It was in Genevieve’s eyes an astonishing fancy, and Albinia said, ’Come away now, my dear; she must have a thorough rest after such a day.’

Genevieve looked too much excited for rest, but that was the more reason for leaving her to herself; and besides, it was so uncomfortable not to be able to be kind enough.

However, when people are happy, a little kindness goes a great way, and there was a subdued lustre like a glory in her eyes when she came downstairs, with the holly leaves and berries glistening in her hair, the first ornament she had ever worn there.

‘It was Sophy’s doing,’ she said.  ’Naughty girl; she tried to take me by surprise.  She would not let me look in the glass, but I guessed—­and oh! she was wounding her poor hands so sadly.’

I must thank her,’ said Ulick, looking ecstatic.  ’Why does she not come down?’

As she did not appear, Albinia went up, doubtful if it were wise, yet too uneasy not to go in quest of her.

It was startling to have so faint an answer on knocking, and on entering the room, she saw Sophy lying on her bed, upon her back, with her arms by her sides, and with a ghastly whiteness on her features.

Scarcely a pulse could be felt, and her hands were icy cold, her voice sank to nothing, her eyelids scarcely raised, as if the strain of the day had exhausted all vital warmth or energy, and her purpose accomplished, annihilation was succeeding.  Much terrified, Albinia would have hurried in search of remedies, but she raised her hand imploringly, and murmured, ’Please don’t.  I’m not faint—­I’m not ill.  If you would only let me be still.’

Albinia teased her so far as to cover her with warmed shawls, and force on her a stimulant.  She shut her eyes, but presently opened them to say, ‘Please go.’

She was so often unable to appear at dinner, that no observation was made; and it was to be feared that her absence was chiefly regretted by the lovers, because it prevented them from sitting on the same side of the table.

Always frank and unrestrained, Ulick made his felicity so apparent, that Albinia had no toleration for him, and not much for the amusement it afforded Mr. Kendal.  She would have approved of her husband much more if he had put her into a great quandary by anxious inquiries what was the matter with his daughter, instead of that careless, ’O you are going up to Sophy; I hope she will be able to come down to tea,’ when she left him on guard over the children and the lovers.

‘So it is with woman’s martyrdoms,’ said she to herself as she walked upstairs, chewing the cud of all the commonplaces by which women have, of late years, flattered themselves, and been flattered; ’but at any rate I’ll have her out of sight of all their absurdity.  It is enough to kill her!’

Sophy hardly stirred at her entrance, but there was less ghastliness about her, and as Albinia sat down she did not remove her hand, and turned slightly round, so as to lose that strange corpse-like attitude of repose.