’I’msureIdonot，’saidMolly，boldly。’Ihavenotanotionwhatyoumeant，ifyouwerealludingtoanythingmorethanyousaidstraightout；
thatyoudonotwishmetomarryanyonewhohasnotagoodcharacter，andthat，asyouwereafriendofmamma’s，youwouldpreventmymarryingamanwithabadcharacter，byeverymeansinyourpower。I’mnotthinkingofmarrying；Idon’twanttomarryanybodyatall；butifIdid，andhewerenotagoodman，Ishouldthankyouforcomingandwarningmeofit。’
’Ishallnotstandonwarningyou，Molly。Ishallforbidthebannsinchurch，ifneedbe，’saidMissBrowning，halfconvincedofthecleartransparenttruthofwhatMollyhadsaid；blushingallover，itistrue，butwithhersteadyeyesfixedonMissBrowning’sfacewhileshespoke。
’Do！’saidMolly。
’Well，well，Iwon’tsayanymore。PerhapsIwasmistaken，Wewon’tsayanymoreaboutit。ButrememberwhatIhavesaid，Molly，there’snoharminthat，atanyrate。I’msorryIhurtyourfeelings，MrsGibson。
Asstepmothersgo，Ithinkyoutryanddoyourduty。Goodmorning。Good—bytoyouboth，andGodblessyou。’
IfMissBrowningthoughtthatherfinalblessingwouldsecurepeaceintheroomshewasleaving，shewasverymuchmistaken；MrsGibsonburstoutwith，—
’Tryanddomyduty，indeed！Ishouldbemuchobligedtoyou，Molly，ifyouwouldtakecarenottobehaveinsuchamannerastobringdownuponmesuchimpertinenceasIhavejustbeenreceivingfromMissBrowning。’
’ButIdon’tknowwhatmadehertalkasshedid，mamma，’saidMolly。
’I’msureIdon’tknow，andIdon’tcareeither。ButIknowthatIneverwasspokentoasifIwastryingtodomydutybefore，—\"trying\"indeed！
everybodyalwaysknewthatIdidit，withouttalkingaboutitbeforemyfaceinthatrudemanner。I’vethatdeepfeelingaboutdutythatIthinkitoughtonlytobetalkedaboutinchurch，andinsuchsacredplacesasthat；nottohaveacommoncallerstartlingonewithit，eventhoughshewasanearlyfriendofyourmother’s。AndasifIdidnotlookafteryouquiteasmuchasIlookafterCynthia！Why，itwasonlyyesterdayIwentupintoCynthia’sroomandfoundherreadingaletterthatsheputawayinahurryassoonasIcamein，andIdidnotevenaskherwhoitwasfrom，andIamsureIshouldhavemadeyoutellme。’
Verylikely。MrsGibsonshrankfromanyconflictswithCynthia，prettysurethatshewouldbeworstedintheend；whileMollygenerallysubmitted，soonerthanhaveanystruggleforherownwill。
JustthenCynthiacamein。
’What’sthematter？’saidshequickly，seeingthatsomethingwaswrong。
’Why，MollyhasbeendoingsomethingwhichhassetthatimpertinentMissBrowningoffintolecturingmeontryingtodomyduty！Ifyourpoorfatherhadbutlived，Cynthia，IshouldneverhavebeenspokentoasI
havebeen。\"Astepmothertryingtodoherduty\"，indeed。ThatwasMissBrowning’sexpression。’
AnyallusiontoherfathertookfromCynthiaalldesireofirony。Shecameforwards，andagainaskedMollywhatwasthematter。
Molly，herselfruffled，madeanswer，—
’MissBrowningseemedtothinkIwaslikelytomarrysomeonewhosecharacterwasobjectionable——’
’You，Molly？’saidCynthia。
’Yes—sheoncebeforespoketome，—IsuspectshehasgotsomenotionaboutMrPrestoninherhead——’
Cynthiasatedownquitesuddenly。Mollywenton，—’andshespokeasifmammadidnotlookenoughafterme，—Ithinkshewasratherprovoking——’
’Notrather，butvery—veryimpertinent，’saidMrsGibson，alittlesoothedbyMolly’srecognitionofhergrievance。
’Whatcouldhaveputitintoherhead？’saidCynthia，veryquietly，takinguphersewingasshespoke。
