"Yes, my lady. It's not dark at nine o'clock now."
"No, no. Take care of yourself, Claud."
Her brother nodded, then turned to lift Elaine from the grass, where she sat motionless, staring at the road where the lifeless form of Allonby had been carried.
"Come," said Mr. Cranmer, gently.
"It's all over now," sighed Elaine.
"What is over?" he asked.
"What happened. Nothing ever happens in Edge Combe. This is the first thing that ever happened to me in my life, now it is over."
"Miss Elaine, my dear, don't stay talking," cried Jane, in a fright. She thought her charge was light-headed with the excitement she had gone through. The girl said no more, but submitted to be put into the carriage with Lady Mabel, and sank down with a sigh into the corner, turning her face away from that fateful patch of roadside grass. Goodman helped Jane gallantly to a seat beside him. Claud lingered, with his hands resting on the top of the carriage door, his eyes on Elaine's face.
"You do look pale," he said, "a lily maid indeed."
The rich color flew to her face as he had hoped it would, but he could see by the look in her eyes that she had not understood his allusion in the least.