Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/233

Rh sleep for me however, that night, as I thought; and instead of attempting to solicit it, I employed myself in rapidly pacing the chamber—having first removed my boots lest my mother should hear me. But the boards creaked, and she was watchful. I had not walked above a quarter of an hour before she was at the door again.

"Gilbert, why are you not in bed—you said you wanted to go?"

"Confound it! I'm going," said I.

"But why are you so long about it? you must have something on your mind—"

"For heaven's sake, let me alone, and get to bed yourself!"

"Can it be that Mrs. Graham that distresses you so?"

"No, no, I tell you—It's nothing!"

"I wish to goodness it mayn't!" murmured she with a sigh, as she returned to her own apartment, while I threw myself on the bed, feeling most undutifully disaffected towards her