Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/320

308 "We shall return home shortly, and then," she added with solemn significance, "I have much to say to you."

So I went home prepared for a formidable lecture. Little was said by either party in the carriage during our short transit homewards; but when I had entered my room and thrown myself into an easy chair to reflect on the events of the day, my aunt followed me thither, and having dismissed Rachel, who was carefully stowing away my ornaments, closed the door; and placing a chair beside me, or rather at right angles with mine, sat down. With due deference I offered her my more commodious seat. She declined it, and thus opened the conference:

"Do you remember, Helen, our conversation the night but one before we left Staningley?"

"Yes aunt."

"And do you remember how I warned you against letting your heart be stolen from you by those unworthy of its possession; and