Themanleftherwithoutfurtherspeech，andHettyheldonherway。Anotherdayhadrisen，andshemustwanderon。Itwasnousetothinkofdrowningherself——shecouldnotdoit，atleastwhileshehadmoneylefttobuyfoodandstrengthtojourneyon。
Buttheincidentonherwakingthismorningheightenedherdreadofthattimewhenhermoneywouldbeallgone；shewouldhavetosellherbasketandclothesthen，andshewouldreallylooklikeabeggarorawildwoman，asthemanhadsaid。Thepassionatejoyinlifeshehadfeltinthenight，afterescapingfromthebrinkoftheblackcolddeathinthepool，wasgonenow。Lifenow，bythemorninglight，withtheimpressionofthatman’shardwonderinglookather，wasasfullofdreadasdeath——itwasworse；itwasadreadtowhichshefeltchained，fromwhichsheshrankandshrankasshedidfromtheblackpool，andyetcouldfindnorefugefromit。
Shetookouthermoneyfromherpurse，andlookedatit。Shehadstilltwo-and-twentyshillings；itwouldserveherformanydaysmore，oritwouldhelphertogetonfastertoStonyshire，withinreachofDinah。ThethoughtofDinahurgeditselfmorestronglynow，sincetheexperienceofthenighthaddrivenhershudderingimaginationawayfromthepool。IfithadbeenonlygoingtoDinah——ifnobodybesidesDinahwouldeverknow——Hettycouldhavemadeuphermindtogotoher。Thesoftvoice，thepityingeyes，wouldhavedrawnher。Butafterwardstheotherpeoplemustknow，andshecouldnomorerushonthatshamethanshecouldrushondeath。
Shemustwanderonandon，andwaitforalowerdepthofdespairtogivehercourage。Perhapsdeathwouldcometoher，forshewasgettinglessandlessabletobeartheday’sweariness。Andyet——
suchisthestrangeactionofoursouls，drawingusbyalurkingdesiretowardstheveryendswedread——Hetty，whenshesetoutagainfromNorton，askedthestraightestroadnorthwardstowardsStonyshire，andkeptitallthatday。
PoorwanderingHetty，withtheroundedchildishfaceandthehard，unloving，despairingsoullookingoutofit——withthenarrowheartandnarrowthoughts，noroominthemforanysorrowsbutherown，andtastingthatsorrowwiththemoreintensebitterness！MyheartbleedsforherasIseehertoilingalongonherwearyfeet，orseatedinacart，withhereyesfixedvacantlyontheroadbeforeher，neverthinkingorcaringwhitherittends，tillhungercomesandmakesherdesirethatavillagemaybenear。
Whatwillbetheend，theendofherobjectlesswandering，apartfromalllove，caringforhumanbeingsonlythroughherpride，clingingtolifeonlyasthehuntedwoundedbruteclingstoit？
Godpreserveyouandmefrombeingthebeginnersofsuchmiserty！
TheQuestTHEfirsttendaysafterHetty’sdeparturepassedasquietlyasanyotherdayswiththefamilyattheHallFarm，andwithAdamathisdailywork。TheyhadexpectedHettytostayawayaweekortendaysatleast，perhapsalittlelongerifDinahcamebackwithher，becausetheremightthenbesomethungtodetainthematSnowfield。ButwhenafortnighthadpassedtheybegantofeelalittlesurprisethatHettydidnotreturn；shemustsurelyhavefounditpleasantertobewithDinahthananyonecouldhavesupposed。Adam，forhispart，wasgettingveryimpatienttoseeher，andheresolvedthat，ifshedidnotappearthenextdaySaturday，hewouldsetoutonSundaymorningtofetchher。
TherewasnocoachonaSunday，butbysettingoutbeforeitwaslight，andperhapsgettingaliftinacartbytheway，hewouldarriveprettyearlyatSnowfield，andbringbackHettythenextday——Dinahtoo，ifshewerecoming。ItwasquitetimeHettycamehome，andhewouldaffordtolosehisMondayforthesakeofbringingher。
HisprojectwasquiteapprovedattheFarmwhenhewentthereonSaturdayevening。Mrs。PoyserdesiredhimemphaticallynottocomebackwithoutHetty，forshehadbeenquitetoolongaway，consideringthethingsshehadtogetreadybythemiddleofMarch，andaweekwassurelyenoughforanyonetogooutfortheirhealth。AsforDinah，Mrs。Poyserhadsmallhopeoftheirbringingher，unlesstheycouldmakeherbelievethefolksatHayslopeweretwiceasmiserableasthefolksatSnowfield。
\"Though，\"saidMrs。Poyser，bywayofconclusion，\"youmighttellhershe’sgotbutoneauntleft，andSHE’Swastedprettynightoashadder；andweshallp’rhapsallbegonetwentymilefartheroffhernextMichaelmas，andshalldieo’brokenheartsamongstrangefolks，andleavethechildrenfatherlessandmotherless。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，whocertainlyhadtheairofamanperfectlyheart-whole，\"itisnasobadasthat。Thee’tlookingrarelynow，andgettingflesheveryday。ButI’dbegladforDinaht’come，forshe’dhelptheewi’thelittleuns:theytookt’herwonderful。\"
Soatdaybreak，onSunday，Adamsetoff。Sethwentwithhimthefirstmileortwo，forthethoughtofSnowfieldandthepossibilitythatDinahmightcomeagainmadehimrestless，andthewalkwithAdaminthecoldmorningair，bothintheirbestclothes，helpedtogivehimasenseofSundaycalm。ItwasthelastmorninginFebruary，withalowgreysky，andaslighthoar-
frostonthegreenborderoftheroadandontheblackhedges。
Theyheardthegurglingofthefullbrooklethurryingdownthehill，andthefainttwitteringoftheearlybirds。Fortheywalkedinsilence，thoughwithapleasedsenseofcompanionship。
\"Good-bye，lad，\"saidAdam，layinghishandonSeth’sshoulderandlookingathimaffectionatelyastheywereabouttopart。\"Iwishtheewastgoingallthewaywi’me，andashappyasIam。\"
\"I’mcontent，Addy，I’mcontent，\"saidSethcheerfully。\"I’llbeanoldbachelor，belike，andmakeafusswi’thychildren。\"
The’yturnedawayfromeachother，andSethwalkedleisurelyhomeward，mentallyrepeatingoneofhisfavouritehymns——hewasveryfondofhymns:
DarkandcheerlessisthemornUnaccompaniedbythee:
Joylessistheday’sreturnTillthymercy’sbeamsIsee:
Tillthouinwardlightimpart，Gladmyeyesandwarmmyheart。
Visit，then，thissoulofmine，Piercethegloomofsinandgrief——
Fillme，RadiancyDivine，Scatterallmyunbelief。
Moreandmorethyselfdisplay，Shiningtotheperfectday。
Adamwalkedmuchfaster，andanyonecomingalongtheOakbourneroadatsunrisethatmorningmusthavehadapleasantsightinthistallbroad-chestedman，stridingalongwithacarriageasuprightandfirmasanysoldier’s，glancingwithkeengladeyesatthedark-bluehillsastheybegantoshowthemselvesonhisway。
SeldominAdam’slifehadhisfacebeensofreefromanycloudofanxietyasitwasthismorning；andthisfreedomfromcare，asisusualwithconstructivepracticalmindslikehis，madehimallthemoreobservantoftheobjectsroundhimandallthemorereadytogathersuggestionsfromthemtowardshisownfavouriteplansandingeniouscontrivances。Hishappylove——theknowledgethathisstepswerecarryinghimnearerandnearertoHetty，whowassosoontobehis——wastohisthoughtswhatthesweetmorningairwastohissensations:itgavehimaconsciousnessofwell-beingthatmadeactivitydelightful。Everynowandthentherewasarushofmoreintensefeelingtowardsher，whichchasedawayotherimagesthanHetty；andalongwiththatwouldcomeawonderingthankfulnessthatallthishappinesswasgiventohim——thatthislifeofourshadsuchsweetnessinit。ForAdamhadadevoutmind，thoughhewasperhapsratherimpatientofdevoutwords，andhistendernesslayveryclosetohisreverence，sothattheonecouldhardlybestirredwithouttheother。Butafterfeelinghadwelledupandpoureditselfoutinthisway，busythoughtwouldcomebackwiththegreatervigour；andthismorningitwasintentonschemesbywhichtheroadsmightbeimprovedthatweresoimperfectallthroughthecountry，andonpicturingallthebenefitsthatmightcomefromtheexertionsofasinglecountrygentleman，ifhewouldsethimselftogettingtheroadsmadegoodinhisowndistrict。
