"In old times, now, I could have got Jack something warm and snug under government, or in the colonies; and so I should now, but for one thing--that he had to pass one of these cursed examinations first.
However, as it had to be done, and as Jack, according to his own account, was as much out of form for one as another of them, I recommended him to try his luck for something in India; for as long as you can keep a fellow on the other side of the world he can't dun you--not to hurt; it ain't like coming and calling _himself_; and you needn't read his letters unless you like.

Well, 'India be it,' says Jack; 'that's as good a place as another;' though, in my opinion, he never expected to go there.

He thought he had no chance whatever of pulling through, and so did I, for the fact is, Jack is a born fool." "Did you say he was your brother, or only your half-brother ?" inquired Mr.Byam Ryll, with an appearance of great interest.
"My very own brother, Sir," replied the unconscious Chandos, flattered to find such attention paid to him; "and as like to me as one thimble, I mean as one pea, is to another.

Well, the strange thing is, the deuce alone knows how it happened, but _Jack got through_." Here he took a bumper of port, as though in honor of that occasion.

"It's a perfect marvel, but the best thing for _him_ (as well as for me) in the world.
Nobody ever went out under better auspices, for the governor of Bengal is our cousin, and Jack was to school with his private sec.: it's a first-rate connection.