They raised her once more, her clothes dripping, and turned with quiet, measured steps towards Verner's Pride. Of course the whole assemblage attended. They were eagerly curious, boiling over with excitement; but, to give them their due, they were earnestly anxious to afford any aid in their power, and contended who should take turn at bearing that wet burden. Not one but felt sorely grieved for Rachel. Even Nancy was subdued to meekness, as she sped on to be one of the busiest in preparing remedies; and old Roy, though somewhat inclined to regard it in the light of a judgment upon proud Rachel for slighting his son, felt some twinges of pitying regret. "I have knowed cases where people, dead from drownding, have been restored to life," said Roy, as they walked along. "That you never have," replied Dr. West. "The _apparently_ dead have been restored; the dead, never." Panting, breathless, there came up one as they reached Verner's Pride. He parted the crowd, and threw himself almost upon Rachel with a wild cry. He caught up her cold, wet face, and passing his hands over it, bent down his warm cheek upon it. "Who has done it?" he sobbed. "What has done it? She couldn't have fell in alone." It was Robin Frost. Frederick Massingbird drew him away by the arm. "Don't hinder, Robin. Every minute may be worth a life." And Robin, struck with the argument, obeyed docilely like a little child. Mr. Verner, leaning on his stick, trembling with weakness and emotion, stood just without the door of the laundry, which had been hastily prepared, as the bearers tramped in. "It is an awful tragedy!" he murmured. "Is it true"--addressing Dr. West--"that you think there is no hope?" "I am sure there is none," was the answer. "But every means shall be tried." The laundry was cleared of the crowd, and their work began. One of the next to come up was old Matthew Frost. Mr. Verner took his hand. "Come in to my own room, Matthew," he said. "I feel for you deeply." "Nay, sir; I must look upon her." Mr. Verner pointed with his stick in the direction of the laundry. "They are shut in there--the doctor and those whom he requires round him," he said. "Let them be undisturbed; it is the only chance." All things likely to be wanted had been conveyed to the laundry; and they were shut in there, as Mr. Verner expressed it, with their fires and their heat. On dragged the time. Anxious watchers were in the house, in the yard, gathered round the back gate. The news had spread, and gentlepeople, friends of the Verners, came hasting from their homes, and pressed into Verner's Pride, and asked question upon question of Mr. and Mrs. Verner, of everybody likely to afford an answer. Old Matthew Frost stood outwardly calm and collected, full of inward trust, as a good man should be. He had learned where to look for support in the darkest trial. Mr. Verner in that night of sorrow seemed to treat him as a brother.