“Dear boy!” she said, almost involuntarily.  “Dear boy! it came from the honestness of his heart!” And then she gave special injunctions to the doctor,—­injunctions which were surely unnecessary,—­that no word of the matter should be whispered before Lily.

“I was at the manor, yesterday,” said the doctor, “and the earl would talk about nothing but Master Johnny.  He says he’s the finest fellow going.”  Whereupon Mrs Dale touched him with her foot, fearing that the conversation might be led away in the direction of Johnny’s prowess.

“I am so glad,” said Lily.  “I always knew that they’d find John out at last.”

“And Lady Julia is just as fond of him,” said the doctor.

“Dear me!” said Lily.  “Suppose they were to make up a match!”

“Lily, how can you be so absurd?”

“Let me see; what relation would he be to us?  He would certainly be Bernard’s uncle, and Uncle Christopher’s half brother-in-law.  Wouldn’t it be odd?”

“It would rather,” said Mrs Dale.

“I hope he’ll be civil to Bernard.  Don’t you, Bell?  Is he to give up the Income-tax Office, Dr Crofts?”

“I didn’t hear that that was settled yet.”  And so they went on talking about John Eames.

“Joking apart,” said Lily, “I am very glad that Lord De Guest has taken him by the hand.  Not that I think an earl is better than anybody else, but because it shows that people are beginning to understand that he has got something in him.  I always said that they who laughed at John would see him hold up his head yet.”  All which words sank deep into Mrs Dale’s mind.  If only, in some coming time, her pet might be taught to love this new young hero!  But then would not that last heroic deed of his militate most strongly against any possibility of such love!

“And now I may as well be going,” said the doctor, rising from his chair.  At this time Bell had left the room, but Mrs Dale was still there.

“You need not be in such a hurry, especially this evening,” said Lily.

“Why especially this evening?”

“Because it will be the last.  Sit down again, Dr Crofts.  I’ve got a little speech to make to you.  I’ve been preparing it all the morning, and you must give me an opportunity of speaking it.”

“I’ll come the day after to-morrow, and I’ll hear it then.”

“But I choose, sir, that you should hear it now.  Am I not to be obeyed when I first get up on to my own throne?  Dear, dear Dr Crofts, how am I to thank you for all that you have done?”

“How are any of us to thank him?” said Mrs Dale.

“I hate thanks,” said the doctor.  “One kind glance of the eye is worth them all, and I’ve had many such in this house.”

“You have our hearts’ love, at any rate,” said Mrs Dale.

“God bless you all!” said he, as he prepared to go.