f these perpetual squabbles; and they must earnestly desire
to have peace in the counting-house. God forbid that their dominions
should be invaded for our sake!"

"Not for our sake only, but for the sake of justice."

"Everything depends on the sort of men you have to deal with, in such
cases as this. You must not expect too much. Here are two kind-hearted
men, bound to each other by mutual good will and mutual interest. There
is no other resemblance between them, except that they are both
overpowered--made rather cowardly by the circumstances of their
environment. Once departing from their plan of keeping the peace, they
would be plunged into quarrel. They view things so differently, from
the differences of their minds, that their only safety is in avoiding
altogether all subjects of Deerbrook contention. If you expect the
heroism of devoted friendship, or of an enthusiastic sense of justice
from such men, you will not find it. We must take them as they are."

"And humbly accept such countenance as they choose to bestow?"

"Take it or leave it, as you will. There is no use in quarrelling with
them for not being what they are not--that is all. Be generous with
them; and do not expect from them the conduct which they have a right to
expect from you."

"I rather wonder," observed Margaret, "that they have had the courage to
go so far as they do, in bearing testimony in your favour."

"They have been very handsome in their conduct on the whole; and it
would grieve me sincerely if they were to suffer further than they have
already done on my account. I am afraid Mr Rowland is wretched now,
because I will accept no assistance from him. He told me, the other
day, that he should receive no rent for this house while Walcot occupies
the other. He was beyond measure mortified when I positively declined
being under any such obligation to any landlord. If Mr Rowland
steadily refuses to turn us out of our house, and goes on offering
favours that I cannot accept, that is all we can expect from him."

"It never occurred to me that he can turn us out," said Hester, "that we
are tenants at will. Oh! how sorry I should be to go!" she continued,
as she surveyed the place. "I should grieve to quit our first home."

"There is no danger I believe: Mr Rowland will be firm on that head."

"And there is no danger, I should think," said Margaret, "but that the
Greys would find us something better the next day. Oh, I do n