him aside
to take his place.

"What can I do? Had I not better gallop off for a doctor?"

"Thank you, no," was the cold reply, as the gentleman, for an instant,
looked the tenderer of service full in the face. "This is no scene from
a romance, sir. You need trouble yourself no further. My daughter is
more frightened than hurt, I dare say."

"A cold-hearted, unfeeling brute," muttered Brace to himself, for he was
greatly excited, and felt at that moment as if he would have given the
world to have been allowed to kneel there and support the inanimate
form. For a moment he felt ready to make confession that he had been
the cause of the accident, but that he felt would be folly; and once
more, heedless of the cold reception his offers met with, he proposed
that a doctor should be fetched.

"If I required a medical man, sir," said the gentleman, "there is the
post-boy, my paid servant, that I could send for one: unless," he said,
tauntingly, "you, sir, wish to earn something more than my thanks."

The colour rose to the young man's cheek as he met the cold, glittering
eye turned to him for a moment; but he smothered the resentment he could
not avoid feeling, and, without a word, turned away to a clear part of
the ditch, returning, in a few minutes, with his navy cloth cap half
full of water.

The gentleman frowned as he saw this favour forced upon him as he
thought, and unwillingly accepting it, he sprinkled the white face, and
bathed the forehead, wiping away the ruddy stains, and binding a
handkerchief tightly across the wound. But for awhile there were no
signs of returning animation, and once more, in spite of the scowl upon
the fathers face, Brace Norton hurried away to bring more water.

"There is a faint shade of colour returning now," exclaimed Brace,
eagerly.

"Then perhaps you will have the goodness to retire, sir," said the
gentleman, haughtily. "My daughter is not accustomed to the society of
strangers; and, at such a time, your presence would be a fresh shock."

"But this is a lonely place, sir. You are miles away from any aid.
Pray let me endeavour to be of some service. Surely I can help you."

"I thank you, no," was the cold reply.

"But for the lady's sake, sir," exclaimed Brace, almost indignantly.
"You will take my chaise, and continue your journey?"

"Young man," was the rude answer, "I am not in the habit of placing
myself under obligations to strangers. I shall not require your c