The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

l to grace it with her presence. Indeed, it is probable that, had she been there, there w

guests happy, thereby forcing several of them to do what their soul abhorred in the way of eating or drinking, sitting opposite

r the edification of the whole assembly in general, and of the admiring Mrs. Markham, the polite Mr. Lawrence, the sedate

and oft-repeated observations, uttered apparently for the sole purpose of denying a moment's rest to her inexhaustible organs of speech. She h

o effect his subjugation were too subtle and impalpable to attract my observation; but I thought there was a certain refined affectation of superiority, and an ungenial self-consciousness about her, that negatived all her advantages; and after she was gone, Rose

would have been happy enough in his own quiet way, if my mother could only have let him alone; but in her mistaken kindness, she would keep persecuting him with her attentions-pressing upon him all manner of viands, under

n Robert. That worthy individual she had been equally solicitous to keep away; but he affirmed that he saw no reason why he should not enjoy a crack with Markham and the old lady (my mother was not old, really), and bonny Mis

told me she had only come because her father insisted upon it, having taken it into his head that she devoted herself too exclusively to her household duties, to the neglect of such relaxations and innocent enjoyments as were proper to her age and sex. She seemed to me to be good-humoured enough on the whole. Once or twice she was provoked to

er delight in having me near her, seated or standing by her side, whispering in her ear, or pressing her hand in the dance, was plainly legible in her glowing fa

als of our party; Rose was simple and natur

tinence and folly served to make others laugh, i

elf-contained, to obtain my cordial sympathies. A spirit of candour and frankness, when wholly unaccompanied with coarseness, he admired in others, but he could not acquire it himself. His excessive reserve upon all his own concerns was, indeed, provoking and chilly enough; but I forgave it, from a conviction that it originated less in pride and want of confidence in his friends, than in a certain morbid feeling of delicacy, and a peculiar diffidence, that he was sensible of, but wanted energy to overcome. His heart was like a sensitive plant, that opens for a moment in the sunshine, but curls up and shrinks into itself at the slightest touch of the finger, or the lightest breath of wind. And, upon

neglecting to return their calls, hoping they would excuse her, as she was sure she did not mean to be uncivil, and would be glad to see them at any time.-'But she is a very singular l

e. I thought he looked unnecessaril

is-I have seen her, certainly; but I am the last person y

and asked her to favour the company

Miss Wilson: she outshines us

lson de

'if you'll undertake to stand by her, Mr. L

y to do so, Miss Wils

he stood patiently by, leaning one hand on the back of her chair, and turning over the leaves of her book with the other. Perhaps he was as much charmed with her perf

t done with M

introduction of that beverage; 'I'll take a little of your home

a jug of our best ale was presently brought and set before the wo

r, so as to produce much foam without spilling a drop; and, having surveyed it for a moment opposite the candle, he took a deep dr

said he. 'I always maintain that there's no

the brewing myself, as well as the cheese and the butte

ght, Mrs.

' said my mother, as she handed a smoking tumbler of gin-and-water to Mrs. Wilson, who affirmed that wine sat he

like nod; 'these things are all blessings and m

shall just hear now what she told us

of that lady's mistaken ideas and conduct regarding the matte

ould say-criminal! Not only is it making a fool of the boy, but it is despis

oundest reverence; and even Mrs. Wilson vouchsafed to rest her tongue for a moment, and listen in silence, while she complacently sipped her g

a child may be naturally prone to intemperance-by the fault of its parents or ancestors, for instance-some precauti

but temperance, sir, is one

a child, in such a case, would be likely to have a strong curiosity to taste, and try the effect of what has been so lauded and enjoyed by others, so strictly forbidden to himself-which curiosity would generally be gratified on the first convenient opportunity; and the restraint once broken, serious consequences might ensue. I don't pretend to be a judge of such matters, but it seems to me, t

rary to Scripture and to reason, to teach a child to look with contempt an

t, you will allow that most of us had better abstain from it, even in moderation; but,' added he,

. Lawrence,' said my mother,

able, leant back towards me-I was seated a trifle behind, on the sof

r once or twic

you think

e, but by no means amiable-a woman liable to take strong prejudices, I should fancy, and stick to them through thick and

uch repelled by me, I fancy, as attracted by her. I scarcely noticed it at the time, but afterwards I was led t

of the village musicians was engaged to direct our evolutions with his violin. But Mary Millward obstinately refused to

and at length, having called upon our musician to strike up a waltz, I was just about to whirl Eliza round in that delightful dance, accompanied

apa!' plea

in all things, remember! That's the plan-"

back, while he was enveloping his throat and chin in the folds of a mighty comforter. But alas! in turning round, there was my mother close beside me. The consequence was, that no soone

eve me to see you married to that girl-or any other in the neighbourhood. What you see in her I don't know. It isn't only the want of money that I think about-nothing of the kind-but there's neither beauty, nor cleverness, nor goodness, nor anything else

tured!-I'm not going to marry yet, I tell yo

hat she ought to be; but I assure you she is as artful a little hussy as anybody need wish to see; and you'll got entangled

iss efface the one I gave Eliza; don't abuse her any more, and set your mind at rest; for I'll promise n

dle, and went to bed, consi