’Idon’tknow，’saidhermother，replyingtothequestionafterherownfashion。’I’msureIdon’talwaysapproveofMrPreston；butevenifitwashimshewasthinkingabout，he’sfarmoreagreeablethansheis；
andIhadmuchratherhavehimcomingtocallthananoldmaidlikeheranyday。’
’Idon’tknowthatitwasMrPrestonshewasthinkingabout，’saidMolly。
’Itwasonlyaguess。WhenyouwerebothinLondonshespokeabouthim，—Ithoughtshehadheardsomethingaboutyouandhim，Cynthia。’UnseenbyhermotherCynthialookedupatMolly，hereyesfullofprohibition，hercheeksfullofangrycolour。Mollystoppedshortsuddenly。AfterthatlookshewassurprisedatthequietnesswithwhichCynthiasaid，almostimmediately，—
’Well，afterallitisonlyyourfancythatshewasalludingtoMrPreston，soperhapswehadbetternotsayanymoreabouthim；andasforheradvicetomammatolookafteryoubetter，MissMolly，I’llstandbailforyourgoodbehaviour；forbothmammaandIknowyou’rethelastpersontodoanyfoolishthingsinthatway。Andnowdon’tletustalkanymoreaboutit。IwascomingtotellyouthatHannahBrand’slittleboyhasbeenbadlyburnt，andhissisterisdownstairsaskingforoldlinen。’
MrsGibsonwasalwayskindtopoorpeople，andsheimmediatelygotupandwenttoherstorestosearchforthearticlewanted。
CynthiaturnedquietlyroundtoMolly。
’Molly，praydon’teveralludetoanythingbetweenmeandMrPreston，—nottomamma，nortoanyone。Neverdo！I’veareasonforit，—don’tsayanythingmoreaboutit，ever。’
MrsGibsoncamebackatthismoment，andMollyhadtostopshortagainonthebrinkofCynthia’sconfidence；uncertainindeedthistime，ifshewouldhavebeentoldanythingmore，andonlysurethatshehadannoyedCynthiaagooddeal。
Butthetimewasapproachingwhenshewouldknowallchapter42
CHAPTERXLIITHESTORMBURSTS
Theautumndriftedawaythroughallitsseasons；thegoldencorn—harvest，thewalksthroughthestubblefields，andramblesintohazel—copsesinsearchofnuts；thestrippingoftheapple—orchardsoftheirruddyfruit，amidthejoyouscriesandshoutsofwatchingchildren；andthegorgeoustulip—likecolouringofthelatertimehadnowcomeonwiththeshorteningdays。Therewascomparativesilenceintheland，exceptingforthedistantshotsandthewhirrofthepartridgesastheyroseupfromthefield。
EversinceMissBrowning’sunluckyconversationthingshadbeenajarintheGibsons’house。Cynthiaseemedtokeepeveryoneoutat（mental）
arm’s—length；andparticularlyavoidedanyprivatetalkswithMolly。MrsGibson，stillcherishingagrudgeagainstMissBrowningforherimpliedaccusationofnotlookingenoughafterMolly，chosetoexerciseamostwearyingsupervisionoverthepoorgirl。Itwas，’Wherehaveyoubeen，child？’’Whodidyousee？’’Whowasthatletterfrom？’’Whywereyousolongoutwhenyouhadonlytogotoso—and—so？’justasifMollyhadreallybeendetectedincarryingonsomeunderhandintercourse。Sheansweredeveryquestionaskedofherwiththesimpletruthfulnessofperfectinnocence；
buttheinquiries（althoughshereadtheirmotive，andknewthattheyarosefromnoespecialsuspicionofherconduct，butonlythatMrsGibsonmightbeabletosaythatshelookedwellafterherstepdaughter），chafedherinexpressibly。Veryoftenshedidnotgooutatall，soonerthanhavetogiveaplanofherintendedproceedings，whenperhapsshehadnoplanatall，onlythoughtofwanderingoutatherownsweetwill，andoftakingpleasureinthebrightsolemnfadingoftheyear。ItwasaveryheavytimeforMolly，—zestandlifehadfled；andleftsomanyoftheolddelightsmereshellsofseeming。Shethoughtitwasthatheryouthhadfled；atnineteen！Cynthiawasnolongerthesame，somehow；andperhapsCynthia’schangewouldinjureherinthedistantRoger’sopinion。HerstepmotherseemedalmostkindincomparisonwithCynthia’swithdrawalofherheart；
