"A cold-hearted, unfeeling brute," muttered Brace to himself, for he was greatly excited, and felt at that moment as if he would have given the world to have been allowed to kneel there and support the inanimate form. For a moment he felt ready to make confession that he had been the cause of the accident, but that he felt would be folly; and once more, heedless of the cold reception his offers met with, he proposed that a doctor should be fetched. "If I required a medical man, sir," said the gentleman, "there is the post-boy, my paid servant, that I could send for one: unless," he said, tauntingly, "you, sir, wish to earn something more than my thanks." The colour rose to the young man's cheek as he met the cold, glittering eye turned to him for a moment; but he smothered the resentment he could not avoid feeling, and, without a word, turned away to a clear part of the ditch, returning, in a few minutes, with his navy cloth cap half full of water. The gentleman frowned as he saw this favour forced upon him as he thought, and unwillingly accepting it, he sprinkled the white face, and bathed the forehead, wiping away the ruddy stains, and binding a handkerchief tightly across the wound. But for awhile there were no signs of returning animation, and once more, in spite of the scowl upon the fathers face, Brace Norton hurried away to bring more water. "There is a faint shade of colour returning now," exclaimed Brace, eagerly. "Then perhaps you will have the goodness to retire, sir," said the gentleman, haughtily. "My daughter is not accustomed to the society of strangers; and, at such a time, your presence would be a fresh shock." "But this is a lonely place, sir. You are miles away from any aid. Pray let me endeavour to be of some service. Surely I can help you." "I thank you, no," was the cold reply. "But for the lady's sake, sir," exclaimed Brace, almost indignantly. "You will take my chaise, and continue your journey?" "Young man," was the rude answer, "I am not in the habit of placing myself under obligations to strangers. I shall not require your chaise: I have no doubt, with the help of some of the labourers about, our own vehicle can be set right in a very short time." "Sure, sor, the short time will be a month," said Brace's post-boy; "the hint wheel's off intirely, and Jerry Stone siz as the harness is all to tatthers, an' he wants to know if aither of ye gentlemen have got a drop of brandy wid ye, for the poor boy feels faint." In effect, the other post-boy was seated upon a bank beside his now extricated horses--set free by the liberal use of a knife amongst the harness; and it was evident, from the way in which the poor fellow was rocking himself to and fro, that he was in great pain; while a glance at the wretched chaise showed the impossibility of making use of it for further proceeding upon that day.