Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/167

Rh and having politely greeted the other members of the company; he seated himself quite aloof from the young widow, between my mother and Rose.

"Did you ever see such art!" whispered Eliza, who was my nearest neighbour. "Would you not say they were perfect strangers?"

"Almost;—but what then?"

"What then!—why you can't pretend to be ignorant?"

"Ignorant of what?" demanded I, so sharply that she started and replied,—

"Oh, hush! don't speak so loud."

"Well, tell me then," I answered in a lower tone; "what is it you mean? I hate enigmas."

"Well you know, I don't vouch for the truth of it—indeed, far from it—but haven't you heard—"

"I've heard nothing, except from you."

"You must be wilfully deaf then; for any one will tell you that—but I shall only anger you by repeating it, I see; so I had better hold my tongue."