It was a trying moment, but Genevieve was too simple, genuine, and grateful to pause in selfish embarrassment.  Had she toyed with Gilbert’s affection, she could not have met his father with such maidenly modesty, and sweet sympathy and respect in her blushing cheek and downcast, tearful eyes.

He took her hand, speaking in the kindest tone of his mellow voice:  ’My dear, Mrs. Kendal has told you what brings us here, and how much we feel for and with you.’

‘So kind in you,’ said Genevieve, faltering.

‘Poor child, she has suffered grievously for want of fuller tidings,’ said Albinia; ’she has been keeping her sorrow pent up all this time.’

‘She has acted, as she has done throughout, most consistently,’ said Mr. Kendal.  ’My dear, though it was inexpedient to show my sentiments, I always respected my son for having placed his affections so worthily, and though circumstances were unfortunately adverse, I cannot thank you enough for your course of action and the influence you exercised.’

‘I never did,’ murmured Genevieve.

’Not perhaps consciously; but unswerving rectitude of conduct is one of the strongest earthly influences.  He was sensible of it.  He bade me tell you that whenever higher and better thoughts came to him, you were connected with them; and when to his surprise, poor boy, he found that he was thought to have distinguished himself, his first thought was that it might be a step to your esteem.  He desired me to thank you for all that you have been to him, to entreat you to pardon the annoyance of which he was the occasion, and to beg you to wear this for his sake, if you could think of his presumption with forgiveness and toleration.  Those were his words; but I trust you do not retain displeasure, for though, perhaps, foolishly and obtrusively expressed, it was sincere and lasting affection.’

‘Oh, sir!’ exclaimed Genevieve, ’do not speak thus!  What can I feel save that it will be my tenderest and deepest pride to have been so regarded.  Oh! that I could thank him! but,’ clasping her hands together, ‘I cannot even thank you.’

‘The best way to gratify us,’ he said, ’will be always to remember that you have a home at Willow Lawn, and a daughter’s place in our hearts.  Think of me like a father, Genevieve;’ and he kissed her drooping forehead.

‘Oh!  Mr. Kendal, this is goodness.’

He turned to Albinia to suggest, ’It must be intolerable to be here at present.  Speak to Mrs. Rainsforth, let us take her home, if it be but for a week.’

Leaving him to make the proposition to Genevieve, Albinia gained admittance to the other drawing-room, which she found all over little children, and their mother looking unequal to dispensing with their deputy.  She said she had feared Miss Durant was looking ill, and had something weighing on her spirits, though she was always so cheerful and helpful, but baby had not been well, and Mr. Rainsforth was not at all strong, and her views had evidently taken no wider range.