ts became more lively as she speculated why Bertie and Cecil
were absent from the sleighing party. It was some consolation, at any
rate, not to see him enjoying himself quite as much without her. The sun
was setting redly as she neared the cottage, and a young moon gaining
brightness. Bluebell, remembering a childish superstition, paused to
wish. The passage was dark as she entered, and her mother's tones,
talking with great volubility, struck her ear. "Mamma has her company
voice on," thought she, which, being interpreted, meant an increase of
nervousness and consequent garrulity.

She opened the door, and her heart gave a sudden leap as she became aware
of, rather than saw in the dusk, the tall, broad-shouldered form of Du
Meresq. Bluebell came stiffly forward, and offered a cold hand, utterly
belying her heart, to Bertie, who bent over it as if sorely tempted, in
spite of Mrs. Leigh's presence, to carry it to his lips. But she withdrew
it abruptly, and sat down, seized with more overpowering shyness than she
had ever experienced.

Miss Opie's keen, attentive eyes were taking in the situation.

"Captain Du Meresq has been kind enough to call," said Mrs. Leigh, "to
say there is no immediate hurry for your return, my dear."

Bluebell raised disappointed, questioning eyes; but something in his face
conveyed to her that the message was coined as an excuse for his
appearance.

"I hope Cecil is well?" said she, trying to speak unconcernedly; "but I
saw she was not out with the Club to-day."

"I think she is tired of it. Where did you fall in with them?" asked he.

"In the Humber," very consciously.

"Were you there?" asked Bertie, with a tender inflection in his voice,
that Bluebell knew well. But she would not look up, and Miss Opie did, so
he proceeded carelessly,--"I suppose they were coming from the Lake Shore
Road, up the serpentine drive in the wood?"

"Oh! that is such a pretty walk in summer!" said Mrs. Leigh.

"I dare say," said Bertie, looking straight down his nose. "I went round
that way once, and even in winter found it the pleasantest walk I ever
took in my life."

"Ah, then," said Mrs. Leigh, knowingly, "I dare say some pretty young
lady was with you."

"No such happiness," said Bertie, with an imperceptible glance at
Bluebell. "The fact is, Mrs. Leigh, women detest me! I suppose it is my
deep respect, making me so fearful of offending, that bores them; but I
fear I am a social failure."

"In