SosaidMissBrowningonthenightinquestion；herhandofcardslyingbyheronthegreenbaize—coveredtable，whileshemunchedtherichpound—cakeofacertainMrsDawes，latelycometoinhabitHollingford。
　　’Matrimony’snotsobadasyouthinkfor，MissBrowning，’saidMrsGoodenough，standingupfortheholyestateintowhichshehadtwiceentered。’IfI
　　hadha’seenNancy，Ishouldha’givenhermymindverydifferent。It’sagreatthingtobeabletosettlewhatyou’llhavefordinner，withoutneveraoneinterferingwithyou。’
　　’Ifthat’sall！’saidMissBrowning，drawingherselfup，’Icandothat；
　　and，perhaps，betterthanawomanwhohasahusbandtoplease。’
　　’NoonecansayasIdidn’tpleasemyhusbands—bothon’em，thoughJeremywastickler’inhistastesthanpoorHarryBeaver。ButasIusedtosayto’em，"Leavethevictualtome；it’sbetterforyouthanknowingwhat’stocomebeforehand。Thestomachlikestobetakenbysurprise。"
　　Andneitherof’emeverrepented’emoftheirconfidence。Youmaytakemywordforit，beansandbaconwilltastebetter（andMrAshton’sNancyinherownhouse）thanallthesweetbreadsandspringchickensshe’sbeena—doingforhimthisseventeenyears。ButifIchoseIcouldtellyouofsomethingaswouldinterestyoualladealmorethanoldNancy’smarriagetoawidowerwithninechildren—onlyastheyoungfolksthemselvesismeetinginprivate，clandestine—like，it’sperhapsnotformetotelltheirsecrets。’
　　’I’msureIdon’twanttohearofclandestinemeetingsbetweenyoungmenandyoungwomen，’saidMissBrowning，throwingupherhead。’It’sdisgraceenoughtothepeoplethemselves，Iconsider，iftheyenteronaloveaffairwithoutthepropersanctionofparents。Iknow’publicopinionhaschangedonthesubject；butwhenpoorGratiawasmarriedtoMrByerley，hewrotetomyfatherwithouteverhavingsomuchaspaidheracompliment，orsaidmorethanthemosttrivialandcommonplacethingstoher；andmyfatherandmothersentforherintomyfather’sstudy，andshesaidsheneverwassomuchfrightenedinherlife，—andtheysaiditwasaverygoodoffer，andMrByerleywasaveryworthyman，andtheyhopedshewouldbehaveproperlytohimwhenhecametosupperthatnight。Andafterthathewasallowedtocometwiceaweektilltheyweremarried。MymotherandIsateatourworkinthebow—windowoftheRectorydrawing—room，andGratiaandMrByerleyattheotherend；andmymotheralwayscalledmyattentiontosomeflowerorplantinthegardenwhenitstrucknine，forthatwashistimeforgoing。Withoutoffencetothepresentcompany，Iamratherinclinedtolookuponmatrimonyasaweaknesstowhichsomeveryworthypeopleareprone；butiftheymustbemarried，letthemmakethebestofit，andgothroughtheaffairwithdignityandpropriety；oriftherearemisdoingsandclandestinemeetings，andsuchthings，atanyrate，neverletmehearaboutthem！Ithinkit’syoutoplay，MrsDawes。You’llexcusemyfranknessonthesubjectofmatrimony！MrsGoodenoughtherecantellyouI’maveryout—spokenperson。’
　　’It’snottheout—speaking，it’swhatyousaythatgoesagainstme，MissBrowning，’saidMrsGoodenough，affronted，yetreadytoplayhercardassoonasneeded，AndasforMrsDawes，shewastooanxioustogetintothegenteelestofall（Hollingford）societytoobjecttowhateverMissBrowning（who，inrightofbeingadeceasedrector’sdaughter，ratherrepresentedtheselectestcircleofthelittletown）advocated，celibacy，marriage，bigamy，orpolygamy。
