Dressing for Boldwood's Christmas Party — Far from the Madding Crowd

On Christmas Eve all Weatherbury talks of the party Boldwood is to give, which sounds as odd as croquet in a cathedral aisle. Mistletoe hangs in his hall, holly and ivy come in armfuls, and a log so heavy that it has to be dragged in on chains and levers is set on the fire. Yet the gaiety is done as if by a wrench, ordered coldly by hirelings, and a shadow seems to move about the rooms saying that none of this suits the lone man who lives there. Upstairs Bathsheba is dressing, agitated, and tells Liddy that she is the reason for the party and wishes she had never seen Weatherbury. She will wear her black silk, since lighter colours would make people say she was rejoicing.

Boldwood, for the first time in his life, fusses over the fit of a coat. He tells Oak he is bright tonight, and almost afraid of it. His hands shake too much to tie his neckerchief, so Oak does it, while Boldwood asks whether a woman keeps a promise she has only implied. Oak answers that she may, if she meant honestly to repair a wrong, and warns him not to be too sure. Boldwood is certain: she will ratify an engagement tonight, five years and nine months, and he will give Oak a larger share of the farm in thanks. He knows Oak loves her too. Left alone, he takes from a locked drawer a small case holding a diamond ring, newly bought, and dwells on it as if he were following the jewel's future.

At the White Hart in Casterbridge, Troy has sent Pennyways to the lawyer, who was not at home. He asks how Bathsheba looks, whether she favours Boldwood, and wonders what he was made of to leave such a woman so long. Pennyways says she took no notice of him at all, advises Troy to stay a single man named Francis, and then, seeing that a reconciliation might serve him better, adds that she is a good woman at bottom. Troy will not hear of staying away. He buttons a heavy grey overcoat with its collar up round his ears, jokes that he will be about as welcome a guest as Alonzo the Brave, and orders more brandy. It is half-past six. He will not hurry on the road, he says, and he will be there before nine.