Oh! if I had but been born in the same station of life!'
Gilbert making entrechats with a little fiddle! It had nearly
overthrown her gravity, and she made no direct answer, only saying,
'Well, Gilbert, these talks are useless. I only thought it right to
give you notice that you have released me from my engagement not to
make your father aware of your folly.'
He went into an agony of entreaties, and proffers of promises, but no
more treaties of secrecy could he obtain, she would only say that she
should not speak immediately, she should wait and see how things
turned out. By which she meant, how soon it might be hoped that he
would be safe in the Calcutta bank, where she heartily wished him.
She sought a conference with Genevieve, and took her out walking in
the meadows, for the poor child really needed change and exercise,
the fear of Gilbert had made her imprison herself within the little
garden, till she looked sallow and worn. She said that her
grandmother and aunt had decided that she should go in a couple of
days to the Convent at Hadminster, to remain there till Mr. Gilbert
went to India--the superior was an old friend of her aunt, and
Genevieve had often been there, and knew all the nuns.
Albinia was startled by this project. 'My dear, I had much rather
send you to stay at my brother's, or--anywhere. Are you sure you are
not running into temptation?'
'Not of that kind,' said Genevieve.
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