"A surgeon!" said Anne.

He caught the word; it seemed to rouse him at once, and saying only--

"True, true, a surgeon this instant," was darting away, when Anne

eagerly suggested-"Captain Benwick, would not it be better for Captain Benwick? He knows

where a surgeon is to be found."

Every one capable of thinking felt the advantage of the idea, and in a

moment (it was all done in rapid moments) Captain Benwick had resigned

the poor corpse-like figure entirely to the brother's care, and was

off for the town with the utmost rapidity.

As to the wretched party left behind, it could scarcely be said which

of the three, who were completely rational, was suffering most: Captain

Wentworth, Anne, or Charles, who, really a very affectionate brother,

hung over Louisa with sobs of grief, and could only turn his eyes from

one sister, to see the other in a state as insensible, or to witness

the hysterical agitations of his wife, calling on him for help which he

could not give.

Anne, attending with all the strength and zeal, and thought, which

instinct supplied, to Henrietta, still tried, at intervals, to suggest

comfort to the others, tried to quiet Mary, to animate Charles, to

assuage the feelings of Captain Wentworth. Both seemed to look to her

for directions.

"Anne, Anne," cried Charles, "What is to be done next? What, in

heaven's name, is to be done next?"

Captain Wentworth's eyes were also turned towards her.

"Had not she better be carried to the inn? Yes, I am sure: carry her

gently to the inn."

"Yes, yes, to the inn," repeated Captain Wentworth, comparatively

collected, and eager to be doing something. "I will carry her myself.

Musgrove, take care of the others."

By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen

and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be

useful if wanted, at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady,

nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first

report. To some of the best-looking of these good people Henrietta was

consigned, for, though partially revived, she was quite helpless; and

in this manner, Anne walking by her side, and Charles attending to his

wife, they set forward, treading back with feelings unutterable, the

ground, which so lately, so very lately, and so light of heart, they

had passed along.

They were not off the Cobb, before the Harvilles met them. Captain

Benwick had been seen flying by their house, with a countenance which

showed something to be wrong; and they had set off immediately,

informed and directed as they passed, towards the spot. Shocked as

Captain Harville was, he brought senses and nerves that could be

instantly useful; and a look between him and his wife decided what was

to be done. She must be taken to their house; all must go to their

house; and await the surgeon's arrival there. They would not listen to

scruples: he was obeyed; they were all beneath his roof; and while

Louisa, under Mrs Harville's direction, was conveyed up stairs, and

given possession of her own bed, assistance, cordials, restoratives

were supplied by her husband to all who needed them.




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