Onitsappearancein'HouseholdWords，'thistalewasobligedtoconformtotheconditionsimposedbytherequirementsofaweeklypublication，andlikewisetoconfineitselfwithincertainadvertisedlimits，inorderthatfaithmightbekeptwiththepublic。Althoughtheseconditionsweremadeaslightastheywellcouldbe，theauthorfounditimpossibletodevelopethestoryinthemanneroriginallyintended，and，moreespecially，wascompelledtohurryoneventswithanimprobablerapiditytowardstheclose。Insomedegreetoremedythisobviousdefect，variousshortpassageshavebeeninserted，andseveralnewchaptersadded。Withthisbriefexplanation，thetaleiscommendedtothekindnessofthereader；'Besekinghymlowly，ofmercyandpite，Ofitsrudemakyngtohavecompassion。'VOLUMEICHAPTERI'HASTETOTHEWEDDING''Wooedandmarriedanda'。''Edith！'saidMargaret，gently，'Edith！'But，asMargarethalfsuspected，Edithhadfallenasleep。Shelaycurleduponthesofainthebackdrawing-roominHarleyStreet，lookingverylovelyinherwhitemuslinandblueribbons。IfTitaniahadeverbeendressedinwhitemuslinandblueribbons，andhadfallenasleeponacrimsondamasksofainabackdrawing-room，Edithmighthavebeentakenforher。Margaretwasstruckafreshbyhercousinsbeauty。Theyhadgrownuptogetherfromchildhood，andallalongEdithhadbeenremarkeduponbyeveryone，exceptMargaret，forherprettiness；butMargarethadneverthoughtaboutituntilthelastfewdays，whentheprospectofsoonlosinghercompanionseemedtogiveforcetoeverysweetqualityandcharmwhichEdithpossessed。Theyhadbeentalkingaboutweddingdresses，andweddingceremonies；andCaptainLennox，andwhathehadtoldEdithaboutherfuturelifeatCorfu，wherehisregimentwasstationed；andthedifficultyofkeepingapianoingoodtune(adifficultywhichEdithseemedtoconsiderasoneofthemostformidablethatcouldbefallherinhermarriedlife)，andwhatgownssheshouldwantinthevisitstoScotland，whichwouldimmediatelysucceedhermarriage；

butthewhisperedtonehadlatterlybecomemoredrowsy；andMargaret，afterapauseofafewminutes，found，asshefancied，thatinspiteofthebuzzinthenextroom，Edithhadrolledherselfupintoasoftballofmuslinandribbon，andsilkencurls，andgoneoffintoapeacefullittleafter-dinnernap。Margarethadbeenonthepointoftellinghercousinofsomeoftheplansandvisionswhichsheentertainedastoherfuturelifeinthecountryparsonage，whereherfatherandmotherlived；andwhereherbrightholidayshadalwaysbeenpassed，thoughforthelasttenyearsherauntShaw'shousehadbeenconsideredasherhome。Butindefaultofalistener，shehadtobroodoverthechangeinherlifesilentlyasheretofore。Itwasahappybrooding，althoughtingedwithregretatbeingseparatedforanindefinitetimefromhergentleauntanddearcousin。AsshethoughtofthedelightoffillingtheimportantpostofonlydaughterinHelstoneparsonage，piecesoftheconversationoutofthenextroomcameuponherears。HerauntShawwastalkingtothefiveorsixladieswhohadbeendiningthere，andwhosehusbandswerestillinthedining-room。Theywerethefamiliaracquaintancesofthehouse；neighbourswhomMrs。Shawcalledfriends，becauseshehappenedtodinewiththemmorefrequentlythanwithanyotherpeople，andbecauseifsheorEdithwantedanythingfromthem，ortheyfromher，theydidnotscrupletomakeacallateachother'shousesbeforeluncheon。Theseladiesandtheirhusbandswereinvited，intheircapacityoffriends，toeatafarewelldinnerinhonourofEdith'sapproachingmarriage。Edithhadratherobjectedtothisarrangement，forCaptainLennoxwasexpectedtoarrivebyalatetrainthisveryevening；but，althoughshewasaspoiledchild，shewastoocarelessandidletohaveaverystrongwillofherown，andgavewaywhenshefoundthathermotherhadabsolutelyorderedthoseextradelicaciesoftheseasonwhicharealwayssupposedtobeefficaciousagainstimmoderategriefatfarewelldinners。Shecontentedherselfbyleaningbackinherchair，merelyplayingwiththefoodonherplate，andlookinggraveandabsent；whileallaroundherwereenjoyingthemotsofMr。Grey，thegentlemanwhoalwaystookthebottomofthetableatMrs。Shaw'sdinnerparties，andaskedEdithtogivethemsomemusicinthedrawing-room。Mr。

Greywasparticularlyagreeableoverthisfarewelldinner，andthegentlemenstaiddownstairslongerthanusual。Itwasverywelltheydid——tojudgefromthefragmentsofconversationwhichMargaretoverheard。'Isufferedtoomuchmyself；notthatIwasnotextremelyhappywiththepoordearGeneral，butstilldisparityofageisadrawback；onethatI

wasresolvedEdithshouldnothavetoencounter。Ofcourse，withoutanymaternalpartiality，Iforesawthatthedearchildwaslikelytomarryearly；indeed，IhadoftensaidthatIwassureshewouldbemarriedbeforeshewasnineteen。IhadquiteapropheticfeelingwhenCaptainLennox'——andherethevoicedroppedintoawhisper，butMargaretcouldeasilysupplytheblank。ThecourseoftrueloveinEdith'scasehadrunremarkablysmooth。

Mrs。Shawhadgivenwaytothepresentiment，assheexpressedit；andhadratherurgedonthemarriage，althoughitwasbelowtheexpectationswhichmanyofEdith'sacquaintanceshadformedforher，ayoungandprettyheiress。

ButMrs。Shawsaidthatheronlychildshouldmarryforlove，——andsighedemphatically，asiflovehadnotbeenhermotiveformarryingtheGeneral。

Mrs。Shawenjoyedtheromanceofthepresentengagementrathermorethanherdaughter。NotbutthatEdithwasverythoroughlyandproperlyinlove；

stillshewouldcertainlyhavepreferredagoodhouseinBelgravia，toallthepicturesquenessofthelifewhichCaptainLennoxdescribedatCorfu。

TheverypartswhichmadeMargaretglowasshelistened，Edithpretendedtoshiverandshudderat；partlyforthepleasureshehadinbeingcoaxedoutofherdislikebyherfondlover，andpartlybecauseanythingofagipsyormake-shiftlifewasreallydistastefultoher。Yethadanyonecomewithafinehouse，andafineestate，andafinetitletoboot，EdithwouldstillhaveclungtoCaptainLennoxwhilethetemptationlasted；whenitwasover，itispossibleshemighthavehadlittlequalmsofill-concealedregretthatCaptainLennoxcouldnothaveunitedinhispersoneverythingthatwasdesirable。Inthisshewasbuthermother'schild；who，afterdeliberatelymarryingGeneralShawwithnowarmerfeelingthanrespectforhischaracterandestablishment，wasconstantly，thoughquietly，bemoaningherhardlotinbeingunitedtoonewhomshecouldnotlove。'Ihavesparednoexpenseinhertrousseau，'werethenextwordsMargaretheard。'ShehasallthebeautifulIndianshawlsandscarfstheGeneralgavetome，butwhichIshallneverwearagain。''Sheisaluckygirl，'repliedanothervoice，whichMargaretknewtobethatofMrs。Gibson，aladywhowastakingadoubleinterestintheconversation，fromthefactofoneofherdaughtershavingbeenmarriedwithinthelastfewweeks。'HelenhadsetherheartuponanIndianshawl，butreallywhenIfoundwhatanextravagantpricewasasked，Iwasobligedtorefuseher。

ShewillbequiteenviouswhenshehearsofEdithhavingIndianshawls。

Whatkindarethey?Delhi?withthelovelylittleborders?'Margaretheardheraunt'svoiceagain，butthistimeitwasasifshehadraisedherselfupfromherhalf-recumbentposition，andwerelookingintothemoredimlylightedbackdrawing-room。'Edith！Edith！'criedshe；andthenshesankasifweariedbytheexertion。Margaretsteppedforward。'Edithisasleep，AuntShaw。IsitanythingIcando?'Alltheladiessaid'Poorchild！'onreceivingthisdistressingintelligenceaboutEdith；andtheminutelap-doginMrs。Shaw'sarmsbegantobark，asifexcitedbytheburstofpity。'Hush，Tiny！younaughtylittlegirl！youwillwakenyourmistress。ItwasonlytoaskEdithifshewouldtellNewtontobringdownhershawls:

perhapsyouwouldgo，Margaretdear?'Margaretwentupintotheoldnurseryattheverytopofthehouse，whereNewtonwasbusygettingupsomelaceswhichwererequiredforthewedding。

WhileNewtonwent(notwithoutamutteredgrumbling)toundotheshawls，whichhadalreadybeenexhibitedfourorfivetimesthatday，Margaretlookedrounduponthenursery；thefirstroominthathousewithwhichshehadbecomefamiliarnineyearsago，whenshewasbrought，alluntamedfromtheforest，tosharethehome，theplay，andthelessonsofhercousinEdith。Sherememberedthedark，dimlookoftheLondonnursery，presidedoverbyanaustereandceremoniousnurse，whowasterriblyparticularaboutcleanhandsandtornfrocks。Sherecollectedthefirstteaupthere——separatefromherfatherandaunt，whowerediningsomewheredownbelowaninfinitedepthofstairs；forunlessshewereupinthesky(thechildthought)，theymustbedeepdowninthebowelsoftheearth。Athome——beforeshecametoliveinHarleyStreet——hermother'sdressing-roomhadbeenhernursery；and，astheykeptearlyhoursinthecountryparsonage，Margarethadalwayshadhermealswithherfatherandmother。Oh！welldidthetallstatelygirlofeighteenrememberthetearsshedwithsuchwildpassionofgriefbythelittlegirlofnine，asshehidherfaceunderthebed-clothes，inthatfirstnight；andhowshewasbiddennottocrybythenurse，becauseitwoulddisturbMissEdith；andhowshehadcriedasbitterly，butmorequietly，tillhernewly-seen，grand，prettyaunthadcomesoftlyupstairswithMr。Haletoshowhimhislittlesleepingdaughter。ThenthelittleMargarethadhushedhersobs，andtriedtoliequietasifasleep，forfearofmakingherfatherunhappybyhergrief，whichshedarednotexpressbeforeheraunt，andwhichsheratherthoughtitwaswrongtofeelatallafterthelonghoping，andplanning，andcontrivingtheyhadgonethroughathome，beforeherwardrobecouldbearrangedsoastosuither。grandercircumstances，andbeforepapacouldleavehisparishtocomeuptoLondon，evenforafewdays。Nowshehadgottolovetheoldnursery，thoughitwasbutadismantledplace；andshelookedallround，withakindofcat-likeregret，attheideaofleavingitforeverinthreedays。'AhNewton！'saidshe，'Ithinkweshallallbesorrytoleavethisdearoldroom。''Indeed，miss，Ishan'tforone。Myeyesarenotsogoodastheywere，andthelighthereissobadthatIcan'tseetomendlacesexceptjustatthewindow，wherethere'salwaysashockingdraught——enoughtogiveoneone'sdeathofcold。'Well，IdaresayyouwillhavebothgoodlightandplentyofwarmthatNaples。Youmustkeepasmuchofyourdarningasyoucantillthen。Thankyou，Newton，Icantakethemdown——you'rebusy。'SoMargaretwentdownladenwithshawls，andsnuffinguptheirspicyEasternsmell。Herauntaskedhertostandasasortoflayfigureonwhichtodisplaythem，asEdithwasstillasleep。Noonethoughtaboutit；butMargaret'stall，finelymadefigure，intheblacksilkdresswhichshewaswearingasmourningforsomedistantrelativeofherfather's，setoffthelongbeautifulfoldsofthegorgeousshawlsthatwouldhavehalf-smotheredEdith。

