I tried to cheer her up, and apparently succeeded in some degree, before the walk was over; but in the very act my conscience reproved me, knowing, as I did, that, sooner or later, the tie must be broken, and this was only nourishing false hopes and putting off the evil day.
When the pony-carriage had approached as near Wildfell Hall as the road would permit--unless, indeed, it proceeded up the long rough lane, which Mrs.Graham would not allow--the young widow and her son alighted, relinquishing the driver's seat to Rose; and I persuaded Eliza to take the latter's place.

Having put her comfortably in, bid her take care of the evening air, and wished her a kind good-night, I felt considerably relieved, and hastened to offer my services to Mrs.Graham to carry her apparatus up the fields, but she had already hung her camp-stool on her arm and taken her sketch-book in her hand, and insisted upon bidding me adieu then and there, with the rest of the company.

But this time she declined my proffered aid in so kind and friendly a manner that I almost forgave her..