Chapter 52

CHAPTER LII - 'PACK CLOUDS AWAY' (North and South)

'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 to-morrow, 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 to-day. 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 to-morrow 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.