and when she had rubbed that away, and secured a clear corner, her
range of vision was not much more extensive. She could only see the
grey outline of trees and shrubs, obscured by the heavy mist; and on
the lawn below, a thick cloud that seemed to hang over a dark space
which she suspected to be a large pond.

'There is very little to be gained by looking out here!' Albinia
soliloquized. 'It is not doing the place justice to study it on a
misty, moisty morning. It looks now as if that fever might have come
bodily out of the pond. I'll have no more to say to it till the sun
has licked up the fog, and made it bright! Sunday morning--my last
Sunday without school-teaching I hope! I famish to begin again--and
I will make time for that, and the girls too! I am glad he consents
to my doing whatever I please in that way! I hope Mr. Dusautoy will!
I wish Edmund knew him better--but oh! what a shy man it is!'

With a light step she went down-stairs, and found Mr Kendal waiting
for her in the dining-room, his face brightening as she entered.

'I am sorry Bayford should wear this heavy cloud to receive you,' he
said.

'It will soon clear,' she answered, cheerfully. 'Have you heard of
poor Gilbert this morning?'

'Not yet.' Then, after a pause, 'I have generally gone to Mrs.
Meadows after the morning service,' he said, speaking with
constraint.

'You will take me?' said Albinia. 'I wish it, I assure you.'