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