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　　ButyoumustconductyourselfwithdiscretioninwhateverstateoflifeitpleasesGodtoplaceyou，whethermarriedorsingle。Youmustreverenceyourhusband，andconformtohisopinioninallthings。Lookuptohimasyourhead，anddonothingwithoutconsultinghim。’—ItwasaswellthatLordCumnorwasnotamongsttheaudience；orhemighthavecomparedpreceptwithpractice。—’Keepstrictaccounts；andrememberyourstationinlife。IunderstandthatMr——’lookingaboutforsomehelpastothenameshehadforgotten—’Anderson—Hendersonisinthelaw。Althoughthereisageneralprejudiceagainstattorneys，Ihaveknownoftwoorthreewhowereveryrespectablemen；andIamsureMrHendersonisone，oryourgoodmotherandouroldfriendGibsonwouldnothavesanctionedtheengagement。’’Heisabarrister，’putinCynthia，unabletorestrainherselfanylonger。

　　’Barrister—at—law。’’Ah，yes。Attorney—at—law。Barrister—at—law。Iunderstandwithoutyourspeakingsoloud，mydear。WhatwasIgoingtosaybeforeyouinterruptedme？Whenyouhavebeenalittleinsocietyyouwillfindthatitisreckonedbadmannerstointerrupt。Ihadagreatdealmoretosaytoyou，andyouhaveputitalloutofmyhead。Therewassomethingelseyourfatherwantedmetoask—whatwasit，Harriet？’’IsupposeyoumeanaboutMrHamley！’’Oh，yes！weareintendingtohavethehousefullofLordHollingford’sfriendsnextmonth，andLordCumnorisparticularlyanxioustosecureMrHamley。’’Thesquire？’askedMrsGibsoninsomesurprise。LadyCumnorbowedslightly，asmuchastosay，’IfyoudidnotinterruptmeIshouldexplain。’’Thefamoustraveller—thescientificMrHamley，Imean。Iimagineheissontothesquire。LordHollingfordknowshimwell；butwhenweaskedhimbefore，hedeclinedcoming，andassignednoreason。’HadRogerindeedbeenaskedtotheTowersanddeclined？MrsGibsoncouldnotunderstandit。LadyCumnorwenton，—’Nowthistimeweareparticularlyanxioustosecurehim，andmysonLordHollingfordwillnotreturntoEnglanduntiltheveryweekbeforetheDukeofAtherstoneiscomingtous。IbelieveMrGibsonisveryintimatewithMrHamley；doyouthinkhecouldinducehimtofavouruswithhiscompany？’AndthisfromtheproudLadyCumnor；andtheobjectofitRogerHamley，whomshehadallbutturnedoutofherdrawing—roomtwoyearsagoforcallingatanuntimelyhour；andwhomCynthiahadturnedoutofherheart。MrsGibsonwassurprised，andcouldonlymurmuroutthatshewassureMrGibsonwoulddoallthatherladyshipwished。’Thankyou。YouknowmewellenoughtobeawarethatIamnottheperson，noristheTowersthehouse，togoaboutsolicitingguests。ButinthisinstanceIbendmyhead；highrankshouldalwaysbethefirsttohonourthosewhohavedistinguishedthemselvesbyartorscience。’’Besides，mamma，’saidLadyHarriet，’papawassayingthattheHamleyshavebeenontheirlandsincebeforetheConquest；whileweonlycameintothecountyacenturyago；andthereisatalethatthefirstCumnorbeganhisfortunethroughsellingtobaccoinKingJames’sreign。’IfLadyCumnordidnotexactlyshifthertrumpetandtakesnuffthereonthespot，shebehavedinanequivalentmanner。Shebeganalow—tonedbutneverthelessauthoritativeconversationwithClareaboutthedetailsofthewedding，whichlasteduntilshethoughtitfittogo，whensheabruptlypluckedLadyHarrietup，andcarriedheroffintheverymidstofadescriptionshewasgivingtoCynthiaaboutthedelightsofSpa，whichwastobeoneoftheresting—placesofthenewly—marriedcoupleontheirwedding—tour。Neverthelessshepreparedahandsomepresentforthebride：aBibleandaPrayer—bookboundinvelvetwithsilver—clasps；andalsoacollectionofhouseholdaccount—books，atthebeginningofwhichLadyCumnorwrotedownwithherownhandtheproperweeklyallowanceofbread，butter，eggs，meat，andgroceriesperhead，withtheLondonpricesofthearticles，sothatthemostinexperiencedhousekeepermightascertainifherexpenditureexceededhermeans，assheexpressedherselfinthenotewhichshesentwiththehandsome，dullpresent。’IfyouaredrivingintoHollingford，Harriet，perhapsyouwilltakethesebookstoMissKirkpatrick，’saidLadyCumnor，aftershehadsealedhernotewithallthestraightnessandcorrectnessbefittingacountessofherimmaculatecharacter。’IunderstandtheyareallgoinguptoLondonto—morrowforthiswedding，inspiteofwhatIsaidtoClareofthedutyofbeingmarriedinone’sownparish—church。Shetoldmeatthetimethatsheentirelyagreedwithme，butthatherhusbandhadsuchastrongwishforavisittoLondon，thatshedidnotknowhowshecouldopposehimconsistentlywithherwifelyduty。Iadvisedhertorepeattohimmyreasonsforthinkingthattheywouldbeill—advisedtohavethemarriageintown；butIamafraidshehasbeenoverruled。Thatwasheronegreatfaultwhenshelivedwithus；shewasalwayssoyielding，andneverknewhowtosay\"No。\"’Mamma！’saidLadyHarriet，withalittleslycoaxinginhertone。’Doyouthinkyouwouldhavebeensofondofher，ifshehadopposedyou，andsaid\"No，\"whenyouwishedher’TobesureIshould，mydear。Ilikeeverybodytohaveanopinionoftheirown；onlywhenmyopinionsarebasedonthoughtandexperience，whichfewpeoplehavehadequalopportunitiesofacquiring，Ithinkitisbutproperdeferenceinotherstoallowthemselvestobeconvinced。Infact，Ithinkitisonlyobstinacywhichkeepsthemfromacknowledgingthattheyare。