Itseemedaveryshortwalk，thetenmilestoOakbourne，thatprettytownwithinsightofthebluehills，wherehebreak-fasted。
Afterthis，thecountrygrewbarerandbarer:nomorerollingwoods，nomorewide-branchingtreesnearfrequenthomesteads，nomorebushyhedgerows，butgreystonewallsintersectingthemeagrepastures，anddismalwide-scatteredgreystonehousesonbrokenlandswheremineshadbeenandwerenolonger。\"Ahungryland，\"
saidAdamtohimself。\"I’drathergosouth’ard，wheretheysayit’sasflatasatable，thancometolivehere；thoughifDinahlikestoliveinacountrywhereshecanbethemostcomforttofolks，she’si’therighttoliveo’thisside；forshemustlookasifshe’dcomestraightfromheaven，liketh’angelsinthedesert，tostrengthenthemasha’gotnothingt’eat。\"AndwhenatlasthecameinsightofSnowfield，hethoughtitlookedlikeatownthatwas\"fellowtothecountry，\"thoughthestreamthroughthevalleywherethegreatmillstoodgaveapleasantgreennesstothelowerfields。Thetownlay，grim，stony，andunsheltered，upthesideofasteephill，andAdamdidnotgoforwardtoitatpresent，forSethhadtoldhimwheretofindDinah。Itwasatathatchedcottageoutsidethetown，alittlewayfromthemill——anoldcottage，standingsidewaystowardstheroad，withalittlebitofpotato-groundbeforeit。HereDinahlodgedwithanelderlycouple；andifsheandHettyhappenedtobeout，Adamcouldlearnwheretheyweregone，orwhentheywouldbeathomeagain。Dinahmightbeoutonsomepreachingerrand，andperhapsshewouldhaveleftHettyathome。Adamcouldnothelphopingthis，andasherecognizedthecottagebytheroadsidebeforehim，thereshoneoutinhisfacethatinvoluntarysmilewhichbelongstotheexpectationofanearjoy。
Hehurriedhisstepalongthenarrowcauseway，andrappedatthedoor。Itwasopenedbyaverycleanoldwoman，withaslowpalsiedshakeofthehead。
\"IsDinahMorrisathome？\"saidAdam。
\"Eh？……no，\"saidtheoldwoman，lookingupatthistallstrangerwithawonderthatmadeherslowerofspeechthanusual。\"Willyoupleasetocomein？\"sheadded，retiringfromthedoor，asifrecollectingherself。\"Why，ye’rebrothertotheyoungmanascomeafore，arenaye？\"
\"Yes，\"saidAdam，entering。\"ThatwasSethBede。I’mhisbrotherAdam。Hetoldmetogivehisrespectstoyouandyourgoodmaster。\"
\"Aye，thesamet’him。Hewasagraciousyoungman。An’yefeaturehim，on’yye’redarker。Sityedowni’th’arm-chair。Mymanisnacomehomefrommeeting。\"
Adamsatdownpatiently，notlikingtohurrytheshakingoldwomanwithquestions，butlookingeagerlytowardsthenarrowtwistingstairsinonecorner，forhethoughtitwaspossibleHettymighthaveheardhisvoiceandwouldcomedownthem。
\"Soyou’recometoseeDinahMorris？\"saidtheoldwoman，standingoppositetohim。\"An’youdidn’knowshewasawayfromhome，then？\"
\"No，\"saidAdam，\"butIthoughtitlikelyshemightbeaway，seeingasit’sSunday。Buttheotheryoungwoman——issheathome，orgonealongwithDinah？\"
TheoldwomanlookedatAdamwithabewilderedair。
\"Gonealongwi’her？\"shesaid。\"Eh，Dinah’sgonetoLeeds，abigtownyemayha’hearedon，wherethere’samanyo’theLord’speople。She’sbeengonesin’Fridaywasafortnight:theysentherthemoneyforherjourney。Youmayseeherroomhere，\"shewenton，openingadoorandnotnoticingtheeffectofherwordsonAdam。Heroseandfollowedher，anddartedaneagerglanceintothelittleroomwithitsnarrowbed，theportraitofWesleyonthewall，andthefewbookslyingonthelargeBible。HehadhadanirrationalhopethatHettymightbethere。Hecouldnotspeakinthefirstmomentafterseeingthattheroomwasempty；anundefinedfearhadseizedhim——somethinghadhappenedtoHettyonthejourney。Stilltheoldwomanwassoslowof；speechandapprehension，thatHettymightbeatSnowfieldafterall。
\"It’sapityyedidnaknow，\"shesaid。\"Haveyecomefromyourowncountryo’purposetoseeher？\"
\"ButHetty——HettySorrel，\"saidAdam，abruptly；\"Whereisshe？\"
\"Iknownobodybythatname，\"saidtheoldwoman，wonderingly。
\"Isitanybodyye’vehearedonatSnowfield？\"
\"Didtherecomenoyoungwomanhere——veryyoungandpretty——Fridaywasafortnight，toseeDinahMorris？\"
\"Nay；I’nseennoyoungwoman。\"
\"Think；areyouquitesure？Agirl，eighteenyearsold，withdarkeyesanddarkcurlyhair，andaredcloakon，andabasketonherarm？Youcouldn’tforgetherifyousawher。\"
\"Nay；Fridaywasafortnight——itwasthedayasDinahwentaway——
therecomenobody。There’sne’erbeennobodyaskingforhertillyoucome，forthefolksaboutknowasshe’sgone。Ehdear，ehdear，istheresummatthematter？\"
TheoldwomanhadseentheghastlylookoffearinAdam’sface。
Buthewasnotstunnedorconfounded:hewasthinkingeagerlywherehecouldinquireaboutHetty。
\"Yes；ayoungwomanstartedfromourcountrytoseeDinah，Fridaywasafortnight。Icametofetchherback。I’mafraidsomethinghashappenedtoher。Ican’tstop。Good-bye。\"
Hehastenedoutofthecottage，andtheoldwomanfollowedhimtothegate，watchinghimsadlywithhershakingheadashealmostrantowardsthetown。HewasgoingtoinquireattheplacewheretheOakbournecoachstopped。
No！NoyoungwomanlikeHettyhadbeenseenthere。Hadanyaccidenthappenedtothecoachafortnightago？No。AndtherewasnocoachtotakehimbacktoOakbournethatday。Well，hewouldwalk:hecouldn’tstayhere，inwretchedinaction。Buttheinnkeeper，seeingthatAdamwasingreatanxiety，andenteringintothisnewincidentwiththeeagernessofamanwhopassesagreatdealoftimewithhishandsinhispocketslookingintoanobstinatelymonotonousstreet，offeredtotakehimbacktoOakbourneinhisown\"taxedcart\"thisveryevening。Itwasnotfiveo’clock；therewasplentyoftimeforAdamtotakeamealandyettogettoOakbournebeforeteno’clock。TheinnkeeperdeclaredthathereallywantedtogotoOakbourne，andmightaswellgoto-night；heshouldhaveallMondaybeforehimthen。
Adam，aftermakinganineffectualattempttoeat，putthefoodinhispocket，and，drinkingadraughtofale，declaredhimselfreadytosetoff。Astheyapproachedthecottage，itoccurredtohimthathewoulddowelltolearnfromtheoldwomanwhereDinahwastobefoundinLeeds:iftherewastroubleattheHallFarm——heonlyhalf-admittedtheforebodingthattherewouldbe——thePoysersmightliketosendforDinah。ButDinahhadnotleftanyaddress，andtheoldwoman，whosememoryfornameswasinfirm，couldnotrecallthenameofthe\"blessedwoman\"whowasDinah’schieffriendintheSocietyatLeeds。
Duringthatlong，longjourneyinthetaxedcart，therewastimeforalltheconjecturesofimportunatefearandstrugglinghope。
