. Nearly the whole
of the hind wheels and most of the door had disappeared on one side,
and, though more was visible on the other, it was impossible to open
the door, as a mass of rubbish lay on it. Annaple was on this side,
and her voice was heard calling to May in fits of the laughter which is
perhaps near akin to screams--

'"London bridge is broken down,
Dance o'er my lady Lee!"

Janet will go in for second-sight ever after. Yes, she's all right,
except a scratch from the glass, and that I'm sitting on her more or
less. How are they getting on?' 'The horse is all but out. Not hurt,
they think. Here's another man come to help--a gentleman--my dear, it
is your partner, Nuttie's umbrella man.' 'Oh, making it
complete--hopes, Janet--I'm sorry, but I can't help squashing you! I
can't help subsiding on you! What is it now?' as the lamp-light
vanished.

'They are looking for something to make levers of,' returned May;
'these wooden rails are too rotten.'

'Can't they get us through the window?' sighed a muffled voice.

'Not unless we could be elongated, like the Hope of the Katzekopfs.'

'We shall manage now,' cried Mark; 'we have found some iron bars to the
hatch down there. But you must prepare for a shock or two before you
can be set free.'

The two gentlemen and three servants strove and struggled, hoisted and
pushed, to the tune of suppressed sounds, half of sobs, half of
laughter, till at last the carriage was heaved up sufficiently to be
dragged backwards beyond the hole; but even then it would not stand,
for the wheels on the undermost side were crushed, neither could either
door be readily opened, one being smashed in, and the other jammed
fast. Annaple, however, still tried to keep up her own spirits and her
sister's, observing that she now knew how to sympathise with Johnnie's
tin soldiers in their box turned upside down.

Two sturdy labourers here made their appearance, having been roused in
the cottage and brought back by Mr. Egremont, and at last one door was
forced open by main force, and the ladies emerged, Annaple, helping her
sister, beginning some droll thanks, but pausing as she perceived that
Lady Delmar's dress was covered with blood.

'My dear Janet. This is worse than I guessed. Why did you not speak?'

'It is not much,' said the poor lady, rather faintly. 'My neck--'

The elder ladies came about her, and seated her on cushions, where, by
the light o