saidMissPhoebe，seeingMolly’sextremediscomfitureandannoyance。’Itcanbenogreatsecret，’saidMissBrowning，droppingthelittle—birdformula，andassuminganairofdignifiedreprovalatMissPhoebe’sinterruption，’forMissHornblowersaysMrPrestonownstobeingengaged——’’AtanyrateitisnottoCynthia，thatIknowpositively，’saidMollywithsomevehemence。’Andprayputastoptoanysuchreports；youdon’tknowwhatmischieftheymaydo。Idosohatethatkindofchatter！’ItwasnotveryrespectfulofMollytospeakinthiswaytobesure，butshethoughtonlyofRoger；andthedistressanysuchreportsmightcause，shouldheeverhearofthem（inthecentreofAfrica！）madehercolourupscarletwithvexation。’Heighty—teighty！MissMolly！don’tyourememberthatIamoldenoughtobeyourmother，andthatitisnotprettybehaviourtospeaksotous—
tome！\"Chatter\"tobesure。Really，Molly——’’Ibegyourpardon，’saidMolly，onlyhalf—penitent。’Idaresayyoudidnotmeantospeaksotosister，’saidMissPhoebe，tryingtomakepeace。Mollydidnotanswerallatonce。Shewantedtoexplainhowmuchmischiefmightbedonebysuchreports。’Butdon’tyousee，’shewenton，stillflushedbyvexation，’howbaditistotalkofsuchthingsinsuchaway？Supposingoneofthemcaredforsomeoneelse，andthatmighthappen，youknow；MrPreston，forinstance，maybeengagedtosomeoneelse？’’Molly！Ipitythewoman！IndeedIdo。IhaveaverypooropinionofMrPreston，’saidMissBrowning，inawarningtoneofvoice；foranewideahadcomeintoherhead。’Well，butthewoman，oryounglady，wouldnotliketohearsuchreportsaboutMrPreston。’’Perhapsnot。Butforallthat，takemywordforit，he’sagreatflirt，andyoungladieshadbetternothavemuchtodowithhim。’’IdaresayitwasallaccidenttheirmeetinginHeathLane。’saidMissPhoebe。’Iknownothingaboutit，’saidMolly，’andIdaresayIhavebeenimpertinent，onlypleasedon’ttalkaboutitanymore。Ihavemyreasonsforaskingyou。’Shegotup，forbythestrikingofthechurchclockshehadjustfoundoutthatitwaslaterthanshehadthought，andsheknewthatherfatherwouldbeathomebythistime。ShebentdownandkissedMissBrowning’sgraveandpassiveface。’Howyouaregrowing，Molly！’saidMissPhoebe，anxioustocoveroverhersister’sdispleasure。’\"Astallandasstraightasapoplar—tree！\"astheoldsongsays。’’Growingrace，Molly，aswellasingoodlooks！’saidMissBrowning，watchingheroutoftheroom。Assoonasshewasfairlygone，MissBrowninggotupandshutthedoorquitesecurely，andthensittingdownnearhersister，shesaid，inalowvoice，’Phoebe，itwasMollyherselfthatwaswithMrPrestoninHeathLanethatdaywhenMrsGoodenoughsawthemtogether！’’Graciousgoodnessme！’exclaimedMissPhoebe，receivingitatonceasgospel。’Howdoyouknow？’’Byputtingtwoandtwotogether。DidnotyounoticehowredMollywent，andthenpale，andhowshesaidsheknewforafactthatMrPrestonandCynthiaKirkpatrickwerenotengaged？’’Perhapsnotengaged；butMrsGoodenoughsawthemloiteringtogether，allbytheirowntwoselves——’’MrsGoodenoughonlycrossedHeathLaneattheShireOak，asshewasridinginherphaeton，’saidMissBrowning，sententiously。’Weallknowwhatacowardsheisinacarriage，sothatmostlikelyshehadonlyhalfherwitsabouther，andhereyesarenoneofthebestwhensheisstandingsteadyontheground。MollyandCynthiahavegotthosenewplaidshawlsjustalike，andtheytrimtheirbonnetsalike，andMollyisgrownastallasCynthiasinceChristmas。Iwasalwaysafraidshe’dbeshortandstumpy，butshe’snowastallandslenderasanyoneneedbe。I’llanswerforit，MrsGoodenoughsawMolly，andtookherforCynthia。’WhenMissBrowning’answeredforit’MissPhoebegaveupdoubting。Shesatesometimeinsilencerevolvingherthoughts。