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　　butnot，Iamsure，toanEnglishmanwhoisthinkingofanEnglishwife。’Thischoiceofasongwasexceedinglymal—&agrave；propos，hadMrsGibsonbutknownit。OsborneandRogerknowingthatthewifeoftheformerwasaFrenchwoman，and，consciousofeachother’sknowledge，feltdoublyawkward。whileMollywasasmuchconfusedasthoughsheherselfweresecretlymarried。However，Cynthiacarolledthesaucydittyout，andhermothersmiledatit，intotalignoranceofanyapplicationitmighthave。OsbornehadinstinctivelygonetostandbehindCynthia，asshesateatthepiano，soastobereadytoturnovertheleavesofhermusicifsherequiredit。Hekepthishandsinhispocketsandhiseyesfixedonherfingers；

　　hiscountenancecloudedwithgravityatallthemerryquipswhichshesoplayfullysang。Rogerlookedgraveaswell，butwasmuchmoreathiscasethanhisbrother；indeed，hewashalf—amusedbytheawkwardnessofthesituation。HecaughtMolly’stroubledeyesandheightenedcolour，andhesawthatshewasfeelingthiscontretempsmoreseriouslythansheneededtodo。Hemovedtoaseatbyher，andhalfwhispered，’Toolateawarning，isitnot？’Mollylookedupathimasheleanttowardsher，andrepliedinthesametone，—’Oh，Iamsosorry！’’Youneednotbe。Hewon’tminditlong；andamanmusttaketheconsequenceswhenheputshimselfinafalseposition。’Mollycouldnottellwhattoreplytothis，soshehungherheadandkeptsilence。YetshecouldseethatRogerdidnotchangehisattitudeorremovehishandfromthebackofhischair，and，impelledbycuriositytofindoutthecauseofhisstillness，shelookedupathimatlength，andsawhisgazefixedonthetwowhowerenearthepiano。OsbornewassayingsomethingeagerlytoCynthia，whosegraveeyeswereupturnedtohimwithsoftintentnessofexpression，andherprettymouthhalf—open，withasortofimpatienceforhimtoceasespeaking，thatshemightreply。’TheyaretalkingaboutFrance，’saidRoger，inanswertoMolly’sunspokenquestion。’Osborneknowsitwell，andMissKirkpatrickhasbeenatschoolthere，youknow。Itsoundsveryinteresting；shallwegonearerandhearwhattheyaresaying？’Itwasallverywelltoaskthiscivilly，butMollythoughtitwouldhavebeenbettertowaitforheranswer。Insteadofwaiting，however，Rogerwenttothepiano，and，leaningonit，appearedtojoininthelightmerrytalk，whilehefeastedhiseyesasmuchashedaredbylookingatCynthia。

　　Mollysuddenlyfeltasifshecouldscarcelykeepfromcrying—aminuteagohehadbeensoneartoher，andtalkingsopleasantlyandconfidentially；

　　andnowhealmostseemedasifhehadforgottenherexistence。Shethoughtthatallthiswaswrong；andsheexaggerateditswrongnesstoherself；

　　’mean，’and’enviousofCynthia，’and’ill—natured，’and’selfish，’werethetermsshekeptapplyingtoherself；butitdidnogood，shewasjustasnaughtyatthelastasatthefirst。MrsGibsonbrokeintothestateofthingswhichMollythoughtwastoendureforever。Herworkhadbeenintricateuptothistime，andhadrequiredagreatdealofcounting；soshehadhadnotimetoattendtoherduties，oneofwhichshealwaystooktobetoshowherselftotheworldasanimpartialstepmother。Cynthiahadplayedandsung，andnowshemustgiveMollyherturnofexhibition。Cynthia’ssingingandplayingwaslightandgraceful，butanythingbutcorrect；butsheherselfwassocharming，thatitwasonlyfanaticsformusicwhocaredforfalsechordsandomittednotes。Molly，onthecontrary，hadanexcellentear，ifshehadeverbeenwelltaught；

