Dancing couples whirled around the room as the frenzied music picked up an even faster pace. Boldwood stood before the fireplace surveying the crowd, a proud expression on his face. Gabriel watched him, wondering if his countenance hinted at a secret knowledge. Had Bathsheba accepted him?

Gabriel did not dance. He could not. He watched Bathsheba dance with Boldwood, hating the way they laughed together, watching her throw back her head so that the blue ribbon tying her hair slipped off onto the floor. When he thought no one was looking he went to retrieve it and slipped it into his pocket.

"Come Gabriel," Boldwood said jovially, "are you not dancing?"

Gabriel blushed thinking that Boldwood had seen him pick up the ribbon.

"No sir."

"Why not indeed? Are there no comely maids here to tempt you?"

Gabriel blushed deeper, thinking that Boldwood was teasing him.

"No, it's not that - -."

"Come, I think I know your secret."

Boldwood gestured towards Bathsheba as she moved through the crowd. Too embarrassed to disagree, Gabriel merely stared back at him. Boldwood put an almost fatherly hand on his shoulder.

"I completely understand."

Before Gabriel had time to argue, Boldwood beckoned Bathsheba to join them.

"You must dance together, I insist."

Bathsheba looked up at Gabriel a mischievous smile on her face as if daring him. He was about to refuse but her manner spurred him on. He held out his hand.

The musicians launched into a hornpipe and Gabriel whisked Bathsheba away, his arm around her waist. She was a nimble dancer and they were good dancing partners, their bodies in perfect harmony with each another. Did he imagine it or did she press herself against him and stare up into his face, her lips parted from her excursions? Her face was flushed, her cheeks a rosy red as her hair tumbled around her shoulders. She seemed almost wild, untamed. His heart picked up a pace almost in time with the frenzied music as she twirled beneath his outstretched arm. Her hands moved around his neck, fingers touching his hair at the back. She didn't seem to care that everyone was watching, including Boldwood. He put his hands on her waist and she laughed, almost hysterically.

"Oh Gabriel!"

They danced down the line as people clapped in time with the music and he couldn't help smiling in happiness. Just for this one night, she was his girl, he could believe it. As they reached the last couple however, she suddenly pulled away from him and moved through the crowd to the door. He could tell that she was upset. He went after her, drawn towards her by an invisible force.

Outside, there was no trace of her, so he called her name and looked for her, walking in the direction of the stables. All was quiet, the servants all enjoying the music within the house. As he rounded the corner of the building he caught sight of her, standing in the moonlight. She looked at him as if she had been waiting for him, her eyes bright and full of tears. Without a word, he went to her and pulled her against him, his mouth searching for hers. He buried his hand in her hair at the back as he kissed her hungrily, feeling her body echo the need that he felt for her as they fell back against the wall. When at last their lips parted she said his name again, almost in agony. He kissed her throat, feeling her shiver in the cool night air as his mouth searched for that tender hollow at the base of her neck. She moaned softly.

"I've been such a fool."

He silenced her with another kiss. When they parted, she stared up at him with a frightened expression on her face.

"What will I do Gabriel? I cannot accept Boldwood's offer of marriage. He will hate me."

"No one could hate you."

"But I think I have given him the wrong impression. I do not think he will understand."

"He will understand, he knows."

"What does he know?"

"The way I feel about you."

They kissed again, almost as if they couldn't get enough of each other. It was forbidden fruit, their bodies hindered by layers of clothing and the deep-seated morality of the times. Eventually, she pulled away from him, telling him that she must return to the party.

"Don't go."

"I must."

He clung to her hand as she attempted to walk away, but with a smile she shook him off. He watched her until she disappeared around the corner and his heart sank. Nothing had been resolved. She must first break the news to Boldwood. Gabriel felt guilty as he remembered Boldwood's hand upon his shoulder, his understanding words.

In the distance, he heard shouting, then the terrifying sound of gun-shot.