‘Gilbert said yes, when I asked if she could be with the Dusautoys,’ said Sophy, ’when grandmamma wanted her and she did not come.  Mamma, please don’t think of what I said, for very likely it is only that I am cross, because of being left alone with grandmamma so long this evening, and then Maurice being slow at his lessons.’

’You are not cross, Sophy; you are worn out, and perplexed, and unhappy.’

‘Oh! not now you are come home,’ and Sophy laid her head on her shoulder and cried with relief and exhaustion.  Albinia caressed her, saying,

’My trust, my mainstay, my poor Sophy!  There, go to bed and sleep, and don’t think of it now.  Only first tell me one thing, is that Algernon at home?’

‘No!’ said Sophy, vehemently, ‘certainly not!’

Albinia breathed more freely.

‘Everybody,’ said Sophy, collecting herself, ’has gone on well, Gilbert and Lucy have been as kind as could be, and Maurice very good, but yesterday morning he went on in his foolish way at lessons, and Gilbert took him out riding before he had finished them.  They came in very late, and I think Maurice must have been overtired, for he was so idle this morning, that I threatened to tell, and put him in mind of the cannon papa promised him; but somehow I must have managed badly for he only grew more defiant, and ended by letting the marble dog out of window, so that it went through the roof of the conservatory.’

‘Yes, of course it was your fault, or the marble dog’s,’ said Albinia, smiling, and stroking her fondly.  ’Ah! we ought to have come home at the fixed time, and not left you to their mercy; but one could not hurry away from William, when he was so much more sorry to leave us than we ever expected.’

’Oh! mamma, don’t talk so!  We were so glad.  If only we could help being such a nuisance!’

Albinia contrived to laugh, and withdrew, intending to make a visit of inquiry to Lucy, but she could not refuse herself the refreshment of a kiss to the little darling who could have no guile to hide, no wrong to confess.  She had never so much realized the value of the certainty of innocence as when she hung over the crib, and thought that when those dark fringed lids were lifted, the eyes would flash with delight at meeting her, without one drawback.

Suddenly a loud roar burst from the little room next to Gilbert’s, in which Maurice had lately been installed.  She hurried swiftly in that direction, but a passage and some steps lay between, and Gilbert had been beforehand with her.

She heard the words, ’I don’t care!  I don’t care if it is manly!  I will tell; I can’t bear this!’ then as his brother seemed to be hushing him, he burst out again, ’I wouldn’t have minded if papa wouldn’t give me the cannon, but he will, and that’s as bad as telling a lie!’ I can’t sleep if you wont let me off my promise!’

Trembling from head to foot, her voice low and quivering with concentrated, incredulous wrath, Albinia advanced.  ’Are you teaching my child falsehood?’ she said; and Gilbert felt as if her look were worse to him than a thousand deaths.