rgaret read that poor little note the tears fell fast and
blotted the page. "Thank God she knows at last," she said to herself
as she folded it up, and then hurriedly prepared to obey the summons.

She hoped that she would not see Lady Redmond before that parting with
Hugh were over, for she needed all her strength for that; and to her
great relief only Ellerton received her. She was ushered for a few
minutes into the empty drawing-room, and then Sir Hugh's nurse came
down to her, and said Dr. Martin had just left the house, and her
master would see Miss Ferrers now.

And there was no one in the sick-room when she entered it, though the
nurse had told her that she would be in the dressing-room within call.
There was no one to see the flash of joy in the sick man's eyes, when
Margaret's cold lips touched his forehead, or to hear his low
"Margaret, darling," that greeted her.

But when she had looked in his face she knew he would not die, and
that her work was before her; and while poor weak Hugh panted out
words of passionate longing and despair, she was girding up her
strength for what she had to say, and praying for help that she might
be able to comfort him.

And no one knew what passed between them but their guardian angels;
only Hugh's miserable selfish passion sunk down abashed as he listened
to this brave sweet woman who was not ashamed to tell him how she
loved him, and how she would love him to her life's end. And as he saw
into the depths of that pure heart, its stainless purity, its
unrepining sorrow, he trembled and was silent.

"What am I that I should touch even the hem of her garment?" he said
to himself afterward.

And she told him what he had never guessed, that were he free she
would never marry him or any man, for in her trouble long ago she had
vowed herself to Heaven; and with a few forcible words she showed him
the plan and purpose of her future life--when Raby should have ceased
to need her; drawing such calm pictures of a tender ministry and a
saintly sisterhood, that Hugh, looking at her with dazzled eyes,
thought he could almost discern a faint halo round her head.

"You were always too good for me, Margaret," he muttered, but she only
smiled at him, and still holding his hands as she knelt beside him,
she whispered that her prayers were heard, and that she knew he would
not die, that it was only his weakness, and he would soon struggle
back to life again.

"But what good is life to me