She had risen and was clinging to the rail of the dog-cart, while her face drooped so that Helbeck could not see it.
Mason stepped back with another oath, caught his foot in the reins, which he had carelessly left hanging, and fell on his knees on the gravel.
"No matter," said Helbeck, seeing that Laura paused in terror. "Give me your hand, Miss Fountain."
She slipped on the step in the darkness, and Helbeck caught her and set her on her feet.
"Go in, please. I will look after him."
She ran up the steps, then turned to look.
Mason, still swearing and muttering, had some difficulty in getting up.
Helbeck stood by till he had risen and disentangled the reins.
"If you don't drive carefully down the park in the fog you'll come to harm," he said, shortly, as Mason mounted to his seat.
"That's none of your business," said Mason sulkily. "I brought my cousin all right—I suppose I can take myself. Now, come up, will you!"
He struck the pony savagely on the back with the reins. The tired animal started forward; the cart swayed again from side to side. Helbeck held his breath as it passed the gate-posts; but it shaved through, and soon nothing but the gallop of retreating hoofs could be heard through the night.