In the old days she could never bear to hear or see bodily suffering in any of God's meanest creatures, without trying to succour them; and now, in her rush to the awful death of the suicide, she stayed her wild steps, and turned to find from whom that sharp sound of anguish had issued. He lay among the white stones, too faint with pain to move, but with an agony in his mind far keener than any bodily pain, as he thought that by his unfortunate fall he had lost all chance of saving her. He was almost over-powered by his intense thankfulness when he saw her white figure pause, and stand listening, and turn again with slow footsteps, as if searching for some lost thing. He could hardly speak, but he made a sound which, though his heart was inexpressibly glad, was like a groan. She came quickly towards him. "I am hurt," said he; "do not leave me;" his disabled and tender frame was overcome by the accident and the previous emotions, and he fainted away. Ruth flew to the little mountain stream, the dashing sound of whose waters had been tempting her, but a moment before, to seek forgetfulness in the deep pool into which they fell. She made a basin of her joined hands, and carried enough of the cold fresh water back to dash into his face and restore him to consciousness. While he still kept silence, uncertain what to say best fitted to induce her to listen to him, she said softly-- "Are you better, sir?--are you very much hurt?" "Not very much; I am better. Any quick movement is apt to cause me a sudden loss of power in my back, and I believe I stumbled over some of these projecting stones. It will soon go off; and you will help me to go home, I am sure." "Oh, yes! Can you go now? I am afraid of your lying too long on this heather;there is a heavy dew." He was so anxious to comply with her wish, and not weary out her thought for him, and so turn her back upon herself, that he tried to rise. The pain was acute, and this she saw. "Don't hurry yourself, sir; I can wait." Then came across her mind the recollection of the business that was thus deferred; but the few homely words which had been exchanged between them seemed to have awakened her from her madness. She sat down by him, and covering her face with her hands, cried mournfully and unceasingly. She forgot his presence, and yet she had a consciousness that some one looked for her kind offices, that she was wanted in the world, and must not rush hastily out of it. The consciousness did not 'take this definite form, it did not become a thought, but it kept her still, and it was gradually soothing her. "Can you help me to rise now?" said he, after a while. She did not speak, but she helped him up, and then he took her arm, and she led him tenderly through all the little velvet paths, where the turf grew short and soft between the rugged stones. Once more on the highway, they slowly passed along in the moonlight. He guided her by a slight motion of the arm, through the more unfrequented lanes, to his lodgings at the shop; for he thought for her, and conceived the pain she would have in seeing the lighted windows of the inn. He leant more heavily on her arm, as they awaited the opening of the door. "Come in," said he, not relaxing his hold, and yet dreading to tighten it, lest she should defy restraint, and once more rush away. They went slowly into the little parlour behind the shop. The bonny-looking hostess, Mrs. Hughes by name, made haste to light the candle, and then they saw each other, face to face. The deformed gentleman looked very pale, but Ruth looked as if the shadow of death was upon her.
同类推荐
热门推荐
搭建心灵沟通平台(指导学生心理健康的经典故事)
每个人都在梦想着成功,但每个人心中的成功都不一样,是鲜花和掌声,是众人羡慕的眼神,还是存折上不断累积的财富?其实,无论是哪一种成功,真正需要的都是一种健康的心理。有了健康的心理才是成功的前提与保证,在人的一生中,中学是极其重要的一个阶段,心理健康对以后的健康成长非常重要。夫君当道:神棍太子妃
身娇体弱一无所长的颜家七小姐被许给了连丧四妻被国师批字克妻绝子的太子殿下,然后——颜小姐不负众望的溺水了!八卦人士击掌相庆,结果——颜小姐又活了?!爆炸没死,反遭穿越,还是官N代,颜素立马乐了,可是,为啥还附带一个克妻绝子的太子未婚夫?因为国师批命太子妃必死,所以暗杀不断,意外连连,她非死不可?靠!让姐告诉你什么叫做真正的神!棍!批!命!路人:“男人太妖艳,招桃花,咋办?”颜素:“阉了他!”某人:“哦?”某人笑了,拽上她就走。“哎哎,光天化日你干嘛?”“睡觉!”