They were off at once , and the thing was done before Helen had time to feel anything but the relief which the protection of his presence afforded her . The young gentlemen stared at the veiled lady and her grim escort , joked under their breath , and looked wistfully at the suppressed cigars , but behaved with exemplary politeness till sleep overpowered them , and one after the other dropped off asleep to dream of their respective Gretchens . Helen could not sleep , and for hours sat studying the unconscious faces before her , the dim landscape flying past the windows , or forgot herself in reveries . Hoffman remained motionless and silent , except when she addressed him , wakeful also , and assiduous in making the long night as easy as possible . It was past midnight , and Helen 's heavy eyelids were beginning to droop , when suddenly there came an awful crash , a pang of mortal fear , then utter oblivion . As her senses returned she found herself lying in a painful position under what had been the roof of the car ; something heavy weighed down her lower limbs , and her dizzy brain rung with a wild uproar of shrieks and groans , eager voices , the crash of wood and iron , and the shrill whistle of the engine , as it rushed away for help . Through the darkness she heard the pant as of some one struggling desperately , then a cry close by her , followed by a strong voice exclaiming , in an agony of suspense , -- `` My God , will no one come ! '' `` Hoffman , are you there ? '' cried Helen , groping in the gloom , with a thrill of joy at the sound of a familiar voice . `` Thank heaven , you are safe . Lie still . I will save you . Help is coming . Have no fear ! '' panted the voice , with an undertone of fervent gratitude in its breathless accents . `` What has happened ? Where are the rest ? '' `` We have been thrown down an embankment . The lads are gone for help . God only knows what harm is done . ''
Karl 's voice died in a stifled groan , and XXXXX cried out in alarm , -- `` Where are you ?
Helen Hoffman crash midnight night pang pant reveries shrieks undertone