’Yes; and I am sure you might have done,—­there’s the ingratitude!  I am not so unjust as to want you to do what you can’t do!’ said Mrs Gibson, querulously.

’But where’s the ingratitude, mamma?  I am very much tired, and perhaps that makes me stupid; but I cannot see the ingratitude.’  Cynthia spoke very wearily, leaning her head back on the sofa-cushions, as if she did not much care to have an answer.

’Why, don’t you see we are doing all we can for you; dressing you well, and sending you to London; and when you might relieve us of the expense of all this, you don’t.’

‘No!  Cynthia, I will speak,’ said Molly, all crimson with indignation, and pushing away Cynthia’s restraining hand.  ’I am sure papa does not feel, and does not mind, any expense he incurs about his daughters.  And I know quite well that he does not wish us to marry, unless—­’ She faltered and stopped.

‘Unless what?’ said Mrs. Gibson, half-mocking.

‘Unless we love some one very dearly indeed,’ said Molly, in a low, firm tone.

’Well, after this tirade—­really rather indelicate, I must say—­I have done.  I will neither help nor hinder any love-affairs of you two young ladies.  In my days we were glad of the advice of our elders.’  And she left the room to put into fulfilment an idea which had just struck her:  to write a confidential letter to Mrs Kirkpatrick, giving her her version of Cynthia’s ‘unfortunate entanglement’ and ’delicate sense of honour,’ and hints of her entire indifference to all the masculine portion of the world, Mr Henderson being dexterously excluded from the category.

‘Oh, dear!’ said Molly, throwing herself back in a chair, with a sigh of relief, as Mrs. Gibson left the room; ’how cross I do get since I have been ill.  But I could not bear her to speak as if papa grudged you anything.’

’I am sure he does not, Molly.  You need not defend him on my account.  But I am sorry mamma still looks upon me as “an encumbrance,” as the advertisements in The Times always call us unfortunate children.  But I have been an encumbrance to her all my life.  I am getting very much into despair about everything, Molly.  I shall try my luck in Russia.  I have heard of a situation as English governess at Moscow, in a family owning whole provinces of land, and serfs by the hundred.  I put off writing my letter till I came home; I shall be as much out of the way there as if I was married.  Oh, dear! travelling all night is not good for the spirits.  How is Mr Preston?’

’Oh, he has taken Cumnor Grange, three miles away, and he never comes in to the Hollingford tea-parties now.  I saw him once in the street, but it’s a question which of us tried the hardest to get out of the other’s way.’

‘You’ve not said anything about Roger, yet.’

’No; I did not know if you would care to hear.  He is very much older-looking; quite a strong grown-up man.  And papa says he is much graver.  Ask me any questions, if you want to know, but I have only seen him once.’