I’veagreatdealthat’spainfulonmymind，andIfindithardworktobequitesilentaboutmyownfeelingsandonlyattendtoothers。IshareyourconcernforAdam，thoughheisnottheonlyonewhosesufferingsIcareforinthisaffair。HeintendstoremainatStonitontillafterthetrial:itwillcomeonprobablyaweekto-morrow。Hehastakenaroomthere，andIencouragedhimtodoso，becauseIthinkitbetterheshouldbeawayfromhisownhomeatpresent；and，poorfellow，hestillbelievesHettyisinnocent——hewantstosummonupcouragetoseeherifhecan；heisunwillingtoleavethespotwheresheis。\"
\"Doyouthinkthecreatur’sguilty，then？\"saidBartle。\"Doyouthinkthey’llhangher？\"
\"I’mafraiditwillgohardwithher。Theevidenceisverystrong。Andonebadsymptomisthatshedenieseverything——deniesthatshehashadachildinthefaceofthemostpositiveevidence。Isawhermyself，andshewasobstinatelysilenttome；
sheshrankuplikeafrightenedanimalwhenshesawme。Iwasneversoshockedinmylifeasatthechangeinher。ButItrustthat，intheworstcase，wemayobtainapardonforthesakeoftheinnocentwhoareinvolved。\"
\"Stuffandnonsense！\"saidBartle，forgettinginhisirritationtowhomhewasspeaking。\"Ibegyourpardon，sir，Imeanit’sstuffandnonsensefortheinnocenttocareaboutherbeinghanged。Formyownpart，Ithinkthesoonersuchwomenareputouto’theworldthebetter；andthementhathelp’emtodomischiefhadbettergoalongwith’emforthatmatter。Whatgoodwillyoudobykeepingsuchverminalive，eatingthevictualthat’udfeedrationalbeings？ButifAdam’sfoolenoughtocareaboutit，I
don’twanthimtosuffermorethan’sneedful……Isheverymuchcutup，poorfellow？\"Bartleadded，takingouthisspectaclesandputtingthemon，asiftheywouldassisthisimagination。
\"Yes，I’mafraidthegriefcutsverydeep，\"saidMr。Irwine。\"Helooksterriblyshattered，andacertainviolencecameoverhimnowandthenyesterday，whichmademewishIcouldhaveremainednearhim。ButIshallgotoStonitonagainto-morrow，andIhaveconfidenceenoughinthestrengthofAdam’sprincipletotrustthathewillbeabletoenduretheworstwithoutbeingdriventoanythingrash。\"
Mr。Irwine，whowasinvoluntarilyutteringhisownthoughtsratherthanaddressingBartleMasseyinthelastsentence，hadinhismindthepossibilitythatthespiritofvengeanceto-wardsArthur，whichwastheformAdam’sanguishwascontinuallytaking，mightmakehimseekanencounterthatwaslikelytoendmorefatallythantheoneintheGrove。ThispossibilityheightenedtheanxietywithwhichhelookedforwardtoArthur’sarrival。ButBartlethoughtMr。Irwinewasreferringtosuicide，andhisfaceworeanewalarm。
\"I’lltellyouwhatIhaveinmyhead，sir，\"hesaid，\"andIhopeyou’llapproveofit。I’mgoingtoshutupmyschool——ifthescholarscome，theymustgobackagain，that’sall——andIshallgotoStonitonandlookafterAdamtillthisbusinessisover。I’llpretendI’mcometolookonattheassizes；hecan’tobjecttothat。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，sir？\"
\"Well，\"saidMr。Irwine，ratherhesitatingly，\"therewouldbesomerealadvantagesinthat……andIhonouryouforyourfriendshiptowardshim，Bartle。But……youmustbecarefulwhatyousaytohim，youknow。I’mafraidyouhavetoolittlefellow-feelinginwhatyouconsiderhisweaknessaboutHetty。\"
\"Trusttome，sir——trusttome。Iknowwhatyoumean。I’vebeenafoolmyselfinmytime，butthat’sbetweenyouandme。Ishan’tthrustmyselfonhimonlykeepmyeyeonhim，andseethathegetssomegoodfood，andputinawordhereandthere。\"
\"Then，\"saidMr。Irwine，reassuredalittleastoBartle’sdiscretion，\"Ithinkyou’llbedoingagooddeed；anditwillbewellforyoutoletAdam’smotherandbrotherknowthatyou’regoing。\"
\"Yes，sir，yes，\"saidBartle，rising，andtakingoffhisspectacles，\"I’lldothat，I’lldothat；thoughthemother’sawhimperingthing——Idon’tliketocomewithinearshotofher；
however，she’sastraight-backed，cleanwoman，noneofyourslatterns。Iwishyougood-bye，sir，andthankyouforthetimeyou’vesparedme。You’reeverybody’sfriendinthisbusiness——
everybody’sfriend。It’saheavyweightyou’vegotonyourshoulders。\"
\"Good-bye，Bartle，tillwemeetatStoniton，asIdaresayweshall。\"
Bartlehurriedawayfromtherectory，evadingCarroll’sconversationaladvances，andsayinginanexasperatedtonetoVixen，whoseshortlegspatteredbesidehimonthegravel，\"Now，I
shallbeobligedtotakeyouwithme，yougood-for-nothingwoman。
You’dgofrettingyourselftodeathifIleftyou——youknowyouwould，andperhapsgetsnappedupbysometramp。Andyou’llberunningintobadcompany，Iexpect，puttingyournoseineveryholeandcornerwhereyou’venobusiness！Butifyoudoanythingdisgraceful，I’lldisownyou——mindthat，madam，mindthat！\"
TheEveoftheTrialANupperroominadullStonitonstreet，withtwobedsinit——onelaidonthefloor。Itisteno’clockonThursdaynight，andthedarkwalloppositethewindowshutsoutthemoonlightthatmighthavestruggledwiththelightoftheonedipcandlebywhichBartleMasseyispretendingtoread，whileheisreallylookingoverhisspectaclesatAdamBede，seatednearthedarkwindow。
YouwouldhardlyhaveknownitwasAdamwithoutbeingtold。Hisfacehasgotthinnerthislastweek:hehasthesunkeneyes，theneglectedbeardofamanjustrisenfromasick-bed。Hisheavyblackhairhangsoverhisforehead，andthereisnoactiveimpulseinhimwhichinclineshimtopushitoff，thathemaybemoreawaketowhatisaroundhim。Hehasonearmoverthebackofthechair，andheseemstobelookingdownathisclaspedhands。Heisrousedbyaknockatthedoor。
\"Thereheis，\"saidBartleMassey，risinghastilyandunfasteningthedoor。ItwasMr。Irwine。
Adamrosefromhischairwithinstinctiverespect，asMr。Irwineapproachedhimandtookhishand。
\"I’mlate，Adam，\"hesaid，sittingdownonthechairwhichBartleplacedforhim，\"butIwaslaterinsettingofffromBroxtonthanIintendedtobe，andIhavebeenincessantlyoccupiedsinceI
arrived。Ihavedoneeverythingnow，however——everythingthatcanbedoneto-night，atleast。Letusallsitdown。\"
Adamtookhischairagainmechanically，andBartle，forwhomtherewasnochairremaining，satonthebedinthebackground。
\"Haveyouseenher，sir？\"saidAdamtremulously。
\"Yes，Adam；Iandthechaplainhavebothbeenwithherthisevening。\"
\"Didyouaskher，sir……didyousayanythingaboutme？\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Irwine，withsomehesitation，\"Ispokeofyou。I
saidyouwishedtoseeherbeforethetrial，ifsheconsented。\"
AsMr。Irwinepaused，Adamlookedathimwitheager，questioningeyes。
