’IfIgotoMrsDawes，andsherepeatsthemtome，IshallslapherfaceorboxherearsI’mafraid，forIcouldn’tstandtalesbeingtoldofpoorMary’sdaughter，asiftheywerejusta，stirringpieceofnewslikeJamesHorrocks’pigwithtwoheads，’saidMissBrowning，meditatingaloud。’Thatwoulddoharminsteadofgood。Phoebe，I’mreallysorryI
boxedyourears，onlyIshoulddoitagainifyousaidthesamethings。’
Phoebesatedownbyhersister，andtookholdofoneofherwitheredhands，andbegancaressingit，whichwasherwayofacceptinghersister’sexpressionofregret。’IfIspeaktoMolly，thechildwilldenyit，ifshe’shalfasgood—for—nothingastheysay；andifshe’snot，she’llonlyworryherselftodeath。No，thatwon’tdo。MrsGoodenough—butshe’sadonkey；andifIconvincedher，shecouldneverconvinceanyoneelse。No；MrsDawes，whotoldyou，shalltellme，andI’lltiemyhandstogetherinsidemymuff，andbindmyselfovertokeepthepeace。AndwhenI’veheardwhatistobeheard，I’llputthematterintoMrGibson’shands。That’swhatI’lldo。Soit’snouseyoursayinganythingagainstit，Phoebe，forIshan’tattendtoyou。’
MissBrowningwenttoMrsDawes’，andbegancivillyenoughtomakeinquiriesaboutthereportscurrentinHollingfordaboutMollyandMrPreston；andMrsDawesfellintothesnare，andtoldalltherealandfictitiouscircumstancesofthestoryincirculation，quiteunawareofthestormthatwasgatheringandreadytofalluponherassoonasshestoppedspeaking。ButshehadnotthelonghabitofreverenceforMissBrowningwhichwouldhavekeptsomanyHollingfordladiesfromjustifyingthemselvesifshefoundfault。
MrsDawesstoodupforherselfandherownveracity，bringingoutfreshscandal，whichshesaidshedidnotbelieve，butthatmanydid；andadducingsomuchevidenceastothetruthofwhatshehadsaidanddidbelieve，thatMissBrowningwasalmostquelled，andsatesilentandmiserableattheendofMrsDawes’justificationofherself。
’Well！’shesaidatlength，risingupfromherchairasshespoke，’I’mverysorryI’velivedtillthisday；it’sablowtomejustasifIhadheardofsuchgoings—oninmyownfleshandblood。IsupposeIoughttoapologizetoyou，MrsDawes，forwhatIsaid；butI’venohearttodoitto—day。IoughtnottohavespokenasIdid；butthat’snothingtothisaffair，yousee。’
’IhopeyoudomethejusticetoperceivethatIonlyrepeatedwhatIhadheardongoodauthority，MissBrowning，’saidMrsDawesinreply。
’Mydear，don’trepeatevilonanyauthorityunlessyoucandosomegoodbyspeakingaboutit，’saidMissBrowning，layingherhandonMrsDawes’shoulder。’I’mnotagoodwoman，butIknowwhatisgood，andthatadviceis。AndnowIthinkIcantellyouthatIbegyourpardonforflyingoutuponyouso；butGodknowswhatpainyouwereputtingmeto。You’llforgiveme，won’tyou，mydear？’MrsDawesfeltthehandtremblingonhershoulder，andsawtherealdistressofMissBrowning’smind，soitwasnotdifficulttohertogranttherequestedforgiveness。ThenMissBrowningwenthome，andsaidbutfewwordstoPhoebe，whoindeedsawwellenoughthathersisterhadheardthereportsconfirmed，andneedednofurtherexplanationofthecauseofscarcely—tasteddinner，andshortreplies，andsaddenedlooks。PresentlyMissBrowningsatedownandwroteashortnote。Thensherangthebell，andtoldthelittlemaidenwhoansweredittotakeittoMrGibson，andifhewasouttoseethatitwasgiventohimassoonaseverhecamehome。AndthenshewentandputonherSundaycap；andMissPhoebeknewthathersisterhadwrittentoaskMrGibsontocomeandbetoldoftherumoursaffectinghisdaughter。