AndHetty’sfoolishjoysandhopes，whichhadflownawayforalittlespace，scaredbyamerenothing，nowallcameflutteringback，unconsciousoftherealperil。Shewashappyforthefirsttimethislongday，andwishedthatdancewouldlastforhours。
　　Arthurwishedittoo；itwasthelastweaknesshemeanttoindulgein；andamanneverlieswithmoredeliciouslanguorundertheinfluenceofapassionthanwhenhehaspersuadedhimselfthatheshallsubdueitto-morrow。
　　ButMrs。Poyser’swisheswerequitethereverseofthis，forhermindwasfilledwithdrearyforebodingsastotheretardationofto-morrowmorning’scheeseinconsequenceoftheselatehours。
　　NowthatHettyhaddoneherdutyanddancedonedancewiththeyoungsquire，Mr。Poysermustgooutandseeifthecartwascomebacktofetchthem，foritwashalf-pastteno’clock，andnotwithstandingamildsuggestiononhispartthatitwouldbebadmannersforthemtobethefirsttogo，Mrs。Poyserwasresoluteonthepoint，"mannersornomanners。"
　　"What！Goingalready，Mrs。Poyser？"saidoldMr。Donnithorne，asshecametocurtsyandtakeleave；"Ithoughtweshouldnotpartwithanyofourgueststilleleven。Mrs。IrwineandI，whoareelderlypeople，thinkofsittingoutthedancetillthen。"
　　"Oh，YourHonour，it’sallrightandproperforgentlefolkstostayupbycandlelight——they’vegotnocheeseontheirminds。
　　We’relateenoughasitis，an’there’snolettin’thecowsknowastheymustn’twanttobemilkedsoearlyto-morrowmornin’。So，ifyou’llpleaset’excuseus，we’lltakeourleave。"
　　"Eh！"shesaidtoherhusband，astheysetoffinthecart，"I’dsoonerha’brewin’dayandwashin’daytogetherthanoneo’thesepleasurin’days。There’snoworksotirin’asdanglin’aboutan’
　　starin’an’notrightlyknowin’whatyou’regoin’todonext；andkeepin’yourfacei’smilin’orderlikeagrocero’market-dayforfearpeopleshouldnathinkyoucivilenough。An’you’venothingtoshowfor’twhenit’sdone，ifitisn’tayallowfacewi’eatin’
　　thingsasdisagree。"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidMr。Poyser，whowasinhismerriestmood，andfeltthathehadhadagreatday，"abito’pleasuring’sgoodfortheesometimes。An’theedanc’staswellasanyof’em，forI’llbacktheeagainstallthewivesi’theparishforalightfootan’
　　ankle。An’itwasagreathonourfortheyoungsquiretoasktheefirst——IreckonitwasbecauseIsatatth’heado’thetablean’
　　madethespeech。An’Hettytoo——sheneverhadsuchapartnerbefore——afineyounggentlemaninreg’mentals。It’llserveyoutotalkon，Hetty，whenyou’reanoldwoman——howyoudancedwi’th’
　　youngsquirethedayhecomeo’age。"
　　AcrisisITwasbeyondthemiddleofAugust——nearlythreeweeksafterthebirthdayfeast。ThereapingofthewheathadbeguninournorthmidlandcountyofLoamshire，buttheharvestwaslikelystilltoberetardedbytheheavyrains，whichwerecausinginundationsandmuchdamagethroughoutthecountry。FromthislasttroubletheBroxtonandHayslopefarmers，ontheirpleasantuplandsandintheirbrook-wateredvalleys，hadnotsuffered，andasIcannotpretendthattheyweresuchexceptionalfarmersastolovethegeneralgoodbetterthantheirown，youwillinferthattheywerenotinverylowspiritsabouttherapidriseinthepriceofbread，solongastherewashopeofgatheringintheirowncornundamaged；andoccasionaldaysofsunshineanddryingwindsflatteredthishope。
　　TheeighteenthofAugustwasoneofthesedayswhenthesunshinelookedbrighterinalleyesforthegloomthatwentbefore。Grandmassesofcloudwerehurriedacrosstheblue，andthegreatroundhillsbehindtheChaseseemedalivewiththeirflyingshadows；thesunwashiddenforamoment，andthenshoneoutwarmagainlikearecoveredjoy；theleaves，stillgreen，weretossedoffthehedgerowtreesbythewind；aroundthefarmhousestherewasasoundofclappingdoors；theapplesfellintheorchards；andthestrayhorsesonthegreensidesofthelanesandonthecommonhadtheirmanesblownabouttheirfaces。Andyetthewindseemedonlypartofthegeneralgladnessbecausethesunwasshining。Amerrydayforthechildren，whoranandshoutedtoseeiftheycouldtopthewindwiththeirvoices；andthegrown-uppeopletoowereingoodspirits，inclinedtobelieveinyetfinerdays，whenthewindhadfallen。Ifonlythecornwerenotripeenoughtobeblownoutofthehuskandscatteredasuntimelyseed！
　　Andyetadayonwhichablightingsorrowmayfalluponaman。
　　ForifitbetruethatNatureatcertainmomentsseemschargedwithapresentimentofoneindividuallotmustitnotalsobetruethatsheseemsunmindfuluncon-sciousofanother？Forthereisnohourthathasnotitsbirthsofgladnessanddespair，nomorningbrightnessthatdoesnotbringnewsicknesstodesolationaswellasnewforcestogeniusandlove。Therearesomanyofus，andourlotsaresodifferent，whatwonderthatNature’smoodisofteninharshcontrastwiththegreatcrisisofourlives？Wearechildrenofalargefamily，andmustlearn，assuchchildrendo，nottoexpectthatourhurtswillbemademuchof——tobecontentwithlittlenurtureandcaressing，andhelpeachotherthemore。
　　ItwasabusydaywithAdam，whooflatehaddonealmostdoublework，forhewascontinuingtoactasforemanforJonathanBurge，untilsomesatisfactorypersoncouldbefoundtosupplyhisplace，andJonathanwasslowtofindthatperson。Buthehaddonetheextraworkcheerfully，forhishopeswerebuoyantagainaboutHetty。Everytimeshehadseenhimsincethebirthday，shehadseemedtomakeanefforttobehaveallthemorekindlytohim，thatshemightmakehimunderstandshehadforgivenhissilenceandcoldnessduringthedance。Hehadnevermentionedthelockettoheragain；toohappythatshesmiledathim——stillhappierbecauseheobservedinheramoresubduedair，somethingthatheinterpretedasthegrowthofwomanlytendernessandseriousness。
　　"Ah！"hethought，againandagain，"she’sonlyseventeen；she’llbethoughtfulenoughafterawhile。Andherauntallayssayshowcleversheisatthework。She’llmakeawifeasMother’llhavenooccasiontogrumbleat，afterall。"Tobesure，hehadonlyseenherathometwicesincethebirthday；foroneSunday，whenhewasintendingtogofromchurchtotheHallFarm，HettyhadjoinedthepartyofupperservantsfromtheChaseandhadgonehomewiththem——almostasifshewereinclinedtoencourageMr。Craig。
　　"She’stakin’toomuchlikin’tothemfolksi’thehousekeeper’sroom，"Mrs。Poyserremarked。"Formypart，Iwasneveroverfondo’gentlefolks’sservants——they’remostlylikethefineladies’
　　fatdogs，naythergoodforbarkingnorbutcher’smeat，buton’yforshow。"AndanothereveningshewasgonetoTreddlestontobuysomethings；though，tohisgreatsurprise，ashewasreturninghome，hesawheratadistancegettingoverastilequiteoutoftheTreddlestonroad。But，whenhehastenedtoher，shewasverykind，andaskedhimtogoinagainwhenhehadtakenhertotheyardgate。ShehadgonealittlefartherintothefieldsaftercomingfromTreddlestonbecauseshedidn’twanttogoin，shesaid:itwassonicetobeoutofdoors，andherauntalwaysmadesuchafussaboutitifshewantedtogoout。"Oh，docomeinwithme！"shesaid，ashewasgoingtoshakehandswithheratthegate，andhecouldnotresistthat。Sohewentin，andMrs。
　　PoyserwascontentedwithonlyaslightremarkonHetty’sbeinglaterthanwasexpected；whileHetty，whohadlookedoutofspiritswhenhemether，smiledandtalkedandwaitedonthemallwithunusualpromptitude。
　　Thatwasthelasttimehehadseenher；buthemeanttomakeleisureforgoingtotheFarmto-morrow。To-day，heknew，washerdayforgoingtotheChasetosewwiththelady’smaid，sohewouldgetasmuchworkdoneaspossiblethisevening，thatthenextmightbeclear。
