’ButIwouldn’tlether，’saidMrsGibson。’YouweremuchbetterinLondonthanhere，foryoucouldhavedonemenogood；andyourletterswereveryagreeabletoread；andnowHelenisbetter，andI’mnearlywell，andyou’vecomehomejustattherighttime，foreverybodyisfulloftheCharityBall。’
’Butwearenotgoingthisyear，mamma，’saidCynthiadecidedly。’Itisonthe25th，isn’tit？andI’msureyou’llneverbewellenoughtotakeus。’
’YoureallyseemdeterminedtomakemeoutworsethanIam，child，’
saidMrsGibson，ratherquerulously，shebeingoneofthosewho，whentheirmaladyisonlytrifling，exaggerateit，butwhenitisreallyofsomeconsequence，areunwillingtosacrificeanypleasuresbyacknowledgingit。Itwaswellforherinthisinstancethatherhusbandhadwisdomandauthorityenoughtoforbidhergoingtothisball，onwhichshehadsetherheart；buttheconsequenceofhisprohibitionwasanincreaseofdomesticplaintivenessandlowspirits，whichseemedtotellonCynthia—thebrightgayCynthiaherself—anditwasoftenhardworkforMollytokeepupthespiritsoftwootherpeopleaswellasherown。Ill—healthmightaccountforMrsGibson’sdespondency，butwhywasCynthiasosilent，nottosaysosighing？Mollywaspuzzledtoaccountforit；andallthemoreperplexedbecausefromtimetotimeCynthiakeptcallinguponherforpraiseforsomeunknownandmysteriousvirtuethatshehadpractised；andMollywasyoungenoughtobelievethat，afteranyexerciseofvirtue，thespiritsrose，cheeredupbyanapprovingconscience。SuchwasnotthecasewithCynthia，however。
Shesometimessaidsuchthingsasthese，whenshehadbeenparticularlyinertanddesponding，—
’Ah，Molly，youmustletmygoodnessliefallowforawhile！Ithasbornesuchawonderfulcropthisyear。Ihavebeensopretty—behaved—
ifyouknewall！’Or，’Really，Molly，myvirtuemustcomedownfromtheclouds！ItwasstrainedtotheutmostinLondon—andIfinditislikeakite—aftersoaringaloftforsometime，itsuddenlycomesdown，andgetstangledinallsortsofbriarsandbrambles；whichthingsareanallegory，unlessyoucanbringyourselftobelieveinmyextraordinarygoodnesswhileIwasaway—givingmeasortofrighttofallfoulofallmamma’sbriarsandbramblesnow。’
ButMollyhadhadsomeexperienceofCynthia’swhimofperpetuallyhintingatamysterywhichshedidnotmeantorevealintheMrPrestondays，and，althoughshewasoccasionallypiquedintocuriosity，Cynthia’sallusionsatsomethingmoreinthebackgroundfellingeneralonratherdeafears。
Onedaythemysteryburstitsshell，andcameoutintheshapeofanoffermadetoCynthiabyMrHenderson—andrefused。Underallthecircumstances，Mollycouldnotappreciatetheheroicgoodnesssooftenalludedto。Therevelationofthesecretatlasttookplaceinthisway。MrsGibsonbreakfastedinbed：shehaddonesoeversinceshehadhadtheinfluenza；and，consequently，herownprivatelettersalwayswentuponherbreakfast—tray。Onemorningshecameintothedrawing—roomearlierthanusual，withanopenletterinherhand。
’I’vehadaletterfromauntKirkpatrick，Cynthia。Shesendsmemydividends，—youruncleissobusy。Butwhatdoesshemeanbythis，Cynthia’（holdingoutthelettertoher，withacertainparagraphindicatedbyherfinger）。
Cynthiaputhernettingononeside，andlookedatthewriting。Suddenlyherfaceturnedscarlet，andthenbecameofadeadlywhite。ShelookedatMolly，asiftogaincouragefromthestrongserenecountenance。
’Itmeans—mamma，Imayaswelltellyouatonce—MrHendersonofferedtomewhileIwasinLondon，andIrefusedhim。’