\"Youknowsheshrinksfromseeinganyone，Adam。Itisnotonlyyou——somefatalinfluenceseemstohaveshutupherheartagainstherfellow-creatures。Shehasscarcelysaidanythingmorethan’No’eithertomeorthechaplain。Threeorfourdaysago，beforeyouwerementionedtoher，whenIaskedheriftherewasanyoneofherfamilywhomshewouldliketosee——towhomshecouldopenhermind——shesaid，withaviolentshudder，’Tellthemnottocomenearme——Iwon’tseeanyofthem。’\"
Adam’sheadwashangingdownagain，andhedidnotspeak。Therewassilenceforafewminutes，andthenMr。Irwinesaid，\"Idon’tliketoadviseyouagainstyourownfeelings，Adam，iftheynowurgeyoustronglytogoandseeherto-morrowmorning，evenwithoutherconsent。Itisjustpossible，notwithstandingappearancestothecontrary，thattheinterviewmightaffectherfavourably。ButIgrievetosayIhavescarcelyanyhopeofthat。
Shedidn’tseemagitatedwhenImentionedyourname；sheonlysaid’No，’inthesamecold，obstinatewayasusual。Andifthemeetinghadnogoodeffectonher，itwouldbepure，uselesssufferingtoyou——severesuffering，Ifear。Sheisverymuchchanged……\"
Adamstartedupfromhischairandseizedhishat，whichlayonthetable。Buthestoodstillthen，andlookedatMr。Irwine，asifhehadaquestiontoaskwhichitwasyetdifficulttoutter。
BartleMasseyrosequietly，turnedthekeyinthedoor，andputitinhispocket。
\"Ishecomeback？\"saidAdamatlast。
\"No，heisnot，\"saidMr。Irwine，quietly。\"Laydownyourhat，Adam，unlessyouliketowalkoutwithmeforalittlefreshair。
Ifearyouhavenotbeenoutagainto-day。\"
\"Youneedn’tdeceiveme，sir，\"saidAdam，lookinghardatMr。
Irwineandspeakinginatoneofangrysuspicion。\"Youneedn’tbeafraidofme。Ionlywantjustice。Iwanthimtofeelwhatshefeels。It’shiswork……shewasachildasit’udha’gonet’
anybody’shearttolookat……Idon’tcarewhatshe’sdone……itwashimbroughthertoit。Andheshallknowit……heshallfeelit……ifthere’sajustGod，heshallfeelwhatitist’ha’
broughtachildlikehertosinandmisery。\"
\"I’mnotdeceivingyou，Adam，\"saidMr。Irwine。\"ArthurDonnithorneisnotcomeback——wasnotcomebackwhenIleft。I
haveleftaletterforhim:hewillknowallassoonashearrives。\"
\"Butyoudon’tmindaboutit，\"saidAdamindignantly。\"Youthinkitdoesn’tmatterassheliesthereinshameandmisery，andheknowsnothingaboutit——hesuffersnothing。\"
\"Adam，heWILLknow——heWILLsuffer，longandbitterly。Hehasaheartandaconscience:Ican’tbeentirelydeceivedinhischaracter。Iamconvinced——Iamsurehedidn’tfallundertemptationwithoutastruggle。Hemaybeweak，butheisnotcallous，notcoldlyselfish。Iampersuadedthatthiswillbeashockofwhichhewillfeeltheeffectsallhislife。Whydoyoucravevengeanceinthisway？Noamountoftorturethatyoucouldinflictonhimcouldbenefither。\"
\"No——OGod，no，\"Adamgroanedout，sinkingonhischairagain；
\"butthen，that’sthedeepestcurseofall……that’swhatmakestheblacknessofit……ITCANNEVERBEUNDONE。MypoorHetty……shecanneverbemysweetHettyagain……theprettiestthingGodhadmade——
smilingupatme……Ithoughtshelovedme……andwasgood……\"
Adam’svoicehadbeengraduallysinkingintoahoarseundertone，asifhewereonlytalkingtohimself；butnowhesaidabruptly，lookingatMr。Irwine，\"Butsheisn’tasguiltyastheysay？Youdon’tthinksheis，sir？Shecan’tha’doneit。\"
\"Thatperhapscanneverbeknownwithcertainty，Adam，\"Mr。Irwineansweredgently。\"Inthesecaseswesometimesformourjudgmentonwhatseemstousstrongevidence，andyet，forwantofknowingsomesmallfact，ourjudgmentiswrong。Butsupposetheworst:
youhavenorighttosaythattheguiltofhercrimelieswithhim，andthatheoughttobearthepunishment。Itisnotforusmentoapportionthesharesofmoralguiltandretribution。Wefinditimpossibletoavoidmistakesevenindeterminingwhohascommittedasinglecriminalact，andtheproblemhowfaramanistobeheldresponsiblefortheunforeseenconsequencesofhisowndeedisonethatmightwellmakeustrembletolookintoit。Theevilconsequencesthatmayliefoldedinasingleactofselfishindulgenceisathoughtsoawfulthatitoughtsurelytoawakensomefeelinglesspresumptuousthanarashdesiretopunish。Youhaveamindthatcanunderstandthisfully，Adam，whenyouarecalm。Don’tsupposeIcan’tenterintotheanguishthatdrivesyouintothisstateofrevengefulhatred。Butthinkofthis:ifyouweretoobeyyourpassion——foritISpassion，andyoudeceiveyourselfincallingitjustice——itmightbewithyoupreciselyasithasbeenwithArthur；nay，worse；yourpassionmightleadyouyourselfintoahorriblecrime。\"
\"No——notworse，\"saidAdam，bitterly；\"Idon’tbelieveit’sworse——
I’dsoonerdoit——I’dsoonerdoawickednessasIcouldsufferforbymyselfthanha’broughtHERtodowickednessandthenstandbyandsee’empunishherwhiletheyletmealone；andallforabito’pleasure，as，ifhe’dhadaman’sheartinhim，he’dha’
cuthishandoffsoonerthanhe’dha’takenit。Whatifhedidn’tforeseewhat’shappened？Heforesawenough；he’dnorighttoexpectanythingbutharmandshametoher。Andthenhewantedtosmoothitoffwi’lies。No——there’splentyo’thingsfolksarehangedfornothalfsohatefulasthat。Letamandowhathewill，ifheknowshe’stobearthepunishmenthimself，heisn’thalfsobadasameanselfishcowardasmakesthingseasyt’
himselfandknowsallthewhilethepunishment’llfallonsomebodyelse。\"
\"Thereagainyoupartlydeceiveyourself，Adam。Thereisnosortofwrongdeedofwhichamancanbearthepunishmentalone；youcan’tisolateyourselfandsaythattheevilwhichisinyoushallnotspread。Men’slivesareasthoroughlyblendedwitheachotherastheairtheybreathe:evilspreadsasnecessarilyasdisease。
Iknow，IfeeltheterribleextentofsufferingthissinofArthur’shascausedtoothers；butsodoeseverysincausesufferingtoothersbesidesthosewhocommitit。AnactofvengeanceonyourpartagainstArthurwouldsimplybeanothereviladdedtothosewearesufferingunder:youcouldnotbearthepunishmentalone；youwouldentailtheworstsorrowsoneveryonewholovesyou。Youwouldhavecommittedanactofblindfurythatwouldleaveallthepresentevilsjustastheywereandaddworseevilstothem。Youmaytellmethatyoumeditatenofatalactofvengeance，butthefeelinginyourmindiswhatgivesbirthtosuchactions，andaslongasyouindulgeit，aslongasyoudonotseethattofixyourmindonArthur’spunishmentisrevenge，andnotjustice，youareindangerofbeingledontothecommissionofsomegreatwrong。RememberwhatyoutoldmeaboutyourfeelingsafteryouhadgiventhatblowtoArthurintheGrove。\"
Adamwassilent:thelastwordshadcalledupavividimageofthepast，andMr。Irwinelefthimtohisthoughts，whilehespoketoBartleMasseyaboutoldMr。Donnithorne’sfuneralandothermattersofanindifferentkind。ButatlengthAdamturnedroundandsaid，inamoresubduedtone，\"I’venotaskedabout’ematth’