IntheveryfirstshockofdiscoveringthatHettyhadnotbeentoSnowfield，thethoughtofArthurhaddartedthroughAdamlikeasharppang，buthetriedforsometimetowardoffitsreturnbybusyinghimselfwithmodesofaccountingforthealarmingfact，quiteapartfromthatintolerablethought。Someaccidenthadhappened。Hettyhad，bysomestrangechance，gotintoawrongvehiclefromOakbourne:shehadbeentakenill，anddidnotwanttofrightenthembylettingthemknow。Butthisfrailfenceofvagueimprobabilitieswassoonhurleddownbyarushofdistinctagonizingfears。Hettyhadbeendeceivingherselfinthinkingthatshecouldloveandmarryhim:shehadbeenlovingArthurallthewhile；andnow，inherdesperationatthenearnessoftheirmarriage，shehadrunaway。Andshewasgonetohim。Theoldindignationandjealousyroseagain，andpromptedthesuspicionthatArthurhadbeendealingfalsely——hadwrittentoHetty——hadtemptedhertocometohim——beingunwilling，afterall，thatsheshouldbelongtoanothermanbesideshimself。Perhapsthewholethinghadbeencontrivedbyhim，andhehadgivenherdirectionshowtofollowhimtoIreland——forAdamknewthatArthurhadbeengonethitherthreeweeksago，havingrecentlylearntitattheChase。EverysadlookofHetty’s，sinceshehadbeenengagedtoAdam，returneduponhimnowwithalltheexaggerationofpainfulretrospect。Hehadbeenfoolishlysanguineandconfident。Thepoorthinghadn’tperhapsknownherownmindforalongwhile；hadthoughtthatshecouldforgetArthur；hadbeenmomentarilydrawntowardsthemanwhoofferedheraprotecting，faithfullove。Hecouldn’tbeartoblameher:shenevermeanttocausehimthisdreadfulpain。Theblamelaywiththatmanwhohadselfishlyplayedwithherheart——hadperhapsevendeliberatelyluredheraway。
AtOakbourne，theostlerattheRoyalOakrememberedsuchayoungwomanasAdamdescribedgettingoutoftheTreddlestoncoachmorethanafortnightago——wasn’tlikelytoforgetsuchaprettylassasthatinahurry——wassureshehadnotgoneonbytheBuxtoncoachthatwentthroughSnowfield，buthadlostsightofherwhilehewentawaywiththehorsesandhadneverseteyesonheragain。
AdamthenwentstraighttothehousefromwhichtheStonitioncoachstarted:StonitonwasthemostobviousplaceforHettytogotofirst，whatevermightbeherdestination，forshewouldhardlyventureonanybutthechiefcoach-roads。Shehadbeennoticedheretoo，andwasrememberedtohavesatontheboxbythecoachman；butthecoachmancouldnotbeseen，foranothermanhadbeendrivingonthatroadinhissteadthelastthreeorfourdays。HecouldprobablybeseenatStoniton，throughinquiryattheinnwherethecoachputup。Sotheanxiousheart-strickenAdammustofnecessitywaitandtrytoresttillmorning——nay，tilleleveno’clock，whenthecoachstarted。
AtStonitonanotherdelayoccurred，fortheoldcoachmanwhohaddrivenHettywouldnotbeinthetownagaintillnight。WhenhedidcomeherememberedHettywell，andrememberedhisownjokeaddressedtoher，quotingitmanytimestoAdam，andobservingwithequalfrequencythathethoughttherewassomethingmorethancommon，becauseHettyhadnotlaughedwhenhejokedher。Buthedeclared，asthepeoplehaddoneattheinn，thathehadlostsightofHettydirectlyshegotdown。Partofthenextmorningwasconsumedininquiriesateveryhouseinthetownfromwhichacoachstarted——allinvain，foryouknowHettydidnotstartfromStonitionbycoach，butonfootinthegreymorning——andtheninwalkingouttothefirsttoll-gatesonthedifferentlinesofroad，intheforlornhopeoffindingsomerecollectionofherthere。No，shewasnottobetracedanyfarther；andthenexthardtaskforAdamwastogohomeandcarrythewretchedtidingstotheHallFarm。Astowhatheshoulddobeyondthat，hehadcometotwodistinctresolutionsamidstthetumultofthoughtandfeelingwhichwasgoingonwithinhimwhilehewenttoandfro。
HewouldnotmentionwhatheknewofArthurDonnithorne’sbehaviourtoHettytilltherewasaclearnecessityforit:itwasstillpossibleHettymightcomeback，andthedisclosuremightbeaninjuryoranoffencetoher。Andassoonashehadbeenhomeanddonewhatwasnecessarytheretoprepareforhisfurtherabsence，hewouldstartofftoIreland:ifhefoundnotraceofHettyontheroad，hewouldgostraighttoArthurDonnithorneandmakehimselfcertainhowfarhewasacquaintedwithhermovements。
SeveraltimesthethoughtoccurredtohimthathewouldconsultMr。Irwine，butthatwouldbeuselessunlesshetoldhimall，andsobetrayedthesecretaboutArthur。ItseemsstrangethatAdam，intheincessantoccupationofhismindaboutHetty，shouldneverhavealightedontheprobabilitythatshehadgonetoWindsor，ignorantthatArthurwasnolongerthere。PerhapsthereasonwasthathecouldnotconceiveHetty’sthrowingherselfonArthuruncalled；heimaginednocausethatcouldhavedrivenhertosuchastep，afterthatletterwritteninAugust。Therewerebuttwoalternativesinhismind:eitherArthurhadwrittentoheragainandenticedheraway，orshehadsimplyfledfromherapproachingmarriagewithhimselfbecauseshefound，afterall，shecouldnotlovehimwellenough，andyetwasafraidofherfriends’angerifsheretracted。
Withthislastdeterminationonhismind，ofgoingstraighttoArthur，thethoughtthathehadspenttwodaysininquirieswhichhadprovedtobealmostuseless，wastorturingtoAdam；andyet，sincehewouldnottellthePoysershisconvictionastowhereHettywasgone，orhisintentiontofollowherthither，hemustbeabletosaytothemthathehadtracedherasfaraspossible。
Itwasaftertwelveo’clockonTuesdaynightwhenAdamreachedTreddleston；and，unwillingtodisturbhismotherandSeth，andalsotoencountertheirquestionsatthathour，hethrewhimselfwithoutundressingonabedatthe\"WaggonOverthrown，\"andslepthardfrompureweariness。Notmorethanfourhours，however，forbeforefiveo’clockhesetoutonhiswayhomeinthefaintmorningtwilight。Healwayskeptakeyoftheworkshopdoorinhispocket，sothathecouldlethimselfin；andhewishedtoenterwithoutawakinghismother，forhewasanxioustoavoidtellingherthenewtroublehimselfbyseeingSethfirst，andaskinghimtotellherwhenitshouldbenecessary。Hewalkedgentlyalongtheyard，andturnedthekeygentlyinthedoor；but，asheexpected，Gyp，wholayintheworkshop，gaveasharpbark。
ItsubsidedwhenhesawAdam，holdinguphisfingerathimtoimposesilence，andinhisdumb，taillessjoyhemustcontenthimselfwithrubbinghisbodyagainsthismaster’slegs。
Adamwastooheart-sicktotakenoticeofGyp’sfondling。Hethrewhimselfonthebenchandstareddullyatthewoodandthesignsofworkaroundhim，wonderingifheshouldevercometofeelpleasureinthemagain，whileGyp，dimlyawarethattherewassomethingwrongwithhismaster，laidhisroughgreyheadonAdam’skneeandwrinkledhisbrowstolookupathim。Hitherto，sinceSundayafternoon，Adamhadbeenconstantlyamongstrangepeopleandinstrangeplaces，havingnoassociationswiththedetailsofhisdailylife，andnowthatbythelightofthisnewmorninghewascomebacktohishomeandsurroundedbythefamiliarobjectsthatseemedforeverrobbedoftheircharm，thereality——thehard，inevitablerealityofhistroublespresseduponhimwithanewweight。Rightbeforehimwasanunfinishedchestofdrawers，whichhehadbeenmakinginsparemomentsforHetty’suse，whenhishomeshouldbehers。
SethhadnotheardAdam’sentrance，buthehadbeenrousedbyGyp’sbark，andAdamheardhimmovingaboutintheroomabove，dressinghimself。Seth’sfirstthoughtswereabouthisbrother:
hewouldcomehometo-day，surely，forthebusinesswouldbewantinghimsadlybyto-morrow，butitwaspleasanttothinkhehadhadalongerholidaythanhehadexpected。AndwouldDinahcometoo？Sethfeltthatthatwasthegreatesthappinesshecouldlookforwardtoforhimself，thoughhehadnohopeleftthatshewouldeverlovehimwellenoughtomarryhim；buthehadoftensaidtohimself，itwasbettertobeDinah’sfriendandbrotherthananyotherwoman’shusband。Ifhecouldbutbealwaysnearher，insteadoflivingsofaroff！
