TheReturnHomeWHILEthatpartinginthewoodwashappening，therewasapartinginthecottagetoo，andLisbethhadstoodwithAdamatthedoor，strainingheragedeyestogetthelastglimpseofSethandDinah，astheymountedtheoppositeslope。
\"Eh，I’mloathtoseethelastonher，\"shesaidtoAdam，astheyturnedintothehouseagain。\"I’dha’beenwillin’t’ha’heraboutmetillIdiedandwenttoliebymyoldman。She’dmakeiteasierdyin’——shespakessogentlean’movesaboutsostill。I
couldbefastsurethatpictur’wasdrawedforheri’thynewBible——th’angela-sittin’onthebigstonebythegrave。Eh，I
wouldnamindha’inadaughterlikethat；butnobodyne’ermarriesthemasisgoodforaught。\"
\"Well，Mother，IhopetheeWILThaveherforadaughter；forSeth’sgotalikingforher，andIhopeshe’llgetalikingforSethintime。\"
\"Where’sth’useo’talkin’a-that’n？ShecaresnaforSeth。
She’sgoin’awaytwentymileaff。How’sshetogetalikin’forhim，I’dliketoknow？Nomorenorthecake’ullcomewi’outtheleaven。Thyfigurin’booksmightha’touldtheebetternorthat，Ishouldthink，elsetheemightstaswellreadthecomminprint，asSethallaysdoes。\"
\"Nay，Mother，\"saidAdam，laughing，\"thefigurestellusafinedeal，andwecouldn’tgofarwithout’em，buttheydon’ttellusaboutfolks’sfeelings。It’sanicerjobtocalculateTHEM。ButSeth’sasgood-heartedaladaseverhandledatool，andplentyo’
sense，andgood-lookingtoo；andhe’sgotthesamewayo’thinkingasDinah。Hedeservestowinher，thoughthere’snodenyingshe’sararebito’workmanship。Youdon’tseesuchwomenturnedoffthewheeleveryday。\"
\"Eh，thee’tallaysstickupforthybrother。Thee’stbeenjustthesame，e’ersin’yewarlittleunstogether。Theewartallaysforhalvingiverythingwi’him。Butwhat’sSethgottodowithmarryin’，asison’ythree-an’-twenty？He’dmoreneedtolearnan’laybysixpence。An’asforhisdesarvingher——she’stwo’earoldernorSeth:she’sprettynearasoldasthee。Butthat’stheway；folksmunallayschoosebycontrairies，asiftheymustbesortedlikethepork——abito’goodmeatwi’abito’offal。\"
Tothefemininemindinsomeofitsmoods，allthingsthatmightbereceiveatemporarycharmfromcomparisonwithwhatis；andsinceAdamdidnotwanttomarryDinahhimself，Lisbethfeltratherpeevishonthatscore——aspeevishasshewouldhavebeenifheHADwantedtomarryher，andsoshuthimselfoutfromMaryBurgeandthepartnershipaseffectuallyasbymarryingHetty。
Itwasmorethanhalf-pasteightwhenAdamandhismotherweretalkinginthisway，sothatwhen，abouttenminuteslater，Hettyreachedtheturningofthelanethatledtothefarmyardgate，shesawDinahandSethapproachingitfromtheoppositedirection，andwaitedforthemtocomeuptoher。They，too，likeHetty，hadlingeredalittleintheirwalk，forDinahwastryingtospeakwordsofcomfortandstrengthtoSethinthesepartingmoments。
ButwhentheysawHetty，theypausedandshookhands；Sethturnedhomewards，andDinahcameonalone。
\"SethBedewouldhavecomeandspokentoyou，mydear，\"shesaid，asshereachedHetty，\"buthe’sveryfulloftroubleto-night。\"
Hettyansweredwithadimpledsmile，asifshedidnotquiteknowwhathadbeensaid；anditmadeastrangecontrasttoseethatsparklingself-engrossedlovelinesslookedatbyDinah’scalmpityingface，withitsopenglancewhichtoldthatherheartlivedinnocherishedsecretsofitsown，butinfeelingswhichitlongedtosharewithalltheworld。HettylikedDinahaswellasshehadeverlikedanywoman；howwasitpossibletofeelotherwisetowardsonewhoalwaysputinakindwordforherwhenherauntwasfindingfault，andwhowasalwaysreadytotakeTottyoffherhands——littletiresomeTotty，thatwasmadesuchapetofbyeveryone，andthatHettycouldseenointerestinatall？
DinahhadneversaidanythingdisapprovingorreproachfultoHettyduringherwholevisittotheHallFarm；shehadtalkedtoheragreatdealinaseriousway，butHettydidn’tmindthatmuch，forsheneverlistened:whateverDinahmightsay，shealmostalwaysstrokedHetty’scheekafterit，andwantedtodosomemendingforher。Dinahwasariddletoher；Hettylookedathermuchinthesamewayasonemightimaginealittleperchingbirdthatcouldonlyflutterfromboughtobough，tolookattheswoopoftheswalloworthemountingofthelark；butshedidnotcaretosolvesuchriddles，anymorethanshecaredtoknowwhatwasmeantbythepicturesinthePilgrim’sProgress，orintheoldfolioBiblethatMartyandTommyalwaysplaguedheraboutonaSunday。
Dinahtookherhandnowanddrewitunderherownarm。
\"Youlookveryhappyto-night，dearchild，\"shesaid。\"IshallthinkotyouoftenwhenI’matSnowfield，andseeyourfacebeforemeasitisnow。It’sastrangething——sometimeswhenI’mquitealone，sittinginmyroomwithmyeyesclosed，orwalkingoverthehills，thepeopleI’veseenandknown，ifit’sonlybeenforafewdays，arebroughtbeforeme，andIheartheirvoicesandseethemlookandmovealmostplainerthanIeverdidwhentheywerereallywithmesoasIcouldtouchthem。Andthenmyheartisdrawnouttowardsthem，andIfeeltheirlotasifitwasmyown，andItakecomfortinspreadingitbeforetheLordandrestinginHislove，ontheirbehalfaswellasmyown。AndsoIfeelsureyouwillcomebeforeme。\"
Shepausedamoment，butHettysaidnothing。
\"Ithasbeenaveryprecioustimetome，\"Dinahwenton，\"lastnightandto-day——seeingtwosuchgoodsonsasAdamandSethBede。
Theyaresotenderandthoughtfulfortheiragedmother。AndshehasbeentellingmewhatAdamhasdone，forthesemanyyears，tohelphisfatherandhisbrother；it’swonderfulwhataspiritofwisdomandknowledgehehas，andhowhe’sreadytouseitallinbehalfofthemthatarefeeble。AndI’msurehehasalovingspirittoo。I’venoticeditoftenamongmyownpeopleroundSnowfield，thatthestrong，skilfulmenareoftenthegentlesttothewomenandchildren；andit’sprettytosee’emcarryingthelittlebabiesasiftheywerenoheavierthanlittlebirds。Andthebabiesalwaysseemtolikethestrongarmbest。IfeelsureitwouldbesowithAdamBede。Don’tyouthinkso，Hetty？\"
\"Yes，\"saidHettyabstractedly，forhermindhadbeenallthewhileinthewood，andshewouldhavefounditdifficulttosaywhatshewasassentingto。Dinahsawshewasnotinclinedtotalk，buttherewouldnothavebeentimetosaymuchmore，fortheywerenowattheyard-gate。
Thestilltwilight，withitsdyingwesternredanditsfewfaintstrugglingstars，restedonthefarm-yard，wheretherewasnotasoundtobeheardbutthestampingofthecart-horsesinthestable。Itwasabouttwentyminutesaftersunset。Thefowlswereallgonetoroost，andthebull-doglaystretchedonthestrawoutsidehiskennel，withtheblack-and-tanterrierbyhisside，whenthefalling-toofthegatedisturbedthemandsetthembarking，likegoodofficials，beforetheyhadanydistinctknowledgeofthereason。
Thebarkinghaditseffectinthehouse，for，asDinahandHettyapproached，thedoorwaywasfilledbyaportlyfigure，witharuddyblack-eyedfacewhichboreinitthepossibilityoflookingextremelyacute，andoccasionallycontemptuous，onmarket-days，buthadnowapredominantafter-supperexpressionofheartygood-
nature。Itiswellknownthatgreatscholarswhohaveshownthemostpitilessacerbityintheircriticismofothermen’sscholarshiphaveyetbeenofarelentingandindulgenttemperinprivatelife；andIhaveheardofalearnedmanmeeklyrockingthetwinsinthecradlewithhislefthand，whilewithhisrightheinflictedthemostlaceratingsarcasmsonanopponentwhohadbetrayedabrutalignoranceofHebrew。Weaknessesanderrorsmustbeforgiven——alas！theyarenotalientous——butthemanwhotakesthewrongsideonthemomentoussubjectoftheHebrewpointsmustbetreatedastheenemyofhisrace。TherewasthesamesortofantitheticmixtureinMartinPoyser:hewasofsoexcellentadispositionthathehadbeenkinderandmorerespectfulthanevertohisoldfathersincehehadmadeadeedofgiftofallhisproperty，andnomanjudgedhisneighboursmorecharitablyonallpersonalmatters；butforafarmer，likeLukeBritton，forexample，whosefallowswerenotwellcleaned，whodidn’tknowtherudimentsofhedgingandditching，andshowedbutasmallshareofjudgmentinthepurchaseofwinterstock，MartinPoyserwasashardandimplacableasthenorth-eastwind。LukeBrittoncouldnotmakearemark，evenontheweather，butMartinPoyserdetectedinitataintofthatunsoundnessandgeneralignorancewhichwaspalpableinallhisfarmingoperations。HehatedtoseethefellowliftthepewterpinttohismouthinthebaroftheRoyalGeorgeonmarket-day，andthemeresightofhimontheothersideoftheroadbroughtasevereandcriticalexpressionintohisblackeyes，asdifferentaspossiblefromthefatherlyglancehebentonhistwoniecesastheyapproachedthedoor。Mr。Poyserhadsmokedhiseveningpipe，andnowheldhishandsinhispockets，astheonlyresourceofamanwhocontinuestositupaftertheday’sbusinessisdone。
