第15章　

I’veagreatdealthat’spainfulonmymind，andIfindithardworktobequitesilentaboutmyownfeelingsandonlyattendtoothers。IshareyourconcernforAdam，thoughheisnottheonlyonewhosesufferingsIcareforinthisaffair。HeintendstoremainatStonitontillafterthetrial:itwillcomeonprobablyaweekto-morrow。Hehastakenaroomthere，andIencouragedhimtodoso，becauseIthinkitbetterheshouldbeawayfromhisownhomeatpresent；and，poorfellow，hestillbelievesHettyisinnocent——hewantstosummonupcouragetoseeherifhecan；heisunwillingtoleavethespotwheresheis。"

"Doyouthinkthecreatur’sguilty，then？"saidBartle。"Doyouthinkthey’llhangher？"

"I’mafraiditwillgohardwithher。Theevidenceisverystrong。Andonebadsymptomisthatshedenieseverything——deniesthatshehashadachildinthefaceofthemostpositiveevidence。Isawhermyself，andshewasobstinatelysilenttome；

sheshrankuplikeafrightenedanimalwhenshesawme。Iwasneversoshockedinmylifeasatthechangeinher。ButItrustthat，intheworstcase，wemayobtainapardonforthesakeoftheinnocentwhoareinvolved。"

"Stuffandnonsense！"saidBartle，forgettinginhisirritationtowhomhewasspeaking。"Ibegyourpardon，sir，Imeanit’sstuffandnonsensefortheinnocenttocareaboutherbeinghanged。Formyownpart，Ithinkthesoonersuchwomenareputouto’theworldthebetter；andthementhathelp’emtodomischiefhadbettergoalongwith’emforthatmatter。Whatgoodwillyoudobykeepingsuchverminalive，eatingthevictualthat’udfeedrationalbeings？ButifAdam’sfoolenoughtocareaboutit，I

don’twanthimtosuffermorethan’sneedful……Isheverymuchcutup，poorfellow？"Bartleadded，takingouthisspectaclesandputtingthemon，asiftheywouldassisthisimagination。

"Yes，I’mafraidthegriefcutsverydeep，"saidMr。Irwine。"Helooksterriblyshattered，andacertainviolencecameoverhimnowandthenyesterday，whichmademewishIcouldhaveremainednearhim。ButIshallgotoStonitonagainto-morrow，andIhaveconfidenceenoughinthestrengthofAdam’sprincipletotrustthathewillbeabletoenduretheworstwithoutbeingdriventoanythingrash。"

Mr。Irwine，whowasinvoluntarilyutteringhisownthoughtsratherthanaddressingBartleMasseyinthelastsentence，hadinhismindthepossibilitythatthespiritofvengeanceto-wardsArthur，whichwastheformAdam’sanguishwascontinuallytaking，mightmakehimseekanencounterthatwaslikelytoendmorefatallythantheoneintheGrove。ThispossibilityheightenedtheanxietywithwhichhelookedforwardtoArthur’sarrival。ButBartlethoughtMr。Irwinewasreferringtosuicide，andhisfaceworeanewalarm。

"I’lltellyouwhatIhaveinmyhead，sir，"hesaid，"andIhopeyou’llapproveofit。I’mgoingtoshutupmyschool——ifthescholarscome，theymustgobackagain，that’sall——andIshallgotoStonitonandlookafterAdamtillthisbusinessisover。I’llpretendI’mcometolookonattheassizes；hecan’tobjecttothat。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，sir？"

"Well，"saidMr。Irwine，ratherhesitatingly，"therewouldbesomerealadvantagesinthat……andIhonouryouforyourfriendshiptowardshim，Bartle。But……youmustbecarefulwhatyousaytohim，youknow。I’mafraidyouhavetoolittlefellow-feelinginwhatyouconsiderhisweaknessaboutHetty。"

"Trusttome，sir——trusttome。Iknowwhatyoumean。I’vebeenafoolmyselfinmytime，butthat’sbetweenyouandme。Ishan’tthrustmyselfonhimonlykeepmyeyeonhim，andseethathegetssomegoodfood，andputinawordhereandthere。"

"Then，"saidMr。Irwine，reassuredalittleastoBartle’sdiscretion，"Ithinkyou’llbedoingagooddeed；anditwillbewellforyoutoletAdam’smotherandbrotherknowthatyou’regoing。"

"Yes，sir，yes，"saidBartle，rising，andtakingoffhisspectacles，"I’lldothat，I’lldothat；thoughthemother’sawhimperingthing——Idon’tliketocomewithinearshotofher；

however，she’sastraight-backed，cleanwoman，noneofyourslatterns。Iwishyougood-bye，sir，andthankyouforthetimeyou’vesparedme。You’reeverybody’sfriendinthisbusiness——

everybody’sfriend。It’saheavyweightyou’vegotonyourshoulders。"

"Good-bye，Bartle，tillwemeetatStoniton，asIdaresayweshall。"

Bartlehurriedawayfromtherectory，evadingCarroll’sconversationaladvances，andsayinginanexasperatedtonetoVixen，whoseshortlegspatteredbesidehimonthegravel，"Now，I

shallbeobligedtotakeyouwithme，yougood-for-nothingwoman。

You’dgofrettingyourselftodeathifIleftyou——youknowyouwould，andperhapsgetsnappedupbysometramp。Andyou’llberunningintobadcompany，Iexpect，puttingyournoseineveryholeandcornerwhereyou’venobusiness！Butifyoudoanythingdisgraceful，I’lldisownyou——mindthat，madam，mindthat！"

TheEveoftheTrialANupperroominadullStonitonstreet，withtwobedsinit——onelaidonthefloor。Itisteno’clockonThursdaynight，andthedarkwalloppositethewindowshutsoutthemoonlightthatmighthavestruggledwiththelightoftheonedipcandlebywhichBartleMasseyispretendingtoread，whileheisreallylookingoverhisspectaclesatAdamBede，seatednearthedarkwindow。

YouwouldhardlyhaveknownitwasAdamwithoutbeingtold。Hisfacehasgotthinnerthislastweek:hehasthesunkeneyes，theneglectedbeardofamanjustrisenfromasick-bed。Hisheavyblackhairhangsoverhisforehead，andthereisnoactiveimpulseinhimwhichinclineshimtopushitoff，thathemaybemoreawaketowhatisaroundhim。Hehasonearmoverthebackofthechair，andheseemstobelookingdownathisclaspedhands。Heisrousedbyaknockatthedoor。

"Thereheis，"saidBartleMassey，risinghastilyandunfasteningthedoor。ItwasMr。Irwine。

Adamrosefromhischairwithinstinctiverespect，asMr。Irwineapproachedhimandtookhishand。

"I’mlate，Adam，"hesaid，sittingdownonthechairwhichBartleplacedforhim，"butIwaslaterinsettingofffromBroxtonthanIintendedtobe，andIhavebeenincessantlyoccupiedsinceI

arrived。Ihavedoneeverythingnow，however——everythingthatcanbedoneto-night，atleast。Letusallsitdown。"

Adamtookhischairagainmechanically，andBartle，forwhomtherewasnochairremaining，satonthebedinthebackground。

"Haveyouseenher，sir？"saidAdamtremulously。

"Yes，Adam；Iandthechaplainhavebothbeenwithherthisevening。"

"Didyouaskher，sir……didyousayanythingaboutme？"

"Yes，"saidMr。Irwine，withsomehesitation，"Ispokeofyou。I

saidyouwishedtoseeherbeforethetrial，ifsheconsented。"