　　OnepieceofworkthatAdamwassuperintendingwassomeslightrepairsattheChaseFarm，whichhadbeenhithertooccupiedbySatchell，asbailiff，butwhichitwasnowrumouredthattheoldsquirewasgoingtolettoasmartmanintop-boots，whohadbeenseentorideoveritoneday。Nothingbutthedesiretogetatenantcouldaccountforthesquire’sundertakingrepairs，thoughtheSaturday-eveningpartyatMr。Casson’sagreedovertheirpipesthatnomaninhissenseswouldtaketheChaseFarmunlesstherewasabitmoreploughlandlaidtoit。Howeverthatmightbe，therepairswereorderedtobeexecutedwithalldispatch，andAdam，actingforMr。Burge，wascarryingouttheorderwithhisusualenergy。Butto-day，havingbeenoccupiedelsewhere，hehadnotbeenabletoarriveattheChaseFarmtilllateintheafternoon，andhethendiscoveredthatsomeoldroofing，whichhehadcalculatedonpreserving，hadgivenway。Therewasclearlynogoodtobedonewiththispartofthebuildingwithoutpullingitalldown，andAdamimmediatelysawinhismindaplanforbuildingitupagain，soastomakethemostconvenientofcow-shedsandcalf-pens，withahovelforimplements；andallwithoutanygreatexpenseformaterials。So，whentheworkmenweregone，hesatdown，tookouthispocket-book，andbusiedhimselfwithsketchingaplan，andmakingaspecificationoftheexpensesthathemightshowittoBurgethenextmorning，andsethimonpersuadingthesquiretoconsent。To"makeagoodjob"ofanything，howeversmall，wasalwaysapleasuretoAdam，andhesatonablock，withhisbookrestingonaplaning-table，whistlingloweverynowandthenandturninghisheadononesidewithajustperceptiblesmileofgratification——ofpride，too，forifAdamlovedabitofgoodwork，helovedalsotothink，"Ididit！"AndIbelievetheonlypeoplewhoarefreefromthatweaknessarethosewhohavenoworktocalltheirown。Itwasnearlysevenbeforehehadfinishedandputonhisjacketagain；andongivingalastlookround，heobservedthatSeth，whohadbeenworkinghereto-day，hadlefthisbasketoftoolsbehindhim。"Why，th’lad’sforgothistools，"thoughtAdam，"andhe’sgottoworkupattheshopto-
　　morrow。Thereneverwassuchachapforwool-gathering；he’dleavehisheadbehindhim，ifitwasloose。However，it’sluckyI’veseen’em；I’llcarry’emhome。"
　　ThebuildingsoftheChaseFarmlayatoneextremityoftheChase，atabouttenminutes’walkingdistancefromtheAbbey。Adamhadcomethitheronhispony，intendingtoridetothestablesandputuphisnagonhiswayhome。AtthestablesheencounteredMr。
　　Craig，whohadcometolookatthecaptain’snewhorse，onwhichhewastorideawaythedayafterto-morrow；andMr。Craigdetainedhimtotellhowalltheservantsweretocollectatthegateofthecourtyardtowishtheyoungsquireluckasherodeout；sothatbythetimeAdamhadgotintotheChase，andwasstridingalongwiththebasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，thesunwasonthepointofsetting，andwassendinglevelcrimsonraysamongthegreattrunksoftheoldoaks，andtouchingeverybarepatchofgroundwithatransientglorythatmadeitlooklikeajeweldroptuponthegrass。Thewindhadfallennow，andtherewasonlyenoughbreezetostirthedelicate-stemmedleaves。Anyonewhohadbeensittinginthehousealldaywouldhavebeengladtowalknow；butAdamhadbeenquiteenoughintheopenairtowishtoshortenhiswayhome，andhebethoughthimselfthathemightdosobystrikingacrosstheChaseandgoingthroughtheGrove，wherehehadneverbeenforyears。HehurriedonacrosstheChase，stalkingalongthenarrowpathsbetweenthefern，withGypathisheels，notlingeringtowatchthemagnificentchangesofthelight——hardlyoncethinkingofit——yetfeelingitspresenceinacertaincalmhappyawewhichmingleditselfwithhisbusyworking-daythoughts。Howcouldhehelpfeelingit？Theverydeerfeltit，andweremoretimid。
　　PresentlyAdam’sthoughtsrecurredtowhatMr。CraighadsaidaboutArthurDonnithorne，andpicturedhisgoingaway，andthechangesthatmighttakeplacebeforehecameback；thentheytravelledbackaffectionatelyovertheoldscenesofboyishcompanionship，anddweltonArthur’sgoodqualities，whichAdamhadapridein，asweallhaveinthevirtuesofthesuperiorwhohonoursus。AnaturelikeAdam’s，withagreatneedofloveandreverenceinit，dependsforsomuchofitshappinessonwhatitcanbelieveandfeelaboutothers！Andhehadnoidealworldofdeadheroes；heknewlittleofthelifeofmeninthepast；hemustfindthebeingstowhomhecouldclingwithlovingadmirationamongthosewhocamewithinspeechofhim。ThesepleasantthoughtsaboutArthurbroughtamilderexpressionthanusualintohiskeenroughface:perhapstheywerethereasonwhy，whenheopenedtheoldgreengateleadingintotheGrove，hepausedtopatGypandsayakindwordtohim。
　　Afterthatpause，hestrodeonagainalongthebroadwindingpaththroughtheGrove。Whatgrandbeeches！Adamdelightedinafinetreeofallthings；asthefisherman’ssightiskeenestonthesea，soAdam’sperceptionsweremoreathomewithtreesthanwithotherobjects。Hekepttheminhismemory，asapainterdoes，withalltheflecksandknotsintheirbark，allthecurvesandanglesoftheirboughs，andhadoftencalculatedtheheightandcontentsofatrunktoanicety，ashestoodlookingatit。Nowonderthat，not-withstandinghisdesiretogeton，hecouldnothelppausingtolookatacuriouslargebeechwhichhehadseenstandingbeforehimataturningintheroad，andconvincehimselfthatitwasnottwotreesweddedtogether，butonlyone。Fortherestofhislifeherememberedthatmomentwhenhewascalmlyexaminingthebeech，asamanremembershislastglimpseofthehomewherehisyouthwaspassed，beforetheroadturned，andhesawitnomore。ThebeechstoodatthelastturningbeforetheGroveendedinanarchwayofboughsthatletintheeasternlight；
　　andasAdamsteppedawayfromthetreetocontinuehiswalk，hiseyesfellontwofiguresabouttwentyyardsbeforehim。
　　Heremainedasmotionlessasastatue，andturnedalmostaspale。
　　Thetwofigureswerestandingoppositetoeachother，withclaspedhandsabouttopart；andwhiletheywerebendingtokiss，Gyp，whohadbeenrunningamongthebrushwood，cameout，caughtsightofthem，andgaveasharpbark。Theyseparatedwithastart——onehurriedthroughthegateoutoftheGrove，andtheother，turninground，walkedslowly，withasortofsaunter，towardsAdamwhostillstoodtransfixedandpale，clutchingtighterthestickwithwhichheheldthebasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，andlookingattheapproachingfigurewitheyesinwhichamazementwasfastturningtofierceness。
　　ArthurDonnithornelookedflushedandexcited；hehadtriedtomakeunpleasantfeelingsmorebearablebydrinkingalittlemorewinethanusualatdinnerto-day，andwasstillenoughunderitsflatteringinfluencetothinkmorelightlyofthisunwished-forrencontrewithAdamthanhewouldotherwisehavedone。Afterall，AdamwasthebestpersonwhocouldhavehappenedtoseehimandHettytogether——hewasasensiblefellow，andwouldnotbabbleaboutittootherpeople。Arthurfeltconfidentthathecouldlaughthethingoffandexplainitaway。Andsohesaunteredforwardwithelaboratecarelessness——hisflushedface，hiseveningdressoffineclothandfinelinen，hishandshalf-thrustintohiswaistcoatpockets，allshoneuponbythestrangeeveninglightwhichthelightcloudshadcaughtupeventothezenith，andwerenowsheddingdownbetweenthetopmostbranchesabovehim。
　　Adamwasstillmotionless，lookingathimashecameup。Heunderstooditallnow——thelocketandeverythingelsethathadbeendoubtfultohim:aterriblescorchinglightshowedhimthehiddenlettersthatchangedthemeaningofthepast。Ifhehadmovedamuscle，hemustinevitablyhavesprunguponArthurlikeatiger；andintheconflictingemotionsthatfilledthoselongmoments，hehadtoldhimselfthathewouldnotgiveloosetopassion，hewouldonlyspeaktherightthing。Hestoodasifpetrifiedbyanunseenforce，buttheforcewashisownstrongwill。
　　"Well，Adam，"saidArthur，"you’vebeenlookingatthefineoldbeeches，eh？They’renottobecomenearbythehatchet，though；
　　thisisasacredgrove。IovertookprettylittleHettySorrelasIwascomingtomyden——theHermitage，there。Sheoughtnottocomehomethiswaysolate。SoItookcareofhertothegate，andaskedforakissformypains。ButImustgetbacknow，forthisroadisconfoundedlydamp。Good-night，Adam。Ishallseeyouto-morrow——tosaygood-bye，youknow。"
　　ArthurwastoomuchpreoccupiedwiththeparthewasplayinghimselftobethoroughlyawareoftheexpressioninAdam’sface。
　　HedidnotlookdirectlyatAdam，butglancedcarelesslyroundatthetreesandthenlifteduponefoottolookatthesoleofhisboot。Hecaredtosaynomore——hehadthrownquitedustenoughintohonestAdam’seyes——andashespokethelastwords，hewalkedon。
　　"Stopabit，sir，"saidAdam，inahardperemptoryvoice，withoutturninground。"I’vegotawordtosaytoyou。"
　　Arthurpausedinsurprise。Susceptiblepersonsaremoreaffectedbyachangeoftonethanbyunexpectedwords，andArthurhadthesusceptibilityofanatureatonceaffectionateandvain。HewasstillmoresurprisedwhenhesawthatAdamhadnotmoved，butstoodwithhisbacktohim，asifsummoninghimtoreturn。Whatdidhemean？Hewasgoingtomakeaseriousbusinessofthisaffair。Arthurfelthistemperrising。Apatronisingdispositionalwayshasitsmeanerside，andintheconfusionofhisirritationandalarmthereenteredthefeelingthatamantowhomhehadshownsomuchfavourastoAdamwasnotinapositiontocriticizehisconduct。Andyethewasdominated，asonewhofeelshimselfinthewrongalwaysis，bythemanwhosegoodopinionhecaresfor。Inspiteofprideandtemper，therewasasmuchdeprecationasangerinhisvoicewhenhesaid，"Whatdoyoumean，Adam？"
