But opening the door revealed only the quiet, clear, starry sky and the still air. No glare of fire; no sound of voices; the crickets seemed to be going on comfortably and much as usual. The air was a trifle more chill, too; and after a few minutes of fruitless watching the two girls came indoors again; but they would not accept Gyda's proposition and go to bed. It was not very late, they said; and once more the three women sat down round the fire to wait. After a time however, Primrose gave it up and went off. Hazel sat still, pondering. Not in her great chair now, but down at the corner of the hearth; with a disturbed mind going over Prim's enigmas. Something about her was sure to displease,—that seemed to be as near as she could come to it; and a restless, uneasy sort of pain crept into her heart and over her face. But the minute returning steps were heard outside the door, Hazel darted away to where Prim was already asleep. Could Prim have been set to talk to her? she thought as she looked. But it was no use to raise that question to-night. Nevertheless the question lifted its own head now and then,—that, and one other sorrowful thought which the evening had left: she was ready to join him in singing anything—except just what he loved best! And Hazel went to sleep with a sigh upon her lips. CHAPTER XII. COFFEE AND BUNS. Wych Hazel sat watching her friend at her toilet. 'Prim,' she said, 'will _you_ be angry?' 'Me? Angry? No. About what?' 'Because,' said Hazel, 'your dress is not looped right. And I want to alter it.' Primrose laughed a little. 'What's the use?' she said. 'Next time it will be wrong again. I can't reach the mystery of your loopings. They _are_ loopings, but your dress is never in a bunch anywhere— only falls into place in a lovely manner. I can't be like that, Hazel.' Hazel's busy fingers were making changes. 'There!'—she said. 'Now it is a great deal more "beautiful." Do you feel demoralized?' 'Hazel!' said Prim facing round,—'did you suppose I mean _that?_ When Dane likes everything to be as beautiful, and as _right_, every way, as it can be? Look at his horses; and look at his own dress.' 'Ask him to look at your's,'—Hazel said with a laugh, and pushing Prim gently before her into the next room. Breakfast was well seasoned with talk, and the talkers lingered over their meal, until Dr. Arthur declared that if the rest could stay there all day, he could not; and so broke up the sitting. 'Miss Kennedy,' he said as they left the table, 'will you come to the door a moment, before you put on your hat, and let me see your eyes?' 'See my eyes!'—Hazel followed him doubtfully. 'Yes, I want to know how they look now they are open. How nearly do you feel like yourself again?' he said, in the midst of a somewhat close and earnest examination. 'I am perfectly well, thank you.' ' "Perfectly well."—For instance, did you thoroughly enjoy riding on horseback yesterday?'