Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. II, 1855.djvu/183

 Margaret's eyes flashed fire. This was idea—this was too insulting. If Mrs. Thornton had spoken to her about the lie she had told, well and good—she would have owned it, and humiliated herself. But to interfere with her conduct—to speak of her character! she—Mrs. Thornton, a mere stranger—it was too impertinent ! She would not answer her—not one word. Mrs. Thornton saw the battle-spirit in Margaret's eyes, and it called up her combativeness also.

"For your mother's sake, I have thought it right to warn you against such improprieties; they must degrade you in the long run in the estimation of the world, even if in fact they do not lead you to positive harm."

"For my mother's sake," said Margaret, in a tearful voice, "I will bear much; but I cannot bear everything. She never meant me to be exposed to insult, I am sure."

"Insult, Miss Hale!"

“Yes, madam," said Margaret more steadily, "it is insult. What do you know of me that should lead you to suspect—Oh!" said she, breaking down, and covering her face with her hands—"I know now, Mr. Thornton has told you"

"No, Miss Hale," said Mrs. Thornton, her truth fulness causing her to arrest the confession Margaret was on the point of making, though her curiosity was itching to hear it. "Stop. Mr. Thornton has told me nothing. You do not know my son. You are not worthy to know him. He said this. Listen, young lady, that you may understand, if you can, what sort of a man you rejected. This Milton