The mist was beginning to clear by slow degrees when they came to the crest of the abrupt descent that led to the torrent. "I can't tell you how I was dreading this part of the way," said Mona. "Were you? Well, I must say it is a case where two are better than one. See, I will go first and hold out my hands behind me." They got across in safety, and in a wonderfully short time found themselves on the road. "Don't you find it very dull here in the evening?" he asked. "No. But I can imagine any one would who was accustomed to being amused." "You sit on the verandah, I suppose?" "Not on the one overlooking the Nærodal. There is such a crowd there. We get one of the others to ourselves, and enjoy a cup of coffee, and a chat, or a quiet rubber." "Now do get off those wet things instantly," he said as they drew near the house, "and promise me that you will have a glass of hot toddy or something equivalent. That's right!"--interrupting her thanks--"don't stand there for a moment. I shall take the liberty of presenting myself on the verandah after supper." Mona ran up-stairs with a smile, but his last words had caused her some alarm. What sort of reception might he look for on the verandah? Lady Munro was considered extremely "exclusive"; and as for Sir Douglas, he classified the male tourists broadly as "counter-jumpers," and was indignant if they so much as looked at his niece and daughter. If her friend got a chance to speak for himself, nobody could fail to see that he was a gentleman, and in that case all would be well; but Sir Douglas was hasty, and not likely to welcome advances from a complete stranger. "The fact is, I ought not to have hob-a-nobbed with him so," she said. "I need not have let my gratitude and relief run away with me. It is all my own fault. Yes, Lucy, I am an abject idiot!" "Oh, I am so glad to see you!" cried Evelyn as Mona entered the room the cousins shared; "in another minute I should have told Mother." "Where is aunt Maud?" "She came in not long after you left, and has been asleep all the afternoon, so there was no one to tell Father. I should have gone to him in another minute. I have been so miserable." "Plucky little soul! And she has actually had the stove lighted! I shall be dry in no time. Luckily, the mist is clearing every minute." "My Etna will be boiling directly, and I have got wine to make you some negus. Oh, Mona, do make haste! What a state you are in!" Mona hastily exchanged her dripping clothes for a comfortable dressing-gown, and after wringing out her long hair, she seated herself by the stove, sipping her negus. "You must have been in fearful danger, I have imagined such things!" "Not a bit. A son of Anak came to my rescue; but more of that anon. Get me out some clean things, like a darling." "What dress will you wear?"