For months Weatherbury people had been discussing the party that Mr Boldwood was going to give just before Christmas，and now the day had finally arrived. Bathsheba was getting ready for it.

‘I'm upset，Liddy，it's foolish of me，I know，’she said. ‘I wish I didn't have to go to the party. I haven't spoken to Mr Boldwood since the autumn，when I promised to see him at Christmas，so I'll have to go. My black silk dress，please. ’

‘Surely you don't need to wear black tonight，ma'am？You've been a widow¹ for fourteen months now. That's a long time. ’

‘No，if I wear a bright dress，people will say I'm encouraging Mr Boldwood. How do I look，Liddy？’

‘I've hardly ever seen you look so lovely，ma'am. ’

‘I rish offending² him if I don't go. Oh，I wish I could have continued as I've been for the last year or so，with no hopes or fears，and no pleasures and no sadness. ’

‘If Mr Boldwood asked you to run away with him，what would you say，ma'am？’said Liddy with a smile.

‘Now，Liddy，no joking. This is far too serious. I won't marry anyone for a long time. Get my cloak³. It's time to go. ’

At the same time，in his farmhouse，Boldwood was also dressing⁴ He was trying on a new coat which had just been delivered. Tonight he wanted to look his best.

Just then Gabriel entered，to report on farm business.

‘Oh，Oak，’said Boldwood. ‘You're invited to the party tonight，of course. ’

‘I'll try to come，if I'm not too busy，’said Gabriel quietly. ‘I'm glad to see you looking happier，sir. ’

‘Yes，I confess⁵ I'm cheerful tonight. But my happiness depends on a hope. Oak，my hands are shaking. Could you help me with the buttons on this coat？’And as Gabriel came forward to help，he went on feverishly，‘Oak，does a woman keep her promise to become engaged？You know women better than I do—tell me. ’

‘I don't think I understand women well at all. But if she wants to put right a mistake，she may keep a promise like that. ’

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