第12章
Hettyheardthewarning。Itrecalledtoherthenecessityofrallyinghernativepowersofconcealment，whichhadhalfgivenwayundertheshockofAdam’swords。Andshehadtheletterinherpocket:shewassuretherewascomfortinthatletterinspiteofAdam。SherantofindTotty，andsoonreappearedwithrecoveredcolour，leadingTotty，whowasmakingasourfacebecauseshehadbeenobligedtothrowawayanunripeapplethatshehadsethersmallteethin。
"Hegh，Totty，"saidAdam，"comeandrideonmyshoulder——eversohigh——you’lltouchthetopso’thetrees。"
Whatlittlechildeverrefusedtobecomfortedbythatglorioussenseofbeingseizedstronglyandswungupward？Idon’tbelieveGanymedecriedwhentheeaglecarriedhimaway，andperhapsdepositedhimonJove’sshoulderattheend。Tottysmileddowncomplacentlyfromhersecureheight，andpleasantwasthesighttothemother’seyes，asshestoodatthehousedoorandsawAdamcomingwithhissmallburden。
"Blessyoursweetface，mypet，"shesaid，themother’sstronglovefillingherkeeneyeswithmildness，asTottyleanedforwardandputoutherarms。ShehadnoeyesforHettyatthatmoment，andonlysaid，withoutlookingather，"Yougoanddrawsomeale，Hetty；thegellsarebothatthecheese。"
Afterthealehadbeendrawnandheruncle’spipelighted，therewasTottytobetakentobed，andbroughtdownagaininhernight-
gownbecauseshewouldcryinsteadofgoingtosleep。Thentherewassuppertobegotready，andHettymustbecontinuallyinthewaytogivehelp。AdamstayedtillheknewMrs。Poyserexpectedhimtogo，engagingherandherhusbandintalkasconstantlyashecould，forthesakeofleavingHettymoreatease。Helingered，becausehewantedtoseehersafelythroughthatevening，andhewasdelightedtofindhowmuchself-commandsheshowed。Heknewshehadnothadtimetoreadtheletter，buthedidnotknowshewasbuoyedupbyasecrethopethattheletterwouldcontradicteverythinghehadsaid。Itwashardworkforhimtoleaveher——hardtothinkthatheshouldnotknowfordayshowshewasbearinghertrouble。Buthemustgoatlast，andallhecoulddowastopressherhandgentlyashesaid"Good-bye，"andhopeshewouldtakethatasasignthatifhislovecouldeverbearefugeforher，itwastherethesameasever。Howbusyhisthoughtswere，ashewalkedhome，indevisingpityingexcusesforherfolly，inreferringallherweaknesstothesweetlovingnessofhernature，inblamingArthur，withlessandlessinclinationtoadmitthathisconductmightbeextenuatedtoo！HisexasperationatHetty’ssuffering——andalsoatthesensethatshewaspossiblythrustforeveroutofhisownreach——deafenedhimtoanypleaforthemiscalledfriendwhohadwroughtthismisery。
Adamwasaclear-sighted，fair-mindedman——afinefellow，indeed，morallyaswellasphysically。ButifAristidestheJustwaseverinloveandjealous，hewasatthatmomentnotperfectlymagnanimous。AndIcannotpretendthatAdam，inthesepainfuldays，feltnothingbutrighteousindignationandlovingpity。Hewasbitterlyjealous，andinproportionashislovemadehimindulgentinhisjudgmentofHetty，thebitternessfoundaventinhisfeelingtowardsArthur。
"Herheadwasallayslikelytobeturned，"hethought，"whenagentleman，withhisfinemanners，andfineclothes，andhiswhitehands，andthatwayo’talkinggentlefolkshave，cameabouther，makinguptoherinaboldway，asamancouldn’tdothatwasonlyherequal；andit’smuchifshe’lleverlikeacommonmannow。"
Hecouldnothelpdrawinghisownhandsoutofhispocketandlookingatthem——atthehardpalmsandthebrokenfinger-nails。
"I’maroughishfellow，altogether；Idon’tknow，nowIcometothinkon’t，whatthereismuchforawomantolikeaboutme；andyetImightha’gotanotherwifeeasyenough，ifIhadn’tsetmyheartonher。Butit’slittlematterwhatotherwomenthinkaboutme，ifshecan’tloveme。Shemightha’lovedme，perhaps，aslikelyasanyotherman——there’snobodyhereaboutsasI’mafraidof，ifhehadn’tcomebetweenus；butnowIshallbelikebehatefultoherbecauseI’msodifferenttohim。Andyetthere’snotelling——shemayturnroundtheotherway，whenshefindshe’smadelightofherallthewhile。Shemaycometofeelthevallyofamanas’udbethankfultobeboundtoherallhislife。ButImustputupwithitwhicheverwayitis——I’veonlytobethankfulit’sbeennoworse。Iamnotth’onlymanthat’sgottodowithoutmuchhappinessi’thislife。There’smanyagoodbito’workdonewithabadheart。It’sGod’swill，andthat’senoughforus:weshouldn’tknowbetterhowthingsoughttobethanHedoes，Ireckon，ifwewastospendourlivesi’puzzling。Butit’udha’goneneartospoilmyworkforme，ifI’dseenherbroughttosorrowandshame，andthroughthemanasI’vealwaysbeenproudtothinkon。SinceI’vebeensparedthat，I’venorighttogrumble。Whenaman’sgothislimbswhole，hecanbearasmartcutortwo。"
AsAdamwasgettingoverastileatthispointinhisreflections，heperceivedamanwalkingalongthefieldbeforehim。HeknewitwasSeth，returningfromaneveningpreaching，andmadehastetoovertakehim。
"Ithoughtthee’dstbeathomebeforeme，"hesaid，asSethturnedroundtowaitforhim，"forI’mlaterthanusualto-night。"
"Well，I’mlatertoo，forIgotintotalk，aftermeeting，withJohnBarnes，whohaslatelyprofessedhimselfinastateofperfection，andI’daquestiontoaskhimabouthisexperience。
It’soneo’themsubjectsthatleadyoufurtherthany’expect——
theydon’tliealongthestraightroad。"
Theywalkedalongtogetherinsilencetwoorthreeminutes。Adamwasnotinclinedtoenterintothesubtletiesofreligiousexperience，buthewasinclinedtointerchangeawordortwoofbrotherlyaffectionandconfidencewithSeth。Thatwasarareimpulseinhim，muchasthebrotherslovedeachother。Theyhardlyeverspokeofpersonalmatters，orutteredmorethananallusiontotheirfamilytroubles。Adamwasbynaturereservedinallmattersoffeeling，andSethfeltacertaintimiditytowardshismorepracticalbrother。
"Seth，lad，"Adamsaid，puttinghisarmonhisbrother’sshoulder，"hastheardanythingfromDinahMorrissinceshewentaway？"
"Yes，"saidSeth。"ShetoldmeImightwriteherwordafterawhile，howwewenton，andhowmotherboreupunderhertrouble。
SoIwrotetoherafortnightago，andtoldherabouttheehavinganewemployment，andhowMotherwasmorecontented；andlastWednesday，whenIcalledatthepostatTreddles’on，Ifoundaletterfromher。Ithinkthee’dstperhapsliketoreadit，butI
didnasayanythingaboutitbecausethee’stseemedsofullofotherthings。It’squiteeasyt’read——shewriteswonderfulforawoman。"
SethhaddrawntheletterfromhispocketandhelditouttoAdam，whosaid，ashetookit，"Aye，lad，I’vegotatoughloadtocarryjustnow——theemustnatakeitillifI’mabitsilenterandcrustiernorusual。Troubledoesnamakemecarethelessforthee。Iknowweshallsticktogethertothelast。"
"Itakenoughtillo’thee，Adam。Iknowwellenoughwhatitmeansifthee’tabitshortwi’menowandthen。"
"There’sMotheropeningthedoortolookoutforus，"saidAdam，astheymountedtheslope。"She’sbeensittingi’thedarkasusual。Well，Gyp，well，artgladtoseeme？"
Lisbethwentinagainquicklyandlightedacandle，forshehadheardthewelcomerustlingoffootstepsonthegrass，beforeGyp’sjoyfulbark。
"Eh，mylads！Th’hourswarne’ersolongsin’Iwarbornasthey’nbeenthisblessedSundaynight。Whatcanyebothha’beendoin’tillthistime？"
"Theeshouldstnasiti’thedark，Mother，"saidAdam；"thatmakesthetimeseemlonger。"
"Eh，whatamItodowi’burnin’candleofaSunday，whenthere’son’ymean’it’ssintodoabito’knittin’？Thedaylight’slongenoughformetostarei’thebookeasIcannaread。It’udbeafinewayo’shortenin’thetime，tomakeitwastethegoodcandle。
Butwhichonyou’sforha’in’supper？Yemunaytherbeclemmedorfull，Ishouldthink，seein’whattimeo’nightitis。"
"I’mhungry，Mother，"saidSeth，seatinghimselfatthelittletable，whichhadbeenspreadeversinceitwaslight。
"I’vehadmysupper，"saidAdam。"Here，Gyp，"headded，takingsomecoldpotatofromthetableandrubbingtheroughgreyheadthatlookeduptowardshim。
"Theeneedstnabegi’in’th’dog，"saidLisbeth；"I’nfedhimwella’ready。I’mnotliketoforgethim，Ireckon，whenhe’sallo’
theeIcangetsighton。"
"Come，then，Gyp，"saidAdam，"we’llgotobed。Good-night，Mother；I’mverytired。"
"Whatailshim，dostknow？"LisbethsaidtoSeth，whenAdamwasgoneupstairs。"He’slikeasifhewasstruckfordeaththisdayortwo——he’ssocastdown。Ifoundhimi’theshopthisforenoon，artertheewastgone，a-sittin’an’doin’nothin’——notsomuchasabookeaforehim。"