　　Iamnotadespot，Ihope？’sheasked，withsomeanxiety。’Ifyouare，dearmamma，’saidLadyHarriet，kissingthesternupliftedfaceveryfondly，’Ilikeadespotismbetterthanarepublic，andImustbeverydespoticovermyponies，foritisalreadygettingverylateformydriveroundbyAsh—holt。’ButwhenshearrivedattheGibsons’，shewasdetainedsolongtherebythestateofthefamily，thatshehadtogiveuphergoingtoAsh—holt。Mollywassittinginthedrawing—roompaleandtrembling，andkeepingherselfquietonlybyastrongeffort。ShewastheonlypersontherewhenLadyHarrietentered；theroomwasallindisorder，strewedwithpresentsandpaper，andpasteboardboxes，andhalf—displayedarticlesoffinery。’YoulooklikeMariussittingamidsttheruinsofCarthage，mydear！What’sthematter？Whyhaveyougotonthatwoe—begoneface？Thismarriageisnotbrokenoff，isit？ThoughnothingwouldsurprisemewherethebeautifulCynthiaisconcerned。’’Oh，no！that’sallright。ButIhavecaughtafreshcold，andpapasayshethinksIhadbetternotgotothewedding。’’Poorlittleone！Andit’sthefirstvisittoLondontoo！’’Yes。ButwhatImostcareforisthenotbeingwithCynthiatothelast；

　　andthen，papa’—shestopped，forshecouldhardlygoonwithoutopencrying，andshedidnotwanttodothat。Thensheclearedhervoice。’Papa，’