　　"Imean，sir"——answeredAdam，inthesameharshvoice，stillwithoutturninground——"Imean，sir，thatyoudon’tdeceivemebyyourlightwords。Thisisnotthefirsttimeyou’vemetHettySorrelinthisgrove，andthisisnotthefirsttimeyou’vekissedher。"
　　ArthurfeltastartleduncertaintyhowfarAdamwasspeakingfromknowledge，andhowfarfrommereinference。Andthisuncertainty，whichpreventedhimfromcontrivingaprudentanswer，heightenedhisirritation。Hesaid，inahighsharptone，"Well，sir，whatthen？"
　　"Why，then，insteadofactingliketh’upright，honourablemanwe’veallbelievedyoutobe，you’vebeenactingthepartofaselfishlight-mindedscoundrel。YouknowaswellasIdowhatit’stoleadtowhenagentlemanlikeyoukissesandmakeslovetoayoungwomanlikeHetty，andgivesherpresentsasshe’sfrightenedforotherfolkstosee。AndIsayitagain，you’reactingthepartofaselfishlight-mindedscoundrelthoughitcutsmetoth’hearttosayso，andI’dratherha’lostmyrighthand。"
　　"Letmetellyou，Adam，"saidArthur，bridlinghisgrowingangerandtryingtorecurtohiscarelesstone，"you’renotonlydevilishlyimpertinent，butyou’retalkingnonsense。Everyprettygirlisnotsuchafoolasyou，tosupposethatwhenagentlemanadmiresherbeautyandpaysheralittleattention，hemustmeansomethingparticular。Everymanlikestoflirtwithaprettygirl，andeveryprettygirllikestobeflirtedwith。Thewiderthedistancebetweenthem，thelessharmthereis，forthenshe’snotlikelytodeceiveherself。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbyflirting，"saidAdam，"butifyoumeanbehavingtoawomanasifyoulovedher，andyetnotlovingherallthewhile，Isaythat’snotth’actionofanhonestman，andwhatisn’thonestdoescomet’harm。I’mnotafool，andyou’renotafool，andyouknowbetterthanwhatyou’resaying。
　　Youknowitcouldn’tbemadepublicasyou’vebehavedtoHettyasy’havedonewithoutherlosinghercharacterandbringingshameandtroubleonherandherrelations。Whatifyoumeantnothingbyyourkissingandyourpresents？Otherfolkswon’tbelieveasyou’vemeantnothing；anddon’ttellmeabouthernotdeceivingherself。Itellyouasyou’vefilledhermindsowiththethoughtofyouasit’llmayhappoisonherlife，andshe’llneverloveanothermanas’udmakeheragoodhusband。"
　　ArthurhadfeltasuddenreliefwhileAdamwasspeaking；heperceivedthatAdamhadnopositiveknowledgeofthepast，andthattherewasnoirrevocabledamagedonebythisevening’sunfortunaterencontre。Adamcouldstillbedeceived。ThecandidArthurhadbroughthimselfintoapositioninwhichsuccessfullyingwashisonlyhope。Thehopeallayedhisangeralittle。
　　"Well，Adam，"hesaid，inatoneoffriendlyconcession，"you’reperhapsright。PerhapsI’vegonealittletoofarintakingnoticeoftheprettylittlethingandstealingakissnowandthen。You’resuchagrave，steadyfellow，youdon’tunderstandthetemptationtosuchtrifling。I’msureIwouldn’tbringanytroubleorannoyanceonherandthegoodPoysersonanyaccountifIcouldhelpit。ButIthinkyoulookalittletooseriouslyatit。YouknowI’mgoingawayimmediately，soIshan’tmakeanymoremistakesofthekind。Butletussaygood-night"——Arthurhereturnedroundtowalkon——"andtalknomoreaboutthematter。
　　Thewholethingwillsoonbeforgotten。"
　　"No，byGod！"Adamburstoutwithragethatcouldbecontrollednolonger，throwingdownthebasketoftoolsandstridingforwardtillhewasrightinfrontofArthur。Allhisjealousyandsenseofpersonalinjury，whichhehadbeenhithertotryingtokeepunder，hadleapedupandmasteredhim。Whatmanofus，inthefirstmomentsofasharpagony，couldeverfeelthatthefellow-
　　manwhohasbeenthemediumofinflictingitdidnotmeantohurtus？Inourinstinctiverebellionagainstpain，wearechildrenagain，anddemandanactivewilltowreakourvengeanceon。AdamatthismomentcouldonlyfeelthathehadbeenrobbedofHetty——
　　robbedtreacherouslybythemaninwhomhehadtrusted——andhestoodcloseinfrontofArthur，withfierceeyesglaringathim，withpalelipsandclenchedhands，thehardtonesinwhichhehadhithertobeenconstraininghimselftoexpressnomorethanajustindignationgivingwaytoadeepagitatedvoicethatseemedtoshakehimashespoke。
　　"No，it’llnotbesoonforgot，asyou’vecomeinbetweenherandme，whenshemightha’lovedme——it’llnotsoonbeforgotasyou’verobbedmeo’myhappiness，whileIthoughtyouwasmybestfriend，andanoble-mindedman，asIwasproudtoworkfor。Andyou’vebeenkissingher，andmeaningnothing，haveyou？AndI
　　neverkissedheri’mylife——butI’dha’workedhardforyearsfortherighttokissher。Andyoumakelightofit。Youthinklittleo’doingwhatmaydamageotherfolks，soasyougetyourbito’trifling，asmeansnothing。Ithrowbackyourfavours，foryou’renotthemanItookyoufor。I’llnevercountyoumyfriendanymore。I’dratheryou’dactasmyenemy，andfightmewhereI
　　stand——it’sallth’amendsyoucanmakeme。"
　　PoorAdam，possessedbyragethatcouldfindnoothervent，begantothrowoffhiscoatandhiscap，tooblindwithpassiontonoticethechangethathadtakenplaceinArthurwhilehewasspeaking。Arthur’slipswerenowaspaleasAdam’s；hisheartwasbeatingviolently。ThediscoverythatAdamlovedHettywasashockwhichmadehimforthemomentseehimselfinthelightofAdam’sindignation，andregardAdam’ssufferingasnotmerelyaconsequence，butanelementofhiserror。Thewordsofhatredandcontempt——thefirsthehadeverheardinhislife——seemedlikescorchingmissilesthatweremakingineffaceablescarsonhim。
　　Allscreeningself-excuse，whichrarelyfallsquiteawaywhileothersrespectus，forsookhimforaninstant，andhestoodfacetofacewiththefirstgreatirrevocableevilhehadevercommitted。Hewasonlytwenty-one，andthreemonthsago——nay，muchlater——hehadthoughtproudlythatnomanshouldeverbeabletoreproachhimjustly。Hisfirstimpulse，iftherehadbeentimeforit，wouldperhapshavebeentoutterwordsofpropitiation；
　　butAdamhadnosoonerthrownoffhiscoatandcapthanhebecameawarethatArthurwasstandingpaleandmotionless，withhishandsstillthrustinhiswaistcoatpockets。
　　"What！"hesaid，"won’tyoufightmelikeaman？YouknowIwon’tstrikeyouwhileyoustandso。"
　　"Goaway，Adam，"saidArthur，"Idon’twanttofightyou。"
　　"No，"saidAdam，bitterly；"youdon’twanttofightme——youthinkI’macommonman，asyoucaninjurewithoutansweringforit。"
　　"Inevermeanttoinjureyou，"saidArthur，withreturninganger。
　　"Ididn’tknowyoulovedher。"
　　"Butyou’vemadeherloveyou，"saidAdam。"You’readouble-facedman——I’llneverbelieveawordyousayagain。"
　　"Goaway，Itellyou，"saidArthur，angrily，"orweshallbothrepent。"
　　"No，"saidAdam，withaconvulsedvoice，"IswearIwon’tgoawaywithoutfightingyou。Doyouwantprovokinganymore？Itellyouyou’reacowardandascoundrel，andIdespiseyou。"
　　ThecolourhadallrushedbacktoArthur’sface；inamomenthisrighthandwasclenched，anddealtablowlikelightning，whichsentAdamstaggeringbackward。HisbloodwasasthoroughlyupasAdam’snow，andthetwomen，forgettingtheemotionsthathadgonebefore，foughtwiththeinstinctivefiercenessofpanthersinthedeepeningtwilightdarkenedbythetrees。Thedelicate-handedgentlemanwasamatchfortheworkmanineverythingbutstrength，andArthur’sskillenabledhimtoprotractthestruggleforsomelongmoments。Butbetweenunarmedmenthebattleistothestrong，wherethestrongisnoblunderer，andArthurmustsinkunderawell-plantedblowofAdam’sasasteelrodisbrokenbyanironbar。Theblowsooncame，andArthurfell，hisheadlyingconcealedinatuftoffern，sothatAdamcouldonlydiscernhisdarklycladbody。
　　HestoodstillinthedimlightwaitingforArthurtorise。
　　Theblowhadbeengivennow，towardswhichhehadbeenstrainingalltheforceofnerveandmuscle——andwhatwasthegoodofit？
　　Whathadhedonebyfighting？Onlysatisfiedhisownpassion，onlywreakedhisownvengeance。HehadnotrescuedHetty，norchangedthepast——thereitwas，justasithadbeen，andhesickenedatthevanityofhisownrage。
