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when he came into the estate； Hetty’s husband had a special claim
on him—Hetty herself should feel that any pain she had suffered
through Arthur in the past was compensated to her a hundredfold。
For really she could not have felt much； since she had so soon
made up her mind to marry Adam。
You perceive clearly what sort of picture Adam and Hetty made
in the panorama of Arthur’s thoughts on his journey homeward。 It
was March now； they were soon to be married： perhaps they were
already married。 And now it was actually in his power to do a great
deal for them。 Sweet—sweet little Hetty！ The little puss hadn’t
cared for him half as much as he cared for her； for he was a great
fool about her still—was almost afraid of seeing her—indeed； had
not cared much to look at any other woman since he parted from
her。 That little figure coming towards him in the Grove； those
dark…fringed childish eyes； the lovely lips put up to kiss him—that
picture had got no fainter with the lapse of months。 And she would
look just the same。 It was impossible to think how he could meet
her： he should certainly tremble。 Strange； how long this sort of
influence lasts； for he was certainly not in love with Hetty now。 He
had been earnestly desiring； for months； that she should marry
Adam； and there was nothing that contributed more to his
happiness in these moments than the thought of their marriage。 It
was the exaggerating effect of imagination that made his heart still
beat a little more quickly at the thought of her。 When he saw the
little thing again as she really was； as Adam’s wife； at work quite
prosaically in her new home； he should perhaps wonder at the
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possibility of his past feelings。 Thank heaven it had turned out so
well！ He should have plenty of affairs and interests to fill his life
now； and not be in danger of playing the fool again。
Pleasant the crack of the postboy’s whip！ Pleasant the sense of
being hurried along in swift ease through English scenes； so like
those round his own home； only not quite so charming。 Here was a
market…town—very much like Treddleston—where the arms of the
neighbouring lord of the manor were borne on the sign of the
principal inn； then mere fields and hedges； their vicinity to a
market…town carrying an agreeable suggestion of high rent； till the
land began to assume a trimmer look； the woods were more
frequent； and at length a white or red mansion looked down from
a moderate eminence； or allowed him to be aware of its parapet
and chimneys among the dense…looking masses of oaks and elms—
masses reddened now with early buds。 And close at hand came the
village： the small church； with its red…tiled roof； looking humble
even among the faded half…timbered houses； the old green
gravestones with nettles round them； nothing fresh and bright but
the children； opening round eyes at the swift post…chaise； nothing
noisy and busy but the gaping curs of mysterious pedigree。 What a
much prettier village Hayslope was！ And it should not be
neglected like this place： vigorous repairs should go on
everywhere among farm…buildings and cottages； and travellers in
post…chaises； coming along the Rosseter road； should do nothing
but admire as they went。 And Adam Bede should superintend all
the repairs； for he had a share in Burge’s business now； and； if he
liked； Arthur would put some money into the concern and buy the
old man out in another year or two。 That was an ugly fault in
Arthur’s life； that affair last summer； but the future should make
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amends。 Many men would have retained a feeling of
vindictiveness towards Adam； but he would not—he would
resolutely overcome all littleness of that kind； for he had certainly
been very much in the wrong； and though Adam had been harsh
and violent； and had thrust on him a painful dilemma； the poor
fellow was in love； and had real provocation。 No； Arthur had not
an evil feeling in his mind towards any human being： he was
happy； and would make every one else happy that came within his
reach。
And here was dear old Hayslope at last； sleeping； on the hill；
like a quiet old place as it was； in the late afternoon sunlight； and
opposite to it the great shoulders of the Binton Hills； below them
the purplish blackness of the hanging woods； and at last the pale
front of the Abbey； looking out from among the oaks of the Chase；
as if anxious for the heir’s return。 “Poor Grandfather！ And he lies
dead there。 He was a young fellow once； coming into the estate
and making his plans。 So the world goes round！ Aunt Lydia must
feel very desolate； poor thing； but she shall be indulged as much as
she indulges her fat Fido。”
The wheels of Arthur’s chaise had been anxiously listened for at
the Chase； for to…day was Friday； and the funeral had already been
deferred two days。 Before it drew up on the gravel of the
courtyard； all the servants in the house were assembled to receive
him with a grave； decent welcome； befitting a house of death。 A
month ago； perhaps； it would have been difficult for them to have
maintained a suitable sadness in their faces； when Mr。 Arthur was
come to take possession； but the hearts of the head…servants were
heavy that day for another cause than the death of the old squire；
and more than one of them was longing to be twenty miles away；
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as Mr。 Craig was； knowing what was to become of Hetty Sorrel—
pretty Hetty Sorrel—whom they used to see every week。 They had
the partisanship of household servants who like their places； and
were not inclined to go the full length of the severe indignation felt
against him by the farming tenants； but rather to make excuses for
him； nevertheless； the upper servants； who had been on terms of
neighbourly intercourse with the Poysers for many years； could
not help feeling that the longed…for event of the young squire’s
coming into the estate had been robbed of all its pleasantness。
To Arthur it was nothing surprising that the servants looked
grave and sad： he himself was very much touched on seeing them
all again； and feeling that he was in a new relation to them。 It was
that sort of pathetic emotion which has more pleasure than pain in
it—which is perhaps one of the most delicious of all states to a
good…natured man； conscious of the power to satisfy his good
nature。 His heart swelled agreeably as he said；
“Well； Mills； how is my aunt？”
But now Mr。 Bygate； the lawyer； who had been in the house
ever since the death； came forward to give deferential greetings
and answer all questions； and Arthur walked with him towards the
library； where his Aunt Lydia was expecting him。 Aunt Lydia was
the only person in the house who knew nothing about Hetty。 Her
sorrow as a maiden daughter was unmixed with any other
thoughts than those of anxiety about funeral arrangements and
her own future lot； and； after the manner of women； she mourned
for the father who had made her life important； all the more
because she had a secret sense that there was little mourning for
him in other hearts。
But Arthur kissed her tearful face more tenderly than he had
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ever done in his life before。
“Dear Aunt；” he said affectionately； as he held her hand； “your
loss is the greatest of all； but