MissBrowningwassadlydisturbedattheinformationshehadreceived，andthetaskthatlaybeforeher；shewasmiserablyuncomfortabletoherselfandirritabletoMissPhoebe，andthenetting—cottonshewasusingkeptcontinuallysnappingandbreakingfromthejerksofhernervoushands。Whentheknockatthedoorwasheard，—thewell—knowndoctor’sknock，—MissBrowningtookoffherspectacles，anddroppedthemonthecarpet，breakingthemasshedidso；andthenshebadeMissPhoebeleavetheroom，asifherpresencehadcasttheevil—eye，andcausedthemisfortune。Shewantedtolooknatural，andwasdistressedatforgettingwhethersheusuallyreceivedhimsittingorstanding。
’Well！’saidhe，comingincheerfully，andrubbinghiscoldhandsashewentstraighttothefire，’andwhatisthematterwithus？It’sPhoebe，Isuppose。Ihopenoneofthoseoldspasms？But，afterall，adoseortwowillsetthattorights。’
’Oh！MrGibson，IwishitwasPhoebe，ormeeither！’saidMissBrowning，tremblingmoreandmore。
Hesatedownbyherpatiently，whenhesawheragitation，andtookherhandinakind，friendlymanner。
’Don’thurryyourself，—takeyourtime。Idaresayit’snotsobadasyoufancy；butwe’llseeaboutit。There’sagreatdealofhelpintheworld，muchasweabuseit。’
’MrGibson，’saidshe，’it’syourMollyI’msogrievedabout。It’soutnow，andGodhelpusboth，andthepoorchildtoo，forI’msureshe’sbeenledastray，andnotgonewrongbyherownfreewill！’
’Molly！’saidhe，fightingagainstherwords。’What’smylittleMollybeendoingorsaying？’
’Oh！MrGibson，Idon’tknowhowtotellyou。Ineverwouldhavenamedit，ifIhadnotbeenconvinced，sorely，sorelyagainstmywill。’
’Atanyrate，youcanletmehearwhatyouhaveheard，’saidhe，puttinghiselbowonthetable，andscreeninghiseyeswithhishand。’NotthatIamabitafraidofanythingyoucanhearaboutmygirl，’continuedhe。
’Onlyinthislittlenestofgossipit’saswelltoknowwhatpeoplearetalkingabout。’
’Theysay—oh！howshallItellyou？’
’Goon，can’tyou？’saidhe，removinghishandfromhisblazingeyes。
’I’mnotgoingtobelieveit，sodon’tbeafraid！’
’ButIfearyoumustbelieveit。IwouldnotifIcouldhelpit。She’sbeencarryingonaclandestinecorrespondencewithMrPreston！——’
’MrPreston！’exclaimedhe。
’Andmeetinghimatallsortsofunseemlyplacesandhoursoutofdoors，—inthedark，—faintingawayinhis—hisarms，ifImustspeakout。
Allthetownistalkingofit。’MrGibson’shandwasoverhiseyesagain，andhemadenosign；soMissBrowningwenton，addingtouchtotouch。’MrSheepshankssawthemtogether。TheyhaveexchangednotesinGrinstead’sshop；sheranafterhimthere。’
’Bequiet，can’tyou？’saidMrGibson，takinghishandaway，andshowinghisgrimsetface。’Ihaveheardenough。Don’tgoon。IsaidIshouldn’tbelieveit，andIdon’t。IsupposeImustthankyoufortellingme；butIcan’tyet。’
’Idon’twantyourthanks，’saidMissBrowning，almostcrying。’Ithoughtyououghttoknow；forthoughyou’remarriedagain，Ican’tforgetyouweredearMary’shusbandonceuponatime；andMolly’sherchild。’
’I’drathernotspeakanymoreaboutitjustatpresent，’saidhe，notatallreplyingtoMissBrowning’slastspeech。’ImaynotcontrolmyselfasIought。IonlywishIcouldmeetPreston，andhorsewhiphimwithinaninchofhislife。IwishI’dthedoctoringoftheseslanderousgossips。
I’dmaketheirtonguesliestillforawhile。Mylittlegirl！Whatharmhasshedonethemall，thattheyshouldgoandfoulherfairname。’