　　SotheremainderoftheeveningpassedoverwithoutanyfartherreferencetothesecretMrsGoodenoughwasburningtodisclose，unlessaremarkmadeà；proposderienbyMissBrowning，duringthesilenceofadeal，couldbesupposedtohaveconnexiongwiththepreviousconversation。Shesaidsuddenlyandabruptly，—
　　’Idon’tknowwhatIhavedonethatanymanshouldmakemehisslave。’
　　Ifshewasreferringtoanyprospectofmatrimonialdangershesawopeningbeforeherfancy，shemighthavebeencomforted。Butitwasaremarkofwhichnoonetookanynotice，allbeingfartoomuchengagedintherubber。
　　OnlywhenMissBrowningtookherearlyleave（forMissPhoebehadacold，andwasaninvalidathome），MrsGoodenoughburstoutwith，—
　　’Well！nowImayspeakoutmymind，andsayashowiftherewasaslavebetweenustwo，whenGoodenoughwasalive，itwasn’tme；andIdon’tthinkasitwasprettyinMissBrowningtogiveherselfsuchairsonhervirginitywhentherewasfourwidowsintheroom，—who’vehadsixhonestmenamong’emforhusbands。Nooffence，MissAiry！’addressinganunfortunatelittlespinster，whofoundherselfthesolerepresentativeofcelibacynowthatMissBrowningwasgone。’Icouldtellherofagirlasshe’sveryfondon，who’sonthehighroadtomatrimony；andinascunningawayaseverIheerdon。goingoutatdusktomeethersweetheart，justasifshewasmySally，oryourJenny。AndhernameisMollytoo，—which，asIhaveoftenthought，showsalowtasteinthemasfirstcalledherso；’shemightaswellbeascullery—maidatoncest。Notthatshe’spickedupanybodycommon；she’slookedaboutherforahandsomefellow，andasmartyoungmanenough！’
　　Everyonearoundthetablelookedcuriousandintentonthedisclosuresbeingmade，exceptthehostess，MrsDawes，whosmiledintelligencewithhereyes，andknowinglypurseduphermouthuntilMrsGoodenoughhadfinishedhertale。Thenshesaiddemurely，—
　　’IsupposeyoumeanMrPrestonandMissGibson？’
　　’Why，whotoldyou？’saidMrsGoodenough，turningrounduponherinsurprise。’Youcan’tsayasIdid。There’smanyaMollyinHollingford，besidesher，—thoughnone，perhaps，insuchagenteelstationinlife。
　　Inevernamedher，I’msure。’
　　’No！ButIknow。Icouldtellmytaletoo，’continuedMrsDawes。
　　’No！couldyou，really？’saidMrsGoodenough，verycuriousandalittlejealous。
　　’Yes。MyuncleSheepshankscameuponthemintheParkAvenue，—hestartled’emagooddeal，hesaid；andwhenhetaxedMrPrestonwithbeingwithhissweetheart，hedidn’tdenyit。’
　　’Well！Nowsomuchhascomeout，I’lltellyouwhatIknow。Only，ladies，Iwouldn’twishtodothegirlanunkindturn，—soyoumustkeepwhatI’vegottotellyouasecret。’Ofcoursetheypromised；thatwaseasy。
　　’MyHannah，asmarriedTomOakes，andlivesinPearson’sLane，wasa—gatheringofdamsonsonlyaboutaweekago，andMollyGibsonwasa—walkingfastdownthelane，—quiteinahurryliketomeetsomeone，—andHannah’slittleAnna—Mariafelldown，andMolly（who’sakind—heartedlassenough）pickedherup；soifHannahhadhadherdoubtsbefore，shehadnonethen。’
　　’Buttherewasnoonewithher，wasthere？’askedoneoftheladiesanxiously，asMrsGoodenoughstoppedtofinishherpieceofcake，justatthiscrisis。
　　’No：Isaidshelookedasifshewasgoingtomeetsomeone，—andby—and—bycomesMrPrestonrunningoutofthewoodjustbeyondHannah’s，andsayshe，"Acupofwater，please，goodwoman，foraladyhasfainted，oris’stericalorsomething。"Nowthoughhedidn’tknowHannah，Hannahknewhim。"MorefolksknowTomFool，thanTomFoolknows，"askingMrPreston’spardon；forhe’snofoolwhateverhebe。AndIcouldtellyoumore，—andwhatI’veseedwithmyowneyes。IseedhergivehimaletterinGrinstead’sshop，onlyyesterday，andhelookedasblackasthunderather，forheseedmeifshedidn’t。’
