'I dare say, there's many a woman makes as sad a mistake as I

have done, and only finds it out too late. And how proudly and

impertinently I spoke to him that day! But I did not know then.

It has come upon me little by little, and I don't know where it

began. Now I won't give way. I shall find it difficult to behave

in the same way to him, with this miserable consciousness upon

me; but I will be very calm and very quiet, and say very little.

But, to be sure, I may not see him; he keeps out of our way

evidently. That would be worse than all. And yet no wonder that

he avoids me, believing what he must about me.' She went out, going rapidly towards the country, and trying to

drown reflection by swiftness of motion.

As she stood on the door-step, at her return, her father came up: 'Good girl!' said he. 'You've been to Mrs. Boucher's. I was just

meaning to go there, if I had time, before dinner.' 'No, papa; I have not,' said Margaret, reddening. 'I never

thought about her. But I will go directly after dinner; I will go

while you are taking your nap.

Accordingly Margaret went. Mrs. Boucher was very ill; really

ill--not merely ailing. The kind and sensible neighbour, who had

come in the other day, seemed to have taken charge of everything.

Some of the children were gone to the neighbours. Mary Higgins

had come for the three youngest at dinner-time; and since then

Nicholas had gone for the doctor. He had not come as yet; Mrs.

Boucher was dying; and there was nothing to do but to wait.

Margaret thought that she should like to know his opinion, and

that she could not do better than go and see the Higginses in the

meantime. She might then possibly hear whether Nicholas had been

able to make his application to Mr. Thornton.

She found Nicholas busily engaged in making a penny spin on the

dresser, for the amusement of three little children, who were

clinging to him in a fearless manner. He, as well as they, was

smiling at a good long spin; and Margaret thought, that the happy

look of interest in his occupation was a good sign. When the

penny stopped spinning, 'lile Johnnie' began to cry.

'Come to me,' said Margaret, taking him off the dresser, and

holding him in her arms; she held her watch to his ear, while she

asked Nicholas if he had seen Mr. Thornton.

The look on his face changed instantly.




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