\"Why，lasses，ye’reratherlateto-night，\"hesaid，whentheyreachedthelittlegateleadingintothecauseway。\"Themother’sbeguntofidgetaboutyou，an’she’sgotthelittleunill。An’
howdidyouleavetheoldwomanBede，Dinah？Isshemuchdownabouttheoldman？He’dbeenbutapoorbargaintoherthisfiveyear。\"
\"She’sbeengreatlydistressedforthelossofhim，\"saidDinah，\"butshe’sseemedmorecomfortedto-day。HersonAdam’sbeenathomeallday，workingathisfather’scoffin，andshelovestohavehimathome。She’sbeentalkingabouthimtomealmostalltheday。Shehasalovingheart，thoughshe’ssorelygiventofretandbefearful。Iwishshehadasurertrusttocomfortherinheroldage。\"
\"Adam’ssureenough，\"saidMr。Poyser，misunderstandingDinah’swish。\"There’snofearbuthe’llyieldwelli’thethreshing。
He’snotoneo’themasisallstrawandnograin。I’llbebondforhimanyday，ashe’llbeagoodsontothelast。Didhesayhe’dbecomingtoseeussoon？Butcomein，comein，\"headded，makingwayforthem；\"Ihadn’tneedkeepy’outanylonger。\"
Thetallbuildingsroundtheyardshutoutagooddealofthesky，butthelargewindowletinabundantlighttoshoweverycornerofthehouse-place。
Mrs。Poyser，seatedintherocking-chair，whichhadbeenbroughtoutofthe\"right-handparlour，\"wastryingtosootheTottytosleep。ButTottywasnotdisposedtosleep；andwhenhercousinsentered，sheraisedherselfupandshowedapairofflushedcheeks，whichlookedfatterthanevernowtheyweredefinedbytheedgeofherlinennight-cap。
Inthelargewicker-bottomedarm-chairintheleft-handchimney-
nooksatoldMartinPoyser，ahalebutshrunkenandbleachedimageofhisportlyblack-hairedson——hisheadhangingforwardalittle，andhiselbowspushedbackwardssoastoallowthewholeofhisforearmtorestonthearmofthechair。Hisbluehandkerchiefwasspreadoverhisknees，aswasusualindoors，whenitwasnothangingoverhishead；andhesatwatchingwhatwentforwardwiththequietOUTWARDglanceofhealthyoldage，which，disengagedfromanyinterestinaninwarddrama，spiesoutpinsuponthefloor，followsone’sminutestmotionswithanunexpectantpurposelesstenacity，watchestheflickeringoftheflameorthesun-gleamsonthewall，countsthequarriesonthefloor，watcheseventhehandoftheclock，andpleasesitselfwithdetectingarhythminthetick。
\"Whatatimeo’nightthisistocomehome，Hetty！\"saidMrs。
Poyser。\"Lookattheclock，do；why，it’sgoingonforhalf-pastnine，andI’vesentthegellstobedthishalf-hour，andlateenoughtoo；whenthey’vegottogetupathalfafterfour，andthemowers’bottlestofill，andthebaking；andhere’sthisblessedchildwi’thefeverforwhatIknow，andaswakefulasifitwasdinner-time，andnobodytohelpmetogiveherthephysicbutyouruncle，andfineworkthere’sbeen，andhalfofitspiltonhernight-gown——it’swellifshe’sswallowedmorenor’ullmakeherworsei’steado’better。Butfolksashavenomindtobeo’usehaveallaysthelucktobeouto’theroadwhenthere’sanythingtobedone。\"
\"Ididsetoutbeforeeight，aunt，\"saidHetty，inapettishtone，withaslighttossofherhead。Butthisclock’ssomuchbeforetheclockattheChase，there’snotellingwhattimeit’llbewhenIgethere。\"
\"What！You’dbewantingtheclocksetbygentlefolks’stime，wouldyou？An’situpburnin’candle，an’liea-bedwi’thesuna-bakin’youlikeacowcumberi’theframe？Theclockhasn’tbeenputforrardforthefirsttimeto-day，Ireckon。\"
Thefactwas，HettyhadreallyforgottenthedifferenceoftheclockswhenshetoldCaptainDonnithornethatshesetoutateight，andthis，withherlingeringpace，hadmadehernearlyhalfanhourlaterthanusual。Buthereheraunt’sattentionwasdivertedfromthistendersubjectbyTotty，who，perceivingatlengththatthearrivalofhercousinswasnotlikelytobringanythingsatisfactorytoherinparticular，begantocry，\"Munny，munny，\"inanexplosivemanner。
\"Well，then，mypet，Mother’sgother，Motherwon’tleaveher；
Tottybeagooddilling，andgotosleepnow，\"saidMrs。Poyser，leaningbackandrockingthechair，whileshetriedtomakeTottynestleagainsther。ButTottyonlycriedlouder，andsaid，\"Don’tyock！\"Sothemother，withthatwondrouspatiencewhichlovegivestothequickesttemperament，satupagain，andpressedhercheekagainstthelinennight-capandkissedit，andforgottoscoldHettyanylonger。
\"Come，Hetty，\"saidMartinPoyser，inaconciliatorytone，\"goandgetyoursupperi’thepantry，asthethingsareallputaway；an’
thenyoucancomeandtakethelittleunwhileyourauntundressesherself，forshewon’tliedowninbedwithouthermother。An’I
reckonYOUcouldeatabit，Dinah，fortheydon’tkeepmuchofahousedownthere。\"
\"No，thankyou，Uncle，\"saidDinah；\"IateagoodmealbeforeI
cameaway，forMrs。Bedewouldmakeakettle-cakeforme。\"
\"Idon’twantanysupper，\"saidHetty，takingoffherhat。\"IcanholdTottynow，ifAuntwantsme。\"
\"Why，whatnonsensethatistotalk！\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Doyouthinkyoucanlivewi’outeatin’，an’nourishyourinsidewi’
stickin’redribbonsonyourhead？Goan’getyoursupperthisminute，child；there’sanicebito’coldpuddingi’thesafe——
justwhatyou’refondof。\"
Hettycompliedsilentlybygoingtowardsthepantry，andMrs。
PoyserwentonspeakingtoDinah。
\"Sitdown，mydear，an’lookasifyouknowedwhatitwastomakeyourselfabitcomfortablei’theworld。Iwarranttheoldwomanwasgladtoseeyou，sinceyoustayedsolong。\"
\"Sheseemedtolikehavingmethereatlast；buthersonssayshedoesn’tlikeyoungwomenabouthercommonly；andIthoughtjustatfirstshewasalmostangrywithmeforgoing。\"
\"Eh，it’sapoorlook-outwhenth’ouldfolksdoesnaliketheyounguns，\"saidoldMartin，bendinghisheaddownlower，andseemingtotracethepatternofthequarrieswithhiseye。
\"Aye，it’silllivin’inahen-roostforthemasdoesn’tlikefleas，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"We’veallhadourturnatbein’young，Ireckon，be’tgoodluckorill。\"
\"Butshemustlearnto’commodateherselftoyoungwomen，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"foritisn’ttobecountedonasAdamandSeth’ullkeepbachelorsforthenexttenyeartopleasetheirmother。That’udbeunreasonable。Itisn’trightforoldnoryoungnaythertomakeabargainallo’theirownside。What’sgoodforone’sgoodallroundi’thelongrun。I’mnofriendtoyoungfellowsa-
marryingaforetheyknowthedifferenceatweenacraban’aapple；
buttheymaywaito’erlong。\"
\"Tobesure，\"saidMrs。Poyser；\"ifyougopastyourdinner-time，there’llbelittlerelisho’yourmeat。Youturnito’eran’o’erwi’yourfork，an’don’teatitafterall。Youfindfautwi’yourmeat，an’thefaut’salli’yourownstomach。\"
Hettynowcamebackfromthepantryandsaid，\"IcantakeTottynow，Aunt，ifyoulike。\"
\"Come，Rachel，\"saidMr。Poyser，ashiswifeseemedtohesitate，seeingthatTottywasatlastnestlingquietly，\"thee’dstbetterletHettycarryherupstairs，whiletheetak’stthythingsoff。
Thee’ttired。It’stimetheewastinbed。Thee’tbringonthepaininthysideagain。\"
\"Well，shemayholdherifthechild’ullgotoher，\"saidMrs。
Poyser。
Hettywentclosetotherocking-chair，andstoodwithoutherusualsmile，andwithoutanyattempttoenticeTotty，simplywaitingforheraunttogivethechildintoherhands。
\"WiltgotoCousinHetty，mydilling，whilemothergetsreadytogotobed？ThenTottyshallgointoMother’sbed，andsleepthereallnight。\"
Beforehermotherhaddonespeaking，Tottyhadgivenheranswerinanunmistakablemanner，byknittingherbrow，settinghertinyteethagainstherunderlip，andleaningforwardtoslapHettyonthearmwithherutmostforce。Then，withoutspeaking，shenestledtohermotheragain。