Thenshesaid，—’Itwouldnotbesuchaverybadmatchafterall，sister。’Shespokeverymeekly，awaitinghersister’ssanctiontoheropinion。’Phoebe，itwouldbeabadmatchforMaryPreston’sdaughter。IfIhadknownwhatIknownowwe’dneverhavehadhimtotealastSeptember。’’Why，whatdoyouknow？’askedMissPhoebe。’MissHornblowertoldmemanythings；somethatIdon’tthinkyououghttohear，Phoebe。HewasengagedtoaveryprettyMissGregson，atHenwick，wherehecomesfrom；andherfathermadeinquiries，andheardsomuchthatwasbadabouthim，thathemadehisdaughterbreakoffthematch，andshe’sdeadsince！’’Howshocking！’saidMissPhoebe，dulyimpressed。’Besides，heplaysatbilliardsandhebetsatraces，andsomepeopledosayhekeepsrace—horses。’’Butisnotitstrangethattheearlkeepshimonashisagent？’’No！perhapsnot。He’sverycleveraboutland，andverysharpinalllawaffairs；andmylordisnotboundtotakenotice—ifindeedheknows—
ofthemannerinwhichMrPrestontalkswhenhehastakentoomuchwine。’’Takentoomuchwine。Oh，sistersisheadrunkard？andwehavehadhimtotea！’’Ididnotsayhewasadrunkard，Phoebe，’saidMissBrowning，pettishly。
’Amanmaytaketoomuchwineoccasionally，withoutbeingadrunkard。Don’tletmehearyouusingsuchcoarsewords，Phoebe！’MissPhoebewassilentforatimeafterthisrebuke。’Presentlyshesaid，’IdohopeitwasnotMollyGibson。’’Youmayhopeasmuchasyoulike，butI’mprettysureitwas。However，we’dbettersaynothingaboutittoMrsGoodenough；shehasgotCynthiaintoherhead，andthereletherrest。TimeenoughtosetreportsafloataboutMollywhenweknowthere’ssometruthinthem。MrPrestonmightdoforCynthia，who’sbeenbroughtupFrance，thoughshehassuchprettymanners；
butitmayhavemadehernotparticular。Hemustnot，andheshallnot，haveMolly，ifIgointochurchandforbidthebannsmyself；butI’mafraid—I’mafraidthere’ssomethingbetweenherandhim。Wemustkeeponthelookout，Phoebe。I’llbeherguardianangel，inspiteofherself。’EndofPartFourchapter41ELIZABETHGASKELLWIVESANDDAUGHTERSPARTV（ChaptersXLI—L）CHAPTERXLIGATHERINGCLOUDS
MrsGibsoncamebackfullofrose—colouredaccountsofLondon。LadyCumnorhadbeengraciousandaffectionate，’sotouchedbymygoinguptoseeher，sosoonafterherreturntoEngland；’LadyHarrietcharminganddevotedtoheroldgoverness；LordCumnor’justlikehisdearusualheartyself；’andasfortheKirkpatricks，noLordChancellor’shousewasevergranderthantheirs，andthesilkgownoftheQ。C。hadfloatedoverhousemaidsandfootmen。Cynthia，too，wassomuchadmired；andasforherdress，MrsKirkpatrickhadshowereddownball—dressesandwreaths，andprettybonnetsandmantles，likeafairygodmother。MrGibson’spoorpresentoftenpoundsshrankintoverysmalldimensionscomparedwithallthismunificence。
’Andthey’resofondofher，Idon’tknowwhenweshallhaveherback，’
wasMrsGibson’swinding—upsentence。’Andnow，Molly，whathaveyouandpapabeendoing？Verygay，yousoundedinyourletter。IhadnottimetoreaditinLondon；soIputitinmypocket，andreaditinthecoachcominghome。But，mydearchild，youdolooksoold—fashionedwithyourgownmadealltight，andyourhairalltumblingaboutincurls。Curlsarequitegoneout。’Wemustdoyourhairdifferently，’shecontinued，tryingtosmoothMolly’sblackwavesintostraightness。
’IsentCynthiaanAfricanletter，’saidMolly，timidly。’Didyouhearanythingofwhatwasinit？’
’Oh，yes，poorchild！Itmadeherveryuneasy，Ithink；shesaidshedidnotfeelinclinedtogotoMrRawson’sball，whichwasonthatnight，andforwhichMrsKirkpatrickhadgivenhertheball—dress。Buttherereallywasnothingforhertofidgetherselfabout。Rogeronlysaidhehadhadanothertouchoffever，butwasbetterwhenhewrote。HesayseveryEuropeanhastobeacclimatizedbyfeverinthatpartofAbyssiniawhereheis。’
