Mr. Thornton and Mr. Colthurst found one or two mutual subjects of interest, which they could only touch upon then, reserving them for more private after-dinner talk.  Margaret looked beautiful in the pomegranate flowers; and if she did lean back in her chair and speak but little, Edith was not annoyed, for the conversation flowed on smoothly without her.  Margaret was watching Mr. Thornton’s face.  He never looked at her; so she might study him unobserved, and note the changes which even this short time had wrought in him.  Only at some unexpected mot of Mr. Lennox’s, his face flashed out into the old look of intense enjoyment; the merry brightness returned to his eyes, the lips just parted to suggest the brilliant smile of former days; and for an instant, his glance instinctively sought hers, as if he wanted her sympathy.  But when their eyes met, his whole countenance changed; he was grave and anxious once more; and he resolutely avoided even looking near her again during dinner.

There were only two ladies besides their own party, and as these were occupied in conversation by her aunt and Edith, when they went up into the drawing-room, Margaret languidly employed herself about some work.  Presently the gentlemen came up, Mr. Colthurst and Mr. Thornton in close conversation.  Mr. Lennox drew near to Margaret, and said in a low voice: 

’I really think Edith owes me thanks for my contribution to her party.  You’ve no idea what an agreeable, sensible fellow this tenant of yours is.  He has been the very man to give Colthurst all the facts he wanted coaching in.  I can’t conceive how he contrived to mismanage his affairs.’

‘With his powers and opportunities you would have succeeded,’ said Margaret.  He did not quite relish the tone in which she spoke, although the words but expressed a thought which had passed through his own mind.  As he was silent, they caught a swell in the sound of conversation going on near the fire-place between Mr. Colthurst and Mr. Thornton.

’I assure you, I heard it spoken of with great interest—­curiosity as to its result, perhaps I should rather say.  I heard your name frequently mentioned during my short stay in the neighbourhood.’  Then they lost some words; and when next they could hear Mr. Thornton was speaking.

’I have not the elements for popularity—­if they spoke of me in that way, they were mistaken.  I fall slowly into new projects; and I find it difficult to let myself be known, even by those whom I desire to know, and with whom I would fain have no reserve.  Yet, even with all these drawbacks, I felt that I was on the right path, and that, starting from a kind of friendship with one, I was becoming acquainted with many.  The advantages were mutual:  we were both unconsciously and consciously teaching each other.’

’You say “were.”  I trust you are intending to pursue the same course?’

‘I must stop Colthurst,’ said Henry Lennox, hastily.  And by an abrupt, yet apropos question, he turned the current of the conversation, so as not to give Mr. Thornton the mortification of acknowledging his want of success and consequent change of position.  But as soon as the newly-started subject had come to a close, Mr. Thornton resumed the conversation just where it had been interrupted, and gave Mr. Colthurst the reply to his inquiry.