lf," he answered.

"To yourself?" said Eleanor.

"Yes. Nobody needs it more."

"But when you have so much real preaching to do--I should think it
would be the last thing you would wish to do in private,--at other
times."

"For that very reason. I need to have a sermon always ready, and to be
always ready myself. Now, let us get home and look at our
'rotifera'--if we have any."

However, there was to be no microscopical examination that morning.

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft agley."

They had gone but half a mile further homeward when their course was
again stopped. They came up with a man and a horse; the horse standing
still, the man lying on the ground beside him. At first sight they
thought it was a case of drunkenness, for the face of the man was very
red and he was unable to give any account of himself; but they were
soon convinced it was sudden illness, not intoxication, which was the
matter. He had fallen from his horse evidently, and now was not
unconscious but in great pain; the red in his face alternating with
sudden changes of colour. Apparently his condition was that of a small
farmer or upper farm servant, who had been overtaken on some business
errand by this attack of severe sickness. His horse stood quietly
beside him.

"This is no case for a lancet," said Mr. Rhys after making a slight
examination. "It calls for greater skill than mine. How will you do? I
must take the horse and ride for it. But the first thing is to find
where I ought to go--if I can--"

For this information he sought in the man's pockets; and found
presently a pocket-book with one or two bills, which gave the name he
wanted. It was a name not unknown to Mr. Rhys; and let him know also
the direction in which he must ride; not towards the valley of Plassy.

"What will you do, Miss Powle?--will you be afraid to find your way
home alone?"

"I will stay here till you come back."

"Will you? But I may be gone some time--and I must tell you," he said
gravely, "the man is very ill."

"There is the more reason then, I am sure. I will stay and do anything
for him I can, Mr. Rhys. You go--I will stay here."

Mr. Rhys said nothing more, though Eleanor felt sure from his face that
he did not disapprove of her conclusion. He mounted the horse
immediately.

"I will send help from the way if I can, though I doubt it. The way is
lonely, till I get almost there."

He rode off at a sharp pace, and Eleanor w