Adam Bede guide

Summary

Characters

• AdamAlso BedeLeadFrom Chapter 1
• LisbethAlso BedeGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• SethAlso BedeSuitorFrom Chapter 1
• ThiasAlso BedeGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• BenAlso Wiry Ben, CranageOtherFrom Chapter 1
• BessyAlso Cranage, BessOtherFrom Chapter 1
• IrwineHelperFrom Chapter 1
• DinahAlso MorrisLoveFrom Chapter 1
• MartinAlso PoyserGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• PoyserGuardianFrom Chapter 1
• ArthurAlso DonnithorneRivalFrom Chapter 2
• CassonOtherFrom Chapter 2
• JoshuaAlso RannOtherFrom Chapter 2
• HettyAlso SorrelSuitorFrom Chapter 3
• MollyOtherFrom Chapter 3
• CarrollOtherFrom Chapter 5
• BartleAlso MasseyHelperFrom Chapter 5
• TommyChildFrom Chapter 6
• TottyChildFrom Chapter 6
• MartyChildFrom Chapter 14
• Sarah StoneHelperFrom Chapter 43
• John OldingOtherFrom Chapter 43

Chapter by chapter

Storylines

• Ben mocks Seth's Methodist identity and attempts to exhibit his unfinished door with a mocking inscription. Adam intervenes and restrains Ben until he promises to leave the door alone, ending the immediate confrontation.

• Adam protects Seth against ridicule through force, while Seth seeks Ben's release and secures his promise through a conciliatory appeal.

  • Adam's earlier expenditure to exempt Seth from military service establishes the extent of his protection. He notices Seth's distress and insists that he rest; Seth repeatedly offers to relieve Adam at the coffin, and the brothers cooperate in its delivery and in recovering their father's body.

• Humiliated by Adam's physical victory, Ben seeks to recover his standing through successful sarcasm.

• Seth tries to persuade Ben to attend the woman's preaching and consider religion; Ben tentatively agrees to attend if the Holly Bush offers no good company.

  • Ben chooses the gathering over the Holly Bush, moves nearer the preacher and is distressed by the sermon. His attendance advances Seth's effort, but no religious commitment is established.

• Adam's expectations of diligence clash with the workmen's immediate cessation of work at the clock stroke; his criticism makes Seth self-conscious and slows his preparations to leave.

• Adam intends to go to the school that evening.

  • The neglected coffin takes priority, preventing Adam's planned visit to the school and forcing him to defer the screw work there.

• Chad plans to disrupt the preaching with loud groans, despite Casson's warning that Poyser would resent disrespect toward Dinah.

• Seth's persistent lack of resentment wins Ben's affection despite Ben's teasing, softening their religious antagonism.

• Alarmed for her hearers' salvation, Dinah seeks individual repentance through personal appeals; Bessy's frightened rejection of her earrings gives this effort a concrete result.

  • Bessy's continuing distress is reported as a consequence of Dinah's preaching, extending its effect beyond the gathering; repentance is not established.
  • Dinah's account establishes earlier conversions through her preaching; her continuing concern for Bessy leads to private conversation and prayer, with a possible further religious effect.
  • Dinah takes a biblical passage as guidance to appeal to Hetty. Her warning produces fear rather than demonstrated repentance, and Hetty's demand to be left alone makes her abandon further exhortation tonight.
  • With Dinah gone, Bessy intends to wear her earrings again, weakening the concrete sign of repentance produced by Dinah's earlier appeal.

• Ben's participation in the gathering exposes him to religious distress, and he fears becoming the target of Dinah's personal appeals.

• Moved by Dinah's sermon, Sandy Jim vaguely intends to improve himself by visiting the Holly Bush less and washing more regularly.

• Seth seeks eventual marriage to Dinah, offering to support her ministry; her considered refusal blocks his suit, though he still hopes divine guidance may change.

  • Dinah has firmly refused a romantic union, although Seth still wishes to see her if welcome.
  • Seth's visit has not changed Dinah's unwillingness to marry.
  • Dinah's refusal remains effective, and the prospect of her departure depresses Seth; Adam's wish that she had accepted him produces no change.
  • Seth explicitly abandons hope of marrying Dinah and supports Adam's possible marriage to her, although he now allows that she might marry someone she loves.

• Dinah resolves to return to Snowfield on Saturday, interpreting her vision of Sister Allen and a Bible passage as divine direction.

  • Dinah reaffirms her intention to return to Snowfield on Saturday while arranging her remaining time with Lisbeth and her aunt.
  • Dinah is reported to have left the Poysers by cart and to be visiting a sick woman, completing her departure.

• Dinah's commitment to unmarried ministry conflicts with Seth's desire to marry her. Having considered and prayed over marriage, she concludes it is not God's will and reaffirms her vocation.

  • Dinah's firm refusal maintains the conflict between Seth's attachment and her rejection of marriage.
  • Seth relinquishes his own marriage hopes, ending his active opposition to Dinah's refusal; he no longer treats her unmarried vocation as necessarily permanent.

• Despite refusing marriage, Dinah offers Seth continued spiritual friendship through correspondence and prayer, while his attachment to her remains reverent and sorrowful.

  • Dinah ensures another meeting with Seth before leaving, while Seth describes her affection as religious and continues to understand marriage as unavailable.
  • Seth accompanies Dinah toward Hall Farm, and she continues their spiritual friendship by attempting to comfort and strengthen him before they part.
  • Their promised correspondence becomes an actual exchange of family news and spiritual reflection.

• Seth seeks religious strength to bear Dinah's refusal, reconsidering his love as a possible divine trial and resolving to restrain his own will and live more for others.

  • Seth puts his resolve to live for others into practice by repeatedly offering to relieve Adam's work and initiating prayer with Lisbeth, although Adam refuses his offer to take over the coffin.
  • Thinking of Dinah helps Seth remain patient with Lisbeth despite his melancholy; he accompanies his mother home.

• Seth considers moving to Snowfield to remain near Dinah without marrying her; Dinah counsels him to await clear divine guidance before leaving his family and country.

  • Seth has communicated his intention to remain with his family, settling his earlier consideration of moving to Snowfield.

• Thias's habitual drinking and neglected work burden Adam and distress Lisbeth. Adam's anger at the unfinished coffin culminates in renewed threats to leave; Thias's death ends the immediate antagonism and moves Adam toward pity.

  • Thias's death is reported to Irwine and Arthur, confirming that the ongoing conflict over his drinking and neglected work can no longer continue.

• Adam undertakes to finish the coffin Thias neglected, works through the night, and completes its delivery and closing with Seth.

• Lisbeth fears losing Adam through departure or marriage. Her attempts to feed him and soften his anger meet resistance, but she continues caring for him while he works.

  • Learning of Adam's exhaustion prompts Lisbeth to try to visit without waking him. Her complaints still irritate him, but she promises not to oppose or criticize his choice of wife, relaxing her resistance to his marriage.
  • Lisbeth receives reassurance that Adam will stay, then presses him to make Thias's coffin himself; after resistance, he accommodates her wish.
  • Lisbeth follows Adam in anxiety over having vexed him. He promises lifelong filial goodness but asserts his right to make his own choices; she yields over his clothes while retaining practical care of his stockings.
  • Lisbeth's jealousy overtakes her pride in Adam's honour. Adam offers to leave with her, but she accepts Seth's company and lets Adam stay.
  • Lisbeth notices Adam's unusual idleness and responds to his distress with a concrete intention to care for him.
  • Lisbeth rejoices in Adam's improved prospects, while his suggestion that the family cannot remain indefinitely in the old house raises the prospect of a changed household.
  • Lisbeth's renewed fear of separation gives way to contentment when Adam assures her she can remain; she promises to make herself useful and unobtrusive.

• Adam's desire to escape the burdens of home conflicts with his commitment to Lisbeth and Seth. His earlier escape ended in his return for their sake; despite renewed threats, he again resolves never to abandon them.

  • Adam acts on his commitment to his mother by seeking the burial place on which she has set her heart.
  • When Lisbeth demands that Adam remain near his parents' graves, he assures her that he has already decided to stay in the locality.

• Adam plans to wake Seth at sunrise so they can carry the completed coffin to Broxton; the brothers carry out the delivery together.

• Lisbeth's fault-finding toward Seth gives way to tender concern, encouraging him to propose shared prayer; their prayer renews her grief over the possibility of Adam leaving.

  • Lisbeth initially rejects Seth's practical comfort, and he patiently withdraws his persuasion. She notices his happiness and associates his composure with Methodism; he later shares Dinah's gratitude for her greater calm.
  • Seth accommodates Lisbeth's wish for Adam to make the coffin by volunteering to go to work in his place.

• Adam tries to account for unexplained raps and Gyp's howling. Finding no visible source, he suppresses his uneasiness through work, then interprets the sounds as an omen of Thias's drowning and associates them with his own harsh thoughts.