"He’sadealo’workuponhimjustnow，Mother，"saidSeth，"andI
thinkhe’sabittroubledinhismind。Don’tyoutakenoticeofit，becauseithurtshimwhenyoudo。Beaskindtohimasyoucan，Mother，anddon’tsayanythingtovexhim。"
"Eh，whatdosttalko’myvexin’him？An’whatamIliketobebutkind？I’llma’himakettle-cakeforbreakfasti’themornin’。"
Adam，meanwhile，wasreadingDinah’sletterbythelightofhisdipcandle。
DEARBROTHERSETH——Yourletterlaythreedaysbeyondmyknowingofitatthepost，forIhadnotmoneyenoughbymetopaythecarriage，thisbeingatimeofgreatneedandsicknesshere，withtherainsthathavefallen，asifthewindowsofheavenwereopenedagain；andtolaybymoney，fromdaytoday，insuchatime，whentherearesomanyinpresentneedofallthings，wouldbeawantoftrustlikethelayingupofthemanna。Ispeakofthis，becauseIwouldnothaveyouthinkmeslowtoanswer，orthatIhadsmalljoyinyourrejoicingattheworldlygoodthathasbefallenyourbrotherAdam。Thehonourandloveyoubearhimisnothingbutmeet，forGodhasgivenhimgreatgifts，andheusesthemasthepatriarchJosephdid，who，whenhewasexaltedtoaplaceofpowerandtrust，yetyearnedwithtendernesstowardshisparentandhisyoungerbrother。
"Myheartisknittoyouragedmothersinceitwasgrantedmetobenearherinthedayoftrouble。Speaktoherofme，andtellherIoftenbearherinmythoughtsateveningtime，whenIamsittinginthedimlightasIdidwithher，andweheldoneanother’shands，andIspokethewordsofcomfortthatweregiventome。Ah，thatisablessedtime，isn’tit，Seth，whentheoutwardlightisfading，andthebodyisalittleweariedwithitsworkanditslabour。Thentheinwardlightshinesthebrighter，andwehaveadeepersenseofrestingontheDivinestrength。I
sitonmychairinthedarkroomandclosemyeyes，anditisasifIwasoutofthebodyandcouldfeelnowantforevermore。Forthen，theveryhardship，andthesorrow，andtheblindness，andthesinIhavebeheldandbeenreadytoweepover——yea，alltheanguishofthechildrenofmen，whichsometimeswrapsmeroundlikesuddendarkness——Icanbearwithawillingpain，asifIwassharingtheRedeemer’scross。ForIfeelit，Ifeelit——infiniteloveissufferingtoo——yea，inthefulnessofknowledgeitsuffers，ityearns，itmourns；andthatisablindself-seekingwhichwantstobefreedfromthesorrowwherewiththewholecreationgroanethandtravaileth。Surelyitisnottrueblessednesstobefreefromsorrow，whilethereissorrowandsinintheworld:sorrowisthenapartoflove，andlovedoesnotseektothrowitoff。Itisnotthespiritonlythattellsmethis——IseeitinthewholeworkandwordoftheGospel。Istherenotpleadinginheaven？IsnottheManofSorrowsthereinthatcrucifiedbodywherewithheascended？AndisHenotonewiththeInfiniteLoveitself——asourloveisonewithoursorrow？
"Thesethoughtshavebeenmuchborneinonmeoflate，andIhaveseenwithnewclearnessthemeaningofthosewords，’Ifanymanloveme，lethimtakeupmycross。’IhaveheardthisenlargedonasifitmeantthetroublesandpersecutionswebringonourselvesbyconfessingJesus。Butsurelythatisanarrowthought。ThetruecrossoftheRedeemerwasthesinandsorrowofthisworld——
thatwaswhatlayheavyonhisheart——andthatisthecrossweshallsharewithhim，thatisthecupwemustdrinkofwithhim，ifwewouldhaveanypartinthatDivineLovewhichisonewithhissorrow。
"Inmyoutwardlot，whichyouaskabout，Ihaveallthingsandabound。Ihavehadconstantworkinthemill，thoughsomeoftheotherhandshavebeenturnedoffforatime，andmybodyisgreatlystrengthened，sothatIfeellittlewearinessafterlongwalkingandspeaking。Whatyousayaboutstayinginyourowncountrywithyourmotherandbrothershowsmethatyouhaveatrueguidance；yourlotisappointedtherebyaclearshowing，andtoseekagreaterblessingelsewherewouldbelikelayingafalseofferingonthealtarandexpectingthefirefromheaventokindleit。Myworkandmyjoyarehereamongthehills，andIsometimesthinkIclingtoomuchtomylifeamongthepeoplehere，andshouldberebelliousifIwascalledaway。
"IwasthankfulforyourtidingsaboutthedearfriendsattheHallFarm，forthoughIsentthemaletter，bymyaunt’sdesire，afterIcamebackfrommysojournamongthem，Ihavehadnowordfromthem。Myaunthasnotthepenofareadywriter，andtheworkofthehouseissufficientfortheday，forsheisweakinbody。Myheartcleavestoherandherchildrenasthenearestofalltomeintheflesh——yea，andtoallinthathouse。Iamcarriedawaytothemcontinuallyinmysleep，andofteninthemidstofwork，andevenofspeech，thethoughtofthemisborneinonmeasiftheywereinneedandtrouble，whichyetisdarktome。Theremaybesomeleadinghere；butIwaittobetaught。Yousaytheyareallwell。
"Weshallseeeachotheragaininthebody，Itrust，though，itmaybe，notforalongwhile；forthebrethrenandsistersatLeedsaredesiroustohavemeforashortspaceamongthem，whenI
haveadooropenedmeagaintoleaveSnowfield。
"Farewell，dearbrother——andyetnotfarewell。ForthosechildrenofGodwhomithasbeengrantedtoseeeachotherfacetoface，andtoholdcommuniontogether，andtofeelthesamespiritworkinginbothcannevermorebesunderedthoughthehillsmayliebetween。Fortheirsoulsareenlargedforevermorebythatunion，andtheybearoneanotheraboutintheirthoughtscontinuallyasitwereanewstrength——YourfaithfulSisterandfellow-workerinChrist，DINAHMORRIS。"
"Ihavenotskilltowritethewordssosmallasyoudoandmypenmovesslow。AndsoIamstraitened，andsaybutlittleofwhatisinmymind。Greetyourmotherformewithakiss。Sheaskedmetokisshertwicewhenweparted。"
Adamhadrefoldedtheletter，andwassittingmeditativelywithhisheadrestingonhisarmattheheadofthebed，whenSethcameupstairs。
"Hastreadtheletter？"saidSeth。
"Yes，"saidAdam。"Idon’tknowwhatIshouldha’thoughtofherandherletterifI’dneverseenher:IdaresayIshouldha’
thoughtapreachingwomanhateful。Butshe’soneasmakeseverythingseemrightshesaysanddoes，andIseemedtoseeherandhearherspeakingwhenIreadtheletter。It’swonderfulhowIrememberherlooksandhervoice。She’dmaketheerareandhappy，Seth；she’sjustthewomanforthee。"
"It’snousethinkingo’that，"saidSeth，despondingly。"Shespokesofirm，andshe’snotthewomantosayonethingandmeananother。"
"Nay，butherfeelingsmaygrowdifferent。Awomanmaygettolovebydegrees——thebestfiredosnaflareupthesoonest。I’dhavetheegoandseeherbyandby:I’dmakeitconvenientfortheetobeawaythreeorfourdays，andit’udbenowalkforthee——onlybetweentwentyandthirtymile。"
"Ishouldliketoseeheragain，whetherorno，ifshewouldnabedispleasedwithmeforgoing，"saidSeth。
"She’llbenonedispleased，"saidAdamemphatically，gettingupandthrowingoffhiscoat。"Itmightbeagreathappinesstousallifshe’dhavethee，formothertooktohersowonderfulandseemedsocontentedtobewithher。"
"Aye，"saidSeth，rathertimidly，"andDinah’sfondo’Hettytoo；
shethinksadealabouther。"
Adammadenoreplytothat，andnootherwordbut"good-night"
passedbetweenthem。
InHetty’sBed-ChamberITwasnolongerlightenoughtogotobedwithoutacandle，eveninMrs。Poyser’searlyhousehold，andHettycarriedonewithherasshewentupatlasttoherbedroomsoonafterAdamwasgone，andboltedthedoorbehindher。
Nowshewouldreadherletter。Itmust——itmusthavecomfortinit。HowwasAdamtoknowthetruth？Itwasalwayslikelyheshouldsaywhathedidsay。
Shesetdownthecandleandtookouttheletter。Ithadafaintscentofroses，whichmadeherfeelasifArthurwereclosetoher。Sheputittoherlips，andarushofrememberedsensationsforamomentortwosweptawayallfear。Butherheartbegantoflutterstrangely，andherhandstotrembleasshebroketheseal。
Shereadslowly；itwasnoteasyforhertoreadagentleman’shandwriting，thoughArthurhadtakenpainstowriteplainly。
"DEARESTHETTY——IhavespokentrulywhenIhavesaidthatIlovedyou，andIshallneverforgetourlove。Ishallbeyourtruefriendaslongaslifelasts，andIhopetoprovethistoyouinmanyways。IfIsayanythingtopainyouinthisletter，donotbelieveitisforwantofloveandtendernesstowardsyou，forthereisnothingIwouldnotdoforyou，ifIknewittobereallyforyourhappiness。IcannotbeartothinkofmylittleHettysheddingtearswhenIamnottheretokissthemaway；andifI
followedonlymyowninclinations，Ishouldbewithheratthismomentinsteadofwriting。Itisveryhardformetopartfromher——harderstillformetowritewordswhichmayseemunkind，thoughtheyspringfromthetruestkindness。
