第01期-处女(1) Chapter 1 The Maiden 1

The Maiden 1 One evening at the end of May a middle-aged man was walking home from Shaston to the village of Marlott in the Vale of Blackmoor.

His legs were thin and weak, and he could not walk in a straight line. He had an empty egg-basket on his arm, and his hat was old and worn.

After a while he passed an elderly parson riding a grey horse. 'Good night, ' said the man with the basket.

'Good night, Sir John, ' said the parson. After another step or two the man stopped and turned round to speak to the parson.

'Now, sir, last market-day we met on this road at the same time, and I said "Good night" and you answered "Good night, Sir John, " as you did just now. ' 'I did, ' said the parson.

'And once before that, almost a month ago. ' 'I may have. '

'So why do you call me Sir John, when I am only John Durbeyfield? ' The parson rode nearer, and after a moment's hesitation, explained:

'It was because I've discovered something of historical interest. I am Parson Tringham, the historian.

Do you really not know, Durbeyfield, that you are a direct descendant of the ancient and noble family of the d'Urbervilles? They descended from Sir Pagan d'Urberville, who came from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066. '

'Never heard that before, sir! ' 'Well, it's true. Let me see your face.