　　andbothfrominclinationandconscientiousperseveranceofdisposition，shewouldgooveranincorrectpassagefortwentytimes。Butshewasveryshyofplayingincompany；andwhenforcedtodoit，shewentthroughherperformanceheavily，andhatedherhandiworkmorethananyone。’Now，youmustplayalittle，Molly，’saidMrsGibson；’playusthatbeautifulpieceofKalkbrenner’s，’mydear。’Mollylookedupatherstepmotherwithbeseechingeyes，butitonlybroughtoutanotherformofrequest，stillmorelikeacommand。’Goatonce，mydear。Youmaynotplayitquiterightly；andIknowyouareverynervous；butyou’requiteamongstfriends。’Sotherewasadisturbancemadeinthelittlegroupatthepiano，andMollysatedowntohermartyrdom。’Please，goaway！’saidshetoOsborne，whowasstandingbehindherreadytoturnover。’Icanquitewelldoitformyself。Andoh！ifyouwouldbuttalk！’Osborneremainedwherehewasinspiteofherappeal，andgaveherwhatlittleapprovalshegot；forMrsGibson，exhaustedbyherpreviouslabourofcountingherstitches，fellasleepinhercomfortablesofa—cornernearthefire；andRoger，whobeganatfirsttotalkalittleincompliancewithMolly’srequest，foundhist&ecirc；te—&agrave；—t&ecirc；tewithCynthiasoagreeable，thatMollylostherplaceseveraltimesintryingtocatchasuddenglimpseofCynthiasittingatherwork，andRogerbyher，intentoncatchingherlowrepliestowhathewassaying。’There，nowI’vedone！’saidMolly，standingupquicklyassoonasshehadfinishedtheeighteendrearypages；’andIthinkIwillneversitdowntoplayagain！’Osbornelaughedathervehemence。Cynthiabegantotakesomepartinwhatwasbeingsaid，andthusmadetheconversationgeneral。MrsGibsonwakenedupgracefully，aswasherwayofdoingallthings，andslidintothesubjectstheyweretalkingaboutsoeasily，thatshealmostsucceededinmakingthembelieveshehadneverbeenasleepatall。

　　chapter25CHAPTERXXVHOLLINGFORDINABUSTLEAllHollingfordfeltasiftherewasagreatdealtobedonebeforeEasterthisyear。TherewasEasterproper，whichalwaysrequirednewclothingofsomekind，forfearofcertainconsequencesfromlittlebirds，whoweresupposedtoresenttheimpietyofthosewhodonotwearsomenewarticleofdressonEaster—day。’Andmostladiesconsidereditwiserthatthelittlebirdsshouldseethenewarticleforthemselves，andnothavetotakeitupontrust，astheywouldhavetodoifitweremerelyapocket—handkerchief，orapetticoat，oranyarticleofunder—clothing。Sopietydemandedanewbonnet，oranewgown；andwasbarelysatisfiedwithanEasterpairofgloves。MissRosewasgenerallyverybusyjustbeforeEasterinHollingford。

　　Thenthisyeartherewasthecharityball。Ashcombe，Hollingford，andCorehamwerethreeneighbouringtowns，ofaboutthesamenumberofpopulation，lyingatthethreeequidistantcornersofatriangle。Inimitationofgreatercitieswiththeirfestivals，thesethreetownshadagreedtohaveanannualballforthebenefitofthecountyhospitaltobeheldinturnateachplace；andHollingfordwastobetheplacethisyear。Itwasafinetimeforhospitality，andeveryhouseofanypretensionwasasfullasitcouldhold，andflyswereengagedlongmonthsbefore。IfMrsGibsoncouldhaveaskedOsborne，orindefault，RogerHamleytogototheballwiththemandtosleepattheirhouse，—orif，indeed，shecouldhavepickedupanystrayscionofa’countyfamily’towhomsuchanofferwouldhavebeenaconvenience，shewouldhaverestoredherowndressing—roomtoitsformeruseasthespare—room，withpleasure。Butshedidnotthinkitwasworthherwhiletoputherselfoutforanyofthehumdrumandill—dressedwomenwhohadbeenherformeracquaintanceatAshcombe。

