Mr. Ferrars and Mr. Kendal fell into one of their discussions, and paced up and down the shady walk, while Albinia sat, in the complete contentment, between Alice and Winifred, with Fred Ferrars on the turf at their feet, living over again the bygone days, laughing over ancient jokes, resuscitating past scrapes, tracing the lot of old companions, or telling mischievous anecdotes of each other, for the very purpose of being contradicted.  They were much too light-hearted to note the lapse of time, till Maurice came to take his wife home, thinking she had had fatigue enough.  Mrs. Annesley went with her, and Albinia, on looking for her husband, was told that he had fallen in with some old Indian acquaintances; and Charles Bury presently came to find his wife, and conduct the party to luncheon.  There was no formal meal, but a perpetual refection laid out in the dining-room, for relays of guests.  Fred took care of Albinia and here they met Miss Ferrars, who had been with one of her old friends, to whom she was delighted to exhibit her nephew and niece in their prime of good looks.

‘But I must go,’ said Albinia; ’having found the provisions, I must secure that Mr. Kendal and the children are not famished.’

Fred came with her, and she turned down the long alley leading to the archery-ground.  He felt old times so far renewed as to resume their habits of confidence, and began, ’I suppose the General has not told you what has brought me home?’

‘He has not so much as told me you were coming.’

‘Ay, ay, of course you know how he treats those things.’

‘Oh—­h!’ said Albinia, perfectly understanding.

‘But,’ continued Frederick, eagerly, ’even he confesses that she is the very sweetest—­I mean,’ as Albinia smiled at this evident embellishment, ’even he has not a word of objection to make except the old story about married officers.’

‘And who is she, Fred?’

‘Oh, mamma, there you are!’ and Lucy joined them as they emerged on the bowling-green, where stood the two bright targets, and the groups of archers, whose shafts, for the most part, flew far and wide.

‘Where are the rest, my dear? are they shooting?’

’Yes; Gilbert has been teaching Genevieve—­there, she is shooting now.’

The little light figure stood in advance.  Gilbert held her arrows, and another gentleman appeared to be counselling her.  There seemed to be general exultation when one of her arrows touched the white ring outside the target.

‘That has been her best shot,’ said Lucy.  ’I am sure I would not shoot in public unless I knew how!’

‘Do you not like shooting?’ asked Captain Ferrars; and Lucy smiled, and lost her discontented air.

’It hurts my fingers, she said; ’and I have always so much to do in the garden.’

Albinia asked if she had had anything to eat.

’Oh, yes; the Colonel asked Gilbert to carve in the tent there, for the children and governesses,’ said Lucy, ’he and Genevieve were very busy there, but I found I was not of much use so, I came away with the Miss Bartons to look at the flowers, but now they are shooting, and I could not think what had become of you.’