Wives and Daughters

ng curiosity. But fate is a cunning hussy, and builds up her plans as imperceptibly as a bird builds her nest; and with much the same kind of unconsidered trifles.' The first 'trifle' of a

e to provide Bethia with another situation, to the full as good as that which she held in his family. Jenny, nevertheless, chose to give warning; and though Mr. Gibson knew full well from former experience that her warnings

irably folded, and most neatly sealed letter from Miss Eyre. Her eldest nephew had fallen ill of scarlet fever, and there was every probability that the younger children would be attacked by the same complaint. It was distressing enough for poor Miss Eyre - this additional expense, this anxiety - the long detention from home which the illness involved. But she said not a word of any

not a woman within ten miles of me. I might have some peace then.' Apparently, he forgot Mr. Coxe's powers of making mischief; but indeed he might have traced that evi

But I can't have her back here just yet; and so the best I can do for her is to leave her where she is. Mrs. Hamley seems very fond o

on the lawn. Molly was flitting about her, gardening away under her directions; tyi

e white paling which separated the trim lawn and trimmer flowe

ley, raising herself on her elbow. 'We've got a rose-tree to show y

re chairs, a table, books, and tangled work. Somehow, he rather disliked asking for Molly to prolong her visit; so he determined to swallow his bitter first, and the

today to ask for a

ou name it. Am no

, but went straight

r many years, writes today to say that one of the little nephews she took wi

dear little Molly to stay on here. Of course Miss Eyre c

you very much. Tha

to his, and nestled in

but mayn't I go home? I am very very happy here; but - oh

ame at his unwonted scrutiny, but her sweet eyes were filled with wonder, rather than with any feeling which he dreaded to find. For an instant

ley, I'm sure. And in the next place, do you think you're wiser than I am; or that I don't

his mind; and then she was smitten with a sense of ingratitude. She left her father, and went to Mrs. Hamley, and be

ou came, Mr. Gibson. We are such happy friends, are not we, M

as whipped,' s

me over and see us very often. There's a room here for you always, you know; and I don't see why

my little girl, I might be tempted to say s

t be easy till you hav

I get my rudeness,' said Molly, trium

- all kindness, and no common sense. How in the world would my patients find me out, seven miles from

on here? A messenge

to just step on seven miles farther! Or take the other end of society:- I don't think my Lady Cumn

ream for this father of yours. Such humble offices fall within the province of women. Strawberries

erday, and the squire went himself to the dairy and brought me out a great bowl of cream when he found

were not quite an inquiry, he was so certain of his answer. There was a mixture of

go away for a long time. The first thing I thought of this morning when I wakened up, was that she would soon have to return

willing and so wise; ready both to talk and to listen at the right times. Mrs. Hamley was quite right in speaking of her husband's fondness for Molly. But either she herself chose a wrong time for telling him of the prolongation o

me of her; Miss Eyre away and all. It's a very awkward position for a mother

e thought of it before taking pupils, or

as I was - as I am to keep Molly. I asked her to

e with Osborne! Roger,

squire's eyes, Mrs.

take to. We like her because we see what she really is; but lads o

?' growled

hey would not at their age even see that she is pr

and three and twenty up in a country-house like this, with a girl of seventeen - choose what her gowns may be like, or her hair, or her e

ce fell; she bec

while she is here; staying up at Cambridge, or rea

en the marks of the weeks on your almanack. I'd sooner speak to Gibson, an

so unkind; it will give the lie to all I said yesterday. Don

of her becoming hysterical; 'I'll speak to Osborne when he comes

e anatomy, and messes of that sort, to be thinking of falling in love w

oung man! But with Roger it wouldn't so much signify

and so merry and sweet in her behaviour as a welcome guest, never distrusting him for a moment, however gruff he might be, that by the next morning she had completely won him round,

tuna

! ve

er son Osborne had received an invitation to stay with a friend in the neighbourhood of Cambridge, and perhaps to make a t

very sym

r! I am

husband was not present, Moll

of his coming home. I am afrai

y smiled -

such delightful travelling letters. Poor fellow! He must be going into the examination today! Both his father and I feel sur

d anticipated, and then was banished as a subject of regret. Her days at Hamley were well filled up with the small duties that would have belonged to a daughter of the house had there been one. She made breakfast for the lonely squire, and would willingly have carried up madam's, but that daily piece of work belonged to the squire, and was jealously guarded by him. She read the smaller print of the newspapers aloud to him, city articles, money and corn-markets included. She strolled about the gardens with him, gathering fresh flowers, meanwhile, to deck the drawing-room against Mrs. Hamley should come down. She was her companion when she took her drives in the close carriage; they read poetry an