he stood looking down the lawn in surprise and anxiety, while
Sylvan hurried off to see what was the meaning of that which had so
suddenly startled them. What was it? What had happened?

A crowd of men, silent, but with faces full of suppressed excitement and
surrounding something that was borne in their midst, was slowly marching
up the avenue.

Cora watched Sylvan as he went to meet them; saw him speak to them,
though she could not hear what he said; saw them stop and put the
something, which they bore along and escorted, down on the gravel; saw a
parley between her brother and the crowd, and finally saw her brother
turn and hurry back toward the house, wearing a pale and troubled
countenance.

"You may take the carriage back to the stables, John," said the
lieutenant to the wondering negro groom, as he passed it in returning to
the porch.

"What is the matter, Sylvan? What has happened? Why have you sent the
carriage away?" Cora anxiously inquired.

"Because, my dear, we must not leave Rockhold at present," he gravely
replied. "There has been an accident, Cora."

"An accident! On the railroad?"

"No, my dear; to our old grandfather."

"To grandfather! Oh, Sylvan! no! no!" she cried, turning white, and
dropping upon a bench, all her latent affection for the aged
patriarch--the unsuspected affection--waking in her heart.

"Yes, dear," said Sylvan, softly.

"Seriously? Dangerously? Fatally? Perhaps he is dead and you are trying
to break it to me! You can't do it! You can't! Oh, Sylvan, is
grandfather dead?" she wildly demanded.

"No, dear! No, no, no! Compose yourself. They are bringing him here,
and he is perfectly conscious. He must not see you so much agitated. It
would annoy him. We do not yet know how seriously he is hurt. He was
thrown from his carriage when near North End. The horses took fright at
the passing of a train. They ran away and went over that steep bank just
at the entrance of the village. The carriage was shattered all to
pieces; the coachman killed outright--poor old Joseph--and the horses so
injured that they had to be shot."

"Poor old Joseph! I am so sorry! so very sorry! But grandfather!
grandfather!"

"He was picked up insensible; carried to the hotel on a mattress laid on
planks, borne by half a dozen workmen, and the doctor was summoned
immediately. He was laid in bed, and all means were tried to restore
consciousness. But as soon as he came to his senses he demanded to be
b