It was market day and Elizabeth went in to town for some very modest and humble shopping. She walked from vendor to vendor. Suddenly she heard the townsfolk speaking of a catastrophe occurring at Ross's mine. There was a collapse. She dropped her basket. She was shocked. Panic-stricken, she looked out into the street just as Lady Caroline Penvenen's carriage was passing. She ran as gracefully as possible towards it. Something possessed her, and she was determined.
"Lady Caroline," she called in a loud tone.
Caroline ordered the driver to stop.
"Please, I beg you. I ask a great favour. Would you in your mercy drive me to the Poldark mine? There's been an emergency, and you see, I must get there. I must go to him."
"Him?" Caroline asked quisitively, "Would him be Captain Poldark?"
Elizabeth lowered her head with a furrowed brow and utter worry in her sparkling eyes.
"I know it is not becoming of me. You see, I must know this instant that he is safe...for friends sake."
"Oh, yes, of course...for friends sake." Caroline reiterated the last words a bit sarcasticly but too subtly for Elizabeth to take heed.
"Dr. Dwight Enys surely must be there already." Elizabeth continued.
It seemed no more needed to be said.
"Take care and step in, ma'am." Caroline was curious in any case to know the status of the people and the doctor herself. She had a socially curious nature and wished to be present and be of assistance and benefit when dramatic events happened-a benefactress seemed to be her calling in life. She often found herself finding some sympathy for both sides in a clash of people and circumstances.
When they arrived, Elizabeth hurriedly searched amongst the bodies of miners brought up. She looked for a flash of wild dark hair but saw nothing yet of him. As she walked, her face grew more emotive of her fear. Then, she saw two miners just out of the shaft carrying a badly bruised and bloodied man to lay him down. Ross.
"Oh my God!" She exclaimed. Her skirts billowed as she knelt over him. She was close to hysterics and nearly hyperventillating with panic.
"Ross! No! Oh, please, Ross! Please, wake." Her hand gently cupped his face, and she caressed it, involuntarily running her hand down his face to his chest. "Please," her voice changed to a whisper.
"You're not Mistress Demelza Poldark." A miner spoke gruffly.
Elizabeth looked at them unconcerned with that fact as she stayed where she was.
"No. No, I am not." She said in a more calm acknowledging tone.
Ross was very slowly regaining consciousness. He opened his eyes to Elizabeth's face but remained silent.
She gasped in relief.
"Well, please, Madam. Clear off." The miners continued their commands.
Elizabeth did not acquiese.
"Madam, please. Make way for the doctor."
She then obeyed.
Caroline had watched this scene transpire.