Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/297

Rh their money—and their experience to boot. I'll bet anything she'd rather have this young fellow without a penny, than Wilmot with his house full of gold—Would'nt you Nell?"

"Yes uncle; but that's not saying much for Mr. Huntingdon, for I'd rather be an old maid and a pauper, than Mrs. Wilmot."

"And Mrs. Huntingdon? What would you rather be than Mrs. Huntingdon? eh?"

"I'll tell you when I've considered the matter."

"Ah! it needs consideration then—But come now—would you rather be an old maid—let alone the pauper?"

"I can't tell till I'm asked."

And I left the room immediately, to escape further examination. But five minutes after, in looking from my window, I beheld Mr. Boarham coming up to the door. I waited nearly half an hour in uncomfortable suspense, expecting every minute to be called, and vainly longing to hear him go. Then, footsteps were