’Refusedhim—andyounevertoldme，butletmehearitbychance！
Really，Cynthia，Ithinkyou’reveryunkind。AndpraywhatmadeyourefuseMrHenderson？Suchafineyoungman，—andsuchagentleman！Youruncletoldmehehadaverygoodprivatefortunebesides。’
’Mamma，doyouforgetthatIhavepromisedtomarryRogerHamley？’saidCynthiaquietly。
’No！ofcourseIdon’t—howcanI，withMollyalwaysdinningtheword"engagement"intomyears？Butreally，whenoneconsidersalltheuncertainties，—andafterallitwasnotadistinctpromise，—heseemedalmostasifhemighthavelookedforwardtosomethingofthissort。’
’Ofwhatsort，mamma？’saidCynthiasharply。
’Why，ofamoreeligibleoffer。Hemusthaveknownyoumightchangeyourmind，andmeetwithsomeoneyoulikedbetter：solittleasyouhadseenoftheworld。’Cynthiamadeanimpatientmovement，asiftostophermother。
’IneversaidIlikedhimbetter，—howcanyoutalkso，mamma？I’mgoingtomarryRoger，andthere’sanendofit。Iwillnotbespokentoaboutitagain。’Shegotupandlefttheroom。
’GoingtomarryRoger！That’sallveryfine。Butwhoistoguaranteehiscomingbackalive！Andifhedoes，whathavetheytomarryupon，I
shouldliketoknow？Idon’twishhertohaveacceptedMrHenderson，thoughIamsureshelikedhim；andtrueloveoughttohaveitscourse，andnotbethwarted；butsheneednothavequitefinallyrefusedhimuntil—well，untilwehadseenhowmattersturnout。SuchaninvalidasIamtoo！Ithasgivenmequiteapalpitationattheheart。IdocallitquiteunfeelingofCynthia。’
’Certainly，’beganMolly；butthensherememberedthatherstepmotherwasfarfromstrong，andunabletobearaprotestinfavouroftherightcoursewithoutirritation。Soshechangedherspeechintoasuggestionofremediesforpalpitation；andcurbedherimpatiencetospeakoutherindignationatthecontemplatedfalsehoodtoRoger。Butwhentheywerealone，andCynthiabeganuponthesubject，Mollywaslessmerciful。Cynthiasaid，—
’Well，Molly，andnowyouknowall！I’vebeenlongingtotellyou—
andyetsomehowIcouldnot。’
’IsupposeitwasarepetitionofMrCoxe，’saidMollygravely。’Youwereagreeable，—andhetookitforsomethingmore。’
’Idon’tknow，’sighedCynthia。’ImeanIdon’tknowifIwasagreeableornot。Hewasverykind—verypleasant—butIdidnotexpectitalltoendasitdid。However，itisofnousethinkingofit。’
’No！’saidMolly，simply；fortohermindthepleasantestandkindestpersonintheworldputincomparisonwithRogerwasasnothing；hestoodbyhimself。Cynthia’snextwords，—andtheydidnotcomeverysoon，—
wereonquiteadifferentsubject，andspokeninratherapettishtone。
Nordidshealludeagaininjestingsadnesstoherlateeffortsatvirtue。
InalittlewhileMrsGibsonwasabletoaccepttheoften—repeatedinvitationfromtheTowerstogoandstaythereforadayortwo。LadyHarriettoldherthatitwouldbeakindnesstoLadyCumnortocomeandbearhercompanyinthelifeofseclusionthelatterwasstillcompelledtolead；andMrsGibsonwasflatteredandgratifiedwithadimunconscioussenseofbeingreallywanted，notmerelydeludingherselfintoapleasingfiction。LadyCumnorwasinthatstateofconvalescencecommontomanyinvalids。Thespringoflifehadbegunagaintoflow，andwiththeflowreturnedtheolddesiresandprojectsandplans，whichhadallbecomemeremattersofindifferenceduringtheworstpartofherillness。Butasyetherbodilystrengthwasnotsufficienttobeanagenttoherenergeticmind，andthedifficultyofdrivingtheill—matchedpairofbodyandwill—oneweakandlanguid，theotherstrongandstern，—madeherladyshipoftenveryirritable。MrsGibsonherselfwasnotquitestrongenoughfora’souffre—douleur；"
