Margaret Hale and John Thornton 10 of 21

 The two of them walked side by side down the main street of Milton, where lots of people and carriages were coming and going. Margaret asked him:

“How was the business matter in London?”

“Good, we got the deal done.”

She looked up at him with a relieved expression, and said “I'm glad to hear that.”

He looked at his lover, whom he had not seen for several days.

"I also took a trip to Liverpool."

"Liverpool? Wh…"

Before She finishing next word, she noticed a man's eyes on her and closed her mouth. It was the man who had spoken to her several days ago, now looking at them from across the street.

She was silent until they passed by a few meters away from the man. John, sensing something strange, walked in silence as well. Then she asked him in a measured voice:

“Mr. Thornton...you know that man looking at us, don’t you?”

John turned around, "…Henderson, one of the mill owners," he continued in a low voice.

"What’s the matter?"

“When I was walking along, he asked me about Marlborough Mill after your withdrawal, even though it never happened.”

He looked uncomfortable.

Before long they arrived at the post office.

After she put a letter in the mailbox, she faced him and noticed that he had the same regretful look as her. She said:

“Mr. Thornton, why don't you come to my place in the evening? I still have a little more tidying up to do."

Smiling serenely, she invited him:

”Come and have a cup of tea.”

Their eyes were locked on each other.

“Yes…I will.”

A carriage passed by next to them.

＊＊

Around the same time at Hannah’s house on the mill grounds, John’s sister Fanny was talking to her mother.

“What do you mean, Mama? I don't understand."

Fanny asked her mother in an irritated state, raising her eyebrows.

In contrast, Hannah's voice was low in tone:

“So, the house, the mill, all the property belongs to Ms. Hale now."

Her mother already explained the fact that the previous owner, Mr. Bell, had given everything to his goddaughter Margaret. How many times had Hannah told her daughter about that? Hannah continued:

“It is not just matter of the lease of the building, Fanny. Her investment in the mill saved John from bankruptcy.”

“Why did she do it? Of all the men and women, why did it have to be her?"

 

Fanny, who was upset and bewildered, looked out the window and found John walking up.

＊＊

“I'm home, Mother."

John noticed that his sister was also in the drawing room, saying:

"Fanny, you're here."

He put his hat in its usual place and looked at his mother and sister, feeling their unpleasant mood.

Fanny raised her chin and yielded him without normal greeting.

“So you totally rely on Ms. Hale, John! Is it because Anne Latimer dumped you? Don't you have the slightest bit of shame? You and your mill were saved by a woman made rich from a stroke of good luck, right?”

Hannah said shortly, "Stop it, Fanny.”

He looked at his sister with sharp eyes while Fanny continued.

“She used to bring food to the poor, hungry babies, you know? Now you're in their position, don’t you think?"

His face was grim, but the next moment he laughed.

“I see, that's what all Milton thinks of me, isn't it?”
Fanny put her hands on her hips while Hannah was watching the situation with a calm eye. Before his sister opened her mouth to say something, he went on.

“You can say whatever you want, Fanny. I'm going to check on the progress of the machine adjustments. I have a lot of work to do."

He said to his mother as he walked toward the stairs.

“The purchase went well, Mother. The first lot will be here on Thursday."

Hannah nodded slightly.

He stopped while walking down the stairs and turned his gaze toward Fanny, saying:

"Make no mistake, Fanny. Miss Hale is the only woman I've ever wanted to marry."