Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/180

170 virtue and domestic orderly habits that he despises—but such a home, and such a partner to share it!—It is infamous!" he muttered between his teeth. "And don't think, Mrs. Huntingdon," he added aloud, "that I could be guilty of inciting him to persevere in his present pursuits: on the contrary, I have remonstrated with him again and again; I have frequently expressed my surprise at his conduct and reminded him of his duties and his privileges—but to no purpose; he only—"

"Enough, Mr. Hargrave; you ought to be aware that whatever my husband's faults may be, it can only aggravate the evil for me to hear them from a stranger's lips."

"Am I then a stranger?" said he in a sorrowful tone. "I am your nearest neighbour, your son's god-father, and your husband's friend: may I not be your's also?"

"Intimate acquaintance must precede real friendship: I know but little of you, Mr. Hargrave, except from report."