HallFarm，sir。IsMr。Poysercoming？\"
\"Heiscome；heisinStonitonto-night。ButIcouldnotadvisehimtoseeyou，Adam。Hisownmindisinaveryperturbedstate，anditisbestheshouldnotseeyoutillyouarecalmer。\"
\"IsDinahMorriscometo’em，sir？Sethsaidthey’dsentforher。\"
\"No。Mr。Poysertellsmeshewasnotcomewhenheleft。They’reafraidtheletterhasnotreachedher。Itseemstheyhadnoexactaddress。\"
Adamsatruminatingalittlewhile，andthensaid，\"IwonderifDinah’udha’gonetoseeher。ButperhapsthePoyserswouldha’
beensorelyagainstit，sincetheywon’tcomenighherthemselves。
ButIthinkshewould，fortheMethodistsaregreatfolksforgoingintotheprisons；andSethsaidhethoughtshewould。She’daverytenderwaywithher，Dinahhad；Iwonderifshecouldha’
doneanygood。Youneversawher，sir，didyou？\"
\"Yes，Idid。Ihadaconversationwithher——shepleasedmeagooddeal。Andnowyoumentionit，Iwishshewouldcome，foritispossiblethatagentlemildwomanlikehermightmoveHettytoopenherheart。Thejailchaplainisratherharshinhismanner。\"
\"Butit’so’nouseifshedoesn’tcome，\"saidAdamsadly。
\"IfI’dthoughtofitearlier，Iwouldhavetakensomemeasuresforfindingherout，\"saidMr。Irwine，\"butit’stoolatenow，I
fear……Well，Adam，Imustgonow。Trytogetsomerestto-night。
Godblessyou。I’llseeyouearlyto-morrowmorning。\"
TheMorningoftheTrialAToneo’clockthenextday，Adamwasaloneinhisdullupperroom；hiswatchlaybeforehimonthetable，asifhewerecountingthelongminutes。Hehadnoknowledgeofwhatwaslikelytobesaidbythewitnessesonthetrial，forhehadshrunkfromalltheparticularsconnectedwithHetty’sarrestandaccusation。
Thisbraveactiveman，whowouldhavehastenedtowardsanydangerortoiltorescueHettyfromanapprehendedwrongormisfortune，felthimselfpowerlesstocontemplateirremediableevilandsuffering。Thesusceptibilitywhichwouldhavebeenanimpellingforcewheretherewasanypossibilityofactionbecamehelplessanguishwhenhewasobligedtobepassive，orelsesoughtanactiveoutletinthethoughtofinflictingjusticeonArthur。
Energeticnatures，strongforallstrenuousdeeds，willoftenrushawayfromahopelesssufferer，asiftheywerehard-hearted。Itistheovermasteringsenseofpainthatdrivesthem。Theyshrinkbyanungovernableinstinct，astheywouldshrinkfromlaceration。
AdamhadbroughthimselftothinkofseeingHetty，ifshewouldconsenttoseehim，becausehethoughtthemeetingmightpossiblybeagoodtoher——mighthelptomeltawaythisterriblehardnesstheytoldhimof。Ifshesawheborehernoillwillforwhatshehaddonetohim，shemightopenherhearttohim。Butthisresolutionhadbeenanimmenseeffort——hetrembledatthethoughtofseeingherchangedface，asatimidwomantremblesatthethoughtofthesurgeon’sknife，andhechosenowtobearthelonghoursofsuspenseratherthanencounterwhatseemedtohimthemoreintolerableagonyofwitnessinghertrial。
Deepunspeakablesufferingmaywellbecalledabaptism，aregeneration，theinitiationintoanewstate。Theyearningmemories，thebitterregret，theagonizedsympathy，thestrugglingappealstotheInvisibleRight——alltheintenseemotionswhichhadfilledthedaysandnightsofthepastweek，andwerecompressingthemselvesagainlikeaneagercrowdintothehoursofthissinglemorning，madeAdamlookbackonallthepreviousyearsasiftheyhadbeenadimsleepyexistence，andhehadonlynowawakedtofullconsciousness。Itseemedtohimasifhehadalwaysbeforethoughtitalightthingthatmenshouldsuffer，asifallthathehadhimselfenduredandcalledsorrowbeforewasonlyamoment’sstrokethathadneverleftabruise。Doubtlessagreatanguishmaydotheworkofyears，andwemaycomeoutfromthatbaptismoffirewithasoulfullofnewaweandnewpity。
\"OGod，\"Adamgroaned，asheleanedonthetableandlookedblanklyatthefaceofthewatch，\"andmenhavesufferedlikethisbefore……andpoorhelplessyoungthingshavesufferedlikeher……Suchalittlewhileagolookingsohappyandsopretty……kissing’emall，hergrandfatherandallof’em，andtheywishingherluck……Omypoor，poorHetty……dostthinkonitnow？\"
Adamstartedandlookedroundtowardsthedoor。Vixenhadbeguntowhimper，andtherewasasoundofastickandalamewalkonthestairs。ItwasBartleMasseycomeback。Coulditbeallover？
Bartleenteredquietly，and，goinguptoAdam，graspedhishandandsaid，\"I’mjustcometolookatyou，myboy，forthefolksaregoneoutofcourtforabit。\"
Adam’sheartbeatsoviolentlyhewasunabletospeak——hecouldonlyreturnthepressureofhisfriend’shand——andBartle，drawinguptheotherchair，cameandsatinfrontofhim，takingoffhishatandhisspectacles。
\"That’sathingneverhappenedtomebefore，\"heobserved，\"togoouto’thedoorwithmyspectacleson。Icleanforgottotake’emoff。\"
Theoldmanmadethistrivialremark，thinkingitbetternottorespondatalltoAdam’sagitation:hewouldgather，inanindirectway，thattherewasnothingdecisivetocommunicateatpresent。
\"Andnow，\"hesaid，risingagain，\"Imustseetoyourhavingabitoftheloaf，andsomeofthatwineMr。Irwinesentthismorning。
He’llbeangrywithmeifyoudon’thaveit。Come，now，\"hewenton，bringingforwardthebottleandtheloafandpouringsomewineintoacup，\"Imusthaveabitandasupmyself。Drinkadropwithme，mylad——drinkwithme。\"
Adampushedthecupgentlyawayandsaid，entreatingly，\"Tellmeaboutit，Mr。Massey——tellmeallaboutit。Wasshethere？Havetheybegun？\"
\"Yes，myboy，yes——it’stakenallthetimesinceIfirstwent；butthey’reslow，they’reslow；andthere’sthecounselthey’vegotforherputsaspokeinthewheelwheneverhecan，andmakesadealtodowithcross-examiningthewitnessesandquarrellingwiththeotherlawyers。That’sallhecandoforthemoneytheygivehim；andit’sabigsum——it’sabigsum。Buthe’sa’cutefellow，withaneyethat’udpicktheneedlesoutofthehayinnotime。
Ifamanhadgotnofeelings，it’udbeasgoodasademonstrationtolistentowhatgoesonincourt；butatenderheartmakesonestupid。I’dhavegivenupfiguresforeveronlytohavehadsomegoodnewstobringtoyou，mypoorlad。\"
\"Butdoesitseemtobegoingagainsther？\"saidAdam。\"Tellmewhatthey’vesaid。Imustknowitnow——Imustknowwhattheyhavetobringagainsther。\"
\"Why，thechiefevidenceyethasbeenthedoctors；allbutMartinPoyser——poorMartin。Everybodyincourtfeltforhim——itwaslikeonesob，thesoundtheymadewhenhecamedownagain。Theworstwaswhentheytoldhimtolookattheprisoneratthebar。Itwashardwork，poorfellow——itwashardwork。Adam，myboy，theblowfallsheavilyonhimaswellasyou；youmusthelppoorMartin；
