The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

One beautiful day Gilbert is out in his cornfields, ready to begin reaping, when little Arthur approaches him and tells him that his mother needs to talk to him. Gilbert tries to excuse himself, but then Helen herself appears and coaxes him into a nearby field. She is obviously nervous and anxious, and asks Gilbert why he did not meet her a few days before to hear her explanation of why they had to remain friends and nothing more. Gilbert is sarcastic and cutting with her and she leaves, deeming him unworthy of her confidence and vowing never to tell him.

Gilbert is pleased with himself at first for torturing her as a cat would a mouse, but he begins to regret not hearing her explanation, and so walks to Wildfell Hall in the hopes of drawing out her confidence. Helen is angry and hurt and refuses him. She wants to know why he has changed his mind and now believes, like the rest of the village, the worst of her. Gilbert tells her about seeing her in the garden with Mr. Lawrence. Helen grows excited upon hearing his story, and places a large volume in his hands. She says that the book will tell him everything he needs to know. Full of curiosity, Gilbert takes the book home and immediately begins to read.