"Molly!" "Molly, you'll miss the party." "How do you do?" "How do you do?" "Very good to see you." "And you." "Oh, my goodness..." "You go outside." "Go outside." " Clare, who's that little girl?" " Oh, dear..." "Poor little woman." "She must have lost herself." " Who do you belong to, child?" " I'm Molly Gibson, please." " I came with the Miss Brownings." " Hollingford people." "I see." "She's very pale, Clare." "Take her into the house and let her lie down in your room." " I'll send in some food for her." " Yes, of course, Lady Harriet." "Come, dear." "Take your shoes off and lie on the bed." "See what kind Lady Harriet has sent for you." "Will you take a little?" "No?" "Perhaps later... when you've had a little rest." "Please, ma'am, don't let them go without me." "I'm to go back with the Miss Brownings." "Don't trouble yourself, dear." "I'll take care." "Au revoir, mes amis." "Did you see Pecksy's and Flapsy's hats?" "They looked so comical." "Well, at least that's over for another year." "It's turning quite chilly." "Clare, get me my shawl." "Oh, bless us and save us." "What's this in the bed?" "I'm Molly Gibson, please." "Oh..." "Why, I quite forgot about you." "Never mind." "You can stay for supper and go home in the morning." "But I must go home." "My father will want me, I make his tea for him." "Well, it can't be helped now." "You shouldn't have overslept yourself in a strange house." "Oh, come, don't cry." "I have a little girl who could think of nothing better than to stay in such a fine house, but I have to leave her at home when I come here." "All will be well, little one." "Brush your hair and come down and have dessert with the other children." "Who's that creature in the plain white frock?" "She looks quite wild and strange." "French, I dare say." "One can get them for the children." "Accents and so on." "Bon soir, ma petite, comment tu t'appelles?" "I don't know French, ma'am." "I'm only Molly Gibson." "Ah, Gibson." "I know, the doctor's child." "Oh, oh, I know all about you, little woman." "Ho ho ho." "Who's been sleeping in my bed, eh?" "What?" "Who's been sleeping in my bed?" "Ho ho ho." "Well, little Goldilocks, what have you to say in your defence?" "If you please, my Lord, it was the lady they call Clare's bed, not your Lordship's." " I stand rebuked, I stand rebuked." " Her father is here." "You can make your escape, little woman." "I dare say she'll be happier at home." "So, what did you think of life among the rich folks?" "They were kind to me, but I hope I never have to go again." "Nor shall you, Goosey, if you don't want to." "I'm so glad you came for me." "Papa, I should like to get a long chain and fasten us to each end of it." "Then we could never lose each other." "So I'm to go about the country like a donkey with a clog tied to my leg, is that it?" "I wouldn't mind being a clog so long as we were fastened together." "Not so sure I'd care to be the donkey." "Molly!" " Molly, love." " Coming." "And these as well, if you would, gentlemen." "Before I return." " D'you reckon I've any chance with her, Tom?" " Why ask me?" "How should I know?" "She truly is the loveliest girl." " Maria." " Yes, sir?" "Maria, come here." "Maria?" " Give me that note." " But it's for Miss Molly, sir." " He said I should give it into her own hands." " Then you shall." "Molly?" "Molly!" "You're home early." "Shall I get you some tea?" " What is it?" " Give her the note, Maria, then you may go." " Have you any idea who that might be from?" " No." "Good." "Give it to me." "Off you go, Goosey, back to your scales." " Am I not to know who it's from?" " Not at present." "My pupils and I are engaged in an ethical debate, Molly." "Mr Coxe here was arguing for "kill or cure."" "If we cannot recover the patient, we should put him out of his misery." " Oh, indeed, sir, I didn't quite say that." " Well, you implied that, Mr Coxe." "And look how you've shocked poor Mr Wynne." " Mr Wynne disapproves of homicide, I believe." " Of course I do, sir." "My own view is that it doesn't do to make away with profitable patients." "As long as they pay their two and six a visit it's our duty to keep them alive as long as possible." "If they can't pay, that's an entirely different matter." " But, sir..." " Father." "What?" "Mr Wynne, you know Father sees old Mrs Grant every day, who hasn't got a penny and she has the most expensive medicine that can be got." "Well, even I find it difficult to live up to my precepts all the time." "Never mind, Mr Wynne, your virtue does you credit." "Some men have no principles at all." "Well, gentlemen, time to get back to your slavery." "Master Coxe, I have a prescription for you." "Beg your pardon, sir?" "One ounce of modesty, two ounces of duty, one grain of deference, taken three times per day in aqua pura." "That should cool the burning passion which I understand you to be suffering from." "I don't think it was the conduct of a gentleman, sir, to intercept my letter and open it and read words that were never addressed to you." "If you had told me that you loved my daughter, that would have been honourable." "Now I must write to your father and ask him to remove you from my household." "I beg you wouldn't do that, sir." "I should've told you, sir, but..." "Well, I knew you'd be angry with me and forbid it." "And I do love Miss Gibson, sir, very dearly." "Who could help it?" "Well..." "By accident or design, you've managed to say the right thing for once." "Can I take it that this letter is your first attempt?" "She's unaware of your passion otherwise?" " Yes, sir." " Good." "Now, listen to me, Mr Coxe." "This is a motherless girl of barely seventeen." "She's too young for all this and it is not what you are here for." "If you could give me your word that there'll be no more of this nonsense, then perhaps I'll reconsider and let you stay." "Do you understand?" " Yes, sir." " Good." "In any case, my daughter is leaving us very soon to pay an extended visit to Squire and Mrs Hamley... at Hamley Hall." "This afternoon?" " Why, don't you want to go, Goosey?" " I don't know." " I was never away without you before." " Well, everything must have a beginning." "Mrs Hamley has been asking to meet you for a long time." "She's not well, poor lady, and I think that I just must be unselfish." "But why must it all be so sudden?" "It's something to do with that note." " And you don't want to tell me the reason." " You're a witch, Goosey." "I've got a good reason and I know you'll be a good girl and trust me on it." "I haven't any gowns fit to wear." "Well, how is a man to know when his daughter needs clothes?" "Go to Miss Rose's and get whatever you need in the way of frocks and hats." " Miss Rose's?" " Well..." "Seems you're a young woman now and you have to learn to run up bills with the best of them." " Here's ten pounds..." " Ten pounds?" "Pray, don't thank me." "I don't want the money spent and I don't want you to go and leave me." " Papa, you're getting mysterious again." " Now go away and spend your ten pounds." "What did I give it to you for but to keep you quiet?" "Afternoon, Miss." "Come this way, if you please." "Miss Gibson, ma'am." "Come..." "Molly." "May I call you Molly?" " Yes, please, I wish you would." " How good of you to come." "Let me look at you." "Good." "I think we shall be great friends." "I like your face." "Come, let me show you where you are to sleep." " Your room, my dear." " I like it very much." "I've had you put close to me." "I thought you'd like it better, though the room's not large." " Are... are those your sons, Mrs Hamley?" " Yes." "Well guessed." "That's Osborne seated and Roger standing." "Of course, they're grown now." "They're both up at Cambridge." "Osborne's very brilliant and expected to get a fellowship." "I like their faces." "You must miss them very much when they're away." "Oh, yes, I do." "That's why..." "I'm so happy to have you staying with us." "Oh..." "I see you've brought your sewing with you, like a good girl." "I don't sew much." "I read a great deal." " Do you like reading, too?" " Yes." "Well, it depends on the sort of book." "I'm afraid I don't much like "steady reading," as Papa calls it." " Do you like poetry?" " Oh, yes, I do like poetry." "Then I must show you some of Osborne's one day." "Mr Osborne Hamley?" " Is he a poet?" " Yes, I really think I could say he's a poet." " He's very... handsome." " Yes." "He was a beautiful boy and he's grown into a beautiful young man." "Roger was never to be compared with him." "Well, I like his face, but..." "he isn't like Mr Osborne at all, is he?" "No, and he is not likely to have such a brilliant career." "But he's a good, dear fellow, for all that." " Harry!" " Here, sir." "Here, sir." "Get in, get in, the lot of you." "God bless my soul." "I'd forgotten all about you." "You're Gibson's daughter, aren't you, come to pay us a visit?" "I remember." "Well, I must say I'm glad to see you, my dear." "Very glad indeed." "Well, well, well..." " Settled in all right, have you?" " Yes, thank you, sir." "Well, I must go and dress." "Can't go in like this, Madam wouldn't like it." "You see, she's broken me in to her fine London ways." "And I'm all the better for it, I dare say." "Now, see this?" "Tomorrow I shall have you do this for me, Miss Gibson." " Well, I'll do it tonight if you like, sir." " No, no." "Today you're a visitor." "Tomorrow I'll send you on errands and call you by your Christian name." " Molly, is it?" " Yes." "I was christened Mary, but Mama was Mary, so I was called Molly while she lived and..." " So I still am." " Ah, yes, your mama, poor thing." "I remember how sorry everyone was when she died." "No one thought she was delicate." "She had such a fresh colour." "Then all at once she just popped off, as you might say." "It must have been a terrible blow to your father." "But I would've thought he'd have married again by now, wouldn't you?" "Well, perhaps I'd better not have said it, but it's the truth." "Everyone thought he would, but he didn't." "And I don't suppose he's likely to now." "He's past forty, isn't he?" " I never thought he might want to marry again." " Molly, my dear, really..." "You shouldn't mind what the Squire says." "Your father seems to me just like the sort of man who would remain constant to the memory of his wife." " Principles of genealogy." "It's a rather wild idea." " Wilder than Lamarck's?" "I did come round to Lamarck's ideas." "Animals adapt." "What, that ducks get webbed feet because they swim?" "It tickled me at first, but a doctor knows more about membranes than that." "Pretty persuasive in an odd kind of way, though." "It could be..." "Ah..." "Lord Hollingford, I'm to bring Mr Gibson to your mother." "Oh, you remember Mrs Kirkpatrick?" "Come and find me before you leave." "I'll be in the lab." "But surely... we've..." "I expect you remember me as Miss Clare." "I was here years ago as the girls' governess." "Oh, yes, and you caught scarlet fever when they did, I remember." " We were both much younger then." " Oh, yes, indeed." "Er, well, I was thinking of myself." "Oh, come, Mr Gibson, if you were much younger, then so was I." " Is Mr Kirkpatrick here with you?" " Oh, no." "No, I'm afraid Alfred died a long while ago, when our little girl was only four." "Indeed." "I have a school at Ashcombe now and it's a summer holiday, so when Lady Cumnor needed a companion I was able to come." "And of course, she asked for me particularly, and I'm never happier than when I'm at the Towers." "I think you met my little Molly here on one of your visits." "Yes." "Yes, indeed." "I can still see her sweet face on my pillow." "You were very kind to her, I believe." "I wished I could thank you at the time." "There's a slight irregularity, but nothing to cause concern, Lady Cumnor." "I'll make up a draught for you to take at night." "Apart from that, plenty of light dishes, nothing too rich, no game and no strong cheese." "Try to walk every day, half a mile, no more." "And don't sit up too late at night." "And that's all." "Thank you, Mr Gibson." "Such a pleasure being told what to do for once." "No, no, no..." "How, um..." "How do you find Clare, now that you see her again?" "Do you think she looks well?" "Very well indeed." "The years have been kinder to her than they have to me, I think." "Oh, don't despair with yourself, Mr Gibson." "Ladies like an active man, such as yourself, to look a little weather-beaten." "Clare's had a difficult time of it, you know, and managed very bravely, bringing up a daughter single-handed - as you have yourself, indeed." "How is she getting on, that little woman of yours?" "Well enough, I think." "But it's been borne in of me of late how much she misses by not having a mother's care." "Even Lord Hollingford said something of the sort in passing the other day." "Indeed." "Perhaps I've been selfish thinking I could give the girl all she needs in the way of care and affection and guidance in life." "You know, her happiness means more to me than anything." "Well, perhaps her happiness and your comfort might be secured by the same means." "Aye..." "Perhaps they might." "Ah, look, there he goes." "Look, a heron." "I've never seen a heron before, only in pictures." "Rooks don't like him." "Rooks and herons are always at war." "If my boy Roger was with us he'd tell you a deal of things like that." "You could show him a cobweb and he'd tell you what sort of spider made it." " Really?" " Mmm." "It's a pity they don't reckon such things at the university." "If they did, Roger would be top of the class." "But Mr Osborne Hamley is very clever, isn't he?" "Oh, yes, Osborne's a bit of a genius." "I was saying at the magistrate's meeting:" ""I've got a son who'll make a noise at Cambridge or I'm very much mistaken."" " Mrs Hamley let me read his poems." " Did she?" "Did she?" " And did you like them?" " Oh, yes." "I can't be reading poetry myself." "I understand they're very good, very deep, you know, but..." "Roger's a good lad too, you know." "A good steady lad." "I'll mark a line from here to here." "Ah, there's my pet project." "I'm going to drain all that land yonder." "Good work for the men, good work for the land." "Something to leave behind me when I'm gone." "Well, that's what we're here for, we're told." "Leave the world a better place than the way we found it, eh?" "Dammit!" "What's the blessed boy about?" "I was told he's as good as won it already." "I'm afraid he didn't do well enough in his examination." "He said himself he was sure to be high up among the rankers, or whatever you call 'em." "By jibs an' all." " How could he have gone and failed it?" " He didn't fail." "Molly, come here, my love." "You mustn't let it upset you." "He'll soon be himself again." "Roger's returned to tell us that Osborne has done very poorly in his examination." "It's quite unexpected and the Squire has taken it very badly." "He doesn't understand about Cambridge." "He was never at college himself." "Oh..." "Poor, poor Osborne." "But he can sit again, can't he?" "One failure isn't the end of everything." "Of course, you're quite right." "But Roger says he has very little chance of a fellowship." "And the Squire..." "He'd put all his hopes on that." "I don't think Mr Roger should've told." "He had no need to begin so soon about his brother's failure." "No, my dear, you don't understand." "Roger is a good boy." "But it's such a comfort having you here, child." "And you being a fourth at dinner is a blessing, too." "At times like this a stranger in the house is a wonderful help." "Get out of me sight!" "Fetch a bottle of Burgundy with the yellow seal, Robinson." "If you please, sir, there's not above six bottles of that left." " It's Mr Osborne's favourite." " Fetch a bottle of it as I told you." "Yes, sir." "Mr Osborne's likes and dislikes have been law in this house long enough, in my opinion." "How is your father, Miss Gibson?" "And when he next deigns to favour us with his company, I shall tell him so meself." " Your father is well?" " Yes." "Quite well, thank you." "I shall look forward to having a talk with him when he has time." "He's the cleverest man in the county, I think." "And has the best science library, apart from Lord Hollingford, of course." "Oh, he's a good man, Gibson." "Never felt the need to go to Cambridge and dash his family's hopes." " My dear..." " Well..." "I don't suppose he failed his tripos, or whatever you call it, on purpose." "But he might have had the courage to come home and tell us so himself, instead of leaving poor Roger there to bear the brunt of it." "Perhaps that's what he meant to do if given the chance." "I didn't get any pleasure from it, Miss Gibson, if that's what you imagine." "I wish it had been I that failed my examination, rather than Osborne, for then no one would have taken it amiss." "That's an unusual dress, Molly." " Is it the tartan of your father's clan perhaps?" " No." "Papa said it was not like any proper tartan he'd seen." "He said it was quite outlandish." "But Miss Rose said it was very popular last season in London." "Well, I think it's very pretty." " Don't you, Roger?" " Very." "Seems a shame to wake her." "Yes, very well." " I can call back later." " Oh..." "Oh, but you mustn't leave in this rain." " Stormy weather." " Yes." "Cynthia, my daughter, sends word that for two days last week the packet could not sail from Boulogne." " Miss Kirkpatrick is at Boulogne?" " Yes." "Yes, she's been there for two years, poor soul." "She's learning French, amongst other things." "Cynthia is a... it's a very romantic name." "It's hardly fit for everyday use." "It was my name, Mr Gibson." "She was named for me." "I was called Hyacinth Clare." "And once upon a time I found that name..." "well, I was very proud of it." "And other people found it pretty, too." "But perhaps you're right." "Such a flowery name might excite prejudice in some." "And, poor child, she's going to have enough to struggle with in her life." "A young daughter is a great charge when there's only one parent to take care of her." "Aye, it's hard for a child to be fatherless, but..." "But to be motherless, now..." "Might that not be a greater misfortune for a young girl?" "I'm sure your Molly is most fortunate to have a father so devoted to her happiness." "You're very kind, but even so, I..." "I cannot be mother and father to her." "And now, just now, she's becoming a woman." "Yes, she must be near my Cynthia's age." " How I should love to see her." " I hope you will." "I should like you to see her." "I should like you to..." "to love my poor little Molly." " To love her as your own." " Oh..." "Could you?" "Could you love her as your daughter?" "Will you try?" "May I introduce you to her as her future mother?" " As my wife?" " Oh, Mr Gibson." "Oh, my dear." "My dearest." "Oh, I'm so sorry." "I'm so happy." "If you only knew what a long, lonely struggle it has been for me." "Miss Clare, that struggle is a thing of the past." "Call me Hyacinth." "I hate "Clare."" "It reminds me of being a governess and those days are gone at last." "Aren't they?" " They are, my dearest, they're gone forever." " Then call me Hyacinth." "Oh, your own... dear Hyacinth." "Molly?" "Papa?" "Papa!" " I was afraid you were unwell." " No, I'm very well." "But I woke so very early this morning and I was out in the fields and it got too hot." "I meant to watch for you, truly I did." "How are you?" "How is everyone?" "Miss Browning?" "Miss Phoebe?" "Do you know, Papa, I don't think you're looking well." "I don't look well?" "That must be all your fancy, Goosey." "I am well." "In fact, I am uncommonly well." "Still, you need me at home to take care of you." "I do like it here and everyone is very kind." "What is it?" "Is it something bad?" "Not at all." "I have a piece of news for you." " Can you guess what it is?" " How should I?" "Well, my love, I think you have felt, as I have, the difficulty of your situation." "Of a girl growing up, and you have felt the lack, as I have, of..." " You're going to be married again." " Yes." "To Mrs Kirkpatrick." "Remember?" "They called her Clare at the Towers." "You recollect how kind she was to you that day you were left there?" "She's a very suitable age for me and she has very agreeable and polished manners, so you and I will have to watch our Ps and Qs, Goosey." "And last but not least, she has a daughter about your age, who will come and live with us and be a sister for you." "So that's why I was sent away - so that all this could be quietly arranged in my absence." "Papa, if you would only come back." "Miss Gibson?" "Oh..." "Is it lunchtime?" "I don't know." "It must be nearly." "I was on my way home to lunch." "But, look, you're in distress." "Has something happened?" "Can I be of any help?" "I don't mean to intrude." "If you'd rather be alone just say so and I'll go at once." "No, it's all right." "I don't mind." " Then shall we walk back together?" " No, um..." "There's nothing." "Please don't wait for me, I..." "I shall be all right in a little while." "No, I think I should..." "My father is going to marry again." " And you're sorry for it?" " Yes." "You know, it must be very hard for a man to go through life without companionship " " Female companionship." " He had me." "You don't know what we were to each other." "At least what he was to me." "Still, he must have thought it for the best." "Perhaps for your sake even more than for his own." "That's what he tried to convince me of." "Do you know the woman he's engaged himself to?" "No." "Well, that is..." "I met her once when I was a little girl." "Everybody said she was kind to me." "She let me rest on her bed and then she forgot all about me." "I don't think she cares for other people very much at all." "Miss Gibson..." "Molly..." "You probably won't like me for saying this, but..." "It doesn't do any good to prejudge people." "Especially on the bad side." "We have to give things a chance to turn out well." "It might be for the best after all, you know." "Do you like my sermons?" "Have they given you an appetite for lunch?" "Come." "I do know what you must be feeling." "You must have thought me very hard on you." "I'm not very good at expressing myself." "Somehow I always fall into philosophising." "But I do feel very sorry for you and I shall often be thinking of you." "Though I dare say it's best not to speak of it again." "Come and have a look." "That's one of the tiny creatures I fished out of the pond this morning." "Can you see?" "How strange it looks." "We should all look pretty