"Send--for a doctor," whispered Mary again; and then she uttered a faint cry of indignation and dread commingled as, thinking of nothing but the case before him, the doctor began to make the necessary preliminary examination, to stop short at the end of a minute, and lay his hand upon the patient's forehead, aghast at the discovery he felt that he had made. "Don't resent this," he said kindly. "Believe me, it is necessary, and I will not give you more pain than I can help." "Mrs Berens," sobbed the poor girl, "your hand." "My darling!" cried the widow, taking the extended hand, to hold it pressed against her lips. "Now, Miss Salis," said the doctor, "I want you to move yourself gently--a little more straight upon the couch." She looked at him strangely. "Now, please," he said. "It will be an easier position." But still she did not move. "Did you try?" he said rather hoarsely. "Yes--I tried," she said faintly; and then the flush deepened in her face again, as the doctor bent over the couch, and changed the position in which she lay. "Did I hurt you?" he said. "No. Did you move me?" she faltered; and Mrs Berens looked at him inquiringly. "Just a trifle," he said gravely. "Ah! here's Salis." There was a quick step outside, and the curate rushed in, followed more slowly by Leo, who looked ghastly. "Mary, my dear child," he cried, throwing himself upon his knees beside his sister, "are you much hurt?" "I think not, Hartley, dear," she replied, with a smile. "My head is not so giddy now." "Oh! what a madman I was to let you go," he cried. "Hush, dear! It was an accident," said the poor girl tenderly. "I shall soon be better. You are hurting Leo. She suffers more than I." "That cursed mare, North. She looked vicious. How was it, Leo?" "She pulled, and one of the reins broke," said Leo hoarsely. "There would have been an accident with any horse." "Yes, yes, of course," said Mary faintly; "and I am very sorry, Hartley. The chaise--the expense. Thank dear Mrs Berens, and now let me try and walk home." "No, no, my dear," said Mrs Berens, "you must not think of going. Stay here, and be nursed. I'll try so hard to make you well." "I know you would," said Mary gently; "but I shall be better at home. Leo, dear, help me up. No, no, Hartley; I did not want to send you away. I'm better now." She made an effort to rise, as the doctor looked on with eager eyes awaiting the result, at which his lips tightened, and he glanced at Mrs Berens. For Mary Salis moved her hands and arms, and slightly raised her head, but let it fall again, and looked from one to the other wildly, as if her perplexity were greater than she could bear. Hartley Salis caught his friend by the wrist, and then yielded himself, and followed the doctor as he moved from the room. "North, old fellow," he said, in an eager whisper, "what does that mean? Is she much hurt?"