"The subject of our conversation does not well admit of a third
person's presence. As Miss Gibson seems to wish for your company now,
I must beg you to fix some other time and place where we can finish
our discussion."
"I will go if Cynthia wishes me," said Molly.
"No, no; stay--I want you to stay--I want you to hear it all--I wish
I had told you sooner."
"You mean that you regret that she has not been made aware of our
engagement--that you promised long ago to be my wife. Pray remember
that it was you who made me promise secrecy, not I you!"
"I don't believe him, Cynthia. Don't, don't cry if you can help it;
I don't believe him."
"Cynthia," said he, suddenly changing his tone to fervid tenderness,
"pray, pray do not go on so; you can't think how it distresses me!"
He stepped forward to try and take her hand and soothe her; but she
shrank away from him, and sobbed the more irrepressibly. She felt
Molly's presence so much to be a protection that now she dared to
let herself go, and to weaken herself by giving way to her emotion.
"Go away!" said Molly. "Don't you see you make her worse?" But he
did not stir; he was looking at Cynthia so intently that he did not
seem even to hear her. "Go," said Molly, vehemently, "if it really
distresses you to see her cry. Don't you see, it's you who are the
cause of it?"
"I will go if Cynthia tells me," said he at length.
"Oh, Molly, I don't know what to do," said Cynthia, taking down her
hands from her tear-stained face, and appealing to Molly, and sobbing
worse than ever; in fact, she became hysterical, and though she tried
to speak coherently, no intelligible words would come.
"Run to that cottage in the trees, and fetch her a cup of water,"
said Molly. He hesitated a little.
"Why don't you go?" said Molly, impatiently.
"I have not done speaking to her; you will not leave before I come
back?"
"No. Don't you see she can't move in this state?"
He went quickly, if reluctantly.
Cynthia was some time before she could check her sobs enough to
speak. At length she said,--"Molly, I do hate him!"
"But what did he mean by saying you were engaged to him? Don't cry,
dear, but tell me; if I can help you I will, but I can't imagine what
it all really is."
"It's too long a story to tell now, and I'm not strong enough. Look!
he's coming back. As soon as I can, let us get home."