Another half minute and I should have needed a coffin." He was
breathing heavily and spoke with great effort.
When George had sheathed his sword, he started to leave the room without
speaking to Frances or Nelly, but before he reached the door, Frances
called out faintly:--
"Master Hamilton! Please wait, Master Hamilton!"
For the moment she forgot the cause of her hatred of him, forgot that he
had been implicated in Roger's murder, as she supposed, forgot everything
in all the broad world save her love for him, and that he had just been
at death's door in her defence.
Hamilton stopped a little short of the door, and Frances ran to him,
calling softly: "Oh, sir, wait! Forgive me! I do know you! A moment since
I did not know you, but now--Oh, I must have made a terrible mistake! I
have judged you wrongfully. I do know you! I do know you!"
Hamilton bowed and smiled grimly through the blood which was trickling
down his face, then standing proudly erect, answered:--
"Mistress Jennings is mistaken. She does not know me, nor have I the
honor of knowing the king's new favorite."
Here Betty cut the conversation short by saying: "I'll fetch a
barber-surgeon, while father takes you to a room."
"You'll do nothing of the sort for me," objected Hamilton. "My wounds are
mere scratches. I'll go to the pump. It is the only surgeon I shall need.
Fetch a barber for the men on the floor there.
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