love you.' She said it very softly, and I cuddled
up, supposing she meant me. But she was asleep."

"She certainly meant you," said Selwyn, forcing his stiffened lips into
a smile.

The child shook her head, looking down at the ring which she was turning
on her finger:

"No; she did not mean me."

"H-how do you know?"

"Because she said a man's name."

The silence lengthened; he sat, tilted a little forward, blank gaze
focussed on the snowy window; Drina, standing, leaned back into the
hollow of his arm, absently studying her ring.

A few moments later her music-teacher arrived, and Drina was obliged to
leave him.

"If you don't wait until I have finished my music," she said, "you won't
see mother and Eileen. They are coming to take me to the riding-school
at four o'clock."

He said that he couldn't stay that day; and when she had gone away to
the schoolroom he walked slowly to the window and looked out across the
snowy Park, where hundreds of children were floundering about with gaily
painted sleds. It was a pretty scene in the sunshine; crimson sweaters
and toboggan caps made vivid spots of colour on the white expanse.
Beyond, through the naked trees, he could see the drive, and the sleighs
with their brilliant scarlet plumes and running-gear flashing in the
sun. Overhead was the splendid winter blue of the New York sky, in
which, at a vast height, sea-birds circled.

Meaning to go--for the house and its associations made him restless--he
picked up the box of violets and turned to ring for a maid to take
charge of them--and found himself confronting Eileen, who, in her furs
and gloves, was just entering the room.

"I came up," she said; "they told me you were here, calling very
formally upon Drina, if you please. What with her monopoly of you and
Boots, there seems to be no chance for Nina and me."

They shook hands pleasantly; he offered her the box of violets, and she
thanked him and opened it, and, lifting the heavy, perfumed bunch, bent
her fresh young face to it. For a moment she stood inhaling the scent,
then stretched out her arm, offering their fragrance to him.

"The first night I ever knew you, you sent me about a wagon-load of
violets," she said carelessly.

He nodded pleasantly; she tossed her muff on to the library table,
stripped off her gloves, and began to unhook her fur coat, declining his
aid with a quick shake of her head.

"It is easy--you see!"--as the sleeves slid from her arm