But she said not a word of any inconvenience to herself; she only apologized with humble sincerity for her inability to return at the appointed time to her charge in Mr Gibson's family; meekly adding, that perhaps it was as well, for Molly had never had the scarlet fever, and even if Miss Eyre had been able to leave the orphan children to return to her employments, it might not have been a safe or a prudent step.'To be sure not,' said Mr Gibson, tearing the letter in two, and throwing it into the hearth, where he soon saw it burnt to ashes.'I wish I'd a five-pound house and not a woman within ten miles of me.I might have some peace then.' Apparently, he forgot Mr Coxe's powers of making mischief;but indeed he might have traced that evil back to unconscious Molly.The martyr-cook's entrance to take away the breakfast things, which she announced by a heavy sigh, roused Mr Gibson from thought to action.'Molly must stay a little longer at Hamley,' he resolved.'They've often asked for her, and now they'll have enough of her, I think.But I can't have her back here just yet; and so the best I can do for her is to leave her where she is.Mrs Hamley seems very fond of her, and the child is looking happy, and stronger in health.I'll ride round by Hamley to-day at any rate, and see how the land lies.' He found Mrs Hamley lying on a sofa placed under the shadow of the great cedar-tree on the lawn.Molly was flitting about her, gardening away under her directions; tying up the long sea-green stalks of bright budded carnations, snipping off dead roses.'Oh! here's papa!' she cried out joyfully, as he rode up to the white paling which separated the trim lawn and trimmer flower-garden from the rough park-like ground in front of the house.'Come in - come here - through the drawing-room window,' said Mrs Hamley, raising herself on her elbow.'We've got a rose-tree to show you that Molly has budded all by herself.We are both so proud of it.' So Mr Gibson rode round to the stables, left his horse there, and made his way through the house to the open-air summer-parlour under the cedar-tree, where there were chairs, a table, books, and tangled work.Somehow, he rather disliked asking for Molly to prolong her visit; so he determined to swallow his bitter first, and then take the pleasure of the delicious day, the sweet repose, the murmurous, scented air.Molly stood by him, her hand on his shoulder.He sate opposite to Mrs Hamley.'I have come here to-day to ask for a favour,' he began.'Granted before you name it.Am not I a bold woman?' He smiled and bowed, but went straight on with his speech.'Miss Eyre, who has been Molly's - governess, I suppose I must call her - for many years, writes to-day to say that one of the little nephews she took with her to Newport while Molly was staying here, has caught the scarlet fever.' 'I guess your request.I make it before you do.I beg for dear little Molly to stay on here.Of course Miss Eyre can't come back to you; and of course Molly must stay here!' 'Thank you; thank you very much.That was my request.' Molly's hand stole down to his, and nestled in that firm compact grasp.'Papa! - Mrs Hamley! - I know you'll both understand me - but mayn't Igo home? I am very very happy here; but - oh papa! I think I should like to be at home with you best.' An uncomfortable suspicion flashed across his mind.He pulled her round, and looked straight and piercingly into her innocent face.Her colour came at his unwonted scrutiny, but her sweet eyes were filled with wonder, rather than with any feeling which he dreaded to find.For an instant he had doubted whether young red-headed Mr Coxe's love might not have called out a response in his daughter s breast; but he was quite clear now.'Molly, you're rude to begin with.I don't know how you're to make your peace with Mrs Hamley, I'm sure.And in the next place, do you think you're wiser than I am; or that I don't want you at home, if all other things were conformable? Stay where you are, and be thankful.' Molly knew him well enough to be certain that the prolongation of her visit at Hamley was quite a decided affair in his mind; and then she was smitten with a sense of ingratitude.She left her father, and went to Mrs Hamley, and bent over and kissed her; but she did not speak.Mrs Hamley took hold of her hand, and made room on the sofa for her.'I was going to have asked for a longer visit the next time you came, Mr Gibson.We are such happy friends, are not we, Molly? and now that this good little nephew of Miss Eyre's -- ' 'I wished he was whipped,' said Mr Gibson.' - has given us such a capital reason, I shall keep Molly for a real long visitation.You must come over and see us very often.There's a room here for you always, you know; and I don't see why you should not start on your rounds from Hamley every morning, just as well as from Hollingford.' 'Thank you.If you had not been so kind to my little girl, I might be tempted to say something rude in answer to your last speech.' 'Pray say it.You won't be easy till you have given it out, I know.' 'Mrs Hamley has found out from whom I get my rudeness,' said Molly, triumphantly.