　　’It’saverysuitablekindofthing，’saidMissAiry；’whydotheymakesuchamysteryofit？’
　　’Somefolkslikeit，’saidMrsDawes；’itaddszesttoitall，todotheircourtingunderhand。’
　　’Ay，it’slikesalttotheirvictual，’putinMrsGoodenough。ButI
　　didn’tthinkMollyGibsonwasoneofthatsort，Ididn’t。’
　　’TheGibsonsholdthemselvesveryhigh？’criedMrsDawes，moreasaninquirythananassertion。’MrsGibsonhascalleduponme。’
　　’Ay，you’reliketobeapatientofthedoctor’s，’putinMrsGoodenough。
　　’Sheseemedtomeveryaffable，thoughsheissointimatewiththeCountessandthefamilyattheTowers；andisquitetheladyherself；dineslate，I’veheard，andeverythinginstyle。’
　　’Style！verydifferentstyletowhatBobGibson，herhusband，wasusedtowhenfirsthecamehere，—gladofamutton—chopinhissurgery，forIdoubtifhe’dafireanywhereelse；wecalledhimBobGibsonthen，butnoneonusdareBobhimnow；I’dassoonthinko’callinghimsweep！’
　　’IthinkitlooksverybadforMissGibson！’saidonelady，ratheranxioustobringbacktheconversationtothemoreinterestingpresenttime。ButassoonasMrsGoodenoughheardthisnaturalcommentonthedisclosuresshehadmade，shefiredroundonthespeaker。
　　’Notatallbad，andI’lltroubleyounottousesuchawordasthataboutMollyGibson，asI’veknownallherlife。It’sodd，ifyouwill。
　　Iwasoddmyselfasagirl；Inevercouldabideaplateofgatheredgooseberries，butImustneedsgoandskulkbehindabushandgather’emformyself。
　　It’ssomefolk’staste，thoughitmayn’tbeMissBrowning’s，who’dhaveallthecourtingdoneunderthenoseofthefamily。AllaseverIsaidwasthatIwassurprisedatitinMollyGibson；andthatI’dha’thoughtitwaslikerthatprettyminxofaCynthiaastheycallher；indeedatonetimeIwasreadytoswearasitwasherMrPrestonwasafter。Andnow，ladies，I’llwishyouaverygoodnight。Icannotabidewaste；andI’llventureforitSally’slettingthecandleinthelanternrunalltogrease，insteadofputtingitout，asI’vetoldhertodo，ifevershe’sgottowaitforme。’
　　Sowithformaldippingcurtseystheladiesseparated，butnotwithoutthankingMrsDawesforthepleasanteveningtheyhadhad；apieceofold—fashionedcourtesyalwaysgonethroughinthosedays。
　　chapter47
　　CHAPTERXLVIISCANDALANDITSVICTIMS
　　WhenMrGibsonreturnedtoHollingford，hefoundanaccumulationofbusinesswaitingforhim，andhewasmuchinclinedtocomplainoftheconsequencesofthetwodays’comparativeholiday，whichhadresultedinover—workfortheweektocome。Hehadhardlytimetospeaktohisfamily，hehadsoimmediatelytorushofftopressingcasesofillness。ButMollymanagedtoarresthiminthehall，standingtherewithhisgreatcoatheldoutreadyforhimtoputon，butwhisperingasshedidso，—
　　’Papa！MrOsborneHamleywasheretoseeyouyesterday。Helooksveryill，andhe’sevidentlyfrightenedabouthimself。’
　　MrGibsonfacedabout，andlookedatherforamoment；butallhesaidwas，—
　　’I’llgoandseehim；don’ttellyourmotherwhereI’mgone：you’venotmentionedthistoher，Ihope？’
　　’No，’saidMolly，forshehadonlytoldMrsGibsonofOsborne’scall，notoftheoccasionforit。
　　’Don’tsayanythingaboutit：there’snoneed。NowIthinkofit，I
　　can’tpossiblygoto—day，—butIwillgo。’
