AndHetty’sfoolishjoysandhopes，whichhadflownawayforalittlespace，scaredbyamerenothing，nowallcameflutteringback，unconsciousoftherealperil。Shewashappyforthefirsttimethislongday，andwishedthatdancewouldlastforhours。
Arthurwishedittoo；itwasthelastweaknesshemeanttoindulgein；andamanneverlieswithmoredeliciouslanguorundertheinfluenceofapassionthanwhenhehaspersuadedhimselfthatheshallsubdueitto-morrow。
ButMrs。Poyser’swisheswerequitethereverseofthis，forhermindwasfilledwithdrearyforebodingsastotheretardationofto-morrowmorning’scheeseinconsequenceoftheselatehours。
NowthatHettyhaddoneherdutyanddancedonedancewiththeyoungsquire，Mr。Poysermustgooutandseeifthecartwascomebacktofetchthem，foritwashalf-pastteno’clock，andnotwithstandingamildsuggestiononhispartthatitwouldbebadmannersforthemtobethefirsttogo，Mrs。Poyserwasresoluteonthepoint，\"mannersornomanners。\"
\"What！Goingalready，Mrs。Poyser？\"saidoldMr。Donnithorne，asshecametocurtsyandtakeleave；\"Ithoughtweshouldnotpartwithanyofourgueststilleleven。Mrs。IrwineandI，whoareelderlypeople，thinkofsittingoutthedancetillthen。\"
\"Oh，YourHonour，it’sallrightandproperforgentlefolkstostayupbycandlelight——they’vegotnocheeseontheirminds。
We’relateenoughasitis，an’there’snolettin’thecowsknowastheymustn’twanttobemilkedsoearlyto-morrowmornin’。So，ifyou’llpleaset’excuseus，we’lltakeourleave。\"
\"Eh！\"shesaidtoherhusband，astheysetoffinthecart，\"I’dsoonerha’brewin’dayandwashin’daytogetherthanoneo’thesepleasurin’days。There’snoworksotirin’asdanglin’aboutan’
starin’an’notrightlyknowin’whatyou’regoin’todonext；andkeepin’yourfacei’smilin’orderlikeagrocero’market-dayforfearpeopleshouldnathinkyoucivilenough。An’you’venothingtoshowfor’twhenit’sdone，ifitisn’tayallowfacewi’eatin’
thingsasdisagree。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，whowasinhismerriestmood，andfeltthathehadhadagreatday，\"abito’pleasuring’sgoodfortheesometimes。An’theedanc’staswellasanyof’em，forI’llbacktheeagainstallthewivesi’theparishforalightfootan’
ankle。An’itwasagreathonourfortheyoungsquiretoasktheefirst——IreckonitwasbecauseIsatatth’heado’thetablean’
madethespeech。An’Hettytoo——sheneverhadsuchapartnerbefore——afineyounggentlemaninreg’mentals。It’llserveyoutotalkon，Hetty，whenyou’reanoldwoman——howyoudancedwi’th’
youngsquirethedayhecomeo’age。\"
AcrisisITwasbeyondthemiddleofAugust——nearlythreeweeksafterthebirthdayfeast。ThereapingofthewheathadbeguninournorthmidlandcountyofLoamshire，buttheharvestwaslikelystilltoberetardedbytheheavyrains，whichwerecausinginundationsandmuchdamagethroughoutthecountry。FromthislasttroubletheBroxtonandHayslopefarmers，ontheirpleasantuplandsandintheirbrook-wateredvalleys，hadnotsuffered，andasIcannotpretendthattheyweresuchexceptionalfarmersastolovethegeneralgoodbetterthantheirown，youwillinferthattheywerenotinverylowspiritsabouttherapidriseinthepriceofbread，solongastherewashopeofgatheringintheirowncornundamaged；andoccasionaldaysofsunshineanddryingwindsflatteredthishope。
TheeighteenthofAugustwasoneofthesedayswhenthesunshinelookedbrighterinalleyesforthegloomthatwentbefore。Grandmassesofcloudwerehurriedacrosstheblue，andthegreatroundhillsbehindtheChaseseemedalivewiththeirflyingshadows；thesunwashiddenforamoment，andthenshoneoutwarmagainlikearecoveredjoy；theleaves，stillgreen，weretossedoffthehedgerowtreesbythewind；aroundthefarmhousestherewasasoundofclappingdoors；theapplesfellintheorchards；andthestrayhorsesonthegreensidesofthelanesandonthecommonhadtheirmanesblownabouttheirfaces。Andyetthewindseemedonlypartofthegeneralgladnessbecausethesunwasshining。Amerrydayforthechildren，whoranandshoutedtoseeiftheycouldtopthewindwiththeirvoices；andthegrown-uppeopletoowereingoodspirits，inclinedtobelieveinyetfinerdays，whenthewindhadfallen。Ifonlythecornwerenotripeenoughtobeblownoutofthehuskandscatteredasuntimelyseed！
Andyetadayonwhichablightingsorrowmayfalluponaman。
ForifitbetruethatNatureatcertainmomentsseemschargedwithapresentimentofoneindividuallotmustitnotalsobetruethatsheseemsunmindfuluncon-sciousofanother？Forthereisnohourthathasnotitsbirthsofgladnessanddespair，nomorningbrightnessthatdoesnotbringnewsicknesstodesolationaswellasnewforcestogeniusandlove。Therearesomanyofus，andourlotsaresodifferent，whatwonderthatNature’smoodisofteninharshcontrastwiththegreatcrisisofourlives？Wearechildrenofalargefamily，andmustlearn，assuchchildrendo，nottoexpectthatourhurtswillbemademuchof——tobecontentwithlittlenurtureandcaressing，andhelpeachotherthemore。
ItwasabusydaywithAdam，whooflatehaddonealmostdoublework，forhewascontinuingtoactasforemanforJonathanBurge，untilsomesatisfactorypersoncouldbefoundtosupplyhisplace，andJonathanwasslowtofindthatperson。Buthehaddonetheextraworkcheerfully，forhishopeswerebuoyantagainaboutHetty。Everytimeshehadseenhimsincethebirthday，shehadseemedtomakeanefforttobehaveallthemorekindlytohim，thatshemightmakehimunderstandshehadforgivenhissilenceandcoldnessduringthedance。Hehadnevermentionedthelockettoheragain；toohappythatshesmiledathim——stillhappierbecauseheobservedinheramoresubduedair，somethingthatheinterpretedasthegrowthofwomanlytendernessandseriousness。
\"Ah！\"hethought，againandagain，\"she’sonlyseventeen；she’llbethoughtfulenoughafterawhile。Andherauntallayssayshowcleversheisatthework。She’llmakeawifeasMother’llhavenooccasiontogrumbleat，afterall。\"Tobesure，hehadonlyseenherathometwicesincethebirthday；foroneSunday，whenhewasintendingtogofromchurchtotheHallFarm，HettyhadjoinedthepartyofupperservantsfromtheChaseandhadgonehomewiththem——almostasifshewereinclinedtoencourageMr。Craig。
\"She’stakin’toomuchlikin’tothemfolksi’thehousekeeper’sroom，\"Mrs。Poyserremarked。\"Formypart，Iwasneveroverfondo’gentlefolks’sservants——they’remostlylikethefineladies’
fatdogs，naythergoodforbarkingnorbutcher’smeat，buton’yforshow。\"AndanothereveningshewasgonetoTreddlestontobuysomethings；though，tohisgreatsurprise，ashewasreturninghome，hesawheratadistancegettingoverastilequiteoutoftheTreddlestonroad。But，whenhehastenedtoher，shewasverykind，andaskedhimtogoinagainwhenhehadtakenhertotheyardgate。ShehadgonealittlefartherintothefieldsaftercomingfromTreddlestonbecauseshedidn’twanttogoin，shesaid:itwassonicetobeoutofdoors，andherauntalwaysmadesuchafussaboutitifshewantedtogoout。\"Oh，docomeinwithme！\"shesaid，ashewasgoingtoshakehandswithheratthegate，andhecouldnotresistthat。Sohewentin，andMrs。
PoyserwascontentedwithonlyaslightremarkonHetty’sbeinglaterthanwasexpected；whileHetty，whohadlookedoutofspiritswhenhemether，smiledandtalkedandwaitedonthemallwithunusualpromptitude。
Thatwasthelasttimehehadseenher；buthemeanttomakeleisureforgoingtotheFarmto-morrow。To-day，heknew，washerdayforgoingtotheChasetosewwiththelady’smaid，sohewouldgetasmuchworkdoneaspossiblethisevening，thatthenextmightbeclear。
