Was it to be so sudden then? thought Margaret; and yet perhaps it was as well. Lingering would only add stings to the pain; it was better to be stunned into numbness by hearing of all these arrangements, which seemed to be nearly completed before she had been told. "What does mamma say?" asked she, with a deep sigh.

So sudden? thought Margaret; and yet perhaps it was as well. Lingering would only add stings to the pain. 'What does mamma say?' asked she.
