The doctor was distressed, and poor Margaret felt an indirect reproach was conveyed to her in the urgent words to the nurse about "Keep Miss Rivers quiet; agitation, the least excitement, will prove fatal."
"And this step, by which alone it seems I can save her, kills my life also," Margaret breathed softly to herself.
Mr. Drayton did not, in the least, understand all the poor child meant to convey in her letter; the one fact made all others of no account--Margaret would marry him, and he had gained his point.
Mr. Sandford would have seen something in his face, had he been there, which Margaret had seen long ago. His steel-blue eyes gleamed with triumph and a curious shifting light.
He went to the "Sun," as soon as he possibly could, and Margaret read her fate in his expression; and her heart seemed to die within her.
Some weeks passed away. Where had Margaret learned all the caution she showed now? She was going to make a sacrifice. The instinct of self-preservation made her write to Mr. Sandford; she insisted upon seeing him at once, and Mrs. Dorriman she entreated to come to her.
Mr. Drayton was very much annoyed when he found what she had done. "They will take you away," he said; "they will come between us."
"I have given you my promise," she said, coldly, "is not that enough?"
There was no room in the little inn for either, but Margaret took some lodgings. It was the best, as their presence would have agitated Grace too much.
Mr. Sandford found a new Margaret in the cold, calm resolute girl before him.
She told him shortly and very quietly that she had promised to marry Mr. Drayton.
"But I no longer wish it," he said eagerly, and hoping to see her soften and change. Her hard, cold expression was a terrible disappointment.
"I have promised," she answered, "and I wanted you to come because, if I do this, it is for Grace; and you must manage for me, that, if I live or die, Grace will be cared for. She must have plenty, always. You are wise about things, and clever. I give my life, and Grace must have plenty."
"But, Margaret! Is Grace worth this? A tiresome, wrong-headed, selfish creature----"
"Please spare her to me!" said Margaret, passionately; "she is my sister, and I love her."