he accordingly presented himself again at mr. hale\"s that evening. herfather and dixon would fain hāve persuaded margaret to go to bed; butthey, neither of them, knew the reason for her low continued refusals to

do so. dixon had learnt part of the truth-but only part. margaret wouldnot tell any human being of what she had said, and she did not revealthe fatal termination to leonards\" fall from the platform. so dixoncuriosity bined with her allegiance to urge margaret to go to rest,which her appearance, as she lay on the sofa, showed but too clearlythat she required. she did not speak except when spoken to; she tried tosmile back in reply to her father\"s anxious looks and words of tenderenquiry; but, instead of a smile, the wan lips resolved themselves into asigh. he was so miserably uneasy that, at last, she consented to go intoher own room, and prepare for going to bed. she was indeed inclined togive up the idea that the inspector would call again that night, as it wasalready past nine o\"clock.

she stood by her father, holding on to the back of his chair.

\"you will go to bed soon, papa, won\"t you? don\"t sit up alone!\"

what his answer was she did not hear; the words were lost in the farsmaller point of sound that magnified itself to her fears, and filled herbrain. there was a low ring at the door-bell.

she kissed her father and glided down stairs, with a rapidity of motionof which no one would hāve thought her capable, who had seen her theminute before. she put aside dixon.

\"don\"t e; i will open the door. i know it is him--i can--i mustmanage it all myself.\"

\"as you please, miss!\" said dixon testily; but in a moment afterwards,she added, \"but you\"re not fit for it. you are more dead than alive.\"

\"am i?\" said margaret, turning round and showing her eyes all aglowwith strange fire, her cheeks flushed, though her lips were baked andlivid still.

she opened the door to the inspector, and preceded him into the study.

she placed the candle on the table, and snuffed it carefully, before sheturned round and faced him.

\"you are late!\" said she. \"well?\" she held her breath for the answer.

\"i\"m sorry to hāve given any unnecessary trouble, ma\"am; for, after all,they\"ve given up all thoughts of holding an inquest. i hāve had otherwork to do and other people to see, or i should hāve been here beforenow.\"

\"then it is ended,\" said margaret. \"there is to be no further enquiry.\"

\"i believe i\"ve got mr. thornton\"s note about me,\" said the inspector,fumbling in his pocket-book.

\"mr. thornton\"s!\" said margaret.

\"yes! he\"s a magistrate--ah! here it is.\" she could not see to read it--no,not although she was close to the candle. the words swam before her.