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left without any one at hand in case she should be overcome。 He is
of no use in such cases； only makes things worse。 I should not feel
justified in leaving Margaret with no one else； but he is in one of
those hand…over…head moods； when it is not of the least use to say a
word to him。〃
〃Flora； how can you； when he expressly ordered you？〃
〃All he meant was； do not be in the way； and I shall not show myself
unless I am needed； when he would be glad enough of me。 I am not
bound to obey the very letter； like Blanche or Mary。〃
Ethel looked horrified by the assertion of independence； but Richard
called her from below； and； with one more fruitless entreaty； she ran
downstairs。
Richard had been hearing all from his father； and it was comfortable
to talk the matter over with him； and hear explained the anxiety
which frightened her； while she scarcely comprehended it； how Dr。 May
could not feel certain whether it was right or expedient to promote
an engagement which must depend on health so uncertain as poor
Margaret's； and how he dreaded the effect on the happiness of both。
Ethel's romance seemed to be turning to melancholy； and she walked on
gravely and thoughtfully； though repeating that there could be no
doubt of Margaret's perfect recovery by the time of the return from
the voyage。
Her lessons were somewhat nervous and flurried； and even the sight of
two very nice neat new scholars； of very different appearance from
the rest； and of much superior attainments； only half interested her。
Mary was enchanted at them as a pair of prodigies； actually able to
read！ and had made out their names； and their former abodes； and how
they had been used to go to school； and had just come to live in the
cottage deserted by the lamented Una。
Ethel thought it quite provoking in her brother to accede to Mary's
entreaties that they should go and call on this promising
importation。 Even the children's information that they were taught
now by 〃Sister Cherry〃 failed to attract her； but Richard looked at
his watch； and decided that it was too soon to go home； and she had
to submit to her fate。
Very different was the aspect of the house from the wild Irish cabin
appearance that it had in the M'Carthy days。 It was the remains of
an old farm…house that had seen better days； somewhat larger than the
general run of the Cocksmoor dwellings。 Respectable furniture had
taken up its abode against the walls； the kitchen was well arranged；
and； in spite of the wretched flooring and broken windows； had an air
of comfort。 A very tidy woman was bustling about； still trying to
get rid of the relics of her former tenants； who might； she much
feared； have left a legacy of typhus fever。 The more interesting
person was； however； a young woman of three or four and twenty； pale；
and very lame； and with the air of a respectable servant； her manners
particularly pleasing。 It appeared that she was the daughter of a
first wife； and； after the period of schooling； had been at service；
but had been lamed by a fall downstairs； and had been obliged to come
home； just as scarcity of work had caused her father to leave his
native parish； and seek employment at other quarries。 She had hoped
to obtain plain work； but all the family were dismayed and
disappointed at the wild spot to which they had come； and anxiously
availed themselves of this introduction to beg that the elder boy and
girl might be admitted into the town school； distant as it was。 At
another time； the thought of Charity Elwood would have engrossed
Ethel's whole mind； now she could hardly attend； and kept looking
eagerly at Richard as he talked endlessly with the good mother。
When； at last； they did set off； he would not let her gallop home
like a steam…engine； but made her take his arm； when he found that
she could not otherwise moderate her steps。 At the long hill a
figure appeared； and； as soon as Richard was certified of its
identity； he let her fly； like a bolt from a crossbow； and she stood
by Dr。 May's side。
A little ashamed； she blushed instead of speaking； and waited for
Richard to come up and begin。 Neither did he say anything； and they
paused till； the silence disturbing her； she ventured a 〃Well； papa！〃
〃Well； poor things。 She was quite overcome when first I told her
said it would be hard on him； and begged me to tell him that he would
be much happier if he thought no more of her。〃
〃Did Margaret？〃 cried Ethel。 〃Oh！ could she mean it？〃
〃She thought she meant it； poor dear； and repeated such things again
and again； but when I asked whether I should send him away without
seeing her； she cried more than ever； and said； 〃You are tempting me！
It would be selfishness。〃
〃Oh； dear！ she surely has seen him！〃
〃I told her that I would be the last person to wish to tempt her to
selfishness； but that I did not think that either could be easy in
settling such a matter through a third person。〃
〃It would have been very unkind；〃 said Ethel； 〃I wonder she did not
think so。〃
〃She did at last。 I saw it could not be otherwise； and she said；
poor darling； that when he had seen her； he would know the
impossibility； but she was so agitated that I did not know how it
could be。〃
〃Has she？〃
〃Ay； I told him not to stay too long； and left him under the tulip…
tree with her。 I found her much more composedhe was so gentle and
considerate。 Ah！ he is the very man！ Besides； he has convinced her
now that affection brings him； not mere generosity； as she fancied。〃
〃Oh； then it is settled！〃 cried Ethel joyously。
〃I wish it were！ She has owned that ifif she were in healthbut
that is all； and he is transported with having gained so much！ Poor
fellow。 So far； I trust； it is better for them to know each other's
minds； but how it is to be〃
〃But； papa； you know Sir Matthew Fleet said she was sure to get well；
and in three years' time〃
〃Yes； yes； that is the best chance。 But it is a dreary lookout for
two young things。 That is in wiser hands； however！ If only I saw
what was right to do！ My miserable carelessness has undone you all！〃
he concluded； almost inaudibly。
It was indeed； to him； a time of great distress and perplexity；
wishing to act the part of father and mother both towards his
daughter； acutely feeling his want of calm decision； and torn to
pieces at once by sympathy with the lovers； and by delicacy that held
him back from seeming to bind the young man to an uncertain
engagement； above all； tortured by self…reproach for the commencement
of the attachment； and for the misfortune that had rendered its
prosperity doubtful。
Ethel could find no words of comfort in the bewildered glimpse at his
sorrow and agitation。 Richard spoke with calmness and good sense；
and his replies； though brief and commonplace； were not without
effect in lessening the excitement and despondency which the poor
doctor's present mood had been aggravating。
At the door； Dr。 May asked for Flora； and Ethel explained。 If Flora
had obtruded herself； he would have been irritated； but； as it was；
he had no time to observe the disobedience； and saying that he hoped
she was with Margaret； sent Ethel