Hecamedownstairsandopenedtheinnerdoorleadingfromthekitchenintotheworkshop，intendingtoletoutGyp；buthestoodstillinthedoorway，smittenwithasuddenshockatthesightofAdamseatedlistlesslyonthebench，pale，unwashed，withsunkenblankeyes，almostlikeadrunkardinthemorning。ButSethfeltinaninstantwhatthemarksmeant——notdrunkenness，butsomegreatcalamity。Adamlookedupathimwithoutspeaking，andSethmovedforwardtowardsthebench，himselftremblingsothatspeechdidnotcomereadily。
\"Godhavemercyonus，Addy，\"hesaid，inalowvoice，sittingdownonthebenchbesideAdam，\"whatisit？\"
Adamwasunabletospeak。Thestrongman，accustomedtosuppressthesignsofsorrow，hadfelthisheartswelllikeachild’satthisfirstapproachofsympathy。HefellonSeth’sneckandsobbed。
Sethwaspreparedfortheworstnow，for，eveninhisrecollectionsoftheirboyhood，Adamhadneversobbedbefore。
\"Isitdeath，Adam？Isshedead？\"heasked，inalowtone，whenAdamraisedhisheadandwasrecoveringhimself。
\"No，lad；butshe’sgone——goneawayfromus。She’sneverbeentoSnowfield。Dinah’sbeengonetoLeedseversincelastFridaywasafortnight，theverydayHettysetout。Ican’tfindoutwhereshewentaftershegottoStoniton。\"
Sethwassilentfromutterastonishment:heknewnothingthatcouldsuggesttohimareasonforHetty’sgoingaway。
\"Hastanynotionwhatshe’sdoneitfor？\"hesaid，atlast。
\"Shecan’tha’lovedme。Shedidn’tlikeourmarriagewhenitcamenigh——thatmustbeit，\"saidAdam。Hehaddeterminedtomentionnofurtherreason。
\"IhearMotherstirring，\"saidSeth。\"Mustwetellher？\"
\"No，notyet，\"saidAdam，risingfromthebenchandpushingthehairfromhisface，asifhewantedtorousehimself。\"Ican’thavehertoldyet；andImustsetoutonanotherjourneydirectly，afterI’vebeentothevillageandth’HallFarm。Ican’ttelltheewhereI’mgoing，andtheemustsaytoherI’mgoneonbusinessasnobodyistoknowanythingabout。I’llgoandwashmyselfnow。\"Adammovedtowardsthedooroftheworkshop，butafterasteportwoheturnedround，and，meetingSeth’seyeswithacalmsadglance，hesaid，\"Imusttakeallthemoneyouto’thetinbox，lad；butifanythinghappenstome，alltherest’llbethine，totakecareo’Motherwith。\"
Sethwaspaleandtrembling:hefelttherewassometerriblesecretunderallthis。\"Brother，\"hesaid，faintly——henevercalledAdam\"Brother\"exceptinsolemnmoments——\"Idon’tbelieveyou’lldoanythingasyoucan’taskGod’sblessingon。\"
\"Nay，lad，\"saidAdam，\"don’tbeafraid。I’mfordoingnoughtbutwhat’saman’sduty。\"
Thethoughtthatifhebetrayedhistroubletohismother，shewouldonlydistresshimbywords，halfofblunderingaffection，halfofirrepressibletriumphthatHettyprovedasunfittobehiswifeasshehadalwaysforeseen，broughtbacksomeofhishabitualfirmnessandself-command。Hehadfeltillonhisjourneyhome——
hetoldherwhenshecamedown——hadstayedallnightatTredddlestonforthatreason；andabadheadache，thatstillhungabouthimthismorning，accountedforhispalenessandheavyeyes。
Hedeterminedtogotothevillage，inthefirstplace，attendtohisbusinessforanhour，andgivenoticetoBurgeofhisbeingobligedtogoonajourney，whichhemustbeghimnottomentiontoanyone；forhewishedtoavoidgoingtotheHallFarmnearbreakfast-time，whenthechildrenandservantswouldbeinthehouse-place，andtheremustbeexclamationsintheirhearingabouthishavingreturnedwithoutHetty。Hewaiteduntiltheclockstruckninebeforeheleftthework-yardatthevillage，andsetoff，throughthefields，towardstheFarm。Itwasanimmenserelieftohim，ashecameneartheHomeClose，toseeMr。Poyseradvancingtowardshim，forthiswouldsparehimthepainofgoingtothehouse。Mr。PoyserwaswalkingbrisklythisMarchmorning，withasenseofspringbusinessonhismind:hewasgoingtocastthemaster’seyeontheshoeingofanewcart-horse，carryinghisspudasausefulcompanionbytheway。HissurprisewasgreatwhenhecaughtsightofAdam，buthewasnotamangiventopresentimentsofevil。
\"Why，Adam，lad，is’tyou？Haveyebeenallthistimeawayandnotbroughtthelassesback，afterall？Wherearethey？\"
\"No，I’venotbrought’em，\"saidAdam，turninground，toindicatethathewishedtowalkbackwithMr。Poyser。
\"Why，\"saidMartin，lookingwithsharperattentionatAdam，\"yelookbad。Isthereanythinghappened？\"
\"Yes，\"saidAdam，heavily。\"Asadthing’shappened。IdidnafindHettyatSnowfield。\"
Mr。Poyser’sgood-naturedfaceshowedsignsoftroubledastonishment。\"Notfindher？What’shappenedtoher？\"hesaid，histhoughtsflyingatoncetobodilyaccident。
\"ThatIcan’ttell，whetheranything’shappenedtoher。SheneverwenttoSnowfield——shetookthecoachtoStoniton，butIcan’tlearnnothingofheraftershegotdownfromtheStonitoncoach。\"
\"Why，youdonnameanshe’srunaway？\"saidMartin，standingstill，sopuzzledandbewilderedthatthefactdidnotyetmakeitselffeltasatroublebyhim。
\"Shemustha’done，\"saidAdam。\"Shedidn’tlikeourmarriagewhenitcametothepoint——thatmustbeit。She’dmistookherfeelings。\"
Martinwassilentforaminuteortwo，lookingonthegroundandrootingupthegrasswithhisspud，withoutknowingwhathewasdoing。Hisusualslownesswasalwaystrebledwhenthesubjectofspeechwaspainful。Atlasthelookedup，rightinAdam’sface，saying，\"Thenshedidnadeservet’ha’ye，mylad。An’Ifeeli’
faultmyself，forshewasmyniece，andIwasallayshotforhermarr’ingye。There’snoamendsIcanmakeye，lad——themore’sthepity:it’sasadcut-upforye，Idoubt。\"
Adamcouldsaynothing；andMr。Poyser，afterpursuinghiswalkforalittlewhile，wenton，\"I’llbeboundshe’sgoneaftertryingtogetalady’smaid’splace，forshe’dgotthatinherheadhalfayearago，andwantedmetogi’myconsent。ButI’dthoughtbetteronher\"——headded，shakinghisheadslowlyandsadly——\"I’dthoughtbetteronher，nortolookforthis，aftershe’dgi’eny’herword，an’everythingbeengotready。\"
AdamhadthestrongestmotivesforencouragingthissuppositioninMr。Poyser，andheeventriedtobelievethatitmightpossiblybetrue。HehadnowarrantforthecertaintythatshewasgonetoArthur。
\"Itwasbetteritshouldbeso，\"hesaid，asquietlyashecould，\"ifshefeltshecouldn’tlikemeforahusband。Betterrunawaybeforethanrepentafter。Ihopeyouwon’tlookharshlyonherifshecomesback，asshemaydoifshefindsithardtogetonawayfromhome。\"
\"IcannalookonherasI’vedonebefore，\"saidMartindecisively。
\"She’sactedbadbyyou，andbyallofus。ButI’llnotturnmybackonher:she’sbutayoungun，andit’sthefirstharmI’veknowedonher。It’llbeahardjobformetotellheraunt。WhydidnaDinahcomebackwi’ye？She’dha’helpedtopacifyherauntabit。\"
\"Dinahwasn’tatSnowfield。She’sbeengonetoLeedsthisfortnight，andIcouldn’tlearnfromth’oldwomananydirectionwheresheisatLeeds，elseIshouldha’broughtityou。\"
\"She’dadealbetterbestayingwi’herownkin，\"saidMr。Poyser，indignantly，\"thangoingpreachingamongstrangefolksa-that’n。\"
\"Imustleaveyounow，Mr。Poyser，\"saidAdam，\"forI’veadealtoseeto。\"
\"Aye，you’dbestbeafteryourbusiness，andImusttellthemissiswhenIgohome。It’sahardjob。\"
\"But，\"saidAdam，\"Ibegparticular，you’llkeepwhat’shappenedquietforaweekortwo。I’venottoldmymotheryet，andthere’snoknowinghowthingsmayturnout。\"
