按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
amazement was fast turning to fierceness。
Arthur Donnithorne looked flushed and excited； he had tried to
make unpleasant feelings more bearable by drinking a little more
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 390…
Adam Bede 390
wine than usual at dinner to…day； and was still enough under its
flattering influence to think more lightly of this unwished…for
rencontre with Adam than he would otherwise have done。 After
all； Adam was the best person who could have happened to see
him and Hetty together—he was a sensible fellow； and would not
babble about it to other people。 Arthur felt confident that he could
laugh the thing off and explain it away。 And so he sauntered
forward with elaborate carelessness—his flushed face； his evening
dress of fine cloth and fine linen； his hands half…thrust into his
waistcoat pockets； all shone upon by the strange evening light
which the light clouds had caught up even to the zenith； and were
now shedding down between the topmost branches above him。
Adam was still motionless； looking at him as he came up。 He
understood it all now—the locket and everything else that had
been doubtful to him： a terrible scorching light showed him the
hidden letters that changed the meaning of the past。 If he had
moved a muscle； he must inevitably have sprung upon Arthur like
a tiger； and in the conflicting emotions that filled those long
moments； he had told himself that he would not give loose to
passion； he would only speak the right thing。 He stood as if
petrified by an unseen force； but the force was his own strong will。
“Well； Adam；” said Arthur； “you’ve been looking at the fine old
beeches； eh？ They’re not to be come near by the hatchet； though；
this is a sacred grove。 I overtook pretty little Hetty Sorrel as I was
coming to my den—the Hermitage； there。 She ought not to come
home this way so late。 So I took care of her to the gate； and asked
for a kiss for my pains。 But I must get back now； for this road is
confoundedly damp。 Good…night； Adam。 I shall see you to…
morrow—to say good…bye； you know。”
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 391…
Adam Bede 391
Arthur was too much preoccupied with the part he was playing
himself to be thoroughly aware of the expression in Adam’s face。
He did not look directly at Adam； but glanced carelessly round at
the trees and then lifted up one foot to look at the sole of his boot。
He cared to say no more—he had thrown quite dust enough into
honest Adam’s eyes—and as he spoke the last words； he walked
on。
“Stop a bit； sir；” said Adam； in a hard peremptory voice；
without turning round。 “I’ve got a word to say to you。”
Arthur paused in surprise。 Susceptible persons are more
affected by a change of tone than by unexpected words； and
Arthur had the susceptibility of a nature at once affectionate and
vain。 He was still more surprised when he saw that Adam had not
moved； but stood with his back to him； as if summoning him to
return。 What did he mean？ He was going to make a serious
business of this affair。 Arthur felt his temper rising。 A patronising
disposition always has its meaner side； and in the confusion of his
irritation and alarm there entered the feeling that a man to whom
he had shown so much favour as to Adam was not in a position to
criticise his conduct。 And yet he was dominated； as one who feels
himself in the wrong always is； by the man whose good opinion he
cares for。 In spite of pride and temper； there was as much
deprecation as anger in his voice when he said； “What do you
mean； Adam？”
“I mean； sir”—answered Adam； in the same harsh voice； still
without turning round—“I mean； sir； that you don’t deceive me by
your light words。 This is not the first time you’ve met Hetty Sorrel
in this grove； and this is not the first time you’ve kissed her。”
Arthur felt a startled uncertainty how far Adam was speaking
George Eliot ElecBook Classics
… Page 392…
Adam Bede 392
from knowledge； and how far from mere inference。 And this
uncertainty； which prevented him from contriving a prudent
answer； heightened his irritation。 He said； in a high sharp tone；
“Well； sir； what then？”
“Why； then； instead of acting like th’ upright； honourable man
we’ve all believed you to be； you’ve been acting the part of a selfish
light…minded scoundrel。 You know as well as I do what it’s to lead
to when a gentleman like you kisses and makes love to a young
woman like Hetty； and gives her presents as she’s frightened for
other folks to see。 And I say it again； you’re acting the part of a
selfish light…minded scoundrel though it cuts me to th’ heart to say
so； and I’d rather ha’ lost my right hand。”
“Let me tell you； Adam；” said Arthur； bridling his growing
anger and trying to recur to his careless tone； “you’re not only
devilishly impertinent； but you’re talking nonsense。 Every pretty
girl is not such a fool as you； to suppose that when a gentleman
admires her beauty and pays her a little attention； he must mean
something particular。 Every man likes to flirt with a pretty girl；
and every pretty girl likes to be flirted with。 The wider the
distance between them； the less harm there is； for then she’s not
likely to deceive herself。”
“I don’t know what you mean by flirting；” said Adam； “but if
you mean behaving to a woman as if you loved her； and yet not
loving her all the while； I say that’s not th’ action of an honest
man； and what isn’t honest does come t’ harm。 I’m not a fool； and
you’re not a fool； and you know better than w