Chapter 34

           Theydrovebythelevelroadalongthevalleytoadistanceofafewmiles,and,reachingWellbridge,turnedawayfromthevillagetotheleft,andoverthegreatElizabethanbridgewhichgivestheplacehalfitsname.Immediatelybehinditstoodthehousewhereintheyhadengagedlodgings,whoseexteriorfeaturesaresowellknowntoalltravellersthroughtheFroomValley;onceportionofafinemanorialresidence,andthepropertyandseatofad’Urberville,butsinceitspartialdemolitionafarmhouse.

           “Welcometooneofyourancestralmansions!”saidClareashehandedherdown.Butheregrettedthepleasantry;itwastoonearasatire.

           Onenteringtheyfoundthat,thoughtheyhadonlyengagedacoupleofrooms,thefarmerhadtakenadvantageoftheirproposedpresenceduringthecomingdaystopayaNewYear’svisittosomefriends,leavingawomanfromaneighbouringcottagetoministertotheirfewwants.Theabsolutenessofpossessionpleasedthem,andtheyrealizeditasthefirstmomentoftheirexperienceundertheirownexclusiveroof-tree.

           Buthefoundthatthemouldyoldhabitationsomewhatdepressedhisbride.Whenthecarriagewasgonetheyascendedthestairstowashtheirhands,thecharwomanshowingtheway.OnthelandingTessstoppedandstarted.

           “What’sthematter?”saidhe.

           “Thosehorridwomen!”sheansweredwithasmile.“Howtheyfrightenedme.”

           Helookedup,andperceivedtwolife-sizeportraitsonpanelsbuiltintothemasonry.