EX LIBRIS
VINTAGE CLASSICS
ANNE BRONTË
Anne Brontë was born at Thornton in Yorkshire on 17 January 1820, the youngest of six children. That April, the Brontës moved to Haworth, a village on the edge of the moors, where Anne’s father had become the curate. Anne’s mother died soon afterwards. She was four when her older sisters were sent to the Clergy Daughters’ School at Cowan Bridge, where Maria and Elizabeth both caught tuberculosis and died. After that, Anne, Charlotte, Emily and Branwell were taught at home for a few years, and together, they created vivid fantasy worlds which they explored in their writing. Anne went to Roe Head School 1835–7. She worked as a governess with the Ingham family (1839–40) and with the Robinson family (1840–45). In 1846, along with Charlotte and Emily, she published Poems by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. She published Agnes Grey in 1847 and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in 1848. That year, both Anne’s brother Branwell and her sister Emily died of tuberculosis. A fortnight later, Anne was diagnosed with the same disease. She died in Scarborough on 28 May 1849.
ANNE BRONTË
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
20 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 2SA
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PREFACETOTHE SECONDEDITION
Whileiacknowledge thesuccessofthepresentwork tohavebeengreaterthanIanticipated,andthepraises ithaselicitedfromafewkindcriticstohavebeengreaterthan itdeserved,Imustalsoadmitthatfromsomeotherquartersit hasbeencensuredwithanasperitywhichIwasaslittleprepared toexpect,andwhichmyjudgmentaswellasmyfeelings,assures meismorebitterthanjust.Itisscarcelytheprovinceofan authortorefutetheargumentsofhiscensorsandvindicatehis ownproductions,butImaybeallowedtomakehereafew observationswithwhichIwouldhaveprefacedthefirstedition hadIforeseenthenecessityofsuchprecautionsagainstthe misapprehensionsofthosewhowouldreaditwithaprejudiced mindorbecontenttojudgeitbyahastyglance.
Myobjectinwritingthefollowingpages,wasnotsimplyto amusetheReader,neitherwasittogratifymyowntaste,nor yettoingratiatemyselfwiththePressandthePublic: Iwished totellthetruth,fortruthalwaysconveysitsownmoraltothose whoareabletoreceiveit.Butasthepricelesstreasuretoo frequentlyhidesatthebottomofawell,itneedssomecourage todiveforit,especiallyashethatdoessowillbelikelytoincur morescornandobloquyforthemudandwaterintowhichhe hasventuredtoplunge,thanthanksforthejewelheprocures; as,inlikemanner,shewhoundertakesthecleansingofacareless bachelor’sapartmentwillbeliabletomoreabuseforthedust sheraises,thancommendationfortheclearancesheeffects.Let itnotbeimagined,however,thatIconsidermyselfcompetent toreformtheerrorsandabusesofsociety,butonlythatIwould
faincontributemyhumblequotatowardssogoodanaim,and ifIcangainthepublicearatall,Iwouldratherwhisperafew wholesometruthsthereinthanmuchsoftnonsense.
Asthestoryof‘AgnesGrey’wasaccusedofextravagantovercolouringinthoseverypartsthatwerecarefullycopiedfrom thelife,withamostscrupulousavoidanceofallexaggeration, so,inthepresentwork,Ifindmyselfcensuredfordepicting conamore,with‘amorbidloveofthecoarse,ifnotofthe brutal,’thosesceneswhich,Iwillventuretosay,havenotbeen morepainfulforthemostfastidiousofmycriticstoread,than theywereformetodescribe.Imayhavegonetoofar,inwhich caseIshallbecarefulnottotroublemyselformyreadersinthe samewayagain; butwhenwehavetodowithviceandvicious characters,Imaintainitisbettertodepictthemastheyreally arethanastheywouldwishtoappear.Torepresentabadthing initsleastoffensivelightis,doubtless,themostagreeablecourse forawriteroffictiontopursue; butisitthemosthonest,or thesafest?Isitbettertorevealthesnaresandpitfallsoflife totheyoungandthoughtlesstraveller,ortocoverthemwith branchesandflowers?OReader!iftherewerelessofthisdelicate concealmentoffacts–thiswhispering‘Peace,peace,’when thereisnopeace,therewouldbelessofsinandmiserytothe youngofbothsexeswhoarelefttowringtheirbitterknowledge fromexperience.
Iwouldnotbeunderstoodtosupposethattheproceedings oftheunhappyscapegrace,withhisfewprofligatecompanions Ihavehereintroduced,areaspecimenofthecommonpractices ofsociety: thecaseisanextremeone,asItrustednonewould failtoperceive; butIknowthatsuchcharactersdoexist,andif Ihavewarnedonerashyouthfromfollowingintheirsteps,or preventedonethoughtlessgirlfromfallingintotheverynatural errorofmyheroine,thebookhasnotbeenwritteninvain.But, atthesametime,ifanyhonestreadershallhavederivedmore painthanpleasurefromitsperusal,andhaveclosedthelast volumewithadisagreeableimpressiononhismind,Ihumbly
cravehispardon,forsuchwasfarfrommyintention; andIwill endeavourtodobetteranothertime,forIlovetogiveinnocent pleasure.Yet,beitunderstood,Ishallnotlimitmyambition tothis,–oreventoproducing‘aperfectworkofart :’timeand talentssospent,Ishouldconsiderwastedandmisapplied.Such humbletalentsasGodhasgivenmeIwillendeavourtoputto theirgreatestuse; ifIamabletoamuseIwilltrytobenefittoo; andwhenIfeelitmydutytospeakanunpalatabletruth,with thehelpofGod,Iwillspeakit,thoughitbetotheprejudice ofmynameandtothedetrimentofmyreader’simmediate pleasureaswellasmyown.
Onewordmore,andIhavedone.Respectingtheauthor’s identity,IwouldhaveittobedistinctlyunderstoodthatActon BellisneitherCurrernorEllisBell,andthereforeletnothis faultsbeattributedtothem.Astowhetherthenameberealor fictitious,itcannotgreatlysignifytothosewhoknowhimonly byhisworks.Aslittle,Ishouldthink,canitmatterwhether thewritersodesignatedisaman,orawoman,asoneortwo ofmycriticsprofesstohavediscovered.Itaketheimputation ingoodpart,asacomplimenttothejustdelineationofmy femalecharacters; andthoughIamboundtoattributemuch oftheseverityofmycensorstothissuspicion,Imakenoeffort torefuteit,because,inmyownmind,Iamsatisfiedthatifa bookisagoodone,itissowhateverthesexoftheauthormay be.Allnovelsareorshouldbewrittenforbothmenandwomen toread,andIamatalosstoconceivehowamanshouldpermit himselftowriteanythingthatwouldbereallydisgracefultoa woman,orwhyawomanshouldbecensuredforwritinganythingthatwouldbeproperandbecomingforaman.
July 22nd, 1848.
TOJ.HALFORD,ESQ.
dearhalford ,
Whenweweretogetherlast,yougavemeaveryparticular andinterestingaccountofthemostremarkableoccurrencesof yourearlylife,previoustoouracquaintance; andthenyou requestedareturnofconfidencefromme.Notbeinginastorytellinghumouratthetime,Ideclined,underthepleaofhaving nothingtotell,andthelikeshufflingexcuses,whichwere regardedaswhollyinadmissiblebyyou; forthoughyouinstantly turnedtheconversation,itwaswiththeairofanuncomplaining, butdeeplyinjuredman,andyourfacewasovershadowedwith acloudwhichdarkenedittotheendofourinterview,and,for whatIknow,darkensitstill; foryourlettershave,eversince, beendistinguishedbyacertaindignified,semi-melancholy stiffnessandreserve,thatwouldhavebeenveryaffecting,ifmy consciencehadaccusedmeofdeservingit.
Areyounotashamed,oldboy–atyourage,andwhenwe haveknowneachothersointimatelyandsolong,andwhen Ihavealreadygivenyousomanyproofsoffranknessandconfidence,andneverresentedyourcomparativeclosenessand taciturnity?–Butthereitis,Isuppose; youarenotnaturally communicative,andyouthoughtyouhaddonegreatthings, andgivenanunparalleledproofoffriendlyconfidenceonthat memorableoccasion–which,doubtless,youhaveswornshall bethelastofthekind,–andyoudeemedthatthesmallest returnIcouldmakeforsomightyafavour,wouldbetofollow yourexamplewithoutamoment’shesitation.–
Well!–Ididnottakeupmypentoreproachyou,norto
defendmyself,nottoapologizeforpastoffences,but,ifpossible, toatoneforthem.
Itisasoaking,rainyday,thefamilyareabsentonavisit, Iamaloneinmylibrary,andhavebeenlookingovercertain mustyoldlettersandpapers,andmusingonpasttimes; sothat Iamnowinaveryproperframeofmindforamusingyouwith anoldworldstory; –and,havingwithdrawnmywell-roasted feetfromthehobs,wheeledroundtothetable,andinditedthe abovelinestomycrustyoldfriend,Iamabouttogivehima sketch–nonotasketch,–afullandfaithfulaccountofcertain circumstancesconnectedwiththemostimportanteventofmy life–previoustomyacquaintancewithJackHalfordatleast; –andwhenyouhavereadit,chargemewithingratitudeand unfriendlyreserveifyoucan.
Iknowyoulikealongstory,andareasgreatasticklerfor particularitiesandcircumstantialdetailsasmygrandmother,so Iwillnotspareyou: myownpatienceandleisureshallbemy onlylimits.
AmongthelettersandpapersIspokeof,thereisacertain fadedoldjournalofmine,whichImentionbywayofassurance thatIhavenotmymemoryalone–tenaciousasitis–todepend upon; inorderthatyourcredulitymaynotbetooseverelytaxed infollowingmethroughtheminutedetailsofmynarrative.–Tobeginthen,atonce,withChapterfirst,–foritshallbea taleofmanychapters.–
CHAPTERI ADISCOVERY
Youmustgo backwithmetotheautumnof 1827. Myfather,asyouknow,wasasortofgentlemanfarmer in—shire; andI,byhisexpressdesire,succeededhiminthe samequietoccupation,notverywillingly,forambitionurged metohigheraims,andself-conceitassuredmethat,indisregardingitsvoice,Iwasburyingmytalentintheearth,and hidingmylightunderabushel.Mymotherhaddoneher utmosttopersuademethatIwascapableofgreatachievements; butmyfather,whothoughtambitionwasthesurestroadto ruin,andchangebutanotherwordfordestruction,wouldlisten tonoschemeforbetteringeithermyowncondition,orthatof myfellowmortals.Heassuredmeitwasallrubbish,and exhortedme,withhisdyingbreath,tocontinueinthegood oldway,tofollowhissteps,andthoseofhisfatherbeforehim, andletmyhighestambitionbe,towalkhonestlythroughthe world,lookingneithertotherighthandnortotheleft,and totransmitthepaternalacrestomychildrenin,atleast,as flourishingaconditionasheleftthemtome.
