Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/159

Rh to you, already for your kindness to my son; but his grateful affection, and your own good feelings must reward you for that."

"Nonsense!" ejaculated I.

She turned her eyes on me again, with a look of quiet, grave surprise, that had the effect of a rebuke, whether intended for such or not.

"Then you won't take the book?" I asked, more mildly than I had yet spoken.

"I will gladly take it, if you will let me pay for it."

I told her the exact price, and the cost of the carriage besides, in as calm a tone as I could command—for in fact, I was ready to weep with disappointment and vexation.

She produced her purse, and coolly counted out the money, but hesitated to put it into my hand. Attentively regarding me, in a tone of soothing softness she observed,—

"You think yourself insulted Mr. Markham—I wish I could make you understand that—that I—"