"Really, Harriet, I can't think what always makes you take such an
interest in all these petty Hollingford affairs."
"Mamma, it's only tit for tat. They take the most lively interest
in all our sayings and doings. If I were going to be married, they
would want to know every possible particular,--when we first met,
what we first said to each other, what I wore, and whether he offered
by letter or in person. I'm sure those good Miss Brownings were
wonderfully well-informed as to Mary's methods of managing her
nursery, and educating her girls; so it's only a proper return of the
compliment to want to know on our side how they are going on. I'm
quite of papa's faction. I like to hear all the local gossip."
"Especially when it is flavoured with a spice of scandal and
impropriety, as in this case," said Lady Cumnor, with the momentary
bitterness of a convalescent invalid. Lady Harriet coloured with
annoyance. But then she rallied her courage, and said with more
gravity than before,--
"I am really interested in this story about Molly Gibson, I own. I
both like and respect her; and I do not like to hear her name coupled
with that of Mr. Preston. I can't help fancying papa has made some
mistake."
"No, my dear. I'm sure I'm repeating what I heard. I'm sorry I said
anything about it, if it annoys you or my lady there. Sheepshanks did
say Miss Gibson, though, and he went on to say it was a pity the girl
had got herself so talked about; for it was the way they had carried
on that gave rise to all the chatter. Preston himself was a very
fair match for her, and nobody could have objected to it. But I'll
try and find a more agreeable piece of news. Old Margery at the
lodge is dead; and they don't know where to find some one to teach
clear-starching at your school; and Robert Hall made forty pounds
last year by his apples." So they drifted away from Molly and her
affairs; only Lady Harriet kept turning what she had heard over in
her own mind with interest and wonder.
"I warned her against him the day of her father's wedding. And what
a straightforward, out-spoken topic it was then! I don't believe it;
it's only one of old Sheepshanks' stories, half invention and half
deafness."
The next day Lady Harriet rode over to Hollingford, and for the
settling of her curiosity she called on Miss Brownings, and
introduced the subject. She would not have spoken about the rumour
she had heard to any who were not warm friends of Molly's. If Mr.
Sheepshanks had chosen to allude to it when she had been riding with
her father, she would very soon have silenced him by one of the
haughty looks she knew full well how to assume. But she felt as if
she must know the truth, and accordingly she began thus abruptly to
Miss Browning: