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 ‘You look prettier with it off, upon my soul, if that’s possible,’ he said, contemplating her over the back of the vehicle. ‘Now then, up again! What’s the matter?’

The hat was in place and tied, but Tess had not stepped forward.

‘No, sir,’ she said, revealing the red and ivory of her mouth in defiant triumph; ‘not again, if I know it!’

‘What—you won’t get up beside me?’

‘No; I shall walk.’

‘’Tis five or six miles yet to Trantridge.’

‘I don’t care if ’tis dozens. Besides, the cart is behind.’

‘You artful hussy! Now, tell me—didn’t you make that hat blow off on purpose? I’ll swear you did!’

Her guarded silence confirmed his suspicion.

Then D’Urberville cursed and swore at her, and called her everything he could think of for the trick. Turning the horse suddenly he tried to drive back upon her, and so hem her in between the gig and the hedge. But he could not do this short of injuring her.

‘You ought to be ashamed of yourself for