The ice underfoot was glib and treacherous . Min lost her foothold and fell directly under the horse 's hoofs as they came heavily down . The animal , freed from her detaining hand , sprang forward , dragging the laden sleigh over the prostrate woman . It had all passed in a moment . The moveless figure lay where it had fallen , one outstretched hand still grasping the whip . Telford sprang over the gate and rushed up the slope like a madman . He flung himself on his knees beside her . `` Min ! Min ! '' he called wildly . There was no answer . He lifted her in his arms and staggered into the house with his burden , his heart stilling with a horrible fear as he laid her gently down on the old lounge in one corner of the kitchen . The room was a large one and everything was neat and clean . The fire burned brightly , and a few green plants were in blossom by the south window . Beside them sat a child of about seven years who turned a startled face at Telford 's reckless entrance . The boy had Min 's dark eyes and perfectly chiselled features , refined by suffering into cameo-like delicacy , and the silken hair fell in soft , waving masses about the spiritual little face . By his side nestled a tiny dog , with satin ears and paws fringed as with ravelled silk . Telford paid heed to nothing , not even the frightened child . He was as one distraught . `` Min , '' he wailed again , striving tremblingly to feel her pulse while cold drops came out on his forehead .
Min 's face was as pallid as marble , save for one heavy bruise across the cheek and a cruel cut XXXXX the edge of the dark hair , from which the blood trickled down on the pillow .
Beside By as at in of on over to with