t Hester's smile was irresistible, or that other
influences were combined with it, it had an extraordinary effect upon
Philip. He started forward in front of her, and offered his hand,
saying, so as to be heard by her alone--

"Will you not?--I have no quarrel with you."

"And can you suppose," she replied, in a tone more of compassion than of
anger, "that I have none with you?--How strangely you must forget!" she
added, as he precipitately withdrew his offered hand, and turned from
her.

"Forget! I forget!" he murmured, turning his face of woe towards her
for one instant. "How little you know me!"

"How little we all know each other!" said Hester, for the moment
careless what construction might be put upon her words.

"Even in this place," said Dr Levitt, who had now joined them, and had
heard the last words: "even in this place, where all hearts should be
open, and all resentments forgotten. Are there any here who refuse to
shake hands--at such a time as this?"

"It is not for myself," said Hester, distressed: "but how can I?"

"It is true; she cannot. Do not blame her, Dr Levitt," said Philip;
and he was gone.

It was this meeting which had cut short Mrs Rowland's whispers with Mr
Walcot, and brought her down the aisle in all her stateliness, with her
train of children behind her.

When Hester went home, she thought it right to tell Margaret exactly
what had happened.

"I knew it?" was all that Margaret said; but her heightened colour
during the day told what unspeakable things were in her heart.

Hester was occupied with speculations as to what might have been the
event if Margaret had been to church instead of herself. Her husband
would only shake his head, and look hopeless: but she still thought all
might have come right, under the influences of the hour. Whether it
were to be wished that Philip and Margaret should understand each other
again, was another question. Yesterday Hester would have earnestly
desired that Margaret should never see Enderby again. To-day she did
not know what to wish. She and Margaret came silently to the same
conclusion; "there is nothing for it but waiting." If he had heard
this, Hope would have shaken his head again.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

WORKING ROUND.

Several days passed, and there was no direct news of Enderby. Maria
never spoke of him, though many little intervals in Margaret's busy life
occurred when the friends were together, and Maria ought ha