‘Well!’ thought Albinia, as she stood at the conservatory-door, ’how much more boldness and tact some people have than others!  If I had lived a hundred years, I should not have managed it so well!’

‘What’s become of them?’ said Mr. Kendal, as she went back to the drawing-room.

‘Gone to listen for nightingales!’

‘Nightingales!  How could you let them go into the river-fog?’

’Emily was bent upon it; she is too much of a bride not to have her way.’

‘Umph!  I wonder Sophy was so foolish.’

They came back in a quarter of an hour.  No nightingales; and Fred was indulging in reminiscences of bull-frogs; the two ladies were rapturous on the effect of the moonbeams in the ripple of the waters, and the soft furry white mist rising over the meadows.  Ulick shivered, and leant over the fire to breathe a drier air, bantering the ladies for their admiration, and declaring that Mrs. Ferrars had taken the moan of an imprisoned house-dog for the nightingale, which he disdainfully imitated with buzz, zizz, and guggle, assuring her she had had no loss; but he looked rather white and chilled.  Sophy whispered something to her papa, who rang the bell, and ordered in wine and hot water.

‘There, Emily,’ said Albinia, when he had taken his leave; ’what shall we say to your nightingales, if Mr. O’More catches his ague again?’

‘Oh, there are moments when people don’t catch agues,’ said Fred.  ’He would be a poor fellow to catch an ague after all that, though, by-the-bye, it is not a place to go to at night without a cigar.’

Albinia was on thorns, lest Sophy should be offended; but though her cheeks lighted up, and she was certainly aware of some part of their meaning, either she did not believe in the possibility of any one bantering her, or else the assumption was more agreeable than the presumption was disagreeable.  She endured with droll puzzled dignity, when Fred teased her anxiety the next day to know whether Mr. O’More had felt any ill effects; and it really appeared as if she liked him better for what might have been expected to be a dire affront; but then he was a man whose manner enabled to do and say whatever he pleased.

Emily never durst enter on the subject with her, but had more than one confidential little gossip with Albinia, and repeatedly declared that she hoped to be in England when ‘it’ took place.  Indeed that week’s visit made them all so intimate, that it was not easy to believe how recent was the acquaintance.

The aunts had been so much disappointed at Fred’s desertion, so much discomfited at his recovery contrary to all predictions, and so much annoyed at his marriage, that it took all their kindness, and his Crimean fame, to make them invite him and his colonial wife to the Family Office, to be present at the royal distribution of medals.  However, the good ladies did their duty; and Emily and Sophy parted with promises of letters.