Mr. Singleton was walking up and down the room, whistling discordantly. He came up to Margaret, thanked her repeatedly for her kindness to Harriet, and rang the bell for the urn.
Mr. Gage and Mr. Humphries joined her at the tea-table.
"I have not seen you since breakfast," said Mr. Gage, bending across the teacups, "how much I have regretted your absence."
Now Margaret was in very low spirits, feeling solitary and frightened, and perhaps his being a Gage inspired her with confidence, and made her feel a claim upon his sympathy, for she turned her eyes, filled with tears, upon him, and said:—
"Harriet is so ill, Mr. Gage!"
"I am sorry to hear it," he replied coldly.
This sudden check did not produce the effect upon Margaret that it might upon some people. She never cried upon such occasions: she forced back her tears, at once, and sat cold and silent.
Mr. Humphries handed her toast and cakes in vain.
Mr. Gage rose, and employed himself in altering the lamp.
"Does the doctor come again this evening, Miss Capel?" asked Mr. Singleton.