‘Did you ever see them together?’

’No, I never saw her at all, and him only once.  I never knew John really savage but once, and that was at her not letting him come to our wedding; but she did give him leave of absence for one fortnight, when we were at Lauriston.  How happy the brothers were!  It did one good to hear their great voices about the house; and they were like boys on a stolen frolic, when John took him to prescribe for some of our poor people.  He used to talk of bringing us his little son—­the one pleasure of his life—­but he never was allowed.  Oh, how I used to long to stir up a mutiny!’ cried Mrs. Dusautoy, quite unknowing that she ruled her own lion with a leash of silk.  ’If she had appreciated him, it would have been bearable; but to her he was no more than the handsome young doctor, whom she had made a gentleman, and not a very good piece of work of it either!  Little she recked of the great loving heart that had thrown itself away on her, and the patience that bore with her; and she tried to hinder all the liberal bountiful actions that were all he cared to do with his means!  I wish the boy may remember him!’

‘How long has he been dead?’

’These ten years.  He was drowned in a lake storm in Switzerland—­people clung to him, and he could not swim.  It was John’s one great grief—­he cannot mention him even now.  And really,’ she added, smiling, ’I do believe he has brought himself to fancy it was a very happy marriage.  She has always been very civil; but she has been chiefly abroad, and never would take his advice about sending her boy to school.’

‘What becomes of him now?’

’He is our charge.  She was on the way home from Italy, when she was taken ill at Paris, and died at the end of the week.’

‘How old is he?’

’About nineteen, I fancy.  He must have had an odd sort of education; but if he is a nice lad, it will be a great pleasure to John to have something young about the house.’

‘I was thinking that Mr. Dusautoy hardly wanted more cares.’

‘So have I,’ said her friend, smiling, ’and I have been laying a plot against him.  You see, he is as strong as a lion, and never yet was too tired to sleep; but it is rather a tempting of Providence to keep 3589 people and fourteen services in a week resting upon one man!’

‘Exactly what his churchwarden has preached to him.’

’Moreover, he cannot be in two places at once, let alone half-a-dozen.  Now, my Lancashire people have written in quest of a title for holy orders for a young man who has just gone through Cambridge with great credit, and it strikes me that he might at once help John, and cram Master Algernon.’

‘And Gilbert!’ cried Albinia.  ’Oh, if you will import a tutor for Gilbert, we shall be for ever beholden to you!’

’I had thought of him.  I have no doubt that he is much better taught than Algernon; but I am not afraid of this poor fellow bringing home bad habits, and they will be good companions.  I reckon upon you and Mr. Kendal as great auxiliaries, and I don’t think John will be able to withstand our united forces.’