This was a short and easy story to read. I was expecting something serious, but it actually ended up being funnier.
Simple story with a simple plot. A young minister falla for his tenant, a young atractive widow. If at first it might seemed as if the widow was a bit too flirtaceous, she was in fact hidding an obscure business not only of her own but of the entire village, which then causes some discomfort with the minister.
The end came short and according to what was expected at the time  although Hardy had another less romantic ending for our minister.
The story might have been more developed, as well as its characters, but for a quick read, this was fine.