\"Aye，aye；leastsaid，soonestmended。We’nnoneedtosaywhythematchisbrokeoff，an’wemayhearofherafterabit。Shakehandswi’me，lad:IwishIcouldmaketheeamends。\"
TherewassomethinginMartinPoyser’sthroatatthatmomentwhichcausedhimtobringoutthosescantywordsinratherabrokenfashion。YetAdamknewwhattheymeantallthebetter，andthetwohonestmengraspedeachother’shardhandsinmutualunderstanding。
TherewasnothingnowtohinderAdamfromsettingoff。HehadtoldSethtogototheChaseandleaveamessageforthesquire，sayingthatAdamBedehadbeenobligedtostartoffsuddenlyonajourney——andtosayasmuch，andnomore，toanyoneelsewhomadeinquiriesabouthim。IfthePoyserslearnedthathewasgoneawayagain，AdamknewtheywouldinferthathewasgoneinsearchofHetty。
HehadintendedtogorightonhiswayfromtheHallFarm，butnowtheimpulsewhichhadfrequentlyvisitedhimbefore——togotoMr。
Irwine，andmakeaconfidantofhim——recurredwiththenewforcewhichbelongstoalastopportunity。Hewasabouttostartonalongjourney——adifficultone——bysea——andnosoulwouldknowwherehewasgone。Ifanythinghappenedtohim？Or，ifheabsolutelyneededhelpinanymatterconcerningHetty？Mr。Irwinewastobetrusted；andthefeelingwhichmadeAdamshrinkfromtellinganythingwhichwashersecretmustgivewaybeforetheneedtherewasthatsheshouldhavesomeoneelsebesideshimselfwhowouldbepreparedtodefendherintheworstextremity。
TowardsArthur，eventhoughhemighthaveincurrednonewguilt，AdamfeltthathewasnotboundtokeepsilencewhenHetty’sinterestcalledonhimtospeak。
\"Imustdoit，\"saidAdam，whenthesethoughts，whichhadspreadthemselvesthroughhoursofhissadjourneying，nowrusheduponhiminaninstant，likeawavethathadbeenslowlygathering；
\"it’stherightthing。Ican’tstandaloneinthiswayanylonger。\"
TheTidingsADAMturnedhisfacetowardsBroxtonandwalkedwithhisswifteststride，lookingathiswatchwiththefearthatMr。Irwinemightbegoneout——hunting，perhaps。Thefearandhastetogetherproducedastateofstrongexcitementbeforehereachedtherectorygate，andoutsideithesawthedeepmarksofarecenthoofonthegravel。
Butthehoofswereturnedtowardsthegate，notawayfromit，andthoughtherewasahorseagainstthestabledoor，itwasnotMr。
Irwine’s:ithadevidentlyhadajourneythismorning，andmustbelongtosomeonewhohadcomeonbusiness。Mr。Irwinewasathome，then；butAdamcouldhardlyfindbreathandcalmnesstotellCarrollthathewantedtospeaktotherector。Thedoublesufferingofcertainanduncertainsorrowhadbeguntoshakethestrongman。Thebutlerlookedathimwonderingly，ashethrewhimselfonabenchinthepassageandstaredabsentlyattheclockontheoppositewall。Themasterhadsomebodywithhim，hesaid，butheheardthestudydooropen——thestrangerseemedtobecomingout，andasAdamwasinahurry，hewouldletthemasterknowatonce。
Adamsatlookingattheclock:theminute-handwashurryingalongthelastfiveminutestotenwithaloud，hard，indifferenttick，andAdamwatchedthemovementandlistenedtothesoundasifhehadhadsomereasonfordoingso。Inourtimesofbittersufferingtherearealmostalwaysthesepauses，whenourconsciousnessisbenumbedtoeverythingbutsometrivialperceptionorsensation。Itisasifsemi-idiocycametogiveusrestfromthememoryandthedreadwhichrefusetoleaveusinoursleep。
Carroll，comingback，recalledAdamtothesenseofhisburden。
Hewastogointothestudyimmediately。\"Ican’tthinkwhatthatstrangeperson’scomeabout，\"thebutleradded，frommereincontinenceofremark，asheprecededAdamtothedoor，\"he’sgonei’thedining-room。Andmasterlooksunaccountable——asifhewasfrightened。\"Adamtooknonoticeofthewords:hecouldnotcareaboutotherpeople’sbusiness。ButwhenheenteredthestudyandlookedinMr。Irwine’sface，hefeltinaninstantthattherewasanewexpressioninit，strangelydifferentfromthewarmfriendlinessithadalwayswornforhimbefore。Aletterlayopenonthetable，andMr。Irwine’shandwasonit，butthechangedglancehecastonAdamcouldnotbeowingentirelytopreoccupationwithsomedisagreeablebusiness，forhewaslookingeagerlytowardsthedoor，asifAdam’sentrancewereamatterofpoignantanxietytohim。
\"Youwanttospeaktome，Adam，\"hesaid，inthatlowconstrainedlyquiettonewhichamanuseswhenheisdeterminedtosuppressagitation。\"Sitdownhere。\"Hepointedtoachairjustoppositetohim，atnomorethanayard’sdistancefromhisown，andAdamsatdownwithasensethatthiscoldmannerofMr。
Irwine’sgaveanadditionalunexpecteddifficultytohisdisclosure。ButwhenAdamhadmadeuphismindtoameasure，hewasnotthemantorenounceitforanybutimperativereasons。
\"Icometoyou，sir，\"hesaid，\"asthegentlemanIlookuptomostofanybody。I’vesomethingverypainfultotellyou——somethingasit’llpainyoutohearaswellasmetotell。ButifIspeako’
thewrongotherpeoplehavedone，you’llseeIdidn’tspeaktillI’dgoodreason。\"
Mr。Irwinenoddedslowly，andAdamwentonrathertremulously，\"Youwast’ha’marriedmeandHettySorrel，youknow，sir，o’thefifteentho’thismonth。Ithoughtshelovedme，andIwasth’
happiestmani’theparish。Butadreadfulblow’scomeuponme。\"
Mr。Irwinestartedupfromhischair，asifinvoluntarily，butthen，determinedtocontrolhimself，walkedtothewindowandlookedout。
\"She’sgoneaway，sir，andwedon’tknowwhere。ShesaidshewasgoingtoSnowfieldo’Fridaywasafortnight，andIwentlastSundaytofetchherback；butshe’dneverbeenthere，andshetookthecoachtoStoniton，andbeyondthatIcan’ttraceher。ButnowI’mgoingalongjourneytolookforher，andIcan’ttrustt’
anybodybutyouwhereI’mgoing。\"
Mr。Irwinecamebackfromthewindowandsatdown。
\"Haveyounoideaofthereasonwhyshewentaway？\"hesaid。
\"It’splainenoughshedidn’twanttomarryme，sir，\"saidAdam。
\"Shedidn’tlikeitwhenitcamesonear。Butthatisn’tall，I
doubt。There’ssomethingelseImusttellyou，sir。There’ssomebodyelseconcernedbesidesme。\"
Agleamofsomething——itwasalmostlikerelieforjoy——cameacrosstheeageranxietyofMr。Irwine’sfaceatthatmoment。
Adamwaslookingontheground，andpausedalittle:thenextwordswerehardtospeak。Butwhenhewenton，helifteduphisheadandlookedstraightatMr。Irwine。Hewoulddothethinghehadresolvedtodo，withoutflinching。
\"Youknowwho’sthemanI’vereckonedmygreatestfriend，\"hesaid，\"andusedtobeproudtothinkasIshouldpassmylifei’
workingforhim，andhadfeltsoeversincewewerelads……\"
Mr。Irwine，asifallself-controlhadforsakenhim，graspedAdam’sarm，whichlayonthetable，and，clutchingittightlylikeamaninpain，said，withpalelipsandalowhurriedvoice，\"No，Adam，no——don’tsayit，forGod’ssake！\"
Adam，surprisedattheviolenceofMr。Irwine’sfeeling，repentedofthewordsthathadpassedhislipsandsatindistressedsilence。Thegrasponhisarmgraduallyrelaxed，andMr。Irwinethrewhimselfbackinhischair，saying，\"Goon——Imustknowit。\"
\"ThatmanplayedwithHetty’sfeelings，andbehavedtoherashe’dnorighttodotoagirlinherstationo’life——madeherpresentsandusedtogoandmeetherouta-walking。Ifounditoutonlytwodaysbeforehewentaway——foundhima-kissingherastheywerepartingintheGrove。There’dbeennothingsaidbetweenmeandHettythen，thoughI’dlovedherforalongwhile，andsheknewit。ButIreproachedhimwithhiswrongactions，andwordsandblowspassedbetweenus；andhesaidsolemnlytome，afterthat，asithadbeenallnonsenseandnomorethanabito’flirting。
