North and South

Margaret travels home from the wedding with her father, Richard Hale. Her mother, Maria, did not attend her niece’s wedding because she was ashamed of her shabby clothing. Maria married for love but is discontent with her modest lifestyle. Aunt Shaw, on the other hand, envies Maria’s handsome husband but is happy she has wealth. Margaret notices that her father, who is Helstone’s parish priest, looks tired and aged.

The two-day wedding celebration leaves Margaret exhausted, but she is sad to leave Harley Street: “The farewells so hurriedly taken, amongst all the other good-byes, of those she had lived with so long, oppressed her now with a sad regret for the times that were no more” (22). Margaret thinks of her brother, Frederick, a Navy soldier, who participated in a mutiny and has been missing ever since.

It is late July, and Margaret enjoys being outside in nature. Her mother, on the other hand, complains about living in a remote village. Both Margaret and her father share a love of reading and spend most evenings combing through boxes of books. They do not speak of Frederick as it upsets Maria. Dixon, the domestic worker, still cleans Frederick’s room weekly due to Maria’s hope that he will return. Maria is from a wealthy family, and Dixon came with her after her marriage to Richard. As Margaret’s father returns to his parish work, she notices his depression and detachment worsening. Margaret pushes her worry aside to make a winter preparation list, when the house cleaner Sarah announces Lennox’s arrival.

Margaret is overjoyed to see Lennox though Maria is frustrated with the surprise visit, as they do not have the makings for a proper meal: As is often the case, Maria is in a disagreeable mood. Lennox has been in the Scottish Highlands with the newlyweds and has a letter for Margaret from Edith. After giving Margaret the letter, Lennox examines the room and finds its dullness no match for Margaret’s beauty. Margaret takes Lennox out into the woods to sketch while the house prepares for dinner. Seeing the village, Lennox agrees with Margaret’s earlier assertion of its charm. She goes to speak with an old man from the village, and Lennox sketches her. They return for dinner and find that Maria’s mood has lightened: A neighbor gave them fish for dinner, saving Maria from her embarrassment.

Everyone except Maria retires to the garden after dinner for a dessert of fresh pears. Lennox takes Margaret on a walk and surprises her with a declaration of his love. Margaret responds awkwardly, saying she only views him as a friend. The refusal hurts Lennox’s feelings. When they return to the house, Richard notices a change in Lennox. Lennox abruptly leaves, but not before telling Margaret he thinks she will change her mind.

Margaret thinks over the events of the day. She feels guilty for refusing Lennox’s proposal, but her feelings for him are not deep enough for love. Richard summons Margaret to his study and tells her they must leave Helstone. He has theological doubts about the authority of the church and can no longer be a minister. Richard reads to her from a speech by Mr. Oldfield that inspired his decision: “I must do what my conscience bids. I have borne long with self-reproach that would have roused any mind less torpid and cowardly than mine” (48). In two weeks, they will move to Milton-Northern in Darkshire. A Mr. Bell, Margaret’s godfather, owns property there and will help Richard secure work.

Margaret does not like Northern England and is not fond of the idea. At the same time, she is curious: “Discordant as it was-with almost a detestation for all she had ever heard of the North of England, the manufacturers, the people, the wild and bleak country-there was this one recommendation-it would be different to Helstone” (53). She is ignorant of the family’s financial situation and believes only personal reasons motivate Richard to move. A man named Mr. Thornton will help Richard find opportunities to tutor people in the town. Richard is too ashamed and frightened to tell Maria about the move (he fears her negative response) and begs Margaret to do it.