• If Thias remains absent, Seth agrees to search for him in Treddleston and buy brass wire. Finding Thias dead removes the purpose of the search.

  • Confirmation of Thias's drowning removes the purpose of searching for him in Treddleston.

• Adam and Seth recognize that Thias is dead, but Adam initially withholds that certainty from Lisbeth, telling her revival may be possible and giving her preparations to make.

  • Lisbeth now explicitly recognizes Thias's death, prepares for his burial and visits his corpse with both sons; Adam's initial withholding of certainty has ended.

• Adam plans to bring Thias's body inside with Seth and directs Lisbeth to fetch and heat a blanket, using the hopeful task to restrain her grief.

• Irwine intends to visit the suffering Anne despite interruptions and fulfils his promise with an affectionate bedside visit.

  • Irwine responds to Anne's fatigue by leaving the entertainment to take her indoors to rest, continuing his attentive care.

• Joshua seeks sanctions against Maskery for his Methodist activity and insulting criticism; Irwine refuses intervention without proof of disturbance and urges tolerance.

• Lisbeth seeks Thias's burial by the White Thorn because of a dream; Adam supports her wish, and Irwine grants permission.

  • Thias is buried beneath the white thorn, fulfilling Lisbeth's requested burial location.

• Irwine plans to visit the bereaved Adam; Arthur proposes accompanying him by way of Hall Farm, where Irwine also wishes to see Dinah.

  • Arthur and Irwine reach Hall Farm, and Irwine approaches Dinah. Their intended visit to the bereaved Adam has not yet occurred in these events.
  • Irwine has met Dinah and leaves Hall Farm to continue his journey; Arthur plans to overtake him after speaking to the shepherd. The visit to Adam remains unfulfilled in these events.
  • Arthur and Irwine reach the lane behind Adam's cottage, progressing toward their planned visit to the bereaved household.

• Arthur intends to employ Adam as woodland manager when circumstances permit, but his grandfather's dislike obstructs Adam's advancement.

  • Satchell's stroke makes the woodland management succession a practical question. Adam learns of Arthur's endorsement and Bartle's defense against Casson's rival recommendation, while the squire's enduring hostility remains an obstacle.
  • Although Arthur abandons persuasion as hopeless, his grandfather independently proposes employing Adam after Satchell ceases working. Adam accepts the woods-supervision post following Arthur's personal appeal.
  • Arthur offers Adam management of the woods, and Adam accepts, securing the intended appointment.

• Mrs Irwine wants Dinah brought to the parsonage, but Irwine objects to treating a Methodist preacher as an object of patronage.

• With his injured arm recovering, Arthur hopes to rejoin his regiment in early August.

• Arthur plans a splendid coming-of-age celebration under the unrestricted authority his grandfather has granted him; Mrs Irwine intends to attend in her best brocade.

  • Arthur extends the celebration's invitations to Mrs. Poyser and the children and secures Hetty's promise of two dances.
  • Arthur reaches his twenty-first birthday and the guests assemble for the celebration. His arrangements include children, a separate Treddleston feast, ale supervision and Irwine's support for his first speech. His grandfather has provided a limited budget.
  • The celebration proceeds through the dinner, public tributes and toasts, followed by Arthur's visit to the wives' and children's table.
  • The celebration proceeds through music, competitions and ceremonial prize-giving; Arthur fulfils his commitment to provide the men's prizes.

• Arthur promises to send Lyrical Ballads to his godmother, and Irwine agrees to examine the religious pamphlets Arthur offers.

• Irwine's commitment to maintaining his mother and sisters leads him to renounce marriage.

• Mrs. Poyser wants Dinah to settle nearby, stop preaching and marry, offering household support; Dinah's commitment to her religious course defeats further persuasion.

  • Mrs. Poyser's renewed wish to persuade Dinah to settle with them remains unsuccessful; Dinah leaves, and Mrs. Poyser feels misgivings about having scolded her.
  • Dinah's determination to return to religious service renews the tension over her remaining nearby. Martin reacts with unpleasant astonishment, while Adam supports her freedom to leave.

• Mrs. Poyser fears that Dinah's preaching threatens Martin's tenancy and interprets Arthur and Irwine's arrival as intervention against it. Dinah's assurance of divine protection increases her impatience; Arthur's good humour brings only partial relief.

  • Irwine's response to Dinah dispels Mrs. Poyser's anxiety about his intervention against her preaching.

• Arthur intends to look at the whelps, leave a message for the shepherd and return another day to consult the absent Martin about horses.

  • Arthur leaves the farmyard after announcing that he will speak to the shepherd about the whelps and renews his promise of a later conversation with Martin; completion of either errand is not shown.

• The Poysers seek new farm gates after Martin's repeated unsuccessful requests. Mrs. Poyser asks Arthur to intervene with his grandfather, but Arthur says his intervention would do harm.

• Arthur decides to visit the dairy immediately and leads Mrs. Poyser there despite her embarrassment about its appearance during butter-making.

  • Arthur makes his intended dairy visit and leaves when he supposes Irwine is waiting.

• Arthur seeks Hetty's attention, and she takes pleasure in his greeting and agrees to dance with him. Their conversation gives him details of her movements and visits.

  • Arthur deliberately seeks opportunities to engage Hetty and acknowledges his purpose in visiting the dairy to Irwine. Hetty becomes absorbed in romantic fascination and imagines a private meeting.
  • Their private walk develops into mutual romantic intimacy. Arthur learns more about Hetty's routine and recognizes his growing love, while his abrupt withdrawal leaves her bewildered and sad.
  • Hetty arranges her departure so Arthur can find her and cries when she fears he will not come. Their meeting deepens their romantic intimacy through his promise of care, endearments, an embrace and a kiss.
  • Arthur's compliments, embrace and kisses deepen their intimacy. Hetty now imagines his admiration while contemplating her beauty and interprets his affection as a promise of eventual marriage.
  • Hetty's attachment has become emotional dependence: she momentarily expects Arthur and regains hope on learning that he could return quickly.
  • Arthur responds to Hetty's wish for earrings by buying and giving her an expensive pair, deepening their affectionate exchange and her delight.
  • Arthur interprets Hetty's pallor as intense love; their dance and his proposed private meeting renew her happiness and romantic hopes.

• Hetty promises Arthur two dances at the coming holiday.

  • Mrs. Poyser reminds Hetty to reserve a dance for Arthur, and Arthur and Hetty dance together. The events do not establish completion of both promised dances.

• Hetty intends to take tea with Mrs. Pomfret tomorrow afternoon, as Arthur learns during their conversation.

  • Hetty now anticipates a possible private encounter with Arthur during tomorrow's Chase visit and plans her appearance around that conjecture.
  • Hetty is on her way to the expected visit, and Arthur learns its regular Thursday arrangement and that her aunt delayed her today; arrival at Mrs. Pomfret's is not recorded.
  • Hetty makes the anticipated visit to Pomfret and subsequently departs through the Chase.

• Dinah and Irwine develop mutual sympathetic regard: she finds him friendly and potentially receptive to conversion, while he becomes deeply interested in her.

• On learning of Thias's drowning, Dinah resolves to visit Lisbeth and offer comfort and practical help.

  • Dinah carries out her intended visit and provides practical and spiritual comfort: Lisbeth accepts tea, household help, personal care, Bible reading and prayer, becoming calmer and willing to be patient.

• Irwine promises to tell Kate about Mrs. Poyser's chickens and proposed visit.

• Martin encourages Luke Britton's courtship of Hetty through civilities.

• Craig courts Hetty through gifts of choice strawberries and peas that communicate his love.

  • Hetty reacts with vexation to Arthur's suggestion of Craig, denies that Craig escorts her and explicitly says she dislikes him, establishing her resistance to his courtship.
  • Hetty feels relief at avoiding Craig, sustaining the obstacle to his courtship.
  • Craig's tentative matrimonial interest gains the Poysers' hospitality, but Hetty remains displeased in his company and attends to him chiefly in hope of news about Arthur.

• Luke Britton accompanies Hetty home from Broxton, sustaining their association.

• Martin promotes Adam as a husband for Hetty, repeatedly assuring her of his prospects and the Poysers' approval.

  • Martin's promotion of Adam as Hetty's husband culminates in approval of their engagement and an offer of household assistance.

• Adam repeatedly tries to resist his attachment to Hetty by staying away, but her calculated appearance of hurt and timidity renews it.

  • Adam's hope that the unfamiliar visitor is Hetty exposes his continuing attachment; Dinah's assurance that the Hall Farm household welcomes him renews his pleasure and hope.
  • Adam's attachment renews his happiness and romantic hopes. He mistakenly reads Hetty's melancholy as sympathy for his bereavement and resolves to visit her that evening.
  • Adam's mistaken conviction that Hetty is beginning to love him strengthens his attachment and encourages intimate attention, including helping with the currants and giving her a rose.

