ed 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 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."

"Not with me, damme," cried my lord. "I've been smoking"--and he lighted
his pipe again with a coal--"and it keeps off infection; and as the disease
is in the village--plague take it--I would have you leave it. We'll go
tomorrow to Walcote, my lady."

"I have no fear," said my lady; "I may have had it as an infant, it broke
out in our house then; and when four of my sisters had it at home, two
years before our marriage, I escaped it, and two of my dear sisters died."

"I won't run the risk," said my lord; "I'm as bold as any man, but I'll
not bear that."

"Take Beatrix with you and go," said my lady. "For us the mischief is
done; and Tucker can wait upon us, who has had the disease."

"You take care to choose 'em ugly enough," said my lord, at which her
ladyship hung down her head and looked foolish: and my