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married in March。 That stalwart rogue Adam was more
susceptible than the rector had thought； it was really quite an
idyllic love affair； and if it had not been too long to tell in a letter；
he would have liked to describe to Arthur the blushing looks and
the simple strong words with which the fine honest fellow told his
secret。 He knew Arthur would like to hear that Adam had this sort
of happiness in prospect。
Yes； indeed！ Arthur felt there was not air enough in the room to
satisfy his renovated life； when he had read that passage in the
letter。 He threw up the windows； he rushed out of doors into the
December air； and greeted every one who spoke to him with an
eager gaiety； as if there had been news of a fresh Nelson victory。
For the first time that day since he had come to Windsor； he was in
true boyish spirits。 The load that had been pressing upon him was
gone； the haunting fear had vanished。 He thought he could
conquer his bitterness towards Adam now—could offer him his
hand； and ask to be his friend again； in spite of that painful
memory which would still make his ears burn。 He had been
knocked down； and he had been forced to tell a lie： such things
make a scar； do what we will。 But if Adam were the same again as
in the old days； Arthur wished to be the same too； and to have
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Adam mixed up with his business and his future； as he had always
desired before the accursed meeting in August。 Nay； he would do
a great deal more for Adam than he should otherwise have done；
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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Adam Bede 579
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 Ha