On the same day that Bathsheba arrived home， Mr Boldwood went to apologize to her for speaking so violently the last time he had seen her. He knew nothing of her trip to Bath，and supposed she had only been to visit Liddy. But at her door he was told he could not see her，and he realized she had not forgiven him.

On his way home through Weatherbury he saw the coach from Bath. It stopped at the usual place，and a soldier in a red and gold uniform jumped down. Sergeant¹ Troy picked up his bag and was about to take the road to Bathsheba's house，when Boldwood stepped forward.

‘Sergeant Troy？I am William Boldwood. ’

‘Indeed？’said Troy，showing little interest.

‘I want to speak to you—about two women. ’

Troy saw the heavy stick Boldwood was holding，and real－ized how determined² he was. He decided³ it was worth being polite.

‘I'll listen with pleasure，but do speak quietly. ’

‘Well then，I've heard about your relationship with Fanny Robin，and I think you ought to marry her. ’

‘I suppose I ought. Indeed，I want to，but I cannot. ’

‘Why can't you？’

Troy was going to reply immediately，but he stopped him－self. ‘I am too poor，’he said，looking quickly at Boldwood to see if the farmer believed him. Boldwood did not notice the look.

‘I don't want to talk about right or wrong，I just want to discuss business with you. I was engaged to Miss Everdene，when you came and—’

‘Not engaged，’said Troy.

‘More or less engaged，’insisted Boldwood. ‘If you hadn't come，she would certainly have accepted my proposal⁴ by now. Well，her position in society is so much higher than yours that you can't hope to marry her. So all I ask is that you don't bother her any more，and marry Fanny. ’

‘Why should I？’asked Troy carelessly.

‘I'll pay you. If you leave Weatherbury today，I'll give you fifty pounds Fanny will have fifty pounds for wedding clothes，and I'll give her five hundred pounds the day she marries you. ’Boldwood's manner showed that he was a little ashamed of offering money，but he was prepared to do almost anything to prevent Troy marrying Bathsheba.

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