The autumn flowers blazed out in the garden below, the lazy cows were in the meadow beyond, chewing their cud in the green aftermath; the evening fires had just been made up in the cottages beyond, in preparation for the husband's homecoming, and were sending up soft curls of blue smoke into the still air; the children, let loose from school, were shouting merrily in the distance, and she -- Just then she heard nearer sounds;an opened door, steps on the lower flight of stairs, He could not have gone without even seeing her.He never, never would have done so cruel a thing - never would have forgotten poor little Molly, however happy he might be.No! there were steps and voices, and the drawing-room door was opened and shut once more.She laid down her head on her arms that rested on the window-sill, and cried, - she had been so distrustful as to have let the idea enter her mind that he could go without wishing her good-by;her, whom his mother had so loved, and called by the name of his little dead sister.And as she thought of the tender love Mrs Hamley had borne her she cried the more, for the vanishing of such love for her off the face of the earth.Suddenly the drawing-room door opened, and some one was heard coming upstairs; it was Cynthia's step.Molly hastily wiped her eyes, and stood up and tried to look unconcerned; it was all she had time to do before Cynthia, after a little pause at the closed door, had knocked;and on an answer being given, had said, without opening the door, - 'Molly!
Mr Roger Hamley is here, and wants to wish you good-by before he goes.'
Then she went downstairs again, as if anxious just at that moment to avoid even so short a tête-à-tête with Molly.With a gulp and a fit of resolution, as a child makes up its mind to swallow a nauseous dose of medicine, Molly went instantly downstairs.Roger was talking earnestly to Mrs Gibson in the bay of the window when Molly entered; Cynthia was standing near, listening, but taking no part in the conversation.Her eyes were downcast, and she did not look up as Molly drew shyly near.Roger was saying, - 'I could never forgive myself if I had accepted a pledge from her.She shall be free until my return; but the hope, the words, her sweet goodness, have made me happy beyond description.Oh, Molly!' suddenly becoming aware of her presence, and turning to her, and taking her hand in both of his, - 'I think you have long guessed my secret, have you not?
I once thought of speaking to you before I left, and confiding it all to you.But the temptation has been too great, I have told Cynthia how fondly I love her, as far as words can tell; and she says -- ' then he looked at Cynthia with passionate delight and seemed to forget in that gaze that he had left his sentence to Molly half finished.Cynthia did not seem inclined to repeat her saying, whatever it was, but her mother spoke for her.'My dear sweet girl values your love as it ought to be valued, I am sure.
And I believe,' looking at Cynthia and Roger with intelligent archness, 'I could tell tales as to the cause of her indisposition in the spring.' 'Mother,' said Cynthia suddenly, 'you know it was no such thing.Pray don't invent stories about me.I have engaged myself to Mr Roger Hamley, and that is enough.' 'Enough! more than enough!' said Roger.'I will not accept your pledge.
I am bound, but you are free.I like to feel bound, it makes me happy and at peace, but with all the chances involved in the next two years, you must not shackle yourself by promises.' Cynthia did not speak at once; she was evidently revolving something in her own mind.Mrs Gibson took up the word.'You are very generous, I am sure.Perhaps it will be better not to mention it.' 'I would much rather have it kept a secret,' said Cynthia, interrupting.'Certainly, my dear love.That was just what I was going to say.I once knew a young lady who heard of the death of a young man in America, whom she had known pretty well; and she immediately said she had been engaged to him, and even went so far as to put on weeds; and it was a false report, for he came back well and merry, and declared to everybody he had never so much as thought about her.So it was very awkward for her.These things had much better be kept secret until the proper time has come for divulging them.' Even then and there Cynthia could not resist the temptation of saying, - 'Mamma, I will promise you I won't put on weeds, whatever reports come of Mr Roger Hamley.' 'Roger, please!' he put in, in a tender whisper.'And you will all be witnesses that he has professed to think of me, if he is tempted afterwards to deny the fact.But at the same time I wish it to be kept a secret until his return - and I am sure you will all be so kind as to attend to my wish.Please, Roger! Please, Molly! Mamma!
I must especially beg it of you!' Roger would have granted anything when she asked him by that name, and in that tone.He took her hand in silent pledge of his reply.Molly felt as if she could never bring herself to name the affair as a common piece of news.So it was only Mrs Gibson answered aloud, - 'My dear child! why "especially" to poor me! You know I'm the most trustworthy person alive!' The little pendule on the chimney-piece struck the half-hour.'I must go!' said Roger, in dismay.'I had no idea it was so late.I shall write from Paris.The coach will be at the "George" by this time, and will only stay five minutes.Dearest Cynthia -- ' he took her hand, and then, as if the temptation was irresistible, he drew her to him and kissed her.
'Only remember you are free!' said he, as he released her and passed on to Mrs Gibson.'If I had considered myself free,' said Cynthia, blushing a little, but ready with her repartee to the last, - 'if I had thought myself free, do you think I would have allowed that?' Then Molly's turn came; and the old brotherly tenderness came back into his look, his voice, his bearing.'Molly! you won't forget me, I know; I shall never forget you, nor your goodness to - her.' His voice began to quiver, and it was best to be gone.