‘They say—­oh! how shall I tell you?’

‘Go on, can’t you?’ said he, removing his hand from his blazing eyes.  ‘I’m not going to believe it, so don’t be afraid!’

’But I fear you must believe it.  I would not if I could help it.  She’s been carrying on a clandestine correspondence with Mr Preston!—­’

‘Mr. Preston!’ exclaimed he.

’And meeting him at all sorts of unseemly places and hours out of doors,—­in the dark,—­fainting away in his—­his arms, if I must speak out.  All the town is talking of it.’  Mr. Gibson’s hand was over his eyes again, and he made no sign; so Miss Browning went on, adding touch to touch.  ’Mr. Sheepshanks saw them together.  They have exchanged notes in Grinstead’s shop; she ran after him there.’

‘Be quiet, can’t you?’ said Mr. Gibson, taking his hand away, and showing his grim set face.  ’I have heard enough.  Don’t go on.  I said I shouldn’t believe it, and I don’t.  I suppose I must thank you for telling me; but I can’t yet.’

‘I don’t want your thanks,’ said Miss Browning, almost crying.  ’I thought you ought to know; for though you’re married again, I can’t forget you were dear Mary’s husband once upon a time; and Molly’s her child.’

‘I’d rather not speak any more about it just at present,’ said he, not at all replying to Miss Browning’s last speech.  ’I may not control myself as I ought.  I only wish I could meet Preston, and horsewhip him within an inch of his life.  I wish I’d the doctoring of these slanderous gossips.  I’d make their tongues lie still for a while.  My little girl!  What harm has she done them all, that they should go and foul her fair name.’

’Indeed, Mr. Gibson, I’m afraid it’s all true.  I would not have sent for you if I hadn’t examined into it.  Do ascertain the truth before you do anything violent, such as horsewhipping or poisoning.’

With all the inconsequence of a man in a passion, Mr. Gibson laughed out, ’What have I said about horsewhipping or poisoning?  Do you think I’d have Molly’s name dragged about the streets in connection with any act of violence on my part.  Let the report die away as it arose.  Time will prove its falsehood.’

‘But I don’t think it will, and that’s the pity of it,’ said Miss Browning.  ‘You must do something, but I don’t know what.’

’I shall go home and ask Molly herself what’s the meaning of it all; that’s all I shall do.  It’s too ridiculous—­knowing Molly as I do, it’s perfectly ridiculous.’  He got up and walked about the room with hasty steps, laughing short unnatural laughs from time to time.  ’Really what will they say next?  “Satan finds some mischief still for idle tongues to do."’

’Don’t talk of Satan, please, in this house.  No one knows what may happen, if he’s lightly spoken about,’ pleaded Miss Browning.