InthePrisonNEARsunsetthateveninganelderlygentlemanwasstandingwithhisbackagainstthesmallerentrance-doorofStonitonjail，sayingafewlastwordstothedepartingchaplain。Thechaplainwalkedaway，buttheelderlygentlemanstoodstill，lookingdownonthepavementandstrokinghischinwitharuminatingair，whenhewasrousedbyasweetclearwoman’svoice，saying，"CanIgetintotheprison，ifyouplease？"
　　Heturnedhisheadandlookedfixedlyatthespeakerforafewmomentswithoutanswering。
　　"Ihaveseenyoubefore，"hesaidatlast。"DoyourememberpreachingonthevillagegreenatHayslopeinLoamshire？"
　　"Yes，sir，surely。Areyouthegentlemanthatstayedtolistenonhorseback？"
　　"Yes。Whydoyouwanttogointotheprison？"
　　"IwanttogotoHettySorrel，theyoungwomanwhohasbeencondemnedtodeath——andtostaywithher，ifImaybepermitted。
　　Haveyoupowerintheprison，sir？"
　　"Yes；Iamamagistrate，andcangetadmittanceforyou。Butdidyouknowthiscriminal，HettySorrel？"
　　"Yes，wearekin。Myownauntmarriedheruncle，MartinPoyser。
　　ButIwasawayatLeeds，anddidn’tknowofthisgreattroubleintimetogetherebeforeto-day。Ientreatyou，sir，fortheloveofourheavenlyFather，toletmegotoherandstaywithher。"
　　"Howdidyouknowshewascondemnedtodeath，ifyouareonlyjustcomefromLeeds？"
　　"Ihaveseenmyunclesincethetrial，sir。Heisgonebacktohishomenow，andthepoorsinnerisforsakenofall。Ibeseechyoutogetleaveformetobewithher。"
　　"What！Haveyoucouragetostayallnightintheprison？Sheisverysullen，andwillscarcelymakeanswerwhensheisspokento。"
　　"Oh，sir，itmaypleaseGodtoopenherheartstill。Don’tletusdelay。"
　　"Come，then，"saidtheelderlygentleman，ringingandgainingadmission，"Iknowyouhaveakeytounlockhearts。"
　　Dinahmechanicallytookoffherbonnetandshawlassoonastheywerewithintheprisoncourt，fromthehabitshehadofthrowingthemoffwhenshepreachedorprayed，orvisitedthesick；andwhentheyenteredthejailer’sroom，shelaidthemdownonachairunthinkingly。Therewasnoagitationvisibleinher，butadeepconcentratedcalmness，asif，evenwhenshewasspeaking，hersoulwasinprayerreposingonanunseensupport。
　　Afterspeakingtothejailer，themagistrateturnedtoherandsaid，"Theturnkeywilltakeyoutotheprisoner’scellandleaveyouthereforthenight，ifyoudesireit，butyoucan’thavealightduringthenight——itiscontrarytorules。MynameisColonelTownley:ifIcanhelpyouinanything，askthejailerformyaddressandcometome。ItakesomeinterestinthisHettySorrel，forthesakeofthatfinefellow，AdamBede。IhappenedtoseehimatHayslopethesameeveningIheardyoupreach，andrecognizedhimincourtto-day，illashelooked。"
　　"Ah，sir，canyoutellmeanythingabouthim？Canyoutellmewherehelodges？Formypoorunclewastoomuchweigheddownwithtroubletoremember。"
　　"Closebyhere。IinquiredallabouthimofMr。Irwine。Helodgesoveratinman’sshop，inthestreetontherighthandasyouenteredtheprison。Thereisanoldschool-masterwithhim。
　　Now，good-bye:Iwishyousuccess。"
　　"Farewell，sir。Iamgratefultoyou。"
　　AsDinahcrossedtheprisoncourtwiththeturnkey，thesolemneveninglightseemedtomakethewallshigherthantheywerebyday，andthesweetpalefaceinthecapwasmorethaneverlikeawhitefloweronthisbackgroundofgloom。Theturnkeylookedaskanceatherallthewhile，butneverspoke。Hesomehowfeltthatthesoundofhisownrudevoicewouldbegratingjustthen。
　　Hestruckalightastheyenteredthedarkcorridorleadingtothecondemnedcell，andthensaidinhismostciviltone，"It’llbeprettynighdarkinthecella’ready，butIcanstopwithmylightabit，ifyoulike。"
　　"Nay，friend，thankyou，"saidDinah。"Iwishtogoinalone。"
　　"Asyoulike，"saidthejailer，turningtheharshkeyinthelockandopeningthedoorwideenoughtoadmitDinah。Ajetoflightfromhislanternfellontheoppositecornerofthecell，whereHettywassittingonherstrawpalletwithherfaceburiedinherknees。Itseemedasifshewereasleep，andyetthegratingofthelockwouldhavebeenlikelytowakenher。
　　Thedoorclosedagain，andtheonlylightinthecellwasthatoftheeveningsky，throughthesmallhighgrating——enoughtodiscernhumanfacesby。Dinahstoodstillforaminute，hesitatingtospeakbecauseHettymightbeasleep，andlookingatthemotionlessheapwithayearningheart。Thenshesaid，softly，"Hetty！"
　　TherewasaslightmovementperceptibleinHetty’sframe——astartsuchasmighthavebeenproducedbyafeebleelectricalshock——butshedidnotlookup。Dinahspokeagain，inatonemadestrongerbyirrepressibleemotion，"Hetty……it’sDinah。"
　　AgaintherewasaslightstartledmovementthroughHetty’sframe，andwithoutuncoveringherface，sheraisedherheadalittle，asiflistening。
　　"Hetty……Dinahiscometoyou。"
　　Afteramoment’spause，Hettyliftedherheadslowlyandtimidlyfromherkneesandraisedhereyes。Thetwopalefaceswerelookingateachother:onewithawildharddespairinit，theotherfullofsadyearninglove。Dinahunconsciouslyopenedherarmsandstretchedthemout。
　　"Don’tyouknowme，Hetty？Don’tyourememberDinah？DidyouthinkIwouldn’tcometoyouintrouble？"
　　HettykepthereyesfixedonDinah’sface——atfirstlikeananimalthatgazes，andgazes，andkeepsaloof。
　　"I’mcometobewithyou，Hetty——nottoleaveyou——tostaywithyou——tobeyoursistertothelast。"
　　Slowly，whileDinahwasspeaking，Hettyrose，tookastepforward，andwasclaspedinDinah’sarms。
　　Theystoodsoalongwhile，forneitherofthemfelttheimpulsetomoveapartagain。Hetty，withoutanydistinctthoughtofit，hungonthissomethingthatwascometoclasphernow，whileshewassinkinghelplessinadarkgulf；andDinahfeltadeepjoyinthefirstsignthatherlovewaswelcomedbythewretchedlostone。Thelightgotfainterastheystood，andwhenatlasttheysatdownonthestrawpallettogether，theirfaceshadbecomeindistinct。
　　Notawordwasspoken。Dinahwaited，hopingforaspontaneouswordfromHetty，butshesatinthesamedulldespair，onlyclutchingthehandthatheldhersandleaninghercheekagainstDinah’s。Itwasthehumancontactsheclungto，butshewasnotthelesssinkingintothedarkgulf。
　　DinahbegantodoubtwhetherHettywasconsciouswhoitwasthatsatbesideher。Shethoughtsufferingandfearmighthavedriventhepoorsinneroutofhermind。Butitwasborneinuponher，assheafterwardssaid，thatshemustnothurryGod’swork:weareoverhastytospeak——asifGoddidnotmanifesthimselfbyoursilentfeeling，andmakehislovefeltthroughours。Shedidnotknowhowlongtheysatinthatway，butitgotdarkeranddarker，tilltherewasonlyapalepatchoflightontheoppositewall:
