’Time enough then to be thinking of London.  I wish her an honest country husband with enough to live upon, and a little to lay by, and a good character to boot.  Mind that, Molly,’ said she, firing round upon the startled Molly, ’I wish Cynthia a husband with a good character; but she’s got a mother to look after her; you’ve none and when your mother was alive she was a dear friend of mine:  so I’m not going to let you throw yourself away upon any one whose life is not clear and above-board, you may depend upon it.’

This last speech fell like a bomb into the quiet little drawing-room, it was delivered with such vehemence.  Miss Browning, in her secret heart, meant it as a warning against the intimacy she believed that Molly had formed with Mr. Preston; but as it happened that Molly had never dreamed of any such intimacy, the girl could not imagine why such severity of speech should be addressed to her.  Mrs. Gibson, who always took up the points of every word or action where they touched her own self (and called it sensitiveness), broke the silence that followed Miss Browning’s speech by saying, plaintively,—­

’I’m sure, Miss Browning, you are very much mistaken if you think that any mother could take more care of Molly than I do.  I don’t—­I can’t think there is any need for any one to interfere to protect her, and I have not an idea why you have been talking in this way, just as if we were all wrong, and you were all right.  It hurts my feelings, indeed it does; for Molly can tell you there is not a thing or a favour that Cynthia has, that she has not.  And as for not taking care of her, why, if she were to go up to London to-morrow, I should make a point of going with her to see after her; and I never did it for Cynthia when she was at school in France; and her bedroom is furnished just like Cynthia’s; and I let her wear my red shawl whenever she likes, she might have it oftener if she would.  I can’t think what you mean, Miss Browning.’

’I did not mean to offend you, but I meant just to give Molly a hint.  She understands what I mean.’

‘I’m sure I do not,’ said Molly, boldly.  ’I have not a notion what you meant, if you were alluding to anything more than you said straight out; that you do not wish me to marry any one who has not a good character, and that, as you were a friend of mamma’s, you would prevent my marrying a man with a bad character, by every means in your power.  I’m not thinking of marrying; I don’t want to marry anybody at all; but if I did, and he were not a good man, I should thank you for coming and warning me of it.’

’I shall not stand on warning you, Molly.  I shall forbid the banns in church, if need be,’ said Miss Browning, half convinced of the clear transparent truth of what Molly had said; blushing all over, it is true, but with her steady eyes fixed on Miss Browning’s face while she spoke.

‘Do!’ said Molly.

’Well, well, I won’t say any more.  Perhaps I was mistaken, We won’t say any more about it.  But remember what I have said, Molly, there’s no harm in that, at any rate.  I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, Mrs Gibson.  As stepmothers go, I think you try and do your duty.  Good morning.  Good-by to you both, and God bless you.’