Who is Margaret from North and South and what is their importance?

Margaret is the main character of the story and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. hale. The narrator describes her as pretty, but often the other characters hint that her looks are disappointing in comparison to both her parents. Nevertheless, she gets a lot of male attention. First, Henry Lennox asks for her hand and then later she wins the admiration of many of the men in Milton, and eventually the love of John Thornton. The main reason for her popularity is her cheerful and spirited demeanor.