AsMr。Irwinepaused，Adamlookedathimwitheager，questioningeyes。

"Youknowsheshrinksfromseeinganyone，Adam。Itisnotonlyyou——somefatalinfluenceseemstohaveshutupherheartagainstherfellow-creatures。Shehasscarcelysaidanythingmorethan’No’eithertomeorthechaplain。Threeorfourdaysago，beforeyouwerementionedtoher，whenIaskedheriftherewasanyoneofherfamilywhomshewouldliketosee——towhomshecouldopenhermind——shesaid，withaviolentshudder，’Tellthemnottocomenearme——Iwon’tseeanyofthem。’"

Adam’sheadwashangingdownagain，andhedidnotspeak。Therewassilenceforafewminutes，andthenMr。Irwinesaid，"Idon’tliketoadviseyouagainstyourownfeelings，Adam，iftheynowurgeyoustronglytogoandseeherto-morrowmorning，evenwithoutherconsent。Itisjustpossible，notwithstandingappearancestothecontrary，thattheinterviewmightaffectherfavourably。ButIgrievetosayIhavescarcelyanyhopeofthat。

Shedidn’tseemagitatedwhenImentionedyourname；sheonlysaid’No，’inthesamecold，obstinatewayasusual。Andifthemeetinghadnogoodeffectonher，itwouldbepure，uselesssufferingtoyou——severesuffering，Ifear。Sheisverymuchchanged……"

Adamstartedupfromhischairandseizedhishat，whichlayonthetable。Buthestoodstillthen，andlookedatMr。Irwine，asifhehadaquestiontoaskwhichitwasyetdifficulttoutter。

BartleMasseyrosequietly，turnedthekeyinthedoor，andputitinhispocket。

"Ishecomeback？"saidAdamatlast。

"No，heisnot，"saidMr。Irwine，quietly。"Laydownyourhat，Adam，unlessyouliketowalkoutwithmeforalittlefreshair。

Ifearyouhavenotbeenoutagainto-day。"

"Youneedn’tdeceiveme，sir，"saidAdam，lookinghardatMr。

Irwineandspeakinginatoneofangrysuspicion。"Youneedn’tbeafraidofme。Ionlywantjustice。Iwanthimtofeelwhatshefeels。It’shiswork……shewasachildasit’udha’gonet’

anybody’shearttolookat……Idon’tcarewhatshe’sdone……itwashimbroughthertoit。Andheshallknowit……heshallfeelit……ifthere’sajustGod，heshallfeelwhatitist’ha’

broughtachildlikehertosinandmisery。"

"I’mnotdeceivingyou，Adam，"saidMr。Irwine。"ArthurDonnithorneisnotcomeback——wasnotcomebackwhenIleft。I

haveleftaletterforhim:hewillknowallassoonashearrives。"

"Butyoudon’tmindaboutit，"saidAdamindignantly。"Youthinkitdoesn’tmatterassheliesthereinshameandmisery，andheknowsnothingaboutit——hesuffersnothing。"

"Adam，heWILLknow——heWILLsuffer，longandbitterly。Hehasaheartandaconscience:Ican’tbeentirelydeceivedinhischaracter。Iamconvinced——Iamsurehedidn’tfallundertemptationwithoutastruggle。Hemaybeweak，butheisnotcallous，notcoldlyselfish。Iampersuadedthatthiswillbeashockofwhichhewillfeeltheeffectsallhislife。Whydoyoucravevengeanceinthisway？Noamountoftorturethatyoucouldinflictonhimcouldbenefither。"

"No——OGod，no，"Adamgroanedout，sinkingonhischairagain；

"butthen，that’sthedeepestcurseofall……that’swhatmakestheblacknessofit……ITCANNEVERBEUNDONE。MypoorHetty……shecanneverbemysweetHettyagain……theprettiestthingGodhadmade——

smilingupatme……Ithoughtshelovedme……andwasgood……"

Adam’svoicehadbeengraduallysinkingintoahoarseundertone，asifhewereonlytalkingtohimself；butnowhesaidabruptly，lookingatMr。Irwine，"Butsheisn’tasguiltyastheysay？Youdon’tthinksheis，sir？Shecan’tha’doneit。"

"Thatperhapscanneverbeknownwithcertainty，Adam，"Mr。Irwineansweredgently。"Inthesecaseswesometimesformourjudgmentonwhatseemstousstrongevidence，andyet，forwantofknowingsomesmallfact，ourjudgmentiswrong。Butsupposetheworst:

youhavenorighttosaythattheguiltofhercrimelieswithhim，andthatheoughttobearthepunishment。Itisnotforusmentoapportionthesharesofmoralguiltandretribution。Wefinditimpossibletoavoidmistakesevenindeterminingwhohascommittedasinglecriminalact，andtheproblemhowfaramanistobeheldresponsiblefortheunforeseenconsequencesofhisowndeedisonethatmightwellmakeustrembletolookintoit。Theevilconsequencesthatmayliefoldedinasingleactofselfishindulgenceisathoughtsoawfulthatitoughtsurelytoawakensomefeelinglesspresumptuousthanarashdesiretopunish。Youhaveamindthatcanunderstandthisfully，Adam，whenyouarecalm。Don’tsupposeIcan’tenterintotheanguishthatdrivesyouintothisstateofrevengefulhatred。Butthinkofthis:ifyouweretoobeyyourpassion——foritISpassion，andyoudeceiveyourselfincallingitjustice——itmightbewithyoupreciselyasithasbeenwithArthur；nay，worse；yourpassionmightleadyouyourselfintoahorriblecrime。"

"No——notworse，"saidAdam，bitterly；"Idon’tbelieveit’sworse——

I’dsoonerdoit——I’dsoonerdoawickednessasIcouldsufferforbymyselfthanha’broughtHERtodowickednessandthenstandbyandsee’empunishherwhiletheyletmealone；andallforabito’pleasure，as，ifhe’dhadaman’sheartinhim，he’dha’

cuthishandoffsoonerthanhe’dha’takenit。Whatifhedidn’tforeseewhat’shappened？Heforesawenough；he’dnorighttoexpectanythingbutharmandshametoher。Andthenhewantedtosmoothitoffwi’lies。No——there’splentyo’thingsfolksarehangedfornothalfsohatefulasthat。Letamandowhathewill，ifheknowshe’stobearthepunishmenthimself，heisn’thalfsobadasameanselfishcowardasmakesthingseasyt’

himselfandknowsallthewhilethepunishment’llfallonsomebodyelse。"

"Thereagainyoupartlydeceiveyourself，Adam。Thereisnosortofwrongdeedofwhichamancanbearthepunishmentalone；youcan’tisolateyourselfandsaythattheevilwhichisinyoushallnotspread。Men’slivesareasthoroughlyblendedwitheachotherastheairtheybreathe:evilspreadsasnecessarilyasdisease。

Iknow，IfeeltheterribleextentofsufferingthissinofArthur’shascausedtoothers；butsodoeseverysincausesufferingtoothersbesidesthosewhocommitit。AnactofvengeanceonyourpartagainstArthurwouldsimplybeanothereviladdedtothosewearesufferingunder:youcouldnotbearthepunishmentalone；youwouldentailtheworstsorrowsoneveryonewholovesyou。Youwouldhavecommittedanactofblindfurythatwouldleaveallthepresentevilsjustastheywereandaddworseevilstothem。Youmaytellmethatyoumeditatenofatalactofvengeance，butthefeelinginyourmindiswhatgivesbirthtosuchactions，andaslongasyouindulgeit，aslongasyoudonotseethattofixyourmindonArthur’spunishmentisrevenge，andnotjustice，youareindangerofbeingledontothecommissionofsomegreatwrong。RememberwhatyoutoldmeaboutyourfeelingsafteryouhadgiventhatblowtoArthurintheGrove。"

