Editing Far from the Madding Crowd (section)

===Gabriel triumphant===
Throughout her tribulations, Bathsheba comes to rely increasingly on her oldest and, as she admits to herself, only real friend, Gabriel. When he gives notice that he is leaving her employ, she realises how important he has become to her well-being. That night, she goes alone to visit him in his cottage to find out why he is deserting her. Pressed, he reluctantly reveals that it is because people have been gossiping that he wants to marry her. She exclaims that it is "... too absurd – too soon – to think of, by far!" He bitterly agrees that it is absurd, but she corrects him, tearfully, saying that it is only "too soon." Emboldened, Gabriel says if he only knew if she would marry him, and she replies that he will never know, because he never asks. At this, they become engaged, and later, are quietly married.