Nell passed his apology by.
"Are you hurt?" she asked anxiously.
"No; I think not," he replied. "I can't think how I managed to come off; I don't usually make such an ass of myself."
He went for his hat, but as he stooped to pick it up he staggered, and Nell ran to him and caught his arm.
"You are hurt!" she said. "I—I was afraid so!"
"I'm giddy, that's all, I think," he said; but his lips closed tightly after his speech, and they twitched at the corners. "I expect my horse is more damaged than I am," he added, and he walked, very slowly, to where the animal stood looking from side to side with a startled air.
"Yes; knees cut. Poor old chap! It was my fault—my fau——"
He stopped, and put his hand to his head as if he were confused.
Nell went and stood close by him, with a vague kind of idea that he was going to fall and that she might help him, support him.
"You are in pain?" she asked, her brow wrinkled with her anxiety, her eyes darkened with her womanly sympathy and pity.