`Now,' said Troy, `you see my dilemma. Perhaps I am a bad man - the victim of my impulses - led away to do what I ought to leave undone. I can't, however, marry them both. And I have two reasons for choosing Fanny.
First, I like her best upon the whole, and second, you make it worth my while.'
At the same instant Boldwood sprang upon him, and held him by the neck.
Troy felt Boldwood's grasp slowly tightening. The move was absolutely unexpected.
`A moment,' he gasped. `You are injuring her you love!'
`Well, what do you mean?' said the farmer. `Give me breath,' said Troy.
Boldwood loosened his hand, saying, `By Heaven, I've a mind to kill you!'
`And ruin her.'
`Save her.'
`Oh, how can she be saved now, unless I marry her?'
Boldwood groaned. He reluctantly released the soldier, and flung him back against the hedge. `Devil, you torture me!' said he.
Troy rebounded like a ball, and was about to make a dash at the farmer; but he checked himself, saying lightly--`It is not worth while to measure my strength with you. Indeed it is a barbarous way of settling a quarrel. I shall shortly leave the army because of the same conviction. Now after that revelation of how the land lies with Bathsheba, 'twould be a mistake to kill me, would it not?'
`'Twould be a mistake to kill you,' repeated Boldwood, mechanically, with a bowed head.
`Better kill yourself.'
`Far better.'
`I'm glad you see it.'
`Troy, make her your wife, and don't act upon what I arranged just now.
The alternative is dreadful, but take Bathsheba; I give her up! She must love you indeed to sell soul and body to you so utterly as she has done.
Wretched woman - deluded woman - you are, Bathsheba!'
`But about Fanny?'
`Bathsheba is a woman well to do,' continued Boldwood, in a nervous anxiety, `and Troy, she will make a good wife; and, indeed, she is worth your hastening on your marriage with her!'
`But she has a will - not to say a temper, and I shall be a mere slave to her. I could do anything with poor Fanny Robin.'
`Troy,' said Boldwood imploringly. I'll do anything for you, only don't desert her; pray don't desert her, Troy.'
`Which, poor Fanny?'
`No; Bathsheba Everdene, love her best! love her tenderly! How shall I get you to see how advantageous it will be to you to secure her at once?'
`I don't wish to secure her in any new way.
Boldwood's arm moved spasmodically towards Troy's person again. He repressed tile instinct, and his form drooped as with pain.
Troy went on--`I shall soon purchase my discharge, and then--'
`But I wish you to hasten on this marriage! It will be better for you both. You love each other, and you must let me help you to do it.'
`How?'
`Why, by settling the five hundred on Bathsheba instead of Fanny, to enable you to marry at once. No; she wouldn't have it of me. I'll pay it down to you on the wedding-day.'
Troy paused in secret amazement at Boldwood's wild infatuation. He carelessly said, `And am I to have anything now?'
`Yes, if you wish to. But I have not much additional money with me.
I did not expect this; but all I have is yours.'
