NearlyallthatsheknewofthefamilyinteriorshehadheardfromMrsHamley，andshewasuncertainastohowfarherfatherwasacquaintedwiththem；soshedidnotliketoquestionhimtooclosely；norwasheamantobesoquestionedastothedomesticaffairsofhispatients。Sometimesshewonderedifitwasadream—thatshorthalfhourinthelibraryatHamleyHall—whenshehadlearntafactwhichseemedsoall—importanttoOsborne，yetwhichmadesolittledifferenceinhiswayoflife—eitherinspeechoraction。DuringthetwelveorfourteenhoursorsothatshehadremainedattheHallafterwards，nofurtherallusionhadbeenmadetohismarriage，eitherbyhimselforbyRoger。Itwas，indeed，verylikeadream。ProbablyMollywouldhavebeenrenderedmuchmoreuncomfortableinthepossessionofhersecretifOsbornehadstruckherasparticularlyattentiveinhisdevotiontoCynthia。Sheevidentlyamusedandattractedhim，butnotinanylivelyorpassionatekindofmanner。Headmiredherbeauty，andseemedtofeelhercharm；buthewouldleaveherside，andcometositnearMolly，ifanythingremindedhimofhismother，aboutwhichhecouldtalktoher，andtoheralone。YethecamesooftentotheGibsons’，thatMrsGibsonmightbeexcusedforthefancyshehadtakenintoherhead，thatitwasforCynthia’ssake。Helikedthelounge，thefriendliness，thecompanyoftwointelligentgirlsofbeautyandmannersabovetheaverage；
　　oneofwhomstoodinapeculiarrelationtohim，ashavingbeenespeciallybelovedbythemotherwhosememoryhecherishedsofondly。Knowinghimselftobeoutofthecategoryofbachelors，hewas，perhaps，tooindifferentastootherpeople’signorance，anditspossibleconsequences。Somehow，MollydidnotliketobethefirsttointroduceRoger’snameintotheconversation，soshelostmanyanopportunityofhearingintelligenceabouthim。Osbornewasoftensolanguidorsoabsentthatheonlyfollowedtheleadoftalk；andasanawkwardfellow，whohadpaidhernoparticularattention，andasasecondson，Rogerwasnotpre—eminentinMrsGibson’sthoughts；Cynthiahadneverseenhim，andthefreakdidnottakeheroftentospeakabouthim。Hehadnotcomehomesincehehadobtainedhishighplaceinthemathematicallists：thatMollyknew；andsheknew，too，thathewasworkinghardforsomething—shesupposedafellowship—andthatwasall。Osborne’stoneinspeakingofhimwasalwaysthesame：everyword，everyinflexionofthevoicebreathedoutaffectionandrespect—nay，evenadmiration！Andthisfromtheniladmiraribrother，whoseldomcarriedhisexertionssofar。’Ah，Roger！’hesaidoneday。Mollycaughtthenameinaninstant，thoughshehadnotheardwhathadgonebefore。’Heisafellowinathousand—
　　inathousand，indeed！Idon’tbelievethereishismatchanywhereforgoodnessandrealsolidpowercombined。’’Molly，’saidCynthia，afterMrOsborneHamleyhadgone，’whatsortofamanisthisRogerHamley？Onecan’ttellhowmuchtobelieveofhisbrother’spraises；foritistheonesubjectonwhichOsborneHamleybecomesenthusiastic。
　　I’venoticeditonceortwicebefore。’WhileMollyhesitatedonwhichpointofthelargeroundtobeginherdescription，MrsGibsonstruckin，—’ItjustshowswhatasweetdispositionOsborneHamleyisof—thatheshouldpraisehisbrotherashedoes。Idaresayheisseniorwrangler，andmuchgoodmayitdohim！Idon’tdenythat；butasforconversation，he’sasheavyasheavycanbe。Agreatawkwardfellowtoboot，wholooksasifhedidnotknowtwoandtwomadefour，forallheissuchamathematicalgenius。YouwouldhardlybelievehewasOsborneHamley’sbrothertoseehim！Ishouldnotthinkhehadaprofileatall。’’Whatdoyouthinkofhim，Molly？’saidtheperseveringCynthia。’