Thus this selfish young invalid arranged for his own pleasure, and upset all the sober arrangements of his friends.
Jeffreys delightedly accepted his new duty, and faced the jealousy of Mrs Rimbolt and Scarfe unflinchingly.

It was certainly an unfortunate position for the fond mother; and little wonder if in her mind Jeffreys' brave service should be blotted out in the offence of being preferred before herself in the sick-chamber.

She readily lent an ear to the insinuations which Scarfe, also bitterly hurt, freely let out, and persuaded herself miserably that her boy was in the hands of an adventurer who had cajoled not only the boy but the father, and in short personated the proverbial viper at the fireside.
So the fortnight passed.

Percy turned the corner; and the time for the departure of Mrs Scarfe and her son drew near.
Percy on the evening before they went had been less bright than usual, and had alarmed Jeffreys by a slight return of feverishness.

He had just dropped off to sleep, and seemed about to settle quietly for the night, when the door opened and Scarfe came in.
Jeffreys was there in an instant with his hand raised in warning.
"Hush, please," said he, "he has just gone over." "Whom are you telling to hush?
you canting brute!" said Scarfe, raising his voice in a passion unusual for him.