\"yes--you must go,\" repeated mr. hale, answering margaret\"s question,which she had asked some time ago. his thoughts were fixed on onesubject, and it was an effort to him to follow the zig-zag remarks of hischildren--an effort which ho did not make.

margaret and frederick looked at each other. that quick momentarysympathy would be theirs no longer if he went away. so much wasunderstood through eyes that could not be put into words. both coursedthe same thought till it was lost in sadness. frederick shook it off first:

\"do you know, margaret, i was very nearly giving both dixon andmyself a good fright this afternoon. i was in my bedroom; i had heard aring at the front door, but i thought the ringer must hāve done hisbusiness and gone away long ago; so i was on the point of making myappearance in the passage, when, as i opened my room door, i sawdixon ing downstairs; and she frowned and kicked me into hidingagain. i kept the door open, and heard a message given to some manthat was in my father\"s study, and that then went away. who could ithāve been? some of the shopmen?\"

\"very likely,\" said margaret, indifferently. \"there was a little quiet manwho came up for orders about two o\"clock.\"

\"but this was not a little man--a great powerful fellow; and it was pastfour when he was here.\"

\"it was mr. thornton,\" said mr. hale. they were glad to hāve drawn himinto the conversation.

\"mr. thornton!\" said margaret, a little surprised. \"i thought----\"

\"well, little one, what did you think?\" asked frederick, as she did notfinish her sentence.

\"oh, only,\" said she, reddening and looking straight at him, \"i fanciedyou meant some one of a different class, not a gentleman; somebodye on an errand.\"

\"he looked like some one of that kind,\" said frederick, carelessly. \"i tookhim for a shopman, and he turns out a manufacturer.\"

margaret was silent. she remembered how at first, before she knew hischaracter, she had spoken and thought of him just as frederick wasdoing. it was but a natural impression that was made upon him, and yetshe was a little annoyed by it. she was unwilling to speak; she wantedto make frederick understand what kind of person mr. thornton was-butshe was tongue-tied.

mr. hale went on. \"he came to offer any assistance in his power, ibelieve. but i could not see him. i told dixon to ask him if he wouldlike to see you--i think i asked her to find you, and you would go tohim. i don\"t know what i said.\"