‘What is it? may I see it?’ asked Molly, stretching out her hand for the pamphlet, which lay within her reach.  But she did not take it until Cynthia had said,—­

’Certainly, I don’t suppose there are any great secrets in a scientific journal, full of reports of meetings.’  And she gave the book a little push towards Molly. .

‘Oh, Cynthia!’ said Molly, catching her breath as she read, ’Are you not proud?’ For it was an account of an annual gathering of the Geographical Society, and Lord Hollingford had read a letter he had received from Roger Hamley, dated from Arracuoba, a district in Africa, hitherto unvisited by any intelligent European traveller; and about which, Mr. Hamley sent many curious particulars.  The reading of this letter had been received with the greatest interest, and several subsequent speakers had paid the writer very high compliments.

But Molly might have known Cynthia better than to expect an answer responsive to the feelings that prompted her question.  Let Cynthia be ever so proud, ever so glad, or so grateful, or even indignant, remorseful, grieved or sorry, the very fact that she was expected by another to entertain any of these emotions, would have been enough to prevent her expressing them.

’I’m afraid I’m not as much struck by the wonder of the thing as you are, Molly.  Besides, it is not news to me; at least, not entirely.  I heard about the meeting before I left London; it was a good deal talked about in my uncle’s set; to be sure I did not hear all the fine things they say of him there—­but then, you know, that’s a mere fashion of speaking, which means nothing; somebody is bound to pay compliments when a lord takes the trouble to read one of his letters aloud.’

‘Nonsense,’ said Molly.  ’You know you don’t believe what you are saying, Cynthia.’

Cynthia gave that pretty little jerk of her shoulders, which was her equivalent for a French shrug, but did not lift up her head from her sewing.  Molly began to read the report over again.

‘Why, Cynthia!’ she said, ’you might have been there; ladies were there.  It says “many ladies were present.”  Oh, could not you have managed to go?  If your uncle’s set cared about these things, would not some of them have taken you?’

’Perhaps, if I had asked them.  But I think they would have been rather astonished at my sudden turn for science.’

’You might have told your uncle how matters really stood; he would not have talked about it if you had wished him not, I am sure, and he could have helped you.’

‘Once for all, Molly,’ said Cynthia, now laying down her work, and speaking with quick authority, ’do learn to understand that it is, and always has been my wish, not to have the relation which Roger and I bear to each other, mentioned or talked about.  When the right time comes, I will make it known to my uncle, and to everybody whom it may concern; but I am not going to make mischief, and get myself into trouble—­even for the sake of hearing compliments paid to him—­by letting it out before the time.  If I’m pushed to it, I’d sooner break it off altogether at once, and have done with it.  I can’t be worse off than I am now.’  Her angry tone had changed into a kind of desponding complaint before she had ended her sentence.  Molly looked at her with dismay.