Albinia caught the blush, and felt more bashful than she had believed
was in her nature, but she had a warm-hearted determination that she
would work down prejudices, and like and be liked by all that
concerned him and his children. So she smiled at him, and went
bravely on into the matted hall and up the narrow stairs, and made a
laughing sign when he looked back at her ere he tapped at the
sitting-room door.
It was opened from within before he could turn the handle, and a
shrill voice, exaggerating those of the girls, showered welcomes with
such rapidity, that Albinia was seated at the table, and had been
helped to cold chicken, before she could look round, or make much
answer to reiterations of 'so very kind.'
It was a small room, loaded with knicknacks and cushions, like a
repository of every species of female ornamental handiwork in vogue
for the last half century, and the luncheon-tray in the middle of
all, ready for six people, for the two girls were there, and though
Mr. Kendal stood up by the fire, and would not eat, he and his black
image, reflected backwards and forwards in the looking-glass and in
the little round mirror, seemed to take up more room than if he had
been seated.
Mrs. Meadows was slight, shrunken, and gentle-looking, with a sweet
tone in her voice, great softness of manner, and pretty blue eyes.
Albinia only wished that she had worn mourning, it would have been so
much more becoming than bright colours, but that was soon overlooked
in gratitude for her affectionate reception, and in the warmth of
feeling excited by her evident fondness and solicitude for Mr.
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