OnepieceofworkthatAdamwassuperintendingwassomeslightrepairsattheChaseFarm，whichhadbeenhithertooccupiedbySatchell，asbailiff，butwhichitwasnowrumouredthattheoldsquirewasgoingtolettoasmartmanintop-boots，whohadbeenseentorideoveritoneday。Nothingbutthedesiretogetatenantcouldaccountforthesquire’sundertakingrepairs，thoughtheSaturday-eveningpartyatMr。Casson’sagreedovertheirpipesthatnomaninhissenseswouldtaketheChaseFarmunlesstherewasabitmoreploughlandlaidtoit。Howeverthatmightbe，therepairswereorderedtobeexecutedwithalldispatch，andAdam，actingforMr。Burge，wascarryingouttheorderwithhisusualenergy。Butto-day，havingbeenoccupiedelsewhere，hehadnotbeenabletoarriveattheChaseFarmtilllateintheafternoon，andhethendiscoveredthatsomeoldroofing，whichhehadcalculatedonpreserving，hadgivenway。Therewasclearlynogoodtobedonewiththispartofthebuildingwithoutpullingitalldown，andAdamimmediatelysawinhismindaplanforbuildingitupagain，soastomakethemostconvenientofcow-shedsandcalf-pens，withahovelforimplements；andallwithoutanygreatexpenseformaterials。So，whentheworkmenweregone，hesatdown，tookouthispocket-book，andbusiedhimselfwithsketchingaplan，andmakingaspecificationoftheexpensesthathemightshowittoBurgethenextmorning，andsethimonpersuadingthesquiretoconsent。To\"makeagoodjob\"ofanything，howeversmall，wasalwaysapleasuretoAdam，andhesatonablock，withhisbookrestingonaplaning-table，whistlingloweverynowandthenandturninghisheadononesidewithajustperceptiblesmileofgratification——ofpride，too，forifAdamlovedabitofgoodwork，helovedalsotothink，\"Ididit！\"AndIbelievetheonlypeoplewhoarefreefromthatweaknessarethosewhohavenoworktocalltheirown。Itwasnearlysevenbeforehehadfinishedandputonhisjacketagain；andongivingalastlookround，heobservedthatSeth，whohadbeenworkinghereto-day，hadlefthisbasketoftoolsbehindhim。\"Why，th’lad’sforgothistools，\"thoughtAdam，\"andhe’sgottoworkupattheshopto-
morrow。Thereneverwassuchachapforwool-gathering；he’dleavehisheadbehindhim，ifitwasloose。However，it’sluckyI’veseen’em；I’llcarry’emhome。\"
ThebuildingsoftheChaseFarmlayatoneextremityoftheChase，atabouttenminutes’walkingdistancefromtheAbbey。Adamhadcomethitheronhispony，intendingtoridetothestablesandputuphisnagonhiswayhome。AtthestablesheencounteredMr。
Craig，whohadcometolookatthecaptain’snewhorse，onwhichhewastorideawaythedayafterto-morrow；andMr。Craigdetainedhimtotellhowalltheservantsweretocollectatthegateofthecourtyardtowishtheyoungsquireluckasherodeout；sothatbythetimeAdamhadgotintotheChase，andwasstridingalongwiththebasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，thesunwasonthepointofsetting，andwassendinglevelcrimsonraysamongthegreattrunksoftheoldoaks，andtouchingeverybarepatchofgroundwithatransientglorythatmadeitlooklikeajeweldroptuponthegrass。Thewindhadfallennow，andtherewasonlyenoughbreezetostirthedelicate-stemmedleaves。Anyonewhohadbeensittinginthehousealldaywouldhavebeengladtowalknow；butAdamhadbeenquiteenoughintheopenairtowishtoshortenhiswayhome，andhebethoughthimselfthathemightdosobystrikingacrosstheChaseandgoingthroughtheGrove，wherehehadneverbeenforyears。HehurriedonacrosstheChase，stalkingalongthenarrowpathsbetweenthefern，withGypathisheels，notlingeringtowatchthemagnificentchangesofthelight——hardlyoncethinkingofit——yetfeelingitspresenceinacertaincalmhappyawewhichmingleditselfwithhisbusyworking-daythoughts。Howcouldhehelpfeelingit？Theverydeerfeltit，andweremoretimid。
PresentlyAdam’sthoughtsrecurredtowhatMr。CraighadsaidaboutArthurDonnithorne，andpicturedhisgoingaway，andthechangesthatmighttakeplacebeforehecameback；thentheytravelledbackaffectionatelyovertheoldscenesofboyishcompanionship，anddweltonArthur’sgoodqualities，whichAdamhadapridein，asweallhaveinthevirtuesofthesuperiorwhohonoursus。AnaturelikeAdam’s，withagreatneedofloveandreverenceinit，dependsforsomuchofitshappinessonwhatitcanbelieveandfeelaboutothers！Andhehadnoidealworldofdeadheroes；heknewlittleofthelifeofmeninthepast；hemustfindthebeingstowhomhecouldclingwithlovingadmirationamongthosewhocamewithinspeechofhim。ThesepleasantthoughtsaboutArthurbroughtamilderexpressionthanusualintohiskeenroughface:perhapstheywerethereasonwhy，whenheopenedtheoldgreengateleadingintotheGrove，hepausedtopatGypandsayakindwordtohim。
Afterthatpause，hestrodeonagainalongthebroadwindingpaththroughtheGrove。Whatgrandbeeches！Adamdelightedinafinetreeofallthings；asthefisherman’ssightiskeenestonthesea，soAdam’sperceptionsweremoreathomewithtreesthanwithotherobjects。Hekepttheminhismemory，asapainterdoes，withalltheflecksandknotsintheirbark，allthecurvesandanglesoftheirboughs，andhadoftencalculatedtheheightandcontentsofatrunktoanicety，ashestoodlookingatit。Nowonderthat，not-withstandinghisdesiretogeton，hecouldnothelppausingtolookatacuriouslargebeechwhichhehadseenstandingbeforehimataturningintheroad，andconvincehimselfthatitwasnottwotreesweddedtogether，butonlyone。Fortherestofhislifeherememberedthatmomentwhenhewascalmlyexaminingthebeech，asamanremembershislastglimpseofthehomewherehisyouthwaspassed，beforetheroadturned，andhesawitnomore。ThebeechstoodatthelastturningbeforetheGroveendedinanarchwayofboughsthatletintheeasternlight；
andasAdamsteppedawayfromthetreetocontinuehiswalk，hiseyesfellontwofiguresabouttwentyyardsbeforehim。
Heremainedasmotionlessasastatue，andturnedalmostaspale。
Thetwofigureswerestandingoppositetoeachother，withclaspedhandsabouttopart；andwhiletheywerebendingtokiss，Gyp，whohadbeenrunningamongthebrushwood，cameout，caughtsightofthem，andgaveasharpbark。Theyseparatedwithastart——onehurriedthroughthegateoutoftheGrove，andtheother，turninground，walkedslowly，withasortofsaunter，towardsAdamwhostillstoodtransfixedandpale，clutchingtighterthestickwithwhichheheldthebasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，andlookingattheapproachingfigurewitheyesinwhichamazementwasfastturningtofierceness。
ArthurDonnithornelookedflushedandexcited；hehadtriedtomakeunpleasantfeelingsmorebearablebydrinkingalittlemorewinethanusualatdinnerto-day，andwasstillenoughunderitsflatteringinfluencetothinkmorelightlyofthisunwished-forrencontrewithAdamthanhewouldotherwisehavedone。Afterall，AdamwasthebestpersonwhocouldhavehappenedtoseehimandHettytogether——hewasasensiblefellow，andwouldnotbabbleaboutittootherpeople。Arthurfeltconfidentthathecouldlaughthethingoffandexplainitaway。Andsohesaunteredforwardwithelaboratecarelessness——hisflushedface，hiseveningdressoffineclothandfinelinen，hishandshalf-thrustintohiswaistcoatpockets，allshoneuponbythestrangeeveninglightwhichthelightcloudshadcaughtupeventothezenith，andwerenowsheddingdownbetweenthetopmostbranchesabovehim。
Adamwasstillmotionless，lookingathimashecameup。Heunderstooditallnow——thelocketandeverythingelsethathadbeendoubtfultohim:aterriblescorchinglightshowedhimthehiddenlettersthatchangedthemeaningofthepast。Ifhehadmovedamuscle，hemustinevitablyhavesprunguponArthurlikeatiger；andintheconflictingemotionsthatfilledthoselongmoments，hehadtoldhimselfthathewouldnotgiveloosetopassion，hewouldonlyspeaktherightthing。Hestoodasifpetrifiedbyanunseenforce，buttheforcewashisownstrongwill。
\"Well，Adam，\"saidArthur，\"you’vebeenlookingatthefineoldbeeches，eh？They’renottobecomenearbythehatchet，though；
thisisasacredgrove。IovertookprettylittleHettySorrelasIwascomingtomyden——theHermitage，there。Sheoughtnottocomehomethiswaysolate。SoItookcareofhertothegate，andaskedforakissformypains。ButImustgetbacknow，forthisroadisconfoundedlydamp。Good-night，Adam。Ishallseeyouto-morrow——tosaygood-bye，youknow。\"
ArthurwastoomuchpreoccupiedwiththeparthewasplayinghimselftobethoroughlyawareoftheexpressioninAdam’sface。
HedidnotlookdirectlyatAdam，butglancedcarelesslyroundatthetreesandthenlifteduponefoottolookatthesoleofhisboot。Hecaredtosaynomore——hehadthrownquitedustenoughintohonestAdam’seyes——andashespokethelastwords，hewalkedon。
\"Stopabit，sir，\"saidAdam，inahardperemptoryvoice，withoutturninground。\"I’vegotawordtosaytoyou。\"
Arthurpausedinsurprise。Susceptiblepersonsaremoreaffectedbyachangeoftonethanbyunexpectedwords，andArthurhadthesusceptibilityofanatureatonceaffectionateandvain。HewasstillmoresurprisedwhenhesawthatAdamhadnotmoved，butstoodwithhisbacktohim，asifsummoninghimtoreturn。Whatdidhemean？Hewasgoingtomakeaseriousbusinessofthisaffair。Arthurfelthistemperrising。Apatronisingdispositionalwayshasitsmeanerside，andintheconfusionofhisirritationandalarmthereenteredthefeelingthatamantowhomhehadshownsomuchfavourastoAdamwasnotinapositiontocriticizehisconduct。Andyethewasdominated，asonewhofeelshimselfinthewrongalwaysis，bythemanwhosegoodopinionhecaresfor。Inspiteofprideandtemper，therewasasmuchdeprecationasangerinhisvoicewhenhesaid，\"Whatdoyoumean，Adam？\"
