lf. Rather tell me whether you suppose that she prefers any one to
me,--that she had rather I should not seek her,--whether, in short, you
would advise me to withdraw."

"By no means," said Margaret. "I cannot say anything tending to deter
you. I know of nothing which need discourage you; and I assure you, you
have my best wishes that you may succeed."

She looked at him with the bright expression of sincerity and regard
which had touched his heart oftener and more deeply than all Hester's
beauty. He could not have offered to shake hands at the moment; but she
held out hers, and he could not but take it. The door burst open at the
same instant, and Mr Enderby entered. Both let drop the hand they
held, and looked extremely awkward and grave. A single glance was
enough to send Mr Enderby away, without having spoken his errand, which
was to summon Margaret to the orchard, for the final shake of the
apple-tree. When he was gone, each saw that the face of the other was
crimson: but while Hope had a look of distress which Margaret wondered
at, remembering how soon Mr Enderby would understand the nature of the
interview, she was struggling to restrain a laugh.

"Thank you for your truth," said Mr Hope. "I knew I might depend upon
it from you."

"I have told you all I can," said Margaret rising; "and it will be best
to say no more at present. It is due to my sister to close our
conversation here. If she should choose," continued she, gaily, "to
give us leave to renew it hereafter, I shall have a great deal to say to
you on my own part. You have done me the honour of calling me `friend.'
You have my friendship, I assure you, and my good wishes."

Hope grasped her hand with a fervour which absolved him from the use of
words. He then opened the door for her.

"I must return to the orchard," said she. "Will you go? or will you
repose yourself here till we come in to tea?"

Mr Hope preferred remaining where he was. The die was cast, and he
must think. His hour of meditation was salutary. He had never seen
Margaret so--he dared not dwell upon it: but then, never had her
simplicity of feeling towards him, her ingenuous friendship, unmixed
with a thought of love, been so clear. He had made no impression upon
her, except through her sister, and for her sister. He recalled the
stiffness and fear with which she had come when summoned to a
_tete-a-tete_; her sudden relief on the mention of her sister; and her
joy