The mother, trembling in her bed; Charlotte, crouching upon the stairs, fearing and listening; the servants, chattering in the kitchen and the chambers,--all heard it, and were for a moment horrified by the agony and despair it expressed.

But ere the awful echo had quite subsided, Charlotte was at her father's side; in a moment afterwards, Mrs.Sandal, sobbing at every flying step, and still in her night-clothing, followed; and then servants from every quarter came rushing to the master's room.
There was no time for inquiry or lamentation.

Harry and two of the men mounted swift horses in search of medical help.

Others lifted the insensible man, and carried him tenderly to his bed.

In a moment the atmosphere of the house had changed.