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My lord came sighing back to life. He opened his eyes wearily, andturned his head. A faint feeling of surprise stole over him. He was in aroom he had never been in before, and by the window, busy with someneedlework, sat a little old lady who was somehow vaguely familiar.
"Who--are--you?" he asked, and was annoyed to find his voice so weak.
The little lady jumped, and came across to him.
"Praise be to God!" she ejaculated. "Likewise, bless the boy! The feveris passed." She laid a thin hand on his brow, and smiled down into hiswondering eyes.
"As cool as a cucumber, dear boy. What a mercy!"
It was a long time since anyone had called Jack dear, or boy. Hereturned the smile feebly and closed his eyes.
"I--do not--understand--anything," he murmured drowsily.
"Never trouble your head then. Just go to sleep."
He considered this gravely for a moment. It seemed sensible enough, andhe was so very, very tired. He shut his eyes with a little sigh.
* * * * *
When he awoke again it was morning of the next day, and the sun streamedin the window, making him blink.
Someone rustled forward, and he saw it was the lady who had called himdear and bidden him go to sleep.
He smiled, and a very thin hand came out of the bedclothes.
"But who are you?" he demanded a little querulously.
Miss Betty patted his hand gently.
"Still worrying your poor head over that? I am Di's Aunt Betty--though,to be sure, you don't know who Di is!"
Remembrance was coming back to my lord.
"Why--why--you are the lady in the coach!--Tracy--I remember!"
"Well, I know nought of Tracy, but I'm the lady in the coach."
"And the other--"
"That was Diana Beauleigh, my niece--the pet. You will see her when youare better."
"But--but--where am I, madam?"
"Now don't get excited, dear boy!"
"I'm thirty!" protested Jack with a wicked twinkle.
"I should not have thought it, but thirty's a boy to me, in any case!"retorted Miss Betty, making him laugh. "You are in Mr. Beauleigh'shouse--Di's father, and my brother. And here you will stay until you arequite recovered!"
Jack raised himself on his elbow, grimacing at the pain the movementcaused him.
"Egad, madam! have I been here long?" he demanded.
Very firmly was he pushed back on to his pillows.
"Will you be still? A nice thing 'twould be if you were to aggravatethat wound of yours! You will have been here a week to-morrow. Bless myheart, what ails the boy?" For Jack's face took on an expression ofincredulous horror.
"A _week_, madam? Never say so!"