　　shecontinued，’hassolookedforwardtothisholiday，—andseeing—and—，andgoing—oh！Ican’ttellyouwhere；buthehasquitealistofpeopleandsightstobeseen，—andnowhesaysheshouldnotbecomfortabletoleavemeallaloneformorethanthreedays，—twofortravelling，andoneforthewedding。’JustthenMrsGibsoncamein，ruffledtooafterherfashion，thoughthepresenceofLadyHarrietwaswonderfullysmoothing。’MydearLadyHarriet—howkindofyou！Ah，yes，Iseethispoorunfortunatechildhasbeentellingyouofherill—luck；justwheneverythingwasgoingonsobeautifully；Iamsureitwasthatopenwindowatyourback，Molly，—youknowyouwouldpersistthatitcoulddoyounoharm，andnowyouseethemischiefIamsureIshan’tbeabletoenjoymyself—andatmyonlychild’sweddingtoo—withoutyou；forIcan’tthinkofleavingyouwithoutMaria。Iwouldrathersacrificeanythingmyselfthanthinkofyou，uncaredfor，anddismalathome。’’IamsureMollyisassorryasanyone，’saidLadyHarriet。’No。Idon’tthinksheis，’saidMrsGibson，withhappydisregardofthechronologyofevents，’orshewouldnothavesatewithherbacktoanopenwindowthedaybeforeyesterday，whenItoldhernot。Butitcan’tbehelpednow。Papatoo—butitismydutytomakethebestofeverything，andlookatthecheerfulsideoflife。IwishIcouldpersuadehertodothesame’

　　（turningandaddressingLadyHarriet）。’ButyouseeitisagreatmortificationtoagirlofheragetoloseherfirstvisittoLondon。’’Itisnotthat，’beganMolly；butLadyHarrietmadeheralittlesigntobesilentwhilesheherselfspoke。’Now，Clare！youandIcanmanageitall，Ithink，ifyouwillbuthelpmeinaplanIhavegotinmyhead。MrGibsonshallstayaslongaseverhecaninLondon；andMollyshallbewellcaredfor，andhavesomechangeofairandscenetoo，whichisreallywhatsheneedsasmuchasanything，inmypooropinion。Ican’tspirithertotheweddingandgiveherasightofLondon；butIcancarryherofftotheTowers，andnursehermyself；

　　andsenddailybulletinsuptoLondon，sothatMrGibsonmayfeelquiteatcase，andstaywithyouaslongasyoulike，Whatdoyousaytoit，Clare？’’Oh，Icouldnotgo，’saidMolly；’Ishouldonlybeatroubletoeverybody。’’Nobodyaskedyouforyouropinion，littleone。Ifwewiseeldersdecidethatyouaretogo，youmustsubmitinsilence。’MeanwhileMrsGibsonwasrapidlybalancingadvantagesanddisadvantages。

　　Amongstthelatter，jealousycameinpredominant。Amongsttheformer，—

　　itwouldsoundwell；MariacouldthenaccompanyCynthiaandherselfas’theirmaid，’—MrGibsonwouldstaylongerwithher，anditwasalwaysdesirabletohaveamanatherbeckandcallinsuchaplaceasLondon；

　　besidesthat，thisidenticalmanwasgentlemanlyandgood—looking，andafavouritewithherprosperousbrother—in—law。Theayeshadit。’Whatacharmingplan！Icannotthinkofanythingkinderorpleasanterforthispoordarling。Only—whatwillLadyCumnorsay？Iammodestformyfamilyasmuchasformyself。Shewon’t—’’Youknowmamma’ssenseofhospitalityisnevermoregratifiedthanwhenthehouseisquitefull；andpapaisjustlikeher。Besidessheisfondofyou，andgratefultoourgoodMrGibson，andwillbefondofyou，littleone，whensheknowsyouasIdo。’Molly’sheartsankwithinherattheprospect。Exceptingontheoneeveningofherfather’swedding—day，shehadneverevenseentheoutsideoftheTowerssincethatunluckydayinherchildhoodwhenshehadfallenasleeponClare’sbed。Shehadadreadofthecountess，adisliketothehouse，onlyitseemedasifitwasasolutiontotheproblemofwhattodowithher，whichhadbeenperplexingeveryoneallmorning，andsoevidentlythatithadcausedhermuchdistress。Shekeptsilence，thoughherlipsquiveredfromtimetotime。Oh，iftheMissBrowningshadnotchosenthisverytimeofallotherstopaytheirmonthlyvisittoMissHornblower！

　　ifshecouldonlyhavegonethere，andlivedwiththemintheirquaint，quiet，primitiveway，insteadofhavingtolisten，withoutremonstrance，tohearingplansdiscussedabouther，asifshewasaninanimatechattel。’Sheshallhavethesouthpinkroom，openingoutofminebyonedoor，youremember；andthedressing—roomshallbemadeintoacozylittlesitting—roomforher，incaseshelikestobebyherself。Parkesshallattenduponher，andIamsureMrGibsonmustknowParkes’spowersasanursebythistime。

