The words had scarcely left his lips when Edward drew a sighing breath, and opened his eyes, glancing up into Zoe’s face bending over Mm in deepest, tenderest solicitude.

“Ah, love! is it you?” he murmured faintly, and with a smile.  “Where am I?  What has happened?”

“O Ned! dear, dear Ned!  I thought you were killed!” she sobbed, covering his face with kisses and tears.

“There has been an accident, and you got a blow that stunned you,” answered the doctor; “but I think you are all right now, or will be soon.”

“An accident!” Edward repeated, with a bewildered look, and putting his hand to his head.  “What was it?”

“A collision on the railroad,” Arthur said.  “There is an ambulance here:  I think I will put you in it, and have you taken home at once.  ’Tis only a few miles, and not a rough road.”

“Yes, yes:  home is much the best place,” he sighed, again putting his hand to his head.

“Are you in pain?” asked Arthur.

“Not much, but I feel strangely confused.  I should like to be taken home as soon as possible.  But not to the neglect of any one who may have been more seriously hurt than I,” he added, feebly raising his head to look about him.

“There are none such,” Arthur answered.  “You perhaps remember that the cars were nearly empty of passengers:  no lives were lost and no one, I think, worse hurt than yourself.”

“And I?” returned Edward, in a tone of inquiry.

“Have escaped without any broken bones, and I trust will be all right in a few days.”

“O Ned! how glad I am it is no worse!” sobbed Zoe, clinging to his hand, while the tears rolled fast down her cheeks.

“Yes, little wife,” he said, gazing lovingly into her eyes.

“There, I positively forbid any more talking,” said Arthur, with a mixture of authority and playfulness.  “Here is the ambulance.  Help me to lift him in, men,” to the by-standers.  “And you, cousin Zoe, get into your carriage, and drive on behind it, or ahead if you choose.”

“Can’t I ride in the ambulance beside him?” she asked, almost imploringly.

“No, no:  you will both be more comfortable In doing as I have directed.”

“Then, please go with him yourself,” she entreated.

“I shall do so, certainly,” he answered, motioning her away, then stooping to assist the others in lifting the injured man.

Zoe would not stir till she had seen Edward put into the ambulance, and made as comfortable for his ride home as circumstances would permit.  Then, as the vehicle moved slowly off, she hurried to her carriage.

Ben helped her in, sprang into his own seat, and, as he took the reins from Ella, Zoe gave the order, “Home now, Uncle Ben, keeping as close behind the ambulance as you can.”

“Oh, don’t, Zoe! you oughtn’t to!” expostulated Ella, perceiving that her cousin was crying violently behind her veil.  “I don’t think Ned is very badly hurt.  Didn’t you hear Arthur say so?”