give up the cause he had once undertaken. He had all the inveteracy
of the stout old puritan. The usual introduction over and he resumed,
though he now addressed himself to the daughter rather than the
mother. She scarcely heard him to the end.

"The books were my father's, Mr. Cross; they are valuable to me
on that account. They are dear to me on their own. They are almost
my only companions, and though I believe you would find nothing in
them which might be held detrimental, yet I must confess, if there
were, I should be sorry to be made acquainted with the fact. I
have not yet discovered it myself, and should be loath to have it
shown by another."

"But you will let me see them, Margaret?"

"Yes, sir, whenever you please. I can have no objection to that,
but if by seeing them you only desire an opportunity to say what I
shall read and what not, I can only tell you that your labor will
be taken in vain. Indeed, the evil is already done. I have not a
volume which I have not read repeatedly."

It is needless to add that Brother Cross was compelled to forego his
book examination at the widow Cooper's, though strongly recommended
there to press it at Widow Thackeray's. Alfred Stevens was a mute
observer during the interview, which did not last very long after
the appearance of Margaret. He was confirmed in all his previous
impressions of her beauty, nor did the brevity of the conference
prevent him from perceiving her intense self-esteem, which under
certain influences of temperament is only another name for vanity.
Besides they had exchanged glances which were volumes, rendering