Незнакомка из Уайлдфелл-Холла. Уровень 2 / The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Then she closed the book, and quietly asked the price of it.

“I'm sorry to offend you, Mr. Markham,” said she, “but unless I pay for the book, I cannot take it.” And she laid it on the table.

“Why cannot you?”

“Because,” she paused, and looked at the carpet.

“Why cannot you?” I repeated.

“Because I don't like to put myself under obligations that I can never repay.”

“Nonsense!” ejaculated I.

She turned her eyes on me again, with a look of quiet, grave surprise.

“Then you won't take the book?” I asked.

“I will gladly take it. How much is it?”

I told her the exact price. She produced her purse, and coolly counted out the money, but hesitated to put it into my hand.

“You think yourself insulted, Mr Markham but I- ”

“I understand you,” I said. “But believe me, I shall build no hopes upon it, and consider this no precedent for future favours.”

“Well, then,” she answered, with a smile. Then she returned the odious money to her purse, “but remember!”

“I will remember.

Chapter IX

Though my affections were fairly weaned from Eliza Millward, I did not yet entirely relinquish my visits to the vicarage. One day I resolved to make my visit a short one, and to talk to Eliza. It was never my custom to talk about Mrs. Graham either to her or anyone else; but Eliza said,

“Oh, Mr. Markham! What do you think of these shocking reports about Mrs.

“What reports?”

“Ah! You know!” she smiled and shook her head.

“I know nothing about them. What do you mean, Eliza?”

“Oh, don't ask me! I can't explain it.”

“What is it, Miss Millward? What does she mean?” I asked her sister.

“I don't know,” replied she. “Some idle slander, I suppose. I never heard it till Eliza told me the other day. I don't believe a word of it – I know Mrs. Graham too well!”

“Quite right, Miss Millward.

Eliza raised her face, and gave me a look of sorrowful tenderness.

A few days after this we met again. Mrs. Graham arrived also. Mr. Lawrence came too. He seated himself quite aloof from the young widow, between my mother and Rose.

“Did you ever see such art?” whispered Eliza, who was my nearest neighbour.

“What do you mean?”

“Why, you can't pretend to be ignorant!”

“Ignorant of what?” demanded I sharply.