andthevisittotheTowerswasnot，onthewhole，quitesohappyaoneasshehadanticipated。LadyCuxhavenandLadyHarriet，eachawareoftheirmother’sstateofhealthandtemper，butonlyalludingtoitasslightlyaswasabsolutelynecessaryintheirconversationswitheachother，tookcarenottoleave’Clare’toolongwithLadyCumnor；butseveraltimeswhenoneortheotherwenttorelieveguardtheyfoundClareintears，andLadyCumnorholdingforthonsomepointonwhichshehadbeenmeditatingduringthesilenthoursofherillness，andonwhichsheseemedtoconsiderherselfborntosettheworldtorights。MrsGibsonwasalwaysapttoconsidertheseremarksasaddressedwithapersonaldirectionatsomeerrorofherown，anddefendedthefaultinquestionwithasenseofpropertyinit，whateveritmighthappentobe。ThesecondandthelastdayofherstayattheTowers，LadyHarrietcamein，andfoundhermotherharanguinginanexcitedtoneofvoice，andClarelookingsubmissiveandmiserableandoppressed。
’What’sthematter，dearmamma？Arenotyoutiringyourselfwithtalking？’
’No，notatall！Iwasonlyspeakingofthefollyofpeopledressingabovetheirstation。IbeganbytellingClareofthefashionsofmygrandmother’sdays，wheneveryclasshadasortofcostumeofitsown，—andservantsdidnotapetradespeople，nortradespeopleprofessionalmen，andsoon，—andwhatmustthefoolishwomandobutbegintojustifyherowndress，asifIhadbeenaccusingher，oreventhinkingaboutheratall。Suchnonsense！Really，Clare，yourhusbandhasspoiltyousadly，ifyoucan’tlistentoanyonewithoutthinkingtheyarealludingtoyou！Peoplemayflatterthemselvesjustasmuchbythinkingthattheirfaultsarealwayspresenttootherpeople’sminds，asiftheybelievethattheworldisalwayscontemplatingtheirindividualcharmsandvirtues。’
’Iwastold，LadyCumnor，thatthissilkwasreducedinprice。IboughtitatWaterlooHouse’aftertheseasonwasover，’saidMrsGibson，touchingtheveryhandsomegownsheworeindeprecationofLadyCumnor’sangryvoice，andblunderingontotheverysourceofirritation。
’Again，Clare！HowoftenmustItellyouIhadnothoughtofyouoryourgowns，orwhethertheycostmuchorlittle；yourhusbandhastopayforthem，anditishisconcernifyouspendmoreonyourdressthanyououghttodo。’
’Itwasonlyfiveguineasforthewholedress，’pleadedMrsGibson。
’Andveryprettyitis，’saidLadyHarriet，stoopingtoexamineit，andsohopingtosoothethepooraggrievedwoman。ButLadyCumnorwenton，—
’No！yououghttohaveknownmebetterbythistime。WhenIthinkathingIsayitout。Idon’tbeataboutthebush。Iusestraightforwardlanguage。IwilltellyouwhereIthinkyouhavebeeninfault，Clare，ifyouliketoknow。’Likeitornot，theplain—speakingwascomingnow。
’Youhavespoiltthatgirlofyourstillshedoesnotknowherownmind。
ShehasbehavedabominablytoMrPreston；anditisallinconsequenceofthefaultsinhereducation。Youhavemuchtoanswerfor。’
’Mamma，mamma！’saidLadyHarriet，’MrPrestondidnotwishitspokenabout。’AndatthesamemomentMrsGibsonexclaimed，’Cynthia—MrPreston！’
insuchatoneofsurprise，thatifLadyCumnorhadbeeninthehabitofobservingtherevelationsmadebyotherpeople’stonesandvoices，shewouldhavefoundoutthatMrsGibsonwasignorantoftheaffairtowhichshewasalluding。
