The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Chap 44 The Retreat

Illustrated reading
Helen is leaving Grassdale and Arthur Huntingdon at last! She, her little boy, and Rachel her maid are all leaving in the dark of night to escape to their new home, Wildfell Hall. Only Benson the butler is aware of the plan, as he has helped with loading boxes. Everything has been done in complete secrecy. The trio travel for a full 24 hours until they come to the secluded manor. Helen's brother Frederick has made sure there are some rooms made ready for them. There is even something prepared for them to eat.
Helen and Arthur go to lie down in bed. Helen is too excited to sleep. Arthur sleeps easily. Relieved, Helen sets immediately to work paining pictures to sell. She wants to pay Frederick back for his expenses in getting the house ready. Rachel goes to town and sells Helen's former gowns and buys a series of black dresses for Helen to wear as if in "mourning" (for her supposed dead husband). Helen happens upon a portrait of Arthur Huntingdon in the boxes she is unpacking. This she painted back when she had been in love with him. She keeps it, but not due to any sentimental reasons.
Helen is annoyed and dismayed by the amount of curiosity her arrival has inspired in her neighbors. They keep visiting her and she is afraid news of her will spread about and even to the far reaches of Arthur her husband!
At this point, the story of how Helen arrived is finished, and we go back to the person of Gilbert Markham. The narrative returns to what is happening from his point of view. He is astonished and dismayed at how badly he misjudged Helen (and Frederick too - who he assaulted).
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Reading chapter 44
2:43 Illustration 1
6:25 Illustration 2
8:37 Illustration 3
10:22 Illustration 4
11:12 Illustration 5
12:12 Illustration 6
15:02 Illustration 7
16:31 Illustration 8
19:04 Illustration 9
#annebronte #readaloud #audiobooks #illustratedbooks