When you first knew him? When his mother was alive?' Molly had grown very fond of Aimée: when the latter was at her case she had very charming and attaching ways; but feeling uneasy in her position in the squire's house, she was almost repellent to him; and he, too, put on his worst side to her.Roger was most anxious to bring them together, and had several consultations with Molly as to the best means of accomplishing this end.As long as they talked upon this subject she spoke to him in the quiet sensible manner which she inherited from her father; but when their discussions on this point were ended, she fell back into her piquant assumption of dignified reserve.It was very difficult to her to maintain this strange manner, especially when once or twice she fancied that it gave him pain; and she would go into her own room and suddenly burst into tears on these occasions, and wish that her visit was ended, and that she was once again in the eventless tranquillity of her own home.Yet presently her fancy changed, and she clung to the swiftly passing hours, as if she would still retain the happiness of each.For, unknown to her, Roger was exerting himself to make her visit pleasant.He was not willing to appear as the instigator of all the little plans for each day, for he felt as if somehow he did not hold the same place in her regard as formerly.Still, one day Aimée suggested a nutting expedition - another day they gave little Roger the unheard-of pleasure of tea out-of-doors - there was something else agreeable for a third; and it was Roger who arranged all these simple pleasures - such as he knew Molly would enjoy.But to her he only appeared as the ready forwarder of Aimée's devices.The week was nearly gone, when one morning the squire found Roger sitting in the old library - with a book before him, it is true, but so deep in thought that he was evidently startled by his father's unexpected entrance.'I thought I should find thee here, my lad! We'll have the old room done up again before winter; it smells musty enough, and yet I see it's the place for thee! I want thee to go with me round the five-acre.I'm thinking of laying it down in grass.It's time for you to be getting into the fresh air, you look quite woebegone over books, books, books; there never was a thing like 'em for stealing a man's health out of him!' So Roger went out with his father, without saying many words till they were at some distance from the house.Then he brought out a sentence with such abruptness that he repaid his father for the start the latter had given him a quarter of an hour before.'Father, you remember I'm going out again to the Cape next month! You spoke of doing up the library.If it is for me, I shall be away all the winter.' 'Can't you get off it?' pleaded his father.'I thought maybe you'd forgotten all about it - ' 'Not likely!' said Roger, half-smiling.'Well, but they might have found another man to finish up your work.' 'No one can finish it but myself.Besides, an engagement is an engagement.
When I wrote to Lord Hollingford to tell him I must come home, I promised to go out again for another six months.' 'Ay.I know.And perhaps it will put it out of thy mind.It will always be hard on me to part from thee.But I daresay it's best for you.' Roger's colour deepened.'You are alluding to - to Miss Kirkpatrick - Mrs Henderson, I mean.Father, let me tell you once for all I think that was rather a hasty affair.I am pretty sure now that we were not suited to each other.I was wretched when I got her letter - at the Cape I mean -but I believe it was for the best.' 'That's right.That's my own boy,' said the squire, turning round and shaking hands with his son with vehemence.'And now I'll tell you what I heard the other day, when I was at the magistrates' meeting.They were all saying she had jilted Preston.' 'I don't want to hear anything against her: she may have her faults, but I can never forget how I once loved her.' 'Well, well! Perhaps it's right.I was not so bad about it, was I, Roger?
Poor Osborne need not ha' been so secret with me.I asked your Miss Cynthia out here - and her mother and all - my bark is worse than my bite.For if I had a wish on earth it was to see Osborne married as befitted one of an old stock, and he went and chose out this French girl, of no family at all, only a -- ' 'Never mind what she was; look at what she is! I wonder you are not more taken with her humility and sweetness, father!' 'I don't even call her pretty,' said the squire, uneasily, for he dreaded a repetition of the arguments which Roger had often used to make him give Aimée her proper due of affection and position.'Now your Miss Cynthia was pretty, I will say that for her, the baggage! and to think that when you two lads flew right in your father's face, and picked out girls below you in rank and family, you should neither of you have set your fancies on my little Molly there.I daresay I should ha' been angry enough at the time, but the lassie would ha' found her way to my heart, as never this French lady, nor t' other one, could ha' done.' Roger did not answer.'I don't see why you might not put up for her still.I'm humble enough now, and you're not heir as Osborne was who married a servant-maid.Don't you think you could turn your thoughts upon Molly Gibson, Roger.' 'No!' said Roger, shortly.'It's too late - too late.Don't let us talk any more of my marrying.Is not this the five-acre field?' And soon he was discussing the relative values of meadow, arable and pasture land with his father, as heartily as if he had never known Molly, or loved Cynthia.
