Miss Gibson is there, I know.' So he went upstairs, all his nerves on one strain for the coming interview with Cynthia.It was either a relief or a disappointment, he was not sure which, to find only Molly in the room.Molly, half lying on the couch in the bow-window which commanded the garden; draped in soft white drapery, very white herself, and a laced half-handkerchief tied over her head to save her from any ill effects of the air that blew in through the open window.He was so ready to speak to Cynthia that he hardly knew what to say to any one else.'I am afraid you are not so well,' he said to Molly, who sate up to receive him, and who suddenly began to tremble with emotion.'I am a little tired, that's all,' said she; and then she was quite silent, hoping that he might go, and yet somehow wishing him to stay.But he took a chair and placed it near her, opposite to the window.He thought that surely Maria would tell Miss Kirkpatrick that she was wanted, and that at any moment he might hear her light quick footstep on the stairs.He thought he ought to talk, but he could not think of anything to say.The pink flush came out on Molly's cheeks; once or twice she was on the point of speaking, but again she thought better of it; and the pauses between the faint disjointed remarks became longer and longer.Suddenly, in one of these pauses, the merry murmur of distant happy voices in the garden came nearer and nearer; Molly looked more and more uneasy and flushed, and in spite of herself kept watching Roger's face.He could see over her into the garden.A sudden deep colour overspread him, as if his heart had sent its blood out coursing at full gallop.Cynthia and Mr Henderson had come in sight; he eagerly talking to her as he bent forward to look into her face; she, her looks half averted in pretty shyness, was evidently coquetting about some flowers, which she either would not give, or would not take.Just then, for the lovers had emerged from the shrubbery into comparatively public life, Maria was seen approaching; apparently she had feminine tact enough to induce Cynthia to leave her present admirer, and go a few steps to meet her to receive the whispered message that Mr Roger Hamley was there, and wished to speak to her.Roger could see her startled gesture, she turned back to say something to Mr Henderson before coming towards the house.Now Roger spoke to Molly - spoke hurriedly, spoke hoarsely.'Molly, tell me! It is too late for me to speak to Cynthia? I came on purpose.
Who is that man?' 'Mr Henderson.He only came to-day - but now he is her accepted lover.