strange under a microscope." "Yes." "I expect we would." "Ah, Molly." "There you are." "Oh, Mrs Hamley, I did behave so badly to my father this morning." "Never mind, child." "You can make all well tomorrow." "Morning, sir." "Fine day." "Thank you, sir." "Go on." " Oh, Papa..." " There, there, Goosey, that'll do." "I know all that you want to say." " And you really, truly forgive me?" " It's all forgotten, Goosey." "Now, I've brought you an invitation." "Lady Cumnor wants you to go and spend an afternoon at the Towers." "Oh, must I go?" "I want you and Hyacinth to get to know each other, since she's to be your mother." " Hyacinth?" " I know, it's the silliest name I ever heard." "But it's hers and I must call her by it." "And the worse is, she's named her daughter after her:" "Cynthia." "Now, the wedding is at Michaelmas and Cynthia is to come for it." "And that's why I want you to get to know Hyacinth now." "And learn to love each other." "Molly." "Darling Molly, I can't tell you how I've been looking forward to this." "Come, come and sit down and let me look at you." "What eyes." "So like your dear father." "You must know how nervous I feel, so you'll help me, won't you?" "I know how much he loves you and we'll love each other too, won't we, for his sake?" "I'll try." "Oh, so like him." "The same hair." " Papa's is going grey." " Is it?" "I never see it." "I shall never see it." "To me, he'll always be the handsomest of men." "Oh, and he's so fond of you, dear." "You don't know how he speaks of you." "Sometimes I'm almost jealous." "We'll make him so happy." "Hmm?" "And you must tell me all his little likes and dislikes, because you must know them." "And you must be my little friend and helper." "I don't think he's so particular about a lot of things." "But there is one thing he's very fidgety about." "He likes his meals to be very punctual." "He's often had a long ride and there's another long ride to come." "Sometimes he only has half an hour or even less to eat his dinner in." "Thank you." "Thank you, my own love, that's just the sort of thing I mean." "He doesn't care what he has, so long as it's ready." "He'd as soon eat bread and cheese as anything else." "Bread and cheese?" "Mr Gibson eats cheese?" "Yes." "He's very fond of it." "Mmm, then we'll soon cure him of that." "It's so coarse and strong-smelling." "I can't abide the smell of cheese, and I know that he'd be sorry to annoy me." " But Papa has always..." " Yes, my love?" "Tell me about Cynthia." "When is she to come?" "Oh, well, I know your father's begged for her to come to the wedding, but I think we should think about it just a little bit before quite fixing it." "I do so want to see her." "Is she very clever and accomplished?" "She ought to be." "I've spent ever so much money..." "Well, Lord Cumnor has, on having her taught by the best masters." "My little daughter, Lady Cumnor." "Nonsense, Clare." "She's not your daughter yet and may never be." "One third of the engagements I have ever heard of never came to marriages." "Well, my dear, I'm glad to see you for your father's sake." "And when I get to know you better, I hope it will be for your own." "Mmm." "I like her looks, Clare." "You might make something very good of her." "Why don't you take her back to the school at Ashcombe and let her stay with you until the wedding?" "Now, is that a capital scheme or is it not?" "Oh, but my Lady, I..." "I don't think it would be nice at all." "I mean, my Lady, I should dislike it very much." "It would take me away from Papa just these very few last weeks we have together." "Oh, she expresses herself very frankly." "Not but what there's a good deal of truth in what she says." "It must be very disagreeable, my dear, to have a stepmother coming between your father and yourself." "I see that, whatever the advantages in the long run." "She knows her own mind, Clare." "I think you will have your work cut out there." "How are you?" "Was it a very trying day?" " I thought about you, more than once." " Thank you." "I did try to remember what you said and to think more of others, but..." " But it's so difficult." " I know." "But you know you'll be happier for it by and by." "No, I shan't." "And if I'm to kill myself trying to think and behave as other people want me to," "I feel I might as well never have lived." "And as for the happiness you speak of..." "Well, I shall never be happy again." "Good day, Mr Gibson." "Miss Browning." "Miss Phoebe." "I..." "I hardly know where to start, but..." "As you were both such old and dear friends of my wife, Mary, and are so kind to Molly..." "How is dear Molly?" "She's been gone away such a long time." "Well, it was necessary, I'm afraid." "Thank you." "One of my young men, Mr Coxe, fancied himself in love with her." "Heavens." "And has she got over Mr Coxe?" " Well, he has got over her, I hope, and left us." " Oh, I do like hearing of a love affair." "If you'lljust let me get on, then you shall hear of mine." " Yours?" " Bless us and save us." "What next?" "My marriage, I hope." "And that is what I have come to speak to you about." "It seemed to me that my house needed a mistress again." " And that Molly needed a mother's care." " Quite right, Mr Gibson." "Of course, it's been an anxious thing for me to decide who I should ask." "The lady that I have chosen..." "Tell us at once who she is, there's a good man." "Mrs Kirkpatrick, who used to be governess at the Towers." "Oh..." "Well, she..." "she is a very elegant-looking woman." "Nonsense, sister." "What's elegance got to do with it?" "Men don't marry women for their elegance." "Not widowers, at any rate." "So what was the favour you came to ask for, Mr Gibson?" "Do sit still, Phoebe." "I wanted to ask if you'll have Molly to stay while Mrs Gibson and I are on our wedding journey." "Well, you might have asked us last time, before you asked Madam Hamley." "We're your old friends, and her mother's friends, too, although we're not county folk, who you like to spend all your time with nowadays." " That's unjust and you know it, Miss Browning." " Well, maybe it is and maybe it isn't." "But at all events..." "Of course little Molly may stay with us, as long as she likes." "Yes, as long as she likes." " Oh..." " There's no call for sighing, Phoebe." "I don't know how you could ever have got the notion that Mr Gibson would think of you." " Good morning, my Lord." " Morning, Preston." "Mrs Kirkpatrick..." "Such a happy day for you." "Pity Miss Kirkpatrick will miss the wedding." "She would have been a charming addition to the bridal party." " Poor Cynthia could not be spared from school." " Dommage." "Ah, Clare..." "Oh, you are looking very pretty." "Come along in." "That's the idea." "Oh, don't crease your dress now." "Put it over my knees, I shan't mind." "Going to a wedding, who minds anything?" "Different if we were going to a funeral, what?" "Miss Gibson?" "Thank you." " When will Miss Kirkpatrick be back?" " I don't know." " What is she like?" " Very beautiful." "I expect she's very clever and accomplished, too, isn't she?" "I suppose she is, yes." "You see, she has such a charm about her that one forgets what she herself is in the halo that surrounds her." "Oh..." "Lady Harriet." "I think I have the advantage of you, Miss Gibson." "I met you once when you were just a child." "I've come as an amateur bridesmaid to help you out." "Go on, walk on." "I dare say it's something of a trial for you, this second marriage of your father's." " I wonder how you'll all get on together?" " So do I." "Well, from my experience, if you're a very good girl and suffer yourself to be led, you will find your new stepmother the sweetest creature imaginable." "I never managed it, but you might." "I was hoping Cynthia would be here for the wedding." "Oh, the daughter?" "Yes, so was she, I dare say." "But I understand she's grown into a great beauty these last years." "Perhaps her mama wished her a little younger or less pretty." "That's a wicked thought." "Whoever heard of a mother jealous of her own daughter?" "I'm sure there must be some other reason." "Who is that man?" "Papa has asked Mr Preston to stand witness." "He's his land agent here in Ashcombe." "I've an instinctive aversion to him." "He does his duty by Papa, but don't allow him ever to get intimate with you." "What shall you be doing while the happy couple are on their wedding journey?" " Oh, I'm staying with the Miss Brownings." " Oh, really?" "I know them very well." "Pecksy and Flapsy I call them." "They're such comical creatures with their attempts at gentility, quacking and flapping about." " I shall come and call on you there." " No, don't." " Please, I beg you would not." " Why ever not?" "Because..." "Because I don't think you should speak of the class I belong to as if it were some strange kind of animal to make fun of." " But I don't think of you in that way, Molly." " But I am that sort of person." "And I don't think you should come and call on me at the Miss Brownings' if you're going to laugh at them, call them names." "I'm sorry, my Lady, I don't mean to be disrespectful." "No, you're quite right." "I don't regret a word I said about that man Preston, but as for the Miss Brownings, I'm very sorry indeed if I offended you or them." "Will you forgive me, if I promise to mend my ways?" "Yes, of course I will, if you really mean it." "I do." "I feel very chastened." "Truly." "Thank you, James." "Lady Harriet." "Quite an honour." "But we have had our own excitement while you were away." "Mr Roger Hamley paid a visit and he was asking most kindly after you, Molly." "And he brought you that over there." "I wouldn't touch the horrid thing." " Oh, a wasps' nest." " Wasps' nest indeed." "Either he or you or both of you must be crazy." "Did you know there are over a hundred different kinds of wasp in England alone?" "He told me all about them one day." "More to the point, he brought a note from Mrs Hamley, asking if we could spare you on Thursday." "The men are all going to the Agricultural Show, Mr Osborne as well, for he's at home just now, and she wanted you to keep her company." " And may I go?" " To be sure, my dear." "The pleasure stirs the maddening soul" "The heart, the heart is lonely still." "Fain would I fly the haunts of men" "I seek to shun, not hate mankind" "My breast requires the sullen glen" "Whose gloom may suit a darkened mind" "Oh, that to me the wings were given" "Which bear the turtle to her nest." " Then..." " Then would I cleave the vault of heaven" "To flee away and be at rest." " Osborne." "Back so soon?" " I'm afraid so, Mother." "Bullocks just aren't in my line, I find." "Molly, this fellow is my son, Osborne." "So, Miss Gibson, you're fond of Byron, are you?" "Yes, and Mrs Hamley showed me some of your poems, too." " Oh, did she?" "And what did you think of them?" " I thought they were very beautiful." " Did you truly?" " Yes, of course, or I wouldn't have said so." "Not like the rest of the world, then?" "Good, I like that." "Oh, I meant to tell you, "sullen glen" reminded me." "I spent a day in Haycraft's studio." "I wish you'd come and see his new work." "You'd like him, too." "He talks as well as he paints." "Oh, I'd love to, Osborne." " But your father frets so if I go away." " Well, let him fret." "Indulge yourself." " What do you think, Miss Gibson?" " I don't think it's fair to ask me." "Oh, you don't?" "I beg your pardon, then." "Osborne." "Why couldn't you tell us you were coming home?" "Sorry, Father, I didn't think you'd miss me." "Roger missed half his dinner hunting for you." "I didn't mind it, sir." "I said we'd find him here." " Mind on higher things, no doubt." " Well, I wouldn't necessarily say that, sir." " Good day?" " Very good." "I saw the prettiest little Jersey heifer I've ever clapped eyes on." "Nearly brought her home for you." "How are you getting on with Huber's book?" " Oh, Byron." " I am reading about the bees as well." " But Byron is more congenial." " There's no contest." "Anything else, Molly, love?" "Don't want new missus to think we can't do things right here." "No, I don't think so, Betty." "It all looks very nice, I think." "I should hope so, too." "And if she don't like it, she can go elsewhere." "Well, Molly." "Oh..." "Betty..." "Oh..." "Oh, very nice." "Molly, my dear, show your mama to her room." "I've ordered a sort of tea-dinner for you." "Shouldn't you like to have that first?" "Oh, dear, I'm not sure that I'm not too fatigued to eat." "Journeys do tire me so." "But one mustn't think about oneself, so perhaps I will take just a little something." " What is it, my dear?" " I'm sorry, Hyacinth, I have to go out." "One of my patients is dangerously ill." " It's old Mr Craven Smith." " Oh, I am sorry." "Oh, you're going straight out again on our first evening at home together?" "Well, it can't be helped, my love." "I'll be home as soon as I can." "Well..." "What will be will be, I suppose." "In that case, Molly, perhaps I will take a little supper in my room after all." "Would you be so kind as to show me the way?" "I've only one pair of hands." " It's all right, Betty, I'll go this time." " Oh, thank you, love." "There." "Oh, she'd try the patience of a saint." "Oh, I'm so lonely, darling, in this strange house." "Will you be my little maid tonight and help me unpack and come and talk to me, hmm?" "I really do think that your dear papa might have put off his visit to Mr Craven Smith just for this one evening." "But perhaps Mr Craven Smith couldn't put off his dying." "You droll girl." "Well, if he is dying, as you say, then what was the use of your father going off in such a hurry?" "Does he expect a legacy or anything of that kind?" "Well, Papa can sometimes do something." "Something to make the last struggle easier, that is." "And it's a great comfort to the family to have him there." "What a dreary knowledge of death you have for a girl of your age." "Oh, dear, what an old-fashioned bed." "Still, we'll renovate the house by and by." "Not my room." "I want it to stay just as it is." "Come and read to me, dear." "The sound of your voice will soon send me to sleep." "How was Mr Smith?" "Dead." "He just recognised me." "He was one of my first patients when I came to Hollingford." " And where's the new mama?" " Oh, she was tired, she went to bed early." "Must I call her Mama?" "I should like it if you would." "Then I shall." "Congratulations, Mrs Gibson." "It's a pleasure to see my good friend Gibson so happily settled." "You couldn't have done better, my dear." "Tea, ma'am." " Are both your sons at home, Squire Hamley?" " Neither, ma'am." "I hope Mr Osborne will visit us soon." "Molly tells me he's such a handsome young man." "Does she?" "Well, that's as may be." "Handsome is as handsome does, I say." "Ah, I was afraid you weren't in." "We're all wrong at home, Molly." "Osborne's gone and lost the fellowship he went back to try for, and now he's gone and failed his degree." "After all he said and all his mother said, and I, like a fool, boasting about my clever son and..." "Well, I don't understand it." "And it's thrown Madam into one of her fits of illness." "Your father came to see her this morning and she asked him if she might have you about her." "And he said I might come over and fetch you and, well... here I am." " You will come, won't you, my dear?" " I'll be ready in two minutes." "My dear, stop a minute." "I'm sure your papa quite forgot that you're going out with me this evening." " But it's not important, is it?" " She's a very sick woman, Mrs Gibson." "And she's set her heart on seeing Molly." "Is there no way of getting her off?" "My dear, an engagement is an engagement." "And you're engaged not only to Mrs Cockerell, but also to me, bound to accompany me in the absence of my husband." "I'm sorry, Squire Hamley, but I think that Molly's duty is quite clear." "And I'm sure you will acknowledge that an engagement is an engagement." "Did I say an engagement was an elephant, Madam?" "Perhaps you might find it possible to permit her to come to us tomorrow?" "Certainly." "She'll be ready at any time you name." "Thank you very much, Madam." "I'm much obliged to you." "Now, my dear, I must never have you exposing me to the manners of such a man again, and you must not go on accepting invitations as though you're an independent young lady." " Papa said I might go." " Yes, well, now I am your mama." "All references should be made through me." "But, well, as you are to go you may as well go well-dressed." "I will lend you my new shawl and set of green ribbons, for at Hamley Hall one never knows who may be coming or going." "Thank you, but I don't want the shawl and the ribbons, please." "There will be no one there except the family." "There never is, I think, and now that she's..." "She's so ill." "Oh, my dear, how can I bring you back into good temper?" "You jump at invitations without consulting me, refuse my prettiest things." "How can I please you, Molly?" "I wonder." "There you are, Miss Molly, she's expecting you." "I'll go straight up there." "Osborne has been such a disappointment to us." "I can't think how so much money was spent, and he refused to explain it." "And now the Squire won't have him in the house." "Oh, Molly, how could Osborne have gone so wrong?" "You mustn't distress yourself." "If I could have spoken to him quietly, I know he would have told me everything." " Then send for him now." "It will ease your mind." " No, no, no." "I can't go against the Squire's orders." "You can't think how it cuts him to the heart to have to lay off his workers, and he... and he's so angry since he heard that Osborne has been borrowing money against his expectations when the Squire should die." "I would never believe that." "Couldn't it be that someone has imposed upon him?" "Bad men will do that." "I've heard my father say:" ""Gain a good man's trust and then use it to ruin him."" "Oh, you're a good girl, Molly." "You'd think well of anyone." " Not quite anyone." " I've been so weak." "I made... such an idol of my beautiful Osborne, and now it turns out he has... feet of clay." "Robinson, come here!" "Robinson!" "Robinson!" "Ah, Molly." "Er, she's very bad." "I'm sending for your father." "Would you go to her?" "It would calm her, I think." "It's just an attack, it'll pass." "Robinson, send Thomas round to Gibson's house." "All right, Goosey, you get some rest." " She's come through this time." " Oh, thank you, Gibson." "Praise God she's turned a corner now." "May I go to her?" "Don't let her talk." "I think you should write to the sons, Molly." "Tell them to come as quickly as may be." "She's come through this time, but it can't be long now." "Do you know their addresses?" "I don't know Osborne's." "I can enclose a letter for him in Roger's." "Aye, that'll do." "Whatever these two lads may be to the world, they're as close as any two brothers that I know." "And let the Squire know that you've done it." "It'll be the gentlest way of breaking it to him." " Will you tell him, my love?" " Yes, Papa." "Well, I thought, you know, as the day wore on she got a little stronger." "What do you think?" "Where there's life there's hope, eh?" "I was thinking, as soon as she's better, we'll take a trip to London or Bath." "What do you think?" "When Papa was here this morning he told me to write to Mr Roger and Mr Osborne." "To tell them they had better come home." "And he wanted me to tell you I had written to them." "He told you to send for Osborne and Roger?" "Yes." "Yes, I understand." "It has come, then." "But it were Osborne brought it on." "I cannot forgive him for that, I cannot." "You're a good girl." "God bless you." "She was asking for Osborne again today." " Does she know he's coming soon, any day?" " Yes." "But she wants to know where he is." "I can't tell you." " But you're sure he'll come?" " Quite sure." "Fanny..." "She calls me Fanny sometimes." "It was the name of a little sister of ours who died." "I wish I could tell you, and her, all that I know about Osborne." "But I'm so involved in promises and secrecy." "How is she?" "You will tell me." "You must know the truth." "I've travelled night and day since I got your letter." "She's very ill." "But I don't think she feels much pain." "She's wanted you sadly." " My father sent me away." " I know." "I think no one knew how ill she was." "Oh, you know." "Yes, she told you a great deal." "She was very fond of you." "And God knows how I love her." "If I'd not been forbidden to come home, I should have told her all." "Molly, is that you?" " You're here, sir." " He arrived just a few moments ago." "Did he?" "Robinson, Mr Osborne's here." "Get him what he wants." "Perhaps HE can eat and drink." "Mama..." "I'm here." "I'm here." "Aye, that's it." "Come and say goodbye to her." "She may know it's you." "Walk." "Really, not gone yet?" "Why, how she lingers." "Who's that?" "Where's Betty?" "Betty didn't quite suit and had become so impertinent." "But she's looked after me since I was a little girl." "Well, now you're a young lady and you've no more need for her." "Oh, I have such news for you." "Cynthia... ah, Cynthia is coming to live with us." "I want her to come in good temper, because between ourselves, she's just a little bit wilful." "So I'm fitting up her room and yours just as I..." " Oh, no, please." "Not mine." " Oh, yes." "Yes, of course yours, dear." "Think what people would say about me in the town, petting my own daughter and neglecting my husband's." "Everyone shall know I'm not a common stepmother." "So..." "A little French dressing-table, different colour on the walls." "What do you say?" "What have you done with my things?" "They were my mother's." "Oh, Molly, I don't know what's to be done with you." "I've done my best, but there's no pleasing you." "Perhaps you should think of others now and then, like the rest of us have to." "I'm very much afraid that you and Cynthia will prove two of a kind." "She's coming!" "I've seen her." "Moderate your tone, dear." "She'll be here just as soon..." "Well, here she is." "Molly, this is Cynthia;" "Cynthia, Molly." " You're to be sisters, you know." " How do you do?" " I'm so pleased to meet you at last." " And I you." " And here's Mama." " Why, how you've grown, darling." "You look quite a woman." "That so I am." "Well, I was before I went away." "I've hardly grown since - except in wisdom, I hope." "Yes." "That we would hope." "There's hot breakfast in the dining room when you're ready for it." " You must be hungry after your night journey." " Thank