’Anddidshego？’askedMolly。
’Yes，tobesure。Itisnotanengagement；andifitwere，itisnotacknowledged。Fancyhergoingandsaying，\"AyoungmanthatIknowhasbeenillforafewdaysinAfrica，twomonthsago，thereforeIdon’twanttogototheballto—night。\"Itwouldhaveseemedlikeaffectationofsentiment；
andifthere’sonethingIhateitisthat。’
’Shewouldhardlyenjoyherself，’saidMolly。
’Oh，yes，butshedid。Herdresswaswhitegauze，trimmedwithlilacs，andshereallydidlook—amothermaybeallowedalittlenaturalpartiality—mostlovely。Andshedancedeverydance，althoughshewasquiteastranger。
Iamsuresheenjoyedherself，fromhermanneroftalkingaboutitnextmorning。’
’Iwonderifthesquireknows。’
’Knowswhat？Oh，yes，tobesure！YoumeanaboutRoger。Idaresayhedoesn’t，andthere’snoneedtotellhim，forI’venodoubtitisallrightnow。’AndshewentoutoftheroomtoFinishherunpacking。
Mollyletherworkfall，andsighed。’Itwillbeayearthedayafterto—morrowsincehecameheretoproposeourgoingtoHurstWood，andmammawassovexedathiscallingbeforelunch。IwonderifCynthiaremembersitaswellasIdo。Andnow，perhaps——Oh！Roger，Roger！Iwish—Ipraythatyouweresafehomeagain！Howcouldweallbearit，if——’
Shecoveredherfacewithherhands，andtriedtostopthinking。Suddenlyshegotup，asifstungbyavenomousfancy，’Idon’tbelievesheloveshimassheought，orshecouldnot—couldnothavegoneanddanced。WhatshallIdoifshedoesnot？WhatshallI
do？Icanbearanythingbutthat。’
Butshefoundthelongsuspenseastohishealthhardenoughtoendure。
Theywerenotlikelytohearfromhimforamonthatleast，andbeforethattimehadelapsedCynthiawouldbeathomeagain。Mollylearnttolongforherreturnbeforeafortnightofherabsencewasover。Shehadhadnoideathatperpetualtê；te—？tê；teswithMrsGibsoncould，byanypossibility，besotiresomeasshefoundthem。PerhapsMolly’sstateofdelicatehealth，consequentuponherrapidgrowthduringthelastfewmonths，madeherirritable；butreallyoftenshehadtogetupandleavetheroomtocalmherselfdownafterlisteningtoalongseriesofwords，morefrequentlyplaintiveordiscontentedintonethancheerful，andwhichattheendconveyednodistinctimpressionofeitherthespthieaker’sthoughtorfeeling。Wheneveranythinghadgonewrong，wheneverMrGibsonhadcoollyperseveredinanythingtowhichshehadobjected；wheneverthecookhadmadeamistakeaboutthedinner，orthehousemaidbrokenanylittlefrangiblearticle；wheneverMolly’shairwasnotdonetoherliking，orherdressdidnotbecomeher，orthesmellofdinnerpervadedthehouse，orthewrongcallerscame，ortherightcallersdidnotcome—infact，wheneveranythingwentwrong，poorMrKirkpatrickwasregrettedandmournedover，nay，almostblamed，asif，hadheonlygivenhimselfthetroubleofliving，hecouldhavehelpedit。
’WhenIlookbacktothosehappydays，itseemstomeasifIhadnevervaluedthemasIought。Tobesure—youth，love，—whatdidwecareforpoverty！IrememberdearMrKirkpatrickwalkingfivemilesintoStratfordtobuymeamuffinbecauseIhadsuchafancyforoneafterCynthiawasborn。Idon’tmeantocomplainofdearpapa—butIdon’tthink—but，perhapsIoughtnottosayittoyou。IfMrKirkpatrickhadbuttakencareofthatcoughofhis；buthewassoobstinate！Menalwaysare，Ithink。
Anditreallywasselfishofhim。OnlyIdaresayhedidnotconsidertheforlornstateinwhichIshouldbeleft。Itcameharderuponmethanuponmostpeople，becauseIalwayswasofsuchanaffectionatesensitivenature。
