care to question, the evenings were light and warm, and the one thing
she desired for him was manly exercise: she thought it much better
for him to be at play with his fellow-pupils, and she could not
regret the gain of another hour to her hurried day.

One morning, however, Mr. Kendal called her, and his look was so
grave and perturbed, that she hardly waited till the door was shut to
ask in terror, what could be the matter.

'Nothing to alarm you,' he said. 'It is only that I am vexed about
Gilbert. I have reason to fear that he is deceiving us again; and I
want you to help us to recollect on which days he should have been at
Tremblam. My dear, do not look so pale!'

For Albinia had turned quite white at hearing that the boy, on whom
she had fixed her warm affection, had been carrying on a course of
falsehood; but a moment's hope restored her. 'I did keep him at home
on Tuesday,' she said, 'it was so very hot, and he had a headache. I
thought I might. You told me not to send him on doubtful days.'

'I hope you may be able to make out that it is right,' said Mr.
Kendal, 'but I am afraid that Mr. Salsted has too much cause of
complaint. It is the old story!'

And so indeed it proved, when Albinia heard what the tutor had come
to say. The boy was seldom in time, often altogether missing,
excusing himself by saying he was kept at home by fears of the
weather; but Mr. Salsted was certain that his father could not know
how he disposed of his time, namely, in a low style of sporting with
young Tritton, the son of a rich farmer or half-gentleman, who was