He felt at once that he should not dare; that, clever land-agent as
he was, and high up in the earl's favour on that account, yet that
the conduct of which he had been guilty in regard to the letters, and
the threats which he had held out respecting them, were just what
no gentleman, no honourable man, no manly man, could put up with in
any one about him. He knew that much, and he wondered how she, the
girl standing before him, had been clever enough to find it out. He
forgot himself for an instant in admiration of her. There she stood,
frightened, yet brave, not letting go her hold on what she meant to
do, even when things seemed most against her; and besides, there was
something that struck him most of all perhaps, and which shows the
kind of man he was--he perceived that Molly was as unconscious that
he was a young man, and she a young woman, as if she had been a pure
angel of heaven. Though he felt that he would have to yield, and give
up the letters, he was not going to do it at once; and while he was
thinking what to say, so as still to evade making any concession till
he had had time to think over it, he, with his quick senses all about
him, heard the trotting of a horse cranching quickly along over the
gravel of the drive. A moment afterwards, Molly's perception overtook
his. He could see the startled look overspread her face; and in an
instant she would have run away, but before the first rush was made,
Mr. Preston laid his hand firmly on her arm.
"Keep quiet. You must be seen. You, at any rate, have done nothing to
be ashamed of."
As he spoke, Mr. Sheepshanks came round the bend of the road and was
close upon them. Mr. Preston saw, if Molly did not, the sudden look
of intelligence that dawned upon the shrewd ruddy face of the old
gentleman--saw, but did not much heed. He went forwards and spoke to
Mr. Sheepshanks, who made a halt right before them.
"Miss Gibson! your servant. Rather a blustering day for a young lady
to be out,--and cold, I should say, for standing still too long; eh,
Preston?" poking his whip at the latter in a knowing manner.
"Yes," said Mr. Preston; "and I'm afraid I have kept Miss Gibson too
long standing."
Molly did not know what to say or do; so she only bowed a silent
farewell, and turned away to go home, feeling very heavy at heart at
the non-success of her undertaking. For she did not know how she had
conquered, in fact, although Mr. Preston might not as yet acknowledge
it even to himself. Before she was out of hearing, she heard Mr.
Sheepshanks say,--