"Dear，dearHetty，sweetasourlovehasbeentome，sweetasitwouldbetomeforyoutolovemealways，Ifeelthatitwouldhavebeenbetterforusbothifwehadneverhadthathappiness，andthatitismydutytoaskyoutolovemeandcareformeaslittleasyoucan。Thefaulthasallbeenmine，forthoughIhavebeenunabletoresistthelongingtobenearyou，Ihavefeltallthewhilethatyouraffectionformemightcauseyougrief。I
oughttohaveresistedmyfeelings。Ishouldhavedoneso，ifI
hadbeenabetterfellowthanIam；butnow，sincethepastcannotbealtered，IamboundtosaveyoufromanyevilthatIhavepowertoprevent。AndIfeelitwouldbeagreatevilforyouifyouraffectionscontinuedsofixedonmethatyoucouldthinkofnoothermanwhomightbeabletomakeyouhappierbyhislovethanI
evercan，andifyoucontinuedtolooktowardssomethinginthefuturewhichcannotpossiblyhappen。For，dearHetty，ifIweretodowhatyouonedayspokeof，andmakeyoumywife，Ishoulddowhatyouyourselfwouldcometofeelwasforyourmiseryinsteadofyourwelfare。Iknowyoucanneverbehappyexceptbymarryingamaninyourownstation；andifIweretomarryyounow，I
shouldonlybeaddingtoanywrongIhavedone，besidesoffendingagainstmydutyintheotherrelationsoflife。Youknownothing，dearHetty，oftheworldinwhichImustalwayslive，andyouwouldsoonbegintodislikeme，becausetherewouldbesolittleinwhichweshouldbealike。
"AndsinceIcannotmarryyou，wemustpart——wemusttrynottofeellikeloversanymore。IammiserablewhileIsaythis，butnothingelsecanbe。Beangrywithme，mysweetone，Ideserveit；butdonotbelievethatIshallnotalwayscareforyou——
alwaysbegratefultoyou——alwaysremembermyHetty；andifanytroubleshouldcomethatwedonotnowforesee，trustinmetodoeverythingthatliesinmypower。
"Ihavetoldyouwhereyouaretodirectaletterto，ifyouwanttowrite，butIputitdownbelowlestyoushouldhaveforgotten。
DonotwriteunlessthereissomethingIcanreallydoforyou；
for，dearHetty，wemusttrytothinkofeachotheraslittleaswecan。Forgiveme，andtrytoforgeteverythingaboutme，exceptthatIshallbe，aslongasIlive，youraffectionatefriend，ARTHURDONNITHORNE。
SlowlyHettyhadreadthisletter；andwhenshelookedupfromittherewasthereflectionofablanchedfaceintheolddimglass——
awhitemarblefacewithroundedchildishforms，butwithsomethingsadderthanachild’spaininit。Hettydidnotseetheface——shesawnothing——sheonlyfeltthatshewascoldandsickandtrembling。Thelettershookandrustledinherhand。Shelaiditdown。Itwasahorriblesensation——thiscoldandtrembling。Itsweptawaytheveryideasthatproducedit，andHettygotuptoreachawarmcloakfromherclothes-press，wrappeditroundher，andsatasifshewerethinkingofnothingbutgettingwarm。Presentlyshetookuptheletterwithafirmerhand，andbegantoreaditthroughagain。Thetearscamethistime——greatrushingtearsthatblindedherandblotchedthepaper。
ShefeltnothingbutthatArthurwascruel——crueltowriteso，cruelnottomarryher。Reasonswhyhecouldnotmarryherhadnoexistenceforhermind；howcouldshebelieveinanymiserythatcouldcometoherfromthefulfilmentofallshehadbeenlongingforanddreamingof？Shehadnottheideasthatcouldmakeupthenotionofthatmisery。
Asshethrewdowntheletteragain，shecaughtsightofherfaceintheglass；itwasreddenednow，andwetwithtears；itwasalmostlikeacompanionthatshemightcomplainto——thatwouldpityher。Sheleanedforwardonherelbows，andlookedintothosedarkoverfloodingeyesandatthequiveringmouth，andsawhowthetearscamethickerandthicker，andhowthemouthbecameconvulsedwithsobs。
Theshatteringofallherlittledream-world，thecrushingblowonhernew-bornpassion，afflictedherpleasure-cravingnaturewithanoverpoweringpainthatannihilatedallimpulsetoresistance，andsuspendedheranger。Shesatsobbingtillthecandlewentout，andthen，wearied，aching，stupefiedwithcrying，threwherselfonthebedwithoutundressingandwenttosleep。
TherewasafeebledawnintheroomwhenHettyawoke，alittleafterfouro’clock，withasenseofdullmisery，thecauseofwhichbrokeuponhergraduallyasshebegantodiscerntheobjectsroundherinthedimlight。Andthencamethefrighteningthoughtthatshehadtoconcealhermiseryaswellastobearit，inthisdrearydaylightthatwascoming。Shecouldlienolonger。Shegotupandwenttowardsthetable:therelaytheletter。Sheopenedhertreasure-drawer:therelaytheear-ringsandthelocket——thesignsofallhershorthappiness——thesignsofthelifelongdrearinessthatwastofollowit。Lookingatthelittletrinketswhichshehadonceeyedandfingeredsofondlyastheearnestofherfutureparadiseoffinery，shelivedbackinthemomentswhentheyhadbeengiventoherwithsuchtendercaresses，suchstrangelyprettywords，suchglowinglooks，whichfilledherwithabewilderingdelicioussurprise——theyweresomuchsweeterthanshehadthoughtanythingcouldbe。AndtheArthurwhohadspokentoherandlookedatherinthisway，whowaspresentwithhernow——whosearmshefeltroundher，hischeekagainsthers，hisverybreathuponher——wasthecruel，cruelArthurwhohadwrittenthatletter，thatletterwhichshesnatchedandcrushedandthenopenedagain，thatshemightreaditoncemore。Thehalf-benumbedmentalconditionwhichwastheeffectofthelastnight’sviolentcryingmadeitnecessarytohertolookagainandseeifherwretchedthoughtswereactuallytrue——iftheletterwasreallysocruel。Shehadtoholditclosetothewindow，elseshecouldnothavereaditbythefaintlight。Yes！Itwasworse——itwasmorecruel。Shecrusheditupagaininanger。Shehatedthewriterofthatletter——hatedhimfortheveryreasonthatshehunguponhimwithallherlove——allthegirlishpassionandvanitythatmadeupherlove。
Shehadnotearsthismorning。Shehadweptthemallawaylastnight，andnowshefeltthatdry-eyedmorningmisery，whichisworsethanthefirstshockbecauseithasthefutureinitaswellasthepresent。Everymorningtocome，asfarasherimaginationcouldstretch，shewouldhavetogetupandfeelthatthedaywouldhavenojoyforher。Forthereisnodespairsoabsoluteasthatwhichcomeswiththefirstmomentsofourfirstgreatsorrow，whenwehavenotyetknownwhatitistohavesufferedandbehealed，tohavedespairedandtohaverecoveredhope。AsHettybeganlanguidlytotakeofftheclothesshehadwornallthenight，thatshemightwashherselfandbrushherhair，shehadasickeningsensethatherlifewouldgooninthisway。Sheshouldalwaysbedoingthingsshehadnopleasurein，gettinguptotheoldtasksofwork，seeingpeopleshecarednothingabout，goingtochurch，andtoTreddleston，andtoteawithMrs。Best，andcarryingnohappythoughtwithher。Forhershortpoisonousdelightshadspoiledforeverallthelittlejoysthathadoncemadethesweetnessofherlife——thenewfrockreadyforTreddlestonFair，thepartyatMr。Britton’satBroxtonwake，thebeauxthatshewouldsay"No"toforalongwhile，andtheprospectoftheweddingthatwastocomeatlastwhenshewouldhaveasilkgownandagreatmanyclothesallatonce。Thesethingswereallflatanddrearytohernow；everythingwouldbeaweariness，andshewouldcarryaboutforeverahopelessthirstandlonging。
Shepausedinthemidstofherlanguidundressingandleanedagainstthedarkoldclothes-press。Herneckandarmswerebare，herhairhungdownindelicaterings——andtheywerejustasbeautifulastheywerethatnighttwomonthsago，whenshewalkedupanddownthisbed-chamberglowingwithvanityandhope。Shewasnotthinkingofherneckandarmsnow；evenherownbeautywasindifferenttoher。Hereyeswanderedsadlyoverthedulloldchamber，andthenlookedoutvacantlytowardsthegrowingdawn。
DidaremembranceofDinahcomeacrosshermind？Ofherforebodingwords，whichhadmadeherangry？OfDinah’saffectionateentreatytothinkofherasafriendintrouble？No，theimpressionhadbeentooslighttorecur。AnyaffectionorcomfortDinahcouldhavegivenherwouldhavebeenasindifferenttoHettythismorningaseverythingelsewasexceptherbruisedpassion。Shewasonlythinkingshecouldneverstayhereandgoonwiththeoldlife——shecouldbetterbearsomethingquitenewthansinkingbackintotheoldeverydayround。Shewouldliketorunawaythatverymorning，andneverseeanyoftheoldfacesagain。ButHetty’swasnotanaturetofacedifficulties——todaretolooseherholdonthefamiliarandrushblindlyonsomeunknowncondition。Herswasaluxuriousandvainnature——notapassionateone——andifshewereevertotakeanyviolentmeasure，shemustbeurgedtoitbythedesperationofterror。Therewasnotmuchroomforherthoughtstotravelinthenarrowcircleofherimagination，andshesoonfixedontheonethingshewoulddotogetawayfromheroldlife:shewouldaskheruncletolethergotobealady’smaid。MissLydia’smaidwouldhelphertogetasituation，ifshekrewHettyhadheruncle’sleave。
