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wanted to pass on; but I seized his horse by the bridle, and exclaimed,

      “Now, Lawrence, tell me where you are going, and what you mean to do!”

      “Will you take your hand off the bridle?” said he quietly, “you're hurting my pony's mouth.”

      “You and your pony be – ”

      “What makes you so coarse and brutal, Markham? I'm quite ashamed of you.”

      “You answer my questions – before you leave this spot! I will know what you mean by this perfidious duplicity!”

      “I shall answer no questions till you let go the bridle.”

      “Now then,” said I and unclosed my hand.

      “Ask me some other time, when you can speak like a gentleman,” returned he. “Mr. Markham, this is too much![14] Can I not go to see my tenant?”

      “This is no time for business, sir! I'll tell you, now, what I think of your conduct.”

      “Really? Here's the vicar.”

      And, in truth, the vicar was just behind me. I immediately released the squire; and he went on his way.

      “What! Quarrelling, Markham?” cried the vicar, “and about that young widow, I think?” he added. “But let me tell you, young man, she's not worth it.”

      “Mr. Millward!” I exclaimed, turned away, and hastened homewards.

      Chapter XI

      Three weeks passed over. Mrs. Graham and I were now friends – or brother and sister. She called me Gilbert, and I called her Helen. I saw her twice a week. I behaved with such propriety that she never had occasion to reprove me once. This assumption of brotherly nonchalance was very hard to sustain, and I often felt myself a hypocrite with it all. I saw too, or rather I felt, that, in spite of herself, I was not indifferent to her.

      “Where are you going, Gilbert?” said Rose, one evening, shortly after tea.

      “To take a walk,” was the reply.

      “You're going to Wildfell Hall, aren't you?”

      “So what?”

      “It's better not to go there so often.”

      “Nonsense, child! I don't go once in six weeks – what do you mean?”

      “Well, I've heard so much about her lately, both at the Wilsons' and the vicarage… And don't you remember last winter, Gilbert, all that about the false name to the picture; and how she explained it; and then, how suddenly she started up and left the room when that person came – and who Arthur told us was his mamma's friend?”

      “Yes, Rose, I remember it all. But thank God, I know her.”

      “Oh, Gilbert! You know nothing of her former life; and last year, at this time, you did not know that such a person existed. But what will mamma say, Gilbert?”

      “Mamma needn't know.”

      “But she must know some time.”

      “Mrs. Graham and I are two friends – and will be.”

      “Jane Wilson thinks your visits to the old hall are another proof of her depravity.”

      “Confound Jane Wilson!”

      “And Eliza Millward is quite grieved about you.”

      “How do they know that I go there?”

      “They spy out everything.”

      “Oh, I never thought of this! And so they dare to turn my friendship into food for further scandal against her! That proves the falsehood of their other lies.”

      Just at that moment the vicar entered the room. Just then my mother came in, and offered him a cup of tea.

      “I thank you,” replied the vicar; “but I prefer to take a glass of your excellent ale, if it's possible.”

      “With pleasure!” cried my mother, pulled the bell and ordered the beverage.

      “I've visited Mrs. Graham, you know” continued he.

      “Have you, indeed?”

      He nodded gravely, and added with awful emphasis. Then he struck his stick on the floor. My “'Mrs. Graham,' said I,” he continued, “'these are terrible reports!' 'What, sir?' says she. 'It is my duty as your pastor,' said I, 'to tell you them.' So I told her!”

      “You did, sir?” cried I.

      He merely glanced towards me, and continued:

      “It was a painful duty, Mrs. Markham – but I told her!”

      “And how did she take it?” asked my mother.

      “She turned white in the face,” he replied; “and drew her breath through her teeth. But she offered no extenuation or defence. She told me that my remonstrance was unavailing, that my presence was displeasing while I spoke such things. I sadly grieved to find her case so hopeless.

      Mrs. Markham, my daughters must not consort with her. As for your sons, as for you, young man…” he continued.

      “As for me, sir,” I began, but snatched up my hat and bolted from the room. The next minute I was hurrying in the direction of Wildfell Hall.

      Chapter XII

      In little more than twenty minutes the journey was accomplished. I paused at the gate to wipe my forehead, and recover my breath. The rapid walking mitigated my excitement; and with a firm and steady tread I paced the garden-walk. I caught a sight of Mrs. Graham, through the open window. She seemed agitated and even dismayed at my arrival.

      “I am come at an unseasonable hour,” said I; “but I won't stay long.”

      She smiled upon me.

      “How dismal you are, Helen! Why have you no fire?” I said.

      “It is summer yet,” she replied.

      “But we always have a fire in the evenings; and you especially require one in this cold house and dreary room.”

      “You must not stay long, Gilbert,” said she.

      “I'm not going to,” said I. “But, Helen, I've something to say to you before I go.”

      “What is it?”

      “No, not now – I don't know yet precisely what it is, or how to say it,” replied I.

      Meanwhile Rachel came in to kindle the fire.

      “Gilbert, it is getting late,” Helen said.

      “I see,” said I. “You want me to go, I suppose?”

      “I think you ought. If my kind neighbours know of this visit – as no doubt they will – they will not turn it much to my advantage.”

      “Let them turn it as they will,” said I. “What are their thoughts to you or me, so long as we are satisfied with ourselves – and each other. Let them go to the deuce with their vile constructions and their lying inventions!”

      “You have heard, then, what they say of me?”

      “I heard some detestable falsehoods; but none but fools credit them, Helen, so don't let them trouble you.”

      “I did not think Mr. Millward a fool, and he believes it all. However little you may esteem them as individuals, it is not pleasant to be a liar and a hypocrite.”

      “True. So authorise me to clear your name from every. Give me the right to identify your honour with my own, and to defend your reputation as more precious than my life!”

      “Are you hero enough to unite yourself to one whom everybody despises? Think! It is a serious thing.”

      “I shall be proud to do it, Helen! And if that is the obstacle to our union, it is demolished, and you must be mine!”

      I seized her hand and wanted to press

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