Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/274

264 "If you had no higher motive than the approval of your fellow mortal, it would do you little good."

"Well, but if I had a mate that would not always be yielding, and always equally kind, but that would have the spirit to stand at bay now and then, and honestly tell me her mind at all times—such a one as yourself for instance—Now if I went on with you as I do with her when I'm in London, you'd make the house too hot to hold me at times, I'll be sworn."

"You mistake me: I'm no termagant."

"Well, all the better for that, for I can't stand contradiction—in a general way—and I'm as fond of my own will as another: only I think too much of it dosen't [sic] answer for any man."

"Well, I would never contradict you without a cause, but certainly I would always let you know what I thought of your conduct; and if you oppressed me, in body, mind, or estate, you should at least have no reason to suppose 'I didn't mind it.'"