Whenshehadthoughtofthis，shefastenedupherhairandbegantowash:itseemedmorepossibletohertogodownstairsandtrytobehaveasusual。Shewouldaskherunclethisveryday。OnHetty’sbloominghealthitwouldtakeagreatdealofsuchmentalsufferingasherstoleaveanydeepimpress；andwhenshewasdressedasneatlyasusualinherworking-dress，withherhairtuckedupunderherlittlecap，anindifferentobserverwouldhavebeenmorestruckwiththeyoungroundnessofhercheekandneckandthedarknessofhereyesandeyelashesthanwithanysignsofsadnessabouther。Butwhenshetookupthecrushedletterandputitinherdrawer，thatshemightlockitoutofsight，hardsmartingtears，havingnoreliefinthemasthegreatdropshadthatfelllastnight，forcedtheirwayintohereyes。Shewipedthemawayquickly:shemustnotcryintheday-time。Nobodyshouldfindouthowmiserableshewas，nobodyshouldknowshewasdisappointedaboutanything；andthethoughtthattheeyesofherauntandunclewouldbeuponhergavehertheself-commandwhichoftenaccompaniesagreatdread。ForHettylookedoutfromhersecretmiserytowardsthepossibilityoftheireverknowingwhathadhappened，asthesickandwearyprisonermightthinkofthepossiblepillory。Theywouldthinkherconductshameful，andshamewastorture。ThatwaspoorlittleHetty’sconscience。
Soshelockedupherdrawerandwentawaytoherearlywork。
Intheevening，whenMr。Poyserwassmokinghispipe，andhisgood-naturewasthereforeatitssuperlativemoment，Hettyseizedtheopportunityofheraunt’sabsencetosay，"Uncle，Iwishyou’dletmegoforalady’smaid。"
Mr。PoysertookthepipefromhismouthandlookedatHettyinmildsurpriseforsomemoments。Shewassewing，andwentonwithherworkindustriously。
"Why，what’sputthatintoyourhead，mywench？"hesaidatlast，afterhehadgivenoneconservativepuff。
"Ishouldlikeit——Ishouldlikeitbetterthanfarm-work。"
"Nay，nay；youfancysobecauseyoudonnaknowit，mywench。Itwouldn’tbehalfsogoodforyourhealth，norforyourlucki’
life。I’dlikeyoutostaywi’ustillyou’vegotagoodhusband:
you’remyownniece，andIwouldn’thaveyougotoservice，thoughitwasagentleman’shouse，aslongasI’vegotahomeforyou。"
Mr。Poyserpaused，andpuffedawayathispipe。
"Iliketheneedlework，"saidHetty，"andIshouldgetgoodwages。"
"Hasyourauntbeenabitsharpwi’you？"saidMr。Poyser，notnoticingHetty’sfurtherargument。"Youmustnamindthat，mywench——shedoesitforyourgood。Shewishesyouwell；an’thereisn’tmanyauntsasarenokintoyou’udha’donebyyouasshehas。"
"No，itisn’tmyaunt，"saidHetty，"butIshouldliketheworkbetter。"
"Itwasallverywellforyoutolearntheworkabit——an’Igevmyconsenttothatfastenough，sin’Mrs。Pomfretwaswillingtoteachyou。Forifanythingwast’happen，it’swelltoknowhowtoturnyourhandtodifferentsortso’things。ButInivermeantyoutogotoservice，mywench；myfamily’satetheirownbreadandcheeseasfurbackasanybodyknows，hannathey，Father？Youwouldnalikeyourgrand-childtotakewage？"
"Na-a-y，"saidoldMartin，withanelongationoftheword，meanttomakeitbitteraswellasnegative，whileheleanedforwardandlookeddownonthefloor。"Butthewenchtakesarterhermother。
I’dhardworkt’houldHERin，an’shemarriedi’spiteo’me——afellerwi’on’ytwoheado’stockwhenthereshouldha’beentenon’sfarm——shemightwelldieo’th’inflammationaforeshewarthirty。"
Itwasseldomtheoldmanmadesolongaspeech，buthisson’squestionhadfallenlikeabitofdryfuelontheembersofalongunextinguishedresentment，whichhadalwaysmadethegrandfathermoreindifferenttoHettythantohisson’schildren。Hermother’sfortunehadbeenspentbythatgood-for-noughtSorrel，andHettyhadSorrel’sbloodinherveins。
"Poorthing，poorthing！"saidMartintheyounger，whowassorrytohaveprovokedthisretrospectiveharshness。"She’dbutbadluck。ButHetty’sgotasgoodachanceo’gettingasolid，soberhusbandasanygelli’thiscountry。"
Afterthrowingoutthispregnanthint，Mr。Poyserrecurredtohispipeandhissilence，lookingatHettytoseeifshedidnotgivesomesignofhavingrenouncedherill-advisedwish。Butinsteadofthat，Hetty，inspiteofherself，begantocry，halfoutofilltemperatthedenial，halfoutoftheday’srepressedsadness。
"Hegh，hegh！"saidMr。Poyser，meaningtocheckherplayfully，"don’tlet’shaveanycrying。Crying’sforthemasha’gotnohome，notforthemaswanttogetrido’one。Whatdostthink？"
hecontinuedtohiswife，whonowcamebackintothehouse-place，knittingwithfiercerapidity，asifthatmovementwereanecessaryfunction，likethetwitteringofacrab’santennae。
"Think？Why，Ithinkweshallhavethefowlstolebeforewearemucholder，wi’thatgellforgettingtolockthepensupo’
nights。What’sthematternow，Hetty？Whatareyoucryingat？"
"Why，she’sbeenwantingtogoforalady’smaid，"saidMr。
Poyser。"Itellherwecandobetterforhernorthat。"
"Ithoughtshe’dgotsomemaggotinherhead，she’sgoneaboutwi’
hermouthbuttonedupsoallday。It’sallwi’goingsoamongthemservantsattheChase，aswewarfoolsforlettingher。Shethinksit’udbeafinerlifethanbeingwi’themasareakintoherandha’broughtherupsin’shewarnobiggernorMarty。Shethinksthere’snothingbelongstobeingalady’smaidbutwearingfinerclothesnorshewasbornto，I’llbebound。It’swhatragshecangettostickonherasshe’sthinkingonfrommorningtillnight，asIoftenaskherifshewouldn’tliketobethemawkini’
thefield，forthenshe’dbemadeo’ragsinsideandout。I’llnevergi’myconsenttohergoingforalady’smaid，whileshe’sgotgoodfriendstotakecareonhertillshe’smarriedtosomebodybetternoroneo’themvalets，asisneitheracommonmannoragentleman，an’mustliveonthefato’theland，an’slikeenoughtostickhishandsunderhiscoat-tailsandexpecthiswifetoworkforhim。"
"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Poyser，"wemusthaveabetterhusbandforhernorthat，andthere’sbetterathand。Come，mywench，giveovercryingandgettobed。I’lldobetterforyounorlettingyougoforalady’smaid。Let’shearnomoreon’t。"
WhenHettywasgoneupstairshesaid，"Icannamakeitoutassheshouldwanttogoaway，forIthoughtshe’dgotamindt’AdamBede。She’slookedlikeito’late。"
"Eh，there’snoknowingwhatshe’sgotalikingto，forthingstakenomoreholdonherthanifshewasadriedpea。Ibelievethatgell，Molly——asisaggravatin’enough，forthemattero’
that——butIbelieveshe’dcaremoreaboutleavingusandthechildren，forallshe’sbeenherebutayearcomeMichaelmas，norHettywould。Butshe’sgotthisnotiono’beingalady’smaidwi’
goingamongthemservants——wemightha’knownwhatit’udleadtowhenwelethergotolearnthefinework。ButI’llputastoptoitprettyquick。"
"Thee’dstbesorrytopartwi’her，ifitwasn’tforhergood，"
saidMr。Poyser。"She’susefultotheei’thework。"
"Sorry？Yes，I’mfonderonhernorshedeserves——alittlehard-
heartedhussy，wantingtoleaveusi’thatway。Ican’tha’hadheraboutmethesesevenyear，Ireckon，anddoneforher，andtaughthereverythingwi’outcaringabouther。An’hereI’mhavinglinenspun，an’thinkingallthewhileit’llmakesheetingandtable-clothingforherwhenshe’smarried，an’she’lllivei’
theparishwi’us，andnevergooutofoursights——likeafoolasIamforthinkingaughtabouther，asisnobetternoracherrywi’ahardstoneinsideit。"
"Nay，nay，theemustnamakemuchofatrifle，"saidMr。Poyser，soothingly。"She’sfondonus，I’llbebound；butshe’syoung，an’getsthingsinherheadasshecan’trightlygiveaccounton。
Themyoungfillies’ullrunawayoftenwi’-ou；knowingwhy。"
Heruncle’sanswers，however，hadhadanothereffectonHettybesidesthatofdisappointingherandmakinghercry。Sheknewquitewellwhomhehadinhismindinhisallusionstomarriage，andtoasober，solidhusband；andwhenshewasinherbedroomagain，thepossibilityofhermarryingAdampresenteditselftoherinanewlight。Inamindwherenostrongsympathiesareatwork，wherethereisnosupremesenseofrighttowhichtheagitatednaturecanclingandsteadyitselftoquietendurance，oneofthefirstresultsofsorrowisadesperatevagueclutchingafteranydeedthatwillchangetheactualcondition。PoorHetty’svisionofconsequences，atnotimemorethananarrowfantasticcalculationofherownprobablepleasuresandpains，wasnowquiteshutoutbyrecklessirritationunderpresentsuffering，andshewasreadyforoneofthoseconvulsive，motivelessactionsbywhichwretchedmenandwomenleapfromatemporarysorrowintoalifelongmisery。
