ven orders to pack up her things, she
flew off down the avenue to desire his aunt to prepare him.

Up and down, backwards and forwards, giving directions to every one, she
hurried about till her father summoned her to breakfast.

'I am glad you are going with him, my dear,' he said, as he went down
the steps with her. 'We shall depend on you for hearing of the little
boy.'

That genuine cordial approbation was so pleasant that the thought
crossed her, 'Was she going to be a blessing to her family?'

'Good-bye, Arthur,' said Lord Martindale, warmly pressing his hand. 'I
hope you will find him better, and Violet not doing too much. Give my
love to her.'

Arthur was moved by his father's unwonted warmth, and leaned back in the
carriage in silence. Theodora watched him anxiously, and did not speak
for some time.

'Had there been any tendency to croup before?' she asked at last.

'Tender throat, I believe; Violet always was anxious. I wish I had not
come away; it is too much for her alone! Ha! what are we stopping for
now?'

'To pick up Charles Layton.'

'You'll make us miss the train.'

'No, here he is. He shall be in nobody's way. I'll put him into the
housemaid's charge in Belgrave square.'

And with her eyes and fingers she encouraged the poor child as he was
lifted up to the box. 'There, I've not stopped you long.'

'What shall you do with him on the railroad!'

'Take him with us, of course.'

'I won't have him going in a first-class with me.'

'Then I shall go in a second-class with him.'

Here it occurred to her that this was a strange way of fulfilling her
mission of comfort, and she would fain have recalled her words, but only
sat silent till they came to the station, where, without any further
question, they were all three lodged in the same carriage, where
presently a county neighbour entered, attracted by the sight of Arthur.
Theodora was provoked, feeling for Arthur, and thinking it was the
stranger's presence that hindered her from resuming the task of cheering
him, but she was more annoyed when Arthur plunged into a hunting
discussion.

She sat working up the scene which awaited them, the child just
expiring, his mother in hysterical agonies, and she herself displaying
all her energy and resources, perhaps saving Johnnie's life--at any
rate, being her brother's stay and support when his wife gave way.

His silence and anxious looks returned as they drove from the station,
and she could