This had
the effect of making a pause, but Albinia saw the rector, a tall,
powerful man, rather supporting than actually carrying, a little
fragile form to the low-browed door leading into the chancel on the
north side. The church was handsome, though in the late style, and a
good deal misused by eighteenth-century taste; and Albinia was full
of admiration as Mr. Kendal conducted her along the flagged path.
She was rather dismayed to find herself mounting the gallery stairs,
and to emerge into a well-cushioned abode, with the shield-bearing
angel of the corbel of an arch all to herself, and a very good view
of the cobwebs over Mr. Dusautoy's sounding-board. It seemed to suit
all parties, however, for Lucy and Sophia took possession of the
forefront, and their father had the inmost corner, where certainly
nobody could see him.
Just opposite to Albinia was a mural tablet, on which she read what
revealed to her more of the sorrows of her household than she had
guessed before:
'To the memory of Lucy, the beloved wife of Edmund Kendal.
Died February 18th, 1845, aged 35 years.
Edmund Meadows Kendal, born January 20th, 1834.
Died February 10th, 1845.
Maria Kendal, born September 5th, 1840.
Died September 14th, 1840.
Sarah Anne Kendal, born October 3rd, 1841.
Died November 20th, 1843.
John Augustus Kendal, born January 4th, 1842.
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