WhyshouldshenotmarryAdam？Shedidnotcarewhatshedid，sothatitmadesomechangeinherlife。Shefeltconfidentthathewouldstillwanttomarryher，andanyfurtherthoughtaboutAdam’shappinessinthematterhadneveryetvisitedher。
"Strange！"perhapsyouwillsay，"thisrushofimpulseto-wardsacoursethatmighthaveseemedthemostrepugnanttoherpresentstateofmind，andinonlythesecondnightofhersadness！"
Yes，theactionsofalittletrivialsoullikeHetty’s，strugglingamidsttheserioussaddestiniesofahumanbeing，arestrange。
Soarethemotionsofalittlevesselwithoutballasttossedaboutonastormysea。Howprettyitlookedwithitsparti-colouredsailinthesunlight，mooredinthequietbay！
"Letthatmanbearthelosswholooseditfromitsmoorings。"
Butthatwillnotsavethevessel——theprettythingthatmighthavebeenalastingjoy。
Mrs。Poyser"HasHerSayOut"
THEnextSaturdayeveningtherewasmuchexciteddiscussionattheDonnithorneArmsconcerninganincidentwhichhadoccurredthatveryday——nolessthanasecondappearanceofthesmartmanintop-bootssaidbysometobeamerefarmerintreatyfortheChaseFarm，byotherstobethefuturesteward，butbyMr。Cassonhimself，thepersonalwitnesstothestranger’svisit，pronouncedcontemptuouslytobenothingbetterthanabailiff，suchasSatchellhadbeenbeforehim。NoonehadthoughtofdenyingMr。
Casson’stestimonytothefactthathehadseenthestranger；
nevertheless，heprofferedvariouscorroboratingcircumstances。
"Iseehimmyself，"hesaid；"IseehimcomingalongbytheCrab-
treeMeadowonabald-facedhoss。I’djustbeent’hevapint——itwashalfafterteni’thefore-noon，whenIhevmypintasreg’larastheclock——andIsaystoKnowles，asdruvupwithhiswaggon，’You’llgetabito’barleyto-day，Knowles，’Isays，’ifyoulookaboutyou’；andthenIwentroundbytherick-yard，andtowarttheTreddles’onroad，andjustasIcomeupbythebigash-tree，Iseethemani’top-bootscomingalongonabald-facedhoss——IwishI
mayneverstirifIdidn’t。AndIstoodstilltillhecomeup，andIsays，’Goodmorning，sir，’Isays，forIwantedtoheartheturnofhistongue，asImightknowwhetherhewasathis-countryman；soIsays，’Goodmorning，sir:it’ll’oldhupforthebarleythismorning，Ithink。There’llbeabitgothin，ifwe’vegoodluck。’Andhesays，’Eh，yemayberaight，there’snootallin’，’
hesays，andIknowedbythat"——hereMr。Cassongaveawink——"ashedidn’tcomefromahundredmileoff。Idaresayhe’dthinkmeahoddtalker，asyouLoamshirefolksallaysdoeshanyoneastalkstherightlanguage。"
"Therightlanguage！"saidBartleMassey，contemptuously。"You’reaboutasneartherightlanguageasapig’ssqueakingislikeatuneplayedonakey-bugle。"
"Well，Idon’tknow，"answeredMr。Casson，withanangrysmile。
"Ishouldthinkamanashaslivedamongthegentryfromaby，islikelytoknowwhat’stherightlanguageprettynighaswellasaschoolmaster。"
"Aye，aye，man，"saidBartle，withatoneofsarcasticconsolation，"youtalktherightlanguageforyou。WhenMikeHoldsworth’sgoatsaysba-a-a，it’sallright——it’udbeunnaturalforittomakeanyothernoise。"
TherestofthepartybeingLoamsniremen，Mr。Cassonhadthelaughstronglyagainsthim，andwiselyfellbackonthepreviousquestion，which，farfrombeingexhaustedinasingleevening，wasrenewedinthechurchyard，beforeservice，thenextday，withthefreshinterestconferredonallnewswhenthereisafreshpersontohearit；andthatfreshhearerwasMartinPoyser，who，ashiswifesaid，"neverwentboozin’withthatsetatCasson’s，a-
sittin’soakin’indrink，andlookingaswiseasaloto’cod-fishwi’redfaces。"
ItwasprobablyowingtotheconversationshehadhadwithherhusbandontheirwayfromchurchconcerningthisproblematicstrangerthatMrs。Poyser’sthoughtsimmediatelyrevertedtohimwhen，adayortwoafterwards，asshewasstandingatthehouse-
doorwithherknitting，inthateagerleisurewhichcametoherwhentheafternooncleaningwasdone，shesawtheoldsquireentertheyardonhisblackpony，followedbyJohnthegroom。Shealwaysciteditafterwardsasacaseofprevision，whichreallyhadsomethingmoreinitthanherownremarkablepenetration，thatthemomentsheseteyesonthesquireshesaidtoherself，"I
shouldnawonderifhe’scomeaboutthatmanasisa-goingtotaketheChaseFarm，wantingPoysertodosomethingforhimwithoutpay。ButPoyser’safoolifhedoes。"
Somethingunwontedmustclearlybeinthewind，fortheoldsquire’svisitstohistenantrywererare；andthoughMrs。Poyserhadduringthelasttwelvemonthrecitedmanyimaginaryspeeches，meaningevenmorethanmettheear，whichshewasquitedeterminedtomaketohimthenexttimeheappearedwithinthegatesoftheHallFarm，thespeecheshadalwaysremainedimaginary。
"Good-day，Mrs。Poyser，"saidtheoldsquire，peeringatherwithhisshort-sightedeyes——amodeoflookingatherwhich，asMrs。
Poyserobserved，"allaysaggravatedme:itwasasifyouwasainsect，andhewasgoingtodabhisfinger-nailonyou。"
However，shesaid，"Yourservant，sir，"andcurtsiedwithanairofperfectdeferenceassheadvancedtowardshim:shewasnotthewomantomisbehavetowardsherbetters，andflyinthefaceofthecatechism，withoutsevereprovocation。
"Isyourhusbandathome，Mrs。Poyser？"
"Yes，sir；he’sonlyi’therick-yard。I’llsendforhiminaminute，ifyou’llpleasetogetdownandstepin。"
"Thankyou；Iwilldoso。Iwanttoconsulthimaboutalittlematter；butyouarequiteasmuchconcernedinit，ifnotmore。I
musthaveyouropiniontoo。"
"Hetty，runandtellyouruncletocomein，"saidMrs。Poyser，astheyenteredthehouse，andtheoldgentlemanbowedlowinanswertoHetty’scurtsy；whileTotty，consciousofapinaforestainedwithgooseberryjam，stoodhidingherfaceagainsttheclockandpeepingroundfurtively。
"Whatafineoldkitchenthisis！"saidMr。Donnithorne，lookingroundadmiringly。Healwaysspokeinthesamedeliberate，well-
chiselled，politeway，whetherhiswordsweresugaryorvenomous。
"Andyoukeepitsoexquisitelyclean，Mrs。Poyser。Ilikethesepremises，doyouknow，beyondanyontheestate。"
"Well，sir，sinceyou’refondof’em，Ishouldbegladifyou’dletabito’repairsbedoneto’em，fortheboarding’si’thatstateaswe’reliketobeeatenupwi’ratsandmice；andthecellar，youmaystan’uptoyourkneesi’waterin’t，ifyouliketogodown；butperhapsyou’dratherbelievemywords。Won’tyoupleasetositdown，sir？"
"Notyet；Imustseeyourdairy。Ihavenotseenitforyears，andIhearonallhandsaboutyourfinecheeseandbutter，"saidthesquire，lookingpolitelyunconsciousthattherecouldbeanyquestiononwhichheandMrs。Poysermighthappentodisagree。"I
thinkIseethedooropen，there。YoumustnotbesurprisedifI
castacovetouseyeonyourcreamandbutter。Idon’texpectthatMrs。Satchell’screamandbutterwillbearcomparisonwithyours。"
"Ican’tsay，sir，I’msure。It’sseldomIseeotherfolks’sbutter，thoughthere’ssomeonitasone’snoneedtosee——thesmell’senough。"
"Ah，nowthisIlike，"saidMr。Donnithorne，lookingroundatthedamptempleofcleanliness，butkeepingnearthedoor。"I’msureIshouldlikemybreakfastbetterifIknewthebutterandcreamcamefromthisdairy。Thankyou，thatreallyisapleasantsight。
Unfortunately，myslighttendencytorheumatismmakesmeafraidofdamp:I’llsitdowninyourcomfortablekitchen。Ah，Poyser，howdoyoudo？Inthemidstofbusiness，Isee，asusual。I’vebeenlookingatyourwife’sbeautifuldairy——thebestmanagerintheparish，isshenot？"
Mr。Poyserhadjustenteredinshirt-sleevesandopenwaistcoat，withafaceashaderedderthanusual，fromtheexertionof"pitching。"Ashestood，red，rotund，andradiant，beforethesmall，wiry，coololdgentleman，helookedlikeaprizeapplebythesideofawitheredcrab。
"Willyoupleasetotakethischair，sir？"hesaid，liftinghisfather’sarm-chairforwardalittle:"you’llfinditeasy。"
"No，thankyou，Ineversitineasy-chairs，"saidtheoldgentleman，seatinghimselfonasmallchairnearthedoor。"Doyouknow，Mrs。Poyser——sitdown，pray，bothofyou——I’vebeenfarfromcontented，forsometime，withMrs。Satchell’sdairymanagement。Ithinkshehasnotagoodmethod，asyouhave。"
