V. An Old Move Inadvertently Repeated

           Charley’sattentionstohisformermistresswereunbounded.Theonlysolacetohisowntroublelayinhisattemptstorelievehers.Hourafterhourheconsideredherwants;hethoughtofherpresencetherewithasortofgratitude,and,whileutteringimprecationsonthecauseofherunhappiness,insomemeasureblessedtheresult.Perhapsshewouldalwaysremainthere,hethought,andthenhewouldbeashappyashehadbeenbefore.HisdreadwaslestsheshouldthinkfittoreturntoAlderworth,andinthatdreadhiseyes,withalltheinquisitivenessofaffection,frequentlysoughtherfacewhenshewasnotobservinghim,ashewouldhavewatchedtheheadofastockdovetolearnifitcontemplatedflight.Havingoncereallysuccouredher,andpossiblypreservedherfromtherashestofacts,hementallyassumedinadditionaguardian’sresponsibilityforherwelfare.

           Forthisreasonhebusilyendeavouredtoprovideherwithpleasantdistractions,bringinghomecuriousobjectswhichhefoundintheheath,suchaswhitetrumpet-shapedmosses,redheadedlichens,stonearrowheadsusedbytheoldtribesonEgdon,andfacetedcrystalsfromthehollowsofflints.Thesehedepositedonthepremisesinsuchpositionsthatsheshouldseethemasifbyaccident.

           Aweekpassed,Eustacianevergoingoutofthehouse.Thenshewalkedintotheenclosedplotandlookedthroughhergrandfather’sspyglass,asshehadbeeninthehabitofdoingbeforehermarriage.Onedayshesaw,ataplacewherethehighroadcrossedthedistantvalley,aheavilyladenwagonpassingalong.Itwaspiledwithhouseholdfurniture.