Albinia did her duty handsomely by the two families a day or two after, for whatever reports might come round, they were always ready to receive her advances, and she only took notice of what she saw, instead of what she heard. Her brother helped Mr. Kendal through the party, and Winifred made a discovery that excited her more than Albinia thought warranted by any fact relating to the horde of Irish cousins.
Only think, Albinia, I have found out that poor Ellen OMore is Mr. Goldsmiths sister!
Indeed! But I am afraid I dont remember which Ellen OMore is. You know I never undertake to recollect any but your real cousins out of the thirty-six.
For shame, Albinia, I have so often told you about Ellen. Im sure you cant forget. Her husband is my sisters brother-in-laws cousin.
Oh, Winifred, Winifred!
But I tell you, her husband is the third son of old Mr. OMore of Ballymakilty, and was in the army.
Oh! the half-pay officer with the twelve children in the cottage on the estate.
There now, I did think you would care when I told you of a soldier, a Waterloo man too, and you only call him a half-pay officer!
I do remember, said Albinia, taking a little pity, that you used to be sorry for his good little English wife.
Of course. I knew she had married him very imprudently, but she has struggled gallantly with ill-health, and poverty, and Irish recklessness. I quite venerate her, and it seems these Goldsmiths had so far cast her off that they had no notion of the extent of her troubles.
Just like them, said Albinia. Is that the reason you wish me to make the most of the connexion? Let me see, my sister-in-laws sisters wifeno, husbands brothers uncle, eh?
I dont want you to do anything, said Winifred, a little hurt, only if you had seen Ellens patient face you would be interested in her.
Well, I am interested, you know I am, Winifred. I hope you interested our respected banker, which would be more to the purpose.
I think I did, said Winifred; at least he said poor Ellen once or twice. I dont want him to do anything for the captain, you might give him a thousand pounds and he would never be the better for it: but that fourth, boy, Ulick, is without exception the nicest fellow I ever saw in my lifeso devoted to his mother, so much more considerate and self-denying than any of the others, and very clever. Maurice examined him and was quite astonished. We did get him sent to St. Columba for the present, but whether they will keep him there no one can guess, and it is the greatest pity he should run to waste. I told Mr. Goldsmith all this, and I really think he seemed to attend. I wonder if it will work.
Albinia was by this time anxious that it should take effect, and they agreed that an old bachelor banker and his sister, both past sixty, were the very people to adopt a promising nephew.
What had become of the multitude of things which Albinia had to discuss with her brother? The floodtide of bliss had floated her over all the stumbling-blocks and shoals that the ebb had disclosed, and she had absolutely forgotten all the perplexities that had seemed so trying. Even when she sought a private interview to talk to him about Gilbert, it was in full security of hearing the praises of her darling.
A nice boy, a very nice boy, returned Maurice; most amiable and intelligent, and particularly engaging, from his feeling being so much on the surface.
Nothing can be more sincere and genuine, she cried, as if this fell a little flat.
Certainly not, at the time.
Always! exclaimed Albinia. You must not distrust him because he is not like you or Fred, and has never been hardened and taught reserve by rude boys. Nothing was ever more real than his affection, poor dear boy, and the tears thrilled to her eyes.
No, and it is much to his credit. His love and gratitude to you are quite touching, poor fellow; but the worst of it is that I am afraid he is very timid, both physically and morally.
Often as she had experienced this truth, the soldiers daughter could not bear to avow it, and she answered hastily, He has never been braced or trained; he was always ill till within the last few yearscoddling at first, neglect afterwards, he has it all to learn, and it is too late for school.
Yes, he is too old to be laughed at or bullied out of cowardice. Indeed, I doubt whether there ever would have been substance enough for much wear and tear.
I know you have a turn for riotous, obstinate boys! You want Willie to be another Fred, said Albinia, like an old hen, ruffling up her feathers. You think a boy cant be good for anything unless he is a universal plague!
I wonder what you will do with your own son, said Maurice, amused, since you take Gilberts part so fiercely.
I trust my boy will never be as much to be pitied as his brother, said Albinia, with tenderness that accused her petulance. At least he can never be a lonely twin with that sore spot in his heart. Oh, Maurice, how can any one help dealing gently with my poor Gibbie?
Gentle dealing is the very thing he wants, said Mr. Ferrars; and I am thinking how to find it for him. How did his going to Traversham fail?
I dont know; Edmund did not like to send him without having seen Traversham, and I could not go. But I dont think there is any need for his going away. His father has been quite enough tormented about it, and I can manage him very well now. He is always good and happy with me. I mean to try to ride with him, and I have promised to teach him music, and we shall garden. Never fear, I will employ him and keep him out of mischiefit is all pleasure to me.
And pray what are your daughters and baby to do, while you are galloping after Gilbert?
Oh! Ill manage. We can all do things together. Come, Maurice, I wont have Edmund teased, and I cant bear parting with any of them, or think that any strange man can treat Gibbie as I should.
Maurice was edified by his sisters warm-hearted weakness, but not at all inclined to let Edmund escape a teasing.
Mr. Kendals first impulse always was to find a sufficient plea for doing nothing. If Gilbert was to go to India, it was not worth while to give him a classical education.
Is he to go to India? Albinia had not told me so.
I thought she was aware of it; but possibly I may not have mentioned it. It has been an understood thing ever since I came home. He will have a good deal of the property in this place, but he had better have seen something of the world. Bayford is no place for a man to settle down in too young.
Certainly, said Mr. Ferrars, repressing a smile. Then are you thinking of sending him to Haileybury?
He was pronounced too young, besides, it was explained that his destination in India was unfixed. On going home it had been a kind of promise that one of the twin brothers should have an appointment in the civil service, the other should enter the bank of Kendal and Kendal, and the survivor was unconsciously suspended between these alternatives, while the doubt served as a convenient protection to his father from making up his mind to prepare him for either of these or for anything else.
The prompt Ferrars temper could bear it no longer, and Maurice spoke out. Ill tell you what, Kendal, it is time to attend to your own concerns. If you choose to let your son run to ruin, because you will not exert yourself to remove him from temptation, I shall not stand by to see my sister worn out with making efforts to save him. She is willing and devoted, she fancies she could work day and night to preserve him, and she does it with all her heart; but it is not womans work, she cannot do it, and it is not fit to leave it to her. When Gilbert has broken her heart as well as yours, and left an evil example to his brother, then you will feel what it is to have kept a lad whom you know to be well disposed, but weak as water, in the very midst of contamination, and to have left your young, inexperienced wife to struggle alone to save him. If you are unwarned by the experience of last autumn and winter, I could not pity you, whatever might happen.