youmustshowcourage。Drinksomewinenow，andshowmeyoumeantobearitlikeaman。\"
Bartlehadmadetherightsortofappeal。Adam，withanairofquietobedience，tookupthecupanddrankalittle。
\"TellmehowSHElooked，\"hesaidpresently。
\"Frightened，veryfrightened，whentheyfirstbroughtherin；itwasthefirstsightofthecrowdandthejudge，poorcreatur。Andthere’saloto’foolishwomeninfineclothes，withgewgawsalluptheirarmsandfeathersontheirheads，sittingnearthejudge:
they’vedressedthemselvesoutinthatway，one’udthink，tobescarecrowsandwarningsagainstanymanevermeddlingwithawomanagain。Theyputuptheirglasses，andstaredandwhispered。Butafterthatshestoodlikeawhiteimage，staringdownatherhandsandseemingneithertohearnorseeanything。Andshe’saswhiteasasheet。Shedidn’tspeakwhentheyaskedherifshe’dplead’guilty’or’notguilty，’andtheypleaded’notguilty’forher。
Butwhensheheardheruncle’sname，thereseemedtogoashiverrightthroughher；andwhentheytoldhimtolookather，shehungherheaddown，andcowered，andhidherfaceinherhands。He’dmuchadotospeakpoorman，hisvoicetrembledso。Andthecounsellors——wholookashardasnailsmostly——Isaw，sparedhimasmuchastheycould。Mr。Irwineputhimselfnearhimandwentwithhimouto’court。Ah，it’sagreatthinginaman’slifetobeabletostandbyaneighbourandupholdhiminsuchtroubleasthat。\"
\"Godblesshim，andyoutoo，Mr。Massey，\"saidAdam，inalowvoice，layinghishandonBartle’sarm。
\"Aye，aye，he’sgoodmetal；hegivestherightringwhenyoutryhim，ourparsondoes。Amano’sense——saysnomorethan’sneedful。He’snotoneofthosethatthinktheycancomfortyouwithchattering，asiffolkswhostandbyandlookonknewadealbetterwhatthetroublewasthanthosewhohavetobearit。I’vehadtodowithsuchfolksinmytime——inthesouth，whenIwasintroublemyself。Mr。Irwineistobeawitnesshimself，byandby，onherside，youknow，tospeaktohercharacterandbringingup。\"
\"Buttheotherevidence……doesitgohardagainsther！\"saidAdam。
\"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Massey？Tellmethetruth。\"
\"Yes，mylad，yes。Thetruthisthebestthingtotell。Itmustcomeatlast。Thedoctors’evidenceisheavyonher——isheavy。
Butshe’sgoneondenyingshe’shadachildfromfirsttolast。
Thesepoorsillywomen-things——they’venotthesensetoknowit’snousedenyingwhat’sproved。It’llmakeagainstherwiththejury，Idoubt，herbeingsoobstinate:theymaybelessforrecommendinghertomercy，iftheverdict’sagainsther。ButMr。
Irwine’ullleavenostoneunturnedwiththejudge——youmayrelyuponthat，Adam。\"
\"Istherenobodytostandbyherandseemtocareforherinthecourt？\"saidAdam。
\"There’sthechaplaino’thejailsitsnearher，buthe’sasharpferrety-facedman——anothersorto’fleshandbloodtoMr。Irwine。
Theysaythejailchaplainsaremostlythefag-endo’theclergy。\"
\"There’sonemanasoughttobethere，\"saidAdambitterly。
Presentlyhedrewhimselfupandlookedfixedlyoutofthewindow，apparentlyturningoversomenewideainhismind。
\"Mr。Massey，\"hesaidatlast，pushingthehairoffhisforehead，\"I’llgobackwithyou。I’llgointocourt。It’scowardlyofmetokeepaway。I’llstandbyher——I’llownher——forallshe’sbeendeceitful。Theyoughtn’ttocastheroff——herownfleshandblood。WehandfolksovertoGod’smercy，andshownoneourselves。Iusedtobehardsometimes:I’llneverbehardagain。
I’llgo，Mr。Massey——I’llgowithyou。\"
TherewasadecisioninAdam’smannerwhichwouldhavepreventedBartlefromopposinghim，evenifhehadwishedtodoso。Heonlysaid，\"Takeabit，then，andanothersup，Adam，fortheloveofme。See，Imuststopandeatamorsel。Now，youtakesome。\"
Nervedbyanactiveresolution，Adamtookamorselofbreadanddranksomewine。Hewashaggardandunshaven，ashehadbeenyesterday，buthestooduprightagain，andlookedmoreliketheAdamBedeofformerdays。
TheVerdictTHEplacefittedupthatdayasacourtofjusticewasagrandoldhall，nowdestroyedbyfire。Themiddaylightthatfellontheclosepavementofhumanheadswasshedthroughalineofhighpointedwindows，variegatedwiththemellowtintsofoldpaintedglass。Grimdustyarmourhunginhighreliefinfrontofthedarkoakengalleryatthefartherend，andunderthebroadarchofthegreatmullionedwindowoppositewasspreadacurtainofoldtapestry，coveredwithdimmelancholyfigures，likeadozingindistinctdreamofthepast。Itwasaplacethatthroughtherestoftheyearwashauntedwiththeshadowymemoriesofoldkingsandqueens，unhappy，discrowned，imprisoned；butto-dayallthoseshadowshadfled，andnotasoulinthevasthallfeltthepresenceofanybutalivingsorrow，whichwasquiveringinwarmhearts。
Butthatsorrowseemedtohavemadeititselffeeblyfelthitherto，nowwhenAdamBede’stallfigurewassuddenlyseenbeingusheredtothesideoftheprisoner’sdock。Inthebroadsunlightofthegreathall，amongthesleekshavenfacesofothermen，themarksofsufferinginhisfacewerestartlingeventoMr。Irwine，whohadlastseenhiminthedimlightofhissmallroom；andtheneighboursfromHayslopewhowerepresent，andwhotoldHettySorrel’sstorybytheirfiresidesintheiroldage，neverforgottosayhowitmovedthemwhenAdamBede，poorfellow，tallerbytheheadthanmostofthepeopleroundhim，cameintocourtandtookhisplacebyherside。
ButHettydidnotseehim。ShewasstandinginthesamepositionBartleMasseyhaddescribed，herhandscrossedovereachotherandhereyesfixedonthem。Adamhadnotdaredtolookatherinthefirstmoments，butatlast，whentheattentionofthecourtwaswithdrawnbytheproceedingsheturnedhisfacetowardsherwitharesolutionnottoshrink。
Whydidtheysayshewassochanged？Inthecorpsewelove，itisthelikenesswesee——itisthelikeness，whichmakesitselffeltthemorekeenlybecausesomethingelsewasandisnot。Theretheywere——thesweetfaceandneck，withthedarktendrilsofhair，thelongdarklashes，theroundedcheekandthepoutinglips——paleandthin，yes，butlikeHetty，andonlyHetty。Othersthoughtshelookedasifsomedemonhadcastablightingglanceuponher，witheredupthewoman’ssoulinher，andleftonlyaharddespairingobstinacy。Butthemother’syearning，thatcompletesttypeofthelifeinanotherlifewhichistheessenceofrealhumanlove，feelsthepresenceofthecherishedchildeveninthedebased，degradedman；andtoAdam，thispale，hard-lookingculpritwastheHettywhohadsmiledathiminthegardenundertheapple-treeboughs——shewasthatHetty’scorpse，whichhehadtrembledtolookatthefirsttime，andthenwasunwillingtoturnawayhiseyesfrom。