ButImadehimwritealettertotellHettyhe’dmeantnothing，forIsawclearenough，sir，byseveralthingsasIhadn’tunderstoodatthetime，ashe’dgotholdofherheart，andI
thoughtshe’dbelikegoonthinkingofhimandnevercometoloveanothermanaswantedtomarryher。AndIgavehertheletter，andsheseemedtobearitallafterawhilebetterthanI’dexpected……andshebehavedkinderandkindertome……Idaresayshedidn’tknowherownfeelingsthen，poorthing，andtheycamebackuponherwhenitwastoolate……Idon’twanttoblameher……I
can’tthinkasshemeanttodeceiveme。ButIwasencouragedtothinkshelovedme，and——youknowtherest，sir。Butit’sonmymindashe’sbeenfalsetome，and’ticedheraway，andshe’sgonetohim——andI’mgoingnowtosee，forIcannevergotoworkagaintillIknowwhat’sbecomeofher。\"
DuringAdam’snarrative，Mr。Irwinehadhadtimetorecoverhisself-masteryinspiteofthepainfulthoughtsthatcrowdeduponhim。Itwasabitterremembrancetohimnow——thatmorningwhenArthurbreakfastedwithhimandseemedasifhewereonthevergeofaconfession。Itwasplainenoughnowwhathehadwantedtoconfess。Andiftheirwordshadtakenanotherturn……ifhehimselfhadbeenlessfastidiousaboutintrudingonanotherman’ssecrets……itwascrueltothinkhowthinafilmhadshutoutrescuefromallthisguiltandmisery。Hesawthewholehistorynowbythatterribleilluminationwhichthepresentshedsbackuponthepast。Buteveryotherfeelingasitrusheduponhiswasthrownintoabeyancebypity，deeprespectfulpity，forthemanwhosatbeforehim——alreadysobruised，goingforthwithsadblindresignednesstoanunrealsorrow，whilearealonewascloseuponhim，toofarbeyondtherangeofcommontrialforhimevertohavefearedit。Hisownagitationwasquelledbyacertainawethatcomesoverusinthepresenceofagreatanguish，fortheanguishhemustinflictonAdamwasalreadypresenttohim。Againheputhishandonthearmthatlayonthetable，butverygentlythistime，ashesaidsolemnly:
\"Adam，mydearfriend，youhavehadsomehardtrialsinyourlife。
Youcanbearsorrowmanfully，aswellasactmanfully。Godrequiresbothtasksatourhands。Andthereisaheaviersorrowcominguponyouthananyyouhaveyetknown。Butyouarenotguilty——youhavenottheworstofallsorrows。Godhelphimwhohas！\"
Thetwopalefaceslookedateachother；inAdam’stherewastremblingsuspense，inMr。Irwine’shesitating，shrinkingpity。
Buthewenton。
\"IhavehadnewsofHettythismorning。Sheisnotgonetohim。
SheisinStonyshire——atStoniton。\"
Adamstartedupfromhischair，asifhethoughthecouldhaveleapedtoherthatmoment。ButMr。Irwinelaidholdofhisarmagainandsaid，persuasively，\"Wait，Adam，wait。\"Sohesatdown。
\"Sheisinaveryunhappyposition——onewhichwillmakeitworseforyoutofindher，mypoorfriend，thantohavelostherforever。\"
Adam’slipsmovedtremulously，butnosoundcame。Theymovedagain，andhewhispered，\"Tellme。\"
\"Shehasbeenarrested……sheisinprison。\"
ItwasasifaninsultingblowhadbroughtbackthespiritofresistanceintoAdam。Thebloodrushedtohisface，andhesaid，loudlyandsharply，\"Forwhat？\"
\"Foragreatcrime——themurderofherchild。\"
\"ItCAN’TBE！\"Adamalmostshouted，startingupfromhiscnairandmakingastridetowardsthedoor；butheturnedroundagain，settinghisbackagainstthebookcase，andlookingfiercelyatMr。
Irwine。\"Itisn’tpossible。Sheneverhadachild。Shecan’tbeguilty。WHOsaysit？\"
\"Godgrantshemaybeinnocent，Adam。Wecanstillhopesheis。\"
\"Butwhosayssheisguilty？\"saidAdamviolently。\"Tellmeeverything。\"
\"Hereisaletterfromthemagistratebeforewhomshewastaken，andtheconstablewhoarrestedherisinthedining-room。Shewillnotconfesshernameorwhereshecomesfrom；butIfear，I
fear，therecanbenodoubtitisHetty。Thedescriptionofherpersoncorresponds，onlythatsheissaidtolookverypaleandill。Shehadasmallred-leatherpocket-bookinherpocketwithtwonameswritteninit——oneatthebeginning，’HettySorrel，Hayslope，’andtheotherneartheend，’DinahMorris，Snowfield。’
Shewillnotsaywhichisherownname——shedenieseverything，andwillanswernoquestions，andapplicationhasbeenmadetome，asamagistrate，thatImaytakemeasuresforidentifyingher，foritwasthoughtprobablethatthenamewhichstandsfirstisherownname。\"
\"Butwhatproofhavetheygotagainsther，ifitISHetty？\"saidAdam，stillviolently，withaneffortthatseemedtoshakehiswholeframe。\"I’llnotbelieveit。Itcouldn’tha’been，andnoneofusknowit。\"
\"Terribleproofthatshewasunderthetemptationtocommitthecrime；butwehaveroomtohopethatshedidnotreallycommitit。
Tryandreadthatletter，Adam。\"
Adamtooktheletterbetweenhisshakinghandsandtriedtofixhiseyessteadilyonit。Mr。Irwinemeanwhilewentouttogivesomeorders。Whenhecameback，Adam’seyeswerestillonthefirstpage——hecouldn’tread——hecouldnotputthewordstogetherandmakeoutwhattheymeant。Hethrewitdownatlastandclenchedhisfist。
\"It’sHISdoing，\"hesaid；\"ifthere’sbeenanycrime，it’sathisdoor，notathers。HEtaughthertodeceive——HEdeceivedmefirst。Let’emputHIMonhistrial——lethimstandincourtbesideher，andI’lltell’emhowhegotholdofherheart，and’ticedhert’evil，andthenliedtome。IsHEtogofree，whiletheylayallthepunishmentonher……soweakandyoung？\"
TheimagecalledupbytheselastwordsgaveanewdirectiontopoorAdam’smaddenedfeelings。Hewassilent，lookingatthecorneroftheroomasifhesawsomethingthere。Thenheburstoutagain，inatoneofappealinganguish，\"Ican’tbearit……O
God，it’stoohardtolayuponme——it’stoohardtothinkshe’swicked。\"
Mr。Irwinehadsatdownagaininsilence。Hewastoowisetouttersoothingwordsatpresent，andindeed，thesightofAdambeforehim，withthatlookofsuddenagewhichsometimescomesoverayoungfaceinmomentsofterribleemotion——thehardbloodlesslookoftheskin，thedeeplinesaboutthequiveringmouth，thefurrowsinthebrow——thesightofthisstrongfirmmanshatteredbytheinvisiblestrokeofsorrow，movedhimsodeeplythatspeechwasnoteasy。Adamstoodmotionless，withhiseyesvacantlyfixedinthiswayforaminuteortwo；inthatshortspacehewaslivingthroughallhisloveagain。
\"Shecan’tha’doneit，\"hesaid，stillwithoutmovinghiseyes，asifhewereonlytalkingtohimself:\"itwasfearmadeherhideit……Iforgiveherfordeceivingme……Iforgivethee，Hetty……theewastdeceivedtoo……it’sgonehardwi’thee，mypoorHetty……butthey’llnevermakemebelieveit。\"
Hewassilentagainforafewmoments，andthenhesaid，withfierceabruptness，\"I’llgotohim——I’llbringhimback——I’llmakehimgoandlookatherinhermisery——heshalllookathertillhecan’tforgetit——itshallfollowhimnightandday——aslongashelivesitshallfollowhim——heshan’tescapewi’liesthistime——
I’llfetchhim，I’lldraghimmyself。\"
Intheactofgoingtowardsthedoor，Adampausedautomaticallyandlookedaboutforhishat，quiteunconsciouswherehewasorwhowaspresentwithhim。Mr。Irwinehadfollowedhim，andnowtookhimbythearm，saying，inaquietbutdecidedtone，\"No，Adam，no；I’msureyouwillwishtostayandseewhatgoodcanbedoneforher，insteadofgoingonauselesserrandofvengeance。