　　alltherestwasdarkness。ButshefelttheDivinepresencemoreandmore——nay，asifsheherselfwereapartofit，anditwastheDivinepitythatwasbeatinginherheartandwaswillingtherescueofthishelplessone。AtlastshewaspromptedtospeakandfindouthowfarHettywasconsciousofthepresent。
　　"Hetty，"shesaidgently，"doyouknowwhoitisthatsitsbyyourside？"
　　"Yes，"Hettyansweredslowly，"it’sDinah。"
　　"AnddoyourememberthetimewhenwewereattheHallFarmtogether，andthatnightwhenItoldyoutobesureandthinkofmeasafriendintrouble？"
　　"Yes，"saidHetty。Then，afterapause，sheadded，"Butyoucandonothingforme。Youcan’tmake’emdoanything。They’llhangmeo’Monday——it’sFridaynow。"
　　AsHettysaidthelastwords，sheclungclosertoDinah，shuddering。
　　"No，Hetty，Ican’tsaveyoufromthatdeath。Butisn’tthesufferinglesshardwhenyouhavesomebodywithyou，thatfeelsforyou——thatyoucanspeakto，andsaywhat’sinyourheart？……Yes，Hetty:youleanonme:youaregladtohavemewithyou。"
　　"Youwon’tleaveme，Dinah？You’llkeepclosetome？"
　　"No，Hetty，Iwon’tleaveyou。I’llstaywithyoutothelast……But，Hetty，thereissomeoneelseinthiscellbesidesme，someoneclosetoyou。"
　　Hettysaid，inafrightenedwhisper，"Who？"
　　"Someonewhohasbeenwithyouthroughallyourhoursofsinandtrouble——whohasknowneverythoughtyouhavehad——hasseenwhereyouwent，whereyoulaydownandroseupagain，andallthedeedsyouhavetriedtohideindarkness。AndonMonday，whenIcan’tfollowyou——whenmyarmscan’treachyou——whendeathhaspartedus——Hewhoiswithusnow，andknowsall，willbewithyouthen。
　　Itmakesnodifference——whetherweliveordie，weareinthepresenceofGod。"
　　"Oh，Dinah，won’tnobodydoanythingforme？Willtheyhangmeforcertain？……Iwouldn’tmindifthey’dletmelive。"
　　"MypoorHetty，deathisverydreadfultoyou。Iknowit’sdreadful。Butifyouhadafriendtotakecareofyouafterdeath——inthatotherworld——someonewhoseloveisgreaterthanmine——whocandoeverything？……IfGodourFatherwasyourfriend，andwaswillingtosaveyoufromsinandsuffering，soasyoushouldneitherknowwickedfeelingsnorpainagain？Ifyoucouldbelievehelovedyouandwouldhelpyou，asyoubelieveIloveyouandwillhelpyou，itwouldn’tbesohardtodieonMonday，wouldit？"
　　"ButIcan’tknowanythingaboutit，"Hettysaid，withsullensadness。
　　"Because，Hetty，youareshuttingupyoursoulagainsthim，bytryingtohidethetruth。God’sloveandmercycanovercomeallthings——ourignorance，andweakness，andalltheburdenofourpastwickedness——allthingsbutourwilfulsin，sinthatweclingto，andwillnotgiveup。Youbelieveinmyloveandpityforyou，Hetty，butifyouhadnotletmecomenearyou，ifyouwouldn’thavelookedatmeorspokentome，you’dhaveshutmeoutfromhelpingyou。Icouldn’thavemadeyoufeelmylove；I
　　couldn’thavetoldyouwhatIfeltforyou。Don’tshutGod’sloveoutinthatway，byclingingtosin……Hecan’tblessyouwhileyouhaveonefalsehoodinyoursoul；hispardoningmercycan’treachyouuntilyouopenyourhearttohim，andsay，’Ihavedonethisgreatwickedness；OGod，saveme，makemepurefromsin。’
　　Whileyouclingtoonesinandwillnotpartwithit，itmustdragyoudowntomiseryafterdeath，asithasdraggedyoutomiseryhereinthisworld，mypoor，poorHetty。Itissinthatbringsdread，anddarkness，anddespair:thereislightandblessednessforusassoonaswecastitoff。Godentersoursoulsthen，andteachesus，andbringsusstrengthandpeace。Castitoffnow，Hetty——now:confessthewickednessyouhavedone——thesinyouhavebeenguiltyofagainstyourHeavenlyFather。Letuskneeldowntogether，forweareinthepresenceofGod。"
　　HettyobeyedDinah’smovement，andsankonherknees。Theystillheldeachother’shands，andtherewaslongsilence。ThenDinahsaid，"Hetty，wearebeforeGod。Heiswaitingforyoutotellthetruth。"
　　Stilltherewassilence。AtlastHettyspoke，inatoneofbeseeching——
　　"Dinah……helpme……Ican’tfeelanythinglikeyou……myheartishard。"
　　Dinahheldtheclinginghand，andallhersoulwentforthinhervoice:
　　"Jesus，thoupresentSaviour！Thouhastknownthedepthsofallsorrow:thouhastenteredthatblackdarknesswhereGodisnot，andhastutteredthecryoftheforsaken。ComeLord，andgatherofthefruitsofthytravailandthypleading。Stretchforththyhand，thouwhoartmightytosavetotheuttermost，andrescuethislostone。Sheisclothedroundwiththickdarkness。Thefettersofhersinareuponher，andshecannotstirtocometothee。Shecanonlyfeelherheartishard，andsheishelpless。
　　Shecriestome，thyweakcreature……Saviour！Itisablindcrytothee。Hearit！Piercethedarkness！Lookuponherwiththyfaceofloveandsorrowthatthoudidstturnonhimwhodeniedthee，andmeltherhardheart。
　　"See，Lord，Ibringher，astheyofoldbroughtthesickandhelpless，andthoudidsthealthem。Ibearheronmyarmsandcarryherbeforethee。Fearandtremblinghavetakenholdonher，butshetremblesonlyatthepainanddeathofthebody。Breatheuponherthylife-givingSpirit，andputanewfearwithinher——
　　thefearofhersin。Makeherdreadtokeeptheaccursedthingwithinhersoul。MakeherfeelthepresenceofthelivingGod，whobeholdsallthepast，towhomthedarknessisasnoonday；whoiswaitingnow，attheeleventhhour，forhertoturntohim，andconfesshersin，andcryformercy——now，beforethenightofdeathcomes，andthemomentofpardonisforeverfled，likeyesterdaythatreturnethnot。
　　"Saviour！Itisyettime——timetosnatchthispoorsoulfromeverlastingdarkness。Ibelieve——Ibelieveinthyinfinitelove。
　　Whatismyloveormypleading？Itisquenchedinthine。Icanonlyclaspherinmyweakarmsandurgeherwithmyweakpity。
　　Thou——thouwiltbreatheonthedeadsoul，anditshallarisefromtheunansweringsleepofdeath。
　　"Yea，Lord，Iseethee，comingthroughthedarknesscoming，likethemorning，withhealingonthywings。Themarksofthyagonyareuponthee——Isee，Iseethouartableandwillingtosave——
　　thouwiltnotletherperishforever。"Come，mightySaviour！
　　Letthedeadhearthyvoice。Lettheeyesoftheblindbeopened。
　　LetherseethatGodencompassesher。Lethertrembleatnothingbutatthesinthatcutsherofffromhim。Meltthehardheart。
　　Unsealtheclosedlips:makehercrywithherwholesoul，’Father，Ihavesinned。’……"
　　"Dinah，"Hettysobbedout，throwingherarmsroundDinah’sneck，"Iwillspeak……Iwilltell……Iwon’thideitanymore。"