　　ForMrPrestonitmighthavebeenworthwhiletogiveupherroom，consideringhiminthelightofahandsomeandprosperousyoungman，andagooddancerbesides。Butthereweremorelightsinwhichhewastobeviewed。MrGibson，whoreallywantedtoreturnthehospitalityshowntohimbyMrPrestonatthetimeofhismarriage，hadyetaninstinctivedistastetotheman，whichnowishoffreeinghimselffromobligation，noreventhemoreworthyfeelingofhospitality，couldovercome。MrsGibsonhadsomeoldgrudgesofherownagainsthim，butshewasnotonetoretainangryfeelings，orbeveryactiveinherretaliation；shewasafraidofMrPreston，andadmiredhimatthesametime。Itwasawkwardtoo—soshesaid—togointoaball—roomwithoutanygentlemanatall，andMrGibsonwassouncertain！Onthewhole—partlyforthislast—givenreason，andpartlybecauseconciliationwasthebestpolicy，MrsGibsonherselfwasslightlyinfavourofinvitingMrPrestontobetheirguest。ButassoonasCynthiaheardthequestiondiscussed—orrather，assoonasshehearditdiscussedinMrGibson’sabsence，shesaidthatifMrPrestoncametobetheirvisitorontheoccasion，sheforonewouldnotgototheballatall。Shedidnotspeakwithvehemenceorinanger；butwithsuchquietresolutionthatMollylookedupinsurprise。

　　ShesawthatCynthiawaskeepinghereyesfixedonherwork，andthatshehadnointentionofmeetinganyone’sgaze，orgivinganyfurtherexplanation。

　　MrsGibson，too，lookedperplexed，andonceortwiceseemedonthepointofaskingsomequestion；butshewasnotangryasMollyhadfullyexpected。

　　ShewatchedCynthiafurtivelyandinsilenceforaminuteortwo，andthensaidthatafterallshecouldnotconvenientlygiveupherdressing—room；

　　andaltogether，theyhadbettersaynomoreaboutit。SonostrangerwasinvitedtostayatMrGibson’satthetimeoftheball；butMrsGibsonopenlyspokeofherregretattheunavoidableinhospitality，andhopedthattheymightbeabletobuildanadditiontotheirhousebeforethetriennialHollingfordball。AnothercauseofunusualbustleatHollingfordthisEasterwastheexpectedreturnofthefamilytotheTowers，aftertheirunusuallylongabsence。

　　MrSheepshanksmightbeseentrottingupanddownonhisstoutoldcob，speakingtoattentivemasons，plasterers，andglaziersaboutputtingeverything—ontheoutsideatleast—aboutthecottagesbelongingto’mylord，’

　　inperfectrepair。LordCumnorownedthegreaterpartofthetown；andthosewholivedunderotherlandlords，orinhousesoftheirown，werestirredupbythedreadofcontrasttodouptheirdwellings。Sotheladdersofwhitewashersandpaintersweresadlyinthewayoftheladiestrippingdaintilyalongtomaketheirpurchases，andholdingtheirgownsupinabunchbehind，afterafashionquitegoneoutinthesedays。’ThehousekeeperandstewardfromtheTowersmightalsobeseencomingintogiveordersatthevariousshops；andstoppinghereandthereatthosekeptbyfavourites，toavailthemselvesoftheeagerly—tenderedrefreshments。LadyHarrietcametocallonheroldgovernessthedayafterthearrivalofthefamilyattheTowers。MollyandCynthiawereoutwalkingwhenshecame—doingsomeerrandsforMrsGibson，whohadasecretideathatLadyHarrietwouldcallattheparticulartimeshedid，andhadanotuncommonwishtotalktoherladyshipwithoutthecorrectivepresenceofanymemberofherownfamily。MrsGibsondidnotgiveMollythemessageofremembrancethatLadyHarriethadleftforher；butsheimpartedvariouspiecesofnewsrelatingtotheTowerswithgreatanimationandinterest。TheDuchessofMenteithandherdaughter，LadyAlice，werecomingtotheTowers；wouldbetherethedayoftheball；wouldcometotheball；andtheMenteithdiamondswerefamous。

