The Shot at Boldwood's Christmas Party — Far from the Madding Crowd

Outside the lit door of Boldwood's house, a group of his men stand in the dark whispering that a boy saw Sergeant Troy in Casterbridge that afternoon. His body, after all, was never found. They argue about whether Bathsheba should be told, and Laban Tall thinks it is kinder to say nothing in case it proves false. Boldwood steps out alone, leans on the gate, and says aloud that he hopes to God she will come, or the night will be misery. The men hear every word. When her gig arrives, he greets her as if nothing were wrong. Later three of the men look through the pane at Warren's malt-house and see Troy's face pressed to it, listening to Oak and the maltster talk of Boldwood's folly. They steal away and decide someone must warn her, but when Laban reaches the door he cannot bring himself to cool the party, and they all go in.

Inside, Bathsheba has made up her mind to stay an hour and no more. When it is done she goes to the small parlour to leave, and Boldwood follows her there, asking for the promise. She is trembling and says she will give it as the payment of a debt. He begs her in a husky voice, and at last she cries and says she will marry him in six years, if they both live. He slips the ring onto her finger. She weeps, says she cannot wear it, and is beaten into wearing it for one night only.

She comes down in her hat and cloak and pauses on the stairs. The work-folk are whispering in a clouded group, and Samway murmurs that he wishes somebody were dead. A stranger, wrapped to the eyes, is called in, and Boldwood cheerfully offers him a Christmas drink. Then Troy takes off his cap and laughs a mechanical laugh, and Boldwood knows him. Bathsheba sits on the bottom stair, her mind gone blank. 'Come home with me,' says Troy. A voice that does not sound like Boldwood's tells her to go with her husband. When Troy seizes her arm and she screams, Boldwood takes a gun from the rack behind him and shoots Troy at close range. Troy falls and lies still, and Boldwood turns the second barrel on himself, but Samway knocks it into the ceiling. 'It makes no difference,' he says. He kisses her hand, puts on his hat, and goes out into the dark, and nobody thinks of stopping him.