Albinia went to meet
her in the hall; she coloured and said, 'She was only come to fetch
Miss Osborn's cloak.'
Albinia saw her disposing it over Lizzie's shoulders, and then
running in again. This time it was for Miss Louisa's cloak, and a
third time for Miss Drury's shawl, which Albinia chose to take out
herself, and encountering Sophia, said, 'Next time, you had better
run on errands yourself instead of sending your guests.'
Sophy gave a black look, and she retreated, but presently the groups
coalesced, and Maria Drury and Sophy ran out to call Genevieve into
the midst. Albinia hoped they were going to play, but soon she
beheld Genevieve trying to draw back, but evidently imprisoned, there
was an echo of a laugh that she did not like; the younger girls were
skipping up in the victim's face in a rude way; she hastily turned
round as in indignation, one hand raised to her eyes, but it was
instantly snatched down by Maria Drury, and the pitiless ring closed
in. Albinia sprang to her feet, exclaiming aloud, 'They are teasing
her!' and rushed into the garden, hearing on her way, 'No, we wont
let you go!--you shall tell us--you shall promise to show us--my papa
is a magistrate, you know--he'll come and search--Jenny, you shall
tell!'
Come with me, Genevieve,' said Albinia, standing in the midst of the
tormentors, and launching a look of wrath around her, as she saw
tears in the young girl's eyes, and taking her hand, found it
trembling with agitation.
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