ands now," she
muttered, huddling the blankets rudely over the prostrate girl, "let her
sleep while I take a little care of myself. This awful night has almost
killed me. I wonder the girl is alive."

The woman drew a chair close to one end of the hearth after preparing a
fresh cup of the spiced wine, which she sipped with thoughtful slowness
while her eyes were fixed on the pale face at her feet.

"This snow has proved unfortunate," she muttered. "I fear that no
carriage will be able to cut through it, and in this place she will
prove very troublesome. Still, Agnes may be trusted, even against the
storm; the girl has a spirit that will conquer anything, when her
passions are concerned. Heavens, how cold it is! I can hear the snow
crack, the frost crusts it so suddenly over; the window-panes seem
curtained over with lace, which the moonbeams are turning to silver; it
is a bitter cold night. I fancy half an hour more would have settled all
things for the young lady. How she sleeps; but there is unrest about
her yet. She knits her brows and moans in her dreams, as if some enemy
were near. Oh, ha! ha! my pretty hound, what is the matter now?"

Fair-Star had provoked this question by thrusting his head out from
under the blankets, and giving a low bark, as if disturbed by something
that he disliked.

"Hush!" said the woman, sharply. "Hush, sir!" and she listened keenly
for the noise that had disturbed him.

It was a quick footstep on the snow-crust--a fluttering sound near the
window; and then the keen eyes of the woman saw a hand softly brushing
away the frost traceries on the window, and a human face looking
through. Zillah arose with an eager look, and opened the door.

"Agnes, is it you?"

"I should like to know what other person you expect?" said the girl in a
whisper.

"She is sound asleep, of course; trust you for that."

"Yes, yes," said the woman; "but, have you brought the carriage? Can
anything penetrate this depth of snow?"

"Not a carriage, certainly; but I have a sleigh and two good horses
outside. It will be a hard drag, but she must be out of his reach before
morning."

"And you expect me to go out again, this bitter cold night?" said the
woman, shuddering. "I would rather run some risks than attempt it."

"Nonsense, nonsense!" exclaimed the young woman, speaking more boldly as
she saw the deathly nature of Lina's slumber. "The whole thing must be
arranged before sunrise, and I safe at home ag