the time of the fever.'

'It did not hurt you,' said Sophy.

Albinia had been strongly interested by the touching facts, so
untouchingly narrated, and by the characteristic account of the
Huguenot emigration, but it suddenly occurred to her that she was
promoting gossip, and she returned to business. Lucy showed off her
attainments with her usual self-satisfaction. They were what might
be expected from a second-rate old-fashioned young ladies' school,
where nothing was good but the French pronunciation. She was
evidently considered a great proficient, and her glib mediocrity was
even more disheartening than the ungracious carelessness or dulness--
there was no knowing which--that made her sister figure wretchedly in
the examination. However, there was little time--the door-bell rang
at a quarter to twelve, and Mrs. Wolfe was in the drawing-room.

'I told you so,' whispered Lucy, exultingly.

'This is unbearable,' cried Albinia. 'I shall give notice that I am
always engaged in the morning.'

She desired each young lady to work a sum in her absence, and left
them to murmur, if they were so disposed. Perhaps it was Lucy's
speech that made her inflict the employment; at any rate, her spirit
was not as serene as she could have desired.

Mr. Kendal was quite willing that she should henceforth shut her door
against company in the morning; that is to say, he bowed his head
assentingly. She was begging him to take a walk with her, when, at