Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/216

204 I owe Rachel a grudge to this day for the look she cast upon me ere she departed on her mission—the sour, suspicious, inquisitorial look that plainly demanded, "what are you here for, I wonder?" Her mistress did not fail to notice it, and a shade of uneasiness darkened her brow.

"You must not stay long Gilbert," said she, when the door was closed upon us.

"I'm not going to," said I, somewhat testily, though without a grain of anger in my heart against any one but the meddling old woman. "But Helen, I've something to say to you before I go."

"What is it?"

"No, not now—I don't know yet precisely what it is—or how to say it," replied I, with more truth than wisdom; and then, fearing lest she should turn me out of the house, I began talking about indifferent matters in order to gain time. Meanwhile Rachel came in to kindle the fire, which was soon effected by