Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/67

Rh "She told me so herself; she said, 'as for the man himself, I thoroughly despise him; but then, I suppose, it is time to be making my choice, and if I waited for some one capable of eliciting my esteem and affection, I should have to pass my life in single blessedness, for I detest you all!' Ha, ha! I suspect she was wrong there;—but however, it is evident she has no love for him, poor fellow."

"Then you ought to tell him so."

"What, and spoil all her plans and prospects, poor girl? No, no: that would be a breach of confidence, wouldn't it Helen? Ha, ha! Besides, it would break his heart." And he laughed again.

"Well, Mr. Huntingdon, I don't know what you see so amazingly diverting in the matter; I see nothing to laugh at."

"I'm laughing at you, just now love," said he, redoubling his cachinnations.

And leaving him to enjoy his merriment alone, I touched Ruby with the whip, and