The dilated eyes lit up hopefully, then closed, and a sick shudder passed over her.
“I don’t know,” she answered faintly, “but I’ll try. Oh, save me, Mr. Dormer—save me!”
“I will—I can, if you obey me. But you must be brave. Do you hear, Florence?” And he spoke with greater impressiveness than before. “For your mother’s sake! Remember, any great shock would kill her! For her sake you must be brave!”
“Oh, mamma—mamma!” moaned Florence. “Yes, I hear you; I will do all you bid me,” she added, directly afterward, with an effort to assume composure.
“Look up, then; don’t look down. Keep your eyes fixed on me.” For he dreaded the dizziness which must inevitably ensue if a downward glance showed her the extent of her danger. “Lower your right hand cautiously; now your foot; there are some projecting roots just below you, which will support your weight until I come.”
For a while she feared to stir. She felt that to loosen her hold in the slightest degree would be more than she dare venture; but when, in the same sharp, imperative tones, he commanded her to make the attempt, she obeyed, and effected the change of position safely.
“Now you will stay there without moving, without looking down, until I come, which will be as quickly as I can. Give me your word for this.”
“Yes,” said Florence, in clearer tones. “I am not so frightened now. I will think of my mother till you come back.”
Taking one last glance at the pale, patient face that gazed at him so trustfully, he hurried away. He scarcely dared think of what might happen ere he could gain the foot of the bank. With torn clothes, with bleeding hands, he flung himself down the rugged declivity, as soon as descent became anything like practicable. Although but a few minutes were consumed in this, the time seemed interminable until he drew near the spot where he had left Florence. And as he passed round a jutting crag that concealed her from his view, his foot faltered. He was positively afraid to proceed, lest the dire catastrophe should have occurred which he was striving to avert.
A moment’s struggle, and he sprang desperately forward. Better to know the worst than endure such horrible suspense.