Sir Harvey settled the matter by picking her up in his arms and putting her over the edge.
“I have hold of you,” he said “Don’t be frightened, just find a place for your feet.”
“Please, don’t – leave go of me,” Paolina begged him.
“It’s all right,” he said soothingly. “Now put your right hand lower than your left and your foot down at the same time.”
Trembling so that she could scarcely do as he told her, Paolina somehow managed to obey. He was still holding her tightly round the waist and then he transferred his grip to her arms and then, as she went lower, he gradually let go of her.
For a moment Paolina was too afraid to move, but with an effort she put her foot down once again, felt a little branch crack and break beneath her weight and almost panicked.
“You are all right,” Sir H
