The advancing hoofs sounded nearer and presently, obedient to the rein, Diogenes ambled on again; and now I saw that the approaching riders were a lady and gentleman and mounted on spirited animals for, as they drew nearer, it seemed to me that the lady had much difficulty in managing her fiery steed. Now between us and these riders was another tall tree that cast a jagged shadow athwart the white road, noting which, I kept my gaze on the lady's mount somewhat anxiously. My apprehensions were suddenly realised for, reaching this patch of shadow, the lady's horse shied, swerved suddenly, and hurled his rider into the ditch. Diana cracked the whip and Diogenes broke into a gallop, but long before we had come up with them, the gentleman was off his horse, had lifted the swooning woman in his arms, and was pouring out a breathless farrago of endearments and prayers with curses upon himself, his helplessness and the jibbing horse. "Barbara, dear love--oh, damnation and the devil, what shall I do--Barbara, are you much hurt, dearest--the accursed brute--a thousand curses--look at me, beloved, speak--O God have mercy on her!" Now glancing at the beautiful, pale face of this swooning girl, I started, and looking from her to the athletic form and handsome features of this distracted youth who clasped her, I caught my breath; and then Diana had leapt from the cart and, pushing aside this miserable, helping being, had busied herself to recover the unconscious girl in her own quick, capable fashion. "A woman!" gasped the gentleman. "O God bless you--thank heaven! Say she isn't dead--you'll want water--not a drop for miles, dammit--brandy--not a spot--oh, curse and confound it--say she isn't dead!" "She's not!" said Diana briefly. "God bless you again! Tell me what to do?" "Go away and leave her to me." "But how can I leave her?" "I must loose her stays--you'll find a brook t' other side the hedge--in your hat!" Scarcely were the words uttered than the gentleman was over the hedge and as quickly back again, slopping water right and left from his modish, curly-brimmed hat in his frantic haste; this he set down at Diana's command and, turning away, began to stride up and down, muttering agitated anathemas upon himself and scowling ferociously at the two horses, which I had taken the opportunity to hitch to an adjacent gatepost. At last in his restless tramping he seemed to become aware of me where I sat, for I had climbed back into the cart, and he now addressed me, though with his anxious gaze bent towards the unconscious form of his companion. "Good God, man--this is pure damnation! If you can't do anything, since I can't do anything, can't you suggest something I can do?" "Only that you strive for a little patience, sir." At this he turned to stare at me, then his grey eyes widened suddenly, and he leapt at me with both hands outstretched. "Vereker!" he cried. "Peregrine--Perry, by all that's wonderful."