Dinahtookcarenottobetraythatshehadhadhertea，andacceptedLisbeth’sinvitationveryreadily，forthesakeofpersuadingtheoldwomanherselftotakethefoodanddrinkshesomuchneededafteradayofhardworkandfasting。
SethwassohappynowDinahwasinthehousethathecouldnothelpthinkingherpresencewasworthpurchasingwithalifeinwhichgriefincessantlyfollowedupongrief；butthenextmomenthereproachedhimself——itwasalmostasifhewererejoicinginhisfather’ssaddeath。NeverthelessthejoyofbeingwithDinahWOULDtriumph——itwasliketheinfluenceofclimate，whichnoresistancecanovercome。Andthefeelingevensuffuseditselfoverhisfacesoastoattracthismother’snotice，whileshewasdrinkinghertea。
\"Theemay’stwelltalko’troublebein’agoodthing，Seth，fortheethriv’ston’t。Theelook’stasiftheeknow’dstnomoreo’
carean’cumbernorwhentheewastababbya-lyin’awakei’th’
cradle。Forthee’dstallaysliestillwi’thyeyesopen，an’Adamne’er’udliestillaminutewhenhewakened。Theewastallayslikeabago’mealascanne’erbebruised——though，forthemattero’that，thypoorfeytherwarjustsuchanother。Butye’vegotthesamelooktoo\"(hereLisbethturnedtoDinah)。\"Ireckonit’swi’bein’aMethody。NotasI’ma-findin’fautwi’yefor’t，forye’venocalltobefrettin’，an’somehowyelookensorrytoo。
Eh！Well，iftheMethodiesarefondo’trouble，they’reliketothrive:it’sapitytheycannaha’tall，an’takeitawayfromthemasdonnalikeit。Icouldha’gi’en’emplenty；forwhenI’dgottenmyoldmanIwarworretedfrommorntillnight；andnowhe’sgone，I’dbegladfortheworsto’eragain。\"
\"Yes，\"saidDinah，carefulnottoopposeanyfeelingofLisbeth’s，forherreliance，inhersmallestwordsanddeeds，onadivineguidance，alwaysissuedinthatfinestwoman’stactwhichproceedsfromacuteandreadysympathy；\"yes，Iremembertoo，whenmydearauntdied，Ilongedforthesoundofherbadcoughinthenights，insteadofthesilencethatcamewhenshewasgone。Butnow，dearfriend，drinkthisothercupofteaandeatalittlemore。\"
\"What！\"saidLisbeth，takingthecupandspeakinginalessqueruloustone，\"hadyegotnofeytherandmother，then，asyewarsosorryaboutyouraunt？\"
\"No，Ineverknewafatherormother；myauntbroughtmeupfromababy。Shehadnochildren，forshewasnevermarriedandshebroughtmeupastenderlyasifI’dbeenherownchild。\"
\"Eh，she’dfineworkwi’ye，I’llwarrant，bringin’yeupfromababby，an’heralonewoman——it’sillbringin’upacadelamb。
ButIdaresayyewarnafranzy，foryelookasifye’dne’erbeenangeredi’yourlife。Butwhatdidyedowhenyourauntdied，an’
whydidnayecometoliveinthiscountry，bein’asMrs。Poyser’syouraunttoo？\"
Dinah，seeingthatLisbeth’sattentionwasattracted，toldherthestoryofherearlylife——howshehadbeenbroughtuptoworkhard，andwhatsortofplaceSnowfieldwas，andhowmanypeoplehadahardlifethere——allthedetailsthatshethoughtlikelytointerestLisbeth。Theoldwomanlistened，andforgottobefretful，unconsciouslysubjecttothesoothinginfluenceofDinah’sfaceandvoice。Afterawhileshewaspersuadedtoletthekitchenbemadetidy；forDinahwasbentonthis，believingthatthesenseoforderandquietudearoundherwouldhelpindisposingLisbethtojoinintheprayershelongedtopourforthatherside。Seth，meanwhile，wentouttochopwood，forhesurmisedthatDinahwouldliketobeleftalonewithhismother。
Lisbethsatwatchingherasshemovedaboutinherstillquickway，andsaidatlast，\"Ye’vegotanotiono’cleanin’up。I
wouldnamindha’inyeforadaughter，foryewouldnaspendthelad’swagei’fineclothesan’waste。Ye’renotlikethelasseso’thiscountryside。IreckonfolksisdifferentatSnowfieldfromwhattheyarehere。\"
\"Theyhaveadifferentsortoflife，manyof’em，\"saidDinah；
\"theyworkatdifferentthings——someinthemill，andmanyinthemines，inthevillagesroundabout。Buttheheartofmanisthesameeverywhere，andtherearethechildrenofthisworldandthechildrenoflightthereaswellaselsewhere。Butwe’vemanymoreMethodiststherethaninthiscountry。\"
\"Well，IdidnaknowastheMethodywomenwarlikeye，forthere’sWillMaskery’swife，astheysay’sabigMethody，isnapleasanttolookat，atall。I’daslieflookatatooad。An’I’mthinkin’I
wouldnamindifye’dstayan’sleephere，forIshouldliketoseeyei’th’housei’th’mornin’。Butmayhappenthey’llbelookinforyeatMesterPoyser’s。\"
\"No，\"saidDinah，\"theydon’texpectme，andIshouldliketostay，ifyou’llletme。\"
\"Well，there’sroom；I’ngotmybedlaidi’th’littleroomo’erthebackkitchen，an’yecanliebesideme。I’dbegladtoha’yewi’metospeaktoi’th’night，forye’vegotanicewayo’
talkin’。Itputsmei’mindo’theswallowsaswasunderthethacklast’earwhentheyfustbeguntosinglowan’soft-likei’
th’mornin’。Eh，butmyoldmanwarfondo’thembirds！An’sowarAdam，butthey’nne’ercomedagainthis’ear。HappenTHEY’RE
deadtoo。\"
\"There，\"saidDinah，\"nowthekitchenlookstidy，andnow，dearMother——forI’myourdaughterto-night，youknow——Ishouldlikeyoutowashyourfaceandhaveacleancapon。DoyourememberwhatDaviddid，whenGodtookawayhischildfromhim？WhilethechildwasyetalivehefastedandprayedtoGodtospareit，andhewouldneithereatnordrink，butlayonthegroundallnight，beseechingGodforthechild。Butwhenheknewitwasdead，heroseupfromthegroundandwashedandanointedhimself，andchangedhisclothes，andateanddrank；andwhentheyaskedhimhowitwasthatheseemedtohaveleftoffgrievingnowthechildwasdead，hesaid，’Whilethechildwasyetalive，Ifastedandwept；forIsaid，WhocantellwhetherGodwillbegracioustome，thatthechildmaylive？Butnowheisdead，whereforeshouldI
fast？CanIbringhimbackagain？Ishallgotohim，butheshallnotreturntome。’\"
\"Eh，that’satrueword，\"saidLisbeth。\"Yea，myoldmanwonnacomebacktome，butIshallgotohim——thesoonerthebetter。
Well，yemaydoasyelikewi’me:there’sacleancapi’thatdrawer，an’I’llgoi’thebackkitchenan’washmyface。An’
Seth，theemay’streachdownAdam’snewBiblewi’th’pictersin，an’sheshallreadusachapter。Eh，Ilikethemwords——’Ishallgotohim，buthewonnacomebacktome。’\"
DinahandSethwerebothinwardlyofferingthanksforthegreaterquietnessofspiritthathadcomeoverLisbeth。ThiswaswhatDinahhadbeentryingtobringabout，throughallherstillsympathyandabsencefromexhortation。Fromhergirlhoodupwardsshehadhadexperienceamongthesickandthemourning，amongmindshardenedandshrivelledthroughpovertyandignorance，andhadgainedthesubtlestperceptionofthemodeinwhichtheycouldbestbetouchedandsoftenedintowillingnesstoreceivewordsofspiritualconsolationorwarning。AsDinahexpressedit，\"shewasneverlefttoherself；butitwasalwaysgivenherwhentokeepsilenceandwhentospeak。\"Anddowenotallagreetocallrapidthoughtandnobleimpulsebythenameofinspiration？Afteroursubtlestanalysisofthementalprocess，wemuststillsay，asDinahdid，thatourhighestthoughtsandourbestdeedsareallgiventous。
Andsotherewasearnestprayer——therewasfaith，love，andhopepouringforththateveninginthelittiekitchen。Andpoor，aged，fretfulLisbeth，withoutgraspinganydistinctidea，withoutgoingthroughanycourseofreligiousemotions，feltavaguesenseofgoodnessandlove，andofsomethingrightlyingunderneathandbeyondallthissorrowinglife。Shecouldn’tunderstandthesorrow；but，forthesemoments，underthesubduinginfluenceofDinah’sspirit，shefeltthatshemustbepatientandstill。
