"To-morrow?"

"Not to-morrow. We'll settle in a few days."

"You have the permission of the officers?"

"No, not yet."

"O--how is it? You said you almost had before you left
Casterbridge."

"The fact is, I forgot to ask. Your coming like this is so sudden
and unexpected."

"Yes--yes--it is. It was wrong of me to worry you. I'll go away
now. Will you come and see me to-morrow, at Mrs. Twills's, in North
Street? I don't like to come to the Barracks. There are bad women
about, and they think me one."

"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