　　Weshallhaveallmannerofagreeablepeopleinthehousetoamuseherdownstairs；andwhenshehasgotridofthisaccessofcold，Iwilldriveherouteveryday，andwritedailybulletins，asIsaid。PraytellMrGibsonallthat，andletitbeconsideredassettled。Iwillcomeforherintheclosecarriageto—morrow，ateleven。AndnowmayIseethelovelybrideelect，andgivehermamma’spresent，andmyowngoodwishes？’SoCynthiacamein，anddemurelyreceivedtheveryproperpresent，andtheequallycorrectcongratulations，withouttestifyinganyverygreatdelightorgratitudeateither；forshewasquitequickenoughtodetectthattherewasnogreatafflux。ofaffectionaccompanyingeither。ButwhensheheardhermotherquicklyrecapitulatingallthedetailsoftheplanforMolly，Cynthia’seyesdidsparklewithgladness；andalmosttoLadyHarriet’ssurprise，shethankedherasifshehadconferredapersonalfavouruponher，Cynthia。LadyHarrietsaw，too，thatinaveryquietway，shehadtakenMolly’shand，andwasholdingitallthetime，asiflothtothinkoftheirapproachingseparation—somehow，sheandLadyHarrietwerebroughtnearertogetherbythislittleactionthantheyhadeverbeenbefore。IfMollyhadhopedthatherfathermighthaveraisedsomeobstaclestotheproject，shewasdisappointed。But，indeed，shedidnotwhensheperceivedhowheseemedtofeelthat，byplacingherunderthecareofLadyHarrietandParkes，heshouldberelievedfromanxiety；andhowhespokeofthischangeofairandsceneasbeingtheverythinghehadbeenwishingtosecureforher；countryair，andabsenceofexcitementasthiswouldbe；

　　fortheonlyotherplacewherehecouldhavesecuredhertheseadvantages，andatthesametimesentherasaninvalid，wastoHamleyHall；andhedreadedtheassociationstherewiththebeginningofherpresentillness。SoMollywasdrivenoffinstatethenextday，leavingherownhomeallinconfusionwiththeassemblageofboxesandtrunksinthehall，andalltheothersymptomsoftheapproachingdepartureofthefamilyforLondonandthewedding。AllthemorningCynthiahadbeenwithherinherroom，attendingtothearrangementofMolly’sclothes，instructingherwhattowearwithwhat，andrejoicingovertheprettysmartnesses，which，havingbeenpreparedforherasbridesmaid，werenowtoserveasadornmentsforhervisittotheTowers。BothMollyandCynthiaspokeaboutdressasifitwastheveryobjectoftheirlives；foreachdreadedtheintroductionofmoreserioussubjects；CynthiamoreforMollythanherself。Onlywhenthecarriagewasannounced，andMollywaspreparingtogodownstairs，Cynthiasaid，—’Iamnotgoingtothankyou，Molly，ortotellyouhowIloveyou。’’Don’t，’saidMolly，’Ican’tbearit。’’Onlyyouknowyou’retobemyfirstvisitor，andifyouwearbrownribbonstoagreengown，I’llturnyououtofthehouse！’Sotheyparted。MrGibsonwasthereinthehalltohandMollyin。Hehadriddenhard；andwasnowgivinghertwoorthreelastinjunctionsastoherhealth。’ThinkofusonThursday，’saidhe。’IdeclareIdon’tknowwhichofherthreeloversshemaynotsummonattheverylastmomenttoactthepartofbridegroom。I’mdeterminedtobesurprisedatnothing；andwillgiveherawaywithagoodgracetowhoevercomes。’Theydroveaway，anduntiltheywereoutofsightofthehouse，Mollyhadenoughtodotokeepreturningthekissesofthehandwaftedtoherbyherstepmotheroutofthedrawing—roomwindow，whileatthesametimehereyeswerefixedonawhitehandkerchiefflutteringoutoftheatticfromwhichsheherselfhadwatchedRoger’sdeparturenearlytwoyearsbefore。

