The girl looked up sharply, and there was a subdued brightness in her
eyes, for she had more than once shivered when leading her horse along
that perilous trail. Alton felt for his comrade's leg under the table
and kicked it grievously.

"There wasn't any trouble, and the snow was soft," said he. "You're
going to make a dress of that stuff, Miss Nellie?"

"Yes," said the girl. "I could, however, wish the stuff was better."

Alton smiled gravely. "Of course!" he said. "Still, it don't count
for much. You would look like a picture in anything."

Nellie Townshead glanced at him sharply, and for a moment there was a
faint sparkle in her eyes, for she had a trace of temper.

"Whatever made you say that?" said she.

Alton laughed. "I really don't quite know. I just felt I had to," he
said with a naive simplicity. "I wouldn't have done it if I had
thought it would vex you."

After this he listened while his comrade talked--and Seaforth on
occasion could talk gracefully--until at last he said, "England's not
so very big, Miss Nellie. I wonder if you know a place called Carnaby."

"Yes," said the girl. "I once went to see rather a fine old hall
there."