<P> Osborne Hamley's failures make his invalid mother's illness worse and widens the divide between him and his father, which is amplified by the considerable debts Osborne has run up in maintaining his secret wife . Mrs Hamley dies, and the breach between the squire and his eldest son seems irreparable . Younger son Roger continues to work hard at university and ultimately gains the honours and rewards that were expected for his brother . Mrs. Gibson tries unsuccessfully to arrange a marriage between Cynthia and Osborne, as her aspirations include having a daughter married to landed gentry . Molly, however, has always preferred Roger's good sense and honourable character and soon falls in love with him . Unfortunately, Roger falls in love with Cynthia and when Mrs. Gibson overhears that Osborne may be fatally ill, she begins promoting the match . Just before Roger leaves on a two - year scientific expedition to Africa, he asks for Cynthia's hand and she accepts, although she insists that their engagement should remain secret until Roger returns . Molly is heartbroken, and struggles with her sorrow and her knowledge that Cynthia lacks affection for Roger . </P> <P> Cynthia reveals to Molly that several years before, when she was just fifteen, she promised herself to Mr Preston following a loan of 20 pounds that she needed for a party dress . Mr Preston is still obsessed with Cynthia, but she hates and fears him for the power he holds over her (namely the letters she wrote to him at this period promising to marry him). Molly intervenes on Cynthia's behalf and manages to break off the engagement and get back the letters; however, this creates rumours that she is involved with Preston herself, causing her to be the subject of malicious gossip . This leads to an emotional scene in which both Dr Gibson and Mrs Gibson discover Cynthia's involvement with Mr Preston . After this, Cynthia breaks off her engagement to Roger, sustaining rebukes and insults for her inconstancy, then quickly accepts and marries Mr Henderson, a professional gentleman she met in London . Molly's reputation is only restored after she goes driving with Lady Harriet Cumnor, who is well aware of how fickle public opinion can be and wants to help Molly . Osborne, ill and convinced that he will die soon, begs Molly to remember his wife and child when he is gone . Osborne dies shortly thereafter, and Molly reveals the existence of his wife and child to the grieving Squire Hamley . Osborne's widow, Aimee, arrives at Hamley Hall after receiving word that her husband is ill, bringing with her their little son, named for his uncle Roger but called "little Osborne" in honour of his father . This child, little Osborne, is now the heir to Hamley Hall . Roger has rushed home to be with his father, and his affection and good sense help the squire to see the possible joy to be had in this new family, especially the grandson . He manages to overcome his xenophobia and prejudice against Aimee's Catholicism and asks them both to live with him . </P> <P> As he resettles into the local scientific community, Roger begins to realise that his affection for Molly is more than that of a brother for a sister . Aided by the kind interference of Lady Harriet, who has always recognised Molly's worth and charms, he finds himself pained at the thought of Molly with anyone else . Still, he hesitates at giving in to his feelings, feeling unworthy of her love after throwing away his affection on the fickle Cynthia . Before he returns to Africa, he confides his feelings to Mr Gibson, who heartily gives his blessing to the union . Roger is thwarted, this time by a scarlet fever scare, in his attempt to speak to Molly before he leaves . At this point, Gaskell's novel stops, unfinished at her death . She related to a friend that she had intended Roger to return and present Molly with a dried flower (a gift Molly gave him before his departure), as proof of his enduring love . This scene was never realised and the novel remains unfinished . In the BBC adaptation, an alternative ending was written in which Roger is unable to leave Molly without speaking of his love, and they marry and return to Africa together . </P> <P> In 1971, a television adaptation was made . </P>

Who does molly marry in wives and daughters
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