Ilikehim，’saidMolly。’Hehasbeenverykindtome。Iknowheisn’thandsomelikeOsborne。’Itwasratherdifficulttosayallthisquietly，butMollymanagedtodoit，quiteawarethatCynthiawouldnotresttillshehadextractedsomekindofanopinionoutofher。’IsupposehewillcomehomeatEaster，’saidCynthia，’andthenIshallseehimformyself。’’It’sagreatpitythattheirbeinginmourningwillpreventtheirgoingtotheEastercharityball，’saidMrsGibson，plaintively。’Ishan’tliketotakeyoutwogirls，ifyouarenottohaveanypartners。Itwillputmeinsuchanawkwardposition。IwishwecouldjoinontotheTowersparty。
　　Thatwouldsecureyoupartners，fortheyalwaysbringanumberofdancingmen，whomightdancewithyouaftertheyhaddonetheirdutybytheladiesofthehouse。ButreallyeverythingissochangedsincedearLadyCumnorhasbeenaninvalidthatperhapstheywon’tgoatall。’ThisEasterballwasagreatsubjectofconversationwithMrsGibson。Shesometimesspokeofitasherfirstappearanceinsocietyasabride，thoughshehadbeenvisitingonceortwiceaweekallwinterlong。Thensheshiftedherground，andsaidshefeltsomuchinterestinit，becauseshewouldthenhavetheresponsibilityofintroducingbothherownandMrGibson’sdaughtertopublicnotice，thoughthefactwasthatprettynearlyeveryonewhowasgoingtothisballhadseenthetwoyoungladies—thoughnottheirballdresses—before。But，apingthemannersofthearistocracyasfarassheknewthem，sheintendedto’bringout’MollyandCynthiaonthisoccasion，whichsheregardedinsomethingofthelightofapresentationatCourt。’Theyarenotoutyet，’washerfavouriteexcusewheneitherofthemwasinvitedtoanyhousetowhichshedidnotwishthemtogo，orinvitedwithouther。Sheevenmadeadifficultyabouttheir’notbeingout’whenMissBrowning—thatoldfriendoftheGibsonfamily—cameinonemorningtoaskthetwogirlstocometoaveryfriendlyteaandaroundgameafterwards；thismildpieceofgaietybeingdesignedasanattentiontothreeofMrsGoodenough’sgrandchildren—twoyoungladiesandtheirschool—boybrother—whowerestayingonavisittotheirgrandmamma。’Youareverykind，MissBrowning，butyouseeIhardlyliketoletthemgo—theyarenotout，youknow，tillaftertheEasterball。’’Tillwhenweareinvisible，’saidCynthia，alwaysreadywithhermockerytoexaggerateanypretensionofhermother’s。’Wearesohighinrankthatoursovereignmustgiveushersanctionbeforewecanplayaroundgameatyourhouse。’Cynthiaenjoyedtheideaofherownfull—grownsizeandstatelygait，ascontrastedwiththatofameek，half—fledgedgirlinthenursery；butMissBrowningwashalfpuzzledandhalfaffronted。’Idon’tunderstanditatall。Inmydaysgirlswentwhereveritpleasedpeopletoaskthem，withoutthisfarceofburstingoutinalltheirnewfineclothesatsomepublicplace。Idon’tmeanbutwhatthegentrytooktheirdaughterstoYork，orMatlock，orBathtogivethematasteofgaysocietywhentheyweregrowingup；andthequalitywentuptoLondon，andtheiryoungladieswerepresentedtoQueenCharlotte，andwenttoabirthdayball，perhaps。ButforuslittleHollingfordpeople，whywekneweverychildamongstusfromthedayofitsbirth；andmanyagirloftwelveorfourteenhaveIseengoouttoacard—party，andsitquietatherwork，andknowhowtobehaveaswellasanyladythere。Therewasnotalkof"comingout"inthosedaysforanyoneunderthedaughterofasquire。’’AfterEaster，MollyandIshallknowhowtobehaveatacard—party，butnotbefore，’saidCynthia，demurely。’You’realwaysfondofyourquipsandyourcranks，’mydear，’saidMissBrowning，’andIwouldn’tquiteanswerforyourbehaviour：yousometimesletyourspiritscarryyouaway。ButI’mquitesureMollywillbealittleladyasshealwaysis，andalwayswas，andIhaveknownherfromababe。’MrsGibsontookuparmsonbehalfofherowndaughter，orrather，shetookuparmsagainstMolly’spraises。’Idon’tthinkyouwouldhavecalledMollyaladytheotherday，MissBrowning，ifyouhadfoundherwhereIdid：sittingupinacherry—tree，sixfeetfromthegroundatleast，Idoassureyou。’’Oh！butthatwasn’tpretty，’saidMissBrowning，shakingherheadatMolly。