　　ButwhydidnotArthurrise？Hewasperfectlymotionless，andthetimeseemedlongtoAdam。GoodGod！hadtheblowbeentoomuchforhim？Adamshudderedatthethoughtofhisownstrength，aswiththeoncomingofthisdreadhekneltdownbyArthur’ssideandliftedhisheadfromamongthefern。Therewasnosignoflife:
　　theeyesandteethwereset。ThehorrorthatrushedoverAdamcompletelymasteredhim，andforceduponhimitsownbelief。HecouldfeelnothingbutthatdeathwasinArthur’sface，andthathewashelplessbeforeit。Hemadenotasinglemovement，butkneltlikeanimageofdespairgazingatanimageofdeath。
　　ADilemmaITwasonlyafewminutesmeasuredbytheclock——thoughAdamalwaysthoughtithadbeenalongwhile——beforeheperceivedagleamofconsciousnessinArthur’sfaceandaslightshiverthroughhisframe。Theintensejoythatfloodedhissoulbroughtbacksomeoftheoldaffectionwithit。
　　"Doyoufeelanypain，sir？"hesaid，tenderly，looseningArthur’scravat。
　　ArthurturnedhiseyesonAdamwithavaguestarewhichgavewaytoaslightlystartledmotionasiffromtheshockofreturningmemory。Butheonlyshiveredagainandsaidnothing。
　　"Doyoufeelanyhurt，sir？"Adamsaidagain，withatremblinginhisvoice。
　　Arthurputhishanduptohiswaistcoatbuttons，andwhenAdamhadunbuttonedit，hetookalongerbreath。"Laymyheaddown，"hesaid，faintly，"andgetmesomewaterifyoucan。"
　　Adamlaidtheheaddowngentlyonthefernagain，andemptyingthetoolsoutoftheflag-basket，hurriedthroughthetreestotheedgeoftheGroveborderingontheChase，whereabrookranbelowthebank。
　　Whenhereturnedwithhisbasketleaking，butstillhalf-full，Arthurlookedathimwithamorethoroughlyreawakenedconsciousness。
　　"Canyoudrinkadropouto’yourhand，sir？"saidAdam，kneelingdownagaintoliftupArthur’shead。
　　"No，"saidArthur，"dipmycravatinandsouseitonmyhead。"
　　Thewaterseemedtodohimsomegood，forhepresentlyraisedhimselfalittlehigher，restingonAdam’sarm。
　　"Doyoufeelanyhurtinsidesir？"Adamaskedagain"No——nohurt，"saidArthur，stillfaintly，"butratherdoneup。"
　　Afterawhilehesaid，"IsupposeIfaintedawaywhenyouknockedmedown。"
　　"Yes，sir，thankGod，"saidAdam。"Ithoughtitwasworse。"
　　"What！Youthoughtyou’ddoneforme，eh？Comehelpmeonmylegs。"
　　"Ifeelterriblyshakyanddizzy，"Arthursaid，ashestoodleaningonAdam’sarm；"thatblowofyoursmusthavecomeagainstmelikeabattering-ram。Idon’tbelieveIcanwalkalone。"
　　"Leanonme，sir；I’llgetyoualong，"saidAdam。"Or，willyousitdownabitlonger，onmycoathere，andI’llpropy’up。
　　You’llperhapsbebetterinaminuteortwo。"
　　"No，"saidArthur。"I’llgototheHermitage——IthinkI’vegotsomebrandythere。There’sashortroadtoitalittlefartheron，nearthegate。Ifyou’lljusthelpmeon。"
　　Theywalkedslowly，withfrequentpauses，butwithoutspeakingagain。Inbothofthem，theconcentrationinthepresentwhichhadattendedthefirstmomentsofArthur’srevivalhadnowgivenwaytoavividrecollectionofthepreviousscene。Itwasnearlydarkinthenarrowpathamongthetrees，butwithinthecircleoffir-treesroundtheHermitagetherewasroomforthegrowingmoonlighttoenterinatthewindows。Theirstepswerenoiselessonthethickcarpetoffir-needles，andtheoutwardstillnessseemedtoheightentheirinwardconsciousness，asArthurtookthekeyoutofhispocketandplaceditinAdam’shand，forhimtoopenthedoor。AdamhadnotknownbeforethatArthurhadfurnishedtheoldHermitageandmadeitaretreatforhimself，anditwasasurprisetohimwhenheopenedthedoortoseeasnugroomwithallthesignsoffrequenthabitation。
　　ArthurloosedAdam’sarmandthrewhimselfontheottoman。
　　"You’llseemyhunting-bottlesomewhere，"hesaid。"Aleathercasewithabottleandglassin。"
　　Adamwasnotlonginfindingthecase。"There’sverylittlebrandyinit，sir，"hesaid，turningitdownwardsovertheglass，ashehelditbeforethewindow；"hardlythislittleglassful。"
　　"Well，givemethat，"saidArthur，withthepeevishnessofphysicaldepression。Whenhehadtakensomesips，Adamsaid，"Hadn’tIbetterruntoth’house，sir，andgetsomemorebrandy？
　　Icanbethereandbackprettysoon。It’llbeastiffwalkhomeforyou，ifyoudon’thavesomethingtoreviveyou。"
　　"Yes——go。Butdon’tsayI’mill。AskformymanPym，andtellhimtogetitfromMills，andnottosayI’mattheHermitage。
　　Getsomewatertoo。"
　　Adamwasrelievedtohaveanactivetask——bothofthemwererelievedtobeapartfromeachotherforashorttime。ButAdam’sswiftpacecouldnotstilltheeagerpainofthinking——oflivingagainwithconcentratedsufferingthroughthelastwretchedhour，andlookingoutfromitoverallthenewsadfuture。
　　ArthurlaystillforsomeminutesafterAdamwasgone，butpresentlyherosefeeblyfromtheottomanandpeeredaboutslowlyinthebrokenmoonlight，seekingsomething。Itwasashortbitofwaxcandlethatstoodamongstaconfusionofwritinganddrawingmaterials。Therewasmoresearchingforthemeansoflightingthecandle，andwhenthatwasdone，hewentcautiouslyroundtheroom，asifwishingtoassurehimselfofthepresenceorabsenceofsomething。Atlasthehadfoundaslightthing，whichheputfirstinhispocket，andthen，onasecondthought，tookoutagainandthrustdeepdownintoawaste-paperbasket。Itwasawoman’slittle，pink，silkneckerchief。Hesetthecandleonthetable，andthrewhimselfdownontheottomanagain，exhaustedwiththeeffort。
　　WhenAdamcamebackwithhissupplies，hisentranceawokeArthurfromadoze。
　　"That’sright，"Arthursaid；"I’mtremendouslyinwantofsomebrandy-vigour。"
　　"I’mgladtoseeyou’vegotalight，sir，"saidAdam。"I’vebeenthinkingI’dbetterhaveaskedforalanthorn。"
　　"No，no；thecandlewilllastlongenough——Ishallsoonbeuptowalkinghomenow。"
　　"Ican’tgobeforeI’veseenyousafehome，sir，"saidAdam，hesitatingly。
　　"No:itwillbebetterforyoutostay——sitdown。"
　　Adamsatdown，andtheyremainedoppositetoeachotherinuneasysilence，whileArthurslowlydrankbrandy-and-water，withvisiblyrenovatingeffect。Hebegantolieinamorevoluntaryposition，andlookedasifhewerelessoverpoweredbybodilysensations。
　　Adamwaskeenlyalivetotheseindications，andashisanxietyaboutArthur’sconditionbegantobeallayed，hefeltmoreofthatimpatiencewhicheveryoneknowswhohashadhisjustindignationsuspendedbythephysicalstateoftheculprit。Yettherewasonethingonhismindtobedonebeforehecouldrecurtoremonstrance:itwastoconfesswhathadbeenunjustinhisownwords。Perhapshelongedallthemoretomakethisconfession，thathisindignationmightbefreeagain；andashesawthesignsofreturningeaseinArthur，thewordsagainandagaincametohislipsandwentback，checkedbythethoughtthatitwouldbebettertoleaveeverythingtillto-morrow。Aslongastheyweresilenttheydidnotlookateachother，andaforebodingcameacrossAdamthatiftheybegantospeakasthoughtheyrememberedthepast——iftheylookedateachotherwithfullrecognition——theymusttakefireagain。Sotheysatinsilencetillthebitofwaxcandleflickeredlowinthesocket，thesilenceallthewhilebecomingmoreirksometoAdam。Arthurhadjustpouredoutsomemorebrandy-and-water，andhethrewonearmbehindhisheadanddrewuponeleginanattitudeofrecoveredease，whichwasanirresistibletemptationtoAdamtospeakwhatwasonhismind。
　　"Youbegintofeelmoreyourselfagain，sir，"hesaid，asthecandlewentoutandtheywerehalf-hiddenfromeachotherinthefaintmoonlight。
　　"Yes:Idon’tfeelgoodformuch——verylazy，andnotinclinedtomove；butI’llgohomewhenI’vetakenthisdose。"
　　TherewasaslightpausebeforeAdamsaid，"Mytempergotthebetterofme，andIsaidthingsaswasn’ttrue。I’dnorighttospeakasifyou’dknownyouwasdoingmeaninjury:you’dnogroundsforknowingit；I’vealwayskeptwhatIfeltforherassecretasIcould。"
　　Hepausedagainbeforehewenton。
　　"AndperhapsIjudgedyoutooharsh——I’mapttobeharsh——andyoumayhaveactedouto’thoughtlessnessmorethanIshouldha’
　　believedwaspossibleforamanwithaheartandaconscience。
　　We’renotallputtogetheralike，andwemaymisjudgeoneanother。
　　Godknows，it’sallthejoyIcouldhavenow，tothinkthebestofyou。"
　　Arthurwantedtogohomewithoutsayinganymore——hewastoopainfullyembarrassedinmind，aswellastooweakinbody，towishforanyfurtherexplanationto-night。AndyetitwasarelieftohimthatAdamreopenedthesubjectinawaytheleastdifficultforhimtoanswer。Arthurwasinthewretchedpositionofanopen，generousmanwhohascommittedanerrorwhichmakesdeceptionseemanecessity。Thenativeimpulsetogivetruthinreturnfortruth，tomeettrustwithfrankconfession，mustbesuppressed，anddutywasbecomingaquestionoftactics。Hisdeedwasreactinguponhim——wasalreadygoverninghimtyrannouslyandforcinghimintoacoursethatjarredwithhishabitualfeelings。
