitmightjaronhisfeeling。AtlastGodfreyturnedhisheadtowardsher，andtheireyesmet，dwellinginthatmeetingwithoutanymovementoneitherside。Thatquietmutualgazeofatrustinghusbandandwifeislikethefirstmomentofrestorrefugefromagreatwearinessoragreatdanger——nottobeinterferedwithbyspeechoractionwhichwoulddistractthesensationsfromthefreshenjoymentofrepose。
Butpresentlyheputouthishand，andasNancyplacedherswithinit，hedrewhertowardshim，andsaid——
\"That’sended！\"
Shebenttokisshim，andthensaid，asshestoodbyhisside，\"Yes，I’mafraidwemustgiveupthehopeofhavingherforadaughter。Itwouldn’tberighttowanttoforcehertocometousagainstherwill。Wecan’talterherbringingupandwhat’scomeofit。\"
\"No，\"saidGodfrey，withakeendecisivenessoftone，incontrastwithhisusuallycarelessandunemphaticspeech——\"there’sdebtswecan’tpaylikemoneydebts，bypayingextrafortheyearsthathaveslippedby。WhileI’vebeenputtingoffandputtingoff，thetreeshavebeengrowing——it’stoolatenow。Marnerwasintherightinwhathesaidaboutaman’sturningawayablessingfromhisdoor：itfallstosomebodyelse。Iwantedtopassforchildlessonce，Nancy——Ishallpassforchildlessnowagainstmywish。\"
Nancydidnotspeakimmediately，butafteralittlewhilesheasked——
\"Youwon’tmakeitknown，then，aboutEppie’sbeingyourdaughter？\"
\"No：wherewouldbethegoodtoanybody？——onlyharm。ImustdowhatIcanforherinthestateoflifeshechooses。Imustseewhoitisshe’sthinkingofmarrying。\"
\"Ifitwon’tdoanygoodtomakethethingknown，\"saidNancy，whothoughtshemightnowallowherselfthereliefofentertainingafeelingwhichshehadtriedtosilencebefore，\"IshouldbeverythankfulforfatherandPriscillanevertobetroubledwithknowingwhatwasdoneinthepast，morethanaboutDunsey：itcan’tbehelped，theirknowingthat。\"
\"Ishallputitinmywill——IthinkIshallputitinmywill。
Ishouldn’tliketoleaveanythingtobefoundout，likethisofDunsey，\"saidGodfrey，meditatively。\"ButIcan’tseeanythingbutdifficultiesthat’udcomefromtellingitnow。ImustdowhatIcantomakeherhappyinherownway。I’veanotion，\"headded，afteramoment’spause，\"it’sAaronWinthropshemeantshewasengagedto。IrememberseeinghimwithherandMarnergoingawayfromchurch。\"
\"Well，he’sverysoberandindustrious，\"saidNancy，tryingtoviewthematterascheerfullyaspossible。
Godfreyfellintothoughtfulnessagain。PresentlyhelookedupatNancysorrowfully，andsaid——
\"She’saverypretty，nicegirl，isn’tshe，Nancy？\"
\"Yes，dear；andwithjustyourhairandeyes：Iwonderedithadneverstruckmebefore。\"
\"Ithinkshetookadisliketomeatthethoughtofmybeingherfather：Icouldseeachangeinhermannerafterthat。\"
\"Shecouldn’tbeartothinkofnotlookingonMarnerasherfather，\"saidNancy，notwishingtoconfirmherhusband’spainfulimpression。
\"ShethinksIdidwrongbyhermotheraswellasbyher。ShethinksmeworsethanIam。Butshe_must_thinkit：shecanneverknowall。It’spartofmypunishment，Nancy，formydaughtertodislikeme。IshouldneverhavegotintothattroubleifI’dbeentruetoyou——ifIhadn’tbeenafool。I’dnorighttoexpectanythingbutevilcouldcomeofthatmarriage——andwhenIshirkeddoingafather’sparttoo。\"
Nancywassilent：herspiritofrectitudewouldnotlethertrytosoftentheedgeofwhatshefelttobeajustcompunction。Hespokeagainafteralittlewhile，butthetonewasratherchanged：therewastendernessmingledwiththepreviousself—reproach。
\"AndIgot_you_，Nancy，inspiteofall；andyetI’vebeengrumblinganduneasybecauseIhadn’tsomethingelse——asifI
deservedit。\"
\"You’veneverbeenwantingtome，Godfrey，\"saidNancy，withquietsincerity。\"Myonlytroublewouldbegoneifyouresignedyourselftothelotthat’sbeengivenus。\"
\"Well，perhapsitisn’ttoolatetomendabitthere。Thoughit_is_toolatetomendsomethings，saywhattheywill。\"
