IV. Rough Coercion Is Employed

           ThosewordsofThomasin,whichseemedsolittle,butmeantsomuch,remainedintheearsofDiggoryVenn:“Helpmetokeephimhomeintheevenings.”

           OnthisoccasionVennhadarrivedonEgdonHeathonlytocrosstotheotherside—hehadnofurtherconnectionwiththeinterestsoftheYeobrightfamily,andhehadabusinessofhisowntoattendto.YethesuddenlybegantofeelhimselfdriftingintotheoldtrackofmanoeuvringonThomasin’saccount.

           Hesatinhisvanandconsidered.FromThomasin’swordsandmannerhehadplainlygatheredthatWildeveneglectedher.ForwhomcouldheneglectherifnotforEustacia?YetitwasscarcelycrediblethatthingshadcometosuchaheadastoindicatethatEustaciasystematicallyencouragedhim.VennresolvedtoreconnoitresomewhatcarefullythelonelyroadwhichledalongthevalefromWildeve’sdwellingtoClym’shouseatAlderworth.

           Atthistime,ashasbeenseen,Wildevewasquiteinnocentofanypredeterminedactofintrigue,andexceptatthedanceonthegreenhehadnotoncemetEustaciasincehermarriage.Butthatthespiritofintriguewasinhimhadbeenshownbyarecentromantichabitofhis—ahabitofgoingoutafterdarkandstrollingtowardsAlderworth,therelookingatthemoonandstars,lookingatEustacia’shouse,andwalkingbackatleisure.

           Accordingly,whenwatchingonthenightafterthefestival,thereddlemansawhimascendbythelittlepath,leanoverthefrontgateofClym’sgarden,sigh,andturntogobackagain.ItwasplainthatWildeve’sintriguewasratheridealthanreal.