n the midst of my perusal, leaving me no alternative but to get another,
at the expense of alarming the house, or to go to bed, and wait the
return of daylight. On my mother's account, I chose the latter; but how
willingly I sought my pillow, and how much sleep it brought me, I leave
you to imagine.

At the first appearance of dawn, I rose, and brought the manuscript to
the window, but it was impossible to read it yet. I devoted half an hour
to dressing, and then returned to it again. Now, with a little
difficulty, I could manage; and with intense and eager interest, I
devoured the remainder of its contents. When it was ended, and my
transient regret at its abrupt conclusion was over, I opened the window
and put out my head to catch the cooling breeze, and imbibe deep draughts
of the pure morning air. A splendid morning it was; the half-frozen dew
lay thick on the grass, the swallows were twittering round me, the rooks
cawing, and cows lowing in the distance; and early frost and summer
sunshine mingled their sweetness in the air. But I did not think of
that: a confusion of countless thoughts and varied emotions crowded upon
me while I gazed abstractedly on the lovely face of nature. Soon,
however, this chaos of thoughts and passions cleared away, giving place
to two distinct emotions: joy unspeakable that my adored Helen was all I
wished to think her--that through the noisome vapours of the world's
aspersions and my own fancied convictions, her character shone bright,
and clear, and stainless as that sun I could not bear to look on; and
shame and deep remorse for my own conduct.

Immediately after breakfast I hurried over to Wildfell Hall. Rachel had
risen many degrees in my estimation since yesterday. I was ready to
greet her quite as an old friend; but every kindly impulse was checked by
the look of cold distrust she cast upon me on opening the door. The old
virgin had constituted herself the guardian of her lady's honour, I
suppose, and doubtless she saw in me another Mr. Hargrave, only the more
dangerous in being more esteemed and trusted by her mistress.

'Missis can't see any one to-day, sir--she's poorly,' said she, in answer
to my inquiry for Mrs. Graham.

'But I must see her, Rachel,' said I, placing my hand on the door to
prevent its being shut against me.

'Indeed, sir, you can't,' replied she, settling her countenance in still
more iron frigidity than before.

'Be so good as to announce me.'