Somewantresolutelytolearn，thoughtheyhavecometoman'sestate。Somewanttheirchildrentobebetterinstructedthantheythemselveshavebeen。
Atanyrate，thereisanopening，asIhavesaid，foraprivatetutor。
Mr。BellhasrecommendedmetoaMr。Thornton，atenantofhis，andaveryintelligentman，asfarasIcanjudgefromhisletters。AndinMilton，Margaret，Ishallfindabusylife，ifnotahappyone，andpeopleandscenessodifferentthatIshallneverberemindedofHelstone。'Therewasthesecretmotive，asMargaretknewfromherownfeelings。Itwouldbedifferent。Discordantasitwas——withalmostadetestationforallshehadeverheardoftheNorthofEngland，themanufacturers，thepeople，thewildandbleakcountry——therewasthisonerecommendation——itwouldbedifferentfromHelstone，andcouldneverremindthemofthatbelovedplace。'Whendowego?'askedMargaret，afterashortsilence。'Idonotknowexactly。Iwantedtotalkitoverwithyou。Yousee，yourmotherknowsnothingaboutityet:butIthink，inafortnight；——aftermydeedofresignationissentin，Ishallhavenorighttoremain。Margaretwasalmoststunned。'Inafortnight！''No——no，notexactlytoaday。Nothingisfixed，'saidherfather，withanxioushesitation，ashenoticedthefilmysorrowthatcameoverhereyes，andthesuddenchangeinhercomplexion。Butsherecoveredherselfimmediately。'Yes，papa，ithadbetterbefixedsoonanddecidedly，asyousay。Onlymammatoknownothingaboutit！Itisthatthatisthegreatperplexity。''PoorMaria！'repliedMr。Hale，tenderly。'Poor，poorMaria！Oh，ifIwerenotmarried——ifIwerebutmyselfintheworld，howeasyitwouldbe！Asitis——Margaret，Idarenottellher！''No，'saidMargaret，sadly，'Iwilldoit。Givemetillto-morroweveningtochoosemytimeOh，papa，'criedshe，withsuddenpassionateentreaty，'say——tellmeitisanight-mare——ahorriddream——nottherealwakingtruth！
YoucannotmeanthatyouarereallygoingtoleavetheChurch——togiveupHelstone——tobeforeverseparatefromme，frommamma——ledawaybysomedelusion——sometemptation！Youdonotreallymeanit！'Mr。Halesatinrigidstillnesswhileshespoke。Thenhelookedherintheface，andsaidinaslow，hoarse，measuredway——'I
domeanit，Margaret。Youmustnotdeceiveyourselfintodoubtingtherealityofmywords——myfixedintentionandresolve。'Helookedatherinthesamesteady，stonymanner，forsomemomentsafterhehaddonespeaking。She，too，gazedbackwithpleadingeyesbeforeshewouldbelievethatitwasirrevocable。Thenshearoseandwent，withoutanotherwordorlook，towardsthedoor。Asherfingerswereonthehandlehecalledherback。Hewasstandingbythefireplace，shrunkandstooping；butasshecamenearhedrewhimselfuptohisfullheight，and，placinghishandsonherhead，hesaid，solemnly:'TheblessingofGodbeuponthee，mychild！''AndmayHerestoreyoutoHisChurch，'respondedshe，outofthefulnessofherheart。Thenextmomentshefearedlestthisanswertohisblessingmightbeirreverent，wrong——mighthurthimascomingfromhisdaughter，andshethrewherarmsroundhisneck。Heheldhertohimforaminuteortwo。Sheheardhimmurmurtohimself，'Themartyrsandconfessorshadevenmorepaintobear——Iwillnotshrink。'TheywerestartledbyhearingMrs。Haleinquiringforherdaughter。Theystartedasunderinthefullconsciousnessofallthatwasbeforethem。
Mr。Halehurriedlysaid——'Go，Margaret，go。Ishallbeoutallto-morrow。
Beforenightyouwillhavetoldyourmother。''Yes，'shereplied，andshereturnedtothedrawing-roominastunnedanddizzystate。
chapter05CHAPTERVDECISION'IaskTheeforathoughtfullove，Throughconstantwatchingwise，Tomeetthegladwithjoyfulsmiles，Andtowipetheweepingeyes；AndaheartatleisurefromitselfTosootheandsympathise。'ANON。Margaretmadeagoodlistenertoallhermother'slittleplansforaddingsomesmallcomfortstothelotofthepoorerparishioners。Shecouldnothelplistening，thougheachnewprojectwasastabtoherheart。Bythetimethefrosthadsetin，theyshouldbefarawayfromHelstone。OldSimon'srheumatismmightbebadandhiseyesightworse；therewouldbenoonetogoandreadtohim，andcomforthimwithlittleporringersofbrothandgoodredflannel:oriftherewas，itwouldbeastranger，andtheoldmanwouldwatchinvainforher。MaryDomville'slittlecrippledboywouldcrawlinvaintothedoorandlookforhercomingthroughtheforest。Thesepoorfriendswouldneverunderstandwhyshehadforsakenthem；andthereweremanyothersbesides。'Papahasalwaysspenttheincomehederivedfromhislivingintheparish。Iam，perhaps，encroachinguponthenextdues，butthewinterislikelytobesevere，andourpooroldpeoplemustbehelped。''Oh，mamma，letusdoallwecan，'saidMargareteagerly，notseeingtheprudentialsideofthequestion，onlygraspingattheideathattheywererenderingsuchhelpforthelasttime；'wemaynotbeherelong。''Doyoufeelill，mydarling?'askedMrs。Hale，anxiously，misunderstandingMargaret'shintoftheuncertaintyoftheirstayatHelstone。'Youlookpaleandtired。Itisthissoft，damp，unhealthyair。''No——no，mamma，itisnotthat:itisdeliciousair。Itsmellsofthefreshest，purestfragrance，afterthesmokinessofHarleyStreet。ButIamtired:
itsurelymustbenearbedtime。''Notfaroff——itishalf-pastnine。Youhadbettergotobedatdear。AskDixonforsomegruel。Iwillcomeandseeyouassoonasyouareinbed。
Iamafraidyouhavetakencold；orthebadairfromsomeofthestagnantponds——''Oh，mamma，'saidMargaret，faintlysmilingasshekissedhermother，'I
amquitewell——don'talarmyourselfaboutme；Iamonlytired。'Margaretwentupstairs。Tosoothehermother'sanxietyshesubmittedtoabasinofgruel。ShewaslyinglanguidlyinbedwhenMrs。Halecameuptomakesomelastinquiriesandkissherbeforegoingtoherownroomforthenight。Buttheinstantsheheardhermother'sdoorlocked，shesprangoutofbed，andthrowingherdressing-gownon，shebegantopaceupanddowntheroom，untilthecreakingofoneoftheboardsremindedherthatshemustmakenonoise。Shewentandcurledherselfuponthewindow-seatinthesmall，deeply-recessedwindow。Thatmorningwhenshehadlookedout，herhearthaddancedatseeingthebrightclearlightsonthechurchtower，whichforetoldafineandsunnyday。Thisevening——sixteenhoursatmosthadpastby——shesatdown，toofullofsorrowtocry，butwithadullcoldpain，whichseemedtohavepressedtheyouthandbuoyancyoutofherheart，nevertoreturn。Mr。HenryLennox'svisit——hisoffer——waslikeadream，athingbesideheractuallife。Thehardrealitywas，thatherfatherhadsoadmittedtemptingdoubtsintohismindastobecomeaschismatic——anoutcast；allthechangesconsequentuponthisgroupedthemselvesaroundthatonegreatblightingfact。Shelookedoutuponthedark-graylinesofthechurchtower，squareandstraightinthecentreoftheview，cuttingagainstthedeepbluetransparentdepthsbeyond，intowhichshegazed，andfeltthatshemightgazeforever，seeingateverymomentsomefartherdistance，andyetnosignofGod！Itseemedtoheratthemoment，asiftheearthwasmoreutterlydesolatethanifgirtinbyanirondome，behindwhichtheremightbetheineffaceablepeaceandgloryoftheAlmighty:thosenever-endingdepthsofspace，intheirstillserenity，weremoremockingtoherthananymaterialboundscouldbe——shuttinginthecriesofearth'ssufferers，whichnowmightascendintothatinfinitesplendourofvastnessandbelost——lostforever，beforetheyreachedHisthrone。Inthismoodherfathercameinunheard。Themoonlightwasstrongenoughtolethimseehisdaughterinherunusualplaceandattitude。Hecametoherandtouchedhershoulderbeforeshewasawarethathewasthere。'Margaret，Iheardyouwereup。Icouldnothelpcomingintoaskyoutopraywithme——tosaytheLord'sPrayer；thatwilldogoodtobothofus。'Mr。HaleandMargaretkneltbythewindow-seat——helookingup，sheboweddowninhumbleshame。Godwasthere，closearoundthem，hearingherfather'swhisperedwords。Herfathermightbeaheretic；buthadnotshe，inherdespairingdoubtsnotfiveminutesbefore，shownherselfafarmoreuttersceptic?Shespokenotaword，butstoletobedafterherfatherhadlefther，likeachildashamedofitsfault。Iftheworldwasfullofperplexingproblemsshewouldtrust，andonlyasktoseetheonestepneedfulforthehour。Mr。Lennox——hisvisit，hisproposal——theremembranceofwhichhadbeensorudelypushedasidebythesubsequenteventsoftheday——hauntedherdreamsthatnight。Hewasclimbingupsometreeoffabulousheighttoreachthebranchwhereonwasslungherbonnet:hewasfalling，andshewasstrugglingtosavehim，butheldbackbysomeinvisiblepowerfulhand。
