"Nell," said Mrs. Nash, as they glided swiftly over the snow, leaving the town behind. "I hear that Englishman is very attentive to you; but I can tell you Dr. Clendenin is worth a dozen of him." "What has that to do with it?" asked Nell dryly, screening her face from view in the folds of a thick veil. "They are not rivals." "I don't know what you mean, my dear child. I do know that Dr. Clendenin loves you." "He has made you his confidante?" Nell's tone was a mixture of inquiry, pain, incredulity, anger and pique. "Not intentionally; but words could not have told it more plainly than his looks, tones and actions when he found you lying insensible beside the carcass of that mad cat, and thought you had been bitten." "All your imagination, _mon ami_, Dr. Clendenin and I are nothing to each other." Nell strove to speak lightly, but there was an undertone of bitterness which did not escape her friend. Mrs. Nash mused silently for a moment, saying to herself there had probably been a lovers' quarrel, but she hoped it would all come right in the end, and she would be on the lookout to do anything in her power to bring about a reconciliation. She was not one of the prying kind, however, and knew that Nell would be quick to resent any attempt to worm her secrets from her, so when she presently spoke again, it was upon a widely different topic. They had a pleasant sociable time together for several days, Nell finding positive pleasure in helping her friend to make up winter garments for the children. Then came a heavy snow storm followed by bright weather, clear and cold, making excellent sleighing. Mrs. Nash had carefully avoided broaching the subject of Nell's love affairs, but they had, nevertheless, been seldom absent from her thoughts, which had busied themselves with projects for restoring harmony between the two, whom she supposed to have had a misunderstanding. She had cast about in her mind for an excuse for sending for the doctor, that so they might be brought together and given an opportunity for mutual explanation. So anxious for this was she that it seemed hardly a matter for regret when she found she had taken cold with the change of weather, and had a slight sore throat. Mr. Nash was going into town and she requested him to call at the doctor's office and ask him to come out and see her. Nell heard, and it sent the blood to her cheek and made her heart beat quickly. She had not exchanged a word with Dr. Clendenin since that evening when she had read, or fancied she did, reproof in his eye and voice because of her flirtation with Lyttleton; and she both longed and dreaded to meet him. The latter feeling increased as the time drew near when he might be expected; the merry jingle of sleigh bells, and the sight of a cutter with a gentleman in it wrapped in furs, dashing up to the gate, had almost sent her flying from the room, so strong was the impulse at that moment to avoid him.