Adamwassilent:thelastwordshadcalledupavividimageofthepast，andMr。Irwinelefthimtohisthoughts，whilehespoketoBartleMasseyaboutoldMr。Donnithorne’sfuneralandothermattersofanindifferentkind。ButatlengthAdamturnedroundandsaid，inamoresubduedtone，"I’venotaskedabout’ematth’

HallFarm，sir。IsMr。Poysercoming？"

"Heiscome；heisinStonitonto-night。ButIcouldnotadvisehimtoseeyou，Adam。Hisownmindisinaveryperturbedstate，anditisbestheshouldnotseeyoutillyouarecalmer。"

"IsDinahMorriscometo’em，sir？Sethsaidthey’dsentforher。"

"No。Mr。Poysertellsmeshewasnotcomewhenheleft。They’reafraidtheletterhasnotreachedher。Itseemstheyhadnoexactaddress。"

Adamsatruminatingalittlewhile，andthensaid，"IwonderifDinah’udha’gonetoseeher。ButperhapsthePoyserswouldha’

beensorelyagainstit，sincetheywon’tcomenighherthemselves。

ButIthinkshewould，fortheMethodistsaregreatfolksforgoingintotheprisons；andSethsaidhethoughtshewould。She’daverytenderwaywithher，Dinahhad；Iwonderifshecouldha’

doneanygood。Youneversawher，sir，didyou？"

"Yes，Idid。Ihadaconversationwithher——shepleasedmeagooddeal。Andnowyoumentionit，Iwishshewouldcome，foritispossiblethatagentlemildwomanlikehermightmoveHettytoopenherheart。Thejailchaplainisratherharshinhismanner。"

"Butit’so’nouseifshedoesn’tcome，"saidAdamsadly。

"IfI’dthoughtofitearlier，Iwouldhavetakensomemeasuresforfindingherout，"saidMr。Irwine，"butit’stoolatenow，I

fear……Well，Adam，Imustgonow。Trytogetsomerestto-night。

Godblessyou。I’llseeyouearlyto-morrowmorning。"

TheMorningoftheTrialAToneo’clockthenextday，Adamwasaloneinhisdullupperroom；hiswatchlaybeforehimonthetable，asifhewerecountingthelongminutes。Hehadnoknowledgeofwhatwaslikelytobesaidbythewitnessesonthetrial，forhehadshrunkfromalltheparticularsconnectedwithHetty’sarrestandaccusation。

Thisbraveactiveman，whowouldhavehastenedtowardsanydangerortoiltorescueHettyfromanapprehendedwrongormisfortune，felthimselfpowerlesstocontemplateirremediableevilandsuffering。Thesusceptibilitywhichwouldhavebeenanimpellingforcewheretherewasanypossibilityofactionbecamehelplessanguishwhenhewasobligedtobepassive，orelsesoughtanactiveoutletinthethoughtofinflictingjusticeonArthur。

Energeticnatures，strongforallstrenuousdeeds，willoftenrushawayfromahopelesssufferer，asiftheywerehard-hearted。Itistheovermasteringsenseofpainthatdrivesthem。Theyshrinkbyanungovernableinstinct，astheywouldshrinkfromlaceration。

AdamhadbroughthimselftothinkofseeingHetty，ifshewouldconsenttoseehim，becausehethoughtthemeetingmightpossiblybeagoodtoher——mighthelptomeltawaythisterriblehardnesstheytoldhimof。Ifshesawheborehernoillwillforwhatshehaddonetohim，shemightopenherhearttohim。Butthisresolutionhadbeenanimmenseeffort——hetrembledatthethoughtofseeingherchangedface，asatimidwomantremblesatthethoughtofthesurgeon’sknife，andhechosenowtobearthelonghoursofsuspenseratherthanencounterwhatseemedtohimthemoreintolerableagonyofwitnessinghertrial。

Deepunspeakablesufferingmaywellbecalledabaptism，aregeneration，theinitiationintoanewstate。Theyearningmemories，thebitterregret，theagonizedsympathy，thestrugglingappealstotheInvisibleRight——alltheintenseemotionswhichhadfilledthedaysandnightsofthepastweek，andwerecompressingthemselvesagainlikeaneagercrowdintothehoursofthissinglemorning，madeAdamlookbackonallthepreviousyearsasiftheyhadbeenadimsleepyexistence，andhehadonlynowawakedtofullconsciousness。Itseemedtohimasifhehadalwaysbeforethoughtitalightthingthatmenshouldsuffer，asifallthathehadhimselfenduredandcalledsorrowbeforewasonlyamoment’sstrokethathadneverleftabruise。Doubtlessagreatanguishmaydotheworkofyears，andwemaycomeoutfromthatbaptismoffirewithasoulfullofnewaweandnewpity。

"OGod，"Adamgroaned，asheleanedonthetableandlookedblanklyatthefaceofthewatch，"andmenhavesufferedlikethisbefore……andpoorhelplessyoungthingshavesufferedlikeher……Suchalittlewhileagolookingsohappyandsopretty……kissing’emall，hergrandfatherandallof’em，andtheywishingherluck……Omypoor，poorHetty……dostthinkonitnow？"

Adamstartedandlookedroundtowardsthedoor。Vixenhadbeguntowhimper，andtherewasasoundofastickandalamewalkonthestairs。ItwasBartleMasseycomeback。Coulditbeallover？

Bartleenteredquietly，and，goinguptoAdam，graspedhishandandsaid，"I’mjustcometolookatyou，myboy，forthefolksaregoneoutofcourtforabit。"

Adam’sheartbeatsoviolentlyhewasunabletospeak——hecouldonlyreturnthepressureofhisfriend’shand——andBartle，drawinguptheotherchair，cameandsatinfrontofhim，takingoffhishatandhisspectacles。

"That’sathingneverhappenedtomebefore，"heobserved，"togoouto’thedoorwithmyspectacleson。Icleanforgottotake’emoff。"

Theoldmanmadethistrivialremark，thinkingitbetternottorespondatalltoAdam’sagitation:hewouldgather，inanindirectway，thattherewasnothingdecisivetocommunicateatpresent。

"Andnow，"hesaid，risingagain，"Imustseetoyourhavingabitoftheloaf，andsomeofthatwineMr。Irwinesentthismorning。

He’llbeangrywithmeifyoudon’thaveit。Come，now，"hewenton，bringingforwardthebottleandtheloafandpouringsomewineintoacup，"Imusthaveabitandasupmyself。Drinkadropwithme，mylad——drinkwithme。"

Adampushedthecupgentlyawayandsaid，entreatingly，"Tellmeaboutit，Mr。Massey——tellmeallaboutit。Wasshethere？Havetheybegun？"

"Yes，myboy，yes——it’stakenallthetimesinceIfirstwent；butthey’reslow，they’reslow；andthere’sthecounselthey’vegotforherputsaspokeinthewheelwheneverhecan，andmakesadealtodowithcross-examiningthewitnessesandquarrellingwiththeotherlawyers。That’sallhecandoforthemoneytheygivehim；andit’sabigsum——it’sabigsum。Buthe’sa’cutefellow，withaneyethat’udpicktheneedlesoutofthehayinnotime。

Ifamanhadgotnofeelings，it’udbeasgoodasademonstrationtolistentowhatgoesonincourt；butatenderheartmakesonestupid。I’dhavegivenupfiguresforeveronlytohavehadsomegoodnewstobringtoyou，mypoorlad。"

"Butdoesitseemtobegoingagainsther？"saidAdam。"Tellmewhatthey’vesaid。Imustknowitnow——Imustknowwhattheyhavetobringagainsther。"

