'Some accident may happen in the mean time. The horses are unruly. We will stay here till all is safe.'
The advice was just, and it came from Olivia. I obeyed and hastened to the coachman; who was busied in loosing the traces, and relieving the horses from the carriage. This was presently done; and the coach was left, till proper aid and more light could be obtained.
I then returned to Olivia; and, when the coachman came up, the aunt enquired if their danger had been great?
'I don't know, madam, what you may call great,' answered he; 'but, if that gentleman had not stopped the cattle, and if the near wheels had gone one yard nay two feet farther I should have had an overturn; and then how either you or I could have got out of that gravel pit is more than I can tell. For my own part, I know, I thank him with all my heart; and the other gentleman too: for it is not often that your gentleman are so handy. Instead of helping, they generally want somebody to help them. I hope they'll be civil enough to take a glass with me. By G—— they shall go to the depth of my pocket, and welcome.'
'If that be the case,' replied the aunt, 'we are all very much obliged to them indeed! But I will take care never to travel in a fog again.'
Just as this was passing, we heard at a distance, and as if coming from the inn, a shouting of 'Hollo! Hoix! Coachee! Coach! where are you all?'
'I declare,' said the aunt, 'that is my nephew's voice! This is very lucky! He will now take us in his phæton.'
'Surely, madam,' exclaimed I, 'you would not trust yourself and this young lady in a phæton such a night as this; when you see the most experienced drivers are liable to such accidents?'
'If the lady does,' continued the coachman as he was going, 'why I shall suppose she does not value a broken neck of a farthing.'
We then proceeded back to the inn, and were presently joined by
Hector; whom the aunt immediately began to rate.