MrsGibsonworriedhertobesure，withalltheseformsofwatchingoverher；butinallherotherways，she，atanyrate，wasthesame。YetCynthiaherself，seemedanxiousandcare—worn，thoughshewouldnotspeakofheranxietiestoMolly。AndthenthepoorgirlinhergoodnesswouldblameherselfforfeelingCynthia’schangeofmanner；forasMollysaidtoherself，’IfitishardworkformetohelpalwaysfrettingafterRoger，andwonderingwhereheis，andhowheis；whatmustitbeforher？’
OnedayMrGibsoncamein，brightandswift。
’Molly，’saidhe，’where’sCynthia？’
’Goneouttodosomeerrands——’
’Well，it’sapity—butnevermind。Putonyourbonnetandcloakasfastasyoucan。I’vehadtoborrowoldSimpson’sdogcart，—therewouldhavebeenroombothforyouandCynthia；butasitis，youmustwalkbackalone。I’lldriveyouasfarontheBarfordRoadasIcan，andthenyoumustjumpdown。Ican’ttakeyouontoBroadhurst’s，Imaybekeptthereforhours。’
MrsGibsonwasoutoftheroom；outofthehouseitmightbe，forallMollycared，nowshehadherfather’sleaveandcommand。Herbonnetandcloakwereonintwominutes，andshewassittingbyherfather’sside，thebackscatshutup，andthelightweightgoingswiftlyandmerrilybumpingoverthestone—pavedlanes。
’Oh，thisischarming，’saidMolly，afteratoss—uponherseatfromatremendousbump。
’Foryouth，butnotforcrabbedage，’saidMrGibson。’Mybonesaregettingrheumatic，andwouldrathergosmoothlyovermacadamizedstreets。’
’That’streasontothislovelyviewandthisfinepureair，papa。OnlyIdon’tbelieveyou。’
’Thankyou。Asyouaresocomplimentary，IthinkIshallputyoudownatthefootofthishill；wehavepassedthesecondmilestonefromHollingford。’
’Oh，letmejustgouptothetop！IknowwecanseethebluerangeoftheMalvernsfromit，andDorrimerHallamongthewoods；thehorsewillwantaminute’srest，andthenIwillgetdownwithoutaword。’
Soshewentuptothetopofthehill；andtheretheysatestillaminuteortwo，enjoyingtheview，withoutmuchspeaking。Thewoodsweregolden，theoldhouseofpurple—redbrick，withitstwistedchimneys，roseupfromamongthemfacingontogreenlawns，andaplacidlake；beyondagainweretheMalvernHills！
’Nowjumpdown，lassie，andmakethebestofyourwayhomebeforeitgetsdark。You’llfindthecutoverCrostonHeathshorterthantheroadwe’vecomeby。’
TogettoCrostonHeath，Mollyhadtogodownanarrowlaneovershadowedbytrees，withpicturesqueoldcottagesdottedhereandthereonthesteepsandybanks；andthentherecameasmallwood，andthentherewasabrooktobecrossedonaplank—bridge，andupthesteeperfieldsontheoppositesidewerecutstepsintheturfypath，whichended，shewasonCrostonHeath，awide—stretchingcommonskirtedbylabourers’dwellings，pastwhichanearroadtoHollingfordlay。
