Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/265

Rh "In the billiard room."

"What a splendid creature she is!" continued he, fixing his eyes on his wife, who changed colour, and looked more and more disconcerted as he proceeded. What a noble figure she has! and what magnificent black eyes; and what a fine spirit of her own;—and what a tongue of her own, too, when she likes to use it—I perfectly adore her!—But never mind, Milicent; I would'nt have her for my wife—not if she'd a kingdom for her dowry! I'm better satisfied with the one I have.—Now then! what do you look so sulky for? don't you believe me?"

"Yes, I believe you," murmured she, in a tone of half sad, half sullen resignation, as she turned away to stroke the hair of her sleeping infant, that she had laid on the sofa beside her.

"Well then, what makes you so cross? Come here Milly, and tell me why you can't be satisfied with my assurance."

She went, and, putting her little hand within his arm, looked up in his face, and said softly,—