　　Butthetearsandsobsweretooviolent。Dinahraisedhergentlyfromherkneesandseatedheronthepalletagain，sittingdownbyherside。Itwasalongtimebeforetheconvulsedthroatwasquiet，andeventhentheysatsometimeinstillnessanddarkness，holdingeachother’shands。AtlastHettywhispered，"Ididdoit，Dinah……Iburieditinthewood……thelittlebaby……anditcried……Ihearditcry……eversuchawayoff……allnight……andI
　　wentbackbecauseitcried。"
　　Shepaused，andthenspokehurriedlyinalouder，pleadingtone。
　　"ButIthoughtperhapsitwouldn’tdie——theremightsomebodyfindit。Ididn’tkillit——Ididn’tkillitmyself。Iputitdownthereandcovereditup，andwhenIcamebackitwasgone……ItwasbecauseIwassoverymiserable，Dinah……Ididn’tknowwheretogo……andItriedtokillmyselfbefore，andIcouldn’t。Oh，I
　　triedsotodrownmyselfinthepool，andIcouldn’t。IwenttoWindsor——Iranaway——didyouknow？Iwenttofindhim，ashemighttakecareofme；andhewasgone；andthenIdidn’tknowwhattodo。Idaredn’tgobackhomeagain——Icouldn’tbearit。I
　　couldn’thaveboretolookatanybody，forthey’dhavescornedme。
　　Ithoughto’yousometimes，andthoughtI’dcometoyou，forI
　　didn’tthinkyou’dbecrosswithme，andcryshameonme。I
　　thoughtIcouldtellyou。Butthentheotherfolks’udcometoknowitatlast，andIcouldn’tbearthat。Itwaspartlythinkingo’youmademecometowardStoniton；and，besides，IwassofrightenedatgoingwanderingabouttillIwasabeggar-woman，andhadnothing；andsometimesitseemedasifImustgobacktothefarmsoonerthanthat。Oh，itwassodreadful，Dinah……Iwassomiserable……IwishedI’dneverbeenbornintothisworld。I
　　shouldneverliketogointothegreenfieldsagain——Ihated’emsoinmymisery。"
　　Hettypausedagain，asifthesenseofthepastweretoostronguponherforwords。
　　"AndthenIgottoStoniton，andIbegantofeelfrightenedthatnight，becauseIwassonearhome。Andthenthelittlebabywasborn，whenIdidn’texpectit；andthethoughtcameintomymindthatImightgetridofitandgohomeagain。Thethoughtcameallofasudden，asIwaslyinginthebed，anditgotstrongerandstronger……Ilongedsotogobackagain……Icouldn’tbearbeingsolonelyandcomingtobegforwant。Anditgavemestrengthandresolutiontogetupanddressmyself。IfeltImustdoit……Ididn’tknowhow……IthoughtI’dfindapool，ifIcould，likethatother，inthecornerofthefield，inthedark。Andwhenthewomanwentout，IfeltasifIwasstrongenoughtodoanything……IthoughtIshouldgetridofallmymisery，andgobackhome，andneverlet’emknowwhyIranawayIputonmybonnetandshawl，andwentoutintothedarkstreet，withthebabyundermycloak；andIwalkedfasttillIgotintoastreetagoodwayoff，andtherewasapublic，andIgotsomewarmstufftodrinkandsomebread。AndIwalkedonandon，andIhardlyfeltthegroundItrodon；anditgotlighter，fortherecamethemoon——
　　oh，Dinah，itfrightenedmewhenitfirstlookedatmeouto’theclouds——itneverlookedsobefore；andIturnedoutoftheroadintothefields，forIwasafraido’meetinganybodywiththemoonshiningonme。AndIcametoahaystack，whereIthoughtIcouldliedownandkeepmyselfwarmallnight。Therewasaplacecutintoit，whereIcouldmakemeabed，andIlaycomfortable，andthebabywaswarmagainstme；andImusthavegonetosleepforagoodwhile，forwhenIwokeitwasmorning，butnotverylight，andthebabywascrying。AndIsawawoodalittlewayoff……I
　　thoughtthere’dperhapsbeaditchorapondthere……anditwassoearlyIthoughtIcouldhidethechildthere，andgetalongwayoffbeforefolkswasup。AndthenIthoughtI’dgohome——I’dgetridesincartsandgohomeandtell’emI’dbeentotryandseeforaplace，andcouldn’tgetone。Ilongedsoforit，Dinah，I
　　longedsotobesafeathome。Idon’tknowhowIfeltaboutthebaby。Iseemedtohateit——itwaslikeaheavyweighthangingroundmyneck；andyetitscryingwentthroughme，andIdaredn’tlookatitslittlehandsandface。ButIwentontothewood，andIwalkedabout，buttherewasnowater……"
　　Hettyshuddered。Shewassilentforsomemoments，andwhenshebeganagain，itwasinawhisper。
　　"Icametoaplacewheretherewaslotsofchipsandturf，andI
　　satdownonthetrunkofatreetothinkwhatIshoulddo。AndallofasuddenIsawaholeunderthenut-tree，likealittlegrave。Anditdartedintomelikelightning——I’dlaythebabythereandcoveritwiththegrassandthechips。Icouldn’tkillitanyotherway。AndI’ddoneitinaminute；and，oh，itcriedso，Dinah——Icouldn’tcoveritquiteup——Ithoughtperhapssomebody’udcomeandtakecareofit，andthenitwouldn’tdie。
　　AndImadehasteoutofthewood，butIcouldhearitcryingallthewhile；andwhenIgotoutintothefields，itwasasifIwasheldfast——Icouldn’tgoaway，forallIwantedsotogo。AndI
　　satagainstthehaystacktowatchifanybody’udcome。Iwasveryhungry，andI’donlyabitofbreadleft，butIcouldn’tgoaway。
　　Andaftereversuchawhile——hoursandhours——themancame——himinasmock-frock，andhelookedatmeso，Iwasfrightened，andI
　　madehasteandwenton。Ithoughthewasgoingtothewoodandwouldperhapsfindthebaby。AndIwentrighton，tillIcametoavillage，alongwayofffromthewood，andIwasverysick，andfaint，andhungry。Igotsomethingtoeatthere，andboughtaloaf。ButIwasfrightenedtostay。Iheardthebabycrying，andthoughttheotherfolksheardittoo——andIwenton。ButIwassotired，anditwasgettingtowardsdark。Andatlast，bytheroadsidetherewasabarn——eversuchawayoffanyhouse——likethebarninAbbot’sClose，andIthoughtIcouldgointhereandhidemyselfamongthehayandstraw，andnobody’udbelikelytocome。
　　Iwentin，anditwashalffullo’trussesofstraw，andtherewassomehaytoo。AndImademyselfabed，eversofarbehind，wherenobodycouldfindme；andIwassotiredandweak，Iwenttosleep……Butoh，thebaby’scryingkeptwakingme，andIthoughtthatmanaslookedatmesowascomeandlayingholdofme。ButI
　　musthavesleptalongwhileatlast，thoughIdidn’tknow，forwhenIgotupandwentoutofthebarn，Ididn’tknowwhetheritwasnightormorning。Butitwasmorning，foritkeptgettinglighter，andIturnedbackthewayI’dcome。Icouldn’thelpit，Dinah；itwasthebaby’scryingmademego——andyetIwasfrightenedtodeath。Ithoughtthatmaninthesmock-frock’udseemeandknowIputthebabythere。ButIwenton，forallthat。I’dleftoffthinkingaboutgoinghome——ithadgoneouto’
　　mymind。IsawnothingbutthatplaceinthewoodwhereI’dburiedthebaby……Iseeitnow。OhDinah！shallIallaysseeit？"
　　HettyclungroundDinahandshudderedagain。Thesilenceseemedlongbeforeshewenton。
　　"Imetnobody，foritwasveryearly，andIgotintothewood……I
　　knewthewaytotheplace……theplaceagainstthenut-tree；andI
　　couldhearitcryingateverystep……Ithoughtitwasalive……I
