Latimer looked from him to the others standing round: "What has happened?"
A hoarse voice spoke from the background: "She fell." Archie Carroll had risen from his knees, and, lifting one hand above his head, he pointed to the wall. Suddenly, he met Fothergill's eyes, and with a half-smothered cry he flung himself all along upon the grass and hid his face.
"Fothergill! is she much hurt?" cried Latimer. "Is it serious?"
The other did not look up. "I cannot tell," he said, "but I believe she is killed."
Latimer uttered a cry: "No! no! For God's sake don't say that! It can't be!"
Fothergill made no answer.
"It isn't possible!" said Walter. But his glance measured the height of the wall and rested on the stones scattered thickly below. The words died on his lips.
"Is Anderson never coming?" said some one else. Another messenger hurried off. Latimer stood as if rooted to the ground, gazing after him. All at once he noticed the rose which he still held, and jerked it away with a movement as of horror.
The last runner returned: "Anderson and Hardwicke will be here directly: I saw them coming up the path from the fish-ponds. Here is Mrs. Latimer."