Margaretstoodrightunderthechandelier，quitesilentandpassive，whileherauntadjustedthedraperies。Occasionally，asshewasturnedround，shecaughtaglimpseofherselfinthemirroroverthechimney-piece，andsmiledatherownappearancethere-thefamiliarfeaturesintheusualgarbofaprincess。Shetouchedtheshawlsgentlyastheyhungaroundher，andtookapleasureintheirsoftfeelandtheirbrilliantcolours，andratherlikedtobedressedinsuchsplendour——enjoyingitmuchasachildwoulddo，withaquietpleasedsmileonherlips。Justthenthedooropened，andMr。HenryLennoxwassuddenlyannounced。Someoftheladiesstartedback，asifhalf-ashamedoftheirfeminineinterestindress。Mrs。Shawheldoutherhandtothenew-comer；Margaretstoodperfectlystill，thinkingshemightbeyetwantedasasortofblockfortheshawls；butlookingatMr。Lennoxwithabright，amusedface，asifsureofhissympathyinhersenseoftheludicrousnessatbeingthussurprised。HerauntwassomuchabsorbedinaskingMr。HenryLennox——whohadnotbeenabletocometodinner——allsortsofquestionsabouthisbrotherthebridegroom，hissisterthebridesmaid(comingwiththeCaptainfromScotlandfortheoccasion)，andvariousothermembersoftheLennoxfamily，thatMargaretsawshewasnomorewantedasshawl-bearer，anddevotedherselftotheamusementoftheothervisitors，whomheraunthadforthemomentforgotten。

Almostimmediately，Edithcameinfromthebackdrawing-room，winkingandblinkinghereyesatthestrongerlight，shakingbackherslightly-ruffledcurls，andaltogetherlookingliketheSleepingBeautyjuststartledfromherdreams。EveninherslumbershehadinstinctivelyfeltthataLennoxwasworthrousingherselffor；andshehadamultitudeofquestionstoaskaboutdearJanet，thefuture，unseensister-in-law，forwhomsheprofessedsomuch。affection，thatifMargarethadnotbeenveryproudshemighthavealmostfeltjealousofthemushroomrival。AsMargaretsankrathermoreintothebackgroundonheraunt'sjoiningtheconversation，shesawHenryLennoxdirectinghislooktowardsavacantseatnearher；andsheknewperfectlywellthatassoonasEdithreleasedhimfromherquestioning，hewouldtakepossessionofthatchair。Shehadnotbeenquitesure，fromheraunt'sratherconfusedaccountofhisengagements，whetherhewouldcomethatnight；itwasalmostasurprisetdseehim；andnowshewassureofapleasantevening。Helikedanddislikedprettynearlythesamethingsthatshedid。Margaret'sfacewaslightenedupintoanhonest，openbrightness。

By-and-byhecame。Shereceivedhimwithasmilewhichhadnotatingeofshynessorself-consciousnessinit。'Well，Isupposeyouareallinthedepthsofbusiness——ladies'business，Imean。Verydifferenttomybusiness，whichistherealtruelawbusiness。

Playingwithshawlsisverydifferentworktodrawingupsettlements。'Ah，Iknewhowyouwouldbeamusedtofindusallsooccupiedinadmiringfinery。ButreallyIndianshawlsareveryperfectthingsoftheirkind。''Ihavenodoubttheyare。Theirpricesareveryperfect，too。Nothingwanting。'Thegentlemencamedroppinginonebyone，andthebuzzandnoisedeepenedintone。'Thisisyourlastdinner-party，isitnot?TherearenomorebeforeThursday?''No。Ithinkafterthiseveningweshallfeelatrest，whichIamsureIhavenotdoneformanyweeks；atleast，thatkindofrestwhenthehandshavenothingmoretodo，andallthearrangementsarecompleteforaneventwhichmustoccupyone'sheadandheart。Ishallbegladtohavetimetothink，andIamsureEdithwill。''Iamnotsosureabouther；butIcanfancythatyouwill。wheneverI

haveseenyoulately，youhavebeencarriedawaybyawhirlwindofsomeotherperson'smaking。''Yes，'saidMargaret，rathersadly，rememberingthenever-endingcommotionabouttriflesthathadbeengoingonformorethanamonthpast:'Iwonderifamarriagemustalwaysbeprecededbywhatyoucallawhirlwind，orwhetherinsomecasestheremightnotratherbeacalmandpeacefultimejustbeforeit。''Cinderella'sgodmotherorderingthetrousseau，thewedding-breakfast，writingthenotesofinvitation，forinstance，'saidMr。Lennox，laughing。'Butareallthesequitenecessarytroubles?'askedMargaret，lookingupstraightathimforananswer。Asenseofindescribablewearinessofallthearrangementsforaprettyeffect，inwhichEdithhadbeenbusiedassupremeauthorityforthelastsixweeks，oppressedherjustnow；andshereallywantedsomeonetohelphertoafewpleasant，quietideasconnectedwithamarriage。'Oh，ofcourse，'herepliedwithachangetogravityinhistone。'Thereareformsandceremoniestobegonethrough，notsomuchtosatisfyoneself，astostoptheworld'smouth，withoutwhichstoppagetherewouldbeverylittlesatisfactioninlife。Buthowwouldyouhaveaweddingarranged?''Oh，Ihaveneverthoughtmuchaboutit；onlyIshouldlikeittobeaveryfinesummermorning；andIshouldliketowalktochurchthroughtheshadeoftrees；andnottohavesomanybridesmaids，andtohavenowedding-breakfast。

IdaresayIamresolvingagainsttheverythingsthathavegivenmethemosttroublejustnow。''No，Idon'tthinkyouare。Theideaofstatelysimplicityaccordswellwithyourcharacter。'Margaretdidnotquitelikethisspeech；shewincedawayfromitmore，fromrememberingformeroccasionsonwhichhehadtriedtoleadherintoadiscussion(inwhichhetookthecomplimentarypart)aboutherowncharacterandwaysofgoingon。Shecuthisspeechrathershortbysaying:'ItisnaturalformetothinkofHelstonechurch，andthewalktoit，ratherthanofdrivinguptoaLondonchurchinthemiddleofapavedstreet。''TellmeaboutHelstone。Youhaveneverdescribedittome。Ishouldliketohavesomeideaoftheplaceyouwillbelivingin，whenninety-sixHarleyStreetwillbelookingdingyanddirty，anddull，andshutup。IsHelstoneavillage，oratown，inthefirstplace?''Oh，onlyahamlet；Idon'tthinkIcouldcallitavillageatall。Thereisthechurchandafewhousesnearitonthegreen——cottages，rather——withrosesgrowingalloverthem。''Andfloweringalltheyearround，especiallyatChristmas——makeyourpicturecomplete，'saidhe。'No，'repliedMargaret，somewhatannoyed，'Iamnotmakingapicture。I

amtryingtodescribeHelstoneasitreallyis。Youshouldnothavesaidthat。''Iampenitent，'heanswered。'Onlyitreallysoundedlikeavillageinataleratherthaninreallife。''Andsoitis，'repliedMargaret，eagerly。'AlltheotherplacesinEnglandthatIhaveseenseemsohardandprosaic-looking，aftertheNewForest。

Helstoneislikeavillageinapoem——inoneofTennyson'spoems。ButI

won'ttryanddescribeitanymore。YouwouldonlylaughatmeifItoldyouwhatIthinkofit——whatitreallyis。''Indeed，Iwouldnot。ButIseeyouaregoingtobeveryresolved。Well，then，tellmethatwhichIshouldlikestillbettertoknow:whattheparsonageislike。''Oh，Ican'tdescribemyhome。Itishome，andIcan'tputitscharmintowords。''Isubmit。Youarerathersevereto-night，Margaret。'How?'saidshe，turningherlargesofteyesroundfulluponhim。'IdidnotknowIwas。''Why，becauseImadeanunluckyremark，youwillneithertellmewhatHelstoneislike，norwillyousayanythingaboutyourhome，thoughIhavetoldyouhowmuchIwanttohearaboutboth，thelatterespecially。''ButindeedIcannottellyouaboutmyownhome。Idon'tquitethinkitisathingtobetalkedabout，unlessyouknewit。''Well，then'——pausingforamoment——'tellmewhatyoudothere。Hereyouread，orhavelessons，orotherwiseimproveyourmind，tillthemiddleoftheday；takeawalkbeforelunch，goadrivewithyourauntafter，andhavesomekindofengagementintheevening。There，nowfillupyourdayatHelstone。Shallyouride，drive，orwalk?''Walk，decidedly。Wehavenohorse，notevenforpapa。Hewalkstotheveryextremityofhisparish。Thewalksaresobeautiful，itwouldbeashametodrive——almostashametoride。''Shallyougardenmuch?That，Ibelieve，isaproperemploymentforyoungladiesinthecountry。''Idon'tknow。IamafraidIshan'tlikesuchhardwork。''Archeryparties——pic-nics——race-balls——hunt-balls?''Ohno！'saidshe，laughing。'Papa'slivingisverysmall；andevenifwewerenearsuchthings，IdoubtifIshouldgotothem。''Isee，youwon'ttellmeanything。Youwillonlytellmethatyouarenotgoingtodothisandthat。Beforethevacationends，IthinkIshallpayyouacall，andseewhatyoureallydoemployyourselfin。''Ihopeyouwill。ThenyouwillseeforyourselfhowbeautifulHelstoneis。NowImustgo。Edithissittingdowntoplay，andIjustknowenoughofmusictoturnovertheleavesforher；andbesides，AuntShawwon'tlikeustotalk。'Edithplayedbrilliantly。Inthemiddleofthepiecethedoorhalf-opened，andEdithsawCaptainLennoxhesitatingwhethertocomein。Shethrewdownhermusic，andrushedoutoftheroom，leavingMargaretstandingconfusedandblushingtoexplaintotheastonishedguestswhatvisionhadshownitselftocauseEdith'ssuddenflight。CaptainLennoxhadcomeearlierthanwasexpected；orwasitreallysolate?Theylookedattheirwatches，weredulyshocked，andtooktheirleave。ThenEdithcameback，glowingwithpleasure，half-shyly，half-proudlyleadinginhertallhandsomeCaptain。Hisbrothershookhandswithhim，andMrs。

