“And the lady?”
“Do you want to be very bad, sir?” cried the doctor. “Hold your tongue!”
“Yes, doctor, directly; but I want to know, colonel!”
“Yes, yes, my lad,” said the old officer, laying his hand upon the youth’s arm.
“Tell me about the lady.”
“She has come to her senses; not burned, only terribly alarmed. She will be able to thank you for your bravery!”
“Oh, nonsense!” said Dick, hurriedly, and with a singular abstention in his semi-delirium from the use of the title of respect—sir; “anyone would have done the same. Now tell me about the poor fellow over yonder.”
“I forbid you to ask another question!” cried the doctor, angrily.
“Let him hear what he wants, and then I’ll go,” said the colonel, quietly. “What do you want to know, my lad?”
“Who is it? Which of the gentlemen of the mess?”