: "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."

George went to the pump in the courtyard, followed by Betty, after whom
came Nelly and Frances. Betty was proceeding to wash George's wounds,
when Nelly offered to take the towel from her hand, but the girl refused
with a touch of anger, saying:--

"Please do not interfere, Mistress Gwynn. You and the duchess stood by
gaping while he was fighting to protect you. He would have been dead by
now if he had waited for help from either of you. I advise you to leave
the Old Swan, but don't forget to pay your bill to the barboy."

"Never mind the bill," said Pickering, who was at the pump handle. "But
please take my daughter's advice and go."

"Go where you may find guinea linen. Persons of your quality make too
much trouble at the Old Swan," interposed Betty, who was not in a good
temper.

At first Nelly was inclined to resent Betty's sharp words, but in a
moment she returned softly:--

"You're right, girl. You have earned the privilege to scold."

"And please forgive us," said Frances, to which Betty did not reply.

"Where are your wounds?" asked Nelly, addressing George. "Off with your
clothes and let us see."

"Not here, Nelly, not here," he answered, bending over the tub in front
of the pump. "My wounds are mere trifles. Only a scratch or two on the
scalp and a pink or two on the arms. Take Betty's advice. Leave at once.
This is no place for your friend. The society of our virtuous monarch
doubtless will be far more congenial."

Nelly hesitated, and George, seeing that Frances was about to speak,
turned upon her, almost angrily:--

"Please go before greater trouble comes. I could not hold out for another
fight. I am almost finished. Let the king fight the battles of his
friends. The ruffian that escaped will return with re-enforcements, and I
am not able to fight them again."

"Oh, but she is not the king's friend, as you suppose, as my idle words
might lead you to believe," returned Nelly, pleadingly.

George rose from the tub over which he was standing and answered: "Show
your gratitude for what I have done by going at once."

Seeing that George was in earnest, Nelly left the courtyard, leading
reluctant Frances by the hand. Hamilton's suppose