’Indeed，MrGibson，I’mafraidit’salltrue。IwouldnothavesentforyouifIhadn’texaminedintoit。Doascertainthetruthbeforeyoudoanythingviolent，suchashorsewhippingorpoisoning。’
Withalltheinconsé；quenceofamaninapassion，MrGibsonlaughedout，’WhathaveIsaidabouthorsewhippingorpoisoning？DoyouthinkI’dhaveMolly’snamedraggedaboutthestreetsinconnectionwithanyactofviolenceonmypart。Letthereportdieawayasitarose。Timewillproveitsfalsehood。’
’ButIdon’tthinkitwill，andthat’sthepityofit，’saidMissBrowning。
’Youmustdosomething，butIdon’tknowwhat。’
’IshallgohomeandaskMollyherselfwhat’sthemeaningofitall；
that’sallIshalldo。It’stooridiculous—knowingMollyasIdo，it’sperfectlyridiculous。’Hegotupandwalkedabouttheroomwithhastysteps，laughingshortunnaturallaughsfromtimetotime。’Reallywhatwilltheysaynext？\"Satanfindssomemischiefstillforidletonguestodo。\"’
’Don’ttalkofSatan，please，inthishouse。Nooneknowswhatmayhappen，ifhe’slightlyspokenabout，’pleadedMissBrowning。
Hewenton，withoutnoticingher，talkingtohimself，—’I’veagreatmindtoleavetheplace；—andwhatfoodforscandalthatpieceoffollywouldgiveriseto！’Thenhewassilentforatime；hishandsinhispockets，hiseyesontheground，ashecontinuedhisquarter—deckmarch。SuddenlyhestoppedclosetoMissBrowning’schair。’I’mthoroughlyungratefultoyou，forastrueamarkoffriendshipasyou’veevershowntome。Trueorfalse，itwasrightIshouldknowthewretchedscandalthatwasbeingcirculated；anditcouldnothavebeenpleasantforyoutotellitme。
Thankyoufromthebottomofmyheart。’
’Indeed，MrGibson，ifitwasfalseIwouldneverhavenamedit，butletitdieaway。’
’It’snottruethough！’saidhe，doggedly，lettingdropthehandhehadtakeninhiseffusionofgratitude。
Sheshookherhead。’IshallalwaysloveMollyforhermother’ssake，’
shesaid。AnditwasagreatconcessionfromthecorrectMissBrowning。
Butherfatherdidnotunderstanditassuch。
’Yououghttoloveherforherown。Shehasdonenothingtodisgraceherself。Ishallgostraighthome，andprobeintothetruth。’
’Asifthepoorgirlwhohasbeenledawayintodeceitalreadywouldscruplemuchatgoingoninfalsehood，’wasMissBrowning’sremarkonthislastspeechofMrGibson’s；butshehaddiscretionenoughnottomakeituntilhewaswelloutofhearing。
chapter48
CHAPTERXLVIIIANINNOCENTCULPRIT
Withhisheadbentdown—asifhewerefacingsomekeen—blowingwind—andyettherewasnotabreathofairstirring—MrGibsonwentswiftlytohisownhome。Herangatthedoor—bell；anunusualproceedingonhispart。Mariaopenedthedoor。’GoandtellMissMollysheiswantedinthedining—room。Don’tsaywhoitisthatwantsher。’TherewassomethinginMrGibson’smannerthatmadeMariaobeyhimtotheletter，inspiteofMolly’ssurprisedquestion，—
’Wantsme？Whoisit，Maria？’
MrGibsonwentintothedining—room，andshutthedoor，foraninstant’ssolitude。Hewentuptothechimney—piece，tookholdofit，andlaidhisheadonhishands，andtriedtostillthebeatingofhisheart。
Thedooropened。HeknewthatMollystoodtherebeforeheheardhertoneofastonishment。
’Papa！’
’Hush！’saidhe，turningroundsharply。’Shutthedoor。Comehere。’
Shecametohim，wonderingwhatwasamiss。HerthoughtswenttotheHamleysimmediately。’IsitOsborne？’sheasked，breathless。IfMrGibsonhadnotbeentoomuchagitatedtojudgecalmly，hemighthavededucedcomfortfromthesethreewords。