　　don’tknowwhetherIwasfrightenedorglad……Idon’tknowwhatI
　　felt。IonlyknowIwasinthewoodandheardthecry。Idon’tknowwhatIfelttillIsawthebabywasgone。AndwhenI’dputitthere，IthoughtIshouldlikesomebodytofinditandsaveitfromdying；butwhenIsawitwasgone，Iwasstrucklikeastone，withfear。Ineverthoughto’stirring，Ifeltsoweak。IknewI
　　couldn’trunaway，andeverybodyassawme’udknowaboutthebaby。Myheartwentlikeastone。Icouldn’twishortryforanything；itseemedlikeasifIshouldstaythereforever，andnothing’udeverchange。Buttheycameandtookmeaway。"
　　Hettywassilent，butsheshudderedagain，asiftherewasstillsomethingbehind；andDinahwaited，forherheartwassofullthattearsmustcomebeforewords。AtlastHettyburstout，withasob，"Dinah，doyouthinkGodwilltakeawaythatcryingandtheplaceinthewood，nowI’vetoldeverything？"
　　"Letuspray，poorsinner。Letusfallonourkneesagain，andpraytotheGodofallmercy。"
　　TheHoursofSuspenseONSundaymorning，whenthechurchbellsinStonitonwereringingformorningservice，BartleMasseyre-enteredAdam’sroom，afterashortabsence，andsaid，"Adam，here’savisitorwantstoseeyou。"
　　Adamwasseatedwithisbacktowardsthedoor，buthestartedupandturnedroundinstantly，withaflushedfaceandaneagerlook。
　　Hisfacewaseventhinnerandmorewornthanwehaveseenitbefore，buthewaswashedandshaventhisSundaymorning。
　　"Isitanynews？"hesaid。
　　"Keepyourselfquiet，mylad，"saidBartle；"keepquiet。It’snotwhatyou’rethinkingof。It’stheyoungMethodistwomancomefromtheprison。She’satthebottomo’thestairs，andwantstoknowifyouthinkwelltoseeher，forshehassomethingtosaytoyouaboutthatpoorcastaway；butshewouldn’tcomeinwithoutyourleave，shesaid。Shethoughtyou’dperhapsliketogooutandspeaktoher。Thesepreachingwomenarenotsoback’ardcommonly，"Bartlemutteredtohimself。
　　"Askhertocomein，"saidAdam。
　　Hewasstandingwithhisfacetowardsthedoor，andasDinahentered，liftinguphermildgreyeyestowardshim，shesawatoncethegreatchangethathadcomesincethedaywhenshehadlookedupatthetallmaninthecottage。Therewasatremblinginherclearvoiceassheputherhandintohisandsaid，"Becomforted，AdamBede，theLordhasnotforsakenher。"
　　"Blessyouforcomingtoher，"Adamsaid。"Mr。Masseybroughtmewordyesterdayasyouwascome。"
　　Theycouldneitherofthemsayanymorejustyet，butstoodbeforeeachotherinsilence；andBartleMassey，too，whohadputonhisspectacles，seemedtransfixed，examiningDinah’sface。Butherecoveredhimselffirst，andsaid，"Sitdown，youngwoman，sitdown，"placingthechairforherandretiringtohisoldseatonthebed。
　　"Thankyou，friend；Iwon’tsitdown，"saidDinah，"forImusthastenback。Sheentreatedmenottostaylongaway。WhatIcamefor，AdamBede，wastoprayyoutogoandseethepoorsinnerandbidherfarewell。Shedesirestoaskyourforgiveness，anditismeetyoushouldseeherto-day，ratherthanintheearlymorning，whenthetimewillbeshort。"
　　Adamstoodtrembling，andatlastsankdownonhischairagain。
　　"Itwon’tbe，"hesaid，"it’llbeputoff——there’llperhapscomeapardon。Mr。Irwinesaidtherewashope。Hesaid，Ineedn’tquitegiveitup。"
　　"That’sablessedthoughttome，"saidDinah，hereyesfillingwithtears。"It’safearfulthinghurryinghersoulawaysofast。"
　　"Butletwhatwillbe，"sheaddedpresently。"Youwillsurelycome，andletherspeakthewordsthatareinherheart。Althoughherpoorsoulisverydarkanddiscernslittlebeyondthethingsoftheflesh，sheisnolongerhard。Sheiscontrite，shehasconfessedalltome。Theprideofherhearthasgivenway，andsheleansonmeforhelpanddesirestobetaught。Thisfillsmewithtrust，forIcannotbutthinkthatthebrethrensometimeserrinmeasuringtheDivinelovebythesinner’sknowledge。SheisgoingtowritealettertothefriendsattheHallFarmformetogivethemwhensheisgone，andwhenItoldheryouwerehere，shesaid，’Ishouldliketosaygood-byetoAdamandaskhimtoforgiveme。’Youwillcome，Adam？Perhapsyouwillevennowcomebackwithme。"
　　"Ican’t，"Adamsaid。"Ican’tsaygood-byewhilethere’sanyhope。I’mlistening，andlistening——Ican’tthinko’nothingbutthat。Itcan’tbeasshe’lldiethatshamefuldeath——Ican’tbringmymindtoit。"
　　Hegotupfromhischairagainandlookedawayoutofthewindow，whileDinahstoodwithcompassionatepatience。Inaminuteortwoheturnedroundandsaid，"Iwillcome，Dinah……to-morrowmorning……ifitmustbe。Imayhavemorestrengthtobearit，ifIknowitmustbe。Tellher，Iforgiveher；tellherIwillcome——
　　attheverylast。"
　　"Iwillnoturgeyouagainstthevoiceofyourownheart，"saidDinah。"Imusthastenbacktoher，foritiswonderfulhowsheclingsnow，andwasnotwillingtoletmeoutofhersight。Sheusednevertomakeanyreturntomyaffectionbefore，butnowtribulationhasopenedherheart。Farewell，Adam。OurheavenlyFathercomfortyouandstrengthenyoutobearallthings。"Dinahputoutherhand，andAdampresseditinsilence。
　　BartleMasseywasgettinguptoliftthestifflatchofthedoorforher，butbeforehecouldreachit，shehadsaidgently，"Farewell，friend，"andwasgone，withherlightstepdownthestairs。
　　"Well，"saidBartle，takingoffhisspectaclesandputtingthemintohispocket，"iftheremustbewomentomaketroubleintheworld，it’sbutfairthereshouldbewomentobecomfortersunderit；andshe’sone——she’sone。It’sapityshe’saMethodist；butthere’snogettingawomanwithoutsomefoolishnessorother。"
　　Adamneverwenttobedthatnight。Theexcitementofsuspense，heighteningwitheveryhourthatbroughthimnearerthefatalmoment，wastoogreat，andinspiteofhisentreaties，inspiteofhispromisesthathewouldbeperfectlyquiet，theschoolmasterwatchedtoo。
　　"Whatdoesitmattertome，lad？"Bartlesaid:"anight’ssleepmoreorless？Ishallsleeplongenough，byandby，underground。
　　LetmekeeptheecompanyintroublewhileIcan。"
　　Itwasalonganddrearynightinthatsmallchamber。Adamwouldsometimesgetupandtreadbackwardsandforwardsalongtheshortspacefromwalltowall；thenhewouldsitdownandhidehisface，andnosoundwouldbeheardbutthetickingofthewatchonthetable，orthefallingofacinderfromthefirewhichtheschoolmastercarefullytended。Sometimeshewouldburstoutintovehementspeech，"IfIcouldha’doneanythingtosaveher——ifmybearinganythingwouldha’doneanygood……butt’havetositstill，andknowit，anddonothing……it’shardforamantobear……andtothinko’whatmightha’beennow，ifithadn’tbeenforHIM……OGod，it’stheverydayweshouldha’beenmarried。"
