Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/93

Rh is possible that if you married him, you might have more reason to regret it hereafter, than if you married Mr. Oldfield. When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone—there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection: that, though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but in my private opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result."

"So thinks Milicent, but allow me to say, I think otherwise. If I thought myself doomed to oldmaidenhood, I should cease to value my life. The thoughts of living on, year after year at the Grove—a hanger-on upon mamma and Walter—a mere cumberer of the ground, (now that I know in what light they would regard it,)