Thepunishmentwillsurelyfallwithoutyouraid。Besides，heisnolongerinIreland。Hemustbeonhiswayhome——orwouldbe，longbeforeyouarrived，forhisgrandfather，Iknow，wroteforhimtocomeatleasttendaysago。IwantyounowtogowithmetoStoniton。Ihaveorderedahorseforyoutoridewithus，assoonasyoucancomposeyourself。\"
WhileMr。Irwinewasspeaking，Adamrecoveredhisconsciousnessoftheactualscene。Herubbedhishairoffhisforeheadandlistened。
\"Remember，\"Mr。Irwinewenton，\"thereareotherstothinkof，andactfor，besidesyourself，Adam:thereareHetty’sfriends，thegoodPoysers，onwhomthisstrokewillfallmoreheavilythanI
canbeartothink。Iexpectitfromyourstrengthofmind，Adam——
fromyoursenseofdutytoGodandman——thatyouwilltrytoactaslongasactioncanbeofanyuse。\"
Inreality，Mr。IrwineproposedthisjourneytoStonitonforAdam’sownsake。Movement，withsomeobjectbeforehim，wasthebestmeansofcounteractingtheviolenceofsufferinginthesefirsthours。
\"YouwillgowithmetoStoniton，Adam？\"hesaidagain，afteramoment’spause。\"WehavetoseeifitisreallyHettywhoisthere，youknow。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"saidAdam，\"I’lldowhatyouthinkright。Butthefolksatth’HallFarm？\"
\"IwishthemnottoknowtillIreturntotellthemmyself。I
shallhaveascertainedthingsthenwhichIamuncertainaboutnow，andIshallreturnassoonaspossible。Comenow，thehorsesareready。\"
TheBitterWatersSpreadMR。IRWINEreturnedfromStonitoninapost-chaisethatnight，andthefirstwordsCarrollsaidtohim，asheenteredthehouse，were，thatSquireDonnithornewasdead——founddeadinhisbedatteno’clockthatmorning——andthatMrs。IrwinedesiredhimtosaysheshouldbeawakewhenMr。Irwinecamehome，andshebeggedhimnottogotobedwithoutseeingher。
\"Well，Dauphin，\"Mrs。Irwinesaid，ashersonenteredherroom，\"you’recomeatlast。Sotheoldgentleman’sfidgetinessandlowspirits，whichmadehimsendforArthurinthatsuddenway，reallymeantsomething。IsupposeCarrollhastoldyouthatDonnithornewasfounddeadinhisbedthismorning。Youwillbelievemyprognosticationsanothertime，thoughIdaresayIshan’tlivetoprognosticateanythingbutmyowndeath。\"
\"WhathavetheydoneaboutArthur？\"saidMr。Irwine。\"SentamessengertoawaithimatLiverpool？\"
\"Yes，Ralphwasgonebeforethenewswasbroughttous。DearArthur，IshalllivenowtoseehimmasterattheChase，andmakinggoodtimesontheestate，likeagenerous-heartedfellowasheis。He’llbeashappyasakingnow。\"
Mr。Irwinecouldnothelpgivingaslightgroan:hewaswornwithanxietyandexertion，andhismother’slightwordswerealmostintolerable。
\"Whatareyousodismalabout，Dauphin？Isthereanybadnews？
OrareyouthinkingofthedangerforArthurincrossingthatfrightfulIrishChannelatthistimeofyear？\"
\"No，Mother，I’mnotthinkingofthat；butI’mnotpreparedtorejoicejustnow。\"
\"You’vebeenworriedbythislawbusinessthatyou’vebeentoStonitonabout。Whatintheworldisit，thatyoucan’ttellme？\"
\"Youwillknowbyandby，mother。Itwouldnotberightformetotellyouatpresent。Good-night:you’llsleepnowyouhavenolongeranythingtolistenfor。\"
Mr。IrwinegaveuphisintentionofsendingalettertomeetArthur，sinceitwouldnotnowhastenhisreturn:thenewsofhisgrandfather’sdeathwouldbringhimassoonashecouldpossiblycome。Hecouldgotobednowandgetsomeneedfulrest，beforethetimecameforthemorning’sheavydutyofcarryinghissickeningnewstotheHallFarmandtoAdam’shome。
AdamhimselfwasnotcomebackfromStoniton，forthoughheshrankfromseeingHetty，hecouldnotbeartogotoadistancefromheragain。
\"It’snouse，sir，\"hesaidtotherector，\"it’snouseformetogoback。Ican’tgotoworkagainwhileshe’shere，andI
couldn’tbearthesighto’thethingsandfolksroundhome。I’lltakeabitofaroomhere，whereIcanseetheprisonwalls，andperhapsIshallget，intime，tobearseeingher。\"
AdamhadnotbeenshakeninhisbeliefthatHettywasinnocentofthecrimeshewaschargedwith，forMr。Irwine，feelingthatthebeliefinherguiltwouldbeacrushingadditiontoAdam’sload，hadkeptfromhimthefactswhichleftnohopeinhisownmind。
TherewasnotanyreasonforthrustingthewholeburdenonAdamatonce，andMr。Irwine，atparting，onlysaid，\"Iftheevidenceshouldtelltoostronglyagainsther，Adam，wemaystillhopeforapardon。Heryouthandothercircumstanceswillbeapleaforher。\"
\"Ah，andit’srightpeopleshouldknowhowshewastemptedintothewrongway，\"saidAdam，withbitterearnestness。\"It’srighttheyshouldknowitwasafinegentlemanmadelovetoher，andturnedherheadwi’notions。You’llremember，sir，you’vepromisedtotellmymother，andSeth，andthepeopleatthefarm，whoitwasasledherwrong，elsethey’llthinkharderofherthanshedeserves。You’llbedoingherahurtbysparinghim，andI
holdhimtheguiltiestbeforeGod，letherha’donewhatshemay。
Ifyousparehim，I’llexposehim！\"
\"Ithinkyourdemandisjust，Adam，\"saidMr。Irwine，\"butwhenyouarecalmer，youwilljudgeArthurmoremercifully。Isaynothingnow，onlythathispunishmentisinotherhandsthanours。\"
Mr。IrwinefeltitharduponhimthatheshouldhavetotellofArthur’ssadpartinthestoryofsinandsorrow——hewhocaredforArthurwithfatherlyaffection，whohadcaredforhimwithfatherlypride。Buthesawclearlythatthesecretmustbeknownbeforelong，evenapartfromAdam’sdetermination，sinceitwasscarcelytobesupposedthatHettywouldpersisttotheendinherobstinatesilence。HemadeuphismindtowithholdnothingfromthePoysers，buttotellthemtheworstatonce，fortherewasnotimetorobthetidingsoftheirsuddenness。Hetty’strialmustcomeonattheLentassizes，andtheyweretobeheldatStonitonthenextweek。ItwasscarcelytobehopedthatMartinPoysercouldescapethepainofbeingcalledasawitness，anditwasbetterheshouldknoweverythingaslongbeforehandaspossible。
Beforeteno’clockonThursdaymorningthehomeattheHallFarmwasahouseofmourningforamisfortunefelttobeworsethandeath。Thesenseoffamilydishonourwastookeeneveninthekind-heartedMartinPoysertheyoungertoleaveroomforanycompassiontowardsHetty。Heandhisfatherweresimple-mindedfarmers，proudoftheiruntarnishedcharacter，proudthattheycameofafamilywhichhadheldupitsheadandpaiditswayasfarbackasitsnamewasintheparishregister；andHettyhadbroughtdisgraceonthemall——disgracethatcouldneverbewipedout。Thatwastheall-conqueringfeelinginthemindbothoffatherandson——thescorchingsenseofdisgrace，whichneutralisedallothersensibility——andMr。IrwinewasstruckwithsurprisetoobservethatMrs。Poyserwaslessseverethanherhusband。Weareoftenstartledbytheseverityofmildpeopleonexceptionaloccasions；thereasonis，thatmildpeoplearemostliabletobeundertheyokeoftraditionalimpressions。
\"I’mwillingtopayanymoneyasiswantedtowardstryingtobringheroff，\"saidMartintheyoungerwhenMr。Irwinewasgone，whiletheoldgrandfatherwascryingintheoppositechair，\"butI’llnotgonighher，noreverseeheragain，bymyownwill。She’smadeourbreadbittertousforallourlivestocome，an’weshallne’erholdupourheadsi’thisparishnori’anyother。
Theparsontalkso’folkspityingus:it’spooramendspity’ullmakeus。\"
\"Pity？\"saidthegrandfather，sharply。\"Ine’erwantedfolks’spityi’MYlifeafore……an’Imunbegintobelookeddownonnow，an’meturnedseventy-twolastSt。Thomas’s，an’allth’
underbearersandpall-bearersasI’npickedformyfuneralarei’
