Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/281

Rh know it is something I don't want to hear, and something you would displease me by telling."

"You have divined too truly I fear; but still since I know it, I feel it my duty to disclose it to you."

"Oh, spare us both the infliction—and I will exonerate you from the duty. You have offered to tell; I have refused to her [sic]: my ignorance will not be charged on you"

"Be it so—you shall not hear it from me. But if the blow fall too suddenly upon you when it comes, remember—I wished to soften it!"

I left him. I was determined his words should not alarm me. What could he of all men, have to reveal that was of importance for me to hear? It was, no doubt some exaggerated tale about my unfortunate husband, that he wished to make the most of to serve his own bad purposes.

6th. He has not alluded to this momentous mystery since; and I have seen no reason to repent of my unwillingness to hear it. The