• Hetty conjectures that Arthur may seek a private meeting during her visit to the Chase tomorrow and intends to wear her new rose-coloured ribbon for it.

  • Arthur deliberately seeks Hetty along her expected route, fulfilling her expectation of a private encounter and developing it into romantic intimacy. The ribbon's use is not established.
  • Hetty deliberately keeps her usual departure time to enable the hoped-for private meeting, which occurs and culminates in renewed romantic intimacy. The events do not establish whether she wears the planned ribbon.

• Irwine conjectures that Adam and Mary are romantically attached, interprets Adam's uneasiness and evasion when marriage is raised, and shares his conjecture with Arthur; the attachment remains unconfirmed.

• Lisbeth makes securing a decent burial for Thias her overriding purpose and takes out the linen reserved for burial.

  • Lisbeth directs the funeral preparations by rejecting a coffin made in the village and securing Adam's agreement to begin it at home.
  • Thias's funeral is arranged for Sunday, with Irwine coming early; Adam hopes the burial will ease Lisbeth's grief.
  • Thias's burial takes place, and the mourners proceed from the grave into church.

• Seth seeks to comfort Lisbeth and persuade her to take tea. Her resistance makes him suspend persuasion, but he intends to try again and supports Dinah's more successful care.

• Dinah wins Lisbeth's trust through sympathy and practical care. Lisbeth revises her prejudice against Methodist women, welcomes Dinah as a possible daughter and accepts her spiritual guidance.

  • Dinah's overnight care and household work comfort Lisbeth, who expresses approval, wants her company and regrets her approaching departure; Dinah offers to stay until evening.
  • Lisbeth appears more comforted and comes to enjoy Dinah's visit, expressing her welcome through substantial hospitality.
  • Dinah's letter confirms her affectionate attachment to Lisbeth and recalls Lisbeth's affectionate parting request.
  • During renewed illness, Lisbeth specifically seeks Dinah's overnight companionship, and Dinah agrees to come.
  • Dinah continues comforting Lisbeth through repeated visits, recognizes her ill health, and offers companionship and practical household care.

• At Lisbeth's invitation, Dinah agrees to remain overnight and share her bed.

  • Dinah has fulfilled the overnight stay, tending Lisbeth through intermittent rest and preparing the kitchen before Lisbeth comes downstairs.

• Adam seeks to recover his steadiness and bear his grief by returning to work.

  • Adam resolves to resume work, limits his surrender to sorrow and renews his commitment to useful labour; after reconciliation, his grief becomes more bearable.
  • Adam's working life again brings growing interest and contentment.

• Adam plans to have Thias's coffin made at Burge's to spare Lisbeth distress, but yields to her wish that he begin making it at home; Seth undertakes to go to work instead.

• Adam recognizes Seth's love for Dinah and receives his explicit confidence; Seth feels relieved to share both his attachment and his belief that Dinah will never love a husband.

  • Seth shares Dinah's letter and the firmness of her refusal with Adam, who supports his wish to see her again.
  • The brothers discuss Adam's wish to marry Dinah. Seth revises his earlier certainty that she will never marry and assures Adam of his unresentful support.

• Dinah postpones leaving for Hall Farm until she can see Seth after work, and Seth wishes to accompany her home again.

  • Dinah leaves the cottage accompanied by Seth; he parts from her near Hetty, and Dinah reaches Hall Farm.

• Arthur plans to leave for a fishing stay at Eagledale with Pym, but Meg's lameness prevents the intended departure.

  • Arthur devises an alternative to riding the lame Meg: he will ride Rattler, with Pym following on the old hack, and intends to depart within an hour.
  • Arthur has gone to Eagledale to fish, carrying out the previously delayed departure.

• Arthur plans to ride to Norburne, lunch with Gawaine and remain away until nearly five to avoid Hetty, but returns home for luncheon.

  • Arthur's visit to Gawaine occurs, but he leaves and gallops back, defeating the intended prolonged absence as a means of avoiding Hetty.

• Arthur's desire to see Hetty defeats his attempts to avoid her. Their intimacy makes him foresee mutual attachment and her suffering when he leaves, but he again abandons restraint and justifies another meeting as repairing his coldness.

  • Arthur's intensified longing defeats his plan to limit the meeting to friendly civility. Renewed intimacy produces discomfort and self-reproach, followed by another resolution to end the involvement and recognition that his will alone may fail.
  • Arthur has failed to maintain his resolution concerning Hetty. His confidence that departure will suffice alternates with renewed efforts to seek help, but he ultimately conceals his danger and leaves dissatisfied.
  • Arthur continues cultivating the intimacy he had sought to restrain, making a special journey to purchase Hetty's desired earrings and giving them to her.
  • Public praise briefly troubles Arthur's conscience about Hetty, but self-justification and another intention to prevent harm restore his ease without a recorded conversation with her.
  • Mrs. Irwine's influence heightens Arthur's attraction to Hetty and strengthens his self-excusing confidence, reinforcing the impulses that undermine his restraint.
  • Arthur anticipates yielding because he cannot bear to hurt Hetty, then arranges another meeting while calling the dance his last indulgence and postponing restraint until tomorrow.
  • Arthur continues his intimacy with Hetty despite his earlier restraints. Discovery exposes the involvement to Adam, and learning that Adam loves her briefly breaks through Arthur's self-excuse.
  • Guilt and anxiety about leaving Hetty compete with renewed impulses to carry her away; Arthur dismisses feared consequences and plans activity to sustain his restraint.

• Hetty wants to become a lady's maid and receives instruction from Mrs. Pomfret; Arthur learns of this ambition.

  • Hetty turns her existing ambition into an immediate request to leave, but both guardians refuse and her aunt commits to preventing it.
  • The loss of her lessons removes Hetty's existing means of preparing to become a lady's maid.

• Arthur offers to show Hetty the Hermitage on a future occasion, and she accepts.

• Arthur intends to meet Hetty again to correct the impression left by his abrupt coldness, abandoning his resolution never to see her alone again.

  • Arthur carries out the intended meeting, but his attempt to correct Hetty's expectations without renewed caresses fails when he embraces and kisses her.

• A slight quarrel diminishes the mutual amity between Pomfret and Best.

• Arthur resolves to end his romantic involvement with Hetty and avoid returning to the Hermitage, but recognizes that another impulse may defeat his resolution.

  • Arthur has failed to carry out his resolution concerning Hetty, confirming the weakness of his intended restraint.
  • Arthur's purchase and gift show that his resolution to end the romantic involvement has not governed his subsequent conduct.
  • His renewed resolve to subdue his passion is undermined by his expectation of yielding and his arrangement of another private meeting.
  • Arthur's renewed private intimacy with Hetty demonstrates that his resolution to end the involvement has failed to govern his conduct.
  • Adam's ultimatum supplies external pressure for ending the involvement, and Arthur promises the requested letter, though he has not yet written it.
  • Arthur decides that separation will clear the way for Adam and Hetty and writes the promised letter, though he still fears reversing his decision.

• Arthur resolves to visit Irwine at Broxton Rectory next morning and tell him everything about his involvement with Hetty, seeking support beyond his own unreliable resolutions.

  • Arthur reaches Irwine with a sincere intention to confess, but fear of losing his esteem leads to delay and misleading reassurance. Irwine withdraws from inquiry, and the visit ends without the confession.

• Lisbeth wants Adam to marry Dinah and feels peevish that he does not want the match.

  • Lisbeth actively urges Adam to marry Dinah and supplies her interpretation of Dinah's behaviour, awakening his romantic hope.
  • Adam and Dinah marry, fulfilling Lisbeth's wish.

• Martin responds to his father's transfer of all his property with increased kindness and respect.

• Hetty conceals her private candlelit experiments with dress and beauty, bolting her door and hiding the candles and scarf when she hears tapping.

• Hetty imagines becoming Arthur's wife and living as a wealthy, admired lady. She takes his intimacy as evidence that he loves her and will want to marry her, perhaps secretly, encouraged by the account of James's secret marriage.

  • Hetty's expectation of Arthur's attention meets disappointment. His voluntary departure makes her doubt his affection and weakens the assurance supporting her imagined marriage.
  • Arthur's distant acknowledgement makes Hetty miserable and briefly brings their social distance into view, challenging her imagined future as his wife.
  • Arthur's attention and invitation restore Hetty's romantic hopes, without establishing any intention on his part to marry her.
  • Hetty explicitly asks to accompany and marry Arthur. His hopeful reassurances sustain her expectations despite her fear of their impending separation.
  • Arthur's Christmas promise sustains a prospect, but Adam's report that Arthur disavows serious intentions directly challenges Hetty's marriage hopes. She turns to the unread letter for possible contradiction.
  • Arthur explicitly refuses marriage, and rereading confirms his rejection; Hetty resents his decision rather than accepting his explanation.
  • Hetty abandons her imagined happiness with Arthur, although she still hopes he will protect her.
  • Hetty faces imminent execution without a reprieve, and her message to Arthur concerns her failed search and attempted forgiveness rather than a shared future.