　　Whatchangestimehadbrought！WhenMollyarrivedattheTowersshewasconvoyedintoLadyCumnor’spresencebyLadyHarriet。Itwasamarkofrespecttotheladyofthehouse，whichthelatterknewthathermotherwouldexpect；butshewasanxioustogetitover，andtakeMollyupintotheroomwhichshehadbeensobusyinarrangingforher。LadyCumnorwas，however，verykind，ifnotpositivelygracious。’YouareLadyHarriet’svisitor，mydear，’saidshe，’andIhopeshewilltakegoodcareofyou。Ifnot，comeandcomplainofhertome。’ItwasasnearanapproachtoajokeasLadyCumnoreverperpetrated，andfromitLadyHarrietknewthathermotherwaspleasedbyMolly’smannersandappearance。’Now，hereyouareinyourownkingdom；andintothisroomIshan’tventuretocomewithoutexpresspermission。HereisthelastnewQuarterly，andthelastnewnovel，andthelastnewessays。Now，mydear，youneednotcomedownagainto—dayunlessyoulikeit。Parkesshallbringyoueverythingandanythingyouwant。Youmustgetstrongasfast，asyoucan，forallsortsofgreatandfamouspeoplearecomingto—morrowandthenextday，andIthinkyou’llliketoseethem。Supposeforto—dayyouonlycomedowntolunch，andifyoulikeit，intheevening。Dinnerissuchawearilylongmeal，ifoneisnotstrong；andyouwouldnotmissmuch，forthereisonlymycousinCharlesinthehousenow，andheisthepersonificationofsensiblesilence。’MollywasonlytoogladtoallowLadyHarriettodecideeverythingforher。Ithadbeguntorain，andwas，altogether，agloomydayforAugust；

　　andtherewasasmallfireofscentedwoodburningcheerfullyinthesitting—roomappropriatedtoher。Highup，itcommandedawideandpleasantviewoverthepark，andfromitcouldbeseenthespireofHollingfordChurch，whichgaveMollyapleasantideaofneighbourhoodtohome。Shewasleftalone，lyingonthesofa—booksnearher，woodcracklingandblazing，waftsofwindbringingthebeatingrainagainstthewindow，andsoenhancingthesenseofindoorcomfortbytheoutdoorcontrast。Parkeswasunpackingforher。LadyHarriethadintroducedParkestoMollybysaying，’Now，Molly，thisisMrsParkes，theonlypersonIeveramafraidof。ShescoldsmeifIdirtymyselfwithmypaints，justasifIwasalittlechild；andshemakesmegotobedwhenIwanttositup，’—Parkeswassmilinggrimlyallthetime；—’sotogetridofhertyrannyIgiveheryouasvictim。

　　Parkes，ruleoverMissGibsonwitharodofiron；makehercatanddrink，andrestandsleep，anddressasyouthinkwisestandbest。’ParkeshadbegunherreignbyputtingMollyonthesofa，andsaying，’Ifyouwillgivemeyourkeys，Miss，Iwillunpackyourthings，andletyouknowwhenitistimeformetoarrangeyourhair，preparatorytoluncheon。’

