as turned up as far as it would go, with the flaps
of his astrachan cap drawn over his cars, his hands in coarse woollen
gloves, Maurice defied the cold, flying round the two ponds that formed
the JOHANNATEICH, or practising intricate figures with a Canadian
acquaintance in a corner.

Madeleine watched him approvingly from one of the wooden bridges that
spanned the neck connecting the ponds. She rejoiced at his glowing face
and vigorous, boyish pleasure, also at the skill that marked him out as
one of the best skaters present. For some time, Maurice tried in vain
to persuade her to join him. Madeleine, usually so confident, was here
diffident and timid. She had never in her life attempted to skate, and
was sure she would fall. And what should she do if she broke a thumb or
strained a finger?--with her PRUFUNG just before the door. She would
never have the courage to confess to Schwarz how it had happened; for
he was against "sport" in any form. But Maurice laughed at her fears.

"There is not the least chance of your falling," he cried up to her.
"Do come down, Madeleine. Before you've gone round twice, you'll be
able to throw off all those mufflings."

Finally, she let herself be persuaded, and according to his promise,
Maurice remained at her side from the moment of her first, hesitating
steps, each of which was accompanied by a faint scream, to the time
when, with the aid of only one of his hands, she made uncertain efforts
at striking out. She did not learn quickly; but she was soon as
enthusiastic a skater as Maurice himself; and he fell into the habit of
calling for her, every afternoon, on his way to the ponds.

Dove was also of assistance in the beginning, and, as usual, was well
up in the theory of the thing, though he did not shine in practice.

"Oh, bother, never mind how you go at first. That'll come afterwards,"
said Maurice impatiently. But Dove thought the rules should be observed
from the beginning, and gave Madeleine minute instructions how to place
her feet.

Towards five o'clock, the ice grew more crowded, and especially was
this the case on Wednesdays and Saturdays, when the schools had
half-holidays. On one of these latter days, Maurice did not find
Madeleine at home; and he had been on the ponds for nearly an hour,
before he espied her on a bench beside the GARDEROBE, having her skates
put on by a blue-smocked attendant. He waved his cap to her, and skated
over.

"Why are you so late?"

"