Her father saw that Carlos was returning to consciousness, and, going to a chair on the opposite side of the room, said, gruffly, as he sat down:
“He’ll do well enough now.”
At that Carlos sprang up suddenly, saying:
“Yes, I’m all right, and I must go. How far is it to Dalton?”
“Oh, sir,” said the girl, finding her voice, “you must not go to-night. You can’t.”
“Yes, I must,” said Carlos. “Can you tell me how far it is to Dalton?”
“A matter o’ four mile,” replied the man.
“Yes, it’s four miles, and it’s a bad road, with ever so many turns,” said the girl.
Carlos stepped to the door and looked out. It had nearly stopped raining, but the darkness was intense, and the water could be heard rushing in torrents in the ditch beside the road.
“If I only knew the way,” he said, straining his eyes inthe vain endeavor to discern surrounding objects; “if I only knew the way, I would not hesitate a moment.”