The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

February 18, 1822. Helen is now Mrs. Huntingdon of Grassdale Manor. She admits that Arthur is not what she thought him to be, and had she known him better before, she likely would not have married him. She worries that his love for her might fade in time, but she will do what she can to keep it alive. He hurried her through their honeymoon, though she wanted to see the sights of France and Italy. He says she is too religious and should be paying more attention to her “earthly lord” (217). Resolving to love him through his faults and provide moral guidance, she exhorts him to use his talents, like the parable in Scripture, and urges him to “think more deeply, to look farther, and aim higher than you do” (220).

Helen has noticed that she and Arthur have little to converse about; they are interested in different subjects. She is horrified when he tells stories about his previous love affairs and then laughs at her reaction. She worries he is bored by their quiet lifestyle in the country. She has her correspondence, household matters, and her drawing to entertain her, but Arthur cannot entertain himself. Still, she insists she will not complain but continue to love him.