Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/339

Rh And the reflection made me so miserable I new not what to do. Milicent came and began to admire my drawings and make remarks upon them; but I could not talk to her—I could talk to no one; and upon the introduction of tea, I took advantage of the open door and the slight diversion caused by its entrance, to slip out—for I was sure I could not take any—and take refuge in the library. My aunt sent Thomas in quest of me, to ask if I were not coming to tea; but I bade him say I should not take any to-night; and happily she was too much occupied with her guests to make any further enquiries at the time.

As most of the company had travelled far that day, they retired early to rest; and having heard them all, as I thought, go up stairs, I ventured out, to get my candlestick from the drawing-room side-board. But Mr. Huntingdon had lingered behind the rest: he was just at the foot of the stairs when I opened the door; and hearing my step in the hall—though