第11章　

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。"