he heard the sum could be procured; he
was almost indifferent how; and, strangely callous, as Maggie thought,
he even proposed to draw up a legal form of assignment. Mr. Buxton only
thought of hurrying on the departure; but he could not refrain from
expressing his approval and admiration of Maggie whenever he came near her.
Before he went, he called her aside.

"My dear, I'm not sure if Frank can do better than marry you, after all.
Mind! I've not given it as much thought as I should like. But if you come
back as we plan, next autumn, and he is steady to you till then--and Edward
is going on well--(if he can but keep good, he'll do, for he is very
sharp--yon is a knowing paper he drew up)--why, I'll think about it. Only
let Frank see a bit of the world first. I'd rather you did not tell him
I've any thoughts of coming round, that he may have a fair trial; and I'll
keep it from Erminia if I can, or she will let it all out to him. I shall
see you to-morrow at the coach. God bless you, my girl, and keep you on the
great wide sea." He was absolutely in tears when he went away--tears of
admiring regret over Maggie.

CHAPTER X.

The more Maggie thought, the more she felt sure that the impulse on which
she had acted in proposing to go with her brother was right. She feared
there was little hope for his character, whatever there might be for his
worldly fortune, if he were thrown, in the condition of mind in which he
was now, among the set of adventurous men who are continually going over to
America in search of an El Dorado to be discovered by their wits. She knew
she had but little influence over him at present; but she would not doubt
or waver in her hope that patience and love might work him right at last.
She meant to get some employment--in teaching--in needlework--in a shop--no
matter how humble--and be no burden to him, and make him a happy home, from
which he should feel no wish to wander. Her chief anxiety was about her
mother. She did not dwell more than she could help on her long absence from
Frank; it was too sad, and yet too necessary. She meant to write and tell
him all about herself and Edward. The only thing which she would keep for
some happy future should be the possible revelation of the proposal which
Mr. Buxton had made, that she should give up her engagement as a condition
of his not prosecuting Edward.

There was much sorrowful bustle in the moorland cottage that day. Erminia
brought up a portion