"But I'm not sure she will live happily."
"Why not?"
"I don't think she cares for him."
"Then I suppose she will refuse."
"But people so often make mistakes. I don't think dear Molly knows her own mind, and it is so natural that she should not confide in me as I am in her mother's place."
"Leave things alone. Edgar will find out if she likes him or not."
"Will he? oh well, it's a comfort that you take that view." And she then changed the topic, being of opinion that nothing more could be done with it. But no doubt the effect produced in Edmund was an increase of interest in Molly's affairs. It would be exceedingly tiresome if she should marry this attractive but penniless boy, as he knew him to be, under the impression that she possessed enough money for them both.
Edmund had only that morning received certain intelligence of the whereabouts of young Akers, the son of the old stud-groom.
From Florence had come the information that Madame Danterre was supposed to be in failing health, and that she had been seldom seen to drive out of her secluded grounds this summer, whereas last year she used to go long distances in her old-fashioned English carriage in the evenings. Thus it became a matter of thrilling interest whether the great fortune would pass to Molly before any evidence could be produced of the existence of the last will in which he so firmly believed.
"I believe the old sinner knows all about it, even if she hasn't got it," Grosse murmured to himself.