He jolly well deserves a Royal Humane medal, and I mean to write and
get him one."

"Don't be a young duffer," said the hero, by no means displeased at the
threat; "they would laugh at the notion."

"Would they? If they didn't give you one, we'd make them laugh on the
wrong side of their faces. I know that," replied the boy.

"You know, auntie, it was I broke the ice," said Raby. "Mr Jeffreys
did not come to that part till he heard it crack."

"That is the ridiculously foolish part of it; he might have known that
he ought to keep off when he heard it crack. Any sensible person
would."

"Perhaps," said Raby, colouring, "he imagined I was in danger."

"You are a foolish child, Raby, to talk such nonsense, and should be
thankful it was not you who fell in. I hope, Mr Scarfe," added she,
"that Mr Jeffreys is grateful to you for your heroic service to him."

"There is nothing to be grateful for," said Scarfe, in an off-hand way;
"indeed, I am afraid Jeffreys is rather offended with me for what I have
done than otherwise."

"He could not be so base, my boy," said his mother, "when he owes you
his life."

"After all," said Scarfe, with interesting resignation, "it really does
not matter. All I know is, if it were all to happen over again I should
do just the same thing."

With which noble sentiment the hero was borne off to his room, where a
hot bath, warm clothing, a rousing fire, and steaming cordials somewhat
consoled him for his self-sacrificing exertions.

After dinner Mrs Rimbolt could not resist the gratification of seeing
honour done to her guest by the object of his devotion; a project which
was the more easy of accomplishment as Mr Rimbolt was from home on that
particular evening.

Jeffreys, just beginning to recover himself by the aid of a little hard
work, was petrified by Walker's announcement that "the mistress desired
that Mr Jeffreys would step into the drawing-room."

His good breeding was sorely taxed to find an excuse. He was
indisposed, certainly; but if he could work in the library, he could bow
and scrape in the drawing-room. Mr Rimbolt, too, was away, and to
insult his lady in his absence seemed both cowardly and mean.

"I'll come presently," said he to Walker, and nerved himself desperately
for the ordeal.

For he knew what was coming, and was resolved on the part he would play.
Whatever he ought to feel, he knew exactly what he did feel; and he was
determined he would not be