He made agonizing efforts to retain control over the surging wave of anguish, rising, rising, rising from his breast to his brain.
And failing to do so, he fell with the mighty cry of one who, even in the death agony, protests against the victor.
The news spread as if all the birds in the air carried it.

There were a dozen physicians in Seat-Sandal before noon.

There was a crowd of shepherds around it, waiting in silent groups for their verdict.

All the afternoon the gentlemen of the Dales were coming and going with offers of help and sympathy; and in the lonely parlor the rector was softly pacing up and down, muttering, as he walked, passages from the "Order for the Visitation of the Sick":-- "O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed us, save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
"Spare us good Lord.

Spare thy people whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood.
"Shut not up thy tender mercies in displeasure; but make him to hear of joy and gladness.
"Deliver him from the fear of the enemy.