On the way home, on emerging from the alley, Albinia encountered Gilbert, just parting with another youth, who walked off quickly on the Tremblam road, while she inquired who it was.

‘That?’ said Gilbert; ’oh! that was young Tritton.  He has been away learning farming in Scotland.  We speak when we meet, for old acquaintance sake and that.’

The Bayford mind was diverted from the romance of Genevieve, by the enormous fortune of the Vicar’s nephew, whose capital was in their mouths and imaginations swelled into his yearly income.  Swarms of cards of inquiry were left at the vicarage; and Mrs. Meadows and Lucy enjoyed the reflected dignity of being able to say that Mrs. Kendal was continually there.  And so she was, for Mrs. Dusautoy was drooping, though more in body than visibly in spirit, and needed both companionship and assistance in supporting the charge left by her absent Atlas.

He was not gone a moment longer than necessary, and took her by surprise at last, while Albinia and Sophy were sitting on the lawn with her, when she welcomed the nephew and the Vicar, holding out a hand to each, and thanked them for taking care of ‘Fanny.’  ’Here, Algernon,’ he continued, ’here are two of our best friends, Mrs. Kendal and Miss Sophy.’

There was a stiff bow from a stiff altitude.  The youth was on the gigantic Dusautoy scale, looking taller even than his uncle, from his manner of holding himself with his chin somewhat elevated.  He had a good ruddy sun-burnt complexion, shining brown hair, and regular features; and Albinia could respond heartily to the good Vicar’s exclamation, as he followed her down to the gate for the sake of saying,

’Well-grown lad, isn’t that?  And a very good-hearted fellow too, poor boy—­the very picture of his dear father.  Well, and how has Fanny been?’

He stayed to be reassured that his return was all his Fanny wanted, and then hurried back to her, while Albinia and Sophy pursued their way down the hill.

’News for grandmamma.  We must give her a particular description of the hero.’

‘How ugly he thought me!’ said Sophy, quaintly.

’My dear, I believe that is the first thing you think of when you meet a stranger!’

‘I saw it this time,’ returned Sophy.  ’His chin went up in the air at once.  He set me down for Mrs. Kendal, and you for Miss Sophy.’

‘Nonsense,’ said Albinia, for the inveterate youthfulness of her bright complexion and sunny hair was almost a sore subject with her.  ’Your always fancying that every one is disgusted with you, is as silly as if you imagined yourself transcendently beautiful.  It is mere self-occupation, and helps to make you blunt and shy.’

‘Mamma,’ said Sophy, ’tell me one thing.  Did you ever think yourself pretty?’

’I have thought myself looking so, under favourable circumstances, but that’s all.  You are as far from ugliness as I am, and have as little need to think of it.  As far as features go, there’s the making of a much handsomer woman in you than in me.’