ors did not hinder me from anxiously searching
for the hurt which was received, and ascertaining the extent of the
injury. Her forehead was considerably bruised; but, to my unspeakable
joy, the blood flowed from the nostrils, and was, therefore, to be
regarded as no mortal symptom.

I lifted her in my arms, and looked around me for some means of relief.
The house at which I proposed to stop was upwards of a mile distant. I
remembered none that was nearer. To place the wounded girl on my own
horse, and proceed gently to the house in question, was the sole
expedient; but, at present, she was senseless, and might, on recovering,
be too feeble to sustain her own weight.

To recall her to life was my first duty; but I was powerless, or
unacquainted with the means. I gazed upon her features, and endeavoured,
by pressing her in my arms, to inspire her with some warmth. I looked
towards the road, and listened for the wished-for sound of some carriage
that might be prevailed on to stop and receive her. Nothing was more
improbable than that either pleasure or business would induce men to
encounter so chilling and vehement a blast. To be lighted on by some
traveller was, therefore, a hopeless event.

Meanwhile, Eliza's swoon continued, and my alarm increased. What effect
her half-frozen blood would have in prolonging this condition, or
preventing her return to life, awakened the deepest apprehensions. I
left the wood, still bearing her in my arms, and re-entered the road,
from the desire of descrying, as soon as possible, the coming passenger.
I looked this way and that, and again listened. Nothing but the sweeping
blast, rent and fallen branches, and snow that filled and obscured the
air, were perceivable. Each moment retarded the course of my own blood
and stiffened my sinews, and made the state of my companion more
desperate. How was I to act? To perish myself, or see her perish, was an
ignoble fate; courage and activity were still able to avert it. My horse
stood near, docile and obsequious; to mount him and to proceed on my
way, holding my lifeless burden in my arms, was all that remained.

At this moment my attention was called by several voices issuing from
the wood. It was the note of gayety and glee. Presently a sleigh, with
several persons of both sexes, appeared, in a road which led through the
forest into that in which I stood. They moved at a quick pace, but their
voices were hushed, and they checked the speed of t