It almost consoled her for what she had been exceedingly ashamed to
announce, the change of purpose with regard to Gilbert, which was a
sentence of banishment to the object of his folly. Nothing pained
her more than the great courtesy and kindness of the two old ladies
to whom it was such a cruel stroke, they evidently felt for her, and
appeared to catch at Mrs. Elwood's offer, and when Albinia proposed
that her salary should be a share in the instructions of the masters,
agreed that this was the very thing they had felt it their duty to
provide for her, if they had been able to bring themselves to part
with her.
'So,' said good Madame Belmarche, smiling sadly, 'you see it has been
for the dear child's real good that our weakness has been conquered.'
Genevieve was written to, and consented to everything, and when Mr.
Kendal took Gilbert away to visit an old friend, his wife called for
Genevieve at the convent to bring her home. Albinia could not divest
herself of some curiosity and excitement in driving up to the
old-fashioned red brick house, with two tall wings projecting towards
the street, and the front door in the centre between them, with steps
down to it. She had not been without hopes of a parlour with a
grille, or at least that a lay sister would open the door; but she
saw nothing but a very ordinary-looking old maid-servant, and close
behind her was Genevieve, with her little box, quite ready--no excuse
for seeing anything or anybody else.
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