The whole household had learned the story of his exploit by this time, and great wonder and admiration were expressed by every one in view of his heroism and power of endurance, as they gathered upon the veranda while he was being carried into the house.
He was very glad to avail himself of his employer’s command to keep his room until he felt perfectly able to resume his duties, for he was anxious to escape the crowd and notoriety, while, too, he was fearfully spent from the efforts which he had been obliged to make during the last half of the steep ascent.
There had been moments when, if only his own life had been at stake, he would have felt that it was scarcely worth the terrible struggle he was making. But the consciousness that the life of another depended upon him—the responsibility which the presence of that innocent and beautiful child entailed upon him—was undoubtedly the one spur which proved to be the salvation of both.
He did not lack for kind attention, for Mr. Hamilton and faithful John McQueen could not seem to do enough for him, while Professor Harding and his wife insisted upon taking turns in watching with him during the night, to administer nourishment at stated times, and prevent the necessity of his making any exertion for himself.
He slept considerably, and was much refreshed the next morning, although still weak and unable to rise, and it was thought best that he should keep his bed for a few days.
Late in the evening of the day of the accident Mr. Temple and his party returned from their excursion, and were greatly excited upon learning what had occurred, while they were also unspeakably grateful over the fact that a terrible tragedy had been averted, and the idol of the household had been spared to them.
Gertrude was most enthusiastic and vivid in her description of the event, while her admiration of Clifford and the manner in which he had conducted himself was expressed in the highest terms.
“I knew the moment when I first saw that young man that he was no ordinary porter,” she observed, with glowing eyes. “He carries himself like a nobleman—he has a remarkably fine face and figure, and he is invariably courteous and gentlemanly, while if ever any one showed himself a hero in the face of seeming impossibilities, he has done so to-day. Don’t you agree with me, Mr. Wentworth?” she concluded, appealing to Philip for confirmation of her assertions.
“Y—es, he has really done a—a brave thing,” that young man felt compelled to admit, but he did so in a decidedly half-hearted and unappreciative manner, and with a flush of irritation at Gertrude’s high praise of one whom he had long cordially disliked and regarded with secret jealousy.
Miss Athol turned upon him with a look of astonishment. Her lips curled slightly, and parted as if she were about to retort in a spirited manner, but before she could voice her rebuke—whatever it may have been—Mr. Temple inquired: