 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 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.
