John went straight to his office, without stopping by her mother's breakfast table as he usually did. He knew that she was aware of his feelings and any attempt of talking to her would be useless. She would blame Margaret for his misery; she would blame him for wanting her. He knew that her mother only wanted his best and yet, her comments were so harmful! He stopped by his window and saw a carriage. Was it her? Almost automatically, he closed it and looked away. He could not dare to see her again.
Margaret and her aunt got into the carriage to go to the train station. No words were spoken, but no words were needed. Margaret saw the streets that became her own home, the faces she so well knew. They passed through Marlborough Mills and she spotted Mr Thornton's window. It was closed, closed as her hopes, closed as her feelings. However, she felt relieved. She could not dare to see him again.