\"Hey，hey，\"saidMr。Poyser，whileHettystoodwithoutmoving，\"notgotoCousinHetty？That’slikeababby。Totty’salittlewoman，an’notababby。\"
\"It’snousetryingtopersuadeher，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"SheallaystakesagainstHettywhensheisn’twell。Happenshe’llgotoDinah。\"
Dinah，havingtakenoffherbonnetandshawl，hadhithertokeptquietlyseatedinthebackground，notlikingtothrustherselfbetweenHettyandwhatwasconsideredHetty’sproperwork。Butnowshecameforward，and，puttingoutherarms，said，\"ComeTotty，comeandletDinahcarryherupstairsalongwithMother:
poor，poorMother！she’ssotired——shewantstogotobed。\"
TottyturnedherfacetowardsDinah，andlookedatheraninstant，thenliftedherselfup，putoutherlittlearms，andletDinahliftherfromhermother’slap。Hettyturnedawaywithoutanysignofillhumour，and，takingherhatfromthetable，stoodwaitingwithanairofindifference，toseeifsheshouldbetoldtodoanythingelse。
\"Youmaymakethedoorfastnow，Poyser；Alick’sbeencomeinthislongwhile，\"saidMrs。Poyser，risingwithanappearanceofrelieffromherlowchair。\"Getmethematchesdown，Hetty，forImusthavetherushlightburningi’myroom。Come，Father。\"
Theheavywoodenboltsbegantorollinthehousedoors，andoldMartinpreparedtomove，bygatheringuphisbluehandkerchief，andreachinghisbrightknobbedwalnut-treestickfromthecorner。
Mrs。Poyserthenledthewayoutofthekitchen，followedbythegandfather，andDinahwithTottyinherarms——allgoingtobedbytwilight，likethebirds。Mrs。Poyser，onherway，peepedintotheroomwherehertwoboyslay；justtoseetheirruddyroundcheeksonthepillow，andtohearforamomenttheirlightregularbreathing。
\"Come，Hetty，gettobed，\"saidMr。Poyser，inasoothingtone，ashehimselfturnedtogoupstairs。\"Youdidnameantobelate，I’llbebound，butyouraunt’sbeenworritedto-day。Good-night，mywench，good-night。\"
TheTwoBed-ChambersHETTYandDinahbothsleptinthesecondstory，inroomsadjoiningeachother，meagrelyfurnishedrooms，withnoblindstoshutoutthelight，whichwasnowbeginningtogathernewstrengthfromtherisingofthemoon——morethanenoughstrengthtoenableHettytomoveaboutandundresswithperfectcomfort。Shecouldseequitewellthepegsintheoldpaintedlinen-pressonwhichshehungherhatandgown；shecouldseetheheadofeverypinonherredclothpin-cushion；shecouldseeareflectionofherselfintheold-
fashionedlooking-glass，quiteasdistinctaswasneedful，consideringthatshehadonlytobrushherhairandputonhernight-cap。Aqueeroldlooking-glass！Hettygotintoanilltemperwithitalmosteverytimeshedressed。Ithadbeenconsideredahandsomeglassinitsday，andhadprobablybeenboughtintothePoyserfamilyaquarterofacenturybefore，atasaleofgenteelhouseholdfurniture。Evennowanauctioneercouldsaysomethingforit:ithadagreatdealoftarnishedgildingaboutit；ithadafirmmahoganybase，wellsuppliedwithdrawers，whichopenedwithadecidedjerkandsentthecontentsleapingoutfromthefarthestcorners，withoutgivingyouthetroubleofreachingthem；aboveall，ithadabrasscandle-socketoneachside，whichwouldgiveitanaristocraticairtotheverylast。
ButHettyobjectedtoitbecauseithadnumerousdimblotchessprinkledoverthemirror，whichnorubbingwouldremove，andbecause，insteadofswingingbackwardsandforwards，itwasfixedinanuprightposition，sothatshecouldonlygetonegoodviewofherheadandneck，andthatwastobehadonlybysittingdownonalowchairbeforeherdressing-table。Andthedressing-tablewasnodressing-tableatall，butasmalloldchestofdrawers，themostawkwardthingintheworldtositdownbefore，forthebigbrasshandlesquitehurtherknees，andshecouldn’tgetneartheglassatallcomfortably。Butdevoutworshippersneverallowinconveniencestopreventthemfromperformingtheirreligiousrites，andHettythiseveningwasmorebentonherpeculiarformofworshipthanusual。
Havingtakenoffhergownandwhitekerchief，shedrewakeyfromthelargepocketthathungoutsideherpetticoat，and，unlockingoneofthelowerdrawersinthechest，reachedfromittwoshortbitsofwaxcandle——secretlyboughtatTreddleston——andstucktheminthetwobrasssockets。Thenshedrewforthabundleofmatchesandlightedthecandles；andlastofall，asmallred-framedshillinglooking-glass，withoutblotches。Itwasintothissmallglassthatshechosetolookfirstafterseatingherself。Shelookedintoit，smilingandturningherheadononeside，foraminute，thenlaiditdownandtookoutherbrushandcombfromanupperdrawer。Shewasgoingtoletdownherhair，andmakeherselflooklikethatpictureofaladyinMissLydiaDonnithorne’sdressing-room。Itwassoondone，andthedarkhyacinthinecurvesfellonherneck。Itwasnotheavy，massive，merelyripplinghair，butsoftandsilken，runningateveryopportunityintodelicaterings。Butshepusheditallbackwardtolooklikethepicture，andformadarkcurtain，throwingintoreliefherroundwhiteneck。Thensheputdownherbrushandcombandlookedatherself，foldingherarmsbeforeher，stilllikethepicture。Eventheoldmottledglasscouldn’thelpsendingbackalovelyimage，nonethelesslovelybecauseHetty’sstayswerenotofwhitesatin——suchasIfeelsureheroinesmustgenerallywear——
butofadarkgreenishcottontexture。
Ohyes！Shewasverypretty。CaptainDonnithornethoughtso。
PrettierthananybodyaboutHayslope——prettierthananyoftheladiesshehadeverseenvisitingattheChase——indeeditseemedfineladieswereratheroldandugly——andprettierthanMissBacon，themiller’sdaughter，whowascalledthebeautyofTreddleston。AndHettylookedatherselfto-nightwithquiteadifferentsensationfromwhatshehadeverfeltbefore；therewasaninvisiblespectatorwhoseeyerestedonherlikemorningontheflowers。Hissoftvoicewassayingoverandoveragainthoseprettythingsshehadheardinthewood；hisarmwasroundher，andthedelicaterose-scentofhishairwaswithherstill。Thevainestwomanisneverthoroughlyconsciousofherownbeautytillsheislovedbythemanwhosetsherownpassionvibratinginreturn。
ButHettyseemedtohavemadeuphermindthatsomethingwaswanting，forshegotupandreachedanoldblacklacescarfoutofthelinen-press，andapairoflargeear-ringsoutofthesacreddrawerfromwhichshehadtakenhercandles。Itwasanoldoldscarf，fullofrents，butitwouldmakeabecomingborderroundhershoulders，andsetoffthewhitenessofherupperarm。Andshewouldtakeoutthelittleear-ringsshehadinherears——oh，howheraunthadscoldedherforhavingherearsbored！——andputinthoselargeones。Theywerebutcolouredglassandgilding，butifyoudidn’tknowwhattheyweremadeof，theylookedjustaswellaswhattheladieswore。Andsoshesatdownagain，withthelargeear-ringsinherears，andtheblacklacescarfadjustedroundhershoulders。Shelookeddownatherarms:noarmscouldbeprettierdowntoalittlewaybelowtheelbow——theywerewhiteandplump，anddimpledtomatchhercheeks；buttowardsthewrist，shethoughtwithvexationthattheywerecoarsenedbybutter-
makingandotherworkthatladiesneverdid。
CaptainDonnithornecouldn’tlikehertogoondoingwork:hewouldliketoseeherinniceclothes，andthinshoes，andwhitestockings，perhapswithsilkclockstothem；forhemustloveherverymuch——nooneelsehadeverputhisarmroundherandkissedherinthatway。Hewouldwanttomarryherandmakealadyofher；shecouldhardlydaretoshapethethought——yethowelsecoulditbe？Marryherquitesecretly，asMr。James，thedoctor’sassistant，marriedthedoctor’sniece，andnobodyeverfounditoutforalongwhileafter，andthenitwasofnousetobeangry。
ThedoctorhadtoldherauntallaboutitinHetty’shearing。Shedidn’tknowhowitwouldbe，butitwasquiteplaintheoldSquirecouldneverbetoldanythingaboutit，forHettywasreadytofaintwithaweandfrightifshecameacrosshimattheChase。Hemighthavebeenearth-born，forwhatsheknew。Ithadneverenteredhermindthathehadbeenyounglikeothermen；hehadalwaysbeentheoldSquireatwhomeverybodywasfrightened。Oh，itwasimpossibletothinkhowitwouldbe！ButCaptainDonnithornewouldknow；hewasagreatgentleman，andcouldhavehiswayineverything，andcouldbuyeverythingheliked。Andnothingcouldbeasithadbeenagain:perhapssomedaysheshouldbeagrandlady，andrideinhercoach，anddressfordinnerinabrocadedsilk，withfeathersinherhair，andherdresssweepingtheground，likeMissLydiaandLadyDacey，whenshesawthemgoingintothedining-roomoneeveningasshepeepedthroughthelittleroundwindowinthelobby；onlysheshouldnotbeoldanduglylikeMissLydia，orallthesamethicknesslikeLadyDacey，butverypretty，withherhairdoneinagreatmanydifferentways，andsometimesinapinkdress，andsometimesinawhiteone——
