The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Penguin Classics) (22 page)

One night, however, at a ball, he had been more than usually tormenting, and my patience was quite exhausted. – It appeared as if the whole evening was fated to be insupportable: I had just had one dance with an empty-headed coxcomb, and then Mr Boarham had come upon me, and seemed determined to cling to me for the rest of the night. He never danced himself, and there he sat, poking his head in my face, and impressing all beholders with the idea that he was a confirmed, acknowledged lover, my aunt looking complacently on, all the time, and wishing him God-speed. In vain I attempted to drive him away by giving a loose to my exasperated feelings, even to positive rudeness: nothing could convince him that his presence was disagreeable. Sullen silence was taken for rapt attention, and gave him greater room to talk; sharp answers were received as smart sallies of girlish vivacity, that only required an indulgent rebuke; and flat contradictions were but as oil to the flames, calling forth new strains of argument to support his dogmas, and bringing down upon me endless floods of reasoning to overwhelm me with conviction.

But there was one present who seemed to have a better appreciation of my frame of mind. A gentleman stood by, who had been watching our conference for some time, evidently much amused at my companion’s remorseless pertinacity and my manifest annoyance, and laughing to himself at the asperity and uncompromising spirit of my replies. At length, however, he withdrew, and went to the lady of the house, apparently for the purpose of asking an introduction to me, for, shortly after, they both came up, and she introduced him as Mr Huntingdon, the son of a late friend of my uncle’s. He asked me to dance. I gladly consented, of course; and he was my companion during the remainder of my stay, which was not long, for my aunt, as usual, insisted upon an early departure.

I was sorry to go, for I had found my new acquaintance a very lively and entertaining companion. There was a certain graceful ease and freedom about all he said and did, that gave a sense of repose and expansion to the mind, after so much constraint and formality as I had been doomed to suffer. There might be, it is true, a little too much careless boldness in his manner and address, but I was in so good a humour, and so grateful for my late deliverance from Mr Boarham, that it did not anger me.

‘Well, Helen, how do you like Mr Boarham now?’ said my aunt, as we took our seats in the carriage and drove away.

‘Worse than ever,’ I replied.

She looked displeased but said no more on that subject.

‘Who was the gentleman you danced with last,’ resumed she, after a pause – ‘that was so officious in helping you on with your shawl?’

‘He was not officious at all, aunt: he never
attempted
to help me, till he saw Mr Boarham coming to do so; and then he stepped laughingly forward and said, “Come I’ll preserve you from that infliction.” ‘

‘Who was it, I ask?’ said she, with frigid gravity.

‘It was Mr Huntingdon, the son of uncle’s old friend.’

‘I have heard your uncle speak of young Mr Huntingdon. I’ve heard him say, “He’s a fine lad, that young Huntingdon, but a bit wildish I fancy.” So I’d have you beware.’

‘What does “a bit wildish” mean?’ I enquired.

‘It means destitute of principle, and prone to every vice that is common to youth.’

‘But I’ve heard uncle say he was a sad wild fellow himself, when he was young.’

She sternly shook her head.

‘He was jesting then, I suppose,’ said I, ‘and here he was speaking at random – at least, I cannot believe there is any harm in those laughing blue eyes.’

‘False reasoning, Helen!’ said she with a sigh.

‘Well, we ought to be charitable, you know, aunt – besides, I don’t think it
is
false: I am an excellent physiognomist,
⁶
and I always judge of people’s characters by their looks – not by whether they are handsome or ugly, but by the general cast of the countenance. For instance, I should know by your countenance that you were not of a cheerful, sanguine disposition; and I should know by Mr Wilmot,
⁷
that he was a worthless old reprobate, and by Mr Boarham’s that he was not an agreeable companion, and by Mr Huntingdon’s that he was neither a fool nor a knave, though, possibly, neither a sage nor a saint – but that is no matter to me, as I am not likely to meet him again – unless as an occasional partner in the ballroom.’

It was not so, however, for I met him again next morning. He came to call upon my uncle, apologizing for not having done so before, by saying he was only lately returned from the continent, and had not heard, till the previous night, of my uncle’s arrival in town; and after that, I often met him; sometimes in public, sometimes at home; for he was very assiduous in paying his respects to his old friend, who did not, however, consider himself greatly obliged by the attention.

