‘He knows nothing of Cynthia’s resolution to give up Roger,’ said Mr Gibson as they rode away.  ’I had a long talk with her last night, but she was as resolute as ever.  From what your mamma tells me, there is a third lover in London, whom she’s already refused.  I’m thankful that you’ve no lover at all, Molly, unless that abortive attempt of Mr. Coxe’s at an offer, long ago, can be called a lover.’

‘I never heard of it, papa,’ said Molly.

’Oh, no.  I forgot.  What a fool I was!  Why, don’t you remember the hurry I was in to get you off to Hamley Hall, the very first time you ever went?  It was all because I got hold of a desperate love-letter from Coxe, addressed to you.’

But Molly was too tired to be amused, or even interested.  She could not get over the sight of the straight body covered with a sheet, which yet let the outlines be seen,—­all that remained of Osborne.  Her father had trusted too much to the motion of the ride, and the change of scene from the darkened house.  He saw his mistake.

‘Some one must write to Mrs. Osborne Hamley,’ said he.  ’I believe her to have a legal right to the name; but whether or no, she must be told that the father of her child is dead.  Shall you do it, or I?’

‘Oh, you, please, papa!’

’I will, if you wish, But she may have heard of you as a friend of her dead husband’s; while of me—­a mere country doctor—­it’s very probable she has never heard the name.’

‘If I ought, I will do it.’  Mr. Gibson did not like this ready acquiescence, given in so few words, too.

‘There’s Hollingford church-spire,’ said she presently, as they drew near the town, and caught a glimpse of the church through the trees.  ’I think I never wish to go out of sight of it again.’

‘Nonsense!’ said he.  ’Why, you’ve all your travelling to do yet; and if these newfangled railways spread, as they say they will, we shall all be spinning about the world; “sitting on tea-kettles,” as Phoebe Browning calls it.  Miss Browning wrote such a capital letter of advice to Miss Hornblower.  I heard of it at the Millers’.  Miss Hornblower was going to travel by railroad for the first time; and Sally was very anxious, and sent her directions for her conduct; one piece of advice was not to sit on the boiler.’

Molly laughed a little, as she was expected to do.

‘Here we are at home, at last.’

Mrs. Gibson gave Molly a warm welcome.  For one thing, Cynthia was in disgrace; for another, Molly came from the centre of news; for a third, Mrs. Gibson was really fond of the girl, in her way, and sorry to see her pale heavy looks.

’To think of it all being so sudden at last!  Not but what I always expected it!  And so provoking!  Just when Cynthia had given up Roger!  If she had only waited a day!  What does the squire say to it all?’

‘He is beaten down with grief,’ replied Molly.

’Indeed!  I should not have fancied he had liked the engagement so much.’