Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/59

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OF WILDFELL HALL.
49

triumph. "She can't deny it if her life depended on it!" and muttering some more abusive language, he walked into the hall, and took up his hat and gun from the table.

"I scorn to justify myself to you!" said I. "But you," turning to Hattersley, "if you presume to have any doubts on the subject, ask Mr. Hargrove."

At this, they simultaneously burst into a rude laugh that made my whole frame tingle to the finger's ends.

"Where is he? I'll ask him myself!" said I, advancing towards them.

Suppressing anew burst of merriment, Hattersley pointed to the outer door. It was half open. His brother-in-law was standing on the front without.

"Mr. Hargrave, will you please to step this way?" said I.

He turned and looked at me in grave surprise.

"Step this way, if you please!" I repeated,