Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/49

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OF WILDFELL HALL.
39

tlemen, I value her so highly that any one among you, that can fancy her, may have her and welcome—you may, by Jove and my blessing into the bargain!'

"I—hem—some one asked if he really meant what he said, upon which, he solemnly swore he did, and no mistake.—What do you think of that, Mrs. Huntingdon?" asked Mr. Hargrave, after a short pause, during which I had felt he was keenly examining my half-averted face.

"I say," replied I, calmly, "that what he prizes so lightly, will not be long in his possession."

"You cannot mean that you will break your heart and die for the detestible conduct of an infamous villain like that!"

"By no means: my heart is too thoroughly dried to be broken in a hurry, and I mean to live as long as I can."

"Will you leave him then!"

"Yes."