　　’Ithoughtyou’dleftoffthosetomboyways。’’Shewantstherefinementwhichgoodsocietygivesinseveralways’，saidMrsGibson，returningtotheattackonpoorMolly。’She’sveryapttocomeupstairstwostepsatatime。’’Onlytwo，Molly！’saidCynthia。’Why，to—dayIfoundIcouldmanagefourofthesebroadshallowsteps。’’Mydearchild，whatareyousaying？’’OnlyconfessingthatI，likeMolly，wanttherefinementswhichgoodsocietygives；therefore，pleasedoletusgotoMissBrownings’thisevening。
　　IwillpledgemyselfforMollythatsheshan’tsitinacherry—tree；andMollyshallseethatIdon’tgoupstairsinanunladylikeway。IwillgoupstairsasmeeklyasifIwereacome—outyounglady，andhadbeentotheEasterball。’Soitwasagreedthattheyshouldgo。IfMrOsborneHamleyhadbeennamedasoneoftheprobablevisitors，therewouldhavebeennoneofthisdifficultyabouttheaffair。ButthoughhewasnottherehisbrotherRogerwas。Mollysawhiminaminutewhensheenteredthelittledrawing—room；butCynthiadidnot。’Andsee，mydears，’saidMissPhoebeBrowning，turningthemroundtothesidewhereRogerstoodwaitingforhisturnofspeakingtoMolly。’We’vegotagentlemanforyouafterall！Wasn’titfortunate？—justassistersaidthatyoumightfinditdull—you，Cynthia，shemeant，becauseyouknowyoucomefromFrance；andthen，justasifhehadbeensentfromheaven，MrRogercameintocall；andIwon’tsaywelaidviolenthandsonhim，becausehewastoogoodforthat；butreallyweshouldhavebeennearit，ifhehadnotstayedofhisownaccord。’ThemomentRogerhaddonehiscordialgreetingtoMolly，heaskedhertointroducehimtoCynthia。’Iwanttoknowher—yournewsister，’headded，withthekindsmileMollyrememberedsowellsincetheveryfirstdayshehadseenitdirectedtowardsher，asshesatecryingundertheweepingash。CynthiawasstandingalittlebehindMollywhenRogeraskedforthisintroduction。Shewasgenerallydressedwithcarelessgrace。Molly，whowasdelicateneatnessitself，usedsometimestowonderhowCynthia’stumbledgowns，tossedawaysountidily，hadtheartoflookingsowellandfallinginsuchgracefulfolds。Forinstance，thepalelilacmuslingownsheworethiseveninghadbeenwornmanytimesbefore，andhadlookedunfittowearagainuntilCynthiaputiton。Thenthelimpnessbecamesoftness，andtheverycreasestookthelinesofbeauty。Molly，inadaintilycleanpinkmuslin，didnotlookhalfsoelegantlydressedasCynthia。ThegraveeyesthatthelatterraisedwhenshehadtobepresentedtoRogerhadasortofchild—likeinnocenceandwonderaboutthem，whichdidnotquitebelongtoCynthia’scharacter。
　　Sheputonherarmourofmagicthatevening—involuntarilyasshealwaysdid；but，ontheotherside，shecouldnothelptryingherpoweronstrangers。