"Why，thechiefevidenceyethasbeenthedoctors；allbutMartinPoyser——poorMartin。Everybodyincourtfeltforhim——itwaslikeonesob，thesoundtheymadewhenhecamedownagain。Theworstwaswhentheytoldhimtolookattheprisoneratthebar。Itwashardwork，poorfellow——itwashardwork。Adam，myboy，theblowfallsheavilyonhimaswellasyou；youmusthelppoorMartin；

youmustshowcourage。Drinksomewinenow，andshowmeyoumeantobearitlikeaman。"

Bartlehadmadetherightsortofappeal。Adam，withanairofquietobedience，tookupthecupanddrankalittle。

"TellmehowSHElooked，"hesaidpresently。

"Frightened，veryfrightened，whentheyfirstbroughtherin；itwasthefirstsightofthecrowdandthejudge，poorcreatur。Andthere’saloto’foolishwomeninfineclothes，withgewgawsalluptheirarmsandfeathersontheirheads，sittingnearthejudge:

they’vedressedthemselvesoutinthatway，one’udthink，tobescarecrowsandwarningsagainstanymanevermeddlingwithawomanagain。Theyputuptheirglasses，andstaredandwhispered。Butafterthatshestoodlikeawhiteimage，staringdownatherhandsandseemingneithertohearnorseeanything。Andshe’saswhiteasasheet。Shedidn’tspeakwhentheyaskedherifshe’dplead’guilty’or’notguilty，’andtheypleaded’notguilty’forher。

Butwhensheheardheruncle’sname，thereseemedtogoashiverrightthroughher；andwhentheytoldhimtolookather，shehungherheaddown，andcowered，andhidherfaceinherhands。He’dmuchadotospeakpoorman，hisvoicetrembledso。Andthecounsellors——wholookashardasnailsmostly——Isaw，sparedhimasmuchastheycould。Mr。Irwineputhimselfnearhimandwentwithhimouto’court。Ah，it’sagreatthinginaman’slifetobeabletostandbyaneighbourandupholdhiminsuchtroubleasthat。"

"Godblesshim，andyoutoo，Mr。Massey，"saidAdam，inalowvoice，layinghishandonBartle’sarm。

"Aye，aye，he’sgoodmetal；hegivestherightringwhenyoutryhim，ourparsondoes。Amano’sense——saysnomorethan’sneedful。He’snotoneofthosethatthinktheycancomfortyouwithchattering，asiffolkswhostandbyandlookonknewadealbetterwhatthetroublewasthanthosewhohavetobearit。I’vehadtodowithsuchfolksinmytime——inthesouth，whenIwasintroublemyself。Mr。Irwineistobeawitnesshimself，byandby，onherside，youknow，tospeaktohercharacterandbringingup。"

"Buttheotherevidence……doesitgohardagainsther！"saidAdam。

"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。Massey？Tellmethetruth。"

"Yes，mylad，yes。Thetruthisthebestthingtotell。Itmustcomeatlast。Thedoctors’evidenceisheavyonher——isheavy。

Butshe’sgoneondenyingshe’shadachildfromfirsttolast。

Thesepoorsillywomen-things——they’venotthesensetoknowit’snousedenyingwhat’sproved。It’llmakeagainstherwiththejury，Idoubt，herbeingsoobstinate:theymaybelessforrecommendinghertomercy，iftheverdict’sagainsther。ButMr。

Irwine’ullleavenostoneunturnedwiththejudge——youmayrelyuponthat，Adam。"

"Istherenobodytostandbyherandseemtocareforherinthecourt？"saidAdam。

"There’sthechaplaino’thejailsitsnearher，buthe’sasharpferrety-facedman——anothersorto’fleshandbloodtoMr。Irwine。

Theysaythejailchaplainsaremostlythefag-endo’theclergy。"

"There’sonemanasoughttobethere，"saidAdambitterly。

Presentlyhedrewhimselfupandlookedfixedlyoutofthewindow，apparentlyturningoversomenewideainhismind。

"Mr。Massey，"hesaidatlast，pushingthehairoffhisforehead，"I’llgobackwithyou。I’llgointocourt。It’scowardlyofmetokeepaway。I’llstandbyher——I’llownher——forallshe’sbeendeceitful。Theyoughtn’ttocastheroff——herownfleshandblood。WehandfolksovertoGod’smercy，andshownoneourselves。Iusedtobehardsometimes:I’llneverbehardagain。

I’llgo，Mr。Massey——I’llgowithyou。"

TherewasadecisioninAdam’smannerwhichwouldhavepreventedBartlefromopposinghim，evenifhehadwishedtodoso。Heonlysaid，"Takeabit，then，andanothersup，Adam，fortheloveofme。See，Imuststopandeatamorsel。Now，youtakesome。"

Nervedbyanactiveresolution，Adamtookamorselofbreadanddranksomewine。Hewashaggardandunshaven，ashehadbeenyesterday，buthestooduprightagain，andlookedmoreliketheAdamBedeofformerdays。

TheVerdictTHEplacefittedupthatdayasacourtofjusticewasagrandoldhall，nowdestroyedbyfire。Themiddaylightthatfellontheclosepavementofhumanheadswasshedthroughalineofhighpointedwindows，variegatedwiththemellowtintsofoldpaintedglass。Grimdustyarmourhunginhighreliefinfrontofthedarkoakengalleryatthefartherend，andunderthebroadarchofthegreatmullionedwindowoppositewasspreadacurtainofoldtapestry，coveredwithdimmelancholyfigures，likeadozingindistinctdreamofthepast。Itwasaplacethatthroughtherestoftheyearwashauntedwiththeshadowymemoriesofoldkingsandqueens，unhappy，discrowned，imprisoned；butto-dayallthoseshadowshadfled，andnotasoulinthevasthallfeltthepresenceofanybutalivingsorrow，whichwasquiveringinwarmhearts。

Butthatsorrowseemedtohavemadeititselffeeblyfelthitherto，nowwhenAdamBede’stallfigurewassuddenlyseenbeingusheredtothesideoftheprisoner’sdock。Inthebroadsunlightofthegreathall，amongthesleekshavenfacesofothermen，themarksofsufferinginhisfacewerestartlingeventoMr。Irwine，whohadlastseenhiminthedimlightofhissmallroom；andtheneighboursfromHayslopewhowerepresent，andwhotoldHettySorrel’sstorybytheirfiresidesintheiroldage，neverforgottosayhowitmovedthemwhenAdamBede，poorfellow，tallerbytheheadthanmostofthepeopleroundhim，cameintocourtandtookhisplacebyherside。

ButHettydidnotseehim。ShewasstandinginthesamepositionBartleMasseyhaddescribed，herhandscrossedovereachotherandhereyesfixedonthem。Adamhadnotdaredtolookatherinthefirstmoments，butatlast，whentheattentionofthecourtwaswithdrawnbytheproceedingsheturnedhisfacetowardsherwitharesolutionnottoshrink。

Whydidtheysayshewassochanged？Inthecorpsewelove，itisthelikenesswesee——itisthelikeness，whichmakesitselffeltthemorekeenlybecausesomethingelsewasandisnot。Theretheywere——thesweetfaceandneck，withthedarktendrilsofhair，thelongdarklashes，theroundedcheekandthepoutinglips——paleandthin，yes，butlikeHetty，andonlyHetty。Othersthoughtshelookedasifsomedemonhadcastablightingglanceuponher，witheredupthewoman’ssoulinher，andleftonlyaharddespairingobstinacy。Butthemother’syearning，thatcompletesttypeofthelifeinanotherlifewhichistheessenceofrealhumanlove，feelsthepresenceofthecherishedchildeveninthedebased，degradedman；andtoAdam，thispale，hard-lookingculpritwastheHettywhohadsmiledathiminthegardenundertheapple-treeboughs——shewasthatHetty’scorpse，whichhehadtrembledtolookatthefirsttime，andthenwasunwillingtoturnawayhiseyesfrom。

