Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/272

260 "I can crush that bold spirit," thought I. But while I secretly exulted in my power, I felt disposed to dally with my victim like a cat. Shewing her the book that I still held in my hand, and pointing to the name on the fly leaf, but fixing my eye upon her face, I asked,—

"Do you know that gentleman?"

"Of course I do," replied she; and a sudden flush suffused her features—whether of shame or anger I could not tell: it rather resembled the latter. "What next Sir?"

"How long is it since you saw him?"

"Who gave you the right to catechise me, on this or any other subject?"

"Oh, no one!—it's quite at your option whether to answer or not.—And now, let me ask—have you heard what has lately befallen this friend of yours?—because, if you have not—"

"I will not be insulted Mr. Markham!" cried she almost infuriated at my manner—"So you had better leave the house at once, if you came only for that."