and the next minute,
trembling in every limb with anxiety for her safety, he was running to
the nearest pit for water, bringing it in his soft hat, a little at a
time, to sprinkle her stern marble face. Again and again he ran to and
fro, growing more and more excited, but with a healthy excitement that
moved his better impulses; for, forgetting his own pain, interest was
excited in the deliverer whom he told himself that he had slain, to
recompense her for her bravery in his behalf. But it was long before
animation began to reappear, and the colour to return to Ada Lee's face.
Twice, though, Norton had been encouraged to persevere in his efforts
by a sigh; and he had chafed her cold hands, torn off his coat to fold
and place beneath her head, seen to, and tightened the bandage so that
the blood was staunched, and had at last determined to bear her back
into the village at all hazards. Then her soft blue eyes slowly
unclosed, as he kneeled by her side, his arms gently supporting her
against his breast, preparatory to rising and carrying her over the
treacherous ground to the footpath.

But the sight of those soft eyes gazing into his so wonderingly,
arrested him, and for a few minutes no word was spoken, till by slow
degrees, realising all that had passed, Ada's eyes lost their strange
wondering look, a shudder ran through her frame, and the old aspect of
horror came back.

"Are you hurt?" she gasped.

"No," he said, gently; and there was pity for her in his tones.

"Not hurt?" she gasped again. "But the pistol?"

"Hush!" he said, sadly. "You must not speak. You are wounded, and I am
a soldier, and have seen and known many wounds. You must be quiet until
I can get you back to the village."

"But you are safe--not hurt?" she said.

"No--no!" he exclaimed, impetuously. "I--I--"

"Yes--yes, I know. I remember all," she said, eagerly. "I startled
you--the pistol went off by accident--it struck me."

She smiled in his face as she spoke, while, burning with grief and
shame, he cried:

"Oh, Miss Lee, Miss Lee, has it come to this? Good Heaven! am I fallen
so low that I must screen myself in this way? I am a coward--a
pitiful--"

"Hush--hush!" she cried, and her little hand was laid upon his lips. "I
know how you suffered. I was in dread lest you should do anything
rashly, and I followed; but it is our--your secret. Let it be hidden
for ever. You may trust me."

Philip Norton groaned. "Hidden!