But a second glance told her that was not Kenneth's noble figure which sprang from the vehicle and came hurrying up the path to the house. She sat still and in another moment Lyttleton stood smiling and bowing before her, hat in hand. "Excuse this intrusion, fair lady," he said, "I have felt like a Peri shut out of heaven since your withdrawal from the major's house, and I come as bearer of a letter which I must even hope may secure me a welcome." He tendered it gracefully as he spoke. "Ah, thank you!" she cried, her face flushing with pleasure, for letters were a rare thing in those days. He bade her read it while he sat by the fire and chatted with Mrs. Nash, to whom, with his usual tact and skill, he soon managed to make himself extremely entertaining. "Now, fair lady," he said, turning to Nell as she refolded her letter, "may I not claim a reward for the slight service I have had the happiness to render you?" "Of what kind, sir?" she answered with a saucy smile. "The privilege of taking you out for a short drive. The sleighing is superb." Nell was in a most gracious mood, and then here was the wished for chance to escape the dreaded meeting with Dr. Clendenin. She consented at once and hastily donned cloak and hood. "I'm afraid you will find it very cold," objected Mrs. Nash, more anxious to detain the young girl for Kenneth's coming, and to prevent any acceptance of attentions from his rival, than she would have liked to acknowledge. "Oh no, madame," hastily interposed Lyttleton, "I have a foot-stove and plenty of robes, and there is no wind; indeed I assure you it is quite delightful out to-day, the air is so pure and bracing." "And I am warmly dressed, and have a thick veil," added Nell. Lyttleton tucked the robes snugly about her, saying, "I trust you will not suffer from cold, Miss Lamar." "Oh, no!" she answered with a gay laugh. "Now which way shall we travel?" he asked, gathering up the reins. With the thought that Dr. Clendenin would be coming from the town, and the desire to avoid a meeting, Nell named the opposite direction. But they had not gone half a mile when that very thing occurred. Dr. Clendenin had a patient some miles farther out from town, had called there first, and was intending to take Mr. Nash's in his way home. He bowed with grave courtesy to Nell and her companion, in passing, recognizing the latter with a jealous pang that was like the stab of a sharp knife. Nell's cheeks flushed and her eyes fell; she was thankful that her veil hid her agitation from Dr. Clendenin; but then and many times through the succeeding weeks and months, she would have given much to deny to him the knowledge that she had accepted this attention from Lyttleton. In vain she asked herself what concern was it of his, what right he had to object? She could not shake off the feeling that she was in some way, to some extent, accountable to him.