“Yes. At least, it is not settled finally; but as Lord Hollingford is the only trustee who takes any interest—and being Lord Cumnor’s son—it is next to certain.”
“I think, I must have a voice in the matter,” said Mr. Gibson; and he relapsed into silence, keeping his ears open, however, henceforward.
“How long will he be away?” asked Cynthia. “We shall miss him sadly.”
Molly’s lips formed an acquiescing “yes” to this remark, but no sound was heard. There was a buzzing in her ears as if the others were going on with the conversation; but the words they uttered seemed indistinct and blurred; they were merely conjectures, and did not interfere with the one great piece of news. To the rest of the party she appeared to be eating her dinner as usual, and, if she were silent, there was one listener the more to Mrs. Gibson’s stream of prattle, and Mr. Gibson’s and Cynthia’s remarks.