Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/156

146 "You gave him a curtain lecture, did you?"

"No; but I told him I disliked such conduct, and he promised me not to repeat it."

"I thought he looked rather subdued this morning," she continued; "and you, Helen; you've been weeping I see—that's our grand resource, you know—but doesn't it make your eyes smart?—and do you always find it to answer?"

"I never cry for effect; nor can I conceive how any one can."

"Well, I don't know: I never had occasion to try it;—but I think if Lowborough were to commit such improprieties, I'd make him cry. I don't wonder at your being angry, for I'm sure I'd give my husband a lesson he would not soon forget for a lighter offence than that. But then he never will do anything of the kind; for I keep him in too good order for that."

"Are you sure you don't arrogate too much of the credit to yourself? Lord Lowborough was quite as remarkable for his abstemiousness for some time before you married him, as he is now. I have heard."