It was July and very hot.The atmosphere of the flat valley hung like a drug over the dairy people, the cows and the trees.It was Sunday morning after milking.Tess and the other three girls dressed quickly to go to Mellstock Church,which was three or four miles away from Talbothays.Heavy thunderstorms had poured down the day before, but today the sun shone brightly and the air was warm and clear.When the girls reached the lowest part of the road to Mellstock, they found it was flooded.In working clothes and boots they would have walked through, but they were wearing Sunday white stockings and thin shoes which they did not want to ruin.The church bell was calling, still a mile away.Suddenly they saw Angel Clare approaching.He had seen them from far away, and had come to help them, one of them in particular.‘I'll carry you through the water, all of you,’he offered.All four blushed as if they had one heart.‘Now, Marian, put your arms round my shoulders. Hold on!’ and Angel walked off with her in his arms.Next was lzz Huett.Her lips were dry with emotion.Angel returned for Retty.While he was picking her up, he glanced at Tess.He could not have said more plainly,‘ It will soon be you and I.’There was an understanding between them.