Hewasdead。Andyet，withashiftingofthescene，shewasoncemoreintheHarleyStreetdrawing-room，talkingtohimasofold，andstillwithaconsciousnessallthetimethatshehadseenhimkilledbythatterriblefall。Miserable，unrestingnight！Illpreparationforthecomingday！Sheawokewithastart，unrefreshed，andconsciousofsomerealityworseeventhanherfeverishdreams。Itallcamebackuponher；notmerelythesorrow，buttheterriblediscordinthesorrow。Where，towhatdistanceapart，hadherfatherwandered，ledbydoubtswhichweretohertemptationsoftheEvilOne?Shelongedtoask，andyetwouldnothaveheardforalltheworld。ThefineCrispmorningmadehermotherfeelparticularlywellandhappyatbreakfast-time。Shetalkedon，planningvillagekindnesses，unheedingthesilenceofherhusbandandthemonosyllabicanswersofMargaret。Beforethethingswereclearedaway，Mr。Halegotup；heleanedonehandonthetable，asiftosupporthimself:'Ishallnotbeathometillevening。IamgoingtoBracyCommon，andwillaskFarmerDobsontogivemesomethingfordinner。Ishallbebacktoteaatseven。'Hedidnotlookateitherofthem，butMargaretknewwhathemeant。Byseventheannouncementmustbemadetohermother。Mr。Halewouldhavedelayedmakingittillhalf-pastsix，butMargaretwasofdifferentstuff。
Shecouldnotbeartheimpendingweightonhermindallthedaylong:bettergettheworstover；thedaywouldbetooshorttocomforthermother。Butwhileshestoodbythewindow，thinkinghowtobegin，andwaitingfortheservanttohavelefttheroom，hermotherhadgoneup-stairstoputonherthingstogototheschool。Shecamedownreadyequipped，inabriskermoodthanusual。'Mother，comeroundthegardenwithmethismorning；justoneturn，'saidMargaret，puttingherarmroundMrs。Hale'swaist。Theypassedthroughtheopenwindow。Mrs。Halespoke——saidsomething——Margaretcouldnottellwhat。Hereyecaughtonabeeenteringadeep-belledflower:
whenthatbeeflewforthwithhisspoilshewouldbegin——thatshouldbethesign。Outhecame。'Mamma！PapaisgoingtoleaveHelstone！'sheblurtedforth。'He'sgoingtoleavetheChurch，andliveinMilton-Northern。'Therewerethethreehardfactshardlyspoken。'Whatmakesyousayso?'askedMrs。Hale，inasurprisedincredulousvoice。
'Whohasbeentellingyousuchnonsense?''Papahimself，'saidMargaret，longingtosaysomethinggentleandconsoling，butliterallynotknowinghow。Theywereclosetoagarden-bench。Mrs。
Halesatdown，andbegantocry。'Idon'tunderstandyou，'shesaid。'Eitheryouhavemadesomegreatmistake，orIdon'tquiteunderstandyou。''No，mother，Ihavemadenomistake。Papahaswrittentothebishop，sayingthathehassuchdoubtsthathecannotconscientiouslyremainapriestoftheChurchofEngland，andthathemustgiveupHelstone。HehasalsoconsultedMr。Bell——Frederick'sgodfather，youknow，mamma；anditisarrangedthatwegotoliveinMilton-Northern。'Mrs。HalelookedupinMargaret'sfaceallthetimeshewasspeakingthesewords:theshadowonhercountenancetoldthatshe，atleast，believedinthetruthofwhatshesaid。'Idon'tthinkitcanbetrue，'saidMrs。Hale，atlength。'Hewouldsurelyhavetoldmebeforeitcametothis。'ItcamestronglyuponMargaret'smindthathermotheroughttohavebeentold:thatwhateverherfaultsofdiscontentandrepiningmighthavebeen，itwasanerrorinherfathertohavelefthertolearnhischangeofopinion，andhisapproachingchangeoflife，fromherbetter-informedchild。Margaretsatdownbyhermother，andtookherunresistingheadonherbreast，bendingherownsoftcheeksdowncaressinglytotouchherface。'Dear，darlingmamma！weweresoafraidofgivingyoupain。Papafeltsoacutely——youknowyouarenotstrong，andtheremusthavebeensuchterriblesuspensetogothrough。''Whendidhetellyou，Margaret?''Yesterday，onlyyesterday，'repliedMargaret，detectingthejealousywhichpromptedtheinquiry。'Poorpapa！'——tryingtodiverthermother'sthoughtsintocompassionatesympathyforallherfatherhadgonethrough。Mrs。Haleraisedherhead。'Whatdoeshemeanbyhavingdoubts?'sheasked。'Surely，hedoesnotmeanthathethinksdifferently——thatheknowsbetterthantheChurch。'Margaretshookherhead，andthetearscameintohereyes，ashermothertouchedthebarenerveofherownregret。'Can'tthebishopsethimright?'askedMrs。Hale，halfimpatiently。'I'mafraidnot，'saidMargaret。'ButIdidnotask。Icouldnotbeartohearwhathemightanswer。Itisallsettledatanyrate。HeisgoingtoleaveHelstoneinafortnight。Iamnotsureifhedidnotsayhehadsentinhisdeedofresignation。''Inafortnight！'exclaimedMrs。Hale，'Idothinkthisisverystrange——notatallright。Icallitveryunfeeling，'saidshe，beginningtotakereliefintears。'Hehasdoubts，yousay，andgivesuphisliving，andallwithoutconsultingme。Idaresay，ifhehadtoldmehisdoubtsatthefirstI
couldhavenippedtheminthebud。'MistakenasMargaretfeltherfather'sconducttohavebeen，shecouldnotbeartohearitblamedbyhermother。Sheknewthathisveryreservehadoriginatedinatendernessforher，whichmightbecowardly，butwasnotunfeeling。'IalmosthopedyoumighthavebeengladtoleaveHelstone，mamma，'saidshe，afterapause。'Youhaveneverbeenwellinthisair，youknow。''Youcan'tthinkthesmokyairofamanufacturingtown，allchimneysanddirtlikeMilton-Northern，wouldbebetterthanthisair，whichispureandsweet，ifitistoosoftandrelaxing。Fancylivinginthemiddleoffactories，andfactorypeople！Though，ofcourse，ifyourfatherleavestheChurch，weshallnotbeadmittedintosocietyanywhere。Itwillbesuchadisgracetous！PoordearSirJohn！Itiswellheisnotalivetoseewhatyourfatherhascometo！Everydayafterdinner，whenIwasagirl，livingwithyourauntShaw，atBeresfordCourt，SirJohnusedtogiveforthefirsttoast——“ChurchandKing，anddownwiththeRump。”'Margaretwasgladthathermother'sthoughtswereturnedawayfromthefactofherhusband'ssilencetoheronthepointwhichmusthavebeensonearhisheart。Nexttotheseriousvitalanxietyastothenatureofherfather'sdoubts，thiswastheonecircumstanceofthecasethatgaveMargaretthemostpain。'Youknow，wehaveverylittlesocietyhere，mamma。TheGormans，whoareournearestneighbours(tocallsociety——andwehardlyeverseethem)，havebeenintradejustasmuchastheseMilton-Northernpeople。''Yes，'saidMrs。Hale，almostindignantly，'but，atanyrate，theGormansmadecarriagesforhalfthegentryofthecounty，andwerebroughtintosomekindofintercoursewiththem；butthesefactorypeople，whoonearthwearscottonthatcanaffordlinen?''Well，mamma，Igiveupthecotton-spinners；Iamnotstandingupforthem，anymorethanforanyothertrades-people。Onlyweshallhavelittleenoughtodowiththem。''WhyonearthhasyourfatherfixedonMilton-Northerntolivein?''Partly，'saidMargaret，sighing，'becauseitissoverydifferentfromHelstone——partlybecauseMr。Bellsaysthereisanopeningthereforaprivatetutor。''PrivatetutorinMilton！Whycan'thegotoOxford，andbeatutortogentlemen?''Youforget，mamma！HeisleavingtheChurchonaccountofhisopinions——hisdoubtswoulddohimnogoodatOxford。'Mrs。Halewassilentforsometime，quietlycrying。Atlastshesaid:——'Andthefurniture——Howintheworldarewetomanagetheremoval?Ineverremovedinmylife，andonlyafortnighttothinkaboutit！'Margaretwasinexpressiblyrelievedtofindthathermother'sanxietyanddistresswasloweredtothispoint，soinsignificanttoherself，andonwhichshecoulddosomuchtohelp。Sheplannedandpromised，andledhermotherontoarrangefullyasmuchascouldbefixedbeforetheyknewsomewhatmoredefinitivelywhatMr。Haleintendedtodo。ThroughoutthedayMargaretneverlefthermother；bendingherwholesoultosympathiseinallthevariousturnsherfeelingstook；towardseveningespecially，asshebecamemoreandmoreanxiousthatherfathershouldfindasoothingwelcomehomeawaitinghim，afterhisreturnfromhisdayoffatigueanddistress。Shedweltuponwhathemusthaveborneinsecretforlong；hermotheronlyrepliedcoldlythatheoughttohavetoldher，andthatthenatanyratehewouldhavehadanadvisertogivehimcounsel；andMargaretturnedfaintatheartwhensheheardherfather'sstepinthehall。Shedarednotgotomeethim，andtellhimwhatshehaddoneallday，forfearofhermother'sjealousannoyance。Sheheardhimlinger，asifawaitingher，orsomesignofher；andshedarednotstir；shesawbyhermother'stwitchinglips，andchangingcolour，thatshetoowasawarethatherhusbandhadreturned。