\"Imean，sir\"——answeredAdam，inthesameharshvoice，stillwithoutturninground——\"Imean，sir，thatyoudon’tdeceivemebyyourlightwords。Thisisnotthefirsttimeyou’vemetHettySorrelinthisgrove，andthisisnotthefirsttimeyou’vekissedher。\"
ArthurfeltastartleduncertaintyhowfarAdamwasspeakingfromknowledge，andhowfarfrommereinference。Andthisuncertainty，whichpreventedhimfromcontrivingaprudentanswer，heightenedhisirritation。Hesaid，inahighsharptone，\"Well，sir，whatthen？\"
\"Why，then，insteadofactingliketh’upright，honourablemanwe’veallbelievedyoutobe，you’vebeenactingthepartofaselfishlight-mindedscoundrel。YouknowaswellasIdowhatit’stoleadtowhenagentlemanlikeyoukissesandmakeslovetoayoungwomanlikeHetty，andgivesherpresentsasshe’sfrightenedforotherfolkstosee。AndIsayitagain，you’reactingthepartofaselfishlight-mindedscoundrelthoughitcutsmetoth’hearttosayso，andI’dratherha’lostmyrighthand。\"
\"Letmetellyou，Adam，\"saidArthur，bridlinghisgrowingangerandtryingtorecurtohiscarelesstone，\"you’renotonlydevilishlyimpertinent，butyou’retalkingnonsense。Everyprettygirlisnotsuchafoolasyou，tosupposethatwhenagentlemanadmiresherbeautyandpaysheralittleattention，hemustmeansomethingparticular。Everymanlikestoflirtwithaprettygirl，andeveryprettygirllikestobeflirtedwith。Thewiderthedistancebetweenthem，thelessharmthereis，forthenshe’snotlikelytodeceiveherself。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbyflirting，\"saidAdam，\"butifyoumeanbehavingtoawomanasifyoulovedher，andyetnotlovingherallthewhile，Isaythat’snotth’actionofanhonestman，andwhatisn’thonestdoescomet’harm。I’mnotafool，andyou’renotafool，andyouknowbetterthanwhatyou’resaying。
Youknowitcouldn’tbemadepublicasyou’vebehavedtoHettyasy’havedonewithoutherlosinghercharacterandbringingshameandtroubleonherandherrelations。Whatifyoumeantnothingbyyourkissingandyourpresents？Otherfolkswon’tbelieveasyou’vemeantnothing；anddon’ttellmeabouthernotdeceivingherself。Itellyouasyou’vefilledhermindsowiththethoughtofyouasit’llmayhappoisonherlife，andshe’llneverloveanothermanas’udmakeheragoodhusband。\"
ArthurhadfeltasuddenreliefwhileAdamwasspeaking；heperceivedthatAdamhadnopositiveknowledgeofthepast，andthattherewasnoirrevocabledamagedonebythisevening’sunfortunaterencontre。Adamcouldstillbedeceived。ThecandidArthurhadbroughthimselfintoapositioninwhichsuccessfullyingwashisonlyhope。Thehopeallayedhisangeralittle。
\"Well，Adam，\"hesaid，inatoneoffriendlyconcession，\"you’reperhapsright。PerhapsI’vegonealittletoofarintakingnoticeoftheprettylittlethingandstealingakissnowandthen。You’resuchagrave，steadyfellow，youdon’tunderstandthetemptationtosuchtrifling。I’msureIwouldn’tbringanytroubleorannoyanceonherandthegoodPoysersonanyaccountifIcouldhelpit。ButIthinkyoulookalittletooseriouslyatit。YouknowI’mgoingawayimmediately，soIshan’tmakeanymoremistakesofthekind。Butletussaygood-night\"——Arthurhereturnedroundtowalkon——\"andtalknomoreaboutthematter。
Thewholethingwillsoonbeforgotten。\"
\"No，byGod！\"Adamburstoutwithragethatcouldbecontrollednolonger，throwingdownthebasketoftoolsandstridingforwardtillhewasrightinfrontofArthur。Allhisjealousyandsenseofpersonalinjury，whichhehadbeenhithertotryingtokeepunder，hadleapedupandmasteredhim。Whatmanofus，inthefirstmomentsofasharpagony，couldeverfeelthatthefellow-
manwhohasbeenthemediumofinflictingitdidnotmeantohurtus？Inourinstinctiverebellionagainstpain，wearechildrenagain，anddemandanactivewilltowreakourvengeanceon。AdamatthismomentcouldonlyfeelthathehadbeenrobbedofHetty——
robbedtreacherouslybythemaninwhomhehadtrusted——andhestoodcloseinfrontofArthur，withfierceeyesglaringathim，withpalelipsandclenchedhands，thehardtonesinwhichhehadhithertobeenconstraininghimselftoexpressnomorethanajustindignationgivingwaytoadeepagitatedvoicethatseemedtoshakehimashespoke。
\"No，it’llnotbesoonforgot，asyou’vecomeinbetweenherandme，whenshemightha’lovedme——it’llnotsoonbeforgotasyou’verobbedmeo’myhappiness，whileIthoughtyouwasmybestfriend，andanoble-mindedman，asIwasproudtoworkfor。Andyou’vebeenkissingher，andmeaningnothing，haveyou？AndI
neverkissedheri’mylife——butI’dha’workedhardforyearsfortherighttokissher。Andyoumakelightofit。Youthinklittleo’doingwhatmaydamageotherfolks，soasyougetyourbito’trifling，asmeansnothing。Ithrowbackyourfavours，foryou’renotthemanItookyoufor。I’llnevercountyoumyfriendanymore。I’dratheryou’dactasmyenemy，andfightmewhereI
stand——it’sallth’amendsyoucanmakeme。\"
PoorAdam，possessedbyragethatcouldfindnoothervent，begantothrowoffhiscoatandhiscap，tooblindwithpassiontonoticethechangethathadtakenplaceinArthurwhilehewasspeaking。Arthur’slipswerenowaspaleasAdam’s；hisheartwasbeatingviolently。ThediscoverythatAdamlovedHettywasashockwhichmadehimforthemomentseehimselfinthelightofAdam’sindignation，andregardAdam’ssufferingasnotmerelyaconsequence，butanelementofhiserror。Thewordsofhatredandcontempt——thefirsthehadeverheardinhislife——seemedlikescorchingmissilesthatweremakingineffaceablescarsonhim。
Allscreeningself-excuse，whichrarelyfallsquiteawaywhileothersrespectus，forsookhimforaninstant，andhestoodfacetofacewiththefirstgreatirrevocableevilhehadevercommitted。Hewasonlytwenty-one，andthreemonthsago——nay，muchlater——hehadthoughtproudlythatnomanshouldeverbeabletoreproachhimjustly。Hisfirstimpulse，iftherehadbeentimeforit，wouldperhapshavebeentoutterwordsofpropitiation；
butAdamhadnosoonerthrownoffhiscoatandcapthanhebecameawarethatArthurwasstandingpaleandmotionless，withhishandsstillthrustinhiswaistcoatpockets。
\"What！\"hesaid，\"won’tyoufightmelikeaman？YouknowIwon’tstrikeyouwhileyoustandso。\"
\"Goaway，Adam，\"saidArthur，\"Idon’twanttofightyou。\"
\"No，\"saidAdam，bitterly；\"youdon’twanttofightme——youthinkI’macommonman，asyoucaninjurewithoutansweringforit。\"
\"Inevermeanttoinjureyou，\"saidArthur，withreturninganger。
\"Ididn’tknowyoulovedher。\"
\"Butyou’vemadeherloveyou，\"saidAdam。\"You’readouble-facedman——I’llneverbelieveawordyousayagain。\"
\"Goaway，Itellyou，\"saidArthur，angrily，\"orweshallbothrepent。\"
\"No，\"saidAdam，withaconvulsedvoice，\"IswearIwon’tgoawaywithoutfightingyou。Doyouwantprovokinganymore？Itellyouyou’reacowardandascoundrel，andIdespiseyou。\"
ThecolourhadallrushedbacktoArthur’sface；inamomenthisrighthandwasclenched，anddealtablowlikelightning，whichsentAdamstaggeringbackward。HisbloodwasasthoroughlyupasAdam’snow，andthetwomen，forgettingtheemotionsthathadgonebefore，foughtwiththeinstinctivefiercenessofpanthersinthedeepeningtwilightdarkenedbythetrees。Thedelicate-handedgentlemanwasamatchfortheworkmanineverythingbutstrength，andArthur’sskillenabledhimtoprotractthestruggleforsomelongmoments。Butbetweenunarmedmenthebattleistothestrong，wherethestrongisnoblunderer，andArthurmustsinkunderawell-plantedblowofAdam’sasasteelrodisbrokenbyanironbar。Theblowsooncame，andArthurfell，hisheadlyingconcealedinatuftoffern，sothatAdamcouldonlydiscernhisdarklycladbody。
HestoodstillinthedimlightwaitingforArthurtorise。
Theblowhadbeengivennow，towardswhichhehadbeenstrainingalltheforceofnerveandmuscle——andwhatwasthegoodofit？
Whathadhedonebyfighting？Onlysatisfiedhisownpassion，onlywreakedhisownvengeance。HehadnotrescuedHetty，norchangedthepast——thereitwas，justasithadbeen，andhesickenedatthevanityofhisownrage。
