The horse began to rear in terror, threatening every moment to plunge
over the rail of the bridge into the stream. Kathleen, behind, could do
nothing but follow, while from the further bank a small collection of
men and women watched in a panic that prevented action. But Denis Quirk
was quick of thought and prompt to do; he sprang from his horse and
dashed along the flooded bridge towards Sylvia.

"Sit still!" he cried. "Keep your rein loose, and get your feet free
from the stirrups."

Scarcely realising what she was doing, Sylvia obeyed him. He attempted
to seize the horses' rein, but the animal was maddened with terror, and
kept turning away from him. At last, however, Denis managed to throw his
arm around Sylvia and drag her from the saddle. Immediately after,
whether still further frightened by his action or bewildered by the
water, the horse reared over the handrail into the flooded river. He was
washed almost to the bar, but managed to reach the further shore, and
gallop home to his stable at "Layton."

Denis Quirk carried Sylvia across the bridge, followed by Kathleen,
whose horse went quietly through the flood secure in his rider's
composure. On reaching the farther side, Denis realised that Sylvia had
fainted. There was, however, a small hotel close at hand, and here Denis
left the girl, safe in a kindly landlady's care.

He found Kathleen dismounting from her horse, her face very pale from
the anxiety that Sylvia's danger had caused her.

"Why did you allow her to do such a foolish thing?" he asked, abruptly.

Kathleen held her hand, with the marks of the whip still on it, out of
his sight. It was not for her to tell him how her attempts to restrain
Sylvia had been received.

"It was against my wish that she crossed the bridge," she answered.

"Even for you it was a madcap thing to do," he said. "You can never
trust a horse in such a flood as this. I have telephoned for the motor;
you and she had better go home in it, while I take charge of your horse.
You have caused me a terrible anxiety."

He turned away, leaving Kathleen scarcely able to control her
mortification and annoyance. Denis Quirk had, she told herself,
disregarded her danger, and spoken to her like a disobedient child. By
what right did he lecture her or hold her responsible for Sylvia's
wilfulness? When the landlady came to ask if she would come to her
friend, it was on the tip of her tongue to refuse but she restrained
herself by a gr