“Benign restorer of the soul!
Whoever fliest to bring relief,
When first we feel the rude control
Of love or pity, joy or grief!”
Molly did not know that those tears were saving her, for it seemed as if her heart would burst when she shed them on Phebe’s motherly breast. But they relieved her pent-up agony all the same, and made her calmer and more patient for the rest of each long weary day as it glided slowly into the irrevocable past.
CHAPTER XXIX.
It seemed to Molly as if she should never see Cecil again, as if in spite of all Doctor Charley’s hopes he would never return to her who had deceived him. A bitter pride began to stir in her heart.
“I have no right here. I ought to have gone with Louise when she told me,” she said to herself, sadly, for her sensitive pride would not permit her to discuss her situation with Phebe, although she felt certain that the maid knew all.
But one day she became aware that there was a sudden stir and confusion in the house as of a sudden arrival. Her heart leaped wildly.
“It is Cecil!” she exclaimed, gladly, and her first impulse was to leave the room in search of him; but the thought of Mrs. Laurens’ cold eyes and scornful lips drove her back with her feet upon the threshold.