thisparishandthenextto’t……It’so’nousenow……Imunbeta’entothegravebystrangers。\"
\"Don’tfretso，father，\"saidMrs。Poyser，whohadspokenverylittle，beingalmostoverawedbyherhusband’sunusualhardnessanddecision。\"You’llhaveyourchildrenwi’you；an’there’stheladsandthelittleun’ullgrowupinanewparishaswellasi’
th’oldun。\"
\"Ah，there’snostayingi’thiscountryforusnow，\"saidMr。
Poyser，andthehardtearstrickledslowlydownhisroundcheeks。
\"Wethoughtit’udbebadluckiftheoldsquiregaveusnoticethisLadyday，butImustgi’noticemyselfnow，an’seeiftherecananybodybegottocomean’taketothecropsasI’nputi’theground；forIwonnastayupo’thatman’slandadaylongernorI’mforcedto’t。An’me，asthoughthimsuchagooduprightyoungman，asIshouldbegladwhenhecometobeourlandlord。I’llne’erliftmyhattohimagain，norsiti’thesamechurchwi’
him……amanashasbroughtshameonrespectablefolks……an’
pretendedtobesuchafriendt’everybody……PoorAdamthere……afinefriendhe’sbeent’Adam，makingspeechesan’talkingsofine，an’allthewhilepoisoningthelad’slife，asit’smuchifhecanstayi’thiscountryanymorenorwecan。\"
\"An’yout’ha’togointocourt，andownyou’reakint’her，\"
saidtheoldman。\"Why，they’llcastituptothelittleun，asisn’tfour’earold，someday——they’llcastitupt’herasshe’dacousintriedatthe’sizesformurder。\"
\"It’llbetheirownwickedness，then，\"saidMrs。Poyser，withasobinhervoice。\"Butthere’sOneabove’ulltakecareo’theinnicentchild，elseit’sbutlittletruththeytellusatchurch。
It’llbehardernorevertodiean’leavethelittleuns，an’
nobodytobeamotherto’em。\"
\"We’dbetterha’sentforDinah，ifwe’dknownwheresheis，\"saidMr。Poyser；\"butAdamsaidshe’dleftnodirectionwhereshe’dbeatLeeds。\"
\"Why，she’dbewi’thatwomanaswasafriendt’herAuntJudith，\"
saidMrs。Poyser，comfortedalittlebythissuggestionofherhusbands。\"I’veoftenheardDinahtalkofher，butIcan’trememberwhatnameshecalledherby。Butthere’sSethBede；he’slikeenoughtoknow，forshe’sapreachingwomanastheMethodiststhinkadealon。\"
\"I’llsendtoSeth，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"I’llsendAlicktotellhimtocome，orelsetosendupwordo’thewoman’sname，an’theecanstwritealetterreadytosendofftoTreddles’onassoonaswecanmakeoutadirection。\"
\"It’spoorworkwritingletterswhenyouwantfolkstocometoyoui’trouble，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Happenit’llbeeversolongontheroad，an’neverreachheratlast。\"
BeforeAlickarrivedwiththemessage，Lisbeth’sthoughtstoohadalreadyflowntoDinah，andshehadsaidtoSeth，\"Eh，there’snocomfortforusi’thisworldanymore，wi’outtheecouldstgetDinahMorristocometous，asshedidwhenmyoldmandied。I’dlikehertocomeinan’takemebyth’handagain，an’talktome。
She’dtellmetherightson’t，belike——she’dhappenknowsomegoodi’allthistroublean’heart-breakcomin’upo’thatpoorlad，asne’erdoneabito’wrongin’slife，butwarbetternoranybodyelse’sson，pickthecountryround。Eh，mylad……Adam，mypoorlad！\"
\"Theewouldstnalikemetoleavethee，togoandfetchDinah？\"
saidSeth，ashismothersobbedandrockedherselftoandfro。
\"Fetchher？\"saidLisbeth，lookingupandpausingfromhergrief，likeacryingchildwhohearssomepromiseofconsolation。\"Why，whatplaceis’tshe’sat，dotheysay？\"
\"It’sagoodwayoff，mother——Leeds，abigtown。ButIcouldbebackinthreedays，iftheecouldstspareme。\"
\"Nay，nay，Icannasparethee。Theemustgoan’seethybrother，an’bringmewordwhathe’sa-doin’。MesterIrwinesaidhe’dcomean’tellme，butIcannamakeoutsowellwhatitmeanswhenhetellsme。Theemustgothysen，sin’Adamwonnaletmegotohim。
WritealettertoDinahcanstna？Thee’tfondenougho’writin’
whennobodywantsthee。\"
\"I’mnotsurewhereshe’dbei’thatbigtown，\"saidSeth。\"IfI’dgonemyself，Icouldha’foundoutbyaskingthememberso’
theSociety。ButperhapsifIputSarahWilliamson，Methodistpreacher，Leeds，o’th’outside，itmightgettoher；formostlikeshe’dbewi’SarahWilliamson。\"
Alickcamenowwiththemessage，andSeth，findingthatMrs。
PoyserwaswritingtoDinah，gaveuptheintentionofwritinghimself；buthewenttotheHallFarmtotellthemallhecouldsuggestabouttheaddressoftheletter，andwarnthemthattheremightbesomedelayinthedelivery，fromhisnotknowinganexactdirection。
OnleavingLisbeth，Mr。IrwinehadgonetoJonathanBurge，whohadalsoaclaimtobeacquaintedwithwhatwaslikelytokeepAdamawayfrombusinessforsometime；andbeforesixo’clockthateveningtherewerefewpeopleinBroxtonandHayslopewhohadnotheardthesadnews。Mr。IrwinehadnotmentionedArthur’snametoBurge，andyetthestoryofhisconducttowardsHetty，withallthedarkshadowscastuponitbyitsterribleconsequences，waspresentlyaswellknownasthathisgrandfatherwasdead，andthathewascomeintotheestate。ForMartinPoyserfeltnomotivetokeepsilencetowardstheoneortwoneighbourswhoventuredtocomeandshakehimsorrowfullybythehandonthefirstdayofhistrouble；andCarroll，whokepthisearsopentoallthatpassedattherectory，hadframedaninferentialversionofthestory，andfoundearlyopportunitiesofcommunicatingit。
OneofthoseneighbourswhocametoMartinPoyserandshookhimbythehandwithoutspeakingforsomeminuteswasBartleMassey。Hehadshutuphisschool，andwasonhiswaytotherectory，wherehearrivedabouthalf-pastsevenintheevening，and，sendinghisdutytoMr。Irwine，beggedpardonfortroublinghimatthathour，buthadsomethingparticularonhismind。Hewasshownintothestudy，whereMr。Irwinesoonjoinedhim。
\"Well，Bartle？\"saidMr。Irwine，puttingouthishand。Thatwasnothisusualwayofsalutingtheschoolmaster，buttroublemakesustreatallwhofeelwithusverymuchalike。\"Sitdown。\"
\"YouknowwhatI’mcomeaboutaswellasIdo，sir，Idaresay，\"
saidBartle。
\"Youwishtoknowthetruthaboutthesadnewsthathasreachedyou……aboutHettySorrel？\"
\"Nay，sir，whatIwishtoknowisaboutAdamBede。IunderstandyoulefthimatStoniton，andIbegthefavourofyoutotellmewhat’sthestateofthepoorlad’smind，andwhathemeanstodo。
Forasforthatbito’pink-and-whitethey’vetakenthetroubletoputinjail，Idon’tvalueherarottennut——notarottennut——
onlyfortheharmorgoodthatmaycomeoutofhertoanhonestman——aladI’vesetsuchstoreby——trustedto，thathe’dmakemybito’knowledgegoagoodwayintheworld……Why，sir，he’stheonlyscholarI’vehadinthisstupidcountrythateverhadthewillorthehead-pieceformathematics。Ifhehadn’thadsomuchhardworktodo，poorfellow，hemighthavegoneintothehigherbranches，andthenthismightneverhavehappened——mightneverhavehappened。\"
Bartlewasheatedbytheexertionofwalkingfastinanagitatedframeofmind，andwasnotabletocheckhimselfonthisfirstoccasionofventinghisfeelings。Buthepausednowtorubhismoistforehead，andprobablyhismoisteyesalso。
\"You’llexcuseme，sir，\"hesaid，whenthispausehadgivenhimtimetoreflect，\"forrunningoninthiswayaboutmyownfeelings，likethatfoolishdogofminehowlinginastorm，whenthere’snobodywantstolistentome。Icametohearyouspeak，nottotalkmyself——ifyou’lltakethetroubletotellmewhatthepoorlad’sdoing。\"
\"Don’tputyourselfunderanyrestraint，Bartle，\"saidMr。Irwine。
\"Thefactis，I’mverymuchinthesameconditionasyoujustnow；