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 using such wicked words!’ cried Tess with spirit, from the top of the hedge into which she had scrambled. ‘I don’t like you at all! I hate and detest you! I’ll go back to mother, I will!’

D’Urberville’s bad temper cleared up at sight of hers; and he laughed heartily.

‘Well, I like you all the better,’ he said. ‘Come, let there be peace, I’ll never do it again against your will. My life upon it now!’

Still Tess could not be induced to remount. She did not, however, object to his keeping his gig alongside her; and in this manner, at a slow pace, they advanced towards the village of Trantridge. From time to time D’Urberville exhibited a sort of fierce distress at the sight of the tramping he had driven her to 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. Her resolve, however, had been taken, and it seemed vacillating even to childishness to abandon it now, unless for graver reasons. How could she face her parents, get back her box, and disconcert the whole scheme for the