"
What could Forgue do but obey! He started at once, and with
tolerable speed. Then Arctura opened her eyes, and smiled.
"Are you suffering much, my lady?" asked Donal.
"A good deal," she answered, "but I don't mind it.--Thank you for
not leaving me.--It is no more than I can bear, only bad when I try
to move."
"They will not be long now," he said.
Again she closed her eyes, and was silent. Donal watched the sweet
face, which a cloud of suffering would every now and then cross, and
lifted up his heart to the saviour of men.
He saw them coming with the extemporized litter, behind them
mistress Brookes, with Forgue and one of the maids.
When she came up, she addressed herself in silence to Donal. He told
her he feared her ladyship's spine was hurt, After his direction she
put her hands under her and the maid took her feet, while he,
placing his other arm under her shoulders, and gently rising, raised
her body. Being all strong and gentle, they managed the moving well,
and laid her slowly on the litter. Except a moan or two, and a
gathering of the brows, she gave no sign of suffering; nothing to be
called a cry escaped her.
Donal at the head and a groom at the foot, lifted the litter, and
with ordered step, started for the house. Once or twice she opened
her eyes and looked up at Donal, then, as if satisfied, closed them
again. Before they reach the house the doctor met them, for they had
to walk slowly.
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