Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/323

Rh and because, if you stay, your conduct cannot possibly remain concealed much longer from the only two persons in the house who do not know it already. And, for your husband's sake, Annabella, and even for your own, I wish—I earnestly advise and entreat you to break off this unlawful connection at once, and return to your duty while you may, before the dreadful consequences—"

"Yes, yes, of course," said she, interrupting me with a gesture of impatience.—"But I cannot go, Helen, before the time appointed for our departure. What possible pretext could I frame for such a thing? Whether I proposed going back alone—which Lowborough would not hear of—or taking him with me, the very circumstance itself, would be certain to excite suspicion—and when our visit is so nearly at an end too—little more than a week—surely, you can endure my presence so long! I will not annoy you with any more of my friendly impertinences."