The Art of Honest Confrontation — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

September finds Huntingdon still absent, perhaps until Christmas, and Hattersley staying at the Grove with Milicent and Esther. Helen sees them often and clings to the hope that Arthur may grow firm in good sense before the next shooting season brings another bevy of friends. In the Grassdale garden Hattersley asks after her husband, and Helen turns the moment into plain counsel rather than polite evasion. She tells him it is never too late to reform if he has sense to desire change and strength to execute it. He mistakes Milicent's quiet submission for affection; Helen argues that such behavior will either deepen love or breed fear and aversion, and asks whether he wishes his daughter to despise him or his wife to shudder at his approach. She presses him to consider what his sons will become if they imitate him or Mr. Huntingdon. Hattersley bristles but listens, half angry and half confounded at her directness. Milicent thanks Helen afterward with overflowing gratitude, though Helen insists Hattersley was already predisposed to amendment and Milicent could have influenced him herself. The Hattersleys leave to visit his father, then return to their country home. Helen records Milicent's hopeful letters and allows herself one bright spot amid Grassdale's misery: Hattersley may yet keep his good resolutions when temptation comes, and Milicent may grow less timid as he grows kinder.