The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a powerful and sometimes violentnovel of expectation, love. oppression, sin, religion and betrayal.It portrays the disintegration of the marriage of HelenHuntingdon, the mysterious 'tenant' of the title, and herdissolute, alcoholic husband. Defying convention, Helen leavesher husband to protect their young son from his father'sinfluence, and earns her own living as an artist. Whilst in hidingat Wildfell Hall, she encounters Gilbert Markham. who falls inlove with her.
This newly reset text is taken from a copy on the 1848 second editionin the Library o[ the Bronte' Parsonage Musel~m and has been editedto correct known errors in that edition.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
To J.IIALFORD, FSQ.
I A Discovery
II An Interview
III A Controversy
IV The Party
V The Studio
VI Progression
VII The Excursion
VIII The Present
IX A Snake in the Grass
X A Contract and a Quarrel
XI The Vicar Again
XII A TEtE-A-TEte and a Discovery
XIII A Return to Duty
XIV An Assault
XV An Encounter and its Consequences
XVI The Warnings of Experience
XVII Further Warnings
XVIII The Miniature
xIx An Incident
xx Persistence
XXI Opinions
xxII Traits of Friendship
XXlII First Weeks of Matrimony
XXlV First Quarrel
xxv First Absence
xxvI The Guests
xxvii A Misdemeanour
xxvIII Parental Feelings
XXlX The Neighbour
xxx Domestic Scenes
xxxI Social Virtues
xxxu Comparisons: Information Rejected
xxxIII Two Evenings
xxxiv Concealment
xxxv Provocations
xxxvi Dual Solitude
xxxvII The Neighbour Again
xxxvIII The lnjured Man
XXXlX A Scheme of Escape
xI A Misadventure
xII Hope Springs Eternal in the Human Breast"
xLII A Reformation
xLIII The Boundary Past
XLIV The Retreat
XLV Reconciliation
XLVI Friendly Counsels
XLVII Startling Intelligence
XLVIII Further Intelligence
XLIX The Rain Descended"
L Doubts and Disappointments
LI An Unexpected Occurrence
LlI Fluctuations
LIII Conclusion
NOTES