‘Well!–anhonestandindustriousfarmerisoneofthemost usefulmembersofsociety; andifIdevotemytalentstothe cultivationofmyfarm,andtheimprovementofagriculturein general,Ishalltherebybenefit,notonlymyownimmediate connectionsanddependants,butinsomedegree,mankindat large: –henceIshallnothavelivedinvain.’
Withsuchreflectionsasthese,Iwasendeavouringtoconsole myself,asIploddedhomefromthefields,onecold,damp, cloudyeveningtowardsthecloseofOctober.Butthegleamof
abrightredfirethroughtheparlourwindow,hadmoreeffect incheeringmyspirits,andrebukingmythanklessrepinings, thanallthesagereflectionsandgoodresolutionsIhadforced mymindtoframe; –forIwasyoungthen,remember–only fourandtwenty–andhadnotacquiredhalftheruleovermy ownspirit,thatInowpossess–triflingasthatmaybe.
However,thathavenofblissmustnotbeenteredtillIhad exchangedmymiryboots,foracleanpairofshoes,andmy roughsurtoutforarespectablecoat,andmademyselfgenerally presentablebeforedecentsociety; formymother,withallher kindness,wasvastlyparticularoncertainpoints.
Inascendingtomyroom,Iwasmetuponthestairsbya smart,prettygirlofnineteen,withatidy,dumpyfigure,around face,bright,bloomingcheeks,glossy,clusteringcurls,andlittle merrybrowneyes.IneednottellyouthiswasmysisterRose. Sheis,Iknow,acomelymatronstill,and,doubtless,noless lovely–in your eyes–thanonthehappydayyoufirstbeheld her.Nothingtoldmethen,thatshe,afewyearshence,would bethewifeofone–entirelyunknowntomeasyet,butdestined hereaftertobecomeacloserfriendthanevenherself,more intimatethanthatunmannerlyladofseventeen,bywhomIwas collaredinthepassage,oncomingdown,andwellnighjerked off myequilibrium,andwho,incorrectionforhisimpudence, receivedaresoundingwhackoverthesconce,which,however, sustainednoseriousinjuryfromtheinfliction; asbesidesbeing morethancommonlythick,itwasprotectedbyaredundant shockofshort,reddishcurls,thatmymothercalledauburne.
Onenteringtheparlour,wefoundthathonouredladyseated inherarm-chairatthefireside,workingawayatherknitting, accordingtoherusualcustom,whenshehadnothingelsetodo. Shehadsweptthehearth,andmadeabrightblazingfireforour reception; theservanthadjustbroughtinthetea-tray; andRose wasproducingthesugar-basinandtea-caddy,fromthecupboardintheblack,oaksideboard,thatshonelikepolished ebony,inthecheerfulparlourtwilight.
‘Well!heretheybothare,’criedmymother,lookinground uponuswithoutretardingthemotionofhernimblefingers andglitteringneedles.‘Nowshutthedoor,andcometothe fire,whileRosegetstheteaready; I’msureyoumustbestarved; –andtellmewhatyou’vebeenaboutallday; Iliketoknow whatmychildrenhavebeenabout.’
‘I’vebeenbreakinginthegreycolt–noeasybusinessthat –directingtheploughingofthelastwheatstubble–forthe ploughboyhasnotthesensetodirecthimself–andcarrying outaplanfortheextensiveandefficientdrainingofthelow meadow-lands.’
‘That’smybraveboy!–andFergus–whathaveyoubeen doing?’
‘Badger-baiting.’
Andhereheproceededtogiveaparticularaccountofhis sport,andtherespectivetraitsofprowessevincedbythebadger andthedogs; mymotherpretendingtolistenwithdeepattention,andwatchinghisanimatedcountenancewithadegreeof maternaladmirationIthoughthighlydisproportionedtoits object.
‘It’stimeyoushouldbedoingsomethingelse,Fergus,’said I,assoonasamomentarypauseinhisnarration,allowedme togetinaword.
‘What can Ido?’repliedhe; ‘mymotherwon’tletmegoto seaorenterthearmy; andI’mdeterminedtodonothingelse–exceptmakemyselfsuchanuisancetoyouall,thatyouwillbe thankfultogetridofme,onanyterms.’
Ourparentsoothinglystrokedhisstiff,shortcurls.He growled,andtriedtolooksulky,andthen,wealltookour seatsatthetable,inobediencetothethricerepeatedsummons ofRose.
‘Nowtakeyourtea,’saidshe; ‘andI’lltellyouwhat I’ve been doing.I’vebeentocallontheWilsons; andit’sa thousand pities youdidn’tgowithme,Gilbert,forElizaMillwardwasthere!’ ‘Well!whatofher?’
‘Oh,nothing!–I’mnotgoingtotellyouabouther; –only thatshe’sanice,amusinglittlething,whensheisinamerry humour,andIshouldn’tmindcallingher—’
‘Hush,hush,mydear!yourbrotherhasnosuchidea!’whisperedmymotherearnestly,holdingupherfinger.
‘Well,’resumedRose; ‘Iwasgoingtotellyouanimportant pieceofnewsIheardthere–I’vebeenburstingwithitever since.Youknowitwasreportedamonthago,thatsomebody wasgoingtotakeWildfellHall–and–whatdoyouthink?It hasactuallybeeninhabitedaboveaweek!–andweneverknew!’
‘Impossible!’criedmymother.
‘Preposterous!!!’shriekedFergus.
‘Ithasindeed!–andbyasinglelady!’
‘Goodgracious,mydear!Theplaceisinruins!’
‘Shehashadtwoorthreeroomsmadehabitable; andthere shelives,allalone–exceptanoldwomanforaservant!’
‘Ohdear!thatspoilsit–I’dhopedshewasawitch,’observed Fergus,whilecarvinghisinch-thicksliceofbreadandbutter.
‘Nonsense,Fergus!Butisn’titstrange,mamma?’
‘Strange!Icanhardlybelieveit.’
‘Butyoumaybelieveit; forJaneWilsonhasseenher.She wentwithhermother,who,ofcourse,whensheheardofa strangerbeingintheneighbourhood,wouldbeonpinsand needlestillshehadseenherandgotallshecouldoutofher. SheiscalledMrsGraham,andsheisinmourning–notwidow’s weeds,butslightishmourning–andsheisquiteyoung,they say,–notabovefiveorsixandtwenty,–but so reserved!They triedalltheycouldtofindoutwhoshewas,andwhereshe camefrom,andallabouther,butneitherMrsWilson,withher pertinaciousandimpertinenthomethrusts,norMissWilson, withherskilfulmanœuvring,couldmanagetoelicitasingle satisfactoryanswer,orevenacasualremark,orchanceexpressioncalculatedtoallaytheircuriosity,orthrowthefaintest rayoflightuponherhistory,circumstances,orconnexions. Moreover,shewasbarelyciviltothem,andevidentlybetter
223 pleasedtosay‘‘good-bye,’’than‘‘howdoyoudo.’’ButEliza Millwardsaysherfatherintendstocalluponhersoon,tooffer somepastoraladvice,whichhefearssheneeds,as,thoughshe isknowntohaveenteredtheneighbourhoodearlylastweek, shedidnotmakeherappearanceatchurchonSunday; and she–Eliza,thatis–willbegtoaccompanyhim,andissure she cansucceedinwheedlingsomethingoutofher–youknow, Gilbert, she candoanything.And we shouldcallsometime, mamma; it’sonlyproper,youknow.’
‘Ofcourse,mydear.Poorthing!howlonelyshemustfeel!’
‘Andpraybequickaboutit; andmindyoubringmeword howmuchsugarsheputsinhertea,andwhatsortofcapsand apronsshewears,andallaboutit; forIdon’tknowhowIcan livetillIknow,’saidFergus,verygravely.
Butifheintendedthespeechtobehailedasamaster-stroke ofwit,hesignallyfailed,fornobodylaughed.However,hewas notmuchdisconcertedatthat; forwhenhehadtakenamouthfulofbreadandbutter,andwasabouttoswallowagulpoftea, thehumourofthethingburstuponhimwithsuchirresistible force,thathewasobligedtojumpupfromthetable,andrush snortingandchokingfromtheroom; andaminuteafter,was heardscreaminginfearfulagonyinthegarden.
Asforme,Iwashungry,andcontentedmyselfwithsilently demolishingthetea,ham,andtoast,whilemymotherandsister wentontalking,andcontinuedtodiscusstheapparent,ornonapparentcircumstances,andprobableorimprobablehistoryof themysteriouslady; butImustconfessthat,aftermybrother’s misadventure,Ionceortwice,raisedthecuptomylips,and putitdownagainwithoutdaringtotastethecontents,lestI shouldinjuremydignitybyasimilarexplosion.
Thenextday,mymotherandRosehastenedtopaytheir complimentstothefairrecluse; andcamebackbutlittlewiser thantheywent; thoughmymotherdeclaredshedidnotregret thejourney,forifshehadnotgainedmuchgood,sheflattered herselfshehadimpartedsome,andthatwasbetter: shehad
givensomeusefuladvice,which,shehoped,wouldnotbe thrownaway; forMrsGraham,thoughshesaidlittletoany purpose,andappearedsomewhatself-opinionated,seemednot incapableofreflection,–thoughshedidnotknowwhereshe hadbeenallherlife,poorthing,forshebetrayedalamentable ignoranceoncertainpoints,andhadnoteventhesensetobe ashamedofit.
‘Onwhatpoints,mother?’askedI.
‘Onhouseholdmatters,andallthelittlenicetiesofcookery, andsuchthings,thateveryladyoughttobefamiliarwith, whethersheberequiredtomakeapracticaluseofherknowledgeornot.Igavehersomeusefulpiecesofinformation, however,andseveralexcellentreceipts,thevalueofwhich,she evidentlycouldnotappreciate,forshebeggedIwouldnot troublemyself,asshelivedinsuchaplain,quietway,thatshe wassuresheshouldnevermakeuseofthem.‘‘Nomatter,my dear,’’saidI; ‘‘itiswhateveryrespectablefemaleoughttoknow; –andbesides,thoughyouarealonenow,youwillnotbealways so; you have beenmarried,andprobably–Imightsayalmost certainly–willbeagain.’’‘‘YouaremistakenthereMa’am,’’said she,almosthaughtily; ‘‘IamcertainInevershall.’’–ButItold her I knewbetter.’
