By-and-by Mr. Kendal was heard returning, and she rose to arrest him
in the hall. Her looks began the story, for he exclaimed, 'My dear
Albinia, what is the matter?'
'Oh, Edmund, I have such things to tell you! I have been doing so
wrong.'
She was almost sobbing, and he spoke fondly. 'No, Albinia, I can
hardly believe that. Something has vexed you, and you must take time
to compose yourself.'
He led her up to her own room, tried to soothe her, and would not
listen to a word till she should be calm. After lying still for a
little while, she thought she had recovered, but the very word
'Gilbert' brought such an expression of anxiety and sternness over
his brow as overcame her again, and she could not speak without so
much emotion that he silenced her; and finding that she could neither
leave the subject, nor mention it without violent agitation, he said
he would leave her for a little while, and perhaps she might sleep,
and then be better able to speak to him. Still she held him, and
begged that he would say nothing to Gilbert till he had heard her,
and to pacify her he yielded, passed his promise, and quitted her
with a kiss.
CHAPTER VII.
There was a messenger at Fairmead Parsonage by sunrise the next
morning, and by twelve o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Ferrars were at Willow
Lawn.
Mr. Kendal's grave brow and depressed manner did not reassure
Winifred as he met her in the hall, although his words were, 'I hope
she is doing well.
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