BY THE

AUTHOR OF "AMY HERBERT,"
"LANETON PARSONAGE," &c.

EDITED BY

66 GERTRUDE,"

THE REV. WILLIAM SEWELL, B. D.

FELLOW AND TUTOR OF EXETER COLLEGE,

OXFORD.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

NEW YORK:

D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 200 BROADWAY.

PHILADELPHIA:

GEO. S. APPLETON, 148 CHESNUT STREET.

M DCCC XLVII.

MARGARET PERCIVAL.

CHAPTER I.

THAT Conclusion was arrived at in the morning; before night Margaret was in a different frame of mind. The day had been haunted by the one idea, following her in her walks, her conversations, her private studies, and solemn devotions. She could not bear it longer. On the morrow her uncle would be gone, and many weeks might pass before he came again. Writing would be almost as painful as speaking, and less satisfactory; and if she could make but a single effort, the hardest task would be over. Mr. Sutherland and George went into the library late in the evening to finish something which they were doing together. The fire had been kept up purposely, and Mr. Sutherland spoke of sitting up late, as he had letters to attend to, and he must leave the Grove early in the morning. Margaret listened, when her mother sent her to bed, and found that they were still talking, but the door soon opened, and she heard George say good night." Presently afterwards her uncle came up stairs also, and she fancied he had changed his mind. He stopped, however, at her door, knocked, and asked for a paper which he had given her in charge, and which she had put carefully

66

away.

"It is in one of the drawers of the library table," said Margaret. "I will come and look for it."

Mr. Sutherland begged her not to trouble herself; he should find it easily, he had no doubt; but Margaret insisted upon goin down again; and, as she went, tried to determine whether she should take advantage of the opportunity, and state her difficulties.

The paper was hidden beneath a few others, and there was a little delay in discovering it; perhaps increased by Margaret's absence of mind. It was produced at last; but still Margaret