"She's all right," whispered Mr. Cray, his warm tone proving that he had not previously felt so assured of the fact. "Has anybody got a drop of brandy?" he called out to the passengers, who yet stayed at the scene.
"Goodness me! where am I?" cried Lady Oswald, with a faint shriek. "Parkins, is that you? What has happened? Didn't we get into the railway carriage?"
"But we are out of it now, my lady," cried Parkins, sobbing. "There has been an awful upset, my lady, and I don't know anything more, except that it's a mercy we are alive."
"An upset!" repeated Lady Oswald, who appeared to have no recollection whatever of the circumstances. "Is anybody hurt? Are you hurt, Parkins?"
"Every bone in me is broke, my lady, if I may judge by the feel of 'em. This comes of them sheds."
"Be quiet, Parkins," said Mr. Cray, who had succeeded in finding a wicker-cased bottle containing some brandy-and-water. "Help me to raise your lady a little."
Parkins contrived to give her help in spite of the damaged bones, but the moment Lady Oswald was touched she shrieked out terribly.
"Let me alone! let me alone! Is that Mark Cray? How kind you are to come to see after me, Mr. Cray? Did you come from Hallingham?"
"We were in the same train, Lady Oswald; I and Caroline. I am very glad that it happened to be so."
"To be sure; I begin to remember: you were to return tonight. I--I feel very faint."
Mark succeeded in getting her to drink some brandy-and-water, but she positively refused to be touched, though she said she was in no pain. He thought she was exhausted, the effect of the shock, and left her to attend to other sufferers, who perhaps wanted his aid more than Lady Oswald.
Then, after awhile, the carriage came up, bringing the help from Hallingham. Mark Cray saw Dr. Davenal with the greatest pleasure, and he took him at once towards Lady Oswald.
"Astonishingly few," was the reply; "and the hurts are of a very minor character, I fancy. A broken arm is about the worst."
"I don't think she's hurt at all: she's suffering from the shock. A little exhausted; but that's natural."
"To a woman of her age such a shock is no light thing, Mark. However, we must do the best we can for everybody."
"There has been enough groaning--if that's anything to judge by," said Mark; "groaning and complaining too."