shedidn’tknowwhichshelikedbest；andMaryBurgeandeverybodywouldperhapsseehergoingoutinhercarriage——orrather，theywouldHEARofit:itwasimpossibletoimaginethesethingshappeningatHayslopeinsightofheraunt。Atthethoughtofallthissplendour，Hettygotupfromherchair，andindoingsocaughtthelittlered-framedglasswiththeedgeofherscarf，sothatitfellwithabangonthefloor；butshewastooeagerlyoccupiedwithhervisiontocareaboutpickingitup；andafteramomentarystart，begantopacewithapigeon-likestatelinessbackwardsandforwardsalongherroom，inhercolouredstaysandcolouredskirt，andtheoldblacklacescarfroundhershoulders，andthegreatglassear-ringsinherears。
Howprettythelittlepusslooksinthatodddress！Itwouldbetheeasiestfollyintheworldtofallinlovewithher:thereissuchasweetbabylikeroundnessaboutherfaceandfigure；thedelicatedarkringsofhairliesocharminglyaboutherearsandneck；hergreatdarkeyeswiththeirlongeye-lashestouchonesostrangely，asifanimprisonedfriskyspritelookedoutofthem。
Ah，whataprizethemangetswhowinsasweetbridelikeHetty！
Howthemenenvyhimwhocometotheweddingbreakfast，andseeherhangingonhisarminherwhitelaceandorangeblossoms。Thedear，young，round，soft，flexiblething！Herheartmustbejustassoft，hertemperjustasfreefromangles，hercharacterjustaspliant。Ifanythingevergoeswrong，itmustbethehusband’sfaultthere:hecanmakeherwhathelikes——thatisplain。Andtheloverhimselfthinkssotoo:thelittledarlingissofondofhim，herlittlevanitiesaresobewitching，hewouldn’tconsenttoherbeingabitwiser；thosekittenlikeglancesandmovementsarejustwhatonewantstomakeone’shearthaparadise。Everymanundersuchcircumstancesisconsciousofbeingagreatphysiognomist。Nature，heknows，hasalanguageofherown，whichsheuseswithstrictveracity，andheconsidershimselfanadeptinthelanguage。Naturehaswrittenouthisbride’scharacterforhiminthoseexquisitelinesofcheekandlipandchin，inthoseeyelidsdelicateaspetals，inthoselonglashescurledlikethestamenofaflower，inthedarkliquiddepthsofthosewonderfuleyes。Howshewilldoteonherchildren！Sheisalmostachildherself，andthelittlepinkroundthingswillhangaboutherlikefloretsroundthecentralflower；andthehusbandwilllookon，smilingbenignly，able，wheneverhechooses，towithdrawintothesanctuaryofhiswisdom，towardswhichhissweetwifewilllookreverently，andneverliftthecurtain。Itisamarriagesuchastheymadeinthegoldenage，whenthemenwereallwiseandmajesticandthewomenalllovelyandloving。
ItwasverymuchinthiswaythatourfriendAdamBedethoughtaboutHetty；onlyheputhisthoughtsintodifferentwords。Ifevershebehavedwithcoldvanitytowardshim，hesaidtohimselfitisonlybecauseshedoesn’tlovemewellenough；andhewassurethatherlove，whenevershegaveit，wouldbethemostpreciousthingamancouldpossessonearth。BeforeyoudespiseAdamasdeficientinpenetration，prayaskyourselfifyouwereeverpredisposedtobelieveevilofanyprettywoman——ifyoueverCOULD，withouthardhead-breakingdemonstration，believeeviloftheONEsupremelyprettywomanwhohasbewitchedyou。No:peoplewholovedownypeachesareaptnottothinkofthestone，andsometimesjartheirteethterriblyagainstit。
ArthurDonnithorne，too，hadthesamesortofnotionaboutHetty，sofarashehadthoughtofhernatureofall。Hefeltsureshewasadear，affectionate，goodlittlething。Themanwhoawakesthewonderingtremulouspassionofayounggirlalwaysthinksheraffectionate；andifhechancestolookforwardtofutureyears，probablyimagineshimselfbeingvirtuouslytendertoher，becausethepoorthingissoclinginglyfondofhim。Godmadethesedearwomenso——anditisaconvenientarrangementincaseofsickness。
Afterall，Ibelievethewisestofusmustbebeguiledinthiswaysometimes，andmustthinkbothbetterandworseofpeoplethantheydeserve。Naturehasherlanguage，andsheisnotunveracious；butwedon’tknowalltheintricaciesofhersyntaxjustyet，andinahastyreadingwemayhappentoextracttheveryoppositeofherrealmeaning。Longdarkeyelashes，now——whatcanbemoreexquisite？Ifinditimpossiblenottoexpectsomedepthofsoulbehindadeepgreyeyewithalongdarkeyelash，inspiteofanexperiencewhichhasshownmethattheymaygoalongwithdeceit，peculation，andstupidity。Butif，inthereactionofdisgust，Ihavebetakenmyselftoafishyeye，therehasbeenasurprisingsimilarityofresult。Onebeginstosuspectatlengththatthereisnodirectcorrelationbetweeneyelashesandmorals；
orelse，thattheeyelashesexpressthedispositionofthefairone’sgrandmother，whichisonthewholelessimportanttous。
NoeyelashescouldbemorebeautifulthanHetty’s；andnow，whileshewalkswithherpigeonlikestatelinessalongtheroomandlooksdownonhershouldersborderedbytheoldblacklace，thedarkfringeshowstoperfectiononherpinkcheek。Theyarebutdimill-definedpicturesthathernarrowbitofanimaginationcanmakeofthefuture；butofeverypicturesheisthecentralfigureinfineclothes；CaptainDonnithorneisveryclosetoher，puttinghisarmroundher，perhapskissingher，andeverybodyelseisadmiringandenvyingher——especiallyMaryBurge，whosenewprintdresslooksverycontemptiblebythesideofHetty’sresplendenttoilette。Doesanysweetorsadmemoryminglewiththisdreamofthefuture——anylovingthoughtofhersecondparents——ofthechildrenshehadhelpedtotend——ofanyyouthfulcompanion，anypetanimal，anyrelicofherownchildhoodeven？Notone。Therearesomeplantsthathavehardlyanyroots:youmaytearthemfromtheirnativenookofrockorwall，andjustlaythemoveryourornamentalflower-pot，andtheyblossomnonetheworse。Hettycouldhavecastallherpastlifebehindherandnevercaredtoberemindedofitagain。Ithinkshehadnofeelingatalltowardstheoldhouse，anddidnotliketheJacob’sLadderandthelongrowofhollyhocksinthegardenbetterthanotherflowers——perhapsnotsowell。Itwaswonderfulhowlittlesheseemedtocareaboutwaitingonheruncle，whohadbeenagoodfathertoher——shehardlyeverrememberedtoreachhimhispipeattherighttimewithoutbeingtold，unlessavisitorhappenedtobethere，whowouldhaveabetteropportunityofseeingherasshewalkedacrossthehearth。Hettydidnotunderstandhowanybodycouldbeveryfondofmiddle-agedpeople。Andasforthosetiresomechildren，MartyandTommyandTotty，theyhadbeentheverynuisanceofherlife——asbadasbuzzinginsectsthatwillcometeasingyouonahotdaywhenyouwanttobequiet。Marty，theeldest，wasababywhenshefirstcametothefarm，forthechildrenbornbeforehimhaddied，andsoHettyhadhadthemallthree，oneaftertheother，toddlingbyhersideinthemeadow，orplayingaboutheronwetdaysinthehalf-emptyroomsofthelargeoldhouse。Theboyswereoutofhandnow，butTottywasstilladay-longplague，worsethaneitheroftheothershadbeen，becausetherewasmorefussmadeabouther。Andtherewasnoendtothemakingandmendingofclothes。Hettywouldhavebeengladtohearthatsheshouldneverseeachildagain；theywereworsethanthenastylittlelambsthattheshepherdwasalwaysbringingintobetakenspecialcareofinlambingtime；forthelambsWEREgotridofsoonerorlater。
Asfortheyoungchickensandturkeys，Hettywouldhavehatedtheveryword\"hatching，\"ifheraunthadnotbribedhertoattendtotheyoungpoultrybypromisinghertheproceedsofoneoutofeverybrood。Therounddownychickspeepingoutfromundertheirmother’swingnevertouchedHettywithanypleasure；thatwasnotthesortofprettinessshecaredabout，butshedidcareabouttheprettinessofthenewthingsshewouldbuyforherselfatTreddlestonFairwiththemoneytheyfetched。Andyetshelookedsodimpled，socharming，asshestoopeddowntoputthesoakedbreadunderthehen-coop，thatyoumusthavebeenaveryacutepersonageindeedtosuspectherofthathardness。Molly，thehousemaid，withaturn-upnoseandaprotuberantjaw，wasreallyatender-heartedgirl，and，asMrs。Poysersaid，ajeweltolookafterthepoultry；butherstolidfaceshowednothingofthismaternaldelight，anymorethanabrownearthenwarepitcherwillshowthelightofthelampwithinit。
