Tess of the D'Urbervilles

far behind. Rising still, an immense landscape stretched around them on every side; behind, the green valley of her birth, before, a gray country of which she knew noth

urally was, had been exceedingly timid on wheels; the least irregularity of motion star

ir, I suppose?' she said

ar with the tips of his large white centre-teeth,

brave bouncing girl like you who asks that? Why, I always go down

ps you nee

o be reckoned with. It is not me alone. Tib has t

ho

d round at me in a very grim way `

ghten me, sir,' s

is horse I can: - I won't say any living man ca

u have suc

er I bought her she nearly killed me. And then, take my word for it, I nearly killed her.

of her own will or of his (the latter being the more likely), knew so well the r

horse rising and falling in undulations before them. Sometimes a wheel was off the ground, it seemed, for many yards; sometimes a stone was sent spinning over the hedge, and flinty sparks

and her washed hair flew out behind. She was determined to s

all be thrown out if you d

ist, and so they r

te of your fooling!' sai

t's temper!' sai

tru

ld of me so thanklessly the moment

, stick or stone, in her involuntary hold on him. Recovering her reserve she

gain!' said

ss. `Show more se

of the highest points in the county, t

his face to her as they rocked, and said, in playful raillery: `Now th

tly, holding on as well as sh

erry lips, Tess, or even on that warmed ch

er back still on her seat, at which he urg

eyes staring at him like those of a wild animal. This dressing her up

ear Tess,'

ry well; I don't mind!

ute, when, as if hardly yet aware of her own modesty, she dodged aside. His arms b

r capriciously passionate companion. `So you can go

u be so determined! But I - thought you would

be hang

eginning to roll down her face, and the corners of her mouth trembling

so than she flushed with shame, took out her handkerchief, and wiped the spot on her cheek that had been to

ive for a cottage girl

rub upon her cheek. She had, in fact, undone the kiss, as far as such a thing was physically possible. With a dim sense that he was vexed she looked s

still remaining, as he flourished the whip anew. `Unless, that is

l, sir!' she said. `O

sent speed on the upland being by no means slow. D'Urberville pulled up,

k and picked u

possible,' he said, contemplating her over the back of

and tied, but Tess ha

d ivory of her mouth as her eye lit in de

won't get up

shall

six miles yet

s dozens. Besides, t

didn't you make that hat blow of

ilence confirme

for the trick. Turning the horse suddenly he tried to drive back upon her, and so hem

s with spirit, from the top of the hedge into which she had scrambled. `I do

cleared up at sight of her

ome, let there be peace. I'll never do it any

f the tramping he had driven her to undertake by his misdemeanour. She might in truth have safely trusted him now; but he had forfeited her confidence for the time, and she kept on the ground, progressing thoughtfully, as if wondering whether it would be wiser to return home.

peared in view, and in a snug nook to the right t