Shawwelcomedhiminhergentlekindlyway，whichhadalwayssomethingplaintiveinit，arisingfromthelonghabitofconsideringherselfavictimtoanuncongenialmarriage。Nowthat，theGeneralbeinggone，shehadeverygoodoflife，withasfewdrawbacksaspossible，shehadbeenratherperplexedtofindananxiety，ifnotasorrow。Shehad，however，oflatesettleduponherownhealthasasourceofapprehension；shehadanervouslittlecoughwhenevershethoughtaboutit；andsomecomplaisantdoctororderedherjustwhatshedesired，——awinterinItaly。Mrs。Shawhadasstrongwishesasmostpeople，butsheneverlikedtodoanythingfromtheopenandacknowledgedmotiveofherowngoodwillandpleasure；shepreferredbeingcompelledtogratifyherselfbysomeotherperson'scommandordesire。

Shereallydidpersuadeherselfthatshewassubmittingtosomehardexternalnecessity；andthusshewasabletomoanandcomplaininhersoftmanner，allthetimeshewasinrealitydoingjustwhatsheliked。ItwasinthiswayshebegantospeakofherownjourneytoCaptainLennox，whoassented，asindutybound，toallhisfuturemother-in-lawsaid，whilehiseyessoughtEdith，whowasbusyingherselfinrearrangingthetea-table，andorderingupallsortsofgoodthings，inspiteofhisassurancesthathehaddinedwithinthelasttwohours。Mr。HenryLennoxstoodleaningagainstthechimney-piece，amusedwiththefamilyscene。Hewasclosebyhishandsomebrother；hewastheplainoneinasingularlygood-lookingfamily；buthisfacewasintelligent，keen，andmobile；andnowandthenMargaretwonderedwhatitwasthathecouldbethinkingabout，whilehekeptsilence，butwasevidentlyobserving，withaninterestthatwasslightlysarcastic，allthatEdithandsheweredoing。ThesarcasticfeelingwascalledoutbyMrs。Shaw'sconversationwithhisbrother；itwasseparatefromtheinterestwhichwasexcitedbywhathesaw。Hethoughtitaprettysighttoseethetwocousinssobusyintheirlittlearrangementsaboutthetable。Edithchosetodomostherself。

Shewasinahumourtoenjoyshowingherloverhowwellshecouldbehaveasasoldier'swife。Shefoundoutthatthewaterintheurnwascold，andorderedupthegreatkitchentea-kettle；theonlyconsequenceofwhichwasthatwhenshemetitatthedoor，andtriedtocarryitin，itwastooheavyforher，andshecameinpouting，withablackmarkonhermuslingown，andalittleroundwhitehandindentedbythehandle，whichshetooktoshowtoCaptainLennox，justlikeahurtchild，and，ofcourse，theremedywasthesameinbothcases。Margaret'squickly-adjustedspirit-lampwasthemostefficaciouscontrivance，thoughnotsolikethegypsy-encampmentwhichEdith，insomeofhermoods，chosetoconsiderthenearestresemblancetoabarrack-life。Afterthiseveningallwasbustletilltheweddingwasover。

chapter02CHAPTERIIROSESANDTHORNS'Bythesoftgreenlightinthewoodyglade，Onthebanksofmosswherethychildhoodplayed；Bythehouseholdtree，thro'whichthineeyeFirstlookedinlovetothesummersky。'MRS。HEMANS。Margaretwasoncemoreinhermorningdress，travellingquietlyhomewithherfather，whohadcomeuptoassistatthewedding。Hermotherhadbeendetainedathomebyamultitudeofhalf-reasons，noneofwhichanybodyfullyunderstood，exceptMr。Hale，whowasperfectlyawarethatallhisargumentsinfavourofagreysatingown，whichwasmidwaybetweenoldnessandnewness，hadprovedunavailing；andthat，ashehadnotthemoneytoequiphiswifeafresh，fromtoptotoe，shewouldnotshowherselfatheronlysister'sonlychild'swedding。IfMrs。ShawhadguessedattherealreasonwhyMrs。Haledidnotaccompanyherhusband，shewouldhaveshowereddowngownsuponher；butitwasnearlytwentyyearssinceMrs。Shawhadbeenthepoor，prettyMissBeresford，andshehadreallyforgottenallgrievancesexceptthatoftheunhappinessarisingfromdisparityofageinmarriedlife，onwhichshecoulddescantbythehalf-hour。DearestMariahadmarriedthemanofherheart，onlyeightyearsolderthanherself，withthesweetesttemper，andthatblue-blackhaironesoseldomsees。

Mr。Halewasoneofthemostdelightfulpreachersshehadeverheard，andaperfectmodelofaparishpriest。Perhapsitwasnotquitealogicaldeductionfromallthesepremises，butitwasstillMrs。Shaw'scharacteristicconclusion，asshethoughtoverhersister'slot:'Marriedforlove，whatcandearestMariahavetowishforinthisworld?'Mrs。Hale，ifshespoketruth，mighthaveansweredwithaready-madelist，'asilver-greyglacesilk，awhitechipbonnet，oh！dozensofthingsforthewedding，andhundredsofthingsforthehouse。'Margaretonlyknewthathermotherhadnotfounditconvenienttocome，andshewasnotsorrytothinkthattheirmeetingandgreetingwouldtakeplaceatHelstoneparsonage，ratherthan，duringtheconfusionofthelasttwoorthreedays，inthehouseinHarleyStreet，wheresheherselfhadhadtoplaythepartofFigaro，andwaswantedeverywhereatoneandthesametime。Hermindandbodyachednowwiththerecollectionofallshehaddoneandsaidwithinthelastforty-eighthours。Thefarewellssohurriedlytaken，amongstalltheothergood-byes，ofthoseshehadlivedwithsolong，oppressedhernowwithasadregretforthetimesthatwerenomore；

itdidnotsignifywhatthosetimeshadbeen，theyweregonenevertoreturn。

Margaret'sheartfeltmoreheavythanshecouldeverhavethoughtitpossibleingoingtoherowndearhome，theplaceandthelifeshehadlongedforforyears——atthattimeofalltimesforyearningandlonging，justbeforethesharpsenseslosetheiroutlinesinsleep。Shetookhermindawaywithawrenchfromtherecollectionofthepasttothebrightserenecontemplationofthehopefulfuture。Hereyesbegantosee，notvisionsofwhathadbeen，butthesightactuallybeforeher；herdearfatherleaningbackasleepintherailwaycarriage。Hisblue-blackhairwasgreynow，andlaythinlyoverhisbrows。Thebonesofhisfacewereplainlytobeseen——tooplainlyforbeauty，ifhisfeatureshadbeenlessfinelycut；asitwas，theyhadagraceifnotacomelinessoftheirown。Thefacewasinrepose；butitwasratherrestafterweariness，thantheserenecalmofthecountenanceofonewholedaplacid，contentedlife。Margaretwaspainfullystruckbytheworn，anxiousexpression；andshewentbackovertheopenandavowedcircumstancesofherfather'slife，tofindthecauseforthelinesthatspokesoplainlyofhabitualdistressanddepression。'PoorFrederick！'thoughtshe，sighing。'Oh！ifFrederickhadbutbeenaclergyman，insteadofgoingintothenavy，andbeinglosttousall！

IwishIknewallaboutit。IneverunderstooditfromAuntShaw；IonlyknewhecouldnotcomebacktoEnglandbecauseofthatterribleaffair。

Poordearpapa！howsadhelooks！IamsogladIamgoinghome，tobeathandtocomforthimandmamma。Shewasreadywithabrightsmile，inwhichtherewasnotatraceoffatigue，togreetherfatherwhenheawakened。Hesmiledbackagain，butfaintly，asifitwereanunusualexertion。Hisfacereturnedintoitslinesofhabitualanxiety。Hehadatrickofhalf-openinghismouthasiftospeak，whichconstantlyunsettledtheformofthelips，andgavethefaceanundecidedexpression。Buthehadthesamelarge，softeyesashisdaughter，——eyeswhichmovedslowlyandalmostgrandlyroundintheirorbits，andwerewellveiledbytheirtransparentwhiteeyelids。Margaretwasmorelikehimthanlikehermother。Sometimespeoplewonderedthatparentssohandsomeshouldhaveadaughterwhowassofarfromregularlybeautiful；notbeautifulatall，wasoccasionallysaid。Hermouthwaswide；norosebudthatcouldonlyopenjust'enoughtoletouta'yes'and'no，'and'an'tpleaseyou，sir。'Butthewidemouthwasonesoftcurveofrichredlips；andtheskin，ifnotwhiteandfair，wasofanivorysmoothnessanddelicacy。Ifthelookonherfacewas，ingeneral，toodignifiedandreservedforonesoyoung，now，talkingtoherfather，itwasbrightasthemorning，——fullofdimples，andglancesthatspokeofchildishgladness，andboundlesshopeinthefuture。ItwasthelatterpartofJulywhenMargaretreturnedhome。Theforesttreeswereallonedark，full，duskygreen；thefernbelowthemcaughtalltheslantingsunbeams；theweatherwassultryandbroodinglystill。

Margaretusedtotrampalongbyherfather'sside，crushingdownthefernwithacruelglee，asshefeltityieldunderherlightfoot，andsendupthefragrancepeculiartoit，——outonthebroadcommonsintothewarmscentedlight，seeingmultitudesofwild，free，livingcreatures，revellinginthesunshine，andtheherbsandflowersitcalledforth。Thislife——atleastthesewalks——realisedallMargaret'santicipations。Shetookaprideinherforest。Itspeoplewereherpeople。Shemadeheartyfriendswiththem；learnedanddelightedinusingtheirpeculiarwords；tookupherfreedomamongstthem；nursedtheirbabies；talkedorreadwithslowdistinctnesstotheiroldpeople；carrieddaintymessestotheirsick；resolvedbeforelongtoteachattheschool，whereherfatherwenteverydayastoanappointedtask，butshewascontinuallytemptedofftogoandseesomeindividualfriend——man，woman，orchild——insomecottageinthegreenshadeoftheforest。Herout-of-doorslifewasperfect。Herin-doorslifehaditsdrawbacks。

