She looked at him, and he at her, and she found herself in the focus of a light that enabled her to see everything more clearly. She caught his secret and he hers, and there was no longer any room for misunderstanding. Her father, weak as he was, had been strong enough to provide his daughter with a remedy for the only serious trouble, short of bereavement, that his daughter was ever to know. She refused to return to the parlour, where he awaited her.
"Shall I go?" said Neighbour Tomlin.
"If you please, sir," said Margaret, with a faint smile. She could hardly realise the change that had so suddenly taken place in her hopes and her plans, so swift and unexpected had it been.
Neighbour Tomlin went into the parlour, and made Bridalbin acquainted with the facts.
"Margaret has changed her mind," said Neighbour Tomlin. "She thinks it is best to remain under the care and protection of those whom she knows better than she knows her father."
"Why, she seemed eager to go a moment ago," said Bridalbin; "and you must remember that she is my daughter."
"Her friends couldn't forget that under all the circumstances," Neighbour Tomlin remarked drily.
"I believe her mind has been poisoned against me," Bridalbin declared.
"That is quite possible," replied Neighbour Tomlin; "and I think you could easily guess the name of the poisoner."
"May I see my daughter?"