　　ForifLadyHarrietusedfamiliarcolloquialismsfromtimetotime，shecertainlyhadnotlearntitfromParkes，whopiquedherselfonthecorrectnessofherlanguage。WhenMollywentdowntolunchshefound’cousinCharles，’withhisaunt，LadyCumnor。HewasacertainSirCharlesMorton，thesonofLadyCumnor’sonlysister：aplain，sandy—hairedmanofthirty—fiveorso；immenselyrich，verysensible，awkward，andreserved。Hehadhadachronicattachment，ofmanyyears’standing，tohiscousin，LadyHarriet，whodidnotcareforhimintheleast，althoughitwasthemarriageveryearnestlydesiredforherbyhermother。LadyHarrietwas，however，onfriendlytermswithhim，orderedhimabout，andtoldhimwhattodo，andwhattoleaveundone，withouthavingevenadoubtastothewillingnessofhisobedience。ShehadgivenhimhiscueaboutMolly。’Now，Charles，thegirlwantstobeinterestedandamusedwithouthavingtotakeanytroubleforherself；sheistoodelicatetobeveryactiveeitherinmindorbody。Justlookafterherwhenthehousegetsfull，andplaceherwhereshecanhearandseeeverythingandeverybody，withoutanyfussandresponsibility。’SoSirCharlesbeganthisdayatluncheonbytakingMollyunderhisquietprotection。Hedidnotsaymuchtoher；butwhathedidsaywasthoroughlyfriendlyandsympathetic；andMollybegan，asheandLadyHarrietintendedthatsheshould，tohaveakindofpleasantrelianceuponhim。Thenintheeveningwhiletherestofthefamilywereatdinner—afterMolly’steaandhourofquietrepose，ParkescameanddressedherinsomeofthenewclothespreparedfortheKirkpatrickvisit，anddidherhairinsomenewandprettyway，sothatwhenMollylookedatherselfinthecheval—glass，shescarcelyknewtheelegantreflectiontobethatofherself。ShewasfetcheddownbyLadyHarrietintothegreatlongformidabledrawing—room，which，asaninterminableplaceofpacing，hadhauntedherdreamseversinceherchildhood。AtthefurtherendsateLadyCumnorathertapestrywork；thelightoffireandcandleseemedallconcentratedonthatonebrightpartwherepresentlyLadyHarrietmadetea，andLordCumnorwenttosleep，andSirCharlesreadpassagesaloudfromtheEdinburghReviewtothethreeladiesattheirwork。WhenMollywenttobedshewasconstrainedtoadmitthatstayingattheTowersasavisitorwasratherpleasantthanotherwise；andshetriedtoreconcileoldimpressionswithnewones，untilshefellasleep。Therewasanothercomparativelyquietdaybeforetheexpectedguestsbegantoarriveintheevening。LadyHarriettookMollyadriveinherlittlepony—carriage；

　　andforthefirsttimeformanyweeksMollybegantofeelthedelightfulspringofreturninghealth；thedanceofyouthfulspiritsinthefreshairclearedbythepreviousday’srain。

　　chapter58CHAPTERLVIIIREVIVINGHOPESANDBRIGHTENINGPROSPECTS’Ifyoucanwithoutfatigue，dear，docomedowntodinnerto—day；you’llthenseethepeopleonebyoneastheyappear，insteadofhavingtoencounteracrowdofstrangers。Hollingfordwillbeheretoo。Ihopeyou’llfinditpleasant。’SoMollymadeherappearanceatdinnerthatday；andgottoknow，bysightatleast，someofthemostdistinguishedofthevisitorsattheTowers。

　　ThenextdaywasThursday，Cynthia’swedding—day；brightandfineinthecountry，whateveritmightbeinLondon。Andtherewereseverallettersfromthehome—peopleawaitingMollywhenshecamedownstairstothelatebreakfast。Foreveryday，everyhour，shewasgainingstrengthandhealth，andshewasunwillingtocontinueherinvalidhabitsanylongerthanwasnecessary。ShelookedsomuchbetterthatSirCharlesnoticedittoLadyHarriet；andseveralofthevisitorsspokeofherthismorningasaverypretty，lady—like，andgracefulgirl。ThiswasThursday；onFriday，asLadyHarriethadtoldher，somevisitorsfromthemoreimmediateneighbourhoodwereexpectedtostayovertheSunday：butshehadnotmentionedtheirnames，andwhenMollywentdownintothedrawing—roombeforedinner，shewasalmoststartledbyperceivingRogerHamleyinthecentreofagroupofgentlemen，whowerealltalkingtogethereagerly，and，asitseemedtoher，makinghimtheobjectoftheirattention。Hemadeahitchinhisconversation，losttheprecisemeaningofaquestionaddressedtohim，answereditratherhastily，andmadehiswaytowhereMollywassitting，alittlebehindLadyHarriet。HehadheardthatshewasstayingattheTowers，buthewasalmostasmuchsurprisedasshewasbyhisunexpectedappearance，forhehadonlyseenheronceortwicesincehisreturnfromAfrica，andthenintheguiseofaninvalid。Nowinherprettyeveningdress，withherhairbeautifullydressed，herdelicatecomplexionflushedalittlewithtimidity，yethermovementsandmannersbespeakingquietease，Rogerhardlyrecognizedher，althoughheacknowledgedheridentity。

