midday
Cynthia was often on the point of some gay , careless inquiry as to where he had been , and what he had been doing ; but Molly , who conjectured the truth , as often interfered to spare him the pain of equivocation -- a pain that her tender conscience would have felt for him , much more than he would have felt it for himself . Mrs. Gibson 's talk was desultory , complimentary , and sentimental , after her usual fashion ; but still , on the whole , though Osborne smiled to himself at much that she said , it was soothing and agreeable . Presently , Dr. Nicholls and Mr. Gibson came in ; the former had had some conference with the latter on the subject of Osborne 's health ; and , from time to time , the skilful old physician 's sharp and observant eyes gave a comprehensive look at Osborne . Then there was lunch , when every one was merry and hungry , excepting the hostess , who was trying to train her midday appetite into the genteelest of all ways , and thought -LRB- falsely enough -RRB- that Dr. Nicholls was a good person to practise the semblance of ill-health upon , and that he would give her the proper civil amount of commiseration for her ailments , which every guest ought to bestow upon a hostess who complains of her delicacy of health . The old doctor was too cunning a man to fall into this trap . He would keep recommending her to try the coarsest viands on the table ; and , at last , he told her if she could not fancy the cold beef to try a little with pickled onions . There was a twinkle in his eye as he said this , that would have betrayed his humour to any observer ; but Mr. Gibson , Cynthia , and Molly were all attacking Osborne on the subject of some literary preference he had expressed , and Dr. Nicholls had Mrs. Gibson quite at his mercy .