Thomas Hardy

“ Pennyways now felt himself to be in something of a difficulty, for should Bathsheba and Troy become reconciled it would be necessary to regain her good opinion if he would secure the patronage of her husband. "I sometimes think she likes you yet, and is a good woman at bottom," he said, as a saving sentence. "But there's no telling to a certainty from a body's outside. Well, you'll do as you like about going, of course, sergeant, and as for me, I'll do as you tell me." ”

“ She had just got off her mare to look at the last wring-down of cider for the year; she had been riding, and so her colours were up and her breath rather quick, so that her bosom plimmed and fell -- plimmed and fell -- every time plain to my eye. ”

“ Troy."
"Everybody will think that I am setting myself to captivate Mr. Boldwood, I suppose," she murmured. "At least they'll say so. Can't my hair be brushed down a little flatter? I dread going -- yet I dread the risk of wounding him by staying away."
"Anyhow, ma'am, you can't well be dressed plainer than you are, unless you go in sackcloth at once. 'Tis your excitement is what makes you look so noticeable to-night." ”

“ Now, fetch my black silk dress, and see how it sits upon me."
"But you will leave off that, surely, ma'am? You have been a widowlady fourteen months, and ought to brighten up a little on such a night as this."
"Is it necessary? No; I will appear as usual, for if I were to wear any light dress people would say things about me, and I should seem to be rejoicing when I am solemn all the time. The party doesn't suit me a bit; but never mind, stay and help to finish me off."
III
Boldwood was dressing also at this hour. ”

“ But what man on earth was to know that his wife would be in such a hurry to get rid of his name!"
"I should have known it. She's bad enough for anything."
"Pennyways, mind who you are talking to."
"Well, sergeant, all I say is this, that if I were you I'd go abroad again where I came from -- 'tisn't too late to do it now. I wouldn't stir up the business and get a bad name for the sake of living with her -- for all that about your play-acting is sure to come out, you know, although you think otherwise. ”

“ She has a notion that a woman should not marry within seven years of her husband's disappearance -- that her own self shouldn't, I mean -- because his body was not found. It may be merely this legal reason which influences her, or it may be a religious one, but she is reluctant to talk on the point. ”

“ Boldwood should ask you -- only just suppose it -- to run away with him, what would you do, ma'am?"
"Liddy -- none of that," said Bathsheba, gravely. "Mind, I won't hear joking on any such matter. Do you hear?"
"I beg pardon, ma'am. But knowing what rum things we women be, I just said -- however, I won't speak of it again."
"No marrying for me yet for many a year; if ever, 'twill be for reasons very, very different from those you think, or others will believe! ”

“ I have become the young and hopeful man, and you the old and unbelieving one. However, does a woman keep a promise, not to marry, but to enter on an engagement to marry at some time? Now you know women better than I -- tell me. ”