e don't like to see you in
this way."

"There is nothing the matter, I assure you," said Margaret. "We were
too much for you; we tired you; and we are very sorry--that is all. But
the room will be kept quite quiet now, and you will soon feel better."

"I am better, my dear, thank you. How are you sitting so low? Bless
me! you are kneeling. Pray, my dear, rise. To think of your kneeling
to take care of me!"

"Give me one kiss, and I will rise," said Margaret, bending over her.
It was a hearty kiss which Mrs Enderby gave her, for the old lady put
all her energy into it. Margaret rose satisfied; she felt as if she had
been accepted for a daughter.

As soon as Mrs Enderby appeared disposed to shut her eyes and lie
quiet, Philip and Margaret withdrew, leaving her to Phoebe's care.
Arm-in-arm they sauntered about the walks, till they came upon Hester
and Mr Rowland, who were sitting in the sun, under the shelter of an
evergreen hedge.

"Have you heard nothing of my husband yet?" asked Hester. "I do wish he
would come, and read this letter from Frank."

"Her anxiety is purely disinterested," said Margaret to Philip. "There
can be nothing about her in that letter. His greetings to her will come
in the next."

"Edward enjoys Frank's letters above everything," observed Hester.

"Suppose you go in next door, and we will send Hope to you when he
comes," said Philip, intending thus to set Mr Rowland free, to dismiss
Hester, and have Margaret to himself for a garden walk.

"The Greys are all out for the day," observed Mr Rowland; "my partner
and all; and this must be my excuse to you, ladies, for wishing you a
good morning. There is a lighter at the wharf down there, whose lading
waits for me."

"Ay, go," said Philip: "we have detained you long enough. We will find
our way by some means into the Greys' grounds, and amuse ourselves
there. If you will bid one of your people call us when Hope comes, we
shall hear."

By the help of an overturned wheelbarrow, and some activity, and at the
expense of a very little detriment to the hedge, the ladies were
presently landed on Mr Grey's territories. By common consent, the
three directed their steps towards the end of the green walk, whence
might be seen the prospect of which the sisters were never tired. A
purple and golden crocus peeped up here and there from the turf of this
walk; there was a wilderness of daffodils on either side, the blossoms
just bursting fro