“On no account,” returned the porter, in the greatest alarm, and springing to his feet.  “I am better—­much better.  I don’t think I am ill at all.”

“For the first time, I suspect the contrary,” replied the apprentice, “since you are afraid of owning it.  But this is not a matter to be trifled with.  Doctor Hodges will soon settle the point.”  And he hurried out of the room to summon the physician.

“Oh! mother!—­dear Patience!” roared Blaize, capering about in an ecstasy of terror; “don’t let the doctor come near me.  Keep me out of his sight.  You don’t know what horrid things are done to those afflicted with my complaint.  But I do,—­for I have informed myself on the subject.  Their skins are scarified, and their sores blistered, lanced, cauterized, and sometimes burned away with a knob of red-hot iron, called ‘the button.’”

“But iv id is necessary, myn goed Blaize, you musd submid,” replied his mother.  “Never mind de hod iron or de lance, or de blisder, iv dey make you well.  Never mind de pain.  It will soon be over.”

“Soon over!” bellowed Blaize, sinking into a chair.  “Yes, I feel it will.  But not in the way you imagine.  This Doctor Hodges will kill me.  He is fond of trying experiments, and will make me his subject.  Don’t let him—­for pity’s sake, don’t.”

“But I musd, myn lief jonger,” replied his mother, “I musd.”

“Oh, Patience!” supplicated Blaize, “you were always fond of me.  My mother has lost her natural affection.  She wishes to get rid of me.  Don’t take part with her.  My sole dependence is upon you.”

“I will do all I can for you, dear Blaize,” blubbered the kitchen-maid.  “But it is absolutely necessary you should see the doctor.”

“Then I won’t stay here another minute,” vociferated Blaize.  “I’ll die in the street rather than under his hands.”

And bursting from them, he would have made good his retreat, but for the entrance of Leonard and Hodges.

At the sight of the latter, Blaize ran back and endeavoured to screen himself behind Patience.

“Is this the sick man?” remarked Hodges, scarcely able to refrain from laughing.  “I don’t think he can be in such imminent danger as you led me to suppose.”

“No, I am better—­much better, thank you,” returned Blaize, still keeping Patience between him and the doctor.  “The very sight of you has frightened away the plague.”

“Indeed!” exclaimed Hodges, smiling, “then it is the most marvellous cure I ever yet effected.  But, come forward, young man, and let us see what is the matter with you.”

“You neither lance nor cauterize an incipient tumour, do you, doctor?” demanded Blaize, without abandoning his position.

“Eh, day!” exclaimed Hodges, “have we one of the faculty here?  I see how it is, friend.  You have been reading some silly book about the disease, and have frightened yourself into the belief that you have some of its symptoms.  I hope you haven’t been doctoring yourself, likewise.  What have you taken?”