‘Someromanticyoungwidow,Isuppose,’saidI,‘comethere toendherdaysinsolitude,andmourninsecretforthedear departed–butitwon’tlastlong.’
‘No,Ithinknot,’observedRose; ‘forshedidn’tseem very disconsolateafterall; andshe’sexcessivelypretty–handsome rather–youmustseeherGilbert; youwillcallheraperfect beauty,thoughyoucouldhardlypretendtodiscoveraresemblancebetweenherandElizaMillward.’
‘Well,IcanimaginemanyfacesmorebeautifulthanEliza’s, thoughnotmorecharming.Iallowshehassmallclaimsto perfection; butthen,Imaintainthat,ifsheweremoreperfect, shewouldbelessinteresting.’
‘Andsoyoupreferherfaultstootherpeople’sperfections?’
‘Justso–savingmymother’spresence.’
‘Oh,mydearGilbert,whatnonsenseyoutalk!–Iknowyou don’tmeanit; it’squiteoutofthequestion,’saidmymother, gettingup,andbustlingoutoftheroom,underpretenceof householdbusiness,inordertoescapethecontradictionthat wastremblingonmytongue.
Afterthat,RosefavouredmewithfurtherparticularsrespectingMrsGraham.Herappearance,manners,anddress,andthe veryfurnitureoftheroomsheinhabited,wereallsetbeforeme, withrathermoreclearnessandprecisionthanIcaredtosee them; but,asIwasnotaveryattentivelistener,Icouldnotrepeat thedescriptionifIwould.
ThenextdaywasSaturday; and,onSunday,everybodywonderedwhetherornotthefairunknownwouldprofitbythe vicar’sremonstrance,andcometochurch.Iconfess,Ilooked withsomeinterestmyselftowardstheoldfamilypew,appertainingtoWildfellHall,wherethefadedcrimsoncushionsand lininghadbeenunpressedandunrenewedsomanyyears,and thegrimescutcheons,withtheirlugubriousbordersofrusty blackcloth,frownedsosternlyfromthewallabove.
AndthereIbeheldatall,lady-likefigure,cladinblack.Her facewastowardsme,andtherewassomethinginit,which, onceseen,invitedmetolookagain.Herhairwasravenblack, anddisposedinlongglossyringlets,astyleofcoiffure,rather unusualinthosedays,butalwaysgracefulandbecoming; her complexionwasclearandpale; hereyesIcouldnotsee,for beingbentuponherprayer-booktheywereconcealedbytheir droopinglidsandlongblacklashes,butthebrowsabovewere expressiveandwelldefined,theforeheadwasloftyandintellectual,thenose,aperfectaquiline,andthefeaturesingeneral, unexceptionable–onlytherewasaslighthollownessaboutthe cheeksandeyes,andthelips,thoughfinelyformed,werealittle toothin,alittletoofirmlycompressed,andhadsomething aboutthemthatbetokened,Ithought,noverysoftoramiable temper; andIsaidinmyheart–
‘Iwouldratheradmireyoufromthisdistance,fairlady,than bethepartnerofyourhome.’
Justthen,shehappenedtoraisehereyes,andtheymetmine; Ididnotchoosetowithdrawmygaze,andsheturnedagainto herbook,butwithamomentary,indefinableexpressionofquiet scorn,thatwasinexpressiblyprovokingtome.
‘Shethinksmeanimpudentpuppy,’thoughtI.‘Humph!–sheshallchangehermindbeforelong,ifIthinkitworthwhile.’
Butthen,itflasheduponmethatthesewereveryimproper thoughtsforaplaceofworship,andthatmybehaviour,onthe presentoccasion,wasanythingbutwhatitoughttobe.Previous,however,todirectingmymindtotheservice,Iglanced roundthechurchtoseeifanyonehadbeenobservingme; –butno,–all,whowerenotattendingtotheirprayer-books, wereattendingtothestrangelady,–mygoodmotherandsister amongtherest,andMrsWilsonandherdaughter; andeven ElizaMillwardwasslylyglancingfromthecornersofhereyes towardstheobjectofgeneralattraction.Then,sheglancedat me,simperedalittle,andblushed,–modestlylookedather prayer-book,andendeavouredtocomposeherfeatures.
HereIwastransgressingagain; andthistimeIwasmade sensibleofitbyasuddendigintheribs,fromtheelbowofmy pertbrother.Forthepresent,Icouldonlyresenttheinsultby pressingmyfootuponhistoes,deferringfurthervengeancetill wegotoutofchurch.
Now,Halford,beforeIclosethisletter,I’lltellyouwhoEliza Millwardwas: shewasthevicar’syoungerdaughter,andavery engaginglittlecreature,forwhomIfeltnosmalldegreeof partiality; –andsheknewit,thoughIhadnevercometoany directexplanation,andhadnodefiniteintentionofsodoing, formymother,whomaintainedtherewasnoonegoodenough forme,withintwentymilesround,couldnotbearthethoughts ofmymarryingthatinsignificant,littlething,who,inaddition tohernumerousotherdisqualifications,hadnottwentypounds tocallherown.Eliza’sfigurewasatonceslightandplump,her
THETENANTOFWILDFELLHALL 227 facesmall,andnearlyasroundasmysister’s,–complexion, somethingsimilartohers,butmoredelicateandlessdecidedly blooming,–nose, retrousse ´,–features,generallyirregular; –and,altogether,shewasrathercharmingthanpretty.Buther eyes–Imustnotforgetthoseremarkablefeatures,fortherein herchiefattractionlay–inoutwardaspectatleast; –theywere longandnarrowinshape,theiridsblack,orverydarkbrown, theexpressionvarious,andeverchanging,butalwayseither preternaturally–Ihadalmostsaid diabolically –wicked,or irresistiblybewitching–oftenboth.Hervoicewasgentleand childish,hertreadlightandsoftasthatofacat; –buther mannersmorefrequentlyresembledthoseofapretty,playful kitten,thatisnowpertandroguish,nowtimidanddemure, accordingtoitsownsweetwill.
Hersister,Mary,wasseveralyearsolder,severalinchestaller, andofalarger,coarserbuild–aplain,quiet,sensiblegirlwho hadpatientlynursedtheirmother,throughherlastlong,tedious illness,andbeenthehousekeeper,andfamilydrudge,from thencetothepresenttime.Shewastrustedandvaluedbyher father,lovedandcourtedbyalldogs,cats,children,andpoor people,andslightedandneglectedbyeverybodyelse.
TheReverendMichaelMillward,himself,wasatall,ponderous,elderlygentleman,whoplacedashovelhatabovehislarge, square,massive-featuredface,carriedastoutwalkingstickin hishand,andincasedhisstillpowerfullimbsinkneebreeches andgaiters,–orblacksilkstockingsonstateoccasions.Hewasa manoffixedprinciples,strongprejudices,andregularhabits,–intolerantofdissentinanyshape,actingunderafirmconvictionthat his opinionswerealwaysright,andwhoeverdiffered fromthem,mustbe,eithermostdeplorablyignorant,orwilfullyblind.
Inchildhood,Ihadalwaysbeenaccustomedtoregardhim withafeelingofreverentialawe–butlately,evennow,surmounted,for,thoughhehadafatherlykindnessforthewellbehaved,hewasastrictdisciplinarian,andhadoftensternly
reprovedourjuvenilefailingsandpeccadillos; andmoreover,in thosedayswheneverhecalleduponourparents,wehadtostand upbeforehim,andsayourcatechism,orrepeat‘Howdoththe littlebusybee,’orsomeotherhymn,or–worsethanall–be questionedabouthislasttextandtheheadsofthediscourse, whichwenevercouldremember.Sometimes,theworthygentlemanwouldreprovemymotherforbeingoverindulgenttoher sons,withareferencetooldEli,orDavidandAbsalom,which wasparticularlygallingtoherfeelings; and,veryhighlyasshe respectedhim,andallhissayings,Ionceheardherexclaim, ‘Iwishtogoodnesshehadasonhimself!Hewouldn’tbesoready withhisadvicetootherpeoplethen; –he’dseewhatit is tohave acoupleofboystokeepinorder.’
Hehadalaudablecareforhisownbodilyhealth–keptvery earlyhours,regularlytookawalkbeforebreakfast,wasvastly particularaboutwarmanddryclothing,hadneverbeenknown topreachasermonwithoutpreviouslyswallowingarawegg–albeithewasgiftedwithgoodlungsandapowerfulvoice, –andwas,generally,extremelyparticularaboutwhatheeat anddrank,thoughbynomeansabstemious,andhavingamode ofdietarypeculiartohimself,–beingagreatdespiseroftea andsuchslops,andapatronofmaltliquors,baconandeggs, ham,hungbeef,andotherstrongmeats,whichagreedwell enoughwithhisdigestiveorgans,andthereforeweremaintained byhimtobegoodandwholesomeforeverybody,andconfidentlyrecommendedtothemostdelicateconvalescentsor dyspeptics,who,iftheyfailedtoderivethepromisedbenefit fromhisprescriptions,weretolditwasbecausetheyhadnot persevered,andiftheycomplainedofinconvenientresults therefrom,wereassureditwasallfancy.
