She had never quite
outgrown the delight of the change from being a penniless school
girl, casting wistful fleeting glances at the windows where happier
maidens might enter and purchase.
Then there was to be a great review in two days' time, Cecil would be
with his regiment, and Esther wanted the whole family to go with her,
lunch with the officers, and have a thorough holiday. Cecil had sent
a message that Jock must come to have the cobwebs swept out of his
brain, and see his old friends before he got into harness again. It
was a well-earned holiday, as Mother Carey felt, accepting it with
eager pleasure, for all who could come, though John's power of so
doing must be doubtful, and there was little chance of a day being
granted to Allen.
In going out with her niece, Caroline's eye had fallen on an envelope
among the cards on the hall table, ambiguously addressed to "J.
Brownlow, Esq., M.B.," and on her return home she was met at the door
by Jock with a letter in his hand.
"So Dr. Ruthven has been here," he said, drawing her into the
consulting-room.
"Yes. I like him rather. He seems to wish to make any amends in his
power."
"Amends! you dear old ridiculous mother! Do you call this amends?"
holding up the letter. "He says now this discovery is getting known
and he has a name for the sort of case, his practice is outgrowing
him, and he wants some one to work with him who may be up to this
particular matter, and all he has heard of us convinces him that he
cannot do better than propose it to whichever of us has no other
designs.
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