Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/74

64 more about my concerns; I shall look out for a steward, my dear; I won't expose you to the temptation. And as for the household matters, Mrs. Greaves must be very particular in keeping her accounts: we must go upon an entirely new plan—"

"What great discovery have you made now, Mr. Huntingdon? Have I attempted to defraud you?"

"Not in money matters, exactly, it seems, but it's best to keep out of the way of temptation."

Here Benson entered with the candles, and there followed a brief interval of silence—I sitting still in my chair, and he standing with his back to the fire, silently triumphing in my despair.

"And so," said he at length, "you thought to disgrace me, did you, by running away and turning artist, and supporting yourself by the labour of your hands, forsooth? And you thought to rob me of my son too, and bring