IwilljusttouchupontwootherpersonswhomIhavementioned,andthenbringthislonglettertoaclose.Theseare MrsWilsonandherdaughter.Theformerwasthewidowofa substantialfarmer,anarrow-minded,tattlingoldgossip,whose characterisnotworthdescribing.Shehadtwosons,Robert,a
229 roughcountrifiedfarmer,andRichard,aretiring,studious youngman,whowasstudyingtheclassicswiththevicar’sassistance,preparingforcollege,withaviewtoenterthechurch. TheirsisterJanewasayoungladyofsometalentsandmore ambition.Shehadatherowndesire,receivedaregularboardingschooleducation,superiortowhatanymemberofthefamilyhad obtainedbefore.Shehadtakenthepolishwell,acquiredconsiderableeleganceofmanners,quitelostherprovincialaccent,and couldboastofmoreaccomplishmentsthanthevicar’sdaughters. Shewasconsideredabeautybesides; butneverforamoment couldshenumbermeamongstheradmirers.Shewasaboutsix andtwenty,rathertallandveryslender,herhairwasneither chestnutnorauburne,butamostdecided,bright,lightred,her complexionwasremarkablyfairandbrilliant,herheadsmall, necklong,chinwellturned,butveryshort,lipsthinandred, eyesclearhazel,quick,andpenetrating,butentirelydestitute ofpoetryorfeeling.Shehad,ormighthavehadmanysuitors inherownrankoflife,butscornfullyrepulsedorrejectedthem all; fornonebutagentlemancouldpleaseherrefinedtaste,and nonebutarichonecouldsatisfyhersoaringambition.One gentlemantherewas,fromwhomshehadlatelyreceivedsome ratherpointedattentions,anduponwhoseheart,name,and fortune,itwaswhispered,shehadseriousdesigns.ThiswasMr Lawrence,theyoungsquirewhosefamilyhadformerlyoccupiedWildfellHall,buthaddesertedit,somefifteenyearsago, foramoremodernandcommodiousmansionintheneighbouringparish.
NowHalford,Ibidyouadieuforthepresent.Thisisthe firstinstalmentofmydebt.Ifthecoinsuitsyou,tellmeso, andI’llsendyoutherestatmyleisure: ifyouwouldrather remainmycreditorthanstuff yourpursewithsuchungainly, heavypieces,–tellmestill,andI’llpardonyourbadtaste,and willinglykeepthetreasuretomyself.
Yoursimmutably, gilbertmarkham .
CHAPTERII ANINTERVIEW
Iperceive , withjoy ,mymostvaluedfriend,thatthe cloudofyourdispleasurehaspastaway; thelightofyour countenanceblessesmeoncemore,andyoudesirethecontinuationofmystory: therefore,withoutmoreado,youshall haveit.
IthinkthedayIlastmentioned,wasacertainSunday,the latestintheOctoberof 1827.OnthefollowingTuesdayIwas outwithmydogandgun,inpursuitofsuchgameasIcould findwithintheterritoryofLinden-car; butfindingnoneatall, Iturnedmyarmsagainstthehawksandcarrioncrows,whose depredations,asIsuspected,haddeprivedmeofbetterprey. Tothisend,Ileftthemorefrequentedregions,thewooded valleys,thecornfields,andthemeadowlands,andproceeded tomountthesteepacclivityofWildfell,thewildestandthe loftiesteminenceinourneighbourhood,where,asyouascend, thehedges,aswellasthetrees,becomescantyandstunted,the former,atlength,givingplacetoroughstonefences,partly greenedoverwithivyandmoss,thelattertolarchesandScotch fir-trees,orisolatedblackthorns.Thefields,beingroughand stonyandwhollyunfitfortheplough,weremostlydevotedto thepasturingofsheepandcattle; thesoilwasthinandpoor: bitsofgreyrockhereandtherepeepedoutfromthegrassy hillocks; bilberryplantsandheather–relicsofmoresavage wildness,–grewunderthewalls; andinmanyoftheenclosures, ragweedsandrushesusurpedsupremacyoverthescantyherbage; –butthesewerenot my property.
Nearthetopofthishill,abouttwomilesfromLinden-car,
231 stoodWildfellHall,asuperannuatedmansionoftheElizabethanera,builtofdarkgreystone,–venerableandpicturesque tolookat,butdoubtless,coldandgloomyenoughtoinhabit, withitsthickstonemullionsandlittlelatticedpanes,itstimeeatenair-holes,anditstoolonely,toounshelteredsituation,–onlyshieldedfromthewarofwindandweatherbyagroupof Scotchfirs,themselveshalfblightedwithstorms,andlooking assternandgloomyastheHallitself.Behinditlayafewdesolatefields,andthenthebrownheath-cladsummitofthehill; beforeit(enclosedbystonewalls,andenteredbyanirongate withlargeballsofgreygranite–similartothosewhichdecoratedtheroofandgables–surmountingthegate-posts),wasa garden,–once,stockedwithsuchhardyplantsandflowersas couldbestbrookthesoilandclimate,andsuchtreesandshrubs ascouldbestendurethegardener’storturingshears,andmost readilyassumetheshapeshechosetogivethem,–now,having beenleftsomanyyears,untilledanduntrimmed,abandoned totheweedsandthegrass,tothefrostandthewind,therain andthedrought,itpresentedaverysingularappearanceindeed. Theclosegreenwallsofprivet,thathadborderedtheprincipal walk,weretwo-thirdswitheredaway,andtherestgrownbeyond allreasonablebounds; theoldboxwoodswan,thatsatbeside thescraper,hadlostitsneckandhalfitsbody; thecastellated towersoflaurelinthemiddleofthegarden,thegiganticwarrior thatstoodononesideofthegateway,andthelionthatguarded theother,weresproutedintosuchfantasticshapesasresembled nothingeitherinHeavenorearth,orinthewatersunderthe earth; but,tomyyoungimagination,theypresentedallofthem agoblinishappearance,thatharmonizedwellwiththeghostly legendsanddarktraditionsouroldnursehadtoldusrespecting thehauntedHallanditsdepartedoccupants.
IhadsucceededinkillingahawkandtwocrowswhenIcame withinsightofthemansion; andthen,relinquishingfurther depredations,Isaunteredon,tohavealookattheoldplace,and seewhatchangeshadbeenwroughtinitbyitsnewinhabitant.
Ididnotliketogoquitetothefrontandstareinatthegate; but Ipausedbesidethegardenwall,andlooked,andsawnochange–exceptinonewing,wherethebrokenwindowsanddilapidated roofhadevidentlybeenrepaired,andwhereathinwreathof smokewascurlingupfromthestackofchimneys.
WhileIthusstood,leaningonmygun,andlookingupat thedarkgables,sunkinanidlereverie,weavingatissueof waywardfancies,inwhicholdassociationsandthefairyoung hermit,nowwithinthosewalls,boreanearlyequalpart,Iheard aslightrustlingandscramblingjustwithinthegarden; and, glancinginthedirectionwhencethesoundproceeded,Ibeheld atinyhandelevatedabovethewall : itclungtothetopmost stone,andthenanotherlittlehandwasraisedtotakeafirmer hold,andthenappearedasmallwhiteforehead,surmounted withwreathsoflightbrownhair,withapairofdeepblueeyes beneath,andtheupperportionofadiminutiveivorynose.
Theeyesdidnotnoticeme,butsparkledwithgleeonbeholdingSancho,mybeautifulblackandwhitesetter,thatwascoursingaboutthefieldwithitsmuzzletotheground.Thelittle creatureraiseditsfaceandcalledaloudtothedog.Thegoodnaturedanimalpaused,lookedup,andwaggedhistail,but madenofurtheradvances.Thechild(alittleboy,apparently aboutfiveyearsold)scrambleduptothetopofthewalland calledagainandagain; butfindingthisofnoavail,apparently madeuphismind,likeMahomet,togotothemountainsince themountainwouldnotcometohim,andattemptedtoget over; butacrabbedoldcherrytree,thatgrewhardby,caught himbythefrockinoneofitscrookedscraggyarmsthat stretchedoverthewall.Inattemptingtodisengagehimself,his footslipped,anddownhetumbled–butnottotheearth; –thetreestillkepthimsuspended.Therewasasilentstruggle, andthenapiercingshriek; –but,inaninstant,Ihaddropped mygunonthegrass,andcaughtthelittlefellowinmyarms.
Iwipedhiseyeswithhisfrock,toldhimhewasallright,and calledSanchotopacifyhim.Hewasjustputtinghislittlehand
233
onthedog’sneckandbeginningtosmilethroughhistears, whenIheard,behindme,aclickoftheirongateandarustle offemalegarments,andlo!MrsGrahamdarteduponme,–herneckuncovered,herblacklocksstreaminginthewind.
‘Givemethechild!’shesaidinavoicescarcelouderthana whisper,butwithatoneofstartlingvehemence,and,seizing theboy,shesnatchedhimfromme,asifsomedirecontaminationwereinmytouch,andthenstoodwithonehandfirmly claspinghis,theotheronhisshoulder,fixinguponmeherlarge, luminous,darkeyes–pale,breathless,quiveringwithagitation.
‘IwasnotharmingthechildMadam,’saidI,scarceknowing whethertobemostastonishedordispleased; ‘hewastumbling off thewallthere; andIwassofortunateastocatchhim,while hehungsuspendedheadlongfromthattree,andpreventIknow notwhatcatastrophe.’
‘Ibegyourpardonsir,’stammeredshe; –suddenlycalming down,–thelightofreasonseemingtobreakuponherbeclouded spiritandafaintblushmantlingonhercheek–‘Ididnotknow you; –andIthought–’
Shestoopedtokissthechild,andfondlyclaspedherarm roundhisneck.
‘YouthoughtIwasgoingtokidnapyourson,Isuppose?’
Shestrokedhisheadwithahalf-embarrassedlaugh,and replied,–
‘Ididnotknowhehadattemptedtoclimbthewall–Ihave thepleasureofaddressingMrMarkham,Ibelieve?’sheadded somewhatabruptly.
Ibowed,butventuredtoaskhowsheknewme.
‘Yoursistercalledhere,afewdaysago,withMrsMarkham.’
‘Istheresemblancesostrongthen?’Iaskedinsomesurprise, andnotsogreatlyflatteredattheideaasIoughttohavebeen.
‘ThereisalikenessabouttheeyesandcomplexionIthink,’ repliedshe,somewhatdubiouslysurveyingmyface; –‘and IthinkIsawyouatchurchonSunday.’
Ismiled.–Therewassomethingeitherinthatsmileorthe
recollectionsitawakenedthatwasparticularlydispleasingto her,forshesuddenlyassumedagainthatproud,chillylookthat hadsounspeakablyrousedmycorruptionatchurch–alook ofrepellentscorn,soeasilyassumed,andsoentirelywithout theleastdistortionofasinglefeaturethat,whilethere,itseemed likethenaturalexpressionoftheface,andwasthemoreprovokingtome,becauseIcouldnotthinkitaffected.
‘Goodmorning,MrMarkham,’saidshe; andwithout anotherwordorglance,shewithdrewwithherchildintothe garden; andIreturnedhome,angryanddissatisfied–Icould scarcelytellyouwhy–andthereforewillnotattemptit.
