Thomas Hardy: Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter 6: The Fair--the Journey--the Fire (continued)

"Do you happen to want a shepherd, ma'am?"

She lifted the wool veil tied round her face, and looked all astonishment. Gabriel and his cold-hearted darling, Bathsheba Everdene, were face to face.

Bathsheba did not speak, and he mechanically repeated in an abashed and sad voice,--

"Do you want a shepherd, ma'am?"