Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. II, 1855.djvu/368

 She began hurriedly:

"I am so sorry Mr. Lennox is not here,—he could have done it so much better than I can. He is my adviser in this"

"I am sorry that I came, if it troubles you. Shall I go to Mr. Lennox's chambers and try and find him?"

"No, thank you. I wanted to tell you, how grieved I was to find that I am to lose you as a tenant. But, Mr. Lennox says, things are sure to brighten"

"Mr. Lennox knows little about it," said Mr. Thornton quietly. "Happy and fortunate in all a man cares for, he does not understand what it is to find oneself no longer young—yet thrown back to the starting-point which requires the hopeful energy of youth—to feel one half of life gone, and nothing done—nothing remaining of wasted opportunity, but the bitter recollection that it has been. Miss Hale, I would rather not hear Mr. Lennox's opinion of my affairs. Those who are happy and successful themselves are too apt to make light of the misfortunes of others."

“You are unjust," said Margaret, gently. "Mr. Lennox has only spoken of the great probability which he believes there to be of your redeeming—your more than redeeming what you have lost—don't speak till I have ended—pray don't!" And collecting herself once more, she went on rapidly turning over some law papers, and statements of accounts in a trembling hurried manner. "Oh! here it is! and—he drew me out a proposal—I wish he was here to explain it—showing that if