33 Tenant Of Wildfell Hall - Stephanie Poppins

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Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

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Relaxing sleep.

Come with me as we travel back to a time long ago where Helen Huntingdon is sacrificing everything she knows in order to protect her son.

But before we begin let us take a moment to focus on where we are now.

Take a deep breath in through your nose then let it out on a long sigh.

It is time to relax and really let go.

Feel your shoulders melt away from your ears as you sink into the support beneath you.

Feel the pressure seep away from your cheeks as your breath drops into a natural rhythm.

There is nothing you need to be doing right now and nowhere you need to go.

We are together and it is time for sleep.

The Tenant of Wildfelm Hall by Red and Abridged by Stephanie Poppins Chapter 33 Two Evenings Tonight I heard Grimsby and Hattersley grumbling together about the inhospitality of their host.

They did not know I was near for I happened to be standing behind the curtain in the bow of the window watching the moon rising over the clump of tall dark elm trees below the lawn and wondering why Arthur was so sentimental as to stand without leaning against the outer pillar of the portico apparently watching it too.

So I suppose we've seen the last of our merry carousals in this house said Mr Hattersley and I thought his good fellowship wouldn't last long but added he laughing I didn't expect it would meet its end in this way.

I rather thought our pretty hostess would be setting up her porcupine quills and threatening to turn us out if we didn't mind our manners.

You didn't foresee this then answered Grimsby with a guttural chuckle but he'll change again when he's sick of her if we come here a year or two hence we shall have all our own way you'll see.

I don't know replied the other she's not the style of woman you soon tire of but that does it me it's devilish provoking now that we can't be jolly because he chooses to be on his good behaviour.

It's all these cursed women muttered Grimsby they're the very bane of the world they bring trouble and discomfort wherever they come with their false fair faces and their damn deceitful tongues.

At this juncture I issued from my retreat and smiling on Mr Grimsby as I passed I left the room and went in search of Arthur.

Having seen him bend his cause towards the shrubbery I followed him thither and found him entering the shadowy walk.

I was so light of heart so overflowing with affection that I sprung upon him and clasped him in my arms.

This startling conduct had a singular effect upon him first he murmured bless you darling and returned my close embrace with a fervor like old times then he started and in a tone of absolute terror exclaimed Helen what the devil is this and I saw by the faint light gleaming through the overshadowing tree he was positively pale with a shock.

How strange the instinctive impulse of affection should come first and then this shock of surprise.

It shows at least the affection's genuine he's not sick of me yet.

I startled you Arthur said I laughing in my glee how nervous you are.

What the juice did you do it for cried he quite testily extricating himself from my arms and wiping his forehead with his handkerchief.

Go back Helen go back directly you'll get your death of cold.

I won't till I've told you what I came for.

They're blaming you Arthur for your temperance and sobriety and I'm come to thank you for it.

They say it is all these cursed women and we're the bane of the world but don't let them laugh or grumble you out of your good resolutions or your affection for me.

He laughed and I squeezed him in my arms again and cried in tearful earnest do persevere and I'll love you better than ever I did before.

Well well I will said he hastily kissing me there now go you mad creature how could you come out in your light evening dress this chill autumn night.

It's a glorious night said I it's a night that will give you your death in another minute now run away do.

Do you see my death among these trees Arthur said I for he was gazing intently at the shrubs as if he saw it coming and I was reluctant to leave him in my newfound happiness and revival of hope and love but he grew angry at my delay so I kissed him and ran back to the house.

I was in such good humour that night.

Millicent told me I was the life of the party and whispered she'd never seen me so brilliant.

Certainly I talked enough for 20 and smiled upon them all.

Grimsby,

Hattersley,

Hargrave,

Lady Lobra all shared my sisterly kindness.

Grimsby stared and wondered.

Hattersley laughed and jested in spite of the little wine he'd been suffered to imbibe but still behaved as well as he knew how.

Hargrave and Annabella from different motives and different ways emulated me and doubtless both surpassed me the former in his discursive versatility and eloquence the latter in boldness and animation.

Millicent delighted to see her husband her brother and her overestimated friend acquitting themselves so well.

She was lively and gay too in her quiet way.

Even Lord Lobra caught the general contagion.

His dark greenish eyes were lighted up beneath their moody brows.

His sombre countenance was beautified by smiles.

