Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/273

Rh was called to sustain another blow in the death of her uncle—a worthless old fellow enough, in himself, I dare say, but he had always shown more kindness and affection to her than to any other creature, and she had always been accustomed to regard him as a parent. She was with him when he died, and had assisted her aunt to nurse him during the last stage of his illness. Her brother went to Staningley to attend the funeral, and told me, upon his return, that she was still there, endeavouring to cheer her aunt with her presence, and likely to remain some time. This was bad news for me, for while she continued there, I could not write to her, as I did not know the address, and would not ask it of him. But week followed week, and every time I enquired about her she was still at Staningley.

"Where is Staningley?" I asked at last.

"In ——shire," was the brief reply: and there was something so cold and dry in the manner of it, that I was effectually deterred from requesting a more definite account.