“Look up, then; don’t look down. Keep your eyes fixed on me.” For he dreaded the dizziness which must inevitably ensue if a downward glance showed her the extent of her danger. “Lower your right hand cautiously; now your foot; there are some projecting roots just below you, which will support your weight until I come.” For a while she feared to stir. She felt that to loosen her hold in the slightest degree would be more than she dare venture; but when, in the same sharp, imperative tones, he commanded her to make the attempt, she obeyed, and effected the change of position safely. “Now you will stay there without moving, without looking down, until I come, which will be as quickly as I can. Give me your word for this.” “Yes,” said Florence, in clearer tones. “I am not so frightened now. I will think of my mother till you come back.” Taking one last glance at the pale, patient face that gazed at him so trustfully, he hurried away. He scarcely dared think of what might happen ere he could gain the foot of the bank. With torn clothes, with bleeding hands, he flung himself down the rugged declivity, as soon as descent became anything like practicable. Although but a few minutes were consumed in this, the time seemed interminable until he drew near the spot where he had left Florence. And as he passed round a jutting crag that concealed her from his view, his foot faltered. He was positively afraid to proceed, lest the dire catastrophe should have occurred which he was striving to avert. A moment’s struggle, and he sprang desperately forward. Better to know the worst than endure such horrible suspense. Thank Heaven, she was still there--still clinging to the friendly roots. But her head had dropped on her shoulder, her fortitude was fast failing, and she was moaning piteously. She must have fallen ere long if Frank Dormer had not climbed quickly to her side and thrown his sustaining arm around her. He was strong, agile, and a practiced climber, but he found it no easy task to descend the slippery cliff encumbered with Florence. But she was perfectly passive in his hands, and, encouraged by his hopeful words, moved when he told her, or stepped where he directed, and in the course of a little while was safely lowered to a mossy boulder large enough to form a seat for them both.