’AsforMrPreston’swishes，IdonotsupposeIamboundtoregardthemwhenIfeelitmydutytoreproveerror，’saidLadyCumnorloftilytoLadyHarriet。’And，Clare，doyoumeantosaythatyouarenotawarethatyourdaughterhasbeen。engagedtoMrPrestonforsometime—years，Ibelieve，—andhasatlastchosentobreakitoff，—andhasusedtheGibsongirl—Iforgethername，—asacat’s—paw，andmadebothherandherselfthetown’stalk—thebuttforallthegossipofHollingford？IrememberwhenIwasyoungtherewasagirlcalledJiltingJessy。You’llhavetowatchoveryouryounglady，orshewillgetsomesuchname。Ispeaktoyoulikeafriend，Clare，whenItellyouit’smyopinionthatgirlofyourswillgetherselfintosomemoremischiefyetbeforeshe’ssafelymarried。NotthatIcareonestrawforMrPreston’sfeelings。Idon’tevenknowifhe’sgotfeelingsornot；butIknowwhatisbecominginayoungwoman，andjiltingisnot。Andnowyoumaybothgoaway，andsendBradleytome，forI’mtired，andwanttohavealittlesleep。’
’Indeed，LadyCumnor—willyoubelieveme？—IdonotthinkCynthiawaseverengagedtoMrPreston。Therewasanoldflirtation。Iwasafraid——’
’RingthebellforBradley，’saidLadyCumnor，wearily：hereyesclosed。
LadyHarriethadtoomuchexperienceofhermother’smoodsnottoleadMrsGibsonawayalmostbymainforce，sheprotestingallthewhilethatshedidnotthinktherewasanytruthinthestatement，thoughitwasdearLadyCumnorthatsaidit。
Onceinherownroom，LadyHarrietsaid，’Now，Clare，I’lltellyouallaboutit；andIthinkyou’llhavetobelieveit，foritwasMrPrestonhimselfwhotoldme。IheardofagreatcommotioninHollingfordaboutMrPreston；andImethimridingout，andaskedhimwhatitwasallabout；
hedidnotwanttospeakaboutit，evidently。Nomandoes，Isuppose，whenhe’sbeenjilted；andhemadebothpapaandmepromisenottotell；butpapadid—andthat’swhatmammahasforafoundation；yousee，areallygoodone。’
’ButCynthiaisengagedtoanotherman—shereallyis。Andanother—averygoodmatchindeed—hasjustbeenofferingtoherinLondon。MrPrestonisalwaysattherootofmischief。’
’Nay！IdothinkinthiscaseitmustbethatprettyMissCynthiaofyourswhohasdrawnononemantobeengagedtoher，—nottosaytwo，—andanothertomakeheranoffer。Ican’tendureMrPreston，butIthinkit’sratherhardtoaccusehimofhavingcalleduptherivals，whoare，Isuppose，theoccasionofhisbeingjilted。’
’Idon’tknow；Ialwaysfeelasifheowedmeagrudge，andmenhavesomanywaysofbeingspiteful。YoumustacknowledgethatifhehadnotmetyouIshouldnothavehaddearLadyCumnorsoangrywithme。’
’SheonlywantedtowarnyouaboutCynthia。Mammahasalwaysbeenveryparticularaboutherowndaughters。Shehasbeenverysevereontheleastapproachtoflirting，andMarywillbelikeher！’
’ButCynthiawillflirt，andIcan’thelpit。Sheisnotnoisy，orgiggling；
sheisalwaysalady—thateverybodymustown。Butshehasawayofattractingmen，shemusthaveinheritedfromme，Ithink。’Andhereshesmiledfaintly，andwouldnothaverejectedaconfirmatorycompliment，butnonecame。’However，Iwillspeaktoher；Iwillgettothebottomofthewholeaffair。PraytellLadyCumnorthatithassoflutteredmethewayshespoke，aboutmydressandall。Anditonlycostfiveguineasafterall，reducedfromeight！’
’Well，nevermindnow。Youarelookingverymuchflushed；quitefeverish！