Withthehealthyshameofachild，sheblamedherselfforherkeennessofsight，inperceivingthatallwasnotasitshouldbethere。Hermother——hermotheralwayssokindandtendertowardsher——seemednowandthensomuchdiscontentedwiththeirsituation；thoughtthatthebishopstrangelyneglectedhisepiscopalduties，innotgivingMr。Haleabetterliving；andalmostreproachedherhusbandbecausehecouldnotbringhimselftosaythathewishedtoleavetheparish，andundertakethechargeofalarger。Hewouldsighaloudasheanswered，thatifhecoulddowhatheoughtinlittleHelstone，heshouldbethankful；buteverydayhewasmoreoverpowered；

theworldbecamemorebewildering。Ateachrepeatedurgencyofhiswife，thathewouldputhimselfinthewayofseekingsomepreferment，Margaretsawthatherfathershrankmoreandmore；andshestroveatsuchtimestoreconcilehermothertoHelstone。Mrs。Halesaidthatthenearneighbourhoodofsomanytreesaffectedherhealth；andMargaretwouldtrytotemptherforthontothebeautiful)broad，upland，sun-streaked，cloud-shadowedcommon；forshewassurethathermotherhadaccustomedherselftoomuchtoanin-doorslife，seldomextendingherwalksbeyondthechurch，theschool，andtheneighbouringcottages。Thisdidgoodforatime；butwhentheautumndrewon，andtheweatherbecamemorechangeable，hermother'sideaoftheunhealthinessoftheplaceincreased；andsherepinedevenmorefrequentlythatherhusband，whowasmorelearnedthanMr。Hume，abetterparishpriestthanMr。Houldsworth，shouldnothavemetwiththeprefermentthatthesetwoformerneighboursoftheirshaddone。Thismarringofthepeaceofhome，bylonghoursofdiscontent，waswhatMargaretwasunpreparedfor。Sheknew，andhadratherrevelledintheidea，thatsheshouldhavetogiveupmanyluxuries，whichhadonlybeentroublesandtrammelstoherfreedominHarleyStreet。Herkeenenjoymentofeverysensuouspleasure，wasbalancedfinely，ifnotoverbalanced，byherconsciousprideinbeingabletodowithoutthemall，ifneedwere。Butthecloudnevercomesinthatquarterofthehorizonfromwhichwewatchforit。

Therehadbeenslightcomplaintsandpassingregretsonhermother'spart，oversometrifleconnectedwithHelstone，andherfather'spositionthere，whenMargarethadbeenspendingherholidaysathomebefore；butinthegeneralhappinessoftherecollectionofthosetimes，shehadforgottenthesmalldetailswhichwerenotsopleasant。InthelatterhalfofSeptember，theautumnalrainsandstormscameon，andMargaretwasobligedtoremainmoreinthehousethanshehadhithertodone。Helstonewasatsomedistancefromanyneighboursoftheirownstandardofcultivation。'Itisundoubtedlyoneofthemostout-of-the-wayplacesinEngland，'saidMrs。Hale，inoneofherplaintivemoods。'Ican'thelpregrettingconstantlythatpapahasreallynoonetoassociatewithhere；heissothrownaway；

seeingnoonebutfarmersandlabourersfromweek'sendtoweek'send。

Ifweonlylivedattheothersideoftheparish，itwouldbesomething；

thereweshouldbealmostwithinwalkingdistanceoftheStansfields；certainlytheGormanswouldbewithinawalk。''Gormans，'saidMargaret。'ArethosetheGormanswhomadetheirfortunesintradeatSouthampton?Oh！I'mgladwedon'tvisitthem。Idon'tlikeshoppypeople。Ithinkwearefarbetteroff，knowingonlycottagersandlabourers，andpeoplewithoutpretence。''Youmustnotbesofastidious，Margaret，dear！'saidhermother，secretlythinkingofayoungandhandsomeMr。GormanwhomshehadoncemetatMr。

Hume's。'No！Icallmineaverycomprehensivetaste；Ilikeallpeoplewhoseoccupationshavetodowithland；Ilikesoldiersandsailors，andthethreelearnedprofessions，astheycallthem。I'msureyoudon'twantmetoadmirebutchersandbakers，andcandlestick-makers，doyou，mamma?''ButtheGormanswereneitherbutchersnorbakers，butveryrespectablecoach-builders。''Verywell。Coach-buildingisatradeallthesame，andIthinkamuchmoreuselessonethanthatofbutchersorbakers。Oh！howtiredIusedtobeofthedriveseverydayinAuntShaw'scarriage，andhowIlongedtowalk！'AndwalkMargaretdid，inspiteoftheweather。Shewassohappyoutofdoors，atherfather'sside，thatshealmostdanced；andwiththesoftviolenceofthewestwindbehindher，asshecrossedsomeheath，sheseemedtobeborneonwards，aslightlyandeasilyasthefallenleafthatwaswaftedalongbytheautumnalbreeze。Buttheeveningswereratherdifficulttofillupagreeably。Immediatelyafterteaherfatherwithdrewintohissmalllibrary，andsheandhermotherwereleftalone。Mrs。Halehadnevercaredmuchforbooks，andhaddiscouragedherhusband，veryearlyintheirmarriedlife，inhisdesireofreadingaloudtoher，whilesheworked。

Atonetimetheyhadtriedbackgammonasaresource；butasMr。Halegrewtotakeanincreasinginterestinhisschoolandhisparishioners，hefoundthattheinterruptionswhicharoseoutofthesedutieswereregardedashardshipsbyhiswife，nottobeacceptedasthenaturalconditionsofhisprofession，buttoberegrettedandstruggledagainstbyherastheyseverallyarose。Sohewithdrew，whilethechildrenwereyetyoung，intohislibrary，tospendhisevenings(ifhewereathome)，inreadingthespeculativeandmetaphysicalbookswhichwerehisdelight。WhenMargarethadbeenherebefore，shehadbroughtdownwithheragreatboxofbooks，recommendedbymastersorgoverness，andhadfoundthesummer'sdayalltooshorttogetthroughthereadingshehadtodobeforeherreturntotown。Nowtherewereonlythewell-boundlittle-readEnglishClassics，whichwereweededoutofherfather'slibrarytofillupthesmallbook-shelvesinthedrawing-room。Thomson'sSeasons，Hayley'sCowper，Middleton'sCicero，werebyfarthelightest，newest，andmostamusing。Thebook-shelvesdidnotaffordmuchresource。MargarettoldhermothereveryparticularofherLondonlife，toallofwhichMrs。Halelistenedwithinterest，sometimesamusedandquestioning，atothersalittleinclinedtocomparehersister'scircumstancesofeaseandcomfortwiththenarrowermeansatHelstonevicarage。

OnsucheveningsMargaretwasapttostoptalkingratherabruptly，andlistentothedrip-dripoftherainupontheleadsofthelittlebow-window。

OnceortwiceMargaretfoundherselfmechanicallycountingtherepetitionofthemonotonoussound，whileshewonderedifshemightventuretoputaquestiononasubjectveryneartoherheart，andaskwhereFrederickwasnow；whathewasdoing；howlongitwassincetheyhadheardfromhim。

Butaconsciousnessthathermother'sdelicatehealth，andpositivedisliketoHelstone，alldatedfromthetimeofthemutinyinwhichFrederickhadbeenengaged，——thefullaccountofwhichMargarethadneverheard，andwhichnowseemeddoomedtobeburiedinsadoblivion，——madeherpauseandturnawayfromthesubjecteachtimesheapproachedit。Whenshewaswithhermother，herfatherseemedthebestpersontoapplytoforinformation；

andwhenwithhim，shethoughtthatshecouldspeakmoreeasilytohermother。Probablytherewasnothingmuchtobeheardthatwasnew。InoneofthelettersshehadreceivedbeforeleavingHarleyStreet，herfatherhadtoldherthattheyhadheardfromFrederick；hewasstillatRio，andverywellinhealth，andsenthisbestlovetoher；whichwasdrybones，butnotthelivingintelligenceshelongedfor。Frederickwasalwaysspokenof，intheraretimeswhenhisnamewasmentioned，as'PoorFrederick。'

Hisroomwaskeptexactlyashehadleftit；andwasregularlydusted，andputintoorderbyDixon，Mrs。Hale'smaid，whotouchednootherpartofthehouseholdwork，butalwaysrememberedthedaywhenshehadbeenengagedbyLadyBeresfordasladies'maidtoSirJohn'swards，theprettyMissBeresfords，thebellesofRutlandshire。DixonhadalwaysconsideredMr。Haleastheblightwhichhadfallenuponheryounglady'sprospectsinlife。IfMissBeresfordhadnotbeeninsuchahurrytomarryapoorcountryclergyman，therewasnoknowingwhatshemightnothavebecome。

ButDixonwastooloyaltodesertherinherafflictionanddownfall(aliashermarriedlife)。Sheremainedwithher，andwasdevotedtoherinterests；

alwaysconsideringherselfasthegoodandprotectingfairy，whosedutyitwastobafflethemalignantgiant，Mr。Hale。MasterFrederickhadbeenherfavoriteandpride；anditwaswithalittlesofteningofherdignifiedlookandmanner，thatshewentinweeklytoarrangethechamberascarefullyasifhemightbecominghomethatveryevening。MargaretcouldnothelpbelievingthattherehadbeensomelateintelligenceofFrederick，unknowntohermother，whichwasmakingherfatheranxiousanduneasy。Mrs。Haledidnotseemtoperceiveanyalterationinherhusband'slooksorways。Hisspiritswerealwaystenderandgentle，readilyaffectedbyanysmallpieceofintelligenceconcerningthewelfareofothers。Hewouldbedepressedformanydaysafterwitnessingadeath-bed，orhearingofanycrime。ButnowMargaretnoticedanabsenceofmind，asifhisthoughtswerepre-occupiedbysomesubject，theoppressionofwhichcouldnotberelievedbyanydailyaction，suchascomfortingthesurvivors，orteachingattheschoolinhopeoflesseningtheevilsinthegenerationtocome。

Mr。Haledidnotgooutamonghisparishionersasmuchasusual；hewasmoreshutupinhisstudy；wasanxiousforthevillagepostman，whosesummonstothehouse-holdwasarapontheback-kitchenwindow-shutter——asignalwhichatonetimehadoftentoberepeatedbeforeanyonewassufficientlyalivetothehourofthedaytounderstandwhatitwas，andattendtohim。

