I was sure he was ill from the whole tone of his letters, and yet hewould not answer me when I asked him, and I had no third person towhom I could apply for news."
"Oh! he is not very ill, or he would not think of Spain."
"He never mentions Spain."
"No! but his plan that is to be proposed evidently relates to that. Butwould you really go in such weather as this?"
"Oh! it will get cooler every day. Yes! Think of it! I am only afraid Ihave thought and wished too much--in that absorbing wilful way whichis sure to be disappointed--or else gratified, to the letter, while in thespirit it gives no pleasure."
"But that"s superstitious, I"m sure, Margaret."
"No, I don"t think it is. Only it ought to warn me, and check me fromgiving way to such passionate wishes. It is a sort of "Give me children,or else I die." I"m afraid my cry is, "Let me go to Cadiz, or else I die.""
"My dear Margaret! You"ll be persuaded to stay there; and then whatshall I do? Oh! I wish I could find somebody for you to marry here, thatI could be sure of you!"
"I shall never marry."
"Nonsense, and double nonsense! Why, as Sholto says, you"re such anattraction to the house, that he knows ever so many men who will beglad to Visit here next year for your sake."
Margaret drew herself up haughtily. "Do you know, Edith, I sometimesthink your Corfu life has taught you----"
"Well!"
"Just a shade or two of coarseness."
Edith began to sob so bitterly, and to declare so vehemently thatMargaret had lost all love for her, and no longer looked upon her as afriend, that Margaret came to think that she had expressed too harsh an opinion for the relief of her own wounded pride, and ended by beingEdith"s slave for the rest of the day; while that little lady, overcome bywounded feeling, lay like a victim on the sofa, heaving occasionally aprofound sigh, till at last she fell asleep.