When they found the maid, a grey elderly person, she was in a panic of terror, which made her perfectly useless. She was shaking from head to foot, and repeating disconnected Scriptural texts; she resisted all her mistress’s requests and entreaties to her to descend; she said she wished to meet her God where she was. “If there be any thieves in the train,” said Hurstmanceaux to the lady, “they will have an easy time with your jewel-box.” “I do not wear jewels,” said his fellow-traveler curtly. He looked at her in some surprise. Her tone had asperity in it. “Were you going up to town, may I ask?” he ventured to inquire. “No,” she answered. “Only from one country house to another.” He wished he knew what country houses they were, but he could not ask that. She argued with her maid very patiently and with great kindness, but made no impression. “Poor Danvers! She is out of her mind with fear. What shall I do?” she said, appealing to him as though they had been old acquaintances. “Are you afraid of a long walk?” “No.” “Will you come with me, then? I know the country. The nearest town is four miles away. I am going there to send help. Will you like to come?” She did not immediately reply. “May I present myself?” he added, “I am Lord Hurstmanceaux.” She looked up quickly. “Indeed? You are very like your sister.” “Which one? I have several.” “Lady Kenilworth.” He laughed. “That is a great compliment. She is the beauty of the family. Do you know her? She is one of the beauties of England.” “Not I; but my people do. I have seen her, of course!” The tone was rather repellant; by no means cordial. “Well, we must not lose daylight,” said Ronald. “Will you come? The snow is firm, and it will be fair cross-country walking. You will be less chilled than staying here in inaction; and it is not more than four miles to the town by short cuts which I know.” She hesitated. “But my poor woman? To leave her here alone----” “I will tell my servant to stay and look after her. She will join you in the town, and you will continue your journey. I think you had better come with me. I must go myself, anyhow, for no one else knows the country. I have hunted and ridden over it scores of times, and I know every bush and briar.” “I will come,” she said, without any further hesitation. “You are a good walker?” he said a little anxiously. She laughed a little. “Oh, yes; I shall not break down and cast my shoes.” “Come along, then. It soon grows dark in these early spring days. Our Aprils are considerably worse than our Novembers.” “He is rather too familiar,” she thought; but she perceived that it was his natural manner, which, when he was not irritated, or sarcastic, or--as he frequently was--silent, had great frankness and simplicity in it.