Albinia’s martial ardour was revived as she listened with greater grasp of comprehension to subjects familiar in her girlhood.  She again met old friends of her father, the lingering glories of the Peninsula and Waterloo, who liked her for her own sake as well as for her father’s, while Maurice looked on, amused by her husband’s silent pride in her, and her hourly progress in the regard of the General, who began to talk of making a long visit to Fairmead, after what he expected would be a slight demonstration on the Danube.  He even began to regret the briefness of the time that he could spend in their society.

Much was crowded into that week, but Albinia contrived to find an hour for a call on her little French friend, to whom she had already forwarded the parcels she had brought from home—­a great barm-brack from Biddy, and a store of delicate convent confections from Hadminster.

She was set down at a sober old house in the lawyers’ quarter of the world, and conducted to a pretty, though rather littered drawing-room, where she found a delicate-looking young mamma, and various small children.

‘I’m so glad,’ said little Mrs. Rainsforth, ’that you have been able to come; it will be such a pleasure to dear Miss Durant; and while one of the children was sent to summon the governess, the lady continued, nervously but warmly, ’I hope you will think Miss Durant looking well; I am afraid she shuts herself up too much.  I’m sure she is the greatest comfort, the greatest blessing to us.’

Albinia’s reply was prevented by a rush of children, followed by the dear little trim, slight figure.  There was no fear that Genevieve did not look well or happy.  Her olive complexion was healthy; her dark eyes lustrous with gladness; her smile frank and unquelled; her movements full of elastic life.

She led the way to the back parlour, dingy by nature, but bearing living evidence to the charm which she infused into any room.  Scratched table, desks, copybooks, and worn grammars, had more the air of a comfortable occupation than of the shabby haunt of irksome taskwork.  There were flowers in the window, and the children’s treasures were arranged with taste.  Genevieve loved her school-room, and showed off its little advantages with pretty exultation.  If Mrs. Kendal could only see how well it looked with the curtains down, after tea!

And then came the long, long talk over home affairs, and the history of half the population of Bayford, Genevieve making inquiries, and drinking in the answers as if she could not make enough of her enjoyment.

Not till all the rest had been discussed, did she say, with dropped eyelids, and a little blush, ‘Is Mr. Gilbert Kendal quite strong?’

’Thank you, he has been much better this winter, and so useful and kind in nursing grandmamma!’

‘Yes, he was always kind.’

’He was going to beg me to remember him to you, but he broke off, and said you would not care.’