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from the church where he'd been married in a coach and six, with Faithful John behind, the happy couple heard three great I cracks in succession, and on inquiring, they were the iron-bands round his heart, that Faithful John had worn all during the time of his master's tribulation, to keep it from breaking."

In the evening Mr. Henderson came. Molly had been very curious to see him; and when she saw him she was not sure whether she liked him or not. He was handsome, without being conceited; gentlemanly, without being foolishly fine. He talked easily, and never said a silly thing. He was perfectly well-appointed, yet never seemed to have given a thought to his dress. He was good-tempered and kind; not without some of the cheerful flippancy of repartee which belonged to his age and profession, and which his age and profession are apt to take for wit. But he wanted something in Molly's eyes, at any rate, in this first interview, and in her heart of hearts she thought him rather commonplace. But of course she said nothing of this to Cynthia, who was evidently as happy as she could be. Mrs. Gibson, too, was in the seventh heaven of ecstasy, and spoke but little; but what she did say, expressed the highest sentiments in the finest language. Mr. Gibson was not with them for long, but while he was there he was evidently studying the unconscious Mr. Henderson with his dark penetrating eyes. Mr. Henderson behaved exactly as he ought to have done to everybody; respectful to Mr. Gibson, deferential to Mrs. Gibson, friendly to Molly, devoted to Cynthia. The next time Mr. Gibson found Molly alone, he began,

"Well! and how do you like the new relation that is to be?". "It is difficult to say. I think he is very nice in all his bits, but rather dull on the whole."

"I think him perfection," said Mr. Gibson, to Molly's surprise; but in an instant afterwards she saw that he had been speaking ironically. He went on. "I don't wonder she preferred him to Roger Hamley. Such scents! such gloves! And then his hair and his cravat!"

"Now, papa, you are not fair. He is a great deal more than that. One could see that he had very good feeling; and he is very handsome, and very much attached to her."

"So was Roger. However, I must confess I shall only be too glad to have her married. She is a girl who will always have some love-affair on hand, and will

always be apt to slip through a man's fingers if he does not look sharp; as I was saying to Roger "

"You have seen him, then, since he was here?"

"Met him in the street."

"How was he?"

"I don't suppose he had been going through the pleasantest thing in the world; but he'll get over it before long. He spoke with sense and resignation, and did not say much about it; but one could see that he was feeling it pretty sharply. He's had three months to think it over, remember. The squire, I should guess, is showing more indignation. He is boiling over, that any one should reject his son! The enormity of the sin never seems to have been apparent to him till now, when he sees how Roger is affected by it. Indeed, with the exception of myself, I don't know one rea- ■ sonable father; eh, Molly?”

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Whatever else Mr. Henderson might be, he was an impatient lover; he wanted to marry Cynthia directly next week — the week after. At any rate before the long vacation, so that they could go abroad at once. Trousseaux, and preliminary ceremonies, he gave to the winds. Mr. Gibson, generous as usual, called Cynthia aside a morning or two after her engagement, and put a hundred-pound note into her hands.

"There! that's to pay your expenses to Russia and back. I hope you'll find your pupils obedient."

To his surprise, and rather to his discomfiture, Cynthia threw her arms round his neck and kissed him.

"You are the kindest person I know," said she;" and I don't know how to thank you in words."

"If you tumble my shirt-collars again in that way, I'll charge you for the washing. Just now, too, when I'm trying so hard to be trim and elegant, like your Mr. Henderson."

"But you do like him, don't you?" said Cynthia, pleadingly. "He does so like you."

"Of course. We are all angels just now, and you are an arch-angel. I hope he'll wear as well as Roger."

Cynthia looked grave. very silly affair," she said. as unsuitable people "

"That was a "We were two

"It has ended, and that's enough. Besides, I've no more time to waste; and there is your smart young man coming here in all haste."

Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick sent all manner of congratulations; and Mrs. Gibson,

in a private letter, assured Mrs. Kirkpatrick of the very fair amount of liking which he that her ill-timed confidence about Roger had for his host, Mr. Kirkpatrick himself. should be considered as quite private. For

as soon as Mr. Henderson had made his
appearance in Hollingford, she had written
a second letter, entreating them not to
allude to anything she might have said in
her first; which she said was written in
such excitement on discovering the real
state of her daughter's affections, that she
had hardly known what she had said, and
had exaggerated some things, and misun-
derstood others; all that she did know now
was, that Mr. Henderson had just proposed
to Cynthia, and was accepted, and that
they were as happy as the day was long,
and ("excuse the vanity of a mother")
made a most lovely couple. So Mr. and
Mrs. Kirkpatrick wrote back an equally
agreeable letter, praising Mr. Henderson,
admiring Cynthia, and generally congratu-
latory; insisting into the bargain that the
marriage should take place from their house
in Hyde Park Street, and that Mr. and
Mrs. Gibson and Molly should all come up
and pay
them a visit. There was a little
postscript at the end. Surely you do not
mean the famous traveller, Hamley, about
whose discoveries all our scientific men are
so much excited. You speak of him as a
young Hamley, who went to Africa. An-
swer this question, pray, for Helen is most
anxious to know." This P.S. being in
Helen's handwriting. In her exultation at
the general success of everything, and de-
sire for sympathy, Mrs. Gibson read parts
of this letter to Molly; the postscript among
the rest. It made a deeper impression on
Molly than even the proposed kindness of
the visit to London.

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CHAPTER LVII.

BRIDAL VISITS AND ADIEUX.

THE whole town of Hollingford came to congratulate and inquire into particulars. Some indeed - Mrs. Goodenough at the head of this class of malcontents thought that they were defrauded of their right to a fine show by Cynthia's being married in London. Even Lady Cumnor was moved into action. She, who had hardly ever paid calls "out of her own sphere," who had only once been to see "Clare" in her own house - she came to congratulate after her fashion. Maria had only just time to run up into the drawing-room, one morning, and say,

"Please, ma'am, the great carriage from the Towers is coming up to the gate, and my lady the Countess is sitting inside." It was but eleven o'clock, and Mrs. Gibson would have been indignant at any commoner who had ventured to call at such an untimely hour, but in the case of the Peerage the rules of domestic morality were relaxed.

The family" stood at arms," as it were, till Lady Cumnor appeared in the drawingroom; and then she had to be settled in the best chair, and the light adjusted before anything like conversation began. was the first to speak; and Lady Harriet, who had begun a few words to Molly, dropped into silence.

She

"I have been taking Mary-Lady CuxThere were some family consultations; haven-to the railway station on this new but the end of them all was that the Kirk- line between Birmingham and London, and patrick invitation was accepted. There I thought I would come on here, and offer were many small reasons for this, which you my congratulations. Clare, which is were openly acknowledged; but there was the young lady?"-putting up her glasses, one general and unspoken wish to have the and looking at Cynthia and Molly, who ceremony performed out of the immediate were dressed pretty much alike. "I did neighbourhood of the two men whom Cyn- not think it would be amiss to give you a thia had previously rejected; that was the little advice, my dear,” said she, when Cynword now to be applied to her treatment of thia had been properly pointed out to her them. So Molly was ordered and enjoined as bride elect. "I have heard a good deal and entreated to become strong as soon as about you; and I am only too glad, for possible, in order that her health might not your mother's sake, your mother is a very prevent her attending the marriage. Mr. worthy woman, and did her duty very well Gibson himself, though he thought it his while she was in our family -I am truly duty to damp the excellent anticipations of rejoiced, I say, to hear that you are going his wife and her daughter, being not at all to make so creditable a marriage. I hope averse to the prospect of going to London, it will efface your former errors of conduct. and seeing half-a-dozen old friends, and many scientific exhibitions, independently

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which, we will hope, were but trivial in reality and that you will live to be a comfort to your mother, for whom both

you think he could induce him to favour us with his company?"