ButwhydidnotArthurrise？Hewasperfectlymotionless，andthetimeseemedlongtoAdam。GoodGod！hadtheblowbeentoomuchforhim？Adamshudderedatthethoughtofhisownstrength，aswiththeoncomingofthisdreadhekneltdownbyArthur’ssideandliftedhisheadfromamongthefern。Therewasnosignoflife:
theeyesandteethwereset。ThehorrorthatrushedoverAdamcompletelymasteredhim，andforceduponhimitsownbelief。HecouldfeelnothingbutthatdeathwasinArthur’sface，andthathewashelplessbeforeit。Hemadenotasinglemovement，butkneltlikeanimageofdespairgazingatanimageofdeath。
ADilemmaITwasonlyafewminutesmeasuredbytheclock——thoughAdamalwaysthoughtithadbeenalongwhile——beforeheperceivedagleamofconsciousnessinArthur’sfaceandaslightshiverthroughhisframe。Theintensejoythatfloodedhissoulbroughtbacksomeoftheoldaffectionwithit。
\"Doyoufeelanypain，sir？\"hesaid，tenderly，looseningArthur’scravat。
ArthurturnedhiseyesonAdamwithavaguestarewhichgavewaytoaslightlystartledmotionasiffromtheshockofreturningmemory。Butheonlyshiveredagainandsaidnothing。
\"Doyoufeelanyhurt，sir？\"Adamsaidagain，withatremblinginhisvoice。
Arthurputhishanduptohiswaistcoatbuttons，andwhenAdamhadunbuttonedit，hetookalongerbreath。\"Laymyheaddown，\"hesaid，faintly，\"andgetmesomewaterifyoucan。\"
Adamlaidtheheaddowngentlyonthefernagain，andemptyingthetoolsoutoftheflag-basket，hurriedthroughthetreestotheedgeoftheGroveborderingontheChase，whereabrookranbelowthebank。
Whenhereturnedwithhisbasketleaking，butstillhalf-full，Arthurlookedathimwithamorethoroughlyreawakenedconsciousness。
\"Canyoudrinkadropouto’yourhand，sir？\"saidAdam，kneelingdownagaintoliftupArthur’shead。
\"No，\"saidArthur，\"dipmycravatinandsouseitonmyhead。\"
Thewaterseemedtodohimsomegood，forhepresentlyraisedhimselfalittlehigher，restingonAdam’sarm。
\"Doyoufeelanyhurtinsidesir？\"Adamaskedagain\"No——nohurt，\"saidArthur，stillfaintly，\"butratherdoneup。\"
Afterawhilehesaid，\"IsupposeIfaintedawaywhenyouknockedmedown。\"
\"Yes，sir，thankGod，\"saidAdam。\"Ithoughtitwasworse。\"
\"What！Youthoughtyou’ddoneforme，eh？Comehelpmeonmylegs。\"
\"Ifeelterriblyshakyanddizzy，\"Arthursaid，ashestoodleaningonAdam’sarm；\"thatblowofyoursmusthavecomeagainstmelikeabattering-ram。Idon’tbelieveIcanwalkalone。\"
\"Leanonme，sir；I’llgetyoualong，\"saidAdam。\"Or，willyousitdownabitlonger，onmycoathere，andI’llpropy’up。
You’llperhapsbebetterinaminuteortwo。\"
\"No，\"saidArthur。\"I’llgototheHermitage——IthinkI’vegotsomebrandythere。There’sashortroadtoitalittlefartheron，nearthegate。Ifyou’lljusthelpmeon。\"
Theywalkedslowly，withfrequentpauses，butwithoutspeakingagain。Inbothofthem，theconcentrationinthepresentwhichhadattendedthefirstmomentsofArthur’srevivalhadnowgivenwaytoavividrecollectionofthepreviousscene。Itwasnearlydarkinthenarrowpathamongthetrees，butwithinthecircleoffir-treesroundtheHermitagetherewasroomforthegrowingmoonlighttoenterinatthewindows。Theirstepswerenoiselessonthethickcarpetoffir-needles，andtheoutwardstillnessseemedtoheightentheirinwardconsciousness，asArthurtookthekeyoutofhispocketandplaceditinAdam’shand，forhimtoopenthedoor。AdamhadnotknownbeforethatArthurhadfurnishedtheoldHermitageandmadeitaretreatforhimself，anditwasasurprisetohimwhenheopenedthedoortoseeasnugroomwithallthesignsoffrequenthabitation。
ArthurloosedAdam’sarmandthrewhimselfontheottoman。
\"You’llseemyhunting-bottlesomewhere，\"hesaid。\"Aleathercasewithabottleandglassin。\"
Adamwasnotlonginfindingthecase。\"There’sverylittlebrandyinit，sir，\"hesaid，turningitdownwardsovertheglass，ashehelditbeforethewindow；\"hardlythislittleglassful。\"
\"Well，givemethat，\"saidArthur，withthepeevishnessofphysicaldepression。Whenhehadtakensomesips，Adamsaid，\"Hadn’tIbetterruntoth’house，sir，andgetsomemorebrandy？
Icanbethereandbackprettysoon。It’llbeastiffwalkhomeforyou，ifyoudon’thavesomethingtoreviveyou。\"
\"Yes——go。Butdon’tsayI’mill。AskformymanPym，andtellhimtogetitfromMills，andnottosayI’mattheHermitage。
Getsomewatertoo。\"
Adamwasrelievedtohaveanactivetask——bothofthemwererelievedtobeapartfromeachotherforashorttime。ButAdam’sswiftpacecouldnotstilltheeagerpainofthinking——oflivingagainwithconcentratedsufferingthroughthelastwretchedhour，andlookingoutfromitoverallthenewsadfuture。
ArthurlaystillforsomeminutesafterAdamwasgone，butpresentlyherosefeeblyfromtheottomanandpeeredaboutslowlyinthebrokenmoonlight，seekingsomething。Itwasashortbitofwaxcandlethatstoodamongstaconfusionofwritinganddrawingmaterials。Therewasmoresearchingforthemeansoflightingthecandle，andwhenthatwasdone，hewentcautiouslyroundtheroom，asifwishingtoassurehimselfofthepresenceorabsenceofsomething。Atlasthehadfoundaslightthing，whichheputfirstinhispocket，andthen，onasecondthought，tookoutagainandthrustdeepdownintoawaste-paperbasket。Itwasawoman’slittle，pink，silkneckerchief。Hesetthecandleonthetable，andthrewhimselfdownontheottomanagain，exhaustedwiththeeffort。
WhenAdamcamebackwithhissupplies，hisentranceawokeArthurfromadoze。
\"That’sright，\"Arthursaid；\"I’mtremendouslyinwantofsomebrandy-vigour。\"
\"I’mgladtoseeyou’vegotalight，sir，\"saidAdam。\"I’vebeenthinkingI’dbetterhaveaskedforalanthorn。\"
\"No，no；thecandlewilllastlongenough——Ishallsoonbeuptowalkinghomenow。\"
\"Ican’tgobeforeI’veseenyousafehome，sir，\"saidAdam，hesitatingly。
\"No:itwillbebetterforyoutostay——sitdown。\"
Adamsatdown，andtheyremainedoppositetoeachotherinuneasysilence，whileArthurslowlydrankbrandy-and-water，withvisiblyrenovatingeffect。Hebegantolieinamorevoluntaryposition，andlookedasifhewerelessoverpoweredbybodilysensations。
Adamwaskeenlyalivetotheseindications，andashisanxietyaboutArthur’sconditionbegantobeallayed，hefeltmoreofthatimpatiencewhicheveryoneknowswhohashadhisjustindignationsuspendedbythephysicalstateoftheculprit。Yettherewasonethingonhismindtobedonebeforehecouldrecurtoremonstrance:itwastoconfesswhathadbeenunjustinhisownwords。Perhapshelongedallthemoretomakethisconfession，thathisindignationmightbefreeagain；andashesawthesignsofreturningeaseinArthur，thewordsagainandagaincametohislipsandwentback，checkedbythethoughtthatitwouldbebettertoleaveeverythingtillto-morrow。Aslongastheyweresilenttheydidnotlookateachother，andaforebodingcameacrossAdamthatiftheybegantospeakasthoughtheyrememberedthepast——iftheylookedateachotherwithfullrecognition——theymusttakefireagain。Sotheysatinsilencetillthebitofwaxcandleflickeredlowinthesocket，thesilenceallthewhilebecomingmoreirksometoAdam。Arthurhadjustpouredoutsomemorebrandy-and-water，andhethrewonearmbehindhisheadanddrewuponeleginanattitudeofrecoveredease，whichwasanirresistibletemptationtoAdamtospeakwhatwasonhismind。
\"Youbegintofeelmoreyourselfagain，sir，\"hesaid，asthecandlewentoutandtheywerehalf-hiddenfromeachotherinthefaintmoonlight。
\"Yes:Idon’tfeelgoodformuch——verylazy，andnotinclinedtomove；butI’llgohomewhenI’vetakenthisdose。\"
TherewasaslightpausebeforeAdamsaid，\"Mytempergotthebetterofme，andIsaidthingsaswasn’ttrue。I’dnorighttospeakasifyou’dknownyouwasdoingmeaninjury:you’dnogroundsforknowingit；I’vealwayskeptwhatIfeltforherassecretasIcould。\"
Hepausedagainbeforehewenton。
\"AndperhapsIjudgedyoutooharsh——I’mapttobeharsh——andyoumayhaveactedouto’thoughtlessnessmorethanIshouldha’
believedwaspossibleforamanwithaheartandaconscience。
We’renotallputtogetheralike，andwemaymisjudgeoneanother。
Godknows，it’sallthejoyIcouldhavenow，tothinkthebestofyou。\"
Arthurwantedtogohomewithoutsayinganymore——hewastoopainfullyembarrassedinmind，aswellastooweakinbody，towishforanyfurtherexplanationto-night。AndyetitwasarelieftohimthatAdamreopenedthesubjectinawaytheleastdifficultforhimtoanswer。Arthurwasinthewretchedpositionofanopen，generousmanwhohascommittedanerrorwhichmakesdeceptionseemanecessity。Thenativeimpulsetogivetruthinreturnfortruth，tomeettrustwithfrankconfession，mustbesuppressed，anddutywasbecomingaquestionoftactics。Hisdeedwasreactinguponhim——wasalreadygoverninghimtyrannouslyandforcinghimintoacoursethatjarredwithhishabitualfeelings。