　　Hebegantofeelthatadmiringdeferencewhichmostyoungmenexperiencewhenconversingwithaveryprettygirl：asortofdesiretoobtainhergoodopinioninamannerverydifferenttohisoldfamiliarfriendliness。

　　HewasannoyedwhenSirCharles，whoseespecialchargeshestillwas，cameuptotakeherintodinner。Hecouldnotquiteunderstandthesmileofmutualintelligencethatpassedbetweenthetwo，eachbeingawareofLadyHarriet’splanofshelteringMollyfromthenecessityoftalking，andactinginconformitywithherwishesasmuchaswiththeirown。Rogerfoundhimselfpuzzling，andwatchingthemfromtimetotimeduringdinner。Againintheeveninghesoughtherout，butfoundheragainpreoccupiedwithoneoftheyoungmenstayinginthehouse，whohadhadtheadvantageoftwodaysofmutualinterest，andacquaintancewiththedailyeventsandjokesandanxietiesofthefamily—circle。MollycouldnothelpwishingtobreakoffallthistrivialtalkandtomakeroomforRoger：shehadsomuchtoaskhimabouteverythingattheHall；hewas，andhadbeensuchastrangertothemallfortheselasttwomonths，andmore。Butthougheachwantedtospeaktotheothermorethantoanyoneelseintheroom，itsohappenedthateverythingseemedtoconspiretopreventit。LordHollingfordcarriedoffRogertotheclusterofmiddle—agedmen；hewaswantedtogivehisopinionuponsomescientificsubject。MrErnulphusWatson，theyoungmanreferredtoabove，kepthisplacebyMolly，astheprettiestgirlintheroom，andalmostdazedherbyhisnever—ceasingflowofcleversmall—talk。

　　Shelookedsotiredandpaleatlastthattheever—watchfulLadyHarrietsentSirCharlestotherescue，andafterafewwordswithLadyHarriet，RogersawMollyquietlyleavetheroom；andasentenceortwowhichheheardLadyHarrietaddresstohercousinmadehimknowthatitwasforthenight。Thosesentencesmightbearanotherinterpretationtotheobviousone。’Really，Charles，consideringthatsheisinyourcharge，IthinkyoumighthavesavedherfromthechatterandpatterofMrWatson；IcanonlystanditwhenIaminthestrongesthealth。’WhywasMollyinSirCharles’charge？why？ThenRogerrememberedmanylittlethingsthatmightservetoconfirmthefancyhehadgotintohishead；

　　andhewenttobedpuzzledandannoyed。Itseemedtohimsuchanincongruous，hastily—got—upsortofengagement，ifengagementitreallywas。OnSaturdaytheyweremorefortunate；theyhadalongt&ecirc；te—&agrave；—t&ecirc；teinthemostpublicplaceinthehouse—onasofainthehallwhereMollywasrestingatLadyHarriet’scommandbeforegoingupstairsafterawalk。

　　Rogerwaspassingthrough，andsawher，andcametoher。Standingbeforeher，andmakingpretenceofplayingwiththegold—fishinagreatmarblebasincloseathand，—’Iwasveryunlucky，’saidhe。’Iwantedtogetnearyoulastnight，butitwasquiteimpossible。YouweresobusytalkingtoMrWatson，untilSirCharlesMortoncameandcarriedyouoff—withsuchanairofauthority！

　　Haveyouknownhimlong？’NowthiswasnotatallthemannerinwhichRogerhadpredeterminedthathewouldspeakofSirCharlestoMolly；butthewordscameoutinspiteofhimself。’No！notlong。IneversawhimbeforeIcamehere—onTuesday。ButLadyHarriettoldhimtoseethatIdidnotgettired，forIwantedtocomedown；butyouknowIhavenotbeenstrong。HeisacousinofLadyHarriet’s，anddoesallshetellshimtodo。’’Oh！heisnothandsome；butIbelieveheisaverysensibleman。’’Yes！Ishouldthinkso。Heissosilentthough，thatIcanhardlyjudge。’’Hebearsaveryhighcharacterinthecounty，’saidRoger，willingnowtogivehimhisfulldue。Mollystoodup。’Imustgoupstairs，’shesaid；’IonlysatedownhereforaminuteortwobecauseLadyHarrietbademe。’’Stopalittlelonger，’saidhe。’Thisisreallythepleasantestplace；