IntheCottageITwasbuthalf-pastfourthenextmorningwhenDinah，tiredoflyingawakelisteningtothebirdsandwatchingthegrowinglightthroughthelittlewindowinthegarretroof，roseandbegantodressherselfveryquietly，lestsheshoulddisturbLisbeth。Butalreadysomeoneelsewasastirinthehouse，andhadgonedownstairs，precededbyGyp。Thedog’spatteringstepwasasuresignthatitwasAdamwhowentdown；butDinahwasnotawareofthis，andshethoughtitwasmorelikelytobeSeth，forhehadtoldherhowAdamhadstayedupworkingthenightbefore。Seth，however，hadonlyjustawakenedatthesoundoftheopeningdoor。
Theexcitinginfluenceofthepreviousday，heightenedatlastbyDinah’sunexpectedpresence，hadnotbeencounteractedbyanybodilyweariness，forhehadnotdonehisordinaryamountofhardwork；andsowhenhewenttobed；itwasnottillhehadtiredhimselfwithhoursoftossingwakefulnessthatdrowsinesscame，andledonaheaviermorningsleepthanwasusualwithhim。
ButAdamhadbeenrefreshedbyhislongrest，andwithhishabitualimpatienceofmerepassivity，hewaseagertobeginthenewdayandsubduesadnessbyhisstrongwillandstrongarm。Thewhitemistlayinthevalley；itwasgoingtobeabrightwarmday，andhewouldstarttoworkagainwhenhehadhadhisbreakfast。
\"There’snothingbutwhat’sbearableaslongasamancanwork，\"
hesaidtohimself；\"thenaturo’thingsdoesn’tchange，thoughitseemsasifone’sownlifewasnothingbutchange。Thesquareo’
fourissixteen，andyoumustlengthenyourleverinproportiontoyourweight，isastruewhenaman’smiserableaswhenhe’shappy；
andthebesto’workingis，itgivesyouagripholdo’thingsoutsideyourownlot。\"
Ashedashedthecoldwateroverhisheadandface，hefeltcompletelyhimselfagain，andwithhisblackeyesaskeenaseverandhisthickblackhairallglisteningwiththefreshmoisture，hewentintotheworkshoptolookoutthewoodforhisfather’scoffin，intendingthatheandSethshouldcarryitwiththemtoJonathanBurge’sandhavethecoffinmadebyoneoftheworkmenthere，sothathismothermightnotseeandhearthesadtaskgoingforwardathome。
Hehadjustgoneintotheworkshopwhenhisquickeardetectedalightrapidfootonthestairs——certainlynothismother’s。HehadbeeninbedandasleepwhenDinahhadcomein，intheevening，andnowhewonderedwhosestepthiscouldbe。Afoolishthoughtcame，andmovedhimstrangely。AsifitcouldbeHetty！Shewasthelastpersonlikelytobeinthehouse。Andyethefeltreluctanttogoandlookandhavetheclearproofthatitwassomeoneelse。Hestoodleaningonaplankhehadtakenholdof，listeningtosoundswhichhisimaginationinterpretedforhimsopleasantlythatthekeenstrongfacebecamesuffusedwithatimidtenderness。Thelightfootstepmovedaboutthekitchen，followedbythesoundofthesweepingbrush，hardlymakingsomuchnoiseasthelightestbreezethatchasestheautumnleavesalongthedustypath；andAdam’simaginationsawadimpledface，withdarkbrighteyesandroguishsmileslookingbackwardatthisbrush，andaroundedfigurejustleaningalittletoclaspthehandle。Averyfoolishthought——itcouldnotbeHetty；buttheonlywayofdismissingsuchnonsensefromhisheadwastogoandseeWHOitwas，forhisfancyonlygotnearerandnearertobeliefwhilehestoodtherelistening。Heloosedtheplankandwenttothekitchendoor。
\"Howdoyoudo，AdamBede？\"saidDinah，inhercalmtreble，pausingfromhersweepingandfixinghermildgraveeyesuponhim。
\"Itrustyoufeelrestedandstrengthenedagaintobeartheburdenandheatoftheday。\"
Itwaslikedreamingofthesunshineandawakinginthemoonlight。
AdamhadseenDinahseveraltimes，butalwaysattheHallFarm，wherehewasnotveryvividlyconsciousofanywoman’spresenceexceptHetty’s，andhehadonlyinthelastdayortwobeguntosuspectthatSethwasinlovewithher，sothathisattentionhadnothithertobeendrawntowardsherforhisbrother’ssake。Butnowherslimfigure，herplainblackgown，andherpaleserenefaceimpressedhimwithalltheforcethatbelongstoarealitycontrastedwithapreoccupyingfancy。Forthefirstmomentortwohemadenoanswer，butlookedatherwiththeconcentrated，examiningglancewhichamangivestoanobjectinwhichhehassuddenlybeguntobeinterested。Dinah，forthefirsttimeinherlife，feltapainfulself-consciousness；therewassomethinginthedarkpenetratingglanceofthisstrongmansodifferentfromthemildnessandtimidityofhisbrotherSeth。Afaintblushcame，whichdeepenedasshewonderedatit。ThisblushrecalledAdamfromhisforgetfulness。
\"Iwasquitetakenbysurprise；itwasverygoodofyoutocomeandseemymotherinhertrouble，\"hesaid，inagentlegratefultone，forhisquickmindtoldhimatoncehowshecametobethere。\"Ihopemymotherwasthankfultohaveyou，\"headded，wonderingratheranxiouslywhathadbeenDinah’sreception。
\"Yes，\"saidDinah，resumingherwork，\"sheseemedgreatlycomfortedafterawhile，andshe’shadagooddealofrestinthenight，bytimes。ShewasfastasleepwhenIlefther。\"
\"WhowasittookthenewstotheHallFarm？\"saidAdam，histhoughtsrevertingtosomeonethere；hewonderedwhetherSHEhadfeltanythingaboutit。
\"ItwasMr。Irwine，theclergyman，toldme，andmyauntwasgrievedforyourmotherwhensheheardit，andwantedmetocome；
andsoismyuncle，I’msure，nowhe’sheardit，buthewasgoneouttoRosseterallyesterday。They’lllookforyouthereassoonasyou’vegottimetogo，forthere’snobodyroundthathearthbutwhat’sgladtoseeyou。\"
Dinah，withhersympatheticdivination，knewquitewellthatAdamwaslongingtohearifHettyhadsaidanythingabouttheirtrouble；shewastoorigorouslytruthfulforbenevolentinvention，butshehadcontrivedtosaysomethinginwhichHettywastacitlyincluded。Lovehasawayofcheatingitselfconsciously，likeachildwhoplaysatsolitaryhide-and-seek；itispleasedwithassurancesthatitallthewhiledisbelieves。AdamlikedwhatDinahhadsaidsomuchthathismindwasdirectlyfullofthenextvisitheshouldpaytotheHallFarm，whenHettywouldperhapsbehavemorekindlytohimthanshehadeverdonebefore。
\"Butyouwon’tbethereyourselfanylonger？\"hesaidtoDinah。
\"No，IgobacktoSnowfieldonSaturday，andIshallhavetosetouttoTreddlestonearly，tobeintimefortheOakbournecarrier。
SoImustgobacktothefarmto-night，thatImayhavethelastdaywithmyauntandherchildren。ButIcanstayhereallto-
day，ifyourmotherwouldlikeme；andherheartseemedinclinedtowardsmelastnight。\"
\"Ah，then，she’ssuretowantyouto-day。Ifmothertakestopeopleatthebeginning，she’ssuretogetfondof’em；butshe’sastrangewayofnotlikingyoungwomen。Though，tobesure，\"
Adamwenton，smiling，\"hernotlikingotheryoungwomenisnoreasonwhysheshouldn’tlikeyou。\"
HithertoGyphadbeenassistingatthisconversationinmotionlesssilence，seatedonhishaunches，andalternatelylookingupinhismaster’sfacetowatchitsexpressionandobservingDinah’smovementsaboutthekitchen。ThekindsmilewithwhichAdamutteredthelastwordswasapparentlydecisivewithGypofthelightinwhichthestrangerwastoberegarded，andassheturnedroundafterputtingasidehersweeping-brush，hetrottedtowardsherandputuphismuzzleagainstherhandinafriendlyway。
