Page 96 of Friday's Child

‘And the best of it is,’ remarked Sherry, closing the door, and setting his shoulder to it, ‘he won’t dare show his face in town for months, in case he should run into George, and George’s feelings should get the better of him.’

‘Have you let that fellow go?’ George demanded, turning his head.

‘Yes, but really it is much better that he should go,’ said Hero soothingly. ‘For if you were to shoot him, you would have to leave the country, and then you could not marry Isabella. And he will not dare say a word about what happened to-night, because of what we might say about his wounding poor Mr Tarleton. And besides that, if he spread a horrid scandal, I dare say Sherry would not mind my telling people about his baby, for he has one, you know, and he would not give its mother a penny to provide for it, and it is Sherry who has to do so, which is a great deal too bad, for it is not Sherry’s baby! Indeed, I wish it was – at least, I mean I wish it was mine, because it is the dearest little thing!’ A thought occurred to her; her eyes lit up; and she turned impulsively towards Sherry. ‘Oh, Sherry, do you think –’

‘Yes!’ said his lordship hastily. ‘Yes I do, Kitten, but not now, for the lord’s sake!’

‘Badton!’ explained Ferdy kindly. ‘Not quite the thing! That fellow Tarleton present: very tolerable sort of a fellow, but almost a stranger! Talk it over later!’

‘No, by God, you won’t!’ said his lordship forcibly.

‘Eh?’ said Ferdy. ‘Good heavens! No, by God, so I won’t!’