Theloneliestpartoftheroadwasthefirst—thelane，thewood，thelittlebridge，andtheclamberingthroughtheuplandfields。ButMollycaredlittleforloneliness。Shewentalongthelaneundertheover—archingelm—branches，fromwhich，hereandthere，ayellowleafcamefloatingdownuponherverydress；pastthelastcottagewherealittlechildhadtumbleddowntheslopingbank，andwaspublishingtheaccidentwithfrightenedcries。Mollystoopedtopickitup，andtakingitinherarmsinamannerwhichcausedintensesurprisetotaketheplaceofalarminitslittlebreast，shecarriedituptheroughflagstepstowardsthecottagewhichshesupposedtobeitshome。Themothercamerunninginfromthegardenbehindthehouse，stillholdingthelatedamsonsshehadbeengatheringinherapron；but，onseeingher，thelittlecreatureheldoutitsarmstogotoher，andshedroppedherdamsonsallaboutasshetookit，andbegantosootheitasitcriedafresh，interspersingherlullingwiththankstoMolly。Shecalledherbyhername；andonMollyaskingthewomanhowshecametoknowit，sherepliedthatshehadbeenaservantofMrsGoodenoughbeforehermarriage，andsowas’boundtoknowDrGibson’sdaughterbysight。’Aftertheexchangeoftwoorthreemorewords，Mollyrandownintothelane，andpursuedherway，stoppinghereandtheretogatheranosegayofsuchleavesasstruckherfortheirbrilliantcolouring。Sheenteredthewood。Assheturnedacornerinthelonelypath，sheheardapassionatevoiceofdistress；andinaninstantsherecognizedCynthia’stones。Shestoodstillandlookedaround。Thereweresomehollybushesshiningoutdarkgreeninthemidstoftheamberandscarletfoliage。Ifanyonewasthere，itmustbebehindthesethickbushes。SoMollyleftthepath，andwentstraight，plungingthroughthebrowntangledgrowthoffernsandunderwood，andturnedthehollybushes。TherestoodMrPrestonandCynthia；heholdingherhandstight，eachlookingasifjustsilencedinsomevehementtalkbytherustleofMolly’sfootsteps。
Foraninstantnoonespoke。ThenCynthiasaid—，’Oh，Molly，Molly，comeandjudgebetweenus！’
MrPrestonletgoCynthia’shandsslowly，withalookthatwasmoreofasneerthana，smile；andyethe，too，hadbeenstronglyagitated，whateverwasthesubjectindispute。MollycameforwardsandtookCynthia’sarm，hereyessteadilyfixedonMrPreston’sface。Itwasfinetoseethefearlessnessofherperfectinnocence。Hecouldnotbearherlook，andsaidtoCynthia，—
’Thesubjectofourconversationdoesnotwelladmitofathirdperson’spresence。AsMissGibsonseemstowishforyourcompanynow，Imustbegyoutofixsomeothertimeandplacewherewecanfinishourdiscussion。’
’IwillgoifCynthiawishesme，’saidMolly。
’No，no；stay—Iwantyoutostay—Iwantyoutohearitall—IwishIhadtoldyousooner。’
’Youmeanthatyouregretthatshehasnotbeenmadeawareofourengagement—thatyoupromisedlongagotobemywife。Prayrememberthatitwasyouwhomademepromisesecrecy，notIyou？’
’Idon’tbelievehim，Cynthia。Don’t，don’tcryifyoucanhelpit；
Idon’tbelievehim。’
’Cynthia，’saidhe，suddenlychanginghistonetofervidtenderness，’pray，praydonotgoonso；youcan’tthinkhowitdistressesme。’Hesteppedforwardstotryandtakeherhandandsootheher；butsheshrankawayfromhim，andsobbedthemoreirrepressibly。ShefeltMolly’spresencesomuchtobeaprotectionthatnowshedaredtoletherselfgo，andtoweakenherselfbygivingwaytoheremotion。
’Goaway！’saidMolly。’Don’tyouseeyoumakeherworse？’Buthedidnotstir；hewaslookingatCynthiasointentlythathedidnotseemeventohearher。’Go，’saidMolly，vehemently，’ifitreallydistressesyoutoseehercry。Don’tyousee，it’syouwhoarethecauseofit？’
’IwillgoifCynthiatellsme，’saidheatlength。
