\"now i will think of it--now i will remember it all. i could not before--idared not.\" she sat still in her chair, her hands clasped on her knees, herlips pressed, her eyes fixed as one who sees a vision. she drew adeep breath.

\"i, who hate scenes--i, who hāve despised people for showing emotion-whohāve thought them wanting in self-control--i went down and mustneeds throw myself into the melee, like a romantic fool! did i do anygood? they would hāve gone away without me i dare say.\" but this wasover-leaping the rational conclusion,--as in an instant her well-poisedjudgment felt. \"no, perhaps they would not. i did some good. but whatpossessed me to defend that man as if he were a helpless child! ah!\"

said she, clenching her hands together, \"it is no wonder those peoplethought i was in love with him, after disgracing myself in that way. i inlove--and with him too!\" her pale cheeks suddenly became one flame offire; and she covered her face with her hands. when she took themaway, her palms were wet with scalding tears.

\"oh how low i am fallen that they should say that of me! i could nothāve been so brāve for any one else, just because he was so utterlyindifferent to me--if, indeed, i do not positively dislike him. it made methe more anxious that there should be fair play on each side; and i couldsee what fair play was. it was not fair, said she, vehemently, \"that heshould stand there--sheltered, awaiting the soldiers, who might catchthose poor maddened creatures as in a trap--without an effort on hispart, to bring them to reason. and it was worse than unfair for them toset on him as they threatened. i would do it again, let who will say whatthey like of me. if i sāved one blow, one cruel, angry action that mightotherwise hāve been mitted, i did a woman\"s work. let them insultmy maiden pride as they will--i walk pure before god!\"

she looked up, and a noble peace seemed to descend and calm her face,till it was \"stiller than chiselled marble.\"

dixon came in:

\"if you please, miss margaret, here\"s the water-bed from mrs.

thornton\"s. it\"s too late for to-night, i\"m afraid, for missus is nearlyasleep: but it will do nicely for to-morrow.\"

\"very,\" said margaret. \"you must send our best thanks.\"

dixon left the room for a moment.

\"if you please, miss margaret, he says he\"s to ask particular how youare. i think he must mean missus; but he says his last words were, to askhow miss hale was.\"