full, alas! of folly and vanity--rose
again upon her eye and ear, in immediate contrast with the image of
death, and the solemnity of the life to come. In the midst of these
thoughts came tears of shame and self-reproach; for another thought (how
low! how selfish!) thrust itself in among them--that she was secure for
the present from Philip's departure--that he would not leave Deerbrook
while Matilda was in a critical state. As these tears rolled down her
cheeks, the baby looked full in her face, and caught the infection of
grief.

He hung his little lip, and looked so woe-begone, that Margaret dashed
away the signs of her sorrow, and spoke gaily to him; and, as the sun
shone in at the moment upon the lustres on the mantelpiece, she set the
glass-drops in motion, and let the baby try to catch the bright colours
that danced upon the walls and ceiling. At this moment, Hester burst in
with a countenance of dismay.

"Margaret, my husband has a headache!"

A headache was no trifle in these days.

"Anything more than a headache?" asked Margaret. "No other feeling of
illness? There is nothing to wonder at in a mere headache. It is very
surprising that he has not had it before, with all his toil and want of
sleep."

"He declares it is a trifle," said Hester: "but I see he can hardly hold
up. What shall I do?"

"Make him lie down and rest, and let me go to Mrs Howell instead of
you. She will be a little disappointed; but that cannot be helped. She
must put up with my services to-day. Now, do not frighten yourself, as
if no one ever had a headache without having a fever."

"I shall desire Morris to let no one in; and to bring no messages to her
master while his headache lasts."

"Very right. I will tell her as I go for my bonnet. One more kiss
before I go, baby. Do not wait tea for me, Hester. I cannot say when I
shall be back."

Margaret had been gone to Mrs Howell's about an hour and a half, when
there was a loud and hasty knock at the door of the corner-house. It
roused Hope from a doze into which he had just fallen, and provoked
Hester accordingly. There was a parley between Morris and somebody in
the hall; and presently a voice was heard calling loudly upon Mr Hope.
Hester could not prevent her husband from springing from the bed, and
going out upon the stairs. Mr Rowland was already half-way up, looking
almost beside himself with grief.

"You must excuse me, Mr Hope--you must not judge me hard