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However； it’s lucky I’ve seen ’em； I’ll carry ’em home。”
The buildings of the Chase Farm lay at one extremity of the
Chase； at about ten minutes’ walking distance from the Abbey。
Adam had come thither on his pony； intending to ride to the
stables and put up his nag on his way home。 At the stables he
encountered Mr。 Craig； who had come to look at the captain’s new
horse； on which he was to ride away the day after to…morrow； and
Mr。 Craig detained him to tell how all the servants were to collect
at the gate of the courtyard to wish the young squire luck as he
rode out； so that by the time Adam had got into the Chase； and
was striding along with the basket of tools over his shoulder； the
sun was on the point of setting； and was sending level crimson
rays among the great trunks of the old oaks； and touching every
bare patch of ground with a transient glory that made it look like a
jewel dropt upon the grass。 The wind had fallen now； and there
was only enough breeze to stir the delicate…stemmed leaves。 Any
one who had been sitting in the house all day would have been
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glad to walk now； but Adam had been quite enough in the open air
to wish to shorten his way home； and he bethought himself that he
might do so by striking across the Chase and going through the
Grove； where he had never been for years。 He hurried on across
the Chase； stalking along the narrow paths between the fern； with
Gyp at his heels； not lingering to watch the magnificent changes of
the light—hardly once thinking of it—yet feeling its presence in a
certain calm happy awe which mingled itself with his busy
working…day thoughts。 How could he help feeling it？ The very
deer felt it； and were more timid。
Presently Adam’s thoughts recurred to what Mr。 Craig had said
about Arthur Donnithorne； and pictured his going away； and the
changes that might take place before he came back； then they
travelled back affectionately over the old scenes of boyish
companionship； and dwelt on Arthur’s good qualities； which Adam
had a pride in； as we all have in the virtues of the superior who
honours us。 A nature like Adam’s； with a great need of love and
reverence in it； depends for so much of its happiness on what it
can believe and feel about others！ And he had no ideal world of
dead heroes； he knew little of the life of men in the past； he must
find the beings to whom he could cling with loving admiration
among those who came within speech of him。 These pleasant
thoughts about Arthur brought a milder expression than usual
into his keen rough face： perhaps they were the reason why； when
he opened the old green gate leading into the Grove； he paused to
pat Gyp and say a kind word to him。
After that pause； he strode on again along the broad winding
path through the Grove。 What grand beeches！ Adam delighted in a
fine tree of all things； as the fisherman’s sight is keenest on the
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sea； so Adam’s perceptions were more at home with trees than
with other objects。 He kept them in his memory； as a painter does；
with all the flecks and knots in their bark； all the curves and
angles of their boughs； and had often calculated the height and
contents of a trunk to a nicety； as he stood looking at it。 No wonder
that； not…withstanding his desire to get on； he could not help
pausing to look at a curious large beech which he had seen
standing before him at a turning in the road； and convince himself
that it was not two trees wedded together； but only one。 For the
rest of his life he remembered that moment when he was calmly
examining the beech； as a man remembers his last glimpse of the
home where his youth was passed； before the road turned； and he
saw it no more。 The beech stood at the last turning before the
Grove ended in an archway of boughs that let in the eastern light；
and as Adam stepped away from the tree to continue his walk； his
eyes fell on two figures about twenty yards before him。
He remained as motionless as a statue； and turned almost as
pale。 The two figures were standing opposite to each other； with
clasped hands about to part； and while they were bending to kiss；
Gyp； who had been running among the brushwood； came out；
caught sight of them； and gave a sharp bark。 They separated with
a start—one hurried through the gate out of the Grove； and the
other； turning round； walked slowly； with a sort of saunter；
towards Adam who still stood transfixed and pale； clutching
tighter the stick with which he held the basket of tools over his
shoulder； and looking at the approaching figure with eyes in which
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
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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。”
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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 l