Mrs. Thornton went on: 'At first, when I heard from one of my servants, that you had

been seen walking about with a gentleman, so far from home as the

Outwood station, at such a time of the evening, I could hardly

believe it. But my son, I am sorry to say, confirmed her story.

It was indiscreet, to say the least; many a young woman has lost

her character before now----' Margaret's eyes flashed fire. This was a new idea--this was too

insulting. If Mrs. Thornton had spoken to her about the lie she

had told, well and good--she would have owned it, and humiliated

herself But to interfere with her conduct--to speak of her

character! she--Mrs. Thornton, a mere stranger--it was too

impertinent! She would not answer her--not one word. Mrs.

Thornton saw the battle-spirit in Margaret's eyes, and it called

up her combativeness also.

'For your mother's sake, I have thought it right to warn you

against such improprieties; they must degrade you in the long run

in the estimation of the world, even if in fact they do not lead

you to positive harm.' 'For my mother's sake,' said Margaret, in a tearful voice, 'I

will bear much; but I cannot bear everything. She never meant me

to be exposed to insult, I am sure.' 'Insult, Miss Hale!' 'Yes, madam,' said Margaret more steadily, 'it is insult. What do

you know of me that should lead you to suspect--Oh!' said she,

breaking down, and covering her face with her hands--'I know now,

Mr. Thornton has told you----' 'No, Miss Hale,' said Mrs. Thornton, her truthfulness causing her

to arrest the confession Margaret was on the point of making,

though her curiosity was itching to hear it. 'Stop. Mr. Thornton

has told me nothing. You do not know my son. You are not worthy

to know him. He said this. Listen, young lady, that you may

understand, if you can, what sort of a man you rejected. This

Milton manufacturer, his great tender heart scorned as it was

scorned, said to me only last night, "Go to her. I have good

reason to know that she is in some strait, arising out of some

attachment; and she needs womanly counsel." I believe those were

his very words. Farther than that--beyond admitting the fact of

your being at the Outwood station with a gentleman, on the

evening of the twenty-sixth--he has said nothing--not one word

against you. If he has knowledge of anything which should make

you sob so, he keeps it to himself.' Margaret's face was still hidden in her hands, the fingers of

which were wet with tears. Mrs. Thornton was a little mollified.




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