you." "Molly will show you to your room." "It's next to hers" " I'm so afraid of the draughts." "Oh, I'm so sorry there isn't a fire for you." "I suppose it wasn't ordered, and I don't give the orders now." " Here's some hot water, though." " Oh, stop a minute." "I think I shall like you." "I'm so glad" " I was afraid I shouldn't." " We're all in an awkward position, aren't we?" " Yes." "I suppose so." "Yes, you may laugh, but I don't know I'm easy to get on with." "Mama and I didn't suit when we were last together." "Still... perhaps we are each of us wiser now." "I like your father's looks, though." " Is he going out already?" " Yes." "He is called out at all hours." "I expect he is going to Hamley Hall." "Mrs Hamley is dy... very ill." "I think you're probably a very good person, Molly." "I'm not very good myself." "In fact, I gave myself up years ago as a heartless baggage." "And this is Miss Rose's." "Her dresses are very fashionable." "And this is Grinstead's Bookshop." "Miss Browning." "Miss Phoebe." "Good morning." "Cynthia!" " Cynthia, my daughter." " We were just coming to call on you." "We wanted to invite you both to our card party on the twelfth." " Just a few young people." " Yes, of course we'll come." "How very kind of you, Miss Browning, Miss Phoebe, but, you see, I hardly like to let them go." "They're not out, you know, till after the Easter Ball." " Not out?" " Till then, you see, we are invisible." "In my days, girls went wherever it pleased folk to ask them." "I've seen many a girl of fourteen, or even twelve, at a card party, who knows how to behave as well as any lady there." "There should be no talk of coming out for anyone under the daughter of a squire." "After Easter, Molly and I shall be capable of proper behaviour, but not before." "I'm quite sure that Molly has been capable of proper behaviour since she was a little girl." "Always a little lady." "Molly wants the refinements that good society gives." "Only today I saw her coming upstairs two steps at a time." " Only two?" "Yesterday I managed four." " My dear, what are you saying?" "I'm merely confessing, Mama, that I, too, want the refinements that good society brings." "Therefore, please do let us go to the card party." "I think I might make an exception this one instance." "I should think so, indeed." " You shouldn't do that." "They don't understand." " Do what?" "I'm only teasing Mama." "You are quite right to correct me." "It won't do any good, though." "I am as I am, I'm afraid." "Thank you, Dr Gibson." "There's some supper for you in the dining room." " Where's your mother?" " She's upstairs with Cynthia." "I'lljust take some bread and cheese and a glass of beer, then." "I shall have to go out again soon." "I've not seen my town patients yet." "Yes, she's gone, Molly." "I'm sorry." "Of course, I knew it was coming, but I was so fond of her, and she was so good to me." "And poor Squire Hamley, he loved her so much." "They all did." "They all sent their love to you, Molly." " Roger said he knew how you would feel it." " Did he?" " You loved her dearly, didn't you?" " Yes." " Had you known her all of your life?" " No." "Not a year, but I'd seen so much of her." "I was almost like a daughter to her, she said so." "Molly, I wish I could love people as you do." " Don't you?" " No!" "No..." "A number of people love me, but I don't seem to care very much for anybody." "I think I love you better than anyone, and I've only known you for ten days." " Not more than your mother?" " Oh, yes!" "Yes." "It's very shocking, I dare say, but, well, there it is." "Do you know, I don't think loving one's mother comes quite by nature." "I loved my father, but he died when I was quite a little thing, and nobody believes I remember him, but I do." "So you see, I can't forgive Mama for her neglect of me when I would have clung to her." "I know she had to go out and work as a governess, but if she wanted me to love her, she shouldn't have sent me away to school at four years old." " Did Mama say Mrs Hamley had two sons?" " Yes." "Osborne and Roger." "They have been so kind to me, Roger especially." " He has such a good heart." " Perhaps it belongs to you." "No, nothing like that." "Well?" "Ten past six." "Just waiting for Mr Osborne, sir." "Damn Mr Osborne, sir, bring it in now." " Surely it isn't six o'clock?" " More like quarter past." "I fancy your watch must be wrong, sir." "My watch is like myself, plain but steady-going." "Not like your whippersnapper of a French watch." "Beg your pardon." "I had no idea you were waiting, otherwise I could have dressed much quicker." "When I were young, I should be ashamed to spend so much time at me looking glass, as if I'd been a girl." "Mother always liked us all to dress for dinner." "I got into the habit of doing it to please her, and I keep it up now." "Don't you cast up your mother's wishes to me, sir!" "You, who came so near to breaking her heart." "Now you come and go as you please, without a word of explanation as to where you go and how you spend my money." "What is it you do?" " Is it gambling, or do you keep a mistress?" " Neither, sir." "I'm only a cause of irritation to you, and home is now a place where I am to be controlled and scolded as if I were a child." "I am as ready as any man to earn my living, but to prepare for a profession costs money, and I have none." "No more have I!" "What's to be done, then?" "You should learn to stop at home and not take expensive journeys." "If you can't earn money, you needn't spend it." "I've had to lay aside my drainage work and lay off good men I'd promised work to, all because of your extravagance." "You've done two things that have put me beside myself." "You've turned out a dunce at college, and worse than that, you've..." "I won't say what the other thing is." " Tell me, sir." " No, I know what I know." "Tell your money-lending friends they shan't see my money if I cut you out of my will." "Then there's Roger." "Roger." "We never made an ado about him, but he'll be worth ten of you." "He'll make us proud of him." "I don't know why I say "we"... and "us."" "Ought to be "I."" "Be no "us" any more." "Be "I" for evermore in this world." "Father!" "My father's not well." "And I have to go away rather urgently." "Will you tell him I was called away?" "Not now." "Tomorrow morning will do." ""Mr Osborne, called away again."" "Yes, sir, I'll tell him." "Thank you, Will." " There he is, Squire." " Thank you, Sarah." "Ah, I vowed you'd come, Squire." "Your father came to see my father when he were a-dying." "Come on, Silas, we'll have no talk of dying." "We'll have you out of here, rest assured." "I doubt that." "I'm a deal nearer to heaven than I were yesterday." "But I'm glad you could come." "I wanted to tell you you should look to yon covers." "Them navvies of Lord Cumnor's, they're tearing up your gorse and your brush, they are." "Aye, just to light their fires." "Damned hooligans!" "I'll not have that." "Morning, sir." " Are you the manager here?" " I am." "Many other things besides, sir." "Name's Preston." "I've succeeded Mr Sheepshanks in the management of my Lord's land." " Mr Hamley of Hamley, I believe?" " Yes, I am, sir." "I suppose you're ignorant of your boundaries, so I'll tell you." "My property begins yonder, just by that rise in the ground." "I know that, sir." "Why call my attention to it?" "Because I've been told that your men don't respect these boundaries." " Been digging out my gorse for their fires." " It's possible they may." "I dare say they think no harm in it." "However, I'll enquire." " Do you doubt my word, sir?" " Don't lose your temper." "I said I would enquire." "You've not seen it yourself." "If it is the case, I'll see that you are compensated." "The damage might come to as much as half a crown." "I've known land agents who were gentlemen, and some that weren't." "You belong to the last sort." "I've a mind to horsewhip you for your insolence!" "Curb your temper, Mr Hamley, and reflect." "I'm sorry to see a man of your age in such a passion." "Roger, I asked him to get his men off my land, and he refused." "I never refused to do what was just and right." "Come, Father." "Old Silas was asking for you again." "He's very poorly." "Perhaps you should remember the deference you should show to a man of my father's position." "Good day to you." "Come on, Father." "There is nothing to be gained from arguing with such a man." "What's the position of a man who starts works without counting the cost, and then has to turn off his labourers?" "I'm as good a gentleman as you, sir, or your father." "Look to your work there!" "I know I turned them off, but I had no money to pay the men." "No one knows how much it cut me to turn them off so near wintertime." "I had three barren cows fattened, and gave all the meat to the men." "We'll find a way of going on with the work somehow, Father." "I wish to heaven I'd horsewhipped the fellow." "Sit still, dear." "Agnes will go." "Mr Preston, ma'am." "Mrs Gibson." "Miss Gibson." "I should have called sooner to pay my respects, but now I've taken over Lord Cumnor's land agency, I shall be moving to Hollingford." " I hope I shall see you much more often." " Please sit down, Mr Preston." "You're both looking very well, if I may say so." " Have you been to a ball yet, Miss Gibson?" " No." "Be a great pleasure to you when the time comes." "We hope to attend the Easter charity ball." "Of course." "And Miss Kirkpatrick..." " Will she have returned from France by then?" " Yes." "She will be here by Easter." "Then I shall hope to have the pleasure of dancing with two very pretty partners." "Miss Kirkpatrick." "Look, Molly." "Eight pence a yard, and fourteen pence." " What do you think?" " I like the green." "Have you heard the news?" "They say that Roger Hamley's passed out first in his examination, of all unlikely things." "He's even being given a fellowship." "Worth a good deal of money, I believe." " I'm so happy for him." "Squire will be so proud." " Indeed." "He's in need of a bit of comfort." "He's mismanaged his estate woefully." "The whole family is going down fast, in my opinion." "Last of the old Saxon stock - land-rich and cash-poor." "Their only hope is if Osborne Hamley marries a tradesman's daughter with a deal of money." "I happen to believe in good old families like the Hamleys." "I have heard that Osborne and Roger are two fine young men." "I don't believe this in the least." "They are fortunate in having Miss Kirkpatrick's good word." "Miss Gibson has a very high regard for them, and I value her opinion far above the common gossip of the county." "Hateful man." "How dare he speak about your friends in that way?" "I really know nothing at all about the Hamleys, but I couldn't have him speaking of them so, and your poor eyes filling with tears." "You were very short with Mr Preston, darling." "But there is something disagreeable in his manner." "And he certainly doesn't improve on acquaintance." "Although there was a time, Mama, when both you and I found him very agreeable indeed." "You're the last to come." "The Goodenough girls and their brother are here." "And you will see we've got a gentleman for you after all." " Who is it, Miss Phoebe?" " A senior wrangler from Cambridge." "Wasn't it fortunate he came to call?" "I won't say we laid violent hands on him, because he's too good for that, but really, we should have been near it if he hadn't stayed of his own accord." "I was so happy to hear your news." "I hoped to have the pleasure of telling you myself." "I beg your pardon." "This is Miss Kirkpatrick." " How do you do?" " How do you do?" "Miss Gibson." "What games are we playing?" "We only know whist and old maid." "That is to say, if we are to play for money, we hope the stakes will be very high." " May I whisper to you for a moment?" " Yes, if you like." "We have heard that Cambridge men always play for very high stakes." " And they are sometimes ruined." " And then they're sent down in disgrace." " We only play for threepence at my uncle's." " I'm sure we won't play for any higher today." "Thank you, Miss Gibson." "Good night, Molly." "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to talk more." "So am I. I'd so like to hear more about your honours at Cambridge." "Oh, it's a long story." "Besides, you probably wouldn't find it very interesting." " Cynthia looked very much interested." " Did you think so?" " Good night, Miss Kirkpatrick." " Good night." " Roger was there, was he?" " Yes." " What did you think of my favourite, Cynthia?" " He's not as handsome as some young men, and he did tell me a great deal more than I needed to know about Cambridge and fellowships and such, but there is something one likes about him." " And what sort of evening have you had, Molly?" " Very pleasant, thank you." "We should give a dinner party, and invite both the brothers." "One hears so little of Osborne Hamley." "With Molly, it's all Roger this and Roger that." "I didn't know I mentioned him so often." "These Hollingford people are rather commonplace." "Yes, I think it would be a very pretty attention." "It must be rather gloomy for them at Hamley Hall." "That Miss Cynthia is a rare young lady, with all her pretty coaxing ways." "She wants me to teach her to bud roses, come the season." "And I'll warrant you she'll learn sharp enough, for all she says she's so stupid." "You can finish now, you know which plants go where." "I wouldn't say as I do." "If you could just go over it once more." " I'm not as young as I once was." " Bring the spades and we'll do it together." "Molly!" "I've only just found out where you were." "Mrs Gibson said you'd gone out." "I saw you just now, but I couldn't leave Williams." "I've been here above an hour." "Come, let's see your garden plan." "That was Mother's favourite." " How is the Squire?" " He's pretty low." " Is he still angry with your brother?" " Yes." "Poor Osborne - he's not the villain he's made out to be." "I can tell you that his misfortunes have nothing to do with wickedness or vice." "I never thought they had." "He's very fond of you." "I wish you could come and stay with us again, but I don't suppose it would be thought proper." " Though I think of you quite as a sister." " Do you?" "Mmm." "I can't tell you how much I like Miss Kirkpatrick." "It must be such a pleasure to you, having her as a companion." "Yes, it is." "I'm very fond of her." "But how quickly you found out her virtues." "I didn't say virtues, did I?" "Mrs Gibson has asked me to dine here on Friday." " And are you coming?" " Yes, certainly I am." "And she's made me promise to bring Osborne." "He's always pleased to see you." "You always do us good, Molly." "Lord Hollingford was telling me of a paper of yours on comparative osteology, I think it was." " Yes, that's right." " He said it was quite excellent work." " Comparative osteology?" "What on earth is that?" " Don't ask him, Mrs Gibson, I beg you." "His answer might take several hours." "It's the study of the bone structure of the various species." "It shows we're more nearly related to the great apes than some of us might think." " You don't have to be a scientist to see that!" " Cynthia, dear." "Present company excepted, of course." "Please don't stare so severely at me, even if I am a dunce." "I didn't mean to look severely, I'm sure." "And Cynthia is not a dunce." "I've often observed that some have a talent for one thing and some for another." "Cynthia inclines more towards poetry." "I've heard her recite "The Prisoner of Chillon" from beginning to end." " Indeed." " Mama!" " It would be rather a bore to hear her, I think." " Oh, Mr Gibson." "I have long known that you have no soul for poetry, and Molly here is a true daughter of yours." "She reads such deep books." "She'll be quite a bluestocking by and by." "I'm not a bluestocking, and it wasn't a deep book." "It was the one you lent me, with the cells of different bees in it." "It was very interesting." "Never mind, Molly." "I stand up for bluestockings." "And I object to the distinction implied in what you say." "It wasn't deep, ergo it was interesting." "Now, a book or a person may be both deep and interesting, don't you think?" "If you're going to chop logic and use Latin words, I think it's time for us to leave the room." "Well, Mama, we mustn't run away as if we are beaten." "I understand what Mr Roger Hamley said just now, even though it may be logic, and I read a little of Molly's book, and whether it is deep or not, I found it very interesting indeed." "Well, gentlemen, I must leave you now to make my evening rounds." "But if Cynthia is to recite "The Prisoner of Chillon,"" "then I should be in time to catch the end of it, on my return." "I think those young men have spent quite long enough at Mr Gibson's good wine." "Molly?" "But Cynthia's eyes are perfection." "I have often tried to find something in nature to compare them to." "Not quite like amber, they're a deeper tint, changing with the light." "You can't go trying to match her eyes like a draper." "Call them lodestars and be done with it." "Roger, I fear you are well and truly a smitten man." "Smitten, no!" "What I feel for her is deeper." "It's something I've never felt before." "Cynthia is perfection!" "Believe me, Cynthia's kind of perfection never lasts." "As you already have your own pretty French wife, your opinion is neither here nor there." "Miss Gibson." "There you are." "Come, help me choose some music." "This one, what do you think?" "What you just overheard, I beg you to forget it if you can;" "at least never to speak of it, not to anyone." "Will you promise?" "Of course." "I should have done so even without a promise." "Thank you." "Ah, there it is." "I was sure you'd have it." "Molly's told me so much about the Squire and your mother." "She's so fond of you all." "It's a pity you won't be able to go to the ball." "Molly and I are looking forward to it very much." "You're great friends, then, you and Molly." "I'm so glad." "Yes, we are." "I never thought I should like anyone so much." "Any girl, I mean." "Cynthia, come and sing that little French ballad to Mr Osborne Hamley." " Which one, Mama?" " You know, darling." ""Tu t'en repenteras, Colin."" " Very well, if you wish." " Such a pretty, playful warning to young men." "If you take a wife too young, you will repent of it." "Of course, it is a French song and refers to a French wife." "Quite a different matter if it was an Englishman thinking of an English wife." "# Tu t'en repenteras, Colin, Tu t'en repenteras" "# Car si tu penses aux femmes, Colin, Tu t'en repenteras... #" " The warning's a little late, isn't it?" " I'm so sorry." "Don't upset yourself." "It was my fault, not yours." "He won't feel it long." "And a man must take the consequences when he puts himself in a false position." "# Tu t'en repenteras, Colin Tu t'en repenteras" "# Car si tu penses aux femmes, Colin, Tu t'en repenteras #" "You have an excellent accent, Miss Kirkpatrick." "Have you spent much time in France?" "I was at school in Boulogne for about a hundred years." " And you?" " Various places." "Paris, Marseilles," "Avignon and Metz." " Really?" "Where were you happiest?" " In Metz." "And are we allowed to know why?" "They're talking about France." "It sounds interesting." "Shall we go nearer?" "Now, Molly, you must play a little." "Play us that little piece of Kalkbrenner's, my dear." " Must I?" " Don't be silly, dear." "You may not play it quite rightly, but you're amongst friends now." "Is she not?" " She gets so nervous playing in company." " Come, Molly, let me turn the pages for you." "I beg you would go away and talk." "I can do it for myself." " Please." " No, I insist." "I've heard you play before, and your mama is right, you're amongst friends now." "Thank you." " Here is your shawl." " Thank you." "Can't think what you're doing indoors, the pair of you." "I ran into Lord Hollingford as I was beating the bounds." "He was gracious enough to spare me a few words, as if the Hamleys hadn't been in the county four centuries before his lot were ever heard of." "Lord Hollingford's a good man, Father, and he's got a first-class scientific brain." "Man's a Whig." "They're all Whigs." "Give 'em their head, they'll reform us all to kingdom come." "And do you know who he had with him as his house guest?" "Some damned Frenchman." "Tried to introduce me." "I wouldn't speak to the man." " Father..." " In my day we were content to hate the French." "And beat them at sea and on the land." "I'd sooner have me hand cut off than have a Frenchman in this house or anywhere near it." "I remember one time, Madam had a liking for a French maid." "I gave her her wish in everything, but there I drew the line." "French maid!" "I'd sooner keep snakes in the house." "You see, it's hopeless." "How can I tell him I'm married to a Frenchwoman who was a nursery maid?" "I certainly wouldn't like to be there when you do." "But I think you should." "Look, I've been collecting my poems, and I want to know, do you think Deighton would publish them?" "You're a name in Cambridge now, he'd look at them if you offered them." "Well, I can but try." "But you wouldn't get much by them." "I must find a means of supporting her myself." "I've already borrowed so much, for the cottage and the furniture, and..." "If I could get a hundred, that would keep Aimée and myself while I studied - at the bar, say." "Or, if the worst came to the worst, a hundred would take us to Australia." "Australia?" "!" "I think that would break Father's heart." "Well, it might have done once, but it wouldn't now." "Look here... this fellowship will give me a bit more cash than I need to live on." "You're welcome to half of it." "Just while you're waiting for your poems to burst forth upon an astonished world." "Roger, what a good fellow you are." "I'm not sure I deserve such a brother." "But I'm extremely glad I have one." "That's nonsense." "Well, I think perhaps I should go and smoke a pipe with Father." "What an handsome boy Osborne was then." "He's an handsome fellow now, but the sunshine's gone out of his face." "He's a good deal troubled about the anxiety he's giving you." "Not him." "He's none troubled." "No trouble for an eldest son to borrow money against his expectations." ""How old is your father?" they say." ""Has he had a stroke or a fit?"" "Let's not talk about him, Roger." "It's no good." "He and I are out of tune." "Let me fill you another pipe, Father." "You're wrong about Osborne." "He cares about you a great