\"then i am sure you are wrong,\" said mr. hale. \"he may care for her,though she really has been almost rude to him at times. but she!--why,margaret would never think of him, i\"m sure! such a thing has neverentered her head.\"

\"entering her heart would do. but i merely threw out a suggestion ofwhat might be. i dare say i was wrong. and whether i was wrong orright, i\"m very sleepy; so, hāving disturbed your night\"s rest (as i cansee) with my untimely fancies, i\"ll betake myself with an easy mind tomy own.\"

but mr. hale resolved that he would not be disturbed by any suchnonsensical idea; so he lay awake, determining not to think about it.

mr. bell took his leāve the next day, bidding margaret look to him asone who had a right to help and protect her in all her troubles, ofwhatever nature they might be. to mr. hale he said,-\"

that margaret of yours has gone deep into my heart. take care of her,for she is a very precious creature,--a great deal too good for milton,-onlyfit for oxford, in fact. the town, i mean; not the men. i can\"t matchher yet. when i can, i shall bring my young man to stand side by sidewith your young woman, just as the genie in the arabian nightsbrought prince caralmazan to match with the fairy\"s princess badoura.\"

\"i beg you\"ll do no such thing. remember the misfortunes that ensued;and besides, i can\"t spare margaret.\"

\"no; on second thoughts, we\"ll hāve her to nurse us ten years hence,when we shall be two cross old invalids. seriously, hale! i wish you\"dleāve milton; which is a most unsuitable place for you, though it wasmy remendation in the first instance. if you would; i\"d swallow myshadows of doubts, and take a college living; and you and margaretshould e and live at the parsonage--you to be a sort of lay curate,

and take the unwashed off my hands; and she to be our housekeeper-thevillage lady bountiful--by day; and read us to sleep in the evenings.

i could be very happy in such a life. what do you think of it?\"

..（／t｜）

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