Itisgenerallyafeminineeyethatfirstdetectsthemoraldeficiencieshiddenunderthe\"deardeceit\"ofbeauty，soitisnotsurprisingthatMrs。Poyser，withherkeennessandabundantopportunityforobservation，shouldhaveformedatolerablyfairestimateofwhatmightbeexpectedfromHettyinthewayoffeeling，andinmomentsofindignationshehadsometimesspokenwithgreatopennessonthesubjecttoherhusband。
\"She’snobetterthanapeacock，as’udstrutaboutonthewallandspreaditstailwhenthesunshoneifallthefolksi’theparishwasdying:there’snothingseemstogiveheraturni’th’
inside，notevenwhenwethoughtTottyhadtumbledintothepit。
Tothinko’thatdearcherub！Andwefoundherwi’herlittleshoesstucki’themudan’cryingfittobreakherheartbythefarhorse-pit。ButHettynevermindedit，Icouldsee，thoughshe’sbeenatthenussin’o’thechildeversinceitwasababby。
It’smybeliefherheart’sashardasapebble。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"theemustn’tjudgeHettytoohard。
Themyounggellsareliketheunripegrain；they’llmakegoodmealbyandby，butthey’resquashyasyet。Thee’tseeHetty’llbeallrightwhenshe’sgotagoodhusbandandchildrenofherown。\"
\"Idon’twanttobehardupo’thegell。She’sgotcliverfingersofherown，andcanbeusefulenoughwhenshelikesandIshouldmissherwi’thebutter，forshe’sgotacoolhand。An’letbewhatmay，I’dstrivetodomypartbyanieceo’yours——an’THAT
I’vedone，forI’vetaughthereverythingasbelongstoahouse，an’I’vetoldherherdutyoftenenough，though，Godknows，I’venobreathtospare，an’thatcatchin’paincomesondreadfulbytimes。Wi’themthreegellsinthehouseI’dneedhavetwicethestrengthtokeep’emuptotheirwork。It’slikehavingroastmeatatthreefires；assoonasyou’vebastedone，another’sburnin’。\"
Hettystoodsufficientlyinaweofheraunttobeanxioustoconcealfromhersomuchofhervanityascouldbehiddenwithouttoogreatasacrifice。ShecouldnotresistspendinghermoneyinbitsoffinerywhichMrs。Poyserdisapproved；butshewouldhavebeenreadytodiewithshame，vexation，andfrightifheraunthadthismomentopenedthedoor，andseenherwithherbitsofcandlelighted，andstruttingaboutdeckedinherscarfandear-rings。
Topreventsuchasurprise，shealwaysboltedherdoor，andshehadnotforgottentodosoto-night。Itwaswell:fortherenowcamealighttap，andHetty，withaleapingheart，rushedtoblowoutthecandlesandthrowthemintothedrawer。Shedarednotstaytotakeoutherear-rings，butshethrewoffherscarf，andletitfallonthefloor，beforethelighttapcameagain。Weshallknowhowitwasthatthelighttapcame，ifweleaveHettyforashorttimeandreturntoDinah，atthemomentwhenshehaddeliveredTottytohermother’sarms，andwascomeupstairstoherbedroom，adjoiningHetty’s。
Dinahdelightedinherbedroomwindow。Beingonthesecondstoryofthattallhouse，itgaveherawideviewoverthefields。Thethicknessofthewallformedabroadstepaboutayardbelowthewindow，whereshecouldplaceherchair。Andnowthefirstthingshedidonenteringherroomwastoseatherselfinthischairandlookoutonthepeacefulfieldsbeyondwhichthelargemoonwasrising，justabovethehedgerowelms。Shelikedthepasturebestwherethemilchcowswerelying，andnexttothatthemeadowwherethegrasswashalf-mown，andlayinsilveredsweepinglines。Herheartwasveryfull，fortherewastobeonlyonemorenightonwhichshewouldlookoutonthosefieldsforalongtimetocome；
butshethoughtlittleofleavingthemerescene，for，toher，bleakSnowfieldhadjustasmanycharms。Shethoughtofallthedearpeoplewhomshehadlearnedtocareforamongthesepeacefulfields，andwhowouldnowhaveaplaceinherlovingremembranceforever。Shethoughtofthestrugglesandthewearinessthatmightliebeforethemintherestoftheirlife’sjourney，whenshewouldbeawayfromthem，andknownothingofwhatwasbefallingthem；andthepressureofthisthoughtsoonbecametoostrongforhertoenjoytheunrespondingstillnessofthemoonlitfields。Sheclosedhereyes，thatshemightfeelmoreintenselythepresenceofaLoveandSympathydeeperandmoretenderthanwasbreathedfromtheearthandsky。ThatwasoftenDinah’smodeofprayinginsolitude。SimplytoclosehereyesandtofeelherselfenclosedbytheDivinePresence；thengraduallyherfears，heryearninganxietiesforothers，meltedawaylikeice-crystalsinawarmocean。Shehadsatinthiswayperfectlystill，withherhandscrossedonherlapandthepalelightrestingonhercalmface，foratleasttenminuteswhenshewasstartledbyaloudsound，apparentlyofsomethingfallinginHetty’sroom。Butlikeallsoundsthatfallonourearsinastateofabstraction，ithadnodistinctcharacter，butwassimplyloudandstartling，sothatshefeltuncertainwhethershehadinterpreteditrightly。
Sheroseandlistened，butallwasquietafterwards，andshereflectedthatHettymightmerelyhaveknockedsomethingdowningettingintobed。Shebeganslowlytoundress；butnow，owingtothesuggestionsofthissound，herthoughtsbecameconcentratedonHetty——thatsweetyoungthing，withlifeandallitstrialsbeforeher——thesolemndailydutiesofthewifeandmother——andhermindsounpreparedforthemall，bentmerelyonlittlefoolish，selfishpleasures，likeachildhuggingitstoysinthebeginningofalongtoilsomejourneyinwhichitwillhavetobearhungerandcoldandunsheltereddarkness。DinahfeltadoublecareforHetty，becauseshesharedSeth’sanxiousinterestinhisbrother’slot，andshehadnotcometotheconclusionthatHettydidnotloveAdamwellenoughtomarryhim。Shesawtooclearlytheabsenceofanywarm，self-devotingloveinHetty’snaturetoregardthecoldnessofherbehaviourtowardsAdamasanyindicationthathewasnotthemanshewouldliketohaveforahusband。AndthisblankinHetty’snature，insteadofexcitingDinah’sdislike，onlytouchedherwithadeeperpity:thelovelyfaceandformaffectedherasbeautyalwaysaffectsapureandtendermind，freefromselfishjealousies。Itwasanexcellentdivinegift，thatgaveadeeperpathostotheneed，thesin，thesorrowwithwhichitwasmingled，asthecankerinalily-whitebudismoregrievoustobeholdthaninacommonpot-herb。
BythetimeDinahhadundressedandputonhernight-gown，thisfeelingaboutHettyhadgatheredapainfulintensity；herimaginationhadcreatedathornythicketofsinandsorrow，inwhichshesawthepoorthingstrugglingtornandbleeding，lookingwithtearsforrescueandfindingnone。ItwasinthiswaythatDinah’simaginationandsympathyactedandreactedhabitually，eachheighteningtheother。ShefeltadeeplongingtogonowandpourintoHetty’searallthewordsoftenderwarningandappealthatrushedintohermind。ButperhapsHettywasalreadyasleep。
Dinahputhereartothepartitionandheardstillsomeslightnoises，whichconvincedherthatHettywasnotyetinbed。Stillshehesitated；shewasnotquitecertainofadivinedirection；
thevoicethattoldhertogotoHettyseemednostrongerthattheothervoicewhichsaidthatHettywasweary，andthatgoingtohernowinanunseasonablemomentwouldonlytendtocloseherheartmoreobstinately。Dinahwasnotsatisfiedwithoutamoreunmistakableguidancethanthoseinwardvoices。Therewaslightenoughforher，ifsheopenedherBible，todiscernthetextsufficientlytoknowwhatitwouldsaytoher。Sheknewthephysiognomyofeverypage，andcouldtellonwhatbooksheopened，sometimesonwhatchapter，withoutseeingtitleornumber。ItwasasmallthickBible，wornquiteroundattheedges。Dinahlaiditsidewaysonthewindowledge，wherethelightwasstrongest，andthenopeneditwithherforefinger。Thefirstwordsshelookedatwerethoseatthetopoftheleft-handpage:\"Andtheyallweptsore，andfellonPaul’sneckandkissedhim。\"ThatwasenoughforDinah；shehadopenedonthatmemorablepartingatEphesus，whenPaulhadfeltboundtoopenhisheartinalastexhortationandwarning。Shehesitatednolonger，but，openingherowndoorgently，wentandtappedonHetty’s。Weknowshehadtotaptwice，becauseHettyhadtoputouthercandlesandthrowoffherblacklacescarf；butafterthesecondtapthedoorwasopenedimmediately。Dinahsaid，\"Willyouletmecomein，Hetty？\"andHetty，withoutspeaking，forshewasconfusedandvexed，openedthedoorwiderandletherin。
