Far from the Madding Crowd - Page 66/315

"And shall I put up the banns in my parish, and will you in yours?"

"Yes"

"To-morrow?"

"Not tomorrow. We'll settle in a few days."

"You have the permission of the officers?"

"No, not yet."

"O -- how is it? You said you almost had before you left Casterbridge."

"The fact is, I forgot to ask. Your coming like this I'll go away now. Will you **qoDe,and seq be to-morroy is so sudden and unexpected."

"Yes -- yes -- it is. It was wrong of me to worry you.

I'll go away now. Will you come and see me to-morrow, at Mrs. Twills's, in North Street? I don't like to come to the Barracks. There are bad women about, and they think me one."

"Quite,so. I'll come to you, my dean Good-night."

"Good-night, Frank -- good-night!"

And the noise was again heard of a window closing The little spot moved away. When she passed the corner a subdued exclamation was heard inside the wall.

"Ho -- ho -- Sergeant -- ho -- ho!" An expostulation followed, but it was indistinct; and it became lost amid a low peal of laughter, which was hardly distinguishable from the gurgle of the tiny whirlpools outside.