Molly felt extremely uncomfortable at all this, although perfectly aware of the entire inaccuracy of the statement.

‘Well, but, Molly!’ said Miss Browning, ’never mind whether you went there on your own merits, or your worthy father’s merits, or Mrs Gibson’s merits; but tell us what you did when you were there.’

So Molly began an account of their sayings and doings, which she could have made far more interesting to Miss Browning and Miss Phoebe if she had not been conscious of her stepmother’s critical listening.  She had to tell it all with a mental squint; the surest way to spoil a narration.  She was also subject to Mrs. Gibson’s perpetual corrections of little statements which she knew to be facts.  But what vexed her most of all was Mrs. Gibson’s last speech before the Miss Brownings left.

’Molly had fallen into rambling ways with this visit of hers, of which she makes so much, as if nobody had ever been in a great house but herself.  She is going to Hamley Hall next week,—­getting quite dissipated in fact.’

Yet to Mrs. Goodenough, the next caller on the same errand of congratulation, Mrs. Gibson’s tone was quite different.  There had always been a tacit antagonism between the two, and the conversation now ran as follows:—­

Mrs. Goodenough began,—­

’Well!  Mrs. Gibson, I suppose I must wish you joy of Miss Cynthia’s marriage; I should condole with some mothers as had lost their daughters; but you’re not one of that sort, I reckon.’

Now, as Mrs. Gibson was not quite sure to which ‘sort’ of mothers the greatest credit was to be attached, she found it a little difficult how to frame her reply.

‘Dear Cynthia!’ she said.  ’One can’t but rejoice in her happiness!  And yet—­’ she ended her sentence by sighing.

’Ay.  She was a young woman as would always have her followers; for, to tell the truth, she was as pretty a creature as ever I saw in my life.  And all the more she needed skilful guidance.  I am sure I, for one, am as glad as can be she’s done so well by herself.  Folks say Mr. Henderson has a handsome private fortune over and above what he makes by the law.’  ’There is no fear but that my Cynthia will have everything this world can give!’ said Mrs. Gibson with dignity.

’Well, well! she was always a bit of a favourite of mine; and as I was saying to my grand-daughter there’ (for she was accompanied by a young lady, who looked keenly to the prospect of some wedding-cake), ’I was never one of those who ran her down and called her a flirt and a jilt.  I’m glad to hear she’s like to be so well off.  And now, I suppose, you’ll be turning your mind to doing something for Miss Molly there?’

’If you mean by that, doing anything that can, by hastening her marriage, deprive me of the company of one who is like my own child, you are very much mistaken, Mrs. Goodenough.  And pray remember, I am the last person in the world to match-make.  Cynthia made Mr Henderson’s acquaintance at her uncle’s in London.’