And this from the proud Lady Cumnor; and the object of it Roger Hamley, whom she had all but turned out of her drawingroom two years ago for calling at an untimely hour; and whom Cynthia had turned out of her heart. Mrs. Gibson was surprised, and could only murmur out, that she was sure Mr. Gibson would do all that her ladyship wished.

Lord Cumnor and I entertain a very sincere regard. But you must conduct yourself with discretion in whatever state of life it pleases God to place you, whether married or single. You must reverence your husband, and conform to his opinion in all things. Look up to him as your head, and do nothing without consulting him." It was as well that Lord Cumnor was not amongst the audience; or he might have compared precept with practice." Keep strict accounts; and remember your station in life. I understand that Mr.- looking about for some help as to the name she had forgotten "Henderson-Henderson is in the law. Although there is a general prejudice against attorneys, I have known of two or three who are very respectable men; themselves by art or science." and I am sure Mr. Henderson is one, or "Besides, mamma," said Lady Harriet, your good mother and our old friend Gib-"papa was saying that the Hamleys have son would not have sanctioned the engagement."

"He is a barrister," put in Cynthia, unable to restrain herself any longer. "Barrister-at-law."

"Ah, yes. Attorney-at-law. Barristerat-law. I understand without your speaking so loud, my dear. What was I going to say before you interrupted me? When you have been a little in society you will find that it is reckoned bad manners to interrupt. I had a great deal more to say to you, and you have put it all out of my head. There was something else your father wanted me to ask what was it, Harriet?"

"I suppose you mean about Mr. Hamley!"

"Oh, yes! we are intending to have the house full of Lord Hollingford's friends next month, and Lord Cumnor is particularly anxious to secure Mr. Hamley."

"The squire?" asked Mrs. Gibson in some surprise. Lady Cumnor bowed slightly, as much as to say, "If you did not interrupt me I should explain."

"The famous traveller- the scientific Mr. Hamley, I mean. I imagine he is son to the squire. Lord Hollingford knows him well; but when we asked him before, he declined coming, and assigned no reason." Had Roger indeed been asked to the Towers and declined? Mrs. Gibson could not understand it. Lady Cumnor went

on

"Now this time we are particularly anxious to secure him, and my son Lord Hollingford will not return to England until the very week before the Duke of Atherstone is coming to us. I believe Mr. Gibson is very intimate vih Mr. Hamley; do

"Thank you. You know me well enough to be aware that I am not the person, nor is the Towers the house, to go about soliciting guests. But in this instance I bend my head; high rank should always be the first to honour those who have distinguished

been on their land since before the Conquest; while we only came into the country a century ago; and there is a tale that the first Cumnor began his fortune through selling tobacco in King James's reign."

If Lady Cumnor did not exactly shift her trumpet and take snuff there on the spot, she behaved in an equivalent manner. She began a low-toned but nevertheless authoritative conversation with Clare about the details of the wedding, which lasted until she thought it fit to go, when she abruptly plucked Lady Harriet up, and carried her off in the very midst of a description she was giving to Cynthia about the delights of Spa, which was to be one of the resting-places of the newly-married couple on their wedding-tour.

Nevertheless she prepared a handsome present for the bride: a Bible and a Prayerbook bound in velvet with silver-clasps; and also a collection of household accountbooks, at the beginning of which Lady Cumnor wrote down with her own hand the proper weekly allowance of bread, butter, eggs, meat, and groceries per head, with the London prices of the articles, so that the most inexperienced housekeeper might ascertain if her expenditure exceeded her means, as she expressed herself in the note which she sent with the handsome, dull present.

