‘He did not say anything about diet, did he?’

’It was to be nourishing, and digestible.  Mamma’s appetite is pretty good, I think.’

’Yes! and that makes it all the more strange he should have thought of speaking about diet.’

‘I asked him, papa.’  Another pause.  Then Margaret went on:  ’Aunt Shaw says, she has sent me some coral ornaments, papa; but,’ added Margaret, half smiling, ’she’s afraid the Milton Dissenters won’t appreciate them.  She has got all her ideas of Dissenters from the Quakers, has not she?’

’If ever you hear or notice that your mother wishes for anything, be sure you let me know.  I am so afraid she does not tell me always what she would like.  Pray, see after that girl Mrs. Thornton named.  If we had a good, efficient house-servant, Dixon could be constantly with her, and I’d answer for it we’d soon set her up amongst us, if care will do it.  She’s been very much tired of late, with the hot weather, and the difficulty of getting a servant.  A little rest will put her quite to rights—­eh, Margaret?’

‘I hope so,’ said Margaret,—­but so sadly, that her father took notice of it.  He pinched her cheek.

’Come; if you look so pale as this, I must rouge you up a little.  Take care of yourself, child, or you’ll be wanting the doctor next.’

But he could not settle to anything that evening.  He was continually going backwards and forwards, on laborious tiptoe, to see if his wife was still asleep.  Margaret’s heart ached at his restlessness—­his trying to stifle and strangle the hideous fear that was looming out of the dark places of his heart.  He came back at last, somewhat comforted.

’She’s awake now, Margaret.  She quite smiled as she saw me standing by her.  Just her old smile.  And she says she feels refreshed, and ready for tea.  Where’s the note for her?  She wants to see it.  I’ll read it to her while you make tea.’

The note proved to be a formal invitation from Mrs. Thornton, to Mr., Mrs., and Miss Hale to dinner, on the twenty-first instant.  Margaret was surprised to find an acceptance contemplated, after all she had learnt of sad probabilities during the day.  But so it was.  The idea of her husband’s and daughter’s going to this dinner had quite captivated Mrs. Hale’s fancy, even before Margaret had heard the contents of the note.  It was an event to diversify the monotony of the invalid’s life; and she clung to the idea of their going, with even fretful pertinacity when Margaret objected.

’Nay, Margaret? if she wishes it, I’m sure we’ll both go willingly.  She never would wish it unless she felt herself really stronger—­really better than we thought she was, eh, Margaret?’ said Mr. Hale, anxiously, as she prepared to write the note of acceptance, the next day.

‘Eh!  Margaret?’ questioned he, with a nervous motion of his hands.  It seemed cruel to refuse him the comfort he craved for.  And besides, his passionate refusal to admit the existence of fear, almost inspired Margaret herself with hope.