CHAPTERXXI
Thenextmorning，whenSilasandEppiewereseatedattheirbreakfast，hesaidtoher——
\"Eppie，there’sathingI’vehadonmymindtodothistwoyear，andnowthemoney’sbeenbroughtbacktous，wecandoit。I’vebeenturningitoverandoverinthenight，andIthinkwe’llsetoutto—morrow，whilethefinedayslast。We’llleavethehouseandeverythingforyourgodmothertotakecareon，andwe’llmakealittlebundleo’thingsandsetout。\"
\"Wheretogo，daddy？\"saidEppie，inmuchsurprise。
\"Tomyoldcountry——tothetownwhereIwasborn——upLanternYard。IwanttoseeMr。Paston，theminister：somethingmayha’
comeouttomake’emknowIwasinnicento’therobbery。AndMr。Pastonwasamanwithadealo’light——Iwanttospeaktohimaboutthedrawingo’thelots。AndIshouldliketotalktohimaboutthereligiono’thiscountry—side，forIpartlythinkhedoesn’tknowonit。\"
Eppiewasveryjoyful，fortherewastheprospectnotonlyofwonderanddelightatseeingastrangecountry，butalsoofcomingbacktotellAaronallaboutit。Aaronwassomuchwiserthanshewasaboutmostthings——itwouldberatherpleasanttohavethislittleadvantageoverhim。Mrs。Winthrop，thoughpossessedwithadimfearofdangersattendantonsolongajourney，andrequiringmanyassurancesthatitwouldnottakethemoutoftheregionofcarriers’cartsandslowwaggons，wasneverthelesswellpleasedthatSilasshouldrevisithisowncountry，andfindoutifhehadbeenclearedfromthatfalseaccusation。
\"You’dbeeasierinyourmindfortheresto’yourlife，MasterMarner，\"saidDolly——\"thatyouwould。Andifthere’sanylighttobegotuptheyardasyoutalkon，we’veneedofiti’thisworld，andI’dbegladonitmyself，ifyoucouldbringitback。\"
Soonthefourthdayfromthattime，SilasandEppie，intheirSundayclothes，withasmallbundletiedinabluelinenhandkerchief，weremakingtheirwaythroughthestreetsofagreatmanufacturingtown。Silas，bewilderedbythechangesthirtyyearshadbroughtoverhisnativeplace，hadstoppedseveralpersonsinsuccessiontoaskthemthenameofthistown，thathemightbesurehewasnotunderamistakeaboutit。
\"AskforLanternYard，father——askthisgentlemanwiththetasselsonhisshouldersa—standingattheshopdoor；heisn’tinahurryliketherest，\"saidEppie，insomedistressatherfather’sbewilderment，andillatease，besides，amidstthenoise，themovement，andthemultitudeofstrangeindifferentfaces。
\"Eh，mychild，hewon’tknowanythingaboutit，\"saidSilas；
\"gentlefolksdidn’tevergouptheYard。ButhappensomebodycantellmewhichisthewaytoPrisonStreet，wherethejailis。
Iknowthewayouto’thatasifI’dseenityesterday。\"
Withsomedifficulty，aftermanyturningsandnewinquiries，theyreachedPrisonStreet；andthegrimwallsofthejail，thefirstobjectthatansweredtoanyimageinSilas’smemory，cheeredhimwiththecertitude，whichnoassuranceofthetown’snamehadhithertogivenhim，thathewasinhisnativeplace。
\"Ah，\"hesaid，drawingalongbreath，\"there’sthejail，Eppie；
that’sjustthesame：Iaren’tafraidnow。It’sthethirdturningonthelefthandfromthejaildoors——that’sthewaywemustgo。\"
\"Oh，whatadarkuglyplace！\"saidEppie。\"Howithidesthesky！It’sworsethantheWorkhouse。I’mgladyoudon’tliveinthistownnow，father。IsLanternYardlikethisstreet？\"
\"Mypreciouschild，\"saidSilas，smiling，\"itisn’tabigstreetlikethis。Ineverwaseasyi’thisstreetmyself，butIwasfondo’LanternYard。Theshopshereareallaltered，Ithink——Ican’tmake’emout；butIshallknowtheturning，becauseit’sthethird。\"
\"Hereitis，\"hesaid，inatoneofsatisfaction，astheycametoanarrowalley。\"Andthenwemustgototheleftagain，andthenstraightfor’ardforabit，upShoeLane：andthenweshallbeattheentrynexttotheo’erhangingwindow，wherethere’sthenickintheroadforthewatertorun。Eh，Icanseeitall。\"
