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merry stamping； that gracious nodding of the head； that waving
bestowal of the hand—where can we see them now？ That simple
dancing of well…covered matrons； laying aside for an hour the
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cares of house and dairy； remembering but not affecting youth；
not jealous but proud of the young maidens by their side—that
holiday sprightliness of portly husbands paying little compliments
to their wives； as if their courting days were come again—those
lads and lasses a little confused and awkward with their partners；
having nothing to say—it would be a pleasant variety to see all that
sometimes； instead of low dresses and large skirts； and scanning
glances exploring costumes； and languid men in lacquered boots
smiling with double meaning。
There was but one thing to mar Martin Poyser’s pleasure in this
dance： it was that he was always in close contact with Luke
Britton； that slovenly farmer。 He thought of throwing a little
glazed coldness into his eye in the crossing of hands； but then； as
Miss Irwine was opposite to him instead of the offensive Luke； he
might freeze the wrong person。 So he gave his face up to hilarity；
unchilled by moral judgments。
How Hetty’s heart beat as Arthur approached her！ He had
hardly looked at her to…day： now he must take her hand。 Would he
press it？ Would he look at her？ She thought she would cry if he
gave her no sign of feeling。 Now he was there—he had taken her
hand—yes； he was pressing it。 Hetty turned pale as she looked up
at him for an instant and met his eyes； before the dance carried
him away。 That pale look came upon Arthur like the beginning of
a dull pain； which clung to him； though he must dance and smile
and joke all the same。 Hetty would look so； when he told her what
he had to tell her； and he should never be able to bear it—he
should be a fool and give way again。 Hetty’s look did not really
mean so much as he thought： it was only the sign of a struggle
between the desire for him to notice her and the dread lest she
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should betray the desire to others。 But Hetty’s face had a language
that transcended her feelings。 There are faces which nature
charges with a meaning and pathos not belonging to the single
human soul that flutters beneath them； but speaking the joys and
sorrows of foregone generations—eyes that tell of deep love which
doubtless has been and is somewhere； but not paired with these
eyes—perhaps paired with pale eyes that can say nothing； just as a
national language may be instinct with poetry unfelt by the lips
that use it。 That look of Hetty’s oppressed Arthur with a dread
which yet had something of a terrible unconfessed delight in it；
that she loved him too well。 There was a hard task before him； for
at that moment he felt he would have given up three years of his
youth for the happiness of abandoning himself without remorse to
his passion for Hetty。
These were the incongruous thoughts in his mind as he led
Mrs。 Poyser； who was panting with fatigue； and secretly resolving
that neither judge nor jury should force her to dance another
dance； to take a quiet rest in the dining…room； where supper was
laid out for the guests to come and take it as they chose。
“I’ve desired Hetty to remember as she’s got to dance wi’ you；
sir；” said the good innocent woman； “for she’s so thoughtless；
she’d be like enough to go an’ engage herself for ivery dance。 So I
told her not to promise too many。”
“Thank you； Mrs。 Poyser；” said Arthur； not without a twinge。
“Now； sit down in this comfortable chair； and here is Mills ready
to give you what you would like best。”
He hurried away to seek another matronly partner； for due
honour must be paid to the married women before he asked any of
the young ones； and the country…dances； and the stamping； and
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the gracious nodding； and the waving of the hands； went on
joyously。
At last the time had come for the fourth dance—longed for by
the strong； grave Adam； as if he had been a delicate…handed youth
of eighteen； for we are all very much alike when we are in our first
love； and Adam had hardly ever touched Hetty’s hand for more
than a transient greeting—had never danced with her but once
before。 His eyes had followed her eagerly to…night in spite of
himself； and had taken in deeper draughts of love。 He thought she
behaved so prettily； so quietly； she did not seem to be flirting at all
she smiled less than usual； there was almost a sweet sadness about
her。 “God bless her！” he said inwardly； “I’d make her life a happy
’un； if a strong arm to work for her； and a heart to love her； could
do it。”
And then there stole over him delicious thoughts of coming
home from work； and drawing Hetty to his side； and feeling her
cheek softly pressed against his； till he forgot where he was； and
the music and the tread of feet might have been the falling of rain
and the roaring of the wind； for what he knew。
But now the third dance was ended； and he might go up to her
and claim her hand。 She was at the far end of the hall near the
staircase； whispering with Molly； who had just given the sleeping
Totty into her arms before running to fetch shawls and bonnets
from the landing。 Mrs。 Poyser had taken the two boys away into
the dining…room to give them some cake before they went home in
the cart with Grandfather and Molly was to follow as fast as
possible。
“Let me hold her；” said Adam； as Molly turned upstairs； “the
children are so heavy when they