“For Enderby’s justification, and for Margaret’s sake, my name shall be joined with the arch-fiend’s, if necessary, my love. You must, as I was saying, rely upon the testimony of those who know the whole, that Enderby’s conduct throughout has been, if not the very wisest and best, perfectly natural, and consistent with the love for Margaret which he has cherished to this hour.”
“I knew it,” murmured Margaret.
“He will himself disclose as much as he thinks proper, when he comes: but he comes full of fear and doubt about his reception.”
Margaret hung her head, feeling that it was well she was reminded what reason there was for his coming with doubt and trembling in his heart.
“As he comes full of fear and doubt,” resumed Hope, “I must tell you first that he never received your last letter, Margaret. He thought you would not answer his. He thought you took him at his word about not attempting explanation.”
“What an unhappy accident!” cried Hester. “Who carried that letter? How did it happen?”
“It was no accident, my dear. Mrs Rowland burned that letter.”
Margaret covered her face with her hands; then, suddenly looking up, she cried:
“Did she read it?”
“No. She says she dared not. Why, Margaret, you seem sorry that she did not! You think it would have cleared you. I have no doubt she thought so too; and that that was the reason why she averted her eyes from it. Yes, it was a cruel injury, Margaret. Can you forgive it, do you think?”