deal." "Does he?" "Why is he in such a hurry to get away from me?" "Because he can't bear to upset you, Father, and because he's trying to make a career for himself." "Country life doesn't suit him as well as it suits you or me." "And neither did it suit his mother, but she never complained." "I used to miss her so much when she took her London trips." "I'd write to her, you know, give her all the home news." "No letter would reach her now." "Nothing reaches her." "You've only just come home, lad." "You don't know the way I am nowadays." "Ask Thomas or Robinson." "I used to be reckoned a good master." "Osborne was once a little boy." "She was once alive." "And I was once a good master." "All that's past now." " I'd like to be pretty." " But you are." " I don't think so." " Well, there you have it." "The French girls would tell you, to believe that you were pretty would make you so." "They've sent us something." "Molly, it's the Hamley carriage!" "Molly, look!" " Bouquets." " Aren't they beautiful!" "For us?" "Well, who else?" "I'm sure it's Osborne who thought of them." "He's lived in France, and it's the custom there to send bouquets." "I don't see why you should think it was Osborne." "Roger used to gather nosegays for his mother almost every day, and sometimes for me." "I'm going to make you a little coronet out of these red ones." " You'll spoil it." " It doesn't matter, I can take the spoiled one." "I can make it up again afterwards." "Anyway, red flowers won't go with a pink dress, and any colour will go with your white muslin." "You just wait and see." "What do you say to that?" "Here, Miss." "No, it's not for you, Miss." "It's for Miss Kirkpatrick." "There's a note for her besides." "Thank you, Maria." "Read that, if you will." ""I send you some flowers, and you must allow me to claim the first dance after 9 o'clock," ""before which time I fear I cannot arrive." "R.P."" " But, who is it?" " It's Mr Preston." "I shan't dance with him." " And there go his flowers!" " Oh, Cynthia!" " We might have put them in water." " It's best to destroy them." "I can't bear to be reminded of that man." "There." "Now, let's not talk any more about him." "But I shan't dance with him, and nor must you." "Well." "Are we ready?" "Good evening." "A very pleasant evening." " My sister is following close behind." " Good evening." "Good evening, Miss Lilliput." "Good evening, Mr Sheepshanks." "Well, here we are." "I like to keep up the custom." "Miss Hornblower!" "A sedan chair to my mind is much better, for it'll come straight into a person's parlour, nip you up and carry you cosy and tight into another warm room, without having to show your legs by going up stairs or down steps." "Good evening, Miss Hornblower." "How do you like the arrangements?" "Upon my word," "I really do think this is a better room than our Ashcombe courthouse." "Oh, how prettily it's decorated." "But you all have such taste at Hollingford." "Look, there's your Mr Roscoe, our new doctor." "Mr Roscoe!" "Mr Roscoe!" " We think very highly of our young doctor." " Very happy to make your acquaintance." "If ever we're in Ashcombe and not feeling quite the thing." "But Mr Gibson is our doctor." "Not that he finds time to go dancing." "Do you know that lovely girl in pink?" "Why, that's Cynthia Kirkpatrick." "How she's grown since she left Ashcombe." "She was pretty then." "They did say Mr Preston admired her very much, but she was so young then." "Could you introduce me?" "I should like to ask her to dance." "Of course I will." "Her mother is a very old friend." "Come, we'll lose no time." "I should say young Mr Roscoe loses no time in seeking out a pretty face." "Well, it may be all very well, but I shouldn't like him to be my doctor." "Should you, Phoebe?" "No." "It might seem strange, such a very young man to be a doctor." "I suppose Mr Gibson was a very young doctor once upon a time." "To be sure, how very condescending we are." "I remember the time when the new Mrs Gibson wore old black silks and was thankful and civil, as became her place as a schoolmistress." "And would have been grateful to join us, for all she's dressed in pearl-grey satin now." "And she'd have been glad to marry Preston the land agent in those days." "That's a fact." "I thought you said he admired the daughter." "Well, perhaps I did, and perhaps it was so." "Some folks say he admired the mother and she admired him, but then he met the daughter." "Folk thought the daughter too young for him, and the mother too old." "Really?" "But one may be mistaken, you know." "And I only said people talked about it." "There's been enough talk about Preston to fill a book, and most of it not fit to be heard." "So, that's Miss Kirkpatrick, is it?" " What a pretty girl she is." " So's Miss Gibson." "Indeed she is." "I never meant she wasn't." "I'm sure neither of them will want for partners." "Mr Preston, you're not dancing?" "No." "The partner I had engaged has made some mistake." "I'm waiting to have an explanation with her." "Molly." "Did you know you've just been dancing with the man who keeps Grinstead's Bookshop?" "That accounts for him knowing all the latest books." "And he dances beautifully." "Just so long as you remember you'll have to shake hands over the counter tomorrow with some of your partners of tonight." "But really, I don't know how to refuse when I'm longing to dance." "If Miss Gibson finds any difficulty in refusing a partner, she has only to apply to Miss Kirkpatrick for instruction." "You forget, Mr Preston," "Miss Gibson implied that she wished to dance with the person who asked her." "I think that makes all the difference." " Miss Kirkpatrick?" " Oh, Mr Roscoe." "Miss Kirkpatrick has not done me the honour of wearing the bouquet I sent her." " She received it, I suppose, and my note?" " Yes, but we had already accepted these." "Yes." "We're so sorry." "But two such lovely nosegays had already arrived from Hamley Hall." "Since Miss Kirkpatrick was so well provided for," "I would have felt honoured had you accepted mine." "I remember how fond you were of gardenias." "Excuse me." "Well, Mrs Gibson." "Nearly midnight, and no sign of the Cumnor party." "It's long past my bedtime." "I only came to see the Duchess they've got staying, and her diamonds." " I hope they haven't changed their mind." " I'm sure they haven't, Mrs Goodenough." "Give way!" "Is that the Duchess?" "Good evening." "Over here, I think." "Is that the Duchess, that palsy thing?" "Well, where are her diamonds?" "Here have I been sitting up, and coal and candlelight wasting at home, and in comes the Duchess wearing a... pssh!" "Why, Farmer Hodson's daughter's got a dress smarter than that." "Do carry on, everybody, please." "Do carry on!" "Here we are at last." "Aren't we shamefully late?" "How are you, Clare?" "It was the Duchess." "That ill-mannered woman kept us all waiting, and then appeared à I'enfant, as you see her." "Mama is so angry with her." "I think we've lost all our popularity." "And that means we've lost votes." "What do you think, Molly?" "I think people were sorry you didn't come sooner." "Isn't that a proof of popularity?" "That's a very neat and diplomatic answer." "Good evening, ma'am." "I hope you're well." "Well enough." "But what a letdown." "Such a shabby thing for a Duchess I never saw." "Not a bit of a diamond near her." "This is Lady Harriet from the Towers, Mrs Goodenough." "Oh, dear, your Ladyship, I hope I've given no offence." "But I've only stayed out of me bed to see the Duchess." "I thought at least she'd've come in her diamonds and a coronet." " You're quite right." "We must try to do better." " Thank you." "Here is my brother." "Excuse me one moment." "Molly, I cannot have you speaking so to Lady Harriet, and do stop putting yourself into her conversation!" "I can't help it if she asks me questions." "But there is no need to set yourself up with an opinion at your age." "I don't know how to help it." "We must make amends, and dance with some townspeople." "I shan't take no for an answer." "Clare, may I introduce my brother to Miss Gibson?" "He hopes to engage her for this dance." "Lord Hollingford" " Miss Gibson." "Hello, my dear." "Did you see that?" "Lord Hollingford himself asked Molly to dance." "How well they look together." "I never knew his Lordship was a dancing man." "You see, with the right partner..." "He's still a young man." "Quite a young man." "And a widower, too." "Oh, no." "Oh, no!" "Is Cynthia going to dance with Mr Preston?" "What a charming girl that daughter of yours is, Gibson." "So quick and intelligent." "She could talk about sensible things." ""Read Lamarck?" she says." " She's a good girl." "I'm very fond of her." " Very pretty, too." "I really must make Cynthia pursue a course of serious reading." "She's quite as intelligent as Molly, but she's no steadfastness of purpose." "Oh, look at her now." "She said she'd have nothing to do with Mr Preston." "Ah, Mr Osborne, you should have been there." "We thought of you all very often during the evening." " Didn't we, Roger?" " Yes...?" "Yes." "Cynthia, darling, do you hear what Mr Osborne is saying?" "He says he thought of us all evening." "We must thank you for the flowers." "They were very beautiful." "I fancy that that was your idea, Mr Osborne." "It was my idea, but it was Roger that took all the trouble of it." "Did he?" "Well, I consider the thought as everything." "Thought is spiritual, while action is merely material." "I'm afraid our flowers were too late." "I was sorry to hear that Preston's had arrived first." "He had no right to say that." "His came just as we were leaving, I threw them into the fire." "Cynthia, darling." "What an idea you'll give of yourself to Mr Osborne." "But, to be sure," "I think you inherit my prejudice against bought flowers." "Come in." "I was wondering if you are quite well?" " You didn't seem yourself earlier." " Yes." "I've been thinking." "I've been long enough here." "I'd better go out and be a governess." "Cynthia, what do you mean?" "You're over-tired." "Molly!" "No one ever loved me like you and your father, I think." "It's so hard to be driven out." "Still, I..." "I suppose there's no escaping one's doom." "What do you mean, "your doom"?" "Well, now, that would be telling, little one." "I may be a coward at heart, but I can show fight." "What dirty hands you have, Molly!" "I shan't stay another minute." "It gives me no pleasure to ride home now, Roger." "I know, Father." "Roger." "Lord Hollingford was here for you, but he couldn't wait." "He wants you to go and stay at the Towers." "So they're taking some notice of the Hamleys at last?" "This'll be a trap set for you, Osborne." "It's nothing to do with me, sir." "It's Roger he wants to see." "What would he want Roger for?" "I've never dined at the Towers, not once." " He used to invite you, but you chose not to go." " Want to curry favour of Whigs?" "They're quick enough to invite the Hamley heir when there's an election coming up." "It's not me, it's Roger." "He is making a name for himself, and Hollingford wants him to meet a French anatomist who admires a paper he wrote." "Another Frenchman?" "I don't want you meeting foreigners in a Whig house." " Nor you, Osborne." " Very well, sir." "I'll refuse his invitation." "I should think so." "Ten to one he will be in another mind tomorrow." "No." "I won't run the risk of vexing him." "Though I'd give a lot to talk to St Hilaire." "He's the leading man in Europe, and there's so much..." "Oh, well, there'll be another time, I dare say." "I had a letter from Aimée this morning." "She's going to have a child, Roger." "You must tell Father now!" "Now, Roger, when you go up to the Towers, you must take a groom with you." "I've been making Jem try on his livery coat, but he's got too stout." "But you must look up and hold your own." "You're a Hamley, you are." "That lot's just muck." "They've only been in the county since Queen Anne's time." "Thank you so much for coming." "It's been a most enlightening weekend." "Thank you, sir." "Ce fut un plaisir de vous rencontrer, Monsieur." "La prochaine fois à Paris, j'espère." "Je vous écrirai bientôt." "My very best wishes to your father." "I hope he'll dine with me soon." "Perhaps to celebrate your appointment when it's confirmed and to wish you good fortune in your travels." " I am most grateful to you, sir." " Not at all." "Talent brings its own rewards." "You ride on." "I'll see you later." " Africa?" " Yes!" "It's a great honour - if I can persuade myself I've been chosen for my scientific abilities alone." " What other reason might there be?" " My constitution." "I'm as strong as an ox." " Coarse country stock, you see." " But Africa?" " Will you be away for long?" " Two years." "That's the only thing I shall regret, being away from my father and brother." "And you, of course." " And your sister." "How is she?" " Still not quite herself." " I brought her these." " So I see." " I wish there was something more I could do." " I wish so myself." "She's always glad to see you, I know that." "Oh, so tiresome." "Really, Mr Hamley, we must learn to shut our doors on you if you are to come so often and at such early hours." "Perhaps it was thoughtless of me, but I was passing close by, and I had a piece of news." "You see, it's my wish to keep Cynthia and Molly to a course of improving reading, and with such early visitors it is quite impossible to observe any regularity of habits." "You're quite right." "I beg your pardon." "I shall take up no more of your time." "Don't go!" "Are those for me?" "Yes." "They're lovely." "Thank you." "Darling, now that our own roses are out, we needn't trouble Mr Hamley." "What is your news?" "Lord Hollingford has invited me to lead a scientific expedition to Africa." "But Molly will tell you." "I feel I shouldn't stay here any longer." "Come again soon." "Yes." "Perhaps we may see you again before you set sail, Mr Hamley." "And pray tell your brother that we're longing to have a visit from him soon." "He's away just at present, but I will see he knows." "Goodbye, Molly." "Mrs Gibson." "Cynthia." "I can't think why he comes at such untimely hours." "It's no wonder he feels he can call." " Osborne is welcome at any time." " It's different with Osborne." "We're so much more intimate with him, he may call at any time he pleases." "So, one man may steal a horse, the other mustn't look over the hedge." "Oh, do be quiet, child!" "All proverbs are vulgar, and I do believe that's the vulgarest of all." "I really think that you're catching Roger Hamley's coarseness, Cynthia." "Well, Mama." "I don't mind your abusing me, but Mr Roger Hamley has been very kind to me when I've not been well, and I won't hear him disparaged." "If he is coarse, then I hope I may be coarse as well." "It seems to me that it must mean kindness and pleasantness and the bringing of pretty flowers and presents!" "Là, tu sens?" "Goodbye, my love." "I'll come again soon." " I will find the right moment to tell my father." " Yes, of course." " But are you happy?" " Yes, yes!" "More than words could say." "My love!" "You must go." "Here he is, sir." "Gibson, capital!" "Come in!" "Just the man I wanted to see." "Come in!" "You've heard about Roger?" " It is definite, then?" " Aye, definite!" "Chosen from all the young men in Europe to lead this expedition." "You must read this letter here." "They used to say Roger was slow, but slow and sure wins the race." "You must have a glass of this." "It's old ale, as old as Osborne." "We brewed it the autumn he were born and called it "Young Squire's Ale."" "I planned to have tapped it on his marriage, but I don't know when that's likely to come to pass, so I've tapped it now, in Roger's honour." "It is an honour to have such a son." "This is high praise from Lord Hollingford, and the remuneration offered is excellent." "Yes, my luck's turning at last." "And Roger has raised money on it, so I can put the drainage works back into commission." "And he's insured his life to cover it." "I've sent for the foreman, and tomorrow, please God, they'll be at work again." "Roger's twice the son to me than Osborne ever was." "Let's not disparage Osborne." "We may praise one without hitting at the other." "I wish I could praise Osborne, but all the lad ever does is go on journeys, or loaf into Hollingford to visit your girls." "I hope he's not after one of them." "No offence, but he is the eldest boy, you know." "I don't believe there's anything of that kind going on." "I'm not much at home, but if there were anything, I think I would know." " Now, Gibson, don't be offended." " I'm not." "Let us understand each other." "If you don't want them at my house, you must tell them yourself." "I like the lads, and I'm always glad to see them." "But if they do come, you must take the consequences." "But as I say, I don't think there's any cause for concern at present." "If there were, I'd let you know." "Why, Osborne." "Is that you?" "I thought it was an old man of fifty." "What ails you, man?" " You're not well, are you?" " I don't know what it is." "A walk like this should be nothing to me." "It's the estrangement from your father that's telling on your health." "Talk to him." " He may be angry at first, but he'll come round." " I wish I had your confidence." "But, I dare say, life at home has affected my health." "I've had these episodes before." "I think little of them." "They pass soon enough." "Whatever it is, we'll bring it about." "If you can manage to ride over and have lunch with us tomorrow, Dr Nicholls will be with us and you shall have the benefit of two doctors." "How's that?" "Of course you'll be in delicate health if you eat nothing, Mrs Gibson." " Try some of this brawn, ma'am." "It's capital!" " No, I couldn't possibly." "Take a pickled onion or two." "What a first-class luncheon this is!" "What a very pretty table decoration." "Yours, I imagine, Miss Kirkpatrick." "Correct." "Molly is the useful one." "I confine myself to the ornamental." "While I, alas, am neither use nor ornament." "That's not true." "What about your poems?" "I wish I could find a publisher that shared your high opinion of them, but I'm touched by your loyalty, truly." "Do you have a good strong cheese that we could finish up with?" "I'll see what cook can find, Dr Nicholls." "Then we'll see what's to be done with this young man." "Hmm?" " Where's Cynthia going?" " For a walk, I suppose." "It's quite strange that she should have taken to country walks all of a sudden." "She never cared about them before." "Mr Hamley!" "Ooh, you look quite done up." "So would many a man if they'd had two good doctors pushing and pulling them about." "But you're quite well, I trust." "I'm not sure they came to any conclusion." "They sent me off to discuss me at great length." "Or perhaps they're talking about something else." "I've just remembered." "I hope you don't think me rude, Mr Hamley, but I have to pop into town on an errand." "Not at all, ma'am." "May I come up?" "Of course." "But that doesn't necessarily mean he's in danger." "Looks anaemic to me." "But the pulse?" "But how often are we mistaken?" "I was hoping to be able to speak to you alone." "Do you remember that conversation you overheard?" " I've never spoken of it to anyone." "Truly." " I'm sure you haven't." "Roger's going away for some time." "And..." "I'd like somebody else to know about my wife." "About Aimée." "Aimée." "Can you not tell the Squire?" "From his point of view, I have made the worst of all possible choices." "I'm supposed to marry a girl from a good old English family with money." "Aimée is French, she's Roman Catholic, and she's penniless." "When I met her, she was a nursemaid in an English family." "I helped her find a toy rabbit one of the children had lost in the park." "When her employer discovered we were in love, she sent Aimée back to France." "She couldn't understand how it was between us." "I couldn't bear to be parted from her, so I followed her to France, to Metz, where we were married." "If you could meet her, you'd understand." "You'd love her, I know." "She's the dearest, gentlest creature." "The best thing in my life." "Will you keep my secret while it has to be kept secret?" "Yes, of course." "If he has got aneurysm of the aorta, his days are numbered." ""To Mr Roger Hamley." "Most urgent." ""My dear sir, how is it that you have not been to see us lately?" ""I know you're about to leave for Africa." "I would not forgive myself if you left without calling," ""for it would be punishing others, as well as my naughty self." ""Come tomorrow, as early as you like."" " Good day, Miss Gibson." " Good day, Mr Preston." "I've been watching for you, dear." "Don't go in the drawing room, love." "Roger Hamley is in there with Cynthia, and I have every reason to think..." " Oh, isn't it charming?" "Young love, so sweet." " Do you mean that Roger has proposed?" "Not exactly, but I heard him say that he'd meant to leave England without speaking of his love, but the temptation of being alone with her had been too great." "All I wanted was to let it come to a crisis without interruption." "So you see, that's why I've been watching out for you, so you wouldn't go in and disturb them." " But I may go to my own room?" " Yes, of course." "But I had expected more sympathy from you at such an interesting moment." "Molly, Roger Hamley is here, and he wants to say goodbye before he goes." "Cynthia, you've made me happy beyond description." "My dear boy, what a delightful outcome." "It's what I've always dreamed of." "Oh, Molly!" "I think you have long guessed my secret." "Well, now it's out." "I have told Cynthia how fondly I love her." "And she..." "My dear sweet girl values your love, I am sure." "And I do believe that I could tell tales as to the cause of her low spirits in the spring." "Mother, you know no such thing." "Pray don't invent stories about me." "I have engaged myself to Roger Hamley, and that is enough." "Enough?" "More than enough." "I am bound, you are free." "Two years is a long time." "That's so generous of you." "But I insist that it be kept secret until Roger returns." "Molly." "Mama, I must especially beg it of you." "Why so especially of poor me?" "You know I'm the most trustworthy person alive." "I must go." "I had no idea it was so late." "The coach will be at the George, and it only waits five minutes." "Dearest Cynthia." "Only remember - you are free." "If I had considered myself free, do you think I would have permitted that?" "Oh, Molly." "You won't forget me, I know, and I shall never forget you, nor your goodness to my mother." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." "My dearest Cynthia, as I watch the coast of England slip away," "I realise how much of my heart I have left behind in your dear care." "Your loving acceptance makes me the most fortunate of men." "I will carry the memory of that kiss with me to lighten the depths of Africa." "What a thing to do, write a letter before he was fairly embarked." "Of course, he has nothing to say except the usual silliness." "Cynthia, you do love Roger, don't you?" "Don't you think I've given proof of it?" "Oh, well, if you do look at me like that." "I don't think I have the gift for loving as some people do." "I've never felt carried off my feet by love for anyone, not even you," " and you know I love you..." " Don't!" "I should never have asked you!" "One might think you cared for him yourself." "I do care for him." "I..." "I love him as a sister." "I think he is a prince amongst men." "Really?" "Even you must acknowledge that he's plain and awkward, and you know I like pretty things and pretty people." "Cynthia, I won't talk to you about him." "He shan't be run down by you, even in jest." "Oh, well, we shan't talk about him, then." "Perhaps we shan't ever be married after all." "I mean, two years is a long time." "He might change his mind or I might, or someone else might come along and say I'm engaged to him." "What should you say to that?" "Leave it, Agnes." "Come, my dear." "Be comfortable for once, take your tea sitting down." "Oh, my dear one." "Now, I have a great piece of news to tell you." "Oh, I thought there was something on hand." "Now for it." "Well, Roger Hamley called to see us on the day he left, proposed to Cynthia and was accepted." " Roger Hamley proposed to Cynthia?" " Why should he not?" "Well, only that not two weeks ago I gave my assurances to the Squire that there was nothing of that sort between his sons and either of the girls." "Well, what's done is done." "It'll have to be a long engagement." "Yes, I think perhaps it will..." "But then again, perhaps it won't." "A little bird did tell me that Osborne Hamley's life is not so very secure, then what will Roger be?" "Heir to the estate." "Oh, why...?" "Robert, whatever's the matter?" "Who told you that about Osborne?" "Who told you, I say?" "!" "Why?" "Can you deny it?" "Is it not the truth?" "I ask again!" "Who told you that Osborne's life was in any more danger than yours or mine?" "Don't speak in that frightening way." "I..." "I mean my life's not in danger..." "I'm sure." "Oh, Robert..." "Little bits of glass can be so dangerous." "Never mind the glass!" "Who told you anything about Osborne's state of health?" "If you will know it was you - you yourself or Dr Nicholls." "I never spoke to you on the subject, and I don't believe Nicholls did." "You'd better tell me at once what you're alluding to." "I wish I'd never got married again." "I never thought you could be so cruel." "And you shouldn't speak your medical secrets so loud if you don't want anyone to hear them." "I only went into the storeroom for a jar of preserves." "It was certainly for no pleasure of mine." "And you overheard our conversation?" " Just a sentence or two." " What where they?" "Dr Nicholls said, "If he's got aneurysm of the aorta, then his days are numbered"." "And you replied, "I hope I'm mistaken, but it seems he has very clear symptoms"." "I see." "And may I ask how you remember so exactly the name of the disease?" "Because I - don't get angry, please, I see no harm in what I did " "I went into your surgery and looked it up." "I mean, why should I not...?" "Well, I suppose, as one brews one must bake." "I don't know what you mean." "So this is why you've changed your conduct towards Roger." "Yes, I noticed you've been more civil to him of late." "Well, if you mean I like him more than Osborne, you're very much mistaken." "It's just that as Roger was the younger son, I thought it best to discourage him." "But now you consider him the proximate heir to the estate, you've made him more welcome." "Well, I don't know what you mean by "proximate"." "Go into the surgery and look it up!" "You overheard a professional conversation." "Now, don't you know that professional conversations are confidential?" "That it would be the worst thing I could do to betray secrets that I learn in the exercise of my profession and trade on them." "Yes, of course - you." "Are husband and wife not one in these respects?" "I just thought that you would be glad to see Cynthia well married and off your hands." "I don't know what to say to you." "You either can't or won't see what I mean." "But had you bothered to consult me, I could have told you that Dr Nicholls' opinion was decidedly opposed to mine." "He thinks that Osborne is as likely as any other man to live, to marry and to beget children." " Oh." " Hmm." "Yes, well, let us review this misfortune, since I see that you now consider it as such." "Well, not exactly a misfortune, but... had I known Dr Nicholls' opinion..." "Well, comfort yourself, my dear." "Roger Hamley is as fine a young man as ever breathed... with money or without." "I only wish Molly could meet with such another." "I will try for Molly." "I will indeed." "No, no, no, no." "That is one thing I forbid." "I will have no trying for Molly." "Don't be angry, dear." "For a minute there, I thought you were going to lose your temper." "It would have been of no use." "Breakfast is ready, sir." "No breakfast, thank you, Maria." "And I won't be back for dinner." "Miss Gibson." "Looking very well indeed, if I may say so." "I was just urging upon Miss Kirkpatrick the merits of a long walk in the countryside." "Come, Molly." "We shall be late." "Cynthia, I understand I am to congratulate you on your engagement to Roger Hamley." "You've won the heart of a very fine young man." "I hope you'll both be very happy." "Thank you." "We had all pledged to keep it secret." "Mama included." "But I'm glad that you should know it." "You've always been a very kind friend to me." "It truly is hardly an engagement, though." "He wouldn't allow me to bind myself by any promise till his return." "I hope you're worthy of him, Cynthia." "I've never known a truer or warmer heart, and I've known Roger since he was a little boy." "You're not very complimentary, are you, Mr Gibson?" "Still, he finds me worthy, I suppose." "If you think so highly of him, you ought to respect his judgement of me." "Why does your father have to speak to me like that?" "Cynthia, I'm afraid I must speak to the Squire about this." "I gave him my word I would if anything of the kind arose." "It was the one thing I stipulated for:" "Secrecy." "But why keep it secret from the family?" "Surely, in any case, Roger will tell his father?" "No, he won't, because I made him promise, and I think he's one to respect a promise." "Well, let's give him a chance, then, shall we?" "I won't go over to the Hall until the end of the week." "He may have written and told his father by then." "So a man's promise is to override a woman's wish?" "I don't see why it shouldn't." "Mr Gibson, will you please trust me when I tell you this will cause me a great deal of distress if it gets known." "Telling the boy's father is not making it public." "I don't like this exaggerated desire for secrecy, Cynthia." "It seems to me as if something more than is apparent is concealed behind it." "Come on, Molly." "Let's play that new duet I taught you." " There's rock here." " Here." "Let me help you." " We'll need some more tiles." " How many?" "Twenty should do it." "Cynthia Kirkpatrick has entered into an understanding with Roger." "Cynthia Kirkpatrick, you say?" "I was hoping Roger would have told you in a letter." "That shows you have no sons." "Half these sons are mysteries to their fathers." "Look at Osborne." "I've got no more idea what goes on in his head than the Man in the Moon." "I thought Roger'd be different." "He's a good lad." "It's thanks to him I'm able to put these drainage works back into commission." "Hmm." "Miss Kirkpatrick." "Not the match I'd been hoping for." "I suppose she's no money." "About twenty pound a year at my pleasure." "Oh, well, it's good it's not Osborne." "But what family is she of?" "She's none of trade, her being so poor." "Well, I understand her father was the grandson of a baronet." "That's something." "But what sort of a girl is she, Gibson?" " I don't know what you mean." " Yes, you do." "You're offended with me, or you'd have answered me straight." "You know what I mean." "Is she like Molly?" "Sweet-tempered and sensible, and ready to do anything one asked her?" "Well, she's very pretty..." "prettier than Molly I have to admit." "And she has very winning ways." "I'm not sure she feels things quite so keenly as Molly does." " But all in all, I think she's one in a hundred." " Oh, well, Molly's one in a thousand." " Hmm." " She's of no family, you see." "No money either." "Otherwise, she'd make the perfect wife to either of my lads." "As there's no question of Molly in this business, there's no need to bring her name into it, is there?" "I must get off." "Good day, sir." "Now, hang on, Gibson, we're old friends." "You're a fool to take offence." "Look, bring her round to the Hall for lunch." "Bring her mother and Molly and let me see the girl meself." "Thank you." "Your wife and I didn't hit it off the only time I ever saw her." "I'm not saying she was very silly, but one of us was and it wasn't me." " Thursday suit you?" " As you wish." "Got it." "No, no." "You've got to hold it proper firm, but not too tight." "It's all in the wrist." "You've got to get the movement right." "A sort of an arching, and then a bit of a flick." "Quick like, you see?" "That's right." "Good, good." "We'll make a fisherman of you yet." "Try again." "Arch and flick." "Arch and flick." "Ah, we got him." "We got him." "He's a beauty." "I'll get the net." "Ah, he's a beauty." "Look, Molly." "I caught one." "Well done, lass." "He's a grand'un." "There." "So, how did it go off?" "They got on very well, I think." "But how could anyone not like Cynthia?" "Aye, when she puts herself out to please." "Do you think that she's right for him, Molly?" "Right for Roger?" "She's a very charming young girl, but I don't quite understand her." "Why should she want all this secrecy?" "I don't know." "I don't think I understand her either, but I do love her." " How is Osborne?" "Was he there?" " No, I think he had to go and see do something else." "Molly, this business with Cynthia and Roger took me by surprise." "If there's anything else of this sort in the offing," "I think you'd better tell me at once." "If you mean you're afraid that Osborne thinks of me as Roger does of Cynthia, you're quite mistaken." "Osborne and I are friends." "We could never be anything more." "That's all I can tell you." "That's quite enough, little one." "That's a great relief." " Oh, Papa." " Oh, there, there, there." "There's nothing the matter, is there?" "No." "Only I wish I could have you all to myself more often." "Yes, well..." "Run along, now." "I'm very glad you won't be carried off by any young man just yet awhile." "Roger Hamley." "No, No, No." "Carry on." "A good pair of English legs here." "My dearest Cynthia, it's just as well I was as strong as an ox when I set off." "This country is extraordinary and a constant challenge." "Every day new hazards and new adventures." "I'm learning the language and, more importantly, how to survive in this wonderful land." "Miss Kirkpatrick!" "A letter from Africa!" "He sends you his best regards." "And his compliments to you, Mama." "Where is he, Cynthia?" "What does he say?" "Where?" "I didn't look exactly." "Somewhere in Abyssinia." "Um, Huron?" "Does that make you any the wiser?" " Harar, perhaps?" " Yes, I think you're right." "You are clever!" "Fancy knowing anything about Abyssinia." "I looked in the world atlas." "I wanted to make a picture of where he was." "Is he well, Cynthia?" " Well enough." "He says he has a touch of fever." " Fever?" "Yes, but he thinks he'll acclimatise soon." " But who will take care of him?" " I don't think he gets much caring for." "It's pretty much sink or swim in Abyssinia." "No doctors or nurses there." "Still, he has plenty of quinine with him." " But he's on the mend now." " But what if he isn't?" "Oh, no, we mustn't think that." "You must have been worrying about him." "Well, as a matter of fact, I haven't been worrying about him." "You see, I made my mind up before he went not to worry." "If anything did, well, you know, go wrong," " it would be over before I heard of it." " Don't say that!" "Moderate your tone, dear." "What Cynthia's saying is only common sense." "What is the point of worrying about what one can't help and may never happen?" "He does say he's feeling better now." "What else does he say?" "I mean, things I may hear." "Well, lover's letters are so silly, and I think this is sillier than usual." "Er..." "Here's a piece you may read." "I couldn't get on with this myself." "It's all about Aristotle and Pliny, and some beetle he's found that proves something or another." "Yes, do take it with you if you like." "Now, I must get this hat finished before I go out." "Oh, God, let him live." "Let him live." "Even if I never set eyes on him again." "Grant he may come home safe, and be happy." "A former pupil of mine, a Mr Coxe, wants to pay us a visit, Hyacinth." "Oh?" "He's relinquished the profession, I'm relieved to hear, and has come into a great deal of money." "Oh..." "It's such a pleasure to meet my husband's former pupils, Mr Coxe." "He's spoken to me so often about you." "Indeed, ma'am?" "Well, I was very happy here." "Um, is Miss Gibson still at home?" "I should very much like to..." "Oh, yes." "She'll be coming directly, with my own daughter, Cynthia." "Mr Coxe?" " Is it you?" " Yes." "You remember me." "I was so afraid you wouldn't." "Well, you're so much grown." "So much more, um, well, I suppose I mustn't say what I was going to." "This is Miss Kirkpatrick, my step-sister." "Mr Coxe." "How do you do?" "How do you do, Mr Coxe?" "Mr Gibson, I dare say you'll be surprised, sir, at what I want to say, but I think it the part of an honourable man, as you said yourself, sir, a year or two ago," "to speak to the father first." "And as you, sir, stand in the place of a father to Miss Kirkpatrick," "I should like to express my feelings, my hopes." "Miss Kirkpatrick...?" "I do assure you, sir, that I came here with a heart as faithful to your daughter as ever beat in a man's breast." "But it soon became clear that her manner towards me, though friendly, was in no way... well, it was, wasn't while Miss Kirkpatrick, um..." "While Miss Kirkpatrick?" "Er, I was only going to say, sir," "I think I may venture to hope that Miss Kirkpatrick welcomes my attentions." "I don't believe Miss Kirkpatrick could ever have meant to encourage you." "I think, sir, if you could have seen her..." "At any rate, you won't mind me taking my chance and speaking to her?" "No, but if you'll take my advice, you'll spare yourself the pain of a refusal." "I think I ought to tell you her affections are otherwise engaged." "I cannot believe that." "No." "There must be some mistake." "I don't see how she could've misunderstood my meaning." "Perhaps her affections may have been engaged before, but isn't it possible she might come to prefer another?" "By "another" you mean yourself, I suppose?" "I can believe in such inconstancy, but I'm very sorry to think Miss Kirkpatrick could be guilty." "But you will allow me to ask for her hand, sir?" "Certainly, my poor fella." "If you must." "Oh, thank you, sir." "Thank you." "God bless you for a kind friend." "Um, Miss Kirkpatrick." "I cannot tell you what pleasure these last few days have given me." "Dearest Cynthia, please tell me you return my affections and consent to be my wife." "Mr Coxe!" "You must stand up at once." "I'm engaged to marry someone else." "Molly, you must never trifle with the love of an honest man." "You don't know what pain you may give." "Molly, you'll never guess." "Oh." "Mr Coxe asked me to give you both his kind regards." "I believe he's leaving Hollingford this afternoon." "I trust this will never occur again, Cynthia." "What am I to think of a young woman in your position, engaged and yet accepting the overtures of another man?" "Do you realise what unneccesary pain you have given that young man by your thoughtless behaviour?" "I call it thoughtless, I could call it something worse." "Please, Mr Gibson." "Hear my side before you speak so severely to me." "I..." "I didn't mean to flirt," "I only meant to be agreeable, and I can't help doing that, can I?" "And that goose, Mr Coxe, imagined I was encouraging him." "Do you mean you weren't aware he was falling in love with you?" "I suppose, to speak truly, I did think once or twice he might be, but I do hate throwing cold water on people, and I never imagined he could take it into his silly head to imagine himself seriously in love and make such a fuss." "You seem to have been aware of his silliness." "You should have considered what it might and has led to." "Well, perhaps." "I dare say I'm all wrong and he's all right." "But, really, it seems to me..." "In any case, I'm not finally engaged." " Roger wouldn't allow it." " Nonsense!" "I've said all that I mean to say." "I'm willing to believe you were only thoughtless, but don't let it happen again." "Well, "Not proven, but we recommend the prisoner not to do it again"." "It's pretty much that, isn't it, Molly?" "Cynthia, Cynthia." "I do believe your father might make a good woman of me yet, if he'd only take the pains and was not quite so severe." "I was afraid poor Mr Coxe was becoming very fond of you." "I wish I had said something now." "It wouldn't have made any difference." "I..." "I knew he liked me." "I..." "I like to be liked, but he shouldn't have carried it too far." "I shall hate red-haired people for the rest of my life." "I knew he came here to propose to you." "You were disagreeable, so I took pity on him." " Shall you tell Roger about it?" " Oh, no." "Well, I don't know." "Perhaps, if we're ever married." "I have a feeling I'll never marry him." "I don't know why." "Best not tell him all my secrets." "Suppose he knew them, and it never came off." "I think it would break his heart." "Molly, there's no need to be so serious." "It's not in my nature to go into ecstacies." "I don't think I shall ever be in love." "But I'm glad he loves me." "I like his face 10,000 times more than Mr Preston's." "Mr Preston...?" "What should you think of me if I married him after all?" "Married Mr Preston?" "Well, has he ever asked you?" "More unlikely things have happened." "Have you never heard of... strong wills mesmerising weaker ones until they can't even think for themselves?" "Cynthia." "Well..." "He's not a man to be easily thrown off." "Oh, I wish Roger were rich and could marry me at once and carry me away from that man." "Cynthia, what is this all about?" "Money matters are at the root of it." "Horrid poverty." "Oh, do let's talk about something else." "You all make me feel so..." "I've never lived with good people before." "Don't quite know how to behave." "I don't believe that's true, nor does Roger." "He must think I'm good, he's in love with me." "Yes, he's in love with you!" "And he, he depends upon you, so you should... you should try to deserve him!" "It is sundown, Cynthia." "They are singing outside my tent." "The men say it's about a chap who pines for a girl in a distant land." "They are teasing me, of course." "They often do." "Thank Molly for her letter." "Tell her I had a sighting today of a glorious lizard, and have found more of the great black bugs I told her about, a species of reduvias." "She'll know which I mean." "The Abyssinian wilds would not suit you, dearest Cynthia, but your love sustains me in this savage land." "Hmm." "Well." "Yes." "I think they might have remembered I'm a generation closer to them than she is." "But no one thinks about family affection nowadays, do they?" "Hmm." "If you want us to sympathise, Hyacinth, you'll have to tell us what the matter is." "I dare say it was meant as a kind attention." "I just think he should have asked me before Cynthia." "And who is he?" "And what is meant for "a kind attention"?" "Mr Kirkpatrick, to be sure, my brother-in-law, Cynthia's uncle." "He wants Cynthia to stay with them in London." "But he hasn't even mentioned you or me." "I think he should have asked us first, that's all." "As I couldn't possibly go, it makes little difference to me." "No, but I could have gone." "At any rate, he could have paid me the compliment." "I've a great mind not to let her go." "Well, I can't go in any case, Mama." "I've nothing to wear." "My gowns are so shabby, and I remember my aunt was very particular about dress." "Please write at once and refuse it." "Nonsense, child." "Nothing to wear?" "What's happened to all your money?" "You've twenty pounds a year, thanks to Mr Gibson." "However it's come about, I've no money to spend." "You couldn't have spent more than ten pounds, so where's it gone?" "Mama - it may sound cross - as I didn't ask for and don't want any more than my allowance," "I shan't answer questions as to what I do with it." "Well, I don't understand that at all, do you, Molly?" "No, I know she's not at all extravagant." "She may have given it away to someone who wants it." "It is very clear she has neither the dress nor the money for this London trip, and she doesn't want any further enquiries into the subject." "She likes mysteries, in fact, I detest them." "But as I think it desirable she keep up her friendship with her father's family," "I will gladly give her ten pounds." "What a generous man you are, Mr Gibson, to my poor fatherless daughter." "I think I should accompany her and stay for a day or two, you know." "Lady Cumnor's in town and not at all in good health, and it would ease my spirits to see her and offer her what comfort I can." "Well, that's if you can bear to fend for yourselves just for a day or two?" "Oh, no, we shouldn't mind at all, should we, Papa, looking after ourselves?" "No, no, no, no, no." "We shall bear it as best we can, my dear." "# I do think Mr Gibson is the kindest man I know." "# Tiddle-iddle iddle iddle iddle pom-pom to London I shall go. #" "Oh, Molly." "You don't think it wicked and flighty of me to want to go to