　　"Aye，mylad，"saidBartletenderly，"it’sheavy——it’sheavy。Butyoumustrememberthis:whenyouthoughtofmarryingher，you’danotionshe’dgotanothersortofanatureinsideher。Youdidn’tthinkshecouldhavegothardenedinthatlittlewhiletodowhatshe’sdone。"
　　"Iknow——Iknowthat，"saidAdam。"Ithoughtshewaslovingandtender-hearted，andwouldn’ttellalie，oractdeceitful。HowcouldIthinkanyotherway？Andifhe’dnevercomenearher，andI’dmarriedher，andbeenlovingtoher，andtookcareofher，shemightneverha’doneanythingbad。Whatwoulditha’signified——
　　myhavingabito’troublewithher？It’udha’beennothingtothis。"
　　"There’snoknowing，mylad——there’snoknowingwhatmighthavecome。Thesmart’sbadforyoutobearnow:youmusthavetime——
　　youmusthavetime。ButI’vethatopinionofyou，thatyou’llriseaboveitallandbeamanagain，andtheremaygoodcomeoutofthisthatwedon’tsee。"
　　"Goodcomeoutofit！"saidAdampassionately。"Thatdoesn’talterth’evil:HERruincan’tbeundone。Ihatethattalko’
　　people，asiftherewasawayo’makingamendsforeverything。
　　They’dmoreneedbebroughttoseeasthewrongtheydocanneverbealtered。Whenaman’sspoiledhisfellow-creatur’slife，he’snorighttocomforthimselfwiththinkinggoodmaycomeoutofit。
　　Somebodyelse’sgooddoesn’talterhershameandmisery。"
　　"Well，lad，well，"saidBartle，inagentletone，strangelyincontrastwithhisusualperemptorinessandimpatienceofcontradiction，"it’slikelyenoughItalkfoolishness。I’manoldfellow，andit’sagoodmanyyearssinceIwasintroublemyself。
　　It’seasyfindingreasonswhyotherfolksshouldbepatient。"
　　"Mr。Massey，"saidAdampenitently，"I’mveryhotandhasty。I
　　oweyousomethingdifferent；butyoumustn’ttakeitillofme。"
　　"NotI，lad——notI。"
　　Sothenightworeoninagitationtillthechilldawnandthegrowinglightbroughtthetremulousquietthatcomesonthebrinkofdespair。Therewouldsoonbenomoresuspense。
　　"Letusgototheprisonnow，Mr。Massey，"saidAdam，whenhesawthehandofhiswatchatsix。"Ifthere’sanynewscome，weshallhearaboutit。"
　　Thepeoplewereastiralready，movingrapidly，inonedirection，throughthestreets。Adamtriednottothinkwheretheyweregoing，astheyhurriedpasthiminthatshortspacebetweenhislodgingandtheprisongates。Hewasthankfulwhenthegatesshuthiminfromseeingthoseeagerpeople。
　　No；therewasnonewscome——nopardon——noreprieve。
　　AdamlingeredinthecourthalfanhourbeforehecouldbringhimselftosendwordtoDinahthathewascome。Butavoicecaughthisear:hecouldnotshutoutthewords。
　　"Thecartistosetoffathalf-pastseven。"
　　Itmustbesaid——thelastgood-bye:therewasnohelp。
　　Intenminutesfromthattime，Adamwasatthedoorofthecell。
　　Dinahhadsenthimwordthatshecouldnotcometohim；shecouldnotleaveHettyonemoment；butHettywaspreparedforthemeeting。
　　Hecouldnotseeherwhenheentered，foragitationdeadenedhissenses，andthedimcellwasalmostdarktohim。Hestoodamomentafterthedoorclosedbehindhim，tremblingandstupefied。
　　Buthebegantoseethroughthedimness——toseethedarkeyeslifteduptohimoncemore，butwithnosmileinthem。OGod，howsadtheylooked！Thelasttimetheyhadmethiswaswhenhepartedfromherwithhisheartfullofjoyoushopefullove，andtheylookedoutwithatearfulsmilefromapink，dimpled，childishface。Thefacewasmarblenow；thesweetlipswerepallidandhalf-openandquivering；thedimpleswereallgone——allbutone，thatneverwent；andtheeyes——O，theworstofallwasthelikenesstheyhadtoHetty’s。TheywereHetty’seyeslookingathimwiththatmournfulgaze，asifshehadcomebacktohimfromthedeadtotellhimofhermisery。
　　ShewasclingingclosetoDinah；hercheekwasagainstDinah’s。
　　Itseemedasifherlastfaintstrengthandhopelayinthatcontact，andthepityinglovethatshoneoutfromDinah’sfacelookedlikeavisiblepledgeoftheInvisibleMercy。
　　Whenthesadeyesmet——whenHettyandAdamlookedateachother——
　　shefeltthechangeinhimtoo，anditseemedtostrikeherwithfreshfear。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadseenanybeingwhosefaceseemedtoreflectthechangeinherself:Adamwasanewimageofthedreadfulpastandthedreadfulpresent。Shetrembledmoreasshelookedathim。
　　"Speaktohim，Hetty，"Dinahsaid；"tellhimwhatisinyourheart。"
　　Hettyobeyedher，likealittlechild。
　　"Adam……I’mverysorry……Ibehavedverywrongtoyou……willyouforgiveme……beforeIdie？"
　　Adamansweredwithahalf-sob，"Yes，IforgivetheeHetty。I
　　forgavetheelongago。"
　　IthadseemedtoAdamasifhisbrainwouldburstwiththeanguishofmeetingHetty’seyesinthefirstmoments，butthesoundofhervoiceutteringthesepenitentwordstouchedachordwhichhadbeenlessstrained。Therewasasenseofrelieffromwhatwasbecomingunbearable，andtheraretearscame——theyhadnevercomebefore，sincehehadhungonSeth’sneckinthebeginningofhissorrow。
　　Hettymadeaninvoluntarymovementtowardshim，someofthelovethatshehadoncelivedinthemidstofwascomenearheragain。
　　ShekeptholdofDinah’shand，butshewentuptoAdamandsaidtimidly，"Willyoukissmeagain，Adam，forallI’vebeensowicked？"
　　Adamtooktheblanchedwastedhandsheputouttohim，andtheygaveeachotherthesolemnunspeakablekissofalifelongparting。
　　"Andtellhim，"Hettysaid，inratherastrongervoice，"tellhim……forthere’snobodyelsetotellhim……asIwentafterhimandcouldn’tfindhim……andIhatedhimandcursedhimonce……butDinahsaysIshouldforgivehim……andItry……forelseGodwon’tforgiveme。"
　　Therewasanoiseatthedoorofthecellnow——thekeywasbeingturnedinthelock，andwhenthedooropened，Adamsawindistinctlythattherewereseveralfacesthere。Hewastooagitatedtoseemore——eventoseethatMr。Irwine’sfacewasoneofthem。Hefeltthatthelastpreparationswerebeginning，andhecouldstaynolonger。Roomwassilentlymadeforhimtodepart，andhewenttohischamberinloneliness，leavingBartleMasseytowatchandseetheend。
　　ChapterXLVII
　　TheLastMomentITwasasightthatsomepeoplerememberedbettereventhantheirownsorrows——thesightinthatgreyclearmorning，whenthefatalcartwiththetwoyoungwomeninitwasdescriedbythewaitingwatchingmultitude，cleavingitswaytowardsthehideoussymbolofadeliberatelyinflictedsuddendeath。
　　AllStonitonhadheardofDinahMorris，theyoungMethodistwomanwhohadbroughttheobstinatecriminaltoconfess，andtherewasasmucheagernesstoseeherastoseethewretchedHetty。
