are in trouble, madam. Perhaps I may be of service?"

The lady was rather tall, and of a singularly distinguished presence.
Her air and her costume alike intimated high breeding and fashion. She
seemed quite serene amid the tumult and confusion, and apparently the
recent danger. As Lothair spoke, she turned her head to him, which had
been at first a little averted, and he beheld a striking countenance,
but one which he instantly felt he did not see for the first time.

She bowed with dignity to Lothair, and said in a low but distinct voice:
"You are most courteous, sir. We have had a sad: accident, but a great
escape. Our horses ran away with us, and, had it not been for that heap
of stones, I do not see how we could have been saved."

"Fortunately my stables are at hand," said Lothair, "and I have a
carriage waiting for me at this moment, not a quarter of a mile away.
It is at your service, and I will send for it," and his groom, to whom
he gave directions, galloped off.

There was a shout as the fallen horse was on his legs again, much cut,
and the carriage shattered and useless. A gentleman came from the crowd
and approached the lady. He was tall and fair, and not ill-favored,
with fine dark eyes and high cheekbones, and still young, though an
enormous beard at the first glance gave him an impression of years, the
burden of which he really did not bear. His dress, though not vulgar,
was richer and more showy than is usual in this country, and altogether
there was something in his manner which, though calm and full of
self-respect, was different from the conventional refinement of England.
Yet he was apparently an Englishman, as he said to the lady, "It is a
bad business, but we must be thankful it is no worse. What troubles me