Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/271

Rh it's all one to her whether I behave like a christian or like a scoundrel such as nature made me?—and how can I help teazing her when she's so invitingly meek and mim—when she lies down like a spaniel at my feet and never so much as squeaks to tell me that's enough?"

"If you are a tyrant by nature, the temptation is strong, I allow; but no generous mind delights to oppress the weak, but rather to cherish and protect."

"I don't oppress her; but it's so confounded flat to be always cherishing and protecting;—and then how can I tell that I am oppressing her when she 'melts away and makes no sign?' I sometime thinks she has no feeling at all; and then I go on till she cries—and that satisfies me."

"Then you do delight to oppress her."

"I don't, I tell you!—only when I'm in a bad humour—or a particularly good one, and want to afflict for the pleasure of comforting;