One of the things which becomes evident as you read through the novel is that there are no villains. Certainly there are flawed characters, who manage to hurt or disappoint others with their reckless or selfish behaviour, but there is no one who is deliberately destructive or evil. The closest thing we get to a villain is Mr. Preston, but even he has his sympathetic points, and in the end does the right thing, in spite of himself.
Although occasionally exasperated by Dr Gibson's opinions or decisions- not wanting to have Molly educated, for example, or leaving her in the dark about his apprentice's infatuation with her- I found myself quite liking his character. I enjoy his dry, sarcastic humour, and share his distaste for over-wrought public displays of emotion. Also, though not outwardly demonstrative, the doctor is kind in practical ways, such as when he works with Roger to bring reconciliation between the Squire and Aimee, or the many times he provides Cynthia with funds. I also like the relationship that he has with Molly- the joking, teasing manner in which they treat each other covering their very real love and affection. The times when the tragedy of Gibson's unwise second marriage is most evident are those when Molly no longer feels able to talk of her feelings and problems with her father, and he wistfully feels the loss of her confidences in him.
Nowhere is Hyacinth's lack of understanding more evident than in her relationship with Dr Gibson. When she listens in on the doctors' consultation about Osborne's medical condition and then acts on that privileged knowledge, she is genuinely confused by her husband's anger. She knows that he is upset, but is unable to comprehend why. It's rather sad, actually, to see her attempting to restore his good humour by having meals he likes prepared, etc., unable to see that she has earned his contempt not only by behaving dishonorably, but by failing to even understand that she has done so.
The truth about Hyacinth's character is that she's not mean or vicious: she's merely selfish to the bone. All of her relationships are viewed through the prism of how they can be of use to her. For example, she marries Dr Gibson for the most part to escape the genteel poverty she's living in. She does care for him, as much as someone with her limited capacity to do so can, but it's an affection based in what he's doing for her. The dresses and other things which she presses on Molly are given less out of a fondness for her new daughter than out of a desire to be seen to be a fair and generous stepmother.
Really, it's little wonder that Dr Gibson devotes himself to his medical practice and spends so much time away from home. Especially when Cynthia arrives and causes so much upheaval with her tumultuous love life. But I'll discuss my thoughts on that in Part II.