Albinia tried to recover composure by reading the titles of the
books. Suddenly, Lucy started and exclaimed, 'Come away. There he
is!'

'Why come away?' said Albinia.

'I would not have him find me there for all the world.'

In all her vexation and dismay, Albinia could not help thinking of
Bluebeard's closet. Her inclination was to stay where she was, and
take her chance of losing her head, yet she felt as if she could not
bear to be found invading a sanctuary of past recollections, and was
relieved to find that it was a false alarm, though not relieved by
the announcement that Admiral and Mrs. Osborn and the Miss Osborns
were in the drawing-room.

'Before luncheon--too bad!' she exclaimed, as she hurried upstairs to
wash off the dust of unpacking.

Ere she could hurry down, there was another inundation streaming
across the hall, Mrs. Drury and three Miss Drurys, who, as she
remembered, when they began to kiss her, were some kind of cousins.

There was talk, but Albinia could not give entire attention; she was
watching for Mr. Kendal's return, that she might guard Gilbert from
his displeasure, and the instant she heard him, she sprang up, and
flew into the hall. He could not help brightening at the eager
welcome, but when she told him of Mr. Bowles' opinion, he looked
graver, and said, 'I fear you must not always attach credit to all
Gilbert's reports.'