‘I hope so; but you must spare yourself.’

‘Besides,’ she added, ’one of the worst parts has been that, in the fancy that a change was to come, I have gone about everything in an unsettled way; and now I want to begin again at my duties, my readings and parish matters, as my life’s work, steadily and in earnest.’

‘Not violently, not to drive care away.’

’I have tried that once, and will not again.  You shall arrange for me, and I will do just as you tell me;’ and she raised her eyes with the most deep and earnest gaze of confiding love that had ever greeted Albinia from any of the three.  I’ll try not to grieve you, for you are too sorry for me;’ and she threw her arms round her neck.  ‘Oh, mamma! nothing is so bad when you help me to bear it!’

Tears fell fast at this precious effusion from the deep, sincere heart, at the moment when Albinia herself was most guilty in her own eyes.  Embraces were her only answer, and how fervent!

‘And, mamma,’ whispered Sophy, ’if you could only let me have some small part of teaching little Albinia.’

A trotting of small feet and a call of mamma was heard.  The little maiden was come with her good-nights, and in one moment Albinia had lifted her into her sister’s arms, where she was devoured with kisses, returning them with interest, and with many a fondling ’Poor Sophy,’ and ‘Dear Sophy.’

When the last fond good-night had passed, and the little one had gone away to her nest, Sophy said in a soft, natural, unconstrained voice, ’I am very sleepy.  If you will be so kind as to send up my tea, I will go to bed.  Thank you; goodnight.’

That was the redrawing of the curtain of reserve, the resignation of sentiment, the resumption of common life.  The romance of Sophia Kendal’s early life had ended when she wounded her fingers in wreathing Genevieve’s hair.  Her next romance might be on behalf of her beautiful little sister.

Albinia was cured of her fretfulness towards the new order of events, and her admiration of Sophy carried her through all that was yet to come.  It was the easier since Sophy did not insist on unreasonable self-martyrdoms, and in her gratitude for being allowed her purpose in the main, was submissive in detail, and had mercy on her own powers of endurance, not inflicting the sight of the lovers on herself more than was needful, and not struggling with the languor that was a good reason for remaining much upstairs.  She worked and read, but without overdoing anything, and wisely undertook a French translation, as likely to occupy her attention without forcing her to over-exert her powers.  Not that she said so; she carefully avoided all reference to her feelings; and Albinia could almost have deemed the whole a dream, excepting for the occasional detection of a mournful fixed gaze, which was instantaneously winked away as soon as Sophy herself became aware of it.