This topic was not exhausted when Fred fell a prey to the Colonel, who insisted on his dancing again, and Albinia telling him to do his duty, he turned towards a group that had coalesced round Miss Ferrars, consisting of Lucy, Gilbert, Genevieve, and the children from the parsonage, and at once bore off the little Frenchwoman, leaving more than one countenance blank.  Lucy and Willie did their best for mutual consolation, while Albinia undertook to preside over her niece and a still smaller partner in red velvet, in a quadrille.  It was amusing to watch the puzzled downright motions of the sturdy little bluff King Hal, and the earnest precision of the prim little damsel, and Albinia hovering round, now handing one, now pointing to the other, keeping lightly out of every one’s way, and far more playful than either of the small performers in this solemn undertaking.  As it concluded she found that Mr. Kendal had been watching her, with much entertainment, and she was glad to take his arm, and assure herself that he had not been miserable, but had been down to the parsonage, where he had read the newspaper in peace, and had enjoyed a cup of tea in quiet with Winifred and Mrs. Annesley.

The dancing had been transferred to the tent, which presented a very pretty scene from without, looking through the drooping festoons of evergreens at the lamps and the figures flitting to and fro in their measured movements, while the shrubs and dark foliage of the trees fell into gloom around; and above, the sky assumed the deep tranquil blue of night, the pale bright stars shining out one by one.  The Kendals were alone in the terrace, far enough from the gay tumult to be sensible of the contrast.

‘How beautiful!’ said Albinia:  ‘it is like a poem.’

‘I was just thinking so,’ he answered.

‘This is the best part of all,’ she said, feeling, though hardly expressing to herself the repose of his lofty, silent serenity, standing aloof from gaiety and noise.  She could have compared him and her lively cousin to the evening stillness contrasted with the mirthful scene in the tent; and though her nature seemed to belong to the busy world, her best enjoyment lay with what calmed and raised her above herself; and she was perfectly happy, standing still with her arm upon that of her silent husband.

‘These things are well imagined,’ said he.  ’The freedom and absence of formality give space for being alone and quiet.’

‘Yes,’ said Albinia, saucily, ’when that is what you go into society for.’

‘You have me there,’ he said, smiling; ’but I must own how much I enjoyed coming back from the parsonage by myself.  I am glad we brought that little Genevieve; she seems to be so perfectly in her element.  I saw her amusing a set of little children in the prettiest, most animated way; and afterwards, when the young people were playing at some game, her gestures were so sprightly and graceful, that no one could look at the English girls beside her.  Indeed I think she was making quite a sensation; your cousin seemed to admire her very much.  If she were but in another station, she would shine anywhere.’