'
He made no answer, but his look of disappointment excited her to
observe to herself that she supposed he expected her to run all over
the town without ordering dinner first, and she wondered how he would
like that!
Presently she heard him go out at the front door, and felt some
contrition.
She had not the heart to seek Sophy to report progress, and did not
see her till about eleven o'clock, when she came in hastily with her
bonnet on, asking, 'Well, mamma?'
'Where have you been, Sophy?'
'To school,' she said. 'Has anything happened?'
'We have had it out, and I am to speak to her when she comes in,'
said Albinia, glad as perhaps was Sophy of the enigmatical form to
which Maurice's presence restrained the communication.
Sophy went away, but presently returning and taking up her work, but
with eyes that betrayed how she was listening; but there was so
entire an apparent absence of personal suffering, that Albinia began
to discharge the weight from her mind, and believe that the sentiment
had been altogether imaginary even on Sophy's side, and the whole a
marvellous figment of her own.
At last, Mr. Kendal's foot was heard; Sophy started up, and sat down
again. He came upstairs, and his face was all smiles.
'Well,' he said, 'I don't think she will go by the three o'clock
omnibus.'
'You have spoken to her?' cried Albinia in compunction.
'Has Maurice finished? Then go out, my boy, for the present.
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