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fall on my own shoulders。” Unhappily； there is no inherent
poetical justice in hobbles； and they will sometimes obstinately
refuse to inflict their worst consequences on the prime offender； in
spite of his loudly expressed wish。 It was entirely owing to this
deficiency in the scheme of things that Arthur had ever brought
any one into trouble besides himself。 He was nothing if not good…
natured； and all his pictures of the future； when he should come
into the estate； were made up of a prosperous； contented tenantry；
adoring their landlord； who would be the model of an English
gentleman—mansion in first…rate order； all elegance and high
taste—jolly housekeeping； finest stud in Loamshire—purse open
to all public objects—in short； everything as different as possible
from what was now associated with the name of Donnithorne。 And
one of the first good actions he would perform in that future
should be to increase Irwine’s income for the vicarage of Hayslope；
so that he might keep a carriage for his mother and sisters。 His
hearty affection for the rector dated from the age of frocks and
trousers。 It was an affection partly filial； partly fraternal—fraternal
enough to make him like Irwine’s company better than that of
most younger men； and filial enough to make him shrink strongly
from incurring Irwine’s disapprobation。
You perceive that Arthur Donnithorne was “a good fellow”—all
his college friends thought him such。 He couldn’t bear to see any
one uncomfortable； he would have been sorry even in his angriest
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moods for any harm to happen to his grandfather； and his Aunt
Lydia herself had the benefit of that soft…heartedness which he
bore towards the whole sex。 Whether he would have self…mastery
enough to be always as harmless and purely beneficent as his
good…nature led him to desire； was a question that no one had yet
decided against him； he was but twenty…one； you remember； and
we don’t inquire too closely into character in the case of a
handsome generous young fellow； who will have property enough
to support numerous peccadilloes—who； if he should
unfortunately break a man’s legs in his rash driving； will be able to
pension him handsomely； or if he should happen to spoil a
woman’s existence for her； will make it up to her with expensive
bon…bons； packed up and directed by his own hand。 It would be
ridiculous to be prying and analytic in such cases； as if one were
inquiring into the character of a confidential clerk。 We use round；
general； gentlemanly epithets about a young man of birth and
fortune； and ladies； with that fine intuition which is the
distinguishing attribute of their sex； see at once that he is “nice。”
The chances are that he will go through life without scandalising
any one； a seaworthy vessel that no one would refuse to insure。
Ships； certainly； are liable to casualties； which sometimes make
terribly evident some flaw in their construction that would never
have been discoverable in smooth water； and many a “good
fellow；” through a disastrous combination of circumstances； has
undergone a like betrayal。
But we have no fair ground for entertaining unfavourable
auguries concerning Arthur Donnithorne； who this morning
proves himself capable of a prudent resolution founded on
conscience。 One thing is clear： Nature has taken care that he shall
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Adam Bede 166
never go far astray with perfect comfort and satisfaction to
himself； he will never get beyond that borderland of sin； where he
will be perpetually harassed by assaults from the other side of the
boundary。 He will never be a courtier of Vice； and wear her orders
in his button…hole。
It was about ten o’clock； and the sun was shining brilliantly；
everything was looking lovelier for the yesterday’s rain。 It is a
pleasant thing on such a morning to walk along the well…rolled
gravel on one’s way to the stables； meditating an excursion。 But
the scent of the stables； which； in a natural state of things； ought to
be among the soothing influences of a man’s life； always brought
with it some irritation to Arthur。 There was no having his own way
in the stables； everything was managed in the stingiest fashion。
His grandfather persisted in retaining as head groom an old dolt
whom no sort of lever could move out of his old habits； and who
was allowed to hire a succession of raw Loamshire lads as his
subordinates； one of whom had lately tested a new pair of shears
by clipping an oblong patch on Arthur’s bay mare。 This state of
things is naturally embittering； one can put up with annoyances in
the house； but to have the stable made a scene of vexation and
disgust is a point beyond what human flesh and blood can be
expected to endure long together without danger of misanthropy。
Old John’s wooden； deep…wrinkled face was the first object that
met Arthur’s eyes as he entered the stable…yard； and it quite
poisoned for him the bark of the two bloodhounds that kept watch
there。 He could never speak quite patiently to the old blockhead。
“You must have Meg saddled for me and brought to the door at
half…past eleven； and I shall want Rattler saddled for Pym at the
same time。 Do you hear？”
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“Yes； I hear； I hear； Cap’n；” said old John very deliberately；
following the young master into the stable。 John considered a
young master as the natural enemy of an old servant； and yo