Bathsheba was in deep despair. She knew that she had lost her independence as a woman,which she had been so proud of. She hated herself for falling in love so easily with her hand-some husband,who,she now realized,could not be trusted.
The next morning Troy left the house early. Bathsheba was walking in her garden,when she noticed Gabriel Oak and Mr Boldwood deep in conversation in the road. They called to Joseph Poorgrass,who was picking apples,and soon he came along the path to Bathsheba's house.
‘Well,what's the message,Joseph?’she asked,curious.
‘I'm afraid Fanny Robin's dead,ma'am. Dead in the Casterbridge workhouse.
‘No!Why?What did she die from?’
‘I don't know,ma'am,but she was never very strong. Mr Boldwood is sending a cart to bring her back to be buried here. ’