Mamma was tired, and stopped in-doors, so they got on very well, and saw a great deal of each other.' 'And my little girl trotted behind?' 'Oh, yes.You know I was almost at home, and besides - of course -- ' Molly went very red, and left the sentence unfinished.'Do you think she's worthy of him?' asked her father, just as if she had completed her speech.'Of Roger, papa? oh, who is? But she is very sweet, and very, very charming.' 'Very charming if you will, but somehow I don't quite understand her.Why does she want all this secrecy? Why was she not more eager to go and pay her duty to Roger's father? She took it as coolly as if I'd asked her to go to church!' 'I don't think she did take it coolly; I believe I don't quite understand her either, but I love her dearly all the same.' 'Umph; I like to understand people thoroughly, but I know it's not necessary to women.D'ye really think she's worthy of him?' 'Oh, papa - ' said Molly, and then she stopped; she wanted to speak in favour of Cynthia, but somehow she could form no reply that pleased her to this repeated inquiry.He did not seem much to care if he got an answer or not, for he went on with his own thoughts, and the result was that he asked Molly if Cynthia had heard from Roger.'Yes; on Wednesday morning.' 'Did she show it to you? But of course not.Besides, I read the squire's letter, which told all about him.' Now Cynthia, rather to Molly's surprise, had told her that she might read the letter if she liked, and Molly had shrunk from availing herself of the permission, for Roger's sake.She thought that he would probably have poured out his heart to the one sole person, and that it was not fair to listen, as it were, to his confidences.'Was Osborne at home?' asked Mr Gibson.'The squire said he did not think he would have come back; but the young fellow is so uncertain -- ' 'No, he was still from home.' Then Molly blushed all over crimson, for it suddenly struck her that Osborne was probably with his wife - that mysterious wife, of whose existence she was cognizant, but of whom she knew so little, and of whom her father knew nothing, Mr Gibson noticed the blush with anxiety.
What did it mean? It was troublesome enough to find that one of the squire's precious sons had fallen in love within the prohibited ranks; and what would not have to be said and done if anything fresh were to come out between Osborne and Molly? He spoke out at once to relieve himself of this new apprehension.'Molly, I was taken by surprise by this affair between Cynthia and Roger Hamley - if there's anything more on the tapis let me know at once, honestly and openly.I know it's an awkward question for you to reply to;but I would not ask it unless I had good reasons.' He took her hand as he spoke.She looked up at him with clear, truthful eyes which filled with tears as she spoke.She did not know why the tears came; perhaps it was because she was not so strong as formerly.'If you mean that you're afraid that Osborne thinks of me as Roger thinks of Cynthia, papa, you are quite mistaken.Osborne and I are friends and nothing more, and never can be anything more.That's all I can tell you.' 'It's quite enough, little one.It's a great relief.I don't want to have my Molly carried off by any young man just yet; I should miss her sadly.'
He could not help saying this in the fulness of his heart just then, but he was surprised at the effect these few tender words produced.Molly threw her arms round his neck, and began to sob bitterly, her head lying on his shoulder.'There, there!' said he, patting her on the back, and leading her to the sofa, 'that will do.I get quite enough of tears in the day, shed for real causes, not to want them at home, where, I hope, they are shed for no cause at all.There's nothing really the matter, is there, my dear?' he continued, holding her a little away from him that he might look in her face.She smiled at him through her tears; and he did not see the look of sadness which returned to her face after he had left her.'Nothing, dear, dear papa - nothing now.It is such a comfort to have you all to myself - it makes me happy.' Mr Gibson knew all implied in these words, and felt that there was no effectual help for the state of things which had arisen from his own act.It was better for them both that they should not speak out more fully.So he kissed her, and said, - 'That's right, dear! I can leave you in comfort now, and indeed I've stayed too long already gossiping.Go out and have a walk - take Cynthia with you, if you like.I must be off.Good-by, little one.' His commonplace words acted like an astringent on Molly's relaxed feelings.
He intended that they should do so; it was the truest kindness to her;but he walked away from her with a sharp pang at his heart, which he stunned into numbness as soon as he could by throwing himself violently into the affairs and cares of others.