Margaret's eyes flashed fire. This was a new idea--this was too insulting. If Mrs. Thornton had spoken to her about the lie she had told, well and good--she would have owned it, and humiliated herself. But to interfere with her conduct--to speak of her character! she--Mrs. Thornton, a mere stranger--it was too impertinent! She would not answer her--not one word. Mrs. Thornton saw the battle-spirit in Margaret's eyes, and it called up her combativeness also.
"For your mother's sake, I have thought it right to warn you against such improprieties; they must degrade you in the long run in the estimation of the world, even if in fact they do not lead you to positive harm."
"For my mother's sake," said Margaret, in a tearful voice, "I will bear much; but I cannot bear everything. She never meant me to be exposed to insult, I am sure."

Margaret's eyes flashed fire. This was a new idea - this was insulting. If Mrs. Thornton had spoken to her about the lie, well and good - she would have owned up to it. But to speak of her character! Mrs. Thornton, a mere stranger - it was too impertinent! She would not answer her - not one word.
Mrs. Thornton saw the battle-spirit in Margaret's eyes, and it called up her combativeness also.
'For your mother's sake, I thought it right to warn you against such improprieties; they must degrade you in the long run in the world's eyes, even if they do not lead you to positive harm.'
'For my mother's sake,' said Margaret tearfully, 'I will bear much; but she never meant me to be exposed to insult, I am sure.'
