Less accustomed to running than the English boy, and for a moment rooted to the ground with horror at his sisters' danger, he had not arrived at the spot until the struggle between Harry and the dog was half over, and had then seen no way of rendering assistance; but believing that the dog was sure to be the conqueror, he had placed himself before his sisters to bear the brunt of the next assault.
Seeing at a glance that his daughters were untouched, the marquis ran on to Harry, who was standing panting and breathless, and threw his arms round him.
"My brave boy," he exclaimed, "you have saved my daughters from a dreadful death by your courage and devotion.

How can I and their mother ever thank you?
I saw it all from the terrace--the speed with which you sprang to their assistance--the quickness of thought with which you stripped off your coat and threw it over its head.
After that I could see nothing except your rolling over and over in a confused mass.

You are not hurt, I trust ?" "Not a bit, sir," Harry said.
"And you have killed it--wonderful!" "There was nothing in that, sir.

I have heard my father, who is a doctor, say that a man could kill the biggest dog if he could get it down on its back and kneel on it.

So when I once managed to get my knees on it I felt it was all right." "Ah, it is all very well for you to speak as if it were nothing!" the marquis said.