The runaway carriage

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The carriage struck a rut and flung Eliza against the door. Through the front window, she saw the driver's seat empty and the reins leaping beyond the footboard. The hedges streamed past in a green confusion, and ahead the road tightened towards a narrow bridge. She gripped the seat as if the padded leather might protect her.

Then she heard her father's old instruction as clearly as though he sat beside her: hands first, fear afterwards. Eliza pushed open the door. Wind snatched at her bonnet while she edged along the outer step, but she fixed her eyes on the brass rail and moved one hand at a time.

On the driver's seat, she caught the reins. They burned across her palms, yet she drew them steadily towards her and called, “Easy.” The thunder of hooves separated into slower, distinct beats. The bridge remained ahead, but it no longer seemed to be rushing at her. Eliza lifted her head and guided the carriage towards the grassy verge.

Analyse the writer's use of language and structure in presenting the development of Eliza's confidence as she attempts to control the carriage. Support your answer with references to the passage.