When I had lowered myself on to the seat of the car, I unbuckled the strap and started to pull it down. But the buckle caught on the baluster, and I had to stand on my old perch to reach and loosen it. I did so, balancing myself with one hand on the balcony's door. As the strap slipped free, there was a burning pain in my fingers. With a cry I tore them away, lost my balance, and fell sideways into the car on to the back of the front seat. I stood up unsteadily. It hurt me to breathe rather, and there was a stabbing pain in my right side. "Are you hurt?" said a quick voice above me. Dazedly I raised my head. Silvia was leaning over the balcony, one hand to her white throat. I could hear her quick-coming breath. "No," I said slowly, "I'm not. But until you tell me that you know I did not mean what I said, I will not believe that you did not mean to stand upon my fingers." "Are you hurt, lad?" "No. Did you hear what I said?" Silvia stood up, her hands before her on the coping. "You know I didn't." Without a word I stepped carefully out of the car. The pain was intense. It was as if my side was being seared with a hot iron. How I started the car I shall never know. The effort brought me to my knees. Somehow I crept into my seat, took out the clutch and put in the first speed. I was moving. Mechanically I changed into second, third, and top. We were going now, but the trees by the wayside seemed to be closing in on me. The road was really ridiculously narrow. I could see a corner coming. The pain was awful. My head began to swim, and I felt the near wheel rise on the bank. I wrenched the car round, took out the clutch and dragged the lever into neutral. As I jammed on the hand-brake, I seemed to see many lights. Then came the noise of a horn, cries, and the sound of tires tearing at the road. I fell forward and fainted. I could smell Daphne. Somewhere at hand was my sister's faint perfume: I opened my eyes. "Hullo, Boy!" said Jill, her small, cool hand on my forehead. "Better, darling?" said Daphne, brushing my cheek with soft lips. "I'm all right," I said, raising myself on my left elbow. Still the stabbing pain in my right side. "Where are we?" "In the hall at St. Martin, dear. How did it all happen?" "How did I get here?" I asked. "And you--I don't understand." "We nearly ran you down, old chap." Berry's voice. "About a quarter of a mile from here, towards Fladstadt. But why were you driving away?" I stared at him. "Driving away?" I said slowly. "Then--" There were quick steps and the rustling of a dress. Then Silvia spoke. "What is it, Bill? Tell me. Who's hurt?" "It's all right, m'dear," said the man's voice. "Mrs. Pleydell's brother's met with an accident. We found him in the road. Don't make a noise. This is my sister, Mrs. Pleydell." "How d'you do?" said Daphne. "My brother seems--"