"Indeed，sir，Ican’tspeaktothat，"saidMrs。Poyserinahardvoice，rollingandunrollingherknittingandlookingicilyoutofthewindow，asshecontinuedtostandoppositethesquire。Poysermightsitdownifheliked，shethought；shewasn’tgoingtositdown，asifshe’dgiveintoanysuchsmooth-tonguedpalaver。Mr。
Poyser，wholookedandfeltthereverseoficy，didsitdowninhisthree-corneredchair。
"Andnow，Poyser，asSatchellislaidup，IamintendingtolettheChaseFarmtoarespectabletenant。I’mtiredofhavingafarmonmyownhands——nothingismadethebestofinsuchcases，asyouknow。Asatisfactorybailiffishardtofind；andIthinkyouandI，Poyser，andyourexcellentwifehere，canenterintoalittlearrangementinconsequence，whichwillbetoourmutualadvantage。"
"Oh，"saidMr。Poyser，withagood-naturedblanknessofimaginationastothenatureofthearrangement。
"IfI’mcalledupontospeak，sir，"saidMrs。Poyser，afterglancingatherhusbandwithpityathissoftness，"youknowbetterthanme；butIdon’tseewhattheChaseFarmist’us——
we’vecumberenoughwi’ourownfarm。NotbutwhatI’mgladtohearo’anybodyrespectablecomingintotheparish；there’ssomeasha’beenbroughtinashasn’tbeenlookedoni’thatcharacter。"
"You’relikelytofindMr。Thurleanexcellentneighbour，Iassureyou——suchaoneasyouwillfeelgladtohaveaccommodatedbythelittleplanI’mgoingtomention，especiallyasIhopeyouwillfinditasmuchtoyourownadvantageashis。"
"Indeed，sir，ifit’sanythingt’ouradvantage，it’llbethefirstoffero’thesortI’vehearedon。It’sthemastakeadvantagethatgetadvantagei’thisworld，Ithink。Folkshavetowaitlongenoughaforeit’sbroughtto’em。"
"Thefactis，Poyser，"saidthesquire，ignoringMrs。Poyser’stheoryofworldlyprosperity，"thereistoomuchdairyland，andtoolittleploughland，ontheChaseFarmtosuitThurle’spurpose——indeed，hewillonlytakethefarmonconditionofsomechangeinit:hiswife，itappears，isnotacleverdairy-woman，likeyours。Now，theplanI’mthinkingofistoeffectalittleexchange。IfyouweretohavetheHollowPastures，youmightincreaseyourdairy，whichmustbesoprofitableunderyourwife’smanagement；andIshouldrequestyou，Mrs。Poyser，tosupplymyhousewithmilk，cream，andbutteratthemarketprices。Ontheotherhand，Poyser，youmightletThurlehavetheLowerandUpperRidges，whichreally，withourwetseasons，wouldbeagoodriddanceforyou。Thereismuchlessriskindairylandthancornland。"
Mr。Poyserwasleaningforward，withhiselbowsonhisknees，hisheadononeside，andhismouthscrewedup——apparentlyabsorbedinmakingthetipsofhisfingersmeetsoastorepresentwithperfectaccuracytheribsofaship。Hewasmuchtooacuteamannottoseethroughthewholebusiness，andtoforeseeperfectlywhatwouldbehiswife’sviewofthesubject；buthedislikedgivingunpleasantanswers。Unlessitwasonapointoffarmingpractice，hewouldrathergiveupthanhaveaquarrel，anyday；
and，afterall，itmatteredmoretohiswifethantohim。So，afterafewmoments’silence，helookedupatherandsaidmildly，"Whatdostsay？"
Mrs。Poyserhadhadhereyesfixedonherhusbandwithcoldseverityduringhissilence，butnowsheturnedawayherheadwithatoss，lookedicilyattheoppositeroofofthecow-shed，andspearingherknittingtogetherwiththeloosepin，helditfirmlybetweenherclaspedhands。
"Say？Why，Isayyoumaydoasyoulikeaboutgivingupanyo’
yourcorn-landaforeyourleaseisup，whichitwon’tbeforayearcomenextMichaelmas，butI’llnotconsenttotakemoredairyworkintomyhands，eitherforloveormoney；andthere’snaytherlovenormoneyhere，asIcansee，on’yotherfolks’sloveo’
theirselves，andthemoneyasistogointootherfolks’spockets。
Iknowthere’sthemasisbornt’owntheland，andthemasisborntosweaton’t"——hereMrs。Poyserpausedtogaspalittle——
"andIknowit’schristenedfolks’sdutytosubmittotheirbettersasfurasfleshandblood’ullbearit；butI’llnotmakeamartyro’myself，andwearmyselftoskinandbone，andworretmyselfasifIwasachurnwi’buttera-comingin’t，fornolandlordinEngland，notifhewasKingGeorgehimself。"
"No，no，mydearMrs。Poyser，certainlynot，"saidthesquire，stillconfidentinhisownpowersofpersuasion，"youmustnotoverworkyourself；butdon’tyouthinkyourworkwillratherbelessenedthanincreasedinthisway？ThereissomuchmilkrequiredattheAbbeythatyouwillhavelittleincreaseofcheeseandbuttermakingfromtheadditiontoyourdairy；andIbelievesellingthemilkisthemostprofitablewayofdisposingofdairyproduce，isitnot？"
"Aye，that’strue，"saidMr。Poyser，unabletorepressanopiniononaquestionoffarmingprofits，andforgettingthatitwasnotinthiscaseapurelyabstractquestion。
"Idaresay，"saidMrs。Poyserbitterly，turningherheadhalf-waytowardsherhusbandandlookingatthevacantarm-chair——"I
daresayit’strueformenassiti’th’chimney-cornerandmakebelieveaseverything’scutwi’insan’outstofitint’
everythingelse。Ifyoucouldmakeapuddingwi’thinkingo’thebatter，it’udbeeasygettingdinner。HowdoIknowwhetherthemilk’ullbewantedconstant？What’stomakemesureasthehousewon’tbeputo’boardwageaforewe’remanymonthsolder，andthenImayhavetolieawakeo’nightswi’twentygallonso’milkonmymind——andDingall’ulltakenomorebutter，letalonepayingforit；andwemustfatpigstillwe’reobligedtobegthebutcheronourkneestobuy’em，andlosehalfof’emwi’themeasles。Andthere’sthefetchingandcarrying，as’udbewellyhalfaday’sworkforamanan’hoss——that’stobetookouto’theprofits，I
reckon？Butthere’sfolks’udholdasieveunderthepumpandexpecttocarryawaythewater。"
"Thatdifficulty——aboutthefetchingandcarrying——youwillnothave，Mrs。Poyser，"saidthesquire，whothoughtthatthisentranceintoparticularsindicatedadistantinclinationtocompromiseonMrs。Poyser’spart。"Bethellwilldothatregularlywiththecartandpony。"
"Oh，sir，beggingyourpardon，I’veneverbeenusedt’havinggentlefolks’sservantscomingaboutmybackplaces，a-makinglovetoboththegellsatonceandkeeping’emwiththeirhandsontheirhipslisteningtoallmannero’gossipwhentheyshouldbedownontheirkneesa-scouring。Ifwe’retogotoruin，itshannabewi’havingourbackkitchenturnedintoapublic。"
"Well，Poyser，"saidthesquire，shiftinghistacticsandlookingasifhethoughtMrs。Poyserhadsuddenlywithdrawnfromtheproceedingsandlefttheroom，"youcanturntheHollowsintofeeding-land。Icaneasilymakeanotherarrangementaboutsupplyingmyhouse。AndIshallnotforgetyourreadinesstoaccommodateyourlandlordaswellasaneighbour。Iknowyouwillbegladtohaveyourleaserenewedforthreeyears，whenthepresentoneexpires；otherwise，IdaresayThurle，whoisamanofsomecapital，wouldbegladtotakeboththefarms，astheycouldbeworkedsowelltogether。ButIdon’twanttopartwithanoldtenantlikeyou。"
TobethrustoutofthediscussioninthiswaywouldhavebeenenoughtocompleteMrs。Poyser’sexasperation，evenwithoutthefinalthreat。Herhusband，reallyalarmedatthepossibilityoftheirleavingtheoldplacewherehehadbeenbredandborn——forhebelievedtheoldsquirehadsmallspiteenoughforanything——
wasbeginningamildremonstranceexplanatoryoftheinconvenienceheshouldfindinhavingtobuyandsellmorestock，with，"Well，sir，Ithinkasit’sretherhard……"whenMrs。Poyserburstinwiththedesperatedeterminationtohavehersayoutthisonce，thoughitweretorainnoticestoquitandtheonlyshelterwerethework-house。
"Then，sir，ifImayspeak——as，forallI’mawoman，andthere’sfolksasthinksawoman’sfoolenoughtostan’byan’lookonwhilethemensignhersoulaway，I’vearighttospeak，forI
makeonequartero’therent，andsaveanotherquarter——Isay，ifMr。Thurle’ssoreadytotakefarmsunderyou，it’sapitybutwhatheshouldtakethis，andseeifhelikestoliveinahousewi’alltheplagueso’Egyptin’t——wi’thecellarfullo’water，andfrogsandtoadshoppin’upthestepsbydozens——andthefloorsrotten，andtheratsandmicegnawingeverybito’cheese，andrunnin’overourheadsasweliei’bedtillweexpect’emtoeatusupalive——asit’samercytheyhannaeatthechildrenlongago。
Ishouldliketoseeifthere’sanothertenantbesidesPoyseras’udputupwi’neverhavingabito’repairsdonetillaplacetumblesdown——andnotthen，on’ywi’beggingandprayingandhavingtopayhalf——andbeingstrungupwi’therentasit’smuchifhegetsenoughouto’thelandtopay，forallhe’sputhisownmoneyintothegroundbeforehand。Seeifyou’llgetastrangertoleadsuchalifehereasthat:amaggotmustbeborni’therottencheesetolikeit，Ireckon。Youmayrunawayfrommywords，sir，"continuedMrs。Poyser，followingtheoldsquirebeyondthedoor——forafterthefirstmomentsofstunnedsurprisehehadgotup，and，wavinghishandtowardsherwithasmile，hadwalkedouttowardshispony。Butitwasimpossibleforhimtogetawayimmediately，forJohnwaswalkingtheponyupanddowntheyard，andwassomedistancefromthecausewaywhenhismasterbeckoned。
