Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/302

290 often professed to hold in light esteem,) tell me which is the better man."

"I have no doubt Mr. Huntingdon is a much better man than you think him,—but we are not talking about him, now, but about Mr. Boarham; and as I would rather grow, live and die in single blessedness than be his wife, it is but right that I should tell him so at once, and put him out of suspense—so let me go."

"But don't give him a flat denial; he has no idea of such a thing, and it would offend him greatly: say you have no thoughts of matrimony, at present—"

"But I have thoughts of it."

"Or that you desire a further acquaintance."

"But I don't desire a further acquaintance—quite the contrary."

And without waiting for further admonitions, I left the room, and went to seek Mr. Boarham. He was walking up and down the