Presentlyheopenedtheroom-door，andstoodthereuncertainwhethertocomein。Hisfacewasgrayandpale；hehadatimid，fearfullookinhiseyes；somethingalmostpitifultoseeinaman'sface；butthatlookofdespondentuncertainty，ofmentalandbodilylanguor，touchedhiswife'sheart。Shewenttohim，andthrewherselfonhisbreast，cryingout——'Oh！Richard，Richard，youshouldhavetoldmesooner！'Andthen，intears，Margaretlefther，assherushedup-stairstothrowherselfonherbed，andhideherfaceinthepillowstostiflethehystericsobsthatwouldforcetheirwayatlast，aftertherigidself-controlofthewholeday。Howlongshelaythusshecouldnottell。Sheheardnonoise，thoughthehousemaidcameintoarrangetheroom。Theaffrightedgirlstoleoutagainontip-toe，andwentandtoldMrs。DixonthatMissHalewascryingasifherheartwouldbreak:shewassureshewouldmakeherselfdeadlyillifshewentonatthatrate。Inconsequenceofthis，Margaretfeltherselftouched，andstartedupintoasittingposture；shesawtheaccustomedroom，thefigureofDixoninshadow，asthelatterstoodholdingthecandlealittlebehindher，forfearoftheeffectonMissHale'sstartledeyes，swollenandblindedastheywere。'Oh，Dixon！Ididnothearyoucomeintotheroom！'saidMargaret，resuminghertremblingself-restraint。'Isitverylate?'continuedshe，liftingherselflanguidlyoffthebed，yetlettingherfeettouchthegroundwithoutfairlystandingdown，assheshadedherwetruffledhairoffherface，andtriedtolookasthoughnothingwerethematter；asifshehadonlybeenasleep。'Ihardlycantellwhattimeitis，'repliedDixon，inanaggrievedtoneofvoice。'Sinceyourmammatoldmethisterriblenews，whenIdressedherfortea，I'velostallcountoftime。I'msureIdon'tknowwhatistobecomeofusall。WhenCharlottetoldmejustnowyouweresobbing，MissHale，Ithought，nowonder，poorthing！AndmasterthinkingofturningDissenterathistimeoflife，when，ifitisnottobesaidhe'sdonewellintheChurch，he'snotdonebadlyafterall。Ihadacousin，miss，whoturnedMethodistpreacherafterhewasfiftyyearsofage，andatailorallhislife；butthenhehadneverbeenabletomakeapairoftrouserstofit，foraslongashehadbeeninthetrade，soitwasnowonder；butformaster！asIsaidtomissus，“WhatwouldpoorSirJohnhavesaid?heneverlikedyourmarryingMr。Hale，butifhecouldhaveknownitwouldhavecometothis，hewouldhaveswornworseoathsthanever，ifthatwaspossible！“'DixonhadbeensomuchaccustomedtocommentuponMr。Hale'sproceedingstohermistress(wholistenedtoher，ornot，asshewasinthehumour)，thatshenevernoticedMargaret'sflashingeyeanddilatingnostril。Tohearherfathertalkedofinthiswaybyaservanttoherface！'Dixon，'shesaid，inthelowtoneshealwaysusedwhenmuchexcited，whichhadasoundinitasofsomedistantturmoil，orthreateningstormbreakingfaraway。'Dixon！youforgettowhomyouarespeaking。'Shestooduprightandfirmonherfeetnow，confrontingthewaiting-maid，andfixingherwithhersteadydiscerningeye。'IamMr。Hale'sdaughter。Go！Youhavemadeastrangemistake，andonethatIamsureyourowngoodfeelingwillmakeyousorryforwhenyouthinkaboutit。'Dixonhungirresolutelyabouttheroomforaminuteortwo。Margaretrepeated，'Youmayleaveme，Dixon。Iwishyoutogo。'Dixondidnotknowwhethertoresentthesedecidedwordsortocry；eithercoursewouldhavedonewithhermistress:but，asshesaidtoherself，'MissMargarethasatouchoftheoldgentlemanabouther，aswellaspoorMasterFrederick；Iwonderwheretheygetitfrom?'andshe，whowouldhaveresentedsuchwordsfromanyonelesshaughtyanddeterminedinmanner，wassubduedenoughtosay，inahalfhumble，halfinjuredtone:'Mayn'tIunfastenyourgown，miss，anddoyourhair?''No！notto-night，thankyou。'AndMargaretgravelylightedheroutoftheroom，andboltedthedoor。FromhenceforthDixonobeyedandadmiredMargaret。ShesaiditwasbecauseshewassolikepoorMasterFrederick；
butthetruthwas，thatDixon，asdomanyothers，likedtofeelherselfruledbyapowerfulanddecidednature。MargaretneededallDixon'shelpinaction，andsilenceinwords；for，forsometime，thelatterthoughtitherdutytoshowhersenseofaffrontbysayingaslittleaspossibletoheryounglady；sotheenergycameoutindoingratherthaninspeakingAfortnightwasaveryshorttimetomakearrangementsforsoseriousaremoval；asDixonsaid，'Anyonebutagentleman——indeedalmostanyothergentleman——'butcatchingalookatMargaret'sstraight，sternbrowjusthere，shecoughedtheremainderofthesentenceaway，andmeeklytookthehorehounddropthatMargaretofferedher，tostopthe'littleticklingatmychest，miss。'ButalmostanyonebutMr。Halewouldhavehadpracticalknowledgeenoughtosee，thatinsoshortatimeitwouldbedifficulttofixonanyhouseinMilton-Northern，orindeedelsewhere，towhichtheycouldremovethefurniturethathadofnecessitytobetakenoutofHelstonevicarage。Mrs。Hale，overpoweredbyallthetroublesandnecessitiesforimmediatehouseholddecisionsthatseemedtocomeuponheratonce，becamereallyill，andMargaretalmostfeltitasareliefwhenhermotherfairlytooktoherbed，andleftthemanagementofaffairstoher。Dixon，truetoherpostofbody-guard，attendedmostfaithfullytohermistress，andonlyemergedfromMrs。Hale'sbed-roomtoshakeherhead，andmurmurtoherselfinamannerwhichMargaretdidnotchoosetohear。For，theonethingclearandstraightbeforeher，wasthenecessityforleavingHelstone。Mr。Hale'ssuccessorinthelivingwasappointed；and，atanyrate，afterherfather'sdecision；theremustbenolingeringnow，forhissake，aswellasfromeveryotherconsideration。Forhecamehomeeveryeveningmoreandmoredepressed，afterthenecessaryleave-takingwhichhehadresolvedtohavewitheveryindividualparishioner。Margaret，inexperiencedasshewasinallthenecessarymatter-of-factbusinesstobegotthrough，didnotknowtowhomtoapplyforadvice。ThecookandCharlotteworkedawaywithwillingarmsandstoutheartsatallthemovingandpacking；andasfarasthatwent，Margaret'sadmirablesenseenabledhertoseewhatwasbest，andtodirecthowitshouldbedone。Butwhereweretheytogoto?Inaweektheymustbegone。StraighttoMilton，orwhere?SomanyarrangementsdependedonthisdecisionthatMargaretresolvedtoaskherfatheroneevening，inspiteofhisevidentfatigueandlowspirits。Heanswered:'Mydear！Ihavereallyhadtoomuchtothinkabouttosettlethis。Whatdoesyourmothersay?Whatdoesshewish?PoorMaria！'Hemetwithanechoevenlouderthanhissigh。DixonhadjustcomeintotheroomforanothercupofteaforMrs。Hale，andcatchingMr。Hale'slastwords，andprotectedbyhispresencefromMargaret'supbraidingeyes，madeboldtosay，'Mypoormistress！''Youdon'tthinkherworseto-day，'saidMr。Hale，turninghastily。'I'msureIcan'tsay，sir。It'snotformetojudge。Theillnessseemssomuchmoreonthemindthanonthebody。'Mr。Halelookedinfinitelydistressed。'Youhadbettertakemammaherteawhileitishot，Dixon，'saidMargaret，inatoneofquietauthority。'Oh！Ibegyourpardon，miss！Mythoughtswasotherwiseoccupiedinthinkingofmypoor——ofMrs。Hale。''Papa！'saidMargaret，'itisthissuspensethatisbadforyouboth。Ofcourse，mammamustfeelyourchangeofopinions:wecan'thelpthat，'shecontinued，softly；'butnowthecourseisclear，atleasttoacertainpoint。AndIthink，papa，thatIcouldgetmammatohelpmeinplanning，ifyoucouldtellmewhattoplanfor。Shehasneverexpressedanywishinanyway，andonlythinksofwhatcan'tbehelped。ArewetogostraighttoMilton?Haveyoutakenahousethere?''No，'hereplied。'Isupposewemustgointolodgings，andlookaboutforahouse。'Andpackupthefurnituresothatitcanbeleftattherailwaystation，tillwehavemetwithone?''Isupposeso。Dowhatyouthinkbest。Onlyremember，weshallhavemuchlessmoneytospend。'Theyhadneverhadmuchsuperfluity，asMargaretknew。Shefeltthatitwasagreatweightsuddenlythrownuponhershoulders。Fourmonthsago，allthedecisionssheneededtomakewerewhatdressshewouldwearfordinner，andtohelpEdithtodrawoutthelistsofwhoshouldtakedownwhominthedinnerpartiesathome。Norwasthehouseholdinwhichshelivedonethatcalledformuchdecision。ExceptintheonegrandcaseofCaptainLennox'soffer，everythingwentonwiththeregularityofclockwork。
Onceayear，therewasalongdiscussionbetweenherauntandEdithastowhethertheyshouldgototheIsleofWight，abroad，ortoScotland；
butatsuchtimesMargaretherselfwassecureofdrifting，withoutanyexertionofherown，intothequietharbourofhome。Now，sincethatdaywhenMr。Lennoxcame，andstartledherintoadecision，everydaybroughtsomequestion，momentoustoher，andtothosewhomsheloved，tobesettled。Herfatherwentupafterteatositwithhiswife。Margaretremainedaloneinthedrawing-room。Suddenlyshetookacandleandwentintoherfather'sstudyforagreatatlas，andluggingitbackintothedrawing-room，shebegantoporeoverthemapofEngland。Shewasreadytolookupbrightlywhenherfathercamedownstairs。'Ihavehituponsuchabeautifulplan。Lookhere——inDarkshire，hardlythebreadthofmyfingerfromMilton，isHeston，whichIhaveoftenheardoffrompeoplelivinginthenorthassuchapleasantlittlebathing-place。
Now，don'tyouthinkwecouldgetmammatherewithDixon，whileyouandIgoandlookathouses，andgetoneallreadyforherinMilton?Shewouldgetabreathofseaairtosetherupforthewinter，andbesparedallthefatigue，andDixonwouldenjoytakingcareofher。''IsDixontogowithus?'askedMr。Hale，inakindofhelplessdismay。'Oh，yes！'saidMargaret。'Dixonquiteintendsit，andIdon'tknowwhatmammawoulddowithouther。''Butweshallhavetoputupwithaverydifferentwayofliving，Iamafraid。Everythingissomuchdearerinatown。IdoubtifDixoncanmakeherselfcomfortable。TotellyouthetruthMargaret，Isometimesfeelasifthatwomangaveherselfairs。''Tobesureshedoes，papa，'repliedMargaret；'andifshehastoputupwithadifferentstyleofliving，weshallhavetoputupwithherairs，whichwillbeworse。Butshereallylovesusall，andwouldbemiserabletoleaveus，Iamsure——especiallyinthischange；so，formamma'ssake，andforthesakeofherfaithfulness，Idothinkshemustgo。''Verywell，mydear。Goon。Iamresigned。HowfarisHestonfromMilton?
