A silence fell about; quizzing-glasses went up; all eyes were focussed upon the group.

Then Rotherby and his friends resumed their way.
"The dog!" said Mr.Caryll, between his teeth, but went unheard by any, for in that moment Dorothy Deller--the younger of the Lady Mary's cousins--gave expression to the generous and as yet unsullied little heart that was her own.
"Oh, 'tis shameful!" she cried.

"Will you not go speak with her, Molly ?" The Lady Mary stiffened.

She looked at the company about her with an apologetic smile.

"I beg that ye'll not heed the child," said she.
"'Tis not that she is without morals--but without knowledge.