Ionlystayedtoputawaymygunandpowder-horn,andgive somerequisitedirectionstooneofthefarming-men,andthen repairedtothevicarage,tosolacemyspiritandsoothemyruffled temperwiththecompanyandconversationofElizaMillward. Ifoundher,asusual,busywithsomepieceofsoftembroidery (themaniaforBerlinwoolshadnotyetcommenced),whileher sisterwasseatedatthechimney-corner,withthecatonher knee,mendingaheapofstockings.
‘Mary–Mary!putthemaway!’Elizawashastilysayingjust asIenteredtheroom.
‘NotI,indeed!’wasthephlegmaticreply; andmyappearance preventedfurtherdiscussion.
‘You’re so unfortunate,MrMarkham!’observedtheyounger sister,withoneofherarch,sidelongglances.‘Papa’sjustgone outintotheparish,andnotlikelytobebackforanhour!’
‘Nevermind; Icanmanagetospendafewminuteswithhis daughters,ifthey’llallowme,’saidI,bringingachairtothe fire,andseatingmyselftherein,withoutwaitingtobeasked.
‘Well,ifyou’llbeverygoodandamusing,weshan’tobject.’
‘Letyourpermissionbeunconditional,pray; forIcamenot togivepleasure,buttoseekit,’Ianswered.
However,Ithoughtitbutreasonabletomakesomeslight exertiontorendermycompanyagreeable; andwhatlittleeffort Imade,wasapparentlyprettysuccessful,forMissElizawas
neverinabetterhumour.Weseemed,indeed,tobemutually pleasedwitheachother,andmanagedtomaintainbetweenus acheerfulandanimated,thoughnotveryprofoundconversation.Itwaslittlebetterthana teˆte-a ` -teˆte,forMissMillward neveropenedherlips,exceptoccasionallytocorrectsomerandomassertionorexaggeratedexpressionofhersister’s,andonce toaskhertopickuptheballofcotton,thathadrolledunder thetable.Ididthismyself,however,asindutybound.
‘Thankyou,MrMarkham,’saidshe,asIpresentedittoher. ‘Iwouldhavepickeditupmyself; onlyIdidnotwanttodisturb thecat.’
‘Mary,dear, that won’texcuseyouinMrMarkham’seyes,’ saidEliza; ‘hehatescats,Idaresay,ascordiallyashedoesold maids–likeallothergentlemen–don’tyouMrMarkham?’
‘Ibelieveitisnaturalforourunamiablesex,todislikethe creatures,’repliedI; ‘foryouladieslavishsomanycaressesupon them.’
‘Blessthem–littledarlings!’criedshe,inasuddenburstof enthusiasm,turningroundandoverwhelminghersister’spet withashowerofkisses.
‘Don’tEliza!’saidMissMillward,somewhatgrufflyasshe impatientlypushedheraway.
Butitwastimeformetobegoing: makewhathasteIwould, Ishouldstillbetoolatefortea; andmymotherwasthesoulof orderandpunctuality.
Myfairfriendwasevidentlyunwillingtobidmeadieu.Itenderlysqueezedherlittlehandatparting; andsherepaidme withoneofhersoftestsmilesandmostbewitchingglances. Iwenthomeveryhappy,withaheartbrimfulofcomplacency formyself,andoverflowingwithloveforEliza.
CHAPTERIII ACONTROVERSY
Twodaysafter ,MrsGrahamcalledatLinden-car,contrarytotheexpectationofRose,whoentertainedanidea thatthemysteriousoccupantofWildfellHallwouldwholly disregardthecommonobservancesofcivilizedlife,–inwhich opinionshewassupportedbytheWilsons,whotestifiedthat neithertheircallnortheMillwards’hadbeenreturnedasyet. Nowhowever,thecauseofthatomissionwasexplained,though notentirelytothesatisfactionofRose.MrsGrahamhadbrought herchildwithher,andonmymother’sexpressingsurprisethat hecouldwalksofar,shereplied,–
‘Itisalongwalkforhim; butImusthaveeithertakenhim withme,orrelinquishedthevisitaltogether; forIneverleave himalone; andIthink,MrsMarkham,Imustbegyoutomake myexcusestotheMillwardsandMrsWilson,whenyousee them,asIfearIcannotdomyselfthepleasureofcallingupon themtillmylittleArthurisabletoaccompanyme.’
‘Butyouhaveaservant,’saidRose; ‘couldyounotleavehim withher?’
‘Shehasherownoccupationstoattendto; andbesides,she istoooldtorunafterachild,andheistoomercurialtobetied toanelderlywoman.’
‘Butyoulefthimtocometochurch.’
‘Yes,once; butIwouldnothavelefthimforanyotherpurpose; andIthink,infuture,Imustcontrivetobringhimwith me,orstayathome.’
‘Ishesomischievous?’askedmymother,considerably shocked.
‘No,’repliedthelady,sadlysmiling,asshestrokedthewavy locksofherson,whowasseatedonalowstoolatherfeet; ‘but heismyonlytreasure; andIamhisonlyfriend,sowedon’t liketobeseparated.’
‘Butmydear,Icallthatdoting,’saidmyplain-spokenparent. ‘Youshouldtrytosuppresssuchfoolishfondness,aswellto saveyoursonfromruinasyourselffromridicule.’
‘Ruin,MrsMarkham!’
‘Yes; itisspoilingthechild.Evenat his age,heoughtnotto bealwaystiedtohismother’sapronstring; heshouldlearnto beashamedofit.’
‘MrsMarkham,Ibegyouwillnotsaysuchthingsin his presence,atleast.Itrustmysonwill never beashamedtolovehis mother!’saidMrsGraham,withaseriousenergythatstartled thecompany.
Mymotherattemptedtoappeaseherbyanexplanation; but sheseemedtothinkenoughhadbeensaidonthesubject,and abruptlyturnedtheconversation.
‘JustasIthought,’saidItomyself: ‘thelady’stemperisnone ofthemildest,notwithstandinghersweet,palefaceandlofty brow,wherethoughtandsufferingseemequallytohavestamped theirimpress.’
Allthistime,Iwasseatedatatableontheothersideofthe room,apparentlyimmersedintheperusalofavolumeof theFarmer’sMagazine,whichIhappenedtohavebeenreading atthemomentofourvisitor’sarrival; and,notchoosingtobe overcivil,Ihadmerelybowedassheentered,andcontinued myoccupationasbefore.
Inalittlewhile,however,Iwassensiblethatsomeonewas approachingme,withalight,butslowandhesitatingtread. ItwaslittleArthur,irresistiblyattractedbymydogSancho,that waslyingatmyfeet.Onlookingup,Ibeheldhimstanding abouttwoyardsoff,withhisclearblueeyeswistfullygazing onthedog,transfixedtothespot,notbyfearoftheanimal, butbyatimiddisinclinationtoapproachitsmaster.Alittle
encouragement,however,inducedhimtocomeforward.The child,thoughshy,wasnotsullen.Inaminutehewaskneeling onthecarpet,withhisarmsroundSancho’sneck,andina minuteortwomore,thelittlefellowwasseatedonmyknee, surveyingwitheagerinterestthevariousspecimensofhorses, cattle,pigs,andmodelfarmsportrayedinthevolumebefore me.Iglancedathismothernowandthen,toseehowshe relishedthenew-sprungintimacy; andIsaw,bytheunquiet aspectofhereye,thatforsomereasonorother,shewasuneasy atthechild’sposition.
‘Arthur,’saidshe,atlength,‘comehere.Youaretroublesome toMrMarkham: hewishestoread.’
‘Bynomeans,MrsGraham; praylethimstay.Iamasmuch amusedasheis,’pleadedI.Butstill,withhandandeye,she silentlycalledhimtoherside.
‘No,mamma,’saidthechild; ‘letmelookatthesepictures first; andthenI’llcome,andtellyouallaboutthem.’
‘WearegoingtohaveasmallpartyonMonday,thefifthof November,’saidmymother; ‘andIhopeyouwillnotrefuseto makeone,MrsGraham.Youcanbringyourlittleboywithyou, youknow–Idaresayweshallbeabletoamusehim; –and thenyoucanmakeyourownapologiestotheMillwardsand Wilsons,–theywillallbehereIexpect.’
‘Thankyou,Inevergotoparties.’
‘Oh!butthiswillbequiteafamilyconcern–earlyhours, andnobodyherebutourselves,andjusttheMillwardsand Wilsons,mostofwhomyoualreadyknow,andMrLawrence, yourlandlord,whomyououghttomakeacquaintancewith.’
‘Idoknowsomethingofhim–butyoumustexcusemethis time; fortheevenings,now,aredarkanddamp,andArthur, Ifear,istoodelicatetoriskexposuretotheirinfluencewith impunity.Wemustdefertheenjoymentofyourhospitality,till thereturnoflongerdaysandwarmernights.’
Rose,now,atahintfrommymother,producedadecanter ofwine,withaccompanimentsofglassesandcake,fromthe
THETENANTOFWILDFELLHALL 239 cupboardandtheoaksideboard,andtherefreshmentwasduly presentedtotheguests.Theybothpartookofthecake,but obstinatelyrefusedthewine,inspiteoftheirhostess’shospitable attemptstoforceituponthem.Arthurespeciallyshrankfrom therubynectarasifinterroranddisgust,andwasreadytocry whenurgedtotakeit.
‘Nevermind,Arthur,’saidhismamma; ‘MrsMarkham thinksitwilldoyougood,asyouweretiredwithyourwalk; butshewillnotobligeyoutotakeit; –Idaresayyouwilldo verywellwithout.Hedeteststheverysightofwine,’sheadded, ‘andthesmellofitalmostmakeshimsick.Ihavebeenaccustomedtomakehimswallowalittlewineorweakspirits-andwater,bywayofmedicinewhenhewassick,and,infact,Ihave donewhatIcouldtomakehimhatethem.’
Everybodylaughed,excepttheyoungwidowandherson.
‘Well,MrsGraham,’saidmymother,wipingthetearsof merrimentfromherbright,blueeyes–‘well,yousurpriseme! Ireallygaveyoucreditforhavingmoresense–thepoorchild willbetheveriestmilksopthateverwassopped!Onlythink whatamanyouwillmakeofhim,ifyoupersistin–’
‘Ithinkitaveryexcellentplan,’interruptedMrsGraham withimperturbablegravity.‘BythatmeansIhopetosavehim fromonedegradingviceatleast.IwishIcouldrenderthe incentivestoeveryotherequallyinnoxiousinhiscase.’
