haise:
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.

But Brace Norton possessed something of the irrepressible in his
composition, and, speaking gently, he said, addressing the late speaker:
"I am aware, sir, that it is unpleasant to have favours forced upon you
by a complete stranger, but let me beg of you not to let the little I
offer be looked upon in the light of a favour. For the young lady's
sake, pray make use of my chaise, and leave me to take my chance. I
dare not presume to offer you advice, but would not a reference to some
medical man be advisable? This long-continued swoon--"

Brace Norton said no more, for, glancing from father to daughter as he
spoke, he became aware that sensibility had returned, and that a pair of
soft, sad, dreamy eyes were fixed upon him, but only for their lids to
be lowered, and a faint blush to overspread the pallid cheeks upon her
seeing that her gaze was observed.

"Do you feel in pain?" said the gentleman, bending over her, but paying
no heed to Brace Norton's remarks.

"No, papa; only a little faint. But you are not hurt?"

"No, no; not at all." Then, in an undertone: "How very unfortunate!"
and he frowned at the shattered chaise as he would have done at its
driver.

Brace Norton was wise enough in his generation to see that the less he
said the less likely he would be to give offence; but a bitter feeling
of disappointment came over him as he found how completely his presence
was ignored.

"If it were not for that sweet girl he might walk," muttered the young
man; but the next moment his heart leaped with pleasure, when, after
standing thoughtfully for a few moments, and then glancing from his
daughter to the wreck and back again, the gentleman sp