"That corner! that corner!" shouted the throng, as the horses neared a
sudden turn into a side-road, toward which they seemed to be making,
frightened by the persons who came running toward them on the main
street. Among these was Gabriel, who, hearing the confused murmur that
rang down the road, turned and recognized the carriage that was whirled
along at the mercy of wild horses. He seemed to his companions to fly as
he went--to himself he seemed to be standing still.

"Carefully, carefully!" cried the others, as they saw his impetuosity.
"Don't be trampled!"

Gabriel did not hear. He only saw the fatal corner. He only knew that
Hope Wayne was in danger--that the carriage, already swaying, would be
overturned--might be dashed in pieces, and Hope--

He came near as the horses were about turning. The street toward which
they were heading was narrow, and on the other corner from him there was
a wall. They were running toward Gabriel down the main road; but just as
he came up with them he flung himself with all his might toward the
animals' heads. The startled horses half-recoiled, turned sharply and
suddenly--dashed themselves against the wall--and the carriage stood
still. In a moment a dozen men had secured them, and the danger was past.

The door was opened, and the ladies stepped out. Mrs. Simcoe was pale,
but her heart had not quailed. The faith that sustains a woman's heart
in life does not fail when death brushes her with his finger-tips.

"Dear child!" she said to Hope, when they both knew that the crisis was
over, and her lips moved in silent prayer and thanksgiving.