When Obsession Takes Root — Far from the Madding Crowd

On Valentine's evening Boldwood sups by his fire with Bathsheba's letter perched on the spread eagle atop his clock, the red seal burning like a blot of blood while he reads MARRY ME in fancy though the words are too far to see. Since the morning delivery the symmetry of his ordered bachelor life has been distorting toward an ideal passion he cannot name and dares not call impertinence.

Night brings handwriting obsession: a phantom woman writing his name, mirror-gazing at his own wan face, sleepless checking of the empty envelope while Bathsheba sleeps oblivious under the same moon whose light on snow reverses every shadow in his room. At snowy dawn he watches the sun rise over Weatherbury Upper Farm while a mail-cart brings another letter addressed to the new shepherd but really for Miss Everdene.

Boldwood sees Gabriel Oak moving hurdles on the ridge against the sunrise with young Cainy behind him and decides this is no longer another man's letter but opportunity. Face full of intention, he enters the snowy field and follows the shepherd toward Warren's Malthouse while Gabriel, unaware, descends toward the day's labour and lambing work waiting below the snowy ridge at Weatherbury.