‘At least you will give up the book,’ she said.

’O dear! if you would let me see whether d’Artagnan got to England.  I must know that!  I’m sure there can’t be any harm in that.  Do you know what it is about?’

’Yes, I do.  My brother got it by some mistake among some French books.  He read some of the droll unobjectionable parts to my sister and me, but the rest was so bad, that he threw it into the fire.’

‘Then you think it funny?’

‘To be sure I do.’

’Do you remember the three duels all at once, and the three valets?  Oh! what fun it is.  But do let me see if d’Artagnan got the diamonds.’

’Yes, he did.  But will this satisfy you, Gilbert?  You know there are some exciting pleasures that we must turn our backs on resolutely.  I think this book is one of them.  Now you will let me take it?  I will tell your father about it in private, and he cannot blame you.  Then, if he will give his consent, whenever you can come home early, come to my dressing-room, out of your sisters’ way, and I will read to you the innocent part, so as to get the story out of your brain.’

‘Very well,’ said Gilbert, slowly.  ’Yes, if you will not let papa be angry with me.  And, oh dear! must you go?’

’I think you had better dress yourself and come down to tea.  There is nothing the matter with you now, is there?’

He was delighted with the suggestion, and promised to come directly; and Albinia carried off her prize, exceedingly hopeful and puzzled, and wondering whether her compromise had been a right one, or a mere tampering with temptation—­delighted with the confidence and affection bestowed on her so freely, but awe-struck by the impression which the boy had avowed, and marvelling how it should be treated, so as to render it a blessed and salutary restraint, rather than the dim superstitious terror that it was at present.  At least there was hope of influencing him, his heart was affectionate, his will on the side of right, and in consideration of feeble health and timid character, she would overlook the fact that he had not made one voluntary open confession, and that the partial renunciation had been wrung from him as a choice of evils.  She could only feel how much he was to be pitied, and how he responded to her affection.

She was crossing the hall next day, when she heard a confusion of tongues through the open door of the dining-room, and above all, Gilbert’s.  ’Well, I say there are but two ladies in Bayford.  One is Mrs. Kendal, and the other is Genevieve Durant!’

‘A dancing-master’s daughter!’ Lucy’s scornful tone was unmistakeable, and so was the ensuing high-pitched querulous voice, ’Well, to be sure, Gilbert might be a little more—­a little more civil.  Not that I’ve a word to say against—­against your—­your mamma.  Oh, no!—­glad to see—­but Gilbert might be more civil.’

‘I think so indeed,’ said Albinia.  ’Good morning, Miss Meadows.  You see Gilbert has come home quite alive enough for mischief.’