‘And yet,’ interrupted her brother, ‘that was no error.’

‘Oh, no!  I would not have done it for anything.’

’Nor do I think the boy the worse for it.  I may venture now on saying he was intolerable, and it hastened school, but though your rein was loose, you never let it fall; and maybe, the self-conquest was the best thing for him.  If you had neglected him wilfully for your own pleasure, nothing but harm could have been expected.  As you were absorbed by a sacred act of duty, I believe it will all be made up to you in your son.’

’Oh, Maurice, if I might trust so!  I believe I am doubly set on that boy doing well, because his father must not, must not have another pang!’

’I think he knows that.  I do not imagine that he will never be carried astray by high spirits; but I am sure that he has the strength, honour, and sweetness that are the elements of greatness!’

’Nothing we did so changed him as the loss of his brother.  Oh, Maurice! there was my most earnest wish to do right, and my most fatal mistake!’

‘And greatest success.  Gilbert owed everything to you.’

’Had I but silenced my foolish pride, he might have been safe in India now.’

’We do not know how safe he might be.  I did indeed think it a pity your influence led the other way, but things might have been far worse; if you made some blunders, your love and your earnestness were working on that susceptible nature, and what better hope can we wish to have than what rested with us at Malta? what better influence than has remained with Maurice or with Fred?’

Albinia had not yet learnt to talk calmly of Gilbert’s last hours, so she put this aside, and smiling through her tears, said, ’Ah! when Emily writes to Sophy, that their boy is to have his name, since they can wish nothing better for him than to be like him.’

‘The past vision always a little above what is visible?’

’Hardly, Emily and Fred are as proud of each other as two peacocks, and well they may be, for—­stoop down, ’tis an intense secret; but do you know the effect of their Sebastopol den?’

‘Eh?’

’Lieutenant-General Sir William Ferrars is going out in quest of Emily’s younger sister.’

‘You ridiculous child!  That’s a trick of yours.’

’No, indeed.  William was surprised into a moment of confidence, walking home in the moonlight from the Coliseum.  En vrai militaire, he has begun at the right end, and written to Mr. Kinnaird to ask leave to come and try his luck; and cool as he looks, I believe he would rather prepare for Inkermann.’

’Well! if he be not making a fool of himself at his time of life, I am sure I am very glad!’

’Time of life!  He’s but three years older than Edmund.  If you are not more respectful, we shall have to go out to Canada to countenance him.’

’I shall be rejoiced to see him with a home, and finding life beyond his profession; but I had rather he had known more of her.’