　　TheonlyaimthatseemedadmissibletohimnowwastodeceiveAdamtotheutmost:tomakeAdamthinkbetterofhimthanhedeserved。
　　Andwhenheheardthewordsofhonestretractation——whenheheardthesadappealwithwhichAdamended——hewasobligedtorejoiceintheremainsofignorantconfidenceitimplied。Hedidnotanswerimmediately，forhehadtobejudiciousandnottruthful。
　　"Saynomoreaboutouranger，Adam，"hesaid，atlast，verylanguidly，forthelabourofspeechwasunwelcometohim；"I
　　forgiveyourmomentaryinjustice——itwasquitenatural，withtheexaggeratednotionsyouhadinyourmind。Weshallbenonetheworsefriendsinfuture，Ihope，becausewe’vefought。Youhadthebestofit，andthatwasasitshouldbe，forIbelieveI’vebeenmostinthewrongofthetwo。Come，letusshakehands。"
　　Arthurheldouthishand，butAdamsatstill。
　　"Idon’tliketosay’No’tothat，sir，"hesaid，"butIcan’tshakehandstillit’sclearwhatwemeanby’t。IwaswrongwhenI
　　spokeasifyou’ddonemeaninjuryknowingly，butIwasn’twronginwhatIsaidbefore，aboutyourbehaviourt’Hetty，andIcan’tshakehandswithyouasifIheldyoumyfriendthesameasevertillyou’veclearedthatupbetter。"
　　Arthurswallowedhisprideandresentmentashedrewbackhishand。Hewassilentforsomemoments，andthensaid，asindifferentlyashecould，"Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbyclearingup，Adam。I’vetoldyoualreadythatyouthinktooseriouslyofalittleflirtation。Butifyouarerightinsupposingthereisanydangerinit——I’mgoingawayonSaturday，andtherewillbeanendofit。Asforthepainithasgivenyou，I’mheartilysorryforit。Icansaynomore。"
　　Adamsaidnothing，butrosefromhischairandstoodwithhisfacetowardsoneofthewindows，asiflookingattheblacknessofthemoonlitfir-trees；buthewasinrealityconsciousofnothingbuttheconflictwithinhim。Itwasofnousenow——hisresolutionnottospeaktillto-morrow。Hemustspeakthereandthen。ButitwasseveralminutesbeforeheturnedroundandsteppednearertoArthur，standingandlookingdownonhimashelay。
　　"It’llbebetterformetospeakplain，"hesaid，withevidenteffort，"thoughit’shardwork。Yousee，sir，thisisn’tatrifletome，whateveritmaybetoyou。I’mnoneo’themmenascangomakinglovefirsttoonewomanandthent’another，anddon’tthinkitmuchoddswhichof’emItake。WhatIfeelforHetty’sadifferentsorto’love，suchasIbelievenobodycanknowmuchaboutbutthemasfeelitandGodashasgivenitto’em。She’smorenoreverythingelsetome，allbutmyconscienceandmygoodname。Andifit’struewhatyou’vebeensayingallalong——andifit’sonlybeentriflingandflirtingasyoucallit，as’llbeputanendtobyyourgoingaway——why，then，I’dwait，andhopeherheart’udturntomeafterall。I’mloathtothinkyou’dspeakfalsetome，andI’llbelieveyourword，howeverthingsmaylook。"
　　"YouwouldbewrongingHettymorethanmenottobelieveit，"saidArthur，almostviolently，startingupfromtheottomanandmovingaway。Buthethrewhimselfintoachairagaindirectly，saying，morefeebly，"Youseemtoforgetthat，insuspectingme，youarecastingimputationsuponher。"
　　"Nay，sir，"Adamsaid，inacalmervoice，asifhewerehalf-
　　relieved——forhewastoostraightforwardtomakeadistinctionbetweenadirectfalsehoodandanindirectone——"Nay，sir，thingsdon’tlielevelbetweenHettyandyou。You’reactingwithyoureyesopen，whateveryoumaydo；buthowdoyouknowwhat’sbeeninhermind？She’sallbutachild——asanymanwithaconscienceinhimoughttofeelboundtotakecareon。Andwhateveryoumaythink，Iknowyou’vedisturbedhermind。Iknowshe’sbeenfixingherheartonyou，forthere’samanythingscleartomenowasI
　　didn’tunderstandbefore。Butyouseemtomakelighto’whatshemayfeel——youdon’tthinko’that。"
　　"GoodGod，Adam，letmealone！"Arthurburstoutimpetuously；"I
　　feelitenoughwithoutyourworryingme。"
　　Hewasawareofhisindiscretionassoonasthewordshadescapedhim。
　　"Well，then，ifyoufeelit，"Adamrejoined，eagerly；"ifyoufeelasyoumayha’putfalsenotionsintohermind，andmadeherbelieveasyoulovedher，whenallthewhileyoumeantnothing，I’vethisdemandtomakeofyou——I’mnotspeakingformyself，butforher。Iaskyout’undeceiveherbeforeyougoaway。Y’aren’tgoingawayforever，andifyouleaveherbehindwithanotioninherheado’yourfeelingaboutherthesameasshefeelsaboutyou，she’llbehankeringafteryou，andthemischiefmaygetworse。Itmaybeasmarttohernow，butit’llsaveherpaini’
　　th’end。Iaskyoutowritealetter——youmaytrusttomyseeingasshegetsit。Tellherthetruth，andtakeblametoyourselfforbehavingasyou’dnorighttodotoayoungwomanasisn’tyourequal。Ispeakplain，sir，butIcan’tspeakanyotherway。
　　There’snobodycantakecareo’Hettyinthisthingbutme。"
　　"IcandowhatIthinkneedfulinthematter，"saidArthur，moreandmoreirritatedbymingleddistressandperplexity，"withoutgivingpromisestoyou。IshalltakewhatmeasuresIthinkproper。"
　　"No，"saidAdam，inanabruptdecidedtone，"thatwon’tdo。I
　　mustknowwhatgroundI’mtreadingon。Imustbesafeasyou’veputanendtowhatoughtnevertoha’beenbegun。Idon’tforgetwhat’sowingtoyouasagentleman，butinthisthingwe’remanandman，andIcan’tgiveup。"
　　Therewasnoanswerforsomemoments。ThenArthursaid，"I’llseeyouto-morrow。Icanbearnomorenow；I’mill。"Heroseashespoke，andreachedhiscap，asifintendingtogo。
　　"Youwon’tseeheragain！"Adamexclaimed，withaflashofrecurringangerandsuspicion，movingtowardsthedoorandplacinghisbackagainstit。"Eithertellmeshecanneverbemywife——
　　tellmeyou’vebeenlying——orelsepromisemewhatI’vesaid。"
　　Adam，utteringthisalternative，stoodlikeaterriblefatebeforeArthur，whohadmovedforwardasteportwo，andnowstopped，faint，shaken，sickinmindandbody。Itseemedlongtobothofthem——thatinwardstruggleofArthur’s——beforehesaid，feebly，"I
　　promise；letmego。"
　　Adammovedawayfromthedoorandopenedit，butwhenArthurreachedthestep，hestoppedagainandleanedagainstthedoor-
　　post。
　　"You’renotwellenoughtowalkalone，sir，"saidAdam。"Takemyarmagain。"
　　Arthurmadenoanswer，andpresentlywalkedon，Adamfollowing。
　　But，afterafewsteps，hestoodstillagain，andsaid，coldly，"I
　　believeImusttroubleyou。It’sgettinglatenow，andtheremaybeanalarmsetupaboutmeathome。"
　　Adamgavehisarm，andtheywalkedonwithoututteringaword，tilltheycamewherethebasketandthetoolslay。
　　"Imustpickupthetools，sir，"Adamsaid。"They’remybrother’s。Idoubtthey’llberusted。Ifyou’llpleasetowaitaminute。"
　　Arthurstoodstillwithoutspeaking，andnootherwordpassedbetweenthemtilltheywereatthesideentrance，wherehehopedtogetinwithoutbeingseenbyanyone。Hesaidthen，"Thankyou；Ineedn’ttroubleyouanyfurther。"
　　"Whattimewillitbeconven’entformetoseeyouto-morrow，sir？"saidAdam。
　　"Youmaysendmewordthatyou’rehereatfiveo’clock，"saidArthur；"notbefore。"
　　"Good-night，sir，"saidAdam。Butheheardnoreply；Arthurhadturnedintothehouse。
　　ChapterXXIX
　　TheNextMorningARTHURdidnotpassasleeplessnight；hesleptlongandwell。
　　Forsleepcomestotheperplexed——iftheperplexedareonlywearyenough。ButatsevenheranghisbellandastonishedPymbydeclaringhewasgoingtogetup，andmusthavebreakfastbroughttohimateight。
　　"Andseethatmymareissaddledathalf-pasteight，andtellmygrandfatherwhenhe’sdownthatI’mbetterthismorningandamgoneforaride。"
　　Hehadbeenawakeanhour，andcouldrestinbednolonger。Inbedouryesterdaysaretoooppressive:ifamancanonlygetup，thoughitbebuttowhistleortosmoke，hehasapresentwhichofferssomeresistancetothepast——sensationswhichassertthemselvesagainsttyrannousmemories。Andifthereweresuchathingastakingaveragesoffeeling，itwouldcertainlybefoundthatinthehuntingandshootingseasonsregret，self-reproach，andmortifiedprideweighlighteroncountrygentlementhaninlatespringandsummer。Arthurfeltthatheshouldbemoreofamanonhorseback。EventhepresenceofPym，waitingonhimwiththeusualdeference，wasareassurancetohimafterthescenesofyesterday。For，withArthur’ssensitivenesstoopinion，thelossofAdam’srespectwasashocktohisself-contentmentwhichsuffusedhisimaginationwiththesensethathehadsunkinalleyes——asasuddenshockoffearfromsomerealperilmakesanervouswomanafraideventostep，becauseallherperceptionsaresuffusedwithasenseofdanger。