Thebreadthofoneofyourfingersdoesnotgivemeaveryclearideaofdistance。''Well，then，Isupposeitisthirtymiles；thatisnotmuch！''Notindistance，butin。Nevermind！Ifyoureallythinkitwilldoyourmothergood，letitbefixedso。'Thiswasagreatstep。NowMargaretcouldwork，andact，andplaningoodearnest。AndnowMrs。Halecouldrouseherselffromherlanguor，andforgetherrealsufferinginthinkingofthepleasureandthedelightofgoingtothesea-side。HeronlyregretwasthatMr。Halecouldnotbewithherallthefortnightshewastobethere，ashehadbeenforawholefortnightonce，whentheywereengaged，andshewasstayingwithSirJohnandLadyBeresfordatTorquay。
chapter06CHAPTERVIFAREWELL'Unwatch'dthegardenboughshallsway，Thetenderblossomflutterdown，Unlovedthatbeechwillgatherbrown，Themapleburnitselfaway；Unloved，thesun-flower，shiningfair，Rayroundwithflamesherdiskofseed，Andmanyarose-carnationfeedWithsummerspicethehummingair；******TillfromthegardenandthewildAfreshassociationblow，AndyearbyyearthelandscapegrowFamiliartothestranger'schildAsyearbyyearthelabourertillsHiswontedglebe，orlopstheglades；AndyearbyyearourmemoryfadesFromallthecircleofthehills。'TENNYSON。Thelastdaycame；thehousewasfullofpacking-cases，whichwerebeingcartedoffatthefrontdoor，tothenearestrailwaystation。Eventheprettylawnatthesideofthehousewasmadeunsightlyanduntidybythestrawthathadbeenwafteduponitthroughtheopendoorandwindows。Theroomshadastrangeechoingsoundinthem，——andthelightcameharshlyandstronglyinthroughtheuncurtainedwindows，——seemingalreadyunfamiliarandstrange。Mrs。Hale'sdressing-roomwasleftuntouchedtothelast；
andtheresheandDixonwerepackingupclothes，andinterruptingeachothereverynowandthentoexclaimat，andturnoverwithfondregard，someforgottentreasure，intheshapeofsomerelicofthechildrenwhiletheywereyetlittle。Theydidnotmakemuchprogresswiththeirwork。
Down-stairs，Margaretstoodcalmandcollected，readytocounseloradvisethemenwhohadbeencalledintohelpthecookandCharlotte。Thesetwolast，cryingbetweenwhiles，wonderedhowtheyoungladycouldkeepupsothislastday，andsettleditbetweenthemthatshewasnotlikelytocaremuchforHelstone，havingbeensolonginLondon。Thereshestood，verypaleandquiet，withherlargegraveeyesobservingeverything，——uptoeverypresentcircumstance，howeversmall。Theycouldnotunderstandhowherheartwasachingallthetime，withaheavypressurethatnosighscouldliftofforrelieve，andhowconstantexertionforherperceptivefacultieswastheonlywaytokeepherselffromcryingoutwithpain。Moreover，ifshegaveway，whowastoact?Herfatherwasexaminingpapers，books，registers，whatnot，inthevestrywiththeclerk；andwhenhecamein，therewerehisownbookstopackup，whichnoonebuthimselfcoulddotohissatisfaction。Besides，wasMargaretonetogivewaybeforestrangemen，orevenhouseholdfriendslikethecookandCharlotte！Notshe。Butatlastthefourpackerswentintothekitchentotheirtea；andMargaretmovedstifflyandslowlyawayfromtheplaceinthehallwhereshehadbeenstandingsolong，outthroughthebareechoingdrawing-room，intothetwilightofanearlyNovemberevening。Therewasafilmyveilofsoftdullmistobscuring，butnothiding，allobjects，givingthemalilachue，forthesunhadnotyetfullyset；arobinwassinging，——perhaps，Margaretthought，theveryrobinthatherfatherhadsooftentalkedofashiswinterpet，andforwhichhehadmade，withhisownhands，akindofrobin-housebyhisstudy-window。Theleavesweremoregorgeousthanever；thefirsttouchoffrostwouldlaythemalllowontheground。Alreadyoneortwokeptconstantlyfloatingdown，amberandgoldeninthelowslantingsun-rays。Margaretwentalongthewalkunderthepear-treewall。ShehadneverbeenalongitsinceshepaceditatHenryLennox'sside。Here，atthisbedofthyme，hebegantospeakofwhatshemustnotthinkofnow。Hereyeswereonthatlate-blowingroseasshewastryingtoanswer；andshehadcaughttheideaofthevividbeautyofthefeatheryleavesofthecarrotsintheverymiddleofhislastsentence。OnlyafortnightagoAndallsochanged！
Wherewashenow?InLondon，——goingthroughtheoldround；diningwiththeoldHarleyStreetset，orwithgayeryoungfriendsofhisown。Evennow，whileshewalkedsadlythroughthatdampanddreargardeninthedusk，witheverythingfallingandfading，andturningtodecayaroundher，hemightbegladlyputtingawayhislaw-booksafteradayofsatisfactorytoil，andfresheninghimselfup，ashehadtoldherheoftendid，byarunintheTempleGardens，takinginthewhilethegrandinarticulatemightyroaroftensofthousandsofbusymen，nighathand，butnotseen，andcatchingever，athisquickturns，glimpsesofthelightsofthecitycomingupoutofthedepthsoftheriver。HehadoftenspokentoMargaretofthesehastywalks，snatchedintheintervalsbetweenstudyanddinner。Athisbesttimesandinhisbestmoodshadhespokenofthem；andthethoughtofthemhadstruckuponherfancy。Heretherewasnosound。Therobinhadgoneawayintothevaststillnessofnight。Nowandthen，acottagedoorinthedistancewasopenedandshut，asiftoadmitthetiredlabourertohishome；butthatsoundedveryfaraway。Astealthy，creeping，cranchingsoundamongthecrispfallenleavesoftheforest，beyondthegarden，seemedalmostcloseathand。Margaretknewitwassomepoacher。Sittingupinherbed-roomthispastautumn，withthelightofhercandleextinguished，andpurelyrevellinginthesolemnbeautyoftheheavensandtheearth，shehadmanyatimeseenthelightnoiselessleapofthepoachersoverthegarden-fence，theirquicktrampacrossthedewymoonlitlawn，theirdisappearanceintheblackstillshadowbeyond。Thewildadventurousfreedomoftheirlifehadtakenherfancy；shefeltinclinedtowishthemsuccess；
shehadnofearofthem。Butto-nightshewasafraid，sheknewnotwhy。
SheheardCharlotteshuttingthewindows，andfasteningupforthenight，unconsciousthatanyonehadgoneoutintothegarden。Asmallbranch——itmightbeofrottenwood，oritmightbebrokenbyforce——cameheavilydowninthenearestpartoftheforest，Margaretran，swiftasCamilla，downtothewindow，andrappedatitwithahurriedtremulousnesswhichstartledCharlottewithin。'Letmein！Letmein！Itisonlyme，Charlotte！'Herheartdidnotstillitsflutteringtillshewassafeinthedrawing-room，withthewindowsfastenedandbolted，andthefamiliarwallshemmingherround，andshuttingherin。Shehadsatedownuponapackingcase；cheerless，Chillwasthedrearyanddismantledroom——nofirenorotherlight，butCharlotte'slongunsnuffedcandle。CharlottelookedatMargaretwithsurprise；andMargaret，feelingitratherthanseeingit，roseup。'Iwasafraidyouwereshuttingmeoutaltogether，Charlotte，'saidshe，half-smiling。'Andthenyouwouldneverhaveheardmeinthekitchen，andthedoorsintothelaneandchurchyardarelockedlongago。''Oh，miss，Ishouldhavebeensuretohavemissedyousoon。Themenwouldhavewantedyoutotellthemhowtogoon。AndIhaveputteainmaster'sstudy，asbeingthemostcomfortableroom，sotospeak。''Thankyou，Charlotte。Youareakindgirl。Ishallbesorrytoleaveyou。
Youmusttryandwritetome，ifIcanevergiveyouanylittlehelporgoodadvice。IshallalwaysbegladtogetaletterfromHelstone，youknow。Ishallbesureandsendyoumyaddresswhen。Iknowit。'Thestudywasallreadyfortea。Therewasagoodblazingfire，andunlightedcandlesonthetable。Margaretsatdownontherug，partlytowarmherself，forthedampnessoftheeveninghungaboutherdress，andoverfatiguehadmadeherchilly。Shekeptherselfbalancedbyclaspingherhandstogetherroundherknees；herheaddroppedalittletowardsherchest；theattitudewasoneofdespondency，whateverherframeofmindmightbe。Butwhensheheardherfather'ssteponthegraveloutside，shestartedup，andhastilyshakingherheavyblackhairback，andwipingafewtearsawaythathadcomeonhercheekssheknewnothow，shewentouttoopenthedoorforhim。Heshowedfarmoredepressionthanshedid。Shecouldhardlygethimtotalk，althoughshetriedtospeakonsubjectsthatwouldinteresthim，atthecostofanefforteverytimewhichshethoughtwouldbeherlast。'Haveyoubeenaverylongwalkto-day?'askedshe，onseeinghisrefusaltotouchfoodofanykind。'AsfarasFordhamBeeches。IwenttoseeWidowMaltby；sheissadlygrievedatnothavingwishedyougood-bye。ShesayslittleSusanhaskeptwatchdownthelanefordayspast——Nay，Margaret，whatisthematter，dear?'