　　Somethinginherfather’smannerdisheartenedMolly，whohadpersuadedherselfthatOsborne’sevidentillnesswaspartly’nervous，’bywhichshemeantimaginary。ShehaddweltuponhislooksofenjoymentatMissPhoebe’sperplexity，andthoughtthatnoonereallybelievinghimselftobeindangercouldhavegiventhemerryglanceswhichhehaddone；butafterseeingtheseriousnessofherfather’sface，sherecurredtotheshockshehadexperiencedonfirstseeingOsborne’schangedappearance。AllthistimeMrsGibsonwasbusyreadingaletterfromCynthiawhichMrGibsonhadbroughtfromLondon；foreveryopportunityofprivateconveyancewasseizeduponwhenpostagewassohigh；andCynthiahadforgottensomanythingsinherhurriedpacking，thatshenowsentalistoftheclotheswhichsherequired。
　　Mollyalmostwonderedthatithadnotcometoher；butshedidnotunderstandthesortofreservethatwasspringingupinCynthia’smindtowardsher。
　　Cynthiaherselfstruggledwiththefeeling，andtriedtofightagainstitbycallingherself’ungrateful，’butthetruthwasshebelievedthatshenolongerheldherformerhighplaceinMolly’sestimationandshecouldnothelpturningawayfromonewhoknewthingstoherdiscredit。
　　ShewasfullyawareofMolly’spromptdecisionandwillingaction，whereactionwasespeciallydisagreeable，onherbehalf；sheknewthatMollywouldneverbringupthepasterrorsanddifficulties；butstilltheconsciousnessthatthegood，straightforwardgirlhadlearntthatCynthiahadbeenguiltyofsomuchunderhandworkcooledherregard，andrestrainedherwillingnessofintercourse。Reproachherselfwithingratitudeasshewould，shecouldnothelpfeelinggladtobeawayfromMolly；itwasawkwardtospeaktoherasifnothinghadhappened；itwasawkwardtowritetoheraboutforgottenribbonsandlaces，whentheirlastconversationhadbeenonsuchdifferentsubjects，andhadcalledoutsuchvehementexpressionsoffeeling。SoMrsGibsonheldthelistinherhand，andreadoutthesmallfragmentsofnewsthatwereintermixedwithnoticesofCynthia’srequirements。
　　’Helencannotbesoveryill，’saidMollyatlength，’orCynthiawouldnotwantherpinkmuslinanddaisywreath。’
　　’Idon’tseethatthatfollows，I’msure，’repliedMrsGibsonrathersharply。’HelenwouldneverbesoselfishastotieCynthiatoherside，howeverillshewas。Indeed，IshouldnothavefeltthatitwasmydutytoletCynthiagotoLondonatall，ifIhadthoughtshewastobeperpetuallyexposedtothedepressingatmosphereofasick—room。Besides，itmustbesogoodforHelentohaveCynthiacominginwithbrightpleasantaccountsofthepartiesshehasbeento—evenifCynthiadislikedgaietyIshoulddesirehertosacrificeherselfandgooutasmuchasshecould，forHelen’ssake。Myideaofnursingisthatoneshouldnotbealwaysthinkingofone’sownfeelingsandwishes，butdoingthosethingswhichwillmostservetobeguilethewearyhoursofaninvalid。ButthensofewpeoplehavehadtoconsiderthesubjectsodeeplyasIhavedone！’MrsGibsonherethoughtfittosighbeforegoingonwithCynthia’sletter。AsfarasMollycouldmakeanysenseoutofthisratherincoherentepistle，veryincoherentlyreadaloudtoher，CynthiawasreallypleasedandgladtobeofuseandcomforttoHelen，butatthesametimeveryreadytobeeasilypersuadedintotheperpetualsmallgaietieswhichaboundedinheruncle’shouseinLondon，evenatthisdeadseasonoftheyear。MrsGibsoncameuponMrHenderson’snameonce，andthenwentonwitharunningum—um—umtoherself，whichsoundedverymysterious，butwhichmightaswellhavebeenomitted，asallthatCynthiareallysaidabouthimwas，’MrHenderson’smotherhasadvisedmyaunttoconsultacertainDrDonaldson，whoissaidtobeverycleverinsuchcasesasHelen’s，butmyuncleisnotsufficientlysureoftheprofessionaletiquette，&；c。’Thentherecameaveryaffectionate，carefullywordedmessagetoMolly，—implyingagooddealmorethanwassaidoflovinggratitudeforthetroubleshehadtakenonCynthia’sbehalf。Andthatwasall；andMollywentawayalittledepressed；sheknewnotwhy。