Butinsteadofallowinghimselftoseekforcomfortfromcollateralevidence，hesaid，—’Molly，whatisthisIhear？ThatyouhavebeenkeepingupaclandestineintercoursewithMrPreston—meetinghiminout—of—the—wayplaces；exchangingletterswithhiminastealthyway。’
Thoughhehadprofessedtodisbelieveallthis，anddiddisbelieveitatthebottomofhissoul，hisvoicewashardandstern，hisfacewaswhiteandgrim，andhiseyesfixedMolly’swiththeterriblekeennessoftheirresearch。Mollytrembledallover；butshedidnotattempttoevadehispenetration。Ifshewassilentforamoment，itwasbecauseshewasrapidlyreviewingherrelationwithregardtoCynthiainthismatter。Itwasbutamoment’spauseofsilence；butitseemedlongminutestoonewhowascravingforaburstofindignantdenial。Hehadtakenholdofhertwoarmsjustaboveherwrists，asshehadfirstadvancedtowardshim；hewasunconsciousofthisaction；but，ashisimpatienceforherwordsgrewuponhim，hegraspedhermoreandmoretightlyinhisvice—likehands，tillshemadealittleinvoluntarysoundofpain。Andthenheletgo；andshelookedathersoftbruisedflesh，withtearsgatheringfasttohereyestothinkthathe，herfather，shouldhavehurtherso。Attheinstantitappearedtoherstrangerthatheshouldinflictbodilypainuponhischild，thanthatheshouldhaveheardthetruth—eveninanexaggeratedform。Withachildishgesturesheheldoutherarmtohim；butifsheexpectedpity，shereceivednone。
’Pooh！’saidhe，ashejustglancedatthemark，’thatisnothing—
nothing。Answermyquestion。Haveyou—haveyoumetthatmaninprivate？’
’Yes，papa，Ihave；butIdon’tthinkitwaswrong。’
Hesatedownnow。’Wrong！’heechoed，bitterly。’Not’wrong？Well！I
mustbearitsomehow。Yourmotherisdead。That’sonecomfort。Itistrue，then，isit？Why，Ididnotbelieveit—notI。Ilaughedinmysleeveattheircredulity；andIwasthedupeallthetime！’
’Papa，Icannottellyouall。Itisnotmysecret，oryoushouldknowitdirectly。Indeed，youwillbesorrysometime—Ihaveneverdeceivedyouyet，haveI？’tryingtotakeoneofhishands；buthekeptthemtightlyinhispockets，hiseyesfixedonthepatternofthecarpetbeforehim。
’Papa！’saidshe，pleadingagain，’haveIeverdeceivedyou？’
’HowcanItell？Ihearofthisfromthetown’stalk。Idon’tknowwhatnextmaycomeout！’
’Thetown’stalk，’saidMollyindismay。’Whatbusinessisitoftheirs？’
’Everyonemakesittheirbusinesstocastdirtonagirl’snamewhohasdisregardedthecommonestrulesofmodestyandpropriety。’
’Papa，youareveryhard。\"Disregardedmodesty。\"IwilltellyouexactlywhatIhavedone。ImetMrPrestononce，—thateveningwhenyouputmedowntowalkoverCrostonHeath，—andtherewasanotherpersonwithhim。
Imethimasecondtime—andthattimebyappointment—nobodybutourtwoselves，—intheTowers’Park。Thatisall。Papa，youmusttrustme。
Icannotexplainmore。Youmusttrustmeindeed。’
Hecouldnothelprelentingatherwords；therewassuchtruthinthetoneinwhichtheywerespoken。Butheneitherspokenorstirredforaminuteortwo。Thenheraisedhiseyestohersforthefirsttimesinceshehadacknowledgedtheexternaltruthofwhathechargedherwith。Herfacewasverywhite，butitboretheimpressofthefinalsincerityofdeath，whenthetrueexpressionprevailswithoutthepoordisguisesoftime。
’Theletters？’hesaid，—butalmostasifheereashamedtoquestionthatcountenanceanyfurther。
’Igavehimoneletter，—ofwhichIdidnotwriteaword，—which，infact，Ibelievetohavebeenmerelyanenvelope，withoutanywritingwhateverinside。Thegivingthatletter，—thetwointerviewsIhavenamed，—makealltheprivateintercourseIhavehadwithMrPreston。Oh！papa，whathavetheybeensayingthathasgrieved—shockedyousomuch？’
