"Oh, Sir!" I exclaimed, "I have kept my word; I will keep it still; but pray let me go and see them--pray do. Where can the harm be in that? Oh! pray, do let me!" In my eagerness, I could scarcely speak, and the words trembled on my lips. "So," he said, "that is what you have been getting pale about, is it?-- and fretting, eh?" I could not deny the imputation. He took his hand from me, frowned, and looked displeased. "Margaret Burns," he observed, sharply, "you are a fool, and I am a still greater fool not to let you rush on your fate. However, I am not going to do it; so just make up your mind to stay here." With that he rose, took the paper for which he had come back, and left me, bidding me not to forget that "Chaos and Creation." He did not come back for three days, which I spent alone in Thornton House. It rained from morning until night, and I felt dull and miserable. I passed the best part of my time in the study, reading; and there my grandfather found me on his return. The afternoon was not far gone, and the weather seemed inclined to improve. The rain had ceased; yellow streaks of sunlight pierced the gray sky, and lit up the wet park. I sat by the window, through which streamed in a doubtful light; a book lay on my lap unread, and with my two hands clasped upon it, and my head low bent, I was absorbed in a waking dream, when the sound of the opening door roused me. I looked up, and saw Mr. Thornton, in his travelling dress, standing on the threshold, his two hands resting on the head of his cane, his eyes attentively fixed upon me. I said something about his return, and rose. He did not answer, but came in slowly, and began taking off his great coat; then suddenly pausing in the operation, he turned to me, and said abruptly: "What is it about?" "What, Sir?" I asked, astonished. "That you are crying for?" I hung down my head, and did not reply. "Has anything or any one annoyed you, whilst I was away?" he asked, in the same short way. "No. Sir." "Then what are you crying for?" "Oh, Sir, you know!" 1 said, with involuntary emotion. "The old story, eh?" He walked up and down the room with his coat hanging half off from one arm; then suddenly stopping before me, he said: "Since you will be a fool, why be one and have your way. That friend of yours has not yet left Leigh; if he will come here, and comply with a condition that I shall exact, he may take you with him when and for as long as he likes." I could scarcely believe my senses. I gazed incredulously at Mr. Thornton, who told me not to be bewildered, but see about it. I needed no second bidding, and ran out of the room at once. I met Charlotte on the staircase. "Charlotte," I said, breathlessly, "can you take a letter for me to Leigh immediately?" Before the girl could answer, Mrs. Marks, standing on the landing where I had first seen her, chose to interfere. "Charlotte must get Mr Thornton's dinner ready," she said, majestically.