　　ButDinahwashardlyconsciousofthemultitude。WhenHettyhadcaughtsightofthevastcrowdinthedistance，shehadclutchedDinahconvulsively。
　　"Closeyoureyes，Hetty，"Dinahsaid，"andletuspraywithoutceasingtoGod。"
　　Andinalowvoice，asthecartwentslowlyalongthroughthemidstofthegazingcrowd，shepouredforthhersoulwiththewrestlingintensityofalastpleading，forthetremblingcreaturethatclungtoherandclutchedherastheonlyvisiblesignofloveandpity。
　　Dinahdidnotknowthatthecrowdwassilent，gazingatherwithasortofawe——shedidnotevenknowhowneartheyweretothefatalspot，whenthecartstopped，andsheshrankappalledataloudshouthideoustoherear，likeavastyellofdemons。Hetty’sshriekmingledwiththesound，andtheyclaspedeachotherinmutualhorror。
　　Butitwasnotashoutofexecration——notayellofexultantcruelty。
　　Itwasashoutofsuddenexcitementattheappearanceofahorsemancleavingthecrowdatfullgallop。Thehorseishotanddistressed，butanswerstothedesperatespurring；theriderlooksasifhiseyeswereglazedbymadness，andhesawnothingbutwhatwasunseenbyothers。See，hehassomethinginhishand——heisholdingitupasifitwereasignal。
　　TheSheriffknowshim:itisArthurDonnithorne，carryinginhishandahard-wonreleasefromdeath。
　　ChapterXLVIII
　　AnotherMeetingintheWoodTHEnextday，atevening，twomenwerewalkingfromoppositepointstowardsthesamescene，drawnthitherbyacommonmemory。
　　ThescenewastheGrovebyDonnithorneChase:youknowwhothemenwere。
　　Theoldsquire’sfuneralhadtakenplacethatmorning，thewillhadbeenread，andnowinthefirstbreathing-space，ArthurDonnithornehadcomeoutforalonelywalk，thathemightlookfixedlyatthenewfuturebeforehimandconfirmhimselfinasadresolution。HethoughthecoulddothatbestintheGrove。
　　AdamtoohadcomefromStontiononMondayevening，andto-dayhehadnotlefthome，excepttogotothefamilyattheHallFarmandtellthemeverythingthatMr。Irwinehadleftuntold。HehadagreedwiththePoysersthathewouldfollowthemtotheirnewneighbourhood，whereverthatmightbe，forhemeanttogiveupthemanagementofthewoods，and，assoonasitwaspracticable，hewouldwinduphisbusinesswithJonathanBurgeandsettlewithhismotherandSethinahomewithinreachofthefriendstowhomhefeltboundbyamutualsorrow。
　　"Sethandmearesuretofindwork，"hesaid。"Amanthat’sgotourtradeathisfinger-endsisathomeeverywhere；andwemustmakeanewstart。Mymotherwon’tstandintheway，forshe’stoldme，sinceIcamehome，she’dmadeuphermindtobeingburiedinanotherparish，ifIwishedit，andifI’dbemorecomfortableelsewhere。It’swonderfulhowquietshe’sbeeneversinceIcameback。Itseemsasiftheverygreatnesso’thetroublehadquietedandcalmedher。Weshallallbebetterinanewcountry，thoughthere’ssomeIshallbeloathtoleavebehind。ButIwon’tpartfromyouandyours，ifIcanhelpit，Mr。Poyser。Trouble’smadeuskin。"
　　"Aye，lad，"saidMartin。"We’llgoouto’hearingo’thatman’sname。ButIdoubtweshallne’ergofarenoughforfolksnottofindoutaswe’vegotthembelongingtousasaretransportedo’ertheseas，andwereliketobehanged。Weshallhavethatflyin’
　　upinourfaces，andourchildren’safterus。"
　　ThatwasalongvisittotheHallFarm，anddrewtoostronglyonAdam’senergiesforhimtothinkofseeingothers，orre-enteringonhisoldoccupationstillthemorrow。"Butto-morrow，"hesaidtohimself，"I’llgotoworkagain。Ishalllearntolikeitagainsometime，maybe；andit’srightwhetherIlikeitornot。"
　　Thiseveningwasthelasthewouldallowtobeabsorbedbysorrow:
　　suspensewasgonenow，andhemustbeartheunalterable。HewasresolvednottoseeArthurDonnithorneagain，ifitwerepossibletoavoidhim。HehadnomessagetodeliverfromHettynow，forHettyhadseenArthur。AndAdamdistrustedhimself——hehadlearnedtodreadtheviolenceofhisownfeeling。ThatwordofMr。Irwine’s——thathemustrememberwhathehadfeltaftergivingthelastblowtoArthurintheGrove——hadremainedwithhim。
　　ThesethoughtsaboutArthur，likeallthoughtsthatarechargedwithstrongfeeling，werecontinuallyrecurring，andtheyalwayscalleduptheimageoftheGrove——ofthatspotundertheoverarchingboughswherehehadcaughtsightofthetwobendingfigures，andhadbeenpossessedbysuddenrage。
　　"I’llgoandseeitagainto-nightforthelasttime，"hesaid；
　　"it’lldomegood；it’llmakemefeeloveragainwhatIfeltwhenI’dknockedhimdown。Ifeltwhatpooremptyworkitwas，assoonasI’ddoneit，beforeIbegantothinkhemightbedead。"
　　InthiswayithappenedthatArthurandAdamwerewalkingtowardsthesamespotatthesametime。
　　Adamhadonhisworking-dressagain，now，forhehadthrownofftheotherwithasenseofreliefassoonashecamehome；andifhehadhadthebasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，hemighthavebeentaken，withhispalewastedface，forthespectreoftheAdamBedewhoenteredtheGroveonthatAugusteveningeightmonthsago。Buthehadnobasketoftools，andhewasnotwalkingwiththeolderectness，lookingkeenlyroundhim；hishandswerethrustinhissidepockets，andhiseyesrestedchieflyontheground。
　　HehadnotlongenteredtheGrove，andnowhepausedbeforeabeech。Heknewthattreewell；itwastheboundarymarkofhisyouth——thesign，tohim，ofthetimewhensomeofhisearliest，strongestfeelingshadlefthim。Hefeltsuretheywouldneverreturn。Andyet，atthismoment，therewasastirringofaffectionattheremembranceofthatArthurDonnithornewhomhehadbelievedinbeforehehadcomeuptothisbeecheightmonthsago。Itwasaffectionforthedead:THATArthurexistednolonger。
　　Hewasdisturbedbythesoundofapproachingfootsteps，butthebeechstoodataturningintheroad，andhecouldnotseewhowascominguntilthetallslimfigureindeepmourningsuddenlystoodbeforehimatonlytwoyards’distance。Theybothstarted，andlookedateachotherinsilence。Often，inthelastfortnight，AdamhadimaginedhimselfasclosetoArthurasthis，assailinghimwithwordsthatshouldbeasharrowingasthevoiceofremorse，forcinguponhimajustshareinthemiseryhehadcaused；andoften，too，hehadtoldhimselfthatsuchameetinghadbetternotbe。ButinimaginingthemeetinghehadalwaysseenArthur，ashehadmethimonthateveningintheGrove，florid，careless，lightofspeech；andthefigurebeforehimtouchedhimwiththesignsofsuffering。Adamknewwhatsufferingwas——hecouldnotlayacruelfingeronabruisedman。Hefeltnoimpulsethatheneededtoresist。Silencewasmorejustthanreproach。Arthurwasthefirsttospeak。
　　"Adam，"hesaid，quietly，"itmaybeagoodthingthatwehavemethere，forIwishedtoseeyou。Ishouldhaveaskedtoseeyouto-
