Mrs Shaw crossed the room, closely followed by her lapdog, and seated herself, careful not to disturb the rich folds of her stately gown. Tiny stretched next to her feet and lazily began to eye the tea table.

'What a day! I am quite exhausted.' Mrs Shaw's manner was always a little plaintive. 'I am just come from Mrs Gibson with most alarming intelligence. Poor Eliza was so distraught that I did not dare leave her. She was in such a state, I was almost afraid for her life. I declare I know not how she would bear the night.'

'Oh, never mind Mrs Gibson, mamma', Edith cried impatiently. 'You will not think twice about Mrs Gibson's news when you hear Margaret's!'

Mrs Shaw lifted her eyes in a silent question.

'Yes, Aunt' said Margaret smiling. 'You are to congratulate me.'

'Oh my, Mr Lennox has finally proposed, I see.' Mrs Shaw perked up and began pouring tea. 'I am not at all surprised, you know; there were some pretty symptoms about him. I am sure I do not know why he waited so long.' She paused, tea pot in hand and looked across at the window. 'In my days, not that they were so long gone, the young men were considerably more determined in matters of the heart. I remember the dear General…'

'Oh, not Henry, mamma! Listen,' Edith's disappointment echoed across the room. 'We speak of Mr Thornton! The man Henry brought to my party the other night, on account of Mr Colthurst's visit. Margaret's tenant in Milton.'

'What of him?' Mrs Shaw's genteel brows perched high above her eyes. Margaret motioned to say something but Edith carried on, the pitch of her voice rising alarmingly:

'He has proposed, mamma! Mr Thornton has proposed to Margaret."

'What a ridiculous notion!' Mrs Shaw sipped her tea. 'You must be quite mistaken.'

Margaret found the coolness of her aunt and the excitement of her cousin ludicrous and slightly unbecoming. It has been an eventful day and it seemed the evening did not promise an alteration. She felt tired and irritable, and made a concerted effort to keep her composure calm and steady.

'What Edith says is true, Aunt. Mr Thornton proposed and I –"

'That man!' gasped Mrs Shaw. 'Preposterous! I am sure you put him in his place. What an odious affair! I am sorry for you, you must be quite put out.'

Margaret's vexation was growing, she took a moment to consider her reaction, but this short interlude seemed unbearable for Edith, for she almost jumped in her seat and cried out:

'But mamma, that's not it by half! Margaret has accepted him!'

'I beg your pardon!' Mrs Shaw frowned and her tone was sharp and icy. She fixed Margaret with a look, expecting immediate and profound refutation. Margaret met her aunt's gaze in a proud and steady manner, and replied slowly and firmly:

'As I was saying, Mr Thornton has proposed, and I have accepted him. You are to congratulate me for I am to be most happily situated'.

'Happily? I am astonished at your choice of words! The man is in trade!' Mrs Shaw almost spat the words out, as if the mere sound of them would soil her.

'Mr Thornton is a manufacturer, not a tradesman.' Her voice was cold and deliberate, her pride piqued. 'Being in trade is not offensive. You would please remember that Fred is a partner in a trading establishment. This is the future.'

'Well, not our future, I dare say!' muttered her aunt dismissively. 'It is most unfortunate that Frederick had to resort to such steps but I am sure he had little other choice. But you – a wife of a tradesman?! Such shame and degradation! What would people say! My poor sister will never forgive me.'

'I do not know that we should care so much about what people say. I will not care for their opinion, if that is what they think. And I am sure mamma would have approved. She thought very highly of Mr Thornton.'

'But, Margaret, you are rich. You can do so much better.'

'Oh, aunt! I do not want to do better' Margaret's passion now raging in full force. 'I could not do better. Mr Thornton is a remarkable and well-respected man. I shall marry for love. Just like Edith.'

'Oh, this talk of love is all very well, when both sides are equal in rank and situation. But this is not the case here. He is not a gentleman and from what I hear, he is broke. One cannot help but think of the peculiar timing of his declaration. I am sure –'

'Pray do not continue!' Margaret stood up, her head erect, eyes flaming with indignation. 'I shall not listen to such abuse, such despicable and unjust imputations. You do not know the man of whom you speak so harshly. I assure you, Aunt, that if there is one party to this union who is in any debt, it is I. Mr Thornton's character and integrity are beyond reproach.' Margaret's breast was heaving, her heart pounding, her voice was full of passion. 'I have made my decision. As I am of age, I do not need your consent, and I am not asking it. I shall like very much to have your blessing, but should you find yourself incapable of giving it, that would not alter my decision. I shall marry Mr Thornton. It is my wish, and I am determined on it.'

Silence filled the room. Almost instantly, Margaret regretted the harshness of her words, although not their purport, for she loved her aunt dearly and felt the natural esteem and respect arising from growing up under her tender care. Her regret was also deepened by the uneasy consciousness that, until not so long ago, such sentiments would not have been foreign to her own mind, nor would she have found the objections unfair or unreasonable. Her aunt was a good-natured and well-meaning woman, and her opinions proceeded not from malevolence or meanness, but from circumstance and situation. After some moments of uncomfortable silence, Margaret kneeled by her aunt and spoke softly:

'I am sorry I spoke to you in such manner. You are my only family now and I love you very much. Come, let's not quarrel about this. When you get to know John, you will see how generous and kind he is. He was very kind and gracious to mamma when she was ill. He is known and respected by his peers. You can ask Henry, if you want. If my eyes and mind are blinded by love, Henry's are not.'

Mrs Shaw coughed nervously, looking away from Margaret. For her part, she did not understand love, for she valued comfort and convenience above ardour and affection. But she has agreed on Edith's marrying for love, even if her choice was rather disappointing, and her good heart and compliant nature dictated that Margaret should be allowed the same. To be sure, this Mr Thornton was much older and less pleasant and congenial than Captain Lennox, but Milton was conveniently placed as to preclude frequent or extended congress. Margaret will always be welcomed here and offered the pleasant comforts and elegant society of Harley Street whenever and as often as she wished or felt the need to escape that horrid place in the north.

After some time of such deliberations, Mrs Shaw shifted uncomfortably and said, with voice even more plaintive than usual:

'Why, Margaret! You give me no choice, I see. I do not know how I would bear to see you throw yourself at a man with uncertain prospects, and to live in that dirty, smoky place again.'

'Oh dear Aunt, please do not make yourself uneasy on that account. Henry has worked out a business proposal for me and he is very confident that John will be able to regain his position very soon. And I can promise you that, whenever the dirt and smoke get too much to bear, I shall come and visit you and Edith.'

Margaret stood up and refilled her aunt's cup. Mrs Shaw took a small sip, and as she placed the cup back on the table, sighed sorrowfully:

'Poor Henry! He would be so disappointed!'

------

Thanks for reading! Please let me know your thoughts.