IrememberalittlepoemofMrKirkpatrick’sinwhichhecomparedmyhearttoaharp—string，vibratingtotheslightestbreeze。’
’Ithoughtharp—stringsrequiredaprettystrongfingertomakethemsound，’saidMolly。
’Mydearchild，you’venomorepoetryinyouthanyourfather。Andasforyourhair！it’sworsethanever。Can’tyoudrenchitinwatertotakethoseuntidytwistsandtwirlsoutofit？’
’Itonlymakesitcurlmoreandmorewhenitgetsdry，’saidMolly，suddentearscomingintohereyesasarecollectioncamebeforeherlikeapictureseenlongagoandforgottenforyears—ayoungmotherwashinganddressingherlittlegirl；placingthehalf—nakeddarlingonherknee，andtwiningthewetringsofdarkhairfondlyroundherfingers，andthen，inanecstasyoffondness，kissingthelittlecurlyhead。
ThereceiptofCynthia’slettersmadeveryagreeableevents。Shedidnotwriteoften，butherlettersweretolerablylongwhentheydidcome，andverysprightlyintone。Therewasconstantmentionmadeofmanynewnames，whichconveyednoideatoMolly，thoughMrsGibsonwouldtryandenlightenherbyrunningcommentarieslikethefollowing，—
’MrsGreen！ah，that’sMrJones’sprettycousin，wholivesinRussellSquarewiththefathusband。Theykeeptheircarriage；butI’mnotsureifitisnotMrGreenwhoisMrsJones’scousin。WecanaskCynthiawhenshecomeshome。MrHenderson！tobesure—ayoungmanwithblackwhiskers，apupilofMrKirkpatrick’sformerly，—orwasheapupilofMrMurray’s？
Iknowtheysaidhehadreadlawwithsomebody。Ah，yes！theyarethepeoplewhocalledthedayafterMrRawson’sball，andwhoadmiredCynthiasomuch，withoutknowingIwashermother。Shewasveryhandsomelydressedindeed，inblacksatin；andthesonhadaglasseye，buthewasayoungmanofgoodproperty。Coleman！yes，thatwasthename。’
NomorenewsofRogeruntilsometimeafterCynthiahadreturnedfromherLondonvisit。Shecamebacklookingfresherandprettierthanever，beautifullydressed，thankstoherowngoodtaste，andhercousins’generosity，fullofamusingdetailsofthegaylifeshehadbeenenjoying，yetnotatalloutofspiritsathavingleftitbehindher。ShebroughthomeallsortsofprettyanddaintydevicesforMolly；aneckribbonmadeupinthenewestfashion，apatternforatippet，adelicatepairoflightglovesembroideredasMollyhadneverseenglovesembroideredbefore，andmanyanotherlittlesignofremembranceduringherabsence。Yetsomehoworother，MollyfeltthatCynthiawaschangedinherrelationtoher。MollywasawarethatshehadneverhadCynthia’sfullconfidence，forwithallherapparentfranknessandnaï；vet？ofmanner，Cynthiawasextremelyreservedandreticent。Sheknewthismuchofherself，andhadoftenlaughedaboutittoMolly，andthelatterhadfoundoutthetruthofherfriend’sassertionforherself。ButMollydidnottroubleherselfmuchaboutthis，Shetooknewthatthereweremanythoughtsandfeelingsthatflittedthroughhermindthatsheshouldneverthinkoftellingtoanyone，exceptperhaps—iftheywereeververymuchthrowntogether—toherfather。SheknewrthatCynthiawithheldfromhermorethanthoughtsandfeelings—thatshewithheldfacts。Butthen，asMollyreflected，thesefactsmightinvolvedetailsofstruggleandsuffering，mightrelatetohermother’sneglect，andaltogetherbeofsopainfulacharacter，thatitwouldbewellifCynthiacouldforgetherchildhoodaltogether，insteadoffixingitinhermindbytherelationofhergrievancesandtroubles。SoitwasnotnowbyanywantofconfidencethatMollyfeltdistancedasitwere。ItwasbecauseCynthiaratheravoidedthansoughthercompanionship；becausehereyesshunnedthestraight，serious，lovinglookofMolly’s；becausetherewerecertainsubjectsonwhichsheevidentlydislikedspeaking，notparticularlyinterestingthingsasfarasMollycouldperceive，butitalmostseemedasiftheylayontheroadtopointstobeavoided。MollyfeltasortofsighingpleasureinnoticingCynthia’schangedmanneroftalkingaboutRoger。Shespokeofhimtenderlynow；’poorRoger，’asshecalledhim；