　　morrow。"
　　Hepaused，butAdamsaidnothing。
　　"Iknowitispainfultoyoutomeetme，"Arthurwenton，"butitisnotlikelytohappenagainforyearstocome。"
　　"No，sir，"saidAdam，coldly，"thatwaswhatImeanttowritetoyouto-morrow，asitwouldbebetteralldealingsshouldbeatanendbetweenus，andsomebodyelseputinmyplace。"
　　Arthurfelttheanswerkeenly，anditwasnotwithoutaneffortthathespokeagain。
　　"ItwaspartlyonthatsubjectIwishedtospeaktoyou。Idon’twanttolessenyourindignationagainstme，oraskyoutodoanythingformysake。Ionlywishtoaskyouifyouwillhelpmetolessentheevilconsequencesofthepast，whichisunchangeable。Idon’tmeanconsequencestomyself，buttoothers。
　　ItisbutlittleIcando，Iknow。Iknowtheworstconsequenceswillremain；butsomethingmaybedone，andyoucanhelpme。Willyoulistentomepatiently？"
　　"Yes，sir，"saidAdam，aftersomehesitation；"I’llhearwhatitis。IfIcanhelptomendanything，Iwill。Anger’ullmendnothing，Iknow。We’vehadenougho’that。"
　　"IwasgoingtotheHermitage，"saidArthur。"Willyougotherewithmeandsitdown？Wecantalkbetterthere。"
　　TheHermitagehadneverbeenenteredsincetheyleftittogether，forArthurhadlockedupthekeyinhisdesk。Andnow，whenheopenedthedoor，therewasthecandleburntoutinthesocket；
　　therewasthechairinthesameplacewhereAdamrememberedsitting；therewasthewaste-paperbasketfullofscraps，anddeepdowninit，Arthurfeltinaninstant，therewasthelittlepinksilkhandkerchief。Itwouldhavebeenpainfultoenterthisplaceiftheirpreviousthoughtshadbeenlesspainful。
　　Theysatdownoppositeeachotherintheoldplaces，andArthursaid，"I’mgoingaway，Adam；I’mgoingintothearmy。"
　　PoorArthurfeltthatAdamoughttobeaffectedbythisannouncement——oughttohaveamovementofsympathytowardshim。
　　ButAdam’slipsremainedfirmlyclosed，andtheexpressionofhisfaceunchanged。
　　"WhatIwanttosaytoyou，"Arthurcontinued，"isthis:oneofmyreasonsforgoingawayisthatnooneelsemayleaveHayslope——mayleavetheirhomeonmyaccount。Iwoulddoanything，thereisnosacrificeIwouldnotmake，topreventanyfurtherinjurytoothersthroughmy——throughwhathashappened。"
　　Arthur’swordshadpreciselytheoppositeeffecttothathehadanticipated。Adamthoughtheperceivedinthemthatnotionofcompensationforirretrievablewrong，thatself-soothingattempttomakeevilbearthesamefruitsasgood，whichmostofallrousedhisindignation。HewasasstronglyimpelledtolookpainfulfactsrightinthefaceasArthurwastoturnawayhiseyesfromthem。Moreover，hehadthewakefulsuspiciousprideofapoormaninthepresenceofarichman。Hefelthisoldseverityreturningashesaid，"Thetime’spastforthat，sir。A
　　manshouldmakesacrificestokeepclearofdoingawrong；
　　sacrificeswon’tundoitwhenit’sdone。Whenpeople’sfeelingshavegotadeadlywound，theycan’tbecuredwithfavours。"
　　"Favours！"saidArthur，passionately；"no；howcanyousupposeI
　　meantthat？ButthePoysers——Mr。IrwinetellsmethePoysersmeantoleavetheplacewheretheyhavelivedsomanyyears——forgenerations。Don’tyousee，asMr。Irwinedoes，thatiftheycouldbepersuadedtoovercomethefeelingthatdrivesthemaway，itwouldbemuchbetterforthemintheendtoremainontheoldspot，amongthefriendsandneighbourswhoknowthem？"
　　"That’strue，"saidAdamcoldly。"Butthen，sir，folks’sfeelingsarenotsoeasilyovercome。It’llbehardforMartinPoysertogotoastrangeplace，amongstrangefaces，whenhe’sbeenbredupontheHallFarm，andhisfatherbeforehim；butthenit’udbeharderforamanwithhisfeelingstostay。Idon’tseehowthething’stobemadeanyotherthanhard。There’sasorto’damage，sir，thatcan’tbemadeupfor。"
　　Arthurwassilentsomemoments。Inspiteofotherfeelingsdominantinhimthisevening，hispridewincedunderAdam’smodeoftreatinghim。Wasn’thehimselfsuffering？Wasnothetooobligedtorenouncehismostcherishedhopes？Itwasnowasithadbeeneightmonthsago——AdamwasforcingArthurtofeelmoreintenselytheirrevocablenessofhisownwrong-doing。HewaspresentingthesortofresistancethatwasthemostirritatingtoArthur’seagerardentnature。ButhisangerwassubduedbythesameinfluencethathadsubduedAdam’swhentheyfirstconfrontedeachother——bythemarksofsufferinginalongfamiliarface。
　　ThemomentarystruggleendedinthefeelingthathecouldbearagreatdealfromAdam，towhomhehadbeentheoccasionofbearingsomuch；buttherewasatouchofpleading，boyishvexationinhistoneashesaid，"Butpeoplemaymakeinjuriesworsebyunreasonableconduct——bygivingwaytoangerandsatisfyingthatforthemoment，insteadofthinkingwhatwillbetheeffectinthefuture。
　　"IfIweregoingtostayhereandactaslandlord，"headdedpresently，withstillmoreeagerness——"ifIwerecarelessaboutwhatI’vedone——whatI’vebeenthecauseof，youwouldhavesomeexcuse，Adam，forgoingawayandencouragingotherstogo。Youwouldhavesomeexcusethenfortryingtomaketheevilworse。
　　ButwhenItellyouI’mgoingawayforyears——whenyouknowwhatthatmeansforme，howitcutsoffeveryplanofhappinessI’veeverformed——itisimpossibleforasensiblemanlikeyoutobelievethatthereisanyrealgroundforthePoysersrefusingtoremain。Iknowtheirfeelingaboutdisgrace——Mr。Irwinehastoldmeall；butheisofopinionthattheymightbepersuadedoutofthisideathattheyaredisgracedintheeyesoftheirneighbours，andthattheycan’tremainonmyestate，ifyouwouldjoinhiminhisefforts——ifyouwouldstayyourselfandgoonmanagingtheoldwoods。"
　　Arthurpausedamomentandthenadded，pleadingly，"Youknowthat’sagoodworktodoforthesakeofotherpeople，besidestheowner。Andyoudon’tknowbutthattheymayhaveabetterownersoon，whomyouwillliketoworkfor。IfIdie，mycousinTradgettwillhavetheestateandtakemyname。Heisagoodfellow。"
　　Adamcouldnothelpbeingmoved:itwasimpossibleforhimnottofeelthatthiswasthevoiceofthehonestwarm-heartedArthurwhomhehadlovedandbeenproudofinolddays；butnearermemorieswouldnotbethrustaway。Hewassilent；yetArthursawananswerinhisfacethatinducedhimtogoon，withgrowingearnestness。
　　"Andthen，ifyouwouldtalktothePoysers——ifyouwouldtalkthematteroverwithMr。Irwine——hemeanstoseeyouto-morrow——andthenifyouwouldjoinyourargumentstohistoprevailonthemnottogo……Iknow，ofcourse，thattheywouldnotacceptanyfavourfromme——Imeannothingofthatkind——butI’msuretheywouldsufferlessintheend。Irwinethinkssotoo。AndMr。
