Darley lifted her up. “Now you keep the injured member off the ice,” he said, “and I will skate you to shore.”
“It was all my fault,” said the patient, as Darley knelt down and removed the remaining skate. “I would put on these old-fashioned things just because the blades are splendid.”
Darley secured the refractory skate and removed his own. Then he asked how the ankle felt.
Miss Charteris attempted to stand upon both feet, but sat down upon the bank instantly.
“It does hurt,” she said, as if unwilling to admit the painful fact. She looked at Darley almost appealingly, then about her. The nearest house was a quarter of a mile away. Finally she looked back at Darley, with an expression that seemed to say, What are we going to do now, I wonder?
Darley made up his mind quickly. He always did when a woman was in the question. “You can't walk,” he said; “I shall have to carry you.”
Miss Charteris' pale cheeks assumed a rapid flush. “I can walk,” she said, hastily.
“Very well,” said Darley, gently. “Take my arm.”
A few painful steps proved to Miss Charteris that she could walk, at the expense of excruciating agony. So, being a sensible little soul, she stopped.
“You see, it is impossible,” said her knight. “You will have to let me carry you, Miss Charteris. I beg your pardon for not introducing myself. I am Mr. Percy Darley, a guest at Mr. John Leonard's.”