　　MollyhadalwaysfeltthatsheshouldhavearighttoagoodlongtalkwithRogerwhenshenextsawhim；andthathewouldtellher，orsheshouldgatherfromhim，allthedetailsshesolongedtohearaboutthesquire—abouttheHall—aboutOsborne—abouthimself。Hewasjustascordialandfriendlyaseverwithher。IfCynthiahadnotbeenthereallwouldhavegoneonasshehadanticipated；butofallthevictimstoCynthia’scharmshefellmostproneandabject。Mollysawitall，asshewassittingnexttoMissPhoebeatthetea—table，actingright—hand，andpassingcake，cream，sugar，withsuchbusyassiduitythateveryonebesidesherselfthoughtthathermind，aswellasherhands，wasfullyoccupied。Shetriedtotalktothetwoshygirls，asinvirtueofhertwoyears’seniorityshethoughtherselfboundtodo；andtheconsequencewas，shewentupstairswiththetwainclingingtoherarms，andwillingtoswearaneternalfriendship。
　　Nothingwouldsatisfythembutthatshemustsitbetweenthematvingt—un；
　　andtheyweresodesirousofheradviceintheimportantpointoffixingthepriceofthecountersthatshecouldnotevenhavejoinedinintheanimatedtê；te—à；—tê；tegoingonbetweenRogerandCynthia。
　　Orrather，itwouldbemorecorrecttosaythatRogerwastalkinginamostanimatedmannertoCynthia，whosesweeteyeswerefixeduponhisfacewithalookofgreatinterestinallhewassaying，whileitwasonlynowandthenshemadeherlowreplies。Mollycaughtafewwordsoccasionallyinintervalsofbusiness。’Atmyuncle’s，wealwaysgaveasilverthreepenceforthreedozen。Youknowwhatasilverthreepenceis，don’tyou，dearMissGibson？’’ThethreeclassesarepublishedintheSenateHouseatnineo’clockontheFridaymorning，andyoucan’timagine—’’Ithinkitwillbethoughtrathershabbytoplayatanythinglessthansixpence。Thatgentleman’（thisinawhisper）’isatCambridge，andyouknowtheyalwaysplayveryhighthere，andsometimesruinthemselves，don’tthey，dearMissGibson？’’Oh，onthisoccasiontheMasterofArtswhoprecedesthecandidatesforhonourswhentheygointotheSenateHouseiscalledtheFatheroftheCollegetowhichhebelongs。IthinkImentionedthatbefore，didn’tI？’SoCynthiawashearingallaboutCambridge，andtheveryexaminationaboutwhichMollyhadfeltsuchkeeninterest，withouthavingeverbeenabletohaveherquestionsansweredbyacompetentperson；andRoger，towhomshehadalwayslookedasthefinalandmostsatisfactoryanswerer，wastellingallshewantedtoknow，andshecouldnotlisten。Ittookallherpatiencetomakeuplittlepacketsofcounters，andsettle，asthearbiterofthegame，whetheritwouldbebetterfortheroundortheoblongcounterstobereckonedassix。Andwhenallwasdone，andeveryonesateintheirplacesroundthetable，RogerandCynthiahadtobecalledtwicebeforetheycame。Theystoodup，itistrue，atthefirstsoundoftheirnames；
　　buttheydidnotmove：Rogerwentontalking，Cynthialistening，tillthesecondcall—whentheyhurriedtothetableandtriedtoappearallonasuddenquiteinterestedinthegreatquestionsofthegame，namely，thepriceofthreedozencounters，andwhether，allthingsconsidered，itwouldbebettertocalltheroundcountersortheoblonghalf—a—dozeneach。MissBrowning，drummingthepackofcardsonthetable，andquitereadytobegindealing，decidedthematterbysaying，’Roundsaresixes，andthreedozencounterscostsixpence。Payup，ifyouplease，andletusbeginatonce。’
　　CynthiasatebetweenRogerandWilliamOsborne，theyoungschoolboy，whobitterlyresentedonthisoccasionhissisters’habitofcallinghim’Willie，’
　　ashethoughtthatitwasthisboyishsobriquetwhichpreventedCynthiafromattendingasmuchtohimastoMrRogerHamley；healsowascharmedbythecharmer，whofoundleisuretogivehimoneortwoofhersweetsmiles。
　　Onhisreturnhometohisgrandmamma’shegaveoutoneortwoverydecidedandratheroriginalopinions，quiteopposed—aswasnatural—tohissisters’。
