It was a pretty bay-windowed room, and looked cheerful in the firelight. Lucys tongue was at once unloosed, telling that Gilberts tutor, Mr. Salsted, had insisted on his having his tooth extracted, and that he had refused, saying it was quite well; but Lucy gave it as her opinion that he much preferred the toothache to his lessons.
Where does Mr. Salsted live?
At Tremblam, about two miles off; Gilbert rides the pony over there every day, except when he has the toothache, and then he stays at home.
And what do you do?
We went to Miss Belmarche till the end of our quarter, and since that we have been at home, or with grandmamma. Do you really mean that we are to study with you?
I should like it, my dear. I have been looking forward very much to teaching you and Sophia.
Thank you, mamma.
The word was said with an effort as if it came strangely, but it thrilled Albinias heart, and she kissed Lucy, who clung to her, and returned the caress.
I shall tell Gilbert and Sophy what a dear mamma you are, she said. Do you know, Sophy says she shall never call you anything but Mrs. Kendal; and I know Gilbert means the same.
Let them call me whatever suits them best, said Albinia; I had rather they waited till they feel that they like to call me as you have donethank you for it, dear Lucy. You must not fancy I shall be at all hurt at your thinking of times past. I shall want you to tell me of them, and of your own dear mother, and what will suit papa best.
Lucy looked highly gratified, and eagerly said, I am sure I shall love you just like my own mamma.
No, said Albinia, kindly; I do not expect that, my dear. I dont ask for any more than you can freely give, dear child. You must bear with having me in that place, and we will try and help each other to make your papa comfortable; and, Lucy, you will forgive me, if I am impetuous, and make mistakes.
Lucys little clear black eyes looked as if nothing like this had ever come within her range of observation, and Albinia could sympathize with her difficulty of reply.
Mr. Kendal was not in the drawing-room when they re-entered, there was only Gilbert nursing his toothache by the fire, and Sophy sitting in the middle of the rug, holding up a screen. She said something good-natured to each, but neither responded graciously, and Lucy went on talking, showing off the room, the chiffonieres, the ornaments, and some pretty Indian ivory carvings. There was a great ottoman of Aunt Marias work, and a huge cushion with an Arab horseman, that Lucy would uncover, whispering, Poor mamma worked it, while Sophy visibly winced, and Albinia hurried it into the chintz cover again, lest Mr. Kendal should come. But Lucy had full time to be communicative about the household with such a satisfied, capable manner, that Albinia asked if she had been keeping house all this time.
No; old Nurse kept the keys, and managed till now; but she went this morning.
Sophys mouth twitched.
She was so very fond continued Lucy.
Dont! burst out Sophy, almost the first word Albinia had heard from her; but no more passed, for Mr. Kendal came in, and Lucys conversation instantly was at an end.
Before him she was almost as silent as the others, and he seldom addressed himself to her, only inquiring once after her grandmammas health, and once calling Sophy out of the way when she was standing between the fire andHe finished with the gesture of command, whether he said Your mamma, none could tell.
It was late, and the meal was not over before bed-time, when Albinia lingered to find remedies for Gilberts toothache, pleased to feel herself making a commencement of motherly care, and to meet an affectionate glance of thanks from Mr. Kendals eye. Gilbert, too, thanked her with less shyness than before, and was hopeful about the remedy; and with the feeling of having made a beginning, she ran down to tell Mr. Kendal that she thought he had hardly done justice to the childrenthey were fine creaturessomething so sweet and winning about Lucyshe liked Gilberts countenanceSophy must have something deep and noble in her.
He lifted his head to look at her bright face, and said, They are very much obliged to you.
You must not say that, they are my own.
I will not say it again, but as I look at you, and the home to which I have brought you, I feel that I have acted selfishly.
Albinia timidly pressed his hand, Work was always what I wished, she said, if only I could do anything to lighten your grief and care.
He gave a deep, heavy sigh. Albinia felt that if he had hoped to have lessened the sadness, he had surely found it again at his own door. He roused himself, however, to say, This is using you ill, Albinia; no one is more sensible of it than I am.
I never sought more than you can give, she murmured; I only wish to do what I can for you, and you will not let me disturb you.
I am very grateful to you, was his answer; a sad welcome for a bride. And these poor children will owe everything to you.
I wish I may do right by them, said Albinia, fervently.
The flower of the flockbegan Mr. Kendal, but he broke off at once.
Albinia had told Winifred that she could bear to have his wifes memory first with him, and that she knew that she could not compensate to him for his loss, but the actual sight of his dejection came on her with a chill, and she had to call up all her energies and hopes, and, still better, the thought of strength not her own, to enable her to look cheerfully on the prospect. Sleep revived her elastic spirits, and with eager curiosity she drew up her blind in the morning, for the first view of her new home.
But there was a veilmoisture made the panes resemble ground glass, and when she had rubbed that away, and secured a clear corner, her range of vision was not much more extensive. She could only see the grey outline of trees and shrubs, obscured by the heavy mist; and on the lawn below, a thick cloud that seemed to hang over a dark space which she suspected to be a large pond.
There is very little to be gained by looking out here! Albinia soliloquized. It is not doing the place justice to study it on a misty, moisty morning. It looks now as if that fever might have come bodily out of the pond. Ill have no more to say to it till the sun has licked up the fog, and made it bright! Sunday morningmy last Sunday without school-teaching I hope! I famish to begin againand I will make time for that, and the girls too! I am glad he consents to my doing whatever I please in that way! I hope Mr. Dusautoy will! I wish Edmund knew him betterbut oh! what a shy man it is!
With a light step she went down-stairs, and found Mr Kendal waiting for her in the dining-room, his face brightening as she entered.
I am sorry Bayford should wear this heavy cloud to receive you, he said.
It will soon clear, she answered, cheerfully. Have you heard of poor Gilbert this morning?
Not yet. Then, after a pause, I have generally gone to Mrs. Meadows after the morning service, he said, speaking with constraint.
You will take me? said Albinia. I wish it, I assure you.
It was evidently what he wished her to propose, and he added, She must never feel herself neglected, and it will be better at once.
So much more cordial, said Albinia. Pray let us go!
They were interrupted by the voices of the girlsnot unpleasing voices, but loud and unsubdued, and with a slight tone of provincialism, which seemed to hurt Mr. Kendals ears, for he said, I hope you will tune those voices to something less unlike your own.