　　Thatwaspieceofnewsthefirst。ThesecondwasthateversomanygentlemenwerecomingtotheTowers—someEnglish，someFrench。Thispieceofnewswouldhavecomefirstinorderofimportancehadtherebeenmuchprobabilityoftheirbeingdancingmen，and，assuch，possiblepartnersatthecomingball。ButLadyHarriethadspokenofthemasLordHollingford’sfriends，uselessscientificmeninallprobability。Then，finally，MrsGibsonwastogototheTowersnextdaytolunch；LadyCumnorhadwrittenalittlenotebyLadyHarriettobeghertocome；ifMrsGibsoncouldmanagetofindherwaytotheTowers，oneofthecarriagesinuseshouldbringherbacktoherownhomeinthecourseoftheafternoon。’Thedearcountess！’saidMrsGibson，withsoftaffection。Itwasasoliloquy，utteredafteraminute’spause，attheendofallthisinformation。Andalltherestofthatdayherconversationhadanaristocraticperfumehangingaboutit。OneofthefewbooksshehadbroughtwithherintoMrGibson’shousewasboundinpink，andinitshestudied’Menteith，Dukeof，AdolphusGeorge，’&amp；c。&amp；c。，tillshewasfullyupinalltheduchess’sconnections，andprobableinterests。MrGibsonmadehismouthupintoadrollwhistlewhenhecamehomeatnight，andfoundhimselfinaTowers’atmosphere。Mollysawtheshadeofannoyancethroughthedrollery；

　　shewasbeginningtoseeitoftenerthansheliked，notthatshereasoneduponit，orthatsheconsciouslytracedtheannoyancetoitssource；butshecouldnothelpfeelinguneasyinherselfwhensheknewherfatherwasintheleastputout。OfcourseaflywasorderedforMrsGibson。Intheearlyafternoonshecamehome。Ifshehadbeendisappointedinherinterviewwiththecountessshenevertoldherwoe，norrevealedthefactthatwhenshefirstarrivedattheTowersshehadtowaitforanhourinLadyCumnor’smorning—room，uncheeredbyanycompanionshipsavethatofheroldfriendMrsBradley，tillsuddenly，LadyHarrietcomingin，sheexclaimed，’Why，Clare！youdearwoman！areyouhereallalone？Doesmammaknow？’And，afteralittlemoreaffectionateconversation，sherushedtofindherladyship，perfectlyawareofthefact，buttoodeepingivingtheduchessthebenefitofherwisdomandexperienceintrousseauxtobeatallawareofthelengthoftimeMrsGibsonhadbeenpassinginpatientsolitude。AtlunchMrsGibsonwassecretlyhurtbymylord’ssupposingittobeherdinner，andcallingouthisurgenthospitalityfromtheverybottomofthetable，givingasareasonforit，thatshemustrememberitwasherdinner。Invainshepipedoutinhersoft，highvoice，’Oh，mylord！Inevercatmeatinthemiddleoftheday；Icanhardlyeatanythingatlunch。’Hervoicewaslost，andtheduchessmightgoawaywiththeideathattheHollingforddoctor’swifedinedearly；thatistosay，ifhergraceevercondescendedtohaveanyideaonthesubjectatall；whichpresupposesthatshewascognizantofthefactsoftherebeingadoctoratHollingford，andthathehadawife，andthathiswifewasthepretty，faded，elegant—lookingwomansendingawayherplateofuntastedfood—foodthatshelongedtoeat，forshewasreallydesperatelyhungryafterherdriveandhersolitude。Andthen，afterlunch，theredidcomeat&ecirc；te—&agrave；—t&ecirc；tewithLadyCumnor，whichwasconductedafterthiswise：—’Well，Clare！Iamreallygladtoseeyou。IoncethoughtIshouldnevergetbacktotheTowers，buthereIam！TherewassuchaclevermanatBath—aDoctorSnape—hecuredmeatlast—quitesetmeup。IreallythinkifeverIamillagainIshallsendforhim：itissuchathingtofindareallyclevermedicalman。Oh，bytheway，Ialwaysforgetyou’vemarriedMrGibson—ofcourseheisveryclever，andallthat。（Thecarriagetothedoorintenminutes，Brown，anddesireBradleytobringmythingsdown。）

　　WhatwasIaskingyou？Oh！howdoyougetonwiththestep—daughter。Sheseemedtometobeayoungladywithaprettystubbornwillofherown。