’Nevermind。Astheworldgoes，whatyousayyouhavedone，Molly，isgroundenough。Youmusttellmeall。Imustbeabletorefutetheserumourspointbypoint。’
’Howaretheytoberefuted；whenyousaythatthetruthwhichIhaveacknowledgedisgroundenoughforwhatpeoplearesaying？’
’Yousayyouwerenotactingforyourself，butforanother。Ifyoutellmewhotheotherwas，—ifyoutellmeeverythingoutfully，Iwilldomyutmosttoscreenher—forofcourseIguessitwasCynthia—whileIamexoneratingyou。’
’No，papa！’saidMolly，aftersomelittleconsideration；’IhavetoldyouallIcantell；allthatconcernsmyself；andIhavepromisednottosayonewordmore。’
’Thenyourcharacterwillbeimpugned。Itmustbe，unlessthefullestexplanationofthesesecretmeetingsisgiven。IhaveagreatmindtoforcethewholetruthoutofPrestonhimself！’
’Papa！onceagainIbegyoutotrustme。IfyouaskMrPrestonyouwillverylikelyhearthewholetruth；butthatisjustwhatIhavebeentryingsohardtoconceal，foritwillonlymakeseveralpeopleveryunhappyifitisknown，andthewholeaffairisoveranddonewithnow。’
’Notyourshareinit。MissBrowningsentformethiseveningtotellmehowpeopleweretalkingaboutyou。Sheimpliedthatitwasacompletelossofyourgoodname。Youdonotknow，Molly，howslightathingmayblackenagirl’sreputationforlife。Ihadhardworktostandallshesaid，eventhoughIdidnotbelieveawordofitatthetime。Andnowyouhavetoldmethatmuchofitistrue。’
’ButIthinkyouareabraveman，papa。Andyoubelieveme，don’tyou？
Weshalloutlivetheserumours，neverfear。’
’Youdon’tknowthepowerofill—naturedtongues，child，’saidhe。
’Oh，nowyou’vecalledme\"child\"againIdon’tcareforanything。Dear，dearpapa，I’msureitisbestandwisesttotakenonoticeofthesespeeches。
Afteralltheymaynotmeanthemill—naturedly。IamsureMissBrowningwouldnot。By—and—bythey’llquiteforgethowmuchtheymadeoutofsolittle，—andeveniftheydon’t，youwouldnothavemebreakmysolemnword，wouldyou？’
’Perhapsnot。ButIcannoteasilyforgivethepersonwho，bypractisingonyourgenerosity，ledyouintothisscrape。Youareveryyoung，andlookuponthesethingsasmerelytemporaryevils。Ihavemoreexperience。’
’Still，Idon’tseewhatIcandonow，papa。PerhapsI’vebeenfoolish；
butwhatIdid，Ididofmyownself。Itwasnotsuggestedtome。AndI’msureitwasnotwronginmorals，whateveritmightbeinjudgment。AsI
said，itisallovernow；whatIdidendedtheaffair，Iamthankfultosay；anditwaswiththatobjectIdidit。Ifpeoplechoosetotalkaboutme，Imustsubmit；andsomustyou，dearpapa。’
’Doesyourmother—doesMrsGibson—knowanythingaboutit？’askedhewithsuddenanxiety。
’No；notabit；notaword。Praydon’tnameittoher。Thatmightleadtomoremischiefthananythingelse。IhavereallytoldyoueverythingIamatlibertytotell。’
ItwasagreatrelieftoMrGibsontofindthathissuddenfearthathiswifemighthavebeenprivytoitallwasill—founded；hehadbeenseizedbyasuddendreadthatshe，whomhehadchosentomarryinordertohaveaprotectressandguideforhisdaughter，hadbeencognizantofthisill—advisedadventurewithMrPreston；nay，more，thatshemightevenhaveinstigatedittosaveherownchild；forthatCynthiawassomehoworotheratthebottomofitallhehadnodoubtwhatever。Butnow，atanyrate，MrsGibsonhadnotbeenplayingatreacherouspart；thatwasallthecomforthecouldextractoutofMolly’smysteriousadmission，thatmuchmischiefmightresultfromMrsGibson’sknowinganythingaboutthesemeetingswithMrPreston。