‘Butbysuchmeans,’saidI,‘youwillneverrenderhimvirtuous.–Whatisitthatconstitutesvirtue,MrsGraham?Isit thecircumstanceofbeingableandwillingtoresisttemptation; orthatofhavingnotemptationstoresist?–Isheastrong manthatovercomesgreatobstaclesandperformssurprising achievements,thoughbydintofgreatmuscularexertion,and attheriskofsomesubsequentfatigue,orhethatsitsinhis chairallday,withnothingtodomorelaboriousthanstirring thefire,andcarryinghisfoodtohismouth?Ifyouwouldhave yoursontowalkhonourablythroughtheworld,youmustnot attempttoclearthestonesfromhispath,butteachhimtowalk
firmlyoverthem–notinsistuponleadinghimbythehand, butlethimlearntogoalone.’
‘Iwillleadhimbythehand,MrMarkham,tillhehas strengthtogoalone; andIwillclearasmanystonesfromhis pathasIcan,andteachhimtoavoidthe rest –orwalkfirmly overthem,asyousay; –forwhenIhavedonemyutmost,in thewayofclearance,therewillstillbeplentylefttoexerciseall theagility,steadiness,andcircumspectionhewilleverhave.–Itisallverywelltotalkaboutnobleresistance,andtrialsof virtue; butforfifty–orfivehundredmenthathaveyieldedto temptation,shewmeonethathashadvirtuetoresist.Andwhy shouldItakeitforgrantedthatmysonwillbeoneinathousand?–andnotratherpreparefortheworst,andsupposehe willbelikehis—liketherestofmankind,unlessItakecare topreventit?’
‘Youareverycomplimentarytousall,’Iobserved.
‘Iknownothingabout you –IspeakofthoseIdoknow–andwhenIseethewholeraceofmankind(withafewrare exceptions),stumblingandblunderingalongthepathoflife, sinkingintoeverypitfall,andbreakingtheirshinsoverevery impedimentthatliesintheirway,shallInotuseallthemeans inmypowertoensureforhim,asmootherandasaferpassage?’
‘Yes,butthesurestmeanswillbe,toendeavourtofortify him against temptation,nottoremoveitoutofhisway.’
‘Iwilldoboth,MrMarkham.Godknowshewillhavetemptationsenoughtoassailhim,bothfromwithinandwithout, whenIhavedoneallIcantorenderviceasuninvitingtohim, asitisabominableinitsownnature.–Imyself,havehad, indeed,butfewincentivestowhattheworldcallsvice,butyet, Ihaveexperiencedtemptationsandtrialsofanotherkind,that haverequired,onmanyoccasions,morewatchfulnessand firmnesstoresist,thanIhavehithertobeenabletomuster againstthem.Andthis,Ibelieve,iswhatmostotherswould acknowledgewhoareaccustomedtoreflection,andwishfulto striveagainsttheirnaturalcorruptions.’
‘Yes,’saidmymother,buthalfapprehendingherdrift; ‘but youwouldnotjudgeofaboybyyourself–andmydearMrs Graham,letmewarnyouingoodtimeagainsttheerror–the fatalerror,Imaycallit–oftakingthatboy’seducationupon yourself.–Becauseyouareclever,insomethings,andwell informed,youmayfancyyourselfequaltothetask; butindeed youarenot; andifyoupersistintheattempt,believeme,you willbitterlyrepentitwhenthemischiefisdone.’
‘Iamtosendhimtoschool,Isuppose,tolearntodespise hismother’sauthorityandaffection!’saidthelady,withrather abittersmile.
‘Oh, no !–Butifyouwouldhaveaboytodespisehismother, letherkeephimathome,andspendherlifeinpettinghimup, andslavingtoindulgehisfolliesandcaprices.’
‘IperfectlyagreewithyouMrsMarkham; butnothingcan befurtherfrommyprinciplesandpracticethansuchcriminal weaknessasthat.’
‘Well,butyouwilltreathimlikeagirl–you’llspoilhisspirit, andmakeamereMissNancyofhim–youwill,indeed,Mrs Graham,whateveryoumaythink.–ButI’llgetMrMillward totalktoyouaboutit: – he’ll tellyoutheconsequences; –he’ll setitbeforeyouasplainastheday; –andtellyouwhatyou oughttodo,andallaboutit; –and,Idon’tdoubt,he’llbeable toconvinceyouinaminute.’
‘Nooccasiontotroublethevicar,’saidMrsGraham,glancing atme–IsupposeIwassmilingatmymother’sunbounded confidenceinthatworthygentleman–‘MrMarkhamhere, thinkshispowersofconvictionatleastequaltoMrMillward’s. IfIhearnothim,neithershouldIbeconvincedthoughone rosefromthedead,hewouldtellyou.–Well,MrMarkham, youthatmaintainthataboyshouldnotbeshieldedfromevil, butsentouttobattleagainstit,aloneandunassisted–not taughttoavoidthesnaresoflife,butboldlytorushintothem, oroverthem,ashemay–toseekdangerratherthanshunit, andfeedhisvirtuebytemptation,–wouldyou–’
‘Ibegyourpardon,MrsGraham–butyougetontoofast. Ihavenotyetsaidthataboyshouldbetaughttorushintothe snaresoflife,–orevenwilfullytoseektemptationforthesake ofexercisinghisvirtuebyovercomingit ; –Ionlysaythatitis bettertoarmandstrengthenyourhero,thantodisarmand enfeeblethefoe; –andifyouweretorearanoaksaplingina hot-house,tendingitcarefullynightandday,andshieldingit fromeverybreathofwind,youcouldnotexpectittobecome ahardytree,likethatwhichhasgrownuponthemountainside,exposedtoalltheactionoftheelements,andnoteven shelteredfromtheshockofthetempest.’
‘Granted; –butwouldyouusethesameargumentwith regardtoagirl?’
‘Certainlynot.’
‘No; youwouldhavehertobetenderlyanddelicatelynurtured,likeahot-houseplant–taughttoclingtoothersfor directionandsupport,andguarded,asmuchaspossible,from theveryknowledgeofevil.Butwillyoubesogoodastoinform me,whyyoumakethisdistinction?Isitthatyouthinkshe has novirtue?’
‘Assuredlynot.’
‘Well,butyouaffirmthatvirtueisonlyelicitedbytemptation; –andyouthinkthatawomancannotbetoolittleexposed totemptation,ortoolittleacquaintedwithvice,oranything connectedtherewith.–It must be,either,thatyouthinkshe isessentiallysovicious,orsofeeble-minded,thatshe cannot withstandtemptation,–andthoughshemaybepureandinnocentaslongassheiskeptinignoranceandrestraint,yet,being destituteof real virtue,toteachherhowtosin,isatonceto makeherasinner,andthegreaterherknowledge,thewider herliberty,thedeeperwillbeherdepravity,–whereas,inthe noblersex,thereisanaturaltendencytogoodness,guardedby asuperiorfortitude,which,themoreitisexercisedbytrialsand dangers,isonlythefurtherdeveloped–’
‘HeavenforbidthatIshouldthinkso!’Iinterruptedher atlast.
‘Wellthen,itmustbethatyouthinktheyare both weak andpronetoerr,andtheslightesterror,themerestshadowof pollutionwillruintheone,whilethecharacteroftheother willbestrengthenedandembellished–hiseducationproperly finishedbyalittlepracticalacquaintancewithforbiddenthings. Suchexperience,tohim(touseatritesimile),willbelikethe stormtotheoak,which,thoughitmayscattertheleaves,and snapthesmallerbranches,servesbuttorivettheroots,andto hardenandcondensethefibresofthetree.Youwouldhaveus encourageoursonstoproveallthingsbytheirownexperience, whileourdaughtersmustnotevenprofitbytheexperienceof others.Now I wouldhavebothsotobenefitbytheexperience ofothers,andthepreceptsofahigherauthority,thatthey shouldknowbeforehandtorefusetheevilandchoosethegood, andrequirenoexperimentalproofstoteachthemtheevilof transgression.Iwouldnotsendapoorgirlintotheworld, unarmedagainstherfoes,andignorantofthesnaresthatbeset herpath: norwouldIwatchandguardher,till,deprivedof self-respectandself-reliance,shelostthepower,orthewillto watchandguardherself ; –andasformyson–ifIthoughthe wouldgrowuptobewhatyoucallamanoftheworld–one thathas‘‘seenlife,’’andgloriesinhisexperience,eventhough heshouldsofarprofitbyit,astosoberdown,atlength,intoa usefulandrespectedmemberofsociety–Iwouldratherthat hediedto-morrow!–ratherathousandtimes!’sheearnestly repeated,pressingherdarlingtohersideandkissinghisforeheadwithintenseaffection.Hehad,already,lefthisnewcompanion,andbeenstandingforsometimebesidehismother’s knee,lookingupintoherface,andlisteninginsilentwonder toherincomprehensiblediscourse.
‘Well!youladiesmustalwayshavethelastword,Isuppose,’ saidI,observingherrise,andbegintotakeleaveofmymother.
‘Youmayhaveasmanywordsasyouplease,–onlyIcan’t staytohearthem.’
‘No; thatistheway: youhearjustasmuchofanargument asyouplease; andtherestmaybespokentothewind.’
‘Ifyouareanxioustosayanythingmoreonthesubject,’ repliedshe,assheshookhandswithRose,‘youmustbringyour sistertoseemesomefineday,andI’lllisten,aspatientlyasyou couldwish,towhateveryoupleasetosay.Iwouldratherbe lecturedbyyouthanthevicar,because,Ishouldhaveless remorseintellingyou,attheendofthediscourse,thatIpreserve myownopinionpreciselythesameasatthebeginning–as wouldbethecase,Iampersuaded,withregardtoeitherlogician.’
‘Yes,ofcourse,’repliedI,determinedtobeasprovokingas herself,‘for,whenaladydoesconsenttolistentoanargument againstherownopinions,sheisalwayspredeterminedtowithstandit–tolistenonlywithherbodilyears,keepingthemental organsresolutelyclosedagainstthestrongestreasoning.’