Ileftyoutoolonginmamma’shotroom。Butdoyouknowsheissomuchpleasedtohaveyouhere？’AndsoLadyCumnorreallywas，inspiteofthecontinuallectureswhichshegave’Clare，’andwhichpoorMrsGibsonturnedunderashelplesslyasthetypicalworm。Stillitwassomethingtohaveacountesstoscoldher；andthatpleasurewouldendurewhentheworrywaspast。AndthenLadyHarrietpettedhermorethanusualtomakeupforwhatshehadtogothroughintheconvalescent’sroom；andLadyCuxhaventalkedsensetoher，withdashesofscienceanddeepthoughtintermixed，whichwasveryflattering，althoughgenerallyunintelligible；andLordCumnor，good—natured，good—tempered，kind，andliberal，wasfullofgratitudetoherforherkindnessincomingtoseeLadyCumnor，andhisgratitudetookthetangibleshapeofahaunchofvenison，tosaynothingoflessergame。WhenshelookedbackuponhervisitasshedrovehomeinthesolitarygrandeuroftheTowers’carriage，therehadbeenbutonegreatenduringrub—LadyCumnor’scrossness—andshechosetoconsiderCynthiaasthecauseofthat，insteadofseeingthetruth，whichhadbeensooftensetbeforeherbythemembersofherladyship’sfamily，thatittookitsorigininherstateofhealth。MrsGibsondidnotexactlymeantovisitthisonediscomfortuponCynthia，nordidshequitemeantoupbraidherdaughterforconductasyetunexplained，andwhichmighthavesomejustification；
but，findingherquietlysittinginthedrawing—room，shesatedowndespondinglyinherownlittleeasychair，andinreplytoCynthia’squick，pleasantgreetingof，—
’Well，mamma，howareyou？Wedidnotexpectyousoearly！Letmetakeoffyourbonnetandshawl！’shereplieddolefully，—
’IthasnotbeensuchahappyvisitthatIshouldwishtoprolongit。’
Hereyeswerefixedonthecarpet，andherfacewasasirresponsivetothewelcomeofferedasshecouldmakeit。
’Whathasbeenthematter？’askedCynthia，inallgoodfaith。
’You！Cynthia—you！IlittlethoughtwhenyouwerebornhowIshouldhavetobeartohearyouspokenabout。’
Cynthiathrewbackherhead，andangrylightcameintohereyes。
’Whatbusinesshavetheywithme？Howcametheytotalkaboutmeinanyway？’
’Everybodyistalkingaboutyou；itisnowondertheyare。LordCumnorissuretohearabouteverythingalways。Youshouldtakemorecareaboutwhatyoudo，Cynthia，ifyoudon’tlikebeingtalkedabout。’
’Itratherdependsuponwhatpeoplesay，’saidCynthia，affectingalightnesswhichshedidnotfeel；forshehadaprovisionofwhatwascoming。
’Well！Idon’tlikeit，atanyrate。Itisnotpleasanttometohearfirstofmydaughter’smisdoingsfromLadyCumnor，andthentobelecturedabouther，andherflirting，andherjilting，asifIhadhadanythingtodowithit。Icanassureyouithasquitespoiltmyvisit。No！don’ttouchmyshawl。WhenIgotomyroomIcantakeitmyself。’
Cynthiawasbroughttobay，andsatedown；remainingwithhermother，whokeptsighingostentatiouslyfromtimetotime。
’Wouldyoumindtellingmewhattheysaid？Ifthereareaccusationsabroadagainstme，itisaswellIshouldknowwhattheyare。Here’sMolly’
（asthegirlenteredtheroom，freshfromamorning’swalk）。’Molly，mammahascomebackfromtheTowers，andmylordandmyladyhavebeendoingmethehonourtotalkovermycrimesandmisdemeanors，andIamaskingmammawhattheyhavesaid。Idon’tsetupformorevirtuethanotherpeople，butIcan’tmakeoutwhatanearlandacountesshavetodowithpoorlittleme。’
’Itwasnotforyoursake！’saidMrsGibson。’Itwasformine。Theyfeltforme，foritisnotpleasanttohaveone’schild’snameineverybody’smouth。’
’AsIsaidbefore，thatdependsuponhowitisineverybody’smouth。
IfIweregoingtomarryLordHollingford，Imakenodoubteveryonewouldbetalkingaboutme，andneitheryounorIshouldminditintheleast。’
