"Well, mamma, how are you? We didn't expect you so early! Let me take
off your bonnet and shawl!" she replied dolefully,--
"It has not been such a happy visit that I should wish to prolong
it." Her eyes were fixed on the carpet, and her face was as
irresponsive to the welcome offered as she could make it.
"What has been the matter?" asked Cynthia, in all good faith.
"You! Cynthia--you! I little thought when you were born how I should
have to bear to hear you spoken about."
Cynthia threw back her head, and angry light came into her eyes.
"What business have they with me? How came they to talk about me in
any way?"
"Everybody is talking about you; it is no wonder they are. Lord
Cumnor is sure to hear about everything always. You should take more
care about what you do, Cynthia, if you don't like being talked
about."
"It rather depends upon what people say," said Cynthia, affecting a
lightness which she did not feel; for she had a prevision of what was
coming.
"Well! I don't like it, at any rate. It is not pleasant to me to hear
first of my daughter's misdoings from Lady Cumnor, and then to be
lectured about her, and her flirting, and her jilting, as if I had
had anything to do with it. I can assure you it has quite spoilt my
visit. No! don't touch my shawl. When I go to my room I can take it
myself."
Cynthia was brought to bay, and sate down; remaining with her mother,
who kept sighing ostentatiously from time to time.
"Would you mind telling me what they said? If there are accusations
abroad against me, it is as well I should know what they are. Here's
Molly" (as the girl entered the room, fresh from a morning's walk).
"Molly, mamma has come back from the Towers, and my lord and my
lady have been doing me the honour to talk over my crimes and
misdemeanors, and I am asking mamma what they have said. I don't set
up for more virtue than other people, but I can't make out what an
earl and a countess have to do with poor little me."
"It was not for your sake!" said Mrs. Gibson. "It was for mine. They
felt for me, for it is not pleasant to have one's child's name in
everybody's mouth."
"As I said before, that depends upon how it is in everybody's mouth.
If I were going to marry Lord Hollingford, I make no doubt every one
would be talking about me, and neither you nor I should mind it in
the least."