Whatastrangecontrastthetwofiguresmade，visibleenoughinthatmingledtwilightandmoonlight！Hetty，hercheeksflushedandhereyesglisteningfromherimaginarydrama，herbeautifulneckandarmsbare，herhairhanginginacurlytangledownherback，andthebaublesinherears。Dinah，coveredwithherlongwhitedress，herpalefacefullofsubduedemotion，almostlikealovelycorpseintowhichthesoulhasreturnedchargedwithsublimersecretsandasublimerlove。Theywerenearlyofthesameheight；DinahevidentlyalittlethetallerassheputherarmroundHetty’swaistandkissedherforehead。
\"Iknewyouwerenotinbed，mydear，\"shesaid，inhersweetclearvoice，whichwasirritatingtoHetty，minglingwithherownpeevishvexationlikemusicwithjanglingchains，\"forIheardyoumoving；andIlongedtospeaktoyouagainto-night，foritisthelastbutonethatIshallbehere，andwedon’tknowwhatmayhappento-morrowtokeepusapart。ShallIsitdownwithyouwhileyoudoupyourhair？\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidHetty，hastilyturningroundandreachingthesecondchairintheroom，gladthatDinahlookedasifshedidnotnoticeherear-rings。
Dinahsatdown，andHettybegantobrushtogetherherhairbeforetwistingitup，doingitwiththatairofexcessiveindifferencewhichbelongstoconfusedself-consciousness。ButtheexpressionofDinah’seyesgraduallyrelievedher；theyseemedunobservantofalldetails。
\"DearHetty，\"shesaid，\"Ithasbeenborneinuponmymindto-
nightthatyoumaysomedaybeintrouble——troubleisappointedforusallherebelow，andtherecomesatimewhenweneedmorecomfortandhelpthanthethingsofthislifecangive。Iwanttotellyouthatifeveryouareintrouble，andneedafriendthatwillalwaysfeelforyouandloveyou，youhavegotthatfriendinDinahMorrisatSnowfield，andifyoucometoher，orsendforher，she’llneverforgetthisnightandthewordssheisspeakingtoyounow。Willyourememberit，Hetty？\"
\"Yes，\"saidHetty，ratherfrightened。\"ButwhyshouldyouthinkI
shallbeintrouble？Doyouknowofanything？\"
Hettyhadseatedherselfasshetiedonhercap，andnowDinahleanedforwardsandtookherhandsassheanswered，\"Because，dear，troublecomestousallinthislife:wesetourheartsonthingswhichitisn’tGod’swillforustohave，andthenwegosorrowing；thepeoplewelovearetakenfromus，andwecanjoyinnothingbecausetheyarenotwithus；sicknesscomes，andwefaintundertheburdenofourfeeblebodies；wegoastrayanddowrong，andbringourselvesintotroublewithourfellow-men。Thereisnomanorwomanbornintothisworldtowhomsomeofthesetrialsdonotfall，andsoIfeelthatsomeofthemmusthappentoyou；andIdesireforyou，thatwhileyouareyoungyoushouldseekforstrengthfromyourHeavenlyFather，thatyoumayhaveasupportwhichwillnotfailyouintheevilday。\"
DinahpausedandreleasedHetty’shandsthatshemightnothinderher。Hettysatquitestill；shefeltnoresponsewithinherselftoDinah’sanxiousaffection；butDinah’swordsutteredwithsolemnpatheticdistinctness，affectedherwithachillfear。Herflushhaddiedawayalmosttopaleness；shehadthetimidityofaluxuriouspleasure-seekingnature，whichshrinksfromthehintofpain。Dinahsawtheeffect，andhertenderanxiouspleadingbecamethemoreearnest，tillHetty，fullofavaguefearthatsomethingevilwassometimetobefallher，begantocry。
Itisourhabittosaythatwhilethelowernaturecanneverunderstandthehigher，thehighernaturecommandsacompleteviewofthelower。ButIthinkthehighernaturehastolearnthiscomprehension，aswelearntheartofvision，byagooddealofhardexperience，oftenwithbruisesandgashesincurredintakingthingsupbythewrongend，andfancyingourspacewiderthanitis。DinahhadneverseenHettyaffectedinthiswaybefore，and，withherusualbenignanthopefulness，shetrusteditwasthestirringofadivineimpulse。Shekissedthesobbingthing，andbegantocrywithherforgratefuljoy。ButHettywassimplyinthatexcitablestateofmindinwhichthereisnocalculatingwhatturnthefeelingsmaytakefromonemomenttoanother，andforthefirsttimeshebecameirritatedunderDinah’scaress。Shepushedherawayimpatiently，andsaid，withachildishsobbingvoice，\"Don’ttalktomeso，Dinah。Whydoyoucometofrightenme？
I’veneverdoneanythingtoyou。Whycan’tyouletmebe？\"
PoorDinahfeltapang。Shewastoowisetopersist，andonlysaidmildly，\"Yes，mydear，you’retired；Iwon’thinderyouanylonger。Makehasteandgetintobed。Good-night。\"
Shewentoutoftheroomalmostasquietlyandquicklyasifshehadbeenaghost；butoncebythesideofherownbed，shethrewherselfonherkneesandpouredoutindeepsilenceallthepassionatepitythatfilledherheart。
AsforHetty，shewassooninthewoodagain——herwakingdreamsbeingmergedinasleepinglifescarcelymorefragmentaryandconfused。
LinksARTHURDONNITHORNE，youremember，isunderanengagementwithhimselftogoandseeMr。IrwinethisFridaymorning，andheisawakeanddressingsoearlythathedeterminestogobeforebreakfast，insteadofafter。Therector，heknows，breakfastsaloneathalf-pastnine，theladiesofthefamilyhavingadifferentbreakfast-hour；Arthurwillhaveanearlyrideoverthehillandbreakfastwithhim。Onecansayeverythingbestoverameal。
Theprogressofcivilizationhasmadeabreakfastoradinneraneasyandcheerfulsubstituteformoretroublesomeanddisagreeableceremonies。Wetakealessgloomyviewofourerrorsnowourfatherconfessorlistenstousoverhiseggandcoffee。Wearemoredistinctlyconsciousthatrudepenancesareoutofthequestionforgentlemeninanenlightenedage，andthatmortalsinisnotincompatiblewithanappetiteformuffins。Anassaultonourpockets，whichinmorebarbaroustimeswouldhavebeenmadeinthebrusqueformofapistol-shot，isquiteawell-bredandsmilingprocedurenowithasbecomearequestforaloanthrowninasaneasyparenthesisbetweenthesecondandthirdglassesofclaret。
Still，therewasthisadvantageintheoldrigidforms，thattheycommittedyoutothefulfilmentofaresolutionbysomeoutwarddeed:whenyouhaveputyourmouthtooneendofaholeinastonewallandareawarethatthereisanexpectantearattheotherend，youaremorelikelytosaywhatyoucameoutwiththeintentionofsayingthanifyouwereseatedwithyourlegsinaneasyattitudeunderthemahoganywithacompanionwhowillhavenoreasontobesurprisedifyouhavenothingparticulartosay。
However，ArthurDonnithorne，ashewindsamongthepleasantlanesonhorsebackinthemorningsunshine，hasasinceredeterminationtoopenhishearttotherector，andtheswirlingsoundofthescytheashepassesbythemeadowisallthepleasantertohimbecauseofthishonestpurpose。Heisgladtoseethepromiseofsettledweathernow，forgettinginthehay，aboutwhichthefarmershavebeenfearful；andthereissomethingsohealthfulinthesharingofajoythatisgeneralandnotmerelypersonal，thatthisthoughtaboutthehay-harvestreactsonhisstateofmindandmakeshisresolutionseemaneasiermatter。Amanabouttownmightperhapsconsiderthattheseinfluenceswerenottobefeltoutofachild’sstory-book；butwhenyouareamongthefieldsandhedgerows，itisimpossibletomaintainaconsistentsuperioritytosimplenaturalpleasures。
ArthurhadpassedthevillageofHayslopeandwasapproachingtheBroxtonsideofthehill，when，ataturningintheroad，hesawafigureaboutahundredyardsbeforehimwhichitwasimpossibletomistakeforanyoneelsethanAdamBede，eveniftherehadbeennogrey，taillessshepherd-dogathisheels。Hewasstridingalongathisusualrapidpace，andArthurpushedonhishorsetoovertakehim，forheretainedtoomuchofhisboyishfeelingforAdamtomissanopportunityofchattingwithhim。Iwillnotsaythathisloveforthatgoodfellowdidnotowesomeofitsforcetotheloveofpatronage:ourfriendArthurlikedtodoeverythingthatwashandsome，andtohavehishandsomedeedsrecognized。
Adamlookedroundasheheardthequickeningclatterofthehorse’sheels，andwaitedforthehorseman，liftinghispapercapfromhisheadwithabrightsmileofrecognition。NexttohisownbrotherSeth，AdamwouldhavedonemoreforArthurDonnithornethanforanyotheryoungmanintheworld。Therewashardlyanythinghewouldnotratherhavelostthanthetwo-feetrulerwhichhealwayscarriedinhispocket；itwasArthur’spresent，boughtwithhispocket-moneywhenhewasafair-hairedladofeleven，andwhenhehadprofitedsowellbyAdam’slessonsincarpenteringandturningastoembarrasseveryfemaleinthehousewithgiftsofsuperfluousthread-reelsandroundboxes。Adamhadquiteaprideinthelittlesquireinthoseearlydays，andthefeelinghadonlybecomeslightlymodifiedasthefair-hairedladhadgrownintothewhiskeredyoungman。Adam，Iconfess，wasverysusceptibletotheinfluenceofrank，andquitereadytogiveanextraamountofrespecttoeveryonewhohadmoreadvantagesthanhimself，notbeingaphilosopheroraproletairewithdemocraticideas，butsimplyastout-limbedclevercarpenterwlthalargefundofreverenceinhisnature，whichinclinedhimtoadmitallestablishedclaimsunlesshesawverycleargroundsforquestioningthem。Hehadnotheoriesaboutsettingtheworldtorights，buthesawtherewasagreatdealofdamagedonebybuildingwithill-seasonedtimber——byignorantmeninfineclothesmakingplansforouthousesandworkshopsandthelikewithoutknowingthebearingsofthings——byslovenlyjoiners’work，andbyhastycontractsthatcouldneverbefulfilledwithoutruiningsomebody；andheresolved，forhispart，tosethisfaceagainstsuchdoings。OnthesepointshewouldhavemaintainedhisopinionagainstthelargestlandedproprietorinLoamshireorStonyshireeither；buthefeltthatbeyondtheseitwouldbebetterforhimtodefertopeoplewhoweremoreknowingthanhimself。Hesawasplainlyaspossiblehowillthewoodsontheestateweremanaged，andtheshamefulstateofthefarm-buildings；andifoldSquireDonnithornehadaskedhimtheeffectofthismismanagement，hewouldhavespokenhisopinionwithoutflinching，buttheimpulsetoarespectfuldemeanourtowardsa\"gentleman\"wouldhavebeenstrongwithinhimallthewhile。Theword\"gentleman\"hadaspellforAdam，and，asheoftensaid，he\"couldn’tabideafellowwhothoughthemadehimselffinebybeingcoxyto’sbetters。\"ImustremindyouagainthatAdamhadthebloodofthepeasantinhisveins，andthatsincehewasinhisprimehalfacenturyago，youmustexpectsomeofhischaracteristicstobeobsolete。
TowardstheyoungsquirethisinstinctivereverenceofAdam’swasassistedbyboyishmemoriesandpersonalregardsoyoumayimaginethathethoughtfarmoreofArthur’sgoodqualities，andattachedfarmorevaluetoveryslightactionsofhis，thaniftheyhadbeenthequalitiesandactionsofacommonworkmanlikehimself。
HefeltsureitwouldbeafinedayforeverybodyaboutHayslopewhentheyoungsquirecameintotheestate——suchagenerousopen-
hearteddispositionashehad，andan\"uncommon\"notionaboutimprovementsandrepairs，consideringhewasonlyjustcomingofage。ThustherewasbothrespectandaffectioninthesmilewithwhichheraisedhispapercapasArthurDonnithornerodeup。
\"Well，Adam，howareyou？\"saidArthur，holdingouthishand。Henevershookhandswithanyofthefarmers，andAdamfeltthehonourkeenly。\"Icouldsweartoyourbackalongwayoff。It’sjustthesameback，onlybroader，aswhenyouusedtocarrymeonit。Doyouremember？\"
\"Aye，sir，Iremember。It’udbeapoorlook-outiffolksdidn’trememberwhattheydidandsaidwhentheywerelads。Weshouldthinknomoreaboutoldfriendsthanwedoaboutnewuns，then。\"
\"You’regoingtoBroxton，Isuppose？\"saidArthur，puttinghishorseonataslowpacewhileAdamwalkedbyhisside。\"Areyougoingtotherectory？\"
\"No，sir，I’mgoingtoseeaboutBradwell’sbarn。They’reafraidoftheroofpushingthewallsout，andI’mgoingtoseewhatcanbedonewithitbeforewesendthestuffandtheworkmen。\"
\"Why，Burgetrustsalmosteverythingtoyounow，Adam，doesn’the？
Ishouldthinkhewillmakeyouhispartnersoon。Hewill，ifhe’swise。\"
\"Nay，sir，Idon’tseeashe’dbemuchthebetteroffforthat。A
foreman，ifhe’sgotaconscienceanddelightsinhiswork，willdohisbusinessaswellasifhewasapartner。Iwouldn’tgiveapennyforamanas’uddriveanailinslackbecausehedidn’tgetextrapayforit。\"
\"Iknowthat，Adam；Iknowyouworkforhimaswellasifyouwereworkingforyourself。Butyouwouldhavemorepowerthanyouhavenow，andcouldturnthebusinesstobetteraccountperhaps。Theoldmanmustgiveuphisbusinesssometime，andhehasnoson；I
supposehe’llwantason-in-lawwhocantaketoit。Buthehasrathergraspingfingersofhisown，Ifancy。Idaresayhewantsamanwhocanputsomemoneyintothebusiness。IfIwerenotaspoorasarat，Iwouldgladlyinvestsomemoneyinthatway，forthesakeofhavingyousettledontheestate。I’msureIshouldprofitbyitintheend。AndperhapsIshallbebetteroffinayearortwo。IshallhavealargerallowancenowI’mofage；andwhenI’vepaidoffadebtortwo，Ishallbeabletolookaboutme。\"
\"You’reverygoodtosayso，sir，andI’mnotunthankful。But\"——
Adamcontinued，inadecidedtone——\"Ishouldn’tliketomakeanyofferstoMr。Burge，ort’haveanymadeforme。Iseenoclearroadtoapartnership。Ifheshouldeverwanttodisposeofthebusiness，that’udbeadifferentmatter。Ishouldbegladofsomemoneyatafairinterestthen，forIfeelsureIcouldpayitoffintime。\"
\"Verywell，Adam，\"saidArthur，rememberingwhatMr。Irwinehadsaidaboutaprobablehitchinthelove-makingbetweenAdamandMaryBurge，\"we’llsaynomoreaboutitatpresent。Whenisyourfathertobeburied？\"
\"OnSunday，sir；Mr。Irwine’scomingearlieronpurpose。Ishallbegladwhenit’sover，forIthinkmymother’ullperhapsgeteasierthen。Itcutsonesadlytoseethegriefofoldpeople；
they’venowayo’workingitoff，andthenewspringbringsnonewshootsoutonthewitheredtree。\"
\"Ah，you’vehadagooddealoftroubleandvexationinyourlife，Adam。Idon’tthinkyou’veeverbeenhare-brainedandlight-
hearted，likeotheryoungsters。You’vealwayshadsomecareonyourmind。\"
\"Why，yes，sir；butthat’snothingtomakeafussabout。Ifwe’remenandhavemen’sfeelings，Ireckonwemusthavemen’stroubles。
Wecan’tbelikethebirds，asflyfromtheirnestassoonasthey’vegottheirwings，andneverknowtheirkinwhentheysee’em，andgetafreshloteveryyear。I’vehadenoughtobethankfulfor:I’veallayshadhealthandstrengthandbrainstogivemeadelightinmywork；andIcountitagreatthingasI’vehadBartleMassey’snight-schooltogoto。He’shelpedmetoknowledgeIcouldneverha’gotbymyself。\"
\"Whatararefellowyouare，Adam！\"saidArthur，afterapause，inwhichhehadlookedmusinglyatthebigfellowwalkingbyhisside。\"IcouldhitoutbetterthanmostmenatOxford，andyetI
believeyouwouldknockmeintonextweekifIweretohaveabaltlewithyou。\"
\"GodforbidIshouldeverdothat，sir，\"saidAdam，lookingroundatArthurandsmiling。\"Iusedtofightforfun，butI’veneverdonethatsinceIwasthecauseo’poorGilTranterbeinglaidupforafortnight。I’llneverfightanymanagain，onlywhenhebehaveslikeascoundrel。Ifyougetholdofachapthat’sgotnoshamenorconsciencetostophim，youmusttrywhatyoucandobybunginghiseyesup。\"
Arthurdidnotlaugh，forhewaspreoccupiedwithsomethoughtthatmadehimsaypresently，\"Ishouldthinknow，Adam，youneverhaveanystruggleswithinyourself。Ifancyyouwouldmasterawishthatyouhadmadeupyourminditwasnotquiterighttoindulge，aseasilyasyouwouldknockdownadrunkenfellowwhowasquarrelsomewithyou。Imean，youarenevershilly-shally，firstmakingupyourmindthatyouwon’tdoathing，andthendoingitafterall？\"
\"Well，\"saidAdam，slowly，afteramoment’shesitation，\"no。I
don’tremembereverbeingsee-sawinthatway，whenI’dmademymindup，asyousay，thatathingwaswrong。Ittakesthetasteouto’mymouthforthings，whenIknowIshouldhaveaheavyconscienceafter’em。I’veseenprettyclear，eversinceIcouldcastupasum，asyoucanneverdowhat’swrongwithoutbreedingsinandtroublemorethanyoucaneversee。It’slikeabito’
badworkmanship——youneverseeth’endo’themischiefit’lldo。
