Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/300

288 expect to meet with in the world? Upright, honourable, sensible, sober, respectable!—Is this such an every day character, that you should reject the possessor of such noble qualities, without a moment's hesitation?—Yes, noble I may call them; for, think of the full meaning of each, and how many inestimable virtues they include (and I might add many more to the list,) and consider that all this is laid at your feet: it is in your power to secure this inestimable blessing for life—a worthy and excellent husband, who loves you tenderly, but not too fondly so as to blind him to your faults, and will be your guide throughout life's pilgrimage, and your partner in eternal bliss! Think how—"

"But I hate him, aunt," said I, interrupting this unusual flow of eloquence.

"Hate him, Helen! Is this a christian spirit?—you hate him?—and he so good a man!"

"I don't hate him as a man, but as a