his horse, without a rider, plunge into the river below the
dam, and swim across; and another person saw the pony Sydney had been
riding, grazing with a side-saddle on, on the common. This made them
search, and they found Mr Hope lying in the road insensible, as I told
you."

"What is thought of his state?" asked Margaret.

"Two medical men were called immediately from the nearest places, and
Mr Grey saw them last night; for the news reached us while you were at
the piano, and we thought--"

"Yes but what do the medical men say?"

"They do not speak very favourably. It is a concussion of the brain.
They declare the case is not hopeless, and that is all they can say. He
has not spoken yet; only just opened his eyes: but we are assured the
case is not quite desperate; so we must hope for the best."

"I am glad the case is not desperate," said Hester. "He would be a
great loss to you all."

Mrs Grey looked at her in amazement, and then at Margaret. Margaret's
eyes were full of tears. She comprehended and respected the effort her
sister was making.

"Oh, Mrs Grey!" said Margaret, "must we go to-day? Surely it is no
time for an excursion of pleasure."

"That must be as you feel disposed, my dears. It would annoy Mrs
Rowland very much to have the party broken up; so much so, that some of
us must go: but my young people will do their best to fill your places,
if you feel yourselves unequal to the exertion." She looked at Hester
as she spoke.

"Oh, if anybody goes, we go, of course," said Hester. "I think you are
quite right in supposing that the business of the day must proceed. If
there was anything to be done by staying at home,--if you could make us
of any use, Mrs Grey, it would be a different thing: but--"

"Well, if there is nothing in your feelings which--if you believe
yourselves equal to the exertion--"

Margaret now interposed. "One had rather stay at home and be quiet,
when one is anxious about one's friends: but other people must be
considered, as we seem to be agreed,--Mr and Mrs Rowland, and all the
children. So we will proceed with our dressing, Mrs Grey. But can you
tell us, before you go, how soon--How soon we shall know;--when this
case will probably be decided?"

It might be a few hours, or it might be many days, Mrs Grey said. She
should stay at home to-day, in case of anything being sent for from the
farmhouse where Mr Hope was lying. He was well attended--in the hands
of g