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Mrs。 Harville at their own door； and still accompanied by Captain
Benwick； who seemed to cling to them to the last； proceeded to
make the proper adieus to the Cobb。
Anne found Captain Benwick again drawing near her。 Lord
Byron’s “dark blue seas” could not fail of being brought forward
by their present view； and she gladly gave him all her attention as
long as attention was possible。 It was soon drawn per force
another way。
There was too much wind to make the high part of the new
Cobb pleasant for the ladies； and they agreed to get down the
steps to the lower； and all were contented to pass quietly and
carefully down the steep flight； excepting Louisa； she must be
jumped down them by Captain Wentworth。 In all their walks； he
had had to jump her from the stiles； the sensation was delightful to
her。 The hardness of the pavement for her feet； made him less
willing upon the present occasion； he did it； however； she was
safely down； and instantly； to shew her enjoyment； ran up the
steps to be jumped down again。 He advised her against it； thought
the jar too great； but no； he reasoned and talked in vain； she
smiled and said； “I am determined I will：” he put out his hands；
she was too precipitate by half a second； she fell on the pavement
on the Lower Cobb； and was taken up lifeless！
There was no wound； no blood； no visible bruise； but her eyes
were closed； she breathed not； her face was like death。—The
horror of the moment to all who stood around！
Captain Wentworth； who had caught her up； knelt with her in
his arms； looking on her with a face as pallid as her own； in an
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agony of silence。 “She is dead！ she is dead！” screamed Mary；
catching hold of her husband； and contributing with his own
horror to make him immoveable； and in another moment；
Henrietta； sinking under the conviction； lost her senses too； and
would have fallen on the steps； but for Captain Benwick and Anne；
who caught and supported her between them。
“Is there no one to help me？” were the first words which burst
from Captain Wentworth； in a tone of despair； and as if all his own
strength were gone。
“Go to him； go to him；” cried Anne； “for heaven’s sake go to
him。 I can support her myself。 Leave me； and go to him。 Rub her
hands； rub her temples； here are salts；—take them； take them。”
Captain Benwick obeyed； and Charles at the same moment；
disengaging himself from his wife； they were both with him； and
Louisa was raised up and supported more firmly between them；
and everything was done that Anne had prompted； but in vain；
while Captain Wentworth； staggering against the wall for his
support； exclaimed in the bitterest agony；
“Oh God！ her father and mother！”
“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。
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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
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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。
Louisa had once opened her eyes； but soon closed them again；
without apparent consciousness。 This had been a proof of life；
however； of service to her sister； and Henrietta； though perfectly
incapable of being in the same room with Louisa； was kept； by the
agitation of hope and fear； from a return of her own insensibility。
Mary； too； was growing calmer。
The surgeon was with them almost before it had seemed
possible。 They were sick with horror； while he examined； but he
was not hopeless。 The head had received a severe contusion； but
he had seen greater injuries recovered from： he was by no means
hopeless； he spoke cheerfully。
That he did not regard it as a desperate case—that he did not
say a few hours must end it—was at first felt； beyond the hope of
most； and the ecstasy of such a reprieve； the rejoicing； deep and
silent； after a few fervent ejaculations of gratitude to Heaven had
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been offered； may be conceived。
The tone； the look； with which “Thank God！” was ut