North and South
Page 159He was thinking, 'I will not be daunted from doing as I choose by
the thought of her. I like to take this fruit to the poor mother,
and it is simply right that I should. She shall never scorn me
out of doing what I please. A pretty joke, indeed, if, for fear
of a haughty girl, I failed in doing a kindness to a man I liked
I do it for Mr. Hale; I do it in defiance of her.' He went at an unusual pace, and was soon at Crampton. He went
upstairs two steps at a time, and entered the drawing-room before
Dixon could announce him,--his face flushed, his eyes shining
with kindly earnestness. Mrs. Hale lay on the sofa, heated with
fever. Mr. Hale was reading aloud. Margaret was working on a low
at this interview. But he took no notice of her, hardly of Mr.
Hale himself; he went up straight with his basket to Mrs. Hale,
and said, in that subdued and gentle tone, which is so touching
when used by a robust man in full health, speaking to a feeble
invalid-'I met Dr. Donaldson, ma'am, and as he said fruit would be good
for you, I have taken the liberty--the great liberty of bringing
you some that seemed to me fine.' Mrs. Hale was excessively
surprised; excessively pleased; quite in a tremble of eagerness.
Mr. Hale with fewer words expressed a deeper gratitude.
by the table, half afraid of moving or making any noise to arouse
Mr. Thornton into a consciousness of her being in the room. She
thought it would be awkward for both to be brought into conscious
collision; and fancied that, from her being on a low seat at
first, and now standing behind her father, he had overlooked her
in his haste. As if he did not feel the consciousness of her
presence all over, though his eyes had never rested on her!
'I must go,' said he, 'I cannot stay. If you will forgive this
liberty,--my rough ways,--too abrupt, I fear--but I will be more
some fruit again, if I should see any that is tempting. Good
afternoon, Mr. Hale. Good-bye, ma'am.' He was gone. Not one word: not one look to Margaret. She believed
that he had not seen her. She went for a plate in silence, and
lifted the fruit out tenderly, with the points of her delicate
taper fingers. It was good of him to bring it; and after
yesterday too!