'For joy or grief, for hope or fear,

For all hereafter, as for here,

In peace or strife, in storm or shine.'

ANON.

Edith went about on tip-toe, and checked Sholto in all loud

speaking that next morning, as if any sudden noise would

interrupt the conference that was taking place in the

drawing-room. Two o'clock came; and they still sate there with

closed doors. Then there was a man's footstep running down

stairs; and Edith peeped out of the drawing-room.

'Well, Henry?' said she, with a look of interrogation.

'Well!' said he, rather shortly.

'Come in to lunch!' 'No, thank you, I can't. I've lost too much time here already.'

'Then it's not all settled,' said Edith despondingly.

'No! not at all. It never will be settled, if the "it" is what I

conjecture you mean. That will never be, Edith, so give up

thinking about it.' 'But it would be so nice for us all,' pleaded Edith. 'I should

always feel comfortable about the children, if I had Margaret

settled down near me. As it is, I am always afraid of her going

off to Cadiz.' 'I will try, when I marry, to look out for a young lady who has a

knowledge of the management of children. That is all I can do.

Miss Hale would not have me. And I shall not ask her.' 'Then, what have you been talking about?' 'A thousand things you would not understand: investments, and

leases, and value of land.' 'Oh, go away if that's all. You and she will be unbearably

stupid, if you've been talking all this time about such weary

things.' 'Very well. I'm coming again to-morrow, and bringing Mr. Thornton

with me, to have some more talk with Miss Hale.' 'Mr. Thornton! What has he to do with it?' 'He is Miss Hale's tenant,' said Mr. Lennox, turning away. 'And

he wishes to give up his lease.' 'Oh! very well. I can't understand details, so don't give them

me.' 'The only detail I want you to understand is, to let us have the

back drawing-room undisturbed, as it was to-day. In general, the

children and servants are so in and out, that I can never get any

business satisfactorily explained; and the arrangements we have

to make to-morrow are of importance.' No one ever knew why Mr. Lennox did not keep to his appointment

on the following day. Mr. Thornton came true to his time; and,

after keeping him waiting for nearly an hour, Margaret came in

looking very white and anxious.




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