London?" " On account of Roger and everything?" " No, of course you should go." "Hooray!" "# Oh, I do think Mr Gibson is the kindest man I know... #" "Upon my word." "I hope you're not both going crazy." "What's all this about, I pray?" "I'm just glad we're going to London, Mama." "You might express your happiness in a more ladylike manner, darling." "Osborne Hamley is in the consulting room with Mr Gibson." "I don't know what he'd think if he heard you." "How ill that poor young man looks." "Your father thinks it may not be very grievous after all, but..." "I don't think he has long to live." "Oh, but what will happen if he dies?" "Well, it would be sad, of course, and we'd all feel it very much, I've no doubt." "But we mustn't forget the living, Molly." "If the worst were to happen, then our own dear Roger would do everything in his power to step into Osborne's place." "And Cynthia's marriage need not be so long delayed." "Mama, how can you speak of Osborne's death and my marriage in the same breath?" "Well, it's a very natural thought, dear." "A young man strikes us all as looking very ill, and I'm sorry for it, but illness often leads to death." "I'm sure you'd agree with me." "So what's the harm in saying so?" "And then Molly asks what happens if he dies and I try to answer her." "I don't want to talk about death any more than anyone else, but one has to look forward to the consequences." "I think we're commanded to do so somewhere." "Aren't we?" "In the Bible, or in the prayer book?" "Do you look forward to the consequences of my death?" "Cynthia, you really are the most unfeeling girl I've ever met." "Oh, I was hoping to speak to him." " What about, Goosey?" " Oh, nothing in particular." "Is he really very ill?" "It's one of those cases where it's not possible to be certain, but I am anxious about him, yes." "But I haven't told him that, and nor should you." "But if he is really in danger, he'd want to arrange his affairs, wouldn't he?" "I've considered that, but the fear and anxiety could itself precipitate a crisis." "Surely he has the right to know?" "No." "Best to leave him in ignorance and hope for a complete recovery." "Now, I say this in absolute confidence, Molly, because I trust you completely." "You at any rate know how to keep your counsel." "Don't get over-anxious about Osborne." "He may be well yet." "Ah, there you are." "Funny old sort of day." "Neither one thing nor the other." "I had a letter from Roger." "He's very well." "Had a good Christmas." "Look here, Osborne." "Do you know anything about Roger's engagement?" "Pretty girl, very pretty." " Not one I'd have chosen." " Miss Kirkpatrick?" "Aye, that's the one." "I wonder he never told me." "Well, he... he never told me either." "Gibson came over and made a clean breast of it, like a man of honour." "Well, I let it go on, it was only Roger." "Mind you, if it had been you, I'd have broken with Gibson and every mother's son of 'em, so I told Gibson." "Pardon me, Father." "I claim the right to choose my own wife with no one's interference." "Do you?" "Then you'll keep your wife with no one's interference, for you won't get a penny from me unless you marry to please me a little, as well as yourself a great deal." "That's all I ask." "She can be pretty or not, and I don't mind if she's a bit older than you, but she must be well-born, and the more money she brings to the old place the better." "I say again, Father, I must choose my wife myself, and I won't be dictated to, even by you, sir." "Well, if I'm not to be father, thou shan't be son." "Go against me on this and there'll be the devil to pay." "I mean it." "You're the only marriageable one left in the market, and I want to hoist the old family up again." "Don't go against me, Osborne." "It really will break my heart if you do." "Father, don't say that." "I will do anything to oblige you, anything, except..." "Except the one thing I've set my heart on you doing!" "Oh, God." "Oh, God." "What am I going to do?" "Bye." "Now, Papa, I shall have you to myself for a whole week." " You'll have to be very obedient." " Oh, shall I, indeed?" "!" "Well, now, here's a rare sight." "Mr Gibson and his daughter walking together at midday." "Ladies." "We've just seen my wife and her daughter off to London." "Mrs Gibson has gone up for the week." " Only a week!" " I remember when it was a three-day journey." "She'd scarce have time to go and come back." "Will it be lonely, Molly, without your companion?" "Yes, I shall miss her very much." "But Papa and I..." "Mr Gibson, it'll be like being a widower again." "You must come and drink tea with us some evening." "And Molly, too." "Yes, you must come to our house as well." "We must try and cheer you up a bit." "Shall it be Tuesday?" "That's very kind, but I have, er, one or two pressing cases." "I'll see what I can do." "But I think I can promise for Molly." "Good day, ladies." "Oh, thank you." "Papa!" "How could you waste one of our evenings?" "We have but six, and I wanted us to do all sorts of things, just us." " What sort of things?" " Everything that's unrefined and ungenteel." "By toil and labour, I've reached a fair height of refinement." " And I won't be pulled down again." " Oh, yes, just for a week you will." "We'll have bread and cheese for dinner and eat it on our knees, and we'll put our knives into our mouths until we cut ourselves, and you shall pour your tea into a saucer." "Two letters in a week." "That's very proper, but at eleven pence ha'penny postage any more would be extravagant." "And what did Cynthia say?" "Is she enjoying herself?" "Oh, yes, very much, I think." "She went to a dinner party, and one night, when Mama was at Lady Cumnor's," "Cynthia went to the play with her cousins." "Oh, my word." "And all in one week." "I do call that dissipation." "Thursday will be taken up travelling," "Friday they'll be resting, and Sunday is Sunday all over the world." "I hope she won't find Hollingford dull when she comes back." "I don't think that's likely, Sally, not now Mr Preston's moving to town." "Been seeing a great deal of Mr Preston, haven't you, Molly?" "Mr Preston?" " No." "What should make you think so?" " Oh, a little bird told us." "What do you mean?" "Who told you?" "Little birds don't have names, I'll think you'll find, but this little bird was flying about in Heath Lane, and it saw Mr Preston with a young lady - we won't say who " "walking together in a very friendly manner." "He was on horseback, because just there the path is raised..." "No, perhaps Molly is in the secret, and we ought not to ask her about it." "It'll be no great secret, sister." "Miss Hornblower says Mr Preston owns to being engaged." "Well, if he is engaged, it's not to Cynthia, that's for certain." "And I do wish you'd put a stop to any such reports." "You don't know what mischief they may do." " I do so hate that kind of chatter." " Hoity-toity." "Kindly remember I'm old enough to be your mother, Miss Molly." "Chatter." "Tish." "I beg your pardon, Miss Browning... but don't you see how bad it is to talk of such things?" "Supposing one of them cared for somebody else." "And that might happen, you know." "Mr Preston, for example, may be engaged to somebody else." "Well, if he is, I pity the young lady, indeed I do." "He's a great flirt, and young ladies better not have too much to do with him." "Miss Browning, I beg you would not talk about it any more." "I have my reasons for asking." "Phoebe!" "It was Molly with Mr Preston in Heath Lane." " Goodness gracious." "How do you know?" " Put two and two together." "Didn't you notice how pale she went?" "She said she knew for a fact Preston and Miss Kirkpatrick weren't engaged." "Perhaps not engaged, but Mrs Goodenough saw them loitering together." "Mrs Goodenough's eyes are not the best." "I'll answer for it." "She saw Molly and took her for Cynthia." "Well, perhaps it wouldn't be so very bad a match, Sally." "Not as bad a match as it could be?" "He plays billiards, you know." "He bets at the races." "Miss Hornblower said he was engaged to Miss Gregson." "Her father made enquiries, and he made her break it off." " And she's dead since." " Oh, Sally." "Now, he might do for Cynthia." "She was brought up in France, so she might not be too particular, but he mustn't have Molly." "We must keep on the lookout." "I'll be her guardian angel, in spite of herself." "I wonder how you are, dearest Cynthia." "I often picture you walking in the garden." "I had a bit of a fall, but I believe I shall soon be on the mend again." "How's Molly?" "Has she been to the Hall to see my father?" "He's so fond of her." "I long to hear from you." "The rains must have made the post from England slower, I suppose." "Write soon, tell me how you are, what you're thinking and doing." "A most delightful visit." "I was so sorry to come away, but knew you'd be missing me." " Yes, indeed." " Oh, they live in great style." "The Lord Chancellor himself could hardly do better." "Mr Kirkpatrick's career has been most successful" " Queen's Counsel and Head of Chambers, and they couldn't do enough for Cynthia." "Two new ballgowns, and if I say so myself, she had more admirers than any of her cousins." "Young Mr Henderson was quite smitten with her, I believe." "He's the most promising young man in Mr Kirkpatrick's chambers." "They're so fond of her, I don't know when she'll be back." "She had a letter from Africa I sent on." "Did she say what was in it?" "Yes, yes." "It made her very uneasy, poor child." "She was inclined not to go to Mr Rawlson's ball that evening, but I told her there was nothing to worry about, that he was laid up after a fall." " He's had a fall?" " Yes, but he was better by the time he wrote." "He's got a very strong constitution, hasn't he, Mr Gibson?" "Aye, he has, and where he is he has need of one." "After all, it's not a formal engagement, and she could hardly say," ""A friend fell in Africa two months ago, so I can't go to the ball."" "That would seem just like an affectation of sentiment." "If there's one thing I hate, it's that." "Quite." "Good morning, Miss Gibson." "Good morning, Miss Gibson." "Miss Kirkpatrick returns today, does she not?" " Yes." " You'll be happy to see her, I think." "Yes." "Good morning." "There now, will you look at that!" "You had no call for harps, Mr Sheepshanks, when you were Lord Cumnor's land agent." "Well, young Preston reckons himself to be a bit above a land agent." "A gentleman, a ladies' man, and a gambling man and all." "I wouldn't trust him any further than I could throw him." "And that's not far." "Good day to you." "Poor Molly." "Oh, hello..." "Did you miss me?" "Excuse me, can I have that box?" "He's feeling much better." "He's learning another new dialect, more about beetles." "I think I'll save this one up for later." "Look what they gave me, Molly." "They were so good to me." "Do you wish you were still there?" "In some ways I do." "There's something oppressive about Hollingford somehow." "Nothing to do with you, of course, but one does feel... more carefree in London." "Does that sound very wicked of me?" "Might be interested in this paragraph here, Cynthia." " Oh." " What is it?" " May I see?" " Yes, of course." "There's nothing private about it." "Proceedings of the Geographical Society." "Lord Hollingford read a letter he received from Mr Roger Hamley." "Oh, Cynthia, isn't it wonderful?" "Yes, but it's not news to me." "I heard about it before I left London." "It was a good deal talked about in my uncle's set." " You mean you could have gone?" " I suppose I could." "I think they'd have been rather astonished by my sudden turn for science." "Why did...?" "If you'd told your uncle how things really stood..." " With Roger, I mean." " Please do understand," "I don't want my relation to Roger mentioned or talked about." "If I'm pushed to it, I'd rather break it off and have done with it." "Oh, Miss Browning." "They were so fond of Cynthia, you would hardly believe it." "Do you know, she's had three letters from London this week already." " Mama, please." " Three letters, fancy that." " It must be almost as good as living there." " A great deal better, I should think." "In my opinion, London's no better than a thief dressed as honest folk." "Now, I've no patience with London." "Cynthia's much better out of it." "If I were you, Mrs Gibson, I'd stop up those London letters." "They'll only be unsettling." "Perhaps she may live in London one day, Miss Browning." "I wish you an honest country husband, with enough to live on, a little to lay by, and a good character, Cynthia." " Thank you, Miss Browning." " Mind that, Molly." "I wish Cynthia a husband with a good character." "She's got a mother to look after her, and you've none." "I beg your pardon, Miss Browning?" "!" "When your mother was alive, she was a dear friend of mine." "I won't let you throw yourself away on anyone whose life is not clear and above board." "You may depend on it." "I'm sure you're much mistaken, Miss Browning, if you think any mother could take more care of Molly than I do." "I didn't mean to offend, Mrs Gibson." "As step-mothers go, I think you try and do your duty." "I just meant to give Molly a hint." "She understands what I mean." "I'm sure I do not." "I don't know what you mean, if you were alluding to more than you said." "I'm not thinking of marrying at all." "If I did and he weren't a good man, I should thank you for warning me." "I shan't just warn you, Molly." "I shall forbid the banns in church if need be." "Do!" "Trying to do my duty, indeed." "Everybody knows I have always done my duty, without talking about it before my face in that rude manner." "I've a deep feeling about duty." "It ought to be talked of in church, in sacred places, not in someone's sitting room, with everyone drinking tea." "As if I didn't look after you as well as I do Cynthia." "I think perhaps Miss Browning has got some notion about Mr Preston." "She spoke to me about him once before." "What could have put that into her head?" "I may not always approve of Mr Preston, but if it was him she was thinking of, he's more agreeable than her." "I'd keep his company over hers any day." " Where's Cynthia, Molly?" " She's gone out." "Oh, that's a pity." "I've got Simpson's dog cart." "I was going to offer you a drive on my way to the lodge." " Would you like to come?" " I'll get my bonnet." "It means you'll have to walk home on your own." "I used to bring your mother here." "Jump down, lassie." "Make your way back before it gets dark." "You'll find the cut over Croston Heath is quicker than the way you came." "You don't know your own mind." " Why won't you listen to me?" " Come here." " Don't go." " Oh, please, just let me be." "Please." "You gave your promise freely enough." "Why should you not keep it?" "Because I can't bear it." "Let me go, please." "Molly!" "What is it?" "What's the matter?" "I think you should let her go now." "As Miss Gibson sees fit to interrupt a private conversation, perhaps we can arrange to meet again, without the presence of a third party." " I'll go now, if Cynthia wants me to." " No, stay." "I want you to hear it." "I should have told her sooner." "Miss Kirkpatrick is referring to our engagement." "She promised long ago to be my wife." "Don't cry, Cynthia." "I don't believe a word he says." " It's true." " Don't cry." "Please don't cry." "You can't imagine how it distresses me." " Leave me alone." " Go away!" "Don't you see you make her worse." "Miss Gibson had better hear the whole truth." "We were to marry as soon as you were twenty." "You must have thought it strange we should meet in secret." "Now you know." "I don't know anything of the kind." "I know Cynthia is engaged to another, so you can hardly expect me to believe you." "Molly, I'm not engaged to Roger." "I have some letters that might convince Miss Gibson it's the truth;" "and Mr Roger Hamley, if he is the gentleman she's alluding to." " I'm happy to make it clear to Mr Gibson, too." " That's what you should do:" "Speak to my father like a gentleman and not make assignations in secret." "Let's go home now, Cynthia." "I never wanted it to be a secret." "Can you deny that it's only been at your request that I've kept this secret for so long?" "If you will have it out, yes." "When I was fifteen, you lent me money and made me promise to marry you." " Made you!" " "Made" wasn't the right word." "I liked you then." "I know you better now, and I'd never marry you." "I've done everything you've asked me to." "I've waited for years, I've put up with jealousy and neglect." "Cynthia, I've loved you, and I still love you." "I can't give you up." "If you keep your word and marry me, I swear I'll make you love me." "I wish I'd never borrowed that money." "I've scrimped and saved to give it back, and he won't take it." "He won't set me free." "You make it sound as if you sold yourself for twenty pounds." "I didn't sell myself." "I liked you then, but, oh, do I hate you now." "Molly, don't say any more just now." "Come to my room tonight and I'll tell you everything." "You'll blame me terribly, but I will tell you." "I was on my own all that summer." "Well, it was always like that." "As soon as the holidays came around, Mama was off to some great house or other." "Never seemed to care to take me with her." "I was used to him coming." "He and Mama were friends." "I believe that Mama thought..." "Well, I don't know about that." "Anyway, he was kind and sympathetic, I thought." "So, yes, I did like him then." "So this day, he found me in the deserted schoolroom." "The Donaldsons had invited me to a festival, and though Mama had said I could go, she hadn't said how I could get any money for the journey, and I'd grown out of all my old summer dresses." "We were always poor, you see... and yet we were never to speak of it because of the shame and the disgrace of it." "All that worry about money made me sick of my life." "All alone?" "Improving the shining hour, I see." "Mr Preston noticed I was sad, and I was grateful to him for kind words and sympathetic looks." "Tell me." "Little by little, he made me tell him all my troubles." "I do sometimes think he was very nice in those days." "He had twenty pounds in his pocket, he said." "He shouldn't want it for months, and I could repay it." "Mama knew I would need money, he said, and most likely assumed" "I should ask him for it." "So I took it." "I did so want to go and not be ashamed of my shabbiness." "It doesn't sound so very wrong, does it, Molly?" "No." "I went to the festival." "I think I looked pretty in my new clothes." "I saw other people thought so, too." "It was pleasant to feel my power." "Then, on the last day, he joined us." "I suppose he really did fall in love with me." "I don't think he'd done so before." "Well, the end of it was that he began to talk violent love to me, and he said the money should not be a debt, but an advance for when I should be his." "I don't quite know how, but I promised to marry him when I was twenty, but asked it stay a secret until then." "After, I wrote him some very silly letters, Molly, but it was all so long ago, and I did think I loved him then." "But somehow, as soon as I felt pledged to him, I started to hate him, and I've just never been able to extricate myself." "But how could you get engaged to Roger?" "Well, why not?" "I was free, I was free in my own heart." "I was touched by his love, so tender and unselfish, unlike Mr Preston's." "Oh, Molly, I know you feel I'm not good enough for Roger... and sometimes I think I'll give him up." "Sometimes I think I'll marry Robert Preston out of pure revenge, and then he'll be in MY power." "But I'd be the worst off for it, for he is cruel in his very soul." "Tigerish... with his beautiful striped skin and his relentless heart." "He says he will show my letters to your father, unless I acknowledge the engagement." "He shan't do that." "We won't let him do that." "I'm not afraid of him." "I'll ask him to give the letters back." " Let's see if he dares refuse me." " What if you were seen?" "Oh, Molly, you don't know him." "He has made so many appointments with me, as if he were going to take back the money." "Molly, I've had it saved up for four months now." "He says he's sure he can make me love him, and I think perhaps he could." "He could make me do anything... then I should really be lost." "I will get those letters for you." "We're in the right, he's in the wrong and he knows it." "He must give up those letters." "And you must never tell anyone about this, especially not your father." " I couldn't bear it if he knew." " As if I would, for any reason, short of..." "Not for any reason at all!" "I would leave Hollingford and never come back if he found out about this." " Promise me." " I promise." "Is Cynthia not able to come?" "I didn't know you were expecting her." "Yes, she said she would be here." "Well, she's sent me here to meet you." "She's told me exactly how things stand between you." "Has she?" "She isn't the most open or reliable person in the world." "If you really love her, you shouldn't speak of her in that way." "You have some letters of hers she wishes to have back..." " I dare say." "... that you have no right to keep." "No legal or no moral right?" "Which do you mean?" "You've none at all, as a gentleman, to keep a girl's letters when she asks for them." "Still less to hold them over her as a threat." "I see you do know all, Miss Gibson." "But you have heard the story from her point of view." "Now you must hear mine." "She promised me as solemnly as ever a woman did in this." "She was only a girl of fifteen." "She was old enough to know what she was doing." "She promised to be my wife, made me wait for her and to keep it secret." "I kept my promise." "I might've married two or three girls with money and connections." "One was handsome enough and not reluctant..." "I don't want to hear about other young ladies." "I'm here for Cynthia, who doesn't like you, and doesn't wish to marry you." "Then I must make her like me, as you put it." "She did like me once." "She loved me, and she'll love me again when we're married." "She won't ever marry you." "Then if she honours anyone else with her preference, he may read her letters." "No honourable man would!" "What use can they be to you?" "They contain her repeated promises of marriage." "But she doesn't love you - if she ever did - she hates you." "She says she would rather leave Hollingford forever and earn her own living than marry you." "Young ladies are very fond