The basket was heavy, but she carried it without complaining: her heaviest burdens were not material things. It was a Sunday morning in late October, a few weeks after Tess's night ride in The Chase. She climbed the hill and looked down into the valley of her birth. Today it seemed even more beautiful than usual. Since she had last seen it, she had learned that the serpent hisses where the sweet birds sing, and her views of life had been totally changed by the lesson. She was now a different girl from the one who had left her home four months earlier.

Alec drove up behind her in a gig. 'Why did you run away?' he asked. 'I had to drive very fast to catch up with you. If you won't come back to Trantridge with me, at least let me take you to your village in the gig.'

'I won't come back.'

'Let me take you home then.'

She put her basket and bundle in the gig and climbed up beside him. She had no fear of him now, and the reason for that was also the cause of her sorrow.

Alec had quite forgotten his struggle to kiss her in June, when they had driven together along the same road in the opposite direction. She had not forgotten, and now she sat with her head down, replying to his remarks in monosyllables.

When the village of Marlott came in sight, Tess began to cry.

'Why are you crying?' he coldly asked.

'I was born there.'

'Well - we were all born somewhere.'

'I wish I had never been born!'

'If you didn't want to come to Trantridge, why did you come? I know you didn't come because you loved me!'

'No, I did not go there because I loved you - I never sincerely loved you. That is why I hate myself for my weakness! I didn't understand your meaning until it was too late.'

'That's what every woman says.'

'How dare you use such words!' she cried, turning to him with a flash of anger. 'Don't you know that what every woman says some women may feel?'

'All right, I admit that I did wrong. But I'm willing to pay for it. You don't need to work ever again. You can buy yourself beautiful clothes.'

'I don't want your money!'

'Well, if you need anything in the future, write to me, and I'll send it to you.'

He stopped the gig and helped her down. They were at the edge of the village now, and she wanted to walk the rest of the way alone. 'Let me kiss you goodbye, Tess,' he said.

'If you wish.' She stood there passively while he kissed first one cheek and then the other.

'You never let me kiss your mouth, though, and you never kiss me back. I'm afraid you'll never love me.'