\"Ofather，I’mlikeasifIwasstifled，\"saidEppie。\"I
couldn’tha’thoughtasanyfolkslivedi’thisway，soclosetogether。HowprettytheStone—pits’ulllookwhenwegetback！\"
\"Itlookscomicalto_me_，child，now——andsmellsbad。Ican’tthinkasitusenedtosmellso。\"
Hereandthereasallow，begrimedfacelookedoutfromagloomydoorwayatthestrangers，andincreasedEppie’suneasiness，sothatitwasalonged—forreliefwhentheyissuedfromthealleysintoShoeLane，wheretherewasabroaderstripofsky。
\"Dearheart！\"saidSilas，\"why，there’speoplecomingouto’theYardasifthey’dbeentochapelatthistimeo’day——aweekdaynoon！\"
Suddenlyhestartedandstoodstillwithalookofdistressedamazement，thatalarmedEppie。Theywerebeforeanopeninginfrontofalargefactory，fromwhichmenandwomenwerestreamingfortheirmiddaymeal。
\"Father，\"saidEppie，claspinghisarm，\"what’sthematter？\"
ButshehadtospeakagainandagainbeforeSilascouldanswerher。
\"It’sgone，child，\"hesaid，atlast，instrongagitation——
\"LanternYard’sgone。Itmustha’beenhere，becausehere’sthehousewiththeo’erhangingwindow——Iknowthat——it’sjustthesame；butthey’vemadethisnewopening；andseethatbigfactory！
It’sallgone——chapelandall。\"
\"Comeintothatlittlebrush—shopandsitdown，father——they’llletyousitdown，\"saidEppie，alwaysonthewatchlestoneofherfather’sstrangeattacksshouldcomeon。\"Perhapsthepeoplecantellyouallaboutit。\"
Butneitherfromthebrush—maker，whohadcometoShoeLaneonlytenyearsago，whenthefactorywasalreadybuilt，norfromanyothersourcewithinhisreach，couldSilaslearnanythingoftheoldLanternYardfriends，orofMr。Pastontheminister。
\"Theoldplaceisallswep’away，\"SilassaidtoDollyWinthroponthenightofhisreturn——\"thelittlegraveyardandeverything。
Theoldhome’sgone；I’venohomebutthisnow。Ishallneverknowwhethertheygotatthetrutho’therobbery，norwhetherMr。Pastoncouldha’givenmeanylightaboutthedrawingo’thelots。It’sdarktome，Mrs。Winthrop，thatis；Idoubtit’llbedarktothelast。\"
\"Well，yes，MasterMarner，\"saidDolly，whosatwithaplacidlisteningface，nowborderedbygreyhairs；\"Idoubtitmay。It’sthewillo’Themaboveasamanythingsshouldbedarktous；butthere’ssomethingsasI’veneverfelti’thedarkabout，andthey’remostlywhatcomesi’theday’swork。Youwereharddonebythatonce，MasterMarner，anditseemsasyou’llneverknowtherightsofit；butthatdoesn’thinderthere_being_arights，MasterMarner，forallit’sdarktoyouandme。\"
\"No，\"saidSilas，\"no；thatdoesn’thinder。SincethetimethechildwassenttomeandI’vecometoloveherasmyself，I’vehadlightenoughtotrustenby；andnowshesaysshe’llneverleaveme，IthinkIshalltrustentillIdie。\"
CONCLUSION。
TherewasonetimeoftheyearwhichwasheldinRaveloetobeespeciallysuitableforawedding。Itwaswhenthegreatlilacsandlaburnumsintheold—fashionedgardensshowedtheirgoldenandpurplewealthabovethelichen—tintedwalls，andwhentherewerecalvesstillyoungenoughtowantbucketfulsoffragrantmilk。
Peoplewerenotsobusythenastheymustbecomewhenthefullcheese—makingandthemowinghadsetin；andbesides，itwasatimewhenalightbridaldresscouldbewornwithcomfortandseentoadvantage。
HappilythesunshinefellmorewarmlythanusualonthelilactuftsthemorningthatEppiewasmarried，forherdresswasaverylightone。Shehadoftenthought，thoughwithafeelingofrenunciation，thattheperfectionofawedding—dresswouldbeawhitecotton，withthetiniestpinksprigatwideintervals；sothatwhenMrs。GodfreyCassbeggedtoprovideone，andaskedEppietochoosewhatitshouldbe，previousmeditationhadenabledhertogiveadecidedansweratonce。
Seenatalittledistanceasshewalkedacrossthechurchyardanddownthevillage，sheseemedtobeattiredinpurewhite，andherhairlookedlikethedashofgoldonalily。Onehandwasonherhusband’sarm，andwiththeothersheclaspedthehandofherfatherSilas。