Butpresentlyheheardsomethingthatcompelledhimtolisten，andmadethesenseofsightlessabsorbing。Awomanwasinthewitness-box，amiddle-agedwoman，whospokeinafirmdistinctvoice。Shesaid，"MynameisSarahStone。Iamawidow，andkeepasmallshoplicensedtoselltobacco，snuff，andteainChurchLane，Stoniton。Theprisoneratthebaristhesameyoungwomanwhocame，lookingillandtired，withabasketonherarm，andaskedforalodgingatmyhouseonSaturdayevening，the27thofFebruary。Shehadtakenthehouseforapublic，becausetherewasafigureagainstthedoor。AndwhenIsaidIdidn’ttakeinlodgers，theprisonerbegantocry，andsaidshewastootiredtogoanywhereelse，andsheonlywantedabedforonenight。Andherprettiness，andhercondition，andsomethingrespectableaboutherclothesandlooks，andthetroublesheseemedtobeinmademeasIcouldn’tfindinmyhearttosendherawayatonce。Iaskedhertositdown，andgavehersometea，andaskedherwhereshewasgoing，andwhereherfriendswere。Shesaidshewasgoinghometoherfriends:theywerefarmingfolksagoodwayoff，andshe’dhadalongjourneythathadcosthermoremoneythansheexpected，soasshe’dhardlyanymoneyleftinherpocket，andwasafraidofgoingwhereitwouldcosthermuch。Shehadbeenobligedtosellmostofthethingsoutofherbasket，butshe’dthankfullygiveashillingforabed。IsawnoreasonwhyI

shouldn’ttaketheyoungwomaninforthenight。Ihadonlyoneroom，butthereweretwobedsinit，andItoldhershemightstaywithme。Ithoughtshe’dbeenledwrong，andgotintotrouble，butifshewasgoingtoherfriends，itwouldbeagoodworktokeepheroutoffurtherharm。"

Thewitnessthenstatedthatinthenightachildwasborn，andsheidentifiedthebaby-clothesthenshowntoherasthoseinwhichshehadherselfdressedthechild。

"Thosearetheclothes。Imadethemmyself，andhadkeptthembymeeversincemylastchildwasborn。Itookadealoftroublebothforthechildandthemother。Icouldn’thelptakingtothelittlethingandbeinganxiousaboutit。Ididn’tsendforadoctor，forthereseemednoneed。Itoldthemotherintheday-

timeshemusttellmethenameofherfriends，andwheretheylived，andletmewritetothem。Shesaid，byandbyshewouldwriteherself，butnotto-day。Shewouldhavenonay，butshewouldgetupandbedressed，inspiteofeverythingIcouldsay。

Shesaidshefeltquitestrongenough；anditwaswonderfulwhatspiritsheshowed。ButIwasn’tquiteeasywhatIshoulddoabouther，andtowardseveningImadeupmymindI’dgo，afterMeetingwasover，andspeaktoourministeraboutit。Ileftthehouseabouthalf-pasteighto’clock。Ididn’tgooutattheshopdoor，butatthebackdoor，whichopensintoanarrowalley。I’veonlygottheground-floorofthehouse，andthekitchenandbedroombothlookintothealley。Ilefttheprisonersittingupbythefireinthekitchenwiththebabyonherlap。Shehadn’tcriedorseemedlowatall，asshedidthenightbefore。Ithoughtshehadastrangelookwithhereyes，andshegotabitflushedtowardsevening。Iwasafraidofthefever，andIthoughtI’dcallandaskanacquaintanceofmine，anexperiencedwoman，tocomebackwithmewhenIwentout。Itwasaverydarknight。Ididn’tfastenthedoorbehindme；therewasnolock；itwasalatchwithaboltinside，andwhentherewasnobodyinthehouseIalwayswentoutattheshopdoor。ButIthoughttherewasnodangerinleavingitunfastenedthatlittlewhile。IwaslongerthanI

meanttobe，forIhadtowaitforthewomanthatcamebackwithme。Itwasanhourandahalfbeforewegotback，andwhenwewentin，thecandlewasstandingburningjustasIleftit，buttheprisonerandthebabywerebothgone。She’dtakenhercloakandbonnet，butshe’dleftthebasketandthethingsinit……I

wasdreadfulfrightened，andangrywithherforgoing。Ididn’tgotogiveinformation，becauseI’dnothoughtshemeanttodoanyharm，andIknewshehadmoneyinherpockettobuyherfoodandlodging。Ididn’tliketosettheconstableafterher，forshe’darighttogofrommeifsheliked。"

TheeffectofthisevidenceonAdamwaselectrical；itgavehimnewforce。Hettycouldnotbeguiltyofthecrime——herheartmusthaveclungtoherbaby——elsewhyshouldshehavetakenitwithher？Shemighthaveleftitbehind。Thelittlecreaturehaddiednaturally，andthenshehadhiddenit。Babiesweresoliabletodeath——andtheremightbethestrongestsuspicionswithoutanyproofofguilt。Hismindwassooccupiedwithimaginaryargumentsagainstsuchsuspicions，thathecouldnotlistentothecross-

examinationbyHetty’scounsel，whotried，withoutresult，toelicitevidencethattheprisonerhadshownsomemovementsofmaternalaffectiontowardsthechild。Thewholetimethiswitnesswasbeingexamined，Hettyhadstoodasmotionlessasbefore:nowordseemedtoarrestherear。Butthesoundofthenextwitness’svoicetouchedachordthatwasstillsensitive，shegaveastartandafrightenedlooktowardshim，butimmediatelyturnedawayherheadandlookeddownatherhandsasbefore。Thiswitnesswasaman，aroughpeasant。Hesaid:

"MynameisJohnOlding。Iamalabourer，andliveatTedd’sHole，twomilesoutofStoniton。AweeklastMonday，towardsoneo’clockintheafternoon，IwasgoingtowardsHettonCoppice，andaboutaquarterofamilefromthecoppiceIsawtheprisoner，inaredcloak，sittingunderabitofahaystacknotfaroffthestile。Shegotupwhenshesawme，andseemedasifshe’dbewalkingontheotherway。Itwasaregularroadthroughthefields，andnothingveryuncommontoseeayoungwomanthere，butItooknoticeofherbecauseshelookedwhiteandscared。I

shouldhavethoughtshewasabeggar-woman，onlyforhergoodclothes。Ithoughtshelookedabitcrazy，butitwasnobusinessofmine。Istoodandlookedbackafterher，butshewentrightonwhileshewasinsight。Ihadtogototheothersideofthecoppicetolookaftersomestakes。There’saroadrightthroughit，andbitsofopeningshereandthere，wherethetreeshavebeencutdown，andsomeof’emnotcarriedaway。Ididn’tgostraightalongtheroad，butturnedofftowardsthemiddle，andtookashorterwaytowardsthespotIwantedtogetto。Ihadn’tgotfaroutoftheroadintooneoftheopenplacesbeforeIheardastrangecry。Ithoughtitdidn’tcomefromanyanimalIknew，butIwasn’tforstoppingtolookaboutjustthen。Butitwenton，andseemedsostrangetomeinthatplace，Icouldn’thelpstoppingtolook。IbegantothinkImightmakesomemoneyofit，ifitwasanewthing。ButIhadhardworktotellwhichwayitcamefrom，andforagoodwhileIkeptlookingupattheboughs。