NowMr。Haleloiteredaboutthegardenifthemorningwasfine，andifnot，stooddreamilybythestudywindowuntilthepostmanhadcalled，orgonedownthelane，givingahalf-respectful，half-confidentialshakeoftheheadtotheparson，whowatchedhimawaybeyondthesweet-briarhedge，andpastthegreatarbutus，beforeheturnedintotheroomtobeginhisday'swork，withallthesignsofaheavyheartandanoccupiedmind。ButMargaretwasatanagewhenanyapprehension，notabsolutelybasedonaknowledgeoffacts，iseasilybanishedforatimebyabrightsunnyday，orsomehappyoutwardcircumstance。AndwhenthebrilliantfourteenfinedaysofOctobercameon，hercareswereallblownawayaslightlyasthistledown，andshethoughtofnothingbutthegloriesoftheforest。

Thefern-harvestwasover，andnowthattherainwasgone，manyadeepgladewasaccessible，intowhichMargarethadonlypeepedinJulyandAugustweather。ShehadlearntdrawingwithEdith；andshehadsufficientlyregretted，duringthegloomofthebadweather，heridlerevellinginthebeautyofthewoodlandswhileithadyetbeenfine，tomakeherdeterminedtosketchwhatshecouldbeforewinterfairlysetin。Accordingly，shewasbusypreparingherboardonemorning，whenSarah，thehousemaid，threwwideopenthedrawing-roomdoorandannounced，'Mr。HenryLennox。'

chapter03CHAPTERIII'THEMOREHASTETHEWORSESPEED''Learntowinalady'sfaithNobly，asthethingishigh；Bravely，asforlifeanddeath——Withaloyalgravity。Leadherfromthefestiveboards，Pointhertothestarryskies，Guardher，byyourtruthfulwords，Purefromcourtship'sflatteries。'MRS。BROWNING。'Mr。HenryLennox。'Margarethadbeenthinkingofhimonlyamomentbefore，andrememberinghisinquiryintoherprobableoccupationsathome。Itwas'parlerdusoleiletl'onenvoitlesrayons；'andthebrightnessofthesuncameoverMargaret'sfaceassheputdownherboard，andwentforwardtoshakehandswithhim。'Tellmamma，Sarah，'saidshe。'MammaandIwanttoaskyousomanyquestionsaboutEdith；Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforcoming。''DidnotIsaythatIshould?'askedhe，inalowertonethanthatinwhichshehadspoken。'ButIheardofyousofarawayintheHighlandsthatIneverthoughtHampshirecouldcomein。'Oh！'saidhe，morelightly，'ouryoungcouplewereplayingsuchfoolishpranks，runningallsortsofrisks，climbingthismountain，sailingonthatlake，thatIreallythoughttheyneededaMentortotakecareofthem。

Andindeedtheydid；theywerequitebeyondmyuncle'smanagement，andkepttheoldgentlemaninapanicforsixteenhoursoutofthetwenty-four。

Indeed，whenIoncesawhowunfittheyweretobetrustedalone，IthoughtitmydutynottoleavethemtillIhadseenthemsafelyembarkedatPlymouth。''HaveyoubeenatPlymouth?Oh！Edithnevernamedthat。Tobesure，shehaswritteninsuchahurrylately。DidtheyreallysailonTuesday?''Reallysailed，andrelievedmefrommanyresponsibilities。Edithgavemeallsortsofmessagesforyou。IbelieveIhavealittlediminutivenotesomewhere；yes，hereitis。''Oh！thankyou，'exclaimedMargaret；andthen，halfwishingtoreaditaloneandunwatched，shemadetheexcuseofgoingtotellhermotheragain(Sarahsurelyhadmadesomemistake)thatMr。Lennoxwasthere。Whenshehadlefttheroom，hebeganinhisscrutinisingwaytolookabouthim。Thelittledrawing-roomwaslookingitsbestinthestreaminglightofthemorningsun。Themiddlewindowinthebowwasopened，andclusteringrosesandthescarlethoneysucklecamepeepingroundthecorner；thesmalllawnwasgorgeouswithverbenasandgeraniumsofallbrightcolours。Buttheverybrightnessoutsidemadethecolourswithinseempoorandfaded。

Thecarpetwasfarfromnew；thechintzhadbeenoftenwashed；thewholeapartmentwassmallerandshabbierthanhehadexpected，asback-groundandframe-workforMargaret，herselfsoqueenly。Hetookuponeofthebookslyingonthetable；itwastheParadisoofDante，intheproperoldItalianbindingofwhitevellumandgold；byitlayadictionary，andsomewordscopiedoutinMargaret'shand-writing。Theywereadulllistofwords，butsomehowhelikedlookingatthem。Heputthemdownwithasigh。'Thelivingisevidentlyassmallasshesaid。Itseemsstrange，fortheBeresfordsbelongtoagoodfamily。'Margaretmeanwhilehadfoundhermother。ItwasoneofMrs。Hale'sfitfuldays，wheneverythingwasadifficultyandahardship；andMr。Lennox'sappearancetookthisshape，althoughsecretlyshefeltcomplimentedbyhisthinkingitworthwhiletocall。'Itismostunfortunate！Wearediningearlyto-day，andhavingnothingbutcoldmeat，inorderthattheservantsmaygetonwiththeirironing；

andyet，ofcourse，wemustaskhimtodinner——Edith'sbrother-in-lawandall。Andyourpapaisinsuchlowspiritsthismorningaboutsomething——I

don'tknowwhat。Iwentintothestudyjustnow，andhehadhisfaceonthetable，coveringitwithhishands。ItoldhimIwassureHelstoneairdidnotagreewithhimanymorethanwithme，andhesuddenlylifteduphishead，andbeggedmenottospeakawordmoreagainstHelstone，hecouldnotbearit；iftherewasoneplacehelovedonearthitwasHelstone。

ButIamsure，forallthat，itisthedampandrelaxingair。'Margaretfeltasifathincoldcloudhadcomebetweenherandthesun。

Shehadlistenedpatiently，inhopesthatitmightbesomerelieftohermothertounburdenherself；butnowitwastimetodrawherbacktoMr。

Lennox。'PapalikesMr。Lennox；theygotontogetherfamouslyattheweddingbreakfast。

Idaresayhiscomingwilldopapagood。Andnevermindthedinner，dearmamma。Coldmeatwilldocapitallyforalunch，whichisthelightinwhichMr。Lennoxwillmostlikelylookuponatwoo'clockdinner。''Butwhatarewetodowithhimtillthen?Itisonlyhalf-pasttennow。''I'llaskhimtogooutsketchingwithme。Iknowhedraws，andthatwilltakehimoutofyourway，mamma。Onlydocomeinnow；hewillthinkitsostrangeifyoudon't。'Mrs。Haletookoffherblacksilkapron，andsmoothedherface。Shelookedaveryprettylady-likewoman，asshegreetedMr。Lennoxwiththecordialityduetoonewhowasalmostarelation。Heevidentlyexpectedtobeaskedtospendtheday，andacceptedtheinvitationwithagladreadinessthatmadeMrs。Halewishshecouldaddsomethingtothecoldbeef。Hewaspleasedwitheverything；delightedwithMargaret'sideaofgoingoutsketchingtogether；wouldnothaveMr。Haledisturbedfortheworld，withtheprospectofsosoonmeetinghimatdinner。Margaretbroughtoutherdrawingmaterialsforhimtochoosefrom；andafterthepaperandbrusheshadbeendulyselected，thetwosetoutinthemerriestspiritsintheworld。'Now，please，juststophereforaminuteortwo，saidMargaret。'Thesearethecottagesthathauntedmesoduringtherainyfortnight，reproachingmefornothavingsketchedthem。''Beforetheytumbleddownandwerenomoreseen。Truly，iftheyaretobesketched——andtheyareverypicturesque——wehadbetternotputitofftillnextyear。Butwhereshallwesit?''Oh！YoumighthavecomestraightfromchambersintheTemple，'insteadofhavingbeentwomonthsintheHighlands！Lookatthisbeautifultrunkofatree，whichthewood-cuttershaveleftjustintherightplaceforthelight。Iwillputmyplaidoverit，anditwillbearegularforestthrone。''Withyourfeetinthatpuddleforaregalfootstool！Stay，Iwillmove，andthenyoucancomenearerthisway。Wholivesinthesecottages?''Theywerebuiltbysquattersfiftyorsixtyyearsago。Oneisuninhabited；

theforestersaregoingtotakeitdown，assoonastheoldmanwholivesintheotherisdead，pooroldfellow！Look——thereheis——Imustgoandspeaktohim。Heissodeafyouwillhearalloursecrets。'Theoldmanstoodbareheadedinthesun，leaningonhisstickatthefrontofhiscottage。HisstifffeaturesrelaxedintoaslowsmileasMargaretwentupandspoketohim。Mr。Lennoxhastilyintroducedthetwofiguresintohissketch，andfinishedupthelandscapewithasubordinatereferencetothem——asMargaretperceived，whenthetimecameforgettingup，puttingawaywater，andscrapsofpaper，andexhibitingtoeachothertheirsketches。

ShelaughedandblushedMr。Lennoxwatchedhercountenance。'Now，Icallthattreacherous，'saidshe。'IlittlethoughtyouweremakingoldIsaacandmeintosubjects，whenyoutoldmetoaskhimthehistoryofthesecottages。''Itwasirresistible。Youcan'tknowhowstrongatemptationitwas。I

hardlydaretellyouhowmuchIshalllikethissketch。'Hewasnotquitesurewhethersheheardthislattersentencebeforeshewenttothebrooktowashherpalette。Shecamebackratherflushed，butlookingperfectlyinnocentandunconscious。Hewasgladofit，forthespeechhadslippedfromhimunawares——ararethinginthecaseofamanwhopremeditatedhisactionssomuchasHenryLennox。Theaspectofhomewasallrightandbrightwhentheyreachedit。Thecloudsonhermother'sbrowhadclearedoffunderthepropitiousinfluenceofabraceofcarp，mostopportunelypresentedbyaneighbour。Mr。Halehadreturnedfromhismorning'sround，andwasawaitinghisvisitorjustoutsidethewicketgatethatledintothegarden。Helookedacompletegentlemaninhisratherthreadbarecoatandwell-wornhat。Margaretwasproudofherfather；shehadalwaysafreshandtenderprideinseeinghowfavourablyheimpressedeverystranger；stillherquickeyesoughtoverhisfaceandfoundtheretracesofsomeunusualdisturbance，whichwasonlyputaside，notclearedaway。Mr。Haleaskedtolookattheirsketches。'Ithinkyouhavemadethetintsonthethatchtoodark，haveyounot?'