TheonlyaimthatseemedadmissibletohimnowwastodeceiveAdamtotheutmost:tomakeAdamthinkbetterofhimthanhedeserved。
Andwhenheheardthewordsofhonestretractation——whenheheardthesadappealwithwhichAdamended——hewasobligedtorejoiceintheremainsofignorantconfidenceitimplied。Hedidnotanswerimmediately，forhehadtobejudiciousandnottruthful。
\"Saynomoreaboutouranger，Adam，\"hesaid，atlast，verylanguidly，forthelabourofspeechwasunwelcometohim；\"I
forgiveyourmomentaryinjustice——itwasquitenatural，withtheexaggeratednotionsyouhadinyourmind。Weshallbenonetheworsefriendsinfuture，Ihope，becausewe’vefought。Youhadthebestofit，andthatwasasitshouldbe，forIbelieveI’vebeenmostinthewrongofthetwo。Come，letusshakehands。\"
Arthurheldouthishand，butAdamsatstill。
\"Idon’tliketosay’No’tothat，sir，\"hesaid，\"butIcan’tshakehandstillit’sclearwhatwemeanby’t。IwaswrongwhenI
spokeasifyou’ddonemeaninjuryknowingly，butIwasn’twronginwhatIsaidbefore，aboutyourbehaviourt’Hetty，andIcan’tshakehandswithyouasifIheldyoumyfriendthesameasevertillyou’veclearedthatupbetter。\"
Arthurswallowedhisprideandresentmentashedrewbackhishand。Hewassilentforsomemoments，andthensaid，asindifferentlyashecould，\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbyclearingup，Adam。I’vetoldyoualreadythatyouthinktooseriouslyofalittleflirtation。Butifyouarerightinsupposingthereisanydangerinit——I’mgoingawayonSaturday，andtherewillbeanendofit。Asforthepainithasgivenyou，I’mheartilysorryforit。Icansaynomore。\"
Adamsaidnothing，butrosefromhischairandstoodwithhisfacetowardsoneofthewindows，asiflookingattheblacknessofthemoonlitfir-trees；buthewasinrealityconsciousofnothingbuttheconflictwithinhim。Itwasofnousenow——hisresolutionnottospeaktillto-morrow。Hemustspeakthereandthen。ButitwasseveralminutesbeforeheturnedroundandsteppednearertoArthur，standingandlookingdownonhimashelay。
\"It’llbebetterformetospeakplain，\"hesaid，withevidenteffort，\"thoughit’shardwork。Yousee，sir，thisisn’tatrifletome，whateveritmaybetoyou。I’mnoneo’themmenascangomakinglovefirsttoonewomanandthent’another，anddon’tthinkitmuchoddswhichof’emItake。WhatIfeelforHetty’sadifferentsorto’love，suchasIbelievenobodycanknowmuchaboutbutthemasfeelitandGodashasgivenitto’em。She’smorenoreverythingelsetome，allbutmyconscienceandmygoodname。Andifit’struewhatyou’vebeensayingallalong——andifit’sonlybeentriflingandflirtingasyoucallit，as’llbeputanendtobyyourgoingaway——why，then，I’dwait，andhopeherheart’udturntomeafterall。I’mloathtothinkyou’dspeakfalsetome，andI’llbelieveyourword，howeverthingsmaylook。\"
\"YouwouldbewrongingHettymorethanmenottobelieveit，\"saidArthur，almostviolently，startingupfromtheottomanandmovingaway。Buthethrewhimselfintoachairagaindirectly，saying，morefeebly，\"Youseemtoforgetthat，insuspectingme，youarecastingimputationsuponher。\"
\"Nay，sir，\"Adamsaid，inacalmervoice，asifhewerehalf-
relieved——forhewastoostraightforwardtomakeadistinctionbetweenadirectfalsehoodandanindirectone——\"Nay，sir，thingsdon’tlielevelbetweenHettyandyou。You’reactingwithyoureyesopen，whateveryoumaydo；buthowdoyouknowwhat’sbeeninhermind？She’sallbutachild——asanymanwithaconscienceinhimoughttofeelboundtotakecareon。Andwhateveryoumaythink，Iknowyou’vedisturbedhermind。Iknowshe’sbeenfixingherheartonyou，forthere’samanythingscleartomenowasI
didn’tunderstandbefore。Butyouseemtomakelighto’whatshemayfeel——youdon’tthinko’that。\"
\"GoodGod，Adam，letmealone！\"Arthurburstoutimpetuously；\"I
feelitenoughwithoutyourworryingme。\"
Hewasawareofhisindiscretionassoonasthewordshadescapedhim。
\"Well，then，ifyoufeelit，\"Adamrejoined，eagerly；\"ifyoufeelasyoumayha’putfalsenotionsintohermind，andmadeherbelieveasyoulovedher，whenallthewhileyoumeantnothing，I’vethisdemandtomakeofyou——I’mnotspeakingformyself，butforher。Iaskyout’undeceiveherbeforeyougoaway。Y’aren’tgoingawayforever，andifyouleaveherbehindwithanotioninherheado’yourfeelingaboutherthesameasshefeelsaboutyou，she’llbehankeringafteryou，andthemischiefmaygetworse。Itmaybeasmarttohernow，butit’llsaveherpaini’
th’end。Iaskyoutowritealetter——youmaytrusttomyseeingasshegetsit。Tellherthetruth，andtakeblametoyourselfforbehavingasyou’dnorighttodotoayoungwomanasisn’tyourequal。Ispeakplain，sir，butIcan’tspeakanyotherway。
There’snobodycantakecareo’Hettyinthisthingbutme。\"
\"IcandowhatIthinkneedfulinthematter，\"saidArthur，moreandmoreirritatedbymingleddistressandperplexity，\"withoutgivingpromisestoyou。IshalltakewhatmeasuresIthinkproper。\"
\"No，\"saidAdam，inanabruptdecidedtone，\"thatwon’tdo。I
mustknowwhatgroundI’mtreadingon。Imustbesafeasyou’veputanendtowhatoughtnevertoha’beenbegun。Idon’tforgetwhat’sowingtoyouasagentleman，butinthisthingwe’remanandman，andIcan’tgiveup。\"
Therewasnoanswerforsomemoments。ThenArthursaid，\"I’llseeyouto-morrow。Icanbearnomorenow；I’mill。\"Heroseashespoke，andreachedhiscap，asifintendingtogo。
\"Youwon’tseeheragain！\"Adamexclaimed，withaflashofrecurringangerandsuspicion，movingtowardsthedoorandplacinghisbackagainstit。\"Eithertellmeshecanneverbemywife——
tellmeyou’vebeenlying——orelsepromisemewhatI’vesaid。\"
Adam，utteringthisalternative，stoodlikeaterriblefatebeforeArthur，whohadmovedforwardasteportwo，andnowstopped，faint，shaken，sickinmindandbody。Itseemedlongtobothofthem——thatinwardstruggleofArthur’s——beforehesaid，feebly，\"I
promise；letmego。\"
Adammovedawayfromthedoorandopenedit，butwhenArthurreachedthestep，hestoppedagainandleanedagainstthedoor-
post。
\"You’renotwellenoughtowalkalone，sir，\"saidAdam。\"Takemyarmagain。\"
Arthurmadenoanswer，andpresentlywalkedon，Adamfollowing。
But，afterafewsteps，hestoodstillagain，andsaid，coldly，\"I
believeImusttroubleyou。It’sgettinglatenow，andtheremaybeanalarmsetupaboutmeathome。\"
Adamgavehisarm，andtheywalkedonwithoututteringaword，tilltheycamewherethebasketandthetoolslay。
\"Imustpickupthetools，sir，\"Adamsaid。\"They’remybrother’s。Idoubtthey’llberusted。Ifyou’llpleasetowaitaminute。\"
Arthurstoodstillwithoutspeaking，andnootherwordpassedbetweenthemtilltheywereatthesideentrance，wherehehopedtogetinwithoutbeingseenbyanyone。Hesaidthen，\"Thankyou；Ineedn’ttroubleyouanyfurther。\"
\"Whattimewillitbeconven’entformetoseeyouto-morrow，sir？\"saidAdam。
\"Youmaysendmewordthatyou’rehereatfiveo’clock，\"saidArthur；\"notbefore。\"
\"Good-night，sir，\"saidAdam。Butheheardnoreply；Arthurhadturnedintothehouse。
ChapterXXIX
TheNextMorningARTHURdidnotpassasleeplessnight；hesleptlongandwell。
Forsleepcomestotheperplexed——iftheperplexedareonlywearyenough。ButatsevenheranghisbellandastonishedPymbydeclaringhewasgoingtogetup，andmusthavebreakfastbroughttohimateight。
\"Andseethatmymareissaddledathalf-pasteight，andtellmygrandfatherwhenhe’sdownthatI’mbetterthismorningandamgoneforaride。\"
Hehadbeenawakeanhour，andcouldrestinbednolonger。Inbedouryesterdaysaretoooppressive:ifamancanonlygetup，thoughitbebuttowhistleortosmoke，hehasapresentwhichofferssomeresistancetothepast——sensationswhichassertthemselvesagainsttyrannousmemories。Andifthereweresuchathingastakingaveragesoffeeling，itwouldcertainlybefoundthatinthehuntingandshootingseasonsregret，self-reproach，andmortifiedprideweighlighteroncountrygentlementhaninlatespringandsummer。Arthurfeltthatheshouldbemoreofamanonhorseback。EventhepresenceofPym，waitingonhimwiththeusualdeference，wasareassurancetohimafterthescenesofyesterday。For，withArthur’ssensitivenesstoopinion，thelossofAdam’srespectwasashocktohisself-contentmentwhichsuffusedhisimaginationwiththesensethathehadsunkinalleyes——asasuddenshockoffearfromsomerealperilmakesanervouswomanafraideventostep，becauseallherperceptionsaresuffusedwithasenseofdanger。