　　Iputaletterforthepostdownsomewhere，andIcannotthinkwhere；dohelpmetolookforit，there’sagoodwoman。Justruntomyroom，andseeifBrowncanfindit，foritisofgreatconsequence。’OffwentMrsGibsonratherunwillingly；fortherewereseveralthingsshehadwantedtospeakabout，andshehadnotheardhalfofwhatshehadexpectedtolearnofthefamilygossip。Butallchancewasgone；forwhenshecamebackfromherfruitlesserrand，LadyCumnorandtheduchesswereinfulltalk，LadyCumnorwiththemissingletterinherhand，whichshewasusingsomethinglikeabatontoenforceherwords。’EveryiotafromParis！Everyi—o—ta！’LadyCumnorwastoomuchofaladynottoapologizeforuselesstrouble，buttheywerenearlythelastwordsshespoketoMrsGibson，forshehadtogooutanddrivewiththeduchess；andthebroughamtotake’Clare’

　　（asshepersistedincallingMrsGibson）backtoHollingford，followedthecarriagetothedoor。LadyHarrietcameawayfromherentourageofyoungmenandyoungladies，allpreparedforsomewalkingexpedition，towishMrsGibsongood—by。’Weshallseeyouattheball，’shesaid。’You’llbetherewithyourtwogirls，ofcourse，andImusthavealittletalkwithyouthere；withallthesevisitorsinthehouse，ithasbeenimpossibletoseeanythingofyouto—day，youknow。’Suchwerethefacts，butrose—colourwasthemediumthroughwhichtheywereseenbyMrsGibson’shouseholdlistenersonherreturn。’TherearemanyvisitorsstayingattheTowers—oh，yes！agreatmany：

　　theduchessandLadyAlice，andMrandMrsGrey，andLordAlbertMonsonandhissister，andmyoldfriendCaptainJamesoftheBlues—manymore，infact。ButofcourseIpreferredgoingtoLadyCumnor’sownroom，whereIcouldseeherandLadyHarrietquietly，andwherewewerenotdisturbedbythebustledownstairs。Ofcoursewewereobligedtogodowntolunch，andthenIsawmyoldfriends，andrenewedpleasantacquaintances。ButIreallycouldhardlygetanyconnectedconversationwithanyone。LordCumnorseemedsodelightedtoseemethereagain：thoughthereweresixorsevenbetweenus，hewasalwaysinterruptingwithsomecivilorkindspeechespeciallyaddressedtome。AndafterlunchLadyCumnoraskedmeallsortsofquestionsaboutmynewlifewithasmuchinterestasifI

　　hadbeenherdaughter。Tobesure，whentheduchesscameinwehadtoleaveoff，andtalkaboutthetrousseausheispreparingforLadyAlice。LadyHarrietmadesuchapointofourmeetingattheball；sheisagood，affectionatecreature，isLadyHarriet！’Thislastwassaidinatoneofmeditativeappreciation。Theafternoonofthedayonwhichtheballwastotakeplace，aservantrodeoverfromHamleywithtwolovelynosegays，’withtheMrHamleys’complimentstoMissGibsonandMissKirkpatrick。’Cynthiawasthefirsttoreceivethem。Shecamedancingintothedrawing—room，flourishingtheflowersaboutineitherhand，anddanceduptoMolly，whowastryingtosettletoherreading，bywayofpassingthetimeawaytilltheeveningcame。’Look，Molly，look！Herearebouquetsforus！Longlifetothegivers！’’Whoaretheyfrom？’askedMolly，takingholdofone，andexaminingitwithtenderdelightatitsbeauty。’Whofrom？Why，thetwoparagonsofHamleys，tobesure！Isitnotaprettyattention？’’Howkindofthem！’saidMolly。’I’msureitisOsbornewhothoughtofit。Hehasbeensomuchabroad，whereitissuchacommoncomplimenttosendbouquetstoyoungladies。’’Idon’tseewhyyoushouldthinkitisOsborne’sthought！’saidMolly，reddeningalittle。’MrRogerHamleyusedtogathernosegaysconstantlyforhismother，andsometimesforme。’’Well，nevermindwhosethoughtitwas，orwhogatheredthem；we’vegottheflowers，andthat’senough。Molly，I’msuretheseredflowerswilljustmatchyourcoralnecklaceandbracelets，’saidCynthia，pullingoutsomecamellias，thenararekindofflower。’Oh，please，don’t！’exclaimedMolly。’Don’tyouseehowcarefullythecoloursarearranged—theyhavetakensuchpains；please，don’t。’’Nonsense！’saidCynthia，continuingtopullthemout；’see，herearequiteenough。I’llmakeyoualittlecoronetofthem—sewnonblackvelvet，whichwillneverbeseen—justastheydoinFrance！’’Oh，Iamsosorry！Itisquitespoilt，’saidMolly。’Nevermind！I’lltakethisspoiltbouquet；Icanmakeitupagainjustasprettilyasever；andyoushallhavethis，whichhasneverbeentouched。’

