Farther than that--beyond admitting the fact of your being at the Outwood station with a gentleman, on the evening of the twenty-sixth--he has said nothing--not one word against you. If he has knowledge of anything which should make you sob so, he keeps it to himself."
Margaret's face was still hidden in her hands, the fingers of which were wet with tears. Mrs. Thornton was a little mollified.
"Come, Miss Hale. There may be circumstances, I'll allow, that, if explained, may take off from the seeming impropriety."
Still no answer. Margaret was considering what to say; she wished to stand well with Mrs. Thornton; and yet she could not, might not, give any explanation. Mrs. Thornton grew impatient.
"I shall be sorry to break off an acquaintance; but for Fanny's sake--as I told my son, if Fanny had done so we should consider it a great disgrace--and Fanny might be led away----"

Beyond that - and your being at the station with a gentleman - he has said not one word against you. If he has knowledge of anything which should make you sob so, he keeps it to himself.'
Margaret's face was still hidden in her hands. Mrs. Thornton was a little mollified.
'Come, Miss Hale. There may be circumstances, I'll allow, that, if explained, may lessen the impropriety.'
Still no answer. Margaret was considering what to say; she wished to stand well with Mrs. Thornton; and yet she could not explain. Mrs. Thornton grew impatient.
'I shall be sorry to break off an acquaintance; but for Fanny's sake-'
