"He will," said Miss Warren, who had joined me almost immediately; "this is not a day of fate, I trust;" and she began moistening Adah's lips with brandy, and trying to cause her to swallow a little, while I chafed her pretty hands and rubbed brandy on her wrists.
"It seems to me as if an age, crowded with events, had elapsed since I started on my aimless walk this morning," I said, half in soliloquy.
"That you were directed hither will be cause for lasting gratitude. Was not the house on fire?"
"Yes, but Reuben was invaluable. He was out on the piazza, and so was not hurt."
"Was Mrs. Yocomb hurt?" she asked, looking at me in wild alarm.
"Please do not fail me," I entreated; "you have been so brave thus far.
Mrs. Yocomb will soon revive, I think. You were unconscious at first."
She now realized the truth that Mrs. Yocomb was not caring for Zillah, and hastened to their room, impelled by an overmastering affection for the woman who had treated her with motherly kindness.
I followed her, and assured her that her friend was living. It needed but a moment to see that this was true, but little Zillah scarcely gave any sign of life. Both were unconscious.
The young girl now looked at me as if almost overwhelmed, and said, in a low shuddering tone, "This is awful—far worse than I feared; I do wish the doctor was here."
"He must be here soon. I know you won't give way. In great emergencies a true woman is great. You may save—"