‘I wonder what the deuce the lad means by coming so often,’ he would say, – ‘can
you
tell; Helen? – Hey? He wants none o’my company, nor I his – that’s certain.’

‘I wish you’d tell him so, then,’ said my aunt.

‘Why, what for? If I don’t want him, somebody does mayhap (winking at me). Besides, he’s a pretty tidy fortune, Peggy, you know – not such a catch as Wilmot, but then Helen won’t hear of that match; for, somehow, these old chaps don’t go down with the girls –
with
all
their money – and their experience to boot. I’ll bet anything she’d rather have this young fellow without a penny, than Wilmot with his house full of gold – Wouldn’t you Nell?’

‘Yes uncle; but that’s not saying much for Mr Huntingdon, for I’d rather be an old maid and a pauper, than Mrs Wilmot.’

‘And Mrs Huntingdon? What would you rather be than Mrs Huntingdon? eh?’

‘I’ll tell you when I’ve considered the matter.’

‘Ah! it needs consideration then – But come now – would you rather be an old maid – let alone the pauper?’

‘I can’t tell till I’m asked.’

And I left the room immediately, to escape further examination. But five minutes after, in looking from my window, I beheld Mr Boarham coming up to the door. I waited nearly half an hour in uncomfortable suspense, expecting every minute to be called, and vainly longing to hear him go. Then, footsteps were heard on the stairs, and my aunt entered the room with a solemn countenance, and closed the door behind her.

‘Here is Mr Boarham, Helen,’ said she. ‘He wishes to see you.’

‘Oh, aunt! Can’t you tell him I’m indisposed? – I’m sure I am – to see
him
’

‘Nonsense, my dear! this is no trifling matter. He is come on a very important errand – to ask your hand in marriage, of your uncle and me.’

‘I hope my uncle and you told him it was not in your power to give it. What right had he to ask
any
one before me?’

‘Helen!’

‘What did my uncle say?’

‘He said he would not interfere in the matter; if you liked to accept Mr Boarham’s obliging offer, you –’

‘Did he say obliging offer?’

‘No; he said if you liked to take him you might; and if not, you might please yourself.’

‘He said right; and what did you say?’

‘It is no matter what I said. What will
you
say? – that is the question. He is now waiting to ask you himself; but consider well
before you go; and if you intend to refuse him, give me your reasons.’

‘I
shall
refuse him, of course, but you must tell me how, for I want to be civil and yet decided – and when I’ve got rid of him, I’ll give you my reasons afterwards.’

‘But stay Helen; sit down a little, and compose yourself. Mr Boarham is in no particular hurry, for he has little doubt of your acceptance; and I want to speak with you. Tell me, my dear, what are your objections to him? Do you deny that he is an upright, honourable man?’

‘No.’

‘Do you deny that he is a sensible, sober, respectable?’

‘No; he may be all this, but –’

‘But
Helen! How many such men do you expect to meet with in the world? Upright, honourable, sensible, sober, respectable! – Is
this
such an everyday character, that you should reject the possessor of such noble qualities, without a moment’s hesitation? – Yes,
noble
I may call them; for, think of the full meaning of each, and how many inestimable virtues they include (and I might add many more to the list), and consider that all this is laid at your feet; it is in your power to secure this inestimable blessing for life – a worthy and excellent husband, who loves you tenderly, but not too fondly so as to blind him to your faults, and will be your guide throughout life’s pilgrimage, and your partner in eternal bliss! Think how–’

‘But I hate him, aunt,’ said I, interrupting this unusual flow of eloquence.

‘Hate him, Helen! Is this a Christian spirit? –
you hate him
?– and he so good a man!’

‘I don’t hate him as a man, but as a husband. As a man, I love him so much, that I wish him a better wife than I – one as good as himself, or better – if you think that possible – provided, she could like him; – but I never could, and therefore –’

‘But why not? What objection do you find?’