‘Goodmorning,MrMarkham,’saidmyfairantagonistwith apityingsmile; anddeigningnofurtherrejoinder,sheslightly bowed,andwasabouttowithdraw; butherson,withchildish impertinence,arrestedherbyexclaiming,
‘Mamma,youhavenotshakenhandswithMrMarkham!’ Shelaughinglyturnedround,andheldoutherhand.Igave itaspitefulsqueeze; forIwasannoyedatthecontinualinjustice shehaddonemefromtheverydawnofouracquaintance. Withoutknowinganythingaboutmyrealdispositionandprinciples,shewasevidentlyprejudicedagainstme,andseemed bentuponshowingmethatheropinionsrespectingme,on everyparticular,fellfarbelowthoseIentertainedofmyself. Iwasnaturallytouchy,or,itwouldnothavevexedmesomuch. Perhaps,too,Iwasalittlebitspoiledbymymotherandsister, andsomeotherladiesofmyacquaintance; –andyet,Iwasby nomeansafop–ofthatIamfullyconvinced,whether you are ornot.
CHAPTERIV THEPARTY
Ourparty , on thefifthofNovember,passedoff very wellinspiteofMrsGraham’srefusaltograceitwithher presence.Indeed,itisprobablethat,hadshebeenthere,there wouldhavebeenlesscordiality,freedom,andfrolicamongstus thantherewaswithouther.
Mymother,asusual,wascheerfulandchatty,fullofactivity andgoodnature,andonlyfaultyinbeingtooanxioustomake herguestshappy,therebyforcingseveralofthemtodowhat theirsoulabhorred,inthewayofeatingordrinking,sitting oppositetheblazingfire,ortalkingwhentheywouldbesilent. Nevertheless,theyboreitverywell,beingallintheirholiday humours.
MrMillwardwasmightyinimportantdogmasandsententiousjokes,pompousanecdotesandoraculardiscourses,dealt outfortheedificationofthewholeassemblyingeneral,andof theadmiringMrsMarkham,thepoliteMrLawrence,thesedate MaryMillward,thequietRichardWilson,andthematterof factRobert,inparticular,–asbeingthemostattentivelisteners.
MrsWilsonwasmorebrilliantthanever,withherbudgets offreshnewsandoldscandal,strungtogetherwithtrivialquestionsandremarks,andoldrepeatedobservations,utteredapparentlyforthesolepurposeofdenyingamoment’sresttoher inexhaustibleorgansofspeech.Shehadbroughtherknitting withher,anditseemedasifhertonguehadlaidawagerwith herfingers,tooutdotheminswiftandceaselessmotion.
HerdaughterJanewas,ofcourse,asgracefulandelegant,as wittyandseductive,asshecouldpossiblymanagetobe; for
herewerealltheladiestooutshine,andallthegentlemento charm,–andMrLawrence,especially,tocaptureandsubdue. Herlittleartstoeffecthissubjugationweretoosubtleand impalpabletoattractmyobservation; butIthoughttherewas acertain refined affectationofsuperiority,andanungenialselfconsciousnessabouther,thatnegativedallheradvantages,and aftershewasgoneRoseinterpretedtomehervariouslooks, words,andactionswithamingledacutenessandasperitythat mademewonder,equally,atthelady’sartificeandmysister’s penetration,andaskmyselfifshetoohadaneyetothesquire–butnevermind,Halford; shehadnot.
RichardWilson,Jane’syoungerbrother,satinacorner,apparentlygood-tempered,butsilentandshy,desiroustoescape observation,butwillingenoughtolistenandobserve: and, althoughsomewhatoutofhiselement,hewouldhavebeen happyenoughinhisownquietway,ifmymothercouldonly havelethimalone; butinhermistakenkindness,shewouldkeep persecutinghimwithherattentions–pressinguponhimall mannerofviands,underthenotionthathewastoobashfulto helphimself,andobliginghimtoshoutacrosstheroomhis monosyllabicrepliestothenumerousquestionsandobservations bywhichshevainlyattemptedtodrawhimintoconversation.
Roseinformedmethatheneverwouldhavefavoureduswith hiscompany,butfortheimportunitiesofhissisterJane,who wasmostanxioustoshowMrLawrencethatshehadatleast onebrothermoregentlemanlyandrefinedthanRobert.That worthyindividualshehadbeenequallysolicitoustokeepaway; butheaffirmedthathesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotenjoy acrackwithMarkhamandtheoldlady(mymotherwasnotold really),andbonnyMissRoseandtheparson,aswellasthebest; –andhewasintherightofittoo.Sohetalkedcommonplace withmymotherandRose,anddiscussedparishaffairswiththe vicar,farmingmatterswithme,andpoliticswithusboth.
MaryMillwardwasanothermute,–notsomuchtormented withcruelkindnessasDickWilson,becauseshehadacertain
short,decidedwayofansweringandrefusing,andwassupposed toberathersullenthandiffident.Howeverthatmightbe,she certainlydidnotgivemuchpleasuretothecompany; –nordid sheappeartoderivemuchfromit.Elizatoldmeshehadonly comebecauseherfatherinsisteduponit,havingtakenitinto hisheadthatshedevotedherselftooexclusivelytoherhouseholdduties,totheneglectofsuchrelaxationsandinnocent enjoymentsaswerepropertoherageandsex.Sheseemed,to me,tobegood-humouredenoughonthewhole.Onceortwice shewasprovokedtolaughterbythewitorthemerrimentof somefavouredindividualamongstus; andthenIobservedshe soughttheeyeofRichardWilson,whosatoveragainsther. Ashestudiedwithherfather,shehadsomeacquaintancewith him,inspiteoftheretiringhabitsofboth,andIsupposethere wasakindoffellow-feelingestablishedbetweenthem.
MyElizawascharmingbeyonddescription,coquettishwithoutaffectation,andevidentlymoredesiroustoengagemyattentionthanthatofalltheroombesides.Herdelightinhaving menearher,seatedorstandingbyherside,whisperinginher ear,orpressingherhandinthedance,wasplainlylegiblein herglowingfaceandheavingbosom,howeverbeliedbysaucy wordsandgestures.ButIhadbetterholdmytongue: ifIboast ofthesethingsnow,Ishallhavetoblushhereafter.
Toproceedthen,withthevariousindividualsofourparty; Rosewassimpleandnaturalasusual,andfullofmirthand vivacity.
Ferguswasimpertinentandabsurd; buthisimpertinenceand follyservedtomakeotherslaugh,iftheydidnotraisehimself intheirestimation.
Andfinally(forIomitmyself),MrLawrencewasgentlemanlyandinoffensivetoall,andpolitetothevicarandthe ladies,especiallyhishostessandherdaughter,andMissWilson –misguidedman; hehadnotthetastetopreferElizaMillward. MrLawrenceandIwereontolerablyintimateterms.Essentially ofreservedhabits,andbutseldomquittingthesecludedplace
ofhisbirth,wherehehadlivedinsolitarystatesincethedeathof hisfather,hehadneithertheopportunitynortheinclination forformingmanyacquaintances; and,ofallhehadeverknown, I(judgingbytheresults)wasthecompanionmostagreeableto histaste.Ilikedthemanwellenough,buthewastoocold, andshy,andself-contained,toobtainmycordialsympathies. Aspiritofcandourandfrankness,whenwhollyunaccompanied withcoarseness,headmiredinothers,buthecouldnotacquire ithimself.Hisexcessivereserveuponallhisownconcernswas, indeed,provokingandchillyenough; butIforgaveit,froma convictionthatitoriginated,lessinprideandwantofconfidenceinhisfriends,thaninacertainmorbidfeelingofdelicacy, andapeculiardiffidence,thathewassensibleof,butwanted energytoovercome.Hisheartwaslikeasensitiveplant,that opensforamomentinthesunshine,butcurlsupandshrinks intoitselfattheslightesttouchofthefinger,orthelightest breathofwind.And,uponthewhole,ourintimacywasrather amutualpredilectionthanadeepandsolidfriendship,suchas hassincearisenbetweenmyselfandyou,Halford,whom,in spiteofyouroccasionalcrustiness,Icanlikentonothingso wellasanoldcoat,unimpeachableintexture,buteasyand loose–thathasconformeditselftotheshapeofthewearer, andwhichhemayuseashepleases,withoutbeingbothered withthefearofspoilingit; –whereasMrLawrencewaslikea newgarment,allveryneatandtrimtolookat,butsotightinthe elbowsthatyouwouldfeartosplittheseamsbytheunrestricted motionofyourarms,andsosmoothandfineinsurfacethat youscrupletoexposeittoasingledropofrain.
Soonafterthearrivaloftheguests,mymothermentioned MrsGraham,regrettedshewasnottheretomeetthem,and explainedtotheMillwardsandWilsons,thereasonsshehad givenforneglectingtoreturntheircalls,hopingtheywould excuseher,asshewassureshedidnotmeantobeuncivil,and wouldbegladtoseethematanytime; –
‘Butsheisaverysingularlady,MrLawrence,’addedshe; ‘we
don’tknowwhattomakeofher–butIdaresayyoucantell ussomethingabouther; forsheisyourtenant,youknow,–andshesaidsheknewyoualittle.’
AlleyeswereturnedtoMrLawrence.Ithoughthelooked unnecessarilyconfusedatbeingsoappealedto.
‘I,MrsMarkham!’saidhe; ‘youaremistaken–Idon’t–that is–Ihaveseenhercertainly; butIamthelastpersonyou shouldapplytoforinformationrespectingMrsGraham.’
HethenimmediatelyturnedtoRose,andaskedhertofavour thecompanywithasong,oratuneonthepiano.
‘No,’saidshe,‘youmustaskMissWilson: sheoutshinesus allinsinging,andmusictoo.’
MissWilsondemurred.
‘She’ll singreadilyenough,’saidFergus,‘ifyou’llundertake tostandbyher,MrLawrence,andturnovertheleavesforher.’
‘Ishallbemosthappytodoso,MissWilson; willyou allowme?’
Shebridledherlongneckandsmiled,andsufferedhimto leadhertotheinstrument,wheresheplayedandsang,inher verybeststyle,onepieceafteranother; whilehestoodpatiently by,leaningonehandonthebackofherchair,andturningover theleavesofherbookwiththeother.Perhaps,hewasasmuch charmedwithherperformanceasshewas.Itwasallveryfine initsway; butIcannotsaythatitmovedmeverydeeply.There wasplentyofskillandexecution,butpreciouslittlefeeling.
ButwehadnotdonewithMrsGrahamyet.
‘Idon’ttakewine,MrsMarkham,’saidMrMillward,upon theintroductionofthatbeverage; ‘I’lltakealittleofyourhomebrewedale.Ialwayspreferyourhome-brewedtoanythingelse.’