Butpresentlyheheardsomethingthatcompelledhimtolisten，andmadethesenseofsightlessabsorbing。Awomanwasinthewitness-box，amiddle-agedwoman，whospokeinafirmdistinctvoice。Shesaid，\"MynameisSarahStone。Iamawidow，andkeepasmallshoplicensedtoselltobacco，snuff，andteainChurchLane，Stoniton。Theprisoneratthebaristhesameyoungwomanwhocame，lookingillandtired，withabasketonherarm，andaskedforalodgingatmyhouseonSaturdayevening，the27thofFebruary。Shehadtakenthehouseforapublic，becausetherewasafigureagainstthedoor。AndwhenIsaidIdidn’ttakeinlodgers，theprisonerbegantocry，andsaidshewastootiredtogoanywhereelse，andsheonlywantedabedforonenight。Andherprettiness，andhercondition，andsomethingrespectableaboutherclothesandlooks，andthetroublesheseemedtobeinmademeasIcouldn’tfindinmyhearttosendherawayatonce。Iaskedhertositdown，andgavehersometea，andaskedherwhereshewasgoing，andwhereherfriendswere。Shesaidshewasgoinghometoherfriends:theywerefarmingfolksagoodwayoff，andshe’dhadalongjourneythathadcosthermoremoneythansheexpected，soasshe’dhardlyanymoneyleftinherpocket，andwasafraidofgoingwhereitwouldcosthermuch。Shehadbeenobligedtosellmostofthethingsoutofherbasket，butshe’dthankfullygiveashillingforabed。IsawnoreasonwhyI
shouldn’ttaketheyoungwomaninforthenight。Ihadonlyoneroom，butthereweretwobedsinit，andItoldhershemightstaywithme。Ithoughtshe’dbeenledwrong，andgotintotrouble，butifshewasgoingtoherfriends，itwouldbeagoodworktokeepheroutoffurtherharm。\"
Thewitnessthenstatedthatinthenightachildwasborn，andsheidentifiedthebaby-clothesthenshowntoherasthoseinwhichshehadherselfdressedthechild。
\"Thosearetheclothes。Imadethemmyself，andhadkeptthembymeeversincemylastchildwasborn。Itookadealoftroublebothforthechildandthemother。Icouldn’thelptakingtothelittlethingandbeinganxiousaboutit。Ididn’tsendforadoctor，forthereseemednoneed。Itoldthemotherintheday-
timeshemusttellmethenameofherfriends，andwheretheylived，andletmewritetothem。Shesaid，byandbyshewouldwriteherself，butnotto-day。Shewouldhavenonay，butshewouldgetupandbedressed，inspiteofeverythingIcouldsay。
Shesaidshefeltquitestrongenough；anditwaswonderfulwhatspiritsheshowed。ButIwasn’tquiteeasywhatIshoulddoabouther，andtowardseveningImadeupmymindI’dgo，afterMeetingwasover，andspeaktoourministeraboutit。Ileftthehouseabouthalf-pasteighto’clock。Ididn’tgooutattheshopdoor，butatthebackdoor，whichopensintoanarrowalley。I’veonlygottheground-floorofthehouse，andthekitchenandbedroombothlookintothealley。Ilefttheprisonersittingupbythefireinthekitchenwiththebabyonherlap。Shehadn’tcriedorseemedlowatall，asshedidthenightbefore。Ithoughtshehadastrangelookwithhereyes，andshegotabitflushedtowardsevening。Iwasafraidofthefever，andIthoughtI’dcallandaskanacquaintanceofmine，anexperiencedwoman，tocomebackwithmewhenIwentout。Itwasaverydarknight。Ididn’tfastenthedoorbehindme；therewasnolock；itwasalatchwithaboltinside，andwhentherewasnobodyinthehouseIalwayswentoutattheshopdoor。ButIthoughttherewasnodangerinleavingitunfastenedthatlittlewhile。IwaslongerthanI
meanttobe，forIhadtowaitforthewomanthatcamebackwithme。Itwasanhourandahalfbeforewegotback，andwhenwewentin，thecandlewasstandingburningjustasIleftit，buttheprisonerandthebabywerebothgone。She’dtakenhercloakandbonnet，butshe’dleftthebasketandthethingsinit……I
wasdreadfulfrightened，andangrywithherforgoing。Ididn’tgotogiveinformation，becauseI’dnothoughtshemeanttodoanyharm，andIknewshehadmoneyinherpockettobuyherfoodandlodging。Ididn’tliketosettheconstableafterher，forshe’darighttogofrommeifsheliked。\"
TheeffectofthisevidenceonAdamwaselectrical；itgavehimnewforce。Hettycouldnotbeguiltyofthecrime——herheartmusthaveclungtoherbaby——elsewhyshouldshehavetakenitwithher？Shemighthaveleftitbehind。Thelittlecreaturehaddiednaturally，andthenshehadhiddenit。Babiesweresoliabletodeath——andtheremightbethestrongestsuspicionswithoutanyproofofguilt。Hismindwassooccupiedwithimaginaryargumentsagainstsuchsuspicions，thathecouldnotlistentothecross-
examinationbyHetty’scounsel，whotried，withoutresult，toelicitevidencethattheprisonerhadshownsomemovementsofmaternalaffectiontowardsthechild。Thewholetimethiswitnesswasbeingexamined，Hettyhadstoodasmotionlessasbefore:nowordseemedtoarrestherear。Butthesoundofthenextwitness’svoicetouchedachordthatwasstillsensitive，shegaveastartandafrightenedlooktowardshim，butimmediatelyturnedawayherheadandlookeddownatherhandsasbefore。Thiswitnesswasaman，aroughpeasant。Hesaid:
\"MynameisJohnOlding。Iamalabourer，andliveatTedd’sHole，twomilesoutofStoniton。AweeklastMonday，towardsoneo’clockintheafternoon，IwasgoingtowardsHettonCoppice，andaboutaquarterofamilefromthecoppiceIsawtheprisoner，inaredcloak，sittingunderabitofahaystacknotfaroffthestile。Shegotupwhenshesawme，andseemedasifshe’dbewalkingontheotherway。Itwasaregularroadthroughthefields，andnothingveryuncommontoseeayoungwomanthere，butItooknoticeofherbecauseshelookedwhiteandscared。I
shouldhavethoughtshewasabeggar-woman，onlyforhergoodclothes。Ithoughtshelookedabitcrazy，butitwasnobusinessofmine。Istoodandlookedbackafterher，butshewentrightonwhileshewasinsight。Ihadtogototheothersideofthecoppicetolookaftersomestakes。There’saroadrightthroughit，andbitsofopeningshereandthere，wherethetreeshavebeencutdown，andsomeof’emnotcarriedaway。Ididn’tgostraightalongtheroad，butturnedofftowardsthemiddle，andtookashorterwaytowardsthespotIwantedtogetto。Ihadn’tgotfaroutoftheroadintooneoftheopenplacesbeforeIheardastrangecry。Ithoughtitdidn’tcomefromanyanimalIknew，butIwasn’tforstoppingtolookaboutjustthen。Butitwenton，andseemedsostrangetomeinthatplace，Icouldn’thelpstoppingtolook。IbegantothinkImightmakesomemoneyofit，ifitwasanewthing。ButIhadhardworktotellwhichwayitcamefrom，andforagoodwhileIkeptlookingupattheboughs。
AndthenIthoughtitcamefromtheground；andtherewasalotoftimber-choppingslyingabout，andloosepiecesofturf，andatrunkortwo。AndIlookedaboutamongthem，butcouldfindnothing，andatlastthecrystopped。SoIwasforgivingitup，andIwentonaboutmybusiness。ButwhenIcamebackthesamewayprettynighanhourafter，Icouldn’thelplayingdownmystakestohaveanotherlook。AndjustasIwasstoopingandlayingdownthestakes，Isawsomethingoddandroundandwhitishlyingonthegroundunderanut-bushbythesideofme。AndI