　　Onewas，—’That，afterall，aseniorwranglerwasnogreatshakes。Anymanmightbeoneifheliked，buttherewerealotoffellowsthatheknewwhowouldbeverysorrytogoinforanythingsoslow。’Mollythoughtthegamewouldneverend。Shehadnoparticularturnforgamblinginher；andwhateverhercardmightbe，sheregularlyputontwocounters，indifferentastowhethershewonorlost。Cynthia，onthecontrary，stakedhigh，andwasatonetimeveryrich，butendedbybeingindebttoMollysomethinglikesixshillings。Shehadforgottenherpurse，shesaid，andwasobligedtoborrowfromthemoreprovidentMolly，whowasawarethattheroundgameofwhichMissBrowninghadspokentoherwaslikelytorequiremoney。Ifitwasnotaverymerryaffairforalltheindividualsconcerned，itwasaverynoisyoneonthewhole。Mollythoughtitwasgoingtolasttillmidnight；butpunctuallyastheclockstrucknine，thelittlemaid—servantstaggeredinundertheweightofatrayloadedwithsandwiches，cakes，andjelly。Thisbroughtonageneralmove；andRoger，whoappearedtohavebeenonthewatchforsomethingofthekind，cameandtookachairbyMolly。’Iamsogladtoseeyouagain—itseemssuchalongtimesinceChristmas，’
　　saidhe，droppinghisvoice，andnotalludingmoreexactlytothedaywhenshehadlefttheHall。’Itisalongtime，’shereplied；’weareclosetoEasternow。IhavesowantedtotellyouhowgladIwastohearaboutyourhonoursatCambridge。
　　Ioncethoughtofsendingyouamessagethroughyourbrother，butthenIthoughtitmightbemakingtoomuchfuss，becauseIknownothingofmathematics，orofthevalueofasenior—wranglership；andyouweresuretohavesomanycongratulationsfrompeoplewhodidknow。’’Imissedyoursthough，Molly，’saidhe，kindly。’ButIfeltsureyouweregladforme。’’Gladandproudtoo，’saidshe。’Ishouldsoliketohearsomethingmoreaboutit。IheardyoutellingCynthia——’’Yes。Whatacharmingpersonsheis！Ishouldthinkyoumustbehappierthanweexpectedlongago。’’Buttellmesomethingaboutthesenior—wranglership，please，’saidMolly。’It’salongstory，andIoughttobehelpingtheMissBrowningstohandsandwiches—besides，youwouldn’tfinditveryinteresting，it’ssofulloftechnicaldetails。’’Cynthialookedverymuchinterested，’saidMolly。’Well！thenIreferyoutoher，forImustgonow。Ican’tforshamegoonsittinghere，andlettingthosegoodladieshaveallthetrouble。ButIshallcomeandcallonMrsGibsonsoon。Areyouwalkinghometo—night？’’Yes，Ithinkso，’repliedMolly，eagerlyforeseeingwhatwastocome。’ThenIshallwalkhomewithyou。Ileftmyhorseatthe"George，"andthat’shalf—way。IsupposeoldBettywillallowmetoaccompanyyouandyoursister？Youusedtodescribeherassomethingofadragon。’’Bettyhasleftus，’saidMolly，sadly。’She’sgonetoliveataplaceatAshcombe。’Hemadeafaceofdismay，andthenwentofftohisduties。Theshortconversationhadbeenverypleasant，andhismannerhadhadjustthebrotherlykindnessofoldtimes；butitwasnotquitethemannerhehadtoCynthia；andMollyhalfthoughtshewouldhavepreferredthelatter。HewasnowhoveringaboutCynthia，whohaddeclinedtheofferofrefreshmentsfromWillieOsborne。
　　Rogerwastemptingher，andwithplayfulentreatiesurginghertotakesomethingfromhim。Everywordtheysaidcouldbeheardbythewholeroom；
　　yeteverywordwassaid，onRoger’spartatleast，asifhecouldnothavespokenitinthatpeculiarmannertoanyoneelse。Atlength，andrathermorebecauseshewaswearyofbeingentreated，thanbecauseitwashiswish，Cynthiatookamacaroon，andRogerseemedashappyasthoughshehadcrownedhimwithflowers。Thewholeaffairwasastriflingandcommonplaceascouldbeinitself。hardlyworthnoticing：andyetMollydidnoticeit，andfeltuneasy；shecouldnottellwhy。Asitturnedout，itwasarainynight，andMrsGibsonsentaflyforthetwogirlsinsteadofoldBetty’ssubstitute。BothCynthiaandMollythoughtofthepossibilityoftheirtakingthetwoOsbornegirlsbacktotheirgrandmother’s，andsosavingthemawetwalk；butCynthiagotthestartinspeakingaboutit；
