It was like loosing her grip upon life itself.

Yet after a few seconds of torturing irresolution she obeyed him, abandoning her last hold and hanging to him in palpitating apprehension.
He put forth his full strength then.

She felt the strain of his muscles as he gathered her up with one arm.

With the other hand, had she but known it, he was grasping only the naked rock.

Yet he moved as if absolutely sure of himself.