But Lavinia's folly had nearly cost her life; first by her ridiculous airs while the water was rising, then her fears about her delicate dress, then her squeamishness about allowing Roland to carry her. At last, he had to say, "There is not another minute to lose," and, seizing Lavinia without her consent, he commenced the crossing. The water was now above his shoulders; Lavinia writhed, and struggled, and screamed; Roland tried to pacify her, but in vain. "I cannot hold you, miss, unless you are quiet." But it was all in vain--and in the struggle, Roland tripped in the water, and Lavinia fell from his arms; for a moment, she disappeared; Roland, too, in his efforts to reach her, was struggling under the water. Hector sprang into the water, and in another minute, was carrying the silly girl to the shore. Madeline was in agony, her cheek pale as death, for Roland had not yet risen; in another second, her fears were relieved; he regained his feet, and soon reached the shore in safety. Lavinia was dreadfully frightened; her mouth filled with sea-water, and her clothes drenched with the bath. "How did you find us, Roland?" asked Maddy. "Hector's bark alarmed me; I traced you by your shoes on the rock, and your hat upon the flag-staff." "How can we thank you, Roland?" continued the child; "what should we have done without you?" Lucy too, returned her thanks; but Lavinia, in whose behalf he had incurred the most risk, coldly replied: "How could you let me drop, sir? I have spoiled my handsome dress, and my new shoes." Roland did not answer; but Madeline replied with a flashing eye, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Lavinia Raymond? when Roland really risked his life to save yours. Have you no thanks?" "Thanks for what? spoiling my beautiful dress?" "Lavinia Raymond, you are a fool! I have no patience with you!" "Oh, Maddy! don't talk so; think of dear Aunt Clara," said Lucy. "She makes me so mad, I can't help it." Roland, by this time, had disappeared, having gone to one of the cottages on the beach, and found that Lavinia could get dry clothes there. There was no time to be lost; the party hurried to the hut; Lavinia had to endure the mortification of being dressed in the clothes of the fisherman's daughter, and all the party to ride home in an old cart. There was nothing else to be done, and by this time, our changing, impulsive Maddy had forgotten all her indignation towards Lavinia, and was in a perfect gale of merriment at the ludicrous figure which they made in the old ricketty cart. "Really, Miss Raymond, no one would know you in this queer dress. We would make a fine tableau, would we not, Lucy?" It was some time before Madeline escaped again to the shore, for her father was really alarmed at the result of this dangerous excursion.