stoopeddownonhandsandkneestopickitup。AndIsawitwasalittlebaby’shand。\"
Atthesewordsathrillranthroughthecourt。Hettywasvisiblytrembling；now，forthefirsttime，sheseemedtobelisteningtowhatawitnesssaid。
\"Therewasalotoftimber-choppingsputtogetherjustwherethegroundwenthollow，like，underthebush，andthehandcameoutfromamongthem。ButtherewasaholeleftinoneplaceandI
couldseedownitandseethechild’shead；andImadehasteanddidawaytheturfandthechoppings，andtookoutthechild。Ithadgotcomfortableclotheson，butitsbodywascold，andI
thoughtitmustbedead。Imadehastebackwithitoutofthewood，andtookithometomywife。Shesaiditwasdead，andI’dbettertakeittotheparishandtelltheconstable。AndIsaid，’I’lllaymylifeit’sthatyoungwoman’schildasImetgoingtothecoppice。’Butsheseemedtobegonecleanoutofsight。AndItookthechildontoHettonparishandtoldtheconstable，andwewentontoJusticeHardy。Andthenwewentlookingaftertheyoungwomantilldarkatnight，andwewentandgaveinformationatStoniton，astheymightstopher。Andthenextmorning，anotherconstablecametome，togowithhimtothespotwhereI
foundthechild。Andwhenwegotthere，therewastheprisonera-
sittingagainstthebushwhereIfoundthechild；andshecriedoutwhenshesawus，butsheneverofferedtomove。She’dgotabigpieceofbreadonherlap。\"
Adamhadgivenafaintgroanofdespairwhilethiswitnesswasspeaking。Hehadhiddenhisfaceonhisarm，whichrestedontheboardinginfrontofhim。Itwasthesuprememomentofhissuffering:Hettywasguilty；andhewassilentlycallingtoGodforhelp。Heheardnomoreoftheevidence，andwasunconsciouswhenthecasefortheprosecutionhadclosed——unconsciousthatMr。
Irwinewasinthewitness-box，tellingofHetty’sunblemishedcharacterinherownparishandofthevirtuoushabitsinwhichshehadbeenbroughtup。Thistestimonycouldhavenoinfluenceontheverdict，butitwasgivenaspartofthatpleaformercywhichherowncounselwouldhavemadeifhehadbeenallowedtospeakforher——afavournotgrantedtocriminalsinthosesterntimes。
AtlastAdamlifteduphishead，fortherewasageneralmovementroundhim。Thejudgehadaddressedthejury，andtheywereretiring。ThedecisivemomentwasnotfaroffAdamfeltashudderinghorrorthatwouldnotlethimlookatHetty，butshehadlongrelapsedintoherblankhardindifference。Alleyeswerestrainedtolookather，butshestoodlikeastatueofdulldespair。
’Therewasamingledrustling，whispering，andlowbuzzingthroughoutthecourtduringthisinterval。Thedesiretolistenwassuspended，andeveryonehadsomefeelingoropiniontoexpressinundertones。Adamsatlookingblanklybeforehim，buthedidnotseetheobjectsthatwererightinfrontofhiseyes——
thecounselandattorneystalkingwithanairofcoolbusiness，andMr。Irwineinlowearnestconversationwiththejudge——didnotseeMr。Irwinesitdownagaininagitationandshakehisheadmournfullywhensomebodywhisperedtohim。TheinwardactionwastoointenseforAdamtotakeinoutwardobjectsuntilsomestrongsensationrousedhim。
Itwasnotverylong，hardlymorethanaquarterofanhour，beforetheknockwhichtoldthatthejuryhadcometotheirdecisionfellasasignalforsilenceoneveryear。Itissublime——thatsuddenpauseofagreatmultitudewhichtellsthatonesoulmovesinthemall。Deeperanddeeperthesilenceseemedtobecome，likethedeepeningnight，whilethejurymen’snameswerecalledover，andtheprisonerwasmadetoholdupherhand，andthejurywereaskedfortheirverdict。
\"Guilty。\"
Itwastheverdicteveryoneexpected，buttherewasasighofdisappointmentfromsomeheartsthatitwasfollowedbynorecommendationtomercy。Stillthesympathyofthecourtwasnotwiththeprisoner。Theunnaturalnessofhercrimestoodoutthemoreharshlybythesideofherhardimmovabilityandobstinatesilence。Eventheverdict，todistanteyes，hadnotappearedtomoveher，butthosewhowerenearsawhertrembling。
Thestillnesswaslessintenseuntilthejudgeputonhisblackcap，andthechaplaininhiscanonicalswasobservedbehindhim。
Thenitdeepenedagain，beforethecrierhadhadtimetocommandsilence。Ifanysoundwereheard，itmusthavebeenthesoundofbeatinghearts。Thejudgespoke，\"HesterSorrel……\"
ThebloodrushedtoHetty’sface，andthenfledbackagainasshelookedupatthejudgeandkeptherwide-openeyesfixedonhim，asiffascinatedbyfear。Adamhadnotyetturnedtowardsher，therewasadeephorror，likeagreatgulf，betweenthem。Butatthewords\"andthentobehangedbythenecktillyoubedead，\"apiercingshriekrangthroughthehall。ItwasHetty’sshriek。
Adamstartedtohisfeetandstretchedouthisarmstowardsher。
Butthearmscouldnotreachher:shehadfallendowninafainting-fit，andwascarriedoutofcourt。
Arthur’sReturnWhenArthurDonnithornelandedatLiverpoolandreadtheletterfromhisAuntLydia，brieflyannouncinghisgrand-father’sdeath，hisfirstfeelingwas，\"PoorGrandfather！IwishIcouldhavegottohimtobewithhimwhenhedied。HemighthavefeltorwishedsomethingatthelastthatIshallneverknownow。Itwasalonelydeath。\"
Itisimpossibletosaythathisgriefwasdeeperthanthat。Pityandsoftenedmemorytookplaceoftheoldantagonism，andinhisbusythoughtsaboutthefuture，asthechaisecarriedhimrapidlyalongtowardsthehomewherehewasnowtobemaster，therewasacontinuallyrecurringefforttorememberanythingbywhichhecouldshowaregardforhisgrandfather’swishes，withoutcounteractinghisowncherishedaimsforthegoodofthetenantsandtheestate。Butitisnotinhumannature——onlyinhumanpretence——forayoungmanlikeArthur，withafineconstitutionandfinespirits，thinkingwellofhimself，believingthatothersthinkwellofhim，andhavingaveryardentintentiontogivethemmoreandmorereasonforthatgoodopinion——itisnotpossibleforsuchayoungman，justcomingintoasplendidestatethroughthedeathofaveryoldmanwhomhewasnotfondof，tofeelanythingverydifferentfromexultantjoy。Nowhisreallifewasbeginning；nowhewouldhaveroomandopportunityforaction，andhewouldusethem。HewouldshowtheLoamshirepeoplewhatafinecountrygentlemanwas；hewouldnotexchangethatcareerforanyotherunderthesun。Hefelthimselfridingoverthehillsinthebreezyautumndays，lookingafterfavouriteplansofdrainageandenclosure；thenadmiredonsombremorningsasthebestrideronthebesthorseinthehunt；spokenwellofonmarket-daysasafirst-ratelandlord；byandbymakingspeechesatelectiondinners，andshowingawonderfulknowledgeofagriculture；thepatronofnewploughsanddrills，thesevereupbraiderofnegligentlandowners，andwithalajollyfellowthateverybodymustlike——happyfacesgreetinghimeverywhereonhisownestate，andtheneighbouringfamiliesonthebesttermswithhim。TheIrwinesshoulddinewithhimeveryweek，andhavetheirowncarriagetocomein，forinsomeverydelicatewaythatArthurwoulddevise，thelay-impropriatoroftheHayslopetitheswouldinsistonpayingacoupleofhundredsmoretothevicar；andhisauntshouldbeascomfortableaspossible，andgoonlivingattheChase，ifsheliked，inspiteofherold-maidishways——atleastuntilhewasmarried，andthateventlayintheindistinctbackground，forArthurhadnotyetseenthewomanwhowouldplaythelady-wifetothefirst-ratecountrygentleman。