　　Arthur’s，asyouknow，wasalovingnature。Deedsofkindnesswereaseasytohimasabadhabit:theywerethecommonissueofhisweaknessesandgoodqualities，ofhisegoismandhissympathy。
　　Hedidn’tliketowitnesspain，andhelikedtohavegratefuleyesbeamingonhimasthegiverofpleasure。Whenhewasaladofseven，heonedaykickeddownanoldgardener’spitcherofbroth，fromnomotivebutakickingimpulse，notreflectingthatitwastheoldman’sdinner；butonlearningthatsadfact，hetookhisfavouritepencil-caseandasilver-haftedknifeoutofhispocketandofferedthemascompensation。HehadbeenthesameArthureversince，tryingtomakealloffencesforgotteninbenefits。Iftherewereanybitternessinhisnature，itcouldonlyshowitselfagainstthemanwhorefusedtobeconciliatedbyhim。Andperhapsthetimewascomeforsomeofthatbitternesstorise。Atthefirstmoment，Arthurhadfeltpuredistressandself-reproachatdiscoveringthatAdam’shappinesswasinvolvedinhisrelationtoHetty。IftherehadbeenapossibilityofmakingAdamtenfoldamends——ifdeedsofgift，oranyotherdeeds，couldhaverestoredAdam’scontentmentandregardforhimasabenefactor，Arthurwouldnotonlyhaveexecutedthemwithouthesitation，butwouldhavefeltboundallthemorecloselytoAdam，andwouldneverhavebeenwearyofmakingretribution。ButAdamcouldreceivenoamends；hissufferingcouldnotbecancelled；hisrespectandaffectioncouldnotberecoveredbyanypromptdeedsofatonement。
　　Hestoodlikeanimmovableobstacleagainstwhichnopressurecouldavail；anembodimentofwhatArthurmostshrankfrombelievingin——theirrevocablenessofhisownwrongdoing。Thewordsofscorn，therefusaltoshakehands，themasteryassertedoverhimintheirlastconversationintheHermitage——aboveall，thesenseofhavingbeenknockeddown，towhichamandoesnotverywellreconcilehimself，evenunderthemostheroiccircumstances——pressedonhimwithagallingpainwhichwasstrongerthancompunction。Arthurwouldsogladlyhavepersuadedhimselfthathehaddonenoharm！Andifnoonehadtoldhimthecontrary，hecouldhavepersuadedhimselfsomuchbetter。Nemesiscanseldomforgeaswordforherselfoutofourconsciences——outofthesufferingwefeelinthesufferingwemayhavecaused:
　　thereisrarelymetalenoughtheretomakeaneffectiveweapon。
　　Ourmoralsenselearnsthemannersofgoodsocietyandsmileswhenotherssmile，butwhensomerudepersongivesroughnamestoouractions，sheisapttotakepartagainstus。AndsoitwaswithArthur:Adam’sjudgmentofhim，Adam’sgratingwords，disturbedhisself-soothingarguments。
　　NotthatArthurhadbeenateasebeforeAdam’sdiscovery。
　　Strugglesandresolveshadtransformedthemselvesintocompunctionandanxiety。HewasdistressedforHetty’ssake，anddistressedforhisown，thathemustleaveherbehind。Hehadalways，bothinmakingandbreakingresolutions，lookedbeyondhispassionandseenthatitmustspeedilyendinseparation；buthisnaturewastooardentandtenderforhimnottosufferatthisparting；andonHetty’saccounthewasfilledwithuneasiness。Hehadfoundoutthedreaminwhichshewasliving——thatshewastobealadyinsilksandsatins——andwhenhehadfirsttalkedtoherabouthisgoingaway，shehadaskedhimtremblinglytolethergowithhimandbemarried。ItwashispainfulknowledgeofthiswhichhadgiventhemostexasperatingstingtoAdam’sreproaches。Hehadsaidnowordwiththepurposeofdeceivingher——hervisionwasallspunbyherownchildishfancy——buthewasobligedtoconfesstohimselfthatitwasspunhalfoutofhisownactions。Andtoincreasethemischief，onthislasteveninghehadnotdaredtohintthetruthtoHetty；hehadbeenobligedtosootheherwithtender，hopefulwords，lestheshouldthrowherintoviolentdistress。Hefeltthesituationacutely，feltthesorrowofthedearthinginthepresent，andthoughtwithadarkeranxietyofthetenacitywhichherfeelingsmighthaveinthefuture。Thatwastheonesharppointwhichpressedagainsthim；everyotherhecouldevadebyhopefulself-persuasion。Thewholethinghadbeensecret；thePoysershadnottheshadowofasuspicion。Noone，exceptAdam，knewanythingofwhathadpassed——nooneelsewaslikelytoknow；forArthurhadimpressedonHettythatitwouldbefataltobetray，bywordorlook，thattherehadbeentheleastintimacybetweenthem；andAdam，whoknewhalftheirsecret，wouldratherhelpthemtokeepitthanbetrayit。Itwasanunfortunatebusinessaltogether，buttherewasnouseinmakingitworsethanitwasbyimaginaryexaggerationsandforebodingsofevilthatmightnevercome。ThetemporarysadnessforHettywastheworstconsequence；heresolutelyturnedawayhiseyesfromanybadconsequencethatwasnotdemonstrablyinevitable。But——butHettymighthavehadthetroubleinsomeotherwayifnotinthis。Andperhapshereafterhemightbeabletodoagreatdealforherandmakeuptoherforallthetearsshewouldshedabouthim。Shewouldowetheadvantageofhiscareforherinfutureyearstothesorrowshehadincurrednow。Sogoodcomesoutofevil。Suchisthebeautifularrangementofthings！
　　AreyouinclinedtoaskwhetherthiscanbethesameArthurwho，twomonthsago，hadthatfreshnessoffeeling，thatdelicatehonourwhichshrinksfromwoundingevenasentiment，anddoesnotcontemplateanymorepositiveoffenceaspossibleforit？——whothoughtthathisownself-respectwasahighertribunalthananyexternalopinion？Thesame，Iassureyou，onlyunderdifferentconditions。Ourdeedsdetermineus，asmuchaswedetermineourdeeds，anduntilweknowwhathasbeenorwillbethepeculiarcombinationofoutwardwithinwardfacts，whichconstitutesaman’scriticalactions，itwillbebetternottothinkourselveswiseabouthischaracter。Thereisaterriblecoercioninourdeeds，whichmayfirstturnthehonestmanintoadeceiverandthenreconcilehimtothechange，forthisreason——thatthesecondwrongpresentsitselftohimintheguiseoftheonlypracticableright。Theactionwhichbeforecommissionhasbeenseenwiththatblendedcommonsenseandfreshuntarnishedfeelingwhichisthehealthyeyeofthesoul，islookedatafterwardswiththelensofapologeticingenuity，throughwhichallthingsthatmencallbeautifulanduglyareseentobemadeupoftexturesverymuchalike。Europeadjustsitselftoafaitaccompli，andsodoesanindividualcharacter——untiltheplacidadjustmentisdisturbedbyaconvulsiveretribution。
　　Nomancanescapethisvitiatingeffectofanoffenceagainsthisownsentimentofright，andtheeffectwasthestrongerinArthurbecauseofthatveryneedofself-respectwhich，whilehisconsciencewasstillatease，wasoneofhisbestsafeguards。
　　Self-accusationwastoopainfultohim——hecouldnotfaceit。Hemustpersuadehimselfthathehadnotbeenverymuchtoblame；hebeganeventopityhimselfforthenecessityhewasunderofdeceivingAdam——itwasacoursesoopposedtothehonestyofhisownnature。Butthen，itwastheonlyrightthingtodo。
　　Well，whateverhadbeenamissinhim，hewasmiserableenoughinconsequence:miserableaboutHetty；miserableaboutthisletterthathehadpromisedtowrite，andthatseemedatonemomenttobeagrossbarbarity，atanotherperhapsthegreatestkindnesshecoulddotoher。Andacrossallthisreflectionwoulddarteverynowandthenasuddenimpulseofpassionatedefiancetowardsallconsequences。HewouldcarryHettyaway，andallotherconsiderationsmightgoto……
　　Inthisstateofmindthefourwallsofhisroommadeanintolerableprisontohim；theyseemedtoheminandpressdownuponhimallthecrowdofcontradictorythoughtsandconflictingfeelings，someofwhichwouldflyawayintheopenair。Hehadonlyanhourortwotomakeuphismindin，andhemustgetclearandcalm。OnceonMeg’sback，inthefreshairofthatfinemorning，heshouldbemoremasterofthesituation。
　　Theprettycreaturearchedherbayneckinthesunshine，andpawedthegravel，andtrembledwithpleasurewhenhermasterstrokedhernose，andpattedher，andtalkedtohereveninamorecaressingtonethanusual。Helovedherthebetterbecausesheknewnothingofhissecrets。ButMegwasquiteaswellacquaintedwithhermaster’smentalstateasmanyothersofhersexwiththementalconditionoftheniceyounggentlementowardswhomtheirheartsareinastateofflutteringexpectation。