AndthenIthoughtitcamefromtheground；andtherewasalotoftimber-choppingslyingabout，andloosepiecesofturf，andatrunkortwo。AndIlookedaboutamongthem，butcouldfindnothing，andatlastthecrystopped。SoIwasforgivingitup，andIwentonaboutmybusiness。ButwhenIcamebackthesamewayprettynighanhourafter，Icouldn’thelplayingdownmystakestohaveanotherlook。AndjustasIwasstoopingandlayingdownthestakes，Isawsomethingoddandroundandwhitishlyingonthegroundunderanut-bushbythesideofme。AndI

stoopeddownonhandsandkneestopickitup。AndIsawitwasalittlebaby’shand。"

Atthesewordsathrillranthroughthecourt。Hettywasvisiblytrembling；now，forthefirsttime，sheseemedtobelisteningtowhatawitnesssaid。

"Therewasalotoftimber-choppingsputtogetherjustwherethegroundwenthollow，like，underthebush，andthehandcameoutfromamongthem。ButtherewasaholeleftinoneplaceandI

couldseedownitandseethechild’shead；andImadehasteanddidawaytheturfandthechoppings，andtookoutthechild。Ithadgotcomfortableclotheson，butitsbodywascold，andI

thoughtitmustbedead。Imadehastebackwithitoutofthewood，andtookithometomywife。Shesaiditwasdead，andI’dbettertakeittotheparishandtelltheconstable。AndIsaid，’I’lllaymylifeit’sthatyoungwoman’schildasImetgoingtothecoppice。’Butsheseemedtobegonecleanoutofsight。AndItookthechildontoHettonparishandtoldtheconstable，andwewentontoJusticeHardy。Andthenwewentlookingaftertheyoungwomantilldarkatnight，andwewentandgaveinformationatStoniton，astheymightstopher。Andthenextmorning，anotherconstablecametome，togowithhimtothespotwhereI

foundthechild。Andwhenwegotthere，therewastheprisonera-

sittingagainstthebushwhereIfoundthechild；andshecriedoutwhenshesawus，butsheneverofferedtomove。She’dgotabigpieceofbreadonherlap。"

Adamhadgivenafaintgroanofdespairwhilethiswitnesswasspeaking。Hehadhiddenhisfaceonhisarm，whichrestedontheboardinginfrontofhim。Itwasthesuprememomentofhissuffering:Hettywasguilty；andhewassilentlycallingtoGodforhelp。Heheardnomoreoftheevidence，andwasunconsciouswhenthecasefortheprosecutionhadclosed——unconsciousthatMr。

Irwinewasinthewitness-box，tellingofHetty’sunblemishedcharacterinherownparishandofthevirtuoushabitsinwhichshehadbeenbroughtup。Thistestimonycouldhavenoinfluenceontheverdict，butitwasgivenaspartofthatpleaformercywhichherowncounselwouldhavemadeifhehadbeenallowedtospeakforher——afavournotgrantedtocriminalsinthosesterntimes。

AtlastAdamlifteduphishead，fortherewasageneralmovementroundhim。Thejudgehadaddressedthejury，andtheywereretiring。ThedecisivemomentwasnotfaroffAdamfeltashudderinghorrorthatwouldnotlethimlookatHetty，butshehadlongrelapsedintoherblankhardindifference。Alleyeswerestrainedtolookather，butshestoodlikeastatueofdulldespair。

’Therewasamingledrustling，whispering，andlowbuzzingthroughoutthecourtduringthisinterval。Thedesiretolistenwassuspended，andeveryonehadsomefeelingoropiniontoexpressinundertones。Adamsatlookingblanklybeforehim，buthedidnotseetheobjectsthatwererightinfrontofhiseyes——

thecounselandattorneystalkingwithanairofcoolbusiness，andMr。Irwineinlowearnestconversationwiththejudge——didnotseeMr。Irwinesitdownagaininagitationandshakehisheadmournfullywhensomebodywhisperedtohim。TheinwardactionwastoointenseforAdamtotakeinoutwardobjectsuntilsomestrongsensationrousedhim。

Itwasnotverylong，hardlymorethanaquarterofanhour，beforetheknockwhichtoldthatthejuryhadcometotheirdecisionfellasasignalforsilenceoneveryear。Itissublime——thatsuddenpauseofagreatmultitudewhichtellsthatonesoulmovesinthemall。Deeperanddeeperthesilenceseemedtobecome，likethedeepeningnight，whilethejurymen’snameswerecalledover，andtheprisonerwasmadetoholdupherhand，andthejurywereaskedfortheirverdict。

"Guilty。"

Itwastheverdicteveryoneexpected，buttherewasasighofdisappointmentfromsomeheartsthatitwasfollowedbynorecommendationtomercy。Stillthesympathyofthecourtwasnotwiththeprisoner。Theunnaturalnessofhercrimestoodoutthemoreharshlybythesideofherhardimmovabilityandobstinatesilence。Eventheverdict，todistanteyes，hadnotappearedtomoveher，butthosewhowerenearsawhertrembling。

Thestillnesswaslessintenseuntilthejudgeputonhisblackcap，andthechaplaininhiscanonicalswasobservedbehindhim。

Thenitdeepenedagain，beforethecrierhadhadtimetocommandsilence。Ifanysoundwereheard，itmusthavebeenthesoundofbeatinghearts。Thejudgespoke，"HesterSorrel……"

ThebloodrushedtoHetty’sface，andthenfledbackagainasshelookedupatthejudgeandkeptherwide-openeyesfixedonhim，asiffascinatedbyfear。Adamhadnotyetturnedtowardsher，therewasadeephorror，likeagreatgulf，betweenthem。Butatthewords"andthentobehangedbythenecktillyoubedead，"apiercingshriekrangthroughthehall。ItwasHetty’sshriek。

Adamstartedtohisfeetandstretchedouthisarmstowardsher。

Butthearmscouldnotreachher:shehadfallendowninafainting-fit，andwascarriedoutofcourt。

Arthur’sReturnWhenArthurDonnithornelandedatLiverpoolandreadtheletterfromhisAuntLydia，brieflyannouncinghisgrand-father’sdeath，hisfirstfeelingwas，"PoorGrandfather！IwishIcouldhavegottohimtobewithhimwhenhedied。HemighthavefeltorwishedsomethingatthelastthatIshallneverknownow。Itwasalonelydeath。"

Itisimpossibletosaythathisgriefwasdeeperthanthat。Pityandsoftenedmemorytookplaceoftheoldantagonism，andinhisbusythoughtsaboutthefuture，asthechaisecarriedhimrapidlyalongtowardsthehomewherehewasnowtobemaster，therewasacontinuallyrecurringefforttorememberanythingbywhichhecouldshowaregardforhisgrandfather’swishes，withoutcounteractinghisowncherishedaimsforthegoodofthetenantsandtheestate。Butitisnotinhumannature——onlyinhumanpretence——forayoungmanlikeArthur，withafineconstitutionandfinespirits，thinkingwellofhimself，believingthatothersthinkwellofhim，andhavingaveryardentintentiontogivethemmoreandmorereasonforthatgoodopinion——itisnotpossibleforsuchayoungman，justcomingintoasplendidestatethroughthedeathofaveryoldmanwhomhewasnotfondof，tofeelanythingverydifferentfromexultantjoy。Nowhisreallifewasbeginning；nowhewouldhaveroomandopportunityforaction，andhewouldusethem。HewouldshowtheLoamshirepeoplewhatafinecountrygentlemanwas；hewouldnotexchangethatcareerforanyotherunderthesun。Hefelthimselfridingoverthehillsinthebreezyautumndays，lookingafterfavouriteplansofdrainageandenclosure；thenadmiredonsombremorningsasthebestrideronthebesthorseinthehunt；spokenwellofonmarket-daysasafirst-ratelandlord；byandbymakingspeechesatelectiondinners，andshowingawonderfulknowledgeofagriculture；thepatronofnewploughsanddrills，thesevereupbraiderofnegligentlandowners，andwithalajollyfellowthateverybodymustlike——happyfacesgreetinghimeverywhereonhisownestate，andtheneighbouringfamiliesonthebesttermswithhim。TheIrwinesshoulddinewithhimeveryweek，andhavetheirowncarriagetocomein，forinsomeverydelicatewaythatArthurwoulddevise，thelay-impropriatoroftheHayslopetitheswouldinsistonpayingacoupleofhundredsmoretothevicar；andhisauntshouldbeascomfortableaspossible，andgoonlivingattheChase，ifsheliked，inspiteofherold-maidishways——atleastuntilhewasmarried，andthateventlayintheindistinctbackground，forArthurhadnotyetseenthewomanwhowouldplaythelady-wifetothefirst-ratecountrygentleman。