"If you are driving into Hollingford, Harriet, perhaps you will take these books to Miss Kirkpatrick," said Lady Cumnor, after she had sealed her note with all the straitness and correctness befitting a countess of her immaculate charater. "I understand they are all going up to London to-morrow for this wedding, in spite of what I said to Clare of the duty of being mar

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did not want to do that. Then she cleared her voice. "Papa!" she continued, "has so looked forward to this holiday, and seeing-and- and going-oh! I can't tell you where; but he has quite a list of people and sights to be seen, and now he says he should not be comfortable to leave me all alone for more than three days, -two for travelling, and one for the wedding." Just then Mrs. Gibson came in, ruffled too after her fashion, though the presence of Lady Harriet was wonderfully smoothing.

ried in one's own parish-church. She told me at the time that she entirely agreed with me, but that her husband had such a strong wish for a visit to London, that she did not know how she could oppose him consistently with her wifely duty. I advised her to repeat to him my reasons for thinking that they would be ill-advised to have the marriage in town; but I am afraid she has been overruled. That was her one great fault when she lived with us; she was always so yielding, and never knew how to say 'No.'" "Mamma!" said Lady Harriet, with a little sly coaxing in her tone. "Do you My dear Lady Harriet - how kind of think you would have been so fond of her, you! Ah, yes, I see this poor unfortunate if she had opposed you, and said 'No,' child has been telling you of her ill-luck; when you wished her to say 'Yes?'" just when everything was going on so beautifully; I am sure it was that open window at your back, Molly,—you know you would persist that it could do you no harm, and now you see the mischief! I am sure I shan't be able to enjoy myself— and at my only child's wedding too - -without you; for I can't think of leaving you without Maria. I would rather sacrifice anything myself than think of you, uncared for, and dismal at home."

"To be sure I should, my dear. I like everybody to have an opinion of their own; only when my opinions are based on thought and experience, which few people have had equal opportunities of acquiring, I think it is but proper deference in others to allow themselves to be convinced. In fact, I think it is only obstinacy which keeps them from acknowledging that they are. I am not a despot, I hope?" she asked, with some anxiety.

"If you are, dear mamma," said Lady Harriet, kissing the stern uplifted face very fondly, "I like a despotism better than a republic, and I must be very despotic over my ponies, for it is already getting very late for my drive round by Ash-holt."

But when she arrived at the Gibsons', she was detained so long there by the state of the family, that she had to give up her going to Ash-holt.

Molly was sitting in the drawing-room pale and trembling, and keeping herself quiet only by a strong effort. She was the only person there when Lady Harriet entered; the room was all in disorder, strewed with presents and paper, and pasteboard boxes, and half-displayed articles of finery. "You look like Marius sitting amidst the ruins of Carthage, my dear! What's the matter? Why have you got on that wobegone face? This marriage is not broken off, is it? Though nothing would surprise me where the beautiful Cynthia is concerned."

"Oh, no! that's all right. But I have caught a fresh cold, and papa says he thinks I had better not go to the wedding."

"Poor little one! And it's the first visit to London too!"

Yes. But what I most care for is the not being with Cynthia to the last; and then, papa". she stopped, for she could hardly go on without open crying, and she

--

"I am sure Molly is as sorry as any one," said Lady Harriet.

"No. I don't think she is," said Mrs Gibson, with happy disregard of the chronology of events," or she would not have sate with her back to an open window the day before yesterday, when I told her not. But it can't be helped now. Papa too but it is my duty to make the best of everything, and look at the cheerful side of life. I wish I could persuade her to do the same (turning and addressing Lady Harriet). But you see it is a great mortification to a girl of her age to lose her first visit to London."

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"It is not that," began Molly; but Lady Harriet made her a little sign to be silent while she herself spoke.

66

Now, Clare! you and I can manage it all, I think, if you will but help me in a plan I have got in my head. Mr. Gibson shall stay as long as ever he can in London; and Molly shall be well cared for, and have some change of air and scene too, which is really what she needs as much as anything, in my poor opinion. I can't spirit her to the wedding and give her a sight of London; but I can carry her off to the Towers, and invite her myself; and send daily bulletins up to London, so that Mr. Gibson may feel quite at ease, and stay with you as long as you like. What do you say to it, Clare?"

"Oh, I could not go," said Molly; "I should only be a trouble to everybody.".