‘Firstly, he is, at least, forty years old – considerably more I should think, and I am but eighteen: secondly, he is narrow-minded
and bigoted in the extreme; thirdly, his tastes and feelings are wholly dissimilar to mine; fourthly, his looks, voice, and manner are particularly displeasing to me; and finally, I have an aversion to his whole person that I never can surmount’

‘Then you ought to surmount it! And please to compare him for a moment with Mr Huntingdon, and, good looks apart (which contribute nothing to the merit of the man, or to the happiness of married life, and which you have so often professed to hold in light esteem), tell me which is the better man.’

‘I have no doubt Mr Huntingdon is a much better man than you think him, – but we are not talking about him, now, but about Mr Boarham; and as I would rather grow, live and die in single blessedness
⁸
than be his wife, it is but right that I should tell him so at once, and put him out of suspense – so let me go.’

‘But don’t give him a flat denial; he has no idea of such a thing, and it would offend him greatly: say you have no thoughts of matrimony, at present –’

‘But I
have
thoughts of it’

‘Or that you desire a further acquaintance.’

‘But I don’t desire a further acquaintance – quite the contrary.’

And without waiting for further admonitions, I left the room, and went to seek Mr Boarham. He was walking up and down the drawing room, humming snatches of tunes, and nibbling the end of his cane.

‘My dear young lady,’ said he, bowing and smirking with great complacency. ‘I have your kind guardian’s permission –’

‘I know, sir,’ said I, wishing to shorten the scene as much as possible, ‘and I am greatly obliged for your preference, but must beg to decline the honour you wish to confer, for, I think, we were not made for each other – as you yourself would shortly discover if the experiment were tried.’

My aunt was right: it was quite evident he had had little doubt of my acceptance, and no idea of a positive denial. He was amazed – astounded at such an answer, but too incredulous to be much offended; and after a little humming and hawing, he returned to the attack.

‘I know, my dear, that there exists a considerable disparity between us in years, in temperament, and perhaps some other things, but let me assure you, I shall not be severe to mark the faults and foibles of a young and ardent nature such as yours, and while I acknowledge them to myself, and even rebuke them with all a father’s care, believe me, no youthful lover could be more tenderly indulgent towards the object of his affections, than I to you; and, on the other hand, let me hope that my more experienced years and graver habits of reflection will be no disparagement in your eyes, as I shall endeavour to make them all conducive to your happiness. Come now! What do you say? – Let us have no young lady’s affectations and caprices, but speak out at once!’

‘I will, but only to repeat what I said before, that I am certain we were not made for each other.’

‘You really think so?’

‘I do.’

‘But you don’t know me – you wish for a further acquaintance – a longer time to –’

‘No, I don’t. I know you as well as I ever shall, and better than you know me, or you would never dream of uniting yourself to one so incongruous – so utterly unsuitable to you in every way.’

‘But my dear young lady, I don’t look for perfection, I can excuse –’

‘Thank you, Mr Boarham, but I won’t trespass upon your goodness. You may save your indulgence and consideration for some more worthy object, that won’t tax them so heavily.’

‘But let me beg you to consult your aunt; that excellent lady, I am sure, will –’

‘I have consulted her; and I know her wishes coincide with yours; but in such important matters, I take the liberty of judging for myself; and no persuasions can alter my inclinations, or induce me to believe that such a step would be conducive to my happiness, or yours – and I wonder that a man of your experience and discretion should think of choosing such a wife.’

‘Ah, well!’ said he – ‘I have sometimes wondered at that myself. I have sometimes said to myself, “Now Boarham, what is this you’re
after? Take care man – look before you leap! This is a sweet, bewitching creature, but remember, the brightest attractions to the lover too often prove the husband’s greatest torments!” – I assure you my choice has not been made without much reasoning and reflection. The seeming imprudence of the match has cost me many an anxious thought by day, and many a sleepless hour by night; but at length, I satisfied myself, that it was not, in very deed, imprudent. I saw my sweet girl was not without her faults, but of these, her youth, I trusted, was not one, but rather an earnest of virtues yet unblown – a strong ground of presumption that her little defects of temper, and errors of judgment, opinion, or manner were not irremediable, but might easily be removed or mitigated by the patient efforts of a watchful and judicious adviser, and where I failed to enlighten and control, I thought I might safely undertake to pardon, for the sake of her many excellencies. Therefore, my dearest girl, since
I
am satisfied, why should
you
object – on my account, at least’