CHAPTER XIX
Drew waited until after Christmas before he took a decided part in the affairs of Gaston and Joyce. Indeed he purposely avoided any information regarding what was going on at the shack among the pines. He was determined that St. Angé's first, true Christmas should be, as far as he could make it, a perfect one; and it was one never to be forgotten. It set a high standard; one from which the place was never again to fall far below.
The snowstorm raged furiously for hours, and then the weather cleared suddenly and gloriously.
Blue was the sky, and white the world. A stillness held all Nature, and the intense cold was so disguised that even the wisest native was misled.
Early on Christmas morning, right after the jolly family breakfast, Drew called to Constance as she passed his study door:
"Connie, we cannot have Filmer with us, after all. He's gone away."
The girl stopped suddenly. Her arms were full of gifts, and her bright face grew still.
"Where has he gone?" The question was put calmly, but with effort.