North and South

Margaret and her father walk home from the party. Richard thinks Thornton is worried and anxious due to the strike. He suspects Boucher is exaggerating his circumstances. Thornton hides his feelings like Margaret. Richard hopes she can admire him one day. Margaret says she is trying, but he is the first mill master she has ever known. Margaret did not enjoy sitting with the women at the party listening to their pretentious attempts to display their wealth. Dixon is frantic when they return. Maria’s condition has worsened, and she summoned the doctor. Richard is overcome by her diminished state and is angry Margaret hid the truth from him. The doctor has calmed her with a sedative and promises an improvement. He tells Richard they can manage the symptoms but cannot cure the disease. Richard sobs as Margaret comforts him. Everyone goes to bed, but Margaret remains awake recalling all that has occurred in the brief time since she left Helstone. She views her old life there as a distant memory: “She would fain have caught at the skirts of that departing time, and prayed it to return, and give her back what she had too little valued while it was yet in her possession” (231).