Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/322

310 "He is a much better man than you think him."

"That is nothing to the purpose. Is he a good man?"

"Yes—in some respects. He has a good disposition."

"Is he a man of principle?"

"Perhaps not, exactly; but it is only for want of thought: if he had some one to advise him, and remind him of what is right—"

"He would soon learn, you think—and you yourself would willingly undertake to be his teacher? But, my dear, he is, I believe, full ten years older than you—how is it that you are so before-hand in moral acquirements?"

"Thanks to you, aunt, I have been well brought up, and had good examples always before me, which he, most likely, has not;—and besides, he is of a sanguine temperament, and a gay, thoughtless temper, and I am naturally inclined to reflection."

"Well, now you have made him out to be