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LVI. Beauty in Loneliness—After All

           

           Thenextmorningbroughttheculminatingstroke;shehadbeenexpectingitlong.ItwasaformalnoticebyletterfromhimthatheshouldnotrenewhisengagementwithherforthefollowingLady-day.

           Bathshebaactuallysatandcriedoverthislettermostbitterly.ShewasaggrievedandwoundedthatthepossessionofhopelesslovefromGabriel,whichshehadgrowntoregardasherinalienablerightforlife,shouldhavebeenwithdrawnjustathisownpleasureinthisway.Shewasbewilderedtoobytheprospectofhavingtorelyonherownresourcesagain:itseemedtoherselfthatshenevercouldagainacquireenergysufficienttogotomarket,barter,andsell.SinceTroy’sdeathOakhadattendedallsalesandfairsforher,transactingherbusinessatthesametimewithhisown.Whatshouldshedonow?Herlifewasbecomingadesolation.

           SodesolatewasBathshebathisevening,thatinanabsolutehungerforpityandsympathy,andmiserableinthatsheappearedtohaveoutlivedtheonlytruefriendshipshehadeverowned,sheputonherbonnetandcloakandwentdowntoOak’shousejustaftersunset,guidedonherwaybythepaleprimroseraysofacrescentmoonafewdaysold.

           Alivelyfirelightshonefromthewindow,butnobodywasvisibleintheroom.Shetappednervously,andthenthoughtitdoubtfulifitwererightforasinglewomantocalluponabachelorwholivedalone,althoughhewashermanager,andshemightbesupposedtocallonbusinesswithoutanyrealimpropriety.Gabrielopenedthedoor,andthemoonshoneuponhisforehead.

           "Mr.Oak,"saidBathsheba,faintly.

           "Yes;IamMr.Oak,"saidGabriel.

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