Chapter LII squire hamley’s sorrow

It seemed very long before Mr Gibson came down. He went and stood with his back to the empty fireplace, and did not speak for a minute or two. ‘He’s gone to bed,’ said he at length. ‘Robinson and I have got him there. But...

Chapter LI ‘troubles never come alone’

Molly had her out-of-door things on, and she crept away as she was bidden; she lifted her heavy weight of heart and body along till she came to a field, not so very far off,—where she had sought the comfort of loneliness ever since...

Chapter XLII the storm bursts

The autumn drifted away through all its seasons; the golden corn-harvest, the walks through the stubble fields, and rambles into hazel-copses in search of nuts; the stripping of the apple-orchards of their ruddy fruit, amid the joyous cries and shouts of watching children; and...

Chapter XXXIX secret thoughts ooze out

Molly found Cynthia in the drawing-room, standing in the bow-window, looking out on the garden. She started as Molly came up to her. ‘Oh, Molly,’ said she, putting her arms out towards her, ‘I am always so glad to have you with me!’ It was...

Chapter XXVIII rivalry

For some days after the ball Cynthia seemed languid, and was very silent. Molly, who had promised herself fully as much enjoyment in talking over the past gaiety with Cynthia as in the evening itself, was disappointed when she found that all conversation on...

Chapter XXVI a charity ball

At the present time there are few people at a public ball besides the dancers and their chaperones, or relations in some degree interested in them. But in the days when Molly and Cynthia were young—before railroads were, and before their consequences, the excursion-trains,...

Chapter XXII the old squire’s troubles

Affairs were going on worse at the Hall than Roger had liked to tell. Moreover, very much of the discomfort there arose from ‘mere manner,’ as people express it, which is always indescribable and indefinable. Quiet and passive as Mrs Hamley had always been...

Chapter XXI the half-sisters

It appeared as if Mrs Gibson’s predictions were likely to be verified; for Osborne Hamley found his way to her drawing-room pretty frequently. To be sure, sometimes prophets can help on the fulfilment of their own prophecies; and Mrs Gibson was not passive. Molly was...

Chapter XIX cynthia’s arrival

Molly’s father was not at home when she returned; and there was no one to give her a welcome. Mrs Gibson was out paying calls, the servants told Molly. She went upstairs to her own room, meaning to unpack and arrange her borrowed books....

Chapter XIII molly gibson’s new friends

Time was speeding on; it was now the middle of August,—if anything was to be done to the house, it must be done at once. Indeed, in several ways Mr Gibson’s arrangements with Miss Browning had not been made too soon. The squire had...