‘For joy or grief, for hope or fear,

For all hereafter, as for here,

In peace or strife, in storm or shine.’

ANON.

Edith went about on tip-toe, and checked Sholto in all loud speaking that next morning, as if any sudden noise would interrupt the conference that was taking place in the drawing-room. Two o’clock came; and they still sate there with closed doors. Then there was a man’s footstep running down stairs; and Edith peeped out of the drawing-room.

‘Well, Henry?’ said she, with a look of interrogation.

‘Well!’ said he, rather shortly.

‘Come in to lunch!’

‘No, thank you, I can’t. I’ve lost too much time here already.’

‘Then it’s not all settled,’ said Edith despondingly.

‘No! not at all. It never will be settled, if the “it” is what I conjecture you mean. That will never be, Edith, so give up thinking about it.’

‘But it would be so nice for us all,’ pleaded Edith. ‘I should always feel comfortable about the children, if I had Margaret settled down near me. As it is, I am always afraid of her going off to Cadiz.’

‘I will try, when I marry, to look out for a young lady who has a knowledge of the management of children. That is all I can do. Miss Hale would not have me. And I shall not ask her.’

‘Then, what have you been talking about?’

‘A thousand things you would not understand: investments, and leases, and value of land.’

‘Oh, go away if that’s all. You and she will be unbearably stupid, if you’ve been talking all this time about such weary things.’

‘Very well. I’m coming again tomorrow, and bringing Mr. Thornton with me, to have some more talk with Miss Hale.’

‘Mr. Thornton! What has he to do with it?’

‘He is Miss Hale’s tenant,’ said Mr. Lennox, turning away. ‘And he wishes to give up his lease.’

‘Oh! very well. I can’t understand details, so don’t give them me.’

‘The only detail I want you to understand is, to let us have the back drawing-room undisturbed, as it was today. In general, the children and servants are so in and out, that I can never get any business satisfactorily explained; and the arrangements we have to make tomorrow are of importance.’

No one ever knew why Mr. Lennox did not keep to his appointment on the following day. Mr. Thornton came true to his time; and, after keeping him waiting for nearly an hour, Margaret came in looking very white and anxious.

She began hurriedly:

‘I am so sorry Mr. Lennox is not here — he could have done it so much better than I can. He is my adviser in this’——

‘I am sorry that I came, if it troubles you. Shall I go to Mr. Lennox’s chambers and try and find him?’

‘No, thank you. I wanted to tell you, how grieved I was to find that I am to lose you as a tenant. But, Mr. Lennox says, things are sure to brighten’——

‘Mr. Lennox knows little about it,’ said Mr. Thornton quietly. ‘Happy and fortunate in all a man cares for, he does not understand what it is to find oneself no longer young — yet thrown back to the starting-point which requires the hopeful energy of youth — to feel one half of life gone, and nothing done — nothing remaining of wasted opportunity, but the bitter recollection that it has been. Miss Hale, I would rather not hear Mr. Lennox’s opinion of my affairs. Those who are happy and successful themselves are too apt to make light of the misfortunes of others.’

‘You are unjust,’ said Margaret, gently. ‘Mr. Lennox has only spoken of the great probability which he believes there to be of your redeeming — your more than redeeming what you have lost — don’t speak till I have ended — pray don’t!’ And collecting herself ............