Chapter Fifteen.
A Refractory Patient.
Leo made light of her accident, though her shoulder was a good deal hurt, and she bore the bandaging of what was a serious wrench with the greatest fortitude. As North learned by degrees, there had been a magnificent run, but towards the last, when Leo was almost heading the field, the mare had become unmanageable, and had rushed at a dangerous jump, with the result that she fell, threw her rider on the bank of the deep little river, and, in her efforts to rise, entangled herself with Leo’s habit, and rolled with her right into the water.
“A most providential escape,” said Salis, who looked pale with anxiety.
“What nonsense, Hartley!” said the girl; “a bit of a bruise on the shoulder and a wetting.”
“Yes, but you would have been drowned if the gentlemen of the hunt had not galloped up to your aid.”
“But they always do gallop up to a lady’s aid if her horse falls,” said Leo, speaking excitedly. “There, don’t make so much of it; and it was utterly absurd, Hartley, for you to send for a doctor for such a trifle.”
“Trifle or no, Miss Salis,” said the doctor, “I should advise your seeking your bed at once.”
“Nonsense, Dr North!”