Mrs. Shaw looked extremely perplexed by what Margaret had said.  Thanks for kindness! and apologies for failure in good manners!  But Mrs. Thornton replied: 

’Miss Hale, I am glad you do me justice.  I did no more than I believed to be my duty in remonstrating with you as I did.  I have always desired to act the part of a friend to you.  I am glad you do me justice.’

‘And,’ said Margaret, blushing excessively as she spoke, ’will you do me justice, and believe that though I cannot—­I do not choose—­to give explanations of my conduct, I have not acted in the unbecoming way you apprehended?’

Margaret’s voice was so soft, and her eyes so pleading, that Mrs. Thornton was for once affected by the charm of manner to which she had hitherto proved herself invulnerable.

’Yes, I do believe you.  Let us say no more about it.  Where are you going to reside, Miss Hale?  I understood from Mr. Bell that you were going to leave Milton.  You never liked Milton, you know,’ said Mrs. Thornton, with a sort of grim smile; ’but for all that, you must not expect me to congratulate you on quitting it.  Where shall you live?’

‘With my aunt,’ replied Margaret, turning towards Mrs. Shaw.

’My niece will reside with me in Harley Street.  She is almost like a daughter to me,’ said Mrs. Shaw, looking fondly at Margaret; ’and I am glad to acknowledge my own obligation for any kindness that has been shown to her.  If you and your husband ever come to town, my son and daughter, Captain and Mrs. Lennox, will, I am sure, join with me in wishing to do anything in our power to show you attention.’

Mrs. Thornton thought in her own mind, that Margaret had not taken much care to enlighten her aunt as to the relationship between the Mr. and Mrs. Thornton, towards whom the fine-lady aunt was extending her soft patronage; so she answered shortly,

’My husband is dead.  Mr. Thornton is my son.  I never go to London; so I am not likely to be able to avail myself of your polite offers.’

At this instant Mr. Thornton entered the room; he had only just returned from Oxford.  His mourning suit spoke of the reason that had called him there.

‘John,’ said his mother, ’this lady is Mrs. Shaw, Miss Hale’s aunt.  I am sorry to say, that Miss Hale’s call is to wish us good-bye.’

‘You are going then!’ said he, in a low voice.

‘Yes,’ said Margaret.  ‘We leave to-morrow.’

‘My son-in-law comes this evening to escort us,’ said Mrs. Shaw.

Mr. Thornton turned away.  He had not sat down, and now he seemed to be examining something on the table, almost as if he had discovered an unopened letter, which had made him forget the present company.  He did not even seem to be aware when they got up to take leave.  He started forwards, however, to hand Mrs. Shaw down to the carriage.  As it drove up, he and Margaret stood close together on the door-step,