"See,Miss Mayhew,"he said,"you have only to control yourself a few moments longer,and our danger is over.""Oh,do stop them,quick,"she gasped,clinging to his hand as if he were her only hope,"and I'll never forget your kind--oh,merciful heaven!"At this favorable moment,when the horses were fast coming under control,a spiteful cur came tearing out after them,renewing their panic with tenfold intensity.As the dog barked on one side they sheered off on the other,until they plunged down the side of the road.The stage was nearly overturned,and then it stopped with a sudden and heavy thump.Miss Mayhew was precipitated into Mr.
Van Berg's arms,and she clung to him for a moment in a paroxysm of terror.His wits had not so far deserted him but that he perceived that the stage had struck against a tree,that the horses had broken away,and that he and his companion were perfectly safe.If the whole truth must be told,it cannot be said that he endured the young lady's embrace with only cold and stoical philosophy.He found it wholly novel and not a painful experience.Indeed he was conscious of a temptation to delay the information of their escape,but a second's thought taught him that he must at once employ all his tact in the delicate and difficult task of reconciling the frightened girl to herself and her own conduct;otherwise her pride,and also her sense of delicacy,would now receive a new and far deeper wound,and a more hopeless estrangement follow.He therefore promptly lifted her up,and placed her limp form on the opposite seat.
"I assure you we are now perfectly safe,Miss Mayhew,"he said;"and let me congratulate you that your self-control prevented you from leaving the stage,for if you had done so you would undoubtedly have been greatly injured.""Where--where are--the horses?"she faltered.
"I really do not know!They have disappeared.The stage struck a tree,and the brutes broke away.They will probably gallop home to the alarm and excitement of every one about the hotel.Pray compose yourself.The house is not far away,and we can soon reach it if you are not very much hurt.""Are you sure the danger is all over?"
"Yes;this is now not the slightest chance of a tragedy."There must have been a faint twinkle in his eye,for she exclaimed,passionately:
"The whole thing has been a comedy to you,and I half believe you brought it all about to annoy me.""You do me great injustice,Miss Mayhew,"said Van Berg,warmly.
"Here we are sitting in this horrid old stage by the roadside,"she resumed,in tones of strong vexation."Was there ever anything more absurd and ridiculous than it has all been!I am mortified beyond expression,and suppose I shall never hear the last of it,"and she burst into a hysterical passion of tears.
"Miss Mayhew,"said Van Berg hastily,"you certainly must realize that we have passed through very great peril together,and if you think me capable of saying a word about this episode that is not to your credit,you were never more mistaken in your life."At this assurance she became more calm.
"I know you dislike me most heartily,"Van Berg continued;"but you have less reason to do so than you think---""I have good reason to dislike you.You despise me;and now that I have been such a coward you are comparing me with Miss Burton who acted so differently yesterday.""I have not even thought of Miss Burton,"protested Van Berg,at the same time conscious,now that her name had been recalled to his memory,that she would have acted a much better part."I am only sincerely glad that our necks were not broken,and I hope that you have not suffered any severe bruises.As to my despising you,if you will honor me with your acquaintance you may discover that you are greatly in error.""Then you truly think that we have been in danger?"she asked,wiping her eyes.
"Most assuredly.When you come to think the matter over calmly,you will realize that we were in very great danger.I think the affair has ended most happily rather than absurdly.""Really,sir,when I remember how the 'affair,'as you term it,actually did end,I feel as if I never wished to see you again.""Miss Mayhew,I appeal to your generosity.Was I to blame for that which was so disagreeable to you?Surely you will not be so unfair as to punish me for what neither you nor I could help.Ithink fate means we shall be friends,and has employed this unexpected episode to break the ice between us.If you are now sufficiently composed I will assist you to alight,in order that the driver,who is approaching,may be relieved of all fears on our account.""Oh,certainly.As it is,I suppose he will have a ridiculous story to tell.""There is nothing that he,or the others who are following him can tell,save that the horses ran away and that we most fortunately escaped all injury.Ah!I see that you are a little lame.Please take my arm;the hotel is but a quarter of a mile away.Or perhaps you would prefer that I should send the driver for a carriage.You could wait in yonder cottage,or here,in the shade of the trees.""I am not very lame,and if I were I would not mind it.My wish is that the horrid affair may occasion as little remark as possible.
I can reach my room by a side entrance,and so come quietly down to dinner.I suppose that I must take your arm since I cannot walk very well without it."They therefore turned their backs on the breathless driver and his eager questions,and proceeded slowly towards the hotel.After a brief examination of the shattered stage,the man ran panting past them in search of his horses;and they were again left alone.