• Dinah offers Hetty enduring sympathy and friendship in future trouble. Hetty responds to her warning with fear and then irritation, rejecting her caress and demanding solitude; Dinah withdraws hurt.

  • Dinah responds to news of the wedding with a kind letter, renewing her offer of sympathetic connection.
  • Dinah's formerly rejected offer of friendship becomes a possible refuge. Hetty feels increasingly drawn towards her, although shame still prevents her from confidently accepting that help.
  • Hetty remembers Dinah's earlier offer of friendship, accepts her embrace and support, and entrusts her with the concealed history.
  • Hetty now reciprocates Dinah's affection, trusts her guidance and urgently wants her nearby, fulfilling the offer of companionship she formerly rejected.

• Dinah mistakes Hetty's frightened tears for a possible spiritual response and rejoices, while Hetty experiences the exhortation as frightening and intrusive. Her rejection ends Dinah's appeal for the night.

  • Their earlier estrangement gives way to accepted spiritual companionship: Hetty explicitly asks for help and responds with confession.

• Adam goes to inspect Bradwell's endangered barn roof before materials and workers are sent.

• Adam wants to acquire Burge's business through an interest-bearing loan, while rejecting partnership overtures. Arthur's debts prevent immediate financial help, though he holds out the possibility of help after an increased allowance.

  • Adam accepts a share in Burge's business rather than acquiring it through a loan, gaining a route to the larger building projects he desires.

• Arthur conceals the seriousness of his involvement with Hetty from Irwine, who accepts his misleading reassurance and stops pressing him.

  • Adam reveals Arthur's attachment to Hetty, enabling Irwine to understand the confession Arthur previously withheld.

• Ryde's ministry creates friction with parishioners: he prohibits the singers' Christmas rounds, while his doctrinal teaching accompanies declining attendance and disparaging judgments of him.

• After doctrinal disputes and a rebuke for pride, Adam adopts exclusive attendance at church and Irwine's preaching, abandoning other preachers and choosing religious humility over controversy.

• Mrs. Poyser resolves never to hire another servant from Chowne's household.

• Hetty conceals her attachment to Arthur and the distress caused by his absence, fearing that her tears will expose their cause; Molly mistakes them for faintness.

  • The exposed locket threatens Hetty's concealment. She hides further agitation, while Adam's suspicion of a secret lover gives way to a reassuring explanation that leaves Arthur unidentified.
  • Adam discovers Hetty's intimacy with Arthur, breaching her concealment from him. These events do not establish disclosure to the rest of her household.
  • Arthur warns Hetty that disclosure of their intimacy would be fatal, while Adam has discovered part of their secret.
  • Hetty fears exposure, secures Adam's assurance of privacy and resumes concealing her distress after briefly revealing the strength of her attachment.
  • Hetty resolves to conceal both the relationship and her disappointment, mastering her outward behavior before returning to household work.

• Martin asks Adam to visit Hall Farm soon and examine the broken spinning wheel.

  • Adam examines the broken spinning-wheel and identifies the turning work it needs.

• Hetty urgently wants to meet Arthur again and recover his affection after learning that he voluntarily left for Eagledale.

  • Hetty's expectation of Arthur persists, and the possibility of his quick return renews her hope of seeing him.
  • Hetty receives a renewed token of Arthur's affection, but her sadness at expecting no sight of him until after dinner shows her continuing desire for his presence.
  • Arthur passes Hetty with a distant acknowledgement, frustrating her desire for renewed affection.
  • Hetty dances with Arthur and receives an invitation to another meeting, restoring her sense of his affection.
  • Arthur requires separation and discourages romantic correspondence, blocking Hetty's hope of recovering his affection despite her continuing attachment.

• Adam hopes to marry Hetty, perhaps before another year ends, but commits to waiting until he can support a family without increasing poverty and resolves to withstand his mother's anticipated opposition.

  • Apparent reciprocation increases Adam's confidence in his marriage hopes, although he decides to wait for unmistakable affection before declaring himself.
  • Adam's love deepens. The locket briefly alarms him with the possibility of a rival, but his alternative explanation restores his hope.
  • Adam's renewed hope of marrying Hetty encounters the discovery of her intimacy with Arthur, which he experiences as the theft of his anticipated happiness.
  • Adam still hopes eventually to win Hetty and will wait if Arthur's involvement ends, but now recognizes that she loves Arthur and demands that her false hopes be ended.
  • Adam's hopes and tenderness persist, but Hetty's attachment to Arthur remains evident; he accepts the possibility that she will never love him.
  • His improved means ease the financial obstacle to marriage, while his hopeful reading of Hetty renews his anticipation of marrying her.
  • Adam's improved prospects enable him to propose; Hetty accepts, and her guardians approve after learning he can maintain a wife.
  • Housing arrangements and wedding preparations give Adam's intended marriage a concrete form.
  • Hetty's disappearance prevents the marriage, and Adam interprets her flight as unwillingness to marry him.

• Adam plans a furniture business with Seth alongside their employment to improve their means, calculates its prospects and proposes beginning with a kitchen cupboard.

  • Adam explains the proposed cabinet-making business and improved home facilities; Martin takes an interest and Mrs. Poyser approves the movable cupboard design.
  • Adam again considers independent cabinet-making with Seth as a source of extra income.
  • Adam tells Arthur that he plans to leave Burge and run a business with Seth, extending the earlier proposal for supplementary furniture work into a plan for independent employment.
  • Adam abandons the separate business plan and commits his energies to Burge's business as a partner.

• Adam resolves to visit Hetty at Hall Farm that evening, giving the visit priority over seeing Bartle despite suspecting that Bartle may be ill.

  • Adam carries out his intended visit to Hall Farm and spends time with Hetty before leaving to visit Bartle.

• Hetty finds comfort in Adam's tenderness while remaining emotionally dependent on Arthur; Adam mistakes her response for the beginning of returned love.

  • Adam responds to Hetty's distress with amused pity and is elated by her smile and nod, sustaining his hopeful attachment without establishing that she returns his love.
  • Hetty resents Adam's discovery and remains attached to Arthur. Adam instead interprets her concealment as evidence that his opinion matters to her, sustaining his mistaken romantic confidence.
  • Hetty's manner and invitation initially sustain Adam's belief in growing tenderness, but witnessing her intimacy with Arthur overturns his hopeful interpretation.
  • Adam reinterprets the earlier signs as evidence of Hetty's love for Arthur, displacing his belief that her tenderness signaled growing love for himself.
  • Hetty draws relief from Adam's kindness while still investing her hopes in Arthur. Adam increasingly excuses her conduct and takes pleasure in her apparent self-command.
  • Hetty appears more cheerful during Adam's visits, encouraging his belief that her attachment to Arthur was slight and her affection is turning towards him.
  • Hetty fears losing Adam and feels relief at his declaration. Adam interprets her response and caress as acceptance, and they become engaged; these events do not establish that she returns his love.
  • Adam takes comfort in Hetty's agreement about their household and reads her farewell as love, while her real sense of protection coexists with concealed distress and departure.

• Adam resolves to postpone declaring his love until Hetty's affection is unmistakable.

  • Adam renews his resolution to postpone testing Hetty's affection until he believes it has become firm.
  • Jealousy and uncertainty erode Adam's patience; interpreting Hetty's reaction as possible affection, he explicitly abandons postponement and proposes.

• Adam promises to repair the spinning-wheel by Wednesday if it is sent to Burge's shop the next morning.

• Adam intends to visit Bartle Massey because his unusual absence from church has caused concern.

  • Adam visits Bartle and learns that Vixen's puppies, rather than illness, explain his absence from church.

• Bill Downes resolves to learn to read, encouraged by Tom Hazelow's advancement and Sam Phillips's example.

• Brimstone seeks literacy so he can read the Bible and resist his former habits, but another Methodist's warning weakens his resolve.

• The dyer seeks knowledge of colour to produce crimson and scarlet dyes more cheaply, taking up literacy as a means to that end.

• The dyer resolves to send his son to Massey's day-school when he is old enough.

• Bartle demands independent effort from the two youths and makes their continued admission conditional on it; they resent his rebuke.

• Adam's insistence on his valuation of his workmanship offends the squire, creating lasting hostility despite Adam receiving full payment.

• Encouraged by Bartle's warning about his pride, haste and intolerance, Adam commits to considering the advice when an opportunity arises.

