said the colonel to his coachman, "and call at Dr.
Jones's on your way. Can you spare time to come as far as Nantmyny?"
he said, addressing Will.

"Oh! yes, sir, certainly," he answered in good English.

"Tis the right foot, I think," said the old gentleman, unbuttoning the
boot.

The girl opened her eyes.

"Oh! uncle, it hurts," she said. "Keep it up," and catching sight of
Will, she looked inquiringly at her uncle.

"Tis the young man who saved your life, child," he explained.

"Oh! not that, sir," said Will. "I am sorry I have not even prevented
her being hurt."

At first there was a pompous stiffness in Colonel Vaughan's manner, but
he added more graciously:

"I hope you were not hurt yourself. Bless me! is that blood on your
hand?"

"I have cut my wrist a little, but 'tis nothing," said Will. "Please
not to think about it."

"Oh! certainly, certainly, we must. Here's Dr. Jones. Come in,
doctor. You must squeeze in somewhere. Gwenda has had a narrow
escape, and this young fellow has hurt his wrist in saving her. A very
brave young man! Mercy we were not all killed, I'm sure!"

"I'll attend to them both when we get to Nantmyny," said Dr. Jones.

"Keep her foot in that position, and be as quiet as possible, young
man," said the colonel, and Will, though he resented the tone and the
"young man," still felt a glow of satisfaction at the turn affairs had
taken.

To have sat in the Nantmyny carriage! What a story to tell Ann and his
father! and Will felt as they drove through the lodge gates that the
charm of the situation outweighed the twinges of pain in his arm.

Gwenda Vaughan, recovering a little, smiled at him gratefully.

"Thank you so much for holding up my foot," she said. "It is easier
so. I am sorry you have hurt your wrist. Does it pain you much?"

"Oh, 'tis nothing at all," said Will, not accustomed to think much of
slight wounds or bruises.

On arriving at Nantmyny he assisted in carrying her into the house.

"Now," said the doctor, when they had laid her on a couch, "let me see,
and I will look at your wrist afterwards. Young Owens of Garthowen, I
think--eh?"

"Yes," said Will, quietly retreating into the background, while Colonel
Vaughan and the maids pressed round the sofa. He only waited until,
after a careful examination, the doctor said, "No bones broken, I'm
glad to say, only rather badly bruised," and then, leaving the room
unnoticed, found his way to the fr