[A train station, people are hurrying past a stopped train. Henry and Margaret are visible in the windows of a compartment.]

Henry Lennox:   There's a ten-minute stop here.  Sorry for the delay, but we're halfway back to London.  I think we have to wait for a northbound train to pass.

[Margaret gets up and opens the door to step out on the platform.  A train whistle sounds, chugging noises. Margaret's eyes are following an approaching train in amazement.  Mr. John Thornton has arrived at the station, but he is staring out of the window, oblivious of Margaret at this point.  As the train completes it's stop, Margaret draws nearer, still gazing in wonder at John.  After a passenger disembarks, John is shutting the door to his compartment when he sees Margaret. He stands up never breaking his gaze and gets off the train.  Margaret looks hazily pleased, then blinks, and closes her mouth as he comes up to her.]

John Thornton:   Where are you going?

Margaret Hale:   To London. I...I've been to Milton.  [uncertainly looking away]

John:   [Breathes out an almost "Ah!" then smiles.]  You'll not guess where I've been.  [He looks into her eyes for a moment then pulls out a yellow hedge rose from his waistcoast pocket, and holds it out to her.]

Margaret:   [She takes the flower.]  To Helstone!  [smiling]  I thought those had all gone!  [looks up]

John:   I found it in the hedgerow. [smiles]  You have to look hard.  [Margaret looks down again.]  Why were you in Milton?

Margaret:   [She looks up at him, remembering.]  On business.  Well, that is, I have a business proposition.  [She turns toward her train compartment.]  Oh, dear.  I need Henry to help me explain.

John:   [Follows her and grasps her arm briefly to stop her.]  You don't need Henry to explain.  [In a very decided manner, he leads her to a bench.]

[Not so sure, Margaret looks toward Henry who is still sitting in the train watching them. John and Margaret sit down.]

Margaret:   I have to get this right.  [Her glance keeps dropping from his.]  It's a business proposition. [swallowing and continuing swiftly]  I have some fifteen thousand pounds.  'Tis lying in the bank at present, earning very little interest.  [a nervous glimpse up to see him smiling indulgently as he listens and looks intently back]  Now, my financial advisers tell me that if you were to take this money and use it to run Marlborough Mills, you could give me a very much better rate of  .... interest.  [Slowing down she looks up again breathing quickly. He is smiling into her eyes, and she drops her eyes again to her lap at her hands holding the rose.]  So you see, it is only a business matter.  You'd not be obliged to me in any way.  It is you who would be doing ... [John's arm moves and he grasps Margaret's hand in her lap.]   ...me the service.   [Her voice fades off and she caresses John's hand.  Suddenly she lifts it to her mouth to kiss it fervently.]

[John is visibly moved.  He slowly puts his other hand to her face, gently persuading Margaret to raise her eyes to his.  Slowly, tenderly, he begins to kiss her, softly at first.  Then more firmly he holds her face to his.  Henry looks on from the train.]

Conductor:   London train about to depart.  London train is about to depart.

[John and Margaret draw apart looking searchingly into each other's eyes.  Margaret looks troubled.  A whistle sounds as Margaret abruptly stands and walks quickly to her train.  John gets up more slowly, watching her go with a resigned sigh and a wrinkled brow before he turns dejectedly away.]

Margaret:   Henry, I...

Henry:   [Standing at the compartment door, he hands Margaret her bag.]  Goodbye, Margaret.

[Margaret takes her luggage, exchanging a long look with Henry. He looks grim, shuts the door and sits back down.]

[Margaret's reflection appears in the glass of the compartment John Thornton is standing in front of.  He detects a movement behind and turns around.  Seeing Margaret he smiles warmly at her.]

John:   You're coming home with me?  [Margaret answers with a glance. In a moment, Thornton followed her onto the train carrying her bag and shutting the coach door after himself.  The train pulls out of the station, it's whistle blowing.  Countryside passes by the windows, but Margaret and John only see each other.  Smiling softly they kiss, once, twice, and again, John's arm around Margaret.  Dropping her head shyly, she turns to look out the window again, just as we saw her at the beginning of this story.]

THE END