ThesewereArthur’schiefthoughts，sofarasaman’sthoughtsthroughhoursoftravellingcanbecompressedintoafewsentences，whichareonlylikethelistofnamestellingyouwhatarethescenesinalonglongpanoramafullofcolour，ofdetail，andoflife。ThehappyfacesArthursawgreetinghimwerenotpaleabstractions，butrealruddyfaces，longfamiliartohim:
MartinPoyserwasthere——thewholePoyserfamily。
What——Hetty？
Yes；forArthurwasateaseaboutHetty——notquiteateaseaboutthepast，foracertainburningoftheearswouldcomewheneverhethoughtofthesceneswithAdamlastAugust，butateaseaboutherpresentlot。Mr。Irwine，whohadbeenaregularcorrespondent，tellinghimallthenewsabouttheoldplacesandpeople，hadsenthimwordnearlythreemonthsagothatAdamBedewasnottomarryMaryBurge，ashehadthought，butprettyHettySorrel。MartinPoyserandAdamhimselfhadbothtoldMr。Irwineallaboutit——
thatAdamhadbeendeeplyinlovewithHettythesetwoyears，andthatnowitwasagreedtheyweretobemarriedinMarch。ThatstalwartrogueAdamwasmoresusceptiblethantherectorhadthought；itwasreallyquiteanidyllicloveaffair；andifithadnotbeentoolongtotellinaletter，hewouldhavelikedtodescribetoArthurtheblushinglooksandthesimplestrongwordswithwhichthefinehonestfellowtoldhissecret。HeknewArthurwouldliketohearthatAdamhadthissortofhappinessinprospect。
Yes，indeed！Arthurfelttherewasnotairenoughintheroomtosatisfyhisrenovatedlife，whenhehadreadthatpassageintheletter。Hethrewupthewindows，herushedoutofdoorsintotheDecemberair，andgreetedeveryonewhospoketohimwithaneagergaiety，asiftherehadbeennewsofafreshNelsonvictory。ForthefirsttimethatdaysincehehadcometoWindsor，hewasintrueboyishspirits。Theloadthathadbeenpressinguponhimwasgone，thehauntingfearhadvanished。HethoughthecouldconquerhisbitternesstowardsAdamnow——couldofferhimhishand，andasktobehisfriendagain，inspiteofthatpainfulmemorywhichwouldstillmakehisearsburn。Hehadbeenknockeddown，andhehadbeenforcedtotellalie:suchthingsmakeascar，dowhatwewill。ButifAdamwerethesameagainasintheolddays，Arthurwishedtobethesametoo，andtohaveAdammixedupwithhisbusinessandhisfuture，ashehadalwaysdesiredbeforetheaccursedmeetinginAugust。Nay，hewoulddoagreatdealmoreforAdamthanheshouldotherwisehavedone，whenhecameintotheestate；Hetty’shusbandhadaspecialclaimonhim——HettyherselfshouldfeelthatanypainshehadsufferedthroughArthurinthepastwascompensatedtoherahundredfold。Forreallyshecouldnothavefeltmuch，sinceshehadsosoonmadeuphermindtomarryAdam。
YouperceiveclearlywhatsortofpictureAdamandHettymadeinthepanoramaofArthur’sthoughtsonhisjourneyhomeward。ItwasMarchnow；theyweresoontobemarried:perhapstheywerealreadymarried。Andnowitwasactuallyinhispowertodoagreatdealforthem。Sweet——sweetlittleHetty！Thelittlepusshadn’tcaredforhimhalfasmuchashecaredforher；forhewasagreatfoolaboutherstill——wasalmostafraidofseeingher——indeed，hadnotcaredmuchtolookatanyotherwomansincehepartedfromher。ThatlittlefigurecomingtowardshimintheGrove，thosedark-fringedchildisheyes，thelovelylipsputuptokisshim——
thatpicturehadgotnofainterwiththelapseofmonths。Andshewouldlookjustthesame。Itwasimpossibletothinkhowhecouldmeether:heshouldcertainlytremble。Strange，howlongthissortofinfluencelasts，forhewascertainlynotinlovewithHettynow。Hehadbeenearnestlydesiring，formonths，thatsheshouldmarryAdam，andtherewasnothingthatcontributedmoretohishappinessinthesemomentsthanthethoughtoftheirmarriage。
Itwastheexaggeratingeffectofimaginationthatmadehisheartstillbeatalittlemorequicklyatthethoughtofher。Whenhesawthelittlethingagainasshereallywas，asAdam’swife，atworkquiteprosaicallyinhernewhome，heshouldperhapswonderatthepossibilityofhispastfeelings。Thankheavenithadturnedoutsowell！Heshouldhaveplentyofaffairsandintereststofillhislifenow，andnotbeindangerofplayingthefoolagain。
Pleasantthecrackofthepost-boy’swhip！PleasantthesenseofbeinghurriedalonginswifteasethroughEnglishscenes，solikethoseroundhisownhome，onlynotquitesocharming。Herewasamarket-town——verymuchlikeTreddleston——wherethearmsoftheneighbouringlordofthemanorwereborneonthesignoftheprincipalinn；thenmerefieldsandhedges，theirvicinitytoamarket-towncarryinganagreeablesuggestionofhighrent，tillthelandbegantoassumeatrimmerlook，thewoodsweremorefrequent，andatlengthawhiteorredmansionlookeddownfromamoderateeminence，orallowedhimtobeawareofitsparapetandchimneysamongthedense-lookingmassesofoaksandelms——massesreddenednowwithearlybuds。Andcloseathandcamethevillage:
thesmallchurch，withitsred-tiledroof，lookinghumbleevenamongthefadedhalf-timberedhouses；theoldgreengravestoneswithnettlesroundthem；nothingfreshandbrightbutthechildren，openingroundeyesattheswiftpost-chaise；nothingnoisyandbusybutthegapingcursofmysteriouspedigree。WhatamuchprettiervillageHayslopewas！Anditshouldnotbeneglectedlikethisplace:vigorousrepairsshouldgooneverywhereamongfarm-buildingsandcottages，andtravellersinpost-chaises，comingalongtheRosseterroad，shoulddonothingbutadmireastheywent。AndAdamBedeshouldsuperintendalltherepairs，forhehadashareinBurge’sbusinessnow，and，ifheliked，Arthurwouldputsomemoneyintotheconcernandbuytheoldmanoutinanotheryearortwo。ThatwasanuglyfaultinArthur’slife，thataffairlastsummer，butthefutureshouldmakeamends。ManymenwouldhaveretainedafeelingofvindictivenesstowardsAdam，buthewouldnot——hewouldresolutelyovercomealllittlenessofthatkind，forhehadcertainlybeenverymuchinthewrong；andthoughAdamhadbeenharshandviolent，andhadthrustonhimapainfuldilemma，thepoorfellowwasinlove，andhadrealprovocation。No，Arthurhadnotanevilfeelinginhismindtowardsanyhumanbeing:hewashappy，andwouldmakeeveryoneelsehappythatcamewithinhisreach。
