[At the mill yard looking in the gate again.  Mrs. Hannah Thornton is walking out.  The scene changes to the Hale's sitting room where Hannah is seated looking uphappy and Margaret comes in.]

Margaret:   Mrs. Thornton.  Thank you for sparing the time to visit us.  Ah, my father is detained, but he'd be touched by your kindness.   [Hannah looks like she would speak, but Margaret goes on.]   Thank you for your kind messages.  We're so grateful.  My aunt has sent me details of a little Italian tune that Miss Thornton asked me about.  [She searches in her desk.]

Mrs. Thornton:   [abruptly]  Miss Hale. I'm afraid I did not visit to indulge Fanny's thirst for light music.  [pause] I have a duty to perform.  I promised your mother that if I knew you had acted wrongly I would offer you advice, whether you chose to take it or not.  So, when I learned from one of my servants that you had been seen out after dark with a gentleman, I thought it right to ... to warn you against such impropriety!  Many a young woman's lost her character...

Margaret:   [cutting her short]  Mrs. Thornton!  I'm sure my mother never meant me to be ... exposed to insult.  [an exchange of proud looks]  Whatever Mr. Thornton has told you ...  [looks down]  I can assure you...

Mrs. Thornton:   My son has told me nothing.  You know nothing of the man you rejected.  If he has any knowledge of this, he keeps it to himself as any man of honour would.

Margaret:   Of course.  [looks ashamed]  I don't doubt it.  [sitting]   I cannot give you any sort of explanation. I've done wrong ... but not in the way you imagine or imply.

Mrs. Thornton:   I did not approve of my son's attachment to you.  You did not seem WORTHY to me.  But I was prepared, for his sake.  Your behavior on the day of the riots exposed you to the comments of servants.  But by the time my son had proposed you'd changed your mind.  [distainful noise]  Maybe this other lover...

Margaret:  You must think very little of me, madam.

Mrs. Thornton:   I can't claim to be sorry you refused my son.  No, I'm glad.  Especially now, when you expose yourself to gossip and ridicule.

Maraget:  [rising agrily]  I won't listen to you any more.  I refuse to answer your questions.  Excuse me.  [She sweeps out of the room, leaving Mrs. Thornton with her mouth open in shock.]