Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/301

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OF WILDFELL HALL.
291

Havn't I seen you kiss your dolt of a husband, scores of times?—and do I ever complain?"

"But tell me, don't you love her still—a little?" said she placing her hand on his arm looking earnestly in his face—for I could see them plainly, the moon shining full upon them from between the branches of the tree that sheltered me.

"Not one bit, by all that's sacred!" he replied, kissing her glowing cheek.

"Good heavens, I must be gone!" cried she, suddenly breaking from him, and away she flew.

There he stood before me; but I had not strength to confront him now; my tongue cleaved to the roof of my mouth, I was well nigh sinking to the earth, and I almost wondered he did not hear the beating of my heart above the low sighing of the wind, and the fitful rustle of the falling leaves. My senses seemed to fail me, but still I saw his shadowy form pass before me, and through the rushing