Thethoughtofthelittlechildwatchingforher，andcontinuallydisappointed——fromnoforgetfulnessonherpart，butfromsheerinabilitytoleavehome——wasthelastdropinpoorMargaret'scup，andshewassobbingawayasifherheartwouldbreak。Mr。Halewasdistressinglyperplexed。Herose，andwalkednervouslyupanddowntheroom。Margarettriedtocheckherself，butwouldnotspeakuntilshecoulddosowithfirmness。Sheheardhimtalking，asiftohimself。'Icannotbearit。Icannotbeartoseethesufferingsofothers。IthinkIcouldgothroughmyownwithpatience。Oh，istherenogoingback?''No，father，'saidMargaret，lookingstraightathim，andspeakinglowandsteadily。'Itisbadtobelieveyouinerror。Itwouldheinfinitelyworsetohaveknownyouahypocrite。'Shedroppedhervoiceatthelastfewwords，asifentertainingtheideaofhypocrisyforamomentinconnectionwithherfathersavouredofirreverence。'Besides，'shewenton，'itisonlythatIamtiredto-night；don'tthinkthatIamsufferingfromwhatyouhavedone，dearpapa。Wecan'teitherofustalkaboutitto-night，Ibelieve，'saidshe，findingthattearsandsobswouldcomeinspiteofherself。'Ihadbettergoandtakemammaupthiscupoftea。Shehadhersveryearly，whenIwastoobusytogotoher，andIamsureshewillbegladofanothernow。'Railroadtimeinexorablywrenchedthemawayfromlovely，belovedHelstone，thenextmorning。Theyweregone；theyhadseenthelastofthelonglowparsonagehome，half-coveredwithChina-rosesandpyracanthus——morehomelikethaneverinthemorningsunthatglitteredonitswindows，eachbelongingtosomewell-lovedroom。Almostbeforetheyhadsettledthemselvesintothecar，sentfromSouthamptontofetchthemtothestation，theyweregoneawaytoreturnnomore。AstingatMargaret'sheartmadeherstrivetolookouttocatchthelastglimpseoftheoldchurchtowerattheturnwheresheknewitmightbeseenaboveawaveoftheforesttrees；butherfatherrememberedthistoo，andshesilentlyacknowledgedhisgreaterrighttotheonewindowfromwhichitcouldbeseen。Sheleantbackandshuthereyes，andthetearswelledforth，andhungglitteringforaninstantontheshadowingeye-lashesbeforerollingslowlydownhercheeks，anddropping，unheeded，onherdress。TheyweretostopinLondonallnightatsomequiethotel。PoorMrs。Halehadcriedinherwaynearlyalldaylong；andDixonshowedhersorrowbyextremecrossness，andacontinualirritableattempttokeepherpetticoatsfromeventouchingtheunconsciousMr。Hale，whomsheregardedastheoriginofallthissuffering。Theywentthroughthewell-knownstreets，pasthouseswhichtheyhadoftenvisited，pastshopsinwhichshehadlounged，impatient，byheraunt'sside，whilethatladywasmakingsomeimportantandinterminabledecision-nay，absolutelypastacquaintancesinthestreets；forthoughthemorninghadbeenofanincalculablelengthtothem，andtheyfeltasifitoughtlongagotohaveclosedinforthereposeofdarkness，itwastheverybusiesttimeofaLondonafternooninNovemberwhentheyarrivedthere。ItwaslongsinceMrs。HalehadbeeninLondon；andsherousedup，almostlikeachild，tolookaboutheratthedifferentstreets，andtogazeafterandexclaimattheshopsandcarriages。'Oh，there'sHarrison's，whereIboughtsomanyofmywedding-things。Dear！
howaltered！They'vegotimmenseplate-glasswindows，largerthanCrawford'sinSouthampton。Oh，andthere，Ideclare——no，itisnot——yes，itis——Margaret，wehavejustpassedMr。HenryLennox。Wherecanhebegoing，amongalltheseshops?'Margaretstartedforwards，andasquicklyfellback，half-smilingatherselfforthesuddenmotion。Theywereahundredyardsawaybythistime；butheseemedlikearelicofHelstone——hewasassociatedwithabrightmorning，aneventfulday，andsheshouldhavelikedtohaveseenhim，withouthisseeingher，——withoutthechanceoftheirspeaking。Theevening，withoutemployment，passedinaroomhighupinanhotel，waslongandheavy。Mr。Halewentouttohisbookseller's，andtocallonafriendortwo。Everyonetheysaw，eitherinthehouseoroutinthestreets，appearedhurryingtosomeappointment，expectedby，orexpectingsomebody。Theyaloneseemedstrangeandfriendless，anddesolate。Yetwithinamile，Margaretknewofhouseafterhouse，wheresheforherownsake，andhermotherforherauntShaw's，wouldbewelcomed，iftheycameingladness，oreveninpeaceofmind。Iftheycamesorrowing，andwantingsympathyinacomplicatedtroublelikethepresent，thentheywouldbefeltasashadowinallthesehousesofintimateacquaintances，notfriends。
LondonlifeistoowhirlingandfulltoadmitofevenanhourofthatdeepsilenceoffeelingwhichthefriendsofJobshowed，when'theysatwithhimonthegroundsevendaysandsevennights，andnonespakeaworduntohim；fortheysawthathisgriefwasverygreat。'
chapter07CHAPTERVIINEWSCENESANDFACES'Mistclogsthesunshine，SmokydwarfhousesHaveweroundoneveryside。'MATTHEWARNOLD。Thenextafternoon，abouttwentymilesfromMilton-Northern，theyenteredonthelittlebranchrailwaythatledtoHeston。Hestonitselfwasonelongstragglingstreet，runningparalleltotheseashore。Ithadacharacterofitsown，asdifferentfromthelittlebathing-placesinthesouthofEnglandastheyagainfromthoseofthecontinent。TouseaScotchword，everythinglookedmore'purposelike。'Thecountrycartshadmoreiron，andlesswoodandleatheraboutthehorse-gear；thepeopleinthestreets，althoughonpleasurebent，hadyetabusymind。Thecolourslookedgrayer——moreenduring，notsogayandpretty。Therewerenosmock-frocks，evenamongthecountryfolk；theyretardedmotion，andwereapttocatchonmachinery，andsothehabitofwearingthemhaddiedout。InsuchtownsinthesouthofEngland，Margarethadseentheshopmen，whennotemployedintheirbusiness，loungingalittleattheirdoors，enjoyingthefreshair，andthelookupanddownthestreet。Here，iftheyhadanyleisurefromcustomers，theymadethemselvesbusinessintheshop——even，Margaretfancied，totheunnecessaryunrollingandrerollingofribbons。Allthesedifferencesstruckuponhermind，assheandhermotherwentoutnextmorningtolookforlodgings。TheirtwonightsathotelshadcostmorethanMr。Halehadanticipated，andtheyweregladtotakethefirstclean，cheerfulforthefirsttimeformanydays，didMargaretfeelatrest。Thereroomstheymetwiththatwereatlibertytoreceivethem。There，wasadreaminessintherest，too，whichmadeitstillmoreperfectandluxurioustoreposein。Thedistantsea，lappingthesandyshorewithmeasuredsound；thenearercriesofthedonkey-boys；theunusualscenesmovingbeforeherlikepictures，whichshecarednotinherlazinesstohavefullyexplainedbeforetheypassedaway；thestrolldowntothebeachtobreathethesea-air，softandwarmonthatsandyshoreeventotheendofNovember；thegreatlongmistysea-linetouchingthetender-colouredsky；thewhitesailofadistantboatturningsilverinsomepalesunbeam:——itseemedasifshecoulddreamherlifeawayinsuchluxuryofpensiveness，inwhichshemadeherpresentallinall，fromnotdaringtothinkofthepast，orwishingtocontemplatethefuture。Butthefuturemustbemet，howeversternandironitbe。OneeveningitwasarrangedthatMargaretandherfathershouldgothenextdaytoMilton-Northern，andlookoutforahouse。Mr。HalehadreceivedseverallettersfromMr。
Bell，andoneortwofromMr。Thornton，andhewasanxioustoascertainatonceagoodmanyparticularsrespectinghispositionandchancesofsuccessthere，whichhecouldonlydobyaninterviewwiththelattergentleman。
Margaretknewthattheyoughttoberemoving；butshehadarepugnancetotheideaofamanufacturingtown，andbelievedthathermotherwasreceivingbenefitfromHestonair，soshewouldwillinglyhavedeferredtheexpeditiontoMilton。ForseveralmilesbeforetheyreachedMilton，theysawadeeplead-colouredcloudhangingoverthehorizoninthedirectioninwhichitlay。Itwasallthedarkerfromcontrastwiththepalegray-blueofthewintrysky；
forinHestontherehadbeentheearliestsignsoffrost。Nearertothetown，theairhadafainttasteandsmellofsmoke；perhaps，afterall，morealossofthefragranceofgrassandherbagethananypositivetasteorsmell。Quicktheywerewhirledoverlong，straight，hopelessstreetsofregularly-builthouses，allsmallandofbrick。Hereandthereagreatoblongmany-windowedfactorystoodup，likeahenamongherchickens，puffingoutblack'unparliamentary'smoke，andsufficientlyaccountingforthecloudwhichMargarethadtakentoforetellrain。Astheydrovethroughthelargerandwiderstreets，fromthestationtothehotel，theyhadtostopconstantly；greatloadedlurriesblockedupthenotover-widethoroughfares。
Margarethadnowandthenbeenintothecityinherdriveswithheraunt。
Buttheretheheavylumberingvehiclesseemedvariousintheirpurposesandintent；hereeveryvan，everywaggonandtruck，borecotton，eitherintherawshapeinbags，orthewovenshapeinbalesofcalico。Peoplethrongedthefootpaths，mostofthemwell-dressedasregardedthematerial，butwithaslovenlyloosenesswhichstruckMargaretasdifferentfromtheshabby，threadbaresmartnessofasimilarclassinLondon。'NewStreet，'saidMr。Hale。'This，Ibelieve，istheprincipalstreetinMilton。Bellhasoftenspokentomeaboutit。Itwastheopeningofthisstreetfromalaneintoagreatthoroughfare，thirtyyearsago，whichhascausedhispropertytorisesomuchinvalue。Mr。Thornton'smillmustbesomewherenotveryfaroff，forheisMr。Bell'stenant。ButIfancyhedatesfromhiswarehouse。''Whereisourhotel，papa?''Closetotheendofthisstreet，Ibelieve。ShallwehavelunchbeforeorafterwehavelookedatthehouseswemarkedintheMiltonTimes?''Oh，letusgetourworkdonefirst。''Verywell。ThenIwillonlyseeifthereisanynoteorletterformefromMr。Thornton，whosaidhewouldletmeknowanythinghemighthearaboutthesehouses，andthenwewillsetoff。Wewillkeepthecab；itwillbesaferthanlosingourselves，andbeingtoolateforthetrainthisafternoon。'Therewerenolettersawaitinghim。Theysetoutontheirhouse-hunting。
Thirtypoundsa-yearwasalltheycouldaffordtogive，butinHampshiretheycouldhavemetwitharoomyhouseandpleasantgardenforthemoney。
Here，eventhenecessaryaccommodationoftwositting-roomsandfourbed-roomsseemedunattainable。Theywentthroughtheirlist，rejectingeachastheyvisitedit。Thentheylookedateachotherindismay。'Wemustgobacktothesecond，Ithink。Thatone，——inCrampton，don'ttheycallthesuburb?Therewerethreesitting-rooms；don'tyourememberhowwelaughedatthenumbercomparedwiththethreebed-rooms?ButIhaveplanneditall。Thefrontroomdown-stairsistobeyourstudyandourdining-room(poorpapa！)，for，youknow，wesettledmammaistohaveascheerfulasitting-roomaswecanget；andthatfrontroomup-stairs，withtheatrociousblueandpinkpaperandheavycornice，hadreallyaprettyviewovertheplain，withagreatbendofriver，orcanal，orwhateveritis，downbelow。ThenIcouldhavethelittlebed-roombehind，inthatprojectionattheheadofthefirstflightofstairs——overthekitchen，youknow——andyouandmammatheroombehindthedrawing-room，andthatclosetintheroofwillmakeyouasplendiddressing-room。''ButDixon，andthegirlwearetohavetohelp?''Oh，waitaminute。Iamoverpoweredbythediscoveryofmyowngeniusformanagement。Dixonistohave——letmesee，Ihaditonce——thebacksitting-room。