　　andthethanksandtheimpliedpraiseforthoughtfulnesswerehers。WhentheygothomeMrandMrsGibsonweresittinginthedrawing—room，quitereadytobeamusedbyanydetailsoftheevening。Cynthiabegan，—’Oh！itwasn’tveryentertaining。Onedidn’texpectthat，’andsheyawnedwearily。’Whowerethere？’askedMrGibson。’Quiteayoungparty—wasn’tit？’’They’donlyaskedLizzieandFannyOsborne，andtheirbrother；butMrRogerHamleyhadriddenoverandcalledontheMissBrownings，andtheyhadkepthimtotea。Nooneelse。’’RogerHamleythere！’saidMrGibson。’He’scomehomethen。Imustmaketimetorideoverandseehim。’’You’dmuchbetteraskhimhere，’saidMrsGibson。’SupposeyouinvitehimandhisbrothertodinehereonFriday，mydear？Itwouldbeaveryprettyattention，Ithink。’’Mydear！theseyoungCambridgemenhaveaverygoodtasteinwine，anddon’tspareit。Mycellarwon’tstandmanyoftheirattacks。’’Ididn’tthinkyouweresoinhospitable，MrGibson。’’I’mnotinhospitable，I’msure。Ifyou’llput"bitterbeer"inthecornerofyournotesofinvitation，justasthesmartpeopleput"quadrilles"
　　asasignofentertainmentoffered，we’llhaveOsborneandRogertodinneranydayyoulike。Andwhatdidyouthinkofmyfavourite，Cynthia？Youhadn’tseenhimbefore，Ithink？’’Oh！he’snothinglikesohandsomeashisbrother；norsopolished；norsoeasytotalkto。Heentertainedmeformorethananhourwithalongaccountofsomeexaminationorother；butthere’ssomethingonelikesabouthim。’’Well—andMolly—’saidMrsGibson，whopiquedherselfonbeinganimpartialstepmother；andwhoalwaystriedhardtomakeMollytalkasmuchasCynthia—’whatsortofaneveninghaveyouhad？’’Verypleasant，thankyou。’Herheartalittlebeliedherasshesaidthis。
　　Shehadnotcaredfortheroundgame；andshewouldhavecaredforRoger’sconversation。Shehadhadwhatshewasindifferentto，andnothadwhatshewouldhaveliked。’We’vehadourunexpectedvisitor，too，’saidMrGibson。’JustafterdinnerwhoshouldcomeinbutMrPreston。Ifancyhe’shavingmoreofthemanagementoftheHollingfordpropertythanformerly。Sheepshanksisgettinganoldman。Andifso，IsuspectweshallseeagooddealofPreston。He’s"noblate，"astheyusedtosayinScotland，andmadehimselfquiteathometo—night。IfI’daskedhimtostay，or，indeed，ifI’ddoneanythingbutyawn，he’dhavebeenherenow。ButIdefyanymantostaywhenIhaveafitofyawning。’’DoyoulikeMrPreston，papa？’askedMolly。’AboutasmuchasIdohalfthemenImeet。Hetalkswell，andhasseenagooddeal。Iknowverylittleofhim，though，exceptthathe’smylord’ssteward，whichisaguaranteeforagooddeal。’’LadyHarrietspokeprettystronglyagainsthimthatdayIwaswithherattheManor—house。’’LadyHarriet’salwaysfulloffancies：shelikespersonsto—day，anddislikesthemto—morrow，’saidMrsGibson，whowastouchedonhersorepointwheneverMollyquotedLadyHarriet，orsaidanythingtoimplyeversotransitoryanintimacywithher。’YoumustknowagooddealaboutMrPreston，mydear？IsupposeyousawagooddealofhimatAshcombe？’MrsGibsoncoloured，andlookedatCynthiabeforeshereplied。Cynthia’sfacewassetintoadeterminationnottospeak，howevermuchshemightbereferredto。’Yes；wesawagooddealofhim—atonetime，Imean。He’schangeable，Ithink。Buthealwayssentusgame，andsometimesfruit。Thereweresomestoriesagainsthim，butIneverbelievedthem。’’Whatkindofstories？’saidMrGibson，quickly。’