  • Adam initially resolves to restrain himself, but jealousy defeats that effort and he insists on fighting. His subsequent recognition that vengeance accomplished nothing exposes the failure of his restraint.
  • Adam recognizes that his accusation was unjust and retracts it before pressing his remaining objections, acting on his commitment to reconsider his harsh judgments.

• Adam conditionally agrees to attend Bartle's Friday-night music.

• The Poysers arrange for Alick and Tim to guard the farmhouse in turns so the household can attend the celebration; Mrs. Poyser also resolves to bar and bolt the house.

• Arthur arranges a separate feast for Treddleston and assigns Casson, Adam and other stewards to supervise ale distribution and restrain excess at the Chase celebration.

• Arthur intends to refurbish the gallery if he becomes master of the estate.

• Arthur plans to announce Adam's appointment publicly and honour him with a toast, seating him with the large tenants; Irwine agrees to second the toast.

  • Arthur's arrangement places Adam at the upstairs dinner with the large tenants. Adam publicly attributes his attendance to Arthur's wish; the announcement and toast have not yet occurred.
  • Arthur publicly announces the settled appointment, and Irwine's praise and Arthur's toast deliver the planned honour.

• Adam wants his accepted appointment as manager of the woods kept private until he has informed Burge. He tells Seth and Bartle, and Bartle agrees to keep the news confidential and divert questions.

  • Arthur's public announcement ends the appointment's secrecy; these events do not establish whether Adam has first informed Burge.

• Arthur publicly commits himself to deserving the tenants' regard and encouraging improvements when he becomes landlord.

  • Arthur becomes landlord, but disclosure of his conduct destroys Martin's goodwill and publicly discredits him, obstructing his ambition to deserve the tenants' regard.
  • Inheritance gives Arthur authority to implement his promised improvements, and he forms concrete intentions; the tenants' lost esteem obstructs his hope of earning their regard.

• Arthur resolves to tell Hetty not to take him or their intimacy seriously, intending to prevent harm.

  • Arthur's increased attraction and self-excusing confidence undermine his intention to limit Hetty's expectations; no corrective conversation is recorded.
  • Arthur responds to evidence of Hetty's attachment by arranging another meeting, while deferring his attempt to restrain himself.
  • Arthur remains intimate with Hetty, and his response to discovery is to minimize the encounter to Adam. No event establishes that he has given Hetty the intended warning.
  • Arthur's previously obstructed intention to dispel Hetty's expectations becomes an explicit promise to write her, extracted by Adam after Arthur initially refuses to commit.
  • Arthur acknowledges his responsibility for Hetty's expectations. After withholding the truth in person, he writes a letter intended to end her delusion.
  • Arthur's letter explicitly tells Hetty to relinquish romantic hopes, carrying out his intended warning.

• Adam's appointment and public honour deepen his gratitude to Arthur; he pledges to justify Arthur's expectations and express his regard through lifelong action.

  • Adam's affectionate gratitude turns into a sense of betrayal. He explicitly repudiates Arthur's friendship and honour, fights him, and then fears that he has killed him.
  • Some affection returns and Adam retracts his accusation that Arthur knowingly injured him, but he makes reconciliation conditional on an explanation and a definite end to the involvement with Hetty.
  • Adam's lost respect and refusal of reconciliation obstruct their former attachment; Arthur feels shame and irritation over deceiving him.
  • Adam's bitterness toward Arthur increases, further undermining his earlier gratitude and pledge of lifelong regard.
  • Compassion and renewed affection restore Adam's bond with Arthur. He promises prayer, agrees to remain at work and relinquishes hatred.

• Arthur resolves to give Bessy money so she can buy something she likes after finding her allotted prize unsuitable.

• Ben seeks to impress the gentry with a hornpipe, enlists Joshua's accompaniment and persists despite Adam's attempt to dissuade him.

• Martin proposes walking about with his wife to find Adam.

  • Adam joins the returning Poyser party, completing the intended reunion.

• Hetty conceals her locket and her agitation when Adam sees it. Adam initially infers an accepted lover, then reassures himself that she bought it and hides it because his approval matters to her.

  • Seeing Arthur and Hetty together enables Adam to reinterpret the locket and his earlier doubts, ending his reassuring explanation of Hetty's concealment.

• Arthur arranges to meet Hetty in the wood the day after tomorrow at seven and asks her to come early.

• Adam intends to finish extra work tonight so that tomorrow evening is free for visiting Hetty.

• Adam proposes an economical replacement for the damaged Chase Farm buildings, completes a plan and expense specification, and intends to enlist Burge in obtaining the squire's consent.

• Adam confronts Arthur over his intimacy with Hetty, demands physical redress and forces a fight. After striking Arthur down, Adam recognizes the futility of vengeance and fears that he has killed him; Arthur's condition remains uncertain.

  • Arthur revives and reaches home safely, ending Adam's fear that he has killed him. Their confrontation continues verbally until Adam secures a promise to undeceive Hetty by letter; its fulfillment remains pending.
  • The estrangement persists through Adam's scorn and Arthur's humiliating resentment, but learning that Arthur is riding removes Adam's anxiety about the bodily effects of his blow.
  • Adam's hostility towards Arthur subsides, and he begins to imagine eventual reconciliation.

• Arthur tries to conceal the extent of his involvement with Hetty from Adam by explaining away their encounter. Although Adam rejects the innocent appearance, Arthur concludes that Adam lacks definite knowledge of their past and remains susceptible to deception.

  • Arthur suppresses frank confession and deliberately encourages Adam to believe the involvement was merely flirtation. His admission of concern about Hetty's feelings nevertheless exposes more than he intended.
  • Adam knows only part of the intimacy, and Arthur continues to recognize and rationalize his deception.
  • Arthur's claim that both parties treated the intimacy lightly reaches Hetty through Adam, extending his minimization of the affair.
  • Arthur retrospectively treats the promised letter as a lie imposed by Adam and persuades himself that Hetty suffered little. News of her imprisonment destroys his reassuring account of the consequences.
  • Arthur confesses his deception and explains his intentions and letter to Hetty, ending his concealment from Adam.

• Adam undertakes to restore Arthur sufficiently to get him safely home, assisting him despite their unresolved quarrel.

  • Arthur is home and able to ride; Adam's inquiry removes his remaining concern about Arthur's physical recovery.

• Arthur arranges to conceal his illness and presence at the Hermitage, with Adam undertaking to obtain supplies discreetly.

• Arthur hides a woman's pink silk neckerchief in the Hermitage's waste-paper basket before Adam returns, concealing possible evidence of a woman's presence.

• Under Adam's ultimatum, Arthur promises to write Hetty a truthful letter ending her false hopes and accepting blame; Adam offers to ensure its delivery.

  • Arthur supplies a sealed letter to Hetty and claims it contains everything Adam requested. Its contents are not independently established, and Adam defers delivery.
  • Arthur has written and entrusted the letter to Adam, who delivers it to Hetty. Its truthfulness and effect remain unconfirmed because it is unread.
  • Hetty receives and reads the letter ending her hopes of marriage, completing the promised communication and its delivery.
  • Adam delivers Arthur's letter to Hetty, completing the promised delivery.

• Arthur and Adam arrange to meet again tomorrow at five o'clock.

  • Adam returns for the arranged meeting, but Arthur substitutes a written explanation and the enclosed letter, claiming he is too busy to meet.

• Arthur plans to write immediately and keep occupied to resist returning to Hetty with a rash proposal to take her away.

• Adam postpones deciding whether to deliver Arthur's sealed letter until he has assessed Hetty's state of mind.

  • After speaking with Hetty, Adam decides to deliver the letter and places it in her hands.

• Hetty intends to manage Adam's knowledge of her attachment to Arthur, prevent disclosure to her guardians and continue appearing receptive to Adam's courtship; his warnings disrupt her prepared approach.

  • Hetty extends her concealment through shopping and visiting pretexts, obtaining her aunt's acceptance while Adam misunderstands her farewell.

• Arthur promises Hetty to return at Christmas and consider what can be done, leaving her with a future prospect despite her increasing anxiety.

  • Arthur's demand for separation and rejection of marriage withdraw the romantic prospect Hetty had attached to his promised Christmas return.
  • Arthur returns, but Hetty's imprisonment prevents the anticipated reunion; he instead rides towards the town where she faces trial.

• Adam promises Hetty protective care like a brother and keeps his love available as a refuge, resolving to endure even if she never returns it.

  • Adam renews his promise of lifelong care as a marriage proposal, which Hetty accepts.
  • Despite fearing rejection, Adam searches for Hetty and seeks Irwine's help so she will have another defender.
  • Despite the accusation and his recognition of her deception, Adam forgives Hetty and feels renewed compassion for her vulnerability.
  • Adam renews his offer of protective care by hoping to help Hetty confide and choosing to support her publicly despite her deceit.
  • Adam sustains his promised care through forgiveness and a final affectionate meeting, which Hetty reciprocates.