’Oh，Molly，Idonotknowwhattodo，’saidCynthia，takingdownherhandsfromhertear—stainedface，andappealingtoMolly，andsobbingworsethanever；infact，shebecamehysterical，andthoughshetriedtospeakcoherently，nointelligiblewordswouldcome。
’Runtothatcottageinthetrees，andfetchheracupofwater，’saidMolly。Hehesitatedalittle。
’Whydon’tyougo？’saidMolly，impatiently。
’Ihavenotdonespeakingtoher；youwillnotleavebeforeIcomeback？’
’No。Don’tyouseeshecan’tmoveinthisstate？’
Hewentquickly，ifreluctantly。
Cynthiawassometimebeforeshecouldcheckhersobsenoughtospeak。
Atlength，shesaid，—
’Molly，Idohatehim！’
’Butwhatdidhemeanbysayingyouwereengagedtohim？Don’tcry，dear，buttellme；ifIcanhelpyouIwill，butIcan’timaginewhatitallreallyis。’
’Itistoolongastorytotellnow，andI’mnotstrongenough。Look！
heiscomingback。AssoonasIcan，letusgethome。’
’Withallmyheart，’saidMolly。
Hebroughtthewater，andCynthiadrank，andwasrestoredtocalmness。
’Now，’saidMolly，’wehadbettergohomeasfastasyoucanmanageit；itisgettingdarkquickly。’
IfshehopedtocarryCynthiaoffsoeasily，shewasmistaken。MrPrestonwasresoluteonthispoint。Hesaid，—
’IthinksinceMissGibsonhasmadeherselfacquaintedwiththismuch，wehadbetterletherknowthewholetruth—thatyouareengagedtomarrymeassoonasyouaretwenty；otherwiseyourbeingherewithme，andbyappointmenttoo，mayappearstrange，evenequivocaltoher。’
’AsIknowthatCynthiaisengagedto—anotherman，youcanhardlyexpectmetobelievewhatyousay，MrPreston。’
’Oh，Molly，’saidCynthia，tremblingallover，buttryingtobecalm，’Iamnotengaged，neithertothepersonyoumean，nortoMrPreston。’
MrPrestonforceda。smile。’IthinkIhavesomelettersthatwouldconvinceMissGibsonofthetruthofwhatIhavesaid；andwhichwillconvinceMrOsborneHamley，ifnecessary—Iconcludeitistohimsheisalluding。’
’Iamquitepuzzledbyyouboth，’saidMolly……’TheonlythingIdoknowis，thatweoughtnottobestandinghereatthistimeofevening，andthatCynthiaandIshallgohomedirectly。IfyouwanttotalktoMissKirkpatrick，MrPreston，whydon’tyoucometomyfather’shouse，andasktoseeheropenly，andlikeagentleman。’
’Iamperfectlywilling，’saidhe；’IshallonlybetoogladtoexplaintoMrGibsononwhattermsIstandinrelationtoher。IfIhavenotdoneitsooner，itisbecauseIhaveyieldedtoherwishes。’
’Pray，praydon’t。Molly—youdon’tknowall—youdon’tknowanythingaboutit；youmeanwellandkindly，Iknow，butyouareonlymakingmischief。
Iamquitewellenoughtowalk，doletusgo；Iwilltellyouallaboutitwhenweareathome。’ShetookMolly’sarmandtriedtohastenheraway；
butMrPrestonfollowed，talkingashewalkedbytheirside。
’Idonotknowwhatyouwillsayathome；butcanyoudenythatyouaremypromisedwife？CanyoudenythatithasonlybeenatyourearnestrequestthatIhavekepttheengagementsecretsolong？’Hewasunwise—Cynthiastopped，andturnedatbay。
’Sinceyouwillhaveitout，sinceImustspeakhere，Iownthatwhatyousayisliterallytrue；thatwhenIwasaneglectedgirlofsixteen，you—whomIbelievedtobeafriend，lentmemoneyatmyneed，andmademegiveyouapromiseofmarriage。’
’Madeyou！’saidhe，layinganemphasisonthefirstword。
Cynthiaturnedscarlet。’\"Made\"isnottherightword，Iconfess。I
likedyouthen—youwerealmostmyonlyfriend—and，ifithadbeenaquestionofimmediatemarriage，IdaresayIshouldneverhaveobjected。
