Kendal was quite delighted, and
rejoiced in committing Gilbert to his care. He had assumed the trust
in a paternal manner, and, infected by his brilliant happiness and
hopefulness, Gilbert had gone off to Ireland in excellent spirits.
'Another thing conduced to cheer him,' said Mr. Kendal afterwards to
his wife, with a tone that caused her to exclaim, 'You don't mean
that he saw Genevieve?'
'You are right. We came upon her in Rivington's shop, while we were
looking for the smallest Bible. I saw who it was chiefly by his
change of colour, and I confess I kept out of the way. The whole did
not last five minutes; she had her pupils with her, and soon went
away; but he thanked me, and took heart from that moment. Poor boy,
who would have thought the impression would have been so lasting?'
'Well, by the time he is a field-officer, even William will let him
please himself,' said Albinia, lightly, because her heart was too
full for her to speak seriously.
She tried, by a kind letter, to atone for the omitted farewell, and
it seemed to cheer and delight Gilbert. He wrote from Cork as if he
had imbibed fresh hope and enterprise from his new companions, he
liked them all, and could not say enough of the kindness of Major
Ferrars. Everything went smoothly, and in the happiest frame he
sailed from Cork, and was heard of again at Malta and Gallipoli,
direfully sea-sick, but reviving to write most amusing long
descriptive letters, and when he reached the camp at Yarna, he
reported as gratefully of General Ferrars as the General did kindly
of him.
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