North and South, Chapter 4 summary

What happens

1. Margaret reflects unhappily on rejecting Mr. Lennox and wonders whether his apparent lightness conceals disappointment.
2. Mr. Hale privately announces that he must leave his ministry because he cannot satisfy his conscience about Church requirements.
3. He reads religious advice to strengthen his resolve and explains that an offer of another living brings his doubts to a crisis.
4. Margaret learns that resignation arrangements are advanced, although her mother knows nothing about them.
5. Mr. Hale explains his plan to work as a private tutor in Milton-Northern with help from Mr. Bell.
6. Margaret agrees to tell her mother, pleads unsuccessfully against the decision, and returns to the drawing room distressed.

In this chapter

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