Thomas Hardy: Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter 11: Outside the Barracks--snow--a Meeting (continued)

"Quite, so. I'll come to you, my dear. Good-night."

"Good-night, Frank--good-night!"

And the noise was again heard of a window closing. The little spot moved away. When she passed the corner a subdued exclamation was heard inside the wall.

"Ho--ho--Sergeant--ho--ho!" An expostulation followed, but it was indistinct; and it became lost amid a low peal of laughter, which was hardly distinguishable from the gurgle of the tiny whirlpools outside.