andMollythoughtthatshemustbereferringtotheillnesswhichhehadmentionedinhislastletter。OnemorninginthefirstweekafterCynthia’sreturnhome，justashewasgoingout，MrGibsonranupintothedrawing—room，haton，bootedandspurred，andhastilylaidanopenpamphletdownbeforeher；pointingoutaparticularpassagewithhisfinger，butnotspeakingawordbeforeherapidlyquittedtheroom。Hiseyesweresparkling，andhadanamusedaswellaspleasedexpression。AllthisMollynoticed，aswellasCynthia’sflushofcolourasshereadwhatwasthuspointedouttoher。Thenshepusheditalittleononeside，notclosingthebookhowever，andwentonwithherwork。
’Whatisit？mayIseeit？’askedMolly，stretchingoutherhandforthepamphlet，whichlaywithinherreach。ButshedidnottakeituntilCynthiahadsaid，—
’Certainly，Idon’tsupposethereareanygreatsecretsinascientificjournal，fullofreportsofmeetings。’AndshegavethebookalittlepushtowardsMolly……
’Oh，Cynthia！’saidMolly，catchingherbreathassheread，Careyounotproud？’ForitwasanaccountofanannualgatheringoftheGeographicalSociety，andLordHollingfordhadreadaletterhehadreceivedfromRogerHamley，datedfromArracuoba，adistrictinAfrica，hithertounvisitedbyanyintelligentEuropeantraveller；andaboutwhich，MrHamleysentmanycuriousparticulars。Thereadingofthisletterhadbeenreceivedwiththegreatestinterest，andseveralsubsequentspeakershadpaidthewriterveryhighcompliments。
ButMollymighthaveknownCynthiabetterthantoexpectananswerresponsivetothefeelingsthatpromptedherquestion。LetCynthiabeeversoproud，eversoglad，orsograteful，orevenindignant，remorseful，grievedorsorry，theveryfactthatshewasexpectedbyanothertoentertainanyoftheseemotions，wouldhavebeenenoughtopreventherexpressingthem。
’I’mafraidI’mnotasmuchstruckbythewonderofthethingasyouare，Molly。Besides，itisnotnewstome；atleast，notentirely。IheardaboutthemeetingbeforeIleftLondon；itwasagooddealtalkedaboutinmyuncle’sset；tobesureIdidnothearallthefinethingstheysayofhimthere—butthen，youknow，that’samerefashionofspeaking，whichmeansnothing；somebodyisboundtopaycomplimentswhenalordtakesthetroubletoreadoneofhislettersaloud。’
’Nonsense，’saidMolly。’Youknowyoudon’tbelievewhatyouaresaying，Cynthia。’
Cynthiagavethatprettylittlejerkofhershoulders，whichwasherequivalentforaFrenchshrug，butdidnotliftupherheadfromhersewing。
Mollybegantoreadthereportoveragain。
’Why，Cynthia！’shesaid，’youmighthavebeenthere；ladieswerethere。
Itsays\"manyladieswerepresent。\"Oh，couldnotyouhavemanagedtogo？
Ifyouruncle’ssetcaredaboutthesethings，wouldnotsomeofthemhavetakenyou？’
’Perhaps，ifIhadaskedthem。ButIthinktheywouldhave’Youmighthavetoldyourunclehowmattersreallystood，hewouldnothavetalkedaboutitifyouhadwishedhimnot，Iamsure，andhecouldhavehelpedyou。’
’Onceforall，Molly，’saidCynthia，nowlayingdownherwork，andspeakingwithquickauthority，’dolearntounderstandthatitis，andalwayshasbeenmywish，nottohavetherelationwhichRogerandIbeartoeachother，mentionedortalkedabout。Whentherighttimecomes，Iwillmakeitknowntomyuncle，andtoeverybodywhomitmayconcern；butIamnotgoingtomakemischief，andgetmyselfintotrouble—evenforthesakeofhearingcomplimentspaidtohim—bylettingitoutbeforethetime。IfI’mpushedtoit，I’dsoonerbreakitoffaltogetheratonce，andhavedonewithit。