\"YouseeGypbidsyouwelcome，\"saidAdam，\"andhe’sveryslowtowelcomestrangers。\"
\"Poordog！\"saidDinah，pattingtheroughgreycoat，\"I’veastrangefeelingaboutthedumbthingsasiftheywantedtospeak，anditwasatroubleto’embecausetheycouldn’t。Ican’thelpbeingsorryforthedogsalways，thoughperhapsthere’snoneed。
Buttheymaywellhavemoreinthemthantheyknowhowtomakeusunderstand，forwecan’tsayhalfwhatwefeel，withallourwords。\"
Sethcamedownnow，andwaspleasedtofindAdamtalkingwithDinah；hewantedAdamtoknowhowmuchbettershewasthanallotherwomen。Butafterafewwordsofgreeting，Adamdrewhimintotheworkshoptoconsultaboutthecoffin，andDinahwentonwithhercleaning。
Bysixo’clocktheywereallatbreakfastwithLisbethinakitchenascleanasshecouldhavemadeitherself。Thewindowanddoorwereopen，andthemorningairbroughtwithitamingledscentofsouthernwood，thyme，andsweet-briarfromthepatchofgardenbythesideofthecottage。Dinahdidnotsitdownatfirst，butmovedabout，servingtheotherswiththewarmporridgeandthetoastedoat-cake，whichshehadgotreadyintheusualway，forshehadaskedSethtotellherjustwhathismothergavethemforbreakfast。Lisbethhadbeenunusuallysilentsinceshecamedownstairs，apparentlyrequiringsometimetoadjustherideastoastateofthingsinwhichshecamedownlikealadytofindalltheworkdone，andsatstilltobewaitedon。Hernewsensationsseemedtoexcludetheremembranceofhergrief。Atlast，aftertastingtheporridge，shebrokesilence:
\"Yemightha’madetheparridgeworse，\"shesaidtoDinah；\"Icanateitwi’outitsturnin’mystomach。Itmightha’beenatriflethickeran’noharm，an’Iallaysputtenasprigo’mintinmysen；
buthow’syet’knowthat？Theladsarenaliketogetfolksas’llmaketheirparridgeasI’nmadeitfor’em；it’swelliftheygetonybodyas’llmakeparridgeatall。Butyemightdo，wi’abito’showin’；forye’reastirrin’bodyinamornin’，an’ye’vealightheel，an’ye’vecleanedth’housewellenoughforama’shift。\"
\"Makeshift，mother？\"saidAdam。\"Why，Ithinkthehouselooksbeautiful。Idon’tknowhowitcouldlookbetter。\"
\"Theedostnaknow？Nay；how’stheetoknow？Th’menne’erknowwhetherthefloor’scleanedorcat-licked。Butthee’ltknowwhentheegetsthyparridgeburnt，asit’slikeenoughtobewhenI’ngi’eno’ermakin’it。Thee’ltthinkthymotherwargoodforsummatthen。\"
\"Dinah，\"saidSeth，\"docomeandsitdownnowandhaveyourbreakfast。We’reallservednow。\"
\"Aye，comean’sityedown——do，\"saidLisbeth，\"an’ateamorsel；
ye’dneed，arterbein’upo’yourlegsthishouran’halfa’ready。
Come，then，\"sheadded，inatoneofcomplainingaffection，asDinahsatdownbyherside，\"I’llbeloathforyet’go，butyecannastaymuchlonger，Idoubt。Icouldputupwi’yei’th’
housebetternorwi’mostfolks。\"
\"I’llstaytillto-nightifyou’rewilling，\"saidDinah。\"I’dstaylonger，onlyI’mgoingbacktoSnowfieldonSaturday，andI
mustbewithmyauntto-morrow。\"
\"Eh，I’dne’ergobacktothatcountry。MyoldmancomefromthatStonyshireside，butheleftitwhenhewarayoungun，an’i’therighton’ttoo；forhesaidastherewarnowoodthere，an’it’udha’beenabadcountryforacarpenter。\"
\"Ah，\"saidAdam，\"IrememberfathertellingmewhenIwasalittleladthathemadeuphismindifeverhemoveditshouldbesouth’ard。ButI’mnotsosureaboutit。BartleMasseysays——andheknowstheSouth——asthenorthernmenareafinerbreedthanthesouthern，harder-headedandstronger-bodied，andadealtaller。
Andthenhesaysinsomeo’thosecountiesit’sasflatasthebacko’yourhand，andyoucanseenothingofadistancewithoutclimbingupthehighesttrees。Icouldn’tabidethat。Iliketogotoworkbyaroadthat’lltakemeupabitofahill，andseethefieldsformilesroundme，andabridge，oratown，orabitofasteeplehereandthere。Itmakesyoufeeltheworld’sabigplace，andthere’sothermenworkinginitwiththeirheadsandhandsbesidesyourself。\"
\"Iliketh’hillsbest，\"saidSeth，\"whenthecloudsareoveryourheadandyouseethesunshiningeversofaroff，overtheLoamfordway，asI’veoftendoneo’late，onthestormydays。Itseemstomeasifthatwasheavenwherethere’salwaysjoyandsunshine，thoughthislife’sdarkandcloudy。\"
\"Oh，IlovetheStonyshireside，\"saidDinah；\"Ishouldn’tliketosetmyfacetowardsthecountrieswherethey’rerichincornandcattle，andthegroundsolevelandeasytotread；andtoturnmybackonthehillswherethepoorpeoplehavetolivesuchahardlifeandthemenspendtheirdaysintheminesawayfromthesunlight。It’sveryblessedonableakcoldday，whentheskyishangingdarkoverthehill，tofeeltheloveofGodinone’ssoul，andcarryittothelonely，bare，stonehouses，wherethere’snothingelsetogivecomfort。\"
\"Eh！\"saidLisbeth，\"that’sverywellforyetotalk，aslookswellylikethesnowdrop-flowersasha’livedfordaysan’dayswhenI’ngethered’em，wi’nothin’butadropo’wateran’apeepo’daylight；butth’hungryfoulkshadbetterleaveth’hungrycountry。Itmakeslessmouthsforthescantcake。But，\"shewenton，lookingatAdam，\"donnatheetalko’goin’south’ardornorth’ard，an’leavin’thyfeytherandmotheri’thechurchyard，an’goin’toacountryastheyknownothin’on。I’llne’erresti’mygraveifIdonnaseetheei’thechurchyardofaSunday。\"
\"Donnafear，mother，\"saidAdam。\"IfIhadnamadeupmymindnottogo，Ishouldha’beengonebeforenow。\"
Hehadfinishedhisbreakfastnow，androseashewasspeaking。
\"Whatartgoin’todo？\"askedLisbeth。\"Setaboutthyfeyther’scoffin？\"
\"No，mother，\"saidAdam；\"we’regoingtotakethewoodtothevillageandhaveitmadethere。\"
\"Nay，mylad，nay，\"Lisbethburstoutinaneager，wailingtone；
\"theewotnaletnobodymakethyfeyther’scoffinbutthysen？
Who’dmakeitsowell？An’himasknow’dwhatgoodworkwar，an’sgotasonasistheheado’thevillagean’allTreddles’ontoo，forcleverness。\"
\"Verywell，mother，ifthat’sthywish，I’llmakethecoffinathome；butIthoughttheewouldstnaliketoheartheworkgoingon。\"
\"An’whyshouldnaIlike’t？It’stherightthingtobedone。
An’what’slikinggottodowi’t？It’schoiceo’mislikingsisallI’ngoti’thisworld。Onemorsel’sasgoodasanotherwhenyourmouth’souto’taste。Theemunsetaboutitnowthismornin’
fustthing。Iwonnaha’nobodytotouchthecoffinbutthee。\"
Adam’seyesmetSeth’s，whichlookedfromDinahtohimratherwistfully。
\"No，Mother，\"hesaid，\"I’llnotconsentbutSethshallhaveahandinittoo，ifit’stobedoneathome。I’llgotothevillagethisforenoon，becauseMr。Burge’ullwanttoseeme，andSethshallstayathomeandbeginthecoffin。Icancomebackatnoon，andthenhecango。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"persistedLisbeth，beginningtocry，\"I’nsetmyhearton’tastheeshaltma’thyfeyther’scoffin。Thee’tsostiffan’
masterful，thee’tne’erdoasthymotherwantsthee。Theewastoftenangeredwi’thyfeytherwhenhewaralive；theemustbethebettertohimnowhe’sgone。He’dha’thoughtnothin’on’tforSethtoma’scoffin。\"
\"Saynomore，Adam，saynomore，\"saidSeth，gently，thoughhisvoicetoldthathespokewithsomeeffort；\"Mother’sintheright。
I’llgotowork，anddotheestayathome。\"
