She quitted the room, leaving her uncles discussing the weather prospects, and made her way to the kitchen. Her housekeeping duties were not very heavy, for Mrs. Page, the old cook-housekeeper, had been nearly twenty years in the family; but Adrienne as a matter of form discussed the meals with her every day, and she took charge of the store-room, and supplied all necessary stores when needed. Half an hour later she stood in the hall, clad in her long fur coat. A soft grey felt hat was crammed down on her curly head, and she had strong brogue shoes and cloth gaiters on her feet. "Now I'm off," she sang out, as she passed the smoking-room door; "and I'm going through the village, so I'll get your nails, Uncle Tom." The General came out, pipe in mouth, and accompanied her to the hall door; Bruce, the Cairn terrier, was at her heels. "Ugh!" he shuddered as he looked out at the soft snow which the gardener was sweeping away from the drive as fast as he could. "My old bones don't like snow. We oughtn't to have it down here in the west." "Oh, I love it!" cried Adrienne, starting out gaily with bright eyes and a flush on her cheeks. But when she was out of sight of the house, she pulled a letter out of her pocket, and began to read it over for the second time. The contents brought a grave look upon her face. And then, with a little sigh, she folded it up, and put it back into her pocket. The snow was crisp under her feet. As she walked along the road bordered with fir woods on either side, it was a fairy-like scene. From every branch the snow drooped in icicles which were sparkling in the sun. Along a snowy glade under the pines she saw a rabbit scuttling. Bruce scampered after it, and she had to wait till he rejoined her. Then, suddenly, round a corner appeared a young man, accompanied by a huge Alsatian wolf-hound. "Hullo, Adrienne!" "Hullo, Godfrey! You're the very person I want." The young fellow looked pleased. "I'm on my way to Strake's Farm. But it will wait." "Walk to the village with me. Have you company on Thursday?" "Only the Rector and wife, besides Colonel and Mrs. Blake, who are staying with us. I hope you're coming. These small dinner parties are deadly, but you know my mother loves them." "Oh, yes, we are coming; but if there's a thaw, don't expect Uncle Tom." "He'll be hunting, I suppose."