’Well!  Thornton said—­says he, a day or two ago, “Higgins, have yo’ seen Miss Hale?” “No,” says I; “there’s a pack o’ women who won’t let me at her.  But I can bide my time, if she’s ill.  She and I knows each other pretty well; and hoo’l not go doubting that I’m main sorry for th’ oud gentleman’s death, just because I can’t get at her and tell her so.”  And says he, “Yo’ll not have much time for to try and see her, my fine chap.  She’s not for staying with us a day longer nor she can help.  She’s got grand relations, and they’re carrying her off; and we sha’n’t see her no more.”  “Measter,” said I, “if I dunnot see her afore hoo goes, I’ll strive to get up to Lunnun next Whissuntide, that I will.  I’ll not be baulked of saying her good-bye by any relations whatsomdever.”  But, bless yo’, I knowed yo’d come.  It were only for to humour the measter, I let on as if I thought yo’d mappen leave Milton without seeing me.’

‘You’re quite right,’ said Margaret.  ’You only do me justice.  And you’ll not forget me, I’m sure.  If no one else in Milton remembers me, I’m certain you will; and papa too.  You know how good and how tender he was.  Look, Higgins! here is his bible.  I have kept it for you.  I can ill spare it; but I know he would have liked you to have it.  I’m sure you’ll care for it, and study what is In it, for his sake.’

‘Yo’ may say that.  If it were the deuce’s own scribble, and yo’ axed me to read in it for yo’r sake, and th’ oud gentleman’s, I’d do it.  Whatten’s this, wench?  I’m not going for to take yo’r brass, so dunnot think it.  We’ve been great friends, ’bout the sound o’ money passing between us,’

‘For the children—­for Boucher’s children,’ said Margaret, hurriedly.  ’They may need it.  You’ve no right to refuse it for them.  I would not give you a penny,’ she said, smiling; ’don’t think there’s any of it for you.’

‘Well, wench!  I can nobbut say, Bless yo’! and bless yo’!—­and amen.’

CHAPTER XLIV

EASE NOT PEACE

’A dull rotation, never at a stay,
Yesterday’s face twin image of to-day.’ 
COWPER.

’Of what each one should be, he sees the form and rule, And till he reach to that, his joy can ne’er be full.’  RUCKERT.

It was very well for Margaret that the extreme quiet of the Harley Street house, during Edith’s recovery from her confinement, gave her the natural rest which she needed.  It gave her time to comprehend the sudden change which had taken place in her circumstances within the last two months.  She found herself at once an inmate of a luxurious house, where the bare knowledge of the existence of every trouble or care seemed scarcely to have penetrated.  The wheels of the machinery of daily life were well oiled, and went along with delicious smoothness.  Mrs. Shaw and Edith could hardly make enough of Margaret, on her return to what they persisted in calling her home.