’Then，whatistobedone？’saidhe。’Thesereportsareabroad，—amItodonothingtocontradictthem？AmItogoaboutsmilingandcontentwithallthistalkaboutyou，passingfromoneidlegossiptoanother？’
’I’mafraidso。I’mverysorry，forInevermeantyoutohaveknownanythingaboutit，andIcanseenowhowitmustdistressyou。Butsurelywhennothingmorehappens，andnothingcomesofwhathashappened，thewonderandthegossipmustdieaway？IknowyoubelieveeverywordIhavesaid，andthatyoutrustme，papa。Please，formysake，bepatientwithallthisgossipandcackle。’
’Itwilltrymehard，Molly，’saidhe。
’Formysake，papa！’
’Idon’tseewhatelseIcando，’repliedhemoodily，’unlessIgetholdofPreston。’
’Thatwouldbetheworstofall。Thatwouldmakeatalk。And，afterall，perhapshewasnotsoverymuchtoblame。Yes！hewas。Buthebehavedwelltomeasfarasthatgoes，’saidshe，suddenlyrecollectinghisspeechwhenMrSheepshankscameupintheTowers’Park，—’Don’tstir，youhavedonenothingtobeashamedof。’
’Thatistrue。Aquarrelbetweenmenwhichdragsawoman’snameintonoticeistobeavoidedatanycost。ButsoonerorlaterImusthaveitoutwithPreston。Heshallfinditnotsopleasanttohaveplacedmydaughterinequivocalcircumstances。’
’Hedidnotplaceme。HedidnotknowIwascoming，didnotexpecttomeetmeeithertime；andwouldfarrathernothavetakentheletterIgavehimifhecouldhavehelpedhimself。’
’Itisallamystery。Ihatetohaveyoumixedupinmysteries。’
’Ihatetobemixedup。ButwhatcanIdo？IknowofanothermysterywhichIampledgednottospeakabout。Icannothelpmyself。’
’Well，allIcansayis，neverbetheheroineofamystery。Thatyoucanavoid，ifyoucan’thelpbeinganaccessory。Then，Isuppose，Imustyieldtoyourwishesandletthisscandalwearitselfoutwithoutanynoticefromme？’
’Whatelsecanyoudounderthecircumstances？’
’Ay；whatelseindeed？Howshallyoubearit？’
Foraninstantthequickhottearssprangintohereyes；tohaveeverybody—allherworldthinkingevilofher，didseemhardtothegirlwhohadneverthoughtorsaidanunkindthingofthem。Butshesmiledasshemadeanswer，—
’It’sliketooth—drawing，itwillbeoversometime。ItwouldbemuchworseifIhadreallybeendoingwrong。’
’Cynthiashallbeware—’hebegan；butMollyputherhandbeforehismouth。
’Papa，Cynthiamustnotbeaccused，orsuspected；youwilldriveheroutofyourhouseifyoudo，sheissoproud，andsounprotected，exceptbyyou。AndRoger，—forRoger’ssake，youwillneverdoorsayanythingtosendCynthiaaway，whenhehastrustedusalltotakecareofher，andloveherinhisabsence。Oh！Ithinkifshewerereallywicked，andIdidnotloveheratall，Ishouldfeelboundtowatchoverher，heloveshersodearly。Andsheisreallygoodatheart，andIdoloveherdearly。YoumustnotvexorhurtCynthia，papa，—remembersheisdependentuponyou！’
’Ithinktheworldwouldgetontolerablywell，iftherewerenowomeninit。Theyplaguethelifeoutofone。You’vemademeforget，amongstyou—pooroldJobHaughtonthatIoughttohavegonetoseeanhourago。’
Mollyputuphermouthtobekissed。’You’renotangrywithmenow，papa，areyou？’
’Getoutofmyway’（kissingherallthesame）。’IfI’mnotangrywithyou，Ioughttobe；foryou’vecausedagreatdealofworry，whichwon’tbeoveryetawhile，Icantellyou。’
ForallMolly’sbraveryatthetimeofthisconversation，itwasshethatsufferedmorethanherfather。Hekeptoutofthewayofhearinggossip；