Hepassedintotheworkshopimmediately，followedbyAdam；whileLisbeth，automaticallyobeyingheroldhabits，begantoputawaythebreakfastthings，asifshedidnotmeanDinahtotakeherplaceanylonger。Dinahsaidnothing，butpresentlyusedtheopportunityofquietlyjoiningthebrothersintheworkshop。
Theyhadalreadygotontheirapronsandpapercaps，andAdamwasstandingwithhislefthandonSeth’sshoulder，whilehepointedwiththehammerinhisrighttosomeboardswhichtheywerelookingat。TheirbackswereturnedtowardsthedoorbywhichDinahentered，andshecameinsogentlythattheywerenotawareofherpresencetilltheyheardhervoicesaying，\"SethBede！\"
Sethstarted，andtheybothturnedround。DinahlookedasifshedidnotseeAdam，andfixedhereyesonSeth’sface，sayingwithcalmkindness，\"Iwon’tsayfarewell。Ishallseeyouagainwhenyoucomefromwork。SoasI’matthefarmbeforedark，itwillbequitesoonenough。\"
\"Thankyou，Dinah；Ishouldliketowalkhomewithyouoncemore。
It’llperhapsbethelasttime。\"
TherewasalittletremorinSeth’svoice。Dinahputoutherhandandsaid，\"You’llhavesweetpeaceinyourmindto-day，Seth，foryourtendernessandlong-sufferingtowardsyouragedmother。\"
Sheturnedroundandlefttheworkshopasquicklyandquietlyasshehadenteredit。Adamhadbeenobservinghercloselyallthewhile，butshehadnotlookedathim。Assoonasshewasgone，hesaid，\"Idon’twonderattheeforlovingher，Seth。She’sgotafacelikealily。\"
Seth’ssoulrushedtohiseyesandlips:hehadneveryetconfessedhissecrettoAdam，butnowhefeltadelicioussenseofdisburdenment，asheanswered，\"Aye，Addy，Idoloveher——toomuch，Idoubt。Butshedoesnaloveme，lad，onlyasonechildo’
Godlovesanother。She’llneverloveanymanasahusband——that’smybelief。\"
\"Nay，lad，there’snotelling；theemustnaloseheart。She’smadeouto’stuffwithafinergrainthanmosto’thewomen；Icanseethatclearenough。Butifshe’sbetterthantheyareinotherthings，Icannathinkshe’llfallshortof’eminloving。\"
Nomorewassaid。Sethsetouttothevillage，andAdambeganhisworkonthecoffin。
\"Godhelpthelad，andmetoo，\"hethought，asheliftedtheboard。\"We’relikeenoughtofindlifeatoughjob——hardworkinsideandout。It’sastrangethingtothinkofamanascanliftachairwithhisteethandwalkfiftymileonend，tremblingandturninghotandcoldatonlyalookfromonewomanoutofalltheresti’theworld。It’samysterywecangivenoaccountof；
butnomorewecanofthesproutingo’theseed，forthatmatter。\"
IntheWoodTHATsameThursdaymorning，asArthurDonnithornewasmovingaboutinhisdressing-roomseeinghiswell-lookingBritishpersonreflectedintheold-fashionedmirrors，andstaredat，fromadingyolive-greenpieceoftapestry，byPharaoh’sdaughterandhermaidens，whooughttohavebeenmindingtheinfantMoses，hewasholdingadiscussionwithhimself，which，bythetimehisvaletwastyingtheblacksilkslingoverhisshoulder，hadissuedinadistinctpracticalresolution。
\"ImeantogotoEagledaleandfishforaweekorso，\"hesaidaloud。\"Ishalltakeyouwithme，Pym，andsetoffthismorning；
sobereadybyhalf-pasteleven。\"
Thelowwhistle，whichhadassistedhiminarrivingatthisresolution，herebrokeoutintohisloudestringingtenor，andthecorridor，ashehurriedalongit，echoedtohisfavouritesongfromtheBeggar’sOpera，\"Whentheheartofamanisoppressedwithcare。\"Notanheroicstrain；neverthelessArthurfelthimselfveryheroicashestrodetowardsthestablestogivehisordersaboutthehorses。Hisownapprobationwasnecessarytohim，anditwasnotanapprobationtobeenjoyedquitegratuitously；itmustbewonbyafairamountofmerit。Hehadneveryetforfeitedthatapprobation，andhehadconsiderablerelianceonhisownvirtues。Noyoungmancouldconfesshisfaultsmorecandidly；candourwasoneofhisfavouritevirtues；
andhowcanaman’scandourbeseeninallitslustreunlesshehasafewfailingstotalkof？Buthehadanagreeableconfidencethathisfaultswereallofagenerouskind——impetuous，warm-
blooded，leonine；nevercrawling，crafty，reptilian。ItwasnotpossibleforArthurDonnithornetodoanythingmean，dastardly，orcruel。\"No！I’madevilofafellowforgettingmyselfintoahobble，butIalwaystakecaretheloadshallfallonmyownshoulders。\"Unhappily，thereisnoinherentpoeticaljusticeinhobbles，andtheywillsometimesobstinatelyrefusetoinflicttheirworstconsequencesontheprimeoffender，inspiteofhisloudlyexpressedwish。ItwasentirelyowingtothisdeficiencyintheschemeofthingsthatArthurhadeverbroughtanyoneintotroublebesideshimself。Hewasnothingifnotgood-natured；andallhispicturesofthefuture，whenheshouldcomeintotheestate，weremadeupofaprosperous，contentedtenantry，adoringtheirlandlord，whowouldbethemodelofanEnglishgentleman——
mansioninfirst-rateorder，alleleganceandhightaste——jollyhousekeeping，fineststudinLoamshire——purseopentoallpublicobjects——inshort，everythingasdifferentaspossiblefromwhatwasnowassociatedwiththenameofDonnithorne。AndoneofthefirstgoodactionshewouldperforminthatfutureshouldbetoincreaseIrwine’sincomeforthevicarageofHayslope，sothathemightkeepacarriageforhismotherandsisters。Hisheartyaffectionfortherectordatedfromtheageoffrocksandtrousers。Itwasanaffectionpartlyfilial，partlyfraternal——
fraternalenoughtomakehimlikeIrwine’scompanybetterthanthatofmostyoungermen，andfilialenoughtomakehimshrinkstronglyfromincurringIrwine’sdisapprobation。
YouperceivethatArthurDonnithornewas\"agoodfellow\"——allhiscollegefriendsthoughthimsuch。Hecouldn’tbeartoseeanyoneuncomfortable；hewouldhavebeensorryeveninhisangriestmoodsforanyharmtohappentohisgrandfather；andhisAuntLydiaherselfhadthebenefitofthatsoft-heartednesswhichheboretowardsthewholesex。Whetherhewouldhaveself-masteryenoughtobealwaysasharmlessandpurelybeneficentashisgood-natureledhimtodesire，wasaquestionthatnoonehadyetdecidedagainsthim；hewasbuttwenty-one，youremember，andwedon’tinquiretoocloselyintocharacterinthecaseofahandsomegenerousyoungfellow，whowillhavepropertyenoughtosupportnumerouspeccadilloes——who，ifheshouldunfortunatelybreakaman’slegsinhisrashdriving，willbeabletopensionhimhandsomely；orifheshouldhappentospoilawoman’sexistenceforher，willmakeituptoherwithexpensivebon-bons，packedupanddirectedbyhisownhand。Itwouldberidiculoustobepryingandanalyticinsuchcases，asifonewereinquiringintothecharacterofaconfidentialclerk。Weuseround，general，gentlemanlyepithetsaboutayoungmanofbirthandfortune；andladies，withthatfineintuitionwhichisthedistinguishingattributeoftheirsex，seeatoncethatheis\"nice。\"Thechancesarethathewillgothroughlifewithoutscandalizinganyone；aseaworthyvesselthatnoonewouldrefusetoinsure。
Ships，certainly，areliabletocasualties，whichsometimesmaketerriblyevidentsomeflawintheirconstructionthatwouldneverhavebeendiscoverableinsmoothwater；andmanya\"goodfellow，\"
throughadisastrouscombinationofcircumstances，hasundergonealikebetrayal。