• Seth wants to question John Barnes about his claim to spiritual perfection.

• Adam seeks renewed closeness with Seth, explains his reserve as personal trouble and affirms his unchanged affection; Seth responds with understanding.

  • Seth's sympathy releases Adam's grief; Adam shares Hetty's disappearance and entrusts Seth with arrangements for his absence, while withholding its full cause.
  • Seth offers practical help, while sorrow has increased Adam's tenderness toward him and strengthened their attachment.

• Seth urges Lisbeth to treat Adam gently without calling attention to his distress, and she commits to making him a kettle-cake for breakfast.

• Adam urges Seth to visit Dinah and offers to arrange several days away; Seth wishes to go if Dinah would welcome him.

  • Seth returns from Snowfield and reports Dinah's continued unwillingness to marry.

• Arthur ends their relationship as lovers while offering lifelong friendship and practical help; Hetty comes to hate him while remaining passionately attached.

  • After rejecting the idea of writing to Arthur, Hetty decides to seek him directly and sustains herself by recalling his promise of kindness.
  • Hetty's love and belief in love give way to hardening bitterness; she wishes Arthur suffering equal to her own.
  • Hetty acknowledges her hatred and curses against Arthur but now tries to forgive him and asks that he be told.

• Hetty wants to escape her familiar life and its painful associations.

  • Hetty turns her wish to escape into a concealed journey seeking Arthur's protection.

• Hetty's wish to leave for service conflicts with her guardians' refusal; her aunt resolves to stop her association with the servants and her aspiration to become a lady's maid.

  • Mrs. Poyser enforces her opposition by discontinuing Hetty's weekly fine-work lessons at the Chase.

• Hetty considers marrying Adam as a means of changing her life and escaping her present suffering.

  • Hetty moves from considering marriage to Adam to consenting to it and authorizing him to tell her guardians.
  • Marriage to Adam no longer offers Hetty an adequate escape from her concealed predicament; she leaves to seek Arthur instead.
  • The discovery that Hetty diverted from her declared journey exposes her departure from the intended marriage.

• Mrs. Poyser seeks repairs to the farmhouse boarding and cellar; the squire's visit ends without securing them.

• The squire seeks to let Chase Farm to Thurle through an exchange of pastures with the Poysers and an arrangement for their dairy produce. Mrs. Poyser rejects the increased work and collection arrangements, obstructing his proposal.

  • The Poysers' refusal defeats the proposed arrangement, and the squire appoints a new bailiff.

• The squire pressures the Poysers to accept his proposed arrangement by making lease renewal conditional and threatening replacement by Thurle. Mrs. Poyser denounces his neglect and exploitation, driving him to leave humiliated; their continued tenancy remains uncertain.

  • Mrs. Poyser's confrontation becomes celebrated locally. The tenancy remains uncertain, and Irwine prepares to intervene if notice to quit is issued.
  • The squire's death ends his personal pressure over lease renewal; Martin now intends to leave rather than remain Arthur's tenant.

• Anne wants to invite Mrs. Poyser to recount her confrontation with the squire.

• Irwine intends to avoid publicly acknowledging the quarrel so he can preserve his influence, and commits to intervening with Arthur if the Poysers receive notice to quit.

• Adam plans to tell the Poysers about his partnership and watch Hetty's reaction for signs of affection.

  • Adam tells Hetty his prospects, reads her reaction as fear of losing him, and subsequently informs the Poyser household of his ability to maintain a wife.

• Adam promises to take Tommy and Marty to Binton Coppice, with the race winner riding the donkey first.

• Adam resolves to accept Jonathan Burge's offer of a business partnership.

  • Adam now owns the former Burge timber-yard, establishing that he has progressed beyond the proposed partnership.

• Martin and Mrs. Poyser undertake to help furnish Adam and Hetty's household, including feathers and linen.

• Martin proposes housing arrangements that require Seth and Lisbeth to leave Adam's old home, but Adam objects.

  • Additional rooms and Hetty's consent allow Lisbeth and Seth to remain in Adam's household after the marriage.

• Hetty contemplates drowning herself at the secluded pool but rejects it through fear of the water and discovery.

  • Hetty renews her drowning plan, finds a secluded pool and collects stones to sink her identifying possessions, but cannot bring herself to enter the water. She leaves and sets suicide aside for the present.

• Hetty undertakes to seek Arthur's protection at Windsor, disguising her flight as a visit to Dinah and planning to change coaches at Stoniton.

  • Hetty carries out the disguised departure and reaches Windsor after severe difficulties, but Arthur's address is closed and his regiment has been in Ireland for a fortnight. Her attempt to reach his protection there fails, and she faints.
  • Arthur's absence destroys Hetty's hope of refuge at Windsor. She abandons the immediate search there and leaves without obtaining his protection.
  • Adam discovers that the visit to Dinah was a cover and traces Hetty's diversion towards Stoniton; Arthur's departure for Ireland remains an obstacle to finding him at Windsor.

• Hetty conceals a source of overwhelming dread, initially waiting for chance to rescue her while preventing others from discovering it.

  • The landlady recognizes signs of pregnancy and the absence of a wedding ring. Hetty's collapse after learning of Arthur's departure leads both hosts to suspect a sexual or romantic predicament, compromising her concealment without establishing how much they know.
  • Hetty actively conceals her circumstances, welcomes avoiding a jeweller's scrutiny, plans an unidentified death and gives the man a limited explanation of her journey. Fear of disclosure also obstructs seeking Dinah.
  • Hetty's disappearance and false destination become known, but the underlying cause of her dread remains undisclosed.
  • The allegation that Hetty bore and murdered a child exposes to Adam a possible explanation for her concealed dread, although he rejects it and the facts remain unverified.
  • Hetty's concealed pregnancy and its consequences become known through evidence of childbirth and her prosecution; the news spreads through the community.

• Hetty feels protected by Adam and grieves at leaving him, yet pursues dependence on Arthur despite fearing further misery.

  • Hetty fears that Adam may learn her destination and newly recognizes the happiness of her former home and her uncle's kindness. Despite yearning for home, she persists toward Arthur, whose absence destroys her immediate hope of refuge.

• Hetty's journey to Arthur is impeded by dwindling money, ignorance of the route, exhausting travel and unwanted male attention. She reaches Windsor almost penniless, only to discover that Arthur has left for Ireland.

  • Care, free lodging and the jewellery advance temporarily relieve sickness and lack of money, but her onward wandering brings lost bearings, exposure, humiliating scrutiny and renewed exhaustion. She still has twenty-two shillings.
  • Adam independently traces part of Hetty's journey and knows Arthur is in Ireland, but cannot establish her present whereabouts.
  • Retrospective testimony establishes that Hetty had spent most of her money and sold most of her belongings, leaving her dependent on Sarah's willingness to shelter her.

• Hetty considers returning to her uncle and aunt to ask forgiveness and protection, but shame prevents her from committing to it.

  • Hetty tells Sarah she is returning to farming friends and says she will write herself later, but no actual appeal to her guardians is established.
  • Hetty's contemplated return becomes a scheme to return while concealing the birth, rather than seeking forgiveness. She then abandons going home and is captured.

• Hetty raises travelling money by pledging her earrings and locket to the innkeeper for three guineas, with two months allowed for redemption.

• Hetty considers seeking Dinah's promised help. Fear that her shame will become known prevents a firm decision, although she takes the northward route towards Stonyshire.

  • Although fear prevented Hetty from firmly seeking Dinah during her journey, she now accepts the promised help and discloses her shame.

• Hetty's desire to escape shame through death conflicts with her terror of drowning and passionate attachment to life; surviving leaves her still frightened of destitution and disclosure.

• Adam undertakes to fetch Hetty from Snowfield and bring Dinah home if possible; finding neither there defeats the intended return.

• Adam seeks to find Hetty and establish what happened to her, tracing her journey through Oakbourne to Stoniton before losing her trail.

  • Adam learns that the woman believed to be Hetty is imprisoned at Stoniton and agrees to go there to confirm her identity and learn what happened.
  • The search establishes that Hetty is imprisoned at Stoniton, where Adam remains and wishes to see her.

• Adam seeks Dinah's Leeds address so the Poysers can summon her if trouble comes, but the landlady cannot supply it.

  • Seth supplies the Poysers with a suggested Leeds address for Dinah, though he warns that delivery may be delayed.

• Adam fears Hetty fled their marriage for Arthur, while Martin attributes her flight to her ambition to become a lady's maid; Adam tries to take reassurance from Martin's explanation.

  • Irwine tells Adam that Hetty is at Stoniton rather than with Arthur, ending his immediate uncertainty about whether she has joined him.

• Adam withholds Arthur's involvement and the purpose of his proposed journey, delays telling Lisbeth about Hetty's disappearance, and agrees with Martin to keep the broken match quiet.