’ButthisisnomarriagewithLordHollingford，soitisnonsensetotalkasifitwas。Theysayyou’vegoneandengagedyourselftoMrPreston，andnowrefusetomarryhim；andtheycallthatjilting。’
’Doyouwishmetomarryhim，mamma？’askedCynthia，herfaceinaflame，hereyescastdown。Mollystoodby，veryhot，notfullyunderstandingit；
andonlykeptwhereshewasbythehopeofcominginassweetenerorpeacemaker，orhelperofsomekind。
’No，’saidMrsGibson，evidentlydiscomfitedbythequestion。’OfcourseIdon’t；youhavegoneandentangledyourselfwithRogerHamley，averyworthyyoungman；butnobodyknowswhereheis，andifhe’sdeadoralive；
andhehasnotapennyifheisalive。’
’Ibegyourpardon。Iknowthathehassomefortunefromhismother；
itmaynotbemuch，butheisnotpenniless；andheissuretoearnfameandgreatreputation，andwithitmoneywillcome，’saidCynthia。
’You’veentangledyourselfwithhim，andyou’vedonesomethingofthesortwithMrPreston，andgotyourselfintosuchanimbroglio’（MrsGibsoncouldnothavesaid’mess’fortheworld，althoughthewordwaspresenttohermind），’thatwhenareallyeligiblepersoncomesforward—handsome，agreeable，andquitethegentleman—andagoodprivatefortuneintothebargain，youhavetorefusehim。You’llendasanoldmaid，Cynthia，anditwillbreakmyheart。’
’IdaresayIshall，’saidCynthia，quietly。’IsometimesthinkIamthekindofpersonofwhicholdmaidsaremade！’Shespokeseriously，andalittlesadly。
MrsGibsonbeganagain。’Idon’twanttoknowyoursecretsaslongastheyaresecrets；butwhenallthetownistalkingaboutyou，IthinkI
oughttobetold。’
’But，mamma，IdidnotknowIwassuchasubjectofconversation；andevennowIcan’tmakeouthowithascomeabout。’
’NomorecanI。Ionlyknowthattheysayyou’vebeenengagedtoMrPreston，andoughttohavemarriedhim，andthatIcan’thelpit，ifyoudidnotchoose，anymorethanIcouldhavehelpedyourrefusingMrHenderson；
andyetIamconstantlyblamedforyourmisconduct。Ithinkit’sveryhard。’
MrsGibsonbegantocry。Justthenherhusbandcamein。
’Youhere，mydear！Welcomeback，’saidhe，cominguptohercourteously，andkissinghercheek。’Why，what’sthematter？Tears？’andheheartilywishedhimselfawayagain。
’Yes！’saidshe，raisingherselfup，andclutchingaftersympathyofanykind，atanyprice。’I’mcomehomeagain，andI’mtellingCynthiahowLadyCumnorhasbeensocrosstome，andallthroughher。DidyouknowshehadgoneandengagedherselftoMrPreston，andthenbrokenitoff？
Everybodyistalkingaboutit，andtheyknowitupattheTowers。’
ForonemomenthiseyesmetMolly’s，andhecomprehendeditall。Hemadehislipsupintoawhistle，butnosoundcame。CynthiahadquitelostherdefiantmannersincehermotherhadspokentoMrGibson。Mollysatedownbyher。
’Cynthia，’saidhe，veryseriously。
’Yes！’sheanswered，softly。
’Isthistrue？Ihadheardsomethingofitbefore—notmuch；butthereisscandalenoughabouttomakeitdesirablethatyoushouldhavesomeprotector—somefriendwhoknowsthewholetruth。’
Noanswer。Atlastshesaid，’Mollyknowsitall。’
MrsGibson，too，hadbeenawedintosilencebyherhusband’sgravemanner，andshedidnotliketogiveventtothejealousthoughtinhermindthatMollyhadknownthesecretofwhichshewasignorant。MrGibsonrepliedtoCynthiawithsomesternness，—
’Yes！IknowthatMollyknowsitall，andthatshehashadtobearslanderandillwordsforyoursake，Cynthia。Butsherefusedtotellmemore。’
’Shetoldyouthatmuch，didshe？’saidCynthia，aggrieved。
’Icouldnothelpit，’saidMolly。