Ican’tbeworseoffthanIamnow。’Herangrytonehadchangedintoakindofdespondingcomplaintbeforeshehadendedhersentence。Mollylookedatherwithdismay。
’Ican’tunderstandyou，Cynthia，’shesaidatlength。
’No；Idaresayyoucan’t，’saidCynthia，lookingatherwithtearsinhereyes，andverytenderly，asifinatonementforherlatevehemence。
’Iamafraid—Ihopeyouneverwill。’
Inamoment，Molly’sarmswereroundher。’Oh，Cynthia，’shemurmured，’haveIbeenplaguingyou？HaveIvexedyou？Don’tsayyou’reafraidofmyknowingyou。Ofcourseyou’veyourfaults，everybodyhas，butIthinkIloveyouthebetterforthem。’
’Idon’tknowthatI’msoverybad，’saidCynthia，smilingalittlethroughthetearsthatMolly’swordsandcaresseshadforcedtooverflowfromhereyes。’ButIhavegotintoscrapes。Iaminascrapenow，IdosometimesbelieveIshallalwaysbeinscrapes，andiftheyevercometolight，IshallseemtobeworsethanIreallyam；andIknowyourfatherwillthrowmeoff，andI—no，Iwon’tbeafraidthatyouwill，Molly。’
’I’msureIwon’t。Arethey—doyouthink—howwouldRogertakeit？’
askedMolly，verytimidly。
’Idon’tknow。Ihopehewillneverhearofit。Idon’tseewhyheshould，forinalittlewhileIshallbequiteclearagain。ItallcameaboutwithoutmyeverthinkingIwasdoingwrong。I’veagreatmindtotellyouallaboutit，Molly。’
Mollydidnotliketourgeit，thoughshelongedtoknow，andtoseeifshecouldnotofferhelp；butwhileCynthiawashesitating，andperhaps，tosaythetruth，ratherregrettingthatshehadevenmadethisslightadvancetowardsbestowingherconfidence，MrsGibsoncamein，fullofsomemannerofalteringagownofhers，soastomakeitintothefashionoftheday，asshehadseenitduringhervisittoLondon。Cynthiaseemedtoforgethertearsandhertroubles，andtothrowherwholesoulintomillinery。
Cynthia’scorrespondencewentonprettybrisklywithherLondoncousins，accordingtotheusualrateofcorrespondenceinthosedays。IndeedMrsGibsonwasoccasionallyinclinedtocomplainofthefrequencyofHelenKirkpatrick’sletters；forbeforethepennypostcamein，therecipienthadtopaythepostageofletters；andelevenpence—halfpennythreetimesaweekcame，accordingtoMrsGibson’smodeofreckoningwhenannoyed，toasum’betweenthreeandfourshillings。’Butthesecomplaintswereonlyforthefamily；theysawthewrongsideofthetapestry。Hollingfordingeneral，theMissBrowningsinparticular，heardof’dearHelen’senthusiasticfriendshipforCynthia’andof’therealpleasureitwastoreceivesuchconstantnews—relaysofnewsindeed—fromLondon。Itwasalmostasgoodaslivingthere！’
’AgreatdealbetterIshouldthink，’saidMissBrowningwithsomeseverity。
ForshehadgotmanyofhernotionsofthemetropolisfromtheBritishEssayists，wheretownissooftenrepresentedasthecentreofdissipation，corruptingcountrywivesandsquires’daughters，andunfittingthemforalltheirdutiesbytheconstantwhirlofitsnotalwaysinnocentpleasures。
Londonwasasortofmoralpitch，whichfewcouldtouchandnotbedefiled。
MissBrowninghadbeenonthewatchforthesignsofdeteriorationinCynthia’scharactereversinceherreturnhome。But，exceptinginagreaternumberofprettyandbecomingarticlesofdress，therewasnogreatchangefortheworsetobeperceived。Cynthiahadbeen’intheworld，’had’beheldtheglareandglitteranddazzlingdisplayofLondon，’yethadcomebacktoHollingfordasreadyasevertoplaceachairforMissBrowning，ortogatherflowersforanosegayforMissPhoebe，ortomendherownclothes。
ButallthiswassetdowntothemeritsofCynthia，nottothecreditofLondon—town。