ThesewereArthur’schiefthoughts，sofarasaman’sthoughtsthroughhoursoftravellingcanbecompressedintoafewsentences，whichareonlylikethelistofnamestellingyouwhatarethescenesinalonglongpanoramafullofcolour，ofdetail，andoflife。ThehappyfacesArthursawgreetinghimwerenotpaleabstractions，butrealruddyfaces，longfamiliartohim:

MartinPoyserwasthere——thewholePoyserfamily。

What——Hetty？

Yes；forArthurwasateaseaboutHetty——notquiteateaseaboutthepast，foracertainburningoftheearswouldcomewheneverhethoughtofthesceneswithAdamlastAugust，butateaseaboutherpresentlot。Mr。Irwine，whohadbeenaregularcorrespondent，tellinghimallthenewsabouttheoldplacesandpeople，hadsenthimwordnearlythreemonthsagothatAdamBedewasnottomarryMaryBurge，ashehadthought，butprettyHettySorrel。MartinPoyserandAdamhimselfhadbothtoldMr。Irwineallaboutit——

thatAdamhadbeendeeplyinlovewithHettythesetwoyears，andthatnowitwasagreedtheyweretobemarriedinMarch。ThatstalwartrogueAdamwasmoresusceptiblethantherectorhadthought；itwasreallyquiteanidyllicloveaffair；andifithadnotbeentoolongtotellinaletter，hewouldhavelikedtodescribetoArthurtheblushinglooksandthesimplestrongwordswithwhichthefinehonestfellowtoldhissecret。HeknewArthurwouldliketohearthatAdamhadthissortofhappinessinprospect。

Yes，indeed！Arthurfelttherewasnotairenoughintheroomtosatisfyhisrenovatedlife，whenhehadreadthatpassageintheletter。Hethrewupthewindows，herushedoutofdoorsintotheDecemberair，andgreetedeveryonewhospoketohimwithaneagergaiety，asiftherehadbeennewsofafreshNelsonvictory。ForthefirsttimethatdaysincehehadcometoWindsor，hewasintrueboyishspirits。Theloadthathadbeenpressinguponhimwasgone，thehauntingfearhadvanished。HethoughthecouldconquerhisbitternesstowardsAdamnow——couldofferhimhishand，andasktobehisfriendagain，inspiteofthatpainfulmemorywhichwouldstillmakehisearsburn。Hehadbeenknockeddown，andhehadbeenforcedtotellalie:suchthingsmakeascar，dowhatwewill。ButifAdamwerethesameagainasintheolddays，Arthurwishedtobethesametoo，andtohaveAdammixedupwithhisbusinessandhisfuture，ashehadalwaysdesiredbeforetheaccursedmeetinginAugust。Nay，hewoulddoagreatdealmoreforAdamthanheshouldotherwisehavedone，whenhecameintotheestate；Hetty’shusbandhadaspecialclaimonhim——HettyherselfshouldfeelthatanypainshehadsufferedthroughArthurinthepastwascompensatedtoherahundredfold。Forreallyshecouldnothavefeltmuch，sinceshehadsosoonmadeuphermindtomarryAdam。

YouperceiveclearlywhatsortofpictureAdamandHettymadeinthepanoramaofArthur’sthoughtsonhisjourneyhomeward。ItwasMarchnow；theyweresoontobemarried:perhapstheywerealreadymarried。Andnowitwasactuallyinhispowertodoagreatdealforthem。Sweet——sweetlittleHetty！Thelittlepusshadn’tcaredforhimhalfasmuchashecaredforher；forhewasagreatfoolaboutherstill——wasalmostafraidofseeingher——indeed，hadnotcaredmuchtolookatanyotherwomansincehepartedfromher。ThatlittlefigurecomingtowardshimintheGrove，thosedark-fringedchildisheyes，thelovelylipsputuptokisshim——

thatpicturehadgotnofainterwiththelapseofmonths。Andshewouldlookjustthesame。Itwasimpossibletothinkhowhecouldmeether:heshouldcertainlytremble。Strange，howlongthissortofinfluencelasts，forhewascertainlynotinlovewithHettynow。Hehadbeenearnestlydesiring，formonths，thatsheshouldmarryAdam，andtherewasnothingthatcontributedmoretohishappinessinthesemomentsthanthethoughtoftheirmarriage。

Itwastheexaggeratingeffectofimaginationthatmadehisheartstillbeatalittlemorequicklyatthethoughtofher。Whenhesawthelittlethingagainasshereallywas，asAdam’swife，atworkquiteprosaicallyinhernewhome，heshouldperhapswonderatthepossibilityofhispastfeelings。Thankheavenithadturnedoutsowell！Heshouldhaveplentyofaffairsandintereststofillhislifenow，andnotbeindangerofplayingthefoolagain。

Pleasantthecrackofthepost-boy’swhip！PleasantthesenseofbeinghurriedalonginswifteasethroughEnglishscenes，solikethoseroundhisownhome，onlynotquitesocharming。Herewasamarket-town——verymuchlikeTreddleston——wherethearmsoftheneighbouringlordofthemanorwereborneonthesignoftheprincipalinn；thenmerefieldsandhedges，theirvicinitytoamarket-towncarryinganagreeablesuggestionofhighrent，tillthelandbegantoassumeatrimmerlook，thewoodsweremorefrequent，andatlengthawhiteorredmansionlookeddownfromamoderateeminence，orallowedhimtobeawareofitsparapetandchimneysamongthedense-lookingmassesofoaksandelms——massesreddenednowwithearlybuds。Andcloseathandcamethevillage:

thesmallchurch，withitsred-tiledroof，lookinghumbleevenamongthefadedhalf-timberedhouses；theoldgreengravestoneswithnettlesroundthem；nothingfreshandbrightbutthechildren，openingroundeyesattheswiftpost-chaise；nothingnoisyandbusybutthegapingcursofmysteriouspedigree。WhatamuchprettiervillageHayslopewas！Anditshouldnotbeneglectedlikethisplace:vigorousrepairsshouldgooneverywhereamongfarm-buildingsandcottages，andtravellersinpost-chaises，comingalongtheRosseterroad，shoulddonothingbutadmireastheywent。AndAdamBedeshouldsuperintendalltherepairs，forhehadashareinBurge’sbusinessnow，and，ifheliked，Arthurwouldputsomemoneyintotheconcernandbuytheoldmanoutinanotheryearortwo。ThatwasanuglyfaultinArthur’slife，thataffairlastsummer，butthefutureshouldmakeamends。ManymenwouldhaveretainedafeelingofvindictivenesstowardsAdam，buthewouldnot——hewouldresolutelyovercomealllittlenessofthatkind，forhehadcertainlybeenverymuchinthewrong；andthoughAdamhadbeenharshandviolent，andhadthrustonhimapainfuldilemma，thepoorfellowwasinlove，andhadrealprovocation。No，Arthurhadnotanevilfeelinginhismindtowardsanyhumanbeing:hewashappy，andwouldmakeeveryoneelsehappythatcamewithinhisreach。

