"If I'd been half a man I'd never have let you go on alone that day," he said after she had greeted him brightly, giving him both her hands.
"Oh, indeed!" retorted Marion. "And what would you have done?"
"A fool to do as I told you, Mr. Smythe?" she demanded archly.
"Yes. You didn't know what you were doing."
This come with such depth of feeling that he knew he would no longer be able to bring her news of Philip Haig.
Presently she told him her story; but much was omitted, especially the keenest of her sufferings, since remorse still haunted Smythe's solemn eyes.
"And what have you been doing?" she asked.
"Trying to read and study, but it's been no use."
"That's nothing. I can make it up, if you've forgiven me." She gave him her hand again.
"There's nothing to forgive!" she answered warmly. "You've been a good friend to me. I owe you--more than you know--more than I can tell you--now!"
On that she rose hurriedly, and went to her room for--a handkerchief. It was quite ten minutes before she returned to finish their talk, and to tell him that he must come to see her often through the long months of winter that remained.
Marion, at the window, was the first to see him; and what she saw caused her to clutch at her throat to stifle a cry. He was not on horseback, though the roads were quite passable, but in a sleigh; and there was a jingle of sleigh bells on the frosty air. He had come with the sorrels--for her--at last!
She opened the door for him, giving him her hand--was it possible?--a little shyly. Huntington, at Haig's entrance, rose from his chair before the fire; and Claire too, clinging to the chimney, scarce able to believe that there would not be such another scene as that of one evening long ago.
Silence, a little awkward for all of them, followed Marion's greeting, while the two men stood looking at each other. Then Haig walked direct to Huntington, frankly smiling.
"How are you, Huntington? And Mrs. Huntington?" he was saying quietly.
"All well," replied Huntington, rather stiffly, meaning to be very reserved in this business.
Claire inclined her head without speaking. Her blue eyes were round, her lips parted, and something of the old terror showed in her face, though she knew very well why Haig was there.