Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/291

Rh friendship and our love would be for ever cherished in her heart. I marched up to the door, determined if I saw the master, to question him boldly concerning his sister, to wait and hesitate no longer, but cast false delicacy and stupid pride behind my back, and know my fate at once.

"Is Mr. Lawrence at home?" I eagerly asked of the servant that opened the door.

"No sir, master went yesterday," replied he, looking very alert.

"Went where?"

"To Grass-dale, sir—wasn't you aware, sir? He's very close, is master," said the fellow with a foolish, simpering grin. "I suppose, sir—"

But I turned and left him, without waiting to hear what he supposed. I was not going to stand there to expose my tortured feelings to the insolent laughter and impertinent curiosity of a fellow like that.

But what was to be done now? Could it be