In her distress Dorothea could not help admiring how he conquered this aversion; how he knelt in his spick-and-span evening dress, and, after turning back his ruffles, unlaced the prisoner's soaked shoe and rolled down the stocking.
He looked up gratefully as she entered.

In such emergencies Narcissus was worse than useless; but Dorothea had the nursing instinct, and her brothers recognised it.

The sight of a wound or a hurt steadied her wits, and she became practical and helpful at once.
"A flesh wound only, I think; just above the ankle--the tendon cut, but the bone apparently not broken." "It may be splintered, though," said Dorothea.

"Has anyone thought of sending for Doctor Ibbetson?
He must be fetched at once.

A towel, please--three or four--from the dresser there." A footman brought the towels.