But Frank would not smile.  In fact, like all angry persons, he found fresh matter for offence in every sentence.  She did not consider the engagement as quite final:  thus he chose to understand her playful speech.  He would not answer.  She spoke again: 

“Dear Frank, you are not angry with me, are you?  It is nonsense to think that we are to go about the world, picking and choosing men and women as if they were fruit and we were to gather the best; as if there was not something in our own hearts which, if we listen to it conscientiously, will tell us at once when we have met the one of all others.  There now, am I sensible?  I suppose I am, for your grim features are relaxing into a smile.  That’s right.  But now listen to this.  I think your father would come round sooner, if he were not irritated every day by the knowledge of your visits to me.  If you went away, he would know that we should write to each other yet he would forget the exact time when; but now he knows as well as I do where you are when you are up here; and I fancy, from what Erminia says, it makes him angry the whole time you are away.”

Frank was silent.  At last he said:  “It is rather provoking to be obliged to acknowledge that there is some truth in what you say.  But even if I would, I am not sure that I could go.  My father does not speak to me about his affairs, as he used to do; so I was rather surprised yesterday to hear him say to Erminia (though I’m sure he meant the information for me), that he had engaged an agent.”

“Then there will be the less occasion for you to be at home.  He won’t want your help in his accounts.”

“I’ve given him little enough of that.  I have long wanted him to have somebody to look after his affairs.  They are very complicated and he is very careless.  But I believe my signature will be wanted for some new leases; at least he told me so.”

“That need not take you long,” said Maggie.

“Not the mere signing.  But I want to know something more about the property, and the proposed tenants.  I believe this Mr. Henry that my father has engaged, is a very hard sort of man.  He is what is called scrupulously honest and honorable; but I fear a little too much inclined to drive hard bargains for his client.  Now I want to be convinced to the contrary, if I can, before I leave my father in his hands.  So you cruel judge, you won’t transport me yet, will you?”

“No” said Maggie, overjoyed at her own decision, and blushing her delight that her reason was convinced it was right for Frank to stay a little longer.

The next day’s post brought her a letter from Edward.  There was not a word in it about her inquiry or remonstrance; it might never have been written, or never received; but a few hurried anxious lines, asking her to write by return of post, and say if it was really true that Mr. Buxton had engaged an agent.  “It’s a confounded shabby trick if he has, after what he said to me long ago.  I cannot tell you how much I depend on your complying with my request.  Once more, write directly.  If Nancy cannot take the letter to the post, run down to Combehurst with it yourself.  I must have an answer to-morrow, and every particular as to who—­when to be appointed, &c.  But I can’t believe the report to be true.”