Farmer Groby had espied the two figures from the distance, and had inquisitively ridden across, to learn what was their business in his field.
'Don't speak like that to her!' said D'Urberville, his face blackening with something that was not Christianity.
'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, good-bye!'
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
