“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.
CHAPTER XXX
THE LAMP RELIGHTED
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.