Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/340

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THE TENANT

CHAPTER XVII.


DUAL SOLITUDE.


December 20th, 1824.—This is the third anniversary of our felicitous union. It is now two months since our guests left us to the enjoyment of each other's society; and I have had nine weeks' experience of this new phase of conjugal life—two persons living together, as master and mistress of the house, and father and mother of a winsome, merry little child, with the mutual understanding that there is no love, friendship, or sympathy between them. As far as in me lies, I endeavour to live peace-