"Nevertheless, my lord," answered Dr. Bastwick.
But Lord Walton cut him short, with a frowning brow and a flushed cheek.
"There is no 'nevertheless,' sir," he said. "Those are my sister's apartments--that is enough. Let me see the man that dares wag a foot towards them."
"Nay, my good lord," cried Thistleton, in a mild and deprecating tone, "we mean no offence. If the lady sleep, we can wait her awaking. We need not go in now."
"Neither now nor ever, sir," answered the young nobleman, sternly. "There are no papers of mine there; of that I pledge my honour. If that satisfies you, well."
"But it does not, sir," cried Batten.
"Then that is well also," answered Lord Walton, turning away with a look of scorn.
Thistleton spoke a word to his two companions, and then followed the young nobleman, exclaiming--
"My lord, my lord!"
"You speak loud, sir," rejoined Charles Walton, walking on. "I will hear you in the hall. Remember there are people who can sleep despite of parliamentary committees."