Once, during a walk, she said to Aunt Elizabeth:
"I am trying, Aunt Elizabeth. Do you think Aunt Anne sees any
improvement?"
And all Aunt Elizabeth said was:
"It was a great shock to her, what you did. Maggie--a great shock
indeed!"
When the last day of the year arrived Maggie was surprised at the
strange excitement that she felt. It was excitement, not only
because of the dim mysterious events that the evening promised, but
also because she was sure that this day would settle the loneliness
of herself and Martin. After this they would know where they stood
and what they must do. Old Warlock loomed in front of her as the
very arbiter of her destiny. On his action everything turned. Oh! if
only after this he were well enough for Martin to be happy and at
ease about him! She was tempted to hate him as she thought of all
the trouble that he had made for her. Then her mind went back to
that first day long ago when he had spoken to her so kindly and
bidden her come and see him as often as she could. How little she
had known then what the future held for her! And now around his tall
mysterious figure not only her own fate but that of every one else
seemed to hang.
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