Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/366

354 "They won't refuse me, if you don't."

"I'm not so sure of that—my aunt dislikes you."

"But you don't, Helen—say you love me, and I'll go."

"I wish you would go!" I replied.

"I will, this instant,—if you'll only say you love me."

"You know I do," I answered. And again he caught me in his arms, and smothered me with kisses.

At that moment, my aunt opened wide the door, and stood before us, candle in hand, in shocked and horrified amazement, gazing alternately at Mr. Huntingdon and me—for we had both started up, and now stood wide enough asunder. But his confusion was only for a moment. Rallying in an instant, with the most enviable assurance, he began—

"I beg ten thousand pardons, Mrs. Maxwell! Don't be too severe upon me. I've been asking your sweet niece to take me for