Andit’sapoorlook-outtocomeintotheworldtomakeyourfellow-creaturesworseoffinsteado’better。Butthere’sadifferencebetweenthethingsfolkscallwrong。I’mnotformakingasinofeverylittlefool’strick，orbito’nonsenseanybodymaybeletinto，likesomeo’themdissenters。Andamanmayhavetwomindswhetheritisn’tworthwhiletogetabruiseortwoforthesakeofabito’fun。Butitisn’tmywaytobesee-
sawaboutanything:Ithinkmyfaultliesth’otherway。WhenI’vesaidathing，ifit’sonlytomyself，it’shardformetogoback。\"
\"Yes，that’sjustwhatIexpectedofyou，\"saidArthur。\"You’vegotanironwill，aswellasanironarm。Buthoweverstrongaman’sresolutionmaybe，itcostshimsomethingtocarryitout，nowandthen。Wemaydeterminenottogatheranycherriesandkeepourhandssturdilyinourpockets，butwecan’tpreventourmouthsfromwatering。\"
\"That’strue，sir，butthere’snothinglikesettlingwithourselvesasthere’sadealwemustdowithouti’thislife。It’snouselookingonlifeasifitwasTreddles’onFair，wherefolksonlygotoseeshowsandgetfairings。Ifwedo，weshallfinditdifferent。Butwhere’stheuseo’metalkingtoyou，sir？YouknowbetterthanIdo。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofthat，Adam。You’vehadfourorfiveyearsofexperiencemorethanI’vehad，andIthinkyourlifehasbeenabetterschooltoyouthancollegehasbeentome。\"
\"Why，sir，youseemtothinko’collegesomethinglikewhatBartleMasseydoes。Hesayscollegemostlymakespeoplelikebladders——
justgoodfornothingbutt’holdthestuffasispouredinto’em。
Buthe’sgotatonguelikeasharpblade，Bartlehas——itnevertouchesanythingbutitcuts。Here’stheturning，sir。Imustbidyougood-morning，asyou’regoingtotherectory。\"
\"Good-bye，Adam，good-bye。\"
Arthurgavehishorsetothegroomattherectorygate，andwalkedalongthegraveltowardsthedoorwhichopenedonthegarden。Heknewthattherectoralwaysbreakfastedinhisstudy，andthestudylayonthelefthandofthisdoor，oppositethedining-room。
Itwasasmalllowroom，belongingtotheoldpartofthehouse——
darkwiththesombrecoversofthebooksthatlinedthewalls；yetitlookedverycheerythismorningasArthurreachedtheopenwindow。Forthemorningsunfellaslantonthegreatglassglobewithgoldfishinit，whichstoodonascagliolapillarinfrontoftheready-spreadbachelorbreakfast-table，andbythesideofthisbreakfast-tablewasagroupwhichwouldhavemadeanyroomenticing。Inthecrimsondamaskeasy-chairsatMr。Irwine，withthatradiantfreshnesswhichhealwayshadwhenhecamefromhismorningtoilet；hisfinelyformedplumpwhitehandwasplayingalongJuno’sbrowncurlyback；andclosetoJuno’stail，whichwaswaggingwithcalmmatronlypleasure，thetwobrownpupswererollingovereachotherinanecstaticduetofworryingnoises。
OnacushionalittleremovedsatPug，withtheairofamaidenlady，wholookedonthesefamiliaritiesasanimalweaknesses，whichshemadeaslittleshowaspossibleofobserving。Onthetable，atMr。Irwine~selbow，laythefirstvolumeoftheFoulisAEschylus，whichArthurknewwellbysight；andthesilvercoffee-
pot，whichCarrollwasbringingin，sentforthafragrantsteamwhichcompletedthedelightsofabachelorbreakfast。
\"Hallo，Arthur，that’sagoodfellow！You’rejustintime，\"saidMr。Irwine，asArthurpausedandsteppedinoverthelowwindow-
sill。\"Carroll，weshallwantmorecoffeeandeggs，andhaven’tyougotsomecoldfowlforustoeatwiththatham？Why，thisislikeolddays，Arthur；youhaven’tbeentobreakfastwithmethesefiveyears。\"
\"Itwasatemptingmorningforaridebeforebreakfast，\"saidArthur；\"andIusedtolikebreakfastingwithyousowhenIwasreadingwithyou。Mygrandfatherisalwaysafewdegreescolderatbreakfastthanatanyotherhourintheday。Ithinkhismorningbathdoesn’tagreewithhim。\"
Arthurwasanxiousnottoimplythathecamewithanyspecialpurpose。HehadnosoonerfoundhimselfinMr。Irwine’spresencethantheconfidencewhichhehadthoughtquiteeasybefore，suddenlyappearedthemostdifficultthingintheworldtohim，andattheverymomentofshakinghandshesawhispurposeinquiteanewlight。HowcouldhemakeIrwineunderstandhispositionunlesshetoldhimthoselittlescenesinthewood；andhowcouldhetellthemwithoutlookinglikeafool？AndthenhisweaknessincomingbackfromGawaine’s，anddoingtheveryoppositeofwhatheintended！Irwinewouldthinkhimashilly-
shallyfelloweverafter。However，itmustcomeoutinanunpremeditatedway；theconversationmightleaduptoit。
\"Ilikebreakfast-timebetterthananyothermomentintheday，\"
saidMr。Irwine。\"Nodusthassettledonone’smindthen，anditpresentsaclearmirrortotheraysofthings。Ialwayshaveafavouritebookbymeatbreakfast，andIenjoythebitsIpickupthensomuch，thatregularlyeverymorningitseemstomeasifI
shouldcertainlybecomestudiousagain。ButpresentlyDentbringsupapoorfellowwhohaskilledahare，andwhenI’vegotthroughmy’justicing，’asCarrollcallsit，I’minclinedforarideroundtheglebe，andonmywaybackImeetwiththemasteroftheworkhouse，whohasgotalongstoryofamutinouspaupertotellme；andsothedaygoeson，andI’malwaysthesamelazyfellowbeforeeveningsetsin。Besides，onewantsthestimulusofsympathy，andIhaveneverhadthatsincepoorD’OyleyleftTreddleston。Ifyouhadstucktoyourbookswell，yourascal，I
shouldhavehadapleasanterprospectbeforeme。Butscholarshipdoesn’truninyourfamilyblood。\"
\"Noindeed。It’swellifIcanrememberalittleinapplicableLatintoadornmymaidenspeechinParliamentsixorsevenyearshence。’Crasingensiterabimusaequor，’andafewshredsofthatsort，willperhapssticktome，andIshallarrangemyopinionssoastointroducethem。ButIdon’tthinkaknowledgeoftheclassicsisapressingwanttoacountrygentleman；asfarasI
cansee，he’dmuchbetterhaveaknowledgeofmanures。I’vebeenreadingyourfriendArthurYoung’sbookslately，andthere’snothingIshouldlikebetterthantocarryoutsomeofhisideasinputtingthefarmersonabettermanagementoftheirland；and，ashesays，makingwhatwasawildcountry，allofthesamedarkhue，brightandvariegatedwithcornandcattle。Mygrandfatherwillneverletmehaveanypowerwhilehelives，butthere’snothingIshouldlikebetterthantoundertaketheStonyshiresideoftheestate——it’sinadismalcondition——andsetimprovementsonfoot，andgallopaboutfromoneplacetoanotherandoverlookthem。Ishouldliketoknowallthelabourers，andseethemtouchingtheirhatstomewithalookofgoodwill。\"
\"Bravo，Arthur！Amanwhohasnofeelingfortheclassicscouldn’tmakeabetterapologyforcomingintotheworldthanbyincreasingthequantityoffoodtomaintainscholars——andrectorswhoappreciatescholars。AndwheneveryouenteronyourcareerofmodellandlordmayIbetheretosee。You’llwantaportlyrectortocompletethepicture，andtakehistitheofalltherespectandhonouryougetbyyourhardwork。Onlydon’tsetyourhearttoostronglyonthegoodwillyouaretogetinconsequence。I’mnotsurethatmenarethefondestofthosewhotrytobeusefultothem。YouknowGawainehasgotthecursesofthewholeneighbourhooduponhimaboutthatenclosure。Youmustmakeitquitecleartoyourmindwhichyouaremostbentupon，oldboy——
popularityorusefulness——elseyoumayhappentomissboth。\"
\"Oh！Gawaineisharshinhismanners；hedoesn’tmakehimselfpersonallyagreeabletohistenants。Idon’tbelievethere’sanythingyoucan’tprevailonpeopletodowithkindness。Formypart，Icouldn’tliveinaneighbourhoodwhereIwasnotrespectedandbeloved。Andit’sverypleasanttogoamongthetenantshere——
theyseemallsowellinclinedtomeIsupposeitseemsonlytheotherdaytothemsinceIwasalittlelad，ridingonaponyaboutasbigasasheep。Andiffairallowancesweremadetothem，andtheirbuildingsattendedto，onecouldpersuadethemtofarmonabetterplan，stupidastheyare。\"
\"Thenmindyoufallinloveintherightplace，anddon’tgetawifewhowilldrainyourpurseandmakeyouniggardlyinspiteofyourself。MymotherandIhavealittlediscussionaboutyousometimes:shesays，’IllneverriskasingleprophecyonArthuruntilIseethewomanhefallsinlovewith。’Shethinksyourlady-lovewillruleyouasthemoonrulesthetides。ButIfeelboundtostandupforyou，asmypupilyouknow，andImaintainthatyou’renotofthatwateryquality。Somindyoudon’tdisgracemyjudgment。\"
