"Indeed, Mister! And what mid Methodist pa'sons have to do with
she?"
"Who is the fellow?" asked d'Urberville, turning to Tess. She went close up to him. "Go--I do beg you!" she said. "What! And leave you to that tyrant? I can see in his face what a
churl he is."
"He won't hurt me. HE'S not in love with me. I can leave at
Lady-Day."
"Well, I have no right but to obey, I suppose. But--well, goodbye!"
Her defender, whom she dreaded more than her assailant, having
reluctantly disappeared, the farmer continued his reprimand, which
Tess took with the greatest coolness, that sort of attack being
independent of sex. To have as a master this man of stone, who would
have cuffed her if he had dared, was almost a relief after her former
experiences. She silently walked back towards the summit of the
field that was the scene of her labour, so absorbed in the interview
which had just taken place that she was hardly aware that the nose of
Groby's horse almost touched her shoulders.
"If so be you make an agreement to work for me till Lady-Day, I'll
see that you carry it out," he growled. "'Od rot the women--now
'tis one thing, and then 'tis another. But I'll put up with it no
longer!" Knowing very well that he did not harass the other women of the
farm as he harassed her out of spite for the flooring he had once
received, she did for one moment picture what might have been the
result if she had been free to accept the offer just made her of
being the monied Alec's wife. It would have lifted her completely
out of subjection, not only to her present oppressive employer, but
to a whole world who seemed to despise her. "But no, no!" she said
breathlessly; "I could not have married him now! He is so unpleasant
to me."
That very night she began an appealing letter to Clare, concealing
from him her hardships, and assuring him of her undying affection.
Any one who had been in a position to read between the lines would
have seen that at the back of her great love was some monstrous
fear--almost a desperation--as to some secret contingencies which
were not disclosed. But again she did not finish her effusion; he
had asked Izz to go with him, and perhaps he did not care for her at
all. She put the letter in her box, and wondered if it would ever
reach Angel's hands. After this her daily tasks were gone through heavily enough, and
brought on the day which was of great import to agriculturists--the
day of the Candlemas Fair. It was at this fair that new engagements
were entered into for the twelve months following the ensuing
Lady-Day, and those of the farming population who thought of changing
their places duly attended at the county-town where the fair was
held. Nearly all the labourers on Flintcomb-Ash farm intended
flight, and early in the morning there was a general exodus in the
direction of the town, which lay at a distance of from ten to a dozen
miles over hilly country. Though Tess also meant to leave at the
quarter-day, she was one of the few who did not go to the fair,
having a vaguely-shaped hope that something would happen to render
another outdoor engagement unnecessary.