Arthur’s，asyouknow，wasalovingnature。Deedsofkindnesswereaseasytohimasabadhabit:theywerethecommonissueofhisweaknessesandgoodqualities，ofhisegoismandhissympathy。
Hedidn’tliketowitnesspain，andhelikedtohavegratefuleyesbeamingonhimasthegiverofpleasure。Whenhewasaladofseven，heonedaykickeddownanoldgardener’spitcherofbroth，fromnomotivebutakickingimpulse，notreflectingthatitwastheoldman’sdinner；butonlearningthatsadfact，hetookhisfavouritepencil-caseandasilver-haftedknifeoutofhispocketandofferedthemascompensation。HehadbeenthesameArthureversince，tryingtomakealloffencesforgotteninbenefits。Iftherewereanybitternessinhisnature，itcouldonlyshowitselfagainstthemanwhorefusedtobeconciliatedbyhim。Andperhapsthetimewascomeforsomeofthatbitternesstorise。Atthefirstmoment，Arthurhadfeltpuredistressandself-reproachatdiscoveringthatAdam’shappinesswasinvolvedinhisrelationtoHetty。IftherehadbeenapossibilityofmakingAdamtenfoldamends——ifdeedsofgift，oranyotherdeeds，couldhaverestoredAdam’scontentmentandregardforhimasabenefactor，Arthurwouldnotonlyhaveexecutedthemwithouthesitation，butwouldhavefeltboundallthemorecloselytoAdam，andwouldneverhavebeenwearyofmakingretribution。ButAdamcouldreceivenoamends；hissufferingcouldnotbecancelled；hisrespectandaffectioncouldnotberecoveredbyanypromptdeedsofatonement。
Hestoodlikeanimmovableobstacleagainstwhichnopressurecouldavail；anembodimentofwhatArthurmostshrankfrombelievingin——theirrevocablenessofhisownwrongdoing。Thewordsofscorn，therefusaltoshakehands，themasteryassertedoverhimintheirlastconversationintheHermitage——aboveall，thesenseofhavingbeenknockeddown，towhichamandoesnotverywellreconcilehimself，evenunderthemostheroiccircumstances——pressedonhimwithagallingpainwhichwasstrongerthancompunction。Arthurwouldsogladlyhavepersuadedhimselfthathehaddonenoharm！Andifnoonehadtoldhimthecontrary，hecouldhavepersuadedhimselfsomuchbetter。Nemesiscanseldomforgeaswordforherselfoutofourconsciences——outofthesufferingwefeelinthesufferingwemayhavecaused:
thereisrarelymetalenoughtheretomakeaneffectiveweapon。
Ourmoralsenselearnsthemannersofgoodsocietyandsmileswhenotherssmile，butwhensomerudepersongivesroughnamestoouractions，sheisapttotakepartagainstus。AndsoitwaswithArthur:Adam’sjudgmentofhim，Adam’sgratingwords，disturbedhisself-soothingarguments。
NotthatArthurhadbeenateasebeforeAdam’sdiscovery。
Strugglesandresolveshadtransformedthemselvesintocompunctionandanxiety。HewasdistressedforHetty’ssake，anddistressedforhisown，thathemustleaveherbehind。Hehadalways，bothinmakingandbreakingresolutions，lookedbeyondhispassionandseenthatitmustspeedilyendinseparation；buthisnaturewastooardentandtenderforhimnottosufferatthisparting；andonHetty’saccounthewasfilledwithuneasiness。Hehadfoundoutthedreaminwhichshewasliving——thatshewastobealadyinsilksandsatins——andwhenhehadfirsttalkedtoherabouthisgoingaway，shehadaskedhimtremblinglytolethergowithhimandbemarried。ItwashispainfulknowledgeofthiswhichhadgiventhemostexasperatingstingtoAdam’sreproaches。Hehadsaidnowordwiththepurposeofdeceivingher——hervisionwasallspunbyherownchildishfancy——buthewasobligedtoconfesstohimselfthatitwasspunhalfoutofhisownactions。Andtoincreasethemischief，onthislasteveninghehadnotdaredtohintthetruthtoHetty；hehadbeenobligedtosootheherwithtender，hopefulwords，lestheshouldthrowherintoviolentdistress。Hefeltthesituationacutely，feltthesorrowofthedearthinginthepresent，andthoughtwithadarkeranxietyofthetenacitywhichherfeelingsmighthaveinthefuture。Thatwastheonesharppointwhichpressedagainsthim；everyotherhecouldevadebyhopefulself-persuasion。Thewholethinghadbeensecret；thePoysershadnottheshadowofasuspicion。Noone，exceptAdam，knewanythingofwhathadpassed——nooneelsewaslikelytoknow；forArthurhadimpressedonHettythatitwouldbefataltobetray，bywordorlook，thattherehadbeentheleastintimacybetweenthem；andAdam，whoknewhalftheirsecret，wouldratherhelpthemtokeepitthanbetrayit。Itwasanunfortunatebusinessaltogether，buttherewasnouseinmakingitworsethanitwasbyimaginaryexaggerationsandforebodingsofevilthatmightnevercome。ThetemporarysadnessforHettywastheworstconsequence；heresolutelyturnedawayhiseyesfromanybadconsequencethatwasnotdemonstrablyinevitable。But——butHettymighthavehadthetroubleinsomeotherwayifnotinthis。Andperhapshereafterhemightbeabletodoagreatdealforherandmakeuptoherforallthetearsshewouldshedabouthim。Shewouldowetheadvantageofhiscareforherinfutureyearstothesorrowshehadincurrednow。Sogoodcomesoutofevil。Suchisthebeautifularrangementofthings！
AreyouinclinedtoaskwhetherthiscanbethesameArthurwho，twomonthsago，hadthatfreshnessoffeeling，thatdelicatehonourwhichshrinksfromwoundingevenasentiment，anddoesnotcontemplateanymorepositiveoffenceaspossibleforit？——whothoughtthathisownself-respectwasahighertribunalthananyexternalopinion？Thesame，Iassureyou，onlyunderdifferentconditions。Ourdeedsdetermineus，asmuchaswedetermineourdeeds，anduntilweknowwhathasbeenorwillbethepeculiarcombinationofoutwardwithinwardfacts，whichconstitutesaman’scriticalactions，itwillbebetternottothinkourselveswiseabouthischaracter。Thereisaterriblecoercioninourdeeds，whichmayfirstturnthehonestmanintoadeceiverandthenreconcilehimtothechange，forthisreason——thatthesecondwrongpresentsitselftohimintheguiseoftheonlypracticableright。Theactionwhichbeforecommissionhasbeenseenwiththatblendedcommonsenseandfreshuntarnishedfeelingwhichisthehealthyeyeofthesoul，islookedatafterwardswiththelensofapologeticingenuity，throughwhichallthingsthatmencallbeautifulanduglyareseentobemadeupoftexturesverymuchalike。Europeadjustsitselftoafaitaccompli，andsodoesanindividualcharacter——untiltheplacidadjustmentisdisturbedbyaconvulsiveretribution。
Nomancanescapethisvitiatingeffectofanoffenceagainsthisownsentimentofright，andtheeffectwasthestrongerinArthurbecauseofthatveryneedofself-respectwhich，whilehisconsciencewasstillatease，wasoneofhisbestsafeguards。
Self-accusationwastoopainfultohim——hecouldnotfaceit。Hemustpersuadehimselfthathehadnotbeenverymuchtoblame；hebeganeventopityhimselfforthenecessityhewasunderofdeceivingAdam——itwasacoursesoopposedtothehonestyofhisownnature。Butthen，itwastheonlyrightthingtodo。
Well，whateverhadbeenamissinhim，hewasmiserableenoughinconsequence:miserableaboutHetty；miserableaboutthisletterthathehadpromisedtowrite，andthatseemedatonemomenttobeagrossbarbarity，atanotherperhapsthegreatestkindnesshecoulddotoher。Andacrossallthisreflectionwoulddarteverynowandthenasuddenimpulseofpassionatedefiancetowardsallconsequences。HewouldcarryHettyaway，andallotherconsiderationsmightgoto……
Inthisstateofmindthefourwallsofhisroommadeanintolerableprisontohim；theyseemedtoheminandpressdownuponhimallthecrowdofcontradictorythoughtsandconflictingfeelings，someofwhichwouldflyawayintheopenair。Hehadonlyanhourortwotomakeuphismindin，andhemustgetclearandcalm。OnceonMeg’sback，inthefreshairofthatfinemorning，heshouldbemoremasterofthesituation。
Theprettycreaturearchedherbayneckinthesunshine，andpawedthegravel，andtrembledwithpleasurewhenhermasterstrokedhernose，andpattedher，andtalkedtohereveninamorecaressingtonethanusual。Helovedherthebetterbecausesheknewnothingofhissecrets。ButMegwasquiteaswellacquaintedwithhermaster’smentalstateasmanyothersofhersexwiththementalconditionoftheniceyounggentlementowardswhomtheirheartsareinastateofflutteringexpectation。