Oh，vaguestories，youknow：scandal，Idaresay。Nooneeverbelievedthem。Hecouldbesoagreeableifhechose；andmylord，whoissoveryparticular，wouldneverhavekepthimasagentiftheyweretrue；notthatIeverknewwhattheywere，forIconsiderallscandalasabominablegossip。’’I’mverygladIyawnedinhisface，’saidMrGibson。’Ihopehe’lltakethehint。’’Ifitwasoneofyourgiant—gapes，papa，Ishouldcallitmorethanahint，’saidMolly。’Andifyouwantayawningchorusthenexttimehecomes，I’lljoinin；won’tyou，Cynthia？’’Idon’tknow，’repliedthelatter，shortly，asshelightedherbed—candle。
　　Thetwogirlshadusuallysomenightlyconversationinoneorotheroftheirbed—rooms；butto—nightCynthiasaidsomethingorotheraboutbeingterriblytired，andhastilyshutherdoor。Theverynextday，Rogercametopayhispromisedcall。MollywasoutinthegardenwithWilliams，planningthearrangementofsomenewflower—beds，anddeepinheremploymentofplacingpegsuponthelawntomarkoutthedifferentsituations，when，standinguptomarktheeffect，hereyewascaughtbythefigureofagentleman，sittingwithhisbacktothelight，leaningforwards，andtalking，orlistening，eagerly。Mollyknewtheshapeoftheheadperfectly，andhastilybegantoputoffherbrown—hollandgardeningapron，emptyingthepocketsasshespoketoWilliams。’Youcanfinishitnow，Ithink，’saidshe。’Youknowaboutthebright—colouredflowersbeingagainsttheprivet—hedge，andwherethenewrose—bedittobe？’’Ican’tjustlysayasIdo，’saidhe。’Mebbe，you’lljustgoo’eritallonceagain，MissMolly。I’mnotsoyoungasIoncstwas，andmyheadisnotsoclearnow—a—days，andI’dbelothtomakemistakeswhenyou’resosetuponyourplans。’Mollygaveupherimpulseinamoment。Shesawthattheoldgardenerwasreallyperplexed，yetthathewasasanxiousashecouldbetodohisbest。
　　Soshewentoverthegroundagain，peggingandexplainingtillthewrinkledbrowwassmoothagain，andhekeptsaying，’Isee，miss。Allright，MissMolly，I’segottenitinmyheadasclearaspatch—worknow。’Soshecouldleavehim，andgoin。Butjustasshewasclosetothegardendoor，Rogercameout。Itreallywasforonceacaseofvirtueitsownreward，foritwasfarpleasantertohertohavehiminatê；te—à；—tê；te，howevershort，thanintherestraintofMrsGibson’sandCynthia’spresence。’Ionlyjustfoundoutwhereyouwere，Molly。MrsGibsonsaidyouhadgoneout，butshedidn’tknowwhere；anditwasthegreatestchancethatIturnedroundandsawyou。’’Isawyousometimeago，butIcouldn’tleaveWilliams。Ithinkhewasunusuallyslowto—day；andheseemedasifhecouldn’tunderstandmyplanforthenewflower—beds。’’Isthatthepaperyou’vegotinyourhand？Letmelookatit，willyou？
　　Ah，Isee！you’veborrowedsomeofyourideasfromourgardenathome，haven’tyou？Thisbedofscarletgeraniums，withtheborderofyoungoaks，peggeddown！Thatwasafancyofmydearmother’s。’Theywerebothsilentforaminuteortwo。ThenMollysaid，—’Howisthesquire？I’veneverseenhimsince。’’No，hetoldmehowmuchhewantedtoseeyou，buthecouldn’tmakeuphismindtocomeandcall。IsupposeitwouldneverdonowforyoutocomeandstayattheHall，wouldit？Itwouldgivemyfathersomuchpleasure：
　　helooksuponyouasadaughter，andI’msurebothOsborneandIshallalwaysconsideryouarelikeasistertous，afterallmymother’sloveforyou，andyourtendercareofheratlast。ButIsupposeitwouldn’tdo。’’No！certainlynot，’saidMolly，hastily。’Ifancyifyoucouldcomeitwouldputusalittletorights。Youknow，asIthinkIoncetoldyou，OsbornehasbehaveddifferentlytowhatIshouldhavedone，thoughnotwrongly，—onlywhatIcallanerrorofjudgment。