The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Ch. 46 Summary

Summary

Gilbert is tempted to tell his mother and sister the truth about the tenant of Wildfell Hall, then holds back. If it were known to them it could not long remain a secret from the Millwards and Wilsons, and Eliza, once she had a clue, might find means to tell Huntingdon where his wife had fled. He waits out the weary six months, asserting only that the slanders are false and that he will prove it someday. Nobody believes him, but they learn not to mention her name in his presence. He grows morose; Rose and Fergus shun him; only his mother and Lawrence receive anything like humanity.

Helen stays more than two months after the farewell and never appears at church. Gilbert never goes near the house. He becomes a constant visitor at Woodford through Lawrence's illness, finding secret likenesses in the slender fingers and pale features, and taking a pleasure he does not like to name. Lawrence rides by night to consult her on her projected departure and catches a relapse. He will not repeat much of what she said. She asked if he had seen Gilbert lately, seemed more anxious that Gilbert should not think too much of her than that he should forget her, and Lawrence urges him to wean his thoughts as she is weaning hers. Gilbert leaves less cordial than he came.

A week later he meets Lawrence returning from the Wilsons and forces a warning. Jane hates Helen, Gilbert believes, and helped to spread the slanders; she is selfish, artful, and unfit for the quiet of Woodford, and whether Lawrence intends marriage or not, she intends to marry him. Lawrence is offended, quickens the pony, and will not hear more. They part coldly but remain friends. The visit to the Wilsons is not repeated. Jane remains Miss Wilson of Ryecote Farm. Gilbert's conscience never accuses him of an evil design in the blighting of her hopes.

In this chapter:Terms Characters Key Quotes Modern Story

Why This Matters

When Silence Has a Cost

Gilbert cannot defend Helen without endangering her. His moroseness shows how secrecy taxes the keeper as well as the kept.

If you are sworn to silence about harm you witness, plan what you can say safely and where you need support before bitterness isolates you.

This chapter

Inside the Mind: Rose Markham

She lives with her brother's moroseness and is not allowed the reason, because Eliza, once given a clue, might find Huntingdon an address. Silence taxes the keeper and the household that must house the keeper. Rose receives the weather of a secret without the map.

Continue this thoughtThe Story Arrives After the Whip

Coming Up in Chapter 47

One morning in early November, while Gilbert is writing business letters, Eliza Millward comes to tease him with news. Mrs Graham's husband is not dead, she says, and the runaway wife has gone back to him. Gilbert pockets his letters, saddles the horse himself, and gallops to Woodford for the truth.

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Chapter 46

The Weight of Secrets

I felt strongly tempted, at times, to enlighten my mother and sister on the real character and circumstances of the persecuted tenant of Wildfell Hall, and at first I greatly regretted having omitted to ask that lady’s permission to do so; but, on due reflection, I considered that if it were known to them, it could not long remain a secret to the Millwards and Wilsons, and such was my present appreciation of Eliza Millward’s disposition, that, if once she got a clue to the story, I should fear she would soon find means to enlighten Mr. Huntingdon upon the…

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The Weight of Secrets

Summary

Why This Matters