"Nobody asked you for your opinion, little one. If we wise elders decide that you are to go, you must submit in silence." Meanwhile Mrs. Gibson was rapidly balancing advantages and disadvantages. Amongst the latter, jealousy came in predominant. Amongst the former, it would sound well; Maria could then accompany Cynthia and herself as "their maid," Mr. Gibson would stay longer with her, and it was always desirable to have a man at her beck and call in such a place as London; besides that, this identical man was gentlemanly and good-looking, and a favourite with her prosperous brother-in-law. The ayes had it.

"What a charming plan! I cannot think of anything kinder or pleasanter for this poor darling. Only what will Lady Cumnor say? I am modest for my family as much as for myself," she continued.

you,

"You know mamma's sense of hospitality is never more gratified than when the house is quite full; and papa is just like her. Besides she is fond of you, and grateful to our good Mr. Gibson, and will be fond of little one, when she knows you as I do." Molly's heart sank within her at the prospect. Excepting on the one evening of her father's wedding-day, she had never even seen the outside of the Towers since that unlucky day in her childhood when she had fallen asleep on Clare's bed. She had a dread of the countess, a dislike to her house, only it seemed as if it was a solution to the problem of what to do with her, which had been perplexing every one all morning, and so evidently that it had caused her much distress. She kept silence, though her lips quivered from time to time. Oh, if Miss Brownings had not chosen this very time of all others to pay their monthly visit to Miss Hornblower! if she could only have gone there, and lived with them in their quaint, quiet, primitive way, instead of having to listen, without remonstrance, to hearing plans discussed about her, as if she was an inanimate chattel.

"She shall have the south pink room, opening out of mine by one door, you remember; and the dressing-room shall be made into a cozy little sitting-room for her, in case she likes to be by herself. Parkes shall attend upon her, and I am sure Mr. Gibson must know Parkes's powers as a nurse by this time. We shall have all manner of agreeable people in the house to amuse her downstairs; and when she has got rid of this access of cold, I will drive her out every day, and write daily bulletins, as I said. Pray tell Mr. Gibson all that,

and let it be considered as settled. I will come for her in the close carriage to-morrow, at eleven. And now may I see the lovely bride elect, and give her mamma's present, and my own good wishes?" So Cynthia came in, and demurely received the very proper present, and the equally coveted congratulations, without testifying any very great delight or gratitude at either; for she was quite quick enough to detect there was no great afflux of affection accompanying either. But when she heard her mother quickly recapitulating all the details of the plan for Molly, Cynthia's eyes did sparkle with gladness; and almost to Lady Harriet's surprise, she thanked her as if she had conferred a personal favour upon her, Cynthia. Lady Harriet saw, too, that in a very quiet way, she had taken Molly's hand, and was holding it all the time, as if loth to think of their approaching separation somehow, she and Lady Harriet were brought nearer together by this little action than they had ever been before.

Molly had hoped that her father might have raised some obstacles to the project: she was disappointed. But, indeed, she did not when she perceived how he seemed to feel that, by placing her under the care of Lady Harriet and Parkes, he should be relieved from anxiety; and now he spoke of this change of air and scene as being the very thing he had been wishing to secure for her country air, and absence of excitement as this would be; for the only other place where he could have secured her these advantages, and at the same time sent her as an invalid, was to Hamley Hall; and he dreaded the associations there with the beginning of her present illness.

So Molly was driven off in state the next day, leaving her own home all in confusion with the assemblage of boxes and trunks in the hall, and all the other symptoms of the approaching departure of the family for London and the wedding. All the morning Cynthia had been with her in her room, attending to the arrangement of Molly's clothes, instructing her what to wear with what, and rejoicing over the pretty smartnesses, which, having been prepared for her as bridesmaid, were now to serve as adornments for her visit to the Towers. Both Molly and Cynthia spoke about dress as if it was the very object of their lives; for each dreaded the introduction of more serious subjects; Cynthia more for Molly than herself. Only when the carriage was announced, and Molly was preparing to go downstairs, Cynthia said,

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