Gilbert's health improved, though with vicissitudes that enforced the
necessity of prudence. Rash when well, and desponding at each
renewal of illness, he was not easy to manage, but he was always so
gentle, grateful, and obliging, that he endeared himself to the whole
household. It was no novelty for him to be devoted to his step-mother
and his little brother, but he was likewise very kind to Lucy,
and spent much time in helping in her pursuits; he was becoming
companionable to his father, and could play at chess sufficiently
well to be a worthy antagonist in Mr. Kendal's scientific and
interminable games. He would likewise play at backgammon with
grandmamma, and could entertain her for hours together by listening
to her long stories of the old Bayford world. He was a favourite in
her little society, and would often take a hand at cards to make up a
rubber, nay, even when not absolutely required, he was very apt to
bestow his countenance upon the little parties, where he had the
pleasure of being treated as a great man, and which, at least, had
the advantage of making a variation in his imprisonment during the
east winds.
Madame Belmarche and her daughter and grandchild were sometimes of
the party, and on these occasions, Sophy always claimed Genevieve,
and usually succeeded in carrying her off when Gilbert would often
join them. Their books and prints were a great treat to her; Gilbert
had a beautiful illustrated copy of Longfellow's poems, and the
engravings and 'Evangeline' were their enjoyment; Gilbert regularly
proffering the loan of the book, and she as regularly refusing it,
and turning a deaf ear to gentle insinuations of the pleasure of
knowing that an book of his was in her hands.
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