"Thank you, dear papa. It will make me happier, indeed." And she went up to him to kiss him. But he pushed her away--gently enough, but still as if she had suggested unpleasant ideas, which he should be glad to get rid of as readily as he could of her presence. He walked uneasily up and down the room.
"Poor Maria!" said he, half soliloquising, "I wish one could do right without sacrificing others. I shall hate this town, and myself too, if she----. Pray, Margaret, does your mother often talk to you of the old places: of Helstone, I mean."
"No, papa," said Margaret, sadly.

'Thank you, dear papa. It will make me happier, indeed.' And she went up to kiss him. But he pushed her away - gently enough, but still as if she had suggested unpleasant ideas. He walked uneasily up and down the room.
'Poor Maria!' said he, half to himself. 'I wish one could do right without sacrificing others. I shall hate this town, and myself too, if she- Pray, Margaret, does your mother often talk to you of Helstone?'
'No, papa,' said Margaret sadly.