ashereturnedMargaret'stoher，andheldouthishandforMr。Lennox's，whichwaswithheldfromhimonemoment，nomore。'No，papa！Idon'tthinkIhave。Thehouse-leekandstone-crophavegrownsomuchdarkerintherain。Isitnotlike，papa?'saidshe，peepingoverhisshoulder，ashelookedatthefiguresinMr。Lennox'sdrawing。'Yes，verylike。Yourfigureandwayofholdingyourselfiscapital。AnditisjustpooroldIsaac'sstiffwayofstoopinghislongrheumaticback。

Whatisthishangingfromthebranchofthetree?Notabird'snest，surely。''Ohno！thatismybonnet。Inevercandrawwithmybonneton；itmakesmyheadsohot。IwonderifIcouldmanagefigures。TherearesomanypeopleaboutherewhomIshouldliketosketch。''Ishouldsaythatalikenessyouverymuchwishtotakeyouwouldalwayssucceedin，'saidMr。Lennox。'Ihavegreatfaithinthepowerofwill。

IthinkmyselfIhavesucceededprettywellinyours。'Mr。Halehadprecededthemintothehouse，whileMargaretwaslingeringtoplucksomeroses，withwhichtoadornhermorninggownfordinner。'AregularLondongirlwouldunderstandtheimpliedmeaningofthatspeech，'

thoughtMr。Lennox。'Shewouldbeuptolookingthrougheveryspeechthatayoungmanmadeherforthearriere-penseeofacompliment。ButIdon'tbelieveMargaret，——Stay！'exclaimedhe，'Letmehelpyou；'andhegatheredforhersomevelvetycramoisyrosesthatwereaboveherreach，andthendividingthespoilheplacedtwoinhisbutton-hole，andsentherin，pleasedandhappy，toarrangeherflowers。Theconversationatdinnerflowedonquietlyandagreeably。Therewereplentyofquestionstobeaskedonbothsides——thelatestintelligencewhicheachcouldgiveofMrs。Shaw'smovementsinItalytobeexchanged；

andintheinterestofwhatwassaid，theunpretendingsimplicityoftheparsonage-ways——aboveall，intheneighbourhoodofMargaret，Mr。Lennoxforgotthelittlefeelingofdisappointmentwithwhichhehadatfirstperceivedthatshehadspokenbutthesimpletruthwhenshehaddescribedherfather'slivingasverysmall。'Margaret，mychild，youmighthavegatheredussomepearsforourdessert，'

saidMr。Hale，asthehospitableluxuryofafreshly-decantedbottleofwinewasplacedonthetable。Mrs。Halewashurried。Itseemedasifdessertswereimpromptuandunusualthingsattheparsonage；whereas，ifMr。Halewouldonlyhavelookedbehindhim，hewouldhaveseenbiscuitsandmarmalade，andwhatnot，allarrangedinformalorderonthesideboard。ButtheideaofpearshadtakenpossessionofMr。Hale'smind，andwasnottobegotridof。'Thereareafewbrownbeurresagainstthesouthwallwhichareworthallforeignfruitsandpreserves。Run，Margaret，andgatherussome。''Iproposethatweadjournintothegarden，andeatthemthere'saidMr。

Lennox。'Nothingissodeliciousastosetone'steethintothecrisp，juicyfruit，warmandscentedbythesun。Theworstis，thewaspsareimpudentenoughtodisputeitwithone，evenattheverycrisisandsummitofenjoyment。Herose，asiftofollowMargaret，whohaddisappearedthroughthewindowheonlyawaitedMrs。Hale'spermission。Shewouldratherhavewoundupthedinnerintheproperway，andwithalltheceremonieswhichhadgoneonsosmoothlyhitherto，especiallyassheandDixonhadgotoutthefinger-glassesfromthestore-roomonpurposetobeascorrectasbecameGeneralShaw'swidow'ssister，butasMr。Halegotupdirectly，andpreparedtoaccompanyhisguest，shecouldonlysubmit。'Ishallarmmyselfwithaknife，'saidMr。Hale:'thedaysofeatingfruitsoprimitivelyasyoudescribeareoverwithme。ImustpareitandquarteritbeforeIcanenjoyit。'Margaretmadeaplateforthepearsoutofabeetrootleaf，whichthrewuptheirbrowngoldcolouradmirably。Mr。Lennoxlookedmoreatherthanatthepears；butherfather，inclinedtocullfastidiouslytheveryzestandperfectionofthehourhehadstolenfromhisanxiety，chosedaintilytheripestfruit，andsatdownonthegardenbenchtoenjoyitathisleisure。

MargaretandMr。Lennoxstrolledalongthelittleterrace-walkunderthesouthwall，wherethebeesstillhummedandworkedbusilyintheirhives。'Whataperfectlifeyouseemtolivehere！Ihavealwaysfeltrathercontemptuouslytowardsthepoetsbefore，withtheirwishes，“Minebeacotbesideahill，“

andthatsortofthing:butnowIamafraidthatthetruthis，Ihavebeennothingbetterthanacockney。JustnowIfeelasiftwentyyears'hardstudyoflawwouldbeamplyrewardedbyoneyearofsuchanexquisiteserenelifeasthis——suchskies！'lookingup——'suchcrimsonandamberfoliage，soperfectlymotionlessasthat！'pointingtosomeofthegreatforesttreeswhichshutinthegardenasifitwereanest。'Youmustpleasetorememberthatourskiesarenotalwaysasdeepablueastheyarenow。Wehaverain，andourleavesdofall，andgetsodden:

thoughIthinkHelstoneisaboutasperfectaplaceasanyintheworld。

RecollecthowyouratherscornedmydescriptionofitoneeveninginHarleyStreet:“avillageinatale。''Scorned，MargaretThatisratherahardword。''Perhapsitis。OnlyIknowIshouldhavelikedtohavetalkedtoyouofwhatIwasveryfullatthetime，andyou——whatmustIcallit，then?——spokedisrespectfullyofHelstoneasamerevillageinatale。''Iwillneverdosoagain，'saidhe，warmly。Theyturnedthecornerofthewalk。'Icouldalmostwish，Margaret——'hestoppedandhesitated。ItwassounusualforthefluentlawyertohesitatethatMargaretlookedupathim，inalittlestateofquestioningwonder；butinaninstant——fromwhatabouthimshecouldnottell——shewishedherselfbackwithhermother——herfather——anywhereawayfromhim，forshewassurehewasgoingtosaysomethingtowhichsheshouldnotknowwhattoreply。Inanothermomentthestrongpridethatwasinhercametoconquerhersuddenagitation，whichshehopedhehadnotperceived。Ofcourseshecouldanswer，andanswertherightthing；

anditwaspooranddespicableofhertoshrinkfromhearinganyspeech，asifshehadnotpowertoputanendtoitwithherhighmaidenlydignity。'Margaret，'saidhe，takingherbysurprise，andgettingsuddenpossessionofherhand，sothatshewasforcedtostandstillandlisten，despisingherselffortheflutteringatherheartallthetime；'Margaret，IwishyoudidnotlikeHelstonesomuch——didnotseemsoperfectlycalmandhappyhere。IhavebeenhopingforthesethreemonthspasttofindyouregrettingLondon——andLondonfriends，alittle——enoughtomakeyoulistenmorekindly'

(forshewasquietly，butfirmly，strivingtoextricateherhandfromhisgrasp)'toonewhohasnotmuchtooffer，itistrue——nothingbutprospectsinthefuture——butwhodoesloveyou，Margaret，almostinspiteofhimself。

Margaret，haveIstartledyoutoomuch?Speak！'Forhesawherlipsquiveringalmostasifsheweregoingtocry。Shemadeastrongefforttobecalm；

shewouldnotspeaktillshehadsucceededinmasteringhervoice，andthenshesaid:'Iwasstartled。Ididnotknowthatyoucaredformeinthatway。Ihavealwaysthoughtofyouasafriend；and，please，Iwouldrathergoonthinkingofyouso。Idon'tliketobespokentoasyouhavebeendoing。Icannotansweryouasyouwantmetodo，andyetIshouldfeelsosorryifIvexedyou。''Margaret，'saidhe，lookingintohereyes，whichmethiswiththeiropen，straightlook，expressiveoftheutmostgoodfaithandreluctancetogivepain，'Doyou'——hewasgoingtosay——'loveanyoneelse?'Butitseemedasifthisquestionwouldbeaninsulttothepureserenityofthoseeyes。

'ForgivemeIhavebeentooabrupt。Iampunished。Onlyletmehope。Givemethepoorcomfortoftellingmeyouhaveneverseenanyonewhomyoucould——'Againapause。Hecouldnotendhissentence。Margaretreproachedherselfacutelyasthecauseofhisdistress。'Ah！ifyouhadbutnevergotthisfancyintoyourhead！Itwassuchapleasuretothinkofyouasafriend。''ButImayhope，mayInot，Margaret，thatsometimeyouwillthinkofmeasalover?Notyet，Isee——thereisnohurry——butsometime——'Shewassilentforaminuteortwo，tryingtodiscoverthetruthasitwasinherownheart，beforereplying；thenshesaid:'Ihaveneverthoughtof——you，butasafriend。Iliketothinkofyouso；butIamsureIcouldneverthinkofyouasanythingelse。Pray，letusbothforgetthatallthis'('disagreeable，'shewasgoingtosay，butstoppedshort)'conversationhastakenplace。'Hepausedbeforehereplied。Then，inhishabitualcoldnessoftone，heanswered:'Ofcourse，asyourfeelingsaresodecided，andasthisconversationhasbeensoevidentlyunpleasanttoyou，ithadbetternotberemembered。Thatisallveryfineintheory，thatplanofforgettingwhateverispainful，butitwillbesomewhatdifficultforme，atleast，tocarryitintoexecution。''Youarevexed，'saidshe，sadly；'yethowcanIhelpit?'Shelookedsotrulygrievedasshesaidthis，thathestruggledforamomentwithhisrealdisappointment，andthenansweredmorecheerfully，butstillwithalittlehardnessinhistone:'Youshouldmakeallowancesforthemortification，notonlyofalover，Margaret，butofamannotgiventoromanceingeneral——prudent，worldly，assomepeoplecallme——whohasbeencarriedoutofhisusualhabitsbytheforceofapassion——well，wewillsaynomoreofthat；butintheoneoutletwhichhehasformedforthedeeperandbetterfeelingsofhisnature，hemeetswithrejectionandrepulse。Ishallhavetoconsolemyselfwithscorningmyownfolly。Astrugglingbarristertothinkofmatrimony！'Margaretcouldnotanswerthis。Thewholetoneofitannoyedher。Itseemedtotouchonandcalloutallthepointsofdifferencewhichhadoftenrepelledherinhim；whileyethewasthepleasantestman，themostsympathisingfriend，thepersonofallotherswhounderstoodherbestinHarleyStreet。

