"Oh no, no! Arthur, dear, no! Before God's throne, no!"
He lifted it as high as his arm would go, and with all his force swung it down, crashing and quenched, upon her head.
She gave a gentle sigh and rolled at his feet. Groaning with horror and fright, he lifted her in his arms and bore her to her room and bed.
There she presently opened her eyes to find him laving her face and head, moaning, covering them with kisses, and imploring her forgiveness in a thousand hysterical repetitions.
"Hush, dear," she whispered. "I see how it all happened. Does anybody know? Oh, God be thanked! don't let any one find out! It was all a misunderstanding. So many things crowded together to mislead you!"
"Oh yes, so many, many things at once, my treasure! Oh yes, yes!"
"Call Sarah, will you, dear?"
"Oh, beloved, why should I? You don't need Sarah for anything."
"Yes, I need her. I must send her for mother—and Ruth—I promised Ruth; and you must send Giles for the doctor; my hour is come."