Mr. Kendal held him fondly through all the hospitable
welcomes of the aunts, and his own explanations; but to Albinia it
was all confusion, and almost annoyance, till she could take him
upstairs, and tell her own story.
'I am afraid you have been very much alarmed,' were his first words.
'I have done everything wrong from beginning to end,' said Albinia.
'Oh, Edmund, I am so glad you are come! Now you will see the doctor,
and know whether it was as bad as all the rest to bring her to
London.'
'My dearest, you must calm yourself, and try to explain. You know I
understand nothing yet, except from your resolute little advocate
downstairs, and your own note, which I could scarcely make out,
except that you were in great trouble.'
'Ah, that note; I wrote it in one of my impetuous fits. Maurice used
to say I ran frantic, and grew irrational, and so I did not know what
I was saying to you; and I brought that poor patient girl up here in
all the heat, and the journey hurt her so much, that I don't know how
we shall ever get her home again. Oh, Edmund, I am the worst wife
and mother in the world; and I undertook it all with such foolish
confidence.'
Mr. Kendal liked her impetuous fits as little as her brother did, and
was not so much used to them; but he dealt with her in his quiet,
straightforward way. 'You are exaggerating now, Albinia, and I do
not wonder at it, for you have had a great deal to startle and to try
you.
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