From this she gathered that Maurice
was compassionate, and though, of course, he would make no such
admission, she had reason afterwards to believe that he had shown Mr.
Downton that the pupil's health ought to have met with a shade more
attention.
With Gilbert wrapped up to the tip of his nose, they set off, and
found the doctor at home. Nothing could have been more satisfactory
to Albinia, for it gave her a triumph over her brother, without too
much anxiety for the future. The physician detected the injury to
the lungs left by an attack that the boy had suffered from in his
first English winter, and had scarcely outgrown when Albinia first
knew him. The recent cold had so far renewed the evil, that though
no disease actually existed, the cough must be watched, and exposure
avoided; in fact, a licence for petting to any extent was bestowed,
and therewith every hope of recovery.
Albinia and her son sat in their corners of the carriage in secret
satisfaction, while Mr. Kendal related the doctor's opinion to Mr.
Ferrars, but one of them, at least, was unprepared for the summing-up.
'Under the circumstances, Gilbert is most fortunate. A few years
in his native climate will quite set him up.'
'Oh! but he is too old for Haileybury,' burst out Albinia, in her
consternation.
'Nearly old enough for John Kendal's bank, eh, Gilbert?'
'Oh!' cried Albinia, 'pray don't let us talk of that while poor
Gilbert is so ill.
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