Незнакомка из Уайлдфелл-Холла. Уровень 2 / The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

”

“I shall be proud to do it, Helen! And if that is the obstacle to our union, it is demolished, and you must be mine!”

I seized her hand and wanted to press it to my lips, but she suddenly caught it away:

“No, no, it is not all!”

“What is it, then? You promised to tell me.”

“You will know some time – but not now – my head aches terribly,” she said, “and I must have some repose.”

“But if you tell me,” I persisted: “it will ease your mind; and I shall then know how to comfort you.

She shook her head despondingly.

“You will blame me – perhaps even more than I deserve.”

“You, Helen? Impossible!”

“I did not know the strength and depth of your feelings.”

She clasped her hands upon her knee, and calmly said,

“Tomorrow, if you meet me on the moor about midday, I will tell you all.”

“I will; but answer me this one question first. Do you love me?”

“I will not answer it!”

“Then I will conclude you do; and so good-night.

She turned from me. I took her hand and fervently kissed it.

“Gilbert, do leave me!” she cried.

It was cruel to disobey. I left.

I went up to the garden wall, and stood there. Then I vaulted over the barrier, unable to resist the temptation: I wanted to see her one more time.

I looked. Her chair was vacant: so was the room. But at that moment someone opened the door, and a voice – her voice! said,

“Let's come out. I want to see the moon, and breathe the evening air.

I stood in the shadow of the tall bush, which was standing between the window and the porch. I saw two figures in the moonlight: Mrs. Graham and another, a young man, slender and rather tall. O heavens, how my temples throbbed! It was Mr. Lawrence!

“I must leave this place, Frederick,” she said, “I never can be happy here, nor anywhere else, indeed.”

“But where can you find a better place?” replied he, “so secluded – so near me, if you think anything of that.

“Yes,” interrupted she, “it is all I wish, if they only leave me alone.”

“But wherever you go, Helen, there will be the same sources of annoyance. I cannot lose you:I must go with you, or come to you. There are fools elsewhere, as well as here.”

They sauntered slowly past me, and I heard no more of their discourse. But he put his arm round her waist, while she lovingly rested her hand on his shoulder.