'Sleep on, my love, in thy cold bed,

Never to be disquieted!

My last Good Night--thou wilt not wake

Till I thy fate shall overtake.'

DR. KING.

Home seemed unnaturally quiet after all this terror and noisy

commotion. Her father had seen all due preparation made for her

refreshment on her return; and then sate down again in his

accustomed chair, to fall into one of his sad waking dreams.

Dixon had got Mary Higgins to scold and direct in the kitchen;

and her scolding was not the less energetic because it was

delivered in an angry whisper; for, speaking above her breath she

would have thought irreverent, as long as there was any one dead

lying in the house. Margaret had resolved not to mention the

crowning and closing affright to her father. There was no use in

speaking about it; it had ended well; the only thing to be feared

was lest Leonards should in some way borrow money enough to

effect his purpose of following Frederick to London, and hunting

him out there.

But there were immense chances against the success

of any such plan; and Margaret determined not to torment herself

by thinking of what she could do nothing to prevent. Frederick

would be as much on his guard as she could put him; and in a day

or two at most he would be safely out of England.

'I suppose we shall hear from Mr. Bell to-morrow,' said Margaret.

'Yes,' replied her father. 'I suppose so.'

'If he can come, he will be here to-morrow evening, I should

think.' 'If he cannot come, I shall ask Mr. Thornton to go with me to the

funeral. I cannot go alone. I should break down utterly.'

'Don't ask Mr. Thornton, papa. Let me go with you,' said

Margaret, impetuously.

'You! My dear, women do not generally go.'

'No: because they can't control themselves. Women of our class

don't go, because they have no power over their emotions, and yet

are ashamed of showing them. Poor women go, and don't care if

they are seen overwhelmed with grief. But I promise you, papa,

that if you will let me go, I will be no trouble. Don't have a

stranger, and leave me out. Dear papa! if Mr. Bell cannot come, I

shall go. I won't urge my wish against your will, if he does.' Mr. Bell could not come. He had the gout. It was a most

affectionate letter, and expressed great and true regret for his

inability to attend. He hoped to come and pay them a visit soon,

if they would have him; his Milton property required some looking

after, and his agent had written to him to say that his presence

was absolutely necessary; or else he had avoided coming near

Milton as long as he could, and now the only thing that would

reconcile him to this necessary visit was the idea that he should

see, and might possibly be able to comfort his old friend.




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