VII. Recognition—A Timid Girl

           Bathshebawithdrewintotheshade.Shescarcelyknewwhethermosttobeamusedatthesingularityofthemeeting,ortobeconcernedatitsawkwardness.Therewasroomforalittlepity,alsoforaverylittleexultation:theformerathisposition,thelatteratherown.Embarrassedshewasnot,andsherememberedGabriel’sdeclarationoflovetoheratNorcombeonlytothinkshehadnearlyforgottenit.

           "Yes,"shemurmured,puttingonanairofdignity,andturningagaintohimwithalittlewarmthofcheek;"Idowantashepherd.But—"

           "He’stheveryman,ma’am,"saidoneofthevillagers,quietly.

           Convictionbreedsconviction."Ay,that’ais,"saidasecond,decisively.

           "Theman,truly!"saidathird,withheartiness.

           "He’sallthere!"saidnumberfour,fervidly.

           "Thenwillyoutellhimtospeaktothebailiff,"saidBathsheba.

           Allwaspracticalagainnow.Asummereveandlonelinesswouldhavebeennecessarytogivethemeetingitsproperfulnessofromance.

           ThebailiffwaspointedouttoGabriel,who,checkingthepalpitationwithinhisbreastatdiscoveringthatthisAshtorethofstrangereportwasonlyamodificationofVenusthewell-knownandadmired,retiredwithhimtotalkoverthenecessarypreliminariesofhiring.

           Thefirebeforethemwastedaway."Men,"saidBathsheba,"youshalltakealittlerefreshmentafterthisextrawork.Willyoucometothehouse?"

           "Wecouldknockinabitandadropagooddealfreer,Miss,ifsobeye’dsendittoWarren’sMalthouse,"repliedthespokesman.