'
'What did Lucy tell you about him? She did not meet him!' cried
Albinia, endeavouring not to betray her alarm. 'I mean, did she meet
him?'
'Indeed,' said Miss Ferrars, 'you should have warned us if you had
any objection, my dear.'
'Well, but what did happen?'
'Oh, nothing alarming, I assure you. They met at a ball at Brighton;
Lucy introduced him, and said he was your vicar's nephew; they danced
together. I think only once.'
'I wish you had mentioned it. When did it happen?'
'I can hardly tell. I think she had been about a fortnight with us,
but she seemed so indifferent that I should never have thought it
worth mentioning. I remember my sister thought of asking him to a
little evening party of ours, and Lucy dissuading her. Now, really,
Albinia, don't look as if we had been betraying our trust. You never
gave us any reason to think--'
'No, no. I beg your pardon, dear aunt. I hope there's no harm done.
If I could have thought of his turning up, I would--But I hope it is
all right.'
Such good accounts came from both homes, and the General was so
unwilling to part with his brother and sister, that he persuaded them
to accompany him to Southampton for embarkation. They all felt that
these last days, precious now, might be doubly precious by-and-by,
and alone with them and free from the kindly scrutiny of the good
aunts, William expanded and evinced more warm fraternal feeling than
he had ever manifested.
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