Ithinkshewilllikethat。ShegrumblessomuchaboutthestairsatHeston；
andthegirlistohavethatslopingatticoveryourroomandmamma's。
Won'tthatdo?''Idaresayitwill。Butthepapers。Whattaste！Andtheoverloadingsuchahousewithcolourandsuchheavycornices！''Nevermind，papa！Surely，youcancharmthelandlordintore-paperingoneortwooftherooms——thedrawing-roomandyourbed-room——formammawillcomemostincontactwiththem；andyourbook-shelveswillhideagreatdealofthatgaudypatterninthedining-room。''Thenyouthinkitthebest?Ifso，IhadbettergoatonceandcallonthisMr。Donkin，towhomtheadvertisementrefersme。Iwilltakeyoubacktothehotel，whereyoucanorderlunch，andrest，andbythetimeitisready，Ishallbewithyou。IhopeIshallbeabletogetnewpapers。'Margarethopedsotoo，thoughshesaidnothing。Shehadnevercomefairlyincontactwiththetastethatlovesornament，howeverbad，morethantheplainnessandsimplicitywhichareofthemselvestheframeworkofelegance。Herfathertookherthroughtheentranceofthehotel，andleavingheratthefootofthestaircase，wenttotheaddressofthelandlordofthehousetheyhadfixedupon。JustasMargarethadherhandonthedooroftheirsitting-room，shewasfollowedbyaquick-steppingwaiter:'Ibegyourpardon，ma'am。Thegentlemanwasgonesoquickly，Ihadnotimetotellhim。Mr。Thorntoncalledalmostdirectlyafteryouleft；and，asIunderstoodfromwhatthegentlemansaid，youwouldbebackinanhour，Itoldhimso，andhecameagainaboutfiveminutesago，andsaidhewouldwaitforMr。Hale。Heisinyourroomnow，ma'am。''Thankyou。Myfatherwillreturnsoon，andthenyoucantellhim。'Margaretopenedthedoorandwentinwiththestraight，fearless，dignifiedpresencehabitualtoher。Shefeltnoawkwardness；shehadtoomuchthehabitsofsocietyforthat。Herewasapersoncomeonbusinesstoherfather；
and，ashewasonewhohadshownhimselfobliging，shewasdisposedtotreathimwithafullmeasureofcivility。Mr。Thorntonwasagooddealmoresurprisedanddiscomfitedthanshe。Insteadofaquiet，middle-agedclergyman，ayoungladycameforwardwithfrankdignity，——ayoungladyofadifferenttypetomostofthosehewasinthehabitofseeing。Herdresswasveryplain:aclosestrawbonnetofthebestmaterialandshape，trimmedwithwhiteribbon；adarksilkgown，withoutanytrimmingorflounce；
alargeIndianshawl，whichhungaboutherinlongheavyfolds，andwhichsheworeasanempresswearsherdrapery。Hedidnotunderstandwhoshewas，ashecaughtthesimple，straight，unabashedlook，whichshowedthathisbeingtherewasofnoconcerntothebeautifulcountenance，andcalledupnoflushofsurprisetothepaleivoryofthecomplexion。HehadheardthatMr。Halehadadaughter，buthehadimaginedthatshewasalittlegirl。'Mr。Thornton，Ibelieve！'saidMargaret，afterahalf-instant'spause，duringwhichhisunreadywordswouldnotcome。'Willyousitdown。Myfatherbroughtmetothedoor，notaminuteago，butunfortunatelyhewasnottoldthatyouwerehere，andhehasgoneawayonsomebusiness。Buthewillcomebackalmostdirectly。Iamsorryyouhavehadthetroubleofcallingtwice。'Mr。Thorntonwasinhabitsofauthorityhimself，butsheseemedtoassumesomekindofruleoverhimatonce。Hehadbeengettingimpatientatthelossofhistimeonamarket-day，themomentbeforesheappeared，yetnowhecalmlytookaseatatherbidding。'DoyouknowwhereitisthatMr。Halehasgoneto?PerhapsImightbeabletofindhim。''HehasgonetoaMr。Donkin'sinCanuteStreet。Heistheland-lordofthehousemyfatherwishestotakeinCrampton。'Mr。Thorntonknewthehouse。Hehadseentheadvertisement，andbeentolookatit，incompliancewitharequestofMr。Bell'sthathewouldassistMr。Haletothebestofhispower:andalsoinstigatedbyhisowninterestinthecaseofaclergymanwhohadgivenuphislivingundercircumstancessuchasthoseofMr。Hale。Mr。ThorntonhadthoughtthatthehouseinCramptonwasreallyjustthething；butnowthathesawMargaret，withhersuperbwaysofmovingandlooking，hebegantofeelashamedofhavingimaginedthatitwoulddoverywellfortheHales，inspiteofacertainvulgarityinitwhichhadstruckhimatthetimeofhislookingitover。Margaretcouldnothelpherlooks；buttheshortcurledupperlip，theround，massiveup-turnedchin，themannerofcarryingherhead，hermovements，fullofasoftfemininedefiance，alwaysgavestrangerstheimpressionofhaughtiness。Shewastirednow，andwouldratherhaveremainedsilent，andtakentherestherfatherhadplannedforher；but，ofcourse，sheowedittoherselftobeagentlewoman，andtospeakcourteouslyfromtimetotimetothisstranger；notover-brushed，norover-polished，itmustbeconfessed，afterhisroughencounterwithMiltonstreetsandcrowds。
Shewishedthathewouldgo，ashehadoncespokenofdoing，insteadofsittingthere，answeringwithcurtsentencesalltheremarksshemade。
Shehadtakenoffhershawl，andhungitoverthebackofherchair。Shesatfacinghimandfacingthelight；herfullbeautymethiseye；herroundwhiteflexilethroatrisingoutofthefull，yetlithefigure；herlips，movingsoslightlyasshespoke，notbreakingthecoldserenelookofherfacewithanyvariationfromtheonelovelyhaughtycurve；hereyes，withtheirsoftgloom，meetinghiswithquietmaidenfreedom。Healmostsaidtohimselfthathedidnotlikeher，beforetheirconversationended；hetriedsotocompensatehimselfforthemortifiedfeeling，thatwhilehelookeduponherwithanadmirationhecouldnotrepress，shelookedathimwithproudindifference，takinghim，hethought，forwhat，inhisirritation，hetoldhimselfhewas——agreatroughfellow，withnotagraceorarefinementabouthim。Herquietcoldnessofdemeanourheinterpretedintocontemptuousness，andresenteditinhishearttothepitchofalmostinclininghimtogetupandgoaway，andhavenothingmoretodowiththeseHales，andtheirsuperciliousness。JustasMargarethadexhaustedherlastsubjectofconversation——andyetconversationthatcouldhardlybecalledwhichconsistedofsofewandsuchshortspeeches——herfathercamein，andwithhispleasantgentlemanlycourteousnessofapology，reinstatedhisnameandfamilyinMr。Thornton'sgoodopinion。Mr。Haleandhisvisitorhadagooddealtosayrespectingtheirmutualfriend，Mr。Bell；andMargaret，gladthatherpartofentertainingthevisitorwasover，wenttothewindowtotryandmakeherselfmorefamiliarwiththestrangeaspectofthestreet。Shegotsomuchabsorbedinwatchingwhatwasgoingonoutsidethatshehardlyheardherfatherwhenhespoketoher，andhehadtorepeatwhathesaid:'Margaret！thelandlordwillpersistinadmiringthathideouspaper，andIamafraidwemustletitremain。''Ohdear！Iamsorry！'shereplied，andbegantoturnoverinhermindthepossibilityofhidingpartofit，atleast，bysomeofhersketches，butgaveuptheideaatlast，aslikelyonlytomakebadworse。Herfather，meanwhile，withhiskindlycountryhospitality，waspressingMr。Thorntontostaytoluncheonwiththem。Itwouldhavebeenveryinconvenienttohimtodoso，yethefeltthatheshouldhaveyielded，ifMargaretbywordorlookhadsecondedherfather'sinvitation；hewasgladshedidnot，andyethewasirritatedatherfornotdoingit。Shegavehimalow，gravebowwhenheleft，andhefeltmoreawkwardandself-consciousineverylimbthanhehadeverdoneinallhislifebefore。'Well，Margaret，nowtoluncheon，asfastwecan。Haveyouorderedit?''No，papa；thatmanwasherewhenIcamehome，andIhaveneverhadanopportunity。''Thenwemusttakeanythingwecanget。Hemusthavebeenwaitingalongtime，I'mafraid。''Itseemedexceedinglylongtome。Iwasjustatthelastgaspwhenyoucamein。Heneverwentonwithanysubject，butgavelittle，short，abruptanswers。''Verymuchtothepointthough，Ishouldthink。Heisaclearheadedfellow。
Hesaid(didyouhear?)thatCramptonisongravellysoil，andbyfarthemosthealthysuburbintheneighbourhoodofMilton。'WhentheyreturnedtoHeston，therewastheday'saccounttobegiventoMrs。Hale，whowasfullofquestionswhichtheyansweredintheintervalsoftea-drinking。'Andwhatisyourcorrespondent，Mr。Thornton，like?''AskMargaret，'saidherhusband。'Sheandhehadalongattemptatconversation，whileIwasawayspeakingtothelandlord。''Oh！Ihardlyknowwhatheislike，'saidMargaret，lazily；tootiredtotaxherpowersofdescriptionmuch。Andthenrousingherself，shesaid，'Heisatall，broad-shoulderedman，about——howold，papa?''Ishouldguessaboutthirty。''Aboutthirty——withafacethatisneitherexactlyplain，noryethandsome，nothingremarkable——notquiteagentleman；butthatwashardlytobeexpected。''Notvulgar，orcommonthough，'putinherfather，ratherjealousofanydisparagementofthesolefriendhehadinMilton。'Ohno！'saidMargaret。'Withsuchanexpressionofresolutionandpower，noface，howeverplaininfeature，couldbeeithervulgarorcommon。I
shouldnotliketohavetobargainwithhim；helooksveryinflexible。
Altogetheramanwhoseemsmadeforhisniche，mamma；sagacious，andstrong，asbecomesagreattradesman。''Don'tcalltheMiltonmanufacturerstradesmen，Margaret，'saidherfather。
'Theyareverydifferent。''Arethey?Iapplythewordtoallwhohavesomethingtangibletosell；
butifyouthinkthetermisnotcorrect，papa，Iwon'tuseit。But，ohmamma！speakingofvulgarityandcommonness，youmustprepareyourselfforourdrawing-roompaper。Pinkandblueroses，withyellowleaves！Andsuchaheavycorniceroundtheroom！'ButwhentheyremovedtotheirnewhouseinMilton，theobnoxiouspapersweregone。Thelandlordreceivedtheirthanksverycomposedly；andletthemthink，iftheyliked，thathehadrelentedfromhisexpresseddeterminationnottorepaper。Therewasnoparticularneedtotellthem，thatwhathedidnotcaretodoforaReverendMr。Hale，unknowninMilton，hewasonlytoogladtodoattheoneshortsharpremonstranceofMr。Thornton，thewealthymanufacturer。
