The shelf
had been slippery before; now, slopping over with this thick mush of
melting snow or mud, it was like driving through gallons of ice pudding.
The great Aigle began to tremble and waltz on the surface that was no
surface; yet it would have been impossible to go back. I saw by my
companion's set face how real was the danger we were in; I saw, as the
car skated first one way, then another, that there were but a few inches
to spare on either side of the road shelf; the side which was a rocky
wall, the side which was a precipice; I saw, too, how the man braced
himself to this emergency, when three lives besides his own depended on
his nerve and skill, almost upon his breath--for it seemed as if a
breath too long, a breath too short, might hurl us down--down--I dared
not look or think how far. Yet the fixed look of courage and
self-confidence on his face was inspiring. I trusted him completely, and
I should have been ashamed to feel fear.
But it was at this moment, when all hung upon the driver's steadiness of
eye and hand, that Lady Turnour chose to begin emitting squeaks of
childish terror.
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