"Not well, of course," said Johnny; "but it is better than nobody; and Armine is so patient and so good, that I'm the more afraid. Is not it a very bad sign," he added, confidentially; for he was quite won by the youth's kind, considerate way, and evident liking and sympathy.
"I don't know," faltered Lord Fordham. "My brother Walter was like that! Is this the little fellow who is Cecil's fag?"
"Yes; Jock asked him to take him, because he was sure never to bully him or lick him when he wouldn't do things."
This not very lucid description rejoiced Lord Fordham.
"I am glad of that," he said. "But I hope the little boy will get over this. My mother had a very excellent account of Dr. Medlicott's skill; and you know an illness from a misadventure is not like anything constitutional."
"No; but Armine is always delicate, and my aunt has had to take care of him."
"O no; I have lots of people at home. I only came with them because I had had these measles at Eton; and my aunt is--well, the very jolliest woman that ever was."
"Yes, indeed she is. I don't mean only kind and good-natured. But if you just knew her! The whole world and everything else have just been something new and glorious ever since I knew her. I seem to myself to have lived in a dark hole till she made it all light."
"Ah! I understand that you would do anything for her."
"_That_ I would, if there was anything I could do," said Johnny, hastily finishing his meal.
"That--oh, that was nothing. I shouldn't have made such a fool of myself if I hadn't been seedy before. I hear the pony," he added. "Excuse me." And, with a murmured grace, he rose. Then, recollecting himself, "No end of thanks. I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Don't; I've done nothing," said Lord Fordham, wringing his hand. "I only hope--"
The words stuck in his throat, and with a sigh he watched the lad ride off.
Soldier now and servant true; Earth behind and heaven in view. Isaac Williams.
Marmaduke Alwyn Evelyn, Viscount Fordham, was the fourth bearer of that title within ten years. His father had not lived to wear it, and his two elder brothers had both died in early youth. His precarious existence seemed to be only held on a tenure of constant precaution, and if his mother ventured to hope that it might be otherwise with the two youngest of the family, it was because they were of a shorter, sturdier, more compact form and less transparent complexion than their elders, and altogether seemed of a different constitution.