Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/364

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THE TENANT

self to be worse than my fellows; but you Madame—I equally maintain there is no body like you. But are you happy?" he asked in a serious tone.

"As happy as some others, I suppose."

"Are you as happy as you desire to be?"

"No one is so blest as that comes to, on this side eternity."

"One thing I know," returned he, with a deep, sad sigh; "you are immeasureably happier than I am."

"I am very sorry for you, then," I could not help replying.

"Are you indeed?—No—for if you were, you would be glad to relieve me."

"And so I should, if I could do so, without injuring myself or any other."

"And can you suppose that I should wish you to injure yourself?—No; on the contrary, it is your own happiness I long for more than mine. You are miserable now, Mrs. Huntingdon," continued he, looking me boldly in the