"Youmayrunawayfrommywords，sir，andyoumaygospinnin’
underhandwayso’doingusamischief，foryou’vegotOldHarrytoyourfriend，thoughnobodyelseis，butItellyouforonceaswe’renotdumbcreaturestobeabusedandmademoneyonbythemasha’gotthelashi’theirhands，forwanto’knowinghowt’undothetackle。An’ifI’mth’onlyoneasspeaksmymind，there’splentyo’thesamewayo’thinkingi’thisparishandthenextto’t，foryourname’snobetterthanabrimstonematchineverybody’snose——ifitisnatwo-threeoldfolksasyouthinko’
savingyoursoulbygiving’emabito’flannelandadropo’
porridge。An’youmayberighti’thinkingit’lltakebutlittletosaveyoursoul，forit’llbethesmallestsavin’y’ivermade，wi’allyourscrapin’。"
Thereareoccasionsonwhichtwoservant-girlsandawaggonermaybeaformidableaudience，andasthesquirerodeawayonhisblackpony，eventhegiftofshort-sightednessdidnotpreventhimfrombeingawarethatMollyandNancyandTimweregrinningnotfarfromhim。PerhapshesuspectedthatsouroldJohnwasgrinningbehindhim——whichwasalsothefact。Meanwhilethebull-dog，theblack-and-tanterrier，Alick’ssheep-dog，andtheganderhissingatasafedistancefromthepony’sheelscarriedouttheideaofMrs。Poyser’ssoloinanirnpressivequartet。
Mrs。Poyser，however，hadnosoonerseentheponymoveoffthansheturnedround，gavethetwohilariousdamselsalookwhichdrovethemintothebackkitchen，andunspearingherknitting，begantoknitagainwithherusualrapidityasshere-enteredthehouse。
"Thee’stdoneitnow，"saidMr。Poyser，alittlealarmedanduneasy，butnotwithoutsometriumphantamusementathiswife’soutbreak。
"Yes，IknowI’vedoneit，"saidMrs。Poyser；"butI’vehadmysayout，andIshallbeth’easierfor’tallmylife。There’snopleasurei’livingifyou’retobecorkedupforever，andonlydribbleyourmindoutbythesly，likealeakybarrel。Ishan’trepentsayingwhatIthink，ifIlivetobeasoldasth’oldsquire；andthere’slittlelikelihood——foritseemsasifthemasaren’twantedhereareth’onlyfolksasaren’twantedi’th’
otherworld。"
"Buttheewutnalikemovingfromth’oldplace，thisMichaelmastwelvemonth，"saidMr。Poyser，"andgoingintoastrangeparish，wheretheeknow’stnobody。It’llbeharduponusboth，andupo’
Fathertoo。"
"Eh，it’snouseworreting；there’splentyo’thingsmayhappenbetweenthisandMichaelmastwelvemonth。Thecaptainmaybemasteraforethem，forwhatweknow，"saidMrs。Poyser，inclinedtotakeanunusuallyhopefulviewofanembarrassmentwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbyherownmeritandnotbyotherpeople’sfault。
"I’Mnoneforworreting，"saidMr。Poyser，risingfromhisthree-
corneredchairandwalkingslowlytowardsthedoor；"butIshouldbeloathtoleaveth’oldplace，andtheparishwhereIwasbredandborn，andFatheraforeme。Weshouldleaveourrootsbehindus，Idoubt，andniverthriveagain。"
MoreLinksTHEbarleywasallcarriedatlast，andtheharvestsupperswentbywithoutwaitingforthedismalblackcropofbeans。Theapplesandnutsweregatheredandstored；thescentofwheydepartedfromthefarm-houses，andthescentofbrewingcameinitsstead。ThewoodsbehindtheChase，andallthehedgerowtrees，tookonasolemnsplendourunderthedarklow-hangingskies。Michaelmaswascome，withitsfragrantbasketfulsofpurpledamsons，anditspalerpurpledaisies，anditsladsandlassesleavingorseekingserviceandwindingalongbetweentheyellowhedges，withtheirbundlesundertheirarms。ButthoughMichaelmaswascome，Mr。
Thurle，thatdesirabletenant，didnotcometotheChaseFarm，andtheoldsquire，aflerall，hadbeenobligedtoputinanewbailiff。Itwasknownthroughoutthetwoparishesthatthesquire’splanhadbeenfrustratedbecausethePoysershadrefusedtobe"putupon，"andMrs。Poyser’soutbreakwasdiscussedinallthefarm-houseswithazestwhichwasonlyheightenedbyfrequentrepetition。Thenewsthat"Bony"wascomebackfromEgyptwascomparativelyinsipid，andtherepulseoftheFrenchinItalywasnothingtoMrs。Poyser’srepulseoftheoldsquire。Mr。Irwinehadheardaversionofitineveryparishioner’shouse，withtheoneexceptionoftheChase。Butsincehehadalways，withmarvellousskill，avoidedanyquarrelwithMr。Donnithorne，hecouldnotallowhimselfthepleasureoflaughingattheoldgentleman’sdiscomfiturewithanyonebesideshismother，whodeclaredthatifshewererichsheshouldliketoallowMrs。
Poyserapensionforlife，andwantedtoinvitehertotheparsonagethatshemighthearanaccountofthescenefromMrs。
Poyser’sownlips。
"No，no，Mother，"saidMr。Irwine；"itwasalittlebitofirregularjusticeonMrs。Poyser’spart，butamagistratelikememustnotcountenanceirregularjustice。TheremustbenoreportspreadthatIhavetakennoticeofthequarrel，elseIshalllosethelittlegoodinfluenceIhaveovertheoldman。"
"Well，Ilikethatwomanevenbetterthanhercream-cheeses，"saidMrs。Irwine。"Shehasthespiritofthreemen，withthatpalefaceofhers。Andshesayssuchsharpthingstoo。"
"Sharp！Yes，hertongueislikeanew-setrazor。She’squiteoriginalinhertalktoo；oneofthoseuntaughtwitsthathelptostockacountrywithproverbs。ItoldyouthatcapitalthingI
heardhersayaboutCraig——thathewaslikeacock，whothoughtthesunhadrisentohearhimcrow。Nowthat’sanAEsop’sfableinasentence。"
"ButitwillbeabadbusinessiftheoldgentlemanturnsthemoutofthefarmnextMichaelmas，eh？"saidMrs。Irwine。
"Oh，thatmustnotbe；andPoyserissuchagoodtenantthatDonnithorneislikelytothinktwice，anddigesthisspleenratherthanturnthemout。ButifheshouldgivethemnoticeatLadyDay，ArthurandImustmoveheavenandearthtomollifyhim。Sucholdparishionersastheyaremustnotgo。"
"Ah，there’snoknowingwhatmayhappenbeforeLadyday，"saidMrs。Irwine。"ItstruckmeonArthur’sbirthdaythattheoldmanwasalittleshaken:he’seighty-three，youknow。It’sreallyanunconscionableage。It’sonlywomenwhohavearighttoliveaslongasthat。"
"Whenthey’vegotold-bachelorsonswhowouldbeforlornwithoutthem，"saidMr。Irwine，laughing，andkissinghismother’shand。
Mrs。Poyser，too，metherhusband’soccasionalforebodingsofanoticetoquitwith"There’snoknowingwhatmayhappenbeforeLadyday"——oneofthoseundeniablegeneralpropositionswhichareusuallyintendedtoconveyaparticularmeaningveryfarfromundeniable。Butitisreallytooharduponhumannaturethatitshouldbeheldacriminaloffencetoimaginethedeathevenofthekingwhenheisturnedeighty-three。ItisnottobebelievedthatanybutthedullestBritonscanbegoodsubjectsunderthathardcondition。
Apartfromthisforeboding，thingswentonmuchasusualinthePoyserhousehold。Mrs。PoyserthoughtshenoticedasurprisingimprovementinHetty。Tobesure，thegirlgot"closertempered，andsometimessheseemedasifthere’dbenodrawingawordfromherwithcart-ropes，"butshethoughtmuchlessaboutherdress，andwentaftertheworkquiteeagerly，withoutanytelling。Anditwaswonderfulhowsheneverwantedtogooutnow——indeed，couldhardlybepersuadedtogo；andsheboreheraunt’sputtingastoptoherweeklylessoninfine-workattheChasewithouttheleastgrumblingorpouting。Itmustbe，afterall，thatshehadsetherheartonAdamatlast，andhersuddenfreakofwantingtobealady’smaidmusthavebeencausedbysomelittlepiqueormisunderstandingbetweenthem，whichhadpassedby。ForwheneverAdamcametotheHallFarm，Hettyseemedtobeinbetterspiritsandtotalkmorethanatothertimes，thoughshewasalmostsullenwhenMr。Craigoranyotheradmirerhappenedtopayavisitthere。
Adamhimselfwatchedheratfirstwithtremblinganxiety，whichgavewaytosurpriseanddelicioushope。FivedaysafterdeliveringArthur’sletter，hehadventuredtogototheHallFarmagain——notwithoutdreadlestthesightofhimmightbepainfultoher。Shewasnotinthehouse-placewhenheentered，andhesattalkingtoMr。andMrs。PoyserforafewminuteswithaheavyfearonhisheartthattheymightpresentlytellhimHettywasill。
Butbyandbytherecamealightstepthatheknew，andwhenMrs。
