Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/232

222 motives, really, for your perseverance: and I counsel you to keep them still in view."

"Trust me, I will. I threaten mamma sometimes, that I'll run away, and disgrace the family by earning my own livelihood, if she torments me any more; and then that frightens her a little. But I will do it, in good earnest, if they don't mind."

"Be quiet and patient awhile," said I, "and better times will come."

Poor girl! I wish somebody that was worthy to possess her would come and take her away—don't you, Frederick? If the perusal of this letter filled me with dismay for Helen's future life and mine, there was one great source of consolation: it was now in my power to clear her name from every foul aspersion. The Millwards and the Wilsons should see with their own eyes, the bright sun bursting from the cloud—and they should be scorched and dazzled by its beams;—and my