"And yet I think, Mr. Hubert," said Margaret, "that you would forgive your greatest enemy under such affliction, and even speak kindly of him; indeed, I am sure you would." "I must go away," he exclaimed, "I cannot stand this. Every instant you make yourself more dear to me. I cannot resolve to abandon the hope of one day winning your regard." "Shall I try and argue you out of it?" said Margaret, "shall I convince you that, like most quiet people my feelings are very tenacious; and that when I say I have done with love. I do not make use of the expression common to disappointed women, but that I speak a determination that can never undergo any change. And yet I assure you, Mr. Hubert, that my friendship is worth having. For instance, I give you very good advice." Margaret tried to speak cheerfully, but the smile would not come. "I will follow it to the letter," said he; "you shall never see me again until I can say proudly that I have proved myself worthy of your interest. If all women would so use their influence"--He paused, unable, from emotion, to complete his sentence. Margaret changed the subject. "My uncle is better to-day than he has been for some time," she said, "I think the prospect of going home has wrought this change, and I hope that when he is once settled comfortably again at Ashdale, his improvement will be rapid." "I hope so," said Hubert, "but my present anxiety is about yourself; how am I ever to hear of you?" "If you are kindly anxious to learn how I am, I dare say Bessy will tell you as much in her letters," said Margaret; "but I expect my life to be so monotonous henceforth, that I shall furnish nothing but a bulletin." "I must live upon that, then," he said. "_Well and Single._ That will be something for me to hear. And if I could not catch some of your fortitude," he added, looking admiringly at her calm face, "I should be unworthy of the name of a man. But you do not know how hard it is for me to leave you while you are looking so ill. You did not sleep last night." "Sleep, no!" said Margaret, with _naiveté_. "And I am afraid," said Hubert, "that you will not take proper care of yourself without some one to overlook your proceedings." "There is one great cure for my ailments. Time," said Margaret, tranquilly; "and I think his wings, or wheels will move as well in your absence as in your presence, Mr. Hubert." "That is true, I cannot hasten the movements of your physician," said Hubert, with a smile. "That is right," said Margaret, rising, "let us part now, cheerfully." "Well, but give me your commands," he replied, "you cannot tell the charm of following implicitly the direction of a person one loves."