ButIknowyoubetternow；andyouhavepersecutedmesooflate，thatItellyouonceforall（asIhavetoldyoubefore，tillIamsickoftheverywords），thatnothingshallevermakememarryyou。Nothing。Iseethere’snochanceofescapingexposureand，Idaresay，losingmycharacter，andIknowlosingallthefewfriendsIhave。’
’Neverme，’saidMolly，touchedbythewailingtoneofdespairthatCynthiawasfallinginto。
’Itishard，’saidMrPreston。’Youmaybelieveallthebadthingsyoulikeaboutme，Cynthia，butIdon’tthinkyoucandoubtmyreal，passionatedisinterestedloveforyou。’
’Idodoubtit，’saidCynthia，breakingoutwithfreshenergy。’Ah！
whenIthinkoftheself—denyingaffectionIhaveseen—Ihaveknown—
affectionthatthoughtofothersbeforeitself——’
MrPrestonbrokeinatthepauseshemade。Shewasafraidofrevealingtoomuchtohim。
’Youdonotcallitlovewhichhasbeenwillingtowaitforyears—
tobesilentwhilesilencewasdesired—tosufferjealousyandtobearneglect，relyingonthesolemnpromiseofagirlofsixteen—for\"solemn\"
say\"flimsy，\"whenthatgirlgrowsolder。Cynthia，Ihavelovedyou，andIdoloveyou，andIwon’tgiveyouup。Ifyouwillbutkeepyourword，andmarryme，I’llswearI’llmakeyoulovemeinreturn。’
’Oh，Iwish—IwishI’dneverborrowedthatunluckymoney，itwasthebeginningofitall。Oh，Molly，Ihavesavedandscrimpedtorepayit，andhewon’ttakeitnow；IthoughtifIcouldbutrepayit，itwouldsetmefree。’
’Youseemtoimplyyousoldyourselffortwentypounds，’hesaid。Theywerenearlyonthecommonnow，closetotheprotectionofthecottages，inveryhearingoftheirinmates；ifneitheroftheothertwothoughtofthisMollydid，andresolvedinhermindtocallinatoneofthem，andaskforthelabourer’sprotectionhome；atanyratehispresencemustputastoptothismiserablealtercation。
’Ididnotsellmyself；Ilikedyouthen。Butoh，howIdohateyounow！’criedCynthia，unabletocontainherwords。
Hebowedandturnedback，vanishingrapidlydownthefieldstaircase。’
Atanyratethatwasarelief。Yetthetwogirlshastenedon，asifhewasstillpursuingthem。Once，whenMollysaidsomethingtoCynthia，thelatterreplied，—
’Molly，ifyoupityme—ifyouloveme—don’tsayanythingmorejustnow。Weshallhavetolookasifnothinghadhappenedwhenwegethome。
Cometomyroomwhenwegoupstairstobed，andIwilltellyouall。I
knowyouwillblamemeterribly，butIwilltellyouall。’
SoMollydidnotsayanotherwordtilltheyreachedhome；andthen，comparativelyatease，inasmuchasnooneperceivedhowlatewastheirreturntothehouse，eachofthegirlswentupintotheirseparaterooms，torestandcalmthemselvesbeforedressingforthenecessaryfamilygatheringatdinner。Mollyfeltasifshewere’somiserablyshakenthatshecouldnothavegonedownatall，ifherowninterestsonlywereatstake。Shesatebyherdressing—table，holdingherheadinherhands，hercandlesunlighted，andtheroominsoftdarkness，tryingtostillherbeatingheart，andtorecallallshehadheard，andwhatwouldbeitsbearingonthelivesofthosewhomsheloved。Roger。Oh，Roger！—farawayinmysteriousdarknessofdistance—lovingashedid（ah，thatwaslove！ThatwasthelovetowhichCynthiahadreferred，asworthyofthename！）andtheobjectofhisloveclaimedbyanother—falsetooneshemustbe！Howcoulditbe？Whatwouldhethinkandfeelifeverhecametoknowit？Itwasofnousetryingtoimaginehispain—thatcoulddonogood。WhatlaybeforeMollywas，totryandextricateCynthia，ifshecouldhelpherbythought，oradvice，oraction；nottoweakenherselfbylettingherfancyrunintopicturesofpossible，probablesuffering。