AndherewasdearoldHayslopeatlast，sleeping，onthehill，likeaquietoldplaceasitwas，inthelateafternoonsunlight，andoppositetoitthegreatshouldersoftheBintonHills，belowthemthepurplishblacknessofthehangingwoods，andatlastthepalefrontoftheAbbey，lookingoutfromamongtheoaksoftheChase，asifanxiousfortheheir’sreturn。"PoorGrandfather！

Andheliesdeadthere。Hewasayoungfellowonce，comingintotheestateandmakinghisplans。Sotheworldgoesround！AuntLydiamustfeelverydesolate，poorthing；butsheshallbeindulgedasmuchassheindulgesherfatFido。"

ThewheelsofArthur’schaisehadbeenanxiouslylistenedforattheChase，forto-daywasFriday，andthefuneralhadalreadybeendeferredtwodays。Beforeitdrewuponthegravelofthecourtyard，alltheservantsinthehousewereassembledtoreceivehimwithagrave，decentwelcome，befittingahouseofdeath。A

monthago，perhaps，itwouldhavebeendifficultforthemtohavemaintainedasuitablesadnessintheirfaces，whenMr。Arthurwascometotakepossession；buttheheartsofthehead-servantswereheavythatdayforanothercausethanthedeathoftheoldsquire，andmorethanoneofthemwaslongingtobetwentymilesaway，asMr。Craigwas，knowingwhatwastobecomeofHettySorrel——prettyHettySorrel——whomtheyusedtoseeeveryweek。Theyhadthepartisanshipofhouseholdservantswholiketheirplaces，andwerenotinclinedtogothefulllengthofthesevereindignationfeltagainsthimbythefarmingtenants，butrathertomakeexcusesforhim；nevertheless，theupperservants，whohadbeenontermsofneighbourlyintercoursewiththePoysersformanyyears，couldnothelpfeelingthatthelonged-foreventoftheyoungsquire’scomingintotheestatehadbeenrobbedofallitspleasantness。

ToArthuritwasnothingsurprisingthattheservantslookedgraveandsad:hehimselfwasverymuchtouchedonseeingthemallagain，andfeelingthathewasinanewrelationtothem。Itwasthatsortofpatheticemotionwhichhasmorepleasurethanpaininit——whichisperhapsoneofthemostdeliciousofallstatestoagood-naturedman，consciousofthepowertosatisfyhisgoodnature。Hisheartswelledagreeablyashesaid，"Well，Mills，howismyaunt？"

ButnowMr。Bygate，thelawyer，whohadbeeninthehouseeversincethedeath，cameforwardtogivedeferentialgreetingsandanswerallquestions，andArthurwalkedwithhimtowardsthelibrary，wherehisAuntLydiawasexpectinghim。AuntLydiawastheonlypersoninthehousewhoknewnothingaboutHetty。Hersorrowasamaidendaughterwasunmixedwithanyotherthoughtsthanthoseofanxietyaboutfuneralarrangementsandherownfuturelot；and，afterthemannerofwomen，shemournedforthefatherwhohadmadeherlifeimportant，allthemorebecauseshehadasecretsensethattherewaslittlemourningforhiminotherhearts。

ButArthurkissedhertearfulfacemoretenderlythanhehadeverdoneinhislifebefore。

"DearAunt，"hesaidaffectionately，asheheldherhand，"YOUR

lossisthegreatestofall，butyoumusttellmehowtotryandmakeituptoyoualltherestofyourlife。"

"Itwassosuddenandsodreadful，Arthur，"poorMissLydiabegan，pouringoutherlittleplaints，andArthursatdowntolistenwithimpatientpatience。Whenapausecame，hesaid:

"Now，Aunt，I’llleaveyouforaquarterofanhourjusttogotomyownroom，andthenIshallcomeandgivefullattentiontoeverything。"

"Myroomisallreadyforme，Isuppose，Mills？"hesaidtothebutler，whoseemedtobelingeringuneasilyabouttheentrance-

hall。

"Yes，sir，andtherearelettersforyou；theyarealllaidonthewriting-tableinyourdressing-room。"

Onenteringthesmallanteroomwhichwascalledadressing-room，butwhichArthurreallyusedonlytoloungeandwritein，hejustcasthiseyesonthewriting-table，andsawthattherewereseverallettersandpacketslyingthere；buthewasintheuncomfortabledustyconditionofamanwhohashadalonghurriedjourney，andhemustreallyrefreshhimselfbyattendingtohistoilettealittle，beforehereadhisletters。Pymwasthere，makingeverythingreadyforhim，andsoon，withadelightfulfreshnessabouthim，asifhewerepreparedtobeginanewday，hewentbackintohisdressing-roomtoopenhisletters。Thelevelraysofthelowafternoonsunentereddirectlyatthewindow，andasArthurseatedhimselfinhisvelvetchairwiththeirpleasantwarmthuponhim，hewasconsciousofthatquietwell-beingwhichperhapsyouandIhavefeltonasunnyafternoonwhen，inourbrightestyouthandhealth，lifehasopenedanewvistaforus，andlongto-morrowsofactivityhavestretchedbeforeuslikealovelyplainwhichtherewasnoneedforhurryingtolookat，becauseitwasallourown。

Thetopletterwasplacedwithitsaddressupwards:itwasinMr。

Irwine’shandwriting，Arthursawatonce；andbelowtheaddresswaswritten，"Tobedeliveredassoonashearrives。"NothingcouldhavebeenlesssurprisingtohimthanaletterfromMr。

Irwineatthatmoment:ofcourse，therewassomethinghewishedArthurtoknowearlierthanitwaspossibleforthemtoseeeachother。AtsuchatimeasthatitwasquitenaturalthatIrwineshouldhavesomethingpressingtosay。Arthurbrokethesealwithanagreeableanticipationofsoonseeingthewriter。

"Isendthislettertomeetyouonyourarrival，Arthur，becauseI

maythenbeatStoniton，whitherIamcalledbythemostpainfuldutyithaseverbeengivenmetoperform，anditisrightthatyoushouldknowwhatIhavetotellyouwithoutdelay。

"Iwillnotattempttoaddbyonewordofreproachtotheretributionthatisnowfallingonyou:anyotherwordsthatI

couldwriteatthismomentmustbeweakandunmeaningbythesideofthoseinwhichImusttellyouthesimplefact。

"HettySorrelisinprison，andwillbetriedonFridayforthecrimeofchild-murder。"……

Arthurreadnomore。Hestartedupfromhischairandstoodforasingleminutewithasenseofviolentconvulsioninhiswholeframe，asifthelifeweregoingoutofhimwithhorriblethrobs；

butthenextminutehehadrushedoutoftheroom，stillclutchingtheletter——hewashurryingalongthecorridor，anddownthestairsintothehall。Millswasstillthere，butArthurdidnotseehim，ashepassedlikeahuntedmanacrossthehallandoutalongthegravel。Thebutlerhurriedoutafterhimasfastashiselderlylimbscouldrun:heguessed，heknew，wheretheyoungsquirewasgoing。

WhenMillsgottothestables，ahorsewasbeingsaddled，andArthurwasforcinghimselftoreadtheremainingwordsoftheletter。Hethrustitintohispocketasthehorsewasleduptohim，andatthatmomentcaughtsightofMills’anxiousfaceinfrontofhim。

"TellthemI’mgone——gonetoStoniton，"hesaidinamuffledtoneofagitation——sprangintothesaddle，andsetoffatagallop。