Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. II, 1855.djvu/328

 with us quite alone than with the most agreeable strangers you could pick up. Besides, if he is not well he won't wish for invitations. I am glad he has owned it at last. I was sure he was ill from the whole tone of his letters, and yet he would not answer me when I asked him, and I had no third person to whom I could apply for news."

"Oh! he is not very ill, or he would not think of Spain."

"He never mentions Spain."

"No! but his plan that is to be proposed evidently relates to that. But would you really go in such weather as this?"

"Oh ! it will get cooler every day. Yes! Think of it ! I am only afraid I have thought and wished too much—in that absorbing wilful way which is sure to be disappointed—or else gratified, to the letter, while in the spirit it gives no pleasure."

"But that's superstitious, I'm sure, Margaret."

"No, I don't think it is. Only it ought to warn me, and check me from giving way to such passionate wishes. It is a sort of 'Give me children, or else I die.’ I'm afraid my cry is, 'Let me go to Cadiz, or else I die.'"

"My dear Margaret! You'll be persuaded to stay there; and then what shall I do? Oh! I wish I could find somebody for you to marry here, that I could be sure of you!"

"I shall never marry."

"Nonsense, and double nonsense! Why, as Sholto says, you're such an attraction to the house, that he knows ever so many men who will be glad to visit here next year for your sake."