　　Cynthiawentonarrangingthecrimsonbudsandflowerstohertaste。Mollysaidnothing，butkeptonwatchingCynthia’snimblefingerstyingupthewreath。’There，’saidCynthia，atlast，’whenthatissewnonblackvelvet，tokeeptheflowersfromdying，you’llseehowprettyitwilllook。Andthereareenoughredflowersinthisuntouchednosegaytocarryouttheidea！’’Thankyou’（veryslowly）。’Butshan’tyoumindhavingonlythewrecksoftheother？’’NotI；redflowerswouldnotgowithmypinkdress。’’But—Idaresaytheyarrangedeachnosegaysocarefully！’’Perhapstheydid。ButIneverwouldallowsentimenttointerferewithmychoiceofcolours；andpinkdoestieonedown。Nowyou，inwhitemuslin，justtippedwithcrimson，likeadaisy，maywearanything。’CynthiatooktheutmostpainsindressingMolly，leavingthecleverhousemaidtohermother’sexclusiveservice。MrsGibsonwasmoreanxiousaboutherattirethanwaseitherofthegirls；ithadgivenheroccasionfordeepthoughtandnotafewsighs。Herdeliberationhadendedinherwearingherpearl—greysatinwedding—gown，withaprofusionoflace，andwhiteandcolouredlilacs。Cynthiawastheonewhotooktheaffairthemostlightly。

　　Mollylookedupontheceremonyofdressingforafirstballasratheraseriousceremony；certainlyasananxiousproceeding。Cynthiawasalmostasanxiousasherself；onlyMollywantedherappearancetobecorrectandunnoticed；andCynthiawasdesirousofsettingoffMolly’sratherpeculiarcharms—hercream—colouredskin，herprofusionofcurlyblackhair，herbeautifullong—shapedeyes，withtheirshy，lovingexpression。CynthiatookupsomuchtimeindressingMollytohermind，thatsheherselfhadtoperformhertoiletteinahurry。Molly，readydressed，sateonalowchairinCynthia’sroom，watchingtheprettycreature’srapidmovements，asshestoodinherpetticoatbeforetheglass，doingupherhair，withquickcertaintyofeffect。Atlength，Mollyheavedalongsigh，andsaid，—’Ishouldliketobepretty！’’Why，Molly，’saidCynthia，turningroundwithanexclamationonthetipofhertongue；butwhenshecaughttheinnocent，wistfullookonMolly’sface，sheinstinctivelycheckedwhatshewasgoingtosay，and，half—smilingtoherownreflectionintheglass，shesaid，—’TheFrenchgirlswouldtellyou，tobelievethatyouwereprettywouldmakeyouso。’Mollypausedbeforereplying，—’Isupposetheywouldmeanthatifyouknewyouwerepretty，youwouldneverthinkaboutyourlooks；youwouldbesocertainofbeingliked，andthatitiscaring——’’Listen！that’seighto’clockstriking。Don’ttroubleyourselfwithtryingtointerpretaFrenchgirl’smeaning，buthelpmeonwithmyfrock，there’sadearone。’Thetwogirlsweredressed，andwerestandingoverthefirewaitingforthecarriageinCynthia’sroom，whenMaria（Betty’ssuccessor）camehurryingintotheroom。MariahadbeenofficiatingasmaidtoMrsGibson，butshehadhadintervalsofleisure，inwhichshehadrushedupstairs，and，underthepretenceofofferingherservices，shehadseentheyoungladies’dresses，andthesightofsomanyfineclotheshadsentherintoastateofexcitementwhichmadeherthinknothingofrushingupstairsforthetwentiethtime，withanosegaystillmorebeautifulthanthetwopreviousones。’Here，MissKirkpatrick！No，it’snotforyou，miss！’asMolly，beingnearertothedoor，offeredtotakeitandpassittoCynthia。’It’sforMissKirkpatrick；andthere’sanoteforherbesides！’Cynthiasaidnothing，buttookthenoteandtheflowers。SheheldthenotesothatMollycouldreaditatthesametimeshedid。Isendyousomeflowers；andyoumustallowmetoclaimthefirstdanceafternineo’clock，beforewhichtimeIfearIcannotarrive。—R。P。’Whoisit？’askedMolly。Cynthialookedextremelyirritated，indignant，perplexed—whatwasitturnedhercheeksopale，andmadehereyessofulloffire？’ItisMrPreston，’saidshe，inanswertoMolly。’Ishallnotdancewithhim；andheregohisflowers—’Intotheverymiddleoftheembers，whichsheimmediatelystirreddownuponthebeautifulshrivellingpetalsasifshewishedtoannihilatethemassoonaspossible。Hervoicehadneverbeenraised；itwasassweetasusual；nor，thoughhermovementswerepromptenough，weretheyhastyorviolent。’Oh！’saidMolly，’thosebeautifulflowers！Wemighthaveputtheminwater。’’No，’saidCynthia；’it’sbesttodestroythem。Wedon’twantthem；andIcan’tbeartoberemindedofthatman。’’Itwasanimpertinentfamiliarnote，’saidMolly。’Whatrighthadhetoexpresshimselfinthatway—nobeginning，noend，andonlyinitials。