ArthurcanteredforfivemilesbeyondtheChase，tillhewasatthefootofahillwheretherewerenohedgesortreestohemintheroad。ThenhethrewthebridleonMeg’sneckandpreparedtomakeuphismind。
HettyknewthattheirmeetingyesterdaymustbethelastbeforeArthurwentaway——therewasnopossibilityoftheircontrivinganotherwithoutexcitingsuspicion——andshewaslikeafrightenedchild，unabletothinkofanything，onlyabletocryatthementionofparting，andthenputherfaceuptohavethetearskissedaway。Hecoulddonothingbutcomforther，andlullherintodreamingon。Aletterwouldbeadreadfullyabruptwayofawakeningher！YettherewastruthinwhatAdamsaid——thatitwouldsaveherfromalengtheneddelusion，whichmightbeworsethanasharpimmediatepain。AnditwastheonlywayofsatisfyingAdam，whomustbesatisfied，formorereasonsthanone。
Ifhecouldhaveseenheragain！Butthatwasimpossible；therewassuchathornyhedgeofhindrancesbetweenthem，andanimprudencewouldbefatal。Andyet，ifheCOULDseeheragain，whatgoodwoulditdo？Onlycausehimtosuffermorefromthesightofherdistressandtheremembranceofit。Awayfromhimshewassurroundedbyallthemotivestoself-control。
Asuddendreadherefelllikeashadowacrosshisimagination——thedreadlestsheshoulddosomethingviolentinhergrief；andcloseuponthatdreadcameanother，whichdeepenedtheshadow。Butheshookthemoffwiththeforceofyouthandhope。Whatwasthegroundforpaintingthefutureinthatdarkway？Itwasjustaslikelytobethereverse。Arthurtoldhimselfhedidnotdeservethatthingsshouldturnoutbadly。Hehadnevermeantbeforehandtodoanythinghisconsciencedisapproved；hehadbeenledonbycircumstances。Therewasasortofimplicitconfidenceinhimthathewasreallysuchagoodfellowatbottom，Providencewouldnottreathimharshly。
Atallevents，hecouldn’thelpwhatwouldcomenow:allhecoulddowastotakewhatseemedthebestcourseatthepresentmoment。
AndhepersuadedhimselfthatthatcoursewastomakethewayopenbetweenAdamandHetty。HerheartmightreallyturntoAdam，ashesaid，afterawhile；andinthatcasetherewouldhavebeennogreatharmdone，sinceitwasstillAdam’sardentwishtomakeherhiswife。Tobesure，Adamwasdeceived——deceivedinawaythatArthurwouldhaveresentedasadeepwrongifithadbeenpractisedonhimself。Thatwasareflectionthatmarredtheconsolingprospect。Arthur’scheeksevenburnedinmingledshameandirritationatthethought。Butwhatcouldamandoinsuchadilemma？HewasboundinhonourtosaynowordthatcouldinjureHetty:hisfirstdutywastoguardher。Hewouldneverhavetoldoractedalieonhisownaccount。GoodGod！Whatamiserablefoolhewastohavebroughthimselfintosuchadilemma；andyet，ifeveramanhadexcuses，hehad。(Pitythatconsequencesaredeterminednotbyexcusesbutbyactions！)
Well，thelettermustbewritten；itwastheonlymeansthatpromisedasolutionofthedifficulty。ThetearscameintoArthur’seyesashethoughtofHettyreadingit；butitwouldbealmostashardforhimtowriteit；hewasnotdoinganythingeasytohimself；andthislastthoughthelpedhimtoarriveataconclusion。Hecouldneverdeliberatelyhavetakenastepwhichinflictedpainonanotherandlefthimselfatease。EvenamovementofjealousyatthethoughtofgivingupHettytoAdamwenttoconvincehimthathewasmakingasacrifice。
Whenoncehehadcometothisconclusion，heturnedMegroundandsetoffhomeagaininacanter。Thelettershouldbewrittenthefirstthing，andtherestofthedaywouldbefilledupwithotherbusiness:heshouldhavenotimetolookbehindhim。Happily，IrwineandGawainewerecomingtodinner，andbytwelveo’clockthenextdayheshouldhavelefttheChasemilesbehindhim。
TherewassomesecurityinthisconstantoccupationagainstanuncontrollableimpulseseizinghimtorushtoHettyandthrustintoherhandsomemadpropositionthatwouldundoeverything。
FasterandfasterwentthesensitiveMeg，ateveryslightsignfromherrider，tillthecanterhadpassedintoaswiftgallop。
\"Ithoughttheysaidth’youngmesterwartookilllastnight，\"
saidsouroldJohn，thegroom，atdinner-timeintheservants’
hall。\"He’sbeenridin’fittosplitthemarei’twothisforenoon。\"
\"That’shappenoneo’thesymptims，John，\"saidthefacetiouscoachman。
\"ThenIwishhewarletbloodfor’t，that’sall，\"saidJohn，grimly。
AdamhadbeenearlyattheChasetoknowhowArthurwas，andhadbeenrelievedfromallanxietyabouttheeffectsofhisblowbylearningthathewasgoneoutforaride。Atfiveo’clockhewaspunctuallythereagain，andsentupwordofhisarrival。InafewminutesPymcamedownwithaletterinhishandandgaveittoAdam，sayingthatthecaptainwastoobusytoseehim，andhadwritteneverythinghehadtosay。TheletterwasdirectedtoAdam，buthewentoutofdoorsagainbeforeopeningit。ItcontainedasealedenclosuredirectedtoHetty。OntheinsideofthecoverAdamread:
\"IntheenclosedletterIhavewritteneverythingyouwish。I
leaveittoyoutodecidewhetheryouwillbedoingbesttodeliverittoHettyortoreturnittome。Askyourselfoncemorewhetheryouarenottakingameasurewhichmaypainhermorethanmeresilence。
\"Thereisnoneedforourseeingeachotheragainnow。Weshallmeetwithbetterfeelingssomemonthshence。
A。D。\"
\"Perhapshe’si’th’righton’tnottoseeme，\"thoughtAdam。
\"It’snousemeetingtosaymorehardwords，andit’snousemeetingtoshakehandsandsaywe’refriendsagain。We’renotfriends，an’it’sbetternottopretendit。Iknowforgivenessisaman’sduty，but，tomythinking，thatcanonlymeanasyou’retogiveupallthoughtso’takingrevenge:itcannevermeanasyou’ret’haveyouroldfeelingsbackagain，forthat’snotpossible。He’snotthesamemantome，andIcan’tfeelthesametowardshim。Godhelpme！Idon’tknowwhetherIfeelthesametowardsanybody:IseemasifI’dbeenmeasuringmyworkfromafalseline，andhadgotitalltomeasureoveragain。\"
ButthequestionaboutdeliveringthelettertoHettysoonabsorbedAdam’sthoughts。ArthurhadprocuredsomerelieftohimselfbythrowingthedecisiononAdamwithawarning；andAdam，whowasnotgiventohesitation，hesitatedhere。Hedeterminedtofeelhisway——toascertainaswellashecouldwhatwasHetty’sstateofmindbeforehedecidedondeliveringtheletter。
TheDeliveryoftheLetterTHEnextSundayAdamjoinedthePoysersontheirwayoutofchurch，hopingforaninvitationtogohomewiththem。Hehadtheletterinhispocket，andwasanxioustohaveanopportunityoftalkingtoHettyalone。Hecouldnotseeherfaceatchurch，forshehadchangedherseat，andwhenhecameuptohertoshakehands，hermannerwasdoubtfulandconstrained。Heexpectedthis，foritwasthefirsttimeshehadmethimsinceshehadbeenawarethathehadseenherwithArthurintheGrove。
\"Come，you’llgoonwithus，Adam，\"Mr。Poysersaidwhentheyreachedtheturning；andassoonastheywereinthefieldsAdamventuredtoofferhisarmtoHetty。Thechildrensoongavethemanopportunityoflingeringbehindalittle，andthenAdamsaid:
\"Willyoucontriveformetowalkoutinthegardenabitwithyouthisevening，ifitkeepsfine，Hetty？I’vesomethingpartic’lartotalktoyouabout。\"
Hettysaid，\"Verywell。\"ShewasreallyasanxiousasAdamwasthatsheshouldhavesomeprivatetalkwithhim。ShewonderedwhathethoughtofherandArthur。Hemusthaveseenthemkissing，sheknew，butshehadnoconceptionofthescenethathadtakenplacebetweenArthurandAdam。HerfirstfeelinghadbeenthatAdamwouldbeveryangrywithher，andperhapswouldtellherauntanduncle，butitneverenteredhermindthathewoulddaretosayanythingtoCaptainDonnithorne。Itwasarelieftoherthathebehavedsokindlytoherto-day，andwantedtospeaktoheralone，forshehadtrembledwhenshefoundhewasgoinghomewiththemlestheshouldmean\"totell。\"But，nowhewantedtotalktoherbyherself，sheshouldlearnwhathethoughtandwhathemeanttodo。Shefeltacertainconfidencethatshecouldpersuadehimnottodoanythingshedidnotwanthimtodo；shecouldperhapsevenmakehimbelievethatshedidn’tcareforArthur；andaslongasAdamthoughttherewasanyhopeofherhavinghim，hewoulddojustwhatsheliked，sheknew。Besides，sheMUSTgoonseemingtoencourageAdam，lestheruncleandauntshouldbeangryandsuspectherofhavingsomesecretlover。
Hetty’slittlebrainwasbusywiththiscombinationasshehungonAdam’sarmandsaid\"yes\"or\"no\"tosomeslightobservationsofhisaboutthemanyhawthorn-berriestherewouldbeforthebirdsthisnextwinter，andthelow-hangingcloudsthatwouldhardlyholduptillmorning。Andwhentheyrejoinedherauntanduncle，shecouldpursueherthoughtswithoutinterruption，forMr。Poyserheldthatthoughayoungmanmightliketohavethewomanhewascourtingonhisarm，hewouldneverthelessbegladofalittlereasonabletalkaboutbusinessthewhile；and，forhisownpart，hewascurioustohealthemostrecentnewsabouttheChaseFarm。
So，throughtherestofthewalk，heclaimedAdam’sconversationforhimself，andHettylaidhersmallplotsandimaginedherlittlescenesofcunningblandishment，asshewalkedalongbythehedgerowsonhonestAdam’sarm，quiteaswellasifshehadbeenanelegantlycladcoquettealoneinherboudoir。Forifacountrybeautyinclumsyshoesbeonlyshallow-heartedenough，itisastonishinghowcloselyhermentalprocessesmayresemblethoseofaladyinsocietyandcrinoline，whoappliesherrefinedintellecttotheproblemofcommittingindiscretionswithoutcompromisingherself。PerhapstheresemblancewasnotmuchthelessbecauseHettyfeltveryunhappyallthewhile。ThepartingwithArthurwasadoublepaintoher——minglingwiththetumultofpassionandvanitytherewasadimundefinedfearthatthefuturemightshapeitselfinsomewayquiteunlikeherdream。SheclungtothecomfortinghopefulwordsArthurhadutteredintheirlastmeeting——
\"IshallcomeagainatChristmas，andthenwewillseewhatcanbedone。\"Sheclungtothebeliefthathewassofondofher，hewouldneverbehappywithouther；andshestillhuggedhersecret——
thatagreatgentlemanlovedher——withgratifiedpride，asasuperiorityoverallthegirlssheknew。Buttheuncertaintyofthefuture，thepossibilitiestowhichshecouldgivenoshape，begantopressuponherliketheinvisibleweightofair；shewasaloneonherlittleislandofdreams，andallaroundherwasthedarkunknownwaterwhereArthurwasgone。Shecouldgathernoelationofspiritsnowbylookingforward，butonlybylookingbackwardtobuildconfidenceonpastwordsandcaresses。Butoccasionally，sinceThursdayevening，herdimanxietieshadbeenalmostlostbehindthemoredefinitefearthatAdammightbetraywhatheknewtoheruncleandaunt，andhissuddenpropositiontotalkwithheralonehadsetherthoughtstoworkinanewway。
Shewaseagernottolosethisevening’sopportunity；andaftertea，whentheboysweregoingintothegardenandTottybeggedtogowiththem，Hettysaid，withanalacritythatsurprisedMrs。
Poyser，\"I’llgowithher，Aunt。\"
ItdidnotseematallsurprisingthatAdamsaidhewouldgotoo，andsoonheandHettywereleftalonetogetheronthewalkbythefilbert-trees，whiletheboyswerebusyelsewheregatheringthelargeunripenutstoplayat\"cob-nut\"with，andTottywaswatchingthemwithapuppylikeairofcontemplation。Itwasbutashorttime——hardlytwomonths——sinceAdamhadhadhismindfilledwithdelicioushopesashestoodbyHetty’ssideunthisgarden。
TheremembranceofthatscenehadoftenbeenwithhimsinceThursdayevening:thesunlightthroughtheapple-treeboughs，theredbunches，Hetty’ssweetblush。Itcameimportunatelynow，onthissadevening，withthelow-hangingclouds，buthetriedtosuppressit，lestsomeemotionshouldimpelhimtosaymorethanwasneedfulforHetty’ssake。
\"AfterwhatIsawonThursdaynight，Hetty，\"hebegan，\"youwon’tthinkmemakingtoofreeinwhatI’mgoingtosay。Ifyouwasbeingcourtedbyanymanas’udmakeyouhiswife，andI’dknownyouwasfondofhimandmeanttohavehim，Ishouldhavenorighttospeakawordtoyouaboutit；butwhenIseeyou’rebeingmadelovetobyagentlemanascannevermarryyou，anddoesnathinko’
marryingyou，Ifeelboundt’interfereforyou。Ican’tspeakaboutittothemasarei’theplaceo’yourparents，forthatmightbringworsetroublethan’sneedful。\"
Adam’swordsrelievedoneofHetty’sfears，buttheyalsocarriedameaningwhichsickenedherwithastrengthenedforeboding。Shewaspaleandtrembling，andyetshewouldhaveangrilycontradictedAdam，ifshehaddaredtobetrayherfeelings。Butshewassilent。
\"You’resoyoung，youknow，Hetty，\"hewenton，almosttenderly，\"andy’haven’tseenmucho’whatgoesonintheworld。It’srightformetodowhatIcantosaveyoufromgettingintotroubleforwanto’yourknowingwhereyou’rebeingledto。IfanybodybesidesmeknewwhatIknowaboutyourmeetingagentlemanandhavingfinepresentsfromhim，they’dspeaklightonyou，andyou’dloseyourcharacter。Andbesidesthat，you’llhavetosufferinyourfeelings，wi’givingyourlovetoamanascannevermarryyou，soashemighttakecareofyouallyourlife。\"
AdampausedandlookedatHetty，whowaspluckingtheleavesfromthefilbert-treesandtearingthemupinherhand。Herlittleplansandpreconcertedspeecheshadallforsakenher，likeanill-
learntlesson，undertheterribleagitationproducedbyAdam’swords。Therewasacruelforceintheircalmcertaintywhichthreatenedtograppleandcrushherflimsyhopesandfancies。Shewantedtoresistthem——shewantedtothrowthemoffwithangrycontradiction——butthedeterminationtoconcealwhatshefeltstillgovernedher。Itwasnothingmorethanablindpromptingnow，forshewasunabletocalculatetheeffectofherwords。
\"You’venorighttosayasIlovehim，\"shesaid，faintly，butimpetuously，pluckinganotherroughleafandtearingitup。Shewasverybeautifulinherpalenessandagitation，withherdarkchildisheyesdilatedandherbreathshorterthanusual。Adam’sheartyearnedoverherashelookedather。Ah，ifhecouldbutcomforther，andsootheher，andsaveherfromthispain；ifhehadbutsomesortofstrengththatwouldenablehimtorescueherpoortroubledmind，ashewouldhaverescuedherbodyinthefaceofalldanger！
\"Idoubtitmustbeso，Hetty，\"hesaid，tenderly；\"forIcannabelieveyou’dletanymankissyoubyyourselves，andgiveyouagoldboxwithhishair，andgoa-walkingi’theGrovetomeethim，ifyoudidnalovehim。I’mnotblamingyou，forIknowit’udbeginbylittleandlittle，tillatlastyou’dnotbeabletothrowitoff。It’shimIblameforstealingyourlovei’thatway，whenheknewhecouldnevermakeyoutherightamends。He’sbeentriflingwithyou，andmakingaplaythingofyou，andcaringnothingaboutyouasamanoughttocare。\"
\"Yes，hedoescareforme；Iknowbetternoryou，\"Hettyburstout。EverythingwasforgottenbutthepainandangershefeltatAdam’swords。
\"Nay，Hetty，\"saidAdam，\"ifhe’dcaredforyourightly，he’dneverha’behavedso。Hetoldmehimselfhemeantnothingbyhiskissingandpresents，andhewantedtomakemebelieveasyouthoughtlightof’emtoo。ButIknowbetternorthat。Ican’thelpthinkingasyou’vebeentrustingtohislovingyouwellenoughtomarryyou，forallhe’sagentleman。Andthat’swhyI
mustspeaktoyouaboutit，Hetty，forfearyoushouldbedeceivingyourself。It’sneverenteredhisheadthethoughto’
marryingyou。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？Howdurstyousayso？\"saidHetty，pausinginherwalkandtrembling。TheterribledecisionofAdam’stoneshookherwithfear。ShehadnopresenceofmindleftforthereflectionthatArthurwouldhavehisreasonsfornottellingthetruthtoAdam。HerwordsandlookwereenoughtodetermineAdam:
hemustgivehertheletter。
\"Perhapsyoucan’tbelieveme，Hetty，becauseyouthinktoowellofhim——becauseyouthinkhelovesyoubetterthanhedoes。ButI’vegotaletteri’mypocket，ashewrotehimselfformetogiveyou。I’venotreadtheletter，buthesayshe’stoldyouthetruthinit。ButbeforeIgiveyoutheletter，consider，Hetty，anddon’tletittaketoomuchholdonyou。Itwouldnaha’beengoodforyouifhe’dwantedtodosuchamadthingasmarryyou:
it’udha’ledtonohappinessi’th’end。\"
Hettysaidnothing；shefeltarevivalofhopeatthementionofaletterwhichAdamhadnotread。Therewouldbesomethingquitedifferentinitfromwhathethought。
Adamtookouttheletter，buthehelditinhishandstill，whilehesaid，inatoneoftenderentreaty，\"Don’tyoubearmeillwill，Hetty，becauseI’mthemeanso’bringingyouthispain。GodknowsI’dha’borneagooddealworseforthesakeo’sparingityou。Andthink——there’snobodybutmeknowsaboutthis，andI’lltakecareofyouasifIwasyourbrother。You’rethesameasevertome，forIdon’tbelieveyou’vedoneanywrongknowingly。\"
Hettyhadlaidherhandontheletter，butAdamdidnotlooseittillhehaddonespeaking。Shetooknonoticeofwhathesaid——
shehadnotlistened；butwhenheloosedtheletter，sheputitintoherpocket，withoutopeningit，andthenbegantowalkmorequickly，asifshewantedtogoin。
\"You’reintherightnottoreaditjustyet，\"saidAdam。\"Readitwhenyou’rebyyourself。Butstayoutalittlebitlonger，andletuscallthechildren:youlooksowhiteandill，yourauntmaytakenoticeofit。\"