ButwehavenofairgroundforentertainingunfavourableauguriesconcerningArthurDonnithorne，whothismorningproveshimselfcapableofaprudentresolutionfoundedonconscience。Onethingisclear:Naturehastakencarethatheshallnevergofarastraywithperfectcomfortandsatisfactiontohimself；hewillnevergetbeyondthatborder-landofsin，wherehewillbeperpetuallyharassedbyassaultsfromtheothersideoftheboundary。HewillneverbeacourtierofVice，andwearherordersinhisbutton-
hole。
Itwasaboutteno’clock，andthesunwasshiningbrilliantly；
everythingwaslookinglovelierfortheyesterday’srain。Itisapleasantthingonsuchamorningtowalkalongthewell-rolledgravelonone’swaytothestables，meditatinganexcursion。Butthescentofthestables，which，inanaturalstateofthings，oughttobeamongthesoothinginfluencesofaman’slife，alwaysbroughtwithitsomeirritationtoArthur。Therewasnohavinghisownwayinthestables；everythingwasmanagedinthestingiestfashion。Hisgrandfatherpersistedinretainingasheadgroomanolddoltwhomnosortoflevercouldmoveoutofhisoldhabits，andwhowasallowedtohireasuccessionofrawLoamshireladsashissubordinates，oneofwhomhadlatelytestedanewpairofshearsbyclippinganoblongpatchonArthur’sbaymare。Thisstateofthingsisnaturallyembittering；onecanputupwithannoyancesinthehouse，buttohavethestablemadeasceneofvexationanddisgustisapointbeyondwhathumanfleshandbloodcanbeexpectedtoendurelongtogetherwithoutdangerofmisanthropy。
OldJohn’swooden，deep-wrinkledfacewasthefirstobjectthatmetArthur’seyesasheenteredthestable-yard，anditquitepoisonedforhimthebarkofthetwobloodhoundsthatkeptwatchthere。Hecouldneverspeakquitepatientlytotheoldblockhead。
\"YoumusthaveMegsaddledformeandbroughttothedoorathalf-
pasteleven，andIshallwantRattlersaddledforPymatthesametime。Doyouhear？\"
\"Yes，Ihear，Ihear，Cap’n，\"saidoldJohnverydeliberately，followingtheyoungmasterintothestable。Johnconsideredayoungmasterasthenaturalenemyofanoldservant，andyoungpeopleingeneralasapoorcontrivanceforcarryingontheworld。
ArthurwentinforthesakeofpattingMeg，decliningasfaraspossibletoseeanythinginthestables，lestheshouldlosehistemperbeforebreakfast。Theprettycreaturewasinoneoftheinnerstables，andturnedhermildheadashermastercamebesideher。LittleTrot，atinyspaniel，herinseparablecompanioninthestable，wascomfortablycurleduponherback。
\"Well，Meg，myprettygirl，\"saidArthur，pattingherneck，\"we’llhaveagloriouscanterthismorning。\"
\"Nay，yourhonour，Idonnaseeasthatcanbe，\"saidJohn。
\"Notbe？Whynot？\"
\"Why，she’sgotlamed。\"
\"Lamed，confoundyou！Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Why，th’ladtookhertooclosetoDalton’shosses，an’oneon’emflungoutather，an’she’sgothershankbruisedo’thenearforeleg。\"
Thejudicioushistorianabstainsfromnarratingpreciselywhatensued。Youunderstandthattherewasagreatdealofstronglanguage，mingledwithsoothing\"who-ho’s\"whilethelegwasexamined；thatJohnstoodbywithquiteasmuchemotionasifhehadbeenacunninglycarvedcrab-treewalking-stick，andthatArthurDonnithornepresentlyrepassedtheirongatesofthepleasure-groundwithoutsingingashewent。
Heconsideredhimselfthoroughlydisappointedandannoyed。TherewasnotanothermountinthestableforhimselfandhisservantbesidesMegandRattler。Itwasvexatious；justwhenhewantedtogetoutofthewayforaweekortwo。ItseemedculpableinProvidencetoallowsuchacombinationofcircumstances。TobeshutupattheChasewithabrokenarmwheneveryotherfellowinhisregimentwasenjoyinghimselfatWindsor——shutupwithhisgrandfather，whohadthesamesortofaffectionforhimasforhisparchmentdeeds！Andtobedisgustedateveryturnwiththemanagementofthehouseandtheestate！Insuchcircumstancesamannecessarilygetsinanillhumour，andworksofftheirritationbysomeexcessorother。\"Salkeldwouldhavedrunkabottleofporteveryday，\"hemutteredtohimself，\"butI’mnotwellseasonedenoughforthat。Well，sinceIcan’tgotoEagledale，I’llhaveagalloponRattlertoNorburnethismorning，andlunchwithGawaine。\"
Behindthisexplicitresolutiontherelayanimplicitone。IfhelunchedwithGawaineandlingeredchatting，heshouldnotreachtheChaseagaintillnearlyfive，whenHettywouldbesafeoutofhissightinthehousekeeper’sroom；andwhenshesetouttogohome，itwouldbehislazytimeafterdinner，soheshouldkeepoutofherwayaltogether。Therereallywouldhavebeennoharminbeingkindtothelittlething，anditwasworthdancingwithadozenballroombellesonlytolookatHettyforhalfanhour。Butperhapshehadbetternottakeanymorenoticeofher；itmightputnotionsintoherhead，asIrwinehadhinted；thoughArthur，forhispart，thoughtgirlswerenotbyanymeanssosoftandeasilybruised；indeed，hehadgenerallyfoundthemtwiceascoolandcunningashewashimself。AsforanyrealharminHetty’scase，itwasoutofthequestion:ArthurDonnithorneacceptedhisownbondforhimselfwithperfectconfidence。
Sothetwelveo’clocksunsawhimgallopingtowardsNorburne；andbygoodfortuneHalsellCommonlayinhisroadandgavehimsomefineleapsforRattler。Nothinglike\"taking\"afewbushesandditchesforexorcisingademon；anditisreallyastonishingthattheCentaurs，withtheirimmenseadvantagesinthisway，haveleftsobadareputationinhistory。
Afterthis，youwillperhapsbesurprisedtohearthatalthoughGawainewasathome，thehandofthedialinthecourtyardhadscarcelyclearedthelaststrokeofthreewhenArthurreturnedthroughtheentrance-gates，gotdownfromthepantingRattler，andwentintothehousetotakeahastyluncheon。ButIbelievetherehavebeenmensincehisdaywhohaveriddenalongwaytoavoidarencontre，andthengallopedhastilybacklesttheyshouldmissit。Itisthefavouritestratagemofourpassionstoshamaretreat，andtoturnsharprounduponusatthemomentwehavemadeupourmindsthatthedayisourown。
\"Thecap’n’sbeenridin’thedevil’sownpace，\"saidDaltonthecoachman，whosepersonstoodoutinhighreliefashesmokedhispipeagainstthestablewall，whenJohnbroughtupRattler。
\"An’Iwishhe’dgetthedeviltodo’sgroomingfor’n，\"growledJohn。
\"Aye；he’dhevadealhaimablergroomnorwhathehasnow，\"
observedDalton——andthejokeappearedtohimsogoodthat，beingleftaloneuponthescene，hecontinuedatintervalstotakehispipefromhismouthinordertowinkatanimaginaryaudienceandshakeluxuriouslywithasilent，ventrallaughter，mentallyrehearsingthedialoguefromthebeginning，thathemightreciteitwitheffectintheservants’hall。
WhenArthurwentuptohisdressing-roomagainafterluncheon，itwasinevitablethatthedebatehehadhadwithhimselfthereearlierinthedayshouldflashacrosshismind；butitwasimpossibleforhimnowtodwellontheremembrance——impossibletorecallthefeelingsandreflectionswhichhadbeendecisivewithhimthen，anymorethantorecallthepeculiarscentoftheairthathadfreshenedhimwhenhefirstopenedhiswindow。ThedesiretoseeHettyhadrushedbacklikeanill-stemmedcurrent；
