Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 1.djvu/229

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OF WILDFELL HALL.
217

shadow of the tall holly bush, which, standing between the window and the porch, at present screened me from observation, but did not prevent me from seeing two figures come forth into the moonlight; Mrs. Graham followed by another—not Rachel, but a young man, slender and rather tall. Oh heavens, how my temples throbbed! Intense anxiety darkened my sight; but I thought—yes, and the voice confirmed it—it was Mr. Lawrence.

"You should not let it worry you so much' Helen," said he; "I will be more cautious in future; and in time—"

I did not hear the rest of the sentence; for he walked close beside her and spoke so gently that I could not catch the words. My heart was splitting with hatred; but I listened intently for her reply. I heard it plainly enough.

"But I must leave this place, Frederic," she said—"I never can be happy here,—nor anywhere else, indeed," she added, with a mirth less laugh,—"but I cannot rest here."