"It has happened!" she said to herself, as she flew to answer.
The message was that Carolina had been thrown from her horse and dragged. They were bringing her home.
"I knew it!" said Kate. "She was in too awful a mood to wear spurs with Astra. I ought to have made her take them off."
Carolina was still unconscious when they brought her in. Kate caught a glimpse of her still, white face as they carried her up-stairs. She waited with feverish impatience for the doctor's verdict, with her mind full of Carolina's awful words. "I knew it!" she kept whispering to herself through a rain of tears. "God always gets even with people who dare Him to do His worst!"
It seemed hours before Doctor Colfax finally came out, with his refined face full of pain.
"Is she dead?" whispered Kate, catching at his arm. He shook his head.
"Disfigured?" continued Kate, with growing anxiety.
"Worse!" said the doctor. "She has broken her hip badly. Even if she recovers, she will be lamed for life!"
Kate covered her mouth to repress a scream.
Beautiful Carolina lamed for life!