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

' But I told her I knew better.”

“Some romantic young widow, I suppose,” said I. “She came there to end her days in solitude – but it won't last long.”

“No, I think not,” observed Rose; “and she's excessively pretty – handsome rather – you must see her, Gilbert. Though you can hardly pretend to discover a resemblance between her and Eliza Millward.”

The next day was Saturday; and, on Sunday, everybody wondered whether or not the fair unknown profited by the vicar's remonstrance. Will she come to church?

Yes, she came there.

And there I beheld a tall, lady-like figure in black. Her face was towards me, and there was something in it which invited me to look again. Her hair was black, she had long glossy. Her complexion was clear and pale. Her eyes were concealed by their lids and long black lashes. The forehead was lofty and intellectual.

She raised her eyes, and they met mine. I did not withdrew my gaze, and she turned again to her prayer-book, but with a momentary, indefinable expression of quiet scorn.

Now, Halford, before I close this letter, I'll tell you who Eliza Millward was. She was the vicar's younger daughter. I liked her; and she knew. But my mother did not bear the thoughts of my marrying that girl, who had not even twenty pounds, as my mother said. Eliza's figure was plump, her face small and round. Her eyes were long and narrow in shape. Her voice was gentle and childish.

Her sister, Mary, was several years older and several inches taller.

Her father, all dogs, cats, children, and poor people loved her very much.

The Reverend Michael Millward himself was a tall, ponderous elderly gentleman, who placed a shovel hat[4 - shovel hat – широкополая шляпа] above his large, square, massive-featured face. He carried a stout walking-stick in his hand. He was a man of fixed principles, strong prejudices, and regular habits.

He cared for his bodily health. He took a walk before breakfast, was vastly particular about warm and dry clothing.

He was gifted with good lungs and a powerful voice, – and was, generally, extremely particular about what he ate and drank.

I will mention two other persons. These are Mrs. Wilson and her daughter. The former was the widow, whose character is not worth describing. She had two sons, Robert, a farmer, and Richard, a studious young man, who was preparing for college.

Their sister Jane was a young lady of some talents, and more ambition.