Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/207

Rh I said no more; but observing that he kept gazing towards the foot of the bed, I went and sat there, placing the light so as to shine full upon me; for I thought he might be dying, and I wanted him to know me. For a long time, he lay silently looking upon me, first with a vacant stare, then with a fixed gaze of strange, growing intensity. At last he startled me by suddenly raising himself on his elbow and demanding in a horrified whisper, with his eyes still fixed upon me,—"Who is it?"

"It is Helen Huntingdon," said I, quietly, rising, at the same time, and removing to a less conspicuous position.

"I must be going mad," cried he—"or something—delirious perhaps—but leave me, whoever you are—I can't bear that white face, and those eyes—for God's sake go, and send me somebody else, that dosen't look like that!"

I went, at once, and sent the hired nurse. But next morning, I ventured to enter his chamber again; and, taking the nurse's place