hewasamazedhimselfattheforcewithwhichthistrivialfancyseemedtograsphim:hewasevenrathertremulousashebrushedhishair——pooh！itwasridinginthatbreak-neckway。Itwasbecausehehadmadeaseriousaffairofanidlematter，bythinkingofitasifitwereofanyconsequence。HewouldamusehimselfbyseeingHettyto-day，andgetridofthewholethingfromhismind。ItwasallIrwine’sfault。\"IfIrwinehadsaidnothing，Ishouldn’thavethoughthalfsomuchofHettyasofMeg’slameness。\"However，itwasjustthesortofdayforlollingintheHermitage，andhewouldgoandfinishDr。Moore’sZelucotherebeforedinner。TheHermitagestoodinFir-treeGrove——thewayHettywassuretocomeinwalkingfromtheHallFarm。Sonothingcouldbesimplerandmorenatural:meetingHettywasamerecircumstanceofhiswalk，notitsobject。
Arthur’sshadowflittedratherfasteramongthesturdyoaksoftheChasethanmighthavebeenexpectedfromtheshadowofatiredmanonawarmafternoon，anditwasstillscarcelyfouro’clockwhenhestoodbeforethetallnarrowgateleadingintothedeliciouslabyrinthinewoodwhichskirtedonesideoftheChase，andwhichwascalledFir-treeGrove，notbecausethefirsweremany，butbecausetheywerefew。Itwasawoodofbeechesandlimes，withhereandtherealightsilver-stemmedbirch——justthesortofwoodmosthauntedbythenymphs:youseetheirwhitesunlitlimbsgleamingathwarttheboughs，orpeepingfrombehindthesmooth-
sweepingoutlineofatalllime；youheartheirsoftliquidlaughter——butifyoulookwithatoocurioussacrilegiouseye，theyvanishbehindthesilverybeeches，theymakeyoubelievethattheirvoicewasonlyarunningbrooklet，perhapstheymetamorphosethemselvesintoatawnysquirrelthatscampersawayandmocksyoufromthetopmostbough。Itwasnotagrovewithmeasuredgrassorrolledgravelforyoutotreadupon，butwithnarrow，hollow-
shaped，earthypaths，edgedwithfaintdashesofdelicatemoss——
pathswhichlookasiftheyweremadebythefreewillofthetreesandunderwood，movingreverentlyasidetolookatthetallqueenofthewhite-footednymphs。
ItwasalongthebroadestofthesepathsthatArthurDonnithornepassed，underanavenueoflimesandbeeches。Itwasastillafternoon——thegoldenlightwaslingeringlanguidlyamongtheupperboughs，onlyglancingdownhereandthereonthepurplepathwayanditsedgeoffaintlysprinkledmoss:anafternooninwhichdestinydisguiseshercoldawfulfacebehindahazyradiantveil，enclosesusinwarmdownywings，andpoisonsuswithviolet-
scentedbreath。Arthurstrolledalongcarelessly，withabookunderhisarm，butnotlookingonthegroundasmeditativemenareapttodo；hiseyesWOULDfixthemselvesonthedistantbendintheroadroundwhichalittlefiguremustsurelyappearbeforelong。Ah！Thereshecomes。Firstabrightpatchofcolour，likeatropicbirdamongtheboughs；thenatrippingfigure，witharoundhaton，andasmallbasketunderherarm；thenadeep-
blushing，almostfrightened，butbright-smilinggirl，makinghercurtsywithaflutteredyethappyglance，asArthurcameuptoher。IfArthurhadhadtimetothinkatall，hewouldhavethoughtitstrangethatheshouldfeelflutteredtoo，beconsciousofblushingtoo——infact，lookandfeelasfoolishasifhehadbeentakenbysurpriseinsteadofmeetingjustwhatheexpected。
Poorthings！Itwasapitytheywerenotinthatgoldenageofchildhoodwhentheywouldhavestoodfacetoface，eyeingeachotherwithtimidliking，thengiveneachotheralittlebutterflykiss，andtoddledofftoplaytogether。Arthurwouldhavegonehometohissilk-curtainedcot，andHettytoherhome-spunpillow，andbothwouldhavesleptwithoutdreams，andto-morrowwouldhavebeenalifehardlyconsciousofayesterday。
ArthurturnedroundandwalkedbyHetty’ssidewithoutgivingareason。Theywerealonetogetherforthefirsttime。Whatanoverpoweringpresencethatfirstprivacyis！Heactuallydarednotlookatthislittlebutter-makerforthefirstminuteortwo。
AsforHetty，herfeetrestedonacloud，andshewasbornealongbywarmzephyrs；shehadforgottenherrose-colouredribbons；shewasnomoreconsciousofherlimbsthanifherchildishsoulhadpassedintoawater-lily，restingonaliquidbedandwarmedbythemidsummersun-beams。Itmayseemacontradiction，butArthurgatheredacertaincarelessnessandconfidencefromhistimidity:
itwasanentirelydifferentstateofmindfromwhathehadexpectedinsuchameetingwithHetty；andfullashewasofvaguefeeling，therewasroom，inthosemomentsofsilence，forthethoughtthathispreviousdebatesandscrupleswereneedless。
\"YouarequiterighttochoosethiswayofcomingtotheChase，\"
hesaidatlast，lookingdownatHetty；\"itissomuchprettieraswellasshorterthancomingbyeitherofthelodges。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"Hettyanswered，withatremulous，almostwhisperingvoice。Shedidn’tknowonebithowtospeaktoagentlemanlikeMr。Arthur，andherveryvanitymadehermorecoyofspeech。
\"DoyoucomeeveryweektoseeMrs。Pomfret？\"
\"Yes，sir，everyThursday，onlywhenshe’sgottogooutwithMissDonnithorne。\"
\"Andshe’steachingyousomething，isshe？\"
\"Yes，sir，thelace-mendingasshelearntabroad，andthestocking-mending——itlooksjustlikethestocking，youcan’ttellit’sbeenmended；andsheteachesmecutting-outtoo。\"
\"What！areYOUgoingtobealady’smaid？\"
\"Ishouldliketobeoneverymuchindeed。\"Hettyspokemoreaudiblynow，butstillrathertremulously；shethought，perhapssheseemedasstupidtoCaptainDonnithorneasLukeBrittondidtoher。
\"IsupposeMrs。Pomfretalwaysexpectsyouatthistime？\"
\"Sheexpectsmeatfouro’clock。I’mratherlateto-day，becausemyauntcouldn’tspareme；buttheregulartimeisfour，becausethatgivesustimebeforeMissDonnithorne’sbellrings。\"
\"Ah，then，Imustnotkeepyounow，elseIshouldliketoshowyoutheHermitage。Didyoueverseeit？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Thisisthewalkwhereweturnuptoit。Butwemustnotgonow。
I’llshowityousomeothertime，ifyou’dliketoseeit。\"
\"Yes，please，sir。\"
\"Doyoualwayscomebackthiswayintheevening，orareyouafraidtocomesolonelyaroad？\"
\"Ohno，sir，it’sneverlate；Ialwayssetoutbyeighto’clock，andit’ssolightnowintheevening。MyauntwouldbeangrywithmeifIdidn’tgethomebeforenine。\"
\"PerhapsCraig，thegardener，comestotakecareofyou？\"
AdeepblushoverspreadHetty’sfaceandneck。\"I’msurehedoesn’t；I’msureheneverdid；Iwouldn’tlethim；Idon’tlikehim，\"shesaidhastily，andthetearsofvexationhadcomesofastthatbeforeshehaddonespeakingabrightdroprolleddownherhotcheek。Thenshefeltashamedtodeaththatshewascrying，andforonelonginstantherhappinesswasallgone。Butinthenextshefeltanarmstealroundher，andagentlevoicesaid，\"Why，Hetty，whatmakesyoucry？Ididn’tmeantovexyou。I
wouldn’tvexyoufortheworld，youlittleblossom。Come，don’tcry；lookatme，elseIshallthinkyouwon’tforgiveme。\"
Arthurhadlaidhishandonthesoftarmthatwasnearesttohim，andwasstoopingtowardsHettywithalookofcoaxingentreaty。
Hettyliftedherlongdewylashes，andmettheeyesthatwerebenttowardsherwithasweet，timid，beseechinglook。Whataspaceoftimethosethreemomentswerewhiletheireyesmetandhisarmstouchedher！Loveissuchasimplethingwhenwehaveonlyone-
