Chapter 13

           TheeventofTessDurbeyfield’sreturnfromthemanorofherboguskinsfolkwasrumouredabroad,ifrumourbenottoolargeawordforaspaceofasquaremile.IntheafternoonseveralyounggirlsofMarlott,formerschoolfellowsandacquaintancesofTess,calledtoseeher,arrivingdressedintheirbeststarchedandironed,asbecamevisitorstoapersonwhohadmadeatranscendentconquest(astheysupposed),andsatroundtheroomlookingatherwithgreatcuriosity.Forthefactthatitwasthissaidthirty-firstcousin,Mrd’Urberville,whohadfalleninlovewithher,agentlemannotaltogetherlocal,whosereputationasarecklessgallantandheartbreakerwasbeginningtospreadbeyondtheimmediateboundariesofTrantridge,lentTess’ssupposedposition,byitsfearsomeness,afarhigherfascinationthatitwouldhaveexercisedifunhazardous.

           Theirinterestwassodeepthattheyoungeroneswhisperedwhenherbackwasturned—

           “Howprettysheis;andhowthatbestfrockdosetheroff!Ibelieveitcostanimmensedeal,andthatitwasagiftfromhim.”

           Tess,whowasreachinguptogetthetea-thingsfromthecorner-cupboard,didnothearthesecommentaries.Ifshehadheardthem,shemightsoonhavesetherfriendsrightonthematter.Buthermotherheard,andJoan’ssimplevanity,havingbeendeniedthehopeofadashingmarriage,feditselfaswellasitcoulduponthesensationofadashingflirtation.Uponthewholeshefeltgratified,eventhoughsuchalimitedandevanescenttriumphshouldinvolveherdaughter’sreputation;