Anne Bronte: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

49. CHAPTER XLIX (continued)

'"You needn't let that distress you," I said; "we shall all follow you soon enough."

'"I wish to God I could take you with me now!" he exclaimed: "you should plead for me."

'"No man can deliver his brother, nor make agreement unto God for him," I replied: "it cost more to redeem their souls - it cost the blood of an incarnate God, perfect and sinless in Himself, to redeem us from the bondage of the evil one:- let Him plead for you."

'But I seem to speak in vain. He does not now, as formerly, laugh these blessed truths to scorn: but still he cannot trust, or will not comprehend them. He cannot linger long. He suffers dreadfully, and so do those that wait upon him. But I will not harass you with further details: I have said enough, I think, to convince you that I did well to go to him.'

* * * * *

Poor, poor Helen! dreadful indeed her trials must have been! And I could do nothing to lessen them - nay, it almost seemed as if I had brought them upon her myself by my own secret desires; and whether I looked at her husband's sufferings or her own, it seemed almost like a judgment upon myself for having cherished such a wish.

The next day but one there came another letter. That too was put into my hands without a remark, and these are its contents:-

Dec. 5th.

He is gone at last. I sat beside him all night, with my hand fast looked in his, watching the changes of his features and listening to his failing breath. He had been silent a long time, and I thought he would never speak again, when he murmured, faintly but distinctly, - 'Pray for me, Helen!'

'I do pray for you, every hour and every minute, Arthur; but you must pray for yourself.'