　　TheoperationonLadyCumnorhadbeensuccessfullyperformed，andinafewdaystheyhopedtobringherdowntotheTowerstorecruitherstrengthinthefreshcountryair；thecasewasonewhichinterestedMrGibsonextremely，andinwhichhisopinionhadbeenprovedtoberight，inoppositiontothatofoneortwogreatnamesinLondon。Theconsequencewasthathewasfrequentlyconsultedandreferredtoduringtheprogressofherrecovery；
　　and，ashehadmuchtodointheimmediatecircleofhisHollingfordpractice，aswellastowritethoughtfulletterstohismedicalbrethreninLondon，hefounditdifficulttosparethethreeorfourhoursnecessarytogoovertoHamleytoseeOsborne。Hewrotetohim，however，begginghimtoreplyimmediatelyanddetailhissymptoms；andfromtheanswerhereceivedhedidnotimaginethatthecasewasimmediatelypressing。Osborne，too，deprecatedhiscomingovertoHamleyfortheexpresspurposeofseeinghim。Sothevisitwasdeferredtothatmoreconvenientseasonwhichissooftentoolate。
　　AllthesedaysthebuzzinggossipaboutMolly’smeetingswithMrPreston，herclandestinecorrespondence，thetê；te—？tê；teinterviewsinlonotelyplaces，hadbeengatheringstrength，andassumingthepositiveformofscandal。Thesimpleinnocentgirl，whowalkedthroughthequietstreetswithoutathoughtofbeingtheobjectofmysteriousimplications，becameforatimetheunconsciousblacksheepofthetown。Servantsheardpartofwhatwassaidintheirmistresses’drawing—rooms，andexaggeratedthesayingsamongstthemselveswiththecoarsestrengtheningofexpressioncommonamongstuneducatedpeople。MrPrestonhimselfbecameawarethathernamewasbeingcoupledwithhis，thoughhardlytotheextenttowhichtheloveofexcitementandgossiphadcarriedpeople’sspeeches；hechuckledoverthemistake，buttooknopainstocorrectit。’Itservesherright，’
　　saidhetohimself，’formeddlingwithotherfolk’sbusiness，’andhefelthimselfavengedforthediscomfiturewhichhermenaceofappealingtoLadyHarriethadcausedhim，andthemortificationhehadexperiencedinlearningfromherplain—speakinglips，howhehadbeentalkedoverbyCynthiaandherself，withpersonaldislikeontheoneside，andevidentcontemptontheother。Besides，ifanydenialofMrPreston’sstirredupanexaminationastotherealtruth，moremightcomeoutofhisbaffledendeavourstocompelCynthiatokeeptoherengagementtohimthanhecaredtohaveknown。
　　HewasangrywithhimselfforstilllovingCynthia；lovingherinhisownfashion，beitunderstood。Hetoldhimselfthatmanyawomanofmorepositionandwealthwouldbegladenoughtohavehim；someofthemprettywomentoo。Andheaskedhimselfwhyhewassuchaconfoundedfoolastogoonhankeringafterapennilessgirl，whowasasfickleasthewind？Theanswerwassillyenough，logically；butforcibleinfact。CynthiawasCynthia，andnotVenusherselfcouldhavebeenhersubstitute。InthisonethingMrPrestonwasmorereallytruethanmanyworthymen；who，seekingtobemarried，turnwithcarelessfacilityfromtheunattainabletotheattainable，andkeeptheirfeelingsandfancytolerablyloosetilltheyfindawomanwhoconsentstobetheirwife。ButnoonewouldeverbetoMrPrestonwhatCynthiahadbeen，andwas；andyethecouldhavestabbedherincertainofhismoods。So，Molly，whohadcomebetweenhimandtheobjectofhisdesire，wasnotlikelytofindfavourinhissight，ortoobtainfriendlyactionsfromhim。