　　ArthurcanteredforfivemilesbeyondtheChase，tillhewasatthefootofahillwheretherewerenohedgesortreestohemintheroad。ThenhethrewthebridleonMeg’sneckandpreparedtomakeuphismind。
　　HettyknewthattheirmeetingyesterdaymustbethelastbeforeArthurwentaway——therewasnopossibilityoftheircontrivinganotherwithoutexcitingsuspicion——andshewaslikeafrightenedchild，unabletothinkofanything，onlyabletocryatthementionofparting，andthenputherfaceuptohavethetearskissedaway。Hecoulddonothingbutcomforther，andlullherintodreamingon。Aletterwouldbeadreadfullyabruptwayofawakeningher！YettherewastruthinwhatAdamsaid——thatitwouldsaveherfromalengtheneddelusion，whichmightbeworsethanasharpimmediatepain。AnditwastheonlywayofsatisfyingAdam，whomustbesatisfied，formorereasonsthanone。
　　Ifhecouldhaveseenheragain！Butthatwasimpossible；therewassuchathornyhedgeofhindrancesbetweenthem，andanimprudencewouldbefatal。Andyet，ifheCOULDseeheragain，whatgoodwoulditdo？Onlycausehimtosuffermorefromthesightofherdistressandtheremembranceofit。Awayfromhimshewassurroundedbyallthemotivestoself-control。
　　Asuddendreadherefelllikeashadowacrosshisimagination——thedreadlestsheshoulddosomethingviolentinhergrief；andcloseuponthatdreadcameanother，whichdeepenedtheshadow。Butheshookthemoffwiththeforceofyouthandhope。Whatwasthegroundforpaintingthefutureinthatdarkway？Itwasjustaslikelytobethereverse。Arthurtoldhimselfhedidnotdeservethatthingsshouldturnoutbadly。Hehadnevermeantbeforehandtodoanythinghisconsciencedisapproved；hehadbeenledonbycircumstances。Therewasasortofimplicitconfidenceinhimthathewasreallysuchagoodfellowatbottom，Providencewouldnottreathimharshly。
　　Atallevents，hecouldn’thelpwhatwouldcomenow:allhecoulddowastotakewhatseemedthebestcourseatthepresentmoment。
　　AndhepersuadedhimselfthatthatcoursewastomakethewayopenbetweenAdamandHetty。HerheartmightreallyturntoAdam，ashesaid，afterawhile；andinthatcasetherewouldhavebeennogreatharmdone，sinceitwasstillAdam’sardentwishtomakeherhiswife。Tobesure，Adamwasdeceived——deceivedinawaythatArthurwouldhaveresentedasadeepwrongifithadbeenpractisedonhimself。Thatwasareflectionthatmarredtheconsolingprospect。Arthur’scheeksevenburnedinmingledshameandirritationatthethought。Butwhatcouldamandoinsuchadilemma？HewasboundinhonourtosaynowordthatcouldinjureHetty:hisfirstdutywastoguardher。Hewouldneverhavetoldoractedalieonhisownaccount。GoodGod！Whatamiserablefoolhewastohavebroughthimselfintosuchadilemma；andyet，ifeveramanhadexcuses，hehad。Pitythatconsequencesaredeterminednotbyexcusesbutbyactions！
　　Well，thelettermustbewritten；itwastheonlymeansthatpromisedasolutionofthedifficulty。ThetearscameintoArthur’seyesashethoughtofHettyreadingit；butitwouldbealmostashardforhimtowriteit；hewasnotdoinganythingeasytohimself；andthislastthoughthelpedhimtoarriveataconclusion。Hecouldneverdeliberatelyhavetakenastepwhichinflictedpainonanotherandlefthimselfatease。EvenamovementofjealousyatthethoughtofgivingupHettytoAdamwenttoconvincehimthathewasmakingasacrifice。
　　Whenoncehehadcometothisconclusion，heturnedMegroundandsetoffhomeagaininacanter。Thelettershouldbewrittenthefirstthing，andtherestofthedaywouldbefilledupwithotherbusiness:heshouldhavenotimetolookbehindhim。Happily，IrwineandGawainewerecomingtodinner，andbytwelveo’clockthenextdayheshouldhavelefttheChasemilesbehindhim。
　　TherewassomesecurityinthisconstantoccupationagainstanuncontrollableimpulseseizinghimtorushtoHettyandthrustintoherhandsomemadpropositionthatwouldundoeverything。
　　FasterandfasterwentthesensitiveMeg，ateveryslightsignfromherrider，tillthecanterhadpassedintoaswiftgallop。
　　"Ithoughttheysaidth’youngmesterwartookilllastnight，"
　　saidsouroldJohn，thegroom，atdinner-timeintheservants’
　　hall。"He’sbeenridin’fittosplitthemarei’twothisforenoon。"
　　"That’shappenoneo’thesymptims，John，"saidthefacetiouscoachman。
　　"ThenIwishhewarletbloodfor’t，that’sall，"saidJohn，grimly。
　　AdamhadbeenearlyattheChasetoknowhowArthurwas，andhadbeenrelievedfromallanxietyabouttheeffectsofhisblowbylearningthathewasgoneoutforaride。Atfiveo’clockhewaspunctuallythereagain，andsentupwordofhisarrival。InafewminutesPymcamedownwithaletterinhishandandgaveittoAdam，sayingthatthecaptainwastoobusytoseehim，andhadwritteneverythinghehadtosay。TheletterwasdirectedtoAdam，buthewentoutofdoorsagainbeforeopeningit。ItcontainedasealedenclosuredirectedtoHetty。OntheinsideofthecoverAdamread:
　　"IntheenclosedletterIhavewritteneverythingyouwish。I
　　leaveittoyoutodecidewhetheryouwillbedoingbesttodeliverittoHettyortoreturnittome。Askyourselfoncemorewhetheryouarenottakingameasurewhichmaypainhermorethanmeresilence。
　　"Thereisnoneedforourseeingeachotheragainnow。Weshallmeetwithbetterfeelingssomemonthshence。
　　A。D。"
　　"Perhapshe’si’th’righton’tnottoseeme，"thoughtAdam。
　　"It’snousemeetingtosaymorehardwords，andit’snousemeetingtoshakehandsandsaywe’refriendsagain。We’renotfriends，an’it’sbetternottopretendit。Iknowforgivenessisaman’sduty，but，tomythinking，thatcanonlymeanasyou’retogiveupallthoughtso’takingrevenge:itcannevermeanasyou’ret’haveyouroldfeelingsbackagain，forthat’snotpossible。He’snotthesamemantome，andIcan’tfeelthesametowardshim。Godhelpme！Idon’tknowwhetherIfeelthesametowardsanybody:IseemasifI’dbeenmeasuringmyworkfromafalseline，andhadgotitalltomeasureoveragain。"
　　ButthequestionaboutdeliveringthelettertoHettysoonabsorbedAdam’sthoughts。ArthurhadprocuredsomerelieftohimselfbythrowingthedecisiononAdamwithawarning；andAdam，whowasnotgiventohesitation，hesitatedhere。Hedeterminedtofeelhisway——toascertainaswellashecouldwhatwasHetty’sstateofmindbeforehedecidedondeliveringtheletter。
　　TheDeliveryoftheLetterTHEnextSundayAdamjoinedthePoysersontheirwayoutofchurch，hopingforaninvitationtogohomewiththem。Hehadtheletterinhispocket，andwasanxioustohaveanopportunityoftalkingtoHettyalone。Hecouldnotseeherfaceatchurch，forshehadchangedherseat，andwhenhecameuptohertoshakehands，hermannerwasdoubtfulandconstrained。Heexpectedthis，foritwasthefirsttimeshehadmethimsinceshehadbeenawarethathehadseenherwithArthurintheGrove。
　　"Come，you’llgoonwithus，Adam，"Mr。Poysersaidwhentheyreachedtheturning；andassoonastheywereinthefieldsAdamventuredtoofferhisarmtoHetty。Thechildrensoongavethemanopportunityoflingeringbehindalittle，andthenAdamsaid:
　　"Willyoucontriveformetowalkoutinthegardenabitwithyouthisevening，ifitkeepsfine，Hetty？I’vesomethingpartic’lartotalktoyouabout。"
　　Hettysaid，"Verywell。"ShewasreallyasanxiousasAdamwasthatsheshouldhavesomeprivatetalkwithhim。ShewonderedwhathethoughtofherandArthur。Hemusthaveseenthemkissing，sheknew，butshehadnoconceptionofthescenethathadtakenplacebetweenArthurandAdam。HerfirstfeelinghadbeenthatAdamwouldbeveryangrywithher，andperhapswouldtellherauntanduncle，butitneverenteredhermindthathewoulddaretosayanythingtoCaptainDonnithorne。Itwasarelieftoherthathebehavedsokindlytoherto-day，andwantedtospeaktoheralone，forshehadtrembledwhenshefoundhewasgoinghomewiththemlestheshouldmean"totell。"But，nowhewantedtotalktoherbyherself，sheshouldlearnwhathethoughtandwhathemeanttodo。Shefeltacertainconfidencethatshecouldpersuadehimnottodoanythingshedidnotwanthimtodo；shecouldperhapsevenmakehimbelievethatshedidn’tcareforArthur；andaslongasAdamthoughttherewasanyhopeofherhavinghim，hewoulddojustwhatsheliked，sheknew。Besides，sheMUSTgoonseemingtoencourageAdam，lestheruncleandauntshouldbeangryandsuspectherofhavingsomesecretlover。
　　Hetty’slittlebrainwasbusywiththiscombinationasshehungonAdam’sarmandsaid"yes"or"no"tosomeslightobservationsofhisaboutthemanyhawthorn-berriestherewouldbeforthebirdsthisnextwinter，andthelow-hangingcloudsthatwouldhardlyholduptillmorning。Andwhentheyrejoinedherauntanduncle，shecouldpursueherthoughtswithoutinterruption，forMr。Poyserheldthatthoughayoungmanmightliketohavethewomanhewascourtingonhisarm，hewouldneverthelessbegladofalittlereasonabletalkaboutbusinessthewhile；and，forhisownpart，hewascurioustohealthemostrecentnewsabouttheChaseFarm。