of words such as "hate" and "detest"." "I've known some who applied them to men they were secretly hoping to marry." "I can't say for others, but I do know Cynthia hates you as anybody like her hates." ""Like her"?" "I mean I should hate worse." "So, now would you mind sending her back the letters by me?" "I assure you, you cannot make her marry you." "You are very simple, Miss Gibson, aren't you?" "I don't suppose you know of any other feeling that can be gratified but love." "Have you never heard of revenge?" "She has cajoled me with promises of love, and I won't let her go unpunished." "Tell her that." "I shall keep the letters and make use of them as I see fit." "Mr Roger Hamley shall hear of their contents, even if he's too honourable to read them." "Your father shall hear of them and what Miss Kirkpatrick says about her mother in them." "Perhaps you'd care to read their contents yourself?" "No, I won't hear another word." "They were written to you, only to you, when she thought you were her friend." "But I have thought what to do next." "I should tell my father, but I promised not to, so I will tell Lady Harriet and ask her to speak to her father about it." "I'm sure she will, and I don't think you'll dare refuse Lord Cumnor." "Miss Gibson, consider your position." "Keep still, you must be seen." "You've done nothing to be ashamed of." "Good morning, Miss Gibson." "Your servant." "Bit early in the day to be meeting a sweetheart, eh, Preston?" "Yes, I'm afraid I've kept you standing here too long, Miss Gibson." "Good day." "Good day." "Sorry about that, Preston, disturbing your little tête-à-tête." "Oh, there'll be another time, I'm sure." "I don't doubt it." "He seemed to think he was fully engaged to you and the letters were the only proof he had." "I think he loves you... in his way." "And do you think he'll return them now?" "I don't know." "I was so happy when I first came here." "There, just as I expected." "Your Uncle Kirkpatrick would like you to stay with them again." "Cheer up poor Helen." " Can you go directly?" " I should love to." "And you'll be ready to go by the bang-up tonight?" "I'm summoned to London myself, to attend Lady Cumnor." "She's worse, I'm afraid." "Oh, poor Lady Cumnor." "What a shock!" "Thank goodness I've had my breakfast." "I wouldn't have been able to eat a thing." " What about your gowns, Cynthia?" " Oh, they're all right, Mama." "I shall be quite ready by 4 o'clock." "I hope you don't think I was glad to leave you." "It's just such a relief to get away from that man for a little while." "What did Roger say in his letter?" " Is he well?" "Has he quite got over his fever?" " Yes, quite." "Yes, he writes in very good spirits." "A great deal about birds and beasts and the habits of natives." "I think most of it was meant for you, Molly." "He knows I don't care for spiders and things." "Here!" "I'll trust you with this." "Don't read between here and here." "That's the silly part." "Would you write back for me?" "I shan't have time." "And shall I say you'll write as soon as you get to London?" "Yes, of course." "Well, as soon as I've settled in." "You'll write a much better letter than I could." " Cynthia, he wants to hear from you." " Does he?" "Yes, I suppose he does." " This packet came by hand, Miss Kirkpatrick." " Oh, thank you, Maria." "Molly, it's the letters." "Molly, you've saved my skin." "There he goes." "He is better than I believed him to be." "Now, there is just one more thing to be done, and if you would be my angel" " and do it for me?" " I can't do any more!" "It's just a very tiny little thing." "Just to return to him his money. £23." "That's with 5% added in, so he can't complain about anything, and..." "It's all wrapped up ready." "Look!" "I hate having these underhand dealings with him." "Underhand?" "Why, you might meet him by chance in a shop or in the street." "If you had it in your pocket, nothing could be easier." "Molly, I could go off with such a light heart if only I knew you could get it safely to him." "Goodbye, Molly." "Be a good girl." "Look after your mama." "Thank you, John." "Go on there." "I expect Mr Henderson will be there again." "Do you know that he was head over heels in love with Cynthia?" "And Mrs Kirkpatrick told me that last summer the poor man went all the way to Switzerland" " to try and forget her." "Imagine that!" " Poor man, indeed." "It's a pity she didn't tell them all she was engaged." " It is not an engagement." " What is it, then?" "They're more to each other than I am to Osborne, for example." "Molly." "You must never couple your name with that of a young man." "I mean... how am I to teach you delicacy, my dear?" "And, you know, between ourselves..." "I sometimes think that it will come to nothing with Roger Hamley." "He's so long away." "And, privately, Cynthia is not very constant." "And I once knew her very taken before." "Not with such a pleasing young man as Mr Henderson." " I hope you won't find it too dull on your own." " No, not at all." "Yes, you're just like me." "Never less alone than when alone, as one of our great authors has so justly expressed it." " Oh!" " Don't get up, Molly." "This call's not on you." "Though I am very pleased to see you." "Hoped I'd find your father here at lunch time." "He's gone to London with Cynthia." "He'll be back tomorrow evening." "Oh, I should have liked to see her again." "I wish to God Roger were at home." " Do you really think you are very ill?" " I don't know." "Sometimes I do." "Then at other times I think it's half fancy." "But I should like your father to tell me so." "Well, as Roger is so far away..." "And as I still haven't been able to tell my father about Aimée." "I want somebody else to know where she is." "In case..." "You know, in case something should happen." "I know I can trust you, Molly." "As I trust Roger." "You're like one of us." "I've written her address here." "Keep it safe." "And keep it to yourself." "I pray you may never need it." "I feel better already... now someone else knows the whereabouts of my wife and child." "Child?" "Miss Phoebe Browning." "Ooh, Mr Hamley." "I'm so sorry." "I came to ask Molly if she cared to walk into town with me, seeing as she's all alone today." "But now I see she's not." "Oh, dear, I was always malapropos from a child." "Not at all, Miss Phoebe." "In fact, I was just about to leave." "Goodbye." "Miss Phoebe." "Such a nice suitable thing, and I came in the midst and spoilt it all." "Miss Phoebe, you didn't spoil anything." "If you're imagining a love affair between Mr Osborne Hamley and me, you were never more mistaken in your life." " Please, just believe me." " Yes, if you say so." "I shan't tell any secrets." "Dear, dear, somehow sister got it into her head it was Mr Preston." "One guess is just as wrong as the other, I assure you." "Well, if you say so, Molly." "I've so many errands, I'm sure I shall forget one." "I know sister wanted me to call in at Grinstead's to see if they have a new edition of Mrs Heman's poems." "I wanted to go to Grinstead's, too." "I've ordered a book about scarabs." " Scarabs, indeed." "What on earth are scarabs?" " Beetles." "Well, fancy anyone wanting to write a book about beetles, or read one." "The new Sir Walter Scott should arrive next week." " Should I put one aside for you, Miss Gibson?" " That would be very kind." "Thank you." "Will there be anything else, Miss Gibson?" "No, not today." "Thank you." "I'm just going over to Johnson's, Molly." "You can come and find me there." "Yes, I shan't be a minute." "Here we are, Miss Gibson." "All parcelled." "Miss Gibson?" " Thank you." " Thank you." "Mrs Goodwin, good day." "Good afternoon." "No one can say I didn't please my husbands." "Both of them." "Poor Jeremy was tickler in his tastes than poor Harry Beaver." " There, ooh!" " Oh!" " I can't help it." "I've no more hearts." " Oh, never mind, Miss Phoebe." "And talking of marriage," "I could tell you of a girl we're all fond of who's on the high road to matrimony, going at dusk to meet her sweetheart just as if she was a scullery maid." "I suppose you mean Miss Gibson and Mr Preston." "Well, now, who told you that?" "You can't say as I did." "Oh, no, indeed!" "But my Uncle Sheepshanks came upon them at dawn in the park avenue." " Oooph." " Oh, well." "Now, there's no harm in saying that I saw her pass him a note in Grinstead's Bookshop." "Oh, he looked at me black as thunder as if to say, "You dare tell my secrets abroad"." " But I'm not afraid of him." " It looks very bad for Miss Gibson." "Not if the banns are read soon and all's done right and proper." "Some folk like to do their courting clandestine-like." "Though I'm surprised at it in Molly Gibson." "I would have thought it was more like that pretty piece Cynthia." "But I wouldn't want to do Mr Gibson's girl a bad turn, so I think we had better keep it a secret" " till we see how it turns out." " Oh, yes, indeed, Mrs Goodenough." "I'm sure she's a good girl really." "Phoebe!" "Whatever's the matter?" "Oh, Sally." "Molly Gibson has lost her character." "And it is Mr Preston after all." "Molly Gibson has lost her character?" "Molly Gibson has done no such thing!" "How dare you repeat such stories?" "I can't help it." "Mrs Dawes says it's all over town that Molly and Mr Preston are keeping company as if she were a maidservant and he was a gardener, meeting at all different sorts of places, slipping letters into each other's hands!" " Control yourself, Phoebe!" " And the whole town is talking about it!" "And crying shame and saying they ought to be married..." "You shouldn't have done that, Sally." "If I ever hear you say such things again, I shall turn you out of the house." "I don't believe it." "I won't believe it." "Not my little Molly." "But you must believe it, Mr Gibson." "It's sorely against my will that I have been convinced, but I have." " And I thought you should know." " As it was, I should thank you." "But I can't." "I don't want your thanks." "I just thought I should do what's right." "I only wish I could meet that man and whip him to within an inch of his life." "And that I had the doctoring of those slanderous gossips." "I'd make their tongues lie still awhile." "My little girl!" "What harm has she done them all that they should foul her good name?" "Whether the story be true or false, I shall always love Molly" " for her mother's sake." " You ought to love her for her own." "She's done nothing to disgrace herself." "I'm sure of it." "Shut the door." "Come here." "What is it?" "Is it Osborne?" "Have you been keeping up a secret relationship with Mr Preston?" "Meeting him in out-of-the-way places?" "Exchanging letters?" " Answer me!" " Ow!" " Look!" " Never mind that." "Answer my question." " Have you met that man in private?" " Yes, I have, but I don't think it was wrong." "Not wrong?" "Well, I must bear it somehow." "It's true, then?" "Father, I can't tell you everything." "It's not my secret, or I'd tell you straight away." "You must trust me." "I've never deceived you, have I?" "How can I tell?" "The whole town is talking of you." " What business is it of theirs?" " Everyone makes it their business when a girl neglects the commonest rules of modesty." "But I haven't." "How can you believe that?" "I will tell you exactly what I have done." "I met Mr Preston once with another person." "I met him a second time, by appointment in the Towers park, and that is all." "And the letters?" "I gave him one letter, which I didn't write, in Grindstead's Bookshop." "And that is all!" "Truly!" "There was never anything between me and him, and I need never speak to him again." "Very well." "I believe you." "You imply that you were acting for another." "And, of course, I guess it was Cynthia." "You must tell me everything in full." "These rumours must be refuted point by point." "No!" "You mustn't." "I have told you all I can and it's all over and done with now." "Not your share in it, Molly." "You don't know how slight a thing can blacken a girl's reputation for life." "Am I to do nothing to contradict these slanders?" "Am I to go around smiling and content while people spread lies about me and mine..." "I'm afraid you must, Papa." "And it will die away after a time when nothing comes of it." "And, please, don't accuse Cynthia." "You'll drive her away." "Oh, Molly!" "Molly, how shall you bear it?" "I don't know." "It's like... tooth-drawing, I suppose." "It'll be over some time." "Oh, Papa, you're not angry with me now, are you?" "Oh, get out of my way." "If I'm not angry with you, I ought to be." "You caused a very great deal of worry, which won't be over yet awhile, I can tell you." "Get away with you." "You'll see if I'm not right." "I am surprised to see Molly Gibson here tonight." "Indeed." "It does make it so awkward for everyone else." "How much is twice eighteen?" "Thirty?" " Thirty-six." " Ah!" "So!" "Molly Gibson is to marry Mr Preston." "Is she, indeed?" "Are you sure you've got it right, Papa?" "Well, you know." "They've been caught meeting in the park." "And corresponding." "All sorts of things that are likely to end in marriage." "Molly Gibson?" "I don't believe it." "I wonder what Clare could be doing to allow such goings on." "I think it's more likely that Clare's own daughter is the real heroine of this story." "Really, Harriet." "I can't understand what makes you take such an interest in these petty Hollingford affairs." "Oh, Mama!" "It's only tit for tat." "They take the keenest interest in ours." "And I like Molly Gibson." "And I do not like Mr Preston." "And I shall be very glad indeed to find there's no truth in it." "I'm sorry I said anything about it now." "I'll try and find a more agreeable piece of news." "Old Margery at the Lodge is dead." "Good day, my Lord." "I wanted to ask you about that pasture land, Preston." "If I might suggest, my Lord..." "Before you do that, Father, there is something I should like to ask Mr Preston about." "Of course, Lady Harriet." "I shall be happy to oblige you." "We have heard reports about Miss Gibson and you." " I ought to congratulate you on an engagement." " No." "No, I am not so fortunate." "Then, sir, are you aware of the injury you may do to a young lady's reputation if you meet her and detain her in conversation when she's unaccompanied?" "You give rise..." "You have given rise to scandal, sir." "I say, steady on, Harriet." "Let the man explain himself." "My Lord, Lady Harriet forces me to acknowledge - it's not pleasant to own it - that I am a jilted man, jilted by Miss Kirkpatrick after a long engagement." "Miss Gibson was, I believe, the instigator." "She was certainly the agent of this last step of Miss Kirkpatrick's." "I hope that satisfies your Ladyship's curiosity." "Harriet, my dear, we have no right to pry into Mr Preston's private affairs." "Indeed, we have not." "But he will understand that I was anxious for my friend Miss Gibson." "Thank you, Mr Preston." "You have set my mind at rest." " I'm truly obliged to you." " Thank you." "My Lady." "Now, let's see what we can do." "Oh, Lady Harriet!" " What a pleasant surprise!" " Clare." "Mother would like you to pay her a visit tomorrow." "And if Molly can be spared..." "Miss Gibson, would you be good enough to walk into town with me?" " My Lady!" " Lady Harriet!" "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "Not so chilly today." "Now, Miss Gibson, I need your advice on a little present for my brother." "Edward is so difficult to buy for, but I'm sure you can help me." "He so admired you at the Hollingford Ball." "Said you were quite the best-read young woman he's met." "My compliments to the Miss Brownings." "But I never leave cards, Lady Harriet." "Never mind." "Today you shall do everything properly." "Now, Miss Gibson, you must come out to the Towers for a long day." "Papa will send the carriage for you whenever you wish." "Lady Harriet herself!" "Well, that was a good day's work, I think." "You're home!" " Did you do it?" " Yes, it's done." "Molly, look!" "Oh, they're lovely." "I think you should know we're not best pleased with Cynthia just now." "Why?" "What's the matter?" "Ooh, Mr Henderson offered to me while I was in London and, well, I refused him." "Such a fine young man and such a gentleman." "Do you forget I've promised to marry Roger Hamley?" "Yes, but you must have known that you might change your mind." "Yes, well, I haven't changed my mind." "I'm going to marry Roger and there's an end to it." "I shan't be spoken to about it any more." "Oh, marry Roger, yes, that's all very fine." "But who's going to guarantee his coming back alive?" "And what are they going to marry on?" "That's what I'd like to know." "Mr Henderson is a very suitable match for Cynthia." "And that is what I will say to Lady Cumnor tomorrow." "I don't think you should mention it to Lady Cumnor, Mama." "Molly, I know you mean it kindly, dear, but don't let one walk into town with Lady Harriet go to your head." "I think I'm quite capable of deciding what I should or shouldn't say to Lady Cumnor." "Now, Clare, when I think a thing, I say it out." "I don't beat about the bush." "You have spoiled that girl of yours until she does not know her own mind." "She has behaved abominably to Mr Preston." "And it is all in consequence of the faults in her education." "You have much to answer for." "Cynthia?" " And Mr Preston?" " What?" "Clare!" "Do you mean to say that you were not aware that your daughter has been engaged to Mr Preston for some time?" "Years, I believe." "Mr Preston did not want it spoken of." "And has at last chosen to break it off." "To be a "Jilting Jessy", as we used to say." "She has used the Gibson girl as a cat's-paw and made her and herself the butt of all the gossip in Hollingford." "Oh, Cynthia." "I little thought when you were born how I would have to bear to hear you spoken about." " What's the matter?" " You, you are the matter!" "I have just had to hear from Lady Cumnor, of all people, that you have gone and engaged yourself to Mr Preston and now refuse to marry him." "And they call this jilting." "And they tell me that you are the talk of all Hollingford." "But do you wish me to marry Mr Preston, Mama?" "No, of course I don't." "But you have gone and entangled yourself with Roger Hamley, a very worthy young man, I dare say." "Entangled yourself with him and the same sort of thing with Mr Preston." "And got yourself into an imbroglio, and now I am being blamed for your misconduct." "And I find it very hard." "Is this true, Cynthia?" " Molly knows it all." " Yes, I know that." "And that she has had to bear gossip and slander for your sake," " but she refused to tell me more." " She told you that much, did she?" " I couldn't help it." " Why did you have to speak of it at all?" "Because her reputation was attacked for your misconduct and I demanded an explanation." "There's no need to be ungenerous because you've been a flirt and a jilt." "You say that of me, Mr Gibson, not knowing what the circumstances are?" "!" "Papa, if you knew everything, you wouldn't speak so to Cynthia." "I wish you could hear all she has told me." "I am very ready to hear whatever she has to say." "No!" "No, you have prejudged me." "You've spoken to me as you had no right to speak." "I refuse to give you my confidence or accept your help." "People are very cruel to me." "I didn't think you would have been but I can bear it!" "Cynthia!" "Oh, Papa!" "I think you have been, Mr Gibson, very, very unkind to my poor, fatherless daughter." "And I only wish that her own father was alive, then none of this would have happened." "Aye, very probably." "I have sheltered Cynthia." "I have loved her almost as if she were my own." "Oh, Molly, just go away and leave me alone!" "You don't treat her as though she's your own child." "I wish you both to know that I've written to Roger to break off our engagement." "Oh, Cynthia." "It'll break his heart." "No, I don't think it will." "But... even if it did, I couldn't help it." "I don't think we could have made each other very happy." "I'm going to tell your father now." "I wanted you to know the truth because otherwise you might think the worse of me than I really deserve." "And I couldn't bear that." "And I couldn't bear Roger to know about me and Mr Preston and have to beg for his forgiveness." "Oh, come." "You've acted foolishly at first and perhaps wrongly afterwards, but you don't want your husband to find you faultless?" "Yes." "Yes, I do." "I won't stand before him like a child to be admonished and forgiven." "But here you are in just such a position before me." "Oh, yes, well, I love you much more than I love Roger." "I've often told Molly so." "I have determined that I must go away and leave Hollingford forever, to be a governess." "In Russia, if it comes to that." "I can't bear knowing that everybody is talking about me and judging me." "Because they will." "I mean, even you and Molly." "You see, Mr Gibson, I will always want admiration and worship." "And men's good opinion." "Are you saying that you don't love Roger?" "No, I don't." "Well, not as I should." "Well, then I believe it is right that you break it off." "That poor lad." "It's all done." "I told him everything." "Was it very bad?" "Uh, not in the end." "I think he understood." "Oh, dear." "I do think life is very dreary." "Oh, well." "Roger will marry you, Molly." "I mean, you'd suit him much better than I would." "Cynthia, don't." "Your husband this morning and mine tonight?" "What do you take him for?" "A man." "If you won't let me call him "changeable"," "I'll call him "consolable"." "Morning, Mr Osborne, sir." " Is the Master here?" " No." "He went out early." "Oh, dear." "There's a man come from Hamley Hall and he says Mr Osborne is dead." "The doctor's gone out." "He's dead?" "Agnes!" " Do you know where Papa is?" " What's the matter, dear?" " Agnes!" "Agnes!" " Don't shout, dear." "Ring the bell." " What is the matter, dear?" " Osborne Hamley is dead." "Oh, dear!" "Poor young man." "But why the fuss to fetch your father?" "It's not as if he can do anything if Osborne's dead." "I'm going there now." "I'll put the side-saddle on Nora." "I can't bear to think of the Squire there alone." "Molly, Molly, what are you about?" "The Squire won't want you there, dear." "Go on!" "Go on!" "He's in the old nursery, miss." "Won't you eat a little?" "He... will... never... eat again." "He's gone to bed." "He asked if I'd let you stay." "I should get you home." "You're done in." "I wish to stay." "Do you?" "How will you manage?" "I