"You really bewilder me with your nonsense, child. Molly is worth
twenty of you."
"I quite agree with you, mamma," said Cynthia, turning round to take
Molly's hand.
"Yes; but she ought not to be," said Mrs. Gibson, still irritated.
"Think of the advantages you've had."
"I'm afraid I had rather be a dunce than a blue-stocking," said
Molly; for the term had a little annoyed her, and the annoyance was
rankling still.
"Hush; here they are coming: I hear the dining-room door! I never
meant you were a blue-stocking, dear, so don't look vexed.--Cynthia,
my love, where did you get those lovely flowers--anemones, are they?
They suit your complexion so exactly."
"Come, Molly, don't look so grave and thoughtful," exclaimed Cynthia.
"Don't you perceive mamma wants us to be smiling and amiable?"
Mr. Gibson had had to go out to his evening round; and the young men
were all too glad to come up into the pretty drawing-room; the bright
little wood-fire; the comfortable easy-chairs which, with so small
a party, might be drawn round the hearth; the good-natured hostess;
the pretty, agreeable girls. Roger sauntered up to the corner where
Cynthia was standing, playing with a hand-screen.
"There is a charity ball in Hollingford soon, isn't there?" asked he.
"Yes; on Easter Tuesday," she replied.
"Are you going? I suppose you are?"
"Yes; mamma is going to take Molly and me."
"You will enjoy it very much--going together?"
For the first time during this little conversation she glanced up at
him--real honest pleasure shining out of her eyes.
"Yes; going together will make the enjoyment of the thing. It would
be dull without her."
"You are great friends, then?" he asked.
"I never thought I should like any one so much,--any girl I mean."
She put in the final reservation in all simplicity of heart; and in
all simplicity did he understand it. He came ever so little nearer,
and dropped his voice a little.
"I was so anxious to know. I am so glad. I have often wondered how
you two were getting on."
"Have you?" said she, looking up again. "At Cambridge? You must be
very fond of Molly!"
"Yes, I am. She was with us so long; and at such a time! I look upon
her almost as a sister."
"And she is very fond of all of you. I seem to know you all from
hearing her talk about you so much.--All of you!" said she, laying an
emphasis on "all" to show that it included the dead as well as the
living. Roger was silent for a minute or two.