He had had words with the doctor the night before. He had stopped his post-chaise at his house and gone in for a minute to explain his long absence, and the doctor, who feared no man, had rated him soundly for the thoughtlessness which had caused Lady Susan's death.
He did not for a moment believe that the doctor or any one else could help him in this blind alley. But discuss the matter with some one he must, or burst, and he did not care to discuss it with Kennet. Kennet knew very much better than to disagree with his master on any subject whatever, and discussion with him never advanced matters one iota. Discussion of the matter with Dr. Yool would probably have the same result, but it could do no harm, and it offered possibilities of a disputation for which he felt a distinct craving.
Whether doctors could reasonably be expected to identify infants at whose births they had officiated, after a lapse of two months, he did not know. But he was quite prepared to uphold that view of the case with all the venom that was in him, and he awaited the doctor's arrival with impatience.
Dr. Yool drove up at last with Kennet beside him, and presently stood in the room with Sir Denzil.
"Hello!" cried the doctor, with disappointment in his face. "Where's that blood-vessel?"
"Listen to me, Yool. You were present at the birth of Lady Susan's children----"
"Eh? What? Lady Susan's child? Yes!"
"Children!"
"What the deuce! Children? A boy, sir--one!"
"You'd know him again, I suppose?"