But I was not left long alone, for Mr Wilmot, of all men the least welcome, took advantage of my isolated position to come and plant beside me. I had flattered myself that I had so effectually repulsed his advances on all former occasions, that I had nothing more to apprehend from his unfortunate predilection; but it seems I was mistaken: so great was his confidence, either in his wealth or his remaining powers of attraction, and so firm his conviction of feminine weakness, that he thought himself warranted to return to the siege, which he did with renovated ardour, enkindled by the quantity of wine he had drunk--a circumstance that rendered him infinitely the more disgusting; but greatly as I abhorred him at that moment, I did not like to treat him with rudeness, as I was now his guest and had just been enjoying his hospitality; and I was no hand at a polite but determined rejection, nor would it have greatly availed me if I had; for he was too coarse-minded to take any repulse that was not as plain and positive as his own effrontery. The consequence was, that he waxed more fulsomely tender, and more repulsively warm, and I was driven to the very verge of desperation and about to say, I know not what, when I felt my hand, that hung over the arm of the sofa, suddenly taken by another and gently but fervently pressed. Instinctively, I guessed who it was, and on looking up, was less surprised than delighted, to see Mr Huntingdon smiling upon me. It was like turning from some purgatorial fiend to an angel of light, come to announce that the season of torment was past.
`Helen,' said he (he frequently called me Helen, and I never resented the freedom), `I want you to look at this picture: Mr Wilmot will excuse you a moment, I'm sure.'
I rose with alacrity. He drew my arm within his, and led me across the room to a splendid painting of Vandyke's that I had noticed before, but not sufficiently examined. After a moment of silent contemplation, I was beginning to comment on its beauties and peculiarities, when, playfully pressing the hand he still retained within his arm, he interrupted me with--`Never mind the picture, it was not for that I brought you here; it was to get you away from that scoundrelly old profligate yonder, who is looking as if he would like to challenge me for the affront.'
`I am very much obliged to you,' said I. `This is twice you have delivered me from such unpleasant companionship.'
`Don't be too thankful,' he answered: `It is not all kindness to you; it is partly from a feeling of spite to your tormentors that makes me delighted to do the old fellows a bad turn, though I don't think I have any great reason to dread them as rivals--Have I, Helen?'
`You know I detest them both.'
`And me?'
`I have no reason to detest you .'
`But what are your sentiments towards me?--Helen--Speak!--How do you regard me?'
And again he pressed my hand; but I feared there was more of conscious power than tenderness in his demeanour, and I felt he had no right to extort a confession of attachment from me when he had made no correspondent avowal himself, and knew not what to answer. At last I said--`How do you regard me ?'
`Sweet angel, I adore you! I--'
`Helen; I want you a moment,' said the distinct, low voice of my aunt, close beside us. And I left him, muttering maledictions against his evil angel.
`Well, aunt, what is it? bat do you want?' said I, following her to the embrasure of the window.
`I want you to join the company, when you are fit to be seen, returned she, severely regarding me; `but please to stay here a little, till that shocking colour is somewhat abated, and your eyes have recovered something of their natural expression. I should be ashamed for anyone to see you in your present state.'
Of course, such a remark had no effect in reducing the `shocking colour'; on the contrary, I felt my face glow with redoubled fires, kindled by a complication of emotions, of which indignant, swelling anger was the chief. I offered no reply, however, but pushed aside the curtain and looked into the night--or rather, into the lamp-lit square.
`Was Mr Huntingdon proposing to you, Helen?' enquired my too watchful relative.
`No.'
`What was he saying then? I heard something very like it.'
`I don't know what he would have said, if you hadn't interrupted him.'
`And would you have accepted him, Helen, if he had proposed?'
`Of course not--without consulting uncle and you.'
`Oh! I'm glad, my dear, you have so much prudence left. Well now,' she added, after a moment's pause, `you have made yourself conspicuous enough for one evening. The ladies are directing enquiring glances towards us at this moment, I see. I shall join them. Do you come too, when you are sufficiently composed to appear as usual.'
`I am so now.'
`Speak gently then; and don't look so malicious,' said my calm, but provoking aunt. `We shall return home shortly, and then,' she added, with solemn significance, `I have much to say to you.'
So I went home prepared for a formidable lecture. Little was said by either party in the carriage during our short transit home wards; but when I had entered my room and thrown myself into an easy chair to reflect on the events of the day, my aunt followed me (hither, and having dismissed Rachel, who was carefully stowing away my ornaments, closed the door: and placing a chair beside me, or rather at right angles with mine, sat down.
With due deference I offered her my more commodious seat. She declined it, and thus opened the conference:
`Do you remember, Helen, our conversation the night but one before we left Staningley?'
`Yes, aunt.'