coach box; he must have had a terrible fall!'

เ

They found him on the farther side of the hedge, and apparently lifeless; but the place on which he fell was soft, and he lay in an easy attitude. • He'll come to, please God,' said the laborer, taking him up in his arms; 'there is no sign of blood, as I see.'

Elizabeth dipped her handkerchief in the ditch, and sprinkled his face, and he very soon rewarded her care by a groan. 'Where are you hurt? can you stand ?' said she anxiously. Arthur opened his eyes, and when he was set on his feet, he staggered a step or two.

'I wont leave you so, master,' said the man, taking him up again in his arms, for I see you cannot travel far

by yourself. Where shall I take him to, mistress?'

'Where am I? what is the matter?' cried Arthur.

'Nothing is the matter, I hope,' said Elizabeth, and you will be at home in your own little bed in a minute.'

'What is to be done about the carriage?' said Charles; Mr and Mrs. Samson will be frightened out of their wits, if the man goes home with this story.'

"I wonder whether he is much hurt himself,' said Elizabeth, we have none of us asked him.'

'No bones broken, and no thanks to me for that,' was the coachman's reply; nor to master Arthur neither,' added he in a low voice. After some consultation it was agreed that he should follow them to Brookside, with the carriage, as soon as he could; and above all things,' said Charles, 'do not go home without a note or a proper

message from us; and I will run on for the Doctor, for Mr Fyley, that is.'

Elizabeth had the precaution to step on before the rest of the party, to tell Mrs Dobson, that Arthur had opened his eyes, and stood alone, and that they hoped he was not much hurt. Then you have been overturned! Goodness me, to think of it, Miss Hervey, and all by yourselves! and poor master Arthur! are you sure, my dear, none of his ribs are broken? How did it happen ?' It was too much to expect that any could tell at such a moment how it had happened; but Mrs Dobson had the satisfaction of receiving Arthur at the door, and talking over him all the time she was putting him to bed. She would have carried him up stairs herself, or attempted to carry him, but the laborer, who perceived that it was be

yond her strength, would not part with his burden.

'We are very, very much obliged to you,' said Elizabeth; I don't know what we should have done without you.

• You are main welcome, Miss,' said the man; 'I have young things of my own, and it comes quite natural to me to carry a child. Please God he comes to, and then we are all right.'

Elizabeth pressed him to rest himself, and have some supper, but he slipped away, and was gone before anybody had thought to ask his name. Mr Fyley,the surgeon, arrived in a few minutes, and after examining Arthur very closely, he reported that there were no bones broken, and only a few bruises of little importance. As a precaution, however, he thought it proper to bleed him, a ce

remony to which Arthur submitted with some fear, and very bad grace.

When all was completed, and Mr Samson's coachman dispatched with a note, Elizabeth attempted to undress, but to her great surprise, she found her arm so swelled that it would not come out of her sleeve. She had arranged to sleep in Arthur's room for that night, and she did not like to disturb him by ringing for help, so she crept out on the landing and listened for footsteps, but she heard none,and she was too stiff and weary to venture down stairs. While she was hesitating, she felt sick and faint, and at last she tottered back, and contrived to throw herself on the bed in her clothes. Painful as her arm and side were, and ill as she felt, she lay contented and grateful, listening to Arthur's breathing, and watching the shadow of the rushlight on his bed. Twelve