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

Go! I won't care what you think of me.”

She turned away, and I went. Little Arthur was running by her side and apparently talking as he went. And I returned to my business.

But I soon began to regret my precipitancy. It was evident she loved me – probably she was tired of Mr. Lawrence, and wished to exchange him for me. But still I was curious to know her explanation. I wanted to know what to despise, and what to admire in her; how much to pity, and how much to hate. But what a fool I was! She deceived me, injured me!

“Well, I'll see her, however,” was my resolve, “but not today: today and tonight she may think upon her sins.

Tomorrow I will see her once again, and know something more about her.”

I came to the old Hall the next day. I approached the shrine of my former divinity. Rachel admitted me into the parlour, and went to call her mistress. She was not there, but there was her little round table with a book upon it. This volume I did not see before. It was Sir Humphry Davy's “Last Days of a Philosopher,” and on the first leaf was written, “Frederick Lawrence.

”

I closed the book, but kept it in my hand. She entered, calm, pale, collected.

“Mr. Markham?” said she, with severe but quiet dignity.

I answered with a smile,

“Well, I have come to hear your explanation.”

“I won't give it,” said she. “I said you were unworthy of my confidence.”

“Oh, very well,” replied I and moved to the door.

“Stay a moment,” said she.

“This is the last time I shall see you:don't go just yet.”

I remained.

“Tell me,” resumed she, “why did you believe these things against me? who told you; and what did they say?”

I paused a moment. Then I showed her the book that I still held in my hand. I pointed to the name and asked,

“Do you know that gentleman?”

“Of course I do,” replied she. “What next, sir?”

“How long is it since you saw him?”

“Who gave you the right to catechize me on this or any other subject?”

“Oh, no one! God only knows what a blind, incredulous fool I have been.

I was shutting my eyes and stopping my ears against everything that threatened to shake my confidence in you, till proof itself confounded my infatuation!”

“What proof, sir?”

“Well, I'll tell you. You remember that evening when I was here last?”

“I do.”

“After I left you I turned back, just to see through the window how you were.