Hetty and Arthur Donnithorne in the Wood

Grayscale illustration of a well-dressed man holding hands and gazing into the eyes of a young woman holding a basket. They stand on a wooded path.

Arthur is going on a walk and thinking about his virtues and vices. He happens to meet Hetty and they have a flirtatious conversation. When they part ways, Arthur decides that he won't pursue their relationship any further (Book 1, Chapter 12). They then meet again and kiss, although afterwards Arthur feels guilty because he knows he won't marry Hetty due to the difference in their social ranks (Book 1, Chapter 13).

Merrill, Frank T. (1848-1923)

George Eliot Archive , edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org

1883

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Merrill, Frank T. (1848-1923), Hetty and Arthur Donnithorne in the Wood, George Eliot Illustrations Gallery, George Eliot Archive , edited by Beverley Park Rilett. https://GeorgeEliotArchive.org, Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.georgeeliotarchive.org/items/show/83411