XLI-XLV Summary

After the tragedies, events in Milton calm down. Margaret begins to teach the Boucher children; Frederick denounces England and decides to stay in Spain; Fanny marries and Nicholas settles back into work. After the winter, Mr. Hale decides to visit his friend, Mr. Bell, in Oxford. Mr. Hale does not feel his best and complains of extreme tiredness. Mr. Bell tries to raise his spirits, but the next morning Mr. Hale is dead. Mr. Bell travels up to Milton to deliver the sad news. On the train, he meets Mr. Thornton. Mr. Thornton is sad about Mr. Hale's death, but he is more upset to hear that Margaret will probably move back down south and marry Henry Lennox. To prevent further conversation, Mr. Thornton hides behind his newspaper.

Margaret is distraught and spends her days crying. Mr. Bell sends for her Aunt Shaw...