and-twentysummersandasweetgirlofseventeentremblesunderourglance，asifshewereabudfirstopeningherheartwithwonderingrapturetothemorning。Suchyoungunfurrowedsoulsrolltomeeteachotherliketwovelvetpeachesthattouchsoftlyandareatrest；theymingleaseasilyastwobrookletsthataskfornothingbuttoentwinethemselvesandripplewithever-
interlacingcurvesintheleafiesthiding-places。WhileArthurgazedintoHetty’sdarkbeseechingeyes，itmadenodifferencetohimwhatsortofEnglishshespoke；andevenifhoopsandpowderhadbeeninfashion，hewouldverylikelynothavebeensensiblejustthenthatHettywantedthosesignsofhighbreeding。
Buttheystartedasunderwithbeatinghearts:somethinghadfallenonthegroundwitharattlingnoise；itwasHetty’sbasket；allherlittleworkwoman’smatterswerescatteredonthepath，someofthemshowingacapabilityofrollingtogreatlengths。Therewasmuchtobedoneinpickingup，andnotawordwasspoken；butwhenArthurhungthebasketoverherarmagain，thepoorchildfeltastrangedifferenceinhislookandmanner。Hejustpressedherhand，andsaid，withalookandtonethatwerealmostchillingtoher，\"Ihavebeenhinderingyou；Imustnotkeepyouanylongernow。Youwillbeexpectedatthehouse。Good-bye。\"
Withoutwaitingforhertospeak，heturnedawayfromherandhurriedbacktowardstheroadthatledtotheHermitage，leavingHettytopursueherwayinastrangedreamthatseemedtohavebeguninbewilderingdelightandwasnowpassingintocontrarietiesandsadness。Wouldhemeetheragainasshecamehome？Whyhadhespokenalmostasifheweredispleasedwithher？
Andthenrunawaysosuddenly？Shecried，hardlyknowingwhy。
Arthurtoowasveryuneasy，buthisfeelingswerelitupforhimbyamoredistinctconsciousness。HehurriedtotheHermitage，whichstoodintheheartofthewood，unlockedthedoorwithahastywrench，slammeditafterhim，pitchedZelucointothemostdistantcorner，andthrustinghisrighthandintohispocket，firstwalkedfourorfivetimesupanddownthescantylengthofthelittleroom，andthenseatedhimselfontheottomaninanuncomfortablestiffway，asweoftendowhenwewishnottoabandonourselvestofeeling。
HewasgettinginlovewithHetty——thatwasquiteplain。Hewasreadytopitcheverythingelse——nomatterwhere——forthesakeofsurrenderinghimselftothisdeliciousfeelingwhichhadjustdiscloseditself。Itwasnouseblinkingthefactnow——theywouldgettoofondofeachother，ifhewentontakingnoticeofher——
andwhatwouldcomeofit？Heshouldhavetogoawayinafewweeks，andthepoorlittlethingwouldbemiserable。HeMUSTNOT
seeheraloneagain；hemustkeepoutofherway。WhatafoolhewasforcomingbackfromGawaine’s！
Hegotupandthrewopenthewindows，toletinthesoftbreathoftheafternoon，andthehealthyscentofthefirsthatmadeabeltroundtheHermitage。Thesoftairdidnothelphisresolution，asheleanedoutandlookedintotheleafydistance。Butheconsideredhisresolutionsufficientlyfixed:therewasnoneedtodebatewithhimselfanylonger。HehadmadeuphismindnottomeetHettyagain；andnowhemightgivehimselfuptothinkinghowimmenselyagreeableitwouldbeifcircumstancesweredifferent——
howpleasantitwouldhavebeentomeetherthiseveningasshecameback，andputhisarmroundheragainandlookintohersweetface。Hewonderedifthedearlittlethingwerethinkingofhimtoo——twentytooneshewas。Howbeautifulhereyeswerewiththetearontheirlashes！Hewouldliketosatisfyhissoulforadaywithlookingatthem，andheMUSTseeheragain——hemustseeher，simplytoremoveanyfalseimpressionfromhermindabouthismannertoherjustnow。Hewouldbehaveinaquiet，kindwaytoher——justtopreventherfromgoinghomewithherheadfullofwrongfancies。Yes，thatwouldbethebestthingtodoafterall。
Itwasalongwhile——morethananhourbeforeArthurhadbroughthismeditationstothispoint；butoncearrivedthere，hecouldstaynolongerattheHermitage。ThetimemustbefilledupwithmovementuntilheshouldseeHettyagain。Anditwasalreadylateenoughtogoanddressfordinner，forhisgrandfather’sdinner-
hourwassix。
EveningintheWoodIThappenedthatMrs。PomfrethadhadaslightquarrelwithMrs。
Best，thehousekeeper，onthisThursdaymorning——afactwhichhadtwoconsequenceshighlyconvenienttoHetty。ItcausedMrs。
Pomfrettohaveteasentuptoherownroom，anditinspiredthatexemplarylady’smaidwithsolivelyarecollectionofformerpassagesinMrs。Best’sconduct，andofdialoguesinwhichMrs。
BesthaddecidedlytheinferiorityasaninterlocutorwithMrs。
Pomfret，thatHettyrequirednomorepresenceofmindthanwasdemandedforusingherneedle，andthrowinginanoccasional\"yes\"
or\"no。\"Shewouldhavewantedtoputonherhatearlierthanusual；onlyshehadtoldCaptainDonnithornethatsheusuallysetoutabouteighto’clock，andifheSHOULDgototheGroveagainexpectingtoseeher，andsheshouldbegone！Wouldhecome？Herlittlebutterflysoulflutteredincessantlybetweenmemoryanddubiousexpectation。Atlasttheminute-handoftheold-fashionedbrazen-facedtimepiecewasonthelastquartertoeight，andtherewaseveryreasonforitsbeingtimetogetreadyfordeparture。
EvenMrs。Pomfret’spreoccupiedminddidnotpreventherfromnoticingwhatlookedlikeanewflushofbeautyinthelittlethingasshetiedonherhatbeforethelooking-glass。
\"Thatchildgetsprettierandprettiereveryday，Idobelieve，\"
washerinwardcomment。\"Themore’sthepity。She’llgetneitheraplacenorahusbandanythesoonerforit。Soberwell-to-domendon’tlikesuchprettywives。WhenIwasagirl，IwasmoreadmiredthanifIhadbeensoverypretty。However，she’sreasontobegratefultomeforteachinghersomethingtogetherbreadwith，betterthanfarm-housework。TheyalwaystoldmeIwasgood-natured——andthat’sthetruth，andtomyhurttoo，elsethere’stheminthishousethatwouldn’tbeherenowtolorditovermeinthehousekeeper’sroom。\"
Hettywalkedhastilyacrosstheshortspaceofpleasure-groundwhichshehadtotraverse，dreadingtomeetMr。Craig，towhomshecouldhardlyhavespokencivilly。HowrelievedshewaswhenshehadgotsafelyundertheoaksandamongthefernoftheChase！
Eventhenshewasasreadytobestartledasthedeerthatleapedawayatherapproach。Shethoughtnothingoftheeveninglightthatlaygentlyinthegrassyalleysbetweenthefern，andmadethebeautyoftheirlivinggreenmorevisiblethanithadbeenintheoverpoweringfloodofnoon:shethoughtofnothingthatwaspresent。Sheonlysawsomethingthatwaspossible:Mr。ArthurDonnithornecomingtomeetheragainalongtheFir-treeGrove。
ThatwastheforegroundofHetty’spicture；behinditlayabrighthazysomething——daysthatwerenottobeastheotherdaysofherlifehadbeen。Itwasasifshehadbeenwooedbyariver-god，whomightanytimetakehertohiswondroushallsbelowawateryheaven。Therewasnoknowingwhatwouldcome，sincethisstrangeentrancingdelighthadcome。Ifachestfulloflaceandsatinandjewelshadbeensentherfromsomeunknownsource，howcouldshebuthavethoughtthatherwholelotwasgoingtochange，andthatto-morrowsomestillmorebewilderingjoywouldbefallher？
Hettyhadneverreadanovel；ifshehadeverseenone，Ithinkthewordswouldhavebeentoohardforher；howthencouldshefindashapeforherexpectations？TheywereasformlessasthesweetlanguidodoursofthegardenattheChase，whichhadfloatedpastherasshewalkedbythegate。
