Mr. Hale continued: 'A few months ago, when my misery of doubt

became more than I could bear without speaking, I wrote to Mr.

Bell--you remember Mr. Bell, Margaret?' 'No; I never saw him, I think. But I know who he is. Frederick's

godfather--your old tutor at Oxford, don't you mean?' 'Yes. He is a Fellow of Plymouth College there. He is a native of

Milton-Northern, I believe. At any rate, he has property there,

which has very much increased in value since Milton has become

such a large manufacturing town. Well, I had reason to

suspect--to imagine--I had better say nothing about it, however.

But I felt sure of sympathy from Mr. Bell. I don't know that he

gave me much strength. He has lived an easy life in his college

all his days. But he has been as kind as can be. And it is owing

to him we are going to Milton.' 'How?' said Margaret.

'Why he has tenants, and houses, and mills there; so, though he

dislikes the place--too bustling for one of his habits--he is

obliged to keep up some sort of connection; and he tells me that

he hears there is a good opening for a private tutor there.' 'A private tutor!' said Margaret, looking scornful: 'What in the

world do manufacturers want with the classics, or literature, or

the accomplishments of a gentleman?' 'Oh,' said her father, 'some of them really seem to be fine

fellows, conscious of their own deficiencies, which is more than

many a man at Oxford is. Some want resolutely to learn, though

they have come to man's estate. Some want their children to be

better instructed than they themselves have been. At any rate,

there is an opening, as I have said, for a private tutor. Mr.

Bell has recommended me to a Mr. Thornton, a tenant of his, and a

very intelligent man, as far as I can judge from his letters. And

in Milton, Margaret, I shall find a busy life, if not a happy

one, and people and scenes so different that I shall never be

reminded of Helstone.' There was the secret motive, as Margaret knew from her own

feelings. It would be different. Discordant as it was--with

almost a detestation for all she had ever heard of the North of

England, the manufacturers, the people, the wild and bleak

country--there was this one recommendation--it would be different

from Helstone, and could never remind them of that beloved place.

'When do we go?' asked Margaret, after a short silence.

'I do not know exactly. I wanted to talk it over with you. You

see, your mother knows nothing about it yet: but I think, in a

fortnight;--after my deed of resignation is sent in, I shall have

no right to remain.




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