CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Friendly Advice

I was tempted to tell my mother and sister about Mrs Graham's poor story, but I did not. I knew that if I told them, Eliza Milward and Jane Wilson would soon find out, as well, and would find a way to tell Mr Huntingdon. I could not bear to see my dear Helen in such a terrible situation again. My mother was quite worried about me, and my contact with Mrs Graham, but I said little about the situation to her.

Mrs Huntingdon did not leave Wildfell Hall for another two months. During that time, she never came to church, and I never went near her house. I often went to visit her brother, and asked about his sister frequently. He said little about her, and I was too embarrassed to ask any other questions about her, as he did not seem pleased that I showed such a strong interest in his sister.

One evening, I met him as he was returning from a visit to the Wilsons. I now decided to tell him of Miss Wilson's poor opinion of his dear sister. I believed that he would no longer show interest in such a girl, who told terrible lies about his sister, and was quite pleased with herself for it.

"Are you coming from the Wilsons' home?" I asked as I walked to him.

"Yes," he said with a smile.

"I need to tell you something about Miss Wilson," I said, then paused. "Miss Wilson hates your sister. She does not know the secret, so she supposed that you two are lovers. She and Eliza Millward told lies about your sister."

"I cannot believe it," he interrupted, looking quite angry. He soon calmed down, and understood that Miss Wilson was not the kind girl he previously thought of.

Jane Wilson was quite disappointed that Mr Lawrence was no longer interested in her.

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