Whenshewentintothedrawing—roombeforedinner，shefoundCynthiaandhermothertê；te—？tê；te。Therewerecandlesintheroom，buttheywerenotlighted，forthewood—fireblazedmerrilyiffitfully，andtheywerealewaitingMrGibson’sreturn，whichmightbeexpectedatanyminute。Cynthiasateintheshade，soitwasonlybyhersensitiveearthatMollycouldjudgeofherstateofcomposure。MrsGibsonwastellingsomeofherday’sadventures—whomshehadfoundathomeinthecallsshehadbeenmaking；whohadbeenout；andthesmallpiecesofnewsshehadheard。ToMolly’squicksympathyCynthia’svoicesoundedlanguidandweary，butshemadealltheproperreplies，andexpressedtheproperinterestattherightplaces，andMollycametotherescue，chimingin，withaneffort，itistrue；butMrsGibsonwasnotonetonoticeslightshadesordifferencesinmanner。WhenMrGibsonreturned，therelativepositionsofthepartieswerealtered。ItwasCynthianowwhoraisedherselfintoliveliness，partlyfromaconsciousnessthathewouldhavenoticedanydepression，andpartlybecause，fromhercradletohergrave，Cynthiawasoneofthosenaturalcoquettes，whoinstinctivelybringoutalltheirprettiestairsandgracesinordertostandwellwithanyman，youngorold，whomayhappentobepresent。Shelistenedtohisremarksandstorieswithallthesweetintentnessofhappierdays，tillMolly，silentandwondering，couldhardlybelievethattheCynthiabeforeherwasthesamegirlasshewhowassobbingandcryingasifherheartwouldbreaknottwohoursbefore。
Itistrueshelookedpaleandheavy—eyed，butthatwastheonlysignshegaveofherpasttrouble，whichyetmustbeapresentcare，thoughtMolly。
Afterdinner，MrGibsonwentouttohistownpatients；MrsGibsonsubsidedintoherarm—chair，holdingasheetofTheTimesbeforeher，behindwhichshetookaquietandlady—likedoze。Cynthiahadabookinonehand，withtheothersheshadedhereyesfromthelight。Mollyalonecouldneitherread，norsleep，norwork。Shesateintheseatinthebow—window；theblindwasnotdrawndown，fortherewasnodangeroftheirbeingoverlooked。
Shegazedintothesoftouterdarkness，andfoundherselfstrivingtodiscerntheoutlinesofobjects—thecottageattheendofthegarden—thegreatbeech—treewiththeseatroundit—thewirearches，upwhichthesummerroseshadclambered；eachcameoutfaintanddimagainsttheduskyvelvetoftheatmosphere。Presentlyteacame，andtherewastheusualnightlybustle。Thetablewascleared，MrsGibsonrousedherself，andmadethesameremarkaboutdearpapathatshehaddoneatthesamehourforweekspast。Cynthiatoodidnotlookdifferenttousual。Andyetwhatahiddenmysterydidhercalmnesshide，thoughtMolly。Atlengthcamebed—time，andtheaccustomarylittlespeeches。BothMollyandCynthiawenttotheirownroomswithoutexchangingaword。WhenMollywasinhersshehadforgottenifshewastogotoCynthia，orCynthiatocometoher。Shetookoffhergownandputonherdressing—gown，andstoodandwaited，andevensatedownforaminuteortwo；butCynthiadidnotcome，soMollywentandknockedattheoppositedoor，which，tohersurprise，shefoundshut。WhensheenteredtheroomCynthiasatebyherdressing—table，justasshecameupfromthedrawing—room。Shehadbeenleaningherheadonherarms，andseemedalmosttohaveforgottenthetrystshehadmadewithMolly，forshelookedupasifstartled，andherfacedidseemfullofworryanddistress；inhersolitudeshemadenomoreexertion，butgavewaytothoughtsofcare。
