‘Was he? What did you call him?’
‘You sent word to name him John.’
‘Did I? I had not the least recollection of it. I forgot all about him till he made himself heard this morning, and she wanted to know whether he was boy or girl.’
‘A son and heir,’ said John, glad to see the young father able to look gratified.
‘Well, it is the best name; I hope she will like it. But, hollo, John, where did you drop from?’ as it suddenly occurred to him to be surprised.
‘I came home on some business of Fotheringham’s. I landed early yesterday, and came up from Southampton.’
‘A fine state of things to come to,’ sighed Arthur. ‘But you will not go away?’
‘Certainly not till she is better.’
‘Ah! you were always fond of her; you appreciated her from the first. There is no one whom I should have liked so well to have here.’ Then, with a pause, he added, in a tone of deep feeling: ‘John, you might well give me that warning about making her happy; but, indeed, I meant to do so!’ and his eyes filled with tears.
‘As far as affection could go, you have done so,’ said John, ‘or you could not have recalled her to life now.’