She cleared her throat and began:
"Miss Hale, I have a duty to perform. I promised your poor mother that, as far as my poor judgment went, I would not allow you to act in any way wrongly, or (she softened her speech down a little here) inadvertently, without remonstrating; at least without offering advice, whether you took it or not."
Margaret stood before her, blushing like any culprit, with her eyes dilating as she gazed at Mrs. Thornton. She thought she had come to speak to her about the falsehood she had told--that Mr. Thornton had employed her to explain the danger she had exposed herself to, of being confuted in full court! and although her heart sank to think he had not rather chosen to come himself, and upbraid her, and receive her penitence, and restore her again to his good opinion, yet she was too much humbled not to bear any blame on this subject patiently and meekly.
Mrs. Thornton went on:
"At first, when I heard from one of my servants, that you had been seen walking about with a gentleman, so far from home as the Outwood station, at such a time of the evening, I could hardly believe it. But my son, I am sorry to say, confirmed her story. It was indiscreet, to say the least; many a young woman has lost her character before now----"

 cleared her throat and began:
'Miss Hale, I have a duty to perform. I promised your poor mother that I would not allow you to act in any way wrongly, or (she softened her speech a little here) inadvertently, without remonstrating; at least, without offering advice, whether you took it or not.'
Margaret stood blushing, with her eyes dilating. She thought Mrs. Thornton had come to speak to her about the falsehood she had told - that Mr. Thornton had employed her to explain the danger she had exposed herself to, of being confuted in court. Although her heart sank to think he had not chosen to come himself, yet she was too much humbled not to listen patiently and meekly.
Mrs. Thornton went on:
'At first, when I heard from one of my servants, that you had been seen walking about with a gentleman, at the Outwood station, late in the evening, I could hardly believe it. But my son, I am sorry to say, confirmed her story. It was indiscreet, to say the least; many a young woman has lost her character before now-'
