“But, Mr. Earnshaw, you know that is not how we think. We consider you only as a friend--and take it as the greatest kindness you can do us.” Then Lady Mary, with a flush of generous sentiment, took a warm little hand out of her muff, and gave it to Edgar, who was a great deal more touched by the _amende_ than he had been hurt by Miss Annetta’s innocent assault. “Thanks,” he said, with moisture in his eyes, “so much the better for me, and so much the less reason for being ashamed of my post. If you snubbed me, I might have some excuse perhaps for making a fool of myself.” “Mr. Earnshaw!” said Lady Mary again, but this time with hesitation, and almost timidity. “I wonder if you will think I mean to snub you--if I say something which I am almost bound to say?” “Say it!” said Edgar, smiling. He felt in a moment that he knew what was coming, and looked into her tremulous countenance with all the superior calm of a man prepared for pain, and prescient of what was to come. “You will not be angry? Oh, Mr. Earnshaw! if you only knew how I fret at such restrictions--how I wish we could put aside mercenary considerations, and acknowledge ourselves all to be equal, as I am sure we are by nature!” “I don’t think we are equal by nature,” said Edgar; “but never mind the abstract question. I promise not even to be wounded. And I think I know what you are going to say.” “It is just this,” said Lady Mary, hurriedly, “Forgive me! The young Thornleighs, Mr. Earnshaw, have always been very much with us. I am fond of them, and so is Mr. Tottenham, and they are always coming and going. It would be ungenerous to you as well as unkind to them, if we were to send them away because you are here.” Edgar did no more than bow in assent. A certain sense of personal dignity, quite new to him, kept him from doing more. “It would be thoroughly ungenerous to you,” said Lady Mary, warmly, “and contrary to the perfect trust we feel--both my husband and I--in you, our friend.” “Just one word, Lady Mary,” said Edgar, “and pardon me if it seems harsh. Why did you not think of this before? I came here in a mist, not knowing very well what was to happen to me; but _you_ knew the whole, both my side and the other. I need not say send me away, which is the most natural thing to do, for you were aware of all the circumstances the other day when you brought me here. Of course, at any moment, I am ready to go.” “That is not quite generous,” said Lady Mary, with an appealing look, “of course we knew, and trusted you as we trust you now--fully. But, Mr. Earnshaw, forgive me! I promised to Augusta to say just one word.” “I have already said to Lady Augusta all that can be said,” said Edgar; “that she need not fear me--that I will not put myself in her way.”