’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。