formed the heroic
resolution of bringing Margaret into the house, on his own
responsibility, for Mrs Enderby's relief and gratification and he was
gone to tell Margaret that he considered her now as Mrs Enderby's
daughter, and was come to summon her to the sick bed. Philip presently
discovered that the presence of some one from the Hopes would be the
best cordial that could be administered; and he set forth on the same
errand--to bring Margaret, that she might have his protection in case of
his sister returning before her arrival. Mrs Rowland did return: and
the two gentlemen, having taken different roads to the corner-house (it
being a matter of old dispute which was the shortest) missed each other.
Margaret was gone with Mr Rowland before Philip arrived.

"Here I will leave you," said Mr Rowland to Margaret, on the steps of
his own house. "You will find Philip and Phoebe upstairs, and Mr
Walcot. I must go in search of Mr Hope, and beg the favour of him to
tell me whether we are proceeding rightly with our patient. She is too
ill for ceremony."

Margaret wondered why, if this was the case, Mr Rowland did not bring
Edward to the patient at once; but she had her wonder to herself, for
her escort was gone. The servant did not more than half-open the door,
and seemed unwilling to let Margaret enter; but she passed in, saying
that she must see Phoebe for a moment. She soon found that she was to
be left standing on the mat; for no person appeared, though she thought
she heard whispers upstairs. Ned coming to peep from the study-door,
she beckoned him to her, and asked to be shown to where Phoebe was. The
child took her hand, and led her upstairs. At the top of the first
flight she met the lady of the house, who asked her, with an air of
astonishment, what she wanted there? Margaret replied that Mr Rowland
had brought her to see Mrs Enderby. That was impossible, the lady
replied. Mr Rowland knew that Mrs Enderby was too ill to receive
visitors. She herself would send for Miss Ibbotson whenever it should
be proper for Mrs Enderby to admit strangers. Margaret replied that
she must see Phoebe--that she should not retire till she had spoken to
her, or till Mr Rowland's return. Mrs Rowland sent Ned to desire the
servant to open the door for Miss Ibbotson; and Margaret took her seat
on a chair on the landing, saying that, relying on her title to be
admitted to Mrs Enderby, at the desire of her old friend herself,