All traces of cold reserve and gloom had vanished for the time and he astonished us all not only by his general cheerfulness but by the positive flashes of true force and brilliance he emitted from time to time.

Arthur did not talk much but he laughed and listened to the rest and was in perfect good humour though not excited by wine.

All together we made a very merry innocent and entertaining party.

The Ninth Yesterday when Rachel came to dress me for dinner I saw she'd been crying.

I wanted to know the tell.

Was she unwell?

No.

Had she heard bad news from her friends?

No.

Had any of the servants vexed her?

No ma'am she answered it's not for myself.

What then Rachel have you been reading novels?

Bless you no said she with a sorrowful shake of the head and then she sighed and continued but to tell you the truth mum I don't like master's ways of going on.

What do you mean Rachel?

He's going on very properly at present.

Well mum if you think so it's right and she went on dressing my hair in a hurried way quite unlike her usual calm collected manner murmuring half to herself she was sure it was beautiful hair she could like to see them match it.

When it was done she fondly stroked it and gently patted my head.

Is that affection intended for my hair or myself?

Said I laughingly turning round upon her but a tear was even now in her eye.

What do you mean Rachel?

I exclaimed.

Well mum I don't know but if if what?

Well if I was you I wouldn't have that Lady Loba in the house another minute not another minute I wouldn't.

I was thunderstruck but before I could recover from the shock sufficiently to demand an explanation Millicent entered my room as she frequently does when she's dressed before me and she stayed with me till it was time to go down.

She must have found me a very unsociable companion this time for Rachel's last words rung in my ears but still I hoped I trusted they had no foundation but in some idle rumour of the servants from what they'd seen in Lady Loba's manor last month or perhaps from something that had passed between their master and her during her former visit.

At dinner I narrowly observed both her and Arthur and saw nothing extraordinary in the conduct of either.

Nothing calculated to excite suspicion except in distrustful minds which mine was not and therefore I would not suspect.

Almost immediately after dinner Annabella went out with her husband to share his moonlight ramble for it was a splendid evening like the last.

Mr Hargrave entered the drawing room a little before the others and challenged me to a game of chess.

He did it without any of that sad but proud humility he usually assumes in addressing me unless he's excited with wine.

I looked at his face to see if that was the case now.

His eye met mine keenly but steadily.

There was something about him I did not understand but he seemed sober enough.

Not choosing to engage with him I referred him to Millicent.

She plays badly said he.

I want to match my skill with yours come now.

You can't pretend you're reluctant to lay down your work.

I know you never take it up except to pass an idle hour when there's nothing better to do.

But chess players are so unsociable.

I objected they're no company for any but themselves.

There is no one here but Millicent and she.

Oh I shall be delighted to watch you cried our mutual friend.

Two such players it'll be quite a treat.

A wonder which will conquer.

I consented.

Now Mrs Huntington said Hargrave as he arranged the men on the board speaking distinctly and with a peculiar emphasis of if he had a double meaning to his words.

You are a good player but I am better.

We shall have a long game and you will give me some trouble but I can be as patient as you and in the end I shall certainly win.

He fixed his eyes upon me with a glance I did not like.

Keen crafty bold and almost impudent already half triumphant in his anticipated success.

I hope not Mr Hargrave returned I with vehemence that must have startled Millicent at least but he only smiled and murmured time will show.

I did give him some trouble but he was a better player than I.

What keen gangsters you are said Mr Hattersley who now entered and was watching us for some time.

My Mrs Huntington your hand trembles as if you'd staked your all upon it and Walter you dog you look as deep and cool as if you were certain of success and keen as cruel as if you would drain her heart's blood.

Check cried he.

I sought in agony some means of escape mate he added quietly but with evident delight.

Then Hargrave placed his hand on mine and and squeezing it with a gentle but firm pressure he murmured beaten.

Never Mr Hargrave exclaimed I quickly withdrawing my hand.

Do you deny replied he pointing to the board.

No I answered recollecting how strange my conduct must appear you have beaten me in that game.

Will you try another then?

No.

You acknowledge my superiority?

As a chess player yes.

I rose to resume my work.

Where is Annabella said he gravely after glancing around the room.

Gone out with Lord Lobra answered I for he looked at me for a reply and not yet returned he said seriously.

I suppose not I answered.

He suppressed a laugh but why did he laugh?

Why did Hargrave connect them thus together?

Was it true then?

Was this a secret he wished to reveal to me?