chapter08CHAPTERVIIIHOMESICKNESS'Andit'shame，hame；hame，HamefainwadIbe。'ItneededtheprettylightpaperingoftheroomstoreconcilethemtoMilton。
Itneededmore——morethatcouldnotbehad。ThethickyellowNovemberfogshadcomeon；andtheviewoftheplaininthevalley，madebythesweepingbendoftheriver，wasallshutoutwhenMrs。Halearrivedathernewhome。MargaretandDixonhadbeenatworkfortwodays，unpackingandarranging，buteverythinginsidethehousestilllookedindisorder；andoutsideathickfogcreptuptotheverywindows，andwasdrivenintoeveryopendoorinchokingwhitewreathsofunwholesomemist。'Oh，Margaret！arewetolivehere?'askedMrs。Haleinblankdismay。Margaret'sheartechoedthedrearinessofthetoneinwhichthisquestionwasput。Shecouldscarcelycommandherselfenoughtosay，'Oh，thefogsinLondonaresometimesfarworse！''ButthenyouknewthatLondonitself，andfriendslaybehindit。Here——well！
wearedesolate。OhDixon，whataplacethisis！''Indeed，ma'am，I'msureitwillbeyourdeathbeforelong，andthenI
knowwho'll——stay！MissHale，that'sfartooheavyforyoutolift。''Notatall，thankyou，Dixon，'repliedMargaret，coldly。'Thebestthingwecandoformammaistogetherroomquitereadyforhertogotobed，whileIgoandbringheracupofcoffee。'Mr。Halewasequallyoutofspirits，andequallycameuponMargaretforsympathy。'Margaret，Idobelievethisisanunhealthyplace。Onlysupposethatyourmother'shealthoryoursshouldsuffer。IwishIhadgoneintosomecountryplaceinWales；thisisreallyterrible，'saidhe，goinguptothewindow。Therewasnocomforttobegiven。TheyweresettledinMilton，andmustenduresmokeandfogsforaseason；indeed，allotherlifeseemedshutoutfromthembyasthickafogofcircumstance。Onlythedaybefore，Mr。
HalehadbeenreckoningupwithdismayhowmuchtheirremovalandfortnightatHestonhadcost，andhefoundithadabsorbednearlyallhislittlestockofreadymoney。No！heretheywere，andheretheymustremain。AtnightwhenMargaretrealisedthis，shefeltinclinedtositdowninastuporofdespair。Theheavysmokyairhungaboutherbedroom，whichoccupiedthelongnarrowprojectionatthebackofthehouse。Thewindow，placedatthesideoftheoblong，lookedtotheblankwallofasimilarprojection，notabovetenfeetdistant。Itloomedthroughthefoglikeagreatbarriertohope。Insidetheroomeverythingwasinconfusion。Alltheireffortshadbeendirectedtomakehermother'sroomcomfortable。
Margaretsatdownonabox，thedirectioncarduponwhichstruckherashavingbeenwrittenatHelstone——beautiful，belovedHelstone！Shelostherselfindismalthought:butatlastshedeterminedtotakehermindawayfromthepresent；andsuddenlyrememberedthatshehadaletterfromEdithwhichshehadonlyhalfreadinthebustleofthemorning。ItwastotelloftheirarrivalatCorfu；theirvoyagealongtheMediterranean——theirmusic，anddancingonboardship；thegaynewlifeopeninguponher；herhousewithitstrellisedbalcony，anditsviewsoverwhitecliffsanddeepbluesea。Edithwrotefluentlyandwell，ifnotgraphically。Shecouldnotonlyseizethesalientandcharacteristicpointsofascene，butshecouldenumerateenoughofindiscriminateparticularsforMargarettomakeitoutforherselfCaptainLennoxandanotherlatelymarriedofficersharedavilla，highuponthebeautifulprecipitousrocksoverhangingthesea。Theirdays，lateasitwasintheyear，seemedspentinboatingorlandpic-nics；allout-of-doors，pleasure-seekingandglad，Edith'slifeseemedlikethedeepvaultofblueskyaboveher，free——utterlyfreefromfleckorcloud。Herhusbandhadtoattenddrill，andshe，themostmusicalofficer'swifethere，hadtocopythenewandpopulartunesoutofthemostrecentEnglishmusic，forthebenefitofthebandmaster；thoseseemedtheirmostsevereandarduousduties。Sheexpressedanaffectionatehopethat，iftheregimentstoppedanotheryearatCorfu，Margaretmightcomeoutandpayheralongvisit。
SheaskedMargaretifsherememberedthedaytwelve-monthonwhichshe，Edith，wrote——howitrainedalldaylonginHarleyStreet；andhowshewouldnotputonhernewgowntogotoastupiddinner，andgetitallwetandsplashedingoingtothecarriage；andhowatthatverydinnertheyhadfirstmetCaptainLennox。Yes！Margaretremembereditwell。EdithandMrs。Shawhadgonetodinner。
Margarethadjoinedthepartyintheevening。Therecollectionoftheplentifulluxuryofallthearrangements，thestatelyhandsomenessofthefurniture，thesizeofthehouse，thepeaceful，untroubledeaseofthevisitors——allcamevividlybeforeher，instrangecontrasttothepresenttime。Thesmoothseaofthatoldlifeclosedup，withoutamarklefttotellwheretheyhadallbeen。Thehabitualdinners，thecalls，theshopping，thedancingevenings，wereallgoingon，goingonforever，thoughherAuntShawandEdithwerenolongerthere；andshe，ofcourse，wasevenlessmissed。Shedoubtedifanyoneofthatoldseteverthoughtofher，exceptHenryLennox。
Hetoo，sheknew，wouldstrivetoforgether，becauseofthepainshehadcausedhim。Shehadheardhimoftenboastofhispowerofputtinganydisagreeablethoughtfarawayfromhim。Thenshepenetratedfartherintowhatmighthavebeen。Ifshehadcaredforhimasalover，andhadacceptedhim，andthischangeinherfather'sopinionsandconsequentstationhadtakenplace，shecouldnotdoubtbutthatitwouldhavebeenimpatientlyreceivedbyMr。Lennox。Itwasabittermortificationtoherinonesense；butshecouldbearitpatiently，becausesheknewherfather'spurityofpurpose，andthatstrengthenedhertoendurehiserrors，graveandseriousthoughinherestimationtheywere。Butthefactoftheworldesteemingherfatherdegraded，initsroughwholesalejudgment，wouldhaveoppressedandirritatedMr。Lennox。Assherealisedwhatmighthavebeen，shegrewtobethankfulforwhatwas。Theywereatthelowestnow；theycouldnotbeworse。Edith'sastonishmentandherauntShaw'sdismaywouldhavetobemetbravely，whentheirletterscame。SoMargaretroseupandbeganslowlytoundressherself，feelingthefullluxuryofactingleisurely，lateasitwas，afterallthepasthurryoftheday。Shefellasleep，hopingforsomebrightness，eitherinternalorexternal。Butifshehadknownhowlongitwouldbebeforethebrightnesscame，herheartwouldhavesunklowdown。Thetimeoftheyearwasmostunpropitioustohealthaswellastospirits。Hermothercaughtaseverecold，andDixonherselfwasevidentlynotwell，althoughMargaretcouldnotinsulthermorethanbytryingtosaveher，orbytakinganycareofher。Theycouldhearofnogirltoassisther；
allwereatworkinthefactories；atleast，thosewhoappliedwerewellscoldedbyDixon，forthinkingthatsuchastheycouldeverbetrustedtoworkinagentleman'shouse。Sotheyhadtokeepacharwomaninalmostconstantemploy。MargaretlongedtosendforCharlotte；butbesidestheobjectionofherbeingabetterservantthantheycouldnowaffordtokeep，thedistancewastoogreat。Mr。Halemetwithseveralpupils，recommendedtohimbyMr。Bell，orbythemoreimmediateinfluenceofMr。Thornton。Theyweremostlyoftheagewhenmanyboyswouldbestillatschool，but，accordingtotheprevalent，andapparentlywell-foundednotionsofMilton，tomakealadintoagoodtradesmanhemustbecaughtyoung，andacclimatedtothelifeofthemill，oroffice，orwarehouse。IfheweresenttoeventheScotchUniversities，hecamebackunsettledforcommercialpursuits；howmuchmoresoifhewenttoOxfordorCambridge，wherehecouldnotbeenteredtillhewaseighteen?Somostofthemanufacturersplacedtheirsonsinsuckingsituations'
atfourteenorfifteenyearsofage，unsparinglycuttingawayalloff-shootsinthedirectionofliteratureorhighmentalcultivation，inhopesofthrowingthewholestrengthandvigouroftheplantintocommerce。Stillthereweresomewiserparents；andsomeyoungmen，whohadsenseenoughtoperceivetheirowndeficiencies，andstrivetoremedythem。Nay，therewereafewnolongeryouths，butmenintheprimeoflife，whohadthesternwisdomtoacknowledgetheirownignorance，andtolearnlatewhattheyshouldhavelearntearly。Mr。ThorntonwasperhapstheoldestofMr。
Hale'spupils。Hewascertainlythefavourite。Mr。Halegotintothehabitofquotinghisopinionssofrequently，andwithsuchregard，thatitbecamealittledomesticjoketowonderwhattime，duringthehourappointedforinstruction，couldbegiventoabsolutelearning，somuchofitappearedtohavebeenspentinconversation。Margaretratherencouragedthislight，merrywayofviewingherfather'sacquaintancewithMr。Thornton，becauseshefeltthathermotherwasinclinedtolookuponthisnewfriendshipofherhusband'swithjealouseyes。Aslongashistimehadbeensolelyoccupiedwithhisbooksandhisparishioners，asatHelstone，shehadappearedtocarelittlewhethershesawmuchofhimornot；butnowthathelookedeagerlyforwardtoeachrenewalofhisintercoursewithMr。Thornton，sheseemedhurtandannoyed，asifhewereslightinghercompanionshipforthefirsttime。Mr。Hale'sover-praisehadtheusualeffectofover-praiseuponhisauditors；theywerealittleinclinedtorebelagainstAristidesbeingalwayscalledtheJust。Afteraquietlifeinacountryparsonageformorethantwentyyears，therewassomethingdazzlingtoMr。Haleintheenergywhichconqueredimmensedifficultieswithease；thepowerofthemachineryofMilton，thepowerofthemenofMilton，impressedhimwithasenseofgrandeur，whichheyieldedtowithoutcaringtoinquireintothedetailsofitsexercise。
ButMargaretwentlessabroad，amongmachineryandmen；sawlessofpowerinitspubliceffect，and，asithappened，shewasthrownwithoneortwoofthosewho，inallmeasuresaffectingmassesofpeople，mustbeacutesufferersforthegoodofmany。Thequestionalwaysis，haseverythingbeendonetomakethesufferingsoftheseexceptionsassmallaspossible?