Poysersaid，"Come，Hetty，wherehaveyoubeen？"Adamwasobligedtoturnround，thoughhewasafraidtoseethechangedlooktheremustbeinherface。Healmoststartedwhenhesawhersmilingasifshewerepleasedtoseehim——lookingthesameaseveratafirstglance，onlythatshehadhercapon，whichhehadneverseenherinbeforewhenhecameofanevening。Still，whenhelookedatheragainandagainasshemovedaboutorsatatherwork，therewasachange:thecheekswereaspinkasever，andshesmiledasmuchasshehadeverdoneoflate，buttherewassomethingdifferentinhereyes，intheexpressionofherface，inallhermovements，Adamthought——somethingharder，older，lesschild-like。"Poorthing！"hesaidtohimself，"that’sallayslikely。It’sbecauseshe’shadherfirstheartache。Butshe’sgotaspirittobearupunderit。ThankGodforthat。"
Astheweekswentby，andhesawheralwayslookingpleasedtoseehim——turningupherlovelyfacetowardshimasifshemeanthimtounderstandthatshewasgladforhimtocome——andgoingaboutherworkinthesameequableway，makingnosignofsorrow，hebegantobelievethatherfeelingtowardsArthurmusthavebeenmuchslighterthanhehadimaginedinhisfirstindignationandalarm，andthatshehadbeenabletothinkofhergirlishfancythatArthurwasinlovewithherandwouldmarryherasafollyofwhichshewastimelycured。Anditperhapswas，ashehadsometimesinhismorecheerfulmomentshopeditwouldbe——herheartwasreallyturningwithallthemorewarmthtowardsthemansheknewtohaveaseriousloveforher。
PossiblyyouthinkthatAdamwasnotatallsagaciousinhisinterpretations，andthatitwasaltogetherextremelyunbecominginasensiblemantobehaveashedid——fallinginlovewithagirlwhoreallyhadnothingmorethanherbeautytorecommendher，attributingimaginaryvirtuestoher，andevencondescendingtocleavetoheraftershehadfalleninlovewithanotherman，waitingforherkindlooksasapatienttremblingdogwaitsforhismaster’seyetobeturneduponhim。Butinsocomplexathingashumannature，wemustconsider，itishardtofindruleswithoutexceptions。Ofcourse，Iknowthat，asarule，sensiblemenfallinlovewiththemostsensiblewomenoftheiracquaintance，seethroughalltheprettydeceitsofcoquettishbeauty，neverimaginethemselveslovedwhentheyarenotloved，ceaselovingonallproperoccasions，andmarrythewomanmostfittedforthemineveryrespect——indeed，soastocompeltheapprobationofallthemaidenladiesintheirneighbourhood。Buteventothisruleanexceptionwilloccurnowandtheninthelapseofcenturies，andmyfriendAdamwasone。Formyownpart，however，Irespecthimnonetheless——nay，Ithinkthedeeplovehehadforthatsweet，rounded，blossom-like，dark-eyedHetty，ofwhoseinwardselfhewasreallyveryignorant，cameoutoftheverystrengthofhisnatureandnotoutofanyinconsistentweakness。Isitanyweakness，pray，tobewroughtonbyexquisitemusic？Tofeelitswondrousharmoniessearchingthesubtlestwindingsofyoursoul，thedelicatefibresoflifewherenomemorycanpenetrate，andbindingtogetheryourwholebeingpastandpresentinoneunspeakablevibration，meltingyouinonemomentwithallthetenderness，allthelovethathasbeenscatteredthroughthetoilsomeyears，concentratinginoneemotionofheroiccourageorresignationallthehard-learntlessonsofself-
renouncingsympathy，blendingyourpresentjoywithpastsorrowandyourpresentsorrowwithallyourpastjoy？Ifnot，thenneitherisitaweaknesstobesowroughtuponbytheexquisitecurvesofawoman’scheekandneckandarms，bytheliquiddepthsofherbeseechingeyes，orthesweetchildishpoutofherlips。
Forthebeautyofalovelywomanislikemusic:whatcanonesaymore？Beautyhasanexpressionbeyondandfarabovetheonewoman’ssoulthatitclothes，asthewordsofgeniushaveawidermeaningthanthethoughtthatpromptedthem。Itismorethanawoman’slovethatmovesusinawoman’seyes——itseemstobeafar-offmightylovethathascomeneartous，andmadespeechforitselfthere；theroundedneck，thedimpledarm，moveusbysomethingmorethantheirprettiness——bytheirclosekinshipwithallwehaveknownoftendernessandpeace。Thenoblestnatureseesthemostofthisimpersonalexpressioninbeauty(itisneedlesstosaythattherearegentlemenwithwhiskersdyedandundyedwhoseenoneofitwhatever)，andforthisreason，thenoblestnatureisoftenthemostblindedtothecharacteroftheonewoman’ssoulthatthebeautyclothes。Whence，Ifear，thetragedyofhumanlifeislikelytocontinueforalongtimetocome，inspiteofmentalphilosopherswhoarereadywiththebestreceiptsforavoidingallmistakesofthekind。
OurgoodAdamhadnofinewordsintowhichhecouldputhisfeelingforHetty:hecouldnotdisguisemysteryinthiswaywiththeappearanceofknowledge；hecalledhislovefranklyamystery，asyouhaveheardhim。Heonlyknewthatthesightandmemoryofhermovedhimdeeply，touchingthespringofallloveandtenderness，allfaithandcouragewithinhim。Howcouldheimaginenarrowness，selfishness，hardnessinher？Hecreatedthemindhebelievedinoutofhisown，whichwaslarge，unselfish，tender。
ThehopeshefeltaboutHettysoftenedalittlehisfeelingtowardsArthur。SurelyhisattentionstoHettymusthavebeenofaslightkind；theywerealtogetherwrong，andsuchasnomaninArthur’spositionoughttohaveallowedhimself，buttheymusthavehadanairofplayfulnessaboutthem，whichhadprobablyblindedhimtotheirdangerandhadpreventedthemfromlayinganystrongholdonHetty’sheart。AsthenewpromiseofhappinessroseforAdam，hisindignationandjealousybegantodieout。
Hettywasnotmadeunhappy；healmostbelievedthatshelikedhimbest；andthethoughtsometimescrossedhismindthatthefriendshipwhichhadonceseemeddeadforevermightreviveinthedaystocome，andhewouldnothavetosay"good-bye"tothegrandoldwoods，butwouldlikethembetterbecausetheywereArthur’s。
ForthisnewpromiseofhappinessfollowingsoquicklyontheshockofpainhadanintoxicatingeffectonthesoberAdam，whohadallhislifebeenusedtomuchhardshipandmoderatehope。
Washereallygoingtohaveaneasylotafterall？Itseemedso，foratthebeginningofNovember，JonathanBurge，findingitimpossibletoreplaceAdam，hadatlastmadeuphismindtoofferhimashareinthebusiness，withoutfurtherconditionthanthatheshouldcontinuetogivehisenergiestoitandrenounceallthoughtofhavingaseparatebusinessofhisown。Son-in-lawornoson-in-law，Adamhadmadehimselftoonecessarytobepartedwith，andhisheadworkwassomuchmoreimportanttoBurgethanhisskillinhandicraftthathishavingthemanagementofthewoodsmadelittledifferenceinthevalueofhisservices；andastothebargainsaboutthesquire’stimber，itwouldbeeasytocallinathirdperson。Adamsawhereanopeningintoabroadeningpathofprosperousworksuchashehadthoughtofwithambitiouslongingeversincehewasalad:hemightcometobuildabridge，oratownhall，orafactory，forhehadalwayssaidtohimselfthatJonathanBurge’sbuildingbuisnesswaslikeanacorn，whichmightbethemotherofagreattree。SohegavehishandtoBurgeonthatbargain，andwenthomewithhismindfullofhappyvisions，inwhich(myrefinedreaderwillperhapsbeshockedwhenIsayit)theimageofHettyhovered，andsmiledoverplansforseasoningtimberatatriflingexpense，calculationsastothecheapeningofbricksperthousandbywater-carriage，andafavouriteschemeforthestrengtheningofroofsandwallswithapeculiarformofirongirder。Whatthen？Adam’senthusiasmlayinthesethings；andourloveisinwroughtinourenthusiasmaselectricityisinwroughtintheair，exaltingitspowerbyasubtlepresence。
Adamwouldbeabletotakeaseparatehousenow，andprovideforhismotherintheoldone；hisprospectswouldjustifyhismarryingverysoon，andifDinahconsentedtohaveSeth，theirmotherwouldperhapsbemorecontentedtoliveapartfromAdam。
Buthetoldhimselfthathewouldnotbehasty——hewouldnottryHetty’sfeelingforhimuntilithadhadtimetogrowstrongandfirm。However，tomorrow，afterchurch，hewouldgototheHallFarmandtellthemthenews。Mr。Poyser，heknew，wouldlikeitbetterthanafive-poundnote，andheshouldseeifHetty’seyesbrightenedatit。Themonthswouldbeshortwithallhehadtofillhismind，andthisfoolisheagernesswhichhadcomeoverhimoflatemustnothurryhimintoanyprematurewords。Yetwhenhegothomeandtoldhismotherthegoodnews，andatehissupper，whileshesatbyalmostcryingforjoyandwantinghimtoeattwiceasmuchasusualbecauseofthisgood-luck，hecouldnothelppreparinghergentlyforthecomingchangebytalkingoftheoldhousebeingtoosmallforthemalltogoonlivinginitalways。