　　So，throughtherestofthewalk，heclaimedAdam’sconversationforhimself，andHettylaidhersmallplotsandimaginedherlittlescenesofcunningblandishment，asshewalkedalongbythehedgerowsonhonestAdam’sarm，quiteaswellasifshehadbeenanelegantlycladcoquettealoneinherboudoir。Forifacountrybeautyinclumsyshoesbeonlyshallow-heartedenough，itisastonishinghowcloselyhermentalprocessesmayresemblethoseofaladyinsocietyandcrinoline，whoappliesherrefinedintellecttotheproblemofcommittingindiscretionswithoutcompromisingherself。PerhapstheresemblancewasnotmuchthelessbecauseHettyfeltveryunhappyallthewhile。ThepartingwithArthurwasadoublepaintoher——minglingwiththetumultofpassionandvanitytherewasadimundefinedfearthatthefuturemightshapeitselfinsomewayquiteunlikeherdream。SheclungtothecomfortinghopefulwordsArthurhadutteredintheirlastmeeting——
　　"IshallcomeagainatChristmas，andthenwewillseewhatcanbedone。"Sheclungtothebeliefthathewassofondofher，hewouldneverbehappywithouther；andshestillhuggedhersecret——
　　thatagreatgentlemanlovedher——withgratifiedpride，asasuperiorityoverallthegirlssheknew。Buttheuncertaintyofthefuture，thepossibilitiestowhichshecouldgivenoshape，begantopressuponherliketheinvisibleweightofair；shewasaloneonherlittleislandofdreams，andallaroundherwasthedarkunknownwaterwhereArthurwasgone。Shecouldgathernoelationofspiritsnowbylookingforward，butonlybylookingbackwardtobuildconfidenceonpastwordsandcaresses。Butoccasionally，sinceThursdayevening，herdimanxietieshadbeenalmostlostbehindthemoredefinitefearthatAdammightbetraywhatheknewtoheruncleandaunt，andhissuddenpropositiontotalkwithheralonehadsetherthoughtstoworkinanewway。
　　Shewaseagernottolosethisevening’sopportunity；andaftertea，whentheboysweregoingintothegardenandTottybeggedtogowiththem，Hettysaid，withanalacritythatsurprisedMrs。
　　Poyser，"I’llgowithher，Aunt。"
　　ItdidnotseematallsurprisingthatAdamsaidhewouldgotoo，andsoonheandHettywereleftalonetogetheronthewalkbythefilbert-trees，whiletheboyswerebusyelsewheregatheringthelargeunripenutstoplayat"cob-nut"with，andTottywaswatchingthemwithapuppylikeairofcontemplation。Itwasbutashorttime——hardlytwomonths——sinceAdamhadhadhismindfilledwithdelicioushopesashestoodbyHetty’ssideunthisgarden。
　　TheremembranceofthatscenehadoftenbeenwithhimsinceThursdayevening:thesunlightthroughtheapple-treeboughs，theredbunches，Hetty’ssweetblush。Itcameimportunatelynow，onthissadevening，withthelow-hangingclouds，buthetriedtosuppressit，lestsomeemotionshouldimpelhimtosaymorethanwasneedfulforHetty’ssake。
　　"AfterwhatIsawonThursdaynight，Hetty，"hebegan，"youwon’tthinkmemakingtoofreeinwhatI’mgoingtosay。Ifyouwasbeingcourtedbyanymanas’udmakeyouhiswife，andI’dknownyouwasfondofhimandmeanttohavehim，Ishouldhavenorighttospeakawordtoyouaboutit；butwhenIseeyou’rebeingmadelovetobyagentlemanascannevermarryyou，anddoesnathinko’
　　marryingyou，Ifeelboundt’interfereforyou。Ican’tspeakaboutittothemasarei’theplaceo’yourparents，forthatmightbringworsetroublethan’sneedful。"
　　Adam’swordsrelievedoneofHetty’sfears，buttheyalsocarriedameaningwhichsickenedherwithastrengthenedforeboding。Shewaspaleandtrembling，andyetshewouldhaveangrilycontradictedAdam，ifshehaddaredtobetrayherfeelings。Butshewassilent。
　　"You’resoyoung，youknow，Hetty，"hewenton，almosttenderly，"andy’haven’tseenmucho’whatgoesonintheworld。It’srightformetodowhatIcantosaveyoufromgettingintotroubleforwanto’yourknowingwhereyou’rebeingledto。IfanybodybesidesmeknewwhatIknowaboutyourmeetingagentlemanandhavingfinepresentsfromhim，they’dspeaklightonyou，andyou’dloseyourcharacter。Andbesidesthat，you’llhavetosufferinyourfeelings，wi’givingyourlovetoamanascannevermarryyou，soashemighttakecareofyouallyourlife。"
　　AdampausedandlookedatHetty，whowaspluckingtheleavesfromthefilbert-treesandtearingthemupinherhand。Herlittleplansandpreconcertedspeecheshadallforsakenher，likeanill-
　　learntlesson，undertheterribleagitationproducedbyAdam’swords。Therewasacruelforceintheircalmcertaintywhichthreatenedtograppleandcrushherflimsyhopesandfancies。Shewantedtoresistthem——shewantedtothrowthemoffwithangrycontradiction——butthedeterminationtoconcealwhatshefeltstillgovernedher。Itwasnothingmorethanablindpromptingnow，forshewasunabletocalculatetheeffectofherwords。
　　"You’venorighttosayasIlovehim，"shesaid，faintly，butimpetuously，pluckinganotherroughleafandtearingitup。Shewasverybeautifulinherpalenessandagitation，withherdarkchildisheyesdilatedandherbreathshorterthanusual。Adam’sheartyearnedoverherashelookedather。Ah，ifhecouldbutcomforther，andsootheher，andsaveherfromthispain；ifhehadbutsomesortofstrengththatwouldenablehimtorescueherpoortroubledmind，ashewouldhaverescuedherbodyinthefaceofalldanger！
　　"Idoubtitmustbeso，Hetty，"hesaid，tenderly；"forIcannabelieveyou’dletanymankissyoubyyourselves，andgiveyouagoldboxwithhishair，andgoa-walkingi’theGrovetomeethim，ifyoudidnalovehim。I’mnotblamingyou，forIknowit’udbeginbylittleandlittle，tillatlastyou’dnotbeabletothrowitoff。It’shimIblameforstealingyourlovei’thatway，whenheknewhecouldnevermakeyoutherightamends。He’sbeentriflingwithyou，andmakingaplaythingofyou，andcaringnothingaboutyouasamanoughttocare。"
　　"Yes，hedoescareforme；Iknowbetternoryou，"Hettyburstout。EverythingwasforgottenbutthepainandangershefeltatAdam’swords。
　　"Nay，Hetty，"saidAdam，"ifhe’dcaredforyourightly，he’dneverha’behavedso。Hetoldmehimselfhemeantnothingbyhiskissingandpresents，andhewantedtomakemebelieveasyouthoughtlightof’emtoo。ButIknowbetternorthat。Ican’thelpthinkingasyou’vebeentrustingtohislovingyouwellenoughtomarryyou，forallhe’sagentleman。Andthat’swhyI
　　mustspeaktoyouaboutit，Hetty，forfearyoushouldbedeceivingyourself。It’sneverenteredhisheadthethoughto’
　　marryingyou。"
　　"Howdoyouknow？Howdurstyousayso？"saidHetty，pausinginherwalkandtrembling。TheterribledecisionofAdam’stoneshookherwithfear。ShehadnopresenceofmindleftforthereflectionthatArthurwouldhavehisreasonsfornottellingthetruthtoAdam。HerwordsandlookwereenoughtodetermineAdam:
　　hemustgivehertheletter。
　　"Perhapsyoucan’tbelieveme，Hetty，becauseyouthinktoowellofhim——becauseyouthinkhelovesyoubetterthanhedoes。ButI’vegotaletteri’mypocket，ashewrotehimselfformetogiveyou。I’venotreadtheletter，buthesayshe’stoldyouthetruthinit。ButbeforeIgiveyoutheletter，consider，Hetty，anddon’tletittaketoomuchholdonyou。Itwouldnaha’beengoodforyouifhe’dwantedtodosuchamadthingasmarryyou:
　　it’udha’ledtonohappinessi’th’end。"
　　Hettysaidnothing；shefeltarevivalofhopeatthementionofaletterwhichAdamhadnotread。Therewouldbesomethingquitedifferentinitfromwhathethought。
　　Adamtookouttheletter，buthehelditinhishandstill，whilehesaid，inatoneoftenderentreaty，"Don’tyoubearmeillwill，Hetty，becauseI’mthemeanso’bringingyouthispain。GodknowsI’dha’borneagooddealworseforthesakeo’sparingityou。Andthink——there’snobodybutmeknowsaboutthis，andI’lltakecareofyouasifIwasyourbrother。You’rethesameasevertome，forIdon’tbelieveyou’vedoneanywrongknowingly。"
　　Hettyhadlaidherhandontheletter，butAdamdidnotlooseittillhehaddonespeaking。Shetooknonoticeofwhathesaid——
　　shehadnotlistened；butwhenheloosedtheletter，sheputitintoherpocket，withoutopeningit，andthenbegantowalkmorequickly，asifshewantedtogoin。
　　"You’reintherightnottoreaditjustyet，"saidAdam。"Readitwhenyou’rebyyourself。Butstayoutalittlebitlonger，andletuscallthechildren:youlooksowhiteandill，yourauntmaytakenoticeofit。"