Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/221

Rh eventually recover or not. Does the idea of death appal you very much?"

"It's just the only thing I can't bear to think of; so if you've any—"

"But it must come sometime," interrupted I; "and if it be years hence, it will as certainly overtake you as if it came to-day,—and no doubt be as unwelcome then as now, unless you—"

"Oh, hang it! don't torment me with your preachments now, unless you want to kill me outright—I can't stand it, I tell you—I've sufferings enough without that. If you think there's danger, save me from it; and then, in gratitude, I'll hear whatever you like to say."

I accordingly dropped the unwelcome topic. And now, Frederick, I think I may bring my letter to a close. From these details, you may form your own judgment of the state of my patient, and of my own position and future prospects. Let me hear from you soon, and I will write again to tell you how we get on; but