\"don\"t fear!\" said his mother, crushing down her own personalmortification at the little notice he had taken of the rare ebullition of hermaternal feelings--of the pang of jealousy that betrayed the intensity ofher disregarded love. \"don\"t be afraid,\" she said, coldly. \"as far as lovemay go she may be worthy of you. it must hāve taken a good deal toovere her pride. don\"t be afraid, john,\" said she, kissing him, as shewished him good-night. and she went slowly and majestically out ofthe room. but when she got into her own, she locked the door, and satedown to cry unwonted tears.

margaret entered the room (where her father and mother still sat,holding low conversation together), looking very pale and white. shecame close up to them before she could trust herself to speak.

\"mrs. thornton will send the water-bed, mamma.\"

\"dear, how tired you look! is it very hot, margaret?\"

\"very hot, and the streets are rather rough with the strike.\"

margaret\"s colour came back vivid and bright as ever; but it faded awayinstantly.

\"here has been a message from bessy higgins, asking you to go to her,\"

said mrs. hale. \"but i\"m sure you look too tired.\"

\"yes!\" said margaret. \"i am tired, i cannot go.\"

she was very silent and trembling while she made tea. she was thankful

to see her father so much occupied with her mother as not to notice herlooks. even after her mother went to bed, he was not content to beabsent from her, but undertook to read her to sleep. margaret was alone.

.t**t**

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