I found that I had lost both my hat and whip. Miss Fortescue was cantering along briskly half a dozen strides before me, occasionally looking over her left shoulder to see if I were gaining on her. To my great joy the mill was visible at no great distance, its heavy fan turning lazily in the evening breeze, and the smooth sheep-pasture extended from the place where we were gallopping, without any intervening fence, to its very walls. I was quite satisfied with the novel sensation produced by my first leap, and had no wish to seek a repetition of so incomprehensible a transaction; but perceiving that now there was neither obstacle nor danger, I urged on my steed, and in a few bounds, had reached, and actually passed, my fair competitor, who, not expecting such an attempt on my part, sought only to maintain a slight advantage. In an instant the little whip was at work-the lady was at my side, and the last hundred yards to the mill was a furious rush. I must confess, that from the moment I perceived that there was no danger, I began to spur my horse vehemently; at first, this added to his speed, being continued, it made him restive-he swerved, bounded wildly into the air, and plunged, as though he were about to drive his head into the earth. The lady took advantage of the loss of speed incurred by these gambols, and clipped by me like lightning, her little mare having her ears laid close to her neck, and the whites of her eyes showing malignly as she stretched out to her utmost speed.

Miss Fortescue reached the mill first, and striking

the wall lightly with her whip, reined up her spirited little animal, and cried, as she turned to me"Victory, victory!!!"

As I was close to her, I intended pulling up too, and I believe, so did my horse; but in checking thus suddenly from full speed, I forgot my unlucky spurs, and to steady myself in my seat, I unwittingly applied them several times to the smarting flanks of my now furious steed; in place of stopping, the animal writhed beneath me, and made several bounds, in vain endeavours to get rid of his persecutors, which were only the more vigorously applied by his unconscious rider; at last, he threw his head in the air, and darted off with frantic speed down the hill.

A deep water course, or mill race, about ten feet wide, ran from the mill, down the gentle descent, and crossed the lower part of the field, with a wide sweep; towards this, with headlong speed, the horse hurried me; if I were confused before at my unknown danger, I was now in the utmost consternation, as the thought of the dreadful whirl through the air, which seemed inevitable, flashed on my mind. I would have given all my possessions, to have been able to fall off that terrible horse, but I could not let go my hold; I clutched to the mane, and pommel of the saddle, with the grip of a drowning man.

The water was reached, and its bright flash struck on my sight, as with a dreadful bound the horse cleared it. I can only account for my not being thrown, by the unchecked speed, in a straight line, at which I was

carried.

The next enclosure was passed in a moment, and I had the consciousness of another leap being accomplished, without my having seen it; several similar sensations were perceived, although I had become so exhausted by terror, as not to know what was happening to me, except that I was in momentary expectation of being dashed to the ground; so terrible was the suspense of my position, that I even wished for it. I was fast losing my strength, and the instinct of self-preservation was beginning to desert me. I can compare my sensations, during this fearful ride, only to some which I have experienced in my dreams. Cold perspiration burst from every pore; a swimming sickness came over my brain; the last thing I was at all aware of, was a violent shock.

I knew nothing more till I awoke in the dead of the night; looking around, I perceived that I was lying in a handsome bed; wax lights were burning on the table. I could hear whispering voices, but could not see the speakers, on account of the curtains. I tried to turn on the other side, but the effort gave me so much pain, that I was fain to lie as I was, and shut my eyes. I tried to raise my arm to my head, but could not, it was powerless, and as I felt along it with my other hand, it seemed swathed in bandages. There was a bandage also round my chest, and every breath I drew caused me sharp pain and severe stitches.

I groaned, and, like the scenes in a phantasmagoria of dissolving views, my bed was suddenly surrounded by persons, all of whom looked fixedly at me, and a

T

gentlemanly looking man, in a plain suit, laid his hand upon my temples. I muttered, "Where am I? What has happened?"

On which, the gentleman I have mentioned, made a sign to the others to retire, and then begged me to compose myself, and not speak for the present. He then held something to my lips, which I drank mechanically, and soon relapsed into a dreamy state of slumber, from which I did not fully awake, till the brilliant sun of the next day, high in heaven, shone brightly through the chinks of the closed shutters; then, for the first time, I began clearly to know that some very serious accident had happened to me, and I waited with impatience to see some one who could unravel the mystery.

All was perfectly still, yet the slight rustling, caused by my stirring a little, brought a nicely dressed old woman to my bed-side, who, courtesying, asked me, if I felt much pain, or wanted any thing?

I answered, by requesting to know where I was, and what had happened to me?

In a few words, the old dame told me that her young lady had brought me home the preceding evening, and that she believed I had met my accident by being thrown from my horse.

"Who is your young lady ?"

66

My young lady? Miss Fortescue, to be sure; blessings on her every day she lives."

"Then, I am at Hounsley ?"

"Yes, Sir; but the Doctor has given particular direc

tions that you should not speak much. I hope you will not be offended, if I do not answer any more questions."

She had answered me all I cared to ask, and I had heard enough; for, if Fortune had broken my bones, to make amends, she had placed me under the same roof with my beloved.

CHAPTER XIV.

"A surgeon! a surgeon!

Unclasp his habergeon !"

UNPUBLISHED POEM.

"Oh, woman, in our hours of ease,
Inconstant, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade,

By the light, quivering aspen made.
When pain and anguish wring our brow,
A ministering angel thou !"

SCOTT'S MARMION.

"Oh! who's had the luck to see Donnybrook fair,

An Irishman all in his glory was there,

With his sprig of shillelagh and shamrock so green."

THE surgeon I had seen before, soon made his appearance, and satisfied me as to the extent of the injuries I had suffered. My left arm was broken; there was a severe contusion of my head, and it was yet uncertain whether there were not some of my ribs fractured. This point, now that I had returned completely to my