ely forgetful. She would minister to her now with reverent care.
As she thus resolved, she bent down, and kissed her forehead. Margaret
started, shook off sleep, felt quite well, would rise;--there was no
reason why she should not rise at once.

When she entered the breakfast-room, Hester was there, placing her chair
by the fire, and inventing indulgences for her, as if she had been an
invalid. It was in vain that Margaret protested that no effects of the
accident remained,--not a single sensation of chill: she was to be taken
care of; and she submitted. She was touched by her sister's gentle
offices, and felt more like being free and at peace, more like being
lifted up out of her woe, than she had yet done since the fatal hour
which rendered her conscious and wretched. Breakfast went on
cheerfully. The fire blazed bright: the rain pelting against the
windows gave welcome promise of exemption from inquiries in person, and
from having to relate, many times over, the particulars of the event of
yesterday. Hester was beautiful in all the glow of her sensibilities,
and Edward was for this morning in no hurry. No blue or yellow backed
pamphlet lay beside his plate; and when his last cup was empty, he still
sat talking as if he forgot that he should have to go out in the rain.
In the midst of a laugh which had prevented their hearing a premonitory
knock, the door opened, and Mrs Grey's twin daughters entered, looking
half-shy, half-eager. Never before had they been known to come out in
heavy rain: but they were so very desirous to see cousin Margaret after
she had been in the water!--and Sydney had held the great gig umbrella
over himself and them, as papa would not hear of Sydney not coming:--he
was standing outside the door now, under the large umbrella, for he said
nothing should make him come in and see cousin Margaret--he would never
see her again if he could help it. Sydney had said another thing,--such
a wicked thing! Mamma was quite ashamed of him. Mr Hope thought they
had better not repeat anything wicked that any one had said: but Hester
considered it possible that it might not appear so wicked if spoken as
if left to the imagination. What Sydney had said was, that if cousin
Margaret had been really drowned, he would have drowned himself before
dinner-time. Mary added that she heard him mutter that he was almost
ready to do it now. Mr Hope thought that must be the reason why he was
standing out at pres