Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/211

Rh but I heard that you were ill and alone, and I am come back to nurse you. You need not fear to trust me: tell me all your wants, and I will try to satisfy them. There is no one else to care for you; and I shall not upbraid you now."

"Oh! I see," said he with a bitter smile, "it's an act of christian charity, whereby you hope to gain a higher seat in Heaven for yourself, and scoop a deeper pit in hell for me."

"No; I came to offer you that comfort and assistance your situation required; and if I could benefit your soul as well as your body, and awaken some sense of contrition and ——"

"Oh, yes; if you could overwhelm me with remorse and confusion of face, now's the time. What have you done with my son?"

"He is well, and you may see him some time, if you will compose yourself, but not now.

"Where is he?"

"He is safe."