‘I little thought of subterfuges.  I trusted you.’

‘Mrs. Kendal! hear me,’ he passionately cried.  ’You knew not the misery you imposed.  To live so near, and not a word, not a look!  I bore it as long as I could; but when Sophy would not so much as take one message, human nature could not endure.’

’Well, if you cannot restrain yourself like a rational creature, some means must be taken to free Miss Durant from a pursuit so injurious and disagreeable to her.’

‘Ay,’ he cried, ’you have filled her with your own prejudices, and inspired her with such a dread of the hateful fences of society, that she does not dare to confess—­’

‘For shame, Gilbert, you are accusing her of acting a part.’

‘No!’ he exclaimed, ’all I say is, that she has been so thrust down and forced back, that she cannot venture to avow her feelings even to herself!’

‘Oh!’ said Albinia, ‘you conceited person!’

‘Well!’ cried the boy, so much nettled by her sarcasm that he did not know what he said, ’I think—­considering—­considering our situations, I might be worth her consideration!’

‘Who put that in your head?’ asked Albinia.  ’You are too much a gentleman for it to have come there of its own accord.’

He blushed excessively, and retracted.  ’No, no!  I did not mean that!  No, I only mean I have no fair play—­she will not even think.  Oh! if I had but been born in the same station of life!’

Gilbert making entrechats with a little fiddle!  It had nearly overthrown her gravity, and she made no direct answer, only saying, ’Well, Gilbert, these talks are useless.  I only thought it right to give you notice that you have released me from my engagement not to make your father aware of your folly.’

He went into an agony of entreaties, and proffers of promises, but no more treaties of secrecy could he obtain, she would only say that she should not speak immediately, she should wait and see how things turned out.  By which she meant, how soon it might be hoped that he would be safe in the Calcutta bank, where she heartily wished him.

She sought a conference with Genevieve, and took her out walking in the meadows, for the poor child really needed change and exercise, the fear of Gilbert had made her imprison herself within the little garden, till she looked sallow and worn.  She said that her grandmother and aunt had decided that she should go in a couple of days to the Convent at Hadminster, to remain there till Mr. Gilbert went to India—­the superior was an old friend of her aunt, and Genevieve had often been there, and knew all the nuns.

Albinia was startled by this project.  ’My dear, I had much rather send you to stay at my brother’s, or—­anywhere.  Are you sure you are not running into temptation?’

‘Not of that kind,’ said Genevieve.  ’The priest, Mr. O’Hara, is a good-natured old gentleman, not in the least disposed to trouble himself about my conversion.’