"Indeed, I don't think so. It was a very gallant act in itself, and one which, so far as I'm concerned, renders me your debtor for life."
"The acknowledgment cancels the obligation. I only trust you are none the worse for the mishap."
"Thank you, not in the least.. I was a little shaken and unstrung by the fall, and rather stupid yesterday evening, I'm inclined to think; but the night's rest has set me perfectly right. You know I'm country-bred, and therefore what my husband would call in good condition; and I've had so many tumbles off ponies, and been upset so many times in our Devonshire lanes by papa,--who, I'm afraid, is not a very good whip, bless him!--that I'm not entirely unused to such accidents."
"That accounts for your pluck, then. I never saw any one go through what--now it's over--I may say was a very ugly runaway, with more perfect calmness."
"Ah, that's what I wanted to ask you. I lost my head just as we started down that descent, and knew nothing afterwards. I do so hope I didn't scream."
"You may make yourself thoroughly easy on that score. You were perfectly mute."
"I am delighted at that!" she laughed out with childish glee. "Charley asked me the very first thing whether I hadn't 'yelled out,' as he called it; and I told him I thought not. It was very weak of me to faint, and I fought against it as long as I could; but I felt it must come, and it did."
"You would have been more than woman if you could have deprived yourself of that treat," said Laurence "How is Sir Charles?"
"Well, not very well. I fancy that this accident has upset him very much, poor fellow. I think he blames himself for having allowed me to go without him; and yet he couldn't come, as he had some horrid man here on business. But he's been very dull and preoccupied ever since. He'll be annoyed at having missed you, as he went out specially to call and thank you for your great kindness. We did not know your address, and he went down to Mr. Bertram's office to get it from him."
"Oh, Bertram is a very old friend of mine. It was from him I first heard of you."