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.
第289章 MOLLY GIBSON AT HAMLEY HALL (3)（1 / 3）