　　Therecameatime—notverydistantfromtheeveningatMrsDawes’
　　—whenMollyfeltthatpeoplelookedaskanceather。MrsGoodenoughopenlypulledhergrand—daughteraway，whentheyounggirlstoppedtospeaktoMollyinthestreet，andanengagementwhichthetwohadmadeforalongwalktogetherwascutveryshortbyaverytrumperyexcuse。MrsGoodenoughexplainedherconductinthefollowingmannertosomeofherfriends，—
　　’Yousee，Idon’tthinktheworseofagirlformeetinghersweethearthereandthereandeverywhere，tillshegetstalkedabout；butthenwhenshedoes—andMollyGibson’snameisineverybody’smouth—Ithinkit’sonlyfairtoBessy，whohastrustedmewithAnnabella，nottoletherdaughterbeseenwithalasswhohasmanagedhermatterssobadly，astosetfolktalkingabouther。Mymaximisthis，—andit’saverygoodworkingone，youmaydependon’t—womenshouldmindwhatthey’reabout，andneverbetalkedof；andifawoman’stalkedof，thelessherfriendshavetodowithhertillthetalkhasdiedaway，thebetter。SoAnnabellaisnottohaveanythingtodowithMollyGibson，thisvisitatanyrate。’
　　ForagoodwhiletheMissBrowningswerekeptinignoranceoftheeviltonguesthatwhisperedhardwordsaboutMolly。MissBrowningwasknownto’haveatemper，’andbyinstincteveryonewhocameincontactwithhershrankfromirritatingthattemperbyutteringtheslightestsyllableagainstthesmallestofthosecreaturesoverwhomshespreadtheæ；gisofherlove。Shewouldanddidreproachthemherself；sheusedtoboastthatsheneversparedthem：butnooneelsemighttouchthemwiththeslightestslurofapassingword。ButMissePhoebeinspirednosuchterror；thegreatreasonwhyshedidnothearofthegossipagainstMollyasearlyasanyone，wasthat，althoughshewasnottherose，shelivedneartherose。
　　Besides，shewasofsotenderanaturethateventhick—skinnedMrsGoodenoughwasunwillingtosaywhatwouldgiveMissPhoebepain；anditwasthenew—comerMrsDawes，whoinallignorancealludedtothetown’stalk，astosomethingofwhichMissPhoebemustbeaware。ThenMissPhoebepoureddownherquestions，althoughsheprotested，evenwithtears，hertotaldisbeliefinalltheanswersshereceived。ItwasasmallactofheroismonherparttokeepallthatshetherelearntasecretfromhersisterSally，asshedidforfourorfivedays；tillMissBrowningattackedheroneeveningwiththefollowingspeech，—
　　’Phoebe！eitheryou’vesomereasonforpuffingyourselfoutwithsighs，oryou’venot。Ifyouhaveareason，it’syourdutytotellitmedirectly；
　　andifyou’venoreason，youmustbreakyourselfofabadhabitthatisgrowinguponyou。’
　　’Oh，sister！doyouthinkitisreallymydutytotellyou？itwouldbesuchacomfort；butthenIthoughtIoughtnot；itwilldistressyouso。’
　　’Nonsense。IamsowellpreparedformisfortunebythefrequentcontemplationofitspossibilitythatIbelieveIcanreceiveanyillnewswithapparentequanimityandrealresignation。Besides，whenyousaidyesterdayatbreakfast—timethatyoumeanttogiveupthedaytomakingyourdrawerstidy，Iwasawarethatsomemisfortunewasimpending，thoughofcourseIcouldnotjudgeofitsmagnitude。IstheHighchesterBankbroken？’
　　’Ohno，sister！’saidMissPhoebe，movingtoaseatclosetohersister’sonthesofa。’Haveyoureallybeenthinkingthat！IwishIhadtoldyouwhatIheardattheveryfirst，ifyou’vebeenfancyingthat！’
　　’Takewarning，Phoebe，andlearntohavenoconcealmentsfromme。I
　　didthinkwemustberuined，fromyourwaysofgoingon；eatingnomeatatdinner，andsighingcontinually。Andnowwhatisit？’