’AsfarasIcanjudgeofLondon，’saidMissBrowning，sententiouslycontinuinghertiradeagainsttheplace，’it’snobetterthanapickpocketandarobberdressedupinthespoilsofhonestfolk。IshouldliketoknowwheremyLordHollingfordwasbred，andMrRogerHamley。Yourgoodhusbandlentmethatreportofthemeeting，MrsGibson，wheresomuchwassaidaboutthemboth，andhewasasproudoftheirpraisesasifhehadbeenakintothem，andPhoebereaditaloudtome，fortheprintwastoosmallformyeyes；shewasagooddealperplexedwithallthenewnamesofplaces，butIsaidshehadbetterskipthemall，forwehadneverheardofthembeforeandprobablyshouldneverhearofthemagain，butshereadoutthefinethingstheysaidofmylord，andMrRoger，andIputittoyou，whereweretheybornandbred？Why，withineightmilesofHollingford；
itmighthavebeenMollythereorme；it’sallachance；andthentheygoandtalkaboutthepleasuresofintellectualsocietyinLondon，andthedistinguishedpeopleuptherethatitissuchanadvantagetoknow，andallthetimeIknowit’sonlyshopsandtheplaythat’stherealattraction。
Butthat’sneitherherenorthere。Weallputourbestfootforemost，andifwehaveareasontogivethatlookssensiblewespeakitoutlikemen，andneversayanythingaboutthesillinesswearehuggingtoourhearts。
ButIaskyouagain，wheredoesthisfinesocietycomefrom，andthesewisemen，andthesedistinguishedtravellers？Why，outofcountryparisheslikethis！Londonpicks’emallup，anddecksherselfwiththem，andthencallsoutloudtothefolksshe’srobbed，andsays，\"ComeandseehowfineIam。\"Fine，indeed！I’venopatiencewithLondon：Cynthiaismuchbetteroutofit；andI’mnotsure，ifIwereyou，MrsGibson，ifIwouldnotstopupthoseLondonletters：they’llonlybeunsettlingher。’
’ButperhapsshemayliveinLondonsomeofthesedays，MissBrowning，’
simperedMrsGibson。
’TimeenoughthentobethinkingofLondon。Iwishheranhonestcountryhusbandwithenoughtoliveupon，andalittletolayby，andagoodcharactertoboot。Mindthat，Molly，’saidshe，firingrounduponthestartledMolly，’IwishCynthiaahusbandwithagoodcharacter；butshe’sgotamothertolookafterher；you’venoneandwhenyourmotherwasaliveshewasadearfriendofmine：soI’mnotgoingtoletyouthrowyourselfawayuponanyonewhoselifeisnotclearandabove—board，youmaydependuponit。’
Thislastspeechfelllikeabombintothequietlittledrawing—room，itwasdeliveredwithsuchvehemence。MissBrowning，inhersecretheart，meantitasawarningagainsttheintimacyshebelievedthatMollyhadformedwithMrPreston；butasithappenedthatMollyhadneverdreamedofanysuchintimacy，thegirlcouldnotimaginewhysuchseverityofspeechshouldbeaddressedtoher。MrsGibson，whoalwaystookupthepointsofeverywordoractionwheretheytouchedherownself（andcalleditsensitiveness），brokethesilencethatfollowedMissBrowning’sspeechbysaying，plaintively，—
’I’msure，MissBrowning，youareverymuchmistakenifyouthinkthatanymothercouldtakemorecareofMollythanIdo。Idon’t—Ican’tthinkthereisanyneedforanyonetointerferetoprotecther，andIhavenotanideawhyyouhavebeentalkinginthisway，justasifwewereallwrong，andyouwereallright。Ithurtsmyfeelings，indeeditdoes；forMollycantellyouthereisnotathingorafavourthatCynthiahas，thatshehasnot。Andasfornottakingcareofher，why，ifsheweretogouptoLondonto—morrow，Ishouldmakeapointofgoingwithhertoseeafterher；andIneverdiditforCynthiawhenshewasatschoolinFrance；andherbedroomisfurnishedjustlikeCynthia’s；andIletherwearmyredshawlwhenevershelikes，shemighthaveitoftenerifshewould。Ican’tthinkwhatyoumean，MissBrowning。’
’Ididnotmeantooffendyou，butImeantjusttogiveMollyahint。
SheunderstandswhatImean。’