\"Youwon’tbegivingmeaway，father，\"shehadsaidbeforetheywenttochurch；\"you’llonlybetakingAarontobeasontoyou。\"
DollyWinthropwalkedbehindwithherhusband；andthereendedthelittlebridalprocession。
Thereweremanyeyestolookatit，andMissPriscillaLammeterwasgladthatsheandherfatherhadhappenedtodriveuptothedooroftheRedHousejustintimetoseethisprettysight。TheyhadcometokeepNancycompanyto—day，becauseMr。CasshadhadtogoawaytoLytherley，forspecialreasons。Thatseemedtobeapity，forotherwisehemighthavegone，asMr。CrackenthorpandMr。Osgoodcertainlywould，tolookonatthewedding—feastwhichhehadorderedattheRainbow，naturallyfeelingagreatinterestintheweaverwhohadbeenwrongedbyoneofhisownfamily。
\"Icouldha’wishedNancyhadhadthelucktofindachildlikethatandbringherup，\"saidPriscillatoherfather，astheysatinthegig；\"Ishouldha’hadsomethingyoungtothinkofthen，besidesthelambsandthecalves。\"
\"Yes，mydear，yes，\"saidMr。Lammeter；\"onefeelsthatasonegetsolder。Thingslookdimtooldfolks：they’dneedhavesomeyoungeyesabout’em，tolet’emknowtheworld’sthesameasitusedtobe。\"
Nancycameoutnowtowelcomeherfatherandsister；andtheweddinggrouphadpassedonbeyondtheRedHousetothehumblerpartofthevillage。
DollyWinthropwasthefirsttodivinethatoldMr。Macey，whohadbeensetinhisarm—chairoutsidehisowndoor，wouldexpectsomespecialnoticeastheypassed，sincehewastoooldtobeatthewedding—feast。
\"Mr。Macey’slookingforawordfromus，\"saidDolly；\"he’llbehurtifwepasshimandsaynothing——andhimsorackedwithrheumatiz。\"
Sotheyturnedasidetoshakehandswiththeoldman。Hehadlookedforwardtotheoccasion，andhadhispremeditatedspeech。
\"Well，MasterMarner，\"hesaid，inavoicethatquaveredagooddeal，\"I’velivedtoseemywordscometrue。Iwasthefirsttosaytherewasnoharminyou，thoughyourlooksmightbeagain’you；
andIwasthefirsttosayyou’dgetyourmoneyback。Andit’snothingbutrightfulasyoushould。AndI’dha’saidthe\"Amens\"，andwilling，attheholymatrimony；butTookey’sdoneitagoodwhilenow，andIhopeyou’llhavenonetheworseluck。\"
IntheopenyardbeforetheRainbowthepartyofguestswerealreadyassembled，thoughitwasstillnearlyanhourbeforetheappointedfeasttime。Butbythismeanstheycouldnotonlyenjoytheslowadventoftheirpleasure；theyhadalsoampleleisuretotalkofSilasMarner’sstrangehistory，andarrivebyduedegreesattheconclusionthathehadbroughtablessingonhimselfbyactinglikeafathertoalonemotherlesschild。Eventhefarrierdidnotnegativethissentiment：onthecontrary，hetookitupaspeculiarlyhisown，andinvitedanyhardypersonpresenttocontradicthim。Buthemetwithnocontradiction；andalldifferencesamongthecompanyweremergedinageneralagreementwithMr。Snell’ssentiment，thatwhenamanhaddeservedhisgoodluck，itwasthepartofhisneighbourstowishhimjoy。
Asthebridalgroupapproached，aheartycheerwasraisedintheRainbowyard；andBenWinthrop，whosejokeshadretainedtheiracceptableflavour，founditagreeabletoturninthereandreceivecongratulations；notrequiringtheproposedintervalofquietattheStone—pitsbeforejoiningthecompany。
Eppiehadalargergardenthanshehadeverexpectedtherenow；andinotherwaystherehadbeenalterationsattheexpenseofMr。Cass，thelandlord，tosuitSilas’slargerfamily。ForheandEppiehaddeclaredthattheywouldratherstayattheStone—pitsthangotoanynewhome。Thegardenwasfencedwithstonesontwosides，butinfronttherewasanopenfence，throughwhichtheflowersshonewithansweringgladness，asthefourunitedpeoplecamewithinsightofthem。
\"Ofather，\"saidEppie，\"whataprettyhomeoursis！Ithinknobodycouldbehappierthanweare。\"