　　DidyouknowhimwellwhenyouwereatAshcombe，Cynthia？’’Oh，don’tletusthinkanymoreabouthim，’repliedCynthia。’Itisquiteenoughtospoilanypleasureattheballtothinkthathewillbethere。

　　ButIhopeIshallgetengagedbeforehecomes，sothatIcan’tdancewithhim—anddon’tyou，either！’’There！theyarecallingforus，’exclaimedMolly，andwithquickstep，yetcarefuloftheirdraperies，theymadetheirwaydownstairstotheplacewhereMrandMrsGibsonawaitedthem。Yes：MrGibsonwasgoing；evenifhehadtoleavethemafterwardstoattendtoanyprofessionalcall。AndMollysuddenlybegantoadmireherfatherasahandsomeman，whenshesawhimnow，infulleveningattire。MrsGibson，too—howprettyshewas！

　　Inshort，itwastruethatnobetter—lookingapartythanthesefourpeopleenteredtheHollingfordball—roomthatevening。

　　chapter26CHAPTERXXVIACHARITYBALLAtthepresenttimetherearefewpeopleatapublicballbesidesthedancersandtheirchaperones，orrelationsinsomedegreeinterestedinthem。ButinthedayswhenMollyandCynthiawereyoung—beforerailroadswere，andbeforetheirconsequences，theexcursion—trains，whichtakeeveryoneuptoLondonnow—a—days，theretoseetheirfillofgaycrowdsandfinedresses—togotoanannualcharity—ball，eventhoughallthoughtofdancinghadpassedbyyearsago，andwithoutanyoftheresponsibilitiesofachaperone，wasaveryallowableandfavouritepieceofdissipationtoallthekindlyoldmaidswhothrongedthecountrytownsofEngland。Theyairedtheiroldlaceandtheirbestdresses；theysawthearistocraticmagnatesofthecountryside；theygossippedwiththeircoevals，andspeculatedontheromancesoftheyoungaroundtheminacuriousyetfriendlyspirit。TheMissBrowningswouldhavethoughtthemselvessadlydefraudedofthegayesteventoftheyear，ifanythinghadpreventedtheirattendingthecharity—ball，andMissBrowningwouldhavebeenindignant，MissPhoebeaggrieved，hadtheynotbeenaskedtoAshcombeandCoreham，byfriendsateachplace，whohad，likethem，gonethroughthedancingstageoflifesomefive—and—twentyyearsbefore，butwholikedstilltohauntthescenesoftheirformerenjoyment，andseeayoungergenerationdanceon’regardlessoftheirdoom。’Theyhadcomeinoneofthetwosedan—chairsthatyetlingeredinuseatHollingford；