Flatteredatthiscompliment,mymotherrangthebell,and achinajugofourbestalewaspresentlybrought,andsetbefore theworthygentlemanwhosowellknewhowtoappreciateits excellencies.
‘Now this isthething!’criedhe,pouringoutaglassof thesameinalongstream,skilfullydirectedfromthejugtothe
ANNEBRONTE ¨
tumbler,soastoproducemuchfoamwithoutspillingadrop; and,havingsurveyeditforamomentoppositethecandle,he tookadeepdraught,andthensmackedhislips,drewalong breath,andrefilledhisglass,mymotherlookingonwiththe greatestsatisfaction.
‘There’snothinglikethis,MrsMarkham!’saidhe.‘Ialways maintainthatthere’snothingtocomparewithyourhomebrewedale.’
‘I’msureI’mgladyoulikeit,sir.Ialwayslookafterthe brewingmyself,aswellasthecheeseandthebutter–Iliketo havethingswelldone,whilewe’reaboutit.’
‘Quiteright,MrsMarkham!’
‘Butthen,MrMillward,youdon’tthinkit wrong totakea littlewinenowandthen–oralittlespiritseither!’saidmy mother,asshehandedasmokingtumblerofginandwaterto MrsWilson,whoaffirmedthatwinesatheavyonherstomach, andwhosesonRobertwasatthatmomenthelpinghimselfto aprettystiff glassofthesame.
‘Bynomeans!’repliedtheoraclewithaJove-likenod; ‘these thingsareallblessingsandmercies,ifweonlyknewhowto makeuseofthem.’
‘ButMrsGrahamdoesn’tthinkso.Youshalljusthearnow, whatshetoldustheotherday–I told herI’dtellyou.’
Andmymotherfavouredthecompanywithaparticular accountofthatlady’smistakenideasandconductregardingthe matterinhand,concludingwith,‘Nowdon’tyouthinkitis wrong?’
‘Wrong!’repeatedthevicar,withmorethancommonsolemnity–‘criminal,Ishouldsay–criminal!–Notonlyisitmaking afooloftheboy,butitisdespisingthegiftsofProvidence,and teachinghimtotramplethemunderhisfeet.’
Hethenenteredmorefullyintothequestion,andexplained atlargethefollyandimpietyofsuchaproceeding.Mymother heardhimwithprofoundestreverence; andevenMrsWilson vouchsafedtoresthertongueforamoment,andlistenin
251 silence,whileshecomplacentlysippedherginandwater.Mr Lawrencesatwithhiselbowonthetable,carelesslyplayingwith hishalf-emptywine-glass,andcovertlysmilingtohimself.
‘Butdon’tyouthink,MrMillward,’suggestedhe,whenat lengththatgentlemanpausedinhisdiscourse,‘thatwhena childmaybenaturallypronetointemperance–bythefaultof itsparentsorancestors,forinstance–someprecautionsare advisable?’(NowitwasgenerallybelievedthatMrLawrence’s fatherhadshortenedhisdaysbyintemperance.)
‘Someprecautions,itmaybe; buttemperance,sir,isone thing,andabstinenceanother.’
‘ButIhaveheardthat,withsomepersons,temperance–that ismoderation–isalmostimpossible; andifabstinencebean evil(whichsomehavedoubted),noonewilldenythatexcess isagreater.Someparentshaveentirelyprohibitedtheirchildren fromtastingintoxicatingliquors; butaparent’sauthoritycannot lastforever; childrenarenaturallypronetohankerafterforbiddenthings; andachild,insuchacase,wouldbelikelytohave astrongcuriositytotaste,andtrytheeffectofwhathasbeen solaudedandenjoyedbyothers,sostrictlyforbiddentohimself–whichcuriositywouldgenerallybegratifiedonthefirst convenientopportunity; andtherestraintoncebroken,serious consequencesmightensue.Idon’tpretendtobeajudgeofsuch matters,butitseemstome,thatthisplanofMrsGraham’s,as youdescribeit,MrsMarkham,extraordinaryasitmaybe,is notwithoutitsadvantages; forhereyouseethechildisdelivered atoncefromtemptation; hehasnosecretcuriosity,nohankeringdesire; heisaswellacquaintedwiththetemptingliquorsas heeverwishestobe; andisthoroughlydisgustedwiththem, withouthavingsufferedfromtheireffects.’
‘Andisthatright,sir?HaveInotproventoyouhowwrong itis–howcontrarytoScriptureandtoreason,toteacha childtolookwithcontemptanddisgustupontheblessingsof Providence,insteadoftousethemaright?’
‘YoumayconsiderlaudanumablessingofProvidence,sir,’
repliedMrLawrence,smiling; ‘andyet,youwillallowthatmost ofushadbetterabstainfromit,eveninmoderation; but,’added he,‘Iwouldnotdesireyoutofollowoutmysimiletooclosely–inwitnesswhereofIfinishmyglass.’
‘Andtakeanother,Ihope,MrLawrence,’saidmymother, pushingthebottletowardshim.
Hepolitelydeclined,andpushinghischairalittleawayfrom thetable,leantbacktowardsme–Iwasseatedatriflebehind, onthesofabesideElizaMillward–andcarelesslyaskedmeif IknewMrsGraham.
‘Ihavemetheronceortwice,’Ireplied. ‘Whatdoyouthinkofher?’
‘IcannotsaythatIlikehermuch.Sheishandsome–orrather Ishouldsaydistinguishedandinteresting–inherappearance, butbynomeansamiable–awomanliabletotakestrongprejudices,Ishouldfancy,andsticktothemthroughthickandthin, twistingeverythingintoconformitywithherownpreconceived opinions–toohard,toosharp,toobitterformytaste.’
Hemadenoreply,butlookeddownandbithislip,and shortlyafterroseandsauntereduptoMissWilson,asmuch repelledbyme,Ifancy,asattractedbyher.Iscarcelynoticedit atthetime,butafterwards,Iwasledtorecallthisandother triflingfacts,ofasimilarnature,tomyremembrance,when–butImustnotanticipate.
Wewounduptheeveningwithdancing–ourworthypastor thinkingitnoscandaltobepresentontheoccasion,though oneofthevillagemusicianswasengagedtodirectourevolutions withhisviolin.ButMaryMillwardobstinatelyrefusedtojoin us; andsodidRichardWilson,thoughmymotherearnestly entreatedhimtodoso,andevenofferedtobehispartner.
Wemanagedverywellwithoutthem,however.Withasingle setofquadrilles,andseveralcountrydances,wecarrieditonto aprettylatehour; andatlength,havingcalleduponourmusiciantostrikeupawaltz,IwasjustabouttowhirlElizaround inthatdelightfuldance,accompaniedbyLawrenceandJane
Wilson,andFergusandRose,whenMrMillwardinterposed with,–
‘No,no; Idon’tallowthat!Come,it’stimetobegoingnow.’ ‘Oh,no,papa!’pleadedEliza.
‘Hightimemygirl–hightime!–Moderationinallthings, remember!That’stheplan–‘‘Letyourmoderationbeknown untoallmen!’’’
Butinrevenge,IfollowedElizaintothedimlylightedpassage, whereunderpretenceofhelpingheronwithhershawl,Ifear Imustpleadguiltytosnatchingakissbehindherfather’sback, whilehewasenvelopinghisthroatandchininthefoldsofa mightycomforter.Butalas!inturninground,therewasmy motherclosebesideme.Theconsequencewas,thatnosooner weretheguestsdeparted,thanIwasdoomedtoaveryserious remonstrance,whichunpleasantlycheckedthegallopingcourse ofmyspirits,andmadeadisagreeableclosetotheevening.
‘MydearGilbert,’saidshe,‘Iwishyouwouldn’tdoso!You knowhowdeeplyIhaveyouradvantageatheart,howIlove youandprizeyouaboveeverythingelseintheworld,andhow muchIlongtoseeyouwellsettledinlife–andhowbitterlyit wouldgrievemetoseeyoumarriedtothatgirl–oranyother intheneighbourhood.Whatyou see inherIdon’tknow.Itisn’t onlythewantofmoneythatIthinkabout–nothingofthe kind–butthere’sneitherbeauty,norcleverness,norgoodness, noranythingelsethat’sdesirable.Ifyouknewyourownvalue, asIdo,youwouldn’tdreamofit.Dowaitawhileandsee!If youbindyourselftoher,you’llrepentitallyourlife-timewhen youlookroundandseehowmanybetterthereare.Takemy wordforit,youwill.’
‘Well,mother,dobequiet!–Ihatetobelectured!–I’mnot goingtomarryyet,Itellyou; but–dearme!mayn’tIenjoy myselfat all ?’
‘Yes,mydearboy,butnotinthatway.Indeed,youshouldn’t dosuchthings.Youwouldbewrongingthegirl,ifshewere whatsheoughttobe; butIassureyousheisasartfulalittle
hussyasanybodyneedwishtosee; andyou’llgetentangledin hersnaresbeforeyouknowwhereyouare.Andifyou do marry her,Gilbert,you’llbreakmyheart–sothere’sanendofit.’
‘Well,don’tcryaboutit,mother,’saidI,forthetearswere gushingfromhereyes; ‘there,letthatkisseffacetheoneIgave Eliza; don’tabuseheranymore,andsetyourmindatrest; for I’llpromiseneverto–thatis,I’llpromiseto–tothinktwice beforeItakeanyimportantstepyouseriouslydisapproveof.’
Sosaying,Ilightedmycandle,andwenttobed,considerably quenchedinspirit.
CHAPTERV THESTUDIO
Itwasabout thecloseofthemonth,that,yieldingatlength totheurgentimportunitiesofRose,Iaccompaniedherina visittoWildfellHall.Tooursurprise,wewereusheredinto aroomwherethefirstobjectthatmettheeyewasapainter’s easel,withatablebesideitcoveredwithrollsofcanvass,bottles ofoilandvarnish,palette,brushes,paints,&c.Leaningagainst thewallwereseveralsketchesinvariousstagesofprogression, andafewfinishedpaintings–mostlyoflandscapesandfigures.
‘Imustmakeyouwelcometomystudio,’saidMrsGraham; ‘thereisnofireinthesitting-roomto-day,anditisrathertoo coldtoshewyouintoaplacewithanemptygrate.’
Anddisengagingacoupleofchairsfromtheartisticallumber thatusurpedthem,shebidusbeseated,andresumedherplace besidetheeasel–notfacingitexactly,butnowandthenglancingatthepictureuponitwhilesheconversed,andgivingitan