When they all came into the full light and repose of the drawing-room, Molly was absorbed in the contemplation of Cynthia's beauty.Perhaps her features were not regular; but the changes in her expressive countenance gave one no time to think of that.Her smile was perfect; her pouting charming;the play of the face was in the mouth.Her eyes were beautifully shaped, but their expression hardly seemed to vary.In colouring she was not unlike her mother; only she had not so much of the red-haired tints in her complexion;and her long-shaped, serious grey eyes were fringed with dark lashes, instead of her mother's insipid flaxen ones.Molly fell in love with her, so to speak, on the instant.She sate there warming her feet and hands, as much at her ease as if she had been there all her life; not particularly attending to her mother - who, all the time, was studying either her or her dress - measuring Molly and Mr Gibson with grave observant looks, as if guessing how she should like them.'There's hot breakfast ready for you in the dining-room, when you are ready for it,' said Mr Gibson.'I'm sure you must want it after your night journey.'
He looked round at his wife, at Cynthia's mother, but she did not seem inclined to leave the warm room again.'Molly will take you to your room, darling,' said she; 'it is near hers, and she has got her things to take off.I'll come down and sit in the dining-room while you are having your breakfast, but I really am afraid of the cold now.' Cynthia rose and followed Molly upstairs.'I'm so sorry there isn't a fire for you,' said Molly, 'but - I suppose it wasn't ordered; and, of course, I don't give any orders.Here is some hot water, though.' 'Stop a minute,' said Cynthia, getting hold of both Molly's hands, and looking steadily into her face, but in such a manner that she did not dislike the inspection.'I think I shall like you.I am go glad! I was afraid I should not.We're all in a very awkward position together, aren't we? I like your father's looks, though.' Molly could not help smiling at the way this was said.Cynthia replied to her smile.'Ah, you may laugh.But I don't know that I am easy to get on with; mamma and I didn't suit when we were last together.But perhaps we are each of us wiser now.Now, please leave me for a quarter of an hour.I don't want anything more.' Molly went into her own room, waiting to show Cynthia down to the dining-room.