butshewasperpetuallythrownintothesmallsocietyoftheplace。MrsGibsonherselfhadcaughtcold，andmoreoverwasnottemptedbythequietold—fashionedvisitingwhichwasgoingonjustaboutthistime，provokedbythevisitoftwoofMrsDawes’prettyunrefinednieces，wholaughed，andchattered，andate，andwouldfainhaveflirtedwithMrAshton，thevicar，couldhehavebeenbroughtbyanypossibilitytounderstandhisshareinthebusiness。MrPrestondidnotaccepttheinvitationstoHollingfordtea—drinkingswiththesameeagergratitudeashehaddoneayearbefore：
orelsetheshadowwhichhungoverMollywouldhaveextendedtohim，herco—partnerintheclandestinemeetingswhichgavesuchumbragetothefemininevirtueofthetown。Mollyherselfwasinvited，becauseitwouldnotdotopassanyapparentslightoneitherMrorMrsGibson；buttherewasatacit，andunder—handprotestagainstherbeingreceivedontheoldterms。
Everyonewasciviltoher，butnoonewascordial；therewasaveryperceptiblefilmofdifferenceintheirbehaviourtoherfromwhatitwasformerly；
nothingthathadoutlinesandcouldbedefined。ButMolly，forallherclearconscienceandherbraveheart，feltacutelythatshewasonlytolerated，notwelcomed。ShecaughtthebuzzingwhispersofthetwoMissOakeses’，who，whentheyfirstmettheheroineoftheprevailingscandal，lookedatheraskance，andcriticizedherpretensionstogoodlooks，withhardlyanattemptatunder—tones。Mollytriedtobethankfulthatherfatherwasnotinthemoodforvisiting。Shewasevengladthatherstepmotherwastoomuchofaninvalidtocomeout，whenshefeltthusslighted，andasitwere，degradedfromherplace。MissBrowningherself，thattrueoldfriend，spoketoherwithchillingdignity，andmuchreserve，forshehadneverheardawordfromMrGibsonsincetheeveningwhenshehadputherselftosomuchpaintotellhimofthedisagreeablerumoursaffectinghisdaughter。
OnlyMissPhoebewouldseekoutMollywithevenmorethanherformertenderness；andthistriedMolly’scalmnessmorethanalltheslightsputtogether。Thesofthand，pressinghersunderthetable，—thecontinualappealstoher，soastobringherbackintotheconversation，touchedMollyalmosttosheddingtears。Sometimesthepoorgirlwonderedtoherselfwhetherthischangeinthebehaviourofheracquaintanceswasnotamerefancyofhers；whether，ifshehadneverhadthatconversationwithherfather，inwhichshehadborneherselfsobravelyatthetime，sheshouldhavediscoveredthedifferenceintheirtreatmentofher。Shenevertoldherfatherhowshefelttheseperpetualsmallslights；shehadchosentobeartheburdenofherownfreewill；nay，more，shehadinsistedonbeingallowedtodoso；anditwasnotforhertogrievehimnowbyshowingthatsheshrankfromtheconsequencesofherownact。Sosheneverevenmadeanexcusefornotgoingintothesmallgaieties，orminglingwiththesocietyofHollingford。Onlyshesuddenlyletgothestretchofrestraintshewaslivingin，whenoneeveningherfathertoldherthathewasreallyanxiousaboutMrsGibson’scough，andshouldlikeMollytogiveupapartyatMrsGoodenough’s，towhichtheywereallthreeinvited，buttoWhichMollyalonewasgoing。Molly’sheartleapedupatthethoughtsofstoppingathome，eventhoughthenextmomentshehadtoblameherselfforrejoicingatareprievethatwaspurchasedbyanother’ssuffering。However，theremediesprescribedbyherhusbanddidMrsGibsongood；andshewasparticularlygratefulandcaressingtoMolly。