When at the end
of the path, Albinia looked round, the Lancer had disappeared, and
Lucy was walking by her father, trying to look serenely amused by a
discussion on the annexation of the Punjaub.
The afternoon was spent in pleasant loitering, chiefly with Miss
Ferrars, who asked much after Sophy, lamented greatly over Winifred's
delicate health, and was very anxious to know what could have brought
Fred home, being much afraid it was some fresh foolish attachment.
Ominous notes were heard from the band, and the Colonel came to tell
them that there was to be dancing till it was dark enough for the
fireworks, his little Alice had promised him her first country-dance.
Fred Ferrars emerged again with a half-laughing, half-imploring, 'For
the sake of old times, Albinia! We've been partners before!'
'You'll take care of Lucy,' said Albinia, turning to her aunt; but
Mr. Winthrop had already taken pity on her, and Albinia was led off
by her cousin to her place in the fast lengthening rank. How she
enjoyed it! She had cared little for London balls after the first
novelty, but these Fairmead dances on the turf had always had an
Arcadian charm to her fancy, and were the more delightful after so
long an interval, in the renewal of the old scene, and the
recognition of so many familiar faces.
With bounding step and laughing lips, she flew down the middle, more
exhilarated every moment, exchanging merry scraps of talk with her
partner or bright fragments as she poussetted with pair after pair;
and when the dance was over, with glowing complexion and eyes still
dancing, she took Fred's arm, and heard the renewal of his broken
story--the praise of his Emily, the fairest of Canadians, whom even
the General could not dislike, though, thorough soldier as he was, he
would fain have had all military men as devoid of encumbrances as
himself, and thought an officer's wife one of the most misplaced
articles in the world.
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