  • Adam makes Irwine an exception to his secrecy, disclosing Arthur's involvement and the purpose of his intended search; wider concealment remains unaddressed.
  • Arthur's involvement and Hetty's prosecution are disclosed to the family and become widely known, ending the concealment.

• Adam prepares to search towards Ireland and confront Arthur if necessary, taking the tin-box money and arranging his work and messages before leaving.

  • Adam renews his determination to confront Arthur but abandons immediate pursuit under Irwine's guidance and agrees to go to Stoniton.

• Martin's sympathy for Adam and sense of responsibility for promoting the marriage deepen their mutual understanding.

• Martin loses trust and regard for Hetty after learning of her flight but commits to not abandoning her.

  • Martin offers whatever money Hetty's defence requires but repudiates her personally and resolves never voluntarily to see her.

• Martin intends to tell his wife about Hetty's disappearance when he returns home.

• Adam resolves to confide Hetty's secret to Irwine to obtain help and secure another defender for her, abandoning immediate departure without consulting him.

  • Adam reaches Irwine, completes his disclosure despite an interruption, and secures Irwine's practical guidance and accompaniment to Stoniton.

• Hetty is imprisoned at Stoniton on suspicion of murdering her child; her identity must be confirmed and the accusation investigated.

  • Irwine has seen Hetty and finds the evidence compelling, while she denies the charge and otherwise refuses to speak. Her prosecution remains unresolved, and he hopes for a pardon.
  • Hetty's case reaches trial. Counsel contests the prosecution and enters a not-guilty plea after her silence; medical testimony weighs strongly against her, while she continues denying childbirth. No verdict is supplied.
  • The trial establishes the live birth, identifies the baby's clothes and presents evidence of its concealed body and Hetty's return to the hiding place. The jury convicts her without recommending mercy, and the judge sentences her to death.

• Adam seeks to make Arthur answer for Hetty's misery, offering testimony against him and resolving to bring him face to face with her suffering.

  • Adam insists that Arthur be exposed if Irwine protects him. Arthur's responsibility becomes known, but Adam's desire to confront him remains charged with violent anguish.
  • Arthur has not returned, but Adam insists that he must learn what happened and suffer for his part in Hetty's ruin; Irwine confirms that an explanatory letter awaits him.
  • Arthur has faced Hetty and acknowledges his wrongdoing. Recognizing his suffering and remorse, Adam abandons his wish to punish him further.

• Arthur's grandfather requests that Arthur return home.

  • Arthur has been summoned, and Ralph goes to meet him at Liverpool. His arrival is expected, but Irwine abandons sending a letter to meet him and fears the consequences of his return.
  • Arthur returns to the Chase, but his grandfather dies before his arrival.

• Irwine proposes accompanying Adam to Stoniton to identify Hetty and establish the facts; Adam accepts his guidance.

  • The Stoniton visit has taken place: Irwine returns after seeing Hetty and examining evidence concerning the accusation.

• Irwine intends to return promptly after verifying the facts and personally tell the Poysers.

  • Irwine returns and personally tells the Poysers about Hetty's prosecution and Arthur's involvement.

• Adam obtains lodging at Stoniton and intends to remain near Hetty's prison until after her trial, believing her innocent and wishing to see her.

  • Adam remains at Stoniton, but Hetty refuses his request to see her before the trial.
  • Adam still hopes to visit Hetty if she consents. He initially avoids the trial, then demands the evidence and resolves to attend court and stand by her despite her deceit.
  • Adam attends beside Hetty's dock and resolves to face her suffering. Sarah's testimony briefly supports his belief in her innocence, but Olding's evidence convinces him of her guilt.
  • Adam remains near the prison through the suspense before the expected execution and finally sees Hetty, then returns to his lodging.
  • Adam's stay near Hetty's prison ends with his return home after the trial.

• Irwine withholds from Adam the evidence that convinces him of Hetty's guilt.

  • Bartle tells Adam about the strongly adverse medical testimony and Hetty's continued denial, ending his insulation from the evidence against her, although its full particulars are not supplied.

• Martin resolves to leave Arthur's estate and refuse him social deference or shared worship.

  • Martin reaffirms his intention to leave Arthur's estate. Arthur counters with his own departure and asks Adam to persuade the Poysers to remain, but their agreement is not recorded.

• The Poysers seek Dinah's help through a letter using Seth's suggested Leeds address, although delivery may be delayed.

  • Dinah has not arrived, and the family fears its summons missed her.
  • Dinah has belatedly learned of the trouble, met Martin after the trial and come to assist Hetty. The events do not establish that the letter reached her.

• Lisbeth seeks Dinah's consolation but refuses to let Seth fetch her, wanting him to visit Adam and write instead.

  • Lisbeth's wish for Dinah's consolation becomes an agreed visit, and Dinah leaves Hall Farm with Adam; her arrival at Lisbeth's is not yet recorded.

• Adam's recurring violent anguish against Arthur makes Irwine fear an attack when Arthur returns.

  • Bartle restricts Adam's exit while Adam suspects concealment and renews his demand that Arthur suffer. Irwine's reminder of Adam's earlier blow subdues his immediate agitation without settling his anger.
  • Adam deliberately recalls the futility of violence, responds to Arthur with compassion and ultimately relinquishes both hatred and the desire to increase his suffering.

• Irwine commits to returning to Stoniton tomorrow.

  • Irwine returns to Stoniton, visits Hetty in prison and then sees Adam.

• Mistaking Irwine's concern for a warning of suicide, Bartle resolves to suspend school and discreetly support Adam at Stoniton under the pretext of attending the assizes, ensuring he eats and taking Vixen along.

  • Bartle is staying with Adam at Stoniton and actively restrains him by locking the door and keeping the key.
  • Bartle supports Adam in his room, reports the proceedings and appeals to his courage on Martin's behalf. Adam accepts the appeal and regains enough fortitude to eat and drink.
  • Bartle continues supporting Adam, keeps vigil despite requests to sleep, and accompanies him to the prison.

• Irwine agrees to tell Lisbeth and Seth that Bartle is going to Stoniton.

• Hetty seeks isolation in prison, refusing Adam's requested interview and asking that all her family stay away.

  • Hetty relinquishes isolation by accepting Dinah's presence, asking for spiritual help and confiding in her.

• Adam and Irwine hope Dinah will come to visit Hetty and induce her to confide.

  • Dinah comes to Hetty's cell and succeeds in inducing the confidence Adam and Irwine hoped for.

• Irwine promises to see Adam early the following morning.

• Adam vows never again to be hard toward others, recognizing suffering beyond his former understanding.

  • Adam regrets speaking sharply to Bartle and seeks his understanding; he also assures Hetty of forgiveness and expresses enduring affection.
  • Adam applies his vow against harshness to repentant Arthur, connects it with regret over his father and commits himself to helping others.
  • Adam's greater indulgence toward Seth and heightened appreciation of ordinary affection show his suffering changing his habitual treatment of others.

• Hetty persists in denying that she has had a child, maintaining this position during her trial.

  • Evidence of the live birth and the identified clothes defeats Hetty's denial as a defence. She is convicted and sentenced, although no confession or explicit withdrawal of her denial is recorded.
  • Hetty abandons concealment and admits childbirth and abandonment to Dinah, ending her denial in this private confession.

• Sarah Stone seeks to protect Hetty and her newborn through shelter, care, contact with Hetty's friends and experienced help; Hetty's disappearance with the baby defeats her immediate efforts.

• Hetty's counsel seeks evidence of maternal affection to support her defence.

• Arthur undertakes to comfort Lydia in her bereavement, accommodate her wishes and compensate her through lifelong care.

• Arthur's expectation of becoming a beneficent, welcomed landlord conflicts with the farming tenants' indignation over his involvement in Hetty's fate.

  • The Poysers' determination to leave confirms the breach between Arthur and his tenants. He responds by arranging his own absence, transferring authority to Irwine and trying to protect those who stay.

• Arthur plans to restore his friendship with Adam and compensate Adam and Hetty through estate employment, building improvements and possible investment in Burge's business.

  • Arthur's attempt to repair harm secures reconciliation and Adam's commitment to remain and work. His appeal now centres on preserving others' homes and supporting Irwine's estate management.
  • Arthur and Adam reunite and exchange personal and family news, renewing their connection. Arthur acknowledges that Hetty's death has foreclosed his hope of helping her and confirms the limits of reparation.

• On learning that Hetty faces trial for child-murder, Arthur immediately sets out for Stoniton.

  • Arthur reaches the execution procession with a document releasing Hetty from death.

• Dinah pledges to remain beside Hetty as a sister until her death, despite being unable to prevent the expected execution.

