We're almost done. Next post will be the epilogue and then - that's it. Thanks for sticking with me for this journey!
John and Margaret were thankful for their brief respite from their usual duties but were equally pleased to return to their respective occupations. They established a routine for their day which, of course, included Mr. Thornton taking lunch with his wife and mother. Margaret fully understood that her husband was required to spend long hours at the mill, ensuring its smooth running and working toward its future success; however, when the hour became too late and she realized that John had, most likely, become too consumed by his books and numbers to remember the time, the new Mrs. Thornton brought herself and some small refreshment to the mill office as a reminder of his existence outside of business. The smile with which she was greeted was precious in Margaret's eyes and she thought of still more ways to encourage the re-appearance of such an expression.
Margaret had not slept well the previous night, as she was overwhelmed by thoughts of Mr. Hale and the relatively short period that they had been together as a family. She reminisced over her blissful childhood when their family of four was permitted to lay claim to every one of its members. The removal from London to Helstone and its subsequent series of upheavals which had concluded in Margaret and her parents making their residence in Milton were all taken out and examined minutely. Had there been opportunities for Margaret to bring greater joy or at least comfort to her father? He had permitted his only daughter to plan and execute the family's removal to Milton and perform all of the work of establishing their new household but Margaret could not, upon reflection, assign blame for the excessive burden placed upon her. She had, at that time, recognized her father's distress due to his agonizing decision and consequent withdrawal from necessary choices. After much introspection and many hours of lost slumber, Margaret completed her examination and found that, on the whole, she had acquitted herself well and without complaint. It is impossible for one, under close scrutiny, to say that they acted precisely as they ought and could forever be finding instances of their own neglect, but a general view of one's actions, taken as a whole, would tend to reveal a greater picture of correctness of purpose and proceedings. Satisfied with her thoughts, Margaret at long last was able to claim some rest, enough to sustain her for the coming day.
The day was progressing as a Tuesday should and John had returned for an abbreviated meal (followed by a refreshing but short period of quiet and affectionate spousal interaction). As the afternoon wore on, wheels were heard stopping in front of the Thornton home, in contrast to the morning to night flow of wagons that passed the house and did not cease their noise until they abutted their destination, Marlborough Mills. Margaret was examining the household accounts with Hannah and took no notice of yet another wagon to pass through the yard. Shortly, there came a knocking on the front door and the maid came in announce a man to see Mrs. Hale. Neither woman was expecting a caller but Margaret asked the maid to please show him up, regardless. When Mr. Bell's somber face appeared behind the maid, Margaret knew in her heart that it could mean but one thing.
'Papa!' cried she, unable make further sounds. Hannah Thornton looked at her daughter's pallid countenance and gently guided her to the couch, sitting in close proximity to comfort the grieving younger woman. She sent a servant to fetch John and invited Mr. Bell to sit, inquiring whether he would like any sustenance and offering him hospitality for the duration of his stay in Milton.
Mr. Bell accepted gratefully and then addressed Margaret, 'My dear! You have already, I see, ascertained my goal in travelling this long journey from Oxford. I wish you to know that your father could think of naught else but you prior to his departure from this mortal coil. He bid me to treat you as my own – which I have done for some while now. Ah, John, I would greet you properly but this might not be the time for effusive welcomes.'
Mr. Thornton hurried to Margaret and knelt in front of her, allowing her to lean her head upon his shoulder, while tenderly enveloping her in a soothing embrace. She had shed no tears but, as those present were those who knew her best, they could see the strain on her visage and the sadness which threatened to overwhelm her.
She quietly murmured, 'I should be wholly insensible if not for you and Mother's support. You are now my entire family.' John did not speak; he merely tightened his arms slightly about her. 'I wish to attend my father's funeral,' Margaret further whispered from upon her husband's shoulder.
John asked, 'You attended your father at Mrs. Hale's, did you not?' At Margaret's slight nod, he replied, 'Then we will travel to Oxford, along with Mr. Bell.' He moved to sit next to his wife and secured her again within his arms and announced, 'Mr. Bell, Margaret and I shall journey to Oxford for Mr. Hale's interment. I must leave now to make arrangements with my foreman for my impending absence.'
After excusing himself, Mr. Thornton left for the mill and Hannah came to sit closer to her daughter, placing her hand atop that of Margaret's for support. Between the two women, preparations were made for the couple's imminent departure and Mr. Bell was graciously invited to remain overnight in the Thornton's home before accompanying John and Margaret to Oxford the following day.
The funeral was, to Margaret's relief and dismay, sparsely attended. The Thorntons returned to Mr. Bell's rooms for a time before they were to return to Milton. During that short interlude, Mr. Bell made both Margaret and John aware of the provisions of his, Mr. Bell's, will – to wit, that Margaret would be his sole heir and beneficiary. He promised to travel northward for a more pleasant visit in the not too distant future and to 'keep an eye on the scallywag that was supposed to see to his Margaret's happiness'. As this was stated with a wink, John took no offense, at least not ostensibly.
Upon their arrival back in Milton, life seemed to rise up and encompass both John and Margaret. They were kept busy enough with their respective duties that several months had passed before either realized the dearth of correspondence from Mr. Bell. A note reached them, stating his intention of arriving later in the week for the pledged visit. However, the stated time passed with no appearance of their guest. Margaret sent a hastily penned letter to Mr. Bell, inquiring if all was well. The communication which came in response was from Mr. Bell's long time servant, stating that Mr. Bell had an attack of apoplexy and was not well. He was, in fact, so declined that he was not likely to be living by the time Margaret received the note.
This was yet another blow within a year containing such an excess of sorrow and it was particularly acute, as both John and Margaret had greatly wished to request Mr. Bell's assistance in a rather personal matter. They had wanted to ask him to perform the service which he had done so long ago, for Mr. and Mrs. Hale, upon the occasion of Margaret's birth.
Now he would be unable to execute the office of g-dfather to the hoped for arrival of a new Thornton in around six months. The thought of Margaret's newfound wealth was not comfort enough to assuage the grief produced by Mr. Bell's passing.