Shefeltatingeofcontemptmingleitselfwithherpainathavingrefusedhim。Herbeautifullipcurledinaslightdisdain。Itwaswellthat，havingmadetheroundofthegarden，theycamesuddenlyuponMr。Hale，whosewhereaboutshadbeenquiteforgottenbythem。Hehadnotyetfinishedthepear，whichhehaddelicatelypeeledinonelongstripofsilver-paperthinness，andwhichhewasenjoyinginadeliberatemanner。Itwaslikethestoryoftheeasternking，whodippedhisheadintoabasinofwater，atthemagician'scommand，andereheinstantlytookitoutwentthroughtheexperienceofalifetime。IMargaretfeltstunned，andunabletorecoverherself-possessionenoughtojoininthetrivialconversationthatensuedbetweenherfatherandMr。Lennox。Shewasgrave，andlittledisposedtospeak；fullofwonderwhenMr。Lennoxwouldgo，andallowhertorelaxintothoughtontheeventsofthelastquarterofanhour。Hewasalmostasanxioustotakehisdepartureasshewasforhimtoleave；butafewminuteslightandcarelesstalking，carriedonatwhatevereffort，wasasacrificewhichheowedtohismortifiedvanity，orhisself-respect。Heglancedfromtimetotimeathersadandpensiveface。'Iamnotsoindifferenttoherasshebelieves，'thoughthetohimself。

'Idonotgiveuphope。'Beforeaquarterofanhourwasover，hehadfallenintoawayofconversingwithquietsarcasm；speakingoflifeinLondonandlifeinthecountry，asifhewereconsciousofhissecondmockingself，andafraidofhisownsatire。Mr。Halewaspuzzled。Hisvisitorwasadifferentmantowhathehadseenhimbeforeatthewedding-breakfast，andatdinnerto-day；alighter，cleverer，moreworldlyman，and，assuch，dissonanttoMr。Hale。ItwasarelieftoallthreewhenMr。Lennoxsaidthathemustgodirectlyifhemeanttocatchthefiveo'clocktrain。TheyproceededtothehousetofindMrs。Hale，andwishhergood-bye。Atthelastmoment，HenryLennox'srealselfbrokethroughthecrust。'Margaret，don'tdespiseme；Ihaveaheart，notwithstandingallthisgood-for-nothingwayoftalking。Asaproofofit，IbelieveIloveyoumorethanever——ifIdonothateyou——forthedisdainwithwhichyouhavelistenedtomeduringthislasthalf-hour。Good-bye，Margaret——Margaret！'

chapter04CHAPTERIVDOUBTSANDDIFFICULTIES'Castmeuponsomenakedshore，WhereImaytraceOnlytheprintofsomesadwrack，Ifthoubethere，thoughtheseasroare，Ishallnogentlercalmimplore。'HABINGTON。Hewasgone。Thehousewasshutupfortheevening。Nomoredeepblueskiesorcrimsonandambertints。Margaretwentuptodressfortheearlytea，findingDixoninaprettytemperfromtheinterruptionwhichavisitorhadnaturallyoccasionedonabusyday。SheshoweditbybrushingawayviciouslyatMargaret'shair，underpretenceofbeinginagreathurrytogotoMrs。Hale。Yet，afterall，Margarethadtowaitalongtimeinthedrawing-roombeforehermothercamedown。Shesatbyherselfatthefire，withunlightedcandlesonthetablebehindher，thinkingovertheday，thehappywalk，happysketching，cheerfulpleasantdinner，andtheuncomfortable，miserablewalkinthegarden。Howdifferentmenweretowomen！Herewasshedisturbedandunhappy，becauseherinstincthadmadeanythingbutarefusalimpossible；whilehe，notmanyminutesafterhehadmetwitharejectionofwhatoughttohavebeenthedeepest，holiestproposalofhislife，couldspeakasifbriefs，success，andallitssuperficialconsequencesofagoodhouse，cleverandagreeablesociety，werethesoleavowedobjectsofhisdesires。Ohdear！howshecouldhavelovedhimifhehadbutbeendifferent，withadifferencewhichshefelt，onreflection，tobeonethatwentlow——deepdown。Thenshetookitintoherheadthat，afterall，hislightnessmightbebutassumed，tocoverabitternessofdisappointmentwhichwouldhavebeenstampedonherownheartifshehadlovedandbeenrejected。Hermothercameintotheroombeforethiswhirlofthoughtswasadjustedintoanythinglikeorder。Margarethadtoshakeofftherecollectionsofwhathadbeendoneandsaidthroughtheday，andturnasympathisinglistenertotheaccountofhowDixonhadcomplainedthattheironing-blankethadbeenburntagain；andhowSusanLightfoothadbeenseenwithartificialflowersinherbonnet，therebygivingevidenceofavainandgiddycharacter。

Mr。Halesippedhisteainabstractedsilence；Margarethadtheresponsesalltoherself。Shewonderedhowherfatherandmothercouldbesoforgetful，soregardlessoftheircompanionthroughtheday，asnevertomentionhisname。Sheforgotthathehadnotmadethemanoffer。AfterteaMr。Halegotup，andstoodwithhiselbowonthechimney-piece，leaninghisheadonhishand，musingoversomething，andfromtimetotimesighingdeeply。Mrs。HalewentouttoconsultwithDixonaboutsomewinterclothingforthepoor。Margaretwaspreparinghermother'sworstedwork，andrathershrinkingfromthethoughtofthelongevening，andwishingbed-timewerecomethatshemightgoovertheeventsofthedayagain。'Margaret！'saidMr。Hale，atlast，inasortofsuddendesperateway，thatmadeherstart。'Isthattapestrythingofimmediateconsequence?

Imean，canyouleaveitandcomeintomystudy?Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutsomethingveryserioustousall。''Veryserioustousall。'Mr。Lennoxhadneverhadtheopportunityofhavinganyprivateconversationwithherfatherafterherrefusal，orelsethatwouldindeedbeaveryseriousaffair。Inthefirstplace，Margaretfeltguiltyandashamedofhavinggrownsomuchintoawomanastobethoughtofinmarriage；andsecondly，shedidnotknowifherfathermightnotbedispleasedthatshehadtakenuponherselftodeclineMr。Lennox'sproposal。

Butshesoonfeltitwasnotaboutanything，whichhavingonlylatelyandsuddenlyoccurred，couldhavegivenrisetoanycomplicatedthoughts，thatherfatherwishedtospeaktoher。Hemadehertakeachairbyhim；hestirredthefire，snuffedthecandles，andsighedonceortwicebeforehecouldmakeuphismindtosay——anditcameoutwithajerkafterall——'Margaret！

IamgoingtoleaveHelstone。''LeaveHelstone，papa！Butwhy?'Mr。Haledidnotanswerforaminuteortwo。Heplayedwithsomepapersonthetableinanervousandconfusedmanner，openinghislipstospeakseveraltimes，butclosingthemagainwithouthavingthecouragetoutteraword。Margaretcouldnotbearthesightofthesuspense，whichwasevenmoredistressingtoherfatherthantoherself。'Butwhy，dearpapa?Dotellme！'Helookedupathersuddenly，andthensaidwithaslowandenforcedcalmness:'BecauseImustnolongerbeaministerintheChurchofEngland。'Margarethadimaginednothinglessthanthatsomeoftheprefermentswhichhermothersomuchdesiredhadbefallenherfatheratlast——somethingthatwouldforcehimtoleavebeautiful，belovedHelstone，andperhapscompelhimtogoandliveinsomeofthestatelyandsilentCloseswhichMargarethadseenfromtimetotimeincathedraltowns。Theyweregrandandimposingplaces，butif，togothere，itwasnecessarytoleaveHelstoneasahomeforever，thatwouldhavebeenasad，long，lingeringpain。ButnothingtotheshockshereceivedfromMr。Hale'slastspeech。Whatcouldhemean?

Itwasalltheworseforbeingsomysterious。Theaspectofpiteousdistressonhisface，almostasimploringamercifulandkindjudgmentfromhischild，gaveherasuddensickening。CouldhehavebecomeimplicatedinanythingFrederickhaddone?Frederickwasanoutlaw。Hadherfather，outofanaturalloveforhisson，connivedatany——'Oh！whatisit?dospeak，papa！tellmeall！Whycanyounolongerbeaclergyman?Surely，ifthebishopweretoldallweknowaboutFrederick，andthehard，unjust——''ItisnothingaboutFrederick；thebishopwouldhavenothingtodowiththat。Itisallmyself。Margaret，Iwilltellyouaboutit。Iwillansweranyquestionsthisonce，butafterto-nightletusneverspeakofitagain。

Icanmeettheconsequencesofmypainful，miserabledoubts；butitisaneffortbeyondmetospeakofwhathascausedmesomuchsuffering。''Doubts，papa！Doubtsastoreligion?'askedMargaret，moreshockedthanever。'No！notdoubtsastoreligion；nottheslightestinjurytothat。'Hepaused。Margaretsighed，asifstandingonthevergeofsomenewhorror。

Hebeganagain，speakingrapidly，asiftogetoverasettask:'Youcouldnotunderstanditall，ifItoldyou——myanxiety，foryearspast，toknowwhetherIhadanyrighttoholdmyliving——myeffortstoquenchmysmoulderingdoubtsbytheauthorityoftheChurch。Oh！Margaret，howIlovetheholyChurchfromwhichIamtobeshutout！'Hecouldnotgoonforamomentortwo。Margaretcouldnottellwhattosay；itseemedtoherasterriblymysteriousasifherfatherwereabouttoturnMahometan。'Ihavebeenreadingto-dayofthetwothousandwhowereejectedfromtheirchurches，'——continuedMr。Hale，smilingfaintly，——'tryingtostealsomeoftheirbravery；butitisofnouse——nouse——Icannothelpfeelingitacutely。''But，papa，haveyouwellconsidered?Oh！itseemssoterrible，soshocking，'

saidMargaret，suddenlyburstingintotears。Theonestaidfoundationofherhome，ofherideaofherbelovedfather，seemedreelingandrocking。

Whatcouldshesay?Whatwastobedone?ThesightofherdistressmadeMr。Halenervehimself，inordertotryandcomforther。Heswalloweddownthedrychokingsobswhichhadbeenheavingupfromhishearthitherto，andgoingtohisbookcasehetookdownavolume，whichhehadoftenbeenreadinglately，andfromwhichhethoughthehadderivedstrengthtoenteruponthecourseinwhichhewasnowembarked。'Listen，dearMargaret，'saidhe，puttingonearmroundherwaist。Shetookhishandinhersandgraspedittight，butshecouldnotliftupherhead；norindeedcouldsheattendtowhatheread，sogreatwasherinternalagitation。'Thisisthesoliloquyofonewhowasonceaclergymaninacountryparish，likeme；itwaswrittenbyaMr。Oldfield，ministerofCarsington，inDerbyshire，ahundredandsixtyyearsago，ormore。Histrialsareover。Hefoughtthegoodfight。'Theselasttwosentenceshespokelow，asiftohimself。

