Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/348

338 —let me go—here's Arthur, don't astonish his infantile brain with your madness." But it is time to bring my narrative to a close—any one but you would say I had made it too long already; but for your satisfaction, I will add a few words more; because, I know you will have a fellow-feeling for the old lady, and will wish to know the last of her history. I did come again in spring, and agreeably to Helen's injunctions, did my best to cultivate her acquaintance. She received me very kindly, having been doubtless, already prepared to think highly of my character, by her niece's too favourable report. I turned my best side out of course, and we got along marvellously well together. When my ambitious intentions were made known to her, she took it more sensibly than I had ventured to hope. Her only remark on the subject, in my hearing, was—

"And so Mr. Markham, you are going to rob me of my niece I understand. Well! I hope