And then we heard Harry bidding those around not touch him, and Dora screamed with dismay, and I saw he had wrapped both hands in his handkerchief.  To my frightened question, whether he was hurt, he answered, “Only my hands, but I fancy the brute has done for some of my fingers.  If those fellows could but have held their tongues!”

He climbed into the carriage to rid himself of the crowd, who were offering all sorts of aid, commiseration, and advice, and Dermot begged to come too, “in case he should be faint,” which made Harry smile, though he was in much pain, frowning and biting his lip while the coachman took the reins, and turned us round amid the deafening cheers of the people, for Eustace was quite unnerved, and Dora broke into sobs as she saw the blood soaking through the handkerchiefs—­all that we could contribute.  He called her a little goose, and said it was nothing; but the great drops stood on his brow, he panted and moved restlessly, as if sitting still were unbearable, and he could hardly help stamping out the bottom of the carriage.  He shouted to Eustace to let him walk, but Dermot showed him how he would thus have the crowd about him in a moment.  It was the last struggle that had done the mischief, when the lion, startled by the shout of the crowd, had turned on him again, and there had been a most narrow escape of a dying bite, such as would probably have crushed his hand itself beyond all remedy; and, as it was, one could not but fear he was dreadfully hurt, when the pain came in accesses of violence several times in the short distance to Dr. Kingston’s door.

No, Dr. Kingston was not at home; nor would be in for some time; but while we were thinking what to do, a young man came hastily up, saying “I am Dr. Kingston’s partner; can I do anything?”

Harold sprang out on this, forbidding Eustace to follow him, but permitting Dermot; and Mrs. Kingston, an old acquaintance of mine, came and invited us all to her drawing-room, lamenting greatly her husband’s absence, and hoping that Mr. Yolland, his new partner, would be able to supply his place.  The young man had very high testimonials and an excellent education.  She was evidently exercised between her own distrust of the assistant and fear of disparaging him.  Seeing how much shaken we were, she sent for wine, and I was surprised to see Eustace take some almost furtively, but his little sister, though still sobbing, glared out from behind the knuckles she was rubbing into her eyes, and exclaimed, “Eustace, I shall tell Harry.”

“Hold your tongue,” said Eustace, petulantly; “Harry has nothing to do with it.”