Sheisatanothergatenow——thatleadingintoFir-treeGrove。Sheentersthewood，whereitisalreadytwilight，andateverystepshetakes，thefearatherheartbecomescolder。Ifheshouldnotcome！Oh，howdrearyitwas——thethoughtofgoingoutattheotherendofthewood，intotheunshelteredroad，withouthavingseenhim。ShereachesthefirstturningtowardstheHermitage，walkingslowly——heisnotthere。Shehatestheleveretthatrunsacrossthepath；shehateseverythingthatisnotwhatshelongsfor。Shewalkson，happywheneversheiscomingtoabendintheroad，forperhapsheisbehindit。No。Sheisbeginningtocry:
herhearthasswelledso，thetearsstandinhereyes；shegivesonegreatsob，whilethecornersofhermouthquiver，andthetearsrolldown。
Shedoesn’tknowthatthereisanotherturningtotheHermitage，thatsheiscloseagainstit，andthatArthurDonnithorneisonlyafewyardsfromher，fullofonethought，andathoughtofwhichsheonlyistheobject。HeisgoingtoseeHettyagain:thatisthelongingwhichhasbeengrowingthroughthelastthreehourstoafeverishthirst。Not，ofcourse，tospeakinthecaressingwayintowhichhehadunguardedlyfallenbeforedinner，buttosetthingsrightwithherbyakindnesswhichwouldhavetheairoffriendlycivility，andpreventherfromrunningawaywithwrongnotionsabouttheirmutualrelation。
IfHettyhadknownhewasthere，shewouldnothavecried；anditwouldhavebeenbetter，forthenArthurwouldperhapshavebehavedaswiselyashehadintended。Asitwas，shestartedwhenheappearedattheendoftheside-alley，andlookedupathimwithtwogreatdropsrollingdownhercheeks。Whatelsecouldhedobutspeaktoherinasoft，soothingtone，asifshewereabright-eyedspanielwithathorninherfoot？
\"Hassomethingfrightenedyou，Hetty？Haveyouseenanythinginthewood？Don’tbefrightened——I’lltakecareofyounow。\"
Hettywasblushingso，shedidn’tknowwhethershewashappyormiserable。Tobecryingagain——whatdidgentlementhinkofgirlswhocriedinthatway？Shefeltunableeventosay\"no，\"butcouldonlylookawayfromhimandwipethetearsfromhercheek。
Notbeforeagreatdrophadfallenonherrose-colouredstrings——
sheknewthatquitewell。
\"Come，becheerfulagain。Smileatme，andtellmewhat’sthematter。Come，tellme。\"
Hettyturnedherheadtowardshim，whispered，\"Ithoughtyouwouldn’tcome，\"andslowlygotcouragetolifthereyestohim。
Thatlookwastoomuch:hemusthavehadeyesofEgyptiangranitenottolooktoolovinglyinreturn。
\"Youlittlefrightenedbird！Littletearfulrose！Sillypet！
Youwon’tcryagain，nowI’mwithyou，willyou？\"
Ah，hedoesn’tknowintheleastwhatheissaying。Thisisnotwhathemeanttosay。Hisarmisstealingroundthewaistagain；
itistighteningitsclasp；heisbendinghisfacenearerandnearertotheroundcheek；hislipsaremeetingthosepoutingchild-lips，andforalongmomenttimehasvanished。HemaybeashepherdinArcadiaforaughtheknows，hemaybethefirstyouthkissingthefirstmaiden，hemaybeEroshimself，sippingthelipsofPsyche——itisallone。
Therewasnospeakingforminutesafter。Theywalkedalongwithbeatingheartstilltheycamewithinsightofthegateattheendofthewood。Thentheylookedateachother，notquiteastheyhadlookedbefore，forintheireyestherewasthememoryofakiss。
Butalreadysomethingbitterhadbeguntomingleitselfwiththefountainofsweets:alreadyArthurwasuncomfortable。HetookhisarmfromHetty’swaist，andsaid，\"Hereweare，almostattheendoftheGrove。Iwonderhowlateitis，\"headded，pullingouthiswatch。\"Twentyminutespasteight——butmywatchistoofast。
However，I’dbetternotgoanyfurthernow。Trotalongquicklywithyourlittlefeet，andgethomesafely。Good-bye。\"
Hetookherhand，andlookedatherhalf-sadly，halfwithaconstrainedsmile。Hetty’seyesseemedtobeseechhimnottogoawayyet；buthepattedhercheekandsaid\"Good-bye\"again。Shewasobligedtoturnawayfromhimandgoon。
AsforArthur，herushedbackthroughthewood，asifhewantedtoputawidespacebetweenhimselfandHetty。HewouldnotgototheHermitageagain；herememberedhowhehaddebatedwithhimselftherebeforedinner，andithadallcometonothing——worsethannothing。HewalkedrightonintotheChase，gladtogetoutoftheGrove，whichsurelywashauntedbyhisevilgenius。Thosebeechesandsmoothlimes——therewassomethingenervatingintheverysightofthem；butthestrongknottedoldoakshadnobendinglanguorinthem——thesightofthemwouldgiveamansomeenergy。
Arthurlosthimselfamongthenarrowopeningsinthefern，windingaboutwithoutseekinganyissue，tillthetwilightdeepenedalmosttonightunderthegreatboughs，andtheharelookedblackasitdartedacrosshispath。
Hewasfeelingmuchmorestronglythanhehaddoneinthemorning:
itwasasifhishorsehadwheeledroundfromaleapanddaredtodisputehismastery。Hewasdissatisfiedwithhimself，irritated，mortified。Henosoonerfixedhismindontheprobableconsequencesofgivingwaytotheemotionswhichhadstolenoverhimto-day——ofcontinuingtonoticeHetty，ofallowinghimselfanyopportunityforsuchslightcaressesashehadbeenbetrayedintoalready——thanherefusedtobelievesuchafuturepossibleforhimself。ToflirtwithHettywasaverydifferentaffairfromflirtingwithaprettygirlofhisownstation:thatwasunderstoodtobeanamusementonbothsides，or，ifitbecameserious，therewasnoobstacletomarriage。Butthislittlethingwouldbespokenillofdirectly，ifshehappenedtobeseenwalkingwithhim；andthenthoseexcellentpeople，thePoysers，towhomagoodnamewasaspreciousasiftheyhadthebestbloodinthelandintheirveins——heshouldhatehimselfifhemadeascandalofthatsort，ontheestatethatwastobehisownsomeday，andamongtenantsbywhomheliked，aboveall，toberespected。Hecouldnomorebelievethatheshouldsofallinhisownesteemthanthatheshouldbreakbothhislegsandgooncrutchesalltherestofhislife。Hecouldn’timaginehimselfinthatposition；itwastooodious，toounlikehim。
Andevenifnooneknewanythingaboutit，theymightgettoofondofeachother，andthentherecouldbenothingbutthemiseryofparting，afterall。Nogentleman，outofaballad，couldmarryafarmer’sniece。Theremustbeanendtothewholethingatonce。
Itwastoofoolish。
Andyethehadbeensodeterminedthismorning，beforehewenttoGawaine’s；andwhilehewastheresomethinghadtakenholdofhimandmadehimgallopback。Itseemedhecouldn’tquitedependonhisownresolution，ashehadthoughthecould；healmostwishedhisarmwouldgetpainfulagain，andthenheshouldthinkofnothingbutthecomfortitwouldbetogetridofthepain。Therewasnoknowingwhatimpulsemightseizehimto-morrow，inthisconfoundedplace，wheretherewasnothingtooccupyhimimperiouslythroughthelivelongday。Whatcouldhedotosecurehimselffromanymoreofthisfolly？
Therewasbutoneresource。HewouldgoandtellIrwine——tellhimeverything。Themereactoftellingitwouldmakeitseemtrivial；thetemptationwouldvanish，asthecharmoffondwordsvanisheswhenonerepeatsthemtotheindifferent。IneverywayitwouldhelphimtotellIrwine。HewouldridetoBroxtonRectorythefirstthingafterbreakfastto-morrow。
Arthurhadnosoonercometothisdeterminationthanhebegantothinkwhichofthepathswouldleadhimhome，andmadeasshortawalkthitherashecould。Hefeltsureheshouldsleepnow:hehadhadenoughtotirehim，andtherewasnomoreneedforhimtothink。
