Horses' feet were now heard; a man rode up to the carriage, still ordering the driver to stop; and St.
Aubert, who could no longer doubt his purpose, was with difficulty able to prepare a pistol for his defence, when his hand was upon the door of the chaise.

The man staggered on his horse, the report of the pistol was followed by a groan, and St.Aubert's horror may be imagined, when in the next instant he thought he heard the faint voice of Valancourt.
He now himself bade the muleteer stop; and, pronouncing the name of Valancourt, was answered in a voice, that no longer suffered him to doubt.

St.Aubert, who instantly alighted and went to his assistance, found him still sitting on his horse, but bleeding profusely, and appearing to be in great pain, though he endeavoured to soften the terror of St.Aubert by assurances that he was not materially hurt, the wound being only in his arm.

St.Aubert, with the muleteer, assisted him to dismount, and he sat down on the bank of the road, where St.Aubert tried to bind up his arm, but his hands trembled so excessively that he could not accomplish it; and, Michael being now gone in pursuit of the horse, which, on being disengaged from his rider, had galloped off, he called Emily to his assistance.

Receiving no answer, he went to the carriage, and found her sunk on the seat in a fainting fit.