　　Irwineistohavethechiefauthorityontheestate——hehasconsentedtoundertakethat。Theywillreallybeundernomanbutonewhomtheyrespectandlike。Itwouldbethesamewithyou，Adam，anditcouldbenothingbutadesiretogivemeworsepainthatcouldinclineyoutogo。"
　　Arthurwassilentagainforalittlewhile，andthensaid，withsomeagitationinhisvoice，"Iwouldn’tactsotowardsyou，I
　　know。IfyouwereinmyplaceandIinyours，Ishouldtrytohelpyoutodothebest。"
　　Adammadeahastymovementonhischairandlookedontheground。
　　Arthurwenton，"Perhapsyou’veneverdoneanythingyou’vehadbitterlytorepentofinyourlife，Adam；ifyouhad，youwouldbemoregenerous。Youwouldknowthenthatit’sworseformethanforyou。"
　　Arthurrosefromhisseatwiththelastwords，andwenttooneofthewindows，lookingoutandturninghisbackonAdam，ashecontinued，passionately，"Haven’tIlovedhertoo？Didn’tIseeheryesterday？Shan’tIcarrythethoughtofheraboutwithmeasmuchasyouwill？Anddon’tyouthinkyouwouldsuffermoreifyou’dbeeninfault？"
　　Therewassilenceforseveralminutes，forthestruggleinAdam’smindwasnoteasilydecided。Facilenatures，whoseemotionshavelittlepermanence，canhardlyunderstandhowmuchinwardresistanceheovercamebeforeherosefromhisseatandturnedtowardsArthur。Arthurheardthemovement，andturninground，metthesadbutsoftenedlookwithwhichAdamsaid，"It’struewhatyousay，sir。I’mhard——it’sinmynature。Iwastoohardwithmyfather，fordoingwrong。I’vebeenabithardt’everybodybuther。Ifeltasifnobodypitiedherenough——hersufferingcutintomeso；andwhenIthoughtthefolksatthefarmweretoohardwithher，IsaidI’dneverbehardtoanybodymyselfagain。Butfeelingovermuchaboutherhasperhapsmademeunfairtoyou。
　　I’veknownwhatitisinmylifetorepentandfeelit’stoolate。
　　IfeltI’dbeentooharshtomyfatherwhenhewasgonefromme——I
　　feelitnow，whenIthinkofhim。I’venorighttobehardtowardsthemashavedonewrongandrepent。"
　　Adamspokethesewordswiththefirmdistinctnessofamanwhoisresolvedtoleavenothingunsaidthatheisboundtosay；buthewentonwithmorehesitation。
　　"Iwouldn’tshakehandswithyouonce，sir，whenyouaskedme——butifyou’rewillingtodoitnow，forallIrefusedthen……"
　　Arthur’swhitehandwasinAdam’slargegraspinaninstant，andwiththatactiontherewasastrongrush，onbothsides，oftheold，boyishaffection。
　　"Adam，"Arthursaid，impelledtofullconfessionnow，"itwouldneverhavehappenedifI’dknownyoulovedher。Thatwouldhavehelpedtosavemefromit。AndIdidstruggle。Inevermeanttoinjureher。Ideceivedyouafterwards——andthatledontoworse；
　　butIthoughtitwasforceduponme，IthoughtitwasthebestthingIcoulddo。AndinthatletterItoldhertoletmeknowifshewereinanytrouble:don’tthinkIwouldnothavedoneeverythingIcould。ButIwasallwrongfromtheveryfirst，andhorriblewronghascomeofit。Godknows，I’dgivemylifeifI
　　couldundoit。"
　　Theysatdownagainoppositeeachother，andAdamsaid，tremulously，"Howdidsheseemwhenyoulefther，sir？"
　　"Don’taskme，Adam，"Arthursaid；"IfeelsometimesasifI
　　shouldgomadwiththinkingofherlooksandwhatshesaidtome，andthen，thatIcouldn’tgetafullpardon——thatIcouldn’tsaveherfromthatwretchedfateofbeingtransported——thatIcandonothingforherallthoseyears；andshemaydieunderit，andneverknowcomfortanymore。"
　　"Ah，sir，"saidAdam，forthefirsttimefeelinghisownpainmergedinsympathyforArthur，"youandme’lloftenbethinkingo’
　　thesamething，whenwe’realongwayoffoneanother。I’llprayGodtohelpyou，asIprayhimtohelpme。"
　　"Butthere’sthatsweetwoman——thatDinahMorris，"Arthursaid，pursuinghisownthoughtsandnotknowingwhathadbeenthesenseofAdam’swords，"shesayssheshallstaywithhertotheverylastmoment——tillshegoes；andthepoorthingclingstoherasifshefoundsomecomfortinher。Icouldworshipthatwoman；I
　　don’tknowwhatIshoulddoifshewerenotthere。Adam，youwillseeherwhenshecomesback。Icouldsaynothingtoheryesterday——nothingofwhatIfelttowardsher。Tellher，"Arthurwentonhurriedly，asifhewantedtohidetheemotionwithwhichhespoke，whilehetookoffhischainandwatch，"tellherIaskedyoutogiveherthisinremembranceofme——ofthemantowhomsheistheonesourceofcomfort，whenhethinksof……Iknowshedoesn’tcareaboutsuchthings——oranythingelseIcangiveherforitsownsake。Butshewillusethewatch——Ishallliketothinkofherusingit。"
　　"I’llgiveittoher，sir，"Adamsaid，"andtellheryourwords。
　　ShetoldmesheshouldcomebacktothepeopleattheHallFarm。"
　　"AndyouwillpersuadethePoyserstostay，Adam？"saidArthur，remindedofthesubjectwhichbothofthemhadforgotteninthefirstinterchangeofrevivedfriendship。"Youwillstayyourself，andhelpMr。Irwinetocarryouttherepairsandimprovementsontheestate？"
　　"There’sonething，sir，thatperhapsyoudon’ttakeaccountof，"
　　saidAdam，withhesitatinggentleness，"andthatwaswhatmademehangbacklonger。Yousee，it’sthesamewithbothmeandthePoysers:ifwestay，it’sforourownworldlyinterest，anditlooksasifwe’dputupwithanythingforthesakeo’that。I
　　knowthat’swhatthey’llfeel，andIcan’thelpfeelingalittleofitmyself。Whenfolkshavegotanhonourableindependentspirit，theydon’tliketodoanythingthatmightmake’emseembase-minded。"
　　"Butnoonewhoknowsyouwillthinkthat，Adam。Thatisnotareasonstrongenoughagainstacoursethatisreallymoregenerous，moreunselfishthantheother。Anditwillbeknown——itshallbemadeknown，thatbothyouandthePoysersstayedatmyentreaty。Adam，don’ttrytomakethingsworseforme；I’mpunishedenoughwithoutthat。"
　　"No，sir，no，"Adamsaid，lookingatArthurwithmournfulaffection。"GodforbidIshouldmakethingsworseforyou。I
　　usedtowishIcoulddoit，inmypassion——butthatwaswhenI
　　thoughtyoudidn’tfeelenough。I’llstay，sir，I’lldothebestIcan。It’sallI’vegottothinkofnow——todomyworkwellandmaketheworldabitbetterplaceforthemascanenjoyit。"
　　"Thenwe’llpartnow，Adam。YouwillseeMr。Irwineto-morrow，andconsultwithhimabouteverything。"
　　"Areyougoingsoon，sir？"saidAdam。
　　"Assoonaspossible——afterI’vemadethenecessaryarrangements。
　　Good-bye，Adam。Ishallthinkofyougoingabouttheoldplace。"
　　"Good-bye，sir。Godblessyou。"
　　Thehandswereclaspedoncemore，andAdamlefttheHermitage，feelingthatsorrowwasmorebearablenowhatredwasgone。
　　Assoonasthedoorwasclosedbehindhim，Arthurwenttothewaste-paperbasketandtookoutthelittlepinksilkhandkerchief。