“For shame, Henry,” cried Doctor Tusher, turning as red as a turkey-cock, while my lord continued to roar with laughter. “If you listen to the falsehoods of an abandoned girl——”
“She is as honest as any woman in England, and as pure for me,” cried out Henry, “and as kind, and as good. For shame on you to malign her!”
“Far be it from me to do so,” cried the doctor. “Heaven grant I may be mistaken in the girl, and in you, sir, who have a truly precocious genius; but that is not the point at issue at present. It appears that the small-pox broke out in the little boy at the ‘Three Castles’; that it was on him when you visited the ale-house, for your own reasons; and that you sat with the child for some time, and immediately afterwards with my young lord.” The doctor raised his voice as he spoke, and looked towards my lady, who had now come back, looking very pale, with a handkerchief in her hand.
“This is all very true, sir,” said Lady Esmond, looking at the young man.
“'Tis to be feared that he may have brought the infection with him.”
“From the ale-house—yes,” said my lady.
“D—— it, I forgot when I collared you, boy,” cried my [pg 086] lord, stepping back. “Keep off, Harry, my boy; there's no good in running into the wolf's jaws, you know.”
My lady looked at him with some surprise, and instantly advancing to Henry Esmond, took his hand. “I beg your pardon, Henry,” she said; “I spoke very unkindly. I have no right to interfere with you—with your——”
My lord broke out into an oath. “Can't you leave the boy alone, my lady?” She looked a little red, and faintly pressed the lad's hand as she dropped it.
“There is no use, my lord,” she said; “Frank was on his knee as he was making pictures, and was running constantly from Henry to me. The evil is done, if any.”