The Confrontation and Departure — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

On her fifth anniversary Helen writes that she trusts it is her last under this roof: her resolution to leave is formed and partly executed. Another house party assembles; Helen warns Annabella at arrival that renewed infidelity will force her to enlighten Lowborough. Annabella grants leave to tell if Helen sees cause; Helen sees little and dreads looking.

Lowborough bursts into the library ghastly pale, announces he leaves tomorrow, and accuses Helen of concealing two years of betrayal. She admits she knew, hoped Annabella would reform, and tells him to stand alone. Hattersley offers a duel; Lowborough refuses revenge and leaves vengeance to God, though the fiend within him rages. Helen clasps his hand as he chooses life over murder.

In the drawing-room Annabella performs gaiety over Lowborough's "business" headache; Esther notes her odd spirits. That night Helen hears Lowborough pace, throw something from the window, and finds a knife on the grass and a snapped razor in the grate: he resisted suicide. They depart early; Arthur in his dressing-gown offers his hand and jokes about Annabella. Lowborough nearly strikes him. Arthur laughs that he would never give up an old friend for a wife's sake and is glad she is gone.