blindness of fear, she sprang from the carriage also: it was on the side
next the water, and her first leap was over the bank; the hill was not
perpendicular, but too steep for Julia to recover her balance--and
partly running, and partly falling, the unfortunate girl was plunged
into the rapid river. Charles heard the screams of Miss Emmerson, and
caught a glimpse of the dress of Julia as she sprang from the carriage.
He ran to the bank just in time to see her fall into the water.
"Oh, God!" he cried, "Julia!--my Julia!"--and, without seeming to touch
the earth, he flew down the bank, and threw himself headlong into the
stream. His great exertions and nervous arms soon brought him alongside
of Julia, and, happily for them both, an eddy in the waters drew them to
the land. With some difficulty Charles was enabled to reach the shore
with his burthen.
Julia was not insensible, nor in the least injured. Her aunt was soon by
her side, and folding her in her arms, poured out her feelings in a
torrent of tears. Charles would not, however, suffer any delay, or
expressions of gratitude--but, forcing both aunt and niece into the
carriage, bid Anthony drive rapidly to a tavern known to be at no great
distance.--On their arrival, both Julia and Charles immediately clad
themselves in dry clothes--when Miss Emmerson commanded the presence of
the young man in her own room. On entering, Charles found Julia sitting
by a fire, a thousand times handsomer, if possible, than ever. Her eyes
were beaming with gratitude, and her countenance was glowing with the
excitement produced by the danger that she had encountered.
"Ah! Charles, my dear cousin," cried Julia, rising and meeting him with
both hands extended, "I owe my life to your bravery and presence of
mind."
"And mine too, Charles," said Miss Emmerson; "but for you, we should
have all gone off the hill together."
"Yes, if Anthony had not managed the horses admirably, you might have
gone indeed," said Charles, with a modest wish to get rid of their
praise. But this was an unlucky speech for Charles: he had,
unconsciously presented the image of a rival, at the moment that he
hoped he filled all the thoughts of Julia.
"Ah, Antonio!" she cried, "poor Antonio!--and where is he?--Why do you
not send for him, dear aunt?"
"What, my love, into my bed-chamber!" said Miss Emmerson, in surprise;
"fear has made the girl crazy!--But, Charles, where is Anthony?"
"In the stable, with the horses, I believe," said the youth--"no, here
he is, under the window, leading them to the pump."
"Give him this money," said Miss Emmerson, "and tell him it is for his
admirable skill in saving my life."
Julia saw the danger of an exposure if she interfered, yet she had the
curiosity to go to the window, and see how Antonio would conduct in the
mortifying dilemma.
"Here, Anthony," said Charles, "Miss Emmerson has sent you ten dollars,
for driving so well, and saving the carriage."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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