　　’Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou，Sally。Ireallydon’t。’
　　MissPhoebebegantocry；MissBrowningtookholdofherarm，andgaveheralittlesharpshake。
　　’Cryasmuchasyoulikewhenyou’vetoldme；butdon’tcrynow，child，whenyou’rekeepingmeonthetenterhooks。’
　　’MollyGibsonhaslosthercharacter，sister。That’sit。’
　　’MollyGibsonhasdonenosuchthing！’saidMissBrowningindignantly。
　　’HowdareyourepeatsuchstoriesaboutpoorMary’schild！Neverletmehearyousaysuchthingsagain！’
　　’Ican’thelpit。MrsDawestoldme；andshesaysit’salloverthetown。ItoldherIdidnotbelieveawordofit。AndIkeptitfromyou；
　　andIthinkIshouldhavebeenreallyillifI’dkeptittomyselfanylonger。Oh，sister！whatareyougoingtodo？’
　　ForMissBrowninghadrisenwithoutspeakingaword，andwasleavingtheroominastatelyanddeterminedfashion。
　　’Iamgoingtoputonmybonnetandthings，andthenIshallcalluponMrsDawes，andconfrontherwithherlies。’
　　’Oh，don’tcallthem"lies，"sister；it’ssuchastrong，uglyword。
　　Pleasecallthem"tallydiddles，"forIdon’tbelieveshemeantanyharm。
　　Besides—besides—iftheyshouldturnouttobetruth！Really，sister，that’stheweightonmymind；somanythingssoundedasiftheymightbetrue。’
　　’Whatthings？’saidMissBrowning，stillstandingwithjudicialerectnessofpositioninthemiddleofthefloor。
　　’Why—onestorywasthatMollyhadgivenhimaletter。’
　　’Who’shim？HowamItounderstandastorytoldinthatsillyway？’
　　MissBrowningsatedownonthenearestchair，andmadeuphermindtobepatientifshecould。
　　’HimisMrPreston。Andthatmustbetrue；becauseImissedherfrommysidewhenIwantedtoaskherifshethoughtbluewouldlookgreenbycandlelight，astheyoungmansaiditwould，andshehadrunacrossthestreet，andMrsGoodenoughwasjustgoingintotheshop，justasshesaidshewas。’
　　MissBrowning’sdistresswasovercomingheranger；sosheonlysaid，’Phoebe，Ithinkyou’lldrivememad。DotellmewhatyouheardfromMrsDawesinasensibleandcoherentmanner，foronceinyourlife。’
　　’I’msureI’mtryingwithallmymighttotellyoueverythingjustasithappened。’
　　’WhatdidyouhearfromMrsDawes？’
　　’Why，thatMollyandMrPrestonwerekeepingcompanyjustasifshewasamaid—servantandhewasagardener；meetingatallsortsofimpropertimesandplaces，andfaintingawayinhisarms，andoutatnighttogether，andwritingtoeachother，andslippingtheirlettersintoeachother’shands；andthatwaswhatIwastalkingabout，sister，forInextdoortosawthatdoneonce。IsawherwithmyowneyesrunacrossthestreettoGrinstead’s，wherehewas，forwehadjustlefthimthere；withaletterinherhand，too，whichwasnottherewhenshecamebackallflutteredandblushing。ButIneverthoughtanythingofitatthetime；butnowallthetownistalkingaboutit，andcryingshame，andsayingtheyoughttobemarried。’MissPhoebesank，intosobbingagain；butwassuddenlyrousedbyagoodboxonhercar。MissBrowningwasstandingoverheralmosttremblingwithpassion。
　　’Phoebe，ifeverIhearyousaysuchthingsagain，I’llturnyououtofthehousethatminute。’
　　’IonlysaidwhatMrsDawessaid，andyouaskedmewhatitwas，’repliedMissPhoebe，humblyandmeekly。’Sally，youshouldnothavedonethat。’
　　’NevermindwhetherIshouldorIshouldn’t。That’snotthematterinhand。WhatI’vegottodecideishowtoputastoptoalltheselies。’
　　’But，Sally，theyarenotalllies—ifyouwillcallthemso；I’mafraidsomethingsaretrue；thoughIstucktotheirbeingfalsewhenMrsDawestoldmeofthem。’