The Final Escape Plan — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Huntingdon returns in October and at once declares he will hire a governess though Helen is teaching Arthur herself. He calls her rigid severity automaton-making tyranny and abuses Rachel as usual. Despite her defense he says a governess is already engaged: Miss Myers, an estimable pious young person from a religious dowager's recommendation. Helen reads the laughing demon in his eye, thinks of her planned asylum in a distant shire, and ceases objection so as not to rouse suspicion. Miss Myers proves mediocre, musical, and part of a surveillance arrangement; Helen watches and scrutinizes though she cannot remove her. Huntingdon often looks into the schoolroom when Helen is absent to see how Arthur progresses with the new companion. Helen's suspicions stay rational: the woman's pious family story does not hold up under inquiry. As departure nears, she adds this last event to her chronicle to steady her mind when she cannot read or sleep. Benson has corded the boxes and sent them quietly down the back stairs after dusk to the coach office. She will travel as Mrs. Graham, taking her mother's maiden name. Little Arthur sleeps; the house is still; Rachel and Benson are ready. Helen commends her cause to God, plans a brief sleep, and faces the hour of flight.