Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. I, 1855.djvu/313

 them till they absolutely stood before her in flesh and blood. But, of course, the effort not to think of them brought them only the more strongly before her; and from time to time, the hot flush came over her pale face sweeping it into colour, as a sunbeam from between watery clouds comes swiftly moving over the sea.

Dixon opened the docr very softly, and stole on tiptoe up to Margaret, sitting by the shaded window.

"Mr. Thornton, Miss Margaret. He is in the drawing-room."

Margaret dropped her sewing.

"Did he ask for me? Isn't papa come in?"

"He asked for you, miss; and master is out."

"Very well, I will come," said Margaret, quietly. But she lingered strangely.

Mr. Thornton stood by one of the windows, with his back to the door, apparently absorbed in watching something in the street. But, in truth, he was afraid of himself. His heart beat thick at the thought of her coming. He could not forget the touch of her arms around his neck, impatiently felt as it had been at the time; but now the recollection of her clinging defence of him, seemed to thrill him through and through,—to melt away every resolution, all power of self-control, as if it were wax before a fire. He dreaded lest he should go forwards to meet her, with his arms held out in mute entreaty that she would come and nestle there, as she had done, all unheeded, the day before, but never unheeded again. His heart throbbed loud and quick. Strong man as he was, he trembled at the anticipation of what he had to say, and how it might be received.