’Shedidnotnameyourname，’saidMrGibson。’AtthetimeIbelieveshethoughtshehadconcealedit—buttherewasnomistakingwhoitwas。’
’Whydidshespeakaboutitatall？’saidCynthia，withsomebitterness。
Hertone—herquestionstirredupMrGibson’spassion。
’Itwasnecessaryforhertojustifyherselftome—Iheardmydaughter’sreputationattackedfortheprivatemeetingsshehadgiventoMrPreston—Icametoherforanexplanation。Thereisnoneedtobeungenerous，Cynthia，becauseyouhavebeenaflirtandajilteventothedegreeofdraggingMolly’snamedownintothesamemire。’
Cynthialiftedherbowed—downhead，andlookedathim。
’Yousaythatofme，MrGibson。Notknowingwhatthecircumstancesare，yousaythat！’
Hehadspokentoostrongly：heknewit。Buthecouldnotbringhimselftoownitjustatthatmoment。ThethoughtofhissweetinnocentMolly，whohadbornesomuchpatiently，preventedanyretractationofhiswordsatthetime。
’Yes！’hesaid，’Idosayit。Youcannottellwhatevilconstructionsareputuponactionseversoslightlybeyondtheboundsofmaidenlypropriety。
IdosaythatMollyhashadagreatdealtobear，inconsequenceofthisclandestineengagementofyours，Cynthia—theremaybeextenuatingcircumstances，Iacknowledge—butyouwillneedtorememberthemalltoexcuseyourconducttoRogerHamley，whenhecomeshome。Iaskedyoutotellmethefulltruth，inorderthatuntilhecomes，andhasalegalrighttoprotectyou，Imaydoso。’Noanswer。’Itcertainlyrequiresexplanation，’continuedhe。’Hereareyou，—engagedtotwomenatoncetoallappearances！’Stillnoanswer。
’Tobesure，thegossipsofthetownhavenotyetpickedoutthefactofRogerHamley’sbeingyouracceptedlover；butscandalhasbeenrestingonMolly，andoughttohaverestedonyou，Cynthia—foraconcealedengagementtoMrPreston—necessitatingmeetingsinallsortsofplacesunknowntoyourfriends。’
’Papa，’saidMolly，’ifyouknewallyouwouldnotspeaksotoCynthia。
Iwishshewouldtellyouherselfallthatshehastoldme。’
’Iamreadytohearwhatevershehastosay，’saidhe。ButCynthiasaid，—
’No！youhaveprejudgedme；youhavespokentomeasyouhadnorighttospeak。Irefusetogiveyoumyconfidence，oracceptyourhelp。Peopleareverycrueltome’—hervoicetrembledforamoment，—’Ididnotthinkyouwouldhavebeen。ButIcanbearit。’
Andthen，inspiteofMolly，whowouldhavedetainedherbyforce，shetoreherselfaway，andhastilylefttheroom。
’Oh，papa！’saidMolly，crying，andclingingtohim，’doletmetellyouall。’AndthenshesuddenlyrecollectedtheawkwardnessoftellingsomeofthedetailsofthestorybeforeMrsGibson，andstoppedshort。
’Ithink，MrGibson，youhavebeenveryveryunkindtomypoorfatherlesschild，’saidMrsGibson，emergingfrombehindherpocket—handkerchief。
’Ionlywishherpoorfatherhadbeenalive，andallthiswouldneverhavehappened。’
’Veryprobably。StillIcannotseeofwhateithersheoryouhavetocomplain。Inasmuchaswecould，Iandminehaveshelteredher；Ihavelovedher；Idoloveheralmostasifsheweremyownchild—aswellasMolly，Idonotpretendtodo。’
’That’sit，MrGibson！youdonottreatherlikeyourownchild。’ButinthemidstofthiswrangleMollystoleout，andwentinsearchofCynthia。
Shethoughtsheboreanolive—branchofhealinginthesoundofherfather’sjustspokenwords：’Idoloveheralmostasifsheweremyownchild。’
ButCynthiawaslockedintoherroom，andrefusedtoopenthe’door。
’Opentome，please，’pleadedMolly。’Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou—Iwanttoseeyou—doopen！’