can manage, Papa." "You're a good girl." "I'll be back tomorrow." "Sleep now." "I beg your pardon." "I didn't see you there." " I broke your sleep?" " No, no, it doesn't matter." "Shall I ring for Robinson?" " You should take some breakfast." " I'm brought very low, Molly." "I suppose it's God's doing, but it comes down very hard upon me." "He was my first-born child, you know." "I do try to say "God's will be done", but it's harder to be resigned than happy people think." "But of late years we weren't..." "We weren't such good friends as we would wish to be and..." "I wasn't sure..." "I wasn't sure he knew that... how much I loved him." "There's something I know that I think I must tell you." "Osborne had a wife." "A wife?" "Osborne married...?" "Well, tell me everything." "He said his wife was a good woman and he loved her very dearly, but she was French and a Roman Catholic." "And she'd been a servant once." "And he gave me her address in case..." "He never told me." "Well, well, all that's past now." "All dead and gone." "We'll not blame him." "But I wish he had..." "He and I to live together, one of us holding such a secret." "There is something else you should know." " There's a child." " A child?" "!" "Husband and father and I didn't know." "God bless it." "God bless Osborne's child." "He had a wife, Gibson." "Osborne had a wife and child." "And he never told me." "You're becoming a very surprising young woman." "Knowing so much and telling so little all this time." " I never wanted to have secrets from you." " I know that, Goosey." "Someone must write to the wife." "We shouldn't say that he's dead, just that he's very ill." " Let her get used to the idea gradually." " I'll do it." "He confided in me." "Did the Squire say anything about Roger and Cynthia?" "No." "He doesn't know yet." "I saw her letter unopened in the hall." "I dare say he'll bear that a good deal better than Roger will." "He'll get the news about Osborne and Cynthia's letter at the same time." "To think of it all being so sudden at last, and so provoking." "Just as Cynthia had given up Roger." "If only you had waited one day, dear." "I'm not sure I know what you mean, Mama." " Why, that Roger is heir now, of course." " Oh, Mama, please!" "I hate to think of these things in a mercenary spirit, but it is so provocative." "I mean, to see you throwing over two good matches." "First Mr Henderson and now Roger Hamley." "You are not in full possession of the facts." "It would appear that Osborne was secretly married, and had fathered a child." " Boy or girl?" " It's not yet known." "Oh, but Osborne married?" "But he was so young and boyish." "Oh, what a deceit!" "He might have broken your heart, or Molly's." "No, I'm sorry." "I can't forgive him even though he is dead, poor fellow." "I think it's possible that his marriage was not contracted with the express intention of deceiving either you or the girls, my dear." "But if there is a son then he'll be the heir." "So Roger will be just as poorly off as ever, so maybe it's just as well you did write to break it off, darling." "Though you can hardly take any credit for it." "It's true." "Osborne Hamley to Marie-Aimée Scherer." "Parish church and witnessed and..." "Oh, dear..." "He was afraid of me." "Afraid." "It made him keep it all to himself." "And care killed him." "Oh, my lad, my lad." "I know better now, but it's... all too late." "It's too late." "Look." "It's a baby's birth certificate." "Roger Stephen Osborne Hamley." "A boy, a boy." "Yes, that's it." "My little grandson I never knew about." "Roger." "No, he should be called Osborne." "There's a Roger already in the house." "Well, there's two, but one's a good-for-nothing old man." "No, we'll call him Osborne and we'll take him here, Molly." "And we'll get a nurse for him and we'll... make sure his mother's comfortable in her own country." "And this little lad shall never hear a cross word." "Osborne, Osborne..." "Do you know now how much I loved you, my boy?" "Squire Hamley..." "Do you not think that Osborne's widow would be very reluctant to part with her little boy?" "I never would... however poor I was." "That's you, you see." "She's a foreigner." "Better off with her own folk in her own country." "Lawyers will arrange it all." "I'll get someone to collect the lad and bring him back here." "I don't want to see the girl." ""And he looks at your picture every day." ""Et il dit en anglais... " And he says in English..." ""'Papa come'." "Et 'J'espère' and..." ""And I hope, too, that Papa will come as soon as he can..." ""to see his loving Aimée."" "And that's where he was going." "And I never thought it." "Who's that now?" "Please, can I see Mr Osborne Hamley?" "He is ill, I know, but..." "I am his wife." "Ahh..." "Wait there a moment, miss." "What is it?" "What is it?" "Don't keep it from me." "I can bear it." "Is it Roger?" "You are Molly?" "You write me the letter?" "Can I see him?" "Well, is he very ill?" "There now, lad." "I've got you." "S'il vous plaît..." "She's not like a Frenchwoman, is she, Molly?" "I don't know." "I don't know what Frenchwomen are like." "Poor thing." "Looks like a gentlewoman." "All but her hands." " How do you think she is, Molly?" " I don't know." " I fear it's broken her heart." " Nay, nay." "It's not that easy to break your heart." "Sometimes I wish it were." "No, we have to go on living all the appointed days, as it says in the Bible." "He's a jolly little chap." "He's a proper hand, he is." "Now, shall we show the doctor, eh?" "We'll show the doctor how you smoke your grandad's pipe." "Oh, I hope very much that he will not!" "A little puff won't do him any harm." "Now, where's the nurse?" "Now, you go with your nurse and we'll have some rare fun when this gentleman's gone home, eh?" "There's me chappie." " Bye." " Bye bye." "Robinson, pour Gibson some more wine." "Robinson has to keep out of the way." "The little chap's taken a strong dislike to his big red nose." "So, how do you find her, Gibson?" "Getting stronger every day, I reckon." "She'll be able to leave here soon, eh?" " To go where?" " Well, back to her own people." "Molly tells me she has no family or friends left." "I dare say something can be arranged." "I think if you want the child, you'll have to take the mother, too." " Wait and see what Roger says." " Yes, he'll know what to do." " Meanwhile, I need my own child at home." " Why, what's the matter?" "I just want her at home under my own eye." "She's been overtaxing her strength here, I think." "She needs a bit of cossetting herself." "Aye, I think on her like a child of mine, not a stranger." "I dare say I have come hard upon her." "Aye, let her go home." "My Roger'll be home soon." "Ah!" "Now, where's that little chap of mine?" "I'm coming to get you." "Where is he?" "What lovely flowers!" "Yes, aren't they?" "They came from the Hall this morning." " The Hall?" " Yes." "Roger is home." "Roger is home?" "Have you seen him?" "Yes, late last evening." " How does he look?" " Very well." "Brown as a berry and with a fine growth of a beard." "A beard?" "Oh, I do so dislike that sort of affectation in a young man." "I would never permit Mr Kirkpatrick to grow one." "Did he say anything about coming to see us?" "Well, I think he might find that a little awkward just now." "But I hope he'll find his way here in time." "Now, I must be off." "Good day to you." "Well, I don't see there need be any awkwardness on my account." "I do hope he doesn't choose tomorrow to pay his respects, though." "I've had a letter from Mr Henderson." "He says he's visiting this part of the country" " and hopes to pass through here tomorrow." " Mr Henderson?" "Oh, precious child, are we to congratulate you?" " Oh, no." " But he has offered?" "Or he intends to offer at least, I am sure." "Well, yes, I suppose he has offered." "Oh, and shall you accept?" "Oh, Cynthia, darling." "Do say yes." "Say yes and make me happy." "And Lady Cumnor, she will view the match most favourably, I am sure." "I haven't made my mind up yet." "And I shan't say yes to please anybody but myself." "Molly." " This is Mr Henderson." " How do you do." "I've heard a great deal about you, Miss Gibson, and I hope we shall be very good friends." "Thank you." "Well, you go on." "I want to speak to Molly just now, not you." "So, what do you think?" "Well, do you really like him enough to marry him?" "I think so." "I told him I wasn't very constant and he said he liked me just the way I was, so..." "You see, he's been fairly warned." "I think he's a little bit afraid, though." "He wants us to be married very soon." "I'm very pleased, Miss Kirkpatrick, that you are going to make a creditable marriage." "I hope it will efface your former errors of conduct, and that you will live to be a comfort to your mother." " I understand that Mr Anderson..." " Er, Henderson." "...is in the law." "Although there is a general prejudice against attorneys," "I have known of two or three who were very respectable men, and it may well be that your Mr..." "Henderson is one of them." "Well, he is a barrister, not an attorney." "Yes, yes, there is no need for you to speak so loud, my dear." "And when you have been a little in society, you will understand that it is bad manners to interrupt." "Now..." " What was I going to say, Harriet?" " About the house party." "Oh, yes, that was it." "Hollingford has invited half the Geographical Society and I don't know who else besides to the Towers." "I've never known him to take any interest in party-giving before." "The house will be quite full." " Mmm, how delightful!" " It's all in honour of Mr Roger Hamley, the famous traveller and man of science." "It seems the whole world wants to meet him." "I was wondering if you could spare Miss Gibson." "Harriet has a great fancy to have her there, too." "Yes." " Yes, yes, I suppose so, yes." " Good." "So, that's settled, then." "Engaged to a lawyer now." "Little baggage." "Like or not she'lljilt him, too." "You're well out of that, my boy." "Don't say anything against her, Father." " Don't forget how once I loved her." " Once?" "Not any more?" "I could tell from her letters her heart wasn't really in it." "But I wouldn't let myself believe in it." "It wasn't really her I loved, I think." "It was a notion of her I dreamed up myself." " A kind of hypothetical Cynthia that never was." " Hmm." "It's a bit deep for me, that." "Pretty little thing, though." "No denying it." "There'll be fine ladies enough at the Towers, no doubt." "You know what I think was a strange thing?" "How both you boys picked out girls below you in rank and family, yet neither of you set your fancies on little Molly Gibson." "Now, there's a lassie who's found a way to my heart." "Molly's like a sister to me." "Now, Molly, as you are far and away the prettiest girl of the party," "I'm afraid you might be pestered, so I've detailed my cousin Charles to act as your sheepdog and stand guard over you." "Mama, I'm sure you remember Miss Gibson." "Miss Gibson." "How charming you look." "Are you going to be dancing this evening?" "I hope you enjoy yourself." "Now, let me introduce you to my cousin Charles Morton." "Miss Gibson." "Excuse me." "Do you know our guest of honour, Miss Gibson?" "Yes, he's a very old friend." " Really." "Is he very awe-inspiring?" " No, not at all." "He's very kind and not at all like anyone else I know." "He gave me a wasps' nest as a present once." "Miss Gibson, you astonish me." " Here we are." " Thank you." " How are you, Molly?" " I'm very well." "I wondered if I'd recognise you." "Papa said you had a beard." "Oh, no, I don't." " Mr Hamley." " Yes?" "Were the natives not dangerous?" "One hears such stories." "Do they really eat each other?" "Only rarely." "The flesh of the European is considered the real delicacy." " Oh." " Especially the females." "Open season all year round on missionaries, eh, Hamley?" "Sir Charles, excuse me." "How do you think my little protégeé is getting on, Mr Hamley?" "Very well." "She seems just the same." "And yet completely different somehow." "Good." "I've hardly had a chance to speak to her." "I didn't realise she was going to be here." "Who's the gentleman with her?" "Sir Charles Morton, my cousin." " Oh." " Ah, Hamley, I need you over here." "Molly..." "Roger." "How nice." "I've been trying to get to talk to you." "I know." "I've been unlucky." "Sir Charles Morton..." "Have you known him long?" "No, not long at all." "Lady Harriet told him to take care of me, and... he does everything she tells him." "Oh, I see." "It seems so long since I saw you." "Yes." "I know how deeply we are indebted to you." "My father told me you were like a true daughter to him at that worst time." "You helped him to bear it more than anyone else could have." "I can't tell you how good it is to see you again, Molly." "Yes." "Your letters meant so much to me when I was in Africa." "I think you took much more pains with them than Cynthia did with hers." "It's all right." "I can speak of her, Molly." "It's over." "For me as well." "We both made a mistake, I think." "My father's very angry with you." "Angry with me?" "Only because you came here instead of to us at Hamley." "Oh, well, Lady Harriet wanted me, and..." "I don't quite know why, but there's no refusing her." "Then will you come and stay at the Hall before I go away to Africa again?" "Aimée has been asking for you, too." "May I tell my father you'll come next week?" "Yes, I should like to very much." "Thank you." "You don't know what a pleasure it will give him." "Give us." "Will I see you later?" "Yes." "Of course." "Very satisfactory." " Sorry, Harriet, don't follow." " Don't you think that your protége and my favourite young woman are finding out each other's good qualities?" "Roger Hamley has more to think about." "Molly Gibson's a very pretty, good little country girl, but Roger Hamley has a glittering career ahead of him." "If she's trying to trap him into marriage, it'll be a disaster." "I'm surprised you invited her if that's her game." "But of course you must go to Hamley Hall." "As I shall be in London choosing Cynthia's trousseau, it's a very convenient opportunity to have you out of the house for a few days." "Of course, Molly, I do understand your reservations." " Of course I do." " Do you?" "Well, yes, of course I do." "I mean, you don't feel comfortable associating with a Frenchwoman of doubtful rank" " and, well, I think you're quite right." " Oh, it isn't that." "Well, what is it, then, I pray?" "Mrs Goodenough may say you're setting your cap at Roger Hamley, but what business is it of hers or, indeed, of anyone else's?" "You know how to conduct yourself with propriety, even if others don't, and I have never had the slightest concern about you on that score." "Though if you were a little more forthcoming, it might not be a bad thing." "It didn't do Cynthia any harm in the end, did it, dear?" "Molly..." "It's so good to have you back here." "Aimée!" " You look so well now." " I'm so happy to see you." "And I you." "So you can come a-visiting, though you've been up with the grand folks." "We thought you was going to cut us, Miss Molly, now you was up at the Towers." "They asked me and I went." "And now you've asked me and I've come here." " Oh, and which do you prefer, then?" " I don't think I should answer that." " Hoity-toity, eh?" " Here, of course." "What's the matter, little chap?" "You off your food?" "Come here." "Ah, now, sit here." "Sit on your grandad's lap." "Don't you like Roger?" "He's so good and kind to me." "Yes, he's always been good and kind to me as well." "I think he likes you very much." "We used to be like brother and sister." "No, I don't think so." "Oh, no, you don't understand." "He was engaged to my sister - my step-sister." "He made a mistake, I think." "No." "I wish you wouldn't speak about it any more, Aimée." "Molly!" "It's the new stuff I had sent on from Africa." "Why don't you come and have a look?" " I thought you'd be interested." " I am interested." " Of course I am." " Come on, then." "That's the one you did a drawing of." "You remembered it?" "Of course I remembered it." "I remember everything you wrote in your letters." "How could you think I wouldn't?" "Then..." "I've hurt you." "Tell me what the matter is." "You're ill, aren't you?" " Have I upset you?" " No..." "No." "You don't understand..." "I don't see why you don't put up for her still." "Don't you think you could like her if you tried?" "No need for trying to love her." "That's already done." "But it's too late." "It's too late." "She's as good as told me so." "It's my own fault." "There's nothing to be done." "That's nonsense, my lad." "That's not the way to go about it." "You made a mistake before." "She won't hold it against you forever." "Just tell her you love her." "If she won't have you now, then wait a while and ask her again." "And don't give up trying till you've made her safe." " You don't understand, Father." " I understand a deal more than you think I understand." "So, how's my little chap, then?" "Not well, I'm afraid." "Scarlet fever." "Molly will have to leave the house at once." " She hasn't had it, you see." " Mummy." "I gathered these for you to take home with you." "Thank you." "You are kind." "Molly, tell me." "Have I done something to vex you?" "Since you were so happy at the Towers." "No." "No, you never vexed me in my whole life, Roger." "Then, will you give me back one of those flowers?" "As a pledge of what you've just said?" "Of course." "You take whichever you like." "No." "You must choose." "Please, Squire Hamley, do you know which is Roger's favourite flower?" "No." "A rose, I dare say." "You'll come back directly, won't you, Gibson?" "Certainly." "Here, Roger." "Goodbye, Molly." "We must stop up all intercourse with the Hall for a time." "If there's one illness I dread, it's this." "That's right, little chap." "Yes, he'll do." " I apprehend no immediate anxiety." " Mama." "Oh, thank you, Mr Gibson." "But it's still highly contagious, even to adults." "Don't come in here without me until I tell you that it's safe to do so." "You know I set off on Tuesday, Mr Gibson." "As soon as that?" "May I come to the house before I go?" "I won't run the risk of infection, if you don't mind." "Then I won't see Molly again." "So that's how it is." "Yes." "I know what you must be thinking." "I only wish you could know what a different feeling this is to my boyish love for Cynthia." "I could beat myself for having been such a blind fool." "Come, come, Cynthia wasn't that bad." "I dare say Molly despises me, but I must ask for a chance." "Do you think she could be brought to listen to me?" "I don't know." "I can't tell." "Women are queer, unreasoning creatures, and just as likely as not to love a man who's been throwing his affection away." "Thank you, sir." "I see you mean to give me encouragement." "My encouragement is neither here nor there, but if she can stomach you, I dare say I can." "Then may I see her just once before I go?" "No, decidedly not." "And there I come in as a doctor as well as a father." "No." "Very well." "Then, if I don't come back, I shall haunt you for having been so cruel." "Come, I like that." "Give me a wise man of science in love." "No one to beat him for folly." "Goodbye, now." "Lover versus father." "Lover wins." "Oh, such a gloomy day." "I really do think that Cynthia should have written to me first after all the trouble that I took over her trousseau." "Molly." "Molly, look." "Who's that man wrapped in a cloak there?" "By the park wall, under the beech tree." "He's been there for half an hour." "He's been looking at this house all the time." "I think it's very suspicious." "Why, it's Roger." "Look, he's waving." "He's kissing his hand to us." "He's saying goodbye." "Oh, how romantic." "It reminds me of my former days." "Goodbye, goodbye." "Oh, he'll be late for the coach." "I must send him on his way." "Upon my word, this little attention of Roger's has reminded me most forcibly of a very charming young man I used to know:" "Lieutenant Harper." "He was devoted to me when I was 17 and at Mrs Duncombe's." "And when the regiment was ordered to another town, poor Lieutenant Harper, do you know... he came and stood opposite the schoolroom window for nearly half an hour." "Molly?" "Where are you going?" "Oh, I say, you'll be wet up there." "I couldn't go." "I couldn't go without..." "Molly, do I still have any chance with you?" "Yes." "I've been such a fool Yes?" "Yes." "There was so much I'd prepared to say to you." "How I should have seen it was you that I truly loved even before..." " You mean it?" " Yes." "I mustn't come any closer." "I promised your father." "Yes, I know." "Molly." "Dear Molly." "Will you be my wife?" "Yes." "Yes, I will." "Yes." "I'd hoped to see her dressed a bit grander now she's a fine lady and mistress of Hamley Hall." "Our Molly looks nice in whatever she puts on, and there's no airs and graces about her." "Not like some." "We always knew Roger Hamley loved our Molly." "We knew no such thing, Phoebe." "Well, he rode seven miles to bring her a wasps' nest and you don't do that for no reason." "Lady Cumnor, this is the young master." "Oh, he's a fine boy." "Quite a credit to his mother." "Come say hello to Uncle Roger." "Where is he?" "There's Roger." " Hey!" " Hurrah!" "Hurrah!" "Hurrah!" "Bravo!" "Comment ça va, mon brave?" "So, off to Africa again, Hollingford tells me." "Must be pretty good at the lingo by now, what?" "And what does that mean when it's at home?" ""Man learns what he needs to know."" "Really?" "Oh, well, that's very edifying." "I can't help but think it was such a pity I was born when I was." "I should like to belong to this generation." "I sometimes feel like that myself." "So many advances in science." "I'd like to see where they all lead." "And to be in Roger's shoes, that would be something." "To tell the truth, I was thinking of Cynthia." "I was quite as pretty as she as a girl and now look at the difference." "I have to live in a small country town with only five servants, while she lives in Sussex Place, keeps a brougham and I don't know what." "I only hope she won't be spoilt by it." "Riches are a great snare, you know." "Be thankful you are spared temptation, my dear." "Well, what do you say now?" " Was I not right?" " Absolutely right." "And I was absolutely wrong." "Remarkable." "Oh, it's not remarkable at all." "You men concern yourselves with the eternal verities." "We women are content to ponder the petty things in life."