rs and wraps, but Norma staid her hand; it would not be worth while,
she said; she had only come to call.

"Do stay to tea!" entreated Pocahontas. "Berke will take you home
afterward. We haven't looked on a white face except our own for two
whole days. We are pining for change and distraction, and beginning to
hate each other from very _ennui_. Take pity on us and stay."

"Yes, my dear, you must consent," added Mrs. Mason. "You haven't taken
tea with us for a long time. Berkeley, help Norma with her wrappings.
And, Princess, suppose you run and tell Rachel to make waffles for tea.
Norma is so fond of them."

Norma yielded to their persuasions, feeling a little curiously, but
hardening her heart. What she had come to say, she intended to say;
but it would be best to wait an opportunity. She let Berkeley take her
wraps, and established herself comfortably, bent on making the time
pass pleasantly, and herself thoroughly agreeable.

The meal was a merry one, for Norma exerted herself unusually, and was
ably seconded by Pocahontas, who, for some reason, appeared in
brilliant spirits. After tea they discovered that it was snowing
heavily. The threatened storm had come--evenly, slowly, in a thick,
impenetrable cloud, the white flakes fell, without haste, excitement or
the flurry of wind. Already the ground was covered and the trees were
bending with the weight of the white garment the sky was throwing over
them. It was unfit weather for a lady to encounter, or indeed for
anything feminine to be abroad in, save a witch on a broomstick. Norma
was fain to accept Mrs. Mason's invitation and remain for the night at
Lanarth.

When the two girls, in dressing gowns and slippers, sat over the fire
in Pocahontas's room, brushing out their long hair, Norma found the
opportunity for which she had lain in wait the entire evening. It was
the hour for confidences, the house was quiet, the inmates all
dispersed to their several couches. Norma, brush in hand and hair
flowing in a heavy, black veil around her, had quitted her own room
across the passage, and established herself in a low rocking-chair
beside Pocahontas's bright fire. She was far too clever a diplomatist
to introduce her subject hastily; she approached it gradually from long
range--stalked it delicately with skillful avoidance of surprise or
bungling. The game must be brought down; on that she was determined;
but there should be no bludgeon blows, no awkward