gainst any exaggerated reports she may hear,--and
address it in a disguised hand--would you do me the favour to slip it
into the post-office as you pass? for I dare not trust any of the
servants in such a case.'

Most willingly I consented, and immediately brought him his desk. There
was little need to disguise his hand, for the poor fellow seemed to have
considerable difficulty in writing at all, so as to be legible. When the
note was done, I thought it time to retire, and took leave, after asking
if there was anything in the world I could do for him, little or great,
in the way of alleviating his sufferings, and repairing the injury I had
done.

'No,' said he; 'you have already done much towards it; you have done more
for me than the most skilful physician could do: for you have relieved my
mind of two great burdens--anxiety on my sister's account, and deep
regret upon your own: for I do believe these two sources of torment have
had more effect in working me up into a fever than anything else; and I
am persuaded I shall soon recover now. There is one more thing you can
do for me, and that is, come and see me now and then--for you see I am
very lonely here, and I promise your entrance shall not be disputed
again.'

I engaged to do so, and departed with a cordial pressure of the hand. I
posted the letter on my way home, most manfully resisting the temptation
of dropping in a word from myself at the same time.

CHAPTER XLVI

I felt strongly tempted, at times, to enlighten my mother and sister on
the real character and circumstances of the persecuted tenant of Wildfell
Hall, and at first I greatly regretted having omitted to ask that lady's
permission to do so; but, on due reflection, I considered that if it were
known to them, it could not long remain a secret to the Millwards and
Wilsons, and such was my present appreciation of Eliza Millward's
disposition, that, if once she got a clue to the story, I should fear she
would soon find means to enlighten Mr. Huntingdon upon the place of his
wife's retreat. I would therefore wait patiently till these weary six
months were over, and then, when the fugitive had found another home, and
I was permitted to write to her, I would beg to be allowed to clear her
name from these vile calumnies: at present I must content myself with
simply asserting that I knew them to be false, and would prove it some
day, to the shame of those who slandered her. I don't think anyb