  • Hetty depends on Dinah's presence, and Dinah returns promptly and remains with her during Adam's farewell visit.
  • Dinah accompanies Hetty toward execution and remains her support as Hetty clutches her in terror. Arthur's reprieve removes the expected execution that had bounded Dinah's pledge.
  • With transportation replacing the expected execution, Dinah continues her commitment to Hetty by remaining with her until departure.

• Townley undertakes to secure Dinah's admission to Hetty and offers further assistance, enabling her to remain overnight.

• Dinah seeks Hetty's repentance and truthful confession through patient companionship, exhortation and prayer; Hetty joins this effort and confesses.

  • Hetty's full confession is followed by contrition, trust and willingness to receive Dinah's guidance; she extends this effort to trying to forgive Arthur.
  • Dinah's success in bringing Hetty to confession after her resistance is confirmed and becomes publicly known.

• Hetty resolves to conceal her childbirth by disposing of the baby and returning home with a false account of seeking work; she carries out the abandonment but subsequently abandons her intended return home.

• Hetty's attempt to escape discovery conflicts with her inability to leave the baby's crying behind. She waits in hope of rescue, flees, and finally returns to find the baby missing.

• Hetty seeks assurance that divine mercy after confession will relieve the recurring crying and intrusive image of the baby's burial place.

• Dinah seeks an immediate farewell visit from Adam at Hetty's request. Adam initially refuses, promises to come if execution must proceed, and finally visits her cell.

• Hetty seeks Adam's forgiveness before death; his assurance that he forgave her long ago relieves her anguish and permits a mutually affectionate farewell.

• Hetty intends to write a farewell letter for Dinah to deliver to Hall Farm.

• Under Dinah's guidance, Hetty tries to forgive Arthur after hating and cursing him, and asks Adam to convey her account and attempted forgiveness to Arthur.

• Arthur plans to leave for prolonged army service, withdrawing himself so that Adam and the Poysers can remain, while Irwine takes chief authority on the estate.

  • Arthur's letter confirms his intention to remain away and his abandonment of future schemes; Adam shares the news with Dinah.

• Dinah intends to return to the people at Hall Farm after accompanying Hetty until her departure.

  • Dinah has returned to Hall Farm and stayed with the family, fulfilling her intended return. Her prospective departure for Snowfield now becomes the household's concern.

• Adam agrees to deliver Arthur's watch and chain and message of gratitude to Dinah.

  • Dinah's continuing use of Arthur's watch establishes that it reached her.

• Arthur promises to make known that Adam and the Poysers remained at his entreaty, protecting their decision from being mistaken for indifference to his wrongdoing.

• Dinah resolves to leave Hall Farm next week and return to religious service at Snowfield, while promising to return if her aunt is ill or truly needs her.

  • Dinah reaffirms her calling to leave temporarily and her promise to return if needed. Seth learns of the departure, and Adam stops questioning her when he recognizes its painfulness.
  • Dinah strengthens her resolve into a prolonged absence and arranges to spend her last Sabbath at Hall Farm reading the Bible with the children.
  • Dinah reaffirms her departure and the need to await clearer divine guidance, withholding a promise to extend her stay.
  • Dinah leaves Hall Farm for Snowfield, carrying out her intended departure.

• At Lisbeth's request, conveyed by Adam, Dinah agrees to visit her and stay overnight; Adam undertakes to accompany Dinah before completing his timber valuations.

  • Adam accompanies Dinah to the cottage, and she renews her commitment to stay overnight.
  • Dinah's visit to the Bede home ends with her departure across the fields and painful leave-taking.

• Adam defends Dinah's freedom to leave Hall Farm, and his sympathy moves her to tears.

  • Adam rejects his impulse to arrange Dinah's marriage against her judgment, affirms her freedom to leave despite his regret, and ceases pressing a subject that pains her.
  • Despite wanting marriage, Adam promises not to oppose Dinah's conscience and stops pressing for an immediate decision.

• Dinah experiences painful inward temptation amid her attachment to her kindred and interprets departure as a calling. Adam's presence intensely disturbs her, but she does not disclose the precise source of her struggle.

  • Marriage suggestions distress Dinah and parting causes acute sorrow, but she renews her commitment to leave and submit her will to God.
  • Dinah reveals that her powerful love for Adam makes her fear selfishness and neglect of suffering people. His declaration unsettles her certainty about duty, but she still chooses separation while seeking guidance.
  • Dinah accepts union with Adam as the Divine Will and finds renewed strength for religious duty in his presence, resolving her conflict between their attachment and her calling.

• Dinah promises to explain her tears and grief to Lisbeth during their night together; Lisbeth presses her for that confidence.

• Adam develops a habitual, admiring attachment to Dinah and increasingly values her companionship. Her agitation and reserve make him fear he has displeased her; she denies displeasure, and he tells her how deeply he values her and regrets their coming separation.

  • Adam recognizes his attachment as unequivocal romantic love, comes to believe Dinah may love him, and resolves to approach her.
  • Adam declares his love and Dinah acknowledges that she returns it. Their mutual joy establishes a romantic attachment, although her departure remains unresolved.
  • Adam recognizes Dinah's love as his greatest possible blessing and hopes she returns his affection. Learning that she has departed makes him wish to leave the supper, and he does so.
  • Their attachment becomes openly mutual: Dinah embraces Adam, acknowledges the strength his presence gives her, and joins him in confirming lifelong romantic union.
  • Adam and Dinah marry. Their later family life shows continuing affection and Dinah's attentive recognition of Adam's distress.

• Dinah undertakes to restore cleanliness and order in the Bede cottage as rheumatism limits Lisbeth's housework; Adam offers to help her move his papers for dusting.

• Seth opposes Lisbeth's proposal to tell Adam that Dinah loves him; Lisbeth persists in promoting the marriage, while her suggestion that Seth objects from jealousy hurts him.

• Adam seeks to become Dinah's husband and establish whether she returns his love, encouraged by Lisbeth's interpretation of her behaviour and Seth's support.

  • Adam establishes that Dinah loves him, but she refuses to stay and agree immediately to marriage. She corrects his inference that her hesitation means weaker love.
  • Adam's desire and hope strengthen, but Dinah's departure prevents renewed contact at Hall Farm and leaves her response unsettled.
  • Adam's patient waiting gives way to uncertainty. He writes and burns a letter, then seeks Dinah in person. Her loving reception and explicit acceptance of lifelong union settle his uncertainty and secure her agreement to marry.

• Adam resolves to consult Seth before approaching Dinah, obtains his encouragement, and decides to visit her at Hall Farm that afternoon, giving up church and the anthem.

  • Adam carries out his visit during church time, finds Dinah alone and declares his love.

• Adam commits to respecting Dinah's conscience and promises that marriage would preserve her religious freedom and charitable work.

  • Within their marriage, Dinah retains household teaching and chooses to stop public preaching in submission to the Conference; the recorded restriction comes from the Conference rather than Adam.

• Adam conditionally accepts Martin's invitation to Wednesday's harvest supper, provided his work permits.

  • Adam attends the harvest supper, fulfilling his conditional acceptance.

• Adam and the Poysers seek Dinah's agreement to remain until the end of the week, but she gives no promise.

  • Dinah leaves for Snowfield rather than remaining until the end of the week, distressing Mrs. Poyser.

• Adam agrees to accompany Bartle home by way of the Common, allowing them a private conversation after leaving the harvest supper.

• Joshua plans an impressive performance of the wedding psalm next Sunday.

• Irwine intends to write Arthur immediately with news of Adam and Dinah's marriage.

• Arthur asks to visit Dinah tomorrow and express how often he has thought of her; Irwine permits this visit while restricting further engagements until Arthur is stronger.

• Arthur expresses a prospective wish to become Methodist and hear Dinah preach outdoors, but learns that she has stopped public preaching.

• The Conference's prohibition of women's preaching leads Dinah to relinquish public preaching while retaining household teaching. Disagreement over the prohibition remains, and she changes the subject.

• Arthur plans to visit Hall Farm with Irwine the day after tomorrow, but Irwine's restriction of his engagements obstructs the proposed timing.

Places

Workshop, The churchyard, Donnithorne Arms, Rosseter, Treddleston, Stonyshire, Hall Farm, Hayslope, Loamshire, Hayslope Church, School, Snowfield, Broxton, Broxton Parsonage, Stoniton, The Waggon Overthrown, Blythe, Willow Brook, Chase, London, The Scantlands, The Five closes, Leeds, The Common, Warson Wake, Eagledale, Windsor, Norburne, Hermitage, The Grove, Broxton Rectory, The Royal Oak, Home Close, Chase Farm, The Abbey, Abbey gallery, Treddles’on road, Binton Coppice, Leicester, Oakbourne, Ashby, Hinckley, Warwickshire, Stony Stratford, Ireland, Norton, Liverpool, Hetton Coppice, Hetton parish, Stoniton jail, Bath