Thenhereadaloud，——'WhenthoucanstnolongercontinueinthyworkwithoutdishonourtoGod，discredittoreligion，foregoingthyintegrity，woundingconscience，spoilingthypeace，andhazardingthelossofthysalvation；inaword，whentheconditionsuponwhichthoumustcontinue(ifthouwiltcontinue)inthyemploymentsaresinful，andunwarrantedbythewordofGod，thoumayest，yea，thoumustbelievethatGodwillturnthyverysilence，suspension，deprivation，andlayingaside，toHisglory，andtheadvancementoftheGospel'sinterest。WhenGodwillnotusetheeinonekind，yetHewillinanother。AsoulthatdesirestoserveandhonourHimshallneverwantopportunitytodoit；normustthousolimittheHolyOneofIsraelastothinkHehathbutonewayinwhichHecanglorifyHimselfbythee。Hecandoitbythysilenceaswellasbythypreaching；thylayingasideaswellasthycontinuanceinthywork。ItisnotpretenceofdoingGodthegreatestservice，orperformingtheweightiestduty，thatwillexcusetheleastsin，thoughthatsincapacitatedorgaveustheopportunityfordoingthatduty。Thouwilthavelittlethanks，0mysoul！if，whenthouartchargedwithcorruptingGod'sworship，falsifyingthyvows，thoupretendestanecessityforitinordertoacontinuanceintheministry。Ashereadthis，andglancedatmuchmorewhichhedidnotread，hegainedresolutionforhimself，andfeltasifhetoocouldbebraveandfirmindoingwhathebelievedtoberight；butasheceasedheheardMargaret'slowconvulsivesob；andhiscouragesankdownunderthekeensenseofsuffering。'Margaret，dear！'saidhe，drawinghercloser，'thinkoftheearlymartyrs；

thinkofthethousandswhohavesuffered。''But，father，'saidshe，suddenlyliftingupherflushed，tear-wetface，'theearlymartyrssufferedforthetruth，whileyou——oh！dear，dearpapa！''Isufferforconscience'sake，mychild，'saidhe，withadignitythatwasonlytremulousfromtheacutesensitivenessofhischaracter；'Imustdowhatmyconsciencebids。Ihavebornelongwithself-reproachthatwouldhaverousedanymindlesstorpidandcowardlythanmine。'Heshookhisheadashewenton。'Yourpoormother'sfondwish，gratifiedatlastinthemockingwayinwhichover-fondwishesaretoooftenfulfilled——Sodomapplesastheyare——hasbroughtonthiscrisis，forwhichIoughttobe，andIhopeIamthankful。Itisnotamonthsincethebishopofferedmeanotherliving；ifIhadacceptedit，IshouldhavehadtomakeafreshdeclarationofconformitytotheLiturgyatmyinstitution。Margaret，I

triedtodoit；Itriedtocontentmyselfwithsimplyrefusingtheadditionalpreferment，andstoppingquietlyhere，——stranglingmyconsciencenow，asIhadstraineditbefore。Godforgiveme！'Heroseandwalkedupanddowntheroom，speakinglowwordsofself-reproachandhumiliation，ofwhichMargaretwasthankfultohearbutfew。Atlasthesaid，'Margaret，IreturntotheoldsadburdenwemustleaveHelstone。''Yes！Isee。Butwhen?''Ihavewrittentothebishop——IdaresayIhavetoldyouso，butIforgetthingsjustnow，'saidMr。Hale，collapsingintohisdepressedmannerassoonashecametotalkofhardmatter-of-factdetails，'informinghimofmyintentiontoresignthisvicarage。Hehasbeenmostkind；hehasusedargumentsandexpostulations，allinvain——invain。TheyarebutwhatIhavetrieduponmyself，withoutavail。Ishallhavetotakemydeedofresignation，andwaituponthebishopmyself，tobidhimfarewell。Thatwillbeatrial，butworse，farworse，willbethepartingfrommydearpeople。Thereisacurateappointedtoreadprayers——aMr。Brown。Hewillcometostaywithusto-morrow。NextSundayIpreachmyfarewellsermon。'Wasittobesosuddenthen?thoughtMargaret；andyetperhapsitwasaswell。Lingeringwouldonlyaddstingstothepain；itwasbettertobestunnedintonumbnessbyhearingofallthesearrangements，whichseemedtobenearlycompletedbeforeshehadbeentold。'Whatdoesmammasay?'

askedshe，withadeepsigh。Tohersurprise，herfatherbegantowalkaboutagainbeforeheanswered。

Atlengthhestoppedandreplied:'Margaret，Iamapoorcowardafterall。Icannotbeartogivepain。I

knowsowellyourmother'smarriedlifehasnotbeenallshehoped——allshehadarighttoexpect——andthiswillbesuchablowtoher，thatI

haveneverhadtheheart，thepowertotellher。Shemustbetoldthough，now，'saidhe，lookingwistfullyathisdaughter。Margaretwasalmostoverpoweredwiththeideathathermotherknewnothingofitall，andyettheaffairwassofaradvanced！'Yes，indeedshemust，'saidMargaret。'Perhaps，afterall，shemaynot——Ohyes！shewill，shemustbeshocked'——astheforceoftheblowreturneduponherselfintryingtorealisehowanotherwouldtakeit。'Wherearewetogoto?'saidsheatlast，struckwithafreshwonderastotheirfutureplans，ifplansindeedherfatherhad。'ToMilton-Northern，'heanswered，withadullindifference，forhehadperceivedthat，althoughhisdaughter'slovehadmadeherclingtohim，andforamomentstrivetosoothehimwithherlove，yetthekeennessofthepainwasasfreshaseverinhermind。'Milton-Northern！ThemanufacturingtowninDarkshire?''Yes，'saidhe，inthesamedespondent，indifferentway。'Whythere，papa?'askedshe。'BecausethereIcanearnbreadformyfamily。BecauseIknownoonethere，andnooneknowsHelstone，orcanevertalktomeaboutit。''Breadforyourfamily！Ithoughtyouandmammahad'——andthenshestopped，checkinghernaturalinterestregardingtheirfuturelife，asshesawthegatheringgloomonherfather'sbrow。Buthe，withhisquickintuitivesympathy，readinherface，asinamirror，thereflectionsofhisownmoodydepression，andturneditoffwithaneffort。'Youshallbetoldall，Margaret。Onlyhelpmetotellyourmother。IthinkIcoulddoanythingbutthat:theideaofherdistressturnsmesickwithdread。IfItellyouall，perhapsyoucouldbreakittoherto-morrow。

Iamgoingoutfortheday，tobidFarmerDobsonandthepoorpeopleonBracyCommongood-bye。Wouldyoudislikebreakingittoherverymuch，Margaret?'Margaretdiddislikeit，didshrinkfromitmorethanfromanythingshehadeverhadtodoinherlifebefore。Shecouldnotspeak，allatonce。Herfathersaid，'Youdislikeitverymuch，don'tyou，Margaret?'Thensheconqueredherself，andsaid，withabrightstronglookonherface:'Itisapainfulthing，butitmustbedone，andIwilldoitaswellaseverIcan。Youmusthavemanypainfulthingstodo。'Mr。Haleshookhisheaddespondingly:hepressedherhandintokenofgratitude。

Margaretwasnearlyupsetagainintoaburstofcrying。Toturnherthoughts，shesaid:'Nowtellme，papa，whatourplansare。Youandmammahavesomemoney，independentoftheincomefromtheliving，havenotyou?AuntShawhas，Iknow。''Yes。Isupposewehaveaboutahundredandseventypoundsayearofourown。SeventyofthathasalwaysgonetoFrederick，sincehehasbeenabroad。

Idon'tknowifhewantsitall，'hecontinuedinahesitatingmanner。

'HemusthavesomepayforservingwiththeSpanisharmy。''Frederickmustnotsuffer，'saidMargaret，decidedly；'inaforeigncountry；

sounjustlytreatedbyhisown。AhundredisleftCouldnotyou，andI，andmammaliveonahundredayearinsomeverycheap——veryquietpartofEngland?Oh！Ithinkwecould。''No！'saidMr。Hale。'Thatwouldnotanswer。Imustdosomething。Imustmakemyselfbusy，tokeepoffmorbidthoughts。Besides，inacountryparishIshouldbesopainfullyremindedofHelstone，andmydutieshere。Icouldnotbearit，Margaret。Andahundredayearwouldgoaverylittleway，afterthenecessarywantsofhousekeepingaremet，towardsprovidingyourmotherwithallthecomfortsshehasbeenaccustomedto，andoughttohave。

No:wemustgotoMilton。Thatissettled。Icanalwaysdecidebetterbymyself，andnotinfluencedbythosewhomIlove，'saidhe，asahalfapologyforhavingarrangedsomuchbeforehehadtoldanyoneofhisfamilyofhisintentions。'Icannotstandobjections。Theymakemesoundecided。'Margaretresolvedtokeepsilence。Afterall，whatdiditsignifywheretheywent，comparedtotheoneterriblechange?Mr。Halecontinued:'Afewmonthsago，whenmymiseryofdoubtbecamemorethanIcouldbearwithoutspeaking，IwrotetoMr。Bell——yourememberMr。

Bell，Margaret?''No；Ineversawhim，Ithink。ButIknowwhoheis。Frederick'sgodfather——youroldtutoratOxford，don'tyoumean?''Yes。HeisaFellowofPlymouthCollegethere。HeisanativeofMilton-Northern，Ibelieve。Atanyrate，hehaspropertythere，whichhasverymuchincreasedinvaluesinceMiltonhasbecomesuchalargemanufacturingtown。Well，Ihadreasontosuspect——toimagine——Ihadbettersaynothingaboutit，however。ButIfeltsureofsympathyfromMr。Bell。Idon'tknowthathegavememuchstrength。Hehaslivedaneasylifeinhiscollegeallhisdays。Buthehasbeenaskindascanbe。AnditisowingtohimwearegoingtoMilton。''How?'saidMargaret。'Whyhehastenants，andhouses，andmillsthere；so，thoughhedislikestheplace——toobustlingforoneofhishabits——heisobligedtokeepupsomesortofconnection；andhetellsmethathehearsthereisagoodopeningforaprivatetutorthere。''Aprivatetutor！'saidMargaret，lookingscornful:'Whatintheworlddomanufacturerswantwiththeclassics，orliterature，ortheaccomplishmentsofagentleman?''Oh，'saidherfather，'someofthemreallyseemtobefinefellows，consciousoftheirowndeficiencies，whichismorethanmanyamanatOxfordis。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读