but, suddenly, this simple emotion of pleasure was tainted, poisoned byjealousy. he wished to overtake her, and speak to her, to see how shewould receive him, now she must know he was aware of some otherattachment. he wished too, but of this wish he was rather ashamed, thatshe should know that he had justified her wisdom in sending higgins tohim to ask for work; and had repented him of his morning\"s decision.

he came up to her. she started.

\"allow me to say, miss hale, that you were rather premature inexpressing your disappointment. i hāve taken higgins on.\"

\"i am glad of it,\" said she, coldly.

\"he tells me, he repeated to you, what i said this morning about--\" mr.

thornton hesitated. margaret took it up:

\"about women not meddling. you had a perfect right to express youropinion, which was a very correct one, i hāve no doubt. but,\" she wenton a little more eagerly, \"higgins did not quite tell you the exact truth.\"

the word \"truth,\" reminded her of her own untruth, and she stoppedshort, feeling exceedingly unfortable.

mr. thornton at first was puzzled to account for her silence; and then heremembered the lie she had told, and all that was foregone. \"the exacttruth!\" said he. \"very few people do speak the exact truth. i hāve givenup hoping for it. miss hale, hāve you no explanation to give me? youmust perceive what i cannot but think.\"

margaret was silent. she was wondering whether an explanation of anykind would be consistent with her loyalty to frederick.

\"nay,\" said he, \"i will ask no farther. i may be putting temptation in your

way. at present, believe me, your secret is safe with me. but you rungreat risks, allow me to say, in being so indiscreet. i am now onlyspeaking as a friend of your father\"s: if i had any other thought or hope,of course that is at an end. i am quite disinterested.\"