'
They were not, however, lost upon the whole of the family.
Grandmamma's dim eyes lighted when she recognised her favourite
grand-daughter in such gorgeous array, and that any one should have
come back again was so new and delightful, that it constantly
recurred as a fresh surprise and pleasure.
All were glad to have her again--their own Lucy, as she still was,
though somewhat of the grandiose style and self-consequence of her
husband had overlaid the original nature. She was as good-natured
and obliging as ever, and though beginning by conferring her favours
as condescensions, she soon would forget that she was the great Mrs.
Cavendish Dusautoy, and quickly become the eager, helpful Lucy. She
was in very good looks, and bright and happy, admiring Algernon,
rejoicing to obey his behests, and enhancing his dignity and her own
by her discourses upon his talents and importance. How far she was
at ease with him, Albinia sometimes doubted; there now and then was
an air of greater freedom when he left the room, and some of her
favourite old household avocations were tenderly resumed by stealth,
as though she feared he might think them unworthy of his wife.
She gave her spare time to the invalid, who was revived by her
presence as by a sunbeam; and Albinia, in her relief and gratitude,
did her utmost to keep Algernon happy and contented. She resigned a
room to him as an atelier, and let the little Awk be captured to have
her likeness taken, she promoted the guitar and key-bugle, and
abstained from resenting his strictures on her dinners.
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