adam bede(亚当[1].比德)-第79章
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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 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
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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 what you’re saying。
You know it couldn’t be made public as you’ve behaved to Hetty as
y’ have done without her losing her character and bringing shame
and trouble on her and her relations。 What if you meant nothing
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by your kissing and your presents？ Other folks won’t believe as
you’ve meant nothing； and don’t tell me about her not deceiving
herself。 I tell you as you’ve filled her mind so with the thought of
you as it’ll mayhap poison her life； and she’ll never love another
man as ’ud make her a good husband。”
Arthur had felt a sudden relief while Adam was speaking； he
perceived that Adam had no positive knowledge of the past； and
that there was no irrev
