"Mercy on us!" she cried, suddenly catching sight of the motionless figure below her. "John! John! Old John! Come here! Here is one sick or hurt! pray heaven he be not dead," she concluded in a lower voice, as she stooped over the insensible man, and listened for sound of breath. "Sir! sir! rouse yourself," and she shook the helpless man gently by the shoulder. "Poor creature, this is no beggar, I warrant. He has the face of a gentleman, and his clothes were fine enough not so long ago. John, I say!" she called again. "'Tis just to vex me the old fool feigns himself to be deaf. Sir, I pray you rouse; can you make shift to stand, for here is shelter close by, if you can but walk a step or two. 'Tis more than like he is one of those poor gentleman in trouble with this new government, he has the very air of a hunted man. I cannot leave him here to freeze," she muttered. "Well, if John is too deaf or too cross to help, I must e'en manage the business myself." And without more ado she lifted the helpless man by the shoulders, and propped him up against the gate-post, and fell to rubbing his hands. He opened his eyes, and gazed dully at her. "Can you stand, and let me help you into the house?" she repeated.
"Mercy on us!" she cried, suddenly catching sight of the motionless figure. [page 74.
"Yes, yes," he muttered thickly, and made an effort to rise.
"That's well begun," she said brightly. "Now another try, and I warrant you will find you can get the length of the court."
With the help of her strong young arm he stumbled to his feet, and let her lead him round the house. The back of the old mansion had a very different aspect to the front; a bucket of water stood by the well, brightly scoured milk-pans leant against the porch, and through the open door the glow of the fire streamed out into the twilight. The girl glanced over towards the cowsheds, and then, with an impatient shake of her head, and a murmur of "Lazy old John," she carefully guided her bewildered guest into a great kitchen, and deposited him in the corner of a settle by the fire. A minute afterwards she stood over him with a bowl of steaming broth in her hand. The warmth of the comfortable fire had already begun to thaw his frozen wits, and he made shift to stammer a word of thanks as he fumbled with the spoon.
"There, I will hold the bowl," she said; "you must say nothing till this broth is finished." And she watched, well pleased how the colour came back to his face, and the starved glitter in his eyes softened into gratitude as he met her glance.
"Madam," he said, when at length he laid down the spoon and straightened himself, "I do truly hold you have saved my life this night; and, indeed, not only have you delivered this poor body from danger, but the new spirit your kindness hath infused into me will go far to carry me to my journey's end. For all, I do tender my thankful acknowledgement."
And the bow with which he concluded his little speech confirmed his hostess in her assurance that she had to do with a man of position and breeding. But the effect of his courtesy was sadly marred by a sudden false step, as he rose to take leave.