Or，inthetriumphofthecrowdedprocession，havethehelplessbeentrampledon，insteadofbeinggentlyliftedasideoutoftheroadwayoftheconqueror，whomtheyhavenopowertoaccompanyonhismarch?ItfelltoMargaret'ssharetohavetolookoutforaservanttoassistDixon，whohadatfirstundertakentofindjustthepersonshewantedtodoalltheroughworkofthehouse。ButDixon'sideasofhelpfulgirlswerefoundedontherecollectionoftidyelderscholarsatHelstoneschool，whowereonlytooproudtobeallowedtocometotheparsonageonabusyday，andtreatedMrs。Dixonwithalltherespect，andagooddealmoreoffright，whichtheypaidtoMr。andMrs。Hale。Dixonwasnotunconsciousofthisawedreverencewhichwasgiventoher；nordidshedislikeit；
itflatteredhermuchasLouistheFourteenthwasflatteredbyhiscourtiersshadingtheireyesfromthedazzlinglightofhispresence。'ButnothingshortofherfaithfulloveforMrs。HalecouldhavemadeherenduretheroughindependentwayinwhichalltheMiltongirls，whomadeapplicationfortheservant'splace，repliedtoherinquiriesrespectingtheirqualifications。
Theyevenwentthelengthofquestioningherbackagain；havingdoubtsandfearsoftheirown，astothesolvencyofafamilywholivedinahouseofthirtypoundsa-year，andyetgavethemselvesairs，andkepttwoservants，oneofthemsoveryhighandmighty。Mr。HalewasnolongerlookeduponasVicarofHelstone，butasamanwhoonlyspentatacertainrate。MargaretwaswearyandimpatientoftheaccountswhichDixonperpetuallybroughttoMrs。Haleofthebehaviourofthesewould-beservants。NotbutwhatMargaretwasrepelledbytheroughuncourteousmannersofthesepeople；
notbutwhatsheshrunkwithfastidiouspridefromtheirhail-fellowaccostandseverelyresentedtheirunconcealedcuriosityastothemeansandpositionofanyfamilywholivedinMilton，andyetwerenotengagedintradeofsomekind。ButthemoreMargaretfeltimpertinence，themorelikelyshewastobesilentonthesubject；and，atanyrate，ifshetookuponherselftomakeinquiryforaservant，shecouldsparehermothertherecitalofallherdisappointmentsandfanciedorrealinsults。Margaretaccordinglywentupanddowntobutchersandgrocers，seekingforanonpareilofagirl；andloweringherhopesandexpectationseveryweek，asshefoundthedifficultyofmeetingwithanyoneinamanufacturingtownwhodidnotpreferthebetterwagesandgreaterindependenceofworkinginamill。ItwassomethingofatrialtoMargarettogooutbyherselfinthisbusybustlingplace。Mrs。Shaw'sideasofproprietyandherownhelplessdependenceonothers，hadalwaysmadeherinsistthatafootmanshouldaccompanyEdithandMargaret，iftheywentbeyondHarleyStreetortheimmediateneighbourhood。Thelimitsbywhichthisruleofheraunt'shadcircumscribedMargaret'sindependencehadbeensilentlyrebelledagainstatthetime:andshehaddoublyenjoyedthefreewalksandramblesofherforestlife，fromthecontrastwhichtheypresented。Shewentalongtherewithaboundingfearlessstep，thatoccasionallybrokeoutintoarun，ifshewereinahurry，andoccasionallywasstilledintoperfectrepose，asshestoodlisteningto，orwatchinganyofthewildcreatureswhosangintheleafycourts，orglancedoutwiththeirkeenbrighteyesfromthelowbrushwoodortangledfurze。Itwasatrialtocomedownfromsuchmotionorsuchstillness，onlyguidedbyherownsweetwill，totheevenanddecorouspacenecessaryinstreets。Butshecouldhavelaughedatherselfformindingthischange，ifithadnotbeenaccompaniedbywhatwasamoreseriousannoyance。ThesideofthetownonwhichCramptonlaywasespeciallyathoroughfareforthefactorypeople。Inthebackstreetsaroundthemthereweremanymills，outofwhichpouredstreamsofmenandwomentwoorthreetimesaday。UntilMargarethadlearntthetimesoftheiringressandegress，shewasveryunfortunateinconstantlyfallinginwiththem。Theycamerushingalong，withbold，fearlessfaces，andloudlaughsandjests，particularlyaimedatallthosewhoappearedtobeabovetheminrankorstation。Thetonesoftheirunrestrainedvoices，andtheircarelessnessofallcommonrulesofstreetpoliteness，frightenedMargaretalittleatfirst。Thegirls，withtheirrough，butnotunfriendlyfreedom，wouldcommentonherdress，eventouchhershawlorgowntoascertaintheexactmaterial；nay，onceortwiceshewasaskedquestionsrelativetosomearticlewhichtheyparticularlyadmired。Therewassuchasimplerelianceonherwomanlysympathywiththeirloveofdress，andonherkindliness，thatshegladlyrepliedtotheseinquiries，assoonassheunderstoodthem；andhalfsmiledbackattheirremarks。Shedidnotmindmeetinganynumberofgirls，loudspokenandboisterousthoughtheymightbe。Butshealternatelydreadedandfiredupagainsttheworkmen，whocommentednotonherdress，butonherlooks，inthesameopenfearlessmanner。She，whohadhithertofeltthateventhemostrefinedremarkonherpersonalappearancewasanimpertinence，hadtoendureundisguisedadmirationfromtheseoutspokenmen。Buttheveryout-spokennessmarkedtheirinnocenceofanyintentiontohurtherdelicacy，asshewouldhaveperceivedifshehadbeenlessfrightenedbythedisorderlytumult。Outofherfrightcameaflashofindignationwhichmadeherfacescarlet，andherdarkeyesgatherflame，assheheardsomeoftheirspeeches。Yettherewereothersayingsoftheirs，which，whenshereachedthequietsafetyofhome，amusedherevenwhiletheyirritatedher。Forinstance，oneday，aftershehadpassedanumberofmen，severalofwhomhadpaidherthenotunusualcomplimentofwishingshewastheirsweetheart，oneofthelingerersadded，'Yourbonnyface，mylass，makesthedaylookbrighter。'Andanotherday，asshewasunconsciouslysmilingatsomepassingthought，shewasaddressedbyapoorly-dressed，middle-agedworkman，with'Youmaywellsmile，mylass；manyaonewouldsmiletohavesuchabonnyface。'ThismanlookedsocarewornthatMargaretcouldnothelpgivinghimanansweringsmile，gladtothinkthatherlooks，suchastheywere，shouldhavehadthepowertocallupapleasantthought。Heseemedtounderstandheracknowledgingglance，andasilentrecognitionwasestablishedbetweenthemwheneverthechancesofthedaybroughtthemacrosseachotherspaths。
Theyhadneverexchangedaword；nothinghadbeensaidbutthatfirstcompliment；
yetsomehowMargaretlookeduponthismanwithmoreinterestthanuponanyoneelseinMilton。Onceortwice，onSundays，shesawhimwalkingwithagirl，evidentlyhisdaughter，and，ifpossible，stillmoreunhealthythanhewashimself。OnedayMargaretandherfatherhadbeenasfarasthefieldsthatlayaroundthetown；itwasearlyspring，andshehadgatheredsomeofthehedgeandditchflowers，dog-violets，lessercelandines，andthelike，withanunspokenlamentinherheartforthesweetprofusionoftheSouth。
HerfatherhadlefthertogointoMiltonuponsomebusiness；andontheroadhomeshemetherhumblefriends。Thegirllookedwistfullyattheflowers，and，actingonasuddenimpulse，Margaretofferedthemtoher。
Herpaleblueeyeslightenedupasshetookthem，andherfatherspokeforher。'Thankyo，Miss。Bessy'llthinkadealo'themflowers；thathoowill；
andIshallthinkadealo'yorkindness。Yo'renotofthiscountry，I
reckon?''No！'saidMargaret，halfsighing。'IcomefromtheSouth——fromHampshire，'
shecontinued，alittleafraidofwoundinghisconsciousnessofignorance，ifsheusedanamewhichhedidnotunderstand。'That'sbeyondLondon，Ireckon?AndIcomefro'Burnley-ways，andfortymiletoth'North。Andyet，yosee，NorthandSouthhasbothmetandmadekindo'friendsinthisbigsmokyplace。'Margarethadslackenedherpacetowalkalongsideofthemanandhisdaughter，whosestepswereregulatedbythefeeblenessofthelatter。Shenowspoketothegirl，andtherewasasoundoftenderpityinthetoneofhervoiceasshedidsothatwentrighttotheheartofthefather。'I'mafraidyouarenotverystrong。''No，'saidthegirl，'norneverwillbe。''Springiscoming，'saidMargaret，asiftosuggestpleasant，hopefulthoughts。'Springnorsummerwilldomegood，'saidthegirlquietly。Margaretlookedupattheman，almostexpectingsomecontradictionfromhim，oratleastsomeremarkthatwouldmodifyhisdaughter'sutterhopelessness。
But，instead，headded——'I'mafearedhoospeakstruth。I'mafearedhoo'stoofargoneinawaste。''IshallhaveaspringwhereI'mbounto，andflowers，andamaranths，andshiningrobesbesides。''Poorlass，poorlass！'saidherfatherinalowtone。'I'mnonesosureo'that；butit'sacomforttothee，poorlass，poorlass。Poorfather！
it'llbesoon。'Margaretwasshockedbyhiswords——shockedbutnotrepelled；ratherattractedandinterested。'Wheredoyoulive?Ithinkwemustbeneighbours，wemeetsooftenonthisroad。''WeputupatnineFrancesStreet，secondturntoth'leftatafteryo'vepastth'GouldenDragon。''Andyourname?Imustnotforgetthat。''I'mnoneashamedo'myname。It'sNicholasHiggins。Hoo'scalledBessyHiggins。Whattenyo'askingfor?'Margaretwassurprisedatthislastquestion，foratHelstoneitwouldhavebeenanunderstoodthing，aftertheinquiriesshehadmade，thatsheintendedtocomeandcalluponanypoorneighbourwhosenameandhabitationshehadaskedfor。'Ithought——Imeanttocomeandseeyou。'Shesuddenlyfeltrathershyofofferingthevisit，withouthavinganyreasontogiveforherwishtomakeit'beyondakindlyinterestinastranger。Itseemedallatoncetotaketheshapeofanimpertinenceonherpart；shereadthismeaningtoointheman'seyes。'I'mnonesofondofhavingstrangefolkinmyhouse。'Butthenrelenting，ashesawherheightenedcolour，headded，'Yo'reaforeigner，asonemaysay，andmaybedon'tknowmanyfolkhere，andyo'vegivenmywenchhereflowersoutofyo'rownhand；——yomaycomeifyolike。'Margaretwashalf-amused，half-nettledatthisanswer。Shewasnotsureifshewouldgowherepermissionwasgivensolikeafavourconferred。
ButwhentheycametothetownintoFrancesStreet，thegirlstoppedaminute，andsaid，'Yo'llnotforgetyo'retocomeandseeus。''Aye，aye，'saidthefather，impatiently，'hoo'llcome。Hoo'sabitsetupnow，becausehoothinksImightha'spokenmorecivilly；buthoo'llthinkbetteronit，andcome。Icanreadherproudbonnyfacelikeabook。
Comealong，Bess；there'sthemillbellringing。'Margaretwenthome，wonderingathernewfriends，andsmilingattheman'sinsightintowhathadbeenpassinginhermind。FromthatdayMiltonbecameabrighterplacetoher。Itwasnotthelong，bleaksunnydaysofspring，noryetwasitthattimewasreconcilinghertothetownofherhabitation。
Itwasthatinitshehadfoundahumaninterest。
chapter09CHAPTERIXDRESSINGFORTEA'LetChina'searth，enrich'dwithcolour'dstains，Pencil'dwithgold，andstreak'dwithazureveinsThegratefulflavouroftheIndianleaf，OrMocho'ssunburntberrygladreceive。MRS。BARBAULD。ThedayafterthismeetingwithHigginsandhisdaughter，Mr。Halecameupstairsintothelittledrawing-roomatanunusualhour。Hewentuptodifferentobjectsintheroom，asifexaminingthem，butMargaretsawthatitwasmerelyanervoustrick——awayofputtingoffsomethinghewished，yetfearedtosay。Outitcameatlast——'Mydear！I'veaskedMr。Thorntontocometoteato-night。'Mrs。Halewasleaningbackinhereasychair，withhereyesshut，andanexpressionofpainonherfacewhichhadbecomehabitualtoheroflate。
Butsherousedupintoquerulousnessatthisspeechofherhusband's。'Mr。Thornton！——andto-night！Whatintheworlddoesthemanwanttocomeherefor?AndDixoniswashingmymuslinsandlaces，andthereisnosoftwaterwiththesehorrideastwinds，whichIsupposeweshallhavealltheyearroundinMilton。''Thewindisveeringround，mydear，'saidMr。Hale，lookingoutatthesmoke，whichdriftedrightfromtheeast，onlyhedidnotyetunderstandthepointsofthecompass，andratherarrangedthemadlibitum，accordingtocircumstances。'Don'ttellme！'saidMrs。Hale，shudderingup，andwrappinghershawlaboutherstillmoreclosely。'But，eastorwestwind，Isupposethismancomes。''Oh，mamma，thatshowsyouneversawMr。Thornton。Helookslikeapersonwhowouldenjoybattlingwitheveryadversethinghecouldmeetwith——enemies，winds，orcircumstances。Themoreitrainsandblows，themorecertainwearetohavehim。ButI'llgoandhelpDixon。I'mgettingtobeafamousclear-starcher。Andhewon'twantanyamusementbeyondtalkingtopapa。
Papa，IamreallylongingtoseethePythiastoyourDamon。YouknowI
neversawhimbutonce，andthenweweresopuzzledtoknowwhattosaytoeachotherthatwedidnotgetonparticularlywell。''Idon'tknowthatyouwouldeverlikehim，orthinkhimagreeable，Margaret。
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