DEEPER AND DEEPER. 03

must have sprained it. Williams was in the greatest
distress—what was to be done? For her, nothing, she
said. There was a village just at hand, and thither
she would hasten for help, whilst he stayed with the
horse ; and off she went, firm-footed as a young roe.
The village was just by, and the most ready help was
obtained at the first house. Men returned with her,
with rope and lanterns, and presently the horse was
on his legs again, not looking much worse than before,
excepting for his broken knees; the shaft was tied
together, and they were assured that there would be
no difficulty about going forward, as the road was
well tracked beyond the village, besides which, a
peasant offered, for half-a-crown, to accompany them
to the town with a lantern.

Very little was said by the lovers during the
remainder of their journey. Jessie seemed sunk in
thought, and so was Williams, for he was really
frightened to think how he should get off with Evans,
regarding the broken shaft and the broken knees of
the horse. ‘Money, he knew, would make all straight ;
but where in the world was the money to come from?
He did not believe that he had more than a guinea
left ; thirteen shillings he had to pay for the hire of
the horse and gig, and half-a-crown must go to the
man with the lantern.

How those anxieties about money thrust them-
selves like evil demons between us and our pleasures
——nay, even between us and our comforts! We
have known many a dinner spoiled by the thought
of the cost ; many a good night’s rest broken because
some dire thought or other about want of cash has
been gnawing at our heart! And thus it was with
Williams ; all the day’s pleasure was spoiled to him

.