he valley, or the fleet that glides ghost-like on the horizon. This is
the perch where the spirit plumes its ruffled and drooping wines, and
makes ready to let itself down any wind that Heaven may send.

No doubt Margaret found the benefit of exercise, and the solitary
enjoyment of the country; for, during the last few weeks, walking seemed
to have become a passion with her. Hester was almost out of patience
about it, when for a moment she lost sight of what she well knew must be
the cause of this strong new interest. Every doubtful morning, Margaret
was at the window exploring the clouds. Every fine day she laid her
watch on the table before her, impatiently waiting the approach of the
hour when her brother was to come in for Hester, and when she might set
off by herself, not to return till dinner-time. She became renowned in
Deerbrook for the length of her excursions. The grocer had met her far
out in one direction, when returning from making his purchases at the
market town. The butcher had seen her in the distant fields, when he
paid a visit to his grazier in the pastures. Dr Levitt had walked his
horse beside her in the lane which formed the limit of the longer of his
two common rides; and many a neighbour or patient of Mr Hope's had been
surprised at her declining a cast in a taxed-cart or gig, when there was
only a long stretch of plain road before her, and the lanes and fields
were too miry to enable her to seek any variety in them, in her way
home.

These were, in fact, Margaret's times of refreshing--of practical
worship. These were the times when she saw what at other moments she
only repeated to herself--that all things are right, and that our
personal trials derive their bitterness from our ignorance and spiritual
inexperience. At these times she could not only pity all who suffered,
but congratulate all who enjoyed, and could afford feelings of
disinterested regard to Philip, and of complacency to Miss Bruce. She
remembered that Miss Bruce was unconscious of having injured her--was
possibly unaware even of her existence; and then she enjoyed the luxury
of blessing her rival, and of longing for an opportunity to serve her
secretly and silently, as the happy girl's innocence of all wrong
towards her deserved.

Margaret's desire for a long solitary walk was as strong as ever, the
day after she had visited Maria. No opportunity had occurred of
speaking to her brother without alarming Hester; and