AndherewasdearoldHayslopeatlast，sleeping，onthehill，likeaquietoldplaceasitwas，inthelateafternoonsunlight，andoppositetoitthegreatshouldersoftheBintonHills，belowthemthepurplishblacknessofthehangingwoods，andatlastthepalefrontoftheAbbey，lookingoutfromamongtheoaksoftheChase，asifanxiousfortheheir’sreturn。\"PoorGrandfather！
Andheliesdeadthere。Hewasayoungfellowonce，comingintotheestateandmakinghisplans。Sotheworldgoesround！AuntLydiamustfeelverydesolate，poorthing；butsheshallbeindulgedasmuchassheindulgesherfatFido。\"
ThewheelsofArthur’schaisehadbeenanxiouslylistenedforattheChase，forto-daywasFriday，andthefuneralhadalreadybeendeferredtwodays。Beforeitdrewuponthegravelofthecourtyard，alltheservantsinthehousewereassembledtoreceivehimwithagrave，decentwelcome，befittingahouseofdeath。A
monthago，perhaps，itwouldhavebeendifficultforthemtohavemaintainedasuitablesadnessintheirfaces，whenMr。Arthurwascometotakepossession；buttheheartsofthehead-servantswereheavythatdayforanothercausethanthedeathoftheoldsquire，andmorethanoneofthemwaslongingtobetwentymilesaway，asMr。Craigwas，knowingwhatwastobecomeofHettySorrel——prettyHettySorrel——whomtheyusedtoseeeveryweek。Theyhadthepartisanshipofhouseholdservantswholiketheirplaces，andwerenotinclinedtogothefulllengthofthesevereindignationfeltagainsthimbythefarmingtenants，butrathertomakeexcusesforhim；nevertheless，theupperservants，whohadbeenontermsofneighbourlyintercoursewiththePoysersformanyyears，couldnothelpfeelingthatthelonged-foreventoftheyoungsquire’scomingintotheestatehadbeenrobbedofallitspleasantness。
ToArthuritwasnothingsurprisingthattheservantslookedgraveandsad:hehimselfwasverymuchtouchedonseeingthemallagain，andfeelingthathewasinanewrelationtothem。Itwasthatsortofpatheticemotionwhichhasmorepleasurethanpaininit——whichisperhapsoneofthemostdeliciousofallstatestoagood-naturedman，consciousofthepowertosatisfyhisgoodnature。Hisheartswelledagreeablyashesaid，\"Well，Mills，howismyaunt？\"
ButnowMr。Bygate，thelawyer，whohadbeeninthehouseeversincethedeath，cameforwardtogivedeferentialgreetingsandanswerallquestions，andArthurwalkedwithhimtowardsthelibrary，wherehisAuntLydiawasexpectinghim。AuntLydiawastheonlypersoninthehousewhoknewnothingaboutHetty。Hersorrowasamaidendaughterwasunmixedwithanyotherthoughtsthanthoseofanxietyaboutfuneralarrangementsandherownfuturelot；and，afterthemannerofwomen，shemournedforthefatherwhohadmadeherlifeimportant，allthemorebecauseshehadasecretsensethattherewaslittlemourningforhiminotherhearts。
ButArthurkissedhertearfulfacemoretenderlythanhehadeverdoneinhislifebefore。
\"DearAunt，\"hesaidaffectionately，asheheldherhand，\"YOUR
lossisthegreatestofall，butyoumusttellmehowtotryandmakeituptoyoualltherestofyourlife。\"
\"Itwassosuddenandsodreadful，Arthur，\"poorMissLydiabegan，pouringoutherlittleplaints，andArthursatdowntolistenwithimpatientpatience。Whenapausecame，hesaid:
\"Now，Aunt，I’llleaveyouforaquarterofanhourjusttogotomyownroom，andthenIshallcomeandgivefullattentiontoeverything。\"
\"Myroomisallreadyforme，Isuppose，Mills？\"hesaidtothebutler，whoseemedtobelingeringuneasilyabouttheentrance-
hall。
\"Yes，sir，andtherearelettersforyou；theyarealllaidonthewriting-tableinyourdressing-room。\"
Onenteringthesmallanteroomwhichwascalledadressing-room，butwhichArthurreallyusedonlytoloungeandwritein，hejustcasthiseyesonthewriting-table，andsawthattherewereseverallettersandpacketslyingthere；buthewasintheuncomfortabledustyconditionofamanwhohashadalonghurriedjourney，andhemustreallyrefreshhimselfbyattendingtohistoilettealittle，beforehereadhisletters。Pymwasthere，makingeverythingreadyforhim，andsoon，withadelightfulfreshnessabouthim，asifhewerepreparedtobeginanewday，hewentbackintohisdressing-roomtoopenhisletters。Thelevelraysofthelowafternoonsunentereddirectlyatthewindow，andasArthurseatedhimselfinhisvelvetchairwiththeirpleasantwarmthuponhim，hewasconsciousofthatquietwell-beingwhichperhapsyouandIhavefeltonasunnyafternoonwhen，inourbrightestyouthandhealth，lifehasopenedanewvistaforus，andlongto-morrowsofactivityhavestretchedbeforeuslikealovelyplainwhichtherewasnoneedforhurryingtolookat，becauseitwasallourown。
Thetopletterwasplacedwithitsaddressupwards:itwasinMr。
Irwine’shandwriting，Arthursawatonce；andbelowtheaddresswaswritten，\"Tobedeliveredassoonashearrives。\"NothingcouldhavebeenlesssurprisingtohimthanaletterfromMr。
Irwineatthatmoment:ofcourse，therewassomethinghewishedArthurtoknowearlierthanitwaspossibleforthemtoseeeachother。AtsuchatimeasthatitwasquitenaturalthatIrwineshouldhavesomethingpressingtosay。Arthurbrokethesealwithanagreeableanticipationofsoonseeingthewriter。
\"Isendthislettertomeetyouonyourarrival，Arthur，becauseI
maythenbeatStoniton，whitherIamcalledbythemostpainfuldutyithaseverbeengivenmetoperform，anditisrightthatyoushouldknowwhatIhavetotellyouwithoutdelay。
\"Iwillnotattempttoaddbyonewordofreproachtotheretributionthatisnowfallingonyou:anyotherwordsthatI
couldwriteatthismomentmustbeweakandunmeaningbythesideofthoseinwhichImusttellyouthesimplefact。
\"HettySorrelisinprison，andwillbetriedonFridayforthecrimeofchild-murder。\"……
Arthurreadnomore。Hestartedupfromhischairandstoodforasingleminutewithasenseofviolentconvulsioninhiswholeframe，asifthelifeweregoingoutofhimwithhorriblethrobs；
butthenextminutehehadrushedoutoftheroom，stillclutchingtheletter——hewashurryingalongthecorridor，anddownthestairsintothehall。Millswasstillthere，butArthurdidnotseehim，ashepassedlikeahuntedmanacrossthehallandoutalongthegravel。Thebutlerhurriedoutafterhimasfastashiselderlylimbscouldrun:heguessed，heknew，wheretheyoungsquirewasgoing。
WhenMillsgottothestables，ahorsewasbeingsaddled，andArthurwasforcinghimselftoreadtheremainingwordsoftheletter。Hethrustitintohispocketasthehorsewasleduptohim，andatthatmomentcaughtsightofMills’anxiousfaceinfrontofhim。
\"TellthemI’mgone——gonetoStoniton，\"hesaidinamuffledtoneofagitation——sprangintothesaddle，andsetoffatagallop。
