ts. For two successive years his
mistress had seemed to take pleasure in lighting a bonfire on the
bank overlooking the valley; but this year she had apparently quite
forgotten the day and the customary deed. He was careful not to
remind her, and went on with his secret preparations for a cheerful
surprise, the more zealously that he had been absent last time and
unable to assist. At every vacant minute he hastened to gather
furze-stumps, thorn-tree roots, and other solid materials from the
adjacent slopes, hiding them from cursory view.

The evening came, and Eustacia was still seemingly unconscious of the
anniversary. She had gone indoors after her survey through the glass,
and had not been visible since. As soon as it was quite dark Charley
began to build the bonfire, choosing precisely that spot on the bank
which Eustacia had chosen at previous times.

When all the surrounding bonfires had burst into existence Charley
kindled his, and arranged its fuel so that it should not require
tending for some time. He then went back to the house, and lingered
round the door and windows till she should by some means or other
learn of his achievement and come out to witness it. But the shutters
were closed, the door remained shut, and no heed whatever seemed to
be taken of his performance. Not liking to call her he went back and
replenished the fire, continuing to do this for more than half an
hour. It was not till his stock of fuel had greatly diminished that
he went to the back door and sent in to beg that Mrs. Yeobright would
open the window-shutters and see the sight outside.

Eustacia, who had been sitting listlessly in the parlour, started up
at the intelligence and flung open the shutters. Facing her on the
bank blazed the fire, which at once sent a ruddy glare into the room
where she was, and overpowered the candles.

"Well done, Charley!" said Captain Vye from the chimney-corner. "But
I hope it is not my wood that he's burning... Ah, it was this time
last year that I met with that man Venn, bringing home Thomasin
Yeobright--to be sure it was! Well, who would have thought that girl's
troubles would have ended so well? What a snipe you were in that
matter, Eustacia! Has your husband written to you yet?"

"No," said Eustacia, looking vaguely through the window at the fire,
which just then so much engaged her mind that she did not resent her
grandfather's blunt opinion. She could see Charley's form on the
bank, shovel